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ME HIST SOCIETY • 1500 R ST , <itr LINCOLN WE 6850S-16J1
SPECIAL HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE ISSUE VoLLXXVJH
No. 11 Omaha, NE
Donations needed for Hunger Relief Initiative .
by PamMonsky Federation Communications Director
The elderly Jews of the former Soviet Union are in crisis. The facts of life for these people, many of them Holocaust survivors, are: • 32% of the Jews in the former Soviet Union are over 65. • Many have no relatives and live on less than $20 a month. • Many make choices between buying food or medicine daily. • Presently, we provide food and home care to the 175,000 most needy. • 125,000 are not being reached due to lack of funds. Nationally, Federations are uniting to raise funds to provide the minimum necessities so that these elderly Jews may live in dignity. The Jewish Federation of Omaha has accepted the responsibility to raise an additional $110,000 this year to help take care of the elderly Jews who cannot take care of themselves; This money is in addition to the regular Annual Campaign, and 100% of the contributions will go to help ease their plight. The Hunger Relief Initiative Drive officially begins Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center Theater with a community event featuring renowned photojournalist Sharon Faulkner. For the past 10 years, Faulkner has worked closely with United Jewish Communities (UJC, formerly-UJA) and other Jewish organizations on a variety of projects. Recently, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) sent her to document the poignant dignity of elderly Holocaust survivors now living under appalling conditions in Ukraine. The bold honesty of Faulkner's work, along with her passionate commitment to improving the lives of these unfortunate people, has helped UJC focus needed public attention on a compelling human tragedy. Faulkner's work has appeared in Life magazine and other national and international magazines, newspapers and books. Combining photography with social action is a special part of her heritage. As a daughter of world-renowned photographer Douglas Faulkner, she spent much of her childhood traveling throughout the world and experiencing many different cultures. • Her program in Omaha will showcase her photography and Faulkner will narrate her photos with the stories of these very proud and dignified people. • Event Chairs Phyllis and David Hoffman saw Faulkner's presentation when she was in Omaha ' in October to speak to Campaign workers. 'The photographs are artistically breathtaking," said Mrs. Hoffman. "But what makes this program so unique and important is Sharon's personal stories of these wonderful people. She makes tKem come alive. They are individuals with stories and heartache, and they -have survived unspeakable horrors. I will never forget em
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Sharon Faulkner (Continued o n p a g e ? )
3Kislev,5760
November 19.1999
JCC presents Hanukkah Theater by Corey Kirshenbaum, JCC Assistant Director
This year's Hanukkah Lindsey Scott, Lindy show at the Jewish Dinklage, Tiffany ThomCommunity Center on as, Taryn Thomas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2 p.m., Melissa Padgett, Jen"The ABC's of Hanuknifer Cooper, Sarah Edelkah," is an original prostein, Rachel Katzman, duction written and Nicole Long and Sara directed by M. Michele Hilkemann. Phillips. The JCC's Youth Featuring actors from Services Department has the JCC Youth Services provided these actors for Department, dancers the Hanukkah show:; from the JCC's Dance Sam and Rachael MonDepartment and stu- D a n c e r 8 prepare their number for the annual Bky, Chet Wallace Ryan and Justin King, Alycia dents from the Omaha Jewish community, local Hanukkah performance at the JCC. Noble and Seth Rich. storyteller Rita PaskoAlso in the play are: witz will emcee the show. Special Alena Senik, Becky Doty, Jon seasonal music will be performed by Gates, Nate Joseph, Mitchell the Temple Israel and Beth El Sanford, Sarah Littky, Audrey Synagogue Youth choirs. Gerber, Molly McVay, Alex Sloan, Jenna Herse, Amy Schweid, Zach Find out the answers to such and Sarah Spooner, Marty Kaplan, questions as "Who will Barbara Ben and Debbie Flax and Arielle Walters interview this year?" "Who Levine. will win the exciting quiz show— *Who or What am I?"* "What"s cookThe JCC Hanukkah Theater is ing in the kitchen with Desmong?" Rehearsals are underway sponsored by the JCC Dance and And "What does the letter *Z* have for t n e Hanukkah play, Youth Services Departments. The to do with Hanukkah?" . starring youngsters from performance will be followed by a Dancers from the JCC'B Dance the JCC Youth Department dessert reception in the JCC Gallery. Department include: Lauren Davis, . . . . . . v : Tickets are $5'for adults; $3 for Ellen JDajnford, Alison Coyle, Madison'jDahl, children under 12, and are available from the JCC Elizabeth Dudley, Elizabeth Gray, Kyle Gussling, ' Members Services Desk (now located in the Phil Madeline Moore, Cygne Cooper, Madisen Stoler, Sokolbf Health and Fitness Center on the east side of the JCC Campus.) For more information, call Lura Walker and Frederike Hofler. In a number entitled "Blessing," the dancers are: Member Services at 334-6325.
Temple Israel hosts Dr. Ruth Langer by Iris Ricks
Synagogue: Connecting and Dr. Ruth Langer will be the Rededicating Ourselves to Scholar-in-Residence at Jewish Sacred Space." Dr. Temple Israel, Dec. 10-12, Her Langer will look at the Ner theme for the weekend is "To Tamid, the ark, the menorah, Worship God Properly." the synagogue orientation, as Dr. Langer. is Assistant well as the activities that take Professor of Jewish Studies in place in the synagogue to the Theology Department at show how it connects to Jews Boston College. She received everywhere and at all times. her PhD in Jewish liturgy and her rabbinic ordination Saturday, Dec. 11,, from Hebrew Union College9i3O aan.: During Bagels and Jewish Institute of Religion in Bible, Dr. Langer will discuss Cincinnati, OH. the Torah portion of the week. At the 1O&O aan. Shabbat serAt Boston College, Dr. vice, the topic will be Langer is involved in the "Celebrating Torah!" Dr. development of a Jewish Langer will discuss the meanStudies Program and is the ings embedded in Torah ritufounder and coordinator of the als and what this says.about Intercollegiate JewishDr. Ruth Langer the ritual reading of Torah. C h r i s t" i a n - M u s l i m "Creating Sacred Time in Judaism" will be the "Trialolgue." Dr. Langer's research interests and publications topic for the afternoon lecture, reception and focus on the differences between law and custom or Havdalah, starting at 5 pan. Sunday, Dec 12> 10 aan.: "Pray for God's Sake" "what happens when the dictates of rabbinic traditions conflict with the actual, practices and. under- is the topic for Sunday morning's lecture, followed by a bagel brunch. Join Dr. Langer to learn the standings of the community. . She has published numerous articles and reviews answers which Judaism provides to: Why do Jews as well as a book, To Worship God Properly: pray? Is it primarily to fulfill human needs or is it because God somehow asks this of us? If the latter, Tensions between Liturgical Custom andHalakhah in Judaism. Her current research focuses on the how do we know what God wants? development and interpretation of the liturgy surFor more information, contact Temple Israel at rounding the reading of the Torah 556-6536. : ' Dr. Langer's schedule for the weekend follows: Dr. Langer's visit is made possible by the Friday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m.: the topic at Friday Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish evening Shabbat services is "From Temple to Learning and is open to the entire community. '