ewish Pres
ME HIST SOCIETY li>0''. R &r LINCOLN HE .•6S50S-1651
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS Vol.LXXVI
No. 40 Omaha, NE
11 Tammuz, 57S9
June 25,1999
Undercutting extremism by Leonard 2eskind, Special to The Jewish Press
Midwest activists put damper on Christian Identity meeting in Missouri Kansas City - At age 54, Everett Siliven announced he was changing his surname to Ramsey because he thought the uncle who had adapted him might secretly be a Jew. And a possible Jewish identification horrified Ramsey nee' Siliven, who runs an outfit he calls "Faith Baptist Church* in Houston, MO. The church is not Baptist, however, in any of the ways that term is usually understood. Instead, Ramsey preaches that white Christians are the real people Israel, racial descendants of the Biblical tribes. In other words, the man who broke with his legal father's name because he might be Jewish, adopted a religion whose believers claim they are the real "Jews." If this sounds too bizarre for X Files, please read on, because Everett Siliven Ramsey just held his 1999 "Super Conference" in Springfield, MO. In recent years, as many as 600 devotees have gathered for Siliven Ramsey's annual convocation. The large attendance signaled the remarkable growth of an explicitly anti-Semitic and racist theology called Christian Identity in the Missouri and Kansas area. This year, however, the Super Conference met unexpected opposition. As a consequence, attendance fell to less than 75 and Siliven Ramsey's future as a Christian Identity promoter may now be foreshortened. It would not be the first time his fortunes have fallen. In 1977, he was just plain Everett Siliven when he opened the Faith Christian School in Louisville, NE, with 17 students. He soon ran- afoul of the state after failing to operate with certified teachers, and authorities took legal steps to close the school down. At that time, Siliven was not yet a partisan of the Identity doctrine, but carried instead a mantle more akin to traditional fundamentalism. The case quickly became a national issue, and in 1981, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who then headed the Moral Majority, led a large rally in Omaha to support the embattled Siliven. In the first of several related jail terms, he was sentenced the following
year to .four months for contempt of court. The issue continued to simmer until 1984, when the Nebraska legislature changed its teacher certification laws. Siliven tried to turn his jailhouse notoriety into a campaign for Nebraska governor in 1986, and ran on promises to help economically distressed farmers. At a rally of 400 in Kearney that January, he spoke from the platform with several far-right radicals, including Identity adherents from Oklahoma and Virginia. The situation was so volatile that the Highway Patrol advised the lone Jewish family living in that area to leave town during the rally. Among the speakers that day was Richard Hoskins, a Virginia stock broker, who had written a book blaming.Jews for causing wars. Hoskins then donated $1,000 to Siliven's campaign for governor. The election bid was an unremarkable failure, except for the $13,450 contribution he received through a trust in Nassau, Bahamas, then an offsnore, banking site popular in 6ome tax-avoidance circles. By 1992, tax rebellion landed Siliven in federal prison on four counts of mail fraud and one count of defrauding the government. After his release, he resettled near Houston, MO, just 50 miles from his boyhood home. Siliven restarted his Faith Baptist Church, but with a difference. This time he openly advocated the core tenets of Christian Identity: Only white people were descended from Adam; Jews were Satanic; "race mixing" a sin. .. .; (Continued on page 10)
T h e Rev. E v e r e t t Siliven, now known as Siliven Ramsey, is shown with the book he wrote about his battle with the Nebraska Unicameral over his Faith Christian School in Louisville, NE. He is now associated with the "Identity" white supremacy movement.
ADL-CRC issues statement on Siliven's activities by Bob Wolfson, Executive Director, Plains States Anti-Defamation League
Out of the center of attention does not mean out of sight for us. We have watched for years as Siliven has drifted ever further to the extreme. His latest incarnation - the Identity Siliven - is the most disturbing yet. ;
We plan to continue our vigilance in watching the activities of these haters and continuing to expose them to the light of day. For more information about the Anti-Defamation League/Communicty Relations Committee and how you can help, call us at 330-1303.
Temple Israel celebrates at 128th annual meeting by Iris Ricks
More than 176 congregants attended the 128th annual meeting of Temple Israel on June 13 honoring outgoing president Larry Roffman and Religious School Director Ann Kibel Schwartz, who is moving to Baltimore to assume a position in education at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Michael Walts, Marvin Parilman and Mitzi Delman gave tributes to Schwartz and presented her with a stained glass seder plate. In addition, a stone was placed on the Tree of Life in the Roz and Ike Friedman Social Hall with the inscription, "For devotional service and love to our children and parents." Co-chaired by Sue Meyers and Fefe Passer, the dinner also featured the musical talents of Cantor Jennifer Blum and the Kol Rina choir, directed by Will Wallace. Cantor Blum presented gifts to the volunteer members of the choir and to accompanist Julie Sandene. Dr. Jeffrey Passer began the meeting with the invocation after which Dr. Rofftnan led the congregation in a moment of silent prayer for the late Rabbi-emerituB Sidney Brooks. Past-president Jane Rips presented the president's plaque to Dr. Roffman in honor of his out-
Ajon and Carol Farber received the first Teihple Israel gave Ann Kibel Schwartz Pillar of Temple Israel Award. a stained glass seder plate. standing leadership during his term, 1997-99. while Mrs. Farber has been called "a devoted Temple Israel also presented Ajon and Carol . guardian of funds and supporter of youth." Farber with its first Pillar of Temple Israel Award. The Harriet Sperling Caring Award was preThis award, not necessarily presented each year, sented posthumously to Marilyn Mellen, in memohonors builders of the congregation "who have ry of her compassionate leadership in the caring gone above and beyond." service of others. Her sons, Doug and Jeff Mellen, Serving the congregation in many ways, Mr. accepted the award. Farber was described as "a dedicated builder, Other awards were given to Mike Walts and leader and lifelong champion of Temple Israel," (Continued on page 11)