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V«rf.UOaVNo. 2
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A letter to the community We really do have a lot at this moment to be excited about with our Federation. First, under the direction of committee chairmen and chairwomen, Forrest Krutter, Marty Shukert, Steve Nogg, Margo Riekes, Fred Simon, Arnie Weitz, Joel Alperson and Jan Schheiderman, we are tinmMinf a new Strategic plan. It consolidates seven agencies into five; it creates a working cabinet of professional executives of all the agencies which will work effectively with lay people, and it will provide greater accountability with our budget process. It also reduces the size of the board of directors firom 31 to 21, which will prove more manageable and allow each board member a greater sense of making a difference to our Federation enterprise. It also provides new opportunities to lay people with limited time with an ability to participate as members of the new advisory council. But, most importantly, we have tried to listen to you, our most important customer and benefactor, to reshape our Federation to better serve you in the coming years. We also have some very exciting plans for our 'J" under the leadership of Jeff Aizenberg, Paul Cohen and Steve Pitlor. With hope in the future, we have a chance to transform our building to a world-class center of education, child development and sports.
Under the direction of Bobbie Epstein and Jan Schneiderman, we are participating in Operation 2000, which will forever Unk Omaha to a brother/sister relationship to the upper Gallile Region of Israel. And, don't ever get confused. Your dollars help rescue the imperiled, care fpr many needy people and are helping to enrich Jewish life in j^maha. lecaeL and SQ countries worldwide. Our ceunpaign this year is being organized by Steve Simon, Paul Epstein, Barb Platt and Linda Mann, and we should all thank them. They are well-organized and have hundreds of great volunteers to keep us alwajrs the best of communities. All in all, we are in great shape to serve our community. If there is ever a time when you want to talk, feel free to call me or any of our dedicated staff at our Federation. We want to serve you and, most important, we want to serve our changing community better with the right services. So, thank you to each of you for always supporting our Federation, and my best wishes for a year of health, peace and prosperity for us all. Sincerely,
^<w 1^, Tom Fellman President, Jewish Federation of Omaha
Ed Rosen tribute gains $66,000 for BBYO by Morria Maline, Editor emeritus More than 150 friends and colleagues of Eddie Rosen were told that the B'nai B'rith luncheon given in his honor Sept. 10 at the Highland Country Club was responsible for a donation of $16,000 and a pending endowment of $50,000 for the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. This is a strong indication of the honor and respect that this community holds for Ed Rosen, an individual who has devoted his life to community .service," said Tom Fellman, co-chairman of the event Mr. Fellman's words were echoed by Governor Ben Nelson, Ronald W. Roskens, president. Global Connections, Inc.; Clarence L. Landen, Jr., chairman. Security National Bank; John Kraft, Roy Smith, Jim Earp, Alan Leesack, Regional Director of B'nai B'rith, and Mr. Rosen's son, Jerry. The lunch was subsidized by family members and firiends providing guests with full tax deductions. (Continued on page 10)
Tom Fellman (left) luncheon eo-«h«irman, and Al Abramaon (rlKht), a boat, welcome Eddie Rosen and Governor Ben NeUon to the B'nai B'rith luncheon at the Highland Country Club Sept. 10. Tlie luneheon honored B(r. Roaen for a lifetime of aervice to B'nai B'Htfa.
Beth El Synagogue celebrates new Talmud Torah by Mark B. Levy, Education Director
<on(tlme taaehar Margo Riakea daft), ittended the BESTT openinf ceremonies rith aooM of her students.
For the first time in almost two decades, Beth El, the Conservative Synagogue of Omaha, will be conducting its own Talmud Torah in its own building. At recent opening ceremonies, Beth El President Bruce Shackman told the large gathering of parents, teachers and students that they were entering into a new era and would have unique experiences in being in a Beth El school that ii held entirely in the synagogue. Rabbi Paul Drazen, dting the novelty of the new situation, had everyone recite the shehechaynu blessing to thank God for allowing everyone to reach this momentous occasion. The group was then directed in the Minchah (aAemoon) service to express thanks and the shofar was sounded to condude the event The goal of the new Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT) school, in the words of Chairman Dr. Bruce Gutnik, "is to continue providing quality Jewish education for our children from kindergarten through high school." (Continued on pafe 10) aj3aix:*i-oja«K^kii»B!saL<LiMM.iijyt!fEi.:i'.&'ffi.Jii
September 20,1996
Newman famfly dedicates addition
Murray Newman concludes the rededication ceremony at Temple Israel by sounding the shoifar. Deanna (left). Max and Louie Newman were some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the late Jules M. Newman to attend. (Story €md more photo* on page 6).
Leah Rabin and Benjamin Netanyahu to appear at conference NEW YORK, N.Y.-Leah Rabin, widow of former Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and Israel Prime Minister Bei\jamin Netanyahu are among the conflrmed guests at the first-ever United Jewish Appeal National Women's Campaign International Lion of Judah Conference in Jerusalem. Oct 13-17, some 600 women leaders from established Jewish communities in North America, Western Europe, South Africa and Australia will join 100 women struggUng to create an accountable Jewish society in their own developing countries. Hundreds of women from the U.S. and Canada, representing 59 communities, and Jewish activists from Morocco, the Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Greece, Bombay and Hungary have already confirmed their participation. (Continued on pafe 10)
Jewish Family Service welcomes new staff by Glen Fineman, Executive Director Jewish Family Service is pleased to announce the appointments of Jenny Meyerson and Amy Potash to the JFS staff. Mrs. Meyerson, who is filling the full-time Social Worker position, will begin her employment Sept. 30. She received her M.S.W. degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha last year, and is currently a Family Support Specialist at the Child Saving Institute. She received her B.A degree in psychology at the University of Kansas. At Jewish Family Service, Mrs. Meyerson will facilitate support groups, develop educational programs and provide outreach services and crisis intervention and therapy, among other responsibilities. Mrs. Potash, who is Hlling the part-time Resettlement position, will begin her employment with JFS Sept. 24. She received her M.S.W. from the University of Wisconsin in 1988 as well as her BA. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies. Mrs. Potash currently teaches at Temple Israel and works parttime as a Child Protect .i- .Service worker with (Continued on page 10) L;SP'n.s*.SKJ=as.:*«,--.L. .,:,!,»:i;'.-«i.•,.-£,.,! i: