Vol. LXXXVII No. 11 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
13 Kislev, 5768 November 23, 2007 2 Sections
In an effort to expand its reach, UJC reaches out to young innovators
Successful premiere leads to second annual Federation AC/DC telethon
by JACOB BERKMAN NASHVILLE (JTA) -- A self-described professional Jewish lesbian. A Web guru who calls himself the Orthodox Anarchist. A young, Oscar-winning producer. The United Jewish Communities looked to this group and their disenfranchised peers for help at its annual General Assembly in the Tennessee capital last week, giving them an entire plenary to talk about themselves, what they need from the North American federation system and why they have a hard time becoming a part of it. It was a recognition by the UJC that it must embrace new, innovative thoughts Members of UJC's Young Leadership Cabinet and Hillel students work at the Nashville and programming that can Rescue Mission prior to the 2007 GA. After working in the Mission, the group convened for attract a younger population a Jewish learning session on the nature of tzedekah, or social justice. Credit: Max Orenstein that does not see itself engine to bring people together.” bound by traditional Jewish lines. Kanfer envisions a future federation system in which Jewish federations are fretting over how to bring “we will have not created the new ideas but we have supyoung Jews into their fold because the failure to do so port for the new ideas.” could cause a crisis down the road for a system that takes In this future, he said, “many great things would have in more than $3 billion annually in charitable dollars. died out if not for the support of the federations. The “What you saw is a beginning,” the UJC’s chairman, federations will have not always had the early passion Joseph Kanfer, told JTA. “It strikes us that the federa- surrounding great ideas, but they have the capacity to tion system needs to become a capacity builder and an Continued on page 4
by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director After producing strong results in its pilot year, the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign will once again feature an Direct Calling Campaign, the AC/DC telethon. AC/DC will take place on several weekdays in November and December, providing the opportunity for campaign workers to come together as a group to solicit donors. The telethon will cover calls for- Andy Ruback calls a donor during last mally reserved year’s AC/DC Telethon. for Super Sunday, in addition to several divisions of both the Men’s and Women’s Campaigns. AC/DC will supplement face-to-face and special solicitations, which remain a significant part of the campaign. The program’s theme, “Our Community Rocks,” speaks to the philanthropic nature of the Omaha Jewish community. “Omaha Jewish women are smart, caring, and always willing to do their share,” said Women’s Campaign Chairman Nancy Rips. “They’ve proven that their contributions can make a concrete difference.” Continued on page 2
Part I: The Dreidel Chronicles
Nothing to look forward to by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service Jewish Family Service provides assistance year-round to those in the community who need help. Individuals like the gentleman mentioned here (whose name has been changed to protect his privacy), couples and families are all treated with the respect and caring on which JFS was built. This is the first in our annual four installments of the “Dreidel Chronicles”, based upon actual clients that JFS has assisted. Your help is what makes the difference for people like these. Thank you! Miles entered the offices of Jewish Family Service for the first time in October of 2006. After making frantic phone calls to every law office in the phone book, he decided that a bit of free advice was the best way to begin solving the dilemma he’d found himself in. A recent immigrant to the United States, Miles had grown up in the simple way of a child from Kashin, Russia. In many ways he was unprepared for the complicated and bustling life here in America, even as a 31-year-old man. On advice from a friend, Miles moved from his original settlement in Oakland, California to Omaha, where he found a more familiar and comforting way of life
Inside
he could appreciate. People were kinder here, things were a bit slower and he was able to begin concentrating on why he had come to the U.S. in the first place, finishing a masters, now at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Once here, he worked hard studying for a masters in computer science alongside new school friends and his co-work-
ers at a local supermarket chain. Miles’ trouble began in July when he met a new roommate through the newspaper. He couldn’t continue to make the rent payment on his own, so he advertised in the paper and met Paul. Paul was a fun and vibrant personality and seemed like just the type of new companion Miles could use to introduce him to people and
make him feel more like a part of his new community. Things were terrific until Paul and Miles had a difference of opinion about Paul’s newly revealed drug habit. Miles was uninterested in such things and understood the dangers to his new way of life in getting mixed up in it. The roommates had a discussion about it and Paul finally agreed that he would not bring his habit into their home, regardless of what he chose for his personal life. One Saturday morning in September, Miles answered a knock at the door from the police. His roommate nowhere to be found that morning, Miles let police in and a search of the apartment began. Disillusioned and disappointed to find out that there were drugs in the apartment, Miles began the process of trying to prove his lack of involvement in his roommate’s activities, which now included drug possession charges for both of them and an assault charge on his roommate from a party attended the previous evening. Continued on page 2
This Week: Hanukkah issue: Second Section starts on page 25 Coming Next Month: Senior Living Issue, Dec. 21
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 20
Hero of Soviet dissidents analyzes today’s political situation: Pages 13-14
Next Gen in Business features third-generation who comes home: Page 34
Where Are They Now? finds former cantor still singing: Page 40
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 College Homecoming Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. C L MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 I Kosher Kitchen, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel P
C L I P
Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m. & S A V E
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 WOW Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. ADL The Journey that Saved Curious George, 6 p.m. Federation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad Federation Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Federation AC/DC - Session #1, 6 p.m. Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. Jewish Critical Thinking, 7 p.m. at Beth El
C L THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 I Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel P
S A V E
C L I P
Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel & Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. S A V E
Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Federation AC/DC - Session #2, 6 p.m. Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. Theology Cafe, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
This Space For Rent Call Allan Handleman 334-6451
& S A V E
by BETH SELDIN DOTAN Director of Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education will host artist Allan Drummond and author Louise Borden at the Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Drummond and Borden will discuss their experiences in creating the 2005 Houghton Mifflin book The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey. The book describes how Hans and Margret Rey, German-born Jewish artists who were living in France, escaped on bicycles as the Nazis invaded Paris during World War II. Leaving most of their belongings behind, the Reys took drawings and the manuscript of a mischievous little monkey named “Fifi” with their few other necessities. Their journey took them through southern France, Spain and Portugal, across the ocean to Brazil and ultimately to New York where “Fifi” later became Curious George. Borden is author of both fiction and nonAllan Drummond fiction. In her account of the Reys’ escape from Europe, Borden presents primary resources, including Hans Rey’s pocket diaries to help describe their experience. Archival materials from the Reys’ collection such as photographs, train ticket stubs, letters and cards are introduced to the reader from the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection of the University of Southern Mississippi. Durning the Nov. 27 event, Borden will share how she created this book which reads much like a travel journal. Drummond, whose first prints of The Journey That Saved Curious George are on display in the JCC Gallery
through the end of November, is Chairman of Illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design. Drummond’s diverse experience in journalism, graphic design and illustration comes together to tell the story of the Reys through dramatic and colorful imagery. These water color illustrations help the reader visualize Borden’s tale of H.A. and Margret Rey’s wartime trek to their new home. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, Borden and Drummond will address students at Friedel Jewish Academy, where children from St. Cecelia’s Catholic School will join them. They will participate in a Lunch and Learn at the Millard Public Library, 13214 Westwood Lane at 12:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public. Later that day, the pair will speak at St. Pius/St. Leo School. On Thursday, Nov. 29, students from Liberty, Oakdale and Abbott Elementary Schools also will participate in a planned event at the Omaha Children’s Museum. The Institute for Holocaust Education and the Kripke Jewish Louise Borden Federation Library received support for the events and for the creation of the exhibit The Notable Artwork of Allan Drummond: The Journey of the Reys. These donors include: H. Lee and Carol Gendler Charitable Fund; Gloria and Howard Kaslow; Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund, an Anonymous Donor, The Jewish Federation of Omaha, and the Plains States Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League. For more information please contact me at the Institute for Holocaust Education at 334.6575 or holocaust@jewishishomaha.org.
The Dreidel Chronicles
Federation AC/DC telethon
Continued from page 1 Miles felt, from the start of the process, that his status as an immigrant was a barrier to effective communication and fair treatment by those he was seeking help from. With no family in the U.S. to back him, Miles finally located the only familiar source of support he could by making an appointment at JFS. They were able to provide a referral to a legal professional that not only was able to assist Miles with his legal situation, but could relate to his faith as well. The help of therapists at JFS provided the mental support and coping strategies he needed to continue working and going to school while fighting for his innocence on the charges against him. And, of course, through the help of JFS’ generous donors, financial assistance was provided to a man who was already barely making ends meet. One year later, Miles reports to JFS that his life is back on track. The charges against him were eventually dropped. He’s completed his education and now works as a manager for a mid-size computer software company. He’s met a woman and is planning to marry in June of 2008. According to Miles, a new job and a marriage would have seemed frightening to him when he first came here, but with the battles he has fought in his short time in the U.S. and the support of Jewish Family Service, he’s prepared to take on life and is looking forward to things in his future for the first time in a while.
Continued from page 1 Men’s Campaign Chairman John Lehr is also impressed with the generosity he’s seen. “Based on the percentage of our community who give and the amounts given per person, not only do we step up and answer the call, we step up and make the call,” he said. Campaign dollars help the most vulnerable members of the Jewish community in Omaha and across the globe -- feeding the hungry, rescuing the oppressed and fighting anti-Semitism. Both Rips and Lehr are passionate about the importance of contributing to the Annual Campaign. “For centuries our tradition has taught that it’s not only good to help others -- it’s required, each according to his or her own ability,” Rips said. “Giving tzedakah by way of the Annual Campaign, and encouraging others to do the same, makes our world a better place in which to live.” The Annual Campaign provides the structure for the Omaha Jewish community, funding programs and services delivered through the Federation’s Centers of Excellence: the Center for Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services and the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee. Campaign dollars also help support local synagogues, the Jewish Press, Friedel Jewish Academy, Va’ad HaKashrut, Bar/Bat Mitzvah programs, teen trips to Israel, BBYO and more. But each year, the same money accomplishes less. “We have built an investment which pays rich dividends, but every investment requires maintenance and reinvestment so it stays functional and competitive,” Lehr said. “The annual campaign is our time to protect and enhance one of our most important investments.” Omaha’s goal for the 2008 Annual Campaign is $3.4 million. To donate, call 334.6436, visit www.jewishomaha.org, or send your donation directly to the Jewish Federation of Omaha, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline Dec. 28 Wednesday, Dec. 19 Jan. 4 Wednesday, Dec. 26 Questions? Call 402.334.6448
November 23, 2007
Virtuosos hit just the right note at premiere concert of Performing Arts Series by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Earlier this month, more than 100 people enjoyed the magnificent music of violinists Semion Gavrikov of the Ukraine and Israeli Hed Yaron-Meirson during the Keshet Eilon Violin Concert. Gavrikov and Yaron-Meirson each played a number of powerful solos with the skillful accompaniment of Julia Gurvitch, and the concert concluded Two violinists with different styles and perwith several spirited duets, each bringing sonalities, Semion Gavrikov and Hed Yarontheir own unique style and passion to the Meirson, team up to make beautiful music . stage. After more than an hour of mesmerizing music, the audience gave the musicians an enthusiastic ovation, after which they had the opportunity to visit with them at a dessert reception. The talented young violinists (ages 18 and 22) are graduates of the Keshet Eilon mastercourse program. Managing director Gilad Sheba, one of the program’s founders, spoke to the audience at the start of Israeli visitors mingle with Omaha host families: Keshet the show. He explained that Eilon Director Gilad Sheba, left, Mike Erman, Partnership prominent musicians from all with Israel Arts Communications and Marketing Coordinator over the world have come to Shlomit Dagan-Deri, Arts Taskforce Chairman Kim the Keshet Eilon program. Goldberg, violinists Semion Gavrikov and Hed Yaron“These musicians become the Meirson, Adeev, Alan and Ezra Potash; pianist Julia best ambassadors of Israel Gurvitch, Aviva Segall, Patrick McNamara, Lily Goldberg, after their experience at the Ilana and Leora McNamara. Western Galilee,” Sheba said. “And after by Russian-born pianist Julia Gurvitch. The next program in the series is Jan. our time here, we will become ambassadors 26 with the Halil BaGalilee Flute of Omaha.” During their short stay in Omaha, the Concert, followed by the Ga’aton Dance musicians enjoyed home hospitality. This Program on Feb. 23. The series conprogram led off the Federation’s cludes on March 27 with a play by the Partnership with Israel Performing Arts Akko Theatre Center for women of the Series. The violinists were accompanied Omaha Jewish community.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish Book Month continues with two great debut novels by GARY KATZ Library Administrator One week, two great debut novels. Top Jewish writers, Nathan Englander and Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum, will be featured speakers for Jewish Book Month, visiting Omaha the first week in December. Nathan Englander will start the week, speaking on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Englander has become one of the most talked about new voices in literature. The New Yorker Magazine named him one of “the 20 writers to watch in the 21st century.” His debut novel, The of Ministry Special Cases, “is full of subtleties, which Nathan Englander should be relished alongside Englander’s tight prose, unique sense of humor and, overall, his sense of care and grace,” the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote. The book revisits the events of Argentina’s “Dirty War” in 1976, and its impact on the Jewish community. Lillian and Kaddish and their son, Pato are living ordinary lives, deliberately separated from their Jewish roots. When Pato disappears, the two parents embark on a labyrinth journey that twists and turns through various governmental agencies and eventually leads them to the Ministry of Special Cases. The second debut novel, A Day of Small
Beginnings, will be featured on Thursday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m., when Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum speaks. In the book, which is inspired by her own family’s history, Rosenbaum poses the question “How do you know who you are, if you don’t know where your family came from?” The book loosely revisits the story of Exodus through the lives of three generations of Polish Americans, and tells of the ghost who longs to reunite them with their Jewish identities. “‘A Day of Small Beginnings’ is a love story -between a ghost and a Jewish family whose patriarch fled Poland for America,” the Los Angeles Times wrote. This debut Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum novel also has been selected as a Barnes and Noble Discover New Writers pick. These events are open to the community, free of charge. Both books are available for purchase in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library and a book signing will be held at the conclusion of each talk. For more information on any Jewish Book Month event, please call 334.6462 or e-mail gkatz@jewishomaha.org. Jewish Book Month is presented by the Center for Jewish Education through the Kripke Library and is sponsored by the Special Donor Advised Fund of the Federation Foundation and the Rosalyn and Jerome Zeffren Legacy Fund.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
UJC reaches out to young innovators Continued from page 1 joints in Israel -- one kosher and one hallal. to allow ideas to flourish.” He was followed by Sarah Chasin, a senior at George The plenary session featuring young Jewish innovators Washington University, who after seeing the devastation signaled a change in thinking for a system that critics of post-Katrina Mississippi while on a Hillel Alternative perceive as one that collects money primarily from Spring Break took a year off from college to volunteer in major, older donors and allocates those funds to the Mississippi with AmeriCorps. Chasin was followed by two Israeli young men who same local, national and international projects and servwere trying to settle the Negev and the Galil by building ice agencies year after year. Looking at the federation system as an enabler of new youth villages there. They were followed by Idit Klein, projects rather than the organization that has to own all the director of Keshet, a Boston-based gay, lesbian, the Jewish projects is central to a new operational strat- bisexual and transgender community. Next up was Esther Kustanowitz, a noted blogger and egy adopted by the UJC in June. The plan is designed to help sagging campaigns and maintain the federation senior editor of the startup magazine PresenTense, which is focused on the next generation. system as North America’s Jewish backbone. Closing the plenary Kanfer described for was JTA’s director of digJTA a bleak alternative ital media, Dan Sieradski, future for the federation a Jewish Web maven. system if it does not Known outside JTA as embrace new ideas. Mobius, the Orthodox “If we are simply a sysAnarchist, Sieradski starttem that hangs onto the ed the influential and old ideas and wants to do iconoclastic blog Jewsthat, then we will have chool, and is prone to done a magnificent job in post-Zionist outbursts. promoting those old ideas The speakers offered and our day will sunset.” some critical advice. The chairman of the Sieradski scolded the UJC’s executive commitestablished Jewish comtee, Kathy Manning of munity as too parochial in Greensboro, N.C., its funding, and he called opened the G.A.’s first grant makers “disconnectplenary on Sunday with a joke, imploring its largely Dan Sieradski, JTA’s director of digital media speaks at a UJC ed” and “soul crushing.” The next big Jewish middle-aged cohort to General Assembly plenary session featuring young Jewish innovaCredit: David Karp idea, in fact, “has probapay attention to the 275 tors, Nov. 13, 2007. college students that attended the event through Hillel: bly already come and gone, and been shot down by no less than a dozen Jewish grant-making organizations,” The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. “Please take a moment to get to know them,” she said. he said. “And because the innovator will have no “Don’t forget they will be building our nursing homes.” resources at his or her disposal with which to continue The presence of the Hillel students contrasted with his project, he will probably walk away from it crushed last year’s G.A., when the UJC invited 700 Hillel stu- and discouraged. And a revolutionary idea that could dents to Los Angeles to perform a community service have transformed American Jewry forever will never project, but failed to invite them into the G.A. itself, come to be.” Still, Sieradski envisioned a future federation system according to Hillel’s executive vice president, Wayne much like the one described by Kanfer, in which the fedFirestone. But the UJC became more daring with the younger eration is not the seed bearer for new Jewish initiatives set on Monday, opening its only plenary of the day to but the system that nurtures those ideas by accepting seven young Jewish innovators and activists -- leaders and funding them. Following the plenary, UJC CEO and President that stray from the typical mold of the federation Howard Rieger was beaming, laughing off Sandel’s line “leader.” They included an up-and-coming film producer, Ari to the crowd that they “had to kick their children and Sandel, who won an Academy Award for his short film grandchildren in the ass” to get them Jewishly involved. Involving these new voices is central to the plan Rieger West Bank Story, a farcical musical about a love that springs between the scions of two warring fast food and Kanfer have implemented to move the UJC for-
ward. Part of the strategy includes beefing up the organization's presence overseas and establishing a more active office in Israel to oversee foreign operations. Another feature is establishing a system for federations and the UJC to promote and share the best practices. “What we will see in 25 years is an organization that will go the way its constituency wants it to go,” Rieger said. “It will evolve. It will be different. It won’t be tied to past models because past models can't prevail over 25 years.” In an effort to understand its constituents and who it is missing, the UJC is planning to spend some $800,000 on a market research study in the beginning of next year. At the G.A., where some 3,000 Jews from across the country had gathered, the hallways buzzed with praise for the young speakers. Many in attendance called it the best G.A. plenary they had ever attended. “For me,” said Jan Goldstein, Omaha’s Jewish Federation executive director, “the plenary session featuring young Jewish innovators was a defining moment of the GA. Here in Omaha, for the past few years now we have recognized the importance of bringing our young people to the table. We have put a great deal of time and resources toward this, with a number of innovative programs from our Community Development Department as well as our upcoming Campaign Leadership Mission.” She added, “We must speak to our young people in their language, and demonstrate to them how the power of the collective enables change. I was thrilled to see this key issue at the top of the national agenda.” “We have to make room for them at the table,” Ron Rosensweig, a lay leader from the UJA-Federation of Northern New Jersey, told JTA, referring to the next generation. “Though we may not like their music or like what they say.” Others were more tepid in their praise, but still thought the UJC had inched forward with the plenary and a couple of breakout sessions that focused on young initiatives. Ruth Messinger, the head of the American Jewish World Service and a fifth-generation donor to the UJAFederation of New York -- her grandfather was its first president -- has been thwarted repeatedly in her attempts to tap the system for her social service and advocacy group. She said only a handful of federations make small donations, $5,000 to 10,000, to AJWS, which dispatches Jews around the world to help nonJews in developing countries and is among the most successful at engaging younger Jews. Though Messinger in a sit-down before the plenary was highly critical of the UJC, afterward she said it had taken a “half step” or even an “80 percent step forward.” Continued on page 5
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Young innovators the wrong value because it is not going to draw us in.” The head of the Boston federation, Barry Schrage, agreed that UJC has to articulate its mission. “Any operational strategy without a core vision can't succeed,” said Schrage, a maverick federation executive who at times has been critical of the UJC. He pointed specifically to Messinger’s American Jewish World Service as an organization whose strength is its mission. “It is values that make Ruth so attractive to young people because she is interested in making a better world,” Schrage said. In his closing address, Rieger said the marketing research will help UJC define its mission. Some of the harshest criticism was directed at the young innovators themselves, who some said sounded selfabsorbed and selfish. “A lot of it sounded like, ‘We want a seat at the table; tell us why it is good for us,’” said Daniel Septimus, the editor of myjewishlearning.com. He said the UJC made a positive step, but it also needs to be more critical of the youth they are trying to attract because that would be real dialogue. “I think it is a gut check for us,” said Septimus, 29. “Was the word responsibility mentioned by any of the speakers? Was there anything about us giving? There are many ways in which this conversation highlighted our vulnerabilities. He added, “Maybe the best thing they did by putting these people on stage was to help articulate the disconnect. And maybe the GA Next-Gen plenary speaker Sarah Chasin talks about how question they should be asking us is, ‘Who is going to her Jewish volunteerism has changed her life. Credit: Robert Cumins build our nursing homes?’”
Continued from page 4 Others said the UJC needs to ensure that its outreach extends beyond the G.A. and must take the time to figure out where it is going. “The Jewish world needs to press pause and go back to articulating values,” said Aaron Bisman, executive director of JDub, a non-profit record label that seeks to promote Jewish experience through music created by Jews. Bisman ran a breakout session Sunday called “Emerging Organizations of the Next Generation” that exhibited several innovative projects. “There is no conversation about what values are,” he said. Bisman went on to say, “The age of peoplehood is over. If peoplehood means that we feel a connection to all Jews, we are all stuck” because young people “feel responsibility to all people, and some might feel that that idea of peoplehood might be racist. We understand the idea of community. But community can include non-Jews. Pushing peoplehood is
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Get comfy and cozy during Beth El’s second annual ‘Pajama Havdalah’ by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Parents, grab your little ones and head to Beth El for the synagogue’s second annual Pajama Havdalah, on Saturday, Dec. 1, 55:45 p.m. Lead by “Miss Patty” Nogg, this fun-filled service, designed for children ages six and younger, will feature songs, stories, snacks and an art project -- and everyone attending is encouraged to come in their PJs -- parents All dolled up in pajamas and fuzzy slippers, Patty Nogg and several small followers celebrated Beth El’s first PJ Havdalah last included! “When I first found December. The upcoming Beth El service will be out about this great service five years ago, highlighted by singing the ritual Havdalah I was very excited,” Nogg said, noting blessings, an arts and crafts project related that when she introduced this fun-filled to the three stars which mark the end of Havdalah experience to preschoolers at Shabbat, and a ‘bedtime’ snack. Nogg the JCC Pennie Z. Davis Child joked that, “Last year, I thought doing all Development Center, “it was an immedithat in 45 minutes would be a challenge, ate success.” but the kids and parents jumped right in Participants will be treated to a delightand we had a great time!” ful program based on songs from All Jewish families in the community “Havdalah Pajama,” a CD by Jewish are invited to take part, free of charge. musical artist Judy Caplan Ginsburgh. For reservations, contact Program “Ginsburgh’s joyful melodies always Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or make the service a fun and engaging mgutnik@cox.net. learning experience,” Nogg remarked.
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Beth El USYers ready to welcome hundreds of teens during Kinnus convention by JILL BELMONT A dedicated USY member throughout high school, Beth El Publicity Coordinator Meyer shared that Kinnus “is really the only time I sit Over 300 Jewish teens from throughout the Midwest and really pray. I just feel like it’s the right place; I feel will be descending on Omaha this weekend for ‘The closer to Judaism than ever when I am in a room with Hebrew Hammer: Chillin’ in the Omahood,’ this year’s hundreds of my closest friends. I know we are all there United Synagogue Youth (USY) Kinnus convention, for the same reason, and it makes me feel so good. I just hosted by Beth El’s BILU-USY group. Kinnus, know this convention will be excellent.” USY/Emtza Region’s biggest convention of the year, Saying that “Kinnus is a great opportunity for Jewish will convene from Nov. 22-25 at the Holiday Inn Hotel teens to come together and have a meaningful experiand Convention Center, and the local USYers have been ence,” Liatte Dotan called co-chairing the convention working non-stop to create a great weekend of fun and “a leadership opportunity I could not resist; the process camaraderie. has been a real learning experience.” Planning for the event began several months ago, said Speaking of her four-year involvement with both USY Ygal Schuller, who is serving as co-chairman of the and Kinnus, Dotan, a Westside High School senior, said weekend, along with Liatte Dotan. Schuller, Beth El’s that, “The memories and leadership lessons learned USY president, noted that the weekend will include social and religious programming which focuses on such topics as tikkun olam and Israel, plus discussions about Jewish values and the week’s Torah parasha. Participants will also be treated to a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo, a visit to the new bowling, laser tag and go-cart complex in Elkhorn, and “an awesome Saturday night program which remains a surprise,” he added. Saying he takes pride in gathering together such a large group of Conservative Jewish teens, Schuller, a junior at Millard North High School, remarked that, “Kinnus has always been a great time to catch up with Beth El teens rarin’ to go to this weekend’s Kinnus convention include: front row, Henry friends from all over the Ginsburg, left, Dan Canfield and Steven Meyer; middle row, Rachel Meyer, Shir Palmon, Midwest, after not seeing Caroline Juster, Liatte Dotan, Dayna Cohen, Ygal Schuller, Effie Tsabari, Lydia Stern and them for many months. It’s Salo Cemaj; back row, Youth Director Robert Mosenkis, Ari Brodkey, Yonatan Dotan, Ryan a very large convention, so Kirshenbaum, Colin Belmont, Mike Friedman and Macklin Emas. meeting new people is always fun. This weekend will be from both will be ones I take with me forever. The unforgettable for all who join us in Omaha, because friends I have made during conventions are individuals I we’ll offer programming that has not been done before. will always be connected to, and I am so grateful to have The entire weekend will be filled with constructive and met them through USY. I hope I can pass on the same fun explorative programs that will make Kinnus 2007, feeling of excitement to this year’s Kinnus attendees.” the best yet.” Other teens serving on the planning committee are Planning committee member Dayna Cohen echoed Anna Grossman, Alex Solomon, Effie Tsabari, Yonatan those thoughts, saying, “Kinnus will be incredibly mem- Dotan, Lev Nachman, Lindsay Cohen, Caroline Juster, orable because we have some amazing programs being Sarah Hoberman, Shir Palmon, Mike Friedman, Henry planned. We tried to come up with as many ideas as pos- Ginsburg, Colin Belmont, Steve Meyer, Dan Canfield, sible and have found things to do that everyone will Macklin Emas, Cameron Stern, Ari Brodkey, Salo Cemaj enjoy.” and Rachel Meyer. An active USY member for the past year and a half, At the helm of the convention’s planning machine is this will be Cohen’s second Kinnus convention. “I went Robert Mosenkis, Beth El’s Youth Director, a past USY to Kinnus 2006 in Des Moines last year,” the Millard member himself and dedicated Kinnus attendee. “I went West sophomore noted, “and it was special because I to Kinnus all four years in high school and some of my met a ton of people whom I have kept in touch with and best USY memories come from those conventions. am looking forward to seeing again this Thanksgiving.” Kinnus is where I met many friends from across the The upcoming convention will be the last one for region that I still talk to,” said Mosenkis, who also Steven Meyer, a former local USY president who will recalled that, “ One of the best parts of the weekend was graduate from Millard North in the spring. His enthusi- the bus ride to wherever the convention was and bondasm for this event is clear, as he remarked, “Three hun- ing with my BILU friends.” dred Jewish kids in one hotel -- what could be better?! Of the upcoming get-together, he said, “I want all the I love the fact that I can see my friends from other places participants to have a fun weekend that will keep them such as Minnesota, Kansas, or Missouri, and after talk- wanting to get more and more involved in USY and ing for five minutes it’s like we haven’t spent any time grow in their Jewish identity.” Mosenkis applauded his apart at all. Some of my best and most spiritual memo- USY members who have worked so hard to make this ries have been formed through USY. Everyone is Jewish, event a success, and expressed confidence that “we’ll and everyone accepts you for who you are.” make it a great weekend for everyone!”
On this night ... it’s Chinese for dinner! by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue What to do on a night when most restaurants are closed? On Monday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m., Beth Israel will hold its third Annual Chinese Dinner. Orders for the dinner must be placed by Dec. 4. “We order the dinner from Chop Stix, a Glatt Kosher Chinese restaurant in Teaneck, New Jersey,” explained Executive Director Beth Cohen. “We gather individual orders and the food arrives frozen. All we have to do is reheat the meals and we’re ready to go. The food is absolutely delicious. This has been an extremely popular
dinner the past two years, so we knew we would do it again this year.” If you can’t attend the dinner but would still like to order some kosher Chinese food, place your order “to go.” Food will be kept frozen and you can pick it up on Dec. 24 or the following week. Menu options range from egg rolls and dumplings to entrees such as duck with vegetables and kung pao chicken. Orders for the dinner must be placed by Dec. 4.Please contact the office, 556.6288, for the complete menu and to place your order.
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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IN THE NEWS To better meet the needs of the skyrocketing older population, the University of Nebraska Medical Center received approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents of a program statement and budget for construction of a new geriatric center on the UNMC campus.
The new center would be built at the intersection of Leavenworth Street and 38th Avenue at the present site occupied by the Annex 4, 5 and 6 buildings. Plans call for these annex buildings to be demolished with occupants of these buildings relocated into Bennett Hall after its renovation is completed. The geriatric center, which would cost nearly $10.2 million, would be a twostory facility containing 28,000 square feet. Construction would begin in August 2008 with completion in August 2009. It is anticipated that the cost of the building will be funded completely through private donations. “The dream of having a stand-alone geriatric center has been on our radar
screen for several years,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “We are thrilled to see this dream finally become a reality. The Baby Boomers are reaching their senior years. The timing is absolutely right for us to have a facility that will take our already outstanding geriatric programs to a world-class level.” Dr. Maurer said the new geriatric center would reunite the sections of geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry, while expanding research and patient care, improving education infrastructure and providing outreach facilities to enhance successful aging. HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, invites students to apply for its 2008 Scholarship Competition. HIAS-assisted refugees who immigrated to the United States after Jan. 1, 1992 are eligible to apply. The HIAS Scholarship Program has been helping HIAS-assisted immigrants pursue higher education since 1974. Last year, awards were given to 150 deserving students living in the United States. The awards are made possible by generous donations from individuals around the world, many of whom were personally helped by HIAS. This year the U.S. Scholarship award amount will be $2,000. The HIAS scholarships are intended for high school seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education and students of all ages already enrolled in college, pro-
fessional, vocational, university or graduate school programs. All applicants must demonstrate at least one year’s attendance in an American high school (12th graders only), college, or graduate school. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic excellence, financial need, and Jewish communal involvement. HIAS also sponsors a Scholarship Competition for immigrants in Israel who are enrolled or will enroll in postsecondary school education there. Students should apply directly online. Further eligibility requirements and the online application form can be found at www.hias.org/usscholarship2008. The online application must be submitted by midnight EST on Feb. 19, 2008. Information about the contest in Israel is also available on the HIAS website. Go back to Israel to spend spring vacation doing community service in Israel with the Jewish National Fund. Alternative Spring Break is an incredible seven day opportunity to volunteer in Israel. Over 300 college students and young adults will be making a personal impact in communities in the Negev. Trips depart March 8, 16 and 23, 2008. To register and find out more information, visit www.jnf.org/springbreak. This will be the third year for ASB which has earned national media attention -- it was showcased last year on MTV’s “The Amazing Break,”-- and accolades from its participants -- “ASB was one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable programs that I have participated in,” said Ben Schulman of New Jersey.
Now, it has earned the attention of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF), which has granted JNF $100,000 towards the trip. According to a recent Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies study, the second trip to Israel creates a lasting connection to Israel. This unique experience will not only help the communities in which they work, it will form a lasting bond between the participants and the State of Israel. Help JNF sponsor this program! Sponsorships are available for $2,000 per participant and above. To donate, contact us at 212.879.9305, ext. 245, or e-mail asb@jnf.org for more information. Now open in Elkhorn, Thunder Alley family entertainment center offers 40 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a 26,000 square foot indoor go-kart track, large video game and redemption arcarde with laser tag, and a 350-seat restuarant and sports bar. Thunder Alley is non-smoking and caters to families, corporate events and birthday parties. The facility covers 8.5 acres and is the largest entertainment center of its kind in the Midwest. Owned by four local businessmen -- Steve Sempeck of Elkhorn and Rich Abboud, Doug Laird and Red Baer of Omaha, Thunder Alley is located just northeast of 204th and West Dodge. Cleo Rogers, daughter of Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas, will be in The Rose’s New Imperial Traditional Nutcracker Nov. 28-Dec. 2. She will be a tea cup in the Chinese Dance, Act II.
HappyHanukkah!
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The Epstein Family Bobbie and Bob Melissa, Michael, Sarah and Noah Schop Elizabeth, Stuart, Dani, Paige and Eden Bohart Laurie, Jeff, Alec, Cali and Sophie
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Comedy jugglers the Gizmo Guys will bring their hilarious, family friendly show to the Lied Center for Performing Arts on Thursday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. Performing as the Gizmo Guys, Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker have amazed and amused audiences around the world. Touring since 1987, the Gizmo Guys have appeared before more than one million people in more than 2500 live performances, plus millions more on television. They work in a great variety of venues including theaters, corporate functions, cruise ships ... you name it, they’ve done it. Felker and Jacobs have each won international juggling competitions and taught at top circus schools. As explained by The New York Times, “The Gizmo Guys are “master jugglers with ebullient energy and exquisite skill ... Human virtuosity with a touch of lunacy.” Expanding on the family atmosphere, the Lied Center will host LiedFamFest beginning 90 minutes before the performance. Everyone with tickets to the show is invited to come early for this family-friendly party. There will be free food and soft drinks, as well as entertainment and hands-on activities. As part of the Lied Center’s Family Series, tickets for this performance are $14. University of Nebraska– Lincoln students with a valid I.D., as well as youth age 18 and younger, may purchase tickets for half price. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Lied Center ticket office at 402.472.4747 or 800.432.3231. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.liedcenter.org.
ORGANIZATIONS
Author Jeffrey Spencer will be signing copies of his new release Historic Photos of Omaha on Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m. at Borders Books and Music, 13105 Birch Drive. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the store: 402.393.5576. Broadway’s master songman, Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Paul Ford on piano, will bring his critically acclaimed theatre concert to the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m. Tony and Emmy Award-winner Mandy Patinkin has an extensive list of theatre credits that include Broadway, OffBroadway and regional theater. He won a Tony Award for his 1980 Broadway debut as Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita and was again nominated in 1984 for his starring role in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Sunday in the Park with George. He returned to Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden (1991), and appeared as Marvin in Falsettos (1992). His other stage credits include The Wild Party, The Winter’s Tale, The Knife, Leave it to Beaver is Dead, Rebel Woman, Hamlet, Trelawney of the Wells, The Shadow Box and Henry IV, Part I. Tickets are on sale now for Mandy Patinkin, priced from $19 to $56, and all of the performances in the Omaha Performing Arts Presents 2007-08 season. Tickets may be purchased through Ticket Omaha online at www.ticketomaha.org, by phone at 402.345.0606 or in person at the Ticket Omaha box office at the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas.
WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar Casino on Nov. 29, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra will present Scheherazade on Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center; there is no admission fee. Featured artist will be Cantor Gastón Bogomolni performing “Una Furtiva Lagrima” by Donizetti and Kristin Simpson performing Bloch’s haunting “Baal Shem” (Three Pictures of Chassidic Life) which contains Jewish melodies from Eastern Europe. The centerpiece of the concert will be Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a daz-
zling musical work that has solos for all the instruments of the orchestra. The music describes different stories from 1001 Arabian Nights, including Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. This performance is sponsored by the Noddle family in memory of Edith Noddle. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Bob Cryne will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 11:45 a.m.1:15 p.m. (note time change), at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. Cryne, a U.S. Department of Justice Attorney, will reflect on his role in Iraq at the trial of Saddam Hussein. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage. RSVP required: e-mail Lois Epstein at by lepstein@ jewishomaha.org Monday, Nov. 26.
Visions visits Brownville Visions members enjoyed a day trip to historic Brownville recently to hear Andrea Marcovicci who performed with the Brownville Concert Series: “I’ll Be Seeing You.. Love Songs of World War II.” This collection of beautiful melodies of America’s most dramatic era when every song became irrevocably entwined in each precious moment. Members, including Beverly Gilinsky, left, and Ruth Oruch, dined at the Brownville Lyceum following the show.
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November 23, 2007
Chabad emissaries gather for celebration and reunion families that live there: 187 in France, 117 in Russia, by BEN HARRIS NEW YORK (JTA) -- While leaders of the Jewish fed- eight in China, two in Congo, and one each from eration world prepared to descend on Nashville for their Georgia, Bolivia, Norway and Puerto Rico. On the sidelines of the Kinus, a children’s summit was annual General Assembly this week, Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel, a Chabad emissary in the Tennessee capital, held for the sons of the visiting shluchim, with 467 kids packed his bags and headed north for another major attending. The daughters and wives have their own separate gatherings. The Kinus also provided a chance to Jewish gathering. The International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch offer good wishes to departing shluchim like Osher Shluchim, more commonly known as the Kinus, Litzman, a 25-year-old Israeli who with his wife and brought together Tiechtel and some 3,000 colleagues - infant daughter are departing for Seoul in the coming - Chabad emissaries, or shluchim, serving Jewish com- days. They will remain in South Korea, Litzman says, munities in the farthest reaches of the globe, among “until the Messiah comes,” adding quickly, “We hope he them Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad of Nebraska. is coming today.” Part professional development, part reunion and part Like generations of Chabad shluchim before him, celebration, the six-day conference here allowed the Litzman is headed for a country where he knows no one shluchim to revel in a few days spent far from the isola- and doesn’t speak the language, though the couple are tion many endure in posts spread across 72 countries studying Korean online. They expect to have their and six continents. Chabad center up and running in time to host a Though Chabad has labored to increase its partnership Passover seder. Asked how he intends to pay for everywith the federation system in recent years, it was hard to thing, Litzman tilts his eyes skyward and smiles. escape the impression of two alternative centers of Jewry In fact, support for Chabad’s sprawling global operareflected in the concurrent conferences in Nashville and tion is of a more earthly kind, coming from a cadre of New York. Tiechtel, who returned to Nashville on Nov. benefactors that includes men such as 12 to attend part of the G.A., brushed off the sugges- Lev Leviev, the Uzbekistan-born mogul who immigrattion. ed to Israel as a teenager and is believed to be Israel’s “What we do only adds to what they do,” he said. “I richest man. Forbes magazine, which lists Leviev as the don’t see it as a competition.” 210th richest person in the world, estimates his net Indeed, most Chabad shluchim operate in areas where worth at $4.1 billion. fellow Jews, let alone Jewish competition, are scarce. Addressing the banquet in Russian-accented Hebrew, Inspired by the teachings of the late Rebbe Menachem Leviev -- known as Reb Levi in Chabad circles -- said the Mendel Schneerson, Chabad shluchim have made life- shluchim were like soldiers operating “behind enemy time commitments to bring Jewish life to areas where lines.” Leviev also related a well-known story about a often they are the only established Jewish presence for meeting with Schneerson in Brooklyn in which the hundreds of miles. They regard themselves as the rebbe encouraged him to do business in Russia, a decirebbe’s soldiers, a motif invoked again and again to sion that was instrumental to his business success. describe the sacrifice and commitment of shluchim and their families, who spend their lives far from the centers of world Jewry. “We are not climbing a career ladder,” Rabbi Nechemia Vogel, the London-born founder of the Chabad House in Rochester, N.Y., said in his keynote address. “We are the rebbe’s shluchim. We stay at our posts.” For Tiechtel, it was also a chance to reconnect with his siblings, six of whom serve as shluchim in cities as far flung as Berlin, Coconut Grove, Fla., and Tempe, Ariz. At the Kinus banquet on Sunday evening, the Tiechtels practically filled their own table. The evening before, they had a chance for Chabad rabbis at the annual gathering of Chabad emissaries, Nov. 11, 2007, in Brooklyn, a more private reunion at a New York. Omaha’s Rabbi Mendel Katzman is seated in the sixth row back, sixth from left Japanese restaurant in - on his cellphone! Credit: Diane Bondareff/Chabad.org Brooklyn. “We didn’t have a chance to do that in many years,” More than a decade after his death in 1994 following said Dovid Tiechtel, who runs the Chabad center at the a stroke, the rebbe’s legacy still looms large in Chabad. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A banner with his portrait towered over the hall and The Kinus, which began in 1983 with about 60 rabbis videos of him exhorting his followers in Yiddish played meeting in a room at Chabad world headquarters in throughout the evening. Shluchim regard themselves as Brooklyn, has evolved into a major multimedia extrava- the rebbe’s personal emissaries and hold their conferganza broadcast live around the world. This year it was ence each year on the first day of the Hebrew month of held in a cavernous hall along the Hudson River in Kislev, the anniversary of the rebbe’s recovery from a Manhattan, just yards from where the sixth Lubavitcher heart attack in 1977. rebbe, Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, arrived in America “There’s not a community in the world that’s not 68 years ago. touched by the rebbe’s shluchim,” said conference vice At a time when much communal angst is focused on chairman Rabbi Moshe Kotlarksy. “So we can say Am how to attract an unaffiliated and disinterested younger Yisrael Chai. Am Yisrael Chai.” generation -- topics that are high on the agenda for the leaders in Nashville -- Chabad’s growth continues unabated. Twenty new centers have been established PASSOVER ISSUE REMINDER this year in California and Florida alone, with five in The Jewish Press will publish “Israel@60: a salute to Israel’s France and four in Argentina, according to Chabad.org. 60th birthday” on April 18. If you’ve lived, learned or visited Chabad’s campus initiative added 17 new centers in the Israel -- on a teen trip, a mission, or on your own -- see your United States and elsewhere. A total of 278 new story and photos in this special issue! shluchim have joined the ranks. Nearly 5,000 people Send your story in the body of your e-mail with attached .jpg attended the Sunday banquet, including 1,900 lay leador .tif files of your photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org ers and family of the shluchim, requiring 20 more tables or send hard copy with photographs no later than Feb. 29, than last year. One of the evening’s highlights, the annu2008, to: The Jewish Press Passover issue, 333 So. 132 St., al roll call, listed each of the 72 countries where Chabad Omaha, NE 68154. For more information, call 402.334.6448. has a permanent presence, and the number of shluchim
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Paul’s call to end foreign aid draws small Jewish following AMERICA DECIDES 2008 by BETH YOUNG WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Jim Perry, a 22-year-old Libertarian, made a name for himself in college when, shortly after moving to New Hampshire to live free or die, he strapped a gun to his side and marched into a local Borders book store and proceeded to rip up a copy of his Massachusetts income tax return. That sort of fighting spirit is a job requirement in his new post: executive director of the group “Jews for Ron Paul.” Paul’s candidacy was dismissed early on due to his support from white supremacist, Libertarian and other fringe groups, but the campaign has begun to pick up steam on college campuses and on the Internet, in part due to his staunch anti-war stance. A longtime Texas congressman, Paul raised $4.2 million on Nov. 5 from 37,000 individual donors who agreed to give as part of a
believe that it would be best for Israel if the United States kept out of Jerusalem’s affairs. There are also those who believe that American aid to Israel is dangerous because it feeds the perception that Jewish wield too much influence over U.S. foreign policy. “Many of us believe the current relationship between the United States and Israel is a very unhealthy relationship, like that of a man and concubine, or a slave and master,” HaKohen said. “We think that Israel should be an ally to the United States but not a vassal to the United States,” he added. “I don’t think it’s important for me as an Israeli for America to defend me. I don’t think it’s morally appropriate for American soldiers to fight Iran for me. American aid does more harm than good. These are insults to our national sovereignty.” While traveling from Washington to New Hampshire to campaign earlier this month, Paul provided a statement to JTA explaining his position on Israel.
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Ron Paul at the National Right to Life Convention in Kansas City, Mo. June 15, 2007. Credit: Reverend Richard Deyoung II “money bomb” on the anniversary of the failed plot of British mercenary Guy Fawkes to kill King James I in 1605. In September, he announced that he’d brought in $5.2 million in the previous three months, putting him ahead of John McCain in the Republican money race. Even as Paul makes headway in some circles, organized Jewish support for his Republican presidential bid is nearly nonexistent, thanks to the candidate’s longstanding stance against providing foreign aid, including U.S. assistance to Israel. The Republican Jewish Coalition pointedly did not invite him to participated in its candidates’ forum last month, even though his fund-raising ability and popularity on the Internet make him a dark horse with potential to upend the primary race. His reported support from extremist groups hasn’t helped win him favor among Jews. Still, Paul still commands a loyal, albeit small, Jewish following. This Jewish support has followed the same pattern as Paul’s backing from other groups -- coming from out-of-the way places on the Internet and taking mainstream media and political organizations by surprise. In addition to Perry’s “Jews for Ron Paul,” there is “Zionists For Ron Paul,” an outfit launched by Yehuda HaKohen, an American immigrant to Israel, and some of his friends back in the United States. Some of Paul’s Jewish supporters
“I support free trade and friendship with all nations, meaning that my administration would treat Israel as a friend and trading partner. Americans would be encouraged to travel to and trade with Israel,” Paul said. “Our foreign military aid to Israel is actually more like corporate welfare to the U.S. military industrial complex, as Israel is forced to purchase only U.S. products with the assistance. We send almost twice as much aid to other countries in the Middle East, which only insures increased militarization and the drive toward war. “In fact, combined U.S. aid to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and other friendly Arab nations is roughly commensurate with the $2.4 billion military aid package Israel currently gets.” “We have adopted a foreign policy that has left Israel surrounded by militaristic nations while undermining Israel’s sovereignty by demanding that its foreign and defense policies be essentially preapproved in Washington,” he added. “That is a bad deal for Israel, as sovereign nations must determine on their own what is a most appropriate national defense. On foreign policy as well, the U.S. steps in to prevent Israel from engaging in dialogue with nations of which the U.S. administration disapproves.” Paul is an obstetrician from the small town of Lake Jackson, Texas, who served in Congress in the 1970s and 1980s as a Continued on page 11
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Call to end foreign aid draws small following
At Home with Magnolia
Continued from page 10 Libertarian, then worked as a doctor before returning to Congress in 1997 as a Republican. He’s fiercely prolife and opposed to gun control, believes American monetary policy must be reconnected to the gold standard and advocates an isolationist foreign policy. Paul’s campaign manager, Lew Moore, deflected questions about Paul’s support from neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups “Ron Paul has beliefs that resonate with people. He empowers an individual’s right to free association. A lot of people like that,” Moore said. “He does not believe in foreign aid going to any nation, but that does not have anything to do with individual groups.” Moore said he has visited the website of Jews For Ron Paul, but hasn’t worked with the group and doesn’t know anything about the size of its membership. The Paul campaign, he added, was disappointed but not surprised that Paul hadn’t been invited to speak at the recent Republican Jewish Coalition forum. The campaign manager also said that he knew of no Jewish groups that had asked Paul to speak. The RJC’s spokeswoman said that Paul’s isolationist stance contradicts her group’s belief in strengthening U.S. ties with Israel. Paul’s consistent record of voting against aid to Israel was a factor in the group’s decision not to invite the candidate, Suzanne Kurtz. said. Kurtz also said the format of the forum, which gave each candidate 45 minutes to address the audience, meant there was not time for all of the candidates to appear. Only Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Sam Brownback and Fred Thompson spoke. Brownback has since dropped out of the race. “It’s been clear throughout Ron Paul’s tenure in Congress that his positions regarding Israel and the Middle East are significantly outside the mainstream of the Republican Party,” Kurtz said. “We hold Paul’s positions as both wrong for Israel and wrong for America. Because of these positions, Paul does not enjoy any support from the top leadership of the RJC.” Hadar Susskind, the Washington director for the Jewish Council on Public Affairs, said that his organization has had little interaction with Paul during his tenure in Congress, in part due to the fact that Paul has received very few committee appointments. “Ron Paul is an interesting political figure. For good or for bad he takes public positions that are unpopular within his party,” said Susskind, whose organization does not endorse candidates. “But he’s not a member who we’ve had a tremendous amount of interaction with.” Perry, of Jews for Ron Paul, acknowledged that there’s been a stigma attached to Paul’s candidacy due to the right-wing extremist groups that support him. Hadar Susskind, the Washington director for the Jewish Council on Public Affairs, said that his organiza-
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tion has had little interaction with Paul during his tenure in Congress, in part due to the fact that Paul has received very few committee appointments. “I’m supporting Ron Paul because he supports the Constitution,” he said. “When the freedom message brings people together like this does, people start changing their views.” For Perry, an Orthodox Jew, there is a connection between his own religious beliefs about personal responsibility and the Libertarian philosophy underpinning Paul’s candidacy. “It’s the idea that people are meant to be equal and free in a just society. Those are the same things that draw me to be an observant Orthodox Jew,” said Perry, who commands an Internet forum whose advisers include political and law professors spanning the country. “I believe Judaism puts strong emphasis on individual meaning, personal responsibility,” he said, adding that God “calls us to take responsibility for our own actions.” Perry said that his Internet forum is advised by political and law professors spanning the country. In addition to the 12-member board, the group has 48 members on its Facebook site and 80 members signed into its Yahoo account. Perry often tells the story of one white supremacist that he’s become friendly with at Ron Paul meet-ups. “Here I am a kipah-wearing, fringes-hanging Orthodox Jew and he had a tattoo with the National Alliance. He starts to see me as a human being,” Perry said. “I’ve met him seven times, and I’ve gotten him to drop the title of white supremacist. He’s getting his tattoo covered up. I think that freedom message, when really taken seriously, brings us together. I would be very comfortable inviting him over for Shabbos dinner.” HaKohen, of Zionists for Ron Paul, acknowledged that Paul’s followers include groups that might make Jews uncomfortable, but he sees the campaign as an effort to broadly redefine the American political landscape. “I’ve never been excited in my life by an American politician. I never heard an American politician speak the language he’s speaking. He’s avoided nothing and answered honestly,” he said. “That’s why a lot of young people, liberals, college students, back him. I’m sure a lot of Arabs support him. If you have Zionists, Muslims and white supremacists supporting him, he’s someone who really resonates with people.” HaKohen is a member of the Zionist Freedom Alliance, a student movement on 20 college campuses in America dedicated to Israeli nationalism. The group is socially liberal, but takes a hard-right stance on Israeli border issues. Despite his enthusiasm, HaKohen is not getting his hopes up about the GOP candidate’s chances. “I can see how people might dismiss him,” HaKohen said. “He’s not gonna win.”
Page 11
READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN There’s a cupcake in your future and in case you don’t have any travel plans in pursuit of cupcakes and more, pull up a comfortable chair and read on! Almost as soon as Torey opened Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan, New Yorkers started lining up around the block for the famous cupcakes. She’s also written two dessert cookbooks before moving to a country home in upstate New York and writing this cookbook that “reflects the all-American sensibilities of my bakery and my home.” Ninety family-friendly recipes with delicious color photographs reflecting Torey’s Victorian home and gardens. This setting combined with her descriptions and recipes makes for delightful reading -- a vicarious trip to country living. In addition to the chapters on Starters, Soup & Lunch are Weeknight Dinners: Meals for Every Day, Weekend Dinners: Meals for Entertaining, Sides & Casseroles, Vegetables and Desserts. Creamy Tomato Soup With Orzo, Yellow Beet, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad, Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, Chicken Kiev, and two dozen dessert recipes ... including Orange Vanilla Cupcakes. Well written instructions, everyday and company dishes and this simple recipe. CARROTS WITH BUTTER AND PARSLEY 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt Bring a large saucepan of cold water to a boil. Add the carrots, cover and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside. In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the carrots, parsley and salt. Makes 6 servings. Lois Friedman can be reached at: ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
White table is set at Friedel by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Navy Lieutenant Christopher Edwards and his wife Frances have two daughters at Friedel Jewish Academy. O’Bryen attends second grade and Gavriella has recently started kindergarten. Like so many parents, they are always looking for opportunities to get more involved.
grade, and fourth grader Naomi. After Edwards explained the White Table, all service men spoke individually to the students, explaining their jobs and backgrounds, and allowing the children to ask questions. They also took turns reading from the children’s book America’s White Table, which explains more about this custom’s history.
Left: Chief Erik Teetzel, left, Sergeant First class Chris Hart, Lieutenant Chris Edwards, and Airman Buser, holding Friedel’s mascot Ariot the Lion, Sergeant Frank Mack, and Such an opportunity recently presented itself to Chris, when he started thinking about bringing the tradition of the “White Table” to Friedel. The concept of the White Table, set for POW’s and those who are Missing in Action, originated during the Vietnam War. In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the tradition of the ‘Remembrance Table’ was spread to all military dining ceremonies. At these ceremonies, POWs and those missing are honored with a series of toasts. The table is always small, to symbolize the soldier’s lonely battle, and is set with certain items, such as a lemon slice for bitterness. Other items include grains of salt for the tears of families, an empty chair for the soldiers who are not here, and a turned over glass for the meal that will not be eaten. Lieutenant Edwards brought five uniformed colleagues with him to Friedel, among them Chief Erik Teetzel of the U.S. Navy. Teetzel and his wife Sarah also have two children at Friedel: Nathaniel, who is in sixth
Intelligence Specialist 3rd class Christina Vest visited Friedel. Lieutenant Chris Edwards holds the flag of the Israeli Navy. Edwards brought several flags and badges to school. The visitors took their time answering questions. The students asked about uniforms, and found out from Navy Intelligence Specialist 3rd class Christina Vest that it is the Navy who has the biggest selection of uniforms. “I have a uniform for everything,” she told them. Airman Buser, who is with the Air Force, was able to tell them that in his opinion, boot camp “was not very hard,” which elicited a chuckle from his colleagues. With the help of slides, the students not only were well educated on the importance of Veteran’s Day, but also came away with a lot of new knowledge about what it means to serve your country. The visit ended with an emphasis on education: “You need at least a high school education if you want to be in the armed services,” the students were told. “Anyone who joins the military has to continue learning while they serve, so we look for people who are willing to work hard in school.” It was a message applauded by all staff, and cannot be repeated often enough.
Temple High School Klezmer band participates in service by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator They’re “a neat group,” said Tuffy Epstein of the nine young musicians in Temple Israel Middle/High School’s “What is Klezmer?” class on Wednesday nights. The students have been practicing with Epstein, who describes himself as “a converted jazz and classical musician,” and their other instructors, Linda Marcoe, who teaches band and orchestra in the Ralston Public Schools District, and Cantor Wendy Shermet, since early October. The youngsters have been preparing for the Friday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., Shabbat worship service at Temple Israel in which they’ll participate. “It’ll be a fairly authentic representation of modernday Klezmer,” said Epstein who has been playing Klezmer music for 25 years, was a member of the Omaha Symphony for 11 years, and taught in the Omaha Public Schools for 32 years. The students, who Epstein said, “are really into it,” will participate in the service on clarinet, saxophone, and flute.
Photos from top: Josh Moran plays saxophone and Danny Pachman the trumpet while Alex Pachman plays the drum in the Temple Israel Middle/High School Klezmer Band.
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November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Internationally renowned refusenik comes to Omaha to repay a debt by GARY JAVTICH Special to the Jewish Press It took a long time, but 32 years after their 1975 meeting in the Soviet Union, Natan Sharansky accepted a multi-faced invitation to visit Omaha and once again see Shirley Goldstein, the Omaha woman who played an important role is securing his freedom from a Russian prison. Sharansky, now the Chairman and Distinguished Fellow of the Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem also came as the keynote speaker to deliver The Ninth Annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Shirley, a leader in the world-wide “Free Soviet Jewry” movement, took up the “Let My People Go” battle cry to fight against human rights abuses against Jews in the Soviet Union. The movement was launched in the years that followed the Israeli victory in the 1967 “Six-Day War” to counteract the rise of anti-Semitism spreading across Europe, especially as practiced by the Soviets who refused to permit Jews (but others also) to emigrate to countries of their choice, often citing national security reasons. Anatoly (later Natan) Sharansky, one of the most famous of the Soviet “refuseniks,” as they came to be called, was a high-profile human rights activist who became the face and the voice of the refusenik group. A nemesis to the Russian dictatorship, they arrested and imprisoned him on trumped-up charges of spying for the United States in 1978. Three years earlier, he had met Shirley Goldstein, who was visiting in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) after becoming a leader in the “Free Soviet Jewry” movement. She became an ardent advocate for him and others by enlisting the support of U.S. legislators and launching letterwriting campaigns, among other activities. Because of her efforts, Sharansky mentions her prominently in the first of his two best-selling books, Fear no Evil: The Classic Memoir of One Man’s Triumph Over A Police State. “The KGB (The Soviet secret police) thought they were only dealing with ‘students and housewives,’” Sharansky related to about 25 people at a private afternoon reception at the Marriott Hotel, the first of three stops for the famous human rights activist that would culminate with the evening lecture. “You think they (the students and housewives) can bring down the pwoerful Soviet Union?” Sharansky said the KGB asked him. He was explaining the important role Shirley had played in securing his release after serving only nine years of a 16-year prison sentence. He went on to add, “I am a fighter for human rights and universal rights. It was great to know that we are a part of history. When we got out of prison, we felt that we were reconnecting ourselves to our roots. We felt the solidarity with Jews around the world. These bridges were rebuilt by Shirley Goldstein.” He added, “I am here to say thank you and pay off my debt to Shirley Goldstein,” smiling at the woman seated next to him. And if much of the praise was being heaped on Shirley, she let it be known that her successes and accomplishments came because of the love and support from the man seated next to her, Leonard “Buddy” Goldstein, her husband of 65 years, and her family. Annapolis Sharansky fielded questions for about an hour with those seated around a long table. In response to one query, he asserted, “Annapolis will bring zero results. Abu Mazen (the Palestinian Authority leader) has zero influence and doesn’t want Israel to have a state.” He also pointed out that on the other side, the Israel
Photos from top: Natan Sharansky spoke last week at the annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Human Rights lecture at UNO; Steve Riekes asks Sharansky his thoughts about the leaders of Iran, Russia and Venezuela at the Q&A following Sharansky’s analysis of human rights around the world and the opportunities for democracy. Left: Soviet Jewry activisit and sponsor of the lecture Shirley Goldstein, right, introduces Yulia Kinarsky, a survivor of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, to Sharansky.
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Have A Happy and Healthy Hanukkah Taste the Tradition! Have a Happy Hanukkah! government has no strategy. No one supports disengagement anymore; nor do they want to offer one-sided concessions. Mixing in some humor, Sharansky replied to Rabbi Jonathan Gross, who asked if the former Knesset member had a preference for any of the people running for president. “I have enough problems worrying about who might be the next prime minister,” he said, drawing a big laugh. He did speculate that if the election were held today, Bibi Netanyahu would be elected, but added, the next elections are not going to be held anytime soon. He went on to say, “Whoever the presidential candidate is, I would like to see a democratic agenda at the top of their priority list. People today are demonstrating in Pakistan for democratic principles to be applied. I hope the next president will link democratic principles with any gifts that they give to other countries,” he urged. On another topic, Sharansky expected former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, now Defense Minster, to lead a short-term invasion into Gaza to halt the constant Kassam rocket attacks primarily aimed at the Israeli city of Sderot, just northeast of Gaza. He added that we might also have to employ targeted attacks against certain Arab leaders. Those tactics proved highly effective in stopping most of the suicide bombings against Jerusalem in 2002. Regarding the speech at Columbia University by Iranian President Ahmadinejad, Sharansky contended that “This was a big victory for Ahmadinejad. It strengthened his prestige in Iran. The Iranian leader has access to the world through the press and through the UN. It was wrong to give the dictator a platform of respectability at a prestigious Ivy League University. This was not a free speech issue.” Dr. Yaffa Podbilewicz-Schuller growing up in Mexico City related to Natan that “Every day a different grade level from my elementary school would be bused to the Soviet Embassy to shout in English, ‘Let my people go’ and ‘Free Sharansky.’” She thanked him for being such an inspiration. Continued on page 14
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
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Continued from page 13 This reporter pointed out that in his widelyacclaimed The Case for Democracy, “You say that people, when given the choice between dictatorship and democracy, will choose democracy. Did we learn that it was just not possible in Iraq?� “This is all part of a process,� Sharansky replied. “We did not hold elections in 1945-46 in Japan and Germany. We waited. Free elections in a free society are important, but they come at the end of the nation-building process, not at the beginning.� Towards the end of the meeting, Rabbi Mendel Katzman who organized Above: Former Soviet Jewish dissident, member of Knesset and the mini-reception offered author Natan Sharansky spoke to more than 250 people at UNO a blessing to commend the last week as part of the annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein heroic work of Natan lecutre on human rights. Below: Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah Sharansky. A short while (BESTT) brought a busload of high school students. Former UNO later, the Goldsteins led Chancellor Ron Roskens introduced the program and paid tribute their guest off to a private to both Sharansky and the Goldsteins as the crowd stood. dinner reception sponsored by them and UNO before the evening lecture at UNO’s Milo Bail Student Center. More praise was to come at the evening lecture for both Natan Sharansky and the Goldstein’s for their sponsorship of the lectures and their work as Human Rights activists. Providing the accolades was former UNO Chancellor Ronald Roskens, who told the audience of about 500 people that much of the introduction he wanted to give was already in the program. Still, he went on, “I do want to note that our guest tonight is the recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, given to him in 1986 shortly after his release from the Soviet gulag, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him by U.S. President George Bush just last year.� Indeed, following the Sharansky remarks for which he received a standing ovation, Sharansky and Roskens both praised Shirley Goldstein and she received a warm standing ovation as well. For an additional perspective, it is interesting to note a tribute to Shirley Goldstein, given by a friend and fellow philanthropic supporter Tom Fellman, at a dinner honoring the Goldstein’s several years ago: “The Catholics have Mother Teresa, India has Indira Gandhi, Israel has Golda Meir, and Omaha,� Fellman noted, “has Shirley
Goldstein.� Whirlwind Trip Natan Sharansky had come from Israel, stopped in Indianapolis for a speech and then arrived in Omaha. He spent just under 18 hours in our city. His fulfillment of his “obligation� to Shirley benefited all of Omaha. For here was a man, diminutive in height, but a giant in the eyes of all who admire courage in the face of danger. Natan Sharansky survived the soviet dictatorship and imprisonment and because he did, he offered hope to all oppressed peoples. It was a great opportunity to touch a part of history. Reporter’s note: A source for certain facts about Shirley Goldstein were taken from articles written by Leo Adam Biga for the Jewish Press on March 17 and 24, 2006. Editor’s note: both of Natan Sharansky’s books - Fear No Evil and The Case for Democracy -are available at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Readers interested in learning more about the history of the “Free Soviet Jewry� movement can also visit www.bh.org.il, the website for the Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv, exhibiting “The Jews of Struggle,� on the 40th anniversary of the movement.
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by HANNA WANZENRIED Interfaith Intern-Project Interfaith-Anti-Defamation League When Project Interfaith, an affiliate of the AntiDefamation League, brought in its first Muslim speaker earlier this month-- CBS News Muslim Affairs Analyst Reza Aslan -- more than 250 people showed up. With such a strong reponse and an interest in learning about different religions and cultures, Project Interfaith will hold its first Jewish-Christian-Muslim Study Circle. As part of its “Three Paths to G-d: Exploring the Relationships of Jews, Christians, and Muslims to G-d and to Each Other� series, the study group will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2-5 p.m. at Countryside Community Church (8787 Pacific St.) The study circle will examine the tales of the bindings of Isaac and Ishmael and the role that Abraham and his two households play in these three religions. This program will be led by Jewish, Christian and Muslim clergy and scholars: Rabbi Eric Linder of Temple Israel; Dr. Paul Williams, Assistant Professor of Religion at University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Dr. Ahmed A.
Moen, Associate Professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Participants will learn about the similarities and differences in the Abrahamic traditions, study the scripture narratives and discuss the implications each narrative has on Jewish, Christian and Muslims understanding of ritual, covenant and history. The study circle will also explore how these views impact interfaith relations in the 21st century. Project Interfaith has partnered with the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church and American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture for this program. This program is free and open to the public and no previous study is necessary. However, registration is required. To sign up for the study group, or for more information, contact me at 402.333.1303 or via e-mail interfaithintern@yahoo.com. Funding from the Herbert Goldsten Trust has enabled this program to be offered to the public at no charge.
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 15
Community support needed to maintain centuries’ old cemeteries by JOAN MARCUS project would ensure that future generaA few weeks ago, Judy Josephson tions can see the history of Omaha Jewry. approached me and asked if I would help Perpetual care plans were uncommon with some plans to rejuvenate B’nai Jacob many years ago, and today’s donations and B’nai Sholom Cemeteries. These are would alleviate financial strains from past the cemeteries that adjoin the Temple upkeep and secure proper care into the Israel Cemetery. My first reaction was, future. “Who needs more work?” But when I looked down the list of the people who were buried there, I found the names of my grandparents and other relatives. Suddenly, it seemed like more than just a place where there are gravestones. I had never known where my grandparents were buried because they had all died before I was born. I knew right away that I had to help with this project. There are 928 Jewish people from “our” families who are buried in these two centuryLeft: Tom Friedman, Cemetery Chairman, and Judy old cemeteries. A week ago or so, I cele- Josephson, project volunteer, stand in front of the B'nai Jacob brated my 70th birthday and Chapel building. Judy Josephson stands next to the graveit occurred to me that a stone of her great great-grandfather, Oscar Gernish. To her name is the only thing that we leave when Since the early 1980s, when Temple we die. Many grave markers in these inherited the upkeep of these cemeteries, cemeteries are vertical and ornate, and a budgetary deficit of close to $50,000 costly handwork is required to maintain has accrued. Contributions to this project the grounds around them. Grave markers have already netted $54,000, and an and copings are leaning and need to be overall goal of $200,000 has been set. raised and leveled. Renee Corcoran, Executive Director of Weeds and brush need to be replaced the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, with more easily maintained grass. Older notes that, “Many years ago, land for the stones are unreadable, and a restoration cemeteries was purchased even before the
How to donate to the B’Nai Jacob and B’Nai Shalom Improvement and Maintenance Project To pay by credit card complete form below. Cardholder Name ________________________________________________ Card Number ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________
CVC ______ (security code)
Billing Address ___________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State ______ Zip ________________ Phone ______________________ Amount ______________ My Check (payable to Temple Israel Cemetery Endowment Fund) is enclosed. Clip and mail to Temple Israel, 7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132
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synagogues were built. The Hungarian Society purchased land in 1906 and some graves had already been established. The oldest grave at B’nai Jacob was opened in 1885 and is that of Israel Wolk.” My friend Murray Newman remembers that his grandfather, Moritz Newman, is
mother, Edith Sorine, was buried at B’nai Jacob in 1923. “After I’m gone, it gives me comfort to know that future generations and the endowment fund that we’re building today will continue this work,” she adds. A few years ago, Aaron Passer, then 15, raised money to help restore some of the older graves at B’nai Jacob and B’nai Sholom. Many belonged to infants and children, and some were unmarked. Aaron placed plaques near unreadable gravestones to preserve their names and dates. If a young man could be so thoughtful, isn’t it time that the whole community continues his work? It’s part of our heritage to be able to maintain these sacred places for the whole Jewish community. It is the “Jewish thing” to do by offersurprise, her mother informed her that Gernish was buried at ing donations. It does say in B’nai Jacob. The family is planning to contact cousins and the Talmud, “Each generation extended family to contribute to the improvements and main- attends to the dead. Every tenance needed at the cemetery. monument represents a soul.” buried there. “I am named for him,” he Please take a careful look at the list on says. “I have many other relatives there, pages 16, 17, and 18. Maybe you will find and it is the perfect act of kindness to family and friends whom you can honor maintain these areas with dignity and with a donation; any amount will be respect for both the deceased and those appreciated. of us who remain. I feel obligated to conFor further information about the tact my relatives in order to give them a cemetery project, or about any of the chance to also support this project.” names listed, please contact Dennis Toby Fellman feels fortunate to be able DePorte, executive director at Temple to support the project because her grand- Israel, 556.6536.
Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
The grass net by BETSY RASKIN GULLICKSON A woman for whom I baby-sat; her health had never My mother couldn’t stand cemeteries. Literally. We been good, and the dates on the stone subtracted to had to support her to and from the car at my father’s only 56. Her stone informed: “She loved life, music, funeral and at the dedication of his headstone. I felt family.” much the same way, until I went to the Temple Israel All at once, I felt grateful to the people who had cemetery with Lazer Kapalan. placed these and all the other memorials in the grass. Nearing 90, Lazer was persuaded to pass his years- Every stone represented someone who loved and was long oversight of the cemetery to another volunteer. On loved. The cemetery was not a place to fear or to bow a June morning in 1997, he went one last time to show under the weight of grief -- but to feel comforted by his successor around, to make sure that all was ready for connecting to the human family. a funeral the next day, to We are connected not check that a tree needing only because we all will die, attention had been cared for. or even that we all experiAnd to bring me, the daughence loss. The power I felt ter of an old friend. was the bond of rememberI’d been to the cemetery ing. I was held in an invisible when we’d buried my dad net of love -- a net of grass. the previous September. But For the nearly 10 that day was a blur of jagged years that my mother surgrief and glaring cold. So it vived my father, the grave was as if I were being introsite next to him stayed duced to the cemetery for empty. When she died, she the first time as, like a genial chose to leave it so -- to have host, Lazer pointed out her cremains scattered at sea. highlights. But for my sister and me, Needed repairs at B’nai Jacob are in evidence here and “Here’s the cousin of sosomething was incomplete. elsewhere around the grounds of the cemetery. and-so, and the Blank family My parents were is over there.” His voice was “There is an endless net of threads throughout graced in acquiring some warm with long acquain- the universe... wealth while they were in tance. “And your father is At every crossing of the threads there is Omaha, and my mother left down that stairway.” the bulk of it to charity -an individual. Lazer and his co-chair And every individual is a crystal bead. giving my sister and me the walked away to do their And every crystal bead reflects gift of designating funds to work. Although it was only not only the light from every causes to which we feel con9:30 a.m., the sun was other crystal in the net nected. We wanted to do already hot. My father’s but also every other reflection something in Omaha that grave is in the newer section, throughout the entire universe.” would be a lasting testament in which all the stones are Passage from the Rig Veda, as described by Anne Adams in to our parents -- to their rectangles flush with the Turning To One Another by Margaret Wheatley love, and their love of beauground. In the distance, I ty. Helping to make sure heard the whirr of a lawn mower; the sweet smell of that the cemetery is sustained as a place of serene confreshly cut grass filled the air. I knelt and brushed a few nection is a privilege. stray blades from the granite inscribed with my father’s On what would have been her next birthday after my name -- Bernard H. Raskin -- and the dates that mother’s death, June 4, 2006, we dedicated a stone to embraced his life. the memory of Ruth E. Raskin. While we were there, a I lifted my head and looked around. A couple of rows butterfly -- which Mom had chosen as her symbol -above, someone had placed two pinwheels and a bright came to rest on a nearby tree limb. If you visit the cemesilk plant; a row below, another pinwheel -- this one tery, perhaps a butterfly will come for you, too. And perbeaten by the wind -- stood at a rakish angle. haps you will find the stone engraved with the lesson Walking through my father’s neighborhood, I recog- that Ruth Raskin lived and taught: there is “Beauty All nized some names. One of my sister’s high school class- Around.” mates; he had become a doctor, treating AIDS patients And perhaps you will have a bit of the feeling that in New York, but died -- I didn’t know how -- in his 40s. came to me: “The emptiness next to my dad was a gap His stone said: “Beloved brother, son, father.” in the net. Now, it is whole again.”
Editor’s note: Under the guidance of Dennis DePorte, executive director at Temple Israel, a group of volunteers have compiled a list of those buried at these Temple cemeteries. Please direct corrections to him at 556.6536. B’NAI JACOB Rose Abrahams, William Abrahams, Benny Abrams, Harry Abrams, Samuel Abrams, Jacob Abramson, Minnie Abramson, Anna Adler, Connie Adler, Jacob Adler, Joseph Adler, Anonymous, Dora Arbitman, Lt. Morris Arbitman, Max Arbitman, Ida Arkin, Morris Arkin, Irving Avner, Marjorie Avner, Anne Babendure, David Babendure, Mary Babendure, Samuel Babior, Louis Baum, Edward A. Berg, Ethel Berg, Ida Berg, Minnie Bercutt Berg, Nathan Berg, Goldie Berger, Ida Berman, Jacob Berman, LeRoy Berman, Lillian Berman, Meyer Berman, Sam Berman, Sarah Berman, Theresa Berman, Abraham Bernstein, Alex Bernstein, Anna B. Bernstein, Etta Jean Bernstein, Harry Bernstein, Harry Bernstein, Helen Bernstein, Ida Bernstein, Jacob Bernstein, Jennie Bernstein, Leah Bernstein, Lena Bernstein, Levi Bernstein, Nathan Bernstein, Paul Bernstein, Rose Bernstein, Ben Binder, Pauline Binder, Samuel Binder, Ethel Feblowitz Bleiweiss, C. Bloch, Rebecca Bloch, Reva Bolitnikov, Celia Bronstein, Bessie Brookstein, Sam J. Brown, Eva R. Burnstein, Dora Chait, Anna Chinitz, Esidor Chinitz, Fanny Chipkin, Morris Chipkin, ? Cohen, Abe Cohen, David Cohen, Eda Cohen, Frances Cohen, George Cohen, Gertrude Cohen, Ida S. Cohen, Julia Cohen, Louis Cohen, Morris G. Cohen, Moses Cohen, Myron Cohen, Sam Cohen, Abraham Cohn, Anna Cohn, Ethel Cohn, Eva Cohn, George Cohn, Hyman H. Cohn, Leon Cohn, Mary Cohn, Rose Cohn, Samuel Cohn, Alvin Comisar, Frank Comisar, Hyman Comisar, Rose Comisar, Abraham Cooper, Esther Cooper, Stanley Cooper, Osais Cornbleth, Rosie Cornbleth, Samuel Cornbleth, Boris Cutler, David Davidson, Ethel Davidson, Jacob Davidson, Max Davidson, Reva Leah Davidson, Rose Davidson, Sarah Davidson, Abraham Jacob Diamond, Ida Diamond, David Dorenson, Mary Dorinson, Jeanne Dvorkin, Abraham Eisenstein, ? Eisman, Alex Epstein, Ida Epstein, Mollie Epstein, Morris Epstein, Abraham Faier, Esther Faier, Etta S. Faier, Goldie Faier, John Faier, Libbey Faier, Max Y. Faier, Robert Faier, Sam Faier, Abe Falk, Dora Falk, Morris H. Falk, Rose Falk, Abe Fanger, Fannie Fanger, Louis Fanger, Max Feblowitz, Barney Feinstein, Mollie Priesman Feinstein, Esther Finkenstein, Jacob Finkenstein, Joseph Finkenstein, Louis Ralph Finkenstein, Abraham Fisher, Ann Frances Fisher, Anne Fisher, Bernard Fisher, Charles Fisher, Craig Fisher, Harold Fisher, Molly D. Fisher, Paul W. Fitch, Rachael Fitch, Bessie Fleisher, Sam Fleisher, Benjamin Fleishman, Etta Fleishman, Morris E. Fleishman, Solly Fleishman, Alexander Frank, Gussie Frank, Harry A. Frankel, Rose Frankel, Frume Franklin, David Fredkin, Elizabeth Freed, Goldye Freed, Harry Freed, Jacob Freed, Joseph I. Freed, Miriam Freed, Rose Freed, Sam Freed, Schoal Freed, Benjamin Friesman, Gertrude Friesman, Samuel Friesman, Sarah Friesman, Lucille Frohm, Milton R. Frohm, Samuel Morris Frohm, Sarah Clara Frohm, Ann Lee Garber, Max B. Garber, Anna Garrop, Ben Garrop, Bryne Gateman, Dave Gelinsky, Hattie Gelinsky, Hyman Gelinsky, Mary Geller, Continued on page 17
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B’NAI JACOB Continued from page 16 Meiches, Anna Meiches, Bernard B. Meiches, Oscar Gernish, Pearl (Bialac) Gerstein, Riva Minnie Meiche, Samuel Meiches, Abraham Gilbert, David W. Gimple, Esther Gimple, Mary Miller, Bailye Miller, David Miller, Hyman Miller, Gimple, William Gimple, ? Ginsberg, Morris Ruth Miller, Annie Minken, David Minkhoff, Abe Gitlin, Belle Bowman Givot, Marilyn Glazer, Minkin, Anshel Minkin, Louis Mitchell, Eva Mike Glazer, Rose Glazer, Anna Goldberg, Elick Monheit, Moritz Monheit, ? Mordcaei, Goldberg, Ida Goldberg, Julius Goldberg, Benjamin C. Morgan, Joseph Michael Morgan, Arthur Goldstein, Bruce Goldstein, Edith Toby Morgan, Bertha Slutzky Morris, Gertrude Goldstein, Harold Goldstein, Isadore Goldstein, Moskowitz, Harry Moskowitz, Julia Nemes, Mollie Goldstein, Paul Goldstein, Robert Leah Neustadt, Abraham Neveleff, Jack Goldstein, Ruth Goldstein, Esther Goldware, Neveleff, Louis Neveleff, S.H. Neveleff, Sophia Ethel Goldware, Jacob Goldware, Minnie Levey Neveleff, S.H. Neverleff, Harry Nitz, Bess Goldware, Morris (Moishe) Goldware, Rose Gould Nogg, Aaron Novak, Burton Oberman, Goldware, Samuel Goldware, Samuel, Sr. Ethel Oberman, Morris Oberman, Sylvia Goldware, Sarah Gorelick, Solomon Joseph Oberman, Donald Timothy Passer, Sophie Gorelick, Leonard Gould, Annie Green, Morris Perelman, Joseph Perlman, Arthur Peterson, Green, Barney Grey, Bess Grey, Jack Grey, Anna Pitlor, Herman S. Pitlor, Tillie Plotkin, Baileh Grodinsky, Bertha Grodinsky, Fanny Lena Priesman, Maurice V. Priesman, Grodinsky, Helen Grodinsky, Henry Grodinsky, Emanuel Raben, Gertrude Ratner, Harry Manuel Grodinsky, Rose Grodinsky, William Ratner, Izzy L. Ratner, Marion Ratner, Mary Grodinsky, Boruch Grossman, Hannah Ratner, Reuben Ratne, Mollie Rice, David Grossman, I. Grossman, Joy Grossman, Meyer Richards, Esther Richards, Nathan Richards, Grossman, Mochlie Grossman, Morris Freda Richlin, Dora Riekes, Sam Riekes, Bessie Grossman, Paul Grossman, Phil Grossman, Rifkin, David Rifkin, Fannie Rifkin, Libby Rifkin, Tillie Grossman, Vitel Grossman, Eva Lerner Mary Rifkin, Elmer Rimerman, Henry Halprin, ? Helphand, ? Helphand, Isaiah Rimmerman, Dorothy Ringle, Louis J. Ringle, Helphand, Josephine Helphand, Julius Sarah Ringle, Elliot Robinson, Esther Robinson, Helphand, Samuel S. Helphand, Tzipa Harry Robinson, Ida M. Robinson, Joseph B. Helphand, Anna Hermanson, Daniel E. Robinson, Meyer Robinson, Rebecca Robinson, Hermanson, Louie Hertzberg, Abraham Abraham N. Romm, Anna Klein Romm, Minnie Hirsch, Henry Hirsch, Ida F. Hirsch, Jacob Rosenberg, Jennie Rosenblatt, Norman M. Hirsch, Jennie Hirsch, Joseph Hirschberg, Rosenblatt, Samuel Rosenblatt, Max Rosa Hirschberg, Sigmund Hirschberg, Rosenbloom, Harry Rosenblum, Hattie Benjamin Hoberman, Irving Hoberman, Rosenblum, Louis Rosenblum, Sophie Rossen, Margaret Hoberman, Robert Ellis Hoberman, William Rossen, Louis Ruback, ? Ruback, Alta Rose Hoberman, ? Jacob, Fannie Jacobs, Ruback, Betty Ruback, Edward Ruback, Helen Frank Jacobs, Arthur A. Joseph, Goldie Ruback, Jake Ruback, Joseph Ruback, Richard Joseph, Lois Joseph, Rose Z. Joseph, William J. Ruback, Rose Ruback, Susan Ruback, J.K. Joseph, Bonnie Esther Kaiman, Mary Kaiman, Rubens, Mollie Rubenstein, ? Rubinstein, Anna Kate Goldstein Kamen, ? Kaplan, Abe Kaplan, Rundell, Jacob Rundell, Leo Rundell, Martin Abe Kaplan, Anna Kaplan, Anna Kaplan, Belle Rundell, ? Sammersel, Joseph Sax, Jack Kaplan, Bertha Kaplan, Dave Kaplan, Dora Saylan, Yetta Saylan, Jennie Schlanger, M. Kaplan, Edith Kaplan, Elv S. Kaplan, Emma Schlanger, Aaron Seglin, Abraham Jacob Kaplan, George Kaplan, Gertrude Kaplan, Seglin, Bessie Seglin, Ethel Sekar, Morris Harold Kaplan, Harry Kaplan, Harry Kaplan, Sekar, Abe Shafto, Benjamin Shafton, Deretta Ida Kavitch Kaplan, Ike Kaplan, Isadore Shafton, Edward Shafton, Esther Shafton, Ida Kaplan, J. Kaplan, Jacob Kaplan, Jacob Shafton, Louis Shafton, Reva Shafton, Esther Kaplan, Joseph Kaplan, Joseph Kaplan, Libby B. Shames, Abraham Shapiro, Samuel Kaplan, Lottie Kaplan, Louis Hyman Kaplan, Shapiro, Sarah Shapiro, Leo Sherman, Louise Meyer “Mickey” Kaplan, Nate Kaplan, Nathan (Libby) Sherman, Minnette M. Sherman, ? Kaplan, Nathan Kaplan, Pearl Kaplan, Sam Sholsky, Fanny Siegel, Max Silver, Sarah Silver, Kaplan, Sam Kaplan, Sara (Chia) Kaplan, Bessie Silverman, David Silverman, Tillie Sophie Kaplan, Nachoma Deborah Katleman, Simon, Boy Slotsky, Harry O. Slutzky, Nettie Dora Levine Katz, Clara Katzman, Mildred Smernoff, Arthur Smith, David Smith, Elias Kayes, Seymour Kayes, Anna Kelberg, Morris Smith, Flora Smith, Harry Smit, Mary Smith, Kelberg, Ethel Kerns, Fred Kerns, Richard Rose Smith, Albert Soffer, Father Soffer, Klutznick, Eva Lipp Koneck, Rose Konecky, Mother Soffer, Edith Sorine, Sam Spector, Ellick Konterwitz, Mary Konterwitz, Sarah Arthur Spiegal, Bertha (Billie) Spiegal, Harry Konterwitz, Harry Krasne, Max Krasne, Sophie Spiegal, Harry M. Spiegal, Jennie Spiegal, Krasne, Taube Krasne, Wolfe Krasne, Pauline Joseph Spiegal, Passa Spiegal, Richard Krizelman, Sam Krizelman, Rhoske La Book, Spiegal, Samuel Spiegal, Adolph Stein, Lena Alex Lashinsky, Bertha Lashinsky, Joe Lazer, Stein, Abraham Steinberg, Bertha Steinberg, Pearl Lazer, Eva Lebowitz, Sam Lebowitz, Celia Celia Steinberg, Elizabeth Steinberg, Fannie Lerman, Fannie Lerman, George Lerman, Steinberg, Harry Steinberg, Isaac Steinberg, Nathan Lerman, Louis Levin, ? Levine, Aaron Freda Sternhill, Samuel Sternhill, Minnie Levine, Esther Levine, Hyman Levine, Joseph Tatlebaum, Anna Tatleman, Meyer Tatleman, Levine, Melvin Levine, Melvin L. Levine, Michel Bessie Temin, Harry Turek, Harry Turkel, Levin, Minnie Levine, Ruth Levine, Hassa B. Jennie Burstein Turkel, Unreadable, Anna Levinson, J.H. Levinson, Anna Lewis, Sol Waldman, Morris Waldman, Sadye Waller, Lewis, Miriam Lincoln, Esther Lipp, Lena A. Samuel J. Waller, ? Weisberg, Harry Weissman, Lipp, Meyer M. Lipp, Mary Mahlin, Abraham ? Witz, Anna Wolfson, Bernard Joel Wolfson, Isaac Maisel, Fanny (Ruback) Malcom, Joseph Bessie M. Wolfson, Boruch Mayer Wolfson, Malcom, Dora Markovitz, Morris Markovitz, Esther Freda Wolfson, Judah Wolfson, Israel Sarah Markovitz, Enoch Marks, Esther Marks, Wolk, Anna Rosa Wolpa, Joseph Yousem, Fanny Marks, Frank Marks, Harriet Marks, Mollie Yousem, Sam Zager, Sarah Zager, Mary Harry Marks, Jacob Marks, Nathan Marks Zelensky, Hinde Z. Zeligson, Anshel Zelinsky, Rebecca Marks, Rosa Marks, Stanley Marks, Harold Zelinsky, Leah Zelinsky, Sam Zernovsky, Anna Marowitz, Arthur Marowitz, Harry Bessie Zisslin, Harry Zisslin, Baby Zorinsky, Marowitz, Herman D. Marowitz, Jennie Infant Zorinsky, Sam Zorinsky, and Sarah Marowitz, Meyer E. Marowitz, Josef Zorinsky. Mayerwicz, Bertha Mayper, ? Meiches, ? Continued on page 18
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B’NAI SHOLOM Editor’s note: Under the guidance of Dennis DePorte, executive director at Temple Israel, a group of volunteers have compiled a list of those buried at the two Temple cemeteries: B’nai Jacob and B’nai Shalom, listed here. Please direct corrections to him at 556.6536. Infant Abrahams, Pearl Abrahams, Abraham Altschuler, Fanny Altschuler, Mary Altschuler, Samuel Altschuler, Solomon Altschule, Carrie Anchell, Mina Anchell, Tillie Armstrong, (3) Infants Belzer, Infant Belzer, Israel L. Berkowitz, Philip Berkowit, Vera Berkowitz, Elenore Bernstein, Harry Bernstein, Zeporah Strauss Bernstein, Bill J. Bleicher, Cecil Bleicher, Freda Bleicher, Jerome Bleicher, Norman Eugene Bleicher, Robert A. Bleicher, Boris Bliacher, Etlya Blyakher, Adolph Brow, Bertha Brown, Bertha Brown, David Brown, Hannah Brown, Jos. Brown, Joseph Brown, L. Brown, Lillian Brown, Nathan Brown, Rosa Brown, Rose Sommer Brown, Sarah Brown, Rebecca Castleman, Harry Cohen, Maurice Cohen, Max Edward Cohen, Mollie Cohen, Sam Cohen, Mose Cohn, Mrs. M. Cohn, Rachel Cohn, Alan J. Crounse, Lena Deiches, Maurice Deiches, Sarah Deiches, Emanuil Drutman, Bernice Falk, Isadore Falk, Sigmund Fanger, Alexander Feblowitz, Carrie Feblowitz, Louis Feblowitz, Tine Feblowitz, Jos. Feiler, Anna Flesch, Arnold Flesch, Julius Frankel, Katie Franklin, Flora Frey, Henry Frey, Minnie B. Frey, Pauline Frey, Herman Friedlander, Ida Friedlander, Anna Wise Frisch, Harry Frisch, Helen Frohm, Fanny Gasper, Bertha Goldgraber, Estella Goldgraber, Henry Goldgraber, Pauline Goldgraber, Sidney Goldgrabe, Dorthea Golding, Levi Golding, Figa Goldstein, Kathleen Greenwood, Esther Gross, Hannah Gross, Henry Gross, Joe Gross, Mariam/Milton Gross, Morris Gross, Malka Gutis, Benjamin Harding, Mollie Harding, Abram Harris, Anna Harris, Beatrice Harris, Jacob Harris, Jacob Harris, Minnie Harris, Norman Harris, Rachel Harri, Sally Hartung, Sadie Polack Hemleben, Ernestine Hohenberg, A. Kah, Bess Kahn, Flora Kahn, Infant Kahn, Isaac Kahn, Isaac Kahn, Lena Kahn, M. Kahn, Mose Kah, Mrs. Isaac Kahn, Theresa Kahn, Adolph (A.) Klein, Ben Klein, Hannah Klein, Isadore Klein, J. Klein, Mrs. J. Klein, Sam Klein, Lena Kohen, Edward Kohn, Esther Kohn, Herman Kohn, Sarah Kohn, Lena Krasne, Michael Krasne, Jeanette Krizelman, Sol Krizelman, Esther Levine, Joseph Levine, Herman Lieberman, Hermina Lieberman, Maurice Lieberman, Ephriam Mark, Joseph E. Marks, Ruth Marks, Sarah Marks, Beatrice Mendeloff, Harry Mendeloff, Infant Meriom, Rakhil Mezhanskaya, Rose G. Morris, Bess
Mosher, Max Mosher, Adolph Moskovitz, Hanna Moskovitz, Herman Moskovitz, Ignatz Moskovitz, Leo Moskovitz, Libbie Moskovitz, Max Moskovitz, Milton Moskovitz, Mr. Moskovitz, Pearl Moskovitz, Sarah Moskovitz, Sylvia Moskovitz, Henry Moss, Bertha Motz, Dora Motz, Emile Motz, Hannah Motz, Jacob Motz, Julia Motz, Phil Motz, Elizabeth Neveleff, Adolph Newman, Adolph Newman, Bertha Newman, Elka Newman, Fannie Newman, Helen L. Newman, Ida Newman, Ignatz Newman, Israel Newman, Jos. Newman, Julius Newman, Julius A. Newman, Lena Newman, Lena Newman, Louis Newman, Marian Sadie Newman, Moritz Newman, Moritz Newman, Moritz Newman, Pauline Newman, Rosa Newman, Sadie Newman, Sam Newman, Sch. Newman, Jetter Oberman, Marsha J. Petersen, Hannah Phillips, Al Pitalis, Betty Pitalis, Beatrice Polack, Joseph Polack, Phylis Polack, William Polack, Annie Pollack, Nellie Rosenberg Pollack, Bertha Pollak, Henry Pollak, Jos. Pollak, Rose Pollak, Ruth Pollak, Max Polsky, A. Pregler, Infant Pregler, Mrs. A. Pregler, Wm. Priesman, Faina Puterman, Perlya Puterman, Edward Reinhardt, Julius Reinhardt, Matilda Reinhardt, Frank H. Resnick, Henry P. Resnick, Molly Resnick, Cecelia Rich, Julius Rich, Louis J. Ringle, Ernestene Rose, Jos. Rose, Fanny Rosenberg, Infant Rosenberg, Jonas Rosenberg, Mayme Rosenberg, Samuel H. Rosenberg, Helen Rosenblum, Herman L. Rosenblum, Infant Rosenblum, Jacob V. Rosenblum, Nathan Rosencranz, Aaron Rubenstein, Edith Rubenstein, Elizabeth Rubenstein, Elliott Rubenstein, Fanny Rubenstein, Harry Rubenstein, Morris Rubenstein, Arthur N. Rubin, Sarah Rubin, Irvin Rubinow, Nell Rubinow, David Saly, Rosalie Saly, Esther Schonberger, Herman Schonberger, A. Schwartz, Hannah Schwartz, Edward Seider, Florence Ringle Seider, Mops Shane, Sima Shapiro, Goldie Shiff, Lisa Shulman, Chas. Singer, Grace Singer, Matthew Solotaroff, Amelia Sommer, Edwin M. Sommer, Helen Sommer, Ida Judith Sommer, Idadore Sommer, Louis Sommer, Max Sommer, Rose Sommer, Sarah Sommer, Rosa Sperling, Henry Spigle, Nancy Spigle, Brindil Stein, Francis Stein, Berta Stern, Harold Stern, ? Sugarman, Esther Newman Summer, Samnuel Summer, Michale Alexande Susman, Leah Tager, Nathan Tager, Yenta Teyf, S. Trostler, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Jacob Viener, Pauline Viener, Charles Warner, Bernice Weinstei, Mr. Weinstein, Rebecca Wells, Samuel Wells, Charlotte Wessely, Leo Ben Wessely, Mary Wessely, Merriam Wessely, Frank Wirthsafter, Gerald Wirthsafter, Yetty Wirthsafter, Infants (Boy) Wolonof/Osheroff, Yevgenia Yegudkinia, and David Yousem.
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Beth El children’s Shabbaton to explore ‘God’s Top Ten’ -- Commandments -- that is by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT) is known for its innovative and fun-filled Shabbaton programs for children, and the upcoming overnight planned for 3rd through 5th graders will be no exception. Scheduled for Friday-Saturday, Dec. 15-16 at the synagogue, this year’s Shabbaton carries the theme, “God’s Top Ten: Exploring the Ten Commandments.” Children will spend time learning about the commandments through activities and study sessions; discussions and games will also be utilized to reinforce the significance of this important universal set of rules on how to live and create an ethical society. Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, Education Director Judy Rubin, Youth Director
Robert Mosenkis and BESTT teacher Daniel Christensen will help facilitate the event, and JCC Shlichah Zohar Winer will join the group to forge an Israeli connection with all activities. Following Shabbat, participants will be treated to an evening at Bounce U, an indoor, climate-controlled environment featuring giant inflatable equipment and entertaining arcade games. This overnight promises learning, fun and plenty of camaraderie. The application and registration fee of $25 is due Dec. 3; or, to take advantage of the $20 early-bird fee, send in your registration by Nov. 26. To register your child or for more information, please contact Judy Rubin at 498.0904, or jay.bee.@cox.net. The Dan Gordman Fund, has provided a grant to subsidize this program.
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Nazi ‘Rape’ of European art was part of war on Jews FILM REVIEW by MICHAEL FOX
Hitler and the Nazis to take what was good or valuable, in their view, then destroy everything else,” Cohen explains. Viewed as a component of the Holocaust, this war on art had a specific and horrible aim. “Once you kill off a people, what do you do to eradicate their presence and their identity completely, to make sure that they won’t somehow be regenerated or remembered,” Cohen says. The Rape of Europa features a couple of
Bonni Cohen devoured Lynn H. Nicholas’ The Rape of Europa which detailed the looting and destruction of Europe’s art collections by the Nazis, as an untold history of the Holocaust. “I was embarrassed that I knew so little about this aspect of the story, and I read it like a thriller with treasure and heroes,” Cohen recalls. “I did fairly immediately connect to it on a Jewish level.” The San Francisco filmmaker, with Richard Berge and Nicole Newnham, adapted the 1995 nonfiction book into a gripping and profound documentary. The two-hour film is currently playing the festival circuit, including several Jewish events, ahead of its theatrical release and eventual televi- U.S. Chaplain Samuel Blinder sorts stolen Torah scrolls at the Offenbach Archive Collecting Point. sion broadcast. Credit: National Archives and Records Administration The Rape of Europa screens in Omaha on Thursday, Nov. Jewish stories, including the long fight by 29, 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Maria Altmann to regain ownership from Center as part of the Kripke Library’s the Austrian national gallery of five Jewish Film Festival. Tickets are $6 each Gustav Klimt paintings that had belonged and may be reserved by calling 334.6462. to her Viennese aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer. The young Adele was the subject of the Hitler had fancied himself an artist as a young man, of course, and after he came most valuable Klimt, the “Gold Portrait,” to power he mandated that the Nazi elite and Cohen points out the irony in the become art collectors. Paintings and sculp- protracted dispute. “Hitler would have hated this paintingture that didn’t meet his arbitrary standards -- work by Jewish artists, for exam- -of a Jewish woman -- and would never have wanted it for his own collection,” ple -- he rejected as “degenerate art.” “There was an attempt on the part of she says.
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One of the documentary’s themes is the central role of art in a nation’s identity and legacy, illustrated by the joint efforts of curators and everyday folk to hide and protect the collections of the Louvre and the Hermitage. Although Cohen’s Jewishness drew her to The Rape of Europa, her view of the subject broadened substantially during production. She remembers a morning visit to Auschwitz, and the 37-mile return trip to Krakow to film the 50-foot-tall
tary film program, where her student projects included Past the Gate, an oral history piece with Linda Breder, and Meet Me in Miami Beach, about the demise of Yiddish culture. The Tarrrytown, New York, native also met her husband there. She and cinematographer and director Jon Shenk (Lost Boys of Sudan) have a daughter who attends Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco. The filmmakers’ biggest concern was that viewers would dismiss the loss of inanimate objects in World War II as trivial compared to the loss of human life. “It was a big struggle to not draw any parallels to equalize all the death and the suffering with the loss of cultural property,” Cohen explains. “[But] one was part of the other. I got to this level of understanding of just how evil and calculated this idea of eradication was.” While Cohen doesn’t Polish art historian Karol Estreicher with MFAA officer Lt. doubt the importance of Frank P. Albright and two American GIs as they prepare to The Rape of Europa in the return Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine to the overall record of the Czartoryski Museum in Kracow, Poland, from which it had Holocaust, she fully recogbeen stolen by the Nazis. nizes that other books and Credit: National Archives and Records Administration films had to come first. “I’m not sure I or anyone would have Veit Stoss alter piece in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, which the Poles had disman- been ready to study this in any detail until tled and hid from the Nazis (for a little 60 years later,” she declares. “I’m not sure the Jewish community was ready to look while) in the countryside. “My experience was tempered with at issues of restitution at this level until the what I now understood to be other suf- death and suffering and loss was processed. The fact that it took us seven fering in Poland,” Cohen recalls. Cohen met her co-producers in years to make this film was probably an Stanford’s renowned graduate documen- advantage in the end.”
Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education Opening Fall 2008
Page 20
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Carbon credits not the brightest way to save energy In fact, they don’t save energy at all. Last week, the Kraft Group, who owns the New England Patriots, announced in a Boston Globe article written by Carolyn Y. Johnson “that Midwestern wind will fuel the Gillette Stadium lighthouse, the 612 blazing light bulbs shining down on the field, the scoreboards, and more than 40 concession stands that are juiced with enough power during each game to run 2,269 households for a day. The Patriots signed a four-year deal to buy renewable-energy credits from distant windmills to match all their game-day electricity needs, the latest example of the business community's push to make environmentalism a staple of corporate responsibility.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? And it’s being touted by johnny-come-latelies to the environmental case as “saving energy.” But the Patriots will still burn through enough fuel to power those 2269 households at every single night game when the hot klieg lights burn. Sure makes them feel like they’re really doing something to stop global warming. Problem is, PepsiCo and Whole Foods (who signed similar deals with the Green Power Partnership) and every big shot who drives a Hummer can do the same thing. Yes, the “wind farmer” in the Midwest will find himself awash in extra cash. And maybe he can build a few more giant windmills. But, if the wind ain’t blowing, there’s no additional energy, regardless of the number of windmills. There are only two things that will help: use less energy -- and/or expand the amount of energy available to everyone. Frankly, we have to do both.
The economy of the United States can’t just come to a standstill because we’re short of energy -- or because a few hardline environmentalists want Americans to endure rolling blackouts. Growth is the engine that not only fuels business, but ensures that non-profit organizations (like the Jewish Federation, our synagogues and others) can continue to function. Imagine what would happen if a fuel shortage caused a worldwide recession -- not a pretty picture, especially in the midst of completing the Blumkin Home’s expansion and remodling. We also need to allow more offshore drilling. (A field of more than three billion barrels of oil was recently discovered off Brazil -think their legislature will stop them from drilling?) And we need to build more nuclear-powered plants and give tax credits and other incentatives to firms exploring alternative energy sources (yes, we’ll include wind in that, too). On the other hand, we will give a nod to the Kraft Group, who has sought out innovative environmental designs for the Patriots’ stadium. It has its very own wastewater treatment plant next to a future mall where stores are
being built with white rooftops to reduce energy needs. (By the way, Myra Kraft, whose husband Robert is an owner of the Patriots, also happens to be chairman of Boston’s federation, the Combined Jewish Philanthropies.) As we celebrate the Festival of Lights on Dec. 4, let’s be creative -- and pragmatic -about how we keep the lights burning.
Jewish Press Board Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Eve Randone, Melissa Schop; Michael Siegel, Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation. Highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.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.
UJC realigning itself to remain central address in challenging times
FOCUS ON ISSUES by HOWARD RIEGER and JOSEPH KANFER NEW YORK (JTA)--For generations, the North American Jewish federation system has stood as the central address of Jewish philanthropy--demonstrating from generation to generation the power of our collective to build our community. The 155 federations of United Jewish Communities and 400 smaller networked communities boast an annual fund-raising campaign nearing $900 million and endowment assets of more than $13 billion. But that’s just the beginning. In every generation our North American Jewish community has responded in times of crisis and need, contributing crucial funds for global Jewish needs. After Hurricane Katrina, UJC/ Federation raised $28.5 million for victims in the Jewish and general community. In response to Israel’s Second Lebanon war, we raised more than $360 million in the Israel Emergency Campaign -- in each case without any overhead deducted. All of these campaigns are aimed not only at challenges but opportunities. The IEC not only provided emergency relief but is creating new economic development in Israel. We have also raised more than $70 million in Operation Promise, to bring the Falash Mura of Ethiopia to Israel and lift all Ethiopian Israelis into the mainstream through education, while feeding needy seniors in the former Soviet Union and building the Jewish identity of young FSU Jews. Our collective isn’t only about writing checks; our donors remain full partners in our global agenda. More than 5,000 people attended our annual General Assembly in Los Angeles last year. And our funders are men and women alike -- 16,000 women, called Lions of
Judah, make a minimum $5,000 annual gift to the campaign. Our collective voice is also felt in Washington. Our system won $50 million in homeland security earmarks, and $43 million to assist naturally occurring retirement communities -- places where seniors have congregated on their own. We face an aging, shrinking donor base. Donors who buoyed the federation system in decades past were animated by formative events such as the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, the Six-Day War and the Soviet Jewry movement. As this generation ages and passes, it must be replaced by a generation of younger givers. But young Jews are not being shaped by the same existential issues as their parents and grandparents.
We face an aging, shrinking donor base. Donors who buoyed the federation system in decades past were animated by formative events such as the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, the Six-Day War and the Soviet Jewry movement. Further, older Jews have been more willing than their younger counterparts to unflinchingly trust large institutions with their philanthropic dollars. Younger donors often want to be engaged in a more a hands-on way than their parents have. In addition, we live in an era of increased mobility. Whereas previously, Jews tended to plant roots in a community and stay there, today individuals and families tend to move around more or to own multiple homes, and they do not have the same long-term local communal ties as before. We must increasingly engage this next generation of young Jews, who also bring new
(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern
philanthropic priorities and creative approaches to giving and to community building. UJC’s lay and professional leadership recently set out to look at our philanthropic landscape. In June, the UJC launched a strategic plan that tackles the major challenges and opportunities facing Jewish federations and our entire community. First, UJC itself is being realigned, helping us deliver even greater value to federations and allowing us to better focus on our strategic goals. We have created groups devoted to Community Capacity and Consultation, Global Operations/Israel & Overseas, and Jewish Peoplehood & Identity. And we are intensifying our relations with our primary stakeholders -- federation professionals and lay leaders, through in-person meetings and via new technologies. One of our new strategic goals is growing our donor base. With the newly created Center for Jewish Philanthropy, we will take a new donor-centered approach, offering a menu of new philanthropic choices tailored to the varied interests of donors. We’re also developing a strategic fund-raising model for federations. Until now, many federations operated in separate, parallel areas -- development, marketing, planning. UJC is now working with 17 pilot communities on a collaborative fund-raising model aimed at integrating and coordinating federations’ functions and operations on a more strategic level. And we’re helping federations with approaches like Federation Peer Yardstick, which helps federations better measure their strengths, weaknesses and results. We’re also working to enhance Jewish identity and peoplehood, first by supporting proven initiatives such as Israel experience programs including funding nearly $12 million for birthright Israel. But further, we’re intensifying communal involvement through new ideas such as a Jewish service corps, and working to make Jewish learning more affordable Continued on page 21
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: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.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: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced 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 and space restrictions, but 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. 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 personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $40 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 e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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UJC to remain central address Continued from page 20 and accessible to everyone, especially younger Jews and families. A year ago February, we brought 1200 Next Generation leaders to Israel as part of our TelAvivOne initiative and in August, 400 attended our Young Leadership Cabinet, ready to dig in and take over. And in March, thousands of young professionals from Jewish communities around North America and Israel will converge on Washington as part of Washington 15: UJC’s National Young Leadership Conference. UJC is also embarking on a major strategic branding initiative for the continental federation system, to outline how federations will need to position themselves as a consistent and compelling brand, and to deliver messages that resonate with a shifting, increasingly mobile population. Finally we are working to identify and nurture the big ideas that will inspire us, and re-energize our collective in order to build our community into the future. That is, at heart, what the UJC/ Federation does best: we create and build community. We spark the imagination of our collective, and we act as one people, with one destiny, using our central address to meet Jewish needs and reimagine our Jewish future, from one generation to the next. Joseph Kanfer is chair of the Board of Trustees and Howard Rieger is president and CEO of United Jewish Communities.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 21
Why Omaha is exceptional ANOTHER P OINT OF VIEW by JAN GOLDSTEIN, Jewish Federation of Omaha Executive Director As Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, I’d like to respond to last week’s editorial written by Gary Tobin that questioned the inner workings of the Federation system. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Mr. Tobin in the past, and agree that the questions he poses are legitimate and thought-provoking, especially as donor assets continue under Federation and Foundation auspices. We should always be asking questions of ourselves in order to achieve the best operations and be the best steward of community dollars. With this introspection we once again see that our Omaha Federation, Foundation and community demonstrate that we are exceptional, because over the years we have had committed and consistent lay and professional leadership, who keep our fiscal responsibilities at the forefront. Here are just a few of the ways the Omaha Jewish community stands apart: • The Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Jewish Leadership Campaign Develop-ment Program, dedicated to educating and cultivating leaders who will ensure the survival of Jewish life. A special feature of this new program is the upcoming leadership Mission to Israel in February. These participants will get the
tools they need to take the lead in ensuring future resources for the community. • The Community Development Department, with innovative programs such as the Opportunity Omaha college internship program, and by teaming up with the Nebraska Economic Development Department and 50 Nebraska employers in an effort to recruit former Omahans to return home. Led by Director Janie Murow, this department has enabled us to engage newcomers and young people returning to Omaha to re-establish roots. In fact, our Community Development department now serves as
We are able to do so because of our structure, because we collaborate and work together, and because our lay leaders’ commitment is vested throughout our agencies, synagogues and community. a model for Federations across the country. • Partnership with Israel, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. With the passionate local leadership of Omaha Chair Stacey Rockman and Arts Taskforce Chair Kim Goldberg, and our outstanding Regional Chair Zoë Riekes,
Partnership has reached an exciting new level of engagement throughout our own community, as the connections to our US and Israeli partners continue to grow even stronger. We are fortunate here in Omaha because our community is large enough to attract and retain sufficient assets to fund a myriad of programs and services for every age group and segment that need additional support. But most importantly, we are also small enough to get our hands around the challenges that result from this kind of responsibility. We are able to do so because of our structure, because we collaborate and work together, and because our lay leaders’ commitment is vested throughout our agencies, synagogues and community. The daily teamwork of the Federation and its Foundation ensures that the resources are well-managed. That is the strength of an Intermediate size, mature community like ours -which is always in transition as we look to the future. We will always ask the hard questions, as we continue to adapt to changes in our Jewish world. Jan Goldstein can be reached at the Federation at 334.6433 or jang@jewishomaha.org.
Marty Ricks, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, will respond to the UJC op-eds in next week’s Jewish Press.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Candlelighting Friday, Nov. 23, 4:40 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
Tree of Life Center 2925 Prairie Road Offsite classes: First Plymouth Church, 20th and ‘D’ Streets Lincoln, NE 68506 613.7443 email: treeoflife.rabbimichael @yahoo.com
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: No Services. Iowa Public Broadcasting System (IPBS) will again air the Iowa Places of Worship program on Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m. B’nai Israel is one of the featured places of worship in this documentary, first shown last spring. This is an opportunity to see this fascinating tour through Iowa cities and small towns where unusual places of worship are examined.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. FRIDAY: Prior to Shabbat services, a reception for all college students home for Thanksgiving is at 5:45 p.m.; musical Shabbat services, 6:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush given by Diana and Daniel Eckles, in honor of their son, Aaron, becoming a Bar Mitzvah; Minha/Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. ED MINIADULT COURSE: “Critical Thinking from a Jewish Perspective,” Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, and 19, led by Dr. Toby Schonfeld. Cost is $18. For information, call the office. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Insights and Values from the Torah class is at noon; women’s book discussion group, led by Susan Paley, follows at 1:15 p.m., MEN’S CLUB FLAG FOOTBALL: Sunday, 2 p.m. at the JCC fields. Everyone is welcome. For information, contact Scott Simon at 934.2076 or ssimon@ ssgi.com. ‘NURTURING YOUR SPIRIT: ENRICHING YOUR JEWISH SOUL’ New class led by Susi FrydmanLevin, Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.noon. All adults in the Jewish community are welcome. SATURDAY MORNING LIVE Saturday, Dec. 1, 10:30 a.m.-
noon. New program led by Esther Katz, for 4-8 year olds and their favorite adult(s), to learn a little Torah, some prayers and blessings through music, puppet theater, dance, Shabbat-appropriate games and crafts. No charge. PJ HAVDALAH Saturday, Dec. 1, 5-5:45 p.m. Havadalah services for the youngest among us, led by ‘Miss Patty’ Nogg. No charge to attend, but RSVP to Margie Gutnik at margie.gutnik@gmail. com or call the office at 492.8550. (See full article on page 5.) SISTERHOOD BOUTIQUE Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A fantastic day of shopping, noshing and fun to which the community is invited. (See full article on page 30.)
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 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, 4:40 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Harry Wolfson in honor of his birthday; Mincha, 4:15 p.m. followed by a Sueda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Oxman, 9:45 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s teen class is cancelled for Thanksgiving weekend. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. The Kosher Kitchen class scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 27 has been canceled. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class is cancelled for this week as Rabbi Gross is out of town; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m., will be taught this week by Leon Shrago.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.;
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Alexander Jason Pachman, son of Allison Latenser and Louis Pachman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Temple Israel. A seventhgrade Honor Roll student at Lewis and Clark Middle School, his interests include computers, dogs, scouting, and playing the drums in the Lewis and Clark band.
For his mitzvah project, Alex will be working with rehabilitation centers in the Omaha area on the implementation of “Project Magic”, a program developed by the magician David Copperfield to enhance the manual dexterity and self confidence of patients in rehabilitation. Aaron has a older brother, Danny. Grandparents are Ilene Pachman, the late William and Gertrude Pachman, Dr. John Latenser and the late Katharine Latenser.
Mishpacha Mornings will not meet due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and will resume Dec. 2. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. Mishpacha WEDNESDAY: University TGI Playgroup will not meet this week and will resume Dec. 5; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with Dawn Mollenkopf as speaker and oneg provided by Lori Merliss. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Stephanie Dohner; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. led by Larry Rosenfield. SUNDAY: No LJCS classes ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel will not be held this week. MONDAY, Nov. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Read Hebrew America! Hebrew Reading Crash Course, co-taught by Jaine Merliss and Jennifer Rosenblatt at TI. See www.NJOP.org for information. Rabbi Emanuel is on vacation through Nov. 26. UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m.: The LJCS will present a Hanukkah program; 7-8:30 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Lincoln will hold its annual meeting. The 2008 Freedom Breakfast honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is Friday, Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m., at Embassy Suites. Reservations are due by Monday, Nov. 26. Send check (payable to MLK Freedom Breakfast) to: African American & African Studies, UNL, 310 Seaton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0688. Cost is $10 each; purchase two tickets at $20 for your name to be listed in the program.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. hosted by Beth Israel Synagogue. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Cantor Wendy Shermet will lead the service. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE: Available Wednesday evenings during Family School hours, Friday evenings service except during Tot Shabbat, Saturdays when there is a B’nai Mitzvah, and Sundays during Religious School. Reservations and
a $5 donation appreciated. Young children and infants, are welcome. SUNDAY: No Religious School. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Board Meeting, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Eric Linder, 10-11:30 a.m.; Theology Café, 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 144th and West Center with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. There is no fee but please register with Program Director Rosie Zweiback, 556.6536 or rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com. FRIDAY, Nov. 30: Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a Shabbat service with the joyous sounds of the Middle/High School Klezmer Band (See full story on page 12.) FAMILY HANUKKAH DINNER Friday, Dec. 7 following 6 p.m. Shabbat Service. Bring your own special Menorah and candles. Please send a check, with the reservation to the office by Friday, Nov. 30. No telephone reservations will be accepted. (See full article on page 28.)
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:40 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: No LJCS classes; Torah Trope for Adults, 11-11:50 a.m. MONDAY, Nov. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Hebrew Reading Crash Course, co-taught by Jaine Merliss and Jennifer Rosenblatt at TI. See www.NJOP.org for information. Sunday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m.: The LJCS will present a Hanukkah program; 7-8:30 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Lincoln will hold its annual meeting.
TREE OF LIFE CENTER Services and activities led by Rabbi Michael Weisser; call for location of classes. SATURDAY: Morning Minyan and Torah study, 10 a.m.; drumming meditation and Jewish mystical chanting, followed by a meal and Havdalah, 6:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Jewish roots of Christianity, 8 and 9 a.m. MONDAY, 6:30 P.M.: Insight Meditation. TUESDAY: Torah, prophets and writings: 9:30-11 a.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Comparative Religion, noon, offsite location. WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.: Adv. Mindfulness Meditation. THURSDAY, 7 p.m.: Int. Mindfulness Meditation.
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November 23, 2007
The real Esau
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Vayishlah If one sticks to rabbinic literature, he finds that in order to make Jacob stand out as the righteous ancestor of the Jewish people, Esau is constantly denigrated. But stay with the Biblical Text itself, and Esau is sinned against much more than he deserves it. Indeed in the Biblical Text itself, Esau is a gentleman, compared with our ancestor, the wily Jacob. In our Sidra, Jacob, knowing full well that he has stolen both the birthright and their father’s blessing from Esau, sends precious gifts on before him, hoping to appease Esau’s righteous indignation and anger. When the fateful meeting occurs, Esau shows himself to be the good brother that Jacob did not expect.And Jacob, as soon as he can possibly manufacture the moment, separates himself from Esau and goes on his way. It is more than a little interesting to see how tradition has clearly changed the tone of the Biblical story. The later history of constant enmity between the people of Israel and the Edomites, descendants of Esau, has read back into the Biblical story a feeling that is not there. When Jacob prepares to meet Esau, he is fearful of what might happen. He therefore divides his large retinue into four camps, according to his four wives. Farthest behind, and therefore safest, if possible, from Esau’s wrath, he puts his beloved fourth wife Rachel and her children. But read the Biblical account without the prejudice against Esau and it is easy to see that our ancestor Jacob, the wily Jacob, managed to best an innocent Esau on every occasion. Tradition, through rabbinic literature, has changed the picture almost completely. But it is useful to read the Biblical story itself without prejudgment. If anything, tradition, including ourselves, owes a very sincere apology to Esau.
DEATH MAE SOKOL BURGER A leading physician in the treatment of eating disorders, Mae Sokol Burger, died Nov. 17 at the age of 56 from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Services were held Nov. 19 at Temple Israel Cemetery. A graduate of Brooklyn College at the young age of 18, she obtained a medical degree from Louvain University in Belgium, where courses were conducted in French. She undertook specialty training in child psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital in New York and was attending physician at Cornell University Hospital in White Plains. She began treating eating disorders at the University of Pittsburgh, and then became director of the Menninger Eating Disorders Program in Topeka, KS. In 2001, Dr. Sokol founded the eating disorders program at Children’s Hospital in conjunction with Creighton University, and has published her original research. She is survived by her husband, Scott Burger; son Levi, and stepson, Steven. Memorials to the American Cancer Society.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline Wednesday, Dec. 19 Dec. 28 Jan. 4 Wednesday, Dec. 26 Questions? Call 402.334.6448
To Send Announcements to the Press: Articles, photos and public relations announcements should be sent to the Jewish Press via e-mail, preferably in the body of the letter--not as an attachment, by Thursday mornings, 9 a.m., for the following week’s issue. Photos may be sent as attached .jpg or .tif files (of at least 100K), along with accompanying logos or graphics. For more information about content or transmission, upcoming deadlines or special issues, call the office e at 402.334.6448.
A word about Rabbi Kripke by JAN GOLDSTEIN, Jewish Federation of Omaha Executive Director (Editor’s note: Rabbi Myer S. Kripke was, for the second time, honored with the Federation’s Humanitarian Award. Executive Director Jan Goldstein made the presentation at Omaha’s Campaign Community Event on Nov. 1.) Shalom, I’m Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, and I’m so pleased to be here tonight to present the 2006 Humanitarian of the Year Award to Rabbi Myer Kripke. I’m not going to list all of Rabbi’s accomplishments tonight, but rather to talk about this special man and his lifetime of dedication to the Jewish community. Rabbi Kripke is an urban legend. Wherever I go in the Jewish world, people ask me about the rabbi who rebuilt the Jewish Theological Seminary Tower in New York City. What they don’t know is that Rabbi and his beloved late wife Dorothy were married there in the courtyard nearly 30 years prior to its destruction. Together, they ensured that this place will forever be a sanctuary for study, a home for books, and a place to bring people together in an atmosphere of learning. Rabbi Kripke’s done much for our community. He served as religious leader of Beth El Synagogue for thirty years. We all know of his great scholarship and love of education. What you may not know, however, is that Rabbi is one of the last known students of the great theologian, Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan, founder of the Reconstructionist Movement. Rabbi Kripke has done much for the community, endowing the Center for the Study of Religion at Creighton University, and the Chairman of Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska. He’s financed numerous Holocaust and modern Israel programs, student scholarships and, of course, funded the Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Jewish Library. Rabbi Kripke is 93 years young, and he’s still amazing. He has never stopped investing in the Jewish community. For every special Campaign for Israel and world Jewry, the rabbi is one of the first to step up with his dollars and his heart. Recently he’s provided generous support for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. For Rabbi Kripke, our Home is his Home. Those who have the privilege of stopping by to visit and learn with him, will often find him amongst his stacks of newspapers, books and correspondence. The truth is, Rabbi Kripke has never really retired. Even today, as he has for over 20 years, he continues his weekly Jewish Press Torah commentary -- dictating it to Editor Carol Katzman without using a single book or note. Most of all, Rabbi Kripke cares about providing for our future. One day not too long ago, he surprised me at my office with a very generous gift for the Federation. I asked him what he would like me to do with it. He replied, “We have a wonderful community and I know that as Executive Director of the Federation, you have dreams and concerns for the future of our community. So, you tell me.” And from this conversation came the Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Jewish Leadership Campaign Development Program, dedicated to educating and cultivating leaders who will ensure the survival of Jewish life. I’m going to close with a quick story from the Torah which so fits this man. In this story, we are told that a younger man comes upon an older man who is planting a tree. He says to the older man, “What are you doing? Why are you planting that tree? That’s a carob tree. Don’t you know that this tree won’t blossom for 70 years? You’ll never be able to eat the fruit yourself.” The older man looks up from his task and says, “I’m not planting this tree for me; I’m planting this for my grandchildren, so that they will have the fruit to eat.” I’ve said these words about you many times, and I say them again tonight -- you have true vision and passion, and the nourishment you’ve given us will live on for future generations. It is my greatest pleasure to present this award to you tonight on behalf of your community.
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CORRECTION The name of Scott Muskin’s grandmother, Margaret Wiemann, was inadvertantly omitteed from the “In the News” item in last week’s issue. The Jewish Press regrets the error.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Winners named in Press’ annual Hanukkah art contest Press introduces tribute cards
and Joe Goldstein; Cole Horner, 9, son by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press of Paul and Angela Horner; Brandon This year’s winner of the Jewish Press Idelman, 9, son of Jill and George Hanukkah coloring contest is (drum roll, Idelman; Jack Henry Kohll, 5, and Max please) -- Yossi Katzman, the 10-year-old Kohll, 7, sons of Janet and David Kohll; son of Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman. Jacob Levy, 11, son of Deb and Steven His original artwork depicting the Statue Levy; Sammy Lieb, 9, son of Lisa Lieb; of Liberty and its relationship to Jennifer Libov; Solomon Marburg, 9, son Hanukkah as the Festival of Lights, is of Deb and Dan Marburg; Michael reproduced on page 25, the cover of the Militzer, 9, son of Ellie and Paul Militzer; second section of this week’s Press. Jessica Pfrenger, 91/2, daughter of Pictured here are three additional win- Bonnie Pfrenger; Abby Reiss, 9, daughter ners. Runner-up is David Levy, nineyear-old son of Deb and Steven Levy. The prize for most colorful artwork went to Elissa Rachel Wiener, 10year-old daughter of Audrey and Richard Wiener. And the first child to submit an entry for this year’s contest was Sophie Leopold, eightyear-old daughter of Lisa and Julian Leopold of Sioux Winners’ artwork, above, is by David Levy; right: Elissa Wiener and City, IA. Sophie Leopold. Yossi Katzman’s first place artowrk is on page 25. All four winners will receive memberships to the Omaha of Rob and Wendy Reiss; Esperanza Children’s Museum, good for an entire Schonelmeyer, 10, daughter of Sarah Schondelmeyer; Elianna Schuller, 8, year from the date of activation! Entries were also received from Ali daughter of Yaffa and Dan Schuller; Brehmer, 9, daughter of Barb and Steve Samantha Matz, 7, daughter of Stacey Brehmer; Sophie Budwig, 9, daughter of Spies-Matz; Zachary Stein, 101/2, son of Larry Budwig; Lillian Cohen, 6, daughter Julie and David Stein; Noam Teetzel, 9, of Karen and Michael Cohen; Lily son of Sarah and Erik Teetzel; Brooke Goldberg, 6, daughter of Bob and Kim Wilczewski, 6, daughter of Allyson and Goldberg; Jack Goldstein, 9, son of Jill Chris Wilczewski; and Rachel Zetzman,
9, daughter of Amee and Ted Zetzman. A number of entries this year came from a class at Temple Israel’s Religious School, and from students at Friedel Jewish Academy.
by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Finally supporters of the Jewish Press will be able to make donations and send original tribute cards to recipients. At a meeting last spring, immediate past chairman Joanie Jacobson introduced the popular tribute card concept to the Press board of directors. Working with Managing Editor Richard Busse, Jacobson helped create a standard card that can be used to honor recipients for special occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to B’nai Mitzvah and other simchas. The card can also be sent to families mourning a loved one -- and donors are free to chose any amount they deem appropriate. Tributes will be announced monthly in the Press. Proceeds from the sale of tribute cards will be used to supplement the Jewish Press budget, aimed at special projects like paying for freelance writers for the Passover and New Year’s issue, adding special features from book and film reviews to personal columns. In addition, the cards will benefit the new digitization project at the Press which will convert microfilm images to digital files of its pages dating from December, 1920 to the present. To honor or remember someone your know, send information (including recipient’s name, address and phone number as well as yours) with a check, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or call 402.3346448 or e-mail ckatzman@jewishomaha.org to make arrangements with Press staff.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
What do Transformers, YouTube, magnetic science, and a series of fortunate events have to do with Hanukkah? daughter leaves it lying around and rereads it all the by SHEVI KATZMAN time. She really likes the ‘I Shpy’ feature. I think that she for Chabad House Children, educators, and parents alike, rave about the processes a little more every time she reads the stories in periodical KIDS Magazine brought to our community the magazine.” The magazine isn’t just for very young children and by Chabad in conjunction with Tzivos Hashem Headquarters in New York. Tzivos Hashem is the largest their parents to read. Sharon Kirshenbaum says of her Jewish children’s youth club in the world. It has recent- preteen daughters, Lauren and Alyssa, “My girls love to ly developed the class act, greatly acclaimed Jewish read this!” KIDS is jam-packed with countless creative Hanukkah Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, New York. concepts. It tells the tale of The KIDS magazine, Hanukkah in a series of which is only in its second fortunate events at the year, is published four times a year and boasts a beginning of the story. The readership of more than story is told in a fun-tohalf a million. read way, cleverly highRabbi Mendel Katzman, lighting the good fortune director of the Chabad of the Jews to have G-d on House explains that “This our team. project is aimed at making The Transformers feature the holidays deliciously in the current issue palatable -- and very much includes everything anyone alive and relevant. It speaks would need to know about to the community at large, how to transform darkness and especially to the chilinto light by going “up up and lightaway” to light the dren. Using current day themes and innovations to Feigy and Zalmen Katzman, children of Rabbi Mendel and menorah. convey age-old teachings Shani Katzman, excitedly pour over the new Hanukkah issue of And no Jewish holiday shows that Judaism is hip the KIDS Magazine. would be complete withand chic.” out some fantastic food. “Kids in the Kitchen” invites For example, he continued, “in the recent High kids to cook some delicious donuts complete with a Holiday issue, a Jewish spin on the iPod -- the wePod -- visually appealing and comprehensive recipe and direcwas used to drive home the message of Jewish continuity tions. The article also provides the reader with some through the observance of lulav and etrog.” facts about oil, which is the central miracle of “It’s a great springboard for learning,” explains Tippi Hanukkah. Denenberg, mother of Danny, 4, Michael, 3, and Sasha, Rabbi Ilan Emmanuel of Lincoln, whose students nine months, “there’s so much in there and it’s all received copies at a holiday program, testifies that attractively presented. My kids think it’s cool to have “Chabad produces good quality, exciting and imaginatheir own magazine. We keep it where we keep all of our tive material of this kind.” other magazines and pick it up every night or so to read The magazine is cover priced at $4.60 and is mailed to an article. They like to read magazines just like Mom all Jewish children in the Omaha community and surand Dad. Those magazines are so good we actually store rounding areas at no charge; the James Skinner Baking them all year round and pull them out again for the Company has made delivery of the Hanukkah issue posappropriate holidays.” sible. If it has not yet been delivered to your door, you Annette van de Kamp-Wright agrees. She adds that can receive your free copy of KIDS magazine by calling “the magazine is not only relevant for the holiday; my me at 330.1800 or e-mailing shevi@ochabad.com.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: for Dec. 28: Wednesday, Dec. 19; for Jan. 4: Wednesday, Dec. 26. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
Everyone’s invited to Friedel for Hanukkah by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Friedel’s Hebrew teachers Na’ama Artzi and Eadie Tsabari have set the bar quite high for their annual Hanukkah performance. Together with their students, they are once again practicing hard to wow the community. Artzi doesn’t want to give away too many surprises, but did say, “The play, once again, will be completely in Hebrew. There will be explanations in between and there will be plenty of dreidels. We are integrating many different elements on stage.” She also hinted at the presence of one very curious monkey this year. This year’s performance will take place on Thursday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. Everybody is welcome to come and enjoy the talent and enthusiasm that always accompanies this event. Of course, Hanukkah wouldn’t be the same without the penetrating smell of, you guessed it, Latkes. On Friday, Dec. 7, Friedel students, teachers and parents will go head to head with never-ending piles of potatoes, onions, and frying oil. Latkes will be made from scratch all day, and Friedel will open its doors to the community. Visitors can come between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and have lunch with the kids, or come get their latkes to go. The cost is $5 for a five-latke lunch, or $10 for take out, which is sold in packages of 10; prices include accompaniments. Call 334.0517 to pre-order before Dec. 6.
Hadassah to host Hanukkah party and membership drive by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES Publicity Coordinator The Omaha Chapter of Hadassah will host its annual Hanukkah party on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m., in the Community Room of the Jewish Community Center. The event, open to the community, will also provide an opportunity to those who wish to sign up for membership in Hadassah. Entertainment highlights a festive musical program presented jointly by Jonathan Rathsam and Beth El’s Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, accompanied on the piano by Esther Wax. Light refreshments will be served. There is no fee to attend. However, partygoers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, paper products or toiletries for distribution to those less fortunate, by Jewish Family Services, or make a small donation to JFS. Reservations are essential, so the party planners know how many tables to set up. Please phone in your RSVP to: Georgia Ann Steinberg, 558.5813, or Esther Wax, 393.4442, by Dec. 6.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Happy Hanukkah
Kibbutz story dredges up plenty of ‘Mud’
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by MICHAEL FOX Dror Shaul paints Sweet Mud in the soft golden huesthat filmmakers typically use to denote cherished memories. His choice of palette is bitterly ironic, though, for this semi-autobiographical look back at a pivotal year in a boy’s life is anything but a feel-good reverie. The drama centers on a 12year-old named Dvir and his widowed and seriously disturbed mother Miri, circa 1974. The setting is a kibbutz, the epitome of Israeli ideals and egalitarianism, which makes this story of selfishness and betrayal that much more painful. Sweet Mud is, at its core, a coming-of-age parable. It crystallizes that moment in everyone’s life when we realize that our parents are fallible -- or at least not omnipotent -- and it’s going to be up to us to carve our own successful path in life. The film effortlessly engages the viewer by providing two vulnerable people to root for. But by portraying nearly every adult character negatively, Shaul stacks the deck to make Dvir’s ordeal even more acute. Whatever larger themes the director wanted to broach -- say, the beginning of Israel’s slide from moral paragon still in thrall to David Ben-Gurion’s vision to an opportunistic, materialistic people like any other -- they’re overshadowed by what ultimately comes off as a personal, long-held desire for payback. Sweet Mud, which won the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film and picked up the Grand Jury Prize in the world cinema category at Sundance, screens in the Jewish Omaha Film Festival on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center as part of the Kripke Library’s Jewish Film Festival. Tickets are $6 each and may be reserved in advance by calling 334.6462.
The very first sequence, in which Dvir secretly observes one of the kibbutz’s most respected members engaging in a sex act with a cow, encapsulates Shaul’s strategy of staging scenes whose meaning is plain to the viewer but largely mysterious to the main character. That approach leads the audience to despise the adults while emphasizing Dvir’s naivete, confusion and distrust. Reductive and manipulative, it might border on laughable except for the melancholy surrounding Miri’s condition. There is one bright spot in Dvir and Miri’s lives, and that’s the arrival of her Swiss judochamp boyfriend. The sequences with Stephan fully warrant nostalgic shades of amber, but his stay lasts only long enough to throw the narrow-mindedness and claustrophobia of kibbutz life into sharper relief. Dvir’s efforts to help his mother (with no help from his older brother) lead a normal existence, and to obtain something resembling support and guidance from her, are frustrated by the then-common practice of raising the children together instead of with their parents. So his opportunities to establish some kind of continuity with Miri are sadly limited. The 270 kibbutzim in existence today, with a combined population of around 130,000, have begun abandoning that child-rearing model. If we take this film as our guide, it comes too late for several decades of needlessly unhappy children. But Sweet Mud doesn’t play like a social-issue or “message” movie. It is too narrow in its focus and too underpopulated (except for a key dining room scene) to be anything but a harrowing chronicle of a rough patch of adolescence. And yet the film is shot through with shards of light - a girl’s friendship, the joy of riding a bike or flying a kite, a (rare) kind word from a brother -- and the very last image might be construed as optimistic. Optimistic, perhaps, but not cathartic. Dror Shaul wants us to leave with some “Mud” on our shoes.
Temple Hanukkah dinner to support social justice project: “Nothing But Nets” by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator As Temple Israel families celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, they will have the opportunity to create a miracle of their own by helping to wipe out the scourge of malaria in Africa. At the annual congregational Hanukkah dinner on Friday, Dec. 7, families can make donations to “Nothing But Nets” (www.nothingbutnets.net), a fund raising campaign that raises money to purchase bed nets that are treated with insecticide that kills mosquitoes. Temple’s Social Justice Committee is supporting “Nothing But Nets,” because malaria is killing more than one million children every year mostly in African countries that lack the infrastructure and resources to fight mosquitoes which transmit the disease. For $10, you can buy a net, and it will be given to a family that
will be educated on its use. The Union for Reform Judaism, hoping to supply 50,000 bed nets, is a partner with “Nothing But Nets” which is also backed by the NBA, the WNBA, the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, AOL Black Voices, and the People of United Methodist Church. Women of Reform Judaism is sponsoring the brisket and latkes dinner. A vegetarian meal will also be available. Families should bring their own menorahs and candles to the dinner which will follow the 6 p.m. Shabbat worship service. The dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. The charge is $9.50 for adults and $5 for children who are in sixth grade or younger. There is no charge for children who are two or younger. Checks for the dinner must accompany reservations and should be mailed to Temple Israel at 7023 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68132.
Paint Hanukkah pottery at Beth Israel children’s outing
Happy Hanukkah
Nan C. 4911 Dodge Street Hilltop House 551-4831
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue With Hanukkah nearing, it isn’t too soon to get ready. To provide your children with a unique opportunity to prepare, make plans for them to participate in Beth Israel’s trip to That Pottery Place on Sunday, Dec. 2, 24 p.m. “This is going to be a fun, family time for children and parents to work on a project together,” said Andreea Shnayder, coordinator of the activity. “It’s a nice way to create something memorable.” Children can pick out their own piece of pottery to paint. They may select a mezuzah or dreidel to paint for $10 or a 12-inch menorah for $22. Any other item at That Pottery Place may also be selected and you’ll receive the group discount. Items will be available to pick up at Beth Israel on Dec. 10.
The activity requires children to be accompanied by an adult and is suggested for children ages four and older. “Any child can come,” explained Shnayder. “It’s just that the younger kids will require parents to supervise more. We want to encourage families to join us. It’ll be fun.” The group will meet at That Pottery Place. The business is located at 7828 Dodge St. Shnayder also mentioned an event held earlier in November, when children met with Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Shnayder to learn about doing mitzvot. “We are collecting books for Jewish Family Service’s Project Dreidel,” she added. “You can still donate children’s books by dropping them off at Beth Israel.” For planning purposes, reservations are necessary and must be made by calling the office, 556.6288, by Nov. 27.
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 29
Shop Israel on the Web PEOPLE OF THE
BYTE
by MARK MIETKIEWICZ Hanukkah is just a few weeks away and even if you won’t have a chance to get away to Israel before then, you can still shop for the best that country has to offer while helping the Israeli economy at the same time. The Internet is like having an Israeli mall at your fingertips. And like any first trip to a massive mall, the experience can be a bit overwhelming. Today, a guide to shopping Israel on the Web. Please note that shopping via the Internet can be quick, easy and enjoyable. But you should always take a few precautions. Any page asking for credit card or other private information should be “secure” -- that is, it should have a web address that begins with https://. If you are still nervous about ordering through the Internet, try fax, phone or mail. Always note duty and shipping costs and the website’s privacy and return policies. And if you still have any doubts, ask the business for references. And don’t be afraid to comparison shop. That same book or coin or CD may be offered by several online retailers at different prices. You can read more tips for safe shopping online in one of my previous columns. [tinyurl.com/ 2b94vg] I have not had commercial dealings with the websites mentioned in this column so my mention of a site should not be interpreted as an endorsement. Where to start? There are several websites that have
done the work for you and have scoured the web to identify Israeli sites that ship abroad. These virtual malls are actually huge sites that carry many products from several retailers. At Israeli Wishes, you’ll find an assortment of Elite Chocolate, kosher spices, children’s videos. And if you have someone special in Israel, you can send them flowers or a blueberry cheese cake. [israeliwishes.com] While over at the Judaicawebstore, you can purchase etrog boxes, computer software and for a relaxing bath, AHAVA Dead Sea p r o d u c t s . [judaicawebstore. com] Over at Shop in Israel has links to dozens of sites that sell food, wine, honey and non-editoo. ble treats, [shopinisrael.com] When you’re done with the malls, don’t forget to visit some of the smaller sites run by local businesses. The Farkash Gallery, for example, is a lovely art gallery located in the old city of Jaffa. In addition to works by Israeli artists, Farkash carries rare Judaica and wonderful old photographs of Israel. If you’re not planning a trip to Jaffa in the near future, you can still marvel at their online exhibit of historic Israeli political, military and tourism posters. They’ll give
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a taste of Israel’s early years that you’ll never see in any history textbook. [farkash-gallery.com] Visitors to Tel Aviv will be familiar with Sheinkin Street, a vibrant area bursting with shops and galleries. Sheinkin Street, the website, tries to duplicate that experience by creating a community of online shops for the dozens of merchants who make their home on the real Sheinkin Street. Even if you just prefer to virtual window shop, the site has plenty of information about this neighborhood and biographies about the people behind the historic street names you’ll find in this comm u n i t y . [tinyurl.com/2zvbmd] No online shopping spree would be complete without a visit to eBay. Did you know that you can configure eBay to only display products that come from Israel? When I took a look, there were almost 120,000 items from Israel on sale or auction. And there’s quite a range: from an autograph of the late Shmuel Tamir, member of the Irgun and then Minister of Justice under Menachem Begin ($12.24 bid when I last checked) to a massive sterling silver synagogue model crafted by the “hands of five masters” taking more seven months to complete. ($38,828.40 bid) [tinyurl.com/ 2d46 mz] (Note: While many of the eBay items from Israel have Jewish and Israeli histori-
cal significance, others are just run of the mill items you could find anywhere on eBay.) Do you have a friend or relative celebrating a simcha in Israel or maybe someone who just needs cheering up? You can send them a lovely floral arrangement. Compare what Israel-Flowers [tinyurl. com/2wffmb], Israel Flowers [israel flowers.co.il] or the 30 other florists listed on the Maven website can arrange for you. [tinyurl.com/27o7xp] And here’s a gift idea for someone in Israel whom you don’t know. Through the DashCham (“warm regards”) site, you can send a soldiers a “sweet and savory nosh + a cup-a-soup, and fruit juice” to tell them you are thinking of them. [tinyurl.com/ yvo4ar] For more large and small retailers, check out the links at Maven Shopping section [mavensearch.com/shopping] and Jacob Richman’s Buy Blue and White site. [tinyurl.com/2s6f6r] No Israeli shopping trip is complete without a visit to the shuk… and try as we might, you just can’t simulate the market experience online. So we’ll have to finish our web-based spree with a vicarious visit to Tel Aviv’s Shuk Hacarmel where we can watch one visitor tries to outsmart the experts on how to bargain for a T-shirt. [tinyurl.com/3yogwl] Or just sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds and maybe even the smells of Jerusalem’s marvelous Machaneh Yehuda. [tinyurl.com/ 2ojsvp] Happy shopping. Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Menorah lighting and Super Bowl ignite Beth El’s Judaica shop pride at annual Hanukkah celebration offers one-stop shopping for Hanukkah by ESTIE KATZMAN freedom over oppression and light over for Chabad House darkness,” emphasizes event organizer Exciting and new! Omaha area families Rabbi Mendel Katzman. shall observe the sixth night of the eightThe menorah symbolizes the miracle day holiday, not at home, but on of a small amount of oil which burnt for Sunday, Dec. 9, 5:15 p.m., at the all eight days after the Jews’ victory over new Thunder Alley Extreme Greek idol worshippers 2,000 years ago. Entertainment bowling center located at “Hanukkah Super Bowl” runs from 204th and West Dodge. A mammoth, eight-foot electric menorah will be lighted and prayers recited as an “expression of thanksgiving, religious freedom and diversity,” notes Shani Katzman, Educational Director of Chabad House. Nebraska’s largest candelabra lighting ceremony coincides with thousands of public Menorahs on view worldwide Particpants who enjoyed last year’s Hanukkah Party at Tim Moylan Ice from the White Plex included David Kohll, left, Robert Moesenkis, Janet Kohll and sons. House, New York City, Israel, to 4:30-7 p.m., and also features family fun Australia and Africa. The significance is bowling to Hanukkah music, with contests and prizes for bowlers of all ages profound. Thunder Alley Extreme Entertainment and skill levels, as well as crafts, games is West Omaha’s hottest spot for families, and dinner. The public can view the with state-of-the-art bowling lanes, in menorah lighting ceremony at no cost. Please call 330.1800 or visit addition to go-carts and soon-to-bewww.ochabad.com for ticket informaopened laser tag. “Hanukkah’s universal message is that tion for bowlers and non-bowlers, and to ultimately good shall prevail over evil, reserve.
by JILL BELMONT as “Torah Slides and Ladders” (a take-off Beth El Publicity Coordinator on Chutes and Ladders) and Kosherland Walk into Beth El’s Judaica Shop, and (Candyland). This shop has something you’ll quickly see that all that glitters is for everyone and offers the luxury of onenot only gold -- it’s also silver, metal, stop shopping. pewter, glass and brass. And, as an added bonus, proceeds from Every type of Judaica item imaginable sales support the synagogue in a myriad can be found at the shop -- and at this of ways; over the years, funds have been time of year, everything you need for Hanukkah is right at your fingertips: beautiful menorot and dreidels, colorful decorations and candles, plus holiday wrapping paper. Walk into the Judaica Shop, and you’ll be greeted by a riot of vibrant color, with shelves filled with gift items galore: With shelves overflowing with holiday and gift items for all ages, Beth unique artwork for El Synagogue’s Judaica Shop offers the Omaha Jewish community the home, one-stop shopping for Hanukkah. Photo courtesy of Ophir Palmon, Artistic Visions sparkling necklaces and earrings, intricately crafted mezuzot used to purchase office furniture, a comand tallitot, graceful Shabbat candle- puter, kitchen equipment, landscaping sticks, and a variety of Jewish-themed and have supported innumerable probooks. Among the Jewish artists whose grams and projects for Beth El’s religious works are featured are Tamara Baskin, school. Gary Rosenthal, Margo Rotem, and The community is welcome to visit the Melanie and Harry Dankowicz, who cre- Judaica Shop. Hours are Sundays, 10 ate unique paper-cut calligraphy. a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (when religious For kids of all ages, an entire wall is school is in session), Wednesdays, 3dedicated to children’s gifts, from 4:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 Jewish-themed baby books and Aleph p.m For more information, call the office Bet foam shapes, to dolls and games such at 492.8550.
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November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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November 23, 2007
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Sweet treats from the frying pan, from sufganiyot to Viennese crepes cake, eight of these crepes -- for the eight nights of by LINDA MOREL NEW YORK (JTA) -- At the age of 14, having a great Hanukkah -- are piled atop one another with a spiced time dropping doughnuts into boiling oil despite the applesauce filling between them. Apple fritters are batter-coated apple slices that are occasional spatter, little did I realize I was decades ahead submerged into a deep fryer of the curve. until they turn a resplendent In the 1960s, who knew golden brown. While still that one day doughnuts, fritwarm they are dusted with ters and beignets would confectioner’s sugar. become trendy during Never eaten fried desserts Hanukkah, giving latkes a before? Why not start this run for their gelt? In my Hanukkah? Ashkenazi world, the feisty I suggest dedicating one little potato pancake flecked of the holiday’s eight nights with chopped onions was to some of these stunning the centerpiece of Hanukkah desserts, perhaps forgoing celebrations. My Jewish latkes and other savory fried friends hailed from families foods in favor of pastries who had emigrated from crisped in oil. Better still, Central and Eastern Europe. throw a Sunday afternoon Our holiday desserts consistHanukkah party with a “just ed of brownies and rugelach, desserts” menu. Serve fried almond horns and miniature sweets along with favorite Danish. By the time the cof- Sufganiyot on display in a bakery in Tel Aviv. fee was percolating, someone in the kitchen had already cookies and platters of fruit. As Hanukkah is a holiday celebrating the miracle of a washed and put away the frying pans. I was in my 40s with a 14-year-old daughter before I one-day supply of oil that stretched for eight days, you found out that Jews from the Middle East, North Africa can’t find enough excuses to grab a bottle of cooking oil and certain parts of Europe fry up a myriad of Hanukkah and fry, fry again. The recipes below are by Linda Morel: pastries, which differ from country to country. Many of APPLE FRITTERS (DAIRY) these crunchy delights are drizzled with sweet syrups Ingredients: and served for dessert. As a lover of fried dough, I liked this idea before 3 to 5 cups of flour indulging in any of these sizzling pastries. Perusing 1/4 teaspoon salt recipes, I soon realized you had to distinguish between 1 tablespoon granulated sugar cooking techniques: pastries that swell from yeast vs. the 1 teaspoon baking powder more crepe-like pancake, and batter that is deep fried vs. 1/2 cup milk at room temperature 2 eggs at room temperature sauteed. At Hanukkah, sufganiyot are wildly popular in Israel 3 Granny Smith (green) apples and sold at virtually every market and bakery. Best con- 3 cups corn oil sumed warm, the yeast-based balls of dough are deep Confectioner’s sugar for dusting fried and often contain jelly or custard that oozes from Preparation: their portly centers. Sift flour until it yields 1 cup. Reserve remaining flour. While sufganiyot grabbed my attention in the ’90s, Add salt, sugar, and baking powder to the cup of sifted more and more American Jews are making them now. I flour and sift these 4 ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add milk and eggs to flour mixture and beat until well like sufganiyot in principle because they are a marriage of Ashkenazi and Sephardi cuisines. Sufganiyot are simi- incorporated. Batter will be thick but smooth. Reserve. With a vegetable peeler, remove apple skins. With a sharp lar to pfannkuchen, a jelly-filled doughnut that German Jews served at Hanukkah during the ’30s. German knife, core the apples. Cut off the bottom of apples to Zionists carried this holiday custom with them when achieve a flat surface. Cut apples horizontally into 1/2 inch they immigrated to Palestine. slices, about 5 slices per apple. Each slice will be ring shaped Scholars claim that sufganiyot are reminiscent of a with a hole in the center. springy cookie known as sufganne, a fried dough eaten Pour oil into a saucepan several inches deep and heat it around the Mediterranean since the time of Judah on medium-high flame. Oil should be 1-inch deep. Oil is Maccabee. Perhaps that’s why these heavenly doughnuts sufficiently hot when a speck of batter dropped in oil browns were given the name sufganiyot in Hebrew, which comes immediately. from a Greek word meaning puffed and fried. Meanwhile, place a cup of flour on a dinner plate. In Yeast dough fritters called bimuelos are a Hanukkah batches of 2 or 3 apple rings, roll each ring in flour to cover confection favored by Jews from Greece and Turkey. every surface. Add more flour as needed. The word bimuelos derives from Spanish. Often Coat each ring in batter, letting excess batter drip back drenched in honey syrup after emerging from the frying into bowl. With fingers, hold ring vertically over oil near pan, bimuelos are also called loukomades by Greek Jews. its surface. Carefully ease bottom of ring into oil and let Sufganiyot are an offspring of loukomades, one of the go. Cook no more than 2 to 3 rings at a time. Fry fritters oldest sweets known to mankind. Throughout the for 2 to 3 minutes on a side, or until they turn a deep goldSephardi world, variations on the doughnut-fritter en brown. Turn fritters with a slotted spatula. They will theme are riffed and repeated. look like doughnuts. In her book Classic Italian Jewish Cooking, author Remove fritters with slotted spatula, letting excess oil Edda Servi Machlin reminisced about the Hanukkah drip into pan. Place on paper towels to drain. Move to a fritters called Frittelle di Chanuka that she ate in platter and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar. Serve immeTuscany during her childhood. Flavored with anise seeds diately. Yield: approximately 15 fritters. and raisins, the yeasty dough is cut into diamonds, fried VIENNESE LAYERED CREPES (DAIRY) in a saucepan until golden and drizzled with warm Ingredients: honey. Several years ago, Mathew Goodman, in his Filling: “Food Maven” column in the Forward, described 4 cups applesauce Moroccan sfenj, airy light yeast doughnuts in the classic 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ring shape. 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg After being dunked in seething oil, they are glazed 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves with sugar syrup infused with cinnamon and orange. 1/3 cup brown sugar Chopped nuts are added occasionally to the batter, giv- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest ing them a pleasing crunch. In the Jewish Holiday Preparation: In a medium-sized saucepan, mix together all filling Cookbook, Gloria Kaufer Greene explained that Jews from throughout the Middle East and North Africa swirl ingredients. Over a medium-high flame, simmer ingredistrings of dough into simmering oil, creating rosette ents for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Carefully drain out shapes. This pastry is often called zlabia but goes by excess liquid by straining applesauce in a fine sieve.Reserve zelebi among Yemenite Israelis, and zangoola or zingzo- Crepe Batter: ola among Iraqis. Ingredients: On the Ashkenazi side, I discovered some traditional 6 eggs but often overlooked fried pastries. Viennese layered 1/4 cup melted sweet butter, crepes are an elegant spin on latkes that call for flour and plus 1/4 cup chilled butter, or more for frying vanilla rather than potatoes and onions. Similar to a layer Continued on page 33
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Sweet treats from the frying pan Continued from page 32 2 cups (commercially) whipped cottage cheese 1/2 cup flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla No-stick spray Confectioner’s sugar for dusting Preparation: Place eggs in a large bowl and beat until light and foamy. Add 1/4 cup melted butter, cottage cheese, flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla, incorporating well. Ladle the batter in equal parts into 8 small bowls. In an 8-inch skillet, preferably stick resistant, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Pour batter from 1 bowl into skillet, tipping it so batter spreads evenly. Fry until crepe is lightly browned. Flip over and brown bottom side. Move to a rimmed cake plate and spread a portion of applesauce over it. Repeat with remaining batter. Pile crepes one atop the other with applesauce between each layer. End with a crepe, spreading no applesauce on top. Sprinkle sifted Confectioner’s sugar over top crepe. Serve immediately and cut with a sharp knife into slices like a cake. Yield: 8 slices HINTS FOR MAKING YEAST DOUGH for Bimuelos and Sufganiyot: Rising (proofing) yeast and dough require a warm room free of drafts. Dough rises best when it rests in peace, so avoid loud buzzing noises. To heat up a cool kitchen, keep oven at 350º while dough rises. BIMUELOS (PAREVE) Ingredients: 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar 3/4 cup warm water
1 packet active dry yeast (not close to expiration date). Store in refrigerator and bring to room temperature before using. 5 to 6 cups corn oil, or more if needed 2 cups flour 1 egg at room temperature 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup honey 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preparation: Put sugar in a small bowl. Pour 1/2 cup warm water over sugar. Sprinkle yeast over water. With a spoon warmed in hot water, gently stir mixture. Leave (proof) for 10 minutes. Mixture should bubble and increase in volume. Meanwhile, oil the inside of a large mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon of oil. Place flour in bowl and make a well in center of flour. Inside of well, place 1/2 cup corn oil, egg, salt, and yeast mixture when ready. With a wooden spoon, mix ingredients together until dough sticks together and has a shiny consistency. With hands, form dough into a rounded mound. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm room for 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a small pot make Honey Syrup by combining honey, sugar, 1/4 cup warm water, and cinnamon. On medium flame, stir ingredients constantly so sugar dissolves completely, about 5 minutes. Transfer Honey Syrup to an attractive bowl and reserve. It will thicken at room temperature. Stir the dough. It will deflate. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. In a deep pot, pour remaining oil so that it is 2 inches deep. (The smaller the diam-
eter of the pot, the less oil you will need but the less Bimuelos you can make at a time.) Dunk the bowls of 2 tableware teaspoons in hot oil. Pick up a spoonful of dough with first teaspoon and push dough into the oil with the second teaspoon. When bottom side of dough browns, in about 2 minutes, flip it over with a slotted, long-handled spoon. Continue frying until both sides are brown. You may put several Bimuelos in the pot at a time, depending on its size. Don’t overcrowd them. Remove Bimuelos one at a time with the
slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Wait until they cool to warm. Tastes best when served immediately. Dip in honey syrup. Yield: About 30 Bimuelos. Continued on page 35
Safety in the frying game by LINDA MOREL NEW YORK (JTA) -- Handling hot oil is a potentially dangerous pursuit. However, if safety rules are followed, you won’t get burned. 1. Olive oil smokes at high temperatures, so the following oils are recommended for deep frying: corn, peanut and canola. 2. Use a candy thermometer to make sure oil doesn’t become too hot for safety, above 375º. Oil should not smoke or boil. If it does, turn off flame. 3. Keep small children away from hot oil. They can participate in dough preparation and sprinkling sugar or syrup on top of finished product. 4. To discourage dangerous spatters, don’t fill a pot more than halfway with oil, don’t submerge cold dough -- from the refrigerator or freezer -- into hot
oil, and don’t drop dough from several inches or higher above the oil’s surface. 5. If oil bubbles furiously when meeting dough, turn down flame. 6. To avoid overflowing oil, don’t overcrowd pot by adding more than 2 or 3 doughnuts or fritters at a time. 7. Don’t leave simmering oil unattended. Avoid distraction from doorbells, telephones and additional cooking projects. If small children are around, find someone to attend to them. 8. When finished frying, turn off flame below the pot, or disconnect an electric fryer. Don’t move a vat of hot oil. 9. When cool, discard oil in an empty coffee can or equally sturdy vessel. Never pour it down the drain. 10. To avoid burnt tongues, don’t eat doughnuts until they cool to warm.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
For son of a three-generation business, coming home seemed like the right thing to do NEXT GENERATION IN BUSINESS by GARY JAVITCH The parental joy of having a child get into a good outof-state college is often tempered by the knowledge that perhaps your student might never return to Omaha, except as a “visitor.” Indeed, the Siren’s song of the big city has lured many a graduate to settle far from home. So imagine the thrill for Marcia and Steve Pitlor when their son David, 25, said he’d not only like to return home, but he’d also like to join the family business. Marcia Pitlor thought David’s decision to come home was wonderful. “And now it’s on a completely different level,” she observed. “You always want your kids to be happy. And if it’s his choice to be happy back home in Omaha, it’s a great bonus for us. “Plus he’s a great dog-sitter,” she added with a smile. “Now, when we want to or have to go out of town, we have someone we can really trust ...” Evaluating Engineering While attending Burke High School, David visited a number of colleges. “I liked Boston University my first time there,” he said. “I was looking for something different and BU represented an entirely different culture than the one I grew up in.” Like many freshmen, David began college unsure of his major. While his father had a degree in mechanical engineering, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do the same thing. Still, because the young man had strengths in math and science, he did make application to universities with schools of engineering. BU’s math and science curriculum in the first two years challenged and interested him. “I took classes in the basic hard sciences – lots of calculus, physics and a broad range of classes that ranged from electricity and magnetism to statics and dynamics (stationary structures and moving objects),” David explained. Only the serious students went further. “Even though I had not decided on the exact path I wanted to follow, I realized these courses qualified me for a variety of career opportunities,” he stated. So when his junior year came around, he continued his engineering-oriented curriculum, focusing on mechanical engineering. His fourth-year project encompassed much of what he studied in college. “It was one big test of all the
According to David, the gage his company produced could be used by shop floor personnel and served the functions of dozens of hand-held measuring tools. It was accurate and powerful enough for advanced measurements down to 2/10,000th of an inch. The device measurably enhanced a company’s quality control operations by measuring specific dimensions and features such as the roundness of a circle. While the job was quite fulfilling, the company experienced some financial problems and David, along with a number of others, had to look for other work. While he undertook the search, he also started talking to his dad about returning home. “I got a job offer in Boston, but I decided to turn it down,” David remarked. “Back home some of the older guys had retired from N. Pitlor and Sons or just decided to move on. There were some openings and it seemed like a good opportunity for me to take advantage of. “I loved Boston, but at the same time, some of my buddies were taking jobs elsewhere and leaving the city. A few were moving to New York City and while I visited it often, you sacrifice a lot to live in a city like that.” “So in late Spring 2006, I moved back home,” David stated. It was a great opportunity for the native Omahan. During his teen years he had worked in the Pitlor warehouse and helped bring parts out to job sites. So it certainly made it easier to do project management. “I started at the bottom to get a feel David Pitlor is a third--generation member of his family’s business, Pitlor for the entire operation. Currently I Plumbing. am working on a remodeling project at the Sarpy County Courthouse and at a retirement cenThe Education “after” his Education With a BSME (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical ter in Elkhorn. I also am beginning the project at the Engineering) in his portfolio, David set off to find a new Ak-sar-ben Village.” job. During the interval between leaving school and Working in HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air securing a position, the young graduate worked in a Conditioning) and the plumbing business, David disbank. covered many aspects of the job that hadn’t been covHe landed an engineering job in Boston and the com- ered in college. “I needed to expand upon the foundapany took full advantage of his skills. As a salesman, tion knowledge I gained in my engineering education,” David extolled the virtues of a precision measuring tool he noted. “I also had to learn to prepare bids and help designed for manufacturing companies that needed resolve problems at job sites. tight tolerances for their products. Continued on page 35 things that you learned at school,” David related. Teaming up with three others, the senior and his classmates built a rehabilitation device for kids with physical or mental challenges to be used in a confined space. The quartet designed and constructed a unique bike that helped to strengthen the user’s hands and arms. Accompanying their prototype, the team produced a lengthy 200-page report backed up by all the required Computer Aided Design drawings and mathematical calculations.
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Son of a three-generation business Continued from page 34 in his age group around, that he is aware “I really like the job so far. There is a of. (That is a big challenge for the Jewish certain amount of freedom, and I am not community to resolve.) He also wants to get involved in the tied directly to a supervisor. I also get to work with a variety of skilled people, community at large. “My parents are including contractors and other engi- very active. Sooner or later I will find neers. It’s a great environment,” he something that is right for me.” He laughs, “I’m doing some golf and added. “Pitlor is a well-known name in the business community, and people who some bowling now. I have my own place. want a reputable name choose us. I just bought a house this past Spring. I What’s not to like? Even better, I don’t see my old friends from BBYO.” He named a few including Andy have to do as much of the tedious number crunching work that consumed so Finkle, Mark Javitch, Andrew Shefren and Andrew Malashock. Plus, when his much of my time at school.” Nevertheless, all is not rosy. David does sisters Lisa, 27, or Kim, 22, come in town, he sees their friends, too. He joins feel the pressure. “We have been affected by the slow- in with his pals to see movies, hang out down in housing. And some of the prob- in the local bars, and go to Husker lems we encounter are beyond our con- games. Father Knows Best trol and yet we have to take care of them. So what does dad say about all this? Take, for example, when we bid a job, we sometimes have to include a certain “My grandfather started the company in product specified by the builder. On 1908. That’s puts David in the position some occasions when we go to install of representing the third generation in that product, we find it won’t work the the business. That’s one reason why I way the customer thought it would. We don’t want to put too many pressures on can’t return the product. That’s when we him,” Steve notes. “I’d like to see David get his feet need to reconcile the differences between the design plan and its actual implemen- entrenched from both a business and tation. Sometimes this can be really diffi- social standpoint. It goes without staying, it is more important that he become cult to figure out,” he explained. “Also, sometimes we work for very part of the community. The missing component is that we demanding people. Yet, need more young people we want to provide good coming back so there customer service. School would be more of a social can’t prepare you for that circle,” he added. aspect of it.” “I think the kids have David concludes, howgone off to colleges in ever, that “Once you big cities and now that have resolved the probthey have experienced it, lem, you can take real satOmaha is more enticing. isfaction in a job well They all have to do their done. That is really own thing. Both my rewarding.” daughters said, they Life in Omaha wouldn’t rule out David has now been in Omaha. Omaha one and a half Steve said, I made it years. “I feel very fortuSteve Pitlor nate, many of my friends clear to David: I’m have returned.” However, many of the behind him 110%. My kids are young young people David socializes with are and things change. For now,” he sighed, not Jewish. There are just not that many “I’m glad he’s enjoying his experience.”
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Sweet treats from the frying pan Continued from page 33 EASY SUFGANIYOT MINIS (PAREVE) Special Equipment: Electric mixer and dough hook Ingredients: 2 teaspoons sugar 1/3 cup warm water 1 packet active dry yeast (not close to expiration date) stored in refrigerator and brought to room temperature before using. 5 to 6 cups corn oil, or more if needed 3 cups of flour, sifted 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup orange juice, warmed 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, both at room temperature 3 tablespoons non-hydrogenated margarine (such as Earth Balance) melted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 cup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preparation: Put sugar in a small bowl. Pour warm water over sugar. Sprinkle yeast over water. With a spoon warmed in hot water, gently stir mixture. Leave (proof) for 10 minutes. Mixture should bubble and increase in volume. With 1 tablespoon of oil, grease the bowl of an electric mixer. Place flour in bowl and make a well. Inside of well, place salt,
orange juice, egg and egg yolk, margarine, vanilla, 1/3 cup sugar, and yeast mixture, when ready. Using the dough hook attachment, mix until ingredients are well incorporated and a ball of elastic dough forms. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and leave in a warm room for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until dough doubles in size. Meanwhile, make Cinnamon Sugar by mixing together 1 cup sugar and cinnamon. Place on a dinner plate. Reserve. One at a time, pull off pieces of dough about 2/3 the size of a golf ball. Roll each piece of dough in palms of your hands until you form a smooth ball. Place balls on parchment paper or foil and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 30 minutes. Pour remaining oil in a pot, so that oil is 2 inches deep. The smaller the pot’s diameter the less oil you will need. Heat oil on medium-high flame to 350 degrees or until a speck of dough dropped in oil browns quickly. Place one ball at a time on a long handled slotted spoon and submerge in oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until each Sufganiya browns. With slotted spoon turn over Sufganiya and brown. Don’t fry more than a couple of Sufganiyot at a time. Lift from oil with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. When cooled to warm, roll Sufganiyot in Cinnamon Sugar and serve immediately. Yield: 24-30 Sufganiyot.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Giving the gift of ritual
JEWISH P ARENTING by SHARON DUKE ESTROFF During my family’s annual Thanksgiving beach road trip, my kids showed remarkable stamina for tolerating monotony as they voluntarily watched the same Rugrats Hanukkah video 12 times in a row without ever coming up for air. I was about to inquire how it was that they could manage to consistently laugh like fiends each time they saw Stu dress up like Latke Man or Angelica spew out ominous warnings about the Meanie of Hanukkah; but I stopped myself short upon realizing that they could easily turn the question back on me. After all, I’m no stranger to repetition myself, having managed to spend the Thanksgiving holiday on Hilton Head Island, S.C., taking part in the same quirky rituals every year since I was in first grade. Routine and ritual, are not simply hard habits to break; they are, many psychologists believe, the very fabric of the human existence. For it is in the simple repetitions of life -- not the grand black-tie events -- that we find the sense of stability and continuity we need to thrive in an unpredictable world. In Anatevka at the turn of the 20th century, Tevye the Milkman touted tradition as the fundamental means of holding family life together in a new rapidly changing world. In America at the turn of the 21st century, this basic premise still holds true, and perhaps exponentially so, as many experts believe that the demands
of today’s fast-paced, technology-based, achievementdriven, media-ridden society have transformed the overall childhood experience from playtime to pressure cooker. My kids look forward every year to our Thanksgiving return to Hilton Head Island where they unfailingly celebrate the holiday on Friday rather than Thursday, abidingly make like Pilgrims and Native Americans and hunt for their supper (albeit searching out the frozen turkey and cans of cranberry sauce their parents hid outside) and play charades late into the night. But this annual pilgrimage to South Carolina represents far more to my family than just fun. It is the makings of our greatest memories, the links between our past, present and future and the safety net that is woven out of knowing where we have been and where we are going. For in this longstanding ritual my children learn about the continuity of life, formulate a sense of connection and belonging and gain the security that comes along with believing that no matter how crazy their world may feel the other 51 weeks of the year, they will spend that one glorious week that happens to include the third Thursday in November, embedded in the familiar, the mundane, the somewhat bizarre traditions that weave our lives together year in and year out. Perhaps our richest sources of ritual can be found in Judaism, as the passing of
longstanding traditions from generation to generation, L’Dor Va Dor is at the very core of our religion. Jewish life is rife with ritual by definition. Saying the weekly Shabbat prayers, eating sweet apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah, booing Haman on Purim, and lighting the Hanukkah candles all combine to help our children cope in an unpredictable world. Even if your child is convinced, therefore, that the only present he wants for Hanukkah is a new updated video-game system to replace the his old new updated video-game system, you can rest assured that what he really wants is something far more abstract. So this year on Hanukkah, give your kids an extra present, one that will last far longer than the batteries in their hot new toys. Here are ideas for eight nights of rituals to help you begin to weave a lasting emotional safety net for your families, leaving them feeling as warm as the menorah’s glowing flames and strong as the courageous Maccabees for many Hanukkahs to come. Hanukkah Memory Night: Invite friends and relatives over for a night of sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) and Hanukkah memory swapping. Follow the storytelling with Hanukkah picture frame-making. Inexpensive plastic frames, holiday accessories (like dreidels and colorful candles), and a hot glue gun are all you’ll need to preserve the memory of Hanukkah memory night forever.
Tzedakah Night: Take your kids to the toy store where they can use a portion of their tzedakah money to buy a gift for a needy child. Let them personally deliver it to a children’s hospital, homeless shelter or toy collection site. Dreidel Showdown Night: Your family will have a “geltload” of fun taking part in an annual family dreidel tournament. Movie Night: Follow up the Hanukkah candles with a bowl of popcorn and a family movie. (Try Rugrat’s Hanukkah or Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights) Latke Making Night: Whether it is peeling, washing or frying, making latkes is almost as much fun for kids as eating them. Book Night: Reserve the gift-giving on this night exclusively to great reads. Follow up by baking Hanukkah cookies together and reading books aloud. (Try Eric Kimmel’s Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins and How Mindy Saved Hanukkah). Share the Magic Night: In the spirit of Palio, invite non-Jewish friends to share in a night of Hanukkah fun. Play traditional games and songs, and of course, serve up plenty of latkes. Big Present Night: OK, so it’s materialistic. But when balanced with seven nights of meaning and ritual, it feels just right. Sharon Duke Estroff is an internationally syndicated Jewish parenting columnist, award-winning Jewish educator and mother of four. Her Jewish parenting book Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah? was released by Broadway Books last month. Read more at: www.sharonestroff.com.
Wishing the Entire Jewish Community a Joyous Hanukkah
Caring for America’s Girls and Boys www.girlsandboystown.org
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 37
Chanukah? Hanuka or Hanukkah? No matter which way it’s spelled, it’s loads of fun be.
BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS It’s my impression that memories of Hanukkah depend on how old you happen to be. For example, my children remember Hanukkah as a very exciting week, with a few decorations and the constant hope of presents. As very young kids in Sunday School, they learned the story of the holiday, but they also learned to enhance the holiday with hand-made decorations. there were chains made out of blue and white paper links, which could be strung where? Certainly not around the hanukkyiah! But they found places to use them, along with styrofoam stars and other ethnic/craft items. They recall the candlelighting, and their pride in knowing the proper blessings, learned in Hebrew School, of course. And from earliest times, they remember knowing all their friends received a gift on every night of Hanukkah, a practice I believed to be unnecessary over-indulgence. (I became accustomed to hearing “you’re sooo mean!”) Our kids got gifts, but there wasn’t that every night business. Still, it was a fun time and they looked forward to a little of that “equal time” business they felt entitled to, while the non-Jewish world celebrated the big birthday on Dec. 25. That was nothing we encouraged, but it’s just the way it was -- after all, they were children, and you know how greedy kids can
Okay, that will give you just a little thumbnail sketch of the way the holiday was when my now adult sons and daughters talk about it. And I’m not even going to mention much about the way it is today, even if you bring up our old friend “equal time”. We don’t need to visit that topic, since we’re all familiar with the way it is. My point about the differences between generational memories of specific events or holidays needs clarification. so let me tell you what I remember about Hanukkah, way back when. To begin, we didn’t even spell it the way we do now! My holiday was Chanukka, or maybe Hanukah, with an ‘h’ on the end. And, I hadn’t yet learned that we put the candles in something (properly) called a hanukkyiah, so we used a menorah. (I learned that not many years ago, from a friend blessed with a wonderful Judaic education. Thank you Natalie.) So much for where the candles burned. Let’s for a minute, remember those candles. They were all alike, with no rainbow appearance when the box was opened. Color? Intensely orange, which even as a child, I didn’t admire. But they represented Hanukkah candles. End of
story. (Of course today, the candles not only come in every color imaginable, they also can be found in different sizes! Just waltz around the gift shop in your synagogue and have a look at them. Talk about designer looks! They can be roughly twice the height of our old orange friends, or even the red, blue, green, white, that we now buy in that familiar blue box.) Never mind ... we’re talking about then as opposed to now -- the way it was. I don’t know exactly how old I was when we became aware that a holiday was approaching and there would be more than potato latkes to celebrate it. I do remember the original and usual gift was, naturally, Hanukkah gelt. And it didn’t come in the form of a check, in a special card in the mail. It was something transferred from one hand to another and accompanied by a big “thank you Zayda” or “Bubbe” or whichever was appropriate. Presents wrapped in pretty paper came from parents. They were generally a useful item, but if the recipient happened to need pajamas, that might be the gift. Usually they would be a bit fancier than those routinely purchased. After all, it’s a present! I mentioned the orange candles, but didn’t mention the sound of my dad’s
voice as he put a flame to the shammus and with it, touched each one. I loved hearing him do any bracha, but that one was one of my particular favorites. Of course, as every holiday has a food specialty, we can’t forget the potato latkes. Nor can we forget the warning, “be careful shredding; don’t make them fleishig.” Oh yes, the days before the food processor or other appliances which made life easier, there was the grater. And, there were knuckles, and never the twain should have met! Oh boy did that hurt. But I digress. And it isn’t fair to take away attention from the latkes. At our house we didn’t know from applesauce as an accompaniment. We just knew it didn’t matter what you ate with them. They were kosher ambrosia. Yes, there are many differences in the way we celebrate various occasions now and the way we once did, but a holiday is a holiday, so we won’t quibble about it. The earlier mentioned colored candles are only one small difference, but we all know about the current practices, so they don’t need discussion. My point was simply how much had changed between my children’s generation and mine. We don’t need to bring it up to date to know that from my Hanukkah to today is like comparing the horse and wagon to the fuel economy hybrid car. None of that has anything to do with my wish for you to have a lovely holiday. And never mind cholesterol and calories ... enjoy those latkes. and watch the knuckles! Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
happy
Hanukkah May the warmth and glow of each candle you light, make your heart and home happy and your Hanukkah
bright.
give the unexpected ® Omaha: 171st & Center, 90th & Military Papillion: HWY 370 & 72nd St. Bellevue: Hwy75 & Cornhusker Council Bluffs: I-80 & I-29 SP1559
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Strength in the sky Last month, the Israel Air Force (IAF) unveiled to the public for the first time its latest new unmanned aircraft, the Heron 2, known as ‘Eitan’ in Hebrew. Not much detail is available concerning the aircraft's performance except that it has more technical capabilities than any of its predecessors. The aircraft was developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Israel Air Force. It is also expected to have a big export potential to friendly air forces abroad. In March this year the IAF unveiled another unmanned aircraft Credit: ISRANET ‘The Shoval’.
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Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah!
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 39
Olive oil is “olive and well” in the Land of Israel by BATSHEVA POMERANTZ (IPS) -- Olive oil, the choice fuel for the Hanukkah lamp (hanukkyiah), is derived from one of the Seven Species of the Land of Israel. In Israel the olive harvest takes place relatively late – in the late autumn, ending around Hanukkah time. An annual festive event, Rishon BaMesik (the first harvest), heralds the new yield. The miracle of the oil is the main reason for celebrating Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights (Chag Ha’Urim), which is marked by the nightly lighting of the hanukyiah. During the period of the Second Temple the Hasmonean family defeated the Greek conquerors who had defiled the Temple. After the battle, the Hasmoneans, who were a priestly family, went to the Temple to cleanse and rededicate it. Although the Temple had been laid waste, they found a cruse of pure, undefiled oil with enough oil to kindle the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil was enough to light the menorah for eight days. During Hanukkah, the days are the shortest and the moon hardly appears. On these long, dark nights the Hanukkah menorah has been kindled throughout the generations using olive oil, thus publicizing the Hanukkah miracle. During the year, too, dark houses welcomed the warm glow of lamps lit with olive oil. Olive oil was chosen to kindle the menorah in the Temple because it symbolizes light to the world. It was also used to anoint the High Priest and kings. Ever since the dove brought the olive branch to Noah as a sign of life after the devastating flood, the olive became a symbol of peace, and in 1948 the State of Israel adopted the menorah, flanked by
two olive branches, as its national taxes are high since the Euro was intro- durable under normal storing conditions. emblem. duced. We also import from the The Zuri is the main variety in Israel, culThe esteemed olive tree is common Palestinian Authority and from Jordan tivated mainly in the Galilee area. Its oil throughout Israel, covering its mountains (900 tons) -- without customs as a ges- has a rich aroma and taste but has low and slopes, and for thousands of years ture of peace between Jordan and Israel.” preservation capacity. Due to the shortage of olive trees for olive oil production was a well-estab- Only small, non-commercial amounts of lished industry. This is evident from the olive oil are exported to the United States oil, the government is encouraging the planting of olive trees and hundreds of ancient olive the production of more presses that have been disIsraeli-produced, quality covered around the country. olive oil. Other goals of “Today olives are grown the Olive Board include from Sde Boker in the Negev creating awareness among up to the Golan Heights,” the Israeli public regardsays Amen Salam Hassan, ing the health benefits of who has headed the Israel olive oil. Olive Board for the past 10 Meshek Yaniv, an Israeli years. Hassan, of Druze oriolive press, recently won gin, notes that bridges have first prize for its extra virbeen formed between Israeli gin olive oil at a festival Arab and Jewish olive groworganized by the Israel ers and that just last week a Olive Board in Acco delegation of Arab and (located in Omaha’s Jewish farmers from the Partnership with Israel Galilee visited President area: the Western Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. Galilee). The oils were “In the olive industry, olive is judged months in a symbol of peace on a very advance by European practical level.” experts with strict objecDespite evidence to the tive criteria. contrary, the comprehensive Located in Moshav website of the Israel Olive A variety of Meshek Yaniv olive-based products. IPS photos courtesy of Meshek Yaniv Karmei Yosef in the pasBoard states that Jewish toral hills midway between Jerusalem and farmers only started cultivating olives and Greece. “The varieties of olives used for oil are Tel Aviv, Meshek Yaniv produces three after 1948. Initially grown for eating (edibles), in recent years olives are mainly the Zuri, Barnea and Picholine tons of olives a year and markets its oil to olives,” explains Hassan. “The Picholine specialty stores and health food shops. increasingly grown for their oil. “The demand for olive oil by Israeli originally came from France. We are Approaching its fifth harvest, Ruti Yaniv consumers surpasses supply,” states presently conducting experimental and her family started cultivating olives Hassan. “In Israel about 9,000 tons are research with other imported varieties for edibles and oil as a way of “connecting to our roots, the land and a healthy produced while consumption reaches from Europe.” The Barnea variety produces a large lifestyle.” 18,000 tons. Some is imported from Spain, Turkey and Greece, where custom amount of oil. Its oil is very delicate and Continued on page 40
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
“Olive and well” in Israel Continued from page 39 An aromatherapist, Yaniv credits the quality olives of Meshek Yaniv to ideal weather conditions, specially cultivated land, choosing the most prudent time for harvesting and the particularly careful transfer of olives to the press. The olives undergo cold pressing on the same day that they are harvested to ensure higher quality. The oil is then brought straight to Yaniv’s house where it is stored in large stainless steel vats in a cool dark place to prevent acidity. Because it is a boutique olive press, Meshek Yaniv is in no rush to bottle the oil to meet demand. “Although we always have bottled oil in stock, we prefer to leave the oil in the vats for a while where it’s cool and dark. When it is bottled, every bottle receives my blessing for good health. People tell me they feel the energy from the bottle.” The Jewish population in Israel consumes only a half liter of olive oil per capita per annum, compared to 30 liters of other vegetable oils. This is partly due to the relatively high price of olive oil, which can sometimes be prohibitive, and partly to consumption habits and personal preferences. All other vegetable oils have different chemical compositions and are distilled, making them much less healthy and useful to humans. Yet Hassan does notices an increase in olive oil consumption as Israelis become more health conscious. Among the benefits of olive oil are improved blood A bowl of Israeli olives. flow, a reduced IPS photos courtesy of Meshek Yaniv risk of heart disease, a decrease in the deterioration of mental processes due to age, and softer skin, to name but a few. Before Hanukkah, there is an increase in sales of oil for kindling (called Shemen Maor). At Meshek Yaniv the oil for the hanukkyiah undergoes a simpler process than the olive oil for consumption. Ruti explains: “The oil at the bottom of the vats is not filtered and is therefore more suitable for lighting. We bottle this oil separately and sell it to nearby Kfar Habad.” When we look at the olive oil burning brightly at Hanukkah, we are reminded that the olive is not only a symbol of the fortitude of our forefathers but a symbol of peace, rebirth and renewal. In addition to producing a beautiful flame, adding olive oil keeps the hanukkyiah lit throughout the night, adding to the special aura of Hanukkah.
What’s a Jewish parent to do about the “December Dilemma”? by MARGO PARSOW Education and Community Liaison ADL Plains States Region The December holidays present schools with the challenge of acknowledging the diverse religious beliefs of their students while avoiding the kind of divisiveness that the constitutional mandate of separation of church and state is designed to prevent. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion to all Americans; including young schoolchildren, by prohibiting the government from endorsing or promoting any particular religious point of view. This prohibition has led courts to ban such plainly coercive religious activities in public schools such as organized prayer and the teaching of creationism. The law is less clear regarding the limits on holiday celebrations in public schools, but a number of guidelines should be followed in order to adhere to the requirements of the First Amendment. The Anti-Defamation League offers some suggestions in helping parents navigate the often challenging sea of December holiday season activities and celebrations. The ADL’s publication, An Educator’s Guide to Jewish and Religious and Cultural Practices, is the most current resource to help Jewish parents work with the schools to face the difficult task of acknowledging the various religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during this time of year. The brochure is designed to assist public school educators with developing policies, procedures, and programs that are respectful to the beliefs and practices of Jewish students. Additionally, it offers suggestions for ways in which educators and administrators can accommodate the traditions of Jewish students. As the holiday season approaches, there will inevitably be questions that arise concerning the “December Dilemma”. The ADL has some helpful advice and tools for parents. Developing an on-going relationship with your child’s educator(s) and school administrator(s) is the most important key to working through the “December Dilemma” and any other issues that may arise. Arrange a meeting with them early in the school year and focus on getting to know one another so that you may become partners in creating an inclusive environment for your child and the other students. Educate yourself and understand the guidelines about what is permissible when it comes to religion in the schools. Take advantage of several very helpful online resources regarding “The December Dilemma” at www.adl.org. The ADL publishes “The December Dilemma” guidelines for public schools during the December. Religion in the Public Schools and Religious
November
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Clubs in Schools; Guidelines for School Districts, all are available on line at the ADL website. Questions may also be directed to staff in the ADL office at 333.1303. When meeting with your school principal to ask about school policies regarding religious issues (materials in the schools, presentations by teachers, music programs, religious decorations) and to share any concerns you may have about such matters, please bear in mind that mistakes and misinformation, not malice, typically underlie many of the problems which arise. Share a copy of our newest publication An Educator’s Guide to Jewish Religious and Cultural Practices with your child’s teacher(s) and principal. Copies are available through the Omaha Anti-Defamation League office. Meet with your school music teacher and discuss the musical selections that will be performed at the winter holiday program. The winter holiday season can be celebrated with greater understanding and respect if the religious freedom upon which our nation was founded is observed. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us, the ADL is here to assist you in any way we can. You may e-mail me at mparsow@adl.org or call me at 334.6576.
Ethiopian Jews celebrate Sigd
Hundreds of Ethiopian Jewish families came to Jerusalem recently to celebrate the annual Sigd Festival. The ancient festival’s name means in Amharic “to prostrate oneself in worship.” It is celebrated by the Ethiopian community 50 days after Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and is in essence a celebration of the city of Jerusalem and a call for all Jews to return to the city. Ethiopian Jewish community leaders have asked that the Sigd be regarded as an integral part of the Jewish reliCredit: ISRANET gious calendar.
November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 41
by JOAN K. MARCUS Remember the beautiful voice of Cantor Karen Webber Gilat? She served as cantor at Temple Israel from 1990 to 1994 and she definitely left her mark on music here in Omaha. We found her in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, Ronen and their two children, Zeev and Ivy. Karen is currently a part time chaplain at the state hospital in Clarks Summit and serves as an interim cantor in Harrisburg at Ohev Shalom Synagogue. In addition to her cantorial work, she dabbles in many arts. She performs in her one woman show, “Black Diamonds for a Blues Lady,” and hopes to be listed as an artist so she can give workshops in the school districts.
Ivy Noam and Zeev, children of Karen and Ronen Gilat She grew up in Connecticut and her talent was discovered early. She entertained at her mother’s brunches, directed neighborhood kids in original plays and sang wherever people would listen. She cut her teeth in high school musicals, community theatre and summer stock. At Trinity College, she joined a newly formed theatre and dance group that explored the relationship between movement and text. She graduated in 1984 with a combined degree in English, theatre and dance. During her college years, she had several speaking engagements and won a prize for directing. Gilat earned a Masters in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1990, began her cantorial career which has included serving everywhere from large suburban congregations to state penitentiaries. Omaha was her first pulpit. “It was quite a shock after living in Brooklyn. My father took out the atlas in order to locate Nebraska. However, I loved landing in Omaha. Folks welcomed me into their homes and their hearts,” she said. “They became my friends and family. My first impression matched my intuition -this was a good match. Jerry Milder was president of the congregation and Jim Farber followed him. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel was my first mentor in the field and I learned to be a member of the clergy. I participated in every aspect of congregational life -- including worship, adult education and weekly hospital visitation,” she added. “Musically, every cantor has his or her own style and mine is eclectic -- Israeli folksong. I tend to encourage the congregation to sing along and they did. I brought friendly, easy to sing, compositions from Benjie Shiller, Bonia Shur, Michael Isaacson and Mark Lipson.” Gilat hired the present accompanist at Temple, Julie Sandene, as well as a fresh new quartet for the High Holidays; she also began an intergenerational choir. She
Happy & Healthy Hanukkah
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
wrote plays to be performed from the bimah and used performance art in worship services. Also, while she was here, she met Ronen Gilat, an Israeli, who eventually became her husband. He was working at Industrial Label Company and had risen to a general manager position. He continued in the label business and his work has moved them around. Karen says, “I’ve loved seeing the country. Ronen has held positions in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, and then we moved on to Northeast Pennsylvania. He has since changed careers and is now a full-time residential designer. He is also a clay artist and creates sculptural forms, lighting fixtures and Judaic articles.” For a while, they lived in Texas where Karen split her time between Congregation Beth El Binah, a small gay congregation in Dallas, and Beth El, a mainstream traditional reform setting in Fort Worth. There, she “jazzed up” worship, holidays and senior adult programs. Her thirst for seeking G-d in unlikely places and outlying areas was quenched with a prison chaplaincy that began on Hanukkah with a musical poetry program rededication. Seattle brought two more contrasting opportunities. At Beit Aleph Meditational Synagogue, she introduced traditional and original melodies into a meditative worship setting and also facilitated a women’s “moon” circle. A move to Beth Or Synagogue in Everett, Washington, enabled her to concentrate on one on one studies with bar/bat mitzvah and adult students. Then, the family moved to Ohio where Karen served as a guest cantor at Beth Adam, a humanist congregation in Cincinnati and took on a traditional cantorial position at Temple Israel in Dayton. Karen and Ronen have two children. Both children have autism spectrum, one of the many known developmental disabilities. Zeev, 14, (which means radiance) was diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was four. He has received occupational and physical therapies since he was very young. According to Karen, “Zeev is demonstrative and communicative and he attends middle school. He has special services for math and reading but loves social studies and science -- especially animals. He watches ‘Animal Planet’ incessantly and loves computers. He has ridden horses since he was four and is a welladjusted, well-liked kid.” He loves music and had his Bar Mitzvah at an autism family camp. Karen adapted a few prayers and wove him a tallit (a prayer shawl) that said, “This is the day” in Hebrew. The whole camp gathered for the event. Later, they had a small, elegant evening celebration. Their daughter, Ivy Noam is “Charming, precocious and extremely high functioning. She is going into third grade and does well at school in a structured, loving environment. Ivy has benefited from seeing many health professionals and therapists wherever we have lived. Both children need consistency and socialization and sound services; we have turned over every rock in order to find them.” Karen misses many things about Omaha. Although she is mainly a vegetarian, she still hungers for an occasional Omaha Steak (and orders online!). “Our lives are so busy, happy and rich. However, I do miss my friend Judy Zweiback who let me drive her little sports car. It was a wonderful experience in Omaha. I’d like to come visit. I’ve realize d you can go home again -- they’ve just rearranged the furniture!
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Page 42
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
As Chavez goes authoritarian, Venezuela Jews fear for future by LARRY LUXNER er of VenEconomy Weekly in Caracas and an outspoken “The JDC is not involved at all with those who are WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Venezuelans heading to the critic of the Chávez government. “It’s because they feel leaving,” Recant said. “We’re mostly involved with the polls in a little less than two weeks will be voting on the country is going down the drain. “The opportunities community that’s there, and how to keep it viable for some rather drastic changes to the nation’s constitution. to invest and grow have been severely curtailed by the those who remain, as well as helping with any kind of The amendments that are expected to pass will abolish Chavez regime. And if Chavez aligns himself with Iran, emergency plans.” presidential term limits, allowing President Hugo it’s normal that Jews would start worrying about his Jewish community officials say the situation is volatile. Chavez to be re-elected indefinitely, and give Chavez’s intentions. I don’t blame them for being nervous.” That’s partly why community members were so upset government total control over Venezuela’s Central “Just about everyone you meet who’s middle or upper when Israeli Knesset member Effi Eitam declared two Bank, many private schools and other institutions. They class is thinking of other options,” said Will Recant, the weeks ago after a visit to Caracas that Israel should help also will allow him the power to handpick vice presidents assistant executive vice president of the American Jewish Venezuelan Jews make aliyah immediately. without voter consent. Joint Distribution Committee, which sent a top-level “They’re asking for help,” Eitam told Israel’s daily Protesters in Caracas and other cities already have Ma’ariv upon returning from his visit. “The Jews begun clashing with police in the lead-up to the there are confused and frightened, and very much want Israeli help to organize. Some already Dec. 2 referendum, driving the bolivar, have evacuated their family members to other Venezuela’s currency, to a black-market low of places, such as Miami or Panama. Every family 6,800 to the dollar. has an emergency evacuation plan.” Venezuela’s 12,000 or so Jews mostly are unhapWith ties between Israel and Venezuela already py with where the oil-rich country is heading, but strained, one Washington-based official with there seems little they can do about it except leave. close ties to the Venezuelan Jewish community “There’s a crisis here, though I wouldn’t say it’s said Eitam’s comments were irresponsible and a special crisis for the Jewish community,” said unhelpful, casting the country’s Jews as disloyal Rabbi Pynchas Brener of La Union Israelita, a large to Venezuela. Orthodox synagogue in Caracas. “I think it’s simi“Anti-Semitism is being expressed in the official lar to what all people from the same socioeconommedia, and the Jews -- along with many other ic situation are facing.” Venezuelans -- fear the changes the government Without criticizing Chavez by name, Brener might impose over the next few months,” said noted an increase within the last year of “antithe official, who asked not to be identified. “But Semitic expressions by people who are close to the it’s up to the community and individual Jews to government,” as well as on state-owned radio and decide if they want to stay in Venezuela or leave. TV stations. I don’t think going into the panic mode helps in Yet Brener, who’s been the chief Ashkenazi rabbi Pro-government banner in downtown Caracas, Venezuela. Credit: Larry Luxner any way.” of Caracas since 1967, emphasized that the Jewish In August 2006, the Venezuelan government downcommunity doesn’t get involved in politics. delegation to Caracas two weeks ago to assess the situa“I don’t think people can express what they want tion. “Will they stay, and if so, for how long? If not, graded its relations with Israel in the wake of Israel’s war nowadays,” he said, indicating phone lines are being where will they go? Israel is always the first option, and with Hezbollah. Chavez recalled his ambassador from Tel Aviv after criticizing Israel for employing “Hitler’s tapped. “Of course people are cautious. We’re very con- the Jewish Agency is working with them on this.” cerned with what’s going on. We live here.” Nearly a third of the community has left the country methods” against Lebanese civilians. Likewise, Israel’s envoy in Caracas, Shlomo Cohen, The increasingly grim political situation, the nation’s over the past three years, and the number of Jews in economic instability and Chavez’s warm embrace of Venezuela has dropped to 12,000 from about 17,000 in was recalled by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, but returned a few months later. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have driven 2004, Recant said. “It’s a very delicate situation,” the Washington-based many Venezuelan Jews to consider their options abroad. Many have gone to Israel or the United States. Some “A lot of people are leaving the country, but not only have emigrated to Costa Rica, Panama and other official said, “and the Jewish community continues to be concerned.” because they’re Jewish,” said Robert Bottome, publish- Spanish-speaking countries.
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November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 43
Of dogs and Hanukkah: “Best of Show” gifts STAYING IN TOUCH by OZZIE NOGG If it’s true that every dog has its day, then the eight days of Hanukkah can be a gift bone-anza for dogs that live in Jewish homes. Don’t snicker. There are many references in the Torah and Talmud to support our being generous to animals, and a wide range of pet merchandise is available to help us reward our favorite dog. Consider this. On the night of the Exodus from Egypt, God informed Moses of the imminent tenth plague -the slaying of the first born. A midrash states that just before the Angel of Death descended, God instructed the dogs living among the Hebrews to be silent. And they were. No dog barked or howled, and the Children of Israel escaped undetected. God then told the dogs that because they had obeyed and shown such restraint, He would reward them throughout the generations. The form of reward is not recorded, but for dogs celebrating Hanukkah, here are some suggestions from a few on-line shopping sites. Wish your favorite pooch a Happy Hanukkah with a soft blue and white plush Dreidel Dog that sings “I Had A Little Dreidel” in children’s voices. Or give that poodle a plush menorah that plays a rock version of “Rock of Ages.” Then again, perhaps your pet would prefer a Talking Gefilte Fish toy that says “Oy vey!” (followed by bubbling sounds)
or a musical Star of David. When your dog clamps it in his jaw and gives a squeeze, the star wails, “Who Can Retell the Things That Befell Us!” Toy gift sets for the canine set include gift box combos with Bow-Wow Biscuits, a plush dog toy plus beef jerky treats. (Kosher-keeping dogs, beware.) Yet another gift set features a dreidel chew toy along with a festive Hanukkah collar in chic velour with faux fur. The collars are sized to fit small, medium and large dogs -- up to a scary 32inch neck -- and topped with a Hanukkah kipa. Blue suede, monogrammed in sliver thread and sized from XSmall to a serious XXL, these kippot sport hidden combs to secure them to your puppy’s pate. Now. In case you need more examples of Jewish texts that show man and his affection for animals (and, by extension, more reasons to gift your dog this Hanukkah) read on. The Talmud states that Moses, the shepherd, was chosen for his mission to faithfully shepherd the flock of Israel because God recognized his skill in tending a flock of sheep. Furthermore, legend has it that Rebecca was chosen to be Isaac’s bride because she gave Abraham's servant a drink and watered his camels as
well. And let’s also remember the Torah’s instructions to feed your animals before you sit down to your own meal. So this Hanukkah -- before you dive into that plate of steaming latkes -- please dish up a Festival Feast for Fido. Choose a tin of Hanukkah Bark Bars -wholesome cookies which, according to the manufacturer, taste like latkes and applesauce. (If your dog prefers sour cream, look elsewhere.) The treats come in carefully packaged boxes, cushioned between layers of paw-print tissue paper to prevent the cookies from crumbling in shipment. The enclosed card says, “These Jewish dog cookies are hand made, hand decorated and baked with love! We hope we’ve made you and your doggie’s life a little nicer by offering a product that’s more fun than the usual dog bone cookie.” To guarantee optimum fun, the Hanukkah Bark Bars are shaped like cats. Other Hanukkah canine gift boxes offer blue and white striped Rawhide Hanukkah Twist Canes or ball-shaped biscuits, individually wrapped in blue foil and packed in a Star of David box, tied with silver ribbons. The biscuits taste like roast chicken and are named Star of Dachshund, To-ruff, Drei-dog and Meno-ruff. ‘Nuff said. Well, not quite. The Hebrew word for dog, kelev, can be
translated as close to the heart -- a reference to the loyalty dogs show their masters. A Talmudic fable tells of a dog that saw a serpent poisoning the milk of its master. Though the dog barked frantically, its master paid no attention to the warning. But before the man could drink the milk, the dog lapped it up and died while saving its master’s life. And get this. The ignominious mark of Cain -- bestowed after Cain kills Abel and is condemned to lonely exile -- is never described in the Torah, so the Sages speculated as to its nature. What did they conclude? That the mark was actually a dog that God gave to Cain to keep him company in his solitude. And finally. Today, in Israel, trained Pups for Peace patrol the country’s borders, providing security by detecting explosives and providing early warning of terrorist attacks. So. For their part in the Exodus, for their role in present-day Israel, and for all the nights when they faithfully sleep at the foot of our beds, we owe our dogs -whether mutt or AKC Registered -- a debt of gratitude. If that gratitude takes the form of one plush Musical Menorah or eight paw-lickin’ Bark Bars, well, that’s up to you. Ozzie Nogg is a freelance writer in Omaha. Her self-syndicated features take a slightly off-beat look at the history and observance of Jewish holidays, festivals and life-cycle events. For a peek inside her book, Joseph’s Bones: A Collection of Stories, visit her website -- www.rabbisdaughter.com. Her blog can be found at http://themeditationsofmyheart. blogspot.com/ and she can be reached at: ozzienogg@cox.net.
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Shirim Klezmer Orchestra – Nutcracker On Hanukkah - Wednesday, December 5 | 7:30 pm The Shirim Klezmer Orchestra honors klezmer’s historic origins, celebrates American jazz-influenced klezmer, and puts its own clever twist on classics such as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. “You have to hear Shirim’s delightful interpretation to know what a brilliant combination klezmer and Tchaikovsky make.” –National Public Radio (Performance Today) Tickets: 472-4747 or www.liedcenter.org
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The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Lied Center programming is supported by Friends of Lied and grants from Association of Performing Arts Presenters, National Endowment for the Arts, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Nebraska Arts Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, and Lincoln Arts Council. All events in the Lied Center are made possible entirely or in part by the Lied Performance Fund, which has been established in memory of Ernst F. Lied and his parents, Ernst M. and Ida K. Lied.
Page 44
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
With the glove and the bat, Jews sparkled on the diamond by MARTIN ABRAMOWITZ of 193 set by Steve Garvey. NEWTON, Mass. (JTA) -- Ryan Braun this season Youkilis fared well at the plate as well, batting .288 accomplished something that Sandy Koufax, Hank with 16 homers and 83 RBI. He was at his best in the Greenberg or any other Jewish Hall of Famer never did: A.L. Championship Series, going 14 for 28 in the seven He was named Rookie of the Year. games against Cleveland. Braun, the slugging third baseman for the Milwaukee He joins catchers Brad Ausmus and Mike Lieberthal as Brewers, picked up the award Monday in the National active Jewish Gold Glove winners. Ausmus is a threeLeague. In the voting by the Baseball time winner. Writers of America, Braun edged Two other Jewish ballplayers reached Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy milestones in ’07. Tulowitzki, 128-126. Shawn Green, the New York Mets’ “To show you how good Ryan was, outfielder/first baseman, collected his in any other year Troy Tulowitzki 2,000th career hit in September. would have won hands down,” Buddy Myer, a Washington Senators’ Brewers general manager Doug infielder in the 1920s and ’30s, was Melvin told The Associated Press. the first Jewish player to accomplish Called up from the minor leagues in the feat. Green’s 10 homers left him May, Braun batted .324 with 34 home three shy of Greenberg's career mark runs and 97 runs batted in while leadof 331. ing the league with a slugging percentJason Marquis, a Chicago Cubs age of .634. right-hander, in pitching to a record of Braun, who turned 24 last week, is 12-9, became only the sixth Jewish the son of an Israeli father and a pitcher to notch at least 10 victories in Christian mother. Although he wasn’t four consecutive seasons. The others raised Jewish, the California native are Koufax, Ken Holtzman, Steve spoke this spring of the pride he takes Stone, Dave Roberts and Barney Pelty. in his Jewish heritage. With the passing of Mickey Rutner, While Braun made history, he wasn’t a New Yorker who played for Connie Ryan Braun the only Jewish ballplayer to distinMack's Philadelphia Athletics in 1947, Credit: Courtesy guish himself on the diamond this seaAl Rosen became the oldest living of the Milwaukee Brewers son. Jewish major leaguer. Last week, Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Rosen, 83, enjoyed a solid career as a third baseman Youkilis was selected by his peers as a Gold Glove win- for the Cleveland Indians. His rookie season in 1950 ner for his defensive excellence in just his second year at was among his best: a .287 batting average with 37 the position. home runs and 116 RBI. But Boston Red Sox first baseYoukilis, who played 145 games, mostly at first base, man Walt Dropo beat out Rosen for Rookie of the Year. played error free while eclipsing the Red Sox and It took until 2007 for a Jewish player to earn that disAmerican League records for most consecutive errorless tinction. games and chances at first base. Martin Abramowitz produces Jewish baseball cards With a streak of 190 errorless games at first base, he and lectures on Jews in baseball. His website is will need just four more to snap the major league mark www.jewishmajorleaguers.org .
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READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Pillsbury has gathered a collection of 150 sweet and savory recipes “almost as easy as turning on your oven.” Sprinkle your holiday cheer with the short cuts, fun ideas, bake shop storage suggestions and mailing secrets. The six chapters cover Happy Halloween, A Family Thanksgiving, Celebrate Christmas, Light Up Hanukkah, Come Together for Kwanzaa and Happy New Year. Some recipes have an “extra easy” icon ... like mini focaccia rounds, baked brie with brandied mushrooms, caramel sticky buns. Every recipe has clear numerical instructions and nutritional data. One page offers “snazzy-pizzazzy” ideas to dress up desserts with one of the many color photographs throughout the cookbook. Hanukkah features more than 20 recipes including this alternative to traditional bagels. PARMESAN ROUNDS WITH LOX (EXTRA EASY) 1 cup shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese (4 oz) 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 3 oz lox (cold-smoked salmon) 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream fresh dill sprigs Heat oven to 400°. For each round, spoon 2 teaspoons cheese onto ungreased cookie sheet; pat into 2-inch round. Place rounds 2 inches apart. Sprinkle each with pepper. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 5 minutes. To serve, top each round with lox, about 1/4 teaspoon crème fraîche and dill sprig. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time. 16 appetizers. Lois Friedman can be reached at ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.
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November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 45
Bad toys TIME OUT by ANNETTE VAN DE CAMP-WRIGHT (Editor’s note: this first column introduces Annette Van De CampWright to the Jewish Press. Readers may have noticed the publicity she’s written for the Friedel Jewish Academy, Chabad of Nebraska and the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center of the Jewish Community Center. She also wrote several pieces in September’s New Year’s issue. And now, readers will be treated to a personal column, which will appear from time to time as space permits. Enjoy!) With Hanukkah just around the corner, it’s time for the December Dilemma. I am not referring to any real or imaginary issues we have with the Christmas season; I am talking about the question of what appropriate Hanukkah presents look like. I know people who manage to make it through eight days with the help of Gelt and candles, and maybe a donut and a latke or two, and I admire them. They avoid greedy behavior, spending too much money, and wasting hours wrapping every gift just so. This is not the case at our house. Of course, my husband and I have set the precedent years ago, and now we are stuck: Hanukkah is here and presents are expected. I think that’s okay; besides, I like buying and wrapping presents for my children. Now that my daughter is in first grade, she plans ahead: as soon as the first toy catalog hits the mailbox, she buries her nose in it and sighs wistfully every five minutes or so. I told her to make a list with things she would like; if she is expecting ridiculous things like ponies or a new house, I’d like to know about it. We set rules: for each toy she has to write down a book; and my husband and I agree that only one Barbie is allowed. What’s more, nothing can be over $15. That way we avoid unacceptable items like the “Barbie hot
tub party bus” and the “Barbie gymnastic Divas playset”. I am not making this up. When she presents me with her “Hnakah”-list, I am pleasantly surprised; there is not a single item over $15. She wants a crown, a fake flower, and a new dress. As an extra reminder, she has drawn a picture of a present in the corner of the paper. As far as books go, she casts her net a little wider: instead of specifics, she has written down categories, such as art books, and ‘funny books’. This begs the question of what books are ‘funny’ to six year olds. I’ve already bought her a ‘Shakespeare for Children’ book; would she consider that funny? I doubt it. All in all, this is not such a bad list. Judging from the toy catalog, things could be much more grave. For instance, there is a dinosaur doll, that develops its own personality based on how much time you spend with it. In other words, time you don’t spend reading, or being outside, or cleaning your room. The cost is a mere $349.99. I wonder, if you leave it lying around too much, does it develop a personality disorder? Does it become socio-pathic if you don’t cuddle it? That’s a pretty big risk to take for a couple of hundred dollars. The toy that truly puzzles me is a doll by the name of ‘baby alive wets ‘n wiggles’. Yes, it is exactly what you think it is. Who comes up with that? And who wants a doll in the house that pees and doesn’t lie still; didn’t we suffer enough when our own, very real, babies went through that phase? Hm, maybe I can buy this for her when she turns 16, as a warning? This year, there are some new toys inspired by the movie Transformers. My husband liked the movie; I didn’t see it and plan to keep it that way. “But it has Shia LaBeouf in it!” he’ll say, as if a Jewish actor in the lead role automatically makes a movie acceptable. Even he has to admit, though, that the accompanying toys are questionable at best. Take for example the ‘Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet’, or the ‘Optimus Prime Battle Rig Blaster’.
Who even knows what these things are? The little boys who wish for them are probably also enchanted by the idea of owning the ‘Ben 10 Deluxe Ominitrix’, which is a kind of oversized wristwatch that apparently helps defeat evil. Well, no 10-year-old can live without one of those, I guess. I have to ask myself, am I going to be one of those parents who absolutely doesn’t understand what their children want? Do I make fun of, and use sarcasm when confronted with the toy aisle, merely to mask the fact that I’m experiencing a disconnect? Maybe. When I am confronted with the picture of a tent shaped like a café, I enquire whether it comes with a real coffee maker. Now that would be handy. My daughter doesn’t think I am funny and rolls her eyes; she’s probably worried sick about what I’m buying for her. Of course, the real question remains to be answered: what is Hanukkah really about? Because we all know that it isn’t about presents, and it isn’t about how crisp the latkes are, or whether that new dress matches your expectations. I do believe that, although Hanukkah is one of the minor holidays, it can fulfill a major role in our Jewish life, if we let it. It is about spending time with friends and family, and about togetherness; about forming strong bonds through traditions and beliefs. About believing that miracles continue to happen, every day. It is, in short, a holiday that reminds us that Judaism brings light to dispel the darkness that so often surrounds us. And dispelling darkness is better for our children than any toys I can think of. Annette van de Kamp-Wright was born and raised in the Netherlands. She met her husband Jeremy in 1995 and followed him to the United States. Together they have two children, six-year-old Isabella, and Mendel, who is three. She divides her time between parenting and writing, among other things, and can be reached at: avandekamp@tconl.com.
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Page 46
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
Archeological dig finds Byzantine church in Tiberias by EDGAR ASHER In the Israel Antiquities Authority’s excavations in Tiberias, a newly-exposed Byzantine church is paved with polychrome mosaics decorated with geometric patterns and dedicatory inscriptions. The discovery, which was uncovered in the heart of the ancient Jewish city, refutes the theory that the Jews of Tiberias prevented the Christians from establishing a church in the middle of their neighborhood. In excavations, that were carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in Tiberias, impressive and unique finds were uncovered that shed light on the history of the ancient city. The excavations were conducted over the summer at the request of the national water company Mekorot, as part of a project that involves the installation of a sewage pipeline and the transfer of the waste water treatment facility from Tiberias to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee. The finds that were exposed date from the founding of Tiberias in the first century CE until the 11th century, when the city was abandoned due to an earthquake,
wars and dire economic and security conditions. In the lower part of the city, a Byzantine church (from the fourth through fifth centuries CE) was exposed that is paved with magnificent polychrome mosaics decorated with geometric patterns and crosses. Three dedicatory inscriptions written in ancient Greek are incorporated in the mosaics. In one of the inscriptions, which were deciphered by Dr. Leah Di Signi of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is the line: “Our Lord, protect the soul of your servant…” One of the mosaics is adorned with a medallion in which there is a large cross flanked by the letters alpha and omega, which are one of the monograms for Jesus (alpha to omega meaning from A to Z in Greek). Continued on page 47
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November 23, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 47
Dig finds Byzantine church Continued from page 46 The church’s remains were discovered adjacent to ancient public buildings among them a basilica, bathhouse, streets and shops that were exposed at the site in the past. Dr. Moshe Hartal and Edna Amos, the directors of the excavation on behalf of the IAA, stated that this is the most ancient church to be uncovered in Tiberias and the only one that has been found in the center of the city. According to Dr. Hartal, from the year 427 CE the Church issued a decree prohibiting the placement of crosses in mosaic floors in order to prevent them from being stepped on. “The presence of so many crosses in the floors of the church that was exposed here thus confirms the church dates to the period prior to the ban,” he said. In addition, the remains of a Jewish neighborhood that dates to the 10th to 11th centuries were discovered in the excavations. These remains extend up to the foot of the cliff in the high part of the city, in an area that was probably residential in nature.
“The discovery of the remains of the church in the middle of the ancient city, like that of the Jewish neighborhood and the magnificent city that existed in Tiberias more than one thousand years ago, greatly contributes to our understanding of the town planning, its scope and it structures,” archaeologists on behalf of the IAA said. In the parking lot of the Holiday Inn hotel, in the southern part of the excavation, buildings were uncovered that were replete with a wealth of impressive ceramic vessels that date to the Early Islamic period (eighth through 11th centuries
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CE) and installations for the manufacture of glass and pottery vessels. These finds show that in this period the settlement of Hammat was included within the domain of the city of Tiberias, which had grown and expanded beyond the Byzantine city walls that had previously separated it from Hammat. In addition a settlement was discovered that dates to the Early Bronze Age (from 5,000 years ago) thereby attesting to the fact that the region of Tiberias was inhabited in periods earlier than those mentioned in the Photos courtesy of ISRANET historical sources.
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November 23, 2007
Jewish self-help books flood the shelves this holiday season by SUE FISHKOFF SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- Got a question? Rabbi Jennifer Krause has the answer: Keep asking questions. “I want to help people trust their ability to come up with the answers that fit their own lives rather than depending on the one-size-fits-all answers that others give them,” says Krause, a New York rabbi whose first book, The Answer: Making Sense of Life One Question at a Time (A Perigee Book), hit the shelves last month. Krause divides her self-help book into seven chapters, each of which addresses a universal “why am I here” question. It’s action oriented: Written exercises at the end of each chapter encourage readers to identify their personal needs and obstacles. “Use your ‘highlighter,’ ” she urges on page 166. “What stirs your heart to action? What will you ‘walk the line’ for?” Although her book is aimed at the general reader rather than a specifically Jewish audience, Krause says this method of self-improvement, which relies on conversation that emerges from questions, is deeply Jewish. “I’m not giving people answers,” she says. "I want to reintroduce the power of the questions themselves.” “The Answer” is part of the hugely popular and still-growing genre of personal growth literature that has spilled over into the world of Jewish publishing with a vengeance. “Self-help books are very much a function of the age,” says Rabbi Elliot Dorff, the rector of the American Jewish University, formerly the University of Judaism, in Los Angeles and author of The Way into Tikkun Olam, published this spring by Jewish Lights Publishing.
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“People are focused on themselves, and it’s not seen as narcissistic.” Written frequently by rabbis or Jewish educators, Jewish self-help books range from those that advocate a return to religious observance to ones based loosely on Jewish values. What they share is the aim of using these spiritual or psychological tools to set an ethical path aimed at improving one’s life and the world. “There are no clear-cut halachot,” or Jewish laws, on how to feel better about oneself, says Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, the author of a string of bestselling books about Jewish God’s To Do List wisdom. “It’s not like the laws of keeping kosher. You’re looking to advice that’s strewn throughout Torah, throughout Talmud.” Stuart Matlins is the publisher of the Vermont-based Jewish Lights, which has been putting out this genre of literature for years. “The difference is not in the availability of the material suddenly but the increased interest in it,” he says. It’s no coincidence that many of these books appear in late summer or early fall, right around the High Holy Days -- a period when Jews traditionally are engaged in self-reflection. Krause says she didn’t plan for her book to come out during Sukkot, but nevertheless considers the timing “bashert,” or decided by heaven. Jewish Lights published Happiness and
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the Human Spirit: The Spirituality of Becoming the Best You Can Be by Abraham Twerski, a prominent Orthodox rabbi and psychiatrist who has written dozens of books about spirituality and self-esteem. Twerski, who developed many of his ideas as medical director of The Gateway Rehabilitation Center he founded in rural Pennsylvania, posits a definition for spirituality that has little to do with God or Jewish theology. For him, being spiritual is developing one’s human capabilities to the fullest, “to be the best we can Ron Wolfson be, to exercise all the qualities and traits that are unique to humankind,” Twerski says. And only by reaching for that spiritual development can one be happy, he concludes. Like Krause, Twerski writes about actual exercises for the reader, from being nice to someone against whom you hold a grudge to mowing the lawn for your father. The reader is encouraged to keep a journal to record these deeds. “Remember, you are not doing this for someone else,” writes Twerski, who now lives in Monsey, N.Y. “You are doing this to improve your character, to be more spiritual, to be a happier person.” Like many other authors of Jewish selfhelp books, Twerski takes the universal human desire to be happy and shows how it is intertwined with doing good --
which means, doing Jewish. Even more clearly aimed at High Holy Days reading is God’s To-Do List: 103 Ways to Be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth by former Omahan Ron Wolfson, an education professor at the American Jewish University and cofounder of Synagogue 3000, a synagogue renewal initiative. The son of Alan and Bernice Wolfson, he was in Omaha last year to promote his book; more than 200 people showed up to his presentation and waited in line for more than an hour to have Wolfson sign personalized copies. First published by Jewish Lights last October, the book has caught on among rabbis and teachers this year as a foil for High Holy Days programming. Some 12,000 copies have been printed, which Matlins says testifies to the popularity of the genre as well as God’s To-Do List. Some rabbis devoted their Rosh Hashanah sermons to the book, asking their congregations to read it during the Days of Awe -- the book is divided into 10 chapters to facilitate that use -- and coming together afterward for discussion. Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn of Temple Emanuel in Winston Salem, N.C., spoke on “doing God’s work” for his Rosh Hashanah Eve sermon. He ordered 300 copies of Wolfson’s book to hand out to his 250-member congregation. The lessons in these Jewish self-help books are universal, say the authors and those planning to use the books for programming. “We’re not going to be jumping into doing lots of ritual mitzvot,” notes Strauss-Cohn, emphasizing that his congregation is Reform. “But living ethical lives is something we can all get behind.
November 23, 2007
Readers market: the perfect Hanukkah gifts! BOOK REVIEWS by JOAN G FRIEDMAN
Can I have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?, the essential scoop on raising modern Jewish kids, by Sharon Duke Estroff, M.A.T, published by Broadway Books/Random House; Trade Paperback Original, 304 pages; $12.95. With this book, a mother will have help in navigating her way through the child-raising years and beyond. With humor and in a contemporary modern mind, you’ll find wonderfully creative ways to take your children from one subject to another. Great ideas, great thoughts, and great solutions will take you by the hand. You will excel in family life, in tradition, and your kid’s world. Find easy ways to alleviate the pressures of what kids want. This book belongs in every parent’s and grandparent’s library. Great explanations on some home-made stories, I especially enjoyed the author’s rendition of dropping pieces of matza balls along the way, until a wild gefilte fish followed and ate all the crumbs, leaving the children lost in the woods. Her stories, explanations, and ideas are spectacular! Bravo to the author who has learned how to deal with wishes and pressures. This is very entertaining as well as informative with parental tips -- including internet advice. And, by the way, I would also like a cell phone for Hanukkah. Flash Back, a novel by Gita Gordon, Shaar Press Publication; Hardcover, 398 pages; $24.99. Israeli author Gita Gordon has done it again. Here is an incredible book about searching for your roots. Here is an amazing tale of a woman adopted by a Presbyterian family in England at the start of the Holocaust. When she was older and feeling she was Jewish, she and her adopted mum try to find her roots -- to no avail. She marries (Jewish) and has children (and converts as
the rabbis say she cannot prove her Jewishness), but Hannah cannot stop thinking of her roots. One night she starts a long series of dreams and, beginning with Biblical times, she follows her ancestors’ paths. The characters, events, and settings are credible and compelling. The plot development is as intricate as a complex, tightly-woven tapestry with twists and turns and -- just maybe -- a surprise ending!
Holy Woman, The Road to Greatness of Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Kramer, by Sara Toheved Rigler, Shaar Press Publication; Hardcover, 375 pages; $24.99. This book is more than a biography of the rebbetzin and her husband. It is a manual of information on a prescription for personal greatness. Although they were childless, they cared for cast-off children with profound handicaps and transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people worldwide, while living most of their lives in a little house with dirt floors. In this reading, you will be inspired to new heights of Torah living and learning.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 49
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Ages 3-8 Could a penguin be a mensch by Pam Ruben, published by Peppery Press; Paperback, 25 pages; $12.95. Here is an educational story of what it takes to be a mensch. Geared to young children, it will delight the adults as well. You’ll read all the ways a person can be a mensch and then give thought to other things. For example, penguins help one another in their community. Does that mean a penguin could also be a mensch? You’ll love the humor and the illustrations. Truly a delightful book, and perfect for Hanukkah gifts! To have it autographed or dedicated to someone, contact www.pepperypress. com. Joan G Friedman contributes newspaper articles in the U.S. and Canada, and may be reached at joan@friedman.net.
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November 23, 2007
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Groups seek to infuse new themes, agendas into Hanukkah observance by BEN HARRIS NEW YORK -- One of the Jewish calendar’s most widespread and public observances, the Hanukkah holiday has traditionally emphasized two miracles: the military victory of Jewish rebels over Greek invaders, and the one vial of oil that lasted for eight nights But just as other holidays have seen their historic purpose shaped to contemporary narratives, Hanukkah is increasingly being used as a vehicle for other Jewish agendas that seem to stray far from the holiday’s original meaning. This year, much of the focus is on global warming. The Shalom Center, a Philadelphia-based group focused mainly on environmental issues, has launched the Green Menorah Covenant campaign to promote improved energy efficiency among Jewish communities. The campaign, which is timed to coincide both t h e Hanukkah and a U.N.sponsored conference on climate change in Bali, Indonesia, follows a similar effort, begun last year, to encourage switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs. “A Light Among the Nations,” a project of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, aims to get Jews to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs during the holiday. This year, the program is being tied to JCPA’s antipoverty campaign, which in December will focus on energy. The JCPA was also involved in the creation of Ner Shel Tzedakah (“candle of righteousness”), a joint initiative of the Reform and Conservative movements that aims to teach about poverty by encouraging families to donate their holiday gifts to organizations assisting the poor. The most famous figures of the Hanukkah story, the mythic Maccabees, have been appropriated as symbols of Jewish sport -- no small irony considering the Maccabees rebelled against the worship of athletic prowess that characterized Hellenistic civilization. And on the Shabbat that falls in the middle of Hanukkah, on Dec. 8, rabbis are being encouraged to tie their sermons to the struggle for Soviet Jewry, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year. Jeffrey Gurock, a history professor at Yeshiva University (and uncle of Omaha’s Josh Gurock) and author of a book about Judaism’s encounter with sports, says that sports teams should more aptly be called the “anti-Maccabees.” The shift in thinking about the Maccabees, Gurock said, is linked to the Zionist thinker Max Nordau, who sought figures in Jewish history as models for what he called “muscular Judaism.” “It was an appropriation of a particular moment in ancient Jewish history that’s revived and used in modern times,” Gurock sad. “Jews were fighters in the ancient world. And they want to go back to this image of Jews.” Indeed, Hanukkah has more to do with ancient miracles than with environmentalism or concern for the poor. The holiday marks the victory of Maccabean rebels against their Hellenistic rulers in
the second century BC and the subsequent miracle of the temple oil lasting for eight days. Rabbi Leon Morris, executive director of the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning in New York, says he has no problem with added layers of meaning being added to the Hanukkah story provided it doesn’t eviscerate its underlying themes. “I think every holiday gives us an opportunity to look for contemporary resonance of the holiday’s themes in our lives,” Morris says. “The roots of Hanukkah, are sufficiently complex to open up a variety of contemporary issues to weave into our own understanding.” Morris also noted some further ironies in the contemporary American celebration of Hanukkah. The holiday, which invites thinking about the tension between Jewish particularism and Hellenistic universalism, is played out against the backdrop of the dominant culture’s celebration of C h r i s t m a s . Hanukkah’s timing to the winter solstice, Morris speculated, may also i m p l y something about non-Jewish influence on the holiday. “I guess the question we should ask is not whether these interpretations are legitimate, but what’s prompting them,” Morris said. “As contemporary Jews look at the liturgy, narratives and stories, what is it that’s sparking these different sorts of ideas?” In the case of poverty, the spark was in part mounting concern over the growing commercialization of the December holiday season. “Our thinking was to raise the profile of the issue of poverty,” said Rabbi Marla Feldman, director of Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. “I think a lot of families these days are feeling overwhelmed by the consumerism that has become a focus of the holiday.” Grafting a concern for the environment on to Hanukkah celebrations is clearly motivated by the contemporary awareness of climate change and its related risks. But as many note, it may not be such a stretch of the imagination to see resource conservation as, albeit a lesser, moral of the Maccabbean tale. Rabbinic tradition, with its reluctance to glorify military triumphs, emphasized instead the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days and it’s but a short leap from rescuing a lone vial of oil to preaching the necessity of conserving natural resources. “It’s substantively a part of the holiday because there was a time when we really needed to have a little energy go a long way. And we call that time Hanukkah,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of JCPA. “By the same token, we think we’re at a time in our world history where we need to conserve and husband our energy.” Likewise, Gutow says Hanukkah also recalls a time when the Jewish community was poor in resources. “It was a time when we were at a nadir of our ability to find energy and to use it,” he said. “And it ties in well to the difficulties that poor Jews and poor Americans have. It makes perfect sense to me.”
November 23, 2007
Just Hanukkah JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL by TEDDY WEINBERGER After a decade of Hanukkahs here, one thing about the way the Festival of Lights is celebrated in Israel never ceases to amaze me: the total absence of Christmas. In the States, Hanukkah’s relation to Christmas is of crucial concern. The more the two holidays overlap, the more that Jews will be celebrating their winter holiday at the same time that the majority of Americans are celebrating theirs. In Israel, Christmas is simply not on the radar screen for most Israelis, and so Hanukkah goes it alone. Since I grew up in the States and only moved here at the age of 36, I can not help but think of Hanukkah in relation to Christmas. And so I know that this year Hanukkah is very “early” (beginning on Tuesday night Dec. 4) -- and I also know what this means in America. An early Hanukkah is disconcerting to many American Jews. It’s sort of like a secret Marrano holiday: the Jews are celebrating in their homes while the outside world is filled with anticipation of Christmas. You are wished “Merry Christmas” all throughout your holiday-though Dec. 25 is several weeks away. There are print and broadcast media pieces on Hanukkah, and schools and offices sprout paper menorahs, but these cannot put a dent in the general feeling of Christmas that pervades the outside
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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PASSOVER ISSUE REMINDER world. As is the case every year, Hanukkah in Israel is always on time. It is never early or late. And while Israeli life is geared toward the Gregorian calendar (so that, unlike Christmas, even knowledgeable Israelis have to do some figuring in order to calculate the first night of Hanukkah), one can gage the date of Hanukkah by the availability and variety of sufganiyot (donuts). Sufganiyot start making their appearance in October, shortly after the conclusion of Judaism’s fall holidays. As Hanukkah nears, donut makers get more ambitious both in terms of quantity and quality-augmenting the traditional strawberry jelly filling with butterscotch, chocolate, halva, and even guava and passion fruit, as well as experimenting with more sophisticated donut coatings (like carob powder or ground brown sugar) rather than the usual powdered sugar. I have to admit that left to its lonesome, there’s some drama missing in a Hanukkah without Christmas. After all, as our prayers remind us, Hanukkah celebrates a Jewish victory of the weak and the few over the strong and the many. The spirit of Hanukkah comes to life more in a country where you have to fight for it, where you have to insist on its legitimate place on the cultural spectrum. When you put your hanukkiyah (menorah) on your window sill in the diaspora, you feel that you are making an important religious statement, that you are doing something to spread the
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Hanukkah spirit. The six or seven hanukkiyot that we light on our window sill in Givat Ze’ev look nice, but we don’t quite sense that we have just done an act worthy of the Maccabees. This is not to say that life here in the Jewish state is without drama. A number of our Arab neighbors help make life in Israel exciting in a Maccabean way all throughout the year. But the Jewish state rather than the Jewish individual is the primary setting for this drama. And the stakes are much much higher than whether or not to get offended if someone wishes you a Merry Christmas. Personally, I can report that the stakes in my immediate family have just moved up a notch: On Nov. 14, my daughter Rebecca joined her brother Nathan as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. Happy Hanukkah. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah 10 years ago with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. He works in the education department of the Jewish Agency for Israel and may be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.
The Jewish Press will publish “Israel@60: a salute to Israel’s 60th birthday” on April 18. If you’ve lived, learned or visited Israel -- on a teen trip, a mission, or on your own -- see your story and photos in this special issue! Send story in the body of your e-mail with attached .jpg or .tif files to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or send hard copy with photographs to: The Jewish Press Passover issue, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 by Feb. 29, 2008. For more information, call 402.334.6448.
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Index of Advertisers Advertiser Page Abacus Consulting ...................................................... 50 Accessories by Wards Kitchens and Baths ................ 46 Accessorize That ........................................................... 9 Alegent Health ............................................................... 3 Alkar Billiards ............................................................... 30 All Makes Office Equipment ........................................ 18 Allstate Insurance-Tim Wortman ................................ 46 Amazing Pizza Machine ............................................. 29 Anderson O’Brien Fine Art ......................................... 27 Anti-Defamation League ........................................ Insert Associated Counseling Professionals ......................... 18 Bell, Angela Massage Therapist .................................... 5 Bergman Jewelers ...................................................... 35 Beth El Sisterhood Boutique ....................................... 35 Billings Photography ................................................... 34 Bloomfield Forum ....................................................... 35 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska ............................. 4 Body Basics ................................................................. 47 Borsheim’s .................................................................. 39 Broadmoor Market ..................................................... 27 Brownell Talbot .............................................................. 4 Care Consultants .......................................................... 2 CBRE|Mega ............................................................... 29 Charleston’s ................................................................. 13 Christel’s ...................................................................... 49 Countryside Village ...................................................... 27 Creative Hair Design ................................................... 33 Crown Pointe Retirement Community .......................... 5 Crowne Plaza .............................................................. 49 Cruise Planners ............................................................. 4 Culligan Water ............................................................. 50 Dance Shoppe ............................................................ 27 Darland ....................................................................... 48 Dave and Buster’s ....................................................... 26 Dwornik Law, PC LLO ................................................. 17 Early to Bed ................................................................. 27 Emanuel Contracting, Inc ........................................... 43 Enterprise Bank .......................................................... 29 Eye Essentials ................................................................ 6 Faces Spa .................................................................... 27 Fleming’s ..................................................................... 38 Garbo’s Salons & Spas ............................................... 38 Garden Cafe ................................................................ 47 Genzyme ....................................................................... 8 Girls and Boys Town .................................................... 36 Gordmans ................................................................... 37 Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Inc. ......................... 16 Great Western Wealth Management .......................... 17 Greek Islands ............................................................... 14 Hadassah ................................................................... 45 Hairitage ........................................................................ 2 Harmony Music Boxes ............................................... 49 Hawkins Construction Company ............................... 12 Hy-Vee ......................................................................... 52 Interim HomeStyle Services ....................................... 15 Intima .......................................................................... 47 JetLinx ......................................................................... 21 Jewish National Fund .................................................. 24 Jewish Press .......................................................... 17, 25 Jewish Senior Services ............................................... 48 JMR Productions ......................................................... 41 Katelman Antiques ..................................................... 26 Kidwell Companies ..................................................... 51
Advertiser Page Kohll’s Pharmacy & Healthcare .................................. 41 Lakeside Dentistry ......................................................... 5 Leisure Life Sports ....................................................... 11 Licorice International ................................................... 32 Lied Center .................................................................. 43 Louie M’s Burger Lust ................................................. 14 Malashock Jewelry ..................................................... 28 Malbar Vision Centers ................................................. 18 Market Basket ............................................................. 27 Marriott ........................................................................ 41 MDK & Associates ........................................................ 9 Medicap Pharmacy .................................................... 46 Mid-City Jewelry & Loan ............................................. 50 Mobility Motoring ........................................................... 6 Montessori Educational Centers ................................... 5 Nan C. ......................................................................... 28 Nebraska Children’s Home Society ........................... 40 Nebraska Jewish Historical Society ............................ 32 Nebraska Statewide Classifieds .................................. 23 Nobbies ....................................................................... 40 Noddle Companies ..................................................... 15 NP Dodge-Kathy Miller .................................................. 2 Omaha Children’s Museum ....................................... 30 Omaha Jewelry ........................................................... 47 Omaha Paper Stock Co. ............................................... 7 Omaha Performing Arts Society ................................. 31 Omaha Steaks ............................................................ 37 Omaha Surgical Center .............................................. 16 Omaha Trans Video .................................................... 32 One Drake Place ......................................................... 45 Parsow’s ...................................................................... 38 Pasta Amore ............................................................... 46 Picture Man ................................................................. 28 Pulverente ................................................................... 23 Pura Vida Blue ............................................................ 38 Purdy and Slack Architects ......................................... 42 Regency Court ............................................................ 38 Remington Heights ..................................................... 44 Rockbrook Floors ......................................................... 17 Rockbrook Village .................................................. 46, 47 Rossi ............................................................................ 46 Russell’s ....................................................................... 27 Sarah’s ........................................................................ 27 Scott Conference Center ............................................ 43 Security National Bank ............................................... 49 ShirTal Jewelry ............................................................. 28 Smile Design Studio ...................................................... 6 Sol’s Jewelry & Loan ................................................... 32 Soul Desires ................................................................ 26 Sound Environment .................................................... 47 Spirit World .................................................................. 14 St. Joseph Villa ............................................................ 11 String of Purls .............................................................. 27 Suburban Newspapers Inc. .......................................... 9 Temple Israel ............................................................... 15 University of Nebraska Medical Center ....................... 19 University of Nebraska-Omaha Sports ......................... 6 V. Mertz ........................................................................ 13 Valentino’s ................................................................... 13 Wells Blue Bunny ........................................................ 34 Zio’s .............................................................................. 14 Zongker’s ..................................................................... 30 Zuerlein Dentistry ........................................................ 10
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 23, 2007
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