ilewish Pres
NE HIST SOCIETY 1500 R-ST LINCOLN NE 60508-1651
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS
VoLLXXVI
7Iyyar, 5759
No. 31 Omaha, NE
We're all going to Israel!"
April 23,1999
The community remembers
by Gloriann Levy, Jewish Cultural Arts Council Director
by Carol Katzman
More than 400 people paid tribute to Eliach recalled, "and came back as those who perished in the Holocaust the member of a presidential comas the Omaha Jewish community mittee; I kept touching my badge as gathered at Beth Israel Synagogue though it was an amulet." The group walked into the ghetto, last week for Yom haShoah. Six surbut Eliach could only vivors lit candles, one hear "Jewish chilfor each million of the dren singing" and six million Jews who realized she did not were murdered by want the museum to the Nazis: Boris portray "Jews as vicDobin, Hilda Gottims." But her idea of tlieb, Miriam Grosspreserving the memman, Fred Kader, ories of a thriving Bea Karp and Helena Jewish life in Europe Tichauer. before World War II Following readings was initially rejected by area rabbis and by the commission. cantors, Dr. Yaffa Eliach, creator of the In 1987, in the exhibit and book, The town of Eishyshok, a Cast members of We're All Going to Israel include, back row. Ben town founded in Taxman, left, Beth Radloff, Adam Rosen, Kim Pitlor, Danielle Burr World That Was, 1065 by five Jewish and musical director Chuck Penington; middle row. Lauren Feigin, spoke about the process in creating Boris Dobin lights one of six families originally Ariel Shukert, Rebecca Murow, Rachel Javitcb, Jessica Hasslinger; Babylonia, and Ruth Radloff and Chelsea Taxman, in front. Not pictured: this exhibit for the candles in memory of the six from United States Holo- million Jews who perished in (Eliach's among Deborah Radloff and Ryan Rubek. them), she met an caust Museum and the Holocaust. In conjunction with the community"It will be fun for them to be the old woman who remembered the wide Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel opening act before Oy Vey!" Javitch her personal role in it. . "This is a special Yom haShoah," Jews from before WWII. Independence Day, We're All Going to said. "They've been practicing hard "Once there were 3500 Jews living -ianK/£..willJje_ performed in the JiJC, and they hope ,to inspire excitement Dr. Eliach said at the beginning of her speech.."It .is the last one of thethere; today the synagogue is now a Theatre on Sunday, April 25, at to other teens about going to Israel!" 20th century. In a few years, none of sports complex and not a single Jew 2 p.m. Yom Ha'Atzmaut runs from The Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration us .(survivors) will be around. (like is left," Eliach saicl. "But this old 12:30 to &30 pan. also features Israeli arts and crafts, me), many have spent their lives woman recounted a story to me To celebrate, 12 teens will display prizes, clowns, Israeli gift shops, dedicated to documenting the about carrying a little girl out to the their talents in a short performance books, exhibits, American and Israeli Holocaust, but I chose to focus on fields where the few remaining Jews kosher food and Oy Vey!—an interac- our outstanding past." entitled "Going to Israel!" of Eishyshok were being murdered in Under the direction of Karen tive Klezmer concert for children and In 1979, President Jimmy Carter 1944. their families. The concerts are free Sokolof Javitch, Deborah Radloff and appointed Eliach to a fact-finding "That little girl was me...and that Chuck Penington, the teens will per- and open to the public. committee which was to report back woman was my nanny." The program is sponsored by the to the U.S. Holocaust Commission form a skit about the trials and tribuEliach was then able to document lations of going to Israel. They will Jewish Cultural Arts Council with with recommendations for the muse- Jewish life in Europe with her threegenerous support from the Carl L. also sing and dance to "We're All um's design and content. story exhibit at the Holocaust Going to Israel", a song from the Frohm Foundation and the Mort "I left Warsaw as a small child Museum. With photos and diaries Karen Javitch-Elaine Jabenis musi- Richards Fund. with a few family photos in my shoe," (Continued on page 6) cal, From Generation to Generation. For more information, call 334-6403.
Three win United Way awards ADL honors four
Mark Levy was honored by the United Way in the religion category for his dedication in conducting services, teaching classes, and in-service training for the staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Eileen Remer, also nominated by Jewish Senior Services, won for stepping in to fill the vacancy of Maggie Conti, older adult staff director,1 during
Mark Levy, left, Eileen Remer and Dr. Milton Margolin won top awards at Tuesday's United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Awards luncheon. The United Way annually honors volunteers in a number of categories for volunteer service with area.non-profit Organizations and agencies. More than 400 people attended the luncheon as 20 individuals and four groups were honored. Conti's maternity leave. Dr. Milt Margolin was nominated by the Jewish Federation for his long-time work in the community with Young Energetic Seniors and other Jewish groups. "I'm so proud of all three!" noted Conti. "It was such an honor for JSS." (Editor's note: see related JSS story on page 6)
by Jill Belmont
"We who survive are the voices of the past."— Sam Fried, Holocaust survivor Four Holocaust survivors, who have spent years using their "voices of the past" to educate countless children and adults about the horrors of the Holocaust, were paid tribute"last week by the AntdDefamation League. Nearly 200 people joined together at the Jewish
At last week's ADL event were: Ann Goldstein,- ADL-CRC president; Miriam Grossman; Bob Wolfson, ADL-CRC Executive Director; Sam Fried, Bea Karp, and Cantor LeoFettman. (Continued on page 5)