December 23, 2005

Vol. LXXXV No. 15 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

22 Kislev, 5766 December 23, 2005

For Canadian Couple, Goal of Super Sunday is to Ensure Future of Jewish Omaha

by OZZIE NOGG When the Federation’s annual community-wide Super Sunday solicitation phone calls are made on Feb. 5, 2006, Co-Chairmen Steven and Carrie Fingold hope to see weeks of planning payoff.

Literally.

“The goal for Super Sunday is fairly simple,” Carrie said. “We want to raise the most dollars we possibly can, and also raise awareness of the ways our Federation addresses the needs of the Omaha Jewish community and other communities around the world. At the end of the day, if we feel we did everything towards that goal, we’ll be satisfied.”

The Fingolds moved to Omaha three years ago from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “The move from Winnipeg was a result of a job opportunity.” Steven said. “The company that I was working for in Canada purchased a Council Bluffs, Iowa, company -- American Games. One thing led to another and as fate would have it, I found myself moving to Omaha to take on the role as Director of Sales.

We weren’t exactly sure what we’d find when we got here, but we were pleasantly surprised. Omaha has exceeded all our expectations.”

The Fingold’s circle of new friends quickly got them involved in Omaha Jewish life. “Right from the start we were

S u n d a y, ” Carrie continued, “but this is the first time Steven and I have worked on campaign together.

We’re excited our about chance to make a contribution to this community.”

Though Super Sunday is the first time the Fingolds have combined Carrie and Steven Fingold are charing Super Sunday 2006. their energies asked to be on committees, and we were on behalf of Federation, they have shared happy to say yes,” Carrie said. Last year other meaningful Jewish experiences.

Carrie was part of a fund-raising commit“We traveled together on the March of tee for Beth El Synagogue’s Ner Tamid the Living,” Steven said, “and have visitEndowment Fund, and helped with the ed Israel several times. We both learned design and production of invitations for so much from these visits, and gained a the Spring Gala sponsored by Omaha greater appreciation for what we have.

Section of the National Council of Jewish With all the tragic events that have Women. She currently serves on the occurred in the world this past year, we Public Affairs committee for NCJW. need to look at our own lives and realize “Last year, I was a volunteer for Super how fortunate we are.”

Project Dreidel Chronicles

Nominations Sought for Sokolof Teacher’s Award

A True Survivor’s Story

by SHARON BARGAS for Jewish Family Service Welcome to the second installment of The Project Dreidel Chronicles. Since the inception of the Project Dreidel Chronicle series, maintaining the privacy and integrity of the people who receive services from Jewish Family Service has been paramount. We have respected their wishes by changing their names.

Over the last several years, JFS has seen an increase in the number of local Jewish families and individuals who are in crisis or faced with overwhelming challenges.

All participants in the series are survivors and this individual is no different from others. Oskar Heinrich’s story is guaranteed to send shivers down your spine realizing what some less fortunate individuals endure in a lifetime.

Speaking with Heinrich, originally from Germany, he immigrated to the United States from Israel more than 39 years ago. Surviving tough times has made him stronger over time and made him the person he is today.

Now, he is fighting for his life once again after being diagnosed with bladder cancer and lupus.

He has always been a simple man. He is grateful for the good times he shared with his wife of 50 years. Now a widower, he lives at the Livingston Apartments alone

Inside Opinion Page see page 12

and wheelchair bound. You’d never know by talking to him just how much he’s had to overcome. He faced the worst and the best in life.

Growing up in Germany he was a victim of Nazi cruelty spending time in concentration camps during World War II. Not willing to discuss his experience, the memories of his painful and tragic losses have continued to haunt him. After the war, he immigrated to Israel where he fought in the War of Independence in 1948 where he almost lost his life again after being shot in the stomach.

Surviving tremendous hardships, he has always maintained his independence. Now in his 80s, he found it impossible to live off of $500 a month with all of his rising medical bills. And how would he buy groceries, too?

A proud person, he didn’t want to ask for help.

Fortunately, Jewish Family Service stepped in to provide financial assistance taking care of several bills and work with bill collectors. According to Heinrich, JFS has shown him what it means to be a Jewish person and open his heart to the generosity shown by the Omaha Jewish community.

After enduring so many hardships over his lifetime, he is adamant about not wanting sympathy for his experiences. JFS has enabled him to maintain his dignity over the years.

Continued on page 2

This Week: Goldstein Named President of USCJ: Page 8 Beth Israel Synagogue Gets OU Grant: Page 4

While growing up in Winnipeg, both Steven and Carrie attended private Hebrew school from kindergarten through grade 12. Carrie was active in BBYO--serving as Regional President-- and later was hired as the Program Director at a Jewish summer camp. After graduation, Steven worked on a kibbutz in Israel and also participated in an Israeli Army program.

Carrie eventually became a youth group director at her synagogue, taught Hebrew at a public elementary school, and assisted special needs students.

“When we moved to Omaha, I joined the staff of the Friedel Jewish Academy as a Hebrew teacher,” Carrie said. “But two years ago our daughter, Emma, was born, and we’re now expecting our second child in March. So for now, at least, I’m out of the classroom.”

Starting their own family has made Steven and Carrie understand the importance of Jewish continuity. “It’s become so important to us to ensure our children’s Jewish identity and to provide them with the kind of Jewish lifestyle we’ve had. Everything we’ve experienced is because of our parents, and their parents’ hard work. Now it’s time for us to do the same for our children and future generations.”

The Fingolds expect to have many experienced Super Sunday volunteers back on Continued on page 2

Online Shopping Tips from “People of the Byte”: Page 5

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator When Phil Sokolof died in April 2004, he left a legacy of generosity to the Jewish community of Omaha. As part of his bequest of $3 million, Sokolof designated a $10,000 annual award to a Jewish teacher in the Omaha metropolitan area, preferably one who teaches kindergarten through 12th grade. The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Outstanding Teacher award is in recognition of a person’s contributions as a teacher and mentor to the education and overall achievements of his or her students.

Shari Hess will chair the selection committee for the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, which administers the Sokolof Funds. Hess, a retired teacher, was a winner of the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award for a teacher in the Omaha Public School District.

According to Hess, the nominee must be a Jewish teacher who has taught for at least five years and is currently teaching. Anyone (including former students, parents or other teachers) who is knowledgeable of a teacher’s qualifications can nominate a teacher.

“You cannot nominate yourself, and there is no stipulation on how the award can be spent,” Hess said.

“There are no forms to fill out. “We only ask that you send us a letter describing the teacher’s attributes and actions that make him or her special. Specific examples should be included.”

Nominations are due March 2 to: Sokolof Teacher’s Award Committee, c/o Janet Henthorn, Jewish Federation Foundation, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

“What a wonderful way to recognize one of the most important professions in our community-the educators of our children,” said Suzanne Richards Singer, Chairman of the Sokolof Funds. “We hope anyone in our community who knows of an outstanding teacher will honor that person by submitting a nomination.”

Coming Next Month: Tax & Financial Planning Jan. 13 Is Nathan Lane Jewish?

Interview with Lane and Broderick: Page 9

Florida’s Elderly Jews Still Digging Out After Wilma: Page 16

Page 2

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December 23, 2005

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 Ima and Me, 10:30 a.m. at Chabad House Hanukhah Service and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel C L I P & S A V E

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 JCC CLOSED at 7 p.m.

JYG & OTYG Event, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 JCC H & PE OPEN, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chinese Dinner & Movie, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 BBYO Winter Regional Convention, Dec. 26-29 Gan Israel Winter Camp, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Hanukkah Israeli Style, 6 p.m. at Chabad House

C L I P & S A V E

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27 Gan Israel Winter Camp, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Hanukkah on Ice, 4 p.m. at the Moylan Ice Plex C L I P &

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 Hanukkah Party, 5 p.m. at Chabad House THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m.

Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

S A V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Over the next several months, Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah will sponsor a series of workshops for teachers, parents and other interested adults, which will explore ways to identify and intervene in situations of child abuse, bullying and other types of child victimization.

According to Education BESTT Director Judy Rubin, the four sessions will be led by staff members of Jewish Family Services and Aveva Judy Rubin Shukert, PhD., a psychologist in private practice. Subject matter will assist in identifying patterns that exceed the norm of typical acting-out behaviors in the classroom; parenting and teaching techniques will be also be discussed.

“The Jewish community is not immune to the ills that affect the general society,” Rubin remarked. “We who work in a religious school setting, fortunately, do not often come into contact with students who are the victims of abuse. That makes us even more vulnerable when

we do come face to face with children who have been victimized.

“Students often feel very comfortable within the synagogue environment and look to their teachers and other adults in the religious school as sources of comfort. It is all the more important that we be prepared to help those students who are acting out and those who are the recipients of negative behavior.”

The workshops--all scheduled for Sundays at 12:15 p.m.--and their topics follow: Jan. 8: Children experiencing victimization at home (emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, neglect); facilitated by JFS; Feb. 26: “Love and Logic,” dealing with behaviors such as vandalism of school and personal property, bullying others, inability to take responsibility for one’s actions; facilitated by JFS; March 5: Victimization of children at school (verbal, teasing, bullying); led by JFS; March 26: Shukert will lead a session for parents and teachers, highlighting behaviors of students which indicate problems that exceed normal classroom issues.

Lunch will be provided for participants at each session All adults in the Jewish community are invited to participate in these workshops, Rubin said. There is no cost to attend, but enrollment reservations are needed by Dec. 29, and may be made by contacting her at at the synagogue at 498.0904, or via e-mail at eddir@bethelomaha.org. This series of BESTT workshops has been made possible through a grant from the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund.

John Kolm Leaves Bequests for Blumkin Home and JFS

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Beth El Workshops to Address Issues of Child Victimization

C L I P & S A V E

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator John Kolm arrived in Omaha from Germany as a tenyear-old boy just as World War II was beginning. “He wore lederhosen to cheder,” recalled Joe Kirshenbaum.

Kolm’s father, Martin, started a cheese wholesale business where John worked as a young man.

Donald Nogg, Jerry Freeman, and Kirshenbaum all knew John Kolm from high school days. “We graduated from Central High School together,” mentioned Nogg.

Freeman was also in the same graduating class with Kolm. “John seemed like such a nice guy,” Freeman said. “He was a food distributor most of his life.”

“A quiet guy, he was a bright student,” Kirshenbaum added. “When he was in business with his dad, they sold to grocery stores.” John Kolm also went into the real estate business. “He lived with his mother and took care of her until she died,” Kirshenbaum said.

Kolm took over morning minyans from his father at Beth Israel Synagogue. “Most of what he did was as a volunteer,” Kirshenbaum noted.

Eventually, he was hired as the administrator of the synagogue. Beth Cohen, the current Executive Director at Beth Israel, estimated that Kolm held the position from about 1985 to 1992. “This was after his ‘retirement,’ she said. “John was a beloved member of the synagogue as well as administrator. My husband Harry often commented on how Mr. Kolm was the one who scolded kids for running or playing with the curtains on the stage, and now, as we ask kids not to run in the hallway, we talk about how much we miss him. He was quite a fixture of Beth Israel.”

Kolm died in April of this year at the age of 75. He was buried at Golden Hill Cemetery. In a trust, he left bequests of $10,000 each to the Rose Blumkin Jewish

Home (RBJH) and to Jewish Family Service (JFS).

“John Kolm had been a strong supporter of the Blumkin Home for many years,” remarked Mike Silverman, Executive Director of the Home. Kolm “enjoyed coming to the Home and visiting with old friends. He left us a gift that will allow us to meet the ever changing demands of health care head on and provide the best care possible for the Omaha Jewish community.”

Becki Brenner, JFS executive director, also praised Kolm for his generosity which “has allowed Jewish Family Service to provide much John Kolm needed relief for those in our community who find themselves in a crisis. We are able to help with utility bills, shut-off notices, food and gas vouchers, and assist with medication purchases.”

“I actually remember John’s dad calling on our store in Missouri Valley in the 40s,” said Marty Ricks, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. “He was as nice man as was John. I worked with John over the years helping him distribute his yearend donations. We are deeply indebted to him for his charitable estate planning by including the RBJH and JFS in his trust.”

Anyone in the community needing assistance in the charitable gift portion of their estate plan, can contact Ricks at the Foundation office, at 334.6440.

Goal of Super Sunday

A True Survivor’s Story

Continued from page 1 the phones again this year, as well as new recruits, and are working closely with Jaime and Brian Nogg, Super Sunday 2007 Co-Chairmen elect.

“If everyone we call accepts the overall campaign message--Live Generously--we can surpass the amount raised in previous years,” Carrie said. “But we’re keeping in mind that everyone should do whatever feels comfortable. That is all we can ask of our volunteers and donors.”

Steven adds, “Day to day, I am surrounded by lotteries and games of chance, but Campaign--and Super Sunday--is not a game of chance. All of us win when we live generously and contribute our dollars and our time to local and worldwide efforts. Individuals and entire communities benefit from this kind of volunteer work.”

For more information on Super Sunday 2006, or to volunteer as a phone solicitor, please call the Federation office at 334.6485.

Continued from page 1 Through Project Dreidel, JFS provides Hanukkah gifts and Jewish holiday meals to families in our area who cannot afford them. But sometimes, families and individuals have unexpected emergencies that require immediate intervention. JFS is there to provide the financial and emotional support needed to get back to normal, and that support costs money year-round.

Your gifts to the JFS Friends’ Campaign and the Jewish Federation Campaign are what allows us to take care of each other. Despite our best efforts, our community’s needs continue to outpace the increase in gifts to the Annual Campaign. Your increased gift ensures that every Omaha Jewish community member will have access to professional and compassionate help in a Jewish environment.

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

December 23, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Beth Israel Hires New NCSY Chapter Advisor/Youth Director point Z,” said Bloch. “She has the ability to readily communicate with younger and older children. And, as a parent herself, she knows how involved parents are in their children’s lives; she’ll do a great job with keeping in contact with all of the parents.”

Shrago will do a variety of activities in her role as Youth Director. In addition to continuing her work with the Travelin’ Toddlers, she’ll provide Hebrew tutoring, implement additional Shabbat programming for all age groups of children, assist Rabbi Gross with kashrut and help plan family events. According to Cohen, “You’ll also see Brooke working as a staff member at events that aren’t directly related to youth activities. There will be times where she’ll help plan a dinner or a scholar-inresidence weekend, or set up our social hall for a movie night.”

Shrago is a Chicago native who was active in NCSY. “I attended lots of NCSY conferences and really enjoyed meeting other Orthodox Jews from all around the U.S. who were my age,” said Shrago. “I believe in NCSY. Through my NCSY experiences, I gained lifelong friends and formed a closer relationship with my religion.”

Following high school graduation, Shrago attended the Anne M. Blitzein Teachers Institute for Women at Hebrew Theological College in Chicago, where she took courses in Education and Hebrew studies. She also spent a year as a chapter Yachad Director, working with teens and taking them to NCSY events. Yachad is an organization designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities and include them in the Jewish community.

After getting married, moving to Omaha and giving birth to her daughter, Taliah, Shrago started to look for ways to give her daughter some extracurricular activities with other young Jewish children and formed Beth Israel’s Travelin’ Toddlers. “I want Taliah to have the same kind of experiences I had when I was growing up, with a peer group early on,” she explained. “Travelin’ Toddlers helps to accomplish that.”

With her personal interest in children’s activities, as well as her NCSY experiences and background working with teens, Shrago was eager to take on the new role.

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Brooke Shrago has been hired as the Beth Israel synagogue’s Youth (NCSY) Chapter Advisor and Youth Director. According to Rabbi Jonathan Gross, “With our ever-burgeoning population of children at Beth Israel, it’s great to have Brooke on staff. We are excited at the prospect of offering our families many more youth activities.”

“Brooke’s energy and initiative are well-suited to the roles of NCSY Advisor and Youth Director,” said Beth Israel’s President, Bonnie Bloch. “When she recently formed the new Travelin’ Toddlers group, we could see she had the ability to be creative and get things organized.”

In addition to being interviewed by Bloch, Executive Director Beth Cohen and Rabbi Gross, Shrago also met with two Brooke Shrago regional NCSY representatives who flew in from Chicago. “Brooke’s position is actually comprised of two parts,” said Cohen. “She has been hired by NCSY as a part-time Chapter Advisor. She also will work directly for Beth Israel as a part-time Youth Director. We’re happy to find someone who can fill both roles, which directly benefits all of our children.”

As advisor, Shrago will make all travel arrangements to NCSY regional events and travel with Beth Israel’s NCSY youth to conferences around the Midwest. She’ll also be responsible for planning monthly Junior and Senior NCSY local events. “The job of advisor requires an individual to be extremely well-organized and able to think through all the variables associated with getting junior high and high school students from point A to

Happy Holidays

“I’m super excited and have so many ideas,” she said. “I know how NCSY works and the benefits of providing various activities for all of our kids. It might sound like a cliché, but I really want to ‘give back’ to my community and serve as a mentor to our youth. My position here at Beth Israel will let me do that.”

Brooke’s first few weeks have been busy. She has already made arrangements for NCSY’s Winter Conclave in Chicago this Shabbat. She is also planning for upcoming Junior and Senior NCSY events to be held in the coming months, as well as the next Travelin’ Toddlers trip on Jan. 14.

“We’re very happy to have Brooke on board,” said Rabbi Gross. “We look forward to incorporating her enthusiasm into the heart of what Beth Israel provides our youth.”

On the Road for Some Ruach

Seventeen Beth El USY members recently traveled to Minneapolis for United Synagogue Youth’s annual Kinnus convention. The Omaha entourage included, front row: Alex Solomon, left, Emily Giller, Liatte Dotan, Talia Tene, Alec Lerner, (lying down), and Salo Cemaj; middle row: Lydia Stern, Steven Meyer, Dan Canfield, Effie Tsabari, Henry Ginsburg, Ben Nachman, Beth El Youth Director Jamie Skog, Ygal Schuller, Marty Nachman; back row,: Michael Friedman and Joey Kahn.

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December 23, 2005

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Esther K. Newman Grant Awarded to Beth Israel

by MARY BORT lies who have children under the age of five. “After for Beth Israel Synagogue reviewing countless books and Jewish educational mateBeth Israel Synagogue has been awarded a 2005 rials, we believe we have selected an excellent variety of Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman grant. The books and curricula that our families can easily use at grant was awarded to fund Beth Israel’s “Early home,” said Cohen.

Childhood Home Curriculum Project,” a new educaThe main resource material that parents will receive is tional initiative aimed at giving parents of pre-schoolers a home-based curriculum that has three years worth of the resources they need to enhance their children’s lessons and projects, designed for use with children Jewish education at home. starting when they are two-years-old. The curriculum In the past year, there has been an influx of young chil- includes step-by-step directions for 25 holiday prodren in Beth Israel’s congregation. Beth Israel has grams, and complete instructions for parents to institute responded by instituting a weekly “Kids’ Kiddush” on an ongoing Family Education program.

Shabbat, where young children have their own Kiddush In addition to the home-based curriculum, parents table. During the Kids Kiddush, they meet with Rabbi will be given a number of books to read with their chilGross and say blessings. Two- to five-year-olds also have dren, as well as other resource materials to help parents a Junior Congregation program during Shabbat that is when they discuss holidays with their young children. specifically designed for pre“The idea is to incorporate schoolers.

Jewish education opportuniWith the growing number ties in different ways, includof youngsters participating ‘informal’ family ing in Beth Israel programs, by STEPHEN STEINER moments,” explained Cohen. thoughts turned toward fur- OU Director of Public Relations “The materials offer parents thering the educational The Orthodox Union announced that six OU congregations the flexibility to encourage opportunities for these were winners in its first-time program to provide grants of as their children to learn at variyoung congregants. In addi- much as $20,000 apiece--totaling up to $100,000--for ous times, not just during set tion to what the children “unique and innovative programs having a positive impact on ‘Jewish learning’ times. For experience during their time their community.” The winning initiatives ranged from a syn- example, Mom or Dad can at the shul, there are ways to agogue’s plan to introduce its community as a wonderful read one of the books with enhance their Jewish educa- place to live as an Orthodox Jew (Harrisburg, PA), to a Torah their child at bedtime, or distion in the home, such as arts festival (Venice, CA), to a training program for synagogue cuss a story during a car trip. giving parents books and lay leadership (New York, NY).

Families can enjoy a Sunday other resources. Therefore, Among the winning congregations is Beth Israel afternoon together by comBeth Israel applied for the Synagogue’s “Parents Are Teachers” program, designed to pleting a fun, hands-on activEsther K. Newman/Carolyn give parents the resources needed to most effectively jump ity pertaining to a Jewish holKully Newman grant. iday.” start their children’s Jewish education.

“We developed the Early Beth Israel families will Other winners include Congregation Rodfei Sholom, San Childhood Home Curric- Antonio, TX; Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Bronx, NY; Kesher receive their Early ulum Project around the Israel Congregation, Harrisburg, PA; Lincoln Square Childhood Home Curricprinciple that parents need Synagogue, New York, NY; and the Pacific Jewish Center, ulum Project materials in specific resources in order to Venice, CA. time for Hanukkah. Once educate their young children A total of 61 entries were received, according to Emanuel the materials have been disat home,” stated Beth J. Adler, Chairman of the OU’s National Commission on tributed, Brooke Shrago, the Cohen, Beth Israel Community and Synagogue Services. “The winning entries new Youth Director, will Executive Director. “Even represented extraordinary ideas, from extraordinary syna- incorporate “teachable before kids begin their for- gogues, which should have an extraordinary impact not only moments” into the monthly mal Jewish education, they their own congregations but on OU shuls across North Travelin’ Toddlers program can learn about Jewish tradi- America,” he said. in order to enhance what tions and holidays. But parfamilies are doing at home. ents don’t necessarily have the books and other educa“We can’t express our gratitude to the Esther K. tional materials on hand that would improve their chil- Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee dren’s learning experience. Not everyone has a back- enough for awarding us with this grant,” said Bonnie ground in early childhood education. That’s where the Bloch, Beth Israel President. “It is an exciting time for Early Childhood Home Curriculum Project comes in.” Beth Israel, and thanks to this award, we can do someThanks to the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully thing tangible to provide new learning opportunities at Newman grant, Beth Israel will purchase a series of home for the youngest members of our growing conJewish education materials to be given to member fami- gregation.”

Beth Israel One of Six Grant Recipients from Orthodox Union

Don’t Look a Gift Horse...

BERT’S EYE VIEW

by BERT LEWIS

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This is the time of year when catalogues start appearing in the mail delivery, whether sent for or not. I got one recently from one of the biggest and best known toy stores in the country and I want to tell you abut a few items they offer. Since it’s almost Hanukkah, I thought you might be interested.

The first item that caught my attention wa a miniature horse. Yes, that’s what I mean, a horse. A picture showed a little girl, maybe five-or six-years-old, standing next to the animal. The copy said, “It’s a real miniature and it won't get any bigger.” The horse was about as tall as the child and seemed to be just the right size for her. The price? $15,000. Now wouldn’t that make a lovely Hanukkah present for a grandchild? I say grandchild because I can only imagine a grandparent being involved in such a gift.

There were many other toys in the catalogue, more familiar old favorites and many of the newer electronic wonders that kids today think they need. Really too many to mention, except for one last surprise that really stopped me. This was described as perfect for a child’s birthday party, but it would also make an uforgettable Hanukkah celebration for that special little darling. What is it? Well, you might say it’s the entire store.

This was an offer to “rent” the store for an over-night

party for a given number of kids, between ages detemined by the store. They offered attendents to help with the festivities plus an entie floor area with sleeping bags for when the kids pooped out, plus a fountain with every available ice cream treat known, plus I don’t remember what else! The details listing all the goodies included are mindboggling, but hey, if you want to really do an unforettable party for your kid, this has to be the way.

I guess I forgot one little thing--the cost. A mere $25,000 covers everything, according to the catalogue.

Don’t you wonder what it does for (or to) a kid to be the recipient of such extavagance? What’s the point, and who is it really for, the child or the parent?

Maybe if I didn’t have such a clear memory of little kids finding a huge cardboard box and turning it into something that entertained them for days, I might feel differently. But I do recall such things, and how much fun was had with such a box. Kids today have very different expectations I know, but just let the huge crate from a new refrigerator become available and watch what happens.

Well, nobody has to worry about me being one of those overly indulgent grandmas. I enjoy sending the birthday or Hanukkah gift that will make them happy, but if anybody is looking for a horse this year, they better look someplace else. My routine remains the same.

Tell me what you want and I’ll see what I can do.

Sometimes I turn the shopping over to the mom and reimburse later, but in any case, no horses.

Not even if I win the lottery!

Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.

December 23, 2005

Online Shopping Tips for Hanukkah and Year ’Round

PEOPLE OF THE

BYTE

by MARK MIETKIEWICZ Whether you are looking for the perfect Hanukkah gift, shopping for a special present for an upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah or wedding or looking for a hard-to-find Jewish book, the Internet has opened a world of variety for Judaica from around the world. But before you type in your credit card number and press the “order” button, there are a few guidelines you should follow to make sure you get your merchandise--and no nasty surprises.

As Hanukkah approaches, eight tips for novice and veteran online shoppers: • Get to know the online merchant.

Try to get to deal with sites that have proven track records. Read the fine print.

Do they have a code of conduct? If you are working against a deadline, find out if they offer a guaranteed delivery date for your purchase.

• Check out the merchant’s privacy policy. You may be getting a bargain but in return you are sharing a lot of personal information about yourself. Find out if they have a privacy policy and are going to share it with other vendors without your expressed permission? Even if they say they won’t, never give out more information than is absolutely necessary to complete the order. Print out a copy of your order and check it against your credit card statement.

• Make sure you are dealing with a secure site. Before you send off any personal information over the Internet make

sure that you are dealing with a “secure” website.

Take a look at the website address. Instead of starting with http:// it should begin with https://. The extra “s” means that there is a higher level of security to help ensure that your information is not intercepted. As well, most browsers will display an image of a closed padlock or an unbroken key along the edge of the screen to indicate that you are on a secure page. Unfortunately, this is not foolproof because scam artists have been known to forge secure addresses and icons.

• Don’t forget the extras. The price you see online may be accurate but don’t forget the extras. Are you paying in a foreign currency? If so, what exchange rate are you getting? Don’t forget about handling and shipping costs. Some vendors require that you pay for shipping insurance as well. And if the merchandise is crossing the border, you could also be facing taxes and duty.

• “It’s lovely but…” Check the returns policy. Do you get to try out your product, and if so, for how long? If you receive the wrong item or if it is broken, you should be able to return it and be reimbursed for the return shipping costs.

However, if it is as promised but you just don’t like it, you will be expected to absorb the extra shipping costs--if you are allowed to return it at all.

• Be particularly careful about offers that come in the e-mail. The offer may look genuine and it may seem to come from a reputable retailer. But when you click on the link, take a close look at the address that you are taken to. Is it really from that retailer or have you been

diverted to another site with a similar looking URL (address)? If so, you could be a potential victim of “phishing,” a scam to trick you into divulging your credit card information. As well, clicking on dubious links could expose your computer to viruses or spyware.

• Consider using a separate credit card just for Internet purchases. Despite all your precautions, your credit card information could still fall into the wrong hands. Having to cancel your card will play havoc with all the automatic payments (phone, cable, tzedakah, etc.) that you have set up.

Consider having a credit card that you use exclusively for Internet purchases. If you need to cancel, the inconvenience is limited. By the way, credit companies usually cover most or all fraudulent charges if reported promptly. Check your company’s policy.

• Browse globally--shop locally. If you see something that you like on the Internet, check out whether the same item is available at your local Judaica store, synagogue gift shop, local bookstores, etc. The Internet can be a wonderful window into the web world of Jewish books and gifts. But if you can find the same merchandise locally for a comparable price, then by all means support your local merchant and economy.

My intention hasn’t been to thoroughly frighten you from shopping over the Internet. Most people have never encountered a problem buying over web.

And if you would like to join those shoppers, just keep these tips in mind.

Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Beth El to Offer Eight-Week Adult Torah Trope Class

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator If you’ve always had the desire to chant Torah but have never learned how, you’re in luck--Beth El has established an eightweek Torah trope course, “Torah Training: The Ancient Art of Cantillation,” which will begin Sunday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m.

The class will be taught by congregant Jim Fried, who noted that, “If you could learn the multiplication tables in elementary school, you can learn to read the Torah now! If you have Siddur-level Hebrew reading skills, we’re going to get you Torah-reading-ready in eight weeks, and on your way to a lifetime of participation.”

In addition to formal trope training, the class will explore the evolution of Torah reading practices, along with the structure and meaning of the formal ritual we follow today. Discussions will include “What the Well-Dressed Torah Wears”, “Why We Stand and Why We March Around the Sanctuary”, and “What’s the Gabbai Doing Up There, and Can I Become One?” “Even if your goal isn’t to become a weekly reader at Beth El, you’re sure to enjoy learning more about the magic of Torah reading in this class,” Fried said.

This class is open to everyone in the Jewish community. Cost is $18; for more class details and enrollment information, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik in the office at 492.8550 or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. Space is limited, so sign up early.

Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 23, 2005

Temple Israel College Connection to Catch Up over Coffee

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Hang out and catch up with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and old friends from high school at the Temple Israel College Connection’s next event Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m., at Crane Coffee, 7772 Cass St. Amy Bresel, a sophomore at Creighton University, described a college coffee that she attended as “fun.

They reminisced about OTYG and talked a little about what they were doing now. It was nice seeing the clergy and staff again.”

In addition to Rabbi Azriel, Elyce Azriel, director of Temple’s Middle/High School, and Lynne Jensen, director of youth and informal education, will be at Crane Coffee to chat, share memories, and make some new ones with the college crowd.

“I miss our kids,” said Rabbi Azriel. “We love to visit with them when they’re home. It is at Temple that sacred connections were nurtured. A drink of hot coffee on a cold day will warm the hearts.”

RSVPs are not required, but anyone planning to attend can call or e-mail Rabbi Azriel or Jensen at the Temple office, 556.6536 or via e-mail at: aazriel@templeisraelomaha.com or ljensen@templeisraelomaha .com.

Beth El to Welcome Back College Students with Evening of “Sushi ‘n’ Schmooze”

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator As our community’s Jewish college students return home for winter break, they look forward to relaxing, spending time with family and catching up with old friends. What better way to catch up with old acquaintances and meet new ones than attend the synagogue’s college “Sushi n’ Shmooze” evening? This casual gettogether will take place on Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m., at Hiro Sushi, 3655 No. 129 St. (across from Super Target on Maple).

The menu will include sushi trays with vegetable and kosher fish selections, plus appetizers, tea, soda and dessert. All Jewish college students and recent graduates are invited to attend, with Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Cantor Gastón Bogomolni and Youth Director Jamie Skog joining in the fun!

To make reservations or for more information, contact Skog at 492.8550, or via email at: youthdir@bethel-omaha.org.

The Donut Book by Sally Levitt Steinberg (Storey, $14.95)

READ IT AND E AT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Celebrate Donut Month (established as the first American promotion for a food product in October of 1929) or for Hanukkah this year, fry potato latkes and add sufganiyot--donuts to your celebrations. Here is the whole story...in words, vintage photographs, biography, history and lore. Take a nostalgic trip through “donut-ology” with the Donut Princess, her grandfather, Adolph Levitt, a “poor Russian immigrant who bought into a bakery in Harlem, New York,” invented the donut machine and eventually moved it from the window of the bakery to the Mayflower Bakery in Times Square.

A favorite snack for all ages--from little children to cops and truckers, donuts are a perfect splurge any time of the day. Whether your favorite is quintessential comfort food, haute cuisine or like in one bride’s fancy-120 Kripsy Creme glazed and stacked, and complete with multicolored sprinkles, red jelly fillings, glazes, you’ll wander through the chapters Donuts Now & Forever, Whodonut?, Donuts Are U.S., Tales from the Donut Trail, Amazing Donuts, Donut Shops (a little black

Krich’s Newest Mystery Success Not a Mystery to Her Followers

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN CJE Administrator

Nearly 50 people enjoyed a delightful talk by Rochelle Krich, discussing her new book, Now You See Me, during the final event of the Kripke Library’s 2005 Jewish Book Month celebration last week. Following the book discussion group, Krich signed copies of her new book.

Attention all Jewish College Students…

You’re Invited to: Wednesday, December 28th at the JCC FEATURING AN EVENING OF JEWISH COMEDY WITH

6:00 pm -Private Reception for College Students –Appetizers served 7:00 pm -”The Late Night Players“ Comedy Show–JCC Theater Reception & Comedy Show FREE for the first 50 college students who RSVP to Lisa Shkolnick at 334-6425 or lshkolnick@jccomaha.org.

Sponsored by the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization & the Jewish Community Center

After the show, go to dinner or out with your friends. We’ll get your evening started… but the rest of the night is up to you!

book of her favorite shops--Lamar’s Donuts in Kansas City is the closest) and more.

Read of donut stories, donut men, doughboys, donut celebs, donut businesses and donuts from every walk of life...a fun read, with more than two dozen recipes from New Orleans--beignets, crullers and this basic buttermilk donut.

BUTTERMILK DONUTS 2 eggs 1 egg yolk 1 cup sugar 1 cup buttermilk 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 tablespoon butter, melted oil for deep frying Beat the eggs and yolk together, then gradually add sugar and buttermilk. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together and stir into egg mixture; add nutmeg and melted butter.

Heat oil to 360°F. Roll or pat dough on a floured surface to 1/2-inch thickness. Drop donuts, a few at a time, into hot oil. Fry until golden brown (2 to 3 minutes).

Drain on paper towels and serve immediately; makes 16.

Lois Friedman can be reached at” ReadItandEat@yahoo.com.

CJW Offers Class on American Jewish Writers

by MAGGIE GERBER Center for Jewish Education Program Coordinator The Center for Jewish Education is offering a class in American Jewish Writers. This class will consider the contributions of Jewish novelists, short story writers, and poets to the American literary scene. From the immigrant generation of Abraham Cahan, Anzia Yezierska, and Henry Roth to the “golden age” of Bernard Malamud, Philip Roth, and Saul Bellow, to the new generation of Allegra Goodman and Nathan Englander. Jewish writers have recorded and imagined the experiences of immigration, assimilation, and cultural and political marginality.

“American Jewish Writers” will be taught by Gary Katz, Library Administrator and former Adjunct Professor at Creighton University and Metropolitan Community College. The meeting dates are Tuesday Jan. 11, 18, 25, and Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-noon, in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

The cost of the class is $18. To register, please contact Mary Sue Grossman at 334.6446 or mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

December 23, 2005

Temple Men’s Club Poker Tournament Is a Big Winner

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Vying for the top prize of a $600 Visa gift card, 64 men participated in Temple Israel Men’s Club’s first ever Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Dec. 10 which raised funds for Temple’s music programs.

Harry Gates won first place. He commented that the tournament was “run very professionally. There was quite a diverse population--not all Temple members and some were from outside the Jewish community. They were a bunch of good guys and there was a friendly feel.�

Page 7

Yachad Participates in Project Dreidel

by DUANE J. PIEPER In the spirit of the season, Yachad members and their families joined with other community volunteers in wrapping presents for needy children and families at the JCC last Sunday. Tanya Seina and Jenny Meyerson, Jewish Family Service staff, coordinated this year’s annual tzedakah project. They were prepared with neatly organized stacks of gift items which were collected and matched to the needs of specific families.

The Community Room was filled with volunteers armed with scissors, tape and wrapping paper, all with one common focus of making sure that no one was going to go without during Hanukkah.

Emerging from this flurry of activity were beautifully wrapped presents that will warm the hearts and spirit of the recipients when delivered to their homes. It was an opportunity for

A Jumbo First in Israel Mike Silverman, right, hands Harry Gates his top prize at the recent poker tournament at Temple.

Mickey Coren didn’t win but said, “I had a great time.

I thought the food was pretty good, the company was great, and the tournament was well run.� As for playing in another Men’s Club poker tournament, he would-“absolutely!�

Fantasy Poker League, owned by Alan Widman, “did a wonderful job keeping everyone updated on the tournament and running the event,� agreed Mike Silverman, president of Temple Men’s Club. Many of the prizes for the event were donated which helped minimize expenses. Silverman was pleased with the “outstanding result� of the tournament and is grateful to Temple’s Executive Director Dennis DePorte “for pulling everything together. He was the glue that made it all happen.�

The other top winners were Bruce Gilinsky, Adam Yale, Larry Ginsburg, and Scott Simon.

Silverman said Men’s Club would plan more poker events, possibly twice annually.

Gates added, “Oh sure! I’ll play again--not that I’d count on winning again!�

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

A oneday-old and as yet unnamed elephant c a l f stands with his 2 0 - y e a rold mother Tamar in the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Dec. 10. The calf, which weighed almost 200 pounds at birth, is the first Asiatic elephant to be conceived in Israel through artificial insemination, and one of the first such births in the world. Asiatic elephants are in danger of extinction and the zoo in Jerusalem has joined efforts to help preserve the species. There are somewhere between 38,000 to 51,000 Asiatic elephants left in the wild compared to their counterparts, the African elephants, which number some 600,000.

Credit: Pool/BP Images/JTA

Yachad members to look beyond themselves and lend a helping hand to those in need. These are the special moments when one feels more alive and full of purpose.

Because some individuals and families in the community have ongoing needs, Yachad members also brought items to replenish the food pantry at JFS, which is always in need of keeping shelves stocked, especially during these cold winter months. For further information on future Yachad activities, events and projects, please call Jewish Family Service office at 334.6491.

At left, sisters Jill and Lisa Saloman join other volunteers at Jewish Family Service to wrap Hanukkah presents for JFS’ annual Project Dreidel. Cash donations are still being accepted; to contribute, send a tax-deductible check to JFS, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Beth El “Comfort and Conversation� Group to Explore Grieving Process

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The next meeting of our Comfort and Conversation group, open to all Jewish community members who are grieving the recent loss of a loved one, will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6 p.m., following minyan.

Shelly Fox and Shane Kotok from the Federation’s Jewish Senior Services will serve as facilitators, and special guest speaker will be Chaplain Ann Marie Aita, of the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice.

Aita, who has worked with Kotok at the Blumkin Home during the past several years, will discuss “Good Grief,� ways to deal with and survive the sorrow of losing a loved one.

An optional dinner will be available for $5, but those wishing to attend the meeting only are welcome to do so. For reservations, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik at the office, 492..8550, or via e-mail at programming@bethel-omaha.org.

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December 23, 2005

Beth El Member Ray Goldstein Elected International President of USCJ building and maintaining

by JILL BELMONT a thriving, vital Jewish Beth El Publicity Coordinator community. The organiLongtime Beth El congrezation, he said, has also gant Dr. Ray Goldstein, now helped him to better of Rochester, MN, was understand both Judaism elected the new internationand the Jewish communial president of the United ty. “I’m a life-long learnSynagogue of Conservative er, and this just felt so Judaism, at that institution’s right.” biennial convention last During his tenure as month in Boston. international president, Dr. Goldstein’s involveDr. Goldstein plans to with United ment Ray Goldstein focus on a variety of Synagogue has been farranging: he has served as president of the objectives, including using the available Central States and Provinces region and technology to reach more people.

“I’d like to use it to get the intellectual as Vice President for Service to Congregations; he was also a member of voices of our movement to our memthe president’s cabinet since 2002, as well bers,” he explained, adding that he also as a United Synagogue board member plans to make Alim, a program which since 1996. In addition, he is the helps to establish new congregations, a Immediate Past-Chairman of the Council cornerstone of his term in office.

He also cited the desire to create a betof Regional Presidents of USCJ, and a past president of both Beth El in Omaha, ter system of accountability among his and Beth Jacob Congregation in colleagues, saying “All my officers and appointees have been asked to accept the Rochester.

“I stop former synagogue presidents challenge of observance in four areas-who say that the happiest day for them kashrut, Shabbat, study, and tefillot.”

Overall, the challenge of serving in his was the day they stopped being president,” Dr. Goldstein said. “That was new capacity is one which Dr. Goldstein such a happy time for me. It was a con- welcomes and relishes.

“There are so many challenges, so nection to the community that I could many opportunities, and I’m ready to never have had any other way.”

Through USCJ, Dr. Goldstein has been take them on.” given an avenue to follow his passion:

IN THE NEWS Barry Emerson, Executive Director of Life Care Centers of Elkhorn, announced that Anne Joseph has recently been appointed as Director of Activities. Prior to accepting this position, Joseph was Activities Director at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. In her new position, Joseph is in charge of planning, organizing, budgeting and overseeing all activities for the 100 residents at the home.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha has just released, A Celebration of Women, a book featuring

black and white images and tributes to 185 women from the Omaha area plus inspirational quotes. Proceeds from the book will help the Women’s Fund support the needs of women and girls in the Omaha Community.

Books are $20 and are available at The Bookworm or by calling the Women’s Fund at 827.9280. For more information please call Patricia Morrissey at 827.9280 or Kristine Gerber at 614.0056 or online: at www.omahawomensfund.org.

Basha’s l E Falafel • Gyros • Shawarma • Hummus • Salads Dine In • Carry Out • Catering

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

WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Bluffs Run Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m.

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC in the Social Hall on Thursdays, 13 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

VISIONS The Luncheon Meeting is on Friday, Jan. 20, 12:30 p.m. at the Venice Inn with ragtime piano player Marty Mincer.

The cost is $9.50 per person. Give thankful recognition to new incoming, outgoing and present board members as we celebrate the Installation of New Officers for the year 2006. Send reservations: to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114. For information, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709.

Join Visions for a great show and good times as we travel to Chanticleer Community Theater in Council Bluffs to

The Jewish Federation of Lincoln celebrated 100 years of Jewish giving Dec. 11 at Temple B’nai Jeshurun. The Hebrew Relief Association, forerunner of the Jewish Federation of Lincoln, was founded on Nov. 5, 1905.

More than 80 donors attended the festive evening which began with wine and appetizers, followed by the meeting, dinner and a proMarcia Kushner, left, Ken Bloom and Sarah Straus prepare gram of Klezmer music.

Marty Ricks, Executive for the Lincoln Federation Annual meeting.

Director of the Foundation of the Jewish Jewish Federation. Sue Schreiber, Federation of Omaha was a special guest. Campaign Chair, announced that Marcia Kushner, President of the Lincoln $118,000 in pledges and grants have Federation, expressed the Lincoln com- been received. With a few outstanding munity’s appreciation for the support of year-end pledges, she believes the goal of the Foundation through grants from the $120,000 can be reached. Attainment of Esther K. Newman Fund, for Lincoln this goal would be an increase of approxcampers, and two grants from the Special imately 30% over the last three years.

Elected to the board were Katie Donor Advised Fund, which provided support for the newly organized Lincoln Halperin, Dan Friedman, and Sarah Kelen.

Retiring board members Brenda Friedman Jewish Community School.

“These grants totaled $14,000+,” said Ingraham, Alan Frank, and Albert Weiss Kushner, “and are a significant contribu- were commended for their service. Dinner tion to a Campaign of our size.” Ricks and klezmer music by the Sarabande brought greetings from the Omaha Strings completed the evening.

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BREADBREAKERS The third annual “Welcome Back to Omaha” will be held Wednesday, Dec. 28, noon, at Regency Lodge. We invite returning college students or recent college grads to update us on their progress and success. Cost is $11 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only.

All men and women in the community are invited to attend.

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see the musical Oliver on Sunday, Jan. 29. Depart from the JCC at 12:45 p.m. and return by approximately 7 p.m. The cost of $38 includes coach transportation, theater ticket, dinner, tax and tips.

Dinner following the show at the Pizza King in Council Bluffs. Send reservations to Ethel Goldston, 1108 No. 92 Plaza, #101, Omaha, NE 68114.

Visions Membership dues are due for the year 2006 for $7.50 per person. to Visions, C/O Beverly Gilinsky, 1406 No. 126 St., Omaha, NE 69154.

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Page 8

December 23, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Is Nathan Lane Jewish? Getting to the Bottom of the Story

by TOM TUGEND

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LOS ANGELES (JTA)-When the stage version of The Producers played in London in 2004, British reporter Toby Young was assigned by Vanity Fair magazine to interview Nathan Lane, the star of the show.

Young opened the interview by asking Lane whether he was Jewish. After a long pause, Lane snapped, “Yes, yes, what of it?”

Encouraged by the answer, the reporter’s next question was, “Are you gay?”

Lane responded by getting up and walking out of the interview.

When Young returned to his office, he was confronted by his irascible editor, Graydon Carter, who had already gotten Nathan Lane, left, as Max Bialystock tries to sell a scheme to Matthew Broderick, playan earful on the incident.

“What were you thinking?” ing Leo Bloom, in the movie musical version of Mel Brooks’ Broadway hit, The Producers.

Credit: Andrew Schwartz stormed Carter. “You can’t ask celebrities whether they’re Jewish or gay. In the future, in Neil Simon plays, did you draw on your own background? just assume they’re all Jewish and all gay, OK?” A: I suppose so. I mean, yeah. My mom was Jewish, To get to the bottom of this important Jewish story, this reporter flew from Los Angeles to New York earlier so some would call me Jewish. My background is very this month to see if we could do any better than the hapless British journalist.

The press junket was underwritten by Universal Pictures, which flew in some 35 reporters to meet with the stars and director of the musical movie version of The Producers, a monster hit on Broadway and elsewhere, which was released last Friday.

For those who have been hiding in a cave on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border for the past few decades, Featuring the best Omaha steaks here’s a quick synopsis. as well as Dover sole, Formerly high-riding New York producer Max lobster tail, crab legs.

1101 Jackson Street Bialystock is on the ropes after a series of flops. When Reservations Recommended 344-3200 meek accountant Leo Bloom comes into his office to inspect the books, Bloom makes a discovery: If a producer raises a bundle of money to put into a show, but it closes immediately, he can reap a windfall.

Serving Mexican Food So Max, with Leo’s help, raises $2 million from a pha• Fajitas • Tacos lanx of little old, but amorous, ladies, finds the world’s • Enchiladas • Tamales worst play, worst director and worst actors to guarantee instant disaster.

Full American Menu They hit paydirt with the script Springtime for Hitler, 90th & Arbor • Steaks • Sea Food written by a demented Nazi and Wehrmacht veteran. By 391-0191 •Prime Rib • BBQ Ribs Fax: 391-1086 adding terrible direction and cast, the production is so • Chicken Mon-Sat 11am-1am awful that critics and audiences assume it must be a devSun 4pm-9pm Childrens Menu Available ilishly clever satire, and the play becomes a hit.

Party Room Available Locally Owned & Operated The two distraught producers end up in jail, where they recruit inmates and oversell shares for their inhouse show Prisoners of Love.

Back to the press junket. We had been warned that Mel Traditional Greek Dishes Brooks, who has guided and created every aspect of The Producers in its various incarnations as non-musical film, ♦ Roast Lamb ♦ Saganaki ♦ Fish Plaki ♦ Spanakopita musical play and musical movie, wouldn’t be available. ♦ Stuffed Grape Leaves ♦ Lamb Kabob Not expected was the crushing announcement that ♦ Chicken Reganato ♦ Chicken Kabob Uma Thurman, who plays the blonde Swedish bomb♦ Souviaki ♦ Seafood Specialties shell in the film, would’t show up. But in any case, she ♦ Mousaka ♦ Full Bar isn’t Jewish. (Editor’s note: But Thurman’s character did TAKE-OUT CATERING have an affair with a nice Jewish boy--Omaha native 3026 No. 90th St. • 571-2857 Bryan Greenberg--in her last film, Prime.)

Right on schedule, though, was Lane, followed by Matthew Broderick, who portrays Leo Bloom. Each was allotted 25 minutes to field questions from a gaggle of three dozen reporters, so there wasn’t much time for probing analysis and follow-ups.

Here’s how my dialogue with Lane went.

Q: Even though you were born into an Irish Catholic blue-collar family, just about everyone assumes that you’re Jewish and that you changed your name from Rabinowitz. How did that impression catch hold and how do you feel about it?

A: Well, I did change my name. I was born Joseph CARRY OUT AVAILABLE Lane, but when I applied to the actors union, they said 498-8833 they already had a Joe Lane on the books and I'd have Beer and Wine Available to change my last or first name.

I had played the character of Nathan Detroit, whom I 2068 N. 117 Ave. liked very much, in Guys and Dolls, so I took the name North Park (117th & Blondo) Nathan.

M-Th: 11-9:30 • Fri & Sat. 11-10:30 • Sun. 13-9:30 I’m really an honorary Jew, you know, all the best peo-

much that style of writing, Neil Simon and Mel Brooks, and Your Show of Shows guys are what I grew up loving.

So I probably drew on my New York background and my Jewish background for that, sure.

So there you have it.

But what about the movie itself? Well, The Producers have become part of our folk culture and watching it is a bit like listening to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” You revel in the familiarity and listen for the nuances and emphasis, rather than the main themes. Then there is the memory of the very first Producers, the 1967 nonmusical film, with the unforgettable Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder in the title roles. Broderick himself observed that he could unspool the entire movie in his head at any time.

That said, the new Producers is a great piece of showmanship, harking back to the days of Busby Berkeley and the grand old MGM musicals. Hundreds of high-kicking chorus girls (and one klutzy one for comic relief), water fountains galore, Broadway lit up with blinking billboards, the whole works.

Lane and Broderick have practically patented their roles; Uma Thurman, in her first singing and dancing role, is God’s gift to mankind; Will Ferrell is a hilarious addition as the Nazi “playwright”; and Gary Beach and Roger Bart are over-the-top gays.

Among the 18 musical numbers, one showstopper is “I Wanna Be a Producer,” in which director Susan Stroman displays her roots as a choreographer. In a different vein is the plaintive “Betrayed,” in which Bialystock behind bars acts out a miniversion of the show.

For the final scene, the film returns to Broadway, lit up with the titles of future Bialystock & Bloom hits, such as She Shtupps to Conquer, Katz, South Passaic, A Streetcar Named Murray and High-Button Jews.

fata’s Ca La

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ple are. I really do feel Jewish, even though I’m a Catholic. The way the Church has been behaving, I’m happy to be Jewish. You know, I'’ve played so many Jewish characters, it’s been a great part of my life.

Next it was Broderick’s turn.

Q: In playing Leo Bloom, and other Jewish characters

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 23, 2005

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As Christmas Struggle Intensifies, American Jews Fear the Grinch Role

by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--The sound of angry Christians railing against the marginalization of Christmas has become the new tune of this holiday season.

Across the country, from department stores to town halls, battle lines have been drawn over how to mark the winter holidays.

Led by evangelical groups, who say the holiday’s religious significance is being ignored, some Christians are fighting back. They're threatening to sue school districts that have banned the singing of Christmas carols and other places where “Happy Holidays” has replaced “Merry Christmas” as the preferred greeting of the season.

Evangelical leaders don’t cast the Jewish community as the Scrooge, yet efforts to highlight Christian themes and celebrations at Christmas historically have come at the expense of religious diversity and tolerance--and Jewish leaders fear that stressing Christmas’ religious significance could highlight Jews’ minority status in the United States.

“It is not a movement prompted by an animus against Jews or the Jewish community,” said Abraham Foxman, The national director of the Anti-Defamation League, who in recent months has This display in the window of taken the lead in warning Christmas tree with a menorah. about growing evangelical influence in the United States. “But the unintended consequence is that Jews may be blamed for it.”

Much of what evangelicals criticize consists of efforts to include religious minorities in holiday celebrations, say Jewish community leaders, who fear that adding more religious expression in schools and government could make Jews feel like second-class citizens.

Rabbi Leah Richman of Pottsville, PA, received angry letters and phone calls when she called for the removal of a nativity scene in her town square.

“The non-Jewish people in the area are very interested in promoting Christmas and they believe that church and state should be more mingled,” Richman said. “They’re taking my stand as being anti-tolerance and anti-diversity, because I’m not tolerant of their nativity scene.”

Instead of opposing the nativity scene, some respondents said Richman should place a menorah nearby.

Indeed, much of the evangelical community’s argument has rested on a call for more celebrations of both Christmas and Hanukkah, part of a call for a return to “Judeo-Christian values.”

“It just seems to me that what we ought to be aiming for in America is recognizing everyone's traditions, rather than melding traditions into a homogenized whatever,” Gary Bauer, the president of American Values, told JTA. Richman declined to help the local library put up a menorah display, instead suggesting an educational program on different holidays.

The onslaught of Christmas decorations and programming for years has been a source of quiet frustration for American Jews, but decisions about how to handle it have varied. Some Jewish groups have worked to ensure that religious Christmas displays don’t enter the public square, while others---predominantly the Chabad movement--sought equal treatment for menorahs and other Hanukkah decorations.

The inclusion of Hanukkah, and then the African-American holiday of Kwanza, has forced retailers and municipalities to seek more generic and inclusive ways of acknowledging all faiths.

That has led to claims that Christianity has been taken out of Christmas celebrations.

The city of Boston renamed a tree in Boston Common a “holiday tree.” Target, the giant retailer, was criticized for airing commercials in December that did not specifically mention a New York bank balances a Christmas.

Credit: Chanan Tigay/JTA Even Pope Benedict XVI has weighed in, declaring Sunday that a “commercial pollution” of Christmas could alter the holiday’s true meaning. He suggested families erect nativity scenes in their homes.

The pro-Christmas movement comes at a time of growing evangelical political strength, giving their message increased weight and attention. Evangelicals have fought this year against efforts to remove proselytizing from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and for the teaching of “intelligent design” in public schools. Nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court have been weighed in part on their church attendance and their public proclamations of faith.

“They’ve come to feel a certain strength in their position in America and in the public that they didn’t feel under President Clinton,” said Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and chairman of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. “They feel the can flex their muscles more if their rights as a majority are being abridged for the sake of political correctness.”

Continued on page 11

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American Jews Fear the Grinch Role Continued from page 10 lead opponent of Christmas celebrations.

Even the White House has been chas- He said evangelical leaders are trying to tised this year for writing “Best wishes for place Christmas and Christianity above the holiday season” on its annual other religions.

Christmas cards. Last year’s cards also “There’s a kind of Christian triumphalreferred to the “holiday season” rather ism; a feeling that Christians have to win than Christmas, and both years’ cards every battle,” said Lynn, who spoke to included a quote from Psalms.

JTA by telephone while shopping for Those who see a decrease in Christmas Christmas presents. “There is a fear that observance, including media figures like other religions are going to be treated the Bill O’Reilly and John Gibson, both of same as Christmas, and that means the Fox News Channel, claim Christmas Christmas won’t have its special place five is being excluded from seasonal decora- weeks of the year.” tions in an attempt to be sensitive to Foxman called a meeting last week of minorities.

American Jewish “It’s mostly guilt-ridleaders to gauge den Christians,” Gibson, common ground the author of ‘The War on the fight on Christmas: How the against Christian Liberal Plot to Ban the influence. Many Sacred Christian Holiday observant Jews is Worse Than You support public Thought’,” told JTA. proclamations of Self-styled defenders of faith, believing the faith refer darkly to religion in the “militant secularists.” public square will “The Jews I know are This display in a New York cafe has a mix boost observance not offended by the of holiday messages. in general. Yet the ‘Merry leaders words, Credit: Chanan Tigay/JTA Jewish Christmas,’” Bauer said. who attended “The controversy doesn’t seem to be Foxman’s meeting were united in opposcoming from believing Jews.” ing overt proselytizing of the sort reportBut Christian leaders often accuse ed at the Air Force Academy.

Hollywood, the media and the American “What we’re seeing in America today, Civil Liberties Union of taking the religion with the evangelical emphasis, will be out of Christmas--and all three groups are looked back on as the last gasp to hold seen as run by Jews, Foxman said. onto an America that is Christian,” said Eckstein warned of a backlash if Jews Jonathan Sarna, A professor of American are perceived as being on the front lines Jewish history at Brandeis University. of the fight.

Supporters of interfaith dialogue say In Coatesville, PA, city councilman that as the majority religion in the United William Chertok was accused by a col- States, Christians have a right to see more league of voting against an increase in the expressions of their faith. city’s Christmas parade budget because “It’s a legitimate feeling when 90 perhe was Jewish. cent of the country is for it,” Eckstein “I understand, Mr. Chertok, that Jews said. “I am not threatened by someone don’t celebrate Christmas,” council- who affirms his faith.” woman-elect Patsy Ray said in a meeting Foxman said he believes retailers espein November. Her comments prompted a cially will continue to present a more rebuke from the council and the local inclusive vision of the holiday season-media. because it allows them to reach the Chertok said he voted against the widest possible audience. increase for budgetary reasons.

“Jews will not go and demand that Target Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive Director of have a menorah,” he said. “But they will Americans United for Separation of have one--and if they have three Christmas Church and State, has been cast as the trees and one menorah, so what?”

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Elinor A. Whitman Book Contest Is Underway

by GARY KATZ Library Administrator Just a reminder: the Elinor A. Whitman Memorial Book Appreciation Contest is currently underway at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The contest is divided into two categories: Book Jackets (K6 grade) and Book Reports (1-6 grade).

Students can pick up forms from teachers or the education director of their school. All reports must be submitted by Jan. 27, 2006. All participants will be listed in the Jewish Press and receive a certificate of participation and winners will receive beautiful books as prizes.

There will be an award ceremony on May 7, 2006, at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library during the community Yom Ha’Azmuat celebration.

This annual contest, which first started in 1991, has been made possible by the Elinor A. Whitman Book Appreciation Fund, created b Norman Whitman, the Kripke Library, and the Center for Jewish Education (formerly JELS).

The contest was created to perpetuate goals that Mrs. Whitman had during her lifetime of devoted service to the youth of the Omaha community. She served for many years as a member of the Kripke Library Board and on the faculty of both Beth El and Temple Israel Religious Schools. Whitman had been interested in promoting Jewish literature for children and the contest is dedicated in her memory. For more information please contact me at 334-6462 or gkatz@jewishomaha.org.

BIRTHS Kimberly and Justin Shur of New York City, NY announce the Nov. 1 birth of their daughter Lilian Ansley.

Grandparents are Anne and Bruce Shackman, Erica and Rudy Shur of Manhasset Hills, NY, and Barry Broder of Boca Raton, FL. Great-grandparents are Tham and Willard Friedman, the late Bess and Max Broder, the late Brenda and Abraham Rajman, the late Sonja and Issac Shur, and the late Lillian and Joseph Shachman.

Yoni Schwab and Jessica Rezak Schwab of Riverdale, NY, announce the Nov. 30 birth of twins, Sarit Rina and Ezra Yair.

They have a brother, Hillel David.

Grandparents are Linda and Larry Rezak of Stanford, CT, and Aviva and Rabbi Joel Schwab of Middletown, NY. Great-grandparents are Mona Schwab of Bradenton, FL, and Anne Rezak of Brooklyn, NY, and Cantor Leo and Annette Fettman. Great-great-grandmother is Rose Blumkin Home resident, Fannie Sherman Chunovic.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Single tickets for “Mozart Unplugged” at the Holland Center are now available.

The Omaha Symphony performance features three of Mozart’s best known works: “A Little Night Music”, Piano Concerto No. 19 and Symphony No.40 with conducter Edwin Outwarer and pianist Orion Weiss on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 13-14, 8 p.m. To order tickets, call 342.3560, at the box office at 16th and Howard or online: www.omahasymphony.org.

Create your own handmade instrument at a workshop for young inventors at the Omaha Children’s Museum, Jan. 5 and 12, 1-2 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.; Jan. 7 and 14, 11 a.m.-noon and 3-4 p.m.

Selected musicians from the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra will perform during the Jan. 5, 6-7 p.m. workshop.

Sunday, Jan. 8 is the last day to see “Grossology.” For museum times, call 342-6164 or online at: www.ocm.org.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 23, 2005

Merry Hanukkah For the first time in a century, Hanukkah and Christmas coincide, with the first candle of Hanukkah falling on Dec. 25.

What’s all the fuss about? Hanukkah already has been elevated from a minor holiday to a major gift-giving extravaganza. (Heck, you don’t even miss school like you do for Rosh Hashanah, and there’s no fast; there’s not even a synagogue service!)

No, it’s not the Jewish Christmas--we celebrate it because it’s the victory of a small band of rebels over the Assyrian Greeks more than 350 years before the birth of the man for whom the holiday has meant a day off work for us all!

Why are we still kvetching? If we’re in retail, it’s a big month (often making the year for many store owners). If we’re educators, it’s more than a day off--it’s two weeks or more.

And even when it falls on Sunday and it’s not even a day off, it’s still the best day of the year to fly, go to the movies and just relax.

In the year 2005, the vast majority of American Jews actually do have friends who are not Jewish. And the vast majority of Christians are not out to ‘get’ us; it’s not the Crusades, after all (remind the radical Muslims of that, please--they still seem to be fighting the British and King Richard).

Being wished a ‘Merry Christmas’ will not convert us. But here are a few things you and your family can do this Sunday (or before): • Give to the Salvation Army bell ringers; • Volunteer at a local hospital (or the Blumkin Home) to give the staff a day off; • Help paid staff serve a meal to the homeless at a local shelter like the Stephen Center or Open Door Mission; • Show up at your neighborhood police or fire station with hot chocolate (or coffee) and a casserole or plate of homemade brownies;

• Sign up for the National Council of Jewish Women’s Gift Wrap next year (which not only brings a smile to patrons of Barnes & Noble in Oak View, but raises a few thousand dollars for Omaha Section’s local community service projects).

These are all noble gestures and offers of good will in the spirit of the season. Nothing wrong with that, even if it isn’t our holiday.

And it’s something which we all can do--even if we don’t celebrate Christmas.

We Jews have plenty of holidays we can (and should) celebrate, you know. There’s not all the “They tried to kill us; we won, so let’s eat” variety either. In fact, only three fit that bill-Hanukkah, Purim and Passover. The rest-from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, through Sukkot and Simchat Torah to TuB’Shevat and Shavuot--celebrate introspection and forgiveness, the giving of the Torah (or beginning the cycle of reading it again), or are tied to the Land of Israel the through types of plants and trees mentioned in the Bible or the harvest.

If you’ve got children-whether they’re toddlers or teens--these “other” Jewish holidays offer oppor tunities for arts and

crafts projects, discussions about Israel (long ago and today), agricultural practices (we do live in Nebraska!) and lots of delicious recipes from exotic countries where Jews have lived.

So no one has to feel sorry for us because we don’t “do” Christmas. We’ve got enough on our calendar already with the Jewish holidays already there. (Did we mention Jews also celebrate Yom Ha’Aztmaut and Yom Yerushalayim, the birth of the State of Israel and the unification of the city of Jerusalem?

And that Yom Hashoah commemorates the Holocaust while Tisha B’Av reminds us of the destruction of the two Temples, as well as a number of other calamities that befell the Jews?). Thanks, but we don’t need any more!

And chill, folks; next year Hanukkah starts more than a week earlier--Friday night, Dec. 16, 2006. We’ll be all done before Christmas eve rolls around.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

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Mel Gibson’s Holocaust Problem

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by DR. RAFAEL MEDOFF and BENYAMIN KORN The involvement of Mel Gibson in the production of a forthcoming television miniseries about the Holocaust has brought to the fore important questions, not only about denial of the Holocaust by the actor’s father, but about Gibson’s own troubling remarks regarding the Nazi genocide.

Gibson, whose film The Passion of the Christ caused so much controversy while attracting tens of millions of viewers last year, has now been tapped by ABC Television to produce a four-part series on the most sensitive of Jewish subjects. The memoirs of Dutch Holocaust survivor Flory Van Beek will be dramatized for television by Gibson’s company, Con Artists Productions, which expects to complete the project in 2006 or 2007.

Not surprisingly, ABC-TV regards the involvement of the controversial Gibson as an attention-getter that will draw bigger boxoffice proceeds. “Controversy’s publicity, and vice versa,” said ABC official Quinn Taylor.

“Because of their success in the marketplace with ‘Passion of the Christ’ they will...aid greatly in attracting the largest possible audience to the project. That’s the goal.”

While it is understandable that ABC seeks the maximum number of viewers--and anybody interested in Holocaust education would share the same goal-- it is also important that the content of the planned series not be in any way compromised for the sake of ratings considerations. In that respect, the public has reason for concern about Gibson’s involvement.

The actor’s father, Hutton Gibson, has repeatedly made statements denying the

Holocaust and has spoken at events organized

by Holocaust-denial organizations. In a radio interview last year, for example, he asserted that the Germans could not have murdered six million Jews because it would have taken too long to burn the bodies. The Jews in Europe were not killed, but rather emigrated to the United States and elsewhere, he said.

By depicting the Holocaust as just one more in a long list of bad things that happened during the course of World War II, Gibson minimized its nature and its significance.

Those are the words of the father, not the son. The problem is what Mel said when asked about the subject. In a February 2004 interview on ABC Television, Gibson was asked by Diane Sawyer about his father’s denial of the Holocaust. Gibson replied: “He’s my father.

Gotta leave it alone, Diane. Gotta leave it alone.”

It’s not clear why Mel felt unable to express even mild disagreement with his father’s publicly-expressed views, especially when those views can be recognized by any reasonable person as patently anti-Semitic. Sawyer was not asking him to disown his father.

But then it got worse. In an interview with Reader’s Digest the following month, Mel was asked by interviewer Peggy Noonan, “You’re going to have to go on record. The Holocaust happened, right?”

Gibson replied: “Yes, of course. Atrocities happened. War is horrible. The second World War killed tens of millions of people. Some of

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them were Jews in concentration camps. Many people lost their lives. In the Ukraine, several million starved to death between 1932 and 1933.”

Gibson’s remark severely distorted the historical record. The six million Jews who died in the Holocaust were murdered by the Germans and their collaborators as part of a systematic campaign, anchored in ideological anti-Semitism, to kill every single Jew. That is not the same as combatants who died in World War II, or civilians of various countries who suffered as a result of the war, or the victims of random atrocities that occur in every war.

Nor is it comparable to the famine caused by the Soviet regime’s cruel economic policies (the forced collectivization of agriculture) in the Ukraine in the 1930s. By depicting the Holocaust as just one more in a long list of bad things that happened during the course of World War II, Gibson minimized its nature and significance.

In view of Gibson’s record on the Holocaust, there is ample reason for concern about the content of the Holocaust miniseries that ABC has chosen his company to produce.

Because there is a black cloud hanging over Mel Gibson when it comes to the Holocaust, ABC should have the decency to insist that Gibson publicly repudiate Holocaust-denial and acknowledge the uniqueness and magnitude of the Holocaust. Failing that, ABC should choose a more suitable producer for the series.

Dr. Medoff is director, and Mr. Korn is associate director, of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies, which focuses on issues related to America’s response to the Holocaust; they can be reached at: www.WymanInstitute.org.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

Oh Holiday Tree! Oh Holiday Tree!

Liberals Should Listen to Conservative Whining about the ‘War on Christmas’ robed judicial masters like to pretend it isn’t a religious holiday. That’s why Christmas symbols such as trees and Santas are considered secular and entitled to a place on public property.

Yet when a city like Boston officially refrains from callby JONATHAN S. TOBIN ing the massive tree on Boston Common a Christmas tree, it justifiably provokes derision. So, too, would any Whenever the calendar turns to attempt to ban the word Christmas from displays in a December, the air usually becomes thick with the sound misguided effort to make non-Christians feel better. It’s of Jews whining about the holiday season. especially dumb when you consider that no one tries to For some of us, this is the time of year when we are rename the Hanukkah menorahs that are often placed forced to confront the reality that, despite living in a besides the trees in public spaces. country where Jews are free not only to assertively pracBut to listen to all of the screaming about “detice (or not practice) their faith, we are still a small Christmasing Christmas,” you have to wonder what’s minority. really going on?

That means wherever we move about this free land, we Does anyone who wanders about even the cities of the are subjected to the ever-present sight of Christmas trees Northeast where non-Christians are most numerous and and Santas while our ears are assaulted by the non-stop not know that it is Christmas season? Amid the avaplaying of saccharin carols. Though such displays are a lanche of Santas, trees, creches and other yuletide icons, manifestation of the desire of merchants to move con- you’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know that sumers to buy things, rather than any lurking conver- you are living in a Christian country, if not by law, but sionary agenda, that hasn’t prevented the “December by custom. dilemma” industry from making a meal out of any real My advice to those Christians who are feeling threator perceived slight to Jewish sensibilities. ened is to put themselves in the place of a non-Christian Those Jews who are secure in their faith and identity toddler this time of year. Mind you, my four-year-old aren’t threatened by Christmas. But since insecurity and her parents are just fine celebrating our own holialways trumps common sense, the “dilemma” continues days and have no problems with some of our friends to generate angst. knocking themselves out for Those Jews who are secure in their But recently the sound of Christmas. But as my daughter Jewish complaining has been faith and identity aren’t threatened by could tell you, most of the peodrowned out by another continple she sees on television or elsegent of malcontents: Christians Christmas. But since insecurity always where aren’t getting ready for who claim that church-state sep- trumps common sense, the “dilemma” Hanukkah. aration mania has transformed continues to generate angst.

Losing the Culture Wars the celebration of Christmas into So what’s really causing people a forbidden activity. like Fox News personality John Gibson to write a book Conservative pundits have united to seize upon the claiming there is a “Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred trend of calling Christmas shindigs “holiday” parties as Christian Holiday?” Do Gibson and fellow Fox provoproof that the ACLU has outlawed the biggest Christian cateur Bill O’Reilly really think Target, Sears and Costco holiday of the year. are trying to undermine faith when their ads wish cusWhile some might consider this merely a polite way of tomers “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry including the non-Christian minority in what has Christmas?” become a largely secular celebration, the conservatives Maybe. Or have they just spent so much time listening do have a couple of points. to Jewish whining about December that they’ve started Call It By Its Right Name to copy it? It seems that Rev. Jerry Falwell and O’Reilly Calling symbols that are clearly associated with are just aping the “dilemma” paranoia routine that libChristmas anything but that is simply stupid. You can eral Jews have perfected. call these trees and all the rest that goes with them anyBut as easy as it is to make fun of all of their carping, thing you like, but they are about Christmas, not any- something real lies behind it. Ironically, just at the thing else. Removing the name doesn’t make them less moment when Anti-Defamation League director Abe Christian and only offends believers.

Foxman accused Christian conservatives of plotting to Moreover, Christianity is not America’s problem. The extinguish religious liberty, the same people that he freedoms that all Americans enjoy here do not exist in (and most other liberals) wrongly believe are on the spite of a Bible-based Christianity, but to no small extent verge of overthrowing the Constitution, think they are because of the faith and values of Christian Americans. the ones whose liberties are on the chopping block.

Part of the problem is that the courts have struck some To listen to Christian conservatives these days is to odd compromises over the years about Christian symbols. hear the cries of a segment of the population that While banning the establishment of a particular faith, believes they are being thoroughly marginalized. judges have rightly perceived that the First Amendment Despite their numbers and political strength, the was not a mandate to cleanse the public square of religious Christian right’s self image is that of a group that has symbols. Nor could any court in its right mind expunge been stymied on social issues and being driven out of the Dec. 25 from the list of federal holidays. mainstream. Anyone who reads daily newspapers or But rather than admit that the day off postal workers watches television or the majority of film releases could get for Christmas is to honor what more than 90 percent confirm that their views on issues such as gay rights and of Americans believe is the birthday of their Messiah, our abortion have been treated that way.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Thus while, the notion of a “war against Christmas” is farcical, the insecurity that drives such foolishness is not.

It is based on the same sort of reasoning that drives their opponents on the other end of the ideological spectrum.

That ought to give liberal activists pause.

Perhaps what this country really needs at the end of the calendar year is not so much a holiday season as a cease-fire. Instead of using each other as bogeymen to rally the troops for the culture wars, maybe both extreme separationists and hard-core conservative Christians should realize that the fears and insecurity felt by the other side are real.

Rather than being so quick to go to the barricades against their fellow citizens, true believers of all creeds (both religious and secular) must understand that the public square of our heaven-blessed republic is big enough to hold us all.

Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He is reachable via e-mail at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com. Read the Jewish Exponent on-line at: www.jewishexponent.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Think Hanukkah. Think light. Think energy.

Today we can bring new meanings to the celebration of Hanukkah related to our use of energy, conservation, and our moral responsibility to protect the environment and all its inhabitants. When better to think about energy and light than during winter when the darkest days of the year are upon us?

Think Maccabees. Think miracles. Think freedom.

Think of the miracle of Hanukkah: how a small band of citizens, led by the tenacious Judah the Maccabee was able, more than 2,000 years ago, to defeat the oppressive Syrian emperor, Antiochus, in a fight for religious freedom.

Think of how we as American citizens can change the way energy is produced in this country. Think of how we can break free of our dependence on foreign oil. In these challenging times, reducing our dependence on oil can help us address global warming and strengthen our national security.

Think renewal of faith. Think renewable energy.

As the story goes, once the Maccabees were triumphant, they returned to the pagan-desecrated Temple and found only one cruse (a small jar) of ritual olive oil remaining. The oil--used to keep the ner tamid (the eternal light) burning--was enough to burn for only one day. It would take eight days to prepare ritually permitted oil. Yet when that little bit of oil remaining in the jar was lit, it miraculously burned for eightdays.

How long will our oil last? How long can we depend on non-renewable, noxious fossil fuels?

To help begin the task, “Let There Be (Renewable) Light: A New Look at Hanukkah” offers hands-on resource materials for synagogues, schools, youth groups, families, adults, rabbis, and community activists.

It can be found at: www.coejl.org/celebrate.

Barbara Lerman-Golomb,Communications Director Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL)

Contact us at 330-4272, info@rbjh.com. or http://www.rbjh.com .

Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 23, 2005

Candlelighting Friday, Dec. 23, 4:41p.m.

Synagogue Listings

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

B’nai Israel Synagogue

FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethlincoln.org

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. in the chapel.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Evening Service, 4:40 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, Living Hebrew, Adult B’nai Mitzvah class, Jewish Pot Pourri Class, and From Your Heart to God’s Ears will not be offered this Sunday or Jan. 1; classes will resume Jan. 8.

SERVICES: WEEKDAY Sunday, 9 a.m./5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m./5:30 p.m.

PATTER: Wednesdays, 10:30 -11:45 a.m. led by Helen Epstein (class will not be held Dec. 28, but will resume Jan. 4).

THURSDAY, noon: Discovering the Talmud: Lessons for Everyday Living, with Rabbi Levin is cancelled from Dec. 28; it resumes Jan. 5.

COMFORT AND CONVERSATION: Offered as a support group for persons who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one, Beth El’s Comfort and Conversation group will meet Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6 p.m.

(See full article on page 7.)

COLLEGE STUDENTS’ “SUSHI & SCHMOOZE” PARTY: This evening, complete with sushi and socializing will take place on Thursday Dec. 29, 7 p.m., at Hiro Sushi, 3655 No. 129 St. To make reservations or for information, contact Jamie Skog at 492.8550 or via email at youthdir@bethel-omaha.org.

(See full story on page 6.)

ADULT TORAH TROPE CLASS: “Torah Training: The Ancient Art of Cantillation” will begin Sunday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m.

(See full article on page 5.)

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Hours: MondayOffice Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 12:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:47 p.m.

SUNDAY- First night of Hanukkah: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Sunday Class and Hebrew Club are on Winter Break; Chinese Dinner and Movie Night, 5:30 p.m. Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time.

THURSDAY: Advanced Parshah Study, 9 p.m.

DEC. 31: SATURDAY, Reservations for the Hanukkah lunch on Dec. 31 are due in the office by Tuesday, Dec. 27. Make plans to attend Beth Israel’s very informal New Year’s spaghetti dinner, 6:30 p.m. Got nothin’ to do?

Come by for good company, music and games.

Rabbi Gross’s Sunday class and Hebrew Club will be on vacation on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m.; Ima & Me, 10–11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush to follow service.

SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; Mishne class, 9:30 a.m.; Chabad Cheder and Aleph Champions, 10 a.m.-noon; Hanukkah Israeli Style, 6 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Gan Israel Winter Camp-Kiddie Camp Division, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Senior Division, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m.; Gan Israel Winter Camp-Kiddie Camp Division, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Senior Division, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Hanukkah on Ice, 4-7 p.m. at Moylan Ice Plex, 12550 West Maple Rd. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Torah Tots, 4:15 p.m.

For information about programs or to register for classes, the office or visit: call www.nebraska-judaism.com.

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

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m., led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following provided by Sarah Kelen. (There is no sitter service available.)

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

SUNDAY: No Classes ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel will be on break on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Tuesday series on Jewish Social Justice.

SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT Bring new socks and underwear to donate to the children of the Friendship Home, the local shelter for victims of domestic violence. All sizes are needed for toddlers through high school, and for girls and boys. There will be a collection box in the Social Hall.

HOLIDAY LATKE POTLUCK DINNER The annual Hanukkah Latke Potluck Dinner will be on Friday, Dec. 30 at the South Street Temple. There will be a Shabbat Service at 6:15 p.m. and Potluck Dinner at 7 p.m.

Latkes will be provided for all!

Bring enough food for eight people. Be sure to mark your item as meat/dairy/vegetarian. If you are unable to attend, donations are appreciated. Donations to the Temple will be accepted in place of a food item. Bring your menorahs to light. RSVP to the Temple office (435.8004 or stemple@ neb.rr.org) by Friday, Dec. 23.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Family Service, 6 p.m.; Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate.; Hanukkah Dinner, 6:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; JYG Chinese Food and a Movie, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. All Seventh and Eighth Graders are invited! We’ll meet at 6 p.m., House of Hunan (2405 So. 132 St), then we’ll take in a flick at Westwood Cinema! Cost is $5.

RSVP to Lynne, 681.4427 or Leora, 960.5796.

SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation are appreciated.

Sorry, no facilities for infants.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Minyan, Royi Shaffin.

MONDAY & THURSDAY, 7 a.m., followed by breakfast.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. with a Shabbat dinner following.

SATURDAY: Parashat Hashavu’a class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.

HANUKKAH PARTY: Have fun together the first night of Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 25, 5 p.m. Our ktichen-maven men will prepare the goodies. Bring your family and your own menorah, candles and matches, so we can all usher in Hanukkah together. There is no charge for the party, although donations will be appreciated. There will be no babysitting available at this family event.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m., led by Marty Shukert.

To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements

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

YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334.6451.

Announcements of children becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah will be printed on the synagogue page of The Jewish Press one week prior to the event if submitted eight days prior to publication. The following information may be included: name, name of parents, grandparents and/or great-grandparents and stepparents and stepgrandparents (including late parent[s] and/or late grandparent[s]), names of siblings, date and location of event.

In addition, the school which the child attends, honors and hobbies may be included, if space permits, as well as the name of the child’s Mitzvah Project and a short description. A clearly identified photo is welcome if it is easily reproduced.

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. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. You can also submit announcements online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.

Light the first candle Sunday night, Dec. 25

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

December 23, 2005

From Prisoner to Administrator

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Miketz Literally translated, the opening words of our Sidra could be “at the end of two years’ (worth of) days.” The Etz Chayim translation brilliantly has it, “after two years’ time.”

It’s rather interesting that the phrase may mean either that two years were reached after a previous event or at the end of two years that follow the previous event.

Either interpretation is legitimate.

During those two years, Joseph has been in prison. He is now rushed out of prison. His hair is cut; his clothes are changed so that he may make an appearance before Pharaoh. Pharaoh has been troubled by strange dreams; Pharaoh’s butler, who had been imprisoned for some offense, remarked that there was a Hebrew lad imprisoned with him, and this young man knows how to interpret dreams.

Pharaoh’s dreams are interpreted to mean there will be seven years of plenty in the land, but there will be seven years of famine that will devour everything of the seven

years of plenty and still be hungry. Joseph now suggests a way to deal with this approaching phenomenon of nature, and Pharaoh appoints him economic czar over all Egypt. And now, in exchange for food, all of Egypt’s livestock, land, and persons are acquired by Pharaoh.

All of this is backdrop to the scene of Joseph’s 10 brothers coming to Egypt to buy food.

The development of the plot in the story, or novella, if you prefer, is remarkable. The writer is a great short story writer and has kept the interest of the reader at high pitch from beginning to end. The end, of course, is to come later, for the author’s literary tricks have not yet been exhausted.

I remember, and perhaps I have said this before, that I was surprised, pleased, and exhilarated, when, after studying the Joseph novella in Hebrew school, I found that as a freshman in high school the very same story was used as an example (in my English class) of a well-written and attention-demanding piece of narration.

No reader today, no matter how many times he has been through these stories, remains unimpressed by the narrative skills displayed by the biblical writer. At various points in reading the Bible, one is impressed with magnificent poetry, with depth of thought and soaring inspiration. The Bible has many different kinds of literature and excels in all--or almost all. But for narration, at least for my own taste, the Joseph story is at the top of them all.

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JTA NEWS BRIEFS • Benjamin Netanyahu won a decisive victory in the Likud Party’s leadership primary. The former prime minister won 47 percent of the vote in Monday’s primary, defeating Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who came in second with 32 percent, Israel’s Channel 1 reported. Netanyahu will lead the Likud in March 28 general elections, though the party has been running a distant third in polls.

• President Bush sent his annual greetings for Hanukkah. “As Jewish Americans prepare to light the Hanukkah candles this year, we give thanks for God’s many blessings and His watch and care over our Nation,” Bush said in a statement. “We remember our many military families and ask God’s special blessing on those who have lost loved ones in freedom’s cause. We are grateful for the courage and commitment of America’s men and women in uniform and pray for their safety as they serve around the world to spread peace and liberty.”

• A U.S. federal judge ruled that “intelligent design” cannot be taught in science classes as an alternative theory to evolution. The judge ruled Tuesday against the Dover Area School Board in Pennsylvania, saying it violated the Constitution when it ordered “intelligent design” to be included in the district's biology curriculum. “The citizens of the Dover area were poorly served by the members of the Board who voted for the I.D. Policy,” wrote Judge John E. Jones III. Jones said he does not believe intelligent design is science. Many Jewish groups supported the plaintiffs, who sued the school objecting to the curriculum. They claimed it was a repackaging of creationism, which is illegal to teach in public schools.

• Ariel Sharon was discharged from the hospital. The Israeli prime minister walked out of HadassahUniversity Hospital in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem neighborhood on Tuesday after less than 48 hours of treatment for a mild stroke. “It seems you’ve missed me. Now I must quickly get back to work and move ‘forward,’” Sharon told reporters, punning on the Hebrew meaning of his new centrist party, Kadima.

To Submit an Obituary Notice: Send to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax: 402.334.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; or log on to www.jewishomaha.org and click on ‘Jewish Press’, and then Submit announcements. Call 402.334.6448 for more information.

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DEATHS BRENDA KATZMAN NEWMAN Former Omahan Brenda Katzman Newman died Dec. 16 of non-Hodgkins lymphoma in Los Altos, CA, at the age of 66.

She studied fine art at Harcum Junior College. She then worked for the Goodman and Organic Theatre companies and the Young Men’s Jewish Association in Chicago, IL, before beginning a career as a chef.

She is survived by her partner, Roger Lamont of Los Altos, CA; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Jennifer Puckett-Newman and Michael and Deanna Newman of Topeka, KS; grandchildren,Jesse Puckett Newman and Grace Ann Newman of Los Altos CA; sisters, Phyllis Philabaun of Edwardsville, IL, Marilyn Bernstein of Grand Junction, CO, and brother and sister-in-law, Charles “Skip” and Merrilee Katzman.

Memorials to Pathways Hospice (408.730.5900), Camino Cancer Center (408.524.5077) or The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society (800.955.4572).

PHYLLIS D. SCHULMAN Former Omahan Phyllis D. Schulman died Dec. 12 in Sunrise, FL, at the age of 69.

She is survived by her husband, Herb Schulman of Sunrise; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kristie Shulman of Plano, TX; son, Thomas Schulman of New Hempstead, NY; daughter, Paula, of Crown Heights, NY; and 10 grandchildren.

CORRECTION In last week’s obituary on Harlan Noddle, it was incorrectly stated that he was a Vice-chairman of the University of Nebraska Foundation and a UN Regent; in fact he was Chairman of the Foundation, but he was not a Regent. The Press regrets the errors.

Seeking Creative, Highly-Motivated Education Director The ADL/CRC is seeking applicants for the Education Director in the Omaha office.

Primary responsibilities include: implementation of broad education agenda through co-ordination, collaboration, organization and engagement. The qualified candidate should have a background in education, social justice or anti-bias work; strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work with staff and lay leadership. This is an opportunity to make a positive impact on a wide variety of constituencies.

Applications should be sent to Bob Wolfson, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 or to bwolfson@adl.org.

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

December 23, 2005

Nearly Two Months After Wilma, Florida’s Elderly Jews Still Digging Out

by LARRY LUXNER BOCA RATON, FL (JTA)-- Compared to the horrors Hanna Platt lived through during the Holocaust--she lost a lung following a particularly severe beating at Auschwitz--Hurricane Wilma and its aftermath were a breeze.

Even so, the slight woman of 78 said, things were pretty bad at Century Village, the sprawling retirement community in Boca Raton, FL, where she has lived since 1983. “We were without electricity for eight days,� Platt recalled. “Ham I don’t eat, since I keep kosher. So for the first couple of days, I couldn’t eat anything. Finally, when the kosher food came, I was already too weak to go an pick it up. So the girls delivered me chicken.�

The “girls� Platt affectionately refers to are volunteers with Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

The agency moved into high gear in the days after Oct. 24, when Hurricane Wilma pounded the area with 100-mph winds and severe flooding, leaving millions of South Florida residents without running water, electricity or telephone service for days.

Some of the worst damage was seen in the heavily Jewish city of Boca Raton, which suffered its first direct hit from a hurricane in 55 years.

At both Century Village and Kings Point--a large retirement community in Delray Beach--roofs were blown off buildings and rains poured in, soaking carpets, furniture, walls and personal possessions.

Chabad of West Boca was among the many Jewish organizations providing

relief once the storm had passed, the congregation’s rebbetzin, Chani Bukiet, said. “We were able to get ready-to-eat meals from Chabad headquarters in New York,�

Bukiet said. “The Chabad rebbetzin in Coconut Creek got together with all the various Chabads around and we took the food to various communities in the area.�

Nine weeks after the storm, several hundred elderly Jews in southern Palm Beach County area are still living in temporary housing such as FEMA shelters, trailers or with friends, Jewish Family Services Executive Director Jaclynn Faffer said. “We were the first agency to hit the ground running the day after Wilma,� she told JTA. “The Area Agency on Aging sort of asked us to be the coordinating agency. We formed a partnership between them, the Palm Beach Sheriff ’s Department and our elected officials. We literally went door to door, delivering food and ice, making sure people had their medical needs attended to.�

Added Anne Chernon, the agency’s director of community relations and government affairs: “The reality is that in the aftermath of Wilma, many apartments were damaged and had to be condemned.

But FEMA,� the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “and the insurance companies have created such a bureaucracy, basically bullying the seniors and taking advantage of them.�

She said Jewish Family Services still has caseworkers going door-to-door at Century Village and Kings Point, helping people fill out applications for government assistance. “The problem is that much of what’s done today is done online, but only 10 percent of seniors are computer literate,� Chernon said. “It’s one thing to have a computer and check

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Hanni Platt, 78, one of thousands of elderly South Florida residents who survived Hurricane Wilma, stands in front of her Century Village condo in Boca Raton, in November.

Credit: Larry Luxner/JTA your e-mail; it’s a whole other thing to fill out forms online. They’ve put up a number of roadblocks for seniors.�

Chernon said the family services agency will head a task force meeting in early January that will address many of these issues and develop a plan for future disasters. “We know that, in all likelihood, there will be more hurricanes--and our goal is to be better prepared and have a better, more coordinated approach,� she said.

The agency also is trying to publicize its 10-year-old CareLink program for Jewish residents aged 75 or older--like Platt, whose two daughters live in New York and California.

The agency expects demand for the program to pick up significantly. “CareLink allows adult children up north to contact us, and we can work with them to check up on their parents,� Faffer said. “So we become the surrogate chil-

dren. We accompany them to doctor’s appointments and do formal monthly reports. There’s constant e-mail contact between us and the adult children. “We’re trying to publicize this program up north so that people know about us before an emergency occurs,� she said.

The family services agency charges its clients $350 for an initial evaluation, then a $100 hourly rate for services rendered.

This includes sending someone to visit twice a week to make sure elderly parents are eating properly. “We can hook them up with a home health-care agency that gives them a preferred rate,� Faffer said. “They sign a contract, which says we'll keep an eye out on the parents, get them involved in any one of our many programs, most of which are free, so at least they have some social support. “A lot of private companies do this for a lot more money. We don’t even break even on the program,� said Faffer, adding that “as the Jewish population gets older and older, there’s going to be more and more of a need for this.�

In fact, a soon-to-be-released demographic study shows that, while the median age of Jews in southern Palm Beach County is 71, only 9 percent of them have adult children also living in the county, while another 12 percent have an adult child living elsewhere in South Florida. “�It’s not unusual for us to get a call from an adult child who’s just moved his mom or dad, or both, into an apartment at Kings Point,� Faffer said. “Then they call us as they’re about to fly back north and say, ‘Take care of them.’ They just dump their parents here. It’s not the majority, but it happens more than you can imagine.�

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