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No. 13 Omaha, NE
Federation elects Forrest Krutter as new president, installs board
Jewish renaissance creates canvas for future; Omahans return from G.A. by Lisa Hostein
by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
The Jewish Federation of Omaha installed its newly elected board members at its regular board meeting on Nov. 23. The hew President of the Federation is Forrest Krutter. He formerly served as Vice-president and is a past New Federation board members include: Jane. chairman of the Rips, left, Forrest Krutter, Howard Kooper, Zoe Budget and Allo- Riekes and Robert Lepp. (Not pictured: Robert cations Committee. Eisenberg, Steve Pitlor, Paul Shyken, Suzanne and the Jewish Singer and ArnieWeitz.) Cultural Arts Council. He also served dents; and Robert Eisenberg, as President of the Friedel Jewish Treasurer. New Board Members are Steve Day School and on the board of Beth Pitlor, Planning and Evaluations El Synagogue. Also installed were Immediate past- Chairman; Zoe Riekes, Israel/Overpresident Howard Kooper and new seas Chairman; Arnie Weitz, Budget executive board members: Robert and Allocations Chairman; Paul Lepp, Vice-president/Secretary; Jane Shyken, Director. Rips and Suzanne Singer, Vice-presi(Continued on page 10)
ATLANTA (JTA)-If Michelangelo's Renaissance meant sculpting Moses from a piece of marble, just what does an American Jewish renaissance hope to create? Like the great Italian artists who reached back to classical influences to transform art and culture, American Jewry is reaching back to Jewish sources to create a new kind of contemporary Jew— one steeped in Jewish learning and tradition, a Jew excited about being Jewish out of choice, not necessity. It's a tall order in these times of growing assimilation; but it is one leadership of the Jewish scene believe will be necessary for American Jewry not only to survive, but to thrive. Although some have been preaching the need for a Jewishly literate American Jewry for years, the organized community, propelled by the grass roots, is now taking up the cause. The United Jewish Communities, the
Bobbie Epstein honored for Partnership 2000 Leadership . •-'.
by Pam Monsky^ Federation Communications Director
In order to establish a re-j> -— - - ' Nebraska Medical Center 1 lationship between the' to discuss innovations in Omaha Jewish community ' the practice of medicine and the people and institu on-going Holocaust pro tions in Israel's Western gramming in conjunction Galilee, a strong and devotwith Omaha public schools ed leader is vital. f and the Ghetto Fighters Bobbie Epstein lias Museum; and the many proven herself to be such a Israelis who have been leader. For the past four exploring business and years, Epstein has been educational opportunities chairman of the Midwest that benefit the Western consortium for Partnership Galilee as well as Omaha. 2000. Recently, she was \ Federation Executive honored in the Western Director Jan Perehnan says Galilee for her part in she is grateful to Epstein for establishing the Central the many hours she has put Region's Consortium as one into the Partnership. "We of the most successful P2K "TTliln J!^.' were really breaking new programs int.-theonntw«country. Doctor, presented Bobbie Epstein with ground and none of us knew Partnership 2000> (affec- r P f f l a w a r d a t ^ mdwest Consortium » h »* t h e Potential was. tionately known as P2K) is , t m e e t i n g i n t h e Western Galilee Bobbie used her leadership skills -to — define not only aprogram of United Jewish j ^ ^ o f ^ --••»'Omaha's role in PartnerCommunities (UJC-formerly United Jewish Appeal) that matches regions in ship 2000, but how the entire Midwest Consortium the U.S. to regions in Israel. Omaha is grouped would relate to this critical region in Israel." with 12 other cities, which include Akron, Canton, Epstein said that, "Partnership 2000 gives the Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Des Moines, Indian- Omaha Jewish community the opportunity for apoliB, Louisville, Northwest Indiana, San An- hands-on involvement in Israel. It gives members tonio, Toledo and Youngstown. P2K focuses on eco- 'of our community the opportunity to work on excitnomic, educational and social growth in Israel and i n g exchange projects here in Omaha as well as in Omaha. • abroad. ADL/CRC Director Bob Wolfson was in the "P2K is a way for OUT donors to 'follow their dolWestern Galilee when Epstein was honored. lars' by seeing first hand the kinds of projects we "Bobbie has done a tremendous job of making important things happen. It was great to be there fund through the Jewish Agency and to be part of the decision making. It reaches people who want a and see her receive such a well-deserved honor." Some highlights of Epstein's tenure, as P2K new relationship with Israel. It encourages Jewish Chairman are Omaha teens who have worked as identity and continuity in Omaha by reinforcing counselors in English language summer camps for the Israel-Diaspora partnership.' kids in Israel; Israeli educators who have visited • Omaha's Partnership 2000 has a number of ways our public and private schools (including Friedel for community members to experience this handsAcademy) and exchanged programming ideas with. on connection with Israel's Western Galilee. For more information and a free P2K button, Omaha area administrators; Israeli doctors who have met with •doctd^at.the. University of please contact me at 334-6431.
new federation-driven national fundraising and social service organization officially launched last week in Atlanta, has designated Jewish Renaissance and Renewal as one of its four main pillars, or areas of focus. Indeed, a task force charged with recommending a course of action suggests ed as its guiding vision: 'to provide a bold and vigorous leadership for building a Jewish community permeated by Torah, chesed (loving kindness) and tzedek (justice or righteousness). "We've come a long way, at least rhetorically," Jonathan Woodier, executive vice president of the Jewish Education Service of North America, said last month at the opening Renaissance forum at the UJC's General Assembly. "Whereas in the past we were worrying about Jewish continuity, now the focus is on Jewish renaissance," he said to hundreds of G.A, delegates (Continued on page 10)
JCC presents Hanukkah Concert • ;•'-'
by Denise Baccus, . JCC Communications Director
. .
The Jewish Community Center of Omaha, in conjunction with the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, will present a special' Hanukkah Concert on Sunday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., in the JCC theater. More than 70 teens from throughout the Omaha area will perform pieces by Beethoven, Handle, Corelli, Richman and Verdi. The concert will be conducted by Aviva Segall, music director and principal conductor for I the Youth Orchestra. In August, she began her first season as director] and conductor. Originally from | California, she served as Conducting Appren- I tice with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra | and was concurrently Aviva Segall on the conducting staff of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. During the summer, she was conductor of the Connoisseurs Orchestra at the Young Musicians and Artists summer camp. She recently performed as Guest Conductor with the Central Illinois Youth Symphony. She has also been Music Director of the Pasedena Orchestra da Camera and the Wellesley College Chamber Orchestra. , Segall received her Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied with Victor Yampolsky. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College and subsequently attended the University of Southern California School of Music. She was awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study rehearsal techniques with European orchestras and conductors and was a scholarship, conductor at the Aspen Music Festival. Segall's principal conducting mentors include Yampolsky, Murry Sidlin, James DePriest and Daniel Lewis. She has also worked with Robert Spano, Raymond Harvey and David Loebel. Segall combines her considerable talent and experience with that of the 70 youthful musicians (Continued on page 2)
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 8,1999
JCC Hanukkah Concert
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Ironic Comforters
(Continued from page 1) to present a festive explosion of song in celebration by Rabbi Shlomo Levin, of the Hanukkah season. •-•••• Director, Omaha Center Tickets are available now through the day of the for Torah Learning concert by contacting the JCC at 334-6426. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Parashat Vayeishev For more information, contact Corey KirshenAfter Jacob's children present him with the baum at 334-6418, or J a n Braden, General blood-stained coat of many colors, leading Jacob to Manager for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, at presume Joseph's death, Jacob began to grieve and 238-2044. mourn. His children attempted to comfort him, but Chabad to light displays for Hanukkah to no avail, as it says, "All his sons and daughters Chabad of Nebraska will have two hanukkiyot on tried to console him, but he refused to be comfortdisplay this week. On Sunday at 3 p.m., one will ed." Jacob says, "I will go down to the grave be lit at Westroads Mall, near Von Maur. At mourning for my son (37:35)." At first glance, it seems only natural that Jacob's Oakview Mall, the hanukkiah will be lit on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m., near Younkers on children should attempt to console him- it is of course proper for children to help their parents in the upper level. Chabad will also host a Latke Party on times of need. But recall that these children are Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., at Chabad House, the same people who sold Joseph into slavery, 1866 So. 120th St. For more information, call dipped Joseph's coat in blood and brought it to their father! These consolers are actually the ones Elizabeth, 330-1800. who caused their father to 90 into mourning in the first place! . Evidently, the brothers see no irony in both causing their father's mourning and also trying to conFURNACE: V71A 95 " ' 7 sole him. It seems that they sincerely wish to conHERE'S WHAT WE DOj, sole their father, and are distressed that they do * Vcuum Clean E •Clean Heat Chamt; not succeed. Why would they inflict this pain on MONUMENT CO. •Clean Draft C their father and then be distressed by his sorrow •Oil Blower 4 •Turn On J Frank L Ciciulla, Jr. as well? • 60 Years Experience hen the brothers decided what they would do With Jewish with Joseph, perhaps they had not anticipated Lettering and Memorials their father Jacob's reaction. They, after all, FLOYD'S FURNACE & AIR despised Joseph, so was it really possible that 1439 So. 13th Jacob could love him so much? In their hatred of ^T^t^: 556-9706 :' 341-2452 Joseph they may have been blinded to Jacob's affection. . The brothers wanted to create a household without Joseph, in which they could share their father's attention fairly without Joseph's dreams and fancy coat. This vision could only be carried out if their father would overcome the loss of Joseph and go back to being their father the same as he was before. They could not create the normal household they desired if Jacob stayed in constant CLIP & SAVE mourning. Jacob's refusal to accept comfort represented the failure of the brother's plan. There could be no norFRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 mal household with their father in constant Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. mourning. The other details of the plot the brothKids Lunch & Learn, Noon, at Beth EL ers could handle, the selling of Joseph, the bloodyFamily Hanukkah Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple ing of the coat, but Jacob's mourning caught them SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 unp£pared. Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Humash Class, 4:15 p.m., at Beth El Wrapped up in our own passionate feelings Temple Israel WHJ Social Event, TBA ( towards others, we often forget that we only see SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 p one part of other people. The same person we WRJCradel Roll, 10:30 a.m., a t Temple despise may be beloved by others, whom we do not Beyt Shalom's Rabbi Kripke's class on & understand and recognize even though they may "The Prophets," 12:30 p.m. be very close by. Our actions towards others affect Amit Women Meeting, 12:30 p.m., at Livingston Plaza « all these other people as well. Unfortunately, JCC Hanukkah Show, 2 p.m. v Hadassah Tea, 3 p.m., at Wyndham Party Room _ Joseph's brothers did not realize this until it was
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GAUENDAR OB EVENTS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 YES Program, 9:30 a jn.. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10 a.m.,Beth Israel . Hanukkah dinner and cookie bake, 5:30 p m , at Beth Israel "" Chumash Class with Rabbi Levin, 7 p m , at Beth Israel JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Hadassah Meeting, 10:30 am., at Livingston Plaza B'nai B'rith Bible Quiz & Reception, 6 p m . High School Dinner Night, 6 p.m., at Beth El Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a m . Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Religious School Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel •:.•'.: Friedel Jewish Academy Hanukkah Show, 7 p.m. All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Pnsa is not responsible lor the accuracy ol the events. To keep calendar accurate or lor questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.
CENTRAL PARK PHARMACY #5 307 North 114th St. PHONE 333-5100 CUP&SAVB
EMMA BRIGGS Emma Herman Briggs died Nov 25 at the age of 105. Graveside services were held Nov. 28 at Beth El Cemetery. " She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank. Mrs. Briggs was associated with her brother in Bricks Liquor Store in Omaha for many years Survivors include several nieces' and nephews. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.' AJON FATOLEY FARBER Graveside services for Ajon Farber were held Dec. 1 at Temple Israel Cemetery. Memorial services were held at Temple Israel. He died at the age of 71. Survivors include his wife, Carol; son and daughter-in-law, Bjon and Kelny Farber; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Steven Dresner and Josi and Rick Rain; Bisters and brother-in-law, Elaine Westering and Gay and Jim McGuicken; grandchildren, Benjamin, Alexandra and Nathaniel Farber, Daniel, David and Miriam Dresner, and Allison, Emily and Molly Rain; and uncle Harold Farber. Memorials to Temple Israel or Francis-Sienna House. '
Hadassah to host two Hanukkah events Two Hanukkah tea parties are scheduled by the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah. Lucille Wittmus will entertain residents and guests of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home with her accordion on Dec. 4, 2 p.m., at the monthly Oneg Shabbat. A Hanukkah tea and desserts will be served in the main dining room at 2:30 p.m. A Hanukkah Tea Party is Sunday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m., at the Wyndham Hills Apartments party room, 9226 Burt St. Dr. Michael Yablonski, Dr. Howard Gendelman and Dik Weiner will entertain. Chairmen are Georgiann Steinberg, Debby Abrams Novak and Beverly Franklin. Pam Monsky is chairman of the Hadassah Medical Organization, which will be honored during the after-noon. Reservations may be made by calling 345-9699.
Beth Israel delves 'In the News' and hosts Pardes Project by Beth Cohen
too late.
Yale Richards receives national award Rabbi Howard Kutner -of Beth Israel Synagogue recently led a class on current events from a Jewish perspective. The next I n the News' is Monday, Dec. 13,7 p.m., at the home of Susie and Paul Shyken.
Yale Richards has received the Trustee of the Year Award from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. The award was presented by Executive Director Barbara Gottlieb, center, and President Silvia Hoffman, at,a recent board meeting of Jewish Senior Services.
Pardes, the first in a series of monthly discussion groups will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, at 8 pjn.. Pardes, a national adult education project sponsored by the Orthodox Union, offers the community an opportunity to explore.the Torah's view on topical issues such as tolerance, successful marriage, gender issues' and effective parenting. Triggered by Toran'Text, Rabbi Howard Kutner will lead these discussions delving into life's important issue's. The topic of the first session is "Violence: the gap between our mind and our heart" and is hosted byLSusan and Dennis Paley. The session will focus on how exposure to violence, in the world, the media and from the entertain; ment industry affects us. : Pardes is open to the community. For more information or to be added to the Pardes mailing list, . call the synagogue office, 556-6288, or e-mail: : Bethlsrael@novia.net
December 3,1999
SYNAGOGUES
1602 No. Kind Street, Omaha, Ni: 68104-50 JU 5504288' BrlhKrarltSnov in.net
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SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m, led by Andrew Greehberg. Members of the community are welcome. All services followed by Kiddush. A memorial service is held on the last Shabbat of each month, in memory of residents who have died.
Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday, 7:15 aan. FRIDAY: Services, 8 pan. SATURDAY: Services,9:30 aan. ' SUNDAY: Hanukkah School assembly and Congregation Latke lunch, 11 aan. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS: Jewish Thought & Philosophy/Rabbinics~"Pirkei Avot: The Ethics of the Fathers," by Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-10:55 a.m.; Jewish Practices and Observances-Tanach/Bible-Perek Yomi (A Daily Chapter), with Rabbi Rosenbaum,llK)5-noon.. WEDNESDAYS: Basic Judaism with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 7:15-9:15 pan. SHABBATSEDER Sundays, Dec. 5,12,19, from 11:05: aan. -noon, Learn how to "make Shabbos" through the meaning and practices of the Shabbat rituals. Designed for members who want to find a way to bring their families and friends together for a meaningful experience. Led by Nancy Coren. PERSONAL I want to thank my family and friends for their contributions, cards, flowers, gifts and love on my
special birthday.
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BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
TEMPLE ISRAEL
FRIDAY: Shabbat evening service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi'Debbie'Stiel and Cantor "Jennifer Blum will officiate, along with Temple Tones and Kol Rina choir at this Hanukkah Family : : ••Service. ' The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism, Omaha. • SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 930-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat morning service, 1030 a.m. SITTER SERVICE • Sitter Service is available each 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. FRIDAY, Dec. 10: Shabbat Comes to You, Rabbi Debbie Stiel and t h e youth group will lead a Shabbat Service, 3:45 p.m., at Remington Heights; Tot Shabbat, a short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will be held for toddlers through children in the primary grades and their families, 7 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, D e c . 7: Chumash Bemidar, 10,1130 aan. Rabbi Shlomo Levin will use classic and modern commentaries to study central stories of the Book of Numbers from an original Midrashic perspective. WEDNESDAY, Dec. 8: Introduction to Jewish Philosophy, 7-8:30 pan. Facilitated by Professor Guy Matalon, discussions will follow readings from two classical Jewish texts. THURSDAY, D e c . 9: Sisterhood Adult . Education, 10-1130 aan. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will teach "Scattered Amoung the Nations-Documents Affecting Jewish History-49 to 2000 C.E "; Jewish Identity in Film, 7-8:30 p.m. Facilitator David Yudelson looks at film as a medium of expressing what it is to be Jewish. • .'.•; FRIDAY, Dec. 10: Jewish Spirituality, 930-11 aan. Mimi Rogers will lead this group in readings, discussion, Jewish meditation and Jewish yoga.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
. Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.. to noon. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Services, 4:40 p.m. Bar Mitzvah of Adam Noah Gendelman. SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 a.m.; "Insights into the Parsha," 3:45 p . m . ; Mincha, 4:30 p . m . ; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 4:40 p.m. ~ HANUKKAH DINNER TUESDAY, 5:30 p.m., spaghetti dinner and cookie baking for Shabbos kiddush and residents of the Rose Blumkin Home. Dinner is $6 for adults, $3 for children; call the office for reservations. , TUESDAY: Rabbi Shlomo Levin teaches a Chumash class on Sefer Bamidbar, the book of Numbers, 7 pan. WEDNESDAY: Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner on Tractate Bava Metzia, 7:30 p.m.
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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 Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael Horwitz. FRIDAY: Services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY; Services, 9 3 0 aan. Kiddush following services; Sitter service and Torah Study Skills (TSS), 10 aan.; Ktantan (K-3rd grade), 10:45 aon^ Shabbat Story Time (pre-kindergarten and under), 11 aan.; Humash with Rashi study session, 4:10 pan.; MinhaMa'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:40 pan. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Perek Yomi "Read a Chapter a Day" group, 10:15 aan. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5 3 0 p.m. ADULT B'NAI MITZVAH CLASS The adult classes continue on Wednesday, Dec. 8,7:30 p.m. FAMILY HANUKKAH DINNER Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. Bring new or out-grown mittens to donate to the Siena House.
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Bnai Mitzvah
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',- " 'y , " A^Affilfnteofthe ' ,f • , ' . ; ; ' • Jewish lUjconstructlonlst Federation *
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P.O-Box241130, Omaha,NE68124-5130 ,., ~, ", 768;9233 ' http://come.to/beytahalom/
FRDDAY: Shabbat in the home. SUNDAY: No Religious school or Rabbi Kripke's class. TUESDAY: Religious School, 4 p.m., at the JCC. FRIDAY, D e c . 3: Kabbalat Shabbat and Hanukkah party, 7 p.m.
v- . B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mvnster St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 , Phone:322-4705 . E-MAIL: docjeb@aol.com -
JonathanJDayid Gates, son of Harry and Linda * Gates, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Temple Israel. A seventh-grade honor student at Kiewit Middle School, he enjoys football, t basketball and computers. For his Mitzvah 1 Project he volunteered over 75 hours as a couns e l o r at the JCC Day ] Camp. Jon has a sister, Jennie, 18, and a brother, Jeff, 14. Grandparents are William and the late Arlene Walter, and great-aunt Anita Ingalls. .',/•..'
Adam Noah Gendelman, son of Drs. Howard Gendelman and Bonnie Bloch, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Beth ,^'i* Israel Synagogue. •*' A seventh-grade » V . CHABAD, HQUSJE^ ;f& •/ '}r honor student at Beveridge Middle School, I he is a sports enthusiJast. He plays football, I roller hockey and basIketball and enjoys Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. I snowboarding. , SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., followed by Adam has two sisters, Lesley and Sierra. Kiddush lunch; Havdalah, 6:45 p.m. : Grandparents are Susan Bloch of Westwood, NJ, SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. and the late Lester Bloch, and Soffia Gendelman of MONDAY: Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soulj Philidelphia, PA, and the late Seymour Gendelman. ' 11:45 ajn.-l pan. TUESDAY: A Tale of Two Souls, 930-11 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. Havdallah meets a FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Topic for discussion: "Judaism...is it archaic and tradition bound?" Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peggy Deland and Sandra Kurland, follows.
Hawkeye childhood at Beth El byOzzieNogg 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. s-
Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Sabbath service, 9^0 a.m.; Torah study, 1030 aan.
Yidl in the Middle: Growing up Jewish in Iowa, filmmaker Marlene Booth's look at her childhood experiences in Des Moines in the 1950s, will be shown at Beth El Synagogue on Saturday night, Dec. 25, a t 7:15 p.m. , Booth's style was described aB simple, gentle, disarming and genuine, by the Christian Science Monitor, and the hour-long documentary has received positive press from papers as diverse as The Boston Globe and the Forward, A 7 pan. Family Havdallah Service will precede the screening and a dialog/discussion Ice Cream Social will end the evening. The event is open to the community. Free sitter service is available. .
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 8,1999
Thanksgiving and Hanukkah Though separated by centuries of actual events, the holiday we enjoyed last week and the one well bring in tonight are linked by a common theme. Thanksgiving and Hanukkah -both celebrate gratitude. . .Thanksgiving recalls surviving the first harsh winters in a new land three centuries ago, and Hanukkah commemorates a military victory of the Maccabees over their Syrian adversaries, yet both holidays recognize the hand of God in survival. We are, therefore, grateful for the following items on our top ten list: 1) Getting up in the morning; 2) Having all our body parts in correct working order and all our organs functioning properly, 3) Ditto for all our loved ones; . 4) Good news about our parents, our children and our spouses; 5) Invitations to more simchas than funerals, more weddings than
divorces, more baby namings and brit milah than hospital visits; 6) Knowing more this year than last, and that goes for Jewish knowledge as well as whaf s hot in the stock market; 7) Good relationships with relatives and friends, and amends made with those whose love and care we were in danger of losing; 8) life in a free country where all people, including Jews, can practice religion freely, where people can speak their minds without fear of reprisals, where families can move about without official permission, and where all citizens can (and should) vote in elections; 9) A free and democratic state of Israel, to which Jews can immigrate in times of danger and in times of plenty; And, 10) the ability to give more than we get: with our time, our talents and our funds...so that those whose list do not include these items today, might someday celebrate, too.
Israel, the millennium and the Catholic Church
byNaomlSegal
by Harry Allen
The increasing number of Christian pilgrims to Israel in advance of the millennium is meeting with mixed reactions among Israelis. Attitudes range from indifference to hostility to worry about conversion attempts to warm welcoming. At our own Beit Knesset, Moreshet Yisroel, the flagship Conservative congregation in Jerusalem, probably all of these attitudes were felt by our members this past Shabbat as we were visited by an interfaith group of 65 Catholic and Jewish leaders from New England led by Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston. It may not be unprecedented for a Cardinal of the Church accompanied by an archbishop and two bishops, to say nothing of several priests, to sit through a normal three and one half hour Shabbat service, b u t it is not an "every Shabbat" happening. Garbed in his resplendent hassock complete with the red satin sash and red "kippah", the Cardinal spoke briefly after the conclusion of the regular service. He emphasized interfaith dialogue is not meant to eliminate differences but to understand differences and respect them. It was a very good message and he was extremely complimentary to our shul and our rabbi, commenting that the rabbis 30-minute sermon was far too short considering the depth of his discussion on the meaning of dkeidah - the seminal event in that weeks parasha, Vayerah. We took no special pains with the service, no English translations, no abbreviated service, the complete reading of the parasha as we always, do and the usual seven aliyot, none for the non-Jews of course. The Cardinal did not occupy a chair on the bima and was asked to speak only after we had sung Adon 01am.
EXPERT PKWRE FRAMING
Our usual Shabbat kiddush followed the service, but we all probably lingered a little longer to visit with our guests. And, oh yes, we did add a small touch to the kiddush this shabbat: herring! What is one to make of all this ecumenicalism? ' There is little doubt that the Catholic Church has changed considerably in its attitudes toward the Jewish world and Judaism. Perhaps the Southern Baptists in America are still out to "save our souls" by conversion, but not the Catholics. Not that all is. sweetness and light, far from it, but Judaism and Catholicism are having a useful dialogue and it is not a dialogue of the deaf. We are discussing real issues at genuine depth with what most people feel is absolute sincerity. , Cardinal Law, as a young priest marched for black civil rights in the famous or infamous Mississippi summer when Schwemer, Cheney and Goodman were brutally killed. He is no interloper into the arena of human rights. There are certainly issues of great substance between us, most notably Jerusalem. T h e church will no doubt continue to insist on some kind of international status for Jerusalem, a proposition with which no Israel government and no Jew with genuine feelings can agree. The behavior of Pope Pius and the Catholic hierarchy during the Holocaust remains an open sore which only full disclosure by the Vatican can heal. .-...-•-' Yet we have much to have a dialogue; the world and the church is changing and perhaps as we near the end of history's bloodiest century dialogue can result in fulfillment of the prayer we utter at the end of every kaddish prayer at every service, "oseh shalom bimromov who yaseh shalom alenu," may he who brings peace to the heavens bring peace to us all.
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JERUSALEM (JTA)--Troubling statistics on poverty and unemployment in Israel have been released. According to a government study, an estimated 417,000 children live below the poverty line a four-fold increase over the course of 20 years. The total came out one day after the employment bureau reported that 166,789 people were unemployed in October - a new record. The figures reflect a 3.6 increase in unemployment since June, a month before Prime Minister Ehud Barak took office. Barak's campaign promise to help the disadvantaged was recently called into question by a, monthlong strike launched by disabled Israelis seeking more public assistance. . Barak ultimately acceded to the protesters'demands, but not before he drew criticism for stating he was "not moved" by the strikers' tears. The statistics were released amid the surprise resignation announcement by the governor of the Bank of Israel, Jacob Frenkel. The resignation challenges Barak to name a successor whose policies will be in line with the prime minister's pledge to spur economic growth and employment. The latest statistics on child poverty spurred children's rights activists to demand special government action, including t h e creation of a Ministry for Children's Affairs. "All of these years, we hear the statistics,'' child welfare advocate Esther Luvohinsky told Israel Radio. "But no solutions are offered for the problems." She lashed out at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, which she described as "weak, and traditionally has been so." "The ministers, with a few exceptions, have been concerned primarily with the needs of their own interest groups. They don't get into the problems in depth," 8he added. :
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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 <yshpre8s@aol.com> Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198. .
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JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary, Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Steve Danon; Jean Dutch; 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 Kaahnith of any product or establishment.
December 3,1999
Jewish PRess, Omaha, NE Page 5
The original spin on Hanukkah by Rabbi Avi Shafran
Tis the season to be Jewish; menorahs and latkes abound, and oil (for each; unfortunately) will soon flow like water in countless Jewish homes. Hanukkah, thank God, is once again upon us. It has become fashionable to attribute the popularity of the Jewish festival of lights-second among American Jews only to Passover—to the fact that the winter Jewish holiday tends to roughly coincide with a major Western Christian celebration. But to see Hanukkah as nothing more than a foil to another faith's observance is to miss the Jewish festival's conceptual essence. Hanukkah may well resonate with contemporary Jews for a deeper reason-because it speaks, perhaps more than any other Jewish calendar-milestone, directly and powerfully to us. Hanukkah has been appropriated by a host of Jewish leaders and pundits for their own, often partisan, purposes. Last Hanukkah, for instance, a New York news radio station repeatedly featured a rabbi's remarkable declaration that since Hanukkah commemorates a victory over an oppressive regime .bent on undermining the Jewish religious tradition, the holiday should be regarded as a celebration of religious pluralism. Several years earlier, a widelypublished columnist (Orthodox, as it happens) suggested that the festival of lights is an affirmation of the need for tolerance. Hanukkah, however, isn't celebratory Silly-Putty. It has a,long,.deep and clear tradition in classical Jewish texts,.from the Talmud through the Lurianic mystical works to,those of the Chassidic masters. And, on its most basic level, it addresses neither pluralism nor tolerance, admirable though those concepts may be in their proper'place, but Jewish identity, and continuity, the challenges most urgently faced by the contemporary Jewish world. For the rededication of the Temple from which the holiday takes its name Hanukkah means "dedi-
cation") and the military victory over the Seleudds that preceded it were unmistakable expressions of resistance to assimilation. The real enemy at the time of the Maccabees was not the Seleucid empire as an occupation force, but rather what Seleucid society represented: a cultural colonialism that sought to erode the beliefs and observances of the Jewish religious tradition, and to replace them with the glorification of the physical and the embrace of much that Judaism considers immoral. . The Seleucids sought to acculturate the Jewish people, to force them to adopt a "superior, sophisticated," wholly secular philosophy. And thus, the Jewish victory, when it came, was a triumph over assimilation. The Maccabees succeeded, in other words, in preserving Jewish tradition, in drawing lines. And so the miracle of the lights, our tradition teaches, was hardly arbitrary. Poignant meaning lay in the Temple candelabra's supernatural eightday burning of a one-day supply of oil. Even the custom of playing dreidel, sources
they would suddenly take out their dreidles and spin them, masking their study session with an innocuous game of chance. Is it mere chance, too, that Hanukkah seems so intriguing to contemporary Jews, so very many of whom are threatened with assimilation, not coercive, to be sure, but no less threatening to Jewish survival? Or might that coincidence be laden with meaning? Meaning, and a message: Jews can resist the temptation to melt into the surrounding culture. They have the ability to put away the dreidels, take out the books and make serious, deeply Jewish, decisions about their lives. May all we Jews have a happy, and meaningful, Hanukkah. Rabbi Avi Shafran serves as Director of Public Affairs for Agudath Israel of America and as Am Echad's American Director. The above appeared in the Forward.
For light, in Jewish tradition, means Torah, the teachings and laws that comprise the Jewish religious heritage. explain, is a reminder of the secret of Jewish continuity. The Seleucids had forbidden a number of expressions of Jewish devotion, like the practice of circumcision and the Jewish insistence on personal modesty. They also outlawed the study of Torah, which they rightfully regarded as the engine of Jewish identity and continuity. . The spinning toy was a subterfuge adopted by Jews when they were studying Torah in pairs or groups; if they sensed enemy inspectors nearby,
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"I'm very thankful that we made it and to this day I've never forgotten the millions of Jews that perished in the Holocaust. One of the reasons that I do speak out is because it's become a mission to me. I feel that they should be remembered. I also do it in memory of my parents because in that way. they live on. My story happened over 50 years ago, but in some ways it's still very relevant. People are still dying because of their beliefs or because they are different."
The Jewish Federation of Omaha 2000 Annual Campaign 333 South 132nd St. • Omaha, NE • 68154 • www.jewishomaha.org
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 8,1999
Designs on jewelry
Births
Danna Nogg Kiper and Christopher Kiper of by Joan K. Marcus Palisades, CA, announce the Nov. 20 birth of their Former Omahan Carol Alperson Porter never daughter, Madison Helene. had any intentions of becoming a jewelry designer. Grandparents are Barbara Nogg of Beverly Hills, As a matter of fact, the 37-year-old daughter of CA, Robert Nogg of Cincinnati, John and Sally Margie and the late Paul Alperson had planned a Kiper of Omaha and Caroline Weber of Valentine, career in Human Resource Management. NE. The 1980 graduate of Burke High School went Great-grandparents are John and Goldie • Kiper, on to attend Duke University. After receiving a BA Mabel Weber and Leo and Babe Nogg. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, she Jeff and Donna Goldstrom of Boulder, CO, worked in announce the birth of their son, Michael Hunter. Schollman's Human ReMichael has a sister, Jenna. . Beautiful Decorative source ManGrandparents are Kathi and Jerry Goldstrom of Cabinet, Door & agement for South Euclid, OH. Hallmark Bath Hardware Great-grandparents are Betty Goldstrom and the Cards and for . Supplies late Bernard Goldstrom. an investment HOURS: Mon-Fri 8-6; Sat. 8-noon accounting Schollman's, your personal hardware consultant firm in Kan593-9210 sas City. BeBETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD 8425 "F" St. (across from Acura) coming'a jewBeth Israel Sisterhood's monthly luncheon meetre-established, 1998 elry designer ing will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 12:30 p.m., was t h e last in the synagogue social hall. thing she ever Lois Wine, Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Rose expected to FOR SALE Blumkin Home, will present a nostalgic program do. However, three years ago, after the birth of her "Omaha As It Was." Make reservations with your I Spectacular Home-Site, 3 Acres (Omaha) daughter, Sophia, designing jewelry became her caller, or phone Bernice Cohen at 558-3423. 20-mile view of the Missouri River Valley. «150,000 | hobby. Commercial lot, 17 Acres , Although she has had no formal training in jewOMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING Council Bluffs-acrossfrom K-Mart *70O,000 j Lawyer's Lunch 'n Learn is Monday, Dec. 6, elry design, she has taught herself how to custom Commercial lot, 8 Acres noon-1 p.m., hosted by Al Ross at his office, 9239 W. make jewelry pieces for custom-made gifts. Her I Council Bluffs-near Mall of the Bluffs.......$395,000 Center Rd, Suite 101. A dairy lunch will be provided business, Carol Porter Design, really took off after at nominal cost, followed by a class entitled, "Does a trunk showing at Nordstrom in Kansas City. Jewish law recognize the validity of legal bankruptcy • Recently, because the business has grown .to "outNP Dodge Co. 758-1479 declared by a secular court?" The discussion is led by rageous proportions," Carol has hired two women who have emigrated from Russia. She found them OCTL director, Rabbi Shlomo Levin. ; Stories from the Book of Numbers is hosted by through the Kansas City Jewish Federation. C;:R:,E;:S,:E: N5TSS:: She makes most of her jewelry using sterling silver Temple Israel on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m., and and 24-karat gold vermeil. Although she uses pri7 p.m. at Beth Israel. Lunch 'n Learn and Hebrew class on Wednesday marily freshwater pearls, she sometimes incorpois cancelled next week. For information about rates semi-precious stones. The jewelry is not necessarily Jewish in nature, however, she does personalOCTL programs, call Rabbi Levin at 551-1564. ize gifts for Bat Mitzvahs and bridesmaids. . . YJ3.S. Porter explained, "My work has. been influenced December 12,1999 * Celebrate the Festival of Lights at the Y.E.S. by a number of factors. I'm always looking for 2 p.m.-4 p.m. • W.H. Thompson Alumni Center at UNO annual Hanukkah Party. Members will meet design ideas in traditional spots such as fashion Monday in the auditorium of the JCC. Exercise with magazines and I've always been influenced by the FEATURING: Michelle Streif at 10:15 aon. in the auditorium. Try women in my family. My mom has great taste in THE PALLADIUM BRASS'MARY BIRCHER your luck at bingo with Eileen Reiner at 10-50 am. clothes and I've learned by watching her accesSHANNON BARNHART DANCE STUDIO • DAVID GERARD in room 10. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk," by sorize. Also, my sister has an eye for jewelry that is Playing Traditional Holiday and Hanukkah Favorites Art Grossman, at 11 a m . Following lunch at noon, ornate. She likes things that are out of the mainFor Tickets or More Information come and enjoy Hazzan G. Michael Horwitz. For stream and I've designed things for her." Call (402) 334-9699 transportation, call 330-4272. According to her mother, Margie Alperson, "Carol E-mail: healthyspirit@uswesl.net Deadline is Dec. 9 for Lunch Bunch to Cracker has always been easy to get along with and a. website: iamahoalthyspiritcom. Barrel Old Country Store on Dec. 16; deadline is delight as a daughter. However, she was always Dec. 23 for Bluffs Run Casino on Dec. 30. very scholarly and the last thing that would have Reminder: Mah Jongg Club will meet Wednesday, entered my mind was for her to. be working with Fun, Friendship and Dec. 8, at the JCC. For information, call Charlotte her hands. She always excelled scholastically and I Kaplan, 551-5658. just figured that was going to be her life." Caring Counselors Carol and her sister, Amy Alperson Wolf, .both WALK-IN, DROP-IN await your child at received doctorates. Their brother, Joel Alperson, Members will meet Thursday a t the JCC. Exercise starts at 10:15 a.m.; bingo starts at resides in Omaha and was recently chairman of Mk30 aan. Bring a dairy lunch to eat at 11:30 aan. the Young Leadership Cabinet of the United in room 10. At noon, enjoy the movie Tea with Jewish Appeal (now United Jewish Communities). Porter enjoys working one-on-one with customers SPECIAL Mussolini in the Blumkin Home auditorium. For and this helps her creative process. Her husband, transportation, call 330-4272. OPEN HOUSE/REUNION David, has been "an incredible source of inspiration" Sunday, December 12,12:15 p.m. RUSSIAN CLUB for her business. Since it is a seasonal business, he . Members will meet Dec. 8 at the JCC. Exercise helps with household chores when she is at a show or Beth El Synagogue-West Court at 10 aun. At 11 ajn., come celebrate Hanukkah busy with custom orders. He has also had a hand in 14506 N.California St. with guest Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director of organizing the business end of the operation. Come for lunch, informational meeting and reunion Jewish Senior Services. Make reservations with The Porters are members of Beth Torah, a. OPEN TO THE ENTIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY Lydia Linde at 697-9169. Reform Synaogue in Kansas City. Carol donates a Camp Sabra, located on 960 acres and 31/2 miles portion of her profits from the jewelry business to VISIONS of private shoreline on the magniilcant Lake of Kansas City's Jewish Federation. Singin' in the Rain is at the Dundee Dinner the Ozarks, MO, is the resident co-ed summer "Since I am lucky enough to do something that I Theater on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. Cost is love, I commit a percentage of my revenue each camping facility of the St. Louis JCC, serving children and teens entering grades 3-10 in $19.50 per person. Send payment to Maggie Conti, year to such a worthwhile organization. I feel lucky 323 S. 132nd S i , Omaha, NE 68154. Make check to be able to do this!" Porter added. 4-week sessions, with 2-week options available payable to Jewish Senior Services. Deadline is Dec. for those entering grades 3-6. The jewelry is displayed in boutiques and art gal5. leries in several cities including Scottsdale, AZ, • Mountain Biking • Climbing Tower and Martha's Vineyard. It is sold at "Fitigues' and CORRECTIONS • Theatre * Blobbing In the Nov. 19 issue, Sarah Hoberman's name *Yako Gallery* in Kansas City, and she will have • Sailing • Horseback Riding was omitted from the list of actors in the JCC another trunk showing at Nordstrom on Dec. 10. •Tennis • Waterskiing Here in Omaha, the jewelry is available at the Hanukkah play. ACAAcredited • 30th Season In the Nov. 26 issue, Ethel Goldston's name was Adam Whitney Gallery in Countryside Village, or inadvertently omitted from the caption under the by calling Porter directly at 1-913-236-6200, RSVP to Hollie and Glen Fineman She added that her family is her career and jewelVisions photo; Marcia Blacker of Lexington, KY, (Area Representatives) was the author of the Letter to the Editor. The ry designing is only a hobby. Sophia and her 5496-4301 month-old brother, Joseph, are Porter's primary job! Jewish Press regrets the errors. Payment plan and second child discounts available
Russell and Jacqueline Cohn announce the Sept. 14 birth of their son, Elliott Rack The couple also has two sons, Jacob, 6, and Benjamin, 3. Grandparents are Edward and Anna Cohn of Omaha and Barbara Cohn of Columbia, MD, and John and Bonnie Hinton of Westminster, MD. Great-grandparents are Ben Cohn of Hanover, PA, and Altheria Rach of Parkville, MD.
Organizations
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December 3,1999 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 7
'What it means to worship God' subject of scholar at Temple Israel
NCJW Career Closet returns in February, drop off now during "It's a Wrap"
by Joan K. Marcus
by Jpanie Jacobson
The National Council of Jewish Women and Clarkson College will once again co-sponsor "The Career Closet," a community service project that provides appropriate clothing and vocational guidance to Omaha-area women-in-need entering or re-entering the workplace. Elizabeth Cohen and Stacie Brodkey are co-chairmen. "Career Closed was so well received last May that we're offering it again in February," Cohen said. "We served 80 women the first time and expect to dou. ble that this next time. That means we'll need more clothing and many more volunteers to help transport clothing, set up the shop or offer one-on-one wardrobe assistance (in three-hour shifts) during the week of the program." Brodkey, Director of General Education at Clarkson College, said, "The partnership between Clarkson and NCJW has been very effective; Clarkson is proud to do its part. We'll be offering 45-minute sessions, every hour on the hour, that focus on 'Steps to Job Success,' 'Interview Skills' and 'Working with People.' We recognize that having the right' clothes isn't enough. These women want to know what is expected of them and what it takes to be successful in a work environment." All clothing donations should be dropped off during the month of December at the "It's a Wrap" location, the former Pretzel Time location on the first level at Crossroads Mall. "That's a change from last time," Cohen explained, "but still very convenient. A woman can bring clothing donations, when she works her shift; bring them anytime during regular business hours, or send items with a friend. All donations are tax-deductible and forms may be obtained at Gift Wrap location at Crossroads Mall." Plus sizes are a priority," Brodkey emphasized. "We've learned through experience that a significant number of women fall into this category. "Generally, we need more than
The community is invited to attend of certain prayers, specifically for when Dr. Ruth Langer, Assistant those that include the angelic liturgy. Professor of Jewish Studies in the The book helps with our understandTheology Department at Boston ing of both the history of Jewish liturCollege, will be the Scholar-in- gy and the general history of rabbiniResidence at Temple Israel during cal leadership and law. . the weekend of Dec. 10-12. On Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 pan., the Her visit is being made possible by subject of her sermon will be "From the Hereme Zweiback Center for Temple to Synagogue—Connecting Lifelong Jewish Learning. The theme and Rededicating Ourselves to Jewish for the weekend will be various Sacred Space." aspects of Jewish liturgy: how it She will ask "How is the ultimate shapes our lives and helps us to form sacred space of Judaism, the our beliefs. Jerusalem Temple, referred to and Langer will ask what it means to recreated in the synagogue?" and worship God and what is the signifi- speak about Ner Tamid, the. ark, the cance of reading Torah. During the menorah, the synagogue orientation weekend, she will touch on why our as well as the activities that take synagogues are built the way they are place in the synagogue. and how we create a sense of the The Torah portion of the week, sacred in our lives. More discussion Parashat Ashavuah, Miketz (Gen. will be held about the phenomenon of 41:1-44:17), will be discussed at the prayer and how we create Jewish popular "Bagels and Bible" session on prayer situations. Her current Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9:30research focuses on the development 10:15 a-m. In this, we may learn from and interpretation of the liturgies the story of Jacob that it is a man's surrounding the reading of the Torah. worst trial to have his children ask Dr. Langer received her Ph.D. in him for food when he has nothing to Jewish Liturgy and her rabbinical give. ordination from Hebrew Union Dr. Langer will also speak during College, Jewish Institute of Religion Shabbat services at 10:80 a.m. Her in Cincinnati. topic will be "Celebrating Torah!" She She has published many articles will discuss the meanings embedded and reviews and has written a book in Torah rituals and what this says To Worship God Properly—Tensions about the ritual reading of Torah. Between Liturgical Custom and Also on Saturday will be a Halakhah in Judaism. In this study, Havdalah lecture at 4:30 p.m. It will she uses the tools of both historical be followed by a social hour and wine scholarship and the anthropological and cheese will be served. study of ritual to analyze some of the Dr. Langer's 10 a.m. lecture on dynamics that have shaped Jewish Sunday, Dec. 12, will be about liturgical-law and determined prayer prayer. Why do Jews pray? Is it priin the lives of Jews. marily to fulfill human needs or is it In her book, Dr. Langer says that • because God somehow asks us to Jewish communities and their rabbis pray? If it is the latter, how do we have continued to refine the details of know what God wants? The lecture, rabbinic prayer since the destruction of entitled, "Pray, for God's Sake!," will the Temple. After a consideration of be followed by a bagel brunch. the talmudic issues upon which the According to Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of acceptability of prayer depends, she Temple Israel, "Ruth is a bright, offers a basic list of legal principles young and promising scholar. She will that later generations derivedfromtal- help transform the listeners to the mudic literature to insure that prayer exciting and interesting period in be effective—even dangerous prayer. Jewish history—the times of rich spirNO REBATES^ She analyzes the battles fought over itual involvement in Jewish religious the legitimacy of inserting liturgical life during and after the destruction NO CONTRACTS poetry into the fixed texts of the statu- of the Second Temple. Dr. Langer will REQUIRED. tory liturgy and over the requirement draw lessons from the past in order to | of community for the proper recitation enrich our lives at the present." • j
SOUS ANNUAL GOLD SALE
by Art Grossman
Tick! Tick! Tick! The relentless clicking of the clock draws closer and closer to the fateful day of the glitch when computers • may be unable to correctly recognize dates when the calendar rolls over to the year 2000. That was one of the primary topics during our Early Bird discussion. Mentioned was if 2000 frightenB anyone, think of it as being the year 5760 in our Jewish calendar. A salient topic was medical studies show it is a myth that a decline in mental alertness was inevitable with aging. Doctors say old minds need exercise as well as physical activity. . A combination of glorious weather and a pre-Thanksgiving celebration resulted in a turnout of about 100 attendees at our latest gathering. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce
and pumpkin pie, as well as ornate decorations, created a festive mood.' We were entertained by Lois and Edward Downing. She provided the musical accompaniment and he, a beguiling baritone. When he included numbers from Fiddler on the Roof, he had us in the palm of his hands. At a prior. OT/YES meeting, Sister Marie Alize Ostey of the order of Notre Dame Sisters spoke on the benefits of therapeutic massage. Circulars with sketches explaining how this type of massage benefits various parts of the body were distributed at the meeting. She may be contacted • for private treatment appointments at 455-2994. We paused in reverent respect in memoriam for Norman Abrahamson and Zalman Friedman. Shalqm.
three-piece suits," she added. "We welcome business/casual attire, such as dress slacks, sweaters, blouses, blazers and skirts, as well as corporate suits and dresses. Our goal is to provide at least one complete outfit to each participant, so accessories, especially seasonal accessories, are a must (boots, shoes, belts, scarves, purses, costume jewelry, coats, hats and gloves). No lingerie, please." Guidelines for donations are: clothing must be in style and in good condition (no stains, no mending needed). It must be cleaned, pressed, sized, on hangers and labeled with donor's name, address and phone. Accessories should be placed in grocery or plastic bags and also labeled. Organizations participating in the program include Lydia House, Nebraska Job Service (NJS), Vocational Rehabilitation, YWCA, Goodwill Industries, Job Training of Omaha and the Salvation Army. Betty Vaught, NJS vocational counselor explained, "Many of these women don't have the proper attire for an interview, much less the job itself. Having the right clothes in the workplace is important, and not having them is just one more barrier to overcome." Margie Alperson was a volunteer in May. "It was heartwarming to know I made someone smile about her future. These are women with dignity who have fallen on bad times but want no hand-outs. They want to come back on their own, and you can see for yourself how much they appreciate your help." Beth Friedman, NCJW president, reaffirmed Council's position. "Career Closet' is right in line with NCJWs mission to 'improve the quality of h'fe for women, children and families.' That can be every Jewish woman's mission, so we hope that all women in the community will participate." For more information, contact Elizabeth Cohen at 691-2930, or Stacie Brodkey at 697-7852.
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Page. 8 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE December 3,1999
Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Contest announced
Avery Hnnnnh Lebr is now appearing as Zuzu I Bailey (in the Red Cast) j of the current production I of It's A Wonderful Life. j The Omaha Theatre Company for Young : People's performance j plays through Dec. 18 at jthe Rose Blumkin PerIforming Arts Center, j 20th and Harney. Tickets are available by j calling the box office at 345-4849.
(New York)~Three prizes will be given by the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) for the best original short stories on a Jewish theme or topic in the Tenth Annual David Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Contest for Young Adult Writers. First prize will be $700; second prize is $200; third prize is $100, or a total prize of $1,000. The contest is open to writers between the ages of 18 and 35. Authors should submit a typed, doublespaced manuscript of no more than 5,000 words of an original short story which has never been published or received an award. Name, address and Contest announced phone number of the author should appear not on the story itself but on an accompanying cover for letter to a favorite author To spotlight the special relationship between sheet. Only one entry per author per year is peryoung readers and authors, young readers in mitted. Deadline for the contest is Dec. 31. Judging will grades four through 12 may write a letter to an take place between Jan. 1 and May 30, 2000. The author, living or dead, describing how the author's winning stories may be published in issues of the book or story somehow changed the young reader's CAJE journal, Jewish Education News, and efforts way of viewing the world. The contest is sponsored will be made to facilitate its publication elsewhere. by the Nebraska Center for the Book, an affiliate of The contest memorializes 25-year-old David the National Center for the Book in the Library of Dornstein, a former CAJE staff member who was CongresB, and Weekly Reader Corporation. Five national winners in each competition level killed in the crash of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December, 1988. He had will receive national prizes of $100. In addition, the served as CAJE Conference Assistant for 1987 and Nebraska Center will award prizes to Nebraska's . ' 1988. He was an avid reader and writer of fiction, top letter writers. ,• To receive a copy of the official contest guidelines, and the award'honorshis creative spirit.' For further information, contact CAJE, 261 W. plus the required entry coupon, Jog on to the 35th Street, Floor 12A, New York, NY 10001, Or Nebraska Library Commission home page at: call 1-212-268T4210, Fax: 1-212-268 4214, e-mail www.nlc.6tate.iie.u8y search on Letters about Literature or contact Mary Geibel at 1-800-307cajeny@cnje.org. 2665, 4 0 2 T 4 7 1 - 2 0 4 5 , or e-mail her at: mgeibel@neon.nlc.state.ne.us for print Copy. Alisa Flatow scholarship available Letters must be postmarked by Dec. 17. Scholarship applications are now available for the 2000-2001 academic year for those planning to Kiewit Foundation expands spend the year studying in Israel. . The Alisa Flatow Memorial Scholarship Fund scholarship program was established by the family of the late Alisa Flatow, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Kfaf ' In doubling the size of its Distinguished Scholar Darom, Israel, on April 9, 1995. She was spending Award, the Peter Kiewit Foundation will now the year studying Judaism in Israel. award 100 college scholarships per year to top high Applications are available only from our website: school students in Nebraska. Each scholarship is www.alisafund.org and should be submitted on- valued at $5000 per year and is renewable for up line. If the application is downloaded it must be to four consecutive years for a maximum total typed or completed in a word processor format value of $20,000 at a Nebraska state-supported before it is submitted. college or university. Deadline for receipt of all completed applications Applicants must be current high school seniors is Feb. 15, 2000. Questions may be directed to Dr. on schedule to graduate in May or June, 2000, Wallace Greene, Executive Secretary.l at the web- ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class, site. •• - •..' • .'• ' . .• . - .. present ACT or SAT test scores and be Nebraska residents. For applications, contact any high school guidance counselor and have them call the Foundation at 344-7890.
Jewish youth invited to community Bible Quiz dinner by Lois Epstein
Preceding the 14th annual Edward Zorinksy B'nai B'rith Bible Quiz, Jewish high' schooT students are invited to a community dinner sponsored by Henry Monsky Lodge. The Bible Quiz is Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 pan. in the JCC theater, the dinner and contest are held in conjunction with the High School of Jewish Studies of Beth El and Temple Israel. At 6:45 p.m., Dr. Leonard Greenspoon will address the group and all audience members on a topic related to the Bible Quiz subjects. "I urge all members of the Jewish community to support our youth and see this exciting event," said Adam Jacobs, President of Monsky Lodge, who will recognize the contributions of Stanley Mitchell who has coordinated the contest for 14 years. Judging the event will be Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Paul Drazen, Rabbi Howard Kutner and Prof. Greenspoon. Gloria Kaslow will serve as' quizmaster, Ron Gordon as timekeeper; David," Jacobs will assist. Representatives from Wandel Photography will be available at the conclusion of ttie Bible Quiz for those who would like to purchase photos from AZA's 75th anniversary event. Proofs will be available and orders may be placed with Wandel.
Prejudice Elimination Workshop: what's it all about? by Debbi Brown, Assistant Director of ADL-CRC . .
The1 Anti-Defamation League's Prejudice Elimination Workshop has always tried to create and sustain an environment that respects differences. In' PEW, we share ourselves, our stories, our histories. . Every year I learn more from this experience. At. our recent PEW, I spoke to a friend as I was preparing the facilitators' in-service. We discussed human relations and she shared with me that sheand her neighbor rarely agreed on social issues and politics and it kept them apart. Though she liked the neighbor, she didn't like her views. But one day, the neighbor -called -herand said, "It is more important to be in a relationship with one another than in agreement." Such a simple sentence. It was, I told her.b'shert. (providence) that we should be speaking minutes before I was to meet the 34 facilitators who would be in break-out sessions with 350 high school students. • One last story: Mr. Murphy put flowers on his mother's grave; he spotted his neighbor, Mr. Change, leaving a bowl of rice on a stone nearby. Murphy asked him, "When do you expect your friend to eat the rice?" Change replied, "When your friend comes to smell the flowers." Each of us has his or her own traditions, cultures and rituals. All of us are worthy of respect. ;.
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December 3,1999
Coming of Age
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
TRIP TO HEW YORK
Page 9
by Adam Waldbaum by Matt Lerner — — On the last week of October, my confir- synagogue was packed like it was the The 12th of June. I sit in my room, activities, restaurants and, believe me, mation class took a four-day trip to New High Holidays. It was the most fun I have clothes strewn about all over. I am much more. I've never had that responsiYork. It's an annual trip where Rabbi preparing to embark on '& journey, or bet-bility before, but I was given the opportu- Azriel takes his 10th-grade class. We got ever had in services. Saturday morning, we had New York ter yet, a quest. A quest to learn my her- nity and passed the test. to see many bagels for breakitage. A quest "to fulfill an unfulfilled Drinking also was a huge issue. The Jewish asfast. We then dream of my mother's. A quest to find _drinking age in Israel is 18. I saw 12- pects of New walked through myself. I am leaving ' year-olds buy large York. There Central Park to torEretzYlsraelamounts of alcohol are Jewish go to Shabbat I'm not just going on > and drinks in clubs, - people everyservices at the . your regular youth yet I was able to resist where you Spanish-Portugroup sightseeing t the temptation. I even look. . . two guese Orthodox trip. I'm going to / received a coupon for million Jews Synagogue. It Alexander Muss • a free drink in a club in New York. was an experiHigh School to take in Jerusalem, but I First, when ence to see how college courses and knew if I was caught we got to their services learn everything by Muss, I would be New York on were conducted. about Jewish history. thrown out, so, I gave T h u r s d a y The women sat I'm not just learning the coupon to a guy night, we upstairs in a balin a classroom and sitting at the bar next walked down Times Adam back row, reading out of books. . to me. I made that to from left, to Times > > with Rabbi %£%„?%„ §1 I'm actually going to i decision on my own. Square. The Azriol and Temple Israel classmates mainfloor. every sight I learn , The major complaint One thing I remember was the way the about. "Learn it. Live from teenagers today city was a crazy place with tons of peoit. Love it." That's the is the lack of room to ple, cars, trucks and anything else you Rabbi walked with the Torah. When he motto of Muss. grow and freedom to could think of. We saw street vendors went to get the Torah, he walked quickly, like he was excited to study it. On the way You're probably make some of their and a performing street show. Friday morning, we rode a ferry past the to put the Torah back, he walked very own choices. I realize . wondering; "What -! it's hard for parents to Statue of Liberty on the way to Ellis Island slowly, like he didn't want to give it up. the heck are you That evening, we went to the musical j let go, but they need and learned about the Jewish experience thinking? Classes, iJ to allow their children there. We were told the immigrants had "Footloose." It was very good, and after tests, mid-terms, a Matt at" to live more of their to be tested to see if they were smart and the show, we returned to the hotel for a final, homework.... .a life. The only way kids .can learn from healthy enough to be good American citi- small Havdallah service with Rabbi. whole school year-isni that enough?" The next morning, we went to the their mistakes is if they're given the zens. Doctors there performed medical Believe me, I'm not one of those kids exams on the immigrants to see if they,, Lower East Side and to some Jewish who loves school and learning. I get sickchance to make them. would be allowed into the country. We of it as much as the next person. Last In college, kids have to make their own walked through the halls where they lined restaurants. We walked air around the neighborhoods and went into a tenement semester, I had 20 tardles to first hour decisions. If they're never allowed to do up to take the tests. building like most immigrants stayed in alone, and I definitely don't want to wake that, they'll have no clue how to handle After that, we saw some of the city. We when they just arrived in America. up at six in the morning. themselves. If they make mistakes while We learned so much about how Jewish These were my exact words and emo- still living at home, they have their par- went window shopping in the Village. We ate at a small diner which barely fit immigrants arrived in America. We also tions the night before I left for Israel. ents to fall back on and to be right there. eight people inside. We walked for about had tons of fun and became better Now that I'm safe and well at home, I Giving a teenager space is beneficial to look at those words and smile. Nothing's parents, too- They would have less anxi- two hours just exploring the city and friends with our classmates. This was the even rode the subway back to the hotel. perfect trip for a confirmation class. . changed except for the man who wrote ety when their kids went to college and That night, we went to an amazing them. I stress the word "man" because more confidence in their teenager's abiliShabbat service. We sang and danced in Adam Is a sophomore at Mlttard North, a /.that Js what.|srae,l,did dp me, It.rpade me ty to do the right thing. (he service with the congregation. The member of AZA 01 and Temple Israel. grow up. Now that I am home, I'm once again ., I had my first test to be on my own, under the rules of my parents. I thank make my own decisions, and I passed them for the opportunity they gave me, by Michelle Malashock with flying colors. I had to get myself out but realize they still can't let go and let •. of bed and ready for class. There were me make my own mistakes. At first observation, a clam smells ed their heads back and let out a hearty no parents to force me to wake up. I had Nothing can ever take away the lessons laugh, but when the sergeant showed to do my homework each night. I could I learned in Israel. I'm sure most kids funny, is an odd shade of brown and them pictures, have gone to the beach every day and would rather have their parents' support, covered in an interesting slime. But surhis face stern, blown my classes, tests and homework. so hopefully, parents will read this and prisingly, hidden inside this apparently they knew he ugly shellfish is a beautiful pearl. There was no one to tell me I couldn't do give their kids some credit. meant business. Throughout my life, I have learned this or couldn't do that. Instead of being overprotective and worThe sergeant 1 1 was sent to Israel with a set amount of rying, parents should sit back and smile appearance is not everything. In fact, I said the tribe have found beauty in the least expected money, no more, no matter what the cir- at how well their baby has grown up. was in great places. For instance, this summer I cumstances. 1 had to pay for groceries, Matt Is a Junior at Burke, a member of danger; the four encountered an. unusual man. He wore presents, transportation, recreational AZA 01, USY and Beth El Synagogue. men had to get the same green shirt almost every day, them to Sudan, talked in a high-pitched, almost mirror•iput them on a breaking voice, and had large oddplane, and fly shaped moles next to his nose. Little did them,safely to I know of the secret he had inside of him. —. .. -Israel. The serAfter spending time with (his man, he Micneue geant then said became a hero in my life and helped me learn that strength, passion and wisdom Joel would be in charge. can come in any type of package. The next day, a plane dropped the I was given the privilege to spend time courageous men over Ethiopia. Things in Israel with a man named Joel were not as easy as they seemed. Joel Goldman. He came to teach my tour struggled with the people and finally group about the history and significance gathered over 250 children and led them of the sites we visited, but the education to safety. didn't interest me. What did interest me They traveled for two weeks, only at about this fuzzy-haired, goofy-looking night, in fear of the Ethiopians. They had man was the stories he would, tell about veryHittle food, and Joel often had to his own personal experiences. carry many children who were too weak He would talk for long periods of time to travel. about fighting In the Israeli Defense They finally reached a plane waiting in Forces, meeting famous politicians, and Sudan, and they all flew to Tel Aviv. Joel saving people's lives, and there was one had successfully led 250 children out of story that stood out above all the others. danger and into the Promised Land, just In 1985, while enrolled in the Israeli: as Moses had done thousands of years Defense Forces, Joel received a mes- before. He put his life in great danger for "-.-J..-' sage to report to his sergeant's house • the safety of other people. Immediately. So, he gave his movie tick: Ever since my encounter with Joel, I els to his fiancee, kissed her goodbye,, have looked at people and life from a difand left, not knowing what he was in for. ferent angle. I search for the good in When he reached his sergeant's, house, everything, ranging from mistakes I'have he saw three of his peers, a large, made to enemies I have encountered. detailed map of Ethiopia, and a lot of Joel helped me realize that clams in myconfused looks. life are inevitable, but if I do a little bit of The four men were told that a tribe in work, I'll end up with a beautiful jewel. the heart of Ethiopia had been found, claiming to be members of one of the Michelle Is a senior at Burke, a member original 12 tribes of Moses. The men tilt- of Edlar BBG and Both El Synagogue.
"MOSES" GOLDMAN
Page 10 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December
Federation installs — (Continued from page 1) "I'm very pleased to have such accomplished community members working towards the goals of the Federation," Krutter said of the new slate of officers. "A broad segment of the community is assuming leadership in the Federation which will help move us forward." : . • • " * '•: Krutter stated that one of his goals for his term of office IB to continue concentrating,on bringing more opportunities for adult Jewish education to Omaha. . : "•': "We are moving from rejuvenating this beautiful campus to filling it with all kinds of Jewish programming," Krutter explained. "Truly, there will be something for everyone who wants to broaden their Jewish knowledge and understanding."
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Federation kicks off Hunger Relief Campaign by Carol Katzman
The Jewish Federation of Omaha initiated a Hunger Relief Campaign Monday night as1 a spe-' cial effort to provide additional Campaign funds for elderly Jews in the Soviet Union. Guest speaker Sharon Faulkner, an award-winning photojournalist, spoke to an audience of nearly 100 people about her visits to the former Soviet Union. Hired originally by the Joint Distribution Committee to photograph elderly Jews in Ukraine, Faulkner became so attached to her subjects she now con,tributes monthly to several of the men and women she met there. "I never did this before," Faulkner explained. "This is the first time I've ever become attached to the subjects I photographed." Every month, using a translator, Faulkner calls Olga and Nukim to check on their status. The couple, married for 54 years, live in a one-room apartment. Their only son died a few years ago. Faulkner gave them a few hundred dollars at the
end of her visit there two years ago. When she called the following month, Nukim confided that he had spent part of the money on something other than medication : and food. • ;••• "I hope you won't be angry," he told Faulkner, "but Olga and I bought a headstone for our son's grave. We never had the money before to buy one," Faulkner related a story about each person in the slide show, many of whom lived, thr.ough the Gre^t Depression, World .War II (where they were often imprisoned or used as slave labor) and 70 years of communism. • " "For that alone, we bear a responsibility to : . respond," Faulkner added. • Omaha's share of the Hunger Relief Campaign is $110,000 toward a nationwide total of ten million dollars. Checks may be sent directly to the Jewish Federation, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154. As Faulkner noted in her closing, "We don't have to choose between heat and a meal. For us, it's only money."
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(continued from page 1) who were representing federations throughout North America. (Included in the group were representatives from Omaha's Jewish community: new Federation President Forrest Krutter; UJC National Board j Member Joel Alperson; Kim Noddle; Lisa Ephraim; Bobbie Epstein, National Liaison for Partnership 2000 for Women's Division; and staff members Todd Ephraim, Julee Katzman, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Kathy McGauvran and Pam Monsky). The buzzword has changed, and so, it seems, has the emphasis. The forum drew the largest attendance of any of the four focus • sessions—the others being Campaign/Finance Resource Development, Human Services and Social Policy, and Israel and Overseas —confirming that finding meaningful answers to the question "Why be Jewish today?" is a top priority for those in the trenches. No longer buoyed by the twin "safety nets" of anti-Semitism and Israel that have long kept Jews in the fold, "the challenge is to build a Judaism where people want to be Jews," Rabbi Donniel Hartman of the Shalom Hartman Institute in j Jerusalem told the G.A.'s opening session. Most Jewish children are safe today as they sleep, Hartman said. "Our question now is what is going to be the quality of the Jewish life they are exposed to when they wake up?" For Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, creating a quality Jewish life is not just for the kids. . "If Judaism remains a pediatric affair," she said, the Jewish community will soon be dead. Meyerhoff Hendler, a philanthropist who recounted her own spiritual journey in the book, The Year Mom Got Religion, believes the key question is not, as has often been asked when talking about the Jewish future, "Will our grandchildren be Jewish?" but.rather, "Will we be Jewish?" The Jewish renaissance already has its early artists. Jews are flocking in unprecedented num-. hers to day schools, synagogue-based adult education programs, online learning sessions, Jewish camps and Hillel university programs. ' "Renaissance and renewal happens on the ground, person by person, institution by institution, community by community," said Beryl Geber of Los' Angeles, who has been named to chair the UJC's Renaissance pillar. • ;• . _: Barry Shrage, president of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and a driving force behind the national emphasis on Jewish renaissance, cited as an example a successful
Boston-area adult education program that requires a two-year commitment of weekly Jewish learning costing individuals $500 a year. He said that every synagogue, every Jewish community center, every day school, could have a similar program given the needed resources and staff. "Most of what we have to do will not require a huge amount of additional" experimentation;" we already know exactly what we have to do," Shrage said. "All we have to do is do it." "People are hungry" for Jewish education, he said. "This is the moment when we can transform the consciousness of the American Jewish community. This is the moment when the Zeitgeist is about to change." Underlying all these programs is the increasing emphasis on learning and religion among American Jews. There appears to be a consensus, as Meyerhoff Hendler put it, that "civil Judaism"~an emphasis on fighting anti-Semitism, lobbying for Soviet Jewry and protecting Israel~"has been a failure in terms of transmitting the passion to.be Jewish from one generation to the next." People "have to know something in order to transmit it," Meyerhoff Hendler said, adding: "You cannot transmit feelings." . . ' "Torah is the epicenter of our Jewish experience," she said. "We cannot make Jews, we cannot have a true Jewish community if we choose to ignore Torah." Indeed, at the same forum, Woodier wondered whether "renaissance" is a code word for Judaism, because people are afraid to call it what it is. "Every act of Jewish commitment today is an act of faith," Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, President of the Reform movement's Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion, said. The goal is to help every Jew "see himself or herself as part of the Jewish story, which is Torah in its broadest and best sense." "With many gateways into being Jewish," he said, "the story is open to all of us." Translating the need for Jewish education-be it adult education, day schools, Jewish camps or Israel experiences-into action is part of what UJC hopes to address. • . In addition to collaborating with the local communities, UJC wants to act as a matchmaker between those communities that are flourishing and those that need help with ideas and resources. Paula Glazier, who serves on the Detroit area's agency for Jewish education, also wasn't certain how what was happening in Atlanta would affect her community. • .
December 3,1999 Jewish PRess, Omaha, NE Page 11
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 3,1999
Dr. Stanley Hordes brings attention to New Mexico's secret Jews byOzzieNogg
A three-part exploration of the Sephardic Legacy in New Mexico will be the subject of Beth El's Kahn Scholar-in-Residence Weekend Dec. 17-19. Dr. Stanley M. Hordes, Adjunct Research Professor at the Latin American Institute of the University of New Mexico, is the featured speaker. An expert in the history of that state's CryptoJews, Dr. Hordes will examine the way many of these original Spanish "conversos" of the 14th and 15th centuries continued to practice their Jewish faith in secrecy and moved to the Spanish colonies in the New World in order to avoid detection by the Inquisition. During his 1981-1985 tenure as New Mexico
State Historian, Dr. Hordes began to meet Catholics and Protestants within the Hispanic community whose families observed customs suggestive of a Jewish background, such as lighting candles on Friday night, observing Jewish dietary laws and performing ritual male circumcision. His interviews with several dozen informants revealed that while many engaged in these practices without knowing why, others were aware of their Jewish heritage and regarded themselves as secret, hidden Jews. Further investigation revealed that the practice of these customs was not uncommon and could be found in almost every community in New Mexico.
Dr. Hordes' guided tour through the origins and evolution of the Cryptp-Jews will begin during Friday night services, Dec. 17, 8:15 pan., in the Beth El sanctuary. A kiddush reception will follow. On Shabbat morning, Dec. 18, Dr. Hordes will speak at a cabaret-style luncheon after services. The weekend will dose with a brunch on Sunday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m., at which Dr. Hordes will show slides that illustrate the vestiges of Jewish consciousness, customs, culture and ritual still observed by the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico. , The Kahri Scholar-in-Residence Weekend is sponsored by the Marcel Kahn family and is open to all members of the community.
Friedel to stage program as part of Hanukkah studies by Diane Axler Baum
Power for people. Not for profit. Kindergartner Brendan Leahy demonstrates the correct way to place candles in t h e hanukkiah. The lesson on TTnnnkknh was presented' by Community Teacher Holly Friedman. Brendan's parents a r e Kristy Leahy and David Dennison. Faculty members at Friedel Jewish, Academy seized the approach of Hanukkah to teach about the Festival of Lights and impart a number of academic skills and concepts. One result of this learning unit will be an allschool Hanukkah program on Thursday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., in the JCC Theater. Holly Friedman, Community Teacher through the Federation who serves as a Judaic Studies teacher at Friedel, is coordinating and directing the program. "Our presentation will celebrate Hanukkah through dramatics, music, and song and culminate with the lighting of the Menorah, accompanied by recitation of the blessings," Friedman said. Kindergartners and first graders will perform a skit entitled "Eight Candles Burning Bright." Students in grades two through six will enact a short play, "The Incredible Dreidel of Feitel Von Zeidel." Under the direction of Omaha musician Tuffy Epstein, the Friedel Band will play a selection of Hanukkah melodies. The entire student body will sing a few holiday favorites in Hebrew.. As they prepared for the program, students delved into the history behind Hanukkah and explored its meaning to us today, noted Friedman. The youngest students focused on the Menorah. The older students, in addition to reading and acting out the play, discussed its themes of good sportsmanship and healthy versus not so healthy competitiveness. Students gained expertise in speech and dramatics including memorization, expressiveness, projection, and comfort in front of an audience. In addition, their art lessons were integrated-into the unit as they created scenery and costumes for the production. ; Following directions, taking several steps toward a final goal, and cooperating as a team were among the other valuable skills that grew from the experience. : "Working toward the Hanukkah program provided something special to look forward to every day," said Friedman. "The project enhanced and enriched classroom learning in many ways."
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