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SPECIAL PRE-PASSOVER FOOD ISSUE Vol. LXXEX
No. 31
Omaha, NE
2 Nissan, 5760
Bone marrow needed by Carol Katzman
of Omahans Dodi and Steve A few months ago, the life Redler. With their help, the of Maryland resident Daniel families are hoping a match Brown was like everyone will be found here in else's. The 32-year-old man Omaha. was involved in his business, Gift of Life, a bone marthe Jewish community, and row testing organization, his family: wife Jolie, and aimed specifically at attracttoddlers, Jordana, 3, and ing Jewish donors, are creDustin, 1. . ating testing kits for indiAll that changed on a cold viduals interested in becomwindy day in February when ing marrow donors. They he was diagnosed with chronwill be available once bone ic myelogenous leukemia. marrow drives have This form of cancer creates an occurred in major metropoliabnormal growth in white tan areas such as New York, blood cells in the body's bone New Jersey and Atlanta. marrow. Although its progresThere is normally a charge sion is slower than acute of about $75 for the bone forms of leukemia, this kind marrow test, but the famiMils 20 to 30 percent of patients within the first-two . ._ , .. _ ,. , lies will pay . - .for . . the - kits for years of diagnosis. Darnel Brown and his wife, Jolie, and Omahans, if needed. It can be cured, however, children Jordana and Dustin, await a i n the meantime, the especially if a bone marrow b o n e ™ a r r o w match to cure Daniel's Grossingers are hoping 11 8 transplant can be performed kuke " Omaha Jews will contact in the early stages. Brown's brother and sister are Redler at: 330-1990 or 333-4222, and leave a mesnot good matches, so his in-laws, Leila and Jerry sage with the potential donor's name, address and Grossinger, of Allen town, PA, decided to go nation- phone number. If no match is found within the wide with their plea. • next month, donors here will be contacted. Jolie's sister Dara is married to Dan Redler, son (Continued on page 17)
Magnifique! Omaha teacher honored by French government by Gary Javitch
often made, and the The award is given so assistance of the sturarely in the United dents, faculty and staff States that the governthat helped her earn this ment of France flew its award. Cultural Attache to "Created in 1808 by Omaha to present it in Napoleon Bonaparte to person. Olivier Boasson, honor excellence in representing the French teaching, the Academic Ministry of Education, Palms have constituted awarded Ralston High the most prestigious disSchool teacher Jan Lund' tinction for educators in the distinction of France for nearly 200 Chevalier in the order of years, announced Lund's the Palmes Academique. principal, Dr. Robert Comparable to being Meyers. Furthermore, knighted, Lund accepted membership is selectivethe honor as the crowd ly granted by the .minrose in applause. Among istry to only "those who the audience were Congressman Lee Terry, Olivier Boasson, French Cultural attache, pre- have rendered comSubby Anzaldo (repre- sented the Chevalier dans L'ordre des Palmes mendable services to senting Mayor Hal Daub Academiques to teacher Jan Lund last month. French education throughout ^he world." and the Omaha City In 1984 Lund was named Nebraska Outstanding Council), Dr. Virginia Moon, superintendent of Foreign Language Teacher of the Year and Nebraska Ralston Scholls; and State Senator Pam Redfield. Lund has taught French at Ralston High since Outstanding French Teacher of the Year in 1996. 1980; for the past 19 years she led seniors on trips She has also won the Nebraska Excellence in to France or French Canada. Lund also teaches Classroom Teaching Award (as finalM for Nebraska French at the university of Nebraska at Omaha's Teacher of the Year in 1995) and Ralston District College of Continuing Studies and has taught Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year. "The Cultural Services of the French Embassy courses in French civilization at Metro Community College. In addition, she teaches several private welcome the opportunity to publicly recognize the students and recently held intensive French mini- merits of an outstanding teacher," Boasson told the audience. . • : ; . daycamp programs for elementary-age children. At the reception which followed the ceremony, a 1 Demonstrating one reason why this dedicated teacher, was being recognized, Lund spoke more member of the Nebraska Association of French about others than.herself. At length, she described Teachers acclaimed her work and echoed others the support of her husband, Blake, during their 28- when he said, "What an honor it is for someone from year marriage, the sacrifices her 20-year-old son Alex. the Heartland to receive this award!"
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Temple Israel presents Rabbi Joseph Telushkin as Scholar-in-Residence by Iris Ricks
Noted scholar author, lecturer and spiritual leader, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin will be Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Israel April 28-30. The topic for the weekend is The 21st Century: A Jewish Vision. This will be special opportunity for the community to hear Rabbi Telushkin, who is as celebrated for his wit as for his scholarship.
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Rabbi Joseph Telushkin Currently the spiritual leader of the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in LOB Angeles and an associate of the CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Scholarship, Rabbi Telushkin is a former Director of Education at the famed Brandeis Bardin Institute in Southern California. Ordained at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Telushkin pursued graduate studies in Jewish History at Columbia University. (Continued on page 2)
Friedel to launch new computer technology program by Diane Axler Baum
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By the next school year at the Friedel Jewish Academy, students will be immersed in ah exciting new computer technology program, with an impact on both general academics and Judaic studies. The new curriculum will provide two benefits for Friedel, noted director Michael L. Linn: first, the means for students to develop advanced computer skills, and second, the capability to utilize state-ofthe-art technology for the enhancement of classroom learning. Months ago, Linn began to examine computer curricula in other Omaha schools and in Jewish day schools around the country. An initial grant of $25,000 from the Dan Gordman Fund will enable the Academy to purchase 12 computers from the Gateway Corporation, along with six printers, a scanner, digital camera and other networking equipment. "The Academy is taking a giant leap," said Linn. "This is the most noteworthy development since we moved into our wonderful building (in the Dan and Esther Gordman Educational Center on the JCC campus). "It's a credit to the vision of Jerry Gordman and the other planners of this facility we can proceed without disruption." His reference was to the building's extensive wiring, sockets and central hub, all part of the original construction. A long-time Friedel supporter, Gordman currently serves as Chairman of the Board. . "It's vitally important our students receive every educational advantage in these times, and that includes being prepared to compete in the highly technological world they will face," Gordman added.
(Continued on page 19)
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Pulverentep
April 7,2000
AUthefrshot5 .
by Rabbi Shlomo Levin, Director, OCTL
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, APRIL 7 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Ministers Institute, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Community Passover Workshop with Ron Wolfson, 11:30 a.m. SATURDAY, APRIL 8 Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel £ Grade 5 Havdalah & Dinner, 5 p.m., at Temple | Humash Class, 7:15 p.m., at Beth El P SUNDAY, APRIL 9 Men's Club, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel * Freund Lecture, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel s Adult Education Program, 10:15 a.m., Beth El A Kids Zoo Program, Noon, at Both El V Amit Women Meeting, 12:30 p.m., Location: tba E Israel Experience Prep Class, 1:30 p.m. Community Deli Night, 5 p.m., at Temple MONDAY, APRIL 10 YES Program, 9:30 a.m. JELS Lecture Series "The Ten Commandments," 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 11 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10 a.m., at Beth Israel Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Drazen, Noon, Beth El Executive Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 FJA Passover Model Seder, 8 a.m. Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 5 p.m. NJHS Board Meeting, 7:15 p.m. Beth El High School, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. •Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Hadassah coffee, 10 a.m., at the home of -Faye Ruback, 9403 Harney St. Religious School Committee Meeting, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel
Parasha Tazria This week and next we read from the Torah the details of a disease called Tzara'at. The Torah tells us the symptoms of this disease and the procedures to be followed when it is discovered. The people whose duty will be to treat this disease are the priests. This section of laws begins by saying that if a person is discovered to have a blotch or discoloration on his skin, which is a sign of this disease, then that person should, "Be brought before the priest," and "As soon as the priest sees it, he should'declare it unclean." (13:2) These laws at first glance seem to follow medical common sense. Rashi, however, makes a fascinating remark based on a midrash. He says, "The law of the Torah is that these skin discolorations can only be diagnosed and declared ritually impure or pure by a priest" (13:2). This shatters all semblance of scientific reason. Would anyone venture to say that an infection does not exist unless a doctor says so, and that if someone avoids the doctor the disease will not harm him? But according to Rashi the Torah tells us that one who suffers from Tzara'at is not ritually impure unless he goes before a priest and the priest says so. If one would stay home (which of course is not allowed) and not go before the priest he would not become impure. We can understand this strange regulation by examining the reasons God causes this disease to afflict people at all. In Numbers, Chapter 12, Miriam is afflicted with Tzara'at after she and Jier brother Aaron spoke against Moses, saying, "Is it to Moses exclusively that God speaks? Doesn't he also speak to us?" Miriam is punished for her questioning of Moses's authority, as God informs her and Aaron that the prophetic level of Moses is higher than theirs, aiid they.had no right to question his. leadership. Prom this and other incidents recorded in the bible, we can conclude that one reason why God afflicts people with this unusual ailment is to punish them for improper rebellion against religious leaders. In this context, it becomes clear why Tzara'at can only be diagnosed by a priest. Since the person who is afflicted with the disease has improperly challenged religious authority, this disease now forces him to submit to the authority of the priests in order to treat his illness. In our times this disease called Tzara'at described by the Torah does not seem to afflict us, but the troublesome non-acceptance of religious leadership does. The Torah teaches us that there is a role for properly ordained rabbinic leaders, and we cannot let cynicism or personality conflicts rob us of this much needed resource.
Crowd enlightened by Esther2000 presenters
GERTRUDE (HORWICH) KURTZMAN Gertrude Kurtzman, formerly of Omaha, died March 22 in Clearwater, FL. She was 93. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Ellen Kurtzman.
RALPH F. COLTON Ralph F. Colton, a Chicago businessman and philanthropist, died J a n . 20 a t the age of 98. Memorial services were held Jan. 30 at Chicago Sinai Congregation. . He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie. Survivors include two nieces and a nephew. Colton spent much of his youth in Omaha; he Was the son of Rabbi Frederick Cohn, rabbi of Temple Israel. •v
DR. MAYER MOSKOVITZ Dr. Mayer Moskovitz died March 27 at the age of 70. Services and burial were in San Diago. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte of San Diago; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Bruce Seidman, and granddaughter, Jennifer Seidman, of Los Angeles; son and daughter-in-law, James and Joyce Moskovitz of New York City; brothers, Milton and Jack Moskovitz, and sister-in-law, Arlene Moskovitz, all of Omaha. Memorials to Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego, CA 92119i
Rabbi Telushkin... — — — (Continued from page 1) He has written numerous books, both fiction and . non-fiction, the most recent of which is The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living. He is co-author with Dennis Prager of two of the most influential Jewish books published in the last 15 years: The Nine Questions People~Ask About Judaism and Why the Jews: The Reason for .Aftti-Semitisni. : . ' , 'Three Saturday morning study sessibnswill be offered prior to the weekend so that the community can become familiar with Rabbi Telushkin prior to his visit. These sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. at Temple oh the following dates: April 8: How can we choose words that build bridges rather than erect barriers? Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will lead a discussion based on Rabbi Telushkin book, Words That Hurt, Words That Heal. !.: April 15: How do Jewish jokes provide insight into how Jews see themselves, their families and their friends? Join Rabbi Debbie Stiel in a discussion of Rabbi Telushkin's book, Jewish Humor. April 22: Why the Jews: The Reason for AntiSemitism, will provide the basis of discussion for the author's beliefs that anti-Semitism and antiZionism are reactions against Judaism and its values. Rabbi Azriel will lead this session. The schedule for the weekend is as follows: Friday, April 28, 8 p.m.: Telushkin will deliver the sermon during Shabbat evening services: "The Jewish War: The Battle to Keep the Jewish People One and How it Can be Won." Saturday, April 29, 5 p.m.: The topic is: "The 21st Century—An Ethical Vision—One Day at a Time." In an ever more morally complicated world, what do Jewish ethics teach us about how to live? Among the areas discussed are what it njeans in practical terms to love your neighbor as yourself, parent/child relations, and gratitude as, a prerequisite for happiness and how to express anger fairly. Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m.: Through 15 jokes, Telushkin examines and explains many features of Jewish life including family relations, verbal aggression, anti-Semitism, Israel and the humor of the absurd in "Humor-A Uniting Force For All People"
All events held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The Jewish Press Is not responsible for the accuracy of the events. To keep calendar accurate or for quostlons, call Mortens' Hert at 334*437.
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All events are free and open to the community. Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, left, invited keynote speaker Ori Soltes, center, to Esther2000, a For further information, contact Temple Israel, ' •:. • j .-; : symposium o n the' Book of Esther, held 556-6536. • This program is made possible through a grant Sunday and Monday at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. from the Samuel and Ida Kaimen Endowment Fund. Soltes was introduced to more than 100 people at Beth El Synagogue by G. Ted Bohr, SJ., art h i s t o r y professor and curator at Creighton. Soltes t e a c h e s at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
CANDLELIGHTING: 7:37 p.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
- , TEMPLE ISRAEL
" .-" Member of the Union of - firtbodox Jewish Congregations of America
7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132-2951 > ' templeisrael-ne.org'
1502 No. 52nd Street,Omaha, NE 68104-5013 556-6288 Bethlsrael@novia.net
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism -r . 14506 California " Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492-8550 WEB~www.bethel-omaha.org 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. FRDDAY: Services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 aan. Bar Mitzvah of Ben Rabb, son of Lori and Steve Rabb. Kiddush following services; Sitter service, 10 aan.; TSS, 10 aan.; Ktantan, 10:45 aan.; Shabbat Story time, 11 aan,; Humash with Rashi study session, 7:20 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 7:50 pan. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Perek Yomi "Read a Chapter a Day" group, 10:15 aan. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: Tot shabbat, 7 p.m.; a short service of Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will be held for toddlers through children in the prima- 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 pjn.; Sunday, 10 a.m.ry grades and their families; Shabbat evening ser- noon. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. vice, 8 p . m . Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor FRIDAY: Services, 7 pan., at Beth Israel. West Jennifer Blum will officiate. Rabbi Eric Weiss, Minyan at the home of Dennis and Susan Paley, Executive Director of Ruach Ami, Bay Area 13014 Leavenworth Rd, 7:30 p.m. Beth Israel will Healing Center of San Francisco, will speak on host the JOLT family Shabbat dinner this evening. "The Spirit of Renewal." The Oneg Shabbat will be SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m. sponsored by Natha and John Waldbaum in honor Kiddush is sponsored by Yale and Ida Halperin in of the Bar Mitzvah of their son. honor of their 60th wedding anniversary. BereaveSATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 9:30-10:15 aan.; ment workshop with Rabbi Eric Weiss from 5Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m. J a r e d Ian 7 pan., sponsored by Jewish Senior Services and • Waldbaum, son of Natha and John Waldbaum, will Jewish Family Service. "Insights into the Parsha," 7 p.m.; Mincha, 7:30 pan.; Havdallah, 8:40 p.m. celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. The Sitter Service is available each Friday evening, Saturday mornings for Bagels and Bible and the AMIT Women luncheon honoring Cantor Leo worship service, as well as Sunday mornings when Fettman will be held at Beth Israel, 12:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. there is Religious School. Cost is $2 per family. Corey Harrison Green, son of Sherri and Gary TUESDAY: Class with Rabbi Shlomo Levin, &30 pan. Please make a reservation at the Temple office. Green, will become a Bar WEDNESDAY: Talmud class on Tractate Bava SUNDAY: Men's Club, 10 a.m. A system has Mitzvah on Saturday, been proposed by OTOC to alert citizens to prob- Metzia with Rabbi Kutner, 6:45 p.m.; Board of April 15, at Beth El lems with police. A spokeman from OTOC, as well Commissioners Meeting, 7:30 pan. ] Synagogoue. SPECIAL SHABBAT MEALS as a police officer, will attend. Lox and bagels will i A seventh grade honor Beth Israel will hold Shabbat meals April 14 and be served. Non-Men's Club members, $3. "I student at Beveridge 15 to make it easier to get your house ready for ANNUAL NEW YORK DELI NIGHT Middle School, he enjoys SUNDAY: two seatings; 5 and 6:30 p.m.; take out Pesach. Dinner is $10 for adults, $6.50 for children. 'soccar, golf, basketball orders available. Sponsored by Temple Israel's Lunch is $7 for adults and $4.50 for children. A speand spending time with cial price for both lunch and dinner is $16 for adults Men's Club and Women of Reform Judaism. and $10 for children. Children under 4 are free. w 'his friends. He was ADULT EDUCATION I selected to participate in TUESDAY, A p r i l 11: Jewish Identity in Contact the synagogue office for reservations. _ | t h e Duke University Literature, 7-8:30 pan. David Yudelson will examTIFERETH ISRAEL Talent Identification Program. For his Mitzvah proine how short stories of Jewish writers from ject, he is collecting items for the Humane Society. Member of the United Synagogue around the world reflect their ideas of Judaism. Corey has a sister, Cari. - , "'V .*. ' of Conservative Judaism • WEDNESDAY, April 12: Midrashah, 10 aan-noon. 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 .. Grandparents are Phyllis and Norm Roffman of ... THURSDAY, A p r i l 13: Sisterhood Adult Omaha and the late Harry A. and Evelyn Green. Education, 10 -11:30 aan. Rabbi Ira Flax will teach about the interconnection between Jewish history Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Max Rogers-Marcovitz, son of Mimi Rogers and and our religion and culture. The class also meets Minyan, Monday and Thursday, 7:15 aan. •Michael Marcovitz, will May 4,11, 25 and June 8. Rabbi Azriel will teach on FRIDAY: Shabbat Across America Dinner and •become a Bar Mitzvah on alternate Thursdays. Services, 6:15 pan. •Saturday, April 15, at SHABBAT COMES TO YOU SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. (Temple Israel. FRIDAY, April 14, Cantor Jennifer Blum will ADULT EDUCATION A seventh grade honor lead a Shabbat Service, 3:45 p.m. at Remington SUNDAYS: A Passover Seder course will be taught Istudent at Fremont Heights. by Nancy Coren on Sunday mornings through April 9. [Middle School, he enjoys (skateboarding,, snowIboarding, track/crossIcountry, art, music, coiriJputers, acting, scuba divJing, wakeboarding, and 485-8004^.' i spending time with friem He has been in several performances at the Rose and will appear in the Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. upcoming The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. For FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat his Mitzvah project, he is a Ronald McDonald House SATURDAY: Torah study, 10 aan. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 aan.; volunteer. SUNDAY: Hebrew classes, 9 a.m.; Religious SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Max has a sister, Cleo, and two brothers, Forrest School, 10 a-m. MONDAY: Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, and Isaac. . TUESDAY: New Beginnings, 7:30 p.m. Grandparents are Elaine and Ronald Marcovitz, WEDNESDAY: AA meeting in the library, 7:30 pan. 11:45 aan.-l pan. TUESDAY: A Tale of Two Souls, 9&0-11 a.m. and Wilma Rogers and the late Franklin P. Rogers. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a-m. Great-grandparents are Freda Marcovitz, the late Bessie and Ben Packer and the late Margaret Coerien. FRIDAY: Services, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m, led by Marti Nerenstone and Beyt Shalom Congregation. PERSONAL Members of the community are welcome. I am so appreciative and thankful for the outpourAll services followed by Kiddush.
B'nai Mitzvah
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.
FRIDAY: TotShabbat, 7 pan. SATURDAY: Morning services at the Rose Blumkin Home, 9 aan. SUNDAY and TUESDAY: Religious School at the JCC. Rabbi Myer Kripke's class will resume following Pesach. FRIDAY, April 14: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 pan.
OGUE . IA51503-0706 ocjeb@aal.com FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Topic will be "The reawakening of interest in the Kabbalah by whom and why?" An Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peg DeLand and Sandra Kurland, will follow. '
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ing of good wishes, love, donations, cards, flowers and support from family, friends, Rabbi Drazen and Cantor Berkovits. Thanks to all of you. I am blessed. Willis Epstein
Evelyn and Stanley Mitchell invite you to join them for a kiddush luncheon in honor of the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Ruth, to Paul Lesser Shabbat Hoi Hamoed Pesah
Saturday, April 22
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 31,2000
Taking care of those who can't Last Shabbat, more than 100 people gathered at Beth Israel to witness an event that wouldn't'have been possible a decade ago. Members of Yachad, Omaha's Jewish group for mentally and physically challenged young people, joined with a Yachad chapter from Chicago, for the first Yachad regional Shabbaton ever held here. Celebrating with them were advisers, relatives, friends and supporters of this unique group. Yachad members Jeff Steinberg gave a D'var Torah and Michael Parsow paid tribute to Rabbi Allan . Gonsher, who took over the reigns of Yachad after its formation in 1993, and to Linda Novak, its cur• rent adviser. Both advisers returned the compliments and Jan Perehnan, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha applauded community efforts to make this a successful program. This program was funded by the Phil and Terri Schrager Supporting Foundation, one in a number of programs aimed at this population. The Schragers were the original funders of Etgar, which provides
special education teachers to religious schools in order that children with disabilities are afforded the same quality Jewish education as their peers. • Omaha is the only city its size with a Yachad chapter. Other chapters are located in New York (of course), Chicago and Houston, to name a few. But, like other categories into which "little" Omaha falls, it is no surprise to members of the Jewish community that Yachad would be yet another success. The story isn't finished, however. A preliminary survey from Jewish Family Service was sent to the community soon after the Federation purchased properly on 132nd Street, north of the JCC. There is talk..and hope... that someday it might be the location of a group home for Jewish adults with disabilities. "If you will it, it is no dream," Theodore Herzl said about the creation of a Jewish state. If this community wills it, Omaha can someday have yet another model program and prove to the rest of the world that we are, indeed, the "Best of Jewish communities!"
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^ASSAD'S AUCTION
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Implications of unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon: does Assad understand? by Kenneth W. Stein
Twenty-one years to the day after Egypt and Israel signed their peace treaty, Syrian President Assad reportedly told President Clinton that Syria would not agree to Israeli terms for a Syrian-Israeli agreement. Given Israel's announcement to withdraw from southern Lebanon by July 2000, Lebanon might become a likely scene of military escalation between Israel and Syria, if no Lebanese, Syrian, or international force polices Israel's northern border. Barak's requirements if Israel is to withdraw from all or most of the Golan Heights are fivefold: access to Israel's water requirements at the Sea of Galilee and its origins, early-warning mechanisms about Syrian military intentions, security arrangements in the context of withdrawal, compensation for lost strategic advantages, and the pace and level of normalization arrangements. Assad wants what Sadat obtained: all of his territory returned. But, for Assad, the political landscape has narrowed his political options and ability to stall. There is no cold war in the region, no oil weapon to use, the PLO is negotiating openly with Israel, and the Syrian economy is like a stale donut sinking in water, isolated from the benefits of globalization. Noticeably apparent from a recent trip to Israel and the Golan, Israelis of the center and center-left who are willing to accept some Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, and even acquiesce to a Palestinian flag oh the outskirts of Jerusalem as long as the city is not divided, are not willing to withdraw from the Golan Heights. If Assad wanted to restart negotiations with the Israelis today, the Israeli public, in its present frame of mind, is poised to oppose a withdrawal from the Golan Heights and so vote in a national referendum. To Assad's dismay, non-movement on the SyrianIsraeli track has not hampered movement on the Palestinian-Israeli track. In fact, one might argue that Barak is more motivated to complete a deal with Arafat even if he cannot resume talks with Damascus. The Israeli Cabinet endorsed Prime Minister
Barak's decision to withdraw unilaterally from southern Lebanon by July 1, 2000, "in the framework of an agreement" with the caveat that "in the event that conditions will not be conducive to DDF deployment in the framework of an agreement, the government will convene, at an appropriate time, to discuss the method of implementation of the above-mentioned decision." Israel also announced a willingness to support in a withdrawal its long-time southern Lebanese allies and bolster the defense of Israel's northern border settlements. Continued Israeli military presence in Lebanon is not supported by a majority of the Israeli public. Israel lost less than 700 men in the June 19G7 War; it has lost more than 1500 in eighteen years in southern Lebanon. Syria's ability to pressure Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights because it is too hot or too costly for Israel to stay in southern Lebanon is once and for all removed. Once Israel withdraws, there is no guarantee that fighting on Israel's northern border will end; no guarantee that those Lebanese who supported Israel in the past will not pay with their lives, no guarantee that Syrian, Hizballah, or even Palestinian forces might not move up to the border with Israel. Unilateral Israeli withdrawal or redeployment from Lebanon contains risks. Israeli civilians may go more frequently to bomb shelters and wait out katusha or artillery attacks. If Israel withdraws as promised, and Iran through Syria continues to supply Hizballah with military and logistical assistance, the likelihood of Israeli retaliation hitting Syrian troops or Syrian targets in Lebanon increases. Imagine this scenario: a severe Hizballah katusha attack or cross-the-border incursion against Israeli civilians in the north causing high Israeli casualties. In response, Israel sends commandos in a lightening attack on Damascus international airport destroying Iranian airliners that bring armaments and material destined for Hizballah. , . . .•
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Or what if Israel retaliates by hitting some of the Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon, how will Assad respond? Will he attack Israel's national water carrier? Will he fire missiles at Haifa? Tit for tat, how will Israel respond? Will Israel turn portions of the already weak Syrian economic infrastructure into a parking lot with pot holes? Where does that leave the Syrian-Israeli negotiating framework? Up to now, Israeli presence in southern Lebanon was an excuse used by Syria to retain its own forces there. In the mid-1970s, Syria put troops in Lebanon to police the end of a nasty sectarian civil war. For a quarter-century, the Lebanese government has tolerated Syrian presence, rarely debating in public the issue of Syria controlling significant portions of Lebanon. However, in late March, the managing director and board chairman of Lebanon's mass- circulation daily al-Nahar, audaciously called on Syria to begin withdrawing its estimated 35,000 troops from Lebanon. The surprise call was addressed as an open letter to Dr. Bashshar Assad, the considered presidential successor to Assad senior. For Israel, the bottom line is that its presence in southern Lebanon has not guaranteed security of its northern settlements. Occupation of a land buffer does not necessarily protect Israeli life and property. Israel's decision is fraught with risks, but it is also a signal to Assad that Israel is willing to take risks for peace, including the evacuation of land. . • Assad should understand Israel's withdrawalfrom Lebanon is indicative of a readiness for Israel to leave the Golan too, but only in the proper context of assured security. Dr. Kenneth W. Stein is the author of Heroic
Diplomacy: Sadat, Kissinger, Carter, Begin and the Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, (New York: Routledge, 1999). Stein teaches Middle Eastern History at Emory University in Atlanta, GA JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Bap Gprdman; 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. . . .
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Online booksellers label notorious anti-Semitic forgery
To the Editor: First, I would like to thank you for your warm and intelligent review by Oliver Pollak (177/2000) on the book I recently co-authored with Holocaust survivor Alina Bacall-Zwirn, No Common Place: The Holocaust Testimony of Alina Bacall-Zwirn (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1999). However, the title of the book was erroneously given as Knots and Tears, which will make it difficult for your readers to find the book should they wish to read it. I only received this article recently, and realize this comes some months after your article, but perhaps it would be possible to notify your readers of the book's proper title? Also, a paperback edition of the book will be published in August. Thank you again for your kind attention and compelling article. Jared Stark
by Peter Ephross
NEW YORK (JTA) - The war against hate on the Internet is heating up. Two major online booksellers agreed last week to post disclaimers about a 19th-century forgery that claims there is an international Jewish conspiracy to rule the world. But an online civil liberties group is questioning the moves by Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com regarding "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," calling them an infringement on free speech. The moves come amid increasing controversy about how to deal with hate speech on the Internet. Earlier this year, the Internet portal Yahoo! vowed to remove racist and anti-Semitic clubs that it is hosting online, and eBay banned the sale of hate material on its online auction site after pressure from groups, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The note on Amazon.com read: "Please note that Amazon.com does not endorse the views expressed in this book or those in the publisher's book description below." "The book is considered a forgery," barnesandnoble.com spokesman Gus Carlson was quoted as saying. "In a situation where there is concern over the legitimacy of the book, it is our job to make certain facts clear." In addition to their own disclaimers, the two companies are posting a rebuttal to the book provided by the Anti-Defamation League: "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, circulated by the Czarist secret police at the turn of the 20th century, is plainly and simply a plagiarized forgery. "The Protocols has been a major weapon in the arsenals of anti-Semites around the world, republished and circulated by individuals, hate groups and governments to convince the gullible as well as the bigoted that Jews have schemed and plotted to take over the world," Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADL, emphasized that hid group just wants potential customers to know what the book really is.
To the Editor: I read with interest the editorial in the Jewish Press dated March 17, regarding some aspects of governing boards of non-profit organizations. While I share your concern about some of the "shadier" activities some board members of any organization may engage in, I am pleased to bring to your attention and share with your readers a new program, currently underway, designed specifically to educate and foster strong, positive and healthy leadership within our Jewish community. This program, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is called Jewish Omaha Leadership Training, or JOLT. Twenty-five JOLT participants, representing all major congregations in our community and a myriad of Jewish organizations within and outside of the Federation, have completed three of ten sessions scheduled throughout 2000. Topics for leadership education include, among others, Jewish ethics in leadership, conflict management, and the partnership between our synagogues and the Jewish Federation.
April 7,2000
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At the conclusion of JOLT, participants will be asked to serve our Jewish community by sitting on boards and committees of any Jewish organization in the Omaha area. It is my sincere hope, also, that through their JOLT experience, these leaders and future JOLT participants will help to "shine some sunlight" into the dark recesses that currently exist within some of our local Jewish organizations. Susie Norton, JOLT Chairman To the Editor: I read with appreciation your editorial on Pope John Paul ITs visit to the Holy Land (March 31). However, I believe one correction is in order. The Pope is said to speak without error when he speaks "ex cathedra," which he only does regarding grave matters of faith, binding to all Roman Catholics. This is not to say that other statements made by the Pope are not significant for Catholics (certainly they are not "optional"), but only that any statements not made "ex cathedra" are not considered to be "without the possibility of error." In all event, I am grateful for your consideration that this visit may well mark the beginning of a new era of respect by Catholics for Jews, one which I as a Roman Catholic welcome and applaud. Adrian Koesters To the Editor: The Press should be complemented for the excellent editorial regarding Pope John Paul's visit to Israel. Clearly, he did reach out to leaders of the world's religions. The positive and constructive evaluation by Mrs. Katzman in her editorial role should be taken as a solid and meaningful direction for us all and the Pope's efforts should be taken as a springboard for improving Catholic-Jewish relations in this new century. The accompanying cartoon was inconsistent with the editorial, with the facts of the Pope's trip and with good taste. The Press should be more selective. Dr.MartyWolf
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Jeff Taxman will play the lead (Adolph Freitag) Grocers Association. He served as chairman of that in the Omaha Community Playhouse's production board from 1991-94. of the award-winning Broadway show, Last Night at Ballyhoo. The show opens tonight and runs, Rick Fox, owner of Julio's Restaurants, is again through April 30. Set in Atlanta in 1939, Ballyhoo one of the local chairmen for the 12th Annual Taste is the story of a family's last chance to enter the . of the Nation benefit for hunger relief, which has "right circle" but also points out some bittersweet raised more than $500,000 locally. This year's lessons about love and jealousy, prejudice and tol- event is Sunday, April 16, at Regency Court. erance, and the importance of the family in Jewish Tickets are $50 and may be purchased from any communities in the South. Julio's location, Homer's or Enterprise Bank. More than 45 restaurants are expected to particiFor ticket information, call 553-4890. pate; there will also be a silent auction, live music Joshua Grossman was awarded first place in and an open bar. the Junior Division of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at the Metropolitan Science and A&E will present a two-hour documentary speEngineering Fair. His project was entitled "How cial premiering on Sunday, April 16, 8 p.m. . Does the Angle of Attack of an Airfoil Affect the (EST/PST), entitled Quest for the Lost Tribes. Force of the Lift?" He also received the Omaha The film will explore the 2000-year-old mystery of Public Schools Mathematics Award for his project. the lost tribes of Israel and will take viewers on an Josh, the son of Alex and Mary Sue Grossman, is adventure to the most remote and exotic places on an eighth grade student at King Science Center. earth in search of the prophetic legend. . The third grade class from Heartland Nancy Rips, a board member of the Omaha Public Library, has been named chairman of Community Schools in Bradshaw is studying National Public Library Week (which runs April inventions. They are looking for anyone who has 10-14) for the Omaha Public Libraries. She will be made an invention large or small. Contact them appearing in schools throughout the city next at: Heartland Community Schools, Attention: week, promoting reading and will help children Diane Crouch, P.O. Box 98, BradBhaw.NE 68319 or e-mail dcrouch@esu6.esuO.ne.us sign up for their own library cards. Rips is a bookseller at Read All About It at Oak View Mall and does regular book reviews on Lori Bacigalupi and her dyed silk clothing will KMTV- Channel 3, 96-FM and KKAR-AM radio. be at the Anderson O'Brien Fine Art Galiery April She is a past-president of the Jewish Federation 11 and 12 only. For more information, call Anne Library. Fenner at 553-3994. The National Grocers Association has announced Teachers and principles from the area including the election of Rich Juro to its Board of Directors. Grand Island, NE and Storm Lake; IA, will join the Juro is CEO of No Frills Supermarkets in Kalah Franklin-Hatikvah Chapter of Amit Women Nebraska and Iowa. He was previously awarded at their donor luncheon, Sunday April 9,12:30 p.m. the Spirit of America award in recognition of "his at Beth Israel to honor Cantor Leo Fettman. outstanding leadership and for providing continu- The cantor will be the recipient of the ity throughout the years to the Nebraska Retail Humanitarian Award.
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Passover Questions??? Answers at Bag'n Save Sunday, April 9th 4:00- 6:00 PM Bag'n Save 7500 Dodge Rabbi Shlomo Levin
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We will discuss what may and may not be used for Passover- along with the reasons why- as we examine products throughout the store. Sponsored by:
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Beth Israel Synagogue
Jewish Women's Archive featured at White House celebration of women in American history by Sarah Varela WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. Joyce Antler, the Visiting Research Director of the Jewish Women's Archive, presented testimony before the President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History as part of a two-day event marking the Millennial Celebration of Women's History Month. Antler, who was one of just three experts to address the Commission, discussed the importance of developing more innovative and interactive ways to commemorate women's myriad contributions to American history. '•''•.•'• In just four years, the Jewish Women's Archive has stimulated grassroots Jewish women's history programs in all 50 states through its pioneering projects using oral histories, vivid posters, gallery and on-line exhibitions, and interactive web technology. The Archive's pioneering website, wwwjwa.org, uses interactive exhibits and other innovative web-based technology to provide information on Jewish women's history and their role in Jewish and American history to anyone with Internet access. . Antler is currently on leave from Brandeis where she is the Samuel Lane Professor of American Jewish History and Culture and chair of the American Studies Department. On the second day of the event, author Betty Friedan and U.S. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) spoke at a ceremony to dedicate Clara Barton's civil war-era Missing Person's Of fice as Washington's newest Women's History site. The Jewish Women's Archive is a national organization whose mission is to uncover, chronicle and transmit the rich legacy of Jewish women.
LARMORE/COOPER Emily Ann Larmore, daughter of Joel and Sharon Larmore of Elkhorn, and Joshua Milder Cooper, son of Ron and Cheryl Cooper of Omaha, have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be received her B.A. degree from Northwestern University and is currently a third-year medical student at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. She is the granddaughter of Pauline and the late Erwin Schneider of Kenesaw, NE, and Nebraska College of Medicine, Doyle Larmore of Omaha and the A June 24 wedding is planned at late Elaine Larmore. the Joslyn Art Museum. Her fiance received his B.A. degree from California University at San Diego and is also a third-year medical student at the University of
Michael and Lisa Wasserman of Landsdale, PA, announce the March 2 birth of their daughter, Emma Molly. Emma has two sisters, Hannah Rachel, 8, and Talya Bess, 6. Emma is named in memory of her paternal great-grandmother, Ida Potash, and her maternal great-grandmother, Molly Birnbaum. Grandparents are J e r r y and Phyllis Wasserman of Omaha and Harry and Jean Perlmutter of Westwood, N.J.
Susi and Mark Stein announce the March 18 homecoming of their daughter, Emilie D'Rai Min, from Changshu, China. She was welcomed by her grandparents, Betty Laser and Lome and Art Stein, her great-grandfather Keith Peltz, and her brother, Matthew. Emilie was born April 28,1998; she is named for her maternal and paternal great-grandmothers. ':.••{.
PASSOVER PHOTOS
Chabad of Omaha Onal* Nafcnda
Photos used in the April 14 Passover edition of the Jewish Press will be available for pick up after Monday, April 10, at the Press office. For information, call, the Jewish Press, 334-6448.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday in the auditorium of the JCC, Exercise afr 10:15 aan. in the auditorium. All are welcome! Or try your luck at Bingo with Eileen Remer at 10:15.. Bring articles to share for the "YES Talk" discussion group at 11. Following lunch at noon, Mayor Hal Daub will speak, For transportation, call 330-4272, The Mah Jongg Club will meet at the JCC on Wednesday. For more information, call Charlotte Kaplan at 5515658.
BREADBREAKERS Gary Javitch will be installed as the new President of Henry Monsky Lodge; Adam Jacobs will be honored as outgoing president. B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon at Pastimes Restaurant, 129th and West Maple. The program is open to the community; cost is $8.50. OMAHACENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING Saturday, April 8, 6 p.m.--Rabbi Shlomo Levin will host study of the weekly Torah at his home, 2001N. 56th. Sunday, April 9, 4-6 p.m., at Bag 'n Save, 7500 Dodge-Kosher for Passover questions are answered as we roam the aisles, co-sponsored by Chabad, Beth Israel and Va'ad Hakashruth. Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Beth Israel hosts a session on the laws of Passover. Wednesday, April 12, noon— Lunch'n Learn meets at Beth El Synagogue to study "The symbolism of the seder plate." We will eat lunch together (please bring your own) followed by our study. At 6:30 p.m., a class in modern, spoken Hebrew is hosted by Al Ross at his home, 676 N. 56th St. Thursday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.-A class on Talmud tractate Pesachim is hosted by Beth El. For more information about these or other OCTL events please contact
JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES From the Golden Age of the Broadway Musical Comedy, come enjoy The Music Man in Overland Park, KS, at the New Theater Restaurant on Wednesday, July 26. Cost is $74 and includes round-trip coach transportation, show, lunch, stop at a winery on the way home, juice and muffin, prizes and tour escort. Depart from the Jewish Community Center at 8 a.m., and return approximately at 7:45 p.m. Space is limited. For reservations or information, call Maggie at 334-6521. Deadline is April 29. WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. There will be no exercise class. For those members going to Lunch Bunch-Art Chicks in Louisville, NE, please meet at the Blumkin Home front entrance by 10 aan. For transportation,: call Maggie at 334-6521.
April 7,2000
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Blumkin residents celebrate Purim tion recounting the Story of Esther. This was followed by feasting on hamantachen. On Tuesday morning, Purim was started with a puppet show at the Jewish Community Center. The show was sponsored by the Freidel Academy. Later in the day, residents were treated to a special sing-a-long, a Purim play, Leo Rundell and Esther Waxman, the King and tea time with flaand Queen of the Purim festival. yored teas and coffee. Esther Waxman and Leo Purim Celebration for residents of were crowned Purim Queen the Blumkin Home began on Monday Rundell King. Results were based on Evening, March 20, with Beyt . and votes cast by residents and staff. Shalom Reconstructionist Congrega-
by Art Grossman
Well, well! Shakespeare said it: "All's well that ends well." After months of shifting from one spot to another for our group's discussion class during the <Ts renovation, we at long last have landed in permanent quarters-a spankin' new elegant, spacious room, large enough to seat many participants. When the final bit of alteration is completed, we can proudly say, "Hey, hey! Look at our J!" At the March 27 meeting, inspirational speaker Anne Joseph, Activity Director of the Blumkin Home, pulled no punches stating: "Life.has bumps and potholes but you must adjust to them and, while doing so, live, Love
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and Laugh'." She made her points effectively with some clever props. At the discussion, we spoke about UNMC'sDr. Howard Gendelman being named a Fulbright Scholar. It is only the second granted to a Nebraskan. We discussed, at length, Pope John Paul IFs journey to Israel and his attempt to atone for sins directed at Jewish people from early times on. We paused in reverent memory for Dr. Eugene London, Ruth Breslow and Harold Oruch. With PaBsover just over the horizon, check the calendar for meeting sessions in April. We will not converse April 17 and ' •'••
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April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Dennis A. Turnbull
Flax, Greenspoon team up in Ten Commandments series
Israeli composer wins Omaha Symphony Guild competition
CONTRACTOR
by Diane Axler Baum
Young Israeli composer Lior Navok will have his "i award-winning compo• sition, Spanish Songs, 4 performed by the OmaJ ha Symphony on Saturj day , April 22, 7 pan., 1 at the Strauss Performiing Arts Center on the I campus of the Univers i t y of Nebraska at jjOmaha. Navok, who' iwas born in Tel Aviv, •has written composij. , tions for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles and solo instruments, but this is his first appearance in Omaha. He has conducted many of his own works in the United States and Israel. Navok earned a double bachelor's degree in classical composition and orchestral conducting from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. Recently he received his Master's from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and is currently pursuing a doctorate there. A reception, featuring Passover desserts, follows the concert at 6501 Prairie Ave. For information about tickets or the reception, call the Omaha Symphony office at 342-2826.
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The third of the Ten Commandments, "Do Not Take the Name of God in Vain," will be the basis for interactive study'and discussion on Monday, April 10,7:30 p.m., in the JCC auditorium. Rabbi Ira Flax, Chaplain at Offutt Air Force Base, and Prof. Leonard J. Greenspoon, holder of the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, will serve as presenters. Flax will speak on the third commandment in the framework of all ten. Greenspoon will discuss ways that the third commandment impacts on his work and professional activities. Refreshments will be served. "Most people, if asked, would too quickly profess to a full understanding of this commandment, but I believe it's not so clear at all. I expect a lively discussion," said Greenspoon. The session marks the second in a new series sponsored by the College of Jewish Learning of Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS), which teams up a rabbi and a professional from the community to provide two different approaches to each commandment under study. Rabbi Shlomo Levin, Director of the Omaha Center for Torah Learning and the first presenter, said,' "I was impressed with the success of the format and pleased that the program attracted a wide and varied audience."
Daniel Ben Del to exhibit works at JCC
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Daniel Ben Del, local artist and native Nebraskan, will be showing his artwork in the JCC Gallery for the month of April. Open WecL-Sat. Ben Del studied at the University of San Francisco, Parsons School of Design, and the American Conservatory of Theater. His art style and themes are traditional and contemporary Jewish paper cuts, i expressions of Torah and Midrash with paper, paint, and applique, as well as assemblege art. Ben Del teaches Hebrew, Jewish Values and Ethics in addition to Yiddish Theater ExperDiscover the perfect ience at BESST (Beth El setting for a special Synagogue Talmud event The Emba sy Torah). Suites Downtown/Old He developed the curriculum and taught Market Our elegantly adults and high school appointed ballroom can students the art of accommodate up to Jewish paper cutting. 750 for your next Ben Del designed and social function. implemented the project known as ALEF (Adult Education Program), at First clas service in Beth El. beautiful surroundings. Twenty-five percent of Embassy Suites will cater sales from the JCC the event of your dreams. exhibit of Daniel Ben Del O m a h a D o W f e w w ' O W M a r k e t 'IV 1 will be donated to the 555 South 10th Street Kripke Jewish Federa346?9OO0 tion Library.
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From top: "King" Dorothy Spizman, right, reads a decree to beauty contestants Barry Grossman, left, "Queen" Iris Ricks, and contestant Stephanie Grossman; middle left photo, Alex Pachman enjoys thePurim Spiel; right photo: Jen Gates attends the Purim: Carnival,' and bottom photo: Patricia Newman and her daughter, Emily.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Youth Leadership Mission Boats and the Night tours Holocaust Museum featured at ADL program For 85 years the Anti-Defamation League has been devoted to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, and to fostering understanding among diverse communities. Constantly striving to develop creative approaches, ADL Mountain States and Plains States Regional Offices hosted a Youth Leadership Mission to the 1 US Holocaust Memorial Robert B. Sturm Museum in Washington, DC on March 26-29,2000. Utilizing the Museum's dramatic portrayal of the events of the Holocaust, the mission offered a substantive and effective vehicle toward applying the lessons of the Holocaust to modern-day issues of bigotry. Twenty delegates from each of the two regions participated. Each delegation consisted of a diverse group of high school sophomores and juniors selected to participate in this intensive three and onehalf day program in our nation's capital. The Mission, which was provided at no cost to the participants, was made possible by a generous donation from Robert B.~ Sturm of Denver, Colorado. The focus of the Youth Leadership Mission is on team building and anti-bias educational curriculum from the ADL's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute. The program is designed to provide an overview of the history of the Holocaust and the nature of bigotry and prejudice. In addition to touring the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the participants toured the nation's capital and met with Senator Bob Kerrey and Representative Mark Udall, as well as Cbngresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Student delegate Chase Wixon said of the Mission, "It was a very knowledgeable••and life^i altering experience, which will be with us the rest
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The Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation Library are hosting a presentation by Knud Dyby and Martha Loeffler, the subject and author of Boats in the Night. This moving account of the rescue of the Danish Jews during World War II will be held in the Theater at the Jewish Community Center on Monday, April 24, at 7 pan. Boats in the Night, summarizes the background for Hitler's invasion of Denmark and the Jewish role in Danish society. It focuses primarily on Knud Dyby*s story as he became a participant in the resistance to the Nazi regime and in the dramatic rescue of his Jewish fellow countrymen. Knud Dyby was a Danish policeman sought by the Nazis. Perhaps nothing so coalesced the Danish people in then" opposition to the Nazis as the threat of annihilation confronting a part of their population. People from all walks of life—clergy, businessmen, nobility, commoners, laborers, fanners, medical personnel, government workers, old and young—joined in the dangerous but overwhelmingly successful venture of first hiding, then transferring these fellow Danes to safety in Sweden. Martha Loeffler, the author, is the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Russia. She is a frequent contributor to the Modesto Bee in Modesto, CA. As a member of the National League of Pen Women, she was asked by the staff of the San Francisco Holocaust Oral History Project to write a book based on their interviews with Knud Dyby. This initiated an association between Loeffler and Dyby and eventually with Dr. John Mark Nielsen of Dana College, their editor. Dyby"s appearance is sponsored by Dana College and Lur Publications, the publisher of Boats in the Night. The Danish Immigrant Museum and the Danish Windmill Corporation have provided additional support.
Upon returning to their home communities, a variety of structured and informal follow-up activities will be scheduled throughout the year to build upon and reinforce the enduring message of the Mission. , • ,
Youth Adviser • Enjoy working with Junior/Senior High School students. • Interested and experienced in youth programming and administration. • Familiar and comfortable with Conservative Judaism. ; Call Mary Rich, Youth Chair
/••••• TheJCC V is looking for camp counselors for the summer • Caring • Fun-loving • Creative Come join us for the ride of your life. For more information, contact Laura Wine
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The Jewish Press will feature "A SALUTE TO Year 2000 QUADS" in the June 2 issue. Photos are due by May 22...no exceptions! All Jewish graduating high school seniors- are urged to send their senior pictures along with the following: Name Parents High School Plans after c ° H " ° H " n Please send to:
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 7,2000
The Foundation of the Jewish The Foundation's Mission
Executive Director's Report
The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha exists to help assure the stability and continuity of Jewish life and to support Jewish communal services in the Omaha area by establishing and accumulating enduring assets for permanent funding resources.
It has been an exciting year for The Foundation. Many members of this community have established new donoradvised and endowment funds as well as several charitable remainder trusts with the Federation or The Foundation named as the charitable beneficiary. I am also pleased to have met with several prospective donors who want to establish funds but have not yet decided on the final purpose. I am continually overwhelmed at the generosity of our Jewish community, and I know you all join me in thanking those who established new funds between July 1,1998, and June 30,' 1999. During my short term as Foundation Director, I have learned that the primary reason individuals give to charity is their belief in the mission of the organization. All other motivating factors, including the desire to save income and estate taxes, are generally secondary. My primary job is to match the needs of the Federation and its agencies with the wishes and desires of donors. The result means satisfied donors and in the case of our Federation, "responsible philanthropy.", . As Mike Erman states in his accompanying report, now that we have almost finished the campus fund raising campaign, we need to concentrate on raising funds for programs and their staffing and also to provide subvention for those in our community who cannot afford to take part in our Jewish schools and activities. Each Federation agency keeps me apprised of their ongoing unfunded needs by submitting their "wish lists." I encourage anyone who is considering establishing a fund either here at the Federation or elsewhere in the Jewish community to set up an appointment with me so I can share some of the pressing needs in this Jewish community. Once a family or individual indicates the desire to make a major contribution, I, along with their lawyer or accountant or both, will help structure the transaction to maximize the tax benefits to the donor, thus reducing the net cost pf the
Foundation Board of Trustees
1999-2000
Chairman: Michael M. Erman; First Vice-chairman: Blaine Y. Roff man; Second Vice-chairman, Steven Bloch
Board Members
Executive Committee
Henry Davis Barbara A. Epstein David L. Friedland* Morton Glass Joseph Kirshenbaum* . Forrest N. Knitter Robert I. Kulty Martin J. Lehr Murray H. Newman* Jay Noddle Ted M. Seldin* Harley D. Schrager* Stephen H. Simon Suzanne Singer Richard Slosburg Norman Veitzer* Arnold W e i t z "
Michael M. Erman Blaine Y. Roffman Steven Bloch Joe Kirshenbaum Murray H. Newman Ted M. Seldin Harley D. Schrager Norman Veitzer
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Planning Committee
Morton Glass, chairman Steven Bloch Barbara A. Epstein Blaine Y. Roffman Suzanne Singer Richard Slosburg
Investment Committee Forrest N. Knitter, chairmani Harley D. Schrager Michael M. Erman Blaine Y. Roffman David L. Friedland Norman Veitzer Murray H. Newman Richard Slosburg Robert I. Kully Arnold Weitz Stephen H. Simon
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Foundation Administration
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Martin P Rirk<; pYprutivp DifpctoT T .311 rip t^rfisso
Administrative Assistant *past chairman **ex-officio
Annual Report Balance Sheet as of June 30,1999 Ending
Beginning
ASSETS Cash and Short Term Investments U.S. Government Securities Equity Investments Bond Mutual Funds State of Israel Bonds Note Receivable Land For Resale
Managed Assets Charitable Remainder Trusts and Life Insurance Under Separate Management Funds Held and Invested for Benefit of Federation or Its Agencies: Jewish Federation Reserve Funds Custodial Funds
$1,509,797 8,635,343 10,616,433 4,565,437 1,642,499 741,428 540,000
5.35% 30.57% 37.58% 16.16% 5.81% ' 2.62% 1.91%
$ 570,173 7,460,009 13,634,157 6,821,766 1,615,699 697,806 360,000
1.82% 23.94% 43.76% 21.89% 5.19% 2.24% 1.16%
28,250,937
100.00%
31,159,610
100.00%
01,636,616
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1,414,353
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' (1,654417)' (65,932) $28,167,204
Total Assets
-
(1,733,012) . (91,213) $30,749,738
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FUND BALANCES Unstricted Endowments Restricted or Designated Endowments Philanthropic or Donor Advised Funds Supporting Foundations • ' Charitable Remainder Trusts and Life Insurance Under Separate Management
$1,850,991 • 18,149,671 6,002,393 527,533
6.57% ' 64.44% 21.31% 1.87%
$1,972,295 21,332,894 5,494,629 535,567
1,636,616
5.81%
1414353
$28,167,204
Total Fund Balances
100.00%
$30,749,738
-
, 6.41% 69.38% ' 17.87% 1.74% .
4.60% 100.00%
Statement of Support, Revenue, Allocations and Expenses July 1,.1998-June 30,1999 Beginning Fund Balances - 7/1/98 Lifetime Gifts and Contributions Investment Income Grants and Allocations Beneficiary Income Payments Fees
$28,167,204 7,154,761 • 1,208,633 (5,226,012) (381,369) (173,479) 2,582,534 $30,749,738
Net Change in Fund Balances Ending Fund Balances -6/30799
ASSETS AT FAIR MARKET VALUE
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Interviews and meetings with me are always kept confident Hal. So I encourage those of you who want to establish a legacy for the Omaha Jewish community to call me on my direct line at 334-6440 and join our ever increasing list of endowment donors. Martin C. Ricks
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Federation of Omaha 1999 Annual Report Chairman's Report Our metropolitan area of 6000 to 7000 Jews raises $3 million annually in Federation campaign funds, sending well over $1 million of it overseas to help Jews in need. In addition, we have almost completed a JCC building fund campaign raising an unbelievable $9 million in only two years. Furthermore, after only 17 years of operation, we have surpassed $31 million in assets under the auspices of The Federation Foundation. While we are all proud of what we have raised in charitable dollars for our 132nd-Street campus, do we have sufficient staff and dollars to create and operate the myriad of programs available to us through the existence of this wonderful facility? Are these programs and experiences available to all Jews in Omaha, irrespective of their financial status? If not, we still have challenges before us. Marty Ricks wrote about the need for PACE (Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment) funds in his annual report letter last year. With a PACE gift, a donor's annual campaign pledge endures after the donor dies providing added security in raising the requisite annual campaign dollars if needed in future years. With about two-thirds of the JCC capital fund pledges received, we are now ready'to talk to the ''community abou ' making PACE, commitments help secure theA future ,Q m a h Jew ry PACEendowments need not be current campaign payments but could simply be wiiT bequests or transfers of life insurance. • I also believe our Foundation can help meet the challenges of securing the future of the Omaha Jewish community by encouraging donations for designated programs. Some examples of designated programs are enhancing Jewish cultural arts, post-college leadership development including trips to Israel, Jewish education for all ages including the ability to recruit the finest Jewish educators, family camp opportunities, and many other programs. The possibilities are endless. Now that the campus campaign is coming to a successful close, it is important to steer our local philanthropy in the direction of programs that will enhance the knowledge, practice, and perpetuation of Judaism in Omaha. Also, we must be absolutely clear that no one in our Jewish community will be excluded from attending any existing or new program due to lack of funds, be it attendance at our preschool or a community-sponsored mission to Israel. We must assist Jews in Omaha who need help with the necessities of life including food, rent, and medicine. As this community has done for years, we must help our own and never lose sight of our mission of tzedakah. Michael M. Erman
Designated Endowment Fund Grants Endowment funds are established and, in turn, grants and distributions are allocated in accordance with the initially-designated purposes of these funds. Some examples of programs and needs served by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation's endowment funds are: • Promoting, enriching, and advancing Judaism and Jewish culture, religion, education, and benevolent service in Omaha, Israel, and throughout the world • Large print books of Jewish content • Russian periodicals, newspapers or books for resettled Jews from the former Soviet Union • Equipment and furnishings for the JCC preschool • Scholarships for BBYO teenagers to participate in Chapter Leadership Training Conferences • Programs, activities, and special projects for Rose Blumkin Jewish Home residents • Dental care for needy elderly in the Omaha Jewish community • Equipment for the exclusive benefit of handicapped, incapacitated, or infirm Jewish aged living in Omaha • Food for needy Jewish families in Omaha on Passover, High Holy Days, and Hanukkah • Scholarships, grants, and loans administered by the Financial Aid Committee of Jewish Educational and Library Services • Grants and loans for children to attend Jewish summer camps and for educational trips to Israel by high school students • Jewish community leadership education and training • The annual Young Leadership Awards • Programs on problems and issues such as alcohol and drug use, sexuality, eating disorders, intra-family relations, violence and gangs, suicide and depression, and Jewish identity facing Jewish youth under the age • The general use of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Centers of Excellence • And many more Note: The people pictured in this annual report are not necessarily direct beneficiaries of the income from The Foundation's endowment funds.l
Beneficiaries of Donor-Advised Funds
These funds are established by donors who make recommendations to IRS Sec. 501(c)(3). The Foundation Board of Trustees must appr recommendation. . All About Omaha Greater Women's Fund-Child Care National Kidney Foundation Green Hill School, Dallas, TX National Multiple Sclerosis Society All Our Kids, Inc. Nebraska Aids Project Hadassah Associates Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Humane Society American Cancer Society Hebrew Theological College American Civil ?. „ Nebraska Humanities Council Liberties HeritageJoslyn Foundation Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Foundation Hillel Foundation of Tufts University Nebraskans for Public Television Husker Athletic Fund American Jewish Congress New Israel Fund American Red CrossHusker U.S.A.-Wrestling Club New York University Heartland Chapter Indian Chicano Health Center Ohio University Foundation American Red Cross-Council Bluffs Iowa Public Television Omaha Center for Torah Learning Iowa State University Anti-Defamation League Omaha Community Foundation Anti-Defamation League, Costa Mesa, CA Jewish Community Center Campus Omaha Food Bank Project Aspen Music Festival Annual Fund Omaha Home for Boys Jewish Community Center Maccabi Aspen Theatre in the Park Omaha Public Library • • ;' YouthGames BeLlevue University Omaha Symphony v Jewish Community CenterBemis Center for Contemporary Art Marco Island , Omaha Theatre Company for Beth El Cemetery Chapel Project Young People Jewish Family Service Beth El Synagogue Jewish Family Service, Santa Monica, CA Opera Omaha Beth Israel Synagogue Opera Omaha Foundation '" Jewish Federation of Omaha, Inc. Bide-A-Wee . P.E.F. Israel Endowment FundJewish Federation of Omaha Library Blue Barn Theatre Ida Nudel Project Jewish Federation of Omaha- '- -: • • • Boston Synagogue Palm Springs Desert Museum Teen Leadership Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha, Inc. Jewish Federation of Palm Springs, CA Planned Parenthood of Omaha/ Boys Club of Omaha Jewish Fund for Justice Council Bluffs Brandeis University Riekes Center for Human Enhancement Jewish National Fund-Midwest Brownell Talbot School Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Campfire Boys and Girls Salvation Army, Council Bluffs Chabad-Lubavitch of Nebraska Salvation Army, Western Division Child Saving Institute San Diego Hebrew Day School Children's Hospital Foundation The Shelterbelt Theatre Christian Urban Education Services— Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation (CUES) Simon Wiesenthal Center City Meals on Wheels / • Special Olympics Nebraska College of St. Mary St. Francis Memorial HospitalFoundation Congregation Beth Jehudah Stam Gemilas Chesed Fund Congregation Har-Hashem Temple Israel Council Bluffs Catholic Charities Temple Israel-21st Century Fund Council Bluffs Public Library UNO Athletic Fund CJF Disaster Relief-Kosovo UNO Athletic Department Creighton University Annual Fund Jewish Senior Services Union of Councils for Soviet Jews Joslyn Art Museum Creighton University Medical School United Arts Omaha KAVOD Ding Darling Wildlife Society, Inc. United Way of the Midlands/CHAD KIOSFM Eisenhower Medical Center University of Nebraska Foundation KIWRFM Family Service University of Oklahoma FoundationMake A Wish Foundation Fontenelle Forest Association Pharmacy Micah House, Council Bluffs Friedel Jewish Academy Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts University of Pennsylvania FriendsoflDF of America • Wilshire Boulevard Temple GESHER. Mills County Storehouse Women's Fund of Greater Omaha Girls Club of Omaha NAACP ' World Jewish Congress Glenwood Iowa Public Library National Conference for Community YWCA ' The Gratitude Fund & Justice YACHAD Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation National Council of Jewish Women
Page 12
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
A horse named Shabbat by Bert Lewis
This close to Passover, it's inevitable that we start waxing sentimental, right? Or, as I might be more likely to say, hocking nostalgically. It's the time when most of us past voting age seem to remember how things "used to be" way back when. our holidays were observed and celebrated with as much enthusiasm as laborious preparation. For years now, I've shared with you my memories of the seders with my grandparents, then later, the updated versions with my parents in charge. I've told you so many times about how big the dining room table was in Zayda's house, you must be able to picture it by now.
This Israeli former cart-horse was rescued nesses and victims of falls, caused by by Concern for Helping Animals in Israel pulling too heavy loads. CHAI is currently (CHAI). CHAI, based in the United States, seeking donations to start a sanctuary purchased the animal with donated funds, where mistreated horses and donkeys can provided veterinary care and found him a be rehabilitated and made available for new healthy home. CHAI officials report suitable adoption. Contributions, payable that many cart-horses in Israel are beaten, to CHAI, should be sent to CHAI, P.O. Box starved, injured by ill-fitting shoes or har- 3341, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Actually, in retrospect, it probably seated 10 or 12, with little tushes on the piano bench, since every chair was called into service. Was there an auxiliary table for the over-flow? I.can't remember, but I'll see if my brother's memory is better than mine is. I suppose there were the golden chicken eggs floating in the wonderful soup at other times of the year, but how come I connect them with Passover only? Maybe for the same reason the sight (or reminder) of those old fashioned humongous square bed pillows make me almost see Zayda leaning on one, during the seder. I know they were used on the beds daily, but they always trigger the other vision. Today's health and nutrition conscious homemakers would no doubt faint if anyone suggested they order 12 dozen eggs.to prepare for Passover week. Yet I remember how common that, was, when all the specialties of the holiday were planned. My goodness, one sponge cake and fried matzo for lunch took an entire dozen! If you meticulously clean kitchen cabinets on a scheduled basiB, the thought of turning them prac- _ tically inside out for Pesach doesn't faze you. I remember my mom standing on a chair (who had a step stool?) to get to the dishes on the top shelf. Those were part of the chometz which had to be removed and banished to the basement, along with ; • every; other dish, fork, knife, spoon, glasses a n d ' pots and pans, both dairy and meat. , , ?f:' . Backbreaking, exhausting work, usually done almost entirely by the lady of the house, no matter how strong or husky she was (or ^wasn't). We've v talked about all that before, haven't we? Didn't you .;. tell me your little mom did the same thing, year .; after year? I know somebody else usually schlepped the heaviest stuff, but when that somebody wasn't around, guess who managed? Right. Yes, it's true many of us have the same memories. The faces around the table were different, but most everything else was the same at your house as it was at mine (or at my grandparents'). The menu was pretty standard too, unlike today when some ladies stray from convention and bring out a big, roasted turkey after the fish and soup course. An observer knows the exact moment when the turkey will appear, because those facing the kitchen door will groan "oh no.—where will I put it?"
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I, personally, like to defy convention by serving:; lamb, which I consider to be exactly right for the springtime Passover meal. I can never do this nostalgia business without thinking back, to the many, many erev seder late afternoons, when my dad (who loved potato latkes like Romeo loved Juliet) would pop in the kitchen and ask my mom "for a favor." She was, by then, up to her elbows in last minute preparations, but he'd coax her into making a quick couple of latkes just "to tide him over" until later, I could count on that like I could count on forgetting to mix together the charoses ingredients-yet another last-minute happening. Yes, when this timeI of the year rolls around, we're apt to share many old and beautiful memories. And I can never resist talking about those old times with you, any time the subject comes up. So if you read this and say, "she already told me that story," well you'll please forgive me. I always get this way before Pesachl
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April 7,2000
Culinary Creations, Kosher for Passover, and Garden of Eating cookbook reviews by Lois Friedman
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Omaha Section sends delegates to NCJW Leaders' Institute
: Here are some recently published books from Mix chopped apples-with lemon juice. Combine Feldheim Publishers. potato starch and sugar in pot. Mix in water graduCulinary Creations, from the Cookbook ally, until smooth. Mix in honey. Cook over medium Committee of Bnos Zion of Bobov, is in the fifth flame, stirring constantly, until thick and clear. printing. The goal of the cookbook committee was Cool. Add apples and nuts. Chill, Mix in wine just "to produce a combination of recipes from the most before serving. Delicious poured over sponge cake. elegant, classic to the simplest everyday fare". There are modern day versions, Hubby's recipes, WINE SAUCE yummy desserts, household hints, everything for 1/2 cup sweet red wine everyday and holiday meals (except an alphabetical 5 oz. (125 g.) sugar recipe index). /;. 1/2 cup water Kosher for Passover Cookbook, Aish Hatorah 2 eggs Women's Organization's new fourth edition, has 1 tsp. potato starch Pesach preparations and 250 recipes for everything 1T. lemon juice you'd want to make for your Seder including Jerusalem, Sephardic, American and Iraqi-Syrian Dissolve potato starch in wine and water. Add sugar and even Charoses sauce. Traditional as well as and heat to boiling. Beat the eggs and slowly add to hot quick and easy foods. Try the charoses sauce over mixture. Add lemon juice. Pour mixture into double boil: sponge cake. er and bring to boil over hot water, stirring constantly Seven members of NCJW, Omaha Section, Garden of Eating, from the Women's League of until mixture thickens. Serve hot or cold over dessert participated in the recent Leaders' Institute Yeshiva Degel Hatorah Maatnar Mordechai, has in Dallas, TX, a triennial conference of the Kosher favorite recipes and menus for everyday FRUIT SAUCE National Council of Jewish Women; seated: and,holiday from "and now we begin", the first 6 T. potato starch Stacie Brodkey, left, Carol Bloch, and Jan chapter, with recipes for breads, soups and salads, 1/4 tsp. salt Schneiderman; standing: Deb Marburg, Sara then main and aide dishes, sweets and children's 1 cup sugar Juster, Beth Friedman, and Cindy Goldberg. Simcha ideas for birthday parties, holidays and 2 cups water more. Nutritional data included on everything' 3 egg yolks from apple to zucchini kugel and in between. Odyssey Networks celebrates 2 T. shortening All but the first are available at the Kripke 5 T. lemon juice Passover with holiday programming Jewish Federation Library. U/4 cups cooked or canned fruit Upcoming specials will highlight the holiday of Combine potato starch, salt and 112 cup sugar. Add Passover on the Odyssey Network, available on CHAROSES SAUCE water. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Mix yolks cable television and direct-to-home satellite ser3/4 cup chopped apples and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Add 2 T. of hot mixture vice. The shows are presented by the National 1T. lemon juice into yolks. Pour remaining yolks into hot mixture. Cook interfaith Cable Coalition (NIC©. 1T. potato starch another 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in shortenNew Jewish Cuisine: Passover Meals will pre1/4 cup sugar ing and lemon juice. Allow to cool without stirring. miere on Thursday, April 20; Lights of Freedom 3/4 cup water Pour over fruit. Serving suggestion: Use as a topping will be shown on Friday, April 21. Other Passover 1/3 cup honey . : for sponge cake. specials are also featured on Odyssey. Call your 1/2 cup chopped walnuts cablevision or satellite service provider for further 172 cup sweet wine information.
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Page 14
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE tt
Stress: It affects teens tod! by Elyce Azriel, Director Temple Israel Middle/High School
Y2CHAIM"
Chaim Weizmann AZA #1510 held their 36th Annual Sweetheart Dance last month at Millard North High School; Sarah Edelstein was named Sweetheart. The Sweetheart candidates included Rebecca. Murow, daughter of Alan and Janie Murow; Ariel Shukert, daughter of Aveva and Marty Shukert; Joanna Kay, daughter of Helen and Leslie Kay; and Sarah Edelstein, daughter of Ellene and Stanley Edelstein. Honoraries were Nichole Colin, daughter of Steve and Linda Cohn; and Emily Epstein, daughter of Howard and Sharon Epstein. Past Sweetheart was Jennifer Friedman, daughter of Debbie and Scott Friedman,
Rabbi Eisner has also served as the Director of On Wednesday evening April 12, our high school department will participate once again in a work- the Junior and Senior High School Programs and NFTY at the Union of American Hebrew shop for students and parents. The workshop entitled, STRESS: It Affects Teens Congregations. His connection here is extensive, being on the board of KAVOD, Too!, will provide an open and a tzedakah collective based in safe setting for parents and | Omaha, and has visited many children to explore the reali| times for NFTY events and ties of our world today and ) study sessions at Temple how to deal with them effecIsrael. tively: drugs, alcohol, social and intellectual experimentaJoining Rabbi Eisner is tion, dating, violence, physical Ellen Herskowitz L.C.S.W., and sexual abuse. This workchairperson of the Union Of shop will help instill a sense of American Hebrew Congrepride, self-esteem and selfgations department on Jewish confidence in our teens as Family concerns. they learn to be independent. There will be two breakout sessions: Jerry Kaye will lead A teenager's life is usually the session for Grades 7-9, stereotyped as carefree and entitled "Sex, Drugs 'N Rock happy. Society doesn't really And Roll". A hallmark of this understand all the pressures workshop is the active moveand problems facing young ment of the participants adults. encouraging a sense of personIt is true that the teenage al accomplishment and underyears are a time for parties standing. Kaye has worked and friends, but these years with children and families also are fraught with stress. It heading the O.S.R.U.I. is hard to juggle the,pressures Institute Camp in Present and past Weizmann Sweethearts: of school, peers and parents. Rabbi Dennis Eisner During adolescence, teens need to deal with a Oconomowoc, WI, for 30 years. He is a certified Sarah Edelstein, left, and Jennifer Friedman. range of changes, including physical, emotional and psychotherapist and brings a valuable combination developmental. Often, they don't have the coping of skills to this program. Foster Parenting... Nancy Cohen, from the National Council of skills to handle all of these important changes. Thejjardest Job you'll ever lovel The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Dennis Jewish Women, Essex County Section will lead a Eisner, Assistant Dean of the Los Angeles School of session that helps prevent teens from entering into Call 1-800-7-PARENT Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. or remaining in abusive dating relationships. This Make sure every Nebraska child Ordained at HUC/JIR/New York in 1998, he session will be open only to students and parents in has a loving family. received his Master of Arts degree in Hebrew grades 10-12. ThiB program was funded by an anonymous Letters and Master of Arts in Jewish Communal donor and the Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation. Service at the Los Angeles Campus. A HEALTH AND HUMAN SEMITES SYSTEM
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CREATING COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS. "A sense of community Is such an important component In a person's life. Crelghton has provided a rich micro-community for me. It Is unique how each Individual's personal faith and culture Intertwines with one another to create the diverse community of Crelghton University. Crelghton's Campus Ministry has been extremely supportive and has helped me foster and promote my beliefs on campus." '
Beth Katz, CU, 2000 Education/SocialWorkMajor
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY Crelghton University Office of Undergraduate Admissions • 2500 California Plaza .Omaha, Nebraska 68178 • 402.280.2703 • adml8Sion8@crelghton.edu
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 15
—by Robbie Epstein by Leah Raful —: • Editor's note: Leah's O'Var Torah was edited for Teen Age. When you read this parsha, and when you are standing in front of the Western Wall, you think "I wonder why God did all of this for us, why God revealed the Torah to us, why God has commanded us, of all people, to build a sanctuary where He will dwell?" Well, we have always said the answer is because we are the Chosen People—God chose us to accept the Torah. So what does that mean-and what should I . w Lean feel.when I am standing there., in Jerusalem, looking at the Kotel? Are we the ONLY chosen people? After all, God only commanded the Jews on how to build the sanctuary, not any other people. Does being chosen for this great honor mean that we are better than anyone else? You know, sometimes being chosen is not such a great thing. I remember a wonderful scene from Fiddler on the Roof-remember when Tevye meets Lazar Wolf, the butcher, and they discuss a match between Lazar Wolf and Tevye's eldest daughter, Tzeitle? They share a few glasses of schnapps, drink "Lechayim to Life," dance in the tavern and are joined by some Russians, who also dance. They all say good night and yell out to Tevye "Mazel Tov, Tevye, Mazel Tov." As he happily stumbles home, Tevye meets the Sheriff, who extends his own pongratulations to Tevye. But then he tells Tevye-and he says he is only sharing this with Tevye because he likes him because he is a "good Jew"-that the' district office has decreed that there Is to be a small "incident" in Anatevka. "Don't worry, Tevye," the constable says, "it will only be a small incident, and besides, we have to do something here." And with that, he says good night to Tevye and again wishes him congratulations. Tevye turns towards the sky and says, "Dear God, did You have to send me news like that today, of all days? I know, I know~we are the chosen people. But once In a while, can't, you choose someone else?" There are so many different ways to define what it means to be "chosen." Rabbi Brad Artson of the University of Judaism points out that Jews should remember the phrase from Exodus it's
not just that we were chosen, but we were chosen to teach everyone else in the world the Torah and about God. I think God chose us because He believed we would fulfill His commandments. But even more than that, God has chosen us to also SHARE his commandments with everyone else in the world-commandments like loving one God, keeping the Sabbath, honoring your father and mother (even though it's awfully hard sometimes to follow THAT one), not lying, not cheating, not killing, and treating your neighbor as you would have your neighbor treat you. And being the chosen people DOES NOT mean that we are special, or the best, or the only people who walk in the ways of God. I'll give you one good example--my Uncle Gyuszi is here today from Budapest, and it's okay that I talk about him, because he doesn't understand English anyway. While more than half a million Hungarian Jews were taken to the concentration camps and murdered, my Uncle Gyuszi, who was in love with my grandmother's twin sister Edit, did not sit by and do nothing. Even though he was not Jewish, he saved many, many lives by helping Jews to safe houses and keep them in hiding. Even though he might not be part of the chosen people, he did all this because he knew it was the right thing to do as a human being. He did not have any specific religious upbringing, nor did he exactly know why he took all the risks he did to save so many. He just did it because he thought it was the right thing to do. He "chose" to do this. Our family always knew he was a hero, but a few years ago, Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum In Jerusalem, honored my Uncle Gyuszi by naming him a Righteous Gentile, and when you visit Yad Vashem, you will see his name among those honored. So when we read Parsha Terumah, we read that we are the chosen people, chosen to accept the Torah, chosen to build the sanctuary in the way God has directed, with the hope that if we do it correctly, God will live with us and bless us for all the days we live. We also know that in our daily lives, w e ' find other chosen people, Individuals who have chosen to live a righteous life, a good life, a life of purity, and we know that God has blessed these people. If we can use the Torah AND the examples set for us by people like my Uncle Gyuszi to live a good life, we are sure that God will continue to walk with us. Shabbat Shalom.
"If you will it, it is no dream..." the wise words of Theodore Herzl, leader of an organized movement of world Jewry that arose in Europe in the late nineteenth century to reconstitute a Jewish state in Palestine. His belief was known as Zionism. Today, Zionism is concerned with the development and support of the state of Israel. After my trip to the promised land last summer, I became a true modern-day Zionist. 1) My trip to Israel awoke me to the realization (hat 2) I should love the Jewish homeland as I love my own country; therefore 3) my patriotism to Israel is now as strong as my patriotism to the United States of America, and I feel at one with the rest of the world. : A pilgrimage to Israel was a bigger deal than I expected. Before my trip, I was not an extreme patriot to the country. My feelings toward the United States were much more powerful than my feelings toward Israel. Israel was just a place in a completely different hemisphere and called the Jewish homeland. I did not understand why many of my religion's people were so devout to a country the size of New Jersey. The reason was quite simple. I had never traveled to Israel; therefore, what was taught to me in school and synagogue and what I read in the news had little significance in my life, that is, until I experienced a summer there for myself. I remember the summer evening on the 747 jet to Tel Aviv-Yafo. I awoke to the words of the captain, telling the flight attendants and passengers to prepare for landing. As we began our descent, we were flying over the Mediterranean Sea. As we edged toward the coast, I could make out the desert sun setting over an industrial city. The site was a rare one. I had never seen such an industrial city appear so beautiful. The setting sun was brilliant, reflecting its still-lasting light off the glass of the skyscrapers. The jet touched down, and as soon as the wheels made contact with the surface, a round of applause and cheers roared. Everyone made it safely to the promised land. There was every reason in the world to be overjoyed. Once I stepped off the jet, I knelt down and kissed the ground of the land my ancestors civilized thousands of years ago. I was hit with an enormous amount of amazement. From that first step, every
piece of land I walked upon that summer had some type of historical significance. When I first arrived at the Western Wall, I was hit with another enormous amount of disbelief. There I was, praying to a wall that millions of my people had died for so I could live this day. I could only have this grateful feeling from experiencing the actual moment, not from a text book or a sermon. I realized my feelings for Israel became much stronger. This led to a resulting insight that my love for Israel can be as bold as my'love for the country I in which I live. 11 love the United I States with all I my heart a n d ! soul, a born I patriotic feeling I of mine. It was! easy to love my I native country.! Just knowing! that a Jewish! homeland exist-1 ed was not a | good enough Robbie reason for me to love it. I found it hard to believe there was a country other than the United States that could make an eternal impact on my life. Although I experienced a summer oceans and continents away, I still felt at peace and was comforted by a feeling like I never really left home. My family, who had never been to Israel, noticed the changes in me. The significant change was my increase in knowledge, not in history or politics, but my knowledge in general. Experiencing a sense of home in a place far off made me realize that it is people with whom we belong, not location. Israel's difference in climate, history, politics and attitude intimidated me, but I was still with people who believed in the same faith as I did. That is what mattered most. Israel was a different country, but not a different community. Because .of this sense of community, I now have the potential to be at one with the rest of the world. Noticing the peace a visit to the holy land gave me, my parents decided to spend half a month there this February. I have a feeling I am, but will not be the only one, experiencing this certain special impact from this event. Robbie Is a junior at Burke, a member ol AZA *1, USY and Beth El Synagogue.
TO RUN OR NOT TO RUN? THAT WAS THE, DECISION—
by Nathan Flneman
I had to make a very difficult decision. went down to her office one day. It all started when I tried out for the play The counselor told me to do whatever Leah la a sophomore at Central, a mem- that Ms. Vacant! was doing for the spring was best for me. She said it seemed like tier of Edlar BBG, USY and Beth El production at Klewit Middle School. I was I really wanted to go out for track. That's Synagogue. selected to play the part of "Horatio" in what I thought, Hamlet.] was really excited to get the too. v % : - ' v part even though it wasn't a big one. ..u * * - > Still the deciWe hadn't had any rehearsals yet, sion was very when the school announced an informa- hard because I - b y Jonathan p . Gates > " ~ l ** ^ " * s <• ^ tional meeting for anyone interested in didn't want to track. I decided to check it out. I thought hurt Ms. VaFrom stars to swastikas, , ' it would be fun and good exercise as cantl's feelings. the Jews went through, ' r well. It would also help me to train for the She Is a really and (n the end were left only a few, good teacher I next football season. Sh'erltHa-pletah, I went to the meeting with a lot of my and I really like I the eurvlvlnff few remnants of tlmes'tbravest Jews, friends. Everyone was really excited being in her I but when they got out, about going out for track. The coaches class. I also I > lust what would they do? _. < told us we would have practice every knew I had I Nathan night after school from 3-4:15p.m. You made a comSome left with the exile ' could only be excused for religious mitment to her others deep In denial,^ \ ^ ' < school. The coaches said this was a com- first, but It was before I found out about , yet all hayethe memories' ''• ^ . r * ,< mitment you had to be ready to make.. track. I hoped she would not be upset *ot persecution with no trial. . ' ; i I tried to work it out (to be in the play with me and the decision I had to make. J Still other Jews overcame ' I met with Ms. Vacanti and told her and track) because I really wanted to do t the great urge tofitay silent, both. I talked to the coaches and Ms. what a difficult decision this had been. I x v> ' as they spoke to the masses Vacant!. Usually, I can make things work had decided to go out for track and not Jo prevent futimvldlonce. J ,.A (" , , out for the best, but they were not willing be in the play. Track started last week. I am really to be flexible. They told me I had to choose the play or track and I had to tired every day after practice but I like the challenge. It was a tough decision, but make the final decision in just two days. Now, just so you know, this was not a the right one for me. spur of the moment decision. I took lots of time thinking about my choice and Nathan Is a seventh grader at Klewit l, a member of OTYG asked other adults for advice. I even Middle School, a member of Kadlmah and talked tc the counselor about it when I Beth El Synagogue.
\ frcm Starsjbf* Swastikas.
Page 16
April 7,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Passoyer Manishewitz Wine and Shoah Foundation join in Passover promotion
What's kosher for Passover available online
During the upcoming Passover holi- be viewed on the Manishewitz website day, Manishewitz Wine Company, at: www.mani6hewitz.com together with its consumes, will make The Shoah Foundation has collected a donation to the Survivors of the more than 50,000 eyewitness testiShoah Visual history Foundation. monies in 57 countries and 32 lanIn lieu of the standard mail-in-in guages. It is committed to the broad rebate promotions usually offered this and effective educational use of the time of year, Manishewitz has taken a archive worldwide. new approach by focusing its promoIndividuals interested in supporting tions on cause-related marketing. the efforts of the Shoah Foundation The Survivors of the Show Visual are encouraged to call 1-818-777-4673, History Foundation was established in or write to them at PO Box 3168, Los 1994 by Academy Award-winning Angeles, CA, 90078-3168. filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Its pur- For information about the project in pose is to videotape and preserve the Omaha, contact either Dr. Nachman, testimonies of Holocaust survivors at 397-9947, or archivist Barbara and witnesses so that future genera- Bresler at the Nebraska Jewish tions may learn from the past. In Historical Society, 334-6442. Omaha, Dr. Ben Nachman is involved with the project and has interviewed more HOPPEL POPPEL than 25 men and women to OOHi t LOWt TELLM5 MINE date. WHEN YOU TALK UOOie KlTCHINKLe. During the Passover seaYOUi/KfiTOSTAY >/iTM ~!0U8 BUBBEH son, consumers can go to WHEN MOMfAY SURE. BUBBEH! 30ESAWAY? YOU'RE tOTS their local wine retailer or MORE FUN THAN supermarket where the >*Y N A N N Y . promotion is offered and look for the Shoah Foundation refund-offer hanging on Manishewitz bottles of wine. By purchasing any. size or flavor and sending in the refund offer form and neck label, along with the register receipt showing the price (circled), Manishewitz will donate up to $2 to the Shoah Foundation (subject to conditions stated on the mailin refund coupon). For each coupon returned, consumers can elect to receive a $1 refund and donate $1 to the Shoah Foundation or donate the entire $2. , Manishewitz Wines' are manufactured in Naples, NY, under the strict supervision of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and is a brand of Canadaigua Wine Company, headquartered Left: Once again volunteer Edith Kogert creatin Canadaigua, NY. ed and assembled her miniature Passover seder Information on the comLocated in the JCC Gallery, the table may pany and its products can table. be viewed throughout the month of April.
food scientist, kashrut.com provides online access to up-to-date information about kosher food and travel, kosher consumer product alerts and current kosher product information published by rabbinical authorities, supervising agencies, food manufacturers and distributors. As part of itsservice, the website also provides a world-wide Zemanim (prayer time) calendar. Ka8hrut.com includes internet links to other kosher information sites around the world. Another website, gourmetmarket.com offers expert knowledge about wines kosher for Passoyer. Bon Appetit magazine's wine and spirits editor, Anthony Dias, has by K e n E i c h ' e n b a u m selected an assortWEI.U ment of kosher wines or-so SWIIT MOSTLY" I r HAS 1DU ARE, MINE to compliment any UODLE ZEESBHt TO DO WTH -iCUB CHICKEN SOUP. GOON-seder dinner. He is MY NAUWS COMES WHArELSE ? FROM/VOW, one of the most influ3UT ttW/KQOMES ential food and wine PROM A REAL CHICKEN! personalities n the country today, having held the position at Bon Appetit for nearly 20 years. The website company, gourmetmarket. com, can ship wine to Nebraska and Iowa, among others. It is a leading online culinary marketplace for premium, hard-tofind food, wine and kitchenware products. It provides credible advice and recommendations from world-renowned experts. Based in San Francisco, gourmetmarket.com has more than 150 business partnerships and links to other websites on the Internet. For more informaRight: Chabad of Nebraska "opened" a Matzo tion, visit its website, Factory recently at the JCC. Preschoolers from gourmetmarket. the Child Development Center learned how to com roll out and bake matzo.
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Bone marrow drive
—
(Continued from page 1) Redler will then notify the Grossingers who will have the bone marrow testing kits sent to individual donors (assuming no match is found during the upcoming bone marrow drives), "Testing done through the American Red Cross is always an option," Leila Grossinger added, "however using the Gift of Life kits will give us an answer within two weeks. "For our son-in-law, the faster turnaround could mean finding a match that much sooner. Obviously that's something we hope and pray for." The testing, open to people in good health between the ages of 18 and 60, is especially critical in the Jewish community, a group under-represented in the World Bone Marrow Association. Like eye or hair color, tissue type is inherited and a patient's best chance to find a genetic match is with people of similar ancestry. For that reason, the Jewish Bone Marrow Registry was created in 1998, as at . outgrowth of the Gift of Life Foundation. Blood matches are determined by genetic "markers" making the best candidates for Daniel those with an ethnic Jewish Ashkenazi background (Jews whose families came from Eastern Europe). Donations to Gift of Life Foundation, earmarked for Daniel Brown, will also be accepted. For those who are not qualified bone marrow donors, taxdeductible checks may be sent directly to them at: PO Box 6429, Dehray Beach, FL, 33482. In addition, a community-wide bone marrow drive with Gift of Life for Omaha's Jewish community is in the planning stages. Gift of Life was formed in 1991 by Arlene and Jay Feinberg to find a donor for Jay, who urgently needed a bone marrow transplant. He is now in remission and the couple devote their time to Gift of life. Over the years, their volunteer network organized more than 225 recruitment drives in the United States, Israel and Canada to find matches for patients needing bone i marrow transplants.
•* * *
One of those matches was former Omahan Melissa Katzman. Last spring, she donated blood to be tested for the Gift of Life bone marrow registry drive at the Hillel House on the campus of Boston University. Eight months later, she and nine others were notified they were "potential donors." After screening, Katzman was informed in early January that she was "it...a perfect match." Weeks of additional blood work and questionnaires were scheduled between class and work, yet all the time Katzman kept repeating, "It's inconvenient for me, but worse for the recipient." At the same time that Daniel Brown was being diagnosed with leukemia, this 22-year-old college senior,was in Massachusetts General Hospital donating her stem cells for an unknown recipient. "The procedure was originally supposed to be a bone marrow transplant," Katzman explained. "At the last minute, it was changed to the less intensive, stem cell procedure." After five days of shots to increase her stem cell production, Katzman's white cell count had been raised to 50,000, a collection called "very strong" by the team of doctors and nurses. Due to the change in the method in which the cells were collected, however, the original four-hour procedure grew to eight. Eventually a police escort was called to accompany the courier who handcarried her blood to a jet waiting at Logan Airport. "It was uncomfortable," Katzman admitted, "but in a few days I felt fine and went back to attending classes and going to work." For the recipient (whose own bone marrow had been irradiated, leaving no immunity against other diseases), the tough part was just beginning. Presumably, this recipient has already suffered through months of chemotherapy and radiation. Like Daniel Brown, this bone marrow transplant may be the only option left. Said Katzman, "How often do you get a chance to save a life?"
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
North driveway, library to close temporarily For the next six weeks, Hawkins Construction Company will close the north driveway on the Jewish Community Campus. Weather permitting, the driveway will undergo major reconstruction. Residents of Livingston Plaza, visitors and staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home have been asked to park either in- the parking lot directly east of Livingston (access is via the south ring road, past the Friedel Jewish Academy, outdoor pool, Davis Child Development Center and Sokolof Fitness Center parking lot) or in front of the Blumkin Home and/or JCC. Vendors may enter the Blumkin Home through its front entrance. For users of the community mikvah (ritual bath), access will be through the main entrance of the Blumkin Home for the next six weeks. In addition, the Dorothy and Myer Kripke Jewish Federation Library will be closed temporarily. It will soon reopen in what was the Older Adult Lounge and Room 10 (next to the main front entrance of the JCC which will reopen later this spring). These closings are temporary, Mike Collier, Campus Manager, reminded the community. For information on access to the campus, call 3348200, or the Blumkin Home at 334-6510.
JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINES There will be no regular copy in the Passover issue published on April 14. Due to the closing of the Jewish Press office during the holiday of Passover, please observe the following early deadlines for articles, photos, and ads:
Deadline
Issue
Wednesday, April 12 Friday, April 21 Monday, April 17 Friday, April 28 . Tuesday, April 25 Friday, May 5 May 5 is our annual Mother's Day Gift Guide; ad space must be reserved by Friday. April 14: all ads are due Tuesday, April 18. Questions? Call 3346448. Thanks for your cooperationl
TEN COMMANDMENTS * **
fflie (m/fege pf
An innovative series featuring community Rabbis speaking on each of the ten commandments accompanied by a lay person to explain how the commandment affects their work.
This Week- Monday, April 10th 7:30 PM JCC
"Do Not Take the Name of God in Vain"by Rabbi Ira Flax Accompanied by Dr. Leonard J. Greenspoon Klutznick Chair, Creighton University
[.I.U..I.U.U.I..U1K Upcoming Presentations: Monday, April 24th- "Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy" by Rabbi Ira Flax
Page 17
Monday, May 8th- "Honor Your Father and Your -Mother" by Rabbi Arye Azriel
Monday, May 22nd- "I Am the Lord//our God" by Rabbi Mendel katzman
The remaining five commandments will be addressed by other Omaha Rabbis in the fall. Each presentation begins at 7:30 PM in the JCC auditoreum. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the College of Jewish Learning of JELS: Free and open to the public.
Page 18
April 7,2000
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Members of the Omaha delegation to the United Jewish Communities Young Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, included: front row, Barbara Morrison-
Bresler, left, Stacie Brodkey, Deb Marburg; back row: Tun Kushner, Harry Berman, Beth Cohen; not pictured: Forrest Krutter, Joel Alperson and Sharon Kirshenbaum.
Every two years, actively involved young Jews meet in Washington. There, they hear and meet with top American, Israeli and Jewish political, media and community figures, meet other actively involved young Jews, and learn about the Jewish world and their place in it. They also meet and discuss critical issues with senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. This year 3000 participants, ages 25 to 45, convened at the Washington Hilton for three days, including nine participants representing Omaha. Washington Conference is sponsored by United Jewish Communities, the new entity formed by the 1999 merger of United Jewish Appeal, the United Israel Appeal and the Council of Jewish Federations. This dominant fundraising arm for American Jewry represents 189 Jewish federations and 400 non-federated, independent communities across the continent, including Omaha. Charles Bronfman, Chairman of the Board of United Jewish Communities (UJC), was one of the opening speakers. He pledged to continue to support the young leadership of the American Jewish community in any way he can. Coretta Scott King, wife of the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., delivered the keynote address. Citing the Jewish tradition of Tikkun 01am, or repair of the world, King said "Jews and African Americans have shared a history of struggling together for social justice. This historical link must be strengthened as we oppose all forms of bigotry and persecution." King endorsed the strengthening of hate crimes legislation one issue that 'Washington 12'' participants lobbied for on Capitol Hill. The overall theme of this year's Young Leadership Conference, was Right Place...Right Time. This theme was woven throughout the six major plenary sessions and 70 smaller breakout sessions and how-to sessions. The speakers included politicians, diplomats, journalists, philanthropists, rabbis, educators, and students; all passionately committed to making a difference in the world. One session well-attended by our contingency was "Ethical Issues Jewish Solutions" featuring Dennis Prager, Author and Talk Radio Host, and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, a CLAL Associate. The discussion centered around tzedakah and tipping and how to conduct our business affairs in light'of Jewish ethics and morality. Rabbi Telushkin will be in Omaha at Temple Israel April 28-30. "Building and Rebuilding After The Holocaust" was a discussion between the Director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; Alice Lok Cahana, a visual artist who represents her experiences both during and after the Holocaust through two and three dimensional works of art; and Gerda Klein,
author and speaker whose most recent book chronicles letters between her and her liberator/husband Kurt Klein. "Connect to Mitzvah Madness" was a discussion on how to participate with our communities in the upcoming National Mitzvah Day initiative. The Sunday night Plenary was a presentation by Thomas L. Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New Yotk Times; the Honorable Dennis Ross, Special Middle East Coordinator to the U.S. Department of State; and Dr. Zvi Shtauber, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the Office of the Prime. Minister of Israel. Monday's sessions included "Tolerance Within the Jewish Community," featuring Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, Associate Director of CLAL; Arna Poupko, Judaic Consultant to the Montreal Jewish Federation; and Dennis Prager. Everyone agreed that this was a thought provoking discussion covering very diverse views of tolerance in and out of the Jewish community. Monday's sessions also included "Decision Making in the Clinton White House," described by our attendees as "fascinating - a real good look into how the decisions are made and who is involved in that inner circle." Other sessions included: "Moses on Management; Jews on the Screen - An Outsider and Insider View of the Industry," "Raising Your Child to be a Mensch," "God, Judaism, and Gender." "Church and State Where Should the Line be Drawn?" with the Honorable Barney Frank and Nathan Lewin featured an historical overview for religious tolerance in our universities and American society and two opposing viewpoints on religious tolerance today. There was also: "How to Be a Mitzvah Maker "with Danny Siegel, and "Jewish Renaissance in North America," featuring a panel which included former Omahan Dr. Ron Wolfson. This session focused on creating Jewish memories and forging a vision of a Jewish identity for the 21st century. One concern was that not enough money goes to support Jewish camping experiences for our children. This year the holiday of Purim coincided with the Washington Conference. The Purim story was woven into the program. It served as the backdrop for studying, learning, and celebrating the historical "Right Place Right Time" story and comparing that with our role in being in the "Right Place at the Right Time." Parallels were drawn between the Purim story and our lives today, including our participation in this Washington Conference. The story of Purim takes place in Shushan, capital of the Persian Empire, the most powerful city of its day, the "Washington, D.C. of the ancient world," with its share of intrigue, partying, and political lobbying. (Continued on page 19)
April 7,2000
Right place... - .
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 19
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(Continued from page 18) We were encouraged throughout the conference for continued support of military aid and economic to be the Mordechais and Esthers of our time, to be assistance to Israel. in the right place at the right time to save the Washington Conference was intended to serve as Jewish community and use our influence on behalf a charge to all participants with the hope every one of the Jewish people and all people. of us will see ourselves as having responsibilities in We were challenged to look at the reality of being being Jewish. Being in the right place at the right a Jew in a predominantly non Jewish world. We time means doing something positive with our need to look out for the interests of the world in unique opportunities. which we live, as well as the Jewish community. We were charged with the hope we will be leadWhen opportunities are presented, it is our duty to ers and doers and change the world in some way act. Political and social activism on behalf of com- big or small. It is no longer up to our parents, munity,1 country or the entire world is a righteouB teachers, friends, or co-workers to be responsible and inherently Jewish notion. . for the rest of humanity; the time is now for us to Monday night there was a very well attended and do our part. spirited traditional reading of the Megillah (the We are in the "Bight Place at the Right Time." book of Esther), followed by the evening Plenary. The Omaha delegation also thanks three foundaThere, a variety of speakers told their first hand tions which subsidized our participation at the constories relating to how UJC has changed their lives ference: the Sadie and Harry Kulakofsky Memorial or how their actions like the Purim story have Fund, the Arthur H. and Ruth E. Goldstein Family changed lives in the context of being 21st century Endowment Fund, and the Murray H. and Sharee Jews. C. Newman Supporting Foundation. At the Rally on Tuesday morning, we gathered to hear a minyan of Jewish Congressional leaders before our Hill visits. On the Hill, the Omaha delegation met with Congressman Lee Terry, Senator Chuck Hagel, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Doug Bereuter and Senator Bob Kerrey. We urged support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would enhance one of the 12 delegates visited their members of congress, includ" primary statues used to Washington combat racial and reli- ing Omahans Beth Cohen, left, Stacie Brodkey, Barbara Mqrrisongious bias-motivated vio- Bresler, Congressman Lee Terry, Harry Berman, Tim Kushner, and lence. We also pressed Sharon Kirshenbaum.
Friedel to launch computer technology program (Continued from page 1) Harry Berman, local comThis goal will be realized puter specialists for their as students learn actual assistance in getting the computer skillB. For examprogram started and makple, as early as kindering purchases of hardware garten and first grade, stuand software. Berman, dents will learn how to who identifies himself as identify the Internet as a "a software man," does a Bource of information; secgreat deal of database and ond graders will examine programming work with how telecommunication Jewish agencies. has changed the ways people work and play; and Grossman, "more of a third-graders will start hardware guy," is manager using telecommunication of the electronic support strategies, such as downfacility at Boys Town. loading graphics, to suppleGrossman looks forward ment individual assignto seeing Friedel students ments and class projects. learn such skills as graphic programs, use of digital All students will be introduced to the social issues Computer specialists Ale* Grossman, m ^ e d i t i n g a n d scan. and responsibilities sur- *!** f0* H^Berman,kneeling esanune „• H e is e s p e c i a l l y rounding technology, the w m n g m ^ e d e l ' s storage closet ^ t h excited about the potential They'll be madelfamiliar FJADirector f ^ ^ P r e P ^ a t a o n of making videos to familwith Friedel's "Computer for their n e * computer technology system. iarize students with Usage Policy" based on such Jewish values as hon- Jewish rituals, Friedel is already known for providing superior esty and respect. Even, so Linn noted, necessary safeguards Will be put in place so studenis will not academics and Jewish studies," he added. "With have access to potentially inappropriate, material this new computer technology, the Academy will also gain a deserved reputation for pace pace with on the Internet. Linn expressed gratitude to Alex Grossman and the 21stcentury." ;
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