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Vol. LXXn No. 16 Onudui
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Abba Eban's story is Israel's story By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director
As the 1995 UJA/Federation Campaign moves into its final weeks, solicitors are busy calling donors, the chairmen are mailing letters of appreciation, and plans for the community event with guest speaker Ambassador Abba Eban are being finalized. Many people remember hearing Abba Eban's stirring speeches in the United Nations on behalf of the struggling state of Israel. But his story is greater than just his years as an ambassador. Abba Eban's life story is truly Israel's life story, from infancy to the present day. In anticipation of Ambassador Eban's visit to Omaha, I began to read his book, "Personal Witness: Israel Through My Eyes." When Abba Eban was just an infant, his mother, who worked for the Zionist Office in London, was called to Chaim Weizman's office one November night in 1917 to translate a newly-written document, "The Balfour Declaration," into French and Russian. The document pledged Britain's support of the Zionist movement. Twenty-two years later, a young Abba Eban came to that same office to serve as political secretary for Chaim Weizman. In the book, Abba Eban writes about his memories as Ambassador of Israel on the day that the state was recognized as a member of the United Nations. "My hands still retain the feel of the rope with which I pulled the flag to its mast on May 11, 1949. I knew that in that moment the status and identity of the Jewish people were instantaneously transformed." The list of international leaders who met with Abba Eban over the years is impressive, but few
people have had the opportunity to gain personal insight into those leaders as people, and then share that perspective so eloquently. For example, he describes a meeting he participated in between Golda Meir and U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, during which tension ran high. "Her directness clashed excruciatingly with his subtlety. I have never been in a room with two people whose aversion for each other was more intense." Such observations make Abba Eban's story much more than just historical fact; they add a human dimension that makes the stories intensely meaningful and compelling. But his views aren't limited to the history of the From left: Gila Drazen, Michael Kricsfeld, 1940'8 and 50's. Abba Eban puts the Middle East Rachael Slosburg and Beth Shyken. peace process into present day context, writing, "The idea that national freedom is indispensable for Bosnia Herzegovina while military rule is reasonable for the Palestinian people defies all logic. Since 1967 the issue has always been how to reconcile Israeli security with Palestinian freedom. By Jo Carroll This cannot be achieved without an integrative Friends and family gathered to watch the participrocess in the relations between the peoples that pants in the Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith's inhabit the Land of Israel." Each donor who makes a gift to the campaign will Ninth Annual Bible Quiz held in the Jewish receive a letter of appreciation fi*om the campaign Community Center's theater Sunday afternoon. After nearly two hours of questions and answers, chairmen and a postcard, to be returned to the Federation as soon as possible, regarding seating four winners were declared. Rachael Slosburg, for the community event. All donors who increase daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Slosburg, took their gifts by Dec. 31 may request reserved seating first place and will receive a $500 scholarship. She tickets by returning the postcards. There will also is a freshman at Central High School. be seating on a space-available basis. Michael Kricsfeld, son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Those who have not been contacted about their Kricsfeld, placed second and will receive a scholarpledges or for information, call the Federation ship of $300. Beth Shyken, daughter of Dr. and office at 334-8200, ext. 247. Mrs. Paul Shyken, won a third-place scholarship of $200, and Gila Drazen, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Paul Drazen, placed fourth with a $100 scholarship. The scholarships can b6 used for college expenses The program began with an announcement by Carol Katzman, Women's Division Chairman, that or an approved trip to Israel. The Bible Quiz took on a new format this year. the newly-formed Chai/Pomegranate Division now has 62 members and the Lion of Judah Division Each contestant had the opportunity to answer a has 38 members, including two new members this series of questions worth 10, 20 or 30 points. After year. each round of questions, the students went to podiWithin the Lion of Judah Division, four women uma to answer a bonus question. They could wager increased their gifts to join two others as Ruby the points they had accumulated on the correctness Lions, and the division has one Sapphire Lion. of their answer to an unknown question. Mrs. Fink and Mrs. Lurie are well-known speakAfter hearing the question, they had 30 seconds ers for UJA, but this was the fu^st event at which to write their answers on chalk boards that were they spoke together as mother and daughter. Using a dialogue format, they discussed Mrs. Fink's life held up to the audience. The final round consisted of each of the winners aa a young woman in France before World War II and how life changed for her and her small children from the two preliminary rounds and the next five highest scorers regardless of the round they partic after the war, in which she lost her husband. They shared memories of times when food was pated in. scarce and how Mrs. Fink worked with the Joint Gloria Kaslpw asked the questions, repeatinfj Distribution Committee. She came to the United them if necessary. Ron Gordon was the timekeeper States to raise funds and her first speaking engage- As tlie point scale increased, the quiz became mor ment was in Omaha. She shared the speaking plat- difficult, often resulting in throopnrt questions. form with Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs. Kanlow conferred with Rabbis P'riedman and (Continued on page 4) Stiel and Cantor Berkovils conreniirig the correctness of the answers given by the contestants. S Lois Epstein kept tallies on u blackboard while scores went up or down, depending on whether the question was answered correctly and how many points hod been wagered. Stan Mitchell informed the audience of the rules and regulations before the contest began. Steve Riekes relayed the point information to the audience during the quesUon-and-answer periods. Otlier students participating in the contest were Sandi Epstein, left, and Zoe Riekea, right, Melissa Katzman, Josh Katelman, Jmsia Kiiegar, present Pomegranate pins to, from left, Naomi Leiterowitz, Jeff Shyken, David Shrago, Jtff Margo Riekes, Phyllis Hoffman and Eve Shapiro and David Kas*. All received eertiflcai Simon. participation.
Women's major gifts event By Barbara Chandler Federation public relations director Members of the Chai/Pomegranate and Lion of iJudah Divisions of the 1995 UJA/Federation
Ruth Nogg (center), with lonfftime friend Paulette Fink (rlshl), and Mr*. Fink's •daughter, Francelyne Lurie. Women's Division Campaign ei\joyed a very moving, heartwarming and sometimeB tearful story of dedication to Jewish continuity from two very special women — Paulette Fink and her daughter, Francelyne Lurie. They were Uie guest speakers at the m^jor donors luncheon recently at Highland Country Club. Snowy weather did not affect the excellent turnout of 60 women, many of them mothers and daughters. The event was chaired by Sondi Epstein and Zoe Riekci, Chai/Pomegranate Division Chairmen.
Students big winners at Bible Quiz