NE HIST SOCIETX 1500 R SI LINCOLN NE 68508-1651
Hanukkah Gift Guide Coming Next Week Vol.LXXV
No. 11
Omaha, NE
1998 Passover Edition Preview
Former Nebraskans make their home in Israel by Carol Katzman
For a state with as small a Jewish population as Nebraska has, it is somewhat surprising to note the number of former Lincolnites and Omahans who've made aliyah to Israel. . Using the Jewish Press mailing list and the help of rabbis, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, and others, a list has been compiled of close to 25 Nebraska families now living in Israel. It includes the newest olim: Sarah Ross, daughter of Willis Ann and Alvin Ross, and her husband, Teddy Weinberger, and their five children, who moved from North Miami Beach last July to Givat Ze'ev, a suburb of Jerusalem. And it includes some long-time olim, Gary Chesnin of Lincoln, who now goes by the name of Laurie and Jonathan Duitch, seated at the Former community teacher Lionel Wolberger Tahar Lev and is a judge in Beersheva. In preparation for the 1998 Passover Issue, the. back, and their children, join new olim to now works in one of Israel's high-tech firms Jewish Press is attempting to locate more former Israel, Sarah Ross and Teddy Weinberger, as a project support designer. Nebraskans and is enlisting the help of its readers left, and their children, and student Melissa to solicit addresses, phone numbers and e-mail Katzman, for a casual dinner in the Rossaddresses of those family members and friends Weinberger's new. home in Givat Ze'ev. now living in Israel. With the theme, Israel at 50, that issue, to be D'vora); Rikki is the daughter of Omahans Lois published on April 10, 1998, will not only feature and Mel Epstein; Jonathan Duitch, the son of stories and photos of Omahans who've visited or Jean and Jack Duitch; and Jon Whitman, the son studied in Israel, but also those who've made new of Norman aricl the late Elinor Whitman. lives there as citizens. Also on the Jist are: Rachel Fettman Heifetz, Many have already been contacted and have been " daughter of CantorXeo and Annette Fettman; two asked to write short stories about their lives in daughters of Jeanette and the late Rabbi Isaac Israel. Readers want to know what prompted their Nadoff: Julie Amrani and Sharon Mizrachi; Ted decisions to make aliyah, what (and whom) did and Sarah Seldin's daughter, Beth Seldin-Dotan; they encounter, what interesting people and expe- Miriam and Ervin Simon's daughter, Sarah Gold; riences have entered their lives. And former and former community teacher Lionel Nebraskans have been asked to send photos, lots of Wolberger. photos...of themselves, their children and grandFormer Lincolnites are members of this unique children (even great-grandchildren!). group, as well: Harry and Annie Allen (readers The following names are on the current list: Alon will recognize Harry as the writer of our Letter and Rikki Epstein-Mor (he's the former BBYO from Israel column, Annie is Mary Fellman's sis- • Ahuva, six-year-old Naomi, and Jon Whitman director and son of the first Klutzriick Chair at ter); Rabbi Michael Graetz, spiritual leader of a enjoy time together in their apartment in the Creighton University, Menachem Mor and his wife, (Continued on page 11) Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem.
B'nai B'rith schedules two events Torch run slated for Hanukkah
Bible Quiz set for Sunday
• Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith will sponsor the 1997 Hanukkah Torch Run on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 9:30 a.m. According to Adam Jacobs, Lodge President, and David Herzog, Chairman, the Run is a unique event celebrating the Hanukkah festival of freedom. : Those participating will meet at the Jewish Community Center at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning, and will be transported in a van supplied by Nova Health Equipment to the start at 9:30 at Beth Israel Synagogue, 52nd and Charles. Runners will follow a route together, to Temple Israel, along Dodge and Pacific Streets and will finish at the Jewish Community Center. Vans will follow behind the group. Any participant who desires to run only part of the course may elect to ride in a van for such portions. At the conclusion of the run, refreshments will be served at the JCC. .'.'•.. Because of its uniqueness, the Lodge is able to use it to highlight the importance of religious freedom as symbolized by the holiday of Hanukkah. During this year's run, freedom of religion for all mankind will be stressed. For more information, call the B'nai B'rith
Seventeen Omaha-area teens have signed up to compete in the 12th Annual Edward Zorinsky B'nai B'rith Bible Quiz, said Steve Riekes, a trustee of Henry Monsky Lodge. The contest, open to the public, is set for Dec. 7, 2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. It will test the teens' familiarity with the Book
office, 334-6443.
Deuteronomy. ••••.• Participants are Mike Cohn, Gila Drazen, Michael Fineman, Jeff Katzman, Rachel Katskee, Erin Malashock, Adam Nichols, David Pitlor, Lisa Pitlor, Michael Parsow, Noah Priluck, Aaron Rich, Adam Rosen, Wendy Robertson, Jeff Shyken, Ryan Tichauer and Alex Wolfson Adam Jacobs, President of Henry Monsky Lodge, will serve as master of ceremonies. Judges are Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Cantor Emil Berkovits and Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. Gloria Kaslow will be the quizmaster, Gerald Meyer is chaperone, Alan Kricsfeld-timekeeper, and Lois Epstein is scorekeeper. Stanley Mitchell and Gloria Kaslow helped coordinate the event Following the contest, a reception will be held in honor of the contestants. The program, which is held in conjunction with . Jewish Book Month, is open to the community at no charge.
Exclusive interview
Reform, Conservative rabbis clarify positions on pluralism by Carol Katzman
In an exclusive interview with Rabbi Uri Regev, director of the Reform movement's Religious Action Center in Jerusalem, and with Rabbi Andy Sacks, an associate with Masorti, the Conservative movement's Jsrael branch, the Jewish Press has learned that both organizations are cautiously hopeful that a compromise Rabbi Uri Regev can be reached on the issue of conversions in Israel. According to Rabbi Sacks,- "the high levels of (Netanyahu's) government know there's a difference between Reform and Conservative, but there is a direct attempt to divide us." Apparently the Reform movement agrees, as Rabbi Regev noted that "Reform has become a catchall for anything perceived as 'out of the ordinary.'" .-• • . • ' . •.. ' •.• ' '. .; ' .' •'• Though both recently expressed some optimism about Ya'acov Ne'eman (the Minister of Finance appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu to chair a ( C o n t i n u e d o np a g e 11)
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