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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
January 2,1998
! Page 2 " ssciJewish Press, Omaha, NE.
Sparks from the Word
JOAHHBIUL, volnnteer. "' Please give generously when I call on January U .
Art & Sculpture Gallery 7101-Cass
BARGAIN TIME! ^CLOSING OUR DOORS Sale starts now, everything must go Nelman • Rockwell • Tarkay • and more ...Come and Talk to Us. Buy Now! FINAL DAYS!
Get off it Exercise.
American Heart Association
C1095, 'American Heart Association
CLIP & SAVE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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& FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 _ Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m; * SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 E Kids Super Sundae, 12:30 p.m.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 5 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. Scouts, 7 p.m. „...,;',:: TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 JCC. Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at the School
Parashat VayYiggash Judah and the Royal Dynasty by Rabbi Myer S. Kripke
With so desperate a situation before the brothers of Joseph, one might have expected that Reuben, the eldest brother, might have come forward to tryto make a deal with this Viceroy of Egypt. Reuben had stepped forward before as the leader of the brothers. Why not now? Why was it Judah? It was Judah, because what was needed was not1 a "take-charge" person, but a "save-the-situation" person-and that was Judah. Reuben had told the brothers, when they kidnapped Joseph on that fateful day, not to kill him. But Judah made the decision that saved Joseph's life: get him far away from these irresponsible brothers-sell Joseph and get him to Egypt. It was Reuben who told the despairing father that they couldn't return to Egypt to buy food unless Benjamin accompanied them. But he told Jacob this; sad news when it didn't matter, when they had just come back with a full load of food. But it was Judah who repeated the drastic news to Jacob when they were out of food, when they simply had to go back. Furthermore, Judah persuaded the unwilling Jacob by guaranteeing that Benjamin would return unharmed. And now the time had come! The "man," still torturing his brothers with kindness, assures them that they could all return peacefully to Canaan, and only Benjamin would have to remain, a slave in Joseph's court. How Joseph must have relished the situation! VayYiggash Yehudah~and Judah stepped forward! I will not comment again on the polished eloquence of Judah's speech. It was masterful. Joseph could not but weep. He reveals that he is Joseph. And now we must deal with the incedent in which Judah commits an act bordering on incest and certainly illegal. From this illicit act, there issues a link in the chain from Judah to the Royal dynasty of David and his family after him. We cannot forgive Judah, although we understand him and praise his honesty and his willingness to submit to the humiliation that followed. But what is wonderful in the story is the Bible narrator's unhesitating truthfulness in relating the story. We may have thought that the narrator's account of the origin of Moab and Ammon in two separate acts of incest between Lot and his two daughters, was an attempt to heap contumely on two of Israel's enemies. No! The'story of Judah and Tamar proves that the narrator was repeating only what his sources told him. If one account is givenso must the other! This only emphasizes what we have recognized many times: the characters in the Bible are not cardboard saints, but living people, with all of the emotions and urges of living people, people who are subject to failure and sinfulness, as we are ourselves.
Deaths ZELDA CHERNISS WINE Zelda Cherniss Wine, formerly of Omaha, died on Dec. 16 in Los Angeles. Services were held Dec. 18. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam. Survivors include a daughter, Holly Fenning; son, E. Jon; grandson, Sean Fenning; and sister, Beth Cherniss, all of Los Angeles. • , ETTA GROSSMAN HEEGER Services for Etta Heeger were held Dec. 19 at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sioux City, IA. She died at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; brother, Moe Grossman, and sister, Mollye Borden. The Heegers were founding members of Shaare Zion Synagogue of Sioux City. ' Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Heddy Heeger of Napa, CA; daughter, Maita Sadoff of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Michael, Lester and J e r r y Sadoff, Lloyd and Marshall Heeger, and Laurie Averitt; 10. great-grandchildren; and brother, Arthur Grossman of Omaha.
Manuscript competition sponsored by Association of Jewish Libraries The Association of Jewish Libraries announces the twelfth annual Sydney Taylor Manuscript Competition for aspirinig authors of children's books. A cash award of $1,000 will be given for the best fiction manuscript appropriate for readers aged 811, written by an unpublished author. The story should have universal appeal, yet serve to deepen the understanding of Judaism and reveal positive aspects of Jewish life. . For entry forms and rules, please contact Ms. Paula Sandfelder, Coordinator, 1327 Wyntercreek Lane, Dunwoody, GA, 30338, or e-mail to: mpsan@mindspring.com Deadline for submission of manuscripts is J a n u a r y 15, 1998. Award winners will be announced on May 1, 1998, and will be presented at the Thirty Second Annual Convention of the Association of Jewish Libraries in Cleveland, June 1998.
Parent /Toddler Classes at Temple Israel
Preschoolers get ready for Kids' .Super Sundae
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 Breadbreakers, noon . JCAC Hegrejv Class; 7-p.m. j ^ THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 . WalkSn Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. Tjempi.e Israel Sisterhood Adult Education, L !,9:30;a.m., at Temple Israel I NCJW'Board Meeting, noon, Location: TBA p'
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Susan Lite and her daughter, Rachel, enjoy crafts together in a Parent/Toddler class at Temple Israel.
FftTOAY, JANUARY 9 Russian Club, 10 a.m. S A
S A All avonts hold at the JCC unless otherwise indicated The Joyrisli Proas Is not responsible for the accuracy of the abovo events. To keep calendar accurate or for quostlons, cnlrUarlone Hen at 3344437. .
—1 COMMERCIAL and RESIDENTIAL .COMPANY
8037 H Street Omaha, NE 68127 (402) 593-1242
CUP & SAVE
Back, from loft: Sam Monsky, son of Pom and Henry Monsky; Brad Kutler, son of Debi and David Kutler. Front row. Mariesa Kahn, daughter of Becki and Tom Kahn; Becky Doty, daughter of Mary and Gary Doty; and Kylle Kirshenbaum, daughter of Corey Kirshenbaum and Marcy Noodelt Super Sundae for kids will be held this Sunday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the JCC. Games will be played and prizes will be awarded. The children are asked to bring their tzedakah boxes (preferably filled!) which they decorated in Religious School.
A new winter session of classes on Thursday and/or Friday morning, 10-1:15 a.m., for parentsahd toddlers (age 12-35 months) will begin Jan. 8 and 9 at Temple Israel. These classes provide a variety of age appropriate activities, to enhance social and motor skill development of the children in an atmosphere which incorporates Jewish values and practices for the home. A portion of each class is devoted to discussion of a parenting issue relative to participants. Ann Kibel Schwartz, Director of Education, for Temple Israel, will facilitate this clasB with the assistance of Joan Cooper. Rabbis and other Jewish professionals will serve as guest presenters. Call 556-6536 for additional information.
January 2,1908'
' Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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CANDLELIGHTING: 4:48 p.m. TEMPLE ISRAEL Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 7023 Case Street, Omaha, NE 68132 556-6536 FRIDAY: Early Worship Service, 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Stiel will officiate and give the DVar Torah. Tot Shabbat, 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 SATURDAY: Shabbat morning service, lfeSOaan. Simcha B'Shabbat-An informal Shabbat service that includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts. SUNDAY: A O L (Adult Opportunities for Learning) will meet at 10 a-m. for a continental breakfast and discussion on Jewish perspectives on Christianity—the writings of Baeck, Baber, Rosenzweig and Heschel. ADULT EDUCATION Wednesday, Jan. 7: Adult B'nai Mitzvah class, 10 aan. to noon. Thursday, Jan. 8: Sisterhood Adult Education, 9:30 to 11 aan.: Rabbi Azriel will teach "Israel at 50-Midlife Crisis;" Don Schwartz will lead Beyond Midrash, 7:30 - 8:30 pan. FRKDAY, J a n . 9: "Shabbat Comes^To You," 3:45 p.m.: Hazzan Contzius and the Temple Youth Group will lead a Shabbat service at Remington Heights. BAR MITZVAH: Keith Nathan Graul, son of Diane and Lonnie Graul, will become a Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat services, Saturday, Jan. 9.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd SL, Omaha, NE 68104 55<M5288 Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 4:50 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 8:45 a.m.; Little People's'Service, 10:15 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood. Chumash class with Rabbi Kutner, 4:10 p.m.; Mincha, 4:40 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah. SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 4:50 pan. WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 aan. and 4:50 pan.; Thursday evening at 4:40 pan. ADULT EDUCATION Monday, Jan. 5,7:30 pan.: "Introduction to the Talmud" with Rabbi Kutner; "Synagogue Skills" 8:30 p.m., learn to chant the Haftorah with its traditional trope. Wednesday, Jan. 7,7:30 p.m.: Jewish Thoughts and Practice —• "A Time to Mourn," a class with Rabbi Kutner; this week's topic is Shiva. SHABBAT LUNCHEON S a t u r d a y , J a n . 10: Make reservations by Monday for a Shabbat luncheon following services. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children, ages 2-12.
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California, Omaha, N E 68154 492-8550 I"'.'..' .'.I WEB~http://omab.nfreenet.org/bethel
B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 6 1 8 M y n s t e r S t , Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 322-4705 E-MAIL: docjeb@juno.com FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Discussion topic will be "The Disappearance of the Jews." An Oneg Shabbat will follow services.
BEYT SHALOM An Affiliate of the Jewish Rcconstructionist Federation P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NE 68124-5130 . 758-9233 http://pwl.netcom.coni/~saLniim FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 pan., at 3012 S. 119th St. in Omaha. SUNDAY: Religious School, at the Jewish Community Center 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.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, led by Mark Levy, start at 9 a.m. Ed Kahn will celebrate his 100th birthday on Jan. 9. His son, Hugo, will-lead Shabbat services on Jon. 10 at 9 a.m. Kiddush will follow. Friends may stop by for cake and good wishes at 2:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home dining room.
CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2081 S. 20th Sfc, Lincoln, N E 68502-2797 435-8004 Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Services, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 10 aan. SUNDAY: Hebrew and Religious School, 10 a,m.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 11923 Pacific, Omaha, NE 68144 697-1124 E-MAHi-chabad@aol.com SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9-.30 a.m., followed by Kiddish. Shabbat program, which includes lunch for Mommy & Me kids and Kiddie Kollege families, 11:45 aan. Mesibos Shabbos, fun for kids, led by Chaya Arnold and Henchi GoldBtein, 3:30-5 pan.
OFFUTT
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.
B'nai mitzvah Elliot J o s e p h Siff, son of former Omahans Barry and Judy Siff, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah tomorrow; at Congregational Emanuel in Denver, CO.. His teacher, Rabbi Aryeh. ^ Azriel of Temple Israel in Omaha, will assist in services. He is an eighth grade honor student at Preston! Junio High School in; Fort Collins and enjoys1 skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and climbing, hiking, camping and golf. Elliot has a brother, Brian. He is the grandson of Norma Siff of Fort Collins ,:• Evan James Staples; son of.Sally Staples and Sandy Staples of Tuscon, A2f.-, Will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, January 10, at Congregation Ner Tamid in Tuscoh';'; ^>-"^ ^^--' He is an eighth grader at St. Gregory College Preparatory School in' Tuscon where he is a member of the basketball team. He plays the violin and is an alumnus of the TusconBoys Chorus. ' Evan is the grandson of former Omahans Shirley and James Lipsey, and Marian Staples, all of Tuscon. •
Pm volunteer. Please give generously when S can on January U.
Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosehbaum. ' Minyan on Monday and Thursday at 8:15 aan. FRIDAY: Early services, 5:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY, Jan. 11, 7:80 pan.: You and your family are invited to Curtain Up "85" produced by Leo Hill. The event is at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. No admission charge.
25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 294-6051
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, Ua.m. • to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m^ to 4 p.m. . ,H /''S':-. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Xfra|in_ \ and Cantor Emil Berkovits. r : ' "" - -V^.," J FRIDAY: Services, 6 p.m. „ •'. ' " • \ =y' 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.; ICtantan, second and fourth Saturday at 11 aan.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:55 p.m. . • SUNDAY: Services, 9 aan. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Beth Israel Talumd Torah students delivered HaiMiltltnh gifts to the residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Brett Nisson, left, Daniel, Sarah, Mary and Josh Grossman visit Miriam Grossman (who is also 'bubbe' to the Grossman family).
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Editorial
Chabad was there to help
Many in the Jewish community have negative feelings toward the Chabad Lubavitch movement. But, for all the grumbling about Chabad's place in the spectrum of Judaism, the group has never given up on the Jews of the former Soviet Union. All during the dark years of oppression under Stalin and Lenin, Chabad rabbis arid their families stayed in the former USSR. They built hidden mikVO/JS (ritual baths) for families who observed the ritual of taharat mishpacha (ritual purity);; they smuggled Hebrew language primers and prayer books into clandestine learning sessions; they secretly held Pesach seders. Even after the break-up of the communist regime, Chabad has continued to lend a hand where it was needed. When the nuclear reactors
Our man. In Israel
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January 2,1998
exploded in Chernobyl, Chabad came to the rescue of children stricken with cancer from the after-affects of the blast. Since 1990, some 1530 children have been flown to Israel on 32 separate flights for extended stays in the hospital and at Kfar Chabad, near Tel Aviv. Chabad has even brought the families to Israel to reunite them with their recovering children. . Now Israel is recognizing Chabad's contribution with a new postage stamp depicting a Children of Chernobyl flight. Minister of Communications Limor Livnat pointed out that "rarely has the Postal Authority given such recognition to a private non-governmental organization." Mazal tov to Chabad and yasher koach for their humanitarian work in saving lives.
m m THE swt-.swrtoM.. M ^ i
N K M GREETINGS , 7CAN&LES, 6-C4HDLE&
To solve the religious problem by evolution, not revolution by Carl Alpert
* HAIFA - The controversy over conversion to Judaism in Israel has led to bitter feelings and harsh expressions on both sides. An early solution to the problem is not in sight, but a truce has been declared for the moment. The Orthodox will not press for passage of a bill in the Knesset which will give legal status to their exclusivity, and the Reform-Conservative group will not file with the High Court of Justice to rule in the matter of their right to perform conversions in Israel. Presentation of the Orthodox point of view has been largely marked by invective, name-calling, -hatred and even violence, all of which justly arouse • the ire of the other side. Is there someone who can •present the Orthodox, case with moderation, patience and understanding? We sought out the Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Rabbi : Shear-Yashuv Cohen. He met the criteria. ' This religious conflict between Jews is not new, '••, .he : noted.. It.,has .existed for almost 200 years, and ..;}'.. we "should not permit extremism and intolerance on either side.tO: divide us into two peoples. From a true Orthodox point of view, he said, our attitude toward other Jews/even if we disagree with them, Should be one of lovei patience and peace. We should look for the positive in the other fellow. Unfortunately,- the press has sensationalized the utterances and deeds of a vocal, but very small minority even among the haredim. They have exacerbated the problem. If they claim to speak in the name-of halacha they should remember that from a hal achic point of view every act of violence or denial .of the rights of others, is wrong. Even if the haredim do n o t agree with the Reform, they should " treat-them with Derech Eretz - respect. Extremist acts are. a Chilul Hashem (desecration of the name fGd).,. . v. When he spoke of'Reform rabbis,' we asked: Do you'Tecognize Reform rabbis as such? His reply: "They don't need my recognition. They have that from their congregations. They do have my respect.wEach has the right to pray in his own way...It is the right of rabbis from other streams to conduct ceremonies (marriages, funerals, etc.) in their own tradition, as long as they don't do things that are against halacha, such as same-sex mar-
THE JEWISH PRESS (Founded in 1920)
riages or marriages with the joint participation of a priest." He implied that such acts, which may be carried out only by a minority, and not among the Conservatives, are what have infuriated the Orthodox. Both sides have their extremists. What is the gist of the present controversy? For the sake of peace, both sides entered into an agreement soon after the establishment of the State, whereby the status quo, with respect to religious observance, would be preserved. Both sides accepted compromises. .•• , For more than 80 years, even before the establishment of the State, it h a s been the prerogative of the Chief Rabbi to preside over or authorize conversions within the country and this, according to halacha. Now the Reform seek to perform this rite in Israel, according to their own standards. This is a violation of t h e agreement, Rabbi Cohen said.
Israeli Orthodoxy many be unhappy about Reform/Conservative conversions performed outside of Israel, but they don't interfere. And that is the crux of the controversy. The same is true of the Western Wall, the Kotel. For almost a century there has been a standard about the conditions and status of the Wall. Now come others who seek to change the status quo and introduce different practices. If that should be, .they should occur by evolution, not by revolution. ; Unfortunately there is another factor, the political, which ferments the situation; Rabbi Cohen added. In its. fight against Orthodoxy, the Conservative/Reform wings have forged an unholy alliance with a political party, Meretz, which, if not anti-religious, makeB clear its contempt for religion. Their leaders describe their Judaism as a "cultural heritage." But the definition of a Jew cannot be made purely hi cultural or national terms. A Jew is a Jew by religion even if he disowns it. Rabbi Cohen concluded with two quotes, one from the founder of the Lubavitch movement who declared we should love all Jews, the other from Chazon Ish who taught: Love the Jew in him, even if you disagree with his views. . Argue with him, but respect him. Doesn't that go : for both sides?.
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The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jefrish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of tho Federation ore: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Education and Library ServiceEr, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. The J e w i s h Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The J e w i s h P r e s s (USPS 276620) is published weekly on Friday for $26 per calendnr year U.S.; $30 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Periodical postage pnid nt Oninha, NE. ..POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154; Telephone 402-334-6448; FAX 402-334-5422; E-mail <tfshpress@aol.com> .
Slev« Lflvlngcr Chairman Carol Katzman Editof-ln-CNel Morris Mallne Editor Emeritus Maunwn LaPour Managing Editor Larry Axelrod Advertising Monagor Shcryl Friedman Bookkeeper Goorgo Schaplro Volunteer
To the Editor: As Black and Jewish citizens of Omaha, we are deeply dismayed by the City of Omaha's actions in the wake of the shooting death of Marvin Ammons. A mother who has lost her child to violent death at the hands of the police needs to know how and why a police officer shot and killed her son. The grand jury investigation scheduled before year's end should bring light to the events surrounding this police action. The involvement of the FBI and the US Attorney's office may increase the chances of learning what actually happened. Our outrage is directed at the larger question of public policy: openness of government. The City's initial refusal to turn over police records to Marvin Ammons' mother in the name of safeguarding the integrity of the grand jury investigation was disturbing. The City's subsequent disobedience of Judge Edna Atkin's order to turn over documents to Ammons' mother is a strike against city government accountability to its citizens. We applaud the Omaha World-Herald for voicing its stand on this issue. However, now, more than ever, citizen voices of discontent and disappointment must be heard about the resistant behavior of city officials to the judicial system. We will not stand in silence as they thwart jus- $ tice and interfere unnecessarily with a mother's^ duty to discharge the affairs of her dead son's^.j estate. We encourage others to speak out as well. f«> The Black/Jewish Dialogue' \ Magda Peck and Lonnie Michaels, |f Co-Chairmen V Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Temple Israel
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Lloyd Roitstoin, Vice Chairman; Fred Tichnuer, Treasurer; Joanio Jacobson, Secretary; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Bob Birt; Stove Danon; Bob Eisonberg; Linda Lachin; Sheryl Lee; George Schapiro; Howard Silber. Editorials express the view of the writer and ore not necessarily representative of the views of tho Jewish Press Committee, tho Jewish Federation of Omaha or tho Omaha; Jewish Community aa a whole. The Jewish Press reserve Iho right to edit letters nnd articles for space and con ton I. Tho Jewish Press is not responsible for tho KanhruLli oj any product or establishment.
January 2,1998 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 5
Behind the Headlines
Allies finished what Nazis started Stewart Ain, Staff Writer, The New York Jewish Week
The gold is sitting in the vaults of the Federal Reserve Bank'in Lower Manhattan and at the Bank of England in London. The request for the gold was first made in September 1996 by Edgar Bronfman, president of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, which represents nine international Jewish groups. ' A study earlier this year by the. World Jewish Congress concluded that 30 percent of all gold looted by the Nazis during the War, which today would be valued at $8.5 billion, was non-monetary. Until now, the Tripartite Commission had insisted that it did not knowingly distribute to central banks any non-monetary gold bars. It said it! may have unwittingly distributed bars that had been smelted by the Nazis and spiked with non-monetary gold, including the gold teeth and fillings of Jews. In effect, documents now show, the But in a letter to the WJC, the counsel to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, James Tripartite Commission was passing Hennessy, said that he obtained special permission off gold fragments stolen by the Nazis of the Tripartite Commission to release details of from individuals and businesses, the 1952 transaction. He included a copy of the melting them into bars and pretend- commission's records, which detail the quantity ing they were the gold bars stolen and nature of the non-monetary gold that was from Europe's central banks. In this smelted into gold bars. The non-monetary gold was in the form of way, they were finishing what the chunks, coins, pipes, buttons, sticks, sheets and Nazis were in the process of doing - commercial bars that totaled 21,000 ounces, which camouflaging non-monetary gold for would be valued today at $500,000. gold bullion. Noting that the shipment included "various This information was used to buttress the call of burnt and fused together coins and clinkers," as Jewish groups at last month's Nazi Gold well as "mutilated" coins, Steinberg said it is Conference in London' that 5.6 tons of undistrib- apparent that the Nazis were in the process of uted Nazi gold be turned over to the victims of smelting this gold into bars when their work was stopped. Nazi persecution, their heirs and their families.
Personal gold seized by the Nazis was melted into gold bars after the war by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and then shipped as gold bullion to the central banks of four European countries, the bank has revealed. The Federal Reserve Bank said its. action occurred in February 1952 at the direction of the Tripartite Commission for the Restitution of Monetary Gold. The bank's admission, which came in response to inquiries from the World Jewish Congress, is the first concrete evidence that the Tripartite Commission also dealt in so-called nonmonetary gold. . "It means the Tripartite Commission's claim that it was returning only gold looted by the Nazis from the central banks of Europe was simply untrue," said the executive director Of the World Jewish Congress, Elan Steinberg.
"For a long time we have be*en asking if they knowingly accepted non-monetary gold and knowingly turned it over to central banks after first melting it into bars," he said. "Now we know the answer is yes. There were no gold rings or teeth listed in the document, but it is pretty hard to represent that gold buttons .'and pipes came from some central bank's gold reserves."
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Around the Jewish World Five Israelis indicted for role in Maccabiah bridge tragedy by Naomi Segal
JERUSALEM, (JTA) - Five Israelis have been charged with negligent homicide in connection with a fatal bridge collapse at July's Maccabiah Games. The indictments came after the relatives of the Australian athletes who either died or were injured in the tragedy spent months demanding that those responsible be brought to justice. The five who were indicted were.Baruch Karagula and Yehoshua Ben-Ezra, the contractors; Micha Bar-Ilan, the bridge's engineer; Adam Mishori, the head of Irgunit, the firm that subcontracted to, Baruch and Karagula; and Yoram Eyal, the head of the organizing committee for the international games. If convicted, each could face up to three years in jailAfter learning of the indictment, Eyal stepped down from his position with the organizing committee. Itamar Herman, who chaired the organizing committee for the opening ceremonies, also resigned. . Two Australian'athletes were immediately killed July 14 and hundreds of other participants at the Games injured when a pedestrian bridge collapsed, plunging scores of people into the Yarkon River. Two more Australians died weeks later as a . result of complications that medical officials linked , to contaminants in the river. . One Australian athlete injured in the incident, tennis player Sasha Elterman, 15, has been hospitalized with a brain abscess that doctors say may have been caused by the polluted water. Officials from Maccabi Australia have repeatedly complained about Israel's handling of the inquiry into the disaster and have demanded the speedy payment of compensation to the victims' families. At a news conference, Tom Goldman, chairman of Maccabi Australia, said his organization was considering pulling out of the Maccabi World Union because it had not acknowledged its responsibility for the collapse. Maccabi World Union leaders in Israel said they were setting.up a commission to probe the organization's role in the collapse.
Israel trains Palestinian medics ~
by Susan Jacobs .
NEW YORK (JTA) - Israel's emergency rescue service is training Palestinian paramedics and ambulance drivers. The training program by Magen David Adorn comes at a time of high tension between Israel and the Palestinians because of the stalled peace process. Despite the problems in political negotiations, Magen David Adorn President Dr. Shlomi Antebbi agreed to a request from the chairman of the Palestinian Red Crescent, Dr. Fathi Arafat, to train the Palestinians. "Cooperation between the MDA and the Palestinian Red Crescent will create increased understanding between the two peoples," said Natan Kodinsky, director of training for Magen David Adorn. ' About 25 Palestinians are participating in the course. They will join the staff of the Palestinian Red Crescent, which operates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ">nj; ' : The course involves training in ambula'rtfce driving and equipment and medical treatment, including first aid in various emergency situations. •
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Time names Holocaust survivor this year's 'Man of the Year' "
Balebusta of the Month
by Peter Ephross
NEW YORKGJTA) -Time magazine has named a Jewish Holocaust survivor its 1997 "Man of the Year." The magazine honored Andrew Grove; who is the chairman and CEO of Intel, which produces nearly 90 percent of the world's personal computer microprocessors. .. . In honoring Grove, 61, Time said he possessed a "paranoia bred from his having been a refugee," combined with an "entrepreneurial optimism" and a "sharpness tinged with arrogance." Grove was born Andras Grof in Hungary to a dairyman and a bookkeeper. He and his mother survived the 1944 roundups in Budapest. When the Russians invaded Hungary in 1956, Grove left, escaping over the border into Austria by foot.
Mix together, bring to boil, then.;;, .• .simmer. .,,.. •,.. /,',,,!, .....,,jn« 1 jar chili sauce ,,.,,, ", „.,-, 1 can whole berry cranberries "" 1 cari'tomato soup '."''. •yci-:1'-"
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Page 6 . Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 2,1998
Chabad presents inspirational speaker
Temple Israel class visits local shelter KUPFEHfltOSTAN Florette Kupfer and JDaniel Rostan were married Oct, 26 in Brookline, MA. Rabbi Jeff Foust officiated. The bride, daughter of Leah Kupfer and the late Jack (Jacob) Kupfer, is a self-employed graphic designer.. The groom,, son of Kurt and Sheila Rostan of New Jersey, is a music director in a private school. The couple live in Brookline
Rodger and'Stephanie Howard of Valencia, CA, announce the Nov. I I birth of their son, Adam Patrick. Adam has a brother, Alexander, 4. Grandparents are Ted and Sarah Seldin of Omaha,'George Howard of Van Nuys, CA, and the late' Edwina Howard. Great-grandparents are Rose Daler of Omaha and the Tate; Morris Nadler and the late Ben I. and Bertha Seldin.
Fifth graders from Temple Israel Religious School performed mitzvot at the Siena Frances House. Front, row: teacher Don Schwartz, left, Naomi .Wolfson,-Ashley Corcoran" and Angela Friedman; back row: Jon Gates, Michael Belmont, Dustin Lepp, Jordan Kenik and Adam Skog. Some of the comments made after the visit were: "My trip was fun," said Adam Skog, "First we talked, then we made 200 sandwiches for the residents." Naomi Wolfson said, "I learned to be thankful that I have a house; the people there aren't stupid just because they have no home." Jon Gates noted that the shelter "is nice and clean." Jordan Kenik added, "It was a good feeling to know I was helping people."
Chaya Teldon, founder, producer: and director of the Cablevision TV show, Jewish Spotlight, will speak in Omaha on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The first lecture, for women only," will be hosted by Lisa Epstein at her home, 1336 N. 129th Ave., at 10 a.m. and is sponsored by Ohabad's Women of Worth program. A light brunch will be served. The evening program will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse at One Pacific Place and is open to the entire community. Refreshments will be served.' Entitled, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus-the Jewish View," and "C'mon G-d, Please Don't Do That," the lectures will address the "art of passing life's big and little tests," said Shani Katzman. "Famed for her ability to combine common sense, humor and traditional Jewish values in a dynamic and inspiring manner, she is recognized as one of the stars of the Jewish lecture circuit," Mrs. Katzman added. • Mrs. Teldon is also a teacher, writer and the mother of five. For more information or to make reservations, contact Cheryl at the Chabad House, 697-1124.
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YES Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Exercise and bingo both start at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share at the "YES Talk" discussion group, led by Toni Kutcher and Art Grossman, at I I a.m. Following, a hot kosher lunch, at noon, Bob Wolfson, Director of the ADL, will speak. For ixkhsportatiori,call 330-4272. Reminder: 1998 Membership Dues are now due. Send form and $2 per person to Frieda Krizelman, Membership Chairman, 331 S. 93rd Ave., Omaha NE 68114. Make check payable to YES. . . WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Come exercise with Larisa at 10:15 a.m.,.or play bingo at 10:30 with Lester Waxman. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 11:30 in room 10. At noon, enjoy the movie My Best Friend's Wedding, featuring Julia Roberts, in the Blumkin Home auditorium. Bring a friend. Popcorn will be served. For transportation, call 330-4272. • RUSSIAN CLUB ' The next meeting will be Friday, January 9 at the JCC. Exercise starts at , 10:00 a.m.; lunch is served at 11 :00 and a Russian speaking movie will be shown at noon. For transportation, call Lydia Linde at 697-9169. :
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Membership dues to Visions for the year 1998 are now due. Please mail your check payable to Visions in the> amount of $5 per person to Visions, [ c/o Lois and Gerald Bernstien, 14810 j Cass Circle, Omaha, NE, 68154. Membership Luncheon Meeting is I Friday, Jan. 16, 12:30 p.m., at CanigUa's Venice Inn. Cost is $6.75 I per person. Hazzan Erik Contzius, oft Temple Israel will present a pro-1 gram of Jewish and Yiddish musical ] songs. Mail reservation form by Jan. 9 to Vera Lewis, 5424 Lafayette Ave., Omaha, NE 68132. Make checks payable to Jewish Senior Services. Join us at the Aksarben Coliseum _ . ,»»,.•», . . as the Omaha Lancers Hockey Team E t t a • » * H*™1* ^ e m d a ™ e d a s takes on the USA All Stars on more than 125 members of yisions Sunday, Feb. 15, at 6:05 p.m. Cost celebrated the organization's fifth per person is $6. For reservations, anniversary recently. mail form by Jan. 23. Send to Harry Alloy, 5811 Nicholas St., Omaha NE 68132. Make checks payable to Jewish Senior Services. .BREADBREAKERS Dr. Steven Bennett will speak atBreadbreakers on Wednesday, according to Steve Rlekea. Dr. Bennett, a physician from Kearney, NE, is a democratic candidate for governor. •; ' ". ~* ' Breadbreakers meets esvery Wednesday at noon. For the'month of January only, Breadbreakers will meet at the Jewish Community Center in Room 10. The program is open to the community. Cost is $7.75
J a n u a r y 2,1998 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 7
Jewish-American Artists and the Holocaust by Matthew Baigell (Rutgers University Press, 1997)
Omaha Symphony futures __ pianist Svetlana Rodionova
by Oliver B. Pollak, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Tliere is Jewish art in our homes, in our synagogues, at Jewish Community Centers and in Jewish and non-Jewish museums. The Shoah has slowly evolved as as an artistic subject for memorializing the victims and making a documentary record. Even the building and architecture housing the story can be the source for wonderment, art and controversy > remember and visualize' the aesthetics that went into Yad Vashem in Israel and the Holocaust Memorial Museum in " Washington, D.C. A number of books have recently appeared which dwell on Jews, a r t and the Holocaust. They include: Reflections of the Holocaust in Art and Literature (1990) by Randolph L. Brahan; The Texture of Memory: Holocaust Memorials and Meaning (1993) by James E. Young; Depiction and Interpretation: The Influence of the Holocaust on the Visual Arts (1993) by Ziva Amishai-Maisels; and After Aushwitz: Responses to the Holocaust in Contemporary Art (1995) by Monica Bohm-Duchen. Baigell traces, through 43 illustrations (oils, watercolors, lithographs, photographs, porcelain, mixed media installations and sculpture) and per-
The world premiere of ThrenosS winner of the 1996 Omaha Symphony Guild international New sonal and written contact with about 80 American Music Competition, will be performed on Saturday, artists and their responses to Hitler and the Jan. 10, 7 p.m. at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Holocaust. . .., . •'.'•;.[ The artists include American-born Jews, sur- Nebraska at Omaha. Composed by Tyler White, a • vivors and children of survivors. He starts with music professor at UNL, the piece was selected Diego Rivera and Ben Shahn, traces the increased from among 80 entries from around the world; •.•-:*' ' impetus during the 1960s and ends with younger Also on the program is Petite Symphonie by1 artists born as recently as 1960. Frank Martin, featuring Russian-born pianist •'.Catastrophe exposes the roots of a people's psy- Svetlana Rodionova, Mary Bircher on harp and che. According to Emil Fackenheim in To Mind the Marsha Johnson on harpsichord. '; ?"•• '-';^"- rWorld: Foundations of Post-Holocaust Thought Rodionova has played to packed housea-alJhfl (1982); there were two responses: the non-Jewish' Jewish Community Center,and .willfler£onn,,|herB, Jewish thinkers and the Jewish-Jewish thinkers. again in February. She began her career in ^er/j The first group included leftists with illusionary native city of St. Petersburg; While earning/ a doq-,,y optimistic views of the future; the second escaped toral degree from t h e . Rimsky,-i(Cqrsakov, into the past, finding faith, wisdom and succor. Conservatory, she performed,on of%jaj(ly',Bgqn:;r Baigell's study holps us understand and sort out sored tours of the former Soviet Union and Eastern i, the motivations of artists depicting the darkest Europe. • . . ... . ..,. ,. : ; :-i:,u..••..,.-.-.,.n episode of our lives. . _'•' ' j In 1992 however, despite the offer oif a professorj., Matthew Baigell is a Professor of Art History at ship at the Conservatory, Rodionova emigrated .tft. Rutgers University and also has written on Soviet the West, settling first in Barcelona before coming to Omaha in 1993. , dissident artists. ,' This book is available at the Jewish Federation Tickets are $19 for adults, $16 for students and Library. • seniors. For more information, call 342-3836.
New stamps share Omaha Jewish connection by Murray Frost An unusual set of stamps associated with Omaha will be issued some time during -.1998. The set reproduces the nine stamps first issued in 1898 to celebrate the Trans- Mississippi Exposition held in Omaha that year. . The announcement and unveiling of the stamps designs took place in Omaha last month. But almost no one at the ceremony realized that the 1898 set has a "Jewish .connection." The original set of stamps resulted from a request from Edward Rosewater, who was Jewish, and publicity and promotion manager of the Exposition. He also had strong political ties to the administration of Republican President- William McKinley. In fact, his ties were so strong that his request for one or two stamps was met with a commitment for five stamps, which became nine stamps only a few weeks later. Rosewater had been active in McKinley's presidential race against Nebraskan William Jennings Bryan (in fact at one point in Rosewater's career he had debated Bryan on the tatter's key issue of sil-
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ver; he had also debated Susan B. Anthony on women's suffrage). He had worked closely with a Republican official who became Assistant Postmaster General when McKinley was elected. Rosewater was proud of his Jewish ancestry, even though he did not belong to any synagogue or Jewish organization. He was born Jan. 28,1841, in Bukovan, about 50 miles south of Prague, Bohemia (Czechoslovakia). He became a telegraph operator and was at the Battle of Bull Run in that capacity. He was on duty in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 1, 1863, and had the responsibility of dispatching President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation via telegraph on that day. His career included serving in the state legislature and a s a delegate to tfie Universal Postal Union in 1897 and 1906. He died on Aug. 30,1906. The stamps to be issued in 1998 will use the original dies made for the 1898 set. This means . there will be two major differences between the original and the new set. The 1898 set was supposed to be issued with each stamp printed in two colors. But when the Spanish-American War ' began after the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing decided to issue the set in one color only. This cut the press time in half and enabled.them to print revenue stamps needed for the war effort. The 1998 set, unlike the 1898 one, will have bi-colored stamps.
This change enabled Rosewater to ask for one more change, as the designs had to be modified slightly. Originally the most common stamp, the 2cent value, which paid the rate for first class mail, was going to depict a bridge in St." Louis. But Rosewater was eager to publicize.Omaha, not a rival city. So he convinced the post office to switch the 2-cent and $2 designs. As a result, 56,200 copies of the $2 bridge were issued, while 159 mil-,; lion copies of a scene depicting harvesting appeared on the 2-cent stamp. The 1998 set,'based on the original dies, will have the St. Louis bridge on the 2-cent value. One other difference-the original set now sells for approximately $3,650, while the new'set will be available'at post offices for $3.80 wh'ehit is issued. ;, ' : Omaha stamp collectors hope the new stamp will be issued in Omaha, but neither the date nor the site for the new issue have been announced yet.' : . • Dr. Murray Frost writes a monthly column on Judaica Philately far Global Stamp News, P.O. Box 97, Sidney, OH, 45365-009?
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 2,1998
Calli Cohn exhibits artwork Courtney Rabb at JCC Gallery named Press student intern
Sofer to visit Beth El Synagogue ~
by Courtney Rabb Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation Jewish Press student intern
by Scott Littky Beth El Synagogue School Director
How does one repair a Torah scroll? How is a On Jan. 2, an art exhibit featuring the work of Torah scroll written? How long does it take to write Calli Cohn, daughter of Marvin and Susan Cohn, a Torah scroll? All of these questions will be answered when Dr. opened in the Jewish Community. Center Gallery. Eric Ray, a well-known sofer (Torah scribe) visits Readers may remember Calli's work from last sumBeth El Synagogue to repair a number of their mer, when she was featured in The Young Jewish Torah scrolls. He will be at Beth El from Sunday, Omaha Artists' Exhibit with twelve other young artists. Her work will now be shown exclusively Jan. 11 through Wednesday, Jan. 14. ..Dr. Eric Ray has traveled the world repairing with funding provided by The Veitzer Family and presenting synagogues with completed Torah Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation , :' scrolls. He is an internationally recognized authori- Foundation. Calli, a sophomore at ty of Jewish art, illuminated Hebrew manuscripts Central High School, and synagogue architecture. He holds a masters has been interested in degree'in Art History and a doctorate in symbolism art since she was a in the arts of religions from the University of young girl. She first London. •' • 3 ,' I y"\f began taking art lessons Since the publication of his book, Sofer, the Story •- * - s ^ . - A ~*V i n g r a d e sc hool at of a Torah Scroll, Dr. Ray has been principally / occupied as a lecturer/Torah-scribe, a featured Rhythm and Hues. guest and as a consultant to museums, universities Although Calli likes to and television programs in the United States, work in all types of Israel and Europe. He specializes in the restoration media, her two favorite ofTorahs. types are painting and As a practicing artist, book-designer and Torah drawing. Art is imporCalli Cohn scribe, Dr. Ray has been featured in both the New tant to Calli as an interYork Times and the Los Angeles Times for his book esting and fun way for her to spend her spare time. designs and for designing and creating the art for This month, Calli is displaying primarily paintmore than twenty synagogues in Canada, South ings and drawings. She hopes her viewers will be inspired one day to try art themselves. America and the United States. "We are so pleased with this third exhibit featurHe is also noted for originating the current renaissance of the ketuba as an illuminated Jewish ing young Omaha artists in the past year," said marriage contract. Dr Ray is also responsible for Joanie Jacobson, exhibit coordinator. Jacobson is very excited that Calli's work will be the calligraphy in the Rabbinical Assembly ketuba. While in Omaha, Dr. Ray will present "How a displayed at the gallery. "Calli is a talented young lady and we're so glad Torah is Written," and "Hebrew Calligraphy," for the families of Beth El on Sunday, Jan. 11, at she decided to share her work with us," she com4 p.m. There will be an adult education program on mented. "This community should be very proud of Monday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m., on "Illuminated Calli and all its young artists, and we look forward to exhibiting more of their work in the future." Hebrew Manuscripts." Duckie Milder is the exhibit designer. Calli Dr Ray's visit to Beth El is being sponsored by the Sisterhood of Beth El Synagogue. For more Cohn's work is on display through the end of January. For information on this or future gallery information, call Beth El, 492-8550. exhibits, call Gloriann Levy at 334-6403.
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CDC teaches tzedakah The Child Development Center stresses the importance of tzedakah to its young students. Each week, the children bring their pennies, nickels and dimes to give to the needy for clothing and food. When the jar is full, the CDC turns it over to Jewish Family Service for use in assisting local families. Pictured at right: Todd Ephraim, JFS Executive Director, accepts a full jar from CDC Director Dinah Raful and several preschoolers. "We believe in teaching the lessons of tzedakah even at this very young age," said Raful.
With a grant from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation, the Jewish Press h a s , hired Courtney Rabb to serve as its student intern for 1998. She will write stories, starting with this issue,- on Jewish teens or on topics of interest to them, their parents and the community. Courtney Rabb Courtney is a sophomore at Millard North High School and a student in Beth El Synagogue's Hebrew High School. She is also Vice-president of Social Action/Tikkun 01am of the Bilu Chapter of USY and was co-chairman of their Purim Carnival last spring. The daughter of Lori and Stephen Rabb, Courtney served as the volunteer youth group coordinator for the 1997 New Year's edition of the Jewish Press featuring Teen Age. She was a crew member for "A Sentimental Journey," NCJWs centennial celebration in 1996, and captain of the stage crew for "Beth El in All its Glory."
Music scholarships offered to qualified students by Gloriann Levy Jewish Cultural Arts Council Director
The Dorothy Lustgarten Riekes Music Fund will be accepting applications for full scholarships for private music lessons for talented youngsters between the ages of five and 14 years. Mrs. Riekes was a very talented violinist and musician who loved children. She alwayswanted to encourage and provide for those children who might not have the means to develop their talent. The Riekes Fund is interested in promoting the musical education of talented children who might 'v not have the means to develop their talent through continual private lessons. These full scholarships will be a means of enhancing their talent and abilities and their love for music. Anyone may apply who can demonstrate financial need for these full scholarships. " Applicants will receive an invitation to a personal interview. Forms will be available through the Jewish Cultural Arts Council office. For further information, please call 334-6403 by Jan. 20,1998. CORRECTION While the dates for USY events for January were listed correctly in the Dec. 26> 1997, Teen Calendar, the days were not. This is the correct information: Thursday, Jan. 8, Basketball, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 18, Kadimah program at Family Fun Center, 12:15 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 22, USY night, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 28, Kadimah night, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 31, Kadimah Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. The Jewish Press regrets the errors.
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 2,1988
When one endowment fund is not enough
by Bert Lewis
by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator
To help ensure the future of the Omaha Jewish Federation, Art and Ruth Goldstein set up their first endowment with The Federation Foundation in 1991. An unrestricted fund, the Ruth and Arthur Goldstein Endowment contributes to the general funds available to the Jewish Federation. They have recently set up another endowment for two purposes. Forty-two and one-half percent of the annual net income of the new fund, the Arthur and Ruth Goldstein Family Trust, will assist Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) by subventing programs, missions, speakers, projects and other activities. "This will help YJO," a social, educational/religious and social action group for 20-40 year olds, "attract quality speakers and programs," said Sharon Kirshenbaum, YJO director. "We are grateful to Art and Ruth for giving us this opportunity and making the future of Omaha a priority." Another 42.5% of the annual net income of the fund will be used by the Jewish Community Center to adjust program fees. This will enable Jewish children who live in the Omaha area to participate in JCC programs. Some of those programs include: day care, latch key, school vacation specials, physical education classes and leagues, holiday workshops, cultural art classes and others provided through the Children's Program Scholarship Fund. Jeff Aizenberg, Executive Director of the JCC, commented, "We have Jewish families who cannot afford to attend these programs. This fund will be a big benefit in ensuring those children will have an opportunity to participate." The remaining 15% will be retained and become a permanent part of the principal of the fund, the standard practice that.applies to all endowment funds managed by The Federation Foundation. Mr. Goldstein, 88, goes to the JCC three times a week to walk around the track for exercise. He said his motivation in establishing the new endowment fund lies in his own involvement in the Federation. He was president from 1962-65, head of the Campaign in 1957 and chairman of the JCC site committee. "I want to do what I can for the advancement of our people here," he noted. "I get a warm feeling"
regarding the current Jewish leadership, saying he is delighted with "the type of younger people who are interested and capable" of steering the community today. "I knew most of their parents." This is the first time in about 60 years that Mrs. Goldstein will not be working on the annual cam-" paign. She was chairman of Women's Division in 1966 and has worked in the Snowbirds Division for more than 10 years. Both were born and raised in Omaha. He graduated from Central High School in 1925 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year before he left to help his father at Capitol Garage and Capitol Rental Car Company. After three years, "I went back to UNL and graduated in 1933," he said. In the interim, he attended Creighton University night school and worked in the business. He eventually sold it in 1979 to Hertz. Capitol Rent-a-Truck was retained and sold to his son, David, and nephew, Donald. Although retired, Mr. Goldstein still goes to the office every day. And despite some hearing loss, he plays piano every week at Rotary Club meetings. Mrs. Goldstein attended Creighton University, majoring in journalism. She still writes, mostly verse, and has authored skits for Hadassah and Beth Israel Sisterhood. Some of her work has been published in the Jewish Press and she enjoys writing for family and friends on special occasions. Married 63 years ago this month at Beth Israel, the couple raised three children and are grandparents of five boys. They are interested in the future welfare of Jewish youngsters from "little kids to young adults," Mrs. Goldstein suggested the'best way to maintain the health of the community is to provide and support programs, missions, the day school, to continue all that's being done. ' "I'm very pleased with the goings-on at the Center," said Mr. Goldstein, who continues to use the Federation Library and read the Jewish Press "religiously. I like the idea of furthering programs; it's up to the kids and their parents to take advantage of them. He wholeheartedly hopes they do.
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I'm trying to remember, but my memory fails me. Just exactly when was it that department stores and other kinds of businesses decided people had to have music while they shopped? I know it wasn't during my childhood....I don't recall being in the junior department of Brandies and having music in the background. (The only sound I remember was that funny "boink, bqink" that signaled somebody or other.) I remember being in the housewares section of that store and hearing only the usual sound of people talking, with an occasional professional demonstrator holding forth on a new appliance. Or the polite "May I help you?" from the salesperson who approached (when all I wanted to do was look). That's what was in the background until, when? It must have been one fine day when somebody in charge of customer relations had a brainstorm and suggested entertainment for the potential buyer. All of that was by way of saying I was shopping today and found I could only spend a short time in this store or that, because the music being played was driving me nuts! It's not all the same, naturally. No, it depends on the type of merchandise being offered for sale. For example, if you should be looking for a denim something or other, be warned that the music in that department will not necessarily be for your enjoyment unless, that is, you happen to be under 16 or maybe 17. Maybe that's not fair. I guess there are lots of grandmas who like the kind of music played by the current rockers. I just don't happen to be one of them. I have to admit if I walk into a store where my favorite stuff is playing, I'm pleasantly surprised and don't mind it at all. I guess that represents a double standard^ but I really don't care. Fact is, I have walked into a store, had my ears assaulted by music I didn't want to hear, and turned right around and walked out. Now that can't be good for businessl And I keep wondering, don't the managers and owners notice when people clearly find it unpleasant to stay in their store? Don't they care? You're probably going to tell me somebody took a poll and discovered those who like that racket outnumber those who don't. Yeah? Right. Not that voicing my opinion, or airing my gripe will make a dime's worth of difference. And maybe if I hadn't had a headache it wouldn't have bothered me so much anyway. Maybe, but I'm not sure. I'm fairly sure of one thing however. It wouldn't be so bad if the sounds floating through the air were only voices in ordinary conversation, plus an occasional "boink, boink." Remember that boink? You could hear it with your eyes closed and know exactly where you were. All of this suggests to me at least one of the reasons ordering merchandise from catalogues has become so popular. And don't look for me at the mall. I'm only there before the stores open.
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January 2,1998 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 9
Holiday Concerts?
IT'S ALMOST THE!
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by Alexis Rothenberg A few weeks ago, I participated in two holiday concerts at my school. At these concerts, the chorus sang, and the string orchestra and band played. My mom and dad are helping me to The majority of the songs had to do develop good habits by encouraging with Christmas. There were a few me to be nice to the people around me Hanukkah songs thrown in. and work hard on my studies. At the concert, I felt rather strange. My. Nana Charlotte is coming from Most of the people were Christian, and New York, and my Grandma Mania I wasn't. I know that in most cases, and Grandpa Zalman listen to me prac- "majority rules," and that's why most of tice all the time. I am also looking for- the songs Were Christmas songs. The ward to hearing the Macerana and eat- Hanukkah songs we sang or played ing pizza at the party afterward. were not familiar arrangements. I think All my friends and family will be with me that the Hanukkah songs were probato celebrate this special time in my life. bly put in.to make the Jewish population ojjthe school happy. This made everything "equal." It seems as if Christians are always trying to make Hanukkah the "Jewish Christmas" because it falls at nearly the same time of the year and we get presents. This is not appropriate. Hanukkah is not a religious holiday. It celebrates religious freedom fought for by the Maccabees. People need to stop trying to equal out the holiday season! In addition, whatever happened to separation of church and state? The
First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees it. So, why do we have "holiday concerts" in the public schools anyway? Isn't this a violation of the First Amendment? \ I know it is important that the chorus, band and orchestra perform for peo- • pie, but why jmust we do it { at this time of r year? If the '|focusisonper.forming, why can't we perg> f o r m at some J other time that \ does not coinJ ode with a reliAlexis gious holiday? I know it is a tradition to have holiday concerts, but it is never too late to change. Why not start a new tradition?
by Alan Ross Friedman ' I can hardly believe itl May 23, 1998,1 will finally be called up before my friends and family to become a Bar Mitzvah. When I b e g a, n studying two • years ago in TSS, and with Ms. K a d e r (Eileen), I didn't really understand how special this time would be. Alan Ms. Kader has spent a lot of time helping me to learn the words, tropes and melodies. I get to get up in front of the whole congregation and lead them in prayers and songs. Alexis Is a seventh grader at Westslde I enjoy going to the synagogue four Middle School and a member of Beth El times a week and learning about my Synagogue. Judaism and the Torah. My Torah portion is about being true to.your country, and my Haftorah portion is Alan Is a seventh grader at Kiewit by Bradley Abramson about being true to yourself and hav- Middle School and a member of Beth El Synagogue. ing good morals. It was the day of the big game - the last game of the season. We had worked very hard to get to this point, and we would now be playing for the by Jennifer Cooper championship. Here we were — the 15-2 Rangers playing against the 16-1 It was a dream come true. Angels. It was the most important "What?" you ask. game of our lives. Well, ever since I was a little girl, The big game finally started, and I've watched the performance' in the much to our dismay, we got off to a Orpheum Theater of The Nutcracker very slow start. Neither team scored Ballet. Just watching the ballerinas during the first three innings. The made me dream of what it must feel fourth inning was a disaster for us. like to be graceful and elegant like The other team scored four points, but those professional dancers. we scored none. The next three Now that I am 12 years old and innings were uneventful, with neither was just in The Nutcracker, I know team scoring. .-. ,- . what it feels like. It's the most fasciBradley Finally, our team scored tour runs in nating thing I've ever done in my the seventh inning, to tie the game the next batter could hit me home I whole life! I'll never forget it. The eighth inning was very boring, with thought over my options and 'decided to I remember the day I was in the both teams striking out -- one batter go for the win myself.U > _n) ,il:. •: •. JCC having ballet class. I saw a I stood in the batter's box.waiiing after another. sign that said, "Nutcracker Tryouts, Saturday, Sept. 26, 1997, Ballet In the ninth inning, the first batter on impatiently for the next pitch, The pitchOmaha." I was so excited because I the other team grounded out, batter er was ready., He threw.i^a fest.ball-always wanted to be in it, but I \_ number two grounded out, and the rlght down the middle: I swung as hard never had time. I was asking ail my next batter struck out. Our team's first as I could and hit the ball ; overjthe Jennifer friends if they were going to try out, batter hit a double. The next two struck fence for a home run! "' • -' ' ' ''• i Gingers come out from under Mother out. It was now my turn at bat. After I crossed horne'p'laie'.trie'Scpretoo. They were, so I was a little Ginger's skirt, dressed as clowns with relieved. • ._ I swung at two outside pitches and. board was flashing, "THE' RAfifGERS white painted faces. During the next lei three inside pitches go by me. The ARE THE NEW KWAA CHAMPIONS!" The day of the tryouts.. . A nerthree months, we practiced every count was full. I was confident that I "Brajdiey Is a sixth grader at Kiewit ; vous wreck? Me? I don't think so. weekend. could help our team win by hitting a Middle-School and a member of Both El Before I left my house, my mom The summary of the ginger part is doublaor drawing a walk in hopes that Synagogue. said, "Honey, remember, try your best; that's what counts. Don't be that the boy and girl gingers dance together. They pretend to get mad at nervous and remember to smile." each other and fight. We learned how When I got there, I signed a form to do certain steps and how to do them with my name and address on it. accurately, cleanly and precisely. , They did this because they mail a pencil drawing by Steven Pa,Hon On opening night, I wasn't nervous ; " letter telling you whether you were until we got into Mother Ginger's skirt selected or not. Then they gave me a name tag. and the music -started. But once we with my first and last name oh it and came out of her skirt onto the stage, I a letter and a number that read, forgot how nervous I was and I had a • "D5." They called my number when great time. I always used to sit in the audience it was my turn to go up and do dance combinations. I was in the and watch the dancers. Now I was on stage and saw so many faces out in last group with some of my friends. I made itl When I got home from the audience watching my friends and school, I received the letter that said ma It was spectacular! I'm.so glad.I got tp.be. jn The |-wasin TheNutcmckeA' •' • • I had to go to Ballet Omaha studio Nutcracker. Every minute of It was the next Saturday to find out my thrilling. I just hope that if there is a litpart I didn't care what part I got. I tle girl sitting in that audience chair, was just happy to be dancing in The wanting to be in the dance perforNutcracker. I was more nervous mance like I did, that her dream will come true, just like mine did. now than when I auditioned. Isn't Jennifer Is a seventh grader at Kiewit that strange? • Stovgn Is a sixth grader at I was selected to be a polishlnel - Middle School, a member ofr Kadlmah Oakdale Elementary School and and Both El Synagogue. otherwise known as a "ginger." a member of Temple Israel.
A .REAL SPORT
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January 2,1998 Jewish Press; Omaha, NE Page 1 ^ |
Gossip from a synagogue attic: Omaha periodontist Dr. David Hoffman has won a $12,000 research grant froffi the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation (AAPF). The awards were announced recently at the AAPF annual meeting. Dr. Hoffman will use his grant to explore the effect of periodontal therapy on glycosylated Dr. Hoffman hemoglobin levels of diabetic patients. Judge B. Michael Dann recently received the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence by the Supreme Court of the United States. '• ... The award is given annually to a state court judge who, in the opinion of the selection committee, possesses the qualities of judicial excellence exemplified by Chief Justice Rehnquist. Dann's brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Janey Dann of Omaha, attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C. Judge Dann of Phoenix, AZ, was appointed to the bench of the Superior Court of Arizona in 1980 and served as presiding judge from 1985-90. He currently serves as chairman of the Committee on More Effective Use of Juries for the Arizona Supreme Court. Gallagher's restaurant has reopened under new management-original owner Rusty Harmsen and Mahmoud Feddin. The restaurant features an all new menu for lunch and dinner and a special sunset menu, served Monday-Friday, from 4:306:30 p.m.
Fact-make But, Vaocf( oh Hv otf*r Kar*/. ar< wrcatite< lma<j>t* OM of IUM kWt of baqelt wiHi OM of our M * </rffer«ht cuttom \>\e*Jc<i t«arn ck«j«-
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. Jewish daily fife ten centuries by Rabbi Bernard S. Raskas
Aside from the amazing autographs of Yosef Caro, Yehuda Halevi, and Maimonides contained in the 50 fragments now on display, the exhibition at the Israel Museum also informs us about every facet of Jewish communal life in Egypt between the 10th and 13th centuries. This exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the discovery of a treasure trove in the Cairo Geniza (hiding place) in the attic of the Ben Ezra synagogue. The sample of 100,000 fragments now stored in the library of Cambridge University in England yields an astounding amount of information about this crossroads of the Jewish centers of Eretz Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Egypt.' There is a record of a heated dispute between Shlomo ben Yehuda, the Jerusalem sage and fypad of the Eretz Yisrael academy, and Yosef ,|bn Al Sijelmasi, representing the Jewish community in Fustat, outside of Cairo. At issue was the authority of the rabbinic courts in various cities, particularly in marriages and fund-raising. The conflict makes the present situation sound like a redux of old tensions. Because the sides would not compromise, the matter became so overheated that the caliph, Excellency Al-Mustansir, had to make the decision. One hopes history will not repeat itself. Other fragments show that, as the first millennium approached, the Jews of Sicily expected the imminent arrival of the Messiah. A pregnant woman became hysterical and shouted unusual Hebrew phrases, two travelers saw a fiery angel enter the synagogue, and a Jew named Leon said the "Hidden King" was on the way to lead the Jews back to the Holy Land. Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate and some Jewish sects-move over. Feminists might be interest in learning that one fragment contains the sole record of a medieval
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poet writing in Hebrew. DunaSh'ibn Labrat, one of the greatest Spanish Hebrew poets of the 10th cen-. tury, left on a long voyage. His wife wrote him poetry with meter and rhyme, that, in the original Hebrew, is truly a gem: , ': •••/••SL "Will her beloved remember the graceful doe ;." on the day of separation, her only son on her arm.. > He set the signet [ring] of his right hand on her .. left while sheplaced her bracelet on hisarm." i '.,
The controversy between the Karaites (who inter-.-., preted the Bible literally) and the Rabbinites (who followed Talmudic interpretations) is also well documented. We have the exact words of Aban, the,i founder of the Karaite sect, and Saadia Gaon, the rabbinic leader, who changed the face of Jewish lit*:; erature. Yet, we find a rabbinically approved mar^ _• riage document from 1082, written in Aramaic;-, that permitted the Karaite bride of a rabbinic.: leader to follow her own strict customs. . . . -•;,,!;, Also discovered in the geniza trove were, aifew;. % remarkable fragments of the work of Obadiah.theProselyte: A Norman priest born in ;Italy.>and.;i named Johannes of Oppido, he was inspired by:a:,; dream to become Jewish in the year 1102,..:'.-. Welcomed by the Jewish community, Obadiah :I recorded Hebrew prayers and used special marks called "neumes," which are notes. Thus, we:have.•••>•:> the first written documentation of Jewish music, in: thanks to a Jew-by-choice.••..•: ;:s.,i: : : j ; Still other fragments document that a Jewish i ; , woman had an affair with a Christian doctor'and! . the Muslims considered it a scandal. A Jewish • ;; mother complained that her son never came to:seer). her or wrote.toh'errThere'are appeals in t h e . . Jewish community for the Jews of Kiev;; Byzantium, Yemen and Eretz YisraeL.and more. - • The more the Jewish world changes, the more i t . stays the same. , : .. Rabbi Raskas is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple of Aaron of St. Paul, MN, and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Religious Studies at Macalstcr College;
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 2,1998
/ Carol Kalzman ii. Only 6W of the ilinerican Jewish community has visited Js'rael. Yet here hrOmaha live two non•JTpwish [teenagers who've just returned from their first trip"tipIsraerand' can't wait to go back. * Elizabeth Lorang, 16, a junior at Omaha North High School, and Erin Fender, 17, a I junior at Omaha | Northwest, spent three weeks in Israel on a trip isponsored by the lAmerican-Israel f 1 Friendship League. ^$5*3 F riedp g p , i t Xi3&< Both learned of the trip Erin Fender visited the through their high Babai Garden in Haifa. sc hools' social studies iiepariments and'were accepted after an extensive qp'plicatibn, interview and selection process last spring. The program is privately funded and open to; any. OPS student entering the 11th grade next year.-,Since 1978, more than 1000 American teens and 2000 Israelis have visited each other's country •as-yourig ambassadors. t! Tjhey are the second group of teens from Omaha tojp.^rjjijipate, according to Steve Pitlor, a member of.the organization's national board. "The kids we've, sent from Omaha are truly dynamic individuals," he said. "Long after they return, they display
A Druze woman made pita for the group.
a positive impact on their peers, teachers, family and community." Prior to leaving for , Israel, the 86 teens from all-over the United States and their eight advisers, 'spent three days in.New . York City for 'ah orientation. The group learned about Israel, its government, politics, geography, climate and history. Elizabeth Lorang met "I expected to encounter her Israeli host, Iris. a people and a culture completely different from ours," Erin said. Elizabeth .added, "Even though my experiences were different than my expectations, people really are the same. Teenagers had the same issues in Israel as we do here: school work, friends, what to dolqjheir spare time, future goals." The biggest difference noted by both was the requirement to serve in the Israel Defense Force. "I sensed a greater maturity," observed Erin. "The Israeli teens felt that army service was more of a duty- They, had rid answer for the question, 'How do you feel about going into the army?' except •We just have to do it.'" Elizabeth agreed that their Israeli host families and the teens they befriended knew more about U.S.. politics than they did about the Israeli political system. Both enjoyed their visits to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and the new Supreme Court building. The 86 teens were divided into four groups with different itineraries. Elizabeth stayed with families in Tel Aviv and a. kibbutz near Megiddo. Erin stayed with host' families in Holon, an industrial suburb of Tel Aviv, and Haifa. They both rejoined the group in Jerusalem for. the last week. "I'm a history buff," Erin said, "so touring Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world, was especially meaningful to me."
Yad Vashem was another experience that moved both teens. • "We walked therein the rain from our youth hos-: tel," said Elizabeth, ^It seemed an appropriate condition for what we would see there." The group also climbed Masada, floated in the Dead Sea and visited the site in Tel.Aviv where : former Prime.Minister Yitzchak Rabin was assas^ sihated two years ago. As Christians, the teenswere thrilled to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, in addition to sites in Tiberias and Nazareth. . "All those visits were great," said Erin, "but to realize that people actually live here now as well as having lived here hundreds or thousands of years ago is whats more exciting to me. ' "The country is the people who live there." :. The two are eager to speak about their experiences and will be interviewed by OPS radio in S; few weeks. They hope to return to Israel, either through college programs geared for international relations or business or just on their own. And they planted the obligatory frees in a Jewish: National Fund Forest. Both expressed concern that the trees couldn't possibly thrive under those conditions, but then realized that people are thriving there, under.difficult circumstances as well.
The group placed a wreath at Rabin's grave from the American-Israel Friendship League.
Once upon a time there were different synagogues for different social classes: one synagogue for carpenters and shoemakers, another for farmers, and an entirely separate one for learned Torah-scholars, who would not pray alongside 'the common folk." Unbelievable? Yes, a mere 25O years ago, throughout the shtetls of Eastern Europe, such indeed was the situation. Then came the Baal Shem Tov. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, forerunner of the Chabad Movement, showed how such "social" divisions were Inimical to Judaism.: He explained the common Divine origin of all Jewish souls and the spiritual treasures t o be found In every Jew. Everywhere he went, the Baal Shem Tov broke down the barriers between Jews, building bridges of Ahavat Yisrael (brotherly love), bringing them together, teaching about mutual affection and responsibility: emphasizing that we are one. Now more than ever, as numerous forces threaten o^r .unity, Chabad continues to fortify those bridges of Ahavat Yisrael. In its own gentle way, Chabad reaches out and touches Jews from all walks of life and affiliations. ' Focusing as the Baal Shem Tov did, on the Divine, essential Neshamah (soul), Chabad recognizes no divisions among bur people.
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