Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
A Jewish history of Omaha's Old Market Sometime ago, longtime Omaha businessman George" Eisenberg came to us with an idea: feature the history of th,e Jewish presence in Omaha's Old Market. Jewa;have worked and lived in the Old'Market since the turn ofthe century (last century, that is!). They were peddlers, fruit and vegetable purveyors, buyers and sellers ~of everything from meat and groceries to hardware and home furnishings. It seemed easy enough; after all, George had scrapbooks, photos, memorabilia and lists of names of what he called "the glory years" of the Market. But the Jewish Press staff and committee knew there was still a Jewish connection to the Old Market and the decision was made to expand the idea to include current residents and businesses. So this 72-page Passover issue includes not only a historical look at the heyday of the Old Market and the "oldtime" families and businesses so familiar to many Omaha residents, but also a current look at some.folks who are fairly new (by Omaha standards) to our Jewish community. We sincerely hope that our readers will again enjoy perusing the pages of this special edition. In it, you'll find photos dating back to the early part of the 20th century and current photos taken only last month. There are profiles on some of our most "senior" members of our Jewish community and our newest and some who haven't lived in this area for a very long time. But this is only a highlight of the life of the Old Market in the last 100 years. Even in an issue as large as this, not every story can be told. The good news is that the Nebraksa Jewish Historical Society will contin-
Additional thanks in producing this large issue go to the staff of the Jewish Press: to our Advertising Manager Larry Axelrod; for again exceeding sales expectations; to our Managing Editor Maureen LaPour for her talented creation of the many attractive ads in this issue; to our • Production Assistant Jen Gates for her precise layout and production of these pages; and to our Bookkeeper Jenina Stewart for her careful recording of our clients'accounts. More thanks are due to George Schapiro for his persistent proofreading; to Sales Representatives Barbara Frankel and Rocky Stern for again generating valuable sales revenue for this important issue; to writers Joan K. Marcus, Morris Maline, Claudia Sherman, Bert Lewis, Pam Monsky, Gary Javitch, Lenny Lefitz and Leo Biga for providing us with an inside look at the Old Market and Passover, and Howard K. Marcus for original photos and photo production We also thank two other important groups: our advertisers, without whom this large issue would be impossible to produce, and our readers. Not only do we enjoy hearing ideas and thoughts of the features you'd like to see in the Jewish Press, We actually enjoy making those dreams come true! , We know this is your paper...and has been since 1920. As the staff and committee of the Jewish Press celebrate 80 years of publishing, we hope to continue our service to the Jewish community. Have a happy, healthy Passover! Chag Pesach Sameyach! " This Old Market photo was taken early in the 20th century. r _ _ Lloyd Roitstein, Chairman From the photo collection of George Eisenberg. Carol Katzman, Editor ue this look at the Old Market in a special exhibit opening in early fall at the Jewish Community Center. NJHS is currently interviewing some 75 people associated with the'Market's grocery businesses. (By the way, they're looking for volunteers to help interview, sort through memorabilia, collect photos and publicize.this exhibit. If you're interested, please call archivist Barbara Bresler at NJHS, 334-6442.) ' An issue this large is not easy to produce, but many made our lives easier. Thanks go first to George Eisenberg, not only for his initial idea, but for his help in gathering information and photos for us. Additional thanks go to the staff and. volunteers at the NJHS for leads and memorabilia. The Historical Society
is a valuable resource for our community. Not only do former Omahans call periodically to ask for help in researching their family histories, but historians and academicians rely on the NJHS in their archival research of the history of eastern Nebraska. As NJHS stated in its latest bulletin, "we are a uniquely special organization...not funded by the Jewish Federation of Omaha," but by dues and donations from "our members and friends." . The NJHS will soon move into beautiful new offices and display space next to the Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Jewish Federation Library, enabling both organizations to assist one another and the public in preserving our past. We hope readers will visit both the NJHS and the Library soon.
"Best Wishes for a joyous
from
The Jewish Press Staff and Committee THE JEWISH PRESS (Founded in 1920) The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish "J • * I ~ ^ Vl^ Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family <r. •~"\< Service, Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a Constitutional <*J0<^ Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $26 per calendar year U.S.; $30 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. Telephone 402-334-6448; FAX 402-3345422; E-mail <jshpress@aoLcom> Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198.
Lloyd Rblteteln
Chairman
Carol Katzman EdItor-ln-Chlel Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Larry Axalrod Advertising Manager Barbara Frankal Rocky Slam Sales representatives JenlnaE. Stewart Bookkeeper JenOatea Production Assistant George Schapiro Volunteer
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Bolmont; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Steve Levinger, Howard K. Marcus; Linda Saltzman; George Schapiro; Steve Simon. Editorials express the view ofthe writer and are not necessarily representative ofthe views ofthe 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
April 14,2000
Page 3
In the spirit of the Passover season, we wish for all a world of peace.
Page 4
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
The prosperous peddler adapted by Claudia Sherman and illustrated by Jill Sherman
In a little country town, surrounded by grassy rolling hills, lived a Jewish family, the Margolins. In their small house, the family had most everything they needed. There were warm clothes for the four'children. As they grew, the oldest child gave his coats, shoes and other clothing to the next oldest child who, when she outgrew them, gave them to the next oldest and so on. The mama and papa worked hard to provide enough food for the family. By today's standards, there wasn't much. But compared to the other families in the town, the Margolins did not feel particularly deprived. . One evening as they prepared dinner, there was a knock at the door. When Papa opened the door, there stood a man dressed in tattered old clothing. Several buttons were missing from his overcoat, and his boots were partially untied due to broken shoe laces. His appearance was rather dingy, as though he had not washed his face and hands or his clothes in several days. "Aha!" exclaimed the stranger at the door* "Do you have enough vegetables for your evening meal?" the stranger asked as he peeked inside at the table set for dinner. "I have some of the best beans, tomatoes and green peppers you've ever Been. They're in my cart;" he said with a twinkle in his eyes as-he pointed toward a rickety wooden wagon on the dirt road in front of the house. Papa Margolin glanced at his wife with a worried look. She nodded her head as if to say, "Go ahead, buy something." Papa walked over to see the contents of the cart which looked as though it would fall apart if it was to be moved. Quickly, in order to speed the vegetable peddler on his way, Papa picked out some . • • • ' • . . '
-
:
\...•••'.:'•••:/.':
-..y::..:..i-
.
„„.;•.
It would take just a few weeks for the family to fresh vegetables for his family's dinner. He paid the get to know the peddler who came knocking at peddler, who was sincerely grateful. "Have a good dinner!" the peddler bellowed as he their door several times a week selling his vegetables. Gradually, he didn't seem like a stranger anymore. The children began to look forward to his visits, not just for the fresh vegetables he sold, but also because the peddler was always cheerful despite his rather impoverished appearance. Even Papa and Mama seemed to abandon their suspicions of the door-to-door seller. They spoke of inviting him to stay fordinner the next time he knocked at their door. It was just a few days later when the f a m i l i a r knock came a t t h e accustomed time. Papa greeted the peddler with a friendly invitation. "Will you join us for dinner tonight?" . Truly, I have been blessed this day!" -•'•;..;.. marveled the peddler. "Thank you, Mr. Margolin, but I cannot stay for dinner tonight. Maybe another night." "I'm sorry to hear that," stammered Papa. "May I grabbed the handle bars of his cart, which wobbled ask why not?" behind him as he walked toward the next house. "I found a basket of clothes in my cart today!" Hurrying back inside the house, Papa got a glimpse of the peddler heading down the dirt road. explained the peddler excitedly. "Someone left the "Ha motzi lechem min ha-aretz" Papa led his clothes when I was not looking!" "That's wonderful!" said Papa, realizing how family in prayer before they ate. "We give thanks to God for bread," Papa .paused, "and the other good much the peddler needed new clothes. food we are about to eat," he added. "I know," smiled the peddler. "That's why I must "Shouldn't we share our food with people who be on my way. I know a family not far from here don't have as much as we do?" asked the youngest that is not nearly as prosperous as you and "me. They really need the clothes!" child during the meal. With new respect in his heart for the peddler, "Well, yes," answered Papa hesitatingly, knowing that his youngest child would want to know why Papa watched as the peddler took the handle bars his father had not invited the bedraggled peddler in of his horseless cart and continued down the road for dinner. "Sometimes, we must be careful about with his vegetables and the basket of clothes to give to a family that really needed them. : strangers," said Papa.
Best Wishes For A Joyous Passover
imetct jfaMmcvdc cfitofi, CARDS.GIFIS AND CANDY
Best Wishes For A Happy Passover
MCGRATH, NORTH, MULLIN & KRATZ, P . C . ATTORNEYS
660 NORTH U4TH STREET OMAHA. NEBRASKA 68154 (402)493-0920
Pharmacy & Homecare CITYWIDE DELIVERY
AT
LAW
1400 ONE CENTRAL PARK PLAZA OMAHA, NEBRASKA
7 LOCATIONS
Best Wishes for a Joyous Passover
ay your Passover be bright with promise, filled with hope, blessed with peace and joy.
•'-,..
•
»
-
•
.
•
:
•
"
.
'
„
.
•
•
;
;
.
-
.
I
- .
:
••
-
275 N. 78th STREET OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68114
RADERS
(402) 231-1200
We're proud to be the printers of the Jewish Press,
THE TIMES
339-3331 Fax:339-8562 South 84th Street •Downtown Papillion
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE '
April 14,2000
PageS
'Life couldn't get any better!' by Joan K. Marcus
In 1920, when he was 15 years old, Sam Kutler came to America from Povolich, Russia (near Kiev). His father and uncle had come earlier, but Sam came later with his mother and three sisters. At age 94, Sam still remembers his uncle's store at 732 West Broadway in Council Bluffs. When the family first arrived in America, they settled in Excelsior Springs, MO. Sam's father, Jake, bought land and began to farm. When it came time for the High Holy Days, his parents would go into Kansas City to attend synagogue. The children would stay behind until the chores were done and then they would join their parents. It soon became apparent to Jake that his family needed to relocate nearer Jewish people, so after two years, he sold the farm and moved to Omaha. Things were difficult for Sam as a young teenager j u s t a r r i v i n g in t h i s country. He attended Kellom night school to learn English; he still remembers the name of his teacher, Mrs. Ritchie. "I couldn't talk English, but I knew my arithmetic! I knew how to add those figures!" he quipped. Sam had very little time to attend school because he had to work. Although he was only a teenager, he drove to Kansas City and other places to bring back loads of fruits and vegetables to sell. In later years, he went to Florida, Ann Arbor, MI, Chicago, and all the way to Brownsville, Texas, to purchase quality produce. His "stall" was located at 10th and Howard, and merchants, and grocerymen would come from all over the city to trade with him. Sam always got up by 3 or 4 a.m. each morning in order to open his business, Continental Fruit. He remembers some of his customers: Sam and Paul Steinberg from the Omaha Potato Market, the Tuchman Brothers and the Plotkin Brothers. . . There were also times when he would trade fruit and vegetables for scrap metal, which he later sold. Other vendors say he was a tough competitor but that his word was his bond and everyone respected" him.
1971-Sam Kutler in his office. In 1932, Sam married Zena Polikov. They were married in what people called "The Riekes Shule," located at 1552 North 19th Street. The synagogue was incorporated as the Congregation Shaare Zion in the summer of 1926. Even though there were already two established synagogues within walking distance, the area was heavily populated and warranted another. It was furnished with seats from an old movie house; rumor was that the seats were splintered from many years of use. A few seats didn't work well and anyone sitting in them could suddenly find themselves on the floor! Zena and Sam had two children who still reside in Omaha: Carolyn Kutler Ratner and Bennett Kutler. Carolyn and her husband, Ellie, have three daughters: Debra, Ronna and Malory. Though Zena died in 1992, Sam joyfully remembers 60 wonderful years of marriage. In the early '50s, he left his business in the Market to take a job as the fruit and vegetable
1927--Carolyn Kutler (Ratner), Zena Kutler, Sam Kutler and Bennett Kutler at a wedding. buyer for United AG Stores. According to Old Market historian George Eisenberg, "Sam was chosen for this job because of his expertise with fresh produce. He was a perfect person. He bought for 300 or 400 hundred stores." Kutler retired from United AG in 1978, and soon took still another job with Harold Cooperman at No Frills Super Markets. His job was to check in merchandise. He was then 80 years old and he worked until he was 90! Although he is unable to drive because of poor eyesight, Kutler still enjoys outings with his family and attends services every Saturday and Sunday at Beth Israel. "This country has been good to me. You betcha!" he said with a smile. "My life couldn't have been any better. I always went to work and took care of my family. A couple of times I got sick, but I was always able to go back to work. I always enjoyed working! That was the main thing. I've been living in my own home for 45 years; I had a wonderful Mrs. and a great family. I have no regrets!"
The 53 Professionals at Grace/Mayer Insurance Wish Our Community A Happy and Healthy Passover
insurance • COMMERCIAL • EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • PERSONAL
'LIFE and ESTATE PLANNING
10050 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114 402/397-5050 www.gracemayer.com
Representing Buyers of Insurance Since 1917
May your home be blessed with Health, Love, and Joy this season and throughout the whole year.
Since 190B
N. PITLOR & SON, INC. Mechanical Contractors Complete Residential Service As well as Commercial & Industrial on Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Partners and friends by Joan K. Marcus
Bus (Elliot) and Danny Rubin are not only father and son, but they're business partners and Mends. We met early one Sunday morning and each listened intently as the other shared their recollections of life and the Old Market. At age 81, with his physical prowess and sense of humor, Bus Rubin could easily pass for a 60-year-old! Born in Omaha at the Wise Memorial Hospital to Agnes and Sam Rubin, he lived with his family at 2536 North 18th St., and later moved to 1612 Willis Ave. And they kept moving! "We must have moved eight places," Bus recalled. "We were so poor that we'd live in a place for a few months and they'd kick us out!" He was from a family of five children: Bill, Ethel (Mogil), Marion, and Frances (Robinson). Ethel and Bus are the only ones still living. Bus attended Lake Grade School and graduated from Tech High in 1935 when he was 16 years old. After high school, he went to work for his father who ran a bar in the State Hotel between 13th and 14th and Douglas, on the edge of the Old Market. He has fond memories of downtown Omaha and shopping at the old Brandeis Store. He vividly remembers a streetcar strike in Omaha during the middle 1930s. "My dad had the bar and there was a lot of rowdiness because of the strike. So, the mayor declared martial law and all bars had to close by 6 p.m. because the strikers got drunk every night." However, Sam Rubin didn't know about the ordered closing and he kept his bar open. The family was so poor that they needed the added business. "Everything was great until a bus pulled up and a bunch of soldiers got out and arrested my father. He had to pay a huge fine and that put our family even further behind." In later years, the family opened Charlie's Blue Room "out West" at 4016 Leavenworth Street. In
FLINN PAVING COMPANY \ 6506Grover
;
/
393-2670
Asphalt Paving • Concrete Paving Grading Materials • Mixes • Equipment Rental
The section rented by Harry Freshman for Philadelphia Leather i n t h e early 1900*6. Rubin Distributing started in an extra room of 1948, they opened a bar in the Loyal Hotel on 16th and Chicago St. It was while he was operating the his brother-in-law, Charlie Mogil's, business, Leavenworth Street bar that Bus met Betty Deans Camera Center, then located on 13th Street Kuklin, who had come to the bar with her brother. between Capitol Avenue and Dodge St. Betty and Bus were married three months later on Bus noted his first store was just a small room, Nov. 17,1946. but he soon ran short of space. He moved to 1011 With his stint in World War II over, Bus returned Douglas St., and another move took the company to to Omaha to work at the Loyal Hotel. However, 10th and Farnam, where he "had around 30,000 after just a few years, they sold the bar and Bus square feet, and space was really getting tight." was unemployed. In 1960, Rubin got a call from Morris Levy, "I was hunting for something to do, so I started to owner of General Appliance Manufacturing sell overstock merchandise on a commission basis. Company, a Philco distributor. He asked if Bus I wasn't much of a salesman, but I liked that and I would be interested in buying his building. became fascinated with it," he recalled. "I sold "Yes, but I don't have any money!" Bus replied.' everything-knives, pots and pans, toys, gifts. I sold it to anyone who resells merchandise." (Continued on page 7)
MAY PASSOVER BRING HEALTH & HAPPINESS
mciot 8590 Frederick Street* 393-5257 2514 S. 140th Street • 330-1987 12130 Pacific Street • 333-1430 619 N. 114th Street* 493-7880. 655 N. 132nd Street* 492-8076
•Valentino's Tfe Sue ftjf* TIOuU -
WE'LL MAKE YOUR CELEBRATIONS BETTER Ana one of the letter thing) in Me ii allowing our on-rite planner* to Jo all the work and you accept the maze! tpva {or your next har or hat ntttzvah, wedding or reception!
Weoffer: • Menus for your taste and your budget • A total of 12,678 square feet of flexible event space accommodates up to 350 • Professional meeting services management team
36 Years of Catering Excellence
• 223 exceptional guestrooms for out-of-town guests
Call 4 0 2 - 4 9 6 - 0 8 5 0 today to plan your next event. Crowne Plaza® Omaha Old Mill 655 North 108th Avenue • Omaha, NE 6S154
Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:00-2:00 Dinner Monday-Saturday From 5:00
• Kosher foods available • Catering and meeting planning staff • A total of 61,000 square feet of flexible event space accommodates up to 1,100 • 383 exceptional guestrooms for out-of-town guests
Call 402-393-3950 — we're ready to help plan your upcoming nmcha.
Holiday Inn'Omaka Central 1-80 3321 South 72nd Street • Omaha, NE 68124
17lho. Howard Omaha. Nebraska 68102 Telephone/Fax: 402.344.3040
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE April 14,2000 Page 7
Partners and friends (Continued from page 6) Rubin Distributing bought property at 1101,1109, we used to go down to get watermelons." and 1111 Harney Street. The buildings dated back Both men agree that the building where they had to the 19th century, and were acquired with a their business wasn't worth much money. small down payment and installment payments of "I don't think that we could have gotten $50,000 $1000 each month to Mr. Levy. ' * '".-'•; '. One of the buildings was rented by Harry Freshman and the , '' Philadelphia Leather Company. According to Bus, the Old , Market was on the way down < when he bought the building. One of the buildings is five stories and the other two are four stories. They were constructed ! from 1882 to 1888. . "There were bums everywhere and businesses were moving out when we moved in,"he said. Danny joins the business When Danny Rubin (now age 50), was attending Central High School, he and his brother, Thomas, would ride to work with their father, eat breakfast at Deano's Grill and go to school. After school, the boys would go back down to the Market and help their father until it was time to go home. After attending college, Danny worked at Nebraska Furniture Mart for a few years and then Bus, left, and Danny Rubin his father asked him to join Rubin Distributing. However, he wasn't invited to for it. It was run down and the neighborhood was be an executive. bad. The merchants were mostly 'tie die' shops that "I was a janitor, stock boy, shipping clerk and I kept moving in and out: The winos were still did inside sales. Then, I went on the road every day around and the city wasn't yet behind any kind of an expansion," he continued. for about five years," Danny noted. Bus added, "He learned the business the hard "Mayor Gene Leahy was the only one who way-the right way!" ' thought the area had potential. All of the other Danny is married to the former Lynn Bernstein. wholesalers left and we were the only ones there!" he said with a laugh. "That's because we couldn't ; Their children are Jennifer and Jay. In 1979, Rubin Distributing had a small fire with afford to go anywhere else!" [>lots of water damage. It took six months to reopen • Danny; recalled the* )Hrst real sign of entrepreand it was after the fire when Danny joined the neurship was when the French Cafe opened, "This inside staff. •• , ;. was the first place that was really there to stay. "We had seen .the Market area come full circle," The others left in six months." Danny recalled. "It went downhill when I was in Then, Sam Mercer, native Omahan and an attorhigh school and then: the small businesses began to ney who lived in Paris, called on the Rubins with reappear. Most of them were hippies and head plans to renew the old buildings on both.sides of shops. There were still a lot of wholesale business- Howard Street between 10th and 11th. • es and 'greasy spoon' restaurants. Mercer met with Bus and offered to pay him "It was a lot different than when I was little and $75,000 for the buildings.
"This was an insult; Mercer didn't even pay for my lunch!" Danny said. "The Mercers weren't very nice to us. They wanted our building, but they didn't want to pay us for it so they kept calling the police and making our lives miserable. Every time we had a delivery and a truck backed up, they called the police and said we were blocking traffic. By this time, the Mercers were very influential in the Market," he added. In 1993, the family was approached by CBS Realty to sell their building for conversion into retail and apartment space. The transaction was called a "like exchange." Under this arrangement, a trust was created to acquire property at 7709 "F" Street for the Rubins. The records show that acquisition costs for CBS were $775,000 for the whole project. Other expenses, such as construction and architects fees, boosted the cost of the project to $3.5 million. The Rubins agree that it was a good move to sell the building. Although it was worth a lot because of the area, the poor condition of the elevators would have cost $4 million dollars alone to fix. "We're not developers," Danny said, "and we saved money by moving to an efficient place where we could do business." Danny bought Rubin Distributing in 1991 and he sold it in 1996. He retired, but his father worked until age 79. The men always enjoyed working together. They were "hands on" workers and both would be out on the docks loading boxes. Some 20 times a day, either Rubin could be found counting boxes and double-checking. "We didn't have computers because we didn't trust them," Bus said. "We didn't take vacations often and we never took them at the same time." There is a closeness between Bus and Danny Rubin that is more than a father-and-son relationship. Their partnership goes beyond business; the two men have mutual respect and love for each other.
Happy Passover
,132nd & Arbor • 3 3 0 4 1 1 0 • 13th & Howard • 345 ; 6921
90th & Fort • 572-5223 • 7BUf 4 Dodge• X-Mex
MULHALL'S...hasitall! -
Mosesled the Israelites out of bondage to the Promised Land.
• Voted Omaha's #1 Nursery & Garden Center-
Walk with us now aswe keep faith with the past and plan for the future.
• The area's largest selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, & roses > Beautiful gifts and unique home accents > Outstanding selection of outdoor living accessories
<_
> Experienced ' landscaping professionals
120th and Maple Street Omaha
496-0700
HAPPY PASSOVER The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Michael M. Erman, Chairman • Martin C. Ricks, Executive Director 402-334-6440
iTHE FOUNDATTONl
»jpf^of the Jewish Federation of Omaha
Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
The 'Queens' by Joan K. Marcus
1936-Bernice Paperny Wolfson (the child fifth from the left), standing to the right of her father, Louis Papemy, at Louis Market. Bernice Wolfson has a "little girl" look on her face as she tells about going to the Old Market with her father, Louis Paperny. "I was five years old and Daddy gave me money to go and buy green onions and radishes," she said. "I remember haggling with the farmers over the prices; then my dad would take me to eat at a restaurant
(Minardi's) where they served corned beef sandwiches." Wolfson and Ruth Luttbeg spoke with happiness The sisters took turns getting up and going to the about the days they spent with their father visiting Market with their father, recalling that they the Old Market. Louis Paperny always referred to "would go because we loved to be alone with our his four daughters as The Queens/ Sadness creeps father. He always worked so hard and such long into the conversation when they speak of the fourth sister, Sylvia Friedlander, who died in July, 1993. hours that we loved having time alone with him!" (Continued o n p a g e 9) -.,:,„. "The Paperny Sisters," Rose Rosen, Bernice
In Partnership... TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE CORPORATE POTENTIAL FOR CREATIVE BUSINESS, EXECUTIVE INSURANCE, AND FOR MAXIMIZING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
AON Aon Risk Services
^697-1400 FOR FULL INFORMATION 11213 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 201 OMAHA, NE 68154
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Page 9
The 'Queens'(Continued from page 8)
'^gwrns Louis Paperny was born in 1891, and came to America in 1913 from Minsk, Gobernia, with 17 cents in his pocket. The story has it that he was smitten with a girl named Ida Wolfson. He had known her in Minsk, but was told to forget about her because she didn't care for him. So, he did until he was in Omaha and was waiting in line to buy a movie ticket. The love affair was rekindled for Paperny, but it took him another four
years to convince Miss Wolfson. He persisted in courting her, even though she did everything to reject him. Rumor has it that she even tried to "fix him up" with her cousin! Ida Wolfson Paperny offered "quiet strength" to her family throughout their marriage. Her daughter, Ruth Luttbeg, recalled her father once bought a whole carload of "distressed strawberries that needed to be sorted. Louis took the berries home
ism
BUM
———— 1.
and Ida would sort them. She was always supportive to her husband in his business, in addition to raising four little girls." Even though the sisters are past three score and 10, they all have happy memories of their childhoods and growing up in the Benson area of Omaha. They tell tales of Jewish and ItalianCatholic grocerymen who ate and played cards in (Continued on page 28)
Best Wishes for a Happy Passover from
r
S ^ i-rrn ^ ^
TZ^
^ N ^
RYCO
PACKAGING CORP.
WESTROADSMALL OLD BOLL OFFICE PARK
10855 W. Dodge Rd. 330-7200
West Parking Area 10194 California St. 391-7204
Visit our website at: www.fwrb.com
Member FDIC
A HAPPY and HEALTHY PASSSOVER from
ONE HOUR PHOTO HOUR GLASS STUDIOS •79101 Dodge • 13055 West Center Road • 612 No. 114th-Miracle Hills Park
Kevee Kirshenbaum
11422 Miracle Hills Dr.
493-8951
CHARDONNAY Omaha's First Four Diamond restaurant is surprisingly affordable! Experience our new menu featuring continental cuisine with exceptional meats, fresh fish and seafood as well as choice wines by the glass or bottle. Dinner: Monday- Thursday 6 p.m. -10 p.m. Friday & Saturday 6:00 p.m. -11 p.m.
Omaha Marriott Hotel 10220 Regency Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 (402) 399-9000
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Happy Passover To All Our Friends & Customers
FOR AWARD-WINNING
April 14,2000
All that glitters by Morris Maline
BURGERS WEST
EAST 171k ÂŁ. Visi 449-9112
331-6419
KRIEGER & KRIEGER ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Practice Limited to Immigration The Mark Building 9290 West Dodge Road Suite 302 (402)392-1280
HAPPY PASSOVER
Family owned since 18BS
Chickie; Larry & Deanna; Kevin & Patty; David, Katherine, Molly, Laura & Jack; Jeff & Susie; Caryn,Alan, JeriAnn &JoieBeth; Lisa, Danny & Jake; Terri & Bryan 1408HARNEY
342-2611
PASSOVER GREETINGS
From left, Stewart Gilinsky; his son, Larry Gilinsky; daughter, Susie Cooper; and grandson, Kevin Gilinsky, are part of the six-generation legacy of Bergman's. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, or diamonds may be forever, but for the Gilinsky family, diamonds represent a major portion of their company's past, present and future. It all started in 1884. When Sol Bergman left New York City for Omaha that year, he didn't know what to expect when he got off the train. He saw Indians, trappers, railroad laborers, settlers, horses and wagons and muddy, snow-covered streets. The story goes that he took one look and seriously considered getting back on the eastbound train for a return trip to'civilization.' . However, he was carrying $10,000 worth of watch materials that Hammel Riglander (the company for whom he worked), had sold to the Max Meyer Company of Omaha; his assignment was to help the Omaha firm sell the goods. He expected the task to be completed in a week, but as time marched on, Bergman grew to appreciate Omaha and its potential for business. It wasn't long before a major opportunity presented itself. Susie Cooper converted her grandmother's In 1888, the Max Meyer Company fell on hard diamond ring into a necklace, which, she times and became available for sale. Bergman bor- wears daily as an irreplaceable family keeprowed $6,000, most likely from the First National sake. Bank, and bought the business. "We believe the First National Bank was the lender because our company always did business with that bank; we're probably one of the bank's oldest customers," said Kevin Gilinsky, a greatgreat-grandson of the founder. In addition to Kevin, other family members in the business include: Kevin's father, Larry; his brother, David; their aunt, Susie Cooper; and, until last January, his grandfather, Stewart Gilinsky. . Kevin pointed out that the business was located originally in the Sunderland building on 15th Street, and soon became the largest watch parts distributor between Chicago.and Denver^ . "My theory is that the watch business took off in Omaha because of the Union Pacific Railroad. Timepieces were very important for the conductors and railroad workers and they fed us a steady stream of business." '' ' ...... ^ _ _ _ _ _ Stewart Gilinsky married Frances (Chickie) The mural of six-generation family members Bergman, the daughter ofSol's son, Clarence. Until he was designed as an invitation for onlookers died in January at the age of 88, Stewart was still to look inside the store and view the real peoactive in the family business. pie; displays are depicted on the outside of (Continued on page 12) the building.
S-xunily, Passover. Time for family, joy arid freedom
COMMERCIAL PRINTING CO. 3716 LEAVENWORTH ST. 346-7900
y#u CL FORD ÂŤ MAZDA Just North Of 1-80 On Hwy. 50 9203 South 145th Street > OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68138-3632
(402) 896-6000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
A true craftsman
OPPD extends its Sincere Wishes to the Jewish Community for a Passover Season filled with Good Health and Happiness Omaha Public Power District 9www.oppd.com
Page 11
YOUR EVENT
by Joan K. Marcus
"I used to spend all day covering buttons," he Dale Weinstein wasn't even born in 1945 when his grandfather, Leo Fox, his father, Herman recalled with a smile. This was just a place where Weinstein, and his uncle, Phil Fox, moved their my dad worked and I didn't have any idea what would happen to the area. Our building could have business into a building at 1122 Howard Street. The business, American Upholstery, occupied the been a few blocks in either direction and it nearly one-half block building which had been built wouldn't have been in the Market. Tm just luckier than I am smart!" by the Burkley Envelope Company in 1890. According to his father, Previous to The Market Herman, the area in the location, American UpholMarket was a quiet stery had been located in a wasteland during the downtown area. However, early years of the busiduring the war years, ness. business was at a standstill because of the short"It was at its busiest age of metals used in furfrom 4 a.m. until 7 or niture frames. 8 a.m.," he recalled. "Many Jewish groceryThe building was later men would come down to purchased by the Foxes buy fruits and vegetables. and Weinstein. Phil Fox After 8 a.m. or so, it was died in the early 70s and quiet and most of the Weinstein operated the business was manufacturbusiness until his retire- ^~ ing or wholesale." ment in 1985. By then, his son, Dale, had joined the He went on to say that business (in about 1975), j the open-air market and took over in 1985 with ceased activity in 1964 Crawdad's, a full-service and most of the buildings retail operation that manwere vacant or partially ufactures, reupholsters occupied. Rental property and sells furniture. didn't produce much income during the '50s. He is married to Kay Kriss, Omaha morning The Weinsteins rememradio personality; they ber the Market was like a have three sons, Lee, Ben warehouse area with no and Guy. retail businesses. Other than grocers buying their Weinstein is a "hands on" craftsman who takes pride Herman Weinstein still comes to work in perishables, most of the activities centered around in special orders and sup- the Old Market. ; Harsh's Cafe, where men plying customers with unique fabrics and custom-made pieces of furniture. met to eat and play oards. Prior to the '60s, most of the buildings in the Old Dressed in jeans and an apron, he carries upholstering tools in his pockets and points with pride to cus- Market were warehouses that specialized in supplying foodstuffs to other parts of the city. tom pieces of furniture he has produced. "'• "This is the only place in town where we both Canopies covered the wide sidewalks and most of reupholster and manufacture new furniture," he the produce coming into the city passed under noted. "We don't use hi-tech equipment. Other than them. an air staple gun, you could walk into a shop in By 1974, the area was so desolate that it was sug1910 and find this same equipment. gested some of the buildings be condemned and "Much of the equipment that I use today is the demolished. In 1964, Sam Mercer and Cedric same stuff my grandfather used," he added. "I Hartman came up with the idea of converting the learned to make wooden frames for furniture from area into an area of shops and restaurants. Mercer my grandfather. You couldn't buy all this equip- owned about half of the buildings in the area and ment today. It just happens to be here and we have he was determined to restore at least one block. it! It would cost you $150,000 to buy what we have Dale remembered that the first retail business was here." The French Cafe, which was opened in a building Weinstein says it costs about the same to that had been owned by the Gilinsky Fruit Company. reupholster new furniture as it does to buy new. The building had been condemned and was schedHowever, if you redo your furniture, you can choose uled for demolition, but Hartman saved it. your fabric and have a piece with sentimental Weinstein recalled that some of the first stores in value you really like. Within the last several years, the newly-restored retail area were "head shops" there.has been a tremendous, surge of people who where drug paraphernalia was sold. During the redo their old furniture. His business employs •hippie* years, smoking pipes, posters and black' about four people who are all expert craftsmen. lights were sold in some of the stores. . Dale remembers coming to work with his father (Continued on page 12) when he was very small.
April 14,2000
A LITTLE CALL
MARY BERNSTEIN TODAY!
• Limn Rental • • • • •
Bar/Bat Mltivahj Conventions Corporate Events Fund-Raisers Galas
• Coif Outings •Parties • Picnics • Seminars • Weddings
Events, Inc. 1C^
EVENTS WITH A TWMTI
352 N. 76th Street • Omaha, NE 68114 • (402) 391-0708
&*ASSOCIATES,INC Financial Plaza, Suite 418 9140 West Dodge Road Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3317 402.397.5800 fax 402.397-5424 Executive Benefits • Group Employee Benefits Business Succession & Estate Planning
May You Find Happiness and Fulfillment in this Joyous Celebration Happy Passover
THE BELGRADE FAMILY.
msr WISHES FORA HAPPY PASSOVER
When You Need A Lawyer You Can T r u s t . . OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN A VARIETY OF LEGAL AREAS Ephralm L Marks (1910-1998) Truman Clare Yale Richards Wallace Hopkins Paul A. Rauth (1925-1999) Steven M. Watson Richard S. McMlllln Elizabeth Stunt Borchers Dirk V. Block Steven J. Rlekes *
Harold M.Zabln Myron J. Kaplan CarlJ. Trola, Jr. David P. Wilson Steven J. Woolley JaniceM.Woolley David A. Chrlstensen John M. Ungelbach Kathleen A. Cook LeanneA-GIHord
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
11605 Miracle Hills Drive Suite 300 492-9800
i Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
All that glitters... — — — A true craftsman... (continued from page 10) (continued from page 11) Larry Gilinsky (who is married to Deanna), joined "Economically, it's to my advantage that the marthe company in 1954 and is current owner; his son, ket is doing so well, but it's getting on the materialKevin (whose wife is Patty), is on the jewelry side with istic side," Weinstein observed. him, while son, David, owns Bergman Incentives, for' "It's getting fancier here and, eventually, well whom "Aunt Susie" works. David is married to start having more franchise stores, successful Katherine Finnegan; they have three children: Molly, national chains like they have in the malls. Due to Laura and Jack. ' the popularity of the area, well start seeing more and more of this. .'•.'.. Susie's been involved in the business for 21 years and is married to Jeff Cooper. The rest of the famiAs the rents go up, these stores will be in a posily includes: Lisa and Danny Theiss and their son, tion to take over these spaces," he added with conJake; Caryn and Alan Freirich and their two girls, cern in his voice. "I think the charm of the Old Jeri and Joie; Terri and Bryan Davis, all part of Market has been from the individual merchants the Gilinsky-Bergman legacy. and artists. When someone from out of town comes here, it's legitimately different. More than 100 years have passed since the founding of the business and the emphasis on "I guess you have to take the bitter with the watch parts has changed. After 50-plus years in sweetl" -,.-.-...., the Sunderland building, the activity shifted to the Dale thinks that his building is valuable downpresent location at 1408 Harney Street. stairs, but hasn't reached its full value upstairs. "Eventually, we'll probably have to make apartThe store now is a major player in fine designer ments upstairs and I'll lose my business, so it's jewelry and estate diamonds. Kevin has graduated kind ofa bittersweet thing!" he noted. from the Gemological Institute of America and is one of about 300 Certified Gemological Appraisers "I love what I do because, at the end of the day, I affiliated with the American Gem Society. can actually say t h a t I made something," Weinstein continued. "I think that's why people get He defines his job description within the unstrucBO frustrated with their jobs because they sit by a tured family business as selling diamonds, buying desk or a computer and just push buttons. estates and "taking out the trash." In recent years, the business has added Bergman Dale Weinetein still uses tools used by his "I can go to work and say that I made something Incentives, a promotional products division cur- grandfather, Leo Fox. with my hands!" rently headed by David Gilinsky. This division is a major supplier of logo-imprinted merchandise to such firms a s Union Pacific, Omaha Steaks, ; Mutual of Omaha, Inacom and the World-Herald. With six generations now involved, the Bergman Company has received the Chamber of Commerce Golden Spike Award for contributing to Omaha's economic vitality.' "Our focus now is on personal service selling fine jewelry and business incentives with the understanding that our family's future relies on the continued satisfaction of our customers. "Downtown Omaha has been good to us; we now serve customers in all 50 states, so we're quite happy with our Old Market location," said Kevin.
HAPPY PASSOVER
May *Vasso\7er ^bring "You JieaLth anb 4iappiness
Omaha Paper Stock Co.
The Epstein Family Bobbie and Bob Melissa and Michael Schop Elizabeth and Stuart Bohart Ellie, Jeff,Alec and Call
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Page 13
The Omaha city market: 1938-1954 by Lenny Lefitz
The sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells-my senses were always heightened when I worked during the summer months at my father's stand in the open-air space at the Omaha City Market. When I attended Central High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha before, during, and after World War II, this job was the way I earned my keep in my home, and I never had any doubt at the time that this was what I was supposed ta do. Having seven children, Leo and Rachel Lefitz, who owned the produce stand, had built-in 'Volunteers* who helped them during the busy summer months. Mildred (Posley), Benny, Morrie, Sylvia (Shapiro), Beth (Perimeter), Art and I helped out either at home or at my parents' business. This strip of property between 10th and 12th Streets and Jones and Jackson Streets was integral to the fabric of life in Omaha during this time, and it has stayed in the hearts of Omahans ever since. . Before the war, my older brothers, Benny and Morrie, played a major role on the retail market at my father's stand. My father was an excellent buyer, and they were excellent salespersons. At the time, I was just a tag-a-long, not old enough for a work permit. ' Benny and Morrie became market legends for their energy and their sales ability. Customers stood in line to have one of these boys wait on them. Benny could throw a 100-pound sack of potatoes around as though it were a baton; he was over six feet tall and weighed only 135 pounds, but he was unusually strong. He loved the market and, eventually, went into the wholesale part with his brother-in-law, Sam
10Q0 N. 90lh St. PH: (402)398-1111 .:, pfffana, Nebraska 68iT4"~ FAX: (402) 398-1313:
Wolfson, as well as with Leo Nogg and Sam Epstein. My brother, Morrie, who was a BombardierNavigator on a B52 during the war, returned to wholesale produce, working with Sam Kutler and Abe Brookstein upon his return. During the late years of the Depression before the war, Morrie had created his system of buying produce from the truck farmers; who came to the market daily, and of reselling their goods at very low prices to groceries and restaurants. As hard as the work was, he enjoyed what he was doing. He was always considered, a fine salesman who worked with great enthusiasm. The war years brought an economic boom to the market; my father had his best years .financially during this time, for he specialized in fruits of the season in large quantities: 125 lugs of apricots, 80 bushels of peaches, 150 bushel-boxes of bartlett pears, bushels of apples too numerous to count. On rainy days when farmers "could not plow thenfields, they came by the hundreds to the market from miles around Omaha to buy in volume the fruits and vegetables they needed to prepare for the winter months. The aisles in front of the stands were constantly filled with people. I remember so many people who worked at the market at this time. Alpheo, to our right, was so big-hearted and good natured; the Abboud family, to our left, with their big array of flats filled with beautiful flowers. And who could ever forget the Sortino Clan or Mr. Camel! All 300 pounds of him, and his yardlong slices of watermelon, dominated the corner of the market;
My father would be at the wholesale market by 6 a.m. to make the purchases he needed for the day. During this time, the wholesale market was dominated by the Greenberg Produce Company, operated by Sam Greenberg and his son, Elmer. Elmer's name was often mentioned because of his outstanding entrepreneurship. There must have been a dozen important wholesale distributors lining 10th, 11th and 12th Streets. I remember Gilinsky Fruit (now the French Cafe and Restaurant), Patrillo Fruit with gold in its vault called bananas (a scarce delicacy during the war), and who could forget Meyer's Produce, located in the cool basement under Harsh's Cafe, an important watering hole for all the peddlers in the area.
•
After the war, the retail market continued to thrive for a number of years until the mid '60s, when business began to decline. I had such fond thoughts of my days there, that in 1954, after completing two years of teaching English at Los Angeles Valley College in California, I decided to take a summer vacation working with my parents at the market. Thomas Wolfe was right: ?You can't go home again." • I was not exactly sure at the tune what a deep impact my experience at the market would have on me. When I think of those years with a touch of nostalgia, about the exciting.summers that I spent there with my customers, my friends and, most important, with my mother and my father, I feel grateful. , >. . '.....; Those years witnessed many of the golden days of my life. .
MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BE BLESSED AT THE PASSOVER SEDER
MEDITERRANEAN FOODS, INC. WIESMAN DEVELOPEMENT
3025 So. 83rd Street
390-0120
Commercial • Otllco • Industrial • Investments Real Estate Services • Constnidlon • Buld-to-Surl
mar qoocl hecdtJi & serenity te rours >Perseverance
6260 Abbott Drive •Omaha • 453-6644
T)WV\V\Q tKis
"Passover we extend wat*m wiskes \o owi» fviends and cwstomecs in the 3ewisk
12355 W. CENTER RD. • In WestWOOd Plaza (Backing Pier 11mports)
HAPPY PASSOVER from the Law Firm of
,
FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C. -, tXOvbhM-1000 • OuuldeOnuha(800)3341328 • TDD(402)758-6066 . , ' ' , > . 0 | l i W ' M 3 ( l , IHdiSt. • 11718MCt • IZWFamam Stc 100 '• " North Flint Ml E Philip, (3081 5M 42SOCT(800) 63! 6035 OnnlUland 34O6WcscSmeSi.,(308)3S2-}0Mot(S00)M1^60S t< , wwmfceWcu org
1100 Woodmen Tower 1000 Commercial Federal Tower (402)342-1000 www.fitzlaw.com
Experience 0 Confidentiality • Solutions
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
The secret is out! by Morris Maline
_
Call 393-0640
„
How did George Eisenberg manage to retire at the age of 58 with enough wealth to provide for himself, his wife and three children? He did it with potatoes and onions, and an explanation will follow: This story started with the inspiration that Dr. Morris Eoitstein's experience of selling watermelons in,the Old Market would be interesting to explore, and it would be because Dr. Roitstein worked diligently during the summers to earn enough money for college. He worked for his father, Harry, and his father's
the Old Market by riding in a wagon pulled by a horse. "My father and Harry had leased four stalls from the city at the southeast corner of 11th and Jackson and it was my job to help unload the wagons and place the produce on the sidewalk.' He said that in those days, the market was so busy that it was referred to as the second busiest industry in Omaha, beaten only by the meatpacking industry. Although he learned the business from "the best
WMmmiwnmnnmitMimfmnmmMnmiwnwnmimimHM
The MEGA Coipomtion Wishes Your Family a Healthy and Happy Passover
lilECA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES
You* COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PARTNER 402.334.8877
RRr/- •/*;] Clochuixi, from lop: 1047-(>corgi» Eihcnbcrg s t a n d i n g in front, of E i s e n b e r g Fruit Company, located b e t w e e n Harney a n d Howard on 10th Street; 1938~Hy Eisenberg selling strawberries on the corner of 11th and Jackson; Jack Looney and Jack Berman (Ann BermanRoitstein's brother), partners with Eisenberg in the mid 1940s. partner, Ben Eisenberg, both of whom owned the Eisenberg and Roitstein Fruit Co., then at 10th and Jackson. A photograph of him with his watermelon, supply appeared in the lobby of the old Firehouse Dinner Theater for many years. Unfortunately, Dr. Roitstein died in January, 2000, after battling Alzheimer's disease. His wife, Anne, visited him everyday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, and it was her recommendation to see George Eisenberg for information about the old days in the Old Market. A major story on Eisenberg's love affair with the Old Market appeared in the Jewish Press on March 26,1999. In this more recent interview, he explained that he received his early exposure to doing business in
Wishing You a Happy Passover Maury & Joan Udes &
FRASER, STRYKER, VAUGHN, MEUSEY, QLSQN,BOYER & BLOCH, RC. Steven Bloch • Robert L. Freeman
Builders Supply 5701 So. 72nd St.
331-4500
teachers," it wasn't until after he was separated in 1946 from the Army following World War II service in Europe that he joined hiB father, ultimately taking over the company. His formula for success involved not just selling potatoes and onions, but learning food processing and technology to provide his customers with ideal products. For example, he garnered the potato chip market by determining the best type of potato for producing a golden-colored chip. He learned how important the role that sugar content played in producing the ideal potato for chips and educated growers on his technique of using diabetic test strips to determine the content of sugar in the potatoes. (Continued on page 15)
FS
,
500 Energy Plaza Omaha, NE 341-6000
Lawyers Serving Omaha since 1898
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
The secret is out... •
April 14,2000
Page 15
'^
(Continued firom page 14) Eisenberg said he became the largest supplier of potatoes to chip manufacturers throughout the country and he enjoyed that near monopoly until chip companies began to merge and contract directly with suppliers. -Undaunted by the loss of major potato business, Eisenberg researched onions and determined that onion rings would be a major food product in the coming years. He researched onion growers and contracted with Utah Onions in Syracuse, Utah, to provide him with a steady supply of onions ideal for rings. His big break came, not with the sale of onions, but with the fact that onion ring manufacturers were ending up with a lot of by-product that they didn't know what to do with and it was costing them a lot of money to dispose of this 'useless'
the United States to determine if there was a market for frozen random sliced onions. Five major packers gave him orders for several million pounds and he was now the inventor of a new onion product. This success was followed in a similar manner by instant, quick-frozen, diced onions and he could well have been called the home run hitter of the onion business. "In four years time, I was buying 98% of onion byproduct in the United States and Canada. His success later brought him consulting opportunities in the food processing industries and prominence in the National Onion Ring Food Processing Association. EiBenberg, who had been joined in the business by his brother, Hymie, closed the operation in 1983 and retired. • m a t e r i a l . ,••:••: , ; •.•,.', :•'• • .: • ... : . .. ; The only crying he does now, perhaps, is when he '•" Eisenberg said he called every food processor in forgets to let the water run when he peels an onion.
Passover Greetings from wsmos PiwrrmG SERVICE, inc. 4012 South 24th Street
733-5353
j\lbert's. ^T
GUARANTEED BY OUR FAMILY NAME DISTINCTIVE SALAD DRESSINGS AND SAUCES
Clockwise, from top: Union Station, circa 1902; 1940-41--Jack Looney, City Market Master, and George Eisenberg in front of the Merchants Wholesale Grocery Company, precursor to the Newman family's grocery store, Hinky Dinky;
May the Holiday bring special joy to you and your family
1940-Frank Cicila (Pulverente's father), in Old Market in front of what is now Upstream Brewery. Frank worked for Ben Eisenberg.
LANDON'S
HAPPY PASSOVER
i n n k n o w IIIK I
OMAHA
LINCOLN East P a r k ; 467-5441
GOOD FOOD • GOOD SERVICE • GOOD PRICES
I nisi
' .
Old Mill 496-4000
EUROPEAN & AMERICAN DELIGHTS Pasta, Steaks. Scnfood, Salads, Sandwiches
•M1UUII40
TlteElues are
Call FOR RESERVATIONS 697-7840 2523 So. 140th Ave.
OPEN: Tuos.-Sat (or Lunch & Dinner
i
(©malfa ( MANUFACTURER OF A COMPLETE LINE O F CHEMICAL AND •
SANITARY SUPPLIES
,
.
6im.FiiiHiMi.tCSW
PAPER SUPPLIES
..
The Manvitz Family
•
'
-
'
•
'
•
•
'
' • •
•
.
.
/
.
' - .
'
•
•
•
•
•
licensed Clinical Therapist Family Mediator
12818 Augusta Avenue Omaha, NE 68144 (402) 334-1122
; www: '. Kpcounscllng.com
PHONE: (4021 348-7117 '
...'.-
eirjall: •cpcounMllngOhotmall.com
2001 NICHOLAS STREET OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68102 . • ; •
'..
,
.
BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska An Independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
-
From downtown to 'world's largest
Left photo : The Nebraska Furniture Mart's first store (shown in a 1937 photo) was located at 1312 Farnam Street, not far from the Old Market. 'Mrs. B,' as founder Rose Blumkin was affectionately called, moved the store in 1940 to 1918 Farnam ,and then to 2205 Farnam five years later. The 'West' store opened in the 1970*8 and the Farnam Street store closed in
1980. Top right: Mrs. B socialized with Edward Zorinsky, Senator from Nebraska from 1976 until his untimely death in 1987. Zorinsky was Omaha's second Jewish mayor (the first being Johnny Rosenblatt), and a proponent of development in the Old Market. Mrs. B died in 1998, just a few months short of her 105th birthday, but not before donating
more than $1.5 million for the original building of what is now the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (bottom photo), and & later addition. Believing in downtown Omaha, Mrs B. also gave $1 million to restore the Astro Theatre. The Rose Blumkin Theater for Performing Arts now houses the Omaha Theater Company for Young People.
From The Blumkin Family and Nebraska Furniture Mart
Nebraska
Furniture Mart 700 South 72nd St. • Omaha NE
April 14,2000
I
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 17
A happy and blessed
to you and your family m
PEONY PARK 7910 Cass 384-8668
WESTRIDGE 132nd & W. Dodge
493-2911
90TH & CENTER 8809 W. Center 384-9072
Page 18
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
To the'Big City' by Joan K. Marcus
date only Jewish girls!" When A. Richard (Dik) Weiner would invite Weiner, was a little boy, Jewish girls to come to he thought that Omaha Villisca for school prams was a mecca-heaven on and dances. He began earth! During the sumdriving and had his own mers, he came to shop in car at an -early age, the Old Market with hie because his parents father, Edward Weiner. wanted him to have He would have to get up access to Omaha, Jewish even earlier than people activities, and his who lived here because cousins, who were close he and his father made to his age. the trip once a week from Villisca, Iowa. "My cousin, Deanne ; On Thursday mornMarkovitz Raffel, used to ings, Dik and his father fix me. up with her girlwould come to Omaha in friends," he recalled with a big truck to first buy a smile. "Judaism was dry goods and then pronever an issue for our ceed to the Market to family even though we buy fruits and vegetalived in a small town, My bles; After leaving the mother made it very clear Market, they would go to to us that we needed to • the packing houses to join Jewish organizations 1956-Tille and Ed Weiner in Villisca, IA . 1966-Dik Weiner as a referee. purchase, their meat, and be observant. At the returning to Villisca to unload-the truck until 7 or 8 his cousin and they started their own grocery store University of Iowa, I joined a Jewish fraternity." During high school, Dik became friends with in the evening. This was a long, day for a little boy, in Villisca, 15 miles away. They opened the Villisca but he has fond memories of the days of shopping Food and Grocery and lived in the back room of the Omahan Jerry Margolin. However, he didn't realize store for four years. Edward bought his partner's that Margolin had a younger sister. After graduation, \yith his father. Coming to Omaha was always a privilege. To share of the store in 1935 when h'e married Tillie Dik became Youth Activities Director at the Jewish : ' Community Center in Omaha from 1959 to 1966. him, "Omaha was where the action was." In his Markovitz of Council Bluffs. Dik recalled they kept moving walls out when One day, he saw young Ina Margolin standing on the teenage years, he formed friendships with Omaha Jewish teens. In actuality, he lived two separate they needed more room in the store. The business corner of 20th and Dodge Street and thought to himlives-one in Villisca with his non-Jewish friends— expanded until they built a new building in 1958, self, "Gee, she's cute! I wonder who she is!?" and the other in Omaha with Jewish friends and still owned by the Weiner family. Edward and Later, when Ina made an appointment with Dik to Tillie retired in 1982 and moved to Omaha. family. talk about changing colleges, he said to her, "Why "We were always very conscious of the fact that don't we go out to dinner first and then we'll talk In 1930, Edward, big and strong and able to work, took a job in a grocery store in Red Oak, we were Jewish," Dik noted. "Even though we lived about it!" Their first date lasted until five in the Iowa. It was the midst of the Great Depression and in a small town and we had to work on Saturdays, morning. They were married one year later in 1961 Edward made the tremendous sum of $25 per we knew we were Jews. We always came to Omaha at Beth El Synagogue with Rabbi Myer S. Kripke week, big money for a man with hot much educa- for holidays to'be with family. And,-as a teenager, and Dik'e uncle, Rabbi Isaiah Rackovsky, officiating. tion. After one year, he formed a partnership with my mother made it very dear to me I was going to • ' '.'•• • (Continued o n page. 19)' • '
is a feast <£ tetortj
first national bank ofomaha Investing in you.
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 19
To the 'Big City' (Continued from page 18)
Dik Weiner, middle, often performs with friends Michael Yablonski, left, and Howard Gendelman. Weiner plays the drums.
The Weiner family
During college, Weiner had always been manager of a fraternity house because he could fix things, so moving to Omaha, he and his brother, Howard, invested in a duplex for rental purposes. In 1959, they started Dundee Realty. They now own a Century 21 franchise and run management and maintenance operations. The two brothers remain friends and partners. They own some property on nearly every block in the Dundee area and continue to own and operate older buildings at a time when other companies have moved to the western edge of the city. Although he is known as a shrewd and honest businessman, Weiner admits his training as a social worker gets in the way of good business sense. He often rents to people who are underprivileged because he believes everyone should have good housing at reasonable prices. "We don't have health spas and swimming pools," he said. "We juBt take care of our buildings." While still living in Villisca, Dik taught himself to play drums. "It's just something that I do naturally," he added. Tve never had any lessons but I picked it up." Although he was always involved in sports as
well, he continued to pursue a hobby of drumming. He is currently a drummer in the Iowa Western Community College Band and a member of Omaha Musician's Union 70-558. Ina continues to pursue a career as an actress and costumer at the Ibsen Costume Gallery. As a carryover from his youth, Dik continues to raise and ride horses. Ina and Dik are proud of their three daughters: Mindy Weinstein, Wendy Runge and Julie Green, who are all practicing Orthodox Jews. As teenagers, the girls were all leaders and regional presidents of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. All three are married to observant Jewish men and they have a total of eight children. Although Ina and Dik were both raised as more traditional Jews, they have no problem with their kosher home and more observant lifestyle. "I find myself very comfortable with my life. Our daughters are close and caring people and we get together often," he said. "There once was a time when I visited my daughters and their families and felt uncomfortable," he joked, "but I'm getting into a more Orthodox life and I like it!" • . •
aha
Happy Passover to my friends & customers Walter Hecht
General Labor Industrial Manufacturing Technical
.
Dik Werner's office is located near his home
in the Dundee area. Though he grew up in the grocery business, he and his brother, Howard, are involved in real estate at their Century 21 office.
Hall of Fame Chef
iporary Services Locally Owned
Bruce Muskin 2066 Farnam St. (402) 344-4848
^
We wish you and your families a Happy Holiday
LUNCH: Tue-Frl 11-2 DINNER: Tue-Th 5:30-9; Fri-Sat 5-10 Closed Sunday-Monday 4829 S. 24th SW33-7491
-. j
Holiday Greetings For Passover 7605 Pacific • 393-8282 • Omaha 1818 N. 144th • 498-3889 • Omaha 808 P St. • 435-3889 • Lincoln
During this Passover season, we extend warm wishes
to our friends and customers In the community
HAMPTON INN • WESTROADS • 391-5300 • Froe Deluxe Continental Breakfast • 129 Spacious and Comfortable Guest 7 Days* 6-10 tun. Rooms • Free Local Calls
• 8Two-Room ParlorSuttes
• Free Passes to 24-Hour Fitness
• FREE Showtime,CNN, ESPN.WGN andTNT
• Westroads Shopping Mall Adjacent • In-Room Movies Available • 18 Fabulous Food Court Restaurants , ,
•TdFFridaya-
V !**!isffL
Mutual Protective/Medico Life Insurance Companies
G«mranteeIfyoure
"w" notBatisfiedmthyourroom.youdontpay! Beautiful Guest Rooms For Out Of Town BarlBat Mitzvah & Wedding Guests
9720 WEST DODGE ROAD Group and Corporate Rates
1515 South 75th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124 • 402-391-6900
For More Than 65 Years
.,Pa^e>20, ,; Jewish.Pfjess,Omaha,NE
, April 14,2000
Making $30 a week in the Old Market - by Joan K. Marcus
"It would be so interesting, if one could write a book about what went on in the old market," said Sam Epstein, wistfully. "Some of the things that Went oh, we couldn't print in the paper!" Epstein' began working in the market in 1945. when he started as a salesman for Leo Nogg. Prior to that time, he worked at the Omaha Potato Market as a produce buyer. "The Potato Market at that time was the largest single supermarket in the state of Nebraska. The only competition at the time was Hinky Dinky," he recalled. "We would move a truckload of strawberries over Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We bought this stuff from local wholesalers in the Old Market." Since he had recently gotten married, Epstein decided he could always work in a grocery store, so he asked Leo Nogg at Nogg Fruit Company for a job. Sam began working on a straight commission basis-no guarantee, no salary, but no expenses either. He helped develop the city business in the Omaha area, which later became quite sizeable. Some of the grocers he sold to were Al Wohlner, Louis Albert and Louis Paperny. His first week on the job he made $30, which was a large amount in those days. He became a partner in the business and then bought it in the 1980s. The name "Nogg Fruit" remained. Sam said he saw no reason to "mess with 40 years of name recognition." Epstein tells about peddlers such as Louie Siporin and Abe Fellman. . "When many like these two first came from the old country, they knew very little English," he recalled. "They had to make a living so they started going house to house carrying crates of strawberries or watermelons on their shoulders." These men were psychologists in their own way. As their finances became a little better, they bought a truck and began peddling from it. Later,
Rosaline and Sam Epstein married in 1945. they would load their trucks and go out to small towns and sell their produce. . "Nowadays, kids go to college to learn marketing techniques, but those guys had 'built in' techniques," Epstein said with a smile. "In later years, these guys took in partners who were able to read, write and keep the books. Fellows like Abe and Louie would go out to the small towns and sell their wares." He tells about Abe and Louie selling apples on a very cold winter day.
"The farther they drove, the colder it got. They finally got out of the truck and started selling thenapples. Louie started to beat his hands against his chest to keep warm! Abe looked at him and told him not to look like he was cold or people would think the apples were frozen! Louie said Abe wouldn't let him wear gloves and the apples felt just like snowballs!" he laughed. Sam remembers Omaha Sam Epstein was born in Omaha at the Swedish Mission Hospital on 24th and Pratt. (In later years, the hospital was sold to the Salvation Army and used as a home for "wayward girls.") His father, David, had a little tailor shop on 16th and Pratt; his mother, Sonia, worked with him. After Sam was born in 1915, the family lived at the back of the store. His brother, Harold, was born . four years later and the family then moved- to the back of another tailor shop at 16th and Sprague. "I remember there was a lot of commotion in the house during the night, and the next morning I was, told I had a new baby brother," Epstein said. "He didn't have the luxury of being born in a hospital." Harold now lives in San Mateo, CA. Sam and his family then moved to a house at 18th and Locust. He attended Lake Grade School and graduated from Technical High School in 1932. Some of his Jewish friends were Al Rimmermah, Martin Spector and famous artist Milton Wolsky. It wasn't easy to find a steady job in 1932. He worked in parking lots, delivered handbills and went to work for a magazine called The Omahan, run by Jerry Milder and Spector. Epstein says that he never went hungry, but he didn't eat lunch if he hadn't sold a subscription in the morning. He remembers that a malt and a cheese sandwich from a place called "Dairyland" (on 16th between Farnam and Harney), cost just 25 cents. (Continued on page 21)
assover
ROofJNQ COMDANy
Saint Toseph Villa
901 S. 40th St.—Omaha, NE 68105 BUD PADON 348-0909
Nursing Center (402)345-5683 Homecare & Hospice (402) 926-4444 Commercial
Industrial
Residential
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 21
Making $30 a week (Continued from page 20)
"They used to have a His first steady job was 'yard man' working in in 1934 at the Gland-Oevery restaurant. This Lac Corporation, located was the guy who at 20th and Ames scrubbed the floors and Avenue. He was a shippeeled the potatoes. It ping clerk and was paid was hard to convince just $14 a week. But he these restaurant owners was fired from this job that they should use because of a mishap with frozen potatoes at 15 a broken bottle. cents a pound when they "This incident impactcould buy fresh potatoes ed me for the rest of my for 3 cents a pound!" he life," Epstein said on a recalled. "Sometimes, the serious note. "It made a restaurant owners would difference in the way I call me when their 'yard think and the way I operman' didn't show up and ated my own business. I'd run over and do a . Sometimes, when a situfrench fry demonstraation would occur, I tion." would always give the Sam Epstein Rosaline and Sam Epstein other person the benefit Photos by Howard K. Marcus In 1991, Sam sold Nogg of the doubt." Fruit to Demma Fruit In 1936, he went, to work for Sol Gendelman in a didn't date her until after that!" Company. He remained with them as a consultant They were married on Nov. 25, 1945, at B'nai grocery store on 16th and Ohio Street. By this time, until Oct. 1,1993. he was making the- huge sum of $18 a week. He Israel Synagogue on 18th and Chicago. Now a member of SCORE, a volunteer organizaEpstein was making $40 a week when they were was offered a job as a salesman for Kellogg's tion sponsored by t h e U.S. Small Business Cereal, but he didn't get the job because of the married. It was some time after their marriage Administration, he helps new and existing entreattack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Epstein when he went to work for Nogg Fruit. preneurs make business decisions. The organiza"Sometimes, I'd work 70 hours a week and then I'd tion is made up of former business owners and was eligible for the draft. Because it was so difficult for so many young men to get jobs at that time, he spend time on the phone when I got home!" he said. executives. Epstein serves as the chairman. Rosaline and Sam have three sons and nine enlisted on the day after Yom Kippur in 1941. As In summing up his life so far, Sam said, "I'm very he was about to be sworn into the Army, he was grandchildren. Their son's, Howard, Eddie and pleased with the work that I did. In 1987, we were disqualified because of an ulcer. It was at this time Steven, joined their father at Nogg Fruit. named Purveyor of the Year by the Omaha that he returned to Omaha and went to work at the In later years, Nogg Fruit expanded into the Restaurant Association and, in 1998,1 was named Omaha Potato Market. restaurant supply business. They offered such to the Hall of Fame by the Omaha Restaurant This was a lucky move for Sam because working items as pre-shredded lettuce, pre-scrambled eggs Association, which is affiliated with the American and pre-baked cakes; they were one of thefirstsup- Culinary Association. at the Market was young Rosaline Baum. "How's that for a guy who started selling fruits "It wasn't love at first sight, but I did think that pliers of frozen french fried potatoes. Epstein says that it was very hard to introduce and vegetables for $30 a week?" she was nice. She quit the store in 1944 and went to work for Zales Jewelry," he said with a laugh. "I that last item.
r
1
ft
Happy Passover
•NC. For Collectors, Investors And Hobbyists
Have a Happy Passover • CRYSTALS • CARVINGS • GIFTITEMS
• LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT • STONES • MINERALS & SILVER
M.W-F10AM-E30PM TUES4THURS 10 AM-5:30 PM 7 P M - 0 P M SAT 10 AM-2:30 PM
8487 Frederick 397-9606
"For Exceptional Dining"
Happy Passover
TIME CENTER SEBYIEE
SALES
•Seiko .
Greek Specials Daily
Greek Beer & Wine
• Howard Miller
Homemade Pastries
Dine In/Carry Out
Party Room
We Cater Tool
•Ansonia s
Full Service Bar Moa-Thura. 1la.m.-9p.m. Fit.- Sal 11a.m. - 1 0 p.m. Sun 11a.m. -8p.m.
•Complete Watch Repair • Batteries, Band, Crystal
Linden
• Cuckoo Clocks • Sligh 3821 Center
120th and Center
Watch & Clock Repair
•Chimesand Strike Clocks •Cuckoo Clocks . • Grandfather Clocks/Home Service
Westwood Plaza
330-6677:
Happy Passover from
€ • mid con systems, inc. 2>odi and SUv RwtU*.
More Families Trust Us T
TERY
UNITED
UNITED UNITED. Van Lines
• More Customers Recommend
United
To Their Friends GuaranteedOn-TimePickUpand
* New City information
Consumers ServiceCenter: .'ProfessionalPacking
Delivery
trom the-Bette Malone
andCrating
. V : •••• ... ...-.-
•HigfiestOver-allConsurnerSatistacliopRating
I-GO VAN & ^ Agent for United Van Lines,
9820 S. 142 St. 891-1222
HAPPY PASSQVtR GREETINGSTROM THE BOARD OFDIIIEGTORS: Joe GUSB, President; Leon WIntroub, Vice-president and Treasurer; AlFeldman, Secretaty; Jerry Gordman, Dan Greenfield, Joe Klrsbenbaum, Morris Kutler, Paul Sbyken, Louie Fedman, Sam Fedman and Harry Alloy, Board Members
Page 22
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Defending the Constitution by Joan K. Marcus
Omaha attorney and actor Don Fiedler won't take credit for being the first Jewish person to live in the Old Market. Ifs hard to think of this man being shy, but he seems rather reluctant to speak of himself as he recalled that, "Frances and Leo Kraft lived here first in 1972." Fiedler now lives and works in a loft-type apartment at the edge of the Market a t 16th and Leavenworth Street. However, he noted it was quite daring for a Jewish person to live and work in the area at that time. The 57-year-old was born in Omaha to longtime Nebraskans Ruth and Alfred Fiedler. He attended Washington Grade School and graduated from Central High in 1961. "Most of the people in my class distinguished themselves through academics," he said. "Some of my classmates were Marty Ricks, Donna Kaiman Spencer, Madeline Kripke and Cookie Epstein Hoberman. "I, however, was an allstate football player and I played with Gayle Sayres!" After high school, Fiedler left Omaha to attend the University of Arizona on a football scholarship. He returned here to attend Creighton Law School and graduated in 1969. For five years, he practiced law with his father. In 1975, he shocked everyone by starting a law office in the Old Market and lived in an apartment above the French Cafe. "It seemed at the time the city was discovering the Old Market.'It also seemed like a good place to set up business and a wonderful place to live. The apartment I rented was $300 a month and it was the biggest apartment in the building!" Fiedler does mostly criminal defense work. At that time, he did a lot of work having to do with seizures of illegal drugs, mostly marijuana. He believes the United States Constitution really suffered as a result of the war on drugs.
"Cases that were thrown out in the '70s are now totally permissible." He uses for an example the case in which a couple of kids in Western Nebraska were arrested because they had long hair. They were pulled over; their vehicle was searched, all because of t h e way they looked. Now, officers can only pull people over for violation of traffic laws. "These kind of things, to me, are reprehensible and I'm defending the Don Fiedler relaxes with his dog in his Old Market apartment/office. constitution when I defend these people," he said. "This was my origi- Laws. One of the changes he worked for was the nal reason for getting into criminal defense." medical use of marijuana. '. "As it stands now, doctors can't prescribe mariHe admits that, sometimes, the crimes are more serious. His aim, throughout his practice, has been juana for patients who are undergoing chemotherato defend the fourth amendment of the constitu- py, have glaucoma or multiple sclerosis. We tried to get it back on the agenda but it didn't work while I tion: the right to be free from unlawful search. In 1986, he moved into the building at 1510 was there." There have been recent, encouraging Leavenworth Street, where he lives and works. The changes in the laws in several states, however. During his time in Washington, he travelled frebuilding, formerly St. Philomenas Catholic School, is owned by the Kraft Family. Here he has the quently; he would always go to the 'Omaha gates' advantages of the Market without the summer at the airport to see if he knew anyone. He felt himself being drawn back to Omaha so, in 1991, he noise and parking problems. In 1989, he went to live in Washington, D.C., returned, but his former home on Leavenworth was where he ran an organization called NORML, the occupied. (Continued on page 23) National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
We W J You A Very Happy Passover and Appreciate Your Patronage•
ARAMARK CORPORATION
Tom and Mary and Roger and llarsba
NU TREND DRY GLEANERS
$2.25PER1TEM WE NOW USE A PERC FBFF CLEANING PROCESS
• • • Westwood Plaza • • • 12327 W. Center 90thV&Fort 50tli/&, Center 333-9300 Not valid for Bridal Gowns, Formals, Leathers, Suedes or Household Items
ARAMARK 'AMERICAN N A T I O N A L
ARAMARK Health Care Support Services 2000 Spring Road, Suite 300 Oak Brook, IL 60521
B A N K
American Dreams Come True American National Bank for your American dream **Mortgage Loans **Home Equity Loans **Home Equity Lines of Credit **Business Loans and Lines of Credit **Relationship Checking Products **Money Market Accounts Call our Private Banking Department at 399-5059 Main Bank 399-5000 8990WDodgeRd
1 -630-572-2800
*Call about our Equity Special Vacation Get Away* (Certain Restrictions Apply—Limited time offer)
Member FDIC
;
-^
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 23
Defending the Constitution (Continued from Page 22) In 1896, Bryan gave his He rented an apartment famous "Cross of Gold" in the Greenhouse on Ninth speech, which is brilliantly and Farnam to again live portrayed by Fiedler in the and work in the Market. play. It is rumored that "It never dawned on me to Bryan practiced the speech live anywhere else in the in front of a mirror for nearly city, " he said about moving two years. This is a speech back to the building on that still stirs the heart Leavenworth in 1995. when Fiedler delivers it. Fiedler had always been "You shall not press down interested in theater durupon the brow of labor this ing high school, but he was crown of thorns. You shall too busy with athletics. not crucify mankind on a After law school, he took an cross of gold." acting course at UNO. He thought it would help him As in the play, Bryan was with court work. Instead, the Democratic nominee for he began acting a t t h e president three times, the Omaha Community Playonly American to have that house. He has been the distinction, and served as recipient of the Fondasecretary of state in Woodrow Don Fiedler has portrayed William Jennings Bryan in a one'•man show. McGuire Award and the Wilson's first administration. "In order to make a character really work, you winner of a Cameo Award for his portrayal of a played in Chicago during the National Democratic Convention. The play portrayed Bryan, a two-term need to make your dialogue as natural as possible. mobster in Breaking Legs: His fascination with acting led to his portrayal of representative of Nebraska's First Congressional You have to portray what that character was really Clarence Darrow, a renowned defense attorney. District. In 1894, Bryan decided an operating base feeling," Fiedler noted. "Bryan was such an orator After 20 years defending the interests of organized as an editorial writer and columnist would enhance that he didn't really have a natural way of speaking. Darrow was more 'countrified'." labor, Darrow changed his practice to criminal his national political ambitions. ThuB, Bryan wrote to his friend and political supcases. None of his clients on death row ever Doing theater gives Fiedler balance for his law received the death penalty. He won acclaim in 1925 porter Gilbert; M. Hitchcock, Editor of the Omaha practice. However, he wouldn't want to do either for upholding the rights of academic enquiry in his World-Herald:;"! have been considering the advis- exclusively. The part of his life he enjoys the most defense of John Scopes for teaching Darwin's theo- ability of refusing to run for Congress. Could you is the teaching of lawyers, devoting at least a arrange to give me political management of the month each year to presenting seminars about ry of evolution. courtroom work. While on a trip to San Francisco to perform for World-Herald? At the age of 36, William Jennings Bryan, editorHe teaches attorneys of all ages, giving them the 75th anniversary of the Santa Clara Law School, the Dean of the Law School said to Fiedler, in-chief of the paper, was the Democratic Party's hypothetical cases to solve. Many times, he gives "You're doing the wrong lawyer. You look just like nominee for the presidency of the United States. lectures on using dramatic techniques in the courtWilliam Jennings Bryan." Don answered him with, Oddly, in dozens of columns printed about Bryan's room during his workshop: "How To Be a Ham in nomination, the World-Herald did not mention that Court And Not Get Egg on Your Face!" "You write the play and 111 do it!" he was its editor. After the nomination, Bryan's "I think that being natural and committed is a The play premiered in June of 1996. It played for big part of being a good actor and a good lawyer!" two weeks in Omaha, one week in Lincoln, and career at the paper came to an end.
HONEYMAN RENT-All The Party Place
For the finest in RENTAL entertaining accessories. How can you throw a party and not invite us? "Impress your guests with the BEST" 11226 WRIGHT CIRCLE 3 3 3 - 2 8 8 2
800-949-3608
DOWNTOWN YMCA AFFORDABLE MASSAGE—
Try 20-year-old Market Tradition-VISA/MC SCOTT KOTZEN& KARIN FELLOWS, LMT's
On-Site Chair Massage at Your Location
Passover Greetings & Best Wishes from
Pool, Saunas and Same Day Appointments Possible GIFT CERTIFICATES YOU CAN TRUST
UIIU.S
430S. 20th S t . • O m a h a • 341-1600
RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 90th & Arbor 391-0191 • 108th & Q St. 592-4217
Happy Passover To All Of Our Friends
SECURB1Y NATIONAL BANK Member FDIC
ServingTbe CommunityWe Call Home.
344-7300 www.SNBconnect.com 11"1 & Howard • 35"1 & Farnam • 521"1 & Center 72°" & Redick • 78"1 & Cass • 87"1 & Pacific 108* & Center • 120"1 & Stonegate Circle 142nd A M i l l a r d Avenue
' Loan office-29 South Main Sir., Council Bluffs Equal Opportunity Lender
Breakfast • Lunch Dinner Bakery • Take Out Catering/Party Rooms
try our newest location
Vtestridge Plaza 132nd & Dodge
Garden Catering 391-1409
Page 24
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
To market, to market by Joan K. Marcus
When Ilene Morris Pachman graduated from Technical High School in 1943, it was very difficult to find a job. Anti-semitism was very prevalent in the big companies and she lost two jobs before getting hired to work as a bookkeeper for Independent Fruit Company, located on 11th Street between Harney and Howard. Born in Omaha in 1926 to Fannie and Mike Morris, the family lived on 24th and Franklin Street; her parents were hardworking people. Fannie had a little store next to Shukert's Meat Market on North 24th Stree,t where she made cottage cheese and other dairy products; Mike worked for Union Pacific Railroad. Times were hard for the family and it was taken for granted that their daughters, Rose and Ilene, would get jobs immediately after graduation from high school. "It was hard in those days to keep a job because I was Jewish. I lost a couple of jobs when they found out," she recalled. "When I had the opportunity to go to work for Charlie Cohen, Sam Wolfson and Lou Siporin, I knew that I would at least have a job for a while." She worked at Independent Fruit from 1945 to 1950, then married Bill Hafits and moved to Fremont Independent Fruit supplied all fruits and vegetables to grocery stores. Storeowners shopped there each morning before opening their stores. In some cases, fresh produce was delivered to the individual stores, but shopkeepers usually crammed the merchandise into their own cars. It was Ilene's job to keep track of the merchandise, bill the customers and keep track of the trucks. It was also part of her job to keep an eye out on the sidewalk for people who would walk by and "wait on themselves!" As a young woman, Ilene thought for sure that the buildings would fall down! "The steps were rickety and it was hard to get up to the second floor," she recalled. "Now, when I go down there, I can't believe what they've done to
1931-Rose and Dene Morris those buildings. Back in the '40s, the buildings were all old and dilapidated! Drunks and hobos lived in the passageway where they now have all these beautiful'shops and boutiques." She remembers that the men who walked along the sidewalks didn't talk; they "hollered." "It didn't matter if it was a grbceryman or a peddler, they couldn't talk in a normal tone of voice," she laughed. "Trucks went by and all of the business was done out on the sidewalk. Some of the workers, like the celery man or the banana man, sang or called to one other. If they saw a customer talking to another vendor, they would urge them to come check out their prices instead." The atmosphere on the Market was mostly male. However, Ilene doesn't think they cared if women were there when they yelled and swore. She remembers there was a grocery store on almost
1945—Dene Morris every block during those years because most women didn't drive. "People didn't have cars or refrigeration like we have now, so they didn't stock up and buy like we do. Things weren't packaged in plastic like it is now," she recalled. "You would go to a store and buy a bunch of carrots or celery instead of stocking up for a week." Most of the men who worked in the Market used to go to Minardi's Restaurant to eat and play cards after the trucks were loaded and most of the customers had left for the day. By 10 a.m., the trucks were out on delivery and the men would take a break to eat and relax. The bosses were all "working bosses" and there was1 no sitting around at desks! Women didn't usually go to Minardi's, according to Ilene. (Continued on page 26)
From Our Homes To Yours, WeWishYouA Happy and Healthy Passover
an JEWISH FEDERATION OF LINCOLN
Quv cgcst Wishes 5Jb lou
$
SPRING EYEWEAR SPECIAL Package includes Eye Exam, reading or distance lenses plus any "green dot" frame. Bifocals add $25. Fabulous pricing on current designer styles and advanced lens designs.
FACTORY EYEGLASS 325 N 72 STREET 551-1639 MONDAY-FRIDAY 10:00 TO 6:00 SAT 9:00 TO 3:00
OMAHA STEAKS The Finest Midwestern Beef and More... Right In Your Own Neighborhood! 96th &»j» . Tower Plaza . Oakview . Westroads • Eppley Airport For Nationwide Delivery Gall 1-800-248-8786 O 2000 Omaha Creative Group, Inc.
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 25
One of the'early birds' by Joan K. Marcus
Nell Rubinow remembers getting up at 5 a.m. to go to the Market with her husband, Irv. She would throw on her bathrobe and go in her nightgown so she could come home and go back to bed after their daily trip to buy fruits and vegetables for Rubinow's Market. "In those days, you never heard about anyone having two cars," she laughed. "Most women of my generation didn't even drive, but I learned to drive as a teenager. So, in order to keep the car for the rest of the day, I had to get up and drive my husband to the Market. After unloading Irv, and the fruits and vegetables, I went back home, slept and later did my housework until it was time for me to go to work. "I can still see it," she recalled. "We always parked in the same place by Greenberg Fruit. I was barely awake and I can remember all those Jewish' grocerymen running, around yelling at each other. Most of those men were our friends. I would just sit in the car because I was dressed in my bathrobe and I didn't want to call attention to myself." Nell was born in 1909 in a house on North 16th Street. She attended Long Grade School. Her parents, Esther and Frank Marks, gave Nell and her sister each a nickel to go to the movies at the Alhambra Theatre on 24th Street. The two girls would spend the whole day at the movies seeing the pictures over and over again. She remembers that times were so simple then. ' "They weren't necessarily better, but they were easier. You never used to hear about people rob- • bing and killing!" Her father was a butcher for Tuchman's Market at 24th and Parker, so Nell grew up in the grocery business. The family later moved to Council Bluffs where Nell attended Thomas Jefferson High School. When they moved back to Omaha, she went to Technical High. As A young, woman, she was introduced to Iryin ; Rubinow^ a boy from Lincoln. "There weren't too many Jewish girls in Lincoln so, they used to load up a whole carload'of boys and come to Omaha to date the Jewish girls," she laughed. "We used to pair off and I went with sev-
eral different boys, but Irv was the one I liked the best!"
Nell and Irv Rubinow were married in 1931.
Steaks, Prime Rib, Chicken, Pasta, Burgers, Salads, Specialty Sandwiches and Fresh Fish • 13851 First National Bank Pkwy. + Omaha 431-0023
Bernice, Donald, and Maggie Gerber Debbie & Ron Powers Todd & J o Ell Gerber
Congregation Tifereth Israel Mncatn. NtJbicuJba. f
/feafflly
C?
/>...
1
Alt
andPeac^tdPaM&vei
X.
WO-2O24
,
'S
SONNY GERBER AUTO SALES 558-7400
(Continued on page 26)
"The gourmet Mann"
In the spirit of the holiday, we wish all our friends and customers a very Happy Passover
"The Best in Casual Dining"
•
They were married in 1931 at the Omaha Birchwood Club on North 30th Street. She remembers that the rabbi was very old. "Even then, we wanted to be modern so there was a man who used to interpret the Hebrew," she noted. "We hired him because we wanted to have everything up to date!" In those days, husbands didn't want their wives to work. Since it was the middle of the Great Depression, money was a big object. She had a good job working for the Continental Baking Company but Irv encouraged her to quit after they were married. He worked selling wholesale automobile parts but he lost his job when the banks crashed. The young couple then moved to Pittsburgh, KS, where Irv worked for an uncle in a "cigar store." They remained in the small town of 15,000 for only a few months and then returned to Omaha, where Irv began a long career in the grocery business. Irv and Frank Marks became partners in the Parker Street Market on 24th~ and Parker. After many years and Frank's death, they bought Rubinow's Market on 35th and Jackson. They lived at 800 Park Avenue and later moved to 34th and Davenport Street. Rubinow's Market was unique because most of their business was mail order, an unusual feature in those days. Most of then- business was over the telephone and the groceries were charged and delivered. It was more of a service store than one which sought walk-in trade Some very important people in Omaha would order their groceries from their store, Bhe recalled. "These people were socialites and they didn't want to take their time to go to the grocery store," she laughed. When Nell was nine years old, her father gave her a violin that had belonged to her uncle. He played in the pit orchestra-at the Boyd Theatre on 16th Street. It seemed like every Jewish kid had to play a musical instrument and, since she had a vio-
ROASTED BEEF Meat Speciatiiei, CORNED BEEF PASTRAMI PORTIONED P SOUPS OF DISTINCTION MEXICAN SPECIALITIES ENTREES
9ttc
HAROLD MANN 9097 "F" ST. 402-339-7000 Omaha, NE 68127 800-228-2170
I
Jewish Fatuity Service
*
wishes vfou a
3.
Strengthening Ant> preserving life in the Jewish community M every stage of the life cycle.
Page 26
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Happy Passover! l«e %/O/t.
VANN-TASTIC APARTMENTS!
734-4800
Best Wishes For A
Joyous Passover Season PflULfl and MflH NEIDEN 525 "N" Street
P.O. Box 81844 476-3306
Lincoln
-.ACCESSORIES. Give your home a fresh new look for spring Davidsons has thousands of accessories, those little extras that mean so much. Stop by soon and browse. You may come up with a whole new look with just a few of the right accessory pieces.
A Complimentary Design Service A. . Use Our Revolving Charge. Mf Visa or MasterCard
G aviasons 1
FURNITURE SHOWCASE 8001 DODQE, OMAHA • 393-3900
WATS 1->00442-121> Opt n 10-9 Mon. ( Thun. • 10-5:30 Tun.. Wad.. Fil.. Sal.
our home he hlessed
To Market
Early birds-
(Continued from page 24)
(Continued from page 25)
During strawberry season, trucks would bring the berries from Arkansas and she had to be there when they were delivered. In was her job to know how many crates of berries came in, where they were sold, and account for each crate. Since the streetcars didn't run at 3 a.m., the bosses would send a cab to pick her up so she could check in the trucks. "Then, I'd work until 5 p.m., but I didn't think twice about it because that was my job!" she said. Sometimes, after working all day with strawberries, her father, Mike, would ask her to go out into their patch at home and pick him a bowl of strawberries! "Many of the people who worked in the Market didn't know how to read and write. They didn't trust each other, but most of them trusted me," she recalled. "They didn't use cash registers; all they had were little cigar boxes to keep their money and receipts. They would ask me to read to them because they knew me and my parents." ' Ilene left Omaha in 1950 when she was married to Hants. They had two children; Fran Delisle of Melbourne, FL, and Lany Hants of Omaha. Bill Hants died in 1971 and Ilene returned to live in Omaha in 1973. In 1974, she married Bill Pachman. They were married for 23 years until he died in 1997. She has happy memories of her years in The Market. "They were the nicest men to work for," Pachman' noted. "They protected me and made sure that nothing bad happened to me. They even invited me to come to their homes for holiday dinners. "Sometimes, their wives would take me shopping in Brandeis. They were as close to me as family. When my mother got sick, they would do my work for me and I would just sit. This was a big contrast for me because of the way other people had treated me," she added wistfully. "I would never trade the years that I spent working in the Market!"
play a musical instrument and, since she had a violin, she. learned to play. She studied with Omaha music teacher Henry Cox. At one time, she played in five Omaha area orchestras, including a group of Jewish musicians at the Jewish Community Center. "This group included anyone who could hold an instrument!" she joked. " In about 1939, she began playing in the orchestra at Omaha University. She served as concertmaster for many years and remained in the orchestra for 43 years. She readily admits that she always loved playing in the orchestra. Although she no longer plays her violin, musical instruments still decorate her apartment. Several years ago, Nell sold her house and moved into an apartment. "At my age, I don't do anything that I don't like." She now spends her time taking care of her apartment, playing maj jongg, reading and socializing with friends. She is grateful for good health and eyesight and quipped, "I just wear drugstore glasses to read!" At age 90, she shops, cooks and drives for herself. Although she was widowed several years ago, she has happy memories of a long and successful marriage. "We had 10 good years together after Irv retired," she added, Nell has no regrets. She worked hard and still enjoys being with childhood friends and family. "The only thing that I do regret is that my daughters, Fyllis Lobe and Diane Marks, live so far away!" Rubinow added. "But, yes, I'm so grateful for what I have!"
At right, a passageway in the Old Market, now a major tourist site for the city of Omaha. Photo by Howard K. Marcus.
with Uiealth a {his Passover.
ALAN, ANNE, MARTY, ELIZABETH and JACK COHEN
aoopcis Abrahams Kaslow and Cassman Attorneys at Law
We must plant trees in the landscape of freedom. We must take in our hands the tools to build cities of peace. BLUMENTHAL'CADYfST ASSOCIATES INC. A D V E R T I S I N G
•
M A R K E T I N G
•
P U B L I C
R E L A T I O N S
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 27
Keeping Passover by Pam Monsky
For Appointment Call • (402)571-1750
Next morning, we tried matzo brie, one of my Most of us in the Omaha Jewish community do . not keep kosher, yet many of us keep the Passover. favorites. ' It may seem contradictory, but in my opinion, "What is it?" they asked. any Jewish traditions we include in our lives are "Matzo and eggs," I said. positive and important. In my family, being Jewish "Eweww!" they said. is not "all or nothing," but rather what we can do Tragically, I tried some logic; although you'd every day to bring Judaism into our home. think I'd know better by now. •*WeU,-yoirlike matzo; don't you?" Since most Jewish holidays can be "Yeah.", summed "up as, "they tried to kill us, we woh.-leifs eat," we can all relate "You like eggs, don't you?" to the emphasis on food during "Yeah. the holidays, especially "Well, this is matzo and eggs!" Passover. When you are not I reasoned hopefully. used to restricting what you "Ackkk, no! Can we just eat, Passover provides a have matzo and butter unique opportunity to uti-. again?" lize our willpower and Note: the above philososkills of logic and negotiphy incorporates the ation. same reasoning as how kids love ketchup on But can we do it for everything and will eight days? Therein not as much as look lies the Monsky chalat a tomato. French lenge. fries versus a baked Fortunately, my potato, or apples clan loves matzo: versus apple sauce. matzoball soup It makes me and most everywant to scream, thing associated ala the old 1/2 with the seder. So Price Store Guy, the first day of "It's the same Passover is an thing!" enjoyable breeze (especially since Day Four and we are in Des we're doing pretMoines with my ty well. parents and We've given up they do all the on the Passover cooking). Day cereal and have Two goes well, decided on havtoo, (leftovers). ing matzo and • butter for Back jn Omabreakfast every hiaf* meltdown'1 day, sometimes almost hits on adding different Day Three, toppings, such wheh'my youngas cinnamon or est rejects the even jelly. CreManischewitz ativity abounds! Crispy O's for breakfast. I adThere's a tense mit sneaking moment as we them in on him ' drive by the Bursomewhat cleverger King around ly, as if they were lunchtime, but a really Cheerios, meltdown is avertbut Sam is sharp! ed as we picture the First of all, they bunless Best's don't look like kosher hotdogs Cheerios; Well, mayawaiting us at home. be Cheerios from a OK, we experience parallel universe. meltdown, but I just turn up the car radio to •Needless to say, they mask the howls coming don't fly and both kids from the back seat. ask for matzo with butOf course, we make it ter. Ditto for lunch. through Passover, we Those cardboard colored always do. Passover noodles didn't fly To me, it's one of the best either. Maybe they need more Jewish holidays. I love all the tomato sauce on them, alfood and I love having to think though I did compensate by about what I eat each day because adding about three pounds of I'm Jewish. Parmesan cheese. I just wish those visions of bagels "It tastes just like spaghetti," I said. I would quit dancing in my head! got the "yeah, right" Look in response.
Happy Passover DR.G.E.HAYNES Chiropractic Physician Diplomate, American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists
5445 N. Oaks Blvd. Omaha, NE 68134
super!oi Come See Us At Our Store 4610 S. 132nd SL • Omaha • 333-9033 (N.W. Comoro 132nd 4 L)
245 W. Broadway«Council Bluffs • 323-5980 J
OMAHA'S ONLY FULL-TIME
COMEDY CLUB On this joyous holiday, we wish you and yours a very , HAPPY PASSOVER!
Reservations The Funny Bone Comedy Club 705 North 114th S t (Just North of Dodge)
Consultants In Gastroenteroloffv. L.L.C. Compliments of
Michael N. Eppel, M.D. DonaldE. Waltemath, M.D. Chris F. Maasdam, M.D. May you find happiness and fulfillment in this Joyous Passover Celebration 2627 Stockwell St. • Lincoln 402-441-5600 • FAX: 441-5606
RANDY'S PHARMACY
.Valu»Rite. 13072 ARBOR STREET « IN ORCHARD PLAZA
1
••'••''•••'•}in^Jphuigentlematicom-:':r''
WEDELIVEItl QQ9 QfiOft (West Omaha Area)
OOO
O\ja\j
AND MAIL RX'S! (anywhere)
Page 28 ' Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
The 'Queens' (Continued from Page 9) between buying fruits and vegetables Military. Grocery stores in the area didn't always appreciate .the competifrom carts thai lined the streets. Some.of the grocers they remember tion that the fine fruits and vegetaare Nate Belzer, Max London, bles gave them. At first, the market had no cover, Charlie Ross, Herman Levin and Leo Taub. The men would meet and play but Paperny later managed to build a cards "while "they waited for farmers • -brick building^wjjich opened in 1935. The bank had refused credit'to" and peddlers to bring fresh produce. Not all of these men got up a t Paperny, but the contractors agreed 3 a.m. to do their vegetable shopping. to finish the building if Paperny Paperny had to go earlier because he would pay them off in two years. One had an open-air market and did not day, a woman offered to loan him the deal in groceries. He never wanted to money to pay off the contractors. He sell groceries, but his sons-in-law threw a party for them and gave developed the grocery end of the busi- them their checks. ness; later, Paperny began selling From that day on, Paperny refused beer after prohibition ended. to borrow money from banks. , "When I needed them, they weren't In 1924, Louis Paperny moved to the Benson area. Previous to selling there," he is supposed to have said. fruits and vegetables, he had been in "Later, they begged me to borrow the junk business with Max Paperny money from them and I wouldn't do it!" Although he never learned to read (no relation), but in 1916, the price of and write English, he was outstandjunk fell to $11 a ton. He is reported to have lost every- ing in Math. Luttbeg noted, "He thing but his truck, so he loaded it would buy a carload of fruit and with fruits and vegetables from the before they could lift a pencil, he Market and went to 24th and Q would have the price figured!" Street, the location of his previous In October, 1956, the present Louis' junkyard. • • Market was opened. The old store The story is that he sold everything was remodeled to house the liquor the first day but he didn't like the store and bar which is still run by attitude of his South Omaha cus- Rose's sons, Paul and Bill Rosen. tomers. He told his family, "You'd ask Louis' Market was always run as a a quarter and they'd offer you a family business. At one time, all four dime!" It was also around this time daughters and their husbands that Louis moved his wife and family worked in the store together. to the Benson area. Paperny always bragged that he It was because of this that Paperny was just a partner, no bigger or decided to open his open-air fruit and (Continued on page 29) vegetable market a t 47th and
Angies Restaurant
Pulverente
Passover Greetings from
MONUMENT CO.
JACOBSOK FISH CO., INC.
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
1001 Pacific 'lite ueruf. iteit o£ uuiliei. at tUil ipecud time o£ yea/i, < lhat you'll enjoy, thii. Paiioo&i utitk puetuti and loved ottei ttean
The Paperny family, mid-1930's
David Gerber Lois Mann
Anne Gerber Gary Lind
60 Years Experience with Jewish Lettering And Memorials 1439 So. 13th
341-2452
341-8800
| he j—rencn
IT1AL3AR VISION CENTERS.
International Contact Lens
Le Menu A Prix Fixe Monday Soup du jour or French Onion House Salad Broiled NY Strip Sirloin-Sauce Bearnaise Sorbet or Bread Pudding . . .
SOUTHWEST 132nd & W. Center 330-4330
MIDTOWN 78th & Cass 391-6600
NORTHWEST 102nd & Maple St. 571-8888
SOUTH Brentwood Square 339-5550
Dr. Stanley and Barbara Malashock Dr. Neal and Jody Malashock Dr. Larry and Diane Malashock
.
• • / 2 1 , 9 5
•:
.
A 5,.;
group
•..•• • •:
Tuesday Soup du jour, or French Onion House Salad Fish du jour. Sorbet or Bread Pudding 21.96 . Wednesday Soup du jour or French Onion House Salad One-half oven roasted Rosemary chicken served with lentils, and Morel mushrooms in a Roasted garlio and Green peppercorn - sauce, capped with fried Leeks Sorbet or Bread Pudding 21.95 Thursday Soup du jour or French Onion House Salad Roasted rack of pork.. .Chef Snow's National award-winning recipe, with a ragout of wild mushrooms and spinach. Served with goat cheese polenta. Sorbet or Bread Pudding 22.95 Reservations are recommended 1017 Howard Street Omaha Old Market
(402)341-3547
mark
INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE
On the happy occasion of the Passover holiday, we extend our sheerest greetings
1306 NORTH 1(11111 STREET OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68118 SANFORDOTCONL.COM
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 29
The'Queens' — (Continued from page 28) smaller than anybody else. He didn't like presidents or bosses. "Our father never encouraged us to work in the store, but we were all so upset that he worked too much that we decided that we would go to the store to be with him," Ruth recalled. "If anything, he encouraged us not to work in the store!"'. . Papemy was always a very'quiet'.', philanthropist. He raised money for Boys Town and always had holiday parties for the children in St. James Orphanage. He insisted that much of the money that he donated stay in the Benson area. He told his daughters, "These are the people who have helped us make a living, so this is where we will stay!" Arid he insisted
his daughters attend Benson High School."
.-•. •• • •••• ' ^ . . . " • - / • • Y v - ' K :
The sisters all have fond memories of the Shabbat dinners that they always enjoyed with their parents. "My mother got up every Friday morning and started to prepare for the evening meal," Rose remembered. "She would bake and cook all day. Sometimes there would be 30 of us for Shabbat dinner. Those were wonderful times." Ida died in 1972 and Louis in 1974. • Bernice once remembers asking her father for a dime to buy candy. He answered her by saying, "Tochter, (daughter) if there's a dime in the cash register, its yours!"
1958-Steve Luttbeg and Bruce Friedlander at Louis' Market.
1956-Louis Papemy at the opening of Louis' Market.
HAPPY PASSOVER!
M |
|
Steak & food from around the world. Tiano'Bar
Featuring the best Omaha steaks as weU as Dover sole, lobster tail, crab legs and cuisine from around the world.
/• //Of JacAdcw.
344-3300
TRUGREEN
Interior PlantCare over 500 tropical plants In-stock custom containers custom floral events interior plantscaping services outdoor grounds maintenance fresh, dried and silk arrangements short term rentals custom holiday decorating award winning staff
2215 Harney 346-4200 private parking at the door
Passover Greetings
Our Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy Passover
HOCKENBERGS 7002 "F" Street
ALAN FRIEDMAN C O .
Page 30
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
The 'soul of Omaha' by Joan K. Marcus
the public. From 1907 to 1964, they As stories of Omaha's Old Market were sold to wholesalers, who later go, Vic Gutman is a relative newcomsold them to private individuals. er! He was born and raised in Detroit This is a "green market" where and attended the University of everyone actually grows their own. Michigan. In 1971, while still a college Merchants are not allowed to buy student, he became involved in the from somewhere else and resell. planning of a Summer Arts Festival. Emphasis is on fresh produce grown Over the years, the festival has by local people. become very famous. More than 1200 Gutman explained, "The Old artists from all over the country now Market is Omaha's soul. Without it, come to this event, which was started•Omaha would have none. I remember by Gutman. It draws more than a half in 1975 when someone from the City million people to Ann Arbor each year. Planning Department told me that if After college, Vic joined Volunteershe had his own way, he would tear In-Service-to-America (VISTA), an everything down. That would have organization of young college gradu- • been a terrible loss to the city!" ates who provide community service On a more personal note, Gutman and are paid small salaries orj ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ • • ^ ^ ^ H k T « j has adjusted well to being an stipends. In 1974, he was sent to Boys "- •' ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ " * 1 •— —•• Town where he was to help start three Vic Gutman displays his collection of Old Market awards and memora: Omahan. He graduated from Creighton Law School in 1975. He group homes in the community. bilia. While working in Omaha, he visited The Old merchants to do a marketing plan for them. One of worked in the Public Defender's office for seven Market. He recalled that he "fell in love with the his suggestions was to perform Dickens in The Old years, but always continued to organize events. He whole area and decided it would be a great place to Market. People would dress in Victorian costumes, refers to himself as "a community organizer." have a summer arts festival. perform on the cobblestone streets and offer horse Gutman is married to Roberta Wilhelm, "I met with a number of the merchants and and carriage rides. The event had its premiere in Executive Director of the Omaha Theatre for retailers from the area and they thought it would 1987, when he became a consultant to KETV Young People at The Rose, Omaha Children's Channel 7. be a great idea." Theatre. Their combined family consists of five In 1994, with the help of then Mayor P.J. children, David, Daniel, Teas, Max and Jack. Previous to 1975, the only arts festival was in Countryside Village. Gutman's idea was to have Morgan, Gutman revived the old Farmers Market. Vic admits that he was very apprehensive about performing as well as visual arts. His festival in The market, which is held in its former location at coming to Omaha because he didn't think there .Ann Arbor also included activities for children. He 11th and Jackson Streets, is held on Wednesday would be Jewish people here. He has never been was still working at Boys Town, but agreed to do a evenings and Saturday mornings and attracts in bored since arriving here. In addition to special festival on a volunteer basis. The first festival was excess of 1000 people. The event started with 15 events in the community, he has become part of the held in June of 1985, had 185 artists and was vendors and now has around 60. On the opening Omaha Jewish community. named the Old Market Summer Arts Festival. day, former vendors, many of them Jewish, were As a member of a Conservative Jewish After two years, it outgrew the area and moved to honored. Synagogue in Detroit, he often felt offended by the downtown, where it has been for the past 25 years. The Farmers Market of today differs from the constant demand for money. As a young boy, he In 1979, Gutman was hired by the Old Market original because fruits vegetables are sold retail to (Continued on page 32) „
f
hVWAPCU.
P'ARCElfPLAcF, I ' A i ' k A I . I ,\<; . t M l i r i ' l M ,
*
•
-
.
.
•
'
.
Qourmet B a s k e t s . . . for the holidays, home entertaining, gift giving or thank yous. The Winery will create that special basket of wine, spirits, food or cheese, designed for you'.
.
M
m
HAPPY PASSOVER
NORM' SDOOR SERVICE
N&wn, fe
132nd & Dodge Tel. 496-0066
G O U R M E T F O O D » FINE W I N E S 74t N. 96TH ST.ATCIocUmnrVllaga OMAHA, NEBRASKA 63114
('•',',pj'/i']1N ''" l';..i'd,<l K m .
391-3535
EDUCATION THAT WORKS It's all here for you. H | More than 100 programs Accreditation by regional and professional associations
May your Passover be filled with peace and happiness
DAIN RAUSCHER INVESTMENT SERVICES INVESTMENT BANKING Ikmba NnYokSudibduitc
.
.
"DAIN RAUSCHER" Delivers Opportunity The Mark 9290 West Dodge #400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 (402)392-6100
Small class size Economical tuition Technically advanced computer labs
Metro graduates get jobs
Call 457-2400
• § '•?
:
www.mccneb.edu
- . -, •-
•• -•
E Q U I P M E N T ••€ p..M P A N Y \
• ,
ASV METROPOLITAN B H C O M M U N IT Y
C C) I. I. l i ( . I:
Qita ,
Day, evening and weekend classes
www.elliottequlp.com
% SllALOM
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 81
A way of life by Joan K. Marcus
Norman Wine remembers holding the hand of his father, Ben, as they walked along the streets in the Old Market. They would both get up very early on ; summer mornings in order to get the very freshest fruits and vegetables for the family store, Ben Wine's Superette, at 18th and California. They would be careful not to wake Norm's mother, Millie, as they ate breakfast in then* kosher kitchen at home. . , Norm was born in Omaha, attended Webster and Washington Grade Schools and graduated from Central High in 1956. He was only about 10 years old when he first started to go to the Market with his father. At first, he would just hold on to Ben and watch as grocerymen from all over the cityhaggled about the prices of the fruits and vegetables. The Wines didn't have a truck so they would just "wedge" all of the fruits and vegetables into the family car. • "In the summertime, there were all of the little stands of the truck farmers who came in," Wine recalled. "Each one would set up his stand and display his produce. There,was always 'a lot of hag. gling about price. They'd ask a quarter for some- 1961-Winc's Superette Calendar was sent to thing and the buyers would offer 15 cents. customers every year. Everybody did it.and it was expected of you. Nobody paid what they asked!" Some of the men who shopped in The Market were the Plotkin Brothers, Paul Steinberg from the Omaha Potato Market, Gary Sherman, Sam Schiff and Norm's uncle, Dave Wine. Most of these men had their stores in the same area. "In those days, there was a store on every other block; most of them were run by Jews," Wine Baid. As he grew older, he walked around and talked to the various venders. He talked to men whom he still remembers, like Sam Kutler. "I remember Elmer Greenberg because he had been a football player and he was a big,.tough guy," Wine said with a smile. "After we got done buying 1961-Norm Wine at the Superette.
on 11th Street, we'd walk down to 10th Street and buy potatoes and onions from Mr. Eisenberg. The most fun was in the summertime when the farmers would come in and we'd dicker over prices." After their trip to the Market, Wine went to work with his father. "At first I mostly got into mischief!' he laughed. "Later on, I stocked shelves, cleaned, sacked groceries and, when I got older, I delivered. I didn't go on weekdays during school, but I always went on weekends." Working in a grocery store became a way of life for him. On June 20, 1959, Norman was married to Lois Moskowitz. They had met in grade school and began dating while they were both students at Central High. Lois's parents, Max and Anne Moskowitz, ran the Cherry Garden Garage, located at 37th and Leavenworth. This was the first 24-hour service garage in Omaha. Located in the Gold Coast area of Omaha, they serviced limousines and cars for Omaha's wealthy. Today, Lois and Norm have two sons: Brent and Bryan, and daughter-in-law, Laura. Bryan and Laura have a son, Andrew, who is a year-old. After his marriage, Norm continued to run the store at 18th and California until he was called to the Army to serve during the Berlin Missile Crisis. Since Ben had died in 1960, Norm liquidated the store when he was drafted. In 1962, he returned to Omaha and went to work for Jerry Lehman, owner of the Cinderella Market on 108th and Elm. Again, he visited the Market to buy fruits and vegetables. "Cinderella Market had a fire in 1969 and I was still going to the market then. And, they were still haggling over prices!" he remembered. "There was always a lot of talking, cussing and dirty jokes. (Continued on page 32)
On the happy occasion of the Annual Celebration of Passover, we extend our sincerest greetings to all!
EWISH
SENIOR
SERVICES Administrating the Rose Biumkin Jewish Home and Community Outreach Services
Mercedes-Benz
Wishes Each of You A
HEALTHY and HAPPY PASSOVER JSS, YOUR OPEN DOOR TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THE "65 & OLDER" JEWISH COMMUNITY WHETHER YOU'RE ON-THE-CO - - - - or ON-THE-MEND Please call us at 330-4272 If we can be of help to you or your family.
PREMIER M
O
T
O
R
C
A
15225 Industrial Road Omaha, NE (402) 384-9999 C1097 Authorized Marc.dm Binz Dealer
R
S
Page 32
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
The 'Soul' of Omaha
April 14,2000
—
(Continued from page 30) always associated Judaism with money and status, but he doesn't find this true here in Omaha. Because of his son, David, Gutman joined Temple Israel in Omaha. He attends family school at Temple and feels "reconnected" to Judaism. "Rabbi Aryeh Azriel is a wonderful spiritual leader and the whole Temple is infused with a sense of Tikkun Olafn," Gutman noted. "My Judaism is meaningful to me because it is in a context of the whole world. It speaks of our responsibilities to the world and to our own community. "At Temple, I have learned that I have a responsibility to make the world a better place." He finds a sharp contrast here in Omaha to the way in which he was raised. "I hated Hebrew school because they never taught me what it was to be a Jew. There was no sense of the'true spirituality," he added. Today, Vic Gutman and Associates also organizes the Renaissance Fair in Council Bluffs, the Centennial Celebration of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, and was responsible for the Millennium celebration on Dec. 31, 1999. During this celebration, the Gene Leahy Mall was lit with over one million lights. These lights will be used in future years for holiday displays. It will be a major event for the city and be expanded in the future. Gutman has tried to give back to Omaha by working with non-profit organizations such as Children's Hospital, the Nebraska Aids Project and Girls' Inc. His firm also does communications, marketing and fundraising. . Gutman says he really loves Omaha and the Old Market. "For me, it was a wonderful surprise," he mused. "Omaha is a wonderful community and there's a lot for families to enjoy. "It has a very strong Jewish community and I'm enjoying life here, especially since I rediscovered my Jewish identity."
A way of life (Continued from page 31) "There weren't any women there so it was just a bunch of guys talking!" he added. "Even the Jewish men cussed. That"s where I learned!" He always marveled at watching the Sortino Brothers with a truck full of watermelons. One brother would be up on the truck and "pitch it" to the other brother. Norm said these were 20, 30, even 40 pound watermelons. He was always envious of their muscles and strength. Caruso Fruit had "ripening" rooms for thenbananas." Wine recalled an elevator that didn't work; customers had to go down a flight of old stairs to get to the rooms, to choose bananas. Periodically, they would find a tarantula spider in T n e Wine family: Norman, left, Laura and husband, Bryan, at their with the bananas and the we dding, Brent, Lois and Lois' mother,Anne Moskowitz. men would give it to him. "I had one in a glass jar for a long time and I kept Services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Norm it alive. I would feed it water bugs and then I kept still gets up every morning at 5:20 a.m. and works 50 to 60 hours a week. it in formaldehyde after it died," he laughed. His thoughts about retirement are sketchy In 1969, Norm went to work at the House of because he thinks not working means maybe 40 Poultry on North 30th Street, where he continues to run the meat department. It was owned by hours a week! The grocery business has become a Oscar Diamond and Harvey Lipsman and later way of life for the little boy who used to go to the Market with his dad. sold to Norman Plotkin. They both agreed, "The years have been good, Norm and Lois have happy memories of their 40 happy ones!" \ years together. Lois is now Director of Volunteer n.nd
INSURANCE PROTECTION
Realty Corporation Commercial • Industrial
mm
May Passover bring increasing strength and courage to those engaged in the struggle to preserve the freedom and dignity of free men. We wish for men of good-will everywhere, bountiful blessings of good health, happiness and security.
'A aBMSk
FRATERNAL BENEFITS
330-2656
Dental
Center
NORMAN M. SHELDON, DDS 12100 W. Center Road #110 Omaha, NE 68144
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
330-5080
LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY
e-mail: info@horizondent.com www.horizondent.com
HOME OFFICE: OMAHA, NEBRASKA
The FAMILY Fraternity"
SI
•
Were in the neighborhood. PACGSeTT€f2
Phil and Terri Schrager & Family Harley and Beth Schrager & Family Rick and Laura Schrager & Family
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
CORPORAnON
"Big portions of wood fired, friendly food that's a little spicy, somewhat saucy and full of robust flavors." Sunday - Thursday 11am-1Opm • Friday - Saturday Tlam-Tlpm 6 4 0 -North 114th Street '
.
•
•
v
42S-O9O4
':
• • • • . •
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 33
by Bert Lewis
Have you had enough stories about the Old Market yet? Are you completely educated regarding the early history of the place? Or maybe you're at the stage where you feel you know all you need to know about it and it's time to go on to another topic. If that's the case, stop reading here, because I just remembered a few things I meant to tell you about it. My memories came after a wonderful phone visit with my aunt, the former Gertrude Wine, now Mrs. George Sladnick of Sherman Oaks, CA. When I asked her if she recalled anything about the Market from her early childhood, her response was immediate. •'.'.' Without missing a beat, she remembered the fruits and vegetables her father (iny Zayde) would bring after a visit to the Market. In the fall, when it was apple time, he would buy a bushel basket of the red beauties, which must have been greeted with great pleasure by the five kids in the house. . In.addition, most food staples were brought in very large quantities, such as potatoes by the gunnysack-full and sugar in huge amounts, too. My aunt remembered summertime . treats, too, such as corn on the cob, freshly picked and delivered in the familiar gunnysack. Of course, the Market was where the wine grapes were purchased to bring home and use for making wine for Passover! Then there were the bananas — not a few pounds, but it seems to me I remember my late father laughing about the fact that bananas came into the kitchen on a stalk, a real stalk of who knows how many bananas. Certainly enough to go around
several times! Those are the kinds of simple tales folks remember when asked about many years ago in the Old Market. For one thing, it was The Market' not The Old Market. Folks like my Zayde understood the better value of large quantity purchases, as opposed to the ordinary wares available in those old-time grocery stores. In the really early days, peddlers bought their inventory at the Market, then went on to neighborhoods to hawk their wares at t h e kitchen doors of many housewives. My understanding is that it was a type of wholesale distribution center for all kinds of foods. In recent years, since its revival as a place of interest as well as commerce, it has become known as "The Old Market" and is a favorite area to take visitors to thecity. In my view, some of the best restaurants in town are in that neighborhood, as well as shops which specialize in books, music and even art. A walk through various blocks on a warm summer night is pleasant and entertaining; of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the horse-drawn carriages which offer rides through that area. Yes, the Market is now, and has always been, a delightful corner of downtown Omaha. Most cities around America have similar sections which have been important in their heyday and, in recent years, enjoyed gentrification. . .but I've always been partial to ours! I always love a trip down there, especially in the warm weather season, when we can walk around and look in shop windows. Come to think of it, we're in that time when we can do that right now! ^-I look forward to those visits. Don't you? Speaking of a warm-weather stroll...the view west o n Howard Street. Photo by Howard K. Marcus
TheSojTap™ Hand Method of Permanent Cosmetics
Happy Passover
72 3125 S. 72 St.
ME &
IMLMI1O
397-8389
assover
& £oie's Candy Sho-ppe lOOS^mariStreA XouC.Ofemec
Omaha
344-8846:•.
The Most Natural Looking Permanent Make-Up eyebrows • eyeliner full lips • lip liner botox available Safe • Non-Allergenic •Affordable Call for a complimentary consultation
392-0209 DOTTIE ADLEY, iusr.i C.R.N.A. www.permacosmellcs.com
8420 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 107
COMPANY QUALITY • CRAFTSMANSHIP • SERVICE WE SHIP GIFT BOXES NATIONWIDE TELEPHONE (402) 341-8720
Nobbies 120th and Center
Bel Air Plaza ~ 333-6300
Page 34
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Shattering cinema's glass ceiling by Leo Adam Biga, Special for the Jewish Press
"I grew up in the days When Omaha native when you'd take the Joan Micklin Silver's streetcar downtown and directorial feature film see double-features for debut, Hester Street, 350. Those were still the proved an unexpected days of stage shows (prebut unqualified critical ceding the main movie and commercial success bill). It was just marin 1975, women gained a velous entertainment; it stronger foothold behind really was. I remember the camera in American those theaters in Omaha . cinema. very well~The Brandeis, The breakthrough indeThe Orpheum. I think I pendent film, scripted by was probably most influMicklin Silver and proenced by the traditional duced by her husband, Hollywood films I saw as Raphael Silver, paved a kid." the way for more women to call the shots in the Besides the movies, chauvinistic playground reading and writing held of moviemaking. her interest. She attended Central High School Twenty-five years later, Micklin Lumber was originaUy located at 10th & Izard. (graduating in 1952) and Micklin Silver has seen Temple Israel Synago from being women performance by Carol Kane. gogue, writing sketches for school plays. ignored to tolerated to, finally, respected. It is really about the awakening of a meek, innoHer departure from Omaha, at age 17, to attend "When I started, there were no women directing cent emigre named Gitl (Kane) who, upon arriving at all in the so-called industry, I actually had an in America, finds her husband an unfaithful Sarah Lawrence College in New York State executive say to me, 'Feature films are expensive to scoundrel with no respect for her or their shared occurred right around the time her father died. make and expensive to market, and women direc- past. Torn between cherished old values and Later, she met Silver, married, and moved with tors are one more problem we don't need.' So, yes, it strange new ones, Gitl finds emancipation while him to Cleveland, where he worked in real estate. She bore three daughters and, in between raising a was that blatant. I couldn't get a job directing at remaining true to herself. family, continued haunting cinemas and began all. At that time the only job I was suitable for in The idea of transforming one's self without losing writing for local theater. the industry was writing," she said by phone from one's identity is something Micklin Silver could Inspired by what was happening in film at the her New York home. "But women are definitely in a better place today. Talented women do get opportu- readily relate to. "I've always loved film very much, time, including the exciting work of independents and I wanted to make it in that field. I wanted to John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke, Micklin Silver nities. It's not nearly as bleak a picture as it was." Informed by a strong feminist sensibility, Hester direct, but I didn't want to be a man. I wanted to be yearned to be part of this vital scene. But Cleveland . : >,,, Street takes a gritty, witty look at the Jewish immi- a woman. I wanted to be myself," she said by phone offered little hope for launching a project Then fate intervened. ,, grant milieu of New York's Lower East Side, circa from her New York home. Her deep love for the 1896, and features a Best Actress Oscar-nominated movies was first nurtured in Omaha. (Continued on page 35)
V\ffcb'n'Sffcks EisenbergArt Gallery
We Extend Our Very Best Wishes For a Happy Passover Gena and Brad Burwell CROSSROADS MALL OAKVIEW MALL 397-8988 697-8811
A
HAPPY
AND
BLESSED
PASSOVER
To AND
You YOUR
FAMILY
IIRISTEL'S C O N T E M P OH A II Y
Wo M EN ' S CLOTHING
633 N o in' 11 1 1 4 T H S T . 402.493,7343
AK-SAR-BEN TV @93rd 3021 N. 93rd St.
AK-SAR-BEN TV ŠRalston 8525 Park Drive
3615 Dodge
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 35
Shattering (Continued from page 34) At a party, she met Joan Ganz Cooney, a founder of the Children's Television workshop, who put her in touch with Linda Gotlieb, then an executive with an educational film company. Gotlieb fed her freelance script writing work and when Micklin Silver told the company head she wanted to direct as well, she got her wish-writing and directing three short educational films. One short subject dealt with immigration, and in researching the piece, Micklin Silver came across the novella, Yekl, she would later base Hester Street on. Later, she and Gotlieb formed their own production company. Meanwhile, the Silvers moved to New York. With Joan's properties lying dormant and no directing jobs in the offing, she despaired. Then, one of her scripts, Limbo, an anti-war story about the oblivion wives of Vietnam POWs and MIAs faced, sold to Universal Pictures and the studio brought her out west. "A director there by the name of Mark Robaon (Champion) wanted to do the film but he had a very different take on it. He saw it as more of a womenwithout-men kind of thing when it was meant to be a gritty look at the difficulties these women faced and the fact they really couldn't get a straight story from the military as to where their husbands were or when they were coming home. 1 went out there and explained how I felt about the film, and when I got back to New York I was told I was going to be replaced," Micklin Silver said. Despite being taken off the picture, she found an unlikely ally in Robson. "Although I didn't like what he did with my script, he knew I wanted to be a director and he invited me to come and spend any amount of time I wanted on the set. I spent about 10 days there for my first exposure to the Hollywood moviemaking apparatus...with all the cranes and dolleys and budgets and cast and crew. It was very helpful." Getting that close to a major motion picture further whet her appetite for directing.
Rafael (Ray) and Joan Micklin Silver of Silver Street Productions. "It emboldened me to come back to New York and to make films right away. I said to my husband, 'I don't want anybody else to do that to a script of mine.' And I always remember what he said: 'Go ahead, jump in the water; if you can't swim now, you won't be able to swim 10 years from now. This is your chance to try and find out.' "If he had said, 'Well, what do you know about it? Why don't you apprentice at film school first?' I would have probably said, 'Oh, yeah, you're right.' But he didn't. He gave me support and a sort of permission to try." That's when she and her husband took matters in their own hands and developed Hester Street themselves (under the Midwest Film banner). Besides the novella Yekl, the guts of the movie grew out of Micklin Silver's Omaha childhood and her beguilement with the tales her Russian-Jewish emigrant family told of their coming to America — their crossing, culture shock and assimilation. Joan and her older sister, Renee Micklin (who still resides in Omaha), are the daughters of the
late Maurice and Doris Micklin. Renee's children are Mark Greenberg of Denver and Gail Greenberg and Diane Romine, who live in Texas. Their father founded Micklin Lumber Company. Joan said her father, who was 12 when he and his family arrived from Russia, "had very distinct memories of coming over and what it was like to be young, excited and terrified at having to learn a new language in a strange country...and he told those stories very vividly." Her mother, who was only a toddler when she arrived, had no recall of the experience, but her older siblings did and Joan's uncles and aunts shared their memories with her during visits to the family's Yiddish-flavored home. "So many families don't want to talk about the experience of immigration," Micklin Silver said. "It's traumatic. They want to become Americans as soon as possible and they want to leave it all behind them. But my family was of the other variety-that loved to tell the tales. I was always fascinated by all the stories they told. "Of the people that made it; the people that didn't," she recalled. "The people that went crazy; the people that went back. I remember sitting around the dinner table and hearing stories that were very funny and enjoyable and strong and interesting and serious. So I was attracted to those stories in the first place." Her immersion in those tales not only gave her the subject matter for her first film, but later informed her direction of the acclaimed National Public Radio series Great Jewish Stories from Eastern Europe and Beyond. Although not a Jewish director per se, she has often explored her heritage on film (14 years after Hester Street, she revisited the Lower East Side to explore the intersection of old and new Jewish life in Crossing Delancey), most recently in the 1997 Showtime movie, In the Presence of Mine Enemies. (Continued on page 36)
May each cup of Passover wine be filled with sweetness during this holiday season; may you and your family be blessed with happiness and good health year after year.
HAPPY PASSOVER!
Jack and Helene Shrago Leon and Dani Shrago Michael, Lesli and Ethan Shrago
BAG NSAVE The Lcrncr Company BROKERAGE DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT
GhainLinksMeniber. • MT/UIMALMTMI
Two Old Mill 10855 West Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE 68154 (402)330-5480
I
51st & Harrison 75th & Dodge 90th & Maple
107th & M 1826 Vinton 50th&Grover
J
Page 36
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Shattering (Continued from page 35) Based on a Rod Serling TV script produced live on Playhouse 90, the made-for-cable film stars Armin Mueller-Stahl as a rabbi trying to hold hie community and family together in the Warsaw, ghetto of World War II. Mine Enemies marked the first time she dealt overtly with the Holocaust in herwork. In 1995, the National Foundation for Jewish Culture (NPJC) honore'd Micklin Silver with a Jewish Cultural Achievement Award in the media arts category, which she accepted in memory of her parents. Her fellow honorees included Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller. Referring to Micklin Silver's work, NFJC Executive Director Richard Siegel said, "In Hester Street, and Crossing Delancey in particular, she does something that very few other filmmakers have done, which is to look at the American-Jewish experience in some depth and with considerable insight, from the inside, as it were." In her acceptance speech, she explained how someone from such a goyische hometown "could become so addicted to Jewish stories and characters." She referred, of course, to the stories her family told ". . .dotted with a pungent Yiddish and much laughter at the human comedy of it all. Such were my introductions to the magnificent and terrifying history of the Jews. When I began making movies, I was inevitably drawn to stories which had so much emotional weight for me as I grew up." But, she added, "making movies about the Jewish experience is a dangerous prospect. Every other Jew has an opinion. You can never satisfy everyone. I learned this after an early screening of
Ray,-who has described it as the "most significant call I've made in the film business" released the film with help from Jeff Lipsky. Made for $400,000, it grossed more than $5 million-then-record earnings for an independent feature. She followed Hester Street with two decidedly nonethnic features (Between the Lines and Chilly Scenes of Winter) that fared well with critics but less well with general audiences. In the past two decades she has directed numerous features as well asfilmsfor cable (including^ Private Matter for HBO). She has worked inside and outside the Hollywood system. She's also directed for the theater to great acclaim (A...My Name is Alice). Along the way, she's become a leading figure in American indie circles and a guiding spirit for the vibrant new women's cinema scene, serving on the advisory board of the New York Women's Film Festival. "I used to make it my business to go to every film directed by a woman, just as a kind of show of solidarity," she said, "but I could not possibly do that now because they're all over the place. They're making everything from music videos to television films to feature films." More than most, she appreciates the progress women have made in film. She attributes this breakthrough as much to women pounding at the gates of opportunity long and hard enough to finally gain entry as to any contribution she and peers like actress-director Lee Grant {Tell Me a Riddle) made. Whether due to inroads made by these modern pioneers or not, once closed doors have undeniably opened. To wit, her daughters, who grew up on their mother's movie sets, boast film careers of their Hester Street." own. Marisa has directed feature films (License to Drive), although these days she's raising a family. When, despite great reviews at festivals, Hester Street failed attracting a distributor, Ray Silver Maurice Micklin posed in front of a photo of Diria is a producer; Claudia is a director with a new ' "> •''•'•-• called John Cassavetes for advice and was told: his wife, Doris, holding their oldest daughter, short film (Kalamazoo) out. Renee (Joan's older sister). "Distribute it yourself." (Continued on page 37)
r
Have a
ACCPAC ACCOUNTING www.accpac.com
Best Wishes to Our Valued Friends and Guests
• ACCPAC For Windows • Software Sales • ACCPAC Plus • Installations • Certified ACCPAC • Telephone Support • On-Site Training Consultants: Lee Schaller, CPA — Omaha Sandi Bentley, CPA- Kearney Doreen Mowery — Omaha
from
HRRMEUS
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
CRSINO+HOTGL
C E R n F I E D P U B U C ACCOUNTANTS •,,
OMAHA • GRAND ISLAND • HASTINGS For Banquet/Catering Sales, call 712-329-6449 For Hotel Reservations, call 1-800-HARVEYS ' • ' • . ' :
• • . -
••.-.
A
-
J
^
^
i
.
:
1-29 to Harveys Boulevard Council Bluffs, Iowa •712-329-6000
402-391-1297
308-382J7850
^.;....-4p?a46^
KEARNEY 'COUNCIL BLUFFS 308-234-5565
712-328-1861
. , April 14,2000
Jewish Press, pmaha, NE Page 37
Shattering -••
(Continued from page 36) Of her daughters following her footsteps, Micklin Silver said, "I think they all felt at home with the process and I don't think they had an unrealistdcally rosy view of it. They've certainly been aware of the various things I've gone through, but they've seen, for the most part, that I've enjoyed i t and am proud of what Fve achieved and am still at and so on. So, I hope they've been encouraged by it." Yet, even after the success of Hester Street, she still could not get Hollywood backing for her next project, Between the Lines (1977), which examines an underground newspaper staffs struggles to balance their revolutionary zeal with dollars-andcents reality. A major studio, United Artists, did attach itself to her third project, Chilly Scenes of Winter, a 1979 film that steers clear of cliches in charting the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. Micklin Silver's association with UA turned sour when the studio ordered a new ending (to a less ambiguous one) and a changed title (to the frivolous Head Over Heels) against her wishes. Her critically praised film was a box office bust, but she ultimately prevailed when she got the UA Classics division to release her director's cut in 1982. A decade removed from the UA debacle, she finally danced with the studios again when her Crossing Delancey (adapted from the Susan Sandier play) was picked up by Warner Bros., and when she was brought in as a hired-gun to direct two screwball comedies, Loverboy (a 1989 Tri-Star release), and Big Girls Don't Cry (a 1991 New line release), she did not originate. While she enjoyed doing the latter two projects, she prefers generating her own material. "In the end, it's more satisfying to me to be able to make films that I just feel more personally," she said. Her most recent work, Invisible Child, is a new Lifetime original movie drama starring Rita Wilson. (Continued on page 38)
This is the solemn divorce scene from Hester Street. The film, based on the Abraham Cahan 1890*8 novella Yekl, was shot in studio facilities and on locations around New York City.
?-••;;
<"
Hester Street itself was recreated on Morton Street in Greenwich Village. The film opened in New York at the Plaza Theater on Oct. 19, 1975.
Bed WliUeitf-(toa Jtapfy
Pesacfi to -tfe
Omaha Jewisfi
from: your i Cewter
Holiday Greetings
Hang-Up
US. Bank committed to Omaha During business hours, we are tellers, clerks, secretaries, lending officers, supervisors and managers. After business hours, we are neighbors and volunteers, Scout leaders and Chamber of Gommerce members, United Way volunteers and Little League coaches. Helping to build a better community for all of us. We are above all, a friend when you need us.
CUSTOM FRAMING -- ART GALLERIES Framing Specialists . and more... Original Works Lithographs Limited Editions Etchings Poster Art
REPRESENTING: Greenwich Workshop Mill Pond Press Hadley Companies P. Buckley Moss :: & many others
Best Wishes for a Happy Passover
334-5889 2770 S. 129 Ava. Montclsir Shopping ctr
www.usbank.com
Member FDIC
Page 38
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Happy
April 14,2000
iver
Shattering(Continued from page 37)
AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERY Quality Service CIMVandwpool
GUARANTEED
Orthopedic Seating Specialists 'Seal Padding Modifications • Adjustable Lumbar Supports Installed
Joan Micklin-Silver examines the takes on her film Hester Street
331-UON (5466) 8606 G SLdnslde Deluxe Body Co.
cliH@lionsauto.coni JIonsBUto.co
(1975) Photo by New York Dotty Ifaei
WOLFSON USED CARS Wish All A Happy, Healthy Passover Harry and Cleo Wolfson Rod and Paula Kessler 1308 North Saddle Creek Road Omaha, Nebraska
558-3233
fftftMAHS NUT HOUSE
Happy Passover! ui at <M&utta*iftlutGompatuf.
6171 Grover St. Omaha, NE
551-8422
Stop by Togs for the latest in designer fashions. We'd love to help you find something that's "So You." icon • Custo • easel • BCBG • theory Cousin Johnny • Shoshanna French Connection and more
TO
7637 Pacific St. 402*391*8335
worn i n ' • clothing
HAPPY PASSOVER
Along the way, there have been many unrealized projects. Not one to dwell much on what-mighthave-been, she feels an even playing field might have meant more chances but considers her career a validation of women's gains, noting, "Well, you know, one always feels one could have done more. But I've managed to make films for many years now in a field that was extremely unfriendly to women and to make the films I wanted." She is quick to add, however, filmmaking is a tough field "for everyone. It's extraordinarily competitive.'' Besides her gender, she feels her own idiosyncratic vision has limited her options. Long attracted to exploring the complex give-and-take of intimate male-female relationships, the romantic partners in her films are far from perfectly happy and, indeed, often flounder in search of equilibrium if not bliss, as in her 1998 feature, A Fish in the Bathtub, starring Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara as a Queens couple, Sam and Molly, whose 40-year marriage finally goes on the fritz. "It (A Fish) falls into a special category of film I like very much-human comedy," Micklin Silver said. "It's real, wrenching and strikes a chord." Unafraid to tackle the silly, messy, chaotic side of relationships, she probes issues like obsession, desire, infidelity, possessiveness, loneliness, rejection, regret. Like the smart repartee associated with Lubitsch, Wilder, Cukor or Hawks, her films delight in verbal sparring matches that deflate gender myths and romantic idylls. Micklin Silver's men and women are equally strong-willed and neurotic. That is never more evident than in Crossing Delancey, where Sam (Peter Riegert), the pickle man, patiently waits for the upwardly mobile Izzy (Amy Irving) to come down off her high horse and finally see him for the decent, if unflamboyant, guy he really is. The story is also very much about the uneasy melding of old and new Jewish culture and the conflicting agendas of today's sexual politics. Izzy is the career-minded modern woman. Sam is the tradition-mired male. Each pines for affection and attachment, but are unsure how to get it. In the end, a matchmaker and bubby bring them together. About the male-female dynamic in her work, Micklin-Silver said, "That is something I'm quite
interested in. Why? I have no idea, other than a life lived, I guess. In my own life experience I had a really wonderful father who was interested in me and paid attention to me and to my ideas... and God knows I have a wonderful, supportive husband whom I've had three great daughters with. I haven't had the experience of abuse by men, so basically what I've done is more observe the differences (in the sexes) than the struggles." She and husband, Ray (a producer and director in his own right), continue partnering on some projects and pursuing others separately. Their Silverfilm Production company is housed in offices on Park Avenue. While rarely returning to her home state anymore, she did accept the Mary Riepma Ross Award at the 1993 Great Plains Film Festival in Lincoln. On that visit, she drove across the state and admired the unbroken prairie. "I love western Nebraska, it's just so beautiful. I love a landscape that's long and flat, and where there's so little in the middle distance that your eye goes on and on." A landscape reminiscent of that is the backdrop for a hoped-for future project called White Harvest, a period piece set on a sugarbeet farm in far northeastern Colorado. "It has a great feeling for place; it's also a wonderful love story," she said. If the project ever flies, it would realize a longheld desire to capture the Midwest on film. "I've always wanted to shoot something in Nebraska. I want so much to come back to that world." There's also a film noir script she's tinkering with. This spring, she is slated to direct a film adaptation of a Paul Osborn play, Mornings at Seven, for Showtime. Ideas are what feed her work and her passion. "I'm never without something I want to do. It's your life. What you're doing. ...what you're thinking." ' •• " '•' -:<." .. • . .. Meanwhile, she's excited by the prospect of a more dynamic cinema emerging from the rich new talent pool of women and minority filmmakers. "Yeah, it's going to be a much richer stew, and something all of us can enjoy."
Uniforms for Every Purpose Quality, Sorvlco & Professionalism
awll a
NISSAN
STAN OLSEN NISSAN-HYUNDAI CUSTOM EMBROIDERY MONOGRAMMING Silk Screening & Emblem Service . Hours: M-F 8-5:30 SAT 9-2 Toll FrOB 1-B00-666-6635 3105 Uavonworth • Omaha, NE 68105
JANE OLSEN and JOEL PATTON
FEATURING THE ALL-NEW NISSAN XTERRA 11540 West Dodge Road*Omaha, NE68154• (402)493-4000
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Customer service by Morris Maline Store before joining the The treatment of cusformer Brandeis Departtomers was a high prioriment Store. It was at ty when Bill Lohrman Brandeis that I learned ran the leased appliance the appliance business. department at the former From there, I went to 'Phillips Department Phillips, which I considStore for 42 years at 24th ered the Brandeis of and O Street in South South Omaha. Omaha. Now, a resident of the . "We had lots of cusRose Blumkin Jewish tomers, we knew their Home and confined to a names and we knew wheel chair as a result of their families, shopping a stroke in 1996, he now was quite different in spends his days particithose days compared pating in Home activities with the way stores oper: and visiting with friends ate today," Lohrman and family who come to said. "Today, you're a see him. One of his number, you're a plastic favorite activities is Singplate. In my day, we a-long. "I really don't would visit our cussing, I just say the words tomers who were in the and everybody thinks I'm hospital, they were like singing." family." At the date of this Lohrman's specialty Bill Lohrman interview, he was visitwas household appliances, but he also served as a buyer for Phillips ing with Art Goldstein, a family friend for many purchasing housewares, gifts and outdoor products years. Henry Greenberg, a former owner of Phillips such as lawnmowers and snow removal equipment. also visits. And at one point when Lohrman was He put in long hours and worked hard in those thinking of returning to work, his visitor was Louis Blumkin of Nebraska Furniture Mart. days, but he was used to hard work. "My son talked me out of going back to work. He He was born on Jan. 13, 1914, and 15 months later his father died. "Growing up without a father told me that I was retired and that I should stay was a struggle, my half-brothers sent money on retired." Lohrman's wife, Sarah, resides with their occasion, but I started working at an early age. My son, Jerry; another son, Bob, operates Tower brother, Louis, and I had a paper route in the Travel. A son and daughter live away from Omaha. neighborhood of 26th and Charles and we walked His sister, Helen Soiref, also resides in Omaha. Although Lohrman has fond memories of South ' to make our deliveries. Omaha when it was a thriving neighborhood, he •'JJ"I never owned a bicycle." ' He attended elementary, school and had one year points out that when he visited the area about a of high school, returning to work full time following month before this interview, "it, was awful." He 1 the death of his mother. "I went to work at the said, "South Omaha has gone to. pot; a lot of junk • Merit Drug Store and then the Metropolitan Drug stores, nothing like it was in the old days."
Page 39
6 RI I I CONT£/APONU<y CASUAL DINING
WITH 4 f(JN LUNCH Tues-Fri 11 a.m.2:30 p.m.
DINNER Tues-Thurs: 5-10 p.m. Fri & Sat: 5-11 p.m. Sunday. 5-9 p.m.
SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 a.m.2:30 p.m.
1212 S. 119th St. 330-7577 330-7336
FOR YOUR FAMILY VACATION .CONTACT, BOB LOHRMAN
TOWER TRAVEL 310 Regency Pkwy Suite 115 Omaha, NE 68114 393-2500
PASSOVER
"I GREETINGS FROM
BRODEEYS FINE JEWELRY S I N C E I 8 8 0
Nathan's Print Shop and the Steinberg Junk Company warehouse are pictured in this photo from the 1960's of the 10th and Harney Street area of the old Market. Photo from the collection of George Eisenberg.
PASSOVER GREETINGS May this most festive of holidays be celebrated in lasting peace and in good health
Holidays from
TA'MAIVI "EXCELLENCE IN FINE DINING" Open for Lunch and Dinner NOW OPEN FOR SUNDAY DINNER
LLP
1009 Farnam On The Mall 344-ARAB (2722) Call for Reservations
Page 40
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000 May Passover bring special joy to you and your family.
League Uttering V olunteers fur (he Elderly
HAPPY PASSOVER TOYOUANDTHOSt DtARTOYOU
XJL
. WISHING YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY PASSOVER
V— from The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society as we celebrate 17 years of gathering and preserving the history of Nebraska's Jewry!
333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154
334-6441 and 334-6442
Omaha Chapter of HADASSAH
Kalah Franklin Hatikvah Chapter
Amis formerly American Mizrachi Women
Our best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Passover YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS/ OLDTIMERS Monday, JCC
WALK-IN DROP-IN GROUP Thursday, JCC
The Congregation of
OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING
Temple Israel wishes its friends in the Jewish community a Passover filled with good health, happiness and peace
National Council o/Jewish Women
NCJW
• Sisterhood • Men's Club • Jr. and Sr. Youth Groups • Outreach • Religious School Parents
NCJW extends its warmest wishes to the Jewish community fora Joyous Passover
Wishing you a healthy and happy Passover Best Wishes for a Happy Passover
Friedel Jewish Academy
Henry Monsky Lodge A commitment
B'naiB'rith
to excellence
334-6443
Seniors yoilh Vision *
Ages 62-78
JEWISH VETERANS OF AMERICA Epstein Morgan Post 260
FREE membership to all active-duty personnel
^Wishes everyone a peaceful and fulfilling Passover
Contact: Jay Ben ton, Commander
nosnn natrr
BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD
FROM ihe MEMbERs of
Best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful Passover from all branches of the military.
An organization of Jewish Senior Services
Beth El Synagogue Wishes you a happy, healthy Passover
Has Sameacli
592-2059
CORNBELT COUNCIL AZA&BBG iiiiiji
of Mid'AivtERicA RECKON irnul D'rltli routli
We welcome any and all new members
Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue Religious School Call 758-9233 or visit our Web Site at http://oome.to/beytilwlom/
th Israel Synagogue wishes you a happy, healthy Pesach.
best wishes for a meaningful and joyous Pesach. This Year in Jerusalem! Rabbi M. Mendel Katzman Cfiabad of Nebraska
B'nai Israel Synagogue Council Bluffs, Iowa "The little Synagogue Off Broadway" A Modern Liberal Agenda A LIBERAL JEWISH TRADITION FOR ALL
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 41
M A
a'ot chitim are funds set aside to provide the Jewish needy with food for Passover. The custom oima'ot chitim is one of Jew helping Jew. This year, Omaha's Jewish community will join together to fulfill the mitzvah of ma'ot chitim; to enable every Jew to enjoy the Passover Seder. You can do your part by making a contribution to the Hunger Relief Initiative.
s we gather around our Seder tables, filled with plenty, remember the more than 250,000 elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union who will have little to celebrate this Passover. 32% of the Jews in the former Soviet Union are over 65. Many have no relatives and live on less than $20 a month. They must make choices between buying food or medicine daily. Due to lack of funds, we are unable to provide food and home care to 225,000 of the Jewish elderly. Most are Holocaust survivors and homebound.
P
'lease remember the most vulnerable people in our Jewish community. You can help change their world by giving to the Hunger Relief Initiative 2000. Your d6nation will be used to purchase food and medicine for these people who have already been through so much. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Rabbi Debbie Stiel Paul Epstein Temple Israel
Rabbi Paul Drazen MikeAbramson Beth El Synagogue
Rabbi Howard Kutner Donald Gerber Beth Israel Synagogue
Jan Perelman Forrest Krutter Jewish Federation of Omaha
Rabbi Mendel Katzman Dr. Howard Gendelman Chabad House
Mike Salmi Beyt Shalom
Jerome Bleicher D. David DeLand B'nai Israel Synagogue
2000 Hunger Relief Initiative Pledge Card Name, Address Daytime Phone $18_
$36
$50 Signature
$100
_otherr
Page 42
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
The freedom of the Passover seder: matzah, beets and— oy! - the cooking by Jane Ulman
ENCINO, CA (JTA)--Why is this night different from all other nights? This night is different because I, a person who equates.working in the kitchen with working on a chain gang, cook most of the multi-course Passover meal. Single-handedly and from scratch, I might add. While I know that Passover is not the Jewish holiday in which we make amends to those we have harmed or offended, it is my opportunity to compensate my family for all the fast food, frozen food and bowls of Cheerios that have constituted dinner over the past year. Cereal, as well as pancakes and eggs, are supper staples, causing my son Zack, 16, to consistently and vehemently complain, "Mom, we're the only family in America that eats breakfast for dinner." But Passover encompasses far more than one day. In fact, weeks earlier, I embark on the five stages of Passover preparation: denial, procrastination, resignation, recipe-hunting'and relentless listmaking. Then I begin the actual work of scrubbing, sorting, shopping and trying to remember if mustard seed is kosher for Pesach. This annual process invariably leads me to a question of my own: How can this labor-intensive and rule-ridden holiday of Passover celebrate freedom? The concept is oxymoronic, if not perverse. Perhaps it was some Midrash-era Freud, in the first known application of experiential transgenerational psychology, or simple abnormal psychology, who commanded that each of us regard himself as if he personally went out of Egypt. Me, I'd rather experience the real thing, risking the wrath of Pharaoh's soldiers and wandering in the wilderness, in return for the convenience of having manna delivered six days a week-on time, at no charge-for the next 40 years. After all, the
"What is that?" asks Jeremy, 10. Bible (Numbers 11:9) describes the taste of manna "We are not required to eat meat at Passover," I as "the taste of a cake baked with oil." That beats any bowl of Cheerios, including Team, explain. "The shank bone is merely a symbol, comFrosted or Multi-Grain. . memorating the paschal lamb. As Rabbi Huna stated in the Babylonian Talmud, in Tractate Pesachim 111b, a broiled beet can be halachically, or legally, substituted." At this point, everyone stops listening, commenting or caring because we still have four more parts of the seder, from the washing of hands before the meal to the Hillel sandwich, charoset and maror on matzah from page 67 to page 80 of the Haggadah we use, before the meal is served. Last year, in an attempt to transform the seder into a dairy-and-fish extravaganza, I barely escaped an insurrection when I suggested we pass on Grandma Norma's brisket. "Mom, I thought you weren't evangelical." . "But we always have brisket." "I'm calling Grandma." So the brisket has been reinstated - indefinitely. And if you think Moses had difficulty trying to Also reinstated, in a continuous loop playing in my control 603,550 whining Israelites-and that didn't head, is Janis Joplin. "Freedom's just another word include the women and children-try preparing a for nothing more to lose," I find myself singing. seder that conforms to the various culinary persua- Because after I've lost my chametz, stamina and sions and health concerns of my extended family. sanity, as I do every Passover, what's left? I admit that I have my own vegetarian agenda, But the truth, and maybe this is the underlying which I have been quietly foisting upon my family lesson of Passover, is that we're blessed to have so over the years. . . much to complain about-from the crowds at our The vegetarian matzah ball soup was the first to overstocked grocery stores to the mess in our. overappear. More amazing than the parting of the Red stocked cupboards. ••.'•• Sea, this soup magically transforms the world's From the choices of Haggadahs-including enviugliest vegetables, with celery root pre-eminent ronmental, egalitarian and even interactive onlineamong them, into a delicious and universally liked -to the numbers of model Seders we attend at our soup that truly "tastes like chicken." children's day and religious schools. From the milA roasted beet has replaced the shank bone-but lions of verses of Chad Gadya to the millions of not without controversy. matzah crumbs we sweep off the floor. Tuck," says Danny, 8. (Continued on page 60)
Happy Passover! McGlLL, GOTSDINER, WORKMAN & LEPP, PC. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
:
FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA • SUITE 500 11404 WEST DODGE ROAD OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68154-2576 PHONE: (402) 492-9200 • FAX: (402) 492-9222
:
GRE4F W4IL
\
A Hajppy and Healthy Passover
1318S.72nd/330-0908 • 1013Farnam/346-2161
\
Best Wishes For A Happy Passover from Jim, Marge, Michael, Amy and David Bresel
Steve 0ntt Linda Cobrii 0$rek, Marisa, Nlchole, Shane « Travis
INDUSTRIAL PACKAGING •'i:
3200 N. 30th St.
453-8800
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 43
REGENCY^ COURT N G It's Gotta Be 1 2 0
R E G E N C Y
P A R K W A Y
- O M A H A ,
N E
6
8
1
1
4
Salons & Spa
m REGENCY COURT
3914326
• WAH]
B A RR E T T W
Garibo's Garbo's Salons «Hx<dcl tttce ta
ED
• RE OM E N •
• Mary Lou Walker • Linda Mixan
Regency Court
•
384-8410
LADIES' FINE LINGERIE
Regency Court Eagle Run OakviewMall 120RegencyPkwy. 13ithSW.Ma;le WthiW.Centei 391-2333 445-9260 333-5600
Ogden Place Council Bluffs 323-1344
assooer
Sree//nys
UIISHinG VOU H Regency Court (402) 397-6700
FINE CLOTHING and SPORTSWEAR FOR MEN and WOMEN Regency Court .120 Regency Parkway 397-7900
David M. Parsow Steven S. Parsow Larry Glnsburg
1 9 9 9 OfHCML COUTURKR
Happy iPassoven
Distinctive Ladies Fashion Regency Court 399-8080
HflPPV PHSSOUCR
Page 44
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
fur Zfrietu Very Diappy Passover
A'nice Jewish boy' promoting Christmas music by Joan K. Marcus
David Bucksner is Omaha's best-kept secret. The producers who sponsor an artist in one location, he 45-year-old Kansas City native grew up "hanging represents a few artists in several locations. He handles concerts everywhere from New York out" backstage a t the theatre of the Jewish City, Tyler, TX, Green Bay, WI, Los Angeles, Sioux Community Center. HiB mother, Rose, was always stage struck. She Falls, SD, and Lincoln, in both theaters and perform. was an actress, stage manager and box office man- ing art centers. Bucksner frequently travels to these places for the ager. She just enjoyed the theatre' so much she concerts, adding, "This part of my job is fun! When schlepped little David whenever she went. "By the time I,was in high school, I was riding you visit these places, you meet people who are active in the nightlife or the cultural my bike up to the theater," life of the community. Bucksner recalled. "I hung around backstage, built setB "For instance, in Mexico and just watched. Sometimes City, I handle-a group called I acted and sometimes I did 'Secret Garden'," he added. technical work." "They were doing a performance attended by t h e He went on to do some acting President of Mexico!" in high school and college, but One of the artists whom he after graduating, both Bucksner currently represents is Jim and his mother ended up workBeckman, a solo piano player ing for Mark Edelman, a local of the 1990s. Brickman, also presenter of Broadway shows. 1.-J0N BEHALF OF THE From this, Bucksner learned Jewish, has been a remarkIr able success story. how to do publicity and promo'0MAHA SYMPHONY, tion of shows.. , In part, due to Bucksner's I SEND TO YOU publicity, Brickman has He now produces his own become a concert headliner. WARMEST WISHES FOR shows. Managing all the marStrangely enough, he also does keting, arranging stagehands IAPPY PASSOVER! many successful concerts all and ushers, renting the the-L i. J i• ii it. David Bucksner lives in a townhouse over the country. Audiences do, ater and making all the necesfa eOldMarket> indeed,'respond to his keysary arrangements for conboard artistry. He is a staple of adult contemporary, certs is done from his office in the lower level of his pop, country and smooth jazz radio playlists. Old Market home. Bucksner said that after leaving Mannheim SHALOM, Upon his arrival from Kansas City, he bought a Steamroller, i t occurred to him to move back to condo in a building on 12th and Howard Street. Kansas City, but he never got around to it. , "At the time, it was considered very daring to live "I would never be able to have the personal relain an old, warehouse-converted building," he tionships, in a bigger market that I have here in laughed. "I had become fond of areas like the / Westport area of Kansas City. I'm fond of the parts Omaha," he explained. "For instance, I deal with, a small bank here in Omaha; I get good service and YAMPOLSKY of cities that are communities. : This i s where the cultural things go on and the could never get that in a bigger city." . MUSIC DIRECTOR He cites the difficulty to get' the service with nightlife. Even if I d6h't really participate in the nightlife here in Omaha, I still like the energy of attorneys, accountants or printers he gets in Omaha. He noted that Omaha is a nurturing comthe city and being close to it." Eventually, David sold the condo and purchased munity for a small business and the services that a townhouse at 17th and Pierce Street, on the edge are available to him are superior to larger cities. Although he has tried, David admits that he has of the Old Market. This small, luxurious home gives him the advantages of the Old Market with had a hard time connecting with the Omaha Jewish community. more privacy and parking. "Over the course of the last several years, there The freestanding townhouse was built by Omaha architect Jack Savage. The area, near Chicago have been some efforts to identify a Jewish singles Lumber Company, is a desirable one. In fact, organization. The events always get a lot of critiBucksner had to wait for an opening. His office cism because it's easy to be critical, especially when occupies the whole lower level, and office staff is these organizations are first getting started. They stumble, you become childish, you have cliques of able to park right in front of their workplace. He is pleased with Omaha because of the fine people; there are all kinds of reasons for these theaters, cafes, walkways and museums. His other groups failing," he admitted. "Nevertheless, my attraction to the area is the availability to the air- experiences here in Omaha have been very pleasport. He can be at the airport in Omaha in 10 min- ant. We shouldn't give up just because an event utes, unlike larger cities where you must allow didn't work!" hours to travel. Bucksner enjoys being with Jewish groups. He In the early 1980s, when Chip Davis and says it's pleasant to keep company with people of Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramophone) his own age. Sometimes, they are divorced, sepacame to do a show in Kansas City, Bucksner was rated or they just "forgot to get married!" He has from involved in the promotion. He eventually moved to been in a business that is very unstable and Omaha when he was hired by Davis to be Director involves a lot of traveling. Without that security, of Promotion for the group, his social life can be difficult. "Mannheim Steamroller gets most of their fame "I've had a fascinating life and I love what I do. I from Christmas music," he quipped. "Here I was, a enjoy the environment that I've created for myself nice Jewish boy, promoting Christmas music!" here near the Market. I have every intention of Later that year, he left Mannheim Steamroller staying here in Omaha and continuing to build my and started his own promotion business: business," he noted. "I'm in an adventurous field Exceptional Artists. Unlike some promoters and and I never know what's going to happen!"
Malashock Jewelry 712 N. 114th 496-9990
Omaha phony
W9SHES Jl fora ? p/lSSQVEK
Crossroads 2 e , Mall e • 7424 Dodge St. • | 399-3000 | • |
"The Good Life • at a Good Price" | GUARANTEED!
HAPPY PASSOVER 0DGEI
"WY
Passover Greetings
SCHWALB REALTY
and
• Land Development • Luxury Apartments, Duplexes &Townhomes
The Jacobs Families
551-9494
STRUCK EQUIPMENT C0.7
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 45
Parades and macaroni by Joan K. Marcus
Sheldon Rips remembers being held up to the window of his parents' business to watch the Golden Spike Parade in Omaha's Old Market. He remembered "hanging out the window* to watch the parade, which commemorated the opening of the movie Union Pacific in 1939. The movie, which starred Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea, portrayed one of the last bills signed by President Abraham Lincoln, which authorized pushing the Union Pacific Railroad across to California. The parade corresponded to the movie and Qmahans dressed in costumes from the early days of the railroad. "My first memory of Commercial Optical Company is when my parents operated their business out of a building at 10th and Farnam, a building that is no longer there." His parents, Esther and Aaron Rips, began making eyeglasses at Commercial Optical in 1927. According to Rips, "they worked together forever." Prior to starting the eyeglass manufacturing company, Aaron ran a small jewelry store in South Omaha.. Occasionally, he would make eyeglasses for friends, not uncommon for jewelers to do in those days. „ In 1906, when Aaron Rips came to this country, he lived with relatives in Clinton, Iowa. Since he was a teenager, he wasn't admitted in school and relatives found him a job in a jewelry store. In those days, jewelers made eyeglasses by bending a piece of wire to make frames and most of them also had equipment to grind lenses. Aaron was on the fringe of the optical business his whole life.
One evening, while attending a party, Esther and Aaron met a local optometrist who asked them to make glasses for him. Esther would then ride the horsedrawn streetcar from South Omaha to deliver the glasses. In 1927, they moved their wholesale eyeglass manufacturing business to downtown Omaha to be closer to the local optometrists. In 1944, even though it was wartime, they had the opportunity to move from 10th and Farnam to a building at 15th and Harney, still considered the Market area. During those years, downtown Omaha was very busy; many optometrists located their offices in the area. Rips reminisces that Smith Drug was across the street, "a discount drug store before its time." Also in the same area was Brains, a hobby shop, and Superior Coffee. He also recalls that the Highland Club had a space in the old Hill Hotel on 16th and Howard Streets. He said that some of his friends, Bob Meyer, Don Greenberg and Burton Perlick, had parents in the produce business in the Market. "People would come in their little storefronts, bargain and yell!" he laughed. "The Market was almost at its end when I remember it; the renewal project was started by the Mercers." Rips graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Management in 1959. Following that, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago. He returned to Omaha to join Commercial Optical in 1962.
HAPPY PASSOVER!
#1 7 9 2 4 W . Dodge Roacl » Beverly Hills Plaza • 3 9 1 - 1 8 8 1 134(53 W. Center Road » B a k e r Square • 3 3 0 - 1 4 4 4 1 2 1 3 Howard S t r e e t - O l d Marker • 3 4 4 - 2 2 2 2 : ; (Party Room Available) : ; \ •. • ;
In 1963, the family moved their business to the empty Skinner Macaroni Building at 13th and Jackson Street. The building was built in 1914. "By the time we moved in, the Market was dying. All those old produce companies were' gone and United AG had moved out west. There was nothing down there anymore. Everything was rundown and most of it was empty and awful. There was nowhere to eat down there. If I wanted to eat, I'd go downtown to Bishops or King Fong," he said sadly. Sheldon had two older brothers, Norman (Nick), and Leonard. Nick remained in the business; Leonard was killed in World War II. "My father remained in the business," Rips said. "He had no use for retirement and not working. He came to work every morning and always wore his workman's apron. Even though he may have played golf several times a week and they went to Florida for a few weeks during the winter, he never retired. He was still making glasses at age 85!" The Skinner Building had been built in two sections and was completely occupied by the macaroni company (until 1962 when they moved to 68th and "F" Street). Workers brought flour in through the dock and hauled it to the sixth floor. Dryers and racks occupied much of the building where the pasta was prepared for transportation. Rips recalled the building smelled of macaroni when they bought it.
"There was macaroni everywhere you looked and I was always afraid that we'd have a million bugs, but we never did!" he laughed. He vividly remembers the Old Market area during the '60s to be the worst period for that area of town. Vagrants tried to live under their loading dock. "My greatest fear was that someone would break through the window and die in there! The neighborhood kept changing and it got a little nicer and now, there have really been a lot of changes," he said. In 1995, the 81-year-old building was renovated into apartments. The makeover of the six-story building took more than a year. There are 74 apartments that range in size from 1200 to 3000 square feet. When they opened in 1996, they rented from $395 to $1,800. Although all of the apartments have 12-inch thick concrete floors, tenants have added floor treatments that add a sense of custom design. The project was headed by developer Emil Vohoska; the estimated cost was between four and five million dollars. Sheldon is married to the former Nancy Fellman. Between them, they share six children and three grandchildren. Nancy, a member of the Omaha Public Library Board and a bookseller at Read All About It, is one of Omaha's storytellers. If s a good thing her husband was in the optical business; their Pacific Place apartment is floor-to-ceiling books!
Friedel Jewish Academy
\. 5 5» m
SILVERCREST ASSISTED LIVING "Home is where you can be yourself and have fun!" When choosing an assisted living facility, ask the folks who live there what they think about their new home. In addition to having a lot of fun, our residents have an opportunity to be involved with the community at large. We believe all our residents have a lot to offer, and that is why Silvercrest Assisted Living is a place to grow. Additional services available are: • Wellness Program and supervised gym • Month-to-Month rental-no buy-in fees • Physical and Occupational Therapies. We encourage you to stop by for a tour, visit with our residents and families, and enjoy a complimentary meal.
Please stop by any time and see for yourself. Saturday and Sundays Open Bouse 1-4
.
Miracle Hills 11909 Miracle Hills Dr. Omaha, NE 68137 402-431-0011 Lorraine Ebke, Executive Director
If our children are to remain Jews and to have Jewish children, they must be taught how to be Jewish and to enjoy being Jewish. That's part of what we teach at the Friedel Jewish Academy where children receive the finest general education in an atmosphere of positive Jewish experience. We teach our tradition in an environment of enthusiasm and respect for the many forms of Jewish education. Come see for yourself. Come see the joy of Jewish learning.
For more information, call or E-mail us at
(402)334-0517 friedel7@probe.net
Page 46
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Aprill4,2000
Family spirit and teamwork by Carol Katzman New & Preowncd Jewelry Stereo Equipment, TVs, VCRs Quality Netv& Used Merchandise ALL MERCHANDISE GUARANTEED for 30 DAYS DOWNTOWN 514 No. 16th St. 342-7764
WEST 2505 So. 120th St. 334-8776 .
LAVISTA 7926 So. 84th St. 331-3327
MIDTOWN 2906 No. 72nd SL Omaha, NE 68134
For people on the go • Luggage • Business Cases •Handbags • Travel Accessories • F i n e Leather Goods • All Occasion Gifts • Corporate Program
One Pacific Place 103S1 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE 68114 (402)392-2500
HAPPY PASSOVER
Unique, distinctive &just plain fun! Toys-Gifts—Collectibles
ONE PACIFIC PLACE Pacific at 103rd
391-2660
himself. After a "disTwice in his life, agreement" with manHarold "Bae" Epstein agement at McKesson, worked in the Old Market. Actually, he didEpstein walked into Roy n't work the first time Feltman's place and and, it wasn't the "Old"made a deal in minMarket then either. utes." His move to 94th and As the baby of the family (hence the nickname 'J' put him close to the "Bae"), he followed his other liquor houses. The older brother and sister, new location near 1-80 Jack Epstein and Sarah and 1-680 made it more Epstein (Schreiber), accessible to retailers when they all spent time and club owners. with their father, Abe There was one thing Epstein, buying produce missing, however. in the Market. "None of my three sons His second time in the were in the business at Old Market was some 40 "Bae" Epstein started as a sales trainee the time," Epstein years later when he for McKesson Wine and Spirits in 1947. recalled. "So Etta and I bought the wine and invited our oldest son, spirits division of Capitol Liquors from Roy Paul, and his wife, Sandy, to join us in Miami in Feltman. Feltman retained the Anheuser Busch 1976 at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of beer franchise at 110 No. 12th Street, while America annual convention, just a year after I had Epstein's renamed company, Nebraska Wine and purchased Capitol as Nebraska Wine and Liquor. Liquor, stayed at 901 Jackson Street in the heart of "They thought it would just be a vacation," he the Old Market. said with a.knowing smile. "But it turned out to "The building was not the world's greatest," change the course of our lives." Epstein recalled. "With only one loading dock, we Paul and Sandy'returned to Houston and Paul had a heck of a time unloading a truck full of immediately asked for a leave of absence from his Canadian whiskey (a big seller in Nebraska) while current employer. When Bae repeats what his son retailers were trying to get their orders filled at the told Mm, he gets tears in his eyea. same time." "Paul said to me, 'Dad, my time is with you." Epstein evaluated the future potential of his Paul started at the bottom, too, working in the Jackson'Street building, noting the low" 15-foot warehouse. He was joined by his brother, Gary, hi ceilings, which would only allow storage "two pal- 1981. Today, they own the business and hold the lets high," and decided to sell7 and move to Omaha's titles of President and Senior Vice-president. industrial area at 94th and 'J Street. Tm Chan-man of the Board," Bae laughed. He sold Though he had happy memories of his earlier them the company five years ago, but he's "still their days in the Market area, he was excited about father!" And their business is still based on Bae's phibuilding a warehouse and offices from scratch. losophy of "family spirit and teamwork." Epstein's father, Abe, had come to this country as Though he goes to the office daily, Bae now has time a young boy in 1913. A year later, Ben Garelick to spend on other projects. He and Etta have always was on the same ship with Abe's wife Sophia been involved hi the Jewish community. Epstein and (Rappaport). Garelick, too, became a "fruit and veg- Mort Glass chaired the Israel Bonds drive hi 1983 . etable man" in the Market. and he has served on the boards of Beth El . Years later, in 1945, Garelick's daughter, Etta, Synagogue and the Little League Association. would marry Bae Epstein in what the family jokHis latest project was the development and fundingly refers to as a "produce merger." ing of a chapel at Beth El Cemetery on 84th and 'L' In addition to peddling produce, Abe and his wife Street. The Epsteins have been members since the also owned a liquor store across the street from the 1950s, the early days of Beth El Synagogue. Paxton Hotel. After a day which started at 5 a.m., "I always said if I was ever in the position to do Epstein would relieve Sophia at the store and work something, I would," Epstein said. "I knew the until 10 p.m. . leadership at Beth El had been talking about this Though Bae worked all through high school at for years, so I offered to do it. Central at Berland's Shoes, it was when he The only stipulation, he added, was that the new returned from service during World War II that he chapel bear the name "Harold and Etta Epstein got his start in the liquor industry in 1947. Hired Family Chapel of Remembrance." The new facility, as a "sales trainee" by McKesson Wine and Spirits. designed by Marty Shukert, is heated and air condiCompany in 1951, he worked his way up to region- tioned and serves as a more "dignified place" to conal Vice-president, responsible for nine wholesale duct a funeral service during inclement weather. liquor houses in six states. "I'm very impulsive," is the way Epstein describes (Continued on page 47)
Great Choice.
SlTnerican ^Tile & J/Vlartle Company
• Design, space planning, and installation services.
MARBLES GRANITE FABRICATION MARBLE & GRANITE TILE INSTALLATION .
• Easy leasing and rental options. • Huge pre-owned inventory.
Call 341-2413 4623 So. 28th Street 733-3100
2558 Farnam Street Open 8am - 5pm Monday -Friday www.allmakesoffice.com
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 47
Family spirit (Continued from page 46) . "I wanted it to be simple," Epstein noted. "And it was!" He added that he only met with Marty once and "once or twice" with Rabbi Paul Drazen, spiritual leader of Beth El. "They did a great job!" With two of his three sons in the business (son, Steve, is a dentist and lives in Houston with his wife, Elaine), Epstein now has the luxury of spending time on his hobbies (golf); and with his grandchildren: Kari (a sophomore at Indiana university); Cory (a junior at Westside); Robbie (a junior at Burke); Ben (an eighth-grader at-Beveridge); Alex (a, fifth-grader at Columbian Elementary); Kimberly (a Harvard University law student); and Hayley (a graduating high school senior) in Houston. He also travels with his wife of 55 years. He loves to reminisce, trading stories about the war, the liquor industry and the Old Market. While serving in the army during World War II, Abe Epstein, Harold's father, died in 1989 at Epstein played baseball for the battalion team. He the age of 101. climbed a steel fence to retrieve a ball and the resulting injury kept him out of action for the rest of the year. He came back to Omaha to begin his life-long career in the liquor industry. "It has definitely changed," Epstein noted. "In the 'old days,' ownership of the distilleries was in the hands of families. Deals were made on a handshake, all based on reputation." He'd like to see the company he founded, now called Nebraska Wine and Spirits, grow and prosper for yet another generation. The work his father had to endure, getting up at 4 a.m., "borrowing 'money to -buy oranges, apples and onions," then working late at the liquor store, seems like ancient history. '"There are so many good things I could say about my father," Paul added. "He's a wonderful teacher and never too busy to listen. We have a wonderful relationship, both in and out of business!" It's all part of that "family spirit and teamwork" taught by his own mother. And Bae has never forgotten what Sophie told him, "When you're older, all you'll have is your family." Harold and Etta at the Israel Bonds dinner, in
HAROI.DaJ.rTA HMl IN FAMHV U1APU01 RUlLMBRAMr
omahaYJAgifts Happy Passover
n»v> an
Gift baskets, Invitations, napkins, kippot, party planning and promotional items!
www.omahaegifts.com 384-8199 EadieTsabari.SheriAbramson and Families
tftt
HAPPY PASSOVER FROM
BORDERSBOOKS'-MUSIC-CAFE
72nd & Dodge Store Phone: 393-5576 Events Hotline: 393-3758
132nd & Maple Store Phone: .493-9994: Events Hotline: 431-9186
¥
aura Etta and Harold stand in front of the new Epstein Family Chapel at Beth El Cemetery.
May You Find Happiness and Fulfillment in this Joyous Passover Celebration
nebrasHg wine & spirits, inc. c
Wishing ^ou, <M Utappy Passover
SIEGLERS CATERING SERVICE 339*410
::'..:~-;.. : ."•-..
Voted #1 in Omaha For the second year! We'Extend Our Very 'Best "Wishes Rndtiealthy Passover 639 North 114th Street • Omaha
493-0099
Page 48
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
People of the Byte
April 14,2000
Kids, Passover & the Internet by Mark Mietkiewicz
Why is the holiday called "Passover?" (A) Because the Israelites had to pass over the Nile to leave Egypt. (B) The Angel of death passed over Egypt, and killed all the first-born. (C) Or because at Pesach, the spaghetti must be finished and the pasta over. That's just one of the many Pesach quiz questions found on the Jewish Highway. The World Wide Web is full of puzzles, games, songs and coloring books to help kids gear up for the big holiday. Today, some of the best. • • • A great place to start is at Virtual Jerusalem's Pesach Parade: www.yjholidays.com/pessach/ paradc.htm. That's where you'll find the answer to the quiz mentioned above. There's also a children's Haggadah, some holiday recipes geared toward kids and an animated video about Passover: www.yjholiday8.coin/pessach/ jtn.htm. You will need to register for a free password in order to gain access to some of the Virtual Jerusalem pages. Is your child making his or her singing debut at this year's seder? They can brush up on their rendition Ma Nishtana at Passover Tunes for Kids: w w w . 6 1 3 . o r g / k i d p a s s o v e r . h t m l and Nurit Reshef s site: www.bus.ualberta.ca/yreshefy pesach/audiomusicroom.html. And they can sing along with instrumental versions of those songs at Classic Passover Tunes www.kosher4passover.com/tunes.htin. A bit less traditional but very wonderful is Uncle Eli's Special-for-Kids Most Fun Ever Under-theTable Passover Haggadah: www.acs.ucalgary.ca/ -elsegal/Uncle_Eli/Eli.html. Written in the style of Dr. Seuss, Uncle Eli retells the Haggada in a familiar yet unique way:
Why is it only on Passover night we never know how to do anything right? We don't eat our meals in the regular ways the ways that we do on all other daysCause on all other nights we may eat all kinds of wonderful good bready treats like big purple pizza that tastes like a pickle crumbly crackers and pink pumpernickel... Yes-on all other nights we eat all kinds of bread but tonight of all nights we munch matzah instead.
Do you need help with the cooking this year? Put your kids to work. At Kids Kook for Pesach: www.yjholidays.com/pesach/food.htm there are easy recipes for Charoset (The Mortar You Love to Eat!), Cheese Blintzes and Matza Pizza Treatsa. And when you're finished with that, try the Matzah Ball Game Quiz: www.his.com/-chabad/ passover/. Budding young artists may want to check out a couple of Passover coloring books which you can print and then decorate. The Diaspora Yeshiva pages focus on the steps of the Seder: www.mznet.org/holidays/seder/8eder.htm while Torah Tots also has pages illustrating the story of Pesach and the Ten Plagues: www.torahtots.com/holidays/pesach/pescolor.htm. For more kids' pages, check out the quizzes at the Department of Jewish Education: www.jajze d . o r g . i l / p e s g n e n . h t m l . Billy Bear's Pesach Holiday has some mazes (Help Moses find the Ten Commandments; Help the people cross the Red Sea):www.billybear4kidB.com/holidays/posach / p e s a c h . h t m . Torah Tots does a great job at retelling the story of the Passover in addition to a generous supply of games like Puzzling Plagues and Word Find. Another amusing game encourages you to search for any chometz which may be hiding on your computer screen: www.anshe.org/chometz.htm. With a few deft clicks of the mouse, you are chometz-free. If only cleaning the real stuff were that easy! Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based television producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be contacted at highway@home.com.
May you and your family have a joyous Passover full of wonderful memories . . . recorded forever
tvn& there is a
future for M
the man
.peace A Happy and Joyous Passover
DEaN Miracle Hills Plaza at 747 N. 114th 493-7555
A Joyous Passover
SUPERMARKETS WE BUY THE BEST..
. AND SELL FOR LESS!
Harold Cooperman Richard and Fran Juro Don and Bernice Cohen Matt and Jackie Poliakoff Kevin and Kimara Clark Steve Moskovits
Importers of Quality Fashion Sunglasses and Executive Choice Reading Glasses 7700 "F" Street, Omaha, NE 68127 US. A. 402-331-5400 1-800-228-6094 FAX: 402-331-5401
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 49
Come Home T o . . .
Rockbrook Village 108th and Center
ishing You A Very Happy
OPEN FOR L0NCH AND DINNER .
HAPPY PASSOVER
Lgr>cb M - F11 -00 2;0Q p.m. Dinner M - Sat. 4;3Qp,m, For Reservations 'Call 391-2585
'
ROCKBROOK-VILLAGE. :• 108th 8c Confer.
Samuelsohn - Robert Talbott Bobby Jones - Scott Barber Barry Biicken - Ike Behar
ROSSI CLOTH
TRUE TREADMILLS HAVE TRUE ADVANTAGES • Quietest Treadmill • Largest Walking Area • Best Warranty
I EH S
Rockbrook VDag* lOtlhandWMtCtntM 397-MOt
Save $200-$500 on ENTIRE STOCK of TRUE TREADMILLS
David Kutler, Owner
45-Day Low Price Guarantee
108th & Center • Rockbrook Village • Omaha • 397-8866
Page 50
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE -
Your Western Wear Consultants...
April 14,2000
'Help yourself
Peterson Bros. Realty Inc.
by Joan K. Marcus
Sales & Management
8610CassSt. Westroads-7001 Dodge Mall oi the Bluffs, Council Bluffs
397-8700
HAPPY PASSOVER
COMPLETE FAMILY DENTISTRY 693 No. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154 402-431-8844
Steve, Marilyn, Amy, Andy, Alan & David The Tuchman Brothers owned and operated a chain of nine stores early in the 20th century.
Certified Kosher & Pareve Our products are certified Kosher © by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. You will Find the © on every Rotella package.
Wishing our friends and customers a Happy Passover 6949 South 108th Street (402)592-6600
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a family named Tuchman who lived in Omaha. Their children, Frank, Sarah, Joseph and Mike, were all born in the 19th century and raised in Omaha. They attended Central High, and Frank even went to business college. Frank was a slender man with a hunched back. After business school, in about 1909, he married Martha Friedman, who had come to live in Sioux City, Iowa, from Russia. He was a very bright man but it was unusual for people of his generation to attend and graduate from any kind of college Martha and Frank had five daughters, Helen, Sara, Dorothy, Minnie and Rosalie. Helen and Dorothy have died, but Sara Harding, Minnie Shiff and Rosalie Saylan, all great-grandmothers, shared their memories of their father and their shopping trips to the Old Market. All three recalled rides to school in the Tuchman Brothers truck. Although they don't think that they were "spoiled," they all admitted their father worried about them. He drove them to school and picked them up when the weather was inclement In about 1920, Sara used to get up at 5 a.m. to go to the Market with her father. "We would go into the fruit section and he would buy most of the things that he would need for all of
the stores. Then, he would take me home and go on to work," Sara explained. "It was always a treat to get to go with him because he only took us one at a time!".
,
.'.'
,.
'..
.-.
.
.'•
.-.',•
. •
•
SWEET & ASSOCIATES, PC. Certified Public Accountants William J. Sweet, C.P.A. Philip A. Howland, C.RA. Mark S. Deras, C.RA. LukeAldy,C.P.A. Gerald Sweet, C.RA. 7130 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68106
Phone:(402)397-8811 Fax:(402)397-3051
._
,
.....,•
In 1912, Frank, Joe and Mike had opened the first Tuchman Brothers Grocery Store at 19th and Chicago. Later, they opened stores at 24th and Lake, 24th and Parker, 24th and Cuming, 25th and Harney, 24th and Leavenworth, 16th and Yates, 25th and Davenport, and two stores in Benson. Frank and Joe opened nine stores in all; many Jewish men from the Omaha area worked for them. Some of these men were just young boys when they worked for Tuchman Brothers and they later went on to have their own businesses. Some of them wereJake Turek, ' H a t l / Noodell, Henry Krasne, Leo and Oscar Taub, Sam Epstein, Joe Weiner and the Blackers. The ladies all have the best memories of the store at 24th and Lake. "They had a cage where the cashier sat," Rosalie recalled. I n those days, nothing was prepackaged so we all went to the stores and put things into packages and sealed them. Sara was so short she couldn't reach the scale so Papa got a box for her to stand on!" (Continued on page 51)
PASSOVER GREETINGS _ NODDLE DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY 13710 FNB Parkway #100
496-1616
April 14,2000 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 51
Help yourself (Continued from page 50)
from Bob Eisenberq
Pentiums Passover Wishing you a Happy Holiday
CSHO ^ i REAL ESTATE ^ ONE COMPANY ^ ONE RESOURCE
At Computer Renaissance, we put service first. Our friendly and knowledgeable computer professionals are always happy to answer your questions In person or on the phone. We take the time to offer personal solutions. That's because we want to build long-term relationships with our customers Computer innovations may come and go-but we want you to remain a loyal Computer Renaissance customer for years to come.
The Tuchman family: brothers, Frank, Joe and Mike and their children. (Story and photos continued on page 52)
^ * ^
IRENAISSANCE
^ ONE SOLUTION ^FORYOUR
HOME SERVICES
The area's newest home shopping network"
^BSHOIVI
howcase
723 N.I 14th 9 . MIRACLE HILLS SQUARE (402)445-2200 M-Th 10-7'FrtSst 10€>Sm 1J6
Sundays at 9;30 a.m. on KMTV3
The Stuff You Want. The Service You Deserve.
www.cbshome.com
GOLDBERG & SHRIER CERTIFIED PUBUC ACCOUNTANTS
4911 Do<lgiStrMtOnulu,N«braika 68132
HAVEA
HAPPY PASSOVER CONTEMPORARY
EYE WEAR For Professionally Fitted Eye wear by BOARD CERTIFIED OPTICIANS
ay you and your family celebrate a happy Passover. OhO ' MAHA 331-9100 • 84th &F
( / J ) A L U R A 210 Regency Parkway •392-0170 141 Doctor's Building North, 4242 Farnam
554-1315
Just South Of I-80 On 84th Street Or Toll Free At 1-800-844-0724 wwvr.acuraofomaha.com
Page 52 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Help yourself — — — — (Continued from page SI) "He didn't make us come to the store," Rosalie laughed, "but we all went because we wanted to spend time with him!" Tuchman Brothers had the first "help yourself" stores in Omaha. Prior to that, people would wait at the counter and a salesperson would help them. Frank Tuchman initiated the use of grocery baskets and customers selecting their own food. Often, people would charge their food. Customers would bring their groceries to the cashier; she would write a ticket and at the end of the month, Tuchman Brothers would send out a bill. Rosalie remembers going to shop in The Old Market when she was very young in about 1925. "I used to just tag along until I got tired," she recalled. "I remember shopping in Sam Gilinsky's Fruit Market and my father would buy fruits and vegetables for all of the stores. I remember that Sam had imported red bananas; they were so different from any that we usually see here. He would always give me one, and I still remember how it tasted!" The three women also remember a restaurant at 10th and Farnam Street, operated by their grandmother, Molly Gilinsky Tuchman Rubin. She was one of the first women suffragettes who actually had women friends, outside her community, who were not Jewish. The stock market crash in 1929 was very hard on the Tuchman family. "My father cashed in his insurance policies to get groceries to sell in the stores," Rosalie said sadly. "There was no money coming in because people had charged their groceries. We even lost our home!" The three sisters still speak with sadness of the day in 1931 when they left their sick father at home as they went on their way to school. "I had somewhere to go after school and Papa gave me some money to do some shopping on my way home," Minnie recalled. (Continued on page 54) The Tuchman brothers: Joe, Mike and Frank, in a photo taken in the late 1800s.
WISHING YOU A JOYOUS PASSOVER FROM OUR ENTIRE STAFF Brighton Gardens Assisted Living, with a style and service that's unmistakably Marriott. BRIGHTON JP-FRO7169A
MID CITY BANK
We are pleased to offer Carmel and Manischewitz Wines for your Passover enjoyment. We wish all our friends a Happy Passover.
MAYTHE SHARINGINTHE WINEENHANCE THE PASSOVER SEDER
Wishing you Shalom
GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING wvw.marriolt.com/senior
For more information call (402) 393-7313. Your life, just a little easier' Brighton Gardens of Omaha 9220 Western Avenue, Omaha, NE 68114
LIVING COMMUNITIES
OF OMAHA
Maury and Madeline Katzman Michael and Carol Katzman Rick and Julee Katzman
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 63
A Small Town In The City. Pacific at87th A Joyous Passover To All Our Friends
Anderson O'Brien Fine Art Gallery 8724 PACIFIC
OMAHA NE 68114 402-3900717
Sarah's
CotutryiiiU VUllfa. PieUle It 87lb
87th & Pacific 402-391-7997 North side of Countryside Village fashionesarahs-clothes.coin
http//www.sarahs-ctothes.com
4 FULL SERVICE SALON FOR MEHMD WOMEN COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE PACIFIC AT 87TH > HAIRSTYLING
PEDICURING
- MANICURING
WAXING 8722 Pacific St. 391-0312 YOUR NATURAL FOOD SOURCE We now offer one of the largest selections of organic and all natural foods available. For a healthier alternative, shop the Broadmoor Market.
See us for your Springtime fashions and recital needs Omaha Countryside Village
Shoppe
87th & Pacific
399-8580
Where Are You Going?
Travel Faire Will Get You There
THE LINEN GALLERY T i l
A « T
O PF I N E .
L I N E N S
F O »
T H E
H O M E
West Omaha Office: Country Side Village, 6 7 1 9 Shamrock Rd
d^ Village
H^^^HH|H
From Arnold Brandt to Jhane Barnes
1 Pattern: TANZAME Exquisite Table LJnens-from Le Jacquard Francais
Fine French Linens 8722 Countryside Plaza-Countryside Village (402)399-5242
•)• Call 3 9 7 - 6 9 0 0 Or visit OUT Web site ® www iravelfatrcinc com
From Lazo to Zanella
|
A Style to Suit Your Needs
8 7 1 4
P a c i f i c
S t r e e t
•
3 9 0 - 9 1 9 1
Page 54
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Help yourself "Wishing You a Happy Passover
POLLAK & HICKS, P.C. 203 Historic Library Plaza
, Petuc
at fi
<UKC
yea*.
M*. & MIA.
Happy Passover from my family to yours
aJeas
(Continued from page 52) "He was sick in bed when I left for school and when I came home, there were cars and people in front of our house," Minnie added. "As I got closer to the house, someone told me that Papa had died from pneumonia. "It was probably because he 'was so hunched over that
still be in the family," explained Minnie. They had two more children together; her husband died three years ago. She now lives in Minneapolis and has six great-grandchildren. Sara married Al Harding in 1941 »•• and they had two daughters: Nancy
he developed pneu- f g g R e e Tuclunan sisters: S a n d i n g , fa£ * £ » «*
ie Kasin. Al Hardmonia in the first Rosalie Saylon and Minnie Sniff. ing died in 1986. place. Everyone Sara had four loved our father so grandchildren and much that there four great-grandwas a line outside children. She is the door to view the particularly proud body. of her twin great"He was a kind grandsons:- Alexman who was nice ander and Zachary to everybody. It was Belgrade, sons of very sad because we Robyn and Jim were all so young," Belgrade. Minnie continued. "Helen, our oldest Rosalie married sister, had a disabilMilton Saylan in ity. Papa said he 1940. They have would always take three children, Dorcare of her and he othy Shapiro, was gone!" T999^NanTy Epstein, left, and her mother, Sara Stephen Saylan After the death of -.-•.and Craig Saylan, their father and the ; Photos by Howard K.Marcus s ; ^ grandchildren loss of their home at 3432 Webster Street, the girls 'and one great-grandchild. Rosalie and Milt live in moved into an apartment at 37th and Dodge. The Palm Springs, CA. -;-r \ -"••-' • family was held together by their mother. The sisters have happy memories of their childGradually, Mike Tuchman liquidated all of the hoods in spite of the Great Depression. - » stores and moved away from Omaha. "On Friday nights, my father used to take ine, my Helen never married, and, she died many years mother and Helen to the Orpheuin Theatre for the ago. Dorothy died 10 days after the birth of her son vaudeville show," Rosalie remembered fondly. "All in 1941 as a result of an infection in her heart our friends used to come to our house and Papa valve. Minnie married her sister's widowed hus- would get down on his hands and knees and shoot band. craps with them. "His father and my mother got together and "Then, he'd roll up the carpet so we could dance. decided we should get married so the baby would Those were wonderful times!"
7808 L Street
HAPPY PASSOVER from everyone at
HAPPY PASSOVER from Denny, Lisa and Travis Lewis Marc, Claudia, Mitch and Jill Sherman
Spirit World I
COMPLETE LINE OF CARMEL KOSHER WINE AVAILABLE
7517 Pacific.......... ......391-8680 114th & Davenport. .334-7123' Monday-Friday.....................9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday...
..••••.•••••...•.•••••.•..••CLOSED1
Best Wishes to All... for a Happy Passover Isuzu Truck of Omaha
Your Staffing Partner
and
The Jacobs Families
OMAHA NORTH PLATTE LINCOLN 390-2399
308-534-2159
476-4949
Every Sunday is
WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK We kiss the books We buy the books We teach each other how to read the books
JEWISH EDUCATIONAL and LIBRARY SERVICES Jewish Educational Services Jewish Federation Library The Committee for Lifelong Jewish Learning . Friedel Jewish Academy
MAY WE ALL BE INSCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE
Endless Rib Day! GIFT CERTIFICATES CATERING • BANQUET ROOM BEST BBQ RESTAURANT Omaha Magazine January Issue
SWEETEST OF OMAHA Sweet 98 Contest Winner
TONYROMAS (
FAMOUS FOR R I B s T ) JUDGED BEST RIBS IN AMERICA
132nd & W. Center Road • 330-2800
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Solving the Passover panic: Tips on setting the seder table
ez
arucci's
by Linda Morel
NEW YORK (JTA)-A fabric designer from Manhat- • shade that coordinates with their pattern. tan calls her sister-in-law in a panic. At 45, she is You can peruse antique shops, specializing in colpreparing her first seder for 17 members of their family. lectible china. While wearing the patina of past glory, "Forget about the food," she said. "I don't even this porcelain is often more charming than anything manufactured today. Odd-lot dishes are sometimes know what I need on the table." Because Passover represents a defining moment sold at bargain prices. Because every plate is unique, in Jewish history, most hosts anticipate an exalted they dazzle the eye, sitting atop a matched set of dinner plates, awaiting the first course. But take care to seder, one worthy of the Exodus. . But as the countdown to Passover begins, they are properly wash this porcelain for Passover. so busy planning menus and ridding their homes of • Stretching silverware and crystal: A meal of chametz, food that is not kosher for Passover, they many courses, calling for the consumption of four frequently fail to take inventory of what the holiday glasses of wine leaves many hosts short on goblets. requires. At crunch time, they are desperately seek- But you can buy stemware, sold four-to-a-box for ing tableware-or just making do. about $10 at department and houseware stores. If "Why is this night different than all other nights crystal is in short supply, don't squander it on chilof the year?" Because we eat only matzah-and we dren, who are happy with glasses. need more dishes, glasses, silverware and serving The same holds true for sterling silver flatware. Save pieces than you could possibly imagine. the silver for adults and seat children at one end of the • The Deal on Dishes: While Orthodox and table, set with stainless steel. Wash silver forks from Conservative Jews dedicate special plates exclu- the first course, using them again for dessert. Seder sively for Passover, few people own enough china to means order, not perfection. meet the challenge of a large seder. But there are If there are gaps in your accouterments, don't ways to cover the shortfall. despair. Remember that Passover began as a You can borrow plates from family and friends. nature festival celebrated by nomadic Jews. The However, if you intend to host future seders, you may holiday's theme revolves around freedom and want to acquire your own tableware. Because adding redemption, not finery on the table. to fine china can be costly, one option is to buy The heart of Passover is sharing joy with people glass dishes. Although clear glass goes with any •you love. Ely ah never turned down an invitation color, tinted glass is trendy, so hosts may opt for a due to a scarcity of china, silver or crystal.
Page 55
f W^f
Mf
GOURMET GROCERY & BISTRO French, Italian & Mediterranean Cuisine
GoutTOetFood^SelecHonB & Freminm Wines & Beer WINK MNNRRfi Eagle Run Square VRTVATR PARTIKft A GniIRMRTMKAt.fi TO Bn 129th & Maple Mon-Sat, 10-10; Sun, 11-5 496-0202
Happy Passover Harvey and AnnHckel
Midwsst Wxxkorkers 14605 Wright St. 330-5444 (1 Block So. of Center)
Suppose Your Family Had a Policy y and You Just Didn't Know About it?
Happy Passover • Northern Indian Tandoori Cuisine • Regional Specialties • Vegetarian Favorites • Lunch & Dinner
1010 Howard St. • Old Market • 342-4856
If you are a Holocaust survivor or the heir of a Holocaust victim, you may have a legitimate unpaid Holocaust era life, education or dowry insurance claim and the opportunity exists for you to re-
yes, i d like to learn more about The Holocaust Era insurance Claims Process
ceive payment. You can now file claims through a new Claims Resolution Process set up by the International Commission on
Name.
Holocaust Era Insurance Claims.
Address: The Commission consists of representatives of United States insurance regulators, five European insurance companies and their subsidiaries, the State of Israel, worldwide Jewish and Holocaust
from
Canfield's Sporting Goods
survivor organizations and European regulators as Observers. The unique Claims Resolution Process provides individuals with a central source for information on, investigation into, and payment of those outstanding policies, -without any charge to the claimants.
City State.
.Zip code.
I Country.. I preferred Language. I Ball to:
Canfield Plaza Shopping Center
For more information, "mall in the request to the right, visit the. website www.ichelc.arg or call
84th & Center Omaha, Nebraska 68124
1-800-957-3203
International Commission POBoxll63 Wall Street Station New York, NY 10268 | USA
US-ENG-JPNB
•> age .50
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
An Old Market album. N. S. YAFFE PRINTING CO.
OMAHA POTATO MARKET
Gomplete (printing Service"
lfith&BURT—
TEEPHONE JACKSON 0770
FRANK SVOBODA MONUMENTS
Ufl SODTH17TH STREET
Hebrew Lettering Our Specialty 1215-31 South 13th St. JA1872
JA 6216
From the 1938-40 Omaha Chapter of Omaha Potato Market (Eisenbergs); Frank today's Pulverente's; and N. S. Yarle Printing HadaBsah directory, come ads from the Svoboda Monuments, the forerunner of (formerly owned by Nate and Irv Yaffe).
M bojl yuatI/nipjp '"'""'• location Open ^>r Lunch and Dinner Mon-Sat.
:
The University ofNebraska Medical Center: • II is i dm iti >. nu n. tl in i ni 'i tit or t'i [Ansu iai», dental and iilliid IK ilthpn>ff.MfiinK } Inr n u i t Tm.lim~.tu i n p in.tl nur«. i praLlianjj in ttv Matt
' |
• H «. hid i pii -.Lr i ii muro Mi in 121 \ i b n 11«. ">mmn mtu i ttii'
ii
'li-iiu, hi 1 ' ""(.n •» «• r\i(L i n l i r i in.n
I U11I.1L 111 1 nI
niturull
in i
\
fir t nl i\
\L1I
Tin si
i \ i
it 1 r i
i
i
cnosen Dy u.s. wews & woria Report as among thefopfive programs in the country. Received a nationally competitive $8 million grant targeting chronic heart failure and a $1 million grant to move rural nursing education into the home.
In (Lc Old Mnltet P<asa«ew>y fife.345-1066
Produced 556 continuing education courses, which served 22,000 health-care professions during the past year. ' Transplant program, during the past 13 years, has brought more than $370 million into the state. Developed a new, more effective drug for glaucoma.
.Health cam thai Si
C
t>
University j of Nebraska I Medical Center Nebraska's Health Science Center A Pannet with NeLmsIJi Health iyileUt
can take pride in their only publicly funded academic health sciences center {f-#>Ur<
Specialty Boutique for Women
Westroads Mall 10000 CALIFORNIA ST.
397-5633
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 57
An Old Market album (Continued from page 66)
Ideal Restaurant, located at 10th and who fought for a woman's right to vote, Farnam, was operated by Molly Gilinsky her granddaughters are Sara Harding, Tuchman Rubin in the 1920s. A sufragette Rosalie Saylan and Minnie Shiff.
Passover Qreetftigs mi 'Best Wishes
1912--Frank Tuchman of Tuchman Brothers Grocery Store.
FRANKEL, ZACHARIA, ARNOLD, NlSSEN, STAMP&REINSCH, LLC Certified Public Accountants Business & Personal Consultants
First National Plaza* 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite700• Omaha, NE68154-2576 (402)496-9100
E N D
y o u R
CjreeZZnas from
with a JNF Tree Certificate and Help Israel Grow.
imperial Palace Authentic Mandarin & Szechuen Cuisine
Experience the real flavor of China in our spectacular Palace 112th and Davenport • Old Mill South • Omaha • 330-3888 and 701 North 27 Street • Lincoln • 474-2688 Open 7 Days a W n k Lunches - Dinners — Cocktails Cany-out Available
(800) 542-TREE (8733) w w w . j n f. o r 3 For more information on Jewish National Fund programs contact Mark Gussin at the Midwest Zone office (847) 656-8880.
Customized Packages "Just for you"
T Salon \493-2345
fax 493-1936
765 North 114 St. (Miracle Hills Shopping Plaza)/
Vsa,MC&AMEX Donations are tax deductible. NATIONAL FUND
Page 58
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Buy enough to make mistakes' Wishing our friends and customers a HAPPY PASSOVER
Janouseh florist Inc. "Flowers Whuper What Wonb Can Never Say" 4901 CHARLES STREET OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68132
PHONE: 556-5652
AREA WIDE DELIVERY
OPERA OMAHA 2000-ZOOi
Carmina Burana
January 31, 2001 February 2, 4, 2001
alstatf March 28, 30, 2001 April 1,2001 Sponsored by Eve and Fred Simon and
^nofEaMancha April 25, 27, 29, 2001 Sponsored by
Orpheum Theater
Season Tickets $ 4 1 - $ 2 1 0 before July 31, 2000
( 4 0 2 ) 3 4 - O P E R A ttoa 346-7372 toll-free (877) 34-OPERA
by Joan K. Marcus
Market, and a return to The number of Jewish the days when people boys who played football actually lived and work at the University of in the area. Nebraska at Lincoln can Through the years, the be counted on one hand: father and son team Don Greenberg"s father, developed an "excellent Elmer, was one of them. working relationship," A star athlete and capaccording to Don. tain of the football team "Dad would go on vacaat Central High School in tion for three weeks the mid-19208, he every summer. He would . became an Ail-American always buy enough to tackle and guard at UNL. last until he got back; we No professional football would almost be sold out j for him, though; he and by the time he got back!" 'his wife, the former Don laughed. "One sumLillian Lipsey, chose mer, he told me I'd have teaching instead. to do the buying while he The young couple startwas gone. That was a ed out in Crawford, NE, very big step for me." with Elmer teaching During that vacation, mathematics and coach-; the elder Greenberg ing football, and Lillian called home to ask how teaching English and things were going. Don shorthand. But they soon told his father what he realized they wouldn't be had bought and that able to support their things were going very growing family on teachera' salaries. While they 1928-SO: Elmer Greenberg lettered in football well- His father replied, did return to Omaha to a t the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. "If you haven't done anything wrong, you're, not teach at Technical High . buying enough stuff! You have to buy enough to School, the young couple soon left teaching. In September of 1936, Greenberg borrowed $250 make mistakes." Don mused, "This was the best lesson I ever from the school district and $500 from his fatherin-law, Joseph Lipsey, to start the Greenberg Fruit learned. He was my teacher and I was the student. Company at 507 So. 11th Street, in a building And I learned I couldn't get in trouble for getting in owned by the Mercer family in the Market. Soon trouble!" Elmer was selling fruit to independent grocers in In 1971, Greenberg Fruit moved out of the Omaha and surrounding areas. Market to 97th and I Street. Elmer and Don shared His son, Don, remembers going to the Market an office "where the desks touched." "We were very close," Don said about his father. with Elmer on Sunday mornings and having breakfast with the firemen at the station across the "We had a great arrangement. Because the fruit street. Though only six years old at the time, Don business is speculative and moves very quickly,' it's had already begun his lifelong career with easy to make mistakes. Greenberg Fruit Company! "If either of us did, we talked about it once," Don Though his *3ob" first consisted of playing in the added. "And then it was over; we never talked elevator, by the time he reached high school he was about it again!" working there every weekend. Through the years, Elmer maintained his office at Greenberg Fruit the company expanded until they eventually took Company until 1990, even after it was sold in 1988 over the buildings all the way to Howard Street. to the Rosenthal Fruit Company of Sioux City, IA; Don helped unload trucks, stacked the coolers and he died in 1995. Don remained with Rosenthal for made deliveries. He knew his college years at the five years; he retired in 1993. University of Oklahoma was just "a vacation" until "Now my life is completely opposite," he said with he would return to Omaha to work in the business. a laugh." ' He is, of course, referring to his schedule of rising "I always knew I was going into the fruit business," Greenberg said. "I worked every summer, before 4 a.m. and falling asleep before the nightly beginning at 4 a.m., and went back to Oklahoma in news. In fact, that work schedule nearly cost him a the fall, but there was never any doubt about what date with his sweetheart, the former Nancy I would do with my life." Priedlander. The two had met at Dundee Grade About 30 years ago, the Old Market building in School and only dated "platonically" in high school. which Greenberg Fruit was located was condemned After college, they began to date seriously,- but he by the city and a deal was made with the Mercer did fall asleep on their first date. He had gone to family to give up the second floor for apartments. work so early in the morning, he was still sleeping This was the beginning of the revival of the Old (Continued on page 59)
tiappy Passover ORVIS FULL DEALER NS carries a.complete line of ORVTS: and4a^boo'to|l3>)|!(cili]i{j|jh1gtlie^ ^ ent' pndJSilyer Label T L ^ r f e s T nd;tec|tle • b^eatoaflejwaders
Mc<#ss&}es^ FEATURWO^ NORTHERN CTAUAN CUISME
Our fine food, superior service and professional planning will make your wedding or special reception truly memorable. Call our Coloring Director, Maria Czechut at 346-7600.
DOUBLETREE HOTELI6TH S DODGE STREET DOWHIOWK
ITALIAN RESTAURANT 5013 Underwood 556-9505
-
y
Wide selection of men's doming • gift items • Battenwii luggage. ALL merchandise comes with a full lifetime guarantee ' All catalogue orders placed through OPEN SEASONS are shipped at no charge
3673 N. 129th St. Phone: 493-9494 Fax: 493-9260 HOURS: Mon thru Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-4 p.m.
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 59
Buy enough (Continued from page 58) when he was supposed to be picking up Nancy. "It took a bouquet of flowers to get a second date," he laughed. The couple were married at Beth El Synagogue in 1961. They have two children: Robert, who lives with his wife, Joy, and their two children, Hallie and ! Holden, in Larchmont, |i NY; and Wendy, who , / married David Goldberg Don Greenberg and lives in Omaha with their three children, Joe, Molly and Sophie. At one time, both Robert and Wendy worked for Don at Greenberg Fruit and developed the same close relationship that Don had with his father. "I loved what I did," Don smiled. "The Market was always very exciting and we worked with wonderful people. "Work is important, but you need to like what you do," he added. "No one every forced me to work at the fruit company; it was something I enjoyed and looked forward to doing every day." He no longer carries the beeper and pager he once did. He's no longer interrupted at board meetings when a shipment of strawberries arrives on the loading docks. "We never used to go on a vacation longer than Friday to Sunday," he laughed. "I had no time to myself and carried a mobile phone long before anyone else did!" Today, the Greenbergs spend a lot of time with their children and grandchildren here in Omaha and in New York. "We decided our grandchildren were going to grow up knowing us," Don added. "It's a good life!"
EXPERT PICTURE FRAMING Dtappy Passover to our friends and customers. . W«lridg« Shopping CMitw• 132nd t W. Dedg« Rd. 4 9 3 - 3 8 9 3
FARMERS The Greenberg family: top photo, Joy and Robert Greenberg with Holden and Hallie; bottom photo: Wendy and David Goldberg with Molly, left, Sophie and Joe.
A grandson returns to the Market
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, flowers, plants, herbs, baked goods, crafts and more!
SATURDAY MORNINGS May 13 - October 14,2000 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Old Market • 11th & Jackson Streets
by Carol Katzman
Elmer Greenberg's grandson, Scott Kotzen, admires the work ethic of that generation. Though 48 years apart, the two developed a close relationship, something Kotzen will always treasure. A massage therapist at Omaha's Downtown YMCA, Kotzen used to "work out" with his grandfather. After suffering a stroke, the former star football player lost the use of his right arm and the ability to walk. So almost every weekday morning, Kotzen would drive his grandfather to a physical therapist for a 90-minute exercise session. He would help his grandfather out of his wheelchair and onto each piece of exercise equipment for his daily workout. But the relationship really began when Kotzen was a child and would join Greenberg every morning during the summer. Greenberg would tell him stories about the "glory days" at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. . Greenberg worked summers to put himself through college. Though a formidable player at Central, the college teams did not recruit star players then. And he wasn't even big, only 190 pounds, but he played both offense and defense.
According to a column written by Mike Kelly of the Omaha World-Herald, "Greenberg's funniest moment came after his biggest play; he stole the ball from the Syracuse University quarterback and ran 40 yards to the one-yard line. "In NU*s offensive huddle, teammates starting chanting the Yiddish phrase for congratulations or good luck: Mazel tov! Mazel toy! "They did that for four plays in a row, apparently laughing so hard they couldn't function; they failed to score, although they did win the game." Kotzen used to attend football games with his grandfather, trading stories about the early days of the greenberg Fruit Company, the nature of the Market (and it wasn't called the Old Market back then either, he noted), and life in general. Kotzen recalled that his grandfather had a wonderful attitude about life. He never pitied himself after his stroke and was always grateful that he was able to provide a good living for his family. He especially was proud of his family and their accomplishments. And that includes grandson, Scott. (Continued on page 60)
HAPPV PASSOVER!
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS June 14 - August 16,2000 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Old Market • 11th & Jackson Streets For more infnrnuition call (4(12) 345-5401
clarkson college I'oi Toiiionow's Health Care Professional
COUNTRY INN&SUiTES. A Cozy Stay At A Comfortable Price"
800-456-4000 www.countryinns.com
Complimentary features include: • Continental "plus" breakfast • !n-room coffee & weekday morning newspaper • Local telephone calls and long distance access • Fresh-baked cookies & colTce in (lie lobby You'll appreciate these extras: • Spacious guest rooms & suites • Indoor pool & whirlpool • Golf courses, shopping & entertainment nem by • Special group rates for out-of-town guests for Bat/Bar Mltzvahs, weddings and reunions
Complimentary Suite with 15 or more rooms Ask torFrankie in Group Sales 402-445-4445 11818 Miami (North of Blondo on 120th)
Discover What Clarkson College Has to Offer You! Flexibility • Small Class Sizes • Outstanding Reputation • Hands-on Learning • Faculty Dedicated to Your Success
Clarkson College at a Glance! ' ASSOCMII DEGREES • Occupational Therapy Assistant Physical Therapist Assistant • Radiojogic Technology BACHCWR'S DEGREES • Business • Medical Imaging • Nursing MASTOU'S DEGREES • Nursing
For More Information Write or Call: ENROLLMENT SERVICES • 101 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68131 • -102-552-3100 • 800-647-5500 www.darksoncollcge.edu email admiss@clrkcol.crhsnet.edu
Page 60
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
A grandson returns (Continued from page 59) full table massage, though the actual training in massage techKotzen added, "Clients can niques and the use of sauna, steam also wear clothes for a full and other features offered by any fullservice health or exercise facility. massage." His massage "message" also Besides Kotzen's responsibilities to the Y, he also includes a balance of vegetarianism, started teaching at Metro new age principles and "plain old Community College in the common sense." spring of 1997; He's a forThough jockeys from Ak-Sar-Ben are mer officer in the American no longer around, they used to frequent Massage Therapy Association and is committed to professional integrity. According to Kotzen, "there are more than 175 people (Continued from page 42) doing excellent work in The other truth is massage." that most of us can't Kotzen's educational possibly comprehend background includes class- the true horrors of es in anatomy, physiology, slavery. I constantly hygiene, as well as the carp that my freedom ends when afternoon carpool
the Downtown Y, along with members of the Omaha Racers basketball team. Kotzen also maintains regular contact with all the downtown hotels and businesses in the Old Market Kotzen likes to think his grandfather is still with him, "hanging out in the Market and trading stories." Cortland Kirkeby contributed to this story.
The freedom of Passover seder-
Scott Kotzen works at the Downtown Y. Today, Kotzen is a licensed massage therapist and Massage Manager at the Downtown Y, not far from the Old Market where his grandfather started the Greenberg Fruit Company. He and his wife, Mindi, live downtown, too, in the nearby Field Club area. His emphasis is on reducing workplace stress and promoting employee wellness. And his "chair massage" is growing in popularity. "It's convenient; the results are immediate and the effects are cumulative," Kotzen explained. "And people really enjoy it!" Business people have even been known to stop in for a quick chair massage enroute to the airport. One of the benefits is that clients can wear their regular business clothing, Elmer Greenberg, Ail-American instead of changing as they do for a football star at UNL.
Danny protests, "You always have things you have to do: schoolwork, setting the table and taking out the garbage cans." Gabe, the 12-year-old philosopher, adds, "No. matter what, you'll never be completely free." But our Complaints are pitiful in light of the indignities and difficulties that the Israelites endured — or the atrocities that the European Jews experienced in World War II or the Russian Jews under any of their antiSemitic governments. The Bible commands us no less than four times to tell the story of Passover to our children. To put burselves in the Israelites' sandals,-no
victories. The Exodus from Egypt, the escape from over 400 years of slavery under Pharaoh, marks an event no less monumental than the birth of the Jewish nation. Perhaps this is why Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday worldwide. But with freedom comes responsibilities, regulations and restrictions. With freedom also comes the opportunity to practice our religion without repercussions or reprisals. To moan meaninglessly about all our chores. And, even, to replace the shank bone with a broiled beet. Jane Utman lives in Encino, CA, with her husband and four sons.
Zero Coupon Bond
It's not in your Haggadah, but it's in your heart.
7.85%
Effective yield to maturity and current purchase price of $2,818 for bonds purchased through April 24, 2000. Matures at $6,000 10 years from issue date (first day of the month following the month in which subscription is accepted by Fiscal Agent).
Jubilee (Series A) Issue Bond
For 50 years of family seders Israel bonds have been your connection to Israel.
7.25%
Fixed annual interest rate for bonds purchased through April 24, 2000. Matures 5 years from issue date. Minimum Subscription $25,000.'
Jubilee (Series B) Issue Bond
Your Israel Bonds investment dollars - over $21 billion to date - have helped transform Israel into a modern industrialized nation and sustain the promise of "NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM."
matter how unrealistic or uncomfortable. To put ourselves in the shoes of oppressed Jews through the millennia, to remember our collective history, hostilities and
7.40%
Fixed annual interest rate for bonds purchased through April 24, 2000. Matures 10 years from issue date. Minimum Subscription $25,000.
.
LIBOR Floating
Rate Issue (LFRI) Bond
7.3125%
Interest rate for bonds purchased through April 2000. Based on 75 basis points (fixed at time of purchase) above the appb'cable 6-month LIBOR rate. The applicable LIBOR rate is adjusted thereafter on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1. Minimum subscription: $5,000 ($2,500 or $2,000 for IRAs only). Matures: 10 years from issue date.
Development Issue Current Income Bond 4.00% annual interest rate. $500 and increments of $500. Matures 15 years from issue date.
Development Issue Savings Bond $500 and increments of $500. Matures 15 years from issue date at 180% of issue amount, resulting in an effective yield to maturity of approximately 4.00%.
ChaiBond Purchase price: $136. Matures in 5 years at $180. Non-transferable. Not eligible for early redemption. Purchaser may only purchase one Bond for a given owner in any calendar year. May only be purchased for/registered to an (only one) individual.
State of Israel Bonds Wishes You a Happy Passover Tblsls not an offering wblcb can be made only by prospectus. Read It carefully before Investing. Member NASD, SIPC
, lsraelbonds.com
Development Corporation for Israel / State of Israel Bonds 5801 West 115 Street -Suite 113 • Overland, KS 662 U
913-327-8135-800-562-6413
April 14, 2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 61
SYNAGOGUES ,
CANDLELIGHTING Wednesday, April 19 Thursday, April 20 Friday, April 21
7:52 p.m. no earlier than 8:54 p.m. 7:54 p.m.
templeisrael-tte.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You, 3:45 pan., Cantor Jennifer Blum will lead a Shabbat Service at Remington Heights. Early worship service, 5:30 p.m.; Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Jeff Taxman will officiate using the Union Prayer Book. This service is especially planned so that at its conclusion, you may be home early to enjoy a shabbat meal and evening; Family service, 7:15 p.m. Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Blum will officiate. Rita Paskowitz, master storyteller, is guest speaker. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Mimi Rogers and Michael H. Marcovitz in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son. SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat morning service, 10:30 aan. Max RogersMarcovitz, son of Mimi Rogers and Michael H. Marcovitz, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. Sitter Service is available each Friday evening, Saturday mornings for Bagels and Bible and the worship service, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Cost is $2 per family. Please make a reservation at the Temple office. PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 19: Evening service, 5 p.m. THURSDAY, April 20: Morning service, 1030 a.m.; Congregational Seder, 6 p.m. SHABBAT COMES TO YOU FRIDAY, April 21, Rabbi Debbie Stiel will lead a Shabbat Service, 3:45 p.m., at Livingston. CONCLUSION OF PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 26: Morning Service and Yizkor, 1030 a.m.
.CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURAN .,' ' ' SOUTH STREET TEMPLE V,'
(
Member of the Union of American Hebrew*Congregations
'. 2061 S. 20th S t , Linc6ln,NE 68502-2797 \ 435-8004 , ' jewi8hnebra8ka.org Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRD3AY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah study, 10 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew classes, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 a.m. PASSOVER THURSDAY, April 20: Community seder, 630 pan. For reservations, call the office, 435-8004.
Former Omahan draws crowd for Passover workshop
y
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE \t
„ , Member of tbe Union of
[
i502N6.62nd Street, Omaha, NE 68104-5013 Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.4:30 pan.; 'Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 pan.; Sunday, 10 a.m.' noon. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Services, 7 pjn., at Beth Israel, followed by Shabbos dinner. West Minyan at the home of Leon and Dani Shrago, 805 S. 120 Ave, 7:45 pjn. SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m. Shabbos lunch immediately following services. "Insights into the Parana," 7:10 pan.; Mincha, 7:40 p.m.; Havdallah, 8:48 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. and 7:50 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 7:50 p.m. Service times vary this week due to Pesach as noted below. TUESDAY: NCSY annual Pre-Pesach Dinner chaired by Lynne Saltzman, 6 pan. at the JCC. Search for Chametz, not before 8£2 pan. WEDNESDAY, Erev Pesach: Fast of the first born begins at 526 aan. Morning service, 7 a-m. followed by Siyum B'chorim. Chametz may not be eaten after 10:44 aan. Latest time for burning of the Chametz is 12:04 pan. Mincha, 7:55 p.m. THURSDAY, First day of Pesach: Services, 9:30 aon. and 7:55 p.m. FRIDAY, Second day of Pesach: Services, 9:30 aan. and 7 pan.
TIFERETH ISRAEL ,. , Member of the United Synagogue 1 , of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423^8569 Services conducted by. Rabbi Stanley M., Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday and Thursday, 7:15 aan. FRIDAY: .Services, 8 p.m. Anniversary Agknowledgements SATURDAY: Shabbat Hagadql; Services, 9:30 a.m! PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 19: Shacharit and Siyyum B'chorim (First Born), 7:15 aon.j Mincha/Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, April 20: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m. ' FRIDAY, April 21: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma'ariv, 8 p.m.
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. FRD3AY: Services, C.p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 930 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Corey Green, son of Sherri and Gary Green. Kiddush following services; Sitter service, 10 aan.; TSS, 10 aan.; ICtantan, 10:45 a.m.; Shabbat Story time, 11 aan.,; Humash with Rashi study session, 7:25 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 7:55 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. PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 19: Siyyum BTthorim, 630 a.m. Shaharit, 6:55 a.m. Mincha-Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, First day of Pesach: Services, 9:30 aan. and 6 p.m. FRIDAY, Second day of Pesach: Services, 930 a.m. and 6 p.m.
B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 Phone: 322-4705 E-MAIL: docjeb@aoLcom FRIDAY: Services, 730 p.m. Topic will be "What is the God Enigma?" An Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peg DeLand and Sandra Kurland, will follow. Friday, April 21: Congregational pot-luck seder; contact Sandra Kurland, 323-8885.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME. FRIDAY: Services, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m, led by Andrew Greenberg. Members of the community are welcome. All services followed by Kiddush. PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 19: First Seder, 6 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone and Beyt Shalom Congregation. THURSDAY, April 20: Services, 9 a.m., led by Phyllis Hoffman; Second Seder, 6 p.m., led by Andrew Greenberg. FRIDAY, April 21: Services, 9 a.m., led by Phyllis Hoffman
OFFUTTAIR Ail1 Affiliate of.tho W o W ^ p ^ u w v M a v i t , ;1866 So: 120th St^s Omaha, Nfe 68144-1^46 .
;,/-"•-^"^honeTa^isoO^ ^ *y '" o- „ E-MAILAchabad@Ao1.coin, , WEBSITE: www.chabad.centors.com/omaha Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY, April 19: Seder begins at 8 pan.; please call 330-1800 to reserve. THURSDAY, April 20: Services, 930 a.m. FRIDAY, April 21: Services, 930 aan.
BEYT SHALOM s
Ron Wolfson, left, son of Bernice and Alan Wolfson (see story beginning on page 8), evoked stories of Passover seders of years past from Barbara Morrison Bresler and others. More than 120 attended his workshop last Friday. He is Vice-president of the University of J u d a i s m and d i r e c t o r of its Whizen Institute for Jewish Family Life.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogiifls of Conservative Judaism 1450ft California Omaha; NE 68164-1980 , « ' ' ' 492-8550 WEB-www.bethel-omaha.org
^
\, - , An Affiliate of the ' i '<.y. >> >> *-•• Jewish BooonjtructfonlBt Federation t * ,'..
'" V 3012S. lie^j3fc,£.p. f B<«241l30,, •- Oinaha,NE 68124-5130 " /" phone: 758-9233 .http^/welcome.to/beytshalom/ FRHJAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 730 p.m. SUNDAY and TUESDAY: Religious School at the JCC. There will be no religious school on April 23 and 25 during Peeach. Rabbi Myer Kripke's class will resume following Pesach. WEDNESDAY: Community seder in conjunction with the Rose Blumkin Home, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, April 21: Shabbafin the Home.
FORCE BASE, V'
~25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 68113-5000' > . ' 294^051' ^">V*;V,. 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.
Bar Mitzvah Matthew Elkon Cooper, son of Ira and Marsha •Cooper of Atlantic Beach, INY, will become a Bar iMitzvah on Saturday, lApril 22, at Beth El |Synagogoue. A seventh grade honor •student at LawrenceIWoodmere Academy in IWoodmere, NY, his •Odyssey of the Mind I team placed first in state I for two years. He enjoys •bowling, soccer and basIketball. Matthew has two brothers, Adam, 26, and Andrew, .21.-
'.
:
'.-
•
•.'•
,'.
Grandparents are Jean and Wally Elkon of Omaha, and the Late Ben and Frieda Cooper.
Page 62
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Who knows 13? Passover tips for working women
A little Passover humor (Editor's note: From the Internet, comes this variation on a familiar theme.) With Pesach soon upon them, the Jewish community in Madrid found themselves in a desperate situation. There was an acute shortage of horseradish. Now, many of you may know that horseradish is the key (if not only) ingredient of that fiery condiment for gefilte fish known as chrain. A hue and cry arose and the entire community was mobilized in an effort to prevent this shonda (shame, tragedy). All the European Union countries gave them the same reply, "Sorry, we have none to send." In desperation, the Rabbi phoned one of his Yeshiva friends in Tel Aviv and begged him to send a crate of horseradish by air freight to Madrid. Two days before Pesach, a crate of grade Aleph, tear-jerking, Israeli horseradish was loaded at Ben Gurion Airport onto the EL Al 789 flight to Madrid, and all seemed to be well. Unfortunately, when the Rabbi went to the Madrid Airport to claim the horseradish he was informed that a wildcat strike had just broken out and no shipments would be unloaded for at least four days. As a result: The chrain in Spain stayed mainly on the plane.
by Melissa Chapman, Hadassah
(JERUSALEM) - According to an occupational psychologist at the Hadassah Career Counseling Institute in Jerusalem, even Israeli women, with high-powered professional positions, panic at the "P* word (Passover). "While Israeli society endorses equality for women, it also emphasizes to a large extent traditional family values," explained psychologist Michal Peleg, who is also a working mom. Here are Peleg*s tips for a smoother Passover preparation-for Israelis and Americans: • Think like a professional. Passover is Peak Season. When the annual report needs to go out other activities are postponed, and extra staff is brought in. Do the same at home. • Write down all your tasks and appointments for work, home and Passover. Quiz yourself about necessity of each task: who expects it? Maybe we're expecting too much of ourselves. • Set priorities. Overload can make us freeze into doing nothing but procrastinate. Take control by doing what's really important first. Curtains can wait until Shavuot, but buying the matzah can't. • Consider short cuts in preparation as a strategy, not a cop-out. For example, consolidate shopping instead of bargain hunting. Order one impressive dish from a caterer. • Free up time before the holiday by eliminating routine chores. For example, serve take-out food twice a week during the weeks before Passover. • Involve your family. This is a positive goal, not a weakness. It encourages children to join in the teamwork year 'round. • Praise lavishly. Try never to criticize anyone who chips in, even if you can do the job faster and better. • Pin up a volunteer list for chores: you'll get less resistance than if you assign them.
ROSEN AUTO LEASING 7700 "L" STREET OMAHA • 331-8020
• Finish one job completely rather than starting three that you can't finish in one go. • Aim for "good enough" and not "perfect" as you go from task to task. -• Keep saying to yourself, "This is the way I do the holiday. I'm not in competition with my neighbor, my sister or my mother-in-law." • Treat messy drawers as one of life's annoying realities, not.as a reflection of your self worth. Remember that obsessives suffer for their neatness. • Schedule something fun for the holiday, even if it's a walk in the sunshine. • Holiday joy is a mitzvah. Besides, you deserve it!
Hillel is distributing Russian-Hebrew haggadot to students in the former Soviet Union, shown with a broken piece of matzo on the cover.
As we take part in the first
Passover of the new millennium,
Best Wishes Grubb & Ellis\Pacifw Realty
wishes you and your family
CHEEPERS RENT-A-CAR
a happy and healthy season.
331-8586
Grubb&EUis.»«& Jerry Rosen Tom Bernstein Gloria Friedman
Edward A. Rosen Tom Rice Judy Brookstein
Property Solutions Worldwide 345-5866 345-0422,fia prg@prgroup.com
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 63
Passover recipes: light, easy and even a bit trendy |The heart of the Old Market by Linda Morel
____
NEW YORK (JTA) - In the rush to clean every corner of your house for Passover and to prepare ceremonial dishes for tfre seder table, you may be. short on time to cook up a holiday meal. What to do if you're expecting a crowd this Passover? Here are several no-fuss recipes you can assemble in a jiffy. As light as spring, they taste like something a trendy chef inspired. Together, they make up a complete meal or can supplement other dishes you or your guests may be making.
ROAST CORNISH HENS & NEW POTATOES No-stick cooking spray 5 Cornish hens, cleaned well White wine for dousing ' Salt and white pepper to taste Paprika for color < 5 apples, halved and cored 20 small new potatoes Olive oil Small bunch of parsley, optional
SIMPLY DELICIOUS BABY CARROTS No-stick cooking spray 3 16-ounce pkgs. of baby carrots, cleaned Olive oil for drizzling Garlic salt to taste Preheat oven to 300". Coat a large oven-proof casserole with cooking spray. Spread carrots evenly inside. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Place in oven. Stir every 15 minutes', adding more oil if necessary. Roast for 60-90 minutes, or until carrots soften and turn golden brown. Serve immediately. Serves 10.
Place rack inside roasting pan and coat both with cooking spray. Arrange hens on rack, drizzling with wine. Place an apple half inside each. Coat potatoes with oil. Place on rack between hens. Season hens and potatoes with salt, pepper and paprika. Basting occasionally. Roast at 350° for 90 minutes, or until potatoes crisp and juices run clear when hens are pricked at leg joints with a fork. Discard apples. Slice hens in half and serve on a platter surrounded by potatoes. Decorate with sprigs of parsley. Serves 10.
SPINACH & STRAWBERRY SALAD 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 2 lbs. fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed of steins 1 pint strawberries, cleaned, hulled and halved 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup olive oil Garlic salt to taste Roast seeds at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until light brown. Place spinach, strawberries and seeds in a large glass bowl. Place remaining ingredients in a jar. Cover and shake. Pour on spinach. Toss and serve. Serves 10.
ALMOND MACAROONS 3 cups blanched almonds, ground fine 1 cup sugar . 3 egg whites 1 tsp. vanilla
'
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, leaving 1/2 inch between macaroons. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until light brown. Will be
11th and Howard Streets.
soft. Cool before removing from cookie sheets. Yield: 3 dozen.
•FIR
MID-CITY JEWELRY & LOAN 515 South 15th St. Corner of 15th & Jackson (2 Blocks West of the Old Market)
341-5466
•
m'r'w rnro sia nny
Go now and write it for them on a tablet; inscribe it in a book so it may be a perpetual witness in the days to come.
The Dorothy ana Myer Kripke Jewish Federation Library announces tne expansion and move _ into a new location
BedWtiUeA.
Pa&Aoue*
M M R GREETINGS Sterling Silver Jewelry accents with gemstones and pearls... inspired by nature
Custom Designed Jewelry by Laurie Getter • 100% guarantee • Repairs made any time at no additional charge " 'Custom orders welcome* No two pieces are alike > Westroads-Main Level (across from Eipresa) 200-3100 j j
Come visit us soon! Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday evenings 'til 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Harris Finkelsteln, Library Director, 333-6461; Frances Gottlieb, Library Board President
Page 64
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
An Old Market album,
Morrie Roitstein, seated at right, purchased Other well-known vendors included: Joe Photo courtesy of theNebraska Jewish Historical watermelons in 1936 from the Omaha Sortino and EJ. Camel (second and third from Society. (Continued on page 65) Produce Market to resell to grocery stores. left) and Sam Sortino {second from right).
"Wishing you a tfajipy Tassover
TUND
David Barnes Bob Begley Candice Brans Steve Cary Gerard Daly Mike Earl Bcv Ellis Mike Gibihsco Nancy Johnson Dan Kavanaugh Jerry Kelly Jon Kerkhofl1 John Lund Adam Marek Tim Meltcnbrink Ken Nielsen Martin Patzner Tom Pcschio Tim Schluchter ScouSchnc.idcmiaa JJjcliSccm •-; . I AlSliipgS S } JonTWdbstcr ,
-L/COMPANY
Complete Commercial Real Estate Services
Eli Retail, Office and Industrial Leasing • : Brokerage and Tenant/Buyer Representation ,Q Land Sales and Site Selection i VQ Investment Acquisition, Management and Disposit on .. Q v Commercial and Residential Property Management - Q 'Development Management Q Direct Investments and Project fin J^JLJ"" _ i , • Consulting and Advisory Services"?,
Shannon Yalcs
'1
Earn Interest on every dollar in your checking account!
12800 West Center Rnad Omalia.NE 68144
'
402-393-8811 a 120 Kegency Parkway dwww.lundco.com a e-mail: Iundco@lundco.com> 7
Umix,
.,.. 1 .
.
.' -
.
i
BOMA-
.
N
•
" ' r ^ ^
Visit Enterprise Bank today where your money earns morel Receive a fabulous rate, complimentary Prestige Checks, unlimited withdrawals, and a variety of other rewarding products and services.
Start enjoying the •
(402)330-0200
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE at
210 Regency Parkway Omaha, NE 68114
Enterprise,Bank today!
(402)392-0400 'Annual percontaQo yioNJ a s of 4/5/00. All rales are subpet to change wllhout notice. Feos may roduco oamlnqs. $1,000 minimum balance remiiroato open account and avoid monthly fees. Consumer accounts only. :
April 14,2000
An Old Market album
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 65
Your Past is a Family Treasure
(Continued from page 64)
SAVE YOUR MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD, COURTSHIP, PARENTS, THE FAMILY BUSINESS.
:—#__
_
.
LET'S TURN YOUR WORDS AND PHOTOS INTO AN ELEGANT HEIRLOOM BOOK.
Second Story
553-5704
Aitt&Uoout &
EZSZO
/Jlitut ideation olu&ieattd if*
,
CAFfe ADCLI L . ! .. ' J Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Tues-Thurs: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat & Sun: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
7 5 0 N . 1 2 0 t h S t . Western Crossing Plaza (Across from Menard's)
496-9955
This photograph of Rosenstock's Tobacco Store, at 1210 Douglas Street, dates back to • about 1900. Photo courtesy ofthe Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.
Spring for Sandals!! JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINES Due to the closing ofthe Jewish Press office during the holiday of Passover (Thursday and Friday, April 20-21 and Wednesday and Thursday, April 26-27), please observe the following early deadlines for articles, photos, and ads: Deadline Issue 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 334-6448. Thanks for your cooperationi
1010 S. 74th Plaza
Comiortglus i
(On the North side ol Pacific at 7Jth)
> 392-2952 sr Mon. -Sat. 9-6 Phone orders welcome
Now,
A MIDNIGHT VISIT T O THE B A N K IS No
LONGER
A FEDERAL OFFENSE It's FREE 24-Hour Banking by Internet or Phone Now, you can bank from anywhere.. .at anytime . . .via our FREE Bank by Mouse™ Internet Banking or XpressPhone Banking™ services. You can: • Transfer funds • Pay bills* . •Apply for loans • Do online investing.. .and more.
The Right Choice 342-1607
So bank on Great Western. From anywhere. Anytime. We offer some of the most innovative and convenient banking products available. . .all backed by friendly, hometown customer service.
E-mail: hawkins1.com
402-551-4310 • www.greatwesternbank.com •
GH Great Western Bank" MembarFDIC
Great For Your Money! •Bit Payw IrM tor flril 00 daya. After that, Ira |uit $3.86 par monff! tor ttta tint 20 paymanb.
Hmnni CONSTRUCTION^COMPANY
Page 66
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
Wishing You a Joyous Passover
Hillel publishes Haggadah in Russian
SOPHIR MORRIS PAINT
,. ;'THJlFJIb" nACXAJlbHAJIAIAAA
WALLCOVERINGS WINDOW TREATMENTS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE! Visit our newest location at 141st & Arbor 90th & H • 27th & Douglas • 90th & Grant 1851 Madison Ave., C.B.
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus life is making the beauty of Passover more accessible for Jews in the.former Soviet Union (FSU) with the publication of a new colorfully illustrated Haggadah with Russian instructions, translation and transliteration. The Haggadah is intended for use by the 10,000 Jews who participate in Hillelrun Seders throughout the FSU each year, many of whom have little Jewish knowledge. MOST EXPBUBtCED SIMM OMAHA TAKE CASE OF YOUI "Hillel is helping to bring about a renaissance of Jewish life in the former Soviet Union by meeting Jews at their level of Jewish education and providing them with the means to explore their heritage," explained Hillel President and International Director Richard M. Joel. "We experience a hunger for Jewish content wherever we go in the FSU," said Hillel Associate Vice-president Rabbi Yossie Goldman. "After decades of state-sanctioned hostility, Jews want to reconnect with their Jewish roots." Hillel maintains a network of over'20 locations across the FSU, with major centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev. Each year, the Jewish student organization trains over 800 young Jews from the area to lead seders in major cities and small towns. They are joined by a dozen North American .Jews studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who are trained to help lead the Seders. Hillel in the former Soviet Union was established through the support of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation in partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish EVERYDAY SERVICES Campus Life. West location YOU CAN COUNT ON: The Passover Project is made possible through a 2895 S. 168th Street grant from the May and Samuel Rudin Family 330-0590 Foundation. . Downtown Location 3031 Leavenworth The largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus 342-3491 Life is committed to creatively empowering and engaging Jewish students through its.network of over 500 regional centers, campus foundations and affiliates.
LOSTABUttON? inm
Fashion Cleaners Presents...
with its'exclusive button GUARANTEE
More treats for Passover by Shirley Sorkin
(Editor's note: Shirley Sorkin sent these recipes from her home in Denver, CO. We hope our readers enjoy the results!) Here are two recipes which we think are great, not only for Passover, but all year 'round. The cookie recipe from Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene (available in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library) was given to me by a friend. I usually double or triple the recipe since these cookies freeze well. I clipped the recipe for the Truffle Tart from a magazine (apologies to all, since I don't remember which one!). MUSTACHUDOS These Sephardic cookies can be made in a matter of minutes and the recipe is wonderfully adaptable. For variety, try different kinds of nuts and spices, or add chocolate chips or dried fruit. Just one warning: be careful not to overbake. If a little overdone, they still taste delicious, but lose their chewy consistency. 1 large egg 11/2 cups (about 6 oz.) walnuts, finely ground 1/2 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon Preheat oven to 325°; grease a large baking sheet, then dust with potato starch. In a medium bowl, beat the egg until just blended, then add the other ingredients and mix to form a thick paste. With moistened hands, form walnutsized balls and place about two inches apart on the baking sheet. Flatten very slightly. Bake 15-20 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Immediately remove from the cookie sheets and cool on wire racks. Makes 16-18 cookies.
TRUFFLE TART WITH MACAROON CRUST 1 can (10 oz.) soft coconut macaroon cookies (about 3 cups) 6 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 6 tbsp. margarine or butter . 1/2 cup sugar 3 large eggs raspberries and mint sprigs for garnish • Preheat oven to 350°. In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse macaroons until fine crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs in nine-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Press crumbs onto bottom and up the sides of the pan. In a two-quart saucepan, melt chocolates with margarine over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in sugar. Add eggs and whisk until evenly blended. Pour chocolate mixture into macaroon crust and spread evenly. Bake tart for15 minutes or until top is just set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Carefully loosen crust from sides of pan; remove. Refrigerate until one hour before serving. Garnish with raspberries and mint sprigs.
2528 South 130th Avenue Omaha NE 68144 402-333-1031 800-S2&S097
email us at info@bikeHrack.com
www.bike-rack.com
Bike Rack Cycling and Fitness
Lifestyles Available at the Bike Rack
We offer bikes from: • Trek •Specialized •Giant • Cannondale • Schwinn • Klein • Burley • Seven • GT/Dyno • vision Recumbents Accessories from: • Trek • Specialized •Cannondale • Pear) Izumi • Yakima • Thule • Bell • Giro •Blackburn •RhodeGear • and many other major brands!
Voted one of the top 20 Bike Shops in the nation by VeloBiz Magazine! Adventure
Comfort
Friends
Locally owned and operated, the Bike Rack has been serving the Omaha metro area for over 28 years.
f ox a
We have a great staff that will help you pick the bicycle that best suits your lifestyle. With the largest selection of bicycles and cycling accessories in the area, we can make sure you enjoy all that cycling can offer! Our service staff can service and maintain any make or model of bicycle. With over 50 years combined experience, we can promise you quality work done qucklyl Fun
Family
i
Katelman Company Antiques 144 So. 39th St. 551-4388
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, ME
Page 67
Recipes from Chef Dvorah Buhr's Passover kitchen . . . Dvorah Buhr, a student in t h e J e w i s h MATZOH LASAGNA Theological Seminary's H.L. Miller Cantorial 2 cups cottage cheese school, is also an award-winning, certified 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (use grated cheddar pastry chef with a specialty hi chocolate and if you can't find kosher for Passover candy production. parmesan) I T nutmeg FUDGEY FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE legg 9" springform or high-sided cake pan 11 pepper 8 T butter or margarine jar or 4 cups pizza or marinara sauce 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted 1 box matzoh 6 large eggs 2 onions, sliced 8/4 cup sugar 1 zucchini, sliced 1/2 cup cream or non-dairy creamer 11/2 cups mushrooms, sliced 3 cups shredded mozzarella Melt chocolate and butter or margarine in a douCombine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, nutble boiler. Whisk in cream, sugar and then the eggs. meg, egg and pepper and set aside. Pour into greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees in cenSpread 1 cup of sauce in bottom of oiled 10x14" ter of oven with a pan of water below until cake is lasagna pan or high sided 9x13" pan. Line with set. (Cake is set when side of pan is tapped and a matzoh; top with half the vegetables and 1 cup cake tester comes out clean with wet crumbs sauce. Cover with 1 cup shredded mozzarella. attached. Note that crumbs should be wet, but not Add a layer of matzoh and the cottage cheese mixliquidy.) Remove carefully from oven and cool. ture. Add another layer of matzoh, spread with 1 Invert and drizzle with ganache (see recipe below). cup sauce and the remaining vegetables. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella. GANACHE Add a final layer of matzoh and top with sauce 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate and mozzarella. 1/4 cup cream or non-dairy creamer Bake in 350° oven until bubbling and hot all the In a double boiler, melt chocolate. Once the choco- way through. late has melted, whisk in cream and pour over cake. Can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen, v
Tourists and Omahans alike enjoy walking through the Old Market on a warm day. ' ,: Photo by Howard K Marcus.
GET A GROUP and COME OUT TO ROSENBLATT! Grab your office, social group or athletic team and come on out to Rosenblatt! Our discounted group rates are a great way to enjoy professional baseball with your friends, co-workers and family.
'ASSOVER
GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE RECEIVE: • View Box or Reserved Seats for $4.50/ticket (save $1.50/ticket) • Public Address and Message Center Recognition
Groups of 50 or more receive the above for just $4/ticket If your group is 200 or more, one person in your nartv will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
CONTEMPORARY FURNISHINGS MonttfilrCentv I H 7 9 W M Cotter toad OmVU.NHn!M6SI44 4O2.31O.333t • 402.330.92S5 fix 1.800.333.87W wwwHinconttfflpCMfyconl
GROUP SIZE: 20-49 $4.50; 50-199 $4.00; 200+ CALL
Catering and picnics are also available • (402) 734-2550 Ext. 96
Jewish Cultural Arts Council wishes you a very
HAPPY PASSOVER and invites you to enjoy the
Inter-generational
happy hour 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
Edith Rogert (a Passover tradition of the Jewish Community Center) (in the gallery of the JCC through April 27)
sports action with us
OLD CHICAGO
SEDER TABLE lovingly created by
Catch all your favorite
Enjoy any of our menu items for
take out
happy hour late night 10 p.m.-midnight Sunday thru Thursday
LOCATIONS: 132nd & Maple-jM5-9393; 78th & Cass--384-8355
Page 68
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
No end in sight by Carol Katzman
Row after row of cubicles stretch moved to 1211 Howard Street, the across the second floor of one of heart of the Market, which housed Omaha Steaks International's build- nearly all of the city's produce and • ings on 109th and John Gait Boule- meat suppliers. vard in southwest Omaha. Soon, B.A.'s son, Lester, joined the Abuzz of constant conversation perme- business. Under his direction, the busiates the room as shifts of marketing rep- ness grew and began supplying the resentatives take orders over the phone. Union Pacific Railroad's dining and priTeams compete against one another, vate cars traveling to the west coast.' winning prizes for "top seller of the "My dad used to recruit part-time week" or several dozen other categories. workers from the Open Door Mission - Across from them in the newer of on 13th and Howard," Alan said. The the two buildings is a room so secure post World War II years brought all that even fourth-generation owner three Simon brothers into the busiSteve Simon can't gain access without ness, even if only for the summers. the assistance of his information sys"Alan would go down to the packing tems director. houses in South Omaha," Steve reThe room houses rows of powerful called, "while Fred and I drove the computer servers which process the delivery truck to restaurants and orders and then prints them at a rate hotels. We all worked cutting beef, too." When asked about the "cutting line," of four per second. Hundreds of phone lines snake through connections, Steve laughed, "Line? There were only while fast fiber optic cable link the 20 of us in the whole placet" In fact, Fred was the 20th employee. company's website and online orderAll three members of this fourth-gening system to the rest of the world. Who could have dreamed that a little eration graduated from Central high business which started on 17th and School: Alan in 1952, Fred in 1955, Douglas Street in 1917 would someday and Steve in 1957. be the largest direct-response purveyor "Steve and I drove the truck," Fred of gourmet meats in the country? recalled, recounting the 10 or 11 The Simon brothers knew. Even when restaurants and hotels where they brothers Alan, Fred and Steve worked made stops in just one hour Caniglia's, summers for their father, Lester, in the Cantoni's, the Model Cafe, the Conant, 12th and Howard Street location, they Virginia Cafe, the Benny Davis Cafe, and Anderson's, to name a few. knew they had something special. By 1952, their father, Lester, real"Grow or you're out of business," Steve Simon, the youngest of the three ized the potential of selling directly to brothers, said in a recent interview. the public and started their first mailorder venture. First shipping by train After its original start on the cor- Howard in 1924. The production And grow they did. In 1898, their great-grandfather, J.J. in dry-ice filled coolers, the company ner of 17th and Douglas Street, supplied grain-fed beef cuts to Table Supply Meat Company supermarkets, chain: grocery Simon, left Riga, Latvia, with his son, switched to polystyrene shipping coolB.A. Legend has it they left a train ers and vacuum packaging. . moved to larger quarters at 1211 stores, hotels and restaurants. headed further west when they ran out "Once, when I was eight or nine, my of money in Omaha. They were cattle- grandfather (B.A.) took me to lunch at men and wound up working for several the Hill Hotel, owned by a Mr. markets before they bought a building Josephson," Alan recalled. "B.A. called on 17th and Douglas Street, which him over and said to me, 'Alan, he housed the Table Supply Company in trusts Table Supply so much he never 1917. weighs our meat.' To which, Mr. B.A. inserted the word "Meat" and Josephson replied, 'Only when you're not here, B.A.P Omaha Steaks was born. (Continued on page 69) Seven years later, the company
NHW 2000 DIGITALS ARH IIHRU World's Best Selling Digital Pianos SAVE Roland 10-50% Samick Yamaha Clavinova
Yamaha, Roland & Casio Keyboards
Best Piano Sound & Action-Best Buy • Karoake Lyrics Display • Microphone Input for singing vocal harmony • Connects to TV for exporting lyrics • Never needs tuning NEW & USED ORGANS Used As Low As
Passover greetings Gerald B. Simons, M.D.
(402)552-3020
As Low As
ADULT.& PEDIATRIC CARE 4242 Farnam St, Suite 150, Doctors Bldg.
Family Value Packages Saves You Hundreds! 2 Used Y a
All Good Wishes For Passover
Grands and Hyundai m »
Jon Meyers Bruce Meyers
NEW PIANOS AS ,ow a 8 s 1 7 9 5 USED PIANOS AS low as ' 5 9 9
339-6165
(Subjact to Prior Sale)
DIGITAL PIANOS 88-Note Digitals
MIDWEST EAR, NOSE & THROAT; PC
OFF
Select Sheet Music a. Books
A Service of Nebraska Warehouse & Cannonball Express
PRO SHOP SALE Synthesizers, Workstations, Samplers, Midi Modules, Digital Recorders, Software, Pro Audio
YAMAHA, ROLAND, SAMICK, CAKEWALK, SUZUKI, FmALE, SONIC FOUNDRY, EMU/ENSONIQ Music Software • Digital Recorders • Pro Audio Synthesizers • Samplers
Keyboard Kastle Low Prices Plus Service & Support • Hard to Find in Today's Market
Wishing you aJoyous & tPeacefuC&assoper BEN FRANKLIN MOTEL
AMERICAN FAMILY INN
4433 S. 84th 593-9400 Crossroads Mall 343-1541
OMAHA
800-642-1271keyboardkastle.com
BELLEVUE
Jerry Dann & Willard Friedman
. Friedman-Dann Management.
April 14,2000
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 69
No end in sight (Continued from page 68) The brothers laughed when they recalled the stories they heard, from their father and grandfather. There was the time Leo Waxenberg (Irv Sherman's father-in-law) killed six cows bis first day in business. "He called B.A. and quoted him a price," Alan said. "B.A. gave Leo hell because the figure was too high, and Leo was not very happy!" Waxenberg recovered from that first sales attempt and his Cornhusker Packing went on to become one of the many meat packing houses in South Omaha owned by Jews. . Others included Greater Omaha Packing (started by Herman Cohen and later owned by Pennie Z. Davis and his son, Henry); Midwest Beef, owned by a Catholic named Straely and a Jew, Julius Falkenstein; and Eagle Packing, started by Jacob Jacobsevitz). When Alan graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1956 (Fred would follow in 1959), he brought back yet another innovationcomputerization. Alan had worked on the country's original computer, the Enniac, at Penn. So large that it filled an entire room, this forerunner to today's modern personal computers used vacuum tubes and punched cards to compute complex mathematical problems. But Alan saw another use and, by 1957, he and Nathan Novak (of the Rosen-Novak car company) developed a sales analysis code, using roles of punch tape. "Alan saw the future," Steve said of
his older brother proudly. "Because of his early venture into computerizing the business, we were able to make the leap into the Internet before anyone else." •':•.',' , Alan was still involved in the buying and spoke about the deals "done on a handshake. "There is a high standard of ethics in the business," he explained. "And lots of tradition associated with it. You ' didn't do deals in an office; you walked out to the cattle pens." Fred joined the company in 1959 and Steve in 1961, after graduating from Indiana University. Table Supply Meat Company was still a local business, but was on the verge of expansion. ' Then Governor of Nebraska, Frank Morrison, sent Table Supply steaks to all the other governors, as well as President John F. Kennedy. The company was then asked to supply the meat for the American team at the Culinary Olympics. With the prize-winning dish featuring Omaha roast beef now in its corner, Table Supply had made it to the international world of culinary gourmets. Soon, the business was supplying airlines, the White House, the Pentagon, and other prestigious venues. It spurred a new growth period, the opening of the plant and headquarters at 4400 So. 96th Street and a name change from Table Supply Meat Company to Omaha Steaks International. (Continued on page 70)
Omaha Steaks International started as the Table Supply Meat Company in 1917. B.A. Simon bought a building which housed
the Table Supply Company, a carpentry shop. He inserted the word "Meat" and the business was born.
"BestWishes for a joyous
^age 70
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
No end in sight-— (Continued from page 69) There is also love for their families. Alan The days of the 20-man operation in the was thrilled when son, Bruce, came into the Old Market were a distant memory. business. Now a father in his own right, With the three brothers now handling the Bruce and his wife, Stacy, have two children, day-to-day operations, marketing became a Talia and Ellie. Alan's daughter, Janice, is prime focus. Omaha Steaks installed a tollmarried to Timur Tecimer and they live in free (800) line so customers could call in their Palos Verders Estates, CA, with their two orders from all over the country. children, Natalie and Chase. Their company's motto, "The customer is at While Fred and his son, Todd, work closely the top of the organization chart," keeps custogether, Fred's daughter, Joanna, lives furtomer service in the forefront. ther afield, in Australia. With that in mind, Omaha Steaks opened Steve and his wife, Kathy, have three chilits first retail operation in 1976 at 7924 Dodge dren, but none have joined the family busiStreet. Today, there are 55 retail stores j n _ j . . around the country, with plans to open 10 , ^ i T~ ? i ness ("yet," he added.). Daughter, Leslie, and more this year. ored by theNat.onal Conference of Community and h e r huBhand> C u r t M v e r 8 > j u s t h a d ^ ^ By 1978, the outbound telemarketing Justice in 1897. child, Andrew Stephen, who is now four department was added and an automated entry Network and opened a Japanese website last year! months old. system in 1987. Alan's son, Bruce, another Penn Online growth has become a bigger and bigger perJim and his wife, Kim, are the parents of Gabby graduate, joined Omaha Steaks in 1984. Fred's son, centage of the company's sales and is expected to and Maddie. Jim started out with Omaha Steaks Todd, joined the business in 1988 after he, too, continue to.grow even more in the future. but quickly moved to America Online. He then ran graduated from Penn! ' Today, Omaha Steaks employs more than 1800 the Omaha operation out of his basement for a Alan Simon's first venture into computerization people in four locations: three processing plants start-up company headquartered in Dallas called had now merged with many of the company's other (two in Omaha and one in Snyder, NE) and the cor- DMS. Later, DMS was bought by his old employer, divisions. Originally used to analyze sales, comput- porate headquarters (some 120,000 square feet) on AOL. ers were found in nearly every department, from John Gait Boulevard. Steve's youngest son, Dan, is an "on-the-air It would appear that with all the explosive reporter" for the Fox station in Phoenix, AZ. marketing and graphic design, to payroll and human resources. So it was no surprise that growth in the 1980s and '90s, the brothers could While they speak proudly about their children, Omaha Steaks could be ordered via the Internet by relax. After all, afifth-generation(Bruce and Todd) there is obvious love for their business, too. When innn i.i._..._i. _ i : i i i . i._-..._ j_ii : . . have been involved in the.business for sometime the "Simon boys" speak about Omaha Steaks, their 1990, through a little-known interneti' service and the future looks very bright. eyes light up. .' provider, CompuServe. , ' . But, no, that's not the attitude of these hardIn 1995, the launch of the Omaha Steaks website It doesn't matter if its Alan relating how to apply (www.omahasteaks.com) followed their direct- working imaginative men. Fred Simon, for exam- computer technology to tracking the more than 1.5 mail business. Once part of the company's promo- ple, has published two cookbooks, The Steak million customers in their database or it's Fred tions and advertising division, Omaha Creative Lover's Companion and BeefforAll Seasons. And waxing eloquently about the company's newest food Group, the website and online ordering has out- he has plans to publish many more. He's worked items prepared in their in-house test kitchens. Just grown its space and will soon be moving to the with his son, Todd, who lent his business back- listen to Steve as he greets employees by name or third floor of the new building on John Gait ground to assist with Fred's publishing goals. Like proudly shows visitors the many awards with Boulevard. In fact, when Omaha Steaks communi- other Omaha Steaks products, the cookbooks are which Omaha Steaks has been honored. cates internally, it's either by closed circuit televi- available on their website, too. Found in 13 foreign countries as well as throughsion or via e-mail. As Fred said in his introduction to his latest out the United States, Omaha Steaks continually Omaha Steaks became part of the Microsoft book, '"There is a love of food in my family." (Continued on page 71) A 1
THE JAGUAR FAMILY. The XK series, the XJ series and the S-TYPE. Powerful AJ-V8 engines. Connolly leather and wood trim interiors. 4^year/50,000-mile warranties.
FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT BEAUTY IS HEREDITARY. I THE JAGUAR S-TYPE I STARTING AT $43,095 THE JAGUAR XI SERIES' STARTING AT $56,245
Remington Heights Retirement Community exclusively offers: Beautiful Environment... includes library, activities center, beauty and barber shop, exercise room and much more.
Professional Services... providing weekly housekeeping and laundry, dietician and nutrition services, activities, transportation and more. ITHE JAGUAR XK SERIES ISTARTING AT $71,795
Assisted Living Service... assistance with activities of daily living provided on site.
JAGUAf
BAXTER JAGUAR • 11910 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha, NE (402)493-7800 2000 S-TYPE AJ-V6 MSRP S43.095; as shown, 2000 S-TYPE AI-V8 MSRP $48,595; lax, title license and emUsions fees extra. 2000 XK8 convertible MSRP $71,795; 2000 XJ8 MSRP $56,245; tax, title, Ucaae and emisaiona feel extra. Seodealter for their price and warranty details. O2000 Jaguar C a n . .
Affordable Retirement... all services included in one low monthly rental.
Peace of Mind... Remington Height's 24-hour staff emergency call system means assistance is just seconds away.
k
REMINGTO
12606 West Dodge Road Omaha.NE 68154
(402)493-5807
April 14,2000
No end in sight (Continued from page 70) • , „ seeks new opportunities. And they've been honored by their peers more than once. From Delta Airlines 1999 Silver Mercury Award to a Gold Key from t h e Manufacturers Representatives Association, Omaha Steaks prides itself not only on the excellence of its products, but on the safety, health, and welfare of its employees and the betterment of the community. The Nebraska Arts Council honored Omaha Steaks with the 1998\Governor's Arts Award for leadership hi the business community. Fred Simon, who has been active on the boards of both the Omaha Symphony and Opera Omaha, and who currently serves as a trustee for Joslyn Art
PAINTING AND DECORATINaiNC.
Diappy ^Passover Qaldska.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 71
Using flowers, matzah and eggs to create a festive Passover table Museum, chose the paintings, lithographs, prints and sculpture which enhance the workspace at the company's buildings. : Lester Simon was inducted posthumously into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 1998, and all three brothers were honored by t h e National Conference of Community and Justice in 1997. Steve Simon has served as co-chairman with Paul Epstein of the annual Federation Campaign and the Pacesetters Division, served on the Federation Board and currently sits on the Jewish Press Committee. And this year, the State of Nebraska has recognized Omaha Steaks for "lifetime achievement" with its Food Company of the Year Award. • It's a long way from 20 workers in the Old Market, dry ice and country roads, to sophisticated computer networks and nearly 2000 full and part time employees. As Steve Simon ended his tour of the huge facility, even he looked around in amazement and what had been accomplished over the years. It just took a cattle buyer from Latvia to step off the train in Omaha. With five generations involved hi Omaha Steaks, what does the future hold? • "There is no end in sight," he said. "We're committed to growth."
by Linda Morel
NEW YORK (JTA)-The following will help "spring" up your Passover table. • Garden centerpiece: Fill a large basket with potted African violets, and miniature spring flowers, such as gladiolas or tulips. Cover the tops of pots and basket edges with Spanish moss (found at florists). • Festive touch: Tuck several parsley sprigs into the fold of napkins. • Design matzah placecards: On the left side of folded white placecards, outline an inch square with a brown felt pen. Draw several rows of dashes horizontally across each square, representing perforation marks. To t h e right of your matzah squares, write one person's name per card. • Make hardboiled eggs appear roasted: Add one onion per egg (skin and all) to the pot of water. Boil for two hours, or until eggs turn a mottled brown. Add water if needed. Eggs will not taste of onions. • Spring into gefllte fish: Cover a serving platter with fresh lettuce. Place gefilte fish on top, scattering cherry tomatoes throughout. • Show off Passover confections: Serve desserts on pedestal plates, displaying them across your sideboard. Decorate with fresh flowers.
334-7233
13506 A St.
MEDITERRANEAN
Persian and Middle Eastern Cuisine
Discover Omaha's Dost Kept Secret We Do CATERING! • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Receptions • Any-Occasion Party Casual Dining & Cocktails Open Mon-iSat Lunch & Dinner Take Out Available Serving Israeli Wine Try a variety of Kebobs
1712 North 120th St.
493-3080
(Candlewood Shopping Center)
The Harris Center for Judaic Studies at UNL wishes you a
HAPPY and HEALTHY PASSOVER
For information about our program, please call 402-472-9561
Normnn and Bernico Harris Center for Judaic Studies
SSiSS NORWEST
WELLS FARGO
•$25,000 at 9.079% APR with 80% LTV for 360 months has a monthly payment of $203.08 Rate subject to change. C 2000 Norwest Bank Nebraska, N.A. Member FDIC. New loan with qualifying credit.' Relationship qualifications and other restrictions apply.
Page 72
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 14,2000
$1*