November 16, 2012

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA November 16, 2012 2 Kislev 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 9

Historic BBYO Convention

This Week

by LEORA AZRIEL Wiseman, Teen/BBYO Director Senior and CoThe weekend of Coordinator of October 26-28 was a AIT/MIT, used momentous occaa simple idea sion in Omaha that and his sweet is worth celebrating. tooth to get We had a record teens talking. number of freshmen, Wiseman dividsophomores, and ed Skittles into upper classmen who bags and dividattended the New ed BBYO’ers Member Convention into groups. (AIT/MIT). A group Each teen-led of 102 enthusiastic group grabbed BBYO’ers from each color and Omaha, Kansas City, was asked to Minnesota, and St. answer quesLouis came together tions based on in Omaha to make a the color choweekend of memosen. For examries. ple, if you chose The theme of a red skittle, AIT/MIT was Dr. teens would Molly Paskar and Matthew Wiesman at the BBYO New Member Convention. Seuss and Judaism, answer the which was incorporated into differ- Dr. Seuss is ‘Today you are you, that question “What is your favorite part ent events, including Shabbat and is truer than true. There is no one about being in a Jewish youth several Judaic programs. Teen-led alive who is youer than you.’ I feel group?” Wiseman said: “Coming to Shabbat services were remarkable. that this statement is important to a new city and meeting new people Cheyenne Janickek, junior, wrote a share with teens to teach them that can sometimes be overwhelming. whimsical yet meaningful Saturday you shouldn’t try to be someone you Having entertaining events can morning service titled Getting are not. You think it will make some- result in making new friends that one else happier, but what you are is will last through one’s BBYO career.” Seussy with Shabbat. “I enjoyed incorporating Dr. Seuss what makes you exceptional, so stay On Saturday, afternoon, the JCC into the prayer service,” she said, true to yourself.” offered lots of activities for teens. Teens participated in Icebreakers AZA and BBG had a basketball “because there are so many significant sayings he has written that are and Mock Chapters. These two pro- tournament, an intense game of still relevant today. For example, one grams helped make it easy for new GaGa and teens competed in a of Janicek’s favorite quotations by members to meet others. Matthew Continued on page 2

Hanukkah shopping at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Page 8

A Pushke for the future Page 9

ADL to host free screening of Not In Our Town

Born after Rabin’s death Page 16

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

This Month Hanukkah Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

12 14 15

by LIZZY GILBERT Corporate & Community Development, ADL, Plains States Region The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will host a free, one-time screening of the documentary Not in Our Town: Light in the Darkness on Thursday, Nov. 29 at Aksarben Cinema (2110 S. 67th Street), with a panel discussion to follow. Donations will be accepted at the door. Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness is a one-hour documentary about a town coming together to take action after anti-immigrant violence devastates the community. In 2008, attacks against Latino residents of Patchogue, New York, culminate with the murder of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorian immigrant who had lived in the Long Island village for 13 years. Over a two-year period, the story

follows Mayor Paul Pontieri, the victim’s brother, Joselo Lucero, and Patchogue residents as they openly address the underlying causes of the violence, work to heal divisions, and

how the community might respond if an incident of bias-motivated violence were to occur here. In other words, how might Omaha say Not in our town?

begin taking steps to ensure everyone in their village will be safe and respected. The film will begin at 6 p.m. ADL will facilitate a panel discussion with Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, City Councilman Chris Jerram, and Susan Mayberger, Coordinator of ESL, Migrant, and Refugee Education for OPS. The discussion will offer reactions to the film and consider how Omaha can prevent something like this, and

For this screening, ADL has partnered with Nebraska Appleseed and NET. Light in the Darkness is part of the Not in Our Town series. Not in Our Town produces films and broadcasts that highlight and celebrate people who have developed creative anti-bias programs and responses. In 2011, NET, the ADL and Nebraska Appleseed received a grant from the Not in Our Town Foundation to bring the film series Continued on page 2

Jewish Book Month begins soon by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, The Center of Jewish Life An emerging new author, a special event for children and a focus on Omaha’s very own Jewish authors will be highlights of this year’s celebration of

Janna Yeshanova Jewish Book Month by the Kripke Jewish Federation Library through the Center for Jewish Life. Now in its 39th year, the annual events are a highlight of the library’s yearly programming. This year’s happenings will begin with the Jewish Book Month Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 28, featuring Janna Yeshanova, author of Love is Never Past Tense. Next up, on Saturday evening, Dec. 8, the younger set will have an event tailored just for them, during the Jewish Book Month Children’s Event at the Omaha Children’s Museum. The final Jewish Book Month happening will be the Omaha Jewish Author Showcase on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9. Jewish Book Month Luncheon, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 11:45 a.m., JCC Auditorium with Janna Yeshanova, author of Love is Never Past Tense. Generously sponsored by the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Endowment Fund: Originally from the former Soviet Union, Janna Yeshanova escaped to the United States when persecution became violent during the crumbling of the Soviet state. Arriving in the U.S. with her mother and daughter in tow, $126 in her pocket and knowing not a soul, Janna’s talent and experiences have helped her become a high end organizational training and development professional. Love is Never Past Tense, tells the story of her exodus, a classic Russian tale of love, loss, betrayal and the eventual reunion of star-crossed lovers set against the unfolding of the dramatic political intrigue. Thanks to the generosity of a sponsorship by the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Endowment Fund, the luncheon cost is just Continued on page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc.

Providing 29 years of investment experience in Nebraska

Personalized customer service, ensuring your financial plan meets YOUR lifestyle needs. Consultations free.

Call today at 402-614-1321

Visit us on Facebook

www.russkaplaninvestments.com

Alan, Anne & Marty Cohen

Looking for a home? Give us a call! 12727 West Dodge Road $59,950 12828 Marcy $212,500 958 S. 220 Street $277,500 5627 Emile Street $289,950 17462 Archer Circle $369,000 6724 Davenport $1,300,000

Alan Cohen

Whitehall High-Rise Condo Leawood West Elkhorn over 3/4 acre Midtown 2 story Hawthorne Cul-de-sac Old Fairacres

Anne Cohen

Marty Cohen

402-677-2524 402-850-4161 402-690-1591

Building a wall that’s not a barrier by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, The Center for Jewish Life Building bridges connects people. Walls divide. This adage will be flipped with a wall on the Jewish Federation of Omaha campus. It is to celebrate the bridges that have been built through Omaha’s participation in the Partnership2Gether program, which enlightens, informs, supports, and proclaims the joy of being in partnership with a community in Israel. The newly installed wall is located by the entrance to the JCC Health Spa. The Partnership2Gether Wall will provide an avenue to highlight both past and future activities and provide on-going information about Israel. The stunning graphics will draw you in to peruse a 45 x 88 inch map of Israel. A TV monitor will be mounted on the wall to present information about Partnership, our consortium cities, videos, and program opportunities. Interactive educational items will highlight the wall offering learning opportunities for all ages. The 12 x 12 stars that make up the Partnership2Gether logo will serve as backdrops for visual displays of Omaha community members participating in P2G programs as well as other relevant activities of the program. Partnership2Gether is an extraordinary global platform connecting some 550 communities around the world in 47 partnerships. It is a program of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Federations of North America. Omaha’s Partnership promotes personal relationships between 12 U.S. Jewish communities and Israel’s Western Galilee (Akko and Matte Asher) through cultural, educational, social, medical and economic programs. Partnership2Gether builds living bridges among our communities. Sharing ideas, strengths, challenges and models of success, and empowering ALL communities to generate waves of change, the impact of these programs goes far beyond the community level—each of us has the opportunity to become directly and personally involved. Stacie Brodkey co-chairs Omaha’s Partnership2Gether Committee with Patty Nogg. “It is so exciting to have this amazing display to share the many facets of Partnership with the community�, says Stacie. “Visual images are a great tool to share the Partnership message and with such a wide variety of programs, the display will often have a fresh look.� Patty echoes Stacie’s comments and adds “I am particularly excited with the educational items that will be incorporated into the wall. Friedel, the CDC and even outside groups will have the chance to use the wall as part of their curriculum, discovering more about Israel while learning about

Partnership.� Gili Gutwirth, our Community Shlicha, is developing the educational materials and promises they will have a unique Israeli flair. The Partnership wall design was conceptualized by Kim Goldberg and presented at the summer Partnership Steering Committee meeting held in Indianapolis in July by Beth Cohen, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Life. “The new Partnership Wall provides a great opportunity to highlight all of the connections being made between Omaha and Israel,� commented Cohen. Omaha belongs to the Central Area Consortium of Partnerships comprised of Canton, Dayton, Toledo, Youngstown, Ohio; Indianapolis, Northwest Indiana, South Bend, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Des Moines, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska; Austin, and San Antonio, Texas partnering with Akko and Matte Asher in the Western Galilee. Partnership now also counts a relationship with Budapest, linking Israel and the U.S. with this emerging Jewish community. Through the structure of six task forces -- Arts, Education, Missions & Marketing, Medical, Regional Development, and Budapest - community members can be agents of change and create stronger bonds between communities. In the past three years, Partnership programs have included performances from the Matte Asher Center for the Performing Arts, the Beit Hamayarim singers, the Zimrei Matte Asher Choral Singers, world renowned violist Vadim Gluzman and a return visit by the popular Halil Bagalil duo. Teens from Israel have visited Omaha, connecting with their peers in the Jewish community and in local high schools. Israeli teacher delegations have meet with educators in Omaha, sharing information and enriching the classrooms. Several Omaha artists have traveled to Israel, participating in artists-in-residency programs. Omaha college students have worked as camp counselors in the Western Galilee. Professors from the Western Galilee and the U.S. have exchanged visits, creating joint research projects, offering benefits on both sides of the ocean. Partnership2Gether is a vibrant, energetic program for the Omaha Jewish community and the new Partnership2Gether Wall will spotlight this excitement. The community is invited to stop and take time to explore the wealth of information and to simply enjoy. Partnership2Gether is a program of the Center for Jewish Life, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For more information on Partnership2Gether, please call 402.334.6445.

BBYO convention “We love to visit our cousin Rita at Remington Heights.�

Continued from page 1 scavenger hunt. Host families were exceptional by accommodating teens during Chofesh (free time) before the evening programs took place.

- Alexander and Zachary, cousins of Rita N., a Remington Heights resident Our residents enjoy: UĂŠ/Â…Ă€iiĂŠĂ€iĂƒĂŒ>Ă•Ă€>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ style meals a day UĂŠĂ“{Â‡Â…ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠi“iĂ€}i˜VÞÊ response system UĂŠ7iÂ?Â?˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ recreational programs UĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiÂŽiiÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ services

Experience matters.

Call today for a personal tour.

(402) 493-5807

8 %PEHF 3PBE t 0NBIB /& www.remingtonheightsretirement.com

such an amazing impact on my life.� Evening programming was a blast. Teens played dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, and danced the night away at the Digz. As the buses pulled away early Sunday morning, there were hugs and high fives with new and old friends. Jake Baron, sophomore, expressed that after attending this convention he wants to be more active. “I had a great time during AIT/MIT. It really got me excited to do more with my BBYO chapter as well as attend International Convention in Washington so I can see all my friends again.� After a successful weekend, Omaha teens are excited for Winter Regional Convention in Kansas City.

Not In Our Town Gabe Levine, left, Matthew Wiseman, Molly Paskar, Jake Simon, Jacob Baron, Max Gendler, Ethan Potash, Leora Azriel, and Max Polack. As Saturday evening came to an end, the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) helped lead Havdalah and Separates by initiating new members into BBYO. Kylie Kirshenbaum, senior and RCC member, conveyed that this convention is deeply important. “I enjoy the chance to meet new members from the Midwest. Since I am leaving this year, I want to be able to share everything I know about BBYO, because it has had

Continued from page 1 to students across Nebraska, accompanied with educational programs. While the grant-funded programming has been completed, ADL’s civil rights and education committees wanted to bring the film to Omahans free of charge. In the month of November, Aksarben Cinema is collecting box office donations for ADL’s anti-bullying programs. As a thank you to Aksarben and its customers, ADL is hosting this screening at no charge. ADL will happily accept donations at the door for those who are interested in supporting anti-bias and anti-bullying programs.

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 3

Jewish Book Month Continued from page 1 $5. The delicious lunch, prepared by Star Catering, will also include Russian inspired desserts. Reservations are needed by Nov. 21 by calling 402.334.6463 or by email to mkirchhoff @jewishomaha.org. Books will be available for purchase and a book-signing will follow the luncheon. A limited supply of books printed in Russian will also be available. Jewish Book Month Children’s Event, Saturday, Dec. 8, 6-9:30 p.m., Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 South 20th Street. Generously sponsored by the Ann Goldstein Memorial Fund. Enjoy a night at the Omaha Children’s Museum for the younger set. Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Explore the Omaha Children’s Museum. Create your very own Jewish book. Co-chairs for the event are Shira Abraham, Carrie Brown and Miriam Gross. There will also be a kid-friendly buffet dinner and the opportunity to register for PJ Library, as the program is re-launched during this great event. Recommended for families with children ages 8 and younger, older siblings and grandparents are welcome to attend. The event is free but reservations are requested: please call 402.334.6463 or email mkirchhoff@jewish omaha.org. Omaha Jewish Author Showcase, Sunday, Dec. 9, 1-2:30 p.m., JCC Social Hall: Authors from the Omaha Jewish community will share talk about their craft during a

special event, designed to showcase their talents. Each author will be given the opportunity to discuss some aspect of his or her work for approximately eight minutes. The presentation may focus on the content of their work, the process for creating it, the challenges and rewards of publishing, or some other aspect of being an author. Following the individual presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to chat with the authors one-on-one and each author will also have books available for purchase. Presenters will include Brian Bogdanoff, Steven Caplan, Milton Kleinberg, Simon Noel, Nancy Rips and Sandra Wendel with more authors expected to participate. Light refreshments will be served. Presented by the Center for Jewish Life through the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, Jewish Book Month is promoted by the Jewish Book Council and is an annual event dedicated to the celebration of Jewish books. The roots of Jewish Book Month started in 1925 when Fanny Goldstein, a librarian at the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, set up an exhibit of Judaic books and used it as a focus of what she called Jewish Book Week. The event was later adopted by communities around the country. During its first fifteen years, the annual date of the program coincided with the holiday of Lag B’Omer or Shavuot, regarded as a scholars’ festival. In 1940, the event was moved to Hanukkah, so as to promote books of Jewish content as Hanukkah gifts. This timetable remains in place to this day. Jewish Book Week became so popular and so filled with activities that it was extended to a one-month period in 1943. For more information, please call 402.334.6463 or visit the Center for Jewish Life page at www.jewishomaha.org.

Eight days of music, art, and learning through IHE by HILLARY FLETCHER Communications Assistant, Institute for Holocaust Education On Oct. 21, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra arrived in Omaha. For the next eight days, along with painter Jim Schantz, they provided music and instruc-

tion for close to 1000 students and community members throughout the area. More than two years in the making, Remembrance, Creativity and Transformation’s objective was to inspire and educate the community about the lessons of the Holocaust in a creative way. This continues to be the mission of the Institute for Holocaust Education. In collaboration with the Terezín Music Foundation, the Top: Youth Symphony with Hawthorne String Quartet; bottom: IHE invited the Hawthorne Participants learned lessons about the Holocaust through art. String Quartet – members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra who play and Dick Holland. Voices debuted on the music of and commission new music Sunday, Oct. 28, performed by the Omaha inspired by composers murdered in the Symphony and the Hawthorne String Holocaust. Working with them on stage and Quartet.

The experts at First National Bank will work with your institution to understand your business needs and provide solutions tailored to your organization. • Commercial Lending

• Global Banking

• Treasury Services

• Commercial Real Estate

• Corporate Credit Cards Let us provide the tools to help your organization thrive.

800-228-4411 | firstnational.com | Member FDIC

in workshops was noted landscape painter Jim Schantz. Also in attendance: David Post, composer of Fantasy on a Virtual Chorale, performed on Oct. 21 with the Omaha Youth Symphony Strings, and Clint Needham, who wrote a new composition, Voices, commissioned by the TMF, the IHE

4 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Rabbi Brown envisions a bright future at Temple Israel by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer For many people, living in a new city can be a stressful and often overwhelming experience, whether you’re trying to fit in at a new job, make new friends or simply learn your way around. But for Temple Israel Rabbi Josh Brown and his wife Carrie, their transition to Omaha from North Carolina has been anything but difficult. “People have been really warm to us,” Rabbi Brown said. “We feel really loved. I feel lucky. I think most people move to a new city, and the place where they work doesn’t feel responsible for welcoming them as a family. They might integrate you into your job and give you some training, but they certainly don’t feel the necessity to invite you over for dinner or to make sure you’re Rabbi Josh Brown getting to see the city.” Job integration was not much of a problem for Rabbi Brown, who had been in touch with both clergy and staff before arriving in Omaha in June. He was able to hit the ground running with various committees, with which he helped to reshape the Religious School curriculum and craft a fun evening of education for Temple Israel’s high school kids with Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet. “I’ve learned a lot from Rabbi Azriel,” Rabbi Brown said. “[And] I’ve never worked with a cantor on a regular basis. At my previous pulpit I was responsible for the singing also, which was to the great detriment of the people listening. ...The hardest part for me was coming from a place where we were a very small staff and a smaller synagogue to a place where people have roles, to realize how far people can elevate the work because they’re devoted to writing stories, or they’re devoted to the school, or they’re devoted to the publicity. Learning that was a steep learning curve, and I think I’m still learning how to work as part of the group, and delegate, and figure out where I fit in that group.” As summer wound down and Rabbi Brown began to mesh with his new co-workers, another hurdle loomed before him: the High Holidays. “The period leading up to the holidays is a really busy time and there’s a lot to get done in a short amount of time, and not a lot of time to talk about it,” Rabbi Brown said. “Once you’ve experienced the holidays with a community, I think it’s what makes you feel a part of it. I had no idea what to expect Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to feel like, having not been here before, and now that I’ve done that I feel as though I understand the community... that was a good rite of passage.” As hectic as the days and weeks leading up to the High

Holidays were, the Temple Israel community did its very best to make sure Rabbi Brown and Carrie felt at home and comfortable. “We got so many invitations for High Holidays,” Carrie said. “It was so sweet. Everyone is making sure we feel really welcomed. We love it here.” With the High Holidays over it was time for a slight shift of focus, from prayer to learning, as Temple Israel’s Religious School and newly unveiled Temple Teen Night were about to begin. “I think Temple Teen Night’s a great success,” Rabbi Brown said. “The two things that are most exciting for me right now are First Fridays and Temple Teen Night. Those two nights during the week are really energizing.” As evidence of Temple Teen Night’s popularity among the students, on the Wednesday evening before the Grade 9 trip to New York City, two 9th graders came to Temple Israel to hang out even though their class had been canceled. “That’s, I think, a great sign of success,” Rabbi Brown said. Rabbi Brown hopes that kind of enthusiasm for being at Temple spreads throughout the congregation. “I look forward to making those sort of community-building experiences more regular,” he said. “I’d love to see Sunday mornings become a time for parents to hang out at Temple, do some learning, but also just be in relationship with each other and have discussions over bagels and coffee.” In addition to hoping to further build a tighter sense of community among the adults at Temple Israel, Rabbi Brown is also looking forward to strengthening the tight-knit bond

between the children as well. “One of the goals in the immediate future is to create a trip for our 11th and 12th graders to go to Israel,” Rabbi Brown said. “That’s the project I’m starting on next, to start looking for funding and ideas for our kids to be able to go to Israel. Any kid who goes all the way through 12th grade in our religious school should get a trip to Israel. That should be made available to them as best we can. And so I want to make that happen for next year hopefully.” Rabbi Brown will also be on the search committee for a Religious School Director. The goal is “to help find an excellent full-time educator,” he said, “[someone] who will focus on lifelong learning from birth to death, and really help us create or adopt a new curriculum, and who will be able to integrate parents into the school. And as we move into the new building, to make sure that our school is innovative and creative and engaging, and just an exciting place for everyone, not only for our kids, but for families and adults, that everyone feels that Jewish learning is one of the top priorities, if not the top priority of the synagogue.” Even with his plate seemingly full, Rabbi Brown has boundless enthusiasm for the future of Temple Israel, his place within the community and his family’s future in Omaha. “People from all the synagogues, the JCC, the Federation, they’ve really embraced us as newcomers in a place where a lot of people have a history, and that’s been really nice,” he said.

LJCS Kabbalat Shabbat, Consecration by SARAH KELEN On Friday, Nov. 2, families from Lincoln’s two congregations, Tifereth Israel Synagogue and the South Street Temple, gathered together to welcome Shabbat. Services were led by children from the Lincoln Jewish Community School (LJCS), and by South Street Temple’s Rabbi, Craig Lewis, and Tifereth Israel’s lay leader, Nancy Coren. LJCS Co-Director Tracy Gordon emphasized the importance of the annual LJCS Shabbat service for the community and the children: “We feel it is important to be intentional in providing an opportunity for the children to practice the prayers they have been studying.” She also stressed that the service brings together families, just as it brings together the community: “Inviting the families to participate along with their children will hopefully provide an opportunity for the parents to feel connected to the School, the Temple or the Synagogue.” The service also featured the consecration of the LJCS students in kindergarten through second grade. Both Tifereth Israel and the South Street Temple had a tradition

of consecration for kindergarten or first grade students in their own congregations, although both traditions had been inactive for a few years. This was the first time that consecration was done during an LJCS service, bringing together both congregations to celebrate their youngest students. Second graders were included this year because they had not had a chance to participate in earlier years. South Street Temple member Don Glaser does not have any family members in the LJCS, but said he was “glad to have attended, and even more glad to see” that the LJCS service included consecration, adding that he had been wondering, as a relatively new congregant, if the LJCS had a tradition of consecration. “The temple that I grew up with did it,” Glaser said, “and I treasured that little torah for so many years after that.” Students present for consecration were: Eva Bloom, Jemma Coren, Ava Draper-Moore, Maggie Gordon, Danny Harris, Neva Kushner, Sofia Solkan, and Itai Trainin. Also recognized, though not present, were Sara Aguilar, Sophia Aguilar, Max Grossbart, and Rubin Rosenblum.

SAVINGS YOU CAN’T PASS UP

Buy 2 ads & receive the 3rd ad FREE*! Advertise in over 175 Nebraska newspapers for only $210/week.... NEBRASKA CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK Contact your local newspaper or call 800-369-2850 www.nebpress.com *All Customers Qualify. Must be consecutive weeks with no copy changes. Price per week is $210 for 1st 25 words, $7 each additional word. All ads must be prepaid.

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 5

Beth El and Omaha rev up for USY Kinnus convention by JILL BELMONT of the year, and to be involved in planning something that so Beth El Publicity Coordinator many people are looking forward to makes me feel really Omaha, get ready. Around 200 members of United great,” she said. Synagogue Youth’s Emtza Region are heading to town for The weekend’s theme is ‘The JEWstice League,’ and a portheir annual convention, and Beth El’s teens, including tion of the programming will involve reflecting on influchairmen Aaron Zipursky, ences in the participants’ Naomi Zipursky and Alyssa lives, Alyssa said. Cohen, are preparing for the “We would like for the big weekend. Scheduled for USYers to have as much fun Nov. 22-25, the retreat will be as possible, of course, but I held at the downtown Hilton would like them to realize Hotel, and will welcome parwho their heroes or the most ticipants from Nebraska, important people in their Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, lives are,” she explained, Colorado, Minnesota, North adding, “they should also Dakota, South Dakota, want to do good things for Wyoming, Wisconsin, as well their communities and the as Manitoba, Saskatchewan. world like the superheroes These get-togethers are of they look up to.” great value to Jewish teens, The three co-chairs’ youth said Naomi Zipursky, presi- Beth El Youth Advisor Steven Meyer, left, and Kinnus co-chairs group involvement has prodent of the local USY chapter, Naomi Zipursky, Alyssa Cohen and Aaron Zipursky, are gear- vided valuable life lessons and and a veteran of six conven- ing up to welcome 200 teens during the upcoming conven- memorable experiences. In tions. “This convention is so tion, which takes place in Omaha over Thanksgiving weekend. addition to holding various great, because it brings together teens from all over the board positions with the local chapter, all three have experiMidwest who would never have known each other if it enced the USY/Israel Pilgrimage-Poland Seminar, a fiveweren’t for USY. Even if you don’t know anyone going, it is a week summer trip. great way to make relationships that will last a lifetime.” “After visiting Poland and Israel with my peers, I feel a This will be the fourth convention for Naomi’s twin broth- stronger obligation to live my life filled with Jewish values to er, Aaron, who has enjoyed serving as an organizer of the ensure Judaism remains alive and well for generations to upcoming retreat. come,” Aaron said. “I’ve enjoyed going to Kinnus and other conventions Alyssa shared that being in the youth group has influthroughout high school, so it is incredible to say I’ve helped enced her to become more involved at Beth El, and her varplan one and see it carried out,” he said. “I’m excited to plan ious experiences have inspired her to learn more about a great time for all my friends from across the region. Judaism. “It may sound cliche,” he added, “but my favorite aspect of USY has helped Naomi to connect more deeply to a USY convention is having a fun weekend with friends. The Judaism, because “it has given me a chance to create my own people I see here are a lot like me, so it’s great to spend a Jewish identity. The programming that we do and the things weekend with these great bunch of Jewish kids who I relate we learn are open-ended enough that we can learn someto so well.” thing and apply it to our own Jewish lives. I don’t think my For Alyssa Cohen, connecting with friends and making high school career would be the same without USY.” new acquaintances is also a highlight of Kinnus convenFor more information about USY or any Beth El youth tions, and planning programming for the weekend is a great programming, contact Eadie Tsabari, Director of bonus. Congregational Learning, at 402.498.0904, or etsabari@ “I’m extremely excited because it is the biggest convention bethel-omaha.org.

On turkeys and geshers

Journal entry from Israel TEDDY WEINBERGER There is an interesting Thanksgiving linguistic kinship between Israel and America. Just as Columbus mistakenly referred to native Americans as “Indians,” the Hebrew term for turkey is literally (and mistakenly) “Indian chicken.” Israel (per capita) consumes more turkey than any other country in the world. It’s true that the United States has been steadily gaining on Israel (the US over the past 4 decades has doubled its consumption from about 8 pounds per person to 16 pounds), but Israelis are still well ahead with a per capita consumption of about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) per person. Given turkey’s popularity here, you will be surprised to learn of the total absence of whole turkeys at the typical supermarket in Israel. Unlike the American fondness for roasting the entire bird, Israelis almost always eat their turkey in processed form: in hot dogs, pastrami, schnitzel, as well as in shawarma. Israeli Americans who wish to have a whole turkey on the fourth Thursday in November have to special-order it from their local butcher, and this comes with a special cost. Whereas whole (kosher) chicken in Israel works out to a very reasonable $2 per pound, whole turkey sells for between double and triple that per pound amount. Yes, at this time of year I think back longingly to my weekly excursion to Publix in Miami, where kosher Empire turkeys could be had every day of the year for about the same price as kosher chicken--around $3 per pound. [When I remember my Publix “bagger” walking with me and whichever toddler I had in my shopping cart’s baby seat to the huge parking lot to help me load my van, my longing only intensifies.] And now to finally solve an age-old problem for the American workplace: to declare a work holiday on the day after Thanksgiving, or to require employees to use a vacation

day if they do not wish to come in to work? What has made this a problem for employers is not their hard-heartedness but the lack of a suitable justification for their generosity. If the reason to give off on that Friday after Thanksgiving is nothing other than employee convenience, well that just won’t do, will it? I mean, different employees find many different days throughout the year when it would be convenient for them to stay home. So you can’t just give your workers off because it’s convenient for them not to come in to work. But if there was some way to give that Friday off without letting things get out of hand, most employers would jump at the chance. Well, corporate America, Israel has a one-word solution to your problem: gesher. The gesher (or “bridge”) is how Israel addresses a situation when two periods of holiday time are separated by a small break. As an example of how this works, consider when Yom Kippur falls out on a Thursday. Ordinarily, most schools in Israel are open on Fridays (for a 6-day school week), but the Friday after a Thursday Yom Kippur is a classic gesher day since it bridges the holiday time of Yom Kippur and Shabbat. In this case, Friday is usually declared a gesher day and schools are closed. The lesson for America is simple: the Friday after Thanksgiving is merely a bridge between the Turkey holiday and the ensuing weekend--it is a gesher waiting to happen. Employers could feel generous giving that Friday off but secure in the knowledge that there was an official name to the holiday and that their workplace was not turning into a free-for-all. If you are wondering at this point whether or not a gesher could be declared any time Dec. 25 (and therefore also Jan. 1) or July 4 fall out on a Thursday or Tuesday, for a four-day holiday weekend, the answer is: yes. But the true beauty of the gesher is that once a culture fully internalizes gesher principles, a four-day holiday weekend seems not only reasonable but a God-given right. Happy Thanksgiving and Gesher Days. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. Weinberger can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.

Did you know? When parents encourage their children’s natural desire to explore and discover, it builds lifelong motivation for learning and achievement.

Find out more at FirstFiveNebraska.org

6 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Fine Dining

Auschwitz

Pasta Amore Cafe & Bar Private Party Room | Catering Available Book your parties for 4-60 people Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:00-2:00 Dinner: Monday-Saturday 4:30-On

402.391.2585

Rockbrook Village | 108th & W. Center fax 402.391.0910 | amoreitaln@aol.com | www.pastaamore.net

Home Loans for Purchase and Refinance with the Best Pricing and Service • Over 30 years experience • First and second mortgages • FREE consultations and pre-approvals 7701 Pacific Street | Suite 102 | Omaha, NE 68114 | www.finance1.us

402-502-6501

NMLS# 10136

by STEVE RIEKES During the summer of 2012, Steve Riekes traveled to Eastern Europe. His wife Margo accompanied him, as did good friends Natan and Hannah Schwalb, and Dr. Bernard Bloom, formerly of Omaha, and his wife, Naomi, of Dallas. What follows is part three of a series of articles Steve wrote about his experiences. Our final day in Poland was a visit to Auschwitz. The very name, “Auschwitz,” conjures unspeakable horror. It has been the subject of a vast literature. There are libraries and books filled with stories and photographs of the Holocaust. It has been the subject of many films. Nevertheless, seeing and encountering its physical existence was a significant experience. Before my eyes was the cynically cruel motto: Arbeit Macht Frei (work makes free) above the entrance gates. There were the tracks for cattle-car trains bringing Jews from all over Nazi-occupied Europe to this slaughter house. There were buildings after buildings that housed Jews as if they were chickens in a coop. The Nazis wanted the Jews to be seen as some form of sub-human animals, and thus, they were penned in by miles of barbed wire fencing and guard towers. There were the remains of the multitude of human souls that were subjected to this hell. One can see a pile of 40,000 empty shoes. One can see tons of human hair waiting to be shipped to Germany and turned into socks. There are many suitcases bearing the names of men, women, children, who were told they were going somewhere to be “resettled.” Then there were the actual instruments of death: the showers bringing poison and death, instead of water and life. There were the ovens, the crematoria, to turn bodies into smoke. The shear scale of Auschwitz overcomes the ability to comprehend it. We were recently horrified by the killing of 12 innocent persons at a theater in Aurora, Colorado, by a single crazed individual who was able to legally purchase weaponry which no civilized nation ought to tolerate. If that is so, what shall we say of Auschwitz and the other death camps where millions were killed? The Holocaust was not the product of a single demonic man, Adolph Hitler. Instead,

Auschwitz and similar death camps were enterprises planned, constructed, and operated by one of the most educated, scientific and industrialized nations in the world. What was in the minds and hearts of the thousands of Germans who operated the trains that brought human cargo to Auschwitz and the thousands of German

soldiers required to operate the machinery of this factory of death? It was the Germans, not the Poles, who operated and guarded Auschwitz. Yet, very close by was the Polish town of Oswiecim, which appeared to me to be a pretty little place. Being so very close, during the war, what did these Poles see? Or did they look the other way? What did they know? Or, what did they not want to know? At the Birkenau portion of Auschwitz where most of the crematoria, now in ruins, were housed, our group held a memorial ceremony. Rabbi Paul David Kerbel of Marietta, Georgia, a member of our tour, put together a moving memorial service. On the walls of the fallen crematoria, we lit candles in commemoration in memory of the victims. If there was anything gratifying about witnessing Auschwitz, it was noting the thousands of persons from all over the world who were visiting, as were we. Most important were many teenagers. I spoke to some from Poland, the Czech Republic and Scotland. No matter what the Holocaust deniers may proclaim, for these visitors, Auschwitz will be forever etched in their memory as it has been etched in ours.

What you need to know about mutual funds by RUSS KAPLAN Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc. 1. Who should invest in mutual funds and why? The small investor, with less than $10,000 to invest, who deoesn’t care to do the intensive research that is necessary for individual stock investment, should invest in mutual funds. The benefit in doing this type of investing is that it’s important to have your investments diversified into a variety of stocks. With a mutual fund you can buy into part of an investment fund, which owns a wide variety of stocks or bonds. 2. When putting money into your 401k plans, how do you know which mutual funds are best? The very first thing you want in any kind of mutual fund is to invest in one that is no load. This term means that there are no additional hidden costs when you buy or sell your shares

in a specific mutual fund. Research has shown that no load funds do just as well as load funds, and they cost you a lot less. Additionally, the best fund is an exchangetraded fund (ETF). If you are interested in stocks, you should by stock that tracks the Standard & Poor 500. These funds are better investments than most mutual funds, and their fees are the lowest. The amount you keep in a stock market fund or bond fund depends on your age, time perspective, risk tolerance and a number of other factors. The same situation applies with a bond fund. As a general rule I would stick with short-term bond funds right now because I see the strong possibility of interest rates rising. 3. Why are mutual funds the best option for your 401k? If you have a 401-k plan, it is best to maximize it, because it grows tax-free.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 7

With Farsi album, Israeli singer Rita finds herself a fan club in Iran by CHAVIE LIEBER know it,” Rita recalls. “After that incident, my father decided NEW YORK (JTA) -- It’s not every day an Israeli wakes up we should leave Iran.” In 1970, when Rita was eight, her famto an email inbox full of love letters from Iran. Yet they come ily moved to Israel. in droves to the Israeli singer Rita Yahan-Farouz. Rita says she has dreamed of creating an album that could The 50-year-old Iran native, who performs under the serve as a bridge between two countries that have seen nothname Rita, is arguably Israel’s most popular female enter- ing but tension in recent years. tainer. She has put out 12 albums since hitting the Israeli “The songs on my album in Farsi are the soundtrack of my music scene in 1985, many of childhood,” she says. “My mother them going platinum on the had a beautiful voice and was country’s charts. always singing these traditional Rita’s latest album, My Joys, is songs to me, even when we were sung in Farsi, in which she is fluin Israel, so there was always a ent. By including old folk tunes piece of Iran in me. There’s more from Iranian culture, like the trato the region than violence, ditional Persian wedding song bombs and darkness, and I want Shah Doomad, Rita has won to share the rich culture I am a legions of listeners in a land part of.” whose leaders regularly call for Since Iran’s Internet is heavily her adopted country’s demise. censored by the government, “You wouldn’t believe some of Rita’s album is sold on the black the emails I get from people in market, fans have told her. But Iran,” Rita says laughingly during her music is played at weddings a phone interview with JTA while and nightclubs in Iran, and she traveling from Los Angeles to says her fans love the fact that San Francisco as part of her U.S. she’s Israeli. tour through mid-November. Rita says the power of music “They tell me how much they has already created a dialogue love me and how much they love with the people of Iran: Many Israel.” who email her write that they Rita describes her musical vibe don’t hate Israelis and want nothas a “gypsy band,” infusing classic ing more than to hear her perMediterranean spirits of complex form. percussion rhythms and upbeat “I’m completely in love with tempos with unusual instruyour voice -- you have no idea ments of the genre like woodhow hard it was to send you this Israel's most popular singer of all time, Rita, will perwinds, ouds and violins. email!” one fan writes. “My wish form in Thousand Oaks on March 21, 2010. Growing up in Tehran under is that one day I can see you perCredit: Keshet Chaim the shah’s rule, Rita remembers a form in Israel -- even if this vibrant childhood filled with Persian music. Still, the family means that upon returning to Iran, I would have to be beatkept their Jewish identity a secret from neighbors. en and imprisoned for 3 years.” “My sister came home from school one time in tears And another: “I’m writing you from Shiraz in Iran, and because her teacher asked her to recite a Muslim prayer in just wanted to tell you that you’re a source of great pride for front of the class. The teacher was shocked when she didn’t us. The beautiful and emotional songs you sing in this time

of war, this crazy time of Islamic control gives an overwhelming feeling of closeness and love between the countries of Iran and Israel. I ask from the great and merciful god to send you happiness and health.” Rita is happy that she can send positive messages about Israel to the rest of the world and would like to perform in Iran. “There’s a good chance I will perform in Iran very soon, as soon as the borders are easy to open,” she says. “I have a strong connection to the people of Iran and it would send an incredible message.”

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Rabbi Jonathan Gross will discuss his recent trip to Ghana on Wednesday, Nov. 21, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or email bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH The Yiddish language is a wonderful source of rich expressions. Come join us for fun and laughter. We meet in the boardroom of the Blumkin Home, every Thursday from 1-3 pm. For information, please call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

In the news Omaha Public Library welcomes local authors in November and among them are Leo Adam Biga on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6:15 p.m., at Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St. Omaha-based arts-culture reporter Leo Adam Biga has enjoyed unusual access to filmmaker Alexander Payne for 15 years. Now the author-journalist has compiled his stories about the two-time Oscar-winner’s work in a new book, Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film. Visit the author’s blog at leoadambiga.wordpress.com. The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the author discussion.

Non-surgical treatments to bring out a more youthful you. Before Sculptra™

Discuss your non-surgical options such as Scuptra™ or Fraxel® Laser Treatment with Dr. Thompson.

After Sculptra™

Facelifts & Eyelids Breat Implants (Gel or Saline) Breast Reduction Abdominoplasty

Liposuction Botox Juvéderm™ OBAGI Fraxel® Laser Treatment Sculptra™ ®

C.Q. Thompson, M D, F A C S A trusted and experienced surgeon Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery, P.C.

Call today for your consultation. 402.778.5555

402.778.5555 | cqthompsonmd.com | Oakview Medical Center | 2727 S. 144th St., Ste. 205

8 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Ascending the Summit at South St. Temple by SARAH KELEN Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Lincoln On Sunday, Nov. 4, over forty members of the South Street Temple, representing a third of the congregation’s families, joined together for the congregation’s first “Festive Summit.” Congregation President Marc Shkolnick explained that the Board had decided to replace the January Annual Meeting with a November Festive Summit. The event was “Festive,” because a gathering of the community should be celebratory and joyful; it was a “Summit,” rather than a meeting, because the Board wanted to engage the congregation in a shared discussion in order to set the Temple’s priorities. Standing among tables full of food, and with a slideshow of photos from the past year of Temple programming projected onto the wall behind him, Rabbi Craig Lewis pointed out that in Judaism good things happen on summits. Not only did Moses receive the law atop Mount Sinai, but he also stood on the top of Mount Nebo near the end of his life, surveying his people before they entered the Promised Land. Although Moses did not cross the Jordan himself, from his summit he was able to envision his people’s future. Treasurer Mark Intermill presented an overview of the Temple’s current finances, after which congregants split into

focus groups to share their thoughts about the Temple’s goals and priorities. Board member Eleanor Shirley-Kirkland coordinated the information gathering and reporting, with help from other congregants. Shirley-Kirkland was pleased with the high level of congregational participation, and said that the board was: “glad to have opportunity to engage the membership in this way.” At the Festive Summit, Temple members also elected four new members to the Board of Trustees: Michael Boekstal, Anne Kennedy Rickover, Nathaniel McHargue and Julie Moore. The Mitzvah Award was presented to Sarah Kelen for her work for the Temple as Communication Committee Chair and High Holiday Committee Chair. While the Temple members discussed their own circumstances and future, they also remembered those recently displaced by Hurricane Sandy, with those present contributing over $150 to the URJ Hurricane Relief Fund. In a followup email to the congregation the day after the Festive Summit, Rabbi Lewis and Congregation President Shkolnick expressed their appreciation to the membership for making the Festive Summit a success: “The event was indeed festive, engaging, energizing and invigorating,” they wrote, adding that the Board was already planning to continue the Festive Summit tradition in 2013.

The ARTery by KEITH HART The ARTery was incorporated in 2005 as a local non-profit arts education organization. A year later the ARTery introduced Dancing Classrooms to four local schools, making Omaha only the second city in the country -- after New York -- to offer what has become a hugely successful enrichment program reaching 40,000 students worldwide. In six years the ARTery has expanded Dancing Classrooms to thirty area schools, reaching over 1,500 students annually and earning the endorsement of parents, principals, teachers, and students alike. The ARTery’s Saturday Scholarship Program, Dancing Classrooms Academy, and Youth Ballroom Dancers provide opportunities for graduates of the Dancing Classrooms program to continue their dance instruction. The A-Team, a select group of student dancers, performs for local functions. Founded in New York in 1994 by professional dancer Pierre

Dulaine, Dancing Classrooms is an arts integration program that fosters teamwork, mutual respect and discipline amongst diverse classmates in grades 5-8. Through the mastery and performance of basic ballroom dances, students develop a greater sense of confidence, civility, tolerance, and patience within themselves and for each other. The ARTery is honored to host a reception for Pierre Dulaine during a rare visit to Omaha this month. The event will be held Friday, Nov. 16 from 8-10:00 p.m. at the Swanson Center of the Culinary Arts Building on the Metro Community College Fort Omaha Campus. There will be a short presentation by Mr. Dulaine, a performance by student dancers, desserts, cash bar, and plenty of time to get acquainted, learn about the Dancing Classrooms program and how you can get involved. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the door or by contacting Roxanne Nielsen, Executive Director of The ARTery, at 402.932.0796.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Time to shop

Sally Wintroub and Lois Wine in the gift shop. by LOIS WINE Come shop for Hanukkah in the LOVE Gift Shop on Main Street in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Gift Shop hours are Tuesdays 1-3:30 p.m., Wednesdays 2-3:30 p.m. Two additional days set aside for shopping will be Friday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2, 1-4 p.m. There is a wide assortment of gifts to select from. Jewelry, games, serveware, toys, ties and Hanukkah cards, Questions? Call Lois Wine 402.334.6519.

Non-surgical facial rejuvenation by C.Q. THOMPSON, JR., M.D., F.A.C.S. This is a very competitive and youth driven culture in which we live. Patients are looking for less expensive and less downtime techniques to improve appearance. As we begin to show signs of age at around 40 years, the subcutaneous facial fat begins to thin and facial connective tissue (elastic fibers) weaken. This results in wrinkles (rhytids) and some facial depressions. Caught early, excellent fillers such as Sculptra and Juvederm return a youthful appearance. I prefer Sculptra for it will last 1 1/2 to 3 years, is less expensive than Juvederm and results in a more natural appearance. However, there are certain areas where Juvederm is better, and one needs to consult an experienced surgeon to determine the best route. In order to improve blotchy facial pigmentation (melisma), Obagi skin care, Power Micro Peels and the Fraxel laser, alone or in combination, will greatly improve skin appearance. Our office has the experience needed to evaluate and prescribe the best solutions for your individual concerns. For more information contact us at 402.778.5555.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Find everything happening in the Jewish community at jewishomaha.org

SeniorLiving

Publishing Date | 12.21.12 Space Reservation | 12.10.12 Camera Ready Deadline | 12.12.12

Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees

402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9

A Pushke for the future by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha “If something great happens, (please G-d), drop into the pushke. If something new happens, drop into the pushke. If you get good news – drop into the pushke.” My paternal grandmother was a 1920’s Polish immigrant and these were her battle cries. The Yiddish word pushke (PUSHkuh) is derived from the Polish word puszka meaning “can” and is a little container kept in the home as a depository for charitable dollars, or tzedakah. She kept a tin pushke on the table in her pink tiled kitchen and whenever she caught my sister and me looking for lifesavers in her handbag (that’s what a purse used to be called), she told us to scoop up all the loose change we could find and drop it in the pushke. Jump ahead five or so years and a prominent blue and white Jewish National Fund pushke sat on the windowsill of my mom’s kitchen. My brother, sister and I dropped a few coins into that pushke right before watching Happy Days each week on TV (I recall once really wanting to spend the money on a Shaun Cassidy poster instead). We collected all those coins in anticipation of our yearly “Walk with Israel” march from the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center on Chicago’s north side. Our tzedakah went to Israel, a place, we were told, that needed trees, lots and lots of trees. The pushke was, and still is, symbolic of one of the highest of Maimonides’ eight levels of charity: giving anonymously where the benefactor and recipient are unknown to each other. While we have come a long way in our methods of giving since the pushke in the kitchen, the needs of a community have remained the same. It is easy to see and recognize all the programs and services we are all too happy to support through our Campaign dollars. But what about the lesser known community needs that, if not funded, would impact our ability to support the former? The Heritage Allocation Fund, established in 1996, serves just this purpose. Much like the pushke, this Fund is a place to put aside charitable donations that support the overhead and operations of our physical spaces (our campus). When considering charitable

giving to an Annual Campaign, it is the one thing often not considered or overlooked, yet is a necessity that provides for all that we do as a community. Specifically, the Fund strengthens our future by allocating a portion (1.5%) of the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign for the Federation’s unrestricted endowment fund. “This is often the information most diffi-

Come Together Right now

AND A BE A PART OF OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

cult to relay to our donors. It’s not exciting like all our fabulous campus programming and it’s not great fun, like running a Jewish camp for our kids or helping to send community members to Israel, but it is critical to our continuity and preservation,” said Mike Silverman, CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha. The inspiration for the Heritage Fund grew from a series of financial resource development task force meetings in the mid 90s centered on the challenge of raising these difficult dollars for our community. Established at the initiative of an anonymous donor, the goal is to build the fund to $1 million dollars, thereby securing the future of the operations of our campus into perpetuity. In a span of 12 years, the Heritage Fund has grown to $685,000 (as of September 30, 2012) and is well on its way to the donor’s goal of being a $1,000,000 endowed fund. This year, when you consider your gift to the Annual Campaign, take a moment to recall all that we as a community enjoy on our campus. Appreciate our good fortune that our facilities are here for us and our children. With your help, it will be here for many generations to come. To pledge your support to the 2013 Annual Campaign, visit the Federation website at www.jewishomaha.org and download a pledge card or make an online pledge. Or, contact Sharon Kirshenbaum, Campaign Director at skirshenbaum@ jewishomaha.org.

Any Time At All • Send back your completed pledge card • Go online to www.jewishomaha.org/donate • Contact Sharon Kirshenbaum, Campaign • Director at skirshenbaum@jewishomaha.org • or (402) 334-6485 • Answer the phone and say “Yes” when a • campaign volunteer calls

Help! AS WE STRIVE TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN IN RECORD TIME!

Friedel to host annual latke sale and lunch by PAM COHN Principal, Friedel Jewish Academy Come one, come all to Friedel PTO’s annual Latke Sale and lunch. Staff, students, and parents will be frying latkes on Friday, Dec. 7 from 11:30-2 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. For $5.00 you can enjoy a traditional latke lunch that includes 3 large latkes, sour cream, applesauce and a drink. Bring your friends, kibbitz and nosh on the traditional Hanukkah treat! Don’t have time for lunch? Take-out is another option. A container of 10 latkes, sour cream and applesauce is available for $10. Orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 26 and will be accepted by email, phone 402.334.0517 or directly in

the Friedel Jewish Academy office. Please make checks payable to Friedel Jewish Academy PTO. All funds will support the student programming at Friedel Jewish Academy. Kashrut supervision is provided by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

2013 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

10 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Specializing in the most comprehensive State-of-art Prosthetic & Orthotic Care Prosthetic & Orthotic Care Services ORTHOTICS • Spinal, Knee, Custom Ankle, & Fracture Bracing • Cranial Helmets & Pediatric Orthoses • Diabetic Footwear & Orthotics

PROSTHETICS • Microprocessor Knee Joints & I-Limb Hand • Upper/Lower Extremity Prostheses • Pre-prosthetic Care & Silicone Partial Feet Prosthesis

223 E 14th St. Ste. 5, Hastings, NE 68901 | 402-461-4961 17931 Pierce Plaza, Omaha, NE 68130 | 402-933-1393 659 N Orleans Dr., Grand Island, NE 68803 | 308-675-1508 CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT | 888-775-WALK (9255)

Celebrating each family legacy Losing someone close to you is never easy. That’s why we at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries do all we can to celebrate each family legacy. One of the ways we do that is by planting a living memorial at Lauritzen Gardens. At John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, service beyond the service means being at your family’s side and caring for your needs.

Omaha 402-391-1664 72nd & Western Avenue

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Service beyond the service.

142nd & Pacific Street

Bellevue/Sarpy County 402-293-0999 3402 Samson Way

www.johnagentleman.com

A Complete Retirement Plan? Our team is on top of that. We’ll take the time to get to know your business and customize a retirement plan that enhances the quality of life after retirement for you and your employees. You’ll enjoy the convenience of trustee, plan administration, record keeping, participant education, and investment services — all right here in Nebraska. How can we help your business? Contact Mike Kulas at (402) 323-1379, toll-free at (888) 769-2362 or visit ubtrust.com.

Central High’s Hall of Fame On Oct. 4, the Central High School Alumni Association held its annual Hall of Fame Ceremony. Here are the Jewish inductees of 2012.

GERALD A. HEEGER, Class of 1961

ments became major navigational keys to opening the world of computers to everyone. His company’s creativity and expertise have been tapped by many large corporations, including AOL, Microsoft, Samsung and Motorola, to name only a few. Aaron is an inductee in the Graphic Design Hall of Fame, a Fellow of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and a member of the CHI Academy (Computer Human-Interaction), being the first graphic designer ever to be selected. In addition,

Having completed a B.A. (Cal-Berkeley) and an M.A. and Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Dr. Heeger developed a unique 40-year career in nontraditional higher education, focusing on adult learning, on affordability and access to higher education, and on the use of online technologies by institutions of higher education. As President of the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), he led that institution to be recognized as one of the leading online public universities in the world. He has also focused on new entrepreneurial initiatives in higher education. Dr. Heeger served as organizing President of the Whitney International University Gerald A. Heeger Steve Marantz System, a large-scale distance learning initiative in Latin America now enrolling more than 100,000 students, and he was President of the American College of Education, an innovative research-based online teacher education institution that works with school districts to provide graduate degrees to teachers. He has also worked extensively in the field of accreditation, including international Leonard L. Rosen Aaron Marcus accreditation of higher education institutions. Dr. Heeger is an inductee Aaron has found the time to write six books in the International Adult and Continuing and over 250 articles, and he has always recognized the importance of his education in Education Hall of Fame. the success he has achieved at CHS where he was Editor-in-Chief of CHS Register and at STEVE MARANTZ, Class of 1969 Steve’s career as a journalist began at CHS Princeton and Yale. as sports editor of the Register. He attended the University of Missouri school of Journalism, and went on to report, write and research for the Columbia Missourian, Kansas City Star, Trenton Times, Boston Globe, WHDH-TV, Sporting News, Boston Herald, and ESPN. His investigation of unscrupulous lending practices in Boston in the late 1980’s led to home ownership for thousands of low-income families. Later in his career Steve wrote books. Of historical importance to CHS was his second book, The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central: High School Basketball at the ‘68 Racial Divide. His story of Central’s struggle at a time of upheaval and change, he said, was told to honor his family and the teachers and students who helped him come of age.

AARON MARCUS, Class of 1961 Identifying Aaron “Buddy” Marcus as the “superstar” in both the theory and practice of information-oriented graphic design and its application to computer graphics is an indisputable fact. Aaron’s creativity, vision and understanding, as seen in the innovative design work produced by his company, Aaron Marcus and Associates (AM+A), in the fields of cross-cultural communication, graphic design, information design, semiotics, symbol design, typography, mobile user-interface design, and information visualization have set the gold standard for all others in this field. These software develop-

LEONARD L. ROSEN, Class of 1952 A highly successful business career, holding Program Manager and President positions at several High-Tech companies and lifelong athletic achievements in several sports highlight the life of Leonard Rosen. At CHS, Leonard competed in football, wrestling and track, winning state championship in wrestling and track. At UNL, Leonard competed in football and track, winning several track honors. He has continued competing in Masters and Seniors Track and Field, winning gold medals in several regional and national events. As an engineer with Rockwell International, he led integration and test programs for the first cruise missile guidance system, the first ICBM guidance system, the Polaris/Poseidon submarine system and the first military miniaturized semiconductor digital computer. With Raytheon, he was the Program Manager of the Hawk Missile Defense System, the Patriot Missile Defense System and restricted Smart Munitions Programs. During his residency at ITT, he directed the total effort for air traffic and other radar systems programs for the U.S. forces and over twenty other nations. In addition to these achievements, Leonard has also been a college MBA instructor, a councilor and seminar presenter for the Small Business Administration and a high school weight coach.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE

Investment products: May Lose Value - Not FDIC Insured - No Bank Guarantee

The deadline for the Nov. 23 issue is Wednesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. The Jewish Press office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving. The 2012 Jewish Press Hanukkah edition will publish on Nov. 30. Please send all content by Monday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. Please feel free to submit stories early, as you are more than welcome to do so. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 11

Beth El’s Judaica Shop sale fulfills every wish list Interfaith Thanksgiving brings members of different faiths together by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, held during the week before Thanksgiving, rotates its home each year between the participating congregations. First held at Temple Israel in 1995, the service provides an opportunity for members of different faiths to come together as a community and celebrate the similarities between the religions. “The Thanksgiving service gives us an opportunity to stand together as proud Americans, regardless of religion, to celebrate this great country of ours,” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel said. “It is a chance to reflect on our nation and to not take for granted being a part of it.” This year’s Thanksgiving service is being held at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., across the street from Temple Israel, on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. “The service is very important to our congregation,” said Rev. Dr. Jane Florence, the senior pastor at First United Methodist. “It’s something we look forward to all year long. We really value the interfaith community and this Thanksgiving service is a great way for us to show other people, and to demonstrate, that we do believe we’re all in this together.” The service will include music and songs from a combined choir made up of members of the various participating congregations, including Temple Israel’s Kol Rina. Temple Israel members will also blow the shofar and Rabbi Azriel will give this year’s sermon about a Spiritual Drought. The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service has also previously been held at Dundee Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church and last year’s host, St. Margaret Mary’s Parish. Temple Israel is scheduled to host next year’s service in its new building. Monetary donations and non-perishable food will also be collected for Together, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness and assisting those in need. “We must think about the people who will not have a turkey on their plate this year,” Rabbi Azriel said. “It is important to reflect on the plight of immigrants and the poor. We must remember that it won’t be a joyous holiday for those who are in need.”

Find everything happening in the Jewish community at jewishomaha.org

Advertise Statewide Classifieds $210 25 words 2x2 Over 170 Newspapers Display Ad $895

by JILL BELMONT brated his Bar Mitzvah, I bought a kippah that was really Beth El Publicity Coordinator pretty, with gold thread running through it. I just loved it Offering brightly-colored dreidels, stunning menorahs and thought, ‘I could do that,’ so I decided to give it a try.” and unique Judaica items for all occasions, Beth El’s Judaica No two kippahs are the same, she noted: sizes vary, some are Shop fulfills every wish list for home, gift or holiday needs. plain, some are lacy, some are decorated with jewels. After givAnd as a bonus, from Nov. 18 to ing them away as gifts to family Dec. 9, the shop will hold its (“they all have at least three,” she much-anticipated annual sale, joked), she realized that she featuring unbeatable discounts could sell her creations. They’re for everyone in town to enjoy. now available either at the synaAmong the many distinctive gogue or through special orders. offerings, the shop features traTo check out the decorative kipditional and contemporary pahs and the rest of Judaica Shop’s mezuzahs, tallises, Shabbat canmarvelous merchandise, visit the dlesticks and books – and, just sale on Mondays, Nov. 19 and in time for Hanukkah, nut-free 26, and Dec. 3, 5-5:30 p.m.; Swiss milk chocolate gelt will be Wednesdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. available. Proceeds from all 5, 2:30-5 p.m.; and Sundays, shop purchases benefit synaNov. 18, Dec. 2 and 9, 9:45 a.m.Artist Gail Friedman displays one of her one-of-a-kind 12:30 p.m. Other times are availgogue programs. According to the shop’s chair- crocheted kippahs (modeled by Judy Tully), on sale at able by appointment. man, Caryn Rifkin, everything Beth El’s Judaica Shop. Regular gift shop hours are will be at least 15 percent off during the upcoming sale. All Sundays from 10 a.m.-noon (when BESTT classes are in solid-gold jewelry will be 40 percent off, a variety of items session), and Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m. And, as an added will be up to 75 percent off, and tables will be filled with $1, convenience, the Judaica Shop can also be found online, at $5, $10 and $20 merchandise. www.bethelomaha.judaica beautiful.com, so shoppers can A new addition this year will be one-of-a-kind crocheted browse and buy from the comfort of their own homes. kippahs created by Beth El congregant Gail Friedman. “Over the years, proceeds from the shop have underwritten Friedman, a veteran crocheter of 15 years, said she began a variety of synagogue programs, benefited our religious fashioning doilies and skullcaps five years ago, after spend- school, and supported the synagogue in countless other ways,” ing years making larger pieces such as afghan throws. said Rifkin. “We’ve got the goods and the Judaica experts -“I was crocheting doilies and found that I really liked the volunteers and staff members alike -- to help you find the perintricate work and the patterns. When my oldest son cele- fect gift. Stop in and take advantage of this great sale!”

Novelist Phillip Roth is done with writing by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The publisher for Phillip Roth confirmed that the Pulitzer Prize-winning American Jewish novelist is retiring from writing. The Portnoy’s Complaint author, whose voice was heard as well through his alter-ego Nathan Zuckerman, announced his retirement during an interview last month with the French magazine Les Inrocks. Houghton Mifflin confirmed the decision last Friday, according to The Forward. Roth, 79, won the Pulitzer Prize for American Pastoral, the National Book Award for Sabbath’s Theater and for the novella Goodbye, Columbus, and the International Man Booker Prize in 2011 for his body of work. He also was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Zuckerman appeared in nine of his 25 novels. Roth, who has not written a new book in three years, told Les Inrocks that he wants nothing more to do with reading

fiction, writing or talking about books. “I have dedicated my life to the novel: I studied, I taught, I wrote, I read -- to the exclusion of almost everything else. Enough is enough!” he said. “I no longer feel this fanaticism to write that I have experienced all my life. The idea of trying to write again is impossible.” Roth said about five years ago that he reread classic novels by Ernest Hemingway, Ivan Turgenev, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and others, and then reread his own novels in reverse order. Though he did not want a biography to be written about him, Roth has cooperated with biographer Blake Bailey, saying that since he knows there will be biographies written about him he wants to make sure one of them is correct. Roth reportedly said that he has requested that his personal papers be destroyed after his death and his biography is completed.

Big Enough to Serve You, Small Enough to Know You

Over 165 Newspapers Contact this newspaper for more information, or call 800-369-2850

Escape the cold

Merchant credit card processing

with no hidden fees. Go to AmericanPayment.com for more information or call us at [402] 502.9985.

Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

™

™

Proudly Supporting the Jewish Communities

™

12 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Thanksgiving recipes

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT afraid to make another attempt since. brate that. Editor of the Jewish Press Of course, the food is the easy part when one adopts a holOne problem: if we want to teach our children gratitude, It’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s a day out of the office for iday. Google some recipes, follow directions, a child can do we must first learn it ourselves. And I’m afraid, good intenmost of us, to spend with family and friends, watching foot- it. The hard part is, how do I explain to my children why this tions notwithstanding, we often fall short in that departball, eating our hearts out and, oh yes, being thankful. is a special day? Where’s the recipe for that? Because it ment. It is much easier to complain about what we don’t like, It’s my 18th turkey day, and I’ll probably start it by calling should be about much more than food and football. than it is to be thankful for what we have; it is human to take my mother in Holland. Because of the time differthings for granted. And if you’re anything like me, ence, I normally can’t call on a weekday, and she’ll your kids have long ago abandoned their belief in the wonder out loud why I am not at work; I’ll remind adage “do as I say, not as I do.” (Pity; for a while, that her it’s a holiday for me. She’ll pretend to understand worked really well). by mumbling a vague “oh, yeah, right; I knew that.” In making this Thanksgiving our own, I’m going to Cultural and secular holidays are interesting set a challenge for my family. Rather than voicing things. I have to admit, I am not sure what exactly we our gratitude (as I said, we should do that every day) are grateful for on this specific day that we shouldn’t I am going to suggest we all listen to ourselves, and be grateful for every other day. Maybe ‘Thanksgiving’ notice when we unnecessarily voice our displeasure. is a bit of a misnomer, or maybe I just don’t quite get We have many things we fuss over, without jumping it. I certainly don’t feel en emotional connection to into action; things that we either can’t change or that those Pilgrims back in 17th century Plymouth. No are none of our business. Let’s minimize those gripes. matter, there’s always room to learn, and so this year, There are real issues in our world to complain about, once again, I will be cooking a turkey. My husband and those are things we should work to change. heard they had kosher ones at Trader Joe’s, and gave World hunger, discrimination, war, inequality, disme a very hopeful look. I am easily swayed, and conease; the list is too long. Source: Wikimedia commons After all, being truly grateful includes the ability to trary to popular belief, I do know how to prepare a President Barack Obama pardons a turkey mean turkey, so here we are. There is a big, very big, bird sitThe concept of being thankful –for family, for having a recognize unnecessary complaints, to filter out what we ting in the fridge, waiting to be incinerated. place to sleep and food to eat, for having the opportunities should ignore, and highlight the areas where our help is Like many who came late to this country, I feel the need to we have—is by definition a very Jewish concept. And since needed. Because when we become more aware of what we practice doing things the right way. While I am comfortable Thanksgiving is perhaps the one positive ritual we have in have, we can also become more aware of those neighbors cooking very un-American things the rest of the year, I think America that we can all agree on, no matter our background, who do have real reason to be unhappy. Being grateful for a my children do deserve a real Thanksgiving. Pecan and we should not be afraid to claim it and make it our own. full table has more meaning when it is accompanied by helpcornbread stuffing, check. Pumpkin pie, check. Pumpkin There’s no law or creed that says we all have to celebrate it ing others have the same. Let’s combine Thanksgiving with caramel cheesecake, double check. (I have also mastered the the same way, or even give it exactly the same meaning. I taking responsibility. Be grateful for what’s in front of you; green bean casserole, but my children think it’s the most dis- may not have been born here, and I may not have anything now get to work. Pass it on, and share the bounty. gusting thing ever, so that one’s off the menu). Maybe I’ll in common with Pilgrims, but I know there are many things I wish you all a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving. And give those roasted yams another try? The last time, the I should be grateful for. We are already teaching our children if anyone has a good tip for how to master those marshmalmarshmallows melted into a slimy puddle, and I’ve been that on a daily basis, and it really isn’t such a stretch to cele- lows-on-yams, please, call me.

The Jewish view of hurricanes

Focus on issues MOSHE SOKOLOW (Jewish Ideas Daily) -- With school closed, transportation suspended, and the local park off limits, I cast about for something other than “work” to fill the day. My thoughts turned to the weather and I asked myself whether Judaism has anything instructive to say about hurricanes. Wind and rain are as old as creation. The ru’ah elohim, usually translated as “the spirit of God,” that “hovered upon the face of the water” (Genesis 1:2), can also be interpreted as “a divine wind,” a form of hyperbole indicating that the wind exceeded anything natural or ordinary. Rain is more equivocal. On the one hand, it is implicit in the third day’s creation of vegetation and fruit-bearing trees (1:12), while, on the other hand, the reprise of creation in Genesis 2: 5 states explicitly: No shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. The Talmud, ever alert to such contradictions, resolves that God created a world with the potential for natural growth, but did not enable this potential to be realized until man acknowledged it, and made provision for it: Vegetation was poised to emerge from below the earth’s surface until Adam came and sought compassion on its behalf [through prayer]; the rain fell, and it grew. (Hullin 60b) The result was the establishment of an affinity between man and God that makes us partners in creation provided

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Phyllis Brown; Daniel Christensen; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinowitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma

we fulfill our proprietary responsibilities, paramount among which is the obligation “to cultivate the earth and to guard it” (2:15). As R’ Naftali Zvi Yehudah Berlin (1817-1893) wrote: The purpose of Creation -- that the glory of God should fill the earth -- was hereby completed insofar as everything was now dependent upon Man’s deeds, by way of reward and punishment. God, in His cosmic beneficence, lets it rain. Man, in his individual and collective arrogance, builds cities on sites singularly susceptible to saturation. The city of Babylon, built in the wake of the first deluge, was situated in “a valley in the Land of Shin`ar” (Genesis 11:2), which was so called, our Sages tell us, because, “There, the victims of the flood were poured out” (nin`aru; Bereishit Rabba 37:4). Despite the obvious disadvantages of establishing a permanent residence on a plain susceptible to flooding, man persisted in the city’s construction on account of his confidence in his ability to build it with “its head in the clouds” (11:4), which, according to the Sages, implied man’s determination to “beat the odds” by outsmarting God. They said: The sky falls in once every 1656 years, as evidenced by the flood. Let us build something to prop it up (Rashi, ad. loc.). Man’s hubris, his awful arrogance in the face of God’s intent, led to the confounding of the plan and the cessation of the construction (11: 8). But man is nothing if not persistent and in London, Amsterdam, New Orleans, and other low-lying areas, he has thrown caution to the winds by constructing cities against the dictates of “nature.” If he is prudent, he invests wisely in building and maintaining the levees and escapes the direst consequences. From time to time,

prudence is supplemented by serendipity, and a timely finger in the dike prevents catastrophe. If, however, he acts imprudently and impudently -- squandering precious time and resources on other and more selfish projects -- then he is proverbially and poignantly hoist with his own petard. When lightning is seen, halachah prescribes a blessing (“Who performs creative deeds”); when thunder’s peal is heard, halachah prescribes a blessing (“Whose might and valor fill the world”); and when the storm abates and a rainbow is seen, halachah prescribes a blessing (“Who observes His covenant and keeps His word”). Curiously, however, no blessing is prescribed over the rain! The rabbis taught: On the occasion of every distress that befalls the public, we sound the alarm [i.e., we call for prayer and fasting] -- with the exception of excessive rain. Why? R’ Yohanan says, because we do not offer supplication over an abundance of good. (Ta`anit 22b) Rain, even in overabundance, is a blessing. Gloria, Katrina, Irene, and Sandy are reminders that the volume of rain, the force of the winds, and the height of the storm surge are out of our control. On the other hand, we get to choose where to build and where to live; we can assign priorities for the investment of our individual and collective resources; and we can exercise prudence in preparing for the proverbial “worst case scenario.” Moshe Sokolow, professor of Jewish education at the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University, is the author of Studies in the Weekly Parashah Based on the Lessons of Nehama Leibowitz (2008). This article was first published by Jewish Ideas Daily (www.jewishideas daily.com) and is reprinted with permission.)

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid per-

Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial

material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content

sonal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 13

Obama’s second term

Behind the headlines RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The day after the election looks a lot like the day before for President Obama, particularly in areas that have attracted the attention of Jewish voters: Tussling with Republicans domestically on the economy and health care, and dancing gingerly with Israel around the issue of a nuclear Iran. With Obama’s victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, the Senate remaining in the hands of Democrats and the U.S. House of Representatives staying Republican, that means more of the same, said William Daroff, who directs the Washington office of the Jewish Federations of North America. “What’s amazing from a political point of view is that it’s hundreds of millions of dollars being spent and it’s still the status quo,” he said. The advantage, Daroff said, is that the sides get back to work, and straight away. “There’s not going to be a delay in everyone feeling out their new roles and figuring out what color the rug in the Oval Office should be,” he said. Jewish federations and other Jewish social welfare organizations have said their immediate focus will be the “fiscal cliff ” -- the effort to head off sequestration, the congressional mandate to slash the budget across the board at the start of 2013. “The fiscal cliff and specifically sequestration is a major concern,” Daroff said. “Our concern continues to be that as the nation and our political leaders continue to assess how to make cuts in spending, that those cuts don’t fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations that rely upon social service agencies that depend on our funding.” Cuts of about 8.5 percent would immediately affect the viability of housing for the elderly, according to officials at B’nai B’rith International, which runs a network of homes. Officials at Jewish federations say the cuts also would curb the meals and transportation for the elderly they provide with assistance from federal programs. Obama and Congress would have had to deal with heading off sequestration in any case, but as a president with a veto-wielding mandate of four more years, he has the leverage to head off deep cuts to programs that his top officials have said remain essential, including food assistance to the poor and medical entitlements for the poor and elderly. David Makovsky, a senior analyst with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Obama’s priorities would be domestic. “While a victory in the second term tends to give you some political capital, capital is still finite,” he said, citing George W. Bush’s failure in 2005 to reform Social Security, despite his decisive 2004 triumph. “This suggests to me the

Letter TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, After major surgery, I was at the Rose Blumkin Home for several weeks of recuperation. One has to be a patient to truly appreciate this wonderful Home. I am most grateful for the care and caring of the entire staff. My deepest and most heartfelt thanks, Babe Nogg

president will keep his focus on the economy and health care,” and not on major initiatives in the Middle East. More broadly, four more years of “Obamacare” mean the health care reforms that Obama and a Democratic Congress passed in 2010 will be more difficult to repeal for future GOP administrations. By 2016, American voters will have habituated to mandates guaranteeing health insurance for all, including for pre-existing conditions and coverage of children by their parents until they reach the age of 26. On these issues -- entitlement programs and federal assistance for the poor -- Obama and Senate Democrats have the backing of an array of Jewish groups led by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the community’s public policy umbrella. Additionally, Jewish advocacy organizations will look to Obama to appoint to the Supreme Court justices likely to uphold the protections favored by much of the Jewish community, including abortion rights, women’s equal pay guarantees and gay marriage gains in the states. The exception will be the Orthodox groups, which generally align with conservative Christians on social issues. The potential for domestic tension between some Jewish groups and the new Obama administration -- and its Democratic allies who continue to lead the Senate -- lies in Democrats’ plans to let lapse some of the tax cuts passed by the George W. Bush administration. Senate Democrats in recent years have pressed organized Jewish groups to advocate for raising revenue through tax increases. Some groups have advocated for the increases, but the major social welfare policy umbrella, the Jewish Federations of North America, has resisted in part because tax hikes are controversial among a substantial portion of the federations’ donor base. Daroff said that Jewish federations would continue to push for keeping the tax deduction rate for charitable giving at 35 percent and resist Obama administration proposals to cut it to 28 percent. “We see from the response to Hurricane Sandy how vital charities are,” he said. “To put stumbling blocks in the way of our ability to raise charitable funds is the absolutely wrong policy.” Unlike the looming sequestration, Obama’s most vexing first term foreign policy issue -- how to deal with Iran -- has gained some breathing room in recent weeks with the Obama administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arriving at an agreement that Iran will not be poised to manufacture a nuclear weapon until the spring at the earliest.

Without intimations by Israel that it might strike before then, Obama has a window to see if the tightened international and U.S. sanctions introduced during his administration will goad the Iranians into making their nuclear program more transparent. Iran’s government insists its nuclear program is peaceful but has resisted probative U.N. inspections. Makovsky said he expected a quick return to talks with Iran, which could lead to bold new proposals, setting some of the bottom lines that have been eagerly sought by Israel. Makovsky said one scenario could be removing some sanctions in exchange for keeping Iranian uranium enrichment at 5 percent, down from the 20 percent level it currently achieves and well below the 93 percent that would make a weapon. Another Iranian give, he said, would be to export the stockpiles of enriched uranium already on hand. “I would predict there will be much more of a focus on bottom lines, there will be some sort of an American offer - after consultations with Israel,” Makovsky said. Two personnel changes in the coming months in both Israel and the United States will help shape how the two nations interact. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has longstanding relationships with much of the Israeli leadership, has said she is certain to quit, and there is much speculation about her successor. Three names have been touted -- Tom Donilon, the national security adviser; Susan Rice, the ambassador to the United Nations; and U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Of the three, only Donilon has warm relations with his Israeli interlocutors. Rice has steadfastly defended Israel against formal condemnation at the United Nations, but Israeli and pro-Israel officials have been galled by the tough language she has used to describe Israeli settlement expansion. Kerry raised some eyebrows with his sharp language about Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip following the 2009 war with Hamas. And some conservatives questioned his insistent outreach to the Assad regime in Syria prior to the protests that set off the regime’s bloody oppression and the country’s resulting civil war. The other personnel change is in Israel and will be closely watched by the Obama administration. Elections there are scheduled for January, and Netanyahu and his new rightleaning alliance with Avigdor Lieberman, currently the foreign minister, may be facing a serious centrist challenge.

Eight for Nate (Silver): Dude, we need some new algorithims by AMI EDEN · Now that Nate Silver (or, more to the point, his system for aggregating the polls) has proven to be king of all Election Day prognosticators, could we get him to come up with algorithms to answer some more pressing questions? For instance: Is there any chance Star Wars Episode VII won’t suck? Will they get the lights back on in Revolution before the show is cancelled? Will Sheldon Adelson’s investment in Birthright pay off better than his bets on Gingrich & Romney?

Save for College

Can Obama and Netanyahu put their frenemies stage to rest in time for Valentine’s Day? How about by decision day on Iran? What’s more likely: Avigdor Liberman gets indicted or becomes prime minister? (Or both?) Is Matisyahu ever going to grow back his beard? How much of Obama’s drop in Jewish support is attributable to people deciding that Sarah Silverman jumped the shark with her Sheldon Adelson video? Will JTA’s new office ever be ready? OK, OK. Eight is enough.

24’ x 32’ x 10’ Garage $9,950 Material Only Kits Now Available

with Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans

• Free Estimates • Free On-Site Consultation • Fully Insured • 5-yr Workmanship Warranty

UÊ vv À`>L i UÊÊ iÝ L iÊ ÛiÃÌ i ÌÊ «Ì Ã UÊ- >ÀÌÊÃ>Û }ÃÊÌ Ã

• Pre-engineered for code laws • Licensed ICC General Contractor Two 9´×8´ Overhead Doors One 3´ Entry Door (12ý sofÞt, fascia & gutter not included in price) Prices include: DELIVERY & INSTALLATION on your level site. Travel charges may apply.

FREE

Call for info and estimates Call 877-914-4838 Visit NEST529.com/community Speak to your financial advisor

Experience the QSI Advantage

• 3-Ply Laminated Posts (60 yr. warranty) • Steel Roof and Sides (40 yr. warranty) • 16 colors available • 8´ o/c Post Spacing 4´ o/c Truss Spacing • 90 MPH Wind Load / 30lb. Truss load • Site Preparation available

800-374-6988 www.qualitystructures.com

14 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables, participating families will join at fellow congregants’ homes for a special Shabbat dinner. For more information about the ongoing program, contact the office, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat’s Cool, 10 a.m. followed by a fun-filled ‘shul-in’ overnight at the synagogue; Mincha-Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT Classes for grades K-2nd only; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Highly Controversial Laws of Torah, 10 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m., for preschoolers and their parents, led by Naomi Gaca. MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Tai Chi Class class 6 p.m., taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Beth Staenberg and continues on Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 10. For more information, contact Margie in the office. WEDNESDAY: Beth El USY Lock-in. For more information, contact Steven Meyer in the office. THURSDAY-SUNDAY, NOV. 25: USY Kinnus, at the downtown Hitlon Hotel in Omaha. For more information, contact Eadie Tsabari in the BESTT office. Drinks & Dames, Thursday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. All women of Beth El are invited. Dinner & Drash, Friday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m., following Shabbat services. Cost: $12.50 per person. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or by contacting the office, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:46 p.m.; Shabbat Dinner for Teens, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Musical Shabbat with Yisroel Juskowitz; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30

a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 2:30 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Boys (ages 10 and up), 3:30 p.m.; Guest Speaker Yisroel Juskowitz discusses his new book, The Hidden Path: Spiritual Explorations in Judaism, 3:30 p.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:48 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast; RBJH Connections for Teens, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday Night Subs & Movie, 6 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Teens 4 Latte & Learning, 7:30 p.m. at Starbucks, 114th & Dodge. TUESDAY: The Ethiscs of Our Fathers Class, 2 p.m. with Rabbi Jonathan and Miriam Gross at Remington Heights. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY: Ninth Annual Thanksgiving Football Game, following, 9 a.m. minyan and breakfast.

Candlelighting Friday, November 16, 4:46 p.m.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 3 p.m. at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes. THURSDAY: Temple office is closed for Thanksgiving. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #3 led by Rabbi Lewis. THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. What does it mean to be the children of Abraham? SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.; Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. Please reserve by calling 402.330.1800. THURSDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. followed by a Thanksgiving breakfast. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Experience Shabbat for Grades 3-6, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Benjamin Brodkey, son of Stacie and Marc Brodkey, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teachers Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; WRJ Hanukkah Gift Shop Open House, 10 a.m.; Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street. TUESDAY: Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: No Religious School; No Family School; No Grades 7 and 8. THURSDAY: No Adult Study with the Clergy.

TIFERETH ISRAEL

South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Friday Night Live!, 7 p.m. at the UNL Student Union (City Campus). The oneg will follow around 8:15 p.m., hosted by Hillel, the Harris Center and the South Street Temple; There will be no Services at the Temple. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Toldot; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Global Day of Jewish Learning, 10:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel with a panel discussion on The Art of Aging Gracefully;

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Inter-generational Service, 6 p.m. followed by a Shabbat Oneg. SATURDAY: Study Session on Eicha, 9:30 a.m.; Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Global Day of Jewish Learning, 10:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel with a panel discussion on The Art of Aging Gracefully. WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes. THURSDAY: Temple office is closed for Thanksgiving.

line Republican policies have been Jewish conservatives. One of the first post-election posts from Jennifer Rubin, who writes the Right Turn blog for the Washington Post, said it was time to stop opposing gay marriage in the political arena. “Republicans for national office would do well to recognize reality,” Rubin said. “The American people have changed their minds on the issue and fighting this one is political flat-earthism. As with divorce, one need not favor it, but to run against it is folly, especially for national politicians who need to appeal to a diverse electorate.” Charles Krauthammer, the syndicated columnist, noted sharp Democratic gains among Hispanic voters and counseled a change in immigration policy, making clear that the current GOP emphasis on securing the borders should be followed by amnesty for illegal immigrants already in the country. Romney had advocated disincentives, including making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get jobs and educations, that would push them to leave, or “self deport.” “Many Hispanics fear that there will be nothing beyond enforcement. So, promise amnesty right up front,” Krauthammer wrote in his Nov. 9 column. “Secure the border with guaranteed legalization to follow on the day the four border-state governors affirm that illegal immigration has slowed to a trickle.” Zeidman, the fundraiser, said Jewish Republicans had a special role in making the case for immigration reform. “The rest of the party has to understand what we as Jews have always understood -- that this is a nation of immi-

grants and to ignore them is to end up losing,” he said. A number of conservatives have lashed back against calls for policy changes, saying that the party was missing the ideas revolution underpinning the 2010 Tea Party insurgency that propelled Republicans to the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. “There’s no point in two Democratic parties,” said Jeff Ballabon, a Republican activist from New York. “Any such victory would be pyrrhic.” Singling out gay marriage or immigration was selfdefeating, said Ballabon. Recalling the drawing power of a figure like Ronald Reagan, Ballabon said positions on hotbutton issues matter less than a party leader who can appeal across demographic lines. “The only chance we have is there’s another bold visionary who can attract people not based on divide and conquer, but who can inspire people to core American ideals - liberty, freedom, personal responsibility,” Ballabon said. Tevi Troy, a senior adviser to the Romney campaign, said the problem was not with policies but with how they were presented. “There are messaging challenges,” he said. “I don’t think any of our candidates should talk about rape.” Troy said the Republican Party could learn from its Jewish supporters how to frame its vision of an America of opportunity in ways that would appeal to minorities and immigrants. Editor’s note: this article was edited for length. The entire text can be found on our website: www.jewishomaha.org.

The morning after by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) – Think immigration through -again. Forget about gay marriage. And for heaven’s sake, when it comes to rape, shut up! The Republican Party as a whole is having the morningafters, reconsidering how it might have done better in an election. “There will be a lot of conversations between our organization and its leadership and the leadership within the party,” Matt Brooks, the director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said last week in a conference call. A number of Romney’s financial backers -- including Fred Zeidman of Texas, Mel Sembler of Florida and Sheldon Adelson -- are among the RJC’s leadership, and Brooks made clear that their voices would be heard. William Daroff, the Washington director of the Jewish Federations of North America and a former deputy to Brooks at the RJC, said Republican Jews would likely advise the party to moderate. “The conventional wisdom is that the election will result in the shift of the Republican Party to the center, particularly on issues of immigration,” Daroff said. “To the extent that the party does shift, it would make Republican candidates more appealing to Jewish voters who may be inclined to vote Republican on foreign policy and homeland security issues but who have been turned off by conservative Republicans rigidity on social issues. Some of the leading voices counseling moderation of hard-

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

November 16, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 15

Esau and Jacob

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Toldot Our Sidrah gives us the news of the birth of twin sons to Rebecca and Isaac. Esau is the elder twin brother, and Jacob is the younger. In Rabbinic interpretation, Esau becomes known as the personification of wickedness and evil. Jacob, however, becomes the personification of righteousness, justice, humanity and love. We are aware that the rabbinic interpretation is very unfair to Esau, and totally favorable to Jacob. Actually, it is Jacob who is wily and sometimes deceptive, and it is Esau who, on many occasions, proves himself to be truthful and honorable. Nonetheless, these rather unfair pictures of Jacob and Esau remain in Rabbinic literature and in the minds of the average Jew throughout the centuries. It has been left up to us to follow the Rabbinic, rather than the biblical judgments of the two. It is Esau, who bears the brunt of the unfair interpretations, and it is Jacob who carries with him the favorable one, all the way through history. It is good to see that Jacob indeed lives up to Rabbinic interpretation. The triumph of Talmud and Midrash over the biblical pictures of the twin brothers is fortunate and encouraging.

Netanyahu talks tough on stopping Gaza barrage by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel will “take whatever action is necessary to put a stop” to the barrage of rockets from Gaza targeting the country, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ambassadors. Netanyahu met in Ashkelon with some 100 foreign envoys to talk about Israel’s response to the escalation of rocket fire on southern Israel in the past three days. “I don’t know of any of your governments who could accept such a thing,” Netanyahu said at the meeting. “I don’t know of any of the citizens of your cities who could find that acceptable and something that could proceed on a normal basis. I think the whole world understands that this is not acceptable. “So we’re going to fight for the rights of our people to defend themselves. We’ll take whatever action is necessary to put a stop to this.” Israel’s foreign missions reportedly were instructed to tell their host governments that Israel has lost patience with the situation on the Gaza border and could take some action, Israel Radio reported. As many as 150 rockets have been fired from Gaza at southern Israel since Saturday, according to reports. “The prime minister is interested in preparing international public opinion for an Israeli military operation in Gaza,” Haaretz reported a source in the Prime Minister’s Office as saying. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak reportedly met Monday with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and the commander of the IDF’s Southern Command, Tal Russo, to discuss and possibly change the IDF’s policy regarding rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Ynet reported that senior intelligence officials also attended the meeting. Israeli politicians spoke out Monday on the possibility of a heightened Israeli response to the Gaza provocation, including a ground operation. Labor Party leader Shelly Yacimovich told Army Radio that such an operation should not occur on the eve of national elections, which are set for Jan. 22. Opposition leader Shaul Mofaz, head of the Kadima Party, called for the targeted killing of terrorist leaders. Mofaz is a former IDF chief of staff. Home Front Defense Minister Avi Dichter, who lives in Ashkelon, called for a ground invasion of Gaza, saying that terror cannot be destroyed just by air power.

To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Israel fires second missile at Syria after mortar lands in Golan by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- An Israeli anti-tank missile struck a Syrian military mortar crew after the Syrians fired a mortar shell that landed near an Israeli town in the Golan Heights. The incident marked the second time that Israel has fired on Syrian territory since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The shell that landed in Israel is believed to have been aimed at rebel forces in the Syrian civil war. There were no injuries. The Israel Defense Forces filed a complaint over the incident with the relevant United Nations forces operating in the area. The complaint said that “fire emanating from Syria into Israel will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity,” the IDF said in a statement. The trading of projectiles comes a day after a mortar shell from Syria hit an Israeli military post in the Golan Heights. In another incident, Israeli troops fired a warning shot in retaliation that reportedly was aimed at a military post in Syria. Last week, three mortar shells fired from Syria landed in Israel; a military vehicle on patrol in the Golan was hit by Syrian fire; and three Syrian tanks rolled into the demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria. Meanwhile, a report Monday in the Syrian newspaper AlWatan, which is associated with President Bashar Assad’s government, quoted residents of the Golan in Syria as saying they did not hear the explosion of a missile fired from Israel, apparently trying to downplay the fact that Israel fired a missile at the country, Ynet reported. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Army Radio on Sunday that Israel would respond if Syria again allowed its civil war to cross over into Israel. “The message has certainly been relayed. To tell you confidently that no shell will fall? I cannot. If a shell falls, we will respond,” Barak said.

Half of Jewish communal groups moving toward LGBT sensitivity, survey shows by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Fifty percent of Jewish communal organizations have taken significant steps to welcome gays and lesbians and their families, a new survey found. The Jewish Organization Equality Index provides benchmarks for gauging and improving policies regarding gay, lesbian bisexual and transgendered persons at North American Jewish communal organizations. The index was released Sunday by the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT civil rights organization. Some 204 Jewish communal organizations, or about 10 percent of the organizations invited to take part, participated in the survey. The index found that 98 percent of participating membership-based organizations offer same-sex couples family memberships; 90 percent use inclusive terms in their publicity materials; and 73 percent have a written non-discrimination policy. The index also found that 75 percent of participating organizations have not specifically recruited LGBT individuals to their lay leadership board in the past three years, and that 79 percent have not targeted the LGBT community in workplace recruitment efforts. “We applaud the organizations that participated and are taking important steps to foster LGBT inclusion, but we still have a long way to go until LGBT Jews -- indeed, all Jews - are embraced as full and vital members of the Jewish family in every aspect of communal life," said Lynn Schusterman, a major Jewish philanthropist and one of the index’s funders. "We have an opportunity to use these findings to truly commit ourselves to the vital but challenging work of forging a culture in which inclusivity, diversity and equality are paramount. The question is, will we?” Other funders include the Morningstar Foundation, Stuart Kurlander and an anonymous donor.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The deadline for the Nov. 23 issue is Wednesday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. The Jewish Press office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving. The 2012 Jewish Press Hanukkah edition will publish on Nov. 30. Please send all content by Monday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. Please feel free to submit stories early, as you are more than welcome to do so. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

Accounts Payable/ Receivable Payroll Clerk Requirements: - Ability to function independently in a fast paced environment. Good communication and organizational skills. Please send resume to: summittoolsltd@gmail.com

Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS PREGNANT? CONSIDERING Adoption? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, continued support afterward. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. Adopt Connect, 1-866-743-9212. BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $210. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6449 or call 1-800369-2850. ANTIQUE SPECTACULAR, November 16th-18th, Ralston Arena, 7300 “Q” Street, Ralston, NE, Exit I-80 at 72nd Street, Friday 5-9; Saturday 10-6; Sunday 11-4. Admission $7. AntiqueSpectacular.com. HUSKER CRUISE 2013! Be part of the tradition, February 25-March 2nd. Visit www.huskercruise.com for details, or call Travel and Transport, 800-714-5350. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 175 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. BLACK FRIDAY through Cyber Monday/November 23-26 only. Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive $10 gift card free. Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City. Limited time offer - don’t miss out! 800-546-5433. FOUNDATION/BASEMENT repair. Bulging walls, broken footings, water proofing, drain tile. Call Landmark Construction. 402-432-4517. CC accepted. Affordable. Insured. References. Member BBB. www.lincolnlandmark.com. VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln. 402-742-0063. Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 60+ Dealers. 3rd Anniversary Sale, November 16-30. New items arriving daily! Antiques, collectables, furniture & more. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 1-800369-2850 to place your ad on the national Midwest Classic Cars web site for only $25.00. Your ad with photos runs until your vehicle is sold! WALK-IN BATHTUBS. Priced lower than most competitors! Plain to luxury air and water jet models. Full line handicapped tubs and shower units. Installation available. 402-896-2966. ATTEND COLLEGE online from home. Medical, Business, Criminal Justice, Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800-487-0378, www.CenturaOnline.com. CHASE COUNTY Community Hospital, www.chasecountyhospital.com, hiring RNs and LPN-Cs for 7P-7A shifts. CCCH offers competitive wages & benefits. E-mail application to jsharp@chasecountyhospital.com. GROWING SERVICES at Sidney Regional Medical Center-Sidney, NE, seeking experienced RNs. Surgery/Acute/HH. Excellent benefits. Exceptional pay. Welcoming community. Join our team, 308-254-5075. AIRLINES ARE hiring. Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance, 888-896-8006. HVAC TECHNICIAN experienced in servicing residential and commercial. 90-year contractor. Green Furnace and Plumbing, 4200 N. 48th, Lincoln, NE 68504. EOE. 402467-4444 or mdsmith@callgreens.com. YOU GOT the drive, we have the direction. OTR Drivers, APU equipped pre-pass EZ-pass passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% No Touch. 1-800-528-7825. ATTENTION DEER Hunters! Trade your deer hides for dollars or gloves. Visit www.petskafur.com for dates, times and destinations. Petska Fur and Gloves, Ord, NE, 308-7500700.

16 | The Jewish Press | November 16, 2012

Born after Rabin’s death by BEN SALES tiations with the Palestinians, Rabin’s official commemora- ration of the assassination. Though Rabin’s assassin, Yigal TEL AVIV (JTA) -- About a year before Guy Ben-Simon tion this year emphasized not peace but the importance of Amir, hailed from Israel’s Orthodox community, Yehoshua was born, his parents attended the Tel Aviv rally where the democratic process. Some 20,000 people attended the said he does not shy away from condemning the religious Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Oct. 27 memorial, which highlighted the dangers of the incitement that led to the murder. It was a night of “This is very shock and sadness, important -- why they recalled for was there anger?” him while he was asked Yehoshua, growing up. They who declined to had called all of give his last name their friends, because the telling those who E d u c a t i o n had not heard that Ministry had not the prime minister authorized him to had been killed. talk to a reporter. “They cried,” “We talked about said Guy, 16, having conversarepeating his partions about things ents’ story. you don’t accept “Everyone cried. It and how imporwas very hard to tant it is to safeunite after that guard the governbecause somement.” The late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, shaking hands with Members of HaNoar Ha’Oved V’HaLomed, a left-wing youth group, thing bad had hapYehoshua said the late King Hussein of Jordan with U.S. President Bill Clinton in the attending a rally in memory of the slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak pened.” that although background during the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty in Aqaba, Rabin in Tel Aviv, Oct. 27, 2012. Guy is now a teachers talked Credit: Nati Shohat/Flash90/JTA Jordan, Oct. 26, 1994. Credit: Roni Schutzer/Flash90/JTA member of about “the desire HaNoar Ha’Oved V’HaLomed, a left-wing youth group tra- “price tag” movement -- a strategy adopted by a group of for peace,” they did not focus on the peace process. ditionally tied to Rabin’s Labor Party. He’s also part of a extremist Israeli settlers who deface and destroy Arab prop“We don’t go into politics,” he said. “It’s not just political. It cohort of Israelis born after the Nov. 4, 1995 assassination erty and holy sites in retribution for settlement freezes and affects every person.” who have no firsthand memory of Rabin’s killing and are demolitions, or for Palestinian attacks on Jews. Some of Yehoshua’s students say they don’t attribute much learning about it as part of history. Pardo, who attended the commemoration at the site where significance to the assassination. Seventeen years on, Rabin’s assassination is refracted Rabin was killed -- now called Rabin Square -- said she, too, “I don’t take any lesson from it,” said Vova Baronov, 14. through the lens of contemporary Israel, taught and remem- focuses on democracy rather than peace in discussing the “It’s sad, but God must have wanted it to happen.” bered in different ways depending on who is doing the assassination with her students. Guy, who is also a youth group counselor for 11-year-olds teaching. In youth movements and in schools, his killing “When you don’t believe Arabs are equal to you, that and will be drafted into the Israeli army in about two years, offers a lesson in the dangers of ideological extremism. they’re second-class citizens, you can’t have peace,” Pardo said his students were “very interested and very mature” “You don’t really talk about Rabin the person,” said Hadar told JTA. “You talk to them about the democratic rules of the when he discussed the assassination with them. Pardo, 23, one of Guy’s youth group counselors. “You talk to game. Even if there’s no assassination now, there are a lot of Pardo said many of her students are deeply affected when them about seeing peace and trying to make peace even if it’s things in society that break the rules of the game.” they learn about the assassination. not part of your everyday life.” Yeshoshua, the principal at Torah U’Melachah High “You understand the difference between good and evil at In a sign of the changed political landscape in Israel, School, also emphasized tolerance and the importance of every age,” she said. “When you talk to kids, even though where even the left has shifted away from emphasis on nego- stable government during the Tel Aviv school’s commemo- they weren’t born yet, they feel hurt by it.”

Omaha’s Team Basketball Nov. 18: UNO vs. Nebraska in Lincoln 2 p.m.

Hockey Upcoming Nov. 23: UNO vs. Alabama Huntsville CenturyLink Center 7:37 p.m.

For Tickets Call 554-MAVS