January 16, 1998

Celebrating More Than 75 Years VoLLXXV

No. 17

18 Tevet, 5758

Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

ADL's Wolfson I© receive 'Living the Dream', award Omaha native son, I. Robert Wolfson, will receive the "Living the Dream" award from the Omaha Human Relations Department on Monday night, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Omaha Music Hall, 18th and Capitol Streets.

• Wolfson has been Executive Director of the •• Plains States Region Anti-Defamation League and 'Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Omaha for nearly ten years. Under his leadership, programs such as the Prejudice Elimination Workshop, A World of Difference Institute and the Anne Frank Exhibit at the Joslyn • Castle have brought the ADL-CRC to state and national prominence. The Anne Frank Exhibit drew more than 25,000 people from the general community. \ In reaching out to the community-at-large, ADL also hosted a successful fund-raiser recently at the opening of the AMC Theatres at Oak View. More than 500 people attended, raising more than $50,000 for the organization.

Monday night's program is being organized by the Omaha Human Relations Committee Martin Luther King'Planning Committee. Members include: Jean Bell, coordinator, representing the City of Omaha; Ricardo Ariza, Executive Director

of the Creighton University Office of Multicultural Affairs; Jane Batt, Executive Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; Linda Lachin of Anderson Partners (and a member of both the ADL-CRC Board and the Jewish Press Committee); Tom McCurdy, Executive Director of Reach for the Stars Foundation; Ed Mims, Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission; Eddie Staton, President and co-founder of Mad Dads; Lavon Stennis, senior partner at Stennis and Associates; and Kathryn C. Piller.

Local media personalities Carol Schrader and Michael Scott are mistress and master of ceremonies for the evening, which will also feature keynote speaker Melvin Jenkins. He is the Regional Director of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, based in Kansas City.

A graduate of the University of Kansas Law School, Jenkins formerly served as. a member of the Kansas City Human Relations Commission and was staff attorney with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in that city.

He haB authored or co-conducted more than 50 major studies on civil rights issues.: Last year, Rabbi, Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel received the "Living the Dream" award.

Author of "Out of Hitler's Reach" to speak Tuesday night

Federation to honor Golden Givers at symphony

A little-known rescue effort by'the Quakers of Iowa of 185 German Jews will be explored by Michael Luick-Thrams on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Older Adult Lounge at the JCC. The author, formerly of Cedar Lake, Iowa, now lives in Berlin, where he is writing a dissertation about the Jews and their rescuers of Scattergood Hostel. This haven was the site where "refugees could go...to recover from the effects of their recent experiences—before seeking a permanent place in American society." .

The hostel hosted some 185 Jews, ages infancy to 60, from 1939 to 1943. It was staffed by young Quaker volunteers, "some of whom even paid for their food and lodging."

The event is sponsored by the ADL-CRC. For more information, call 330-1303.

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* byPanYMonsky Federation Communications Director

The Omaha Symphony performance celebrating Israel's 50th anniversary on Feb. 7.will also honor individuals who have been giving to the UJA/Federation Campaign for 50 years or more.

These "Golden Givers" are invited to attend the concert free of charge as guests of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Omaha Symphony performance will be at the Jewish Community Ce'nter Theatre, Saturday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m. A dessert reception will follow the concert.

If you are a "Golden Giver" and interested in attending this special Omaha Symphony performance, please contact the Federation, at 334-6431, byJanuary30; , !

Super Sunday surpasses goal bf $40,000 .

by PamMonsky Federation Communications Director

With the help of volunteers, Super Sunday raised more than $43,000. Calls were made from the offices of Omaha Steaks last Sunday.

Super Sunday is the largest division of the Jewish Federation of Omaha's Annual Campaign, with more than 1,800 donors, according to Super Sunday Chairmen Matt & Kim Placzek.

"Super Sunday is truly a grass roots fund raising effort," said Placzek. ' • Kim Placzek added, "It's one of the best-ways to involve people in the Jewish community. It really makes you feel a part of things when you give to Volunteers work a shift at Omaha Steaks. the Campaign." . ' ••': A new feature of Super Sunday was the Kid's Super Sundae, held the week before as a party for children who decorated and filled tzedakah boxes and then brought them to the JCC.' .

"This event was incredibly, successful and really , energized Super Sunday. It was a fabulous way to teach' tzedakah to our young children, and we hope to continue this concept for next year," said Dena 1 .

Zack, a member of the committee. Other committee «. . * • members are Amber and Tom Baker, Barbara and , . . .

Scott Bresler, Debbie, and Rob Goodman, Diane and Howard Shandell and David Zack.

Right: Volunteer Torri Zacharia works nearly • -3'V every year making calls for Super Sunday.

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L Robert Wplfson, Executive Director, Plains States Region Anti-Defamation League

JCC to host concert

Omaha Symphony to celebrate Israel at 50 The Jewish Community Center will celebrate the establishment of the State of Israel this February when the Omaha Symphony presents a special concert, Hatikvah~the Hope. The concert will feature Israeli violinist Ittai Shapira arid guest conductor Mitchell Arnold playing music written by Jewish composers.. The premiere will be Saturday evening, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theatre.

Hatikvah, which means hope in Hebrew, is also the Israeli I: national anthem Violinist Ittai Shapira and will open the program. Other works include compositions by David Finko, Kenji Bunch.Ilan Rechtman, Max Bruch, and Leonard Bernstein.

Violinist Shapira has been a soloist many orchestras including the Aspen Concert Orchestra, Queens Symphony and the London Soloists Chamber, as well as virtually every orchestra in Israel, In fact, Rechtman's "Jerusalem of Gold," was written for and premiered by Shapira in 1995.

He won first prize of the Clairmont Competition and has received other awards/ including the Israel National Radio Prize. He is an honorary scholarship student at the Julliard School.

Conductor Arnold served as Assistant Director of Orchestras at Northwestern- University under Omaha Symphony Music Director Victor Yampolsky. He is currently director of the philharmonic orchestra at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, and resident conductor of the Sheboygen Orchestra.

- Tickets are available at the Omaha Symphony Box Office, 342-3560, or from the JCC, 334-6426.

Prices for JCC members are $12 for adults and $8 for seniors and students; non-member tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and 6tudent8;

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998 Parashat Shemot Serve = Worship

by Rabbi Myer Kripke

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DAY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Frledel Jewish Academy, an established K-6 community day school with a strong commitment to excellence In Jewish and general studies, seeks an educational visionary . with strong administrative skills to lead our school.

• Proven administrative experience essential.

• Graduate degree in education preferred.

• Salary dependent on qualifications and experience.

Submit letter of interest, resume ; and references by February 6 to: : i ;);•;•:-,. ' Martin'HiJShukert R : y ; ; ; ' RDG Close Gardner Shukert 8805 Indian Hills Dr., Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 392-0136 FAX: (402) 392-0413 e-mail: mshukert@rdgusa.com.

CLIP & SAVE

C L

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

Like many others, in explaining Hanukkah to non-Jews, I have been fond of saying t h a t Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom, indeed that the Maccabees fought the first war for religious freedom in recorded history.

That's right, of course. And that's wrong, of course. As we unroll the Torah Scroll to Shemot, Exodus, we read of the first struggle for religious freedom. • Here the antagonists include the Holy One, Blessed Be He-which makes a difference, since Pharaoh cannot stand up against Him. But it is conceivable that if the Israelites in Egypt had had religious freedom, they might have conceded their status as servants of Pharaoh—a status possibly no worse than other Egyptians. But the stultifying atmosphere of Egypt, religiously, with its polytheism and its immoral social atmosphere, made it impossible for the Israelites to maintain the vision of their teachers toward a spiritually liberating, monotheism. The demand of the Lord—through Moses~to the Pharaoh was not simply "Let My People Go," but "Let My People Go So That They May Worship Me." They had been serving Pharaoh. Now they were to worship the Lord.. .There is a powerful literary device here: The Hebrew word avad means both' "serve" (as a servant or slave) and "worship!" We know it in English in the use of serve or service, either to be engaged in serving someone or attending a religious service.

So the Lord's demand to Pharaoh was to let the hapless Hebrews serve (worship) the Lord rather than continuing to serve the Pharaoh. They were to be physically free, so that they might be spiritually free.

Spiritually free meant that they had to acquire new religious insights. The Torah text therefore takes the Israelites at once to Sinai. Sinai made the Israelites a people, no longer an amorphous mass of former slaves. Religious verities and a profound religious viewpoint changed the nature of their life and elevated it. The former slaves now became Children of God. As Hosea (11:1) was to put it centuries' later, "Ever since Egypt, I have called Israel My son." Egypt, as a perspective critic described it, was not merely a location; it was a Icondition.

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i This is.not.TirsTiy ftat^he^a^s/ormation was ia sJluyi: idi sr.oibao.i nr,;r.?.;.-.S!,-. i instantajftepfis^Mijts^f,'^wKo'isyfjair'pdUied in our SUNDAY, JANEHWEiienotfaiiris ir.iS | Sidrah a i p ^ W ^ ' a ^ t f a ^ s ' t K e re9t' of'Torah, was •anguishe'd'ancr frustrated again and again by the selfish, petty and rebellious people. It took a whole generation to get Egypt out of the souls of the MONDAY, JANUARY 19 slaves.

YES Program, 9:30 a.m.

Even in our vaunted 20th century, if we are to Scouts, 7 p.m. assess it honestly, we are chagrined to see lip-serAdult Education Program, 7:30 p.m., Beth El vice instead of genuine religious loyalty, and worTUESDAY, JANUARY 20 ship of the bottom line rather than love of neighbor Beth El Adult Lunch & Learn, noon, Beth El and of widow, orphan and stranger. After 3000 Temple Israel "Food for Thought," noon, years of teaching, we've got as far as land-mines at Temple and nuclear missiles.

Temple Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Caveat: None of this releases us from our duties. at Temple It is true that there are thousands of miles to go, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 or millions or trillions. But each of us must still Breadbreakers, noon strive to move humankind an inch, or a fraction of Jewish Press Board Meeting, 12:30 p.m. a fraction of an inch, toward the better.

Temple Israel TIGGS, noon, a t Temple That's what we're here for.

Temple hrael OTYG Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple Beth El Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m.

JCACIJfelong Jewish Learning Committee p Meeting, 7:30 p.m. . & Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Education, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel . g . • .

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307 North 114th St. Phone 333-5100 CUP & SAVE

RITA MANTEL GELBERT ROSENBLUM Services for Rita Rosenblum, 88, were held Jan. 12, with burial at Temple Israel Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Ed Gilbert and Horace Rosenblum; brother, Nate Mantel; and good friend, Max Finkel.

Survivors include sister-in-law, Dellamae Mantel; one niece and one grand-niece.

Memorials may be made to Temple Israel or the American Red Cross.

BESSD3 ZOORWILL STRELS1N Bessie Strelsin of Cherry Hill, N.J., formerly of Council Bluffs, died Jan. 9 at the age of 80.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Abe; a brother, Ben Zoorwill; and a sister, Tobey Henis.

Survivors include son, Len Strelsin; grandchildren, Melissa and Sarah Strelsin of New Jersey;, sister, Frieda Krizelman of Omaha; sisters and brothers-in-law, Molly and Max Greenberg of Escondino, CA, and Esther and Al Swerdlow of Philadelphia; and nieces and nephews.

DANNY FOGEL Danny Fogel of Poway, CA, a North County Realtor whose books and lectures on real estate investment and taxation reached a national audience, died Jan. 11 at the age of 64. A native of Nebraska and a graduate of UNL, he moved from Omaha to California in 1966.

Survivors include his wife, Marge; three sons, William of Portland, ME, Richard of Cincinnati and Jeffrey of Vista, CA; a brother, Stuart of Minneapolis; seven grandchildren; and cousin, Stan Widman of Omaha.

Memorials to Temple Adat Shalom, 15909 Pomerado Rd., Poway, GA. IRVING MOSS Services for Irving Moss of Margate, FL, were held Jan. 11 at Star of David Cemetery in Ft. Lauderdale. He died Jan. 8 at the age of 77.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; daughters and soris-fri-law; Gail and John Kerwin, Steffie and Edward Shrago and Robin and Benjamin Rottman; grandchildren, Kimberley Kerwin, Jamie Shrago and Laynie Shrago. "".'.'

LOUISE GREENBERGERKULLY Graveside services for Louise Kully of Grand Island were held Jan. 11 in Grand Mand. She died Jan. 8 at the age of 89.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, and sister, Miriam.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Kenneth Freed of Omaha; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Susie Kully of Grand Island; and five grandchildren.

HARRIET ORENSTEIN GREENBERG Services for Harriet Greenberg of Indianapolis, formerly of Omaha, were held Jan. 6 at Beth-el Zedek Cemetery. North. She died Jan. 4 at the age of 66.

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Survivors include her husband, Jerome (Jerry); daughters, Pamela Rothenberg and CeCe Dollin; sister, Annette Jorbin; and five grandchildren.

Memorials to the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana. ,

Jewish Chronicles to air January 25

All events held at the JCC unless othorwlso Indicated Tho V Jewish Press Is not responsible for the accuracy of the E above events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, rcaU [forlene Hort at 334-6437. /

PHARMACY # 5

MAURICE KATELMAN Services for Maurice Katelman were held Jan. 11 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Council Bluffs.

Survivors include his wife, Myllee; Bons, Rick and Jeffrey; daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Sol Carter; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two siBters, Marian Wail and Toby Richards, both of Los Angeles.

Memorials may be made to favorite charity.

Susie a n d Marvin Cohn recently hosted a reception in honor of their daughter, Calli (center). The exhibit of Calli's a r t , which r u n s through t h e end of J a n u a r y in t h e JCC gallery, was funded by t h e Irving and Gail and Norman and Joodi Veitzer Family Fund of the Federation Foundation a n d designed

by Ducky Milder.

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Among the programs to be aired on Odyssey (ODSY) is JEWISH CHRONICLES: The Mission of Raoul Wallenberg. This edition, on Jan. 25, documents how Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saved thousands of Jews from going to the concentration camps. Jewish Chronicles features documentaries and dramas that explore the life and traditions of faith of the Jewish people.

Check local listings for time.

January 10,1998

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

CANDLELIGHTING: 5:02 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

BETH ELSYNAGOGUE

Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE C8132 556-6536 FRIDAY: Early worship service, 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Azriel will officiate using the Union Prayer Book.

Shabbat family service, 7:30 pan. Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius will officiate, along with students in the third grade. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by parents of the students and the Temple Sisterhood.

SATUBDAY: Shabbat morning service, 10:30 am.

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

SUNDAY: AOL (Adult Opportunities for Learning) will meet at 10 a.m. Join us for a Continental Breakfast and discussion on Jews and Blacks-let the healing begin. There will be a reading of an eloquent and spirited dialogue between Michael Lerner and Cornel West.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT" Tuesday, Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m.-l p.m. Rabbi Azriel will lead the discussion. Bring a browa bag lunch; Temple will provide the drinks.

ADULT EDUCATION Wednesday, Jan. 21: Adult B'nai Mitzvah class, 10 a.m. to noon.

Thursday, J a n . 22: S i s t e r h o o d Adult Education: 9:30-11 a.m.-Rabbi Azriel will teach "Israel at Fifty-Midlife Crisis;" 7:30-8:30 p.m.-I>m Schwartz will lead Beyond Midrash.

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

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California, Omaha, NE 68154 492-8550 WEB--http://omab.afi;eenet.org/bethel

B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 ; 322-4705 E-MAIL; docjeb@juno.com FREDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Discussion topic will be "Who Wrote the Talmud and How Does It Relate to the Modern Jew?"

BEYT SHALOM An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconetmctionist Federation P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NE 68124-5130 758-9233 / : http://pwl.aeteom.cpm/-T8almtm FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 p.m., 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.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 9219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 ,423-8569 *' "

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Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum.

• —Minyan on Monday and Thursday at 8:15 ajn.

FRIDAY: Services, 8 pan.

SATURDAY: , Services,9:30a.m.

Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner.

Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., FRTOAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 5:05 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 8:45 a.m.

Little People's Service, 10:15 aan.

Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m.

Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood.

Chumash class with Rabbi Kutner, 4:25 p.m.

Mincha, 4:55 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah.

SUNDAY: Services at 9 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.

MONDAY: Adult Education, 7:30 p.m.-"Introduction to the Talmud" with Rabbi Kutner; 8:30 p.m.-"Synagogue Skills," learn to chant the Haftorah with its traditional trope.

WEDNESDAY: "Jewish Thought and Practice," 7:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.in. to 5 p,m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. . : Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Kmil Berkovits.

FRIDAY: Services, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush following services; Sitter service, 10 aan.

TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 sum.

Shabbat Story Time, first and third Saturday, 11 am.

K'tantan, second and fourth Saturday, 11 am.

Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 5:05 p.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

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

ADULT EDUCATION "January Nights" Adult Education continues on Monday, J a n . 19 and J a n . 26, 7:30 p.m.

Discussion topic is "Zionism at 100; Israel at 50What's it about?"

ADULT LUNCH TNT LEARN Tuesday, Jan. 20, noon, at Pastime, 76th &

CONGREGATION B'NAIJESHURUN

'A Members of Sisterhood'.,will participate Sh Shabbat in.orning services, on!Jan. 24A-..., 2;;

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

Beth El to hold third annual 'Watch Out for Shabbat'

Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

FREDAY: Services, 7:45 p.m. , .-, «. ,.-.-.

SATUBDAY: Services, 10 a.m.

SUNDAY: Hebrew and Religious School, 10 a.m. •

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.

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by Cheryl Lerner, Beth El Program Director

The Adult Education Committee of Beth El Synagogue will present, "Watch Out for Shabbat" on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Beth El. Now in its third year, the program's theme is "an all-day congregational sharing in the joys and renewal potential of the Sabbath experience," according to the program's chairman,' DanieJ Christensen.-.-: i;u-ilj;:/,-.; ,y.--.C' i : : The day.IwiU;b6gin>;W^tJj .Shabbat;momingfsef"vices, follc(Wetf'.bJt!att4;srpfihOniich,*grAat ha'mS-

discussion sessions for adults and adtivitjt sessions =for children SvairfiHo»tA:.;.V,i: A. . f 11923 Pacific, Omaha;>»E 68144,"' \\,*~ •" Session themes includes t Phone:697-1124 *' with the Fineman family;: the "E E-MAIL~chabad@aol.com Bereishit, led by Marty Shukert; Omaha Jewish History, by Mary Felhnan and Barbara Bresler;; SATURDAY: Adult Storytelling, with Ozzie Nogg'and Marcy Services, 9:30 aon., followed by Kiddush lunch; Mesibos Shabbos, fun for kids, led by Chaya Arnold Cotton, among others.

Children's activities include team "quiz show" and Henchi Goldstein, 3:30-5 pan. games, singing, as well as physical games and WEDNESDAY: relaxation activities. Babysitting will be provided Mitzvah Munchkins class, 10 ajn.-noon. all day until 5:30. Areas for relaxing, board games, THURSDAY: and conversing will also be available.

Talmud Class, noon Following these sessions, participants will regroup for "Jewish Jeopardy." Minha/Ma'ariv and Havdalah services will conclude the day.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME Cost for the program is $2 for adults, $1 for chilSATURDAY: Shabbat services, led by Harold dren under 16. Reservations, including those wanting babysitting, are due by Jan. 24.

Gottlieb, start at 9 a.m. Kiddush will follow.

Fnr pinrA ipfinnvinHnn «""" Roth El, 492-8550.

T -I

PERSONAL Thank you to the Omaha Jewish Community for your many warm wishes as I begin my career as Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

OFFUTT 25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 2944051

Cass.

I look forward to building a partnership with the community as we enter the 21st Century.

Jan Perelman

Two hundred people attended Beth El's "Hanukkah Dinner and Movie Night."

Families enjoyed candlelighting and a presentation by the children's choir, followed by a Chinese dinner and a selection of movies.

Pictured: Lynn Shkolnick shows her iltUnh Spirit"

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

King and Heschel, names linked together forever

Editorial

Today is the 25th yarzheit anniversary of the death of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Monday is the national holiday celebrating the birthday of the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. That these two giants should be linked so closely this month is no accident, as they were inexorably linked together in life.

Heschel, a Torah scholar, author, teacher, speaker and leader in the Jewish world, walked arm-in-arm with King in the famous march in Selma, Alabama, protesting the plight of blacks in this country.

Heschel came to this point in his life through his Jewish studies. He not only understood G-d's admonition to the Jewish people, "Remember' the stranger for you were once a stranger," he lived it.

He led the way for other Jews to become involved in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, perhaps the last time in this century that Jews and Blacks were linked so closely.

It was a time before Israel fought, and won, the Six-Day War of June of 1967, when Israel and the Jewish people were viewed as underdogs, vulnerable and even somewhat weak. It was a time when Jews, led by the greatness of a short bearded bookish scholar, could understand the dangers faced by another vulnerable group. And it was a time when the Black community welcomed the support, both physically and financially, of American Jews.

Heschel is probably remembered more for his contributions to Jewish scholarship. Dozens of his books can be found on the shelves of our own Jewish Federation Library; his words on Shabbat and observance are quoted extensively by rabbis in week!y:Sermons. ,.,,-.•, . . ..'

•., ... , And Kjngjs remembered for his. hopeful words spoken ,on the grounds of the Washington monument;."! ]ba,ye a dream;",he. shouted, "I: h a v e a

Letter from Israel

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The words of Heschel and King inspired millions, but if their memories are to mean anything, it must be our deeds that are their legacies.

by Harry Allen

Nevermind religious pluralism between Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews—the more intriguing question perhaps is whether or not. there can be pluralism within Orthodoxy itself.

Rabbi David Hartman and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, two of the most cogent and articulate Orthodox leaders in Israel spoke on this point to an overflow crowd at the Yakar synagogue last week. ' Rabbi Hartman is the founder of the Hartman Ins.tiitu'te,'perhaps the major 'liberal Orthodox v ffifhKiMk World-wi3f1iE£abyf'fii4|aK:is thercHaris ffifhKiMkWorldwi3f.,iE£abyffii4|aKis jtfati'b' fp'uWdfer of Efmt'-'and1 i'tsthlef ftibbi: The •question iiiider dis'cb&Mon was,'"Is there more than a'sihgle fialachic sfeVitldrclTor'c6hv1ersion?rt: '/. : ' "; • ;r Ris^n'stressed ; iha ; t"/i'aVacAii'(Jewish law) is basic for all aspects of Judaism including conversion. But, and this is a very big but, there are different ways of interpreting halacha. Any legal system can be given either a conservative or liberal twist.

In the United States, the constitution means whatever the judges say, it means at any given time. For long periods of time, judges held that segregation was legal, that all changed in 1955.

Riskin argued that halacha needs to be construed in an inclusive, not an exclusive, way. For example, it is not required that a convert agree to fulfill all the mitzvot (commandments) or lead an absolutely Orthodox life style.

He quoted Hillel, who argued against Shamai that a convert not be taught too much or too little.

David Hartman argued that the whole halachic scenario is, being over played. What is important to Rabbi Hartman is the spirit which dominates the proceedings.

The rabbis need to be welcoming and not rigid and not insist on the absolute letter of Orthodox belief. In a large sense, they were saying the same

:

dream that little black children and little white children will walk hand in hand...and that all men will be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin."

People forget the hard years of sit-ins, refusals at lunch counters, hotels and cab stands, and jail time in Birmingham, Alabama, before King's gentle manner and strong convictions brought him to the attention of the public in a favorable way.

King is linked to the Jewish people through other ways. He was a supporter of the State of Israel and declared it publicly. In fact, in 1986, Israel honored his memory by naming a day in his honor, the only other country besides the United States to do so.

This Monday night at 7 p.m., the Black and Jewish communities will be linked again. What better way to honor the memories of Heschel and King than to pack Omaha's Music Hall!

As Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple was honored last year for his work in the Black-Jewish Dialogue, this year, I. Robert Wolfson will be given the "Living the Dream" Award for his work in promoting racial harmony as Executive Director of the Plains States Region Anti-Defamation LeagueCommunity Relations Committee.

This is our opportunity, as a community, to also remember...to link our arms together, as Heschel and King did on the long march in Selma, to show the world that Blacks and Jews can, and will, work together to build a better world for our children and our grandchildren, that "we shall overcome."

THE JEWISH PRESS (Founded In 1920)

thing. Both agreed that sentiment alone is not enough...that the one factor which has perpetuated and will continue to perpetuate Judaism, is halacha and texti however interpreted. ' Alex Lubotsky, an observant oleh (immigrant) from Russia and a member of the Knesset representing the Israel B'Aliyah party, spoke to the work of the Ne'eman commission and the historic opportunity its recommendations provide for starting to bring all streams of Judaism together.

The commission will probably recommend that a joiriit 'conversion board be established with representatives of Orthfldox, Beform and Conservative Judaism: This board would provide for conversion instruction with the final conversion act being performed by an Orthodox Beit Din (court).

This compromise, if accepted, would for the first time, grant Conservative and Reform Jews an official seat at the religious table.

It is not a perfect solution, but it is a start which deserves, according to all three' panelists plus many, many others in the non-Orthodox world, support not, hysterical condemnation.

It remains to be seen whether or not there is sufficient pluralism in the Orthodox world to allow the compromise to work. A similar program in Denver in the 1950's lasted only six years before it broke down.

Despite Rabbi Riskin's willingness to liberally interpret halacha, there were boundaries to that willingness. .

There is not way, says Riskin, that the Orthodox world can accept patrilineal descent, same sex marriage or marriages performed between a Jewish and non-Jewish partner in cases where there is no conversion. In this regard, the writer of this column, a devout Conservative Jew, is in full agreement . ''

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The role of tho Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel.

Centers of Excellence of tho Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Education and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. T h e J e w i s h Press is a Constitutional Committeeof the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

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Slttvo Lsvlngor Chairman Coral Katzman Edltor-ln-Chlal Moirla Mallne • Editor Emeritus Maureen LnPour Managing Editor Larry Axelrod Advertising Manngor Srieryl Friedman

Booktaeper Georgo Schaplro Volunteer

Our mart In Israel

1300 new Israeli patents annually

by Carl Alpert

HAIFA -The disproportionately large number if JEwish Nobel Prize winners may have led people to believe that Jews are also among the leaders in creating ingenious new inventions.

There is indeed a distinguished list of Jewish inventors, of which we mention but a few: Levi Ben Gershom, who invented a new type of navigation quadrant used by Columbus; David Schwartz, who created the first dirigible airship in 1892. Closer to our own times are: Emile Berliner, who invented the microphone and disc records, and Charles Steinmetz, who pioneered in the transmission of high voltage electricity over long distances. By and large, Jewish contributions have been mainly in the fields of the theoretical sciences, philosophy, literature and the like.

The Israel patent office reports that some 1300 requests a year are received from Israelis who wish to register what they consider ingenious and creative breakthroughs. Indeed, some Israeli inventions have already become world renowned.

Who has not heard of the Uzi sub-machine gun, an item quite remote from what had been regarded as areas of Jewish interest? In quite another field, a few decades ago the tile game known as Rummikub, created by an Israeli, swept the world of home games as a challenge to mah-jongg.

The concept of drip-irrigation, which has revolutionized home gardening and agriculture alike, throughout the world, is a native Israeli creation.

Inventors in Kibbutz HaGoshrim brought millions into the kibbutz coffers with their creation and marketing of Soft and Easy, a device to remove hair from -women's legs" and arms, before competitors took over the market.

There is no lack of new inventions, some of which are already penetrating overseas markets.

The Tel Aviv locksmith who devised a burglarproof door with four internal interlocking bolts, first made 10 such doors. This brought him 100 new customers, and these brought another thousand, all without publicity or promotion of any kind. The Rav-Bariah company went international, and, under the name of Multi-Lock, has an annual turnover of $100 million.

Popular ideas can often be relatively simple. An ingenious Israeli devised a folding carton to spread over the inside of his windshield to protect the interior from the heat of the sun. Visiting Americans leaped at the idea, and today there are some 15 million such shields in use in America.

Advertisers were quick to realize the value of these shields, prominently displayed on cars parked all day, and a new element was introduced.

The huge American toy market is flooded with no less than 5,000 new toy creations every year, and Israeli inventors work overtime to reap some of the harvest. Look for the small print, where you will often find: "Created in Israel."

Among other new products already available overseas is an innovation in toothbrushes, which has inner springs to add to the intensity of the vibration. It's called Oralspring toothbrush. It's doing well, but the inventors figure that there are 3 million people in the world who brush their teeth regularly. The sky is the limit Also under production is a multi-lingual computerized dictionary no larger than a normal pen!

How to keep coffee cups clean in the office without wasting time? Concerned Israelis devised a machine and a new type of chemical detergent which does the job in just 30 seconds. They did a market survey, and received an order for 10,0000 of the devices, even before production had begun.

What will-these clever and ingenious Israelis come up with next?

JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Lloyd Roitstein, Vice Chairman; Fred Tichauer, Treasurer, Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Elyce. Azriel; Jill Belmont; Bob Birt; Steve Danon; Bob Eisenberg; Linda Lachin; Sheryl Lee; George Schapiro; Howard Silber.

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee', tho Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. Tho Jewish Press reserve!) tho right to edit letters and articles for spaco and content, Tho Jewish Press is not responsible for the Knflhruth of any product or establishment.

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January 16,1998 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 5

Focus on Issues

Living Dr. King's dream, Jewishly

by Yosef I. Abramowitz

(JFL) In a society that equates heroism with physical strength, the non-violent legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is an opportunity to teach our children important Jewish values.

The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. challenges America, and ourselves, to face even subtle racist inclinations. He also led a movement that transformed the beliefs of millions. Our children are so removed from this magic moment in American history. Our challenge, as Jewish parents, is to make this history relevant.

The pursuit of justice and peace are fundamental themes in Jewish text and law. In Genesis we are taught that men and women are created in God's image. The Exodus story of the freeing of the Israelite slaves has been an inspiration for all oppressed peoples. In Deuteronomy (16:20) we are commanded, "Justice, justice shall you pursue."

Now many of us live in suburbs that lack racial diversity. If we send our children to day schools, it is likely that they may never have friends of different races and religions. As the Jewish community struggles to give our youth more and better Jewish educational experiences, we must beware the danger of over insulating our children from the richness of the American racial tapestry.

Here are some ideas to help you live Dr. King's dream as a family: .

1) Volunteer. Dr. King's birthday is not only a time to rededicate ourselves to his dream of equality and justice, but could also be a day for volunteering. As a family, choose a location for volunteering where your children will see for themselves how much work still needs to be done to accomplish Dr. King's dream.

2) Talk about Racism. Your children have no doubt heard racist or anti-Semitic remarks or jokes or have encountered instances of prejudice and discrimination over the past year.

3) P a r t i c i p a t e a t school. Does your child's school have a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday? Are your children involved as participants or organizers? Encourage them to assume leadership positions and attend those activities.

4) D e m o n s t r a t e . Take your children out of school on any days throughout the year when there are demonstrations about issues you care about passionately. Our tradition mandates involvement in important social issues as a religious obligation.

5) Drive the extra'mile. If y6ur.;,childi'eh take ballet classes or participate in sports, make an effort to enroll them in leagues that involve children of different backgrounds. .

There are precious few examples of black-Jewish collaboration today. This means that if we do not teach the history of the civil rights movement, our children will lack any models of coalition building between blacks and Jews.

The civil rights movement inspired a generation of American Jews. It has the power to inspire the next generation as well.

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

Letters to tSie Editor To the Editor: I want to commend the Jan. 2 editorial, "Chabad was there to help."

We are glad that Israel is recognizing Chabad's contribution with a new postage stamp. While the editorial spoke of Chabad's work during the communist regime in the former Soviet Union, that is only one aspect of a multi-faceted world-wide organization that has affected the lives of countless numbers of Jews.

The Chabad-Lubavitch movement literally spans the globe and has been a major factor in stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry. The movement's massive education, social and rehabilitative programs have kindled an awareness of and rededication to Torah Judaism.

More than 100 cities in the United States and Canada now have Lubavitch institutions, including our own Chabad House in Omaha under the leadership of Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Katzman.

Despite a recent period of turmoil within the movement, Chabad-Lubavitch remains one of Judaism's most dynamic forces fighting assimilation and bringing the joy of Yiddishkeit to Jews of all backgrounds.

Rabbi Howard Kutner Beth Israel Synagogue

The Ne'eman Commission is now seeking a nonlegislative compromise. But if it fails and the conversion bill comes to a vote, the inordinate political power accorded the Orthodox parties under Israel's proportional-representation electoral system makes it likely that Netanyahu will press all members of his coalition to support it, even against their convictions, or face beirig unseated.

Maneuvers by the religious parties to impose Orthodox norms through legislation have emboldened other actors to place their religious convictions ahead of any loyalty to democratic principles or even civil order. Signs of the incipient erosion of democratic values and the rule of law in Israel abound: * Local religious officials and the Minister of Religious Affairs himself openly and with impunity defy repeated High Court orders to seat duly elected non-Orthodox representatives on municipal religious councils. * Court orders to provide land for non-Orthodox cemeteries are similarly flouted. * A chief rabbi exhorts religious soldiers to defy any orders to evacuate settlements or remove Jewish settlers from the territories. * Another chief rabbi says that Reform Jews should be "vomited out" by the State of Israel. * Police and justice officials turn a blind eye to To the Editor: violent attacks by religious zealots on men and In an effort to discredit the New Israel Fund's women praying together at the Western wall and efforts on behalf of religious freedom in Israel, on women whose dress offends their code of modRabbi Avi Shafran of Agudath Israel of America esty.

•• '• ••'••' -.-•'••. -: . •'••"• •• -'•:' "wr: intimates that NIF disdains Orthodoxy and. its As for Rabbi Shafran's assertion that1''a'majority adherents (in a commentary published Dec. 19, of Israelis .'.."strongly support'the religious-Status 1997 in the Jewish Press). quo", a single1 statistic is dramatically revealing1.''".• This is decidedly not the case. ' In the last Tew'years,'fully one; fifth 6f the^Jewish NIF distinguishes clearly between our respect for marriages in Israel have taken place without beneOrthodoxy as an expression of faith and Jewish fit of state-recognized clergy. Either out of unwilltradition and our opposition to the use of state ingness to submit hypocritically to Orthodox power by the Orthodox - thus far successfully - to requirements or in order to overcome halachic prevent the non-Orthodox branches of Judaism restrictions, thousands of Israeli couples go abroad, ~ from obtaining recognition in Israel. conduct a legally unrecognized Conservative or NIFs goal is not to demonize the Or.thbdox but Reform ceremony, or make common-law arrangements. And many of the remainder who swallow rather to depoliticize religion in Israel.

But if Israel is to live up to the vision of its their reservations say they would prefer to marry Declaration of Independence as a state that under non-Orthodox auspices if it were legally rec.: .'.-.. , , , , , ensures "complete equality of social and political ognized. rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, The entanglement,of politics and religion.is,bad race, or.sex," ,we believe; it, is a challenge .tj^at,muist

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n .piternatnf^jj^ the^grad^al .-undenting: of Israel's democratic ins^t^ons.and,a ( steady,.dri.fi towards theocracy, as,well fls thecpnJinuing,aUei): ation of most Israelis from organized, religion.

Because it directly affects the religious sensibilities of millions of Diaspora Jews, the conversion law is the most publicized manifestation of these trends.

The struggle arose two years ago when Israel's High .Court of Justice struck down the defacto Orthodox monopoly on conversion in Israel.

As a condition for joining the government then in formation by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Orthodox bloc's first demand was a binding commitment to passage of a law that would override the High Court decision, thus further delegitimizing nonOrthodox Judaism under Israeli law.

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IsraeUs, bot|»,Qbs^^,noiL^rth An equal partnership of. Israelis'and Diaspora Jews, the New Israel Fund believes Israel's refusal to recognize Conservative, Reform 'and Reconstructionist Judaism.is incompatible with the democracy it so proudly proclaims. Far from strengthening Judaism, the official Orthodox monopoly suppresses the diversity and adaptability that have characterized our religion in its most vital periods and are the lifeblood of any living faith.

Norman S. Rosenberg Executive Director of the New Israel Fund

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

Temple Israel Fifth Graders visit with Seniors

Gared Waldbaum (front), and Adam Linsky with their teacher, Gilda Pieck (second from left), and residents of North Acres Senior Complex for a pre-Thanksgiving party. Jared is the son of Natha and John Waldbaum; Adam is the son of Sherry and the late Marvin Linsky.

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by Art Grossman

Organizations YES Members will meet Monday at the JCC. English class starts at 10 a.m.; bingo or exercise starts at 10:30. Bring articles to share at the "YES Talk" discussion group at 11.

Following lunch at noon, Rita Paskowitz, Resettlement Director of Jewish Family Service, will speak. For transportation, call 3304272.

WALK-IN^ DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. English class is offered at 10 a.m.; exercise with Larisa starts at 10:15, and bingo at 10:30. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 11:45. • ' ' . ' " At 12:15 p.m., come enjoy the biography Dr. Ruth Westheimer. The famous adviser endured hardship and tragedy in Europe during her early years, and eventually built a new life for herself in New York.

VISIONS Join us for an evening of fun and action at the Aksarben'Coliseum as the Omaha Lancers Hockey Team takes on the USA All Stars on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 6:05 p.m. Cost per person is $6.

Send reservation form to Harry Alloy, 5811 Nicholas St., Omaha NE 68132. Deadline is Jan. 23. Make checks payable to Jewish Senior Services.

BREADBREAKERS Fred Peterson, President of OPPD, will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, according to Ron Gordon.

Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon. jFor the month of January only, they will jmeetrat'the Jewish Community Center in rooitt'lOi"-Tbie'prograih ds'op'en tolthesommunity. :

Whether the weather in the Midlands pleases us or not, we do the best with what we get. Or, if you have the gelt, you can go to Arizona and shvitz during our winter. / .

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Case in point:. The Oldtimera and Young Energetic Seniors Jan. 5 meeting' Followed a day that.witnessed rain, sleet, snow-and whatever additibnEg.descriptive terminology is used in meteorologicaL vocabulary. / «• For 40 bf our members, slipping and sliding on a treacherous layer of ice was less aggravating than the "cabin-fever" destined if they remained at home.

The Stretchers and Kyetchers went through their paces led by Older Adult Director Maggie Conti; the BINGOers played their numbers game.

Go Big Red's being selected as a co-holder of the No. 1 college football ranking sent the Earlybird soaring with pride. And the electrifying news of Coach Tom Osborne's retirement was a hot topic.

What would a discussion session be without pondering about the perils confronting Israel? This time the key topic was the resignation of Foreign Minister David Levy and the precarious position of Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition in the Knesset.

On the bright side: OIL IN ISRAEL! Maybe.

Armed with a passage from the Torahi Tovia Luskin, a petroleum geologist immigrant from Russia has extracted light crude oil in explorations in the northern part of the country.

A verse in Deuteronomy, which refers to the inheritance of the tribe of Asher states: "Let him be acceptable to his brethren and let him dip his foot i n

Jake Bleicher (front), and Joel Passer decorated turkey-shaped cookies with the residents. Jake, son of Drs. Stacie and Bob Bleicher of Lincoln, said, "I think they liked having kids around, and I think they were laid back." Joel is the son of Dr. Jeff and Sandy Passer.

l The Omaha Ghapterof Hadassah will sponsor its monthly Oneg Shabbat on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m., at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Joe Cherek will entertain residents with a concert on the clavichord. The program will be followed by a birthday tea in the main dining room. Hadassah members and families are asked to come at 1:30 to assist with the residents.

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Following lunch; Bob Wolfsori, Executive Director of ADL/CRC, spoke on a wide range of topics bearing a watchful eye. The Internet, for example, has become a media for hate groups to expound their mishegoss.

In sick bay are Morris Brick and Ann White at Clarkson, and Bella Block and Rebecca Richman at Bergan Mercy.

JEWISH WAR VETERANS Jewish War Veterans Epstein-Morgan Post #260 will meet Sunday, Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m., in the conference room at the Jewish Community Center.

Your attendance is appreciated.

Marriage ,:SLUSKY/PISHEL :j I Harriet Slusky and. Newman Fishel were married : Jan. 10 at Temple Israel. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel officiated, i .-:-" i "••.•-•.

• '. ' Attendants were Jay Slusky, Jodi Slusky, Clara Fishel and Jane Fishel, children of the couple.

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We came as many, we left as one Mid-America's Winter Regional Convention

u-.y* .- ; BBYO held it's Annual Winter Regional Convention in St. Louis December 26-29.

Over 280 BBYO'ers attended from Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and Omaha. The theme, "We Came As Many.. .We Left As One," fit the programming of convention, as teens from four cities bonded as they learned about the true meaning of Hanukkah, engaged in community service throughout St. Louis, and danced the night away on the final evening.

Pictured above are five members of Mother Chapter AZA #1 who dazzled the entire convention body with a dance performance. Back row: Andy Finkle, Jon Zoob, Adam Kohn.

Front row: Eryk Gilinsky and Andy Novak.

Mother Chapter also received "Best Cooperative T-shirt" and "Best Banner" awards. .

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

CORRECTION

The Millard North Drama Department will present The Hobbit as its winter production. Among those featured in the play are Meg Adams, Gila Drazen, Jeremy Ivers, Jeff Nathan and Alyson Wendell. Courtney Rabb is on the Production Crew and in charge of publicity.

The play, directed by Jan Fischer, will be performed at Millard North on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23 and 24, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. No advanced sales, and no reserved seats.

Amichai Schwab was elected USY International Vice-president of Religion and Education at the International Convention held recently in Philadelphia.

Upon graduation from Frish High School in Teaneck, N.J., he will enter the Nativ program in Israel.

He is the son of Rabbi Joel and Aviva Schwab of Temple Sinai in Middletown, N.Y., and the grandson of Cantor Leo and Annette Fettman.

Great-grandmother is Fannie Sherman Chunovic.

v

Three day chairwomen for the NCJW Gift Wrap were inadvertently omitted from the Jan. 9 photo caption: Barbara Frohman, Tina Meyers and Fefe Passer. The Jewish Press regrets the error.

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Spirituality Group hosts event

by Eliane Freund

Alan Friedman Company

Hiddush Levanah~the Omaha Jewish Women's Spirituality and New Moon Network is hosting a Alan H. Friedman Jewish New Moon celebration in honor of the President , upcoming Hebrew month of Shvat.

Graduate Gemologist The-Hebrew month of Shvat is characterized by 9107 Wilshire Boulevard. Suite 320 the celebration of Tu B'Shvat, better known since Mishnaic times as the "New Year for the Trees."

Beverly Hills, California 90210 According to Karin Levine, Creighton University 888*489*4545 • Fax 310*278*5449 instructor and event facilitator, "Participants will Member of West Coast Diamond Club be able to share in the celebration of a Tu B'Shvat Estate Jewelers Association of America Seder which has been part of theiritual of the day American Gem Trade Association since it was developed by 16th century Kabbalists

by Bert Lewis of Safed." .

Mrs. Levine points out that "as Nebraskan Jews we can feel doubly proud to be citizens of a state in So tell me, did you do the old new years resolu- which National Arbor Day was invented as well as tions thing this year, or did you not bother to make possessors of a tradition that has always placed promises you know you aren't likely to keep? Do high value on efforts to preserve the environment." d u n e - 1 5 - A u g u s t 14 Deirdre Evans, event co-coordinator, points out, people still do that resolutions shtick, or is it an Counselors n&eded "Through prayer, meditation, song, and:.the celeold, seldom-thought-of project?

• ; • - ; ' (18+ years' old) " ; , ; ; The usual items on such a list were generally a bration of a Tu B'Shvat Seder, participants will be :• .11! reminder of our simple, human frailties, our bad transported spiritually away from the winter dolVolunteers needed habits. Things like smoking or dieting always drums toward thoughts of spring and renewal."

(11 years old) The event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27, guaranteed the pledge to "quit" this year or "lose from 7-9 p.m., at a new location, the home of 10 pounds." .

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Personal discipline figured prominently in resolu- Eliane Freund, 14929 Cuming St. in the Seville' subdivision/Light refreshments will be served. tions and people who made such lists did so with This event is co-sponsored by the Jewish the intention of actual accomplishment. But then, Cultural Arts Council. you know what they say about good intentions.

For more information or directions, please conIt seems to me I don't hear much about making a tact Mrs. Freund at 496-7118. list of items scheduled for improvement anymore.

Maybe we've become so smug we don't think we need to do anything to make ourselves better. Can that be? No, I can't believe that's it.

Call the Child Development Center office Is it all those self-help books telling us how to do 334-6413 this or that or the other thing? Or perhaps it's all of those seminars which take several days of yammering away at a group who gathered (and paid money yet!) to hear still another expert educate us on some area of behavior modification.

Maybe it's the influence of th.e.young people today, who often have a much more related attitude about what and how they teach'their children.

- Could Add Years To Your Life They are, for the most part, much less rigid then, we were, so maybe that helps to -avoid the selfIf jou like the idea of living longer, it's a great v tioietobc searching that led to "I'll quit this" or "I'll start Breakthroughs'fa medical science have nude sglngva treatable that." Who knows what happens to old customs, condition*. We are now offering an individualized progTafli.witli th such as making new year's resolutions? •','•.,, goal of adding years to your lire. And just as important, onr program is designed to improve your quality of life. You can feel an3 loojS; Now that I really thinlc about i t , f suppose that jouiigtr, liave more energy, a strengthened immune systero.improvcd last question should be stored in a special file I cognitive skills, better mood and Increased sexual function.

It's your time ... call us. keep. I call it THE WHO CARES F I L E . . ; I recommend you dismiss all that nonsense and The National Center for Anti-Aging Medicine just concentrate on making 1998 the best year Dr. Jeffrey A . Passer * . ever. That's what I resolve to do.

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Kosher Ahoy!

Giant food maker Nabisco (Chips Ahoy, Oreos) set to take big bite of burgeoning kosher market

by Eric J. Greenberg and Stewart Ain, Staff Writers, The New York Jewish Week

Should you eat it as a sandwich, or break it apart and eat the cookie part separately froni the cream?

Kosher-observant Jews •will' now be faced with that classic American dilemma with the historic koshering of the Oreo, billed by maker Nabisco as America's favorite cookie. It's all part of a move b y the Nabisco Biscuit Co. to make kosher dozens of its cookie and snack products. •'. ':< iv : i Nabisco quietly has signed a contract with the Orthodox Union, the international kosher certification group, to supervise the kosher production of' such longtime company staples as Chips Ahoy, Barnum's Animal Crackers, Fig Newtons, Social Tea Biscuits and Honey Maid Grahams. Ritz items except for Ritz Bits sandwiches will be kosher, and eventually the premium Saltine crackers will be.

"We're working on it," said Nabisco quality control specialist Kevin Murphy.

While thousands of products have been made kosher over the last several years from major snack makers such as M&M Mars, Frito Lay and Hershey's, Nabisco appears to be the last giant corporation to make such a significant investment to meet the needs of the kosher consumer.

"This means that a great majority of cookies on the shelves are now kosher," said Rabbi Eliyahu Safran, the senior rabbinic coordinator for the Orthodox Union.

And for thousands of Jewish kids who grew up in the '50s and '60s not being able to eat Oreos, that most American of snacks, the Nabisco announcement marks a symbolic'shift in American attitudes towards accommodation to Jewish religious observance.

"While I'm not Jewish, I can't imagine growing up in America not being able to eat an Oreo cookie," Murphy said.

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Also being made under new kosher specifications are about 10 items from Nabisco's Snackwell reduced-fat line. Some of Nabisco's new kosher products, designated with the classic OU label, already have begun to arrive on local store shelves, Murphy said last week.

As the company retools its packages to include the OU certification, it slowly will introduce more items.

Nabisco's efforts to kosher its line and tap into the fastrgrowing kosher food industry — now estimated at $3.25 billion a year— are nearly seven years in the making with research beginning in 1991. It took so long to finalize the project because the company sought to kosher cost-effectively the baking process at i t s 12 plants nationwide, Murphy said. . •'.„ .'•'• ' Perhaps the most significant step came in 1992 with the removal of lard from the company's baked products, replacing it with vegetable oil. Murphy said the switch was made not only for kosher purposes but for health reasons as American consumers sought products with lower cholesterol.

(Editor's note: this effort was due in large part to the public response generated by fullpage ads in national newspapers paid for by Omahan Phil Sokolof and his Heartsaver's organization.)

The company slowly eliminated all its nonkosher ingredients, making sure not to sacrifice taste, and changed its production policies to adhere to OU's standards. Nabisco' also had to change its processing, making sure the products did not come into contact with non-kosher items anywhere on the production line, as well as cleaning the ovens.

OU officials praised Nabisco for its cooperation. .

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Bowing to pressure, Smithsonian pulls plug on Israel at 50' series

by Matthew Dorf But after groups such1 as Americans for a Safe , Israel, B'nai-B'rith arid'the'Anti-Defamation 50" series that was siate^Jto .take .;a critical, look at League1 voiced opposition to the program because they believed it was biased, the New.Israel Fund . .Bowjng-.topressure from some American Jewish backtracked and said it was still working on the groups and threats of congressional hearings, the final program. In fact, some Likud Party speakers Smithsonian pulled the plug on a seven-week were added to the series in recent days. ;'.'••• speaker series scheduled for this spring. ; ' B u t that was not enough for the Smithsonian, The program was proposed by the New Israel Fund,. which pulled out of the program last week. "It is our which was to be a co-sponsor with the prestigious intention to highlight Israel's achievements in its national museum. Instead the Smithsonian Associates, stunning 50-year history, to consider some of the key the museum's research and outreach arm, will run its issues it faces, and to examine its hopes for the years ahead," the Smithsonian wrote in a letter to Forbes. own program in the late spring or early summer.

The New Israel Fund, a liberal fund-raising orgaT o that end, we are developing a program that nization that gives money to Israeli groups that will be fair and appropriate." In a telephone interpromote civil rights and social change, lambasted view, Forbes, hailed the Smithsonian's decision. the organizations that had led a campaign against "It was clearly a one-sided approach and was not the program. going to be a celebration of the 50 years of the "We are deeply disappointed that, the Jewish state, but a critique by the left of the Smithsonian has'been forced by a fringe group of Jewish state," Forbes said.

Jewish McCarthyites, led by Americans for a Safe The Smithsonian rejected a proposal by the AntiIsrael, to back out of the lecture series," said the Defamation League to join as a co-sponsor with NIFs executive director, Norman Rosenberg.

New Israel Fund and revamp the program.

During the past week, the Smithsonian came New Israel Fund officials, who only last week were. under fire from the editorial pages of the relishing their success in convincing the Smithsonian Washington Times, New York Post and Boston to sponsor their program, defended its intent.

Herald for the program. U.S. Rep. Michael Forbes "It was designed to take an in-depth look at (R-NY) called on Congress to hold hearings.

Israel's prodigious accomplishments in its first The program, which was tentatively titled, half-century and some of the challenge's facing this "Israel at 50: Yesterday's Dreams, Today's vibrant young democracy as it enters its next halfRealities," was billed as a look at the "difficult century," Rosenberg said. challenges that Israel must meet if it is to fulfill its For his port, the executive director of Americans for founders' vision of a nation based on the concepts a Safe Israel defended his group and hailed the of'freedom, justice and peace,'" according to.a pro- Smithsonian's decision. "The program should be' fair gram provided by the New. Israel Fund. ~:':.'. and without any bias to one side," Herb Zweibon said.

Program topics were scheduled to include: - For its part, the Israeli Embassy said it had no "Peace: The Price of Occupation; Full and Equal problem with the original program. According to an Citizenship? The Place of Israel's Palestinian • Israeli official, the Smithsonian plans to invite the Citizens; and The End of the Zionist Dream? The Israeli ambassador to participate in its new proRise of Post-Zionism. gram, now in the planning stages.

Snuthspnian

January 16,1998

JELS ad-hoc committee to study Jewish day school byPamMonsky Robert and Karen Maline of Alexandria, VA, Federation Communications Director announce the Dec. 13 birth of their son, Charles [ Matthew, Charles has a sister, Robin Elyse, 2.

A Jewish Education and Library Services Ad-Hoc Grandparents are Ruth and Morris Maline of committee is addressing the issues of positive comOmaha and Sandy and Harry Gasson of Mulberry, munity image for Friedel Jewish Academy (FJA), FL, and the late Rosalie Gasson. improving the school's financial strength and estabGreat-grandparents are Sarah Ginsberg of lishing effective professional management.

Denver and the late Charles Weiss.

The committee consists of Spencer Brookstein, chairman;? RabbiTAryehAzriel, RabbrPaul Drazen, Dr. Leonard and Cindy Kaufman of Omaha Rabbi Howard Kutner, Jerry Gordman, Marty announce the Nov. 11 birth of their son, Zachary Shukert, Joel Rich, Ann Kibel Schwartz, Scott Iittky, Mary Grossman, Marty Rosenberg, Michael Linn, David. Zach has a brother, Mitchell, 2.

Grandparents are Roger and Joni Cohen of Mitzi Delman, Forrest Knitter and Susan Drazen.: The following issues were identified by the comMission Hills, KS, arid the late Marilyn Schnider Cohen, and Jacobo and Sarita Kaufman of Miami mittee after their initial meetings: Affiliation with national day school association; increased rabbinic Beach.FL. Great-grandparents are Morrie and Yetta leadership from local congregations; need for effective professional leadership and financial growth; Schnider and Esther Cohen, all of Kansas City, need for broad-based community support; and arid the late Joseph Cohen. improve marketing strategies.

Robert and Wendy Reiss of Omaha announce the birth of their daughter, Abigail Leigh.; Grandparents are Lorraine Reiss, also of Omaha, and the late David Reiss, and Marti arid Vicki Christoffersen and Warren arid Marjorie Phillips, all from Council Bluffs.

i \ | •j

Scott a n d Victoria Sloan announce the Dec. 22 birth of their son, Charles Ian. Ian has a brother, Alex, 3'A. Grandparents are Edward and Jan Bogard of Omaha and the late Betty and Robert Sloan.

"I believe that FJA must be viewed as the most attractive educational option available to parents for their children. Full integration of the school into the community structure is vital to create the credibility to attract a large number of students," said FJA President Marly Shukert Preliminary recommendations from the. committee include absorbing the school, into the Jewish Education and Library Services, a Center of Excellence of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Federation Board will be discussing the committee's recommendation and the future of the school at its regular January board meeting.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Gulf War Veterans needed for UMB/IC Study Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center seek Gulf War veterans to participate in a study looking at two enzymes in the blood and the possible correlation to Gulf War Illness.

The $126,000 research study, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, will continue for up to two years and will be conducted at UNMC's Eppley I n s t i t u t e for Research in Cancer and Allied D i s e a s e s .

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Gulf War Illness surfaced within the first couple of months following the Gulf War in 1991.

Currently, as many as 60,000 veterans are affected. Some veterans reported varying symptoms of extreme' fatigue, headaches, swollen glands, depression, weight gam and:difficulty with memory and concentration. The symptoms are believed to be linked to chemical warfare agents used during the Gulf War. Contingent on the severity of the, symptoms, Gulf War Illness is partially or completely disabling.

If a blood correlation exists, then health care professionals can better diagnose "the illness and determine who is susceptible. All veterans of the Gulf War, regardless of whether or not symptoms are present, are asked to volunteer for the study. Researchers will take a one-time blood sample at ho charge. There is no stipend available for participants. Interested veterans should contact either Oksana Lockridge, Ph.D., at (402) 559-6032, or Cindy Bartels at (402) 559-6014, for more information.

UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to

Scholarships announced Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust

, , ? Bruce M . ^ F e j I m a n ^ h i i !

Charitable Foundation Trust

!••'"•' 'Also';' UNMC'seducatibri >prbgranis?lJajn?inoile health professionals practicing in Nebraska than The Robert H. & Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable The Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation any other institution.

Foundation Trust has announced the availability of Trust has announced the availability of scholarscholarships for the 1998-99 academic year. It will ships based on financial need for post-secondary ].L,:^._;.;;. jsrael a t 50 i.^ • ; - ' be based on financial need for a Jewish student education. . wishing to further his or her post-secondary educaBruce, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, as a • '.-.,.• A Nation Sings, a tribute to Israel's 50th tion.

• .-'••".. ...

••: . -. •.•' ' '•;.. ' 1982 graduate of Westside High School. He was anniversary, will be shown Sunday, Jan. 18, at Robert Kooper had a long history of service to the active in BBYO and served as president, vice presi- 11:30 a.m., on KETV Channel7. It is] sponsored by Jewish community. He was elected B'nai B'rith dent, secretary and treasurer of Chaim Weizmann the Jewish Theological Seminary. : ' ;.• president in 1929; headed Beth El Synagogue in AZA. 1941; was president of Highland Country Club in He attended George Washington-University-in 1951; and was President of. the Jewish Federation Washington, D;.G., a'rid-was'particij^ati'rfg'fn the ofOmaha,i958-i96p,He.diedin,1961; •/; .!-, • Urdversit^W'RtiaB^ Mrs. Kooper was a strong supporter and worked time6fhisdeatKiifl984:^ with the Jewish Federation and Beth El Trustees for the Foundation' are^Dftfrl^n Sisterhood. She passed away in May, 1995. : Fellman, Terri Schrager, arid Howard: M: Kbb'p'fer.

"Awarding a scholarship to a young Jewish person is a very appropriate way of honoring my parApplications for scholarships for both ents," Howard Kooper noted. He and his wife, Trusts may be obtained by calling Mr. Sharon, will fund the Kooper Charitable Hooper's office at 892-1800.

Foundation Trust. Tom Fellman will also act as The completed forms must be received by - trustee of the Foundation.

April 1.

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Temple Israel hosts Shabbaton Seventh graders from Temple Israel of Omaha hosted seventh graders from Temple B'nai J e h u d n h of Kansas City for a Shabbaton in December. The weekend featured social, educational and worship experiences. Pictured in the top center of photo at right is Ben Taxman, son.of Sherry and Jeffrey Taxman, along with seventh graders jf,' from Kansas City. They led a craft project with children in residence at the Lydia House. Students also visited the Vincent House.

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Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

Kaslow's commitment helps build 'something special' in Omaha

Hadassah to host book discussion As part of a year-long series of "Learning with the rabbi's wives," Hadassah will host a discussion of the book, The Color of Water, led by Elyce Azriel on Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at the home of Sandy Kohll, 1617 So. 107th Street Mrs. Azriel, Director of the high school program at Temple Israel and a Community Teacher for the Omaha Jewish Educational and Library Services, will be speaking on the life of the author, James McBride, and his mother who was raised in a Jewish home. .

With her background and degrees in Jewish general education, her Master Teacher's Certificate • and 10 years of directing various teacher centers before moving to Omaha with her husband, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, she brings interesting insights into this discussion.

Hadassah members and prospective members are invited to attend.

Please feel free to contact Karin Levine at 4454228 for further information or for transportation, if needed.

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1994 after teaching sixth through 12th grade Talmud Torah classes for 20 years.

Mr. Kaslow, an attorney with Abrahams Kaslow Omaha is "an extraordinarily generous commu- and Cassman, is active in the Omaha community nity. We have built something special" considering as a member of the Board of Trustees of Boys the size of the Jewish population here, said Town, the Omaha Community Foundation, the Howard Kaslow. He credited the generosity and Board of Directors and past president of Fontenelle commitment of generations — in some cases, five Forest Association, and the National Conference of generations - of families that have created the Christians and Jews, a group he once chaired. cohesiveness which has contributed to the health of As Silver Circle donors to the Federation camOmaha's Jewish community. paign, meaning they have Kaslow's wife, Gloria, contributed for 25 years or added that "the commitmore, the Kaslows said they ment," exemplified by have benefitted from the "the high degree of affiliFederation and its agencies ation with Jewish instiover-the years. tutions, is incredible."

"We certainly want to do Contributors to the everything to keep Omaha Federation campaign for a vibrant Jewish communisome 30 years, Howard ty," Mr. Kaslow mentioned.

Kaslow recalled the first He added that he was time he was solicited for impressed by his father's a gift, "I wanted to generation and believes it is become part of the "our responsibility to conJewish community. I tinue the tradition for sucwanted to be involved. ceeding generations and for My family always gave Israel." and it was time for me to start."

For our Jewish communiGloria and Howard Kaslow Gloria Kaslow said ty to survive and thrive, "it's that it became important to her to make her own critical that we have educated and participating individual contribution as "I was such an ardent Jews," according to Mr. Kaslow. "We need to be Zionist." sure our community educational programs - the She went to Israel for the first time when she Federation's and the synagogues' -- meet the needs was 18 with a group of teenagers from her home- and reach out. to all ages and levels in the commutown, New Haven, Connecticut. They had been nity," he continued. studying Hebrew in their public high school.

Emphasizing the necessity for cooperation She also noted that her motivation to be part of between the Federation, its agencies, and the synathe Jewish community came from her family.

"They were active in the Jewish community. It gogues, Mrs. Kaslow stressed" that "we must not was an important part of our life," she said. She waste our resources. We cannot afford rivalry or to enjoyed pleasing her grandfather, who was a be divisive. We need to stick together."

"We have the commitment and the capacity," said shochet and a rabbi, with her knowledge of Mr. Kaslow. "We must adapt our programs to meet Judaism and'Hebrew. ' Growing up in Omaha, Mr. Kaslow was active new family demographics."

"I've become increasingly more aware of the chalin BBYO. Later he became a BBYO advisor.

Members of Beth El Synagogue, the Kaslows lenges to reach new generations," Mrs. Kaslow have both been involved remarked, "just to reach out to families - which in numerous Jewish are different than they used to be."

Federation activities. He They agreed that family structure has changed was president^ of, the and different issues and problems require new Federation from 1984 to ways of reaching out. "We must be inclusive when 1986, served in leader- it comes to families," Mr. Kaslow emphasized. ship roles and on several As a professional and as a Federation leader, Mr. committees including the Kaslow has found it "rewarding to help clients find one that planned for the creative ways to fulfill their charitable objectives." present Jewish Com- He helped set up The Federation Foundation munity Center. Mr. which was formerly created the year before he Kaslow also worked on became Federation president. the Federation campaign In 1994, along with Howard's brother, Richard, and served as chairman of the Pacesetter and his wife, Leanne, the Kaslows established the Division. He currently Ben E. Kaslow Scholarship Fund to enable Jewish serves on the Board of youth from the Omaha area to attend Jewish sumthe Goldsten Foundation. mer camps, to participate in group trips to Israel Mrs. Kaslow is presi- sponsored by Jewish organizations, and to attend dent of Jewish Family Jewish youth groups' conventions and leadership • Service, a member of the development programs.

"This is the future of our community," confirmed Educational and Library Services Center of Mrs. Kaslow. "Our Federation campaign funds can Excellence, past presi- only go so far." Endowment funds "are a key to fuldent of the Federation filling our dreamSi1* .

Library, serves on the "These extra special contributions don't have to Grants Committee of the be huge gifts," explained Mr. Kaslow.

Lazier L. Singer Married for 36 years, the Kaslows children are: Memorial Fund for Youth Aaron and his wife;, Allison, who are attorneys in and the Esther K. Washington; D.^David, a portfolio manager with Newman and Carolyn a subsidiary of General American Insurance Co. in Kully Newman Grants St. Louis; and Joanna, a social worker in Chicago.

Committee. She also The Kaslows became grandparents in 1997 when leads a women's Torah Aaron and Allison had Emilia, now four months study group which old. ' • . ; • • • • • . ; . ..•••• emanated from the Planning to stay involved in the Omaha Jewish Women's Mission to Israel in the fall of 1995. community, Howard and Gloria Kaslow hope they Among other commit- are setting an example for their children — sup-, ments, she participates porting the community through financial donations in a Black-Jewish dia- and by sharing their time...ultimately, by sharing, their lives. ' logue group.

Mrs. Kaslow retired in

by Claudia Sherman Foundation Public Relations Coordinator

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

Focus on Issues A lesson from the Kendalls

From intermarriage to divorce: Kids often get caught in cross fire f,

by Gail Glickman Jewish News of Western Massachusetts

by Daniel Kurtzman

WASHINGTON (JTA) - Jeffrey Kendall wanted his children to believe their mother was destined to burn in hell.

The children, attending their father's fundamentalist Christian church, wer,e told that their mother's observance of Judaism had sealed her fate and that they, too, would be doomed if they did not accept Jesus as their lord and savior.

It was not always this way for the Kendall family.

Kendall and Barbara Zeitler were married in a Jewish ceremony in 1988. Kendall was nominally a Catholic and Zeitler was a mildly observant Reform Jew. They agreed to raise their children, now ages 4, 6 and 9, as Jews.

But Jeffrey's decision to join a fundamentalist Christian sect in 1991 and Barbara's adoption of Orthodox Judaism in 1994 eventually led them to divorce, and their children became caught in the cross fire of their wildly divergent religious practices.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court put a stop to that last month.

In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that divorced parents of different faiths can be prohibited from teaching their religious beliefs to their children if it creates substantial harm. The court barred Kendall from bringing his children to his church because it said doing so would stir emotional conflict within the children and wrongly force them to choose between their parents.

While it may not have been a precedent-setting decision — several courts throughout the country have issued similar rulings -- it nonetheless has focused new attention on one of the more problematip consequences of intermarriage.

The issue also provided a different twist to the holiday season, when intermarried couples often struggle with how to celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas.

By some estimates, one out of three American Jews now lives in an interfaith household. About a third of interfaith marriages result in divorce, compared with about 20 percent of Jewish marriages, according to experts in the field.

During the past two decades, a growing number of children have been placed in situations in which one of the parents has sought to change the reli-

gious identification of the child over the objections of the other.

"In too many of these cases, this has caused significant harm to the child," said Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Reform movement's Religious Action Center in Washington.

There have been cases "in which a child, a year before Bar Mitzvah, was told by the custodial parent that they would no longer be Jewish and henceforth would be a member of another religion," said Saperstein, who teaches Jewish law and church-state law at Georgetown University.

In other instances, parents like Jeffrey Kendall have actively sought to discredit their children's religious upbringing and convert them to another religion.

"All the variants of these situations place the children in untenable situations in relation to'their parents, arguably violate the religious rights of the child, and too often leave lasting psychological scars," Saperstein said.

Egon Mayer, a professor of sociology at Brooklyn College, said the cases are characterized by a complicated clash of rights — "namely, the right of any parent to enjoy their religious freedom and the right of the other parent to raise their children in a way that respects their custodial rights.

"When you have a clash of rights, you have the makings of real tragedy," said Mayer, an expert on Jewish intermarriage. "It's one thing when you have a clash of right and wrong. It's another thing when you have a clash of right and right."

Despite the ambiguities, the legal answer has been, for the most part, straightforward. The custodial parent is almost always allowed to determine a child's religious upbringing. When there is joint custody, a child's prior religious upbringing or identification is generally the determining factor.

In settling disputes, the courts have followed the judicial equivalent of the physician's Hippocratic oath:"First, do no harm." Even constitutional concerns are secondary, according to legal experts.

Regardless of the marital status of interfaith parents, organized American Jewry generally views consistency and stability in a child's religious upbringing as paramount.

' , PLEASE... , TELL OUR Ag^§BJISERS v

NORTHAMPTON, MA -- When my friend Barbara told me she had won her Massachusetts State Supreme Court case (in which it was ruled that her Fundamentalist Christian ex-husband has been banned from taking their three Jewish children to church), my knee-jerk reaction was this: thank God this is not a Jewish problem.

By this I meant that the belief system of Jeff Kendall and other members of extremist sects, specifically that "there is only one path to heaven and I'm on it," does not prevail within Judaism. ' As Jews we have often found ourselves on the wrong end of a sword with the words "convert or die" suspended between life and death. We have fought countless battles in countless lands to remain Jews.

We have been the voice for religious tolerance and spiritual diversity throughout Our long history, advocating time and time again for the right to believe and to practice as we choose, even if it is different and strange to our neighbors.

What many of us have found distasteful about the Kendalls is the spiritual position in which the Kendall children have been placed. Because they are Jews, their father believes that they have no place in heaven. The very idea is repugnant to us as a group which finds the notion of proselytizing absurd.

After I had a few days to think over the Kendalls' situation, I realized that I was wrong about one thing: we actually do have this problem.

I have a bar mitzvah student whose grandparents will not be attending his celebration because it is in a Conservative shul. I have another friend who can't stop talking about how wrong it is to have a mechitza (separate seating for men and women) in a service she doesn't even attend.

It seems that everywhere I turn these days there is a fight about the right way to do it. I don't have room on this page to get going about Israel's religious/political problem, but I know that every opinion I have heard reeks of the same sentiment: I have the truth and you don't, and if you don't do it my way, you're wrong. / Fortunately there is no hell involved, and as far as I know every Jew will still be judged on his or her'persdnal-inerit.a balance which is judged by heaven; not earth.

(Continued on page 13)

^ ~ ittTHE JEWISH PRESS

Send Greetings & Congratulations through the Jewish Press This year, the P a s s o v e r Edition, which will be published April 10, will pay tribute to Israel's 50th Anniversary. This promises to be an exciting issue; one which will be saved and read many times over.

So that individuals and/or families can be part of it, we will have a special section devoted to personal greetings and congratulatory messages. This section will not include businesses or organizations.

Cost is $25 per ad. Samples follow (actual size):

JJest Wishes fora Joyous Passover

CONGRATULATIONS ISRAEL on your :.

50th Anniversary!

(or your personal message) YOUR NAME

YOUR NAME

An issue of this size requires a great deal of planning and preparation, so we request that you send or call in your greeting as soon as possible. A proof will be sent to you prior to publication so you can check for accuracy and/or make any changes. The approved proof, with a check for $25, must be returned by February 20.

TO RESERVE SPACE FOR YOUR AD, Call:

334-6451 or 334-6449

January 16,1098

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

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Lev Shekhtman and Anna Mosenkis More than 70 members of Omaha's new American community celebrated the sixth night of Hanukkah at a party held at The Euro Cafe & Deli on Dec. 28.

Alia Zinkov, Euro Cafe owner, with the help of her mother, Alexandra Aronchik, and Raisa Pisetsky, prepared latkes, herring and cookies.

Rita Paskowitz gave a lesson in the fine points of dreidel playing, and Maya Wertheimer gave an impromptu Hanukkah speech, followed by the blessings and lighting of the candles.

Petr Fridman recited two original poems in Russian, written especially for this occasion, and Anna Mosenkis and Lev Shekhtman provided musical entertainment.

Roza Kogan (left), and Yentil Kulik This was an evening for friends'and families from the former Soviet Union to get together in a social setting with religious meaning, sponsored by the Resettlement & Acculturation Program of Jewish Family Service.

The next event will take place at Beth El Synagogue when a Seder Tu Bishvot will be celebrated on the evening of Feb. 10. This gathering will also include a presentation by students in Religious School and will be open to members of the congregation and the general public.

For information on this or any other new American programming, please contact Rita Paskowitz at 334-6495.

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351-6495.

A lesson from the Kendalls (Continued from page 12) Now, don't get me wrong. I am cer- the kindest, warmest teacher I can, tainly not free of judgment. I do leaving the judgment to someone else.

What is ultimately best for the believe and practice Judaism in a certain way. As an Orthodox feminist Jewish world?

I find myself straddling several sys- ;.. Will staying away from your grandtems at once. I dislike a mechitza son's bar mitzvah inspire him to over which I can't see just as much Torah? as a shul without a kosher kitchen.

If the goal is to sway Jews toward ; However, neither of those things one path or another, does spitting, will keep me away, and I will fight throwing things, name-calling and the desire to judge another person's stereotyping make your position look more appealing? \ path.

• What I have learned from Jeff One of my greatest Jewish role models is an Orthodox woman from Kendall is that I do not want to Canada who runs a Reform religious become the type of person who school. She operates, on the concept believes that I have the only truth. I that "no one else's relationship with want the Jewish world to be huge for my children, so that they will find God is any of my business." Wow. Does this mean that this woman their own truth within it and not be has no responsibility to bring Jews to forced to look to a culture which is not so mean.

Yiddishkeit?

I am reminded of a saving which I Au contraire! By keeping, the ^you're doing it wrong* piece out of it, have heard in reference to Israel: "As long as they have an enemy, they the Torah is left to speak for itself.

If I feel inside that the path I am stand united; remove the enemy and on is.correct, it is the correct path, for they will destroy each other." me. Even if I feel that everyone else - I pray that will not ber the case.

- • ji. is wrong, it is a feeling which is best not to express. Instead, I choose to " Gail Glickman White is publishlive the best Torah life that I can, be erof the • Jewish News of Western I as true to my beliefs as I can, and be Massachusetts.

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Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998 Pluralism talks face deadline; some doubt committee will solve differences

Behind the Headiities JERUSALEM -- With the Ne'eman committee facing an end of January deadline to hammer out a compromise between the different streams of Judaism over conversions and other matters, some observers are doubtful that a solution will be found.

Skeptics say the committee is dealing with matters that do not address the fundamental issue of the relationship between religion and state.

"These things are not being decided by one committee," Rabbi Einat Ramon, a leader of t h e ' Masorti movement, said at a discussion on pluralism at a recent Jewish media conference here.

"These are major social processes."

Nachman Ben-Yehuda, a professor of sociology at Hebrew University who identifies himself as secular, says flatly that the Ne'eman committee, made up of representatives from the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements, will not create the atmosphere of religious pluralism that the liberal movements are pushing for.

"The major goal of the Ne'eman committee is to make [Orthodox] hegemony go on and on and on under the guise of a deceptive mask that there is some sort of concession here," says Ben-Yehuda, who charges that the lives of secular Israelis are "under the occupation of Jewish Orthodoxy."

Others, however, believe the committee is doomed to fail because the Reform and Conservative movements are trying to impose an American brand of religious pluralism in Israel.

David Landau, who has served for 25 years as Middle East bureau chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and is an editor at Ha'aretz, faults the American non-Orthodox movements, and the American Jewish press for "exacerbat[ing]? ten11 sions,between Israelis just at a, time .when "a new ^equilibrium is evolving inside Israeli society between [the] Orthodox and secular."

While many perceive the Orthodox to be gaining more power, Landau says there is more activity and pluralism in Jerusalem on Shabbat than ever before.

by Michael Shapiro, Staff Writer, Washington Jewish Week

The Reform and Conservative movements' fight for recognition in Israel and the Jewish press' "hyping" of the pluralism debate is a form of "American cultural colonialism," which is leading to a dangerous rift among the Jewish people, argues Landau, who is Orthodox.

"If you insist on conditioning your fervent support for Israel on Israel adopting your form of Jewry ... I feel that we are inextricably leading ourselves to schism, between the two halves of the Jewish people," he warns.

Even some of those who oppose the proposed legislation that would codify Orthodoxy's control over conversions performed in Israel admit that the fight for pluralism is happening at a crucial time of negotiations with the Palestinians.

Although the debate over conversions is not "practical" because it does not affect large numbers of people in Israel, it is one of principle that should be supported despite the current political situation with the Palestinians, Avraham Poraz, a member of the Knesset from the Shinui Party, told WJW in an interview.

Ramon, in rejecting Landau's assertion of American colonialism, says there is a "cultural revolution" taking place in Israel being led by Reform and Conservative movements' challenge to the Orthodox control of religious life in the Jewish state.

Whether the TJe'eman committee succeeds or doesn't succeed is less relevant than what really has happened at the grass roots," says Ramon.

She says the long-held notion that the synagogue which secular Israelis don't attend is Orthodox no longer is relevant.

"People'are wanting Judaism but they don't want the Judaism the Chief Rabbinate is offering them," says Ramon, adding that her High Holiday services were packed with Israelis seeking an alternative.

Despite the doubtful view held by many, Alexander Lubotsky, a Knesset member from the Third Way Party who has worked closely with the

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committee, is optimistic that the committee will be able to produce a' compromise that is acceptable to all sides. While calling for more pluralism and applauding the effort of American Jewish leaders to support their movements in Israel, Lubotsky says it also is vital to preserve the unity of world Jewry.

"It is a failure of the Jewish nation that there are three different gates into Judaism which do not recognize each other," says Lubotsky, who is Orthodox. "If we, through the Ne'eman committee, can achieve... one gate, it will be very important."

The current compromise being pushed by Ne'eman would have the Reform and Conservative movements accede to Halacha on matters of personal status while the Orthodox establishment would accede on questions of recognition and involvement in religious life by the non-Orthodox movements.

Under this compromise, according to Lubotsky, a candidate for conversion would study at a school where rabbis of all three movements would teach, but the actual conversion would be done by an Orthodox bet din (court of three rabbis).

On the issue of marriage, two representatives of the Chief Rabbinate would serve as the witnesses while the couple could choose any rabbi to officiate at the ceremony. According to halacha, (Jewish law) the witnesses who sign the ketubah (marriage contract) and actually marry the couple have to be strictly observant, while the rabbi plays a less significant role.

"I don't expect that Reform and Conservative [Jews will] give up on their interpretation of halacha in general, only on the issue of personal status to make sure our grandchildren will be able to marry each other," says Lubotsky, who plans to announce the formation of a coalition of Orthodox rabbis, scholars and public figures who support the compromise.

Ramon, who led congregations in California, Montana and New York, rejects the notion that Reform and Conservative Jews should defer on halacha. "We have our interpretation of Jewish law," she says. "We can't give that up."

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January 16,1998

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 15

Primary Election Preview

Candidate speaks to Jewish groups

by Carol Katzman

The trek by candidates for local, state and federal office has begun with an appearance by Dr. Steve Bennet at Breadbreakers last week. The Jewish Press will cover any candidate who speaks to Jewish groups in the Omaha or Lincoln area, but, as a non-profit organization, does not endorse any candidate or political party.

Dr. Bennett, a podiatrist from Kearney, is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of the state of Nebraska. ™_,,

"Let's support teachers as educators, not caretakers," he urged. When asked about gun control, Bennett responded that he "supports guns for hunting," but that he had never seen "hunters using assault weapons." He added that he is in favor of the Brady Bill and instant background checks for gun purchasers.

"I am not in favor of banning all handguns," Bennett added.

Another social issue he addressed was that of reproductive rights.

"I am unabashedly pro-choice," said Bennett.

"I'm not going to make decisions that affect womens' lives and I would not make Nebraska the most restrictive state in the Union.

"Abortion should be rare," he said at the conclusion of his remarks. "I have a wife and two daughters and I don't want government interfering in those kinds of decisions." • Nebraska's primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. Registered voters will select candidates for the Republican and Democrat nomination for governor and congress; all voters will be able to vote for candidates for the Nebraska legislature.

• For more information on voter registration, contact the Douglas County Election Commission, 444-7200.

Jewish groups sponsoring events which feature candidates for public office should contact the Jewish Press, 334-6450, in order to arrange coverage of the candidate's remarks.

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Speaking to about a dozen members, Bennett Republican abortion proposal related both his background and his platform. worries Jewish; GOP activists an ail Elegant Party at Cafe Growing up in Detroit, the son of Jewish immigrants who escaped to Cuba just ahead of the

by Matthew Dorf. : ,.,- , ; . . .. , qfyf Nazis, Bennett attended Wayne State University -•.".;;; slning Btir'ahHWinc ^ i ^ v !

WASHINGTON (JTA) - For years, the and then medical schools in San Francisco and Los Call for Reservations and Mentis Republican Party has reached out to Jewish voters Angeles. But when it came time to put down roots, Bennet and his wife, Mary, decided to investigate by touting its big-tent approach.

Just as the party is beginning, to reap the an offer from the Kearney medical community. rewards of its efforts at the ballot box, the latest "Neither one of us had ever visited Nebraska," he anti-abortion battle is threatening the GOP*s sucsaid, "but we noticed right away that people here 1259 So. 120th St. N waved at strangers, yet in L.A., we didn't even cess in the Jewish community.

(402) 334-7172 Fax: (402) 334-0697 J At its winter meetings this week, the Republican know our neighbors."

The majority of Bennet's time with the group was Party will consider a proposal to cut off party spent on the issue of taxes, surpluses and current funds to all candidates who do not support1 a ban on a late-term- abortion procedure known to its ••• programs.

"You don't say that just because there are prob- opponents as "partial-birth abortion."

Fearing that all of their outreach efforts could ' lems, you wip_e;out an entire program...like the Groceries breakfast program for'children fiomTamnieFBelbw come crashing down if thejGOP adopts-a-newaporthe poverty line," he noted. "You like at it, you tion litmus test, Jewish iteTOJ^iftSwttftiissSj Cheese; Peta & Flat to defeat the proposal. j . sr!bs<? 1001 refine it, you don't just throwit away. •" . : .

L Turkish Coffee; Halva, 1 "This is" a wrong precedentfor'the'partSi'tO'be '''' .Wheats. Nuts, "I understand the limitations and advantages of Variety of fresh Spices government,1' he continued, "and I want to continue setting," said Matt Brooks, executive director of (402) 39O-O120 ' • ? - . the reasonable, common sense government that the National Jewish Coalition. "The party has always and continues to stand for a big tent."

Open; Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Ben Nelson hastrought to Nebraska."

While the outcome of the vote is uncertain, Bennett and his wife were honorary co-chairmen 3025 South 83rd Plaza, Omaha. NE 68124 national party leaders, including Jim Nicholson, of Ben Nelson's inaugural event.The governor also GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE appointed Bennett to a blue-ribbon commission on chairman of the Republican National Committee, are also opposing the resolution. healthcare. • AWare that the big tent philosophy could come Though he is a member of the medical profession, Bennett was also re-elected to the trust fund com- into question if the party cuts off such moderates mittee of the Nebraska State Bar Association. That as Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House International Relations Committee, committee handles legal services for thepoor.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and New Jersey Gov. Bennett insists he brings a different perspective Christine Todd Whitman, the National Jewish to the governor's race.

Coalition has sent a letter to all the members of "I'm not a politician, I'm a doctor," noted Bennett, the OMAHA'S BEST "And I'mfromout-state. „ "All the other candidates are either lawyers or Republican National Committee urging them to 'professional' politicians and are from either oppose the measure.

All members of the Republican Jewish group are Omaha or Lincoln." ""'. being asked to lobby their state party leaders Dine In or Carry Out . When asked about the arena proposals for vari' . ous locations in Omaha, Benri'eti'noted that "it against the proposal.

"This is bigger than, abortion," .said Brooks, 76th & Cass • 393-8588 should be up to the voters of Douglas County.

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"Economic development is beneficial to all in Nebraska, but local voters, not rural legislators, "Our concern is one^of a! slippery slope. Are we should have the right to vote on inhere it's located going down the path of allowing the national committee to dictate who is worthy of support?" and how it's paid for," he said. •'?•' The party's resolutions committee plans'to vote Bennett's other major focus in his remarks last on the resolution Jan. 16. If it passes, all 168 memweek were on education. ; ..•' ""We need to talk about the quality of education," bers of the Republican National Committee will he said, "not just funding. While we're talking also vote this weekend; about taxes and companies threatening to leave because of that issue, let's talk about companies American Heart who can't get get-qualified potential employees!"

Association.'

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 16,1998

Thank you, Omaha, for the success of

Super Sunday 98 a/id.

Kids' Super Sundae!

Thank you, Super Sunday Steering Committee: •

Kim 8c Matt Placzck, Chainnen Amber & Tom Baker Barbara & Scott Bresler Debbie & Rob Goodman Diane & Howard Shandell Dena & David Zack

Thank you, Kids Super Sundae Volunteers: Betsy Farbcr Jennifer Friedman Sarah Hasslinger Mendel Kurland Mara Olesh Stephanie Olesh Becky Pcrelman Jonathan Salmi Terry Salmi Ally Shandell

Thank you to our Generous Sponsors Ak-Sar-Ben Beef Co. Bag-N-Save Supermarkets Bagel Bin Bags and Baggage Baiter's Supermarkets Bruegger's Bagels Carbo's Salons Grcenberg Fruit Co. Ideal Pure Water Julio's KB Foods, Inc. Nobbies Omaha Compound Omaha Steaks United Distillers Vic's Popcorn Zio's Pizza

Thank you, Super Sunday Callers: Julie Corbin Penny flt Jamie Endclman Sandy Epstein Mary Fcllman Kip Gordman Charlotte & Sam Kaplan Sandra Kohll Scott Kotzcn Tim Kushner Marjorie Lempkc Frances Ncfsky Steve Riekes Lynn Salmi Alice Weiss Terri Zacharia

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