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Firial week for Project Warm-Up By Barbara Chandler, Federation conunimications director
Activity is buildbers of the Super Sunday Division ing for the 1996 UJA/Federation from 9 to 11:30 Campaign's Super a.m. and from 6 Sunday Dec.10. to 8:30 p.m. on ;While dozens of Dec. 10. volunteers call Idelman members of the Telemarketing has once again Super Sunday Division to ask for dohated its facilitheir Campaign ties for the phona-thon and Sheri pledgies, others Idelman and .will be sorting and Barry Siff will packing coats, conduct training hats, gloves and .mittens collected sessions for the 'during Project volunteer callers. Warm-Up for disThe entire comtribution to those Tom Vann (left) and Trenton Magid urge people to add to munity has come in need in the for- the growing pUes of coats for Project Warm-Up. together for mer Soviet Union. Project Warm-Up this year. Volunteers will be at Donations for Project Warm-Up can still be the J.C.C. on Super Sunday to sort, inventory and ' dropped off at the J.C.C. or the synagogues this pack Project Warm-Up donations. Clothing will be week and at the J.C.C. on Sunday morning, shipped to the Former Soviet Union by the U.S. Dec. 10 firom 9 a.m. to noon. The coats, hats, Department of State in cooperation with the gloves and mittens should be clean and in "like American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. new" condition; no tears, broken zippers or missing 'It's great to see the strong response from our community for this worthwhile project. We urge buttons. 'Super Sunday is the largest single fund-raising everyone to clean their closets one jnore time and event of the UJA/Ffederation Sustaining bring in those coats!" said Trenton Magid, Super Campaign," said Lori Rabb, Federation assistant Sunday Co-chairman. Tom Vann, added, "As Co-chairman of Super director. "There are about 1,800 donors in the division, Sunday, I am happy to see the enormous response many of whom have already made their pledges by and look forward to a successful event on Dec. 10. mail. The contributions of the Super Sunday Please answer your phones on Super Sunday. It's a Division are very important to Omaha's Annual mitzvah to give generously to this humanitarian Campaign, which supports Jewish life in Omaha, cause." For more information about Super Sunday, call in Israel and in 58 countries eu'ound the world." About 60 volunteers will be making calls to mem- Lori Rabb at the Federation office, 334-6431.
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The College of Jewish Learning of the Jewish Cultural Arts Council will present Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard, who will lecture on "A Jewish Psychology of Sexuality' Monday, Dec. 4, 7.30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center.Rabbi Blanchard is a Senior Teaching Fellow at CLAL—The National Center for Learning and Leadership. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from St. Louis University, his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Washington University (St. Louis), and his Rabbinic Ordination Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard from St. Louis Rabbinical College. Rabbi Blanchard, has been a Professor of Philosophy, the Director of the Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, a Hillel director, and a practicing psychologist. He taught at Washington, Northwestern and Loyola Universities, as well as at the Drisha Institute for Women and the Jewish Theological Seminary Lehrhaus. He has taught and lectured for the Wexner Heritage Foundation and has appeared on several television programs, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to his articles on philosophy and Jewish texts. Rabbi Blanchard's stories and parables have been widely anthologized. His most recent publication is 'Joining Heaven and Earth: Maimonides on the Laws of Visiting the Sick' (published as a monograph by the Jewish Healing Center). CLAL is an independent North American-based organization dedicated to preparing Jewish leaders to respond to the challenges of a new era in Jewish History. The lecture is free and open to the public. For information, call Gloriann Levy, Jewish Cultural Arts Council director, at 334-6403.
Omaha authors to highlight Book Fair
Yale Gotsdiner elected president
The Lincoln Interfaith Council recently held its annual meeting, and new officers and board members were elected. Yale Gotsdiner of Tifereth Israel Synagogue has been named president. The Lincoln Interfaith Council continues to serve as a model for ecumenical and interfaith cooperation, according to the Yale Gotsdiner announcement. As in the past two years, international visitors hosted by the Mayor's Committee on International Friendship requested an opportunity to visit leader* from the Council to learn how it conducts interreligious affairs in the community lo that they might take this information back to their countries for pouible replication, the announcement stated. The new Misiion Statement adopted by the Council Board in March, 1996, statet: The Lincoln Interfaith Council is an attociation of religious organiiationi which seek to enrich tha greater Lincoln community by promoting understanding in our diveraity and Mrving justice in our unity.*
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CJL lecture series to feature Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard
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By Diane Axler Baum, Book Fair publicist Two Omaha authors whose work has received nation-wide attention will highlight meyor events in the 1996 Jewish Book Fair, according to Nancy Rips, chairman of the board of the Jewish Federation Library. Robert Eisenberg, author of "Boychiks in the Hood: Travels in the Hasidic Underground," will keynote the Book Fair's annual community luncheon Wednesday, Dec. 6, at noon, at the Jewish Community Center. Dr. Richard Freund, co-editor with Rami Arav of "Bethsaida: A City by the North Shore of the Sea From left; Joanne Freeman, Jean Ann of Galilee," will present a slide lecture on "Digging Krupinsky and Bob Eisenberg. up the Past,' Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m., also at tlie Jewish men's organizations took an active role JCC. Dr. Freund is Professor of Judaic Studies at the alongside the women's organizations this year in University of Nebraska at Omaha and Director of co-sponsoring the event "We have every expectathe university's Bethsaida Excavations Project. tion of a record-breaking turnout of men and women eager to hear our own Bob Eisenberg," The project was featured last summer on CBS Mrs. Krupinsky said. News and CNN, and next spring a TV documenMr. Eisenberg, educated at Columbia and tary on the excavations will air across the country. Harvard Universities, is an Omaha native who Dr. Freund said his new book is the first in a pro- now resides here. His decision to study the relijected four-volume collection which marks one of gious and cultural experiences of Hasidic and the only times that an active excavation has pro- Orthodox Jews world-wide led him on a two-year duced its findings while the site is still being exca- adventure that embraced communities as dose a* vated. The book includes his chapter on The St. Paul and aa far away as the Ukraine—and tA Search for Bathtaida in Rabbinic Literature. other groups in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Belgium, In announcing Robert Eisenberg as community and Poland, luncheon speaker, co-chairmen Jean Ann Mrs. Freeman said Mr. BiMnberg't book wu Krupinsky and Joanne Freeman said Omaha'i (Continued on page 4)
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Sparks' from The Word
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By Rabbi Myer S. Kripke I
Parashat VaYetze • How Jacob Becomes a Man of Faith
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The casual reader ipay miss this, but once it is pointed out, he will never miss it again!' See the sharp contrast betwecin two different excursions from Canaan to Mesopotamia. Both had the purpose of finding a wife. The first, however, Abraham's servant in search of a wife for Isaac, was a large iaravan of heavily-laden camels (an anachronism!), with all sorts of gifts for Rebecca's family. Travel, indeed, was safe only in groups large enough to fend off brigands and unseemly desert characters. Thus it was necessary to have a substantial number of men, attendants and camel-drivers and bearers. Bui Jacob, a generation later, leaves Hebron and Beer Sheba alone, apporently in haste to escape the wrath of Esau, with no escorts, no beasts of burden, no ass (or camel) for transportation. He is alone and on foot He later described his journey, saying that he had staff in hand and nothing else when he set his eyes toward Haran. His fate was not certain and his safety unassured. Can we not picture Jacob pleading with Isaac: "But, Father, I cannot undertake such a journey alone! Will you not send some servants with me? And must I walk the whole distance on foot? You have given me your blessing-and it amounts to nothing al all! Do you think I can survive such a journey without help and without provisions?" But he leaves alone, unaccompanied, unaided. Perhaps this stark picture is intended by the Bible writer to show that Jacob is indeed accompanied and aided: His help and guide is the Lord. For there follows the famous dream, which terrified Jacob-and comforted and inspired him. He realises that he is on holy ground, and he marks the spot and calls it Beth El (House of God). The fact is that this was already a holy spot-to Canaanites-and they knew it as a Bethel. The Bible carefully ignores this and assumes that the place is named by Jacob. Indeed Abraham and Isaac both had had religious experiences in this place. And now, with Jacob, it is associated with the name YHWH (which we translate "the Lord"). Twenty years later, when Jacob returns with his large family and larger retinue, he demands that these Mesopotamians recognize the sanctity of the place by discarding all of their pagan paraphernalia and, as it were, adopt his God, YHWH (the Lord). We are not given the privilege of reading the thoughts in Jacob's mind as he lives, loves, and labors in Haran for 20 years. Did that one dream at Beth Gl sustain him and his faith in the Lord all the time he was odd-man-out in a pagan land? And there is this troubling thought: reading the bare text of the dream passage carefully, without the influence of midrashim and traditional commentators and our assumptions about our Patriarchs, can it be that it was only at Beth El that Jacob acknowledged the God of his father and grandfather to be also his own? Was it only here that he was 'converted" to faith in YHWH (the Lord)? But we, who are not vouchsafed the dream at Jacob's at Beth El, and who must face a world and a 20th century of violence and evil, how may our faith be achieved and how may it be strengthened?
continues through December 10! WE STILL NEED COATS! HATS! GLOVES and MITTENS! Bring your donations to: The Jewish Community Center Temple Israel (November 10-19) Beth El Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue Beyt Shalom Synagogue B'nai Israel Synagogue
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Thank you for your support!
TOM VANN and TRENTON MAGID Super Sunday Co-chairmen 1996 IJ.IA/Ferfprafinn Camnajgn CLIP A SAVE
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 VISIONS Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 VISIONS, Dundee Dinner Theatre, 2 p.m. Beth El Synagogue Canip Ramah Night, 7 p.m., Beth El MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 YES Program, 10 a.m. JCAC Fall Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER S BBYO Night. 6:15 p.m. Beth Israel Sisterhood Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m., Belh Israel Temple Israel Sisterhood Board Meeting, noon. Temple Israel Foundation Board Meeting, Rose Blumkin Home Conference Room Friedel Jewish Academy Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., al the School. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 Library Book Fair LurKheon, noon Library Book Sale, 8 a.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 Walk-In Drop-In Program, 10 a.m. C BJE Board o( Directors Meeting, 7:30 p.m. L I USYNight, 6:30 p.m.. Belh El
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Deaths BERNICEHORWICH Services-for Beimice Horwich, 77, were held Nov. 26 at Temple Israel Cemetery. She was pretieded in death by her husband, ipr. J.M. Horwich. Survivor^ include two sons, Allan of Chicago and John of Missoula, Mont.; two sisters, Deena Friedman and Louise Mark; grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Mrs. Horwich was former president of NCJW Omaha Section, and was president of L.O.V.E. at the time of her death. i Memorials may be made to L.O.V.E., c/o Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
President's awards
At the December meeting of the Jewish Federation Board of Directors, Tom Fellman presented a President's Award to Sheri Taxman for her work on the J.C^C. Class-orama. More than 80 people attended the evening of mini classes in October. Eliane Freund, Sara Juster and Cheryl Lemer, who worked with Mrs. Taxman on the Class-orama but were unable to attend the Federation meeting, also received President's Awards.
JEWISH BOOK FAIR Calendar of Events Wednesday, Dec. 6, noon-Community luncheon. Robert Eisenberg, author of "Boychicks in the Hood," will discuss his book. Sunday^ Dec. 10, 1 pjn.-Lecture/slide presentation. Dr. Richard Freund will speak on "Digging up the Past." 2 p.m.-Bible Quiz contest. Monday, Dec. 11, 7^0 pjn.-Lecture/reception. Paul Wilkes will speak on 'An American Rabbi and His Congregation." Sunday, Dec. 17,3 to 4:30 p.m.-Storytelling festival; book talks. BOOK SALE Through Sunday, Dec. 17 Hundreds of books, gifts and games
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Synagogues
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE 14tI0eCaliA>nii«, Omaha, NE 681S4 492.«500 OfiBee Hours: Monday throu^ Thursday, 9 a.m. Candlelicfating 4:37 pan. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. tb 4 p.m. :' Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits. TEMPLE ISRAEIL FRIDAY: 7023 Caas Street, Omaha, NE 68132 Services start at 6 p.m. O66-6SS0 SATURDAY: FRIDAY: Services at 9:30 a.m. Kiddush following services. Shabbat evening service, 8:16 p.m. Sitter service starts at 10 a.ib. Rabbi Stiel and Cantor ContEius will officiate. TSS (Torah Siddur Skills) will meet at 10 a.m. Rabbi Stiel will speak. Shabbat story time, the second and fourth The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Saturday at 11a.m. Temple Israel Sisterhood. ICtantan meets the first and third Saturday at Tot Shabbat Service, 7 p.m.-A short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will 11 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:45 p.m. be held for toddlers through children in the primaSUNDAY: ry grades and their families. Services start at 9 a.m. Sitter Service WEEKDAYS: Sitter service is available each Shabbat evening Services at 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. service. Please make a reservation so we may plan accordingly. There are no facilities for infants. Judaica Shop SATURDAY: Open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to noon; or by appointShabbat morning service, 11:15 a.m. Simcha B'shabbat-The congregation will study ment. the Torah portion for the week Bta Mitzvah Zachary Leeds, son of Steven and Beth Leeds, Adult Education Thursday: Sisterhood Adult Education; 9:30 to will become a Bar Mitzvah Friday evening and 10:30 a.m. -- "Taking a New Look at the Jewish Saturday morning. Hobdays," using Arthur Waskow's book Seasons of Our Joy, led by Cantor Contzius; 10:30 to 11^0 BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE a.m. - "Modern Jewish Thought," led by Rabbi 1502 No. 52nd Street, Omaha. NE 68104 Azriel; 7^0 to 8^0 p.m. -- Beyond Midrash," led by Don Schwartz. 556-6288 "Shabbat Comes To You" Services are conducted by Cantor Leo Fettman. OfGce hours: Rabbi Stiel and the Temple Youth Group will Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m, to 4:30 p.m.; lead a Shabbat service Friday, Dec. 8, 3:45 p.m., at Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Remington Heights. FRIDAY: BarMitzvah Kabbalat Shabbat service at 4:40 p.m. Cole Trevor Schneider, son of Jeanne and SATURDAY: Bruce Schneider, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Morning services are at 8:45 a.m. in the the Shabbat morning service Saturday, Dec. 9. Sanctuary and Goldstein Chapel. Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. CHABAD HOUSE Babysitting service provided by Sisterhood. 1322 So. 119th Street, Omaha, NE 68144 Kiddush sponsored Sisterhood. 097-1124 Mincha at 4:40 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, SATURDAY: Ma'Ariv and Havdalah. Davening is at 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddush. SUNDAY: SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Davening is at 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Talmud Classes Services at 7 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Talmud class, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Advanced Lunch A Learn Talmud, 12 p.m. Thursday. Wednesday, 11:45 a.m., with Rabbi Kaye. Call Chumash Class the synagogue for location. Chumash class for adults, 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Practical Judaism Yiddish A class with Rabbi David Kaye will be held 'Hooked on Yiddish" lessons Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the synagogue. Eni^ish Gemorah Class 'Think Jewish and speak English" classes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Rabbi and Jewish topics for new Americans, Tuesdays and Mrs. David Kaye, 12237 Turner Cir., Bellevue. Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at Chabad House. Cookbook 'Happiness is Still Good Food,' available at the giil shop, or call Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5668. TIFERETH ISRAEL Sisterhood Gift Shop 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 Sisterhood gift shop is open by appointment Call 423-8569 Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Leah Siegel at 556-5455. Rosenbaum. Minyans on Mondays and Thursdays, 7:15 a.m. BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: RECONSTRUCTIONIST SYNAGOGUE Services start at 8 p.m. P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NE 68124 Oneg Shabbat hosted by Sylvia and Robert For information, contact Mike Salmi at 291-3469, Jacobs. or Rabbi Ruth Elu-enstein at 697-1660. SATURDAY: FRIDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Services at 7:30 p.m. at the Second Unitarian Church. Oneg Shabbat to follow. Congregants are asked to bring items to donate to Project WarmB-NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Up, the community-wide project to provide coats, RECONSTRUCnONIST CONGREGATION hats and mittens for Jews in the Former Soviet 618 Mynster St, Council BlufTB, Iowa 51503 Union. The project runs through early December. 323-4705-8yna8ogue SUNDAY: 6»7-1660~Rabbi Ehrenstein Reli<ioua School: Bejrt Shalom co-sponsors the FRIDAY: River Cities Reconstructionist Religious School. Shabbat services are held every Friday night at Classes are held each Sunday at the West Side 7:30 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Community Education Center, 108th and Grover, from 10 a.m. to noon (use the rear parking lot). Ehrenstein and lay leaden. Oneg Shabbat follows. B'nai Israel participates in the River Cities Reconstructionist Religious School. Classes are OFFUTT held every Sunday at the West Side Community Capehart Chapel, 2Sth and Capehart Education Center, 108th and Grover, from 10 a.m, Omaha,NE 68183,894.4061 to noon. The community may attend. FRIDAY: Call Rabbi Ehrenstein or Dr. Martin Rosenburg, ServicM start at 8 p.m. director of education, for an appointment
DM)aBlMrl,19M JawlakPNM Pkf«* ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Mark Levy and Albirt Friedman in the Goldaten Chapel. Members of the community are.invited to join residents for the service and the kiddush following. Memorial services are held on the last Saturday of each month.
B'NAI JESHURUN 20th and South StreeU Unoohi, NE 68602 4364004 Services are officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Shabbat evening service at 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah study and service at 10 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew school, 9 a.m.; Religious school, 10 a.m.
Beyt Shalom Synagogue announces rabbi Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue has announced that Rabbi Ruth Ehrenstein will serve as its rabbi. According! to Mike Salmi, Beyt Shalom president "The addition of Rabbi Ehrenstein Eillows us to become a full-service synagogue supporting the needs of the growing Reconstructionist community in the Omaha area." Rabbi Ehrenstein will also continue her afTilia- Rabbi Ruth Ehrenstein tion with B'nai Israel in Council Bluffs. A 1994 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Rabbi Ehrenstein will provide rabbinical support for Jewish life cycle events and will serve as co-director of the Reconstructionist religious school which Beyt Shalom jointly operates with B'nai Israel Synagogue. In addition, she will preside over selected Shabbat services and lead observances for Jewish hoUdays.
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Authors to highlight Bo6k Fair (Continued from page 1) praised in "The New York Times Review of Books" for its 'ovterall charm, intelligence and scope."* She ^ said that Lis Harris, in her review, described "Boychiks in the Hood" as "a rich collection of anecdotes, religious history and thumbnail portraits" which the author presents with "a generous open ness and good humor." Chapters of "Boychiks in the Hood" were published previoii.ily in llie "Vil|in;(> Voice'and "Forward," she said, Cpst of the luncheon is $8..'SO. Reservnlions nui.st be made no later than Dec. 4, by calling the Federation Library at 334-6461. i The Jewish Book Fair features a sale of hundreds of books, giimes, and videos for Jewish readers and players of all ages and is timed to promote the buying of books and games for Chanukah giving. Co-sponsors of the community luncheon are the sisterhoods of Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Israel; Beth El Men's Club; B'nai BVith Henry Monsky Lodge and B'nai B'rith Women; Chabad House; HAdassah, AMIT-Hatikvah Chapter and AMIT Kalah Franklin Chapter; Jewish War Veterans, NCJW-Omaha Section; Women's American ORT; Temple Israel Men's Club, and . Visions. Henry Mpnsky Lodge also'sponsors another popular Book Fair event, the Bible Quiz Contest for Jewish high-school students, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m., at the JCC.
^ Nazi hunter scheduled H to appear on TV ^H. By Marcel Kahn ^T)r. Michael Franzblau, a dermatologist in the San Francisco area, is scheduled to be interviewed on TV on "60 Minutes" Sunday. Dr. Franzblau is trying to bring to trial Dr. Hans Sewering, who was responsible for the deaths of many children prior to World War II as well as during the war. Dr. Sewering still prdctices in the Munich area. Dr. Franzblau, who lost 25 family members to the Holocaust, says he is pursuing Dr. Sewering to avenge those of all faiths, not just Jews, who died in Adolph Hitler's campaign of ethnic cleansing, and to point out the dangers to mankind when doctors enlist in a political system. "I want this guy's head on a platter," he said. He is determined to continue his campaign until Dr. Sewering is punished and his debt to society is paid. "I will pursue this case until there is nothing left, to pursue," he added. Dr. Franzblau has spoken at Beth El Synagogue, B'nai Israel in Council Bluffs, University of Nebraska Medical Center nnd CrpiRhton Medical School.
Letter from Israel By Harry Allen In Nebraska, no doubt, the big story of the day is Peres is now trying very hard to return the reli"Big Red's" 37-0 win over the Sooners. The first gious bloc to the status-quo ante and get these parshut-out of Oklahoma by Nebraska in some 60 ties to at least not oppose the government—if they years, we are told by CNN. So the Cornhuskers can't support it. It is much like the old Phil Harris cruise to another undefeated season. Nothing new. song, "If you can't help me, then please don't help Here the big story is Shimon Peres' attempts to that bear." Peres and Israel's non-Orthodox population will cozy up'tn the religious parties in ejcchange for their tacit support of the peace process. Nothing have to pay a price for such an agreement, and it new in that either. One only need recall Peres' try will be a heavy price. For starters, Peres will have to do the same thing and bring down the national to promise to block implementation of the recent unity government in 1990—a try which backfired Supreme Court rulings which tend to validate and led to the eventual selection of Rabin as the Reform and Conservative conversionls in Israel. Additionally, the government may back-track on its head of the Labor party. It has long been Labor party doctrine that the current modest funding of non-Orthodox religious Orthodox religious parties should be aligned with institutions plus retract the plan to allow nonit. In 1955, it was Mapai-the forerunner of today's Orthodox religious instruction in the secular Labor party which won a role for Mizrachi in the schools. Rabbi Richard Hirsch, head of the Reform moveZionist executive at the Zionist Congress of that year. ment in Israel, put the matter thusly, "In return for In a discussion I attended some years back that peace with the Arabs, Peres may go to war with the included a dialogue between Yossi Beilin and Jews in the United States." Imar Shoresh, chancelPorush of the Agudah, Beilin turned to Porash and lor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, has bluntly said, "Tfour home is with us." Porash smiled and told Peres that it is the Conservative and Reform nodded agreement though at the time the religious Jews in America who have been the main supportbloc was aligned with the Likud. ers of the peace process and to now further delegitPrior to 1967, it was the general policy of the reh- imize these movements is unacceptable. So the batgious parties not to interfere in foreign policy as tle lines have re-emerged. long as the government took care of their domestic While the labor party ^till, in some quarters, uses concerns—funding for yeshivot, authority for the the red flag of historic socialism, the Israeli Big rabbinate, etc. After 1967, this all changed as the Red does not have the universal support of religious parties increasingly became identified Nebraskans. So its back to politics as usual, here. with expansionist policies which were anathma to Stay tuned. Labor.
Schrager Foundation applications due
Peres tali(s tough to PLO
By Naomi Segal JERUSALEM (JTA) — Sounding his toughest message on peace since being sworn in as prime By Claudia Sherman minister recently, Shimon Peres warned that the Foundation public relations director process would be halted if the Palestinian leadership did not abolish the portions of the Palestinian The Phillip G. Schrager and Terri L. Schrager Covenant that call for the destruction of Israel. Foundation is accepting grant applications from Peres, who has recently been wooing the support organizations and individuals in the Omaha area of right-wing religious parties, adopted the stance until Friday, Jan. 5, 1996, according to Schrager at an appearance before the Knesset's Foreign Foundation President Joseph Kirshenbaum. Affairs and Defense Committee. Established in December, 1984, the Schrager The warning came as 25 Palestinian police offiFoundation supports charitable, educational and cers arrived in Tulkann, the second West Bank religious activities of the Jewish Federation of town to be transferred to the Palestinians under Omaha and other philanthropic organizations the terms of the recently signed agreement for which promote the spirit of cooperation and broth- extending Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank. erhood among Jews and non-Jews. Peres told the committee that Israel would keep For a grant application, contact Sheldon A. all its commitments in the Interim Agreement, but Bernstein, endowment director of The Foundation that the Palestinians had to keep theirs as well. of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, at 334-6440. Under the terms of that agreement, signed Sept. 28 in Washington, the Palestinians promised to amend the pertinent clauses in the covenant within two months after the inauguration of the Palestinian Council. Elections for the council are scheduled for l^te January.
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Board of Directors SyWU Wignir. Vie* Praiidinl: SUTI Urlnfir, Trainirar, Uijrinon, SKrKirjr, CjmtUi Epitolni Su>« Dinon; ui^^H CMlmr, Howird Kipling Shnyl Im; JUM Ripi; ._ lUlaUin; AMn Rou; ROH Schnpack; Fiwi Tkhauw. Baa WkHBUB. Edttoriab iiprHi th« Tkw oftlx writer ind irt not Btctmtrify npnnnUUT* of I)M TIIWI of thi Jnriih PKH Board. DM Jiwiah FWdira(k>n of Omaha or UM Onaha Jawlih Conmnmity HiwkoU. Thi Jawiah Pnaa ia aol waynMftli fcrthi Kaahmth of aajr
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1
Tenth Annual Bible Quiz Contest
December 1,1996
Book Appreciation Contest
The Elinor A. Whitman Memorial Book Appreciation Contest will be sponsored jointly by Henry Mohsky Lodge B'nai B'rith Trustee Steve the local Jewish schools and the Federation Library Riekes has announced that 17 Omaha-area high in recognition of Jewish Book Month, wliich began school students have signed up to participate in the Nov. 17. B'nai Israel, Temple Israel, United Tenth Annual Edward Zorinsky B'nai B'rith Bible Talmud Torah, Friedel Jewish Academy and the Quiz CJontest. Federation Library will sponsor the contest for This year's contest is based on the Books of kindergartefi through eighth-grade students. Exodus and Ruth. There will be two categories: book report and Those participating are: Gila Drazen, daughter of - book jacket design. Books must be of Jewish conRabbi and Mrs. Paul Drazen; Andy Itkin, son of Dr. tent. Reports submitted by first, second or thirdand Mrs. Philip Itkin; Jeff Katzman, son of Mr. grade students must be in their own handwriting. Students can pick up forms firom their teachers or and Mrs. Mike Katzman; and Michael Kricsfeld, the education director of their school, and all son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Kricsfeld. Also, AH Lerner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. reports must be |]ubmitted by Dec. 17. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding book Richard Lemer; Hilary Moshman, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Moshman; David and Hannah reports and jackets in each grade level. Winners as well as participants will be listed in the Jewish Rennard, spn and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Press. Stephen Rennard. The annual contest has been made possible by Also, Jonathon Renstrom, son of Mr. and Mrs. the Elinor A. Whitman Book Appreciation Fund Barry Carnine; Adam Rich, son of Dr. and Mrs. established through a donation by Norman Philip Rich; Josh Samis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman. Michael Samis; Rachel Shukert, daughter of Mr. This fund was created to perpetuate the goals and Mrs. Martin Shukert. Elinor Whitman had during her lifetime of service Also, Beth and Jeff Shyken, daughter and son of to the youth of the Omaha community. She served Dr. and Mrs. Paul Shyken; Rachel Slosburg, daugh- for many years as a member of the Library board ter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Slosburg; and Alex and on the faculty of both Beth El and Temple Israel Religious Schools. Wolfson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wolfson. Mrs. Whitman had a keen interest in promoting The contest, which is held in coixjunction with Jewish literature for young Jewish readers. JewHsh Book Month, will be held Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. in the theater at the Jewish Community Center. The community may attend. '
Jewiih Prau
P»fo6
Reform Kibbutzim look to Omaha for support By Ellen GordmaQ Ron Bernstein doesn't look like an Israeli pioneer. Wearing a red striped shirt, gray sportscoat and black pants, he could be: an Omaha businessman! dressed for casual day at I the office. Then he begins speaking. Thej accent is American, an] indication of hisi upbringing on Longl Island, but the wordsf are those of a pioneer. Mr. Bernstein talks < enthusiastically about' his life on Kibbutz Yahel ^^ Bernstein where he has lived for the past 18 years. He was one of the original members who founded Yahel, the first Israeli Reform kibbutz, in 1977. Recently, he was in the United States talking to Reform congregations about Yahel and Lotan, the second Reform kibbutz, founded in 1983. He spoke at Temple Israel's Friday night, services and met with religious school classes and high school studients. Yahel and Lotan are locfited in the Southern Arava Valley between the Dead Sea and Eilat. The kibbutzim are oases in the desert, growing crops such as dates, onions and watermelons with advanced irrigation methods. Both kibbutzim have (Continued on page 10)
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By OUver B. PoUak Stacey and Jonathan Rockman announce the I Love, Otto. The Legacy ofAnne Frank Nov. 14 birth of a daughter, Caroline Janis. They By Cara WUBOU (Kansas City: Andrews and also have a son, Oliver. McMeel. 1996,146 pages). Grandparents are Eileen and Mike Erman of Twelve-year-old Cara Weiss tried out unsuccessOmaha and Corinne and Jack Rockman of London. fully for the part of Anne Frank. So started, in Great-grandmother is Doris Poder of California. 1959, a 20-year correspondence between Cara and Anne's father. Otto Prank. The story ends in 1977, Thomas Kahn and Dr. Becid GolciDerg-Kahn when 32-year-old Cara goes to Basel, Switzerland, of Omaha announce the Nov. 20 birth of a daugh- and meets her 88-year-old pen pal. ter, Megan Elizabeth. They also have a daughter, Anne Frank's iconic diary has at least three Marissa Nicole. i images. It is a product of the Second World War Grandparents are Marlene and Stewart Kahn of and the Holocaust. It is the work of a teenage girl Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., formerly of Omaha, and growing up. Her echo, translated into at least nine Sandra and Lou Goldberg of Omaha. languages including Esperanto, communicates with countless people as a play, opera, movie, traveling Sara and Sorin Juster announce the Nov. 11 museum exhibition and shrine in Amsterdam. birth of a son, Ariel Philip. They also have two The letters track Cara's growing up in Southern daughters, Caroline Hadas and Samantha Hayley. California during the civil rights movement, Grandparents are Clara Juster and the late Ariel attending UCLA, working as an advertising copyJuster of Holon, Israel, and Robin and Daniel Jaffe writer, a Jewish woman marrying a Presbyterian, of Overland Park, Kan. having two children, and dreaming of visiting Otto. Great-grandparents are Sylvia and David Her memories use popular music, such at the Goldstein, also of Overland Park. Beatles, Marvin Gaye and John Denver as intriguing mnemonic devices. Otto carried on a worldwde correspondence with children and young adults becoming adults. The most frequent writers were Japanese youth who Karen Sokolof Javitch has recently recorded a identified closely with Anne because of the atomic cassette album "Together We Stand," produced by bomb. Hilltop Records. It is being shipped to targeted Hope and change pervade this story. Otto said, stores and radio stations nationwide. when we fear there will be no tomorrow, plant two Also, a music video to promote the album is now trees. in full production. This book makes good reading for adolescents and adults alike and is available at the Jewish Rachel Shukert, daughter of Aveva and Marty Federation Library. Shukert, and Alex Wolfson, son of Sibby and Bob Wolfson, are among the cast in a one-act play to be presented at Central High School. Visions visits the Czars! The public performance of the comedy, "The Trysting Place," will be Saturday at 7 p.m. Call Central High for reservations, 557-3332.
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An Ode To Us By Ruth Goldstein Living here for eighty years I've never ceased to be Totally amazed at the way it worksThis Omaha Jewish community! As each generation passes. We see the torch come alive And the young and the old Work together again and the "Drive" Becomes one big family. We meet so many, from other towns. Who look at us with surpriseThat from a community as small as ours. Such great things can arise! Our "campus" is one in a million. Our "J" is a sight for sore eyes. And to listen to those who visit our "Home," Our community wins first prize. Of course they didn't know the Henrys, The Sams and Phils and, maybe, They never met anyone quite like The Anns, the Mnrys or Sadie. It wasn't the size of the city. Or the warmth and, always, the sharing, But even something more special than tliat Twas the degree of the giving iind caring. But, wc know everyone, don't we? llow special we really are.. . We'd rather live in Omahn Than anywhere else, by far! •j i^'-^i-^t
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Over 60 Visions members traveled to Topeka, Kan., recently to see the Treasures of the Ciars." From left: Sylvia Davis, Maiine Simons, Harriet Lobel, Pauline and Morey Landman.
SNOWBIRDS! PtcAM kl Utc jMrltlt Pr«M kjwm In *dvuKK when yuu mtt Iravtng ta4 when you uc cxMTUn| bock. SomcUmc* •nvra) pRprrv ATT smi to your 'okT adiliTM bcfon we are notiAcd by itkc Poat OfTkc. Bmy dme Ihry rrlum a paper to ua, 1/ou nilM Uic Jcwlah Pr«H and u» air rharsrd EiOa) Dae UK toam m page 2 or B Mall ua ai JPIUXS • SYNlOVlY.Nin'
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JawiahPnm
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Organizations
By Bert Lewis Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I done turkey. , have a question for the people involved in the I really would like t6 know what these poultry turkey business: I'd like to know how the heck you experts are doing to cause these too-little, too' people arrive at the timetable for cooking those much, too-everything problem with turkeys. birds, huh? Maybe they should forget about those dumb little Mostly, the turkeys I mean are the ones ivith the red things, and trust us to figure out how to cook a "built in" thermometer...the ones which are alleged- turkey. Or if they insist on using the pop-up timer, , ly done to perfection when that little shmitchik put it in a meatier place, like the pulkeh. pops out. My experience in recent years has been It all makes me wonder how people roasted gorbirds that look done because that little red thing geous poultry of every description when the oven . has popped, but in much less time'then the explicit didn't even have a thermostat. Remember those instructions on the wrapper have indicated. days-Mother would test the readiness of the oven This year, I carefully took its temperature in sev- by putting her hand in and "feeling" the heat! I will eral places, and the meat thermometer assured me admit it was easy to over-roast, but mostly it was . that my 12-pound bird was done-in 2 hours and 15 fine. minutes. I couldn't believe it, but was unwilling to Well, I still don't know what's being done to the risk over-cooking, so out of the oven it came. turkeys to change everything. .. I only hope it's not It did indeed seem lovely, until the carving harmful chemicals. maven cut into the leg joint and said ''oh-oh...thiB doesn't look done." I won't tell you what I said, since this is a family newspaper. But blessed be he who invented the microwave and the ability to nuke the drumsticks and thighs to exact done. Mostly, I hear cooks say the birds cook much faster than all the tables say to allow, which makes me wonder what's being done to that poultry to needs cause this change. Conversely, on rare occasions I hear a tale like another woman told, on the day after Thanksgiving. She claimed the little red whosis simply refused, to pop out and declare the bird ready for eating. She says it didn't even help to have the family gather in front of the oven, wondering how much longer before they could eat it. She also claimed nobody could be induced to eat everything else and maybe then the turkey could A Super Sunday project .be served. Now that I think about it, I've heard this of the complaint before-I mean about how long it took for 1996 UJA/Federation Campaign that red thing to pop out, only to discover an over-
PROJECT WARM-UP
COATS HATS GLOVES MITTENS
YES YES will meet Monday at the JCC. The board meeting starts at 9:45 a.m. "YES Talk'' discussion grovp and bingo both start at 10:30 a.m. The YES choral group will rehearse at 11 in the auditorium. Free blood pressure checks will be from 11:30 to noon in the adult lounge^ Following lunch at noon, the YES choral group will perform Broadway show tunes. For transportation, call 330-4272. Donation cards are available for any occasion. Call Bess Rothenberg at 392-0862, or Reva Gruch at 391-8344. Members should pay their 1996 YES/Gldtimers dues. WALK-IN DROP-IN Walk-In Drop-In will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise with Larisa will start at 10 a.m.; bingo starts at 10:30. At noon, the movie "While You Were Sleeping" will be shown in the Blumkin Home auditorium. Popcorn will be served. RUSSIAN CLUB The annual Hanukkah party for the Russian Club will be Friday, Dec. 8. Exercise with Larisa starts at 10 a.m. The Hanukkah meal will be served at 11, followed by musical entertainment at noon. Gifts will be passed out after lunch. For transportation, call Lidiya Linde at 697-9169. BREADBREAKERS Jeff Johnson, Omaha City Planning director, will speak to B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers Wednesday at noon at Regency West Best Western, according to Ron Gordon, chairman for December. Cost is $7.50 and the public may attend. THIRTY-NINE FOREVER Thirty-Nine Forever will host a Chanukah party Saturday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., at Westside High School cafeteria. An Italian dinner will be served, followed by music. Cost is $5 per person, plus a donation of a nonperishable food item for the food bank. For information, call Doris Parker at 553-3249; TooUe Simon at 397-3616; or Maxine Noodell at 493-7483.
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Jewish PTOM
December 1,1990
In cases of domestic abuse ' Jews killing Jews not unusual By Judith S. Antonelli, The Jewish Advocate
I BOSTON (JTA) — Yechiel AbramoV, a Russian who immigrated to Israel and the United States, was recently convicted by an Illihois court' of conspiring to kill his wife, Angela Litvak. Richard Rosenthal, briefly a member lof a Framingham, Mass., synagogue, is accused of killing his wife, Laura Jane Rosenthal, bashing in her face, and cutting out her heart and. lungs. . N.Y. lawyer Joel Steinberg, in a nationally known case in 1989, beat his wife, Hedda Nussbaum, and their 6-year-old daughter, Lisa Steinberg, to death. Yet when Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli Jew, many Jews and newscasters alike decried that "never before has a Jew killed a Jew." That is a perfect example of the level of denial that still surrounds domestic violence — and its too frequent outcome, domestic homicide — in the Jewish community, said female participants on a panel at the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations, held earlier this month. "The first thing we need to do is get real about {who lifts hands against whom in the Jewish community," said Nancy Schwartz Sternoff of the Baltimore-based Counseling, Helpline & Aid Network for Abused Women, also known as CHANA. Incidents of domestic abuse greatly increase around Jewish holidays, just as they do for Christians around Thanksgiving and Christmas, she said. "The food is not good enough, the house is not clean enough, the children are not dressed well enough," Sternoff said, listing common excuses of (batterers at Passover and other supposedly "happy" times. Rabbi Julie Ringold Spitzer, author of the book 'Spousal Abuse in Rabbinic and Contemporary Judaism," emphasized that one in five Jews "have
some connection to this issue." She herself thought she had no family history of domestic abuse; yet when her mother read her thesis, tears came to her eyes, and she told Julie that her sister — Julie's aunt — was a survivor of domestic violence. 'Now I know why my 15-year-old cousin came to live with my grandparents," recalled Spitzer, who has spoken on this subject for 13 years. "Ten years ago I shared statistics and defended them. Today, I don't have to defend them because people are more willing to believe them." Yet statistics are not the point, Spitzer said, quoting the Talmudic adage that to save one life is to save the world. , "There are countless women who can't go to synagogue anymore because their batterer sits on the board. There are women who can't sit at a family seder and listen to their sexual abuser make a blessing over the matzah and maror. For these women, the family, the synagogue and the holidays are unavailable," she added. When a battered woman leaves her husband, his attempts to control her do not stop, and may even escalate. Evelyn Brook, president of Montreal's Coalition of Jewish Women for the Get and vice-president of the International Coalition for Agunah Rights, spoke about "post-marital abuse." ' A get is a Jewish divorce and agunot are women whose husbands will not grant them a divorce in accordance with Jewish law. Jewish divorce, as it has been understood over the centuries by rabbis, can give abusive men yet another form of control. "It is the man who initiates and executes the (divorce! ceremony," Brook said. "Jewish divorce is no-fault in that there are no arguments or settlements. But the power in the ceremony lies with the husband, and he can forever control the wife. "What's the difference between that and a man stalking his wife?' Brook said, adding, "Nothing."
A battered woman can flee to safety in a shelter, but the agunah is "shackled to a doorjamb. Everywhere she goes she is an agunah," she said. It is extremely important to obtain the get before a civil divorce, said Brook, adding that a man who refuses t!o give a get should be ostracized by his community. He should not be invited to dinner and his business should be boycotted, she said. He should not be called up to redte the blessing over the Torah, honored at awards dinners, or allowed to serve on the boards of federations; synagogues and Jewish communal organizations, she also said. Jill Goldberg Reitman of the Toronto Jewish Federation described the process used in her community of putting a clause in federation bylaws that prohibits a man from serving on the board if he has refused to give his wife a get. "We need to tell our rabbis that we are prepared to cooperate with them to put the spotlight on the man and not take it ofiF," Brook said. "People will say, 'He's such a good guy. It's not our business.' It is our business. He is not only abusing his wife, he is also misusing Jewish law for evil, evil ends."
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Winter Convention rapidly approaching
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Teen Connection 'Kick-Off' By Joanna Kay and Melissa DeBruin
By Beth Shyken, BBYO public relations St. Louis, ready or not, here comes Cornbelt Council BBYO. It's that time of the year when BBYO'ers are beginning to prepare for the Winter Regional Convention (WRC). St. Louis Council is hosting' WRC Dec. 26-29. The theme is "Kol Neshama (Voice of a Soul) Creation of a Jewish Life." With this theme, coordinators Brad Miriam and Carly Potashnik of S0l/>uis hope to dhow the importance of being Jewish. "I think the theme is perfect for BBYO," said Melissa Katzman, Cornbelt Council Schliah. Teen Connection held its first program of the Tbe Young Energetic Seniors (YES) recently "Judaism is very important and it's absolutely nec- year recently with a tailgatei party for the essary to continue to teach it," she added. hosted a Thanksgiving celebration. Esther Nebraska Buskers. Mendel Kurland won a Pilster spoke on the Pilgrims of 1620, and Convention is an opportunity to make new ^ft certificate for the most spirited Busker Nebraska football. From left: Sylvia Ross, friends, show your chapter and regional spirit and attire. Also, programs were discussed with Sarah Lewis, Ann Rosenblatt and Paula a time experience BBYO. ^ our new director, Rachel Shkolnick, and Schwalb. "As a senior, my convention days are coming to included ice skating, slumber party, movie an end but they have been some of the best days of mania and other activities. From left: Melissa my life," said Kelly Broder. DeBruin, Joanna Kay, Rachel Shkolnick, Wendy Robertson, Michael Parsow and At WRC, regional AZA and BBG business meetMendel Kurland. Teen Connection is a proNEW YORK (JTA) — Brandeis University has ings are held. According to many BBYO'ers, these announced tlie establishment of an endowment meetings are fun and exciting because all members gram for Jewish youth in seventh and eighth fund to promote tolerance and understanding get to vote and have a say in what is happening in grade who are also members of the JCC. For information, contact Rachel at 334-6404. between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel. the region. The endowment will provide complete support, The convention will be held at the St. Louis including tuition, room and board, and travel Airport Marriot Hotel. Cost is $175. Participants expenses, for an Israeli Jew and an Israeli Arab will travel by bus. each year of their undergraduate studies at For information, contact Alon Mor, BBYO regionBrandeis, said Jehuda Reinharz, Brandeis presial director, at 334-6404. dent
Brandeis gets coexistence gift
Jewish Book Fair Wednesday, December 6 COMMUNITY LUNCHEON • NOON Author of "Boychiks in the Hood: Travels in the Hasidic Underground" Lunch $8.50 Reservations Required ROBERT EISEN6ERG
Sunday, December 10 • 1:00 P.M. LECTURE/SLIDE PRESENTATION
I
"Digging up the Past" Dr. Freund is Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Director of the University's Bethsaida Excavatioiu project. DR. RICHARD FREUND Monday, December 11 LECTURE/RECEPTION • 7:30 P.M. Author of "An American Rabbi and his Congregation" Based on the experiences of Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum and his congregation in Worcester, Massachusetts. PAUL WILKES BOOK SALE HOUBS
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dairy herds, and Yahel is raising fresh-water fish in wann-waber ponds. One of Yahel's main crops is pomelos, a citrus fi-uit which is larger than a grapefruit. The kibbutz has the largest pomelo orchard in the world and produces 700 tons of the fruit each year for export to Europe. Ron Bernstein mantfges the pomelo orchard. Approximately 200 people live on Yahel including adults, children, hired workers and volunteers. Residents are from Israel, North America, England, Australia, Russia, Mexico and South America. About 70 children from infants to high school students live on the kibbutz. Overcoming early struggles and obstacles, Kibbutz Yahel has a measure of prosperity, thanks to its profitable agriculture and tourist businesses. The kibbutz houses a seminar center, runs guided tours of the desert and hosts Israeli high school students during their annual field trips to the area. But despite relative well-being, there is important equipment the kibbutz needs but can't afford to buy. And Kibbutz Lotan, which is only 12 years old and less financially secure, needs to build a community center which will serve as a focal point of its social, cultural and educational life. Both Yahel and Lotan have devised creative fund-raising campaigns to help support their kibbutzim. "Partners in Pomelo for Peace" offers a oneyear rental of a pomelo tree for $180. Purchasers receive 30 pounds of fruit for Tu'Bishvat and an educational kit. Lotan offers "Adopt A-Cow" to help the kibbutz increase its dairy herd to become economically selfsufficient. One cow can be adopted for $750 or a "Mootual Share" can be purchased for $2. People interested in offering financial support to the kibbutzim should call Rabbi Azriel at Temple Israel. "There are worthwhile projects such as playground and computer equipment for the children and vital medical equipment for the infirmary that need to be funded," Mr. Bernstein said. While in Omaha, he made people aware of the financial needs at Yahel and Lotan and hoped they would respond. But according to Mr. Bernstein, Yahel isn't looking for a handout. He explained that the kibbutz is willing to give something back to its supporters. "Our part would be to educate Temple Israel youths about Israel and Reform Judaism. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel has proposed a sister city arrangement with Yahel. We'd start an exchange program to bring youth and adults from Temple Israel to the kibbutz. We want to expose more American Jews to Israel," Mr. Bernstein said. The thrust of the sister city program mirrors the purpose of the Reform kibbutz movement in Israel. The goals of the movement are to green the desert and show Israelis that Reform Judaism is a viable alternative to orthodoxy. "Only three per cent of Israel's population lives in the desert," Mr. Bernstein said. Israel is the most democratic nation in the world except when it comes to religion. Most Israelis are secular, so we want to show them there is an alternative to orthodoxy. There's another way to follow Judaism." rnlnMlMrlMliMrtMliMIiMllM^HMnM^IMltlMMMMJDM
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CORRECTIONS In last week's issue, Ben Delman and Sarah Sherman were incorrectly identified in the photo of Temple Israel Religious School students who helped decorate the Sukkah at the Rose Blumkin Home. The Jewish Press regrets the error. Also, Nancy Jacobson was helping her son, Justin, prepare a gift for his Chanukah Mitzvah. Justin was misidentified in the information submitted for the photo caption.
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"We're living Reform Judaism at Yahel ^nd Lotan," he continued. *Our communal kitchens are Kosher, we observe the holidays and Sbabbat and we practice Tzdekah. Every miyor dedsion in the kibbutz has to do with Judaism^ It connects everything we do," he concluded. On his tour, Mr. Berfistein explained Kibbutz Yahe^'s new project. Desert Gardens, s^ agricultural theme park located near Eilat. The olqectives of the park are to increase tourism in the Negev while providing an education experience and to show how Israel feeds the world. Interactive exhibits will demonstrate how the desert is being reclaimed for productive farming. Mr. Bernstein is enthusiastic about Desert Gardens, which is planned to open in 1997. However, when asked what he thought were the important facts about the kibbutz and Israel to put in this article for the Jewish Press, he had a surprising answer. "Peace," he said. "We want peace in Israel." He went on to explain that Kibbutz Yahel's members even voted to give up their cherished fields to accomplish peace. When the border betweSn~ISrael and Jordan in the Negev was being drawn up, it was determined that the kibbutz's fields were actually in Jordan. After intense negotiations, the border was drawn around the fields so they could be counted as part of Israel. Ron Bernstein has returned to his beloved Kibbutz Yahel, but he's left his message behind. He explained the importance of Reform kibbutzim, Yahel and Lotan, to the future of Israel's development of the desert. And he increased awareness of what the kibbutzim can do to help keep Reform Judaism viable in both Israel and Omaha.
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600,000 Jews still waiting to go home to Israel: the job is only half c<one NEW YORK-When Operation Exodus swiftly and efliciently rescued nearly 600,000 Jews from uncertain futures in the former Soviet Union, there was a collective sigh of relief among Jews worldwide. But Chaim Chessler, the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel delegation to the former Soviet Union, believes this isn't the time to rest on laurels. Rather, he said, 'Another 600,000 Jews in the former Soviet Union still wait to go home." 'In fact, with the help of the Jewish Agency, and funded in large part by the United Jewish Appeal Federation Campaign, J6ws are still leaving tl^e former Soviet Union to go home to Israel at the rate of 4,000 to 5,000 per month. This aliyah is expected t<o continue at least until the end of the decade — if everything stays exactly as it is. Therein iies the hitch, said Chessler. 'History tells us to prepare the rescue operation now," said Chessler, referring to this window of opportunity when Jews can, with relative ease, be rescued from the ravages of war and political and economic uncertainty that have become part of everyday life in this region of the world. "Historytells us nothing is guaranteed." According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, at least a dozen Russian newspapers are inciting racial hatred, despite Russian criminal codes that prohibit it. A Russian bS-monthly recently headlined its intention to "Bury Zionism in Russia." "All the upheaval and dissent breeds a lot anger," said Genia Dan, a Jewish Agency aliyah emissary in St. Petersburg, Russia. "You can feel it, but you can't predict where it will lead." Dan said that one of the big problems is that the Jews often wait too long to act. "Two years ago in Moldova, a number of Jewish homes were burned to the ground," she said. 'The people were frightened for their lives and stripped of all their possessions. They had to leave for Israel with nothing. We have to get people out of here before there is another Moldova." _, The apparatus is certainly in place to continue the aliyah: strategically placed Jewish Agency emissaries are spread across 10 time zones throughout the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Special emissaries are also engaged in the very (jelicate, ongoing negotiations with government agencies to keep access to aliyah programs open. Keeping the flights to Israel alone has kept several emissaries busy since this miraculous exodus began in 1989. Jewish Agency youth programs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe allow teenagers
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This Chechen girl, photographed at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, is one of 39,445 Jews to make aliyah hvm the former Soviet Union in 1995. She and her family came home to Israel with the help of the Jewish Agency for Israel, funded in large part by the UJA Federation Campaign. Since 1990, 569,964 Jews have made aliyah from the former Soviet Union.
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Pmi Service photo by Avi IlinehfieU)
to spend a year in an Israeli high school via the Na'aleh 16 program. Space is the limitation. In St. Petersburg alone, 400 teenagers applied and were eligible for the Na'aleh 16 program. There was only space for 99. "We had to tell them to wait until next year," said Dan. "Of course, in the back of our minds, we were thinking, 'G-d only knows what's going to happen next year'." But Dan, who goes home to Israel only two weeks every three months, said that she has to concentrate on today. Her job this month—to find apartments for two families waiting to make aliyah. The obstacle: one family has 11 children, the other has 12. Both famihes are desperately poor; and the passports alone cost $25 each. That's literally a fortune for these people. When I asked her how she was feeding her family, one of the mothers told me, "we eat what the children bring home'." Despite the obstacles, Dan believes both families will be in Israel by January. Chessler points out that almost 90 percent of Moscow's 250,000 Jews are also living below the poverty line. "Yes, they're cosmopolitan and educated, but the infrastructure is just not there for these people to make a living."
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\ December 1,1996
General Assembly mourns Rabin, celebrates centennial
BBYO'S 1996 'March of th^ Living' project
By Barbara Chandler, Federation communications director
Cleaning and restoring the Warsaw Jewish Cemetery. Presented by Zobar Raviv, BBYO Shaliach. i i The project, developed by BBYO, seeks to enhance the commitment between BBYO's March of the Living participants and their past through meaningful and educational components involving members in a productive, long-lasting endeavor. Project description BBYO's March of the Living participants will spend half a day in the Warsaw Jewish Cemetery. The cemetery contains Jewish grave sites dating back to the 19th century, Showing the extent of the demise of the Jewish community in Warsaw. The cemetery has been victimized by time and men, threatens to be eliminated, along with the memory of our Jewish brothers and sisters. BBYO cares The BBYO March of the Living participants have decided to dedicate their time and efforts .to restore the cemetery and revive the memory and dignity of our fellow Jews who rest there. BBYO'ers will join together with their hearts and hands to thoroughly clean and restore a section of the cemetery. Tombstones will be cleaned, fallen stones will be repositioned and rusty fences will be painted, along with other tasks. Upon completion, a remembrance ceremony will be held at the site, and a plaqiie showing BBYO's commitment to our ancestors will be erected. Project continuation This project will be repeated every two years by participants in BBYO's March of the Living. Biennially, a different section of the cemetery will be cleaned and restored, continuing until BBYO fulfills its mission-to restore the dignity and memory of our Jewish brothers and sisters in a meaningful and long-lasting way, while at the same time educating our youth about our past . . . and our future.
ity,Financial The 1995 Resource Council of Jewish Development, Federations Israel-Diaspora General Assembly Relations and was to have been a Social Policy and gala celebration of the Human the Boston Service Agenda. Federation. Steve Simon, Celebrating its Omaha's 1996 centennial year, Pacesetter Boston established Division co-chairthe first Jewish man, commented, Federation in "Attending the North America. General Assembly That milestone was acknowledged was Q verv nice Omaha delegates met for dinner before the International during a program Plenary at the General Assembly. From left: Marty experience, and featuring several Shukert, Forrest Knitter, Tom Fellman, Mark and Jill ^^'^ talking with celebrities, includ- Belmont, Steve Simon and Howard and Sharon Kooper. People from several different coming Elie Wiesel, Joel Grey, Rosemary Clooney and Lou Jacobi. munities, I have a much greater appreciation for However, the celebration was tempered with trib- what we are doing in Omaha." Bobbie Epstein, who serves on the UJA National utes to the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin who had been scheduled to address the assembly at the Women's Campaign Board, remarked, "I liked the International Plenary. In his place, Henry intense focus during the institutes. They really Kissinger delivered the keynote, and acting Prime gave us an opportunity to learn and share ideas. Minister Shimon Peres addressed the audience That's what a GA is really about, sharing ideas and learning from other communities as they learn from Israel via satellite. Among the 5,000 people from North America's from us." Mrs. Epstein added, "Ann Lewis, vice chairman Jewish Federations and from Israel who attended the General Assembly in Boston from Nov. 15-19 of the Clinton-Gore Campaign, who spoke at the were 15 Omahans: Joel Alperson and Jill Belmont, Women's Division Plenary, was outstanding, and Omaha's Young Leadership Award Recipients; the memorial tribute for Prime Minister Rabin was Mark Belmont, Bobbie Epstein, Tom Fellman, emotional and meaningful. Sharon and Howard Kooper, Forrest Krutter, Lori "I also thought the commemoration of the 100th Rabb, Aveva and Marty Shukert, Steve Simon, anniversary of the Boston Federation was wonderHoward Bloom, Barbara Chand|er and Lori Rabb. ful," she concluded. Workshops and forums were built around four The next CJF General Assembly will be held in intensive institutes: Jewish Identity and continu- Seattle in November, 1996.
:Ai1996 UJA/Federation Campaign Please Answer the Call Super Sunday, December 10 A
How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment to start to improve the world. Your Annual Campaign gift ' Rescues the Imperiled • Cares for the Vulnerable ' Revitalizes Jewish life
Please give generously when a Campaign Volunteer calls for your pledge on December 10. Thank you for your support
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