IIEWISH PRESS VoLLXXX
No. 29
Omaha, NE
18 lyyar, 5761
May 11, 2
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
Community Service, Teen Leadership Awards to be Presented atYom Yerushalayim by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director-
YeHow Dress Wins Community Service Award
Murow, Epstein Win Teen Leadership Awards Rebecca Murow and Robert Epstein have been selected to receive the Jewish Teen Leadership Award for the year 2000 by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Rebecca and Robbie were both nominated for t h e award by t h e B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. The awards will be presented May 20 at "Yehuda on the Green," a community event at the Jewish Community Center, celebrating Yom Yerusfaaliyim, or Jerusalem Day, beginning at 5 p.m.
Representing the winning organizations of the Community Service Award are: Beth Friedman, left, President of NCJW, Omaha Section; Dr. Patricia Newman, Chairman of the project and President of Jewish Family Service; Joyce Bunger, Public Relations Director of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council; and Steve Stiel, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service. During one week in February, eleven performances of The Yellow Dress and Remote Control were staged in Omaha to further the effort of prevention and educating t h e community about domestic violence. Jewish Family Service and National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section, joined with t h e Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of Greater Omaha to sponsor these moving performances in cooperation with Omaha's synagogues, the YWCA, the Girl Scouts and Westside District 66 Schools. More than 3,200 people attended the eleven performances and participated in interactive panel discussions following the play. Participants were also provided with crisis intervention resources during and after the productions. Information on teen relationship violence was part of the publicity presented on the three local television stations over several broadcasts and in the J e w i s h P r e s s , Westside High School Lance and Omaha World-Herald. The productions promoted the Jewish value of tikkun olam in a unique and powerful way. They provide our community with a vehicle to decrease or prevent domestic violence and help young people consider t h e differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The plays also enable young people to make appropriate decisions when helping their friends who may be in violent or potentially violent situations. The Yellow Dress, geared for high school age children, is a moving account of a young woman whose seemingly loving relationship escalates into violence. The play emphasizes recognizing the early warning signs of abuse; how to help friends and family member who are victims or perpetrators of abuse; understanding the cycle of abuse and how to utilize community resources. In Remote Control, written for seventh and eighth graders, three characters act out several scenes dealing with relationships, abuse and respect. Both plays, featuring a troupe of professional actors, are a part of Deana's Fund, a Woburn, Massachusetts, foundation established in 1994 after the death of Deana Brisbois of Topsfield, MA, who was Mlled in a car crash. The driver was her abusive boyfriend. The award will be presented to JFS and NCJW on Sunday, May 20, at the "Yehuda on the Green" outdoor concert and picnic Free tickets are available from JGC Member Services at 334-6426.
Rebecca Murow
Robbie Epstein
Rebecca, a junior at Central High School, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in BBYO, USY (United Synagogue Youth) and Central High School. Since becoming a BBYO member in 1998, Rebecca has been an active participant, exploring various levels of leadership at both the chapter and council level. As the current Omaha BBYO Cornbelt Council Treasurer and Secretary, Rebecca has performed above and beyond the expected council office obligations. Her enthusiasm for BBYO is evident in her willingness to lead programming committees, most recently "Shabbat Across America," sponsored by National Jewish Outreach. Rebecca organized a service for the event, which included all BBYO members, the Henry Monsky Lodge of B'nai B'rith and all of their families. Rebecca also is actively involved with Beth El Synagogue and USY, where she is the current chapter Religion/Education Vice President. She is Chairwoman of t h e region's 2001 Kinnus in Omaha, USY's annual fall convention, which attracts 400-500 participants. This is the first time in six years that Kinnus will be held here. She Is the daughter of Allan and Janie Murow and the granddaughter of Merle and Ruth Potash. Robbie Epstein, a senior at Burke High School, was also nominated by BBYO. Through his. ability to accept the challenges and responsibilities of leadership roles, Robbie has become an exceptional role model for his peers. He currently holds the office of Cornbelt Council Godol, or president. In that capacity, Robbie is responsible for conducting monthly Council meetings, overseeing and attending all Council programs, representing the Council at monthly Advisory Board meetings and meeting with the BBYO Director on a regular basis. In addition, he is required to attend all Mid-America Regional Conventions. Robbie organized and implemented council programming, helping to construct and pass the MidAmerica Region Constitution, as well as running regional and local AZA Board meetings. At Beth El Synagogue, Robbie attends Talmud Torah High School for Jewish Studies and participates in USY. Robbie's parents are Lisa and Gary Epstein. He is the grandson of Etta and Harold "Bae" Epstein.
Jewish Press Wins Better Newspaper Contest Award fay JEWISH PRESS News Service
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T h e 80£h Amaversary of the Jewish. Press" was an award-winner in the recent Nebraska Press Association's Better Newspaper Ckmtest. The special New Year's issue, Sept. 20, 2000, won thirdplaee in the Class D Weekly category {Nebraska papers with circalataons under 4000). T h e Jewish Press — terrific undertaking,"' wrote the NPA judge. *It was a wonderful way to salute t i e newspaper's history without the reader feeling it was self-promoiioii. This issue is a gift of history and one people wiE surely keep. "With lots of advertising, this great issoe is a one special edition others should ran men if they are younger than SOP The newest award will hang in the Press office, which now displays dozens of awards received over the years from t h e NPA, t h e American Jewish Press Association, United Way, and fee Council of Jewish Federations (now merged with the United Jewish Appeal to form United Jewish Communities). In addition to the gallery of awards, the Jewish P r e s s also has 18 months of back issues available to the community, as well as bound volumes which date back to 1968 and current out-of-town newspapers from other Jewish communities throughout North America. Bound volumes dating to 1937 are also located in the Kripke Jewish Federation library, which also has microfilmed copies from the newspaper's first issue, December, 1920. The J e w i s h P r e s s , the library and the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society are now seeking fends for a new microfilm reader and printer, widen would be housed in. the library.
MahTovu 'Wows' Crowd at Yom Haf Atzmaut
Josh Zweiback, left, and Steve Brodsky of the group MahTovu had people standing and clapping in the theater at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday. Singing familiar favorites and belting out new Jewish rock songs, the group was the highlight of Yom Ha'atzmaut festivities. To celebrate Israel's Independence Day and the State's 53rd anniversary, the JCC offered traditional Israeli foods such as humous and felafel, while children enjoyed face-painting, candlemaking, a petting zoo, and a science theater, among the afternoon's activities. (More photos on page 11)
iNSIDE: Teen
Hebrew on the Crossword