Jewish Press
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS VoLLXXVI
.'i IE1Y
' ,
No. 46 Omaha, NE
ARTZA teens return from Israel
Above: Preparing for a hike are, back row, from left: Dusty Friedman, Shane Cohn, Emily Epstein, David Patton, Dan Lercher, Ryan Tichauer and David Gutman. Front row: Aaron Wolfson, Jon Linn and Michael Schneider. Right photo: Finding shade on a long hike are Ally Freeman, left, and Jamie Skog. Three staff members accompanied 34 teens from Omaha on the recent four-week trip to Israel. The trip included: Nichole Cohn, Shane Cohn, Amy Cotton, Melissa Debruin, Tony Endelman, Emily Epstein,
Michael Fineman, Rachel Flatowicz, Ally Freeman, Dusty Friedman, Jen Friedman, Sierra Gendelman, Igor Ginzburg, David Gutman, Melissa Josephson, Joanna Kay, Mendel Kurland; Dan" L'erther, J- BTad
Lerner, Jonathan Linn, Diana Manvitz, David Patton, David Pitlor, Adam Rosen, Valerie Rosenberg, Terry Salmi, David Schneider, Michael Schneider, Ariel Shukert, Jamie Skog; Steve
Sternberg, Ryan Tich- auer, Marina Tsed and Aaron Wolfson. Staff members were: Lisa Shkolnick, Gary Shyken and Andy Ruback. Journal entries and more photos will appear in-next week's Press.
Support for burned synagogues swells; no charges yet by Rebecca Rosen Lum, Jewish Bulletin of Northern California
SAN FRANCISCO, (JTA)—Six weeks after arson devastated three Sacramento-area synagogues, shows of support from across Northern California have infused the beleaguered Jewish community with a new confidence. Close to ground zero, in downtown Sacramento last week, 250 people attended a gospel benefit with "people singing about Jesus to raise money for Jews," according to Marc Carrel, chair of the Sacramento Jewish Community Relations Council. "They passed the hat and raised about $1,100" for synagogues damaged in the June 18 arson attack. ' Elsewhere, earlier this month in Half Moon Bay, the Pacifica Interfaith Initiative kicked off a joint effort between Buddhists, Muslims, the Coastside Jewish Community and numerous churches to announce its Books Against Bigotry campaign. The project will collect book donations for Sacramento .Congregation B'nai Israel, whose library was destroyed in the blaze. Also early this month, nearly 1,000 people of varied faiths and ethnicities packed into the sanctuary of Congregation Beth David in Saratoga to hear San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and other community and religious leaders decry hate crimes. Smaller rallies were also held this month in Modesto and Santa Cruz to show support for the Sacramento Jewish community and express zero tolerance for crimes of bigotry. Yet one more rally took place on Tuesday of last week, when more than 100 turned out on the state Capitol steps for an anti-hate demonstration sponsored by the Yolo County Citizens for Affirmative Action. JCRC chair Carrel, Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas Jr., and rabbis from two of the attacked synagogues—Brad Bloom of Sacramento Congregation B'nai Israel and Matthew Friedman, the new spiritual leader at Congregation Beth
Shalom in Carmichael, spoke to a diverse crowd. "The point was to show continuing support," Carrel said. '"People have calmed down a lot" since FBI agents recently notified the 32 people whose names appeared on a "hit list" compiled by two brothers who. are being investigated for possible links to the arson attacks. The list, discovered after the brothers were arrested in the July 1 slaying of a gay Reddingarea couple, contained the names of a number of civic and Jewish community leaders. "With time passing, people have become less , tense," Carrel said. "We're getting back to the business of rebuilding and coming together as a community." •;.,, The fires were set within minutes of each other in the early morning hours of June 18. While B'nai Israel and Beth Shalom have been able to resume services and activities at their sites, the third targeted synagogue, Kenesset Israel Torab Center in Sacramento, had its only facility—a converted home—damaged beyond repair. Losses at the three synagogues have been set conservatively at $1 million—a figure that does not include contents. Although flyers from a hate group called the World Church of the Creator were found at two of the three sites, the Jewish Bulletin obtained a copy of a letter from one of the Williams brothers to family and friends indicating he had become enraptured by a group called Christian Identity. That group's founders claim Jews are the descendants of a union between Eve and the snake who invaded the Garden of Eden. Its members have been linked to a number of violent crimes across the United States. Meanwhile, brothers James Tyler Williams and Benjamin Matthew Williams, arrested in connection with the Redding-area slaying, were arraigned
Thursday of last week on a host of state charges. Denied bail, they remain at Shasta County Jail in Redding. If convicted, they could land on death row. Shasta County Sheriffs Department investigators turned up a cache of incriminating items in a search of the Williams' residences. One of them provided a compelling link to the arsons. It was a hand-scrawled note that read, "ZWEBN1ER-YID—$ 10,000 reward on us," an apparent reference to a reward for information on the arsons posted by London-based businessman Michael Zwebner. Hate-linked arson and acts of violence are federal crimes. However, federal charges have not yet been filed. "As far as prosecution goes, a double homicide is clearly a priority," said Lt. Bradd McDannold of the Shasta County Sheriffs Department Major Crimes Unit. "As far as other charges go, the feds can take a number. But there is nothing stopping them from filing charges. They could do that any tune." Federal officials declined to speculate as to when that might be, although investigators say they have more evidence than they need to support a hatecrime arson case against the brothers. ; In a related development, a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat from Greenbrae, would tag staffer penalties onto a conviction-and make it easier to investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act, authored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA.), passed unanimously in the Senate Monday and now is awaiting a presidential signature. • "The federal government has a whole host of resources it can bring to bear during an investigation, but existing law makes local folks jump (Continued on page 3)
Page 2 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 6,1999
Sparks from the Word
Journey home to Jewish Omaha. www.iewishomaha.org
SCOTT KOTZEN LMT Massage Manager • Corporate On-Site Chair Massage YMCA • Health Spa & Table DOWNTOWN Massage (20 yrs.) 430 S. 20th St. • GIFT CERTIFICATES Omaha, NE 68102 Visa/MC FOR APPOINTMENTS, CALL (402) 341-1600 or Pager 221-1970
Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. YOUR LOW COST-FULL SERVICE MORTGAGE LENDER • 1 Day NO COST Pre-Approval! • NEW CONSTRUCTION - Long Term Rate Locks With REPRICING AVAILABLE If Rates Go Down! • NO-COST TRU-LOCK COMMITMENT© Allowing You To Lock A Rate While You Are Shopping For A Home • 100% LTV Equity Lines of Credit, Second Mortgages • Low Cost Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate and B'alloon Mortgages! WE'LL MAKE YOUR LOAN "POINTLESS".
CALL GARY NACHMAN 333-7900 Check rates 24 hours a day at www.residentialmortgages.com Other Offices: Bellevue 292-7900 Lincoln 423-8885 Council Bluffs 322-7900
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
on the whole, exemplary.
c p
s A V E
1
•••••:••'..•:
The problem nationally between Jews and Jews is not quite so good. But our real problem is in Israel, where a self-ordained Orthodoxy, or a branch of it, insists that it alone continues true Judaism and everything else is fake and is a fraud. More than once this group of haredim has tried to prevent Conservative and Reform interpretations of Judaism from taking root in Israel. When one considers how large a majority of Israeli Jews are put off by this stance, .one is certain that this stance not only does not add to the glory of Judaism in Israel, but that it clearly results in destroying Judaism-in Israel of all places! Jews of all stripes, it seems to me, must recognize the legitimacy of all the stripes and colors within Judaism. We ought to be able to be at home in the synagogues of groups other than our own; we ought to be able to worship in synagogues not our own. For social purposes we often find ourselves attending Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations at a synagogue not our own. We ought to discipline ourselves to be able to worship freely from the Siddur and in the practices of Jews of traditions different from our own. I think that locally and nationally we are moving in this direction. It is proper that we should do so. We ought, all of us, to recognize the legitimacy of others. It is to be hoped that the quest for pluralism will one day be honored in Israel as well.
Teens volunteer at JCC camps
For information on the
prevention and
CENTRAL PARK PHARMACY #5 CUP & SAVE
MERRIAM COOPERMAN Graveside services for Merriam Cooperman were I held August 3 at Beth El Cemetery. She died August 1 I at the age of 82: Survivors include her husI band, Harold Cooperman, CEO of No Frills Supermarkets; daughter and son-in-law, Frances and Richard Juro; I grandchildren: Kevin Juro, I Kimara and Kevin Clark and I Keri and Tom Lawley; sister'in-law, Helen Gould; and : many nieces, nephews and :, cousins. Mrs. Cooperman helped her husband start their first groMerriam Cooperman cery store in 1938. She later served as Corporate Secretary-Treasurer for Harold's Supermarkets and No Frills Supermarkets. She was a former president of the Omaha Artists Association, drove a Red Cross Bloodmobile and also drove handicapped children to school. In addition, she was a longtime member of Beth El Synagogue, Hadassah, B'nai B'rith, Amit and the National Council of Jewish Women, and was honored at an Israel Bond dinner. Memorials to Harold and Merriam Cooperman Senior Service Fund, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154.
Parashat Re'eh Our Sidrah minces no words about the duty to destroy all false worship in the Land about to be entered by the Children of Israel. All the shrines which had been holy to this group or that were to be destroyed. Any structure erected as a "holy" place or symbol was to be demolished. No worship of any kind was to be permitted in the Holy Land except that of the God of Israel. It is not even to be permitted to investigate to see what other groups thought or fancied about their gods and their religious practices. Zero tolerance! It is true, of course, that in other passages of the Bible there are found more sensitive understanding and more generous intellectual views of other religions. But here, in our Parasha, there is nothing of the sort. Frankly, I am not proud of this unrelenting assumption of a single Truth that this Sidrah advocates. One excuses this by saving, as the Sidrah does, that the pagan practices of the Canaanites included base immoralities which were uncurable except by excision. But the base immoralities are defined by one's own views, not by some standard that inheres in Nature. When one weighs all of this against our contemporary insistence on pluralism, we prefer our broader tolerance and our avoidance of passionate MARK "MICKEY" LINTZMAN objection to the beliefs and practices of others. We Mark "Mickey" Lantzman died July 26 in Los consider this to be more moral and more humane. We are loathe to insist that are own is the only Angeles. Services were also held there. Survivors include his sister, Diane Reissman. idea worth existing the world of religion and that Memorials to charity of choice. every other must be obliterated. The sad history of Jewish oppression under the militant and self-confident Christianity of the Middle Ages springs quickly to mind. And the attempt on the part of certain groups in contemporary Jewish Orthodoxy to brand as illegitimate all other interpretations of Judaism is a further unhappy case in point. In our own community we have only rarely been faced with this,kind of intolerance. The relations between Jews and Christians on the one hand, and between Jews and Jews, on the other, have been, ;
All aventa held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The Jewish Press Is notresponsiblelor the accuracy of the events. To keep calendar accurate or lor questions, csll Martene Hert at 334-6437.
307 North 114th St. PHONE 333-5100
by Rabbi MyerS. Kripke
n m
CLIP & SAVE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Temple Israel Shabbat Service-in-the-Park, 6 p.m., at Zorinsky Lake SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 Bagel & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel MONDAY, AUGUST 9 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10 Adult Lunch & Learn, noon, at Beth El BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 Hadassah Meeting, 10:30 a.m., at Livingston Plaza Board of Commissioners Meeting, 7:30 pjn., at Beth Israel THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. Beginning Midrash, 6:50 p.m., at Temple Midrash, 7:50 p.m., at Temple Israel FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Russian Club, 10 a.m. Jewish Women International Open Board Meeting, 10 a.m., at the Village Inn
Exclusive truth and pluralism
control of lung disease, call:
AssoamnoN.
r mouth?
l-800-LONO-USA
Michael P a r s o w , s o n of Carol and Alan Parsow, has been helping Miss Sue and Miss Ann this summer i n the Shemesh class for three-year-old t o d d l e r s in t h e Child Development Center. Michael spent four weeks at Camp Sabra in the Ozarks before volunteering bis time for the CDC. For information about class availability in the CDC, call Director Linda Novak, 334-6415.
August 6,1999 ',,<.<!•','
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
••'•:.
i,-'
PageS
'' • ' ; ,
CANDLELIGHT1NG: 8:17 p.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ,""''
/i&embfssatih&Vnliaafft,
Orthodox JowisH CongrcgH HODS of America
556-6536
,NE 68132-2851 ••« , . - . -.
FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Will Wallace will officiate. Rabbi Azriel will lead a discussion of the Torah portion for the week. SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible: An opportunity to learn Torah with the rabbis, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat service, Mh30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE Sitter Service is available Friday evening, Saturday mornings for Bagels and Bible and the worship service. Cost is $2 per family. Please make a reservation through the Temple office so we may plan accordingly. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY, August 12: Beginning Beyond Midrash, 6:50-7:40 p.m.; Beyond Midrash, 7:508:45 pan., led by Don Schwartz. SHABBAT IN THE PARK Friday, Aug. 6, at the Zorinsky Lake, 156th & F St., main picnic area, Shelter 2. Bring a picnic supper at 6 p.m. A service, led by Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Jennifer Blum will follow. The regular service will be held in the Temple Chapel at 7:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the outdoor service will be canceled.
- - '-' tmm,®ta&nu-:'-'
. -'
Omaha, NE 6810*45013 Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 pjn. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 a.m.; Little People service, 10:15 aun..; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 aan.; Kiddush sponsored by Bart and Jordana Nissen in honor of Bret's (Daniel Boaz) conversion. Rabbi's class, 7:40 p.m.; Mincha, 8:10 p.m., Ma'ariv and Havdalah, 9:19 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Beis Hamedrash, 9:45 a.m.; Mincha, 8:15 pjn. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 8:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Kutner teaches a Talmud Class, 7:15 p.m. at the synagogue.
"'•/{&•_ *''•"•'
- 14506 California = . ' - - ~f\i Omaha, ME 68154-1980 ' ^t.t •• 492-8550 - ,' , / ' '\l<? WEB"Www.bethel-Oiaalttt^>rg '%;. * 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: Services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9-.30 a.m.; Dvar Torah given by Steve Riekes; Kiddush following; Sitter service, 10 ajn.; Shabbat Story Time (pre-kindergarten and under) 11 ajru; ICtan tan (kindergarten through 3rd grade) 10:45 a-m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 8:25 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. . WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. & 5:30 p.m., LUNCH AND LEARN Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Drazen will be Tuesday, Aug. 10, noon, at the Rose Blumkin Home. Please call the office for reservations.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME *'
E-MAILs <locjeb<2)aol.com ' / :'
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peggy Deland and Sandra Kurland, will follow.
B£YT SHALOM 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.
BITHIL SYNAGOGUE -?;f. Member o f United S y n a g o g u e s o f Conservative tTuA»i«tt
. A« Affiliate Of ilto i i f
P.O.Box241130, Omaha,NE68124-5130 - , ,-' 758-9233 -' FRIDAY: Shabbat in the home. Religious School resumes on Sunday, Aug.' 29. Pre-registrations are being accepted at 758-9233. FRIDAY, Aug. 6: Kabbalat Shabbat at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Harold Gottlieb. All services are followed by Kiddush. A memorial, in memory of residents who have died during the month, is held on the last sabbath of each month.
Bat Mitzvah Marissa Ashley Sadofsky, daughter of Paul and Kelli Sadofsky, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Beth El Synagogue. An eighth-grade student at LaVista Junior High, she enjoys swimming, volleyball, babysitting and reading. She also volunteers at Sump Memorial Library in Papillion. Marissa has two sisters, Natasha and Brianna. Grandmothers are Selma Sadofsky and Margaret Stout.
PERSONAL Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRDJAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Sabbath service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah study, 10:30 a-m.
Support for burned synagogues
(Continued from page 1) through a whole lot of hoops to get it," said Boxer's Washington, D.C., press officer, David Sandretti. "But the key component [in the Sacramento case] is the provision that mandates tougher sentencing." Meanwhile, as the three synagogues rebuild: Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. •The California State Attorney General has FRDJAY: Services, 9tf 0 a.m. announced that the synagogues may tap a fund for SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., followed by" the victims of hate crimes to help finance recovery Kiddush; Mincha/Ma'ariv, 6:30 p.m., followed by efforts. With an exhortation to "expand, not just Havdalah. rebuild," Housing and Urban Development WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma- Secretary Andrew Cuomo made $6 million in guar'ariv, 7:30 p.m. anteed loans available to the congregations. •Stacey*? Bookstore in San Francisco will donate 10 percent of revenues from its religion, philosophy and spirituality sections to B'nai Israel, whose library was annihilated in the predawn blaze. The TiFERETH ISRAEL bookstore is urging patrons to buy books for the Member of the Untied Synagogue library during the first week in September or a gift of Conservatives Judaism certificate enabling the synagogue to purchase rare 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 books. . 423-8569 *By last week, Sacramento's Unity Fund had Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. amassed more than $375,000 in contributions from Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday at agencies and individuals to aid the affected' syna7:15 a.m. gogues. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. *The Sacramento City Council recently approved SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Elbogen- $100,000 for a Museum of Tolerance based on the Friedman Aufruf, followed by a Kiddush lun- Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance cheon for the entire congregation. in Los Angeles. The Sacramento museum is Bloom's brainchild.
I would like to thank my family, friends, Cantor Berkovits and Rabbi Drazen for their kindness during my stay in the hospital and recuperation time after the car accident. The dinners, cards, calls, donations and visits have brightened my days. MarkSilberstein
Choosing child careOne of the most important decisions parents make. Check It out: v Drop In unannounced, * Check on dafty activities. <* Ask for references. NEBRASKA HEALTH ANDHUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Betn El Synagogue Is seeking a part-time
Program Director • Be part of a professional staff. • Duties include helping create and execute diverse educational, religious and social programming for all age groups. • Must be highly motivated and work well with people of all ages; must possess writing and computer skills and have knowledge'of marketing and public relations. For more information, contact:
Larry DeBruin, Executive Director
492-8550
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 6,1999
Don't underestimate the Jews In a recent editorial in the Omaha World-Herald, columnist Mona Charen practically gave the Jewish community to Hillary Clinton in the next Senate race. She assumes, and wrongly so, that because Jews voted overwhelmingly in favor of Bill Clinton in both the 1992 and 1996 elections, that New York Jews will automatically vote for Mrs. Clinton. Don't underestimate us, Mona! You're making two more mistakes (in addition to the one above)...you're equating the pool of Jews in New York with the rest of the Jewish community in the United States, and you're assuming that all Jews are liberal voters and will j u m p on the Hillary bandwagon. .Here's why you're wrong...the Jewish community of New York City is quite diverse...from Upper East Side German Jews to Upper West Side yuppies and fruppies (frum or observant yuppies) to hassidic Jews in Williamsburg and Crown Heights and "black hats" in Far Rockaway and Borp Park. They don't look alike and they don't vote alike. Many of those groups
Our man In Israel
voted heavily for Rudy Guiliani in the mayoral race and are likely to vote for him again when he runs for the open Senate seat in 2000. Even those Jews in Manhattan, which you so glibly call "assimilated" may not vote for a woman who has never lived in New York. New Yorkers are very protective of those who've "earned" that description and she can't expect to garner votes just by "listening to the voters" as she has stated. As for those Jewish voters in the suburbs and upstate...you may be wrong there; too, Mona. Jewish voters who fled New York City in the '70s are thrilled with Guiliani's successes in "the City" and though they couldn't vote for him in the mayoral race, they'll have the opportunity for the Senate race. Mona Charen should know better than to paint all Jews with the same political brush. We're not all assimilated; we're not all liberal; and we're not all easily swayed. Believe it or not, Mona, we do have critical minds and we do ask a lot of questions. The Jews of New York will ask plenty when Hillary comes to town!
WELCOME, GENTLEMEN... WOULD VOW UKETO HAVE A o ^ VMKE-UP6W.?
Golan - to repeat the errors of the past?
Murder in Atlanta
by Carl Alpert
by Atlanta Jewish Times Staff
Haifa—Headline for a newspaper: "U.S. President Insists: Israel Must Have Golan." The statement is true, though it applies not to President Clinton but to Woodrow Wilson after World War I. The historical facts have been forgotten, but since the Golan is again on the current agenda, it is worth recalling them, and the reasons for Wilson's stand. The entire Middle East area, it will be recalled, was part of the Ottoman Empire, and there were no independent states. In the dismemberment of Turkey, the Allies parceled out areas by drawing lines on a map, without any consideration for geography, topography and natural resources. Political considerations in the division of the spoils between France and England ignored economic factors. And ' so, the line drawn on the map, giving Palestine to the British, and Lebanon and Syria to the French, ignored natural geographical lines, and cut Palestine off from its major water sources to the north. Experts had already pointed this out, but the drawers of the maps thought only in terms of square miles, without concern for viability. To this day there are some who believe that the British knew what they were doing, and deliberately accepted a truncated Palestine so that it would have little chance of becoming a viable Jewish state, as enunciated in the Balfour Declaration and later in the League of Nations Mandate. It was Louis D. Brandeis who called this matter to the attention of President Wilson, who then instructed the American representatives in the negotiations to be sure that Palestine was not severed from its life giving sources. The latter had little influence, however, and the lines were drawn, Wilson was indignant and he cabled a very clear protest to the British Cabinet: "The Zionist cause depends upon rational northern and eastern boundaries for a self-sustaining, economic development of the country. This means, on the north, Palestine must include the Litany River and the
watersheds of the Hermon, and in the east it must include the plains of the Jaulan and the Hauran (as the Golan was then called). Narrower than this is a mutilation." At the time reference was made only to water sources, though security factors were also a consideration, as later events were to show. Despite Wilson's objections, the Litany Valley was included in the French Mandate over Lebanon, and what we call the Golan became part of the French Mandate over Syria. Neither of the two were independent states until much later. The Syrian Arab Republic proclaimed its independence in 1948 and exercised authority over the French Mandated territory from that year. As Morris Amitay has pointed out, that means .that Syria had control of the Golan only from that year until 1967, a period of 21 years, when it lost it as a result of its use of the area for aggression against Israel. By way of contrast, Israel has exercised sovereigntyover the Golan for 32 years -and what a contrast. During most of the period of Syrian occupancy the Heights were a source of constant attacks against the Jewish settlements and towns below. The Jewish occupancy during its 32 years has been marked by absolute peace and quiet, on both sides. This is because the Syrians realized that on the Golan the Israelis were within easy target distance of their capital, Damascus. While the Syrians encouraged their minions in Lebanon to keep that border hot, oblivious of Israeli response on Beirut, they did not want to invite such retaliation on their own capital. Eighty years ago, Wilson foresaw the dangers of mutilating natural geographic lines by artificial slicing up of areas. Will the mistakes of that time be repeated now, or will the present Israel government have the wisdom to resist a return to conditions which are bound to result in future conflicts?
ATLANTA-It was a blisteringly hot Thursday afternoon. Allen Charles Tenenbaum's weekend was shaping up the way it usually did, as a time for family, synagogue and rest. After blessing his three children, he'd enjoy a relaxed Friday night Shabbat dinner. The family would attend Saturday morning services at Congregation Or VeShalom, where Tenenbaum was president. On Sunday, they'd head to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tenenbaum, a gentle man, could not then have imagined the demons that had driven 6'4" Mark 0. Barton to slaughter his own family and embark on a murderous rampage that would leave nine others dead that afternoon before taking his own life. * The 48-year-old Tenenbaum never came home to his wife, Debra, and children. He was slain that afternoon by Barton at All-Tech Investment Group in the city's fashionable Buckhead district. Tenenbaum was a Jewish grocery store owner in a down-at-the-heels black neighborhood, an Ashkenazi Jew who led a Sephardic synagogue. He was a man, friends and employees have said, who would extend credit to customers or fix a sandwich for someone who was hungry. . It was also true that family and friends had encouraged Tenenbaum to consider selling the business started by his father, Sol, because they feared he might become a victim of crime. But Tenenbaum was committed to his business and the neighborhood. How ironic, friends mused later, that Tenenbaum died in Buckhead's upscale financial center, the victim of a chilling new kind of white collar crime. Tenenbaum was born in Atlanta and graduated in 1964 from the Greenfield Hebrew Academy, the day school where two of his daughters are students. After Grady High School in 1969, he attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1973. News travels fast in such a close-knit group, so many Or VeShalom members knew that Tenenbaum had been killed before official reports
(Continued on page 9) THE JEWISH PRESS
(Founded in 1920) The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $26 per calendar year U.S.; $30 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. Telephone 402-334-6448; FAX 402-3345422; E-mail <yBhpress@aol.com> Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198.
UoydRottatofai Chairman Carol Katzman EdHortivChW Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Larry Anlrod Advertising Manager Barbara Frankal Rocky Stern JenlnaE.Sadofaky Bookkeeper Jan Gates Production Assistant George Schaplro Volunteer
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson,; Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Steve Danon; Jean Diritch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Steve Levinger; Linda Saltzman; George Schapiro; 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.
Augusts, 1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
Moscow's mayor goes to shul by Lev Krichevsky
MOSCOW (JTA>—In a surprise show of solidarity with the Jewish community, Moscow's mayor has participated in a thanksgiving ceremony with a congregation that narrowly escaped a bombing earlier this week. Yuri Luzhkov, who was the first high-ranking official to condemn the attempted bombing of the Bolshaya Bronnaya synagogue, took part in the Wednesday ceremony at the Lubavitch shul. "I just came to the shul and his car was there," said Mendell Goldshmid, a Lubavitch emissary and the Executive Director of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Because Luzhkov decided to attend at the last minute, there were no journalists present. Some
Jews believe Luzhkov, who has earned a reputation as a friend of the .Jewish community, did not want to antagonize any of his potential supporters by being shown in the media at a Jewish event. The Moscow mayor is'a likely contender in next year's presidential elections and is also the leader of the Otechestvo, or Fatherland, movement that is expected to compete in parliamentary elections in December. The movement is negotiating a possible alliance with a number of political parties, including some in the Russian nationalist camp. In the absence of reporters and TV cameras, Luzhkov expressed his sympathy for the Jewish community and "to exchange gifts with the synagogue's rabbi, Yitzhak Kogan. . • •: In his speech, Luzhkov said he is nattered by a
rumor, widely disseminated by ultranationalists, that he is Jewish. Earlier this year, anti-Semitic leaflets of Luzhkov wearing a yammulka, taken at a Jewish ceremony a few years ago, were stuffed in mailboxes in and near Moscow. The leaflet claimed that Luzhkov was a Jew who had changed his name from Katz and mentioned that he wanted to improve conditions for Jews in Moscow to discourage Jewish emigration. On Wednesday, Luzhkov promised to step up security for Moscow synagogues. In the wake of the recent stabbing of a Jewish leader inside the Choral Synagogue and the attempted bombing of the Lubavitch shul, the synagogues have turned to private firms for increased protection. • ' (Continued on page 10)
About my nose by Teddy Weinberger
I lost my Jewish nose two years ago. No, I didn't have it "fixed"—I just moved to Israel. There are no Jewish noses in Israel. Of course, there are several million Jews here, and upon each of their faces sits a nose, but I have never heard of or read about a Jewish nose in Israel. In America, things are different. I learned from a young age that there was such a thing as a Jewish nose, that a Jewish nose was unappealing, and that I had one. What does such a nose look like? There are a number of variations of the Jewish nose. They can be long and hooked or curved and bumpy, but one thing they all have in common is size: a Jewish nose is a big nose. A major reason that the Jewish nose disappears in Israel is because you realize that a large number of Arabs happen to have Jewish noses. Yes, it seems that the long, aquiline (can-opener) type of nose is Semitic rather than Jewish. Another reason why there are no Jewish noses in Israel is that there are so many Jews whose noses
don't make the "Jewish" grade. Consider this: there is probably not one "traditional" Jewish nose amongst the entire Ethiopian Jewish population. One other reason why there are no Jewish noses in Israel is linguistic. In English, "Jewish" is, literally, a funny word. I can't think of another word that contains the "j" and "sh" sounds-besides the word "josh," whose meaning just goes to prove my point. Comedians in America can get some easy laughs simply by using the word "Jewish." The word itself is funny because it's such an unusual English word. In human society, however, what begins as funny and different often ends as strange and unpleasant, so you feel that you always have to be vigilant in America when you hear the word "Jewish." Even a phrase like "Jewish brains" carries with it a dark side—the hint that Jews are taking more than their fair share of the pie. The Hebrew word yehudi (Jewish), on the other hand, is much friendlier. The major sounds in yehudi appear in numerous words-ranging from "hand"
(yad), to "know" (yada), to, in fact, "friend" (yedid). A common girl's name in Israel is Yehudit,-which is both the feminization of the name Judah (Yehudah) and the feminine adjective "Jewish." The word "Jewish" in the phrase "Jewish nose" stands for something negative, and in Israel "Jewish" is not often used in a negative sense. The Hebrew language itself undercuts an attempt to stigmatize the noses of Jews. To be sure, plastic surgeons exist in Israel and they are sometimes called upon to do cosmetic work on the noses of Israeli Jews. Not every Israeli Jew is happy with the way then* nose looks (though this culture's definitions of beauty make room for larger noses than in America). Yet this unhappiness is not ordinarily connected to a person's Jewishness. Having passed on my nose to a few of my children, I can thus breathe easier in Israel: it's hard enough figuring out what it means to be Jewish without the encumbrance of a Jewish nose.
Come Visit NE, IA & S.D's Only Exclusive BMW Center PLUMB CONSTRUCTION, INC.
1999 BMW 528iTA SPORT WAGON
Quality Craftsmanship
Jeff Plumb General Contractor 3405 Ave. D Council Bluffs, IA 51501
$
Phone: 322-0304 Fax:322-1077
399
mo. + tax 36 Mos.
J7749W. 36-mo. lease, 30,000 miles, $2500 cash down or trade equivalent, 1st mo. payment and $450 refundable security deposit due at Inception. Taxes and license not Included. WAC.
1999 BMW 3281 $ PACKAGING CORPORATION
1999 BMW 323i $
L.T.C. Associates, Inc. Julie J. Foy
mo. + tax 36 Mos.
.BMW
Director of Marketing
399 N. 117th S t Suite 308 Omaha, NE 68154 '
368
#7825W 36 mo lease, 10,000 miles/year, $2500 cash jjowif or trade equivalent, 1st mo payment and $500 refundable security deposit due at Inception Taxes and license not included. WAC. f \ \ * g\ t
Specializing in Your Long Term CareNeeds
River City Uldg.
mo. + tax 36 Mos.
#7B45W. 36-mo. lease, 30,000 miles, $2500 cash down or trade equivalent, 1st mo. payment and $450 refundable security deposit duo at Inception. Taxes and license not Included. WAC.
N; 108th St. • Omaha i 963-9111
Phone (402) 697-9590 Toll Free: (888) 456-8884 Fax:(402)697-9668 Email: LTCagency@aol.com
399
a t t h e Westroads • 716 N. 102nd • 393-9700 • 800-593-6060 Mon-Thur: 8:30-8 • Fri-Sat: 8:30-6 Mm >w
-
',
www.markelbmw.com
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
LANDSCAPING
August 6,1999
Ik V:Xiao Qiang to speak at The mega solution for ..p-" Goldstein Lecture bringing some mega-bytes to Xiao Qiang, Executive Director of Human Rights in China, will be the guest speaker at the inaugurschool.
•SO Years Experience •Personal Touch •Creative Designs •Professional Installation Mention this ad and receive 10% Discount
MONTEMARANO LANDSCAPES, INC.
399-9191 "Uh-bh." If you're sitting In front of your computer when these words come out of your mouth, bring It Into Computer Renaissance and we'll say, "stop crying,' here's a tissue, let's See what the problem Is." If It's small, we'll fix It, if It's big, we'll fix It, if it's Impossible to fix, you couldn't be In a better place when you need another computer. Used or new, you'll get a warranty, we'll even Install It for you, and if you have another "Uhoh" you know where to go.
Key iii to Jewish Omaha at www. Jewish omaha.org
723 N. 114th St. MIRACLE HILLS SQUARE (402)445-2200 M-Irt 10-7'FrkSat 106.Sun 126 We buy, sell, trade used and new computer equipment
Monograms Unlimited • v
•
al Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights. The Lecture will take place Wednesday, S e p t 29, 7 p.m., at the William H. Thompson Alumni Center. Xiao Qiang is Executive Director of Human Rights in China. He holds a B.S. from the physics department of the University of Science and Technology of China. He came to the United States in 1986 to enter"the doctoral program in astrophysics at the University of Notre Dame. On June 6, 1989, two days after the Tiananmen Massacre, Xiao interrupted his studies and returned to China in order to bring contributions to the victims' families from supporters in the United States. He returned to the U.S. two months later and immediately began working as a full-time human rights activist. He acted as deputy director of the Washington-based Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS) before he assumed his current position at HRIC in April, 1991. In 1994, he was given the "Outstanding Contribution Award" for his service to IFCSS. Xiao Qiang has written and spoken extensively on the human rights situation in China in both English and Chinese. He has spoken on behalf of the Chinese human rights movement at each meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights since 1993 and testified in front of the European Parliament and the United States Congress on a number of occasions.
Mother Chapter AZA #1 announces Sweetheart Dance by Tony Endelman
Every Labor Day weekend, Omaha's own Mother Chapter AZAttl hosts its annual dance at which they honor four young women who have been active in the Jewish community and in BBYO. One of these ladies is selected to be the sweetheart for Mother Chapter until the next Sweetheart Dance is held and a new Sweetheart is selected. This year, the dance will be held on Sunday, Sept. 5. Mother Chapter's current sweetheart, Nichole Cohn, will crown one of the four candidates. They are: Ariel Shukert, Rebecca Murow, Diana Manvitz and Rachel Javitch. Mother Chapter also selects two senior girls as honorary sweethearts, Michelle Malashock and Whitney Taxman are the honoraries this year. The 66th annual dance will be held at Dance City on 72nd Street across from t h e Nebraska Furniture Mart. A band, brought in from Kansas City, will play throughout the evening. This year is the first time anyone in the Jewish community is welcome to attend the dance, which starts at 9 p.m. Purchasing an open dance ticket at $10 will not only allow you to share an amazing evening with the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, but it will help support Mother Chapter, the first of many AZA chapters worldwide. For more information on how you can support Mother Chapter AZA#1, contact me at 333-5236. Greetings in the ad book may still be purchased through the BBYO office; call 334-6404 to speak to Julie Kushner, BBYO Director.
Great Gifts! also
Hebrew Lettering
•
12019 Blondo 492-9730
PLRSNICKLTV PUTS
Visit to Chernobyl reactor ends with evacuation flight
558-0872
> Home Pet-Sitting • House Sitting Bonded & Insured References
3706 S. 132nd Street
SifSpeedy
Phone (402) 330-5050
PUNTING • COPYING • DIGITAL NETWORK
Fax (402) 330-0789
DEADLINES HAVE NO MERCY Remember 2 things:
1. Sir Speedy 2. Online
Our Bulletin Board Service is open 24 bours, 7 days a week
Free BBS Software!* BBS: 330-3900
/ may not } be able to predict the future but I can help you prepare
ifor it.
I Nursing Home and Long-Term Home Care I Life l Cancer l Medicare Supplements l Group Hospitalization I Disability Protectyour financial future today!
I Call Dennis Paley (402)333-6288 I For all your Life and Health Insurance Needs .
25 years in Omaha
NORTH AMERICAN HERITAGE INC. 13011 Leavenworth • Q r a l i a , flE C3154
Chabad Children of Chernobyl Director of water used for drinking and irrigation." Yossie Raichik, right, and Medical liaison The Chernobyl inspection was part of a Jay Litvin inspected the Chernobyl reactor three-day mission that included visits to site as part of the organization's ongoing area cancer hospitals and families living in research into the current dangers and conse- the contaminated zone. Raichik and Litvin quences of the 1986 nuclear explosion. To returned to Israel with 21 Jewish children protect against health effects from radiation on Chabad's 44th rescue mission. "As the levels at the site, Chernobyl officials limited plane took oftfromKiev and headed towards the inspection to two hours, during which Israel, I offered prayers of thanks," said Raichik and Litvin met with representatives Raichik. "While the problems suffered by the of the plant. "We were particularly con- people of Ukraine are nearly impossible to cerned about conflicting reports about fathom, we were able to bring another 21 cracks in the sarcophagus and leakage of children to safety and offer them hope for a radiation into water supplies," explained healthy and productive future." Since the Raichik. "Though the visit carried risk, we beginning of the project nine years ago, the felt it was necessary to attempt to verify the CCOC organization has evacuated a total dangers posed by continued contamination number of 1,794 children from Chernobyl.
August 6,1999
Odyssey celebrates September Jewish holidays with premier of Judaism: A Quest for Meaning Six-part documentary looks at challenges and choices facing today's Jewish community
Odyssey, A Hallmark & Henson Network, celebrates the Jewish holidays this September with the premiere of the six-part documentary Judaism: A Quest for Meaning" on Friday, Sept. 10, as a part of its "Jewish Chronicles" programming, which airs every Friday at 11 a.m. ET/PT. This original series examines the challenges and choices facing today's Jewish community by looking at the traditions and modern practices of this 3000-year-old faith community. Each hour segment of Judaism: A Quest for Meaning will look at life and identity in the modern world. Scholars, rabbis and writers from all points of the Jewish spectrum will explore questions about Judaism's ancient religious heritage and how that heritage remains vital and fresh in contemporary tunes. In addition, this program will focus on the beauty and power of Judaism and the tensions that Jews confront within their own community. The six -episode documentary includes: A Tradition in Crisis: The first segment of this series looks at how Jewish people make their ancient religion meaningful in the modern world. Judaism gave birth to monotheism: the idea of one God. How do Jews understand and relate to God? People of the Book: The sacred Jewish books are examined in this segment. The Torah, the central text of Judaism, is fundamental to Jewish life and ideology. Jewish law details what is permissible and what is moral in all of human life, from cradle to grave. Does the law come from God? The competing conceptions of the nature of Jewish law will be discussed. The Chosen: The question of Jewish identity is covered in this "Judaism: A Quest for Meaning" segment. What makes a Jew a Jew? Is it religious devotion, blood ties, or a national allegiance? Jewish people have defined themselves both as a nation and as religion in their history. The idea of the Jews as "the chosen people" and "the light unto nations" will also be examined.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Beth El school director, community teacher attend seminars at University of Judaism
Time, Ritual and Sarah's Daughters: To live a Jewish life means to live in the rhythms of Jewish time and ritual. What do Jews do and why? Also, Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT) featured in this program, women share their per- Director, Scott Littky, recently attended a conferspective of Judaism, feminism and their role and ence at the Shirley and Arthur Whizen Institute for influence in modern Jewish life. Jewish Family Life at the University of Judaism. Into the Mystic/The Problem of Evil: This Now in it's tenth year, the Institute is considered to episode looks into the life of Jewish mysticism and be one of the finest programs for Jewish family eduthe Kabbalah, said to hold the secrets of creation cation in the country. and God's essence. It also looks at how Jewish peoEntitled, "Reaching and Teaching the Jewish ple deal with the problem of the existence of evil Family", the seminar drew teachers, education and suffering in the world. Does God cause suffer- directors, rabbis, top professionals and volunteers ing? How are Jews coming to terms with the from across the country. They gathered to review tragedy of the Holocaust? the last ten years of family education, discuss the A Living Future: After 2000 years of exile from future of the Jewish family, and study with Whizen their homeland, Jews have returned to Israel. The Institute faculty, considered to be among the forerelationship between the idea of the "Promised most Jewish educators today. Land," and the State of Israel's actual existence is' Seminars focused on such topics as how to meet a complex issue. Also, featured in this final episode the needs of diverse family groupings, involving are questions about the ancient tradition of families in study, worship, and ritual; developing Judaism and what it will look like in the future. lay/professional relationships. Dr. Ron Wolfson, How will the different dreams within Judaism pre- director of the Whizen Center for the Jewish pare generations to come for its living future? Future, and the Whizen Institute for Jewish Judaism: A Quest for Meaning is written by Family life, is a native of Omaha. David Sobelman, directed by Daniel Berman, proHolly Friedman, a community teacher through duced by Christa Singer and executive produced by Jewish Education and Library Services (JELS), Jim Hanley. The documentary series is produced attended the Summer Institute for Jewish by Sleeping Giant Productions in association with Educators at the University of Judaism. The semiOdyssey Productions, Ltd. nar, entitled "Methodologies in Teaching Hebrew Odyssey is a 24-hour programming service avail- Language," was conducted by Dr. Joseph Hakimi, able to 29 million U.S. home, through 1,500 cable Judaic Studies Director at Sinai Akiba Academy in systems, the Primestar direct-tp-home satellite Los Angeles. , service (Channel 84) and C-Band dish owners Friedman, a Jewish studies teacher for Friedel across the country. Odyssey is owned and operated Jewish Academy and BESST, learned innovative by wholly owned subsidiaries of Hallmark strategies to incorporate Hebrew study into classEntertainment, The Jim Henson Company, room activities, and how to carry through and build Liberty Media Corp. (LBTYA, a subsidiary AT&T.) on these basics through the year. and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition "Small group study provided the opportunity to (NICC). NICC is a consortium of 80 Protestant, discuss challenges we face as educators and create Jewish, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical solutions for each other," she said. "I learned a lot and Pentecostal faith groups and traditions. through networking with other teachers; I'm looking forward to bringing these new skills into my classrooms."
Main entrance to JCC to be closed Though the official groundbreaking of the Federation Library occurred in December, 1998, real work will begin shortly. The main entrance for the Jewish Community Center will- be closed during construction of the Library and remodeling of the main entrance and lobby, according to Jeffrey Aizenberg, JCC Executive Director. The ground has been cleared and an oil tank
relocated in preparation for the building of the Library, dedicated to Rabbi Myer S. and Dorothy Kripke. The south entrance, located between the Gordman Educational Facility and the Jewish Community Center, will be available to all patrons, visitors and staff. The entrance is handicapped accessible and will also be a drop-off point. .
Associated Artists of Omaha schedule exhibit at the JCC Members of the Associated Artists of Omaha will exhibit a theme show, "Art for the New Millennium," now through Aug. 25 at the Jewish Community Center gallery. Gallery hours during announced exhibits are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 1-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For more information, call Isabel Cohen at 3455387*'or Jackie Eihausen, AAO President?at 7311861.
DRUG USE IS
Does the Stock Market have you sleeping with one eye open? Now you can have your gains linked to the stock market but not the losses Call for your Free Video .on this new opportunity
800-547-8774 no obligation
ODDS ARE:
Cantor Leo Fettman Signing
• lout of1000 homes burn down • 7 out of 10 people are affected by a long-term care stay
In 1944, Cantor Leo Fettman and his family were forcibly removed from their Hungarian home by the Nazis and incarcerated in a ghetto. Later, they were transported by boxcar to Auschwitz where most of the members of his family were murdered. Later, he incredibly survived the medical experiments of; Dr. Josef Mengele, a bungled attempt by the SS to hang him, and a series of forced labor camps; SHOAH: Journey from the Ashes is but one man's\ story, yet speaks for the millions who perished. u£ the Holocaust. More importantly, it delivers a nies-. sage of hope and inspiration for today's generation;; of adults and their children. Be here for this en;-*/ lightening event. :. ;• v"
COMPLETE FINANCIAL PLANNING INCLUDES LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
Protect Yourself Stay Independent FREE Quotes
Ramm Independeni Financial Services 1243. So. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144
Tuesday, August 24th • 7pm
BORDERS ' BOOKS. MUSIC. V I O I O . » H 0 1 C t r l .
www.borders.com
7201 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68114 (402)393-5576 ,
Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE CENTRALAIR S
August 6,1999
49951 Where are they now?
TUNE-UP I CLEAN Htra's What * Hook-up freon * Claan a li * Clean dra • Teal O| •Tail KH , t operation • unmentloned H CITIZENS $44.95 F r M 2nd Opinion
FLOYD'S FURNACE & AIR V.;:^et 556-9706 •••il.il/-
LOVE TO SHOP?
Since 1BS1
Pulverente
Turn your sense of style into an...
MONUMENT CO.
ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY •:,'.
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
• Represent an exclusive New York designer collection • Flexible hours • Sell viav.home trunk showings 1-800-658-7015
60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
1439 So. 13th
341-2452
Yada... Yada... Yada.. .Only in Jewish Omaha! www.jewishomaha.org
The gift of a lifetime Save your parents' memories of childhood, courtship, ancestors, the family business. I record their recollections, scan their old photos, and create an elegant book.
Second Story
553-5704
Schollman's Beautiful Decorative Cabinet, Door & Bath Hardware Supplies HOURS: Mon-Fri 8-5; Sat 8-noon Schollman's, your personal hardware consultant
593-9210 8425 "F" St. (across from Acura) re-established, 1998
Balebusta of the Month
Dotty Suyalsky APPLE-CHERRY STRUDEL 4 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs ; 1/2 cup Wesson oil Large can orange-pineapple Juice Mix together; separate into three sections. Roll out on floured surface until fairly thin. Set aside. 18-oz. jar apple-cherry jelly 1/2 cup white raisins ' 2 cups walnuts (finely chopped) 1/2 lemon (ground) * 3 cups corn Hakes (finely chopped) Mix together; put a layer in bottom oldish, top with 1/3 of dough. Repeat layers. Bake at 350' for 2530 minutes until brown. Cut into pieces and cool:
Balebusta of the Month •;'. sponsored by
by Bert Lewis If you are a computer person, and you should Margie, who says, "We spend a lot of time togethdecide to send e-mail to either Margie or Marlon er." It would appear to an observer that there is, Somberg, the address would be Natelsons.com, indeed, always something to keep him busy. Margie makes the same claim—there's always naturally. Why naturally? If you have to ask, you something to do. In addition to keeping her lovely don't have an Omaha history. If you plan to write to the Sombergs, be sure to home in order, there's the computer for entertainget their Arizona address, because that's where ment. There's bridge, which figures.importantly in they live now. In case you wondered why you her list of things to do. There are the many friends haven't seen them around town lately, that's the made in the six years in Scottsdale, people who reason. In fact, it's been six years since they left form a comfortably large group. There are theatrical productions and Omaha and settled concerts and other in Scottsdale. diversions of this The move must nature to enjoy have been done with with other women very mixed emotions or as couples. Ah -both lived here all avid reader, Margie their lives, married enjoys the free time here and raised their for books. three daughters here. The earlier-menMargie, the daughtioned large group of ter of Ben and Leona former Omahans are Shapiro, and her Bisjoined in the whiter ter, Lois (Kneeter), as months by snowwell as Marlon and birds from Omaha, his brother, Ramon, and Margie enjoys grew up with strong Friday lunch getconnections to the togethers with Jewish community friends "from home." and to Temple Israel. (The men have a So why did they counterpart arrangeleave? They felt ment and also meet their daughter, -on Fridays.) Beth, whose husband was seriously The connection ill, needed the supwith "home" still port system their remains strong, presence could prohowever. Besides vide, and being family, Margie devoted parents, mentions "many, packed up and many, many lifemoved to Scottsdale. long friends" they maintain contact They both enthuwith, and looked siastically speak of forward to a sumthe pleasures of livmer car trip to ing in the area Margie Somberg and thi-ir trranilrliililren, r j e n v e r Omaha known as the Valley of the Sun. Their Emily and T J . Lawless of Overland Park, KS. and Kansas City, home is filled with recognizable furnishings and which meant visiting dear ones and some of those family treasures brought from Omaha, including "many lifelong friends." countless photos of their loved ones, prominently It is not unusual to hear residents of this part of displayed. the country speak of the contentment found in their If asked how they spend their time, they respond surroundings. Most, including the Sombergs, seem with a familiar sounding, "Gee, we don't do much to take special pleasure in the very blue sky which but we're really busy all the time!" There are, of always seems to be picture perfect. Most, whether course, various activities, such as daily walking, midwestern born and bred or not, never lose the some tennis now and then (Marlon), some Bridge appreciation for the palm trees, the vivid colors of playing on a regular schedule (Margie), and more flowers all year 'round, the cactus, which comes in than a little special time with Beth's family. After many varieties most of us have never seen, and all, that includes two terrific grandchildren, the everyone calls the constant sounds and trills made by the birds "the loudest ever heard." • best diversions in the world. Marlon doesn't stop enthusing about living in In the course of a very pleasant evening spent in Arizona. He recalls the stress and daily concerns of their company, both Margie and Marlon left me the business world, the constant worries about the with the impression they wouldn't want to live anyoperation of a retail store like the family-owned where else. Their old friends or acquaintances can Natelsons and says, "Boy, am I glad Tin not doing be happy for them in the knowledge they are comthat anymore." He keeps busy in his own way, fortable in their retirement and completely at home often meeting any one of many men friends for in their transplanted environment. '•'-.-:• lunch or whatever else comes up. The population of Talking to them, certain expressions are heard former Omahans in Scottsale is quite large and again and again—"It's a good life here," or, "Fm so Marlon knows them all. glad to be living here." There's no room for discusHe was occupied in a part time arrangement for a sion. . .this is the place the Sombergs most want to while, but when the store closed, he didn't seem to be and this is the place they plan to stay. miss it. There is a computer in the house for comThe lifelong friendships they still have in Omaha munication or information, and a comfortable patio are important to them, but Scottsdale is now home. outside if that's more inviting. There's a small dog We call a story like this "Where Are They Now?" to provide noise if it gets too quiet and there's Well, that's where Margie and Marlon are, now.
Child Abuse Supermarkets
In your community!
Call the Child Abuse Hotline I-80O-653-IW9 to report suspected child abuse or neglect
Augusts, 1999
Ashamed to be Jewish
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
Murder in Atlanta
On America Online, there is a popular feature called Judaism Today: Where Do I Fit? (keyword: Judaism Today). People anonymously send in E-Mail letters to the author of the feature, Gil Mann and he selects one letter for a public response in his Jewish E-Mail column. Here is this week's edited E-Mail and Gil's response: Dear Gil: Jews today are a fairly self-centered, evil lot. Theyprotestsagainst the mass murder of Muslims in do not take care of the misfortunate among them. Bosnia. They are devoid of any and all compassion. They Look also at organization fighting for social judge others harshly, while not judging themselves action, civil rights, children and adult health care at all. They give virtually nothing to poor. They are and the environment. In many of these organizafilled with hate, and worry only about themselves. tions, you will find Jews disproportionately repreThey are filled with ego, arrogance and self-right-sented. Also look at philanthropic giving and you will also see that Jews have a record second to eousness. Jews today are the biggest hypocrites on none. Earth. I am ashamed to be Jewish. Go beyond this, to contributions Jews have made for the betterment of humans (like for example, the DearF: near eradication of Polio on our planet thanks to When I first received your letter, I thought I was vaccines developed by Jewish doctors.) Or take a different measure: did you know that being attacked by an anti-Semite—they would Jews are only 1/3 of a percent of the world's populaprobably agree with your letter. Had an anti-Semite written, I think that would tion, yet we have won 18% of the Nobel prizes ever have been easier to take than finding at the end of awarded? To me this is an amazing accomplishyour letter that you are Jewish. I have to wonder ment that speaks to some of the good Jews have what you have experienced in your life that would brought to this world. Don't get me wrong, there are times when a Jew make you write such a vicious letter about Jews. Your letter is so full of generalizations that it is does or says something that makes me ashamed almost difficult to respond. I believe it is prejudiced that both of us are Jewish. I wish these Jews would and inaccurate to say (as you have) that all Jews change their ways...or disappear. Still this sentiare this or all Jews are that you. Nonetheless, I will ment pales next to the pride I often feel as a result of seeing wonderful things done by fellow Jews. try and respond. I hope you can get past whatever bad experiences In my life, I have hardly ever met a Jew whom I would call "eviT-though I have read about a few. I you have had with Jews and come to see the good have met a handful of Jews whom I would call non- in so many Jews and in Judaism. Then rather than compassionate, some others whom I would certain- feeling ashamed, you can join me in saying: "I am ly call hypocrites and still others whom I would call proud to be Jewish." Thanks for writing, racists. But, I would never say that all Jews are Gil any of the above....nor would I generalize about other peoples that way! Gil Mann is the author oft How to Get More Far more prevalent have been my experiences . meeting and reading about many many Jews who Out of Being Jewish Even If: are exactly the opposite of your descriptions. Jews A. You are not sure you believe in G-d who are incredibly compassionate, caring and gen- B. You think going to synagogue is a waste of time C. You think keeping kosher is stupid erous with their time and money. While I think many Jews (understandably) have D. You hated Hebrew School, or developed a sense of looking out for themselves, E. All of the above!" they certainly have demonstrated concern for oth- He welcomes your e-mail comments and questions about this column or any subject. Write ers as well. For example, Jews were at the forefront of to DearGil@aol.com
(Continued from page 5) confirmed it. During the confusion and frantic evening hours of July 26 when it was unclear who lived or had died, friends and congregants were already offering support. Many had recognized Debra Tenenbaum on television after a station aired harrowing footage of her anxiously seeking her husband who had not answered repeated calls on his cell phone. That night, authorities confirmed that Tenenbaum was among those day traders killed at All-Tech. Steve Berman, a long-time friend and running buddy, said he and Tenenbaum occasionally discussed the stock market. My guess is, knowing Allen, he wasn't playing with large sums of money," Berman said, adding that the riskiest thing Tenenbaum did was jog with the flow of traffic instead of against it. Last Friday afternoon, Baumrind was one of the men helping ease the casket of his golfing buddy into the red earth. Rabbi S. Robert Ichay of Or VeShalom told the mourners that it was his job to comfort the grieving. But, he said, his voice catching, he wished someone could comfort him. Despite the 99-degree temperature, so many mourners attended the funeral, space ran out in the condolence book. Many of the same people returned Sunday for a memorial service and wept as daughters Brittany, 13, and Megan, 11, read Psalm 30 in Hebrew and English: "Though weeping endures for a night, joy comes in the morning." Son Scott, 3, who used to scoot onto his father's lap during services, did not attend. The speakers, including Tenenbaum's siblings, father-in-law and synagogue friends, recalled a man devoted to his children and wife, a leader who built consensus,'a friend who had the gift of listening without passing judgment. Terry Tenenbaum, recounted a heart-rending moment at Shabbat dinner last week, just hours after the funeral. Sobbing and hugging her children, Debra Tenenbaum asked her brother-in-law to recite the blessing a father traditionally makes over his children. "That same faith that has sustained our people through millennia of tragedy and sorrow, that same faith is embedded rock-strong in Debra," Terry Tenenbaum said. He paused and then added with confliction: Yah Rbon olam, ruler of the universe, God of Israel, bless the eternal and everlasting soul of my brother, Avraham Chaim ben Yeshiah haLevi. Zecher libracha—may his memory be a blessing.
INTRODUCING THE CADILLAC THAT MAKES A BIG IMPRESSION. (Of Course, It's Not Hard When You Weigh 6800 Pounds.)
p
1999 CADILLAC ESCALADE
APArnry
THEY'LL REMEMBER.
$
7 , 0 0 0 OFF!
Don't call it an SUV. This is the sport luxury vehicle. The Cadillac Escalade is here, with its 255-horsepower Vortec V8 engine, its AutoTrac four-wheel drive control system, and all the luxury you expect from a Cadillac, The Escalade achieves the perfect balance between power and luxury. Where can you go in an Escalade? Wherever you want.
hub
Our fine food, superior service and professional planning will make your banquet, fundraiser or business reception truly memorable. Call our Catering Director, Maria Czechut at 346-7600.
IT'S GOOD TO BE T H E CADILLAC
DOUBLETREE HOTELUTH 4 DODCE STREET DOWNTOWN
111th &W. Dodge Rd.
496-0220
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 6,1999 ,
lirths
i
. .
organizations ;\
VISIONS Y.E.S. Ride the trolley to Mahoney State Park on Members will meet Monday at the JCC in the Gordman Center-Friedel Jewish Academy. Come S u n d a y , A u g . 22! Cost is $18.50. Package exercise with Michelle Streif, a Certified Personal includes trolley transportation, buffet lunch and Trainer at 10:15 a.m. in the school. All are wel- theater ticket to see T-Minus Treachery. Depart come! Or try your luck at Bingo with Eileen Remer from the JCC at 1 p.m. and will return approxiat l(h30 in room 4. Bring articles to share for the mately at 6 p.m. For reservations fill out form by "YES Talk" discussion group, led by Art Grossman, Aug. 10 and send to Rosalie and Maurie Meiches, at E in the Henry and Dorothy Riekes Museum. 5036 Parker St., Omaha, NE 68104. Lunch will be served in the commons area of the Journey to the Amazon showing at the IMAX at school. Following lunch at noon, Cantor Jennifer the Henry Doorly Zoo on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Blum from Temple will perform. For transporta- 2 p.m. Cost is $4.50. Join us after the show at the Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlor at 1702 South 10th Shayna and Matthew Ray of Omaha announce tion, call 330-4272. Deadlines: Harveys Casino on Aug. 19 is Aug. Street (ice cream is on your own). For reservations, the June 8 birth of their son, Bennett Lincoln. Grandparents are Jennine Goldberg of Omaha 12; Middle Eastern Party on Aug. 30 is August 23 send form to Jean Elkon, 1005 N. 63rd St., Omaha, Reminder: Mah Jongg Club will meet NE 68132, by Aug. 25. Make checks payable to and Harlan Rimmerman of Kansas City, MO, and Wednesday, Aug. 11. For information, call Jewish Senior Services. Linda Ray of Omaha and Mike Ray of Reno, NV. Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5658. Great-grandparents are Charlotte Kraft of RUSSIAN CLUB Omaha and the late I.J. Kraft and Reva Orach of Members will meet at the JCC on Friday, Aug. WALK-IN, DROP-IN Omaha and the late Robert Rimmerman. 9. Exercise starts at 10 a m . hi the adult lounge. At Members will meet at the Friedel Academy and n a.m., lunch will be served in the adult lounge; the JCC on Thursday. Exercise starts at 10:15 in At noon, Tanya Seina from Jewish Family Services the adult lounge; bingo starts at 10:30 a.m. in will speak. Call Lydia Iinde at 697-9169. room 4. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at lfc30 in room 4. At noon, come enjoy the movie October Sly :,TECH HIGH ALUMNI REUNION in the Blumkin Home auditorium. Popcorn will be Meet Friday, Aug. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Tech served. For transportation, call 330-4272. High for a get-together. There will be a Banquet at Regency West Best Western from 11 a.m. by Art Grossman JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL 3:30 p.m. For further information, call 571-3486. An open board meeting is planned for Aug. 13 at BREADBREAKERS As we come down the road of the capital improve- Village Inn Restaurant, 7837 Dodge St. at 10 a.m. Bob Eisenberg will speak. B'nai B'rith Please bring your Jones Store tickets and turn in ment project going on at the "J" our senior folks are Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon at engaged in a game of mystical chairs. Where do we money for our Fundraising event to Lila Jacoby, Pastimes Restaurant, 129th and West Maple. Cost gather for Stretch and Kvetch exercises? For Chairperson. There will be a short business meetis $8.50; the program is open to the community. ing. Bingo? For Early Bird Discussion? For Lunch? This was the intricate, amusing game at our July 26 meeting. Hang on kinderlach. A couple more weeks Moscow's mayor goes to shul and we will resettle in all the old familiar places. (Continued from page 5) The Early Bird discussion co-leaders Sara Lewis Luzhkov's expression of sympathy for the Jewish and Norm Zevitz addressed Medical HMOs, John F. Galling all strudel mavens. . . bring a batch of community contrasts with the prolonged silence of Kennedy Jr.s fatal plane tragedy and prominent Jewish attorney Alan Dershowitz offering to defend your Bubbe's or your own favorite strudel to the other top politicians in Russia on the issue of antiMatthew Hale, an anti-Semite who heads the World JCC on August 29 to participate in the "Great semitism. Russian Jewish leaders are especially critical of Church of the Creator, one of the fastest-growing Omaha Strudel Bake-off." Due to the tremendous success of last year's Mandel bread bake-off for Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin despite his visit hate groups in the country. Hale declined the offer. Our after lunch guest speaker was Sandra "Grandparents Day", L.O.V.E. (League Offering to Washington this week, where he promised U.S. Gaube, Executive-Director of Volunteers Volunteers for the Elderly) knows you want to com- Jewish leaders that he would work to "eradicate" anti-Semitism in Russia. Intervening for Equity (VIE), a non-profit corpora- pete in this bake-off as well. Entries will be judged and, if you have any quesThe Washington meeting went almost unnoticed tion which utilizes the skill, knowledge and education of seniors (55 and over) to help other seniors tions or need information, please call Patty Nogg at in the Russian media, and Stepashin has not obtain needed services and understand the rights 493-3479. Recipes should be sent to her by Aug. 16 touched on the issue since he returned to Moscow. at 1205 N. 128 Circle, 68154. and privileges available to them under the law. First, second, and third-place prizes will be (Editor's note: Former Omahan Lindsay One subject Ms. Gaube stressed was consumer fraud directed at seniors. Be wary and be wise. VIE is locat- awarded and winners will be announced at the Taxman recently returned from a trip to community event, "Funday, Sundae with Bubbe Russia. Excerpts from her journal and photos ed at the Paxton Manor, 1401 Farnam St, 444-6617. from her trip will appear in an upcoming In sick bay are: at Clarkson, Jake Adler, Dave andZayde." The judging will take place August 29 at 10 issue of the Jewish Press.,) Bernstein, Bertha (Billy) Speigel; at Methodist, Mollie Rimmerman, Murray Frost, Minnie Green, a.m., prior to the "Funday" event, at the JCC Howard Silberg, Helen Mason; at Imanuel, Gary Auditorium, Please bring three dozen pieces of strudel so that they can be sold and proceeds given Borg; at University, Ruth Breslow. All their shots We paused in reverent respect in memorium for to the benefit of the residents of Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. BillKatzman. while they're tots Shalom. Amy a n d Ron Ref of Omaha and Scottsdale, AZ, announce the July 14 birth of their son, Jacob Eli. Jacob's Hebrew name, Yaacov Yitzchak Mordeci, is in memory of his great-grandfathers, Eli Zalkin, Irving Mann and Yitzchak Ref. Grandparents are Harold and Linda Mann of Omaha and Batya and Josef Ref of Scottsdale. Great-grandparents are the late Eli and Sara Zalkin, the late Irving and Ada Mann, Uri and Rose'Berger of Los Angeles and Nat Bergman of Sun City, AZ, and the late Hannah Bergman.
Idtlmers Review
L.O.V.E. to sponsor strudel "Bake-off"
1-800-882-1889 Nebraska Health and Human Services System
The style of Rick Lee is architecturally influenced, bringing ii playful sense of fun and enthusiasm while using innovative materials that allow the fine craftsmanship to show through. We are proud lo show many furniture pieces by Rick Lee throughout oui store. •. . • SPECIAL EVENTS WEEKEND August 12 ..'. , '' ' . Thursday: Seminar On Selecting Leather — 7 p.m
August 13th and 14th Meet Rick Lee in person when he visits flan'and receive an extra 10% OFF your purchase of any, fjick Lee piece: Friday: Champagne Reception'~ 6 8 p.m. Saturday: Coffee & Pastries — . . !0 a.m. - A p.m. . • ' • , . . •Register to win the "FRENCH KISS'chair designed by Rick lee IMhner may choose • to have him autograph it!|
Omaha, Nebraska 68144 402.330.3336 • 402.330.9255 lax 1.800.383.8790 Mvw.elancontemporarycom
ORVIS FULL DEALER JOPEN SEASONS carriesTa wrnpleie line • Graphite and bamboo rods, including tfi , renowned Trident and Silver Label TL Se "'•
Wide selection of men's clothing • gift items • Battenkill luggage ALL merchandise comes with a full lifetime guarantee All catalogue orders placed through OPEN SEASONS are shipped at no charge
3673 N. 129th St. Phone:493-9494 Fax:493-9260 HOURS: Mon thru Fri, 10a.m.-6p.m.; Sat, 10a.m.-5p.rn.; Sun, noon-4p.m.
August 6,1999
Bert's Eye View
by Bert Lewis
This isn't intended to be the usual rant on some subject that has come to my attention, but instead think of it as an open letter to the Oval Office. You all know who sits behind the desk in that famous place, don't you? Of course you do, so let's proceed with a simple Dear Mr. Clinton: It's come to my attention, as well as that of every other American, you've never set foot in Nebraska during your presidency. That's correct isn't it? I mean, the news media isn't making up stuff about you again, are they? Actually, we both know that is, in fact, absolutely true. There are a number of speculations regarding the reason for this obvious oversight, and they're all political - one might even say political sour grapes. It's not my job to go into your problems with various senators or congressmen or women, but as a tax paying resident of Nebraska, I'm a little ticked with you. Naturally, I know you recognize us as more Republican voters than any other kind, but nevertheless, there were a number of folks, both times you ran, who did cast a ballot for you. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and Yes Bill, there are some Democrats in Nebraska. So whom are you spitefully ignoring, by pretending there's no such place as Nebraska? I know your late Mother taught you better manners - she seemed such a down-to-earth person, I can't believe she would allow you to grow up behaving unkindly to your fellow Americans. Even knowing you are coming around the bend, seeing the light at the end of the presidential tunnel, you must know it's better to leave a job on good terms with everybody. Haven't you heard that old saw about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar? Who knows what flies you might want to catch, after you become former President Clinton? You might need us sometime in the future, and there you'll be, wanting something and hearing an answer like "Bill who?" That doesn't sound too smart to me. You ought to talk to a few people who operate in different areas, not just polls. I'll bet Warren1 Buffet could tell you at least a few million reasons to be friendly with Nebraskans, to name only one. You've heard of him, haven't you? You've shown, in the past, you like show biz folks....we have a number of famous actors and actresses who are natives. (Some might call them Sabras, but you may not know the reference.) Surely you knew of Henry Fonda, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire, to name only a few. And how about such famous institutions as the big company which makes all those healthy frozen food products? Nebraskans. Did you know the t.v. dinner was "invented" and marketed right here in our town, which happens to be in Nebraska. You talk a lot about unemployment- are you aware that we don't have any, at least not any to speak of? Everybody here is working, with untold numbers of employers looking for help to hire, You might say we're one of the best kept secrets in the nation. Aren't you embarrassed to say you've never visited in Nebraska? By now you must know there were only two other presidents who did not stop here, even for just promoting good will. They (James Garfield and Warren Harding) had the grace to die in office, so it could be said they might have visited, but didn't live long enough to make it. A prominent University of Nebraska political scientist was quoted as saying T m sure if s not intentional, but it sure looks suspicious". Yeah. Right I won't get into the fact that some well known Republicans are jumping with delight at the opportunity to yammer about this. One, I've forgotten exactly who, said he felt "honored" to be able to say you've never been in Nebraska. Now that must smart a little, doesn't it? Well, that's all I wanted to tell you, so I won't belabor the point. But you should understand that if s not really nice, to openly ignore one of the 50 states. Remember what I said: you never know when you're going to need somebody so it's not smart to burn every bridge behind you. Think about it while you still have time to fix the error. I know it would make your mother proud. Besides, we have lots of really pretty girls here, just like in Washington, but that's another story for another time.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Midwest Women's Conference stresses family and tzedakah by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Jan Perelman, Federation Executive Director, facilitated a workshop at the Midwest Women's Conference about Omaha's successful Partnership 2000 program, which pairs 11 Midwest cities with the Western Galilee region of Israel for business, educational and personal relationship building. The annual conference consists of workshops about Campaign and. Jewish women's issues, as well as plenaries featuring nationally known speakers.
Omaha's delegation to the UJC/Midwest Women's Conference in Chicago included (back row, from left) Joan Kaiman, 2000 Women's Campaign Co-Chair, Bobbie Epstein, National Women's Division liaison; Julee Katzman, Federation Assistant Director; Kathy. McGauvran, Women's Campaign Director; Danielle Gordman, Women's Event Committee; Jan Perelman, Federation Executive Director; {front row) Allyson Bradin Wilczeski, Young Women's Division Co-Chair; Margie Alpertson, Lion of Judah Co-Chair; and Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director.
Mission-Critical Systems
, ,;(JJ: C* V
Omaha Public Power District has notified an industry organization that the systems that are critical for delivering power have been assessed, tested, and deemed ready for the transition to the Year 2000. This includes OPPD power plants and distribution systems. OPPD met the June 30 target date set by the North American Electric Reliability Council, an industry group coordinating Y2K preparations nationwide. Year 2000 assessment and testing for OPPD businesscritical systems, such as billing and administration, are scheduled for completion by Oct. 1. OPPD has been working on Y2K readiness since the early 1990s, , cooperating with customers, suppliers and other utilities to meet the challenges of Y2K.
For more information on OPPD's progress on Y2K issues, visit the OPPD Web site at www.oppd.com or contact the project administrator. OPPD Y2K Project Administrator 444 S. 16th Street, 6E/EP Omaha, NE 68102-2247 (402) 636-3031
Omafta Public Power District
E-mail: Y2K@oppd.com
Šwww.oppd.com
THIS IS A YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE.
Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Augusts, 1989
The Role of the Cantor in the 21 st Century by Cantor Emil Berkovits Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, Nebraska
As we stand at the dawn of the 21st Century, the Cantorate reflects upon the past 100 years and its contributions to that era in history. And, we contemplate the future of this sacred calling in our ' ever-changing world. :. Of course, nothing magical is going to happen just because the secular calendar enters a new millennium. Nevertheless, it is an opportune time to anticipate the synagogue of the future. In doing so, we consider the position of the Cantor both on and off the pulpit. The world around us is changing at lightning speed. Our congregations are changing as well. The role of the Cantor, like that of the Rabbi, is in a state of self-examination. How do we react to these changes while maintaining tradition? What will be the synagogue service of the future? Will it at all resemble the service we know now? In pondering these issues, it is important to take a few criteria into consideration. First and foremost, Tfdlah, prayer, is sacred. Thus, the music that accompanies our prayers must convey a sense of holiness. To uphold the sanctity of our Tfillot, synagogue music, guided by Nusah, characteristic melodic motifs set in modal scales to which we chant most of our liturgy, must be of the highest quality. This cannot and should not be compromised. Second, there must be a distinction between the sacred and the secular. Music heard at a secular concert, be it classic or rock, does not belong in a synagogue service. Neither should we lower the standards for synagogue music to the lowest common denominator in the faint hope of attracting the disinterested. In the long run, substituting style over substance will not work. Third, we muBt be sensitive to the needs and desires of our worshippers. Congregants want to be spiritually uplifted. Music is a means to that end. The singing of the Cantor, choir (if available) and congregation all reach the deepest recesses of the heart. When congregants are heard leaving the service humming a tune, as they so often do, we know they have been inspired. In today's fast paced, "virtual world," individuals
are looking for a sense of community—a place to belong. The synagogue is such a place and music is its entry point. But, many who come to a service are intimidated. Their Hebrew is weak. They can hardly read the language, let alone understand it. Consequently, they cannot relate to the liturgy or comprehend what is going on. They turn to the Cantor for competency and guidance. They want to learn. And there is no one better to teach them than the Cantor. • Our congregants are looking for change. Change is a necessary condition to life, and the Cantorate is a living profession. But, change should be made within the context and guidance of tradition. There are some traditions that are the accumulation of years and years of refinement. Those we must preserve. The role of the Cantor does not end with the synagogue service. The Cantor is a member of the clergy. With that portfolio comes a wide array of community responsibilities that" include visitation of the sick and infirm as well as officiating at lifecycle events. He/she is an educator, teaching B'nai Mitzvah as well as adult education. The Cantor is also a musician, directing youth and adult choruses and teaching Jewish music in the religious school. What the Cantor does away from the pulpit is, at times, more important than what he/she does on the pulpit. Part of what makes the Cantorate a vibrant profession are the many "extra-liturgical" responsibilities. The Cantor should possess rabbinic skills, not to displace, but rather to complement the Rabbi. In the Rabbi's absence, for example, a eulogy could.be delivered by a Cantor, for such words are more meaningful to a bereaved family when they are expressed by one who had a relationship with the deceased. And, the Cantor must take his/her outside interests, whether they be in Judaica, cultural or world affairs, and apply them accordingly in his/her service to the community. As we look to the future, there is every reason to expect that the Cantorate will remain vibrant, continuing to flourish and expand in the years ahead.
United Way of the Midlands R It's you. Ifs me. It's all of us.
uam 3-Dr., Air, AM/FM CD, Sunroof, Dual Air Bags, 4-Wheel ABS, Power Windows, Locks & Mirrors
Leigh-Anne Brown, daughter of Debbie and Jonathan Brown, is among the summer interns for Time magazine. The interns are assigned basic research and fact checking as well as writing and reporting. Leigh-Anne will be a junior at the University of Arizona.
Sarpy County Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Gendler has started a juvenile drug court, the first such program in the state and possibly the nation. The court, which could begin this fall, would offer juveniles a chance to avoid a criminal record by attending drug treatment and serving intensive probation. It has gained national attention and preliminary approval for a $350,000 federal grant. Gendler, an Omaha native, graduated from Creighton Law School in 1978.
The Nebraska Lawyers Trust Account Foundation has awarded a grant of $137,500 to Nebraska's three Legal Services Organizations,
according to Steven J. Bennett, DPM, of Kearney, NE, a member of the Board of Directors. Established in 1984, NLTAF has provided a total of $2,587,000 in such grants, disbursed semi-annually and designed to provide legal services for lowincome clients throughout the state. The three organizations to receive grants this year are Legal Aid Society, Inc., of Omaha; Western Nebraska Legal Services, Inc., headquartered in Grand Island; and Legal Services of Southeast Nebraska.
Jordan's King Abdullah sanctions planting of tree
In lieu of torrential rains in Manhattan, which precluded Jordan's King Abdullah bin AlHussein II (right), from planting a tree of peace in memory of his father, a plaque was presented indoors by Rita H. Salfeld, President of Jewish National Fund-Greater New York Region; Shmuel Sisso, Israel's Consul General; and Henry J. Stern, NYC Parks Commissioner. The Red Oak tree was planted in Central Park. The JNF-sponsored tree planting held significance for both Israel and Jordan, as a demonstration of continued efforts for cooperation in the Middle East.
JACKSON
HOME APPLIANCE SERVICE
"Serving Omaha Since 1946"
SERVICE PARTS PROMPT AND DEPENDABLE ONE COMPANY REPAIRS ALL YOUR MAJOR APPLIANCES 8827 Maple' 391-4287 THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Rent* • We Appreciate Your Patronage "*'Every Party or Event Is Equally Important to . AAA Rents (from 5 to 500) . . .
Per Month Lease* •394foL«ae,Umti£()oaTffl«fl«r.PaymBiil based on S808Down,C50 Sec DepL. $450 Ac. Fee and F W Payment Dug alSlart. LEV. $11,
We've Got The Corner on Quatitfj!
'
•
•
"
*
v
-
:
-
•
'
'
.
'
'
~
•
-
imwaKMriotoiMlw.com
~
'
.
'
Let Us Add that Special Flair and Touch to Your Entertaining
JACKIE LAW lust South Of 140 On WthStntt
ACURA OF OMAHA
•
: • We Specialize In Party Planning and Arrangements,' Trade Shows, Exhibitions and Special Events
PRESIDENT
~~"
Lincoln Omaha Bus.(402)467-4151 Bus.(402) 339-3707 S620S.72ndStreet* Omaha.NE68127-3974 2700 North 27th Street » Lincoln. NE 68521
August 6,1999
Moses' staff
sLOCKSMITHS
Child care- One of the most Important decisions parents make. Checkltoutl NEBRASKA HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
REMINGTO
NO ENTRY FEE Please call for free brochure •• and more information
402-493-5807 Remington Heights Retirement Residence 12606 W. Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE 68154 ....
Page 13
L A F A T A ' S C§ffe-Italiano& Bakery \\ -
from A Child's Book of Midrash, by Barbara Diamond Goldin adapted by Claudia Sherman and illustrated by Ruth Slow
In fear for his life, Moses had to flee Egypt when he was still a young man. While wandering, he came to the city of Midian. At a watering well, he noticed much bickering and teasing between shepherd boys and some young women. Moses chased away the shepherds and watered the sheep for the women. "We are the daughters of the prieBt Jethro," explained one of the girls. She continued, "Ever since our father stopped serving idols, things have not gone well for us." Moses listened patiently, especially to t h e one named Zipporah. She told Moses how t h e shepherds threatened to throw h e r and her sisters into t h e well. "Thank you for helping us," she said. Moses offered to walk the young women home so they would be safe. He was quite impressed with Zipporah for h e r courage, sensitivity, and pride. He had been hoping to find someone like Zipporah to be his wife. After taking the young women home, Moses spoke to Zipporah and asked if she was betnthed to any man. "No," she answered, "but even if I wanted to, it couldn't happen. My father insists that whatever man wishes to marry one of us must first uproot the tree in our garden. The tree is really a t rqd carved with the name of the Holy One," she said. "God created the rod from the divine throne in the twilight of the first Sabbath evening. My father brought the rod home from the Pharaoh's palace where Joseph had brought it after receiving it from his father, Jacob. After my father accidently drove it into the ground, the tree blossomed into a tree. It
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
* ** •
b Something Different \\ Full Menu • Lunch & Dinner j > Cakes, Ristries, CannoTi, Gelato & Granita i 2304 N. 72nd S L . 397-1347
has the power to swallow anyone who tries to touch it!" she warned Moses. Zipporah's father believed that whoever pulled the tree from the ground would lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Zipporah whispered, "It's no use. Don't even try to pull out the tree." Jethro was grateful to Moses for helping his daughters with the sheep and invited him to eat 3821' CENTER •|346-1528 and drink. After dinner, Moses asked Zipporah to show him the rod growGreek Specials Daily Greek Beer & Wine Homemade Pastries Dine In/Carry Out ing as a tree. Party Room We Cater Tool The tree looked like any Full Service Bar other tree growing in the Uon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Frl.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. ground. But as Moses Sun., 11 a.tn.-Bp.m. touched the trunk, he could feel it pulling him. Moses did not let go. He felt God's strength Come and experience the True flowing through Middle East and Dine With Usthim as he pulled and pulled again. The tree pulled right back. I t seemed as though hours had gone by as Zipporah, Jethro, 384-9296 and t h e others Rockbrook Village • 108th & Center watched. Moses began to lose his strength, but he concentrated on one last powerful clench, and the tree's roots began to loosen from the earth. He was finally able to free the tree and as he held it aloft, it turned into a rod. Jethro gave Moses the rod. "May it serve you Breakfast 7-11 a.m • L u n c h 11a.m.-3p.m well," Jethro proclaimed. • Pancakes • Omelettes Rissotto • Salmon Burger | Moses married Zipporah. And the rod, that God • French Toast • Wild Rice w/Artichokes had created on the first Sabbath eve, became the rod that Moses later used to work miracles when 11259 So. 120th St. (402) 334-7172 he led his people out of Egypt. Midrash Rabbah Exodus 1:30-32,8:3 MidrashVa Yosha 42-44 Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer 40 HAMPTON INN • WESTROADS * 391-5300
catering creations Intimate gatherings to large corporate entertaining Complete Party Planning Linda Herzog 5131 Leavenworth . 558-3202
• Private apartments with kitchens • Three delicious meals daily • Full activity schedule • Transportation • 24-hour emergency call system • Independent and assisted living • Housekeeping and linen services • Beauty and Barber Shop
FREE Showtime, CNN, ESPN, WGN and TNT • In-Room Movies Available Beautiful Guest Rooms for Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Wedding Guests 9720 West Dodge Road • Group & Corporate Rates
• • Free Local Calls • Free Passes to 24-Hour Fitness Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast 7 Days'6-10 a Jn.
We Cater
Events... Discover the perfect setting for a special event... The Embassy Suites Downtown/Old Market. Our elegantly appointed ballroom can accommodate up to 750 for your nex.t social function. First class service in beautiful surroundings... Embassy Suites will catet the event ofyour dreams.
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
NEW YORK STYLE
PIZZA AT OMAHA'S #1 PIZZERIA (8 years running)
August 6,1999
BLUE RIBBON Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 25 Years Experience Steve Snail 558-8617,
Enjoy our combos • BBQ Chicken Pie • Chicken Peslo Pie • Garden Pie • New York Deluxe Pie Zucchini Supreme Pie Meatball Pie The Original Thai Pie
Voted the %est {jewel in Omaha
• Whole Pies • Slices • Pasta • Hoagles • Salads • Kids'Menu • Calzones • Lunch Specials • Cheese Breads • Beer & Wine For Delivery: Midtown 391-1881 Downtown 344-2222 Parlies 330-1444
13463 W. Center Road 330-1444—™™ 7924 W. Dodge Road 391-1881 1213 Howard (Old Market) 344-2222
20 varieties of bagels • 16 cream cheese spreads • Cappuccino/Espresso • Great soups and salads • Deli sandwiches • Catering
™THEGREAT ™ AMERICAN BAGEL 8029 W. Dodge Rd. 393-8400 3661 N. 129th St. 431-9999
Former Lincoln woman pursues Mari Sandoz for thesis in Israel by Morris Maline, Special to the Jewish Press
After earning a master's degree in English litera"Israel, oh my goodness!" This is how Caroline Sandoz, the last surviving ture, Mrs. Kluska attended to her job at the high sibling of famed Nebraska writer Mari Sandoz, school and raising her children until a few years reacted when she received a telephone call from ago when she started taking courses in English literature on a part-time basis. Miriam Allen Kluska. "I remember wide-ranging discussions on landMrs. KJuska, a former resident of Lincoln and scapes, poetry and childhood imprescurrently Israel's Ministry of sions, and I started thinking of my Education's supervisor of English teenage years in Nebraska," she said, teaching, was calling to arrange an adding that during this time she came appointment with Sandoz for across the book, "Old Jules," written research on Mari Sandoz. by Mari Sandoz about her father. The research is being conducted in "After reading this work, I contacted connection with a PhD thesis Kluska the Nebraska Book Store and read more is pursuing at Bar Ilan University. of her books, intrigued at the material The meeting with Mari's 89-year-old which outlined a feminist side of the sister was only one of several trips West, telling the story not only from the Kluska had planned during a recent women's point of view, but also from the three-week stay at the Omaha resiIndian perspective." dence of her aunt, Mary Fellman. Meanwhile, Kluska had kept in touch Kluska is the daughter of Annie and Harry Allen, former Lincoln residents Miriam Allen Kluska over the years with Dr. Robert Knoll, who now reside in Jerusalem where Mr. Allen is retired English professor at UNL who had influenced President of a synagogue and Mrs. Allen is a leader in her career early on.. Hadassah. Mr.AlIen who retired as director of "He opened many doors for me after my thesis Institutional Research at the University of Nebraska- supervisor, Dr.Kinereth Meyer, approved my Lincoln, also writes a periodic column from Israel for approach and the working title: The Fusion of the the Jewish Press. Imagined and the Remembered. Mari Sandoz and the Kluska left Lincoln in 1970 to work on a kibbutz Feminine Frontier.' This new focus in my life, she said, in Israel. At an Ulpan, she met her husband-to-be, was definitely a chance to "recharge my batteries." Avraham, and they returned to Lincoln to marry at Also on her list of people to see is Dr. Helen Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Stauffer, past president of the Mari Sandoz Historical She earned a bachelor's degree in English literature, Society in Kearney who wrote the Sandoz biography. Kluska's visit to Omaha also gave her brother, speech and theater arts and returned to Israel to teach at a regional kibbutz high school, Givat Brenner, near Rabbi Morris Allen, an opportunity to drive here from Minneapolis, and a chance to see a childhood friend, Eehovat Her husband became director of the Ulpan. The couple has three children: Haggai, 25, who Sandy Isaacson Barter, who came in from Denver. works for the General Federation of Student and Mari Sandoz died in 1966, and this writer can Young Workers; Nimrod, 23, a kibbutz member only conclude that were she alive today to receive studying alternative medicine, and Dorit, 19, a Miriam Allen Kluska, she too might say, "Israel, oh medic in the Israeli army. my goodness!"
Rodick Resettlement Fund is family's 'thank you' by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator
at Spirit Xforid 7517 Pacific Omaha, NE 68114 391-8680 and 11424 Davenport St. Omaha, NE 68154 334-7123
Our Kitchen Can Prepare Your Favorite Box Lunch to Your Any Occasion Party! (BAR AND BAT MITZVAHS) luncheons - parties • Call and Ask for Our Catering Department
"My parents considered it a miracle to live here," noted Bennett Rodick. His parents, Leo and Frances Rodick, both originally from little villages in Poland, met at a displaced persons camp in Germany after World War II. During the war, Leo Rodick served in the Red Army while Frances survived three concentration camps, including Bergen-Belsen. After their marriage, according to their son, Leo and Frances Rodick arrived in 1948 in Boston with their young daughter, Helen. Immigration and Naturalization sent the family on to Omaha. "They didn't know why" they were sent to Omaha, "but they counted on it being an improvement? from where they had been previously, said Bennett Upon their arrival, the Jewish Federation gave the Rodicks financial aid to help them pay for a place to live. Leo Rodick was a barber and began walking "up and down the streets in South Omaha" knocking on doors to ask for a job. He was able to find one and eventually opened his own business, Leo's Barber Shop at 24th and Vinton around 1950. At first, the Rodicks lived in an apartment behind the barber shop. Later, they were able to buy a house near 56th and Blondo, recalled Bennett Rodick, who was born in Omaha. They belonged to Beth Israel Synagogue, said Bennett Rodick, which was "extremely important" to them. They also belonged to the Jewish Community Center, and Bennett still has "fond memories" of belonging to BBYO as well as the JCC. Frances Rodick died in 1992, followed by her hus-
band in 1995. In their memory, Bennett and his wife, Gretchen Klein, who are both attorneys and live in Lincolnshire, IL, near Chicago, along with Helen, a retired bank loan officer living in Hermosa Beach, CA, and her husband, Jack Babinowitz, who is retired from the Los Angeles Police Department, established an endowment fund in 1996 with The Foundation of the Omaha Jewish Federation. The Leo and Prances Rodick Memorial Fund is used to assist with day-to-day living expenses and provide subvention assistance in cultural, educational, recreational and career training programs for Jews who have immigrated to the Omaha area from either the former Soviet Union or other troubled regions of the world. Todd Ephraim, executive director of Jewish Family Service, said that income from the Rodick Fund was recently used to help settle a three-generation family of four from Minsk who arrived in July in Omaha. The fund helped with the expenses of renting an apartment for the first 30 dayB, buying furniture and food, learning English, and general living expenses. "This aid helps them'become part of the culture," Ephraim pointed out. "We're grateful to have this fund to help meet the needs of immigrants resettling here," he emphasized. "We wanted to make sure that people who come to the United States now have the same opportunities (our parents) had," said Bennett Rodick. "My parents never forgot what the Jewish Federation did for them. The endowment fund "is our way of saying thank you."
V • Northern Indian Tandoori Cuisine • Regional Specialties
• Vegetarian Favorites • Lunch & Dinner
1010 Howard St. • Old Market • 342-4856
* Louis Famous Foot Longs * Great Daily Specials
• NEW Menu & Wine List • A£ter-GolE Special 4-* p.m. dotty OPEN Mon-Sat • LIVE JAZZ every Thttrs. p.m. at
5702 N. Radial Hwy. 551-5993
2905 S. 168th
THE LEGEND CONTINUES,
(1 block south of Center)
Call for reservations
330-0999
11a.m.
August 6,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Jewish Deadwood? One familv's summer vacation ______
MEDITERRANEAN
by Pam Monsky
ed calf!) The exhibit runs until December 31 and culminates with a Hanukkah celebration. Here is a little excerpt from the Jewish Deadwood exhibit publication. If you want to read the entire pamphlet (a whopping 8 pages, more than you'd expect!), let me know and I'll make you a copy. In the meantime, enjoy this small bit of the Jews of Deadwood: "While neither Wild Bill Hickok nor Calamity Jane were Jewish, many of Dead wood's earliest settlers donned their yarmulkes, observed Sabbath, and attempted to keep kosher. Although it is true that Hickok and Calamity Jane had a lasting impact on Deadwood's economy, it is also true that the Jewish community had a far greater impact by helping to build and 'civilize' the town. Harris and Anna Franklin, Jacob Goldberg, Max Pishel, Charles and Jonas Zoellner, Sol Bloom, Nathan and Ada Franklin, Nathan Colman, Blanche Bachael, Henry and Sam Monsky in one of the Black Hills'many caves Recently, my family and I took an eagerly anticipated vacation to Deadwood, South Dakota in the heart of the Black Hills. Deadwood is a small town with a colorful history and it's centrally located to a majority of the well-known sights of the area. . It's also a gambling mecca-with slot machines on every available square foot. (Our six year old son, Sam, helped us discover on our first day that a child under 21 who comes within three feet of one of the bright, noisy machines can get his or her parents a hefty $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail!) Our vacation plans were pretty loose, but included horseback riding, fishing and, of course, Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. What it didn't include, however, was an exhibit and walking tour of Jewish Deadwood. Yes, you read correctly, "Jewish" Deadwood! I figured that our family pretty much doubled the Sabbath table display a t the Adams Museum Jewish population of Deadwood, so naturally, I was in Deadwood. curious about the town's Jewish history. and Sidney Jacobs are just a few names of Deadwood residents who contributed to the economic and social life of the community. Numerous buildings on Deadwood's Main Street serve as a reminder of the important contributions that were made by Jewish settlers. The Torah arrived in Deadwood with Freda Lowensberg and her traveling companions, Simon and Dora Jacobs, in 1888. Benjamin Blumenthal asked Freda to come to Deadwood to marry him that year. Freda's father was the famous Rabbi Joseph from Koenigsberg, Germany, and he insisted that his daughter and his future grandchildren live an 'observant Jewish life.' A Torah was necessary to fulfill the Rabbi's command. This Torah was housed in observant Jewish homes in Deadwood and, ca. 195CS, it was transferred to Ellsworth Air Force Base. The 'Deadwood Torah' (as it is now called) presently resides at The Synagogue of the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Hebrew Benevolent Sopiety fulfilled the The famous Deadwood torah obligation of providing a place for decent burial by I am always amazed and delighted when I find purchasing land in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Judaism in unexpected places. Somehow, it makes Deadwood's earlier cememe feel more at home and connected. After reading tery, Ingle8ide, was subabout the exhibit in the local paper, I thought to ject to flooding and the myself, "this is incredible! Jews always find each establishment of Mount other-even in Deadwood!" Moriah Cemetery as a The Jewish Deadwood exhibit, called "An safer burial ground was Unbroken Cham: Deadwood's Jewish Legacy," is in funded in part by t h e the Adams Museum—itself a beautiful historic Jewish community." building. (Also home to an actual stuffed two-head-
Persian and Middle Eastern Cuisine Discover Omnha's Dost Kept Secret We Do CATERING! • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Receptions • Any-Occasion Party Casual Dining & Cocktails Open Mon-Sat Lunch & Dinner Take Out Available Serving Israeli Wine Try a variety of Kabobs
1712 North 120th St.
"Big portions of wood fired, friendly food that's a little spicy, somewhat saucy and full of robust flavors."
Open for Lunbh anil Dinner Mon-Sat
W / W softie people call just make? us taxi.
.5 n l W * m«(y ( M l ? CV ^m di- \>sVd to yMn yti ( K U - B ? vc^ {VcA fvoei (lie tvrh (frtixlglwul l^c <fay? Fc./ up wi"(l 1
Sunday - Thursday 11am-1Opm Friday - Saturday 11am-11pm . 0 4 0 North 114-i+i S t r e e t
,!
.We (Hal ba<|tlt<Wl>a5cllov»n>i«|''<
and n o w . . .
doughnuts like you've never tasted! KRISPY KREME 2715 So. 120th St. 334-9000
spot.." -jimDcimont,a««
Glint Fbrtethouic Sink - 24 m.. die king nfttcalu; for ilie miiun Mcatx lover
NV Sirloin Strip S l a k - U M > A Choice, ageil Incn broiled and lopped wtthlleveHrei heib butter
I'rlme Rib ftntl Scampi - K or. (.fnur tlow itHtknl prime iil> urvetl witlt a petite pmtiiin nrnur ilitinip uampi
Slow Routed Prime Rib - mved will, natural au jus, boneless
Chitcaubriftnd for Two - carved table side; center nit lenJcttuin of hcefwiih a .K>tii|iiei «f frcJi vrgcuMn. |KIUUKI and Warnaue taun " filet
Dinner liimtcs Starting At
$11-50
•.:
7 Omaha Location*
Filet Mlgnon - hniilnl In pclfcctiim mil lopped with Demlcci hcib hmlcr
Steak and. Lobster - 6 oz. filet and a 5 ox. cold water lobiter tail
493-3080
(Candlewood Shopping Center)
"the premierJine-diiting
Were in the neighborhood.
Page 15
Broiled Stuffed !V»k Chop - iiulTctl wiili nmrarclb thewc. wpe "»J limuiiillo, with nuiicd pathc tlcnit place sauce -' ' " Chicken Oicmr - uutcn) brcaa of thicken with cfth meal and asparagus, lopped with nunab wine mushroom sauct Broiled Salmon Filet - hetti crusted of salmon with a soy ginger lauce
Sunday Buffet Brunch from 10:30 a.m. tu 2KX) j u n . Kcsmariom Rfcommnu.r.. * 7I2-M»»-47I» • I2i!i Moor
Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 6,1999
,
Marty Ricks assesses his first year with Federation Foundation by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator • _. "Although I enjoyed my professional career, I the community here is a strong Jewish community. number of Jewish families here. People are so posialways received more satisfaction volunteering in But i t s beyond what anybody coming from the out- tive about this campus, the staff, volunteers, and the non-profit world, especially for our Temple in side could comprehend," Ricks emphasized. "The the purposes. Even people who left here years ago California. However, I never thought I would ever willingness (of Omahans) not just to give money are still giving," he pointed out citing examples of enter the non-profit world as a career," revealed but to roll up then* sleeves and get involved and Milt and Rosalie Saylan whose generosity was Martin Ricks who marked the end of his first year, recycle themselves to lead certain efforts, take a recently described in the Press. He also indicated in June, as endowment director of The Foundation break, and come back and take on other major The Foundation will be reviving its education proresponsibilities" has impressed him. of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. gram for donors. Returning to Omaha after a 29-year absence His experience helping families design special "I'm starting to work much closer with the rab(interrupted by a two-year interval here in 1993 endowment funds for the community has been grati- bis and respective staffs, and I'm able to see more and), Ricks has spent part of his first year meeting fying. He particularly enjoyed his recent experience of a global picture of what is needed in this commuand speaking with as many people in the communi- with the Glazer family to help them set up a new fund nity," he continued. T h e clergy sometimes has a ty as possible and learning about their concerns for to assist families with physically challenged children. different perspective than Federation staff." the future of the Omaha Jewish community, he He has also devoted time to special needs projects explained. He has also spent his initial year, "talksuch-as the Kosovo crisis and teen violence that ing to some of The Foundation's fund donors, "demand a response and other less pressing but attempting to search out what has motivated them certainly worthwhile projects such as an annual to set up their funds, and to extract what I've bereavement camp which is being planned." learned from existing donors to help prospective Planned giving was new to Ricks a year ago. He donors crystallize their charitable giving plans." now recognizes that "planned giving is a long-term process that needs to be carefully thought out and "I have strong feelings about the Omaha communiaccomplished in conjunction with not only the ty," he stated. Raising funds for Temple Adat Elohim, donor but the donor's family as well as their legal a 700-member congregation in Thousand Oaks, CA, "I and accounting advisors." was envious of the fund raising efforts going on in Omaha that I read about in the Jewish Press. "The Federation is in good shape for the present. Recalling "wonderful experiences" as a volunteer But we cannot predict the future," he indicated. for Temple Adat Elohim, he served as president, vice "We can take care of that uncertainty by raising as president of finance, treasurer, and financial secremuch as we can in endowment funds to ensure a Marty Ricks, Federation Foundation Director tary of the Temple's Board of Trustees. Although stream of support for tomorrow's programs." fund raising is difficult in California because of apaRicks' goals for The Foundation include "perpetuatIris Ricks, Marty's wife, "has seen how happy I've thy towards Jewish institutions, he is proud that ing the future of Omaha Jewry by increasing 'endur- been in Jewish communal work and that prompted Temple Adat Elohim completed construction of its ing assets.*" He wants "to help prospective donors her to inquire about a new position at Temple new sanctuary and social hall in 1997. design their charitable giving objectives in conjunc- Israel," he said. She recently started her new post . A 1961 graduate of Omaha's Central High School, tion with saving estate and inheritance taxes." He as program director there. the University of Oklahoma where he majored in wants them to be aware that there are several ways Ricks enjoys gardening, walking and hiking with accounting, and Creighton Law School, Ricks described to gift assets to charity, receive a tax deduction, and Iris, and traveling from coast to coast to visit their Omaha's Jewish community as "warm, caring, and receive a guaranteed income in return. He also con- four children. "Iris and I arrived in Omaha on June 7, concerned families and individuals who have taken a centrates on "working with Jan Perelman (Federation 1998, and I started The Foundation position on June special pride in what Omaha has produced in terms of executive director) and other Federation staff on coor- 9. We both feel blessed that we made this change. We its institutions and its programs for all ages at the dinating our overall fund raising program." love the midwest atmosphere, being closer to our parJewish Federation as well as at the synagogues.'' "Omaha is fortunate," according to Ricks, "to ents, siblings and other family, and working in a won"I knew after being away for almost 30 years that have a strong asset base in relationship to the derful dedicated Jewish community."
Back-To-School SAVINGS
HI-LITER Yellow or Pink
2/1.OO Reg. 69*
Notebook
PAPER Narrow or Wide Rule
200 Count 1 * 0 9 Reg. 1.39 PEONY PARK 7910 Cass 384-8668
BIC CRYSTAL PENS Blue or Black 10 Pack Reg. 1.19
Insulated
LUNCH BOX
7.99 Reg. 8.99
WESTRIDGE 132nd &W. Dodge 493-2911
MEAD 2-POCKET PORTFOLIO
Assorted Colors
Z/l.OO Reg. 79*
Fiskars
SCISSORS
79*
Reg. 99* 90TH & CENTER 8809 W. Center Road 384-9072
TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
A2 A
On the evening of Saturday, November 20, 1999, please join us for an evening of tribute, memory, and celebration in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of AZA in Omaha In 1924. It will be a memorable and enjoyable occasion. You will hear more details about the dinner and the program In the near future. For now, besides marking this event on your calendar, we would appreciate it if you would fill out the enclosed survey sheet and return it to Lois atthe B'nai B'rith Office, 333 S. 132nd St., Omaha 68154. The purpose of the survey Is to enable us to properly honor all of those who have been members of AZA or BBG, officers, sweethearts, beaus, or advisors during these past 75 years. Questions? Call Dr. David Flnkle, Chairman, 354-8188 or 493-5120 or Lois Epstein, B'nai B'rith Secretary, 334-644
AZA - BBG 75TH DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY SURVEY SHEET Name Address:. Qty
Stns*
St*e
Ptoreno
Were you a member of a chapter of AZA or BBG? Yes _____ No Name of Chapter _ Location (if other than Omaha): Ib. During what years were you a member of this Chapter?: Ic. What was the highest Chapter office, if any, you held?: Office: Year: Id. What was the highest national or regional office, if any, you held?:
1.
Office:
• • ••
Year:
2. Were you ever a Sweetheart or a Beau of a Chapter?: Year: Yes ' No Chapter: '• • 2b. If you were a Sweetheart, please give us your maiden name: 3. Were you ever an advisor to an AZA or BBG Chapter?: Yes No_ Chapter Years: 4. Do you have memorabilia, i.e., photographs, dance books, scrap books, or other such items that you would be willing to either loan or donate to us and the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society for this event?: Yes No . If yes, please contact Carol Parsow, (402)289-3211. 5. Do you think you will be able to celebrate with us on November 20,1999?: Definitely Probably_ Will Not Be Able to Attend __ 6. Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding this event? If so, we would like to hear from you - Please use the other side of this sheet for further comments.