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8 AcUr II, 57S5, March 10, IMS
Judge Miller-Lerman joins Court
By Morris Maline Judge Miller-Lerman When Judge Lindsey said her parents, Avy Miller-Lerman took a seat, Lewis Miller and Roberta Monday, on the Nebraska Levey Miller, now Supreme Court (the first deceased, were interested woman so honored) she in film, and sponsorship entered the history booke of the Festival was a trib— again! ute to them. Her earlier recognition She explained also that as the first woman to her family's relationship attain high judicial status with Israel goes back in Nebraska came in 1991 many years. In 1961, for when she was appointed to example, 14-year-oid the newly-formed Lindsey, as a member of Nebraska Court of Appeals. the Los Angeles Athletic She told the Jewish Club, represented the Press in an interview United States in swimrelated* to her interim ming at the Maccabiah appointment to the Games in Israel. Supreme Court that she In response to: "How had decided to pursue a did you do?" law career because law is a She replied: "Two golds "civilized way of solving and a silver." problems." As her story unfolded, it Before graduating with turned out that her honors from Columbia father, a mechanical engiJudge Lindsey Miller-Lerman University School of Law in neer, had a successful New York City, Judge Miller-Lerman served as a career on his own. He developed, patented, and law clerk at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and established a company to manufacture heaters for at the Harvard Law School Center for the swimming pools. Advancement of Criminal Justice, and as a Mr. Miller later sold the copipany to Teledyne, research assistant to Professor Maurice Rosenberg, and then worked as a volunteer for Israel living in Columbia Law School. an apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem. After graduating, she served as law clerk to Another tie with Israel came about through her Chief Judge Constance Baker Motley, United daughter who chose to spend her junior year at Tel States District Court, Southern District of New Aviv University. York. Judge Motley had worked with Thurgood Judge Miller-Lerman's activity in practice and Marshall on a number of Civil Rights cases. on the bench has brought her national attention Her career path took her to Omaha in 1975 such as being mentioned not long ago as a candiwhen her husband, a pediatrician, took a position date for United States Attorney General. with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Also, she was invited in the summer of '93 to The couple has since divorced. participate in a panel discussion in Colorado with While raising two children, Hannah, now 21 and the Hon. Byron R. White, the Hon. Sandra Day a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, enrolled O'Connor, both associate justices, U.S. Supreme in Women's Studies and English, and Jeremy, now Court, and the Hon. James B. Loken, U.S. Circuit 19, a communications major at the Annenberg Judge. School, also at the University of Pennsylvania, Her association with top judges and justices also Judge Miller-Lerman worked part-time as an aaso- must include U.S. Supreme Court Judge Ruth date trial lawyer at Kutak Rock. A few years later Bader Ginsberg. she became a partner in the firm until her appoint"She was one of my professors at law school ment to the Court of Appeals. teaching a class, entitled Women in the Law." The Jewish community most likely is familiar Question:" What kind of a grade did you with the Miller-Lerman name in connection with getr the Miller-Lerman film festival at the Jewish Answer: "She was a tough marker, but CoiaiDunity Center. don't quote me."
Michael Sigmond qualifies for national debate Michael Sigmond, a senior at Central High School, is the first ExtemporaneouB Speech competitor in Central's history to qualify for the national finals of the National l^orensic League, according to Kris Bertch, coach of the \ •chooi's debate and Michael Sigmond speech teams. At the qualifying tournament, Mike won firBt place in this category allowing him to compete in the NFL flnals in Ft. Laudardale, FL, in June. A written comment by one of the judges noted that Milu'a grasp of economioi indicated that he inuat hava baen 'ipoon-fad the luttJMt from infancy'. In fact, I hava baan discuMiac aoonomic iaauaa
with my stepfather since I was a small boy," said Mike. Mike's stepfather is Donald Baum, a professor of economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His mother, Diane Axler Baum, is a freelance publicist and editor. As a member of Central's debate and speech teams, Mike is n regular competitor in local and regional debate tournaments, helps teach debate skills to junior-high debaters, and often serves as a tournament judge. He also is sporta editor of The Central Regiiler and president of the Spanish Club. He is Central's representative on an advisory committee that meets periodically with the superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools. He ia lean on KETV aa a crew member of For Real, a public service program focusing on the opinions and concerns of teans. Mike plana a Mbaral arta education in history, political science, and economics. Hia goal is a caraar in taiavision journalism or law.
Indyk confirmed as ambassador to Israel By Matthew Dorf WASHINGTON (JTA) — It's ofTicial. Martin Indyk is the first Jewish U.S. ambassador to Israel. In a voice vote with no debate Friday, this Senate confirmed Indyk's nomination. The native Australian, 43, will be going to the Jewish state to assume his post in the coming weeks, according to a State Department official. Indyk, one of the senior members of President Clinton's Middle East peace process team, has served until now as the National Security Council director of Near East and South Asian affairs. Mark Parris, a senior deputy secretary of state in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department, will succeed Indyk at NSC. According to Jewish leaders across the political spectrum, Parris' appointment "raises no red flags."
Israel tries to better image after vandalism reports By Naomi Segal JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli officials have tried to smooth over the tarnished image of its citizens, after reports that a group of Israeli tourists had defaced a biblical grave site in Jordan. Israel Television this week broadcast footage of the desecrated Tomb of Aaron, near Petra, Jordan. In the Bible, Aaron is the brother of Moses. Hebrew lettering was scrawled on the ancient stone and some antique Hebrew lettering was partially chiseled away. News reports here quoted an Israeli guide for the Society for the Protection of Nature saying that Israeli groups last week had been barred from entering the site. Jordanian officials said Monday it had closed the shrine to all visitors, due to access trails made unsafe because of rain. Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Ghassan Mifleh denied the report that Israelis were banned from the site. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Uzi Baram said he had asked advisers for possible steps, including legal action, to rein in callus Israeli travelers. He said the vandalism "tarnished Israel's image." Baram also discussed the issue with his Jordanian counterpart in Berlin, Germany, where both are attending an international tourism fair
Civilians killed in 78 attack honored at kibbutz memorial By Naomi Segal JERUSALEM (JTA) — A memorial was held this' week near Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael, south of Haifa, for the 35 people killed nearby in a terrorist attack 17 years ago. The victims, Egged employees and their families, were on a company-organized outing. The terrorists had originally planned to land by boat on the Tel j Aviv beach, but made a navigational error. Police Commissioner Assaf Hcfetz, who led th« unit that battled the terrorists and helped rescue passengers, attended the memorial service.
Rabin: on women's rights JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin denounced violence and discrimination against women in remarks this week at a gathering marking International Women's Day. Rabin said women still had a long way to go toward achieving equal ri^ts and called for more action in the struggle to achieve equal rights for, women.