newish Prer
'••111 R M
I wrni t) Ml
CtltbntlngMon nan 75 Yean ofSeryka
VoLLCav No. 14 Onuibm,m
8 Tevet, 67S7
. December 18,19M
Partnership 2000: Omaha's new relationship with Israel
The Partnerahip 2000 Midwest Consortium, of which Omaha is one of 11 member communities, is paired with the Western Galilee, shown bora in the map.
by Carol Katmian For years, UJA/Federation campaigns played up the "big brother" angle of helping our needy Israeli cousins overcome poverty. While poverty does exist in Israel...and not only among immigrant populations...and social services and education in some areas are underfunded by the government, the United Jewish Appeal has finally recognized that American Jews want a bigger say in how funds are spent overseas. 'Local agencies go Jan Schneiderman and Miri Rimdan display the firm's oricinal sterthrough a seemingly end- ling silver designs. Rimdan is one of several new ventures housed in less process of draft bud- MATI, the business development council, which assists entregets, hearings, approval prenuers with low-interest loans, business plans and training. by the Budget and Allocations Committee and then UJA National Women's Campaign Board Member, the Federation Board,' said Federation Board attended a regional meeting of Partnership 2000 in Member Jan Schneiderman. "We wanted to have the fall. the same input into the decision-making process 'Omaha, for its size, is normally not a 'player* in when it came to our UJA allocation." these kinds of decisions,* said Mrs. Epstein, 'but Mrs. Schneiderman, local chairman of because we've joined forces with 10 other commuPartnership 2000 also heads the Israel Sub-com- nities in the Midwest Consortium of Partnership mittee of the Jewish Federation's Strategic 2000, we now have a very strong role to play.' Planning Committee. She and Bobbia Epiftia, . ~^~ (Continued on page 6)
Proposed Knesset bill dismays American Jews NEW YORK - Leaders of the Reform movement reacted Btrongly last week to the introduction in the Israeli Knesset of legislation disqaulifying those who do not identify themselves as Veligious Orthodox Jews' from membership on the official municipal religious councils. The bill, entitled "Forbidden for Membership in Religious Councils," was introduced by Labor Knesset Member Avi Yechezkeli on Dec. 4 and 'Passed its first reading by a vote of 22 to 5. The legislation reads, in part, *Any Jew who does not belong to the Orthodox movement and has declared such during submission of his candidacy (to the religious council) is disqualified from serving on the religious council and rabbinical courts.' In the explanatory comments accompanying the bill, is the following clarification: 'The State of Israel is a state of Jewish character. The phenomenon of Jewish streams should be avoided in Israel. *As a result of the Supreme Court decision which entitles representation of different streams in reliitious councils and rabbinical courts, this amendment is necessary. The secular and traditional communities, especially, must preserve the Jewish Character of the State.' In barring non-Orthodox rabbis from council membership, the legislation overturns the recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling that such discrimination violates the basic right to freedom of religion guaranteed by Israel's Declaration of Independence. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union of IVmerican Hebrew Congregations, said. This out^UMUS legislation comes on the heels of the gov^Hb coalition's attempt to overturn the Supreme MR decision legitimizing non-Orthodox converioni. This is yet another assault on their nonDrthodox minority snd on the vast majority of wrid Jewry.' ' Avram Burg, head of the Jewish Agency, was Shocked and astounded.' He spoke of the great tarm this will cause in Israel-Diaspora relations.
Young Jewish Omaha Holiday Project: the Joy of Giving
Winners of last Sunday** annual Bible quiz are, front row, from left: Michael Kricafeld, first place and winner of $600 for a trip to Israel or college scfaolarship; Andy Itkin, second place and $300 winner, Jeff Katxman, third place and $200 winner; and David Rennard, fourth place and $100 winner. Assisting were, back row: Ron Gordon, timekeeper; Stanley Mitchell, questions; Rabbi Aryeh Asriel and Rabbi Howard Kutner, Judges; Steve Riekes, event coordinator; and Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Judge. Not pictured, Lois Epstein, soorekeeper.
YJO members will volunteer their time for this community service project by wrapping and distributing gifts at Boys' and Girls' Club of Omaha this Sunday, between 1 and 5 p.m. Volunteers are still needed at the club's Carter Lake facility. For more information, call Sharon Kirshenbaum. Federation Young Adult Leadership Coordinator, at 334-6486.
A review — byMorHs Maline
'Electrifying, magnificent and wow' The words, "electrifying, magnificent and wow,' described the event which took place on the third night of Hanukkah. On this night, the Festival of Lights was transformed into a Festival of Sound as the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra performed to a sellout crowd at the Jewish Community Center. The performance, dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Pred, is a component of the Symphony's Stained Glass Series in which the Symphony collaborates with cultural entities in the community to enrich the musical heritage of Omaha's ethnic communities. *We are >o thankful to the Jewish Community Center for working with us to present this Hanukkah concert and we appreciate the warm reception provided by the Jewish community,'
Ernest Richardson, conductor, told the audience. The concert, sponsored by the Gross Family Foundation and Omaha Steaks, featured Svetlana Rodionova performing Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 and Scott Miller who sang selections from Judas Maccabaeus. Ms. Rodionova, who emigrated to Omaha from the former Soviet Union in 1993, vigorously commanded the keyboard throughout almost 40 minutes with the entire score committed to memory. With her formal attire and her reddish auburn hair pulled back in a severe style, she instilled the image of a no-nonsense performer and delivered her portion with a high degree of coafidence. Her reputation earned on tours of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and her extensive expe(Continued on page 10)
»_:• j^X-"L**#?^'i4*t* ^ :'4i%Aiiji' •