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Campaign community event By Barbi^ra Chandler, Federation communications director The entire Jewiah community ie invited to a 1996 UJA/Federatiori Campaign community event Wednesday,J»(ov. 8, at Highland Country Club. ,Thi8 program, hosted by the 1996 Campaign chairmen, Tom Bernstein, Mike Platt, Julee Katzman and Bobbi Leibowitz, is open to the entire Jewish community at no charge. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a light dessert reception, followed at 7:30 p.m. by guest speaker Linda Scherzer. Ms. Scherzer is a television news personality who covered the Gulf War and the Mideast Peace Process for CNN. Currently, she is Arab Affairs Correspondent for Israel Television, covering Palestinian autonomy and developments in the territories. She has also reported on the peace process from Syria, Joi-dan and Lebanon. This is a maiyelous opportunity for the community to get a current picture of the Arab/Israeli situation through the eyes of an international news reporter, the committee pointed out. In order to facilitate plans for adequate seating, people who plan to attend are asked to call the Federation at 334-8200.
Jewish response to Simpson trial on page 4
Forums offer opportunity for input on Federatioifplan By Barbara Chandler, Federation communications director All members of the Jewish community are invited to offer input and ask questions concerning the issues identified by the Federation's Strategic Planning Committee. Two forums will be held — one on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m to noon, and one on Monday, Oct. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Both forums will take place at the J.C.C. Forrest Knitter, Strategic Planning chairman, Lori Rabb, Federation assistant director, and planning consultant Marc Salisch will be there to facilitate the discussions Howard Bloom, Federation executive director, stated, 'We believe that our Federation and our Agency system must redefine itself in order to meet the challenges that are on the horizon — changes in Israel, changes in our own government in terms of sodal service Eigencies, and changes in our local demographics that affect the growth and strength of our future Jewish community, "We are committed to providing open communication on the strategic plan as it develops and we welcopie your active participation in the process by attending one of these community forums." Lori Rabb commented on meetings held earlier this month. 'The Strategic Planning Committee met with Marc Salisch for a two-day workshop. During those meetings, the committee began-developing an initial blueprint based on these strategic issues:
1. What is the overall mission of the Federation and its Agencies? 2. What is the optimal relationship between the Omaha Jewish community and Israel? 3. What is the optimal relationship between the Federation, its Agencies and the Synagogues? 4. How can we energize our financial resource development strategy including endowments and the Annual Campaign? 6. How can we encourage and develop future leadership and volunteer involvement? "We are looking for input from the community in each of these strategic areas," Mrs. Rabb continued. "This plan will be for the benefit of the entire Jewish community and it is very important to everyone involved that as many ideas as possible are put onto the table for consideration. We urge everyone with an interest in the future of our Jewish community to attend one of the scheduled forums and share your views.' For more information, contact Lori Rabb, Federation assistant director, at 334-6431, or Howard Bloom, Federation executive director, at 3344IS3.
Jewish museum to open Oct. 29
Fr»Bi left, Sharon Klrsbenbaum Robert BodnanMarfo Biekea, and Marjr FeUmaa. The first perminent Jewish museum io the State of Nebraska will be opened Sunday, Oct 29, iJit 8 p.m. eeremonies in the Dan and Esther ^Oordman Center for Jewish Learning. Named for its major donors, the Henry and Dorothy Riekea Museum of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will include the raatoratioo of the former Kapulier Synagocue, mamorias of the Riakas SjmafaKua and •rantaally, the histapr of all Nabraaka ajmacoguaa.
In dedication ceremonies open to the entire community, mezuzaha will be affixed to both doors of the new museum by Mr. and Mr. Riekes and Bernie Jonisch, president of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. Tours of the museum will include viewing the restored ark, bimah, pews, windows, menorah, shtenders (uid other artifacts of the orthodox synagogue that closed 10 years ago on 3lBt and Cuming Streets. Also occupying m^jor space in the museum is the Herbert Goldsten Wall of Synagogue History which was made possible by the Goldsten Trust. This wall will be dedicated to the history of the ssmagogues of Nebraska and Council Bluffs. Entrance to the museum will be through the new 'Hall of Memories' of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society which has been endowed by three Kirshenbaum families. The hall adjoins the museum in the Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning and is near the Jewish Community Center canteen area. Plans for the two walls that comprise the "Hall of Memories* are for a variety of exhibits and artistic creations remembering the history of the Jews of Nebraska. The creation of this 'Hall of Memories* has been made possible by an endowment from Joe and Audrey Kirshenbaum, Joe and Maziue Kirshenbaum and Kevee and Audrey Kirshenbaum. It honors and remembers their parents, Abraham and Yetta Kirshenbaum, Meyer and Dora Kirahenbaum, Joseph and Gladys Samuelson, Sam and Rebecca Wolf and Sam and Oussie Zweiback. The planiiing, creation and deaign of the Henry and Dorothy Riekea Museum is taking place by a committee led by Robert Bodnar, Museum Designer and president of the Robert Bodnar Company. The committee also includes Mary Fellman, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Ducky Milder, Olivar PoUak, llaiso Riakaa and Marty Shuk«i
Photos, from left, top, Joel Alporson, Boh^ Lepp, Fred Simon, Howard BIOOH) battoi, Forreet Knitter, Ariaie Weita, Howard Kaspar, Bobbie Bpatein, Steve Nogf, Lori Rabb. (Photo* br Barbara Cbandlor)