Hewish Prest
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR NEARLY 80 YEARS VoLIiXXVUl
No. 17
LINCOLN MR' 6G503-1651
Omaha, NE
'Super Bowl Sunday' theme for Kids' Super Sunday
2000 $3,075,000
UJA/Federation Campaign Update
by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director Pledged to date: $1,799,000
Goal: $3,075,000
$1,799,000
No Gift Touches More Lives. $500,000 Magician Joe Cole will return to perform for Kids'Super Sunday, The third Annual Kids' Super Sunday will be held on Sunday, Jan. 30, from 12:30-2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. Kids' Super Sunday gives children, pre-kindergarten to 12 years, the opportunity to participate in tzedakah, and enjoy a fun, kids^only day to celebrate. Children in Omaha's religious schools and the Child Development Center will decorate tzedakah boxes and take them home tojcollect change. They \irill br|ng the boxes to the JCC where the money will be collected and the kids will enjoy their party. There is no minimum dollar amount required for the tzedakah. : This year, the money collected will go towards the Federation's Hunger Relief Initiative for the elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union. Kids' Super Sunday will feature a magician and
Living in three centuries! by Joan K. Marcus
Justin Norton and his dad, Mike, add their change to the tzedakah box from Kids' Super Sunday'99. story teller, a clown, games, cartoons, a moon walk, crafts and a Super Meal featuring pizza donated by Zio's. Past Kids' Super Sunday events have attracted over 150 kids and parents. Volunteers are needed to help run the games and serve the Super Meals. All volunteers will get a Super Sunday T-shirt and lunch. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jeanette at the Federation office, 334-6429.-; The Super Sunday Committee includes Chairpersons Deb and Dan Marburg, Susan and Greg Bramhall, Kevin and Patty Gilinsky, Steve and Patty Goldstein, Mark and Kim Schwartz and Jim and Sally Zipursky. : And don't worry, Dads, you'll be home in time to watch the Super Bowl on TV!
2000 UJA/Federation Campaign The Jewish Federation of Omaha
Upcoming events of 2000... Shabbat of the Centuries starts at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Beth El Synagogue, with candlelighting at 4:45 p.m., followed by Kabbalat Shabbat services at a Gala Shabbatdinner.- Moreirrfbrmatiorrvnpage 3. Moollenium, one of 300 life-sized fiberglass cows, painted by Chicago artists, will be on display at the Dale Clark Library, 58:30 p.m. tonight, and then on permanent display at Greater Omaha Packing; see story and photo on page 8.
Pashchenkos continue to improve their lives through Federation Scholarships by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator
When Gene Pashchenko was a school boy in more. Soon, Sophie Tepperman Kaplan will have lived Ukraine in the former Soviet Union (FSU), he had After waiting five years to get an interview with in three centuries! "a hard time," because he is a Jew. the Immigration Service in Moscow, the PashchIn hjs teacher's gradebook in which she recorded enkos were granted one in 1993. They waited her students' "nationalities," Gene's nationality another year before learning they would be leaving was Jewish. Other children threw rocks at him for Baltimore, MB. Some of Gene's family membecause of his "nationality." bers, including an aunt, uncle and cousin, were To apply for a driver's license, a passport or to a already living in New York. university, Pashchenko would have to, disclose his After'the flight to New York, the Pashchenkos identity as a Jew on every application form. were met there by representatives of the Hebrew Whether due to the economy or his religion, jobs (Continued on page 10) were hard to get, explained Gail Pashchenko, Gene's wife. She is from Latvia and was able to "cover up" her Jewish identity because her father was Byelorussian, not Jewish. Gene and Gail left their lives in the FSU behind in 1994 and immigrated to the United States. Sophie and Dave Kaplan-1921 "There was no future The oldest current resident of the Rose Blumkin there," Gene said. "I Jewish Home, was 102 in June. She was born on didn't want that for June 13,1897, and came to the United States from Julia," the Pashchenko's \ Stolengin, Russia, when she was 16, with her two daughter, who IB now 15. .'sisters, Frieda and Manya, and two brothers, Ed Gene and Gail didn't want to have to hide and Mai Tepperman. .••'. \ their Jewishness any(Continued on page 10) • Gene, Gail and Julia Pashenko
Page 2 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE December 31,1999
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JFS's Project Dreidel helps 60 families
2000 years-and still abuse
by Jennifer Meyerson
by Rabbi Myer S. Kripke
With another year of Project Dreidel and Parshat Sh'mot Hanukkah Project Tzedakah over, the staff and That a new and impressive number assails us volunteers of Jewish Family Service once again_ breathe a sigh of relief. More than 50 food boxes ' this Shabbat is obvious. But if s only a number and were packed and delivered, along with nearly 40 it shouldn't really impress us. In the first place, we should recognize that the number itself is a few bags filled with Hanukkah presents. ' Every child received at least two or three pres- years off, even to Christians to whom it is mean. ents; no chickens were left over in the JCC freezer; ingful. And even to them, second, it is helpful to and none of the volunteers forgot to deliver their remember that they simply seized on a Roman (pagan) dating system and declared it their own. orders. And we must remember that the numbers we Most,1 if not all, of these families might not have been able to buy Hanukkah presents or celebrate puny humans give to the paBsing years are laughthe holiday with ritual Hanukkah foods had it not able when we consider the number of stars-bilbeen for this project. Imagine, for a moment, what lions!-in our unimportant galaxy, and the number this holiday would be like without the presents, of galaxies—billions!—in our universe, and the incomprehensible speed by which they are fleeing food and decorations this time of year brings. from each other. "What is man that You give him ; With the help of the Tzedakah committee and volunteers, those who gave so generously of their recognition?" But if we (we humans, that is) do give attention time, finances or both, JFS was able to help make the Festival of Lights shine a little brighter for to the fleeting years of our frail lives, notice the more than 60 individuals and families: 41 who sea-change that our ancestors suffered in their received food, 24 (including 37 children) who lives in Mizraim. From respected aliens, they were received gifts, and some who received both. We reduced suddenly to an underclass of restricted served a record number of families this year, slaves. Human beings have short memories, when they thanks in part to the large number of referrals want to. One of the surest ways to acquire resentfrom local Jewish organizations. .Anne Frank stated, we need not wait another ment is to do someone a favor. He now feels he moment to begin to repair the world; tikkun olam. owes you something, and he doesn't like to be in From all of us at Jewish Family Service, we thank debt. Thus, it was with Mizraim and the desceneveryone who helped make this important mitzvah dants and relatives of Joseph, Joseph the economic whiz, Joseph the provider. project possible. (A rankling resentment of this kind is involved in history's oldest and most ineradicable hatred, antiSemitism. It was Jews who gave the western world religion, and, especially, morality. "They" hate "us" for that.) by Beth Cohen So a new king arose in Mizraim who pretended not to know about Joseph. It's enough, he thought, NCSVs Senior Winter Conclave was held last that they have this funny religion, without any week in Wisconsin. Omahans who attended were real gods; do they also have to know more about Josh Grossman, Ben Gerber, Ian Fried, Daniel agriculture and economics, taxation and governDavidson and Ben Epstein. ment? I hate1 them. 111 take care of them. The Omaha chapter met to create a banner Enslavement--and liberation from it-became the' . and video for the conclave. This creative crowd prime moving thought in Jewish history and reliincluded Sarah Grossman, Josh Grossman, gion. It echoes through all our ceremonies and Sjerra Gendelman, Adam Gendelman, Rachel prayers. The Ten "Commandments" begins with Katzmari, Avi Katzman, Renata Yurikov and God's reminder that it was He who brought the Shoshy Shrago. slaves out of the House of Bondage. .-;'. The Seniors mini-shabbaton will be hosted by When you read our Sidrah, notice how rapidly .Beth Israel on Jan. 7-8. The Kansas City Kollel the text disposes of non-essentials. In a few verses, will' run activities and learning sessions it moves from a prosperous, expanding Israelite throughout Shabbos. All meals will be served at population to an oppressed, doomed underclass of Beth Israel, and youth attending will be housed hated alienu. From their time to ours, these with member families around the synagogue. Israelite-Jews have been resented for their gifts to The. mini-shabbaton is open to the community, civilization, religion, culture and morality. grades 8-12. . Our Sidrah begins a new book of Torah, with the NCSY Juniors will travel to Kansas City for names of the first Israelites in Mizraim (aside from the Regional Convention the weekend of Jan. ancestral visits).We may add our names—or we 13. This weekend is open for any Jewish youth may refuse. Oddly enough, the more we learn • • in grades 5-7, and promises to be filled with fun, about the abuse shown us in the centuries since Mizraim, the more the sensitive among us cast our ruach and great educational sessions. National Conference of Synagogue Youth is lot with the abused. open to all youth, regardless of synagogue affiliThere is something profoundly human about ation. Please call Allan Gonsher at 558-2767 that, something profoundly noble. . with any questions regarding NCSY programming; and Sarah Grossman, President, at 4533352 for information on upcoming programs.
-NCSYpast and future events
REBECCA SEGAL Former Omahan Rebecca Segal died Dec 22 in New York City at age 93. Services were held Dec. 26 at Golden Hill Cemetery in Omaha. Rabbi Paul Drazen officiated. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rose S e g a l !
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She is survived by cousins. Memorials may be made to favorite charity.:
Family Mission arrives in Israel
Nearly 80 Mission participants left: Sunday morning for their connecting flight to Israel that night. After planting trees on Monday, the group gathered for dinner in the old city of Jaffa. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent "up north," in the Western Galilee, at Kibbutz Misgav Am and on the Golan Heights. The group arrived in Jerusalem on Thursday and will celebrate Shabbat and the turn of the clock into the millennium tonight.
OTYG Hanukkah Overnight
Jamie Skog, Igor Ginsburg, Ally Freeman, Lauren Freeman and Leora Azriel compete in a quiz game of Jewish Knowledge at a recent OTYG overnight. Later, they made homemade applesauce to eat with latkes and other holiday goodies.
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As the.social action aspect.of the evening, OTYGers Whitney Taxman, Anna Patkovsky and Adam Rosen, along with others, made Hanukkah cards. The cards were later distributed to residents of the Blumkin Home and preschool students at the CDC. The next major project for OTYG is planning and hosting the Feb. 6 Spaghetti dinner Fundraiser for Camp Rainbow.
December 31,1999
SYNAGOGUES
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TEMPLE ISRAEL M( mix r n f tht I m u i i i f Americrin H i b n v, f-ongrx gitti<in<
7021 Cans Stri-i-t, Omahn, NE <>8132-265l
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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^ •.-- ' ^ B E T H : E L I S Y N A G O G U E ^ | J 7 ^ MemberbfUidtedSynagogues !'% rt^'V g ' of Conservative Judaism 77 X4OM«uauiornia ' " ' 14506California 14506Clifi ' ; -,/ ,.•. ;
' • ' Omaha, 5S NE 6815^-1980 T *''-^j^wV '492-8550 ''^"tV1^^ WEB--www.bethel-omaha.org ^ ."{^ , y Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Jennifer Blum will Office hours: Monday through Thursday, officiate. Rabbi Stiel will give the D'var Torah. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9a.m.SATURDAY: There will be no Bagels and Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon. Services conducted by Rabbi 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • " Howard Kutner. Bible; Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 4:50 p.m. Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael Horwitz. SITTER SERVICE SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 aan., followed Sitter service not available for Shabbat services FRTOAY-Shabbat of the Centuries: by a congregational lunch. "Insights into the Parsha," on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. Happy hour, 4 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat family 3:55 pan.; Mincha, 4:45 pan.; Havdalah, 5:51 pjn^ TOT SHABBAT service, 5 p.m.; New Year's Eve Shabbat dinner, SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 4:50 pan. Friday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m.—A short service of song 6 p.m. and prayer, which includes a story with Rabbi Stiel WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 ajn.; Mincha, 4£0 pan. SATURDAY: Services, 10 a.m., featuring midand songs with Patty Nogg, followed by cookies and MONDAY: I n the News," a group discussion led morning mimosa brunch. Beth El will honor Rabbi juice, will be held for toddlers through children in by Rabbi Kutner, delving into the Jewish perspec- Myer S. Kripke and Dorothy Kripke on the occathe primary grades and their families. tive of current events. "In the News" is held in sion of his 86th birthday at this gala event. ADULT EDUCATION member's homes. Call the synagogue office for this Kiddush following services; Sitter service, 10 aan.; WEDNESDAY, Jan. 5: Midrashah, 10 aan.-noon. week's location. Humash with Rashi study session, 4 2 0 pan.; MinhaTHURSDAY, Jan. 6: Sisterhood Adult EducaTUESDAY: Rabbi Shlomo Levin teaches a Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 4:50 pan. tion, 10-11:30 a.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will teach Chumash class on Sefer Bamidbar, the book of SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Perek Yomi "Read a "Scattered Among t h e Nations—Documents Numbers, 7 pan. Chapter a Day" group, 10:15 aan. • Affecting Jewish ffistory~49 to 2000 C.E." WEDNESDAY: Ladies Lunch and Learn with WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 pan. FRIDAY, Jan. 7: Jewish Spirituality, 9-.30-11 aan. Nadine Kutner, JCC conference room, noon; ADULT B'NAI MITZVAH CLASS Mimi Rogers will lead this group in readings, discus- Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner on Tractate Bava The adult classes continue on Wednesday, Jan. sion, Jewish meditation and Jewish yoga. Metzia, 7:30 p.m. 5, 7:30 pan. FRIDAY: NCSY Seniors mini-shabbaton in ALEF/ADULT LD7ELONG EDUCATION OSEBLUMKIN JEWISH HOME Omaha with the young men from the Kansas City The ALEF program for adults who want to study Kollel. Any Jewish youth in grades 8-12 are welSATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m, led by Andrew come to attend. Contact President Sarah Grossman and celebrate Judaism will start Monday, Jan. 10, and run for eight successive Monday nights Greenberg. Members of the community are welcome. for more information, 453-3352. through Feb. 28. Classes, open to the entire comAll services followed by Kiddush. A memorial sermunity, will explore Beginning Hebrew Reading, vice is held on the last Shabbat of each month, in Jewish Cooking Around the World, Jews in Film, memory of residents who have died. Davening 101, Search for Spirituality and much more. For details and registration, call Beth ElBEYT SHALOM' ' m-.ori;
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I2;S^1^9ihSilJ,d.Bo^241130 fc 5* Omaha, NE 681245130 jS A 5j£9233' h t t ^ / t / b FRIDAY: Shabbat in the home. Everyone is encouraged to invite friends and family for special Shabbat observances. " Religious School is on winter break until Jan. 4. Enrollment is open for the next semester. For more information, call 758-9233. Beyt Shalom has a full slate of activities planned for January, 2000. All are open to the community at no charge. • Each Friday evening when we celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat as a group, we will hold a trope class for those who want to learn to chant the Torah, 6:45-7:30 p.m. • Rabbi Kripke will resume his adult education class at the JCC on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 12:30 p.m. • Beyt Shalom has a special Tot Shabbat every month. The next one is Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. • Each month, Beyt Shalom conducts Shabbat services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home chapel. Please join us there on Jan. 15 a t 9 aan. • Beyt Shalom will conduct a Tu B'Shevat seder at the synagogue on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 5:30 p.m. The seder will include a potluck dairy vegeterian dinner, followed by Havdalah and singing. Please call to make a reservation.
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!s219'She^dan^Bl^d.7£uicqln, NE 68502^5238, Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday,' 7:15 aan. . FRIDAY: Special early services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.-, followed by a Champagne Brunch open to the congregation. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS: Jewish Thought & Philosophy/Rabbinics with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-10:55 a.m.; Tanach/Bible-Perek Yomi (A Daily Chapter), with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 11:05: a.m-noon. WEDNESDAYS: Basic Judaism with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 7:15-9:15 p.m. .'
WEBSITE: ivWw.cbiabad.Genters.com/omaba Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:15 p.m.; Kiddish and Shabbat dinner, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p . m . , followed by Shalosh Seudah; Ma'ariv/Havdallah, 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. .MONDAY: Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, 11:45 aan.-l pan. TUESDAY: A Tale of Two Souls, 9-.30-lla.in. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m.
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. B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ' l^Mynsteie' ^ CouncU Bluffs, IA 515034)766 %^4^E§a^ULt,'do'cJ1eb'®aol.Wm.-' ^
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FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 pan., followed by Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peggy Deland and Sandra Kurland.
CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURAN ' t l -\ •" SOUTH STREET TEMPLE"
Membffl'of theJJnlon of ^mericfuiHobrew Congregations
XtZml 8.20th 8t,. Lincoln", NE 68502-2797 " "~ l 5 0 4 \ »i Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 pan. •; SATURDAY: Sabbath service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah s t u d y , l O ^ O a a n . •.-•.. PERSONAL We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and support during the difficult time we had when our father and husband passed away. We appreciate all the gifts and donations in Zalman Friedman's memory. Thank you, Rabbi Drazen, Cantor Berkovits and Hazzan Horwitz. Friedman and Cooper Families
Josh Harris Sweet, son of Mark and Lynn ? Sweet and the late Lori ' H a r r i s Sweet, will , become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Beth {El Synagogue. I A Superior Honor Roll j student at Millard North Middle School, he enjoys i football, baseball and ! hasketball, and plays the | trumpet. He was chosen tto particitate in the Duke ^'University Talent Identification Program. Josh has a Bister, Marci Brookstein. Grandparents are Morris and Helen Sweet of Lincoln; Irvin J. Harris of San Diago; and Miles and Eileen Remer of Omaha. .:;••'.";•,;••
Beth El to observe 'Shabbat of the Centuries' Beginning this afternoon, Dec. 31, Beth El Synagogue'will observe the "Shabbat of the Centuries." Special features today include a 4 p.m. Israeli-themed cocktail hour with live music by Tuffy Epstein and his group; a multi-generational Shabbat candlelighting is set for 4:45 p.m.; a Family Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat service will start at 5 pan., and a gourmet Shabbat dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Synagogue social hall. . Saturday morning services on Jan. 1, 2000, will start at 10 aan., and feature a Mimosa.Brunch, starting at approximately 10:45 a.m.,;at-which Rabbi Emeritus Myer S. Kripke's 86th birthday will be toasted. A special congregational-Torah study session, led by Daniel Fellman and Scott Littky, is also planned as part of the Saturday morning service. Arrangements for the weekend were handled by Rhonda Saferstein, Ruth Potash Helen Epstein, Selma Sadofsky, Lola Reinglas, Susie Drazen, Suzy Goodman and Lucy White, under the chairmanship of Mary Fellman.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 31,1999
Editorial A look back...and a look ahead What a century! Two world wars, conflicts in Cuba, Korea, China and Vietnam,- the Holocaust, birth of the State of Israel, creation and dissolution of the Soviet Union, the atomic bomb, assassination of the Kennedy brothers, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Anwar Sadat, man's first steps on the moon...the list is endless. . Add to that: list the major inventions and. discoveries of this century: like the automobile, personal computer, polio and smallpox vaccines, air - conditioning and jet travel. It's eaBy to understand why life appears to be flying by us at the speed of light. We hardly have time to stop and reflect on these changes before another generation of computers is introduced or another major disease is under control. The impact of these historical events, like World War II, the Holocaust, and the creation of the State of Israel, have altered the course of Jewish history and, therefore, our personal histories. Whether our families arrived at the turn of the century to escape the grueling poverty and persecution of the 'old country,' or whether we arrived after the Holocaust having suffered the tremendous losses, or even if we arrived only last year from the former Soviet Union to be reunited with Jewish •community after an 80-year separation, we are all now one Jewish family, worldwide. Who would have thought we would live to see the fall of communism and
Focus on Issues
a powerful State of Israel? Who knew after centuries of persecution that Jews would be so accepted in the highest levels of Western government and business? Who could have imagined that from a small building on 20th and Dodge St., the Jewish community of Omaha would fund and build one of the largest, most up-to-date campuses in the United States! The Phil Sokolof Fitness Center is -now open; the Pennie Z. Davis Child : Development Center opens on Jan. 10, 2000, and the Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Jewish Federation Library will open later this spring. Following these major additions, come separate men's and women's health clubs and remodeled expanded offices for Jewish Family Service, the ADL-CRC and the Jewish Press. The expansion and remodeling were critical components of keeping our Jewish community prepared for the future, but there's another area that now must be addressed - ensuring Jewish continuity through Jewish education. Our next major undertaking must include serious conversation about formal and informal Jewish education for adults and children. Funding for'
^ ^ ^
P6AP...
the most dynamic programs and most competent, creative staff, should be at the top of our list for this next century. Without this discussion and a plan for the future, our beautiful new buildings may well be empty a century from now.
The most influential Jew of the century by Gary Rosenblatt
.In anticipation of Time magazine naming its Person of the Century, a campaign has been waged in Jewish circles to make sure Hitler is not the magazine's choice. One need not be an admirer of the Nazi leader to • conclude that he qualifies as "that person who, for better or worse, most influenced the course of history over the past 100 years." A paradigm of evil responsible for the death of tens of millions of people during World War II, including six million innocent Jews, he redefined racism and totalitarianism in this century. But Hitler's Third Reich, which he envisioned to last 1,000 years, came up 988 years short, and his legacy, though horrific, is cautionary rather than lasting, reminding us of man's enormous capacity for evil. The Jewish anti-Hitler effort on the Internet obviously is widespread because the campaign's suggested choice, Yitzchak Rabin, is ranked above Hitler in the poll results. Hitler is third, with about 500,000 votes, 11.6 percent of the total; the slain Israeli prime minister is second, with 13.4 percent. But if proof were needed that this poll is less than serious, consider that the No. 1 choice for Person of the Century is Elvis Presley, with 14 percent of the vote. Franklin Roosevelt, elected to four terms as president of the U.S., the man who brought the country out of the Great Depression and into and out of World War II, is in 20th place, with 0.3 percent of the vote. Winston Churchill has not fared much better. The leader whose personality and persistence helped convince the U.S. to join the noble effort to defeat Hitler, languishes in 15th place, with 0.8 percent. • All of which led me to think about who would be
the Jewish equivalent of Time's Person of the Century, the individual who had the greatest impact on Jewish life in the last 100 years. Under those guidelines, I would disqualify the Freuds and Einsteins, whose influence on society in general was enormous but whose involvement with Jewish life was marginal. I spoke to a number of friends and associates and came up with a list of 10 names, divided between Zionist leaders, religious figures and those who most appealed to our inner conscience. (I recommend the exercise, whether conducted at a social gathering or in the privacy of one's mind, because it allows us to pause and reflect on how much Jewish life has changed since 1900.) In any event, included on my list are the religious thinkers Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Mordecai Kaplan, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Buber and Heschel explored man's relationship to the world, infused with holiness, and helped popularize Judaism to Christian audiences and to modern Jewry; Kaplan defined Judaism as an evolving religious civilization; Soloveitchik emphasized the importance of halachah, or Jewish law, today; and the Lubavitcher Rebbe revitalized chasidism after the Holocaust and spread the influence of Lubavitch throughout the world. • Bridging the gaps between pre-war Europe and modern America and between religion and culture, Elie Wiesel seared the memory of the Holocaust into the American psyche and showed the world a Jewish approach to moral and ethical choices.
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 402-3346422; E-mail <y'shpress@aol.com> . Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198.
•AJ/A-
7RAPITION
Uoyd Roltsteln Chairman Carol Katzman Editor-in-Chief Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Larry Axelrod Advertising Manager Barbara Frankel Rocky Stern Sales representatives Jenlna E. Sadofaky Bookkeeper Jen Qatea Production Assistant George Schapiro Volunteer
Perhaps least known of those on my list is Sarah Schnirer, the Krakow seamstress who created the Bais Yaakov network of girls yeshivas, ensuring a Jewish education for Orthodox young women. Henrietta Szold, the Baltimore-born teacher and scholar, became a Zionist activist by founding Hadassah, the world's largest Zionist organization. She helped save thousands of children from the Holocaust through Youth Aliyah. And.Golda Meir, the girl from Milwaukee who became prime minister of Israel, symbolized the advancement of women and democratic ideals in Israeli society. But if I had to choose one person whose life changed the course of Jewish history in this century, it would be David Ben-Gurion, the Zionist leader who headed the struggle for Jewish independence and whose bedrock belief in democracy helped shape the State of Israel. It was Ben-Gurion and idealists of his generation who left Eastern Europe and Russia and made Theodor Herzl's dream a reality. Future students of Jewish history will look back on the 20th century • as a pivotal time when the Zionist ideal was fulfilled after 2,000 years. Ironically, it was the steadfastly secular David Ben-Gurions who ensured the survival of Jewish life despite the murder of millions of Jews in the Holocaust and increasing assimilation in the diaspora. So Ben-Gurion tops my list. How about yours?
Gary Rosenblatt is the editor and publisher of The New York Jewish Week. He can be reacAedafgarv@yewishweek.org JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; "Steve Levinger, Linda Saltzman; George Schapiro; Steve Simon. , Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment.
December 31,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
Media ducks Arab anti-Semitism in Suha story by Andrea Levin, National President of CAMERA
Then.' in u vivid lf:-«nn about tin- mi'dia to be charges without checking facts and to cover up the drawn from coverage of Suha Arafat's public true import of Suha Arafat's statements was but a calumny alleging Israel' uses, "poisonous gas" slightly exaggerated case of the general media against Palestinians and 'contaminates a80^)'of silence about the drumbeat of anti-Semitism in the [their] water sources." Even in the face of Suha's PA and many of the surrounding Arab states. high-profile libels, journalists still refused to report WhenSuha, unchastened by repercussions of her that her statements were symptomatic of anti- poison gas charges in J^amallah, made similarly Israel and anti-Semitic invective that is, in fact,; slanderous statements ten days later on the Arab ubiquitous in the Palestinian'Authority. ' <satellite channel Orbit, claiming Israel pours toxic! In the-PA, school children, are indoctrinated daily' waste into the Gaza witer system, her-remarks via textbooks, television and mosque to believe received.barely a mention. (The Palestinians themJews are treacherous thieves and Nazi-like, con- selves, not Israel, have all but destroyed the Gaza querors with not the slightest rightful claim-or aquifer, the main water source for Gaza's Arabs, ancient -tie to the land of Israel, and that through rampant, unregulated well drilling.) Palestinian youth are honor-bound to one day In a Reuters dispatch, Suha's latest outburst was throw the Jewsvoutof Haifa, Jaffa, Ashijod, cast as a domestic story about a woman who Jerusalem and all. the other cities of "Palestine." ' refused "to play the retiring wife" of Yasir Arafat. Although a few commentators (including Cal Once again, the demonizing of Israel was ignored. Thomas, Sid Zion, David Bar-Illan, George Will, The media blackout on this "core" issue of and the editorial writers of the New York Post and anti-Semitism leaves Israel to protest largely the Boston Herald) promptly reminded readers alone against the inculcation of.hatred by the that'Suha Arafat's baseless accusations were typi- Palestinian Authority and the Arab world. cal of Palestinian hate-mongering, the overwhelmThe silence is all the more striking when coning content of the coverage was little more than trasted to the indignant reaction by, for example, chit-chat about the political fallout for Hillary the New York Times' Tom Friedman over antiClinton, who sat silently nearby during Suha's American rage in Egypt about U.S. handling of the remarks, then kissed her at the podium. Egypt Air Flight 990 crash. "After 20 years of U.S. Time magazine's Lisa Beyer actually endorsed aid to Egypt, approaching $40 billion, I would Suha's ravings, saying, "Mrs. Arafat did have a expect the Egyptian leadership to be clearly and point." The reporter declared, "It's true that tear unambiguously educating the Egyptian public that gas, frequently used by Israeli soldiers, has been America is a friend, not an old, sinister imperialist," opined the columnist. ' linked to miscarriages among Palestinians." Provoked by Egypt's anti-Americanism, It is not true. The Journal of the American Medical Association looked into the question in Friedman did mention that Israel was also blamed 1989 during the height of the Intifada, when such for the crash. Yet when Egypt's government-conallegations first surfaced. That assessment, co- trolled press regularly spews mad accusations written by a member of Physicians for Human about Israel poisoning Egyptian youth and agriculRights, a group often severely critical if Israel, ture, behaving like Nazis and conniving with Egyptfs enemies, or when the weekly publication found no evidence of a link. But Beyer's readiness to repeat old propaganda October writes that "Satan worship is a part of
To the Editor: Regarding the article written by Ozzie Nogg in the Dec. 17 Jewish Press, referring to Marlene Booths documentary Yidl in the Middle: Growing up Jewish in Iowa, I would like to share the difference in our background experiences. : I believe I am qualified, having spent the first 18 years in a small Iowa town. We were the only Jewish family in the town. I was born in Sioux City, IA, and, at the age of two months, my parents moved my two sisters and myself to Woodbine, IA, population: 1200. My father had a typical small town general store. My mother kept a serious kosher house. Even though we had a meat department in the store, we had our meat sent by bus from Council Bluffs (Reverend Diamond's Kosher Market). We could bring cheese home from the store only if it was from a new block and cut with a string. I think you may call that kosher. My parents belonged to'the Commercial Club, Masonic Lodge, QddFellows, Eastern Star and all other clubs that were non-denominational. This meant dinners, parties and picnics.
Every one in the town knew we were Jewish and kept a kosher home, many of whom hadn't come in contact with kashrut before, but they knew our family did not eat pork or unkoshered meat. Whenever we were invited to dinner, or anyplace where food was served, there was always special food for us, usually chicken (of course, non- kosher). I never ate a non-kosher hamburger until I went to college. That's the kind of Jewish home in which I was raised. . From my earliest recollections, my sister, Sara, and I were treated the same way we treated our friends. We were active in all school activities, band, vocal music, drama, all the fun things teenager do. We were Jewish; everyone knew it and we were respected for following our beliefs. We had many close friends. Last summer, I attended my 60th high school reunion and those youthful friends are still close friends. My memories of living in Woodbine, IA, are all positive and happy ones. So you see, not all Jews had bad experiences growing up in a gentile environment. Norman Smeerin
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Judaism" and that Judaism is responsible for "all : destructive upheavals," Friedman is silent He is silent to the hate-mongering and silent to its being purveyed by an Egypt that sighed a peace agreement with Israel two decades ago, the basis for Egypt's receiving the $40 billion fromAmerica;::; A further striking paradox in press coverage: o£ ; the region is the contrasting: readinessoOfhn&vs reporters and editorial writers to recount abuseaiaf the Palestinian people by Yasir Arafat and-hiriiieuhf .tenants;
••
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Whether the topic is PAtorture of prisoners; FA intimidation of Palestinian journalists, academics and human rights advocates or- corruption and economic malfeasance by Arafat's inner:circle>-thB media do probe and report the mistreatment <}f Palestinians.
• ; '•"•' ••'• .••'• • ••
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That is to say, the problem is not one of western journalists unwilling to say a bad word about Arab leaders or to inspect the underside of a thuggish regime such as Arafat's. The issue is something!dip-1 ferent; it is a specific refusal to expose the massive' defamation of Jews and Israel. ;^:L to >w,i?v.. The; great harm in this media coverup is that were CAW, the New York Times, NationabPubUc Radio, the Los Angeles Times and other media across the globe to report the story systematically there would not only be a greater understanding of Israel's concerns but also the possibility of public awarenesB leading to moral pressure that would rein in the purveyors of hatred and increase the chances of real peace. Is it too much to expect, say, tax-supported National Public Radio to end its news blackout on Arab anti-Semitism and cast some light on this dark corner of Middle East reality? > •
Copyright 1999 by CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting' in America.
Beth El Synagogue Adult Lifelong 3
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Winter 2000 Brought t o the Omaha Jewish Community b y Beth El Synagogue, " its Adult Education Committee •< ' a n d BESTT. . . ALEF is a program of on-going classes for adults who delight In their heritage ' and want to study and celebrate It in a spirit of joy. Please join us. "ALEF Classes for Winter 2000 will meet at Beth El Synagogue » on 8 successive Monday nights. January 10, 17, 24, 31 & February 7, 14,21,28 For course descriptions, fee schedule and registration information, call 492-8550
.Page 6 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 31,1999
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"BTO1T POTTERY PLACE introduces Judaica Pottery MONDAY, JANUARY 3 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. "In the News," 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, JANUARY 4 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10 a.m., at Beth Israel JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Bamidbar w/ Rabbi Levin, 7:30 p.m., a t Beth Israel
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 WEJ Executive Committee, 11:30 a.m., a t Temple WRJ Board Meeting, Noon, at Temple Israel Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Drazen, Noon, Beth El Bear Den Scouts, 7 p.m. Cub Scouts, 7 p.m. . Renewal/Healing Service, 7 p.m., at Temple Executive Meeting, 7:30 p.m., a t Beth El Bamidbar with Rabbi Levin, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5 Betb Israel Lunch & Learn/ Nadine Kutner, Noon ,-: . FR Russian Club, H Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m., a t Beth El Talmud with Rabbi Kutner, 7:30 p.m., a t Beth Israel Shabbatonwith theChabadH THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 Shabbat Dinner Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. Family Shabbat Adult Education, 10 a.m., a t Temple Israel . Synagogue 2000 Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple ••,. . - . S A T 1 Bagels & Bible, i FRTOAY, JANUARY 7 Humash Class,'. Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. SU1 SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 CDC Pancake M Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., a t Temple Israel MO Humash Class, 4:30 p.m., a t Beth El Pardes, 8 p.m., at the home of Drs. Howard GenYESProgfam/-9 delman and Bonnie Bloch, 125 S. 127th Plaza Adult Education
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NESDAY, JANUARY 12 e Board Meeting, noon, at iza Club Room vah Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel JRSDAY, JANUARY 13 i, 9:30 a.m. l, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple Bear Den Scouts, 7 p.m . Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Bamidbar with Rabbi Levin, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel •
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for BESTT, 6 p.m., at Beth El ; service, 6 p.m., at Beth El URDAY, JANUARY 15 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel 4:30 p.m., at Beth El
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El
NDAY, JANUARY 16 Ian, 5 p.m., JCC auditorium >NDAY, JANUARY 17 1 Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El ESDAY, JANUARY 18 aittee Meeting, 6 p.m., at Temple 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel leeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El bbi Levin, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. 'Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel ~ - ' ' Grade 1-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7 p.m., at Temple Israel,, ' L.O.V.E. Board Meeting, 7 p.m., at RBJH Conference Room FRIT AY, JANUARY 28 Russian Club, 10 a.m .
NESDAY, JANUARY 19 Breakfast & Lecture, 8 a.m. mer Night, 6 p.m., at Beth El 7:30 p.m., at Beth El
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29 Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel Humash Class, 5 p.m., at Beth El Omaha Symphony, 7 p.m.
[RSDAY, JANUARY 20 >, 9:30 a.m. i, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel ! Meeting, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 Kids Super Sunday, 12:30 p.m. MONDAY, JANUARY 31 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. Adult Education Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El "In the News," 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel
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Moollennium to attend Omaha's Millennium Lights Celebration by Kathleen Krantz
CALENDAR FOR JANUARY
NCSY " ' " ' S u n d a y , January 9 •PiSsaTFutidraiser, 12-1p.m.
Friday, Jan. 7- Sunday, Jan.9 Sr. NCSY Mini-Shabbaton at the synagogue with members of the Kansas City Kollel ' •••"" iattri6ivBp.m.; . ^ ; Friday, Jan. 14-Suriday, Jan. 10 Saturday, January15'•' ; :' • 'rCllilb15Brfib"ihner, Haydalah arid ice Jr. NCSY Sh'abbaton in Kansas City For more information about NCSY, fm Wednesday, Jan. 19 contact adviser Allan Gonsher, 558f 2767(H) or 330-4014 (W). OW(Jr*iri<ijBr'6 *iri<ijBr,6 p-nii;. pnii1'; ;••'•• ; . " Friday, January 21 USY/Kadimah "Shabbat' Comes to You" at Thursdays, January 6 and 20 ; p USY night, 6:30 p.m. ' S u n d a y , F e b r u a r y s ; • ••• • • ; Thursday, January 13 h i iiiftiier ', Kadimah Night, 6 p.m. For more information about OTYG, Saturday, January 29 call advisers Barry and Stephanie Kadimah Night at the Movies, 5p.m. Grossman, 5566536. more information, contact advisr r r t v h ' i . - - - •••' ' > i * : f ^ ' •-;••.. ••;<• •••• ':For :. / ; ; : ; : BBYQ';;_ • • '• ers Derek Altman or Holly Friedman, :', . ' Tuesday, January 4,11* 18,25 - 492-&550.
BBYOnight, 6 p.m. for, information about BBYO, contactdirector Julie Kushner, 334-6404.
YACHAD For more information, contact adviser Linda Novak, 493-8575.
Members of Sr. NCSY created a banner for their winter convention, from left: Sierra Gendelman, Sarah Grossman, Rachel Katzman, Josh Grossman, Adam Gendelman and Shoshy Shrago. Not pictured: Renata Yurikov.
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Moollennium, one of 300 fiber-glass cows on display in Chicago last summer, was purchased by Greater Omaha Packing Company: from left: Angelo F i l i , E x e c u t i v e V i c e - p r e s i d e n t ; H e n r y . D a v i s , President/owner; and Roy Wiggs, Executive Vice-president of Sales. In addition to receiving the meat When Henry Davis, President of Greater Omaha Packing Company, industry's highest award in Chicago was in Chicago last October, down- last October, Greater Omaha Packing town Chicago was overrun with cows. has also been honored with the More than 300 Chicago artists had President's Citation in 1998 from the transformed white, life-size fiberglass American.Meat Institute, National cows into works of art as part of a Safety Institute. Greater Omaha has also received an Award of Honor with city-sponsored public art project. Davis was there receiving the Distinction from 1995-98 from the American Institute of Meat's Edward Safety and Health Council of Greater C. Jones Community Service Award in Omaha, and the Project Partnership recognition of his company's commit- National Award from Sentry Inment to Omaha and communities surance Company in 1999. throughout Nebraska. He and two of Davis is a Board Member of the his executives loved the project, and American Meat Institute and a memone cow in. particular, Moollennium, ber of its Strategic Planning Comcreated by Chicago artist Peter Bucks. mittee. He is also a member of the Moollennium is painted with scenes Young Presidents Organization, and representing the history of industry chairman of the Enterprise Associin the 20th century. Davis and his ation Board's Federal Enterprise executives identified Moollennium as Community HUD. symbolic of the beef industry, the Greater Omaha Packing Company Omaha Stockyards and the wonder- employs many foreign-born workers ful people who dedicated their lives who receive free on-site English as a to building the meat packing indus- Second Language class. Additiontry in South Omaha. ally, the company pays the cost for its He later purchased Moollennium at workers to apply for citizenship, an auction that raised over $3 million assists in the application process and awards participants who have for several Chicago charities. The public can view Moollennium become naturalized citizens. during the Millennium Lights A leader in promoting wellness, Celebration at the Gene Leahy Mall. through its Wellness Partnership, Moollennium will be on display in W. Greater Omaha Packing created a Dale Clark Library at the children's health club in a local church accessistory telling and performance area ble to employees and parishioners. from 5-8:30 p.m. tonight. Moollennium'a permanent home is Greater Omaha Packing Company in Greater Omaha Packing Comwas founded in 1920, and Davis is pany's South. Omaha corporate the third generation to be involved in offices, designed by architect Randy the business. With annual sales of Brown, who won a national award for more than $550 million, the company its original design. is one of the largest privately held For more information, contact the beef processing companies in the U.S. Greater Omaha office at 341-3480.
Panera Bread Company opened Borders bookstores will present its first Omaha bakery-style cafe in author Rita Mae Brown reading, June with a $1000 donation to the selections from her newest work, Heartland Chapter of the American Outfoxed, at its 72nd and Dodge Red Cross. Panera has continued its Street location, Wednesday, Jan. charitable activities by donating 12, at 7 p.m. Brown, author of the unsold bread items to local shelters best-selling novel Ruby fruit Jungle, and food pantries. will sign copies of her new murder Students from Creighton University mystery. For information about volunteer to pick up the bread at the Borders events, call the hotline, 393end of each day and take it to Sienna 3758. Frances House, Vincent House and Annette Sherman Fettman Together, Inc. Other day-end donations go to the Stephen Center, received an Award of Excellence for Catholic Charities Juan Diego Center her bronze sculpture, Outcry, at the second annual Spiritual '99 Exhibiand Campus foV Hope. tion and the Period Gallery.
December 31,1999
YJE.S.
Members will meet Monday in the auditorium of the JCC. Exercise with Michelle Streif at 10:15 a.m. in the auditorium. Or try your luck at bingo with Eileen Remer at 1OS3O in room 10. Bring articles to share for t h e "YES Talk" discussion group, led by Art Grossman, at H. Following lunch at n o o n , Rabbi Debbie Stiel of Temple Israel will Bpeak. For transportation, call 330-4272; Reminder: Membership dues for: 2000 are'how due. Please mail your check for $2 to YiE.S., c/o Maggie Conti, 323 S. 132nd St;., Omaha, NE 6 8 1 5 4 .
.•-..; • • .•••• • : . . . , ; , : ; ! • / . ' .. ;;.
WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise starts at 10:15 a m , and bingo a t 10:30. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 1L30 in room 10. At noon, enjoy Game Day and win money! For transportation, call 330-4272. OCTL TUESDAY, J a n . 4: Beth Israel hosts "Stories from the Books of the Early Prophets," 7pan4 :'' - WEDNESDAY, J a n . 5: Lunch 'n Learn will be hosted by Bob and Myra Oberman, 710 J.E. George. Blvd;, a t n o o n ; "Modern, Spoken Hebrew," .hosted by Al Ross, 676 N. 56th St, is
Make reservations for t h e a t 6 : 3 0 p a n ; ; ; 7 ••;•••••• .'•• . . . . . . Millennium Bash on Monday,. J a n . . THURSDAY, J a n 6 : Beth El . 17. Special musical entertainment by Synagogue hosts Talmud Tractate Eileen and Miles Remer and their- Pesachim at 7 pan. . accompanist, E s t h e r Wax. Call. For more information about these or Maggie by Jan. 10 at 334-6521. other Omaha Center for, Torah Learning programs, please contact . I.. VlfflONS .. . . . . Rabbi Shlomo Levin at 551-1564. . Celebrate the Installation of Officers for the year 2000 on Friday, J a n . 21, B'NAIB'RITHBREADBREAKERS Bob Wolfson, ADL/CRC Regional 12:30 pjn., at Caniglia's Venice Inn. Cost is $7 per person. light musical pro- Director, .will speak at B'nai B'rith gram by Stan Widman and Esther Wax. Breadbreakers on Wednesday. He Please send reservation form by will give an update on current issues. January 14 to Jim Wax, 118 S. 88th St, B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers meets Omaha, NE 68114. Make check payable every Wednesday at noon at to Jewish Senior Services. Pastimes Restaurant, 129th and Visions membership dues for the year West Maple. The program is open to 2000 are now due. Please mail your the community; cost is $8.50. check and form to Visions in the amount of $5 per person to: Selma Sadofsky, 39FOREVER 7092 Charles St, Omaha, NE 68132. The first activity of the New Year is IMAX at the Henry Doorly Zoo on J a n . 16 at 4 p.m., followed by dinner BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD Open board meeting on Tuesday, at Spaghetti Works. For additional information, contact Jan. 11,10-aan. Call Bernice Cohen Maxine Noodell at 393-7624. at 558-3423.
Eye View Lots of things come to me via the Internet these days—jokes, stories, recipes and even an electronic chain letter, to name a few. Recently, a good friend forwarded an interesting piece of material she thought I would appreciate. It wasn't done in any particular literary form, but was more what I call "stream of consciousness." The author is unknown to me, but the thoughts she expressed are (in my opinion) worth passing along. You be the judge of the following lines, which I edited slightly. " I find I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm also spending more time admiring a lovely view and less time fussing about the weeds which need pulling. I'm spending more time with family and friends and less on unimportant "busywork."I'm thinking that life, whenever possible, should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not just to endure. I'm trying to recognize those special moments, which should be cherished. I'm not saving things anymore. I set the table with the good china and silver every day, in order to 'enjoy their beauty regularly, not just on certain occasions. I wear my good • earrings all the time now, even with blue jeans. More of that effort to routinely enjoy something lovely. I'm not saving my good perfume anymore either. Who am I saving it for anyway? I'm trying to stop saying someday and one-of-these-days. I'm beginning to realize if it's worth seeing or doing, I want to see or do it now. I'm trying not to put off, holdback, or save anything that would add pleasure and luster to our lives. I try to remember, that every day is a gift to be appreciated... . . As I re-read these random thoughts,
by Bert Lewis
it occurs to me they were written by somebody who has reason to realize that life is really too short to waste on foolish saving and hoarding. Yes, I know there are those who would say it's extravagance to "use up" the best we have on everyday living, and maybe they're right. In my heart, I don't think so. Some of those old cliches come to mind....such as the commercial which says, "you only go around this way once, etc., etc." (The smart alec says if you do it right, once is enough, but you know what is meant by the phrase.) I think the very young and the very old are the groups who might find the most to believe in some of these musings. Children are impatient and want instant gratification, and older citizens often figure they waited long enoughJet's enjoy life now, before it's too late. The generations in between need to worry about day-to-day problems and seldom have time to stop and "enjoy the view." I don't think there's anything new about any of this. I suspect that as people mature and have time to take some kind of inventory, they arrange their priorities more carefully. Maybe the woman who expressed the above thoughts has been faced with some kind of tragic personal problem and has decided not to waste any more precious time. Whatever was the reason, her simple statements make good advice for most of us. So here we are, on the brink of a new year and a new century. A clean slate, so to speak. A good time to try to at least find a happy medium. Maybe we don't all want to use "the good china and silver" every day, but how about remembering that every day is a gift to be appreciated?
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
by Art Grossman
To paraphrase the proverb—"Better part is that Maggi Conti and Eileen is half a loaf than no bread"--"Half an Reemer join in warbling parts of the OT/Y.E.S. turnout is better than no lyrics. turnout." At the Early Bird discussion the That was the situation Dec. 20 fol- subject of Israel/Syria peace overlowing the winter's first avalanche of tures are in the works. I reviewed a snowflakes. ....' '.'..• lengthy editorial "Cape & Sword* by About one-half of normal atten- Mark Helprin, a contributing editor dance braved the cold and icy streets. of the Wall Street Journal. But the remorseful disappointment Helprin compares the talk of returnwas that 1 Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, ing the Golan to Syria to that of a bull scheduled to address the group, had confronting a matador.. The bull sees to postpone. However, he will be the cape but does not see the sword rescheduled for a later date. . . . concealed until the final plunge.':;. • Whenever there i s a break in Israel has a tough choice. ; ' appearances of a speaker, out comes. We paused in reverent respect in Musical Bingo for entertainment. It , memorium for Rose Nadler, Bess will never-cause-the Council Bluffs Raznick Katzman, Louis Kaiman and casinos to collapse, but one can win a N o r m a W u c k e r . ,••••.-.• " \ couple of. groschen if lucky. The nice Shalom. / ;
ADL lambastes SNL for 'lame' satire of pop stars who spew anti-Semitism byTomTugend
LOS ANGELES (JTA) - The AntiDefamation League is not amused by a "Saturday Night Live" satire in which cast members, posing as pop stars, said that Jews own all the banks and that Christians have forgiven them for "killing our Lord." But NBC, after flip-flopping over whether it will air the sketch again in reruns, finally decided it will not edit out the portion that offended some Jews. The network said, in a statement, that its viewers "overwhelmingly felt that this sketch was a typical SNL parody" while NBC acknowledged that it is difficult to strike a "balancetetween being politically correct and being funny in a nonhurtful way." After the skit aired, ADL National Director Abraham Foxman dispatched
•
•••••'• '•'*" -"•'
a letter to Rosalyn Weinman, NBC's, head of broadcast content policy, blasting the skit for reviving "anti-Semitic stereotypes at their worst" and calling it "a lame attempt at humor." Foxman said he was reacting to widespread protests by viewers. • In her response, Weinman pledged to take the offending portion out of the sketch in reruns. But later, NBC said t h a t the entire m a t t e r was "under review." Lome Michaels, Executive Producer of SNL, also joined in the fray,
telling The Washington Post last week that the ADL "trivializes the important work they're supposed to: be doing with this kind of nonsense." * In a statement, Foxman accused NBC of choosing "the low road" in its decision to rerun the skit.
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 31,1999
Living in three centuries — (Continued from page 1) Her father came from Russia first and the plan was that Sophie would come with her brother, Ed, until their father had enough money to bring the rest of the family. However, she was so lonesome for her mother and cried so much that her father " managed to scrape up enough money for the rest of the family to come sooner than expected.
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Sophie and Dave KapIan-1930 Because of Sophie's tears, the family managed to come to America before the start of World War I. Family members often joked if Sophie hadn't cried, it would have been impossible to get the family out because of the Communist Revolution. During the long trip from Russia, Sophie remembers being separated from Ed. She managed to "steal" her brother from the men's side and he traveled with the women for the rest of the trip. Sophie still speaks of the closeness of her family. Sophie had gone to school in Russia and didn't attend school after she arrived in America. When asked how she learned to speak English, she recalled, "I don't know! I just learned!" Even at 102, she speaks impeccable English with very little accent. She has a wonderful vocabulary and uses words such as "phenomenon." Family members say that she became self educated and has a keen business sense. Since Sophie wasn't as "knock-out beautiful" as her younger sisters, Frieda and Manya, her parents were afraid that she would become an "old maid." Therefore, they, decided she would go out West to visit her uncle. It was hoped that there would be a wider choice of young men for her. Dave Kaplan, an immigrant who worked for her uncle, met her at the train station. It was "love at first sight" for Sophie and Dave and they were married soon after. She recalled their life as being "happy and easy!" Shortly after their marriage, Sophie and Dave opened a grocery store in Missouri Valley, IA, where she remembered working very hard. Family members recalled she always carried a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. According to Marcia Kushner, her niece, "Sophie literally wore the paint off of the shelves cleaning." Although Sophie and Dave never had children of their own—which was of great sadness to her~ nieces and nephews have wonderful memories of spending time with their aunt and uncle. Sophie
remembers baking honey cake, cookies and mamaliga, Romanian polenta When Dave was only in his 50s, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and the couple decided to sell then- store and move to New York City, where Sophie would take care of her aging parents. According to Sophie, Sophie Kaplan "Our apartment, on 3 West 73rd St., was the hub of much family activity. We had a good time there because family would come to see us. Whenever Teppennans came to town, I would fix up a meal and we would party. Sometimes, we played bridge and I always loved to play!" Family members recall that Sophie's house was immaculate and her hospitality was legendary. According to Kushner, her aunt was always a "flaming liberal" who always supported the underdog. "Aunt Sophie followed politics until she was in her 90's and was well-versed on political candidates.-She supported such organizations as Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity." Kushner also remembers that Sophie always had a nice figure and dressed well. Although she was very petite, she always wore stylish, good clotheB. "She didn't wear faddish things, but her things were of good quality and well-fitting," Kushner added. "She never even owned a pair of slacks until she moved to the Blumkin Home. I always remember she wore good leather Red Cross Shoes!" After the death of her parents, Sophie and Dave moved to Miami, FL, where Sophie would walk down Collins Boulevard at a fast clip. She was joined by friendswho walked with her every morning. As a result of this exercise, she is still able to maneuver-around the Home even without the help of a cane. She is quite agile and can even bend down to tie her own shoes. If there is music available, she still likes to "boogey" a little. She admits now that she would have, liked to have danced more wh'eii'she was younger. Marty Ricks, Endowment Director for the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, recalled Sophie and Dave's Red and White Food Store in Missouri Valley: "They sold their store to another Jewish family when they retired. While they were in Missouri Valley, they socialized with my parents, Sally and Morris Ricks, because we were the only two Jewish families in the town," Marty said. "Sophie and my mother still have conversations and recall things. It was different to live as a Jew in a small town in Western Iowa!," he added. Sophie doesn't have a secret for long life. She thinks that family closeness and the way. in which you live have something to do with the length of your life. On the other hand, she noted, "A lot has to do with what kind of a person you are, and who you were born from! I had a wonderful mother and father and it was just a natural thing for me to grow up to be a happy person!"
The Tax Man Cometh! Be prepared! As a service to our readers, the Jewish Press will publish a special
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Pashchenkos (Continued from page 1) Immigrant Aid Society, who immediately informed the family that there was a change in destination and that their new home would be in Omaha, NE. "We felt i t was okay," said Gene. "It's still America," and they could move after one year, Upon arriving in Omaha, the Pashchenkos were met at Eppley Airport by other Russians who had already settled in Omaha, and Natalie Rubin, who was the Jewish Family Service Resettlement Coordinator at the time. Gail praised Rubin for her help in getting the family settled in Omaha. Their first year was busy as the newly-arrived family learned how to find a job, took English language classes and procured everything from a driver's license to a social security number. They were helped financially by Social Services and Jewish Family Service, which also provided furniture and food. Omaha's Russian Jewish com-* munity also helped the newcomers, and they are especially grateful to Gregory and Genya Tsyrlin. Gail now works fulltime as a consultant at Bass & Associates, a computer consulting firm. Gene also works fulltime as an installer with Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. They're both taking college classes. Gail earned an associate degree in computer' technology at Metro Community College; She is now pursuing an accelerated program in management information systems at Bellevue University. She'll complete her courses in April. Gene was working on a degree in automotive technology at Metro but changed his major to computer science. He will complete the program in a year. Last year, both Gail and Gene received scholarships from the Jewish Federation. Gail received another scholarship this year to help with her expenses at Bellevue University. "Our financial-need scholarships are not just for those who are in their late teens and early 20's," stated Marty Ricks, Executive Director of The Foundation of the Jewish Federation. "Scholarships are available for students of all ages. The Pashchenkos are a good example of a family who has benefitted from, our scholarship program to enhance their financial circumstances by furthering their education." . Julia is a high school freshman and has most of the same interests as her American-born classmates. Some of Gene's family have now immigrated to Omaha. Gail's mother, father and sister still live in Lithuania. She misses them but realizes "our life would not be as good there as here." "We would like the people (of Omaha) to know that the money they donate for scholarships is really needed," Gail emphasized. "Maybe someday, we can help. We think about it," she added. Gene agreed, "We have to share with others."
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7
December 31,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Approaching the millennium
Is Y2K a Jewish issue? Depends on who you ask •
. • . :•
by Debra Nussbaum C o h e n
NEW YORK (JTA) -- Here's the big question: Y2K-Y4US? Is the change of the secular calendar from 1999 to 2000 a Jewish issue? Some insist that the change of the millennium doesn't take place until the calendar rolls over to 2001. But no matter when they think the current era comes to a close, people on both sides of the overall philosophical divide are taking firm stands. "Jews should butt out of the turn of the millennium," said Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, a historian and visiting Professor of the Humanities at New York University. "If s not our calendar. We are not at the turn of our millennium." Many in the Jewish community share Hertzberg's perspective. Two prominent kosher restaurants in the New York area canceled planned shabbat-oriented New Year's Eve parties. The prominent kosher supervision agencies that supervise them prohibited Mend/s Deli in Manhattan, and strongly discouraged Noah's Ark in Teaneck, N.J., from holding such celebrations. Others, however, say that although the millennium isn't an intrinsically Jewish occasion, it still provides an opportunity—much like Rosh Hashanah-for Jews to reflect on our experiences and goals. "This next millennium, replete with all its hype, gives us an opportunity to look out at the world and to try and make sense of what we see, to attempt to clarify what we want the future to hold," Rabbi Rachel Sabath, an associate at CLAL, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, wrote in a recent essay. "Particularly in a.time when the world seems upside down, it becomes even more essential to have an orientation, a sense of time, core values that transcend all interpretations, all religions, and all political parties," she wrote. Still' others say that no matter what our personal feelings about the change in the Christian-created calendar, it would be naive for Jews to ignore the turn of the millennium. Jews should be prepared for possible technological 'problems, they say, and should be concerned about a potential backlash by right-wing Christians whose mesBianic aspirations remain unfulfilled when the calendar rolls over and Jesus has not returned to earth. "Though apocalyptic expectations have always been proven wrong, wrong doesn't mean inconsequential," Richard Landes, Director of the Center for Millennial Studies at Boston University, warned at a recent symposium on the millennium, which was sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. : •• "The more wrong people are, the more passionate" they are," he said. : Rabbi A. James Rudin, Director of interfaith affairs for the American Jewish Committee, is also concerned. "A lot of my fellow Jews take the turning of the millennium as a joke, but I don't," he said. "For some Christians, Dec. 31 is just a night for a great party. But a lot of other Christians take it very seriously. There's the wise, prudential jubilee approach of introspection and atonement for what we've done . wrong, which is the Catholic approach," he said. "Then there's the prophecy crowd from among extreme evangelical Protestants who make apocalyptic claims for the second coming of Jesus." : Until recently, prominent conservative evangelical leaders—including the Revs. James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and James Kennedy-were predicting mass upheaval and warning their followers to prepare by stockpiling dried food, water and weapons in advance of an apocalyptic scenario recounted in the Christian Bible's Book of Revelation. Christian broadcaster Dobson. even gave each of his 1,300 employees an extra $500 to prepare for Y2K, according to a report in the Religion News Service. Several who had predicted widespread social crisis have in recent weeks largely backed off such doomsday scenarios, wrote the news service, but other Christian,, fundamentalists and extreme-right hatemongers ; remain a threat, according to "Y2K Paranoia: Extremists Confront the Millennium," a report pub-' lished recently by the Anti-Defamation League. Inherent in Christian theology is the belief that Jesus will return to earth, ushering in the messianic era. There are some, primarily right-wing evan-, gelical Christians, who believe that the historical Btage has now been set for that chapter to begin, since conditions prophesied in their Bible have been fulfilled: , The State of Israel's creation in 1948; Jerusalem's reuni-
fication under Jewish control in 1967; and the ingathering to Israel of oppressed Jews, particularly from the former Soviet Union, since the 1980s. When there are high expectations "and then nothing happens, there could be a backlash," Rudin said. "If Jesus doesn't come back, who can they blame?" Rudin asked. "Historically, Jews have often been blamed for not cooperating in this Christian end of the world plan." Others are more concerned about technology than theology. They say that a failure of computer systems worldwide to recognize the change of the millennium could have disastrous consequences for individuals, communities and the environment. Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Director of the Shalom Center, which is a division of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, says that the whole problem stems from an overreliance on computers, which he has dubbed "techno-idolatry." • His concerns range from the potential interruption of crucial supplies of oil, food and medicines to what he believes is the worst case scenario: "a chemical plant or nuclear plant going haywire, releasing massive amounts of poisonous chemicals. Most nuclear plants require electricity to shut down, so not being abletodo so could make serious trouble," he said. To prepare, he and his wife have stockpiled two weeks' worth of supplies for five people: bottled water, cans of tuna, vegetables and fruit, as well as flashlights and batteries, and a radio powered by turning a crank.. They are keeping lots of books close by, especially a Bible. Waskow has tried to use his pulpit through seminars at the Jewish Renewal retreat center Elat Chayyim in New York-to convince Jews that the real solution to millennial concerns is to work toward a greater sense of community by increasing personal contact between people rather than continuing to rely so heavily on technology. "I for one am not ready to give up the batteries and bottled water in my kitchen cabinet," said Pam Schafler, an ADL lay leader who introduced the millennium symposium there last month, 'j /••• For bis part, Landes said that even if the calendar changes over from 1999 to 2000 without incident, debate and fear will not end. "I don't think it's intelligent to assume that this will all decrease next year," he said.
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Page 12 '•'•'"'"Jewish" Press,'Omaha, l4E
December 31,
Isaacson's millennium music comes to Omaha
Bible Quiz awardswinners
by Joanie Jacobson
i The 14th Annual Edward Zorinsky B'nai B'rith Bible Quiz was held earlier this.month. Steve Riekes, chairman of the event, presented Noah Priluck, son of Ira and Shiela Priluck, with the first place trophy. He was awarded a $500 prize. • Brandon Rich, eon of Phil and Diane Rich, won [the second-place $300 scholarship. Michael IPineman, winner of the $200 third-place prize, is . ithe ;s6n? of Glen and Hollie Fineman. Fourth place jwinher, Steve Stemberg, is the son of Walter and Mary Sternberg. He will receive a $100 prize. All prize monies are to be used for college tuition or a triptoIsrael. Rabbis Aryeh Azriel, Paul Drazen arid Howard Kuther, along with Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, judged the event. Gloria Kaslow was' the Quizmaster; Ron Gordon was timekeeper. Stanley Mitchell, along with Elyce Azriel, Scott Iittky and Julie Kushner, helped coordinate the event. Prior to the contest, participants, as well as the .high school religious school classes from Beth El and Temple, were invited to a dinner hosted by , Henry Monsky Lodge. '.
Noah Priluck, left, and Brandon Rich are congratulated by Stanley Mitchell, Bible Quiz coordinator.
. - < . . •
•••..•''•
.....-••
"While only God can create something from noth- Susan, also an educator.. His talents as an orchestraing, humans inevitably create something from tor, composer and conductor were quickly recognized, something else. When asked, Vhich came first, the and Isaacson began assisting Alex North, Elmer music or the lyrics?' my friend, the late lyricist Bernstein, Charles Fox and Walter Scharf. He composed his own music for the mini-series Rich Man, Sammy Cahn, replied, The phone call!1" . These are the words of Michael Isaacson, Poor Man II; Captains and Kings, Little Women, acclaimed composer of L'Maaseih Vreisheet-To Hawaii Five-0, many movies of the week and the Recreate the World, a world premiere musical per-daytime series Loving arid Days of Our Lives. formance to be presented at He also arranged for Beth El Synagogue on the Bob Hope Show and Saturday, Jan. 22, at John Williams and the 8 pm. The program will Boston Pops. In 1985, he benefit the Beth El Scholbegan to record CDs arship Fund. The entire with the Israel PhilharOmaha community is invitmonic Orchestra in Tel edtoattend. Aviv. • ••• . ; In 1990, Isaacson was "So it was, in 1997, that appointed Founding Cantor Jay Frailich of Music Director' of The University Synagogue made Milken Archive of 20th 'the phone call* to me," Century American JewIsaacson explained, "Would ish Music that, when it be possible to create completed, will contain something of Jewish musithe greatest documentacal consequence for the new tion of a Jewish musical century and the new millenperiod ever produced. nium?' During the last decade, "In contrast to those.who he has composed three believe the millennium Sabbath services, severhas nothing to do with the al cantatas, and music American Jewish commufor the' Jewish Heritage nity, Cantor Frailich and I Museum in New York believe that part of the and the Skirball Culuniqueness of Judaism tural Center in Los lies in its particular abiliAngeles. He has rety to create meaningful ceived many awards, responses to both sacred . „._. . _ _ including the ASCAP and secular occasions." ' ' Michael Isaacson Isaacson, also known for his television and fea- Standard Composition Award and the Kavod ture film music, is considered one of America's Award for lifetime achievement from the leading composers of Jewish music, with more than International Cantors Assembly. Dr. Isaacson's work has been characterized as 500 publications of secular and sacred music and both tuned and cerebral, innovative and tradition35 recordings and CDs to his credit. Born in Brooklyn in 1946, he attended Yeshiva al, contemporary and classic, academic and Rambam, Madison and Sheepshead Bay High Schools "Hollywood." But though his work defies easy and Hvuiter and Brooklyn College. After briefly teach- labeling, Michael Isaacson continuestobe a major ing for the New York City Board of Education, he generating force in the advancement of Jewish returned to study at the Eastman School of Music, music in our time. For further information on the concert, contact where he earned a PhD in composition. He moved to Los Angeles in 1976 with his wife, Cantor Emil Berkovits at Beth El, 492-8550.
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Winners Steve Sternberg and Michael Fineman and Bible Quiz chairman Steve Riekes, center, relax after the contest..
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