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A tribute to Jewish War Veterans on pages 6-7 has been researched and prepared by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. (Pictured above is the charter of the Epstein-Morean Post 0260 of the Jewish War Veterans of Omaha). See editorial on page 4.
Omaha Passport to Israel program The Omaha Jewish community wants every Jewish child to experience Israel, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha has launched a new program to help flnance the trip. The Omaha Passport to Israel program is a parttiership in which families, their congregation and the Federation all contribute to a special savings account in the child's name. Within eight years, the child can have $4,000 to use for a trip that provides I Jewish learning and living experience in Israel. AH funds are managed by Bank Leumi Trust Company of New York. A sub-account will be opened for each participant. The Passport to Israel program is open for enrollment to third graders at Omaha's synagogues, who ire enrolled in an approved program of religious itudies, with family membership in good standing II the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The program requires a minimum annual family ontribution of $150, which will be matched up to 1250 annually by the Federation. The congregation ivill contribute an additional $500 per child, and iccrued interest is also added. Total funds availible will be $4,000, and must be used for an Israel irogram approved by the Bureau of Jewish Education. ' The impetus to begin an Israel savings program tras the brainchild of the Nebraska Rabbinical Council. *We wanted to help guarantee Israel programs >r our children. We hope that by taking our chilren to Israel, we can provide them with an unfor•ttable experience that will help crystallize their telings about being Jewish. We want to help to trengthen their Jewish identity and boost Jewish ride and confldence," said Rabbi Paul Drazen of leth El Synagogue, Council president. The rabbis brought the idea to the Federation, nd the project was turned over to the Bureau of
Jewish Education for development and implementation. These trips can be a transformative experience for our children, and for our community. We are talking about the future of our Omaha Jewish community, and in the long run, about the survival of American Judaism," said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel. Rabbi Ruth Ehrenstein of Beyt Shalom and B'nai Israel concurred, "If you talk to any kids who have been to Israel, they will tell you it is the best thing they have ever done. By helping our children, we are helping ourselves." 'It's a marvelous opportunity," said Tom Fellman, Federation president. 'People get extra money with no strings attached, and our children can participate in a once-in-a-lifetime Israel program." "Through the Passport to Israel program, our community helps to reinforce our children's Jewishness and creates a unique bond with Israel," said Howard Bloom, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Students can participate in the Israel experience from the summer after tenth grade until their 23rd birthday. Families may withdraw from the program at any time, and will receive a full refund of their own contribution, plus any accrued interest on their portion, 'It's a natural outgrowth of the Jewish education our children already receive in religious schools and at Jewish summer camps," said Spencer Brookstein, Bureau of Jewish Education president. Susie Drazen, executive director of the Bureau of Jewish Education, summed it up by saying, "An investment in our children is an investment of the future of our Jewish community!" Families interested in the Posiport to Israel program should contact Mrs. Drazen at the Bureau of Jewish Education, 334-6446.
Omahans asked to extend hospitality By Barbara Chandler Federation communications director Joyce and Sheldon Cohen, chairmen of the Jewish Federation's Newcomer Committee, are working to bring people together for Passover "We are looking for people who would like to welcome newcomers into their homes for seders and for newcomers to Omaha who would like to have home hospitality," Mrs. Cohen explained. "Often, the people who move to Omaha have left family in other parts of the country — or other countries. Nothing makes you feel more at home than sharing holidays with family, and this is an opportunity to show our newcomers how very warm and welcoming the Omaha Jewish community is, she continued. "Growing up, we remember our own families always welcomed newcomers into our homes, which was nice for them and made our holiday meals much more interesting and fun. Today, we continue that tradition with our own family. Opening our home, shows our children the meaning of tzedakah and introduces them to all kinds of people with many different experiences to share. Anyone who offers their home will certainly receive as much as they give," she concluded. Jan Perelman, Federation staff director for the Newcomer's program, suggested that those interested in hosting newcomers, or any newcomers who would like to spend Passover with Omaha families, should call the Federation office at 334-8200, ext. 210, and she will orronge for Mr. ond Mrs. Cohen to contact tliem.
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