ewish Presi
Celebrating More Than 75 Y^ra of Service Vol. LXXIV
No. 12
Omaha, NE
1996 Hanukkah Torch Run slatedlor December
18 Kislev, 67S7
Shirley Goldstein receives human rights award
by David Herzog, Chairman Henry Mongky Lodge B'nai B'rith will sponsor a Hanukkah Torch Run Sunday, Dec. 8, at 9:30 a.m. According to Ed Joseph, Lodge President, "the Omaha activist and Run is a unique event celebrating the Hanukkah volunteer, Shirley Goldfestival of freedom. It is a group activity for fun stein, recently received and to draw attention to the need for religious freethe Grassroots Advocacy dom. It is not a race." Award for Community Those participating will meet at the Jewish Leadership and Recent Community Center at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, Dec. Academic Recognition by 8, and will be transported in a van, supplied by the Union of Councils for • Nova Health Equipment, to the start at 9:30 a.i^. Soviet Jews. at Beth Israel Synagogue, 52nd and Charles. According to a spokesRunners will follow a route to Temple Israel, / "^^'^As^ man for the UCSJ, "the along Dodge and Pacific Streets, and will finish at plight of Soviet Jews and the Jewish Community Center. Vans will follow the issue of human rights behind the group. Any participant who desires to run only part of the course, or who feels tired, or is Shirley Goldstein have been the focus of Shirley Goldstein's work unable to run the whole route, may elect to ride in since 1972. In 1975, with the help of the Jewish a van for any portion of the route. At the conclusion of the run, refreshments will be Federation of Omaha, she brought over the first of more than 200 families from the former Soviet served at the Jewish Community Center. Because of the run's uniqueness, the Lodge is Union who have been resettled in Omaha. Mrs. Goldstein has received the Humanitarian able to use it to highlight the importance of religious freedom as symbolized by the holiday of Award from the Jewish Federation, the Spirit of •Service Award from the National Conference and Hanukkah, according to B'nai B'rith leadership. Moreover, it also allows the Lodge to bring to the was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of attention of others, situations in which freedom Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska at has been abused. During this year's run, peace and Omaha. "USCJ is grateful for Shirle/s dedication and unity for all mankind will be stressed. B'nai B'rith is concerned by.tbe violence in our midst, and commitment to the cause of Soviet Jewry and human rights,' said Pamela Braun Cohen, USCJ hopes to usi the run to focus attention on it. For more information, call the B'nai B'rith OfBce, National President, "She is truly a hero of the movement." 334-6443.
Jewish leaders gather at General Assembly by Pam Monsky, Federations Communications Director Bobbie Epstein led a session designed to stimuMore than 3,000 Jewish leaders and professionals met recently at the Council of Jewish late ideas for Partnership 2000. This new program Federations General Assembly in Seattle, pairs Midwest communities with Israeli communiWashington. Participants attended four days of ties in the Western Galilee region for the purpose seminars and forums, covering subjects from of furthering business, educational and cultural Jewish education and fund raising to leadership opportunities for i\\ communities on a person-toperson basis. development and market research. Federation Assistant Director Jan Perelman parPrime Minister Bei\jamin Netanyahu addressed the assembly via satellite, and former Prime ticipated in a panel discussion to help other Jewish communities grow their Missions programs. Ms. Minister Shimon Peres spoke in person. Several Omaha leaders were asked to lead ses- Perelman discussed some of the reasons for Isi'ons for the G.A. Marty Shukert presented a Omaha's successful Missions program, which has forum about the Federation's Strategic Plan to been developed through close cooperation with the leadership from over 20 communities around the UJA Missioixs Department. Young Leadership Award winners Beth Friedman country. The Jewish Federation of Omaha's Strategic Planning process has earned a reputation and Bob Eisenberg attended forums with other as a cutting-edge example of what a dynamic Young Leaders from around the country to discuss ways to keep Jews involved with their community. Jewish Community can accomplish.
From left: Omahans attending the O^ in Seattle: Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director; Howard Bloom, Federation Executive Director; Beth Friedman, Young Leadership Award Winner, Marty Shukert,
Federation Board Member; Bob Eisenberg, Young Leadership Award Winner; and Jan Perelman, Federation Assistant Director. Middle: Bobbie Epstein, Midwest Chairman of Partnership 2000, leads a discussion with
November 29,1996
Abramsons and Levingers to chair Super Sunday byPamMonsky Federation Communications Director
Committee members are: Sheri Abramson, Debra Sherman, Mike Abramson, Bruce Baron, Bonnie Levinger, Jill Baron, Steve Levinger, Matt and Kim Placzek. Sheri and Mike Abramson and Bonnie and Steve Levinger will chair Super Sunday for the 1997 UJA/Federation Campaign. On Sunday, Jan. 12, Super Sunday Division members will be called by volunteers and asked to make their pledges to the 1997 Campaign. "Bonnie and I are excited to be playing a part in Super Sunday, the most far-reaching part of the Campaign, raising funds from 50% of the commu nity,* said Steve Levinger, Co-chairman "Phoning the community is a fun way to become involved for volunteers," he added. Mike Abramson, Co-chairman, said, "Super Sunday is a good way to reach out to people in the community and it gives them a way to find out what the Federation is doing because the phone calls encourage conversations. Sheri and I are very excited to co-chair Super Sunday and we look forward to building upon the success of this event." Super Sunday Steering Committee includes Dr. Bruce and Jill Baron, Liz and Marty Cohen, Kim and Matt Placzek and Debra and Mark Sherman. As part of Super Sunday activities. Project Pantry, a local food drive for the Omaha Food Bank, will start Dec. 1 and run through Jan. 12. Members of the Jewish community may donate non-perishable food items at the JCC, synagogues and religious schools. A goal of 2,000 pounds of food has been set. Omaha Steaks is generously providing the telephone banks for the volunteers, and many area retailers will be sponsors for Super Sunday. For more information, or to volunteer, please call 334-6431.
other Midwest community leaders about goals and projects of Paitnrrship 2000. Riuht photo: Marty Shukert leads the session on Federation-Agency Kclations at the General Assembly in SeatU.., WA.