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***C-011
Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service VoLLXXV
No. 23
1 Adar, 5758
YJO and Chabad House team up for Purim patty. by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) and Chabad House will present "Purim in Persia" on Thursday, March 12, 6 to 9 pan., in the Jewish Community Center Auditorium. The evening's events include roving purim characters, a megillah reading, a Middle Eastern feast catered by Mediterranean Bistro, and children's activities. YJO Director Sharon Kirshenbaum believes that the event has something for everyone, whether families, couples or singles. '"The children's party will be held in a supervised separate room, so the adults can have their fun, tool Wear your costumes, and come ready to party!" The event is titled "Purim in Persia" because that is where the story occurs. Purim and the Persian theme will be evident throughout the decor.
Julie Phillips, a YJO Purim Party committee member, explained that there are four mitzvahs associated with Purim: "Giving tzedakah, reading the megillah, feasting, and exchanging food. "The four mitzvahs of Purim will all be accomplished during 'Purim in Persia.' The stage is set for a terrific time for everyone," she added. Other committee members are: Marc and Stacie Brodkey, Beth Cohen, Viclci Flax, David Goldberg and Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman. Cost is $10 for adults and $4.50 for children over 8 years old. Payment will be taken at the door and reservations are required by March 0. For more information, please contact Sharon Kirshenbaum at 3346485.
'Are We All Created in God's Image? Thought-provoking discussion held at Temple Israel by Jill Beltnont
"When Beth Spizman told her mother - that she was a lesbian, both women cried: the daughter, out of concern for how the news would affect her mother; the mother, out of sadness that her daughter had lived alone for so many years with her secret. That was nine years ago. Last
County Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence D. Gendier served'as moderator. Approximately 150 people attended the forum, sponsored by Temple's Committee for Social Justice. Mrs. Spizman and Mrs. Silverman both described their reactions to their children's revelations, and noted that
From ien: Judge Lawrence D. Gendier, Nancy Aforamson, Rabbi Stacy K. Offner, Dorothy Spizman, Beth Spizman, Professor S. Daniel Breslauer, Jim Silverman, Susie Silverman, Michael Silverman and David Greenhaum (seated). Sunday morning, Beth, 31, and her mother, Dorothy, sat on stage at Temple Israel as part of a panel discussion addressing gay and lesbian issues in the Jewish community, and spoke publicly for the first time about their feelings. Mrs. Spizman spoke of her fears and concerns for her daughter. "My thoughts jumped from one thing to another. How will this affect Beth's life? How often will she be hurt by cruel remarks? And most of all, how many people won't see her for who she really is, but only for what they think she iB?" , The Spizmans were joined on the panel by fellow Omahan Susie Silverman, her son, Michael, and his partner, David Greenbaum of Lawrence, KS; Rabbi Stacy K. Offner of Shir Tikvah Congregation in Minneapolis, and her partner, Nancy Abramson; and Professor S. Daniel Breslauer of the University of Kansas. Sarpy
as parents, they had to adjust some of the dreams they bad long held for their children. Mrs. Spizman said she bad to give up her dream of seeing Beth walk down the aisle on her wedding day, of having "the traditional husband, children and white picket fence." But, Bhe added, some dreams have not changed at all. 'What I've always wanted most for my children is that they live a worthwhile life and that each of them has the ability to be happy with whatever life brings them. And so far, those dreams have come true. "I have often been overwhelmed with wonder at how I could've been blessed with this fantastic daughter," Mrs. Spizman said. "She's intelligent, caring, a wonderful human being, an awful lot of fun, and as an adult, truly my friend. What I want you to understand is, the fact that she hap(Continued on page 5)
February 27/1998
international connections link Jewish singles group; by Carol Katzman
Omaha's young Jewish singles gather for an evening of friendship, from left: Dan Levy Heller of Rio De Janeiro; Peyman Kharazi, originally from Tehran; Minoo Elison of Hawaii; Holly Friedman and Derek Altman, both of Omaha; Irina Kirnarnarsky of Minsk, Belarus;' Victor Rabinovich, formerly of Kharkov, Ukraine; Jason Weiss ofMontreal; and Alex Levy-Heller, also of Rio. ' ,"-" A decade ago, no one would have tiona to these young people, for , dreamt that JOWB from such places Shabbat and holidays, few were' for "" as Russia, Ukraine, Hawaii, Iran, or specific evenings and fewer still for. South America would be living in more than one of them at a time. Omaha. Yet those very names are After meeting Jason Weiss, 29, home to some of the Omaha Jewish another doctoral candidate in orgacommunity's newest residents - the nizational psychology, from young Jewish singles. Montreal, and Omaha native .Derek True, couples and families from Altman, the group, now numbering those lands have moved to Omaha five, began to explore ways to obtain" • before, especially after World War II groupinvitation* for Shabbat.'- '",.'.* when Jews caught in the terror of Derek, who's 25 years old; is coin-' the Holocaust finally made their way pleting his degree at UNO in three to the United States. Often they areas of concentration: education, came through South or Latin Spanish and English as a Second America, where they were able to Language, and works with Holly for obtain visas more easily than for Beth El as co-advisors for United entrance into the U.S. Synagogue Youth group (USY). And, of course, Omaha has welAnd so, the Friday night singles' comed more than 350 Jews from the Shabbat group began. Bethany (who former Soviet Union, starting with has since moved, first to Israel and* the first wave, under Breshnev in now to Virginia) hosted a party for, ' 1978 'and again after communism other singles she had met and asked collapsed in 1990. if they'd like to be included. But this group is different for three Little by little, word got around to reasons: they're young; they're alone Jewish families that "interesting' in Omaha; and they chose specifical- guests, many from foreign countries" ly to come here, either for work or were available "to entertain,, -study. Omahans" in exchange for Shabbat' '' So, who are these new young dinner. • Jewish singles and how did they conPeyman Kharazi met up with nect to one another? JaBon through Rabbi Mendel The story begins with Bethany Katzman of Chabad House. A native Marcus, a graduate student at the of Tehran, Peyman and his father University of Nebraska at Omaha escaped from Iran on the top of a , who came here from Baton Rouge to truck in 1988 after Khomeni and bis complete her doctorate in psychology. followers overthrew the Shah. One Shabbat morning, she met two "We met up with my mother and other singles at Beth El Synagogue - little brothers and sisters in Holly Friedman, 23, and Adam Vienna," he recalled, "It took us Wallen, stationed at Oflutt Air Force almost a year then waiting for visas Base, who has since been transferred to come to America, even though my to Dayton Air Force Base. _ uncle had made a commitment to . . • Holly and her family moved to sponsor our family." Omaha 13 years ago from Ohio. She Peyman went on to earn a degree will graduate from UNO in May with in biology from the University of a degree in special education. California in Los Angeles and is now While members of Omaha's Jewish a first year pharmacy student at community extended 'open' invitata(Continued on page 11)