905010-00 60 NE^R HISTORICAL SOC 1500 R 3T LINCCLNI NE
6^50^
SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 Vol. LXV No. 13 Omaha, Nabr.
Yale Htlperin
Fomat Knitter
Naomi Colin
Dr. MOtoa and Ann MargoUa
Helen Shukert
24 Klalw, 5747 I
Helen Schwartz
Connie Slntcky
Seott Fitedman
Nine named to receive Volunteer of Year Awards Free-lance Writer . "Selfless." That word was used over and oover again when describing this year's Volunteer of the Year Award winners who will be honored at the Jewish Federation's annual meeting on Jan. 11 at the Omaha Jewish Community Center. The nominee of the Jewish Community Center ia Yale Ha^)erin who has served as chairman of the " Young-At-Heart" committee for Jewish members of the Center and community 50 plus years of age. He was nominated by health and physical education supervisor Chuck Arnold who said, "Yale exudes a commitment and a desire to motivate and recruit Jewish membership participation at the center." Mr. Halperin was instrumental in gMtiDtg adult men^jers involved in a walking clinic, waUdng club, softball, half-court basketball program, square dance lessons, an all-day women's spa and health day and is now developing a HanuUiiLlk'biUroom dance. Unmarried and ^thout children at his own, Forrest Knitter is the nominee of the Bureau of Jewish Education. BJE President Joseph Kirshenbaum describes Mr.
Knitter's involvement in Jewish education as "energetic and selfless." Mr. Knitter has served as co-ckairman of the board of directors of the Jewish Day School since 1984 and sits on the board of directors of the Bureau of Jewish Education. An active member of Beth El Synagogue, he is currently chairman of the ritual committee, is a Torah reader on a regular basis and is an active member of the Beth El Men's Gub. "Our strong right hand" is the way Willis Ann Ross, president of the Jewish Federation Library Committee, describes nominee Naomi Cohn. According to Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Cohn comes in faithfully every week to do filing, sorting, weeding and whatever tasks need to be done to keep the library in working order. The OUer Adult Program of the Bureau for the Aging has nominated Dr. Milton and Ann Margolin. Among the original organizers of the prognmi, Am has served 9a treasurer and ctninet^'p^^ion and her husband has served as president of both the YES Group and the Oldtimers. Dr. Margolin aliso accompanies the group on trips and voluntarily serves as "official physician."
An interview with 'Vanna' By Margo Riekea Annual Meeting Chairman In an ezchisive phone interview at her Omaha home, Vanna Schwartai, the Jewish Federation of Omaha's game show hostess, sUted, "If you don't ento-, you can't win." She was referring to the "Wheel of Federation quiz'show that she will be hosting .at the Federation's Annual Meeting on Jan. 11,1987, at the J.C.C. Vanna explained that being a contestant is fun and easy. "Even I can solve the puzzles which are only two or three words long." When asked about the prizes, Vanna exclaimed, "They're totally awesome, fabulous! I'd like to be able to play this game myself." She was also asked how she felt about her Omaha debut. Vanna said, "It's a
dream come true. I'll finally get a taste of show-biz at its finest in the glittering JCC theater. She went on to state, "I'm looking forward to hosting a capacity crowd end giving out the wonderful prizes, com^iments of the generous donors. There wiQ be a color T.V. from World Radio, a beautiful framed lithograph from Allen Fumituie, and tlOO gift certificates from Zoob's and J.B. Patten's. The grand prize is most exdtingl It's something wonderful from Borsheim's." Vanna added, "All adult members of the Jewish community are invited to participate. To try to be a contestant all you have to do is fill out the entry form in this week's Jewish Press and send it in by Dec. 31. It's a chance of a lifetime." "Come meet me, my partner Pi Sayjak and have some fun," Vanna concluded.
New Lubavitch centers to open all over world NEW YORK (JTA) - The Lubavitch movement announced a major drive to estabiiab hundreds of new Chabad-Lubavitch houses all over the world to serve Jewish religious, social and educational needs. Flans are well advanced for 120 new houses { io opMl in die naxt few months, Aoording Ito la aimouncsment at the canclimkin of the [jnoyaMnt'B threeKiay conference ^t LuIl>avit4^ world headquarters here last Fveelcend. I Hie inovonent also vowed to bnnd^ its [outreach program to Jewish children who 'receive no Jewish education. It was liesponding to the address by the Lu|>1)avitdMr Rebbe, Menachem Schneerson, irho called for a proliferation of ChabadLubavitch Houses. "These houses will be a place where any-
one can come to pray or study and avail themselves of all the Jewish educational and social services these qentera offer," Schneerson said. He referred to the "painful yet inescapable fact that more than three quarters of Jewish chiUrah receive no Jewiah education whatsoever. This is true even in the New York area, as well as acroaa the United States and around the world," he said. The coofeienoe featured diacussiaa seesiona ud woriubops to find sotationa to current proUema of the Jewiah community. The Bubjecta dealt with wwe Jewish uqity, Jews on coUege can^raaes, drug abuae, cults, summer campa, adult education. Jewish education generally, educational materiala and the uae of conqrater oommunicationa systenu.
Helen Shukert began her volunteer woric as a secretary for Social Services upon graduation from high school. From there. she moved on to social worker during the Federal Emergency Relief Association years. She was active in the Red Cross and for 10 years she also provided assistance as a case worker for military families. According to Eugene Brandt, executive director of the Bureau for the Aging, Mrs. Shukert has been active in community work and Jewish philanthrqiies since the eariy 1950'8. In 1980, she became invdved with LOVE (League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly) and has been LOVE cocntlinator since 1982. Mr. Brandt says, "Although ill health slowed her down a year and a half ago, she continues to devote much of her energy to others." The Jewish Cultural Arts Council's Volunteer of the Year is Helen Schwartz. Mrs. Schwartz conceived, devdoped and has yiuA ^l^lMf^"* mil Wginii'fr of the MamiOoriiea Society, YfdSialmqMaidBg group. The three-year-dd group meets the first Sunday of each month and has 120 members. The Society's activities have included a Purim party, a dinner and Yiddish cabaret, a Succoth Simcha and a birthday/Pearl Harbor party. Selflessly reaching out and greeting every Jewish newcomer arriving in Omaha is the reason Mort Trachtenbarg, president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, nomi-
nated Connie Slutzky for Volunteer of the Year. Mrs. Slutzky has served as volunteer chairman of the Federation's Newcomers Committee for the past several years. She also served as captidn of the 1986 Business and ftofessional Division of the Federation's annual campaign and is currently serving on the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Scott madman, the Jewish Family Services nominee has served on the board of directOTS fM- six years, served as treasurer for four of those years and for the past three year» has served on the Personnd/Office Procedures Committee as well aa the Manning Committee. In 1985, he served on the committee searching for a new agency executive director. Besides his involvement in Jewish Family Services, Mr. Friedman served on the 1985 and 1986 Federation Budget and Allocations Committee and, in 1986, he alao sffS^ on tif Federation Audit Coiniv«tee. He is pnamOy serving a three-year tern on the board of trustees of Temple larael, is active in B'nai B'rith and from 1980 to 1984 saved on a SID board which he chaired for the latter two years. Hundreds of volunteers devote thousands of hours each year to various Jewish and community organizations. This year's winners are just a sampling of those dedicated individuals.
IHolocaust lecturer focuses on historical perspective By SheOa Garsombke Free-lance writer Since the allied liberation of the death camps and the capture and release of Nazi documents relating to the Final Solution, Jewish resistance to the Nazis has been a subject of controversy among historians and students of the Holocaust. Bo<^8 and articles pertaining to this period were written in the first decades after the war ended, and lacked the Jewish documentation which is now available. These worics, according to Dr. Livia Rothkirchen, visiting University of Nebraska professor and Jewish Community Center guest lecturer Sunday, cannot stand up to the scrutiny of historians who now have a more complete knowledge of Jewish resistance to the Holocaust. "Although most armed resistance was rendered iiuffective by qratematu: Nazi ter t«r and lack of Jewish oppcttunity, qwitual defiance in all of its manifestations per sisted in the ghettos and ccmcmtration camps," Dr. Rothkirchen said. According to Dr. Rothkirchen, "althovgfa the Nazis kept detailed records on the Jewish maaa murders, these files contained mainly atattstkal data and only allude in passing to the acts of 'Jewish bandita'." Few acts of bravery, heroiam and apiritual defiance surfaced before the diacovary of underground ptesa leafleta, Mxrea <rf buried testimony and the recordinga of thoae survivors who stepped forward to teatify, were made availaUa to hiatoriana and people at large after 196L Dr. RotUdrchen aakl
Dr. Livia RothUrchen "General Jurgen Stroop referred to the Warsaw uprising aa only a standard miUtary action," in his reports. "The Warsaw Uprising is the moat remembered and most revered sign of defiance because it preserved and eymboiized the natkn'a spiiit," ahe said. A f^ hundred resistance fii^iters clad in raga, armed only with homemade grenadea and a few smugged aima, isolated and without outakle 8iq>port, managed to hold out againat the Ger man miUtaiy machine for almoat a month, longer than the entire Polish Campaign of 1939. <ContiaMd on Page!
Jawlah Pr«M
Pag* 2
DM.
26, IMC
Holocaust lecturer (Continued from Page 1) Spiritual resistance intensified after the Warsaw uprising, literally spreading through the sewers of Warsaw by escaped resistance fighters to the remnants of the ghettos, to the camps, and finally reaching the free world. Defiance of every variety preserved Jewish identity, but differed from the ghettos to the camps. Lending libraries were cultivated in the ghettos, music and art endeavors as well as lectures and courses in Hebrew and Yiddish were organized. The Jews have been portrayed in Nazi documentation as moving quietly to their death. The facts. Dr. Rothkirchen said, bear little resemblance to this premise. "Thousands of Jews in the .ghettos and death camps waged a constant struggle to survive, realizing their plight was not a conventional struggle against a conventional enemy," she said.
Dr. Rothlcirchen, in her lecture, referred to "the Jewish Collective Memory." This points out the struggle of Jews throughout their long history to leave to posterity a record." Their bequest has been the outpouring of memoir literature, hidden diaries, buried testimony and clandestine archives which have come to light in the last three decades. "The constantly emerging new material on the Holocaust and the interdisciplinary knowledge gained in this field serve as a challenge for historians to question whether or not the Jewish people actually went meekly to the gas chambers as sheep go to slaughter," Dr. Rothkirchen said. Jews, on the contrary, were eager to outlive their enemies in order to bear witness against them. They had, however, neither the resources nor support from the local populations to take defensive action.
Archbishop to organize seminars on Auschwitz
President receives IVIenorah President Reagan, Dec. 18, met with leaders of Yeahiva University, the oldest and largest university under Jewish auspices, to receive an honorary degree. As a gift from the University, the President was presented with a Menorah. Pictured with the President, from the left, are Dr. Norman Lamm, President of Yeshiva University; Max J. Etra, chairman emeritus of the board of trustees; Herbert Tenzer, chairman of the board of trustees and former congressman from New York; Stanley Stem, vice chairman of the board of trustees; and Dr. Israel Miller, sr. vice president.
John Cardinal Krol of Philadelphia was one of the leading protestors. Cardinal Macharski described the proposed seminars as urgent, "considering the period of the last 40 years characterized by inconceivable lack of communication in regard to Polish-Jewish religious dialogue." GENEVA (JTA) - The In his response to the let- Justice Ministry has ter, Tanenbaum suggested banned early entry into that the seminars might be- Switzerland of Henri Rocome the first in a series of ques and Pierre Guillaume, Catholic-Jewish exchanges French neo-Nazi propaganin Poland, the U.S. and pos- dists who deny the Holosibly in Jerusalem "that caust; occurred. would help usher in a whole new era of mutual underThe ban, to be in effect for standing and respect." three years, is based on a 1948 law which prohibits political statements by nonresidents without permisfor the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies sion. Roques and Guillaunie JOINT ANNUAL MEETING held a press conference here last month to propagate
NEW YORK (JTA) P'ranciszek Cardinal Macharski, the Archbishop of Cracow, has agreed to organize seminars there "on the. meaning of Auschwitz to.Christians and Jews." 1 n a letter to Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum, director of the American Jewish Committee's International Relations Department, Macharski stated that "such a seminar can contribute to the deeper understandijcig of what role Auschwitz plays in Jewish awareness, what it is to Poles and to Christians in 'general, and finally what it should be to the entire mankind." He added
that the seminars could "produce positive influence" toward friendly relations between Polish Catholics and Jews. The AJCommittee originally proposed the seminars because of a project by the Catholic Church in Poland to build a Carmelite convent on the site of Auschwitz, the death camp in southeastern Poland where some three million Jews perished. The project was suspended after worldwide protests, including many by ranking members of the Catholic hierarchy in Europe and the United States, as well as by Jews.
Swiss authorities ban neo-Nazi propagandists
ELECTION 1987 INFORMATION
Sunday, January 11,1987 7:15 p.m. Jewish Community Center, 333 South 132nd street
NOTE: Nominations of additional candidates for officers and board positions for the Federation must be handled by written petition signed by at least 15 Federation members and filed with the Federation Secretary (Jan Schneiderman) no later than December 31, 1986. The candidates must endorse the petition. . . Nominees as presented by the Federation and Agency Nominating Committees: OFFICERS: President First Vice President Vice President Vice President . Secretary Treasurer
Mort Trachlenbarg Saranne Gitnirt Jan Sclineiderman , Dr. Bruce Gutnil( Suzanne Singer Michael Katzman
' .
ELECTED DIRECTORS: (Terms ending 1990) Barbara Epstein, Carol Farter, Beverly Fellman, Mary Fellman, Shirley Goldstein, Gloria Kaslow, Leonard Lewis, Dr. Neal Malashock, Dennis Paley, Donald Yale ADL/CRC OFFICERS:
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OFFICERS: President Dr. Norman Sheldon President Elect Carol Katzman. Vice President Margie Gutnik Vice President :. .Jody Malashock Vice President Man/Polikov Immediate Past President Ilene Klein ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS (Tannt ending 1987) Willis Epstein, Eugene Zwelback (Tennt ending 1988) Flarold Epstein, Sharon Epstein. Shares Newman, Patti Nojg, Donna Olesh, Jim Shneider (Tennt ending 1989) Steve Pitlor, Margo Riekes, Phyllis Roffman, Mark Trustin
President Vice President Vice President
E. Robert Newman Rabbi Sidney Brooks Leslie (Cookie) Hoberman
ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS (Tamis ending 1990) Jill Belmont, Carol Bloch, Ron Giller, Bemie Meyers. Carolyn Novicoff. Sheldon Perelman, Jan Wayne, Sidney Wertheim BUREAU FOR THE AGING OFFICERS: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
' Don Klein , .. Steve Redler Toby Kagan Yale Richards
ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS: (TinMlMlllHllMO) MoWne Cassman, Jerry Kohll, Fran MIMer, Georgia Ostrow, Dr. Larry Hoffman, Norman Smeerln, Janet WIntroub •UREAU OF JEWISH EDUCATION IIFFICERS: Preisldent Vice President....' Secretary Treasurer
M Kirshenbaum Susan Paley MargoRiekes JackNoodell
EUCTED BOARD MEMBERS (Tcnnt ending 1990) Dora Goldslrom, Barbara Hunwitz, Debra Hostyk, Gk)ria Basslk, Lois Epstein, Steve Rosenberg
JEVKISH
their view though they were denied permission by the police. The Justice Ministry acted on the complaint of Geneva Police Chief Bernard Ziegler. Unlike France, Switzerland has no law forbidding propaganda against minority groups because of race or religion. The RoquesGuillaume incident may lead to such a measure. Israel's Ambassador to Switzerland told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Tuesday that the government is
preparing legislation aimed against racist propaganda. It will be introduced in Parliament in February. Roques and GuiUaume came to Geneva last month to speak in support of Mariette Paschoud, a Lausanne high school teacher notorious for antiSemitic statements, including denial of the Holocaust. Paschoud was relieved of her duties as a history teacher after parents protested. But she continues to teach French.
DECK YOUR HALLS & WALLS!
Pulverente
Prints, Posters and Custom Mirrors
Monument Co. Frank LCieiulla Jr.
THE GLASS FACTORY
60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
Rockbrook Shopping Center 397-5777
2211 So. 8th 341-2452
FAMILY SERVICE
OFFICERS: President Howard Epstein Vice President Karen Diamond Secretary Barbara Frohman Treasurer Steve Pitlor ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS (TermiandinglBBO) Marge Bresel, Pete Brodkey, Howard Epstein, Ruth Erman, Marti Forman, M'Lee Hassllnger, Barbara Kushner JEWISH FEDERATION UBRARY OFFICERS: President...; Willis Ann Ross VJcePresWent GkJria Kaslow ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS (Tim MHling 1988) (T«nn Mding 1989) Robert Bin Evelyn Alperin (rtmHMdlng1990) Max BIttner, Phyllis Glazer, Caiyn Rifkin OFFICERS:
J•'8HPBE88
President Suianne Singer Vice President.., Oliver Pollak Secretary Susan Budwig Treasurer Bert Lewis ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS: (TtrniMNHnglBBB) Scott Friedman (Twim Mding 1989) Rk:hard Fellman, Patricia Newman, Judy Sift (rtnm«ndlng1990) . Jill Kushner Belmont, Penny Endelman, Bonnie Honwich, Aaron Hostyk, Sheila Priluck
Holiday Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:30 Sat.10:00-5:00 4801 Dodge 554-1666
Beverly Hill Shopping Plazr^820 Dodge • 399-1700 ''':fKi''i^'^^ii'-ii(i-iyf i.'s :'•:
y.^smsmsa^^'m^sii&.'imir'.
DM. 2S,
wf
Israel establishes first \full-fledged mission in Greece
ATHENS (JTAI-Israel established its first fullfledged diplomatic mission in Greece headed by Moshe Gilboa, a senior Foreign Ministry official from Jerusalem with the rank of Ambassador. Gilboa, 56, presented his credentials to Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias at a private meeting which lasted 30 minutes inI stead of the 10 minutes as•• signed by protocol to such formalities. , Gilboa seemed more than I pleased when he emerged. •' While he declined to say anything about his talk with P Papoulias, he expressed cautious optimism over the warming of relations between the two countries. Greece has never' extended de jure recognition to Israel. For that reason, the Israeli envoy presented his letter of accreditation to the Foreign Minister rather than to the President. Greece, moreover, has taken a consistently proArab stand in the Middle East conflict and has, in fact, refused to go along with its European Economic Community (EEC) partners' decision to impose sanctions against Syria for its involvement in recent international terrorist acts. The upgrading of Israel's representation in Athens from Consular level to diplomatic mission, coupled with other recent manifestations of Greek-Israeli cooperation represents a substantial ad' vance in their relations. Gilboa in fact had cause to be pleased with the circumstances surrounding his meeting with Papoulias. For one thing, his arrival in
Athens caught the Foreign Minister on the run. Papoulias had just returned from a three-week visit to the United States and West Germany and had to report to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou before leaving that evening for a week-long meeting of the EEC in Brussels. Foreign Ministry officials suggested to the Israeli envoy that he present himself to the Deputy Foreign Minister to avoid waiting a week or more to see Papoulias. Gilboa refused, '^en Papoulias was advised of this, he immediately arranged to see the Israeli. That was something of a precedent, for the new Egyptian Ambassador had been forced to wait a month to present his credentialsto the President and the Chinese Ambassador waited three months. Papoulias' concurrence with the Israel's wishes was seen as significant. Also regarded as significant was the fact that the two men met with no one present except Papoulias' translator.
Another indication that Greece seeks to improve its ties with Israel was the fact that the meeting took place only a day after the United Nations Security Council adopted an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning Israel for the shooting deaths of two Palestinian students at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank on Dec. 4. Asked by reporters if Papoulias had referred to the incident, Gilboa shook his head. Observers here suggested that the courtesies extended to the Israeli representative stemmed from the fact that he heads the Foreign Ministry's World Jewish Affairs Division in Jerusalem and is therefore quite close to American Jewish leaders. The establishment of the Israeli mission here followed an exchange of visits between the Tourism Ministers of both countries which resulted in agreement to latmch a joint Greek-Israel advertising and promotion campaign to attract American tourists. The agreement was finalized in Jerusalem last month.
Rally on Sunday A rally in behalf of Soviet Jews will take place Simday at noon in the Jewish Community Center lobby foUowing the Hanukkah torch relay. Plans call for Shirley Goldstein,. Soviet Jewry chairman of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, to play a tape recording from Anatoly Sharansky. Mrs. Gold-
stein was scheduled to meet with Sharansky last week in Israel. Others participating in the program will be Jeffrey Alzenberg, executive director of the JCC, Susan Paley, Omaha committee for Soviet Jewry, and Cantor Harold Firestone of Temple Israel.
CARL JARL LOCKSMITHS
Schedule of Speakers for the Month of January for B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers
7511 Dodge • 393 7800
Jan. 7—Mike Boyle, Mayor of the City of Omaha Jan. 21—Dave Webber, Sports Director, WOWT-TV
CHAIN SAWS • SNOW BUnVERS Sales—Service—Parts TORO-LAWNBOY-BOLENS
MILLARD SMALL ENGINE 4935 S. 136
Pa9*t
lisa
The U.S.-Poland-lsrael connection have !>een for them even to By Carl Schrag World Zionist Press Service consider leaving their land and their lives there." (WZPS) - Thousands of Fifteen-year-old Joel GarNorth American teenagers vin, from Washington, D.C., visit Israel each summer, was impressed more by the but this year, a contingent spirit of the Polish Jews from the United Synagogue than by their surroundings. Youth movement (Conser- "Birkenau is exactly as it vative) experienced a power- was in 1946," he said softfully moving journey ii]rf;o ly. "The people had written one of Jewish history's dar- their names, numbers and kest chapters—that of the stories on their beds. We Jews of Poland. were so impressed that they Under the guidance of had the strength to think of USY Assistant Director leaving something for those Jules Gutin, high school who came after them. It was pupils from every comer of a very powerful experience." the United States and CanaBruce Koren, 17, from da spent the first week of San Diego, offered his imJuly traveling through Po- pressions as a first-time visland, then continued on to itor to both Poland and IsIsrael, where they spent five rael. ".Ml through Poland weeks touring, studying and there was a cloud of depreslearning about the land. sion over our group but According to Mr. Gutin, when we got to Israel the competition for a place in depression lifted and I.felt the Poland-Israel group was secure and good. I couldn't intense. While USY sent believe that I was actually some 500 of its members to here." Israel for the sununer, only Charlie agreed with him, 57 were chosen for the visit saying, "On my arrival in to Warsaw, Auschwitz, and Warsaw, the first person I elsewhere in Poland. Prepa- saw was a young soldier. I ration began long before the looked at him and all I saw participants ever left home, was gray. The first person I noted Gutin, who said, "We saw when I got off the airprepared 150 pages of spe- plane in Israel was another cial background readings on soldier about my age." UnPoland and its Jewish his- like his silent encounter tory." with the young Polish solRecalling how he felt dier, however, the American about Polish Jews before his youth greeted the IDF man, trip to Warsaw, 17-year-old receiving in return a smile Charlie Savenor from the and a greeting. "I've never Boston area reflected, "I been in Israel before, but couldn't understand why from the first moment, I felt the Jews didn't leave Po- a feeling of belonging.". Adding his impressions, land before the Holocaust. Then when we saw how Joel said, "Coming to Israel pretty Poland is, I began to and seeing that the Jewish understand how., it must religion is alive and stronger
than ever was a great fueling." Group leader Mr. Gutin acknowledged the intensity of the trip, but said that the participants seemed to handle their experiences remarkably well. The transition from the gloom of Poland and Auschwitz to the joy of Israel and Jerusalem was powerful, and^veral days passed before the group members began to discuss their feelings and impressions at length. "The kids prepared special projects on a broad range of topics," said Mr. Gutin, "some dealing with what we saw in Poland, and some dealing with their reactions after they reached Eretz Israel." Project presentations provied to be a good catalyst for group discussions. In all, the group visited Maideneek, Cracow, Auschwitz, Birkenau, Warsaw and Treblinka. After seeing the overgrown and unkempt Jewish cemetery at Cracow, the ' teenagers worked to clear brush and clean up the old burial ground. "Next year," Mr. Gutin said, "we want to spend more time there, so we can really clean it up." Summing up initial reaction to the first-ever USY Poland-Israel experience, Mr. Gutin said, "Despite the difficulty of adjusting to Israel after Poland, our evaluation is very positive." Perhaps the best indication of success lies in the fact that plans are already being discussed for a second trip next year.
This is your last chancel Enter the Jewish Federation's Quiz Contest
Breadbreakers meet every Wednesday from Noon until 1 p.m. at the Howard Jotinson Motor Inn, 72nd and Grover
895^122
• $100 Gift Certificates from Zoob's and JB Patton Inc. • A T.V. from World Radio • A Framed Lithograph from Allen Furniture and a chance to win the Grand Prize A Surprise from • Borsheim's Fine Jewelry
January 11, 1987, at the JCC, 7:15p.m. TheJewM FederaMon of Omaha reserues (he r^hl to establish the rules Including canctllaaon of the progrom.
Entry Form
Return to: Jewish Federation of Omaha bvDec.31 Quiz Show 333 S. 132 St.
Omaha, NE 68154 Name. Address.
.Phone.
Nine contestants' will be picked at random prior to the show and notified. 'Contestants must be oner 21 and a member of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Federation ogencv employees and their Immedlale families not ell0ble.
Pag* 4
Jawlah Pr*M
DM.
28, 19M
earl alp(grt V
toy iimorrls inma]lm<£
Gary Hill In the December issue of Reader's Digest, there is an extraordinary article about Gary Hill—an extraordinary man. The article, by Patricia Skalka, traces the beginning and growth of an organization that Mr. Hill founded and nurtured to its present height as a nationally-known help agency. Called Contact Center, Inc., the non-profit network of organizations and volunteers matches people in need anywhere in the'United States with those people who can fill that need. Contact's budget, now estimated at $900,000 and growing is reached by income from Mr. Hill's speaking engagements and workshops, sales of human-service publications, commercial printing operations and outside contributions in addition to some help from government sources. Mr. Hill, assisted by his wife, Cece, operates his agency out of the family business, Northwestern Metal. For many years, the Jewish community of Lincoln has recognized one of their own as an extraordinary individual—now with the help of Reader's Digest, that deserved reputation will spread world-wide. For more information on Contact, write: Contact Center, Inc., Dept. RD, P.O. Box 81826, Lincoln, Neb. 68501. ii
Hadassah More than 1,500 members of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, will participate in a special Diamond Jubilee Mission to Israel as part of the organization's unique international celebration of its 75th anniversary in. 1987. Jerusalem Mayor Teddy KoUek, honorary chairman of Hadassah's 75th anniversary celebration, will host the March 8-18 Mission headed by Hadassah National President Ruth W. Popkin. The mission itinerary includes ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of Hadassah's return to Mount Scopus, the original site of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School and today the home of Hadassah-University Hospital. For more information on the Mission* call Sherry Fletcher at 292-0254. , .
I
Plea for action Pamela Cohen, president of the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews, has obtained a statement from the conimunity of Israeli citizens in the Spviet Union. It is a plea for action by the international Jewish community in behalf of Soviet Jewish Prisoners of Zion. Following, for your review, is a copy of the text submitted by Any a Lifshitz, wife of Prisoner of Zion, Vladimir Li f§hitz: This month we ask the world Jewish community to remember the Prisoners of Zion who are confined in Soviet prison camps simply because they expressed a desire to live in the land of Israel. We understand all too lyell that each of us could, but for the grace of God, be in their place. We ask that as an expression of support for their cause, as a testament to their valor and their courage, the international Jewish community send telegrams protesting their imprisonment to General Secretary Gorbachev. losif Begun Yosef Berenshtein Yuli Edelshtein Leonid Volvovsky Yakov Levin Anatoly Virshubsky Vladimir Lifshitz Alex Zelichenok Alexei Magarik losif Zissels Zachar Zunshain
The Jewish Press (Founded In 1920) Suzanne Singer Prestdanl, Jewish Pr«u Board of Dlr*c10fa Board members; Oliver Pollak, vice president; Ben Lewis. ireiaurer;Su«an Budwia secretary; Penny Endelman, Richard Fellman, Scott Friedman, Boonie Norwich, Aaron Hostyk, Don Klein, Marshall Kushner, Karen Levin, Rosalie Mrtches, Patricia Newman, Judy Si«, Phill Spizman.
Morris Maline Edltor-in-Chlaf Judith Marburg Mandy Frost Managing Editor Advertising Coordinator Sales Representatives Marilyn Warren. Barbara FranliM Joan Haciiel Fritzl Luafschuetz
Jan Wayne
Jewish Press Jewish Family Senrlce Ubrary Bureau tor the Aging
The agencies at the Federation are: Community RelationB Jewish Community Center Jewish Education
Editorials KiixMi the viowt ol DM writM and art not nwMurlly raprMenUUv* ol the vlMi ol Ih* Jewish Prau Board, Iha Jawlah Ftderatlon o< Omaha or tha Omaha Jawlah communityasawtwle. Tha J«nth Prau I* nof rM(K)nMla loi ttM Klfllvultl 0( Mly product or MlabUahtiMnl Reprint rights are reMrved. Advertising raise on Sflpllcation.
Deadline (or all n«w* and advartlsing copy la noon Friday preceding IMM.
-^The Jewish Press(USPS 27S620)lB published vresKly on Friday lor $16 per Kear by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, 333 South 13Znd Street, Omaha, IEeeiS4. Second class postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER; Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154, Telephone 402-334-8200.
c:^
©tfflir mmM^ m. i\
Diatribe against America, Jews and Israel HAIFA — Don't be misled by a recently issued book bearing the innocuous title of Jews in America Today, published by the reputable firm of Lyle Stuart, Inc. The book is about Jews, about America and about Israel as well. Since it defies any kind of orthodox review, I have no choice but to dip into its pages and let it speak for itself. None of these quotations are taken out of context. They are typical of the contents, the spirit and the message of the volume. On America, the author writes that the U.S. is now known not as the land of the free and the home of the brave, but as "the land of the freak and the home of the knave." It is a country "overwhehningly inhabited by apathetic political naifs." He looks forward to the "final battle" against exploitation and oppression, aod is wrathful that the Jews will not be in the trenches fighting that battle on the side of the oppressed. He mourns that they cannot be counted on "in the coming American revolution." Though he presumably lives in the U.S., America is in many ways "repulsive to any sensitive person." On Israel he has much to say. His ideal: to build "support for a democratic, secular Palestine." How was Israel created? Given half the country in the 1947 partition, the Zionists were not satisfied. "Terror was their weapon to widen the conquest." The author is proud that a previous book of his will, in his words, always be a "razor at Zionism's jugular." He utilizes 15 and more pages to vent his ire at those who reviewed that work critically. Of course everyone who did not like the book was a knave or worse. To him the kibbutzim are "racist institutions," Hadassah is "politically vulgar," the "ugly Israelis" are seen as "brash at best, and often untrustworthy hustlers." Gleefully he heads one section, in bold face, with a quotation from somebody: "Israel draws to it the insane, the fanatics, the extremists." He hints that he is himself Jewish, but of course, he is far superior to the other Jews, who have "made it (in America) fair and foul, in American ways: slaveholding, slumlording, bribery, etc., as well as sweating and studying." He has a hang-up on rich Jews, the capitalists, and devotes scores of pages to excoriating them. Even when citing otherwise cold statistics he has a knack of doing so with a nasty sneer and with open contempt for the Jews. He knows how to use pejorative words to create maximum negative impressions. But Jews don't have to be rich to merit his smearing. The lower East Side, he is happy to report, was characterized by its Jewish white slave traffic and its whorehouses.
He tells that American Jews have become masters of the use of bribery. "The shmeer artists are an outcropping of the notorious shtetl mentality." The author has his heroes, too. They include Vanessa ' Redgrave and Hafaz Assad, of Syria. Louis Farrakhan's notorious observations are given ample space. There are 361 pages of this, not counting the index. More typical examples, on women's rights: "The only way Jewish women can ever get equality with Jewish men is when they unite with the Palestinian masses and replace the Zionist state with a democratic, secular Palestine." The plight of Soviet Jewry is treated archly. He points out that the first Jew in space was Col. Boris Volynov, who went up in 1969 and again in 1976, whereas America's first Jewish astronaut, the late Judy Resnick, did not go up until years later! This is apparently supposed to prove something. During the Holocaust the Zionists collaborated with the Nazis, and as a result, there are "six million Jewish skeletons in the closet, skeletons that are now beginning to bang loudly on the door." I think that even the author will agree that all of the above are fair and accurate excerpts from the book. With such a text, which speaks for itself, who needs to write a review? Normally, this book should have been ignored, but I have given it this much space because it is handsomely producwl by a reputable publisher, and because many may be misled by its innocent-sounding title. The author is one Lenni Brenner who, I am happy to say, I never heard of before, though his writings have appeared in Arab Perspectives, and his previous book was lauded by Izvestia. It would appear that his personal philosophy is that of a frustrated "Trotskyite who hates the capitalists, inocks the liberals and mourns the disappeance of a revolutionary labor movement, but still dreams of the coming revolution which will smash the capitalist establishment in America and. the state of Israel with it.
nscfan ©f) JERUSALEM-A pre-school program for disadvantaged youngsters developed in Israel in the 1960s, and since used here with overwhelming success, was the subject of the Fourth International Workshop on HIPPY, which took, place last month at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. "HIPPY," which stands for "Home Education Program for Pre-School Youngsters," is a system of home instruction for disadvantaged pre-school children in whitjh mothers, trained by para-professionals, work with their children using programmed materials developed by educators at the Hebrew University. During the past four years, the HIPPY program has been put into action in the United States, Chile, Canada and Turkey, of course in the languages of those countries. Among those attending this year's workshop were educators and social service workers from the state of Arkansas in the United States who prepared for the implementation of the program in the rural Arkansas River Valley area of their state. There the program would benefit poor black and white children.
Cll(Sll:1t(£rs tcs) ttlh(g (gdlat(S)ir3 To the Editor The media has hit on yet another yarmulke story. The first was about the Jewish officer who insisted on wearing his while in uniform. The latest tale regards the basketball team from a Miami Beach Jewish Academy, whose coach and players came out on the court wearing their yarmulkes. The officials decided that, if the pins and yarmulkes came off on the court, it would create a hazard. So the game was" postptmed until the lads wore headbands to prevent the yarmulkes from slipping. Yarmulkes on a basketball court? Out of respect for whom? The opposing team? Heary Stem To tiie Editor. Several di^rs before Thanksgiving break, while workmg at school. I discovered that the Penn Library did not have many of the books that 1 needed for my research. Knowing that I would be able to work on the paper over break, I called the Jewish Community Center Library where they not only located the borfte for me on their shelves, but held them until I arrived in Omaha. The help the staff gave me in locating books and then offering their further help was greatly appreciated. I cannot thank them enough. Jeff Kirebenbaum Unlvenity of Pennsylvania !.,»sm:{ii'sii'm^^y",iL?n::itA:M,-
AlamUmBtaimlkm.BBai
Last of the Just This ramahaeUe hooM, part of wUdi is a ivhrate home, serves as tlie only surviving official Joctrie for Jewish prayer hi Donetsk, the Ukraine, acoordiiig to the Student Straggle for Soviet Jewry. Of the two •ynagogues itUl open in the 1926's, one was tamed into a puppet theater, and Uie ether a maseom. There are only about 66 aynagogoes permitted to function today in the USSR for iU 3,000,000 Jews.
DM.
as, 1«
Pmt»»
1
Clews and reviews
The paradoxical co-existence of good and evil By Joseph C<dieii In hia succinct introduction to "The Image and Other Stories" (Farrar Straus Giroux; $17.96), Isaac Bashevis Singer writes that "literature thrives best on ancient faith, timeless hopes, and illusions." Enlarging upon this observation, he says that literature "must deal with the past instead of planning the future. It must describe events, not analyze ideas; its topic is the individual, not the masses. It must be an art, not pretend to be a science. Moreover, belief in God and His Providence is the very essence of literature. It tells us that causality is nothing but a mask on the face of destiny. Man is constantly watched by powers that seem to know all his desireis and comphcations. He has free choice but he is also being led by a mysterious hand. Literature is the story of love and fate, a description of the mad hurricane of human passions and the struggle with them." Few other writers today would endorse Singer's unflinching, sweeping insistence on a belief in divine providence, but for him it is the infrastructure which supports all that he has written. This seems strange since he has frequently been charged in the past with appealing to prurience, filling his stories with unconscionable depravity. Evil rather than good has seemed to be his metier. Yet to apprehend the full meaning of his statement quoted above is to come face to face with the fundamental narrative strategy of a master storyteller. It informs fully
all of the earlier stories With which we are familiar; and it explains and makes meaningful the actions of the Jews who people the 22 stories of this new collection. Is there a paradox? Certainly, the actions of his characters in "The Image and Other Stories" are almost entirely motivated by "the mad hurricane of human passions." In story after story, one character after another seeks bis or her own victimization, to say nothing of the exploitation of others, by indulging forbidden passions. Lust leads the pack. This has long been Singer's stock-in-trade, but it never seems to go stale. Folly abounds. Retribution is never far away. Indeed, the commission of an act of wickedness is often followed immediately by punishment, at least, in the perpetrator's perspective, conHrming that "causality is nothing but a mask on the face of destiny." If punishment doesn't occur, the perpetrator is at least painfully aware of his or her folly. In "Advice," the opening story, when Tamara Pintchover runs off with Mark Lenchner, her husband Morris, a weakling, is subsequently prevailed upon by the renegade couple to take them in, as times are hard, under his roof, along with Lenchner's wife. Foolishly, he does so. The moral is clear enough: such folly can not be countenanced. But Singer doesn't stop with a didactic message. His purpose is to entertain. So he has Pintchover relate his story to the narrator because he wants a recorder for posterity who will turn
his cheap melodrama into heroic drama legitimizing his cuckoldry. We see Pintchover to be a bigger fool than we thought. The need to legitimize folly and enshrine it becomes a device which Singer employs effectively as a narrative strategy in a number of the stories. The result is that he gets an additional dimension of irony out of each confession. All his narrators have to do is listen and report what they hear. What they hear is awful. In "The Secret," for example, a tiny old woman recalls her youthful folly in Poland where she became pregnant by her husband's live-in tailor's apprentice, a mere boy, who decades later, in a story of love and fate, after the lovers have parted and gone separately to America, unknowingly becomes his own daughter's paramour. "Miracles," "A Telephone Call on Yom Kippur" and "Confused" use the same strategy. "Confused" is the most accomplished story in the collection. It is Singer at his best. It deals with the problems of writers out on the lecture circuit beset by amorous women who throw themselves at their feet. The protagonist is an aged writer willing to take advantage of this situation. I suspect the story may have a little autobiography in it. It was less than a year ago that Singer said in an interview at the time of his' eightieth birthday, "If you keep ten commandments—even if you keep nine—you're on the right track." The right track for Singer, despite the excesses of his characters, sexual and otherwise—one mourning lover in "Strong as. Death is Love" robs his beloved's grave and sleeps with the skeleton, recalling Faulkner's story "A Rose for Emily"—is the consistently reiterated emphasis upon the belief in God and His monitoring of individual hu-
Charter Ollie the Trolley! Call
551-0710 |weddings'holidays*convention$*parties
man activity. More than one character figuratively dies of shame after capitulating to temptation, while still others rebuff temptation only out of sheer fear of losing their salvation. Though they do not often occupy center-stage, the lives of decent people, both men and women, and the efficacy of good deeds are kept before us. The ethics, the teachings and the wisdpm of the Fathers prevail philosophically and sometimes in actual experience over depravity and weakness. Though we may on occasion wince at the extended indulgence in depravityadultery, deception and treachery are ran^Mnt—and at Singer's old fashioned, casually insensitive treatment of women as temptresses, sex-objects and whores—in "On the Way to the Poorhouse," a particularly lecherous Jewish prostitute is treated like a Jewish princess—we cannot ignore the Nobel Prizewinner's ci^adty for investing his art with moral imperatives. They are there, ' which is to say that yes, there is a paradox. What I find salutary in Singer's work is that the moral imperatives are conjoined to Jewish continuity. People may be weak, succumb to temptation, tempt others and engage in folly, yet even they have a sense of the significance of ethical conduct as the sine que non of Jewish survival Ethical conduct and Jewish survival, for example, come together in a gem of an observation made by the protagonist of "Miracles" when he says, "I've long been convinced that there is a hidden Messiah in every Jew. The Jew himself is one big miracle. The hatred of the Jew is the hatred of miracles, since the Jew contradicts the laws of nature." The philosophical implications of this remark about the implicit connection between Jewish ethics and
TMt
WHITE HORSE »T
ART PLUS
THE REGIS
Omaha's Continental Restaurant featuring
PICTURES & FRAMES
Fresh Fish, Veal, Homemade Pastas
2nd Level, Westroads I
391-6184 "The Most Diverse & Least Expensive"
I
GIFT
312 South 16th
Make your husband, son, grandson, father, nephew, great grandson and any man in your life a Hadassah Associate. Mail to Sandra Ko^H. 1617 S. 107 St. Omaha, NE 68124 or call 391-5603
$200
HADASSAH ASSOCIATES Enrollment Form
Enclosed is $200 to affiliate as an HADASSAH ASSOCIATE:
HADASSAH ASSWUTES
(name) (address)
H
(olty/«tate/zlp) r^ DI am proudly enrollino myself as a HADASSAH ASSOCIATE FOR LIFE. a I am pleased to make this gift of affiliation to ttie atwve named
(Nina of p«raon mMng gm>
Free parking during lunch and dinner at the Regis Parking Garage 1807 Harney Reservations Suggested
-I
(ctiipter/raglon)
|
For Men Only!
345-9470
survival provide us with much more food for thought than can be digested here. Suffice it to say that Singer's paradox, the coexistence of good and evil is, by virtue of Jewish survival (a contradiction of the laws of nature), somewhat resolved in favor of the good.
That, perhaps, is the one significant fact we need to keep before us whenever we reach for Singer's titillating stories. It is a narrative strategy that corresponds accurately to our experience of the world and it makes plausible Singer's faith in divine providence.
Aiding world's farmers Bar-Ilan University plant pathologist, Professor Yigal A. Cohen, holds a new breed of mildew-resistant cantaloupe he haa developed in collaboration with American, Indian and Japanese colleagues at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, S.C. The new muskmelon is expected to save farmers throughout the world iiiil' lions of dollars now spent on fungicides needed for commercial cultivation of melon crops. The newly-developed cantaloupe will also enhance Israel's agricultural exports to Europe.
Mma, iCU/i
"What a job I'm doing.. I wonder if Gloria ever framed a wall!!!"
Rockbrook Village • 108th A Center • 391-4745 West Center Park • 156th & W. Center Rd. • 333-2991 Gloria's Framer't Workshop • lOSth & Center • 391-4090
You've Asked — Now We Have "Gourmet Delights" Homemade — Fresh Daily • Specially prepared Hanukkah Candy • Pies • Soups • Sandwiches • Cookies • Brownies • Homemade Ice Cream PLUS BLUM'S CHOCOLATES • Old Fashioned Soda Fountain
nMDmy fHcm>CGL 1 Bakers Square 13463 W. Center
330-0812 -'•si^aSiSBVi.;-';-
'jinmrqiiiS^ For the largest selection of imported and domestic wirws and enjoy our fabulous Deli with your family and friends Eat in - Carry out Elegant Salad • Pate Wellingtons - Sandwiches
"DoeoiMNttie^h^tloi^l At 17 wonderfully convenient locations NOATH EUT N 30th & Stale SI. (Florence) 56tti & Ames ietli& Dodge (Downlownl
NORTH WEST 90ttitdlaple 108ttit Maple 761h & Dodge
391-8680
7517 Pacific
Mon-Sat. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
We'd love to warm you up with spectacular warm-ups for men and women
^
Boeqaete^ 1336 So. 119th
334-2222
THE PARTY PLACE .FINE CHIN*-eUStWARE . CRVSTM. • SILVER • BOWLS . FLATWARE • CHAFING DISHES • LINENS . • . •
PUNCH lOWLS CANDEIABRAS CHAMPAGNE FOUNTAINS COFFEE I TEA SERVERS
t^
HONEYMAN RENT-ALL
.TABLES. ROUND AND OUONS-CHAIRS • PORTABLE BAR* • CANOPIES • SKIRTINOS • OAROEN FURNITURE . DANCE FLOORS DELNEm *VA{L*BL£
333-2882 11226 WRIGHT 114th & CENTER STS.
TROPHIES • PUQUES • RIBBONS PROMOTIONS
1810 NO. 120TH STREET OMAHA, NE. 68154 JACKIE BARNES MONDAY - FRIDAY 10-6 SATURDAY 9-1 BUSINESS 493-0158 RESIDENCE 731-7546
^SiiiA*
L*-1lcgency~^cst l-t80 and Pacific St, Omalw Toll Pre* eOO-22S-M14, Nabntka B00-642-t(M4,
Omaha (402) 397-6000 Chartar Hoiwa Rattaurant • Jolly Jtck'a Pub Ownad and oparatad by iha Jack MorKz Family
SOUTH EUT 52nil t Leavenwonti 23rd&Ca|)eliartRd
23njl Lincoln R(l.,Belleviie
SOUTH WEST 87tti & Pacific (Countryside) 114tti&Bu[tieSt 109lti«Q 139th &Q(MillardPl2) 84lh«Par1< Or, (Ralston) lOeth (.Center (Rocl<brook) 144th SW Center Road
OR ^/OFHCE FOR SUCX:ESS j apd piMntttmi pUat mi/nlffmnnr t(lecanuveconuiain»bloaaul$pUaU»ln>ficMlfoluge
DM. M,
fakers Central Floral Design
Discover the benefits of T
CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. G. E. HAYNES
Complete floral needs for large occasione: weddins*, parties, banquets and company events.
For appointment call
330-2653
H
O
nm R
N
A
L
Serving the Omaha area for over 40 years. 331 North 114th Street Phone; 333-0500
Diplomate, American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists
333-0876
E
QMS
320 No. 115th St.
4610 So. 133rd Street
wedi
INt
•
ithursi JCGCIOMl.
llnJIKiS^Hi,0'D
M^|l
aoi.m. IWOR,
:30 a.m., in, Noon,
FwtomiQii^M^Hociiioi
MWipad^lM^^, 6 p.m..
uiti El, w^HMI^kao i.r
Ttiiipte Ini^^Hp^^^BI DiflRM', 6:30 p.m^ffim^V
m., Both
uno st^li]^Vin^Bi
O'DN-
10 47
Nebraska National Bank 140th & W. Center Road 330-0600 50th & Underwood 853-4881
tin loard MoollRa. Noon
IDIC
stieDp\u^a Look Your Best at that Holiday Party Full selection of one-of-a-kind special occasion
31
dresses
NW Comer, 132nd & Center
30% OFF ALL FRAMED & UNFRAMED PRINTS
For AH Your Travel Needs FREE TRAVEL SERVICE
||S@
12021 W. CENTER ROAD OMAHA. NE
Except consignment Items
m
#
^^ ^^
TRLCNT ftCE
Golkrlsf
MMlMeraeod J»i, I.^LJL,^...
ifffum
Travel Services Corporation
Phone 330-4313
Groups & Individuals Tickets & Reservations Low-priced charter flights to Europe 250 Regency Court Omaha, Nebraska 68114
125 Rrst National Center Omaha, Nebraska 68102
397-3939
342-6600
333-8553
SERVING FRESH MADE DELI FOODS. WE USE ONt-V 100% PURE VEGETABLE OIL.
D«C. 26, 19S6
/^ ^>
spsurks Sr®iM The Word By Rabbi Myer S. Kripke
c BlumkinHome SERVICES: Friday: 7 p.m. Daily and Saturday: The residents and staff of tiie Rose Blumlcin Home invite the families, volunteers and friends of the residents to attend services in the Herbert Goldsten Synagogue. Kiddush following services on Shabbat. ^
Offutt Air Base SERVICES: Rabbi Howard B. Zyskind conducts services in the Capehart Chapel every Friday at 8 p.m. An Oneg Shabbat follows the service.
Why is Kaplan, theworids best in test prep? The best test resullsconsistenlly higher scores. The best materialsaeated byexperts. time tested. The best in enrollmentsover 1 million students.
The best ttack recordnearly 50 years. The best nation-wide netwoik otonteis120 in all.
.£
KAPLANu^ CAUUrS,EV[lliCS«MliaUMS Tht C«iil*r Hall Omaha 345-3595
PERSONALS Dear Family and Friends: To all of you wonderful people, I want to express my deepest appreciation for making my 90th birthday so special with your contributions, gifts and good wishes. Thank you all and God bless you. Sincerely, —Saul Suvalsky To my Friends and Relatives; Thank you for the cards and pfts and the lovely partv in honor of my 85tn birthday. —Ethel Bleiweiss Many thanks to all who sent donations and cards while 1 was in the hospital. We are so lucky to be blessed with such dear friends. A special th&nks to Rabbi Nadoff. I —Louis Levy Thanks to all my friends for the cards, donations, flowers, and concern during my recent hospital stay. In particular I want to thank the Board of Beth Israel and the Office Staff for their many kindnesses extended me. Special Thanks to Rabbi Madoff, Rabbi Katzman and Cantor Berkovits. —John Kolm
^ Sabbath Candlelighting for Friday, Dec. 26, 4:42
Temple Israel Friday: 7:30 p.m. A 5:45 p.m. Hanukkah family dinner will be held at Temple Israel followed by a 7:30 p.m. service at which Rabbi Barack and Cantor Firestone will officiate. A special Oneg Shabbat will be held during which the children will play dreydel and enjoy some Hanukkah sweets. Saturday: Morning Service 11:15 a.m. CLASSES Religious School: Saturday, Dec. 27-9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28-10 a.m. Hebrew School: Monday, Dec.29-Thursday, Jan. 1RecesB
Council Bluffs B'nai Israel SERVICES: First and third Friday each month 7:30 p.m. An Oneg Shabbat follows the service. B'nai Israel Synagogue offers services led by members of the congregation. Volunteer cantor Major Mandy Greene leads the singing. Everyone is invited to attend. Persons interested in the synagogue or in carpools may call Scott Kotzen 402-553-3334.
Beth Israel Synagogue
Beth El Synagogue
Friday: Kabbalat Shabbat 4:45 p.m. Family Service 8 p.m. All Beth Israel first grade students of the UTTO will receive a miniature Hanukkah Menorah. An Oneg Shabbat reception is sponsored by Sisterhood. Saturday: Morning service 8:45 a.m. Youth Services 10 a.m. Following the services, a Kiddush will be held in the Social Hall. Class with the rabbi-4 p.m. MinchB-4:45 p.m. Mincha is followed by Shalosh Suedos and the Havdalah service. Suaday: ^ Morning Minyanaire Service 9 a.m. The service is followed by breakfast and "Exploring Jewish Ideas" with the rabbi. Weekdays: 7 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Thursday: Morning minyan 9 a.m. HANUKKAH DINNER Beth Israel's Annual Congregational Hanukkah Dinner will be held on Sunday evening, Dec. 28. Each family is asked to bring its own Menorah and candles for the congregational candlelighting ceremony.
Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits will conduct the services. Friday: 8:15 p.ni. An Oneg Shabbat will follow services. Saturday: Services at 9:30 a.m. Kiddush will follow services. Minha-Ma'ariv 4:40 p.m. Sunday: 9 am. and 5:30 p.m. Weekdays: 6:56 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Lincoln B'nai Jeshurun Friday: 8 p.m. Worship service conducted by Suzanne Kalish.
Lincoln Tifereth Israel Friday: 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. Minyans: Monday and Thursday 7:15 a.m.
CHAIM WEiZMANN AZA 1510 By David Leibowitz Chaim Weizmann recently held chapter elections. The results were:, president. Ken Polikov; vice president, David Leibowitz; treasurer, David Blatt; and SYKES DIES LONDON (JTA)-Chris- sergeant-at-arms, David Yudelson. Dave Rosenberg of Hast- topher Sykes, author and Activities plaimed for the historian, died Dec. 8 at age ings, Neb., was incorrectly month of January include a listed as the late Dave 79. The son of Sir Mark date party, a religious projRosenberg in Brenda and Sykes, who played a key ect and a conununity servMark Rosenberg's son's role in promoting and issu- ice project. birth announcement in last ing the Balfour Declaration, Basketball is going well week's Jewish Press. The Christopher Sykes wrote ex- for Weizmann. The WeizJewish Press regrets the tensivly on Zionism and the maim "A" team won its rise of Israel. error. first game against AZA I's "A" team and our "B" team beat I's "B" team last CARL JARL Sunday. Chtiim Weizmann curSECURITY SYSTEMS photography rently has 12 members attendhig the BBYO regional 7511 Dodge • 39V5700 397-4776 convention in Kansas City over winter break. This is the highest number of kids going from our city.
c
gordon
9S
How to handle your holiday shopping without going crazy.
Parashat VaYeshev Hanukkah—On Morality and responsibility We welcome Hanukkah each year with lightheartedness and joy, as indeed we should. Hanukkah imposes on us no need to refrain from work, no need for fasting, no "religious restraints." It is a festival of celebration, celebration of an ancient victory. It was a victory not merely with military and political impUcations, but with clear spiritual-religious origins and lasting spiritualreligious overtones. One likes to ponder what the effect would have been of a Greek-Syrian victory over the forces, if they may be so dignified, of the Maccabean guerrilla bands. Would Judaism have continued? Would monotheistic religion of any kind have continued? And so soon as we ask such a question, we know that the joys of Hanukkah, the gift-giving, the partying, must also be accompanied by some thought. A special Haftara is assigned for the Sabbath service. And the famous words echo over the centuries: "Not by might, nor by power—but by My spirit, said the Lord of Hosts." The thought brings us up short. For we are, most of us, engaged in an endless pursuit of'the "might and power" that the prophet considers of no avail,, of no ultimate meaning, of no abiding purpose. "My spirit," the Lord's spirit, means for him the pursuit of other values; for these are the stuff of which life is really made. There is an interesting Midrash on one of the phrases in our Sidrah, a Midrash that speaks to the same .point. We are absorbed here with the fascinating story of Joseph. The text introduces him as a youngster of 17, working as a shepherd with the sons of the two lesser wives of Jacob. It is as though Jacob recognized that this strong-
willed, self-centered boy needed discipline; he is therefore placed tmder the guidance of brothers whom he might otherwise consider inferior to himself. The text says that he was still a "lad," and the brothers were obviously older. The Midrash seizes on this phrase, "he being yet a lad," to explain the astonishing foolishness of Joseph. To be sure, it is good to dream dreams of grandeur, to be ambitious. But to boast about these dreams to your brothers! To tell them that you would one day lord it over them! The only way Joseph could do this, the interpretation has it, was that he was still immature, irresponsible, "being yet a lad." The implication is that mature people, moral people, responsible people have only certain ways in which they can act. They have values which endure, which are worth Uving and dying for, values that define humanity at its best. Joseph, as he reached maturity, arrived at this stage of understanding. He was willing to toss aside (if necessary) all the glory he had later acquired in Egypt, all his power, his position, his wealth, his status. He willingly and fully identified himself as a Hebrew, one whose God is the Lord, and who acts accordingly. He is no longer a lad. He is a man and a Jew. Is not this what Hanukkah is about? The Greeks and Syrians who threatened the very existence of Judaism had values that can be described as the pursuit of might and power. Even if we add art and philosophy, we haven't come to a good basis for enduring life. It is in "My spirit," values of decency, morahty, and ethical hving, that the ultimate values of life are revealed. The Maccabees fought for these. And they left them as a heritage for mankind.
Go
nuts! with Peanut Shack Gift Paks. They're great for everyone on your personal or business shopping list. • Handsome gift packaging. • Loaded with fresh nuts and candies. • Filled to your order. . • Quantity orders wploomed.
Westroads
Come Join V%. potluch dinner^ service^and iun for all!
fBnai Israel Jan. 2,1987 6tfifi
nvp
553-333^
391-1172 • ssssESiMsmmgm
n0*t
Dws. 26, 18M
MAX KRIZELMAN Graveside services were held on Dec. 21 at Beth El Cemetery for Max Krizelman, 77. Mr. Krizelman is survived by his wife, Frieda; daughter, Sandra Cohen, Houston, Texas; son, Norman Krizelman; brother, Sol Krizehnan; five grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society, Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Program or B'nai B'rith Women of Omaha. JERRV MALTZ Graveside services were held on Dec. 21 at Bikur Cholim Cemetery (Oak Hill) in Council Bluffs for Jerry Maltz, 70. Mr. Maltz was an associate of Maltz Grocery and a member of B'nai B'rith, Irving Cohen Lodge No. 688, B'nai Israel Synagogue and the Council Bluffs Grocers Association. Mr. Maltz is survived by his brother, Marvin Maltz of North Hollywood, Calif.; nieces and nephews.
fwBiurma Road reopens
53
operated Hockenberg Fixture and Supply Company for 60 years. Mr. Hockenberg was a past president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines and a member of the Des Moines Qub. In addition to his brothers, Mr. Hockenberg is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Sandra Sanders of Encino, Calif.; son, David of Novi, Mich.; five grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to Tifereth Israel Synagogue or the Iowa Jewish Home. ABE SIEGEL Services were held in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 23 for Abe (Bus) Siegel. Survivors: wife, Aline; sons, Neal and Ed; daughter, Mrs. Sandy Lorkis; eight grandchildren; all of Los Angeles; brother. Earl; sisters, Leah and Tibe (Mrs. Jay) Siegel.
SHEPPY S. HOCKENBERG Services were held at the Jewish Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa on Dec. 18 for Sheppy S. Hockenberg, 77. Mr. Hockenberg, a lifelong resident of Des Moines, died of pneumonia in Palm Springs, Calif. He and his brothers Ira of Des Moines and Bernard of Omaha have
BIRTH HONORED RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) — Letters mailed from here during the first seven days of Dec. were posted with a stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel. According to instructions issued by the Postmaster General, the Ben Gurion stamp was also used on mail from Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and the capitals of all of Brazil's 23 provinces between Dec. 1-7.
By Shimon ben Noach (WZPS)-The stretch of highway by the Latrun Monastery is a favorite haunt for police on the lookout for motorists breaking the 55 miles per hour speed Umit on the 40 mile road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Back in 1948, travellers were threatened by a more sinister menace around Latrun, as Arab gunmen would often ambush Jewish convoys. As a consequence the road was closed in 1948 and a new winding route to Jerusalem was constructed in its place. Those who today drive between Israel's two principal cities take the 45 minute journey for granted. The section near Latrun is particularly attractive with pine forests sloping up towards the foothills of the Judean Mountains. Winding through the forest is the Burma Road, a track which enabled the Israeli Army to lift the siege of Jerusalem in 1948 and ensure that the city would be a part of the newlyborn Jewish State. Now the Burma Road has been reopened. Indeed, it has been rediscovered. For though all Israelis know the vital strategic importance that the road played in the War of Independence, very few knew, until recently, exactly where the road actually is. Thanks to the Jewish National Fund and the Israel Defense Forces, the Burma Road is back on the map. As part of a course in Israel's battle history, an IDF Cadet School near the Burma Road decided to retrace the famous route. Concerned by the anonymity and disrepair of the 10 mile stretch of dirt track, local army instructors turned to the JNF, who agreed to repair parts of the track and erect signs indicating where the Burma Road ran. Like so many Israelis, JNF Spokesman David Angel has only now learned where the Burma Road is. "I always assumed that it was further up towards Jerusalem," he said. "But the Quarries Road, going from near Sha'ar Hagai to Jerusalem, had been known for many years. The reason that Jerusalem was cut off was simply that there appeared to be no way around the Arab artillery by the Latrun Monastery." The recent ceremonial opening of the renovated Burma Road brought back to the public eye the three Palmach reconnaissance experts who discovered the vital passage to Jerusalem. They were Arye Tepper, a retired soldier now living in Ramat Hasharon, Yair Mundlak, a professor of agricultural economics at the Hebrew University, and Shlomo Ish-Shalom, a member of Kibbutz Bet Alpha.
From right to left: Shlomo lah-Shalom, Yair Mnndlak and Arye Tepper, the three Palmach reconnaiasance experts who diacovered the Bnrma Road ia 1948, dnring the recent ceremonial opening of the renovated Bnima Road. To the far left ia 'Gavruah', who supervised the anpply of food and ammunition to Jerusalem, thus breaUiig the siege.
"IF WE DIDN'T CATER TO KIDS, SHIRLEY TEMPLE AND ROY ROGERS WOULD STILL BE JUST STARS AND NOT DRINKS TOO."
jAcra^rMARys
JHE^
RISTORAMTE 5en/tng the Midwest Since 1947
• PIZZA • PASTA • PASTRY
Come and relive with us those fun-loving foot-stomping rip-roaring days in
SaraC-are
"EVERYBODY
NEEDS ALITTLE SARA CARE'
^NMKSrrtm«-s
SITTING SERVICES 24-Hour Service
All Ages Newborn—Elderly Professional Non-Nursing Home-Care Services 4-Hour Minimum
558-0058
VburPlusunls OurRtwurd' T.M.
i
Ya'llcome!
777 north 114
496-1363
(InMlrxleMillinaza) Open: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon-Thurs; 11 a.m.-l a.m. FriiSat 4p.m.-10p.m;Sun
EOE
A FRANCHISE OF SARA CARE FRANCHISE CORP.
Ask about our new Season Membership Ml 3464(83 or my BiMiMt Ticket Otllea
NATIONAL AUTO CENTER
STOREWIDE INVENTORY!
WINTER (^ISIKF^mS^ ENTIRE STOCK OF SHOES Dress — Casual
• sport
Airstep Revelations Pappagallo Trotters
Gaiand Famolare Danelle Amber Song
Diesse Footsteps Easy Street Calico
ENTIRE STOCK OF WOMEN'S WINTER BOOTS Sporto& Airstep
20-70% Off
;-.'^;i
$695.$4295
20-70% Off Bass Westies Cobbles Joyce
THE AUDI 5000S CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHMG ASAABSOOOCANOa jusTNOTAsouiaay.
AsLowAs*10~
The Saab 9000 Is veiy similar, in some respects, to the Audi 5000S. Botti cars have sculpted, aerodynamic botfies. Both have front-wheel drive. Both achieve a high level of performance tnmugh advanced technology; The Saab achieves a rather higher level of performance. According to tests performed by both Road A Track and Motor Trrnid magazines, the Saab 9000 out accelerates the Audi by several seconds. With Its split, fold-down rear seat and its 56 cubic feet of cargo space, the Saab is also more practical than the Audi.
This Sales Includes Everything! New Spring Shoes & Current Fall and Winter Styles
TIH' most iHtrlliffenI cars arr kiill.
SALE STARTS TODAY, DECEMBER 26-9 A.M.
'^St^SfBoq^ .^.
12279 WEST CINieR RD./WCSTWOOD PUZA OMAHA, Nt 68144 PHONE 333-7953 Open Moii.-f ri. IM; M. 10^ Sua 12-S
601 Fort Crook Hii No
Beiiovue N«hraska
Bellevue's Usfd Car Center'
2 Blocks So. of Southfoads
731-4636
i
OK.
Jawlah Pr*w
26. 1SS6
The future of Judaism in the U.S.
on"!
Goldie Hawn's visit to Tel Aviv to help push the new Doron Cinematique is recorded in this week's "Hello Jerusalem," airing at 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon on Cox Cable Channel 7. Another feature shows the latest style selections of leading Israeli designer Oded Gera, including his projected designs for new uniforms for the men and women of the Isreali defense forces. Shipmo Artsi, one of Israel's riiost popular singers, . performs his hit "dance" for us, while a quick featurette shows how Israelis "talk with their hands." The program repeats 7 p.m. Monday night and again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
MAMALOSHEN The Mamaloshenites will have a post-Hanukkah party on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. in the J.C.C. auditorium under the chairmanship of Morris Ruderman. Morey is asking members to bring an exchange gift, gaily wrapped. It may be a "tsatske," a white-elephant or if purchased, not to exceed $1.
YOUNG JUDEA Several Omaha delegates have returned from Young Judea's Fall Convention at Camp Henry Home near Chicago. More than 90 children from third through 12th grades and from 10 states attended this region's Kinnus Kulam, or Convention for Everyone. The weekend included games, prayer and study, singing, knowledge of Israel and a hirther awareness of Young Judea, the youth movement of Hadassah. Evan Saltzman, Joshua and Rini Gonsher will share with Frank Goldberg has been Omaha's chapter all that re-elected president of High- they . gained from this land Country Club. Other weekend. officers are Arnold Joffe, ACCUSED vice president; Norm VeitJERUSALEM (JTA) zer. secretary; Irv Yaffe, treasurer; Morris Lipp, ex- Anatoly Shcharansky has accused Israel of failing to ecutive secretary. New directors are Bob campaign publicly for SoKully, Yale Richards and viet Jews because it does Stan Schrier, elected for not want to irritate the Sothree-year terms. Appointed viet Union and is overly condirectors joining Frankie cerned about "rocking the Kasin, Mary Lou Walker boat." He said Israel's and Jon Bischof on the "quiet approach" to trying board are Bill Raynor, Mar- to promote Jewish emigracia Pitlor, Marcia Cohen, Is tion actually helped Moscow keep the doors shut. Tretiak.
NEW UNIFORM STORE IN OMAHA
UNIFORMS AT THE MALL Professional Uniforms and Career Apparel Larger Selection of the Latest Styles Orchard Plaza 330-7070 2533 S. 132nd (132nd & Center) Omaha, NE 68144
Customer Convenient Hours Mon.-Fri. 10-8;30 Sat. 10-5 Sun. 12-5
Assistant Director Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith/Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha
Immediate Opening Seeking a professional in the area of community relations to assist the director in promoting intergroup understanding, prejudice reduction and combatting anti-Semitism. Bachelor's degree required, good organizing skills and understanding of Jewish Communal Structure necessary. Send resume to: YitzakSantis ADL/CRC Office 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154 333-1303
By Yitzhak Rabi NEW YORK (JTA) - Despite divisions among American Jews the future of Judaism is bright, according to prominent Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism leaders. They agreed in a symposium at Fordham University Dec. 16 that the unity of the Jewish people depends on civility, respect and cooperation by the three major streams of contemporary Judaism. "Pluralism exists in Jew-
MATAMIM This Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28, MATAMIM will feature recorded music, both in Yiddish and Hebrew, a D'Var Torah by Rabbi Sidney Brooks and a dramatization of "A Chanukah in Chelm" by I.B. Singer. Tune in at 3:30 to KVNO, 90.7 fm, for this hour of Jewish music, wit and wisdom, announced Yitzhak Santia, host. Now in its seventh week of broadcast, MATAMIM welcomes letters and requests from listeners. The program highlights events of interest to the community and announces anniversaries, birthdays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other happy occasions during its "Sim^ cha Minute." All mail should be sent to MATAMIM c/o KVNO, 6625 Dodge, Omaha, NE 681820234.
ish life. This is a fact," Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, a leader of Orthodox Judaism in America and Chancellor of Bar llan University, asserted. "Unity, however, is hard to achieve. I am concerned with civility. It is impossible to say that all groups are equally right. But we should learn from each other," he said. Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk, a leader of Reform Judaism and president of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, concurred about civility, but he said that pluralism in the Jewish community should be encouraged. He said he believes in "unity in Jewish life but not in uniformity. Jewish life can only be enriched by diversity and pluralism," he claimed. In view of Rabbi Wolfe Kelman, a leader of Conservative Judaism and executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, there is "a de facto unity" in the American Jewish community. But, Kelman maintained, there is no de jure unity in Judaism here because one branch of Judaism does not recognize "the legitimacy" of, the other groups. "No one has a monopoly on holiness," Kelman said emphatically. He added, however, that "we have come ia long way" recalling the "ferocious fights" between different groups in Judaism when he was growing up' in Toronto, Canwla. "The fights then
Pacific Street Beverage
\kl (()\Sl 1I\M Kciirfsciiliiii; Hi
'"74 S. IJ't Au'.
330-6996
Li'l Prince & Princess 14540 W. Center We p«r»onallze pantlet, Jllpi, socia, uinbreilss, sweaters, etc.
HolidaN Mcrcliaiuii.sc
On Sale Now Mn,
j."^'
'^'^'~
''^'^
"'^'^
'^
'l-Toliday Hours [
Mon-Fn 10-8; SJI 10-6 Sun 12-5 Free alterations & giH wrap Layaway available GTISO-U Boys 0 •
330-4214 ^
Bring lawn chairs, sleeping bags, etc. for comfort. Save with advance reservations: $2 adults, $1 children.
Mail to or phone: Allen Chandler 12712 Gold Omaha, NE 68144 330-5985
or
Beth El Synagogue 210S.49thSt. Omaha, NE 68132 353-3221
THE PET CENTER for
Largest Selection of Small Animals in Town
REGENCY COURT
391-4326
• Chinchillas • Bunnies • Guinea Pigs • Hamsters • Qerblls All Braed Dog Grooming • Hand Scissoring • Coat Conditioning • Poodle Show Trims Our Specialty
Bneden A BxbUMon ni AKC Slaadard Poodles "OTM
sEAFood COMpANy 18th a LMven worth 345-5057
HOMI iiO.!l).!(
V\()KK 1 U
N.W. corner, Pacific at 120th
JM^ FRESH 133rdaW.C«nt«r 333*7032
( ()MMIK( lAI RISIDtNTIAI IWiSi MINIS
jAN PERELMAN
Competitive piices. If we don't have it, we'll do our best to get it for you. Mon-Thurs. 10-9 Frl.-Sat. 10-10
At Your Place
rHTlHffll
and death," he said. He said that in his view, the Torah is "eternal," and should be able, therefore, to cope with modernity. The most controversial issue confronting the three panehsts was the "Who is a Jew" question, a controversy that lias caused a political uproar in Israel and in the American Jewish community. The Orthodox want to amend the Law of Return in Israel to recognize as converts to Judaism only those who were converted according to halacha, or by Orthodox rabbis. Conversions by Conservative and Reform rabbis would not be valid, according to the proposed amendment. "This is a heinous thing, to question the authenticity of Jews," Gottschalk said. The question is not only who is a Jew but also "who is a rabbi," he pointed out, stating that the issue has caused the Reform movement "more pain than any other issue." He said that when Hitler killed the Jews he Itnew exactly who was a Jew. "This dispute creates a lot of animosity," he exclaimed. Kelman said that the issue of "Who is a Jew" has become an attempt by "rightwing Orthodox to delegitimize the Reform and Conservative movements." He said that he believes in the separation of state and church.
BebbMs
Frienilly West-End Service - Adequate Parking
SEAFOOD PARTY Fresh Seafood flown in dally Smoked salmon, party trays, spices : and seasonings to malte your get togetiieraSMASHI
were in Yiddish and now they are in English," he observed to the laughter of some 300 members of the audience. The symposium was organized and moderated by Rabbi William Berkowitz, national president of the American Jewish Heritage Coimnittee in association with The Dialogue Forum Series, which is sponsored by Berkowitz. The three rabbis agreed that the American Jewish community "has never been in a better shape" as Kelmaii asserted. Noting that 40 and 50 years ago many Jews converted to Christianity, "today many return to Judaism, in almost unprecedented numbers in the last 160 years." He said that the amount of books published in America on Jewish subjects and the number of people who study and learn Judaism and other Jewish subjects has no parallel in Jewish history. "This is the greatest golden age of Jewish life since the golden age of the Jews in Spain," Gottschalk said. He pointed out, however, that at the same time the vast majority of American Jews are still unaffiliated and only a small percentage is in the "Torah movement." Rackman contended that for most Jews "Jewishness is most superfidal. They use it as a rite of passage, for birth, wedding
LADIES'TIME LiriQERIE
13 yean In Pet Bualnew"
Harvey Oaks 14536 W. Center
333-1942 •^..ysisi.i-cjjssrk;:::;
DM.
By Bert Lewis
Whether you bench Chanuka licht or decorate a tree, it's still holiday time. And don't worry ... I won't urge anybody to do anything which might offend. It's simply that at this time of year I have to be careful of what my mother used to call the "green-eyed monster." When I was a little girl I would (now and then) get a case of the "gee she has a whatchmacallit like I always wanted" and my mom, in an effort to teach me not to be envious or jealous, would refer to the "green-eyed monster." Well, please don't tell her, but I do seem to find myself envying my friends who speak about gathering all their kids around the table for that turkey (or whatever) dinner. I've heard about running to meet planes, about cancelled trips, about preparing guest rooms—all that jazz. And I try not to say "yeah, yeah, it must be tough." No reason to pick on somebody, just because they either have their family close by or because they are able to call a command performance. I need to face the facts. My tribe has grown, flown the coop and are nearly all too far away to bop in just for turkey and pumpkin pie (or roast brisket with potato latkes). Just the same, even when I rationalize the entire megillah, I DO get a little envious. I'm grateful for the fact that one branch is near enough to come home, but how I wish I could wave a magic wand and have them all together. It's a far cry from the days when they WERE all together, as small kids, around the table. When the usual conversation contained phrases like "stop talking with your mouth full" or "stop kicking your sister" or "that's NOT the way to cut your food." There were so many negatives! My children's grandparents were convinced they couldn't possibly digest their food, what with all the hocking that went on. That's ok. Everybody survived and learning manners didn't iqipear to affect anyone's digestion (except maybe minel) But that was a long time ago, when there were little feet to swing under the table and a dog fo slip a nosh to, all the while being told to STOP IT. Some time ago while discussing this very subject, one of my young friends told me how to gather my clan togetjher... how to have them, pome rynnuigt not jusUisthering. He suggested we sponsor a family ski trip in the mountains or a swim trip at the shore—whichever best suited our crew. Then he instructed me to set the date, make the reservations and pay for the transportation for them all. Sounds great, and I'll just bet it would work. Trouble is, that plan represents a financial outlay to stagger the mind. Well, what's the solution? Stop whining and plan a trip to see the kids. It's cheaper and we can leave when it all gets to be too much. How's that? Suits me!
GRAND OPENING »
B
By Eslelle Rosenberg Mr. and Mrs. Arieh (Leroy) Breslow of Jerusalem announce the Dec. 12 birth of a daughter, Leah Devorah. Grandparents are Mrs. David Breslow, Lincoln and Mr. and Mrs. Andre Lemieux of Ottawa, Canada. Brandon Schneider of Cincinnati, Ohio, is visiting his grandmother, Mrs. David Breslow and family of Lincoln. The South Street Temple Congregation congratulates the following: Jon Steinman for winning an award at a major regional debate tournament held in Des Moines, Iowa; John Brasch for his election to the board of the Lincohi and Lancaster Senior Center Foundation;
m •
MONGOLIAN BAR-B-QUE MANDARIN CUISINE
S S
12100 W. Center Rd. Omaha, NE 68144 330-0460
(Ms.
' OPEN 7 DAYS Mon.-Thurs. 11:00-10:00 Fri.-Sat. 11:00-11:00 Sun. 11:00-9:30
The following South Street Temple members participated in the worship service for the month of December: Regina Simon, Eva Sartori and Suzanne Kalish. The Tifereth Israel Congregation members who hosted recent Oneg Shabbats are Nancy and Charles Coren, and Elaine and Everett Evnen. If you have an unusual or especially beautiful menorah which you would be willing to display during December in the Tifereth Israel cabinet, please contact Ophira Bahar at 488-4074.
Nasser ordered sinking of Israeli sub Dakar TEL AVIV (JTA) - The Israeli submarine Dakar, posted missing with all hands in 1968, was sunk at the orders of then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, according to a retired Egyptian naval officer who says he commanded the operation. Retired Vice Admiral Samir Shalabi wrote in a recent issue of the Cairo weekly A-Shaab that "We carried out the mission near Egyptian territorial waters west of the town of Al-Dakhila on January 25, 1968;'' That was the date when the Dakar, a British-built submarine of World War II vintage on its delivery voyage to Israel with a crew of 69 was last heard from. It was never determined whether the undersea craft foundered because of the failure of its pressurized hull or other internal difficulties, or was destroyed by enemy action. Until now, Egypt has denied any knowledge of the fate of the Dakar. Earlier this year, Egypt gave Israel permission to search in its coastal waters
Hanukkah programs
CHINA WOK RESTAURANT
Rabbi Michael Joseph for authoring the article, •What Should We Teach Jewish Teens About Christianity," in the Compass magazine.
A reminder: FM radio station, KIWR, 89.7, will offer six hours of Hanukkah programming tomorrow (Dec. 27), in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. They will include: "These Lights of Hanukkah," 1-2 p.m.; an hour of Klezmer music, 2-3 p.m.; "Rozhikes mit Mandlin," 3-5 p.m.; and "One People, Many Voices," with Theodore Bikel, 6-8 p.m.
for traces of the submarine. The search, carried out with the help of U.S. Navy persoimel and equipment, was terminated in October after nothing was found. Shalabi, in his account of events nearly 19 years ago, wrote: "Our underwater detection system discovered a hostile target. We reported to President Nasser who ordered the Naval Command to locate the target and hit it. Nasser was concerned over a possible attack by Israeli frogmen. Seventeen kilometera from shore, we made contact with the submarine. I gave the order and we dropped 36 depth charges on it, and reported on otir success." The Admiral said "helicopters that arrived on the scene searched for remains of the sub, but there were none."
As yet another hoUday approaches, Jewish Family Service once again has embarkeid on its Tzedakah program. We have become increasingly aware of many more Jewish families in our community who need food, clothing, and other types of assistance. There are a number of generous people in our community who have committed themselves to helping our agency meet the needs of those less fortunate, both in volunteerism and fianandal support for the Jewish Family Service effort. There have been a few new, very generous, anonymous contributions to JFS to provide food for families as well as clothing and toys for these children for Hanukkah. Also, the Women's American CRT of Omaha has spearheaded our 1986 holiday Tzedakah by providing shoppers, packers, and deUverers. This combined commimity generosity enables our less fortunate families to observe a traditional holiday. Jewish Family Service is grateful to these individuals, as well as to all of you who continue your generous support of this Tzedakah effort. Whether it is a coat for an eight-year-old child, a chicken for a Shabbat dinner, or personal time devoted to implement this program, your help strengthens the family unit. On behalf of the JFS staff and Board of Directors, I wish you and your families a very Happy Hanukkah and a good, healthy year ahead in 1987. New In Omaha An Exceptional Restaurant Serving Lunch 9t Dinner Mon-Sit 1212!>WenCenierRd.
5A-=
great greens Beautifully prepared salads with fresh dressing and served with a French hard roll. • Romalne 7635 Cass Court • Chicken 399-9200 • Spinach Open for Lunch & Dinner
14120 "S" St. • Millard 895-3228 JAPANESE AND CHINESE ^ Itempuia • Sukl ISikl • Bento • Negi-Naki i /S/^x'^/^S/tS and Chinese Cuisine /Si/a/S/S"^ Dinner Price Range: $4.45-$7.95 Lunch 11:30-2:00 Dinner 4:30-10:00 Lunch Special Combination $3.55 Sat. 5:00- 10:005unday 11:30-9:00 Hm Reservations Accepted WK§^ fWf\
NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIALSI $/295 SPECIAL DINNER O NEW YEAR'S EVE
CHOICE or TWO: Sweet ft Sour Pork, Almond Chicken or Broccoli Beef. .. PLUS Soup and Appetizers (1 Egg Roll, 2 Tried Wontons tt Paper Wrapped Chicken)
FREE Glass of PLUM WIMC with each dinner! Regular Menu Also Available New Year's Eve Houra Decemlier 31.1986 11:30 mjm. • 12KK> •.••.
CHOP suev &
HUM^N HUNAfP«"B*nSARDEN
Cantonese Cuisine LUNCH & DINNER We accept All tAaior Credit-Cards, Also Checks
1 aOTH » C6NTEB« MM«01__
FAJmiTES!
6455 CENTER, OMAHA PLENTY OF FREE I'ARKING ACROSS FROM AK-SAR-BEN
ALL YOU CAN EAT MAIN COURSE - four Cfeofc* 0/rwo: ONETIMEUMIT • Almond Chicken • Broccoli Best • Chickan Chow Main • Lamon Chickan
SERVING YOUR FAVORITi COCKTAILS
MON. THRU SAT U AM TO 10:30 PM SUNDAY — HOLIDAYS 12 NOON TO 9:30 PM CLOSED TUESDAYS
by Glen Fineman Executive director, Jewish Family Service
m TOKYO RESTAURANT ^
^ ^ f$^ g| Daily Dinner Special $2 off
]ft
26, IMe
HOURS: 5-8 BUFFET DINNER - TUES • THUR • SAT NO DOGGIE BAG WITH COUPON ORDER. PRESENT COUPON WHEN YOU OflOER.
TBth a
EXPIRES DECEMBER 30, 1986
c
Jawlati PrtM
12
DK.
26, 19M
ttk(B JWV bnvouiaic
By Henry Stern The last gathering of members of JWV EpsteinMorgan Post No.260 was Dec. 'l8. Next meeting at Legion Post No.l is on Jan. 22, '87. Doc Margolin offered the pledge of allegiance and prayers, followed by a report by commander Sol Mann on the Latka Party, our only fund-raiser, said report passed to Sol by Quartermaster Nate Marcus, who is off to the Coast. Dept. Commander Iz Lewis awarded the 1986 "Man pf the Year" award to Larry Gomez at the veter-
Thankstoyou... it\MXl<S... for ALL OF US LkiltadWku
FOR LEASE Swanson Towers Condo Deluxe 2-bedroom, 2 bath unit in luxury full service 24-hr. security bidg. By Appointment Harriet Miller •
554-1171
559-2900
an's holiday party. A well deserved recognition. From National, a memo from National Commander Goldwasser on the letter he sent to Pres. Reagan to approve a Congressional recommendation for veteran's benefits (the President did), and a memo on JWV Leadership Political Contact Survey. Lots of interesting action going on, and JWV members learn about it when they attend our monthly gatherings. New members are a priority, and we believe that only 50 percent of Omaha's Jewish veterans belong to Post No. 260. Sam Kaplan gave an interesting talk on the new income tax laws, what's deductible and what won't be.
Adult Shabbaton planned in February Plans are being made for an Adult Shabbaton open to the community to be held at the Boys Town Conference Center, Febr. 13-14, 1987, under the leadership of Cantor Leo Fettman. The retreat begins with Shabbat dinner and concludes on Saturday evening with Havdalah. The thenje for study and discussion will
be announced shortly. Both double and private rooms are available at the Boys Town Conference Center located just north of 139th and Pacific Streets. A charge of $50 covers lodging plus four kosher meals. For additional information call Cantor or Annette Fettman at 551-6609.
Hanukkah dance 'good for you'
"Dancing is a great way lighter. The feeling of wellto work out," according to being may also stem from Chuck Arnold, JCC health the power of touch—that and physical education sense of a close relationship director. "Any kind of danc- that is encouraged by a ing, from the waltz, swing, "waltz or fox trot. You don't F Moles—Goptiers "•^—^ cha-cha, helps to shake off even realize you're working tension, relax the mind and out because you're having the Professional I for I spirit, loosen up the entire so much fun!" The first Hanukkah ballI Pest Control | body. "Indeed, it's amazing how room dance will be held o;i I ^ ATLAS I a trip around the dance floor Saturday, Dec. 27, starting I K O Peif Control^ ^ to a favorite song will make at 8:30 p.m. in the JCC audipersonal problems seem torium. The cost is $2 for .Jitsi. 558-3094 I simpler to handle, pain less Center members and $3 for annoying, and cares a little non-members.
Friendljr Faces, Familiar Places
By Ralph Nogg
To recall North 24th Street shortly after World War I, it becomes necessary to focus back on the econmic scene the important economic scene-The Stores. The stores in those days performed more than a service of bringing goods of all types to the customer. It seemed sort of a community center and certainly was the cauldron of thoroughly boiling down the events of the day and the period; It was the perpetual contact to the Old World, the catalyst in distributing the adventures and wonderment of the New World. The preponderant gathering places for these conversations were either the butcher shop (meat market, if you please) and the bakery, with the grocery store running third. Our meat market was Muskin-Epstein and fresh in my memory were those Town Hall sessions, especially on Thursdays. In the environment of those poorly lighted stores, with sawdust on the floors, meat display counters for both fresh and processed products, with no comforts for temporary rest, the shopping and the conversations would ensue. The stories, the kaleidiscopic items of discussion were a wonderment. At times in the heat and ardor of discussion, the Tower of Babel was a well governed conversational session. And always with that aroma of corned beef, salami and bologna—the myrrh of our people. That was better—and how could you get closer to heaven, than having a thick corned beef sandwich on fresh challah with a real kosher pickle? Ah, those were the days and that was the corned beef I What happened to the art of making corned beef like they used to? Second to the meat market for newscasts, were the bakery stores. Omaha in the early 20's was blessed with several fine purveyors of bakery goods. The bakery that we patronized basically was Himmelbloom's. I don't know if it was on accoimt of the wonderful products or better acoustics. Probably both. Second choice, mainly for bagels and donuts, was Adlers. There is no odor as delicious as freshly baked challah and other bakery goods wafting their unforgettable fragrance into an atmosphere that will never be the same. Many; many pleasant memories and incidents happened at the stores on 24th Street. Next week we hope to bring you more "noggstalgia" regarding those stores on 24th street.
Entertaining ^ A Group? 1215 South IIMh St. 334-2744
Order a 3-pound
PARTY BAGEL Plain, Onion, Sesame, Poppy or Combo (Two days notice)
ift
3««f«f
All of our baked goods are certified Kosher. Mon. 7-noon; Tues.-Sat.7-5; Sun. 7-2 Undar the supervision ol Ihe Vaad Hakashrul of Omaha
It's trae. For patients recovering from an illness or learning to live with a djsability, the reassuring atmosphere of home and fEunily can bring a special, healing touch. We should know. We're American Home Care. At American Home Care. weVe earned a reputaUon for excellence in the delivery of comprehensive home health services. But there's more than professional competence to American Home Care. Personal concern and understanding play an equally important iple in the service we provide to our clients. That's why Omaha area families and physicians linow they can call upon us with confidence. _,...„ Designed to complement the care of theclicnfs personal physician, our service begins with an individualized plan of home care. Sendees avaUable include • licensed (RN/LPN) nursing care • health education • specialized nursing services, such as Intravenous therapy and ostomy care • speech, physical and occupational therapies • assistance with bathing and personal care • meal planning, preparaUon and home management assistance. For further information, or for a no-cost needs assessment at your convenience, just caU us... anytime. Perhaps we can bring the healing touch of home to someone you know.
American Home Can la a private, Medicaie/Medic»ld certified home beafth agency.
(402) 493-7877 5601 tioith 102(nl Omi )nuha, Ni
jpizae
iSAVE°-CAR RENTALS I
WITH THIS coupon
j j I I
• $5 off weekday rates •$2offwiBekendrates 'All 15 Omaha and Lincoln Locations
|BBiidg.eti j Car Rental
•'Ti^-:.Liiti.:i-y.^^jam
348-0455
M