Jewish Special Hanukkah Gift Issue Vol.LXXVI
No. 12 Omaha, NE
Goodmans to chair Super Sunday by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Super Sunday Steering Committee members, from left: Greg and Susan Bramhall, Stacie Brodkey, Debbie and Rob Goodman, Super Sunday Co-chairs, and Deb and Dan Marburg. Not pictured: Mafc Brodkey, and Howard and Diane Shandell. One of the Omaha Jewish community's favorite events, Super Sunday, will be held Jan. 10, 1999. Rob and Debbie'Goodman' will chair this year's Super Sunday, which also includes the return of Kids'Sujjer Sunday on Jan. 3. "Last'year the committee started a new tradition with the inclusion of Kids' Super Sunday," said Rob and Debbie Goodman. "We're proud to expand the family part of Super Sunday and include everyone. There really is something for everyone this year!" As in the past three years, Super Sunday will be held at Omaha Steaks. "The generosity of the Simon family to the Jewish community is overwhelming," said Federation Executive Director, Jan Perelman. "The use of their telemarketing facility on Super Sunday allows the Federation to reach almost every segment of our community." The addition of the Kids'Super Sunday last year helped breathe new life into this, well-loved event. This year, the committee will emphasize the "super" part of Super Sunday, with a super-hero theme. All area religious school students, pre-K through grade 6 will decorate tzedakah boxes in class and collect change at home. When they return the boxes to Kids' Super Sunday on January 3, they will enjoy a "super" meal, super hero cartoons, games, crafts, a .magician, storyteller and clown. Last year, the children who participated raised over $350. "Our children will learn that it feels good to give tzedakah. Kids' • Super Sunday is a wonderful way for the family to celebrate the mitz- ... • vah of tzedakah together," said Howard and Diane Shandell. "We are thrilled to be a part of
such a generous and caring community. Super Sunday is the highlight of the Campaign season!" Stacie and Marc Brodkey said. ••>'.• Greg and Susan Bramhall are newlyweds and serving on a Federation committee for the first time. "I'm proud to serve the Jewish community and looking forward to an even bigger success than last year," said Greg. • Susan added, "Super Sunday is a wonderful way to reach out to the community. We not only reach past supporters, but strive to include those who have not been connected in the past." •' "'" Deb and Dan Marburg summed up the reason why Super Sunday is so important. "In a small Jewish community like Omaha, every family makes a difference. Each gift, no matter the size, is important."
15 Kislev, 5759
December 4,1998
Celebration of Light premieres at the JCC Resident Conductor Ernest Richardson, who leads the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra, will conduct the Omaha premiere of his own composition Lamentations of Jeremiah on Dec. 5, 7 p.m., the Celebration of Light-the Hanukkah program at the JCC. Featuring soloist Anne DeVries, soprano, and Principal Violist Thomas Kluge, Lamentations is the first of a musical trilogy Richardson is composing. Based on a story in the Old Testament, Lamentations anchors an evening qf music dominated by Jewish composers, including Aaron Copland and Samuel Adler. The soprano relates the text of the story and the viola acts as the story's emotions. Anne DeVries has frequently performed with the. Oma-I ha Symphony and thel Omaha Symphony! Chamber Orchestra.! She was the first-placel winner in the Metro-[ politan Opera National Council District A ditions as well as a finalist In the Western Region.
She was awarded "Most Promising Singer" by The National Association of Teachers of Singing and was recently second-place winner in the NATSAA competition in California. Thomas Kluge, principal violist of the Omaha Symphony, has toured extensively through^ out Europe with severa l orchestras and a ^string quartet. He has la large studio of pri"vate viola students, working with youth and school orchestras, and as a recitalist and chamber music player. He is the violist of the Dundee Trio and the Omaha Symphony String Quartet. Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults and $10 for, students and seniors, and are available by calling the Omaha Symphony box office, at 342-3560, or can be purchased on the day of the show. Advance tickets are on sale now to members of the JCC for $12 and $8 and are available through JCC member services at 334-6426. For more information, call 3.34-6403,. ,-
$300 million initiative announced at G.A. for every Jewish youth to visit Israel In an unprecedented effort to stem Another $100 million will be raised the tide of assimilation and enhance by Bronfman and Steinhardt and Jewish identity among Jews living in other philanthropists, with the the Diaspora, business magnates remaining $100 million to come from Charles R. Bronfman and Michael local federations. The Birthright gift Steinhardt announced a new pro- will cover the cost of .travel to arid gram, Birthright Israel. The $300 from Israel and the equivalent of ten million initiative will fund education- days of significant programming or a al visits to Israel for Jews between credit towards a longer trip. the ages of 15 and 26. For more than a decade, the Jewish Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- Federation of Omaha has been fundyahu lauded the two community ing up to $1000 of the cost of a teen leaders in remarks at the opening of 'trip to Israel. Several years ago, the General Assembly of the Council Passport to Israel was initiated, a of Jewish Federations in Jerusalem matching program of funding Israel trips by parents, the Federation and recently. The program will be jointly funded the synagogues. Beginning with by the people of Israel with $100 mil- third-grade students, the program is (Continued on page 14) lion from the Israeli government;
Children's Museum hosts Dreidel House Due to the interest expressed in last year's presentation, the Dreidel House will be back this year, this time at the Omaha Children's Museum, according to Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad of Nebraska. . A giant 8x8' dreidel, the traditional four-sided spinning top, will allow children and adults to walk through and learn about the history and mirvacles of Hanukkah. Dreidel House will be open from Dec. 6-20 at the museum, located at 500 So. 20 St. "The Dreidel House is a unique opportunity for many, especially children, to experience Hanukkah in a contemporary form," noted Rabbi Katzman. ' "It's also a form of 'edutainment' The Goodman family: Debbi, Rob education and entertainment. We're and baby Isabel. thrilled to have the Omaha
Children's Museum as the venue for the Dreidel House this year," he added. "Parents know that they can bring their children to the museum for a healthy dose of fun and learning." Visitors to the Dreidel House will also be able to view the Hanukkah House, a display decorated with this holiday's theme. On Sundays, Dec 6, 13 and 20, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., there will be crafts and projects, puppet shows, storytelling and a special Hanukkah video presentation (by the producers of Sesame Street), as well as oil-making demonstrations with a real olive press. The Dreidel House and Hanukkah House are free with admission to the Children's Museum. For more information, call Mary at the Chabad House,' 330-1800.