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12 Cheshvan, 5787 October 25,1996
Jewish Family Service resettles Fridman family
Paul and Sandy Epstein named National Chairmen ^ by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director Paul and Sandy Epstein have been named the National Family Mission Chairmen for 1997. "This is a great honor for Omaha and the Epsteins," said Anne Broder, UJA Midwest Regional Missions Chairman. Ms. Epstein said, "We had an incredible time on the 1994 Family Mission, and we learned so much about what makes a mission memorable. We want to get the generations involved, to see Israel as a family. It's fantastic to see Israel through your kids' eyes. When your kids have a great time, then the parents have a great time." Family Mission dates are July 13-23, 1997, and activities are geared toward families with children age 7 and older. Mission participants will arrive in Tel Aviv for the opening ceremonies of the Macabbi Games.
The Fridman family, grandparents, their daughter and two grandchildren, bring the total to 315 Jew^ from the former Soviet Union resettled in Omaha. Left photo: Mariya FVidman Minkov
welcomes her brother, Petr FVidman of Kiev, after a IS-year separation. Right photo: Ida Fridman (right), hugs her sister-in-law, Mariya, upon her family's arrival in Omaha.
Mickey Kaplan (left), greets his Viennese friend, Felix DiUmann. After World War II, a young Mickey Kaplan "Strictly Solid,' that Mr. Kaplan emceed as a disk entered the U.S. Army and was shipped from Fort jockey. There was also a photo inside of the young rd, CA. Because of his musical background, he Mr. Kaplan, taken for the front cover of The Jazz was assigned to radio station WOFA, headquarters Podium, the European version of Downbeat, the f the recently opened Blue Danube Network, a 'bible' of the jazz world in America. The third item radio service for American forces stationed in in the package was a letter from a Viennese lAustria. banker, Felix Dillmann. *I was a teenager when you played jazz on the Mr. Kaplan was chosen to create a new radio show featuring *the tops in Americaii jazz and pop- Blue Danube Network in Vienna after the war,' ular music' He called the show "Strictly Solid". wrote Mr. Dillmann. Those were hard times then. "You introduced us to jazz. You made us under"This was a great experience in my young life,' be said in a recent interview. stand a lot more about Americans, life in America Discharged in 1948 and while attending college and democrcuy. You gave us hope for a future. "We'd like to show our appreciation," he added, to study music, he received an offer he couldn't refuse. "Please come back to visit Vienna; you have many 'I was given the chance to return to Vienna and friends and fans whom you've never met and who the BDN to recreate 'Strictly Solid'," recalled Mr. still remember you and your radio program." ^plan. 'And I would also be involved in other And thus began a new relationship between Ireas of broadcasting, such as becoming Vienna Mickey Kaplan and the people of Vienna. But the iorrespondent for the European news show 'Report story doesn't end there. torn Europe." Though the Dillmanns and the Kaplans visit one : Although the BON was originally established as another often and their son, Werner Dillmann, k radio service for U.S. forces and civilians, as was even attended law school in Southern California, its sister network. Armed Forces Network (AFN), the Kaplans' trip scheduled for this November will Mr. Kaplan found that he had a huge audience of probably be the highlight "It was something I enjoyed doing very much," roung Austrian men and women and other Suropeans. said Mr. Kaplan, 'and it was an extra plus that so "They had a tremendous appetite for America," many people benefitted from it" Though retired, in Coronado, CA, across the bay le said, 'its great jazz music and performers, irhich were Ctrbidden to be aired over the radio from San Diego, Mr. Kaplan and his wife, Jeri, luring Nazi rule.' have fond memories of their years in Omaha. Years went by and Mr. Kaplan realized the On Nov. 7, the city of [reams of all the young men of that era: college, Vienna uillpreaent larriaga to Jeri in 1961, a family and a successful usiness. He gave up 'show biz' to concentrate on Mickey Kaplan ivith be meat-packing and processing field. He didn't ita Golden Humanbink about the days in Vienna, playing jazz to itarian Award, rarely nung Europeans and didn't realize the impact he given to a non-Vienne$e. lad on those teenagers. His dreams attained, he sold his company and "I'll never forget when I was looking to move my loved back to California after 18 years in Omaha. iut one day, shortly after his move in 1986, a meat processing business, how warm and friendly •ckage arrived, stamped Wien, Vienna. Inside the people were to me in Omaha, especially my (Continued on page 13) audio cassette tape of the jazz show
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Sandy Epstein, Alex Fleischer, Israeli guide; and Paul Epstein plan the itinerary. "This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be with Qver 65,000 Jews and watch the Macabbi Games-the Israeli Olympics," said Paul Epstein. 'We are very proud to have this opportunity to bring families together to live what we've learned all our lives." For more information, contact Jan Perelman, Federation Missions Director, at 334-6427.
Omaha World-Herald features Ak-Sar-Ben 'King' Jack Baker By Morris Maline, Editor emeritus How would you like to be king for a day? Well, just ask Jack Baker. Mr. Baker, chairman and chief executive officer of Baker's supermarket chain, was profiled in the Oct. 20 issue of the Omaha World-Herald in connection with being crowned 'king* of Ak-Sar-Ben. The article, by Christopher Burbach, points out that as chairman of the Ak-Sar-Ben Board of Governors, Mr. Baker has been a leader of the organization through "tough turns" tying the description to his hobby of auto-racing. 'What it boils down to is not how fast you do the straight-aways, but how fast you complete the entire circuit ... Life is like that," was a quote attributed to Mr. Baker. He said that while he was honored, the term 'king* and the crown aren't in sync with his dayto-day way of being. The Baker story started with the immigration of his parents from Russia in the early 1900s and the operation of a storefront grocery in Walnut, Iowa, where he was bom in 1937. Mr. Baker helped around the store, went <n.lo Central High School, the University of Ok and finally ascended the 'throne' of Ak-Sar-i
KLUTZNICK SYMPOSIUM The annual Philip and Ethel Klutzniek Symposium begins Sunday at the JCC. The sessions are from 12-4:30 p.m. Sunday evening's community lecture will be at 7:30 p.m. A dessert reception follows. The symposium resumes Monday at Creighton University, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 334-(}403.
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