MOTHER'S DAY EDITION
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************************* ME HIST SOCIETY 1500 R ST LINCOLN WE 6 8 5 0 8 - 1 6 5 1
No. 32
5Iyar
May 1,1998
Yom HaShoah commemoration draws 400+ by Carol Katzman
When Devora Brecher was growing up in New York, she set a goal for herself; she wanted to be like her rebbetzin, Chaya Sarah Freifeld, z"l, and share her feelings about Torah with others. Today, this mother of nine and grandmother of seven, speaks to groups of women all over the country about Torah, about mitzvot and about relationships...between men and women, between women and other women, and between women and G-d.
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Devora and Benji Brecher "I was very blessed," she said in a recent interview, "that I was exposed.to the shining light of. Torah through this wonderful rebbetzin. *I was inspired by her and, while I'm not an entertainer," she said with a smile in her voice, "I do hope people feel 'plugged in' after they've heard me relate stories. . "The rabbis taught me that 'something that comes from the heart, goes into the heart'," she added, "That's what I hope to show people, right from the Torah!" Mrs. Brecher will be in Omaha May 14-17 not
only to speak publicly but to offer one-on-one private teaching sessions. •/ • Sponsored by Beth Israel Sisterhood, the series will start with "The Other Side of the Story Judging Favorably," on Thursday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. Brecher will also speak on "Whose rules are we playing by?" during the Shabbat dinner on Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. and on "Ruth loyal and royal daughter" during the Shabbat luncheon on Saturday, May 16, noon. One hour before mincha on Saturday afternoon, at 7:30 p.m., Brecher will speak on "Things are not always what they seem." "It's especially important this time of year, in the weeks before Shavuot, to work on relationships," Brecher noted. "Through Torah, we can become finer, more compassionate and learn to do nice things for others.. "When you're buBy doing mitzvot," she added, "you don't have time to be self-centered. The question then becomes, What can I do for others, and for G-d?,' instead of What can G-d do for me?." In addition raising nine children and enjoying her seven grandchildren, Brecher acknowledges a long list of her own volunteer activities. She has also been teaching "on and off" for 28 years, after having attended Brooklyn College. ; For many years she has been involved with an organization called Jewish Marriage Education, started by Rabbi Yeramiyahu and Tehilla Abramov. As a national coordinator, Brecher organized seminars for married women. Now, she and her daughters have started a kirnperitour homeat their house in Queens.' '.'•'> Mothers of newborn infants are invited to stay with them for five to seven days in order to rest and recuperate while the Brecher family prepares meals and helps in the care of the babies. "Many of these women already have four or five children at home," Brecher said, "and with today's short hospital stays they don't have a chance to get their strength back before they have to assume the . responsibilities of their family. . (Continued on page 2)
Both Omaha and Lincoln commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, last week. In Omaha, more than 400 came to Temple Israel for the traditional lighting- of six yahrzeit candles in memory of the six million Jews who were murdered. Above, in a performance of David Roskies Nig lit words, shoes worn by the nine teens in the play sat on the front of the stage. Teens read between Yiddish, Hebrew and English songs chanted by Cantor Emil Berkovits and Hazzan Erik Contzius. More photos on page 8.
's by Don Schwartz
Israel's 50th anniversary
' Hal Firestone, cantor at Temple Israel from J982-92, will present a sampling of his new compositions on Sunday, May, 10, at 3 pan. at Temple Israel. • The concert, entitled, "Mother's Day Enchantment in Song," is free and open to the publ i e .
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- Singing the new pieces'will be vocalists Hazzan Erik Contzius and Lisa Senal. Julie Sandene will accompany on piano.' Many of the original songs and compositions will have Jewish themes and some original popular music will be included as well. Hazzan Contzius is also planning additional songs, from other composers and lyricists. • Cantor Firestone is a nationally recognized composer whose work has been performed throughout Jtoe country and especially on the East Coast. He composes both liturgical music as well as more pop ; pr ballad renditions. :'••• Hazzan Contzius's compositions are. already beginning to receive some national recognition. Both cantors have collaborated with this author and several of those compositions w#I be presented, as well. Haym Solomon: An American Patriot was a joint effort of Firestone and this author; the team will perform the world premiere of their newest works at the Mother's Day concert. On Friday evening, May 8, two of Cantor Firestone's liturgical works will be included in the evening prayer service. He will join Hazzan
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Cantor Hal Firestone Contzius in leading the closing hymn. Cantor and Madeleine Firestone currently reside in O-ala, Florida. They continue to be active, performing occasional popular concerts such as this. This Mother's Day sponsored by the Music Committee at Temple Israel, which is also planning a community concert in June, "Three Cantors and a Rabbi or Two." : • For information, contact the office, 556-6536.
at the Jewish Community Center Highlights include: Saturday night, 9:30 p.m. Community Havdallah and Coffeehouse Cafe, featuring MahTovu Sunday: Opening ceremony, 9 a.m. Lecture by Gad Ben-Ari, 10:30 a.m. Tuffy'sGroup,, noon Dizengoff Cafe, noon-3:30 p.m. Lecture by Zvi Gittleman, 1 p.m. MahTovu, 3:30 p.m. • Donny Maseng Concert, 7:30 p.m. Free shuttle bus Due do the construction on 132nd Street in front of the JCC and access to the JCC
rom Dodge Street only, a free shuttle bus will be available at (he HyVee parking lot on 132nd St., north of Dodge, between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
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