Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Morocco’s Jewish heritage
November 29, 2013 26 Kislev 5774 Vol. 94 | No. 11
This Week
by DR. MOSHE GERSHOVICH This is part II in a three-part series about Morocco’s Jewish history. Part I appreared in our Nov. 22 edition; look far part III in the coming weeks. An Orphanage in Sefrou The following morning we left Fez and drove east to Bahlil, a charming Arab-speaking village in the midst of a Berber-speaking region, where we were treated to a tea ceremony in a cave-dwelling. From there we continued to Sefrou, the region’s administrative center. Located at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains, 28 km (18 miles) from Fez, this town of some 80,000 inhabitants has played an important role as a trading center on the route of caravans from the southeastern oasis of Tafilalt, birthplace of Morocco’s ruling dynasty. Nowadays, the local economy is based mostly on agriculture, and the town is known for its annual cherry festival in the month of June. Sefrou used to be a cultural crossroads where Jews and Muslims, Berbers and Arabs peacefully coexisted for centuries. This cultural mosaic led numerous American anthropologists, notably Clifford Geertz, to choose Sefrou for their field research. For much of its history,
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The city of Sefrou Sefrou had been one of a handful Moroccan villages with a high percentage of Jewish population. By the time of Moroccan independence in 1956, Jews still composed a third of Sefrou’s population, about 5,000 living in the
Friedel’s field trip
small Mellah. Only a few remain there since the mass exodus of Morocco’s Jews in the 1960s and early 1970s. The Jewish Mellah is now inhabited by Muslims and the property left behind is taken care of by them.
Our group visited one of these places, an orphanage named Em Habanim (“Mother of the Boys”), situated just outside the Mellah in an enclosed compound. The orphanage Continued on page 2
A busy six days for the Center for Jewish Life
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From left to right: Friedel students Shushan, and Zoë Berman. by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Friedel Jewish Academy “We appreciate the diversity of our student body,” noted Pam Cohn, principal of Friedel Jewish Academy. With a student body that represents
Rebecca Denenberg, Nehoray Ben all three Omaha synagogues, “It’s important for other students to see where their peers attend synagogue and talk about the similarities and differences of the synagogues,” she added. She described a visit to Beth Israel in early November as “an educational celebration of that diversity.” Each year around the time of Kristallnacht, a series of coordinated attacks in November 1938 throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria, the Friedel students learn about the Night of Broken Glass. In conjunction with this unit, which left more than 1,000 synagogues burned, Jewish homes, hospitals, Continued on page 2
Lynne Golodner by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life While it certainly was not the creation of heaven and earth or Adam and Eve, the Center for Jewish Life recently had its own memorable “creative” stretch, presenting
four events over a six-day period. The events began on Nov. 12 when Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, Omaha’s Community Shaliach, presented not one, but two sessions of Eye on Israel. The first session held at Noon and the second in the Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | November 29, 2013
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Morocco’s Jewish heritage
Continued from page 1 and French. A second sign above the inner entrance prohad been part of the Em Habanim network of Jewish vides more proper introduction in four languages, including Moroccan schools, established in 1912 by a group of Jewish English and Hebrew. Another plaque, in French only, is dedwomen as a counterpart to icated to the man who the Francophone system of founded the museum and the Alliance IsraĂŠlite the foundation for the Universelle. The first preservation of Moroccan school and orphanage was Jewish culture, Simon established in Fez and the Levy. Sefrou school was inauguWidely regarded as rated in 1917. It provided Morocco’s foremost elementary education to authority on Moroccan Jewish children for five Jewish culture, Levy was decades. Today, the place is born in Fez in 1934 and deserted for the most part, died in Rabat 77 years except for groups like ours later. He was a professor in who visit it occasionally. the Spanish Department of Our tour focused on the Mohamed V University in The Museum of Moroccan Judaism orphanage’s synagogue, Rabat since 1971. A devotwhich is well preserved and contains a small library of ed activist since his youth to the cause of Moroccan indeHebrew prayer books (Sidurim) as well as some books in pendence and human rights, Simon Levy had been imprisFrench. The pastel-colored walls and decorations hint at the oned numerous times during the late colonial period and identity of its original residents. A short clip from a 1997 again during the reign of King Hassan II. He was a leading documentary film by director David Assulin, called Haaretz figure and active member of Morocco’s Communist party, in Hamuvtahat (The Promised Land) contains original footage, which he held key positions for more than 30 years. He was presumably from the 1950s, depicting Jewish boys eating also the Secretary General of the “Foundation of Judeoand praying at the school. Moroccan Cultural Heritageâ€? and the Founding Director of A Museum in Casablanca the Museum in Casablanca. On the last day of our tour we reached Morocco’s largest The museum contains a permanent display of artifacts city, Casablanca. As we approached the city from its south- related to the rich history and culture of Moroccan Jewry. ern side, having arrived from Marrakech, we stopped at the These range from large items, such as the restored bimah plush suburb of Oasis to visit the Museum of Moroccan from a synagogue in Tetouan (Northern Morocco) to small Judaism. This is the only museum of its kind in any Arab- dolls depicting Jewish brides in their wedding dresses. Fullspeaking country and one of only two museums in any size garments are also displayed, along with stunning jewelMuslim country (the other is located in Istanbul, Turkey). It ry pieces worn by brides. Various religious artifacts such as is also the only museum in the entire city of Casablanca, the mezuzahs (doorposts), Hanukiah menorahs, Kiddush cups, fifth largest city in Africa. etc. can also be found in the exhibit halls. Other than the Situated behind the thick white walls of a lovely villa, it permanent collection, the museum also organizes occasiononce served, just like in Sefrou, as an orphanage. The muse- al exhibits on related topics. um is surrounded by a beautiful garden, which blends well Moshe Gershovich is Professor of History at UNO, speinto this plush neighborhood. There are no signs to guide cializing in Middle East History. He also serves as the the visitors to its location and only when you get there can Director of the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for you notice a generic plaque stating it’s a “museumâ€? in Arabic Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO.
A busy six days for the Center for Jewish Life
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Continued from page 1 evening, focused on Haredim serving in the IDF and on current happenings in Iran. Eliad led an in-depth discussion about both issues and shared the ways each have been depicted in a variety of Israeli media outlets. Attendees contributed to the lively discussions, with opinions shared on all sides of the issues. (Eliad’s next Eye session will be held at Noon on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.) The following day, the 40th year of celebrating Jewish Book Month in Omaha was highlighted by the annual Jewish Book Month Luncheon. Journalist and author Lynne Golodner delighted the audience of nearly 60 people, sharing her experiences in writing the book The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. Three breads from the book were included with the lunch, adding to delicious flavors of the day. Earlier that day, Golodner led a writing workshop for the 5th and 6th grade students at Friedel Jewish Academy. She talked about her background, telling about her journalistic path. The students were then tasked with describing their favorite – or least favorite – Jewish food without using the name of the food. Golodner was quite taken with Omaha and included the following in a recent blog. “Now, most people in most places offer looks of scorn when you say you’re visiting somewhere other than the world’s highlights – if it’s not
Paris or London or New York or L.A., they don’t much care. Except real life happens everywhere else, you know, and that’s exactly why I’m falling in love with Omaha... The people I’ve met so far have lived their lives in Nebraska. And in a Jewish community of just 5,500 it is remarkable – and ground-breaking – that everyone is friends... Here, people are happy. Accepting. Proud. Living real lives.� (For the complete blog entry, visit www.lynnegolodner.com.) The final event of the series was held on Sunday, Nov. 17 when Omaha joined over 350 communities around the world in celebrating the “Global Day of Jewish Learning.� Presentations on a wide variety of topics were given by professors from Creighton, the University of NebraskaOmaha and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Over 50 people participated and comments shared included “Such a great event,� “I wish I could have heard all the sessions� and “It’s great to have so much local talent to give the talks.� The event was chaired by Dr. Leonard Greenspoon and sponsored by the fund of the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilizations at Creighton University. The mission of the Center for Jewish Life is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For information on any CJL events, please call 402.334.6445 or visit the agency’s page at www.jewishomaha.org.
Friedel’s field trip Continued from page 1 businesses, and schools ransacked, Friedel students visit a synagogue in Omaha or Council Bluffs. This year, they went to Beth Israel. As the students, ranging from kindergartners to sixth graders, listened, Rabbi Jonathan Gross took them on a tour of the synagogue explaining the significance and purpose of each area as well as the meaning of artifacts. Rabbi Gross emphasized that the synagogue is a place where people come together to study Torah, specifically on Shabbat. He also talked about “Good Shabbos Nebraska� when guest speakers converse on a wide range of subjects at Saturday morning worship services at the synagogue. With worksheets indicating specific items the students need to identify during their visits, they have recognized identical Holocaust memorial plaques, all donated by
Holocaust survivor Sam Fried, at each synagogue. The plaques make a connection that link Kristallnacht, viewed by historians as the beginning of the Final Solution and the Holocaust, to the Jewish community here. Doron Margalit, a sixth grader on the field trip, appreciated “that Rabbi Gross explained the things they do at Beth Israel. He explained about the different parts of the synagogue.� She described the environment as “happy.� She enjoys the field trips and going to a different synagogue every year. “Rabbi Gross is a good teacher,� Doron added. She attends Scholar’s Club, which the rabbi teaches, once a week. Brad Berman, a fourth grader, agreed that the visit was “good. We learned a new rule: You cannot use a sanctuary for a shortcut unless you recite a passage from the Torah.� Brad admitted his “favorite part of the entire thing was going out to the sukkah� where everyone had a snack.
November 29, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3
A passion for public service by DAVID GOLBITZ As a member of BBYO, Justin Zachary Spooner realized he wanted to “better society and contribute to something bigger than” himself, which is why, fresh from graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August, he decided to run for a seat in the Nebraska state legislature. “I’ve always had a passion for public and civil service,” Spooner said. “It’s something that’s been instilled in me from a young age.” Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the history of Temple Israel, Spooner has been an active member of the community almost literally since he was born: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, who came to Omaha when Justin’s grandJustin Zachary Spooner father, Jerry Milder, was president of the congregation, performed Justin’s baby naming ceremony. “Through the years it was really a pleasure to have [Justin] in my classes and to watch him grow up,” Rabbi Azriel said. “He was such a wonderful student and has always exhibited an amazing desire to help everyone.” At UNL, Spooner briefly pursued a degree in Business Administration before switching to a double major in Political Science and History. In the summer before his sophomore year of college, he interned for the state of Massachusetts where he worked in the state treasury office and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Spooner has worked in Washington D.C., Lincoln and Omaha for both former Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson and current Senator Mike Johanns. “You’re always told by your parents that when you want to see change happen, do something about it yourself,” Spooner said. “And I’ve found that this, running for office, is the best possible way for me to do something about the issues I’m passionate about.” Among his list of core issues, Spooner ranks education number one. “You hear that often from politicians and government
officials these days, that education is the most important thing, and I firmly believe that, especially from an early childhood standpoint,” he said. Spooner also wants to take a cue from his day job as Development Associate for the Jewish Federation of Omaha and work to more fully engage young adults in Omaha. At work, Spooner works with many young adults as head of Young Jewish Omaha, a social group for Jewish Omahans in their 20s and 30s, as well as with BBYO. “I want to make young people aware that government is not there to hurt you,” Spooner said, “but government is there to help you.” Spooner cites peers who left Nebraska to attend college in other states who haven’t returned. “They don’t want to come back,” Spooner said. “And why? Because there are so many more opportunities that they can find elsewhere. I want to be able to show them, come back, Nebraska is a great place for your family, a great place for you to start a life. The more people we can keep in our state, and bring back to our state after school, the better it will grow, the better the economy will be, the more jobs will be created.” “[Justin] is very intelligent, very diligent,” said Marty Ricks, the Federation’s Chief Development Officer and Spooner’s boss. “He’s passionate about his work on this campus and a great team member. He’s going to be very successful at anything he does in life.” Spooner is so passionate about Omaha partly because “a large part of what I’ve been able to accomplish in my life has been because of the support the Jewish community has shown me, whether it’s providing me the financial ability to go to summer camp or helping me go to Israel for a summer, or go to all these BBYO conventions, or providing me my first job out of college... everything this community has provided me, I want to be able give back, and that can be said about Omaha as well, not just the Jewish community.” Spooner will announce his candidacy during a kickoff event at the JCC on Dec. 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. “I’m running because I want to make this community a better place than it already is,” Spooner said. “It’s already a great place, but we can do better. I want us to strive to do better every chance we get.”
Annual blood drive at Temple Israel by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer For the last five years, Temple Israel has met or exceeded its quota of blood donations and on Sunday, Dec. 8, the congregation is looking to make it six straight for its annual Red Cross Blood Drive. “Blood donations are always needed,” Executive Director Dennis DePorte said. “And giving blood is one of the easiest things we can do to help our community.” Temple Israel’s goal is to collect 34 pints of blood from at least 40 v o l u n t e e r s . Rabbi Aryeh Azriel giving blood during Anyone interested last year’s blood drive at Temple Israel. in donating can visit www.redcrossblood.org and search sponsor code 009113 to make an appointment. You may also call 800.RED.CROSS or contact Deporte at ddeporte@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536 to make an appointment. “To paraphrase the Talmud, to save one life is to save the entire world,” Rabbi Josh Brown said. Temple Israel member Sarah Gilbert is a frequent blood donor. “The first time I gave blood was in graduate school, to keep some friends company,” Gilbert said. “After I read just one brochure on how donated blood saves lives, I made a goal to become a 10-gallon donor. I hope that nobody I know ever needs donated blood, for either trauma or a chronic condition, but if they do I want to do everything I can to ensure an ample supply of blood.” Volunteers are reminded to bring a photo ID and to drink plenty of water and eat before they donate.
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Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org
4 | The Jewish Press | November 29, 2013
2013 Year-end tax planning
From the Foundation Director HOWARD EPSTEIN, Executive Director, JFO Foundation Year-end is often an opportune time to consider financial and tax planning strategies. Use these last few weeks of the year to review your investment portfolio and consider tax and financial strategies. Please engage your tax and investment professionals to “run the numbers” before taking final action. New Tax Rates for 2013: Last January, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) which permanently extended the Bush-era individual income tax rate cuts for most taxpayers but also put in place a top income tax bracket of 39.6 percent for higher-income taxpayers (taxable income over $450,000 for married taxpayers and $400,000 for individuals). ATRA also reintroduces a phase-out of itemized deductions (the so-called “Pease” limitation) that reduces the benefit of certain deductions. In general, an additional 3.8 percent Medicare tax is imposed on investment income, such as capital gains, in excess of $250,000 for married taxpayers and $200,000 for individuals. Further, an additional 0.9 percent tax is imposed on wage income above these thresholds. Because the top tax rates have jumped significantly, certain strategies to defer income and accelerate deductions may be more important than ever for many taxpayers before year-end. Shift income and deductions where possible: Tried and true year-end tax strategies generally revolve around shifting some tax burden to a future year. Deferring receipt of a bonus payment to 2014, accelerating deductions into 2013 by prepaying a deductible expense, or making larger charitable gifts all can lower this year’s bill. Keep in mind however, that you need to factor in the “alternative minimum tax” to determine if shifting income and deduction strategies provide maximum savings in your financial situation. Recognizing Investment Gains and Losses: Timing the recognition of capital gains and losses helps maximize offsetting short-term gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates with short-term losses. Perhaps more importantly, ATRA raises the top rate for long-term capital gains (those held for more than one year) to 20 percent for taxpayers in the 39.6 percent income tax rate bracket ($450,000 married taxpayers and $400,000 individuals). The tax rate actually reaches 23.8 percent when you factor in the health care surtax. There are a number of charitable giving strategies that can
be used to avoid the capital gains tax including donating appreciated stock to create a donor advised fund (“DAF”) at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation or adding such securities to an existing DAF. Remember, however, in cases where the value of the stock remains below your cost basis, it most likely makes sense to sell the stock first, recognizing the tax loss, and then gift the proceeds to charity. Estate and Gift Strategies to Consider: In some circumstances, you may want to consider making large gifts or transferring appreciated property to intended beneficiaries before year-end. Other gifting and estate planning strategies to consider include gifts in trust, and other more complex transfer transactions such as use of life insurance trusts and grantor retained annuity trusts. Both your tax advisor and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation staff can help here. Charitable Giving at Year-end: Accelerating or increasing charitable contributions at year-end is among the most effective planning strategies to reduce your tax liability and get needed financial support into the hands of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation and your other favorite charities sooner. Some year-end points to remember: (1) gifts by check are considered complete this year as long as they are dated and mailed by December 31, 2013, even if the charity doesn’t cash the check until January, 2014; and (2) pledges and other obligations cannot be deducted unless actually satisfied by December 31. Giving Techniques and Interest Rates: A number of other techniques deserve special consideration as interest rates remain relatively low. A charitable lead trust, a planning vehicle where the trust pays income to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for a period of years and subsequently transfers the trust property to others, including family members, can provide a current charitable gift as well as reduce federal transfer tax. Grantor retained annuity trusts should also be considered to shift appreciating assets to others at little or no gift tax. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation can help you maximize your gift to the Omaha Jewish community: The Foundation staff remains available to work with you and your tax advisors to maximize the benefits of these and other tax planning strategies for you. In turn, you and your tax advisor can work with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation to maximize your gift to the Omaha Jewish community. For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Howard N. Epstein at 402.334.6466 or hepstein@jewishomaha.org. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice. When considering gift planning strategies, you should always consult with your own legal and tax advisors.
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CJL Friday Learning Series focuses on Moroccan Jews by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, the Center for Jewish Life No doubt, magic carpets, belly dancing and Casablanca come to mind when thinking of Morocco. But Moroccan Jews? Explore the rich history of the Moroccan Jewish community with Dr. Moshe Gershovich during the Center for Jewish Life’s “Friday Learning Series” this December. The class will meet Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 11 a.m.-noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Dr. Gershovich, Professor of History at UNO, specializes in Middle East History and Dr. Moshe Gershovich serves as the Director of the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies. Having studied the history of Morocco for nearly 30 years, Dr. Gershovich is uniquely qualified to lead this class which begins with the early history of this fascinating group and moves through to modern times. “Up to two generations ago, a small yet significant portion of the population exercised the Jewish faith while sharing a common heritage with
their Muslim compatriots” reports Gershovich. “Numbering more than a quarter of a million souls at the time of Morocco’s independence in 1956 (out of a population of about 10 million), the Jewish community today has shrunk to about 5,000 members.” Gershovich recently traveled to Morocco with a Smithsonian Journeys tour called “The Splendors of Morocco.” It was the fourth time he has been part of that trip. The tour included visits to a cemetery and synagogue in the old Mellah (Jewish neighborhood) of Fez, an orphanage in Sefrou which had been part of a network of Jewish Moroccan schools and a museum in Casablanca. (A complete story of Dr. Gershovich’s experience can be found on the Jewish Press website at www.jewishomaha.org.) Tuition for “Moroccan Jews” is $26, discounted to $21 for those in good standing with the Federation’s Annual Campaign. To register, please call 402.334.6463 or email mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. For your convenience with the Friday Learning Series classes, a class card is available for $50. The card may be used for eight sessions on a one-by-one basis and is sold for a savings over entire class registrations. Classes are offered through the Center for Jewish Life (CJL), an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The mission of CJL is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
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Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, Dec. 4, noon, at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish is now presented in transliterated form using the Roman alphabet; everyone can become a maven instantly. One word in Yiddish has more meaning than a dozen words in any other language. So be a mentsh and zog a por verter, (say a few words). We meet every Thursday from 1-3 p.m., in the boardroom of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. For information, please call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
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Jessie Wees 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org
November 29, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5
December Community Calendar FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Friday Learning: Moroccan Jews with Moshe Gershovich, 11 a.m. Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Hanukkah Dinner, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El 39 Forever Hanukkah Party, 6 p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Family Hanukkah Party, 3 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Friedel Hanukkah Candle lighting with RBJH, 2:15 p.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 IHE Essay Contest Educator’s Workshop, 4:15 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Chabad Menorah Parade, 4 p.m. at Boystown Town (Dodge St Entrance) Women’s Annual Hanukkah Party, 7 p.m. at Chabad
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 Friday Learning: Moroccan Jews with Moshe Gershovich, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Shabbat comes to you at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. Family Shabbat Services & Congregational Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hot Topic Series, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Our Shabbat Tables, 12:30 p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 Talmud Torah Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Teacher In-Service with Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, 12:30 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Federation Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Friedel School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 Rabbis and Presidents Meeting, noon BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Congregational Hanukkah Dinner & Artist-in-Residence: Mordechai Rosenstein, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Artist-in-Residence, 10 a.m. at Beth El Friedel Hanukkah Play, 7 p.m. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 Friday Learning: Moroccan Jews with Moshe Gershovich, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Artist-in-Residence, 6 p.m. at Beth El First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Congregational Dinner, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Artist-in-Residence, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Shabbat’s Cool, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hot Topic Series, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El 39 Forever Event (Hanukkah Party), 6 p.m. at Parkwood Terrace Clubhouse Beth El Artist-in-Residence, 7 p.m. at Patty and Steve Nogg’s home SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 Talmud Torah Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Adult Ed Class, The Secrets of the Jews, 10 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh and Sisterhood Brunch, noon at Beth El MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Jewish Medical Ethics, noon at the Med Center BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7 p.m. Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon Planning and Community Engagement Committee meeting, noon
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Friedel PTO Meeting, 11 a.m. Eye on Israel with Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, noon The Ethics of Our Fathers, 2 p.m. at Remington Heights Annual Campaign Telethon, 5 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. BESTT Talmud Torah Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 4 p.m. BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Musical Theater Dress Rehearsal, 4 p.m. Sisterhood Dames and Drinks, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 Friday Learning: Moroccan Jews with Moshe Gershovich, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Musical Shabbat, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Show, Fiddler on the Roof Jr., 7 p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Show, Fiddler on the Roof Jr., 4 p.m.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Young Jewish Omaha Matzo Ball Bash, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Men’s Club Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 Beth El Brings Shabbat to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Social Action Committee Serves Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at The Stephen Center MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.
All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
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6 | The Jewish Press | November 29, 2013
Friends, families connect during Beth El’s Family Shabbaton It’s the Beat! with Karen Sokolof Javitch & Jody Vinci www.Itsthebeat.net
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by JILL BELMONT “The biggest impact of the weekend was the fact we were Beth El Publicity able to get to know members on a friend basis, as opposed It was a weekend of connecting – connecting with friends to an acquaintance basis,” said Sheila Rich, who attended old and new, with family members, with Judaism. Beth El’s with her husband Jonathan and their sons Alex and Zachary. Family Shabbaton served “Too often, all you have time as the conduit for these for is a wave here and a wave connections, as over 100 there. The Shabbaton weekend people converged on the allowed for friendships to be Lied Lodge in Nebraska built.” City for the special weekFamily Feud and the Shabbat end retreat. sing-off were a great hit with “The weekend was a her boys, and “they brought great opportunity to get home ruach for the prayers.” to know and spend more “All in all it was a great weektime with other Beth-El end which had many wonderfamilies,” said Karen ful memories,” Rich said. “We Klingberg, who attended can’t wait until next year!” with her children This was the third Shabbaton Phoenix and Sophie. “It for Phil and Erika Lucoff and was great to disconnect their children, Oliver and Jake. from our regular weekThe weekend was special to end routine and dedicate their family because “we don’t the time to more meanoften have the time on weekingful activities and conends to be able to consistently nect a little more with see all of our friends, and this our Jewish identity. weekend, we were able to not Seeing my children haponly reconnect with good pily singing during friends, but since it was so wellbenching and participatattended, we also got to meet ing in the other activities and connect with new famiwarmed my heart and lies,” Phil said. Stephanie Sigmond and her daughter, Natalie was a reaffirmation of Among the Lucoff family’s how important it is to me that they grow up being part of the favorite activities were the Havdalah bonfire (“and of course, community and the synagogue.” the s’mores,” Phil noted), and the art project on the last day, Geared to families with children from infancy through when the boys created simulated-stained-glass window colmiddle school, the shabbaton featured nature hikes, a lively lages. Shabbat sing-off, ‘davening aerobics,’ art projects, discussion Jordana Kurtzman and her sons Isaac and Joshua, were groups, and a Havdalah bonfire, among other engaging first-time Shabbaton attendees, and she applauded all of the activities. Leading the programs were Rabbi Steven program leaders, and especially Gutnik, for “her amazing Abraham, Hazzan Michael Krausman, Eadie Tsabari, job in organizing the accommodations, the food, the activiDirector of Congregational Learning, Program Director ties, and so much more that we don’t even know about, Margie Gutnik, Carole Greenberg and Andy Greenberg, as because everything ran so seamlessly.” well as several representatives from Camp Ramah. “This was a great way to meet other Jewish families in the “New friendships and the feeling of camaraderie” were the community,” she said. “We would definitely go again!” defining characteristics of the retreat, Gutnik said -- and To see photos from the Family Shabbaton, visit Beth El’s many attendees were in agreement. website, www.bethel-omaha.org.
by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will begin teaching an adult education class at Temple Israel about comparative religion. Entitled “Judaism and Religious Literacy,” the class will not only look at the different strains of Judaism--Reform, Conservative, Orthodox--but will also explore the various facets of Christianity and Islam. “With an eye towards Tri-Faith, we should want to become more educated and versed in other religions, rituals, disciplines, teaching, values,” Rabbi Azriel said. “Just because we live among Christians doesn’t mean we know everything about them.” Rabbi Azriel’s class will feature discussions led by the rabbi himself as well as clergy and other religious experts from the other faiths, including Reverend J. Scott Barker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska. Other speakers will include representatives of the Catholic Church and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture. “The idea is to bring experts from the outside, religious people, who can teach about other religions,” Rabbi Azriel said. “And we will be able to ask questions of these people to learn more about their beliefs.” December not only marks the beginning of Rabbi Azriel’s Wednesday evening class, but also the conclusion of his Thursday morning Adult Study course on the history of Hasidism. Carried over from the spring, Rabbi Azriel continued to delve into the origins of Hasidic Judaism, focusing on Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, also known as Baal Shem Tov, who is credited with founding this branch of Judaism in the mid-18th century. This class studied texts written by the disciples of Baal Shem Tov, who left behind no written works of his own. Given the width and breadth of the topic, Rabbi Azriel hopes to continue teaching his class on Hasidism. Details will be forthcoming. Temple Israel member Beth Brodkey regularly attends
the Thursday morning Adult Study classes because “there’s always something I don’t know anything about. I’m so unversed in it all, everything was so interesting and new.” Brodkey also commends Rabbi Azriel as being “a great teacher.” “He’s always such a pleasure to listen to,” she said. “And he’s always so enthusiastic about the material.” With Rabbi Azriel moving from Thursday morning to Wednesday evening, Rabbi Josh Brown is taking over the Thursday class on Dec. 5. His class, entitled “Hiddur Mitzvah: The Art of Beautifying Judaism,” will look at Jewish art and literature, with a close examination of Temple Israel’s new ritual art like the ark curtain, or parochet, the eternal lights in the sanctuary and chapel and the text on the clerestory windows in the sanctuary. “We want to gain an understanding of what Jewish art is and how we have, and how we can continue, to beautify our tradition,” Rabbi Brown said. Rabbi Brown’s class will speak via Skype with many of the artists who contributed art to the new building, and will also explore the elegant literature of ancient Jewish texts. Rabbi Brown will also introduce the class to “Unscrolled,” an online multimedia “gathering of engaging, diverse voices that will speak to anyone interested in Jewish culture and identity.” The website uses stories, poems, memoirs, plays and infographics to “offer a fresh take on the Torah, its value, and its place in our lives.” Throughout the class, students will also have the opportunity to write their own reflections about Jewish art. Rabbi Azriel’s Wednesday evening class, 6:30-8 p.m., is open to anyone, free of charge. Thursday morning’s Adult Study with Rabbi Brown, 10-11:30 a.m., costs $45 for members and $55 for non-members. Contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg for more information. Temple Israel’s Adult Education is sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning.
November 29, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7
What was said about the Pew poll: Part 2 by BETH COHEN Executive Director, the Center for Jewish Life On Nov. 5, 2013, the Center for Jewish Life organized a panel to discuss the findings and implications of the Pew Research Center’s A Portrait of Jewish Americans.Over 225 people attended the program which was held at Temple Israel. Excerpted quotes from one of the questions are below. The full video of the twohour program is posted at www.jewishomaha.org, and click on the tab for the Center for Jewish Life. An anonymous donor leaves a ten million dollar bequest with only one condition - that it be spent to connect more Jews in Omaha with a stronger commitment to Judaism. You have sole control of the funds. How would you spend the money? Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Taking young interfaith couples to Israel is the second stage of Birthright. I will invest the money in these young couples. The other thing is, and maybe it is time for us to talk about this seriously, there are 60 million Americans that don’t have any religion. How about becoming a missionary religion? We are in America now. I think we need to figure out what should be our relationship among our neighbors. From my experience, I think there are a lot of people who are Americans, and that’s it. It could be fascinating for us to open the door and invite them in. Rabbi Steven Abraham Ten million dollars and I’m a simple guy. It would be pretty easy. I would buy a bus ticket for every kid to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and I would build a Jewish high school in Omaha. Whether it be Sabra or Herzl or Ramah, I say Ramah because it is the Conservative movement camp. What Ramah and day school does is creates an environment where they are in a bubble. What I’ll say even further is I wouldn’t split it 50/50. I’d probably do 70/30 to camp. When you send kids to camp, they are being acculturated, and we cannot replicate that when they are
home, no matter how much we ever try. Rabbi Mendel Katzman After saying thank you to the anonymous donor, I would say there is a lot that can be done. We are blessed to be in a community where the people who are in the business of doing business realize that the greatest investment is furthering the education and culture, and understanding that Judaism is not in the synagogue. Judaism is in each and every one of us, in our homes, in our families, and that is really where it has to be nurtured. Rabbi Josh Brown I don’t think that going back to traditional Shabbat as Rabbi Gross suggests, is what everyone is looking for. But what we learn from Orthodoxy in the study is that Jewish immersion works. Orthodoxy has a great answer. Many of us have gone searching for another answer, and we have to hold up our end of the bargain by immersing ourselves. Every kid should go to camp, every kid should go to Israel. I think we have to answer the reason why. Why should we be Jewish? We have to respond to people with a real answer and the answer has to be that life is better. It can’t be only about history,
although that is a big part of it. And it can’t only be about preserving something for someone else’s sake. As a millennial, I’ll say I think our generation is a little arrogant in thinking that we can Google the answer and figure it out on our own. Judaism is wiser than that and has been giving us lessons. We keep talking about intermarriage and about other issues that are uniquely Jewish when we could be solving peoples’ life problems
and they would come in droves. Rabbi Jonathan Gross I agree with the idea of immersion. Shabbos is meant to create that kind of immersion. It gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Judaism and in Torah. You ask about 10 million dollars? Money is not the answer to this problem. It is people. We have to come back to the Torah, come back to the mitzvot, and that is the answer. It is the simplest answer and now it is scientifically proven from the Pew study. Mike Silverman The organization that oversees all the Federations in the country has a new initiative looking into making Hebrew day school free to anyone who wants to go. I think it is a pretty interesting initiative because there are a lot of statistics out there that say that Hebrew day school and Jewish summer camp will help to sustain us as a people and will keep people Jewishly connected. If we were given this money, I think we need to look at how we can use the money to strengthen our community for each generation to come. I would also be interested in financially supporting to a greater extent the Hebrew schools at the synagogues, and a middle school and high school experience for our Jewish kids as well.
B’nai Israel Speaker Series Gary Javitch, President of Javitch Mediation, discussed Israel: are settlements the real problem? Javitch made his presentation at B’nai Israel’s Nov. 8 Speaker Series. Larry Blass conducted services. The next Speakers Series Service will be on Dec. 13. Joan Cooper, Foster Care Advocate, will discuss the topic A Jewish Journey to Foster Care. Services begin at 7:30 p.m. and are followed by an Oneg. B’nai Israel is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
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Thanksgiving Hanukkah Party Saturday, November 30 | 7:30 p.m. One Pacific Place Clubhouse | 1365 S. 101 St. Kosher Food will be provided by Star Catering Festive Music | Hanukkah Games | Good Drink The entire 22-35 Jewish young adult community is invited to attend Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@ jewish omaha.org.
Young Jewish Omaha’s mission is to offer young Jewish singles, couples and families in their 20s and 30s a broad range of social, educational, volunteer, philanthropic and leadership development opportunities. YJO is an organization sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
8 | The Jewish Press | November 29, 2013
Point of view
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Neighbors
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Growing up, I heard stories from my teachers about Beirut, and how once it was considered the “Paris of the Middle east.” A city straight out of a Scheherazade-inspired fairy tale, with ornate palaces, mouth-watering food and an abundance of rich tourists walking the promenades. A place where culture reigned. But Civil war broke out in 1975, and whenever I saw Beirut on the news, it looked like a bullet-ridden hellhole, full of desperate people who had nothing to live for. Not much has changed over the past decades; something we were reminded of when, on Nov. 19, a double suicide attack killed at least 23 and wounded many others at the Iranian embassy. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades, a Sunni Jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack. Sure, the city is considered the focal point of Lebanon’s cultural life, and has undergone much rebuilding since the Lebanese Civil War ended in 1990. In 2009, the New York Times named it the top place to visit, and it has been ranked as the fourth most expensive city in the Middle East in a 2010 study by the American consulting firm Mercer. The 2011 MasterCard Index noted that Beirut had the secondhighest visitor spending, totaling $6.5 billion. However, underneath that shiny surface, tensions are brewing. Al-Qaeda affiliated groups like the Abdullah Azzam Brigades have been operating in Lebanon for years, even though it is Hezbollah territory. While in the West, the public tends to not distinguish between different terrorist groups; Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda are sworn enemies. What makes this even more urgent at the moment is the fact that Hezbollah openly supports the regime of Syrian’s President Bashar al-Assad, while Al-Qaeda and its affiliates support the Syrian rebels. Thus, the Nov. 19 bombing, while directly attacking Iran, was also a declaration of war against Hezbollah, because of the embassy’s location. To make things even more complicated, the reason Hezbollah supports the Syrian regime is Syria’s resistance against Israel,
according to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. In the meantime, Lebanon has been without a government for seven months; mere days before the embassy’s bombing, Hezbollah indicated it would not stop fighting in Syria just to become part of a new Lebanese government: “The country’s former prime minister, the Future Movement leader Saad Hariri, has refused to drop his demand that the Shia militia withdraws from Syria. Nasrallah called that demand “crippling.” (The Guardian, Nov. 14)
Immediately following the attack on the embassy, the Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon gave out the following statement: “Any attempt to thwart Iran’s agendas will be unsuccessful. We have no fear when it comes to giving more martyrs in the line of duties.” Iran may take the attack in stride, but Lebanon’s Future Movement will get tired of these types of attacks, especially since Lebanon also has to deal with the more than 800,000 Syrian refugees who have crossed its borders. Technically, the United States, Israel, and Al Qaeda are on the same side here, which is a little mind-blowing. Add to that Hezbollah’s accusation that those Arab countries (with Saudi
Arabia at the top of the list) that oppose the Syrian regime and support the rebels are in cahoots with the Knesset. Nasrallah thinks those Arab countries are allowing Bibi Netanyahu to tell them what to do, and they listen to him. What a mess. It serves as a reminder that, whatever we may think about the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Israel has some very conflicted neighbors. In June of this year, the Times of Israel published a piece with the ominous title, “What’s left of Israel’s peace with its neighbors?” Not much, says writer Elhanan Miller. While Jordan and Egypt are often mentioned as examples of why ‘cold peace’ is possible, relations with both countries have gradually deteriorated over the years. In addition, the relationship with Saudi Arabia (not technically a neighbor, but close enough) is fragile at best, although common enemy Iran has brought the regimes somewhat closer. It was even suggested the Saudis considered allowing Israel to use its airspace in a potential strike on Iran--not that either regime would admit to that. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Iraq and Turkey within shouting distance. Is it any wonder Israelis sometimes get a little exasperated when American politicians try to tell them what to do? We, in the West, have no idea what it’s like to be surrounded by so much conflict, and still maintain our composure. Because while all this goes on, day after day, Israel continues an everyday life that includes start-ups, technological advances, medical breakthroughs and immense cultural achievements. They treat Syrian refugees in their hospitals, send medical aid to the Philippines, and host millions of tourists who often don’t stop to think about how precarious the situation really is. Think about it, the next time you tear into a tub of Sabra hummus or decide to invest in some Soda Stream. Over the years, Israeli society has shown a tenacity that is unequaled, and almost unimaginable. Without understanding that, our support for Israel is not much more than lip service.
Christian Football in Nebraska
Focus on issues DAVID MOSHMAN Ron Brown, assistant coach of the University of NebraskaLincoln football team, acknowledged at UNL’s Big Red Breakfast this month that he reads scripture to his players daily. An article in the Nov. 2 Lincoln Journal Star summarizes and quotes from his response to a question about how he balances faith and football. His answer is that he doesn’t. Faith is not something to be toned down or lifted up to “get in the middle ground.” Faith is not something to be balanced with anything else: “There’s only one way.” And why when he coaches football must he provide his student-athletes with daily Bible readings? “Because I’m trying to coach their heart and soul.” “People say,” he noted, “‘Wait a minute, Brown. You’re not at Nebraska Christian. You’re at a land-grant institution, a state, publicly funded university.’” In response, Brown claimed that “the faculty, those professors in existentialism and philosophy are telling these same players, ‘There is no God. There is no right from wrong.’” That’s where Coach Brown comes in: “I’m just deprogramming all that stuff. I’m giving them my version, what I believe is the truth. Are we a university of diversity? A university of tolerance? Tolerate that.” Okay, I’m trying. Brown’s conception of how a public university should operate, if I understand correctly, is that faculty should be free to do whatever they please, and coaches,
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too: “If those professors want to live out their reality and their truth, they have a right to do that, they’re hired to do that, but so am I.” In a subsequent letter to the editor, Thomas Kiefer, who earned his doctorate in the UNL Department of Philosophy in 2003, wrote that no formal class in existentialism has been taught in the department since about 1990. Most of his classes “did not raise the question of God’s existence,” and when the question did come up there was equal attention to authors and arguments on both sides. As for telling students, “There is no right from wrong,” Kiefer denied that any UNL philosopher, then or now, held any such view. He specifically mentioned the distinguished Christian philosopher Robert Audi, who was a professor at UNL until he was recruited away by Notre Dame. Kiefer’s observations hold for other departments as well. Nowhere at UNL, to the best of my knowledge, do faculty teach that there is no God or that right cannot be distinguished from wrong. Ron Brown, Kiefer concludes, simply “made stuff up.” This is not a favored approach to knowledge, either in the philosophy department or anywhere else at UNL. Brown has perhaps misunderstood the concept of academic freedom. Faculty are free to develop and present their own interpretations and ideas in their areas of expertise because such freedom enhances the quality of research and teaching. This is not a right to do anything they please. For example, the state of Nebraska recently provided funding for a study of the effects of climate change on Nebraska agriculture. The study was required to exclude
human factors. UNL rejected the funds and announced a study of its own that will respect the academic freedom of the researchers to consider all relevant evidence and reach whatever conclusions they deem most justified. Needless to say, UNL faculty who teach about climate science will be free to present and discuss the results of this study in their classes regardless of what politicians think should be studied and taught. But faculty are not free to teach whatever they wish about any topic they choose to a captive audience of students. Contrary to Brown’s expansive claims about the rights of professors, UNL faculty do not have a right to indoctrinate students in their religious (or anti-religious) views. Faculty are hired to teach and do research in philosophy, chemistry, engineering, and other subjects, and this is what they do. “I would not be a man of integrity,” said Ron Brown, “if I watered down what I believe.” I have no reason to doubt that he is sincere, and I respect his freedom of belief and his right to express his beliefs. But Ron Brown’s goal of coaching “heart and soul” goes beyond what his job permits. As teachers and coaches we may try to reach students’ hearts, but as employees of a public university it is beyond our purview to aim for their souls. David Moshman is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is the author of Liberty and Learning: Academic Freedom for Teachers and Students. This article was first published in the Huffington Post and has been reprinted with the author’s permission.
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November 29, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9
Young Jews: Who is a Jew, and who isn’t?
Young Jews SOL MARBURG Following the rabbis’ recent panel on the Pew Report on American Jewry, I have some thoughts for everyone. The rules of Judaism, on the face of it, appear to be fairly simple. Sure, they may range based on whether you’re Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, etc., but most of the basic principles still apply. It is one Jewish religion, after all. The rules regarding who is and who isn’t considered a Jew are, to make it very simple: if you are born to a Jewish mother, (or Jewish father, in Reform Judaism), you are Jewish unless you convert to another religion, and if you’re non-Jewish, you can’t be considered a Jew until you’ve gone through a conversion. This isn’t set in stone; many people consider a Jew who has converted to another religion to still be a Jew, and some Jews either won’t accept a conversion to Judaism performed by a less observant sect, or just flat out won’t accept a conversion at all. The rules seem to get more and more complicated as you go along. Some congregations and rabbis won’t perform inter-faith marriages. Some won’t even recognize the legitimacy of an inter-faith marriage, and will reject the participation of that family in the congregation for having turned their back on Judaism. But are these ideas right? How can they be? Judaism is a religion as much as a culture. It’s not a race, not an ethnicity, not a nationality. There is no genetic code for Judaism, no mutation, no distinguishing physical or mental characteristics. One of the major parts of the Nazis’ discrimination of Jews was the deliberately incorrect concept that Judaism was a race; if you were born Jewish, there was no way you could convert or remove yourself from your Jewish identity. It was considered as much a permanent part of you as the color of your skin or the height you grew to be. We know the idea of Judaism being a race isn’t true. As I said before, even though there are cultural elements of Judaism as with any other religion, it is a religion. Religion is, as stated by the New Oxford English Dictionary, “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a God or gods.� Belief. Let that word sink in for a moment. A belief is an opinion. No one can force you to believe in ghosts, and no one can bribe you any amount of money to stop your belief in lucky charms or superstitions. A belief must come from within you. It is a conviction. It is a choice. So who are we to say that someone who has chosen Judaism is not Jewish enough for us, not good enough for us. I am not what you would call a strictly observant Jew. I don’t keep kosher, I attend services maybe once a month, I rarely observe Shabbat, and when I do it involves lighting candles, saying the blessings, and that’s about it. 80% of my friends are Christian, and I observe St. Patrick’s day as much as I do Yom Ha’atzmaut. I’m also borderline atheist, and, according to many of my less-than-politically-correct friends, I don’t “look Jewish� at all. Granted, I work at a religious school, I had my Bar Mitzvah, and I observe the High Holidays. But none of this matters. Even if I had never set foot in a synagogue in the last year, and hadn’t studied one iota after my Bar Mitzvah, or even if I never had a Bar Mitzvah, I could go to any synagogue in this country or in the world, and they would welcome me as a Jew. Why? Based on nothing more than the fact that my mother, and my mother’s mother, and her mother, as far back as we know, are all Jewish. Apparently, that is all that makes a Jew
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technically a Jew. However, if I were to be a devout Jew who was highly observant within reason and led a very Jewish lifestyle dedicated to the study of Torah and other acts of mitzvot, I could still be considered a non-Jew by some if I a) was born to a non-Jewish mother or had been baptized for some reason, b) had never been confirmed or had a Bar Mitzvah, or c) married a non-Jew. All three of these could, for some, mean that I had to undergo a conversion process, even if I had studied and practiced Judaism for a long time. Even once I underwent a conversion, that conversion would likely not be recognized by some Jewish clergy members who are more observant than whichever sect performed the conversion. Also, I should note that for some Jews on the more conservative end of the spectrum, there is no converting back if your “change� is due to an interfaith marriage; once you’ve married a non-Jew, that’s it. You’ve rejected the Jewish community as well as your own Jewish identity. Once again, why? Why is it that, when Judaism is clearly a religion, we treat it in so many ways as a race? Why, when someone has clearly chosen in their adult life to reject Judaism and adopt another religion, do we still insist they are Jewish? More importantly, why do we insist that the only way to be inherently Jewish is to inherit it from one’s mother? Why is it acceptable that two people could go through their lives in one Reform synagogue, both considered Jews, and both equally accepted and respected members of their Jewish community, yet when they decide to become Orthodox or Conservative, one of them has to go through a conversion because his or her mother was not Jewish? The answer: there is no reason. No matter what the Torah says, Judaism is not a race. It is a choice. If you are Jewish, and you were raised Jewish, or you converted in a progressive Jewish synagogue, that’s it. Even if you marry a Catholic and raise Catholic children, if you still declare yourself a Jew, you’re a Jew. Never, for the rest of you life, should you have to have your Judaism questioned. Never should you be told you must convert in order to be considered Jewish. Never should you be shunned from the community for not being Jewish enough. And absolutely never should you have your Judaism questioned or denied for reasons outside your control, such as having a Christian mother or being baptized as a baby. Jews are a minority. We make up less than .3% of the world’s population. Yet some people who question why Judaism is shrinking are also the same people who believe in these overly lofty standards for those who actually wish to
Tigers summon the tribe by MARC BRODSKY Detroit is bringing in the Jews. A couple of weeks after hiring Brad Ausmus as manager, the Tigers on Wednesday traded for Ian Kinsler, previously of the Texas Rangers, to play second base. The cost for the Jewish infielder, a three-time American League All-Star: mega-salaried first baseman Prince Fielder and a cool $30 million. Lucky the bankrupt city doesn’t have to ante up. Kinsler, 31, brings a sound bat and glove to help Ausmus, who managed the Israeli squad that came up short in its
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join the Jewish people. Historically, the Jews have been no strangers to “disownment.� We have been rejected, targeted, and chased out of nearly every country and land at one time or another, some places more than once, most notably, in the biblical days of Egypt, during the Spanish Inquisition, and in Nazi Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. Even as Jews in America today, we continue to feel the pressure of many people who don’t necessarily accept us. So the fact that we, who still have to deal with nations not recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, are making this much trouble for some who want to be recognized as Jewish, is sad. Is this who we are as a people? Do we really want to be a tiny minority that is fighting for recognition of our homeland while still questioning and rejecting our own? We claim to be a just, fair people whose mission is to do right in this world, yet we are turning away or giving a “lower status� to people who want to be a part of it. That is the definition of being a hypocrite. The argument for these practices of which I speak are strong. It is how Jews have done things for a long time, it helps us tell who we think is a “dedicated Jew,� and, most importantly, it is written in the Torah. But now, in this day and age, in 2013, when interfaith marriage rates among Jews are at an all-time high, and many Jews are becoming less observant or less affiliated with a synagogue, it is time to let those practices go. If you think you should follow the Torah and continue believing that some people who claim to be Jewish are not, by some technicality, and make no mistake, it is a technicality, remember this commandment: “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.� Exodus 22:20. Being only 15 years old, I don’t normally quote the Torah, but I believe this directly involves the point I’m trying to make. Don’t make a stranger (a non-Jew who wishes to become Jewish) feel inferior or rejected, because we as Jews have been rejected and considered inferior throughout history. It isn’t just a matter of being a good person, but a matter of the continued survival of the Jewish religion. This article is part of what used to be called “Jewnior Press.� We received some concerns from the community about that title, and so we’ve changed it. We don’t want to make people uncomfortable. From now on, articles generated by the younger members of our community will be marked with “Young Jews.� These articles are made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation.
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Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885. FRIDAY, Dec 13: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Joan Cooper, Foster Care Advocate on A Jewish Journey to Foster Care. The community is invited. Miles Remer will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.
Havdalah, 5:42 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m. TUESDAY: Shacharit-Rosh Chodesh, 6:45 a.m.; Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Kathy Weiner. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit-Rosh Chodesh, 6:45 a.m.; Coffee and Your Jewish News, 7:45 a.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Hanukkah Candle-lighting at Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; MinchaMa’ariv, 4:30 p.m. USY Kinnus Convention, Nov. 28–Dec. 1, in KC. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: No BESTT Classes; No Torah Study Group this week; TUESDAY: Wrestling with the Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. weekly adult-education class led by Rabbi Abraham. No charge to attend; everyone is welcome. WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; No Choir Rehearsal this week. Artist-in-Residence: Mordechai Rosenstein, Dec. 4-8. He will speak during a congregational Hanukkah dinner on Dec. 4, 6:15 p.m., and will lead an art project with ‘seasoned seniors’ on Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. Rosenstein will also speak during 6 p.m. Shabbat services on Friday, and 9:30 a.m. services on Saturday (Kiddush lunch will follow). He will be the guest of honor during an art and wine reception on Saturday, 7 p.m., at the home of Patty and Steve Nogg; then on Sunday, Dec. 8, noon, he will lead an art project during a brunch sponsored by Beth El’s Sisterhood and Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group. The entire Jewish community is welcome to all event and activities. For details and registration information, visit www.bethel-omaha.org. The Secrets of the Jews, monthly, adult-education class led by Andy Greenberg, Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. Cost is $36 for members, $45 for non-members. Register online at www.bethel-omaha.org. Torah Tots, Sunday, Dec. 8, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tots meet with Mordechai Rosenstein for an art project. Our Shabbat Tables, Saturday, Dec. 14. Shabbat lunch will be held at participants’ homes. For more information, contact Caryn Scheer, carynscheer@yahoo.com. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha-Ma’ariv, 4:38 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit (Barchu), 9 a.m.; Good Shabbos Nebraska: Hanukkah Episode, 10 a.m.; Mincha, 4:25 p.m.;
Bat Mitzvah Brooke Wilczewski, daughter of Allyson and Chris Wilczewski, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Temple Israel. Brooke is a seventh-grade High Honor Roll student at Kiewit Middle School where she is involved in student leadership. Her interests include sports, reading and hanging out with friends. Her passion is dance. Brooke is a competitive dancer for Nebraska Dance, where she has been on the dance team for six years. For her mitzvah project, Brooke raised over a $1,000 to purchase fabric for Project Linus. Then she spearheaded a gathering with friends to make over 65 blankets which will be distributed to children throughout the community. She has a brother, Benjamin. Grandparents are Kathleen and Gene Wilczewski, and the late Dr. Bruce and Barbara Bradin.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Temple officed closed; Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennifer, 5 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Rabbi Craig and Jen Lewis; Anne and Emmett (one act play), 7:30 p.m. at The Haymarket Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and are available at http://www.haymarkettheatre.org. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Miketz; Anne and Emmett (one act play), 7:30 p.m. at The Haymarket Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and are available at http://www.haymarkettheatre.org. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Anne and Emmett (one act play), 2 p.m. at The Haymarket Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and are available at http://www.haymarkettheatre.org. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Anne and Emmett (one act play), 7:30 p.m. at The Haymarket Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and are available at http://www. haymarkettheatre.org. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism led by Rabbi Lewis. THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.
Candlelighting Friday, November 29, 4:38 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Hanukkah Candle-lighting, 2:30 pm. led by Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Hanukkah Service, Dinner and Game Night, 6 p.m. Join us for a family-friendly service, followed by dinner and games for all ages. Bring your dreidels. We will be collecting non-food items to donate to the Jewish Family Services Pantry. Bring your favorite family menorah to decorate your holiday table. Reservations are required. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: No Religious School. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah: Hebrew Study with Na’ama, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 912 Hanukkah, 6 p.m. at Remington Heights; Judaism and Religious Literacy, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel. THURSDAY: Hiddur Mitzvah: The Art of Beautifying Judaism, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown; Courts Matter Collation Nebraska via Social Justice Meeting, 1 p.m. First Friday Shabbat Service, Friday, Dec. 6: Candle lighting, 5:30 p.m., Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet along with Grade 4 followed by dinner. Please RSVP by contacting Temple Israel, 402.556.6536 or RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com by Dec. 4. Adults are invited to stay after for Shabbat Lounge featuring live music. Temple Israel Annual Blood Drive, Sunday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Temple officed closed; Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennifer, 5 p.m.; Home Hanukkah Service and Dinner, 5:45 p.m. at Nancy and Charlie Coren’s home. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush Luncheon. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Annual Hanukkah Hot Dog and Latke Party, 12:15 p.m. Please RSVP to Nava if you will be joining. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Jewish Book Club Meeting, Sunday, Dec 8, 1 p.m. at Marcia Kushner’s home and will discuss The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Adult Education Session, Sunday, Dec 8, 3 p.m. led by Gary Hochman at Tifereth Israel.
ADL ties proving a problem for Mass. high court nominee by JTA NEWS STAFF BOSTON (JTA) — A nominee for the top court in Massachusetts is facing opposition in part because of his affiliation with the Anti-Defamation League. Joseph S. Berman, 49, a regional leader of the New England ADL and a commissioner for the national ADL since 2006, was nominated as a judge for the state Superior Court in October by Gov. Deval Patrick. At an emotionally charged hearing last week, Marilyn Pettito Devaney of the Governor’s Council -- the elected eight-member panel that is voting on the nomination -said she had the votes to deny Berman the appointment. Devaney added that if she belonged to a group that denied the Holocaust, she would resign. Her comments relate to a controversy from the mid2000s, when the national ADL did not recognize the massacre of millions of Armenians on the eve of World War I
as genocide. The ADL changed its position in 2007. Several councilors cited additional reasons for their unwillingness to support Berman while also agreeing that his ADL ties are a concern. Admitting he was not prepared for the council’s reaction, Patrick delayed the vote until Dec. 4. Robert Trestan, director of the New England ADL, said “the attack” on Berman and the ADL was a surprise. “It’s not warranted based on the facts,” Trestan told JTA. “We changed our policy and we have moved on.” He added, “Membership in an organization such as the ADL should not be a litmus test to qualify for being a judge.” Berman, a partner at the Boston firm Looney & Grossman, is a commercial litigation lawyer with a long track record in civil rights advocacy.
Pulverent e
November 29, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11
Morality and responsibility
In memoriam BESS BERGMAN
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Hanukkah Hanukkah imposes on us no need to refrain from work, no need for fasting, no “religious restraints.” It is a festival of celebration, celebration of an ancient victory. It was not merely with military and political implications, but with clear spiritual-religious origins and lasting spiritual-religious overtones. One likes to ponder what the effect would have been of a Greek-Syrian victory over the forces, if they may be so dignified, of the Maccabean guerilla bands. Would Judaism have continued? Would monotheistic religion of any kind have endured? As soon as we ask such a question, we know that the joys of Hanukkah must be accompanied by some thought. A special Haftarah is assigned for the Shabbat service. The famous words echo over the centuries: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, declares the Lord of Hosts.” The thought brings us up short. For we are, most of us, engaged in an endless pursuit of the “might and power” that the prophet considers of no avail, of no ultimate meaning, of no abiding purpose. “My spirit,” the Lord’s spirit, means for him the pursuit of other values; for these are the stuff of which life is really made. The Greeks and Syrians who threatened the very existence of Judaism had values that can be described as the pursuit of might and power. Even if we add art and philosophy, we haven’t come to a good basis for enduring life. It is in “My spirit,” values of decency, morality, and ethical living, that the ultimate values of life are revealed. The Maccabees fought for these. And they left them as a heritage for mankind.
Alleged Knockout participant charged in assault of Jewish man by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) — A man accused of participating in the Knockout game was charged with assaulting an Orthodox Jewish man in Brooklyn. Amrit Marajh of Brooklyn was arraigned Saturday and released on $750 bail after being charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment. He was not charged with a hate crime, according to The New York Times. The attack reportedly occurred early Friday morning when the 24-year-old Orthodox man said he was boxed in by a group of men and punched out by one of them. The victim said he heard the alleged attacker and his friends talking about the game, in which the attackers try to knock out someone with one punch. At least seven such attacks have taken place in the Brooklyn borough of New York City since September, most directed at identifiably Jewish people, according to reports. Marajh said in court that he never heard of the game and did not hit the victim. Other incidents of Knockout have occurred in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., The Associated Press reported.
Bess Bergman passed away on Nov. 8 in Las Vegas at age 90. Services were held on Nov. 12 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Las Vegas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gabriel Bergman, and her three brothers, Sanford, Morrie and Ben. She is survived by her daughter, Barb Bergman, and her son, Bob Bergman; granddaughter, Nichole O’Leary; four great-grandchilren, Hayden, Megan, Chayse and Trevin O’Leary, all of Las Vegas; sister, Rosalie “Whiz” Babendir; and nieces and nephews. Bessie was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Omaha to the late Sam and the late Sylvia (Newman) Kaplan, who came to Omaha from Russia. She is a past member of Hadassah, B’nai B’rith Women and Temple Sisterhood. She enjoyed playing mahjong, bingo, ballroom dancing and traveling. Memorials may be made to a cancer research organization.
SUE R. SERLIN Sue R. Serlin passed away on Nov. 18 at age 84. Services were held at Temple Israel Cemetery. She is survived by nieces and newphews. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
LEE C. WHITE Lee C. White passed away on Oct. 31 in Washington, DC, at age 90. Services were held on Nov. 3 at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, MD. He is survived by his five children, Bruce D. White of Irvine, CA, Rosalyn A. White of Berkeley, CA, Murray L. White of Kensington, MD, Sheldon R. White of Flora, IL, and Laura H. White of Raleigh, N.C.; four stepchildren, Lorijeanne White of North Potomac, MD, Ann Hunter and Donald McGuirt, both of Columbia, SC, and Suzy Zorinsky of Prescott, AZ; 10 grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.
Israeli medical team leaves Philippines by JTA NEWS STAFF TEL AVIV (JTA) — The Israel Defense Forces emergency medical team left the Philippines 11 days after arriving there to aid typhoon victims. The 148-person medical team vacated the IDF’s emergency field hospital in Bogo City after treating more than 2,600 patients. The team also conducted 52 surgeries and delivered 36 babies. A European Union delegation replaced the IDF team, L which left behind a range of medical supplies, including an X-ray machine and equipment for the delivery of newborns. Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, leaving at least 5,000 dead. “It was moving to see all of those people, what happened to them after the storm,” said Lt.- Col. (res.) Hadar Marom, who ran the field hospital’s adult clinic. “All of them lost their roofs and some lost their houses.”
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12 | The Jewish Press | November 29, 2013
Israeli-Iranian DJ group spins for peace in Berlin by BOAZ ARAD BERLIN (JTA) -- It’s 4 a.m. at the famous Kater Holzig club, and hundreds of beautiful young people are going crazy on the dance floor to the sound of heavy electronic beats. To the casual clubber, it’s just another ordinary night out in Europe’s hottest city. But this gathering is far from ordinary. Many of those dancing are immigrants from two countries whose ongoing tensions could explode in the world’s face at any given moment. Welcome to the first Iranian-Israeli techno party organized by the Iranian-Israeli collective No Beef. It’s the kind of thing that could only happen in Berlin: Iranians and Israelis clubbing together inside a World War IIera German soap factory that now houses some of the city’s best parties, high, happy and sweaty, grinding it like there’s no tomorrow to tunes spun by DJs from Tehran and Tel Aviv. A couple of them sit around a small campfire outside the main dance hall, on the banks of the Spree River, passing around sweet-smelling peace blunts and munching on hummus and Persian chicken stew prepared by a Persian-Jewish Israeli restaurateur. The air is filled with small talk in Hebrew, Farsi and everyone’s common language, German. Nobody talks about politics or nuclear bombs. It’s just a bunch of young people sitting together, enjoying the moment and connecting to each other through the music. It’s what connected the party’s two organizers, Reza Khani and Roy Siny. Khani, 36, is a well-known figure in Berlin nightlife as the proprietor of a successful bar in the hip Kreuzberg neighborhood. Siny, 35, is a doctoral student at Potsdam University by day and a popular techno DJ by night. The two first met at Khani’s bar. Siny was having a few drinks with his girlfriend and ended up playing a spontaneous set. Few words were exchanged, but the pair connected again on Facebook, at the bottom of a long comment thread about the situation in the Middle East. Siny was engaged in a heated discussion with radical German anti-Israel activists. Khani, who was tired of seeing the argument popping up on his feed, messaged him privately and told him to take it easy. “I told him he’s wasting his energy on people who have no real understanding of our reality,” Khani said. “That these
Roy Siny, left, and Reza Khani are the founders of the Iranian-Israeli party collective No Beef. Credit: Boaz Arad guys are only interested in arguing, not in finding solutions. We started talking, and it was very clear we have much more in common than just our love for music.” It was clear as well that Siny was different from other Israelis Khani had met -- most of whom, he says, are suspicious and assume he must be an anti-Semite. “Roy was on a completely different frequency,” Khani said. “We talked and talked and eventually decided we must do something together -- something good that can bring other people like us together.” Thus was born No Beef. Israeli Guy “Katzele” Kenneth and Iranians Namito Khalaj and Afagh Irandoost were the first to join. DJ Asaf Samuel (Michatronix) was hauled over from Tel Aviv to play the first party on Aug. 17. A massive queue of hundreds of people stretched 300 feet down the block. “We decided we don’t want any kind of brochures or political talk in our party, just good music and good vibes,” Siny said. “I have been to many politically themed parties here in Berlin, and I really didn’t like them. You always see the same faces. “The German left-wing scene is very closed and narrowminded. It seems like people there get together not to have fun but because it’s part of some routine. Nothing good can come out of that. We wanted people coming to our party to feel at home and connect with each other, and I think we
succeeded in that.” After recovering from their first party, Siny and Khani sat down to plan a mutual trip to Israel -- and another party. If someone had stumbled into the meeting, it would have been hard to tell who was the Israeli and who was the Iranian -except for the fact that Siny was wearing a Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC T-shirt. Germans can’t really tell them apart. “We are similar in so many ways,” Khani said. “It’s not only how we talk or how we see things that are so alike. Iranians and Israelis have gone through a lot of tough experiences in their lives and it makes them, in a way, a bit melancholic. It’s something we don’t have in common with, let’s say, Canadians.” Siny said Khani told him of his most vivid childhood memory -- hiding from Iraqi bombers strafing Iran during the eight-year war between the countries. Siny had the same memory of running to the bomb shelter as Iraqi rockets fell on Israel during the 1991 Gulf War. “Young Germans, for example, will never be able to understand that,” Siny said. “They lead very comfortable lives. They don’t know what war is. Many of them come to Berlin, they party, they sometimes study, they don’t really need to work, and they don’t even realize how privileged they are and always complain about the stupidest things. They’ve never had to struggle to survive like us.” Both men say their parties are intended not only to bring together two peoples who have much in common, but also to show the rest of the world that Iranians and Israelis are not enemies -- that there is, well, no beef. “The truth is that historically speaking, Persians and Jews were never enemies,” Khani said. “What’s happening now is a result of Israeli policy in the occupied territories and of the Islamic radicalization in Iran. It’s all politics. It has nothing to do with the real will of the people.” Will they ever be able to throw the same kind of party in Tel Aviv or Tehran? Not in the near future, as far as the two friends can tell. Both agree that Berlin, where thousands of Iranian and Israeli immigrants live side by side, is the perfect location for them. “My utopian vision, which might sound a little bit like a John Lennon song or a 12-year-old girl’s dream, is a world where race and religion play no importance and everybody lives together in harmony and peace,” Khani said. “Until that happens, Berlin is the closest thing there is.”