January 10, 1997

newish Press Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service

Vol. LXXIV

No. 18

Endowments for youth invest in future

by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director Editor'g note: For more Btories on endow-' mentt that will help Omaha Jewish youth, ^tumtopageS. "The future of the Jewish Community in Omaha is in the hands of our young people," said Milt Abrahams, and the Omaha attorney has made an investment in our community by establishing The Milton R. and Pauline S. Abrahams Endowment Fund for Jewish youth programming. Mr. Abrahams stated that "our community is striving to ensure that our young people will be ready and committed to keeping our community strong and vital. 'For that purpose, the Jewish Federation of Omaha has been providing excellent programs designed to motivate and enable Jewish adoles-

Milton and Pauline Abrahams cents and young adults to identify with the Jewish Community of Omaha, to develop leadership qualities and to become active in community services. Recognizing the importance of these programs and the need for additional funding for them, Pauline and I have set up an endowment fund to help the Federation maintain and expand the programs," said Mr. Abrahams. Howard Bloom, Federation Executive Director said that "specific field of interest endowments are important in providing the extra dollars for additional programming in areas that cannot be fueled by the regular budget process. Milt's and Pauline's generosity has ensured the continuity and innovation of teen and young adult programming in Omaha." (Continued on page B)

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2 Shevat, 5757

Omaha. NE

January 10,1997

UJA/Federation Campaign 'specializes' in l(ids by Jiil Belmont Ten years "If the Special ago, Morris Needs Program and Beth had not been Friedman there, Alan were told by wouldn't have doctors that been able to experience their son, Judaism the Alan, was so severely way he has, in handicapped, terms of actuthat all they ally learning could do for the history and their child preparing for ivas to "take his Bar Mitzhim home vah." and love The Bureau him.of Jewish EduBeth, Alan, Morris and Michael Friedman Today, Alan, cation first adnow 11, is studying for his BarMitzvah, set for May dressed the needs of special-needs children in 1981. Through funding by the Esther K. Newman 23. 1998. Among the many things of which the Omaha Memorial Trust, BJE began to offer tutoring in Jewish community should be proud, is its commit- religious schools to children with learning disabiliment to provide a comprehensive Jewish education ties, according to BJE Executive Director Susan A. to every Jewish child. One generation ago, children Drazen. At its inception, the program, originally with special needs would not have been afforded named the "Learning Disabilities Program," served that opportunity. Times have changed, thanks to five special needs children. programs made available by the Jewish The Newman Memorial Trust also provided fundFedration's Bureau of Jewish Education. In 1997, ing for the Et-Gar (Challenge) program, through^ 40 children with special needs, including Alan which a self-contained classroom was created for Friedman, are participating in Omaha's Jewish children with more severe disabiUties, Mrs. Drazen schools. • .... said. The program, operated in coi^junction with 'I feel very fortunate to be raising a handicapped the* Learning Disabilities Program, ran from 1988 child in the 1990s and not in the 19708, because to 1993, when the decision was made that each there was nothing available and nobody was inter- child should be educated within his or her own conested in these kids in the least bit," Beth Friedman gregation's religious school. said. (Continued on page 10)

UJA Young Leadership Chazak Mission SUPER SUNDAY - JANUARY 12 Canned gocxJs and non-perishable items can still be delivered to the JCC, Friedel Jewish Academy or area synagogues, or may be brought to Omaha Steaks, 10909 John Gait Blvd., for Sunday's shifts (9-11:30 a.m., and 6-8:30 p.m.)

Beyt Shalom announces 'Spirituality Weekend' for Reconstructionist Judaism

by Mike Salmi Miriam Klotz, her RRC classmate, wilt lead serBeyt Shalom Reconvices and workshops on both Friday and Saturday. structionist Synagogue Rabbi Klotz is also a yoga teacher and a yoga and will sponsor a special massage therapist. Through her work in chaplain"Spirituality Weekend" cy and adult ducation, she has been integrating Jan. 24-25. Jewish spirituality and Ixidy-based healing. She is The goal of the weekcurrently a rabbinic intern at the National Center end is to explore many of for Jewish Healing, and holds a student pulpit at the facets of Jewish mysthe Jewish Community of Amherst ticism in order to reSome of the many events will include a special awaken our sense of the kabbalat shabbat service Friday evening with wonder of ReconstrucRabbis Sachs and KloU co-ofTidating along with a tionist Judaism and our Rabbi Miriam KloU torah service Saturday morning. spiritual age. Members Workshops Saturday afternoon will cover a variof Beyt Shalom have already taken a head start on spirituality and myiticiim in the adult study pro- ety of spiritual topics. Beyt Shalom will also host a gram, which began a review of kabbalitm in Tu B 'Shevat Seder and a catered dairy-vegetarian dinner Saturday evening followed by havdalah. December. During the heart of winter, this exploration will There will be a nominal charge for the Saturday rekindle the warmth of our community. All events afternoon workshops and the seder. Watch for detail* In neil week's Jewlah Praia. will be held at the synagogue at 3012 So. 119th St., If you need fUrther information, please call the Omaha, and are open to the entire community. Elisheva Sachs of Beyt Shalom and (he Beyt Shalom Information Line at 768-9233, or Reconitructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) and •end e-mail to salffiim9ix.netcom.com.

by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director The UJA Young I Leadership Cabinet I Chazak Mission only I happens once every two I years and is billed as "an | experience of a lifetime," according to Joel I Alperson, UJA National | Young Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair Designate. The Chazak Mission, | scheduled for March 920. is also unique JoelAlperaon because it tours Spain and Israel. "Because we visit both Spain nnd Israel, the participants can draw parallels between our Jewish history in Spain and issues of the present day," said Mr. Alperson. "This mission is a combination between an educational experience and a vacation. It's a real walking, personal experience of both countries." ,' While in Spain, mission participants will learn about the power, intrigue and mysticism of Spanish Jewry in Madrid, visit Toledo, the "Jerusalem of Spain,' and Granada, once called the "Granada of the Jews,' In Israel, the mission will focus on current issues in IsraeU politica and the critical work of the Jewish Agency and the Joint Distribution (Committee. "Essentially, the Chazak Mission, sponsored by the UJA National Young Leadership Cabinet, is very high quality, not only because of the sites that we visit, but due to the participants' degree of involvement in the Jewish Community that are on the million. These participants are the leaden of Jewlih communities, active and committed, Mr. Alpersoifiaid.

Jewish Press, Qmaha, NE

January 10,1997

Project Pantry update ' by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director Bat Mitzvah leads to donation

Sar|ih Grossman and Tamara Schneiderman with canned goods centerpieces. S'arali Grossman, daughter of Alex and Mary GroJsman, and Tamara Schneiderman, daughter of Mariin and Sue Schneiderman, added to their Bat Mitzvah celebrations recently by donating centerpiec^is made from canned food to Project Pantry, a tzedJika project for Super Sunday '97. A total of 130 pounds of food was added to the project, which benefits the Omaha Food Bank. To date! Project Pantry has collected 1,600 pounds of food toward a goal of 2,000 pounds. Siirah and Tamara said they would like to encojrage everyone to bring non-perishable food itemi to the Project Pantry barrels at the JCC and iirea synagogues.

I'm COTTKOTZEN, UPER SUNDAY volunteer. Please give denerously when I cW/ on January 12. CLIP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JA>njARY 10 Ru.-i.-iianCluh, 9:;iOa.m, SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 I'atri' I'crfonnancp'I'arallfl Lives," 8 () m SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 iper Sunday, 9 a.m., at Omaha Steaks empie l.sracl Men's Club Brunch, 10 .i m , at Temple Israel /[mil Meeting, 12:30 p.m., at Livingslun Plaza "I'heatre Performance "Parallel Lives," 2 p.m MONDAY, JANUARY 13 VIES Meeting, 10 am. Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, 6 p m. Tineatre Performance 'Parallel Livi's." H p iii

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TUESDAY, JANUARY H BBYO Night, 6 p.m CpC Committee meeting, 7 p.m. Hkh Israel Si.sterhood Open Hoard Meeting. lilam.,at Ueth l.srael rifmple Israel "Tii.rah on Wheels." ncimi. tuil uf the tnnliltng IVijiple l.srael Family .School. H ;10 p ni . .il Temple Isr.iel U ih Kl Kxecutivp(!ommUlee M'-im!' 30 pm . at lieth Kl WEDNESDAY, JAN LAKY l.') Dpai D'rith llreadhreaker.s, nnoii Tlimple Israel TICiCiS. noon, .11 Ti'iiifile l.sr.iel At •vanla held ai the JCC unleti oih«rwi>< IM iMled. The Jemsh Press is noi responsible lor Ihe ad u'acy of Ihe above events To keep calendar accurate or lor questions, call Mariana Hert al 334.6<137

Cris' llexall Drug ^'loi'e Delivery Service 50th & Dodge 553-8900 CUP* SAVE

ALAN J. BLOTCHY Parashat VaEra Services for Alan J. Blotcky were held Jan. 3 at From Family to People The first two Sidrot of Exodus plunge the wor- Beth El Cemetery. He was 66. Survivors include his wife, Wanda; a son, Steven shiper (reader) into a sharply different situation from the closing chaptersof Genesis. , of Nashua, NH; a daughter, Beth Rindels of flower In Genesis, the narrative moves at a pace fast or Mound, TX; a sister, Nancy Friedland of Omaha; slow, but always fascinating. Tlie Joseph stary, the and two p-andsons. Mr. Blotcky conducted groundbreaking research long narrative at the end of the book, proceeds in generous detail, as though the author is eager to into selenium discovery techniques. He is also a oblige the reader to judge the character of Joseph past president of the Rotary Club of Omaha-West himself and the brothers. And yet, so much is lefl and was a founder of Operation Bridge, a youth unsaid. Have you ever wondered what Benjamin counseling service. He served as chief of the radiosaid when the Viceroy's goblet was, found in his logical defense service for the Omaha-Douglas sack? Did one of the brothers tell him not to say a County civil defense office and was a Boy Scout counselor. word without advice of counsel? Memorials to Alan J. Blotcky Research Memorial In Exodus, however, we are immersed without warning in a serious tale of oppression and libera- Fund, c/o VA, 4101 Woolworlh, Omaha 68105. FANY LUEFSCHUETZ tion. In our current Parashah, after years or hunServices for Fany Luefschuetz, 83, were held dreds of years, the protests against slavery have issued into visitations of calamities on the oppres- Sunday at Golden Hills Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max, sors, calamities directed by a mighty force, the hand of God Himself. The narrative has moved and a son, Karl. Survivors include a daughter, Charlotte swiftly. And we are introduced to the man Moses, who dominates this book and the rest of Humash, Luefschuetz of Omaha; two grandchildren; and daughter-in-law Fritzi Luefschuetz, also of Omaha. and to his brother, Aaron. Memorials to your favorite charity. But there is one omission about which we must MARVIN KATZ take special notice. We are watching now not a Services for Marvin Katz, a resident of the Rose family, but a people. In Genesis, our attention was captured by the Blumkin Jewish Home; were held Dec. 22 at three-four generations of the Patriarchal family. Golden Hills Cemetery. He died Dec. 20; he was 85. Survivors include cousins and special friend The protagonists are Abraham-Sarah, IsaacRebekah, and Jacob-Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Mollie Delman. Zilpah. And the fourth generation is Joseph, who was married off to Asenath, daughter of the Priest Harry Kemeiman, 88, dies; of On. inspired Jewish sleuth writers In the family history, there are times of triumph, by Fredda Sacharow, Editor, to be sure, but there are low points too, incidents Jewish Exponent ;ijid actions which rabbinic interpreters are at PHILADELPHIA (JTA) - Truth be told, Harry pains to try to justify. The low points increase with Jacob-Israel, who Kemeiman did not like David Small very much. Admired him, yes. Respected his scholarship and lives and triumphs, the Bible is not hesitant to say, by his wits. And it is he, finally life-tested and his humanity, sure. But like him? "He's not a very likable person," Mr. Kemeiman spiritually mature, who gives us his name: We are said of the fictional rabbi who, from his first Israelites: "Hear 0 Israel. . ." There has been no clear transition. From the appearance in Friday The Rabbi Slept Late, catasomewhat tortured family life in Genesis, the turn- pulted the author to fame more than 30 years ago ing of the page to Exodus has also turned our and who •- like his creator - grew older and more attention to a people, the Israelites. There is a peo- curmudgeonly as the years went on. Harry Kemeiman died last month at the age of ple. There is Israel. We must not fail to notice this 88, leaving a legacy for a whole new generation of sudden, unannounced change. From that day to this peoplchood has been a whodunit writers: mystery novelists for whom major part of Judaism. A book I use in teachir^g is being Jewish is nlore than just a turn of the plot. Many of the authors turning out Jewish sleuth titled "Judaism: A People and Its History." Can you think of any other religion that you could sub- fiction today say they took their "permission" to stitute for "Judaism" in that title, and follow it create Jewish characters from Harry Kemeiman. Faye Kellerman, author of the popular Rina with "A People and Its History?" This dimension of peoplehood has always been Lazarus-Peter Decker series, is one such spiritual part of Judaism. To a large extent, it is not under- heir. She calls the late Massachusetts author "the stood by non-Jews, and by many Jews. This leads us to a description of Judaism as a granddaddy of us all." Under his tutelage, she says, American Jewish authors gradually became more "religio-ethnic" entity. Judaism, as one definition has it, is "the religion comfortable turning out heroes who are proudly, visibly Jewish. of the Jewish pefiBle^" Both Jews and non-Jews admire the talmudic And yet family. . . It is the strongly-knit Jewish wisdom of the Rabbi Small series and soak up the family that has enabled the people to endure. learning Mr. Kemeiman would so skillfully weave in. The author frequently said he was amazed that Astronomer Carl Sagan dies; his books sold well in Japan, hardly a nation with a Jewish identity was mystery large Jewish population. by Eric J. Greenberg, New York Jewi»h Week As Faye Kellerman did, readers likely will fall in NEW YORK (JTAi - Carl Sagan's love of science love with Rabbi Small's shtetl-born logic, his cerewas wellknown throughout the cosmos. But his bral approach to mystery-solving and his ornery feelings about his own ethnicity were alnlost impatience with lesser mortals. painfully private. The Brooklyn-born astronomer died last month al the age of 62. Mr Sagan was Jewish, though it is not clear Consider beautiful, historical what he thought about Judaism. Mount Sinai Cemetery Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Reform Call movement's Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C., said he knew Mr. Sagan for 556-3016 0.496-1521 about 10 years, when they both worked on the nuclear lirms issue. "He b<-lieved that religious leaders and scientists I'm had a great deal to say to each other," Rabbi KIPGORDMAN, Saperstein said. SUPER SUNDAY Vet Mr. Sagan remained mum about his own personal views on his Jewish heritage. "He was never volunteer. coinfortuhle Inlking about his own pnal," Rabbi Please give Saperstein said. generously when I Il will remain another mystery in the universe.

call on January 12.

-SKfcai£i'jEa:«3ijafi!C:ji:ilESiVi. -,^:f x-'st..

naietigrmiig: -i'M'] TEMPLE Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregation* 7023 Case Street^ Omaha, NK 681S2 MM53e FlilDAY: Early worshijp service, 6:30 p.m.; ^Rabbi Azriel will ofliciate, using the Union Prayer Book. Shabbat evening service, 8:15 p.m.; Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius will ofliciate. Rabbi Stiel will Bpeak. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Jennine and Marvin Goldberg in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Max. Sitter Service Sitter service is available each Shabbat evening service and the Saturday morning Shabbat service when there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please make a reservation. There are no facilities for infants. SATURDAY: Shabbat service, 11:15 a.m. Bar Mttzvali-Afar David Goldberg will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at the Shabbat service. Simcha B'Shabbat--An informal Shabbat service ^hat includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts. The regular Shabbat service will be held in the Sanctuary. SUNDAY: Cliapel prayer service, 9:15 a.m. The service gives members of the congregation an additional opportunity to pray and recite Kaddish. Men's Club Brunch, 10 a.m., in the Milder Center. Traditional lox and bagels will be served and there will be a guest speaker. Cost for nonmembers is $3. "TOW" Torah on Wheels (TOW) will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14, noon-l;15 p.m., at United Way of the Midlands, 1305 Harney St. Murray Frost is the liost. Reservations are required. Call the Temple jffice at 556-6536. Adult Education January 16-Sisterhood Adult Education: 9:3011:30 a.m., Hazzan Erik Contzius will continue to lead a study of the Old Union Prayer Book and the ttew Gates of Prayer as well as other liturgical publications. 10:30-11:30 a.m.. Rabbi Debbie Stiel ivill continue the study of selected Torah portions. 7:30-8:30 p.m., "Beyond Midrash," led by Don Schwartz.

ROSE BLUMKiN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, led by Yale Halperin, start at 9 a.m. Members of the community are invited ti6 join esidents for the service and the Kiddish that folbws.

BEYT SHALOM AnAffiUateofthe Jewish B«ooiiatr«ictioalat Federation P.O. Box 341130, Onudui, NE 68U»44fl30 786-MaS FRTOAY: Family service, 7:30 p.m. Religious School: Classes are held every lunday at 10 a.m. at Westside Community Sducation Center, 108th and Grover. Call Dr. ilarty Rosenberg, 390-9062, for placement. Jewish Book Club , Jan. 12,6 pan., 1709 N. 50th St., Omaha, watch nd discuss the next part of "Genesis.' Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m., 3101 1/eawood Dr., Bellevue, eview the book "From Jerusalem to the Edge of [eaven,* by Rabbi Ari Eton. For details, contact ^ff Ferber at 456-8645. Please check the Beyt Shalom information line t 758-9233 for last minute weather-related schedle changes.

B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAQOQUE

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618M]nut«rSt., Council Bluff's, Iowa SIB08 322^708 MAIL: doeJeb!Wworldne(^tt.net

FRIDAY: Services are conducted every Friday Shabbat Eve ; 7:30 p.m. Professors Eugene and Yvonne Freund will disIIS their experiences living in Moslem Pakistan.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish CongregatiMis of America 1502 No. &2nd St, Omaha, NE 68104 8564288

Member of United Synagogueli of Conservative Judaism 14606 California, Omaha, NB681S4 49»«SS(» 'WEB«http://omahafr«enetorg/bethel

Services are conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shpbbat service, 5 p.m.; SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddish sponsored by Sisterhood. "Parsha of the Week," a course led by Yakova Herzig, 4 p.m., at the home of the Herzigs; Chumlash class with Rabbi Kutner,' 4:20 p.m. at the synagogue; Mincha at 4:50 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah. SUNDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m., followed by breakfast and class with Rabbi Kutner at 9:45 a.m., on The Siddur: A study of the background and meaning of the Prayer Bnok. Mincha, 4:50 p.m. WEDNESDAY: 7:30 p.m.-Basic Jewish Thought, this week's topic is "The Divinity of the Torah." 8:30 p.m.-Synagogue Skills I, Torah reading. . ' WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 4:50 p.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits. FRIDAY: Services start at 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services start at 9:30 a.m. liiddish following. Sitter service starts at 10 a.m. TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 a.m. Shabbat story time, first and third Sat., 11 a.m.; ICtantan, second and fourth Saturday, 11 a.m. Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. WATCH OUT FOR SHABBAT "Watch Out For Shabbat," Jan. 11, starts with services at 9:30 a.m.; noon-Middle East cuisine and Ruach; 1-4 p.m.~14 different activity sessions; 4:40 p.m.-Minha, Se'udah Shiishit, Ma'ariv and Havdalah. TU B'SHEVAT LUNCH AND LEARN Friday, Jan. 17, 12:15-1:30 p. m. Lunch and lenrn for children 6 and under with their families, includes lunch, songs, stories and crafts. RSVP to Vicki Sanford at 493-3714.

Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 423-8569

Mr. Rogers as metaphor for Shabbat

Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyans on Mondays and Thursdays, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services start at 8 p.m. Oneg Shabbat hosted by Cece and Gary Hill in honor of Leo Hill's birtliday. SATURDAY: Services start at 9:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:15 a.m.

CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2061 S. 20th St, Lincoln. NE 68502-2797 Services are officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Shabbat services at 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah study and service, 10 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew school, 9 a.m.; Religious school, 10 a.m.

CHABAO HOUSE An AffUlate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubaviteh Movement 1322 So. 119th St, Omaha. NE 68154 667-1124 WEB-wwwjBetawire.com/chBbadneb E-BIAII/~8hUaci«9aoLeom SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddish. SUNDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAYS: Talmud classes, 9:30 a.m. THURSDAYS: Advanced Talmud, noon Yiddish "Hooked on Yiddish lessons, Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

by Daniel Christenscn Beth El Adult Education Committee Nu? Fred Rogers? Picture it: Mr. Itogers cpmes into the house from outside, taks off his workday jacket, changes to a comfy sweater and lakes off his office brogues in exchange for a pair of nice soft sneakers, leaves behind the trappings of the world outside, and creates for his viewers a refuge and respite, if only for an hour. Now, compare this picture to Shabbat, God's gift jto us as refuge and respite from the secular world (a comfy sweater and a pair of soft shoes). Tomorrow, Beth El Synagogue's Adult Education Committee will provide an opportunity with "Wateh Out For Shabbat," to experience the many facets of and possibilities to explore the Sabbath. Middle Eastern cuisine will be served after morning services, followed by an original version of the 'Jeopardy Game' - Jewish style. Discussion and informational groups will then be held, focusing on such topics as Jewish Art, History of Jewish Omaha, Trope, Folk Dancing and more. Games will be provided for children and adults, as well as storytelling for young and old, and weather permitting, a Shabbat stroll. Of course, space will be available for just schmoozing and napping. Seudah Shishit will follow Mincha, with the Ma'ariv service and Havdalah concluding the day's events. Mr. Rogers might sing 'It's a Wonderful Day in the Synagogue." For more information, call the Beth El Synagogue on\fe at 492-8550.

PERSONAL To my friends and wonderful family: Thank you for your cards, donations and phone calls during my recent hospitalization. Another thank-you to Rabbis Stiel and Azriel. David Dvorkln

OFFUTT 25th and Capehart, Omaha. NE FRIDAY: Services start at 8 p.m.

~ I jiAOtga-^ ;,'._--

I'm SAM KAPLAN, SUPER SUNDAY volunteer. Please give generously when I call on January 12.

;'l.*'',':-"T!ii:1"^>-'r!.'.'-.i|.. rf;'^''i

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 10,1997

Editorial Changes in welfare law affect people we know Through the generosity of Operation Exodus and Society, aimed specifica|lly 9t aiding the elderly in the efforts of staff and volunteers of Jewish Family passing this important exam. Enrollment is Service, more than 300 Jews from the former based on need; those who have been here the Soviet Union have been resettled in Omaha since i longest will be offered priority. Volunteers are needed for this program...to drive 1989. Many have already passed their citizenship exams, bought homes and cars and are working in participants to and from classes at the JCC and to individually tutor students, JFS is hoping to start occupations for which they have been trained. Not all members of this special community have this class in early February as time is df the become United States citizens, however, and with essence. Generous donors, energetic volunteers, dedicated the recent changes in federal legislation, this group is in danger of losing all financial and medical ben- staff and hard-working immigrant families have efits. Any New Americans who are dependent upon made Omaha's resettlement program a success. federal funds (SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and who have Now the time has come for us to ensure that elderlived in the U.S. for five or more years and do not ly Jews, even those who have earned a paycheck pass the citizenship exam by August of this year here, are not cut off in the future and lefl without will no longer be eligible. There arv no exceptions a safety net. The opportunity to provide direct hands-on voN for the sick or the elderly. One of the programs JKS will iniplemt'nt to unteer service can make a difference, not only in counter Hie elTects of the new welfare law is n cur- the lives of these Jewish men and women, but in our community. Please call JFS at 334-6490 today. rinihini. dcsignrd by the Hebrew Inunigranl Aid

To the Editor: Because I love America, I will express my viewpoint about the problems created about teaching religion in the public schools. The insistence of the teaching is on Christian religion. This is mostly unfair to Americans of different religious beliefs. It is true that in the Constitution of the United States it says there should be a wall of separation of "church and states." It really means a "separation of reUgion and politics and states." If we will emphasize one religion here, America will be lost to the whole world as "America the beautiful with freedom and justice for all." All religions must have the right to their belief, and this is how it should be. The expression should be: "Separation of religion and states" or "separation of religion and politics," because we are all Americans and made contributions to our great country. Miriam Grossman

Blaming it all on Bibi: The truth about settlements by Jonathan S. Tobin, Connecticut Jewish Ledger Wlii'ii Ku.'isiiin sricnlisl Ivan Pavlov fed his dogs, of Judea and Samaria, in the Jordan rift and along generations. Some of Mr. Netanyahu's critics concede Israel's ho raiiK a boll. Ho learned that the ringing of Iho the old borders, will ,reduce the threat it poses to Ix'll would cause the dogs to .salivate, lie called this Israel. Settlements are also Israel's insurance that right to settlement but say that exercising that the peace it makes with Chairman Arafat will be right is politically foolish. Once the settlements are a "conditioned re.sponse." More tliiin 90 years after Pavlov won a Nobel real. For only if Palestinian Arabs are prepared to removed from the map and the political discussion, Prize for ringing the bell, his thesis is being proven live peacefully alongside Jewish neighbors in near- attention will then turn to the Jewish presence outanew by lionjamin' Netanynlui. All the Israeli by settlements pan Israelis be sure that "Palestine" side the old armistice line in Jerusalem. The stage will then be set for further Arab demands on prime minister has to do is to say the word "settle- will not be a staging point for future violence. After decades of criticism by American govern- Jerusalem and even Arab populated areas of the ments" and the iiilellectual canines who constitute much of the Anu-rican foreign policy establishment ments and four years of a Labor Party government Galilee on the other side of the grfeen line. start to howl and lick their chops. which did its best to delegitimize the settlers, All of the talk about settlements also helps divert Why does ringing the "settlements" hell make the American Jews have come to regard the settle- attention away from Mr. Arafat's continuing violaeditorial pages of our leading national dailies seem ments as an obstacle to piece of mind about Israel if tions of the Oslo Accords. After being applauded like feeding time at the zoo? not to peace. and rewarded by world opinion for bloody attacks The answer is simple. But the cold hard reality of Israeli politics means on Israelis over the Jerusalem tunnel controversy Ever since the 1967 Six-Day War, the convention- that the settlements are staying put and their in October, why shouldn't he continue to incite vioal wisdom of the foreign policy and media elites in growth cannot be frozen, Given that fact, it is time lence and then blame it all on Bibi? the West has been that only such a surrender of for American Jews to stop complaining about setThe plain truth is, no matter what Mr. land could achieve peace between Israel and the tlements and realize that they are not Israeli Netanyahu does on settlements, the dynamic of the Arabs. Settlements make it difficult if not impossi- colonies in a far-off land. Jews do have a legitimate peace process is such that he will be blamed for any ;ble for Israel to withdraw completely to the 1949 right to live there. setbacks. The rules of the'game mean that progress armistice lines. These communities, which today are home to in this process is measured only in Israeli concesSince the 1993 Oslo peace accords mandated more than 150,000 Jews, have a right to reasonable sions. Lack of progress is defined only by Israel's Israeli withdrawals in a test of the "land for peace" growth, as the Prime Minister has promised. justified hesitations and never by outright flagrant thesis, the existence of Jewish communities in Would proponents of a freeze in Jewish settlement Arab violations of the accords. Judea and Samaria - the "West Bank" - and the growth be agreeable to a comparable freeze for He must also know that since most of the Gaza Strip, make these withdrawals problematic. Arab communities in tlie territories which are also American Jewish leadership preferred Mr. Peres, Given the historical, legal, religious and emotional building and growing? the prime minister cannot count on the organized ties of the Jewish people to these lands, the physiAnd contrary to the views of the Jewish left, American Jewish world to spring to his defense. At cal presence of Jews living and building on them which once-viewed Zionist settlement as an impera- the same time, Mr. Netanyahu's willingness to means that full withdrawal back to the borders of tive and now see it only as an impediment to make concessions on Hebron and keep the peace June 4, 1967 is very unlikely. Israel's enjoyment of an American-style con- process going has also alienated many of his most Since no Israeli government, not even the fer- sunierist economy, settlements have not corrupted fervent supporters. His is a lonely, unenviable posivently anti-settlement administration of Yitzhak Israel's soul. The land they are built on is no more tion. Rabin and Shimon Peres could contemplate uproot- "stolen" from the Arabs than the rest of Israel. As long as any Jew lives over the green line, even ing Jewish settlements, this affects the future Some extremists exist among them, but the over- in Jerusalem, Bibi-bashers will continue to howl boundaries of n State of Palestine. whelming majority of Jewish residents in the terri- and gnash their teeth. But friends of Israel need to Although Yasser Arafat and his Palestinian tories are hard working ordinary people who want stop harping on settlements and recognize that Authority will govern large portions of the territo- peace and have dedicated their lives to rebuilding Netanyahu's refusal to contemplate'wholesale ries, the settlements prevents him from having a Jewish life in places where Jewish history began. withdrawal is the only way for real peace with territorial stranglehold on Israel's population cen- Though many are religious, they are actually little, security to be achieved. ters. When this state formally comes into being, the different from the "settlers" who built Tel Aviv and Jonathan S. Tobin it executive editor of the the presence of Jewish communities on the hilltops populated the Galilee and the Negev in previous Connecticut Jewiih Ledger.

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January 10,1997

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

The complete ADL list of the top ten stories for 1996 •The Internet and the World Wide Web were increasingly exploited by neo-Nazii, antiSemiteis, racists, and Holocaust-deniers, and the technology became a more significant part of their propaganda arsenals. Bigots have disseminated their hate messages to a much wider audience than ever t>efore, an audience heretofore not readily accessible to them. Extremists have linked their web sites to one another, widening the distribution of hate propaganda used in many cases as a recruitment tool for groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Web graphics allow the display of anti-Semitic and racist cartoons, swastikas, Nazi battle symbols, pictures of Hitler and Nazi Storm Troopers, and photos of cross burnings. Extremist groups also have placed their radio programs on the Web. •Anti-Semitism, extremism and racism continued to percolate in society. This past year included incidents like: the rash of church arsons at predominantly black houses of worship; swastikas on homes in the upscale New York town of Mamaroneck, on the streets of Washington, D.C., and in U.S. Army barracks; revelations in the media of race and religious-based discrimination at Texaco, and the inappropriate use of Nazi and Holocaust imagery and expression of classic anti-Semitic canards by celebrities such as Marge Schott, Ted Turner and Marlon Brando. •Islamic terrorists targeted Israel and U.S. installations abroad. In one week, a wave of suicide bombings in Israel by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists killed a total of 59 people, including two Americans, and injured more than 220. An Israeli group was the intended target of a terrorist attack in Egypt that resulted in the death of 18 Greek tourists. An Israeli couple was killed when terrorists riddled their car with bullets. A truck bomb explosion at an American mihtary base in Dharhran, Saudi Arabia, killed 19 American soldiers and wounded hundreds of others. •Netanyahu won first direct election for Prime Minister. In an important affirmation of Israeli democracy, Israelis elected Benjamin Netanyahu, who campaigned on a platform of "peace with security," in the first direct elections for the country's highest ranking office. In his pursuit of peace as Prime Minister, he has met with Chairman Arafat and other Arab leaders. •Palestinian protests turned violenf.; Palestinian police fired on Israelis. In September, violent confrontations in Israel

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resulted in more than 75 deaths, including 15 Israeli soldiers, and the wounding of hundreds. The ostensible impetus for the violence was the opening of an exit from the Western Wall Tunnel. Palestinian leaders, including Yasser Arafat, raised spurious accusations that the tunnel threatened the Al Alisa Mosque and other existing Palestinian structures iii the area. Palestinians rioted in the streets and some Palestinian policemen engaged in deadly gunfights with Israeli soldiers using weapons provided to them by Israel to maintain the peace. ' •The Southern Baptist Convention voted to target Jews for conversion. Southern Baptists passed a resolution calling on members to direct their "energies and resources toward the proclamation of the Gospel to the Jews." A broad range of Jewish and Christian groups and leaders condemned the Southern Baptist Convention's focus on Jews for evangelism. ADL called the initiative "an insult to the Jewish people and a setback for the, cause of interfaith dialogue and understanding," and said it "encourages fanaticism ond defiles the spirit of religious pluralism." •Domestic terrorism was thwarted by arrests and convictions. For allegedly conspiring to build pipe bombs for a war against the U.S. government and to blow up various sites including Federal buildings, Federal agents arrested three members of the Militia-atLarge for the Republic of Georgia, 12 members of the Arizona-based Viper Militia, and seven members of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia, while the leader and two members of the Oklahoma Constitutional Militia were convicted by a Federal jury. Egyptian cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman was convicted of masterminding the New York City terrorist plot and sentenced to life in jail. Ramzi Almiad Yusuf was convicted for conspiring to blow up American jetliners in Asia and also accused of collaboration in the New York City terrorist plot. The U.S. Government continued its fight against world terrorism through legislation and other initiatives. •Louis Farrakhan continued spewing antiSemitism, racism and anti-Americanism. On a "World Friendship Tour" to Libya, Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Sudan, countries identified by the U.S. Government as terrorism sponsors, Farrakhan called the U.S. government "the Great Satan." He sought to accept a $1 billion gift from Libyan tyrant Muammar Gadhafi to the Nation of Islam but was prohibited by the U.S. government. Place your baby on her back to sleep...

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On Oct. 16, tg commemorate the first-year anniversary of the Million Man March, Minister Farrakhan held a "World Day of Atonement" rally on the doorstep of the U.N., during which, despite the theme, there was no atonement. In a rambling, nearly three hour speech, filled with anti-American rhetoric, Farrakhan implied that Jews control American foreign policy. Anti-Semitic materials such as the infamous forgery. The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion and Henry Ford's International Jew, were available at the event. •Predominantly Black churches were burned by a rash of arson fires. The passage of the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 by Congress, and signing of it into law by President Clinton, was in response to the burnings of predominantly Black churches. ADL, in coalition with the National'Urban League, established'the "Rebuild the Churches Fund" through a nationwide advertising campaign and distributed more than $325,000 to the burned churches which came from the overwhelming response of the American people. •Anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism surfaced in a number of countries around the world. Hate crimes against Jews increased in Argentina with the desecration of over 156 graves and tombstones in Jewish cemeteries, anti-Semitic threats aimed at a Jewish hospital, and the arrests of four suspects for planning to blow up a Jewish center. Argentina's Justice Minister, Rodolfo Barra, who oversaw the investigations of the unsolved 1992 Israeli Embassy bombing and the 1994 AMIA Jewish community headquarters bombing, resigned after revelations of a past affiliation with a violent anti-Semitic organization. Three,senior Argentine police officers and a retired officer were indicted as accomplices in the bombings. In Austriaj the far-right Freedom Party received nearly 30 percent of the vote in the country's election for representatives to the European Parliament and did nearly as well in Vienna's municipal elections. In France, the far-right National Party received 45% of the vote ih an election in southern France. In Italy, the National Alliance led more than 150,000 Italians through the streets in a march of unity and won 15.7% of the votes in the general election to become Ital/s third biggest party. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

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Organizations pS/OLDTIMEBS Both clubs will meet Monday at t})e JCC. English class starts at 10 a.m. Bingo and exercise both start at 10;30. Earlybird and "YES Talk" discussion groups start at U a.m. Join the YES choral group at 11. Following lunch at noon, come enjoy musical entertainment by Ivan and Marjorie Griswold. For transportation, call 330-4272. WALK-IN DROP-IN Walk-In Drop-In will meet Thursday at the JCC. English class and exercise both start at 10 a.m. Bingo starts at 10:30. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 11:45. At 12:15 p.m., the video "The Andy Rooney Television Collections" (part II) will be shown. For transportation, call 330-4272. VISIONS Reminder: Luncheon meeting for installation of new ofTicers is Friday, Jan. 17, at Caniglia's Venice Inn. WOMEN'S AMERICAN ORT The Omaha Chapter of Women's American ORT will host "Wines of the ORT World," and Havdalah service Saturday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m., at Spirit World, 11424 Davenport. Cost is $12.50 per person and includes wine tasting and assorted chesses and bread. RSVP by Jan. 13 to Leslie Shrago, Co-President, at 896-5951; or JoAnn Hill at 334-5549. "KIBBITZ, KVELL AND COFFEE" The next meeting, for parents of children with special needs, will, be held Wednesday, Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Debbie and Mark Salomon. Bethany Marcus, staff member at the Meyer Rehabilitation Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, will speak about behavior management. For more information, call Susie Drazen, Bureau of Jewish Education Director, at 334-6445. BREADBBEAKERS B'nai B'rith Brcadbreakers will meet Wednesday at noon at the JCC (during the month of January). Rabbi Mendel Katzman will be the guest speaker, according to Ron Gordon, co-chairman for January. The event is open to tlie community. DREAMS AND REALITIES Dreams and ReaUties, an information and support group developed for new Americans, will meet Sunday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m., in the adult lounge at the Jewish Community Center. Rabbi Paul Drazen of Beth El Synagogue will speak on "Coming Out of the Jewish Closet." Transportation is available with advanced reservations. Please call the Friday before the program, 330-2024. MFMTIJ H PKAJlbHan-b, rPVlinA MH<[)0PMAUHH H riOMEP)KKM. C03flAHHA}l Una H06UX AMKPMKAHltEB BCTPFMAETCfl BDOCKPECEHIJE, 19 flHBAPfl D J(i; B nOMKUIKHMM OraWXA HM KlPOCnUX (AlXll.T l.(l)N(;i:) TEMA DCTPEMH: PACKPHBAflrroOPKH EDPEflCTDA' BblCTYnUT PADBH linri nPA3m CHHArOTA nET3JIl. UPEMJl DCTPEHM C 2:00 JIO 3:00 HACOB flHfl, TPAllCnOPT MOmiO 3APE3EPBHPO0ATb 3APAHEE nOOBOHMD HO TEn 330-2024 00 reiTHmiU, nPEfllUECTByKIHEH ITPOrPAMME,

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by Glen H. Fineman, Director Jewish Family Service has added Rita Paskowitz to its Resettlement Team. Ms. Paskowitz comes to JFS from Temple Israel, where she worked as Religious School Coordinator for almost two years. She currently | oo-teaches an eighthgrade Ethics Class and will lead a High School course in storytelling next semester at Temple Israel. Although she grew up in Omaha, Ms. Paskowitz has lived in New York, California and several points between. She has a diverse background, having done everything from acting, writing and stand-up comedy to sales, marketing and publishing. She is also a professional storyteller, working as both a solo performer and with a group of women named The Five Bright Chicks. She joins Tami Sittler, Jewish Family Service Administrative Assistant, on the Resettlement Team Staff. Although new families continue to be resettled, albeit at a slower pace, and concrete services are still provided to previously resettled families, the Resettlement Program has recently shifted its emphasis to "Citizenship and Acculturation." M^'or changes will occur as a result of the new Welfare Reform Act, and both Ms. Paskowitz and Ms. Sittler are anxious to help those members of our Russian Jewish community have little or no knowledge of English. Ms. Paskowitz sees her role as Resettlement Coordinator as an opportunity to educate not only Russian refugees but also the greater Omaha Jewish community about the impact that welfare reform will have. Citizenship and ESL classes will start in late January or early February. Please feel free to contact Ms. Pgskowitz during her scheduled hours on Wednesdays-Fridays at 334-6495.

Beth El Adult Education... 'Finding a Personal Theology' by Michael A. Leviae Programming/Youth Director In what sense do you believe the Torah to be devine revelation? In what sense do you believe the Jews are the cliosen people? Is Judaism the one true relifiion or is it one of many true religions? Can man be a good Jew and yet a Communist. . . What are your personal answers? "Finding a Personal Theology," a Beth El Adult Education mini-course, is a three-session opportunity to discuss questions of Jewish belief. The course consists of reading articles by Reform, Conservative and Orthodox rabbis. Also, it will give you a chance to discuss your personal views. The discussions will be held on Monday evenings (January 13, 20 and 27), 7:30-9 p.m.; and Sunday mornings (Feb. 2,9 and 16), 10-11:30 a.m. For more information or to register, please call Rabbi Paul Drazen at Beth El Synagogue, 49: 8550 (ext. 124).

Beth Israel Synagogue taking scholarship applications

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The Sidney Epstein Scholarship Fund of Beth Israel Synagogue is taking applications from high school seniors and college students who will continue their Jewish studies at an approved college or university, or at a post-secondary program in Israel. Two $2,500 scholarships are available. Applicants are required to submit an essay stating objectives pursuant to their desire to continue in Jewish studies. Currently enrolled college students must also submit a copy of their transcripts. The scholarship fund was established by Mrs. Gert Epstein and her sons in honor of the late Sidney Epstein. Deadline for application is April 15. For more infonnation, call Jake Besser at 6 0288, • •• jyJ2g3=rsEksii.Tifcj=.

i

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January 10,1997

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Bert's Eye View by Bert LQWIR The end of 1996 makes me think of all kinds of things, including many of the eyentB of the just past year. Some of them were good, some were not. The latter category meant worry, fear, illness and loss. I really can't say I'd call it a five-star wonderful year. However, I must not overlook the occasions of joy and the happy tjimes experienced. There were fami-' ly gatherings which brought special warmth and contentment.. .such gatherings, whether for a simcha or for the saddest reasons, somehow can become family reunions. And those are, for me, very special. There were visits with dear ones who live everyplace but here in Omaha. Those visits were marvelous, even if they meant just sitting around a table and telling the same old stories we've told a hundred times. Or watching the faces of adored grandchildren while listening to their conversations. There were frightening times, getting daily updates on the convalescence of a dear one, miles and miles away. Thankfully, those had a happy ending. My own room-mate scared us with a health problem, but we are grateful for the outcome of that shreck. At the time, I wondered why, out of the blue, we have to be frightened out of our minds.

Then I think, was that a wake-up call? A reminder that life is so fragile, it's best to remember not to take so much for granted. When everything goes along like it's supposed to, we don't think about our good fortune. It's when we hit a snag, when all of a sudden something bad happens that we remember life doesn't come with any written guarantees. Yes, it was a busy year, filled with much more in the way of extremes than I would have preferred. My dear Mother reached a comer she couldn't successfully turn. . .but not because she didn't try. After spending a generously long lifetime overcoming seemingly impossible odds, she ran out of the strength to win her toughest battle. Of all the events of 1996, the bits and pieces that together made a full year, the single most devastating blow was witnessing this tower of strength losing her last fight. It was a tough year in so many ways that I have to be careful to remember the good parts. But it will be a long time before I think of 1996 without remembering it contained Mother's chapter. I hope it was a better year for you and you and you especially. And let us together hope fervently for a better one as we begin writing 1997. May it bring good health, good luck and the best of everything to everyone you hold dear.

City of Omaha receives grant

Dr. Rick Hodes, head of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) medical team in-Tanzania, examines a patient in a makeshift medical clinic. In response to the current crisis, the clinic is in operation 24 hours a day and Dr. Hodes, along with additional health workers, cares for hundreds of refugees per day. Tl^ medical program is sponsored by a coalition of 39 American Jewish organizations. The JDC is currently seeking qualified volunteers for its Jewish Service Corps (JSC). The deadline for applications is Feb. 1. The JSC is a one-year volunteer opportunity to serve a community abroad. Volunteers should have a strong Jewish identity, skills in Jewish education and youth work and be culturally tolerant. JSC volunteers have served in Morocco, Poland, India, Bulgaria and Romania. For more information, contact Melissa Polen at 1-212-885-0841 or e-mail at: MelissaSjdcny.org

^

Mayor Hal Daub has announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has given the City of Omaha a $392,195 grant to fund the implementation of a three-pronged strategy to encourage domestic violence arrest policies. The 18-month grant from the federal Violence Against Women Grants office involves prosecution, protection orders and probation. It will link directly to the $200,000 COPS Combating Domestic Violence grant that the city received in August, Mayor Daub said. "This new grant ties into the previous COPS grant and will enable us to fight domestic violence as well as assist the individuals who are affected by it," he continued. "Domestic abuse is a serious crime and the federal government is now working with local authorities to bring this crime into the public eye." According to John Packett, Assistant to the Mayor for Public Safety, one of the main goals of the project is training, equipment and staffing to implement "victimless prosecution." This will enable the Prosecutor's Office to obtain enough evidence to take an offender to court without the victim being present. "Domestic violence is a problem in cities throughout the United States and Omaha is no exception," Mr. Packett said. *

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 10,1997

Endowments for youth

I'm JILL BELMONT SUPER SUNDAY Volunteer. Please give generously when I call on January 12.

, (Coatinued from page 1) Federation Endowment Director Sheldon I rich the Summer Camp and other community Bernstein agreed, adding, "We are particularly events. In addition, new and innovative youth prodelighted to see youth-oriented funds increase as Igramming could be developed to keep young people this assures that we are truly planning in perpetu- involved in the Jewish pommunity. ity for the continued excellence of this stellar comCorey Kirshenbaum, Assistant Director of the munity." Jewish Community Center remarked, "We're enlcitThe endowment will be used for a wide variety of ed about this opportunity to bring new and cre^C>£Sfeg^U?.*'Wo^.'5lyV^^'^^^i''yi!t'Sy^^ Jewish Community Center programs for youth ative programming to our youth. Thanks to the — ••^'••^•••^•^•••••^^^••'•••"•^^'^^•'•-' and teens. Abrahams' generosity, we can provide our teens ENTERTAIN Existing programs that would benefit from the with more opportunities for leadership and additional funding include Teen Connection, growth." BBYO's seventh and eighth grade program; Mr. and Mrs. Abrahams agree, adding that "our WITH College Connection, which utilizes the Internet young people are the ones who will determine what and Hillels across the nation; and the Shaliach happens to the community during the years Program, which hosts a Shaliach from Israel to en- ahead."

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New Endowment Fund to address teen problems Eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, peer relationship problems and peer pressure, dating and sex issues, suicide and depression have all increased among the teenage population of the Jewish community over the last five years, stated Glen Fineman, executive director of Jewish Family Service. "The trend has been that we have been seeing more cases dealing with these concerns and that the Jewish community is more willing to recognize that,these problems exist among our youth," he asserted.' The Omaha Jewish community will now have a new resource to address the afflictions that threaten today's generation of teenagers. An endowment fund named in memory of Lazier L. Singer, has been established by his wife, Harriet B. Singer, to provide funding for programs dealing with problems and issues of alcohol, drug use, sexuality, eating disorders, intra-family relations, violence and gangs, suicide and depression, and Jewish identity. Native Omahans who were married nearly 49 years before Mr. Singer died in May, the couple had talked about an endowment fund. "He was worried about teens," said Mrs. Singer in her ofiice at Central Distributing Company. "Teenagers don't have the supportive background that earlier generations had," she pointed out, "Our generation didn't have to deal with drugs, street gangs, alcohol and all the things that are so prevalent today. "In my day," she continued, "they said Jews don't drink. There was no alcohol problem. This just isn't true anymore." Mr. and Mrs. Singer realized that not only is help needed to combat these problems but teenagers also need a Jewish background. "We automatically knew we would go to religious school," she explained. Today that's not necessarily so.

Although Mrs. Singer did not become a Bat Mitzvah as a young girl, her parents hired a Hebrew teacher to come to their home and teach their daughter how to read and write Hebrew. The Lazier Singer Fund, to be administered by The Foundation of the Jewish Federation, will fund both preventive and remedial programs that serve individuals and their families. By the terms of the Fund agreement, The Foundation will appoint a Grants Committee to solicit applications for grants from the Fund. The Committee will consist of five to seven members who will serve two-year terms. Mrs. Singer and her children, Sandra Kutler and Mark Singer, will be entitled to be members of the Committee on a continuous basis. Programs that involve collaboration among Federation agencies, synagogues, Jewish youth organizations, and other Jewish community organizations will be given favorable consideration by the Committee. Funds from the Lazier Singer Memorial Endowment should be available in late 1997, indicated Sheldon Bernstein, endowment director of The Foundation. "We don't have any other endowment whose purposes are devoted specifically to these problems," he pointed out, "and the community is sorely in need of a resource to contend with them." Mrs. Kutler, a licensed professional, counselor with Associated Counseling Professionals deals with problems of eating disorders, depression and anxiety, and marital and family issues in her practice. She brought these problems and others to the attention of her parents. "Lazier was very concerned jbout the pressures teens have today," noted Mrs. Singer. "If we can help just one child," she added, "it will be worth it"

Charitable Foundation Trusts announce scholarships Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Foundation Trust The Robert H. & Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust has announced the availability of scholarships for the 1997-98 academic year, based on financial need for a Jewish student wishing to further his or her post-secondary education. Robert Kooper had a long history of service to the Jewish community. He died in 1961. Mrs. Kooper was a strong supporter and worked with 'the Jewish Federation and.Beth El Sisterhood. She died in 1995. Their son, Howard Kooper, and his wife, Sharon, will fund the Foundation Trust. Tom Fellman will also act as trustee of the Foundation.

Bruce M. Fellman Trust The Bruce M. Fellman Charitably Foundation Trust has announced the availability of scholarships based on financial need for post-secondary education. Bruce, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, was a 1982 graduate of Westside High School. He was active in BBYO and served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of Chaim Weizmann AZA. He attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and was participating in the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea at the time of his death in 1984. Trustees for the Foundation are Darlynn Fellmon, Terri Schrager and Howard M. Kooper.

ApplicationH for the above HoholnrshipH are available by calling Mr. Koopcr'B office at 302-1800. The completed form mu$t b«^y received by April 1, ^H

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January id, 1997 Jewiah Presa, Omaha, NE

RECONSTRUCTIONISM flS R TEEN By Jonathan Salmi>^>-<— Being a Reoonstructionist, especially In Omaha, can be a unique and great experience. Being one ot the few teens with the privilege to be a Reconslructionlst, I am often asJced a lot of questions pertaining to this branch of Judaism. Having been In several congregations before this one, Including a Reform, a Conservative and even a military congregation with an Orthodox rabbi, it should t>e easy for me to notice the differences. The first difference most people will note is our rabbi, Elisheva Sachs. She's definitely one of the best rabbis I have ever worked with. No, you didn't read that wrong, I said "she." I have to admit I was shocked at first, too. when I went to a Reconstructlonlsl synagogue and found a woman at the pulpit. But, she really does as good, or belter, a Job as any mate rabbi I have seen. Her sermons have a different point of view as well, which makes tor much more interesting services and discussions. But, a female rabbi leading services isn't the only interesting thing about services. Beyt Shalom is the first synagogue I have gone to where the congregants are encouraged to actually lead the service (except, of course, for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, etc.). I have taken this opportunity myself on several occasions, and I' definitely feel It is one ot the highest

'GII/ING THRNKS' FOR KINNUS By Sara Jacobsan^.>ii—i

honors I have ever received. I remember at the Conservative synagogue, congregantled, services were almost completely unheard of, but at Beyt Shalom, it is a weekly occurrence, The last thing I really love about Reconstructionism is the Jonathan 'ai^i'V a""osphere at the synagogue. Everybody is on a first-name basis with everybody else, allowing for many close friendships to begin, and I speak from experience. At the last synagogue I attended, the number of congregants was so huge, it was difficult to gel to know anyone at all, let alone make a good friend. So, we do things more as a family, and we may have a female rabbi, and we may even wear blue jeans on Friday nights, but we're still Jews. And I think that's the real message ot Reconstructionism: that we're all part of the same family - Judaism. Jonathan 1$ a junior at Bellevue West and a member ot Beyt SItalom Synagogue.

'MOCK TRIAL' OFFERS NEIil OUTLOOK ON U.S. JUSTICE SYSTEM By Hndy Noualc—i>—•>^iB^>-^iM^B^->~.>Hi.BBB^B«^ Omaha-area high schools offer an extra-curricular activity called "Mock Trial." It is meant to give high school students a taste of the United States Justice system. It is offered to all students throughout the Omaha area and the state of Nebraska who are interested in Andy law. Mock Trial involves many hours of research and studying, just like a real lawyer would do. This was my first year participating in Mock Trial, and I loved it. At the beginning of the school year, we received a civil case. (Every year the case changes). This year's case involved a Skinhead named Terry Brewster who was on trial for beating a black man to death. The true story actually took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Terry Brewster and some of his Skinhead friends were out cruising the town when they found a couple standing by a car - Leon, who was black, and Marilyn, who was white. Terry proceeded to pick a light with t.eon and eventually killed him The actual mock trial comes a few months into the school year, giving students time to think about the facts and Injustices of the case. When we

Page 9

sign up for the activity, we gel a book with details about the case and then pick a team of six players. The case book has the testimony of all the people who were involved in ihe murder. We then pick the team members who will act as witnesses and those tMo will act as lawyers. (If you are not familiar with a civil trial, there are defendants and plaintiffs). If you are a witness for the defense, you are a lawyer for the plaintiffs, and vice versa. Team members don't know if they will represent the defense or the plaintiff, so they have to study the involved characters very well. Team members must be prepared to take either side of the case. For our first trial, our team was picked to be the defense. It was hard being Jewish and having to defend a Skinhead who, in his testimony, said all Jews were "pigs." The job of Ihe defense is to make the accused look good This was very hard when a Skinhead stood on the stand and said he beat an innocent man with a baseball bat. My team lost our first two trials, so we are now done for the season. But, Ijecause I was involved in this project, I have new respect for public defenders and defense attorneys I also now know that the United Stales Justice System is one of the best in the world. I will definitely panicipale in Mock Trial again next year and am very interested in becoming a lawyer myself.

Case dismissed. Andy It a tophomore at Burke, a meatbar of OTYO. AZAti and Temple lerwel.

Who wouldn't want to be at home with their family on Thanksgiving weekend? A huge, great meal one night, and for the rest of the weekend, relaxing and eating whatever creative variations one can think to do with the remaining turkey. Every family has their own traditions for Thanksgiving. USY has it's own plans for the weekend as well. USY's tradition is to get Emtza region members Into a hotel for the weekend to go to services and eat

America at midnight, to participating in activities that help the needy, to having discussion groups on various topes relating to Judaism. Everything about Kinnus makes it special. The excitement alone of seeing old friends from Minnesota, Denver, Kansas City. Des Moines, and St. Louis draws people to Kinnusim. The whole weekend, the programs and services, seems to bring everyone ck)ser. Even the services, which take up about half the weekend, are enjoy-

Sara (third from left), viith friends at Kinnus '96 in Minneapolis. what isn't exactly mom's homecooked meals. Why would anyone want to participate in this? Well, each year, for that whole autumn weekend, USY Kinnus attracts hundreds of teenagers to altemaling Midwest cities to endure these "hardships" - sacrificing all of their family customs at Thanksgiving and the wonderful food mom makes to travel on long bus trips lo.... a hotel?! But. do they care? I have gone lo Kinnus every year since I was a ireshman and have never regretted it or thought twice atx>ut going again Ihe next year. It is like a mini-camp, and it's great because everyone is Jewish. All weekend, we do a combination of activities that range from dances and renting out Camp Snoopy in Ihe Mall of

UNTITLED - pencil draufiny by Jeff Katzman

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able and interesting. Right when I emerged from the bus at the Hyatt in Minneapolis, exhausted and in need of a shower, the excitement of seeing so many great friends from my Israel trip last summer, friends from camp, and friends from past Kinnusim hit me. New-found friends ate made at Kinnus, and there is more tionding with old friends from different slates. II also gives you a chance to gel to know Omaha Chapter members as well, which is great when you sadly have to leave. But, you can always look forward to Ihe leftovers in the fridge at home. Sara Is a junior at Central, a member ol USY and Temple Israel.

THE UNBROKEN CHRIN by Anna Ralul

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A grandmother lay dying. Looked to her son and saict "There is something I must tell you, Before I go to bed. You must pass unto your chiWren, The stories and thoughts. Of Ihe Jewish people. And the tialtles Ihey fought. But also most important. Tell them of their history. So Ihey know who Ihey are. No longer a mystery." The grandma passed away. But her son understood. And taught to his children. All that he should And when he was old and grey. And time was getting dim. He then, loo, told his son, What was told lo him. This went on forever. And still goes on today, The unbroken chain for lamilies. Will always be here lo slay. Anna I* a junior at Central, a member ot USY, Ediar BBO and Beth El Synagogue.

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THiS PAGt FUNDED OY THE; JEiWJSH TCDCRATiON Of OMAHA

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page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Campaign 'specializes' in kids ' (Continued "We took a deep breath and decided we would do wliatever was needed to get tll^se Itids in religious sctiool with their peers and accommodate their learning needs," Mrs. Drazen said, adding that the Et-Gar parents "were very excited" about the change. Mrs. Friedman was one of those parents, saying that she felt that Et-Gar's shortcoming was that "you couldn't teach a kindergartner and a sixth grader under the same conditions, because each 'child's needs were so different. "Over time it became pretty obvious that these kids would have to be mainstreamed into the classroom, which is the general focus the federal government is pushing toward, less restrictive environments," she said. During this transition, Mrs. Drazen said BJE's focus shied from only learning disabled children to a wider variety of special needs, including developmental delay, neurological impairment and attention deficit disorder. In 1990, with a commitment of ongoing financial support from the Philip and Terri Schrager Foundation, the Learning Disabilities Program became the Phil and Terri Schrager Special Needs Program. Currently, the 40 children, pre-school through eighth-grade, enrolled in the Temple Israel Religious School, Beth El Synagogue, Talmud Torah and the Jewish Community Center Child Development Center, are benefitting from the Special Needs Program, Mrs. Drazen said. "We've tried to make it as easy as possibble for parents in a potentially difficult situation to come and get help," she said. "For us to be able to enfranchise a family or a child in terms of being part of the Jewish community, receiving a Jewish education. .. I don't think it gets much better than that" Special Education certificated teachers adapt classroom materials for each student, work with teachers and provide in-class aid, Mrs. Drazen said, adding that high school and college students also help out when in-class assistance is required. The high school aides have "worked out great," Mrs. Friedman said, "because some kids just need the support of being reminded 'open your book,' need help reviewing materials or being administered tests orally. Alan is not able to write, but he's certainly able to take tests if someone asks the questions and circles the answers for him." Through the Special Needs program, Mrs. Drazen said, "our students become Bar and Bat Mitzvah in their congregations with the help, support and advocacy of the congregation's professional staff, and with the love and pride of their families." She added that, "working with this program has been a real education for me, because when I went to teachers' school, if you weren't a special education teacher, there was no expectation that you needed-to have any kind of special education training. That's not the case anymore. The trend is very much toward inclusion, but at the same time providing the special-needs student with what he or she needs." The greatest benefits of the program for Mrs. Friedman have been "Alan's self-confidence, and the opportunity to be with his Jewish peers. "Alan doesn't have a lot of physical skills, so he's not in soccer, he doesn't play the piano-his only extra-curricular activity is Hebrew School. He has

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from page 1) a fabulous memory, so Hebrew School hooks into his strongest suit. This has been the biggest joy for him, outside of school. "When the doctors told us, 'take him home and love him,* who thought he would be having a Bar Mitzvah, standing on the bimah in front of G-d and the whole community?" Support from the Special Needs program has also included making available a sign language interpreter for a hearing impaired BBYO member and providing guidance to Jewish Community Center summer camp staff concerning working with special needs campers. In addition, Mrs. Drazen said she wrote the initial grant proposal which helped to establish Yachad (together), a group offering social experiences to any Jewish person with disabilities. The group is sponsored nationally by the Orthodox Union and was started locally by Rabbi Allan Gonsher, child and family therapist. Recently, Mrs. Friedman, along with BJE, helped to establish "Kibbitz, Kvell artd Coffee," a support group for parents of kids with special needs to share concerns and' resources, and "just get together to talk," she said. The group meets every four to six weeks; the next get-together is scheduled for Jan. 22. Expressing pride in what the Special Needs Program has accomplished, Mrs. Drazen noted that, "at this point in time, the scope of our work has been limited to children enrolled ,in formal and informal educational programs. This iS much to strive toward." The program currently has an annual budget of $20,000, but "we could always use more," Mrs: Drazen said. Her wish list includes adding another research teacher, establishing a permanent endowment to provide for more extensive needs, creating an incentives scholarship for individuals wanting to specialize in social education at the undergraduate level, starting a sibling support group and providing a facilitator to lead it, and eventually, making available a residential facility on the JCC campus for special-needs adults.

"One truth is evident," Mrs. Drazen saidl. "All children in our Jewish community are entitled to a Jewish education to the best of their ability to learn, and to the best of our community's ability to provide it." "Thanks to everyone involved and the ongoing generosity of the Phil and Terri Schrager Foundation, the Bureau of Jewish Education works with our community to get closer every day to achieving that goal." Quoting the mission statement of the Consortium of Jewish Special Educators, Mrs. Drazen concluded, "It is enough that an individual is disabled. Let us not disable him as a Jew as well."

Births Linda and Todd Zimmerman announce the Dec. 27 birth of their son, Zane Dylan. They also have a daughter, Rylee Paige, 2. Grandparents are Judy and Blaine (Buddy) Roffman and Teri Greene and Mike Shrier. Dra. Mark and Cheryl Moter of Blue Springs, MO, announce the Jan. 3 birth of their son, Jacob Austin. They also have a soa, Nicholas Ryan, 2H. Grandparents are Reva and Leonard Mozer of Lincoln and Norma and Jerry Himmelberg of Omaha.

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January 10,1907

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Lincoln Center ^ It's you. It's me. It's all of us.

Board narrowing the gap at B'nai Jeshurun In an effort to brine bring generations together, foster understanding and train leadership, the Board of Trustees of the South Street Temple has elected a 14-year-old to its membership. Marc Berger, a ninth-grade honor student at Pound Middle School, will serve as a full voting board member. According to Marc Berger Temple leadership, this is an effort to elevate participation from the usual ex officio youth-group representation to one of equal responsibility and distinction. Mr. Berger, who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in 1995 and will be confirmed this spring, has an impressive record of achievement. Serving the Lincoln community at large, he is a Junior Volun•

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Rabbi Rosenbaum on Tu B'Shevat

Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum of Tifereth Israel Synagogue reminds the community that Jan. 23 is .Tu B'Shevat. He stated this holiday dates to Talmudic times when it was regarded as the new year with respect to certain agricultural laws related to "tithing." With the passage of time, it became a minor festival, rather than just an event in the Jewish calendar. During much of Jewish history, the only observance of this day was the practice of eating ifruit associated with the land of Israel. A tradition based on Deuteronomy 8:8 holds that there are five fruits and two grains associated with it as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey." To honor Tu B'Shevat, Rabbi Rosenbaum encourages people to plant trees in Israel. For more information, contact Ruth Keller at '402/423-8569, or Hadassah JNF Chair Shirley .Grant at 402M23-4355. And they shall say: This land that was desolate is become like the Garden of Eden. Ezekiel 36:35

t«(>r at Lincoln Greneral GenRrnl Hospital. Hnnnitfll. teer In school, he has functioned as a "peer mediator" for the public schools, as Vice President of the Student Council at Pound, and as a team captain of the 1996 Southeast High School Freshman Football Team (Black Squad). He has served Congregation B'nai Jeshurun as President of the Temple youth group and is asked regularly to lead the Children's Services at Religious School. Mr. Berger will also be in camp counselor training this summer at JCC Camp Interlaken in Wisconsin which he has attended for five years. Summing up the appointment as a Trustee, Rob Tobin, one of his Religious School teachers said, "Marc is a very impressive young man. Beyond being a brilliant, socially involved student, he is amazingly mature. He is undoubtedly one of the young pillars of our Jewish community and we anxiously await the contributions he will make as a Board member."

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Temple holds 'End-OfGenesis Festival' Students of the Paula Storch Williams Religious School at B'nai Jeshurun strutted their stuff during a recent Genesis Festival celebrating the conclusion of their study of the Book of Genesis. With energy, style and many tablecloths and bathrobes, the students assumed the roles of Adam, Eve, Noah, the unnamed but important Noah's wife, G-d, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, young Joseph, mature Joseph, nearly decrepit Joseph, his brothers, and the not-so-cowardly lion whose growling surely kept Noah's family awake on their 40-night cruise. Stuffed animals did the honors for the two-bytwo menagerie.

New 'residents' at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home by Bert Lewis The dictionary defines the word AVIARY as "a Wintroub families, who are the children, grandlarge enclosure or cage for the keeping, breeding or children and great-grandchildren of the late Sadie rearing of birds." To get an idea of what an aviary Corenman Wintroub. They wanted to present a gift is really like, just visit the Blumkin Home and ask in memory of their dear .one, and when the aviary idea was suggested, they agreed unanimously. to see the one near the south lounge. Sharon Conlon and Anne Joseph of the This recent acquisition always has the attention of one or more bird watchers, both residents and Theraputic Recreation Department first suggested visitors to the Home. These most recent tenants the idea of the bird village, thinking the residents are finches, canaries and quail, and their commu- would find it entertaining. Barbara Gottlieb, nity is made up of adult birds and new babies Director of the Home, agreed and urged them to pursue the project. which have been born since they moved in. After an aviary on loan proved to be a great idea, A lady in a wheelchair was observing the activity recently and informed me she had been watching it was decided to permanently install the Home's 'for the last hour as they fly around and sing to own bird sanctuary. Ms. Conlon and Ms. Joseph Bach other." She Went on to tell me how they take care of it, keeping the birds well fed, clean make her feel better 'on a bad day." A person had and happy. From the youngest toddlers to the oldest resibnly to watch for a while to know Uiis is true. This beautiful and interesting new addition to dents, everyone who watches the birds is fascinatthe Home was the gift of the Premack, Pred and ed. As Ms. Gottlieb says, "everyone loves it!"

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