Vol. LXXXVII No. 13 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
27 Kislev, 5768 December 7, 2007
ERG proves to be a memorable experience for local physician
Will Annapolis spur progress on Syrian, Saudi peace tracks?
by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director After years spent conducting drills with the IDF, and an intense summer treating mass casualty patients from the Lebanon War, the medical professionals at the Western Galilee Hospital have emerged as undisputed experts in emergency response. Dr. Gordon Moshman recently had the opportunity to work side-by-side with the experts, as a participant of the hospital’s seventh Emergency Response Group (ERG) course. Facilitated through the Federation’s Partnership with Israel program, ERG is a week-long seminar which familiarizes medical personnel from abroad with the Western Galilee Hospital’s emergency readiness measures. The 40-hour course includes lectures, workshops, mass-casualty drills, on-site instruction with IDF medical units, and functional time in specialty areas. Omahans who have attended previous ERG sessions include Dr. Dan Schuller, Dr. Sam Cemaj, Dr. Wayne Lainof and Dr. Alan Kricsfeld. The first ERG was held in 2002 in hopes of building a reserve of American medical professionals to staff the hospital, should the Israeli staff be depleted due to a military crisis. Those attending ERG agreed to return to Israel within 72 hours if their services were needed. Dr. Moshman notes that in today’s post 9/11 era, the course paradigm has shifted. “The focus wasn’t about what we could do for them; it centered on the Israelis sharing their expertise with us. We met some excellent people with very good insight about mass casualty care,” Dr. Moshman said.
by LESLIE SUSSER JERUSALEM (JTA) -While the Annapolis conference was meant to focus on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, the attendance of Syria and Saudi Arabia has raised questions about the prospects for peace between Israel and the wider Arab world. Syria came up because, contrary to expectations, Damascus sent a delegate to Annapolis to talk about trading peace for the Golan Heights. And the attendance at Annapolis of all 22 Arab League member countries, led by the influential Saudis, suggested that normalization of ties between Israel and the Arab world could be in the cards. Israeli experts are divided A signpost on Mount Bental in the Golan Heights, captured from Syria during the Six-Day over the prospects of reach- War, showing cities and distances. Damascus is only 60 km away from the current Israeli Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA border. ing peace with Syria. Some insist Damascus will never break with its Shi’ite consensus is that peace with the Palestinians must come sponsors in Tehran, which is a key condition for first. Nevertheless, the fact that both the Syrians and Saudis progress. Others argue there is a greater chance of achieving peace with the Syrians than with the came to Annapolis -- Syria sent Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad and Saudi Arabia sent Foreign Minister Palestinians. As for accommodation with the Arab world, the broad Continued on page 2
Part III: The Dreidel Chronicles
Contributing to his own future
Dr. Gordon Moshman at the emergency room entrance of the Western Galilee Hospital. A family practice physician with emergency room and military experience, Dr. Moshman spent some of his time in the Western Galilee Hospital’s emergency room. He was especially impressed with how the staff had handled the ‘walking well’, such as those traumatized by the Lebanon conflict. “Hundreds of people came to the hospital un-injured, but traumatized and scared,” he said. Psychologists took care of the emotionally traumatized victims in specially allocated areas, which left the surgical staff and facilities free to handle those in need of more formal emergency medical services. The psychologists also provided extensive patient follow-up. “Most people got through the emotional crisis quite well and have fully recovered, with very few still in need of care,” Dr. Moshman said. The Western Galilee Hospital is located just six miles from the Lebanon border. The hospital has 22,000 employees and is the area’s largest employer, serving the 400,000 residents of the Western Galilee. “Only half of the residents of the Western Galilee are Jewish,” Dr. Moshman observed. “The remaining 50 percent are comprised of Christians, Muslims and Druze, which is much more diverse than the rest of the country.” Continued on page 7
Inside
walk, Jo worked in the public craft market alongside his parents. Their hand- crafted leather shoes and handbags, popular with tourists, Jo has never been afraid of hard work. Growing up in were time Santiago, Chile, he was a boy who never knew that sim- consuming to make. The small amount of profit his parents recognized went to ply “playing” could be feed Jo and their other five the work of a child. children. Families here in the United States are so difThere were no luxuries and there was little time ferent it seems, from the to play. When Jo moved way he was raised. to the United States he Life here is so good for was already past a prime most people. Life is better working age. He had folfor him too, with an lowed his grown son and apartment to call his own daughter-in-law to a betand his family nearby. ter life. Even though he strugHis son’s job as a teacher gles to make ends meet was satisfying, purposeful now that he’s elderly and and enough to support his can’t work full-time, he own growing family, but recognizes and appreciates not quite enough to comthe quality of life he has pletely support his elderly had since coming to father as well. Omaha nearly 20 years ago. From the time he could Credit: Juan-Carlos Herrera-Arango for istockphoto.com Continued on page 7 by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service Assistance from Jewish Family Service is never a crutch. It’s a way to sustain the dignity and healthful way of life for some in the community who need “just a little help” from time to time. Counselors and staff at JFS are continually striving to not only provide the kind of help a client requires, but to assist them in meeting their future needs on their own. This gentleman (whose name has been changed) is one such person.
This Week: Mandy Patinkin’s surprising Midwest connections: Page 5
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
Omaha hosts Israeli and U.S. educators: page 3
Coming This Month: Senior Living Issue,
Construction progress brings opening and more: page 8
Think your teen isn’t drinking? Think again: page 11
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 7, 2007
Will Annapolis spur progress?
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 Latke Sales & Lunch, all day at Friedel Jewish Academy Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Parent/Toddler Class, 9:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Tot Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El BESTT 6th & 7th Grade Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El Hanukkah Dinner, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 Hanukkah Carnival, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel
C Out of Sight Saturday Night/Overnight, 6:30 p.m. L 39 Forever Program, 7 p.m. I SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 P Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. Beth El
C L I P
Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Hanukkah activities and Youth Concert, 11 a.m. & BESTT Dance Open House - Registration Day, 1 p.m.
S A V E
Beyt Shalom Religious School, 1:30 p.m. at JCC Let’s Talk About It -Jewish Literature, 2 p.m. Hadassah Hanukkah Party, 2 p.m. Chabad Hanukkah Super Bowl, 4:30 p.m. at Thunder Alley MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 Partnership with Israel Teacher Training Program, 9 a.m. Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m. JSS Concert Heartland Philharmonic, 7 p.m. Jewish Press Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m. Spirits & Spirituality, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel
& S A V E
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 Partnership with Israel Teacher Training Program, 9 a.m. WOW Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 9 a.m. at Chabad ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz Dinner, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad 22nd Annual Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7 p.m. ADL Youth Leadership Mission 2008 Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Mishpacha University’s Playgroup, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon Jewish Federation AC/DC Meeting, 6 p.m. Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad JFS Love and Logic Parenting Class, 7 p.m. Beth El & NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Jewish Critical Thinking, 7 p.m. at Beth El
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Insights and Values from the Torah, noon at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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Continued from page 1 Israel and the Saudis. For example, Israel raised no offiSaud al-Faisal -- had immediate ramifications in the cial objections to the U.S. plan to supply the Saudis Middle East. with $20 billion worth of sophisticated weaponry over Their attendance demonstrated America’s ability to the coming decade. This was predicated on the undermobilize Arab moderates and underscored the growing standing that the weapons were necessary for deterring isolation of Iran and its radical allies. Iranian aggression. Whether or not Annapolis brings progress or not, While no overt Israeli-Saudi contacts have been made, already it is causing considerable alarm in Iran. Israel and Syria have been engaged in a public on-again, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made angry off-again peace process since the early 1990s. phone calls to Assad and Saudi King Abdullah urging Four Israeli prime ministers -- Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon them not to cooperate with the United States and Israel Peres, Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak -- made against Iran. Iranian state media outlets were more serious efforts to make peace with Syria. blunt, warning that any Arab country that provides Over the past few years, Syrian President Bashar Assad logistic help for a U.S. strike against Iran will be a legit- has made repeated peace overtures, but he has been imate target for Iranian retaliation. unwilling to commit himself to a break with Iran and its Saudi policy has been driven for some time by the terrorist proxies. Iranian threat. The Saudis, who are Sunni Muslims, are Olmert, for his part, has not taken Assad’s overtures terrified at the prospect of an Iranian move against their seriously, partly because the Bush administration made oil reserves or Iranian-sponsored terrorism destabilizing clear it was not interested in making overtures to a Syrian their kingdom. However, that does not mean the Saudis regime it considers hostile to its regional goals, analysts will push for wholesale normalization of ties with Israel, say. the regional counterpoint to Shi'ite-ruled Iran. In early September, however, a new element entered For the past several years, the Saudis have been key the Israel-Syria equation: the apparent bombing by Israel players in regional diplomacy. They fashioned the peace of a suspected nuclear weapons facility in the Syria initiative adopted by the Arab League in 2002, a rough desert. Since then, Israeli intelligence experts say Assad outline that proposed normalization of ties between has shown newfound interest in accommodation and Israel and the Arab world in exchange for a full Israeli moderation. retreat to the pre-1967 borders. Now both Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak The Saudis also mediated the now defunct power-shar- are insisting it is time to explore seriously peace prospects ing agreement in February between the moderate Palestinian Fatah faction headed by P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas and the by ITAMAR MARCUS and is part of a forradical Hamas group. and BARBARA CROOK mal, systematic eduBut in both these cases, for Palestinian Media Watch cational approach the Saudis’ aim was to help Just a day after Israeli throughout the create Arab consensus and and Palestinian leaders Palestinian Authorenhance ties with the United at the Annapolis peace ity. This uniform States as hedges against conference pledged to message of a world Iranian aggression, not to without Israel is negotiate a peace treaty move toward normalization repeated in school by the end of 2008, with Israel, says Saudi expert books, children’s Mahmoud Abbas’s Joseph Kostiner of Tel Aviv programs, crossword Palestinian Authority University’s Dayan Center puzzles, video clips, continues to paint a for Middle Eastern Studies. formal symbols, picture for its people of “Although the Saudis have school and street a world without Israel. a shared interest with Israel names, etc. The picAn information clip in curbing Iranian power, ture painted for the produced by the any contacts the two counPalestinian populaPalestinian Authority tries have on this will remain tion, both verbally Central Bureau of secret, precisely because the Statistics and rebroadcast Nov. 28 on and visually, is of a world without Israel. Saudis won't jump the gun The fact that this campaign continues Abbas-controlled Palestinian television, on normalization,” Kostiner shows a map in which Israel is painted in before the ink on the Annapolis agreetold JTA. the colors of the Palestinian flag, symbol- ment is even dry appears to contradict Until Annapolis, only izing Israel turned into a Palestinian state. the central promise of the Palestinians at secret talks were held. The description of all of the state of the Annapolis conference: that Israel has In September 2006, Israeli Israel as “Palestine” is not coincidental, a right to exist. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met covertly in Jordan with Saudi Arabia’s with Syria. Most pundits believe the outcome will national security chief, Prince Bandar, presumably to dis- depend on whether the United States is prepared to cuss the Iranian threat. This encounter reportedly was promise Assad significant diplomatic and economic guarfollowed by a string of lower-level secret contacts. antees if he breaks with Iran. But there has been no sign of normalization. So far, the Bush administration has offered no sign it is On the contrary, in the run-up to Annapolis, al-Faisal ready to make that promise. declared there would not be so much as a handshake Russia, however, reportedly is planning a follow-up to with Israeli leaders at the conference -- so as not to give Annapolis in Moscow, where the main focus would be the Israelis “free normalization.” the Israel-Syria track. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni argues for linkage Some Israeli analysts dismiss this as Russian jockeying between progress on the Palestinian front and normal- for position on the international stage. Others argue it ization with the Arab world. In other words, every con- creates an opportunity that should not be dismissed cession Israel makes to the Palestinians should be fol- peremptorily. lowed with an Arab gesture of normalization toward “You have a better chance of success [with the Syrians] Israel. than with the Palestinians because you are dealing with a This, she argues, would give Israel added incentive to viable regime, albeit a repugnant one,” said Yossi Alpher, move ahead. a former Mossad analyst and co-editor of the IsraeliBut the Saudi message at Annapolis was clear: Palestinian Web site Bitterlemons.org. “And the payoff Normalization would not be an engine to drive the with regard to Iran is so much bigger. Israeli-Palestinian process. On the contrary, only the res“I am not sure if the Russians have some sort of diviolution of the core conflict would create conditions for sion of labor with the Americans. But from what I know normalization. of the Syrians, they want the Americans in the room, not Still, there have been tacit understandings between the Russians,” he told JTA. Annapolis seems to have boosted as many as four separate tracks: Palestinian, Syrian, normalization and creation of a moderate front against Iran. The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and For the United States, the united front against Iran is Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. key. Some argue that it was the object of the whole exeras follows: cise. Issue Deadline That raises this question: If the moderate alliance Dec. 28 Wednesday, Dec. 19 against Iran is so important, will the United States press Jan. 4 Wednesday, Dec. 26 Israel to make concessions to strengthen that alliance? Questions? Call 402.334.6448
C L I P & S A V E
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE
December 7, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Omaha to host Israeli and U.S. educators for teacher training by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator for Center for Jewish Education The Center for Jewish Education will host 11 teachers from Israel for a twoday teacher training session, Monday
nities in the Central Consortium area. Training sessions will be led by Beth Also participating in the training are sev- Dotan, Dr. Moshe Gershovich, Dr. Rami Arav, and Dr. Guy Matalon. A panel diseral teachers from Consortium cities. Galit Nevo, the Education Task Force cussion exploring Jewish identity in the coordinator in the Western Galilee, is United States will include Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, traveling with the group. “Our teachers are very excited to visit and Rabbi Eric Linder. “The opportunity to host educators the Partnership cities they work with through their schools. The chance to from the Partnership is an honor,” stated visit Omaha for the teacher training ses- Dr. Matalon, executive director of the sion will be an added bonus to the trip.” Center for Jewish Education. “The Nevo said, “Spending Hanukkah in the theme of the sessions -- ‘Challenges in Jewish Identity’ -- will United States will also be a unique experience for Community Reception explore the options available to Jews in different everyone, and some of for Israeli Teachers periods in history. the teachers are hoping Monday, Dec. 10 Presenters will engage for snow!” 7-8:30 p.m. the teachers in examining A reception will be held Beth Israel Synagogue the challenges faced and on Monday evening, how those challenges Dec. 10, 7-8 p.m. at Entertainment by were met.” Beth Israel Synagogue. “The Klez-sortium” Sessions will include The community is invited to welcome the teachers, eat some “The Babylonian Exile”, “The Roman “The Medieval Jewish Hanukkah treats, and enjoy musical Period”, entertainment from “The Klez-sortium”. Experience”, “Anti-Semitism”, “The “Klez-sortium”, named in honor of the Holocaust”, “Jewish Identity in Israel”, Partnership Consortium, is a klezmer and “Jewish Identity in the United band with musicians from Central States.” Sessions will be in English however all Consortium communities. The band will include Mark Finkelstein presenters are fluent in Hebrew which and Abe Goldstien from Des Moines and should make the teachers feel comfortKathy Karr from Louisville, plus Omaha able in asking for clarification of any musicians Tuffy Epstein, Jeff Malashock, points. Omaha religious school teachers are Dik Weiner, and John Bleicher. Finkelstein and Karr have worked for also invited to attend any or all of the several months to put the band together teacher training sessions. Registration is and are thrilled to showcase the talents of requested. For additional information, or to RSVP for the reception, please call the musicians. The theme of the teacher training pro- 334.6445 or e-mail mgrossman@jewgram is “Challenges in Jewish Identity.” ishomaha.org.
and Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 11. The teachers, from the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region in the Western Galilee, are in the United States for a 10-day trip, visiting commu-
Federation is winner in Skinner Baking Company roulade promotion With more than 2,000 entries submitted on line from all over Omaha and with many different charities selected, Marcia Cohen, bottom left, won the drawing; $1,000 was donated to the Jewish Federation of Omaha in her name from the James Skinner Baking Company, announced Andy Greenberg, left, marketing director at Skinner. Jim Skinner, center, owner and president of this 100-year-old third generation family business, presented the check last week to Jan Goldstein, executive director of the Federation. Skinner participated in the random drawing, as well as Audie Keaton, Director of Operations. “It was meant to be,” he said, when Cohen’s name was selected. The promotion was part of the prelaunch campaign for the company’s first branded product, the “Dulce De Leche Roulade.” Entries were part of a visit to the www.whatisaroulade.com website that was heavily promoted in the Jewish Press, as well as TV and other Omaha media. When contacted that she won, Cohen said “I am so glad to be a winner and very surprised. I am grateful that the money is going to the Jewish Federation.” Interestingly enough, her niece Kathy McGauvern is the staff director of the Federation’s women’s campaign!
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 7, 2007
Temple Scholar-in-Residence offers insights into three major religions by GARY JAVITCH Temple Israel correspondent In a turmoil-filled world, where religious strife fuels disharmony and even war, it seemed that the prefect subject for a synagogue discussion would be one that delves into those religions at the center of the controversies. With that thought in mind, Dr. Reuven Firestone, a professor of Medieval Jewish and Islamic Studies at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, chose “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Dialogue and Dissent” as his topic for a scholar-in-residence program at Temple Israel. Dr. Firestone, also an ordained rabbi, came to Omaha in mid-November on behalf of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Learning to promote a discussion of the history and relationships that connect the three faiths, offering many insights into Islam, in particular, as it is a religion that many people have little familiarity with. At each session Rabbi Firestone compared the texts of the three faiths. He noted that in today’s world, a number of people had concerns about the Qur’an. Some felt that the Muslim holy book spoke with threats, that it attacked other religions, that it sanctioned violence and that it was the one true religion. Providing perspective with actual examples, Dr. Firestone explained that those elements also were contained in the Hebrew and Christian texts. At the Friday evening service, he gave a D’var Torah on “Whose Jerusalem? The Holy City of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” In the Hebrew and Christian bibles, Rabbi Firestone explained, Jerusalem is mentioned quite often. In contrast, he remarked that there is no
specific mention of the ancient city in the Qur’an, although it is referred to in the commentaries and in tradition. He elaborated on that point. The Dome of the Rock, a sacred Muslim site in Jerusalem is discussed often in Muslim tradition and, in fact, shares a spot in Jewish history, too, he told me. “The Rock was the location from which Muhammad ascended to heaven and the place – depending on which tradition you followed – where Abraham would have sacrificed his son Isaac.” On Shabbat morning, Dr. Firestone expounded on the evolution of the Hebrew, Christian, and Islamic texts, also explaining the hostility the Qur’an seemingly had for other religions. In the beginning, the rabbi noted, two religions existed in the Middle East: they were Idolatry and Monotheism. A process evolved. As the Hebrews launched their new religion, the first monotheistic tradition, they met resistance from the more established (polytheistic) groups, who would attempt to wipe them out. As the Hebrews became more established, they in turn attempted to destroy other groups. “The Hebrew Bible has many passages that call for war against the opponents of ancient Israel.” That process repeated itself when the Christians launched their movement and when they started to gain preeminence. Just look at the Crusades and the Inquisition, he pointed out. “All the established religions were against the new Christians as they gained adherents. Yet, in the end, the Christian movement succeeded in getting enough supporters.” On the third day of the program, Dr.
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The rabbi joked that he felt “My mission this Sunday morning, which I choose to accept, is to discuss the similarities of the three religious traditions as they relate to the problem of ‘Chosenness.’ It’s not only Jews who got a bad wrap for being the ‘Chosen’ people. All three traditions believed that they were the chosen group, but they developed those in different Temple Israel Rabbi Aryeh Azriel (L) enjoys a moment with Dr. ideas degrees. Perhaps in Eugene "Speedy" Zweiback and scholar-in-residence Dr. Reuven Islam, it is less so, but Firestone after his Sunday seminar. the text is there.” Firestone discussed the concept of Transcending tensions “Chosen-ness.” “Within the texts there is always tur“Many of our behaviors, our attitudes, moil. It’s built into the system,” Dr. and our world view are deeply affected by Firestone observed. “Once you underJewish culture and tradition. Many peo- stand it, you don’t have to take offense at ple have no idea how much our religious it. We need to be able to transcend these background affects our perceptions of tensions. We need to make a conscienworld events,” he said referring to the tious effort to do that.” questions brought up about the violent “Of course,” Rabbi Firestone interjectnature of the Qur’an.” ed, “each group shares the attitude that “Israelites, for example, had a negative ‘my religion is better’ than the others.” relationship with everyone at that time. After laying out several key differences In truth, all three religious traditions had and similarities between Judaism, negative relationships with everyone all Christianity, and Islam, Dr. Reuven the time. That’s just the way the world Firestone closed his weekend stint with a evolved in that period. They all lived in a response to a question about the synaless generous environment. It was a sur- gogue’s “Tri-Faith Initiative.” vival of the fittest.” The initiative is Temple Israel’s effort Rabbi Firestone cautioned the group to to reach out to other faiths to promote avoid “knee-jerk” reactions. “It is impor- peace and understanding. The program tant to be aware of how these emotions embraces a neighborhood arrangement affect us. To fully understand the differ- that would house a synagogue, mosque ent religions, it is necessary to get out of and church. the process and make smarter decisions.” Continued on page 5
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Film, tv, theater, concerts: Patinkin picks singing solo over all and diaries, and other Yiddish items), Patinkin said. by CAROL KATZMAN “But I protested to him, ‘I don’t know any Yiddish Editor of the Jewish Press songs.’ So Joe said, ‘You must learn this music Mandy Patinkin first came to attention of the critics and do it.’” when he played the role of Che in Evita on Broadway Patinkin’s only memories of Yiddish in 1979, for which he won a Tony. was his father Lester singing “Yoma, Since then he’s appeared in films (Yentl, Ragtime Yoma” and his grandmother Celia and his most famous role as Inigo Montoya in The speaking in Yiddish to his parents Princess Bride), more Broadway (The Secret “when she’d come for dinner and didGarden, Sunday in the Park with George, for n’t want us to know what she was talkwhich he was nominated for a second Tony), and ing about,” Patinkin said. television (as the Emmy award winning Dr. So he learned a little song called Jeffrey Geiger in Chicago Hope, and in 2005, as “Yossel, Yossel” (“Little Joseph”) as part profiler Jason Gideon in Criminal Minds). of a salute to Papp and his Polish roots. But if he had to choose just one venue in which You won’t find it on his “Mamoloshen” to showcase his smooth-as-silk voice, it CD, however (which also was perwould be in concert. formed on and off-Broadway, “I love it more than anything,” in Germany, and in touring Patinkin told the Jewish Press productions around the last week, “The reservoir of country). material is endless, written Mamoloshen (which is by great geniuses. And I the yiddish word for have the good fortune to “mother tongue”) is only be able to sing it.” one of many genres Sing it he will, Saturday night, Patinkin sings. But he Dec. 8, 8 p.m., at sings in Yiddish to raise the Orpheum funds for the Folksbiene Theater Slosburg Yiddish Theatre in New York Hall, thanks to -- and he’ll even sing in priOmaha Performing vate homes, that’s how pasArts which is sponsionate he is about preserving soring his first perYiddish culture. formance in Omaha. What the audience will hear Born on Chicago’s South in Omaha on Saturday night, Side as Mandel Bruce however, is anyone’s guess -- cer(Menachem Mendel is his tainly a little Broadway, some Cole Yiddish/Hebrew name), Mandy Patinkin sings Saturday night at Porter, maybe Harry Chapin. And, if Patinkinattended -- surprisingly the Orpheum Theater. Credit: Khren Hill we’re lucky, a Yiddish song or two. -- Kansas University. So he does recall driving on I-70 He and his accompanist Paul Ford on piano don’t across Kansas to Colorado. (“Oh my God,” he recalled, know exactly what they’ll do until just before the show. “so boring!”) Though he’s never been to Omaha, he has “It’s a smorgasbord,” he said. “I watch a little news driven through Nebraska as well. And I-80 plays a close because I want to make sure we’re all on the same second to driving through Kansas apparently! page.” From KU, Patinkin went to the Julliard School of In addition to his Midwest ties, Patinkin has one more Drama in New York City, where Kelsey Grammer was a connection to Omaha; he participated in the Hazon classmate. In fact, it was Patinkin who suggested to Bike Ride in Israel with his son Isaac. Hazon’s founder, Grammer that he audition for the part of Dr. Frasier Nigel Savage was in Omaha in October, as part of the Crane in Cheers. Klutznick-Harris Symposium on “Jews and the After paying his dues in regional theater and off- Environment” as was Alon Tal, founder and director of Broadway, Patinkin got his big break in Evita. But he research for the Arava Institute for Environmental also has strong roots in Shakespeare, having appeared in Studies, which is a beneficiary of the 300-mile bike ride. Hamlet and Henry IV. In fact, it was Joe Papp, the “It was inspiring,” Patinkin said of the Jerusalem to founder and director of the New York Shakespeare Eilat annual ride. Festival, who made a simple suggestion in the early Just like his concerts! 1990s that opened a a door into a world he barely knew. (Tickets, priced from $19-$56, are still available by “Joe asked me to sing a Yiddish song for a benefit for calling 345.0606 or online at ticketomaha@omahaperYIVO” (the archive of 360,000 manuscripts, rare books, formingarts.com.)
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Temple scholar offers insights and Judaism,” noting that Continued from page 4 the word for peace in Islam “It is a great thing to do,” is “salaam” and the same he stated. “It will create word in Hebrew is opportunities for the Jewish “shalom.” Also look at the community. You will have a word for bread,” she chance to interact with explained. “It is “lechem” in another faith system. You Hebrew and “lachu” in will hear the views of other Arabic.” religions and,” he added, “I found all of this magnif“they will hear yours.” That icent,” Susan Rothholz was another reason why he chimed in. He made the liked the tri-faith initiative. information come alive for “There will be issues,” he me.” conceded. “Still, for all the Temple member John headaches it will cause, peoDacey attended only the ple will see it and emulate it. My family lived with me in Beth Katz and Temple Israel Rabbi Aryeh Azriel discuss a Shabbat session, but felt Cairo, for example, when I point from the presentation by scholar-in-residence Dr. identically. “I was extremely was doing a fellowship there Reuven Firestone. impressed with the program last year. My own kids went to Egyptian schools; being and was very intrigued by his take on things. His ability around another culture deepened our sense of Jewish to trace back the historical roots of the topics he disidentify. My son is very proud of his faith. cussed was very good. And so was his ability to tie in the “It is an opportunity to evaluate and think about who roots of these three Abrahamic faiths by describing the you are. It really is a brilliant idea,” he acknowledged. similarities of the religious traditions. Sarah Teetzel, a Temple member, was impressed by “I believe, John concluded, that “we should find a way what she gained during the sessions, remarking “I did- to reach common ground with those who follow differn’t realize how similar the names or terms were in Islam ent faiths.”
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Orthodox criticism of Olmert Happy 95th Birthday Jewish showdown to Leonard (CHRIS) Krasne foreshadows by AMI EDEN Conference of Presidents’ next general meeting, on Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 7, 2007
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NEW YORK (JTA) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert found himself under criticism this week by America’s largest Orthodox group, foreshadowing a likely showdown between left-wing and right-wing Jewish groups. The Orthodox Union, which claims to represent about 1,000 synagogues, issued a statement Tuesday criticizing Olmert for not defending Israel’s right to Jerusalem in the face of Palestinian claims on parts of the city during his speech at the Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Md. O.U. leaders voiced “concern” that Olmert “did not explicitly resist Palestinian President Abbas’ claim to a piece of Jerusalem.”
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Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Credit: Paul James Cowie The O.U.’s statement was just one sign of Orthodox and right-wing groups ramping up their campaign this week to head off any Israeli deal for sharing or dividing Jerusalem. The campaign comes as Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged this week to try to forge a peace deal by the end of 2008. In his speech Nov. 27, Olmert stressed that the forthcoming negotiations would “address all the issues that we have so far avoided addressing. We will do this directly, openly and courageously. We will not avoid any issue. We will address all core issues.” Presaging the debate certain not only to roil American Jews but Israeli Jews as well, he went on to say: “I have no doubt that the reality that was created in the region in 1967 will be changed in a very signficant way. It will be as difficult as the netherworld for many of us. But it is inevitable.” Those coordinating the campaign to maintain a united Jerusalem met Monday with U.S. President George W. Bush’s national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, and helped arrange several U.S. appearances this week by Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, an outspoken opponent of dividing Jerusalem. In addition, the groups are pressing the Jewish community’s main umbrella body on Middle East affairs, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, to issue a statement reiterating its longtime position that Jerusalem should remain Israel’s undivided capital. Representatives of the Orthodox community met on Tuesday with Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the 51-member umbrella organization, to press their case. Olmert appeared to take issue with such efforts. When asked by JTA about the issue during a press briefing Monday, prior to the launch of the U.S.-led peace talks in Annapolis, Md., Olmert said: “Does any Jewish organization have a right to confer upon Israel what it negotiates or not?” “This question was decided a long time ago,” he said. “The government of Israel has a sovereign right to negotiate anything on behalf of Israel.” Olmert added that, at this point, Jerusalem was not on the table. While that was the case at Annapolis, where the two sides were not expected to delve into the thorny issues of borders, refugees, settlements, security and Jerusalem, the lack of any concrete peace proposal has not stopped Jewish liberals and conservatives from reopening their decades-long battle over the peace process. Communal insiders say the front line is now the Conference of Presidents. In addition to pushing for a statement on Jerusalem, opponents of Israeli concessions to Abbas also are lobbying for the umbrella body to call on the Palestinian leader to abrogate any clauses in his Fatah Party’s constitution that support terrorism or call for Israel’s destruction. Both issues are expected to come up at the
Dec. 20, several members said. Liberal groups say that they will fight both initiatives, painting them as transparent efforts to undercut Olmert’s talks with the Palestinians. “These proposals, from what I’ll call some of the right-of-center groups, would really put the Conference of Presidents in opposition to some of the initiatives that the U.S. and the Israelis are currently working on,” said Kenneth Bob, president of Ameinu, formerly the Labor Zionist Alliance. “At a minimum, I would expect the conference not to support any of these proposals whose motivation is to show opposition to the peace process, early stage as it is.” A leading U.S. dove, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, indicated that he would oppose any resolution that would be seen as undercutting Israeli peace moves, but he stressed that he supported the idea that the Conference of Presidents, which operates according to consensus, should be debating such issues. “We are a divided community,” Yoffie said, “so we need to have free and open discussions to determine what the consensus Rabbi Eric Yoffie, presiis.” Advocates on both sides said dent of the Union for that there was a push by the Reform Judaism Credit: Union for Zionist Organization of America Reform Judaism and its president, Morton Klein, to get the Conference of Presidents to adopt a position criticizing the Fatah constitution ahead of the Annapolis talks. To fend off such a development, one leading left-wing group, Americans for Peace Now, sent a letter to conference leaders calling for the matter to be shelved, saying it would be wrong to take action “without first closely examining the original document referenced in the resolution and without clearly understanding what
Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, denounces Israel’s Gaza withdrawal during an Aug. 15, 2005 rally outside the United Nations headquarters Credit: Melissa Wong/JTA in New York. the appropriate procedure would be for its amendment, if such amendment is indeed necessary.” “We attempted to obtain an original text of this document, which apparently dates back to the mid-1960s, and could not find one, either in Arabic or in English,” the Peace Now officials wrote in their Nov. 13 letter. “As far as we can tell, this means that the quotes included in the resolution are thus far unsubstantiated.” Klein rejects the arguments of those who say the Fatah document is no longer in force. He also denies that the ZOA was trying to sink peace talks by pressing the issue. Instead, he countered, no negotiations could succeed unless Abbas was willing to confront anti-Israel and proterrorism rhetoric. Leaders of the O.U. were similarly quick to reject the idea that they were attempting to dictate Israel’s final position on Jerusalem. In response to Olmert’s comments asserting Israel’s right to negotiate, O.U. leaders issued a statement Monday saying that “in vigorously advocating for the unity of Jerusalem in the weeks leading up to the Annapolis conference, the Orthodox Union has not sought to ‘confer upon’ or dictate to the Israeli government what it has the legal right to negotiate about with Palestinian or other Arab leaders.” “We have, however, sought to express our heartfelt and strong view that all Jews around the globe have a stake in the holy city of Jerusalem, and that to cede portions of the city which has been the spiritual and political capital of the Jewish people for millennia is a step the Continued on page 7
December 7, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish showdown
Memorable experience for local physician
Continued from page 6 Jerusalem,’” Hoenlein said. “He reiteratgovernment of Israel ought not take,” ed the right of people to speak out.” said the president of the O.U., Stephen In their statement Tuesday criticizing Savitsky, and its public policy director, Olmert’s speech, O.U. also slammed the Nathan Diament. Joint Understanding that Olmert agreed Savitsky and Diament noted that in an to with the Palestinians. In particular, address to O.U. they objected to a leaders last year, mutual commitment Olmert voiced to “confront terrorapproval for the ism” whether “comnotion that U.S. mitted by Palestinians Jews should feel or Israelis.” free to express “There has been no their disagreeIsraeli action against Palestinians that can ments over Israeli policy. possibly be equated In a briefing with the suicide bombings, roadside shootwith Jewish communal leaders U.S. President Bush huddles with Palestinian ings or rocket attacks late in the day on Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and that have been inflictTuesday, accord- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Nov. 27 ed on thousands of Israelis in the past seving to several during the conference in Annapolis, MD. Credit: Chris Greenberg/White House eral years,” the O.U. people in attendance, Olmert clarified his remarks, say- leaders complained. “The onus for ing he only was trying to say that restraining terror is squarely on the Diaspora groups could not prevent Israel Palestinians -- and they have so far failed from negotiating on Jerusalem. “He said miserably to do so.” Washington bureau chief Ron what he has always said. He urged people: ‘Don’t let anyone ever tell you that Kampeas contributed to this report from you don’t have a right to speak out about Annapolis, MD.
Continued from page 1 things, which gave me new insight into In addition to their hospital training, Israeli life and their medical system,” he ERG participants were able to spend said. “I’ve already heard from a few of time touring the Partnership area. This the doctors I met, and I believe that we’ll was a great opportunity for Dr. continue to keep in touch.” Moshman, who has been to Israel on Dr. Moshman added that in addition several occasions, but had never previ- to the things he learned and people he ously traveled north of Tel Aviv. “The Western Galilee is beautiful and unique,” he said. Highlights included a border tour and stops at the old city of Akko and the Ghetto Fighters Museum. Dr. Moshman particularly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Israelis, some of whom hosted the ERG participants for evening meals. “Getting to sit down for meals in peo- Dr.Moshman and fellow ERG participant, Dr. Zane ple’s homes was a really nice Zimmerman from Ohio, enjoyed the hands-on experience. touch,” Dr. Moshman said, adding that met, participating in the ERG was a there was often more food than he could great way to stand up and show his suppossibly eat. port for Israel. As with all Partnership with Israel proFor more information about the ERG grams, a primary goal of the ERG was to program, contact Mary Sue Grossman at promote people-to-people relations. For the Center for Jewish education office at Dr. Moshman, this goal was achieved. “I 334.6445 or e-mail her at mgrossheard from real people talking about real man@jewishomaha.org.
Contributing to his own future Continued from page 1 Jo worked several part-time jobs to avoid taking money out of his son’s pockets, but when a health crisis threatened about three years ago, he had to quit working completely. Since that time Jo has sought help occasionally from JFS to make ends meet and to pay for prescriptions when
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his Social Security check doesn’t quite reach to the end of the month. The assistance staff at JFS always enjoys hearing from this kind and thoughtful gentleman who is always quick to thank and show his appreciation for the help that JFS provides him. Recently, Jo has found a part-time job at a nearby store. He’s excited about the
extra money the position will bring, but even more importantly he’s thrilled that he will again have a sense of purpose and a way to “put in” and contribute to his own future and the future of his grandchildren. He expresses how important it is for him to have something to do every day and to feel like he’s helping out in the
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Beth El family Hanukkah concert sets the holiday mood by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s sanctuary will be filled with the joyous voices of the synagogue’s children, during a special family Hanukkah concert planned for this Sunday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. Holiday songs and other beloved Jewish tunes will be performed by the Talmud Torah students from grades pre-K through seventh grade; the BESTT high school band will also offer several musical selections. “We felt that our kids have been learning so much during Hebrew school that it would be fabulous to showcase them onstage,â€? said Cantor GastĂłn Bogomolni, who, along with Eadie Tsabari and Brent Spivack, have taught the children their numbers. “The same goes for our high school band, which has spent every Wednesday this semester practicing. It would be a pity to not let these kids share with the community all that they’ve learned!â€? Saying that “song and music will always be the way to bring family and community together at Beth El,â€? Cantor Bogomolni added that, “This concert is going to be filled with so much fun and warmth with everyone present, and it’s also a great way to support our kids, our future and our synagogue.â€? The entire community is invited to attend this special concert, which will be followed by a light lunch spon-
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Under the guidance of song leader/keyboardist Brent Spivack and teacher’s assistant Tali Levin, standing in back, Beth El’s kindergartners recently rehearsed their musical numbers for the Family Hanukkah Concert, to be held Sunday at the synagogue. sored by Men’s Club and the congregation. The event is free of charge; however, donations will be welcome and will benefit Beth El’s Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to families for their children to attend Jewish summer camps and Israel experiences.
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December 7, 2007
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BabagaNewz, a national values-based classroom magazine for Jewish students in grades four through seven, is inviting middle-schoolers from across the country to participate in its “Big Draw” contest, which encourages students to design a postcard which the Israel Ministry of Tourism plans to use to invite people to visit the country during its 60th birthday year. The deadline is Feb. 15, 2008. Along with their postcard being used by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the first prize winner will receive a selection of Israel souvenirs along with publication in BabagaNewz and BabagaNewz.com. Three second place winners will also be recognized in BabagaNewz and BabagaNewz.com and will also receive a surprise pack of gifts and prizes. Entrants are encouraged to think about the qualities of Israel, what it means for the country to be 60 years old, and what might be the “big draw” of the country and why people should visit now. A 6 x 9 card (vertical or horizontal) should be designed on plain white paper by using crayon, ink, markers, paint, pastel, paper, pasteon items, cloth or any hand applied media. Digital images, clip art, photographs, and computer-generated entries are not allowed. Entry forms, contest details and sample templates are available at BabagaNewz.com/ thebigdraw. Entries can also be mailed to: The Big Draw, BabagaNewz/JFL Media, PO Box 9129, Newton, MA 02464.
FREDRICKS/OSBORNE Claire Fredricks, daughter of Sally Fredricks and the late Terry L. Fredricks, and Rob Osborne, son of Roger Osborne of Winthrop, MN, and the late Wanda Osborne, announce their engagement. The bride-to-be graduated from Creighton University, with a BSBA in May 2006, and was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, Jesuit Honor Society, and Creighton Business Law Society. She is currently a third year law student at Creighton School of Law. She is a law clerk at Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, LLC. She is the granddaughter of David and Arlene Fredricks, and the late Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Henderson. Her fiancé graduated with a BSBA in May 2006 from Creighton University, and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society. He works as an accountant at Frankel Zacharia LLC, Certified Public Accountants. He is the grandson of Dorothy Osborne of New Ulm, MN, and the late Bernard Osborne, and the late Oliver and Hazel Olson. An Aug. 30, 2008, wedding is planned in Omaha.
Alison Kutler, a partner in the Public Law & Policy Strategies Group at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLC, has joined the senior management team of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee as Director of International Relations. Earlier this year, Chicago was selected to represent the United States in the international competition for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- to be decided by the International Olympic Committee in October 2009. While remaining a partner in the firm, Kutler works closely with the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago 2016 Committee leading the international relations outreach campaign including business outreach to local, state and national executives, management of key planning committees, political relationships, and a range of other strategic initiatives. Prior to joining Sonnenschein where she leads many high profile representations, she worked on Capitol Hill, the White House and the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Clinton administration, and several Presidential campaigns.
LINDEN/GERSON Katie Linden, of Winnebago, IL, and Trevor Gerson have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Charles Linden of Omaha and Patti Dewey of Winnebago, IL. She is a senior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, majoring in psychology. She also is a member of the Nebraska Air National Guard and a waitress at Biaggi’s restaurant. Her fiancé, a native Omahan, is the son of Meta and Michael Gerson of Omaha. He is a senior at Creighton University majoring in Ancient Greek and pursuing a career in medicine. He also is a research technician in the Creighton Department of Allergy and Immunology. A July, 2009 wedding is planned in Omaha.
New Beginning -- new website! by ANDREA BARTMAN for JSS/RBJH With all of the changes taking place at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, it’s only natural that everything receive an update; including the RBJH website. To coincide with the Home’s Hanukkah celebration this year, the new website will be launched during the week of Dec. 4. To access the new and improved RBJH website go to: www.rbjh.com.
Contact an iMpact Program representative today at impact@mlc.edu or 402.941.6170
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ENGAGEMENTS
The design of the site was changed to bring a more up-to-date appearance and easier navigation for finding information about activities, current construction projects, recent newsletter issues and press, and, of course, the myriad of services available through Jewish Senior Services. Site users will find the new design easier to read and follow and even more information available from the comfort of their home. For family members researching available services you can find information about the Home’s growing Full Circle Rehabilitation program as well as information on long term, short term and hospice care. For others interested in volunteer work, giving, or employment information, the site offers easy-to-access information on all of these topics as well as complete contact information for those staff members at the RBJH who can assist you. A virtual tour and photo gallery of new resident rooms and current construction projects is included for the community to check in on the ‘New Beginning’ progress, and members of the Y.E.S. (Young Energetic Seniors) and VISIONS groups can check event calendars for access to what’s coming up next. Celebrate yet another facet of the Home’s ‘New Beginning’ by taking a look online.
ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar on Thursday, Dec. 13, please meet at the JCC at 8:45 a.m. For questions call Maggie Conti at 334-6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra presents Scheherazade on Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., the JCC. This performance is sponsored by the Noddle family in memory of Edith Noddle. All are welcome. Back by popular demand on the big screen -- a concert with Helmut Lotti on Thursday, Dec. 20, 1:30 p.m., at the JCC. Lotti is hailed as the most versatile singer ever to come out of Belgium. There is no admission fee and all are welcome. This event is sponsored by Bernie Altsuler. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Hyman Sukiennik and Joe Seda will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Dec. 12, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. Sukiennik and Seda are with Cox Communications, and their topic will cover both the upcoming changes in the digital TV world and the kinds of services that Cox provides business customers. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only. OMAHA CHAPTER OF HADASSAH Hadassah will host a Hanukkah party and membership drive Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m., in the Community Room of the Jewish Community Center. Entertainment will be provided by Cantor Gaston Bogomolni and Jonathan Rathsam, accompanied by esther Wax. RSVP to Georgia Ann Steinberg, 558.5813 or Esther Wax, 393.4442.
December 7, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Think your teen isn’t drinking? by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service Think again! “It’s time to come together as a community for the sake of the health and well-being of our Jewish teens and pre-teens in the community” was the plea of every interviewee for this article. “I’ve been in this business for 30 years and we’ve been talking about these things for 30 years; and we still have issues,” says Sarpy County Juvenile Court Judge, Lawrence Gendler. The health and safety of young people is at risk. “It’s that dire,” he comments. A free drug and alcohol education seminar, which is the first of a three-part series, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 16, 12:30-2:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. Every teen and pre-teen from sixth through 12th grade in the community is encouraged to attend, along with their parents. This seminar, a first of its kind at the JCC, seeks to educate teens and their parents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. This isn’t just a program for families that already perceive problems. It’s for every family, so they’re prepared and open to discuss a sensitive topic with one another. Says Judge Gendler; “There are a lot of people who look at their youngsters’ grades or the success that they have in other areas and think that these issues aren’t that big a deal for them, and what I want people to recognize is that this issue permeates every family; youngsters across the board, regardless of where they live or their scholastic achievement.” Judge Gendler would know. On a daily basis, he sees the wreckage caused by otherwise good kids who have tangled with drugs or alcohol. Often times parents are unaware of what is going on with their teen’s private life until something tragic happens that puts them in Gendler’s courtroom. “I want to raise the awareness,” he says, “so that peo-
ple are concerned; so people know where their kids go at night; so that they know their kids’ friends and they don’t condone this type of behavior.” He’s participated in forums previously to combat the use of drugs and alcohol among teens, but is enthusiastic about the success of this program because of the collaborative effort among so many groups to make it happen. In addition to all three of Omaha’s synagogues, the seminar is sponsored by the JCC teen department, Jewish Family Service, BBYO and LiveWise; a regional substance abuse prevention system that represents a sixcounty area of Eastern Nebraska. The program is being funded by the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth and the Herbert Goldsten Trust. The seminar will include the opportunity for middle school and high school students to separate into ageappropriate breakout sessions to further discuss the pressures they face and how to combat the social pressures of drinking, as well as how to keep their parents “in the loop” on what’s going on in their lives. Keynote speakers for the event are Ellen and Erin Goldstein, a mother and daughter from Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Ellen, her daughter, who is now a social work major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, will share her story about how she started out as an involved and happy teenager and somehow ended up in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Erin will then join the teens’ breakout session for further discussion of her story and how others can avoid the same pitfalls. Ellen Goldstein will serve on a panel for the parents’ breakout session that includes a rabbi, drug and alcohol counselor and a law-enforcement officer, as well as Judge Gendler. Parents will be able to discuss the warning signs involved in teen alcohol abuse and how they can become vigilant against this in their own home. “I’m coming as a Jewish parent who has been through this with a child who has a drug and alcohol problem,” says Ellen Goldstein. “My part of this program is to
speak from a parent’s perspective; which is not always easy. I think I saw the signs (of what was happening to Erin), but tended to ignore them. It took me a long time to realize that this came from Erin. I didn’t cause it, but I enabled some of it.” Judge Gendler sees this phenomenon every day. “From my perspective,” he comments, “there’s far too much teenage drinking going on. There are far too many parents that look the other way. We have too many kids getting into cars where there’s alcohol present and the driver has been drinking.” He emphasizes that this seminar is for every teen and pre-teen in the community and their parents. He feels strongly that it needs to be a community-wide effort to combat these issues and bring families closer to one another. Jewish Family Service Director, Karen Gustafson, agrees, and she emphasizes that this is the first collaborative effort between Jewish agencies in the community for a drug prevention program. She wants the turnout for this event to show the commitment that parents and their teens have to the health and safety of every youngster out there. “Judge Gendler is very passionate about the work that he does with children and the family tragedies that he sees in court every day,” she comments. “He is actively involved in many community organizations and wanted to bring his connections to the Jewish community through Jewish Family Service. Once we began discussing the idea of a Drug Prevention Program, it blossomed. We are very excited to be working with all three of the synagogues and the JCC Youth Department on this program and others being planned for the future. Sometimes it takes a spark and Judge Gendler was that spark.” Please continue that spark by bringing your family to participate and make a positive difference in your own lives and in the community.
Twenty teens, 22 years for Bible Quiz
BIRTHS Suzanne and Tracy Daw of Seattle, WA announce the Oct. 28 birth of their son, Henry William. He is named after his maternal great-grandfather, the late Henry Riekes, and shares his Hebrew name, Hanoch. He is also named after his late paternal grandfather, William Daw. Grandparents are Margo and Steven Riekes. Great-grandmother is Dorothy Riekes. Yosef and Shani Richtman of Far Rockaway, NY, announce the Dec. 1 birth of their daughter, Hinda Leah. She has two sisters, Charna Rochel and Chana, and a brother, Menachem. She is the granddaughter of Walter and Harriet Richtman of Chicago, IL, and Abe & Ellen Orzel of Kew Garden Hills, NY. She is the great-granddaughter of Rosa Richtman and the late Dave Richtman.
by LOIS EPSTEIN for B’nai B’rith Twenty Omaha area teens have signed up to compete in the 22nd Annual Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., at the Jewish community Center. “It’s a lively contest that is open to the public and always enjoyed by them,” said Steve Riekes, a trustee of Henry Monsky Lodge. The contest is specifically designed for Jewish high school students in Omaha. Its purpose is to encourage Jewish youth to become familliar with the Bible, the foundation of Judaism and of civilization. This year, the subjects of the Quiz are the Books of Exodus and Ruth. The Lodge will award first, second, third and fourth place scholarship money. The prizes in the contest can be utilized, at the recipient’s choice, for either college tuition, an approved trip to Israel or an approved camp or educational program sponsored by a Jewish organization. At the conclusion of the contest, the Lodge will give out a $10 cash prize to all participants who answer three questions correctly. The first place winner will receive a
scholarship in the amount of $600 plus $50 cash. The program, which is held in conjunction with Jewish Book Month, is open to the community without charge. Judging the event will be professors Guy Matalon and Leonard Greenspoon and Cantors Gaston Bogolmoni and Wendy Shermet. Gloria Kaslow will be the quizmaster; Ray Millimet will act as the timekeeper. Gary Javitch also recognized the contributions of Stanley Mitchell, who for 22 years has helped coordinate the contest. This year’s participants are: David Anderson, Sarah Bleicher, Ariel Brodkey, Macklin Emas, Adi Gill, Henry Ginsburg, Zak Helm, Marissa Kahn, Chani Katzman, Rochi Katzman, Anna Kohll, Tali Levin, Melanie Long, Noam Margalit, Ben Nachman, Lev Nachman, Charles Parsow, Aaron Priluck, Ygal Schuller and Effie Tsabari. Prior to the contest, which is open to the public, members of Henry Monsky Lodge, judges. volunteers and contest participants, as well as all of the high school religious school classes are invited to a dinner in the Jewish Community Center Community Room.
Connect your out-of-town relatives and friends year ’round: Send a check for $33, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, for a newsworthy Hanukkah gift! For more information or to pay by credit card (MC or VISA), call 402.334.6448.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 7, 2007
After Annapolis ... then what? The day 55 leaders from the United States, Israel and Arab nations met in Annapolis, MD, rioting broke out in Gaza and Hebron. One man was killed by Palestinian police in Hebron and a journalist was wounded. That day, the Saudi foreign minister was asked why he chose not to shake hands with any Israelis. He replied that Saudi Arabia “does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.” Saeb Erakat agreed, incorrectly announcing even before the conference began that “no state in the world connects its national identity to a religious identity.” (Just what does he think the Vatican is? Or the UK, where Queen Elizabeth is head of the Anglican Church? Or Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, to name a few which describe themselves as “Muslim” countries where Islam is the state religion?) The day after the conference at Annapolis, a new posting on Palestinian television showed a map of the region; there was no Israel -- only “Palestine” which covered the entire territory where Israel currently exists as a legitimate nation. Sigh. Is there no end to the posturing? Rather than make outrageous statements or insist that Annapolis was not “a time for theatrics,” as Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Amabssador said Nov. 28, this is the perfect time for the little gestures that will show the world (as well as Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran), that the region is serious about creating a lasting and secure peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Instead of designing a map without Israel, why didn’t the PA announce that it would review all its educational materials to remove such distortions? Or why didn’t Mahmoud Abbas criticize the map as a leader should?
Oh, right, he might put his life in danger. Well, sometimes that’s what it takes to do the right thing. Abbas and the Palestinian people (minus Hamas, of course) want a state? Then let him show courage and determination; let him lead -- even if it means his very existence might be threatened. Look at Anwar Sadat as an exmaple of an Arab leader with vision! On the Israeli side, magically all fraud charges against Ehud Olmert are disappearing. He’s dropped all pretense of his ultimatums -not negotiating with any entity that doesn’t recognize Israel as the Jewish state, not having a timetable, and not implementing the next stage of the Road Map until the Palestinians ceased all terror. Having stated the obvious, now let’s look at some other things that might just make a difference. According to Ori Nir, a spokesman for Peace Now, “51.3 percent of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are 20 years or younger. That means that more than half of the Palestinians in these territories were born into a milieu of on-again-off-again warfare with Israel. The overwhelming majority of the Palestinian population, 80.3 percent, is younger than 40, which means that four out of every five Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have lived their entire lives under Israeli occupation. Nir added, “Israel’s population is older, but taking into account the 1,010,900 immigrants from the former Soviet Union who arrived in the past 17 years, official Israeli data shows that 52 percent of Israelis were not alive 24 years ago (there is no available data for 1967) and 84 percent were not alive 44 years ago.”
What’s so important about these figures? Forty years ago was the Six-Day war, when Israel captured the West Bank and Jerusalem from the Jordanians and Gaza from the Epytians. Twenty years ago was the beginning of the first intifada. More than half of all Palestinians and Israelis weren’t born or didn’t live in Israel in 1967; all they know is a Cold War-like stalemate for the last two decades. If, and it’s a big “if,” Annapolis leads to concrete solutions that can be realistically accepted and implemented, then even the skeptics can look back on last week as more than yet another photo-op of a meaningless handshake.
There may be problems among Federations and Foundations -- but not in Omaha
ANOTHER P OINT OF VIEW by MARTY RICKS As the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for over nine years, I am responding to the Nov. 16 article in the Jewish Press by Gary Tobin, president of the Institute for Jewish & Community Research. My response is focused on his comments about Jewish federation foundations, which he subtitled “Telling the truth about endowments.” Tobin claims that federation foundations proudly promote the size of their endowments, but do not always accurately report the content of their endowment dollars. He asserts that they include assets under the control of donors, such as supporting foundations and donoradvised funds, and he states: “a close examination of federation endowment funds shows many, if not most of the grants and dollars go to non-Jewish causes.” In Omaha, this could not be further from the truth. Six weeks ago, our Foundation annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, was inserted in the Press and sent to all subscribers. On page 3 of the report, we disclosed for that fiscal year the following types of funds that make up our $72 million dollars: Unrestricted endowment (5.93%); restricted or designated endowments (72.80%); donor-advised funds (14.6%); supporting foundations (3.14%); and charitable remainder trusts and life insurance (3.53%). Certainly we do promote our size because it reflects the dedication and generosity of our local Omaha Jewish community.
In our annual report, we highlighted our three supporting foundations: the Phillip and Terri Schrager, Shirley and Leonard Goldstein, and Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundations, which together granted over $350,000. In the recent past, the Schrager Foundation distributed 100% to Jewish causes. The Goldstein and Newman Supporting Foundations distribute roughly 90% to Jewish causes.
... you can be assured that our Foundation presents full disclosure of its assets each year and has a strong and positive working relationship with its Federation. And in regard to our 86 donor-advised funds, page 4 of our annual report shows local secular organizations receiving 29% and national secular organizations receiving 8% of the $3,580,000 distributions. Most of the local 29% supported very worthy cultural arts organizations in Omaha as well as the United Way Campaign; the 8% to national secular organizations often was targeted to the universities that our donors attended. In any event, 37% (and less than 10% from supporting foundations) to non-Jewish causes is certainly not “most of the grants.” Furthermore, if we tell our donor-advised fund donors that they cannot support secular charities, they will certainly move their funds to a non-Jewish sponsor. Tobin then asserts that we are hoarding endowments by not spending principal, relying on the “rainy day” theory. In one area of the campus, truthfully, we are not spending all our
endowment money -- at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. However, I fully support their reasoning that their endowment needs to grow, because, in reality, Medicaid, a large part of the budget of Nebraska and most states, very conceivably will have to be significantly curtailed in the future as states attempt to keep their budgets balanced. This will result in either substandard care or the Home having to bear a larger share of the financial burden. In regard to other endowments, it is important to note that Foundation support of the Federation annual campaign has increased from 6.5% to 9.4% of the total amount raised in the last nine years. Tobin’s next point is that federations may be losing control as their associated foundations become “quasi-independent or completely separate organizations.” Indeed, our Foundation became a separate non-profit corporation in 2002, classified as a “supporting foundation” of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. True, we operate mostly independently from the Federation, with our own board. However, the president of the Federation board, currently Norm Sheldon, is a non-voting member of the Foundation, and a regular attendee at our meetings. Additionally, the Federation has the ability to include a second non-voting member. Beyond that, the Federation appoints the Foundation board, and may replace all or part of the Board at any time. Finally, he expresses concern that in many cities, there is confusion about whether the federation director or the foundation director is in charge. I maintain no ego on who is in charge. Since the Federation appoints the Foundation board, I believe there is no question that in staff hierarchy, Jan Goldstein, as Federation executive director, is clearly in charge. Continued on page 13
(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern Jewish Press Board Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Eve Randone, Melissa Schop; Michael Siegel, Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation. Highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $40 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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Page 13
Jewish philanthropy in Israel: Overhaul or be marginalized
FOCUS ON ISSUES by GIDI GRINSTEIN TEL AVIV (JTA) -- Jewish philanthropy in Israel is at a crossroads. Powerful trends are marginalizing its impact on Israeli society. More than a billion dollars of philanthropic giving from Jews worldwide, spurred by endless goodwill, passion and care, are not impacting Israel or contributing to global Jewish peoplehood to the extent they should. The current system is in dire need of an overhaul. I write this piece as an Israeli whose national identity is founded upon and deeply informed by his Jewishness. I am also a person who has realized a dream and established the Reut Institute, a policy group that provides strategic decisionsupport to the government of Israel because of the generosity of time, spirit and money by rabbis, lay leaders and philanthropists from the United States, France and England. Why do I care? As an Israeli and for a variety of obvious reasons, I wish to ensure that these dollars are put to the best possible use. As a Jew, I view philanthropy as a critical tool of connecting the Jewish Diaspora with Israel and a key ingredient in the blood that flows in the veins of global Jewish peoplehood. As a grantee, I feel a debt of gratitude and a sense of responsibility to share my ideas openly with my partners. Four major trends are marginalizing Jewish philanthropy in Israel. • Chronic inefficiencies, budget cuts and privatization have led to a decline in the Israeli government’s will and ability to address the needs of Israel’s population. Therefore, the menu of options for philanthropic giving has expanded while its resources have been stretched beyond capacity. • The rapid growth of the Israeli economy -- by an estimated $7 billion in 2007 alone -- is diminishing the overall impact of Jewish philanthropy. • The socioeconomic center of Israeli society is increasingly disconnected from Jewish philanthropy in Israel. Philanthropists are engaged with the poor and the needy or with very small, intensely intellectual and political English-speaking elite. • Finally, there is the belated and much-
awaited rise of Israeli philanthropists, who are stepping in to address societal challenges and local needs. As much as they are challenges, these trends also present opportunities. The menu of options for philanthropic interventions expands. Furthermore, Jewish philanthropy is in an excellent position to impact and lead the four rising sectors of Israeli society: the business class, philanthropists, local government and nonprofits. The approach has to be qualitative. Raising enough money to keep up with the growing needs is not feasible. Being more efficient is very important but only amounts to an insufficient “technical fix.” The real challenge is to leverage much greater impact on Israeli
Philanthropists need to insist that their grantees uphold the requirements for good business: clear vision, mission, strategy, core values and unique value proposition; solid and quantifiable performance goals; strong boards; accountability and stable and transparent financial oversight. society with the same dollars. There are three parts to the needed qualitative approach: vision, organization, and focus and priorities. Each element requires a fundamental change of deeply embedded values and patterns of conduct. First, on vision: Jewish philanthropists need to embrace a positive vision that can provide an overarching framework for their actions. The TOP 15 Vision, which aims to place Israel among the 15 most developed nations in terms of quality of life within 15 years, is one example of such a context. This is the vision that guides the work of the Reut Institute (for more detail, visit www.reutinstitute.org/Publication.aspx?Pub licationId=992). It requires catapulting the quality of life in Israel toward the kind of sustained, out-of-the-ordinary growth seen in Ireland, Finland or China. The link between philanthropy and the TOP 15 Vision is relatively straightforward. Leapfrogging Israel’s quality of life requires excellence in the private and public spheres, and massive investment in infrastructure, education and human capital, as well as the ability to thrive in a globalized world. Crucial in this context is raising productivity and income in the low-tech sector, which employs 85 percent of the labor
Problems -- but not in Omaha Continued from page 12 On a practical level, she and I collaborate frequently in regard to day-to-day operations that relate to fund-raising, the best example being our joint involvement in raising funds for the Blumkin Home’s expansion and remodeling project. Since she is invited to, and usually attends, the Foundation meetings, and I the Federation meetings, we both are well informed of the major issues affecting the campus. In Omaha, the Foundation continues in its role as a strong supporter of the
force and is significantly less efficient compared to developed countries. Much of this sector consists of governmental and non-governmental nonprofits that are often grantees of Jewish philanthropy. Hence, Jewish philanthropy can play a central role in promoting the TOP 15 Vision through its material resources, as well as the vast experience and knowledge of its members. Calling upon philanthropists to adapt the TOP 15 Vision as an overarching context does not necessarily mean that all philanthropic projects should focus exclusively on promoting socioeconomic growth. However, it does mean that every dollar spent can and should be leveraged toward greater excellence and productivity. Second, on organization: The “heavy hitters” of Jewish philanthropy in Israel - the organized Jewish community, foun-
Federation and the Jewish community as a whole. So when Tobin says, “Endowments are a big federation success story, but trouble is bubbling both on and below the surface,” maybe his research has uncovered problems somewhere in the United States. However, in my opinion, substantiated by the facts just enumerated, you can be assured that our Foundation presents full disclosure of its assets each year and has a strong and positive working relationship with its Federation.
dations, individuals and their professional staffs -- should come together. Their agenda may include, for example, lobbying the Israeli government for tax reforms, policy, partnerships or recognition of their joint efforts; engaging the Israeli middle class that is not a recipient of their generosity; standardizing expectations from grantees to make philanthropy more efficient and accessible; or sharing information and discussing priorities, activities and specific organizations. Third, on focus and priorities: The next wave of Jewish philanthropy in Israel must develop a new ethos and focus on institution and capacity building, as well as on government and market failures. Institution and capacity building will ensure lasting impact on Israeli society. Philanthropists need to insist that their grantees uphold the requirements for good business: clear vision, mission, strategy, core values and unique value proposition; solid and quantifiable performance goals; strong boards; accountability and stable and transparent financial oversight. In addition, they need to create incentives for small nonprofits to grow, merge, synergize or shut down and help them transition from their founders to solid professional management. This relatively simple idea actually requires a deep transformation. The current focus on quick, measurable results often creates incentives to sacrifice long-term sustainability and organizational development for shortterm performance, programs and projects. Israeli grantees are rarely expected to rise to the standards of their grantors. This is no longer acceptable and change should be demanded. Improving management in the nonprofit sector will not only enhance the effectiveness of every dollar but is also essential for fulfilling the TOP 15 Vision. Furthermore, excellence in Israel historically has been driven primarily by the academia, the high-tech sector and by elite parts of the defense establishment. Jewish
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philanthropists can transform the nonprofit sector into an additional engine of growth. The need to focus on government and market failures is even more challenging. It requires identifying and focusing on the conditions where neither the Israeli economy nor the government of Israel can offer a resolution to a crisis. The logic is simple: This is where Jewish philanthropy can thrive and have the most powerful impact. What falls within this category? Examples include addressing unacceptable realities such as individual cases of hunger or lack of medical treatment; supporting societal, organizational or academic experimentation and innovation; encouraging a deeper sense of global Jewish peoplehood among Israelis; or providing safety nets during difficult transitions. While these are examples of needs that can only be addressed by philanthropy, at present we may not be able to say the same of replacing government in areas where it has a specific civic responsibility, such as building classrooms or immigration absorption. Finally, Jewish philanthropists who work in Israel need to establish ethical, political and personal priorities based on the premise: “Give a person a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach him to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” For example, will you fill a government void or bring about change in government conduct? Will you deal with today’s problems or generate tomorrow’s solutions? Will you focus on a specific region such as the Negev or the Galilee, or on topics such as education or health? Will you address the needs of the general population or invest in change agents? Too often we automatically equate philanthropy with leadership. The connection is not self-evident. According to Ron Heifetz of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, only activities that challenge values, priorities and habits to adapt to changing realities amount to leadership. This distinction is important because if Jewish philanthropy is to continue to play a central role in Israel, it will have to lead. Philanthropic activity that catalyzes such change amounts to leadership. At the same time, a donation that serves to preserve an already existing yet irrelevant structure, organization or pattern may be the opposite of leadership. Therefore, sometimes declining a request -- even if by the Israeli government or by other major Jewish institutions -- constitutes a greater act of leadership than writing a check. My conclusion is that the marginalization of Jewish philanthropy in Israel is not inevitable. If transformed, it can continue to play a central role in Israeli society and become an engine of Israeli prosperity and excellence. The overhaul is important for the grantees and grantors, for Israel and for world Jewry. Gidi Grinstein is the founder and president of the Reut Institute (www.reutinstitute.org/). This article summarizes a series of posts about Jewish philanthropy that Grinstein is writing for his blog at www.blogidi.com.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 7, 2007
Candlelighting Friday, Dec. 7, 4:36 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Dec. 14: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with Cheryl Lerner presenting “Shetl Dances of Eastern Europe.” The community is invited.
Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:36 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored in commemoration of the yahzeit of Margie Alperson by her family; Shabbos Hanukkah lunch will follow: Mincha, 4:15 p.m. followed by Sueda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m.; Hanukkah Carnival, 6-7:30 p.m. Food, Games and Prizes! SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” is canceled in Dec. Rabbi Oxman will be out of town; Rabbi Gross’s teen class, 10 a.m.; Sisterhood’s “Make-It-And-Take-It scrapbooking class, 11 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Spirits & Spirituality, 8 p.m. at the home Andreea Shnayder. WEDNESDAY: Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. FRIDAY: Musical Shabbat services, 6 p.m. with BESTT sixth and seventh graders participating; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m., led by “Miss Patty” Nogg. Dinner will follow. Cost is $5 for adults, free for children ages six and younger. Open to all Jewish families in the community. For more information or to RSVP for dinner, call the office. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m. As part of “Celebrating Israel at 60”, Rabbi Levin will speak about the 60th anniversary of the UN resolution which recommended establishment of the State of Israel; Kiddush given by Beth El; Minha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. WEDNESDAYS: “Critical Thinking from a Jewish Perspective,” 7-8 p.m. on Dec. 12, and 19, led by Dr. Toby Schonfeld. Cost is $18. For information, call the office. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Insights and Values from the Torah class is at noon; Women’s book Club, 1:15 p.m., led by Susan Paley. BESTT HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. BESTT HANUKKAH CONCERT, Sunday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. (See page 8 for full story.) WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP Monday, 7 p.m., at the home of Bev Fellman, 14101 Eagle Run Dr. on “Proverbs and Adages and Their Roles in Our Lives.” RSVP to Fellman at 333.0674, or bbfellman@aol. com; or co-host Helen Epstein, at 391.9187, or aepstein@cox.net. LOVE AND LOGIC PARENTING: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7-8 p.m., monthly class led by Karen Gustafson, executive director of Jewish Famil. For more information, contact Margie Gutnik in the office or programming@ bethel-omaha.org. BESTT 3rd-5th GRADE SHABBATON: Dec. 15-16. This year’s theme: “God’s Top Exploring the Ten Ten: Commandments.” To register your child, contact Judy Rubin at 498.0904. ‘WHAT’S JEWISH ABOUT FOOD?’: Sunday, Dec. 16, 12:15 -2 p.m. BESTT PRESCHOOL: Meets next on Sunday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-noon. For information, contact Judy Rubin at 498.0904, or eddir@bethel-omaha.org.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat/ Hanukkah, 7 p.m. SUNDAY: Religious School, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the JCC.
WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m.; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Mishpacha University TGI Playgroup, 10:15 a.m.; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m. provided by Susan Poser; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Oil Press Worshop, 9:30 a.m.-noon at TI; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at TI; Latkes/Hamantaschen Debate (and Nosh), 4-6 p.m. Cost is $5 per adult and $3 per child. Please RSVP to Jean at stemple@neb. rr.com or 435.8004. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at TI. Sunday, Dec. 16: LJCS Hanukkah Music program, 9:30 a.m.; Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual meeting, 7-8:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m.; Hanukkah Superbowl, 4:30 p.m. at Thunder Alley Extreme Entertainment Center.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Marty Shukert.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Hanukkah Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Azriel,
Rabbi Linder, and Cantor Shermet will lead the service. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Aaron Grant Glazer, son of Jennifer and John Glazer, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teacher Learning Coffee, 9:30 a.m.; Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.; OTYG Latka Party, noon. TUESDAY: Hebrew Lunch & Learn, 12:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; OTYG Board Meeting, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Linder, 10-11:30 a.m. FRIDAY, Dec. 14: Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:36 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6:15 p.m.; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: LJCS Oil Press Worshop, 9:30 a.m.-noon at TI; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at TI.; Torah Trope for Adults, 1111:50 a.m.; Annual Hanukkah Party with Latkes, entertainment, crafts, and more!, 12-3p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. SUNDAY, Dec. 16: LJCS Hanukkah Music program, 9:30 a.m.; Jewish Federation of Lincoln Annual meeting, 7-8:30 p.m.
Beth El invites families to find out “What’s Jewish about food?” by JILL BELMONT own lunch (pizza) and will Beth El enjoy making several simple Publicity Coordinator culinary creations; they’ll also What’s Jewish learn the blessings for differabout food? Popular ent foods, as well as the opinion would say Hebrew words for a variety just about everyof foods, utensils and meals. In addition, everyone will thing! Families will have a great time making get a chance to find Shabbat placemats and napout for themselves by kin rings made out of challah attending a delicious dough, plus playing games afternoon planned and learning new songs. for parents and chil“Our goal is to offer somedren during ‘What’s Jewish About Food?’ Helen Epstein, standing at left, led a group of enthusiastic lit- thing purely fun that parents a fun-filled program tle ones during 'What's Jewish About Bugs?' a program held and children can enjoy on Sunday, Dec.16, earlier this year at Beth El. Next up: 'What's Jewish About together,” Epstein said, Food?" scheduled for Dec. 16 at the synagogue. adding that, “I really like to 12:15-2 p.m. The afternoon, led by early-childhood specialist see parents interacting with their kids in such a posiHelen Epstein, is geared to children ages three to six; tive manner, and this will be a wonderful Jewish expeall Jewish families in the community are invited to rience for everyone.” attend. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are “What’s NOT Jewish about food? Every single required. To RSVP, contact Program Director Margie Jewish event revolves around it,” said Epstein, who Gutnik at 492.8550, or at margie.gutnik@ has led Beth El’s past programs in the ‘What’s Jewish gmail.com, by Dec. 12. This program has been made About ...’ series. possible by a grant from the Esther K. During the program, children will get to make their Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Fund.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
December 7, 2007
On conscience and memory and history
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Miketz As our Sidra comes to its close, and as the story of Joseph and his brothers reaches a climax, Joseph’s goblet has been discovered in Benjamin’s sack of grain -where it was planted by Joseph’s retainers at his bidding. The brothers are devastated. Judah, crestfallen, and desperately stalling for time, working on Joseph’s sympathies and yet trying to collect his thoughts for the supreme effort he is about to make, exclaims: “What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? And how shall we clear ourselves?” The Midrash views the wretched Judah as being overcome by a flood of memories -- memories of tragedies and misdeeds (of the brothers collectively) that have weighed heavily on his conscience for years. He remembers the misadventure with his daughter-inlaw; he remembers that embarrassing incident with the eldest brother, Reuben, who tried to assert his right to succession while Jacob yet lived, and Jacob’s indignant reaction. He remembers the shame that had come upon the whole family because of Dinah, their sister; and now, bitterly, he faces the crisis over Benjamin. The Midrash offers other lists, each tied, as this one has been, to phrases in the text, phrases in Judah’s appeal to Joseph. I think in this connection of a confessional prayer from the High Holy Day service, a prayer found also in the preliminaries to the daily morning service. “What are
we?” the prayer has it, “What is our piety? What is our righteousness? What is our attainment, our power , our might? What can we say, Lord God?” When I say these words, there come flooding back to my mind all the incidents of the past which I wish had not occurred, incidents when I was not my best self. I suppose that every one of us has memories of this kind, memories which adhere to our consciousness and which keep our conscience uneasy. In a very serious sense, prophetic theology looked at the calamities in the history of Israel and Judah as proper consequences of religious infidelity. And rabbinic Judaism followed along: “Because of our sins we were exiled from our land...” according to the text of the service for the Shalosh Regalim. It is time that these points of view, both prophetic and rabbinic, be blunted and tempered. We cannot say, along with the prophets, that the Assyrians and Babylonians destroyed Israel and Judah as punishment for our two Biblical kingdoms. Nor can we say, with the rabbis, that Greeks and Romans later despoiled Judea and effected the Diaspora, because of the sinfulness of the Jews. Military empires do what they do because they have the power and cupidity. The Nazi empire was motivated both by avarice for world control and seething hatred. The Soviets, whether or not you conceived them as “the evil empire,” were powerful because of their unscrupulousness. Does Jewish religious fidelity or infidelity cause the march of empire? Surely historians understand it otherwise. Happy Hanukkah! (Editor’s note: this column originally appeared in Rabbi Kripke’s 1988 book, Insight and Interpretation.)
Temple Middle/High School begins winter core classes eighth graders. The class is by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel an exploration of responsibility from both Jewish and Communications Coordinator Middle and high school personal viewpoints with an students at Temple Israel emphasis on understanding the importance of being a spent the fall mini-mester caring member of the compracticing for the B’nai munity, ready to act for jusB’rith Bible Contest, cooktice, speak out for right, or ing favorite Jewish dishes, come to the aid of others. playing Klezmer music, Beginning with the Torah’s mastering Hebrew prayers, decree not to stand idly by examining Jewish current and ending with an admonievents, connecting generation not to separate oneself tions, learning about Israel, from the community, the strategizing over Jewish students will study the judgboard games, and studying ments, distinctions, commitJewish identity. LaShanna Bernstein, a Jordan Jensen, left, Cameron Davis, Josh Cohen, and David ments, and decisions that senior, took the Jewish Glazer play “Build a Bagel” in the Jewish Board Games class Judaism offers in making cooking class. “I facilitated by David Goldberg, an instructor at Temple Israel's decisions regarding being a good person. absolutely loved it,” she Middle/High School. Ninth graders will be enrolled in “What’s God Got to exclaimed. “It was so much fun!” Sandy Nogg facilitated the course, but each week, a different guest chef Do With It?” facilitated by Justin Cooper, an active introduced a new dish. “We made matzo ball soup, member of the Jewish community, and Jeff Gates, a colfalafel, challah, and rugalah,” mentioned LaShanna who lege student majoring in religion. As the students anaadded that the class brought back memories of cooking lyze their connections with God, their concepts of God, with her grandmother. Much of the food made in the and how it might have changed since young childhood, the ninth graders will find themselves in a setting conclass was donated to families coping with illness. Tenth grader Alex Terry signed up for “Jewish ducive to discussing God’s existence in their lives. While Identity” taught by Plains States Regional Anti- each person’s perception about the power that created Defamation League Director Alan Potash. “I liked it a and drives the universe is unique, the objective of this lot,” Alex said. He explained that the class dealt “with class is to talk about those differences in an effort to applying Judaism to current events. For instance, it expand young minds that are beginning to explore the influenced how I will handle things like anti-Semitism.” mysteries of the universe. In March, 10th, 11th, and 12h graders will be going to Starting Wednesday, Dec. 12, the winter mini-mester, which lasts through Jan. 30, of the T.A.G. You’re It! Washington, D.C. to attend “L’Taken,” an intensive Middle/High School at Temple Israel, will center on four-day kallah sponsored by the Religious Action Center core Jewish values and concepts. T.A.G. stands for Torah, of the Union for Reform Judaism. Focusing on Jewish avodah, and gemilut chasadim. While the fall classes values and social justice, “L’Taken” draws upon experts incorporated Jewish values and concepts, core classes are -- lobbyists, national leaders, and special interest groups more focused on studying for a direct outcome. -- from inside and outside the Jewish community. Director of Education Elyce Azriel related that “the Rabbi Eric Linder, Elyce Azriel, and Barry Grossman, mini classes explore issues of Jewish identity and family an attorney and an instructor at Creighton Law School, heritage with the guidance of our passionate teachers. We will accompany the students to the nation’s capital city have seen, in the past year and a half, students returning where they will learn about a variety of issues ranging to our Middle/High School, because they want to be from AIDS to women’s rights, Israel, to the environhere not because their parents are ‘forcing’ them.” ment, and economic justice. “L’Taken” seminars help Deb Finnicum, an educator, and Leora Azriel, an edu- students understand the complexities of public policy cation major at the College of St Mary, will teach “Why issues, how the American democratic system functions, Be Good?” in the seventh grade while Rosie Zweiback, and how to become more active and informed citizens. a former high school teacher and now Temple’s program While in Washington, the classes will have the oppordirector, and Toby Fellman, a longtime volunteer and tunity to visit the U.S. Holocaust Museum and meet instructor at Temple, present the same curriculum to the with state representatives on Capitol Hill.
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December 7, 2007
A “curious� visit Drummond, who illustrated “Journey�, by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Louise Borden and Allan Drummond, insists that the most important thing chilauthors of The Journey that Saved Curious dren should take away from the story is George, came to Friedel Jewish Academy, curiosity: “It should motivate them to ask last week, thanks to the efforts of Beth questions, about history, and about the Seldin Dotan, Director of the ADL’s world around them.� Institute of Holocaust Education. Friedel Drummond is well aware of the internastudents, together with visiting staff and tional dimensions of Jewish communities students from Omaha’s St. Cecilia everywhere: “Only because the Reys’ world Elementary school, were given a first hand was so much bigger than the country they look at what it takes to create a unique chil- lived in, were they able to escape. For most dren’s book. Dotan says: “The story of the Rey’s escape from wartorn Europe is another example of a ‘lost story’. Through stories such as theirs, we are continually reminded of what was good, and what was lost because of the Holocaust. Curious George is such a cultural icon. The way the authors put this book together is such a balancing act. They managed to take the readers on a journey, and we all get to see the story unfold Left: Before joining students at Friedel Jewish academy for a itself.� Dotan is also pleased with presentation by Borden and Drummond, students from St. how well the book lends itself Cecelia’s listen to Beth Seldin Dotan’s instructions on the to being integrated into the entire curricu- Jews today, this is no different. Many Jews lum. “Friedel is not just using this as part have a variety of international connecof the Jewish Studies agenda. It is equally tions.� helpful in teaching geography or general Drummond himself is familiar with the history.� concept: originally from the UK, he has Dotan has been instrumental in bringing lived in France, and currently works for the the students and staff of St. Cecilia on Savannah College of Arts and Design. board; sixth grade teacher Milly Garcia, for Borden and Drummond walked the stuinstance, has visited Israel through Project dents through their book with the help of a Interfaith, noting that “Teachers at St. series of slides, accompanied by a running Cecilia have been through the ‘Bearing commentary. They explained to the stuWitness’ training, which focuses on the dents how a picture book is created, and relationship between Jews and Catholics.� also shared that “Journey� did not come
You Must Act by December 31,2007 An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) transferred after death to family members could potentially be taxed up to 75%.The Pension Protection Act of 2006 presents a unique opportunity to make a gift to the Jewish Federation of Omaha from your IRA with no adverse tax consequences. If you are 70 1/2 or older you can instruct the trustee of your IRA to make a direct distribution of up to $100,000 per year to the Federation. A direct distribution counts toward your annual IRA distribution requirement. Do not delay.This charitable IRA rollover opportunity, as it is called, is still available for gifts made this year.We encourage you to: Pay your pledge to the Federation Annual Campaign or create an endowment to perpetuate your Annual Campaign gift.
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about easily. Borden, in particular, had to do an enormous amount of research. She traveled to France more than once, and, according to Drummond, “even rode a bike around Paris as part of her investigation.� She spent considerable time at the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi, where the Reys’ papers are housed. Researching the Journey of Hans and
quent success as the creators of Curious George has been placed in a multi-disciplinary context. Denise Bennett, who teaches the upper grade students at Friedel, says: “I read two Curious George books to my students recently. They were enthralled. I plan to teach the students about the history and geography involved in the story of the Reys’ escape. We will take a closer look at Europe and South America, since the Reys’ wartime journey took them to Brazil before they ended up in America.� She added, “Possible topics that the children can focus on are countries and their capitals, learning words in different languages, dates and events related to WW II history, and countries and their money, to name but a few. The possibilities are endless.� Teacher Diana Zeman is equally enthusiastic: “My kindergarteners will be learning about the difference exhibit in the JCC Gallery. Above: Louise Borden and Allan between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Drummond signed copies of their book following a commu- We will also discuss the journity lecture attended by about 125 people last week. ney that the Reys made, and Margret Rey sent Borden on a journey of how their manuscripts saved their lives. The her own. She asked the sort of questions children will be experiencing this unit by that children would ask: “How many kilo- reading and listening to stories, using the meters did Hans and Margret ride on their Internet, doing projects, building vocabubikes when they escaped? Where did they lary, and making their own books, among go? What happened to the things left other things.� behind?� Questions like these teach chilCurious George has inspired many jourdren “to pay attention to details,� Borden neys, from the Rey’s arduous travels to says, “We tend to think about the past in Borden’s research trips to France. This black and white, but these people lived their time, George landed himself at Friedel; it lives in color. We need to remember that.� looks like he may stay for a while. He can At Friedel, the story of the Rey’s escape remind the kids that education, when done from war torn Europe, and their subse- right, is a journey in and of itself.
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