October 24, 1997

NF HTST

lbuO P SI NE

t.!508-1651

Celebrating More Than 75 Years V6LLXXV

No. 5

Omaha, NE

23 Tishri, 5758

Sunday '98 isfor families Placzeks to Chair

by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director

Kim and Matt Placzek will chair Super Sunday '98, which will be held Jan. 11, 1998, at Omaha Steaks. A special Super Sundae for the kids will be held Jan. 4 at the Jewish Community Center.

"Super Sundae is a new concept that will involve children of all ages in the concept of tzedakah," said Kim Placzek. "During the month of December, children in the Child Development Center and religious schools will decorate tzedakah boxes and collect change and bring it to the Super Sundae party on Jan. 4. The money collected will go to Jewish Family Service to help buy Passover meals for needyfamiliesinourarea. .-'• "We will display their boxes and have music, games, stories, crafts, and of course, ice cream sundaes. Not only will the kids and parents have a great time, but we will be instilling in our children the importance of tzedakah and helping those who are less fortunate than we are," she added.

Matt Placzek is looking forward to working with the Omaha Jewish community. "Super Sunday is a grass roots effort and it involves a great segment of our community. Last year we had a fabulous time and we are looking forward to adding some pizzazz to this year's event with T-shirts, prizes and the kid's Super Sundae. Super Sunday is something that everyone can become involved in, whether you are a caller or a donor," he said.

Super Sunday committee members are Tom and Amber Baker, Barbara-and Scott Brassier, Bob and

October 24,1997

Eric Fingerhut to speak to Young Leadership

by Pam Monsky Federation Communications Director

. Eric Fingerhut, former Democratic Congressman from Ohio, lobbyist and lecturer, will be in Omaha to talk to Young Leadership about the UJA Young Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., March 22-24,1998.

An informational meeting with Fingerhut is scheduled for Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Murray and Sharee Newman.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Sharon Kirshenbaum, YJO Director, 334-6485.

Stars of David to host Adoption Panel

by Jennifer Meyerson, Jewish Family Service i :;;

Stars of David, Omaha Chapter, will have its first quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 29," 7:30 p.m., in the Rose Blumkih Jewish Home conference ;? room.

-.., ' This informative program will feature a panel of members of the adoption triad-adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Anyone who is interestKim and Matt Placzek ed in or whose life has been touched by adoption is •••.-• Debbie Goodman, Howard and Diane Shandell and invited to attend.

Stars of David is a local educational and support David and Dena Zack. Caller recruitment will network for Jewish and interfaith prospective and begin soon. .

For morei information,call 334-6431,. '_.-,..,„. ,....-_ adoptive families;

Mary Fellman and Tillie Olsen featured in Historical Encyclopedia

by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director

by Leonard J. Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University

What do Golda Meir, Barbra Streisand, Mary Fellman, Sophie Tucker, Tillie Olsen and Ruth Bader Ginsburg all have in common?

They are among the "800 fascinating women" featured in the two-volume, 1,800-page Jewish. Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia, edited by.

Paula Hyman, the Lucy Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History at Yale University, and Deborah Dash Moore. It is being published this month by Routledge Publishers, ' ; •- Professor Hyman will speak at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3:30 p.m.

Although. all of the individuals mentioned-above, and the 794 others profiled in this definitive historical encyclopedia, are women of influence and accomplishment, only two of -them are closely; connected "with Omaha. ThesV same two share the distinction of haying their entries authored by Oliver. Pollak of the University of Nebraska at Omaha History Department.

The Encyclopedia contains 800 substantial biographical entries on individual women. They vary in length from 500 to 2,600 words.

There are also 110 topical entries, and essays on such topics QB Jewish

women in the film industry, in music, in art and in the teaching profession.

It also contains information on American Jewish women in all fields of endeavor, including everyday-life.- ••: A special effort was made to include information about the lives of ordinary women during all time periods and in all sections of the United States.-

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Sponsored by the American Jewish Historical Society, the set is priced at $250, and will be available soon at the Federation Library. ,

From left: Allen Murrow, Tom Vann and Nancy Leutzinger head some of the sub-committees.

Community volunteers and Jewish activities; Debbi Brown, teen activiFederation agency staff members are ties! Stan and Evelyn Mitchell, adult already making plans for Omaha's activities; Margo Riekes and Elyce celebration of the 50th anniversary of Azriel, education; Ophir Palmon, the establishment of the State of entertainment; Joel Rich and Mike Israel to be held on Saturday, May 2, Linn, grounds and logistics; Allyson and Sunday, May 3,1998.

Braden, publicity; and Vicki Flax, ' , , Activities will include events for decorations. every segment of the community and Staff assisting in the event will Israeli entertainment, educational include Gloriann Levy, Nancy programs, authentic Israeli food, a Leutzinger, Dinah Raful, Carole marketplace, fun run and much more. ' Greenberg, Phyliss Washerman, The Jewish Cultural Arts Council, Barbara' Gottlieb, Lenora Lanciastdirected by Gloriann Levy, is coordi- er, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Lisa nating the events. Steering Commit- Schkolnick, Beth Cohen, Cristy tee chairmen are Sara Juster, Mary Casteel, Mike Collier, Corey Rich and Nancy Wolf, Kirshenbaum and Pam Monsky.' r -Subcommittee chairmeh are: Allen Although a large number of people 'Murrow; fun run; Ann Noodell,,pan- are already involved in planning for cake breakfast; Tom Vann and Helen this event, according to Sara Juster, Rifkin, food; Ann Weitz, market- ."because this will be the biggest and place; Mary Feilman, 50th, birthday best Yom Ha'Atzmaut ever, we still and anniversary celebrations; Mimi need more help!" To volunteer, call Rogers and Lesli Shrago, children's Gloriann Levy at 334-6403.

JUDAICATHON A night of mini-courses, dessert, music with Mosenkis and Shekhtman Sunday, Oct. 26,7-9:30 p.m., cost: $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors For more Information, call Gloriann Levy, JCAC Director, 334-6403.

Sign up and pay at tho door. .

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

October 24,1897

Pulverente

by Rabbi MyerS. Kripke

Celebrating Sukkot

MONUMENT CO. ! • Parashat Bereshit If You Want to Know, Start With Genesis Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

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515-277-6321 CUP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 JCAC Class-O-Rama, 6 p.m.

Temple Israel Outreach Meeting, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 YES Program, 9:30 a.m.

College of Jewish Learning, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Henry Monsky Lodge Membership Nite, 6:30 p.m., at The Scorecard BBYO/JFS Guest Speaker, Olympic Medalist Dennis Hall, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Temple Israel UAHC Biennial, Oct 29 thru Nov 2, Dallas, Texas Breadbreakers, noon, Highland Country Club Temple Israel OTYG Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m.

JELS Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Education, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel USY Night, 6:30 p.m., at Beth El

C L I P

S A V E

If a friend tells you, "Just a second," you know that'it means a minute or two, or perhaps 10. But if an astro-physicist tells you that the Big Bang took just a trillionth of a second, he/she means just that, a trillionth of a second. A trillionth? What can that possibly say to us laymen?. .

And he/she goes on to say that that's how our universe began, perhaps 15 billion years ago. Our earth began to cool down four or five billion.years Dancers enjoy Simcha Beit HaShoeva at Chabad. ago. That too doesn't tell us much, just that it.y/as a long time ago. A long, long time ago. And wcT resulted from it. We are all star-dust.

Now today we start reading Genesis: "When God began to create heaven and earth..." This is much mere poetic and much more dramatic. But is it more authentic?

The Ramban declares that the whole Torah, not ^Wdfif"- / ?*£***&£ only Genesis, was written down by Moses at God's dictation. David Kimchi wants us to understand that "create* means to make something from nothing.

Although the choice between the two positions, the Big Bang or Genesis, is not trivial, an attempt to prove one or the other is pointless. Pointless bec'ause we are dealing with two different categories, like mountains and fountain pens. Which Community teacher Judy Thai (left), talks about ai.'-^r?

Sukkot to the JCC pre-schoolers. The children All tuat having been said, we marvel at the statevisited Friedel Jewish Academy's succah. ly and poetic prose at the beginning bf the Bible and how it introduces us to the literature of ancient Israel.

We have not gone far in Genesis when we realize thut the narrative brings us to disobedience, to murder, to wars, to dreadful family problems, to continuous enmities between brothers, generation after generation. This is the human condition!

Yet we know that from this unpromising beginning there is the striving for good and the striving for knowledge of God. God had already decided to excise humankind from His plans for the universe, when He realized that there was a righteous man, Noah. And humankind thus gets a second chance.

In later generations there are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, each of the first two with a strong wife, and Jacob with four, and 12 sons, leading to the engaging novella of Joseph and his brothers.

It is astonishing that God is so nearly absent from the novella, If we had Genesis alone we might CDC Director Dinah Raful introduces Rabbi Ira think that the effort to find God had petered out.

Flax, Chaplain at Offutt, who led the JCC preschoolers in the blessings over the lulav and etrog.

But Genesis is part of a Bible, a collection of books. Thus, Genesis connects us with mankind's continuing quest for God. And it is not long before we realize that that search centers on the Hebrews, a small people but persistent, who became the ancestors of Jews and role models for them.

If you would like to know about Jews and Judaism and Judaism's God, start with Genesis. you wrech.

Start with Genesis, and study seriously. The world aifords a number of rewarding endeavors. One of them is study, learning, understanding.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

October 24,1997

PogeS

CANDLELIGHTING: 6:12 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 556-6536 FRIDAY: "Shabbat Comes To You," 3:45 p.m. Rabbi Stiel and the Temple Youth Group will lead a Shabbat service at the Livingston Plaza!

Shabbat service, 8 p.m. Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius will officiate. Rabbi Stiel will speak.

The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Temple Sisterhood. .

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10:30 a.m.

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

SUNDAY: Outreach, 10 a.m.-noon: Rabbi Richard Preund, Ph.D., Professor of Religion at UNO, will speak about Judaism's ancient and insightful mystical traditions and beliefs. Learn about Judaism's "old" version of "New Age" religion. The program is open to the community.

ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY, Oct. 30: Sisterhood Adult Education. Hazzan Erik Contzius will teach "The World of Jewish Music," 10:30 a.m.; Beyond Midrash, led by Don Schwartz, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

BLOODMOBHJE Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1-7 p.m. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at Temple Israel. Please.call Matthew Ferer at 571-4304 and make an appointment for a real contribution "from the heart."

Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd St., Omaha, NE 68104 556-6288 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.

FRTOAY:

Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 8:45 a.m.; Little People's Service, 10:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Chumash class with Rabbi Kutner, 5:35 p.m., at the synagogue; Mincha, 6:05 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah.

SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 5:10 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 5:10 p.m.

FRTOAY, Oct. 31: Turn Friday night into Shabbos with Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, Director of the National Jewish Outreach Program. Schedule of events: Beginner's service, 6:15 p.m.; Shabbos dinner, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Shabbos service, 8:45 a.m., Rabbi Buchwald will speak on "Finding Joy in Your Judaism;" Shabbos luncheon, 12:30 p.m., Rabbi Buchwald will speak on "The Movement of Jewish Return. . .A Revolution Gaining Momentum;" Malave Malka, 8 p.m., Rabbi Buchwald will speak on "Who is a Good Jew?" Call the office for reservations.

CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435-8004.

Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

OFFUTT 25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 294-6051 .

Services conducted by Rabbi Ira Flax. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FREDAY: -Starting Friday, October 31, evening services Services, 7:45 p.nu begin at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Friday, Nov. 7: Shabbat dinner, 6 p.m.

Torah Study, 10 a.m.

'• Saturday, Nov. 15: Havdalah and discussion, in SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 a.m.' addition to the screening of Woody Allen's Crimes Memorial service at the Hastings Jewish \ and Misdemeanors, 7:30 p.m. For information and reservations, call 651-9058.

Cemetery, 2:30 p.m.

Adult Education and discussion begins Nov. 21, 7:45 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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; ; Sitter service, 10 a.nu; TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time, first and.third Saturday at 11 aan.; Ktantan, second and fourth • Saturday at 11 ajn.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah i services, 6:15 p.m. ; Matthew Picker, son of Bonnie and Steven r Picker, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Friday ; evening and Saturday morning. :, ,•!

SUNDAY: ' """: Services, 9 a.m.

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

Bar Mitzvah Daniel David LeMaistre, son of John and" Deanne LeMaistre, will celebrate his Bar. Mitzvah on Saturday,; ' Nov. 1, at BethrEr Synagogue. : A graduate of Friedel.

Jewish Academy,- he is: currently an honor student at Morton JrV High School. He par-; ;• ticipates on the track __'! team, the yearbook committee, math competition and Drug Free Awareness programs. .• -•, • Daniel's hobbies include guitar, reading, and.-, working on the pit crew of his grandfather's race. car.

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Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum.

FREDAY: Consecration: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma'ariv (Shabbat), 6:20 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat services, 9:30 a.m.

B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 322-4705 E-MAIL: docjeb@juno.com FREDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

With a delightfully intimate

Sunday lininch • and spectacular

An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NE 68124-5130 758-9233 . http://pwl.netcom.com/~salinim FRTOAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 p.m., at 3012 S. 119th St., Omaha. Tonight: a special celebration of Simchat Torah: . Religious School classes held at the Jewish Community Center on Sundays from 10 a.m.noon for all grades, and Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. for grades four and up. Contact Marty Rosenberg at 390-9062 for placement.

Rabbi Freitag will visit from Nov. 6-9.

FRIDAY, Nov. 14: Join us for our first Tot Shabbat at 7 p.m., a half-hour before regular services. This special service is geared towards ages 3 - 6 /

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FRIDAY: Simchat Torah services, led by Don Schwartz, at'irt at 9 a.m.

SATURDAY: Services start at 9:30 a.m.

vieiv.

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ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME BEYT SHALOM

You'll be prevented with ail exquisite assortment 'of tempting A la Carte Brtlnch items, complete ivilh an endless dessert station. '.

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A. full wine list, champagne and mixed drinks are also availuble at your request

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 11923 Pacific, Omaha, NE 68144 697-1124 E-MAIL--chabad@aol.com SATURDAY:

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

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Grandparents are David and Phyllis Hoffman.

Great-grandfather is John Hoffman. '

TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

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Member of United Synagogues . ; of Conservative Judaism . , .,, 14506 California, Omaha, NE 68154 492-8550 *' WBB--http^/omahafreenet.org/bethel - *

. Join us in this dining experience Sundayt :10:30 am-2:00 pm

?agtf*4 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE October 24,1997

Israel at 50 The J e w i s h P r e s s plans its year so far in advaiice that it's sometimes hard for us to remembe^what" day it is! Right after we completed the New Year's issue, we began to plan our second annual Education issue, to be published Nov. 7.

And'now it's time to think about our Passover issue, scheduled for April 10,1998.

-"Because Israel will celebrate the 50th anniversary1 ofits founding as a state, we will dedicate the issue to Israel at 50.

•.>•>;.•!<:•« -»!•* tt'(.•We a r e looking for stories a n d photos from Omohans who've made aliyah to Israel and from those who've just visited, either a s students, on summer teen trips, Federation or synagogue missions'orjus't a s travelers. "i.iWe want to hear about unusual experiences, impressions and people, good and bad. We want photos of people and sights, whether it was early in Israel's1 history as a state or as recently as either of the'two upcoming UJA/ Federation missions. And we especially w a n t t o show t h e connection Omahans have developed with the people of Israel.

Though the deadline is months away, March 2, 1998, it's not too early to start looking for those photos and reminiscing about those days in Israel.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Is compromise on conversion possible?

by David Landau

JERUSALEM (JTA) - As Israel and American Jewry seek a way out of the religious pluralism crisis, one ray of light has appeared. A little-known Israeli committee set up to deal with the specific problem of conversions of adopted children was reported to be nearing agreement.

The reported progress conies against the backdrop of disagreement over granting official recognition to non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel and allowing non-Orthodox officials to participate in local religious councils.

The committee includes two Orthodox rabbis — Haim Drukman and Eli Ben-Dahan ~ and attorney Ofra Friedman. Drukman is a leading force in the National Religious Party. Ben-Dahan is national director of the religious courts, and Friedman is chairwoman of Na'amat, a women's organization affiliated with the Histadrut labor federation.

It was established by the government alongside the Ne'einan Committee, headed by Minister of Finance Ya'acov Ne'einan, which is seeking a compromise to avert conversion legislation to codify Orthodox control over conversions in Israel.

The Ne'eman Committee had reportedly been considering a proposal that would grant Reform and Conservative rabbis a role in conversions and marriages. But Israel's chief rabbis last week rejected the reported proposal.

- If the Committee fails to hammer out a compromise, Prime Minister Netanyahu has pledged to back the Orthodox parties that have vowed to pass legislation on conversions and religious councils.

At the same time, representatives of the liberal movements have threatened to abandon an agreedupon freeze and pursue their complaints with the High Court of Justice.

In contrast, the reported compromise on the conversions of adopted children offered some hope. ,' Nearly a dozen of adoptive parents sought help from Conservative rabbis in Israel, who converted the children in 1995 at a ceremony at Hannaton, a Conservative kibbutz. Subsequently, however, most of the adoptive parents sought having their children reconverted under the auspices of the Orthodox rabbinate.

For its part, the Orthodox establishment (Continued on page 5)

NO* MO PROBLEM

SYNAGOGUE 'BASED

COmENTARY

The October dilemma: Halloween vs. Shabbat

by Yosef L. Abramowitz

(JFL)-Well, parents, there is a Hell, and it is coming the end of this month—Halloween on Shabbat. You know which day is more sacred to your children, so let's not pretend it's not an issue.

"Trick or treating" has always presented a challenge to Jewish parenting. Do we want to celebrate death, demons, witches, ghosts and blood?

Do we want our Jewish children involved with St. Hallow's Eve? Do we allow our children to be swept up in a Christmas-like multimedia marketing campaign by candy and chachkie companies?

The easy path is to let our children do what they probably always do: dress up in their old Purim costumes, bag" in hand, with grand sugar-high hopes.?

The challenge of creative Jewish parenting is to infuse each event with Jewish values, American holidays included. Conflicts of values provide us with sometimes uncomfortable yet always invaluable opportunities to help our children process and make moral decisions.

Whether our children "trick or treat" at all or on Shabbat is not only a question for the observant among us. Parents of all ideological stripes and colors can use any family tradition-Jewish or not-to question and teach.

I don't know yet what Aliza arid Hallel, my Halloween-crazy and Shabbat-loving daughters, will be doing on Halloween. Yet I do know how we are going to frame the evolving discussion. We are going to build on last year's Halloween question: should Jews trick or treat at all? The answer was conditional.

Here are our family's general guidelines for Jewish "trick or treating": 1) No gory costumes or celebration of death.

Our kids dress as clowns for Purim, a holiday of giving; our kids dress as clowns for Halloween, a holiday of taking. They like pretending that they are scared of the ghosts and warriors we pass along our quiet suburban' route, but they are critics of the bloody costumes.

2) Do mitzvot. Collect, tzedakah, Bay thank you when strangers give you candy and change, and give great treats to others as well. Our kids get to keep 10 candies each and we "buy" from them all the rest for a nickel each, which they put in the tzsdakah box.

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

Centers of Excellence of tho Federation ore: Community Relations, Jewish "Community Center, Jewish Education and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a Constitutional ' Committee ofthoJowlsh Federation of Oihaha.

The-Jowish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday far $26 per calendar yoar U.S."; $30 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Periodical postage paid at Omnha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send addresB changes to Tho Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154; Telephone 402-334-6448; FAX 402-334-6422; E-mail <jshprcsis@aol.coih>

Sieve Lovlnger Chairman Carol Katzmnn Edta-ln-Chlol Morris Mollno Editor Emotllua Maureen LaPour Managing Editor . Larry Axelrod Advertising Manager Shsryl Friodman Booktaopor (toorgs Schaplro Volunloor

. 3) Food and values. At the end of our journey, we go through the goodies to remove those that have gelatin or other suspect ingredients. The kids give them to their non-Jewish friends and neighbors.

We survived last year's assault pretty well, although our children had not been candy-kids until after last year's outing. Before, they were content with "tree candy," or dried fruit. No more. But at least our Jewish values seemed to eerily co-exist with, their desire to participate in this annual American rite of childhood.

"Along comes Shabbat. Can we light candles, symbol of God's presence, and then delve into this unsacred ritual? Can we have our quiet family Shabbat dinner and ignore the costumed knocks at our door? Do we want pur children to resent Shabbat if we cancel "trick or treating"? Or, on the flip side, to judge unfavorably our neighbors' children? " The temptation is to make the decision for our children. But instead we're going to talk about it next Shabbat during dinner. . I want my children to decide not to go out this year. But the little kid inside me craves the excuse to venture out, even on Shabbat, to meet our neighbors, collect candy, and watch the twinkle in my children's clown-decorated eyes as they see a creative costume, a beautifully carved pumpkin, or a wildly decorated house. . : .

What I want most, however, is for my kids to own then* decisions, to see the world through a Jewish lens, and for Shabbat to be so special that even Halloween can't compete. For this to be true, I know that I must continually adapt our modern lives according to Jewish sensibilities and give my children the tools and freedom to innovate. If they decide to stay home, it will be an important milestone in their Jewish development. But if they go out, maybe instead of clowns they will dress up as the biblical Moses and Miriam after we have our Shabbat dinner.

And, at the least, Til get some candy.

Yosef I. Abramowitz is, editor of www.Jewisbfamily.com and co-author, with Rabbi Susan Silverman, of Jewish Family & Life: Traditions, Holidays and Values for Today's Parents and Children (Golden Books).

JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Lloyd Iloitstein, Vice Chairman; Fred Tichauer, Treasurer, Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Elyco Azriel; Jill Belmont; Bob Birt; Steve Danon; Bob Eiaenberg; Linda Lachin; Sheryl Leo; George Schapiro; Howard Silber.

Editorials express tho view of the writer and ore not necessarily representative of the views of tho Jewish Press . Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whbllo. The, Jewish Press reserves tho right to edit letters ondjartlclcs for Bpaco and content.

Tho Jewish Press is not responsible for tho Knshruth of any product or establishment.

October 24,1897 Jewish Press, Omahn, NE, I

Is compromise on conversion possible?

Letters %

(Continued from page 4) has adopted its most moderate stance in the cases of these children — whether because of the challenge posed by the Conservative conversions or because, as some Orthodox rabbis explain, Orthodox law affords greater flexibility in the case of babies.

This pragmatic approach is not dissimilar to that of Industry and Trade Minister^Natan Sharansky's Yisrael Ba'Aliyah Party. Far from siding "with the non-Orthodox movements, the Russiariiminigrant party has sought during the past year to nudge the Chief Rabbinate to moderate its position on the legal status of thousands of non-Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Because of the party's, pressure and clout in the governing coalition, it has, with the Chief Rabbinate, set up special religious courts where conversion candidates, .mostly from the FSU, are prepared for conversion.

As with Na'amat's efforts on behalf of adopted babies, the position of the Yisrael Ba'Aliyah politicians is that it is better to work out a deal with the Orthodox establishment, if attainable, than to subject their constituencies to the anguish of serving as legal and political guinea pigs. . . The failure of American Jewish activists to empathize with, or even to understand, this approach of non-Orthodox, and often secularist, Israeli groups is part of the breakdown in communication that the conversion controversy is exposing in the fraying relationship between Israel and U.S. Jewry/Israelis, however, seek to obtain a solution for their problems within the existing, monopolistic, unpluralistic system, if that is at all possible. ;

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To the Editor: '..[ Thank you very much for printing the news about the Union of Councils' continued opposition to the new Russian law on religions in the Oct. 10 edition of the Jewish Press. It is vital that American Jews know the full consequences of this .discriminatory measure on our Russian brethren.

•: For information on Jews and anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union, or related issues Buch as human rights and emigration from the region, I .would encourage you to call me at 202-775-9770 xl6. I would be happy to elaborate on our postSoviet Jewry programs, including advocacy campaigns for Jewish rights and restitution of Jewish properties, and our Yad FYad assistance program, which forges' communication and friendships between FSU communities and U.S. congregations.

In addition to the national office, UCSJ has an active council right in Omaha that can answer questions about UCSJ programs. The Omaha Committee for Soviet Jewry, chaired by Shirley Goldstein, can be reached at 334-1055.

I look forward to corresponding with the Jewish Press.in the new year.

Jason B. Silberberg UCSJ Public Affairs Officer

.' •

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To the Editor: -'A^-L, orf's1-• This holiday season, the members of B'nai Israel in Council Bluffs loaned a Torah to Beyt Shaloroi Reconstructionist Synagogue. This was a gracious and generous act. ';• v.i!;,,; IO.,U!MK Having a Torah for the High Holidays certainly. gave us a more meaningful worship service.j. ,oacs: '•-.• • :••.- ai^.t".-. .,,:; ••:,.:>• HollisGlaser,President To t h e Editor: AV w( \-i<xAi>'i "ijasi :' I wish to. express our sincere gratitude for,the article in your Oct. 10 issue concerning the story' on the merger of the City of Hastings ioemeteryi with our Mount Sinai Jewish Cemetery. •; i i-nniwsR Your report was factual and well doneu-tThfe merger) did, however, take more than>twoyeafff of study and negotiations with our city attorney,; Mike Sullivan and his legal staff. Making it possfo ble and legal was done by our cemetery, attorney*!

Joyce M. Pocras, an attorney in Lincoln. It.wasihefj idea to form the charitable trust agreement; between both parties.

• •; ..; .; ::fr:O So, as Paul Harvey would say on his radio show, "Now you know the rest of the story." , > i . "i 0 v?!

David Rosenberg, Secretary/Treasurer.

Mount Sinai .Jewish Cemetery, Hastings, NE

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Lillian Wittmus will play the accordion for residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the monthly Oneg Shabbat, hosted by the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah. A tea in the main dining room will follow.

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Members will meet Monday at the JCC. English class is at 10 a.m.; bingo and exercise both start at WALK-IN, DROP-IN 10:30 a.m. Join Toni Kutcher and Art Grossman as Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. they lead the discussion group at 11 a.m. Following Exercise and English class both start at 10 a.m.; lunch at noon, Dr. Mark Peterson will conduct a bingo starts at 10:30 a.m. Bring a dairy sack lunch class on "How to Get Great Service, Prom Every to eat at 11:30 a.m. "My Fellow Americans" will be Business, Every Time." For transportation, call shown at noon in the Blumkin auditorium.

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VISIONS Celebrate Visions' fifth birthday on Sunday, Nov. 16, in the JCC Auditorium. Dancing is from 3-5 p.m., followed by a birthday program and dairy supper (compliments of Visions) until 6 p.m. Cost is $2.50 per person. For reservations, mail a check, made out to Visions, to Maurice and Rosalie Meiches, 5036 Parker, Omaha, NE 68104.

The Membership luncheon meeting is Friday, Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia's Venice Inn. Bob Wolfson, Executive Director of the AntiDefamation League, will give an update on the organization's latest events. Cost is $6.75.

Visions has started "Do A Mitzvah for Visions" project and requests monetary donations for JFS to fund families in need. Donations will be accepted Sam Kohll, son of Janet and David Kohll, pre- at the monthly luncheon or at the Blumkin Home sented his tzedakah money to Patty Nogg, Co- front desk, attention: Maggie. Checks may be made president of the L.O.V.E. auxiliary of the out to JFS Mitzvah Project..For reservations, mail Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. check, made out to Visions, to Vera Lewis, 5424 Lafayette, Omaha, NE 68132. '

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{•Toy Chorlins, left, jn e w l y - e l e c t e d 1 President of B'nai 115'rith Region 12, was here to dismiss recent restructuring with Region Vicepresident Mike Abramson.

Heather and Jason Raznick of St. Louis announce the Sept. 23 birth of their daughter, Naomi Eliana.

Grandparents are Barbara Raznick, St. Louis; Ira Raznick, Orlando, FL; and Carol Ballard, St. Louis. Great-grandparents are Mildred and Irv Chudacoff of Omaha, Rose Raznick Lewis, Boca Raton, FL; the late Joe Raznick; and Goldye Price of St. Louis. ,

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Jewish Press, Omaha, Mtf"'"

by Bert Lewis

Wouldn't it be great if we all had. access to some special signal we could use to find out the instant answer to a question?

Questions like, "Exactly where should I go to locate a particular book which has been out of print for maybe several decades?" Or maybe, "Which specific ingredients ought to be combined to produce that wonderful tsimmiss your Grandma made?" Or perhaps you'd appreciate the ability to find out precisely what Madame LaFarge was knitting. The point is, we all have, at some time or other, questions for which the answers seem completely elusive.

I have a question I've never been able to really understand. It doesn't concern literature or food or science or anything else of major importance, but it's bugged me for years. Maybe you know....but I doubt it. As far as I'm concerned, the answer is as obscure as the reason for the smile on the face of the Mona Lisa.

My question? Why does every painter who ever held a brush or a roller or anything else connected with paint, need to have a transistor radio playing, usually at full volume, from the moment he starts until the moment he leaves? You must have noticed this from your own experience, no? I suppose it's easy enough to understand that a painter working alone gets bored, so music is company.

Maybe, but then I should remind you that even if that painter isn't alone, he (or they) play that blast- ed radio anyway. . .

Now I have nothing against the sound of music as background for whatever work I'm doing, but there's music and there's musk. To say that everybody likes all music is foolish. The music of the very young is not to my taste, for example; just as the kind I prefer wouldn't suit everyone else, especially the painter at work across the street from my

from my house. At this very minute. He has kept me from opening up the windows and doors to the lovely cool air which arrived only today, and Fd like to wring his neck.

I heard the sounds through the closed house, but until I went for my mail, I didn't know where they were coming from. Then I tracked down the mystery.

A car parked at the curb, doors open and radio loud enough to rattle the wihdows-whose car? Well, maybe 40 feet away, high on a ladder, was a young guy, painting the trim on my neighbors house..

That's when I started wondering exactly why a painter can't work without the radio, because I instantly recalled that never have I had a painter in the house who didn't bring in a radio with his ladders and brushes! It's just something a person: comes to expect. You hired a painter? You'll have music, whether you want it or not.

It's not always music either...once I walked into a room that was being painted and realized the guy was listening to a political hack whose views were sickening to me. I couldn't just leave, I had stuff to do, and anyway, it's my house.

I finally said, in what I hoped was a good humored way, "If you're going to listen to him in my house, I have to ask you to take the radio with you up on the ladder, next to your ear." He prompt-, ly climbed down and changed stations, for which I was grateful. On the other hand, I felt within my rights, whether the painter thought me a mean old bat or not!

• Well, that's my big question today:...painters and radios. Maybe if s just painters and noise, I'm not sure. The only thing I'm certain of is this: having blown off some steam about it, I feel better. And besides, the yutz across the street just climbed in his car and left for the day.

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Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

October 24,1997

Coo per man Fund to help perpetuate Senior Services

by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator

There's not much wall space available in Harold , Cooperman's office at the No Frills Supermarket corporate office on North 81st Street. There are so many awards, plaques, framed newspaper articles, family photographs, children's artwork, and other memorabilia that even Cooperman can't readily find things.

President of the No Frills Supermarket chain, Cooperman started out with just one small corner grocery store in 1938.- There were eight stores, all called Harold's Market, when he sold them in 1943 in order to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. His wife, Merriam, and their young daughter, Francie, lived in Minneapolis with rela" jives while Harold served in the South Pacific. .. A native of Poland, Cooperman immigrated with his parents and older sister to the United States in •1923 when he was five years old. In the closing • days of the war, he found himself on the island of Guam in the Mariana Islands when the atomic .bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Trfe flights carrying the bombs originated from the Marianas.

It could easily have been quite different. Sailing on the ship Christopher Columbus, Cooperman's family came through Ellis Island on their way to Omaha where his mother had five brothers. One week after arriving, Cooperman's younger sister was born. However, two aunts and their families, Who had visas to immigrate, stayed behind in Poland and perished in the Holocaust. :"'-'•'. Upon returning to Omaha after the war, Cooperman reopened Harold's Markets in 1947. In 1980, he opened the Council Bluffs' No Frills 'Supermarket, the first discount grocery store in the jarea. .Eventually all the Harold's Markets were •converted to No Frills Supermarkets. There are 'now nine of them in Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, Ashland, Council Bluffs, Red Oak and Denison.

Harold Cooperman Mrs. Cooperman worked alongside her husband for the first five years. "She was my first checker," he said, "and at that time, my only checker." Today No Frills employs several hundred checkers as well as several members of the Cooperman family.

Rich Juro, married to Francie (Cooperman) is general manager of No Frills Supermarkets and has been with the stores for 34 years. "He's my boss," quipped Harold. Francie has also worked at No Frills and so does the Juros' oldest daughter, Kimara Clark. She is the Human Relations director and handles personnel matters. The Juros have two other children: Kevin, a pediatrician who recently completed his residency in New Orleans, LA, and Keri, who lives in Denver, CO. .

Merriam Cooperman, "an excellent artist," her husband pointed out, drove trucks for the Red Cross as a volunteer, helped the Salvation Army,

was active in Hadassah and Amit Women, and drove handicapped children to school and to doctors' appointments. Both she and her husband have been members of Beth El Synagogue for 59 years.

In 1993, Mrs. Cooperman Buffered a stroke. She received skilled nursing care for 10 weeks at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. "I was very much impressed with the care she received there," remarked Cooperman. "I wanted to show my appreciation and help perpetuate the kind of care provided there," he added.

Although they had been making donations to the Blumkin Home previously, the Coopermans set up the Merriam and Harold Cooperman Senior Services Fund in 1996 to support programs for senior adults, including but not limited to residents of the Blumkin Home, conducted by Jewish Senior Services. Cooperman said he welcomes others to contribute to the fund which is administered by The Foundation of the Jewish Federation.

The Blumkin Home "needs funding and they can't get enough from the government," Mr. Cooperman explained. He added that money raised by the annual Federation Campaign and earned by Federation Foundation endowment funds are important sources of income.

A member of Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith, Cooperman was honored for his years of dedication and service. He has been a fund raiser for the Arthritis Foundation, a 4-H supporter, and a Federation campaign division chairman. He has been a generous supporter of physical improvements at Beth El Synagogue when it was located at 49th and Farnam and at its new location at 145th and California Streets.

Approaching his 80th birthday oh Jan. 1, Cooperman still works seven days a week. Just like him, the Cooperman endowment fund will be working with no end in sight.

Scott Meyerson works on the Federation Campaign because he believes in the lasting testamentof tzedakah.

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You can give him a label, oryou can give him hope. Wherever you stand on the "debate about religious pluralism in Israel, he's not the enemy. Don't make your Oniaha Jewish Federation and the UJA the battlefield. Your UJA/Federation Campaign gift is still the best way to rescue the imperiled, care for the vulnerable and strengthen the entire Jewish community; in Omaha and 58 countries world wide. That's what your help does, every single day of the year, for anyone who . needs it. Without labels.

JGtatak '•mniBi^yPffi^i •

The Jewish Federation of Omaha' (402)334-8200

Jonathan Rockman .-> works on the Federation Campaign because he believes in the strength of mishpocha, the family.

No Gift Touches More Lives.

1998 UJA/Federation Campaign The Jewish Federation of Omaha