NE HIST SOCIETY 1500 R ST LINCOLN NE 68508-1651
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS Vol. LXXVI
No. 29 Omaha, NE
23Nisan, 5759
Educators from Ghetto Fighters House Museum visit Omaha
Israel Independence Day celebration to feature Oy Vey The 51st Israel Independence Day, Yom Ha'Atzmaut, celebration will take place on Sunday, April 25, 12:30-3:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center and will feature Oy Vey, an interactive Klezmer Concert for children and their families. Oy Vey introduces a whole new generation of children to the sounds and flavors of Klezmer music. Sruli Drasdner, 37, is the clar- __^ inetist, and Lisa Moyer, 37, "'L is the violinist and short storyteller. They have been performing together for a number of years and formed the Young People's Klezmer workshop to introduce Jewish children to Klezmer music. Both Sruli and Lisa spent their childhoods "lost in the magic of Jewish music, tales and humor." Both have extensive experience in Jewish education and "absolutely love to perform." Their first album, OY VEY!, combines Klezmer music, stories with music, descriptions of life in the shtetl, Jewish jokes and lots of singing, clapping and stomping. •
The L. A. Times called OY VEY!, "a delight from start to finish!" The Jewish Week selected OY VEY! as "Editor's favorite musical Hanuk-kah gift", and The Forward raved about OY VEY, LIVE!, "100 people of all sizes bopping to the beat!" The Young People's Klezmer Workshop has performed live on National Public Radio and can be currently seen as the feaKlezmer performers on the current PBS-TV Special, Another Mitzvah. The program is sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council with support from the Carl L. Frohm Foundation and the Mort Richards Fund. The Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration also features Israeli arts and crafts, prizes, clowns and balloon animals, moon walk, Maccabi basketball tournament, Israeli gift shops, books and exhibits, Israeli and American kosher food and a special performance by Karen Javitch and a community children's choir. For more information, contact Gloriann Levy at 334-6403.
Legal clinic named for Milton Abrahams by Joan K. Marcus
Creighton University has named its law clinic in honor of Omaha attorney Milton Abrahams. The clinic was rededicated and named at a ceremony on March 26 at the School of Law. Operating as a small law firm, the clinic is staffed by 12 third-year law students, and is under the direction of Clinic Director Professor Catherine Mahern. It provides services to clients referred by ,' social services agencies and the courts. The six-year-old clinic program has operated with the support of the Lozier Foundation and the United States Department of Education. The Foundation has recently donated one million dollars and wanted to pay tribute to Abrahams' exemplary professional and civic record. ' During the invocation, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel said, "We notice that the name of Moses is not mentioned in the narrative of the Passover redemption. "I would like to suggest in a similar way, Milt in his humbleness, his modesty, and his amazing passion for justice is whatthe pursuit of equality is all about." Rabbi Azriel continued by thanking God for the generous gift of the law clinic and asked God's blessing on Milton and Pauline for health and contentment.. Abrahams is a partner and founding member of the Omaha law firm of Abrahams, Kaslow and Cassman.. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Creighton in 1926 and graduated first in his law class in 1927. : . He has been a civic leader in Omaha for many years, having served on the boards of the Omaha Public Library, the Omaha Public Library Foundation, the Joslyn Liberal Arts Society, and the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities. Abrahams was president of Temple Israel from 1942-44, and his grandfather, Max Abrahams, was a founding member of Temple in the early 1860's.
April 9,1999
by Debbi Brown ADL/CRC Assistant Director
Two prominent educators from The Ghetto Fighters House Museum, Dr. Moshe Shner and Raya Kalisman, will visit Omaha from April 14-16. They will participate in The Legacy of the Holocaust: Teaching the Holocaust, a conference co-sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League and the University of Nebraska at Omaha's College of Continuing Studies. The Ghetto Fighters House Museum is located in Israel's Western Galilee and is linked to Omaha through the Midwest Consortium Partnership 2000. P2K, a Federation-sponsored program, pairs cities and regions in the United States with cities and regions in Israel for economic, educational, cultural and social development. Dr. Shner and Ms. Kalisman will also present workshops at the ADL's Teacher Training Workshop on Thursday, April 15. This all-day training session is for public and parochial teachers in the Omaha area. The workshop will be held at Beth El Synagogue, with lunch and a concluding session at the Jewish Community Center. Dr. Schner, a Jewish Philosophy Professor, will present a workshop on the unique and Jewish educator, Janusz Korczak. Dr. Shner teaches at Oranim Academic College of Education and is the Education Director at The Ghetto Fighters House ' Museum". •• Raya Kalisman, Director of the Center for Humanistic Education, The Ghetto Fighters House Museum, will present a workshop on the Holocaust with a focus on multicultural education, entitled "Pluralism in Democracy." Others featured in the day-long workshop are Bea Karp, a hidden child and survivor of the Holocaust, and Dr. Ben Nachman, accredited interviewer for the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. The Shoah Foundation is funded by film director Steven Spielberg. Dr. Nachman will present "Preserving the Memories of the Holocaust," based on more .than 50 interviews he has conducted for the Shoah Foundation. Keynote speaker for the day is Dr. Yaffa Eliach, Professor of History and Literature in the Department of Judaic Studies at Brooklyn College. She is the author of There Once Was a World, a nine-century saga of Eastern European Jewish life. The teacher training workshop is $25. For more information, contact the ADL at 333-1303.
A real-life Life Is Beautiful Stunning discovery of boy hidden in concentration camp in JDC files " •'
Milton Abrahams surrounded by his family: Pauline Abrahams, Phyllis MacHale and Joan Subrin. It was during the presidency of Milton Abrahams that Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld served Temple Israel. These were difficult years because of World War II. Some of the sermons during "The Abrahams Years" were about blackouts, gas rationing, and the effects of the war. Professor Mahern.noted that clinic students are able to help with the legal needs of the poor by (Continued on page 10)
Stewart Ain, Staff Writer, The New York Jewish Week
,
NEW YORK - The fable told in the Oscar-winning Italian film Life is Beautiful — a Jewish boy survives the Holocaust hidden by his father in a Nazi concentration camp — actually happened. Recently discovered archival records of the American. Jewish Joint Distribution Committee document the story of Joseph Schleifstein, who is believed to be the only child to have survived the Holocaust in this manner. While the little boy in the movie hid in the bar(Continued on page 5)
Upcoming events: Yom HaShoah, Wednesday evening, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue; ADL-CRC dinner, A Courage to Share, Thursday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., JCC; Women's Symposium, Sunday, April 18, UNO Alumni Center
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
J
April 9,1999
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, APRIL 9 Temple Israel "Shabbat Comes to You," : Y • 3:45p.m:; at Livingston Plaza , SATURDAY, APRIL 10 Humash with Rashi, 7:20 p.m., at Beth El p SUNDAY, APRIL 11 ^ Men's Club Brunch, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Outreach Tour of Omaha, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel S OTYG Board Meeting, 12:15 p.m., a t Temple A Temple Israel Youth Department "Flying V Karamozov," 2 p.m., at the Orpheum ' E MONDAY, APRIL 12 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. Cub Scouts, 7 p.m. Boy Scouts, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 13 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10:30 a.m., Beth Israel Beth El Lunch & Learn, Noon DerechTorah, 7 p.m. NCJW Presentation on Domestic Violence, 7 p.m., at the Georgetown Club Boy Scouts, 7:30 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Beth El WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Hadassah Meeting, 10:30 a.m., at Livingston Plaza Temple Israel TIGGS, Noon, at Temple Yom Hashbah Commemoration, 7 p.m., at ; Beth Israel Synagogue , Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, APRIL 15 > Temple Israel NFTY Senior Function, at Henry Doorly Zoo : Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. Sisterhood Adult Education, 10 a.m., a t Temple : Religious School Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., i ! at Temple Israel ..' \ ADL "Courage to Share" dinner, 6:30 p.m. i All evenla held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The Jewish Press Is not responsible for the accuracy of the events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.
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Parashat Shcmini I will forgo discussion of our laws of Kashrut,' even though they loom large in the attention of our Sidrah, which indeed,is the.locus classicus of the dietary laws of the Bible. , -,-. . Instead, my attention is seized by the observance next Tuesday of Yom haShoah, Yom haZikarqn, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Last summer, in Israel, at a special ceremony at the University of Haifa, I heard a Holocaust survivor make a determined stand stand' against "hating Germans." If we were to fall into that error, he pointed out, we would be guilty of the same mental flaw that sucked the Germans into the Nazi abyss. We should be happy that Jews did not, gfinerally, make this psychologically fatal error. With long experience in facing tragedies, Jews did not find solace in hating. A much more, positive step was needed, a strengthening of Jewish resolve to live and fortify our religious idealism. Here we are on the right path, but without sufficient enthusiasm. Our Sidrah relates the story of two of Aaron's sons, when the Sanctuary of the Wilderness was first activated, and they were first installed as priests, acting on their own and dying in the immediate event. Aaron's grief was unbounded. But the text relates that Moses spoke to him, and he held his peace. Eashbam, a brilliant medieval commentator (12th a), amplified what Moses might have said to Aaron: "Grieve not, weep not, and, listen now, don't interrupt the regular service of the Sanctuary." American Jews, deeply involved in their own agenda still digging for firm economic foundation in the complicated but promising American economy, responded all too slowly and .too superficially to the vast horror. It was as though a man who had just had both legs amputated could only think of the stock market, not about getting the best crutches for his new situation. ....'. Our synagogues did not'try to interpret the Holocaust in the required profundity, our adult education never got off the ground, and our schools for children did not succeed in getting American Jewish children, in number, to break out of the Red Sea (all right, Sea of Reeds) and boldly delve into liberating and revivifying Jewish tradition. Aaron was supposed to keep the Sanctuary worship going unbroken. But we had little to keep unbroken, and we didn't respond and react sufficiently to the call of crisis. Assessing the damage would have made clear that the educational resources of the Yeshivot of Europe were gone; the binding effect of the Yiddish language was gone; the feeling of "peoplehood" of the European Jewish population was gone up in smoke -literally. But American Jews did not see or smell the smoke. It is hard to understand, looking back, the less-thanoverwhelming effect the destruction had upon us, at least at that time. Have we recovered? There are encouraging signs that we are now, finally, like Aaron, trying to keep the Sanctuary service going. Synagogues are trying to educate the people they reach and are trying to reach more people. In this we are helped by the general American response in our times to the call of religion. But our schools for children are still struggling to use well the limited time that the vast majority of our children are willing to give to Jewish study. Who knows? I have never advocated the "happy feeling, pleasant experiences" approach to Jewish education as sufficient. But this approach may be growing in contemporary American-Jewish life. It will solve part of Rashbam's advice to Aaron, "Grieve not, weep not," but I am afraid it will not keep the Sanctuary service going. Time will tell. I think we need deeper analysis of our problem and more profound responses. PEOPLE WHO READ | NEWSPAPERS ARE
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SHIRLEY ALTSULER - Shirley D. Altsuler died at the age of 75. Services were held Monday at Temple Israel with burial at Temple Israel Cemetery. She is survived by her husband, Bernard; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Mary Altsuler, Arlington, VA, Steven and Sandy Altsuler, Uruguay, South America; grandchildren and spouses, Derek and Anita Mendiola, Jefferson, OR, Jason and Rosi Altsuler,(Salem, OR, Jesse and Susanna Altsuler, Coeur D'Alene, ID; three great-. grandchildren. •' , . Memorials to Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. ANNA SHULBWITZ Anna Shulewitz died at the age 89. Services were hold Sunday at Beth El Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Shulewitz; sisters Esther Cohen and Frieda Mack. . She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Cindy Shulewitz, Omaha; son; Martin Shulewitz, Doylestown, PA; grandchildren, Chad, Brooke, Mark and Judy Shulewitz; sister, Beatrice Levine, CA. Memorials to Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or Beth El Synagogue. -
Lincoln commemorates the Holocaust The Jewish community of Lincoln will commemorate YomHaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,
on Sunday, April 18 a t 4 p.m. at the State Capitol. According to organizer Marcia Kushner, Holocaust survivors from the Omaha area are welcome to participate in the commemoration. For more information, call her at 402-489-5957. The keynote speaker for YomHaShoah is Dr. Geoffrey Giles, a history professor a t t h e University of Florida and a leading authority on the social and cultural history of Nazi Germany. Also participating'fare Gov. Mike Johanns arid Lincoln Mayor Dale Young. State Senator Christ Beutler is t h e sponsoring senator from t h e Unicameral. The program is sponsored by the Lincoln Interfaith Council, the Office of the Governor of Nebraska, Office of the Mayor of Lincoln, Jewish Federation of Lincoln, and t h e Community Relations Committee of the Anti-Defamation League.
Jews celebrate Passover in former communist party camp
What was once the location of summer camp for the elite Communist party group in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, was the site of this year's seder night and and Passover camp for Jewish children. Sponsored by Tzivos Hashem, the camp offers children from the Benenson Family Orphanages as well as other Tzivos Hashem locatipns hi the former Soviet Union a ten-day Jewish experience. Dima Dubinsky, left, tastes hand-baked matza, from camp director Rabbi Yossi Glick.
April 9,1999
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Jewish Press , Omaha, NE
Page 3
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues , -of Conservative Judaism
•" ;,:,/-', B%k(>ej»df'^e.tJjttlflttfif American '
FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You, the Youth Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. Group and Cantor Jennifer Blum will lead a service to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Livingston Plaza at 3:45 p.m. Early Worship Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. Service, 5:30 p jn. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Jeffrey FRTOAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 7 pan. Taxman will officiate using the Union Prayer Book. SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 ajn., Little People Shabbat Family Service, 7:30 pan. Rabbi Debbie service, 10:15 ajn.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Stiel and Cantor Blum will officiate, with ventrilo- Kiddush sponsored by Bonnie Hines in honor of quist Mark B. Levy, along with the Temple Tones. her parents, Richard and Billie Spiegal on their Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by aunts, uncles and 67th wedding anniversary, Mr. Spiegal's 90th grandparents of J.J. Friedman and Stephanie birthday and Mrs. Spiegal's 88th birthday. Rabbi's class, 7:05 p.m.; Mincha, 7:35 p.m., folMillward in honor of their B'nai Mitzvah. SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible: An informal lowed by Ma'ariv and Havdalah. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; BeiB Hamedrash, opportunity to learn Torah with the rabbis, 9:309:45 aan.; Mincha, 7:45 p.m. 10:15 ajn.; Shabbat service, 1030 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 aan.; Mincha, 7:45 pjn. B'nai Mitzvah: J.J. Friedman, son of Tom and Sue Friedman, and Stephanie Millward, daughter of Sue and David Millward, will celebrate their B'nai Mitzvah at Shabbat morning services. SITTER SERVICE Sitter Service is available Friday evening & Saturday mornings when there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Cost is $2 per family with reservations. Drop-ins, $3 per family. No facilities for infante. SUNDAY: 9:15 ajn. Morning chapel prayer service for an additional opportunity to pray and Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. recite Kaddish; Men's Club lox and bagel breakfast FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m. and speaker, 11:15 ajn., $3 for non-members. SATURDAY: Sabbath service, 9-.30 ajn.; Torah TIGGS , study, 10:30 ajn. WEDNESDAY: Meet for lunch at noon for enterSUNDAY: Hebrew School, tainment with Stan Widman. Cost is $4. For reserTHURSDAY: Choir rehearsal, 7:30 p.m. vations, call Hilde Gottlieb, 393-6357, or Marilyn Mellen, 896-0200. ADULT EDUCATION WEDNESDAY: Midrashah, 10 ajn. - noon Thursday: Sisterhood adult education, Rabbi httpi//coiwe.to/beyt8haloin/ Azriel will teach "Jewish identity: Past, Present FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 p.m. and Future," 10-11:30 a.m.; "Beginning Beyond RELIGIOUS SCHOOL: Classes Sunday and Midrash, 6:50-7:40 p.m.; "Beyond Midrash," 7:50Tuesday at the JCC. 8:45 p.m., led by Don Schwartz. SUNDAY: Rabbi Myer S. Kripke begins his ; r - TIFEBETH I3RAEL class on megillot, 12:15 p.m. '•,; '•;, Member of the United Synagogue Friday, April 16: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m. '•':':':. •-.'• - of Conservative Judaism Saturday, April 17: Learner's minyan, 9 a.m. 32i9 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 ; <•':". :'' • <, 42S-8S69 '
B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE .. ;
Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday at 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Mincha/Ma'ariv, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS, Mincha/Ma'ariv, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17: Lunch and Learn with Ophira Bahar and Henrietta Kamil, following services, "Voyage to the End of the Millennium."
o p Mynsicr &t, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 ,,; , V , . ; - , ' ' pHoaej 322*4705' ." ' ; •' •""'"• .x-;", B-MAILt docj FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.; Sheldon Gallner will discuss "The story of a Jewish barrister growing up in Council Bluffs." Oneg Shabbat follows services.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
CHABAD HOUSE ;
:, iS6« So, 120th St> Omaha, 1SDB 68144 E-MAIL-chabad@aolcom Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddush; Mincha-Ma'ariv, 6:30 p.m., followed by Havdalah. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma'ariv, 7:30 p.m.
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SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Steve Riekes. Kiddush following services.
OFFUT AIR FQRCEJBASE 25th and Capehart, Omaha, NB 294-6051 Services conducted by Rabbi Ira Flax. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
PERSONAL We wish to express our deep gratitude for the generous outpouring of concern and sympathy during the extended convalescence and passing our of beloved Bess Becker and Mollie Delman. Your visits, calls, cards, donations and other expressions of support have been so gratifying. A special thanks to Rabbis Stiel and Azriel and Cantors Contzius and Blum. We have felt the love and strength of the community in everyone's compassion. • The Becker and Delman family
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Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits. FRIDAY: Minha-Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. D'var Torah given by Michael Fineman; Kiddush following services; TSS (Torah Study Skills) 10 ajn.; Sitter service, 10 ajnj Shabbat Story Time (pre-kindergarten and under) 11 ajnj ICtantan (kindergarten through 3rd grade) 10:45 a.m.; Humash with Rashi study session, 7:20 p.m. (1/2 hour before MM); MinhaMa'ariv and Havdalah services, 7:50 p jn. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a-m. & 5^0 pan. LUNCH AND LEARN Tuesday, April 13: noon, Pastime's Restaurant, 76th and Cass; please call the office for reservations for this class with the rabbi.
Talia Eisenberg, daughter of Robert Eisenberg and Pamela and Justin i Kohll, will celebrate her I Bat Mitzvah on I Saturday, April 17, a t | Temple Israel She is a seventh-grade I honor student at I Westside Middle School and enjoys snowboarding, music, travelling and shopping. She volunteered at the Martin Luther Home for the ' developmentally challenged as her Mitzvah Project. She has two brothers, Zev and Noah. Grandparents are Bella Eisenberg and the late Erwin Eisenberg;Dwight and Gerry Kuster, Marvin and Sandra Kohll. . Great-grandparents are Jennette. Kuster,. Lpona CCohn, and the late Mala Schlachet." f i; l_ Kate Frances Josephson, daughter of Judy and Keith Josephson, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, April 17, at Beth El Synagogue. A seventh-grade honor student at Beveridge Middle School, she participates in Student Council and plays clarinet in the Omaha Area ! Youth Philharmonic. She enjoys basketball, ice skating, piano and her friends. Kate's "Mitzvah Crib" in the lobby at Beth El is an on-going collection for items for babies and children at Siena/Francis House. She has a sister, Lauren. Grandparents are Bernice and Herschel Premack of Aberdeen, S.D., and June Goodbinder of Omaha and the late Harry Goodbinder.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE! Please join us in honoring [ Richard and Billie Spiegal on their F 67th Wedding Anniversary and 90th Birthday (Richard) 88th Birthday (Billie) SATURDAY, APRIL 10 Kiddush luncheon at Beth Israel Synagogue No gifts please No individual invitations will be issued Hasted by daughters and sons-in-law: Arlene and David Beber, BJ (Bonnie) Hlnes and Connie and Mace Horotf.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 2,1999
After Kosovo? As the bombs continuing dropping on Serbia and the refugees continue to stream out of Kosovo, what will come next? President Bill Clinton, in a move to appease the American people and NATO allies, promised not to send in ground troops even before the first bomb exploded. After two weeks of this barrage, Slobidan Milosivec, the Saddam Hussein 'wannanbe' of Serbia, has yet to back down. Will NATO keep bombing until the whole of the former Yugoslavia is flattened? Will Clinton renege Dn his promise and send in American troops? Is this the beginning of another Vietnam? The answers to these questions have frightening implications. After all, the rationale of this military exercise was to 'protect* the independence of Kosovo, as well as to protect the people, who are being systematically slaughtered by Serbian troops. However, the Kosovars hands are not clean, either, as they, too, are accused of ethnic cleansing of Serbs within the Kosovo province. Among the Muslim states, only Turkey and Albania have accepted refugees. Middle Eastern states have remained silent, perhaps because the Kosovars, while Muslim, are not Arab. Israel, however, has not only offered to take the 180 Jews of Kosovar who are now refugees in Hungary, they've also offered to take non-Jews, as they did in 1992 ' when Milosivec began his dirty little war against the minority populations. Like Saddam, it appears that Milosivec is in for the long haul. Do we have the will to stop him?
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Unique precedents in Israel's May-June elections by Kenneth W. Stein
Israel's election campaign for the 15th Knesset and prime minister is like none other in their history. Barring an unlikely war with the Arab world or some heinous physical violence perpetrated against Israelis, the dominant election issue will not be the Arab-Israeli peace process. The election will be a referendum on economic promises not kept, wrenching domestic and social issues, the incumbent Prime Minister's style, and an across the board decline in foreign relations. There are other firsts. Tones and pace for managing relations with the Arab world differ, but Likud, Labor, and centrist party leaders reflect similar basic views: the West Bank and Gaza will be shared with the Palestinians, a way needs to be found to leave southern Lebanon quickly, negotiations with Syria should be restarted, and Israel must retain security control over Jerusalem as an undivided city. A gnawing 9% unemployment rate persists; Israel's annual growth rate has slowed from 6% to 2% annually. A stridently antagonistic segment of the ultra-orthodox community has openly slandered supreme court justices and challenged the legitimacy of the secular supreme court to make judgements it believes are heavenly defined. A churning anger envelopes many Israelis because while their daughters and sons do obligatory army service, exemptions are,easily,obtained for students who are engaged in religious study. Matters of rabbinical control over civil procedure-divorce, inheritance, marriage--, so long bubbling beneath the surface have erupted with unrestrained passion. . Israel's diplomatic relations with Europe, many Arab and Moslem states, and with the United States has deteriorated since Bibi Netanyahu's election in May 1996. . Several months prior to Israel's last election, four bombs were exploded by Palestinian extremists. They severely hurt the election chances of Shimon Peres, the incumbent Labor party prime minister. So far, neither the Palestinian community nor
other Arab states have done or said much to influence Israeli voters. Arafat has suddenly grown speechless about declaring an independent state on May 4,1999. He does not want to create anxiety among Israeli voters, though he may not be able to control an outbreak of violence or attacks against Israelis. In the days and months prior to the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Israeli elections, when such dreadful acts occurred, the incumbent in office was blamed. Approximately 4.5 million Israelis are eligible to vote in the May 17 elections. Again, as they did for the first time in the 1996 elections, Israeli voters will cast separate ballots for prime minister and for their favorite political party list. For example, it is possible for someone to vote for the Labor Party but also vote for Bibi Netanyahu as Prime Minister. All polls indicate that none of the major party candidates for prime minister will receive the absolute majority needed to avoid a run off. Therefore, this will likely be Israel's first election where the parliamentary election results are known before the prime minister is chosen. In essence, the campaign conducted for the scheduled May 17 Knesset election, may differ dramatically in content and tone in the run-off election for Prime Minister scheduled for June 1. Any party that receives 1.5% of the total vote will be represented in the parliament; in the last elections it took approximately 25,000 plus votes for a party to secure a seat in the 120 member parliament. In the 1996 elections, there were 21 parties that presented party lists for the Knesset; so far more than 30 parties have registered to participate in the May 17 elections. Across the political spectrum, political parties have dispatched worn-out politicians and elevated fresh candidates to higher positions on party lists. In the run up to the 1996 elections at least three would be prime ministerial candidates,.Rafael Eitan, David Levy, and Ariel Sharon withdrew their candidacies and were co-opted by the Likud
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Steve Levlnger Chairman Carol Katzman Edilor-in-Chlel Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Larry Axelrod Advertising Manager Barbara Frankel Rocky Stern Sales representatives Jenlna E. Sadofsky Bookkeeper Jen Gates Production Assistant George Schaplro Volunteer
More than any other Prime Minister in Israel's history, the performance record, leadership style, and character of the sitting Prime Minister is a principal issue in this campaign. Netanyahu has been as scrutinized, vilified, and jostled by all shades of the Israeli media. His leadership style has significantly influenced political party formation. Former ministers are running against him: former Science Minister Benni Begin is heading Jus own right-wing party, former Defense and Finance Ministers Mordechai and Meridor have established their own centrist party, and former Foreign Minister Levy is poised to join the Labor Party. If there is a run-off for prime minister, it will be laden with nasty personal accusations. Its central theme is likely to be: do you want four more years of Netanyahu? In the two weeks between the Knesset election and the run-off, a particular candidate for prime minister could indicate the names of ministerial appointments in his proposed cabinet. A sophisticated Israeli electorate will do their own math and generate permutations for who will lead what ministry. With issues of religion and state increasingly . acrid, the prime ministerial candidate who promises appointments that will limit or expand religious•• influence over daily life could sway voters. Verbal; promises made to constituencies like the Russian immigrants, Israeli Arabs, or others could also make a difference in the outcome. For the first time the Israeli voter may be able to , analyze and evaluate the proposed governmental teams and their promises, and then choose an appropriate political quarterback. At Emory, University, Dr. Kenneth W. Stein is the William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History and Israeli Studies. His next book, Heroic Diplomacy: Sadat, Kissinger, Carter, Begin and the Question for Arab-Israel Peace will be published by Routledge this summer. JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Lloyd Roitstein, Vice C h a i r m a n ; Fred Tichauer,. Treasurer; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Steve Danon; Linda Saltzman; George Schapiro; Howard Silber; Steve Simon. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment.
April 9,1999 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 5
Old politics and new reality by Harry Allen
To the Editor: • I recently taught English to native English speakers for five weeks in the fifth and sixth • grades in the local school which my kids attend. The lack of material is sad, so I volunteered to teach for free and have my salary go towardB the purchase of books in English. I would like to purchase several copies of books to be read in class and would also be interested in purchasing teachers' '•• manuals and grammar workbooks. ' I will be teaching again next year and would like to write a curriculum for the third through sixth grade. But, I really need to purchase many books in order for the students to have copies to read at home. I have already placed an order of books on how to teach English from t h e Bookworm in Omaha, but the cost of sending books is high. If anyone is interested in helping or willing to either ship books to Israel or hand-carry them on a visit here, it would be much appreciated. Tammy Y. Rubin Abramowitz Mishol HaKoranit #5, Ramot Bet, Jerusalem, Israel 011-9722-586-2622.
After nine years of investigation and trial, 75,000 but also emphasized the ethnic divides in the counpages of evidence and a verdict which required sev- try. Deri has very skillfully played on these diseneral thousand pages, Aryeh Deri, the boy wonder chantments. of the Shas political party, was finally convicted of Like the big city bosses in Chicago or Kansas fraud, bribery and violating the public trust, as City, Deri has moved up the political ladder by well as obstructing justice. carefully choosing his opportunities to do favors for Despite all of this, he remains a hero to a large ' people, once in a position of power in the governpart of the Sephardic underclass in Israel and is ment, he was lavish in manipulating government stoutly defended by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, their funds for the benefit of the Shas party. revered spiritual leader. Public schools were forced to operate with shorter Other defenders include Haim Ramon, a close per- hours and larger classes because of tight budgets; never" sonal friend of Deri's for 15 years. Deri is fervently mind that Shas schools received government money for Orthodox while Ramon is an avowed secularist. full school days, free lunches and free textbooks. Ramon is finding himself more and more isolated Nursery schools did not have enough space; don't within the Labor party while Deri has almost a mysti- worry, Shas will take care of it. And while providcal following of perhaps 200,000 people. ing for schooling, free lunches, day care, a wide What lies behind this tremendous following? variety of social services plus other benefits, Shas The answer is two-fold. The Sephardic under- developed under Deri's skilled political maneuverclass living in such barren towns as Okafim, ing a whole generation of people who were not eduSderot, Gedera, as well as the slums of south Tel cated to fit into a modern high tech society and Aviv, have grown more and more resentful of the learned a curriculum which largely blamed society Israel they see as being dominated by the for their ills. Ashkenazi elite. While large segments of the sociSo people love Deri for solving their immediate ety are increasingly well off and while those in the needs, while, in fact, they should have dismissed him high tech sector of society are enjoying a very for creating a system which deepened their isolation. To the Editor: Western lifestyle, the Sephardim are falling furDeri did not create the social problems - but he : While ca'stigating the New Israel Fund, Rabbi- ther and further behind the majority of society. did manipulate them and not to the long-term benAvi Shafran (Black Hats, bad guys, Feb. 5) defends The situation is not dissimilar to blacks in America efit of his constituents. Unless and until we in the Orthodox monopoly on conversion in Israel on who still reside in the underdeveloped inner city. Israel manage to elect a new government which is the grounds that it preserves Jewish unity and The situation has gotten steadily worse in Israel truly dedicated to solving the structural problems that "multiple conversion standards" are the since the first Begin government was elected on a of the society, the Aryeh Deris will continue to "surest path to multiple 'Jewish peoples'." platform which included not only "greater Israel" amass political power at the nation's expense. I would suggest that a single inflexible standard, Real-life Life is Beautiful for all intents and purposes, bars the conversion of hundreds of thousands of Russian gentiles who (Continued from page 1) have immigrated to Israel with their Jewish fami- racks and in a metal chest during the day, details of according to Joseph's;JDG file writtejftiia,%9.43, a lies, because no more than a tiny fraction of them how Joseph was hidden are sparse. But at one point, copy of which was obtained by The Jewish-Week. 'are willing or able to undertake the rigors of a according to the file, his father hid him in a sack. In 1943, the family was moved again — this time strictly observant lifestyle that the Orthodox rabAccording to the file, Joseph was born in the to the Buchenwald concentration camp in eastern binate demands of converts. Sandomiez ghetto south of Warsaw in March 1941. Germany. "In the general confusion of lining up, That is the surest path to multiple "Israeli peo- He remained there with his parents (their names however, Joseph's father found a large sack and, ,,.ple.s," and ,a much greater long-term threat to the are not mentioned) until the ghetto was evacuated • with a warning to keep absolutely quiet, placed his social and religious cohesion of Israel. „ in 1942. When his parents were moved to a slave two-year-old child in it," according to thefile."The These would-be non-Orthodox converts, most of labor camp near the ghetto, they managed to hide mother was sent off to work in Bergen-Belsen conwhom want very much to become full-fledged Joseph from'guards "who were constantly sending centration camp, while his father, with his 'bunIsraelis, are likely to become increasingly alienated 'useless' children to the Auschwitz gas chambers," dle,' stayed in Buchenwald." as they find themselves unable, for example, to marry other Israelis or be buried with their Jewish relatives. If the ultra-Orthodox are concerned now about rising sentiment for separation of religion and state, they should fear the likely anti-religious backlash of a growing, unassimilable mass of second-class citizens. • As recent marriage statistics indicate, thousands of Israelis whose .Jewishness is unquestioned are already rebelling against this lack of religious choice by marrying abroad, participating in legally unrecognized Conservative and Reform ceremonies, or simply living together without benefit of clergy or court. "Jewish unity" does not mean "Jewish uniformity." A modern, democratic Israel must, sooner or later, grant its citizens the freedom of conscience that is enjoyed by t h e citizens of every other democracy and is, indeed, guaranteed them by its own Declaration of Independence. June Rogul Director of National Outreach Only EL AL offers nonstop flights between Chicago and Israel, 3 every week, departing
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Page 6 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE April 9,1999
Part II
Women's Symposium facilitators present timely issues by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Omaha's wealth of talent will be evident at the Women's Symposium, April 18, when women from our community present topics that appeal to a wide variety of interests. Participants will choose among workshops in three time slote. Everyone will attend the key note address by Esther Perel and the kosher luncheon. The Symposium is coordinated by Jewish Family Service. Dr. Patricia Newman and Susan Norton will present a workshop about the challenges and choices women make to be a stay-at-home mother or a mother who works outside the home. Norton is a stay-at-home mother and community volunteer who speaks to women's groups concerning the transition^from "career woman" to stay-athome parent. Prior to motherhood, Norton worked in administrative health care, most recently for Methodist Health System in Omaha, and as an attorney in the Kansas City area. Norton is involved in local community service, including NCJW, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, National Kidney Foundation, and Planned Parenthood. "Regardless of where a mother falls on the "working outside the home' spectrum, this is always a provocative topic. I hope Patricia and I can provide some helpful insight and lead a lively discussion," said Norton. Dr. Newman is a clinical child psychologist in private practice with Family Enrichment, Inc. She specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of depressive and mood disorders, learning and developmental disorders and attention disorders in children. Newman also volunteers a t Swanson Elementary and Temple Israel. "My goal is for people to understand how different kinds of mothers and mothering affect kids.
THAT
women s
symposium
Susan and I want to facilitate a discussion on this important topic," Newman said. Nancy Thompson will conduct a workshop exploring the relationships between mothers, daughters and granddaughters. She is a Certified Professional Counselor in private practice specializing in children and families. Thompson presents nationally on subjects that deal with family problems and developmental issues of childhood. She is a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor for the Association for Play Therapy and serves as a clinical consultant for the Child Saving Institute. "We're going to examine the complicated relationship between mothers, daughters, granddaughters and grandmothers and try to learn some techniques for improving communication and increasing acceptance of each other," said Thompson. Ruth Erman and Jody Jurgens will present "Single and Childless in the Couples/Children's World." INTRODUCING A VEHICLE Erman and Jurgens are therapists in private pracWILL MAKE YOU THINK OF ROADS tice at Family Enrichment, Inc. Erman's AS JUST SUGGESTIONS. practice focuses on individual therapy for children and adults, treating
Pulverente MONUMENT CO. Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr. 60 Years Experience 'With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
mentally retarded adults, marital therapy and a children's therapy group focusing on developing peer relationships and social skills. . Jurgens works with children, teenagers and adults in her practice, provides school consultations and has previously worked in psychiatric settings. "Our workshop will identify how single people can have an enriching life and how they can contribute to a society that is more geared towards families," they said. Rabbi Debbie Stiel will present "Spiritual Fulfillment" "Spirituality is a concept that is not always easy to grasp. I want to have a discussion with women about ways we can make our everyday lives more spiritual," she said. Rabbi Stiel was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1994 and is a rabbi at Temple Israel. The issue of finding spirituality in the modern world is one of her key interests, and she frequently teaches classes and gives sermons delving into this topic. "To Risk or Not to Risk: That is the Question," is the title of a workshop led by Marti RosenAntherton. Rosen-Antherton is an instructor, advisor and counselor at the University of NebraskaOmaha, where she teaches a freshman orientation course and a human sexuality class. She also serves as an academic advisor to exploratory freshmen, provides personal counseling to students, faculty and staff, and is a University Ombudsman. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, RosenAntherton also has a part time psychotherapy practice. "My session will ask, "how much of a risk taker are you?' The workshop focuses on obstacles to health risk-taking and how you can overcome them to make positive changes in your life," she said. "Raising Moral Children" is the topic for the workshop led by Karin Levine, an instructor and Director of Field Experiences for the Education Department at Creighton University. A graduate of Harvard's School of Education with a degree in Human and Moral Development, she enjoys sharing stories as her way of teaching and writing on the many areas of child and adult development. "The issue of raising moral children is always an intriguing one, especially for Jews. I lookforwardto lively discussion and having a wide range of ideas," said Levine. Reservations for the Women's Symposium are filling up quickly. For more information, contact Jewish Family Service at 330-2024. FURNACE CLEANING
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April 9,1999 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 7
Organizations
In the News
Y.E.S. Howard E. Gendelman, M.D. was named the Members will meet Monday at the JCC. English 1999 Alumni Fellow as a second language for new Americans starts at by Pennsylvania 10 a.m. Come exercise with Michelle Streif at State University, 10:15 a.m. in the adult lounge; or try your luck at Milton S. Hershey bingo with Eileen Remer at 10:30 a.m. Bring artiMedical Center. cles to share for the "YES Talk" at 11 a.m. Dr. Gendelman is Followinglunch at noon, enjoy The Irish Dancers. the David T. Purtilo For transportation, call 330-4272. Di s t i n gu i s h e d Deadline is April 15 for Winnavegas Casino on Professor of PathApril 22. Deadline is April 22 for the day trip to ology and Micrpbiothe JoBlyn Art Museum on April 29. ^ogy a t t ' l e University Reminder: The Mah Jongg Club will meet on °f Nebraska Medical Wednesday, April 14. For more information, call Center. A professor in Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5658. the internal medicine WALK-IN, DROP-IN department, he is currently director of UNMC's Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. primary neurosciences initiative, the Center for English as a second language for new Americans Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Diseases. starts at 10 a.m.; exercise with Michelle at 10:i5 a.m., and play bingo at 10:30 a.m. The movie Oliver Pollak and his son, Noah Pollak, jointMulan will be shown in the Blumkin Home audito- ly presented a paper "Children's Memories and rium. Popcorn will be served. For transportation, Literature - before, during and after Shoah" at the call 330-4272. 29th annual Scholar's Conference on the Holocaust DAVIS FAMILY INSTITUTE last month in Garden City, New York. Storytelling, Storytelling and More Storytelling is the topic to be presented by Rita Paskowitz at the The Hastings College Forensics team took its Davis Family institute on Monday, April 19, largest contingent ever to the American Forensic's 7:30 p.m., at the JCC. The program is free and Association National Tournament at the open to all educators in area religious schools, as University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa last week. well as in public and private educational settings. Among them was Shayna Flatowicz of Omaha, JEWISH WAR VETERANS who competed in dramatic.poetry and oral interThe monthly meeting is scheduled for Sunday, pretation events. April 25, 10:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, Conference Room. Yoga instructor Larisa Treskunova was featured in the March/April edition of Today's Omaha Woman. She is a stress management specialist for Alegent Health, Immanuel Medical Center and Bergan Mercy Medical Center, as well as a yoga instructor with Omaha Yoga and Bodywork Center. •',-'. There were somber moments at the Oldtimers/Young Energetic Seniors March 22 United Way of the Midlands elected Jack W. meeting as this correspondent honored the memory Baker as a member-at-large and Howard Shrier of our beloved Mollie Delman, who died March 15. was appointed ex-officio, at its recent annual meetA poem adapted from the Book of Proverbs, enti- ing. Judy Baker and Gerald Hoberman were tled Ayshet Chayil Mi Yimtza, A Woman of among those recognized for their volunteer service. Excellence, Who Can Find?, describes Mollie's First National Bank received the Communityhumanitarianism. Her 25-year tenure as director Service Award and the American Red Cross, of senior activities at the JCC brought her acco- Heartland Chapter,' was awarded the lades and recognition from U.S. presidents as well Ambassador's Award. as from people from many walks of life. At the Early Bird, we discussed the release of Gary Lauck from prison in Germany and his return to America. Lauck is a notorious neo-Nazi, a former Lincoln, NE, resident, who disseminated Rob and Debbie Goodman of Omaha anti-Semitic hate propaganda from his home. announce the Feb. 14 birth of their daughter, We also spoke about Jack Kevorkian facing mur- Suzanna Libi. They also have a daughter, Isabel, der charges for assisting suicides. 2. Our speaker was Mary Fellman, who took us Grandparents are George and Gail Goodman of back through memory lane to the 1880s, describing Wynnewood, PA, and Gabriel and Naomi Frenkel the early history of synagogues established in of Annandale, VA. Omaha. Following the meeting, many viewed picGreat-grandfather is Emanuel Goodman of tures in the Riekes Museum depicting people and Philadelphia, PA. events of that era. Shalom.
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Page 8 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE April 9,1999
New computer training program offered in Israel
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KC Kollel visits Omaha
Temple student chooses Yachad as Mizivah project
Hannah Wolf, left, chose Yachad, a Jewish youth group for young people with disabilities, as her Mitzvah project, a component of the B'nai Mitzvah year at Temple Israel. She socialized with Jeff Steinberg and Ashley Boehm, above, and other members of Yachad on a regular basis and included them at her Bat Mitzvah celebration. According to Yachad adviser Linda Novak, "Hannah...has compassion, a willingness to learn and a 'super-brighf smile." Future Yachad projects are available for young people lpoking for community service learning hours' or B'nai Mitzvah projects. Call 493-8575 for information.
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Zvi Fisher, center, a member of the Kansas City Community Kollel, visited Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and students at Temple Israel recently and conducted a mini-Shabbaton at Beth Israel.
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CONFORMITY: Complete Order or Ibtal Chaos? Can you imagine a world of total conformity? Where brand names like 'Nike' and 'Levi' and 'Honda' dominate the world trends? Where we all dress and drive and speak the same? Perhaps this is simply a nasty display of fiction, or maybe we are halfway there and don't even know it. It Is apparent that much of our way of life develops from our friends and lifestyles. We obviously would not be socializing with the people we do if we didn't have certain things in Ally common. We tend to shop at the same places, hang out in the same spots, and listen to the same music. Industry, however, cannot always meet society's demands on its own. So it infiltrates smaller, lessknown yet creative subcultures. Now hidden behind the Top 100 at music shops lay small label recordings, and behind every mega clothes market lays a smaller, less-noticed one. And hidden behind them all lies the world of independent goods, what some call the 'underground.' Independent companies tend to be at less-popular locations and cater to a select crowd. The many underground DJ mixes, the rebellious punk rock bands, small budget movies and 'indie flicks,' and little-known clothes brands are key features of various groups that worship these, very things. But the . recent trend has been to be anti-conventional, and the result has been a good thing gone wrong. Imagine your local band suddenly becoming spotlighted, the clothes brand you've always worn suddenly becoming a generation icon, and a sudden, overwhelming presence of groupies worshipping and pretending. they are part of a scene you've always been dedicated to. The very basis" of your individuality has been stripped, the genuiness of your lifestyle cloned and watered down, and everything you've . ever stood for now capitalized on by zealous business men in suits who are the antithesis of what you represent. Of course, there's the good. Suddenly, the little-known bands get their well-deserved breaks; the small struggling companies are now shipping their goods all over the country. A trend brings more and more followers,
Knowing by Jonathan Linn There was a time Before now, . Thaft thought* J knew everything. But thai was yesterfay AtldiiOw.' / fiaye'sb rtiuch to team ' y' Because t really dontknow All that much .,.; ' Jonathan is * sophomore at Burke, 'a member ofuSY, A2A Pt and Both m Synagogue,
by Ally Shandell
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
My Passover
Page 9
by Kim Pitlor
To me, Passover is the holiday of grandparents hide the matzo in the family, more than Rosh Hashanah or some of these merely conformists or exact same place (on top of the fireeven Yom Kippur. It symbolizes a very place in the living room), but the kids capitalists. However, others are conimportant event in Jewish history. always play along. And no matter who tributors; they are truly interested and Passover is also the four T's": family, finds it first, we all get the same reward dedicated to the scene, yet only food, fun and freedom of the Jewish of a little extra spending moneyl turned on to it due to its recent popupeople. larity. So, how does one know the difOne of my favorite parts of Passover 1 ference? Walt. Eventually, those who ' Our family has two seders, and, both is cooking the food. We make all the are not true will filter out, moving on to are very spesymbols on the seder plate, Aunt ' the next trend as it comes along. cial. We inShirley's jello mold is a big favorite and clude the hunGrandma always makes her famous But the truth is, exploiting the indedred-year-old homemade matzo ball soupl pendent scenes just consumes the Haggadahs we Everybody brings something, and we individuality of our generation. In a got from the always have leftovers for the next, time when our greatest similarity is our coffee compamonth. diversity and uniqueness, a large crop ny, as well as It is a good time, because it is all the of various scenes and trends have share old mem-1 women in my family in the kitchen talkevolved, each stemming from another. ories of Pass-1 ing and making a huge messl But, then These subcultures have been hard to over, especially | there is always the clean up! categorize. the good feelThe women always sit closest to the So why do people try? Because we ings of familyl kitchen so they can serve the food, have been raised to judge others, and seders in the gather the plates and do the dishes. sort them into 'groups.' However, this Kim past. We also The men just sit and talk. It's always is not the only way. By scattering ourrecite a special prayer for family mem- chaos. Everybody's in the kitchen at selves and forming our individuality, bers who couldn't join us. once, but it's fun. we are able to dodge the bullet of bland conformity. We have a very special traditional Passover is a great holiday. It is a seder plate. It is an old, brown and beat time to sit back, relax and think of all However, when the corporations up tin plate with the names of the food the great.times you have spent with challenge the independent moveengraved in Hebrew and English on it. your family. It Is also about rememberments for a share of the profits, there Also, on our plate we never have a real ing the hardships our ancestors had to can be huge problems, and we can be roasted shank bone, always just a dog endure to get us where we are today. swallowed whole. Corporations sell bone. We always laugh at that. Passover is very special and meanscenes out, playing them over and In the seder service, my dad, the ingful, not only for my family, but for all over, expanding on the little things that leader, always makes sure everybody of the Jewish people. If you can always used to be so unique. Soon the scene gets to take a part; they either get to read remember the four "F's", your Passover blows up and eventually disappears. or sing, no matter how bad their voices will be great! But, there is always resistance: the are. That is another thing that makes our battle cry of "keep it real," and the seder special, no one is ever left out. Kim Is an eighth grader at Beverldge non-establishment roots of many Middle School, a member of Kadlmah Our family has its own tradition of scenes which refuse to allow themand Beth El Synagogue. hiding the matzos! Every year, all of my selves to become fashion cash crops. For instance, 'Nike' recently attempted to join the many companies involved with the skateboard scene, but after being rejected by the public, Nike was by Jessica Blumkln forced to withdraw. I have loved the game of tennis since my body, it will take care .of me and do So, next time you see your favorite I can remember. what I want and need it to do. band sign a deal with Columbia When I was a toddler, my mom signed I also love that feeling of working so Records, see 'Levi' suddenly endorsme up for group lessons. By the end of hard to win a match and finally pulling it ing mountain climbing and snowboardthat summer, I'm sure I must have been . off! I realize my hours of practice, ing, or another huge company trying to able to occasionally make a solid con- lessons, conditioning (both mentally pick up on your scene and tastes, do n e c l i o n and physically) have brought me to this not support them; overexposure can between ball moment, and if I hadn't prepared I often lead to the demise of a scene and racquet- couldn't expect to win. Even when I perhaps once prominent for its indeand even hit haven't won, I feel good about myself, pendence from the mainstream. the ball over knowing I tried my hardest and I'm If the river flows stronger, build a the net now doing that for myself. '.;". better raft, but do not swim in a pollutand then. Sure, I know my parents, siblings, ed industry of money-hungry corporaI don't think I Grandma and Grandpa are so proud of tions robbing us of what we hold realized it way me either way, and that helps a lot. unique and different. Stay true to what back then, but Sometimes the pressure to win can was there before them, and perhaps one of the rea- be so overwhelming that I feel disapwe can flourish in our own real, wholesons I enjoy pointed when I lose. That's when it's some, individual expressions. tennis so much really important to remember the reais because it .. son I decidod to play tennis in the first Ally Is a freshman at Central, a memgives me a place. It's fun, and if I "beat myself up Jessica ber of MZ Yoshanah BBG and Temple "break" from all the time," or my supporters make me Israel. everyday life. In a way, I think tennis is feel bad about a loss, then it's not fun. I my "escape" from the pressures of have to "lighten up" and remind myself school, studying, tests, and everyday I'm here for the fun; because life has so obligations. I leave all those concerns many options and opportunities, I feel behind and I concentrate on hitting that when the fun is gone, it's time to try little fuzzy ball. I give it a solid whack something else. and release my frustrations and aggraThat time hasn't arrived yet because vations that have built up inside of me. I'm still here with my tennis shoes, It feels good to "get rid of all that nega- balls, racquet and a smile on my face! tive junk" and before long, I realize I am When my smile is gone and I haven't so happy to be out there on the tennis been able to find it for quite some time, court, getting some exercise, being with I think it will be the right time to store people I like, learning from a coach or fig- my racquet in the attic and make a trip uring out my strategy to defeat my oppo- to 'Play It Again Sports' and try out nent. Yes, I'm in a whole new world for some other sporting equipment. the time being, and it's great fun for me! As time passes, as seasons come As I reminisce about all those years on and go, as life's opportunities and the court, I feel fortunate to have met so experiences widen my horizons, and if I many different people. No matter how happen to once again find my tennis different we are, I know we have some- smile, I can always make my way back thing in common, and that is tennis. to the attic and retrieve my "rested and I learned some very important life wiser" tennis racquet. lessons from my hours on the courts. I Gosh, am I ever lucky to have so know how good it feels to be in shape many choices! I hope I will always and how great it feels to be "light on my remember to listen to my heart and feet" and full of energy. I know I like make the choices that make me happy. that feeling and I don't want to abuse Jessica is a senior at Burke, a member of my body. I know that if I take care of Edlar BBG and Temple Israel.
The Ten'in Tennis
Page 10 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE April 9,1999
The Jewish traveler in England Neighborhood Bakery & Cafe
by Oliver Pollak and Karen Goldstein Pollak
This was a research and nostalgia trip. The daffodils, jonquils and forsythia were in bloom. The weather was pleasant. We planned to do research at three major research centers. At the British Library we were temporarily 5180Leavenworth 553-6774 thwarted by a book handlers strike. We satisfied ourselves with the display on the history of writing and printing that included a ninth or 10th century 1 Masorah attributed to the great teacher Ben Asher. I did get in the following week and spent several productive hours going over 38 antiquarian book catalogs produced by my uncle from 1949 to 1970. AN '• EXCEI'TIONAl^RES'I'AURANT The University of Southampton houses the Join Us For Lunch & Dinner Parkes Library. Rev. James W. Parkes (1896-1981) worked for the International Student Service in • Excellent Salads and Entrees Europe during the 1930s and saw the dangers of LUNCH DINNER anti-Semitism. Parkes, a founder member of the 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Council of Christians and Jews, created a library in OPEN SUNDAYS 12129 W. Center Road in Westwood Square / 330-3320 his home in a village between Cambridge and London, where non-Jewish sociologists, historians, theologians and other scholars could work on the wide field of relations between Jews and their neighbors. By the early 1960s his collection had grown to 4,000 books and 2,000 pamphlets, and 140 sets of Greek, Italian & Lebaneie Imported Groceries periodicals. He gave his Library to the University OPves 4 Olive Oil; Fata & Kassari Cheese; Peta 4 Rat of Southampton in 1964 which is now a major Bread; Falafel Mix 4 TOni; Greek 4 Turkish Coffee; Hah/a, English Judaica center. The Library also holds Jams 4 Molasses; Couscous. Lentils. Wheats, Nuts, more than 500 collections of manuscripts, including Seeds, Above all. a large Variety of Fresh Spices the personal papers of the Rabbi Hertz, the Chief (402)390-0120 Rabbi of Great Britain, 1913-1946. Open; Mon-Sat 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Rabbi Hertz superintended the translation of the. . 3025 South 83rd Plaza, Omaha, NE 68124 Old Testament, the version of which has been the GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE standard in the Conservative movement since the late 1940s, soon to be joined by the work of Rabbi Jules Harlow of the Jewish Theological Seminary. At Southampton, despite our appointment, we could not immediately see the Hertz papers because the gas in the fire alarm system in the vault holding the records was not functioning. Southampton is the port city from which my family left England in 1953 aboard the French liner Liberte. Although the fourth largest passenger ship in the world it bobbed like a cork in a stormy November North Atlantic crossing, and was later Advertisers, please note: sunk as a prop in a film. We worked at the London Metropolitan Archives which holds the official records of the Chief Rabbis. After several hours of work and despite it being Saint Patrick's Day we went to a Thai restaurant around the corner. We had the Imperial selection for $28 each. Service was°pleasantly slow, and half of the food was better than average. The high point was a comely and helpful waitress who directed us to theater, Albert Spear at the Almeida and an art gallery. A little further conversation revealed she had an Israeli father and a South African mother. She had lived in Belgium and Israel and was going to meet her mother in Florida for a vacation. Call Your About 22-years-old, she is a second year psycholoSales Representative gy student at Goldsmith College. She waits tables : •:•;:; r . " ' . o r :'••; \ .: . :' -. to make ends meet and explained tipping indicating that any tip we gave went to the house, not to Larry Axelrod her. Asked her name she responded Julie at the Jewish Press Goldstein. In London you are never far from a landswoman. 334-6451 •Wedding Cakes 'German Specialties •Tortes • Cheese Cakes 'Complete Catering LUNCH & GERMAN STYLE DINNERS
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Legal clinic (Continued from page 1) being taught legal skills and professional values. During the past six years, 160 third year students have helped in cases ranging from divorce to interstate kidnapping to the fair housing act. "The clinic has strengthened families, preserved much needed incomes and benefits," Prof. Mahern added, noting that the clinic has taken more than 6,000 phone calls from people who need advice and referrals. She considers the most important lesson to be the meaningful relationships which clinic employees have developed with their clients. "Every day when I come through that door and I see the picture of Milt Abrahams," Mahern said. "I will try harder to be a better lawyer, a better teacher, and a better person!" Father Michael G. Morrison, S J., President of Creighton University, added, "Milton Abrahams has developed a strong reputation in the Omaha community for his contribution to the pursuit of justice." ' '•' : '."•" Father Morrison went on to say that Allan Lozier has used the resources of his foundation to provide greater justice in our community. There is no way in the legal circles of Omaha, that justice could be better identified that with the.'name of Milt Abrahams, he noted. ' . • ' . . . Lawrence Raful, Dean and Professor of Law at Creighton University, then spoke about the Creighton mission'said that Mr. Abrahams was the kind of lawyer that a client would want to honor. He added it was an unusual headline when it said, "Client honors his attorney." Mr. Lozier unveiled the dedication plaque and said, "When you start out in life, you can never hope to equal someone like Milt Abrahams. He makes many of things that I have tried to i n my life seem very inadequate. I'm proud to have helped this clinic to happen." In a 1985 interview with the Jewish Press, Abrahams said that he regards age as a secondary statistic. "It's just like height or weight or something like that. The primary statistic in life is what you are doing." Abrahams believes that people have two choices in life. They may either avoid challenges and fail,' or they can welcome them and succeed.
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Members of the Burke High School Human Services Academy assisted Jewish Family Service with its annual Passover Tzedakah Project. Teacher Nancy Burkhart worked with Jennifer Meyerson at JFS to put together the food packages for distribution to Jewish families and individuals in Omaha.
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April 9,1999 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 11
Although no longer a prospective buyer would resident of Omaha, seek the advice of Mr. Judge Gitnick is a name Levine. Any business deal still familiar to many. or disagreement which He is well known also as required arbitration, a native son, one of the would be brought to kids who, with his brothLevine. Whatever his er Gary, spent his early decision, it was respected. years on the near north ij So many old stories to side of Omaha. The day remember* many which we talked, he looked would-1 bring a hearty around his surroundings _. . . ... ., i laugh and some which in Scottsdale, AZ, and , . , Gitnick a n d h i s g r a n d d a u g h t e r , G i t a i c k found b i t t e r s w e e t said, "this is a long way Ashleigh Horton. He always injects the from my old neighborhood." memory of "tough times", as he calls them. As a child, he What was that old neighborhood like? Jerry Gitnick. knew the need to be helpful and responsible and comthought a minute, then began to recite names. ments "that was what was expected." "There was a family named Bush (he had a horse He was an excellent student, skipping grades more and wagon), there were the Wolfsons (Judah's broth- than once. This brought him to high school at age 12, er), there were the Fishers, the Parkers and the which he says was disastrous in some ways. In his Rosens." He paused, and recalled, "H.B. Cohen's words, he was "a social misfit", being younger and mother and sister, Rose, lived there, too, and his smaller than his peers. This didn't affect his ability to brother, Louie, and, oh yes, the Guss family." keep up scholastically, of course. ' • Another name t h a t came to mind was Gitnick went on to Creighton University, a more Zollatuchen (spelling?) and "oh yes, there was the economical choice then than the University of Himmelstein family." Another piece of information Nebraska where he had a full Regents scholarship. concerned "the old Ak-Sar-Ben" which had burned He still helped at home, in the store and wherever down some years before. , else he was needed. He graduated from law school at age 22 and began the career which would make Where exactly was all this? "On 20th Street, between Burdette and Grace," his name well known and highly respected. Jerry replied, and told of going to Lake School, and of He remarked that the "old neighborhood", the walking regularly "to cheder (Talmud Torah) at the place from which we worked so hard to leave, figJewish Community Center, at 20th and Dodge." ..; ured later in his life, quite unexpectedly. When his He remembered getting in trouble with "old Mr. ; daughters were in grade school, busing children to exchange area schools became the law. He laughs Breslow who was in the glass business.". It seems while walking home from cheder one when he says "here we were, living in a nice house day. with a group of other boys, someone threw a on 120th and Farnam, and my daughter was bused rock. To this day Jerry doesn't know who, but since to Conestoga School, right next to the very same he was the slowest runner, he was caught and Lake School where I went as a child." accused. He still remembers the uproar waiting for He commented that it was a good experience, leaving him when he got home. He was finally believed but both girls with a social awareness of those around still seemed embarrassed about the episode!. . them at a young age. His pride in those young women Among the elders who made the deepest impres- today can hardly be contained, and if you want to see sion on young Jerry was his grandmother, Clara him beam, ask about Ashleigh, his granddaughter. Tretiak. The Gitnicks moved in with her during a Gitnick is a very different fellow from, the one tough time for the family, and the three genera- who lived on north 20th Street. He's retired now, tions spend the next 13 years together. She is well living in Arizona with his wife, Saranne, who he and lovingly remembered by Jerry as "the lady in describes as "the best thing that ever happened to charge, who ruled the roost." me in my life." Even though he's a notorious kidThe family bought a grocery store on 30th and der, when he says that, he's serious. Pinkney from a man named Rueben Shapiro during • He remembers those tough times, way back those early years. Jerry's father was unable to when, and remarks that he has nothing but gratiwork due to a chronic health problem, so the store tude for the way his life is today. He devotes some of his leisure time to volunteer work in the classbecame a family enterprise. . "I would come home from school and immediately rooms of his daughters, both teachers. He works • go to the store to help. I remember doing my home- with children who need .the extra help and receives, work behind that counter," he said. He also tells of in return, a double portion of joy, one part from the learning to cut meat from a butcher who taught hands-on with the kids and the other from his him the fine art, and talks about the "barrel of pride in observing the sensitive job being done by the teachers...his daughters. sauerkraut we inherited with the store." He explained that as the level of sauerkraut went down, This gentle, soft spoken man has endured some more cabbage and other ingredients were added, stirred tough times in recent years, with several serious illthoroughly and thereby insured a constant supply. nesses. He has, thankfully, overcome each blow and "We would sometimes run specials, such as a gone on to whatever came next. Maybe he learned pound of kraut free with every pound of wieners," about dealing with adversity in "the old neighborhe added. "For variety, maybe it was a pound of hood", maybe it's just in his nature. He gives the impression that no matter where he is or what he's wieners free with every pound of sauerkraut." Among the talents practiced, by the kid who grew doing, hell always remember where he came from. up to be a respected member of the legal profession He remembers the Yiddish he heard from an and who sat on the bench as Judge Jerry Gitnick for early age, and enjoys hearing or speaking familiar 16 years, was sign painting. Grocery prices, painted words or phrases. Where he was raised probably on the window of the store in that white paint not doesn't have a lot to do with his being a really nice often seen anymore. The grocer's son learned to print guy, but anybody who came from that same neighso well the chore became officially his. ,. .. borhood might want to claim it. If you run into him somewhere, just ask him about Gitnick remembers the one person in the Jewish community who was recognized as the'one to North 20th Street. Don't be in a hurry however, approach, no matter the question or problem: Mr. because you'll want to Irving Levine. If a resident of the neighborhood hear what he has to say. contemplated buying a certain property, the
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Page 12 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE April 9,1999
People of the Byte
Thissummer in Israel?
The Web offers volumes of info for Israel experience programs by Michael A. Levine, Special to The Jewish Press
Israel Summer Kollel is NCSYs summer learning Summer Institute. ISI can be experienced in a 23It's that time of year when parents and students program for high school boys based in Jerusalem. or 34-day outdoor adventure. BBYO also has a 30- Though the emphasis is clearly on learning, the start to think about their summer plans. day Eastern Europe/Israel Journey, a 24-day Paris Kollel includes sports in its program (approximateFor some of you that includes a trip to Israel. It may be two, three or six weeks long depending and Israel Tour, a 24-day England and Israel Tour, ly $3,100). on the program. Fortunately, there are an abun- a 28-day International Leadership Study in Israel Michlelet NCSY is a Torah study program for dance of options...most of which can be found on (ILSI) program and a shortened (18 days) Israel high school girls. It is also located in Jerusalem Excursion program. the Internet. The Web site gives and is geared to education and recreation (approxiThe first, and one of the best sites for all promately $3,100). This site offered a bit less informagrams available, is the Israel Experience home page you a brief bit of tion than BBYO. To really get the scoop, you need at: www.israelexperience.org/ie/index2.html .information about to contact the national office for more information With loads of program information, including each program and and a brochure. Three and-a-half stars out of five. addresses, bulletin boards and an enormous data- offers an online For more information on most of the Israel probase to search from, it's no wonder most of the application which is grams available, on and off the "Net, call the Israel Jewish Agency for Israel sites point to this address. quite convenient. I Program Center at the Central Agency for Jewish ' The process is simple. Just enter your desired gave them four stars Education, (913) 327-8140, or your local synagogue program requirements and the computer does the out of five. youth director. . The National^ rest. I have checked the site many times and my Comments, concerns, questions? E-mail latest search netted me 18 responses. Of that Conference of Synagogue Youth- (NCSY) at levine@sound.net, subject: JUDAISM.com. batch, I requested (online) information about four www.ou.org/ncsy/summer/overview. Former Omahan Michael A. Levine is the of them. Within minutes of my search I received an htm lists three Israel programs from which to e-mail conformation and information on most of the choose. Israel Summer Seminar gives participants Communications Coordinator for Village programs I had selected. I was also told hard copies the chance to experience the land of Israel with a Shalom, Inc. in Overland Park, KS. He is a of the literature would be sent out... not bad for a four-week tour. This program is for both boys and former staff writer for The Kansas City girls in high school (approximately $2,500). . Jewish Chronicle. half-hour of work. The other option is to have the Israel Experience Guide sent to you by mail. The catalog is easy to • use and has the programs listed in three categories: teens, college and adult programs. To get the catalog or more information, e-mail: israel_experience@cjfny.org or call (800) 99-ISRAEL. This site is the best of the best for your Israel trip...Five stars out of five! Some of the larger youth programs visible on the 'Net include: United Synagogue Youth (USY) at www.uscj.org/usy/escape/index.html, which offers seven programs for teens to visit Israel for periods ranging from six to 32 weeks and ranging in price from approximately $4,500 to $5,500. The regular six-week USY program to Israel is called Israel Pilgrimage and includes touring, camping and study. USY also offers two programs that begin in Europe and conclude in Israeli Eastern Europe I Israel Pilgrimage is a six-week program that begins with two weeks exploring Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Then, following a three-day boat journey simulating the postwar CONGRATULATIONS! Jewish immigration to Palestine, participants spend four weeks in Israel. EDDIE GRAHAM Italy I Israel Pilgrimage begins with a three-day RECIPIENT OF THE FIRST ANNUAL tour of Italy followed by a three-day voyage by ship ABE BAKER AWARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE* to Israel. USYers spend their remaining five weeks in Israel. Israel Pilgrimage/Poland Seminar begins with one week in Poland, visiting Warsaw, Krakow The first recipient of the "Abe Baker Award" is Eddie Graham, and Lubin and selected concentration camp sites. who has provided exemplary customer service for nearly 38 years. USYers then travel to Israel for their remaining five weeks; Eddie began his career at Baker's in 1961 at our Westgate Plaza Etgar! The Ultimate Israel Challenge is a fiveweek program for those who have already particistore on 84th & Frederick. When that store was relocated across pated in Israel Pilgrimage or a similar program. the street to Frederick Square in 1980, Eddie moved along with This program goes beyond the souvenir stands and it. The people he affectionately refers to as, "my customers" discovers the Israeli side of Israel. Participants continually enjoy his friendly smile and warm greetings. In study more than an average Israel Pilgrimage group and combine their travel with volunteer addition to his customer service excellence, Eddie has the excepwork, hiking and interaction with members of tional ability of being able to recall each one of his customers by Noam (The Conservative movement's youth proname. Congratulations, Eddie-you are most deserving of this gram in Israel). very special recognition! USY also offers two other Israel programs that are a bit longer. USY High is an eight-week study program that is combined with the Alexander Muss *The annual Abe Baker Award for Customer Service Excellence has been High School in Israel. Nativ is an'eight-month leadcreated to keep Abe Baker's passion for customer service alive and well at ership program for high school graduates. Students Baker's. This award recognizes one customer service associate each year who spend the first four months at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and complete their program by living truly delivers premier customer service in the manner of Abe Baker. and working on a kibbutz. Altogether, the USY web site is comprehensive Abe was widely known for his legendary commitment to customer service. and easy to navigate with loads of information on Baker's Supermarkets has thrived over the years by ahoays remembering and each program...I gave it a four and-a-half stars out following Abe's favorite expressions: "The customer signs our paycheck", and of five. B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) at "We are really in the people business, we just happen to sell groceries." www.bbyo-summer.org also has various Israel programs ranging from 18 to 34 days in length and approximately $2,700 to $3,700 in price. One of the more popular BBYO trips is the Israel
gakers