ewish Press
NE HIST SOCIETY
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1500 ft ST LINCOLN ME 68508-1651
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS VoLLXXVI
No. 43 Omaha, NE.
3Av,5759
July 16,1999
Edie Wolf closes the book on 26-year career at the Federation Library
Refugee relief continues in Kosovo
by Claudia Sherman
The Joint Distribution Committee, a recipient of funds from annual Federation Campaigns across the country has announced the continuation of non-sectarian activities including medical assistance, the distribution of supplies in refugee camps in Albania and Macedonia, the establishment of a "model" refugee camp in Elbasan, Albania and the development of programs in community health and vocational training. Attention is being paid to activities with immediate benefits as well as those which address longerterm needs. To date, the JDC Kosovo Relief Mailbox has collected more than $3.8 million. Donations should be sent to: JDC, 711 Third Avenue - 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10017. The memo line of the check and the outer envelope should be marked "Kosovo Relief." JDC has provided the following relief supplies and services in Albania and Macedonia: bedding and mattresses to over 23,000 refugees, repair of shelters in various camps, establishment of 100 children's libraries in various refugee camps, and recreational kits for children At the request of the International Rescue Committee, JDC Medical Director Dr; Rick Hodes is also helping to determine medical and healthrelated priorities and activities. . JDC's programs will provide basic health, recreational and vocational services to prevent disease and engage children and adults in productive activities. Many of these activities will also prepare them for repatriation. In each case, JDC's role will be to" provide technical-expertise (such as experts in trauma relief), participate in the management of the projects, conduct oversight activities, and provide financial resources. Even as the process of repatriation and resettlement begins much is unknown about the length of time that the refugees will require services and training in Albania and Macedonia. Therefore, activities will be implemented in stages and planning will be continuous to ensure the best use of resources. JDC continues to convert'and upgrade the first of two model refugee "camps" in the town of Elbasan
In April of this year, Edythe (Edie) Wolf completed her 26th year as. the director of the Jewish Federation Library in Omaha. On June 30, her last day in that position, she emphasized that she has "thoroughly enjoyed working for the Jewish community. It's a wonderful environment to work in." • Born and raised in Philadelphia, Wolf moved to Omaha in the fall of 1972 when her husband, Marty, accepted th exposition of academic dean and vice president of Iowa Western Community College. Edie Wolf earned her master's degree in library science from Columbia University and her undergraduate degree from Temple University in Philadelphia in social sciences. Prior to moving to Omaha, she worked at the Queensboro Public Library in New York as a librarian trainee and at Michigan State University as the acquisitions librarian. She had been looking for a part-time job in Omaha when Cantor Chaim Najman from Beth El Synagogue asked her if she knew that the Jewish Community Center was looking for a librarian. She was hired for the position in 1973 and worked 20 hours a week. The library was located on the third floor of the old Jewish Community Center, at 20th and Dodge Streets. "There were three little rooms, and books were in closets all over the place, piled to the ceiling," described Wolf. There was no card catalog and no call numbers on the books. About a year after Wolf became the library direc"*torV HierrJewish*eommunity Center movedtoits: present location at 132nd and Dodge Streets. The book collection has been cataloged and about 1,000 new books a year have been added to the collection. There were about 15,000 books when Wolf started. "Now there are about 36,000 books," she confirmed. "We developed programs such as the annual Jewish book fair, story hours for children, and book discussion groups," Wolf continued. Both the catalog and check out system are automated "thanks to the Livingston Foundation," she said. "We also have a very fine Holocaust collection." Reluctant to take credit for the improvements and depth and breadth of the collection, Wolf
Edythe Wolf, left, was honored Tuesday at a reception organized by past Library chairman Joyce Cohen, center, current chairman F r a n c e s Gottlieb, and past chairman Gloria Kaslow, (not pictured). said, "It was a wonderful collection to begin with." She attributes Paul Veret with planting the seeds that grew into one of the finest Jewish libraries in the country. "There's not another Judaica library in a Jewish community center that has as fine a collection—maybe in the whole country," Bhe indicated. Her biggest challenge was "to keep the whole thing going. It's not a big staff." The challenge remains, in her opinion, "to get more and more people to use the library. It's not being used to the extent it should be and could be."
F e d e r a t i o n Executive Director J a n Pcrelman, left, presented Edie Wolf with a crystal dreidel symbolizing her 26 years of service to the Jewish community. (Continued on page 2)
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USY-On-Wheels rolls through Omaha by Cheryl Lerner
Beth El Synagogue was host recently to 48 high melding of Jewish education and observance, the school teens from across the country participating personal experience of meeting people from across inUSY-On-Wheels. the country, and the thrill of seeing the historical ?-.'.> Sponsored by the United Synagogue of and exciting sights of North America, adds up to a Conservative Judaism, USY-On-Wheels is a 61/2- growing and learning experience which has been week bus tour of North America. Through the unique to USY since 1960. Wheels program, participants enrich and develop The "Wheelniks" and staff arrived in Omaha the their awareness and appreciation of Conservative evening of July 7. After conducting their evening Judaism. services, they enjoyed dinner at Beth El, followed "Wheelniks" observe Shabbat and kashrut, partic- by swimming and basketball at the JCC. Twenty ipate in daily prayers and take part in structured Beth El families provided home hospitality, the classes which follow a prescribed curriculum. This opportunity for visiting, laundry facilities and USY "Wheelniks" u n l o a d at B e t h El beds. Beth El member Susan Friedman was more than Synagogue after a day's drive from Chicago. anxious to provide home hospitality for the groupThe Wheelniks returned to Beth El the next she herself was a "Wheelnik" 21 years ago. "It was one of the most incredible summers of my life," she morning for services, breakfast and a tour of the said. "I was a high school student in New York and Synagogue by Rabbi Paul Drazen. At the JCC, they didn't know much of what existed west of were given a tour of the Nebraska Jewish Manhattan. I got to see the country and make Historical Society, led by Barbara Bresler. They then rolled downtown to the Old Market and lunch some long lasting friendships. "It's an amazing experience how it all comes at Heartland of America Park before heading back together, all intertwined, the Judaism, the travel, out west for a tour of SAC Museum., The Wheelniks said a fond farewell to Omaha Three USY -"wheelniks" enjoy some free time the people. When I go back east and see a bus from and headed on to Kearney to spend the night. The Academy Bus Lines, I still look for bus #52.1 at Homer's in the Old Market. Another highbus then rolled on toward Denver, their next destilight of their visit included a tour of SAC pulled out my scrapbopk from that summer of 1978 nation. and showed it to the kids who stayed here." museum.