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Vol. LXXIV No. 10 Omaha, NE
Schulweis calls n U.S. Jewry to launch proselytizing effort by Tom Tui^end LOS ANGELES, (JTA) - A leading Conservative rabbi has challenged American Jews to embark on a mission to convert unafflliated Christians to Judaism. The time has come, says Rabbi Harold Schulweis, for Jews to emulate the missionary practice of their : ancient forebears through "a national or international Jewish movement to educate, invite and embrace non-Jews into the fold." The message is not new. Alexander Schindler, President Emeritus of the Reform movement, advoI cated to offering Judaism to unchurched Christians three years ago. But the stature of the new messenger has engendered renewed debate among Jewish and Christian theologians. It also comes amid controversy over a Southern Baptist Convention resolution encouraging evangelizing of Jews. In a sermon to his Valley Beth Shalom congregation in Encino, CA, Rabbi Schulweis highlighted •some of his key arguments for conversionary outreach to unafflliated gentiles. He cited the attraction of Judaism as a world religion, its ancient tradition of proselytizing and the argument that conversion of non-Jewish spouses in mixed marriages is the surest guarantor of producing children and grandchildren with Strong Jewish identities. Many non-Jews "hunger for an authentic, moving and relevant faith," Schulweis said. "One would expect that a community that is so concerned with its own perpetuity would reach out actively to (Continued on page 2)
Lincolnite oh mission to Bosnia Editor's note: Gary Hill recently met with government officials and visited prisons in Bosnia to examine the needs of the correctional system. Ms a United Nations expert consultant, his assignment was also to identify existing laws and procedures to Incorporate them Into training materials. Mr. Hill's major function Is to help the new government of Bosnia develop their own training material and operational procedures in line with good correctional practice and international standards and norms. He will return to Bosnia in December to help install those programs. Mr. Hill has provided similar help to nations in Africa, South and Central America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. His training manual has thus far been translated from English into Somali, Portuguese, Spanish and Arabic. Currently, the Canadian government is translating it into French for use in Western Africa early next year and the United Nations is translating it into Russian for use in the Central Asian Republics this month. Soon after his return to Lincoln, Mr. Hill gave Chuck Kuba, correspondent from Lincoln, the following retrospective of his trip:
"I was in Bosnia in mid-October for the United Nations, helping to re-establish the prison system for the various entities after the war. While I was there, I had the opportunity to visit (all too briefly) the Jewish Community of Sar^evo. 1 had been told they had done some very good things during the civil war, Jews and non-Jews alike. "What I did not know was how welli they had really done their job and how much they continue to do. Thus, as a fellow Jew and fellow contributor to UJA, I must share with you a bit about where some of our money goes. "At a later time, or in person perhaps, 1 will share my personal experience and tell you about
Talk 'round the world' courtesy of ham radio by Morris Maline, Editor enteritua world of ham radio-and nerhaps even to talk to someone in distant countries-now's your chance. There's no charge for this opportunity, and here's how to go about getting on this unique air wave. Just call the Members Services desk at the Jewish Community Center at 334-6426 and tell the host that you want to leave youc name and telephone number for the ham radio club. Then, but not immediately, anticipate a call from Hugh Tinley, Leo Meyerson, Leo Sivin or Roger Sullivan.' This group mans and operates the radio room, located on an upper and relatively hidden spot, in the JCC. One of the group will call and make it possible for you to listen as they contact fellow ham operators around the world. And if it's a lucky time and they reach a country where you have a friend, they may be able to patch your telephone to your friend's so that you can carry on a convemation. The four members of the radio club are encouragine members of the Jewish community to contact them because they appreciate the generosity of the JCC in making facilities available to them. I The radio club i* an evolutionary outgrowth of the ham station that Mr. Meyerson started many yean ago. Three antennas were set up on the north and eaat side of the JCC and Mr. Meyerson provided the necessary equipment for the station. For a while, the station, located in a small room next to the JewUh Prei$ ofTice, was used at a back-up for the Red Cross disaster communications network. The station was moved to its new location
From left: Ilui^h linli y, Ix-u MpyerHon, Leo Sivin and Roger Sullivan, bam radio operators ready to share their hobby with the Jewish community. when the JCC's Child Development Center required more space for daycare. The four amateur radio operators have some 175 years of experience among them. During his working years, Mr. Meyerson headed companies involved in amateur radio equipment and has maintained his interest into retirement. Before Mr. Sivin retired and came to Omaha, he was a radio engineer in Chicago with the CBS Radio Network. Mr. Sullivan currently is an eiecutive on the communications side of Union Pacific Railroad and Mr. Tinley has a record of service in the military. "We are most grateful to the Jewish Community Center and now we'd like to give something back by making worldwide radio contact available to shut-ina or otliers with an interest in ham radio," Mr. Tinley added.
the old Synagogue at the Jewish cemetery that was used as a bunker and was completely destroyed, though the cemetery was apparently left in fairly good shdpe. Rather, with one very minor exception, what follows is directly from Jacob Finci, President of the Jewish Community of Sar^evo. Most information comes from his February, 1996 Annual Report and some comes from conversation with him. "First, the 'minor exception.' While talking with one of our translator/assistants in the UN office, before visiting the Central Prison of Sarajevo, I asked if she knew where the Jewish Community was located. Before I could give her his name, she blurted out'Jacob Finci.' "1 asked if she was Jewish. She said no, but wanted to tell me about the 'Jewish Community.' She was another religion in a nation torn apart by different religions. She said that her husband and two children were'one religion and she was another. When, during the worst of the siege, food was scarce, they were visited by her husband's religious leader who was in charge of giving aid. The leader said, "We can give food for the three in your family of our religion, but not tlie fourth.' "She and her family then went to the Jewish Community Center. She told me no one asked her religion or that of her husband and children, they merely gave her what they could. That was my real introduction to the Jewish Community of Sarajevo. "Now for the story, I quote Jacob Finci, 'There is a year behind us full of troubles and full of hope. The same way as the evening crowns the day, the peace, initialed at the end of the year in Dayton and signed after that in Paris, has brought us a lot of hope. The peace has been gained through much blood and destruction but. at the same time, a lot of lives survived, a lot of new friendships made, even marriages and newborns. 'For many Sarajevo citizens, the year of 1995 has been an epithet of the most difficult war year. Whether because of shelling which was more brutal than before, because of darkness which lasted for months, or lack of water (for which people usually went at night), or because of the general blockade and/or exhaustion caused by war-it is difficult to say. For death became an everyday event which everybody got used to and nobody could see any salvation or a way out from the hell called Sar^evo. 'However, even in such a hell, the Jewish Cultural, Educational and Humanitarian Society La Benevolencya succeeded in keeping its activity without changing ita segments of work, trying and succeeding in raising the quality of aid given to the highest level possible in those conditions. 'Thanks to that fact, donations came regularly. That way the Distributive Center never lacked food necessary for the Soup Kitchen and for the distribution of food to citizens of Sarajevo, Mostar, Zenica, Tuzia, and afler Dayton even to Gorazde. The Health Service's activity increased, and the Pharmacy had never been better supplied. 'The children, the attendants of the Sunday School, last year received presents, and about 600 elderly had never been better taken care of by the ladies than this year. If we add to that the Soup Kitchen, which never stopped working through the whole war, the picture is complete.' (Continued on page 10)
YJO Wine and Dine Young Jewish Omaha will host Its Wine and Dine event Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7-10 p.m., In the JCC Auditorium. For more Information, contact Sharon KIrshenbaum, Fedoratlon Young Adult Outreach Coordinator, 334-6435.