January 24, 1992

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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE

Vol. LXIX No. 21 Omaha, Nebr.

19 Shevat, 5751 Friday, Jan. 24, 1992

Spanish Jews helped discover America

By Susan Paley staff writer "There would have been no discovery of America without the achievements of Spanish Jews during the Golden Age of Spain," said Dr. Kenneth Libo last Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

Dr. Libo is curator of "Voyages to Freedom: 500 Years of Jewish Life in Latin America and the Caribbean," a major exhibit assembled by the Jarkow Institute for Latin America of the ADL of' New York.

Sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the ADL, the exhibit made its national debut in Omaha to an audience of about 250.

The exhibit is the opening event in a year-long program of activity spon- • sored by the JCAC to commemorate the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. • ' "The history of. Latin

Dr. Kenneth Libo (left) opens Sepharad '92, a year of programming sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council commemorating the quincentennary of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. At right, Dora Lipka Manela, chairman of the Voyages to Freedom event, and Dr. Oliver Pollak (right) of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, introduce Dr. Libo.

America is radically different from the history of North America," Dr. Libo commented. "The exhibit gives one a sense of the richness of the Latin American Jewish experience, beginning with the arrival of the first Europeans to the New World.

The first European to set

foot on American soil was Columbus' Jewish translator, Luis de Torres.

Jews came to Sepharad, the Hebrew word for Spain, (thus, Spanish Jews, Sephardim) in the Third Century C.E. The eighth to the 14th centuries are called the "Golden Age of Spain" because of the "treffielidous" scientific and cultural achievements which took place.

Dr. Libo said, adding that Jews were involved in all facets of discovery.

"The premier mapmaker of the time was a Jew named Kreques. An astronomer, Abraham Zacuto, invented the astrolabe, without which navigation to the New World could not have taken place."

In a separate interview with the Jewish Press, Dr. Libo compared the 1492 edict to expel the Jews from Spain to the Wanrisee Conference. ''People should remember that we are conunemorating a dual anniverCantor Leo Fettmom sary, one Sephardic and will sponsor a kiddush one Ashkenazic. There luncheon in his honor on were two horrible events in Jewish history: the 1492 Feb. 29.

"We are inviting the en- expulsion of the Jews fn)ni tire Jewish community to Spain and the 1942 Wannjoin us for the Kiddush se« Conference in (iermuluncheon and, of course, ny. which .set into motion those who desire to come th»' infamous 'Final Soluearlier can daven with tion' by the Nazis.

"In both cases, the me."

Cantor Fettman wa.s born course of Jewish history in Hungary in 1925 and, was irreparably changed."

Dr. Libo stated, "In prior to World War II. at li'inli'<l Hebrew School and I492i thp rii-hfst Jewish 'he Holy' 'inic Yeshiva. "In culturi' .me to an .. . 1. ' Cantor Fettman Landov' stated, "my life changed abrupt end on Spaiush as that WH** *^" ^•'«'- ' ^^'^ soil. What is remarkable, is that for 500 years, we placed in . did survivi.' as ,K'Ws. The

Cantor Fettman plans to retire Feb. 29 »

By Morris Maline

Leo Fettman, now in his 18th yev as Cantor of Beth Israel Synagogue, has announced his plans to retire on Feb,29. ' Cantor Fettman, whp will be 67 in March, said he selected' Feb. 29 (a leap year) "so that I only have to celebrate every four years."

He told the Jewish Press that although his health is fairly good, he is getting tired of Nebraska winters and would Uke to spend more ti"-" "• «.>•>•"<• er climates. c "Annette oim > <>••".' e six children and nine andchildren and • they Trai are located, in different statfH and in Israel, su visiting then) is .something that we want to do more often."

Cantor Fettman said he really enjoyed working with collea({ues. the comjBUJty's rabbisi teachers the public.

"I hope that during iv time in Omaha I havv succeeded in my two-fold mission: to teach our young^ti>r<t to live UI> to Tor,ill

1992 Kallah weekend

ing of what' Judaism in America means. We don't realize that Jewish America is a nationwide phenomena and we have no understanding of our Jewish heritage in Latin America."

Dr. Libo continued, "The Latin American experience is radically different from the North American. One of the best ways we can define ourselves as uruquely American Jews is , to compare our experience in the United States to that of other Jews elsewhere.

"The Spanish Inquisition, was set up in Catholic Spain in 1460. Its purpose was to ferret out Moslems and Jews. The motivation to come to the New World was to escape the Inquisition," Dr.Libo said./ . , "In 1492, there were 200,000 Jews in Spain.

Half left for. Portugal: 50,000 converted; and 50,000 eniigrated. The converted Jews were called 'Conversos.' or New Christians. The term 'Marrang' is a derogatory Spanish word which rtieans pig."

Dr. Libo concluded.

"Jews have a magnificent ability for survival in the factitff the most desperate conditions Wherever we live, we have had the ability to adapt..

"Jewish history is a foundation stone of Judaism. We have a focus on our Jewishness U give^i u.s our place in the world. We do not have an identity cri sis like other people Wv know *ho we are" In conjunct "Voyages to' '

By Michael Gendler Kallah weekend co-chairman Moshe Lazar, professor of drama and comparative literature at the University of Southern California, will speak at the Jewish (Cultural Arts Council's Kallah weekend.

The weekend will consist of three lectures progressing chronologiCEilly from the 10th to the 16th century. On Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.,,Professor Lazar will' speak at Beth Israel Synagogue on "The Golden Age of the Sephardic Jews."

This lecture will concentrate upon Jewish intellectual contributions from the 10th to the 12th century, a period of Moslem domination in Spain.

- On Feb. 1, at 8 p.m.,' Beth El will host the sec: ond lecture, "The Contribution of Sephardic Jews to Western Culture." This lecture will carry the story of Sephardic Jews from the 13th to the 15th century, exploring mysticism and rationalism as Sephardim came under increasing Christian influence.

The seaies will conclude Feb. 2. at 10 a.m., at Temple Israel, with "The Inquisition, The Expulsion: Survival of the Hidden Jews in Portugal and the New World."

Here, Professor Lazar will detail the fight carried on by Sephardic Jewry to maintain an "underground Judaism" in the face of harsh persecution." Comparisons will be drawn be-

. Moshe Lazar tween those Jews who stayed and those who left for the New World in the 1500s.

Born in Romania, Professor Lazar has lived in Belgium, France, Israel and the United States. He studied literature and drama at the Sorbonne, Hebrew University, and the University of Salamanca, Spain.

He taught at Hebrew University, establishing the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies in 1967,, and founded the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Tel Aviv University in 1971. He has been at use since 1977. . Professor • Lazar has familarity with more than 14 languages (French, English, TIebrew, German, Spanish, ItaUan, Portugese, Dutchl Yiddish, Hungarian, Latin, Provencal. Old French and in Judeo-Romance languages).

He has written or edited 18 books (three more forthcoming), and has dozens of articles to his credit.

1992 UJA/Federation Campaign:

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Jan. 24, 1SS2

Fellman scholarships available for 1992-93 Care-full miles From Ju ly through December 1991, the vans from the Bureau for the Aging, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha travelled 16,370 miles to assist . Omaha's Jewish senior citizens.

In December alone, averaging 100 miles per day, the vans made 80 trips to medical appointments, 66 shopping trips and '86 trips to older adult group programs.

Shane Kotok, Director of Social Services, explained, "Our transportation goes beyond a honking horn at the curb— it is escort service. * The drivers go to th(* door to help the passengers to the van, and escort the passengers all the way to their destinations, including into the doctor's office or the grocery stort."

2,751 of the miles travelled from July to December were to deliver 3,579 kosher Meals-on-Wheels to Jewish scniiar citizens.

Ms. Kotok added, 'That's a hot meal at noon every day, Monday through Friday. And frozen meals for the weekend arc delivered on Fridays. But it's more than just a meal. It's a friend stopping by to ' see if everything is all right. More than once, we have been alerted to a problem when a concerned driver delivering a meal notified us that someone • heeded our help."

Scholarships are available for the 1992-1993 school year as a result of a scholarship trust which has been established in memory of Bruce M. Fellman.

The Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation •Trust will award these scholarships, based on ' financial need, to allow students to further their post-secondary educations at the college, business or trade school of their choice.

"The goal of the scholarships is to insure that students do not miss out on an educational opportunity because of flnancial need." according to Foundation trustee Howard Kooper.

Bruce, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman. was a 1982 graduate of Westside

Robert and Katherine Friedman announce the birth of their fir§t child, Mathew David, on Dec. 27, 1991, in Dallas. ' Grandparents are Lois and Sol Friedman and Dolores and Carl Ostrom.

Great-grandparents are Eve Bernstein, Rebecca Friedman and Anna Ostrom.

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FRIDAY,.JANUARY 24 Temple Israel 3rd Grade Shabbal Dinner, 6pm, •Temple Israel Children's Artwr Day Celebration, 7:30 p.m, ' Chevra B'Nai Israel SATURDAY! JANUARY 25 Boris Davidson, Bar Mitzvah, Belt) Israel Temple Israel Chamber Music, 8pm. Temple Israel Welzmann Sweetheart Dance

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 Foundation .English Class. 9 a m MONDAY. JANUARY 27 \YtS, 10 a m JFS Board 7 30pm Blumkin Home GenerationTo-Generation Profliam '6:30 8 m TUESOAY^JANIIARY 28 Old Tinwis. 1030 am Federation Board. 7 30 M IITTO Peisonnel Committet. 7 30 p m WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 / Bteadbreakers Jloon Regency West Best Western Het)r»w High MO p m THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 Walk. In Drop In, 10 30 am Hadassah Leadership Trainino, 7 30 p I'l FRIDAY. JANUARY 31 Kallah vyeekend . 8 Nai Israel ChiWien'sSe'rvices

Project Ljnk, a programHigh School. He was ac- ming group for interfaith tive in BBYO and served couples and their families, as president, vice presi- has hired Maggie Kenney, dent, secretary and treas- a certified social worker, to urer of Chaim Weizmann facilitate a series of supAZA. port group meetings beHe attended George ginning Feb. 3. it was anWashington University in , nounced.

Washington, D.C., and Project Link's support was participating in the group will meet from 7-8 University of Pittsburgh's- p.m. at Beth El, 145th'and Semester at Sea at the California streets, and will time of his death. meet every other Monday "The annual awarding evening. The group is open of these scholarships is the to anyone in the community most appropriate way of and is free of charge. For inhonoring Bruce's mem- formation or to register, call ory," Mr. Kooper noted. chairman Ilene Klein, 334Applications for a Bruce 1185, or Beth El, 492-8550.

M. Fellman scholarship ''Support groups are are available by calling Mr. Kooper's office at 392- formed around a common 1800. The completed form theme," said Ms. Kenney, must be received by "and the participants all have some personal exMarch 10.

Other trustees of the perience or investment in Foundation are Darlynn that theme.

"The groups are formed Fellman and Terri Schrager. to provide mutual support and information," continued Ms. Keiuiey, "and to allow participants to explore and express their

By Henriette Boas feelings and to share their and Ruben Vis AMSTERDAM (JTA)- experiences with others."

Ms. Keimey has a BA in The Jewish community here is furious over a hand- psychology from Creighbook distributed by the ton University and a Royal Dutch Airline, KLM. master's in social work to its flight attendants to from UNO. She is curacquaint them with the rently associated with distinctive customs, back- Midwest Psychotherapy grounds and needs of pas- . Associates and is a clinical sengers of different reli- social worker in the gious groups.

Creighton University DeRabbi Raphael Evers, partment of Psychiatry. head of the Orthodox Jew"This peirticular group ish Seminary in the Neth- is different from others erlands, likened it to since this is the first time "Mein Kampf" and the we have offered a support medieval blood libel be- group to those involved in cause of what he said were an interfaith relationship gross distortions about and their families." conthe customs and behavior cluded Ms. Keimey. "We of observant Jews. are starting with five sesAccording to Rabbi tody sions; at the last session Van De Kamp of the Am- participants will be asked sterdam Ashkenazic Con- to evaluate the group's efgregation, it reflects prej- fectiveness and make udice and lack of know- recommendations as to ledge of Jews and Juda- what further support is ism. needed."

"KLM stimulates prejudice against Jews and Inflation rate greatly offends the Jews."

By Hugh Orgel De Kamp charged in the TEL AVIV IJTA)-IsDutch Jewish weekly Nieuw israelietisch Weekblad. rael's consun)«r price inHe denianded appropriate dex rose a modest 0.3 perrevisions in the next edi- cent in December, settling the inflation rate for 1991 tion. . •' ' KLM. Holland's globe- at 18 percent, the Central girdling air carrier, has Bureau of Statistics anpromised to make all ow- nounced.

Kconomists. who were essary revisions.

The handbook, titled foroc-asting a 20^percenl "Cultures Aboard," de- annual inflation rate only votes 12 of its 200 pages to -a few months ago. expressed satisfaction.

Orthodox Jews.

( Jbflrtto ) 'Distortions'

Sa t^© mossy© CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Barry U. Kaiman Former Omahan Barry G. Kaiman has been appointed to the Western Regional Council of the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Keapiratory Medicine in Denver.

Mr. Kaiman is the managing partner of the Los Angeles-based legal firm of l.«wis, D'Amato, Urisbois & Bis|{aard. He is the son of Mrs. Irvin C. Kaiman.

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d(gattlks] MARSHA L. PETERSEN A memorial service for Marsha Lazerson Petersen, a native of Omaha, has been conducted at John A. Gentlemen Mortuary. Burial took place at Temple Israel Cemetery.

She is survived by sons, Lynn Leizerson of Normal, 111., and Gordon Lazerson of Woodbridge, Va.; daughters. Sheila Sale of Newport Beach, Calif., and Rochelle Hockensmith of Chicago; brother, Eugene London of Los Angeles; sisters, Edith Cohen of Palm Springs, Calif., Adalyn Nogg and June Goodbinder, both of Omaha: and five grandchildren.

MAX MELNIK Graveside services at.

Fisher Farm were held on Jan. 19 for Max Melnik, 62.

Mr. Melnik is survived ,by his wife, Karen.

Seeks deal JERUSALEM (JTA)With the collapse of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's coalition government imminent, the Labor Party is trying to negotiate with Likud on a date for early elections.

The Likud-led coalition lost its parliamentary majority Sunday when two far-right ministers, Yuval Ne'eman oi Tehiya and Rehavam Ze'evi of Moledet, submitted their resignations to the Cabinet, effective after 48 hours.

The, two parties represent a combined total of five Knesset seats, sufficient to reduce the coalition's 64-seat edge to 59 in the 120-member house.

They left f.he government to pretest peace talk^ with the Palestinians.

Shamir is expected to submit his resignation to President Chaim Herzog. • but not before the Knesset establishes a date for early elections and votes to dissolve itself. The outgoing government would remain in office as a caretaker re-^H gime until the elections. ^^U , Haim Ramon, chairman ^^ of Labor's Knesset faction, approached his I jkud counterpart. Sara Doron, on Monday to discuss an election date.

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Jan. 24, 1992

©ir^ainifl^attS(D)iRiS BREADBREAKERS Richard Diamond, B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers chairman for January, has announced that a US West representative will speak at the Jan. 29 luncheon on "Deciding America's Telecommunications Future."

Breadbreakers meets on Wednesday at noon at Regency West Best Westem. Cost for the luncheon is $7. The community may attend.

MAMALOSHEN Society members and friends will meet Feb. 2, at ^ 2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center in the "Yiddisher Vinkel" Room 10.

February chairperson Eve Mey«rson will lead the group in Jewish melodies to celebrate Jewish Music Month. She will also play a medley of Jewish music.

To commerate Columbus' voyage to the New world, we will discuss how he obtained financial aid, who came .with him and^ why.

TEMPLE ISRAEL GO^ETTERS Because it was necessary to cancel the Jan. 15 TIGGS luncheon, the new date is Jan. 29, at noon, at Temple Israel.

Call Temple Israel, 5566536, for reservations.

Cost of lunch is $3.

Expulsions upheld

Jswith Prats

Cry 'fowl'

By Hugh Orgel

By Gil Sedan TEL AVIV (JTA)-The pelicans-whose beaks JERUSALEM (JTA)hold more than their bellies can—are gorging on IsB'NAI B'RITH rael's famous pond-bred fish, to the dismay of the Henry Mpnsky Lodge A military review board in farmers that market them. honored ADL director Bob the Gaza Strip decided to So succulent are the carp, in fact, that about 200 Wolfson at the Jan. 15 uphold deportation orders migratory birds apparently have decided to winter Breadbreakers luncheon. against seven Palestinian in Israel instead of their usual African haunts. All Richard Diamond, presi- activists accused of incitefforts so far to send them on their way have failSd. dent, noted that the lodge ing violence.

A similar panel in the Firecrackers on the ground and rockets in the sky wanted to recognize Mr. did not frighten them from their roosts around the Wolfson for his role in West Bank concluded fish ponds in the Beit She'an Valley. bringing the Anne Frank hearing the appeals of five The Nature F*reserve Authority sought help from exhibit to Omaha in the other Palestinians slated the air force, which provided light planes and helicopfall of 1991. Over 25,000 for deportation, but did ters. The idea was to herd the pelicans toward the Omaha area visitors viewed not immediately announce coastal plain over which lie the flight paths of migratto exhibit, Mr. Diamond its verdict.

The 12 men were oring birds. said. dered expelled by Defense , But the stubborn fowl refuse to leave the source Minister Moshe Arens on of their nourishment. "The birds have learned quickly L'CHAIM TO LIFE and evolved a new strategy," a kibbutz pilot comDr. Leo Missinne will Jan. 2, after a series of faplained. speak at the Jan. 26 brown tal attacks on Jewish set"We used to fly around a large flight, corralling bag lunch at Temple Is- tlers by Arab gunmen in the administered territothem in the air like the cowboys on the plains and i>ael. herding them where we wanted them, far away from Dr. Missinne is profes- ries. the fish ponds.

Although not directly sor of gerontology at "But they caught on to that. Now they scatter into UNO. For the last two linked to the murders, the small groups, and we have to fly around each one in years he has been voted' activists were ordered exsmall tight circles," he said. the "outstanding profes- pelled on grounds that Local fish farmers dubbed the pelicans sabras, the sor" by students at UNO. they contributed to the cliname applied to native Israelis, lliat is because "they .He was bom in Louvain, mate of violence against have big mouths, they are stubborn and don't scare Belgium, and was a mis- Israelis. easily," one farmer explained.

They have final recourse sionary for 12 years in Africa. He has lived in to Israel's High Court of Omaha for 12 years. His Justice. But chances are topic will be "In Search of that the deportations will stand there, too.

Meaning."

The high court has upheld Marcy GaUner, chairman, described Dr. Missinne as all 66 expulsion orders isThe annual Know Thy friends and neighbors to a "brilliantly educated and sued since the Palestinian Neighbor Sabbath, spon- attend and become more informative speaker and a uprising. sored by Beth Israel Sis- familiar with the religious sincerely thoughtful huterhood, is scheduled for practices and beliefs of man being."

STATESMAN AWARD Feb. 21, at 8 p.m., at Beth Judaism," reports Mary All in the community, NEW YORK (JTA)who have experienced the President Carlos Menem Israel Synagogue, 1502 N. Grossman, chairman. death of a spouse, may at- of Argentina received the 52nd St. A question and answer This special service is tend. Call Temple Israel, World Jewish Congress' period will follow the serv556-6536, for a reserva- Distinguished Statesman held each year during Brotherhood Month. "We ice and refreshments will tion.

Award. invite our non-Jewish be provided.

Special service

Marcia and Sheldon Kushner hosted a reception last Sfinday at their home for Lincolnites to meet with one of the candidates for the Rosenberg Chair of Judaic Studies at UNL. Michael Laskier is affiliated with Spertus College in Chicago and is doing research concerning the North African Jewish communities of Morocco and Egypt. He holds dual citizenship, having been boro in Israel, moved to the United States as a teen and became naturalized.

The father of two children, Mr. Laskier is married to an Israeli.

Monday he spoke to the members of the University Department of History.

Children from the Temple and the Synagogue celebrated Tu B'schvat at Tifereth Israel. There was an art project using recyclable materials in which they created a mini forest.

In addition, there was a slide show about the water projects in Israel, storytelLng, food tasting, singing and dancing.

On Feb. 14-16, Federation is sponsoring Dr. Adena Berkowitz, who will s(>eak about "Is There a ' Crisis in Ethics?" Her husband, Zev Brenner, wiU address the issue "Media Bias Against Jews."

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Pag*4

J«wWi Pm*

Jan. 24, 1892

By Morris Maline

in mrSacfea demons

A look at th» wjHdd dtya of tht Jewish ytar.

By Otiie Nogg

One of my favorite books is Worlds That Passed. In ingly, of the trees that grew in the fields near his vilit, the author, A.S. Sachs, describes with gentle fond- lage. Apple! Pear! Peach! And how that fruit tasted! ness the vanished life of the shtetl. The hard work. The Much sweeter, tochter, than any fruit hefe in America. simple pleasures. The cycle of holiday celebrations that He also spoke of a weeping willow that stood by the side often were the only bright spots in an otherwise bleak of his house. Its branches hung down into a pond in the existence. yard and it was under these branches—deep in the It might be argued that shtetl Jews survived from one water—that his mother once hid some silver spoons dreary day to the next because they could instinctively wrapped in a cloth. She hid them from the hooligans thdt block out the reality of their cramped, poor villages and, periodically ransacked the village and wound up leaviii Sachs' words, "soar on wings of fancy" to vast, beau- ing them there, in the water, when the family left for tiful worlds that existed only in their minds. Never were America. ' these flights more therapeutic than during Tu B'Shevat.

As my father grew older, he lost his sight and walked The ruler of Syria directs his army to kill an estimated Tu B'Shevat—the New Year of th,e Trees-the holi- with difficulty and his last years, were like a shtetl 10,000 of that country's citizens and the world hums a day that celebrates spring arid the renewal of nature and winter—dark and frightening and dismally boring. But life itself, always found the shtetl frozen and covered he bjocked out this reality and lived in his memory, fantune of forgiveness.

The ruler of Iraq orders that poison gas be used to with snow. But no matter. On Tu B'Shevat the people cifully embroidered with imagination. He soared on kill thousands of that country's citizens and the world transported themselves to a warm and sunny place of wings back to the shtetl. It was now a thriving town! squeaks out a sigh. cedar fields and olive trees. A place where branches were The few trees that once grewnear liis village had grown The ruler of Jordan quells an uprising by dispatching heavy With buds. The shtetl Jews could smell the lemon into large and profitable orchard.s that his family had to death thousands of Palestinians residing in that coun- groves and feel the spring sun on their backs! Winter owned for generations! (We spoke of this only in privale, try, and the world hiccups. was gone and for a day, at least, the villagers were in lest the knowledge that he was a member of the LithuThe ruler of Kuwait expels hundreds of thousands of Eretz Yisroel, flowing with milk sind Jjoney and fragrant anian landed-gentry bring shame to his less fortunate j Palestinians on the grounds that they supported the with citron! They ate preciou^ bits of date and almond friends.)

The treasure, sunk at the foot of the weeping willow, enemy, and the world blinks, perhaps for a nanosecond. and fig brought straight from the Holy Land. They thanked God for the fruit of the trees and prayed to grew as well. The few silver spoons multiplied into And, of course, we know what comes next.

Israel orders the deportation of 12 Palestinians, four someday behold with their own eyes the Cedars of Leb- dozens tmd the cache eventually 'ncluded brass samovars and sterling kiddush cups and antique spice boxes. of whom were convicted terrorists, to prevent them from anon and stand inside the gates of Jerusalem.

I don't really need books to take me to this world. My Poppa vowed to go back to the village one day—I was threatening national security. father regularly "guided" me through the village where to go with him and be his eyes—and we would find the And predictably, the world awakens in shock and the he was born and into the cheder of his childhood where ' tree and the treasure in the pond (which, by now, was United Nations, with the United States in the lead, conhe studied from sunup to moonrise. The'cheder where, a vast lake). demns Israel in the strongest language ever seen in a on Tu B'Shevat, lessons stopped while the rabbi careU.N. condemnation resolution.

Modem medicine would say that my father was piracIsrael is violating the Geneva Convention, the so- fully doled out raisins and apples and nuts and bokser— that most exotic of all fruits. ticing "visualization." Removing himself from pain or called moral nations of the world shout.

One Tu B'Shevat in the cheder was particularly fear or boredom by going, in his mind, to a place of Where were they when Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait memorable because of the aforementioned bokser. It beauty, serenity and joy. But I know that Poppa was really violated human rights. Where are these nations seems a ladnamed Shleimkeh (my father's study part- just doing what Jews have always done, when necestoday in protecting the rights of Jews to leave Syria, ner) side-armed several pieces at another student but hit, sary. He simply blocked out the real world for a few minutes the rights of Jews to live in peace in their own country? instead (and of course) the Rebbe. A hunk of bokser is and replaced it with something better. He turned his winter Where are these righteous nations in calUng for the a mean weapon, and for Shleimkeh's infraction the en- into spring by returning to his shtetl and to the days when rights of Jews to claim their property rights and pos- tire class was assigned an additional (and gargantuan) trees were green and heavy with juicy, ripe fruit.

This Tu B'Shevat each of us can visualize whatever brings sessions after having to flee Arab lands under the threat tractate to memorize. (Deep in my bones I'm sure that of violence? .

Shleimkeh, if he really existed, was iimocent and that us peace in the middle of our hectic lives. Each of us canfind a quiet place and visualize cedar and olive trees and smell the The answer, dear friends, is according to standards the real culprit behind the Tu B'Shevat Bokser Rebel- fragrant citron. imposed by hypocritical nations, Israel must surrender lion was my Poppa...)

And we can soar on wings of fancy to those hiding places My father adored trees. He told me, often and lov- and reclaim the'treasures left for us by'our fathers. its sovereignty, stick its neck on the chopping block and then bleed to death. ' Jewish victims are understood. Jewish victims receive sympathy and aid. Jewish victims are the natural or, der of things and Jews must do nothing to upset those

By Dr. Yitschak Ben'Gad reacting in A manner that would protect its citizens.

• countries which cater to Arab oil. ; Consul General of Israel to the Midwest The decision to expel 12 Palestiniauis, heavily impli. cated ill organizing terror attacks, was not hastily taken.

The need to deport Arab terrorists is acknowledged Just prior to the Madrid Conference^ an Israeli bus In the current climate of intensifying terrorist violence, by both of Israel's major political parties. As former Defense Misister Rabin once said, ''We prefer not to use was attacked and two Israeli civilians were killed. Also, issuing expulsion orders had been considered on several these measures, but sometimes we have no other . just-before the last round of talks in Washington, Is- occasions.

It should also be noted that the expellees are not subchoice—Israel will fight terror without playing around^ raeli vehicles were fired upon. Most recently, an Israeli citizen was ambushed and killed traveling en route.to ject to expulsioii immediately. Each oiie of the individdespite U.S. criticism." i.' Israel believes it is Easier to fight a terrorist who is his home in Kfar Darom, nearUir el-Balach Camp in the uals that received expulsion orders has the opportunity outside its borders rather than inside. I cannot fault this Oaza District on the eve of the second round of peace to submit an appeal, first to an advisory comthittee attalks.

• . ' * tached to the regional conimander, and subsequently to logic. ; .

Israel canrtot allow what may well become an ex- the Israel Supreme Court sitting as the High Court of tended peace process to be used as a smoke screen for Justice. terror attacks against Israeli civilians.

Many terror groups, including the Fatah PLO'faction, In a telephone conversation on Jan. 4, President have issued orders to increase terror attacks against IsMubarak asked Prime Minister Shamir to cancel ^e ex- raelis. Only the Arabs can play the game of using terpulsion orders in order to help faciUtate the peace talks. ror against Krael and talking about peace.

(Founded ih 1920) The Prime Minister answered that Israelis were being Expulsions are a rarely used, b\it highly effective, deSheila Priluck systematically attacked before each stage of negotia- terrent measure. The last expulsion orders were issued President, Jewish Press tions and that Israel could liot responsibly refrain from agaihst four Qaza District residents in May 1991.

•*'. . • Board of Directors • Board Members: Lynda Mirvigh. vice president: Scott Friedman, treasurer: Howard Kaplan, secretary: Rabbi Sidney II. Brooks, Jack K. Cohen, Richard Fellman. Debbie Josephson,Carol Katzman, Ksther Mciches. Oliver PoUak, Rose Schupack and Bonnie Schweid.

Morris Maline but he thought the Ashkenazic pronpnciation was closer To the Editor: Kditor-in-Chief 1 was saddened to read in the Jewish Press of the to the original Biblical Hebrew.

SberyUKrieiljnan. Business Manager: Sandy (jordon, Jo. death of Rabbi Robert Gordis on 3 Jan. '92.

I remember Dr. Goidis' teaching his students to have Carroll. Sheila (iarsombke, Suaan Paley, Production AsDr. Gordis was a remarkable person—a noted con- a wary attitude towards emanddtions of the Biblical siatanls: UeorRe Schapiro. Office Volunteer. text. "Was you there, Charlie?" was his way of challengSales Representatives: Barbara Frankel, Diane Baum. gregational rabbi, gifted preacher, past president of the ing those who would alter difficult passages and come D«eme Meyerson, D(n'a Shefren, Rocky Stem, and MoUine Rabbinical Assembly (the body of Conservative rabbis), outstanding Biblical scholor, lucid and vigorous teacher, up with fanciful theories o( what the text should read.

Casaman.

Editorials express Iha views of the writer and m not necessarilv author and editor of books of worth. More important In cases where the Bible presents difficulties to our unrepresentative of the viewi of the Jeyish Press Board, the Jewiin than all of these qualities, he was a mensch. derstanding, we must presume that the text in front of PMerition o( Umah* or the Omaha Jewish Community aa • whole I studied the Book of Job with Dr. Gordis. Job was us is as it should be. Before we assume that what the The Jewish Pree* ta not rMpoiulble for the K««hnjth of mny product or one of Gordis' great loves. Dr. Gordis strove to il- Bible states could not have occurred aa stated or that Mtablithmenl. ItepriiH ri(hu are rwaarvad and advartiainn ritee ara avail abW upon raquaat luminate all facets of Job from the simple folk tale, to a text does not make sense we must always ask, "Was Daedlina for nawit and advartiaing li Friday at 0 a m . preradina liauf its religious philosophy, to its being the quintessential you there, Charlie?" Respect for the Biblical text and The role of the Jewiab Federation o( Omaha is to involve life's work of a master thinker and literary craftamftn. respect for others were Gordis' hallmarks.

ElUott M. Mannon, Ch, MaJ, USAF Jews in roeetinH Jewiah coramunal needs locally, nation- Gordis published a major work—the BOOK of God and ally and in Israel.

Jewish Chaplain Man-OD Job, Work, 294-mQl Gordia's doctoral thesis, written in 1937, dealt with Agencies of the Federation artlewlab Community Center, Jewish . i'resa, the system of notations to the Massoretic text of the To the Editor: Home, 292-5970 Jewish Family Service, Library wd Bureau for the Aging. Bible, known as K'rei and K'tiv. He was one of the first I am writing a book about Jewish men and women scholars to undertake a thorough study of these varient who served in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laoe during the readings of the Biblical text.

Vietnam War. Would you pkase ask those veterans to Gor^i had a special fee' '--"'•-• "••»• '-nguafe. I write to me, once uk«d him which |>: rew, the Rabbi Leonard Winograd Aihkenazic or the Sephaiiin. wna mwi •,« LHU Biblical 4346 Ludwick St. prooundatioi|. He answered that we cannot be certain, Pittsburgh. PA 152173006

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Here we go again!

Why expulsions?

Jhe Jewish Press

•Jp-TL ^ji#l> urn

I

Jan. 24, 1992

Jswith Prats

Page '5

Coca-Cola yields

- ®mff imam Sm S©ffgi©a Israel paradise still faces hard times HAIFA—In the old days, one who wanted a pioneering life went to the kibbutz. Later, adventurous spirits sought out Eilajt. Development towns like Kiryat Shmona or Dimona were border outposts, but few went there of their own freewill'. Today the new challenge is in the desert town of Mitzpe Ramon, dpep in the heart of the central Negev. To those with vision and imagination, it shows all the promise of becoming a thriving metropolis with many of the same attractions which have made Phoenix, Ariz., the fastest-growing city in the U.S. '" , Four days in Mitzpe Rarnon provided opportunity to study many aspects of what is now a town of about 4,500 people. Above all, it is located on the upper edge of Machtesh Ramon, a vast depression, said to be the largest crater in the world, 40 kilometers long and nine kilompters wide. The scenery is reminiscent of the badlands of Arizona—{leaks and desert vegetation and rocks in a startling variety of colors. For the geologist and nature lover it is a veritable paradise. For the historian and the archaeologist it abounds in remains of settlements of the ancient Nabatean people who found ways to husband meager water resources and maintain agricultural lands on which they survived.

The English-speaking members of the community are of mixed opinions about life there. The climate is dry, the air pure and fresh, without any pollens. Many regard it as an ideal place to live, except for those who long for big-city life with its crowds, lights, noise and smog. Remote? It is a two-hour drive south of Tel Aviv, two hours from Jerusalem, one hour from Beersheba and two hours from Eilat, if you drive fast.

A number of industries have located here, but none are permitted which would befoul the air. Tourism could well become the rriajor attraction, and a handsome visitor's center has been built on the best observation point overlooking the crater. Yet unemployment today is about 16 percent, one of the highest in the country, though we were told of opportunities for laundry and dry x:leaning, a print shop, shoe repairs, tailors, auto mechanics, TV and radio repair, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, etc. Few. of the many Soviet immigrants who have come here fit these reqijirements.

Mitzpe Ramon has had a checkered' history since 'Moroccan immigrants were first brought here in 1956.

The first 10 years saw rapid growth, and then decline.

Since then, thousands of settlers have come and gone..

In 1974 it was termed a monumental failure, and many felt the place would be abandoned entirely. Five years later the town was on the verge of a great boom and the population zoomed. But when the main rbad to Eilat was changed, Mitzpe became a ghost town on a littletraveled road. In 1986 there were 1,100 empty flatia.

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The Tikvah program Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, who are disabled learners, can receive a unique living and learning experience based on Jewish valiies through the Tikvah program at Camp Raraah in Wisconsin, t)ie organization has aiuounced.

Now preparing for its 20th summer season, the Tikvahprogram at Camp Ramah stresses individualized planning tailored to meet the needs of each child and encourages mainstreaming into regular camp activities whenever possible. Tikvah youngsters participate in sports, arts and crafts, drama, dance and religious' training.

Tikvah means hope, and this is just what it brings to child and parent alike. The Tikvah program allows these teen-agers to actively participate in a camp experience which emphasizes learning and develops an' understanding of their Jewish heritage.

For further information or application, contact Tikvah at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, 65 E. Wack^ PI., Suite «20, Chicago, IL 60601, or phone (312) 606-9316.

•

Quits post

By Hugh Orgel TEL AVIV (JTA)-One of the key Israeli officials who has been negotiating a swap of Arab prisoners held in, Israel for Israeli soldiers missing in I^ebanon resigned Monday, citing personal and professional reasons.

Defense Minister Moshe Arena accepted "with regret" the resignation of Uri Slonim, a lawyer who served for six years as the Defense Ministry's adviser on prisoners of war.

While Slonim's departure appears to be amicable, it nevertheless focused attention on the mounting dissatisfaction among the families of Ml As over Israel's inability to bring them home, dead or alive.

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available at such low prices that Israelis who could not afford homes elsewhere streamed in to pick up bargains.'

Simultaneously artistic and cultural life flourished.

Today Mitzpe Ramon has four synagogues, a Hadassah study group, a chapter of the Association of Americans and Canadicms in Israel, and education system through high school, a community center and health facilities, but no hospital.'At the moment there is only one very small hotel, but a large, clean and comfortable youth hostel.

Other attractions? The wild ibexes, which elsewhere are seen only on remote hilltops, here come close on the scenic cliff promenade and stare curiously at the human invaders of their domain. At the nearby alpaca and llama farm, one can literally play with these exotic animals, who are almost naively lacking in fear.

The visitor need not close his eyes to visualize the ancient caravans which traversed the spice route through here from Arabia to Europe.In the final analysis, with all its charm and scenery, wildlife and dry climate, the future of Mitzpe Ramon depends on economic factors. The government offers exceptional inducements for the establishment of industries here, though tourism and retirement are probably destined to be the major elements of the economy. Those with vision and patience believe that Mitzpe Ramon will become an Israeli paradise in the not-too<iistant future.

393-7801

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By Hugh Orgel TEL AVIV (JTA)-The giant Coca-Cola Corp. has yielded to an Israeli rabbi a secret hitherto known only to the soft drink's founding family and a handful of the corporation's most trusted executives—the formula for making Coke.

There was a need to know, says Rabbi Moshe Landau of Bnei Bl-ak, an Orthodox township northeast of Tel Aviv.

The Israeli businessmen who just acquired local bottling rights applied to him for a "hechsher," the kashrut Certificate which assures the pious they may consume a product without violating divine law.

But first the rabbi had to be sure Coca-Cola is indeed kosher according to strict Orthodox standards.

To do so, he had to be told the ingredients it contains—knowledge Coke's competitors presumably would die for.

The would-be bottlers contacted Coca-Cola headquarters in the United States, where it was finally decided to let the rabbi in on one of the great corporate secrets of all times.

Still the rabbi, to satisfy himself, had to visit CocaCola plants in Europe and the United States, where the syrupy liquid is produced. Some of his aides also got free trips to the Far East to examine how a secret herbal root essential to the formula is processed.

The Bnei Brak hechsher is expected to be issued shortly.

INVESTIGATION BONN (JTA)-Germany's Foreign Ministry disclosed Wednesday that criminal investigations have been opened in response to allegations that German companies supplied Iraq with equipment to produce enriched uranium, a component of nuclear weapons.

THREATENS CZECH JEWS PRAGUE (JTA)-An anonymous threat to attack Jewish targets in Prague and Bratislava with stolen weapons is being taken seriously by Jewish community leaders, who have'asked for police protection.

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KING SOLOMON'S CIRCLE David Fried land Sustaining member since 1990 "We must have a unified voice both in our community and in the worlds The Federation provides that voice and provides the vehicle to distribute our contributions throughout the universe of Jewish causes.

1 iic FOUNDATION of thr jfwiMi reUcraiioii ol Omaha is

the bacicbone of our Jewish community. It insures the future of our institutions and traditions. Serving on the Foundation board is the most satisfying thing I've done.

"All of our local agencies are valuable, but pur library is a unique asset. It houses the largest collection of Judaica between Chicago and the west coast, and is open to both the Jewish and general public. The library, along with our Jewish Community Center, is truly a source of pride for the Omaha Jewish ctnnmunity."

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Temple Israel FRIDAY: Services at 8:16 p.m.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Karen WebberGilat will officiate. 'Rabbi Azriel will speak on "A Commandment for Living Judaism."

The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Sisterhood.

Sitter service is available for the 8:15 p.m. service. Reservations are needed. There are no facilities for infants.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 11:15 a.m.

Simcah B'Shabbat-The congregation, together with Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Webber-Gilat, will study the Torah portion for the week.

OUTREACH ' Join the Temple Outreach Committee and learn to play an exciting new board game, "Walk Through the Gates of Prayer." No previous experience is necessary.

A bagel brunch will be served and sitter service is available.

TOW Torah on Wheels wiU be heldJan. 28,12-1:15 p.m., at the Slosburg Company.

For information or reservations, call the Temple office. 556-6536.

Jan. 24, 1992

f

^^B By Rabbi Myer S>. Kripke

Beth Israel

Beth El

Rabbi Mark Urkowitz and Cantor Leo Fettman will conduct the services.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 5:20 p.m.

No Late Friday Night service.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 8:45 a.m.

A Kiddush luncheon following the service will be hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davidson, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Boris Davidson.

Beginners minyan with Eliane Freund in the library, 10 a.m.

Babysitter service provided by Sisterhood, 10 a.m.

Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. ' Rabbi Urkowitz's study group, 4:50 p.m. The topic will be "This date in Jewish History: Tu B'Shvat in Halachah."

Mincha services will be held at 5:20 p.m., followed

by Ma'ariv, Shalosh Seudos and Havdalah service.

Lincoln SUNDAY: Tifereth Israel Minyan at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Following the services, Services, 8 p.m. there will be a continental breakfast served, followed SATURDAY: Services at 9:30 a.m. by class with Rabbi UrJr. Congregation, 10:15 . kowitz on Modern Proba.m. • lems and Jewish Law. WEEKDAYS: WEEKDAYS: Minyans each MonD«uly services at 7 a.m. day and Thursday at 7:15 and 5:20 p.m.

PERSONALS I would like to thank all my friends and relatives who sent cards and flowers during my long stay in the hos-' pital.

Paul Nathan My thanks for the cards, donations, food and flowers provided to me and my family upon the death of my husband. My personal gratitude to Rabbi Drazen and Cantor Berkovtts for their help during this time, and my family's deepest appreciation to my beloved sister and dear daughters-in-law for their continuing support.

Helena TIchauer' and •ona, Carl and Fred

I.HMDTMM BalltvaiiOrNoi A Jewish

Rabbi Paul Drazen' and Cantor Emil -Berkovits ' will conduct the services.

FRIDAY: Services at 8:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.

Kiddush following services.

TSS Program, 10:15 a.m. TSS lunch for grade 4'.

Sitter service at 10 a.m.

Mincha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services at 5:10 p.m.

SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.*' WEEKDAYS: Services at 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

JUDAICA SHOP Open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SHABBAT An abbreviated Kids' Kabbalat Shabbat service for young children, their famih'es and extended families, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., in the Chapel.

KADIMAH SKI TRIP Members of Kadimah will meet at Beth El Jan. 26, 9 a.m., IOT a ski trip.

For details call Larry Moldo, 496-3644.

REGIONAL BOARD MEETING Andrew Altman, Annie Kotok, Nicole Lerner, AnBETH ISRAEL dy Rich and Bobby ShaOUTREACH piro will attend an EJmtza The Beginners Minyan, USY regional general a weekly Shabbat pro- boaKl meeting in'St. Louis gram, is designed for peo- Jan. 31-Feb. 2. ple who have little or no FAMILY knowledge about Jewish WINTER PICNIC prayer. It is a "No Hebrew Beth El Family Winter Necessary" prayer exper- Picnic will be held Feb. 2, ience with open discussion 5-7 p.m. There will be about being Jewish. The" games for everyone and history and purpose of crafts for kids. For reserspecific prayers is present- vations contact Sheri ed, as well as an introduc- Abramson, 435 So. 160. tion to the makeup of the PROJECT LINK Siddur. This group is open Project Link will meet to men and women.

For information call the on Mondays, Feb. 3 and synagogue, 656-6288, or 17; March 2, 16, and 30, the Nationail Jewish Out- 7-9 p.m.. at Beth El. Magreach Program, 1-800-44- gie Kenney, clinical social worker and trained group TORAH. facilitator, will conduct the sessions.

STUDY GROUP Sisterhood will sponsor a study group led by Rab••Neon Tyooona bi Urkowitz Jan. 28, 9:45 BB1-9111 •Pirty Owaritmg Praltsiionjis a.m. The topic is "Women 'Billoon Botiquen and Jewish Law." Men are 'Imilibans and Amwuncemenis welcome to join the group.

Foe All Occuioni Sitter service is available.

U1-S111 BAR MITZVAH Boris Davidaon, son of Mr. and Mrs. liaac Davidson, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah Jan. 26.

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Lincoln B'nai Jeshurun

Parashat Yitro Upstairs, Downstairs

FRIDAY: Sabbath evening worship, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service and Torah study at 10 a.m.

SUNDAYS: Religious school classes will meet each Sunday.

WEEKDAYS: Tuesday*, 7:30 p.m., Adult Education.

ANNUAL SISTERHOOD SERVICE The annual Sisterhood Service will take place on Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. The service will be held at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The service is open to the community. An Oneg Shabbat will follow.

I will forego remarks I should like to make—and do m^ke from time to time—about the importance of the Ten Words (Ten Commandments) in order to make a small point.

It is now no new information to most Jews that those who accept the so-called "Documentary Theory" about the original composition of the Humash (the Pentateuch, the Torah, the Five Books of Moses) note that sometimes the sacred text uses the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)-translated Lord) and sometimes the word Elohim (translated God).

In many cases it is now quite impossible to separate out the "Documents',' from each other on the basis of this usage. A case in point is Chapter 19 in our Sidrah, the preparation for receiving the Ten Words. (Perhaps we should say the Ten "Utterances.") The Bible does not use. the phrase the "Ten Commandments."

In Chapter 19 Moses is said to have been called to the top of the mountain to hear the Lord's word, and then to descend to convey it to^ the people.

So far so good. But how many times?

If you read the chapter carefully, you will see that Moses ascended and descended not once, but at least three times—maybe more if you read it in a certain way.

The chapter is meant to introduce a matter of infinite, eternal importance. We certainly cannot, therefore, find that the text is ludicrous. But...

But see verses 20 and 21: "... and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. And the Lord said unto Moses: 'Go down, charge the people...'"

Further, verse 24: "And the Lord said unto him: 'Go, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou and Aaron with thee ...' " And Moses therefore did go down; but the text doesn't say that he came up again, accompanied by Aaron, as he was supposed to do.

Now my suggestion is that "R" (the Redactor, or editor) had two different accounts before him. each one consistent and intelligible within itself. But when he tried to make one narrative out of the two, he combined them a little carelessly, even a little incompetently. He left • us with this "upstairs, downstairs" account. Unfortunately, it interrupts the seriousness of the occasion and detracts from it. .

I cannot help being reminded of the little boy who went to his first junior Shabbat service. His mother asked hiin later how he liked it. 'I dunno," he replied.

"They tell you 'stand up and sit down and stand up and sit down and stand ...' all for one caiidy bar."

Moses, at least, got the Ten Commandments!

World-Herald readers were treated last Saturday to a somewhat jumbled story, including some egregious errors, on this whole subject. The errors should certainly not be attributed to the two local Bible professors who were interviewed, nor to Professor Friedman of California, who was extensively quoted.

Readers who are curious about this whole question would do well to read Friedman's "Who Wrote the Bible?"

Council Bluffs B'Nai Israel Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m., children's service.

The synagogue is located at 618 Mynster in Council Bluffs. For information contact Ellen Fennick at 390-9062, or leave a message on the synagogue answering machine, 322-4705.

BlumkJn Home SATURDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m., conducted by volunteers.

The residents' families and friends are invited to attend.

Offutt Air Base FRIDAY: Services in the Capehart Chapel every Friday at 8 p.m. An Oneg Shabbat follows the service.

G Ib&ir ffiniixvaih J

Attend Services this Shabbat V^i=s*«^

a

Boris Davidson

Boris Davidson, son of l^saac and Helen Davidson, will celebrate hia Bar Mitzvah on Jan. 25 at Beth Israel Synagogue.

A seventh-grade honor student at McMillan Junior High, Boris eiuoys working with computers, being oK the Knowledge Bowl team and going to math contest.

Boris and his brother, Daniel, are the grandsons of Gene Berchman, Laura Startziva, the lata David Davidson, and the late

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Pag* 7

145,000 choose aliyah NEW YORK (JTA)The Soviet Union may have ceased to exist, but the stampede of Jews surging from its 15 former republics continued without interruption in 1991, despite a slight dip this fall.

According to the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, a total of 145,005 Jews from "the former USSR made aliyah in 1991, bringing overall immigration to Israel to a grand total of 170,740, The figures failed to match the peak year, 1990, during which a record 186,815 immigrants arrived in the Je^sh state, 181,759 from what was still the Soviet Union.

But the monthly decline that began in July and hit a low of 8,090 arrivals from the Soviet Union in November appeeu^ to have been reversed, as 10,359 Soviet Jews came to Israel in December, during the one-time superpower's final days. That represents a 28-percent increase in one month alone.

The second biggest year for Soviet immigration to the United States also was 1991 According to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, a total of 34,715 Jews, from what was the Soviet Union, arrived here last year under the U.S. refugee program.

That figure fell short of the 1989 total of 36,738 an(J was considerably lower than expectations at the outset of the year.

But December's total of 4,350 U.S. arrivals was more than triple the number that came last January.

All immigration is sensitive to changing conditions. If in 1991, Soviet

aliyah was down about one-fifth from the previous year, it should be remembered that 1991 was a more tumultuous year.

It began with the Per' sian Gulf War, which bred uncertainty and paralyzed travel to the Middle East.

Then midyear, the Soviet government changed its emigration laws, requiring passports to leave the country. By year's end, the country had split up into 15 separate republics.

Shoshana Cardin, chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, said it was gratifying that "despite a year of dramatic upheaval—both in the Middle East, where Operation Desert Storm threatened to interrupt normal emigration, and later in the year, with the demise of the Soviet Union—Soviet Jews continued to arrive in Israel in a steady stream."

A continuing disincentive with longer-term repercussions, is the rising unemployment in Israel.

An estimated 40,000 new olim are on the dole. Of those who find work, few are employed in the profes- • sions or skills they were trained for.

Inevitably, letters home advise relatives and friends to postpone emigration until conditions improve.

Nevertheless, at the year's end, the Jiewish Agency said it expected between 150,000 to 170,000 to arrive in Israel in 1992, virtually the same as in 1991, though it could handle greater numbers if required.

Agency officials noted that about 105,000 Jews already hold Soviet exit visas, and 45,d00 of them also have Israeli entry visas. It is expected that

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the individual republics will honor the Soviet visas.

But Cardin said she is still concerned with free Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union's successor states. She referred to still-uniresolved cases of refuseniks and the problem of "poor relatives" holding up the departure of wotdd-be emigrants.

There seems to have been some attrition. Jewish Agency sources claim that more than 9,000 Soviet Jews left Israel for South Africa in 1991, and that another 3,000 are seeking South African entry visas.

The Absorption Ministry claims that only 500 emigre families—about 1,500 people—have left the country.

Ethiopia continued to be the second largest source of aliyah.

About 20,000 Jews arrived in Israel from that country during 1991, some 14,200 of them in a single 36-hour period last May by an emergency airlift known as "Operation Solomon."

Some 4,500 Jews are left in Etliiopia. But the Jewish Agency is optimistic they can be gotten out soon and reunited with their families in Israel.

Immigrant absorption problems persist. • About 11,300 Ethiopian olim are still living in hotels. The Jewish Agency hopes to move all of them into permanent housing by next June.

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Jewish Preu

Jan. 24, 1992

By B^rt Lewis

By Henry Stern .

By Henry Stern Next meeting, Jan. 28.

At the Earlybirds, we welcomed Amy Potash, who has joined up with us replacing dear Mqllie, and Airty and Toby Kagan both sat in with us at this session.

We welcomed Abe Gendler, who is back with us after his illness, and we heard from moderator Norm Wohlner, who expounded on our justice system. Art Grossman, thfe maven on distilled products, described how the French practically substitute wine for water, especially in those districts where the water supply is contaminated, and. this was corroborated by Doc • Margolin, who, during the war, knew a French family that drank wine in lieu of water.

We discussed the Golan Heights, Syrian atrocities, the Yom Kippur War, and how Jordan's king killed upward of 15,000 Jordanian Palestinians who tried to overthrow his regime, and how another 15,000 went into exile to the only Arab country who would accept them, Lebanon, which is now owned

by Assad of Syria, whose 40,000 troops &re stationed on, Israel's Northem frontier.

Suffice, that under Israel government supervision, Arabs live like normaljiuman beings. Re; the 200,000 Palestinians evict-

ed from Kuwait. No big deal, according to the me.dia. Motzi by Abe Gendler, who invited all of us to his 90th at Beth El Feb. 15. Benschen by Ed Kahn, who wrote the book.

Amy Potash spoke to us, and it looks like we have a wonderful gal on our hands, and she and Toby Kagan promised to listen to our requests and suggestions. Treasurer Paskowitz gave a financial report and said dues are coming in nicely.

Norm Wohlner reported that members and friends who are hospitalized are: Mort Plotkin, John Katelman, Iz Taxer, Morrie Abrams, Morrie Handleman, Frenchy LaPierre and Dave Gimple.

Doc Margolin announced the program for Jan. 28 meeting, Roy's acrobatic team, and Doc then presented today's guest speaker. Rabbi Marmon, chaplain at Offutt Air Base. Rabbi Marmon showed us a copy of a very visible magazine from Israel called the Jerusalem Post, similar to American's Time and Newsweek.

The Rabbi discussed p>eace talks in Washington, how Israel has fared since '48, theii- taxes and interest rates, unbelievable. We shouldn't complain. The water supply is critical, the Arabs have been double-dealing, and Israel's military burden is rough. Will it lessen?

New evidence offered JERUSALEM (JTA)The state prosecutor weighed in with new evidence purportedly proving that Ukrainian- bom John Demjanjuk was indeed the mass murderer and Treblinka death camp guard known to inmates as "Ivan the Terrible. " The evidence, much of it ' culled from the archives of the former Soviet Union, '. was offered to refute the defense contention that . the 71-year-old former, automobile worker from Cleveland was a victim of

mistaken identity.

Prosecutor Michael Shaked produced a list of Flossenburg concentration camp guards with Demjanjuk's name on it and a serial number—1393—corresponding to one on an identity card from Soviet archives that the defense contends is a KGB forgery.

Sheftel charged last month that the Israeli authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice conspired to suppress evidence that Demjanjuk and ''Ivan" were not the samCr

UTTO Seder Kindergarten, first and second grade classes at United Talmud Torah of Omaha participated in a Tu Bishvat seder recently. Susan Bernstein, a community teacher who instructs first graders at UTTO, led "the birthday party for trees." The students discussed the importance of trees and were encouraged to plant them at home and in Israel. Songs were sung, stories and poems read and a variety of fruits and nuts sampled. Pictured above, from left to right, are Bradley Abramson, Sammy Edelstein, Susan Bernstein, Jenny Finkle, Jessica Behnont.

Settlers JERUSALEM (JTA)Jewish settlers in the West Bank this week stepped up pressure on Defense Minister Moshe Arens to rectify the deteriorating security situation in the administered territories.

They also embarked on an ad hoc settlement-

building drive of their own, reflecting impatience with the government's process of authorizing new sites.

The settlers have blamed the defense establishment and the Israel Defense Force for the recent spate of armed attacks on civilians by Arab gunmen.

By Marti Snyder Where would LOVE be without our volunteers? We say, "Thank you!" -.

Sally Venger, chairperson of the lap robe project, invites anyone who enjoys knitting to get involved. Many of our residents are not able to be active, and the added warmth of these brightly colored lap robes is appreciated.

A New Year's Eve party was held, and children from the JCC day care joined in. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Helen Shukert has purchased battery-operated Shabbat candlesticks for some of the residents to help them feel more at home.

"The Coujjins," (Adaline and Ernie Nogg's granddaughters) entertained the residents over winter break.

I want to thank Annie Nogg, Katie Weinberger, Allison Fruchtman and Charley Fruchtman for visiting the residents.

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All the commotion about the President's attack of flu has given the press of the world plenty to write about.

I think that of all the words written, the best were done humorously by a syndicated columnist who had his own explanation.

He was certain that the real problem came from Japanese food and not "a bug." He reminded us that Bush is a finicky eater who won't eat certain vegetables, and he claimed that being faced with a plate of unidentifiable stuff was just too much for George.

Makes sense, doesn't it? People of different cultures eat different foods which don't always appeal to American appetites. It ttiakes me wonder what the peace delegates who go to the Mideast think when the foods of the area are served. It's probably just as well that the Secretary of State is the representative, rather than the President. Can't you just see it?

George seated at a big table, surrounded by foreign dignitaries, smiling and looking at ease when the waiter puts a plate before Him. George looks down and sees what could be food completely unknown to him. Like what? Let's imagine some of the old ethnic favorites prepared by one of the Israeli chefs who came, originally from who knows where?

Maybe the first course would be petcha, shimmering on a dish and presented with great pride. This could possibly be followed by the soup source, recognized even by the most waspish eastern-bom American. Golden broth, circles of delectable fat floating and maybe noodles or matzo balls. Yeah, if he makes it past the petcha, he'll, handle the soup.

Next course? Let's see ... either beef or poultry since it's obviously a meat meal, rather than a dairy. Maybe nice, brown-roaated capon, always a winner; next to it, a real treat—a serving of stuffed kishka. Or possibly some kasha and vamishkas. What would our esteemed President think he was eating?

Maybe, instead of plain, old poultry they might serve tongue, one of MY personal favorites (before it was outlawed in the interest of health). I've seen the reaction of people who were served tongue for the first time.

When they leam what it is, the response is often horror. Personally, if I was going to feed George, I think I 'd vote for tongue.

They probably don't have sessions during Pesach, but the idea of some of our matzo based favorites is very appealing to me—that is, if I'm trying to freak somebody out!

On second thought, why should we let those people in on some of our best food? Most of our. specialties are well-known to non-Jews already—do we have to tell them everything? ' Anyway, when I think about it, I have to doubt the flu story. My instinct says it was raw octopus, or something like it, that did George in. >

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Jan. 24, ig»2

Siddur's text is timeless, so why fiddle around with it?

NOTE: Increasingly, women in the Conservative movement add even some within the Orthodox stream are calling for neutral-gender liturgical changes, ot at least the adding of the matriarchs' n^mes to prayers that mention Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In this article, the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America offers a very personal perspective on the

Kristallnacht, as if intended for use at home, or elsewhere. As late as 1939 it was still possible to print a siddur in Germany! But remove the title page and you will be unable to determine the century in which this particular siddur was published. Its Hebrew text bears no trace of its own time. Even the traditional prayer for the welfare of the government (ha'notaih t'shua la'melachim) appears unchanged.

This, I submit, was precisely the locus of its power.

The ultimate consolation of Sachs' siddur came from its timelessness. What Tante Helene found there were not the tastes or values of the modem temjjer, but the archaic words of an ancient liturgy that had long fortified Jews in extremity.

When confronted by our own mortality, we seek refuge in texts hallowed by age. Unaltered, they resonate with the anguish of our ancestors.and heighten our sense of eternity. f would like to believe that for my great-aunt the ever plastic words of the siddur became the vessels by which she sent her tears aloft. There was no thought or emotion they "could not carry.

. By Rabbi Ismar Schorsch My great aunt Helens Rothschild died in 1965 at the age of 90. By the time she entered my life in the 1950s, she was a handsome matriarch with long white hair elegantly perched on the top of her head. She lived with my aunt and uncle and ran the hotisehold while they nursed their "Country Club for Dogs" into a thriving kennel. Her ret 'pts for challah and spaetzle (German spaghetti)-have become staples of my wife's cuisine. . Tante Helene never married. She was the oldest of six children, one of whom was my grandfather, and the only girl. They grew up in a picturesque, half-Jewish village along the river Neckar in thf southern German state of Wuerttemberg where the men worked M cattle traders.

Their rural Judaism was traditional, wholly natural, and aisource of social cohesion. Of.that generation, my great aunt is the only member I ever came to know.

She lived for others without a trace of subservience • (Continued from Page 1) or bitterness. Her devotion to work was only matched "From 1945 until 1948 by her zest for life. She always drank a beer for supper, loved to play cards tuid enjoyed good company. On my 'home' was the BerShabbat, she would set aside her knitting needles, which gen-Belsen D.P. Camp, clothed me with many an enviable sweater, to spend the and I was able to resume my studies at the Hanover day reading and playing solitaire.

Perhaps her most exceptional trait was her indomita- Music Conservatory. It ble will. Tante Helene walked with a noticeable limp, was during this time I was which obliged her to use a cane and wear high-laced cor- the conductor for the High rectional boots. In 1942, she and my grandfather were Holy Day services for the sent by the Nazis to Theresienstadt, where he suc- American Jewish Military cumbed two years later. in Bremen, Germany. In Her survival is the more incredulous because she sus- 1948 I immigrated to tained a broken hip which she managed to conceal form Montreal, Canada, where I the camp authorities, who, of course, would haveins- lived until 1956. During tantly shipped her to Auschwitz. Without medical care, the 12 years I lived in it healed improperly, leaving her permanently and pain- Canada, I held cantorial fully crippled. But neither then nor later did the injury and rabbinical positions in several of Canada's eastever diminish her energy or selflessness.

A pile of testimonials from fellow inmates offers a em cities." glimpse of the solace she dispensed in that netherworld.

From 1948 to 1955 CanWhen my great-aunt died, she left behind a pocket- tor Fettman served as canBize black siddur which had been by her side in There- tor for the High Holy sienstadt. The inside front cover bears her name in the Days in Halifax, Quebec, well-formed letters of a firm hand. I treasure that sid; and Montreal, Canada. dur beyond words, not only because it links me to some- During this same period, one I loved and admired, but also because it conveys he attended the Yeshivah a perspective on prayer I value.

Maor Hagolah, and in The siddur is an edition of the popular prayer book 1955 earned his teaching edited and translated into German by Michael Sachs, the rabbi of Berlin until his death in 1864, and a revered model of religious conservatism. What is noteworthy about this edition is that, according to the title page, it was published in Frankfurt au Main in 1939, sometime after the destruction of Germany's synagogues on

Lap Lane Changes New lap lane changes are explained by aquatics director Nancy Leutzinger. When more than two swimmers are swimming in one laoe, a technique called circle swim will be enforced. Explanations are available through the aquatics department.

Cantor Fettman retires

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certificate. "During the period 1956-1960 in Canada," Cantor Fettrtian continued, "I was rabbi, cantor, principal and teacher at Congregation Sons of Jacob in North Bay, Canada.

"After leaving Canada, I spent several years in Gary. Indiana, where I joined what, little family I had left from the Holocaust, and in 1963 moved to Madison, Wis. During my stay in Madison I served as cantor, teacher and assistant rabbi for Beth Israel Center, and chaplain for the hospitals and mentcQ institutions in the area.

Parent-Toddlers Teknple'Israel's Parent-Toddler class recently bid farewell to facilitator Shirley Goodman. Mrs. Goodman led the Temple class for four years. The new facilitator is Elyce Azriel. New class begins the week of Feb. 3. Anyone with a child between 12 months and three years may call Tempk Israel's office at 5566536. From left, Veronica Danon, co-chair ParentToddler; Carolyn Barenbaum-Meyers; Aaron Passer; Mrs. Goodman; Jessica Danon; Leslie Graul; Bonnie Schweid, co<hair Parent-Toddler; Amy Scbweid.

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WHY GO TO ISRAEL ON THE OMAHA SPRING MISSION?

FOR MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE... to touch the golden stones of Jerusalem to see the green fields that border the desert's wilderness to share the joy of building a country to walk the paths of the patriarchs and prophets to explore our heritage and history to welcome Shabbat at the Western Wall to meet soldiers and students, historians and heroes, professionals and pioneers to travel from Sodom to Safed, Jericho to Jaffa, Tel Aviv to Tiberias, Ashkelon to Afula to feel the pulse of Tel Aviv to know Israel...your Israel Let'stalk.

ConPieto an information session at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 30 or Sunday, February 16 at the home of Patty and Steve Nogg 1205 North 128 Circle Mission dates: May 3-13,1992 Cost: $1,200 por participant Each participant must make an individual minimum contribution of $1,000 to the 1993 UJ A/Federation Campaign. , this mission is limited to 25 participants.

For more Information, call Patty and Steve Nogg, 493-3479 or Federation Staff Coordinator, Ian Perclman, 334-8200, cxt. 264

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Jan. 24, 1M2

Jewish PraH

M^A'S'H at Millard

By Jo CvToil

From left, Wendy Gilck, Haley Swade, Rikki Epstein and Amy Perimeter listen and watch Steve Brodsky and Josh Zweiback take center stage at Temple Israel.

Strains of "I want to be a Jemsh rock and roll star" could be heard coming from the auditorium where Josh Zweiback and Steve Brodsky were performing, guitars in hand. Unwittingly, I had gone to the presentation of Mah Tovu for a quiet evening with my camera in hand, to maybe take a few pictures.

As soon as I walked in the door, I knew I'd misjudged the entertainment for the evening. People were standing in Une to buy tickets; tall people, short people, skinny people, people with long hair, people with shaved heads, dressed up people, people dressed in jeans, patient people and anxious people. But the one thing that most of them had in common was age. Most of them were your age. Teen-agers!

Oh, there were plenty of older or younger people too, but I was just shocked to see so many of you there on a Saturday night. Carloads of teen-agers had driven in from Kansas City and St. Louis just for this occasion.

The show was a sellout. In fact, more chairs had to be gathered and small children sat on their parents' laps.

Chairs didn't seem to matter to most of the teens, as they sat on the floor as close to the stage as they could get.

I was lucky enough' to find a seat in the second row.

On my right wa^ an almost teen-age boy who stopped squirming the minute the singing began. In front of me was a boy who had driven from St. Louis and was giving out long-stemmed red roses to be thrown on st{)ge later. And on my right was a beautiful teen-age girl who smiled the entire time and never took her eyes off Josh Zweiback. - , ' Josh sang with his co-hart, Steve Brodsky, but there was no doubt that for this crowd, Josh was the star. He' was dressed in a button-down white dress shirt with a blue tie, khaki pants and the enviable tennis shoes, with the tonguess hanging out. Not the dress you usually think of when a young man entertains you with guitflr and song. As he sang, "not by might and not by power, by spirit alone," the squeals increased in the audience.

Even those in the crowd who could qualify for senior citizens' discounts began clapping to the beat.

Between screams, squeals of laughter and loud applause, I managed to talk to four teen-age girl§ attending the concert. I wanted to know why they like it so much and what advice they would give Josh. Haley Swade was flrst with the advice, "He should sing more often." Wendy Gilck wanted to hear "... just one more song." She also thought he wis "really neat." Amy Perimeter said, "It's neat to watch him enjoy himself."

Rikki Epstein's words of advice were, "He should sell his ability to sing a song more." By the way, just to keep the.record straight, none of these girls would admit to squealing.

Although this is not a review, I mutt say I thought Josh gave the evening a spark that goes beyond just singing and guitar notes. And I couldn't help thinking how ev^ything is relative. The last time T squealed at a guitar player, he, too, had long hair, but only about a third (18 long as Josh's locks. Everyone made such a big deal out of my gxiitor player's hair. There are no comments about Josh's long hair. Th« guitar player I squealed over? Oh, he went to live in Graceltnd. I wonder where Josh wants to live?

Ken Bassik

Insurance For Your Needs

By Mard Levine "Attention! Attention!

Incoming .wounded!"

The time is 1950. The place is Korea. There is artillery everywhere. The sounds of sirens and the cries of the wounded fill the midnight air.

• This is the general background for M*A*S*H, a play to be performed at MillardJ^orth Senior lligh School.

This Broadway play by Tim Kelly is being directed

by Jewish Community member and current Millard North English and drama teacher, Jan Fischer. This will be the second winter play Fischer has directed. "With a cast of 31 and a production crew of-over 40, everything is running smoothly and should be ready by the end of the month," said Ms. Fischer.

Three of the Jewish community's teen-agers, Marci Levine, Elli^Sue Shpayher and Andy Katzman, are involved in this production. Ms. Levine, a senior at MNHS, plays the psychiatrist; she is serving on the publicity committee, and is in charge of the dinner arrangements. She is an active member of

B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, a member of the Spanish Club board, and is

By Dusty Nichols a Senior Class Board mem, Troop Scribe ber-at-large at MNHS. We had patrol elections.

After working on the set crew for the plays at the Matt Rosenberg was electJCC, this is her first part ed leader of the Cobra paas a cast member, "I was trol. Boris Davidson was always behind the scenes, elected to lead the second now I am' enjoying being a patrol, not yet named part of the scenes," said Jeremy Nichols was elect' ed to serve as senior patrol Ms. Levine, Ms. Shpayher plays the leader. Other elected posi role of a nurse. She h^s an tions include Ben Gonsher, interest in theater and chaplain aide; Mike Rich would like to become more inan, librarian; Adam Ni' chols, historian; Alex involved in college.

Mr. Katzman, a fresh- Lund, quartermaster; and man at MNHS, is another Dusty Nichols, scribe. We contributor to this produc- were all presented with our tion. He is a coordinator of badges of office to wear on the props and is in charge our uniforms.

We worked on the Readof spotlights for M*A*S*H. Although an active mem- ing Merit Badge by filling ber in BBYO, he still finds out order application^ time for acting outside from Jewish gift catalogs. of school. He has been in It was to help us under-, many productions through- ' stand that there are some out the community and people who are unable to plans to continue acting read well enough to do this throughout his high school themselves. We listened to a song called "Billy Can't years.

M*A*S*H can be seen Read" by Paul Overstreet. at the Millard North thea- In addition, we are planter Jan. 31, at 7.:30 p.m.; ning a project to match Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; or the boys in our troop with some of our new AmeriFeb. 2 at 2 p.m.

Tickets may be pur- cans of school age to help chased at the door for them upgrade their reading skills. $3.50.

We discussed to requirements for the Music Merit Badge and will be learning three Jewish rap'songs as part of that badge.

Ben Gonsher, troop bers of the Conference of chaplain aide, announced that Feb. 8 is Scout SabPresidents.

Shoval has been meeting bath and encouraged with various administra- Scouts to attend services tion officials over the past in their Scout uniform.

David Stein has agreed few months to ascertain what conditions the Uni- to help us with our rank ted States would place on first-aid requirements and the guarantees. He dis- will be our First-Aid Merit cussed the matter with Badge Counselor.

Howard Kutler and Scott Richard Haass, Scowcroft's top Middle East Littky, chairmen, are busy planning for our next aide.

Shoval, who also met Court of Honor on Feb. 12, with the Conference of I>re8idents, is the sole IsCARPOOL raeli authorized to negotiNMd Bomsone to ate with the administracomplete your roster? tion on this issue, an SM th« DO-IT-YOURSELF Israeli diplomat here said, ClaHHled lomi—iMck page.

He Aaid Shoval has not agreed to accede to any cuts in Israel's $10 billion CARLJARL cequest.

U.S. negotiating on loan guarantees

By Howard Rosenberg WASHINGTON (JTA) —The Bush administration has committed itself to working out a loan guarantee agreement with ' Israel within the next six weeks, according to a top Jewish organizational official.

Malcolm Hoenlein, executive director of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said Secretary of State James Baker will be meeting soon with Israeli Ambassador Zalman Shoval to "arrive at an understanding" on Israel's request for U.S. guarantees covering $10 billion in loans.

A State Department source confirmed that Baker and Shoval will begin talking soon, but she did not provide a date.

Homlaiii said the time frame waa outlined Tueaday by Brent Scowcroft, the Whit« Houae national security adviaer, during a meeting here with mem-

NEO-NAZI GROUP GENEVA (JTA)-A newly organized neo-Nazi group has been linked to a recent raah of anti-Sbmitic grafflti in the area of La Chaux de Fond in the Jura Mountains on the FrancoSwiss border.

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By Hugh Orgel TEL AVIV (JTAIThree prominent Israeli mayors urged President Chaim Herzog to grant a pardon to Abie Nathan.

The 64-year-old peace activist has served over four months of an 18-month prison sentence for meeting in Tuni^ last year with Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasir Arafat, in violation of Israeli law.

Mayors Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem, Shlomo Lahat of Tel Aviv and Eli Landau of Herzliya called on Herzog with a letter from Nathan asking to be released.

NCSY NEWS

By Rebecca Wolfson Members of senior NCSY have gotten together a deli-box for Super Bowl Sunday. The deli-box will contain two pouAds of salami or one pound of corned beef, one pound of potato salad, one pound of coleslaw, a loaf of rye bread, a six-pack of pop, peanuts, and popcorn and will cost $18.

To purchase a box, call Beth Israel Synagogue.

The boxes will be all packed up and ready for pick-up Jan. 26.

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Jan. 24, 1992

Cast selected for Cemetery Club

Jazz-in-school Temple Israel's "Close Encounter with Music" series enables musicians to share their skills with students in Omaha Public Schools. In November, cellist Yehuda Hanani gave a master class at UNO. This month vibraphonist Ted Pilzecker and pianist Lincoln Mayorga will visit North High School. They will join musidans Eli Eban and Yehuda Hanani for a jazz concert Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. Tickets (or " AU That Jazz" are available through Temple Israel, 556^536. Photo shows cellisl Yehuda Hanani with members of the Omaha Area Youth Symphony at a workshop that was held last year, Pboto tmitttay of tbt Omaha WorU-Htnld.

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By Diane Axler-Baum, publicist Five performers have been selected.for Ivan Menchell's comedy, "The Cemetery Club," on the Jewish Community Center stage for three weeks opening Feb. 20.

Staging the comedy is director M. Michelle Phillips, who recently directed "The Immigrant" and "The Odd Potato" for Theatre at the J. "This is an outrageously funny work. It is filled with brilliant lines which require precise timing and careful interpretation by each of the performers. I feel extremely fortunate to be Working with such a talented cast to capture Mr. Menchell's fine-tuned combination of uproarious humor and touching relationships," said Ms. Phillips.

Starring in the play are: Elaine Jabenis, is an actress, TV personaUty, guest speaker, commentator and author. She has won acting awards at The Omaha Community Playhouse. Her most recent appearances at The Playhouse include "The Lion in Winter" and "Social Security. " She has directed productions at the Chanticleer Theater, Playhouse and the JCC. Gail Ginsburg, has appeared in "A Hole in the Head," "Come Blow Your Horn," "Barefoot in the Park," "A ... My Name is Alice," and most recently in "The Immigrant." Slie has also appeared in "Love, Sex and the IRS" and "Social Security" at the Upstairs Dinner Theater. Her performance in "Torch Song Trilogy" with the Omaha Workshop Theater won her the award for ' best actress in a cameo role from the Theater Arts Guild.

Sherry Josand Fletcher's credits _ include performances at almost every theater in the Omaha area.

She had parts in "Campaign Serenade" and "A...

My Name is Alice." She received a Tag award for her roU in "El Grande De Coca Cola" at The Omaha Community Playhouse and recently appeared in "Mtldeline" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory "

J««vl(h Pr*u

Pag* 11

Chicaco City Limits abounds in talent

in uncharted territory, A review at the Emmy Gifford I'hesometimes with bumps,

By Morris Maline ater. but for the most part, Darcy Beck, has perA group of talented performed on the,stages of formers calling themselves smooth and sophisticated.

If, at times, the perforthe Norton Theater, The "Chicago City Limits" Center Stage and The Oma- showed an Omaha audi- ipance looked like a televiha Community Playhouse. ence that the sky's the sion showing of a comedy Stan Widman, recently limit when it comes to club, it's not surprising. completed a lead roll as spawning comedy rou: Chicago City Limits is seen on television in its Horace Vandergelder in tines.

• own comedy news show, "Hello Dolly" at TheThe group's reputation "ReelNews, "on the USA Omaha Community Playpreceded, its performance network. house. He has appeared in when a rarely used "sold"The Odd Couple," "Guys One member of the auout" sign went up at the and Dolls," "Fiddler on entrance to the Jewish dience, Lindy Fried, was the Roof" and was nomiCommunity Center the- recognized by chairman nated for a Metro Arts Paul Cohen for singleater.

Guild award for his perforhandedly selling about 100 It's no wonder. mance in "Catch Me if You tickets to the show. Her The enterprising seven Can." reward, a bright-red Chicacaptured the attention of go City T-shirt. the audience with improvjsational satire, slapstick Speaking of bright red, and quick wit. someone in the audience Many of the sketches in- shouted "Big Red footvolved audience participa- ball" in response to an intion with cast members vitation from Chicago

By David Landau stirring the audience to City, and the resulting skit JERUSALEM (JTA)- shout out words, phrases made up for the Orange Prime Minister Yitzhak or comments which then Bowl.

Shamir used the occasion were incorporated into onConunittee mehibers inthis week of his first meet- going productions. cluded: Bobbie Leibowitz, ing with the new U.S. amThe group took off on Diane Malashock, Paul bassador, William Harrop, "F'iddler," the Israel/Arab Saathoff, Mark Tfustin, to reiterate his determina- peace process, and count- Linda Kenedy and Joan tion to continue the peace less other subjects landing Maack. process, despite the political disarray surrounding his tottering government.

He said there was no truth whatsoever to Arab WINE allegations that Israel is BEER using the political crisis as a pretext to drag.its feet iii the bilateral peace DINEIN talks with the PalestinTOGO ians, which concluded their third round last week in Washington.

Foreign Minister David Levy, off to Beijing and a possible breakthrough in diplomatic relations with China, affirmed the prime 17924 Dodge Street 391-1881 minister's assurances.

The very fact that Sha13463 W. Center mir's government lost its 330-1444 parliamentary majority, : proves, beyond doubt its commitment to the peace process, Levy said.

A FAMILY TRADITIOM

Peace talks

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Our Moment in History...

Super SuncCay '92 ^"^"•^"^^^^^i^''''''^'February 9, 1992

On Super Sunday, February 9, answer the call to help...and help again First,

Second,

the UJA/Federation Campaign needs your support:

Continuing Exodu$ needs your support:

• Jewish Cpnimiuuty V-enter • ADL/Comnluiiity Relatioi\& • Bureau for the Aging * Bureau of Education • Jewish Family Service • Jewish Library • Jewish Press

« LfH'al rt>si>(t1otnent

• Exit fues and transportation costs for refugees Immediate survival needs of oHm In Israel

Invest in Omahast'tuic the future of your I

Invest in the tuture of Israel— her strength is our security

Answer the call on

^"' 'ver the call on

Super Sunday, February for the 1992 UJA/Federation Campaign

uperounday, February 9 for Continuing Exodus Y..

',e will t>e payable In thirds <