December 17, 2010

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A close and personal connection

December 17, 2010 10 Tevet 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 16

This Week

New exhibit in the JCC Gallery made with old encyclopedias Page 6

Shabbat take-away in Israel Page 7

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN and Israel. The teachers then split up tem in the U.S. Tours of Swanson how quiet the schools were comCenter for Jewish Education, and traveled to their respective twin- Elementary School, Beveridge pared to schools in Israel! Director of Operations and Programming ning communities. Magnet School, Westside High Edith and Amir also met members AND ANNETTE VAN DE of Omaha’s Partnership KAMP-WRIGHT with Israel committee. Editor of the Jewish Press “We were so pleased that Edith and Amir could Chanukah in Israel is spend time in Omaha” school vacation time. And stated Lisa Epstein, the for Edith Fuchs and Amir Partnership with Omaha Eisenberger, that vacation chairman. “The twinning time was enhanced with a relationship with Friedel is trip to the U.S. Edith is the a very important segment twinning program coordiof our Partnership activinator for Ma’ayanot, the ties. For the teachers from school with whom Friedel both schools to have the Jewish Academy “twins”. opportunity to have faceAmir is the principal at to-face planning time is Ma’ayanot. Their time was invaluable. And we are split between Dallas and always thrilled to share the Omaha, having a myriad of warmth of our Omaha experiences over the span community with our of their visit. Partnership friends.” A total of seventeen Attending the Friedel teachers from Omaha’s Jewish Academy Partnership with Israel Chanukah play was a highregion in the Western Galilee traveled to Dallas, During Kabbalat Shabbat, Jewish Studies teacher Eadie Tsabari leads the way for Friedel staff, stu- light of their trip. “It was a wonderful evening for the participating in teacher dents, and guests. training sessions focusing on Jewish While the focus of the Omaha visit School and Boys Town’s Wegner children” said Edith. “And when the identity in America. The sessions was the planning of twinning proj- School were included in their itiner- children and the audience were gave the educators a better under- ects for the coming year, Edith and ary. They found these visits fascinat- singing ‘Hatikvah’, tears came to my standing of the differences between Amir were also interested in learn- ing and were very impressed with eyes. Hearing it sung by American the Jewish communities in the U.S. ing more about the educational sys- the schools. They also commented Continued on page 2

Passionate about BBYO

Kevin Spacey gets in touch with his inner Jew in Casino Jack Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Week Senior Living See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPshould miss out on,” Levine says. WRIGHT “For instance, right now we are Visitors to the Jewish Community looking forward to this winter’s Center may have noticed a new face Regional Convention. It takes place in the B’nai B’rith Youth from Dec. 26 to 29, right here in Organization’s office. Jodi Levine Omaha. All BBYO members are elihas stepped into the shoes of Anne gible to participate; BBYO members Muskin as the from Kansas City new Teen Direcand St. Louis will tor. With a scijoin us, and we ence degree and anticipate a total of a major in jour100 teens will get nalism,the together. Who University of wants to miss out Kansas graduate on that?” is full of enthuTeens will focus on siasm. team building and “I have always leadership during felt passionate the Convention, about BBYO,” which has been Levine says, given the tagline “and I think this One Region, One is a great fit for Dream. Together, my personality. I Omaha, Kansas Jodi Levine enjoy connectCity and St. Louis ing with teenagers; at the same time, make up the Mid America region. I consider this a great opportunity to “Our planning committee has been grow. I am learning about them as working hard on creating unique well as about myself.” programming that will enhance BBYO focuses on instilling leader- team building and leadership skills,” ship and social skills in Jewish Levine says. “In addition, we will teenagers across North America. have interactive programs so our “It’s an experience no Jewish teen Omaha teens can build long-lasting relationships with other BBYO-ers in the region.” In addition to its leadership conventions, BBYO has a long list of activities that provide opportunities for Jewish teens to travel and connect with other Jewish teenagers beyond Omaha. There’s Panim el Panim, which offers a three-to-four-day seminar in Washington DC, where participants Continued on page 2

Institute for Holocaust Education triples in size by BETH SELDIN DOTAN Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education recently welcomed two new employees, tripling the number of its staff overnight. In November, Laura Stastny

An extremely talented and very busy woman, Stastny has been indirectly involved with the Institute for several years. Jen Stastny, sister to Laura, is a member of the Nebraska Holocaust Consortium. Stastny says, “I am delighted to be a part of the

Hillary Fletcher and Laura Stastny joined the Institute for Holocaust Education as Administrative Assistant. Stastny brings with her over a decade of non-profit experience including her turns as Executive Director of a Humane Society in northern Minnesota, and her present position as chair for Nebraska Wildlife Rehab in Omaha. In addition to her nonprofit background, Stastny has a background in wildlife biology and is fluent in German. She is currently a registered representative for TD Ameritrade.

Institute for Holocaust Education team. It is gratifying to be with an organization that does such important and excellent work in Nebraska and beyond. I hope that I can be an asset to Beth, the organization, and our community.” Also in November, Hillary Fletcher joined the Institute for Holocaust Education as Marketing Assistant. For the entirety of her employment, Fletcher has worked in the fields of marketing, publishing and printing in addition to Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | December 17, 2010

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Continued from page 1 obvious benefits to both schools. “For our children in Israel, children made it even more meaningful for me.” it is essential that they learn about Jewish kids elsewhere,” Then, on Friday December 10, Edith and Amir spent the Edith said. “Hearing about Jews outside of Israel, and actuentire day with Friedel students and staff. Having the chance ally getting to know them on a personal level through the to spend the whole day at Friedel, Edith and Amir were able exchange of letters and, for instance, art projects, is so very to see first hand what their good for all the kids. It’s school’s Omaha counternot always easy to underpart is really like. stand what it’s like for Jews “Children are children, in other countries, and all over the world,” Edith when they hear Jewish said, referring to what is kids here have a lot of the the most similar about same experiences, it opens both schools. “They are their eyes.” interested in the same Edith and Amir also things, like to learn about talked about some of the the same things, ask the schools they visited in same questions. Our chilDallas. “We could tell that dren may be thousands of there are still a lot of kids miles apart, but they are who don’t have a good grip more similar than they on what Israel is really might think.” like,” Amir said. “The teachers at both From left: Amir Eisenberg, Ron Giller, and Edith Fuchs “They asked about camels schools are similar in their love for what they do,” Amir and the desert. They need to learn more about what the added. “Although I have to admit, I am absolutely amazed at country really looks like,” Edith added. “To that end, having the level of knowledge displayed by the non-Jewish teachers. these exchanges through Partnership is essential. When a They know all the songs, all the prayers, and are so comfort- school here twins with a school in Israel, the connection able.” “If you didn’t know they weren’t Jewish, you’d never becomes much more personal. For us, being able to come guess it from how knowledgeable they are,” Edith added. here and meet face to face makes it even more effective. We There are differences as well: “Our school in Israel is secu- sincerely hope Partnership will be able to bring Ron Giller lar,” Edith said, “which means there are no services, no and some of his teachers to us in the near future.” prayer; religion is not part of the curriculum at all.” At “In addition to learning about the education system here Friedel, that is very different, as the two experienced when in America, it was interesting to experience the level of they joined students and staff for Kabbalat Shabbat. cooperation and communication between different syna“Especially watching all the kids together in one classroom,” gogues,” Amir said. “Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Edith said, “and seeing all the different age groups mingle Reform, everybody is able to work together and talk to each and help each other out was very impressive. The students other. I was very impressed by that.” really are such a close-knit group; it was very touching to see.” For their part, staff and students at Friedel were happy to There are other differences between the two schools. welcome Edith and Amir; for some of the students it was not Ma’ayanot currently has 457 students; Friedel has 57. the first time they were able to meet face-to-face with repreMa’ayanot serves a total of seven kibbutzim and is a public sentatives of the Partnership with Israel. During the past few school. Friedel is private, and serves children from all syna- years, teachers from the Western Galilee have come to do art gogues as well as some whose parents are unaffiliated. projects with both Friedel students, and attend classes at the Friedel offers a kindergarten class; Ma’ayanot does not. various synagogues as well as the Child Development “It used to be that each kibbutz had its own school, but Center. “There is nothing more valuable than learning about eventually those schools became too small,” Amir said. each other, from each other,” Friedel Principal Ron Giller “When the Israeli government started talking about closing said. “Whether they write each other letters or send pictures some of the smaller schools, we combined individual and art work, the students get that personal touch, and that schools from three kibbutzim in one larger area school. means so much. Israel is so much more that a country, it Ultimately, that number grew to seven, and here we are.” becomes a familiar place. Not every grade school aged child Ma’ayanot and Friedel have been twinned through is able to visit Israel in person; thanks to Partnership with Partnership for Israel for five years; the program brings Israel, they feel they have a personal bond.”

Institute for Holocaust Education triples in size Continued from page 1 owning a small business as a professional organizer. Most recently she was employed as the marketing coordinator for Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln, assisting that firm with web development, creation of advertisements and marketing strategy. Fletcher has been a member of Omaha’s Jewish community for 12 years and volunteers for many organizations within the Jewish community and throughout greater Omaha. Along with creativity and enthusiasm, Fletcher brings a unique interest in non-profit marketing, stating “I’ve always enjoyed my work, but I’ve just never felt completely com-

fortable in for-profit ventures. There was always a disconnect between my place of employment and my true interests. I am so blessed to be a part of this team – one that really makes a difference.” Gloria Kaslow, IHE chair states, “Laura and Hillary are a wonderful addition to the Institute and add terrific energy to the changes and growth of our mission. We are pleased to have these experienced new staff members as part of our team!” For the past decade, the Institute for Holocaust Education has provided Holocaust educational resources, workshops and community events to Nebraska and surrounding areas ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Passionate about BBYO Continued from page 1 from 10th-12th grade discuss public policy, activism, and Jewish values. There are also Summer Experiences for Jewish Teens, which offer a nearly unlimited menu of travel to Europe, Central America, and Israel, as well as the opportunity to make a difference. “Service-learning programs, such as Impact: Israel, allow teens to learn about their heritage while at the same time

making a difference,” Levine says. “A lot of the programming allows for the members to step up, which is a great way to work on leadership skills. I love facilitating this; BBYO did so much for me when I was younger, and it’s definitely time to pass it on.” If you are interested in joining BBYO, or just want more information, please call Jodi at 334.6404, or email jlevine@jccomaha.org

Groups press Senate on legalizing undocumented migrants WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Jewish groups urged the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would legalize undocumented immigrants. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the DREAM Act, which offers a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States before they were 16 and have remained at least five years. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Senate majority leader, has said passing the bill is a priority before the Congress ends its session this month.“This long overdue legislation is a just response to the needs of young adults who wish to continue to make a positive contribution to our nation,” the Reform

movement’s Religious Action Center said in a statement. “It will make it possible for them to serve our nation in the military and by furthering their education, eventually attaining legal residency and citizenship.” The Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the National Council of Jewish Women also are are pressing for passage. President Obama has urged passage, saying the bill would help address the immigration reform he promised, and which was also pledged by his predecesor George W. Bush.

December 17, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 3

Jewish leaders meet in New Orleans for General Assembly by SHERRIE SAAG Reform congregation. Jewish Federation of Omaha Over 1500 GA participants then fanned Thousands of Jewish leaders, including out across the city to volunteer at service Omahans Jody Malashock, Ellie Batt, Lisa projects of their own. One of those volunEpstein, Zoe Riekes and Jan Goldstein, trav- teers was Ellie Batt. eled to New Orleans recently for the Jewish “We spent an afternoon cutting, raking Federations of North America’s (JFNA) and bagging weeds in the lower 9th ward annual General Assembly (GA). The GA with the Beacon of Hope, a grassroots constitutes the largest Jewish leadership organization. One resident, who had yet to gathering in the United States. It was no coincidence that the JFNA chose New Orleans on the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. In choosing New Orleans, it could highlight the efforts funded by the Jewish community to help the city recover. The city in turn served to remind more than 4,000 Jewish philanthropists and leaders in attendance that Judaism is all about community. “More than 80% of Jewish Lisa Epstein, left, Jody Malashock, Hugo Kahn, Ellie Batt owned homes and businesses and Lis Kahn. were damaged by the storm. Our rebuilding efforts are continuing to move back into her home, expressed her restore the city’s Jewish community,” said Jan deep appreciation to the JFNA. For me, this Goldstein, Executive Director, JFO. experience was the highlight of the GA,” said “The Jewish Federations have raised and Batt. invested more than $28 million in New In the years preceding Katrina, the New Orleans since the hurricane struck. This Orleans Jewish population held steady at year, the GA literally “took to the streets” – about 9,500 people. It decreased by nearly leaving the hotel behind – and toured the half that in the aftermath of Katrina. By early work that has been done so far,” a Federation 2006, only 6,000 Jews remained in the city. representative stated. “Amazing growth has occurred since then, The tour included a stop at a Jewish day Goldstein said. “Now, the Jewish communischool destroyed by the storm, but now ty numbers some 8,800 people. What we saw rebuilt and reopened. Also on the route was is that the Greater New Orleans community an Orthodox congregation that lost its syna- is thriving. There are nine synagogues repregogue and Torah scrolls to flooding, but is senting every denomination, a community now rebuilding in partnership with a Jewish day school, two Jewish Community

Centers, and even two kosher restaurants.” Former Omahan Hugo Kahn and his wife Lis met with the Omaha group and welcomed them to the city. According to Lis Kahn, post-Katrina New Orleans is a “proud and devoted Jewish community of volunteer leaders and supporters. Since Katrina, we’ve learned to work together. Our Jewish agencies are working

wonderful people. I was lucky to have parents who instilled proper values and I was connected to true mentors at the start of my career. While in college, I worked part-time at the Nebraska Furniture Mart. When I finished my degree, Norman Batt asked me what I studied, and when I told him accounting he hired me as the Mart’s Controller,” Hugo said. He eventually moved on to the Brandeis Department Stores. Jack Diamond and Allan Baer influenced him further. “Of course they were great business mentors, but beyond that, they were community leaders who taught me that even young people can make a difference if you instill confidence in them. And this they did very well,” Hugo added. He moved his family to New Orleans in the late 1960’s to work for Krause Department Stores and has been in the Big Ellie Batt with a volunteer from Rockland County, NY, Easy ever since. He credits cleaning up weeds in the lower 9th ward. what he calls his “Omaha together so much more than ever before.” mentoring” for the fact that he dedicates his Hugo Kahn is a devoted and tireless time and resources to local Jewish causes. champion of the New Orleans Jewish com- After four decades of civic leadership in munity, his adopted hometown. He is a ded- New Orleans, icated volunteer who has served the comHugo and Lis are very proud of their munity in countless ways, including as co- Omaha heritage; they were thrilled to rechairman of the Jewish Federation’s capital connect with the Omaha representatives campaign and as president of both the who were in town for the General Assembly. Federation and his synagogue, Shir “It was wonderful to listen to the Kahn’s Chadash. story and realize what an impact Omaha Hugo spends most of his time either in made on their life in New Orleans. Seeing a the Federation offices or en route to a vol- “native son” so involved in Federation’s unteer effort on behalf of Federation. He has rebuilding efforts made Jody, Ellie, Lisa, Zoe fond memories of his Omaha upbringing and me keenly aware of Omaha’s unique and the start of his career there. reach into Jewish communities outside our “I remember Omaha as a city filled with own,” Goldstein said.

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Orthodox Union Conference strengthens professionals as well as synagogues by BETH COHEN greater Jewish world. I bring the message to my shul’s leadExecutive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue ership, and I help in developing and implementing vision. “Go. Transform. Be blessed.” These poetic words were the As an institution, Beth Israel values instances when we do farewell blessing at the Orthodox Union’s Third Annual not have to reinvent the wheel and when we can benefit Synagogue Executive Director’s conference held in from the creative thinking of others. We now also strive to November at the Young Israel of Woodmere, New York. be represented among those who share best practices for More than 40 synagogue executive directors of OU member other congregations to benefit. synagogues convened at the conference, bringing with them In the short time since the conference ended, literally energy to strengthen institutions and to transform the syna- dozens and dozens of posts to an executive director’s on-line gogue so as to reach new levels of service. user group have garnered solid work-product suggestions The goal of the conference was two-fold: to provide con- for improving efficiency and member services and speaks to crete information for policies, procedures, and programs the strong camaraderie developed among the conference that executive directors can bring back to their shuls, and to attendees. The value of the professional networking that provide a venue for vital networking that will allow execu- takes place at this annual conference cannot be overstated. tive directors to share best Whether big changes, like practices on an on-going discussions of revising basis. From the big to the synagogue By-Laws to small from New York City include leadership succesto Los Angeles; from sion plans, or small adjustOmaha to Memphis; from ments in practice, like Maryland to Florida; Texas being reminded to set up to Canada – this dynamic an outlook alarm to check force in the lives of our the synagogue’s AED batsynagogues convened to tery – executive directors better serve Klal Yisrael came away from the conthrough adopting the ference with practical methods and practices the information that will modern shul needs to impact their day-to-day Beth Cohen, executive director of Omaha’s Beth Israel synagogue, prosper. operations and their synais introduced as a presenter by the Orthodox Union’s President Sessions at the confergogue’s service to memSteve Savitsky, standing. Also presenting was Dr. Alan Singer, seatence covered many topics bers. These aren’t always ed left, executive director of the historic Spanish-Portuguese – fund raising, board govchanges that will be Synagogue in NYC and session moderator Aaron Strum, executive ernance, efficiency tools noticed by the average director of The Jewish Center of New York. and time management, congregant. These are marketing and the use of social media, first aid and the use changes that enhance the productivity, financial efficiency of AED (defibrillator) machines, and compiling best prac- and services provided by the shul. tices. Executive Directors returned home with changes, new The central message, time and again over the course of the ideas, concepts and principles that resulted or will over time conference, was that more important than the leaky roof and result in substantial changes in the way the executive direc- bulletin typos, the executive directors of synagogues are in tor goes about his or her job – and therefore, in how the shul the business of helping people and making a difference in itself will be changing. their lives. While a vigorous schedule of presenters left little As a member of the planning committee, as a presenter free time, the conference was a respite for participants– a and as a conference participant, I am not only there for my time to focus with colleagues on how to do better and how own professional development. I am a liaison from Omaha’s to be better. Orthodox community to the Orthodox Union and to the

To order a gift subscription to the Press... Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press for the rest of this year and all of 2011, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.

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Jewish Book Month A u t h o r Gregory Levey at the 37th Annual Jewish Book Month, talking about his book How to make peace in the middle east without leaving your apar tment” and his experience as head speech writer for the Israel Delegation at the UN and Ariel Sharon’s English speech writer.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker yet to be announced for Wednesday, Dec. 22, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $10; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewish omaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thursday, 1-3 pm. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

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The Ballad of John and Leon by PAM ZIMMERMAN something in about the First Amendment.” Leon Wildes sits in a polished conference room on Finally, after a five-year strategy of intricate and exhaustMadison Avenue, where the walls are festooned with news ing appeals, Wildes emerged victorious in the precedentarticles and enlarged photographs of John Lennon, Yoko setting Lennon v. United States decision, and John was perOno, and…Leon Wildes. He may not be the fifth Beatle, but mitted to remain in the country. (Yoko’s application had it was the legal artistry of this HIAS board member that been approved earlier in the process.) masterfully secured Lennon’s U.S. residency back in 1976. “There’s a lot of ‘law’ to be gained from the Lennon matter,” From the midtown law firm that says Wildes, who has been teaching bears his name, Wildes explains at Cordozo School of Law for 31 that in 1972 a law school classmate years and gives an annual lecture asked him to look into the U.S. govabout the case. “Students wander in ernment’s case against the former from other classes to listen to the Beatle, who was facing deportation discussion because I’m likely to stemming from a “cannabis” charge reveal unpublished aspects of the back in England. Yoko, who was material as my memory is jogged.” seeking to gain custody of her Even before the landmark decidaughter from a previous marriage, sion, Wildes explains, he was was having immigration problems always fascinated with immigraof her own. tion – dating back to his pre-rab“I wasn’t very familiar with the binic studies at Yeshiva University. Beatles,” says Wildes, an opera fan “Historically, Jews have been from a small Pennsylvania town. chased from one place to another. “The night I met the Lennons to But they always had some form of discuss their legal situation, I went involvement in their own resettlehome and told my wife that I had ment. It was essential to their surmet with Jack Lemmon and Yoko vival.” Wildes did some jumping Moto.” His wife instantly – and exuaround on his own. He followed berantly – corrected him. his interests into law school and By the time Wildes agreed to repbeyond, taking his first real “estabJohn Lennon and Leon Wildes Credit: HIAS lishment job” working for HIAS for resent the couple, the Lennons had two weeks to prepare for John’s deportation hearing. Thus a year. After starting his own practice, he promised himself began a five-year bureaucratic odyssey, during which Wildes that when he grew older, he’d serve on the board of directors. battled the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Wildes, now in his ninth year as a board member, sees the won four rounds in federal court, and vanquished a goliath role of HIAS as more vital than ever. called the Nixon Administration. “HIAS can handle an immigration emergency anywhere The year 1972, Wildes explains, was the first time that 18- in the world,” he says, pointing to how the organization is year-olds could vote in a U.S. election. John Lennon, a voice resettling Jews, Christians, and Bahai from Iran. “It’s imporof the anti-Vietnam War movement, was an influential fig- tant that if we ever need representation in the future, we ure to millions of newly minted, draft-eligible voters. have HIAS’ expertise and facilities internationally.” “He called Vietnam an immoral war, and young people But right here in the United States, Wildes notes, we’re facflocked to him to hear what he had to say,” Wildes remem- ing a new era of controversial immigration policies that bers. When President Nixon learned from Senator Strom would have incensed his famous client, the Arizona initiaThurmond that the former Beatle could possibly be a prob- tive to curtail undocumented residents a case in point. lem for the re-election, Nixon took swift action to make the “Lennon would have been outraged by the treatment of Lennon “problem” go away, Wildes explains. illegal aliens and how they’re used as political footballs,” he As Wildes fought for Lennon’s residency, wading deeper notes. The press, he explains, would have eaten it up. into a sea of legal complexities, he encountered obstacles “Lennon had a way of expressing himself that appealed to the indicative of the paranoia of the times. Petitions that he had way the average person feels about unfairness in the system.” filed would be hidden away, so that they could not be adjuCloser to home – namely, in the states of New York and dicated. The U.S. government would serve successive rounds New Jersey – Wildes continues to enjoy a busy immigration of papers to the Lennons, with impractical deadlines. practice, which he shares with son, Michael. (His other son, “The Nixon administration wanted to move the Lennons Mark, is also a lawyer as well as a rabbi.) And while Wildes’ out of the country quickly,” he says. And then there was the work – through his law firm and HIAS – is guiding immimatter of surveillance. grants and refugees through legal hurdles, he often thinks “Yoko advised me that if I heard a screeching sound on my about his client and friend. telephone, it was a sign that my line was being tapped,” he “John was brilliant,” he says, adding that he still keeps in remembers. Sure enough, Wildes would hear the distinctive touch with Yoko. “It’s a tragedy that we don’t have him wiretap noises in his office during the day, and on his home around to speak up respectfully against the injustices of phone line at nights and on weekends. immigration law or the way it’s carried out. He had that gift.” “I used to call my father in Pennsylvania and speak to him This article originally appeared in the Fall 2010 issue of in Yiddish,” he says. “I’d joke with him that some nice, older Passages, a periodic publication of HIAS. Reprinted with Yiddish - speaking gentleman would probably be hired by permission of the publisher, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid the government to translate what we’re saying. Then I’d toss Society, Inc.

Help us win 200,000 shekel to benefit Western Galilee Hospital by ZOE RIEKES American Co-Chair of the Friends of the Western Galilee Hospital The Western Galilee Hospital is participating in an Not For Profit competition run by a major bank. The first prize is 200,000 shekel, and is a great exposure for the Hospital. You can vote for our clip on youtube – no need to sign or give any information. People can vote until Dec. 27, once a day per computer. The direct link is http://www.you tube.com/Leumi1Million?x=iNOsGKrDzuo; with English subtitles, it’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Bv4ixd LhA. In order to vote, go to the link and hit the “thumbs up” button...the icon will disappear and will be followed by

Hebrew text that is thanking you for your vote. $200,000 shekels is approximately $60,000. If the Western Galilee Hospital wins, that means life saving equipment can be purchased, such as a highly sophisticated incubator for the NICU or a top of the line ventilator for the Intensive Care Unit. Please help in this endeavor, it only takes a minute. For those of you who met Dr. Barhoum and his wonderful staff during their visit to Omaha, you know how amazing the Hospital is, and the wonderful job it does for the entire Western Galilee region. For more information, contact Nancy Martin at 334.6430 or email nmartin@jewish omaha.org.

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6 | The Jewish Press | December 17, 2010

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On Thursday, Dec. 9, the students at Friedel Jewish Academy once again performed their annual Hanukkah play. All students from Kindergarten to sixth grade speak their lines in Hebrew. “Each year,” Principal Ron Giller said, “Our Jewish studies teachers, with the help of other staff and volunteers, manage to put together a wonderful show, focusing on the story of Hanukkah.” Top: first graders (with a little help from some older students) sing about Sufganyot, which are depicted by the Kindergarten class. Bottom left: the Greeks had a “modern” look this year, but Antiochus had as much attitude as ever. The Friedel violin players, bottom right, warmed up the audience with their remarkable skills.

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In the news The Hearing Dog Bowl-a-Thon, co-sponsored by Omaha Westside and Millard Lions Clubs, will take place on Sunday, Jan. 23, 12:30 to 4 p.m., at Wildcat Lanes in Papillion. Proceeds benefit International Hearing Dog, Inc., the nonprofit organization that trains “hearing ear” dogs and places them—free of charge—with persons who are deaf or hearing impaired. Event chairman Mike Sigmond, a financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments and an Omaha Westside Lion, said Bowl-a-thon participants will receive three free games of bowling, a free lunch, a commemorative T-shirt, and the opportunity to take home fabulous prizes. Entrance to the Bowl-a-Thon requires a minimum of only $30 in sponsorships. “We urge bowlers of all ages, especially family groups, to get involved in this important effort,” he said. Sponsorship Sheets are available by calling Westside Omaha Lion, Don Hieb, at 333.6163; or Millard Lion, Allen Darell, at 895.6613. The Peter Kiewit Foundation will renew their grants program to fund neighborhood projects and initiatives in Omaha. Grants will have a maximum possible value of $10,000, and are meant to empower neighborhoods to strengthen their unique assets, or solve a problem that is affecting the entire neighborhood. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2011; all organized, non-profit neighborhood associations in Omaha are eligible to apply. For more information, contact Lynn Wallin Ziegenbein at 402.344.7890. The Old Avoca (Nebraska) Schoolhouse will be hosting a Twin Fiddling Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 1-3 p.m. Fiddlers of any age and experience level are encouraged to enroll. Championship fiddler and fiddle book author Deborah Greenblatt will share some tunes, hints about arranging for two fiddles, playing back-up, etc. The Workshop takes place in the historic Old Avoca Schoolhouse, in Avoca, Nebraska. Pre-registration is required, and enrollment is limited. The fee is $20 per person. For more information, call 402.275.3221, or send an email to debby@greenblattandseay.com. BBB Foundation is pleased to announce that in 2011 it will be awarding the $2,000 Scott Mecham Student of Integrity Award Scholarships to six junior or senior high school students instead of three. “This decision was made by the BBB’s Corporate and Foundation Boards of Directors because of the huge response and amazing applications sub-

mitted by hundreds of students,” stated BBB Corporate Board Chair Sam Hohman. Winners receive $2,000 college scholarships in memory of Mr. Mecham, who served as BBB president from 1991 until January, 2006. Applicants have to be nominated by a high school teacher, principal, guidance counselor or community leader. The application materials should be sent to a BBB office by March 4, 2011. The scholarship recipients will be announced in April. For more information, please visit: http://nebraska.bbb.org/studentaward/ or http://swiowa. bbb.org/studentaward/ or contact BBB Communications Director Margo Riekes at 402.898.8526.

What’s happening at the JCC gallery

by LYNN BATTEN Publicity Associate/Gallery Supervisor Dec. 1–31: ”Some of All Knowledge” Artwork by Tom Swanson, a nationally recognized artist. “Some of All Knowledge” is a series of three dimensional collages made of over 3,000 recycled encyclopedia pages. These have been folded into 2 by 3 inch boxes, and were then mosaiced by pattern or content into grid-like abstractions. The public is invited to meet the artist at the exhibit reception on Sunday, Dec. 19 from 2 – 4 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 9 pm, Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.

December 17, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 7

Shabbat take-away by LAURIE MOSKOWITZ What’s a girl to do? It had been an unusually crazy and hectic week. Between the start of Chanukah, latke making, the requisite Chanukah play at school to attend, chasing all over town to eat sufganiyot (okay – that wasn’t so stressful), an essay due at ulpan, work due for my day job, an American baseball “tournament” for the eight year old and sadly, another bout with the stomach virus that will never leave, rendering our six-year-old a limp noodle for 3 days running when he was not up all night doing something that really shouldn’t be written in the same space as a food blog – I was not cooking Shabbat dinner. Luckily, here in Jerusalem, this is NOT a problem. Because there are literally dozens of places to get delicious prepared food for Shabbat – you just need to know where to go. First a distinction among “take-aways.” Many of the take-aways have been around for a while now. It’s not exactly a new concept. However, what is new is the addition of so called “Chef restaurants” getting in on the act. Chef restaurants, as they are called here in Israel, are higher-end establishments, have professional chefs (and sometimes name chefs) who run their kitchens and cater to a higher level of gastronome, if you will. The food is more elaborate, more beautifully presented, usually very good, and definitely more expensive. There is also a difference between classic “Ashkenazi” food, which has more of the eastern European favorites that many of us Americans associate with

Shabbat (and perhaps our grandmothers) versus “Sephardic” food, which broadly defined encompasses almost everything else – from Moroccan, Persian, ladino, Yemenite and Iberian influences. Neither is better; you just need to decide what you’re looking to

Credit: pollsb.com eat. Finally, at most places, you can find an array of “salatim” or the small dishes of salads that I associate as being completely Israeli and which seem to be a standard at almost any meal you eat here. And even amongst the salatim – some have more of an “Ashkenazi” influence and others are distinctly Israeli/Middle Eastern in nature. So whether you’ve had an unbelievably busy week, or you’ve flown in right before Shabbat and need to pull together Shabbat dinner or you just don’t feel like cooking – here are some of my favorite places to pickup “Shabbat Take-Away:” Maadne Tzedikiya: Tzedikiya prepares a combination of both classic Ashkenazi food, some Middle Eastern specialties (e.g. stuffed vegetables) and Israeli salatim. There isn’t a prepared salad they don’t have there from

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delicious green tehina to hummus to eggplant prepared various ways (baba ganoush, roasted eggplant salad, grilled slices) to avocado dip to a version of potato salad that I love with green peas and small gherkins mixed in to a myriad of coleslaws, cucumber salad, Moroccan carrots and the list goes on. They also have an unbelievable assortment of fried delicacies - shnitzilim, Moroccan cigars, fried cauliflower, eggrolls, kube, latkes and more. Their main dishes include items like stuffed chicken, meatballs, stuffed vegetables, rice and roasted potatoes. Take Me Home: Many people know “Take Me Home” as Elvis/Take-Me-Home since the proprietors Elvis and Ayala operated a shop in German Colony for 40 years. While they have a restaurant outside of Jerusalem (in the Sonol area of Beitar, Tzur-Hadassah) which houses their primary kitchen), on Fridays you can find them in Kenyon Hadar in Talpiot as part of a trio of “take away” vendors that set up shop. Take-Me-Home has a large menu (available in English) with that same combination of classic Ashkenazi food and Israeli/Middle Eastern specialties. I particularly enjoyed their stuffed chicken with rice, and majdara (rice & lentils) and fried cauliflower. They also do a nice array of fried fish, which is great for an appetizer or for Shabbat lunch. Haimishe Essen: You could just as easily be in Crown Heights as on Keren Kayemet in Jerusalem when you walk in here. Chicken soup with matzo balls, gefilte fish, kugels, chopped liver and chicken wings are all possibilities for take-out from this tiny location and you can peruse the big refrigerated case housing a wide variety of salads to go along with it. If you’re in the mood for a quick lunch, Haimishe Essen also has a sit-down eating area reminiscent of a deli in NYC.

Papagaio: Papagaio is more in the category of “Chef Restaurant.” Papagaio, for those who don’t know it, is an unbelievable meat restaurant/Brazilian style steakhouse where (for a price) you are served an unlimited quantity of 9 different kinds of meat from chicken livers to pargiyot (spring chicken) to entrecote steak, all prepared on their open grills and rotisserie – which is not only a sight to behold but renders them succulent and delicious. This is one of those places where they serve you lots of salads, fresh bread, french fries (or “chips” as they are called in Israel) and other sides, but you are best not to fill up on them because you will absolutely not be able to eat all the meat to which you are entitled. If you have meat lovers in your family (and especially if you keep kosher) this is a must-try restaurant. Several months ago, Papagaio went into the Shabbat Take-Away business and on Friday’s you can check out their stunning array of grilled meats – including rotisserie chicken, entrecote roasts coated in herbs, pargiyot skewers, brisket, and roasted chicken among others. They also have an elaborate salad table with the traditional offerings such as roasted potatoes and potato kugel but also newer and nice additions such as sweet potatoes in chili sauce and black bean and corn salad. Laurie Moskowitz hails from Washington, where she is a “professional” home chef and serial entertainer – regularly hosting both large and small groups of people for Jewish holidays, Sabbath meals, school functions and political events. Laurie is an avid reader of cookbooks, watcher of all cooking shows, obsessive menu planner, and food shopper extraordinaire – often known to schedule dinner dates just to plan out upcoming menus.

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8 | The Jewish Press | December 17, 2010

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

A cheap excuse

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Recently, the Free Speech argument has been making the rounds again. Helen Thomas, that pain in our collective neck, brought it on, although I also blame Rick Sanchez and Glenn Beck and Julian Assange and a whole slew of other people. Oh, and myself, of course. Can’t leave me out. The issue is this: we all know, for obvious reasons, that for any self-respecting journalist (and we all do respect ourselves so very much) Free Speech is sacrosanct. And yet, many of us hide behind it the minute we get in trouble over something we print or say. Let’s face it: we say we respect Free Speech, but we are not above using it as a cheap excuse. When Helen Thomas spoke at the diversity workshop in Dearborn, Michigan, called Images and Perceptions of Arab Americans; The New America: Mom, Apple Pie, and ArabBashing, she said: “We are owned by propagandists against the Arabs. Congress, the White House, and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by Zionists.” Then, when the mini-firestorm broke out (mini, because we already fussed over her quite a bit back in June) she immediately hid behind Free Speech. So did many of her defenders, even the ones who didn’t agree with what she said per se. Free Speech (I think I’ve said this before) does not mean saying whatever we want, whenever we want. There is such a thing as being civil, and polite, and – go ahead, call me naïve - treating others the way we want to be treated. Oh wait; that’s actually an essential bit of Jewish teaching, and yet, something Helen Thomas ought to know, regardless of her background. She should have known better than to combat Arab-bashing with Jew-bashing. It’s all a little too reminiscent of the “I-

know-you-are-but-what-am-I” mentality; that type of thinking should have been left on the Kindergarten playground. Treating others the way we want to be treated: without it, Free Speech holds no value. It means we have to be fair, and balanced, even if that phrase in and of itself has been a bit corrupted. It means being aware of the other side, even if we don’t agree with it. It means listening to what others have to say, before we start yelling and screaming. It means that sometimes we don’t get our way and have to admit we are wrong. And, at the end of the day, respecting Free Speech means we sometimes hold our tongue, because it is better for everybody involved. Helen would probably sputter about having a right to her own opinion. She does have that right, and that’s where we – journalists as well as readers - sometimes get confused. Free Speech does not equal opinion. Everybody can have an opinion; they are a dime a dozen. That doesn’t mean opinions are always right, and it doesn’t mean they always have to be shared in public. Sometimes it is okay to take a step back and breathe. Had Helen Thomas done that, her presence at the diversity workshop might have made a real difference. Instead, she wagered what was left of her journalistic

integrity and lost. During a time when the very existence of journalism is under constant attack, when all we hear is how tough the traditional media has it, and every journalist wonders where the next nail in the coffin is coming from, we all have to be extra careful. Lest we are phased out by Bloggers and I-Reporters (thanks a lot, CNN) we must convince the public that we serve a purpose: to bring the news, to represent a variety of viewpoints, and, above all, to maintain a civil discourse in this country. Then, and only then, will we be able to truly appreciate and take advantage of Free Speech. To be continued, I’m sure.

Response to fire illuminates challenges for Israel

Behind the headlines ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, National Director of the ADL NEW YORK (JTA) -- One of the reactions of Israelis to the fact that their government called on the international community for assistance to combat the Carmel Forest fire is a sense of shame. After all, Israel is a leader in the hightech world and an innovator in dealing with crisis situations. Now Israel had to admit that it wasn’t capable of dealing with the blaze alone. More than that, for some in Israel there is a reluctance to admit that Israel is not isolated, that not everyone is against Israel. The willingness of nations and peoples to rush to Israel’s side, including the Turks and the Palestinians, challenged this assumption. I remember when Yitzhak Rabin took over as prime minister in 1992, his inaugural address to the Knesset took a different tack than the norm. He spoke to the idea that Israelis need to get beyond the way of thinking that assumed that everyone was against them. He argued that this was neither accurate nor productive, as it led to distorted policies. Rabin in some quarters was hailed for his comments; in others he was condemned. Which brings us to our own times: Where do things stand and how does the response to the fire illuminate matters? I would argue that there are two parallel tracks, both of which need to be understood, taken seriously and factored in to policymaking. On the one hand is the dangerous process of delegitimiza-

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson; Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page sto-

tion campaigns against Israel. These campaigns are picking up momentum around the world. Boycotts of Israel by trade unions, universities and entertainers seem to pop up almost on a daily basis. Israeli officials refrain from visiting certain countries lest they be arrested on war criminal charges. The U.N.’s Goldstone Report questions Israel’s right to selfdefense. Israel is compared to the South African apartheid regime or to the Nazis. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can openly call for Israel’s disappearance without any repercussions. And the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva focuses most of its attention and resolutions on condemning alleged Israeli violations of human rights. In other words, there are grounds for concluding that the world has turned against Israel in ways that even suggest a heavy dose of anti-Semitism within it. It is no longer the individual Jew who is the target of anti-Semitism, some argue, but the collective Jew through the assault on the Jewish state. And it is argued, with some reason, that it is not particular Israeli policies but Israel’s very existence that is the problem for many of its critics. The picture, however, is more complicated, and the response of many nations to Israel’s plea for help this week is the tip of the iceberg. It is obvious that not only does Israel have a special relationship with the United States, but it has excellent bilateral relations with states throughout the globe, including some that routinely vote against Israel at the United Nations. Moreover, even in the Arab world things are not simple. It is true that what we all want, an acceptance by Arab leaders of the legitimacy of the Jewish state in the Middle East, has not been achieved. Having said that, on practical grounds there has been progress over the years in the acceptance of the reality that Israel is here to stay. Indeed,

that notion is so strong in the Arab world that Ahmadinejad feels it necessary to harp on the idea that Israel will disappear in an effort to get the Arabs to turn back the clock to a time when they not only rejected Israel’s legitimacy but envisioned ways to achieve Israel’s demise. Arab acceptance of the reality of Israel is not insignificant because it then forces an answer to the question of how one deals with an entity that’s here to stay. Anwar Sadat’s answer after the Yom Kippur war was to make peace. We see these changes as well in the WikiLeaks documents: Arab leaders such as the king of Saudi Arabia and the crown prince of Bahrain focusing on the Iranian threat and understanding the common interest that Israel and the moderate Arabs have in containing Iran. And now comes the Carmel Forest fire. The fact that both Turkey and the Palestinian Authority provided assistance to Israel is not insignificant. It obviously does not negate the problematic aspects of Turkish and Palestinian policies toward Israel. But it should alert Israeli leaders to openings, to shades of gray, to possibilities that things don’t always have to remain the same, to the idea that resentment can also be overcome. The great challenge for supporters of Israel in the period ahead is not to lose sight of either of the two tracks. There are immense dangers to Israel up ahead, as reflected in the delegitimization efforts, and we must do our all to combat them. But there are opportunities as well, and the mark of leadership is to explore them and seed them while never ignoring the landmines that lie beside them. Abraham H. Foxman is the national director of the AntiDefamation League. His latest book is “Jews and Money: The Story of a Stereotype,” Palgrave Macmillan, Nov. 2010).

ries 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.

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

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is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted

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 information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $37.50 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

December 17, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 9

U.S. must enforce pledge on campus harassment

Focus on issues KENNETH L. MARCUS NEW YORK (JTA) -- Buried in the recent policy statement on bullying in the public schools, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced a major policy on anti-Semitism: For only the second time in its history, OCR pledged that it would use its civil rights enforcement powers to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment. The landmark ruling bolsters the 2004 policy that I issued while heading OCR during the first George W. Bush administration but which had been abandoned or ignored in the intervening years. The new policy is a big deal for students on many college campuses, where anti-Semitism has made a startling return. However, it is hardly clear whether OCR will enforce it fully. The new policy is certainly timely. Some say this is a “golden age” for American Jewish college students, pointing to the proliferation of Hillel houses, Jewish studies departments, Israel studies classes, and Jewish college presidents and faculty. There is some truth to this opinion. But if it is the best of times, it is also the worst of times. The long steady progress against anti-Semitism since the end of the World War II halted nearly a decade ago at the start of the second intifada. Since then many campuses, especially on the West Coast, have seen a resurgence of antiJewish animosity. In many cases we see old school European-style stereotypes of greedy, conspiratorial Jews. Quite frequently, though, this hate spills over from antiIsraeli protests into brazenly anti-Jewish harassment. In 2006, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights said that antiSemitism had become a “serious problem” on many campuses across the country.

OCR’s new policy means that Jewish students again will receive the same legal protections as black, Arab, Asian and female students. This has been a tough issue for the bureaucracy because Congress banned discrimination in federally funded education programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability -- but not religion. Bureaucrats have been reluctant to protect Jewish students because Judaism is a religion, and Congress has not authorized probes of religious bias. Moreover, officials do not want to be seen as saying that American Jews are a separate “race” or “nation.” The new policy wisely steers clear of these problems, anchoring protections in ethnic bias. Whether the policy succeeds will depend on three factors. First, OCR must address anti-Semitic incidents that masquerade as anti-Israelism. On college campuses -- and especially in protests brought by the anti-Israel boycotts, divestment and sanctions movement -- it is now widely understood that attacking “Jews” by name is impolitic, but one can smear “Zionists” with impunity. Natan Sharansky famously supplied a “3-D” test to address this ruse: If anti-Israel protesters Demonize Israel, use Double standards or try to Deligitimize the Jewish state, something other than mere political argumentation is generally involved. The U.S. State Department and the European Union’s human rights agency have developed important definitions that distinguish between the permissible and the impermissible. OCR thus far has ignored the issue, and its past history provides little comfort that it will get it right. Second, OCR needs to demonstrate that it can protect Jewish students from hate and bias while guarding the First Amendment and academic freedom. On many campuses, anti-Israel activists suppress pro-Israel advocacy by heckling Jewish-sponsored speakers, vandalizing Jewish posters and fliers, and intimidating students who wear clothing or jew-

elry that connects them with the Jewish state. University leaders must condemn these attacks on free speech and academic freedom. At the same time, OCR must explain that nothing in its new policy requires any encroachment on constitutionally protected expression by either advocates or critics of Israel. Even where anti-Israel groups are engaged in deeply offensive protests, the best university response often is to condemn the hate or bigotry rather than censor or punish the speaker. Universities that fail to do so deserve to get a call from the federal agency that funds them. Third, the current OCR policy is still informal policy guidance and it may not endure. Worse, since the policy does not cover religious discrimination, it contains a loophole wide enough that some perpetrators may evade enforcement. Ultimately, Congress must act to protect all religious minorities -- not just Jews but also Sikhs, Muslims and others -- from discrimination at federally funded secular institutions of higher learning. U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) recently introduced legislation, advocated by the Institute for Jewish & Community Research and the Zionist Organization of America, to accomplish this result. There is little chance that the legislation will pass during a lame-duck legislative session following November’s elections, and Specter will not return for the next Congress. The bill, however, deserves serious consideration by the new Congress, when Sherman hopefully will reintroduce it and identify a Senate co-sponsor. Kenneth L. Marcus is the director of The Anti-Semitism Initiative at the Institute for Jewish & Community Research and author of “Jewish Identity and Civil Rights in America,” Cambridge 2010. He also teaches at Baruch College of the City University of New York.

Fire’s devastation can lead to positive change

Behind the headlines RACHEL LIEL AND DANIEL SOKATCH SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- It is hard to explain just how devastated Israelis are by the Carmel fire. But it is easier to explain how that devastation can become a positive force for positive change, right now, in Israel. The fire consumed at least 42 lives, thousands of forested acres and millions of shekels in property. With the assistance of a dozen foreign nations, the beleaguered firefighters finally got the resources they needed to battle a blaze that consumed more than its obvious victims. What may have perished in the fire is Israel’s sense of self-reliance, and the confidence of ordinary people that they can rely on their government and society to meet their needs. Just as the Second Lebanon War provoked questions about Israel’s readiness to withstand a bombing campaign, the Carmel fire illuminates issues that have been too readily subsumed in the endless attention to the conflict. We at the New Israel Fund are painfully aware that Israel is often seen two-dimensionally, even by its own government. It is of course a priority for Israel to pursue peace and security, but an exclusive focus on these issues skews attention and resources away from an equally critical task. We, the organization that founded and funded Israel’s civil society and that works every day on intractable social issues, know what that task is. It is building a society founded on equity and social justice, where every person has the opportunity to live a decent life, and building the infrastructure and the institutions that provide this opportunity to all. It is security, yes, but in a sense that extends far beyond fighter planes and a separation fence. What Israel discovered last week is that while it prides itself on its strength, it is in some ways far, far too weak. There wasn’t the proper equipment for fighting fires, and the supply of fire-retardant chemicals was exhausted even before the Carmel ignited. Just a few weeks ago, when the 40-story Shalom Tower in Tel Aviv was burning, it turned out that the Tel Aviv Fire Department does not have a hookand-ladder truck that extends beyond 10 stories. Israel sits on an earthquake fault and has done little to plan for that eventuality, while in a drought-stricken region water and development policies are enmeshed in money interests and politics, not in sustainable growth. For too long, under successive governments, Israeli society has polarized between the center and the periphery, the Jews and the Arabs, the religious and the secular, the haves and the have-nots. The current government, paying attention to the demands of its political coalition, is channeling even more money into stipends for non-working yeshiva students and radical settler incursions into Palestinian neighborhoods of eastern Jerusalem. But every government

has been held hostage to the demands of specific constituencies, the inequalities persist, and now poverty in Israel is more widespread than in any of the 30 European Union nations. Income inequality in Israel is second only to the United States among developed nations, and Israeli schools, public lands and infrastructure are deteriorating quickly.

Israel sits on an earthquake fault and has done little to plan for that eventuality, while in a drought-stricken region water and development policies are enmeshed in money interests and politics, not in sustainable growth. This situation can and must change. The Carmel fire may have been Israel’s Katrina, but we and many people like us will insist on a faster recovery than New Orleans experienced. We know the real strength of Israel is not only in its military but in its people -- the thousands of ordinary people we work with every day. The day the fire started, grass-roots organizations of the North began mobilizing. A day after it ended, our Haifa office was already gearing up with our grantees and partners

for the huge tasks of long-term recovery. We will work to ensure that there is compensation for the victims and the homeless, and that it is distributed fairly. Environmental groups are too infrequently consulted in Israel; we will make sure they are at the table when the future of the Carmel Forest is considered. The fire re-ignited anti-Arab invective in some segments of society; our longstanding leadership of Arab and Jewish groups in the North will substantiate efforts to eradicate racism and build a truly shared society. Israel’s beautiful Carmel Forest is burnt and black. Its people’s faith in their government is shaken. But Israel does have a civil society, which means that there is a force that enables ordinary people to change their circumstances, even if they are not wealthy or politically connected. Civil society empowers and ennobles and, yes, sometimes enrages the powers-that-be. Now is the time for ordinary Israelis to insist on leadership that is accountable and fair, and on a society that plans for peace and prosperity, not just for defense and war. It is time for all of us, Israeli and American, to see Israel in all its dimensions, in all its needs and in all its possibilities. Rachel Liel is the executive director in Israel and Daniel Sokatch the CEO of the New Israel Fund.

Letter TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Having served as President of the Jewish Press Board for many years, I was distressed to find an announcement at the top of the front page “next” to the nameplate telling readers they were getting The Press courtesy of a local Endowment Fund. This may be a novel way to raise funds, but it’s a violation of the integrity of any respected newspaper. The reputation of a newspaper must remain sacrosanct, free of any appearance of outside influence. I stress appearance; I’m sure the sponsor has no intent of influencing editorial content, but that doesn’t make tying a front page sponsorship to the gift the right thing to do. An independent organ to serve the Jewish community is inordinately valuable and ought not be submitted to the slippery slope of a new kind of fund raising. In the past, The Jewish Press was supported by subscriptions, advertising, gifts and monies the Federation raised to fund its agencies. It came out every week for 90 years with this kind of support; there’s no reason to commercialize the paper now. Funds can be raised without doing so. The Federation may feel it is all right to sponsor Jewish Family Services or some other agency, but there needs to be

a recognition and a sensitivity that running an announcement on the front page of the newspaper saying the publication has a paid sponsor is a detraction from its credibility. The details of recognizing givers for sponsoring Federation agencies should be made known and discussed so readers can understand its rationale. What does it cost to sponsor The Press or some other agency? Is it a fixed annual gift or will it cover shortfalls? Will it replace other fund raising or provide a larger Jewish Press? While fund raising is necessary, even the Torah ascribes a lower ranking to those gifts that must identify the contributor. It would be pretty hard to find a greater imposition on the reader than the box at the top of the front page every week. I urge the respective boards to review this idea of a paid newspaper or agency sponsorship for its wider consequences, and suggest, in the meantime, that the front page announcement be placed inside the paper where other details describing the management and operation of The Press are carried. Stanford Lipsey Publisher, The Buffalo News

10 | The Jewish Press | December 17, 2010

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat School, 10 a.m., for all BESTT students in grades pre-K–7; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 10:30 a.m. with Susi FrydmanLevin. BESTT: Winter break -- no classes. USY: On Sunday, 1–2:30 p.m. Meet at Tranquility Iceplex, 123rd & West Maple Rd. for an afternoon of ice skating. Cost, $6. RSVP to Shiri Tene at youthdir@bethel-omaha. org, or by calling the office. KADIMA: On Sunday, 3–4:30 p.m., spend the afternoon roller skating at Skate Daze, 132nd & ‘B’ St. Cost, $10; dropoff and pick-up at the rink. RSVP to Shiri Tene at youthdir@ bethel-omaha.org, or by calling the office. BESTT CHAVERIM: On Sunday, 5–6:30 p.m., FourthSxith graders will meet at PE 101 kids’ gym, 2920 N. 118th St. Wear comfortable clothing, socks and shorts. Cost to attend, $10. To reserve your spot, contact Shiri in the office. THURSDAY: College Students’ Lunch, 11 a.m., all Jewish college students are invited to meet for food and fun at Bagel Bin. Catch up with old friends and get acquainted with new ones. No charge to attend; Rabbi Levin’s Life Lessons for the Hebrew Bible, noon. Cost: $36, members; $45, non-members. To register, contact the office. SHABBAT COMES TO THE BLUMKIN HOME: On Friday, Dec. 24, 2:30 p.m., Cantor Schlossberg will lead a special, musical Shabbat celebration for Blumkin Home residents and their guests. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY, Fast of the 10th of Tevet: Fast begins, 6:15 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:39 p.m.; Fast ends, 5:35 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Navigating the Transliterated Siddur class, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Mizrahi; Kiddush is sponsored in honor of those celbrating December Simchas; “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) and Shabbat Mishnah Group, Avodah Zarah, chapter 4, one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 4:30 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Contact the office to get the dial-in number and access code. TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders is on Winter Break; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halchic Kollel, 9 p.m.; Follow the Kollel at www. omahakollel.blogspot.com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbis Around the World, 7:30 p.m.

Candlelighting Friday, December 17, 4:39 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Chef ’s Demo, 1 p.m. led by Beth El volunteers. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack and David Herzog. THURSDAY: LOVE Board of Directors’ Meeting, 7 p.m. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend Services.

TEMPLE ISRAEL CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: After school teen program, 2:40-4 p.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to recive a guest pass. All programs are open to the entire community.

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet. We will honor everyone with a special blessing who has celebrated a birthday or anniversary in Dec.; Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Patty Nogg, and hosted by Kelly and Jeff Nogg. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Please contact the Temple Israel office, 556.6536 or mkube@temple israelomaha.com, to make a dinner reservation. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Elias Ginsberg, son of Julie and Bennett Ginsberg, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: No Religious School TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: No Religious School; No Family School; No Middle School. THURSDAY: No “Adult Study with the Clergy.”

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

TIFERETH ISRAEL

South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Eleanor Kirkland. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. All ages welcome. If you have questions, call Deb Swearingen. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; LJCS Teachers meeting, 12:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Board of Trustees, 1-3 p.m. TUESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group, noon at The Knolls Restaurant, 2201 Old Cheney Road. Questions? Contact Stephanie Dohner. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. FRIDAY, Dec. 24: Xmas Oy’ve - Chinese Potluck Dinner, 6 p.m. followed by Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel and concluding with a movie.

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Learners minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Morning Service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush luncheon and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; LJCS Teachers meeting, 12:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at The Knolls Restaurant, 2201 Old Cheney Road, noon. If you need a ride, call Elaine Evnen. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Storms hit Israel by EDGAR ASHER

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

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:39 p.m.

Beth El celebrates Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights was cause for celebration for congregants of all ages at Beth El Synagogue, from a Family Latke Dinner sponsored by Men’s Club, to a special day of Hanukkah activities for students in the Talmud Torah. Pictured at left, BESTT students and their parents enjoy a

spirited holiday sing-along, led by Education Director Judy Rubin; pictured at right, the synagogue’s Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group kicked off its recent meeting by having attendees bring menorahs from home and lighting the candles on the final night of Hanukkah.

After about eight months of virtually no substantial rain, a huge storm front has hit Israel. Driving rain accompanied by winds, at times over 100kms an hour, battered the coastal strip. For a while Ben Gurion Airport closed and several flights were diverted to Cyprus. There were power outages that at times affected many thousands of consumers. There was serious damage reported from the archaeological site in Caesarea when a modern sea wall, intended to protect the ancient sea wall, collapsed. In Tel Aviv the promenade along the whole sea front was badly damaged as well as the marina. All lifeguard services were halted as lifeguard stations were themselves surrounded by surging seas as the beaches became totally flooded. Copyright: ISRANET

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

December 17, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 11

The conclusion of Genesis

In memoriam ROSE K. BECKER

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Va’yechi Our Sidrah is very rich with its treatment of events and personalities. The last of the Patriarchs, Jacob, recognizes that he is about to die. He asks that his 12 sons be assembled before him, so that he may offer a blessing to all of them. It is to be noted that his blessing of Judah predicts that Judah will be the greatest of the sons. All of the sons are to have large families and many descendants. But Judah’s family is to exceed them all, both in prominence and in numbers. All of this despite the greatness of Joseph in Egypt. When Jacob dies, with the permission of Pharaoh, a great funeral cortege including Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen accompany Jacob’s children. They have promised their father that he will be buried in Canaan, in the burial cave where Abraham and Isaac were buried. All of the people who saw this funeral procession going from Egypt to Canaan remarked to each other: this is a great mourning procession for Egypt. Returning to Egypt, Joseph quiets the fears of his brothers that he will now take revenge for what they did to him. He tells them that although they meant to harm him when they sold him as a slave to Egypt, the Lord turned it into a good thing. Through it, He saved many, many people during what would have been years of famine. They assumed this included the entire world, by which they meant all of the countries that border the Mediterranean Basin. Their world extended no farther than the Mediterranean. Even in the time of Columbus there were those who feared that he and his paltry little fleet of three ships would fall into disaster when they came to the end of the Mediterranean. They would fall off the edge into an unknown fatality. Now Joseph, whom elsewhere I have called the “Hero of Genesis”, commands his children not to bury him in Egypt after his death. He orders his body cremated and held for burial in Canaan, when the time comes that the Lord makes possible the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt back to Canaan. Joseph was therefore placed in a coffin at the time of his death, and, we are later to learn, Moses himself saw to it that this coffin filled with the bones of Joseph was brought back to Canaan for burial. With this, we have come to the end of the age of the Patriarchs and, at the same time, the end of the book of Genesis. It has become customary for Jews to recognize the end of Bible book by proclaiming “Hazak;” fully said in three words, it means, “be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.” Be strong? Yes, strong enough to continue reading and studying the books of the Tanakh, so that the study of the Holy Scriptures would be never ending.

Rose K. Becker passed away on Dec. 6 at the age of 92 in Cedar Rapids. Services were held on Dec. 8 at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel by Rabbi Thalblum, and burial followed at Eben Israel Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband Sam. She is survived by her children, Judie and Ralph Griggs of Las Vegas, NV, and Linda Balter of CA; brothers, Joe Kirshenbaum of Palm Springs, CA, and Kevee Kirshenbaum; sister, Phyllis Rifkin of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Scott and Stacey Hendricks, Sam and Sidney McGuire, and Madison Angelo. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Judah, 3221 Lindsay Ln SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

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Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

ESTHER ELAINE SIREF Esther Elaine Siref passed away on Nov. 7 at the age of 86. Services were held on Nov. 9 at Golden Hill Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Siref. She is survived by her children, Dr. Melvin and Dr. Janice Snyder of Rolling Hills, CA, Dr. Gilbert and Margie Brodsky of Needham, MA, and Dr. Larry and Kathy Siref; grandchildren, Jason Snyder and Cynthia Richman; Kevin, Laurie, and Michael Snyder; Joshua, Jeffrey, and Adam Brodsky; and Andrew and David Siref; great-grandchildren, Avery and Eliana Snyder; and sisters-in-law, Mary Saferstein and Sylvia Davis. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rose Blumkin Home, Temple Israel, or the charity of your choice.

Reform, NCJW slam ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ failure by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Two Jewish groups expressed regret at the U.S. Senate’s failure to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays. A repeal of the policy, which requires the discharge of gay servicemen and women who reveal their orientation, was attached to a defense spending bill. It failed Dec. 9 on a procedural vote to garner the 60 votes needed to advance to debate. “The military’s code of honor is tarnished when service members are required to lie about their identity,” the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center stated. “And as people of faith, we are pained by this affront to the dignity of those in uniform, each of whom, gay or straight, embodies the spark of the Divine presence in every person, and each of whom should be a source of pride for all Americans.” The National Council of Jewish Women also condemned the failure, but expressed hope that a stand-alone bill introduced in the wake of last week’s failure by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) would reach the floor before Congress ends its session this month. Other Jewish groups advocating for the repeal of the ban include the AntiDefamation League and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Remembering Irvin Kershner and Ingrid Pitt by ALAN D. ABBEY international.” The New York Times offered tidbits of Kershner’s first-genFilmmaker Irvin Kershner, the only man to direct a Star Wars film and a James Bond film, and director of the prize- eration Jewish-American origins, saying he was named Isadore when he was born and that his winning 1977 TV movie Raid on immigrant father, Morris, “supported Entebbe died Nov. 27 at 87. the family selling fruits and vegetables Kershner, a Philadelphia native, from a street cart.” directed numerous well-received and Another recent Jewish death that successful films, led certainly by The brought significant comment among Empire Strikes Back in 1980, which cinemaphiles -- primarily horror and The Guardian called “the darkest -“camp” film fans -- was that of actress and arguably best -- Star Wars adventure of them all.” Kershner took on Ingrid Pitt, 73, whose childhood in a Empire after a personal request from Nazi concentration camp and escape George Lucas, a former film student of from East Germany were seminal facKershner’s at USC. Kershner was tors in her film work. The New York quoted as saying he turned down the Times said horror was “a genre she chance to direct Return of the Jedi knew firsthand.” In her autobiography, Life’s a Scream, because Empire had taken so much out of him. Pitt, born Ingoushka Petrov, said she Ingrid Pitt Kershner’s Entebbe won a Golden had a “strong sense of the dramatic Globe and an Emmy. He directed Sean Connery in 1983 in even before I was born.” Her birth interrupted her parents’ his return to the role of James Bond in Never Say Never attempts to flee Nazi Germany via Poland in 1937. Upon her escape from communist East Germany, she was pulled out Again. Kershner did a stint as a member of the Artistic Advisory of a river by an American soldier whom she later married. Pitt started out in standard fare, 1968’s Where Eagles Dare, Committee of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture and was a judge at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival in 2004, a World War II film starring Clint Eastwood. But she quickbut was quoted as saying that “I don’t think of myself as a ly morphed into a camp horror queen in The House That Jew except by birth, as I don’t follow the customs. I’m a Jew Dripped Blood (1971) and The Wicker Man (1973), and later because other people consider me so. My pride is in being embraced the typecasting.

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12 | The Jewish Press | December 17, 2010

Kevin Spacey gets in touch with his inner Jew in Casino Jack by NAOMI PFEFFERMAN as a kind of empathetic anti-hero. LOS ANGELES (The Jewish Journal) -Hickenlooper died unexpectedly last Two-time Academy Award winner Kevin month at 47 of what appeared to be natural Spacey lifts his fork from his plate of lox and causes, two weeks before his scheduled eggs and jabs it in the air. Tucked away in a interview with The Jewish Journal. But he back booth at Art’s detailed his journey Deli in Studio City, to Casino Jack in his he recounts his introduction to the monologue from published screenthe opening scene play, including the of the black comedy myriad hours he Casino Jack, which spent interviewing opens Dec. 17. Abramoff at the The film is Maryland prison inspired by the true where he was servstory of the dising time on counts graced right-wing related to defraudformer super-lobing Native byist and Orthodox American tribes, Jew Jack Abramoff, the purchase of whom Spacey porgambling cruise Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff in Casino Jack. trays. boats and other Credit: ATO Pictures In that scene, charges. Abramoff wields not a fork but a toothbrush Casino Jack is, according to Hickenlooper’s as he informs a bathroom mirror that as a account, a kind of first-person opera, from result of “a s—-load of reading and studying Abramoff ’s point of view. and praying,” he’s come to some conclusions In the film, the mega-lobbyist wheels and that he’d like to share, ostensibly with the deals, but also davens, lays tefillin and is pasreporters and FBI agents circling him. sionate about his family and funding chari“You’re either a big leaguer or you’re a ties, including a short-lived all boys’ Jewish slave clawing your way onto the C train,” is day school, The Eshkol Academy. The charone of them. “You say I’m selfish -- f--- you,” acter reveals that he was motivated to is another. “I give back, plenty.” become a “real” Jew as a secular teenager in Later he says, “I’m humbly grateful for the Beverly Hills after seeing the film version of wonderful gifts that I’ve received here in Fiddler on the Roof. Abramoff ’s mob-conAmerica, the greatest country on the planet! nected associate, Adam Kidan (a hilarious I’m Jack Abramoff and, oh yeah, I work out Jon Lovitz), seeks to insult the lobbyist by every day.” calling him a “fake Jew.” Spacey portrays a hubris-filled, over-the“Maybe no one would want Jack Abramoff top character -- the real lobbyist really did to be humanized, but that’s my job,” said brag about his exorbitant fees and about Spacey, who also met with Abramoff in working out every day -- but director prison. “I don’t sit in judgment of the charGeorge Hickenlooper also envisioned him acters I play.”

In fact, Spacey has earned awards and kudos playing nuanced, morally ambiguous characters in such films as American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and L.A. Confidential, among his myriad roles in film and theater. For the Journal interview, it was his choice to meet at Art’s “because I do tend to like delis -- I grew up in the Valley -- and this is where I’m more comfortable than some chichi fab restaurant that everyone says is the greatest place on earth.” Spacey hates the term “Hollywood” -“That’s a city,” he opined, and he isn’t into the culture of “who’s hot and who’s not.” In 2003, Spacey settled in London to serve as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre

because he “wanted to change my life.” In person, the 51-year-old actor is by turns droll, cerebral and charming, but he doesn’t mince words. Asked whether some viewers might perceive Casino Jack as whitewashing Abramoff, he pointedly replies, “What does that mean?” Apparently some Republican observers were concerned that the film might do the opposite, given that Spacey is a prominent Democratic activist and a poker buddy of President Clinton’s. Spacey even portrayed Al Gore adviser Ron Klain in 2008’s Recount, another dark comedy about politics -- one reason Hickenlooper wanted him for Casino Jack.

Come and get your bagel!

Hannah Wolf and parents Nancy and Phil are getting ready to enjoy their bagel at the newly re-built and re-opened Bagel Bin.

One unforgettable show— Five thousand years in the making PERFORMANCE BY Shen Yun is traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be—a profound study in grace and wisdom distilled from 5,000 years of civilization.

A

Shen Yun features one of the most expressive, and also one of the most demanding, art forms in the world: classical Chinese dance. It is a complete system of dance refined through thousands of years. The classically trained dancers, musicians, and singers of Shen Yun dedicate themselves to reviving the essence of humanity’s divinely inspired culture. They believe that to create true art, there must first be inner purity. Thus, they are sure to include study and meditation into their rigorous training regimen.

“Brilliant choreography... extravagantly beautiful.” — BroadwayWorld.com

Ticket Prices: $150, $145, $130, $100, $80, $60

Choreographers find an inexhaustible source of inspiration in China’s many dynasties and ethnic groups. They bring to life tales of well-known legends and time-honored values, displaying goodness and loyalty, courage and tragedy.

DEC 26, 2010, 7:00PM ORPHEUM THEATER ALL-NEW 2011 PROGRAM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

This winter, Shen Yun will again debut a spectacular original production with all new dances, costumes, and music. Experience the extraordinary.

TICKETS: (402) 345-0606, www.TicketOmaha.com

ShenYunPerformingArts.org

Presented by Nebraska Falun Dafa Association