November 10, 2000

_|J EWjSH PRESS VoLLXXX

No, 7 Omaha, HE

12 Heshvan, 5701

November 10,2000

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND CAMP ISSUE

Introducing...

Jewish Presence in Congress Carolyn Novlcoff Will Increase, with New Faces

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor

Position:

by SHARON SAMBER

Executive Director, Jewish Educational and Library Services

WASHINGTON (JTA)-The Jewish presence in Congress will increase slightly, as a result of this week's elections, despite the loss of at least one Senate seat and the upset defeat of a longtime Jewish representative, Sam Gejdenson (D-CT).

Jews will hold at least nine seats in the new Senate-and a 10th if either Iieberman winds up retaining his Connecticut seat or the state's governor appoints a Jew to replace Mm, in the event that he becomes the first-ever Jewish Vice-president. Either way, this represents a decrease from the current 11, with the retirement of Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) after 18 years.

In addition to Iieberman, the two other Jewish senators up for re-election, Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Herbert Kohl (D-WI), both won.

In the House of Representatives, the number of Jews serving will increase, from 23 to at least 27— and possibly as many as 29. Two races where Jewish challengers threaten incumbents were still too close to call as of Wednesday morning. In New Jersey, Jewish Republican Dick Zimmer was battling Democrat Rush Holt to regain the seat Zimmer once held.

And in Florida, Democratic Jewish challenger Elaine Bloom (a former national leader of the National Council of Jewish Women) was in a recount situation against Republican incumbent E. Clay Shaw.

Aside from these races, there are four new Jewish

Education: Attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, graduated from University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a B.S. in Elementary Education; MS in Urban. Studies from UNL; Doctor of Education in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction (ABD), UNL. Personal; Born and raised in Omaha, NE; married to Donald Novicofif; two daughters: tJP: You held a prominent position at Boys Town for more than 20 years. Tell us a little about that experience.

Novieoffi For the last 12 years of my time at Girls and boys Town, I was part of the Boys Town USA team whose role it was to monitor our programs outside of Nebraska to ensure each one was as good as what was being done here in Omaha. Don Weber taught me how to 'site' things, how to examine the program development and its application. Essentially, Boys Town here was tle'lateatory where all Boys Town programs ware created and perfected.

The success of Omaha's program became the hallmark of Father Val Peter, who stretched the Boys Town mission. His vision was to serve troubled kids in New York, Texas, Florida, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and anywhere else where kids were hurting.

Our team set up the sites, contracted with social service agencies, brought in the kids, and monitored the programs.

JP: That sounds exhausting! When you speak about setting up the site, do you mean physically or programmatically?

Novicoff: Actually, we were involved in both aspects.

For example, in Washington, D.C., we dealt with the District government as well as the Department of Social Services, which had been placed in receivership. Jerry Miller was appointed as the receiver, so we also had to work with his office.

That led us to Shay Billchick, who now runs the Children's Welfare League of America, but was then head of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention office in the Department of Justice.

Through these associations and because of its existing excellent model, Boys Town established a program for female juvenile offenders which lowered the recidivism rate, the number of offenders who returned to jail—just one small example of the great work done by BTUSA then and now.

JP: So how did this experience prepare you for working in the world of Jewish education?

Novicoff: After being on the road for three

weeks of every month, promoted to Associated Executive Director of Boys Town USA, I too^ early retirement in January of 2000. I had essentially been "on call" for "24/7" since 1986. .". ' There's no doubt it was the most f ^ interesting experience anyone could have. Tomake a difference in the lives of children was truly living the mission of Boys Town!

When this job became available, I didn't quite realize then what I do now, how much of a marriage of educator and manager this position is.

(Continued on page 15)

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members of the House: Eric Cantor (R-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). And Jane Hannan (D-CA) returns to the seat she once held, after defeating Republican incumbent Steven Kuykendall.

Jody Wagner, daughter-in-law of Omahan Sylvia Wagner, narrowly lost the race for an open seat against Republican Guy Schrock in Virginia.

In the end, the selection of the next president of the United States came down in many ways to voters in heavily Jewish South Florida.

And in a major twist, the votes that might nave mattered most were the ones elderly Jews may have inadvertently cast for Pat Buchanan, the Reform Party candidate known for his anti-Israel and anti-Semitie statements.

Florida's 25 electoral votes hung in the balance throughout the night Tuesday, as both Al Gore and George W. Bush were declared Florida's winner at different points during the night. But state officials ordered a recount. Results of the outcome were not expected before Thursday.

At the center of it all were ballots in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, which have a large Jewish population. Although Jews made up only 5% of Florida's vote, a large bulk of the constituency was from that area, which includes many senior citizen communities.

Matthew E. Berger ofJTA contributed to this article.

At Work in the Fields the Righteous

by LEO ADAM BIGA, Special to the Jewish Press

For the past six years. in Chicago has taken an interest in the fihn,_proOmaha native Ben Nachviding financial (defrayman has documented the ing airfare expenses) never-before-told stories of and logistical (cutting Holocaust survivors, inif red-tape) support for cluding several Nebraska yiNachman's and Moehresidents, as well as the ' 'ring's work abroad. heroic efforts of European Swiss Consul General diplomats in rescuing Eduard Jaun, who is thousands of Jews during excited about the proWorld WarH. ject, said, "This will be To date, he has applied the first comprehensive his self-taught historical film about Latz. research skills to a pair As Nachjaan, 69j has of international projects dug .deeper and deeper - the Survivors of the -; into the Holocaust, Ms Shoah Visual History work has brought him Foundation and an interon close terms with surDr. Ben Nachman national committee workvivors and scholars and ing to bring worldwide made him an authority on the subject. recognition to the humanitarian work of the late While not a survivor himself, Nachman shares a Portuguese diplomat, Aristides de Souza Mendes. common Jewish heritage and legacy of loss. A More recently, New Destiny Films, a production company with offices in Omaha and Sarasota, FL, retired Omaha dentist, the Creighton University has engaged Nachman to research survivors and res- graduate began probing the Holocaust 30-plus years ago in a quest to understand what led 23 cuers for two documentaries now in development.

One film, which Nebraska Public Television may members of his family (grandparents, uncles, co-produce, profiles survivors who resettled in aunts, cousins) to become victims of Nazi genocide.

(Continued on page 10) Nebraska and forged successful lives here.

The other, which American Public Television is to INSIDE: distribute, focuses on the massive rescue of Jews ;(i£at the late Swiss diplomat to Hungary, Carl Lute, New Foundation fond < > Sing-a-longs accomplished amid the Nazi regime in Budapest.

The latter film, called Carl Lutz: Dangerous Women's Campaign cookbooks Diplomacy, is intended as the first in a series still available^. ~.~~~.«-«.~....page 1£ ("Hidden Heroes of the Holocaust") on rescuers.

Nachman and New Destiny's Mike Moehring of Omahans attend 6JL. M . MNMnMHH . M Omaha have traveled to Europe to conduct inter- Special Section o n Educat&i^amp«,i>fige IV views and pore over archives. The Swiss Consulate T e e s Afe H M «» n M M H m m m m m w M M i>a&e

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Mitzvah Munchkina, 9:15 a.m., at Chabad Public School Teacher Dinner & Service, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel C L

L SUNDAY, NOVEMBEJR 12 I "JFS Men's Forum, 9 a.m.» at the Wtamjot p Dr. Richard Freund Lecture, 10 &,tk., at Temple Men's Glub, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel * Chit(576, Noon, at Temple Israel g "Diadphne the Jewish Wayf 7 p;m.; ^it CHabad House A

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13

E Y E S P r o g r a m , 9:30 a . m ; .••;-".•-;:.:• :^:\-'

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JELS Lecture Series "The Ten Commandments," 7 : 3 0 p . m .

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBEIRU WRJ Meeting, Noon, at Temple Israel - , BBYO Night, 6 p.nv !

"Ancient Israel: An Historical Perspective," 7 p.m., at Temple Israel ;: ; t "Soul Searching through Hie Kabbalistic Ocean," 7 p.m., at Temple Israel v WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Torah Tots, 9:30 a.m., at the Chabad House p Beth Israel Lunch & Learn, with Rabbi Kutner, I Noon, at Noddle Development p OTYG Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel f Library Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. £ RBJH Family Night, 5:45 p.m.

E "Centering the Body and Mind," 7 p.m., at Temple

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The Refugee

JAMES (JIMMY) CAHN James Cahn of Sioux City, IA, formerly of Omaha, died Oct. 27 at the age of 79.

Parashat Lekh Lekha He was preceded in death by his sister, Pauline From one point of view, Abraham was a refugee Handleman; and brother-in-law, Harold Oruch. from Southwestern Mesopotamia. A refugee is Survivors include his wife, Jo of Sioux City; sissomeone who was obliged, and probably unwilling, ter, Ruth Oruch; sister and brother-in-law, Tootie to leave where he lived and go to wherever he and Mickey Simon; brother-in-law, Phil could find soil to rest his foot on. Abraham did not Handleman, all of Omaha; and nieces and know where he was to go, in what direction, how nephews. far away, or even whether he could count on being allowed to stay—someplace.

DOROTHY LEVTNE SCHEIER The difference was only this: that it was God who Services for Dorothy Schrier, 90, were held Nov. sent him away from home and family to "a place 8 at Temple Israel Cemetery. ,;#. that I will show you."

She was preceded in death by her husband, We are reminded again and again these days by Morris.

Bible scholars not to take Biblical passages literalSurvivors include son and daughter-in-law, Stan ly and not to rely on the Bible as history. That's all and Felicia Schrier; grandchildren, Jeffrey Schrier, right with me. I grant that Biblical narrative has Jill Folsom and Julie Ginsberg; five great-grandpassed through the sieve of oral narration for children; and nieces and nephews. many generations before a written account set the Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. story into a permanent record, no longer easily changed from one telling to the next.

Assuming that Abraham was actually a histori- Beth Israel Starts cal person, it was a considerable migration. For Abraham had flocks and herds and the necessary Shabbos House personnel to take care of them; and,his nephew by BETH COHEN, Executive Director—————.

Lot, who also had large holdings of the four-footed In an effort to add new opportunities for informal wealth of the time, accompanied him. Later the Jewish education, Beth Israel Synagogue is starttwo, Abraham and Lot, had to separate, since cen- ing "The Shabbos House." tral Canaan was not large enough for them both.

This idea is to give all school-age youth the Or, at least, so the story has it. opportunity to spend Shabbat afternoon together, The last remark is not totally irrelevant. Biblical to play games in an educational setting. The stories are not naive tales. There is considerable Shabbos House will invite community members to artistry in the Biblical narrative-in this case in lead one-hour educational sessions for the kids. noting what was deliberately omitted. In the first These sessions will focus not only on areas of forplace, why the exaggeration of the land not being mal Jewish studies, like learning about the Torah big enough for the two of them? After all, there portion of the week, but also age-appropriate seswere whole populations of people living there. sions on Jewish values, traditions and customs, What difference did it make to add two more fami- and how they are incorporated into everyday life. lies?

The Shabbos House is a monthly program open to In the second place, note that Abraham keeps all Jewish youth and held in Beth Israel members' looking for an heir. What's the matter with his homes. The first Shabbos House is at the home of own nephew, Lot, who keeps on the ground, never Donald and Maggie Gerber on Dec. 2,8-5 p.m. in offstage, to be on hand if inheritance comes up.

For more information on the Shabbos IIouso, or if And, further, note that Lot ends up-in Sodom, the you are interested in loading iin educational sesplace of sinners. If Lot was a good guy, why did he sion, contact Shabbos House chairman Harry seek to join, specifically, the company of the bad Berman at 558-2347. guys?

The Bible narrative mentions nothing of this.

But the reader is not supposed to be dumb. He is Bagels and Bible Group supposed to be alert and inquisitive and perceptive. He is coaxed into being a "critical" reader, not Offers Challenges a child listening to Jack and Jill.

And now, carry this whole bit into Jewish histo- and Comfort ry. Are we American Jews in a diaspora, are we by RABBI DEBBIE STIEL, Temple Israel still refugees? Is it the destiny of Jews to be Every Saturday morning from 9:80-10:15 a,m.( regugees from the first, from Abraham, down to 20-30 adults get together at Temple Israel for our own times? Has the establishment of Israel Bagels and Bible~a chance to delve into different changed all that? Lekh lekhal Get moving! Or are books of the Bible with Rabbis Azriel and Stiel. we Jews in the United States finally in a land Newcomers are always welcome. Beginners and where our roots are as good as anyone else's— those familiar with Bible study will all feel comfortexcept, of course, Native Americans. Jews born in the United States are "Native Americans." Do we able and challenged. Older children will enjoy these discussions, too! no longer inherit the role of the refugee?

This is an informal opportunity to eat bagels, shmooze and read some of the books of the Bible with which we may be less familiar.

Each study session is its own unit, so come when you can. "B & B" ends shortly before services so that those who wish to can join the Shabbat morning service.

Over the course of this year, we will study the books that are connected to upcoming holidays.

Between holidays, we will study some of the Minor Prophets. We will read Amos, Micah, Jonah, Ecclesiastes, Maccabees (extra-Biblical), Song of Songs and more.

by RABBI MYER S. KR1PKE —

It ail starts with Newspapers

341-2452

FROM f HE V V O R D I DEATHS

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All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the events. To keep calendar accurate or<for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

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^p>!/52)3t^ FRIDAY: Public School Teacher Shabbat, 7:80 p.m., Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Jennifer Blum will officiate. There will be simultaneous signing during the service. If you are hearing impaired and would like a seat reserved at the front of the santuary, please call the Temple office.The Oneg will be sponsored by parents of religious Bchool students.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, SfcSO-lOaS a-m.

Join us for the continued study of Ecclesiastes.

Services, 10:30 a.m. Benjamin Goldstrum will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, SUNDAY: Lecture, 10 a.m. Dr, Richard Freund returns to Omaha for this special lecture about "The Five Greatest (and least understood) Women of Jewish History: Deborah, Beruriah, Dona Gracia, Gluckel of Hameln and Golda Meir."

• • SITTER SERVICE Sitter service is available for Shabbat services each Friday evening and Saturday morning, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Cost is $2 per family. Please make a reservation. Sorry, there are no facilitiesforinfants.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, Nov. 14: "Soul Searching Through the Kabbalistic Ocean,1* 7-8J80 p.ra»s Professor Guy Ma talon will explore the realm of Jewish mysticism, from Biblical to modern times; "Ancient Israel: A Historical Perspective," 7-8*30 p.m.: Dr. Michael Walta is the leader of this group.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 15: Mldraahah Book Club, 10 a.m.-noon THURSDAY, Nov. 16; Adult study with the rab bis, 10-11:30 a,m. : Rabbi Azriol will focus on thf writings of the Scholars-in-Residence who will visii Tomple this year.

SHABBAT COMES TO YOU Friday, Nov. 17, 2 p,m. Rabbi Debbie Stiel will lead a Shabbat service at the Blumkin Home.

FAMOLY SERVICE Friday, Nov. 17,7$15 p»m, Jerry Kaye, Director of the Olin-Sang-Ruby Institute and.'gifted storyteller, is guest speaker. A Shabbat dinner will precede the service. For reservations, call 556-6536.

BEYT SHALOM An AITiliiilc ol (he •lew ish lii'i'dnslitK'tiiinisI IVdeiatinn

{1012 S. MfH.h St., P.O. Box 241 K5O, Omaha, NE <>8124-5130 phone: 758-J»2:!:t h(t|)://\velcoiiie.to/l>oytshalom/

FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m, SATURDAY: Shabbat services at the Rose Blumkin Home Chapel, 9 a.m.

SUNDAY: Religious School at the JCC. TUESDAY: Religious School at the JCC, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, Nov. 17: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:80 p,m.

ROSE B U M K l N JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Morning services led by Beyfc Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation, 9 a»m.

Members of the community are welcome.

Services are held in the Herbert Goldsten Chapel, followed by Kiddush. ; B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE •<»I8•Myiister Si., Council Bluffs, IA -

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FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Topic cHsiassion will be "Was Theodor Hortzl's dream offtJewish Homeland really a Nightmare?" Oneg and Kiddish will follow.

tiiPSlvit^ FRIDAY: Services, 7:80 p.m.

Office hours; Monday through Thursday, Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner.

Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4s55 p.m. The and Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael West Minyan is at the home of David and Janet Horwitz.

Kohll, 107 S. 128th Plz, 4:55 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m., FJRJDAYJ Services, 6 p.m.; Jacob Phillips, son Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; "Insights into of Julie and Eric Phillips, will become a Bar the Parsha," 4:15 p.m.; Mincha, 4:45 p.m.; Mitzvah on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush folHavdalah, 5:52 p.m. lowing services; Sitter service, 10 a.m.; K'tantan SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m., 4:50 p.m.

(K-3 grade), 10:45 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time (pre-K WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. and younger), 11 a.m,; Humash with Rashi study TUESDAY: Talmud class with Rabbi Kutner, session, 4:25 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah, 7:30 p.m.

4:55 p.m.

SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Perok Yomi "Read a CHABAD HOUSE Chapter a Day" group, 10:15 ajn. ( i l l l i c W o r l d w i d e ( hiilt.nl WEEKDAYS: Services at 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

SHABBAT SERVICE AND DINNER 18(5(1 So. 1,20th St., Omaha, NE(»ai4 I-UJ4G Third Friday Night Shabbat service and dinner Phont:: a;iO-18O() E-MAIL--chabad@aoi.coin will bo Nov. 17,6 p.m.

USY SBABBAT Members of USY will participate in services Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

Saturday morning, Nov. 18, with lunch following.

Monday-Friday, services, 7 a.m.

FRTOAYs Mitzvah Munchkins, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAYS Discipline the Jewish Wny, 7:30' : " • ' ...f IFERETH ISRAEL.;:;::?£ :''.;:$>8:30 p.m.

•MOIHIKT of t h e I'lHteit.Sy'iiagOgHe -.^ ; ' ^ MONDAY: Hebrew Rending for Adults, 0:80o f Con$e'i'ViV(;ive>lMfl(usiii.'i' '; ••.':,..-"'••••;•..

11 ajtn.

19 Slun-itlan 'Btvil., Lincoln, NE <:i8!»O2-523() 1

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TUESDAY: 613 Mitzvahs, 8-8:45 a.m.

WEDNESDAY; Torah Tot.H, 9:30-11 a.m.; The •Toy of Yiddmli, 7-8 p.m.

CONGREGATION EJ'NA! JESHURAN • souTiisTB5':ETXEivn;vU': IMI'IIIIH'I 1 <:»('(ho t n i o i l olWirii'rii'un M c l i i r w

20CJ.I. S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE 08502-279 135-8004 jewislmehraska.

Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

FREDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m, SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.-noon SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 a.m.; Open House at Rabbi Rosenbaum's, 1-5 p.m.

TUESDAY, Adult Education, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: AA Meeting in the library, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: New Beginnings, 7:80 p.m.

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: i 423.8569'•.•..4r:^:,V-^^".-;"v:^^:;:

Oifnv imurn: Mfniilay, Wccim-Mitcy, TliJi^rlri-. m.ii

Fruliiy, 2-4 p.m. Nrrvirri: conilurfod l»y Rnbbi tstuuloy M, HoKCiibuujii. Miujan ou Monday & Thursday, 7:19 «.m, FRIDAY: Services, 8 p,m, SATURDAY: Services, 0:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:15 A.m.; Lunch, and Learn with Rachael Gaba, "Growing Up Jewish in Australia."

THURSDAY: Healthy Living Series with Dr. Mel Hoffman, 7:80 p.m. The topic is "Asthma."

JEWISH PRESCHOOL Preschool is twice a month. For more information, call Elyza Richmon Halev at 435-6230.

BAT MITZVAH

Chelsea Rose Taxman, daughter of Jeffrey and Sherry Taxman, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Nov. 18 at Temple Israel.

A seventh-grade honor

by LOYE JAEGER student at Westside For many, past holiday celebrations can be hauntMiddle School, she plays ing. Remembering family and friends intermingled I he piano and oboe, enjoys with childhood memories cun bring on the blues. singing, swimming, drawEach holiday season brings with it myriad dileming and spending time mas. Should you and your family attend the holiday with her friends, on-line gatherings and should you purchiiBe gifts for your arid in person.

•Christian side of the family?

For her MiUvah project, All these situations and thoughts ctm create Chelsea is raising awaremixed feelings for you and your family. Join Rabbi I' v ness about Xeroderma V Debbie Stiel and Sally Kaplan, L.C.S.W., on Pigmentosum and raising funds for the camp sponSunday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel for a sored by the XP Society, Gamp Sundown.

In addilook at the holiday season and how to handle those tion, she is sharing her apecial day with thoughts and feelings.

Aleksandra Galitsky, a young girl in Latvia.

Attendees will explore ways in which to cope Chelsea has two sisters, Lindsey and Whitney, with the "December dilemma" issues under our and a brother, Ben. roofs and within extended families.

Grandparents are Barbara and Marvin Taxman This program is open to anyone who has encounand the late Harry and Lydia Foster. tered "December Reds, Greens and Blues" and ia sponsored by Outreach at Temple Israel.

Outreach is also sponsoring a Shabbat dinner on Friday, Dee. 8, 6:30 p.m., prior to the 8 p.m. worship service with puost speaker Rabbi Eugeno Borowite.

For reservations ami iuformiition, call Tomple at 556-6536.

The'December Reds, Greens and Blues'

November 10,2000

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 4

EDITORIAL

What if?

(Editor's note; one of the challenges in publishing a weekly newspaper is the inability to be timely. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the votes in Florida, on which the outcome of this Presidential election hinges, had not yet been recounted. Regardless of who becomes our next President, the good news is that this election proved that every vote really does count..and it reversed the long downward trend of voter participation when more than 100 million voters cast their ballots in the closest election in American history.)

One of the issues facing our next President and this country will be education...and since this issue is our annual salute to Education and Camps, let's focus on the challenges we face as a Jewish community.

First the grood news: Omaha is blessed to have rabbis who cooperate, supportive Federation leadership and staff (both financially and programmatically), and a new Executive Director of Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS) who has great ideas and the will and energy to develop and implement them.

Additionally, the Jewish community here is interested in more than just formal education. .That's evidenced by support for such innovative programs as ARTZA, the teen trip to

Dry Bones

Israel, and the increase in the number and variety of adult education offerings by synagogues, JELS, OCTL, JFS and the JCAC. Now the bad news; our young people don't know each other. Membership in the synagogue youth groups and BBYO is down and there are no opportunities for all of our Jewish youth in this community (and with Lincoln) to socialize and learn together.

The rabbis and the professional directors of the Federation agencies are meeting today to address just that issue. Members of this community muat reinforce the idea that bringing our Jewish youth together is more important than turf and ideology. Common ground must be found; programmatic ideas must be supported and funded in order to ensure that our youth remain committed to Judaism and this community.

• We're on the right track in many areas, from providing B'nai Mitzvah grants to attend Jewish camps and $1000 grants to participate in teen trips to Israeli We must expand that to college-age students, too.

And finally, we must educate, train and support our teachers, our number one resource. If we are to remain the People of the Book, education should be our highest priority.

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Lieberrnan Not a Major Factor as Jews Vote — and Speak Out

by Peter Ephross

NEW YORK (JTA)-Yair Nadiv, a Republican from the Detroit suburb of Huntington Woods, MI, had just done something he'd never done before: He voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.

The dual citizen of Israel and the United States believes that with the Middle East in turmoil, U.S. policy should not be in the hands of an amateur in foreign affairs.

Al Gore is more experienced, "shows more intelligence, and his commitment to Israel seems very, very strong'," said Nadiv, 40, whose youngest child, his prayer shawl fringes dangling from his shirt, accompanied his dad from the polling area.

"I voted basically my conscience as a Jewish man first." Nadiv said he would have voted for Gore with or without the Vice-president's Jewish running mate, Joseph Lieberman.

In fact, Nadiv is convinced that Lieberman would be faced with conflicting loyalties because his decisions would have to be based on the U.S. Constitution and not on his values as an Orthodox Jew. Nadiv was not alone in his vote.

In interviews across the country—in Los Angeles, South Florida, the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, as well as in suburban Detroit-Jewish voters mostly expressed their support for the Gore-Lieberman ticket, although some did back Republicans George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

And while many voters expressed their pride that Lieberman, one of their own, had a shot at the vice presidency, his historic candidacy did not appear to be a major factor in their decision-making.

In Los Angeles, the voting lines at the polling places in the heart of West Hollywood's Russian community spilled out into the streets. The immigrants, many newly minted American citizens exercising their voting rights for the first time, turned out in force—and almost unanimously for the Democratic standard-bearer.

Indeed, if voting had been restricted to the nearly 6,000 Russian Jews in West Hollywood, Gore would have won almost unanimously.

Leonid Shvartz, pointing to his elderly parents, said the preservation of Social Security swung him

T l u J E W I S H PRESS"

backed Gore, there were no such mixed feelings to Gore, who he believes is "close to us."

"Everybody is for Gore," said Dimitri Olshansky, about the state's U,S, Senate race, which pitted .an emigre from Belarus, who was sitting on a first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton against sunny park bench, watching a dominoes game. Republican Rep, Rick Lazio.

"He's strong for Social Security. Also, his Vice-presSigns reading "Save NY-Stop Hillary" were plasident is Jewish." tered on lampposts and street signs, as were others In South Florida, however, traditionally a Jewish exhorting Jewish voters to recognize that stronghold, Gore appeared to still be haunted by "Pikuach Nefesh" or the Jewish interdiction to save the ghost of Clinton's indiscretions. Jews are a life, required Jews to vote for Lazio "for the safety known for turning out to vote in large numbers and of our brethren" in Israel. for their strong opinions--and Mildred Ross, who Many df these voters oppose President Clinton's lives in the Century Village retirement community policies in the Middle East, and the first lady herin West Palm Beach, FL, did not mince words when self riled many in the Jewish community last year discussing her feelings about Gore. when she failed to respond immediately to allega"I hate him, because he's just like" his boss, she tions made in her presence by Suha Arafat, wife of said, using a derogatory word for President the Palestinian Authority president, that Israel Clinton. But Rose Dunsky, also of Century Village, poisoned the Palestinian population's water supply. was proud of lieberman's candidacy.

Clinton later said she did not receive a proper While spreading peanut butter on matzah for the translation of Arafat's remarks. frail elderly at the local JCC's kosher meals site, The Middle East became one of the major issues Dunsky discussed the prospect of seeing the first in the campaign. Both candidates aggressively purJewish vice president. sued the Jewish vote, and Clinton returned $50,000 Her eyes twinkling, she said, "It's important for raised for her campaign by a U.S. Muslim group the future. Now children will see that anyone — any whose leader reportedly supports the use of armed minority—can be president, that their being a force against Israel by Palestinians. minority won't get in the way."

But Clinton had many Jewish supporters outside In Brooklyn's Crown Heights, outside P.S. 321, Forest Hills High School in Queens, N.Y., a large where Lubavitch voters—the men in beards and red brick colonial building, one block away from an black hats, the women in long skirts-voted along- intersection officially designated as "Holocaust side the neighborhood's sizeable African-American Memorial Corner," where a Jewish community cencommunity, presidential sentiment favored Bush ter and synagogue stand. over Gore. But many people expressed unhappiness Douglas Aronin, who said he is active in the about both candidates.

Union for Traditional Judaism, said the criticisms "Gore is in with the Arabs and the first thing Bush of Clinton were "overblown" and that her opponent, did was declare Jesus Day," one hasidic male voter, Lazio, never "put forward any positive reasons to who preferred to remain anonymous, said, referring vote for him." to a day celebrated in Texas and other states. Nor did No one said the appointment of a Jewish viceLieberman's observant Judaism appear to sway any presidential candidate had factored into their of these fervently Orthodox voters. choice, although some said they feared it would Daniel Cohen, 28, said he likes Lieberman, but is hurt Gore with non-Jewish voters. worried that he might interfere in Israeli politics.

(JTA managing editor Howard Lovy in "At a time of crisis in Israel, we want to see some- Detroit, staff writer Julie Wiener in New York one less involved in foreign policy and more and JTA correspondents Tom Tugend in Los involved in domestic policy."

Angeles and Tom Brodigan in South Florida But if some of the voters in Crown Heights contributed to this report.)

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Editorials express Ihe view of the writer and arc not nocosaarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jcwiah Federation of Omaha or lite Omaha Jewish Community as a whole TIHS Jewish IVOSH reserves the right to csdil lettwn and articled for apace and content The Jewish PI-CMS in not responsible for thci Kadhrulii of any product or establishment.

November 10,2000

There is an Alternative

LETftR T® f H i IDITCIR To the Editor; Each day seems to bring a tale of new medical miracles. Yet promising development in medicine also presents new ethical and religious challenges.

Judaism has a distinguished tradition of confronting and debating the moral implications of medical advances and addressing their religious significance.

Today, organ transplantation represents an incredible lifesaving endeavor that can pull people from near death to an independent normal life. In the United States today, there are 72,000 people waiting for an organ transplant. In Nebraska, more than 440 are waiting. Of these patients, nationally about 6500 will die before a donor organ becomes available and a transplant performed.

The failure for individuals to sign a donor card or tell family members they have agreed to organ donation is often a result of misconceptions. Organ procurement agencies have long noted that members of certain groups are often reluctant to donate because of religious objections.

Although this trend is common among a number of groups, the Jewish community has stood out among them. In the U.S., when asked to be donors, about 60% of the families consent but only about 5% of Orthodox Jews do so, and the record for Reform and Conservative Jews is not much better.

This trend in America is reinforced by Israel's donor rate of just nine in a million, one of the lowest rates worldwide.

Traditionally, it has been assumed that Jews do not donate because of religious reasons, (however) a recent article, Barriers to Organ Donation in the Jewish Community, gives (different) results. In a survey of the Jewish community in Toronto, only 17% of those surveyed had signed donor cards; 80% thought Jewish law prohibited organ donation and 60% (74% of Reform Jews) indicated they had been taught this. Just half surveyed said they would seek a rabbi's advice before signing a donor card.

And finally, 92% stated they would be willing to receivo a donated organ if in need.

Unfortunately, not yearly as mrmy Jaws haves donated organs as have benefited from them.

Jewish teachinga not only allow organ donation, but there may actually be an obligation. Whatever your personal decision, the most important thing to do is to tell your loved ones. In recognition of National Donor Sabbath, Nov. 10-12, I encourage your support for this life-saving cause.

AlanN, Lattfipnas, D.O., Professor of Surgery Chief, Transplantation Section University of Nebraska Medical Center

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their own.

Once Israelis reconcile themselves to these unalterable truths, their alternative to diplomacy becomes clear, even self-evident, and it is neither new nor exotic.

It consists basically of a return to the approach of the pre-Oslo era, when Israelis understood two facts: (1) the great majority of Arabs want Israel to be militarily destroyed and (2) the only way to change their minds is by showing that this goal has no chance of succeeding—in fact, pursuing it leaves the Arabs impoverished and weakened, without severely damaging Israel.

This, called the policy of deterrence, dominated Israeli thinking during the country's first forty-five years, 1948-93, and it worked well. Recognizing' Israel's immutabili ty, for example, was what prompted Anwar as-Sadat to give up military confrontation and fly to Jerusalem in 1977.

Trouble waB, even as deterrence visibly wore down the Arab will to destroy Israel, it more subtly but no less certainly also wore down the Israeli will. Deterrence being slow, erratic, and passive, not to speak of expensive and indirect, it is hard to sustain for decades. Eventually, Israelis became impatient for a quicker and more active approach.

That impatience brought on the Oslo accords in 1993, in which Israelis initiated more creative and active stops to end the conflict. So totally did deterrence disappear from the Israeli vocabulary, it is today not even considered when policy options are discussed, leading to the widespread perception that there is "no alternative* to diplomacy.

Israelis will turn to deterrence only when they conclude that mom exciting solutions have failed them. Sadder but wiser, they will rediscover the one policy that has stood them well: deterrence.

The sooner that happens, the loss damage they will Buffer, In retrospect, tlio 1090s will bo aci'ii us Israel's loot decade, thp Unit!) when the fruits of earlier yearn were squandered, when the country's security repressed.

The history books will portray Israel at this time, like Britain and France in the 1930s, as a place under the sway of illusion, where dreams of avoiding war in fnct sowed the seeds of the next conflict.

Daniel Pip?s is Director of ike Philadelphiabaaed Middle East Forum and can be reached at: Pipes@MEForum.org.

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"There is no alternative," says the Barak government, explaining why it plans a return to the bargaining table with Yasser Arafat. "In the end, the diplomatic way is what will win out," declares Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami. Similarly, an editorial in Ha'aretz declares that a military power cannot deal with Palestinian violence; the "realistic solution is to move toward coexistence, based on compromises and negotiated agreements." Sui~vey research finds that a healthy majority of Israelis agrees that there is no alternative to diplomacy.

But there is an alternative—not an exciting or particularly attractive one, to be sure, but one that does address the country's strategic problem.

That alternative, by the way, is not the "unilateral separation" that the Barak government has floated, and which can be summed up as "us here and them there." Unilateral separation means imposing borders of Israel's choosing between its population and the Palestinians; in Barak's colorful formulation, it sees Israel as "a villa located in a jungle."

Barak's own analogy points to the reason that separation cannot work; a villa in the jungle cannot survive for long. Similarly, Israel cannot find true security in walls. Even if walls did work against the Palestinian Authority (an unlikely prospectthink of southern Lebanon), they do not at all address the threats posed by Israel's many other enemies - the Arab population within the country, the governments of Syria and Iraq, and Arabs and Muslims around the world.

Separation suffers from another flaw: like the Oslo negotiations, it falsely assumes that Israel can take the initiative to make the key decisions of war and peace. Israelis cannot begin to deal with the threat confronting them until they realize that such decisions are made not in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv but in Cairo, Gaza, Amman, and DamriHcuH. The conflict, in other words, will «nd only when Arabs accept tho permanent existence of a sovereign Jewish state in their midst; not when Israeli decide it should bo over.

This fact cloarly frustrates Israelis, who aro eager to put their century-long conflict with Arubs behind them, But they cannot on their own do this.

They can only try to encourage Arabs to put it behind. They cannot force Arabs to reach this conclusion, only indirectly induce them to do so on

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November 10,2000

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..'..-.• .', .. . Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Exercise with our new instructor, Stacey Paskert, Personal Trainer, at 10:30 a.m. The exercise class is free.

Try your luck at bingo with Eileen Remer at 10:15. a.m. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk" at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon, "The Amazing Arthur", a professional juggler, balloon artist and yo-yo artist, will perform. For transportation, call .330-4272. ! Make reservations by Nov. 13 for Thanksgiving Day Party on Nov. 20. Bluffs Run Casino on Nov. 30. Deadline is Nov. 23. Call Maggie Conti, Adult Program Director, at 334-6521.

VISIONS Reminder: Membership Luncheon Meeting is Friday, Nov. 17, 12:30 p.m., at Venice Inn. Cost is now $7.50 per person. Mary Maxwell is the guest speaker. For reservations, mail form by Nov. 10 to Marvin Gerber, 9318 Walnut St., Omaha, NE 68124.

Do a Mitzvah for Visions Mitzvah Program: We are asking members for a monetary donation for Jewish Family Service, to be used for Jewish families who are in need. Please bring your gift to the luncheon or send check to Marcel and Use Kahn, 1011 N. 148th St., Omaha, NE 68154. Make checks payable to JFS.

Mary Maxwell, well known humorist who has often been described as the "funniest woman in Omaha," will speak at the Visions Membership Luncheon Meeting on Friday, Nov. 17, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. For information, call Wally Elkon at 551-6656, or Marvin Gerber at 391-5952. Deadline is today.

IN THE NEWS

The Omaha Theater Company for Young People's Teens 'N Theater group has cast Angela Friedman in their current production Little Women. Angela is the daughter of Scott and B'NAI B'RITH BREADBREAKERS Debbie Friedman.

David Kotok, Political writer for the Omaha The play will be performed Saturday, Nov. 11 at World-Herald, will speak at B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers on Wednesday, according to Gary 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Javitch. He will discuss the implications of the Hitchcock Theater on the fifth floor of the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center located at 2001 recent election.

B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers meets every Farnam Street. Tickets are $5 and are available at Wednesday at noon. The program is open to the the door. community. Cost for lunch $9; for beverage service Tuesday Musical presents pianist Frederic only, $2.

Chiu on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m., at the Witherspoon Concert Hall at Joslyn Art Museum.

B'NAI B'RITH HENRY MONSKY LODGE The Lodge kicks off the Enlighten America pro- Chui's appearance is the second of the 2000-2001 gram on Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, 5 p.m., by asking concert series. For ticket information, call 551-2234 members to turn on their porch lights to spotlight or 551-4805.

America's founding principles of equality and Among the 40 high school students selected for mutual respect, according to Lodge President Gary Javitch. B'nai B'rith will also sponsor a national the 2000-2001 class of Youth Leadership Omaha youth art and essay contest, stressing quality over are: Andrew Malashock, son of Larry and Diane Malashock; Daniel Morris, son of Dr. Allen and prejudice, civic harmony over violence.

For more information, call Gil Cohen, Chairman Cindy Morris; and Renata Yurikov, daughter of Arthur and Galine Yurikov. of Enlighten America, 558-5960.

Students selected by the program of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce have been identi' AMIT fied as youth with leadership potential who are the Hatikvah Kalah Franklin Chapter is holding interested in community leadership. a brunch on Sunday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m., in the Livingston Plaza Club Room. DeDe Salkin is the The Blue Barn Theater announced its Grand featured speaker. She .will talk about being aware and listening to our bodies. Learn about her per- Re-opening with the production of The Swan by Elizabeth Egloff. The show runs from Thursday sonal experience when her son, Jeff, was ill.

Cost is $5. Call Marion Strauss for reservations through Sunday, 7:30 p.m., and opens Nov. 16 and runs through Dec. 10 (no performance on at 558-2646.

Thanksgiving). Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations or inforOMAHA (CENTER FOR TORAH IJEARNING mation, call 345-1576, or visit Blue Barn's website: SATURDAY, NOV. 11, 3:30 p.m., a class on the www.bluebarn.org weekly Torah portion meets at Rabbi Levin's home 2001 N. 56th.

TUESDAY, NOV.14* 7 pan,,Beit Midrash with OLDTIMERS/Y.E.S REVIEW Chabad meets at the Chabad house. n ,, 1 WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15, 12-1 pan., Lunch 'n by ART GROSSMAN It's a firmly established fact that senior learn meets in the JCC library (bring a lunch.) The topic will be "How do we know that turkey is Americans are regular voters. Hence, at our Oct. kosher? Which species are o.k. and which are not?" 30 get together's Early Bird, discussion centered on Talmud class meets at Beth El to study Tractate dissecting an official voter's ballot which incorporated national, Nebraska, county and Omaha balShabbat at 7 p.m.

For more information on OCTL activities, call lots for the Nov. 7 general election. For the past few meetings, members were urged to obtain Rabbi Levin at 551-1564. absentee ballots, In fact, it was mentioned that Oregon and NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN Omaha Section's Monthly Education Series pre- Washington state have established vote-by-mail. sents the second program of informative lectures, Washington still gives people a choice but predicts "Infusing Our Everyday Lives With Spirituality" more than half the ballots will be cast by mail.

We greeted our guest speaker, Rabbi Shlomo with Rabbi Debbie Stiel on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 11:30 a.m., at the Market Basket in Countryside Levin, Director of Omaha Center for Torah Learning.

Plaza. For information or reservations, call Susie Having lived in Israel for a number of years, Rabbi Norton at 334-0243.

Levin's discourse encompassed a learned review of Israel's social and religious issues. He acknowledged Israel was closer to peace than it has ever been until the recent disastrous collapse.

We stood in reverent respect in memory of Harry Altsuler. if,

November 10,2000

Enjoy a Taste of the Jewish Community with The Untested Cookbook

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Series to Explore Mid-East History, Geography, Politics

by DIANE AXLER BAUM - — — — Wondering where, exactly, are A limited number of copies of The lect recipes used for the baked goods these places they're fighting about in Untested Cookbook are for sale served at the event quickly evolved the Middle East? Wishing you had through the Jewish Federation of into a community recipe collection. more knowledge of Israel's history To purchase a copy of The Untested Omaha. The cookbook contains 160 and better understanding of the intriCookbook, please contact Kathy recipes, from appetizers to desserts, from members of the Omaha Jewish McGauvran, Women's Campaign cate Israeli political system?

If you've answered "yes," help is on community. It also contains holiday Director, 334-6427. the way, thanks to a trilogy of inforrecipe is and is mation sessions scheduled for Nov. priced at $10.

16 and 30 and Dec. 7. Each will take The idea for place at the JCC at 7:30 p.m. the cookbook The first two sessions will bring came from the together a number of knowledgeable 2001 Women's Omahans, several of them natives of Campaign Event Israel, in a panel and moderator forCommittee: mat. Their presentation will be folSheryn Joffe and 2001 ( lowed by questions from the audience Women's her daughters, Pivision The final session will feature a speSuzanne Pocras Event cial guest speaker. and Andrea SieAt the opening session, Nov. 16, gel. What began presenters will include Prof, Larry as a way to colKaful, of Creighton University Law School, Prof. Rami Arav, of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Rabbi Shlonao Levin. With the aid of visuals, they will provide an overview of the current fighting. They will then explore a number of related issues: the location of Palestinian settlements, the geographic challenges faced by those who wont to nmke an iiulnpendenl Palestinian state, and the basis for Israel's argument that

by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director

Among the more than 300 women who attended the women's 2001 Campaign event last month were: Kimberly Robinson, left, Jennifer Meyer son, Heidi Schneiderman, Lori Sullivan, Stacey Rockman,

Lori Miller and Andi Friedlander Scioli. Close to $400,000 was raised at the event, which featured National Public Radio personality Susan Stambcrg,

loss of this territory would jeopardize its "strategic depth."

At the second session, Nov. 80, the focus will be on Israel's parliamentary system, the old and new system of voting, Mid-East political jargon, and Israel's political parties and leading political figures, especially in regard to their perspectives on the peace process.

To conclude the trilogy, on Dec. 7 participants will be brought up to date on the peace process by looking at such matters as the Oslo accords and other past agreements, ongoing security arguments, differences in ideology, and the recent outbreak of violence.

The series will provide a follow up to the community lecture given earlier this week by Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, a leading political analyst and a professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History and Israeli Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Both Stein's appearance, and the forthcoming series, represent cooperation between Jewish Educational and Library S&rvices and the Omaha Center for Torah Learning.

More information on the series is available from the JELS office at 3346445, or the OCTL at 551-1664.

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November 10,2000

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Every Tuesday afternoon at the Rose Blumkin Ernie, who attends sing-a-long almost every week, Jewish Home (RBJH), about 40 residents walk or are insisted on naming the fund in honor of Janet. "Ernie wheeled into the tea room for the weekly hour-long h a s an excellent voice," according to Janet.

Midway through sing-a-long. sing-a-long, Ernie Volunteers pass out typically, takes time song books, and then out to tell a few some serious singing Yiddish stories. begins. Volunteers Ernie believes in help lead the harmo"paying dues to the nizing and assist community for some of the residents what the communito turn the pages of ty does for you." the books.

Janet agreed that "I love it!" said resiby establishing the dent Bess Rothendowment, "we enberg. "It's the best are paying some program they have "\\ dues for the good here," she added. " I t life we have." brings back so many After the Sing-amemories."

Long Fund accumuTo get started each , _, . . „ . , lates $10,000, if some i ,1 J a n e t and Ernie wintroub of the annual net income in any fiscal year is not heedweek, the group sings old-time American favorites. Then the blue ed for a commercial or professional pianist, the unused books are passed out and Yiddish replaces English amount may be expended for other purposes as long lyrics. The hour always ends with "Hava Nagila" as they benefit residents of the Home, Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director of Jewish and a little horah dancing.

Among the volunteers who assist at the sing-a- Senior Services, said, "Ernie and Janet know how long are Ernie and Janet Wintroub who have been much the residents love sing-a-long, because the two active L.O.V.E. (League Offering Volunteers for the of them are always here making it lively and fun," To Elderly) volunteers since the days when they read the residents' delight, Gottlieb added, the Wintroubs to the residents, played cards, and socialized at the "give out lots of smiles, kisses and hugs," Married in 1947 at Beth El Synagogue, the Dr. Philip Sher Home. The Wintroubs originally Wintroubs raised four children: Bruce, Frank, Beth became involved in L.O.V.E. through Janet's close friend, Lee Jane Parsow who, along with Miriam and John, all of whom now live in other states. Six Simon, started L.O.V.E. in 1971. Ernie and Janet grandchildren have been added to the family in have been involved in the sing-a-long croaram for recent years. In addition to L.O.V.E,, Ernie has been active with the Mid-America Council of the Boy more than 10 years.

Anne Joseph, Blumkin Home Activity Director, Scouts; Monsky Chapter of B'nai B'rith; the agrees with the Wintroubs that the sing-a-long, American, Nebraska and Omaha Bar Associations; sponsored by L.O.V.E., is "the best attended activity and he served as president of Beth El Synagogue as at the Home." Usually held in the auditorium, the well as chairman of the local Anti-Defamation melodious voices have been rising froin the tearoom League/Community Relations Committee. while the auditorium has been undergoing a facelift.

Janet Wintroub is a member of the National Ernie Wintroub, former owner of Omaha Lace Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah and Brandeis Laundry and an attorney, said, "The residents real- University National Women's Committee. She has ly get a lift" from the singing. His wife, who also worked oh the Women's Division of the Federation operated the dry cleaning business for 25 years, Campaign and served as vice president of Beth El pointed out that "some of the residents are uncom- Sisterhood. Both Wintroubs served on the original municative until they hear the singing and then Fabric Advisory Board of the Better Business Bureau, they know all the words! Music does something to Marty Ricks, Director of The Foundation of the people," observed Janet.

Jewish Federation, commented that he enjoyed Currently, Art Goldstein, who lives at t h e working with "wonderful people like Ernie and Blumkin Home, plays the piano to accompany the Janet on this worthwhile fund. It's been great to singing. Other volunteer accompanists have been get to know the parents of my former Central High Yale Trustin, Leo Meyerson, Esther Wax and Pam classmate, Bruce, their oldest son."

Cohn. However, sometimes sing-a-long had to be Ricks also noted that although the Wintroubs canceled for lack of a pianist. brought the sing-a-long fund idea to him, others So the Wintroubs recently set up a new endowment who want to establish endowments but are in need fund with The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of suggestions for projects to endow are welcome to "to pay a commercial or professional pianist to play call him at The Foundation office (334-6440) to set the piano at the weekly RBJH sing-a-long whenever up a meeting to discuss the possibilities. a volunteer pianist is unavailable."

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November .10,2000

Ethiopian Jews Still Wait to Enter Israel

Israeli School Experiment on Space Shuttle Columbia HAIFA and NEW YORK, N.Y.-Israel's youngest submitted experiments. In Israel, the Asher Space scientists are taking chemistry to new heights, Research Center at the Technion, the Ministry of with an experiment to be conducted aboard the Education and the Space Agency fund STARS. U.S. space shuttle Columbia STS 107 next year.

The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is Their prize-winning entry, "Chemical Garden," will Israel's leading scientific and technological center examine how certain chemicals grow in space. The for applied research and education. It commands a chemicals they chose create blue and white crys- worldwide reputation for its pioneering work in tals, Israel's .. •"' computer scinational colors. ;. / ence, biotechnol"The eighth and • ; "."' , water reninth grade stu; source managedents from the » i* - ' " •' ment, materials Yonathan Netanengineering, yahu Ort Motzkin aerospace and Middle School, medicine. The north of Haifa, majority of the chose magnesium founders and and calcium bemanagers of Iscause when rael's high-tech grown in a chemicompanies are cal solution, they Technion graducreate blue and ates. The Teehwhite crystals, 8 t l a n d 9 t h 1 nion's 19 faculwhich made the O r*t tf "*"*®students from the Yonathan Netanyahu ties and 30 reexperiment all ro] Motzkin Middle School stand with Yigal Komem and ^"arcT"centers the more excit- P f« Eli Kolodny, and institutes in ing," said Yigal Komem, a professor at the Technion- Haifa are home to 13,000 students tmd 700 faculty Israel Institute of Technology, who is supervising members. the project with Prof. Eli Kolodny. The first Israeli Baaed in New York City, the American Technion astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon, now training at Society (ATS) is the loading American organization NASA, will administer "Chemical Garden" aboard supporting higher education in Israel. The ATS has Columbia. raised a total of $776 million since its inception in According to Komem, "the students observed that 1940, more than half of that during the last eight solid fibers grown on Earth sprout upward, oppo- years. A nationwide membership organization with site to the earth's gravity. They want to know how more than 20,000 supporters and 17 offices around they will grow in space where there is almost zero the country, the ATS is driven by the belief that gravity," the economic future of Israel is in high technology The project is part of Washington D,C,-based and the future of high technology in Israel is at the Spacehab Inc.'s Space Technology and Research Technion. Technion societies nro located in 24 Students (STARS), Students from several countries countries around tho. world,

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While hyenas prowl the back alleys of Addis Ababa, 26,000 Ethiopian Jews wait desperately to join their families in Israel, according to Barbara Ribakove Gordon, Executive Director of the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry (NACOEJ). Gordon recently returned from Addis Ababa and Gondar Province and described the conditions as "horrifying."

Although the devastating drought that parched Ethiopia put eight million people at risk has recently been relieved by recent rains, months will pass before crops can be planted and harvested.

NACOEJ provides meals six days a week to the 5000 Jewish children attending classes there.

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He read voraciously, eventually amassing a personal library of thousands of books. He began corresponding with some of the authors of those books.

The more he found out about those dark events of the Second World War, the more drawn he was to the personal stories of survivors and rescuers.

His initial search was personal, following what few leads there were of his ill-fated family in Europe. His parents, who immigrated here in the early part of the last century, were from the former Ukrainian town of Kolomyya, which prior to the German invasion was part of Poland. Except for two uncles who survived in camps, all his relatives abroad perished.

According to Nachman, Kolomyya was once home to .40,000 citizens, including 20,000 Jews. At the time of the Nazi occupation, Jews from outlying areas were rounded-up and forced to live in two overcrowded ghettos within the town.

He said some 55,000 Jews were interred there and "as best we can find, there are only 200 sur< vivors" today.

Nachman has unearthed few details about what happened. The skimpy facts he does know came from an uncle who survived a Siberian labor camp.

"I know only my grandfather was murdered in a forest outside of that town (Kolomyya) and my grandmother was murdered in her bed. I spent about a year trying to find some of the 200 survivors and I finally did. I phoned them; I wrote them letters, I did everything I could to try and piece together a story, but I've never really pieced together much of one.

"In all my contacts, I've only had one occasion when someone remembered a member of my family. It was a man in Chicago, and when I showed him a picture of my grandfather, he said, 'Joseph Nachman, The Parquetnik,' which referred to the fact my grandfather laid parquet floors" in the Old Country.

Determined to visit Kolomyya in the hope of uncovering more clues, Nachman pestered the Cultural Attache at the then-Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., to seek entry into what was a Soviet-controlled and, therefore, restricted region.

In 1988, he and his wife were granted permission to visit, but only allowed a few hours on-site.

"We got to the Jewish cemetery there; it was in the most disastrous condition. Some graves were open clear down to the caskets. Some caskets were decayed to the point you could see bones within them. There was a huge mound in the middle of this cemetery, and that's where several hundred people had been killed on the spot and put into a mass grave. I looked up, and there was a lady with a few goats feeding in the cemetery. She put her hand on the side of her face and shook her head as if she realized how terrible this must have been to me," he said.

Dissatisfied by the brief visit he was accorded, he vowed to return one day. After the Soviet Union fell, he did return in 1992, accompanied by his daughter, and enjoyed freer access.

"We found the cemetery had been totally dug up.

Any Jewish records in this town had been destroyed. At our escort's suggestion, we went to the local Catholic church, where she thought there might be duplicate records. We were able to find the birth certificate of a cousin bom in November, 1940, and murdered late in '41 or early in '42.1 got a copy of the certificate and had it translated.

"That's the only remnant I've ever been able to find of my family."

His attempts at tracing the tragedy brought him face to face with the bleak reality of a terrible past now largely buried or forgotten.

"My daughter and I walked into the forest where my grandfather was forced to dig bis own grave and we saw several mounds of earth that I'm sure represented thousands of people. There were no markers.

The survivors and their families were finally given permission to put up a memorial in 1993.1 was asked to go back, but I didn't. I didn't want to.

"An uncle once told me, You should never go back. There is nothing to see.' And after having been back twice, I agree," he said.

"The memorial erected there was originally inscribed with the words: 'Here in this spot, several thousand Jews were murdered by the Nazis.' After several months, the Ukrainians took that inscription down and changed it to read: 'Several thousand Ukrainians were killed here.'"

"So, you see, they really managed to erase any traces of what happened."

His trip did yield one bonus when he and Sen, Jim Exon (D-NE.) aided 10 Russians in obtaining long-refused exit visas. The Russians immigrated to the United States, The Shoah Project The opportunity of helping collect a permanent record of Holocaust stories convinced Nachman to participate in the Shoah Foundation's five-year project videotaping survivor testimonies. From 1995 to 1998, he was un official intox-viewcr for the Los Angeles-based Foundation, which filmmaker Steven Spielberg started shortly after completing Schindler's List, the Oscar-winning film credited with sparking a revival of interest in the Holocaust.

For the Shoah project, Nachman conducted exhaustive interviews with 70 survivors in the Midwest. Videographers captured the sessions on tape. His work introduced him to individuals who, despite immeasurable losses, have continued embracing life.

He feels privileged to have been in the presence of men and women who have borne the burden of a lost generation with such grace, "I built up a tremendous love affair with the survivors," Nachman said. "They're a wonderful bunch of people. They've endured a great deal. They live with what happened every day of their lives, yet hatred is not there-and they've got every reason in the world to hate. They're the most morally correct people I've ever found. They're my heroes."

(Continued on page 11)

For more information about the Holocaust, (survivors, rescuers, education and related matters), contact Beth Seldin-Dotan at the Holocaust Resource Center, 333-1303, a project of the Great Plains Region Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Council.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

At Work in the Fields (Continued from page 10) "<« <« ""» " * • Filmmaker Mike Moehring, who taped many of in finding safe passage for 10,000 orphaned chilNachman's Shoah interviews, has also been affect- dren. ed by his work with survivors: "The thing I come

By April, 1944, there were still 8,000 children away with from these people is their tremendous under his protection waiting to leave for Palestine, resiliency. I feel very fortunate and honored they but their passage was blocked. Lutz negotiated shared part of their experience with me. I know I'm with German and Hungarian officials to keep the a different person for it," he said. group under his protection. When refused more exit Among the survivors Nachman interviewed is permits, he took matters into his own hands.

Lou Leviticus of Lincoln who, as a hidden child in Overceding his authority and defying the wishes of The Netherlands, escaped the Nazis. He lost virtu- his timid government, he made Swiss neutrality ally his entire family. and the power of diplomatic immunity his weapons After the war, Leviticus lived in Israel working as in taking assertive steps to safeguard Jews. an engineer and later immigrated to America, First, he granted hundreds of asylum seekers where he was an agricultural engineering professor sanctuary in the American legation building. Next, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before his he transformed the Budapest JAP into the Shoah interview, he had never spoken of his ordeal. Emigration Department of the Swiss Legation, He was one of 50,000 survivors worldwide inter- thus securing a measure of protection for its workviewed for the Shoah project, whose data is avail- ers and its aims. Then he began issuing Swiss able to educators, historians and authors. Until his Schutzbriefe or safety passes (which declared their involvement, Nachman had rarely sat across from holders to be under the protection of the Swiss) to survivors to hear, first-hand, their personal trials thousands of Jews (men, women and children) of lives interrupted, of innocence stolen, of every- beyond the original quota of 8,000. thing held dear ripped asunder. In getting them to Thousands more Schutzbriefe were forged and recount their stories in intimate detail, he was not distributed by Zionists. Next, he established 76 prepared for the impact the experience would have Schutzhauser or safe houses where thousands of on him or his subjects.

Jews took refuge. And, finally, he worked closely "It was a very exacting interview we did with with the Hechalutz/Chalutzim (Jewish pioneers) to each survivor. We went into every little detail of provide security for the safe houses and communiexactly what happened to them during the war— cation with the Jewish populace and he cultivated whether they were in a concentration camp or & sympathetic members of the Hungarian police and ghetto or in hiding," Nachman recalled. "All the parliament to alert him to any Nazi movements interviews lasted in excess of two hours. Many sur- directed at the people in his charge. vivors were reluctant to talk about their fives, but Nachman said the Schutebriefe and Schutzhauser we managed to get them to really open up.

Lutz instituted became models for other diplomatic "We had times when some startling things were rescuers, including Wallenberg, who came to said. A lady in Chicago told me about being raped. Budapest months after these measures were impleThat's a really shattering thing to sit and listen to. mented. He said scholars estimate Lutss's actions The trauma was still fresh in her mind. At times saved as many as 62,000 Jews, a number far outlike that, the survivor would break down. When we stripping that attributed to higher-profile rescuers. finished an interview, the survivor and I were Nachman and filmmaker Mike Moehring have spent. It was an emotionally-draining experience." interviewed recipients of the Schutzbriefe and visitMore recently, Nnchman has turned his attention od safe houses, many of which nurvivo. to a segment of survivors WIIOHO lives wore spared According to Nachman, Lutz persisted in hi* resonly by the intervention of individuals who, at cue efforts in spite of repented orders by authorities great risk, helped them evade capture, deportation to stop, constant; threats to his life and continued and almost certain death in the camps. resistance from his superiors in Switzerland.

"I got very interested in the rescuers of Jews. I His defiance even extended to Adolf Eichmann, was interested in knowing what made these res- whom he confronted on many occasions. At one cuers do what they did," he noted. "I think most of point, as a way of pressuring Lute, the Nazis made them did it because of their own personal convic- him identify authentic Schutzbriefe from forgeries tions rather than out of some government mandate. held by a group of Jews-thus forcing him to conFor them, it was the only thing to do. They were demn some of the safe passage holders to death. very, very special people."

Despite such pressure, he persevered.

"He was just an obstinate, stubborn man who felt The rescuers One rescuer in particular captured his imagina- right was the only way to go. Lutz was a very devout man and he felt he wanted to be on the aid© tion-Carl Lutz.

"In my reading, I ran across Lutz. And in writing, of God, not man," Nachman said. searching and chasing around the world, I found The more he has studied him, the more Nachman his step-daughter, Agnes Hirschi, a writer in Bern, has come to admire Lutz, who died in 1975-long Switzerland. We started corresponding regularly. before international acclaim caught up to him.

She introduced me to the man who is the biographWhat does he admire most about him? er of Lutz, the Rev. Theo Tschuy, a Methodist "Probably the fact he acted as a man of conviction Minister living outside Geneva, He has done rather than as a diplomat. He used the office of tremendous research into the rescuers and he par- Swiss consul to shield a lot of what he was doing, ticularly knows the story of Lutz. He and I have but he did things he didn't have to do. This is one of become about as close as two people can be," the most wonderful men I've ever known of."

Before his death, Lutz was honored by Yad Nachman has completed interviews with Hirschi and Tschuy for the Lutz film. In her filmed inter- Vashem in Israel as "a righteous among the view, Hirschi describes her step-father as "almost nations." He was posthumously nominated for the obsessed by the idea of having to save these people. Nobel Peace Prize. Switzerland issued a stamp with his likeness on it. A touring exhibition, Visas It was really like an obsession," While the deeds of some rescuers, like Oscar for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats, Schindler and Kaoul Wallenberg, have been widely includes a Lutz display. told, a full accounting of what Lutz did has been In April, Nachman was an invited guest at a largely ignored. By the late spring of 1944, the Nazi United Nations program honoring the diplomatic occupation of Hungary was complete, the borders rescuers and their families. An English language closed, emigration halted and the mass deportation edition of Theo Tschuy's biography on Lutz of Jews under way.

(Dangerous Diplomacy; The Story of Swiss Consul The situation was desperate. That is when a man Carl Lutz) is due out this fall front Eerdmans of rare courage and insight, Lutz, then Swiss Vice Publishing Co. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and will Consul to Hungary, began a campaign to thwart be. available in the Krlpke Jewish Federation the Final Solution. By all accounts, Lutz embodied Library, the fiercely independent nature of his homeland— For Nachraan, who has begun speaking publicly specifically, the Appenzell region of Switzerland* about his workj the investigation into the past goes A fervent Methodist, Lute was American-educat- on. There-turf more interviews, more archives, more ed. An early diplomatic tour in Puleatine well- stories to cultivate, I t has been the most exciting time of my life," he acquainted him with the JGWH' displaced status.

In Hungary, he had already assisted the said. "There's nothing I've evor done that's hud Budapest-based Jewish Agency of Palestine (JAP) more meaning and made more of an impact on me."

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November 10,2000

Special Master Files Proposed Plan of Allocation and Distribution of Settlement Proceeds in the Swiss Banks Litigation Affected Individuals Requested to Comment New York, NY-A summary of the Proposed Plan Looted Assets Class of Allocation and Distribution of Settlement Because of the virtual impossibility of tracing Proceeds developed by the Special Master in the specific looted items to Swiss entities, the Special Swiss Banks Litigation outlining the distribution of Master recommends that $100 million USD should the $1.25 billion Settlement Fund, is being distrib- be allocated for compensation for the Looted Assets uted to the more than 560,000 individuals who sub- Class in the form of "cy pres" or "in kind" relief. mitted an Initial Questionnaire or requested a copy Ninety-percent of such aid should go to Jewish of the Plan, Potential class members had until Nov, class members and ten-percent to non-Jewish class 6, if they wished to comment on the fairness and members. The neediest Nazi victims should receive reasonableness of the Proposed Plan. (The Court priority assistance: food, medical aid, home care, approved the SettlementinJuly 2000.) ..,,_ winter relief, and in some instances emergency The Court will hold a public hearing on Nov. 20 cash grants administered by selected organizations to review comments on the Proposed Plan. serving the defined class member groups.

Following the hearing, the Court will adopt a final Slave Labor Class I (German Companies) Plan of Allocation and Distribution, and a claims The Special Master's research indicates that all process will commence. The Proposed Plan is based members of Slave Labor Class I—former slave and upon extensive research by the court-appointed forced laborers—are to be compensated under the Special Master, Judah Gribetz, Esq., and is sup- separate German Foundation Law ("German ported by hundreds of pages of analysis.

Fund") finalized on July 17. Therefore, each Key Highlights of Proposed Plan of Allocation Jewish, Roma, Jehovah's Witness, disabled and Deposited Assets Class (Bank Accounts) homosexual person who receives payment from the Bank deposits are to be repaid first. The German Fund should receive an additional payremainder of the fund is to be available to the ment from the "Swiss Banks" Settlement fund. All other four classes. Based upon Volcker Committee eligible claimants should receive equal payments of estimates of the approximately 50,000 Swiss bank up to $1000 USD and no less than $500 USD. accounts that "probably" or "possibly" belonged to Payments should be made in two stages.

Nazi victims, the Special Master has recommend- Slave Labor Class II ed that a total of $800 million be allocated to the (Swiss-owned or controlled companies) Deposited Assets Class to repay claims of deposiThe Special Master's report recommends that all tors or their heirs. A list of 26,000 accounts "prob- individuals who plausibly demonstrate through ably" belonging to Nazi victims will be published documents or otherwise that they performed slave after the Court adopts a final plan; others can laborfora Swiss company whose name appears on make claims as well. a list to be published, should receive equal pay-

ments of up to $1000 USD and no less than $500 USD. Payments should be made in two phases.

Refugee Class Individuals who plausibly demonstrate that they were admitted into Switzerland as refugees and were detained, mistreated or, abused there, and whose names are matched against a list in the Court's possession of refugees admitted into Switzerland during the Holocaust, should receive equal payments of up to $500 USD but no less than $250 USD. Those who plausibly demonstrate that they were expelled from or denied entry into Switzerland should receive equal payments of up to $2,500 USD but no less than $1,250 USD. Payments should be made in two phases!

Benefits to All Class Members The Special Master recommends that $10 million USD should be designated for a Victim List Foundation to compile and make accessible, for research and remembrance, the names of all Victims and Targets of Nazi Persecution, those who survived and the those who perished.

Comments on the Proposed Plan must be mailed immediately to the Special Master/Distribution, In re Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation, Notice Administrator, PO Box 8039, San Francisco, CA 94128-8039, USA. Copies of the Summary Notice and a more detailed summary of the Proposed Plan, as well as the entire Proposed Plan itself, can be accessed at http://www.8wi8Bbankclaims.com.

A final plan will be announced by the Court after the Nov. 20 hearing.

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November 10,2000 Jewish Press

Israel Returns to G A Spotlight as Community Rallies in Support

by JULIE WIENER -

*

NEW YORK (JTA)--In the early 1990's, Israel, after decades as a rallying point, lost its star-player status at the annual gathering of American Jewish communal leaders.

With the Jewish state seemingly well on the path to peace and economic prosperity, and American Jews overwhelmed by high rates of intermarriage and assimilation, the General Assembly-reflecting communal and federation priorities in general— focused more on the domestic agenda.

Now, with violence engulfing the Jewish state, the peace process moribund and Israel feeling isolated, Israel has been shifted back to the center of the gathering, known as the G.A. Sponsored by the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella system of local federations across North America, the G-.A. is this year expected to draw some 4,000 communal leaders to the five-day event in Chicago, which begins today.

(Representing Omaha are: J a n Perelxnan, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha; Wendy Goldberg and Jeff Kirshenbaum, Young Leadership award winners; Joel Alperson, member of the UJC National Board; Carol Katzman, Editor of the Jewish Press; Julee Katzman, Federation Executive Assistant; Sharon Kirshenbaum, Young Jewish Omaha Director; Pam Monaky, Federation Communications Director; and Carolyn Novicoff, Executive Director of Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS).

The packed program, which had already included an address by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, will now include a solidarity rally. In addition, sessions are being recast to brief leaders on Middle East history and politics and strategize community action on behalf of Israel.

But does the renewed focus on Israel portend a larger, more lasting, shift in American Jews' attitudes toward Israel? . And. will the "renaissance" agenda—with ita day schools, summer camps and synagogue renewal efforts all responding to the assimilation of American Jews — move to the back burner?

And, ultimately, will this mean a rethinking of allocations to Israel, which have decreased significantly in recent yearB as communities opted to spend more resources on Jewish-identity building and social-service needs at home?

So far, everyone agrees that with the situation in Israel changing daily, it is too early to know how the American Jewish community will respond over the long term.

For now, most involved in the system say that the Jewish community must focus both on Israel and renaissance. But there is no doubt, they say, that Israel solidarity rallies and missions are consuming the immediate attention, Barry Shrage, President of Boston's Combined Jewish Philanthropies, said that at Israel solidarity rallies in his community, he told the crowds: "I would much rather be having this rally for Jewish education and raising money" for adult education courses and social justice programs, but "Jewish history doesn't work like that," "Right now we've got to focus attention on increasing the community's support for Israel," said Shrage, one of the first communal officials to replace the terra "Jewish continuity" with "Jewish renaissance."

But, he added, "we've got enough resources and intelligence to do both things."

John Ruskay, Executive Vice-president of UJAFederation of Greater New York, said that despite the conflict in Israel, "the renaissance agenda is here to stay."

"If at this particular moment we need to have more attention on the extraordinary crisis that we face, so be it, but living aa a Jew in the open society is an abiding challenge and opportunity for 21st century Jews," he said.

Even the most ardent champions of day schools and synagogue transformation efforts are troubled by what is happening in Israel and say they cannot conduct business aa usual while. Israel is in crisis.

Many point to Birthright larael-a fret* 1.0-day trip to Israel HUIHKI at, strengthening young peo-

Page 18

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ple's Jewish identities and one of the most popular new efforts—to show that building Jewish identity and supporting Israel are not mutually exclusive.

"An important part of the Jewish renaissance PERSNICKETY PLTS 558-0872 agenda is building and maintaining a sense of • Home Pet-Sitting Jewish peoplehood," said Jonathan Woocher, head • House Sitting of the UJC's Renaissance and Renewal Pillar. The Bonded & Insured pillar is one of four agenda-setting committees creReferences ated a year ago.

Even programs that do not have a direct Israel connection, help to build "the kind of deep personal Jewish, identification that we know from every study correlates with, closer identification with Israel," said Woocher, who also serves as Executive Director of the Jewish Education Service of North America.

• Candles for every occasion In fact, while other programs have been cut or • Candle holders • Gift items altered to make room for the Israel agenda at the • Star of David tea lights G.A,, the Renaissance and Renewal Pillar's proGena and Brad Burwell gramming remains largely intact, say UJC officials.

CROSSROADS MALL OAKVIEW MALL The pillar will host a forum on *foBtering Jewish 397-8988 697-8811 journeys" and will also sponsor 11 workshops on such topics'as outreach to families, youth and "Generation J"-20- and 30-something Jews—as well as the shortage of personnel in Jewish education. It is unclear, however, whether programs on Israel, slated for the same time slots, will diminish ENTERTAIN turnout for these sessions, Woocher said he does not expect low turnout, then added, "but if it's because people are at other WITH important sessions, that's fine, too/ HONEYMAN RENT-ALL Cindy Chazan, a former federation executive who will be attending the G.A., said the changes are necessary. If the UJC had planned a G.A. "that was , ti$tEs, S0WCANYOVTSR0WA PARTTAHD NffTltmTE VSt? business as usual, we would have felt a void, it * Tables • Chain • Unons • China • Silver' Glassware • Punch BowU would have been confusing." * Fountains • Chaflnfi Dishes • Party Ctoontei • BBQ OtiUi • Wedding A Church Displays • Portobt* Bon » Dance Floors • Stilting Chassan, now Director of Alumni and Community • Coal ttoclra • CofTt* & Tea Servant • Cumielubnm Development for the Wexner Foundation, which helps train, young Jewish professionals, said nho doesn't see this as a shift in priorities, but as a straightforward approach that says "here's a crisis, we need to come together."

Louise Stoll, the UJC's Chief Operating Officer and one of the key people planning the G.A., said that despite the focus on Israel, other business will also continue.

"There are federations to be run, hungry people ConsuCtantsfor to be fed, Jewish schools to bo staffed and a whole host of things.that must continue," Stoll said. tfiejlging Asked whether renaissance efforts might be relegated to the back burner as concern for Israel Since 1991 grows, Stoll said, "I don't think so, We know these are existential issues as well." ill owe Care at it's If the peace process resumes, she said, "you won't have noticed much departure from what's been A Registry Providing going on in the past five to six years-assimilation Companions, Home Health Aides, and Jewish learning will definitely be the preoccuNurses Aides and Nurses pying elements."

Affordable rates with no minimum hours But if the conflict is protracted, she added, it "will have implications on allocations" split between local and overseas needs.

Lincoln Omaha For now, instead of sending over additional dol488-3771 398-1848 lars to Israel, American Jewish leaders are orga6211 "0", Suite "B" 7701 Pacific, Suite 100 nizing solidarity rallies and missions and are training activists to defend Israel in the media and to lawmakers. But money could become an issue if Israel facos an all-out war.

Some belicvo tbo renaissance goal of strengthenEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ing American Jewish identity may not suffer even St. Louis Hillel if more attention, and perhaps dollars, flow to Israel. at Washington University "When you mobilize a generation of Jewish stu(Available spring 2001) dents on campuses today to defend Israel, that's Jewish renaissance," Martin Raffel, Associate Entrepreneurial Jewish leader to direct vibrant, meaningful and pluralistic Jewish Executive Vice-chair of the Jewish Council for campus community serving 2,500 students Public Affairs, said, noting that "a lot of middleaged people came to greater Jewish awareness" at leading university.

Requirements: through the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Strong Jewish background, Vision, "We don't want to have war and intifada and vioInterpersonal, Fundraising and lence," he added. But the reality is this is an opporManagement Skills tunity for young Jews to got involved on issues Contact: related to Israel that can affect their self-definition Lynn Lyss, c/o Jewish Federation and feelings of responsibility to Jews around the .12 millstone Campus, world."

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Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE November 10,2000 CORRECTIONS In theLearning Academy story in the Nov. 3 Jewish Press, the Blumkin siblings all attended Lake School, not Kellom. In addition, Prances Fred Hosenbauirs, Visions of Reform, Batt's name was mispelled. The Press regrets the Congregation Emanu-El and the Jews errors.

Also, Daniel Ocanto and Michael Easterday were of San Francisco, 1849-1999 among those who sang in last Sunday's Westside Berkeley: Judah L Megnes Museum high School's Cabaret 2000.

Reviewed by OUVER POLLAK «-•• • .'-—;' ••' • Research on this volume started in 1975 and appeared initially as Architects of Reform in 1980.

Rosenbaum has updated his study, incorporating personalities, movements and events of the last 20 years.

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Emanu-El, in its almost 150 years of existence, has had 11 rabbis; one chapter is devoted to each rabbi and their team of assistant rabbis, cantors, board presidents and executive directors who, in combination, set the institution's tone. During its century-and-a-half as a house of worship, six rabbis account for 115 years of spiritual leadership.

This is an official institutional history. Similar volumes exist for the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox congregations in major American cities.

They serve as puzzle pieces completing the portrait of Jewish diversity and communal life that includes economic* cultural, political and social Jewish leadership, Jewish Community Centers, and generally ethnic dimensions of urban life.

Congregational dissension and scandal are downplayed or ignored in what are often projects sponsored and funded by the organization about whom it is written. But something happened at EmanuEl in the early 1990s that cannot be swept away and has set a new standard for historical reportage. The chapter entitled "Fallen Star" covers a major scandal involving the senior rabbi's sexual impropriety.

Rosenbaum receives credit for handling this in what appears an honest, judicious, and compassionate account of what can go wrong in the ministerial field. The description of the power of a rabbi, the vulnerability of a congregant, and the corrective authority of the lay leaders is a credit to historical scholarship. This is not a kiss-and-tell account, but its lively style of presenting the matter is engaging reading, Rosenbaum interviewed Rabbi Robert Kirschner, the subject of the scandal, for 10 hours "with no subject off limits," Mr. Rosenbaum, director of the largest school for adult Jewish education in Northern California, the Lehrhaus Judaica, has set a new standard for candor and what should be included in official histories. The accounts of synagogue socio-political initiatives in race relations, gender, outreach, intermarriage and international issues can be usefully compared to similar histories of other congregations and cities.

A copy of this book is available at the Jewish Federation Library.

REAOII llSID EA1 The Gefilte Variations

by Jaygie Cohen Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN readitandeat@yahoo.com —•—•» —»

"This book has been over 5000 years in the making". . .(with) many shared their heirloom recipes and traditions. The recipes are borrowed from the infinite world of Jewish cuisine and traditions and have been given the seal of approval by many, including the author's daughter and her adventurous palate.

Homey techniques and tastes, nostalgia and food meant to be potchkehed (played with). Matzah balls for every season, sweet or savory kreplach made from ready-made kosher wonton wrappers, knishes from store-bought phyllo dough, the old and the new from family food passions and travel.

All kosher from Askenazim (from Ashkenoz the Hebrew word for Germany), Sephardim (from the Hebrew word Sepharad, meaning Spain) and "bubbe cusine" from around the world created for home and home celebrations for family mishpocheh and friends. The 200 recipes are intended to be "departure points for your own explorations."

The Cook's Note at the end of the recipe suggest variations. The introductions to the recipes and the chapter introductions are well written and offer lots of good reading to inspire "your mind's tongue."

The book is divided in-two parts. The first is organized in year-round favorites; the second part includes the holidays. And liberally sprinkled here and there are culinary history, traditions, lore, stories and quotations.

Whether you choose to make or toast your own matzah crumbs or meal, substitute olive oil for schmaltz, a hrepl (singular of kreplach), or have a panoply of smoked fish, here are reader-friendly recipes starting with a few delicious words, list of easy-to-find ingredients, numerical instructions, all with a generous amount of clarifying and helpful information in parenthesis.

Here is much more that toasting a, frozen bagel for every day and holiday cooking, Try this unique Latke recipe for hanukkah.

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November 10,2000

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page IS

Hank Greenberg Hits a Homer in Omaha

by SARA JUSTER

•

Aviva Kempner's documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, played to a sell-out crowd at the Jewish Community Center last month. The film, included the memories of such well-known American Jews as Walter Matthau, Alan Dershowitz and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), clips of interviews with the famous ballplayer arid his teammates. In a fast-paced 90 minutes, it chronicled not only Greenberg's life and athletic accomplishments, but also the significance his prowess on the ballfield had for American Jews during the 1930's and '40s.

The enthusiastic crowd at the 'J1 was also treated to various baseball-related games, a display of baseball cards and memorabilia, an appearance by "Casey," the Golden Spikes mascot, autographs by Omahan Tony Schrager, a player with the Chicago Cubs farm team, and a stadium-style dinner.

After JCC Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops #218 led the crowd in the national anthems of the U.S. and Israel, Omaha swimming legend Bucky Greenberg, a world record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke, introduced the film.

The film's screening was sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council and funded by grants from the Esther K V Newman and Carolyn Kully Newman Funds as well as the Avy and Roberta L.

Miller Foundation by Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Added JCAC staff Rachel Shkolnick, "As both an educational and inspirational event, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg was truly a home run!"

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I Left photo: Tony Shragcr signed autographs for Tab Berger, leftt and Bobby Newman; top photo: tho event was intcrgcsncrational with Harry Klein, hie daughter, Sarah, and grandfather, Dr. Maury Schwartoe; bottom photo: as weli as with the Goldstein family; Ann and Shirley, standing; Buddy and Don, Heated,

Introducing.,.Carolyn Novicoff (Continued from page 1) ,—,_-_-____-_-_____-___-_• To makn Omnh.ii u community whore "lenming After all, my personal background, growing up ut the Kapulier Shul with my bubbe and zayde, touch- is cool," where it's tho "in tiling" for students of all ing Sunday School in Lincoln while a student at agea.

• To plan Jewish education as a community, as UNL, teaching eighth grade at Both El until 1978, and acting as principal of the Hebrew High School demonstrated in the JELS brochure which was from 1975-76 (when we had 100 teens in the pro- inserted into the Oct. 6 J e w i s h Press; we're already starting to plan our spring brochure so that gram), also helped prepare me for this position. our educational institutions are cooperating, not JP: So you've taken your personal Judaic back- competing. That fall brochure was 'the first time ground, your Jewish studies teaching experience this community could see all the educational offerand you've 'married' it, as you said, with the organi- ings, from scholars-in-residence to ongoing classes.

• My last goal is to bring our youth together, to zational development techniques you learned at study and to socialize. We don't all live near the Boys Town.

Novicoff: Essentially, yes. There's fabulous JCC like I did when I attended Central High, Our "stuff" out there in the Jewish world and it's very kids need the benefit of being with one another; it's accessible to teachers who are not Judaic scholars. good for them and good for our Jewish community.

For example, one of the first things I did after I JP: Speaking of the community, tell us your first came on board early in the summer was to sign up impressions during your first four months on the for CAJE, the Conference on Alternatives in Jewish job.

Education. It was held at Hofstra University in Novicoff: Everyone has been so cooperative and New York and it's aimed primarily at lay Jewish helpful, especially the rabbinic council. students and teachers.

People have been extraordinarily kind to me. I've There are books, videos, and more that bridge the gap between a Sesame Street approach to learning really had the opportunity and the time to learn Hebrew and Jewish history to the actual Hebrew from the synagogues, the rabbinic council, the Federation staff and the staff of the Center of text from our traditional sources.

One of my goals is to expand the ability of all our Excellence. I especially am indebted to my JELS teachers here to teach from text. This is just one of committee, both tho educational side and the many ideas I'll be bringing to the JELS Committee. library side, for their support during these past few They'll help explore the issues and recommend the months.

The mission at JELS is really very similar to the best solutions for this community. one at Boys Town-to help kids and their families be better." 1 think through the helpful nature of JP: What other goals do you have for JELS? this kind and good community, we can do just that!

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 10,2000

JDC Officials Visit Omaha to Update Leadership

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor

.—

—

Because of the current crisis in Israel with the Palestinians, a recent briefing by officials of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) was even more relevant. Michael Novick, Executive Director of Strategic Planning, and Nadine F. Habousha, Director of Resource Development, spoke to the Federation Board of Directors and leadership of the Annual Campaign about the current mission and future goals of the 'Jointf as it is more commonly known.

Omaha sends nearly $1.1 million of its Annual Federation Campaign to Israel and overseas needs. A major portion of those funds support the work of the JDC in Israel, the former Soviet Union and countries in Latin and South America, Asia and Africa.

In Israel, the JDC continues to alleviate the social isolation felt fay many of Israel's elderly, but exacerbated by the fear of venturing out when the threat of terrorism has increased. With 100,000 recent olim (immigrants) consisting of elderly whose Hebrew is limited or non-existent, JDC has stepped up the support of assisted living complexes, emergency contact and social services.

Additionally, more seniors are flocking to the 150 elderly-adult day care centers supported by JDC throughout the State.

For children at risk, another vulnerable population which increases during times of stress, JDC provides emergency shelter for victims of child abuse, as well as to their mothers.

Even as support services in Israel have been increased in the last six weeks, JDC's work outside of Israel continues, especially in the former Soviet Union. According to Novick, JDC's philosophy is "to feed them, bring them back to the (Jewish) culture, and then help them become self-sufficient,'' One of the Joint's success stories has been the ability of the Jewish community in the Czech Republic to close the JDC office when its communi-

HY-VEE

ty raised enough funds internally to support its social service and educational needs. Moscow, too, seems on the verge of self-sufficiency; its annu- J f . al campaign reached $10 -"" million last year.

But life in any Jewish community can change dramatically.

"Argentina's Jewish community was nearly like that of the Czech Republic," Novick explained. But the drop in the economy, the double and triple-digit inflation forced the Jewish communiiyinto once again S « v e r a l elderly residents of Kiryat Moshe section of Jerusalem meet asking for help from the o v e r c o f f e e a n d cake i n t h e JDC-Eshel Sapportive Neighborhood Center in their community.

Photo by Vera Etzian Joint.

"We believe JDC is filling a short-term gap," anywhere in the world is a t risk," Novick Novick noted, "and we hope we only need to service explained. "We have to respond to urgent needs immediately.* them for about five more years."

And JDC has. The most notable case is that of The Joint relies on partners in its projects: one is Ethiopia, where twice, through Operation Moses usually the Israeli government and the other often and then Operation Solomon, JDC and the Israeli includes either Brookdale or Ashelim. government engineered dramatic overnight rescues The Brookdale Institute, an feaeli-based agency, has been so successful in its evaluation of t h e of Ethiopian Jews.

JDC always works with "someone on the ground," Joint's programs for the elderly, that the boards of directors of Jewish homes for t h e elderly in according to Habousha. Asked if there are any conAmerica are now using its services. Ashelim, a non- tingency plans in place for at-risk Jewish communiprofit advocacy agency for ehildren-at-risk, is a ties, she replied with a smile, "We couldn't tell you partner of the Jewish Federation of New York. if we did.* Both resources have allowed JDG to make the best However, JDC does have a contingency fund. use of its allocations from Jewish Federations in Created when an unsolicited bequest came from a the United States and the rest of the Diaspora.

Holocaust survivor, the Legacy Fund is the JDC "insurance policy of the Jewish people," Novick added.

"JDC can't wait around if a Jewish

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 17

1 AilEBiit ART

SPECIAL CAMP and

EDUCATION ISSUE Friedel's Unit on Tropical Rain Forest Blends Science, Social Studies, Art

by DIANE AXLER BAUM

Friedel Jewish trees in t h e r a i n Academy's recent - forest. unit on the tropic al They also learned rain forest integratabout the many layed science, social ers of the rain forstudies, and art to est and the differprovide student? ent kinds of plants with an exceptional i. and animals that learning experier ce <j| live at each level "I chose to do this 1 Then their unit to help my stuteacher expanded dents become'iHore the antt* iato a familiar with envihands-on learning ronmental concerns? experience, encouron a global scale," aging students to said Barbara create their own Sather, who teaches rain forest and to the Herzliyya class. fill it with life-size trees, plants, vines "Losing the rain and animals on the forest is one of the appropriate levels. great tragedies of our time, and I believe Barbara Sather and students Before long, one children must learn from Friedel's Herzliyya Class hallway of the to understand and gather in their rain forest, top Academy, from value the rain forest row: Josh Sideris, left, Jesse floor to ceiling, was before it's too late," Reno, Anna Kohll, Chad Sideris; transformed into she added. front row: Audrey Gerber, an ecological learn"I especially want- Sydney Nissen, Dylan Wertheim. ing center. "I can't ed to show them count how many that the loss of the rain forest puts times I was at school 'til 6 p.m., many exotic animals, fruits and veg- climbing up and down that ladder, as etables at risk while also jeopardizing the rain forest grew wider and highmany important products, including er," Sather recalled. medicines."

Once the rain forest took on a Hfe of In fact, the unit on the rain forest is its own, she enlisted the assistance of but one example of the extraordinary Friedel mom Julie Phillips, who planning, presentation and orchestra- comes to the Art Room every Monday tion that Sather employs in all of her to teach art and the creative process. teaching.

Together, they extended the project To launch the unit, she showed stu- into an all-school learning activity. dents pictures of forests around the Under the guidance of Phillips, the world and of the. animals and plants Tiberius class designed additional anithat live in them. mals, trees and plants to be placed into She obtained information from the appropriate layers. Even the Eilat internet sources, including the web class, Friedel's youngest students, were site of the U.S. National Weather able to make a contribution by using Service, to demonstrate how forests shapes and colors to suggest birds, fish, and rain forests differ. She guided eels and butterflies. students in exploring the characterisIn the final phase of their unit, the tics that vary, such as temperature, Herzliyya class focused on the impordaylight, rainfall and humidity. tant products that come from the rain forest, including medicines for cancer In one lesson, students looked at treatment.

Their learning was the leaves of maple and oak trees, both prevalent in Omaha, and com- enhanced by unfolding next to the pared them to the drip points of the rain forest they'd so carefully created, longer, narrower leaves that grow on one growing thing at a time.

Shabbaton Keynoter Tzion Remembered by Gmahan as Inspiring Bible Teacher

by DIANE AXLER BAUM

Professor Noam Tzion was Kerin Levine's teacher of Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jerusalem back in 1978-79, and the impression he made on her still remains strong.

When she learned that Tzion will keynote Omaha's first all-community Shabbaton at Mahoney Park Feb. 911,2001, she quickly decided that her family must attend. She is certain, she said, that her husband and their 10-year-old daughter also will find Tzion immensely inspiring.

"After 20 years, I still remember the things he taught me and the conversations we had," Levine recalled.

"He was able to take everything from the text and make it meaningful.

Every single point b.e made became 'an absolute wow."

Tzion is recognized worldwide as a specialist on-.the interface among Bible, Midrash, art and films. He writes and consults widely. Among his many publications are: Cain and Abel: The Origins of Human Violence and The Zealot: National Hero or Villain?

Since 1978, he has been on the faculty at Israel's internationallyrenowned Shalom Hartman Institute. He serves as director of the Russian Scholars Institute and of curriculum development in Israeli public schools.

Tzion was born in Jerusalem in 1948 to American volunteers in the Hagana (Israel's first defense force), and raised in Minneapolis. He earned a degree in philosophy from Columbia University before returning to Israel in 1973 as a volunteer in the Yom Kippur War. In 1997, he and co-author David Dishon, also of the Hartman Institute, published a highlyacclaimed hagaddah, entitled A Different Night.

Co-sponsoring the Sbabbatcm are Jewish Educational and Library Services and the Omaha Center for Torah Learning. Carolyn Novicoff, JELS Director, Rabbi SMomo Levin, OCTL Director, are working together to provide a selection of Shabbat services in order to accommodate different types of observances.

Noam Tzion Also in the planning stage are a number of indoor and outdoor activities appropriate for Shabbat afternoon that will appeal to different age groups. In addition, Rabbi Levin will invite all the children in attendance to take part in carrying out a Havdalah service. Participants will share kosher meals in Mahoney's Riverview Lodge, which has been reserved for the event.

Novicoff noted that Mahoney State Park will provide a beautiful setting to enhance the weekend for all participants. Families who wish to utilize the park's facilities, she said, may choose among such activities as winter hiking, toboganning, and birdwatching in the sanctuary.

Cost of the Shabbaton, at $109 per adult and $54 per child, covers meals, accommodations, organized Shabbat activities and all the facilities at Mahoney. Anyone who registers prior to Dec. 20 will receive a 10% discount For more information or to register, call Kathy Hirshman at the JELS

At the Omaha Shabbaton, Tzion will refer often to A Different Night in his presentations on the many steps individual families can take to make their seders more joyful, meaningful office at 334-6445, or e-mail her at: and memorable. Babysitters will be khirshman@jewishomaha.org. available to care for young children Rabbi Levin is also available to to enable parents to participate fully! answer questions at 551-1564.

Page 18 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE November 10, 2000

Betih Israel Synagogue offers an innovative approach to Hebrew SdhooL.. .

Our Talmud Torah program is entirely based on individual and small group learning, focusing on Hebrew reading and translation, Torah Study arid Synagogue Skills! Our, Sunday School focuses on Jewish tradition, customs and holidays for younger children, and Pirke Avot, Jewish History, Mishna and weekly Parana for older students.

, aimed at providing children the Hebrew skills that win benefit -them for a lifetime.

For more information, call 556-6288 Last year, summer camp scholarships were granted to every congregant who requested assistance.

Find your

place

in the world

For enrollment information, please call 402-554-MAV1 or toll-free 1-877-884-MAVS

Beyt Shalom and the Blumkin Home; A Special Relationship

by ALICE A. WEISS, Religious School Director

morning service, includ"Please rise if you are ing Torah and Haftorah able" is t h e way the reading as well as Amidah prayer is introenhancing service leader duced on Shabbat mornskills. ing services. Indeed, many of the worshippers cannoW It has given us the honor rise, but, nevertheless, of learning from Rabbi tHey pray with enthusiMyer Kripke, Beyt asm and spirit. They don't Shalom's religious advisor, stand during the Torah who always gives a service either, but they thought-provoking D'var kiss the scrolls with such Torah. It has allowed us to loving tenderness that it give back to those who have is a~joy „ , , , „ . built the Omaha Jewish d~j to behold.

Once a month for the Members of Beyt Shalom celebrated Purim c o m m u n i t y a n d w h o h a v e past year, members of l a s t year with residents of the Blumkin Home. gj v e n s o m u c h themselves.

Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation have Beyt Shalom has expanded its relationship with been privileged to share in this joy. Members of the the Home to not only include Shabbat morning but congregation have led services and prayed with the other holidays as well. We have led special services residents of the Rose Blumkin Home on Shabbat such as Shabbat T'Shuva, celebrated Purim with morning and on other special occasions. the residents, conducted one of the Blumkin Home The relationship has proven to be beneficial to seders at Passover, and helped create and decorate both groups. Residents enjoy the visits of their the Blumkin Home sukkah. Most recently, during younger new found friends, especially the religious Simchat Torah, they sang and danced up and down school students who assist in leading parts of the the hallways while holding the Blumkin Home service and have taken responsibility for helping torahs, bringing Torah to the residents sometimes the residents out into the hallway, serving them in their own rooms. wine and cookies for the oneg.

Beyt Shalom intends to continue its special relaBut the Beyt Shalom community has possibly tionship with the Blumkin Home for many years to benefited even more. This congregational mitzvah come, and to continue to learn from our new project has given members an opportunity to learn friends. We are looking forward to sharing more and participate in every aspect of the Shabbat simchas, and together rejoicing in Torah.

OCTL Teen Program Off to Fast Start

by RABBI SHLOMO LEVIN, OCTL Director

The Omaha Center for Torah Learning recently launched a program for teens and young adults to compliment the community-wide educational offerings which have so far been its trademark. Ariel and Hadas Orbach. a vounp Israeli couple living in

Beth Israel Hosts Two Scholar-in-Residence Programs This Year

by BETH COHEN, Executive Director— Rabbi Yissocher Prand is widely recognized as one of the most popular and sought after speakers in the Orthodox world. He will be in Omaha on Dec. 15-16. Over the years, Rabbi Prand has i ] t * i ] ] m i ' l i n t i l t o ( i n i \ t i l t i n in gained wide recognition for his popular weekly The University of Nebraska is an alflrmatlva aoUon/aqual shiur (lecture) in the Baltimore community, which opportunity Institution, has rapidly grown to be the largest of its kind anywhere in North America.

Rabbi Prand has spoken around the world, including having been keynote speaker at the conventions of Agudath Israel of America and Torah U'mesorah. His lectures in New York, Baltimore and elsewhere have drawn crowds of thousands.

Parents, are you disappointed with The second Scholar Shabbat will feature Rabbi : the start of the school.year.•.:'.;.';••.: Julius Berman on Feb. 28-24,2001, Rabbi Berman received his smicha (ordination) from Yeshiva University in 1959, and is a partner in a prominent New York law firm. He is a past can make the difference.

President of the Orthodox Union, past chairman of • LDfllyslexia & Gifted LD the Conference of Presidents of Major American • Grades 1-8, Co-Ed Jewish Organizations, past president of the Hadas and Ariel Orbach » Success-oriented to enhance self-esteem National Jewish Commission on Law and Public • One-on-One Educational Therapy "During my time in Omaha, I want to help Jewish Affairs and is currently chairman of JTA, Jewish • Educational Assessment teenagers explore their religion in an open, safe envi- Telegraphic Agency (the Jewish news service used • Small Group Educational Therapy ronment," Ariel Orbach said, regarding the programs by the Jewish Press), • Parent Training Rabbi Berman is a leader in t h e modern he will run. "Hadas and I were very excited by the •School Meetings (I.E.P.s, Parent-Teacher Conferences, etc.) opportunity to come to a community such as Omaha Orthodox world, and will be speaking in Omaha • Language! by Jane Fell Greene about his experiences leading national Jewish where we know we can make a difference."

• Lindamood (LIPS) Ariel carries an impressive resume, sporting years organizations.

• Nanci Boll (VISUALIZING and VERBALIZING) Also coming this year are two special community of experience working with Israeli youngsters in the • Math B'nai Akiva organization. He has devised many dif- programs. The first is a lecture by Rabbi Shraga • Study Skills ferent types of creative programs to involve teens Kaufman, Midwest Regional Kashruth. Supervisor • ACT/SAT/GED/PPST Preparation from different social and religious backgrounds. He for the Orthodox Union, who will speak on how • After School cLasses in Voice and Piano will replicate some of this programming in Omaha, modern technology effects the world of kashruth.

Case School is dedicated specifically to and will also create programming that features his Beth Israel will also host another Discovery students with specialized learning needs connection with Israel and its culture.

Seminar in the Spring. Discovery Seminars, run by CASE School admits students of any race, color, religion, OCTL youth programming will be designed to Aish HaTorah, have been presented to more than sex, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, prosupplement what is already offered by existing 70,000 participants in hundreds of communities grams and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of area youth groups by working in conjunction with around the world. race, color, religion, sex, national and ethnic origin in administhem to add to their activities. The OCTL will also Discovery draws on science, history, psychology, tration of its educational policies, admission policies, or bring our youth together for community wide pro- and technology to demonstrate the relevance and scholarship, loan or other school programs. gramming focused on themes such as Israel which importance of Judaism for the contemporary Jew. unite us all.

Last year's Discovery Seminar drew a crowd of 832 N. State St. For more information and to be involved in activ- close to 100.

For more information about the scholars-in-resiElkhqni, : NE\; ities for Jewish youth, please contact Ariel Orbach at 697-5531, or Rabbi Shlomo Levin at 551-1564, or dence weekends or the community lectures, (402) 289-0899 e-mail octl@novia.net. call Beth Israel at 556-6288.

Visit our website at www.unomaha.edu

Case School

November 10, 2000 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Adult Education Offerings at Beth Israel

PEOPLE OF THE BYTE

by BETH COHEN, Executive Director

Jewish

Palm Pilot Sites

by MARK MIETKIEWICZ

;

Page 19

—

The hottest craze in computing today is portability and it's hard to attend a meeting or even walk down the street without seeing someone poking and prodding at their Palm Pilot. Every Palm comes with a standard datebook, address book and calculator but that won't help you if you are trying to decide what blessing to say over apple pie, want to learn some Torah or catch up on the latest news from Israel. Today, Jewish and Israeli software for your Palm Pilot.

Some of the software below is free, others are commercial programs or shareware which you are free to try out - but if you decide to continue using them, you are expected to pay for.

The best place to start your hunt for Jewish Palm software is at PilotYid: www.PilotYid.com/. Ari Engel has created a marvelous site that will act as introduction for anyone who is puzzled over how to teach your Palm Hebrew, And don't miss the software collection page which has dozens of links to some of the best Jewish Palmware around: www.PilotYid.com/coHection.html. There are links to Jewish calendars, an Exodus Game, a portable version of the Shamash Kosher Restaurant Database: wvrw,ehxmMh.avgf kosher and even a Shofar simulator which will make your Palm stand out in the crowd. You can also join the PilotYid e-mail list to find out about new Jewish software for your Palm.

Another site worth a look is Penticon Technologies which develops software for the Palm: www.penticon.com/. Their commercial programs include Hebrew Support, Luach, a Jewish calendar program and Hebrew Graffiti in which you can write on your Palm in Hebrew. If you want to read up on this coming Shabbat's Torah reading, you can download the entire text of the Pnrshut Hashavua for free, There are also all the Megillot, Psalms and PalmSiddur which includes Mincha, Maariv and Birkat HaMazon and a must for anyone on the go, the Traveller's Prayer.

Some uses for the Palm can get quite creative.

The folks at Torah Tidbits suggest using a freeware program called "Mirror" that can be downloaded from many Palm software sites: http://home.palmpilotarchives.com/utilitiesj2.html. When activated, Mirror simply makes the screen go black, which turns the screen very reflective. It is perfect for checking the placement of one's Tefillin, especially if you use your Palm for davening anyway.

Palm Pilots aren't only popular on this side of the Atlantic. Gadget-crazy Israelis love their Palms and have banded together to create the Palm User Group Israel better known as PUGI: http://pugi.org.il/pugi/. Their Hebrew-language website was created by Gil Chapnik, a medical student in Be'er Sheva who threw a party for PUGI members and attracted 450 Israeli Palm lovers.

Their story was documented in. Ha'aretz newspaper:www.g8nonweb.cora/gsnlib_.a/gsn2000/2000 Speaking of Ha'aretz, your Palm Pilot can also help you keep up to date with the latest events in the Middle East and Jewish world. Two of Israel's leading newspapers offer daily Palm editions. You can download The Jerusalem Post Palm Edition http://info4post.com/2000/Service8/FalMaPost/ and the English language edition of Ha'aretz: Now that you have loaded all that Jewish software onto your Palm, treat your hi-tech gadget with the new respect it deserves: www.israelwire.com/New/000526/00052628.html. Rabbi Ephraim Zalmanovitz, spiritual leader of Israel's Mazkeret Batia community, studied the Palm Pilot and has issued a hi-tech halachic ruling. According to the rabbi, someone who has "holy" software installed on a Palm, and drops it, must kiss it as one does a holy book $uch as a siddur or other sacred book.

Mark Mietkiewicz is « TorontO'based tetevi* sion producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Xtttertwt, Be can be contact': •0d at: Wghway®hona©,com, • . • . '

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Adult Education opportunities abound at Beth Israel Synagogue. From ongoing, weekly classes to monthly pro- ^ -" grams, there are opportunities for --".TV ' .".." everyone to learn.

Each week, Rabbi Howard Kutner teaches a popular Talmud class on Tractate Bava Matzia. These sessions, held on T u e s d a y s a t 7:30 p.m., are stimulating discussions debating ancient yet relevant Talmudic issues. The class uses the Artscroll Edition of the Talmud with full English translation. R a b f e i K u t n e r

deception, and sins in the marketplace. Lunch and Learn sessions are held at the office of Joe Kirshenbaum at Noddle Development.

Also offered each month is the Pardes Program, a series developed by the Orthodox Union. The Pardes Program is designed to promote spiritual and intellectual growth through exposure to Torah sources as part of a group discussion, Pardes topics include "Love and Relationships," "Money," l e d s e e 8 i o n s OR C "Violence and the Media," and ?i KK VIStudy I on w V SFriday A Jewish events "In the News" last "Judging Others," Shabbat both Pardes sesveai. evening and Saturday afternoon. sions are led by Rabbi Kutner Beth Israel also offers the opportunity to learn on Saturday evenings in member's homes. The first new synagogue skills. Rabbi Kutner teaches indi- session is Dec. 9. vidual and email group sessions to people who Contemporary Jewish Issues is a new class being want to learn to chant the Torah portion of offered this winter. This class focuses on selective, Haftorah, and lead the Shabbos morning services. timely topics of Jewish interest.

These sessions can be set up to fit the schedule of Each class is offered in two-week sessions to accomany individual by contacting Rabbi Kutner. modate busy schedules. The next Contemporary Continuing for the third year, Rabbi Kutner will Issues class meets Jon. 22 and 29, and will focus on lead a popular Lunch and Learn series on Business "Messianism."

Ethics. Lunch and Learn meets on the third For more information on any of these classes or Wednesday of each month, nnd has included such programs, contact the Beth Israel office at 556topics m employer/employee relations, honesty and 6288, for a copy of the Adult Education brochure.

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The University of Nebraska Medical • Has «.\iucated more than one-half of the physicians, dental and allied health pta/fe&m^h, ? • pharmacists and maflter's-prepared nurses practicing in the state • " • Has had a pruscna 1 in mote than 130 Nebraska communities this year through its teaching, service pnd research p r o g r a m • College of Dentistry's first-year class has ranked Post nationally . J« grade-point average five of the past sfctyeaw, • • Physician Assistant Program was chosen by U.S. News & World Report as among the top 10 programs in the country.

• Received a nationally competitive $8 million grant targeting chronic heart Failure and a $1 million grant to move n u a l nursing education into the home.

• l-i.tabli.shcd tin* world's last pio^iam to collect rolls n'tjuiii'd fw bone inanovv transplants from a patient's blood, r.ithi'i than jMmfiilly from bone marrow • Ir.utapLartt pitigi.nn, diuinj 1 tin* pjj.t 13 ycar-i, ha-, brought more than W70 million into Uio M,Hi\ • Developed a m-vv, inoti' I'lfoctive thug foi glaucoma

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University of Nebraska Medical Center Nebraska's Health Science Center A Purlin) with Nebniskri Hfeiltli Sy\t*m

Nehtaskans can take i-ndr in thru mil; [>ul>!u l\ funded academic health sctfttcei center, tfyim m an aryanizatton to whu h you hi'lang woull like to wange a tour of our rumpus, calf (402) 5S9*43S& If you would like nw/e infornuiunn tifjoui tINMC. call or visit our web uie at www.ititittc.edu \

Page 20

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 10,2000

Values Are Caught, Not Taught

by OZZIE NOGG —

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One of the more colorful characters in shtetl life was the balegoleh—the wagon driver—the fellow who moved people from pillar to post, hither and yon.

Now, Omaha is a far cry from Kamenetz-Podolsk, but "moving" people is a top priority at Beth El Synagogue—particularly, moving them towards a heightened awareness of Jewish tradition and observance. To that end, the synagogue recently introduced The Beth El Balegoleh, a roving wagon designed to grab people's attention with its appealing combination of food, festive music and informative holiday handouts.

According to Susie Drazen, Beth , Susie Drazen, Beth El Program El's Program Director, "This educa- Director, with the Beth El tional tool is a way to attract people's Balegoleh, the traveling wagon eyes, ears and then, to fill th'eir that serves as the synagogue's hearts. They hear the festive music, new mobile teaching tool. On taste the holiday food and, in this this particular Sunday morning, way* the value--the lesson in its most the Balegoleh promoted Shabbat natural way-is caught, not taught." observance and dispensed Starting from its headquarters in Shabbat candles and a challah the synagogue's Community Court, recipe—along with recorded the Beth El Balegoleh will travel Shabbat melodies--to people through the Beth El building and passing through the Beth El BESTT classrooms on various Community Court.

Sundays during the year, "The Community Court is Beth El's giving, plus a pareve recipe for pumpcrossroads and meeting place," kin pie!

• Sunday, Dec. 10: Hanukkah Drazen continued. "It's where our people gather to talk and nosh on Home Service Tips plus Luscious Sunday mornings—after minyan, Latke samples and recipes.

• Sunday, Feb. 11: Tu B'Shevat meetings, working in and around the shul, when taking kids to and from brings "A Nutty Birthday. Party for Talmud Torah. Beth El is a happen- the Trees."

• Sunday, Feb. 25: "Have a Pering place, full of people and activities fect Purim!" in which to participate. The Beth El • Sunday, March 25:. "A Simply Balegoleh will create an even more Super Seder" with marvelous menu up-beat Jewish atmosphere."

The Beth El Balegoleh made its ideas • Sunday, April 22. Happy Birthfirst appearance on Sunday, Sept. 24, featuring High Holiday songs, recipes day, Israel!

The Beth El Balegoleh rolls around and How-To handouts. On Oct. 29, it highlighted Shabbat observance. the synagogue on scheduled Sundays Upcoming Balegoleh sightings and between 10 a.m. and noon. The themes include; music, fun, finger-food samples, • Sunday, Nov. 19: "Hodah & Holiday Handouts and general taste Hodu." In Hebrew, hodah means of "yiddishkite" are available at no "thanks" and hodu means "turkey." cost to all who pass by.' Try it! You'll Find new ways to celebrate Thanks- like it!

When yoii're looking Ail Things E<\uczt\otjk\^Qwfpq

in Jev\feb Omaha

Sinai Institute for Jewish Studies Continues Parenting Classes

by JEWISH PRESS News Service — The Sinai Institute for Jewish Studies will continue the Parenting Series on Nov.19 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Parents of children of all ages are encouraged to join Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman for some practical tips in Jewish education and the philosophy behind them. Examining traditional Jewish sources, this series will approach Jewish education in a variety of ways.

The second lecture in the series, which began Nov. 5, is entitled "Discipline the Jewish Way" and will provide insights as well as practical applications to zero in on the individuality of each child.

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Hebrew Club' Conversation Heard in the Middle and High School

by JEWISH PRESS News Service • •'• " • • " .

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teacher Elinor Matalon, Alex Katz and Keith Graul.

Already in it's second year, Temple Israel's Middle and High School students have the chance to be exposed to Hebrew as a living language.

By the time students have reached this point in their religious studies, they have acquired a firm footing in prayer book Hebrew and are ready to pursue some aspects of modern conversational Hebrew.

The primary aims of the "Hebrew Club" is to cultivate the desire and ability to converse in Hebrew with understanding, to supplement and enrich the already existing curriculum and to closely relate to the students interests in Hebrew and the State of Israel.

It is also true that the study of Modern Hebrew grammar and vocabulary can greatly enhance the study and continued participation in prayer book Hebrew!

All the activities, teaching procedures and techniques are aimed to serve these primary goals. The "Hebrew Club" is under the capable direction of Elinor Matalon, a sabra or native-born Israeli, and a JELS Community Teacher.

"Hebrew Club" meets twice a month for an hour and a half each time and includes a Shulchan Ivri (Hebrew Table) including a pizza dinner and Hebrew conversation.

Education is a Priority at with Temple Israel

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Exciting & |nrichingrjep1i*|r^lfn| ii^'the Ha^ilkh- P^jama paijty with sward-winnrng s i n g e r ^ ^ j t # j S 8 j ^ | j a n Ginsburgh, January 2lfj 2001!

thE Rabbis

Outreach

Scholars-in-Residence

Family School

Tiym

Mentor Program

Family Shabk|ton at Mahoney' Stei Park,#br|fary 9-11,: Scholarships for Jewish Preschool, Jewish O n 4 Israel experience trips, col|ge and much more!

Adult B'nai Mitzvah

B'nai Mitzvah and Israel Experience grants for teens!

Family UJorkshops

College of Jewish Learning Programs Newly rem Public!

Jewish Journey Groups

(j r a d e s PK42 Koi Qina Grade 10 trip to New York

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Hebrew Club

icated | r p e library witn*rinterj|et |ccess for the Slub

For more information, piefee contact JELSat fe4-6445,

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Conversing in Hebrew are Ben Salzinger, left, Hannah Wolf,

Services!

We oner:^

Rabbi Mendel Katzman and his wife, Shani, have both worked in the field of Jewish education for more than 20 years. They have led workshops and counseled hundreds of youth over the years. Shani is a teacher by profession and is experienced with children, including very young ones, and has taught teens as well. They have been educating their own children now for 14 years and have a lot to share with participants.

The lectures are open to all parents and educators in the community and are free of charge. Light refreshments will be served. Please reserve at 330-1800 or Chabad@aol.com

Temple Tones

family Svtvicet

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Adult Retreat Panim el Ponlm

The Kermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Learning Tot Shabbatot

November 10, 2000

Jewish PRess, Omaha, ME

Page 21 /

Adult B'nai MJtzvah Class UNMC t o B y i l d Inspires Participants Research Center

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

This year, Temple Israel's Adult B'nai Mitzvah class has swelled to 25 participants. Through weekly classes, participants study prayerbook Hebrew and delve into Jewish history, philosophy and theology. If you have never read from Torah and don't know Hebrew, consider taking an Adult B'nai Mitzvah class. Call 556-6536 for more information.

Here are what some of the participants say: / want to be a participant, not a spectator of Judaism, I want to learn Hebrew, the prayers in a service, the whys and the whos. I want to know in my heart what my connection is to Abraham, Sarah, the prophets, and the State of Israel, Three years ago, my family had our first Shabbat dinner experience; now the kids yell if I forget the challah. I want to continue exploring my relationship with God. Finally, one of my sons is chanting the old refrain, "Do I have to go to religious school today?"

My answer is affirmative in voice and action. I am doing the same thing I am telling him to do.

Kathy Hirshman / waited until my mid-60's to convert, and there was so much to study. Now I'm enrolled in the Adult B'nai Mitzvah class, learning more about prayer services and trying to read Hebrew. And it's fun!

The teachers are enthusiastic and "p-a-t-i-e-n4n; my classmates are a delight. I really am grateful to participate.

Ken Below Learning more about the service Helps my worship of God, It all is finally falling into place: creation, revelation, redemption, I'm learning why we say what we say when we say if. This is deepening my attention and intent during service.

Tamra Willett-Johnson • It is not for identity that I take on this task for which somehow I'm making the time. Nor are these new ways of lips and tongue to begin a conversation with God, Awesome and deepening, with joy unsurpassed, Judaism already has sfiown me its ways.

Rather, considering the extra effort it has taken to pray without knowing chapter or verse, Fm finally learning liow to do it "right", free of feeling I've been doing it "wrong",

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Simchat Torah Carries Us Throughout the Year

by CANTOR JENNIFER BLUM, Temple Israel • ^ , ,,, .,

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by CHRIS LARSON, UNMC Public Affairs —

One of the most exciting developments at the University of Nebraska Medical Center over the next couple of years will be the construction of a seven-story, $77 million research center.

The Research center of Excellence, which will help connect all of the research activities taking place at UNMC, will be built on the western edge of the Medical Center's main campus on 45th Street, between Emilie and Dewey. Currently, the University Geriatric Center occupies that space, but will be razed within the first few months in 2001. Currently, nearly 25% of the Med Center's existing research labs are housed in pre-World War II facilities.

UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said research is essential to excelling at all aspects of UNMC's mission, including education and patient care.

"Research fuels everything. To provide the best patient treatments, we must be able to develop those treatments here," said Dr. Maurer.

"Achieving our vision will dramatically improve the health and well-being of all Nebraskans."

The research center will house state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms and a large amphitheater.

No state tax dollars will be used to build the center, but state funding will be requested for oporating and maintenance cost. An additional $10 million will be needed for program development and to recruit world-class scientists.

Dr. Maurer noted the generoBity of Omaha resident Charles Durham in helping to make the research center a reality. Durham's private gift, earmarked for the research center and a new parking garage, was the largest ever received by UNMC. The university also recently received a $17.5 million gift from the Peter Kiewit Foundation for the research center.

The new facility will promote collaboration among rcsoarchera acroaB disciplines in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, developmental biology, genetics/molecular genetics, tieurobiology and organ transplantation biology. It will also support UNMC's goal of doubling its research funding in five years and tripling it in 10.

"This research center is essential if we are to recruit and retain the world's beat scientists," added Dr. Maurer.

Kiewit Offers $20,000 Distinguished Scholar Awards

"Eitz chayim hi lamachazikim bah v'tomechecha by JEWISH PRESS News Service — — - — m'ushar." "It is a tree of life to those who cling to it Application materials are available now for the and all of its supporters are happy," Peter Kiewit Foundation Distinguished Scholar As I write this article, our community has recent- Awards. These awards are valued at $6,000 per ly celebrated Simchat Torah, t h e one day our year and are renewable for up to four consecutive Jewish calendar sets aside specifically to honor the years for a maximum total value of $20,000, One wisdom of the Torah. hundred scholarships will be presented next May It is unquestionably one of the most joyous celebra- to Nebraska high school seniors statewide. tions our tradition provides. We literally embrace the Interested students should request application Torah, dance with it, and hear its closing and openinformation from their high school guidance office. ing phrases chanted with no pause in between.

Applicants must be: During most of the year, the Torah is treated • current high school seniors on schedule to gradwith delicate reverence. We are careful about how uate from a Nebraska high school iu May or June we handle it. We have rules about when the Torah •of 2001; should be covered, how it should be dressed, how it • ranked in the top 10% of their high school class is chanted, and which blessings are to surround its as of the end of their junior year and as of the end reading. We touch it only with a tallit or prayerof the first semester of their senior year; book as it is carried past us during worship.

• able to present standard college entrance test Yet, once a year, we flout such structured behavscores (ACT or SAT); and ior and simply allow ourselves to pass the Torah • Nebraska residents. scroll around for all to handle and celebrate. On The Trustees, of the Peter Kiewit Foundation creSimchat Torah, we remind ourselves that the Torah's wisdom is not so esoteric and, with the ated this program to reward excellent students and encourage them to continue their education in right guidance, can be easily grasped by all of us.

Nebraska.

Recipients are allowed to use the scholHow can we maintain this feeling of accessibility to arship to attend any of the following publicly-supthe Torah during the remainder of tiie Jewish year? ported schools; UNK, UNL, UNMC, UNO, Chadron Learning to chant a portion of Torah allows us to State, Peru State or Wayne State. partake of a truly ancient tradition. The sixth Applications are due Jan. 12, 2001. Independent graders of Temple Israel are learning the skills to judges will review the applications and select finalchant the Torah imd Haftarah in a weekly Trope ists, who will then respond to a more extensive doss. Iii class, the kids learn that chanting Torah is a wonderful way to experience and understand the questionnaire. Winners will be announced in April.

School counselors may call the Peter Kiewit power of our sacred scroll. When they read the Torah's words, they become a direct link in a chain Foundation in Omaha at (402) 344-7890, for clarifithat stretches back thousands of years. They become cation or to request additional copies of application active participants and <:onn«ct themselves with the materials. The Kiewit Distinguished Scholar Awards have been presented annually since 1996.

Jewish people: past, present and future.

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Page 22

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 10,2000

1

EJUSTES STORY "Eristes, tell us the adventurous story of the past, of the destructive war.

Please tell us, piease tell again of your perilous journey for it gives to us a measure of strength."

The curious boys begged of Eristes.

Old was Eristes.

But in the city of Athens, a storyteller was he. Told Eristes of his adventure being put forth to face the terrors of the Trojan War. Great was his story, and strong was he, stronger than the words he spoke.

Said old Eristes in a regretful tone.

Traitor was he, why had Eristes run from war while others had to face risk of death? Couldn't he have shown greatness of bravery, or could he?

Lying there dreaming deep by a colossal hollow tree, turned was Eristes' mind, and so was he, twisted and fearul. Dreaming was he of the fierce war, the hideous death of others.

What shall happen to a traitor like Eristes, what shall happen?

Soon Eristes, still in fitful rest, awoke to find himself Imprisoned by his peers but the place unknown perhaps to be Megara? Turns Eristes to a guard asking where he is.

Spoke Terisious, a poor cowardly soldier Afraid also of war.

Slept for days did they, and as Terisious had said they left. Avoiding the dangers of being captured, both men stayed hidden behind the green forests, Soon did they become friends with an everlasting friendship.Together then did they make towards Athens to seek a new joyful life. Next they found themselves at the start of the forest Devil's Forest which was the only way to Athens from where they were.

"It is said, Eristes, that not many men succeeded in making it through this forest. Many have lost their lives in there. But yet it is the only way to Athens from here. Should we not go?"

Said Terisious in a strong voice.

"Yes we shall go, and we shall make it. Terisious, you and I have a long risky journey we can't stop now.

The gods are on our side. We will succeed."

"For soon Eristes you shall die for running from your duty to fight for your country," Explained the soldier.

Stated Eristes.

So did they Eristes and Terisious go deep into the mist dark Devil's Forest with hope that they do succeed, and live greatfully in Athens. When all looked well and they could see the end of the forest, quickly the sun was cluttered by massive storm clouds as though mighty Zeus was angry. ,,

"Could I really be here, could I. Is this not just a horrible fantasy, Truly It must not be. Great Zeus has surely punished me. I shall be made to drink the awful poison."

Said Eristes with pain.

Eristes was lead to the spot where he would die. Eristes then awoke where he had been before under the hollow tree. With his heart beating rapidly did Eristes realize the power of his mind was playing tricks on him. Then strength he found and with it he leaves. For now he would go on an adventurous jouney back home, to Athens he would go though it would take many days.

As the four years of high school slowly pass, we each gain a little more knowledge and a little more humility. When I was an unknowledgeable, egotistical freshman, my least favorite teacher was the same man who is my favorite teacher today. As we age, it's funny how much moie clear things get and how much more appreciated a good teacher can become It is the role of a teacher, in my opin^ ..«-, ion, to enlighten stuJacob dents on a particular subject, instill fear in them of failing to meet expectations as well as respect for the role the teacher plays in their education, and to somehow teach the student a little bit about life in the meantime.

I have had the opportunity to have a teacher who practically defines "teacher." His name In Mark Hufnagl and he teaches British Literature as well as A.P. English at Brownell-Talbot School.

I also had Mr. Hufnagl sophomore year,

Walking for days did Eristes, until his feet could carry him no more. Then stumbled Eristes into a deserted home and there he slept for many days. Go back home should he, or stay forever. Thought Eristes to stay, but changed his thought when came'a suitor with a shining sword and golden shield.

"I am Terisious, soldier from war.

I am a traitor like yourself, a coward I am. I need to rest but then we should go. For our own armies of Greece shall come for us. Killed will we be if we do not leave soon."

"A craven spirit was I, for furiously I ran from the fierce war, until I had fallen with immense tiredness. Sat I then by a hollow tree.

I thought myself to be a horrible traitor, for my cowardness controlled me and scared me from war. Then fell I into a spacious sleep."

THEN AND NOW.

by Naomi Wolfson

"Dear Eristes it is getting stormy.

Suppose Zeus is angry. We have to find shelter."

Worried Terisious, As the two men searched for shelter lightning lit up the dark sky.

Fell harshly did the rain. Thunder stormed like the yelling of Zeus.

Soon the forest filled with water Terisious and Eristes held on trying

to keep alive. When then the two were pushed by the water through the end of Devil's Forest into a lake. Then all was silent.

• Yellow sun came through the white clouds.

Eristes then picked himself up freed himself from the dirty mud and searched Eristes for his dear friend Terisious. Then spotted Eristes in the mud was Terisious. His body covered almost completely with mud like one hundred tons on your back.

"Terisious can it be? Have you died?

Please awaken for here are we on the fresh land of Athens, but you lie dead.

No, Zeus, it can't be, why he, and not me."

Yelled Eristes to the Heavens.

Eristes carried his dear friend to the temple of Apollo where there was he buried. Lonely was he for days. At the break of dawn on one fine day Eristes began to build a homeon his new land in which he named Terisious. And many years after the harsh death of Terisious, Eristes married and lived peacefully on his land. And everyday Eristes would say.

"Terisious, my dear friend, you would love to be here with me for did you,great things for me and even though you are deceased always will be our friendship everlasting my friend for we are the bravest men that anyone could be."

Eristes'son Terisious later came to he, with a kiss.

"You my father are the best storyteller In this land. The children of Athens loved your story you told today. I am honored to be your son and be named after your brave friend."

His son praised.

Many times did Eristes' son say that to him.

For many long great years told Eristes of his adventure. And died he fighting in a war while saving lives. Many were filled with sorrow because of his great death. But remembered was he and inscribed upon his gravestone were these words.

Eristes, a brave soul, remembered every day for his long story of faith which gives to all a measure pf strength, and great inspiration, and his strength for fighting and saving lives. And so great Eristes lived greatfully in heaven like a god and remembered as a great hero of Greece.

THE END Naomi is an eighth grader at Westside Middle School, a member of Junior Youth Group and Temple Israel.

by Jacob Katzman although, as a sophomore, I did not like him. His class seemed ridiculously hard and he seemed too much a stickler on the rules.

It was this year I realized it was his good teaching qualities that I once feared and despised. I didnot like his class because it truly forced me to make the very best of myself if I expected to get a good grade.

This year, he made me stretch even further and now I appreciate it. In A.P. English, we are told to write very direct literary assignments that sometimes take three to four tries to get within the range of expectation. He continually tells us we need to do better and insists that with the right amount of training, we will do better. He brings out the best work in every one of his students.

And so to all you younger readers out there who have no respect for teachers who make your life harder, I say this: it is the people who try to make you reach into yourself who will help you define yourself. It is the people who believe you should not just settle for what is, but strive to make yourself something extraordinary. Because in order to be better than the other guy, you have to be continually better than your previous self.

Jacob is a senior at Brownell-Talbot and a member of Beth Israel Synagogue.

by Brandon Rich.

TSS is a cooperative teaching program run by the teens of Beth El Synagogue.

Every Saturday morning, TSS begins at 10 a.m. We split our two hours together into three parts: 30 minutes in the sanctuary to understand the way a service is held, 45 minutes in a one-on-one tutor-to-student session, and 45 minutes in the chapel performing a service where the students put their knowledge to the test.

TSS is open to anyone in grades four through seven. The main goal is to help students prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah in a fun learning environment.

One of the characteristics that sets Beth El's TSS program apart from others is that besides the director, Scott Littkey, TSS is run entirely by teens. All the teens have had their own Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and help prepare their younger students for this exciting time in every young Jewish teen's life.

There is no set tutor-to-student relationship, so during the year, students are able to absorb the perspective of many different role models. They are also able to interact with other students in their tutoring group. This style of tutoring causes friendships to take place on many different levels.

While in tutoring groups, students are taught the prayers they will need to do well on their Bar/Bat Mitzvah day.

Students start out with less difficult prayers and work their way up. By the time they are in seventh grade, they have mastered most all the prayers they 1 will need.

The Hebrew and the prayers came Brandon easily to me because I went to the Friedel Jewish Academy. I enjoyed the idea of teaching others, and since I had gone through the TSS program myself, it just made sense to continue and help younger kids.

By learning in a less formal environment, students are not as pressured as they might be in traditional-style tutoring.

The result is students learning without even realizing it.

Brandon is a junior at Burke, a member of USYand Beth £1 Synagogue.

November 10,2000

EDITORIAL

Over Teacher Pay

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 23

Ms. Kadar Sets an A*!

by Marissa Epstein It scares me that my educational future is dependent upon the quality of my teachers. What frustrates me even more is that low wages can result in poor-quality teachers in the Omaha school districts.

I had decided my college major at age 10 because I had such an inspiring English j teacher. However, when I was 13,1 had been completely turned off from a certain subject because of a poorquality teacher. It marvels me to think that students' career paths can be guided or misguided by teachers.

Ask any of my friends why they don't want to be a teacher, and they will tell you Marissa the same thing: It doesn't pay well enough. For thpse teachers who do deserve a higher salary, where would the money come from?

Surely everyone wants to pay higher property taxes.

Consider the teachers who don't deserve a raise.

What should be done with them? Under Al Gore's plan, If teachers didn't stack up to expectations, all poor-quality teachers would have been fired and replaced. Nice try Al, but where would these teachers come from? Some no longer consider teaching a respectable position and there Is a huge teacher shortage. Good teachers aren't easy to find. It's not as If they get a bonus for being great teachers.

Take, for Instance, lylr, Bill Deardoff. H@ Is a reputable Honors World Geography teacher at Burke High School.

Mr. Deardoff has been awarded the Buffet Award, Teacher of the Year Award (voted by th© students), the National Society of Geographic Educators Award and many other notable awards. This is his sixth year in the Omaha Public Schools, yet he only gets paid $31,000.

"I don't think our salaries are poverty level. I'm doing well enough," said Mr. Deardoff. "But compared to the work wo do, it's not even close. I don't know any teacher

who comes right before school starts and leaves right after school. If you think about all the extra hours teachers put In as 'freebies,* it makes a whole different story."

Disobedient kids. Immense paperwork. Hours grading homework. It's easy to see why many don't want to become teachers. You could get twice as much money for doing half as much work in a different profession.

Teens, do you think there will be enough teachers to educate your children?

"Quality people are saying, 'If I have to go to school for four years, I could get a business degree,1" commented Mr. Deardoff. He explained that college-bound students look at the salary they would make majoring in business compared to a career in education, and fewer people are looking to teaching as a result.

Steve Pltlor, former president of the Omaha Public Schools, feels that for the amount of work and effort teachers put forth, they are not paid adequately.

"Teachers deserve a raise," Pitlor commented, "but they shouldn't get paid according to how many years they've bean teaching." Pitlor suggests to promote merit pay, a bonus for teachers who go above and beyond the regular curriculum.

"It would be hard to distinguish good teachers since we have so many In the teaching profession, but we could get principals and advisors in th© classrooms to do evaluations," he added.

Mr, Pitlor also suggested academic performance and a teacher's involvement with students and parents as eligibility for a raise.

Obviously, teachers aren't in th© profession $olely for the money. They have a genuine interest in educating students about what they know best. They definitely deserve a raise. The amount should be discussed by the school boards, As far as where the money comes from, that would most likely go under a long negotiation, but the tip of the iceberg is raising teachers' salaries.

Shame on school boards for paying low wages to the people who educate our future leaders of America.

Marissa la a freshman at Burke, a member of Etiiar BBG, USY and Beth El Synagogue.

•.«...

For the last 10 years, Eileen Kader, pictured with Michael Parsow at his Bar Mltzvah in 1995, has been a committed and effective teacher In the Jewish community, helping dozens of our young people with special needs enjoy a rich and full Jewish life. Like most of her students, Michael has only great things to say about his very special teacher: "What do I remember about Ms. Kader? Well, she was responsible. . .very sympathetic. . .She listened,. . .she was persistent. . , .and she was very smart!"

Exceedi At Creighton, you can expect challenges, opportunities, personal attention and success. Expect to receive an excellent education through academic motivation and inspiration in a values-centered environment. Expect to push beyond your limits and exceed your expectations in all areas of your life - in mind, body and spirit.

Creighton offers students: m Undergraduate, graduate and professional programs m 50 undergraduate majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration, and School of Nursing B Strong advising and mentoring programs ta Career and Academic Planning Center a Honors* Program to intensify the challenge M Language Resource Learning Center to pursue electives or higher level language courses H Study Abroad Program a Internships-for-Credit m Various scholarships a Alumni preference for admission to Creighton professional schools

For more information, contact Greicfhton University Office of Undergraduate Admissions

asoo California p f e

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

•'•••'

Page 24

Jewish PRess, Omaha, NE

November 10, 2000

UNO Documentary Begins Weekend Seminar on Biblical Archeology

Travel with ICC Specialty Camps

by RACHEL. SHKOLNICK, JCC Program Associate —

It's hard to think about next summer when we've ence water parks and the magical Disney nightlife!

If your summer dreams are more along the lines barely put this last one behind us, but next year's of sailing or water skiing, then you'll want to check JCC Specialty Travel Camps are going to make it a but Oh Okobojil From July 9-13, well stay in a cotlittle easier.

Picture yourself shaking hands with possibly the tage at Fillenwarth Beach on West Lake Okoboji most famous character in the world, or imagine with our own kitchen, bathrooms and bedding. relaxing in the sun on a 20-foot pontoon. Maybe During this five-day excursion, we will have the you're dreaming of the chance to canoe your way chance to learn to waterski, sail and fish. Okoboji down one of the most scenic rivers in America. If also offers golf, amusement and water parks and a any of these have you yearning for summer, it's children's theatre. time to start planning.

Whether you're a novice camper or a natural pro, All JCC members who will be entering the fifth Rougkin' It is the ideal outdoor travel camp. On through eighth grades next summer are invited to July 23, we will pitch a tent and UNO instructors take a trip of a lifetime with the JCC Specialty will come out to the JCC pool, where we'll actually learn how to steer a canoe! Then, from July 24-27, Travel Camps.

Our first adventure is called Go Disney, which we will pack our bags, load up the van and take a runs from June 18-22. Campers will fly to Orlando scenic drive to V a l e n t i n e , NE, to canoe the to visit the magical land of Walt Disney World. We Niobrara River.

Did you know that in 1991, Congress designated will stay in the Summerfield Suites, in two-bedroom apartment-like settings, and includes conti- the Niobrara River a "National Scenic River"? nental breakfast, shuttle service to all the Disney Campers on this trip will find out why. With its attractions, a pool, Jacuzzi, workout room, deli and lush valleys and steep sandstone canyons, waterfalls and cliffs, the Niobrara is breathtaking. more!

This summer, our travel camps are really "going This trip also includes a four-day Hopper pass to all the Disney theme p a r k s . This will allow places," and we'd love nothing more than for you to campers to explore the seven enchanted lands of join us in our Specialty Camp travel adventures. the Magic Kingdom, see exhibits from around the Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot world at Epcot, find out what goes on behind the with an early registration. More information will scenes at Disney MGM Studios, and venture to be available soon.

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Campers will experiUntil then, contact me at 334- 6403.

Have an incredible six-week experience on one of our supervised summer programs: • USY on Wheels: a 6i/»week trek across North America • USY on Wheels: Mission: Mitrvah • USY Israel Pilgrimage • London/Israel Pilgrimage • Spain/Israel Pilgrimage • Israel Pilgrimage/Poland Seminar • Eastern Europe/Israel Pilgrimage • Heroism and Hope-JCaly/fsrael Pilgrimage • Etgarl The Ultimate Israel Challenge Sponsored by The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Write: USY, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010 Call: (212) 533-7800 cart. 2311 Web sllc: http://uBcj.org/usy/escape/

For information or to register: B'nai B'rith Beber Camp

Camp Moshava

1901 Raymond Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062 Harrell Wittenstein, Director 847-498-1441 E-mail: bebercamp@aol.com Fax: 847-564-8285 www.bebercamp.com

3740 W. Dempster, Skokie, IL 60076 Zevi Aahkanazy, Director 847-674-9733 Fax: 847-674-9736

Camp Chi-JCCs of Chicago

Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute

3050 Woodridge Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062 Ron Levin, Director '•*847-272-2301 E-mail: campchi@mcimail.com Fax:847-272-5357 www.campchi.com

555 Skokie Blvd., Suite 225, Northbrook, IL 60062 Gererd Kaye, Director , 847-509-0990 E-maiI:osrinfo@aol.com Fax: 847-509-0970 www.osrui.org

Habonim Camp Tavor

Camp Rarnah in Wisconsin

Three Rivers, MI Dan Kanter, Camp Manager 1-800-55TAVOR E-mail: tavorbiz@msn.com Fax: 847-831-1689 www.camptavor.org

65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60601 Rabbi David Soloff, Director 312-606-9316 ' E-mail: ramahbiz@aol.com Fax: 312-606-7136 www.jtsa.edu/ramah/wisconsin

Camp Interlaken JCC

Camp Young Judaea

6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd.

Milwaukee, WI 53217 Judy Young, Director 414-967-8240 E-mail: ciycc@exepc.com Fax: 414-964-0922 www.campinterlaken.org

6600 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 304 Lincolnwood, IL 60712 847-982-2040 E-mail: cyjmid@aol.com Fax: 847-982-9026 www.cyjmid.org

by JEWISH PRESS News Service - ~ — — ^ — — .

"Return to the Cave of the Letters" premiered last night at the W.H. Thompson Alumni Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The documentary film, which chronicles the excavation work of a 25-member team of scholars at the site in Israel, kicked off a three-day seminar at UNO. "Biblical Archeology for the 21st Century: Conference and Reunion" is sponsored by the Consortium of the Bethsaida Excavations Project.

For the past 10 years, UNO has led an international consortium of universities in excavating the ancient city of Bethsaida, located in northern Israel. Last summer, scholars and volunteers used ground-penetrating radar and other devices to conduct an archeological probe of the Cave of the" Letters, located south of Jerusalem. The find produced several coins, textiles, ropes, pottery and several metal objects.

Former UNO Professor Dr. Richard Preund, now Director of the Greenberg Institute for Jewish Studies at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, returned to Omaha for this seminar.

A complete agenda for the three-day event is available by calling UNO at 554-2902.

Artza VI: Omaha's Teen Trip to Israel

by JEWISH PRESS Newsservice.

Next summer, 35 teenagers will have an opportunity to spend four weeks in Israel. This is the sixth Israel trip sponsored by the Omaha Jewish Community Center.

The Omaha group will be chaperoned by professional guides from the Jewish Community Center Association's Israel program, Etgar. This is the second time Omaha has teamed, up with them.

An additional advantage of using this program is the Mifgashim experience, which allows the Omaha group to connect with Israeli teens for one week.

They will spend an entire week together, including two nights in the home of their Israeli host, In 1999, the Omaha Artza group enjoyed this unique experience and got to know their Israeli peers and get) a feel for what it is like for teenagers to live in Israel. Other highlights of the JCCA program include overnights in the desert on an Israeli beach, as well as touring the entire country.

The Aftza kickoff will take place on Nov. 19. at 11 a.m. for an informational meeting at the JCC. Anne Shackman, Artza Chairman, will give parents and students more information on tour dates, cost and itinerary at that time, Artza is open to any Jewish teen, currently in grades 9-12, who meets the grade requirements and whose parents contribute to the UJC/Pederation Campaign and Endowment.

There are spaces for only 35 participants. For more information, contact Corey Kirshenbaum, JCC Assistant Executive Director, 334-6418.

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for your 2001

November 10,2000

Ramah Offers Tikvah Program 2001

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

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Campers with special needs, including learning disabilities, social skill deficits and related problems such as Aspergers Syndrome, find a caring, supportive environment in which they can grow and develop in the Tikvah Programs of Camp Ramah in Wisconsin.

Tikvah offers an eight-week program, as well as a four-week experience for first-time seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students, and a vocational program for selected older returning campers.

All Tikvah programs offer sports, arts and crafts, drama, dance, music, boating, swimming, hiking and religious training. There is an emphasis on social development and Jewish learning through individualized experiences and inclusion in general camp programs as much as possible.

Applications for the 2001 summer sessions are now being accepted. For further information, contact Camp Ramah, 65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60601. Phone: 312-606-9316, ext. 221, or e-mail: RamahWisl@aol.com.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Pag© 35

Gan Israel DayCamp to Offer Mld-Wlnter

Session

by JEWISH PRESS News Service «--»««*-»«

Gan Israel Day Camp, Omaha kids popular sumDecember 3,2000 mer spot, is now offering a one week Winter Camp 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. • W.H. Thompson Alumni Center-at UNO during school break. The camp will take place the week of Dec. 25-29, and will offer kids the same Q/Mim # & f eto'($e[ekatoik ^[olidait $eam thrilling, educational and enriching opportunity to FEATURING: which the summer campers have been introduced.

IUIG1WAITES • AMY WILLIAMS • KVNO'S "CLASSICAL KIDS" SALEM BAPTIST VOICES OF VICTORY CHOIR * DAVID GERARD Open to youth throughout the community, the Playing Traditional Holiday and Hanukkah Favorites program has a half-day Kiddie Camp for three and For Tickets or More Information four year olds, and a full day for older children Call (402) 334-9699 through age 12. The camp, a program of the E-mail: healthyspirit8uswest.net : „ ,,, ,, , Chabad House, is devoted to providing youth with website: iamahBalthyspirit.com /iM/IMp'. UK experiences which "tell them it's cool to be Jewish and lots of fun," explained Shaiii Kaiaman, Director of the camp.

"Through a variety of media, creativity, and universal camp activities, children are inspired to become committed Jews," one satisfied parent commented.

Children meet daily at the Chabad. House from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Kiddie Camp ends at 1. p.m.

The program begins with davening and a short Parashah Partners lesson. Some of the favorite activities include Challah baking, swimming and art. Field trips are Becomes Intergenerationai b y J E W I S H P R E S S N e w s S e r v i c e • • - •< • .•'..,•, also made to various places of interest. Hot, nutriFor the second consecutive year, fourth graders tious lunches are served daily, as are snacka and from Temple Israel's Religious School are meeting drinks throughout the day.

Gan Israel is staffed by warm, loving, dedicated, once a month at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home as teens with much experience and training. The part of an Intergenerationai Learning Program.. week-long camp will culminate with a special proThis is a unique opportunity for seniors to learn gram for families and a unique Shabbaton for tho along side their grand- and great-grandchildren. older campers.

The "Tea Room" is transformed into a classroom For more information, or to receive an applica• Jewish programming * Canoeing and Sailing and the children partner with the residents to • Israeli Dance • Overnights • Arte & Crafts tion for your child, please cull Jennifer at 380-1800. learn the parashah for that week.

• Red Cross Swim Program • Hiking • Scouting Both Rini Gonsher and Anne Joseph have been.

• Sports • Oneg Shabbat, • Drama teaching fourth grade for several years at Temple • Israeli Singing • Water Skiing Israel

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June 18July I V

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• Blobbing OPEN HOUSE • Theatre Beth El Synagogue • Sailing 14506 N. California • Horseback Riding Omaha • 'Ifennis Everyone is Invited • Waterskiing fc VIDEO 31st Season WILL FOLLOW ACA Acredited Camp Sabra, located on 960 acres and 31/2 miles of private shoreline on the magnificant Lake of the Ozarks, MO, is the resident co-ed summer camping facility of the St. Louis JCC, serving children and teens entering grades 3-10 in 4-week sessions, with 2-week options available for those entering grades 3-6.

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496-4301 Payment plan and 2nd child discounts available

Page 26

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 10,2000

Temple Students

Education Program at ChabadHouse Renamed

Meet Hadassah Lleberman

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

Various adult and children's educational programs at Chabad House have all been grouped under one umbrella and have been renamed the Sinai Instititute for Jewish Studies. Sinai is the place for receiving the Torah, as we all did 3,313 years ago. It represents the ongoing educational experience of our people, not merely limited to the acquisition of knowledge, but expanded to effect our lifestyles and influence our habits as well.

Under this banner are children's educational activities and classes of Kiddie Kollege. These feature parallel education for toddlers, preschool and primary school children along with their parents.

Kiddie Kollege features "Mommy and Me Torah Tots," "Mitzvah Munchkiris* for three-, four- and five-year-olds, and "Torah Tales and Treats" for kindergartners and first graders. It is a wonderful opportunity to nurture Jewish identity in a fun, creative and comfortable setting.

"Women bf Worth" is devoted to providing meaningful opportunities for women to explore their Judaism and issues affecting tbeni apd tfteir families through the Torah's lensi In this cbhtext, it provides thought-provoking classes such as the "Genesis Series," "Mysticism through the Hebrew Alphabet" and "Chicken Soup for the Women's

Soul." Women are encouraged to ask questions.

It also provides informal "Kosher Cooking Classes," "Challah Baking," "Simcha Dancing" for fun, Israeli-Chassidic dancing, Shabbat afternoon parsha discussion groups. Each season brings additional, creative programs; any ideas or suggestions for new offering are always welcome.

Weekly evening or daytime study groups include a variety of opportunities for the novice as well as the experienced Torah students. Offerings such as the "Laws of Business and "Politics," "Spirituality through Jewish Mysticism," "The 613 Mitzvahs," and "Talmud" are opportunities for both men and women to explore their heritage. Classes are either text based or lecture style.

Family events such as the "Dreidel House" and "Model Matzah Bakery" provide hands-on opportunities for holiday education and fun.

Chabadcenters, our website, is updated constantly and full of interesting and informative Jewish learning. The "Pax of Life" is faxed weekly to everyone who would like to receive it.

For our hew catalogue of classes or to receive updates and information via fax or email, call Jennifer at the Chabad House at 330-1800, or email us at Chabad@aol.com

High School Offers Enrichment Class For the fist time, Temple Israel students in Middle School grades 9-11 have the option to be a member-of this unique class devoted to intensive study through Introduces Intermodules text.

In recent years, Jewish educators have shown a The Enrichment Class is focusing on the study of growing awareness of the potential of informal Pirkeh Avot. Excerpts from this great book relating group activities as an educational medium, espeto Jewish ethical concepts are studied in seminar cially for adolescents. Therefore, Temple Israel's style, leading to the discussion of moral problems educators have added, "January is Intermodules and issues. Case scenarios are used in arriving at Month!" "solutions" that are religiously sound in giving old Intermodules include opportunities to choose an questions new answers, elective from the following class topics: Jewish To give the students an understanding of the Music/Choir, Journalism, Conversational Hebrew development of Jewish Ethics, attention is given and Social Justice: Turning Thought Into Action. not only to the Ethics of the Fathers, but also to Intermodules are a way of presenting students the sources of our ethical teachings in the Bible with alternatives for Jewish expression. and Talmud. During the study of Pirkeh Avot, stuIt is agreed that Jewish education must seek to dents are led to view the principles and ideas in do more than merely transmit the Jewish heritage terms of their lives as members of a family, school and make students more knowledgeable, as indisand community. pensable as these are. Jewish education must also The first semester is under the leadership of have a structure that allows for the integration of Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Rabbi Shlomo Levin, Omaha the formal and informal activities.

Center for Torah Learning, will lead "Nice Guys Finish Last-Do We Always Have To Be Good?" during second semester.

BROWNELL ,BOT 1 8 6 3

The Choice is Clear th

•College counseling begins in 8 grade •Highest reported ACT and SAT averages in Nebraska •Historically 100% of graduates go to college •College preparatory curriculum for students in preK through grade 12 400 N Happy Hollow Blvd Omaha NE 68132

Metro Winter Registration Now in Progress

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

F O U N D E D

Several of the students in grade 12 at Temple Israel recently had the opportunity to meet Hadassah Leiberman. These students are participating' in a year-long study, under the leadership of Susie Noddle, in preparation for the trip to Washington, D.C. "Panim el Panim" exposes Jewish high school students to a range of public policy issues facing America and the Jewish community through the people who work on these issues daily in Washington. Front row, from left: Melissa Josephson, Jennifer Friedman, Hadassah Leiberman, Rachel Flatowicz and Jamie Skog; back row; Rabbi Azriel, Elyce Azriel, Shane Cohn, Allyson Freeman and Diana Manvitz.

(402) 556-3772 www.brownell.edu

. '..,',,-

The Winter quarter will begin on Nov. 27 and end on Feb, 26, 2001.

Classes are offered in all of Metro's programs including Academic Transfer, Day, evening and weekend classes are available. Tuition is $28 per credit hour.

New students can obtain registration information, by calling the Student Services Center on any Metro campus. The numbers are: Elkhorn Valley Campus, 289-1205; Fort Omaha Campus, 4572705; South Omaha Campus, 7384505; Fremont Center, 721-2607; and the Sarpy Center, 537-3800.

Current or former Metro students enrolling for fewer than 12 credit hours who know what classes they want to take may register by calling 457-5231, (There are exceptions for students in certain Allied Health programs.)

Residents outside Douglas and Sarpy Counties can connect with any Metro department or program by using the toll free number: 1-800-2289553.

All residents of Metro's service area-Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties-should already have received a course schedule from Metro in the mail, Additional schedules may be requested by calling any Metro Student Services Center.

uihat are uue about....

-Building Conservative Judaism -Education -Students •Teachers •Torah

Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah "Preparing our students fot the future" For information, coll Scott UUky, Education Director*

498-0904

November 10,2000

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 27

JELS Assists with Scholarships

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS) available to entering freshman with demonstrable Studies are available through the Rebecca is a beneficiary of the annual UJA/Federation cam- financial need from the Phillip G. and Terri L, Friedman Scholarship Fund. Students seeking paign and endowments and has scholarships and Schrager Foundation and the Edward Zorinsky either a high school or university level. loana available for college and university study as Endowment Fund.

Youth Seminars, Israel Summer Programs, well as funding for other educational opportunities.

Law School: The Leo and Aileen Eisenstadt J e w i s h Summer Camps and Preschool A listing of financial aid funds is printed in the Scholarship Fund was established to provide fund- Scholarships are also available. A complete listFinancial Aid Guide of Jewish Educational Services ing for scholarships to Jewish students attending ing of available grants and scholarships is pub; to be mailed to the community at the end of Creighton University Law School. lished in the Financial Aid Guide, along with the December. Applications will be available at the Undergraduate and Graduate Loans: The application requirements and deadlines. All applisynagogues, the Kripke Jewish Federation Library David E. Beber Scholarship Fund makes low-interest cations will be available by the end of December. and in the JELS office. loans available to qualified Jewish youth of Omaha Awards are made based on demonstrated finanIncoming and current college students may apply to attend fee university or college of their choice, The cial need. Few awards are made solely on the basis for financial assistance for the 2001-2002 academic B'nai B'rith Dr. Abe Greenberg I Henry Monsky Lodgeof scholastic or academic achievement. year by completing the required application and sub- Endowment Fund provides interest-free loans to stu- Participation in Jewish religious, communal and mitting all the required information to the JELS dents who have immediate relatives that are mem- educational activities are considered in all awards. office by March 25, 2001. Through the generosity of bers in good standing of the Henry Monsky B'nai A record of charitable giving to the Jewish the benefactors, the following endowed funds are B'rith Lodge, Financial need is a consideration in Federation of Omaha may be a consideration in available for scholarships or loans: granting loans from these funds. determining eligibility.

Studies in Education: The Lenore Simon Physical Education Scholarships: The Burton Application procedure Aronson Fund is intended to provide financial aid L. Robinson Student Athletic Scholarship Fund Any student interested in applying for a scholarfor education majors at the University of Nebraska assists Jewish, students from Omaha planning a ship or loan for any of the listed purposes should: at Omaha. Funds are also provided for Jewish sum- career in physical education, health and recreation1. Contact the offices of Jewish Educational and mer camp scholarships. For graduate studies in al science, or related and similar fields.

Library Services at 334-6445, or your synagogue for special education; the Ruth Sokolof Special Jewish Professionals: Scholarships are avail- an application.

Education Scholarship Fund has been endowed. able for those who wish to enter professional ser2, Fill out the application completely and follow Undergraduate Scholarships: TVie Carl Frohm vice to the Jewish community, including those pur- all of the instructions, including providing all Educational Fund, the Alan & Annie Fleishman suing careers in the rabbinate, cantorate, JewJBh financial information requested, transcripts and Scholarship Fund, the Maxine & Joe Kirshenbaum education or Jewish communal service. recommendations. Applications that are not comScholarship Fund, the Livingston Scholarships, Joe Graduate Grants: The Sandra L. Feldman plete cannot be considered. and Ruth Rice Scholarship Fund, the Jerold I. & Sclwlarship Fund was established in her memory 3. For college and university study, the completed Sheila E. Rosen Endowment Fund, The Lois Jeanne for those students pursuing a graduate education. applications (along with all requested information) Schrager Memorial Fund, the Nate M. and BeatriceAdditional grants are provided through the Sandra must be returned to the JELS office at: 333 So. 132 Sherman Scholarship Fund, the David Keiser and L, Feldman Scholarship Fund, the Beatrice and St,, Omaha, NE 68154, no later than March 26, Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Education Nate H, Sherman Scholarship Fund, the Livingston 2001. Applications received after the deadline date Endowment Fund, the Lillian Keiser Stoms Scholarships, the Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum may not be considered, Educational Fund help undergraduates with finan- Scholarship Fund, the Jerold I. And Sheila E. 4, For all other scholarships, refer to the deadline cial need fund their college education.

Rosen Endowment Fund, and the Albert M, and dates provided in the Financial Aid Guide that will Scholarships for freshmen: The Nancy and Jeanette T. Nepomnick Education Fund. Students be mailed later this year.

Don Greenberg Scholarship Fund is awarded to a may pursue special education and general educaFor more information about any of the scholarJewish resident of the Omaha area entering his or tion through the Ruth Sokolof Education Fund. ships and grants available, please call JELS at 334her freshman year of college. Scholarships are also Yeshiva Studies; Scholarships for Yeshiva 6445 or e-mail khir8hinan@tfewishomaha.org.

fiiedel Jewish Academy

Readers Are

Leaders

Choosing A College? visit

virww.Hillel.org to find out.

How many Jews are enrolled, Whauewlsh activities arc available, If there we Jewish (rats or sororltta, if kosher dining U available.

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About International resources tor Jewish college studentt.

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Page 28

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 10,2000

Library Director Organizes his First Jewish Book Fair

by BERT LEWIS, staff writer A little more than a year ago, the front page of the Jewish Press carried a photo and story, Introducing the newly-hired young librarian, Harris Mnkelstein.

He told where he was raised (on the east coast) and where he was educated (on the west coast), and that he enjoyed sports but he missed being close to the ocean.

He spoke of his impressions of Omaha, and the friendliness of the people he was meeting in his new environment. He couldn't speak highly enough of the valuable help and training he got from Edie Wolf during Ms first month on the job.

His final comments had to do with his reactions to his first visit to the Federation Library when he came here for an interview. He was, in his own words, "blown away" with the magnitude of the total collection. He thought it "as comprehensive as any academic library" and called "the Holocaust and archeology areas exceptional."

He finished by saying he was going to do his best "to keep up the quality and services of this library."

I sat in Ms office in the new library and asked him to talk to me about the past 17 months and also about his plans and hopes for the future. He reminded me that the first year was spent learning how to do the thousands of things which make a library operate efficiently.

By the time he was feeling at ease with his new responsibilities, it was time to move into the handsome new quarters. All summer, a great deal of time was spent making all the pieces fell into place, from getting the books on the shelves to arranging space for comfortable use by library patrons.

Of course, just as it often happens when moving, all the new furniture hasn't yet arrived, but it's expected soon. More shelving is due any time too, but, more and more, it's looking like a great library.

cussion groups, similar to the book groups which have always been favored by many.

While there is already a good CD collection, he plans to work on enlarging that inventory as well.

He noted, There's wonderful music in this CD library, including liturgical and lots of klezmer to be enjoyed by anybody who gets acquainted with. our acquisitions.* Yes, Finkelstein. has exciting plans for the future of the library, including the return of the Jewish Book Fair, after a two-year absence.

"We'll be celebrating the entire Jewish Book Month, with lots of exciting events, such as a book sale, a luncheon and some special guests including the nationally known writer, Mimi Sheraton."

Author of The Bialy Eaters, Sheraton will speak at the Book Fair luncheon, starting at 11:30 ajnThe Kripke Library staff: J a n e t t e Shaffer, on Nov. 28. Cost of $12 includes fresh bialys flown Harris Finkelstein anil Dorothy Kaplan. in from New York!

Also on the calendar is a Library Grand Opening There are plans for the future which will further enhance its great value to people both in and out- (actually re-opening), planned for Nov. 19 at 1:30 side of the Jewish community. p.m., which will mark the beginning of Jewish At the top of the list of future plans, according to Book Month and dedicate the library in honor of Finkelstein, is "to continue to increase the use" of Rabbi Myer Kripke and in memory of his wife, the facility. During the construction and remodel- Dorothy, who died two months ago. ing of the front of the Center building, access was Daniel Asa Rose, author of Hiding Places and inhibited somewhat. Now that the front entrance is recently named Cultural Editor of The Forward, completed and easily entered, the folks inside the will speak at 2£J© p«m. library hope to see more and more patrons.

I listened to this enthusiastic young man talk Also anticipated is an increase in programs and about Ms dreams for the future of the library; I other incentives to visit. It is hoped at least four watched Mm scan the expanse before him, heard more computers will be added for public use. him say "that's where we'll put the comfortable Presently, there is only one to accommodate both chairs" and "over there is the space where a large adults and youngsters who ask permission for com- VCR will be mounted for the little kids." puter time. The supply clearly doesn't meet the I saw the enthusiasm on Ms face and thought of demand. another man who loved books. And I Pinkelstein hopes to keep increasing the popular wondered-..what would Paul Veret think of all this? video collection, with the idea of forming film disI feel confident Ms pride would defy description.

Jewish Educational and Library Services Enriches Our Lives from Preschool Days through the Retirement Years

by Providing the Following Programs: • • • • • • •

Community teacher program Special needs program Israel Experience Grants Program Jewish Experience Grants Program Omaha Passport to Israel College scholarsMps and other financial aids Adult Hebrew classes

• • • • • •

Derekh Torah (introduction to Judaism) Animal KIutznick-Harris Symposium Community Shabbaton weekend Speakers and special events Elder hostel Judaica-thon

You can contribute to the endowment funds that help subsidize these programs or you can start a new fund of your own.

Jewish Educational and Library Services needs: • Enhanced funding for special needs program services • Funding to provide enhanced teacher training

• Afund to supplement special classes forthe efderly • Gifts for Jewish preschool scholarships

Call Marty Ricks at Carolyn Novicoff at or The Jewish Federation Foundation Jewish Educational and Library Services 402-334-6440 402-334-6560 We'll Help You Light Up Some Lives

of thejewish Federation of Omaha Dear Mr. Ricks: I am interested in establishing an Endowment Fund for education with the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Please call meat i would like to make a donation to the following existing Endowment Funds*_ in the amount of '' • ' •' •. : (please check one:) in memory ( ) or in honor ( ) of: *or call our office for a list

Name Address