Xf SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 29 Tevat, 5749 Friday, January 6, 1989
Vol. LXVI No. 18 Omaha, Nabr.
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Federation selects teens for '88 leadership award
The Jewish Federation of Omaha has selected Wendy Joyce Sheldon and Scott Muskin as the recipients of the 1988 Teen Leadership award. The teenagers will be honored at the Federation's annual meeting Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center. Wendy, of 1225 N. 127th Avenue, is 16 and a member of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization; Scott, of 13135 Mason, is 17 and a member of Beth El BILU United Synagogue Youth. In her recommendation for Wendy, Kara D. Marks, BBYO director, said that when Wendy started her term of vice president for Ediar, programming activities were at an all time low. One of her responsibilities as vice president was to plan programs for the chapter and along with former president Rachel Goldberg, they made Ediar a stronger
Scott Musldn chapter in the area of programming. During Wendy's present term as president, Ediar received the Miriam Albert Chapter Honor Roll award, the highest award an individual chapter can receive. In his recommendation for Scott, Larry Moldo said that as the leader of a large, growing youth group which has extended its outreach to neighboring cities ( Iowa City, Sioux City, Lincoln,
Wendy Sheldon Des Moines), Scott deserves a lot of the credit for where the chapter is now. Through Scott's efforts (as well as those who work with him), the chapter has now grown to 42 paid members. The chapter also has been nominated for Chapter of the Year by EMTZA Region and is under consideration for the same award on the international level.
Bloom describes parallel The executive director of state of 13 million and ultiHe said the role of the the Jewish Federation of mately caused World War American Jewish communiOmaha said that a strong II. ty must be to ensure that and' united Jewish commuMr. Bloom said that one America does not fall prey nity must ensure that the can only hope that the Bush to the inflated rhetoric of U.S./PLO dialogue doesn't administration will not be those who have realized that end up dictating terms to persuaded by a gullible what they cannot do by the Israel. desire to avoid unplesant- sword, they can do by Howard Bloom told the ness or by the posturing of means of the word. Old Timers group at the the European nations. Jewish Community Center, Tuesday; that the public relations success of Arafat and the "consistent morally bankrupt posturing of the European nations" brings to mind a "chilling paralld" to Munich appeasement and the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. He said that during the 1930s, Czechoslovakia was a new 8tat« carved out of the Treaty of Versailles. It was both democratic and pluralistic; it was governed by a man of the quality of Edward Benes and was compoaed of varioua national minorities including a large number of ethnic German*. The geographical boundariea of the country were abutt«d by Germany, a large power which waa hp^ila and whose deaifna for conqueet and diamembennant ware obscurred by a fraudulent ooncern for allegad miatraatmant and oppraaaiao of the Sudeten Gannitaa. H* aaid the rfafltoric of the Danial J. Fellaua, soa of Beverly and Richard FeUman, time waa charged with all was awarded Eagle Scout rank at a Court of Hoaor, Dec. aorta of emotional raaooanc29, at St. Michael Latheran Church. Daniel, 16, ia a ea which may aaera doable •ophomore at Central High School where he ia on the ironic to us tod«y. I^tffioe it debate team, vice preaidcat of Young DanocraU and to aay, awn more than the a member of the French dub. While at Horace Mann agreaaiveoeaa of Hitler was Jnniot High, he waa elected to the Prindpal'a Cabinet the cowardUneaa and willfuU and aetectM for NaUoaal Junior Honor Sodaty. Hia blindnaaa of the Weatem Eagle aarvke project involved the organiaation and powfra who connived at the plaatiag of 20 Evergreen treea at Beth El Ceaaetcry. diamembsrment of thia
Court of Honor
'tlkf-'JI-j-TI.'S
Milton R. Abrahams named humanitarian of the year By Joannie Jacobson Federation public relations director "Our sages remind us that 'only he who lives in the hearts of his fellow men can truly be said to have lived.' I know no one who better exemplifies the sharing of his talent, his philosophy, his philanthropy and service to his community, than Milton Abrahams." Morion Richards —former Omahan and long-time friend Milton R. Abrahams, noted Omaha attorney and civic leader, has been named Humanitarian of the Year by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, announced Sarftrme Gitnick, Federation president. The award will be presented at the 85th Annual Meeting on Jan. 15, at the Jewish Community Center, 7:30 p.m. "Service to my community originated at the Jewish Community Center in Omaha," said Mr. Abrahams. "Whatever has happened since tlien, whatever I have done in the wider community is simply an outgrowth of what happened there." ;, For many years, Mr. Abrahams has been recognized as one of Omaha's most outstanding citizens. In addition to a highly respected and successful law practice, he has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in pubic service. Last April, the new northwest branch of the Omaha Public Library was dedicated and named in his honor. Mr. Abrahams served for 21 years on the Library Board, 12 as its president. He was instrumental in the. building of the W. Dale Clark Library and received one of five national awards given by the American Library Trustee Association to "major benefactors of public libraries." In a letter to former mayor Ed Zorinsky, he wrote, "A good, modem library is not just a dvic resource but is a dvic necessity. No matter how many branches there may be, a main down-
wide general respect. "Milt feels a great responsibility, " Mr. Monasee continued. "He always responds to the needs of people and he's always going to be involved. He's morally driven to do the right thing." ' "We all have a responsibility for other human beings around us," Mr. Abrahams commented. "We can't isolate ourselves. We have to help those oh the outside who need it." In a recent interview, Mr. Milton R. Abrahams town library is indispens- Abrahams emphasized particularly the need to adhere able." In 1942, Mr. Abrahams to Jewish vdues and Jewish was dected chairman of the life. "They are essential to Omaha United Service Or- us. Without Jewish values, ganization (USO) council we lose most of our meanand recognized for his work ing," he said. "As the exterby the Omaha World- nd pressures in the world have subsided, many of our Herald in 1943. In 1965, he was elected own concepts and principles president of United Commu- have diminished. 'This is all nity Services, now known as the more reason to find an inner strength and try to United Way. In 1959, he was elected prevent that type of erosion. "The answer lies in edupresident of the Omaha Bar cating our children and to Association. In 1975, Mr. Abrahams inspire in them a sense of was one of three new mem- immediacy." he remarked. "If we don't continue to bers dected to serve on the educate, information beJoslyn Liberal Arts Sodety comes remote—like an tKtard of trustees, and in earthquake in China—it's 1981, he was elected its happening to someone else. chairman. "The Jewish Federation He has served the Omaha Jewish conununity as presi- offers an impressive oppordent of the Federation and tunity for community servpresident of Temple Israd. ice." noted Mr. Abrahams. Mr. Abrahams has been "It's an entry point—a fohonored by Creighton Uni- cus of Jewish commund acversity, the Methodist tivities concentrated in one Hospital Foundation, Anti- place. "It's like a cafeteria—all Defamation League, National Conference of Chris- you have to do is 'walk tians and Jews and the down the line' of Federation agencies and sdect the comState of Israel. He has been a member of munity activity that you the Omaha Transit Board, would enjoy. Human Relations Board "My great-grandfather and Omaha School Board. came to Omaha after the Charles Monasee, presi- Civil war with a handful of dent. Health Future Foun- Jewish people from Tennesdation, has been an admirer see. They organized Temple of Mr. Abrahams over the Israd. They tried to have a years. "Milt Abrahams is Jewish community life. the outstanding Jewish cit- Think about it. Here they izen in this town and has were on the edge of nobeen for a number of years. where, and their initid reNot only has he been avail- sponse to a new life here was able ta Jewish concerns, but to organize a Jewish comhas been a fine representa- munity. It's that kind of tive in the general Omaha commitment that the rest of cOnununity as well. He has us must hdp to pree»^g^^.
Agencies report respons NEW YORK (JTA) American Jewish agendea coUecUng money on bahalf of Armenian earthquake victims are raporting an overwhelming reaponse from contributors. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee reported that they have received more than $250,000 in their "Open Mailbox" fampaign. while the Boeton-baied American Jewish World Service an-
nounced contributions of over $70,000. Aryeh Cooperstock, the JDC's director of intematk»al development, and representativee bl other nongovernmental agendea met with offidaU ol the U.S. SUte Department's Office of Foreign Diaaater Assistance to diacuas distribution of the money collected. The groups m conaidaring longertenn projects for the region, whaie Soviet
officials say at least 65.000 died, thousanda were injured, and sooree of villagea, schools, farms and me(ttcal facilities were leveled. Robert Snow, programming diiectar for the American Jewiah World Service, said hia staff is working doady with B'nd B'rith Intemationd. They hope to meet with Soviet offidala in Washington to di*cua» projects.