30LMETV C
MJV AS50S-1651
SPECIAL PRE-PASSOVER FOOD ISSUE VoLLXXK
No. 30
24 Adar 11,5760
Omaha, NE
Harry Alloy selected as United Way Volunteer of the Year
March 31,2000
Community celebrates Purim CS3K-
•
by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Harry Alloy has been selected by the United Way as Volunteer of the Year in the Ethnic category. Alloy will be honored at the "Celebrate Volunteers" Luncheon on April 10, United Way's 45th Annual Recognition Luncheon. Alloy was nominated by Jewish Senior Services for his work with the Visions Social Club. He is the founding father of Visions, a club for newly-retired active seniors. He has built the club to 340 members over the pa8t
seven
years. Older Adult Program Director Margaret Conti said, "Harry is a I wonderful I volunteer. He never says 'no,' al| ways, 'yes.' He is always | willing to work. Visions wouldn't be Visions without him!" In addition to his work with Visions, Alloy volunteers for Jewish Family Service by helping an elderly woman write checks and riin errands and also delivering food baskets during the Jewish holidays. He is a board member of the Jewish Cultural Arts .Council and helps with various programs, especially Yom Ha'Atzmaut!
Seth Rich, right, a student at the Friedel Jewish Academy, acted in the school's Purim puppet show in the JCC auditorium last Tuesday. Along with Debra Flax, center, and Ariella Levine, students created the handmade puppets with the help of their Jewish Studies teacher Judah Goldscheider, and parent volunteer Julie Phillips. Following the
play, which was attended by residents from the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, children from the JCC's Child Development Center as well as the Friedel students, teachers and parents, the children staged a talent show in the Friedel Commons. More photos from the Purim Gala at the JCC can be found on page 19,
CDC dedicatibn set for Thursday evening The community is invited to the dedication of the Jewish Community Center's new Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center. The event, scheduled for
Thursday, April 6, 7 p.m., will feature champagne toasts, refreshments and entertainment by the CDC children.
The real definition of 'Pacesetter' by Carol Katzman
It's'no accident that Phil Schrager chose the name Pacesetter Corporation when he founded his company here in 1962. He wanted his business, manufacturing residential building products, to be a leader in the industry. But the name is more than just a slogan for how he wanted his more than 2000 employees to conduct business. It?s also the way he lives his life. His philosophy has always been to give back to the community; more than that, it's to lead, to "set the pace" so that others will take him up on his challenges. From leading the Annual Campaign for the Jewish Federation, as he did in 1995, or being among the,first to make a substantial financial commitment to the remodeling and expansion of the Jewish Community Campus, Schrager's philosophy has always been about being a pacesetter. According to Howard Kooper, immediate pastpresident of the Federation and co-chairman of the campus building campaign, along with Tom Fellman, "Phil's drive and determination in the early stages of this project gave us the impetus we needed to go back to the Federation Board for a goahead. Without the early significant gifts from Phil and his wife, Tern, and a handful of others, we would not have had the confidence to embark on this ambitious campaign." In a recent interview with the Jewish Press, Schrager discussed his philosophy and his projects. His most recent one, the remodeling of the Temple Israel cemetery entrance, was significant to him in many ways. "I've always been disappointed with the entrance
to Temple's cemetery," he explained. "The entrance was narrow, with only a single lane for cars. It certainly didn't offer any kind of spiritual enhancement to what were difficult situations for visitors." Over'the years, Schrager would buy flowers from a small nursery located south of the cemetery. "Wouldn't it be wonderful," he said he would think to himself, "if someday I could buy that property." And about three years ago, he had just that opportunity. Approaching the Temple's Executive Committee, Schrager presented a plan of an expanded and enhanced entrance to the cemetery. With the professional1 skills of architect Don Polsky, Schrager displayed a rendering of a wider entrance with double lanes both into and out of the cemetery, brick walls and wrought-iron gates. "I asked for just two conditions," Schrager said with a smile. "No committee and no more meetings!" Trusting his judgement, the Executive Committee gave Schrager the go-ahead to purchase the 21/2 acres, grade the land, remove utility poles and bury overhead lines, build the walls and gates. Some 18 months later, Temple has its new cemetery entrance. ' "I'm really pleased with the finished product," Schrager said, adding his appreciation to Donald Polsky who suggested placing a Mogen Dovid, a six-pointed star of David, on the brick wall. "It was great to be able to design this with Don, and create something special for the community." Said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, senior rabbi at Temple Israel, "One more time, Phil has found a way to (Continued on page 23)
Schrager brothers to be inducted into Business Hall of Fame
Phil, left, and Harley Schrager Six outstanding business leaders will be inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame at a $125-aplate dinner this Tuesday, April 4, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Among them are the first brothers to be inducted: Phil and Harley Schrager, owners of Pacesetter Corporation. It is the largest independent, direct-seller and manufacturer of residential building and improvement products in the U.S. The other honorees include: John Kenefik, retired chairman and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad; J. Joe Ricketts, founder and CEO of Ameritrade Holding Corporation, and the late (Continued on page 23)