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Jewish Pre
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Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
VoLLXXn No. 26 Onuha
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24 Adar I, S7S5, February 24,1995
Congressman Christensen listens
Newman Grants I accepting requests By Claudia Sherman Public relations director The Foundation, Jewish Federation
Rep. Jon Christensen visited with rabbis and Federation leaders IMonday at the Rose Blumicin Jewish Home to listen to the concerns of the Jewish community. Participants Included, from left, Rabbi Ruth Ehrenstein, Rabbi Joseph Friedman, Rep. Christensen, Rabbi Debbie Stiel, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Federation president Jerry Slusky. Rabbi Paul Drazen was called away before the photo was taken.
Soon, it will be my turn,.. By Shana Novak, Burke High School, Jewish Press intern February ninth was an especially memorable evening for me. Looking forward to hearing Abba Eban speak was something I had been anxiously awaiting all week. The effect that the evening left on me was surprising though. I decided to go to the Federation's 'evening with Abba Eban' to see a great man speak. I knew little about Mr. Eban. I have always wondered what an accomplished statesman like him would say to a room full of very concerned and involved Jews. What he did say impressed me. He was a man of great knowledge, but the wonder I once had for what he was going to say definitely took step in the other direction. The peace proceM holds the key-not for what it promiaes but because of what would happen if it were to brealc down," Mr. Eban •aid. I looked around to catch everyone's reaction to this alarming statement. Although the guy next to me was asleep, I did see a vast ocean of concerned and focused eyes. It was those eyes that really made me think. I saw the eyes of adults, more than a thousand, the adults I have always looked up too-and for a moment 1 felt the same hope for Israel's well-being that they did. •^OW, me, an eighteen year old", 1 thought. Am I supposed to be worried about a Mid-East peace process when I still have to make it through my lenior year of high school? That night, I knew Israel's worries were mine, too. I sat in that ballroom, my mere wonder had turned into complete amazement. Everywhere I turned, I saw an adult who had made a difference in my life. One person I saw nave me my first Job as a writer, and another even took me to Israeli I made up my mind that night. It would be my turn soon to lit in this ballroom-oil grown up~u • n active Jewish community member, and I'm joing to give It all I've got to make the turn I get
into something worth looking up to. I realized it's not "them" anymore, it's 'me". Maybe when I get my turn to make the community the best it can be-IH bring in Yassir Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin-I guess you never can tell. One thing 111 tell you now, the feeling I got sitting in the same room with Abba Eban was great enough as it was, but to think that I sat among some of the greatest mentors my life has ever known- now that makes me want to get out there and do something for our Jewish community. Editor's Note: In the photo below, Gary Epstein (left), president, Henry Monsky Lodge of B'nai B'rith, presents a check to Morris Maline, executive director and editor, Jewish Pre»», to fund TEEN AGE," a monthly, full-page feature focusing on Jewish teens In the Omaha are. The idea was initiated by Mike Platt, who received assistance from Joanie Jacobson and Shana Novatc Along with her writing and her work in Jewish youth organizations, Ms. Novak has already begun doing tomethin/i for our Jewish community.
The Esther K Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee is currently accepting grant applications from Jewish organizations and institutions providing programming for children, teenagers, and young adults (those individuals under the age of 23 who are not attending a college or university), according to committee chairperson Myra Oberman. Both Newmcm memorial funds are administered by The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Funds from the Esther K. Newman Fund are allocated for those programs designed to strengthen Jewish identity and values through educational, religious, cultural, social, or recreational, activities, Mrs. Oberman said. She added that the committee is particularly interested in new and innovative programming. Grants from the Carolyn Kully Newman Fund benefit programs for families with children who are of kindergarten age or younger, Mrs. Oberman said. Money may also be allocated to purchase equipment and material needed for those projects Among the criteria for selecting grant recipients are the community value of a program, including its special or unique features; an agency's ability to carry out the purposes and goals of the program or service; and the cost-benefit considerations of a program. Sftonsoring organizations are encouraged to participate dnancially or in-kind, Mrs. Oberman noted, adding that she hopes organizations will work together to provide programming that meets the needs of a cross-section of Jewish youth. The grants committee, responsible for the administration and allocation of monies from both funds, is comprised of representatives from the Jewish Federation Board, the Budget and Allocations Committee, the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Center, Beth Israel and Beth El Synagogues, Temple Israel, Friedel Jewish Academy, B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, and The Foundation. The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, March 29. The committee will meet April 27 to determine awards, Mrs. Oberman said. Application forms are available at The Foundation ofiice. Persons needing assistance completing the forms may contact The Foundation endowment direct Sheldon A. Bernstein at 334-8200.
ADL commends resolution condemning distortion of fact The Anti-Defamation League (AOL) has praised a resolution published by the Council of the American Historical Association which condemns the gross distortion of historical fact in depicting Jewish control of the colonial slave trade. "The AIIA deplores any misuse of history that distorts the historical record,' the AHA resolutic i(^_ states, "to demonize or demean a particular racii ethnic, religious, or cultural group. The Associatia io9 therefore condemns as false any Statement allegiti that Jews played a disproportionate role in th« the exploitation of slave labor or in the Atli^ntic slav trade," The AHA action is k "forthright call for intellectii ;t^* j| ln»»'»rit.y and responsibility,' said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. M