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Jewish Press Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
VoL LXXni No. U Omaha
-Diamond Jubilee Edition L 7920 1995 Editorial: By Morris Maline
1^1 am tru truly honored to be the editor of the Omaha Jewish Press at this point in its history. Seventy-five years have passed since a group of dedicated Jews established this newspaper to serve and promote the Jewish community. Three quarters of a century is a long period of time in the life of an individual and those who founded the paper are no longer with us, but their essence lives on in every word that appears on these pages, week after week, month after month, year after year, and hopefully, century after centu-
for a newspaper to publish. To the best of my knowledge, the Jewish Press has never missed a week of publication despite the many problems that a business of this nature encounters on a daily basis. Yet, the 75-years of Jewish activity preserved on these many thousands of pages, can be likened to a "blip* on the radar screen of thousands of years of Jewish civilization. One function of this newspaper often is overlooked while the staff and scores of volunteers heroically try to record life cycle events, community You will find their names on page 11 where we happenings, reaction to world-shaking events, and have reprinted the original front page of this news- the constant striving of Jews to improve the world. paper. What we often fail to recognize is that our weekly Please take the time to review the list and in output becomes part of the overall, worldwide your own way salute those who thought enough of Jewish experience. this Jewish community to establish a communicaOur contribution to Jewish life in Nebraska and tions vehicle to help advance Jewish life. Iowa is being duplicated by hundreds of other Seventy-five years may be a long time for an indi- Jewish publications throughout the world. vidual, but this spread of time also is a long time As we study Jewish history of biblical times,
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future generations will study Jewish history being documented today. As I exit this space and free your access to this issue, let me not forget to thank ray friends and colleagues, Mary Fellman, Oliver Pollak, and Maureen LaPour. ' Mrs. Fellman needs no introduction. She is a whirlwind of creativity and a past editor of the Jewish Press. Dr. Pollak, a history professor and attorney, is a past president of the Jewish Press. Mrs. LaPour is managing editor of the Jewish Press. This creative team deserves the credit for a labor of love, and this type of effort is typical of the activity that goes into the production of this paper. Now you can see why 1 derive so much pleasure in being the editor of the Omaha Jewish Press.
Join me in a toast: L'chajdm
'What a wonderful Hanukkah gift for us all!'
Taiitor's Note: It is with great pleasure that we bring you the following story concerning the Dorothy K. Kripke Children's Book Collection. I believe this to be a wonderful example of the material we provide to continue the fine tradition of this newspaper.
books were all accepted for publication without a single rejection slip. At one time, a publisher requested that Mrs. Kripke write a book about sex because such a book would sell in brisk numbers. He said his wife shied away from such a direct approach, instead coming up with: Let's Talk About Loving: Love, Sex, Marriage and Family. 'She asked me to contribute a male's view of the subject and this is the only book in which I played a part." He said also that he surprised his wife by sending one of her unpublished manuscripU to a publisher and found to his delight that it was accepted. This book, the 11th, is titled Let's Talk About the Sabbath and is scheduled for publication next September. All that remains, someone quipped, is for The Kripke family: To the left of Rabbi Myer S. and Dorothy K. Kripke are their aon, Saul, and daughter, Madeline F. someone to write a book called. Let's Talk Kripke. To their right are daughter and son-in-law Netta About Dorothy. Kripke Stem and Yossi Stem and their children, Gil and Tamiu-. Saul's wife, Margaret Gilbert Kripke was unable to attend because of academic commitments. Brandt to retire
By Morris Maline The dedication of the Dorothy K Kripke Children's Collection at the Omaha Jewish Federation Library took place Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. An estimated 200 friends of the Kripkes joined Rabbi Kripke, his wife Dorothy, and their children for reflection and celebration. Federation President Tom Fellman thanked the Kripke children for endowing the'Collection, calling it, *A valuable treasure." "What a wonderful Hanukkah gift to us all from the Kripke family," he said. He said the Kripkes have left their educational print on so many in Omaha, and that the Dorothy Kripke Collection will provide a valuable resource for teaching and sharing with future generations. He urged those attending to follow the Kripke family "footprints' and consider endowing some part of this Jewish community's legacy. 'Money is always io nhort supply, and as we rebuild our own infrastructure, endowmento will enable us to ensure bright and rich Jewish experience for so many generations to come. Nancy Rips, president of the Library, announced the establishment of the Dorothy S. Kripke Children's Book Fund by the Kripke children: Saul and Margaret Qilbert Kripke, Madeline F. Kripke and Yoiai and Nette Kripke Stern. Mi. Ript said, 'Now, we will have the fund* to
ensure the continued growth of our fine, comprehensive collection of Jewish literature for children. She also announced that a permanent display case would contain the works of Mrs. Kripke and took the opportuni ty to make the audience aware of the Children's Tile Wall now on display in the Library. Rabbi Kripke said he was 'elected* by his children to be their spokesman for the occa sion. With occasional clari flcation from a soft-spoken Mrs. Kripke, he described her initial interest in writing as an opportunity to prepare rhymes for their son, Saul. These rhymes grew into a collection which resulted in Rhymes to Play and Rhymes to Pray. He pointed out that her series of 'Let's Talk"
from Bluinkin Home Eugene Brandt, executive director of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, has announced his retirement, effective June, 1995. Bob Lepp, president of the Bureau for the Aging, has appointed Jerold Dann to head a search committee. "Gene's knowledge and long-time experience in the nursing home field has been invaluable to our nursing home residents, their families, and the Jewish community," said Mr. Lepp. In May, 1982, Mr.Brandt came to the then Dr. Philip Sher Home for a six-montli temporary supervisory position, having retired from his business activities. He was hired permanently and has overseen the transition from the retirement/ nursing home facility for 76 people on North 62nd Street to the 119bed Blumkin nursing home, part of the Jewish, communal campus on 132nd Street He and his wife plan to move to Arizona,
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