******************************* c ~ 011 HE HIST SOCIETY 1500 R ST LINCOLN NE 68508-1651
Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service VoLLXXV
No. 31
To Life!
28 Nisan, 5758
April 24,1998
Chabad moves to new facility
by Rabbi Bernard S. Raskas
(Editor's note: this weekend marks the end of National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, according to the National Kidney Foundation of Nebraska. The foundation has issued a challenge to all Americans to consider organ donation and far families to discuss this important topic. Rabbi Raskas' article is on the Jewish view of organ donation.) Although organ transplantation is a 20th-century medical phenomenon, it was anticipated in the first pages of the Hebrew Bible. The first procedure occurred, according to one version of human creation, when a rib removed from Adam became Eve. The surgeon was God. Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chief of the Multi-Organ Transplant Services at University Hospital in London, Ontario, provides this sacred perspective on the profound, life saving procedure: "When the decision to transplant is made, the donor and the recipient, are taken to the operating room. The donor's body is treated with great respect, because we are watching one.of the most extraordinary acts that a human being can accomplish. The surgical theatre is hushed and reverence for life prevails as the donor organ is removed and taken carefully to the sick, partially destroyed patient. The sick organ is removed to make way for the healthy. ' "We watch in silence as the retrieval of life from Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Director of Chabad of Nebraska, shows off the Chabad House sigh in the donor occurs and the restoration of life in the front of the property on 120th Street, which the organization recently purchased. The next stage, according to Rabbi Katzman, is a million-dollar remodeling project The fund-raising (Continued on page 9) campaign is co-chaired by Joe Kirshenbnum-and Jerry Bosen; -
JFS sponsors for cdSlege-bourBd sensors Jewish communities of college campuses exist and "College-Bound Seniors Program" will explore and discuss what these opportunities offer. •,: What happens to the religious identity, affiliation Fortunately, there are programs offered on camand observance of Jewish college freshmen once pus which Can help students maintain and develop their religious identities, whether Orthodox, they begin life on campus? , Three guest speakers will be in Omaha to answer Conservative or Reform. , this question: Ayelet Goldberg, program director at One such place is the Hillel House on campus. the Hillel at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Hillel organizes activities to get Jewish students Rabbi Gary Zola, National Dean of Admissions, acquainted with each other. On certain campuses, Student Affairs and Alumni Relations at Hebrew Hillel offers kosher meals for students and conduct Union College, and Alpha Epsilon Fi Fraternity services for Shabbat and for holidays when not all Director, Sidney Dunn. students can go home. "College-Bound Seniors Program" is a new proGoldberg will discuss: How do Jewish kids congram, which will be offered annually, created to. nect on campus? What Jewish experiences have prepare high school seniors and. their parents for students had on campus? Can I meet Jewish kids if the Jewish component of life on a college campus. I'm not in the sorority/fraternity system? On Wednesday, May 6, Jewish Family Service, Rabbi Zola will be addressing the questions: Why along with the area synagogues, i s offering this should I connect Jewishly in college? Now that I've important program for all of this year's graduating been accepted at a college, why worry about the seniors and their parents. Invitations will be going Jewish stuff? : out soon to eligible families. Dunn will discuss the Jewish fraternities and' Going off to college with a computer, CD player sororities in the 'Greek' system on campus. and numerous small electrical appliances is quite The "College-Bound, Seniors Program" will be commonplace. But what is not usual is for the hosted by Temple Israel, underwritten by JFS and incoming freshman to bring serious plans to college Temple Israel. The evening will start with a dinner on how to express his or her Jewishness during at 6 p.m., and conclude at 8:30 p.m. Please call these crucial years of personal growth. Todd Ephraim at JFS, 330:3024, with any quesVarious opportunities for involvement in the tions and/or reservations for the program. by Todd Ephraim, Executive Director Jewish Family Service
^ Building a Jewish neighborhood involves everyone ~"
by Pam Monsky
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• • "-!/. •'
Federation Communications Director .
The proposal to rejuvenate the.Jewish. Community Campus will begin with a series of "parlor meetings" in the homes of community members on May 7, and will continue through the month of June. The purpose of the meetings is to involve and inform every member of the Omaha Jewish community in the process of making our "J" viable for future generations. Project co-chairmen Patty and Steve Nogg and Marcia and Steve Pitlor said that the response has . been unbelievably positive. "We have so many wonderful people who care about the future of our Jewish community 'neighborhood,' * said Pitlor, who is also the current JCC president. . "People want to open their homes and their hearts so that we can build something for our children and grandchildren that will continue to be a center for all kinds of Jewish activities," added his wife; Marcia. ' Steve Nogg noted that the parlor meetings are open to members of the community,"We want everyone to be a part of this. Not only will we have an incredible facility, but the process of building and fuhdraising will bring the community together." His wife, Patty, agreed; saying, "This is a Primary preview ::.'. once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the Omaha Jewish community." ' '• '•'. All contributions to the Building Fund are In an effort to provide voters with an opportunity be presented. Both forums will be held in the JCC payable over three years. The minimum donation to meet with candidates running in the May 12 pri- auditorium at 7 p.m. to receive a named dedication is $1,000. Those who mary election, the National Council of Jewish .NCJW-is also publishing a candidates'question- wish to make their donation now, please contact Women, Omaha Section, and the League of Women naire, for inclusion in the Jewish Press on May 8.; the Noggs, Project co-chairmen, at 493-3479, or the : Voters of Greater Omaha will sponsor two commuThe evening's format will.include statements Pitlors at 496-4632. : ;; nity forumB at the Jewish Community Center. from each candidate and questions, submitted in The dates and locations of the parlor meetings The first, on Monday, April 27, will feature candi- writing, by audience members and asked by a mod- are listed on page 12. Community members are dates vying for the Second Congressional Seat; on erator. For information about the forum, contact QBked to RSVP to a meeting by contacting Cindy . .,, . . , Kaufman in the Federation office, 334-6427/ Thursday, April 30, gubernatorial candidates will Jill Belmont, 333T9202. '
NCJW, League of^Vomen Voters host candidates' forum