Celebrating More Than 75 Years
Vol.LXXIV
No. 44
Omaha, NE
Nelson; Senator Robert Kerrey, and Congressman Jon Christensen. In the cavernous space of the B-4 "You will become full partners in hanger at Offutt Air Force Base, some this ongoing experiment we call 500 soon-to-be Americans from 51 America," said Gov. Nelson. "Too countries sat anxiously through many choose to come here illegally; I speech after speech, sons'after song. commend you today for taking the Eventually, the dignitaries were the right path." ones to sit quietly as America's Cong. Christensen introduced one newest members stood proudly to family from Vietnam, three of the take the pledge of citizenship. Despite more than 150 Vietnamese who U. S. District Court Judge David became Americans last week. L.Piester's plea to refrain from "America is a dream come true for applauding, the crowd of nearly 1200 all of you here today...G-d bless you ignored his admonition and clapped and GKI bless America," he said. loudly after each speech and each Sen. Kerrey added his thanks to song, even the Star Spangled Banner. those of the other speakers, saying, "I Fourteen men and women from the congratulate yoU; I applaud you and I former Soviet Union were among the salute you to obey the law, to work, to hundreds at Offutt: Elaine and Sam study, to become a citizen of the Bukenholtz, Vera Dobina, Alex, Anna United States of American. '::• and Michael Kuperman, Boris Litvin, "That freedom is not free," he added. Anna Litvina, Nataly Piesetsky, Lena "You will be called upon to serve in Raksin, Sima Shapiro, Valery Tsed small ways and big, to your communiand Arthur and Galina Yurikov. ty, your church or synagogue, your Judge Piester thanked the Little League and your school. Immigration and Naturalization "We have responsibilities as citizens Service, the court and officials at --to use that freedom for others," he Offutt for coordinating "the largest concluded, "Lam deeply moved by the 'haturalizatitfn ceremony in" theI'nisttF* example you have set ior all of us; ry.ofthe state of Nebraska." : The stories of America's newest citiThe judge looked out over the crowd zens are as varied as the 51 countries of new citizens and said, "There are from which they come. some very important people here Lena Raksin, 18, just graduated today and I'm looking at them. Millard North High School; Sima "There are some better known peo- Shapiro had to use a walker to make ple here on the stage, but not more her way up to the front of the hanger important," he added, referring to the to receive her certificate from Sen. speakers: Colonel Gary Ambrose and Kerrey.. General Eugene Habinger of the Galina and Arthur Yurikov received U.S.A.F.; Postmaster EvaJon the letter congratulating them on Sperling; Jerry Heinauer, District passing the naturalization exam, and Director of the INS; Governor Ben planned a big family party.
6 Tammuz, 5757
July 11,1997
by Carol Katzman
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Senator Robert Kerrey,.right, presents citizenship papers to Sima Shapiro, left, and her daughter, Anna Kuperman. Mrs. Shapiro could have used a medical exemption, but chose, instead, to take the naturalization exam. She passed and joined her family at the ceremony.
auxiliary Upon accepting the challenge of establishing an In addition to the Nogg's, the following individuauxiliary- of Jewish Senior Services, Patty and als have agreed to serve on this new auxiliary Steve Npgg, described the purpose of this effort. board of directors: Co-Presidents-elect: Hyman and "We are here to enhance the .quality of life for our Marlene Sukiennik; First Vice-president: Renee residents and the staff of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Razor; Second Vice-president: Debbie Brookstein; Home," said Mr. Nogg to the leadership group at Recording Secretary: Beth Ginsburg; the first meeting. "We value our staff and want to Corresponding Secretary: Phyllis Zabin; Treasurer: work with them making our ideas come to life. Sheryl Friedman; and Advisor Joan Bernstein. , It's important to raise community awareness of Committee chairpeople named to the board are: the heeds of Jewish seniors as well as the needs of Nominating: Jody Malashock; Membership: Sheila this nursing facility, he noted. : : . Polikov; Holiday: David and Janet Kohll; Members of the auxiliary plan to accomplish this Historian: Debbi'Brown; Bylaws: Norman and .task through furidraising efforts and by organizing Shirlee Smeerin; Bulletin: Carl and Lois Herman; creative programming. The Nogg's, along with Lois Publicity: Herman and Natalie Rubin; and Wine, Volunteer Coordinator, attended a national Recognition: Zoe Riekes. Staff assigned to the meeting of Jewish; home auxiliaries in Cleveland board is Mrs. Wine. . , recently./ '.'.••.•• ; "Our new auxiliary has the opportunity to recruit : •. "Even our name, 'League of Volunteers for the new volunteers who can collaborate with the curElderly,' (L.O.V.E.) is a definition of who we are," rent Mitzvah Corps," said Gottlieb. "I look forward stated Mrs. Nogg. to working with this energetic and innovative Last year, the JSS Board of Directors set creat- group." ing an auxiliary as a major goal of the organizaCommunity members have inquired about the Long-time Jewish community volunteers tion. Through the efforts of the Nogg's and Joan former L.O.V.E. group. According to Gottlieb, Patty and Steve Nogff have become the first Bernstein, along with JCC Executive Director Helen Shukert and the board of L.O.V.E. have co-Presidents of the Jewish Senior Services Barbara Gottlieb and Lois Wine, this goal has now 'retired' and handed over the gavel, but understand Auxiliary, the L.O.V.E. group, which has become a reality. According to Gottlieb, the Board future needs and give "wholehearted support" to retained the name and the services per- is very supportive of this undertaking and realizes the auxiliary. The Membership Campaign will kick (Continued on page 2) formed. , vJhe "tremendous benefit for our JewiBh seniors."