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Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service
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No. 28
Omaha, NE
by Carol Katzman From time to time, readers have inquired about our writers. They've asked if we have a 'stable' of writers at our disposal to cover events in Omaha. And some people have wondered about the backgrounds of the people whose bylines appear in this newspaper. The full-time staff of the Jewish Press consists of Maureen LaPour, Managing Editor; Larry Axelrod, Advertising Manager; and Sheryl Friedman, Bookkeeper. Morris Maline, Editor Emeritus, works part-time since he stepped down last June and I took over as full-time Editor. In addition, three outside salespeople work on commission for this paper: Barbara Frankel, Dora Shefren and Rocky Stern. '.'•_•• We are also fortunate to have ihe services of a 'permanent parktime' volunteer, George Schapiro, who faithfully comes in each week to deliver and sort our mail,' file photos and assist with various othertasks. ^ Danny Cohn, a sophomore at the University of Kansas, also works part-time during winter and spring break. He has assisted our advertising salespeople in preparation for the Passover issue and in verifying our subscription lists.
Scientists bring message about diversity to Friedel by Diane Axler Baum I
12 Adar n, 5757
March 21,1997
: Wl&ry Fellman chosen --'Merit Mother'' Mary Arbitman Fellman of Omaha is one of four Nebraska mothers selected as exemplary models of motherhood to represent the State's association of American Mothers, Inc., for 1997. She was chosen a Merit Mother. A native of Omaha, Mrs. Fellman served as the first woman editor for the Jewish Press and continued in this position until her marriage and the subsequent births of three children. She has served as President of Beth El Synagogue Sisterhood, the Midwest Branch of National Women's League of the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah, and was elected first woman president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. -She helped found and has been Executive Director of Diane Asler Baum^is a free-lance writer the Nebraska Jewish Historical: Society. • whose work often appears in this paper. She has been the recipient of many awards And Caren Friedman, a junior at Washington including B'nai B'rith Citizenship, the Jewish' University, will assist Mr. Maline with the annual Federation of Omaha and AMIT Women's updating of the index to the Jewish Press when Humanitarian Awards, the KETV Jefferson, the she returns from a semester at Hebrew University in Israel. Though she is a psychology major, she (Continued on page 6)
Temple Israel embarks on 'Synagogue 2000' journey by Michael Walts Temple Israel has recently begun participating in a new, nationwide effort to explore the state of American Jewish congregational life today. Entitled "Synagogue 2000," the program is designed to study the current state of synagogue life; to develop a visionary process that will provide ways to enrich our synagogue experience, make it Mary Fellman more meaningful and relevant; and to foster, indiNational Council of Jewish Women'B Hannah G. vidually and collectively, a more spiritual environment. We desire to make the synagogue a place Solomon; the Earl Siegal Award from Beth El where people feel more welcome, more important, Synagogue, and the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah intellectually challenged, and more committed to Lifetime of Service. A quote from Mrs, Fellman regarding her being the improvement of our community and our world: chosen as a Merit Mother: "The most gratifying Sixteen congregations representing both Reform and Conservative movements are participating in and spiritual blessing of my life has been and continues to be my role as a mother and grandmother. the initial stages of the Synagogue 2000 project. I thank G-d for allowing me the privilege The transdenominational concept was developed Everyday and experience." . ; by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, Professor at Hebrew Mrs. Fellnian's children are: Marsha Zimmerman, Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York and Dr." R6n Wolfson of the Whizin Center, a registered nurse, in St. Paul, MN, who has three University of Judaism in Los Angeles. They aspire children; Mark in Mendota Heights, MN, an attorto see congregations expand their spirituality, ney, who with his wife, Robin Caplar" has two chilchart a course consonant with Jewish tradition, dren; and Ronald, an attorney living in Newton and be responsive to contemporary socioeconomic Highlands, MA, who with his wife, Debbie, has challenges. They envision religious life that is alive three children. In a joint statement, the children had this to say and vital for all Jews, in institutions that facilitate spiritual fulfillment, appreciate individual diversi- about their mother: "Through the manner in which she has lived her ty, and sharpen social conscience. Why has such an effort begun? We are all too life and the philosophy she has conveyed during aware of the glaring statistics that reveal discon- the never-endiiig parenting process, our mother tent'and dissatisfaction among American Jews has instilled in each of us a sense of obligation for with congregational institutions today. contributing to the many 'communities' in which Unaffiliation rates remain high; too many of bur we live and has fostered the development by each pews are empty on Shabbat; active participation in of us of the.skills which are required to make those synagogue life Beems to occur among the same contributions in a meaningful manner. "When we were growing up, our home was a comsmall number of congregants. bination' of a loving, warm, safe and supportive What is the problem? What should a synagogue look like (and more importantly, feel like) in the family enclave and 'organization central' as our 21st century that will draw large numbers of Jews mother participated in a wide variety of organizato participate? Feel welcome and important? tions in every conceivable position. "Whatever her role, whether as a participant in a Renew their spirituality? Find God in their lives. program, a committee person, a chairperson or an Synagogue 2000 re-envisions the potential of synagogues to embody the core values of a gen- officer, pur mother always has strived to make uinely Jewish message for the 21st century, defin- • improved the activity or organization so that its goals .were expanded and then achieved to the ing the path toward Jewish spiritual wholeness. The structure of Synagogue 2000 is represented fullest degree. She always has been able to analyze by a wheel with six specific areas as "spokes" to a situation, to identify a need, to determine how help focus our growth and road to spiritualization. best to address the need, and then to obtain the re(Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 15) • % .
A team of TJNMC scientists talk to students about their struggles to complete their training and their belief in the value of multi-cultural diversity (from left): Dr. Howard Gendelma/}; Dr. Jialin Zheng of China; Dr. Aniij a Ghorpade of India, Dr. Adeline Nukuna of Cameroon, and Dr. Myltanh Che of Vietnam. ' Friedel Jewish Academy has raised the concepts of cultural diversity and curriculum integration to - a new level. ' A multi-national team of scientists recently came to the Academy to present a powerful program. They told their individual stories of tenacity and perseverance; they discussed the mutual admiration that allows them to work together productively in spite of cultural differences; and they emphasized a shared belief that education holds the key to achievement. The four senior scientists are: * Dr. Myltanh Che, -who escaped from Vietnam over a storm-tossed ocean and endured 13 months in refugee camps before reaching the United States. * Dr. Anuja Ghorpade, who competed with over 3,000 applicants for one of 12 spots in a Ph.D. program at India's National Institute of Immunology; . * Dr. Yuri Persidsky, whose research career was threatened by the disruption of the former Soviet Union. . * Dr. Adeline Nukuna, who determined to continue her studies after a diagnosis of cancer and the loss of a government-sponsored scholarship when Cameroon suffered financial disaster. * Dr. Jialin Zheng, who competed with thousands of other students in pursuing a medical career that (Continued on page 15)