December 18, 2009

Vol. LXXXIX No. 14 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

1 Tevet 5770

December 18 2009

Thousands protest Leonard Lewis dies at 87 Disabled Omaha man thrives on “tough love” settlement freeze

Protests over the government’s settlement freeze program have gathered momentum as residents from the West Bank, together with their supporters, rallied outside the Prime Minister’s official residence Dec. 9 in a peaceable demonstration to oppose the present government policy. Tens of thousands of people participated in the rally organized by the Yesha Council (the local government councils of Judea and Samaria). Placards shared much of the same theme, many referring to the mistakes of the Gaza pullout which failed completely to improve relations with the Palestinians and in the end resulted in the need for IDF to reenter the strip just over a year ago.

The main fear is that the construction freeze will be a precursor to Jewish residents being forced out of the West Bank. Likud MK Danny Danon addressed the crowd while holding up a placard with US President Obama’s phone number urging everyone to phone the President and tell him not to harm the Jewish settlements.

Credit: ISRANET

by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press An attorney by education, businessman by profession and high-level volunteer in the Jewish community, Leonard Lewis died Dec. 14 at the age of 87. Services are Thusday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m., at Mount Sinai Cemetery.

Often called feisty for his determination in asking questions, Lewis chaired the 1987 Men’s Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, after serving as its Grand Gifts Chairman for two years and before that as a division leader and worker. In addition, he was an active member of both the Federation’s Building and Grounds Committee and its Budget and Allocations Committee, chairing one of its sub-committees.

During his tenure as Men’s Campaign Chairman, he and his wife, Bert, chaired a mission to Israel. In the Passover issue of 1987, Leonard noted, “it’s wonderful to see what’s been done over the years ... I believe the status of the American Jew has been enhanced by virtue of the existence of Israel.”

In 1988, Lewis was honored as the 1987 Federation’s Volunteer of the Year. In naming him, Federation President Mort Trachtenbarg said at the time, “His creativity, leadership and enthusiasm for the campaign has given Omaha increased dollars, increased volunteer participation and a campaign which stresses face-to-face solicitation.”

An Omaha native, Lewis served during World War II and then earned a law degree from the University of Chicago. He was owner and president of the Sol Lewis Engineering Company, founded in 1953 and specializing in heating and air conditioning contracting. He also Continued on page 11

by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES In 1978, Bill Vann, the oldest son of Judy and the late Howard Vann, was a sophomore at San Diego State University in California. According to Judy, “He was the kind of guy who when you said something was black, he said it was white, and he still has some of that in him. His goal was to be an attorney, as he is a natural debater.”

That was until a severe car accident spared his life, but left him with brain damage, a badly mangled right leg, facial lacerations and broken bones. The severity of his injuries put an end to any career aspirations Instead, he spent five months in and out of a deep coma, and a long recovery Bill Vann, right, owes much of his success period, trying in overcoming disabilities to his caregiver, to regain the Rita Huges. use of his leg through extensive physical therapy.

“There were no passengers in the car. He was driving a Pinto,” Judy explained, “which have since been taken off the market due to their extensive accident record.”

She went on to report that her son was never quite the same after the accident, and still experiences numerous mental and physical disabilities.

Continued on page 2

Did group raise funds for Hamas on college campuses?

by ERIC FINGERHUT WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A U.S. congressman is the latest to call for a Justice Department investigation into whether a pro-Palestinian group has been raising money on college campuses for Hamas.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) urged a probe into Viva Palestina USA, a humanitarian aid convoy led by British lawmaker George Galloway that brought medical supplies to Gaza last July.

Both the Zionist Organization of America and Anti-Defamation League in recent months have urged Holder to investigate reports about the convoy's links to Hamas.

The groups made their requests after Galloway and other Viva Palestina USA members appeared and reportedly raised funds at some college campuses in the spring and summer.

“Clearly, people and organizations in the United States cannot be allowed to solicit funds for foreign terrorist organizations,” Sherman wrote in his letter to Holder. “That such solicitation is occurring during the middle of the day at a public university is truly frightening,” he said, referring to the University of California, Irvine.

Sherman wrote similar letters express-

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

ing concern about the reports on Viva Palestina USA to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, University of California, Irvine chancellor Michael Drake and Internal Revenue Service commissioner Douglas Shulman.

Viva Palestina USA was launched after the Viva Palestina group that Galloway set up in Britain sent a convoy to Gaza in March. It did not respond to request for comment.

At a meeting in Gaza with Hamas officials during the March trip, according to a report from terrorism expert Steve Emerson, Galloway held up a bag of cash and said “This is not charity. This is politics” and “We are giving this money now to the government of Palestine. And, if I could, I would give them 10 times, 100 times more."

When the Viva Palestina USA convoy arrived in Gaza months later, there was no similar public event with Hamas, although the group reportedly did meet with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Giving humanitarian aid to Gaza is legal under U.S. law, but providing it to Hamas officials or the Hamas government in Gaza would likely be considered illegal because Hamas is on the list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The most controversial appearance by

Viva Palestina USA and Galloway in the United States came May 21 at the University of California, Irvine, a campus that has experienced tensions between

appropriately.)

UC-Irvine has referred information about the event, which was sponsored by the Muslim Student Union, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. ZOA leaders said they had obtained a video of the event and, at the bureau’s request, passed it on to law enforcement officials.

The university also says it is investigating whether the Muslim Student Union had violated university policy by raising money without the university’s authorization.

In a letter to the university’s campus counsel, the Muslim Student Union acknowledged that it may British Parliament member George Galloway, speaking at a pro- have “unknowingly Palestinian demonstration in London earlier in 2009, leads the breached university policy humanitarian aid group Viva Palestina USA, which has been (as undoubtedly have accused of supporting Hamas. every student organizaCredit: Vince Millett/Creative Commons tion on campus as well as Jewish and Muslim students and where a university administrators).” But the stucivil rights complaint was filed earlier this dent group rejected ZOA’s accusations decade claiming a hostile environment that it may have raised money for Hamas for Jewish students. (A federal investiga- as “nothing short of libel.” tion found that the university acted Continued on page 2

This Week: For passengers on the St. Louis, reunion could be their last: Page 3 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

ADL counters Holocaust denial on campuses: Page 2

Icon of Beth El -- Lucy White dies at age 74: Page 5

Coming Next Week: Senior Living Young Jewish Omaha gathers to honor one of its own: Page 8

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

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Continued from page 1 “Bill had extensive speech, occupational and physical therapy at Immanuel, and when he was finished there, I took over his care much of the time. Bill had to be driven everywhere, and he had a girlfriend for about nine years, but that didn’t turn out very well, “ Judy said.

“Over the years, it was always a different temporary caretaker, and never the consistency that we have now with Rita.”

Judy was referring to Rita Hughes, Vann’s present caregiver who has been with the family for the past three years. Hughes was living in New York, but had been to Omaha on numerous occasions, since her daughter was married to one of Vann’s younger brothers.

“When my daughter Wendy met John, she was an RN at Upstate Medical Center, and John was there for his pediatric residency,” recalled Hughes. “They got married and moved away from Syracuse. I was a restaurant manager at the time, and I never expected to do caregiving. I was put on 100 percent disability for three years in 1997 and was not able to go back to the kind of work I was doing prior to the disability.”

So she got a job with New York state, working with people who were developmentally disabled in a behavior modification home. She then got a call from Wendy, who wanted her to come to Omaha. That was shortly after Bill broke up with his girlfriend.

Hughes reported she was well acquainted with the Vann family from frequent visits to Omaha; she said she had prayed for a job working for one family, taking care of one person. This was even a year before her daughter’s call. Her arrival was not only an answer to Hughes’ prayer, but to her daughter’s and to Judy Vann’s. It was ‘bashert’, a yiddish expression meaning “fate”, that Hughes had already become quite familiar with Bill during her association with the Vann family.

“In the beginning, “ said Hughes, “it was not smooth sailing. Bill was used to getting his way all the time.

When a person has a traumatic brain injury, there will be episodes of anger and throwing little tantrums. Bill had to learn what was socially unacceptable, and there was a lot of retraining. It was pretty rough at first, since this was the first time he had anyone imposing rules.”

Hughes went on to be friends with Vann, and showed him that life has good and bad consequences. Some of the examples she cited were teaching him to follow rules, doing what’s right, being polite, and eating properly.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve had to do the Heimlich on him nine times, which was scary for him and for me.”

Working with Bill was mostly trial and error and Hughes now concludes that it’s working pretty well. Her goal is to keep him living as normal and independent a life as possible considering his limitations. She doesn’t baby him or give in to his every whim. She does encourage good behavior and practices “tough love” whenever necessary.

Judy cited one example: “Rita’s tough-love techniques brought Bill from childish and poorly disciplined behavior to more gentlemanly ways, including good manners.

One day when Bill and Rita were shopping for groceries, Bill decided to sneak a bag of cookies into the cart. Rita told him to put it back. Bill loudly refused, and started to bounce the cart up and down. Rita immediately took Bill back to his apartment and told him he’d have to earn the privilege of going to the grocery store. It took many months, but now he shops peacefully with her,” she said.

Vann has his own apartment two blocks away from Hughes. Every morning she goes over and accompanies him to the JCC where he works out and does water aerobics. “He has physical therapy some days, and we go to such places as the Omaha Playhouse, the Orpheum, museums, and the Laurizten Gardens. We do all kinds of things to help enrich his life,” Hughes indicated. She also accompanies him to social events held at the JCC and synagogues.

While Vann is ambulatory, he does have some balance problems. At the time of this interview, he was in physical therapy to help with his balance and to strengthen his legs. Hughes explained there are a lot of residual effects of the accident, so he has to go slow, and you have to remind him.

“He’s come a long way, though,” she added. “He skis in the winter and goes to a brain injury camp in the summertime, in Breckenridge, Colorado, and he does hang gliding. He’s a familiar face around the JCC, in the fitness center, around the pool. Everybody knows Bill.

He’s a friendly and personable guy.”

Hughes reported that Vann has a great sense of humor. “He makes me laugh most of the day. He says funny things and he’s very witty. He’s also intelligent.”

Vann is minimally self sufficient. He can dress and groom himself and prepare simple meals. Hughes sets out his breakfast every evening before she leaves.

Hughes is familiar with Jewish expressions and holidays. Judy said Hughes is interested in learning Yiddish, and bought her The Joy of Yiddish.

“One of my friends, Rachel Rosenberg, told me I am Jewish,” Hughes quipped.

Hughes said she would stay as long as she is needed.

“I’ll just take one breath at a time,” she told me.

Vann is 51. According to his mother, “He’s totally different from the 19-year-old prior to the accident, and the 19-year-old after the accident. And Bill hardly ever complains. He never says, ‘Oh, poor me.’ He accepts his lot in life and he’s a basically happy and friendly person.”

Of Hughes, Judy added, “I am forever grateful to Rita for her caring for Bill and making him a better person, and being my dear friend as well. She’s definitely a part of our family.”

When Hughes asked Vann prior to the interview, what he thought about her, his reply was, “I’m glad you’re here. It’s a lot more fun. I like the fact that you’re here.”

ADL counters Holocaust denial on campuses

by THERESE VAUGHN-WEINER Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region A student newspaper like the distinguished Harvard Crimson is the last place you’d expect to see an advertisement refuting an incontrovertible fact of history. Yet, that’s where an ad denying the Holocaust appeared this fall.

In recent months, pseudo-scholar Bradley Smith has been attempting to spread anti-Semitic propaganda and disrupt university communities through a series of advertisements calling into question the veracity of the gas chambers and other established facts. While his so-called Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust (CODOH) has only himself for a member, Smith is far from feeble. This year, 13 student papers nationwide have published his ads.

Smith exposed why he targets college youth when, early in his career, he said, “I don’t want to spend time with adults anymore. I want to go to students. They are superficial. They are empty vessels to be filled.”

In response to Smith’s recent campaign, the AntiDefamation League (ADL) and the national Hillel have developed a new resource to help institutions of higher learning stand against Holocaust denial on their campuses.

Fighting Holocaust Denial in Campus Newspaper Advertisements provides historical study of Holocaust denial, a backgrounder on Smith, legal analysis of First Amendment issues and student newspaper advertising policies, and practical strategies for editorial staff and campus communities. Among its recommendations, the guide urges students to actively use their campus media as an instrument for respectful dialogue instead of hate propaganda.

The ADL Plains States distributed the document to

Jewish groups and administrators at institutions throughout Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, where fortunately Smith’s nefarious ads have yet to appear.

“Holocaust denial is, as historian Deborah Lipstadt called it, ‘an assault on truth and memory.’ But, publishing Smith’s falsehoods in a student-run and student-read newspaper takes it one step further,” ADL Regional Director Alan Potash said. “We’re pleased that we can help campuses in our region counter this kind of hatred.”

Fighting Holocaust Denial in Campus Newspaper Advertisements may be accessed at http://www. adl.org/education/Fighting-Holocaust-Denial-onCampus.pdf. For more information or to obtain a print copy of the publication, please contact the ADL Plains States at 402.333.1303.

Hamas on college campuses?

Continued from page 1 “ZOA seeks to smear MSU’s reputation by maliciously accusing MSU of breaking U.S. laws without providing any real evidentiary backing,” the group said in its letter.

The ZOA praised the university’s decision to forward information on the Viva Palestina fund raising.

“They've done the right thing,” said Susan Tuchman, director of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice. “All groups should be held accountable.”

University spokeswoman Cathy Lawhon said the campus police forwarded information on the Viva Palestina fund raising to the FBI because it felt “they were the best agency to handle it.” She said outside counsel is examining whether the Muslim Student Union violated campus procedures.

December 18, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

For St. Louis passengers, 70th reunion could be their last

by ERIC FINGERHUT WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Seventy years after the SS St. Louis was turned away from the United States, the surviving passengers of the ill-fated voyage may be reuniting for the last time near where their chance at freedom was denied.

Thirty-three of the 75 survivors -- ranging in age from 71 to 91 and coming from more than two dozen U.S. cities, Canada and Israel -- are scheduled to assemble in Miami Beach for Sunday’s reunion. They will sign a U.S. Senate proclamation issued earlier this year marking the first time the United States officially acknowledged the suffering of those aboard the ship.

“It will be the last one,” said Herb Karliner, 83, of Aventura, Fla, about this reunion. “We’re getting smaller and smaller, and it’s difficult to organize.”

But his friend and fellow passenger, Phil Freund, 78, isn’t ready to say that yet.

“We treat each reunion as if it will be the last reunion -- but there may be another one,” he said.

The story of the St. Louis is often recounted and lamented as a missed opportunity to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

Filled with more than 900 mostly Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, the ship left Hamburg in May 1939 bound for Cuba. The Cuban government would only take in a handful of passengers and the ship moved to South Florida, but the St. Louis was not allowed to dock by U.S. Coast Guard ships.

Eventually the ship had to return to Antwerp, Belgium, where 254 passengers -- many of those who ended up in France and Belgium -- died at the hands of the Nazis.

The signing of the Senate proclamation, sponsored by Sen. Herb Kohl (DWis.), will be freighted with meaning for the surviving passengers.

“It is symbolic,” Freund said. “The United States finally recognized that we weren’t treated right.”

Karliner said he was “very excited.”

The proclamation is “not strong enough,” he said, “but it’s better than nothing.”

Representatives from the National Archives, the Israeli government, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and a number of other Jewish organizations will

Jewish identity and continuity through the arts.

Thus, another major part of Sunday’s reunion will be a performance of a play titled “The Trial of Franklin D. Roosevelt.” The work is a mythical “trial” of Roosevelt for being “complicit in crimes against humanity” by turning away the St. Louis, said its playwright, Robert Krakow of Florida.

Six St. Louis passengers will serve as the “jurors” for the trial and present their own verdicts to the audience.

“It’s a completely historic and unique opportunity,” said Krakow, who worked

Passengers board the SS St. Louis in Hamburg, Germany, in 1939, which ended with the Jewish refugees being turned away from the United States and returning to Europe.

(U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum / Scott Miller) be on hand to take the signed copies of with Kaye to organize Sunday’s event. the proclamation back to their respective “We’ll hear the welling-up of 70 years of headquarters. emotions.”

Sunday’s reunion is sponsored by the Some 400 people are expected to National Foundation for Jewish attend the reunion, which will be open to Continuity, a new group based in Boca the public, at the Eden Roc Renaissance Raton, Fla., started by 44-year-old Resort. Tickets are running from $200 to Howard Kaye and designed to promote $500.

Among the passengers expected to attend, Krakow said, is a California man who cannot fly for health reasons -- so he is taking a cruise through the Panama Canal in order to get to South Florida.

Kaye said he and Krakow hope an event like this -- and its use of the arts -- can inspire younger generations of Jews to realize the “sacrifices their ancestors made” and the “value of their Jewish birthright.”

People know the story of the St. Louis, he said, but “they don’t really know of it, the significance behind it.”

The significance, Karliner said, is that “it was the beginning of the Holocaust,” because once the ship returned to Europe, the Nazis realized that no one would care if European Jews were murdered.

Freund, who was 8 years old when he sailed on the St. Louis, remembers seeing the Coast Guard not allow the ship to dock and asking, “Why are they turning us away? Because we’re Jewish?”

While Karliner acknowledges that the time is coming when there will be no remaining St. Louis survivors to tell their story, he is somewhat comforted by the fact that many passengers had their stories recorded by the U.S. Holocaust museum and Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation.

And Krakow said he hopes that when the non-passengers attending the reunion hear the accounts, it will inspire them to keep the story alive and take pride in their heritage.

“It will certainly be my greatest hope,” he said, that it will create a sense of Jewish community and a “powerful communal spirit.”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

ORGANIZATIONS

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Coach Mike Denney, UNO’s national championship wrestling coach will talk about his award winning program, on Wednesday, Dec. 23, noon, at Regency Lodge. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free.

An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Jenny at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org. There will be no Breadbreakers program on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday for a Hanukkah Party with special musical guests Dou Bassa Nova, performing music of Berlin

and Gershwin. The cost for lunch is $7 per person. Lunch will be served at noon and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Come play bingo at 10 a.m. Call Theresa for transportation at 330.4272.

For information, call Maggie Conti at 334-6521.

B’NAI B’RITH HENRY MONSKY LODGE #3306 Due to the snowstorm on Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Bible Quiz has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots!

Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., at the JCC. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 So. 20th St., is filled with activity this month including a traveling exhibit, holiday light show and daily activities. Families are invited to join in the festivities, learn through play and visit on special open days during the month.

First Night of Play: A Family New Year’s Eve Celebration is Thursday, Dec. 31, 68:30 p.m. Families will ring in 2010 at this early evening New Year’s Eve Celebration that leaves time for grown ups to celebrate afterward. This festive night includes a countdown and bubblewrap stomp, activities throughout the museum, Valentino’s pizza dinner and gift bags for everyone.

The 2009 theme is Glow in the Garden, a special glowing science show and other glowing activities and treats will be part of the occasion. Tickets are $8 members and $12 for non members. Children under 2 free but need a reserved ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at OCM.org.

OCM will host Open Mondays during winter break! Dec. 21 and 28 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids can get out of the house and into the museum for active play during the holidays. These special days will be jam packed with activities including puppet shows, special science shows, makeand-take crafts and more.

All schedule details are available at www.OCM.org or call 930.2352.

EF Carol Katzman

Movies, martinis and more: December is all about food, friends and fun for Beth El

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator As the sun sets on 2009, Beth El is filling the end of the year with holiday and social get-togethers for folks of all ages. And the best part? Each one of these events is open to everyone in the Jewish community!

On Friday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m., the synagogue will host a festive musical Kabbalat Shabbat service and Hanukkah celebration. Following services, attendees will be treated to a tasty nosh of latkes and sufganiot, plus a sing-along with Cantor Beth Schlossberg, who will lead favorite Hanukkah tunes.

The synagogue’s USY and Kadima youth groups will present a special Chinese Dinner and Movie Night at Beth El on Thursday, Dec. 24, 6-8 p.m.

There’s no charge to attend, and all middle school and high school students are invited to join in the fun.

Jewish college students home for winter break will want to head to Bagel Bin on Thursday, Dec. 24, noon to 2 p.m., to be treated to lunch, compliments of Beth El. This will be a terrific opportunity to re-connect with old friends and make new acquaintances during a casual, relaxing

afternoon.

The Old Market will be beckoning all Jewish 20 and 30-somethings (single and married) on Thursday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m., as Beth El hosts “Gimlets & Gelt” at Myth Martini Bar, 1105 Howard St. The event promises a sophisticated postHanukkah celebration for all young adults in the community. Cost to attend is $10 in advance and $15 at the door (the fee includes the cost of the first drink).

To RSVP, send a check -- made out to Beth El -- to “Gimlets & Gelt,” Beth El 14506 California St., Omaha NE 68154.

For more information, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org.

Finally, on Friday, Dec. 25, 4 p.m., when most everything in town is closed, load up the kids and come to Beth El to enjoy a blockbuster-hit Disney movie (who knew a house could fly?), and of course, there will be popcorn, candy and pop for everyone. After the movie, stay for a light dinner and special family Kabbalat Shabbat service. There is no charge to attend, but for snack and meal planning purposes, please RSVP to Gutnik at the synagogue.

BIRTH Chavi and Jonathan Meyers of Jerusalem, Israel announce the Dec. 1 birth of their son, Meir Simcha.

He has two brothers, Nosson Tzvi and Shumel.

Grandparents are Rachel and Dr.

Chaim Heifetz of Har Nof, and Mr. and Mrs. Meyers of Beit Shemesh.

Great-grandparents are Cantor Leo and Annette Fettman, and Mordy and Judy Heifetz of Safed, Israel.

You are cordially invited to attend a Light Brunch honoring

For her many years of dedication and outstanding service to

The Omaha Jewish Press

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ALLAN Handleman Call Allan Handleman at 402.334.6451 or email: ahandleman@jewishomaha.org

December 18, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

CJE plans the return of We’ll always love Lucy popular Hebrew 101 class

by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education Returning for a third straight year, the Center for Jewish Education’s popular Hebrew 101 will begin on Jan. 18.

This course is designed for beginners and will introduce the student to the basics of Hebrew. Beginning with the alphabet, the class will move to reading and conversation. Also returning for the third year is instructor Mor Sheinbein. A native Israeli, she also teaches Hebrew classes at Temple Israel.

Every age and ability is welcome in this class.

According to Sheinbein, the pace of the class goes according to everyone’s abilities and interests.

“Everyone starts out a little nervous and worried that they won’t be able to tackle Hebrew. But I am always amazed at how fast adults can pick up the language.

Prayers and basic words and phrases come more easily to them than they realize,” she explained.

Evaluations from past classes included comments that “instructor was personable, patient, and willing to explain. Her lively presentation made it enjoyable to attend class” and “the instructor did a great job making sure we were engaged, she worked on refreshing our brains each lesson.”

Class will meet weekly Mondays, Jan. 18 and 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, and March 1 and 8. 6:30-7:45 p.m., in the CJE classroom at the Jewish Community Center. Tuition is $70, discounted to $54 to donors to the Federation’s Annual Campaign.

Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

WITH A GRAIN’ OF SALT

by JILL BELMONT It wouldn’t be fair to just say that Lucy White ran Beth El’s kitchen for over 40 years. Not fair at all. Because with great humor, kindness, and a strict eye (it was her kitchen, after all: there were rules to follow, and a place for everything), Lucy became as much a part of Beth El as the bricks and mortar with which it was built. And with her passing on Dec. 8, following a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, a beloved member of the Beth El family has been lost.

So many of us grew up with Lucy. When the synagogue was still at 49th and Farnam, she was always there with sweets on hand for the kids tramping through the kitchen. She was like a kid magnet; there were always children in the kitchen, helping out, snacking, trying to find ways to skip out of class.

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Venezia

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READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN “Venice is a city of charming people, winding canals, and floating markets, whose rich culinary history wafts from the tables of its sidewalk cafés and candlelit restaurants.” This elegant book with gold edged pages, magnificent photography of surroundings and food, captures the essence of Venice as Italy’s “kingdom of salt and pearls.”

Tessa says, “There is not much I can tell you about Venice…you will have to come and see it for yourself.” Through her eyes you’ll see early-bird Venetians out on errands, a taxi driver waiting for a ferry, masterpieces everywhere.

Following her love letter opening to the book are the chapters divided into courses. Essential recipes begins followed by: Cicchetti (delicious small bites unique to Venice), Antipasti, Zuppa/Pasta/Gnocchi, Risotto, Secondi, Contorni (sides), Dolci (sweet things). Each chapter page lists the recipes and has Tessa’s comments…rather like she’s whispering in your ear or coaching you softly at your elbow. The recipe titles are in Italian and English. Headnotes and instructions are user friendly.

Just in case you can’t get away to Venice soon, go with Tessa and experience her travels, culinary secrets, food and dreams in this cookbook. You might want to mix up this aperitivo to get in the mood. Buon Appetito! Happy Hanukkah! And Happy 2010!

SPRITZ RED & ORANGE 4 or 5 ice cubes 1/4 cup aperol or campari 1/4 cup white wine or prosecco 1/4 cup soda, or seltzer 1 thick chunk of orange with skin 1 olive, shaken out of brine and threaded onto a cocktail stick Put the ice into a large wineglass. Splash in the aperol & then the white wine, next a good whoosh of fizzy water to get everything moving & mixed in. Add the orange and olive on a cocktail stick. That’s it! Makes one cocktail.

Lois Friedman can be reached at ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.

Beth El threw her a surprise 70th birthday party in June, 2005. During the party, Lucy blew out the candles on her pink and white adorned cake and enjoyed her dozen birthday roses.

She once told me – with a twinkle in her eye – about the time years ago when the synagogue’s irate religious school director came to the kitchen looking for several truant students. She pointed toward the stairs and told him, “They went that way,” knowing full well that the guilty parties were several feet away, hiding in the large, walk-in refrigerator. That’s what I call a child advocate.

So many of us can say, “Lucy was there for my Bar/ Bat Mitzvah ... and my wedding ... and for my children’s bris/baby-naming celebrations ... and for my children’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah.”

The cycle seemed endless. We grew up with her; we share many memories. Everyone has Lucy stories.

Continued on page 11

ENGAGEMENT POLITI/KENKEL Gail and Tom Kenkel of Council Bluffs announce the engagement of their son, Eddie, to Deborah Politi, daughter of Alberta and Nick Politi of Bethlehem, PA. The bride-to-be graduated from Penn State University with a B.S in finance. She works for Johnson and Johnson Consumer as a finance analyst.

Her fiancé graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. in business administration. He is a pharmaceuticals finance manager for Johnson and Johnson.

He is the grandson of Edythe and Lloyd Krasne of Council Bluffs.

A Dec. 11, 2010 wedding is planned in Bethlehem, PA.

112 South 92nd Street 10,000 square foot Omaha mansion—a lifetime accumulation

Mr. and Mrs. Murray Newman FURNITURE: 3 custom silk sofas by R. Jones Dallas; 4-poster king bed & chests by Farmhouse Collection,Hailey, ID; Minton-Spidell chairs; Trouvailles chair; William Switzer chair; Donghia ottoman; Woodland Furniture Co. ID, coffee table; ornately carved pine armoire; cherry sleigh bed; 9’Ralph Lauren harvest table; fancy French queen brass bed; Kravet sectional sets & chairs; 10’ country French dining table with four chairs; Maguire table & chairs; Henredon: 8 chairs & chests; Drexel kidney desk; French carved antique oak humidor; king and twin beds; shell-carved end tables; custom walnut end tables; Italian bench; country table w/4 rush seat chairs; wicker & rattan; handpainted sideboard; Thomasville coffee table; pedestals & stands; concrete top patio table & 6 chairs; polished steel chairs.

ART: MARC ALDINE VENICE OIL; Angel painting by Nick Kosciuk; prints & paintings: Modigliani, L. Stark, Thos. N. Benton, D. Desplan, Newman; photographs; metal sculptures.

CARPET/TEXTILES: 3 custom hand-painted Sisal rugs; 9’ x 12’ needlepoint rug; antique Chinese & Caucasian carpets; hooked & Navajo rugs; linens; tablecloths; Delorme; Pratesi; Garnet Hill; Purists; Pendleton & Faribo blankets; Kilim pillows; sheets; towels; quilts.

LAMPS/LIGHTING: Cedric Hartman floor lamp; Chapman: brass frog lamp & hammered copper lamps; 1917 Amronlite desk lamp; Italian & brass floor & table lamps.

CHINA/GLASSWARE: Art Glass: Steven Maslach, William Morris, Doug Sweet, Silvestri; Baccarat ice bucket; large Lalique vase; Kosta Boda; Cofrac France; Orrefors; Tiffany; cake plates & stemware; signed art pottery; Tulipieres; Chinese pot; Herend; Royal Doulton Bunnykins band & China sets; Beatrix Potter; Droll designs; B. Post; Mexican terra cotta.

JEWELRY/SILVER: Hidalgo; R. Weil; Hamilton; costume; ethnic; Sterling & silverplate; Taxco copper & silver; J. Strongwater frames & boxes.

MUSIC: Selmer & Vito clarinets; console piano; Reynolds trumpet; drum set; LPS/CDs.; ELECTRONICS: Roland & Yamaha keyboards; Pioneer big screen TV; Boss digital recording studio; Fender & Crate amps; JVC digital video camera; Boston Acoustics digital media theatre; Yamaha digital percussion set.

RECREATION: Brunswick Hawthorn slate pool table; North Face tents/equipment; climbing gear; duffels/suitcases; toys & games; American Girl dolls/accessories; Mme. Alexander; Hello Kitty; Pacemaster treadmill; Lifecycle bike; weights & bench; telescope.

KITCHEN: Le Creuset; Dansk; Arabia; Commercial aluminum Calphalon; 2 Kitchenaid stand mixers; cookie jars; Krups; cookie cutters; cake decorating; pots, pans, stainless & glassware.

OTHER: ROOM FULL OF ART SUPPLIES; Archivers scrapbooking; sewing machine; books; frames; basket collection; imported soaps & beauty products; pig collection; Halcyon boxes; Native American moccasins; signed photos: Sex & the City, John Glenn; assorted faux paint; Dewalt orbital jigsaw; large terra cotta pots/planters; gas grill; and much more!

December 18-20, 2009 Friday: 4-8 PM; Saturday/Sunday: 10 AM-5 PM

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Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

Beth El wows ’em with “Children of Eden”

When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them that you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.

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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator After months of rehearsal and preparation, the lights went up last weekend on Beth El’s production of Children of Eden, the Broadway musical composed by Wicked creator Stephen Schwartz. Applause and standing ovations greeted the show’s director Cantor Beth Schlossberg and her dedicated cast for outstanding performances. Photos from top left: following the adage “the show must go on,” the cast braved last week’s snowstorm to meet at Beth El for one last dress rehearsal: among the children who played the animals of Eden were, in back: Eleanor Dunning, Jack Cohen, Daisy Friedman, Lillian Cohen, Dina Saltzman and Amanda Simon; in front: Chaeli Spivack and Matan Shapiro; as Shem (Jason Rich), Aysha (Lisa Lieb), Mama Noah (Lisa Senal), and Aphra (Deb Marbug) look on, Japheth (Andy Greenberg) beseeches Yonah (Dacia Jabenis) to join him on Noah’s ark; after Sunday’s performance, Cantor Schlossberg celebrated with Jack Cohen, Lillian Cohen, Matt Uehling and Eleanor Dunning.

New kids’ books hit the shelves at Hanukkah

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by PENNY SCHWARTZ BOSTON (JTA) -- From all corners of the globe, to under the sea and above the skies, a new crop of children's books for Hanukkah takes readers on a worldwide spin with delightful and informative books for kids of all ages.

Hanukkah Around the World by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, illustrated by Vicki Wehrman Kar-Ben; $16.95 hardcover; $7.95 paper; ages 8-11 Move over latkes, make room for precipizi. And sufganiyot, debla cookies and burmelos. These are among the traditional sweets eaten in Jewish homes from Italy to Israel, Tunisia and Turkey during the eight-day Festival of Lights. Recipes for the treats are featured in “Hanukkah Around the World” by Israeli-American children’s writer Tami Lehman-Wilzig. The illustrated travelogue takes young readers to eight faraway places around the globe.

First stop, the Israeli city of Modi’in, the ancient biblical home of the Maccabees where the Chanukah story began 2,000 years ago. Today the city comes alive to celebrate its beloved holiday with a relay race to Jerusalem and eight days of kid-friendly festivities, Lehman-Wilzig writes in an e-mail from her home in Israel.

Each of the eight cities featured includes a short fictional story that highlights local customs, historical notes, current events and easy-to-follow recipes. Back pages include Chanukah potpourri from other locales and a glossary.

The custom that most impressed Lehman-Wilzig was in Turin, where a custom connects the summertime observance of Tisha B’Av, commemorating the ancient destruction of the Temple, with Chanukah, recalling the rededication of the Temple.

“It’s a wonderful way to close the circle and is a custom to be cherished,” she writes.

Menorah Under the Sea by Esther Susan Heller Kar-Ben, $17.95; ages 4-8 Menorah Under the Sea is a photo essay-style book that follows the explorations of David Ginsburg, a marine ecologist from Los Angeles who takes readers on an adventure to McMurdo station in Antarctica. The journal-like narrative describes how Ginsburg and his research partner, who arrived in Antarctica on the first night of Hanukkah, use rubber dry suits to emerge under the treacherous waters.

While collecting sea urchins and starfish for his research, Ginsburg is inspired suddenly to create a menorah on the sea floor using the neon-like sea urchins and starfish. Captured on film, and reproduced in the book, the glowing menorah is a sparkling and inspiring wonder. Notes at the book’s end explain that sea urchins are invertebrates and have no central nervous system.

During Ginsburg’s menorah assembly, readers are

reassured that no animals were harmed.

The Rabbi and the Twenty-Nine Witches by Marilyn Hirsh, Marshall Cavendish, $17.99; ages 4-9 This is a republication of a Jewish children’s classic, by the late Marilyn Hirsh, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning artist and writer. Hirsh brings a lighthearted touch to this old legend from the Talmud about a cave full of witches, frightened villagers, the full moon and a wise rabbi. Her whimsical black-and-white line illustrations, with blue throughout, will delight readers; even the wicked witches are more slapstick than frightening.

Hirsh, who died of cancer in 1988, was a consummate professional and a uniquely talented artist, recalls the noted children's writer David Adler, who worked with Hirsh while he was an editor at the Jewish Publication Society. Adler recalls that in the early 1980s, though she was ill and hospitalized, Hirsh illustrated the JPS’s 50th anniversary edition of The Adventures of K’ton Ton, the classic Jewish children’s series by Sadie Rose Weilerstein.

The Amazing Menorah of Mazeltown by Hal Dresner and Joy Fate, illustrated by Neil Shapiro Red Rock Press, $16.95; ages 48.

When Molly and Max find an old, grimy menorah in their father’s junk shop, they discover the power of the menorah to transTwo kids discover the power of the form their dreary town menorah in The Amazing in the dark days of winMenorah of Mazeltown, among ter. the crop of new Hanukkah books Happy Hanukkah, for children this year.

Corduroy, based on the Credit: Red Rock Press character created by Don Freeman, illustrated by Lisa McCue Viking, $5.99; ages 6 months to 3 years The popular, cuddly bear of the classic Don Freeman books enlists the help of his animal friends to celebrate Hanukkah, lighting the menorah, eating latkes, singing, and playing dreidel.

A Chanukah Present for Me! by Lily Karr, illustrated by Jill McDonald Scholastic, $6.99; ages 6 months to 3 years This brightly colored board book is packaged as a gift.

Each two-board spread features a Chanukah tradition with large format words and collage illustrations. There are latkes, dreidels, chocolate gelt or coins, fried doughnuts and, of course, colorful candles in a menorah. In the end, a smiling family celebrates.

December 18, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Young Jewish Omaha gathers to honor one of its own

Nearly 100 people attended the Young Jewish Omaha Young Leadership Awards event at the Waiting Room in Benson earlier this month. Kim Goldberg was honored with this years Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award, presented to her by Jeff Schrager. The crowd was entertained by comedian Johnny Lampert and the music of Andrew Malashock and

friends. Photos from top left: among the attendees were: Jamie Weinstein and PJ Feinstein; a past winner, Stacey Rockman and this year’s honoree, Kim Goldberg; Sherrie Saag,Toba CohenDunning (last year’s LJS Award winner) and Kim Goldberg; Annie Rifkin, community shlicha Elya Wilson, Naomi Fox, Cari Green and BBYO director Anne Muskin; As Arts Chairman for

Book group celebrates 30 years

Gloria Kaslow, center, led a 30th anniversary of the Kripke Library’s book discussion group last month, featuring the first book the group read in 1979: The Fixer by Bernard Malamud.

the Partnership with Israel, Kim created an ink drawing videotaped in Omaha and used as the background of a dance performance in last year’s Akko Arts Festival. The video was projected behind the dancers’ interpretive dance on a huge wall in the old city of Akko; and Federation Campaign Director Sharon Kirshenbaum and Rabbi Eric Linder of Temple Israel.

Loyal readers brave cold to attend Jewish Book Month talk

Despite the blizzard last week that dumped more than 10” of snow and was followed by bitter cold, more than 30 afficianados showed up to hear author Jeffrey Zaslow talk about his book, The Girls from Ames. The actual ‘girls’, left, attended as well!

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Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

Part II of the countdown: facing challenges Last week I noted that I would cover three topics in my last three editorials as editor of the Jewish Press: accomplishments, challenges and acknowledgements. In my opinion, the two biggest challenges facing this community -- and the Press -- are change and funding.

Change is scary for most people; it’s so much easier to continue with the status quo, even if community members grumble about it. It’s not the complaining that’s troublesome, however, it’s that there rarely seems to be a proper forum for genuine concerns. Rather than have a face-to-face conversation with the staff or volunteers who run an agency or synagogue, people habitually kvetch amongst themselves instead of working with the establishment to solve the (real or perceived) problems.

Occasionally readers do express differing opinions. We’re really happy about that and we’d love to see more. The Press should be a venue for members of the community to lay out their concerns about any legitimate issue.

In fact, the Press board of directors has taken the position at its meetings that issues should be on the table for full discussion. As long as there are no personal attacks or the disagreements remain issue-based, the board has discovered that the ultimate resolution is often better than the initial proposals. Working together has created an atmosphere of cooperation and respect that has produced a higher level of involvement, as well as better end results.

Change is also an opportunity. And that’s the way we’re looking at it at the Press. With the launch of a new independent website, this is a perfect time to bring in a new editor who will put his or her stamp on this publication.

We understand that readers are a little nervous about that, but this paper belongs to all of you, so if you have suggestions about stories to follow or people making news, please pick up the phone and let the Press know.

And don’t be shy with your constructive criticism either -- it’s the only way for any of us to grow and learn. One caution -- the staff at the Press (and at all our community institutions) are real people -- and people make mis-

takes. Believe me, we don’t do it on purpose!

We’re happy to make the corrections -- if you’ll let us know. (Going back to our first issue about change -- we can’t fix anything if we don’t know about it!)

The other major challenge facing us all is funding.

In my d’var Torah at my last Federation board meeting last week, I quoted from Rabbi Yissocher Frand, a brilliant scholar who teaches at Ner Israel Yeshiva in Baltimore.

He noted that in the Talmud’s discussion of Hanukkah, the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimom, another oft-quoted scholar who lived in the 12th century) states: “In the time of the Second Temple, the Greek government made decrees against Israel and tried to abolish their religion. They did not permit them to learn Torah or perform the mitzvot and they set forth their hands against their property and their daughters.” (Hilchos Hanukkah 3:1) Rabbi Frand says the first part makes sense: that the Greeks would outlaw the performance of mitzvot and ritual and prohibit learning is understandable. But taking our property is not only on the list, it’s put before our children, and that seems to mystify him.

Rabbi Frand says that the Greeks had it right. How do you destroy the Jews? Take away our ability to fund the very institutions that will protect our families and eventually the Jewish people will destroy themselves.

Think about that for a minute.

Why do we send our children to the Child Development Center at the Jewish Community Center? To Jewish summer camps? To Friedel?

Why do we encourage them to join synagogue youth groups and BBYO, participate in summer Israel experiences or the JCC Maccabi Games?

We do all that (often scrimping and saving ourselves) so it will reinforce their Jewish identity; our children will have positive Jewish expe-

riences and make new Jewish friends.

And how will these institutions continue to provide these services? Only with money.

Yet we seem to spend half our time fundraising and the other half apologizing for it to people who complain we spend too much time talking about money or raising it!

There really is no paradox here. Our institutions do not run on love and good wishes. It takes money. The Greeks knew that 2000 years ago so they blocked the Jews’ ability to earn a living and pay for necessities like Torah education and the Temple. The Romans followed and every other group since: keep the Jews in line; prohibit them from entering professions -- they won’t be able to support yeshivas and day schools, let alone synagogues, youth groups, the Federation or JCC, a library or a Jewish newspaper.

It takes funding to provide services -whether it’s a scholarship to attend a youth convention, a meal for a Jewish homebound senior, or ulpan for a new immigrant to Israel.

So we’re not apologizing anymore. We know we have a great product here in Omaha -- the country’s best-kept secret, in fact. And it’s time more of us were proud and loud about that! Happy Hanukkah!

Carol Katzman, editor, 1996-2009

of America’s recent 87th national convention. The opening plenary session, on Nov. 26, was dedicated to the Jewish mandate of honesty in business and personal dealings. Two of the Orthodox world’s most respected rabbinic figures -- Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe and Agudath Israel’s rabbinic head; and Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon, the dean of students, or Mashgiach, of the famed Lakewood yeshiva -addressed the many hundreds who packed the large hall of the East Brunswick Hilton (with thousands more listening to a live broadcast of the proceedings or, later, on tapes and CDs).

The speeches were pointed, pained and powerful, and their message came through clearly: Honesty is no less a Jewish imperative than any. In fact, in many ways it is a greater one.

leader of the Khal Adath Jeshurun Orthodox Jewish community in Washington Heights for nearly four decades, had addressed an Agudath Israel “Halacha Conference for Accountants” on Jan. 24, 1989. In the excerpts of that speech broadcast at the recent convention, he minced no words about the wrongness of “cutting corners” when it came to honesty in business.

“Those who resort to... dishonesty,” he said, “while they may have the outward appearance of G-d-fearing Jews, deep down they are irreligious” -- and he loudly emphasized the “ir” of “irreligious.” G-d provides us what He knows we need, Rabbi Schwab explained. To steal is to deny that fact, and any gains thereby ill-gotten are an inheritance bequeathed by evil.

He noted, further, that the dictionary has an entry for the word “Jew” as a verb, as in “to Jew” someone, i.e. to cheat him. How terrible a desecration of G-d’s name, Rabbi Schwab bemoaned, that His people are viewed as defrauders. Even if the definition carries the smell of anti-Semitism, he explained, it is a desecration of G-d’s name all the same.

“I live for the day,” he mused, with a pining, sad smile, “when there will be a new definition for ‘to Jew’: to be a stickler for honesty... “ Rabbi Pam served as the dean of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath (where he taught for more than 60 years) and was a member of the Council of Torah Sages. His excerpted speech was recorded on Nov. 22, 2000 and screened the next day at that year’s Agudath Israel convention. He was seriously ailing and it may have been the last public address of his life.

Continued on page 9

A number of Jews, including Orthodox Jews, have been implicated in financial crimes over recent months.

Some of the scandals have proven somewhat less scandalous than when they first appeared on front pages and were seared into readers’ minds. Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, for instance, currently stands convicted of misleading a bank to secure a loan. Although that conviction, amazingly, could result in an effective life sentence, charges that Mr. Rubashkin knowingly hired illegal aliens were dropped; and more lurid accusations -- that he mistreated employees, abused animals and ran a methamphetamine factory -- are no longer heard.

In some other cases, accusations have been made but evidence has not yet been heard; and both Judaism and American law insist on a presumption of innocence.

But there have certainly been cases in the Jewish community where guilt has been well established. Bernie Madoff may never have been Jewishly observant, but the Orthodox community has certainly had its share of fraud convictions, if on smaller scales, as well.

Jewish crimes, imagined, alleged or proven, have been prominently featured in the media.

But they were prominent too at Agudath Israel

... a good Jew (is) someone who is “ehrlich” -- honest and trustworthy -“in his profession, in business, with one’s workers, with one’s partners...”

There were, as it happened, two other speakers that evening, although they were not there, unfortunately, in person: Rabbi Shimon Schwab and Rabbi Avrohom Pam, may their memories be a blessing.

Video excerpts of addresses presented by those two revered figures years ago on the subject of business ethics were projected onto large screens before the crowd. As the men on the screen spoke there was utter silence.

Rabbi Schwab, who served as the spiritual

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Michael Sigmond, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Eric Dunning; Jason Epstein; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman.

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 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.

The sound of silence

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

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 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 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, call the Editor, 402.334.6450.

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American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

December 18, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Spreading awareness of the greatest gift

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by NANCY FALCHUK

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Nothing should surprise the medical staff of a big hospital, but last July the Hadassah Medical Center had an extraordinary 48-hour period in which surgical teams performed two heart and three kidney transplants. The most dramatic case was that of a 42-year-old mother of six who had been living for a year with an artificial heart and who finally had a human donor.

As a nurse, nothing is more remarkable to me than how far organ transplantation has come just during the course of my professional career.

When I was in nursing school, kidney transplantation was in its infancy and the first drugs to treat acute rejection were being introduced. Dr. Christiaan Barnard’s first successful heart transplant was still in the future.

But as far as organ transplantation has come, there is still work to be done. Even that extraordinary two-day period at the Hadassah Medical Center suggests challenge as much as achievement. The surge or dearth of healthy organs on any given day points up the uneven pace of donations.

The statistics, likewise, tell two stories. In 2008, there were 28,000 organ transplants in the United States.

Some 16,000 involved kidneys -- an impressive number until you compare it to the 80,000 Americans on wait-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: Jeri Falk, a longtime friend and Central High classmate, gave me your names and e-mails.

By way of introduction, I am a former Omaha resident, but have lived in Massachusetts since 1977.

I have written a book that is a social history of Omaha, Central High, and the Jewish and African-American communities in the 1960s. It’s called The Rhythm Boys, a true story of Central’s mostly-black basketball team in 1968, which would have won the state championship if not for a race riot incited by presidential candidate George Wallace.

University of Nebraska Press has scheduled it for publication in spring 2011.

One chapter is about the Jewish neighborhood known as “Bagel” in that era -- the area bounded by Western and Underwood avenues, J.E. George Boulevard and 69th Street. The chapter needs a photo to illustrate the neighborhood. The ideal photo would be of teenagers hanging out on Glenwood Road, in what was then known as a “street party”. Another photo might be of Temple Israel, which was on the outskirts of Bagel, but it would have to be a photo from the 60s.

Which is why I write. Do you know of any such photos?

Steve Marantz marantzsteve@aol.com

The sound of silence

Continued from page 8 The anguish in the rabbi’s face and words, though, were clearly the product not of illness but of the pain he felt at having to even address the issue.

Speaking in Yiddish, he characterized a good Jew as someone who is “ehrlich” -- honest and trustworthy -“in his profession, in business, with one’s workers, with one’s partners...” and, like Rabbi Schwab, he stated clearly that the same honesty with which a Jew must interact with another Jew must characterize a Jew’s dealings with non-Jews.

When one arrives in the next world, Rabbi Pam reminded his listeners, quoting the Talmud, “the very first question he is asked is ‘Did you conduct your business in [good] faith?’”

The word used there, he noted, quite literally means “faith,” because -- here he echoed Rabbi Schwab -- acting dishonestly in order to “supplement” our income denies G-d’s ability to provide us our sustenance.

When the screens went black, before applause ensued, the silence persisted for what seemed, at least to one person in the audience, a very long time.

Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America.

ing lists for kidneys. Many of them will die waiting.

Our medical expertise is running faster than our ability to sign up donors -- both living donors for kidneys and bone marrow, and people who formally register to be postmortem donors. It’s not for lack of generosity.

Every organ donor is a tribute to the most generous instincts of the human spirit. But to be a donor, one needs one more characteristic: awareness.

Millions of generous people are not aware. Some avoid thinking about the issue. Others resist becoming donors out of a traditional mind-set they believe is rooted in religion, even though religious authorities from virtually every denomination and every faith have endorsed the life-giving practice of organ donation.

... medical expertise is running faster than our ability to sign up donors -- both living donors for kidneys and bone marrow, and people who formally register to be postmortem donors.

Hadassah, alone and in partnership with other healthoriented organizations, has made a priority of awareness.

For 10 years we have sponsored educational programs on the importance of organ donations. We do this not only in our chapters but also as outreach to the wider Jewish community and the general public. We also have done tissue typing for potential bone marrow donors at our annual conventions.

Every culture reserves a special place of honor for lifesavers, and that is exactly what donating an organ makes you. According to Jewish tradition, whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

In fact, saving one life by donating an organ may indirectly save others.

Increasing the voluntary donor pool would go a long way toward ending illegal trafficking in human organs.

This criminal trafficking has not spared the Jewish community. Many of us have been shocked in recent months over news reports of individual Jews involved in the practice.

Paid donors are typically people from poor countries who give up a kidney or part of their liver under substandard surgical conditions and with little or none of the post-operative attention they need. Those who trade in human organs exploit not only the poor but also the sick -- those willing to pay anything to save the life of a loved one.

Even if we cannot solve the problem of human greed, we can strike a blow at one of its outlets by dramatically increasing the voluntary donor pool. So if you haven’t thought about becoming an organ donor, now is a good time to start.

If you want more information, or if you have any hesitation, a world of information is waiting for you. Two especially good websites that answer virtually any question you can imagine are those of the Mayo Clinic and of the New York Organ Donor Network.

The science to save lives is in place and improving every day, and the world has plenty of generous people.

It’s up to all of us to make sure that awareness matches generosity.

Nancy Falchuk is national president of Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

Deploying the soldier-entrepreneur

According to Feaver, the opposite condition existed throughout most of the 20th century as the percentage of veterans in Congress was 10 to 15 percent higher than among the same age group of men.

But all of that may be about to change with an influx

by DR. CRAIG COLUMBUS of new leaders rich in hands-on leadership experience, often with significant consequences, fresh from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Much like their Israeli Earlier this month, President Obama announced his decision to send 30,000 addition- counterparts, the tempo and lighter footprint of U.S. al troops to Afghanistan by mid-2010. The president military operations of the last eight years has often chose to address the nation from the U.S. Military required improvisation and creativity.

At the same time, entrepreneurs have been facing their Academy in front of a large audience of West Point own set of unique challenges stemming from the global cadets.

While there is still much to be done in the multi-front financial crisis. Author Nicholas Taleb popularized the war against terror, it is time to start thinking bigger term Black Swan to characterize the randomness and about the role that those cadets and an entire generation uncertainty of the recent financial system failures. The of conflict-tested American military personnel will play. term refers to the 17th century discovery of black swans This applies not only on the battlefield, but also in the in Australia, debunking the Western misconception that boardrooms of tomorrow; not simply as an expression of all swans were white.

Taleb’s premise that extreme, improbable events are, patriotic gratitude, but rather as a conscious strategy of in fact, surprisingly common, reflects the recent experieconomic pragmatism backed by emerging research. ences of both our soldiers in In their fascinating new book, Start-Up Nation, ... it is time to start thinking bigger about the Iraq/Afghanistan and freemarket participants. authors Dan Senor and Saul role that those cadets and an entire generation Little evidence exists that Singe trace the roots of of conflict-tested American military personnel operating conditions will Israels economic miracle to the entrepreneurial and will play. This applies not only on the battlefield, become less complex for business leaders given a proimprovisational skills devel- but also in the boardrooms of tomorrow ... longed period of restrictive oped by its citizenry through compulsory service in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). lending, capital scarcity, increased regulation, and Because of Israels reserve-dominated, horizontal military encroaching state capitalism.

Therefore, training a new generation of entrepreneurs structure, its soldiers are often required take more initiative at lower ranks and are forced to multi-task to over- will require preparing them for the unexpected and stressing the importance of being able to make do with come a scarcity of manpower.

Senor and Singe propose that this hands-on entrepre- the tools at one’s disposal.

This reality does not diminish the importance of essenneurial training explains, in part, how a nation of only 7.1 million people could attract close to two billion in tial skills acquired in America’s MBA programs. Rather it venture capital investment and boast more NASDAQ- points to the vast economic promise of an expanded listed companies than any country in the world other resource pool of talented veterans, skilled in encounterthan the United States. Israel’s innovation economy has ing the unknown and making difficult leadership deciconsistently gained share in the global market despite the sions based on incomplete information.

President Obama said in his speech at West Point on worlds recent financial crisis and the domestic chaos of Dec. 1, “We failed to appreciate the connection between security operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

Perhaps most important is the authors contention that our national security and our economy,” referring to the when Israeli soldiers complete their service, a personal impact of deficit spending.

However, there is another important connection: network of close-knit entrepreneurs is often just a phone call away. It is this last-mile piece of marrying future sol- Seated in the audience were the resources to both predier-entrepreneurs to sources of available capital and serve the nation’s security and help invent its economic tomorrow. coaching that is so critical.

The challenge in the United States is partially one of Dr. Craig Columbus is a Fellow for Entrepreneurship awareness stemming from a declining public profile of and Innovation with The Center for Vision & Values. veterans in positions of civilian and business leadership.

Within Congress, for example, veterans have been He is also the executive director of the entrepreneurship under-represented since 1994 compared to that body’s program and chair of the Department of historical makeup. Duke University’s Dr. Peter Feaver Entrepreneurship at Grove City College. This op-ed is printed with permission of Visions & Values. refers to the trend as a veterans deficit.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

Candlelighting Friday, December 18, 4:39 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

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 323 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 Prayer Group 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

If you’re looking at this space, so are others!

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

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. Following services, stay for latkes and sufganiot, and enjoy a sing-along of Hanukkah tunes with Cantor Beth. No charge, but please RSVP to the office.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponored by Beth El; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m.

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

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

PJ HAVDALAH: Children 10 and younger (and their favorite adult) are invited to this fun-filled program, led by “Miss Patty” Nogg and “Miss Susi” FrydmanLevin on Saturday, Dec. 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Stay for dinner, Havdalah services, story time and art activities. No charge to attend, but RSVPs are required; contact the office or programming@ bethel-omaha. org.

USY/UNO HOCKEY: On Saturday, Dec 19, 7-9 p.m., Join USY for a UNO Mavericks hockey game. Cost: $10. Drop off and pick up at the Qwest. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jason Rich in the office, or at youth dir@bethel-omaha.org.

BESTT: Winter break for classes and Junior Congregation from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4. Classes resume Wednesday, Jan. 6.

COLLEGE STUDENTS’ LUNCH: Thursday, Dec. 24, noon-2 p.m., all Jewish college students are invited to lunch at the Bagel Bin -- at no charge. (See full story on page 4.)

USY/KADIMA: Chinese dinner and movie night, Thursday, Dec. 24, 6-8 p.m., at the synagogue. No charge to attend; RSVP to Jason in the office or at youthdir@bethel-omaha.org.

GIMLETS & GELT: All

Jewish 20s and 30s (single and married) are invited to Myth Martini Bar, 1105 Howard St., on Thursday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m., for our annual Gimlets & Gelt party.

(See full story on page 4.)

MOVIE & SHABBAT: Dec. 25, 4 p.m. No charge to attend; open to all families in the Jewish community. RSVP to the office.

(See full story on page 4.)

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:39 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored

by Jennifer and Boyd Ruff; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) 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.; Bagels & Beit Midrash begins with breakfast, 9:40 a.m.; Sacred Text Messages (for teens) with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:15 p.m.

MONDAY: Mincha & Mishna, 5:15 p.m., Mishna study with the rabbis along with Mincha/ Ma’ariv services.

WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Fifth Annual Chinese Dinner, 6 p.m.; Rabbi Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings Remix, 10:15 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.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.

All events and programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Stephanie Dohner; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored

by Sarah Bauman at Tifereth Israel in honor of Miles Bryant.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon; “Kindle a Hanukkah Light: a Wrap Party” at South Street Temple; Gam Simcha-Kindergarten, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Teachers, 12:30 p.m. at South Street Temple.

WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes.

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: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Max Gendler, son of Tamara Field and Larry Gendler, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

Classes resume on Jan. 10.

SITTER SERVICE: Available Wednesday evenings during Family School hours, Friday evenings service except when

there is a Tot Shabbat, Saturday mornings when there is a B’nai mitzvah, and Sunday mornings during Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation appreciated. Young children, including infants, are welcome.

Being Jewish on Campus, Friday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. Shabbat Worship Service. Charles Parsow, who attends Tufts University, and Amanda Bucher, a student at University of Kansas, will be among the college students to describe their campus experiences from a Jewish point-of-view.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet will host a dinner for all college students at Dario’s Brasserie, 4920 Underwood Ave., after services.

RSVP to the office, to attend.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:39 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday, 8-11 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m. followed by a Kiddush lunch sponsored by the Sara Bauman in honor of husband, Miles Bryant, who is leaving on a Fulbright Fellowship to research and teach next semester in Tiblisi, Republic of Georgia, and Talmud study.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon Kindle a Hanukkah Light: a Wrap Party at South Street Temple; Gam Simcha-Kindergarten, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Teachers, 12:30 p.m. at South Street Temple.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; No Hebrew classes.

FREEDOM BREAKFAST: Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, 7:30 a.m. at Embassy Suites (1040 “P” St.). For more information, call Nancy Knapp at 472.1663.

Hanukkah in Israel

Your ad can go here... to reserve space,

call

Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451

Families in the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim quarter of Jerusalem light their menorahs outside on the second night of Hanukkah. The tradition of the eight-day festival calls for the Hanukkah candles or oil lamps to be displayed as much as possible in the public domain. Many Israeli homes are built Credit: ISRANET with a special glass enclosed box on the outside just for that purpose.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

December 18, 2009

LEONARD LEWIS Continued from page 1 served as president of the Sheet Metal Contractors Association.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Mitchell and Ben. In addition to his wife of 64 years, he is survived by his son, Stephen Lewis of Palm Beach, FL; son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Jennifer Lewis of Santa Rosa, CA; daughters and sons-in-law, Shelley Lewis and Dennis Kardon of New York City, and Lisa Lewis and Serge Goldstein of Princeton, NJ; grandchildren, Katie Lewis of Palm Beach, Andra Lewis of Dallas and Allison Lewis of Torrance, CA; Julia Kardon of Prague, Czech Republic, Sam Lewis and Jacob Lewis of Princeton; two great-grandchildren; brother Roland Lewis of Leesburg, FL; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Wine of Scottsdale, AZ. Memorials to the American Cancer Society or charity of choice.

The faithful denouement

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Miketz Our Sidra introduces us to the man I have elsewhere called “the hero of Genesis.” This was Joseph, who the brothers had so mistreated and now had become the viceroy of Egypt. Everything was under his command, excepting what the Pharaoh (whose name is never given) wanted to decide for himself.

Joseph, now interpreting dreams that had come to Pharaoh, said that there would be seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of drought and famine.

He wisely set about to establish warehouses all over the country where food could be stored during the seven years of plenty to use in the time of the famine.

It soon became apparent all over the world -- which at that time, meant the Mediterranean Basin -- that the only place where food could be obtained was in Egypt.

And now the faithful denouement -- how our ancestors went down to Egypt for food and were enslaved there.

Read on, read on, read on!

As this is one of those rare years in which Hanukkah begins and ends on Shabbat -- Happy Hanukkah again!

To order a gift subscription...

Send a check for just the low price of just $35 for 2010 (we did not raise our price from 2009!), made out to the Jewish Press, 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.

HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1.

The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Wednesday, Dec. 30 for the Jan. 8 issue.

There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment.

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To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return).

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Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

LUCILLE WHITE Continued from page 5 Blanche Wise, herself a much-loved, longtime Beth El staff member who worked with Lucy for over 30 years, summed it up by saying, “When you think of Lucy, you think of Beth El.” She added, “Beth El was her life, and that kitchen was her domain, no doubt about that. She knew so much about kashruth and was committed to making sure that the rules were respected.”

Wise also recalled Lucy’s kindness toward those who were not familiar with the laws of keeping kosher. “If someone brought a baking product into the synagogue kitchen that wasn’t marked ‘kosher,’ Lucy would just say, ‘Darling, just take that home and use it in your house.’ She never scolded and was never insulting. I really admired her for that.”

She fussed about details, wanting every luncheon, dinner or reception to be perfect. It was all personal to Lucy, and the congregants knew it.

“Everyone treated her like a friend,” Wise said. “It was a wonderful relationship, particularly when you had a Bar Mitzvah or wedding and you really got to know her.

Every family’s simcha was like her own.”

Rabbi Paul Drazen, former spiritual leader of Beth El, worked with Lucy during his 20-year tenure at the synagogue. It, he said, “was not just a job for Miss Lucy, it was a calling, a religious calling.” If she didn’t recognize the hekhsher (kosher marking) on a product, she would call the rabbi into the kitchen, “not just because it was her job, but because it was a religious duty.”

He added. “Lucy White was a religious woman for whom faith and practice were part of the fiber of her being. Her understanding of and respect for Jewish practice grew from her soul; her love and devotion for Beth El’s members made her an integral part of rites of passage, of everyday life, through the years.”

Calling Lucy “the queen of Beth El’s kitchen,” congregant Beth Staenberg explained why people were drawn to her. “There was such a sense of warmth about her; people would talk to her about their lives -- confide anything to her -- and Lucy would just listen. People just loved her, and it’s never going to be the same without her.”

In turn, Beth El lauded Lucy. There was the festive 2001 “We Love Lucy” luncheon, which celebrated her 37th anniversary at the synagogue (the Omaha WorldHerald even ran a column about the event, paying tribute to the boss of Beth El), the surprise 70th birthday party for her in 2005, and the establishment of the Lucille White Kitchen Endowment Fund.

By the time Rabbi Mordechai Levin came in 2002, Lucy had logged 38 years at Beth El. “Having been here for so many years, Lucy knew a lot about many people, their families and their stories,” the rabbi said. “Right after I arrived, someone told me, ‘If you need to know anything about anybody, just ask Lucy.’”

Truer words were never spoken. As Staenberg said, “She knew who was who and what was what.” I used to tease Lucy that she should pen a Beth El tell-all; she certainly had the goods for several entertaining volumes.

Rabbi Levin once asked Lucy how many eggs she used for a typical Saturday Kiddush luncheon. Her answer: around 250. “Since then,” he said, “I’ve wondered how many eggs she had used all those years she was at Beth El -- a quarter-of-a-million? Half-a-million? The numbers are astonishing.”

Rabbi Levin added, “For more than 40 years, Lucy fed countless members of our community. Everyone knew her and everyone loved her. She was an irreplaceable part of the Beth El family.”

Lucy White may have left us, but good luck trying to take her spirit out of Beth El. Kind of like trying to take the noodles out of her kugel -- it just can’t be done.

Lucy White was buried on Dec. 12 in her native Tennessee. She is survived by two sisters, two brothers, nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to the family in care of her sister, Dorothy Merriweather, 1137 Williamson Rd., Denmark, TN 38391, or to the Lucille White Kitchen Fund, Beth El, 14506 California St. Omaha NE 68154.

JUSTIN HORWICH Justin David Horwich died at the age of 78. Graveside services were held Dec. 10 at Beth El Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by a son, Teddy.

He is survived by Bonnie Horwich; a son, Douglas Horwich of Atlanta, GA; brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Bailey and Susan Kuklin of New York City and Victor and Sue Kuklin of Buena Vista, CO; and his mother-in-law, Reba Kuklin.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or the Nebraska Humane Society.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Page 11

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BEXAR COUNTY – Mary W. applied Thera-Gesic® to her sore shoulder and proceeded to decorate every house for three city blocks in anticipation of the holidays. When asked if she had each homeowner’s permission to create her magic, she painlessly replied: “None of your dang business!”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

EDITOR/BUSINESS MANAGER For the Omaha Jewish Press

Jewish Federation of Omaha has an immediate opening for Editor/Business Manager of the Jewish Press, a weekly Jewish community newspaper and web edition in Omaha. This is not an entry-level position. This position requires a hands-on leader with newspaper or related experience. Additional qualifications include but are not limited to; writing, editing, budget and content management, and knowledge of the Jewish communal organizations and religion.

The Editor/Business Manager is a full-time position with full-time benefits. Please send resume with cover letter and non-returnable work samples in PDF or text format to: Tina Story, Human Resources Specialist at tstory@jewishomaha.org. Please no phone calls.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 18, 2009

The violinist Omaha professor discovers hidden world in Ukraine

by RICHARD FELLMAN their old central areas here in Eastern Europe; cities like It’s mid-November now, and the days are cloudy and Kyiv, Prague, Bratislav, Lviv, and, I’m sure, many others. overcast. Most often it rains, light rain, all day, with The violinist of Uzhhorod usually sat on the same puddles everywhere. street, on the east side in the morning and on the west Almost everyone still carries an umbrella, folded up side in the afternoon, thus avoiding having direct suntoday, but opened when the drizzle begins again. light in his face.

Except for most of the men. It seems as if it isn’t macho His head was uncovered, and he was bald, with a for a man to open his umbrella unless a real downpour fringe of gray hair around his round head. He knew is taking place. The men’s umbrellas are almost always Jewish music, and I often thought he should be wearing black, and the women’s umbrellas are almost always a a kippah. If he had, it would have left a circle of bare bright color or pattern. skin between the head Most of all, a casualty of covering and his hair. the rainy season and He seemed short, but I missing from his usual didn’t really know, for I location, is the violinist. I never saw him standing; never learned his name and he seemed a bit because when I first came round, but I never really to Uzhhorod in midsaw him well enough to August I thought he verify that, either. would always be on the When the weather was street playing, but then, warm, as it was when we one day, a few weeks ago, first came to Uzhhorod in he wasn’t there; and he the middle of August, he hasn’t returned since the wore a light summer weather changed in late shirt; and, as the autumn October. weather turned cooler, I People said he once noticed that he began to played in a major orcheswear long sleeves, and tra, back in the days of Richard Fellman, left, and his wife Bev, visited Prague with their finally, a sweater. the Soviet Union, when granddaughter, Gabby, and daughter Susan Witkowski (not picBut his hands were many musicians had regu- tured) in November. The couple have been spending the fall semes- always uncovered. His lar jobs with the large ter in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, while he has been teaching American fingers were short, and number of musical Government and Politics at Uzhhorod National University. they were chubby. I groups in the nation, but those days are gone. Today, noticed, for he did not have the long fingers often assomusicians look for jobs which are hard to find in the ciated with violinists and pianists. new capitalist economy, and it seems he failed to find But his fingers moved with speed and ease over the one. strings, as his left hand slid back and forth down the He always sat on a small stool, right up against the neck of his violin. wall of a building, on one of the streets the city closed He played by ear. Always. I never saw a single piece of to all vehicles, just as many other cities have done in written music in front of him. He had a rather old cd

player at his feet, and now and then, between pieces, he would put on reading glasses, carefully look at the index it seemed he had prepared for himself, and choose a series of selections for background to his own playing.

His repertoire seemed limitless. The classics … symphonic, operatic, European or American … Broadway or pop … mention the composer or the title and it was the next piece he played.

And he smiled. A broad smile.

At first I did not give him money, but Bev did. I held back and stood in the shadows. Then Bev gave him larger sums, American dollar bills, and these he took and covered up. Eventually, I began to give him gifts, but they were still small; and today I feel sorry I never gave him more.

He’s gone now. There is no longer music coming from his spot on the street as people walk by. I have no idea where he is.

Maybe he is at home, here in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.

Maybe he went some place where it is warm, to Odessa maybe, or even to Yalta. I hope he did, for if he is there the folks who walk by him will enjoy his music.

I miss him, and in a few weeks, in the middle of December, I’m leaving Uzhhorod for America. I’ll probably never see him again. But far more importantly, I’m afraid I’ll never hear the violinist of Uzhhorod again.

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