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Celebrating Over 75 Years
VoLLXXIV
No. 43
29 Sivan, S7S7
Omaha, NE
Tempi® Israel's High School receives Spielberg and Livingston grants by Elyce Azriel. Director
Temple Israel's High School has received a Steven Spielberg/Righteous Persons Foundation Grant and a Milton and Corinne Livingston Foundation Grant for eligible 12th graders to participate in the program "Panim El Panim/Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values." This program was founded in January, 1988, and started bringing student to Washington for the Institute in December of the same year. Some of the top professionals in the fields of Jewish education and Jewish community relations serve on an Advisory Board and Board of Trustees of the Institute. "Panim El Panim/W.I.J.L.V." is an independent organization with no religious- or political attachments. Therefore, it has gained acceptance across the spectrum of the Jewish community. Students from the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements will learn: and discuss issues that will affect their society and the Jewish community in the future. "Panim El Panim," will offer eligible 12th graders in Omaha's Jewish community the opportunity to learn about public policy and Jewish values in the nation's capital. • These seminars help young American Jews see
j cal, social and political issues facing our nation and our world. Not only do the seminars result in heightened pride in Jewish identity and appreciation for the work of the organized Jewish community, but students also come to understand their special responsibility to effect Tikkun Olam, repairing of the world. Having been deeply moved by the experience of directing the film Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg decided to donate his portion of the film's profits to help support a flourishing and vibrant future for the Jewish community. He consequently ; established the Righteous Persons Foundation. The Foundation believes that "American Jewry has an opportunity to create a true renaissance.in Jewish life and to articulate Jewish identity in terms that are positive, relevant and authentic. It is a moment to build a community that is spiritually meaningful, Jewishly literate, and committed not only to its
Omahans to attend annual Hadassah convention Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Zionism, nearly 2,000 delegates and participants from the 50 states and Puerto Rico are expected to attend the 83rd annual convention of Hadassah,. the Women's Zionist Organization of America, July 1316 in Chicago. Attending from Omaha will be Beth Gaynes-Ginsberg, President; and Sandra Kohll. . Highlights of the 1997 convention will include: • A group Bat Mitzvah and Hebrew naming ceremony for more than 100 women who never had a Bat Mitzvah or received a Hebrew name'; • Addreses by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, Christopher Meilui, Swiss guard fired'for saving wartime documents from a bank's shredder, and Dr. Ruth Westheimer; • Launch of the first International Research Institute on Jewish Women; • Exploration of the influence movies and television have on public opinion; • Medical ethics and physician-assisted suicide; • A book signing party for It Takes a Dream, the newly published history of Hadassah from its beginnings 85 years ago. Written by Marlin Levin, its foreWard is by Elie Wiesel.
own transformation, but transforming the world." The seminar has taught the true meaning that Jewish education is not just "learning about" Judaism. Ifs not reading about Judaism. It is living Judaism. It's not thinking about Judaism. It's doing Jewish things. Ifs not dreaming about a better world, it's making this world better. The seminars include a hands-on lobbying session with public officials and study sessions, which examine Jewish text material relating to public policy issues. The program is .now co-certified by The George Washington University which can make it an attractive addition to a student's application to colleges. Additionally, many students who have participated from other communities have been able to arrange special credit from their high school social studies departments. Over 3,300 students from 85 communities across the United States have already participated in this four-day leadership program. Typical group size is 50-60 students. Temple Israel High School expressed gratitude to both Foundations for their support of this program. Jerry Kiewe, Assistant Director of W.I.J.L.V., noted that this is the first time any congregation or Jewish organization in Omaha has . received a-jjr.anfc.from,the•Rijjhjteous-. Persons Foundation. He also stated in a letter that "You. (Temple Israel) should also be aware that to date, only two other communities besides your own were awarded the maximum grant amount" The agency receives about 200 grant requests per month, of which the foundation honors less than one percent, according to Rachel Levin, program officer. The Foundation is a grant-making organization dedicated to strengthening Jewish communal life. The curriculum that will be used for the participating seniors was written by the Institute. One of the co-authors, Mark Levine, will be in Omaha to conduct a workshop for those involved in the program on July 14. The curriculum is recommended for use prior to the students' visit to Washington to maximize the gains derived from participation in "Panim El Panim/W.I.J.L.V."
July 4,1997
Jewish Senior Services recognizes volunteers by Mary Fellman
Ann Belmont was named "Volunteer of the Year," at the first Jewish Senior Services recognition luncheon held recently at the Jewish Community Center.
TiUie Plotkin Ann Belmont Ann began her career work 24 years ago when her mother became a resident of the Dr. Sher Home. Since that time, she has participated in the Gift Shop organization, LOVE program, banquets, Pan and raffle tournaments and holiday parties, as well as the Hadassah Oneg Shabbats. Special recognition was also given to Joan Bernstein for a number of areas of service and leadership. Also receiving recognition from Lois Wine, Volunteer Coordinator, and Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home; were. Shabbat and holiday service leaders Don Schwartz, Harry Noodell, Scott Bresler, Mark Levy, Steven Riekes, Alan Shulewitz, Yale Halperin, Harold Gottlieb, Phyllis Hoffman, Albert Friedman, Nancy and Sheldon Rips, Rabbi Maximo Shechet, Rabbi Myer S. Kripke, Cantor Leo Fettman and David Perelo. Groups receiving applause and recognition were B'nai B'rith Women, Temple Israel Caring Committee, Omaha Chapter of Hadassah, Beth Israel Religious School, Temple Israel Religious School, Beth El Caring Committee, Rabbi Gavriel Herzig, Headmaster of the Friedel Jewish Academy, and Beth Israel Sisterhood. The event honored more than 100 volunteers in 20 areas of service. TiUie Plotkin, a resident of the Home, expressed the thanks of the residents. ' In a "Salute to Home Volunteers of 1997," Lenora Lancaster, Executive Assistant of the Home, said, "The volunteers are the most important group to cross our door, the best in the land."
JCC Cultural Arts department offers scholarships The Dorothy Lustgarten Riekes Music Fund Scholarships for private music lessons were awarded to four youngsters ages 5-14. The late Mrs. Riekes waB a talented violinist and musician who loved children. She always wanted to provide for those children, especially Russian Jewish immigrants who might not have the means to develop their talent. The Fund is maintained by the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
From left: Marcia Ldpsman, Chairman of the JCC Theatre committee, presents scholarships to Robert Mosenkis, 10; Vitally Tsyrlin, 13; and Pavel Tsyrlin, 10. Not pictured: James Spellman, 14,