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Serving Nebraska and Eastern Iowa for more than 75 Years VoLLXXVI
No. 2 Omaha, NE
5 Tishrei, 5759
Federation announces nationwide search for JELS Director by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Susie Drazen, Jewish Education and Library Services (JELS) j ; " ' ; Director for the past 12 years, announced her resignation last month. Mitzi Delman, JELS president, said, "We're sorry to lose a talented person •• like Susie. Now it is Jane Rips our job to seek a resource person to play-a different role-one of professional development; an educational consultant with a strong Judaic or rabbinic background to draw in people from the community of all branches of Judaism." Forrest Krutter, Federation Vicepresident and former member of the JELS board, noted the growth in programs and services under Drazen's leadership, including support for Jewish camping experiences, Israel trips for teens and special education in the Hebrew schools through the generous support of the Phillip and Terri Schrager Foundation. "We thank Susie for her years of devotion to JELS and to the
Federation and hope we will continue to benefit from her devotion to the cause of Jewish education," Krutter said. "Because of her efforts the Federation's support for education has blossomed in the last 12 years," Susie Drazen he added. Drazen commented on her departure on Sept. 28 and said she looks forward to being involved in the Jewish community's educational efforts in other ways in the coming years." With Drazen's departure, Delman announced that a search committee will be established under the leadership of Jane Rips and will include broad community wide representation. Rips' vast experience includes chairing the search committees at Temple Israel for Rabbis Azriel and Stiel, and the executive director for the Omaha Theater, for Young People. She also serves on the Executive Board and is-president of the region for the Union of American (Continued on page 13)
Lion of Judah Conference 'uplifting' ~
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by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Attending the Lion Conference in Washington, D.C., were, back row, from left: Carol Bloch; Bobbie Epstein; Cindy Kaufman, Women's Division Director; Sandy Epstein, Lion of Judah Co-chair; Jan Schneiderman, Women's Division Co-chair; Nancy Noddle, Lion of Judah Co-chair; Maxine Kirshenbaum, Women's Division Co-chair..Front row: Joodi Veitzer, Judy Brodsky, Joanie Lehr andJudy Feldman. The 12 women from Omaha who to be Jewish and to be a part of such attended the lion of Judah Conference a wonderful conference." in Washington, D.C., last week were Federation Executive Director Jan part of 1,258 Jewish women who have Perelman was especially moved by raised $16 million for the 1999 the First Lady's address to the. conUJA/Federation Annual Campaign-- ference. "Mrs. Clinton's topic was the most ever raised from such a con- 'Imagine what women can do in the ference. . '.•••;.•.••. 21st Century.' She asked us to think Women in the Lion of Judah division about what kind of world will women contribute $6,000 or more to the live in? Our vision needs to be broader. Issues such as family and domes-Campaign annually. V Nancy Noddle, Go-chair of the . tic violence, health care and educa1 Omaha Lion of Judah. Division, said tion are issues belonging to everythe conference was an "incredibly one, not just women. For Jewish uplifting experience. The gathering of women, it is important that we so many women with vision and pur- honor our past, and imagine the pose is always most exciting. Listening future-- we must continue to endure to Hilary Clinton, Rabbi Irwin Kula, in the face of tremendous chaland the UJA leadership made'us proud ' lenges," said Perelman.
September 25 1998
Women's•Campaign event features'Dr.Ruth' by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Though she stands barely f i ™ ^ " ^ ; every i 1500 R ST name.; LINCOLN WE guest! the aij books; articles - and she's coming to Omaha. : Dr. Ruth Westheimer, renowned psychosexual therapist, lecturer and author will be the featured speaker at the Women's Division Campaign • Kickoff which will take place at Beth El Synagogue, • Tuesday, Oct. 20 at ll&Oajn. The luncheon chairpecChairing the luncheon for Women's ple; Bobbie Epstein, Lori Campaign are: Lori Miller, left, Bobbie Miller, Kimberly Epstein, Kimberly Robinson • and Anne Robinson and Anne Shackman (not pictured). Shackman, are as excited as anyone about bringing opportunity," Miller added. Dr. Ruth to Omaha. " I am just thrilled that we are holding a commu"I am really looking for- nity wide luncheon. The. opportunity to hear Dr. ward to having a speaker Ruth is compliment to our community and a real of Dr.JKuth's caliber plus fqr,,.the, women of Omaha," noted Bobbie speak to tKe women of Epstein. "I hope sill women—of all ages—will sup-^, Omaha's Jewish commu- port this event because that is our strength."'• nity. This will be a Epstein is the National Women's Division tremendous way to kick Liaison, in addition to serving as Federation Viceoff the 1999 Campaign!" president and co-chair of the luncheon, ' ••'• said Robinson. ; "This is a rare opportunity to support our comCo-chair Lori Miller munity while having an incredible time! I encouradded, "In addition to age everyone to make the time to come to the lunan amazing speaker, cheon, and bring your friends," added Anne we can enjoy the fact Shackman. "You will never forget it!" that we will be together According to Women's Division Campaign Coto discuss relevant chairpeople Maxine Kirshenbaum and Jan Jewish issues. I think Schneiderman, invitations for the luncheon with everyone will learn Dr. Ruth have been mailed. something, and have a The luncheon is $25 with a minimum gift to the terrific time! I encour- Women's Campaign of $136. For more information .age everyone to take about the luncheon, please contact Cindy advantage of this great Kaufman, Women's Campaign Director, 334-6427.
Local churches help repair B'nai Israel; vandals deface Omaha home Last weekend, a group of Christians from Council Bluffs repaired some of the damage done to the B'nai Israel Synagogue during last month's vandalism. •According to co-president Dr. Jerome Bleicher, the group painted two of the exterior walls and install new light fixtures on the front of the building. Members of the congregation also assisted with repairs. A presentation of a shofar was made to the congregation by Trixie Rosenberg, whose relatives were survivors of the Holocaust. While repairs were underway across the river, vandals apparently spraypainted swastikas and other symbols on a home in Central Omaha, according to Bob Wolfson, Executive Director of the AntiDefamation League - Community Relations Council. "We are, of course, outraged, and saddened by this latest display of
vandalism," Wolfson noted. "When the perpetrators are caught, their act will be prosecuted as a hate crime." The vandalism occurred at the home • sometime before Rosh Hashanah. The couple have a replica of a World War II bomb in their yard displayed as a piece, of sculpture. A new report, released by the ADL, reveals that the mast dangerous group in America today is the neoNazi National Alliance (see "An Explosion of Hate" on page 12).