August 8, 1997

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Celebrating More Than 75 Years Vol.LXXIV

No. 48

Omaha, NE

August 8,1997

Tenth Annual KSutznick Symposium to feature major-art exhibit

by Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Chairholder Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization, Creighton University

Sunday,_Sept. 14, and Monday, Sept. 15, are the "dates of this year's Klutznick Symposium, the tenth in an annual series that has become a focal point for cultural ' activity in Omaha each fall. This year's symposium has the theme: "Sacred Text, Secular Context: The Hebrew Bible in the Modern World."

The Symposium will feature the formal opening of an art exhibit: "The Binding of Isaac: OriSoltes Genesis 22 and Its Progeny," at Creightori University's Lied Education Center for the Arts, 24th & Case St., on the Creighton University Campus. The official opening, on Sunday, Sept. 14, will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a talk by Ori Soltes, Director of the B'nai B'rith Klutznick N a t i o n a l . Jewish Museum in Washington, DC.

Soltes, who was a popular keynote speaker at last year's Klutznick Symposium, is the organizer of this exhibit. He will talk on "Images of the Bible at the End of the Millennium." Soltes' address, open and free to the public, will be followed by gallery tours and a dessert reception.

In describing the religious and artistic significance of this special exhibit, look at the following passage, from Genesis 22, as among the most dramatic and powerful in the Hebrew Bible: And the Lord said to Abraham: Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you.

People from all walks of life, including theologians, ethicists, historians, and essayists, have sought to understand the meaning of this divine command and the human response that followed.

This narrative spans religious traditions. Jews refer to it as Akeda or the binding of Isaac.

Christians recall this event as the sacrifice of Isaac. Some Muslims recount a similar story of Isaac's half brother, Ishmael. , • •• Soltes notes that: "Many visual artists—both those well known and those laboring in obscurity— (Continued on page 11)

Jewish, names lit.

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Jewish Family Service has , /Unced the selection of Todd Ephraim as its new Executive Director.

Mr. Ephraim, who will soon complete a Ph.D. degree in marriage and family therapy, comes to JFS from a job at Boys Town where he was the director of a therapeutic group home. Prior to that, he was the clinical services supervisor at Todd Ephraim Children's Square USA "Todd has experience in both clinical and administrative aspects of social work and brings a high level of professionalism to the JFS agency. He is eager to offer programs and services for all members of the Jewish community; and the JFS Board looks forward to working with him," commented Gloria Kaslow, JFS president.

Mr. Ephraim, who began Aug. 1; expressed excitement about the challenges of the job: "I look forward to working with the other Centers of Excellence and the synagogues to bring about a refocusing of JFS's efforts in order to better serve our Jewish families."

Omaha's UJA Family Mission

Above: Services at the ancient syna* 'Donald Yale and the late Janis Yale. gogue of Hammat in Tiberias were Top right: Taking a break with new led by Rabbi Larry R u b e n s t e i n Mends are Zach Perelman (left), son (right), of New York City, a former of Shelden and Jan Perelman; cfason assistant rabbi to Temple Israel's S c h w a r t z of El P a s o , TX; Andrew Rabbi Sidney Brooks. Three young Yale, son of Donald Yale and the late women in t h e group became Bat Janis Yale; and Cory Epstein, son of Mitzvah-Danielle Burr, daughter of Sandy and Paul Epstein, National Marilyn Burr of Omaha and J a y Family Mission chairmen. At right: 'Burr; Samantha Grosso of Santa Mother and son, Karen and Mark Barbara, CA, g r a n d d a u g h t e r of Javitch, enjoyed the Red Sea during Omahans Lorrie and Sheldon Bern- t h e Mission's v i s i t to the s e a s i d e resort of Eilat stein; and Laura Yale, daughter of

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 8,1997

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CUP & SAVE

C L P . & S A V E

C L I P

OF EVENTS FRIDAY,AUGUST 8; Russian Club, 9:30 a.m.

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"~: MONDAY, AUGUST 11 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. ' JCAC Hebrew Speaking Group, 7:30 p.m.

SEED Program at Beth Israel, Aug. 11-14, 9 a.m.-noon and 7-10 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Beth El Executive Committee Meeting, . 7:15 p.m., at Beth El WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Beth El Camp USY, Wisconsin Dells, Aug. 13-18 Breadbreakers, noon, Highland Country Club Visions Mitzvah Bingo & Ice Cream, 7 p.m., at the Blumkin Home

C L I P

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m.

Temple Israel Synagogue 2000 Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 Shabbos Dinner with SEED, 8 p.m., ; at Beth Israel :

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All events held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. V The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the . E above events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at334-6437.

CENTRAL PARK PHARMACY # 5 307 North 114th St. Phone 333-5100 CUP & SAVE

by Larry Raful Guest Columnist

In this week's parsha, Devarim, Moses realizes that before he dies, and before the Hebrews move on, he has one last shot at explaining what the bargain is with God. Moses knows that he will not be around anymore. He knows that once the Hebrew people get across the Jordan, they will split up.

What's a great leader to do in a situation like this?

So here's my hypothesis: Moses looks out at the people assembled on the plains of Moab and thinks, "You know, I am worried about splitting up this old gang of mine. Wandering the desert, keeping them in line, following the Cloud in the day, the Fire at night, has really worked pretty darn well for 40 years. Oh sure, we had our Korach moments, but otherwise, we all got here safe and sound, we follow our laws and rituals, we have Shabbat every friday night, and we all get along pretty well. I wonder what will happen when we break up into smaller groups." You got the same feeling when Tevye worries about what will happen to all his family and friends when they are forced to leave Anetevka.

We know what happens when Moses dies. The minute Moses is gone, we start fighting, then we are exiled to Babylon, then we fight each other again, then we are exiled across the Roman Empire, then finally, 1300 years later, we start the ingathering, and we're still fighting each other.

Staying together forever in the wilderness would have been a better way; not practical, I admit, but better if we wanted to make sure we preserved our ways, our traditions, our rituals, o.ur^mo^ais, our j-el3.WQnship:with G^d.iIfrwe.icoHl'd/a)ljust.stay in our'little town of Anetevka,'everything would be okay. . . . ;< Let's bring this closer to home. One of my favorite experiences since I moved.to Omaha nine years ago, is talking to people about the history of 24th Street. Oh, what a place that must have been: The Kapulier Shul, Himmelbloom's Bakery, Shukert's Meat Market, Friedman's Shoe. Store, , Adler's Deli, and so on, up and down 24th. , : Like the Jews in the desert, it was easy for the Jewish leaders of Omaha to keep an eye on all of us. You knew who was sick and who was healthy, who was happy and who was angry, who was engaged and who had marriage troubles, who was rich and who was poor. And you always knew when Shabbos was, because when you went on-Fridays to btty:jne^t-;from Mn-Bernstehrihe: butcher, he always said^iGoad Shabbos."..,.,,..... : What woul^ it feel like, my friends, if the guy at Baker's or Hy-Vee said to you on Friday, "Have a good Shabbos," or "Have a kosher Pesach," or "Have an easy fast?"

So Moses turned and looked at all of us on 24th Street, and for one final time, he reminded us of our Covenant with God. The Good Lord promises certain things if we fulfill the Covenant, but the Promise came with a warning label on the side . about what would happen if we don't. And we listened, and we solemnly nodded our heads, and then Moses died, and we packed up our things and moved to 72nd and 114th and 144th, and even further west.

And on Fridays now, the Hy-Vee guy says, "Paper or plastic?" .

Mordechai Kaplan, when asked to explain Judaism, once said, "Judaism is what the Jewish people do." I love that quote-it's simple, it's elegant, it's picturesque, it's classic-Judaism is clearly more than a religion-more than a culture-why, Judaism is what the Jewish people do. ' It seems to me that we have to remember what it felt like to be in a tight-knit community. We need to feel Moab again; we need to feel Anetevka again;, we need to feel 24th Street again. It's not a religious thing—if s a Jewish thing. Because if we forget how to BE Jewish, Rabbi Kaplan would say, we will forget Judaism.

A Selected List of WebSites, Hot Lines, Support Groups and Much More is available at '

www.frt.com (Slop smoking, Depression, Etc.)

Phone: 330-8260 Toll Free: 888-333-4997

Fax: 330-8606

Deaths JEAN FRIEDMAN SOSHNIK Services for Jean Soshnik were held Aug. 3 at Beth El Cemetery. A resident of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, she died Aug. 1 at the age of 87.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, and two brothers, Sam and Howard Friedman.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Harold Abrahamson; brother and sisterin-law, Harry and Merriam Friedman; grandchildren, Mark and Linda Abrahamson, Bruce and Gay Abrahamson and Ellene and StanEdelstein; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Home, Make-AWish Foundation, Beth El Synagogue or favorite charity.

RUTHLETVTNE Services for Ruth Levine were held Aug:3 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. She died Aug. 1 in Los Angeles. ; She was preceded in death by her husband, Hyman J. • . . .

Survivors include a son, Alan J. Levine of Santa Monica, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Judi and John Hurd, and grandson, Nathaniel David Hurd, all of Montpelier, VT. Mrs. Levine and her husband were longtime grocery story owners in. Benson._ - : . : . .1 Memorials may: be made, to Beth El Synagogue, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or. charity of choice, j

Computer games: A Zionist miracle?

by Simon Griver, UJA Press Service

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Uri, one of ,120 junior high school boys at the Ben Yakir. Youth Aliyah .Village, a t a n afterschool carpentry class, Youth AliyahVillages, which provide over 500 educationally disadvantaged youngsters with their only opportunity for, a successful future, are r_uji. by the Jewish Agency and.supported, by the..UJA Federation Campaign. teenagers hiB age; tJri ^ieaded'^stxaight for the school computer lab after his classe^one.day. At the Youth.Aliyah.village.of/Beni-Yakiri^Uri's best friend, Avi, soon joins him, and the two fight furiously in their computer, battle of'Doomi'sThe teacher reminds them to finish up their lessons from their regular, computer class before playing, and the two boys drag themselves from the game.

Though seemingly typical,'this Israeli teenage scenario has its roots in a story that is anything but average. Both literally and figuratively, Uri and Avi have traveled a long way from home to arrive at a time and place where they can act like thousands of other Israeli teens. Both' are originally from agricultural villages in the Gondar region of Ethiopia and came to Israel during one of the two airlifts which brought 29,000 Ethiopian Jews home-Avi in 1985, and Uri in 1991.

The youths' achievements, far from the trials of the civil war they fled, bear witness to the continued vibrancy of the Zionist dream. While playing on a computer seems too ordinary to dub a "miracle," it is .the everyday stories that, together, form the larger wonder of the Ethiopian aliyah.

Uri'sability to play with a friend on the computer seems even more- astonishing compared to his situation two years ago, when he arrived a t Ben Yakir, a Youth Aliyah village in the north of Israel supported by the Jewish Agency, which is funded in large part by the United Jewish Appeal.

August 8, 1097

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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8:14 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL JMfembe* of ttt* tftum &t Aamtiom Hebrew Congregations 1029 Cms Street Omaha, KE C8132 656-6536

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member offthe Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1S02 No. S2»d St., Omaha, NE 68104 &W0288

FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius will officiate. The summer theme, "The State of Israel," will continue. The topic will be "Sounds of War, Peace and Hope."

Sitter Service Sitter service iB available during the Shabbat evening service. Please make a reservation so we may plan accordingly. There are no facilities for infants. .

SATURDAY: Shabbat service, Mk30 sum.

Simcha B'Shabbat-an informal Shabbat service that includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts.

ADULT EDUCATION Aug. 14-7:30-8:80 pan., "Beyond Midrash," led

by Don Schwartz.

Services 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 Shabbat Service, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services start at 8:45 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Pirkei Avos class with Rabbi Kutner, 7:35 p.m. at the synagogue; Mincha, 8:05 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah.

SUNDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m.

Special Tisha B'Av event, 7:30 p.m., at the RoBe Blumkin Jewish Home. A video presentation with commentary by Rabbi Yissachar Frand and Rabbi Paysach Krohn; Mincha, 8:15 p.m.

MONDAY, Aug. 11 (Erev Tisha b'Av): Morning service, 7 aan.

Jewish Marriage 1 (for women), 11 aan.

Mincha, 8:20 pan.

FAST BEGINS at 8:27p.m.

Ma'ariv, 8:50 p.m., followed by the reading of Eicha and Kinos.

Rabbi Brecher, "Why are We Still Crying?"

9:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, Aug. 12 (Tisha b'Av): Morning service, 6:30 a.m.

Early Mincha, 2 p.m. • '.' , Talmud regarding Destruction of the Temple,

'".'- •: TIPEKETHISRAEL •, ... . - ' Member of the United Synagogue •"'-•\' of Conservative «J««iaisitt -" 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68S02 Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum.

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

FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 ajn.

MONDAY, Aug. 11: Erev Tisha B'Av, 9 pjn.

THURSDAY, Aug. 12: Tisha B'Av, 7:15 sum.

Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday night at 7:30 pan. at 3012 S. 119 th St., Omaha.

FRIDAY, Aug. 8:.

No services at the synagogue. We invite everyone to spend a special Shabbat in the home.

"Religious School is taking pre-registration for the next term, which will start around Labor Day. Contact Dr. Marty Rosenberg at 390-9062 for placement.

Reminder: Our Internet Web address has changed to: www.omaha.org/beytshol

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, led by Alan Shulewitz, start at 9 a.m.

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

CHABAD HOUSE Att Affiliate of t W Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 11023 Pacific, 0m«h», NE $8144

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E-MAHr-cImbad@aol.cora SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 aan., followed by Kiddish.' .. WEDNESDAYS' Talmud classes, 9:30 a.m.; "Hooked on Yiddish?, lessons, 7 p.m. • •>/ "THURSDAYS: Advanced Talmud,' noon

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OFFUTT

25th and Capehart Omaha, NE , 2&4-G051"

FREDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

7 p . m .

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Rabbi's class, 7:30 pan.

Mincha, 8 pan.

FAST ENDS, 9H)3 pan.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 13: Jewish Marriage 2 (for women), 11 aan.

"The Other Side of the Story," SEED faculty, 7:30p.m.

THURSDAY, Aug. 14: Jewish Marriage 3 (for women only), 11 aan.

"Legacy of Prayer," Rabbi Brecher, 7:30 pan., at the JCCj "Jewish View of Intimacy7 (for women only) WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 8:15 p.m.

CONGREGATION B'NAf JESHURUN

BETH EtSVNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues t Judaism 14506 California, Omaha, NE 68154 492-8S50 WEB"http^/omahafreenet.orgrt»eth«l 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, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9-.30 a.m.; Kiddish following services; Devar Torah given by Sylvia Wagner; Sitter service, 10 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time—first and third Saturday at 11 a.m.; ICtantan-second and fourth Saturday at 11 ajn.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 9aan.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.mTISHA B'AV SERVICES MONDAY, Aug. 11: Erev Tisha B'Av, 8:40 pan.

TUESDAY, Aug. 12: Services, 6:45 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Jewish Family Service to host Shabbat dinner and services The Resettlement and Acculturation office of Jewish Family Service will host its first Shabbat dinner for New Americans on Friday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel, 7023 Cass St. ...

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The evening will begin with an explanation of Shabbat traditions by Rabbi Azriel, with Russian translation by Maya Wertheimer.

At 6:30 p.m., a full Shabbat dinner buffet will be served, followed by services at 7:30 p.m. and an Oneg Shabbat.

Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for children ages 12 and under. Payment may be made by cash or check and must be received with the completed form in the office of Jewish Family Service. Checks should be made payable to Jewish Family Service.

If anyone can provide transportation for elderly members, please notify Rita Paskowitz, Resettlement Coordinator, at 334-6495.

For youngsters who may have difficulty sitting through the service, a sitter will be available.

There are no facilities for infants. '

PERSONALS

Services 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.

A warm thank-you to all my relatives and friends for their calls, cards, gifts, visits and donations during my recent all-day operation. Thanks to Rabbi Kutner, Cantor and Annette Fettman, Rabbi Katzman, Rabbi Gonsher and Dr. Gendelman for their special help May we all merit to see the coming of the Moshiach speedily in our time.

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Shelly Coreri

B'WAI ISRAEL SYMAGOGUE

Sincere thanks to my dear friends and family for their kind expressions of support during my recent hospitalization. Special thanks to Cantor Fettman, Rabbi Kutner and Rabbi Stiel.

Esther Meiches

01«Mynst«rSt., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51003 882.4705 E-MAIL: dooje FRBDAY: Shabbes service, 7:30 p.m. Topic for discussion will be "Is Liberalism Incompatible with Judaism?"

Thank you to my family and friends for the cards, donations, gifts and phone calls during my recent hospitalization. An additional thanks for the personal visits as I recover at the Blumkin Home. A special thank-you to my Livingston Plaza friends for your continued concern, support and encouragement.

- ••• • Ethel Lowe

Adult B'nai Mltzvah class at Temple Israel Temple Israel will offer another Adult B'nai Mitzvah class starting Sept. 10. The class, available to members, will meet Wednesday mornIngs from 10 a.m.-noon.

In nine months, participants will learn how to read Hebrew, gain proficience reading key prayers in Hebrew and Btudy a variety of Jewish topicB. In May, the class will lead. Shabbat services and read from the Torah. < For more information and to sign up, call the Temple office.

Deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to our dear friends who helped rriake the BVis of'our sort; Yosef, the special, beautiful event it was. We especially recognize the. efforts of Barbara Gottlieb and Gloriann Levy, coordinators, and their enthusiastic team: Dani Shrago, Helene Shrago, Art Epstein, Rifka Wax, Luba Blyakher, Bonnie Colcher, Maria Goldberg Cohen, Susan Lite, Georgianne Steinberg, Ida and Elliot Banner, Julee Katzman, Jordana Glazer, Julie Phillips, Nadine Kutner, Maggie Gerber, Randy and Abe Scheer, Corrine Cohen, Sarah (Sally) Gold, Sarah Kohll, Janet Kohll and Linda Simon. Thanks for making it possible for us to be guests at our own Simcha!

Rabbi Mendel and Shanl Katzman

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Editorial

August 8,1997

Dead in its tracks

The rescue teams had barely begun their work of triage in the aftermath of the Machane Yehuda bombings when the statements began to churn through the fax machine. ' "A barbarous attempt by fanatics to undermine the peace process," said Eitan Nach, Consul for Press and Information in the Israeli Consulate in Chicago.

"We are outraged by this act of pure evil," noted Marlene Post, National President of Hadassah. "(The) horrific terrorist attack is obviously intended to pressure Israel," noted Herbert Zweibon, Chairman of Americans for a Safe Israel. But the real criticisms are reserved for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And they're coining from his constituents. Although he promised "Peace with Security," Netanyahu has seen suicide bombers kill innocent bystanders, both Jewish and Arab...in the cafes of Tel Aviv and the markets of Jerusalem, just as his predecessor saw bombs blow up busses. .

•-'• Israeli, polls reveal that if elections were held today, Labor leader Ehud Barak'would beat ' Netanyahu, 43% to 34%. The prime minister's promise to make Israelis, feel more secure carries no more weight than Peres'did 18 months ago.

So, where to go from here?

The Israelis have already rounded up more than 150 Palestinians, some of whom have only been recently released from prison: They're also holding some $20 million in customs and gas tax revenue due the Palestinian Authority. And they've closed the borders, keeping thousands of Palestinians from jobs in Israel.

Netanyahu has demanded more than apologies from Yasser Arafat, "Action is what we want" But Arafat cannot do any more because he has no control over the Hamas and Islamic Jihad cells in his midst. The same groups who plot terrorist attacks are also feeding and clothing the poor, staffing make-shift clinics and educating children.

The only way for the terrorism to stop is for Arafat to play the legitimate role of government leader by cleaning up his own house...and that will only come when his own people demand it.

NCS J applauds president Yeltsin's decision WASHINGTON-The National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) commended Russian President Boris Yeltsin for his recent decision to veto the bill "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations." The NCSJ had sent a letter to President Yeltsin expressing its concerns and urging him to veto this legislation.

"President Yeltsin's decision reinforces his strong commitment to human rights," said NCSJ Chairman Rabbi Mark Staitman. "Despite pressure from the Duma and Russian Orthodox Church ' to sign this bill, President Yeltsin made a responsible, conscientious move by saying no to this bill and yes to religious tolerance and freedom."

The bill, which passed both chambers of the Russian parliament, contained highly-restrictive and exclusionary clauses and would have created a' religious hierarchy in Russia. "It is imperative that President Yeltsin work to ensure, that the Duma is unable to override his veto," Rabbi Staitman added.

While awaiting President Yeltsin's decision, the NCSJ voiced its concern about the proposed legislation to the U.S. and Russian Governments and regularly consulted with its constituent agencies in determining the appropriate course of action.

For 25 years, the NCSJ has been the mandated agency in the organized American Jewish community for advocacy on behalf of the Jewish communities of the former Soviet Union.

Peace, but not now

COMMENTARY

by Gary Rosenblatt, Editor, The New York Jewish Week

JERUSALEM — It's ironic that Benjamin Netanyahu, who came to power, largely on the strength of his mastery of the sound bite, is being criticized widely for his inability to make Israel's political case in the public arena. Henry Kissinger says that the current Jerusalem government's most serious fault is its "clumsiness" in projecting its position and that it "can't afford such a reputa;

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Addressing about 85 participants in New York at an all-day conference on the historical,, religious and political complexities of Jerusalem; the former secretary of state said that Israel's strategic position "is not so bad," since no Arab country can make war against the Jewish state, and the Clinton administration, "lacks the conviction" to bring increased political pressure on Israel.

But that condition can deteriorate as the ArabIsraeli status quo regresses, Kissinger said, noting ' that .wherever he goes these days, world leaders ask him when Washington is going to make more negotiating demands on Israel. , •. .'• Netanyahu has "isolated himself" and done a "terrible job of presenting Israel's case to the world," Kissinger says, and that worries him.

Similarly, Leslie Gelb, the president of the Council of Foreign Relations, told the group that "if Israel is blamed for stalling the peace talks," it will become a serious political issue in the U.S. and Israel will be hurt more and more over. time.

"I fault Netanyahu for making it look like Israel is .to blame here, hot the Palestinians," Gelb said.

Kissinger and Gelb were among the leading policy makers, academics and observers focusing on the Mideast at the conference, sponsored by the Jerusalem Foundation. And surprisingly, to many of the participants, both Kissinger and Gelb essentially defended the Netanyahu, strategy of holding firm in not giving in to Palestinian demands.

Indeed, they felt he was not being tough enough.

Kissinger, who has never been enthusiastic about the Oslo Accords because he believes they virtually guarantee statehood for the Palestinians, said that Netanyahu should seize the initiative and make

Letter from Israel

by Harry Allen

These are the dog days of summer in Israel. The heat keeps lots of folks indoors in the afternoons, and even the multitude of Israel cats who normally wander around, find a parked car to snooze under.

The Israelis who are traveling abroad almost balance out with the tourists-though it has been a tough season. Whoever is in charge of keeping the municipal gardens in Jerusalem; has taken seriously the concept of "Jerusalem of Gold".and has decked out the countless plazas with bright yellow marigolds. , .

As if on schedule and according to script, the news reports the daily "incident" in Hebron. These short spurts of rock-throwing and Molotov cocktail attacks have long ceased to create much excitement among, the bulk of our population. Jerusalem has much in common with the old song, The Hazy, Lazy Days of Summer. Fortunately, we still have the political squabbles and religious arguments to liven up the landscape. . • . . ' .

Comic relief (though it is really tragic, hot funny) is provided on a daily basis by the "keystone kop" nature of what passes for a government these days.

The Prime Minister tells us that he is against the bill making it harder to pass compromise legislation on ceding part of the Golan and then votes for it only to announce that he is really against it and will modify the bilj! " Then on another day, he tells the Minister of Defense that the mid-year budget correction will

THE JEWISH PRESS (Founded In 1920) The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel.

Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish.

Community Center, Jewish Education and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

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Maureen LaPour Managing Editor • Larry Axelrod Advertising Manager Sheryl Frladman Bookkoopor George Schaplro Volunteer

not reduce the defense budget and (thaf s right) the next week he agrees to cut the defense budget whereupon the Defense Minister publicly blasts the Prime Minister who promptly agrees to consider increases in the budget for next year. ' Then there is the proposed new housing project in East Jerusalem financed by.an American investor named Irving Moskowitz. He owns-the land which is right in the middle of an Arab neighborhood very close to the Mount-of Olives;-The mayor of Jerusalem, heretofore a staunch ally of the Prime Minister, OKs the project,- arid the Prime Minister," bowing to all sorts' of pressure, says'it will not be built though it is likely he also agreed in t h e

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The conversion crisis'has been placed on the'back burner, at least until fall, but for the moment, the summer heat has dulled the sense of mortal combat. Presumably, the committee looking into the possibility of a compromise is meeting in an airconditioned conference room. The Israelis and the PLO are still negotiating on whether or not they should really negotiate. ;• David Levy met Arafat in Europe. Levy thought it was a good meeting; Arafat said it went nowhere.

This week, also, Levy will 'meet with Nabil Schaff, chief Palestinian negotiator/-td lry:and workrouta resumption of negotiations, and Dennis Ross will be back with a new sheaf of proposals. And so it goes in these "hazy, lazy days of summ'eri"-'10:1: ' Ji

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Slovs Lovlngor Chairman

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public a peace plan that guarantees Israel secure borders beyond those' of 1967 in return for statehood. "Israel should say, "here's our plan, and when you're ready, come talk to us.'" . . ; • Gelb was even more forceful in asserting the U.S. must insist on full compliance with the Oslo Accords from'the Israelis, and especially the Palestinians, before any further Steps are taken.

"There is nothing more, important than compliance," said Gelb, "because nothing works if you are not taken seriously." He was especially critical of the Palestinian Authority's failure to comply in combating terrorism and governing its own people. . Both Kissinger and Gelb cautioned against moving too quickly in dealing with the PalestinianIsraeli conflict. Kissinger noted that throughout his foreign policy career he has advocated an incremental, step-by-step approach to negotiations.

Gelb called for a bumper sticker that says, "Peace, But\Not Now." He explained that the Palestinians must demonstrate a willingness to live in peace and that only'over time will Israelis be convinced of their seriousness. . ^ '.' ; .

'And both Kissinger and "GjelB would'put.

Jerusalem on the, back burner. "Without peace, there's no deal on Jerusalem," said Gelb, "because we all realize that Israel is Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is Israel." ' . ' . ' , ' ;••/';' ' .; .

Those words resonated with me three days later as I walked the streets of Jerusalem, observing the carefree couples enjoying dinner at outdoor cafes, and wondering what these smiling people would have made of the discussions back in New York.

So many scenarios and theories from 6,000 miles away, while here people go about the business of their daily lives, hoping for peace but coping with the reality of something between war and peace. .

All in due time. The Mideast time clock cannot be set and speeded up by Washington; Still, both Kissinger and Gelb warned that Israel should move sooner rather than later in pushing,ahead in the peace talks because a confluence of political, military and strategic situations work in Jerusalem's favor now, and may not last forever.

Lloyd Roitsteiri, Vice Chairman; Fred'Tich'au,eiy Treasurer; Joanie JacobsOn;-Secretary; Elyce Airiek'iiilT Belmont; BobBirt;' Steve: Danon; Bob Eisenberg; Linda Lachin; Sheryl Lee; George Schapiro; Howard Silber. z u •: Editorials express the view of the writer and are. not necessarily representative of th'e'views of the Jewish Press" Committee, the Jewish 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 Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any productor establishment.

August 8,1997 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 5

NEWS ANALYSIS

Release of Swiss bank list produces surprises, confirmations

by Daniel Kurtzman

WASHINGTON (JTA) - Switzerland's longawaited 'list' produced, more than just names on , dormant Swiss bank accounts., . , ••.-•..,•."4t also confirmed many.of .the allegation? leveled atjSwiss.b^ks.durkig fljep.ast year; while,: at the

lie'world r. (.„

^jbefcyfgenj-thjB.'jpu^ and the ' iujm'Bgrj.thelljan^'ers! prey'ipusly, saii turned up after .a"rompr^tie.nsive search of,^heii- r'ecpr'ds.. ~ In festajnonjriastjEail before a'U.Sj congressional ;nijqeK>eD"res.J£,n.^ jankers ^sgpjjlat^on'said .t$ey ^co'jil'd.'.oijly'-'Jpcaf;^ 775 'account's'worth a1Sout'i>3*2 million.The "accounts >iWia£ usjfi ;"JUJ T4.1:; vlS"> .t;,ii".;-.i,fc,:.-j.'!(•,..!

published last week haveto an George estimated total value of, *$4? according Krayer.presi, „ million, . .,1.. -J&#JiWMl-y-A'<>--L'><'^r+Li}VL---!-

banks ^are holding .upJib $7, pi; on 1 in assets, deposited by ' Jews 'Surmg 'the V^orlct "* ar Uera ^^^de^n&^djha^ftere^^le^three

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'j^nfe&Jaamitteil''to. last; .year," Slan Steinberg, ; executive (Brectoi^ of1 th^WprW ,Jewjsj( Congress, sai^, pfjfle ii^t,.;*IJ;'.gpes rigKt to'tHei^ credibility,''

* The list confirms that Switzerland ignored a 1946 accord with the Allies on the return of Nazi loot. The 1946 Washington Agreement required that the banks thoroughly search their accounts and safe-deposit boxes for assets belonging to Germans, liquidate them and turn over half the

Swiss francs - worth about $500 million today — for Croatian fascists after World War II. In addition to opening the archives, the "Vatican should establish a commission to look into their wartime past - as 16 other countries have done in view of this incredible documentation," said Elan Steinberg, WJC's executive director. •' • ' His comments came after the Vatican flatly denied that the declassified docuinent had any Switzerland, WJC President Edgar Bronfman said validity. "These reports have no basis'in reality," •' la'sl'week.J'"We are goingtosee Swiss bank secrecy Vatican' spokesman Joaquin Nav£JrtwVall3;saKl. cdine tumbling down when they publish the' names -• This is notthe first time the'Vatican's role'ih' the bf20,000 dormant; Swiss accounts in October. The Holocaust has been'questionedi-The1 'Vatican mis beea accused of helping Nazis escape through a soreferring to the next list of dormant called pipeline. Convicted Nazis Klaus Barbie, the 'accounts the Swiss banks plan to make public - a "butcher of Lyon," and SS Capt, ErichPriebke, who • listing of accounts opened by Swiss citizens during was just convicted of war crimes in Italy, were the World War II era. among those whose escapes reportedly were aided The revelatioris about the Nazi accounts, mean- by the Vatican. awhile, have prompted the Simon Wiesenthal Center : ta reassess the-way ithas approached the 3 iss'ue'of dormant accounts.

"I think it may have been a mistake in retrospect ' t o place so much emphasis on the dormant MONUMENT CO. accounts of victims and to place so little energy on where the real assets are, which is the perpetraFrank L. Ciciulla, Jr. tors' accounts'," Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the 60 Years Experience • Wiesenthal Center, said. ••••-•'' With Jewish ' : '• He added,"It's riot logical to believe that the Lettering and Memorials majority of Jews and other victims of Nazism had 1439 So. 13th time to consult with their local Swiss banker, but ; it is Very logical to believe that the elite of the 341-2452

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i,. * The hsi includes names-of several tpp-r,anking ' Nazis'and' Nazi sjanpathiiers, inclutiing. members of Hitler's'Nazi elite.' The S^on.Wjesenth'al Center 'su'd'pneVaccpunt is believed to liave belphged to ;H6rnmhn Schniit'z, the'chairinap of I.G; t'arben, ' tiie'mariufaciurer of the gas, used in concentration ti p^p$.''O^N/nitff^m^iii^Willy'BaYer,]aii alias ifor'|an; aide to 'Adolf jEichmann, and .Kurt 'Hermann, ; a .-publisher wlioT handle^, jewelry ,^ealings for'Hermann Gbering. Herrmann apparently played an importani.role.in the sales of stolen jewelry from the Rothschild family. * Madelei-ne Kunin, U.S. ambassador to Switzerland, said,she,discovered her mother's name pn the list of dormant accounts. Kunin was 7 .years old whenJber Jewish,famUy,,fearing a Nazi invasion, fled Switzerland in lp40,.She.has;begun the process offiling.-a.claimto determine whether ,it is, in fact, her mother on the list.

&c^arig& ""•'In addition, the backers of a'ciass-afctibn lawsdit filed in-New York against Swiss banks on behalf of Holocaust survivors and their heirs have amended the lawsuit in an attempt to go after the accounts of perpetrators as well.

• (JTA correspondent Fredy Rom in Zurich contributed to this report.)

^ LARRY HASSUNGER

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CITY SPRINKLER COMEDY 493-5541 "We put the rain at yowjtngerttps"

WJC calls on Vatican to open archives in wake of document

by Mitchell Danow

NEW YORK (JTA) - The World Jewish Congress is calling on the Vatican to open its archives for an exaimnatipnofitswartimepast.;: ; ... : ,, \ The.WJCJ issued.the.q^ll.after,^^researchers, a d pi if Ai ed dy. yS , ^. A , ^ ^ i p p e R tt n . d claiming that the Vatican had stored, 200 million

Letters to the Editor To the Editor: : . In response to the article in the July 18 issue of ^thfei Jewish Press,:Yachad 'members and their ;faijiihPes .would;like to extend their appreciation to ,the community, for showingiian.interest in Yachad.

One business, who wishes to remain ahonymous, ihas: dona.ted)tbje!Mse;of arvan;;;which;.wiH .enable us ^0!go,,tpLiMorxill Halliand.theiState,Capitol, and even See., a.. Jaserr-light • Show iat! the Planetarium in l

be in great danger due to our dependence on Arab oil.

I am very much afraid that the so-called Persian Gulf War was initiated specifically to train the Arab enemies of Israel in the use of common equipment, one. of the causes of their losing previous . w a r s .

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TotheEditon -.iiThe.dQnationr.of anotbervaniy Mike Schmid of •Abbott • Airport; parking .will- take us • on - a fall outing.; We. alsohave several:hew^voluriteers:to help with our programs. Omaha's Jewish community is very..giving, -not just in items -of money, which we can all be proud.of,-but even more so when it answers those seemingly small unmet needs that groups like Yachad have.. ':• • : ,., Linda Novak, Ynchad Advisor To the Editor: Thank you for your criticism of the UN's bias against Israel, mentioned in the July issue of the Jewish Press; "unfortunately, the UN is expressing the bias of the U.S. government, and Arab Oil is the apparent cause of our government's bias.

Unfortunately, tb,e U.S. press largely shares that bias.

I have been trying to let people know that Jews especially should support atomic power.

Unfortunately, most Americans oppose it, due to propaganda encouraged by the oil interests. This, despite the fantastic success of our nuclear Navy as well as our atomic power plants. Thus, Israel will

The Move to Texas He left Nebraska'far behind to seek a clime that's much more kind.

It is to Corpus that he came to seek-the sun and find his fame.

There was the beach with sand galore much more than he'd every seen before.

The water warm and shells aplenty, the ladies many with clothes ascanty.

The Lexington is there to see, as are the ships that sail the sea.

The gulls and turtles are here, too, and the beginnings of a zoo.

The restaurants are very neat, with lots of food that's good to eat. •• • It's here he'll stay, for it is now to spend his live without the snow. . , Saul Libowski 80S St. Benedict Ct Corpus Christi, TX 78418-5705

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By now you may have heard.. .we are 'closing the doors at our current location. However, we are not going out of business. O Jerusalem will become a wholesaler of the wonderful items you have come to love. Details will be forthcoming.

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Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 8,1997

Russian Club is 'on the road again'

The Russian Club spent a day a t Mahoney State Park, and a ranger guided members through the park o h a trolley. They visited the conservatory, lodge and marina where they enjoyed a picnic lunch, (from left) Anna Mogilevskaya, Lina Levit, Olga Sitnyakovskaya, Yefim Goldin, Mariya Poluektova, Petr Ginzburg and Marksina Levit.

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Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. English Class starts at 10 a.m.; bingo and exercise both s t a r t a t 10:30. Join Toni Kutcher a n d A r t Grossman as they lead the "YES Talk" discussion group a t 1 1 . Following lunch a t noon, Debbi Brown, Assistant Director of the Anti-Defamation League, will speak. For transportation call 3304272.

R e m i n d e r : Maj Jongg Club will meet Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the JCC. For information, call Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5658.

VISIONS Deadline is Aug. 2 0 for reservations to see Whales, showing a t t h e IMAX Theater a t the Henry Doorly Zoo on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m. Send form to Jean Elkon, 1005 N- 63rd St., Omaha, NE 68132.

BREADBREAKERS

City Councilman Lee Terry will speak a t Breadbreakers on Wednesday, according, to Steve Riekes. Councilman Terry will discuss current issues and update us on the latest in city government.

Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon WALK-IN, DROP-IN There will be no program Thursday due to. the at the Highland Country Club. The program is trip to UNO to see the exhibit on Bethsaida. For open to the community. Cost is $7.75 those members attending the day trip, please meet GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP in the JCC lobby by 9:45 a.m.

Jewish Family Service is offering this support group, free of charge, for individuals whohave JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES All seniors are welcome to the Summer Luncheon experienced the death of a loved one. It is schedat Beth El Synagogue on Thursday, Aug. 21, a t uled to begin Aug. 20, and will run for approxinoon. Cost is $5 per person. Susie Drazen will be . mately 12 consecutive weeks on Wednesdays, 7:30our speaker. Musical guests are Anna Mosenkis 9 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home conferand Lev Shekhtman, who will entertain with an ence room. Facilitators are Ellie Epstein, M.S., and assortment of Yiddish, Hebrew and Russian music. Jennifer Meyerson V M.S.W. The group will focus ' Deadline is Aug. 14. Make check payable to Jewish on personal grief and loss issues. Space is still Senior Services and send to Reva Oruch, 9324 available.

For more information and to pre-register, please ;Cumming Plaza, # 5C, Omaha, NE 68114. For contact Jennifer Meyerson at JFS, 330-2024. transportation, call Maggie Conti at 334-6521.

Visions enjoyed double treat of Fiddler on the Roof

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Frequently, the Oldtimers and YES group partake of lunch in the J"s regular dining quarters.

However, July 27, we were served in Room 10, not as spacious but nevertheless adequate. About 50 were in attendance.

Why the change? Because, the regular dining area was the scene of a truly rare occasion held at the J - a Brit Mileh (Bris), The son of Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Katzman and Mrs. Katzman, of Chabad House, signalized the Covenant between G-d and Israel as prescribed in the Book of Genesis.'

What with Rabbi Katzman's visiting Lubavitch associates from other communities, the J took on appearances of a convention.

The Early Bird discussion session flew high.

Led by Toni Kutcher and assisted by this correspondent, subjects were absorbing and varied.

An editorial by Cal Thomas, who writes for the Los Angeles Times, quoted portions of a prayer by the mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine a t the AlAqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during which the mufti said: "Oh Allah, destroy America, for she is ruled

by Zionist Jews."

The main thrust of Thomas' piece was/'why did this prayer of hate go unchallenged?' Not a peep emanated from the West who continue to push Israel toward political and actual suicide. . On to other topics. Norm Zevitz posed: 'Does

Omaha need the expensive downtown arena?' Pros and cons followed. .

More on the Swiss banks and the voluminous amounts of loot Nazis wrested from Jews and stored in Switzerland.

••• There were poignant moments when it was related that Secretary of State Madeline K. Albright, visited t h e P i n k a s Synagogue in P r a g u e , Czechoslovakia, and seeing t h e names of her Jewish paternal grandparents painted on a wall, she struggled not to weep. They had perished in the Holocaust. .

The story of Mrs. Albright's origins, what she called her "Jewish background/' was no longer a rumor, but public and painful witnessing names of family.

••-/•. *_.

At the lunch, Hide Gottlieb led in the motzi, and yours truly led the benshen.

Our guest speaker was Barbara Bresler from the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, who related forthcoming exhibits including a repeat of the pop: ular North 24th St. display.,.Also', the society is asking for photos taken at 60th wedding anniversaries, for another exhibit. They will be returned, -i Some of the regular Earlybird participants have been conspicuous by their absence. Where are the Adler brothers-Jake and Morrie?

Remember, we now meet every Monday, not Tuesday. * •

August 8,1997

The best summer program

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Pag»7

Omahan dances to stardom

by Melissa Shapiro, Ediar President

KINGS ISLAND, OHIO-Wouldn't it be great to get paid to do what you love most? Well, for Jennifer Farber, daughter of James and Judy Farber of Omaha, that ideal is a reality.

In her first season at Paramount's Kings Island, Farber has been cast as a dancer in ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT®—Special Edition LIVE\ The show links exclusive Entertainment Tonight® footage from Paramount Studio in Hollywood with the main stage at Paramount's Kings Island.

Ingeniously synced video and live contemporary dance come together in this high-energy, multimedia production.

"When I see the reactions from the different audience members, I realize how much I love what I do," says Farber, 20.

Farber, a 1995 graduate of Westside High School, has been dancing for five years. Last summer, she danced in the E-3 Convention Industrial in Los Angeles. She also performs with a community theater in Omaha.

After studying dance at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Farber transferred to Columbia State Community College in Nashville, TN, to study commercial entertainment. She will return to the college in the fall to finish her degree.

"I would like to do a cruise ship and some indusJennifer Farber trials after the season is finished," she said. "I would also like to do music videos in Los Angeles When not dancing, Farber enjoys inline skating, exercising, playing tennis and shopping.

Back row, from left: Laynie Ginsburg, Jenny and Broadway in New York," she added.

Rifkin, Melissa Shapiro, Lisa Pitlor, Rachel Katskee and Susie Stein, advisor. Middle row: Emilie Epstein and Jamie Hamburg. Front: Sara Gordon, Nikki Romanik, Annie Nogg and Leslie Golbitz, advisor.

In Poland, the group studies the remains of the concentration camps, and in Israel they celebrate Israel's Independence Day. As part of Annie's responsibilities for going on the trip, she committed to giving presentations to inform others of what she had learned.

Ediar girls met at the JCC and traveled to Lisa Ea,oy kxvry althe O m R o el H cl Pitlor's.lake home. We had a beautiful Haydalah comonit"! lo all of f'10 tvcr'd h" ois Orlando/ service with the lake in the background. Everyone con' al I onda a ca a'nKlom' shared poems or stories, which made the service a Thrill to the bright even more meaningful. All of the girls learned so lights of Chicago... and pamper yoursell al much, and the presentation made many girls interthe Hyatt Regency on ested in going on next year's trip. We stayed the lamed Magnificent overnight at the Pitlbrs and the next day we had aMoioKifonlbad Milel South CaroTina ya.r fun at the lake. vocation headquarters In my two years of being a part of this wonderful Experience: h storKchapter, this was the most meaningful program I d p oils Arcnca re v co ntr/ m J *. cap all Fun have ever attended; As I was looking around the lishlng. kHi'ac * LS ^ S S kiv.,,0 yocaiiji and star-studded entertainment ore waiting lor campfire at my Ediar sisters, I was very proud to and discount goffl deslinationl Try your luck In k u you in Branson, Missouri/ b§ President of such a great group of girls. I know Vegas... and enjoy shows... shopping., .golf discounts...and we will continue to have such special and fun promuch, much morel grams that strengthen our chapter.

Have you ever attended a Havdalah service gathered around a campfire while looking out over a beautiful.lake? Eleven girls were fortunate enough to experience this in July as part of an Ediar #710 program. The purpose of this program was to practice Judaism and have Annie Nogg give her fellow BBGers her 'March of the Laving" presentation.

At the beginning of the summer, the executive board and I wanted to have a religious program as one of the many summer programs we were planning. Also, Annie Nogg had just returned from the "March of the Living" trip, which is a BBYO sponsored trip to Poland and Israel for two weeks.

Aaron Kaslow and Allison Zievc of Washington, D.C., announce the Aug. 2 birth of their daughter, Emilia Rose. . Grandparents are Howard and Gloria Kaslow of Omaha and Philip and Elaine Zieve of Baltimore.

Great-grandmothers are Evelyn Kaslow of Laguna Hills, CA, formerly of Omaha, and Miriam Cooper of New Haven, CT. American Heart ft Assoclation-Hs

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 8,1997

Jewish fVlgcrosoft? Davka Beads the software pack

by Sid Singer. JUFNews

CKICAGO-Question: When it comes to Judaic computer software, where is Silicon Valley?

Answer: West Rogers Park, thanks to Davka Corporation {Davka means "specifically" in Hebrew).

Inside its plain brown building at 7074 N. Western Ave., Davka quietly pounds out programs for all ages, teaching aids, graphics and clip art, games, and more1/all on Jewish topics. "[Our programs are] representative of the secular market, but'dn the scale of the Jewish market," says Susan Schwartz; Davka's Vice-president of operations.

Davka grew out of the Institute for Computers and Jewish Life, according to Davka's president and founder, Irving Rosenbaum, who also headed the Institute.

(Editor's note: Rosenbaum grew up in Omaha, the brother of Pauline Guss and the late Myer Rosenbaum and uncle of Linda Rosenbaum Gordman. His son, Rabbi Roy Rosenbaum, a Vicechancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, was in Omaha in June to recognize the achievements and -generosity of Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Rripke on the occasion of their 60th anniversary.)

Founded in 1980, the Institute's goal was to bring computer technology to Jewish education.

Rosenbaum founded Davka in 1982 to distribute the Institute's programs; it has since become an independent company, developing and marketing its own programs.

Those programs have netted over $1 million in annual sales and a customer'ba'se;!estimat;e'd''at GeMrianyj-and ChileTULocally;!Davka products'coiiistitute 90 percent of the software'programs oh the shelves of the Hamakor Gallery in Skokie, according to Adrienne Bauman, Hamakor's assistant manager.

Sales, however, are not the company's only motivation, says Rosenbaum, who provides content input and oversees international merchandising.

He explains that the entire staff at Davka shares the same goal: to bring the benefits of computer technology to Jewish life, and to Jewish education, in particular.

"We're not Jewish Microsoft," he says.

The majority of customers are private individuals, but Davka also markets to schools and synagdgues;its recent Lab Pack;a c'bmpilatioh'of the mbs't popular programs' ih'Wchcibls,' was1 designed exclusively ;to; enable'edu'catidrialiin'stitu'tJibris' to buy a few products together, rather than pay higher costs for each one individually.

The Lab Pack continues Davka's chain of filling a niche that had not been previously filled, Schwartz says.

"Davka was already on the cutting edge before the PC market got big. It found needs and filled them."

To do that, Davka recognized the makeup of its customer base and what consumers would find attractive. .

"When a family buys a computer, they look for

things to do with it," says Schwartz. So Davka developed, for example, Ready for Raehi, which teaches beginners of all ages how to read Rashi script, complete with instructional drills. It put the entire Talmud on CD-ROM, giving it search capabilities which immediately access a source. It designed a graphics program wiih 500 pieces of Judaica clip art, which someone designing a synagogue bulletin or a youth groupr flier might find useful.

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Some may prefer printed texts over computers, but Davka's CD-ROM versions of Jewish bodksprovide more capabilities at a faster speed. J •; •"•••• Its CD-ROM of Igrot Moshe, a book of halachic questions and answers by the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, z"l, enables users to look up Feinstein's answers and then immediately access the Talmudic source for his ruling.

•"• • •'•• • Those reading the CD-ROM version of Rabbi Maurice Lamm's The Jewish Way in Love and Marriage can take in audio/video footage of the Afferent components of a Jewish wedding.

•'•'• "There's so much more you can do with thetouch of a button," says Schwartz. "You could do [most ofj it with books, but this is much more immediate."''; Most of the programs are designed by committee, with ideas based on general market trends, previously popular products, and customers' requests.

The ideas are then divided based on which can be completed for each of Davka's three seasons — Pesach, summer, and Hanukah.

Once the idea is finalized, the programming begins, followed by testingiiahdithen marketing.

TWaiaveragelprrigrantitakesiatiywhei* frdm fchre& to s1k months :to%dw.'ff'om1tfdea!>tk? finished 'pro'du'dt, accofdingtoSchwarii!. v^'! "/ i:':;!v;--v,>.•:>• T h'"\ •;!; Davka: has full-time staff to handle program design and production, customer service, software, and sales, and three technical support staff members who handle questions or problems about specific programs. The corporation also maintains an office in Israel that helps facilitate distribution of the small minority of programs Davia does:not design on its own, many of which come from Israel.

Davka's original products are distributed throughout the United States by Judaica Press in New York; Davka also handles sales by direct mail and telephone through its catalog.

Davka has made quite a name for itself since it • first opened up 15 years ago.:The biggest difference between 1982 and 1997, says Rosenbaum, who, as president of the Hebrew Theological College in the .late '70s, started their first computer labs, is twofold: few people had computers in 1982, and computers at that time were not sophisticated.

"When the Apple HE was the computer that was out there, that's what we developed for; our programs depended largely on written text," he says.

"Now all the programs include illustrations, sounds, and other multimedia capabilities. And the number of homes with computers has multiplied lOOtimes."

Schwartz adds that as IBM computers became more'popular, Davka began tailoring to the'IBM market. Currently, the ratio of IBM-Macintosh

Davka programs is.4-1. As for the next 15 years and beyond, Rosenbaum predictsa steady coursei •_ "It's difficult to.teH; but I think we'll .retaia pur primacy, in the market. We're ^still advanced and cutting-edge,":he says, pointing,-as an example, to Davka's being^thefirst.to develop jOD-BOMs with classical Jewish±extualtreferenceajnrba atii to tna-i'i Purists and tBchnoiphoba&l howevery caaltake solace in that !for manyytho, printed ^ftrige;.Mill always, remain: the: ^method oft choice, bvetfthenQBt ROM iniat.leastrone .ayea.'iistudyio (.davka!). .-»4<i'

Violinist and Composer perform film music ; ^ > t*T**yr*~

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Perlmaiij and Williams "will perform musi from this album with the Boston Pops'ort.PBS Telecast of Evening at Pops on Monday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. Check local listings .. ,'\ In itheif'first' recording collaboration1 'sihe^-th'e Oscar-wiriniirig'tiO Jftdtock' iof'tSchiridler's •Iiisij' vio>lin virtuoso Itzliak Perimahjoiiis five-time' Oscarwinning composer :and conductor John Williams and the Pittsburgh Symphony on Scmyi Classi<ial's new disk entitled ''Cinema Serenade"''{SK/Sk/SM 63005)-a'»6ollection of contemporary' ^film'theriles from Cinema Paradiso, Out of Africa and othersi"'For this project, Perlman, winner of 15 Grammy awardsV is again thefsoloistiWWilliams'fmuisic from Schindler's List; i n a reprise-of his awardwinning performance on; the film's original soundtrack. Williams is the composer of two additional selections featured on "Cinema Serenade," music from Far and Away and Sabrina.'- " ' •'•• ••' ' ••••• • In addition, he arranged five themes-by other composers: the main title from The Color Purple (1985) by Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rodney ...Tempexton and JoeLRosenbaum^the Carlos Gardel tango "Por Una Cabe?a"::heard,-in'Scent of a.

Woman (1992); the song "PapaV; Can You Hear Me?" from Michel Legrand's Qscar r wpning score for Yentl (1983); Luis Bacalov's theme from 1/ Postino (1995), also' an Osiiar winner; and"tiuis Bonfa'B"Mariha dd Camaval"fromB/ai;A! OrpheOs (1959), a melody that gained popularity ras the;aorig "A Day in the Life of a Fool."? u"; .i;\ir. ii-u ";n jiu^yS

Perelman will appear with the Omaha Symphony Saturday night; Sept! 13. iThe pery formance is sold out,,but names mayl.he placed on a waiting list for tickets by calling 342-3560.

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August 8,1997

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

fey Bert Lewis The subject of toys for children is always of interest to me, since there are small kids in our family.

Toys, in this age of everything electronic, are quite different from the kind I once bought for my own.

Let's face it, the smallest pipsqueak today knows how to take the special cd, climb up on a chair in front of the computer and insert it, punch "the correct keysandvoila! Entertainment. ;.'•.. : My kids were inore content with puzzles, Mr. Potato Head,: Yahtzee, Barbie.(and Ken), comic books, jewelry-making kits, junior tool boxes and ;

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Forgetting all that, I have to laugh when I think of the toys my brother and I enjoyed as little kids.

To say our playthings were less sophisticated is the understatement of the century,...matter of fact, many of our playthings were "home-made" or more correctly, land-made."

One of the things we played with, when we had to be in the house, was the radio bench. You don't know the term "radio bench? Let me explain. This was a bench only big enough to accommodate one person; the frame was something like wrought iron, painted with gold paint and the seat and two •"arms* were upholstered with (I think) maroon mohair. ' You know about mohair? It was a fjancy fabric often found on furniture, and my memory of it is that it'itched like crazy on bare legs.'Anyway, this loosely describes the famous radio bench. When it stood upright, it was a nice piece of furniture; when iny imaginative brother laid it down on its side, the under part of the seat was visible. This was a lovely clean piece of wood which, with thehelp of a pencil became the "dashboard" of our "car," , We would draw various dials and pretend instruments on the wood and sit behind it on the floor, making appropriate motor noises. I don't remember how long we could do this before a fight ensued, but it was good for short.spans of time on rainy d

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Another pass time we enjoyed if we had to be in the house was playing grocery store. -My smart Mom would always save empty cartons and cans, clean them and show us how to declare them shelf items for our basement/playroom/grocery store. We didn't know we were participating in creative activity...we were just finding something to play with!

We didn't have too many store-bought toys, but we had trikes and wagons and skates. And I had a

FRIEDLAND/BOGGUST ;;,Nancy and-David Friedland announce the engagement of their daughter, Paula Jane, to John Matthew Boggust, son of Marilyn and Jack Boggust of Del Mar, CA. Ms. Friedland is a self-employed photographer.

She graduated from the University-of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor's degree.

She iB the granddaughter of the late Evelyn and

brother who could take an orange crate and a skate and turn them into a rickety thing which was guaranteed to give the rider both-splinters AND skinned knees. But boy was it fun to play with.

We didn't have bikes because our dear Mother was absolutely convinced we'd ride them into the busy streets and get killed.'What she never knew' , was that we rode the bik6s of our friends every chance we gat, understanding her motives while wishingshe'drelent-Shenevel^did.'•'•- . • "•': •"•• Our toys. •. .Fm not sure that's even the right designation forthejunk we used to play with j but I'm definitely sure we enjoyed "what we had. One of the : things we always had were books, which made up for a lot that we didn't have. ^ •...-.•..., And we also had an unusual'source for some of our acquisitions: you see,-Zada had a second-hand store where all sortff of stuff could-be found. And . since my brother and I Were the first and only grandchildren for quite a; while, we were always

by Oliver B.Pollak University of Nebraska-Omaha

The Wisdom of Love

by Alain 'Finkielkraut (Lincoln: University of k This is Volume 20 of the University of Nebraska , Press series entitled Jferts and Contexts. The general editor is University of Chicago scholar Sander t- G i h n a n .

. •

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Aaearlier worthy Finkielkraut, The Imaginary Jew, appeared in 1994 as Vol. 9. Both -volumes are translated from French by-Kevin O'Neill and David Suchoff, of the University of Colorado and'Colby C o l l e g e :

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Finkielkraut is a French philosopher who initially published La Saguesse de I'amour in 1984. He transforms the old concepts of sociology and racism, of "us* and "them* into the post-Shoah language of the Other and the different w e l c o m e to v i s i t t h e s t a r e . -..-, ' ••--•..;•;•, • "••••- •••• • The French Jewish point of view is-dissected Visits generally yielded -some treasure or other through the work of Lithuanian born Emmanuel' that we gladly schlepped home; including-books."

Levinas (1906-1995), of whom Finkielkraut is a Zada was quick to invite us to «em, nem (take, take) and pleaded "when we did. I know all-my disciple. Levinas lectured at the College PhilosoNancy Drew books came from that store, as. well as phique, founds m Paris, shortly after French Iibthe Hardy'Boys that intrigued the mechanical eration. •;.•/..;• / . . . , '.-' ' . . ; . . , • ^ ',].'.,', This is a difficult book. It raises the question, the g e n i u s o f o u r f a m i l y . ••.••;-;•;•;.•; ; . ? , : ; , . .

Today's toys are, in the words of today's kids, conundrum, of reconciling universalism arid partiawesome, I admit And the things I once bought for sanship, universal justice, equality and otherness, my own kids were OK, too. Everyone would have-to which for Finkielkraut must be accomplished by agree there's good reason for folks like ToysRUs' opposition to assimilation and the preservation of . the Other's difference. ,. • . .: ; : (or h o w e v e r it's spelled).; * • •"'••:••• : • • • All of that/notwithstanding, I like to remember Finkielkraut draws from the French experience, what we created and called 'toys' when I was a lit- the French Revolution, the Dreyfus i affair,^and tle girl. I know when I played jump rope with my gives American readers a different perspective of friends, the rope was a length of clothes line which the Jewish condition in Europe. , .-. .'•-.'-• didn't have red wooden handles or anything fancy, Several thought-provoking observations emerge, but it worked very well: of which I will share two. The title of the book I also remember sliding down the hill in the back shows the limitations and the expansiveness of yard when the snow was just right, on a simple hV love, without a hint of the erotic. The word "love" in tie sled. We didn't know about those big bobsleds various languages signifies both charity and greed, that held several kids, but we had lots of fun. generosity and avarice, and the act of giving and of We all want the best for our kids and grandkids, taking. of course, and that probably includes playthings.

I am reminded of a speech by Martin Luther But I have to wonder if they aren't missing some of King, Jr., where he explicated eros and agape. the fun we once had-the fun of really creating our Perhaps the truest expression of Finkielkraut's own toys. semantic dilemma are altruism and egalitarian;. Well never know, but what the heck, Fve enjoyed ism.

• .• reminiscing about it all.

In distinguishing faces, difference emerges, but the Talmud, interpreted by Levinas and Finkielkraut, projects a .moral warning that, all praise lauded on one person or group carries within itself the seeds of its opposite, denigration and conPaul Blotcky and the late Rose and Maurice demnation.

Friedland.

But how can there be a meaningful society if we Mr. Boggust is an investment executive at Piper are reduced to silence. How does the Jewish sense Jaffray. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the of "chosen" equate with the Other and ethnocenUniversity of Arizona and a Master's degree from tnsm.

Creighton University.

The University of Nebraska Press is to be creditHe is the grandson of Oscar Holm, the late ed with translating both thought and knowledge in Roberta Rose and the late Bud and Ann Boggust An Oct. 25 wedding at Joslyn Art Museum is Jewish studies to a larger audience.

This book is available in the Jewish Federation planned.

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Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 8,1997

A 'Yiddische' adventure Turn your sense of style into an...

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The hills are alive-with Klezmer music? Yiddish chatter just down the road from Emily Dickinson's parlor?

What are so many noisy folks doing in a staid place like Amherst, MA, on a tranquil Sunday afternoon? They are celebrating the opening of the National Yiddish Book Center and having a great old leibedik (lively) time!

- Normie and I journeyed from, Boston to the Center's open house along Route 9, a two-laner that winds through shtetlach (villages) of tall, skinny houses with front porches, American flags and names like Belchertown. Two-and-a-half hours later we met Aaron Lansky, the dynamic 42-yearold founder of the National Yiddish Book Center.

Great Hall where we, and a couple hundred other visitors, wandered among the book stacks. To date, over a million volumes have been donated, and more arrive daily.

An exhibit of black and white prints by Jewish artists of the '30s--scenes of workers, subways, dance halls-hangs in one area. In another, stands a majestic Yiddish linotype machine, one of nine used by the Jewish Daily Forward newspaper from 1918 until 1991, when all nine were replaced by a single Macintosh computer.

Fascinating Yiddish memorabilia is being collect ed-manual typewriters, theater posters, sheet music, magazines-and the libraries, study rooms and performance spaces are ready for action.

Aaron Lansky and Eunie Denenberg in front of the National Yiddish Book Center.

Eunie celebrates a reunion with Abra Greenberg, a student from their course together at Oxford last summer; Abra now works at the Book Center.

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Lansky's original idea was to rescue the thousands of Yiddish books that were being dumped when their owners died or moved to nursing homes. But his initial plan is evolving into a "far more ambitious agenda" of helping preserve Yiddish culture. In his words, the Book Center "is certain to become a major destination on the Jewish map, a place where visitors con...reclaim a crucial. . . chapter of the Jewish past, and. .. explore new possibilities for Jewish literary and cultural creativity."

The building itself is an architectural joy. Set in an apple orchard on Hampton College campus where Lansky was an undergraduate (along with buddy Paul Novak, son of Helen and Sid, now a doctor in Des Moines) the long, low clapboard structure with its shingled roofs creates the feeling of a shtetl skyline.

Inside are exposed beams, clerestory windows and lots of glass opening onto terraces with sweeping grassy views. The heart of the Center is the

A serendipitous pleasure for me was my reunion with Abra Greenberg, a bright, young friend I met at Oxford who works at the Center.

So, why all the fuss? Yiddish, some say, is dying, if not already dead. Maybe, maybe not. But an excited 20-something. showed us the Valise" she'd schlepped form Paris to Amherst to fill with books.

Because students get a 75% discount, she was able to stuff it With Yiddish dictionaries, songbooks, poetry and short stories for less than forty dollars.

We bought a wonderful Yiddish copy of The Count of Monte Christo, son Larry's teen-age f a v o r i t e , i nw h i c h i s a s t i c k e r :

;|

••'' /•••'•

"This book, once owned by a South African reader, has been preserved by the Cape Town Yiddish Cultural Federation and returned to circulation by the National Yiddish Book Center of South Hadley, MA, ILSA^ May it thus inspire us to keep alight the flame of Jewish life and learning."

Yiddish book center enters new era with home of its own

by Debra Nussbaum Cohen

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NEW YORK(JTA) -The National Yiddish Book Center has finally found a home, but in a setting about as far as could be from the shtetls and cities where its books were penned. The dedication of a new $8 million facility in the bucolic New England college town of Amherst, MA, marked a new era for the center.

In 1980, Aaron Lansky, then a graduate student in Eastern European studies at McGill University, founded the center to save the Yiddish-language books that he saw being thrown-literally-on garbage heaps. He realized that something precious was being destroyed as the people who read and collected Yiddish books passed away and their

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children and grandchildren, having no use for entire libraries in a language they neither spoke nor read, threw them out.

He expected to devote two years to his rescue effort. At the time, experts estimated that there were a total of 70,000 Yiddish volumes in the entire country. Today, the National Yiddish Book Center owns more than 1.3 million volumes of Yiddish literature. Another 1,000 pour in each week from people who hope that their beloved, now-unused volumes, will find a' home and a future. "We want to give Yiddish an address, and provide people a place to come to understand Jewish culture," said Lansky in a recent interview.

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A u g u s t 8, 1997

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Four Premier Jewish Institutions to relocateunder one roof New $40 million Center for Jewish Learning and Culture taking shape in New York NEW YORK-At a time when public attention is the collections of the research institutes—collecfocused on factionalism within the Jewish commu- tions that have outgrown their existing homes. nity, the creation of a $40 million dollar Center for Jewish continuity and Jewish studies have been Jewish History, bringing together four leading U.S. on the minds of all involved in this unparalleled institutions devoted to preserving distinct strands project. Erica Jesselson, chairperson of the Yeshiva of Jewish life and history, is good news.

University Museum board, stresses the need to "An unprecedented American institution of vast "teach future generations our common history..." cultural magnitude is in the making," says writer Justin L. Wyner, the American Jewish Historical Cynthia Ozick of the project to house, under one Society's president, believes the full continuum of expansive roof, the American Jewish Historical history can be the bridge which connects young, Society (specializing in American Jewry), Leo uncommitted Jews to their heritage..." Noting Baeck Institute (specializing in German speaking scholars' need for access to primary sources, Ismar Jewry), YTVO Institute for Jewish Research Schorsch, president of the Leo Baeck Institute, (specializing in Eastern European Jewry), and the anticipates interdisciplinary research at the Yeshiya University Museum (interpreting and Center. exhibiting Jewish art, culture and history).

The Four Institutions When reconstruction of a 120,000 square foot, American Jewish Historical Society. The five-building complex in New York City is complet- custodian of the records of the Jewish experience ed in mid-1998, the rich collections and resources in America, AJHS returns to New York, where it of these four organizations will relocate to the new was founded in 1892. In addition to 40 million facility, making it the largest Jewish archive in the archival documents, 30,000 books and thousands world outside of Israel. of paintings and memorabilia, AJHS publications "With som.e 80 million items and the ability to inform the public of the contributions of America's house over a billion documents, half-a-million Jewish community. library volumes and 100,000 art works and artiLeo Baeck Institute. Named after the spiritual facts, our Center will become the central address leader of the Jewish community during the Nazi for exploring Jewish life and letters and the contri- period, the LBI was founded in 1955 to document "butjon modern Jewry has made to western civiliza- the life of German-speaking Jewry that existed for 7t4oni",says;Jfruce Slovin, YTVO's board chairman hundreds of years prior to its annihilation. With 'whp'flpeafheacled the project and serves as chair of sister institutes in London and Jerusalem, only the (lie new facility. . '' New York LBI has a library of 60,000 volumes, r. vTreasures include a letter from Thomas Jefferson archives, 30,000 photographs and an art collection. to New-York's oldest Jewish congregation;1 the origYIVO institute for Jewish Research. inal handwritten'copy «f.the!Emijfa I&£$&usi-p6em The New Colossus, ore then SttttlftPof »liiB6rtj»,'i&nd ,pf ^hundreds, ,of the first Hebrewprayer.books.printed^jn.America.

There are,'also architectural models prehistoric .|he ;orily;;pre; Holocaust.scholarlyinstitution, to synagogues, and a,renowned collection of Judaica transfer its mission to the new world. With its 22 confiscated by the Nazui and later, rescued will also million documents, 350,000 books and 200,000 'tJenou.seo'I;alttfyeCenter. , , , r iphotographs, it remains the research institute and ''.' 'The Center'wili 'not only provide! a staterpf-the- academic center for. Eastern European Jewish 'ajt conservationenvironment' for storing and pre- studies. , . . • • . serving these,'pager's,. documen.ts,1.bJpokgf .p,hoYeshiva^University Museum. Founded in 1973 * ~"~^s,'wbrksof artand arbfacte tjhatmateup and located on the campus of Yeshiva University,

the museum has been educating audiences of all ages with interpretations of Jewish life past and present from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

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Klutinick Symposium , . i .' v . ; ..-..•'.'(Continued from page 1) have also plumbed the depths, and.explored the • — heights of emotion, we feel upon reading and expe- • riencing this account. During the second half of the •> ' i 20th century, given the rise, of secularism' and the explosion of: Jewish-,artists^ w.e'.have 'witnessed a significant return to,.biblical subject matter.

Nothing has proven • to be' more thought -provoking and intensely satisfying than exploring the Akeda."

Creighton!Uiiiversity'will be the first site for this "national"travelingexhibit of contemporary art centering on-thertheme'of the divine •command to Abraham .to sacrificeihisbeloved son, Isaac. This - first-ever exhibit of more than two dozen works is the result of a close collaboration between two beneficiaries of the Klutznick family: the Philip M. and Ethel .I&utziiick Chair, in.'Jewish! Civilization at Cfeighton"tJniyer's:ityi and; the B'nai B'rith Rlutznick National Jewish' Museum in Washington, D.Cl The exhibit will be; on view from A bronze sculpture by Bca Stitchell, entitled 'Itzhak" is part of the Klutznick exhibit.

S e p t ; s - d c t l s , ' • ' ; ' . • . ' • * ""• ..', '.''..'.'''.

• Soltes has selected the artists to contribute to As in previous years, this Symposium has this'important exhibit. The show will feature the attracted the attention of a number of nationallyworks of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, and internationally-known scholars, who will including noted Jewish artists George Segal and speak at the JCC on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., and at Jack Levine and lesser known names, including the Creighton University Student Center on Simonida Uth, a Christian from Serbia, and Monday at 9:30.

Muslim artist Mohammed Zakaria.

For further details on all these events,'please Many media will be represented, such as oil, lith- contact the Creighton office at 280-2304, or ography, acrylic, pastel, aluminum, bronze, and Gloriann Levy, Jewish Cultural Arts Director, at plaster.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 8,1997 • •< •?.

Central High School's 1965 class president yearns to return to Omaha one of these days to attend a class reunion, his first.

"My standing among my former classmates is suffering from my no-shows," Max Richtman told the Jewish Press recently.

His absence at the 30th anniversary celebration provoked a humorous attempt by fellow classmates John Prescott, and Harley Schrager (who had lost the presidency to Richtman) to engineer an attempted coup to oust Richtman from the presidency.

"It was all in good fun and unsuccessful, so I remain the head of our class at least for now."

Richtman currently serves the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare as Executive Vice-president and Director • of the National Committee's political action committee.

His climb to national prominence in Washington, D.C., started when he left Nebraska after high school to study at Harvard University from which he graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in political science. He then left for Washington to attend Georgetown University School of Law from which he earned a law degree in 1973. He then became a member of the District of Columbia Bar. , Not long after that, Richtman went to work for the first time on Capital Hill, an opening that evolved into 16 years of work in the U.S. Senate.

His Senate career started in 1975 when he was hired by Sen. Jim Abourezk, D-S.D., as a staff assistant and legal counsel for the American Indian Policy Review Commission which he chaired at the time.

After the 1976 elections, Sen. Abourezk secured the chairmanship of the Senate Select committee on Indian Affairs and selected Richtman to be the panel's counsel. Two years later, Richtman assumed the position of staff director for the committee under its new chairman, Sen. John Melcher, D-Mont., who took over the chairmanship in 1979.

Several years later, Richtman was named staff director for the Senate Special Committee on Aging and two years later he left Capital Hill to undertake his current work "At the National Committee, the issues of the day have put me again front and center for the national debate over preserving or privatizing the country's 60-plus-year-old Social Security system and defending Medicare against deep budget cuts that easily could destroy the medical program."

The National Committee, he pointed out, is a

IWax Richtman non-profit and non-partisan advocacy and educational organization for seniors, the nation's second largest seniors organization.

Richtman's work takes him regularly from coast to coast for meetings and workshops, and sometimes affords him an opportunity to visit Nebraska.

Last yeur, for example, he spoke at the Nebraska Governor's Conference on Aging and conducted several community meetings around the state. One meeting took place at Aksarben where 600 seniors were in attendance.

Richtman often holds workshops with members of Congress in their districts around the country to discuss and explain to seniors and others the pressing older American legislative issues before the U.S. House and Senate.

"Often those issues have landed me as an advocate for seniors concerns on a variety of media shows, from CNN's Talk Back Live, Cross Fire and Early Prime to the Fox News, Good Morning America, CNBC and C-Span."

He said also that the political action committee which he directs is one of the largest in the country and that it supports candidates, regardless of party, who are committed to maintaining and protecting Social Security and Medicare.

When time permits, Richtman visits Omaha to see family and friends. His father, Dave, and Dave's brother, Joe, operated Nebraska Kosher Meat Market before retirement. * "Every time I'm back in Nebraska, I realize what a wonderful place it was to grow up in, and I'm sure it still is, but clearly I have to make a more determined effort to attend a class reunion, or possibly face the prospect of another coup."

In an effort to strengthen communications with customer-owners and make it more convenient for customers to meet with the Board, OPPD Directors periodically schedule evening meetings at varying locations. Time is made available for comments and questions from the public at all OPPD monthly Board meetings.

WHEN: Thursday, August 14, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: OPPDVEnergy Plaza Training Room 444 South 16th Street Mall, Omaha, Nebraska John K. Green Chairman of the Board Metropolitan Subdivision

FredJ.UIrich Vice Chairman of the Board South Subdivision

N.P. Dodge Jr. Treasurer Metropolitan Subdivision

Michael J. Cavanaugh Secretary Metropolitan Subdivision

Keith B.-Edqulst Board Member Suburban Subdivision

Geoffrey C Hall BoardMember North Subdivision

AnneLMcGuire Board Member Metropolitan Subdivision

Del D.Weber BoardMember.,.

Metropolitan Subdivision

TIME TO ENROLL FOR FALL. Classes begin September 2nd.

Call 457-2400 or toll free 1-800-228-9553

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