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Beth Ei inaugurates new program with Isri^el Bonds By Jeff Benutoin, Director lamelBoiuU In an effort to encourage young people to develop a link with the State of Israel, Beth El Ssmagogue has announced itt Bonding with Israel B'nai Mitzvah program. With the assistance of the Alan and Marda Baer Foundation, the synagogue will provide each child from the Bar and Bat Mitzvah class with the opportunity to be awarded a free State of Israel $100 certificate. It will be given with the stipulation that the child's parents purchase either an additional $100 certificate or an Israel Bond from the teen's Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts. The newly released $100 Certificate is a fiveyear, non-interest bearing security offered by Israel Bonds which may be cashed in Israel after one year or held to maturity. It may also be used as credit towards a round-trip ticket on El Al Airlines. Alan Parsow, Beth El Chairman of Israel Bonds, stated, Israel Bonds is most grateful to the Alan and Marda Baer Foundation and the leadership of Beth El Synagogue for their strong support of this imaginative program. The matching participation by the Foundation also provides these children with a degree of input for making future investment decisions while teaching them invaluable lessons regarding the need to support the State of Israel. This is the first program of its kind in the country,' Mr. Parsow concluded, *and we are pleased that Beth El is the first congregation to participate in the Bonding with Israel program."
Off to Camp JCC
ADUCRC assists in changing Clay County platform
By Bob Wolfson, ADIAHflC director Recent events involving the Hagel campaign and the Clay County RepubUcan Party platform are two examples of difficult calls we make in the business of community relations. In both cases, we decided that private diplomacy would accomplish much more than public outcry. Although I did write a heavily edited letter to the editor for the World-Herald about the "Gestapo" comment, we have not publically spoken out about the Clay County situation or the comments attributed to Wayne Johnson. There was dispute over what context the words were said in. We choose to concentrate on the actual preamble to the Republican Clay County platform which included, "There is one true and living Q-d. The G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and his son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of all Mankind." We spoke immediately to leading Republicans including Chuck Siegerson, the Republican Nebraska State Chairman. After consulting, we concluded that the Republican Party itself considered this a serious problem to be addressed. The results of our "inaction?" On Thursday, July 11, Wayne Johnson himself made a motion to adopt the State Republican Party platform preamble as the Clay County preamble. It was voted in. Wayne Johnson is no longer associated with Chuck Hagel's campaign. Although perhaps not a neat and tidy affair, this demonstrates that there is more than one path to Sarah Linn saya goodbye to her parents, Pat accoxoplishing goeds. Please feel free to call the and MEUie Lteii^ n she leaves^r the JCCV AUIVOKC ofl^e to'get more details or to discuss two-week overnight camp near Fremont. this situation, 333-1303.
Maintenance man 'makes music' By Caren Friedaaan, Washington Univerflty, JewiA Pren intern He used to rest his two-year-old diin on the family Grand piano as his sistei's fingers danced over the keys. At four years, he sat at the piano for the first time and played "Don't Fence Me In." And since this February, never having taken a lesion, Joe Chereck plays a new Panasonic Clavinova keyboard every evening, putting smiles on the faces and cheer in the hearts of Rose Blumkin Jewish Home residents. Mr, Chereck, a member of the Jewish Community Center maintenance staff, heard the Hatikvah over the JCC speakers earlier this year, fell in love with the music, and set a goal. He wanted to replace the Homes's broken piano with a* keyboard, and would stop at nothing until it happened. He took his "last $160," rented a keyboard, and began playing in the JCC auditorium. Soon Barbara Frankel walked by, and was drawn in by the beautiful notes. Joe explained his hopes of finding someone to buy the keyboard. "Do you know anything from Music Man?" Mrs. Frankel had asked. As Mr. Chereck started in on "76 Trombones," Mrs. Frankel fetched her husband, Dean, who is a trustee of the Frohm Foundation.
Mr. Chereck will enterUin RBJH residents Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m., at the monthly Oneg Shabbat hosted by the Omaha Cliapter of Hadassali. Upon bearing Mr. Chereck's nusic, Mr. Franliel needed no further convinclng-the Frohm Foundation bought the keyboard, which now resides in the RBJH auditorium. Ths Franksls and their generosity have touched Mr. Chereck in a ipecial way. "They are my guardian angels," hs ssys, touching s gold angel
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He extends an offer to play for any Jewish person, free of charge. And if someone should offer to pay him for his entertainment? "I will buy something for the Home," he said. The self-taught musician is currently writing a song for the Home. He looks forward to spending Passover Seder with them again next year, as he greatly eivioyed this year's Seder. He loves the music of the synagogue and finds Hebrew to be extremely powerful. Mr. Chereck's smile is enough to warm one's heart. Add to the smile his faith, dedication, respect, love, and talent, and you've got a fire. "Ill play the keyboard forever-as long as G-d lets me." Dean Frankel (standing), trustee of the Frolun Foundation, and Joe Chereck at the clavinova. pin on his collar, given to him by the Frankels. Mr. Chereck plays every evening he can, as well as many afternoons. He spends time talking with the residents, and plans to spend part of each Saturday and Sunday at the Home. He smiles as he describes how happy i,t makes, him when residents clap, dance, and sing along. "Joe is a very warm person," said Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Home. "They [residents] love that he sits down with them." Mr. Chereck, a Christian, has grown to love and have tremendous respect for the Jewish people and has faith that 'G-d will pour a dose of love on the Blumkin home."
From left: Bill Lohrman, Margie Nearenberg and Ida Gerelick e^Joy the music Joe plays on the clavinova.
For information about ARTZA activities in Israel, call the ARTZA hotline: 334-6471 lii£(K£_tiaaa!L^i&-'
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