February 28, 1997

1500 R ST LINCOLN NE 68508' Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service VoL LXXIV

No. 25

21 Adar, 5757

Omaha, NE

NEW YORK-The fortress-like tower that forms the facade of the Jewish Theological Seminary on Broadway and 122nd Street in Manhattan is a well-known feature.of New York City architecture.

Left devastated by a fire in 1966, the tower has stood guard over a generation of students, reaping pride at their passage, yet unable to house them or provide space for their study.

All this will change on April 1, with the announcement of a seven million dollar gift by Omaha octogenarians Rabbi Myer S. Kripke and his wife, Dorothy.

In a story that contains all the elements of an old fashioned romance-love, a chance friendship with the now-legendary financier Warren Buffet, a fateful decision and a great good fortune—the Kripkes prospered through investments in Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. • The generous gift they are bestowing upon their alma mater will enable JTS to solve its most pressing problem-a shortage of space.

"The extraordinarily generous gift by Myer and Dorothy Kripke strengthens one of the pre-eminent institutions of Jewish learning at a moment of unprecedented enrollment and drastic shortage of space," said Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor.

"Reclaiming the majestic tower- that once housed our world-clas? library will enhance the Seminary's ability to continue strengthening the center in an era of extreme polarization."

The Kripkes' gift to the Seminary might be viewed as, a belated thank-ypu note; for it was in • the class of the iale^MpriJechai Kaplan, former JTS professor and founder of Recontructionist Judaism, that the rabbi met his future wife. Mrs. Kripke attended the College of Jewish Studies (now known

as Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies), earning her degree in 1936. Rabbi Kripke was ordained in 1937.

Following their wedding at the Seminary, Rabbi Kripke served pul- £ pits in Racine, WI; | Patchogue, Long I Island; and New fc London, CT; before becoming spiritual leader of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha in 1946. He remained in that position for 29 years until his . . . retirement in 1975. Dorothy and Myer Kripke Omaha turned out to be a boon for Mrs. Kripke's career, as well. Here, she turned her creative energies to the task of writing the well-known and slillpopular Jewish children's series, Let's Talk About...

As fate would have it, Warren Buffett's wife, Susie, saw Dorothy's Let's Talk About God and called to arrange a meeting. Through the efforts of the wives, the couples developedi,an increasingly cherished friendship. After/sometime, the. Kripkes scraped together their. fuiida~and- invested in the" fledgling company owned by their friend.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Kripke went about ministering to his congregants, preaching Shabbat ser-

February 28,1997

mons and teaching at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He also began writing his column for this paper, Sparks from the Word. Selected columns were published in book form in 1988.

Mrs. Kripke continued writing her books and together they raised their three children, Saul, Madeline and Netta. After retiring, the rabbi' began teaching at Creighton University where he is still an active adjunct on the theology faculty.

By the 1990's, the Kripkes were in possession of an extraordinary nest egg, courtesy of their Berkshire Hathaway stock. Last year, they decided to make a major gift to the Seminary to renovate the damaged tower, and a deferred gift to help JTS in the future.

In a recent letter to Mrs. Kripke, Rabbi Schorsch wrote: "Many years ago, a book by you for children, Let's Talk About God, turned into a treasure. Your gift to the Seminary returns to God a part of that blessing, and young people will again be the beneficiary of your extraordinary spirit."

While reminiscing about his student days, courtship and marriage at the seminary, Rabbi Kripke quipped, "You know, I don't believe that I was charged anything for my wedding; back in those days, nobody had any money. "But I'm finally able to pay my bill, with compound interest!"

The JTS will honor the Kripkes for their generosity with a luncheon reception and program April 1. Gershon Kekst, chairman of the Seminary Board, will make the formal lannouncement of the gift, and Chancellor Schorsch'willHeliveftheaddress: :*•.•.-•.The following Shabbat, April 5, Beth El Synagogue will honor the Kripkes, and Rabbi Kripke will deliver the D'var Torah.

Federation Outreach Mission returns from Israel

Members of the mission included: Stan Krieger, seated. Front row, from left: Gayle Milder Spooner, Pam DePorte, Elyce Azriel, Pat Linn, Dennis DePorte, Laura Lee Needleman, Barbara Ault, Angela Krieger and Jan Perelman, Federation Missions Director. Second row: JoanKaiman, Sondra

Dwinell, Michele Bucher, Mike Linn, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Howard Needleman, David Greenberg and Donna Greenberg. Third row: Ron Bucher, Robin Dwinell, Henry Monsky, Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director; and Jim Spooner. Not pictured; Mindi and Scott Kotzen.

Discussants to speak after Rabbi Israel's presentation

by Gloriann Levy, JCAC Director Dr. Richard Freund and Sara Juster will be dis- of the Jewish Cultural Arts Council and current cussants following the lecture on "Jews and President of the National Council of Jewish Athletics: Should the Rabbi Wear Sweats?" at the Women, Omaha Section.

Jewish Community Center this Sunday at 7 p.m.

Rabbi Richard Israel is the author of The -iDr. Freund and Ms. Juster will each give a five- Kosher Pig and Other Curiosities of Modern minute discussion on views on Jewi? and Athletics Jewish Life. He is a marathon runner who jogs followed by questions. daily. This lecture is made possible by a grant Freund is Chairman of the Philosophy and from the Mort Richards Foundation. It is free and Religion Department of the University of Nebraska open to the public. For information, call the . . . .......... at Omaha. Juster is a lawyer and former Director JCAC at 334-6403.

by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director Twenty-three Omahans participated in a trip to Israel, unique to the Missions program of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Members of this group were composed of either interfaith couples or couples where^one spouse has converted to Judaism.

Honorary chairmen of this mission were Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel, who have been working toward this goal for several years. "This mission has been a long time in coming," said the senior rabbi of Temple Israel. "It is only a beginning for our community and we hope it will serve as a model for other communities!"

•'•'..'•• • ' Chairmen Pam and Dennis DePorte added, "It's been a-wonderful, enlightening experience to see where our Jewish roots began and continue to grow and prosper. Our group has experienced a total 'Jewish'-way of life here-frbm speaking with' our Jeep driver in the Golan to a kibbutz family."

After traveling from Tel Aviv to the Western Galilee to Jerusalem, participants expressed their emotions and observations on their return.

Many are first-time participants, but immediately felt a part of Eretz Yisrael.; . : "This trip has deepened my understanding of 'peoplehood,"* said Angie Krieger, "and the everyday challenges of Israelis." ; "I now know why I am a Jew," said Robin Dwinell, "and it has inspired me to learn more."

His wife, Sondra, added, "I know.the joy of 'coming home' to a land I thought I would never know."

"How fantastic to be able to leave footprints upon the footsteps made thousands of years ago," said MikeLinn. . , The Federation Outreach Mission was funded by the GolBsten Trust, Livingston Foundation and the Frohm Foundation. ' , '

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 28,1997

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Sparks f r*mi

by Rabbi Myer S. Kripke On Reading Torah and Writing Columns If one writes a novel, or a short story, or a play, he/she may revise it at will until he/she is satisfied that no further change is necessary. Publishers' deadlines are usually more or less flexible.

Not so with a weekly (or, worse, a daily) column.

The deadline is uncompromising and relentless.

The material must be ready on time.

I know that readers (as I often do with the work of other writers) take the matter less seriously.

But once I am in print, I'm responsible for the opinions expressed. After all, I am writing about Judaism and the meaning of the weekly Sidrah.

- Rabbinic Judaism felt that the Torah must be understood first of all in its own context. But relevance for later periodB of time required interpretation. My own interpretations are generally based on rabbinic interpretation from ancient times, first of all, but also from the medieval and modern world.

Interestingly enough, the Midrash Rabba on our Sidrah offers a suggestion that is relevant to all of this. Turning to the famous 28th chapter of Job, the Midrash suggests that the LORD Himself deliberates carefully before addressing humankind. As the chapter ends, the rabbinic interpreter notices, there are four separate verbs.

The Midrash concludes that the LORD went over His advice four times before He put it into words!

The argument is strengthened with an anecdote.

Rabbi Akiba once invited Rabbi Johanan ben Turta to read Torah at a service. He demurred. He probably knew the parashah by heart, but he replied, "Rabbi, I haven't gone over the parashah!" Rabbi Akiba accepted this reply, and other scholars present considered the refusal praiseworthy.

Many years ago, at Beth El Synagogue, I opposed Alex Katz's (z"l) proposal to prepare our most gifted youngsters to read Torah at the Sabbath services. I was afraid that their reading would not be anywhere close to his own superb reading.

I was totally wrong. With a teacher like Alex Katz, the students, gifted though they were, were required to prepare and prepare and prepare. They were tested and tested and tested before they "went on." They read wonderfully. Years later, at Harvard's Hillel, it was said that there were excellent Torah readers, since they came from yeshivot (Day School High Schools) in New York. But better ones came from Omaha, from Alex's tutelage.

One of Dorothy's publishers told her that a mother who admired one of Dorothy's books said that she must have written it off in an evening or two, since it read so easily. The publisher replied that to get that effect, it takes the author around two years to get the book done.

It is .consideration of these kinds that make me constantly apprehensive about these columns.

They may not even be a neglected footnote on an obscure moment of American Jewish history. But to me they are an opportunity to teach Judaism.

I would never accept that opportunity-without responsibility.

• What you read here may have taken a month and three or four revisions to become this column.

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Deaths NORMAN JAMES WEINER

Services for Norman J. Weiner of Gloucester, MA, were held Feb. 16 in Sharon, MA. Survivors include his wife, Anne D. (Schwartz) Weiner, Omaha; a son, Barry Y. Weiner, Magnolia, MA; a daughter, Sandra S. Bromley, Omaha; a brother, Dr. Melvin Glimcher, Boston; a sister, Natalie Levanson, Sharon; six granchildren, Karen Hunter and Joan Phillips, Omaha; Barbara Axelson, Wichita Falls, TX; Susan Netsch, Phoenix; Amy R. Weiner, New York; Matthew J. Weiner, Magnolia, MA; six great-grandchildren.

Memorials'to the Seacoast Nursing and Retirement Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930.

PHUJP W. BECKER Services for Philip W. Becker, 88, were held Feb. 25 at the Manhattan Jewish Congregation in Manhattan, KS, with burial at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Ida (Goldstein) Becker, and brothers and sisters.

Survivors include a son, Andrew D., Manhattan; daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Joe Erman, Omaha; and four grandchildren, Ryan and Hayden Becker and Mark and Dana Erman.

Memorials to Manhattan Jewish Congregation.

CHARLES FELLMAN

Services for Charles Fellman were held Feb. 25 at Beth El Synagogue. Burial was at Beth El Cemetery. He died Feb. 23 at the age of 94.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose.

Shyken Fellman.

Survivors include son, Gerry, Pasadena, CA, and and his wife, Jane Hallock Fellman; son, Gordon, Cambridge, MA; four brothers, Dave, Abe, Joe and Harry; and a sister, Sarah Henoch.

A full-page picture of Mr. Feliman appeared in the New York Times Sunday Magazine when, at age 90, he was one of a dozen Omahans in their 90's featured in an article entitled "Fashions of the '90s."

Memorials to Beth El Synagogue, Nebraska Jewish Historical, Society and the. Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Hiddush Levanah to host celebration

by Eliane Freund, Co-coordinator The Omaha Jewish Women's Spirituality and New Moon Network will host a Jewish New Moon celebration in honor of the upcoming Hebrew month of Adar II. Adar II, which contains the festival of Purim, is , according to the rabbis, a favorable time to be joyous and grateful for the miraculous survival of the Jewish People in ancient Persia, due in large measure to the efforts of Queen Esther.

Through prayer, meditation, song and discussion, we will create a unique spiritual encounter. "I encourage participants to dress in costume in keeping with the theme of Purim," said Deirdre Evans, event co-coordinator. I t would be a delight if we could reunite some of our participants from our original program in 1995 at the JCC." .

The event, co-sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council, will be held Sunday, March 9, from 7-9 p.m., at the home of Deirdre Evans, 418 N. 38th St. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Deirdre Evans at 551-9005 or me at 556-7065.

A Jewish Senior Services Program

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February 28, 1997

TEMPLE ISRAEL Member of the Union of American , Hebrew Congregations 7023 Case Street, Omaha, HE C&I32 .

55S-6538 -

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd St, Omaha, NE 68104 • S50-6288

FRIDAY: . Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m. Services will be conducted by grade six students, Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius. .

The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Temple Sisterhood.

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.

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.

FRTOAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood.

"Parsha of the Week," a course led by Yakova Herzig, 4 p.m., at the home of the Herzigs; Chumash class with Rabbi Kutner, 5:20 p.m. at the synagogue. , Mincha, 5:50 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah.

• SUNDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m.

Class with Rabbi Kutner, 10 aan.

Mincha, 6 p.m.

Simcha B'Shabbat^ATrfnformal Shabbat service that includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts.

SUNDAY: Outreach, 10 a.m.-noon: Come find out what customs, ceremonies and naming practices surround the birth of a Jewish child. The program is open to the community.

ADULT EDUCATION March 6-Sisterhood Adult Education: 9:3011 aan.., Rabbi Azriel will continue teaching from the Pulitzer prize winning book God, A Biography,

by Jack Miles.

7:30-8:30 p.m., "Beyond Midrash," led by Don Schwartz.

TOT SHABBAT SERVICE Friday, March 7,7 p.m.

A short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice will be held for toddlers through children in the primary grades and their families.

BEYT SHALOM An Affiliate of the

< ' ! Jewish' ReeonStructionist Federation * P.O. Boat 241130, Omaha, NE08124-&130 758-9233 • - http://omnhafreenet.org/beyt6hal FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday night at 3012 S. 119th St., Omaha.

SUNDAY: Religious School at Westside Community Education Center, 108th and Grover in Omaha.

Contact Dr. Marty Rosenberg for placement at 3909062.

Please check the Beyt Shalom information line at 758-9233 for weather-related schedule changes.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of the Worldwide ChabadvLubavitch Movement 1322 So. 119th Sfc, Omaha, NE 68154 697-1124 ', WEB-www.mctBwixe.com/chahailaeb E-IVIAIL~Shliach©aoLc6ni >

SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddish. .

WEDNESDAYS: Talmud classes, 9:30 a.m.

THURSDAYS: Advanced Talmud, noon Yiddish "Hooked on Yiddish lessons,-Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

HOSE BLUIU1KIM JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, led by Steve Riekes and assisted by Albert Friedman, start at 9 a.m.

Members of the community are invited to join residents for the service and the Kiddish.

OFFUTT FRIDAY: Services start at 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: 7:30 p.m.-Basic

Jewish

Thought, a class with Rabbi Kutner.

8:30 p.m.-Synagogue Skills I, Torah reading.

WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL

,

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

Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenba'um.

Minyans on Mondays and Thursdays, 7:15 a.m.

FRDJAY: Services start at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. •'•{•>:, SUNDAY: Sessions about Shabbat, 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, March 8: Professor Alan Steinweis will speak on "The Judaic Program at UNL~What's Happening?"

CONGREGATION B'NAIJESHURUN $OUTH STREET TEMPLE Member, of Hie Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2061S. 20th S t , Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 Services are officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

TUESDAY: Adult Education, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Choir practice, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat services at 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Torah study and service, 10 a.m.

SUNDAY: Hebrew school,'9 a.m.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Pago 3

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE, Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14606California,Omaha;NE681S4 492-8550 WEB-httpa'/omahafi-eenet.OJ'g/bethel .

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.

FRDDAY: Services.start at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services start at 9:30 a.m. Kiddish following services.

Sitter service starts at 10 a.m. '• TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 a.m.

Shabbat story time, first and third Sat., 11 a.m.; Ktantan, second and fourth Saturday, 11 a.m.

Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 6:05 p.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

MEN'S CLUB: Men's Club will sponsor a breakfast March 16, 9:45 am. Congressman Jon Christensen will Speak. Bagels and coffeecake will be served.

Beth Israel Sisterhood to host hat fashion show and sale Beth Israel Sisterhood is planning a Fashion Show with the participation of Sisterhood models at the upcoming March Luncheon. A wide assortment of casual and dress Spring/Summer hats will be for sale.

"This is the third time Sisterhood has offered this program, due to its huge popularity and past success," said program facilitator Eliane Freund.

"The hats are once again being provided by the Hat Mart in St. Louis. They are moderately priced and varied in style to accommodate all hat aficionados," she added.

The luncheon and program are open to both Sisterhood members and non-members. It will take place at Beth Israel Synagogue, 1502 N. 52nd St., Tuesday, March 11, at 12:30 p.m.

Cost is $4.50. Reservations must be made by March 6, to Bernice Cohen at 558-3423.

Scholar and performer at Temple Israel Dr. Elliot Engel will present a special insight into one of the most read of all English authors as he looks at Charles Dickens and the Jews Tuesday, March 4,7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel.

His lecture will cover Dickens' imagination and will demonstrate that the author's life was far more astonishing than any. of his novels.

He currently teaches at North Carolina State Univer-sity. He has won' awards for teaching both at State and U.C.L.A., where he previously taught.

Dr. Engel has appeared on PBS and his writings have appeared in Newsweek magazine as well as being published by MacMillan Press of London and Garland Press of New York.

The lecture is co-sponsored by First United Methodist Church. Admission is free.

David Schneider, the son_ of Cindy and Jerry " "" FRD3AY: Services are conducted every Friday Schneider, will be called F Shabbat Eve at 7:30 p.m. Randy Freund and his to the Torah as a Bar Japanese wife, Emiko, will present their views of Mitzvah March 8 at Temple Israel.

"The Jews of Japan."

•' •'. A Beventh-grade stuAn Oneg Shabbat follows services. dent at Westside Middle »^V School, he enjoys comJoint Shabbat in Lincoln scheduled puters, music, rollerblading and competing The annual Lincoln Joint Shabbat will be held f onhisGo-Ped. Friday, March 21, 7:45 pirn., at the South Street David has a brother, MichaeT" Temple.

-.••.'.•••.••• Grandparents are Cynthia and Charlie Schneider The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Mark and Joyce and Ed Cerise. and Nancy Intermit! and Chuck and Lynn Kuba.

Great-grandmother is Rose Blumkin.

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 28,1897

Editorial Monsky, Beber, Klutznick and, now...Kripke For such a small community, Omaha has produced giants among the annals of the greater American Jewish world.

Prom Henry Monsky's assistance to Father Flanagan in creating Boys Town to Myer and Dorothy Kripke's generous gift to the Jewish Theological Seminary, Omahans have made their presence known far beyond the boundaries of the Missouri River and the Great Plains.

The Kripkes are to be congratulated, not just for their foresight in investing in one of the world's most successful ventures, Berkshire Hathaway, and not just for turning those profits into a charitable gift. They deserve praise because they never shouted and asked for recognition for themselves.

Rabbi Kripke quietly went about his business, writing columns for this paper, lecturing to hundreds of students at UNO and then Creighton; Dorothy Krioke educated generations of children with her books, including her latest, Let's Talk About Shabbat, just published this year.

Yasher Kochachim to the Kripkes: may they continue living in strength and be role models to us all.

FOCUS ON ISSUES

Our man in Israel

Carl AJpert

The battle over immodest dress

Netanyahu firm on conversion in talks with American rabbis

by Debra Nussbaum Cohen

This is a fact of nature which we must accept, she NEW YORK (JTA) - Reform and Conservative continues, and cites modern socio-biological theo- rabbinic leaders are frustrated - but not surprised ries which justify this apparent imbalance.

- that they have been unable to stop pending legisWomen are well aware that the nature of their lation that would end any possibility of recognizing dress dictates the degree of attention which they non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel. receive from men.

The l a t e s t effort by U.S. Reform and But, she goes on, "We feminists should strive to Conservative leaders came in a recent meeting be conspicuous not just because we are women, but with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. as human beings with their own personalities and "The only thing he promised us was a continuatalents. We want to merit the appreciation of our tion of the discussion in a friendly way," said Rabbi fellow human beings. :.

Eric Yoffie,'president of the Union of American "A revealing costume, which arouses the sexual Hebrew CongUegationji... .: '^ivfil!:;; :.uiT Mi.wu% urge in men, results in contempt and attitude of Netanyahu "listened, expressed some degree of cheapness on their p^Pt, and frequently leads to aggression, and even violence. There is no point in empathy and basically said that his hands were ignoring this and demanding the right to dress in tied," said Rabbi Jerome Epstein, executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative exhibitionist manner. • .

"We can fulfill our desire for equality in the fields Judaism.

"I don't think he understands that he's delegitof politics and economics. It's not' worth wasting energy pursuing freedom to go stripped. Let's seek imizing 85 to 90 percent of American Jewry," positions of power in the government and in the which is represented by the liberal movements, economy" on the basis of our intrinsic worth, she Epstein said. "The meeting allowed us to express to concludes. him the real possibility for a schism in world The editors of the bulletin appended a reply. In Jewry." their opinion, man is above an animal. A male who The proposed Israeli legislation, while affirming cannot control himself belongs in prison. It is the Orthodox monopoly over conversions performed inconceivable that women should stay home in Israel, would not affect the current practice of because men are unable to withstand temptation. recognizing conversions performed abroad.

They recall that when Golda Meir had been However, the bill would require all residents arid asked to advise women to remain at home and thus citizens of Israel who want to convert to Judaism avoid rape, she had replied: "Men are the rapists; to do so within the Jewish state. they should remain at home."

Currently, non-Jews can study and prepare for But the spokesperson for the Women's Lobby conversion to Judaism in Israel under the nonbases her stand on broader grounds.

Orthodox movements' auspices and then finalize What is at stake, she maintains, is not just a the process in the Diaspora. Under the Law of matter of dress, but the wider attack which has Return, they arrive back in Israel with their status been launched by the extremist-religious elements as Jews recognized by the government. on the role of women in many spheres of public life.

Last year, the Israeli government authorized the That assault the Women's Lobby is dedicated to conversion of 350 people in Israel. Several times as combatting on every front. many people were converted by the Reform and The "birds and Ibe bees' Conservative movements in the Diaspora, returnaren't enough. ing to Israel as Jews, say representatives of those T>lklobtr«bouldnijj!

American Heart movements. .. .'•••.

Communication can stop

HAIPA-In recent months there has been controversy in Israel on the subject of female dress.

A large supermarket, located in a predominantly haredi neighborhood, barred the entrance of women dressed "immodestly," this apparently at the insistence of leaders of the religious communityIn a number of instances, women crossing by a corner of Meah Shearim in Jerusalem were subjected to vilification and alleged physical abuse because of their short skirts or bared arms.

The religious campaign against public posters : and billboards depicting women in scanty dress has continued, with the ripping off or defacement of such posters.

Vigorous protests have been voiced, particularly by opponents of "religious coercion" and by feminist groups, chief among them the Women's Lobby, headed by Alice Shalvi. Yet, a recent issue of the official bulletin of the Lobby carried a dissenting note from one of the readers.

Identifying herself as not religious, and as a confinned feminist since childhood, who had deliberately chosen what had been considered a.male prof( ision (electronic engineering) to show that v omen had no less capability than men, Dr. ( aanah Garni of Haifa holds to a different line on 1 le subject of dress.

In the first place, she writes, why all the fuss?

Why should women fight for the right to bare their limbs? To the contrary, they should insist on a covering which in summer protects them from the baneful influence of the sun on the skin, and in winter keeps them warm.

But she goes beyond the physically practical and makes out a case for modest dress on other grounds as well. She writes: "I know that the sexual urge in men is greater than that in women, and that men are more easily sexually stimulated than women."

Association^

tht pmblan befon it stuns.

Be informed. Cat!

Fighting Heart Disease and Strata

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Levinger, Vice President; Lloyd Roitstein, Treasurer; Jane Rips, Secretary; Bob Birt; Cynthia Epstein; Steve Danon; Marci Gallner; Joanie Jacobson; Sheryl Lee; Fred Mogul; George Schapiro; Howard Silber; Fred Tichauer; Sylvia Wagner.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board, the Jowish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content.

The Jew)sh Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment. ' • • ' • .

February 28,1997 COMMENTARY

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Supreme Court challenge to RFRA generates concern in Jewish world

Memo to the Swiss:: Do the right thing

. by Daniel Kurtzman

by Abraham H. Foxman And on the same day, Swiss President Arnold The issue of Switzerland's role during WWII and WASHINGTON (JTA) - The Supreme Court the way it is addressing the matter today won't go Roller expressed to Israeli Prime Minister heard arguments last week in a constitutional away unless Swiss leaders and bankers go beyond Benjamin Netanyahu "the deep regret of the Swiss challenge to a federal law that the Jewish commu"business as'usual" and take some extraordinary government over the monstrous, unspeakable nity has heralded as one of the most important wrong of the Holocaust," and a commitment to find developments for religious liberty this century. moral initiative.

The justices began grappling with questions of This was the message we conveyed to the Swiss the "full truth."

What should happen now? First, the two commis- whether Congress exceeded its legislative authoriin a series of meetings an Anti-Defamation League delegation had with government and banking offi- sions must pursue the truth. Secondly, they must ty in adopting the Religious Freedom Restoration Act-a law that says government cannot "substancials in Berne and Zurich. It was apparent to us implement the proposal for a humanitarian fund.

These funds should go primarily to Jewish caus- tially burden" a person's religious freedom unless that the Swiss had taken certain important steps, particularly the decisions to set up two commis- es (Jewish Holocaust survivors in need, Jewish there is a compelling government interest. sions to investigate the past and to suspend the institutions that have barely survived in Central Jewish groups across the gamut, together with a hallowed secrecy laws of the banking system to Europe, Jewish museums and historical institu- broad coalition of religious and civil rights organitions which help preserve the history and memory zations, were instrumental in pushing the legislafacilitate the investigation. .

It was also obvious to us that looking squarely at of those who perished, and institutions in Israel tion through Congress in 1993. , the past was not easy for them; it was indeed working with children), but also can be used to With RFRA, as the legislation is commonly painful. After all, Swiss mythology has it that its fight against afflictions which do not discriminate known, now under constitutional scrutiny, more people were heroic in maintaining neutrality and among religions or ethnicities. than 60 religious groups forming the Coalition for avoiding conflict while war raged all around them.

Hunger, poverty, disease, and homelessness are the Free Exercise of Religion have defended legal We noted that thanks to the tenacious and com- not problems visited on any one group of people; challenges to RFRA at the state level. They also mendable efforts of the World Jewish Congress, they are, however, problems that could be amelio- joined in a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court justices to uphold the law. among others, some progress has been made but rated by the money in this fund. without a moral resolution of the issues, internaAt the same time, because anti-Semitic attitudes Acting U.S. Solicitor General Walter Dellinger tional efforts would inevitably continue. have surfaced in Switzerland in recent months, the also supported the law, saying that it was needed We tried to make them understand that the Jews leaders of the country must address the issues of to protect the rights of minority religious groups. are not the cause of their current problems, rather, public attitudes toward Jews, the Holocaust and The law, passed by a near-unanimous margin in it is their unwillingness to deal with the past that the past in a serious way. Now is a tune for Swiss Congress and signed into law with strong support was. They will not be judged by the acts of their educational and political leaders to promote educa- from President Clinton, was aimed at encouraging parents and grandparents, we said, but by the way tional programs for the young, which will include governments to accommodate religious practices. teaching about the Holocaust and raising issues they deal with the issues confronting them. . Under the law, federal, state and local governIn light of these realities, our message to Swiss concerning the moral dilemmas facing Switzerland ments must show a."compelling" interest before leaders was that they could not go on conducting during and after the war. interfering with the practice of religion. "business as usual." They could not allow their conThe choice for Switzerland seems clear either to The law, which created a much higher standard cerns about the Swiss way of doing things justify- be dragged, kicking and screaming, to face the for government regulation, was enacted in not developing an imaginative approach. They . truth slowly or to pursue a magnanimous act to set response to a controversial 1990 ruling by the need, simply, to make a quantum leap to morality, itself on the right road and indeed, to become a Supreme Court. to move beyond legalisms to a demonstration of moral example to other moral accountability. nations.

Don't say 'Bureau for the Aging'...

Abraham H. FoxSince our return to the United States we have say Jewish Senior Services been heartened by several developments. Rainer man is National DiGut, Chairman of Credit Suisse Bank, announced rector of the Antihis recommendation that a humanitarian fund for Defamation League.

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NCJW Kit Assemblcy, 8:30 ajn.

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Temple Israel Men's Club Brunch, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Visions Spring Tea Dance & Dinner, 2 p.m., DC Center

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1$ Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. j ; Resettlement Committee Meeting, 7 pin Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Educate ' 9:30 ajn., at ,Temple Israel ' % Jewish Women International Donor • Luncheon, noon, atRosalie'Greenspai

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THURSDAY, MARCH 6 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m.

JCAC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. , .r, Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Education, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel FRTOAY, MARCH 7 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Temple Israel NFTY Social Action Weekend March 7-9, Springfield, Mo. ' Temple Israel Ministers Institute, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel > • Beth El USY Conclave, March 7-9, at Beth El

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TUESDAY, MARCH 11 | JCAC Intermediate Hebrew Class, noon; BBYO Advancement Board Meeting, 7 p CDCC Parent Education Speaker, 7 pjn Drivers Ed Class, 6 p.m. • Beth Israel Sisterhood Board Meeting & Luncheon, 11 a.m., at Beth Israel j Temple Israel Torah on Wheels," noonj out of the building | Temple Israel Family School, 6:30 p.m|! at Temple Israel fj Beth El Executive Committee Meeting;^ 7:30 p.m., at Beth El §

MONDAY, MARCH 3 YES Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Spring CJL Classes, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4 Friedel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at the school Beth Israel Sisterhood Study Group, 10 a.m., at Beth Israel Temple Israel Family School 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Temple Israel Sisterhood Board Meeting, 7 p.m:, : at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 CDC Omaha Symphony, 9:30 a.m.

JCAC Derekh Torah Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Breadbreakers, noon, Highland Country Club

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Temple IsraelScholar-in-Residence, March 14-16, at Temple Israel Beth El Lunch & Learn, 12:15 p.m., at E Beth El USY Kadimah Kinnus, MarchJ. at Beth El •

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 j Michael Hellman Bar Mitzvah, 9:30 a.n atBethEl I Beth El BESTT Consecration, third grift 6 p.m., at Beth El |

All events held at the Jewlslf

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BJE Israel Preparatory Class, 12:30 p.m.

Boy Scouts Purim Carnival & Skits, 4 p.m.

Resettlement Dreams & Realities Meeting, 2 p.m.

Temple Israel Religious School, 2nd Grade Purim Concert, 10:30 a.m., at the Blumkin Home Federation Family Mission Recruitment, 7 p.m., at the home of Paul and Sandy Epstein Anne Frank & Me Performance, 7:30 p.m., JCC Theatre MONDAY, MARCH 17 YES Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Anne Frank & Me Performance, 7:30 p.m., JCC Theatre TUESDAY, MARCH 18 NCJW Meeting, noon Young Jewish Omaha "Tuesday Night Out," 5:30 p.m., Julio's Temple Israel "Food for Thought," 11:30 a.m., at Temple Israel Temple Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Anne Frank & Me Performance, 7:30 p.m., JCC Theatre .

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 Breadbreakers, noon, Highland Country Club Temple israertlGGS, noon, at Temple Israel Anne Frank & Me Performance, 7:30 p.m., JCC Theatre Temple Israel OTYG Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple Beth El Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El. .THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m.

Library Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m.

BJE Board Meeting, 7:30"p,m.

Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Eduation, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel Beth El USY Night, 6:30 p.m., at Beth El Anne Frank & Me Performance, 7:30 p.m., JCC Theatre

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Jewish Press

February 28, X997

Organizations YES YES will meet Monday at the JCC. Board meeting will start at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room.

English class starts at 10 a.m. Exercise and bingo both start at 10:30. "YES Talk" discussion group and YES choral group both meet at 11 a.m.

Following lunch at noon, Mark Kraft, candidate for City Council, will speak. For transportation, call 330-4272.

•The Purim party is Monday, March 24. Call Reva Oruch by March 17 for reservations, 3918344. Musical entertainment by Tuffy Epstein Duo. Cost is $5. Please pay for lunch the day of the party. Sorry, no walk-ins.

Reservation deadline is March 13 for the trip to Winnavegas Casino on March 20. Cost is $5. Call Margaret at 334-6521.

YES/OLJ)TIMERS/VISIONS/RUSSIAN CLUB

The Theatre at the "«F will present Anne Frank « and Me Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. Special group rate is $5 per person.

Reservations with full payment must be received

by March 10. Call Margaret at 334-6521.

WALK-IN DROP-IN

Walk-In Drop-In will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise and English class 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., come watch the documentary "Moshe Dayan~A Warrior's Story," in room 10. An extraordinary look at the warriorstatesman who personified the fighting spirit of his nation.

For transportation, call 330-4272.

New Jewish Singles Group announces kick-off party

VISIONS *Visions board meeting is Friday, March 7, 9:30 a.m., at the JCC. *March membership luncheon meeting is Friday, March 21, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia's Venice Inn. Cost is $6.50 per person. Bob Wolfson, Director of the Anti-Defamation League, will speak.

Send reservation form by March 14 to Vera Lewis, 5424 Lafayette Ave., Omaha, NE 68132.

•Visions members are asked for a monetary donation in order for Jewish Family Services to buy Passover food for families in need. Donations can be left at the Blumkin Home front desk for Margaret's attention or can be brought to, the membership luncheon meeting.

If you wish to make a donation by check, it should be made out to Jewish Family Services Passover fund. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. *Come explore the newly-refurbished Western Heritage Museum Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. Then off to dinner at the original Caniglias. Cost is $12.50 per person and includes admission to the museum, dinner, tax and tip. Send reservation form by March 28 to Harry Alloy, 5811 Nicholas St., Omaha, NE 68132.

•Visions presents "Branson in the Spring" with six great shows May 5-8. Cost is $399 per person double occupancy, and $479 single occupancy (includes discount coupon).

Send reservation application with $50 deposit per person by April 5 to Sam and Rosalie Epstein, c/o Visions, 9205 Western Ave., #325, Omaha, NE 68114. Make checks payable to Visions.

In the News

by Stuart Leonard Singles Advisory Board The newly formed Omaha-Area Jewish Singles Group, Age 35+, will hold a beer-tasting party as a kick-off event. The party will be held at the JCC Saturday, March 15, at 8 p.m.

The occasion provides the opportunity to meet new faces from our diverse and talented Omaha Jewish 35-and-over singles population, and also reunite with old friends. The newly-formed group is sponsored by Jewish Family Service.

The party will feature micro-brewed beers, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Admission is $5, and dress is casual.

Please RSVP to JFS at 330-2024, by Tuesday, March 11. Future monthly events will be announced soon.

Michael E. Sigmond of Omaha, a sophomore at Franklin & Marshall College, was named to the Dean's List for the Fall 1996 semester by achieving a 3.0 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Michael, son of Diane Axler Baum of Omaha, is a 1995 graduate of Central High School.

Former CNN correspondent named director of Israel Bonds New Leadership Linda Scherzer, former Mideast correspondent for CNN, has been chosen to head up the New Leadership Division of Israel Bonds North ' America. | Born in Montreal, \ Scherzer received her ; ' B.A. from Brandeis Uni- ' versity and her masters < j in journalism from the !

Medill School of'; Journalism at North- 1' western University, f CNN assigned her to '-. the Jerusalem in 1988.

Linda Scherzer In 1993, she made aliyah and was hired by Mabat, the news program of Israel Television as the first North American to work as an on-air correspondent for the Hebrew news. She returned to New York to work for Israeli consulate Colette Avital before being appointed to her current position with Israel Bonds.

Israel Bonds available for IRA investment

Jeff Bernstein, Director of the Minneapolis office of Israel Bonds, announced several options available to holders of Individual Retirement Accounts.

The 5th Individual Variable Rate Issue Bond (IVRI) can be purchased in an IRA for a minimum of $2000. It pays an annual interest rate of 5%, plus 1/2 the excess of prime over that, (subject to adjustment on June 1 and Dec.l). The current rate for IVRI is 6.625%, if purchased by April 30.

Another example he cited is the Zero Coupon Bond. The 7.4% yield to maturity and current price of $2872 per unit applies to bonds purchased until March 7. Each unit purchased will mature to $6000 on March 14, 2007.

For more.information, contact the Israel Bonds office at 1-800-752-5659.

Sheri Idelman was recently elected 1997-98 Board Chair for CHAD (Combined Health Agencies Drive) of Nebraska.

Michael Shrier, of Goldberg, Shrier and Ekstrom, was elected Treasurer.

Ed Laudin K2UK scholarship offered

The Chaverim of Delaware Valley, Inc., a nonprofit amateur radio organization, announced a scholarship, will be offered to Jewish post-secondary students in academic, technical and graduate programs.

Max Katz, son of Richard Katz and Amy FillerThe applicants must hold amateur radio licenses; Katz, has had one of his drawings published in there is no age limit. The award is based on scholthe March 1997 issue of Highlights for Children arship and financial need. magazine.

Applications are available now from: the Max is a Cub Scout, plays Little League base- Chaverim of Delaware Valley, Sylvfa Soble, ball and participates in the Junior Great Books WS3SLF, 9357 Hoff St., Philadelphia, PA., 19115program. .

4706. Deadline for applicants is June 1.

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February 28,1997

Friedel participates in Civic Oration contest

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Bert's Eye View

by Bert JJBWIS I got my car washed the other day. Wait a minute. Do I hear you saying "so what do you want me to do, applaud?" In case you haven't noticed, we've had a rather long stretch of lousy weather which precluded anything more than thinking about having the car washed. Ok. That's settled.

So there I was, in the gas station, fixing it so my fuel gauge no longer pointed to E (remembering that my brother told me years ago that "E doesn't stand for enough"). It was very cold, but for a change, it wasn't snowing. There wasn't a lot of Joel LeMaistre, first row, left, won first place in Friedel Jewish Academy's Woodman of the customer activity, which prompted me to as if the World Civic Oration contest. Runner-up was Shoshy Shrago, back row, second from right. Both fella servicing the car would maybe drive it will compete in the district contest next month. Other students who participated were, front through the carwash. row, from left: Joel, Adam Gendleman, Yoni Freund, Jason Rich, Moshe Herzig, Aryeh Bloom, He assured me he would, and in fact he did.

Adam Trubnikov; back row. Kysenia Bublikova, Rachel Katzman, Talia -Eisenberg-Kohll, That's what caused all my excitement....my car is Renata Yurikov, Brittney Bshelman, Ben Gerber, Shoshy, Daniel Ocanto and Yuliy Pisctsky. now (for the moment) clean. I won't have to search endlessly for it in a parking lot because I can't identify it under the mud. I no longer need to think of it as my 'shmutzmobile'; I can just get in and out Rabbi Howard and Nadine Kutner announce without wondering if I'm getting filth all over my ALTSULER/GOREL Denise and Stef Gorel and Joan and Arnold the Jan. 20 birth of twin sons, Yechiel Michel and slacks and/or coat.

I don't have to hear "I didn't think you were there Eliyahu Meir, named after their great-great-greatAltsuler announce the because I didn't see your car," when my car was grandfathers. engagement of their Grandparents are Nat and Estelle Kutner of there-it was just in disguise. daughter and son, Kim I needn't be embarrassed to take a passenger Gorel and Kent Altsuler.

Forest Hills, N.Y., and Gerald and Marilyn Siegel \ with me, complete with "please excuse the looks of of Silver Springs, MD. Ms. Gorel is a Phi Beta Greatgrandmother is Rose Siegel of New York this car, and don't get yourself dirty" warnings.

Kappa graduate of the Of course I realize this is only a temporary condiUniversity of Texas, City. tion. It's just a matter of time before I'll be right where she was a memDaniel and Sayaka Rochman of Falls Church, back to 'shmuztville' again, but in the meantime, ber of Epsilon Phi sororiVA* announce the Jan. 31 birth of their son, I'm enjoying absence of every description of dirt. ty. She attended the All of which tells me there must be something University of Texas Thomas Tetsu. He has a brother, Andrew, 2.

School of Law with a Grandparents are Jack and Marcia Cohen and missing in my life—let's face it, if a clean car causes semester at Queen Mary and Westfield College in Dick Rochman of Omaha, and Akiko Aoki of Tokyo, all this jubilation, I apparently don't have too many reasons for celebration!

London. She is an attorney with the law firm of Japan. .•.-..

On the other hand, maybe it's only a case of being Coats Rose Yale Holm Ryman & Lee in Houston.

She is the granddaughter of Esther and Max John and Wendy Vann announce the Jan. 16 over-wintered, if there's such a phrase. What I mean is, I'm so tired of snow and freezing temperaBuchman of Sunrise, PL, and the late Mae and Joe birth of their son, Jacob Steven., Gorel of El Paso, Texas: Grandparents are, Howard and Judy Vann of tures, aren't you? I'm at the place where I ask " Mr. Altsuler graduated from Duke University Omaha and Steve and Rita Hughes of Syracuse, myself that very old question: "Why couldn't my ; Zadas keep going a bit further west or southwest, . ' "• magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and NY., received a Fullbright Scholarship to Korea. He was Great-grandparents aref Howard and Freda Miller instead of settling here in this climate?"

I know the "first, of the family who stopped here a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He will grad- of Port Hueneme, CA/and Cecelia Baron of must have thought this is perfect, but maybe they uate in May.ff<Jm*>ttte University W Texas School Coloma, NJ. were a little premature. Well, it's too late now. This Law and will then be associated with Fulbright & is the place and it is subject to season change and Jaworskim Houston. . .

READERS::. the winters are cold. So be it.

He is the grandson of Jane Elise and Dr. Abner I'm still excited about getting my car washed.

Burg of Houston and the late Leon Levi, and Ruth Please tell our advertisers You think I'm nuts? Sue me. and Harry Altsuler of Omaha. you saw their ads in the Jewish Press A May wedding is planned at Congregation Beth Israel, Houston. /

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Jewish Community Center offers camp programs

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by Beth Cohen, JCC Youth Services Director The Jewish Community Center of Omaha offers a variety of camp programs for youth who will be age two through those entering eighth grade in the Fallbfl997.

Camp Shalom is a half-day day camp for children age two through five years old; Camp Chaverim is Calendar of Events for March a full-day day camp for entering kindergarten through second grade. Camp Chai is a full-day day BBYO camp for entering third and fourth graders; Saturday, March 8: Specialty Camp is a specialized day camp program Training for Chapter presidents and vice-presifor youth entering fifth through eighth grade. dents. See Lance Polikov or- Jessica Chait for While each of the day camp programs are details. unique, they all offer the opportunity for children MZ program, TBA to grow and develop physically, intellectually and Saturday, March 15: emotionally in programs emphasizing Jewish culEdiar program, TBA;iMZ--6-fold program ture and values. All of our campers will also spend Sunday, March 16: time each week with our Shaliack (Israeli Anne Frank and Me opens; BBYO to attend Counselor), in addition to enjoying sports activi- 2 p.m. show; Weizmarin program, TBA ties, art, nature and swimming. .

Saturday, March 22: AZA #1 program, TBA Sunday, March 30: Ediar program, TBA All-day camps are open to JCC members only.

The Jewish Community Center also offers Camp MZ program, TBA Jay-C-C, a two-week overnight camp, which runs Ongoing events for March: this year from July 21 through Aug. 3. It is open to BBYO night, every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. at the JCC campers entering third through eighth grade. You BBYO Basketball: March 4, 11 and 18, 6:30do not need to be a member of the JCC to attend 9 p.m., at the JCC this camp.

Spring Convention applications are circulating.

At Camp J-C-C, your child will enjoy the close- Deadline is April 1. ness of a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio while engaging For more information about B'nai B'rith Youth in a wide variety of activities including horseback Organization or JCC Senior High Department proriding, swimming, fishing, sports, Judaic art, grams, call advisor Lisa Shkolnick, 334-6404. leather craft, cooking, Shabbat planning, and artsOTYG n-crafts. Campers observe Shabbat as a communiSaturday, March 1: ty with a festive dinner and services. The camp Temple Racers game; 6:15 p.m. operates a VAAD-supervised kosher kitchen and Friday, March 7: has a nurse on site 24 hours a day.

Shabbat service, Klezmer music, 8:15 p.m.

Nodedim, or travel camp, is for JCC members Sunday, March 9: entering fifth through eighth grade. This year,' "Everything You Wanted to Know About Nodedim will travel to US Space Camp in Florida Judaism," 2-4 p.m. from June 29 through July 4. Campers will experi- Sunday, March 23: Purim Carnival, noon-2 p.m. ence zero gravity, build and launch their own For more information about Omaha Temple model rocket, see an IMAX movie, tour Kennedy Youth Group, call Mark Spizman, 354-5924. .

Space Center, and take off in a simulated Space USY Shuttle launch. <.:•<• Registration for summer camp opens on Camp Saturday, March 1: USY program, 7 pjn.

Day, March 9, from 1-3 p.m. in the JCC Thursday, March 6: USY night, 6:30 p.m.

Auditorium. Campers registering on Camp Day Friday-Sunday, March 7-9: USY Conclave will receive special prizes, and parents will receive Saturday, March 8: T.S.S. seventh grade lunch, noon an early registration discount.

Thursday, March 20: USY night, 6:30 p.m.

The Jewish Community Center's full-day day Saturday, March 22: camps, Specialty Camps and Nodedim are accredUSY Purim carnival set-up party, 10 p.m. ited by the American Camping Association. ACA Sunday, March 23: accreditation assures parents that JCC camps USY/Kadimah Purim extravaganza have met the highest standards in the camping For more information about United Synagogue industry in the areas of program, safety, personYouth programs, call advisor Michael A. Levine, nel, facility and administration.

For information on any of these summer camp 492-8550.

SR. NCSY programs, call 334-6409. . Staff positions are also open for all camps by con- Saturday, March 1: Purim preparation, Shlach Manot, 7:30tacting Ms. Cohen.

9:30 p.m., at the Gonsher's Thursday, March 6 arid March 20: Pizza meeting and learning with Mrs. Herzig Thursday, March 13: Learning with Mrs. Herzig Sunday, March 16: ' Purim preparation, Shlach Manot, 1:30-3 p.m.

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Purim preparation and mask making, 3:305 p.m., at Beth Israel. ' .. • Thursday, March 20: Past of Esther Saturday, March 22: Megillah reading, Ice Cream Social Sunday, March 23: ' Purim, Purim Seudah, "Night of Fun." For more information about National Conference of Synagogue Youth programs, contact advisor Allan Gonsher, 330-4014 (W) or 568-2767 (H).

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 28,1997

Temple Israel Outreach presents Baby Stuff-a Jewish perspective

by Mimi Rogers ' A new child is a miracle that is really beyond our comprehension. Yet Judaism, through certain prayers, rituals and beliefs, helps us grapple with our fears, prepare for a child and welcome that child into our family and community.

To learn more, come to Temple Israel's Outreach program this Sunday, March 2, from 10 a.m.-noon.

Babysitting service is available.

Rabbi Debbie Stiel and members of the Outreach committee will share information about Jewish customs, ceremonies and traditions from the time of a baby's conception through the naming or bris.

For more information or to register for babysitting, .call Temple at 556-6536.

P a g e 11

JFS offers support group for survivors of suicide A new support group for adults who experience depression, have considered suicide as a solution, and/or know someone who was a victim of suicide is now being started by Jewish Family Service This group, which is being offered at no charge, will provide both education and support, and will be facilitated by Alice Weiss, JFS staff therapist.

The meetings will start Wednesday, March 19, 7 p.m., and continue for six weeks.

Please call the JFS office, 330-2024, to register.

Confidentiality will be respected, as always.

±

New Torah is work of art

±

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• I 1

by Frank Scott, Staff Writer, The Jewish Advocate, Boston The new ArtScroll Stone Edition of the Bible pages, and Torah portions are clearly delineated. from Mesorah Publications is more than a new edi- Each page contains brief commentaries on key tion of the scriptures. It is a return to the early points. The books of the Nevi'im (Prophets) and days of printing, when the Bible was often consid- Ketuvim (Writings) have the Haftarah portions ered a work of art. clearly marked.

The Stone Edition shows why Bibles were once But what really makes the Stone Edition a usethe ultimate achievement of the printer's art. ful tool for students is the detailed appendices.

Beautifully printed, illustrated and bound, it is a Compiled from traditional rabbinical sources, the reminder that, in the days before mass production, appendices include charts and timelines covering Bibles were the prized possessions of their owners, the history of the People Israel, maps showing setkept in a place of honor in the home and handed tlement in Eretz Yisrael and a chart detailing the down from generation to generation. animal sacrifices called for in the Torah (complete The Stone Edition, named in honor of Jewish with a drawing of the stomachs of a ruminant, the scholar Irving I. Stone, has a high-quality only class of mammal it is permissible to eat). embossed cover (a leather-bound volume is also Henry Holt edition of the Torah available), large, easy-to-read type and the feel of a While not in the same league as the Stone Bible that costs more than its $60 cover price.

Edition, a new version of the Torah from Henry Yet it is more than just a pretty face. Both the Holt and Company also deserves mention. new translation and the numerous other features The Holt Torah, which uses the standard make this a very useful Bible for daily reading and Jewish Publication Society translation, is most studying. remarkable for its beautiful medieval illustrations.

The new translation doesn't just convert words The illustrations, taken from the famed Sarajevo from the original Hebrew into English. Rather, it Haggadah and other medieval sources, are beauticonveys the deeper meaning and intent of the fully done and add an aesthetic touch to the ediwords. (For, example, where other translations use tion. . ,ii the English "The Lord" for the untranslatable The most useful thing about the Holt Torah is tetragrammaton that is the name of God, the Stone . its compact size. Although hardbound, it is the size editions uses Hashem, "the name," to Convey both of a paperback, which makes it easy to slip into a the power and mystical nature of the Supreme pocket or a suitcase to read when traveling.

Being.) • The resulting text is an excellent balance of old The Stone Edition is available from Mesorah and new. The English is very "readable," not "stilt- Publications, 4401 Second Ave., Brooklyn, NY ed" or archaic, while still conveying all the flavor of 11232. the Hebrew.

The Holt Torah is available from Henry Holt • The Stone Edition is organized to make it easy- and Company, 115 West 18th St., New York, to-follow. Hebrew and English texts are on opposite NY 10011.

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Book review-

Cohen's songs like prayers

Chinese Restaurant

by Oliver B. Pollak, University of Nebraska-Omaha Various Positions: A life of Leonard Cohen, bylraB.Nadel, 325 pages.

Born in 1934 in Montreal, Cohen was raised in an Orthodox home. Some popular music followers are familiar with the Canadian poet, novelist, songwriter and performer. More would be surprised to find how many of his songs have been performed by Don Henley, Willie Nelson, Sting and the Chieftains, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan and Suzanne Vega.

His music has also appeared on several movie soundtracks/ This biography, by Ira B. Nadel, book critic for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Professor of English at the University of British Columbia at Vancouver, pushes Cohen into the front of the reader's consciousness. .

Drugs, depression and women mark'Cohen's life from a young student at McGill to elder statesmen of the coffee house scene.

• '• 'For the last 30 years, he has sought a balance between depression, creativity, Judaism and Zen " Buddhism. Cohen argued that Zen contained what he could not find in Judaism, a focus on the methods of prayer and meditation. Yet the Jewish presence percolateB through much of his work.

Cohen pursued the Judaic voice of opposition, of

energy and passion. He read Martin Buber and Gershom Scholem and maintained contact with the Hassidic community. .

Cohen's book titles, The Spice Box of Earth and Book of Mercy, based on psalms, vividly reflects his Jewish position as do the song titles arid lyrics.

Who by Fire is based on the Hebrew melody for the prayer "Mi Bamayim Mi. Ba Esh," sung at the Musaf or noontime service on YomKippur.

If it be Your Will borrows from the Kol Nidre Service. Story of Isaac is set to song.

Bob Dylan commented that Cohenls songs in Various Positions were becoming more like prayers. Cohen has' celebrated Shabbat, prayed daily and put on tefillin, carried a Talmud on his trips,-used Kabalistic sources, read the Hassidic Rabbi "Nahman of Bratislav, who treated depression as a : "holy condition";and performed several times in I s r a e l . . , . ; .

7 7 • This is a solid biography of an intriguing and influential force in contemporary music. .The bibliography and discography listing Cohen's 12 albums, three tribute albums and 24 books, is a guide to further listening and reading.

This book is available at the Jewish Federation L i b r a r y .

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Location

Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 28,1997

Leon Frankel, left, is one of five Martins Run residents who participated in the dedication of the collection of autobiographies.

Former Omahan Leon Frankel, 88, is one of five residents of Martin's Run Life Care Retirement Community whose autobiographies are now part of its library collection.

Entitled "The Residents' Autobiographical Library," the project was organized by the facility's chaplain, Rabbi Leah Wald Zollman and featured in two area newspapers, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Jewish Exponent.

According the article in the Jewish Exponent, Frankel "wrote about his life in Omaha, first in the grocery business and then as the owner of a bearings company.

"A couple of years ago, he wrote in longhand and his wife, Mildred, typed it. The idea was to mail a copy to each of his six grandchildren. " "Who else would want to read this?' " he asked.

As fate would have it, one of his grandchildren is Rabbi Zollman, who was already in the planning stage of this project when she received her grand-

A Klezmer Shabbaf comes to Temple

by Hazzan Erik Contzius When one hears the word Klezmer, one can't help but think of pulsating rhythms, a wailing clarinet,a flying fiddle and a foot that doesn't stop tapping. It is no wonder. The word Klezmer comes from the two Hebrew words, kley, meaning instrument, and zemer, meaning song.

Put them together and you have a recipe for the expressions of extreme joy or even sometimes, extreme sorrow.

Combine this expressive music with a Friday evening Shabbat worship service and you have an emotive and memorable experience. This will be the case as you join us on the evening of March 7, at 8:15 p.m. at Temple Israel.

The Kol Rinah, Temple Tones and M'shor'rim choirs will be leading the musical liturgy, along with the talents of Tuffy Epstein on clarinet, Debbie Greenblatt on fiddle, Jon Bleicher on tuba and upright bass, Alan Josephson on guitar and Julie Sandene on keyboard.

The music for this service was composed by Jose' Bowen, world-renowned composer. He has taught music and humanities at Stanford University and currently lectures in music at the University of Southampton in England. He is also the director of the Centre for History and Analysis of Recorded Music there.

Among the many prizes Bowen has won for composition are the Koret Israel Prize, the Hubbell Award from ASCAP and a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Music.

He has performed with and composed for Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Liberace, Dave Brubeck, Jerry Garcia and the Stanford String Quartet, among others.

As an added treat, Bob Eisenberg, author of Boychiks in the Hood, will give us a bit of insight into the world of thef Jewish niggun (music) through the eyes of the Hassidim.

The program is open to the entire community (and participants may bring their dancing shoes for the Oneg Shabbat following services).

For more information, call the office at 556-6536.

JFS to celebrate International Women's Day Jewish Family Service Resettlement Committee will host a reception Sunday, March 9, 4 p.m., at the JCC to recognize women who make contributions to the community.

Guests will be treated to home-made baked goods by the New American Community, as well as music, games and dancing.

RSVP by March 3 to Jewish Family Service at 334-6490, or Maya Wertheimer at 697-8324.

father's manuscript.

Frankel's story began with a description of bis 'arrival'in Des Moines, IA. " 'I was born on. April 12, 1908. I weighed a pound and a half. Incubators were not known.

They put me in a cigar box and placed me in the oven of the big black cast-iron wood-burning stove.

"Obviously, I lived."

Apparently, not only the 250 residents of this* care facility are reading the manuscripts and viewing the videotapes, but the public is, too.

Historians have expressed interest, as well, and one of the residents is also participating in Steven Spielberg's Shoah project of documenting survivors' experiences during the Holocaust.

The library was dedicated recently at the facility, located in suburban Philadelphia. There is one more autobiography in the works and the staff hopes more residents will come forward. For information about the library, call 610-353-7660.

Yoga and Tai Chi stress busters:

Lilias Folan at the JCC

by Cindy Cook, JCC Fitness/Aerobic Director In America today, many people are mentally and physically stressed. Hatha Yoga and T'ai Chi Chuan are ancient forms of physical activity that help improve coordination, balance, flexibility, concentration and respiration, as well as decrease tension and stress.

Find out what these two disciplines can do for you by participating in a workshop April 6-7, at the Jewish Community Center in Omaha.

Lilias Folan, nationally known Hatha Yoga teacher, will conduct the yoga classes. Hatha Yoga is the branch of yoga devoted primarily to physical fitness.

Folan started spreading the word about the physical and mental benefits of yoga with her first series of TV classes in 1970, Lilias, Yoga and You. Since then, she has taught two additional series of yoga classes for PBS and made personal appearances on many TV shows. She is also President of Yoga Therapists. ' David-Dorian Ross and C.J. McPhee, co-hosts of Tai Chi in Paradise on National Public Television and instructional home video, are the instructors for Tai Chi Chuan.

They are known experts in the art of teaching this ancient Chinese discipline and were voted #1 presenters at the 1996 IDEA World Fitness Conference. Their technique teaches participants how to remove barriers inherent in traditional T'ai Chi study and create a safe, efficient and fun learning environment for both the novice and experienced student.

Meet the presenters at a no-host dinner Saturday evening, April 5.

For registration forms or more information, call the JCC Fitness Center at 334-6423. â&#x20AC;˘

Our Woman of Valor

Irs H I 6 , Irs

The Boardi Staff and Members of The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society