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LIHCOLK HE 68508-1651
Serving Nebraska and Eastern Iowa for more than 75 Years Vol. LXXVI
No. 4 Omaha, NE
Is there a mission Israel in your future? by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Tuesdays with Morrie focus for book group by Diane Axler Baum
Tuesdays with Morrie, by acclaimed author and journalist Mitch Albom, promises the basis for an inspiring session of the Book Discussion Group on Thursday, Oct. 15, according to this month's discussion leader, Dr. Martin Wolf. The group meets in the Federation Library, starting 1 p.m. In Tuesdays with Morrie, Albom presents a beloved Brandeis University sociology professor with whom he lost touch following graduation. When the two meet again, the professor is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the incurable, degenerative, neurological illness known as Lou Gehrig's Diseased "Even though Prof. Schwartz is facing death, this is a book about living — about living life to its fullest," said Wolf. "As we re-examine, our own lives during this New Year season, an exchange of views on Albom's book will make for a rneaningful session. I hope we'll have a great turn-out; including many new faces." * Dr. Wolf, whose background is in education and literature, holds an undergraduate degree1 from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Community College Administration from Michigan State University. He recently retired after 25 years as Vice-president for Academic Services at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. Marilyn Berman, Chairman of the Book Discussion Group, said additional information is available by calling the Library at 334-6462. . She announced the following schedule of future sessions, which take place in the Library on the third Thursday of each month, starting at 1 p.m.: • Nov. 19, Heading Uptown, by Marissa Piesman; to be led by Deirdre Evans. • Dec. 17, Shadow Man, by Mary Gordon. • Jan. 21, contemporary Jewish-American short stories, to be led by Gloria Kaslow. • Feb. 18, Catch 22, by Joseph Heller.
Israeli guide Alex Fleischer, left, gives directions to Rabbi Aryeh Azriel for the jeep ride through the Golan Heights during last winter's first Outreach Mission to Israel. The Missions department of the Jewish UJA invests $750,000 in subsidies Federation of Omaha has announced three mistowards winter trip to Israel sions to Israel planned for 1999 and 2000. This NEW YORK, NY- In its ongoing effort to send as week is filled with opportunities to learn about these upcoming missions with Alex Fleischer, many college students to Israel as possible, the guide for United Jewish Appeal missions in Israel. United Jewish Appeal is investing three-quarter of ARTZA 99 now accepting a million dollars in subsidies to participants in this He will also be leading all three Omaha missions. year's annual UJA Winter Students Mission to applications for Israel trip This Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., an informational meeting will be held at the home of Jan Perelman for Israel, scheduled to take place Dec. 21-31. The Omaha JCC's fifth Artza program, Artza 99, Approximately 1,000 students from colleges and Millennium Mission 2000. This family mission, is now accepting applications from 41 Jewish teens universities across the country are expected to geared to families with children ages seven and older, attend, up from 600 participants last year, accord- currently enrolled in grades 9-11. The teen trip to is scheduled for Dec. 26,1999, through Jan. 4, 2000. ing to Miriam Kriegel, Director of University Israel, scheduled to take place June 21-July 20, Co-chairman of the 1997 Family Mission along 1999, is a four-week Israel experience priced at with her husband, Paul, Sandy Epstein noted, 'We Programs for UJA Federations of North America, $1999 per participant. Cost includes all airfare, a partnership of United Jewish Appeal, Council of still keep in touch with the two families who joined food, housing and programming. Jewish Federations and United Israel Appeal. our mission from Florida and New Jersey. Artza 99 is working in cooperation with "Etgar," The student cost of the mission, originally priced "For me and my family, seeing Israel through the the .Jewish Community Center Association's teen at $2,450, has been reduced to $2,395. The UJA eyes of first timers worked its magic on us," she Israel program. Etgar is a four-week comprehenadded, "and the Omahans worked their magic on subsidy of $750 per participant brings the new sive program, offering the exciting Israel experitotal student cost to $1,645, resulting in a much everyone else!" ences that enrich teens with an understanding of Due to the popularity of last winter's Outreach more affordable Israel experience for college Israel and a positive view of their Jewish identity. students. For information locally, contact Pam Mission, the Second Outreach Mission will be This teen trip will offer experiences, challenges, March 8-18, 1999. The informational meeting for Monsky at the Federation office, 334-6431. and fun for Omaha teens. Highlights include Highlights of this year's mission include excurthis mission is Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. at sions throughTJerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Golan kayaking the Jordan River, rappelling the Judean the home of Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel. Mountains, climbing Masada at dawn, floating in "An outreach trip to Israel will strengthen the .Heights, as.well as small towns.throughout the the Dead Sea, and relaxing at the Ein Gedi watercountry. Students will also meet Israeli students, Jewish identity, not' only of the> spouse who was falls. Participants will experience Shabbat at the born Jewish," noted Rabbi Azriel, "but will also add olimMasada, swim in the Dead Sea, celebrate Western Wall, remember the Holocaust at Yad Shabbat at the Western Wall, and hear from a special dimension to the 'Jew-by-consent' or to prominent Israeli officials, among other exciting Vashem, discover a typical day at an IDF Army those interested in Judaism. base, take part in an archeological dig, and more. Israel opportunities. • "In addition, for those couples with children, this (Continued on page 8) ' In an effort to impart the value of tzedakah and mission will concretize their resolution and comsocial responsibility, students will also visit mitment to the Jewish upbringing of the children." Reservations due for 'Dr. Ruth' The second Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) Mission humanitarian agencies and meet beneficiaries of is planned for the year 2000. In-conjunction with a UJA Federation dollars at work. Reservations for this year's Women's Campaign "We're working in close coordination with vari- event are due by Oct. 14. Guest speaker Dr. Ruth mission reunion Shabbat dinner, an informational meeting will be held at the home of Sharon and ous Hillels across the country in recruiting delega- Westheimer will speak at Beth El Synagogue on tions from as many colleges as possible," said UJA Tuesday, Oct. 20, 11:30 a.m. A minimum gift of Jeff Kirshenbaum, Friday, Oct. 16,6 p.m. Alex Fleischer will be in Omaha to attend all of University Programs Chairman Steven P. Blonder. $136 is required to attend. To reserve, send a these meetings and to answer questions about mis- "We're finding that the majority of those regis- check for $25, made out to the Jewish Federation, sions and Israel. For more information and loca- tered so far are first-time travelers to Israel." to: Women's Campaign, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, (Continued on page 2) tions, contact the Federation at 334-6431. • NE, 68154, or call Cindy Kaufman at 334-6427.
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