May 17, 1996

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ewish Pre

Celebrating More Than 7S Years of Service VoLLXXni No. 35

28Iyyar, 6756, May 17,1996

Isidore Michael Tretiak selected as Humanitarian

Bill Ramsey

By Morris Maline Isidore M. Tretiak, a long-time philanthropist and leader of the Jewish community, has been selected as "^ the 1996 Humanitarian of the Year by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Bill and Barbara The honor will be Donald Yale Fitzgerald bestowed upon him . during the Federation's tm annual meeting, June ^ ^ Tretiak 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center. Jews board, and the Omaha Jewish Federation Also taking place will be the election of board. Federation and Agency officers and announcement Bill Ramsey, president of Bill Ramsey Associates, of key award winners. will receive the 199^ Otto Swanson Spirit of Mr. Tretiak began his education in Russian and Service Award. Mr. Ramsey has used his public Hebrew classes at the age of five in the Ukraine. relations talents for numerous civic and charitable After he immigrated to the U.S. in 1922, he congroups in the Midlands. He has been an active tinued with Hebrew. leader in community service for the Boy Scouts of He began working at age 11, with a newspaper America, The National Conference of Christians route; later, he worked in a drugstore delivering and Jews, Serra International, and the Henry orders on a bicycle, and advanced into an allDoorly Zoo, to name a few. around helper working after school and weekends. The Fitzgerald's, Mr. Yale's, arid Mr. Ramsey's After grade school and high school in Omaha, he contributions to the Midlands area arc exemplary enrolled in the Van Sant School of Busin(>.ss and the NCCJ is honoring them for their distin- evening classes for a year. As he grew older, he found employment with the guished service to the community. The National Conference has worked toward a Omaha Jobbing Company, and remained with this society free from racip' »pd wligious bias and big- firm for many years where he acquired valuable otry, a society in which Americans of every ethnic retailing and merchandising experience The dream of someday going into business for origin and cultural background can live together in himself became a reality. At the urging of suppliers harmony and mutual respect. and associates and with a loan from the Omaha For information, call the NCCJ office at 346National Bank, he founded Tretiak's-a wholesaler 3357. and retailer of paints and coatings, wallcovering, floor covering, decorating supplies, and hundreds of related items. Over the many successful years of growth, Tretiak's became the largest store of its kind in Then the food court will open with hot dogs, Omaha and surrounding area. falafel, chips, drinks, cotton candy and desserts. After his retirement from the business world, Mr. In the gallery, is a hands-on exhibit called Tretiak enrolled at the University of Nebraska at 'Happy Birthday, Dear Jerusalem" for children Omaha. ages three to 11, which includes seven stations of In 1984, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in arts and crafts, costumes, block-building, a rubEducation and continued to take classes to further bing table, etc. his knowledge. At 1 p.m., there will be a program for children In 1992, UNO presented its Order of the Tower ages five to nine called "The Parent Connection Award to Mr. Tretiak. This is the university's highBook Club,* which will include a puppet show, stoest non-academic award and it honors members of r3rtelling and art* and crafts in the adult lounge. the community whose service and/or financial supThe Bethsaida Archaeological Exhibit, on loan port has made it possible for the University to from tlie University of Omaha, will have organized address the,academic, cultural and economic needs tours every hour in the JCC gallery. of the people of Omaha and the State of Nebraska. The program is made possible by the Jewish He has been the recipient of many additional Cultural Arts Council with grants from the Carl L. honors and awards and has served the community Frohm and Esther K Newman Foundations. in numerous boards and organizations. For more information, call Gloriann Levy, He and his wife, Selma Seka Tretiak, were honJewish Cultural Arts Council director, at 334ored by the Omaha Jewish community in June of 6403. 1991 for their many years of volunteerism, leadership, and financial support. One of their most significant contributions was: the creation of the Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund, established in 1980, as a tribute to their son. Examples of what the fund has provided include playground equipment for preschool children, educational materials, funding for the United Talmud Torah of Omaha Merit Scholarship Program, and the "Wall of Fame," honoring local Jewish athletes.

Midlands Chapter NCCJ to honor four The Midlands Chapter of The National Conference of Christians and Jews has announced it will honor four Omahans at its annual Humanitarian Award dinner Thursday, June 6, at the Holiday Convention Centre. Sister Norita Cooney, R.S.M., chairman of the board of directors, Alegent Health, will chair the event. Bill and Barbara Fitzgerald and Donald A. Yale will receive the 1996 NCCJ Humanitarian Award. Mr. Fitzgerald is the chairman of the board and CEO of the Commercial Federal Corporation. He is active in the community, on the boards of many civic organizations, including the Stratcom Consultation Committee, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, and the Creighton University Board, Mrs. Fitzgerald is a leader in numerous charities and civic groups, including Catholic Charities Foundation, Heritage/Joslyn Foundation, Hospice House, Junior League of Omaha, and is currently chairman of the Arthritis Foundation. Donald Yale has been active in area charitable and civic groups such as the Omaha Symphony board, The National Conference of Christians and

Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration, May 19 Yoel Sharabi will try to bring the spirit of Israel to Omaha when he performs at the Jewish Community Center for Yom Ha'Atzmaut, May 19 at 2 p.m. in the theater. Mr. Sharabi is a native Sabra and specializes in modern Israeli, classic Yemenite and popular Chassidic melodies. Along with his singing, he is an accomplished musician. He is also a skilled guitarist and can hammer out an intricate tune on the dumbek. He is widely known for his simultaneous playing of Yoel Sharabi two flutes in harmony which has been called "magical". The Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration will start at 12:15 p.m., with flag-raising in front of the JCC.

Three generations celebrate UJA/Federation Campaign Six-year-old Michael Vann joini bit grandfather, Howard, and father, Tom, in celebrating the first Men's Intergenerational event •ponsored by the UJA/Federation Campaign recently at the Marriott Hotel. Editor's Note: We are tempted to say in behalf of Michael, "Get, dad, it wot a piect ofcakel" Additional photos on page 4.

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Next week Announcement of Volunteers of the Year


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