NE HIST SOCIETX 1500 R ST 1INCOEN NE 6 8 5 0 8 - 1 6 5 1
Celebrating More Than 75 Years VoLLXXV
No. 9
21 Cheshvan, 5758
Omaha, NE
NCJW makes gift in honor of Israel's 50th
Book Fair luncheon speaker to discuss'nostalgic journey' by Diane Axler Baum
NCJW National Vice-president was in Israel last week as part of a Leadership Mission. The group visited several sites of NCJW projects, including this kindergarten in Beit Shemesh.
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In honor of Israel's upcoming 50th anniversary, a leadership delegation of the National Council of Jewish Women traveled to Israel last week. In addition to hearing from high level American and Israeli government officials, the organization made (Continued on page 8)
November 21,1997
Writer Elizabeth Ehrlich, who formerly covered energy,'finance and Bocial issues for Business Week, will keynote the Jewish Book Fair's annual Community Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at noon, at the JCC. She will speak on "A Nostalgic Journey through the Year: Holidays & Honey Cake," based on her new book Miriam's Kitchen: A Memoir. In Miriam's Kitchen, Ehrlich chronicles her personal progression from religious ambivalence to Jewish fulfillment, a path of rediscovery that begins with the cooking lessons given by her mother-in-law, Miriam, a Holocaust survivor. Miriam passionately carries on the traditions she learned in her village in Poland. Talking while she cooks, she shares with her daughter-in-law many of her life experiences before and after World War EC. Ehrlich builds her book around these recollections and skillfully intersperses 26 recipes from Miriam's Jewish kitchen. Luncheon co-chairmen are Marsha Kleinberg and Frances Gottlieb, who said, This is a heartfelt book. "Miriam teaches her daughter-in-law more than how to make chopped liver, apple cake and cholent. She gives her valuable lessons in life, -strength, and the meaning of family traditions." The book also serves as a vehicle for the author to speak out on womanhood and motherhood, faith
and belief, and the importance of passing tradition from generation to generation. It has received praise by other authors who write on Jewish subjects. Anne Roiphe, for example, called it "a rich stew of tradition and innovation," and Daphne Merkin said it poses "serious questions about the need to define Elizabeth Ehrlich ourselves in a wide-open American culture, as well as the ways in which our hunger for meaning goes unfed by that culture." Ehrlich was born in Detroit in 1954, attended the Detroit Public Schools, and graduated magna cum Iaude in.History from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. • --^ r"I Following graduation, she worked a stretch of temporary jobs and freelance writing. She was a staff aid to the Michigan Legislature for 18 months, (Continued on page 2)
Reform/ Conservatsue groups host annual conventions Leaders urge spiritual return, well aware of the challenges by Debra Nussbaum Cohen
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DALLAS (JTA) - So many Reform Jews attended morning prayers during their biennial convention here that they spilled out into the hotel lobby. With the doors of three' adjacent alternative services open, the recitation of the Shema in different tunes merged into one powerful, spiritual song. About half the men - and many women - covered their heads with kipot at Shabbat morning services. It was the first time that organizers of the gathering of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Reform movement's congregational body, had made yannulkas available. And unlike earlier conventions, where only a sprinkling of people wore tallitot, or prayer shawls, this year there were too many to count. In his Shabbat morning sermon, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the UAHC, demanded ~ in strong language that got several standing ovations — that Jews rise up from their "crippling ignorance." For several years now, the movement - with 875 congregations, the largest in America - has been in transition. However, at this 64th biennial, which drew 4,500 Jews from acroBs the country, the movement's top leaders officially embraced tradition in a way never before seen at a UAHC convention. From. Torah-chanting lessons to the distribution of new booklets of Sabbath and holiday prayers and songs, the direction was unequivocal. The 50-year-old Yoffie warned the delegates that if they did not become serious about the Jewish part of their Reform Judaism, the movement would be so weakened that it would cease to be effective. "Never in our history has the gap between the serious Reform Jew and the non-serious Reform Jew been so great," he said to the delegates gathered in a cavernous hotel convention space-turnedeanctuary. "Too many of us can name the mother of Jesus, but not the mother of Moses; we know the author of Das Kapital, but not the author of the
Guide for the Perplexed," referring to Marx's bible of communism and Maimonides' seminal redaction of Jewish law forilay people. Yoffie kicked off five new programs to help Reform Jews get where he wants them to go. On the regional and local level, he Rabbi Eric Yoffie said the UAHC will help Reform Jews: * Learn how to chant the Torah, an honor usually reserved for the rabbi in Reform congregations; .* Read and discuss at least four serious Jewish books each year; * Study relevant Jewish texts as part of every temple committee meeting; * Include Torah study in each Sabbath service; anrl at home; * Gather on the eve of Shavuot next year to learn together on a night when Jews traditionally stay up late studying the book of Ruth and other Jewish texts. • ' • Yet within the movement, not all members are embracing the the new turn toward tradition. "A lot of people in this movement are doing it to feel more Orthodox, more authentic," said one woman at the convention who asked that she not be named. "And that's not what Reform is supposed to be about." Indeed, the emphasis on tradition poses challenges for a movement that has long rejected i t (Continued on page 4)
Conservative Jews different, despite alliance with Reform by Debra Nussbaum Cohen : , : KIAMESHA LAKEi NY; (JTA) - When it comes to religious pluralism in Israel, the Reform movement has gotten most of the press. '•••'•'"" : "• The- Conservative movement has been largely ignored by Orthodox religious and political leaders and' spared'the rhetorical barbs aimed at the Reform, a group thought by many Israelis to include everyohe.who isnotOrthodox and whiichis publicly derided by some influential Orthodox'leaders as "close to Christianity;"' • ••• •••.•:"• ':•• "':;• But now the Masorti movement, the Israeli'arm of the Conservative movement, is beginning to be understood as something quite different from Reform, its leaders say. •• Indeed; Reform and Conservative Judaism do differ i n significant ways. A s a result, there are different opinions within the Conservative movement as to how far the alliance with the Reform should go. ' Stephen Wolnek, the newly elected international president of. the United Synagogue ; for Conservative Judaism, said that although the Masorti and Reform movements are allied in thenfight for official recognition in the Jewish state, "We would not allow the Reform movement to veto a solution within the Ne'eman Committee that we : ; find acceptable." ; ; ; .'' ',• ;;'v:'.;v;-v;v; ;•:•-..: Womek of Port Washington, N.Y., was referring to the committee empowered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to find a way to reconcile the Reform and Conservative movements' demands for the legal recognition of their marriages, conversions and divorces with the Orthodox rabbinate's demand that the status quo - in which they have sole control over all matters of personal religious identity--be maintained. Wolnek made his comments in an interview.at the biennial convention of his organization, held at the Concord Hotel in the Catskill Mountains last . (Continued on page 4)
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21,1997
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE
by Rabbi Myer S. Kripke
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the deadline for the Dec. 5 issue of the Jewish Press is noon, Wednesday, Nov. 26, for ads, copy and photos.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
c U FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 I Visions Luncheon Meeting, 12:30 p.m., P at Venice Inn . BESTT 5-6 Shabbaton, 6 p.m., at Beth El S SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 A USY Shabbat, 9:30 a.m., at Beth El v New Member Shabbat, 9:30 a.m., at Beth El
S A V E
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Temple Israel Outreach Program, 10 a.m., at Temple Beth El Club 5-6 Program, 12:15 p.m., at Beth El Camp Ramah Information Day, 4:30 p.m., at Beth El
Parashat Hayye Sarah Which Idolaters Do You Prefer? Our Sidrah, Hayye Sarah (Life of Sarah), opens with the account of Abraham's purchase of a burial place for Sarah, the famous and still fought-over Cave of Makhpelah. It then goes on to the also serious matter of finding a wife for Isaac. Abraham sends his majordomo back to Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor, to bring back a wife from his own kindred. He is apparently unable to stomach the idea of a Canaanite daughter-in-law. At the same time, he was unwilling to permit Isaac to return to the idolatrous land from which he (Abraham) had come. Isn't this puzzling? He was eager to find a bride for Isaac from among his own people, but not willing for Isaac to live among them! He was afraid that among relatives, Isaac would adopt their idolatrous practices! Why did he think Isaac would be better off among pagan Canaanites, but not with a Canaanite wife? A contemporary (Christian) Biblical scholar recently wrote: "They (the Canaanites) relied on magical recitations of prayers and rituals and indulged in degrading sexual practices, hoping to achieve union with the gods." Abraham must have been shockingly put off by Canaanite fertility rites • and the attribution of godlike qualities to the forces of nature. Yet in Canaan itself, Abraham had hopes that Isaac and his wife-to-be could distance themselves from Canaanite religious practices. When he bought Makhpelah from the Hittites, he identified himself not as a neighbor and kinsman, but as a resident alien. Something of this kind happened throughout Jewish history, with Jews living in two civilizations at the same time. The stupid scene in "Fiddler on the Roof," showing Polish shtetl Jews gathering on a Saturday night in a tavern, to get drunk, was written by Broadway Jews, not Polish Jews. In the United States, it was only after a generation or two of assimilation, not before, that Jews "went native," in terms of alcohol, drugs, family abuse and other symptoms of America at its worst. Abraham took a chance. Perhaps Isaac would stand off from the worst of Canaanite culture and live only in its best.. .for there was a "best." American Jews have embraced, with gusto, both the best and the worst of American culture. Only intense Jewish education, adult and child, can save' us from the cultural desert which invites us. We must know who we are. There is a marvelous "best" in this good land, and it need not displace the profundity and beauty of Jewish culture and religion. Both may be embraced.
An Evening of Enchantment
V.MERTZ
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. / Scouts, 7 p.m.
Reservations
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Beth El Kinnus 1997, Nov. 27-Nov. 30, V in Kansas City A
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Russian Club, 9:30 a.m.
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(Continued from page 1) serving as coordinator for the 1979 Michigan Capitol Centennial. From 1981-91 she worked at Business Week as an editor, reporter and writer covering energy, finance and social issues. Since then, she has worked as a freelance writer, editor and publicist and has taught at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She and her husband are raising three children in Westchester County, N.Y. The Community Luncheon is a highlight of the Jewish Book Fair, which features a sale of hundreds of books, games and videos for Jewish readers and viewers of all ages. The book fair, timed to promote the buying of books for Hanukkah giving, will run this year from Dec. 3 to 28. The luncheon is co-sponsored by the Federation Library and the following Jewish organizations: the Sisterhoods of Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Israel; Hadassah; AMIT-Hatikvah and AMITKalah Franklin Chapters; Jewish .Women International; National Council of Jewish WomenOmaha Section; and the Omaha Chapter Women's American ORT. Cost of the luncheon is $8.50. For reservations, call the library at 334-6461, by Monday, Dec. 1.
Clergy meet with Nelson
Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson (third from left) invited spiritual leaders from Omaha and Lincoln to meet with him recently; from left: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Temple Israel; Cantor Michael Weisser, B'nai Jeshurun; Gov. Nelson; Rabbi Paul Drazen, Beth El; Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum, Tifereth Israel; and Rabbi Howard Kutner, Beth Israel.
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Book Fair luncheon speaker
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HENRY FISHER Services for Henry Fisher were held Nov. 16. He died Nov. 15 at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by wives, Ida and Ruth. Survivors include a brother, Morton L.; sistersin-law, Betty and Deanna Fisher and Edie Stimson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Annette Twiford; and nieces and nephews.
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Trenton B. Mogid JohnL.Bilby Timothy J. Kushner BradleyButh Scott Mounce • SALES[•LEASING • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 'PROJECT MANAGEMENT 'INVESTMENTS 1362 North 114th St. • Omaha, NE (402) 697-8899
November 21,1997
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I P S A G G C S U c S
Jewish Press. Omaha, NE
PageS
CANDLELIGHTING: 4:42 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 7023 Case Street, Omaha, NE 68132 556-6536
Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd St., Omaha, NE 68104 556-6288
FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat Service, 7 p.m. A short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will be held for toddlers through children in the primary grades and their families. Shabbat evening service, 8 p.m. Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Stdel and Hazzan Contzius will officiate. Rabbi Azriel will speak. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Bea and Marvin Azriel and Lydia and Marcel Azriel in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Leora Azriel. ' SATURDAY: Shabbat morning service, 1030 aon. Leora Ann Azriel, daughter of Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. Simcha B'Shabbat-An informal Shabbat service that includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts. The regular Shabbat service will be held in the Sanctuary. SITTER SERVICE Sitter service is available each Shabbat evening service and the Saturday morning Shabbat service when there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please make a reservation so we may plan accordingly. There are no facilities for infants. ADULT EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26: Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 10 a.m.-noon.
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. FBJDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 4:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 8:45 a.m.; Little People's Service, 10:30 a.m.; J r . Congregation, 10:30 aan. Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood. Mihcha, 4:35 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah. SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 4:40 p.m.
, Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California, Omaha, NE 68154 492-8550 WEB--http://omahafreenet.org/bethel
OFFUTT 25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 294-6051 Services conducted by Rabbi Ira Flax. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. FRJDAY: Shabbat dinner, 6 p.m.; services, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Havdalah and discussion, in addition to the screening of Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors, 7:30 p . m . For information and reservations, call 651-9058. Adult Education and discussion begins Nov. 21, 7:45 p.m.
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. Kiddush following services; Sitter service, 10 aan.; TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 aan.; Shabbat Story Time, first and third Saturday at 11 a.m.; K'tantan, second and fourth Saturday at 11 a.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
Bat Mitzvah Lindsay Itkin, daughter of Judy and Jeff Itkin, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah Saturday, Nov. 29, at Beth El Synagogue. A seventh-grade honor student at Beveridge Middle School, she enjoys soccer, swimming and basketball. : Grandparents are the late David and Idell Itkin.
B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
December dilemma program at Temple Israel
618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 322-4705 . E-MAIL: docjeb@juno.com
Community interfaith services to be held
The Outreach Committee of Temple Israel will present its annual December dilemma program Sunday, Nov. 23,10 a.m., in the Milder Center. Todd Ephraim, Director of Jewish Family Service who specializes in Marriage and Family Counseling, and Rabbi Debbie Stiel will co-facilitate the two-hour program. The topic will be "Dueling Holidays: Chaniikah and Christmas." The program will focus upon personal and family issues: interfaith couples face during the December holidays.
FRIDAY: Shabbes service, 7:30 p.m. Topic will be "Holland, a Haven for Jews Fleeing the Inquisition." •
Dundee Presbyterian Church
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, led by Michael Gerson, start at 9 a.m.
CHABAD HOUSE CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2061S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE 68502-2707 435-8004 Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Services, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10 ajn. SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 ajn. ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES . Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m.: "Development of Halacha"-How the body of Jewish law and thought grow in ancient times and into the modern age is the focus of this session.
BEYT SHALOM An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructlonist Federation P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NE 68124-5130 7584283, http^/pwl.netcom,com/~salmim FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 p.m., at 3012 S. 119th St. in Omaha. 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. FRIDAY, Nov. 28: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be so services at the synagogue. Please observe a special Shabbat in the home.
An Affiliate of the Worldwide . Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 11923 Pacific, Omaha, NE 68144 697-1124 E-MADL--chabad@aol.com SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddish.
TIFERETH ISRAEL - Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 423-8569 Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday at 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 pan. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:15 ajn.
PERSONAL Thank you to my dear family and friends for your support and good wishes during my recent hospitalization. Your cards, contributions and flowers were greatly appreciated. Barney Kadis!
Thanksgiving Day specials Special programming throughout the day on Nov. 27, will be observed on Odyssey, a national religious cable channel. Among the programs is Molly's Pilgrim, & half-hour drama from the Family Theatre series about a young Russian Jewish girl who is teased by classmates for her ethnic mannerisms, but finds acceptance when she is asked to create a doll based on a Thanksgiving character. It airs from 8:30-9 a.m., and is repeated at 6:30 p.m. (ET),
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26,7:30p.m.
5312 Underwood Ave. (Parking available at Brownell-Talbot) Temple Israel will again join with its neighbors for -a community interfaith worship service. The host congregation, Dundee Presbyterian Church, will welcome First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Margaret Mary's Church and Underwood Presbyterian Church. The entire community is welcome. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Hazzan Erik Contzius, along with Temple's Kol Rina and Shofar choirs, will combine with clergy and vocal and and handbell choirs for an hour of choral singing. A dessert reception will follow the service; sitter service is available. Participants are asked to bring a can of food to help feed the homeless. For information, call Andi Willenski at 4936393. THURSDAY, NOV. 27,10 ajn.
Congregation B'nai Jeshurun . (South Street Temple) 2061 S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE This year, as in the past, congregants will welcome friends from the Unitarian Church, Vine longregational Church, Grace United Methodist 'hurch, and a new participating congregation, hrist Temple Church.: , :\.\ v.\ Please join us to worship, sing, have'a bit of refreshments and spend a part of Thanksgiving, Day giving thanks for all our blessings; -
Lynne ML Popp, M.S. in L.D. Learning Disability Specialist EDUCATIONAL THERAPY
498-8708
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21,1997
Conservative convention
Calm, rational debate benefits all sides
(Continued from page 1) week. (Editor's note: Rabbi Paul Drazen of Beth El If the crowd of more than 150 was expecting fire- States to escape the sectarian violence that has Synagogue also attended.) The conference brought together more than 750 works at Temple Israel last Sunday, they were dis- plagued other countries down through the centuries." While all the speakers noted the differences of Conservative Jews from the movement's some 800 appointed. They were, however, treated to an hourand-a-half of calm, rational discourse on the sepa- opinion, they were grateful for the opportunity to synagogues around the country for an exploration express those differences in public. of Jewish religious and public policy issues. ration of religion and state. "We need more civil discourse," Hartford urged, "We are not about to go our own way and abanModerated by John Gottschalk, publisher of the Omaha World-Herald, the debate brought together "We need to present people with, choices in a per- don Reform on this issue," said Rabbi Reuven Christian activist Denny Hartford and Creighton suasive, not coercive fashion,, instead of shooting Hammer, head of Masorti's Beit Din, which oversees conversions and the Conservative representaUniversity law professor Michael Penner. The men mortars at each other across no man's land." Perhaps Jews in Israel should look to Temple tive on the Ne'eman Committee. "We disagree with politely exchanged their viewpoints on such subjects as prayer in school, tuition tax credits and Israel in Omaha as a model of how people with them, may even tell them we prefer that they do school vouchers, abortion and the teaching of cre- vastly different opinions can hold a conversation things differently, but we want them to have the without yelling at one another. same privileges in Israel that we want.. ationism in schools. Yes, there is, finally, an official government comThough lumped together in the minds of many Hartford may have surprised some when he announced that "unlike some of his co-religionists," mittee on which, for the first time, sit Reform and Israelis, and similar in size in North America, he believes that the school prayer debate shows the Conservative Rabbis, side by side with Orthodox Reform and Conservative Judaism are quite differ"shallowness" of "trying to get too much bang for rabbis. This group has shown its mutual respect, ent. Those differences, in style and content, were apparent at the convention of the Reform movethe buck." On the other hand, he believes that "evo- but cannot seem to persuade anyone else to listen. It's human nature to demonize the opposition, to ment in Dallas earlier this month and at last lution is a theory" and that schools should present creationism, or the biblical explanation of the cre- avoid meeting with them and even listening to week's meeting of the Conservative movement. their viewpoints. How refreshing that the profes"We must find a way to hold constructive diaation of the universe, as yet another theory. Both men agreed that the Supreme Court seems sional and lay leadership of Temple Israel had the logue and not be destructive," Hammer said at a to be traveling down a different road, one of neu- courage to present viewpoints contrary to the session devoted to pluralism. Conservative Judaism is centered on halachah, trality, on cases pertaining to the F i r s t those of the majority of its congregants. They will Amendment. Fenner described the most recent rul- continue the series, "The Pulpit, the Pew and the or Jewish law, which the movement interprets in a ings as "accommodation" and noted that the doc- Public Square," with the topics of homosexuality liberal way relative to Orthodox rabbis. The trine that prohibits the "establishment" of one reli- and on race relations and we hope the community Reform movement rejects Jewish law as a basis for policy or practice. Perhaps most significant are gion for this country has "allowed the United looks forward to them. their different approaches to intermarriage. Leaders urge spiritual return The Reform movement encourages the participation of interfaith families, and there are more (Continued from page 1) to settle there. But few American Jews make interfaith couples in most Reform congregations Re-evaluating a relationship aliyah, and just a tiny number of these are Reform. than in most Conservative ones. at time of ongoing controversyIn a 1983 policy known as patrilineal descent, Reform movement leaders are sharply challeng- Most are Orthodox, for whom settling in the land the Reform movement changed the millennia-old ing the Israeli government and Orthodox leaders, of Israel is a religious Commitment, experts say. Earlier this'year, the Reform movement way Jewishness was defined. It deemed as Jewish pledging not to be deterred in their fight for official recognition. The biennial came at a time of intense embraced the idea of aliyah and the centrality of anyone born of a Jewish parent, of either gender, Israel to Jewish life when its rabbinical organiza- as long as the child is raised as a Jew. controversy surrounding religious pluralism. The Conservative movement adheres to the LeaderB of the Reform and Conservative move- tion adopted a pro-Zionist platform to mark 100 matrilineal definition of Jewishness, defining as ments suspended their court actions on religious years of modern Zionism. Still, over the past two decades, the denomina- Jewish anyone born to a Jewish mother, or conmatters, and Orthodox Knesset members postponed efforts to pass legislation that would codify tion has created two kibbutzim and a Northern set- verted according to the standards of Jewish law. The Conservative movement's strategy on pluralOrthodox control over conversions in Israel and bar tlement, along with a synagogue movement in non-Orthodox representatives on local religious Israel. There are about two dozen Reform congre- ism is to expand its efforts to reach Israelis. The councils. The actions by both sides enabled a gov- gations, with a synagogue in each of the country's movement currently h a s 48 congregations in Israel, with some 20,000 members, but it has not ernment-appointed committee headed by Israeli major cities - Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. More than 1,000 teenagers go to Israel each sum- reached enough Israelis, said some. Finance Minister Ya'acov Ne'emah to have three "We want .to reach the.80 percent of Israelis who mer with the Reform movement, through its more months to work out a compromise. "This battle energizes our people, and particular- roughly 15,000-strong. youth group, Yoffie said. are not Orthodox and show them that there is a ly among the committed, it demonstrates how A semester-long program brings 50 to 60 high- Judaism that is modern and meaningful," said important it is to do this work," said Rabbi Yoffie, school students each year to study in Jerusalem Rabbi Jerome Epstein, executive vice president of, under Reform auspices. These youths make up the United Synagogue. in an interview after the convention. To do so, officials said, the Conservatdve/Masorti "At the same time, those on the fringes are often majority of Reform visitors to the Jewish state. While the number of all American Jews who visit movement is expanding its Jerusalem campus by turned off by these debates and this drumbeat of attacks on Reform," he said. "It doesn't encourage Israel during their lifetime is low, the percentage adding a new, $18 million building. It also plans to among the Reform is in the single digits, said begin youth and adult education programs to bring them to embrace Zionist causes." Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, executive director of the Hirsch of ARZA. Just 31 percent of those polled in together Israeli and North American Jews. The Center for Religious Understanding, as it Association of Reform Zionists of America, the the 1990 National Jewish Population Study who Reform movement's Zionist wing, called on Reform identified themselves as Jews by religion said they will be called, will host "Jewish growth encounters, dialogues on the role of Judaism in one's life" and ' Jews to raise $100,000 to develop greater grass- had visited Israel. For his part, Israel's ambassador to the United shared holiday experiences, said Epstein. roots support in Israel during this time. The endless hatred of fellow Jews, sinat. Rousing applause greeted Yoffie when he said in States, Eliahu Ben-Elissar, said aliyah would be a his Shabbat-morning sermon, "Israel is far too more effective path toward change. "To effect chinam in Hebrew, "cannot be changed by change requires more than impassioned rhetoric legislation," Epstein said. "We must build important to be left to Israelis." binat chinam — endless understanding." and threats of financial punishment." The classical Zionist response to Israel has been
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To the Editor: Thank you for the fine article you published Nov. 7 concerning the four rabbinical students, including myself. The sense of Jewish pluralism that defines the Omaha Community was evident in the article. Certainly that pluralism reflects the influences I had growing up that steered my theological and professional pursuits. . I want to be certain to mention specific persons who assisted me in my religious development and career choice. ; One of my major influences was Rabbi Meyer Kripke, not only as a teacher, but in the manner he lives bis life. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel's instruction and the discussions we had assisted me in my Hebrew studies; in fact, Temple Israel in particular needs mentioning, from the time I joined the Youth Group through my Confirmation class, when I taught as a member of the faculty. I studied with and was heavily influenced by Rabbi Sidney Brooks, Rabbi Paul (and Susie) Drazan. I would be remiss if I did not mention Mary Fellman, Gloriann and Mark Levy, Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Rabbi Howard Kutner and the Beth Israel "minyonaires" (especially Dave Wine), and, in particular, Cantor Leo Fettman, my Bar Mitzvah mentor, who also lives a life of derech eretz. Rabbi Alan and Rini Gonsher have already been mentioned and rightfully so. To my parents, of course, who made my home a Jewish home, and who also .taught me by example. Most of all, however, I credit the scholar who walks in the way of Torah, my advisor, my friend— my teacher, the person who was, and continues to be, next to my parents, my greatest influence, Dr. Richard Freund. My years of study under his tutelage at UNO described the formative inclusions resulting in my theological philosophy, scholarship techniques, and career pathway. There were so many people who served as mod-. els, if I have left anyone out, please forgive me. I am grateful to a community that finds a way in our unfortunate time of dissent to be a light unto the way Jews should act together. Mordy Schwartz
Jewish Press,'Omaha, NE
Page 5 ~
With new perspectives on traditional commenTo the Editor: I would like to clarify the information in the Oct. tary, as well as feminist insights into Torah, 31 edition of the Jewish Press. I am not serving as Beginning the Journey is a collection of learning the President of the Midwest Region of Women of from women spiritual leaders and teachers of the Reform Judaism (WRJ), though I did serve from Reform movement. One of the contributors is 1994-96 as President of District 20. And in 1995,1 Rabbi Debbie Stiel of Temple Israel. was elected to the WRJ Board of Directors for a four• Torat Nashim," meaning "women's Torah" is the year term. I was installed as a member-at-large of commissioning of a Sefer Torah. Torah Nashim will the Executive Board at the recent biennial. be written by a professional scribe on prepared parchTwo of the highlights of the 41st Assembly were ment, rolled on traditional wooden rollers, covered by the debut of our newest publication Beginning the a mantle and ornaments and placed in its own Ark. Journey: Toward A Women's Commentary on Torah Torah Nashim is a personal opportunity to fulfill and the launching of a new project, Torat Nashim." the 613th commandment and to sponsor a share of Beginning the Journey is the long-awaited pilot the writing of a Sefer Torah. A commitment- to edition for the Women of Reform Judaism "Torat Nashim" will enable WRJ to commission a Women's Commentary on Torah. The volume Sefer Torah as well as establish a "Fund for the. brings together, for the first time, women clergy, Generations." This permanent fund will enhance scholars and educators of the Reform movement to continued service to Sisterhood and ensure the.; comment on three Torah portions: Vayetze — future growth and development of the WRJ.;. .; .-; . Please contact me if you have any questions, Genesis 28:10-31: 3; Shemot — Exodus 1:1-6:13 397-5227 or 397-0875. Debbi Josephspn and Naso — Numbers 4:21-7:89. Part-time clerical worker needed at The Jewish' Press; 4-6 hrs./week for high school/college student With interest in journalism. Call Carol at 334-6450
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21,1997
Talking to Kids'program offered __
anizations
by Alice Weiss, LCSW Jewish Family Service Social Worker YES YES will meet Monday at the JCC. Exercise with Talking with our children about difficult issues Larisa or play bingo with Lester at 10:15 a.m. can be frightening. Questions dealing with sex and Bring articles to share at.the "YES Talk" discus- drugs can leave us anxious and confused as to how sion group at 11 a.m. Come celebrate Thanksgiving much information to share. What is important is at the annual Thanksgiving Day party. Following that we start the dialogue with our children at an lunch at noon, the CD's (Country Dancers) from early age and continue to open lines of communicathe Camelot Community Center will perform. For tion as they grow. transportation call 330-4272. Jewish Family Service and Planned Parenthood WALK-IN, DROP-IN will provide a program designed to promote comThere will be no meeting Thursday due to the . munication between parents and kids using sexuThanksgiving Day holiday. ality as the "difficult issue" being discussed. RUSSIAN CLUB "Talking To Kids" is a two-hour interactive workRussian Club will meet Friday, Nov. 2 8 . shop for 4th, 5th and 6th graders and their parMembers will celebrate Thanksgiving the day ents. after. At 9:15 a.m., come exercise with Larisa. The program will be Thursday Dec. 4, at the At 11 a.m., a Thanksgiving Lunch with all the JCC. Vegetarian pizza, tuna and egg salad sandtrimmings will be served in room 10. At noon, wiches and pop will be provided at 6:30 p.m., with members will enjoy holiday bingo. Come win the workshop following at 7 p.m. Cost for food is $3 prizes. For transportation, call Lydia Linde at 697per person; the program itself is free to partici9169. pants. . . . ' • • HADASSAH Fun activities and learning are blended together The Omaha Chapter of Hadassah will host the in this workshop led by professional staff from monthly Oneg Shabbat for residents of the Rose Planned Parenthood. Blumkin Jewish Home on Saturday Nov. 2 9 , One aspect of the program involves parents and 2 p.m., in the Home's auditorium. A tea will follow kids separately identifying questions and concerns in the main dining room. Jeff Taxman and his chilabout sexuality. When they are brought back dren will entertain with a musical program. together, they share the results. Members who would like to assist are asked to Parents learn what questions their kids have, come at 1:30 p.m. and children learn what messages their parents BREADBREAKERS want to share with them. This is a great opportuniDick Moore will speak a t Breadbreakers on ty for parents and children to begin or continue a Wednesday, according to Adam Jacobs. Mr. Moore, family discussion about sexuality. associated with the Nebraska Benevolent This program is made possible through the genHorsemen's Association, will discuss the new erous support of the Murray H. and Sharee C. simulcasting facilities and plans with AK-SARNewman Supporting Foundation. BEN. Registration is required by Dec. 1; space is limitBreadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon ed. For more information or to register call Jewish at the Highland Country Club. The program is Family Service at 330-2024. open to the community. Cost is $7.75 "
Former Omahan J u l i e M. Levine of Overland Park, KS, has been promoted to editor of the "Tree of Life' brand for Hallmark Cards, She is the first Jewish woman to be in charge of all aspects of text for the Jewish card line as well as selected responsibilities with 'Mahogany,' the African-American line. She has been employed with the greeting card company since June. Ms. Levine is the daughter of Bruce and Margie Gutnik of Omaha. Michael Sigmond, a junior government major at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, is a disc jockey a t WFNM, the Franklin & Marshall radio station. He hosts a sports show, "Sports Talk," on Mondays at 5 p.m. A 1995 graduate of Omaha Central High School, Michael is the son of Diane and Donald Baum of Omaha and Richard Sigmond of Lafayette Hill, PA Joel S. Brooks, formerly of Omaha, has been invited to fill the position of Adjunct Professor in the Masters' Program of the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida. His subject will be a careful study of "Theoretical Perspectives on Physical Dysfunction." Director of Clinical Services at t h e Child Abuse Council of Hillsborough County, Brooks will continue his work there. He is the son of Rabbi Sidney and Jane H. Brooks.
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Dr. Martin Rosenberg to speak at 'Friends of Art' The Friends of Art, a non-profit organization which sponsors various programs, students and faculty of the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, will present the second in the four-part "Masters and Music." The program, entitled Music in the Art Deco Age, will feature a talk by Dr. Martin Rosenberg, Professor of Art History at UNO, followed by the music of harpists Patrice Lockhart Jenks and Julie Smith. The event is Sunday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. Informal discussions with the artists will follow the program. Cost is $16 per person. Refreshments will be served. Dr. Rosenberg has been on the UNO faculty since 1985 and has published extensively, including a book about the French classical tradition, entitled Raphael and France: the Artist as Paradigm and Symbol. He said, "Art Deco was the American style of the jazz age. We will explore this aesthetic by viewing some of its most characteristic creations." For reservations, additional information or membership in the Friends of Art, please call 554-2796.
Hanukkah play in rehearsal at the Jewish Community Center The JCC Theatre Department, in conjunction with the Dance and Youth Services Departments, has announced the upcoming Hanukkah play is now in rehearsal. Rachel Hauben, former Director of the JCC Theatre, will direct the revised musical script A Symbol of Hanukkah. There will be only one performance, a matinee on Sunday, Dec. 14. A reception will follow. • Tickets go on sale Dec. 1 - $5 for adults; $8 for seniors and children. For information, 334-6403.
Olympic medal winner speaks to BBYO
T1PP/RAFFEL' Amy Renee Tipp and Andrew Scott Raffel were married Oct. 26 at Beth El Synagogue. Rabbi Paul Drazen, Eabbi Jay Goldstein, Rabbi Richard Speigel and Cantor Emil Berkovits officiated. A reception followed at the Omaha Marriott Hotel. The" bride, daughter of Dr. Steven J . and Marilyn Tipp of Omaha, is a Registered Nurse at Oral Maxillo Facial and Plastic Surgeons. She is an honor graduate of the University of Kansas. • She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Rosenberg and the late Pearl Rosenberg and Rose Sher and the late Alvin Tipp. The groom, son of Francine Raffel and the late Jerrold Raffel, is Leadership Development Trainer for Pacesetter Corporation in Omaha. He is a graduate of Western Michigan university with BBA in Management and Human Resources. , He is the grandson of Helen Gerber, the late Paul Gerber, the late Dorthea Knapp, the late Albert Knapp and the late Sol Raffel. Erin Hansen of Arlington, TX, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Julie Klimock of Kansas City, KS, Erin Ferguson of Omaha and Stephanie Palmares of Boca Raton, FL. Amy Durmaskin of Omaha was flower girl. Greg Raffel of Chicago, brother of the groom, was beqt man. Groomsmen were Alan Tipp and David Tipp, both of Omaha, brothers of-the bride, and Scott Schwartz of Kalamazoo, MI. Following a wedding trip to Jamaica, the newlyweds live in Omaha.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21,1997
NCJW makes gift
Pluralism, education top CJF agenda
! n
Netanyahu urges Jewish unity, but his words get mixed reviews (byMatlhew-Dorf and Cynthia Mann , :
^DIANAPOLlS (JTA) --Delegates to the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Feide'rations delivered'a tepid welcome to Israeli Prjme 'Minister Benjamin- Netanyahu Sunday as he soiight to'soothe an: angry North American Jewry. In his only public appearance during his ninehour visit, Netanyahu attempted to quell the crisis over.religipus pluralism in Israel and softened his rhetoric toward the Palestinians, hinting at a possible acceptance of a limited Palestinian state. "I want to state at the outset as emphatically as I can: no one, nobody, can deprive a Jew of his Jewishness," he said. "The membership in our faith and people is not the exclusive domain of anyone." Netanyahu encouraged the more than 3,500 delegates, to support the efforts of a commission trying to find a solution in the religious pluralism debate. -That committee, headed by Israeli Finance Minister Ya'acov Ne'eman, almost broke down last month when Reform and Conservative Jews threatened to press their cases in court and the Orthodox political parties threatened to revive legislation that would codify Orthodox control over conversions in Israel and local religious councils. All sides stepped back from the brink, extending the deadline of the committee until Jan 31. That extension averted an explosion at this gathering, one of the largest annual Jewish conventions. . While some people walked away convinced that Netanyahu was doing the best he could given political pressures, others believed his remarks did not break new ground on the issue that has caused a rift between Israel and many American Jews. btherSjWere dismayed by the premier's remarks, i In his speech, Netanyahu had said that while he understood a feeling of "alienation," he believes that 99 percent of North American Jews do not know that the problem is confined to Israel and
that the status of non-Orthodox conversions outside of Israel are not at risk. In what appeared to be a veiled criticism of the American Reform and Conservative movements, he said, "Let us stop looking at each other as enemies. Let those who would divide us go elsewhere." "It was disappointing. It was nothing but slogans," Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America, the Reform movement's Zionist arm, said. Amid rumors of progress in peace talks that may culminate in a meeting with Jordan's King Hussein, the premier appeared to reach out to Palestinians. Netanyahu, who sources said may soon unveil his vision of a final-status settlement, spoke of his desire to let the Palestinians "lead a national life in dignity and honor." While there were no fireworks at the event, a protest by five Jewish leaders sparked attention when they urged delegates to give Netanyahu a cool reception. More than 2,000 flyers were distributed stating: "Respect for the prime minister does not require more than applause at the beginning and end of his remarks." The five activists abandoned plans to carry large replicas of the flyers into the hall after G.A. and security officials threatened to have them evicted.
(Continued from page 1) a financial gift to the community library in Beit Shemesh. The funds are to be used to upgrade the children's section by purchasing books, CDs, tapes and videos. It will be renamed the NCJW Children's Library. Beit Shemesh is a former- development town of. about 30,000 which is expected to double its population by the year 2000. Some 3000 American olim live there how, including former Omahan and community teacher Lionel Wohlberger, his wife, Karen, and their two children. The NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education (RIFIB) at Hebrew University has been running a 'holistic project' in Beit Shemesh which tracks the reading habits and educational development of the town's children, many of whom are from immigrant families. It is one of three holistic projects created by RIFIE in Israel. The women also visited other NCJW projects, such as Yachad, Reading Together, hi which fifth and sixth graders tutor second graders, and HIPPY, the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters where, recently, Ethiopian olim were trained as paraprofessionals for that community. They also heard from such high-ranking officials as Richard Roth, the charges d'affairs in the US Embassy, and Labor Members of the Knesser Shlomo Ben Ami and Yossi Beilin.
Omaha sends delegation to G.A. • Seven members of the Jewish community are representing Omaha at the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations in Indianapolis this week. Staffed by Jan Perelman, Interim Executive Director, and Pam Monsky, Communications Director, the contingent also includes: Forrest Krutter, Bob Kully, Karin Leyine, Mark Sanford, and last year's Young Leadership Award winner, Tom Vann.
Jan Schneiderman, right, and NCJW National President Nan Rich present their 50th anniversary gift to Mayor Daniel Zaknin.
They say the danger 5mm
An illegal leaflet was sent to all the parents of children in Jewish schools in one city in the former Soviet Union. It said, "Klkesll! Clear Out From Our Placell! Very soon, you will pay for everything you have donel!" Every month thousands of Jews leave behind the threat of nationalism to start new lives in Israel. The power to give them that start is yours. Safe Immigration is at the heart of the UJA/Federation Campaign... at the heart of a sacred Jewish trust to build, strengthen and care for our community In Omaha, in Israel and in 60 countries around the world. Keep that trust. Make your Increased gift today.
1998 UJA/FEDERATION CAMPAIGN '
. THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA ' 333 S. 132ND ST.* 334-D20O :.
Howard Epstein works on the Federation Campaign because he believes in insuring the funding for all our Jewish programs.
Pete Brodkey works on the Federation Campaign because he believes in the work of the Federation.
No Gift Touches More Lives. 1998 UJA/Fcdcration,Campaign The Jewish Federation of Omaha
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