December 1, 2006

Vol. LXXXVI No. 12 Omaha, NE

Leaders Cleave to Gaza Cease-fire, Despite Violations by Rocket Crews

by DAN BARON JERUSALEM (JTA)--The guns have gone silent, more or less. Are negotiations next?

Israel and the Palestinian Authority declared a surprise cease-fire in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, and, even more surprisingly, managed to keep it together despite violations by terrorist rocket crews.

The IDF blows up a Hezbollah outpost in southern Lebanon, Credit: IDF/BPH Images/JTA during this summer’s war.

That, twinned with the confident rhetoric from both sides, stirred speculation a peace summit could be in the works. It began with a telephone call between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday night. Abbas offered to secure a halt to cross-border Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Olmert pledged in return to withdraw Israeli troops from the territory and put the Continued on page 3

Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

10 Kislev, 5767 December 1, 2006

Agrologic: Buffett’s “Other” Israeli Company nection in stories about

by CAROL KATZMAN Israel, and I wanted to Editor of the Jewish Press The day after the know more about this Berkshire Hathaway “other” Israeli compameeting in Omaha ny. So I took a drive last ended on May 1, a Wednesday from Tel small announcement Aviv to a small moshav appeared in the media east of Netanya, where that Warren Buffett’s Agrologic rents space. vast holding company The industrial area is had purchased not one, deceiving; at first but two Israeli compaglance it appears the nies. In addition to warehouse-type space Iscar, the metal tool opposite the Agrologic manufacturer that was office houses poultry so splashed all over the that staff can test its climedia because of its mate control devices. four billion dollar price And there are “egg cotag, a subsidiary of ops” housed on the Berkshire--the CTB premises as well. And a Company of Milford, spring-making compaIndiana,--purchased Johanan Hershtik, left, and Jan Lichten stand in front of the Research ny … and a visual comand Development side of Agrologic/Cellulogic, the top floor of a build- munications business.

Agrologic.

Unlike Iscar, a giant ing near the Nordia Moshav, east of Netanya.

In reality, the Agrothat sells its products in 60 countries and employs hun- logic space only takes up the top floor of a non-descript dreds of people, Agrologic is a small, unassuming com- building. pany with only 16 on staff--and that includes its ownersBut looks can be deceiving and CTB, as I learned from -Jan Lichten and Johanan Hershtik. Its website lists its the interview, knew what they were buying: brains and core business as a “line of layer house controllers, egg innovation. counters and GSM communication products, climate Lichten steps out to greet me and before the “tour,” controllers, weighing systems for live poultry and feed we chat in the conference room. The dry erase boards consumption.” are covered in what appear to be mathematical formulas The Jewish Press is always looking to make a local con- Continued on page 2

Part I: The Project Dreidel Chronicles

When Parents Can Meet Their Children’s Needs

by JFS STAFF MEMBER for Jewish Family Service The story you are about to read is true, and used with permission. The names have been changed to respect the privacy of individuals and families.

Welcome to the first installment of “The Project Dreidel Chronicles.” Over the next few weeks, the Chronicles will introduce a series of local Jewish families; each with a story to tell. These are stories of courage and hope. They are stories of people whose lives have been affected for the better by Jewish Family Service. Each person depicted in these stories has graciously agreed to share their tale with the community to increase public awareness of the JFS programs and services that have made such a tremendous difference in their lives.

Hanukkah gifts and holiday meals are a few of the things that Project Dreidel, provides to families in need. Sometimes, when families and individuals experience unexpected emergencies, an already tight budget is impossible to stretch. JFS is there to help by providing financial and emotional support to get those in need back on their feet.

Stories like those you are about to read are more common at the holidays than ever.

Mr. and Mrs. Jon Kapler, parents of two small children, dread receiving their mail at 3 p.m. every day. Why? Daily bills arrive and usually, they are second and third notices. To make matters worse, the couple is forced to sacrifice weekly food staples in order to attempt to keep up

Inside Opinion Page see page 12

with their bills.

On the verge of tears, Lisa feels as though she is disappointing her children.

Lisa and Jon are both very proud and did not initially want to ask for help, but things had begun to deteriorate.

The Kapler family looked forward to the excitement of the new school year with their two children. Although both parents worked full-time, Lisa decided to go back to school in order to make a better life for the family. The trouble faced by the couple was their inability to provide basic necessities for their children’s studies. The supply list brought home by their children sent Lisa into a panic. With little money left, she scraped by without purchasing supplies for herself, but the couple knew they had to do something to help their children get off to a good start in school.

As Jenny Meyerson, Financial Assistance Coordinator for JFS, explored the Kapler’s situation, she knew that they had come to JFS out of sheer desperation. She knew the family took pride in caring for their children, and Meyerson knew they had exhausted every avenue before coming to JFS. JFS was able to provide assistance by paying their utilities and offering food vouchers allowing them to feed their family. Additionally, the agency provided school supplies for their children. Now Jon and Lisa could refocus on their goals of improving their family while knowing that they are a part of a loving, caring

community that prides itself in helping each other.

Around the time the Kaplers came to JFS, a little girl walked in with her mother to make a donation with the money she had been collecting in her tzedakah box. This small child wanted to help another child be ready for school. She and her mother had asked for the money to be used for a backpack or school supplies and JFS was able to oblige immediately. Now the children of Lisa and Jon had new backpacks as well and could go to school feeling proud.

“Donations and needs do not always fall into perfect unison like this situation did,” shared Karen Gustafson, Director

This Week: Teen Age Features Teens of Beyt Shalom: Page 11 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Special Care Unit Meets Dementia Needs at Home: Page 5

of JFS. “We were here when a family needed us and that is what is most important; that is the mission of JFS. With continued generosity of donors we can help families such as the Kaplers in a very respectful manner, helping them to see they are valued in their own Jewish community.”

Your gift to the JFS Friends campaign is what allows JFS to take care of those who need it most. Despite best efforts, needs continue to outpace the increase in gifts to the Annual Campaign, especially during the winter months.

Your gift ensures that every Omaha Jewish community member will have access to professional and compassionate help in a highly confidential environment. A special thank you to those who have provided a contribution and to the special little girl who is being taught the best lesson of all…tzedakah.

To find out how you can help make a difference in the lives of others in our community, please contact JFS at 330.2024.

Coming Next Week: Hanukkah Issue

Survivor of Sudan Genocide Pleads for His People: Page 6

Sea of Dreams Twins Friedel and Ma’ayanot: Page 16

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

The “Other” Israeli Company

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Scholar-in-Residence Joel ben Izzy, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Tot Shabbat Service and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 Scholar-in-Residence Joel ben Izzy, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Pajama Havdalah, 5 p.m. at Beth El Jewish Film Festival Dinner, 5 p.m.

Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m.

C L SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 I Class with Rabbi Seth Nadel, 9:45 a.m.at Beth Israel P Sisterhood Boutique, 10 a.m. at Beth El

C L I P

Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El University, 10 a.m. at the Chabad House & Mishpacha Scholar-in-Residence Joel ben Izzy, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel

S A V E

4B’s, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Nashir Community Jewish Choir, 11 a.m. at Beth El Chanu-Kids, 3:30 p.m. at Kripke Library NJHS Honors Ann Ronell, 3:30 p.m.

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 JSS Senior Luncheon, noon Women’s Book Group, 1 p.m. at Beth El Maccabi Informational Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 7:30 p.m. at JCC

& S A V E

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad House BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Israeli Dance Class, 6:30 p.m. at JCC The Mothers’ Circle, 7 p.m. at Beth El Dr. Ronald Wolfson speaks about God’s To Do List, 7 p.m.

C L I P &

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 Abba, Eema and ME, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Jewish Book Month Luncheon ,11:30 a.m.

Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. and Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Academy Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad House THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Getting More Out of Prayer, noon at Beth El Torah on Wheels, noon at Fraser Stryker Law Offices Yiddush Group, 1 p.m.

USY/Kadima Scavenger Hunt, 6 p.m. at Beth El JSS Community Concert, 7 p.m.

Advanced Parshah Study, 9 p.m. with Rabbi Gross

S A V E 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)

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Continued from page 1 and complicated designs. Started in 1988 by the two friends who first met in the Israeli Defense Force, Agrologic competes with companies 20 times its size.

“We had been exhibiting at one of the industry shows in Bangkok,” Lichten said at the start of the interview, “and the CEO of CTB came by our booth about a yearand-a-half ago.” (CTB, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, owns a number of related companies that cater to farmers, poultry and hog producers and the like.)

“It took a year of negotiating, but we closed the deal two weeks prior to the Berkshire meeting.” CTB has the ability to put deals together for its clients-Agrologic climate controllers, Italian fans, Danish A worker on the right side of feeding lines--that Agrospace--hand wires a climate logic didn’t have prior to Agrologic. The company also this deal. more sensitive manufacturing.

Though the Israeli company does sell on its own in the Far East, Near East, Scandinavia, Canada, New Zealand and Australia--it doesn’t have the kind of distribution systems that make it easy for farmers to purchase its equipment directly.

“Too many regulations on imports in the U.S., too much red tape, and not enough farmers connected to the Internet,” Lichten said. “Buyers often looked at me and wondered what would happen if the system broke.

How would I fix it?” he smiled.

Which brings us to part two of this deal with CTB-and Berkshire. In addition to Agrololgic, CTB also purchased Cellulogic. Same partners, same staff, same small shirt-sleeve operation in the same non-descript building.

But Cellulogic has enormous possibilities beyond the agricultural sector.

Let’s go back to the climate control devices, the “core business,” as Lichten describes it. Hershtik shows me the inside of the device. “See, we’ve set the maximum temperature at 27ºC. If I squeeze it, the temperature will rise. Not good in a poultry house. If the temperature isn’t lowered in 10 minutes, the birds will begin to die,” he explains. Then he holds up his cell phone, a new one, with a large screen for easy-to-read text messages.

In a few seconds, the phone rings and a message appears, alerting the farmer--or in this case, the designer--to the high temp in the poultry house. If he ignores the message, the phone rings, and rings again, until answered.

“If you’re a poultry producer with 100,000 hens in a laying house, a rise in temperature could be disastrous,” Lichten adds. “But, this device can alert the farmer to the situation and he can get it corrected immediately…even if he’s miles away. In fact, he can monitor his whole operation from his cell phone; he can check on temps or tell whether a fan has stopped operating. And he can reset the temp or start the fan.”

Fine, I respond. But we’re not all farmers in Nebraska.

“No, and most of the poultry farms in the United States are in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and California anyway,” he says. “But, that’s why we started Cellulogic.”

After manufacturing the wireless climate control devices, for far less than it would cost to wire an egg-laying house for 100,000 birds, the two electrical engineers realized there was potential for the alarm system beyond the poultry business. Not only that, the cellular industry was moving quickly from ordinary phones to PDAs to

camera phones, and now phones with total internet access, including GPS locators. No longer does a businessperson need to carry four or five electronic devices; it’s all wrapped up in one. And it’s wireless.

Think of the applications. If your company needs to have its computers and servers housed in climate controlled rooms, you need this system.

“Or maybe you are the CEO of a large company with 1000 employees,” Lichten explains, “and they each need a remote control device to get into the parking garage of the building.

That’s expensive, and when an employee leaves or is fired, you might not get the remote back. But what if the system were wireless?”

In fact, Cellulogic has just started marketing this techthe floor--the manufacturing nology through the cellular control device designed by companies in Israel, And uses robotic equipment for who’s buying? Owners of parking garages, gated condominium communities, companies with lots of computers.

“If your name and cell phone number is on the list, you get access,” Lichten adds. “When you exit the garage, leave the company or sell the condo, your name and number are deleted. No more lost remotes to replace.”

For Lichten, going to industry fairs five years in a row with no sales has finally paid off. “A buyer I had seen each of those years was taken by my persistence,” he says. “It’s risky to buy from someone new to the industry, but he realized I was serious.”

The two electrical engineers are serious about the business, but not about themselves. The company had recently sold a GSM8 system (that’s the European wireless system) to an Irish poultry slaughter house. It was a very labor intensive business. “Slaughter houses want to get the best price for their birds at the best weight and their service representatives were running from one farmer to another, weighing birds, and executives realized, too, potentially carrying bird flu from one farm to another,” Lichten says.

“So we installed our poultry weighing system that reports the weight each day of each bird to the slaughterer’s computer. And now, the farmer gets a call when the birds have reached the optimum weight and he knows to bring them to the slaughter.”

No more service reps, no more risking bird flu being carried to multiple farms. Lichten tells this story at a recent meeting of the CTB managers in Milford, IN, and one department head in the hog division stands up and announces he has a “dream” for the “Smart Barn of the Future.”

Lichten returns to his small R&D “lab” (the left side of the Agrologic office; the right is the manufacturing side) and brainstorms with Johanan Hershtik. In two weeks, they have a prototype and send it off to CTB. “The manager was a little surprised,” Lichten says.

“He assumed it would take a year at least.”

And that’s why a major company like Berkshire Hathaway, which owns CTB, is interested in forward thinking companies like Agrologic and Cellulogic. It’s not just the brains and innovation. It’s the ability to create new products using new technologies for new applications. And to do it quickly--and profitably.

Not surprisingly, all this is found in Israel.

Omaha Police Chief Warren Addresses Temple Men’s Club

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Omaha’s Chief of Police since December 2003, Thomas Warren will be the guest speaker at the Temple Israel Men’s Club meeting on Sunday, Dec. 10. 10 a.m. He will address police efforts to curb the peaks in violence that have occurred recently in some areas of Omaha and discuss several new initiatives, said Larry Gendler, Men’s Club education coordinator.

Chief Warren, Omaha’s first African-American police Police Chief Thomas Warren chief, graduated from Morningside College in 1983 with a degree in criminal justice. He majored in sociol-

ogy and minored in psychology and then joined the Omaha Police Department (OPD) the same year.

Earning his master’s degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1989, Chief Warren has worked in OPD’s internal affairs, information services, and the criminal investigations bureau. He was promoted to captain in 1999 and became commander of the Northeast Precinct in 2002.

Warren overseas Nebraska’s largest law enforcement agency which employs 785 sworn officers, 239 nonsworn personnel, and an operating budget of 87 million dollars.

In 2004, Omaha Public Schools presented Chief Warren with its A+ Award. He was also inducted into the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Alumni Hall of Fame.

Men’s Club welcomes the community to hear Chief Warren.

December 1, 2006

Leaders Cleave to Gaza Cease-fire Continued from page 1 The deal went into effect early Sunday morning. Within two hours, at least five rockets from Gaza fell in the vicinity of Sderot, causing no casualties but raising hackles among Israelis who have learned to distrust Palestinian truces.

But the Palestinian Authority was quick to condemn the salvo as the work of renegade rocket crews and, in a more concrete show of good will, posted 13,000 policemen along the northern Gaza frontier with orders to stop the launches.

Olmert counseled his countrymen to give the calm a chance.

“We will evince the necessary restraint and patience, certainly in the coming days,” he said during a trip to southern Israel.

“All of these things ultimately could lead to one thing--the opening of serious, real, open and direct negotiations between us” and the Palestinians, Olmert said. “So that we can move forward toward a comprehensive accord.”

Abbas, for his part, made much of his apparent success in getting Palestinian terrorist groups--including members of the governing Hamas, the main rival to his Fatah faction--to hold their fire.

Nabil Abu Rdainah, a senior Abbas aide, said all Palestinian factions would start a wide dialogue on “a full, mutual and permanent cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians” within days.

One senior Israeli political commentator suggested that the truce was timed ahead of President Bush’s planned trip to Jordan later this week, with a view to parlaying it into trilateral talks.

Shimon Shiffer wrote in Yediot Achronot that the agreement between Olmert and Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, showed that “when the ‘respon-

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Heartland Philharmonic will Entertain at the JCC

sible adult’ arrives in the region, the naughty children decide to behave in a restrained manner.

“From here on out we can only hope that under the aegis of the cease-fire--if it is honored--the leaders Olmert and Abu Mazen will meet, and then a unity government will be formed in the Palestinian Authority, and Israel will respond by freeing thousands of prisoners and hundreds of millions of shekels that it has been withholding since Hamas came to power in the Palestinian Authority,” he added.

Much could still go wrong. There is no undertaking by either side to scale back actions in the West Bank. The Palestinian terrorist group Islamic Jihad made a point of saying its abidance by the truce might be conditional on the restrictions also applying in the second territory.

Then there is Israel’s bedrock demand that Cpl. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza since June, go free before Israeli concessions begin, and the fact that the Hamas-led government has not shown any sign of accepting the policy changes required of it by Western nations as a precondition for full diplomatic engagement.

Khaled Meshaal, the supreme leader of Hamas, was in Cairo over the weekend for talks on Shalit’s fate. In a statement that appeared aimed as much at goading Israel as showing good faith, he said that Shalit “sends regards.”

Meshaal also warned the West that any calming on the Israeli-Palestinian front could be temporary.

“If the international community does not work to create a Palestinian state within six months, the Palestinian Authority will collapse, we will throw away the diplomatic folderol and we will declare a third intifada,” he told reporters.

GAUCHER DISEASE

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concert is funded by the Noddle family

by ANDREA BARTMAN for JSS/RBJH in honor of Edith Noddle, a former Jewish Senior Services and the Rose Resident of the Blumkin Home.

Blumkin Jewish Home invite the com- Previously funded concerts have includmunity to join an evening of amazing ed the Omaha Symphony and the music presented by the Heartland Omaha Municipal Orchestra.

Heartland Philharmonic The Philharmonic Orchestra on Thursday, Orchestra is the Dec. 7, 7 p.m. official concert at the JCC. orchestra of the According to of University Dr. Christopher NebraskaStanichar, Music Omaha and is Director of the made up mostly orchestra, the Heartland Philharmonic of students, but performance will be a “buffet” that includes all types of in-cludes community players as well.

The orchestra has around 70 members. music, such as excerpts from Beethoven’s 7th symphony. “We’re also Stanichar has been with UNO since doing some lighter classics that every- 2001 and serves as the Director of body should love, such as the Mars Orchestral Activities. He has previously movement from Holst’s ‘The Planets’, spent time studying under the influential and selections from the ‘Phantom of the conductor, Gerhard Samuel, and conOpera’ and ‘Jurassic Park’,” he says. ducting in Russia and Europe.

The evening should prove to be an “The JCC audience is my favorite audience because they seem to appreciate exciting and inspiring night for all music everything we play, so it’s a pleasure for lovers. The concert is free to the community. Says Stanichar, “No matter how me.”

Bringing live musical performances to many times you can listen to an orchesResidents and the Jewish community is a tra on a CD or an iPod…nothing priority for Jewish Senior Services. This replaces what it’s like to hear it live.”

Music and Merriment to Highlight Hadassah Hanukkah Party

by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES Hadassah Publicity Coordinator Omaha Chapter of Hadassah will host its annual Hanukkah party on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the Jewish Community Center.

Everyone is invited to attend the event, commemorating the Festival of Lights.

Musical entertainment will be provided

by the Nashir Choir, conducted by Emily Meyer. The choir will give their special of Hanukkah songs. renditions Refreshments will be served.

There is no charge for the festivities, but reservations are required. Gifts to Jewish Family Sevices will be appreciated.

Please call Georgia Ann Steinberg, 558.5813 or Esther Wax, 393.4442.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

B’nai Israel Honors High School Students Act Out Against Bigotry at ADL’s 20th Annual Prejudice Elimination Workshop Council Bluffs Alums

by JORDANA GLAZER for the ADL The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Prejudice Elimination Workshop (PEW), celebrating its 20th anniversary last month, kicked off the day with lots of drama when 17 Omaha area high school students boldly performed a skit entitled “Acting Out Against Bigotry” for their peers.

Funding from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation and the Omaha Community Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy Grant enabled the students to attend a week-long workshop this summer where they wrote and rehearsed the piece dramatizing the challenging and divisive issues of bias that permeate their schools and society. The ADL partnered with the Omaha Community Playhouse and the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival for this program.

“We hope our performance will open people’s eyes to the hate and prejudice in our society…we want our piece to galvanize people into action,” says actor and Duchesne Academy student Catherine Tran. She was inspired to act last Spring when she returned from the ADL’s Youth Leadership Mission to Washington D.C. For one school day, Catherine wore a large sandwich board filled with information about the current genocide in Darfur to raise awareness about and encourage students to take action.

After viewing the students’ performance, the PEW participants then broke into small groups of 20. Each smaller group, led by two trained facilitators, engaged in a variety of activities throughout the day designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify and reduce bias; work in diverse teams; think and

act critically and empathetically; and to resolve conflicts using non-violent means. The workshop transforms students into positive “agents of change” in their schools, homes, and communities. More than 250 Omaha-area high school students, representing all the school districts, participate in the program.

Students are selected to represent their school communities because they have been identified as leaders by their teachers.

The students are diverse in color, culture, religion, ethnicity, sexuality and ability. Susan Toohey, facilitator and assistant principal of Lewis and Clark Middle school noted, “This workshop brought the youth of Omaha to a common place, unlike the tenor of city politics these days.”

It takes a village to create a lifechanging program such as PEW. More than 60 volunteers from institutions including, but not limited to all the school districts, First National Bank, Woodmen of the World, Omaha Community Foundation, Catholic Charities, Creighton University, University of NebraskaOmaha and the Nebraska Arts Council serve as facilitators and chaperones for the event.

PEW provides students with an understanding of stereotyping, bigotry, intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination and the harm they inflict upon individuals and society. Taking a step further, through action plans, the workshop challenges the students to make a personal commitment to create a moral and a just society in their schools, homes and community.

For more information on PEW, the upcoming Youth Leadership Mission program for high school sophomores and seniors (applications due Nov. 30) or any other educational program, call ADL Regional Director Alan Potash at 333.1303.

BIRTHS Liat and Gary Shyken announce the Sept. 11 birth of their daughter, Batsheva Tova, named for her greatgrandmother, Bessie Shyken.

She has a brother, Shmuel Aaron, and a sister, Aviva Chana.

Grandparents are Susie and Paul Shyken, Debbie and Jeff Kalwerisky, and the late Avre Kalwerisky.

Great-grandparents are Ilene Pachman, Makre Waks of Tampa, FL, and Joyce Rogoff of Durban, South Africa.

Julie and Michael Levine of Kansas City, MO announce the Oct. 27 birth of twin daughters, Sofia Dru, named for her maternal great-grandparents and paternal great-grandmother and great-grandfather, and Noa Reese, named for her maternal great-grandmother and paternal great-grandmother.

Grandparents are Margie and Bruce Gutnik, and Teddy and Roy Levine of Littleton, CO. Great-grandfather is Jack Bufferd, Boca Raton, FL.

by ALLAN KURLAND Melanie Shellberg, Principal of Abraham Lincoln High School, was the guest speaker at B’nai Israel last month. This was the first of the B’nai Israel SecondFriday-ofthe-Month Speaker Series.

Honorees were Dr. Sol Kutler, Jan Lund, Maynard Te l p n e r, Shiriey Goldstein, Leo Meyerson, left, Allen Kurland, Shirley L e o Goldstein, Sol Kutler, and Jan Lund opened M y e r s o n , the series at B’nai Israel.

Norman Cherniss, Eugene Telpner, all Jewish members of the Abraham Lincoln Hall of Fame, and Jack Edward Brown from the Thomas Jefferson Hall of Fame.

Shellberg discussed the value of contributions that each of the honorees has made to the community and the positive models they have provided.

The B’nai Israel Speaker Series continues on Friday, Dec. 8. Tuffy Epstein, will answer the question, “What’s This Klezmer Thing All About?” Services begin at 7:30 p.m. An Oneg Shabbat follows.

JFS’s Project Dreidel Helps Children in Need Celebrate Hannukah

by SHARON BARGAS JFS Program Coordinator Jewish Family Service will be helping families during this holiday season through their annual program, Project Dreidel. Their goal is to provide children and families with gifts to open for Hannukah.

Members of the community are invited to take part in helping Jewish families enjoy a festive Hannukah. JFS will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, children’s books, gift certificates or monetary donations through Dec. 10. The gifts may be brought to the JFS office during regular office hours.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring a child or family may contact JFS for more information. Volunteers are also needed to help wrap the gifts on the morning of Dec. 10 or make deliveries on the morning of Dec. 12.

Interested volunteers may call the JFS office at 330.2024.

Christopher A. Stanosheck, D.D.S. 9202 West Dodge Road Suite 201 Omaha, NE 68114 402.884.1607 www.thesmiledesignstudio.com

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December 1, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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New Special Care Unit Meets the Challenge of Dementia

by OZZIE NOGG In my recent conversation with Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Executive Director Mike Silverman, we discussed the philosophy behind the Special Care Unit planned for the RBJH as part of its New Beginning. Before I left his office, Mike handed me a book--Aging and Alzheimer’s: Creating Caring Environments.

“Read this,” he said. “It will open your eyes to the challenges we face in building an environment for those whose cognitive skills are declining. It’s a huge responsibility--assessing those with dementia and then creating a caring atmosphere that emphasizes life, living, and the dignity of human beings. It’s a responsibility we take seriously.”

In her preface to the book, author Elizabeth C. Brawley writes, “Dementia is not a single disease. It’s an umbrella term for loss of brain function that impairs thinking, emotions, and behavior. Many, but not all, dementia conditions are progressive and irreversible, although most can at least be slowed if identified and treated. Alzheimer’s, by far the most common type of dementia among people 65 or older, is not a normal consequence of aging. The disease process may begin in the brain as many as twenty years before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. While the cause remains a mystery, the pace of research has accelerated in the last ten years, yielding a wealth of new information that will lead to better treatments.”

The ‘better treatments’ Brawley mentions include psychosocial, behavioral and environmental approaches-- all of which influence the physical health and emotional well-being of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The 25-bed, self-contained Blumkin Special Care Unit will, of course, be built with bricks and mortar. But it also will incorporate elements that make up what Brawley calls ‘caring environments’--elements that include social spaces to combat loneliness, adequate light, soothing sounds, colors and touch, plus easy wayfinding. Mike Silverman has read Brawley’s book.

He’s ready to put these elements into action.

“Psychosocial research shows that varied social spaces help reduce depression and aggressive behavior,” Silverman said, “so we’ve designed our new SCU with three distinct social areas--one large lounge for group gatherings, and three smaller spaces where a few residents can meet to work on their fine motor skills.”

Bert Benson, Director of Social Services at the RBJH, also understands the nuances of dementia care delivery.

“The new Special Care Unit will give dementia residents what they need most--consistent, structured, activityoriented days. Too often, residents with dementia feel overwhelmed in the whirlwind of activity at the Blumkin Home. They become over stimulated, anxious. The SCU will be a quiet, more manageable place, where each resident can take part in specialized activities-- perform simple but meaningful tasks--that help them be the best they can be.”

In Silverman’s view, the power of light in the SCU cannot be overstated. According to Brawley’s book, science is demystifying the gift of daylight, exploring the way light governs our sleep, digestion and immune response, and discovering how biological rhythms can be used to our advantage.

“Studies show that increased exposure to light often improves circadian rhythms, those changes in mental and physical functioning that normally occur over the course of a day,” Silverman explained. “For persons with Alzheimer’s, more light can help regulate those rhythms, which then translates into improved sleep cycle, appetite and mental focus. Resident rooms and common areas in the Special Care Unit are designed with large windows to provide maximum natural light, and the outdoor garden will be a perfect place to enjoy the sunshine. Besides that, skylights above the Blumkin

Home’s new Main Street will provide visual cues to the time of day, the season, and provide a connection to the outside that will be enjoyed by our entire resident population.”

The World Health Organization declared noise a “significant threat,” particularly disorienting for older persons. So how will the element of sound be factored into the Special Care Unit? “For residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, whose senses are easily overloaded, a low noise level is best,” said Benson. “There won’t be any jangling alarms or loud intercoms disturbing the peace in the SCU. We’ll aim for a therapeutic ambiance.”

And the role of color in this caring environment?

“Colors in the SCU will be bold, high contrast and simple,” Silverman said. “We’ll avoid busy patterns because they create confusion. Color can help residents identify a particular space, and for residents with dementia, a room may be more easily recognized by color than by function.”

Research has determined that many Alzheimer’s patients have trouble distinguishing objects or food that don’t stand out from a background. “But neuropsychologists recently found that using brightly colored dishes helped people with dementia consume twenty-five percent more food at mealtime,” Silverman said. “We’ll certainly use that statistic when we buy dishes for the Special Care Unit dining rooms and tea rooms.”

Silverman went on to describe the laundry areas in the SCU. “Residents will be able to fold their own towels, straight from the dryer. There’s something very comforting about the feel and smell of clean, warm soft towels.”

Wayfinding--a healthcare buzzword for methods to help residents navigate safely around their environment with less confusion--is another element built into the Special Care Unit, and Silverman is passionate about their importance. “Wayfinding graphics are critical for residents who no longer read--they help dementia residents stay independent longer--so we’ll use bright, visual locator signs to help SCU residents orient themselves.

For instance, he added, “a picture of a bowl of fruit might signal ‘dining room’. We’ll also paint the doors of each room in a unique style and color so residents will be able to identify their bedrooms from a distance.”

To eliminate the frustration caused by wandering in dead-end hallways, the SCU is designed with a circular wandering area where residents can walk without fear of getting lost. “And because the continuous loop is totally secure, staff needn’t worry about residents losing their way and wandering off the Unit undetected. The security built into all areas of the SCU is an element that family members really look forward to.”

The professionals and lay committee that contributed to the design of the Special Care Unit are wisely doing things by the book. Still, they’re flexible in addressing specific needs of the aging in our community. “Our dementia residents--all our residents--are our family members,” Silverman said. “That distinction makes them unique from residents anywhere else. Yes, we’ve looked to experts to help us create a culture change at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home--a change that moves the RBJH from a traditional nursing home model to a resident-centered care facility. But in the end, we create a true ‘caring environment’ when all of us--staff, residents, their families and friends--work together, communicate, and build bonds of trust.”

Silverman and his staff continue to make intelligent choices, a fact acknowledged by Elizabeth Brawley, whose handwritten inscription on Silverman’s copy of Aging and Alzheimer’s: Creating Caring Environments, reads: “With appreciation for the service you provide for seniors. Keep up the good work.” Not to worry. He will.

To talk about the many options available to the community in support of the new Blumkin Home, please call Howard Kooper at 392.1800.

Page 5

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Conference Brings Rabbinic Leaders Together in Heartland

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue was host to the Nebras-Kallah Rabbinic Conference, Nov. 12-14. Attendees traveled from California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina and Canada to attend the conference. This forum, for young rabbis to meet with mentor rabbis in a smaller setting than most conferences, was a resounding success.

The visitors to Omaha were appreciative of the warm reception they received from Beth Israel and the community, as well as the benefits of meeting together to learn and discuss issues with their mentors. The group held two events open to the community, including a dinner and discussion enjoyed by some 60 people.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

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Temple Israel to Hear from Survivor of Sudan Genocide Omaha to raise consciousness about Sudan. “He said, ‘We are cousins.’�

Director of a small Sudanese community foundation that emphasizes education and training for employment and micro-businesses, Dr. Chand said that housing is crucial for the Sudanese to be integrated into the community. The population here, one of the largest in the country, boasts engineers, lawyers, educators, economists, and even some, due to their ability to speak Arabic, who serve in the U.S. military in Iraq.

Dr. Chand first came to Omaha in mid-2002, “because I liked the Sudanese community here and they needed my experience and knowledge,� he explained. “I’m an academic and served with many of them fighting in the bush in South Sudan.� Dr. Chand pointed out that southern Sudan has been fighting for 40 to 50 years against the north where an Islamic government is in control in Khartoum. “They are Arabs in the north and Africans in the south,� he said. “They do not take POWs --they just kill them. It’s a question of wealth not Muslim versus Christian for control of oil resources and natural gas and other resources,� he clarified.

When he arrived in Omaha, Dr. Chand was accompanied by his wife Margaret, and children, Emma, eight; Edward, six; Alex, four; and Adelia, a newborn.

An instructor of African politics and international law, political economy, public administration, and public policy, Dr. Chand is currently writing a book on Sudan.

After the worship service, Dr. Chand said he would be glad to talk about how Temple Israel could help the Sudanese community in Omaha. “There’s a lot Temple Israel could do for the Sudanese community which finds itself alienated, not integrated.�

To assist refugees from Sudan, Temple’s Hanukkah tzedakah project will be to collect kitchen items such as place settings of glasses, eating utensils, plates, soup bowls, kettles, stew pots, frying pans, teapots, paring knives, plastic containers, potholders, dishcloths, and garbage containers to donate to Heartland Refugee Resettlement. Donations can be brought to the Hanukkah dinner on Friday, Dec. 15, or to the Temple office prior to that date.

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Dr. David Chand, born in Fangak in southern Sudan, will speak about the genocide in his homeland at Temple Israel at the Shabbat worship service on Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. A Ph.D. in international relations from Clark Atlantic University in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Chand earned masters degrees in international affairs and public administration and public policy from Drew University in New Jersey and the University of Maine.

After earning his degrees, he returned to southern Dr. David Chand Sudan in 1994 “to help in the bush, to help the displaced, and to reunite families.� He said genocide perpetrated by the government in northern Sudan has taken the lives of 2.7 million and displaced more than 6.5 million. Some, as young as five to eight years old, were being recruited by the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army as human shields. “My father was murdered by the government in Sudan in 1969,� Dr. Chand said. Other family members, including brothers and sisters of Dr. Chand, are still in Sudan.

As a prime peace negotiator, Dr. Chand realized that an agreement, signed in 1997, was not working. “Peace was dismantled a year later,� according to Dr. Chand.

He was offered a position as an ambassador, but instead, returned to fight in the bush. Subsequently, he accepted an opportunity to go to Germany in 1999 to pursue research on human rights abuse in Sudan.

Currently an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Dr. Chand “believes it is his mission to get the word out‌and believes the Jewish community is the only other community who understands genocide,â€? said John Dacey, a member of Temple Israel who met Dr. Chand in September at a meeting in

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by MARGIE GUTNIK varied opportunities; for work, for community involvefor the Community Development Committee ment and for fun, proving that where you live is always Last summer, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, with about much more than just a job. funding from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman One of the interns--Marissa Epstein--said, “The and Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting internship program allowed me to not only gain experiFoundations and Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund, ence in a career area which I love, but also gain knowllaunched an initiative known as: Opportunity Omaha, edge in cultural, religious, and career-searching aspects.

It’s More Than Just a Job. This innovative pilot pro- Without this internship program, I would not have had gram matched college students with professional intern- the opportunity to explore all of these facets.� ships in local businesses and also provided these students All of the participants agreed that the program was a with a variety of social and huge success. Plans are now cultural activities. The ultiin place to grow and expand mate goal of this program the program for next sumwas to encourage these mer. The Federation is interyoung adults to consider ested in recruiting more colreturning to Omaha to live lege students as interns and and work following college engaging additional compagraduation. nies and organizations.

Under the leadership of Programming will expand to Chairperson Margo Riekes include job shadowing and and the Jewish Federation’s mentoring opportunities.

Community Development “I thought the internship Director Janie Murow, program was amazing, Opportunity Omaha had a added Naomi Rennard, very successful first year, Jewish College students participate in “Film Shorts� night another participant. “I never placing college students as with Dr. Guy Matalon, Director of the Center for Jewish would have thought to work paid interns with the follow- Education. in a nonprofit health clinic, ing companies and organizations: Campfire USA, but the experience opened my eyes to the world of pubGordmans, the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Federation lic health and the great need for people to be dedicated Foundation, OneWorld and the University of Nebraska to providing quality healthcare to the underserved. The Medical Center. In addition to the students who program not only matched me with a great internship interned with these organizations, 30 more college stu- that was the perfect summer job, but it showed me how dents attended the cultural and social events throughout important it is to look into different fields before decidthe summer. ing where exactly I want to work in the future.�

As promised, Opportunity Omaha was about much Are you ready to discover all that Omaha has to offer? more than just a job. Students in Omaha this summer Do you know someone who would love to participate? were invited to participate in events ranging from a ses- The Federation is ready to provide the opportunities for sion with a career development counselor to a discussion the summer of 2007. Opportunity Omaha is open to all with Jan Goldstein and Marty Ricks on the Federation Jewish college students who will have completed at least and the Foundation and their place in the Jewish com- one year of college by the summer of 2007. munity. The group participated in multiple community For an application, contact Janie Murow at 334.6566, service projects, a Shabbat dinner and evenings at Jazz or go to www. jewishomaha.org/Opportunity on the Green, Shakespeare on the Green, and the Omaha and download an application. While you are on the website, be sure to register in order to receive addiSummer Arts Festival.

The interns also had the opportunity to interact with tional information as it becomes available. Then get young Jewish professionals who have returned or moved ready for a fabulous summer to earn and learn, to disto Omaha for their careers. It was a summer filled with cover and enjoy all that Omaha has to offer.

December 1, 2006

Temple Cradle Roll to Be a Happy Lesson on Hanukkah

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator When Rosie Friedland, three, goes to Cradle Roll, a fun filled hour suited especially for Temple Israel’s youngest members and their families, “she gets most excited about the songs and the snack,” said Jamie Friedland, Rosie’s mother.

The preschooler and the other children from infants through pre-kindergarten age don’t know that Cradle Roll’s Jewish themes are planned to get these pint-size learners excited about Judaism.

As they meet the clergy, who take turns telling stories and leading songs with the Cradle Roll children and their families, create a craft project, and munch on a snack, the tots will be learning about Hanukkah at the Sunday, Dec. 10,

10:30 a.m. get-together.

When the Cradle Rollers met in October they celebrated Sukkot. “I liked building the sukkah thingie and helping other people,” said Simon Murphy, six.

His sister, Clara, three, “enjoyed building the sukkahs and eating them!”

Meant to be eaten, they were made of graham crackers, pretzel sticks and other edible parts, said Simon and Clara’s mother, Kate Kaminsky, who plans the Cradle Roll events.

Two additional Cradle Roll sessions are scheduled for Sundays, Feb. 25 and April 29. All families (including grandparents) in the community, with children five and younger, are invited to attend.

Sponsored by Women of Reform Judaism, there is no cost to attend.

Beth Israel Sisterhood to Host December Meeting and Program

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Sisterhood will hold a Board Meeting, Lunch and Program on Tuesday, Dec. 5,11:30 a.m. A bagels and lox lunch will be served at a cost of $5 per person. The meeting is open to all Sisterhood members.

The purpose of the brief meeting will be to hear a report on Sisterhood’s recent Donor event. “Everyone had a terrific time at Donor,” said Beth Israel’s Executive Director, Beth Cohen. “We had over 100 people attend and they

enjoyed the delicious desserts, hilarious entertainment by The Amazing Arthur and the Chinese auction. During the meeting, Sisterhood will review the event, and start thinking about next year’s Donor.”

Following the quick board meeting, Beth Israel’s new Associate Rabbi, Seth Nadel, will present a Hanukkah program.

Nadel will speak about “The Hanukkah Controversy: What the Rabbis Didn’t Want to Tell You.” Please make reservations with the synagogue office by calling 556.6288.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Children and Parents Learn as a Family at Chabad House that remain before Hanukkah, Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 10:15-11:45 a.m., families with young children (about six and under) are invited to have breakfast, to play, and to learn together.

This is not like a minyan--it’s like going to a place that runs the best parties for kids while you and your family are simultaneously nourished in both body and mind.

The main goal of this short-term event is to infuse your family with Jewish identity and Jewish learning; Shani, Rabbi Mendel, and Estie Katzman give you the tools and the knowledge to do just that, using the seasonal study of Hanukkah as the format.

A real breakfast awaits you upon arrival, everyone noshRabbi Katzman demonstrates the qualities of oil as Lev es and chats, the kids and Denenberg, Abby Vann, Tippi Denenberg, Michael adults have quick separate Denenberg, Michael Shnayder, Danny Denenberg, Leslie meetings to discuss the daily Vann and Aidan Shnayder look on. topics at their level, and lastways to present Hanukkah and Jewish ly everyone regroups to tie it all together concepts to your children? At Chabad or to finish an art project.

It’s amazing how many meaningful, House’s whole-family oriented “Mishpacha (Family) Mornings” you are thoughtful, and useful Jewish ideas come guaranteed to learn something for par- out of just one morning at Chabad. Your ents and children in an atmosphere that family is encouraged to attend the last is so relaxed and fun that it will surprise three sessions.

Call 391.7640 or e-mailme at: you, especially if you have never been to TippiM@aol.com to let us know you’re Chabad House before.

The Chabad House is a big, bright, coming. To cover food and material for roomy, modern place of learning wel- your whole family, $45. More informacan be found at coming to everyone, regardless of your tion level of observance. For three Sundays www.ochabad.com.

by TIPPI DENENBERG for Chabad House Did you know that the Talmudic rabbis discussed whether we should light eight Hanukkah candles on the first night and decrease down to one candle on the last night? Would you like some fresh, fun

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Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

IN THE NEWS Bozell founders Leo Bozell and Morris Jacobs were inducted into the Omaha Federation of Advertising (OFA) Inaugural LEGENDS of Advertising Hall of Fame last month, as part of the OFA Gala to celebrate “100 Years, 100 Moments” of Omaha-based advertising.

Bozell and Jacobs were honored for their leadership in creating one of the nation’s most successful and celebrated ad agencies. Relatives L. Brent Bozell III and David Peebler accepted the awards on behalf of their grandfathers. Bozell III, of Washington, D.C., grandson of Leo Bozell, is the founder and president of the Media Research Center, the largest media watchdog organization in America. Peebler, of Montclair, N.J., grandson of Morris Jacobs, is an institutional derivatives strategist for Pali Capital in New York City.

Leo Bozell, a former editor of the Omaha Daily News, and Morris Jacobs, a police reporter for the Omaha Bee News, joined forces in 1921 to practice public relations in their off hours. Jacobs was a founder of the Jewish Press in 1920. In 1923, the Nebraska Power Company became a client and they formed the full-time agency Bozell & Jacobs.

Under the guidance of Bozell and Jacobs the agency grew steadily, opening offices across the nation and helping to turn clients such as Mutual of Omaha, VISEGRIP locking pliers, Union Pacific and Boys Town into household names.

For the third consecutive year, The Richdale Group’s Biltmore and Breckenridge Apartments have earned top honors in The Reader newspaper’s “Best of the Big O” readership poll.

The Biltmore Apartments, located at 11525 Decatur Plaza, were named “Best Midtown/Uptown Apartments.” The Breckenbridge Apartments at 15950 Wright Plaza were named “Best West Omaha Apartments.”

With over 23 floor plans, we have the ability to meet and exceed the needs of our residents, be they a firsttime renter or empty-nester,” said Betty Price, regional manager for the The Richdale Group. “Our professional staff has been trained to provide at a concierge level of service.”

Seth V. Campbell is one of the newest associates to join CB Richard Ellis|MEGA. Campbell joins the firm after having spent the last year with another local commercial brokerage company in Omaha.

Campbell’s real estate experience is extensive. While in college, he worked for his family’s property management company. He helped maintain the property and worked hand-in-hand with property space build-out.

Eventually, Seth helped lease and manage properties in the company.

During the last year, Seth has represented clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, from investment sales and purchases to retail, industrial and office leasing.

Seth earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate and Land Use Economics from the University of Nebraska- Omaha Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation and the Nebraska Children’s Home Family Guild are kicking off the holidays with their annual “Babes in Toyland” holiday fashion show, luncheon and silent auction on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Nebraska Children’s Home Society, 4939 So. 118th St. The fashion show will begin at 11 a.m. with the luncheon and silent auction following.

Fashions by Younkers will be modeled by area families and supporters of Nebraska Children’s Home, and the Fusion Dance Team will be providing entertainment throughout the day.

Tickets to the event are $30 for adults and $15 for children. To RSVP or for any questions regarding the event, please contact Kathleen Al-Marhoon, NCHS Foundation Special Events Manager at 451.0787 or kalmarhoon@nchsfoundation.org.

All proceeds from the event will support the programs of Nebraska Children’s Home.

Cleo Rogers will be in the Nutcracker at the Orpheum Theater through Dec. 3. She dances as a Party Girl and a Shoe Child. Her parents are Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas.

The Nebraska Medical Association Foundation has awarded $24,500 to Project Harmony, a communitybased child protection center in Omaha whose mission is to respond to the abuse of children one child at time.

Project Harmony requested the assistance to launch a statewide program aimed at providing training in child abuse and neglect for physicians and other medical staff.

“This grant demonstrates that Nebraska physicians care deeply about the health and well being of Nebraska’s children,” said Eugene Zweiback, M.D., president of the Nebraska Medical Association Foundation.

The trainings will be conducted by experts in the field of child abuse and neglect and will be held in a variety of locations across Nebraska, creating easier access to information.

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Nebraska Celebrities Sing For Sight CD-a Fundraiser for Blind Children

by Norma Johnson It has taken Karen Sokolof Javitch about four years to complete her latest CD: Nebraska Celebrities Sing for Sight. Twenty Nebraska celebrities donated their time and talents singing on her latest album.

“It all started with Senator Ben Nelson,” Javitch said.

“I saw him at an event and asked him if he could sing and if he’d like to work on a fundraising project with me. The next thing I knew he met me at Warehouse Recording Studio and he sang one of my country western songs, ‘Western Town in Nebraska.’ He is so excited about singing on this CD that he is giving it to his fellow U.S. Senators as a holiday gift!”

Javitch used to teach blind children, as did her mother, Ruth Sokolof. She is donating all the profits from the sale of the CD to the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children, an organization both she and her mother were involved in. “My dad was also involved with NFVIC, so I included him on the album. I think he would be very proud of it.” Before becoming America’s number one cholesterol fighter, Phil Sokolof was an entertainer. He sings a medley of songs from an Omaha Press Club event.

Javitch wrote most of the songs on the CD, which is a mixture of pop, show tunes, country western, lite rock and more. Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes donated one of his songs, ‘First Day of my Life’. Also contributing to the songwriting is Chuck Penington, who penned a song for his late friend, actor/singer Gordon MacRae. Actress/author Elaine Jabenis sings a duet with actor Dick Boyd, who just completed his 30-year run as Scrooge at the Omaha Community Playhouse. World Herald columnist Mike Kelly, “American Idol” Maynard Triplets, Broadway actress/singer Joanna Young, Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch and movie and television actor John Beasley are some of the other Nebraska celebrities.

The CD can be found at Nebraska Furniture Mart, Homers, The Bookworm, Fused Studios, Borders (72nd) or by calling 393.3893.

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ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Celebrating 20 years at the helm of the JCC, Executive Director Jeff Aizenberg will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Dec. 1, noon, at the Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman.

Aizenberg will highlight the past, discuss the present, and envision the future.

All men and women in the community are invited to attend Breadbreakers. Cost is $11 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only.

NEBRASKA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY This Sunday, Dec. 3, 3:30 p.m., in the JCC Auditorium, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will celebrate the life of the late musical composer and lyricist Ann (Rosenblatt) Ronell. Born in Omaha and a Central High School graduate, Ronell was one of the first females to have a successful career as a composer and lyricist of film in Hollywood.

One of her earliest compositions was “Willow Weep for Me,” a jazz and pop standard. In 1933 Ronell co-wrote “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” one of Disney’s first hit songs. She also composed background music for other Disney animated short films. Ronell went on to write full musical scores, one of her most famous being “The Story of G.I. Joe”, that earned her two Academy Award nominations for best musical score and best song.

This event will feature the music of Ronell, George Gershwin and Harold Arlen, as interpreted by Tuffy Epstein and Emily Meyer. Ozzie Nogg will serve as master of ceremonies and narrator. A small exhibit of Ronell’s memorabilia will also be on display in the auditorium. This NJHS event is free and open to the public.

YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Members will meet Monday at the JCC with boot stomping, hand clapping entertainment by Bill Neidershiser, who will sing favorite country hits and more. Try your luck with bingo at 10 a.m. with Miles and Eileen Remer. For transportation call Dee Dee at 330.4272. Call Maggie Conti for reservations to the Ameristar Casino on Dec. 14.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

VISIONS Visions “Senior Conditioning” will be held at the JCC on Wednesday, Dec. 13, noon. TLunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and at 1:15 p.m. the Dancing Grannies will perform. The cost is $10. Make check payable to Visions. Send reservations to Jim Wax, 118 So. 88 St., Omaha, NE 68114 by Dec. 7.

ENGAGEMENT Karen Loggia and David Spizman, both of Kansas City, announce their engagement.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Elizabeth and Tom Loggia, Damestown, MD. Her fiancé is the son of Dorothy Spizman and the late Phillip Spizman.

Yachad Supports Benefit Concert for Wings

by DUANE J. PIEPER Yachad members attended the Great Plains Hanukkah Benefit Concert at Beth El Synagogue, organized by Cantor Wendy Shermet and Cantor Gaston Bogomolni.

The proceeds from the packed house went to Omaha’s Child Savings Institute, as well as the Wings: Preparation for Life program based in Israel.

As was reported in the Jewish Press earlier, in the promotion of this benefit, Wings is the flagship project of Kivunim: New Directions for Special Needs Youth in Israel. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of young adults with disabilities in the Galilee. One of their primary focuses is to help them learn to live independently as they enter adulthood.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

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Half Pound Hot Pastromi or In Support of “Wings” are: Avi Wolfson, left, Jeff Steinberg, Michael and Josh Parsow, and Ben Friedman; front row: Grace and Nancy Isler. Not pictured: Alan Friedman.

The Yachad members resonate with and support the objectives of the Wings program for a couple of obvious reasons. On a personal level, they can relate to the challenges of the special needs community in Israel.

Secondly, some of them have a dream of their own to learn to live independently.

As a matter of fact, a workshop discussing the reality of establishing Jewish group homes in Omaha was held just last week at the JCC. Contact JFS for more information on this enterprise.

Yachad members will be discussing additional ways in which to support the building of a security room in one of the Wing’s group apartments. This past summer, I witnessed first hand the need for handicap-accessible shelters while I visited Nahariya. This shelter project is an urgent need, as the Galilee region continues to be subjected to the threat of rocket attacks from Hezbollah outposts in southern Lebanon.

Visions Luncheon Mike Sigmond from KETV 7 News Team brought Visions members up-to-date on the recent political elections both local and nationally, and spoke briefly on the 2008 Presidential Mike Sigmond and Jim Wax election.

Members were asked to bring a donation to support Jewish Family Service’s “Project Driedel” and collected $270 for families in need.

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December 1, 2006

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Prestigious Literary Journal to Focus on Yiddishkeit

by DAVID FEINGOLD for Congregation B’nai Jeshuruan Interest in yidishkayt has been growing dramatically among Jews in the United States and overseas. In March 2007, one of America’s most prestigious literary magazines, Prairie Schooner, published by the University of Nebraska Press, will release a special issue featuring a portfolio of work by Jewish writers who examine the revival of yiddishkeit. Many contributors to Jehanne Dubrow, left, and Hilda Raz the portfolio have read from a selection of Yiddish poetry c h a m p i o n e d at “An Evening of Jewish Poetry” at Jewish literature Lincoln's South Street Temple.

Photo credit: Ken Bloom culture and throughout their careers and express the perplexing contradictions embodied by contemporary yiddishkeit.

One of them is Jehanne Dubrow, an accomplished poet now residing in Lincoln, who says the word is difficult to pin down: “Yiddishkeit means ‘things Jewish’ or ‘the quality of Yiddishness.’ It evokes Yiddish, klezmer and folklore, Chassidism, the Orthodox, the Bund, the lost world of the shtetl, YIVO, and ‘The Forward.’

Simultaneously culture and language, Yidishkayt can also be understood as a tone of voice… While the yiddishkeit of the 1900s was for insiders only--music, theater, film, and literature created by Jews for other Jews--contempo-

The Night Before Hanukkah, Friedel Students Stage Play

by COOKIE KATSKEE FJA Principal As their Hanukkah gift to the community, the students of Friedel Jewish Academy will stage “What is Hanukkah?” on Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., in the JCC Theater--the night before Hanukkah begins.

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“What is Hanukkah?”is presented in Hebrew with English narration, and tells the story of the Festival of Lights through the eyes of Ariot the Lion, mascot of Friedel’s Tal Am Hebrew curriculum.

A dessert reception in the auditorium will follow the play.

rary yiddishkeit engages a world beyond itself.”

At a recent Evening of Jewish Poetry at Lincoln’s South Street Temple, sponsored by Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Ms. Dubrow was joined by congregation member Professor Hilda Raz, the Luschei endowed editor of the Prairie Schooner and a professor in the UNL Department of English. Professor Raz’s poems, essays, articles, and reviews have been widely published.

Dubrow is pursuing a Ph.D. in creative writing at UNL, and is the recipient of UNL’s Maude Hammond Fling Fellowship. Her work has appeared in Poetry, The Hudson Review, Tikkun, and The New England Review.

She was born in Italy, and grew up in Yugoslavia, Zaire, Poland, Belgium, Austria, and the United States. During the South Street Temple event, she read several of her poems, including “Souvenir.”

In Kraków’s marketplace, the kiosks vend carved men at 30 zlotys each: a Jew who grips the Torah in his wooden hands, a beggar Jew, a bobble-headed Jew whose body sways and nods with just a pull against his jagged nose, a singing Jew, a Jew who spills gold coins onto a scale, the balance tipping in his favor. These Jews will be wrapped up and taken home to stand on cluttered shelves. Children will clench the Jews, the “ydki”, as their parents say. How pale their faces are, how dark the beards of Jews, as black as coal dust covering new snow (and lost like memory in the dirt below).

Published in Poetry, (March 2005): 436.

Yidishkayt: A Prairie Schooner Portfolio will be published on March 30, 2007. Pre-orders for the issue and annual subscriptions are available by calling 1.800.715.2387.

A Place Where Jewish Values are Expressed: Chabad Judaica Boutique

by KELLY TICHAUER-KIRK for Chabad of Nebraska Just in time for Hanukkah, Chabad House announces the opening of the newly expandedJudaica Boutique, where Judaism is brought to life. “We are ready to assist the Jewish community with all Judaica needs,” said Rabbi Mendel Katzman. “Our mission is to find and select unique, top quality items that will increase the understanding and bond with Jewish values, beliefs and customs, especially in regard to the education of children.”

Not only does the boutique carry special and meaningful gifts, along with educational items for children, the boutique also carries ritual items and more. The new boutique is more than twice the size of the old gift shop and gives visitors more room to shop.

The boutique will continue to purchase more items until the “official” opening in the spring. Choosing a gift is a reflection of both the giver’s and recipient’s individuality and style. Chabad staff are more than happy to place special orders to help you find that perfect item.

Through the end of Hanukkah, all items in the boutique are an extra 10% off. Also, if you spend more than $50, you will receive a Hanukkah tin (while supplies last).

Proceeds will help support Chabad’s ongoing educational social service programs. The Boutique is open during regular office hours or by appointment; contact Chabad House at 330.1800 or ochabad@aol.com or me at 680.4153 or kkirk@cox.net.

Omaha Athletes to Attend JCC Maccabi Games in Houston in August

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by RACHEL BLUM JCC Jewish Program Director Team Omaha has officially been invited by the JCC Association to participate in the 2007 JCC Maccabi Games in Houston from Aug. 5-10, 2007. The JCC Maccabi Games have been offering a life and personality-shaping experience to Jewish teenagers since 1982. At this Jewish Olympic style event, each athlete has the chance to participate in one of 14 sports in events spanning the week-long experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The JCC Maccabi Games can be called the Olympics for Jewish teens, but they serve a larger purpose than athletic competition. The Games also promote community involvement, teamwork, and pride in being Jewish.

The Games are the largest Jewish teen event in the world--each summer over 6,000 Jewish teens participate in the Games. More than 100,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games since 1982. The energy and excitement make it a unique and unforgettable experience for every participant, from athletes to volunteers, from coaches to host families.

The JCC Maccabi Games are made possible with the generous help of many sponsors and volunteers who donate time and valuable resources, including our con-

tinental sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company.

All Jewish teens that will be between the ages of 1316 as of July 31, 2007 are eligible to participate in the Games, and we have only 17 athlete spots available. The cost of the Games is $975, and JCC Members who register before July 31 will receive a 20% discount, bringing the total to $780.

Participation fees include the JCC Association registration fee, transportation, meals for the week, team uniforms, t-shirts, jackets, and trading pins, team coaches, and Maccabi programs.

Our next upcoming program is a Laser Tag Competition on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Participants will meet at the JCC for pizza and will be transported to ZZZAP Laser Adventures, returning to the JCC at 8:30 p.m. for pick up.

This program is free for all 2006 Maccabi participants and all 2007 eligible participants. Reservations must be made by Dec. 10 by contacting me at 334.6404 or rblum@jccomaha.org.

To register for the Games, please contact Cindy Reed, Registration Associate, at 334.6419. For more information about the JCC Maccabi Games, please visit the Games’ website at www.jccmaccabi.org.

December 1, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM THE MORTON A. RICHARDS YOUTH FUND Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the teens of the Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation.

Special thanks to Alice Weiss for collecting the material.

HIGHER POWER Dear God Dear Jesus Dear Buddah Dear higher power I have but a simple request A few simple requests Give me some sanity But not too much Give me the power to know what I want But let me discover it on my own Give me a challenge But give me a purpose and direction to lead me Give me passion Give me the ability to start a revolution Give me the ability to know who I am requesting this of Give me the knowledge to know why I am writing this Give me a talent that could make a man weep with sheer awe But above all Give me the ability to grant my own wishes I am my higher power Anna Munzesheimer is a junior at Millard North High School.

Schools Are Bad For Kids

by ADAM TRUBNIKOV Putting children in school is just another way of eating a chocolate bar and sitting on the couch to watch television for two straight hours. Someone can’t expect to burn calories by not exercising the body. The same goes for putting a child into a building and expecting people within the building to make the child learn about the world around him. It would be a different story if the insides of the building were transformed into a world like a playground. Designing the insides of schools as many box-shaped rooms and extensive walking hallways is a blueprint for disaster. Putting children in classrooms to prepare them for life is a bad idea.

School does something that would not occur without its presence. Unfortunately, it’s not a positive impact. By telling a person, child or adult, what something means, that person is not given an opportunity to exercise his brain. Instead, he agrees with the statement and continues on with whatever he was doing. His concerns are getting the task accomplished, whether it’s reading a chapter from a book or understanding assigned terminology. With this in mind, he will expect to receive more answers without putting much thought into the process. This way of working is harmful to the learning

process in general because the person isn’t challenged to think intellectually.

“School”, a word associated with grasping essential and conceptual matters, is taken for granted. By “school” we mean a building with classrooms with rows of desks. We mean lectures and memorization. How rare to find a kid who comes out of this horrid institution with his curiosity intact. If one does, then there is hope for change in the generation to follow.

Adam Trubnikov is a sophmore at Iowa Western Community College.

STRANGER

“Rose Woodcut” by Sara Munzesheimer, a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Honorable Menschen Prepare for Mitvah Project

In preparation for the mitzvah activities they will perform during their B’nai Mitzvah year, Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT) seventh graders recently were hosts to Lois Wine, Director of Volunteer Services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Wine spent time with the students, helping them become sensitized to the needs of the elderly. Pictured above front row: Elizabeth Salkin; middle row: seventh grade teacher Deborah Kronick, Lois Wine, Hal Emas, Daniel Schlessinger and Max Saferstein-Hansen; back row: Ezra Potash, Ze’ev Lailari and Adeev Potash.

Strangers are my favorite kind of people They are an adventure A new frontier A mystery of which I long to sink my teeth into What experiences and memories will I extract from this new source?

Will we become lovers?

Or bitter enemies?

Perhaps we will exchange numbers and never call But then the enigma that is you may force me to take up the receiver Our souls could connect I may look back and laugh at the things you said to me And the things I said back to you Thank you for not letting the paint dry on my canvas For being the vitally bright color that I can’t help but cling to I chase the vitalness until it has dulled and I move on to the next adventure.

Anna Munzesheimer is a junior at Millard North High School.

Judy Radloff is a junior at Millard North High School.

Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

The “Other” Israel It’s too bad most Americans have developed an impression of Israel based on biased reports from CNN. It’s a disturbing picture: bloodied Israelis being carted away in Magen Dovid Adom ambulances after a suicide bombing, yeshiva bochers throwing rocks at Jews driving cars on Shabbat, Palestinians screaming at Israeli soldiers at security checkpoints, gun-waving settlers…no wonder most American Jews fear making a trip to the Jewish homeland.

There is another side to Israel, however. In fact, there are many other facets of the 58-yearold State that do not get the media attention that the blood and gore receive.

Take for example the brilliant innovation of companies like Agrologic in this week’s lead story. If CTB, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company hadn’t purchased Agrologic, it might have been overlooked. But this small creative company is breaking new ground using cellular technology in ways never dreamt by engineers a decade ago.

Israel is, after all, second only to the United States in the number of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) and second only to Finland in the number of cell phones per capita. (Finland is the home of Nokia.) It’s no wonder the Oracle of Omaha saw opportunity in Iscar, a multi-billion dollar tool manufacturing industry that does business with 60 countries worldwide.

Hundreds of technological advances occur in Israel every year. In the biomedical field, new drugs are being developed in the fight against multiple sclerosis, various forms of cancer and cystic fibrosis and in vitro fertilzation. Other

promising advances include repair and regeneration of spinal cord injuries.

Too bad its neighbors won’t let them just be.

Imagine if you will, the brains and innovation of Israeli citizens backed by Arab oil money. Think of the jobs that would open up to the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and other Arabs if new companies could be created. The Middle East would truly be a powerhouse. It’s too bad that instead, Hamas spends Arab oil money on kassam rockets and Hezbollah on katyushas instead of paying their teachers and policemen.

It’s hard to be sympathetic to pleas of poverty while the leaders of these people are channeling funds to terrorists instead of on education and health care.

Life in the Middle East has made institutions like the Western Galilee Hospital a leader in mass casualty events. In fact, following the summer war with Hezbollah, medical personnel from every Israeli hospital traveled to Nahariya in Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region to train with the WGH staff, who had, unfortunately, become experts.

But this new expertise is also giving WGH a new role in the war against terrorism…teaching others everything from bomb-proofing entrances to emergency rooms to designing tunnels

that bring ambulances directly into the hospital, thereby protecting both emergency medical personnel as well as patients.

Starting with our lead story on Agrologic this week, this series will be running in the Jewish Press through the rest of the month. Readers will get a glimpse of the United States Ambassador to Israel and learn about the more than 30 former Nebraskans who have made aliyah and another dozen who are studying there or in the process of moving. Readers will also find out how the Western Galilee Hospital prepared for—and learned from—the summer war and go behind the scenes at Yad VaShem— which is much more than a museum dedicated to the Holocaust.

Yes, there is the Israel on CNN—but in these pages, you can discover the “other” Israel.

newspapers.

There are several, most notably Yated Neeman and Hamodia--the latter not only publishes, like the former, a large, multi-sectioned weekend paper but a smaller daily edition as well. The news coverage itself says much about the community. Since mimicking the larger world’s media would violate a number of Jewish religious ideals, one won’t find any reference at all in the haredi press to the celebrity obsessions that grace even the front pages of the general press, or any parallel to the sort of sleazy crime coverage favored by tabloids, or even any of the standard-issue scandal-mongering that saturates so much of the media. Basic international, national and local news are reported straightforwardly, with the intention of providing important or practical information.

and the word refers to a charitable effort that grants or lends goods, or provides services, to anyone in need of them, free of charge.

Many gemachs - understandably, considering the Orthodox commitment to large families - revolve around the needs of new parents.

There are gemachs offering “multiples” baby equipment for new mothers of twins or triplets, others that prepare free meals for new mothers, yet others providing women to spend nights at new parents’ homes, to help care for the young siblings of newborns. There are also offers of catering services for new parents celebrating their son’s bris, portable playpens, and infant car seats.

And then, among the dozens of other gemachs listed are some offering professional makeup-application (for weddings and such), others still lending hospital gowns that provide more coverage than the standard fare, audiotapes of lectures on an assortment of topics, checklists for planning a wedding, custom hair pieces for men and children with chemotherapy hair-loss (most of Hamodia’s women readers own wigs), rides to the park or the shore for Alzheimers sufferers, air-beds for sudden influx of overnight visitors, “shtick”--costumes, novelties and the like--the offering listings of gemachs.

This, from a community that, with the constant and formidable responsibilities of observant life, has precious little free time. But what time and effort it has, it seems, a good deal of it is channeled toward helping others.

That subtle message residing in newspapers like Yated and Hamodia rarely appears in the general or other Jewish media. There the spotlight is most commonly focused on the Orthodox community for one or another of its unusual religious or cultural practices, or when one of its members does something wrong. But Orthodox peculiarities or wrongdoers, though they certainly exist as they do in every society, do not reflect the essence of their community.

The classifieds do.

Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. This op-ed comes courtesy of Am Echad Resources.

Part of my job as Agudath Israel of America’s media liaison is to help ensure that traditional Orthodox Jewish beliefs and life are accurately represented in the press, and that the larger Jewish and non-Jewish worlds are informed about important happenings in the Orthodox community.

There are ample opportunities for both.

Misconceptions about Orthodox Jews, especially haredim, are commonplace, not only in the general press but even in the Jewish. And there is no dearth of newsworthy occurrences in the haredi world. Orthodox educational institutions, moreover, do an impressive job of ensuring Jewish commitment and continuity; and the community yields singular events - like the “Siyum HaShas” Talmud-completion gathering last celebrated in 2005, which brought together more that 100,000 celebrants in major convention centers across the continent and around the world.

And yet I think that what are most revealing about Orthodox life are little things.

A revered yeshiva dean was once asked by the parents of a marriage-eligible young woman about the personal qualities of a young man studying at the institution. The rabbi’s response was that the fellow struck him as a paragon of good traits. “But if you want to find out what he is really like,” he added, “you’ll have to ask the cook.”

What he intended to convey was that while our public personae and actions may mean much, whatever meaning they hold pales beside the evidence to be culled from the mundane activities of our daily lives, from the testimony of our husbands, wives, children, friends - or, if we live in a dormitory, the cook.

The haredi world doesn’t have a cook (well, actually, it has a good many excellent ones, but you get the point). What it has, though, are

...the most intriguing -- and telling -- window onto the Orthodox world provided by its newspapers lies in the small print of its classified ads.

But to me, the most intriguing--and telling --window onto the Orthodox world provided by its newspapers lies in the small print of its classified ads.

Those in a randomly selected edition of Hamodia include the expected job offerings, services and properties for sale or rent, of course. But then there is, in addition to a “lost” column, a sizable one labeled “found.”

Therein, one ad-placer seeks the owner of a gold bracelet; another, the person who had lost a digital camera; yet another, the feet missing a pair of children’s sneakers; another still, the holder of the partner of a single leather glove. Another bracelet and a blanket are offered by yet other ads, both found “a few years ago.”

And then there are the “gemachs,” more than five full-page columns of them.

“Gemach” is the transliteration of a Hebrew acronym for the phrase “bestowal of kindness,”

Jewish Press Committee Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice-Chairman; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Michael Siegel, Finance Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Melissa Schop; 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 a constitutional committee of the Jewish Federation.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Jewish the Committee, Federation of Omaha 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.

Classified Information

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN

(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus Chairman 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

Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee 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.

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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.

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November 24, 2006

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

Demanding Optimism in Response to Life’s Difficulties

METAPHORICALLY SPEAKING

by DR. MAGDA PECK (Editor’s note: After reading Sam Weinstein’s d’var Torah on Parashat Noach, Magda Peck, a member of the Union for Reform Judaism’s national committee on social justice, sent her response to the Press.)

Weinstein, who is involved with the American Jewish World Service, the lead organization in the Save Darfur Campaign, wrote: When the flood is over, after the raven and then the dove have been sent out, and after Noach has found dry land, G-d makes a promise to Noah. G-d.s promise is that G-d will never, ever destroy the world again.

Although there are a lot of specifics for what G-d expects of us after the world is recreated, after all is said and done, G-d sends a rainbow as a sign of G-d’s covenant with Noah and all future generations.

The Hizkuni, another commentator, offers an explanation about the symbolism of the rainbow. “Why a rainbow,” he asks, “Why not some other sign to ‘seal the deal?’”

He explains that the rainbow symbolizes our perception and understanding of G-d.

That is because even though we can see it, we cannot touch it. A rainbow is something that we can experience and appreciate, and yet it is indefinable, just like G-d.

Rabbi Hirsch, the 19th century commentator, also suggests that a rainbow is a call to humanity to remain positive and hope-

ful, despite ominous events and times that loom ahead.

Perhaps this covenant is not just a promise from God, but also a demand that humanity always have an optimistic response to life’s difficulties.

Ever since G-d sent the rainbow, rainbows have been a symbol of hope, and a symbol of better things to come.

I remember a few years ago when people truly began to think about the genocide in Darfur, a photograph taken in one of the refugee camps circulated on the internet.

The picture showed a young boy covered in mud and his mother under a tent trying to seek shelter from a rain shower.

The boy was obviously malnourished, and the mother, the caption read, was recovering from wounds related to her rape.

However, for some inexplicable reason, the woman had a smile on her face.

For a long time that picture puzzled me, and I thought to myself, “What in this woman’s life could possibly make her smile?” Then, less then a year ago, as my friend Eva Billick and I were making preparations for our school to attend the Rally for Darfur in Washington D.C., I went back to that picture. As I looked at it, I made a startling discovery. I saw that the woman’s eyes in the photograph were not looking at the camera, but rather off into the distance.

And in the distance, where it had already stopped raining, there was a rainbow...a faint, translucent rainbow. It hit me then, that a rainbow is a message from G-d. It is G-d’s way of extending a hand to anyone who needs it. G-d extended a hand to Noach,

and to this woman. G-d acts in mysterious ways, but every now and then, G-d’s actions are so clear you just cannot miss them. In the same way, you can’t miss a rainbow.

Yesterday, I found my way in the cold rain to Amsterdam’s Jewish Historical Museum. Under renovation, it was marked by gravel and dust, construction signs, and a huge blazing yellow star.

Free to wander in, I stood at the center bima with eyes closed and imagined the building, once one of four vibrant synagogues, filled with Jews in prayer and celebration. I opened my eyes to silent black and white enlarged photos of holy days and b’nai mitzvahs of another era. Old grainy movies of weddings and a bris cycled over and again on a slick flat screen monitor. Behind impenetrable plexiglass cases were Hanukkiyot and yads and guilded scrolls from 50 and 150 years ago. Relics of a time now but a whisper.

Judaism enshrined.

I trekked on to another shrine--Anne Frank’s house across town. The rain was driving, yet people snaked around the building outside, wet and waiting.

Waiting to experience another slice of history frozen in time by the words of a young Jew not much younger than you, Sam, who refused to give up hope. Many of the people in line were neither European or American--their faces and languages varied widely--her book has reached so many, so far.

An aging Chinese gentleman approached me about a block away. He spoke four words: “Anne Frank House?

Please?” I pointed the way. “Just follow the people. Many, many people,” I said.

He smiled, bowed, and hurried on. I crossed the canal to the other side and looked over at the growing crowd to see if he had found it.

A sudden sliver of late day sun pierced the clouds, and a single rainbow arched across the sky. It’s a pot of gold: Anne Frank’s House. I sometimes think that G-d is sure we still need operating instructions, and a nudge for hope.

As you travel in the world, Sam, you’ll discover a clarity that comes like piercing late aftenoon light with visits to places like Prague and Siena and Amsterdam, whose Jews of our grandparents’ generation saw their presumed comfort zone shrink and disappear one day with the knock at the door. They were Jews like us who once flourished here, without fear just as we still do in our safe places and easy times.

I dashed off this raw story late last night to our synagogue’s social justice committee--good people trying to figure out how to engage the congregation further in the crisis in Darfur. We in Omaha have one of the country’s largest Sudanese refugee population, and the Darfuri also are coming. I was impatient again.

G-d’s message was so clear to me yesterday in the rain: In another 50 years, people of means will still take tours to Europe to see Dachau and tour the museums of Amsterdam and knock on the old wooden door at the last shul in Siena.

But I thought, who will visit the graves in Darfur? Who will remember them?

We must embed our learning in our own history and values, memory and faith and act with urgency and persistence, in faith with others.

Dialogue With Muslims: Reality Or Pipe Dream?

At a time when the greatest threat facing the Jewish people and, indeed, the entire world, is from Islamic extremism-- its ideological totalitarianism, its use of terror and suicide bombs, its goals of developing nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction--the question of relations with Muslims in general is at center stage. Recently, after I gave an address on the subject of the Islamic extremist threat, I responded to a question about dialogue by saying that it is a “pipe dream” because “there is no one to talk to.”

As the leader of an organization that is committed to inter-group and interfaith dialogue, with many programs all over the United States and around the globe premised on it, I want to explain what I meant and what I didn’t mean.

I believe dialogue is critical to preventing an escalation of the deadly “clash of civilizations,” which so many are predicting, from becoming a reality. There are many tools and perspectives that need to be employed to move relations in a positive direction, and dialogue is one of them.

We abhor and work daily to counter efforts to stigmatize and demonize an entire religion or people because of the acts of some. Making distinctions is a vital part of our work. Only days after 9-11, when reports started surfacing that there were a number of attacks on Muslims in this country, the ADL placed ads in major national newspapers urging Americans “not to fight hate with hate.”

Blaming all Muslims for the acts of the terrorists is not what America was about and it surely is not what the

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gion for states too often not to respect religious freedom, human rights and equal rights for women.

When I said that there was no one to talk to, I was mostly thinking of the unwillingness of the leading American Muslim groups to do the most basic things: accept Israel’s existence as a legitimate state in the Middle East; reject terrorism unequivocally because no cause justifies terrorism; not view attacks on Israel as legitimate or suggest Hezbollah and Hamas are not terrorist groups and speak out against the virulent antiSemitism coming out of large parts of the Arab world.

For us these principles are the sine qua non for dialogue. They have nothing to do with legitimate criticism of Israeli politics. We expect that there will always be different views between us and Muslim groups on issues.

That won’t stop dialogue. But rejection of Israel’s legitimacy, rationalization of the terror and the teaching of hatred will.

What to do then, when dialogue is important, where smaller dialogues take place but the bigger ones can’t?

The answer is to continue to look for and to encourage those Muslims who believe in compromise and who accept Israel, to continue to insist that those who reject the basic principles are not acceptable until they do and to look for those common areas of agreement outside Middle East issues upon which we can build relationships.

We must also give support and encouragement to all the moderates of the Islamic world who are ready to stand up, because their strength can enhance the entire world and move us to a future of hope and progress rather than one of conflict and despair.

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ADL was about. Most recently, when a Pakistani Muslim man was attacked in Brooklyn because of his religion, the ADL spoke out forcefully against the hate crime and joined in a dialogue with local community groups.

We know that all the major religions have in common a fundamental moral core that needs to be reinforced and nurtured, particularly in the face of those who want to use religion for evil purposes. A few years back I tried to get a project off the ground together with a Muslim cleric in Turkey, who has a following of millions, to produce a work citing instances of tolerance in Judaism, Christianity and Islamic religious texts. It never happened because--after initial enthusiasm--the Muslim leader didn’t deliver. I have had similar discussions with Jordanians and Saudis, but we are still lacking a Muslim partner.

Not only on a conceptual level, but practically, Muslims represent many different things. There are governments and people around the globe that are predominantly Muslim that do not reflect the Islamic extremism that is the threat. Throughout the country, the ADL and Muslims participate together in coalitions to fight hate and intolerance. When St. Louis’ Interfaith Dialogue celebrated its 20th anniversary, an ADL official was the keynote speaker.

Let us be clear: No one has the right to demonize Islam or stereotype Muslims. There obviously are individual Muslims with whom to dialogue and we need to work to identify more interfaith dialogue. But it must be noted that too many moderate Muslims fail to stand up against the extremists. And millions of average Muslims often buy into conspiracy theories about Jews and the West emanating from extremists. We are concerned about those who engage in violence rather than dialogue in response to grievances, such as the cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad and the pope’s comments about Islam. We worry about the tendency when Islam is the majority reli-

Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

Candlelighting Friday, December 1, 4:37 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 nebraskajudaism.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.tiferethlincoln.org

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Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Terri Greenwood, 334.6559.

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, Dec. 8: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Tuffy Epstein answering the question, “What’s This Klezmer Thing All About?

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored

by Beth El; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.

HAVDALAH: PAJAMA Saturday, Dec. 2, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Led by “Miss Patty” Nogg.

Open to all Jewish families with children ages six and younger.

Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Living Hebrew, 10 a.m., with Susi FrydmanLevin; “The Weekly Parasha: It’s All About Me?!,” 10 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg; “Jewish Pot Pourri,” 11 a.m., led by Frydman-Levin.

W E E K D AY S E R V I C E S : Sundays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; weekdays 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

SISTERHOOD BOUTIQUE: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Getting More Out of Prayer: Insights into the Siddur.

WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP: Monday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m., at the synagogue; women in the Jewish community are welcome.

MOTHERS CIRCLE: Monthly class for non-Jewish mothers raising Jewish children, continues Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7-8:30 p.m. and is open to the community, free of charge. For information, contact Judy Rubin, 498.0904 or eddir@bethel-omaha.org.

ABBA, EEMA & ME: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Therapist Glen Fineman will lead a discussion with parents about “The Perks of Positive Discipline.”

KADIMA/USY: Scavenger hunt, Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.

USY SHABBAT: Saturday, Dec. 9, 9:30 a.m.

SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11:15-11:45 a.m., Monthly sing-along program led by Patty Nogg is open to all Jewish chil-

dren (up to age five), their parents and grandparents - free of charge.

visit

www.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CONGREGATION Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., B’NAI JESHURUN

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, 4:37 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 10 a.m. (call the office for schedule); Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 12:38 p.m.; Suedat Shlishit, 4:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:42 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Nadel follows breakfast, 9:45 a.m.; Gift Shop will open from 9 a.m.-noon; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Sisterhood Board Meeting and Lunch, noon. Rabbi Nadel will speak on “The Hanukkah Controversy: What the Rabbis Didn’t Want to Tell You.” Lunch is $5.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Advanced Parsha Study, 9 p.m.

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: Service, 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.; Living Torah, 9:30 a.m. A 20 minute video broadcast of inspiration to jumpstart your week; Mishpacha University presents Mishpacha Mornings, 10:1511:45 a.m. A family breakfast and interactive learning experience for parents and children up to age five. For more information contact 391.7640, e-mail TippiM@aol. com.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle-Tehillim & More, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.

All events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call

BAR MITZVAH Joshua Miles Cohen, son of Marla and Bob Cohen, will become a Bar Mitzvah on S a t u r d a y, Dec. 9, at Temple Israel.

Joshua is a seventh-grade student at Westside Middle School.

His interests include basketball, reading, and

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checking the box scores.

For his mitzvah project, Josh has a job as a correctar at Kumon Math and has donated his pay checks to a teacher at Swanson Elementary in medical need.

He has two sisters, Zoe and Jana, and a brother, Charlie.

Grandparents are Carol and Manny Goldberg, and the late Elaine Goldberg, and Elberta Cohen and the late Harry B. Cohen.

Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Motzi and Kiddush, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; Annual Federation Meeting and Dinner, 6 p.m. Ben Nachman will present his film of Lincoln Jewish History. No charge for the dinner, but donations will be accepted.

Childcare will be provided.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew class (grades 2-8), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, Dec. 10 and 17, 7 p.m. Maimonides. This two session course will introduce and explore Maimonides’ ideas and philosophy and how it remains relevant and vibrant for today’s world.

14th annual “Freedom Breakfast” honoring Dr. Martin Luther King is Friday, Jan. 12, at Embassy Suites. Doors open at 7 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Linda Crump, President of the Nebraska Bar Association. Tickets are $15; reserve now.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet will lead the service; D’var Torah: Joel Ben Izzy, “Buried Treasures: Lost and Found”; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m.

Rabbi Linder will lead the service.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9-10:15 a.m., Joel Ben Izzy, “Of Ladders and Angels

by Jacob’s Journery”; Grade 5 Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Joel Ben Izzy, “Stories from Chelm, the Mythical Town of Fools” SITTER SERVICE: Available each Friday evening for the 7:30 p.m. service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School.

Advance reservations and a $5 donation are appreciated. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.

SUNDAY: Teacher Learning

Coffee, 9 a.m.; Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.-noon; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Spaghetti Dinner, 5 p.m. Contact Lori Bennett at lbennett@templeisraelomaha.com or 556.6536 to reserve. Adults, $7; Children age three and up, $4; no charge for children under age two.

TUESDAY, Dec. 5: Interfaith Couple’s Dinner, 6:30 p.m. at Roja Mexican Grill. RSVP to Nikki Kirshenbaum at nrkirshe@cox. net or 965.8935.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; Spaghetti Dinner Meeting, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Teacher Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; No Middle/High School.

LIFELONG LEARNING SUNDAY, Dec. 3: 4 B’s: Behaving, Belonging, Believing and Bagels, 10:30 a.m. Joel Ben Izzy speaks on “Turning Curses Into Blessings: A Workshop About Finding and Telling Our Own Stories” TUESDAY, DEC. 5: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30–8 p.m.

THURSDAY, Dec. 7: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m.; Torah on Wheels, noon at Fraser Stryker Law Firm. Contact the Temple office at 556.6536 for reservations. Cost is $6.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin.

Minyan, MONDAY and THURSDAY, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by a light oneg.

SATURDAY: Weekly Parashah class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; LJCS Hebrew class (grades 2-8), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

SUNDAY, Dec. 3: Annual Federation Meeting and Dinner, 6 p.m. Ben Nachman will present his film of Lincoln Jewish History.

There will also be an update on the Lincoln Israel Mission and a report by Jan Schneiderman on her experience on Omaha’s October Solidarity Mission. RSVP to Helen Sweet at 488.4759 (after 10 a.m.) and let her know if you need transportation. Babysitting is available.

14th annual “Freedom Breakfast” honoring Dr. Martin Luther King is Friday, Jan. 12, at Embassy Suites. Doors open at 7 a.m. Tickets are $15; reserve now.

UNVEILING A stone setting for the late David Potash will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 1:30 p.m., at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 78th and Crown Point.

December 1, 2006

MARIJUANA

IS A DRUG.

The Journeys of Jacob

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Vayetze When I was a student we had quite a laugh from one of our colleagues who had one of those $2 an hour afternoon jobs teaching in a place called Corona, somewhere in Queens. The laugh had to do with the first verse of our Sidra, “And Jacob left Beer Sheba and journeyed toward Haran (toward Haran is one word in Hebrew: harana).

Our colleague got this important job in harana, that is to say, in Corona. Two bucks an hour in those days of my youth were not to be sneezed at, and many of us would have traveled to Corona, wasting hours of time on dirty subways to get this munificent earning possibility.

Well, Jacob was rewarded, too. He had an amazing vision of the famous ladder, or stairway, which reached to the sky and on it, angels were ascending and descending. And then came Jacob’s understanding that this was the gateway to heaven and God was in this place. Being the pagan that he was, Jacob set up a holy pillar and dedicated it to God by pouring oil upon it.

Jacob’s vow that follows, is not particularly generous: he promises that if God will give him all that he needs,

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

he will give a 10th back to God. Jacob continues to journey into the Land and there he meets with Rachel, daughter of Laban. And Jacob, the young swain, is immediately smitten and agrees to work for her for seven years. Here is how to write a love story, “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days, because of his love for her.�

But the well known story goes on with Laban’s deceptive practice. When Jacob demands his wife after the seven years, lo in the morning, it turns out to be Leah.

But Laban promises to renew his promise, that is to say, for Rachel, providing Jacob works another seven years.

He does.

Now our story continues with the birth of Jacob’s 12 sons and a daughter, children of Leah and Rachel.

Eventually, he escapes from the wiley Laban and sets his face away from Mesopotamia and turns toward the Land of Edom, from which he enters the land that was to be, the Land of Israel.

In these stories, including the fact that Sarah and Rebecca and Rachel all had difficult pregnancies and difficult births, we are given to understand that the late arrival of Israel in history came after a succession of difficulties. Israel was thus to be considered a victory of a sort, and we are to understand that Israel’s history would be fateful for mankind.

Indeed it was. For the history of Israel, full of frustration as it was, nevertheless led to monotheism and the maturity of humankind.

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Freedom to Oppose Government Reflects Generational Rift in O.U.

by BEN HARRIS JERUSALEM (JTA)--As Israeli forces mobilized in the summer of 2005 to remove 8,000 settlers from the Gaza Strip, anger mounte among American Orthodox Jews. Not only was Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government relinquishing territory some viewed as Jewish land by birthright, but many felt the withdrawal was a concession to terrorist intimidation that would invite further bloodshed.

But the Orthodox Union, the largest Orthodox umbrella group in the United States, remained silent, following a longstanding policy of not taking public positions opposed to the security policies of Israel’s government.

That policy was reversed last week when the Orthodox Union adopted a resolution at its biennial national convention in Jerusalem empowering its leaders to publicly oppose Israeli government positions if they deem it necessary.

At the end of a four-part resolution on Israel--which expressed, among other things, the union’s “historic obligation� to preserve the rights of Jews to live freely throughout the land of Israel and its skepticism about trading land for peace--the O.U. moved to allow itself to publicly oppose the government in “exceptional circumstances,� as determined by the organization’s board of directors or executive committee.

The resolution’s practical impact may be only to change the focus of debate from whether to dissent publicly to what qualifies as exceptional circumstances.

But its adoption, and the intensity with which delegates argued over seemingly minor distinctions in language and emphasis, reflects a larger generational shift within the union. “This organization is becoming a lonely place for those who believe in old-fashioned modern Orthodoxy,� said David Luchins, a longtime O.U. board member who opposed the change. “The older generation was influenced by teachers who taught us not to get involved in Israeli issues. The grassroots is not satisfied anymore with that approach.�

Proponents of a more robust public posture counter that Orthodox Jews have a religious duty to make their voices heard on issues of consequence for the future of Israel and the Jewish people.

“If you’re going to be perceived as the organization that represents Orthodox Judaism in North America, you have an obligation,� said Aron Raskas, a Baltimore attorney who chaired the commission that drafted the resolution. Raskas acknowledged that opposition is sometimes best expressed privately, but said there are moments that call for a more public position. “Silence is often construed as tacit approval of the policy,� he said.

Diaspora Jewry’s role in Israeli decision-making long has been contentious, with many arguing that since Israelis alone bear the consequence of their government's actions, American Jewish organizations have no right t influence them.

But Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, with the spectacle of Jews removing other Jews from their homes, sparked a groundswell of protest in the Orthodox community that severely challenged that view. Raskas called it a “lightning-rod issue� for the Orthodox Union.

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Rabbi Lawrence Kushner signs his best-selling book Kabbalah; A Love Story during one of the many Jewish Book Month events. JBM continues with Dr. Ron Wolfson on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., who will share his insights on his newest book, God’s To-Do List, and mother and daughter authors, Perri and Sheila Klass, who headline the book luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11:30 p.m. For reservations, call the Kripke Library, 334.6462.

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 1, 2006

Sea of Dreams Project Brings Omaha and Israel Together Partnership Twinning School) and they

by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director feel very connected with Israel. What realWhen Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Solidarity Mission par- ly amazed me is that none of them said ticipants headed to Israel in October, they they wanted to keep their boats. This is brought with them a special package from the children of Friedel Jewish Academy--30 hand-decorated wooden boats and poems that would serve as the foundation of Sea of Dreams the Partnership project. The Torah portion for the week of the Solidarity Mission was about Noah and the Ark, making the Sea of Dreams project an ideal choice.

Julie Phillips, Friedelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art Director, explained how the children created their masterpieces. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We talked about the Parasha and about the vessel carrying wishes and messages of peace,â&#x20AC;? Phillips said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The theme I gave them was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My boat is made of peace,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and they used that theme to create their poems.â&#x20AC;?

The kindergarten children created a class poem, while the older children each wrote individual poems. The Top photo: Julie Phillips works with Friedelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kindergarten students attached their students on their class poem: front row: Lily Goldberg, left, poems to the boats and then Noa Kipnis, Destiny Wiseman, Ilana McNamara; back row: decorated their vessels to Isabella Wright, Gabby Witkowski, Hannah Stein. Bottom complete their part of the photo: While in Israel, Solidarity Mission participants helped Sea of Dreams project. paint a sail for the Sea of Dreams Partnership project.

Phillips was very pleased with how the children at Friedel reacted something they wanted to do for Israel.â&#x20AC;? to the Sea of Dreams project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The chilIn Israel, Mission participants had the dren have pen pals at Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ayanot (Friedelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opportunity to meet some of Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Chair Stacey Rockman, Kim Goldberg and her Arts Task Force, and Julie Phillips at Friedel, along with Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partners in the Western Galilee led by Shlomit Partnershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arts, Dagan-Deri, Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

Poem written by â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sea of Dreams is a culmination of plans that constantly evolved since my Friedelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kindergarten class visit to Israel during this summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conMy boat is made of Peace. flict with Lebanon,â&#x20AC;? Rockman explained.

Its sail is made from Rainbows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our hope was to create something beauIt floats on a sea of Kisses. tiful that would be meaningful to all of us.

It is held together with Hugs Partnership with Israel is the perfect vehiHer cargo is enough Food for everyone. cle to bring people together.â&#x20AC;?

She is steered by Torah.

Rockman described Kim Goldberg, Her rudder is our Hearts.

Arts Council Chair for Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Partnership with Israel, as the creative visionary who put the Sea of Dreams project together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to create an activity for meeting new people, growing new friendships, and creating partnerships while creating art,â&#x20AC;?

Goldberg said. She added that the Sea of Dreams project will continue to grow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The addition of new dreams will represent new energies and thoughts, to strengthen and propel our hopes and bonds to a better Friedel students Mika Caplan, left, Naomi Teetzel and future.â&#x20AC;?

Chaim Hayward decorate their boats for the Sea of Dreams The final installation of the project. piece will be at the Matte become the â&#x20AC;&#x153;seaâ&#x20AC;? upon which the boats Asher Community Center in the Western Galilee. The children at Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ayanot are would float.

The Sea of Dreams art project was a especially eager to view the Sea of true collaboration. Key people involved Dreams--yet another connection with were Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Partnership with Israel their friends at Friedel.

Israeli partners and work on the next phase of the project together. The group viewed the boats and read the poems, painted a large sail, and created a rope to link the boats together. Then they wrote dreams on pieces of paper--this would

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