March 10, 2000

ewish Presn

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SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR NEARLY 80 YEARS VoLLXXDC

No. 27

Omaha, NE

Dick Schaap to speak at B'nai B'rith Charity Sports Banquet

by Howard Borden. Publicity Chairman Dick Schaap, host of ESPN's The Sports Reporters, will be guest speaker at the B'nai B'rith Charity Sports Banquet on Wednesday, May 10, at Aksarben. Master of Ceremonies will be Omaha personality David Goldstein. In addition, Charlie McBride, former Defensive Coordinator at UNL, will be honored for his many dedicated years of service in coaching and promoting Nebraska University football.

"Dick Schaap is one of America's most versatile sports writers," said event chairman Jim Farber. "We are looking forward to hearing about "The Sports World According to iaap.™

This marks [the 46th annuSports Banit sponsored Lodge B'nai B'rith. The Lodge annually honors the Metro area high school male and female student-athletes with the Bert Render and Earl Siegel Memorial Awards. Benefiting from the banquet will be various B'nai B'rith and local charities.

"Dick Schaap is quickly becoming the standard by which sports reporters on television and radio will have to be measured," according to The Washington Star. He is recognized for his multiple abilities as an interviewer, journalist and commentator. .. Critically acclaimed for his work in print and broadcast journalism, Schaap has won five Emmy Awards and a Cable Ace Award as the best sports commentator/analyst. He also received-one of the Columbia Journalism School's 50th Anniversary Awards.

Schaap'B weekly program on ESPN, The Sports Reporters, in which he orchestrates a round table discussion among sportswriters, has become a favorite among athletes, coaches and fans. '•";.': As a journalist, he hap covered major sporting events from the Super Bowls, World. Series and Horseracing's Triple Crpwn to the Olympics. He has written more than 30 books on sports personalities including Bo Jackson, Jerry Kramer, Phil Simms and Joe Mon- tana. Schaap has been City Editor of The New York Herald Tribune, Senior Editor of Newsweek, Editor of Sport, Magazine, correspondent' for NBC,News, ABC\ -«Eg^k ,'i News, ABC's 20120, and co-hostof the Joe Na-, math Show.

Born in Brooklyn, as a teenager Schaap worked I , for the NassaU;Pail£\ ReviewrStar. After grad-1 ., ,. ..•-•• uating from Cornell V CharlieMcBride >' University, he attended the Columbia University ; . Graduate School of Journalism. He recently was '' V honored with their Alumni Award for .Career !

Achievenjent. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and family. ; (Continued on page 7) '

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March lv,

Second annual Purim Gala slated for March 21

by Nancy Wolf, Jewish Cultural Arts Council Chairman

Following the success of last year's "Purim in Eilat," the Jewish Cultural Arts Council invites the community to another gala Purim event on Tuesday, March 21, at the Jewish Community Center. The evening will begin at 4:45 pan., with the reading of the Megillah by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. A kosher dinner will be served at 6 p.m. hi the JCC Gallery and Auditorium.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Tufty Epstein and the Klezmorim Band. Jugglers, mimes and clowns will also be on hand and teens from Beth Israel Synagogue are busy planning children's activities, including a Purim carnival.

A costume parade is scheduled for the JCC Theater, followed by a Purim shpiel, or play, with surprise community participants.

Tickets are $18 for patrons, $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 10 and under. Patrons will receive special seating and will be recognized in the program. Vegetarian meals are available by reservation only. Deadline for reservations, including payment, is March 14. For information, call JCC Member Services at 334-6426.

Chairmen of the event are Georgiann Steinberg and Charlotte Kaplan. Committee members include (Continued on page 2)

Nebraska ETV plans PBS documentary on UNO Cave of Letters expedition

by Gary Hochman. Executive Producer, Nebraska ETV Network

;

Imagine yourself in a dark place where the floor dig led by famed Israeli general and archeologist beneath you is covered with rocks. The air is full of Yigael Yadin. At that time, Yadin and dozens of dust, and you and your companions must share volunteers uncovered vast numbers of artifacts, this space with bats...hundreds of them. This is personal effects and documents from participants then* home; you are an intruder. of the legendary Jewish revolt. Among the remarkNow, imagine that this is how you must live for able finds were 15 letters from the revolt's leader, months, in hiding, with only those belongings and Bar-Kokhba, and a basket containing the worldly food items you could gather in a hurry. Three hun- possessions and documents belonging to one of his dred feet; above you are men who want to end your followers, a mysterious woman named Babitha. lfleTsSnply because yotrare a Jew, who declared your ~ These finds are extraordinary in archeology, writings that indicate the lifestyle and challenges' facindependence and are willing to fight for freedom. ing the rebels. Without this scientific expedition, Welcome to the Cave of Letters.

These images evoke a sense of what men, women we might never have had physical evidence that Bar-Kokhba and chilexisted, outside dren of secof reports from ond century Roman historiIsrael enans. And we cerdured in tainly would the battle never have for religious known about and nationBabitha, a al freedom woman whose during the life was revealed Bar-Kokhba only in the conRevolt text of the Cave against the of Letters. This Roman Empire. to This i s Participants prepare to enter the mouth of the Cave of the u ^ n , , ^ Letters in last summer's exploration.

Photo by Carl Mihme, UNO-TV. history preReturn to the Cave of Letters will provide extensented in the active tense. It's compelling drama of their final days, unraveled from clues literally sive location videotape of all phases of the excavation, giving viewers a sense that they are experiburied under rocks in a cave.

In July, University of Nebraska at Omaha archeol- encing the thrills and frustrations of the dig as it ogist Rami Arav, Omaha physician Gordon takes place. As the excavation unfolds, previous .

Moshman and I are prepared to investigate this sce- discoveries from the cave and Dead Sea region will nario, as UNO excavates the Cave of Letters, one of be shown through historical records, archival film last century's most acclaimed, archeological sites. and photographs, personal accounts from excavaNebraska ETV is poised to document this scientific tors of earlier expeditions, and re-enactments feasearch for Jewish history in a national PBS televi- turing the writings of Bar-Kokhba and Babitha. sion program called Return to the Cave ofLetters.

For me, this is an eye-opening opportunity to The documentary will begin production in June, view our ancestors through then- own words and possessions. The fears they faced in the waning if major sponsors are found by April.

Return to the Cave of Letters melds archeology moments of the revolt are frozen in time, waiting to with a riveting story about a quest for religious be unlocked by modern technology. ; freedom, the tragic Bar-Kokhba Revolt, in which History is about people, not just events.. The Roman warriors killed more than 500,000 Jews. prospect of walking amidst the ruins is a reminder The storyline will unfold in the present, as a new of how fortunate we are to live at a time in which archeological excavation, led by Rami Arav and our heritage does not threaten our very existence.

Richard Freund (University of Hartford) begins.

Documenting, the new excavation presents an eduResearchers anticipate that new artifacts lie cational opportunity for anyone interested in how beneath the rocky cave floor, littered with boulders science can verify Biblical history. For our children, from an ancient earthquake,'There's so much rub- if s a way to bring the history of our people to life. ble that earlier excavations were only able to For Rami Arav, the Cave of Letters is a cuttingsearch the cave's perimeter areas. edge scientific investigation.

This will be the first excavation since the 1960-61 (Continued on page 11)

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MARCH 10 Beth El Kadimah Kinnus, at Beth El Russian Club, 10 a m.

Temple Israel "Shabbat Comes to You," 3:45 p.m., at Remington Heights Scholar Weekend, 6 p.m., at Beth El SATURDAY, MARCH 11 C Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel L Beth El Kadimah Kinnus, at Beth El I Fellman Scholar Weekend, 9:30 a.m., Both El , • ---:1. .;•• p Melaveh Malkah-BESTT Grades 7 & 8,5:15 pjn., Beth El : Humash Class, 6:45p.m., at Beth El g, • • •• SUNDAY,MARCH 12 Men's Club Brunch, 10 a m . , at Temple Israel SKadimah Kinnus, at Beth E l . , :•••'•.

A Fellman Scholar Weekend, 10 a jn., at Beth El " V JFO Board Retreat, Noon g Singles Tea Party, 1 p.m., at the Riekes Museum JCC Camp.

Day, 1p.m.

Israel Experience Prep Class, 1:30 pjn.

MONDAY, MARCH 13 YES Program, 9:30 a jn.

JELS Lecture Series "The Ten Commandments," 730 pjn. .

"In the News," 7:30 pjn., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, MARCH 14 WRJ Executive Committee, 11:30 a jn.,at Temple WRJ Board Meeting, Noon, at Temple Israel Sisterhood Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., Beth Israel Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Drazen, Noon, Beth El BBYO Night, 6 p.m. . : Beth Israel Speaker on Kashrut, 7 p.m., RBJH Auditorium Bamidbar with Rabbi Levin, 7:30 p.m., Beth Israel Community Conversation, 7:30 pjn., at Temple Executive Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El _ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 ^ Beth Israel Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Kutner, Noon, : • at Noddle Development .

• I Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel Beth El High School, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El . Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El *• • THURSDAY, MARCH 16 e Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. ? Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel • „ Library Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m., in the Library v Beth El USY Night, 6:30 p.m., at Beth El " CDC Committee Meeting, 7 p.m.

Temple Israel Grade 5 Parent/Child Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel All svsnts hold at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The

Jewish Pnss Is not responsible tor the accuracy of the events.

To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marion* Hert

at 334-6437.

KohlVs PHARMACY & HOMECARE Citywide Delivery 7 Locations

•Hi

Dress, behavior and attitude...

BETTY STERNHELL' • Betty Sternhill died Tuesday, Feb. 29, at the age of 97. Services were held March 3 at Beth Israel Synagogue and Oak Hill Cemetery. .

She was a past president of the B'nai Israel Synagogue Sisterhood and Mercy JHospital Parashah Pekudei This week's parashah reading concludes, and Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. farewell is bidden until next year to the second Isaac Sternhill. fifth of the five books of the Torah.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Within this section, God commands the artisans through Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses, our teacher) to Elaine and Irving Rayman of Los Angeles; son and sew vestments of specific distinctions (Ex 39:1. daughter-in-law, Dr. Vernon and Jackie Sternhill "And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they of Detroit; sister, Sara Mintz of Florida; five grandmade uniforms of service, to do service in the holy children; and four great-grandchildren. place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as VALVAFELDMAN the Lord commanded Moses"), to fashion an oracle Valva Weisman Feldman died at the age of 87. for a definite use and proscribed form (Ex 39:2.

"And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, Services were held March 5 at Beth El Cemetery.

She waB preceded in death by her husband, and scarlet, and fine twined linen") for a memorial before the Lord and to construct a vehicle of sancti- Phillip Feldman.

She is survived by nieces and nephews. ty (Ex 40:1-2. "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shall you set VERATEPPERMAN up the tabernacle of the tent of Meeting"). .

Vera Tepperman died March 6 in Lincoln at the Having left Egypt, the enclave of slavery, God makes the Israelites journey through the desert hop- age of 95. A complete obituary will appear in next ing, since man is given the freedom of decision to week's issue. choose between good and evil, that the quest for returning to servitude of a mortal human will forever vanish from their frame of mind. And, God leads the Israelites to Mount Sinai where they receive the Law (Continued from page 1) of Eternal Standard and are impacted with the mis- Sandy Kohll, Noa Levin, Rosalie Klein and Kathy sion to be a Mamleches Kohanim and a Goy Kodosh Hirshman. Volunteers are also needed to help bake (Ex 19:6. "And you shall be to me a kingdom of hamentashen and work-on decoration's. Two "work and bake" days are scheduled in the kitchen at priests, and a holy nation").

The tri-fold division of the Israelite nation is sim- Beth Israel on March 15 and 16. If interested, call ple: A. The plain Jew (Yisroel) is to mind the duties Georgiann Steinberg at 558-5813.

The Purim Gala is sponsored by Beth El of everyday living and necessities; B. The temple toiler (Levy), is to mind the care of the sanctuary;C. Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Chabad of The priest (Kohen), is to minister for and between Nebraska, the Jewish Cultural Arts Council, the the individuals as well as the entire nation of Israel Jewish Federation of Omaha and Temple Israel. and God. And, having been entrusted with such a high office, the Kohen's attitude, behavior and morality has to be beyond reproach. It makes no difference byOzzieNogg • as to the site or time, form of dress or psychological disposition whether in prayer or appearance Dr. Ofer BenAmots, a member of the music facincluding in the presence of the Supreme Creator ulty at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, will in the Holy of Holies, as it is so well expressed in be the guest during the Dr. Leon Fellman Scholarthe Mussaf prayer of Yom Kippur by the Hazzan, -in-Residence Weekend starting tomorrow at Beth "True!- how majestic was the Kohen Gadol as he El Synagogue. '.•.• . • " " . • • • • left the Holy of Holies in peace, without injury".

A respected composer, as well as a popular The Kohen's added attire, breastplate and ephod, teacher and lecturer, BenAmots will examine the which bore each name of the twelve sons of Israel role of music in Jewish history and observance (B'nei Yisrael), with engravings of a signet, was from biblical times through the present. arranged in tiers according to the tribes line of The musical schedule begins after Shabbat birth and placed in a setting of four rows of stones. morning services and lunch on Saturday, March The first row was a ruby, a topaz, and a beryl; the U, when Dr. BenAmots will present a Torah study second row was a turquoise, a sapphire and a dia- session on "Music in Biblical Times." mond; the third row a jacinth, an agate and a On Saturday evening following havdalah, he will jasper and the fourth row an emerald, an onyx and perform "The Key to the Gates of Heaven" - a look a jade enclosed in settings of gold. This is to teach, inside Hassidic nigguns. us, that in the eyes of God every single Jew, no The weekend ends Sunday at a 10 a.m. breakmatter of what tribe descendance or custom, public fast during which Dr. BenAmots will discuss songs office held or position attained is the same as the of the Yiddish shtetl and perform selections from next fellow Jew. "The first born son of God" (Ex "Shivat Zion"-the music of Israel during the 100 4:22), with no added right of a self-declared impor- years between the start of the Zionist movement to tance but juBt complimenting each other as the the establishment of the State. gems in the Kohen's breastplate.

The Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, including The tent of meeting housed the Ark of Testimony Shabbat lunch, is free and open to the community. which contained the two sets of Tablets given on Mount Sinai (the first set which was broken when the golden cay was made and the second set rested right on top of the first) was erected on the birthday of Isaac, our patriarch (Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei, 12) and caused to stand by the trusted A "first time* "Singles Spree and Tea Party" for servant of God, Moses (Ex 40:2. "On the first day of Jewish singles over 50 years of age will be held the first month shall you set up the tabernacle of Sunday, March 12, 1 p.m., in the Riekes the Tent of Meeting") was to travel with the Jew as Museum at the Jewish Community Center. It a constant reminder to sanctity his heart andto'be will be a time for "chatting and snacking" in addiin constant service and awe of God. tion to touring the historical exhibits at the JCC Thus the Torah teaches us that, as a nation we and in the Gordman Center entryway. are commanded to learn and teach the laws of God. Singles at and over 50 are also asked to bring We are further commanded to present ourselves in family pictures for the archives of the Nebraska the most dignified, serene and sincere manner, Jewish Historical Society. This will be in addition garbed in clothes of good fit and taste, pleasing to to taking time for visiting with others,-enjoying the eye of human God. And finally we are told to be sweet treats and making new friends. respectful and grateful to our teachers and always Plans for this first Jewish Singles over 50 gathaware of the Divine presence of God. ering are being made by co-chairmen Larry A Gutten Shabbes.

Axelrod and Mary Fellman. Future gatherings for Jewish Singles over 50 will be discussed and plans made for other events.

by Rabbi Maximo Shechet

Purim gala

Composer to visit Beth El this weekend

Party scheduled for Jewish Singles over 50

March 10,2000

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

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Member of UnltMt.&ynagogi t of Conbtrvatlvc Judaism1 ;• ,14000 California . FRIDAY: Sb.iMi it i n nine-i rim , H p.m. Ril>ln Aryeh Azriel ami Cantur Juimiur IJluiu will ulticiate. Rabbi Azriel will give the sermon. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by' the parents of Max McCann and Jamie Tully in honor of the B'nai Mitzvah of their children.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 9:30-10:15 ajn.; Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m. Max McCann and Jamie Tully will celebrate their B'nai Mitzvah.

SITTER SERVICE Sitter Service is available each Friday evening, Saturday mornings for Bagels and Bible and the worship service, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious.School. Cost is $2 per family.

Please make a reservation at the Temple office.

MEN'S CLUB SUNDAY, March 12: lox and bagels get-together, 10 ajiL, in the Friedman Social Hall. Cost is $3 for non-members. Guest speakers are David Kramer and Douglas Kagan, who will discuss the pros and cons of the proposed convention/sports auditorium.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, March 12: Jewish History, 10:1511:45 aan. Rabbi Ira Flax will teach about the interconnection between Jewish history and bur religion and culture; TUESDAY, March 16: Sisterhood Adult Education, 10-11:30 ajn. Rabbi Azriel will teach "Scattered Among the Nations—Documents Affecting Jewish History, 49 to 2000 C.E. "SHABBAT COMES TO YOU," FRTOAY, March 17: Rabbi Debbie Stiel will lead Shabbat Services at 2 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m.

'SATURDAY: Morning services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 9 aan.

SUNDAY and TUESDAY: Religious School at the JCC. Rabbi Myer Kripke conducts our adult education class on Sunday, 12:30 p.m., at the JCC. Open to the community at no charge. Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch and drink. V , FRIDAY, March 17: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 pan. , MONDAY, March 20: We will celebrate Purim with residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

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.

Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 pan.

SATURDAY: Torah study, 10 aan.

SUNDAY: Hebrew classes, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 aan.

"NEW BEGINNINGS" New Beginnings is a discussion group for those who are exploring whether conversion to Judaism is right for them. Your Jewish or non-Jewish partner is also encouraged to participate. Participants will meet March 21, at 7:30 p.m. The group is facilitated by Audrie Berman, Outreach Project Director. For more information, call 474-8004.

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Olfici hour. Mijudiij tliruiiyh Thur-djj, ..JLI a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:10 pan., at Beth Israel; West Minyan at the home of Drs. Bonnie Bloch and Howard Gendleman, 125 So. 127th St., 6:10 pan.

SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m.

Kiddush is sponsored by Marilyn Berman in honor of the second wedding anniversary of Harry Berman and Beth Cohen; "Insights into the Parana," 5:30 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m.; Havdallah, 7:08 pan.

SUNDAY: Services, 9 ajn. and 6:15 pan.; WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 ajn. and 6:15 pan.

MONDAY: "In the News," a class led by Rabbi Kutner on the Jewish perspective of current events, 7:30 pan. Call the synagogue for location.

TUESDAY: Sisterhood lunch, 12:30 pan* Megillat Esther class with Rabbi Shlomo Levin, 7 pan.

WEDNESDAY: Business Ethics Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Kutner, noon at Noddle Development, 13710 First National Bank Parkway.

Lunch, by reservation, is $3 from Bagel Bin; Talmud class on Tractate Bava Metzia with Rabbi Kutner, 7:30 pan.; Board of Commissioners meeting, 7:30 pan.

MARCH 17-19: Beth Israel hosts an NCSY Regional mini-Shabbaton; call advisers Allan GonBher, 558-2767; Scott Lewis, 598-5822; or Sr NCSY President Sarah Grossman, 453-3352, for information.

CANTOR-IN-RESEDENCE WEEKEND. March 24-25: Call the synagogue office for more information and to make your reservation, babysitting will be available,

;:>ia&»5o WEB-www.bcthcl-onuihaiora Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael Horwitz.

FRTOAY: Services, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush following services; Devar Torah will be given by Joanna Kay; Sitter service, 10 aan.; TSS, 10 aan.; Ktantan, 10:45 ajn.; Shabbat Story time, 11 ajn,; Hum ash with Rashi study session, 5:45 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 6:15 pan.

SUNDAY: Services, 9 aan.; Perek Yomi "Read a Chapter a Day" group, 10:15 aan.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE WEEKEND Dr. Leon Fellman Scholar-in-Rresidence weekend begins Saturday, March 11, and features Dr. Ofer Ben Amots. See full schedule on page 2.

KIDS LUNCH AND LEARN FRIDAY, March 17: Preschoolers and their parents and grandparents will have a Kids Lunch and Learn from noon-l:15 p.m. Children will bake hamentaschen. For reservations, call Cindy Shulewitz at 493-3255.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m, led by Marty Nearenstone and Beyt Shalom Congregation.

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.

Jodi Levine, daughter of Dr. Michael and ''Cheryl Levine, will I become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 18 at Beth El Synagogue.

Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M Rosenbaum.

A seventh-grade honor Minyan, Monday and Thursday, 7:15 aan. student a t Kiewit FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.

Middle School, she enoys SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior skiing, dancing and Congregation, 10:15 aan. playing tennis. For her ADULT EDUCATION Mitzvah Project, she SUNDAYS: A Passover Seder course will be taught donated canned goods to

by Nancy Coren on Sunday mornings through April 9. area shelters and the PURIM Siena Francis House.

SUNDAY, March 19: Purim Carnival, noonJodi has a brother, Josh.

2:30 p.m.

Grandparents are Harriet and Gardner Lemer of MONDAY, March 20: light dinner, 6:30 pan., folAlbany, NY, and the late Joseph and Marion Levine. lowed by Megillah reading. .

Great-grandmother is Faye Greenstein of Albany.

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Topic of discussion is "How and why must we care for the world's myriad catastrophes?" An Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peggy Deland and Sandra Kurland, follows.

Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

FRIDAY: Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:15 pan.; Kiddush, 6 pan.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha, 4:30 pan., 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.

TUESDAYS Tale of Two Souls,, 9:30-11 aaiu WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 aan.

Sara Cowan, daughter of Alison and Ken Cowan, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 18, at Temple Israel.

An eighth-grade honorroll student at Beveridge Middle School, Sara sings with the Nebraska Children's Chorus and is a goalkeeper with the West Omaha Blazers soccer team. For her Mitzvah Project, she volunteered at the St. Vincent House family shelter and organized a Thanksgiving food drive.

She has a sister, Eliza, 1O.| Grandparents are Muriel and Milton Freifeld of Palm Coast, FL.

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

Waiting for...?

Underneath the gaiety and rejoicing of the Jewish holiday of Pufim (which begins Monday night, March 20) are some important messages.

The obvious one is the salvation of the Jewish people by the Megillah's heroine, Esther. The not-so-obvious message is that God's name is not mentioned even once in the story, so we, as a people, and as individuals, should be prepared to help ourselves.

There's an old joke about a man trapped in his house during a flood. A rescue team drives by in a big four-wheel-drive vehicle and. offers help to the stranded victim.

"No, I'm just fine," he answers.

As the flood waters rise, a rowboat floats down the street (now a rivet1) and a second rescuer offers help.

"No, still okay," the man replies.

Hours later, as the man climbs to the second floor of his waterlogged home, a helicopter hovers overhead and a third rescue team offers help. Again, the victim refuseB. That night, as he waits helplessly on his roof, pleading to God for help, a big voice booms out, "Hey! I already sent three rescue teams.

Whaddya waitin' for?"

Esther didn't wait for help. And we shouldn't either. It doesn't really matter what the goal is: Jewish education, Jewish identity, Jewish survival, care for the elderly, dignified lives for the mentally and physically challenged...there are enough goals in this community alone to keep us busy for years. .

But we can't depend on anyone else to do it for us; it's our responsibility and its time to take it.

SWUi PRINT STUFF

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The (not so) mysterious force behind Olam Magazine

by Julie Gruenbaum Fax, Religion Editor, The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES -David Suissa is trying to hold back, trying to stop himself from calling his campaign for Jewish unity a revolution, or the dawning ofanewera.

But soon enough, as he sits at a gigantic white conference table in his hip Brentwood offices, his humility gives way to his passion. He is so inspired and ready to inspire others, that he can't stop the words, the hyperbole, from flowing.

"This is not our message, it's God's message.

We're all supposed to be His children, and He's got to be looking down on us now and saying, This is not what I had in mind,™ said Suissa, 43. *We have to begin a new era."

Suissa, darkly handsome with thick gray hair and penetrating coffee-colored eyes, has summoned all the passion of his heart and all the power of his top-rated advertising agency to "make people fall in love with Judaism and their fellow Jews," he said.

It started with 1.1 million copies of his brainchild, Olam Magazine. The full-color publication swarms with articles by every kind of Jew Suissa could find, on every topic he could think of. He distributed Olam - which means world and stands for One Light for All Mankind, or, One Label for All the Mishpacha — throughout the country as an insert in both Jewish publications and select zip codes of subscribers to the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

Along with the slickly designed magazine came the Web site, which is recording more than 30,000 hits per week, more advertising and billboards in the LA. area, T-shirts calling for "Ashkefardicultrarefoconservadox" Jews to unite. Next came Cafe Olam, and soon a television ad in Israel.

"You hit 'em and you hit 'em and you hit 'em, millions of sparks of unity, nonstop, you just blanket the country with sweetness, not debate, with honey," said Suissa.

It would be easy to dismiss Suissa and his metaphors as arrogant or delusional, if two things weren't plainly obvious: He has the resources to do this, and the motive. He is madly in love with the Jewish people, and he is blown away by the fact that he might have found a way to help others feel that love.

Suissa believes in ambiance. It's clear the moment you come off the elevator and. see "Suissa Miller" spray-painted across a wall of corrugated metal and walk on the giant swaths of clashing car-

pet samples that cover the vast area.

The frantic banging and rolling sound coming from up the airy staircase turns out to be a foosball table, where two of Suissa's team of 23 creative people have just finished a game.

"Growing up in Morocco with my family^ ambiance and atmosphere were a really important part of our upbringing. You want people in an atmosphere that is pleasant and comfortable and joyful, and it makes everything easier," he said.

"In a way the unity campaign is really about atmosphere, putting honey in the atmosphere. The music of unity is playing and it helps break our barriers, softening the edges, sweetening the edges."

And what exactly does he mean by unity? Suissa laughed at the question.

"If s a state of mind," he noted. "We don't want to spell out what we think Jewish unity is, we don't want to tell them what to do. If we can enter their consciousness with the notion of Jewish unity, they will find millions of individual, ways of expressing that. For some people it might mean never saying a bad word about another Jew... for another it might mean being open to the taste and melodies of another group.

"It's awe-inspiring how much we have in common," Suissa added. "When people realize that they are less threatened. All of a sudden, differences become delicious."

Entering the subconscious is just one of the tools of modern marketing Suissa has employed in the Olam campaign.

His firm created the SkyTel ad, which ran locally during the Super Bowl, that has an opera diva sending a spear through an audience member's cellphone, and the Boston Market campaign that featured Calvin Kleinesque models talking about a "burning inside," to which sportscaster Keith Obennan replies, "eat something."

His Edmunds.com spots for a car information service yielded the second highest increase in hits on a Web site following a campaign.

He's also produced many, public service announcements, such as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America campaign.

"In advertising, you buy 20 million viewers on TV, you buy a magazine ad, you buy a million readers, so you want to find universal truths that apply to all of them, otherwise it's like paying for a dozen bagels and getting two," he said. "To me, the idea of unity is a universal truth. You rarely find a Jew

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 «gshpress®aoLcom> Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish ' Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198.

Lloyd RoIHtoln Chairman Carol Katzman Editor-in-Chief Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Larry Axalrod Advertising Manager Barbara Frankel Rocky Stem Sales representatives JonlnaE.Sadot»ky Bookkeeper Jen Gates Production Assistant.

George Schaplro Volunteer

who will say, 1 don't want unity." .

Suissa said he has several major supporters for the campaign, and that small donations keep coming in. He's also called in favors to get goods and services donated, and has his own Suissa Miller staff working on the magazine. All this, he says, makes it tough to put an exact figure on how much money has gone into the campaign so far.

Suissa himself lives a life of diversity. He and his wife and four children affiliate with about six different synagogues near their Beverly Hills home, from Chabad to Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel. One. of his main sources of inspiration is the late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

"The idea of getting carried away with love is something I really identify with," Suissa said: '^The Rebbe embodied a real spirit of unconditional love."

Suissa helped Chabad publish the magazine Farbrengen, and has helped them - and other Jewish organizations - with ad campaigns.

Suissa also has about 100 invited guests at his office for lunch once a month for Torah and couscous. On Fridays, he has five or six rabbis from different denominations come talk about the parasha, the Torah portion of the week.

-. •' "We don't hold hands and we don't do kumbaya, we don't do therapy and we don't talk about how we can get together," Suissa says. "We live it. We have the Torah in common and we exchange dvar Torahs."

That same kind of realism is guiding his nascent college campaign - E-Jew. He plans to have ads in campus newspapers all over the country, addressing what. he perceives to be the concerns of today's students.

"Do you have doubts about God? Do you hate organized religion? Are you interested in universal issues like the Dalai Lama? Great! That's Jewish!

That's eclectic, Judaism is eclectic, you are an eclectic Jew, an E-Jew," Suissa effuses. "It's flattering and empowering and validating."

Signing on to E-Jew will get students to the same Web site as Olam.org, currently being revamped, which offers everything from 10-second bits of Judaism to entire articles from Olam magazine.

"I heard a great thing a few weeks ago from Rabbi Manis Friedman. I f you can see the invisible, you can accomplish the impossible.'" Suissa quotes. "Its true unity may seem invisible now, but that doesn't mean it's impossible."

For more information contact 877-ONE-OLAM (877-663-6526).

JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyco 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 aa 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.

March 10,2000

Purim: a good reason to smile

by Rabbi Jerome M. Epstein

According to tradition, Purim is a that are, in themselves, pleasurable. time to rejoice—even to get a bit The practice of matanot I'evyoriim, giddy. Sometimes, however, it is hard giving gifts to the needy, is a mainto feel joyous "on command." Social stay of the festival; and the giving of analysts have documented the phe- tzedakah tends to bring us positive nomenon of holiday depression, where feelings. While many of us give the expectation that one will be tzedakah throughout the year, needhappy simply because a holiday ing no special excuse to do so, Purim occurs may conflict with the real-life requires that we perform this act at a situation of the celebrant, which may specific time, providing at least- one not be happy at all. opportunity for us to feel good about Still, there are many good reasons ourselves and our ability to make a why Purim should, and does, gladden difference in the lives of others. the hearts of those who take advanThe requirement that we exchange tage of its rich possibilities. packages of food with friends and In celebrating the holiday of Purim, neighbors (mishloah manot) also has one's personal "mood" is almost happy ramifications. At a time when beside the point. The holiday com- our lives are increasingly hectic, we memorates the survival of our people, must seize every opportunity to build and it is our task, communally, to time in our schedules for those near keep this memory alive in order to to us. In a generation in which selfpass it down to succeeding genera- insulation is the norm, Purim insists tions. While we certainly are called that we take advantage of the holiday upon to praise the accomplishments to strengthen social contacts-indeed of a few brave, creative, and commit- a pleasurable activity. ted individuals (in particular, For those who attend Megillah Mordecai and Esther), the true mean- reading, as we are commanded to do, ing of the holiday rests in the fact the holiday of Purim offers an enjoythat the-Jewish people as a whole able experience where we can shed were able to withstand a particularly our inhibitions, booing and stomping hostile enemy (Hainan). , loudly at the name of our common Purim celebrations often include enemy. the donning of costumes, which allow Even more, we are often fortunate individuals to step outside of them- to attend these readings together selves and role-play. Queen Esther with our families, spending the kind herself donned a costume and of quality time that connects one famassumed a role in order to carry out ily member to another. her uncle's plan on behalf of t h e Finally, while all of the above are entire Jewish people. sufficient reasons to kick back and In fact, we role-play everyday, enjoy the holiday, we have an added -putting on office clathes during, the "bonus." By observing the customs, day, "at home" clothes when we are taking advantage of the holiday's relaxing with our families, and unique rituals, and getting into the Shabbat clothes when we go to syna- spirit of the occasion, we are actually gogue. Sadly, we may not always feel working to pass down our traditions like wearing t h e particular "cos- from one generation to another. tumes" each responsibility dictates.

What's not to smile?

Rabbi Epstein is the Executive Purim, on the other hand, allows us to lay down our more predictable garb Vice-President of The United of Conservative and assume an identity of choice. We Synagogue Judaism, the association of do not get that chance very often.

There are many traditional customs Conservative congregations in associated with the holiday of Purim North America.,

JTA News Briefs Israel's Cabinet voted unanimously to pull Israeli soldiers out of Lebanon by July. The Cabinet said it preferred to withdraw troops within the framework of a peace agreement with Syria, but would do so even without a deal. The vote reaffirms Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's policy on Lebanon.

Pressure within Israel for a withdrawal has increased in recent weeks amid growing casualties in the security zone Israel has maintained in southern Lebanon since 1985.

Officials in Jerusalem, Damascus and

Washington are denying a media report that Israel and Syria may be close to a peace deal. Israel Television's Channel One reported last Friday that Israeli and Syrian negotiators have drawn up a formula for Israel to retain sovereignty and control over the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River to resolve the boundary dispute over the Golan Heights. The report said Barak might present the agreement to the government, the Knesset and the Israeli people within three to five weeks, with a national referendum possible before Passover, which begins at sundown on April 19.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday in the auditorium of the JCC. Exercise at 10:15 a m . in the auditorium.

Try your luck a t bingo with Eileen Remer a t 10:15 am. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk" at l l ajn. Following lunch at noon, Jewish Federation Communications Director Pain Monsky will speak.

For transportation, call 330-4272.

Deadlines: WinnaVegas Casino on March 30 is March 23; Purim Party on March 20 is March 13.

WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. There will be no exercise. For those going on the Mystery Tour, meet at the Blumkin Home entrance at 10 ajn. For transportation, call 334-6521.

VISIONS .

Reminder: Membership Luncheon Meeting is Friday, March 17,12:30 pan., at the Venice Inn. BTSTAI B'RITH BREADBREAKEKS Dr. George Reynolds, a Pediatric Internist at Children's Hospital, will speak at Breadbreakers Wednesday at noon. He will speak about his work and the Dodge road facility. Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at Pastime's Restaurant, 129th and Maple; lunch is $8.50.

BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD The monthly luncheon meeting will be Tuesday, March 14, 12:30 pan.., in the synagogue's social hall. Nadine Kutner will review Steven Dubner's book, Tribulation, about a Catholic son who returns to his Jewish roots. Make reservations with your caller or call Bernice Cohen, 558-3423.

39 FOREVER Thirty-nine Forever will host a pot-luck Shabbat dinner and short service at Offutt Air Force Base Chapel, Friday, March 17, 6 p.m. For information, call Claire Blass at 291-3390, or Maxine Noodell at 393-7624.

Hadassah and JYG team up for Oneg at Blumkin Home

HADASSAH Hadassah will host an Al Gagalim program for 2by Mary Fellman 5 year olds on Wednesday, March 15, 4 pan., at A most unusual program was recently presented the home of Sandra Kohll, 1617 S. 107th St. (enter by garages). We will make Purim costumes; Sheri for the residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. It was the monthly Oneg Shabbat, sponDietrich will furnish treats. sored by the Omaha Chapter of Hadassah, but this Questions? Call 391-5603. time it also included 25 seventh and eighth graders representing the Missouri Valley Region Junior JEWISH WAR VETERANS Youth Conclave from Temple Israel.

JWV will meet Sunday, March 26,10:30 a.m., at The program began with young people talking to the Jewish Community Center. residents in the Home's dining room, singing with them, even dancing with some of them. They then OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING helped serve dessert.

SATURDAY, March 11,4:20 p.m. -Rabbi Levin In addition to the "beauty of youth," there was hosts study of the weekly Torah portion at his the talented Dan Nichols from Nashville who, with home, 2001N. 56th St. his guitar, accompanied the group in singing with ' TUESDAY, March 14,7 p.m.~"Purim 2000: The the residents, who cannot wait until the next time Story of the Megilla," hosted by Beth Israel. these young people can come to visit.

WEDNESDAY, March 15, 12- 1p.m. - "Purim In the meantime, the Temple group has been 2000" Lunch 'n Learn, hosted by Kathy Hirshman asked to visit Remington Heights and Livingston in the JCC conference room. Topic will be "Is it a Plaza with the same program of music and love."

Mitzvah to get drunk on Purim?" Please bring your Hopefully, this new inter-relationship of the two own lunch; A class in modern, spoken Hebrew, groups will continue throughout the coming year 6:30 p.m., hosted by AI ROBS, 676 N. 56th St. as the young people from Temple Israel come to THURSDAY, March 16, 7 p.m.-Talmud, trac- assist Hadassah in programming, hosting and just tate Pesachim, hosted by Beth El. being "wonderfully friendly to the residents of the For more information, call Director Rabbi Shlomo Blumkin Home."

Levin at 551-1564.

JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL

Jewish Women International will meet Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m., at the Village Inn Pancake House, 75th & Dodge, for an open board meeting.

Frieda Krizelman, President, will conduct the meeting.

The Marilyn White Gendler Memorial Scholarship Foundation announced awards at the recent Caring and Concerned Educators annual banquet.

Foundation President Larry Gendler presented $500 scholarships to Patrina Johnson of North High School and Emily May of Northwest High School. The $2500 scholarship went to Amara Simmons of Central. The foundation was created 12 years ago in memory of Gendler's late wife, Marilyn, who taught at Lothrop School for nine years. Students who have attended Lothrop are eligible for the scholarship awards; to date, the Foundation has awarded $46,000 in scholarships.

For information, contact Lothrop School, 457-5704.

total of $5518 in grants, including Claire Passer, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, for "Content Area Support for Elementary English-asa-Second Language Students," and Sandra McCreight, a teacher at North High School, for "Elementary Science Day." NCJW created Mini-Grants in 1987 to provide funds for teachers for innovative and creative classroom projects not covered by school budgets.

Dr. and Mrs. Lance Meyerson of Lakeland, FL, announce the Dec. 13,1999, birth of their son, DrewForbes.

Drew has a sister, Carli Shea.

Grandparents are Deenie and Larry Meyerson of

Omaha and Marsha and Harvey Wolf of Farmington,MI. Great-grandparents are Sonia Forbes, Helen and Leo Meyerson of Omaha, and Etta Wolf of Michigan.

Above: Songleader Dan Nichols adds music to the dining room. Below: A •JYGer' talks with Blumkin resident Dave Bernstein.

The Visiting Nurse Association will sponsor its third annual Art & Soup Fundraiser, featuring the work of local and regional artists, on Sunday, March 19, 5-8 p.m., at the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Proceeds will benefit VNA's The National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Shelter Nursing program. Tickets are $25 in , Section, recently awarded its annual Mini-Grant advance. recipients. Thirteen teachers from OPS received a For information, call Jo or Miki at 930-4018.

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March 10,2000

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Unmasking Purim's heroes - a n d ourselves

by Rahel Muselah

Who needs Halloween Infused with the spirit of or Mardi Gras? On Mordecai, we can stop Purim, the masquerade standing by in silence. of characters is lively BEING A LEAP/BAR, /THINKABeriER IT IS THE HBBRBW and intriguing: Spangled WE APP A SECOND Ahasuerus APPROACH WOULP MONTH O9APAR. Vashtis, bearded MordeAPAR TO ALIGN THE From Ahasuerus and BB TO APP cais, snarling Hamans, SOLAR ANP LUNAR Haman, we learn how A SUMfi&R MONTH bejeweled Esthers, silkCYCLES. not to behave. The king TO ALIGN robed Ahasueruses. of Persia is a roly-poly, SUMMER The Becret of Purim, wishy-washy party anihowever, is to see beyond mal who relegates VACATION. the masks. Purim's noise power to unsuitable and noshing is great fun, advisers. He surrounds but the holiday also himself with gold, silks, unveils the story of charjewels, sexy women and acter and courage. For alcohol—fancies t h a t Take a bold step this Purim.

Reveal your Jewish us, too, Purim can be a time to strip away external mask the real priorities: the needs of his family masks in order to find the strengths that lie within self. Take on a ritual you may be afraid of or and subjects. us. The heroes and villains of Purim can lead the embarrassed of beginning. Take one step towards Purim can be a time for us to reevaluate our priorkeeping kosher. Recite kiddush on Shabbat. Enroll way: ities in order to find the cherished jewels in our own in a Hebrew class or an Israeli dance course. Learn Vashti kingdoms. Let's reinterpret the name of the holiday how to lift or dress the Torah.

Once the stereotype of a vixen, Vashti is no as a true "feast of lots"-not in the gambling sense, longer perceived as the siren of the Purim story. but in terms of how much we have. From the Mordecai Instead, she's become a feminist hero who refuses uniqueness of our children to the sweet simplicity of Mordecai's combination of fearlessness and faith hamentaschen, we have "lots" to celebrate. to flaunt her beauty for the king's entourage. She in God enables him to rise above the Persian politistands up for her convictions in order to preserve her integrity, presaging the modern lesson we cians who endulge themselves and lose sight of the Human larger good. Mordecai never puts his ego above his teach our kids: "Just say no."

As for Haman, he hangs on to his prejudices until convictions or forgets the suffering of his people. No Vashti.can be a positive role model for girls and they catch up with him and make headline matter what the consequences, he holds steadfast boys, one in a long line of women from the to his beliefs, refusing to bow down to Haman, 'noose'...Sorry, but it is Purim, after all! We can all Talmudic scholar Beruriah to Rosa Parks. One putting on sackcloth to mourn the decree of do something to stop bigotry or hatred. Take a good source for finding modern role models that are destruction for the Jews of Persia, and remaining friend to visit a Holocaust museum. Tell a nonboth Jewish and female is a comprehensive new humble even when paraded through the streets of Jewish neighbor the story of Purim-and explain reference, Jewish Women in America: An Historical how much it means to live in a world of friendship Shushan.

Encyclopedia, edited by Paula Hyman and Deborah and forgiveness.

Like the grogger that drowns out the wicked Dash Moore (Routledge), which profiles 700 women Happy Purim! name of Haman, we, too, need to help uproot suffrom opera singers to politicians.

Vashti's message also resonates on Purim fering. Because of the comforts our own lives may Rahel Musleah is a freelance journalist and because of the custom of drinking until we cannot offer, it takes courage to stand up and call atten- the co-author, with Rabbi Michael Klayman, tell the difference between "Blessed is Mordecai" tion to the suffering of others. But communities of Sharing Blessings: Children's Stories for arid "Cursed is Hainan." Teach your children the around the world still suffer—whether they are Exploring the Spirit of the Jewish Holidays balance between responsibility and recklessness- Jews in Argentina or neighbors in our own cities. (Jewish Lights).

'•'• 'an^fo^bwityoufself. ' .

'-•'•'• . ; : ;•;•;' , ' . \ \ ' . Esther ' . ' '' Esther might seem like a meek and malleable (Continued from page 1) young thing who does her Uncle Mordecai's bidDavid Goldstein makes a return in bis role as Joe Paterno, Barry Switzei*, David Stern, Mike ding, but she discovers a strong sense of identity emcee at the banquet. Goldstein has taken part in Ditka, Bob Devaney, Keith Jackson, Bobby Knight, along the way. Beauty contests aside, without a mature understanding of herself and the meaning roasts of business and community leaders for a Bill Walsh, Dick Vitale, Bobby Bowden, Joe of her Judaism, she could not have taken the risks variety of civic organizations, including the Theismann, Lee Corso, Terry Bradshaw, Dr. Tom Osborne and, last year, Roy Firestone. she did. It's not easy being Jewish in Persia, but Downtown Omaha Rotary Club.

Previous guest speakers at the Sports Banquet Tickets are $90 per person and are available by Esther proudly announces her Jewishness to save include Howard Cosell, Lou Holtz, John Madden, calling the B'nai B'rith Office at 334-6443. her people.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

Book contest winners receive awards

by Bert Lewis 1

Well, now they've gone too far.

After all, there's such a thing as human decency, isn't there?

Shouldn't good manners and proper protocol always be observed? Why would anybody think it's suddenly okay to say embarrassing things out loud?

Didn't every mother since the beginning of time teach her kids to keep hurtful remarks to a place where nobody else could hear? I'm certain I'm right about this, which leads me to ask about the newest gadget to come to my house.

I guess I shouldn't call it a gadget, since it's properly called a scale. You know, the thing a person stands on to find out how many pounds overweight they are. Not a new invention, of course. Scales have been around forever, and have weighed everything from the tiniest amount of gold to the heaviest 16 wheel truck.

We've had one of those tall balance scales in our house for ages. It's always been known as the blue monster and has served us well, through (if you'll pardon the pun) thick and thin. Since we're away from our house now (think of me as a foreign correspondent), we've also been away from old blue, and so decided we needed one for our present location.

Are you still with me? Now let's talk about the numbers and being

able to read them while trying to stand perfectly still and fervently hoping there's been no gain. We've found the manufacturers keep making those numbers smaller and smaller, thus causing them to be harder to read. We're certain thatfs the reason.

Well, when you've got a problem, you set out to solve it, right? Of course, and that's exactly what my room-mate did. He solved it by finding a scale that does show nice, big numbers, but also has another talent.

It has a voice and it speaks - out loud!

Now here's where that business about saying impolite things audibly comes in. The victim, I mean the person wanting to weigh steps on the scale. In a couple of seconds, red digital numbers flash on the dial and a very rude voice speaks distinctly and says "your weight is ; pounds". That should take care of anyone, whether vision or hearing impaired, right?

It's true, all of this is usually done in complete privacy, but even so, how rude! I know this kind of thing could be a real help to those who need it, but my dear, how unkind.

I've decided to read all the written matter which came with this voice activated critter and look for one adjustment. There must be a way to make it whisper! If not, there, should be, at least in my opinion.

Winners of the annual Elinor A. Whitman Book Appreciation Contest received their prizes at an awards ceremony and reception Feb. 27 at the Jewish Community Center.

The contest was co-sponsored by the Dorothy and Myer Kripke Jewish Federation Library and the Omaha religious schools as part of the celebration of Jewish book month.

To enter, a contestant had to either write a review or design a book jacket for a Jewish book. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade were eligible to compete. Frances Gottlieb, President of the Library Board, made the presentations.

The contest memorializes Elinor Whitman who served for many years on the Library Board. She took a keen interest in promoting Jewish literature for young readers.

Book Jacket winners: Kindergarten: third, Jordan Jensen (Temple Israel); second, Sarah Littky (Beth El); first: Jacob B. Lehr (Temple Israel); Grade One: second, Chloe Heyman (Temple Israel); first, Samantha Juster (Beth El). Grade Two: first, Emily Newman (Temple Israel). Grade Three: third, Audrey Gerber (Temple Israel); second, Daniel Grossman (Beth El); first, Avery Hannah Lehr (Temple Israel).

Grade Four: third, Elina Yurikov (Friedel); second, Debra H. Flax (Friedel); first, Arielle Levine (Friedel). Grade Five: second, Seth

Rich (Friedel); first, Brent Saltzman (Friedel). Grade Six: third, Philip Hirshman (Temple Israel); second, Tim Fredericks (Temple Israel), first, David Manvitz (Temple Israel).

Grade Seven: first, Jason Rich (Beth El).

Book Report winners: Grade One: first, Laura Klein (Beth El).

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Community "healing havurah" scheduled ~

It was Feb. 28, year of the Millennium, the final meeting of the month. Inasmuch as this is a Leap • Year, it was an appropriate occasion to explain why an additional day (the 29th) is inserted to reform the accuracy of the Gregorian calendar.

To do so, our guest speaker, Rabbi Debbie Stiel of Temple Israel, provided attendees an explicit, chronological sequence of Torah events from Creation onward to the present Hebrew year of 5760.

One cannot help but wonder what kind of vitamins biblical personalities subsided on which granted them life spans of hundreds of years.

For example, the Torah states, "AH days of Methuselah came to 969 years." Moses was 120 when he passed, his eyes undimmed and his vigor unabated.

At "YES Talk,' unabated was the anticipated reaction to Rev. Louis Farrakhan's speech at an Islamic "Savior Day" meeting delivered in Plainfield, IN. A near-death experience last year left him a changed man, ready to emphasize unity for all races and religions.

We stood in memory for Malvina Spitzer, Alvin H. Friedman and Edith Cohn.

Shalom..

, Karen Grove

•

by Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director, Jewish Senior Services

Local synagogues, in collaboration with Jewish Family Services and Jewish Senior Services, will host a special weekend for members of the Jewish community to come together and regain hope and healing by facing issues involving bereavement.

Rabbi Eric Weiss, Executive Director, Ruach Ami, Bay Area Healing Center of San Francisco, (who visited Omaha two years ago) and his colleague, Lee Pollack, L.C.S.W., will facilitate these spiritual workshops.

Guided discussions will take place: Friday, April 7: Shabbat evening service, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel; Saturday, April 8: Shabbat luncheon program, (after morning services) at Beth Israel Synagogue; Sunday, April 9: Breakfast program, 10 a.m.noon, at Beth El Synagogue.

This weekend will be the first of a series of programs for individuals to participate in meaningful discussions and hands-on activities that promote spiritual healing.

Weiss and Pollack have worked together on a successful bereavement weekend retreat for members of the San Francisco-area Jewish community.

They will assist local Jewish Professionals and rabbis in recreating this program in Omaha, including Nancy Rampey Biniamow, Shane Kotok, Rabbi Alan Gonsher, Aveva Shukert, Jeannie Gilinsky and Sally Kaplan, to plan future events.

Rabbis Kutner, Azriel and Drazen are the foundation for the planning and Jewish content of the proposed programs.

In the fall of 2000, professionals and volunteers who participated in the April workshop will facilitate a one-day retreat for healing after a loss. This workshop will be led by professionals Joy and Marv Johnson, founders of the Centering Corporation in Omaha.

Joy Johnson holds a degree in humanities from Creighton University. She has 30 years of experience in the areas of counseling, education, training and group work.

Marv Johnson holds a Doctor of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary, and degrees from Boston University, School of Theology and Transylvania College. He is certified as a clinical pastoral education supervisor and is a certified mental health chaplain.

The couple are authors and therapists with expertise in grief programming. They have produced over 100 resources for children, parents and caregivers which include education books and media tools. They have conducted more than 650 workshops throughout the United States and Canada and other countries on this topic.

For more information, please call Nancy Rampey-Biniamow or Tanya Seina, JFS, at 3346491, or Shane Kotok, JSS, at 334-6529.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

Election Preview

Who's got Al Gore's ear? Jewish advisers weigh in

by Sharon Samber

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In 1993, Vice-president Al Gore devised a plan to help American business leaders invest in territories newly under Palestinian self-rule, with the hope of bringing economic dividends to the region.

He called on Mel Levine, a Jewish attorney and former congressman from Los Angeles, to co-chair Builders for Peace, a joint Jewish-Arab venture, along with James Zogby, who headed the Arab American Institute.

Since then, Levine has continued to work closely with the Vice-president. Now, eight years later, Gore, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is turning to Levine once again, this time to serve on his informal advisory group on foreign policy. . Levine is one of a number of Jewish individuals Gore has called on to help him keep his ear to the ; ground and stay informed on issues-both domestic and foreign—of particular concern to American Jews.

- . Bringing with him a lifetime of involvement in pro-Israel activities, Levine says he has thought through and discussed with Gore many issues relating to Israel's security and efforts to advance the peace process with the Palestinians.

Builders for Peace, launched in the early days of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, brought only limited success and the project closed down in 1997. Levine and others told Gore that the project couldn't succeed until the Palestinian Authority made changes to its legal and commercial systems.

"We wanted to show that peace brings economic rewards," recalled Levine, who says he will continue to advise Gore on ways to continue encouraging private American investment in the Middle East.

Marc Ginsberg also believes that encouraging the private sector to invest in the Middle East is a crucial aspect of any peace process.

Ginsberg, an adviser to President Carter on Middle East affairs and a former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, is serving as the senior coordinator for foreign policy in the Gore campaign.

With years of hands-on involvement with Israel and Arab states, Ginsberg believes he has an understanding of the conflicts as well as a significant appreciation of the economics of the region.

Together with Gore's national security adviser Leon Feurth, Ginsberg is putting together an advisory group on the Middle East. He also prepares debate material for the Vice-president and makes sure Gore is up to date on top foreign policy issues.

While he has not worked officially with Jewish groups yet, Ginsberg says that will change in the next few weeks. The objective will be to exchange views, brief organizations on the Vice-president's latest initiatives and to develop a support network.

On the domestic front, Gore has a strong commitment to consult with the American Jewish leadership, according to Steve Grossman, a former national chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a past president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Grossman, who serves as an informal adviser to Gore, says the Vice-president reaches out on a regular basis to the Jewish community.

But while Grossman is there to help Gore make good public policy, he says he won't give the Vicepresident a sugar-coated answer on any difficult issue.

Grossman says he tries to present a comprehensive understanding of how the community will view

an issue, their concerns about it, and how to take them into account when formulating policies.

"My style is I try to find consensus," he said. "But I give an honest appraisal of the community's views."

Grossman points to charitable choice, the public funding of social service programs run by sectarian organizations, as one such issue that raises concerns among many American Jews.

Grossman believes Gore's support for charitable choice-an Issue that has already garnered considerable attention this campaign season—would be more acceptable to American Jews because of Gore's sensitivity to the issue and because he is clear and unequivocal about the separation of church and state.

In addition to lay leaders, Gore has spent time with Jewish congressional leaders, including Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), and Rep. Nita Lbwey (D-NY), who has advised Gore on abortion issues.

Advisers, of course, are still supporters and they are quick to say the Vice-president doesn't really need their services. '..••• "The Vice-=president is the last person who needs advice," said Ginsberg, who steadfastly touts Gore's record on Israel. "We're there to supplement."

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PBS documentary

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Election Preview

(Continued from page 1) "We're trying to understand what happened to the people who lived in the Cave of Letters," Dr. Arav said. "The research team is bringing together archeologists, geologists, geographers and biblical scholars to search for new clues. One goal is to find out when the cave became littered with rocks.

"Did an earthquake cause the cave's roof to fall before or after the rebels were there? Another goal is to see if new artifacts can be uncovered from under the rubble," he added. "We have new tools that were not available 40 years ago; they enable us to investigate the site without digging up the whole cave."

The new tools are non-invasive. That's what attracted Dr. Moshman, a physician who routinely uses a tool called a fiberoptic scope. The scope has a flexible cable with an illuminated camera at the end that allows him to see inside the human body.

Arav and Freund wanted to know if this equipment could help them search between rocks and boulders for archeological artifacts.

T h i s was an unusual request. Normally, I use this equipment in a dust-free environment on people, not in an industrial setting," recalled ' Moshman. T h e cave was a difficult place to work.

But from my perspective, this gave the researchers. a window to look between the rocks."

UNO is the first research team to use ground penetrating radar (GPR) and fiberoptic scopes in an archeological excavation of a cave. This revolutionary technique was tested last summer when it was lised to map the floor of one chamber and locate areas between rock layers to search for potential artifacts.

Then, Moshman probed the rocks to see what could be found. The technique yielded more than 100 artifacts, including coins, textiles, pottery and wood.

"I've always been interested in archeology," Moshman added. "The significance of the Revolt was that it was the last time there was an independent Israel until the present State was formed in 1948. The legacy of Bar-Kokhba was so far reaching, so much destruction, that nothing good happened for Jews for the next 1,800 years. Today in Israel, they still talk about it."

My goal as a producer is to make Return to the Cave of Letters "an 'educational program' that inspires discussion throughout America. The documentary is the only access the public has to the site.

PBS anticipates the program's popularity. The network's Director of Science Programming, Mary Jane McKinven, wrote,-"I'm happy to register PBS' support for. this work. PBS viewers respond enthusiastically to serious exploration of Biblical history and archeology. The documentary will be on par with the best that PBS programming offers" . ' That makes for an expensive proposition, as these series costs hundreds of thousands of dollars for each episode. That is our. immediate challenge, as funds must be raised to make .Return to the Cave of Letters a reality. ".'..' ' ' During the past 2l years, I have had the pleasure of producing high-quality national programs about Nebraska for PBS. But in all those years, this is my first opportunity to use that experience to produce a program about my own culture.

Return to the Cave of Letters is an exciting opportunity to use technology, television, the internet and interactive media to teach and inspire our nation about Jewish history and heritage.

What is equally inspiring is that this program highlights cutting-edge research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This is a world-class story originating from our backyard. : •NETV must have major flinders by April or the program will be withdrawn. In addition, NETV is currently negotiating with several foreign broadcasters for international distribution.

If you are interested in contributing as a major program sponsor or you can help us contact sponsors outside Nebraska, please call Melissa Copper or Shandi Petersen at 1-402-472-3611.

Lifelong Democrats register Jews for GOP, saying McCain's the man

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WASHINGTON (JTA) - If every campaign had Sid Rosen and Irving Shuman in its corner, the presidential primary might be a very different kind of fight.

In just six months, these two Jewish supporters of John McCain managed to re-register between 5,000 and 7,000 Jewish Democrats to vote for the Arizona Senator in the Republican primary.

Granted, McCain was expected to win in his home state and the "insurance votes" did not make or break the outcome, as McCain won the primary by a margin of 60 percent to 36 percent.

Nevertheless, the McCain campaign in Arizona, which even paid for ads that encouraged the reregistration, was "very appreciative" of the effort, said Doug Cole, a McCain spokesman.

Two lifelong Democrats, Rosen and Shuman, have put their hope and trust in a Republican.

Why are they going against the grain when it comes to traditional Jewish support for Democrats and why do they think John McCain the better man?

"He is a true American hero," Rosen said, sounding familiar McCain themes. "He's got one hell of a track record and he deserves our support."

Shuman, a State Chairman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee who says his opinions do not reflect those of AIPAC, found that McCain was not a hard sell, particularly with men in the business community. It was mostly women who had trouble with McCain's anti-abortionrights stance.

But both men found McCain's record on Israel to be a powerful argument. McCain has said he would move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and he supports Israel's positions in negotiations with Syria and the Palestinians.

It was McCain's foreign policy positions that first drew Rosen to McCain. His backing started in 1981, before McCain ever ran for CongresB. Rosen heard McCain deliver a foreign policy speech at a local Kiwanis club, and the speech so impressed him that he approached McCain and said, "If you ever decide to run for office - whatever party — • count me in. It would be my privilege."

Fifteen months later, McCain called Rosen and "Democrats for McCain" was born.

Today, Rosen is practical about his support for the other party, as long as if s for the right man.

"If a Republican were going to be elected, do you want an unknown commodity or do you want the proven record of McCain?" he asked.

Should McCain win the nomination, both Rosen and Shuman are sure that at least he can count on their re-registered Democrats as a few thousand extra votes.

"The majority are with John McCain all the way," Rosen said.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 10,2000

Harris Endowment Fund to help educate developmental^ disabled Jewish children

by Claudia Sherman, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator

A developmental disability can affect a child in numerous ways throughout his or her life, explained Eileen Kader, special needs teacher with Jewish Educational and Library Services. "The underlying disability is always there and many children who have developmental disabilities have more than one which affects their lives in various ways," Kader said. "A language disability can impact a child's speaking ability, reading, comprehension and writing," she added.

Multiple problems can arise, requiring more than one specialist to help the child. In addition to a special education teacher, a psychologist or a psychiatrist may be needed to address behavior problems that arise as a result of learning or other disabilities. Speech pathologists, developmental specialists and other physicians such as neurologists and pediatricians may also be part of the team treating the child.

In addition to various professionals, Kader, who teaches at the Child Development Center, Temple Israel Religious Schoo, and Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah, uses a multi-sensory approach when working with children who have developmental delays. The approach includes using visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic teaching methods.

Materials may need to be adapted for a child's individual learning style, Kader clarified. For example, among the adaptive materials, reading an assignment or a test to a child or using books on tape can help a child who needs to hear as well as see the words. Handouts or notes can be given to the student ahead of time or tape recorders can help someone who has trouble listening to a lesson and writing down the important points at the same time.

These additional professionals, as well as some of the adaptive materials, can be expensive. However, in the words of the mission statement of the Consortium of Jewish Special Educators, "The child is already disabled. Let us not also disable him or her as a Jew." A new endowment, the Harris Family Endowment Fund, established with The Foundation of the Jewish Federation in December will now be available to enhance the life of children and young adults in Omaha who have a disability or a disadvantage originating with mental function or neurological origin including specific learning disabilities; behavioral, emotional and psychiatric disorders; mental handicaps; autism; and epilepsy.

From left, Sindie Katskee, Col. Irvin Harris] and Claudia Sherman. Katskee and Sherman are daughters of CoL Harris.

Lt. Col. Irvin J. Harris, United States Air Force (retired), created the fund in the .hope that it "will fulfill the needs of many people who might otherwise not realize then* maximum potential capabilities."

Two-thirds of the annual net income of the fund shall be used primarily to enrich the lives and promote the dignity of life for children through the age of 25 who have developmental disabilities. It will also be available to their families, teachers and tutors to attend classes, seminars, camps (preferably of Jewish content) that will enable them to add to the children's growth, knowledg, and communication.

Local institutions of Jewish learning attended by eligible children are encouraged to apply for grants from the Harris Endowment Fund. The fund agreement specifically includes Friedel Jewish Academy, Jewish preschools and religious schools affiliated with local Jewish congregations. Grants can be used to help cover the costs of teachers' and tutors' salaries, costs of textbooks as well as adaptive materialB and assistive technology such as computers.

Special emphasis will be placed on assisting eligible children to prepare for their B'nai Mitzvah, confirmations, graduations and Jewish or special camps.

Another fund, the Glazer Family Endowment Fund, provides funds to serve many of the same needs of children in the area who have physical disabilities. The Glazer Family Endowment Fund, also associated with The Foundation of the Jewish Federation, was established in 1999.

The remaining one-third of annual net income of

the Harris Family Endowment Fund is earmarked for college scholarships for students with developmental disabilities. Scholarship grants can be used for tuition, books and living expenses.

In the event there are no requests for a scholarship by college students who have developmental disabilities, the income may be used by a junior or senior in college or a graduate student majoring in special education. Col. Harris, a veteran of three wars and nearly 32 years with the United States Air Force, was born and raised in Omaha. He attended school in Omaha and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He married Martha Zusman in 1942 and they had three daughters. Two of them, Claudia Harris Sherman and Sindie Harris Katskee, live in Omaha. A third daughter, Lori Harris Sweet, also lived in Omaha until she died in 1994 of cancer.

Martha Harris also died of cancer in 1972.

"I have dedicated this endowment fund in memory of my wife, Marty, and my daughter,. Lori," Harris remarked.

Col. Harris has six grandchildren living in Omaha. His oldest grandson lives in Lincoln.

Although Col. Harris has lived near San Diego since 1976. He has made trips to Omaha once or twice a year, usually to celebrate a grandchild's Bar or Bat Mitzvah, graduation, or occasionally to spend a holiday with his daughters' families.

"Col. Harris and I first discussed setting up an endowment fund in August of last year when he was in Omaha to attend the Bat Mitzvah of one of his granddaughters," noted Marty Ricks, Executive Director of The Jewish Federation Foundation. "We finalized the endowment agreement upon his next visit here in January when he returned for his youngest grandson's Bar Mitzvah. Col. Harris clearly wanted to establish a fund that represented a void in bur Jewish community, and he has accomplished that desire."

Ricks commented on Col. Harris's great attention to detail and that "it was a pleasure to help him establish this very worthy fund in memory of his late wife and daughter. We truly thank him for his very generous gift to our Foundation family of funds."

Ricks indicated that any of the Jewish schools, agencies or synagogues are welcome to contact him at the Foundation office, 334-6440, to request a grant from both the Harris Family Endowment Fund or the Glazer Family Endowment Fund,

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