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Celebrating More Than 75 Years Vol.LXXV
No. 15
Omaha, ME
4 Tevet, 5758
January 2,1998
Switch Day relieves staff,
Chaplain Ira M. Flax to teach Derekh Torah by Gloriann Levy Jewish Cultural Arts Council Director
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^Captain Ira M. Flax will teach the 20-week Derekh Torah Introduction, to Judaism course at the Jewish Community Center, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 7-9 p.m. This course is geared for Jews who want to learn more about Judaism and non-Jews who want to explore Judaism or who are conRabbi Flax sideringconversion. . •... The Introduction to Judaism course .explores Jewish History,, theology, ethics, Jewish Holidays, prayer, dietary laws, life cycle events, Jewish people, Israel and the Holocaust. Participants will receive four books. Captain Flax, who is chaplain at Offutt Air Force Base, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised on : Long,Island. After graduating from Hofstra University, he attended the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. During his first year of studies, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Chaplain Candidate, in the United States Air Force. From 1982-88, he served as reserve Chaplain Candidate at six milt~ tary bases includihg Andrews''Air-Force Base,' Washington, D.C., and Wright-Patterson Air Force BaSe, Ohio. f ; ' Rabbi Flax was ordained in May of 1988 and endorsed as a Conservative Rabbi. He entered active military service in September of 1988. For more information or to register for the course, please call 334-6403.
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Upper left: Jeff Ferber fills in as a dishwasher during last week's Switch Day at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. More than 150 volunteers took three-hour shifts so non-Jewish staff members could celebrate Christmas. Above: Debra Flax, severi-year*old_daugh-ter of Vicki and Rabbi Ira Flax, holds an animated discussion with RBJH resident Anne Hoffman. Left photo: Julie Corbin and Tim Kushner prepared chickens for dinner.: Volunteer Coordinator Lois Wine is already planning for next year's Switch Day. NCCJ celebrates 70th anniversary
Sandy Friedman named president What do more than 1500 Jewish professionals have in common? They have combined their talents and skills with their commitment to furthering the goals and values of the Jewish people. TheSe professionals are colleagues who have, consciously chosen a challenging career path within the 200 federations located throughout North America. ' •, . Many of today's federation professionals have entered the field through the highly-acclaimed Federation Executive Recruitment arid Education Program (FEREP), offered through the Council of Jewish Federations (CJF). • . A career track program which begins with a two; year course of study, FEREP provides federations with educated, trained people who can assume the: leadership positions within the Jewish Federation. field.-Campaign, planning and staff associates are just a few of .the entry level positions available to FEREP students upon satisfactory completion of the Master's degree program. ' . ;• "FEREP is ideal for people who possess leadership, ability, excellent oral, written and organizational skills, and have demonstrated their strong commitment to the creative survival of the Jewish community and to a bettejp .society for all people," said PamMonsky, FEKEP Coordinator at the Jewish Federation of Omaha,• ..FEREP offers full and partial tuition grants and stipends leading to Master's Degrees in Social Work, Public Administration and/or Jewish Communal Service. It also provides ongoing career , counseling and guidance, in search process, as -well ' as an opportunity to keep up-to-date about the Federation field, through programs and seminars. w&vXvXvXv&wXwrt^^^
In return, the FEREP grant recipient makes a commitment to work in a Jewish Federation in North America for a minimum of three years upon completion of the Graduate School Program. Jan Perelman, Executive Director of the JFO said, "We look to the FEREP program as an invaluable resource for hiring individuals with exceptional qualities. FEREP graduates have proven to be outstanding federation leaders who : exemplify true professionalism.1' '^ Schools at which students may receive their training for a career in the Federation field are the following: the University of Maryland and Baltimore Hebrew University; Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and Cleveland College of Jewish Studies; The Hornstein Program in Jewish : Communal Service, Brandeis University; The Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University; Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the University of Southern California or Washington UniversityGeorge Warren Brown School of Social Work; Co) umbia University School of Social Work and the Jevish Theological Seminary of America; ; University of Toronto Faculty of Social Work ; the' University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work . ana Grata College; and the University of Michigan --Srihool of Social Work, Project STAR, : > Deadline is Feb. 1 of the academic year of application. Those interested in receiving an application, information or arranging an interview with a local federation, contact Pam Monpky, FEREP Coordinator, JFO, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68164, or call 334-6431.
Seventy years ago, prominent leaders of the general and Jewish communities founded a human relations organization dedicated to addressing the problems of bias, bigotry and racism. It was created nationally in response to a resurgence of. KuKluxKlan activities and a national anti-Catholic hate campaign during Gbv. Al Smith'srun for the U:S; presidency. !':'-'"' '-••'."::, • The National Conference, known for much of its '• - history as the National Conference of Christians . and'Jews, celebrated their: 60th anniversary in Omaha recently and named Sanford L.:Priedman, president of Customer Services Profiles, Inc.; Dr. Liz Karnesj" President of the District 66 School Board; and William R. Johnson, Managing Partner of the law firm of Kennedy, Holland, Detacey & Svoboda, as new co-chairmen, \ • The group also honored their founding members, Milton Livingston, Ralph Svoboda, Otto Swaiison and W. Dale Clark. Bob Kully, President ofthe Milton S; and Corrine N. Livingston Foundation and a nephew of Mr. Livingston, waB among the speakers at the ; anniversary kick-off breakfast. He spoke of his uncle's "continuing legacy*land tlie^ Foundation, which "generously supports educational programs." According to Jane Batt, Midlands Region Executive Director, "The National Conference has ' worked for 60"years to britig people: .together with respect and ah appreciation of our differeiices, "•'••_[ "Recent events across the country; from skinheads erupting in violence in Denver to the distribution of racist flyers in Omaha, show how vital our work is," she noted. "We are committed to add to the productivity and quality of America HB a