June 1, 2001

JEWISH Vol. LXXX

No. 32

Omaha, NE

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9Si¥an,576i

Junei, 2001

SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor.

Wedding Hall Collapse in Jerusalem Leaves Dozens Dead

Seminary in New York City) is wonderful," Rabbi Kripke said in an interview upon his return to Omaha. It once housed JTS* book collection, but remained abandoned after a fire in 1966. Following the Kripke's seven million dollar gift in 1907, the tower has been rebuilt and now houses the school's high-tech long-distance learning classrooms, language labs and conference suites. Speaking in a "masterful address" according to Rabbi Kripke, Gerald Levin, CEO of AOI/Time Warner, noted that "until the 1940s. . .everything pointed to humankind going upward-fte arts, journalism, philosophy and literature. - .But we were brought to a sudden halt when we had to change our views of what humanity was capable of doing." The nest day, Rabbi Kripke was honored again,, at Grate College just outside Philadelphia. Former Omahan Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum, now president of Gratz, presented Rabbi Kripke with an Honorary Doctorate. Florence Melton, founder of the Melton program of Jewish studies for adults, i.-is similarly honored. "Though smaller than JTS," Rabbi Kripke added, ~t be ceremony (at Gratz) was equally impressive." Gratz is an independent college of Jewish studies, iounded in 1895 as a Hebrew teachers college. Today it offers undergraduate and graduate r \ egrees in a variety of Judaic subjects. In a private, conversation with Rabbi Kripke, The refurbished Kripke Tower at JTS now Rabbi Rosenbaum noted that "Omaha is still his house classrooms for long-distance learning. Photo by Marjorie Gertsten. favorite place to live."

A four-story wedding hall in the Talpiot district of Jerusalem collapsed late .Thursday night, killing at least 25 people. More than 300 people were reported injured, including t h e bride and groom, and scores are still reported dead or injured under the rubble this morning. This tragedy is probably the •worst civilian disaster of its type in Israel's history. (Story on page 9} Photo by ISEANKF

Kripfce Tower Dedicated at JTS; Gratz College Gives Rabbi Honorary Doctorate In a "joyous and full-blown ceremony," Rabbi Myer S. Kripke returned to his alma mater last month to celebrate the reopening of the landmark tower, now dedicated to him and bis late wife, Dorothy. "The tower itself (at the Jewish Theological

BBYO Leaving Home to Become Independent Non-profit by JULiE WIENER

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NEW YORK (JTA)-In an effort to raise funds, one of North America's oldest Jewish youth groups is loosening ties to its parent organization to become an independent non-profit. B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, following in the footsteps of Hillel: The Foundation for Campus Jewish Life, will continue to receive some funds from B'nai B'rith International but will have its own budget, fundraising apparatus and board of directors. However, according to B'nai B'rith's international president Richard Heideman, BBYO will enjoy a closer relationship with B'nai B'rith's national and local offices than Hillel does. B'nai B'rith and BBYO's teen leaders will be represented on BBYO's new board, but philanthropists, foundations and various Jewish, agencies also will be included. Board members have not yet been determined, but B'nai B'rith is not expected to hold the majority of seats. BBYOj which is 75 years old, will continue to be housed free of charge in B'nai B'rith's Washington headquarters. According to data posted on the BBYQ website, the group has approximately 11,000 members. B'nai B'rith officials say the number is closer to 20,000, and that with new funding they expect it to grow much larger. B'nai B'rith's board of governors voted Sunday to approve the change, effective "as soon as practical." Heideman called the move a "strategic plan for funding BBYO." BBYO, which is B'nai B'rith's largest single budget item, will receive $1 million annually from the group, Heideman said. That figure is approximately half of what B'nai B'rith spent on the group in 2001. In recent years, B'nai B'rith's North American membership rolls and revenues have plummeted and it has steadily cut allocations to BBYO. In March, BBYO's 39 regions learned that, due to

B'nai B'rith's financial woes, they were likely to lose all funding from the parent organization as of July 1. However, an independent BBYO is expected to be more attractive to major donors who have been frustrated by the fact that all gifts to BBYO had to be channeled through B'nai B'rith. In addition, under a new-revenue distribution B'nai B'rith adopted at the Sunday meeting, B'nai B'rith's local groups will be able to more easily raise money for their local BBYO chapters, Heideman said. It is not clear how quickly BBYO will reap the benefits, but sources within B'nai B'rith are optimistic that the more than $1 million it is cutting will be replaced by other sources in time for the July 1 start of the 2002 budget. B'nai B'rith and BBYO are in the midst of discussions with the Jewish federation umbrella, the United Jewish Communities, the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America and at least one major family foundation. The idea of becoming a separate organizationfirst announced as a possibility just a few weeks ago—generally has been welcomed by BBYO leaders. Many believe the youth group will be more appealing to donors and other partners than B'nai B'rith, which has been criticized for lacking a clear mission or purpose. Gary Saltzman, Chairman of the B'nai B'rith youth commission, said in an official statement released by B'nai B'rith that the change will help "expand BBYO so that it reaches many more of the tens of thousands of Jewish teens who have no current organizational tie to the community or to Jewish life." That statement also quoted one of BBYO's two teen presidents, Jen Kraus, as saying, "We're excited about the new arrangement because it allows more funding to help the program grow."

BBYO's New Independence has Impact on Omaha by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor

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While national funding has been slashed by 50% by its former parent organization, the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) has confidence in the tradition of support by the Omaha Jewish community. According to Rachel Shkolniek, BBYO Director, "The Omaha Cornbelt Council of BBYO is very lucky to have a supportive community. With the support of the Jewish Community Center, as well as the Henry Monsky Lodge of B'nai B'rith, we will continue to thrive in membership and programming, while providing opportunities for Jewish youth to develop their leadership potential, positive Jewish identity, and commitment to their personal development." For nearly two decades, BBYO and the Jewish Community Center have enjoyed a close connection. BBYO is housed in the JCC, which also pays for more than 75% of its operating and program expenses! In addition, scholarship funds are available to teens in need of financial assistance to attend BBYO conclaves, leadership institutes, international conventions and summer camps or trips to Israel. (Continued on page 2)

INS3DE: Holocaust Restitution CIaims...............page 8 Crossword PuzzIe~...n..«.»n»..»H...«M.»page 11 Grossman Fund to Help Jewish. Family Service--.

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Jewish. Press, Omaha, NE

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June 1,2001

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IIllNDlR SATURDAY, JUNE 2 BBG Beau Dance, 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Beau Dance Procession, 11 p.m, SUNDAY, JUNE 3 YJO Habitat for Humanity, 4432 Decauter St., L 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ' Rose Blumkin Home Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, noon & Beth Israel "Ice Cream Social & Carnival" on the grounds of the new building at s A 127th & Pacific, 1 p.m, V Pushkin Club, 4:30 E Congregational Dinner & Meeting, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel MONDAY, JUNE 4 YES Program, 10 a.m. JCAC Meeting, noon

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TUESDAY, JUNE 5 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JFLE Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel JCC Final Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. •£•••• THURSDAY, JUNE 7 l Temple Israel Adult Education, 10 a.m. P Jewish Press Committee Meeting, noon & Synagogue 2000 Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple Israel s Maccabi Meeting, 7 p.m. . A' V

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E 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. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION'S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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I assume that there are many others like me who defer everything in our Sidra to 15 words that stand out like a mountain in a plain. Our Sidra includes elements of census, of purity and impurity judgments and much else: but it is a blessing that captures the eye and the heart and holds them fast. These words have probably been uttered, spoken and declared more than any other biblical words. I would guess that they have been used more than several billion times in the course of history. Here they are: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you and offer you His grace. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you peace." I said 15 words and here are more than 30. Part of the discrepancy lies in the problem every translator faces, trying to catch the tone of a phrase and reproduce it. And part is the use of prefixes and suffixes in the Hebrew which replace nominative and accusative pronouns in English as well as tense. Thus one Hebrew word, y'varekhakha, means "May He bless you." Here both subject and object,, as well as the imperfect tense, are all contained in the word "bless" because of the Hebrew use of prefixes and suffixes. All that aside, there is the wonderful rhythm of three, then five, then seven Hebrew words in the blessing. The first three words include the basic blessing, together with which may be a. warning (according to one interpretation) not to become heady and self-righteous because you have been blessed, not to use your blessing for self-aggrandizement. The second phrase, five words, asks that God's face shine on you and proffer you His grace. Have you not heard the idiom that God's face shone on a person who was successful in an endeavor that may have been literary or economic or philosophical or whatever? (I have heard it used about the winner in a horse rac«~or about its owner.) The very idea of the unseen face of the unseen God shining on you is intriguing in itself. And "grace" implies God's offer to you of His special trait of making you pleasing to everyone and attractive to everyone, whether in appearance or accomplishment or thought. It even implies that He may show you favor, in areas of life that you haven't earned. The last phrase, seven words in the Hebrew, asks that God light up His face upon you, showering you with light and all that light implies~and that He places peace for you or upon you. In his familiar commentary, Hertz triumphantly proclaims "The Peace of God!" I will not attempt to analyze all that "peace" implies. But I remember often concluding the blessings at a simcha with the words "well-being and peace." It almost needs apology to admit taking these innocent and beautiful Hebrew words through such a ruthless and graceless analysis. I can explain—and excuse-this clumsy, wordy comment only by saying that without some expansion, the reader may not realize the intrinsic beauty and richness of these few words of blessing. And this could not be allowed.

Choosing a College? ,

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ALBERT A. GARBER

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How many Jews are enrolled? . What Jewish activities are available? Are there Jewish frats or sororities? Is kosher dining available? Are Jewish studies offered? About Jewish overseas programs? About international resources for pewish college students? Which schools in the United States, Canada and around the world best meet your Jewish needs?

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WWW.Hillel.org Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

Albert A. Garber died at the age of 94. Graveside services were held May 25 at Golden Hill Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Rose; son and daughter-in-law, David and Joan Garber; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Cliff Levitan; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Home, Beth Israel Synagogue or your favorite charity. MARGUERITE KATZMAN EDELMAN Marguerite Edelman died May 12 in Los Angeles at the age of 92. She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Local impact on BBYO (Continued from page 1) According to Jeff Aizenberg, JCC Executive Director, "In the long run, this will be healthy for BBYO. Locally, BBYO has always received generous support from the Federation, Center, and B'nai B'rith, as well as individuals. A stronger national organization will add greatly to our ability to be effective here in Omaha." BBYO's new independence will not affect local programs. In fact, the annual Beau Dunce, sponsored by the two girls' chapters, Ediar BBG and M.Z. Yoshanah BBG, will take place, as scheduled, this Saturday night at the Jewish Community Center. The processional starts at 11 p.m. and is open to the community with a donation of $3.

Historical Society Plans Display Featuring Dentists and Doctorsby JEWISH PRESS News Service « « - - - - * - - - . — —

The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will open its Belzer Family Gallery with a display of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts from local dentists and doctors. Dedication of the gallery is slated for Sunday, June 17, 2:80 p.m., in the center hall way of the Jewish Community Center. Endowed by Ruth Belzer in memory of her husband, Dr. Oscar Belzer, and son, Dr. Jerry Belzer, the Gallery will feature temporary exhibits created by the NJHS. Dr. Ed Malashock and Donald Nogg are coordinating the information and materials for this project; Ducky Milder is creating the display. To loan items for this temporary exhibit, contact the NJHS office immediately at 384-6441. Following the dedication and open house of the new NJHS office, a reception will feature the music of "The Inspirations." The reception is chaired by Nancy Noddle and Linda Mann and-hosted by Eunie and Norm Denenberg, niece and nephew of Ruth Belzer, who will celebrate her 90th birthday.

Chabacl and Boy Scouts Sponsor Blood Drive by JEWISH PRESS News Service

Save a life and prevent a critical blood shortage by donating blood Sunday, June 10, 8-11 a.m, at the Chabad House. Sponsored jointly with Boy Scout Troop #218, the blood drive is coordinated by the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross. Regular and new donors are needed. "When I needed blood for a leg amputation, (the blood) I needed was available," said Shelly Coren, Co-coordinator of the blood drive. "You never know (when you) might need donated blood." Call Coren at 556-6552, or Co-coordinator Dinah Abusin at 451-7251, for an appointment.

CORRECTION Ellene Edelstein's address was incorrect in the article about the volunteer recognition luncheon, sponsored by Jewish Senior Services on Jam.'. >'i. To make reservations for this Sunday, call hot- at, 333-7455.

June 1, 2001

SYNAGOGUES :':''.

CANDLEUGHT1NG..

TEMPLE ISRAEL

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox JewislvCongnegntions of Aniericja

M e m b e r of U n i t e d S y n a g o g u e s

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Bethl8iviel@n6via.net FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m.--a special service for children through the primary grades. Come join Rabbi Azriel for snack and story and songs with Patty Nogg; Evening service, 8 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Jennifer Blum will conduct the service. Sharon Brodkey will chant the Torah and Rabbi Stiel will deliver the sermon. The Board of Women of Reform JudaismOmaha will be installed. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Women of Reform Judaism. SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Please join us as we begin our study of the Book of Amos. Services, 10:30 a.m. Tim Fredericks, son of Alan Predricks and Sue Predricks, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SITTER SERVICE Available for Shabbat services Friday evening and Saturday morning, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make reservations through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. There are no facilities for infants. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY, June 7: Adult Study with Rabbi Stiel, 10-11:30 turn. The focus is on the theological and historical perspectives of Reform Judaism. SHABBAT COMES TO YOU FRIDAY, June 8: Cantor Jennifer Blum and members of 0TYG will lead a Shabbat Service at Remington Heights, 3s45 p.m, BAR MITZVAH Jon. Andrew Lemer, son of Martha and Dick Lerner, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at the Shabbat Morning service, Saturday, June 9.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Andrew Greenberg, All services are followed by Kidduah. A memorial, in memory of residents who have died during the month, is held on the last sabbath of each month. OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE 25th and Capehatt, Omaha, NE 08113-5000 FRIDAYS Services, 7:30 p.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative •lutltii.siu 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE <>8.r><)2-523(> -

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B'NAl ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 018 Mynster St;. Council Bluffs, IA •':';;;;;;;r-:':::

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Phone: 322-4705 e-mail: d«>ejei»@aoLeom FHIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Discussion Topic will be "Does Jewish Philanthropy equate to Righteousness?" Oneg Shabbat and kiddush will follow. Friday, June 15, 7:30 p.m. Professaor Oliver Pollak will review his book on Jewish History in the Midwest.

This newspaper can be recycled

CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURAN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE M f i n l i c t o l Ilir t n i o n ill A m c i trail M c h i v u

20(U S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE «8002-2797 435-8004 jewishnehriiska.orj' Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Sabbath Ev© service, 7t45 p.m. \ SATURDAY: Torah .Study, 10 a.m.-noon MONDAY: Adult Hebrew Study/Movies, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: Conversion class, 7-8t80 p.m. WEDNESDAY: AA Meeting, library, 7:80 p.m.

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of Conservative Judaism •••,:: ;.'; ;:.' 14500 California '^^W,- :''\x"; Omaha, NEG8154-1980 492-8550 WEB"W\vw.bethel-oinaha.oi'g

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael Horwitz. FRIDAY: Services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Abby Ginsburg 1 , daughter of William and Beth Ginsbur'g, will become a Bat Mitzvah; Kiddush will be sponsored by the Ginsburg family in honor of Abby; Mishnah study session with Rabbi Drazen, 8:15 p.m., followed by Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah, 8:45 p.m, SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55.aan. and 5:30 p,m. in the Chapel. Join us every day for breakfast. FREE SITTER SERVICE Available every shabbat morning from 10 a.m. to the conclusion of services. This program is funded by the Early Childhood:Development Committee and welcomes children ages 18months -kindergarten. ADULT EDUCATION Adult B'nai Mitzvah Glass, Wednesday, 7:80 p,m. Participants continue their studies with Rabbi Drazen, Cantor Berkovits and Hazzan Horwite. BELLS (Beth El Lunch & Learn oil Shabbat) The third Beth El Lunch and Learn Shabbat will be held on Satiwday* June 16, after KMdushj the session, led by Dr. Leonard Greanspoon, is "Pharaohs, Philistines and Phoenicians: Bad Guys or Just Misunderstood?" Lunch is $5, with reservations only. Babysitting is freci, by reservation only. For more information, call •192-8550. WtBANQUET USYu final banquet and installation of officers at Both El on Thursday, June 7,6 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE All AfTilitlto ul I he Worldwide fh;ili;ul

18(i« So. 120th St., Omaha, NE (J8144-1 (»4(i Phone: :J;K)-1»00 E-MAIL--thal>acl@«0l.eoni WEBSITE: www.chabadcenterti.coin/oimihu Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. MONDAY-FRIDAY: Services, 7 a,m. SATURDAY; Services, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY: Genesis Lunch Series, 11:45 a.m.1 p.m.; Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice, 7-8:30 p.m., at the JCC. TUESDAY: A Tale of Two Souls, 9:30.11 «um., Bais Medrash, 7 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM An Ari'iltut'i'uf llu> .Fj'wisli HccnUstctH'tioiUst I'Vdi-rulion

'3012 S. 119th St., P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NEOB124-5130 phone: 758-9233 PMDAYi Kabbalat Shabbat, 7tS0 p.m. Religious School is finished for the semester. Classes resume in late summer; phase call for more information. ; FRIDAY, June 8t Tot Shabbat; 7.p.m,: • ;

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Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a»m, FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.

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Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.in.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. West Minyan is at the home of Donald and Maggie Gerber, 426 S. 126th St., 7:30 p.m. Rain date: June 10. SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m.; Free Babysitting from 10 a.m. through the conclusion of services; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; Pirkei Avot class with Rabbi Kutner, 7:55 p.m.; Mincha, 8:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:43 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.. and 8:85 p.m. Family Fun Day Carnival at west property, 126th & Pacific, 1-4 p.m. The entire community is invited to enjoy the afternoon, which will include horse rides/volleyball games, face painting, hulahoop contests, a moonwalk, baby crawling contest and free refreshments. See article on page 7 for details. TUESDAY: Sisterhood General Membership meeting, 10 a*m,; Talmud class with Rabbi Kutner 7:80 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 8:35 p.m.

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7023CassrStieetv Qriraha, isJE 68132-2651

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B'NAI MITZVAH Marty Nachman, son of Beth Staenberg and Gary Nachman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 9, at Beth El. A seventh grade honor student at Westside Mid| die School, Marty enjoys | studying weather, com| puters, magic, and partic• ipating in Boy Scouts. He I also plays the viola. For his Mitzvah project, he was a junior counselor at Gamp Hot Shots, a camp for children with diabetes; he also donated money to Beth El Early Childhood program, Marty has two brotherSj Benny and Zev. Grandparents are Minii and Len. Nachman and Marfen.6 Hechtman. Great-grandparents are fcho late Jeanettc Eosenbloom and the late Rebecca Wolf.

Aryn Nesya Nemani, daughter of former Omahan Monica Parker Nemani and Ben Nemani, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, June 9, at Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A sixth grade honor student at Westminster School, she enjoys dramatics, computers, music and golf. For her Mitzvah project, she worked at Carefree Lodge Senior Citizen Home, donated money to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and collected socks and baked muffins for the homeless. Grandparents are Doris and Milton Parker of Omaha and the late Bracha and Nisaim Nirnni of K'far Saba, Israel.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

EDITORIAL

June 1,2001

L'SSi a na Tova I

No, it'a not a mistake. While the views, we know in advance there Jewish calendar notes the celebration won't be room (or time) to feature of Shavuot last Monday and Tuesday, everyone in the medical profession. the staff at the Jewish Press is lookStill, there are several things you, ing ahead towards our next two spe- as readers, can do to help us: cial issues. • send photos to us of Omahans or Our annual HealthWatch. issue former Omahans in health-related debuts July 13. We'll feature the lat- professions—even if we run out of est news of interest for the Jewish time to write up another doctor or community and offer hints and tips dentist, we can still save room for a on keeping fit and healthy. photo or two and captions; While we're working on our regular • send us a short article on accomweekly issues, we're also planning plishments, honors, awards, achieveour New Year's issue, Sept. 14. The ments of medical professionals you theme is L'Chaim: Health Profession- know. als in the Jewish Community. Last year's New Year's issue "The This issue, our largest of the year, 80th Anniversary of the Jewish will highlight the accomplishments of Press" won a third place award from doctors, dentists, nurses, researchers, the Nebraska Press Association. This scientists, psychologists and others in next New Year's issue promises to be the greater Omaha area and Lincoln. just as exciting. When our committee selected this We thank you, in advance, for your theme, we started compiling lists. understanding and cooperation! We've sent letters to all the rabbis, executive directors and presidents of the synagogues, the Federation and Started last October by two young the Centers of Excellence. Jewish activists in London, a new Frankly, we were amazed at the project of Media Watch International number of health professionals in our is dedicated to promoting accurate midst! (Guess the old wish of'my son and impartial media coverage of --or daughter--the doctor' is true!) Israel and the Middle East. To date, we have more than 120 Twice weekly, HonestReporting.com names on our list. So we're giving sends an e-mail alert to subscribers everyone fair warning—while we'd highlighting the latest most prolove to write a story on each and nounced examples of media bias. The every medical person on our list, we alert includes a sample letter and already know that's impossible. links to the articles themselves. Though we're already busy lining To subscribe, visit its website: up free-lance writers and doing inter- www.HonestReporting.com.

MAQBA PAY

"BACK OR "

What to Expect in Israel? Anything!

OUR MAN IN ISRAEL by Carl Alpert

Dry Bones

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Haifa-Readers, friends and relatives overseas shower us with questions: What is the solution to the ongoing problem here? Where will it all end? No one can pretend to have the correct and decisive answer, but it may be in place to ponder some of the many alternatives which are being advanced— from one extreme to another. There is no one in Israel, from the right to the left, who does not yearn for peace. Aware of this, Arafat seems determined to savage Israel and wear down its patience by repeated suicide bombings in the heart of civilian neighborhoods, by constant mortar shelling, by terrorist fire at vehicles on the roads. His theory is that, driven by suffering and desperation, the Israelis will be ready to sue for peace. The reaction here is completely opposite, as he is beginning to learn. The greater the terrorism, the more Israeli resolve is hardened. The naive who once believed that we can gain peace by giving Arafat what he wants, dwindle in numbers daily as they realize that yielding to Arab claims under fire means that terrorism intensifies. But somewhere there must be a solution. Once we had thought that could be achieved by negotiations across a conference table. That hope was shattered when Arafat rejected the very generous offers made to him by then Premier Barak, and walked out. What remains? The alternatives are • not pretty. . For one thing, international pressure might compel Israel to dismantle the settlements and return to the old 1967 lines. A Palestine State will be pro-

claimed, with borders tightly squeezing Israel. This time mortar shells fall on Tel Aviv, and Israel senses that it is besieged and betrayed. On the other hand, insisting that no nation in the world could continue to expose its citizens to the daily fire, Israel invades Gaza and the Palestinianoccupied territories and topples the Palestine Authority. Arafat is killed or, more likely, flees for' refuge abroad. But what is Israel going to do with the couple of million Palestinians whose welfare then becomes its responsibility? Along range solution: Palestinians in Jordan revolt, overthrow the Hashemite Kingdom, despite Israel's efforts to save it, and proclaim a state of Palestine, welcoming Arafat as its head. Border lines become clearer, and peace negotiations become possible, with Arafat feeling that he is in a position of strength. King Abdullah is well aware of this possibility, and in recent weeks firmly banned anti-Israel demonstrations. Is there any possibility of emergence of a more moderate leadership among the Palestinians, which may prefer peace for its people rather than endless bloodshed? Will we see Peace Now demonstrations in the public squares of Palestinian towns, extending a hand of friendship to the Jews? There are few indications to this effect. Palestinian propaganda and youth education continue to emphasize "hate the Jews and kill the Jews," so that hopes for any kind of neighborly relationship must be deferred for some generations. Peace will come some day, but it will require patience. It can not be an "instant peace".

^ JEWISH PRESS

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Not long ago the Arabs solemnly marked Israel's Independence Day, terming it Catastrophe Day because of the disastrous results for the Palestinians. They were quite right in the appellation they gave the day, but the real catastrophe was the decision by the Arab leadership in 1947 to reject the generous offer of the U.N. to partition the area into a largie state of Palestine and a small Jewish state. They chose war instead, and lost. That was the catastrophe. The prospects for the future are not encouraging. All agree that Israel must remain strong, determined and united. We have gone through difficult times before, and have emerged stronger and triumphant. What is required is patience, both at home, and on the part of our family overseas, as we turn our attention now to building a more just society at home, a stronger economy, and better conditions for the citizens of the state-Jew and Arab alike. There is one more possible solution to our problem, but we have left that for last. Geological experts have been warning, with greater frequency, that our area is long overdue for a major earthquake. Should it come, the tragedy will affect Jews and Arabs alike, and we may find new common ground in providing the basic humanitarian assistance which will be required. But who knows? Perhaps the Arabs will blame Israel for causing the earthquake. On the other hand, the quake may reveal vast new deposits of oil, which will solve the energy .problems of the area for generations to come. In short, anything is possible here. JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyco Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Howard K. Marcus; Linda Salt/.man; Steve Simon; Amee Zetzman; George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member). Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of tho Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kaahruth of any product or establishment.

May 25, 2001

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Water in Israel on Verge of Becoming 'Catastrophe3 by JESSICA STEINBERG

JERUSALEM (JTA)--Allison Pollack gazes at her green grass with a mixture of pride and remorse: She loves ha.ving a velvety lawn, but regrets wasting water to keep it green. "I feel so guilty letting Asaf run through the sprinkler," Pollack said, She also lets her three-year-old son play with the garden hose--but only if it's directed toward the lawn, not the patio. The next few weeks, however, may bring an end to Asaf s water sports. Israel is considering imposing a ban on watering lawns and automatic car washes after three consecutive winters of drought have devastated the country's water reserves. Earlier this week, the government's water management committee-which includes experts from national water supplier Mekorot "Water Company and the government's hydrological service -- urged cutting an additional 250 million cubic meters, or 10 percent, from the existing water supply to avoid what they termed "a catastrophe." The committee is responsible for safeguarding the nation's water reserves and ensuring supplies of fresh water. Israel's three main sources of fresh water are the coastal and mountain aquifers and the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Banneret. "Israel's water sources are empty," said Shimon Tal, the water commissioner. "The situation is so serious that we ure living from hand to mouth. We have lost.our ability to regulate flow." Besides the ban on watering lawns, the committee has proposed prohibiting the establishment of new municipal parks and gardens and introducing water quotas, This could cut down on Israelis' shower time, as well as on the water for washing dishes and laundry. Tal also is expected to call for at least a 10 percent cut in water supplies to industry. Some legislators, meanwhile, are calling for com-

pensation to farmers who don't use up their annual water allocations, which already have been cut by an average of 50 percent. Locally grown tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados have always been staples of the Israeli diet, but the costs of watering these thirsty crops makes them not cost-effective. Mekorot management has declared that Israel should import produce. Tal agrees. He has said the main aim of water planning is to reduce water allocations to agriculture—which, together with industry, accounts for half of Israel's annual water consumption. Crops and car washes aside, the government has to ensure that there is enough water for Israelis to drink this summer. According to the hydrological service, only 87 million cubic meters of water can be drawn from the Kinneret this year, compared to the usual average of 420 million cubic meters. Indeed, a glimpse of the Kinneret reveals a wide expanse of dense reed-and seaweed-filled sand yards away from knee-high water. The water was visibly deeper just a few years ago. "This is the first year we are pumping to a degree that risks irreparable damage to basic water supply to consumers," Tal said. "Our concern is to at least guarantee drinking water next year." According to water experts, the level of the Kinneret ideally should not be allowed to drop under approximately 214 maters below sea level. That's just; about one meter above its present level-and the red line already has been lowered several times. Mekorot's Sapir pumping station draws water from the Kmneret and pumps it directly into the national water carrier. If the level were to drop much beyond the committee's recommended cutoff, the station's three pumps would not be able to operate at the same time—and all three pumps have to operate during the summer to ensure a steady flow of water. The committee report showed that the coastal and mountain aquifers are similarly depleted.

Red Cross 'War Crimes' Remark Elicits a Strong Israeli Protest by

FREDY ROM - • •

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GENEVA (JTA)-Israel has issued a protest with the International Red Cross over a statement made by a Red Cross official who called Israeli settlements "war crimes," an Israeli official here told JTA. The protest filed this week with Jakob Kellenberger was over a comment made May 17 by Rene Kosirnik, the head of the International Red Cross delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Kosirnik's comment also drew a rebuke from the United States. "We don't think this comment is helpful at this particularly volatile time," said a U.S. State Department spokesman, Philip Reeker. A Red Cross spokesman denied that Kosirnik had ever intended to describe Israeli settlements as war crimes. Kosirnik's comments had been misinterpreted, the spokesman said. The Israeli Foreign Ministry reacted to Kosirnik's May 17 briefing in Jerusalem by informing the Red Gross that it is reviewing its policy toward the .organization,. according-to the Jerusalem Pout, A Foreign Ministry legal advisor, Alan Baker, said Kosirnik'a comments raised the question of whether the Red Cross can continue to carry out impartial functions in the region. Israel's Foreign Ministry is meanwhile circulating a position paper indicating, among other things, that "Jewish settlement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has existed from time immemorial and was expressly recognized as legitimate in the Mandate for Palestine adopted by the League of Nations." In another development, the Red Cross issued a statement in Geneva saying it finds the "ongoing killing of youths,-and oven infanta8 in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian violence "deeply disturbing." A Red Cross official in (Jeneva said the statement was directed as much at the Palestinians as it was atlsraelis.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Cal( 9-1-1. Do CPR. Help save a (ife.

After German Firms Give Their OK, Slave Labor Payments Expected Soon by J T A S T A F F

R E P O R T

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BERLIN (JTA)-German firms have dropped their opposition to releasing funds for Nazi-era slave and forced laborers. Industry representatives announced last week that they are now satisfied with the degree of protection from future lawsuits provided by American courts. •' The firms had been unwilling to release their half of the $5 billion fund until their lawyers could ensure "legal closure"--that is, a promise that no more lawsuits relating to the Nazi era will be filed, A U.S. appeals court decision last week prompted the belief that such closure has been achieved. The firms' announcement paves the way for the German Parliament to approve release of the funds. Parliament was slated to deal with the issue Wednesday. Manfred Gentz, president of DaimlerChrysler and director of the German Industry Foundation, "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future," said that he expected the funds to be available shortly, now that the last U.S. lawsuits against German companies have been dismissed. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder greeted the announcement with relief and thanked all those who made it possible "to close this painful chapter of German history." The announcement followed days of intensifying pressure from survivor representatives, German politicians and even from within the industry foundation's own ranks. Critics had said that, thanks to last month's U.S. appeals court ruling, sufficient legal protection had been achieved-and the industry foundation should acknowledge this. In its ruling the court removed all conditions from a lower court judge's previous dismissal of lawsuits against German banks. The appeals court ruled last month that Judgo Shirley Wohl Kram had overstepped her authority in trying to force the German tompmisutiim fund to cover claims out of Austria.

The

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Page 6 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 1, 2001

iiifiiiSiilii ETNA! B'RITH Y.E.S. BREADBBEAKERS Members will meet Monday at the Mike Kelley, a columnist for the JCC, Play bingo at 10:15 a.m, with Eileen Reiner, or exercise with Stacey Omaha World-Herald, will speak at Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers on to share for "YES Talk" at 11 a.m.. Wednesday, noon, according to Following lunch at noon, the Mike Abramson, Chairman. Breadbreakers meets every WedCountry Kickers will perform. For nesday at the Park Inn Regency (fortransportation, call 330-4272. Deadline for Hot Dog Lunch & merly the Regency West Best Movie on June 14 is J u n e 7; for Western) at 107th and Pacific. Cost Father's Day Party on June 18, dead- for lunch, $9; for beverage service line is June 11; for Nebraska only, $2. The program is open to the Crossing and lunch at Platte River community. State Park, on June 21, deadline is OMAHA CENTER June 14; and for Bluffs Run Casino FOR TORAH LEARNING on June 28, the deadline is June 21. Tuesday, J u n e 5, 7 p.m., Beit Midrash at the Chabad House. WALK-IN, DROP-IN Wednesday, J u n e 6, noon, Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise and bingo start at Lunch'n learn meets in the Kripke 10 a.m. in the Social Hall. For those Jewish Federation Library. Our topic going on the Bunch to Lunch day will be "Cooking on Shabbat: is it trip, please meet at 11 a.m. For okay just to *warm things up.'" Light transportation, call Maggie Conti at refreshments served; please bring a lunch. 334-6521. Thursday, June 7, 7 p.m., Bob • VISIONS; . :' • and Myra Oberman host Talmud, Visit Fontenelle Forest and the new Tractate Sukka in their home. For more information about these Forest Learning Center on Wednesday, June 20, at 9:30 a.m. A unique and other OCTL programs, please place of learning and fun designed to contact Rabbi Shlomo Levin at 551help visitors more fully appreciate 1564. the secrets of the forest, Fontenelle offers a mile-long boardwalk and NATIONAL COUNCIL many nature trails. At 11:30, lunch is OF JEWISH WOMEN at the original Caniglia's on So. 7th NCJW, Omaha Section, will hold a St. (transportation and lunch is on Garage Sale from May 31-June 2, your own).Cost is $4 per person. The sale will benefit NCJWs projects Send reservations to Marilyn Fried, in Omaha, such as Dictionary Day 2821 S. 76th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124. and Kits for Kids. To volunteer, call Kim Noddle at 391-7022.

Omaha's Newest Active Living Community for those Age 62 and Older Features ENOA-Kings Gate Senior Center on site (lunch available Monday-Friday) • Near lmmanuel Medical Center • Creighton University Minor Medical Clinic June Pearson, Kings Gate Resident • Controlled access I have so much in common with buildings the other residents. • Elevators in each building I'd recommend King's Gate Senior Apartments to anyone over. • Full-size washer/dryer 62. I'd tell them to get together connections with people their own age." • Fitness Center • Computer Room « Ails & Crafts • Garages w/automatic openers available SENIOR APARTMENTS L Expect to be impressed < • Cable TV hookups V.-A*

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Stephanie DePorte has been ! accepted into HeI brew Union ColI lege-Jewish Institute of Religj ion. She will spend the first year in Jerusalem and the last two in Los | Angeles, earning a dual Master's Degree in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service. The daughter of Pain and Dennis De Porte, Stephanie, a graduate of Burke High School, was active in Baker's Supermarkets, Fremont Temple Israel's youth group, OTYG, Food-for-Less and WOWT Chan- serving as treasurer and president, nel 6 joined forces for the Round-it- and on the Missouri Valley Regional Up campaign through June 3. board as secretary and special proBaker's 15 Omaha-area stores and jects coordinator for Camp Rainbow. Fremont Food-for-Less provide cusDePorte was also selected as one of tomers an easy way to contribute to two Federation Teen Leaders in 1995. Children's Hospital. She received a bachelor's degree Customers may round up their gro- from the University of Wisconsin in cery purchases to the next highest Hebrew and Jewish Studies and dollar amount and donate the change spent her junior year studying at to Children's Hospital. Larger contri- Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She butions can be made right at the also interned for JESNA, the Jewish checkout and will appear in the Education Society of North America, receipt for tax deductions. in Israel. For the last two years, she has been the youth director at Temple Chai in Long Grove, IL. The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) is currently recruiting high school students in grades 10-12 for Any town, a nationally acclaimed human relations and leadership skill building program. Anytown empowers students to become effective leaders by assisting them with skill development and awareness to overcome prejudice and discrimination. The program will run Aug. 6-12; tuition is $275 (scholarships are available). For more information, contact Barb Angelillo at 391-4460.

BERT'S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS

If you don't have anything to do pan without melting the end of the with the kitchen and/or cooking, don't darn thing, like I always do. bother to read this. It won't interest Imagine! you. If, however, you are in charge of Pots and pans? Don't ask. food preparation on a regular or part Everything is so pretty, as well as time basis, you might just give me utilitarian and non-stick. The botyour attention briefly. toms aren't black or anything, just I visited a kitchenware store shining and perfect. At this point, I recently, ostensibly to find a new have to admit I still use a couple of colander. My old one was beginning pans that I started housekeeping to show it's age, plus some dents with,' 56 years ago! Of course, they and a missing "leg", leading me to need to be tossed out, but by now think it was time for a replacement. they have such sentimental value, I I hadn't been in such a store for can't. quite a while, and as soon as I walked I could fill pages and pages listing in and glanced around, I could see all the gorgeous tilings in a modern there were many surprises waiting kitchenware store or department, but for me. It seems that practically never mind. Instead, I have a better everything in my kitchen could have idea. Listen, what do you think of the come over with Mrs. Noah on the notion of kitchen showers? But not Ark, at least that's what I thought. for brides to be - no, no, I mean for My beat up old cookie sheets are ladies who have been in the business quite passe, if I believe what I'm for more than say maybe 25 or 30 hearing and seeing about something years. How's that for an idea? called a "silpat". That may not be That's the way old, dented colanthe right spelling, but let me tell ders, worn soup pots, ancient you, it's the right thing to own! blenders, semi-efficient toasters and This is a flexible mat, which fits on other stuff could get replaced. the cookie sheet, and on which the Whattaya think? Wait, there's more. cook places for example, cookie How old are the sheets you keep dough. No greasing, no fussing, no using on your beds? Uh huh, I nothing.,..just bake perfect cookies thought so. So maybe a linen shower and give a quick wipe and it's clean Would be great for a veteran houseand ready for more! More anything keeper. I really think I'm on to someneeding baking, not just pastry, of thing here. course. But you know what? In all my Then there were the newest rub- excitement, I forgot to replace that ber spatulas, heat resistant up to old colander. Actually, it's probably umpteen degrees. That means I good for another decade! could move scrambled eggs around a

Tom Kahn a n d Dr. Becki Goldberg- Kahn announce the Feb. 14 birth of their daughter, Miranda Rose.

Miranda has two sisters, Marissa,

71/2. and Megan, 61/2. Grandparents are Sandy and Lou Goldberg of Omaha and Marleae and Stewart'Kahn of Olathe, KS.

June 1,2001 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Beth Israel Hosts Mini-Carnival by the JEWISH PRESS News Service

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Hearing Set on Arson Suspects' Change of Venue Request by ALEZA GOLDSMITH, Jewish Bulletin of Northern

SAN FRANCISCO-Two whitesupremacist siblings facing charges for the 1999 fire-bombing of three Sacramento-area synagogues and an abortion clinic may finally stand trial July 17. But at this point, it's unclear where the men will be tried. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Lapham and Benjamin B. Wagner filed papers last week opposing a motion filed on behalf of arson and murder defendants James Tyler Williams, 31, and his brother Benjamin Matthew, 33, to change the venue of their arson trial. 'y brothers, who also face charges ...-,! forThe the 1999 murder of a gay couple Shasta County, had requested that Kick off the summer Sunday, hoop contest. Kids as well as in their trial be moved as far as June 8, 1 to 4 p.m., at a mini-car- grown-ups will be invited to Portland, OE, or Las Vegas, NV. nival at Beth Israel's west proper- compete. American Diaper They claimed that "extensive" media ty, 126th and Pacific. A clown will Service, a division of Ameritex coverage would prevent a fair trial greet children at the Family Fun Services, is providing the diathe U.S. District Court's Day, which includes horseback per derbies. Co-chairmen of the within Eastern District of California. rides, a moonwalk, baby crawling" event are Janet Kohll and Ann The brothers' request is based oii a contest, face painting, free ice Moskovits. (Rain date is Sun- study newspaper reports and a cream, volleyball games and day, June 10, 1-4 p.m.) The com- public of opinion survey conducted by more. Anna Kohll, left, Jenna munity is invited to this free their attorneys, Quin Denvir and Gerber and Alyssa Gerber prac- event. .For information, call Beth Mary French. tice for the carnival's hula Israel at 556-6288. Lapham and Wagner disagreed with the motion, noting in their opposition papers that it was Benjamin Matthew Williams* own pursuit of media attention and jailhouae interby JEWISH PRESS News Service —«~ views that created the coverage in Alec Gelcer, a professional story- Formerly a mathematics teacher and question. teller, will take congregants and psychotherapist, Gelcer co-founded In extensive jailhouee interviews, guests at Temple Israel on a tour of Jewish Storytelling Arts in 1990 and tho elder Williams, who goes by Jewish stories from creation to the serves as its artistic director. Matthew, even confessed to tho arson present day. He is a frequent 'teller' on CBC and murder charges, exonerating his In Omaha for the annual radio's Fresh Air. Tom Doyle, host of 1 brother, Storytelling Festival at the College of the Canadian Broadcasting Corpor"They claim the reporting has been St. Mary from June 21-24, Gelcer will ation, said, "Gelcer, one of Toronto's 11 inflammatory, said Lapham, in a participate in Shabbat evening ser- finest storytellers. . .always spelltelephone interview from his Sacravices at Temple on Friday, June 22, binding." mento office, "It has actually been at 8 p.m. His tales will include the humor of Gelcer was born in South Africa Cholm, the pain of the Holocaust, the and lived in England and Israel passion of the Ilasidic rebboa and the before moving to Canada, whore lift wisdom of folk takvs. For more inforhas lived for the past 30 yoarti. mation, call Temple at !)5(j-65.1<5.

Storyteller to Appear at Temple Israel

California »~*mm«mm««mm<m*m!mmm

quite mild and has tapered off tremendously," Jonathan Bernstein, Director of the Anti-Defamation League's San Francisco-based Central Pacific region, agreed with the position taken by Lapham and Wagner. "It's best for the trial to occur in the location where the crime was committed," he said. "It helps the community to heal." But Bernstein said the venue has little to do with the case's outcome. "I truly believe justice would be served no matter where it takes place." The brothers, both of Palo Cedro near Redding, are accused of willfully and knowingly trying to destroy by fire Congregation B'nai Israel near downtown Sacramento, Congregation Beth Shalom 'in suburban Carmichael and the Kenesset Israel Torah Center in northeastern Sacramento County on the night of June 18,1999. They are also charged with a July 2,1999, torching at the Country Club Medical Center, which houses the Choice Medical Group abortion clinic. In December, 1999, KOVR-TV reporter Jon Baird reported that Matthew Williams called him collect from the Shasta County jail and told him that he helped mix the oil and gas that his ."organization" used to start the synagogue fires. No one was injured in the attacks, which caused more than $1 million iu damage. The pool of evidence includes a list of 32 prominent Jews, moat of thorn. Saprumcnlp-arca residents, found during a property search. The list also includes Jewish Bulletin editor and publisher Marc S. Klein,

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Neighbors, by Polish historian Jan Gross, is an odd little book. It's the size of a paperback and contains only 173 pages of text. It is yet another non-fiction book about the Shoah, but it's simply about one little town and the death of JL.GOO Jews, not six million. There are no gas chambers, no camps, no cattle cars, no Jewish laws, no yellow stars, and very few Nazis. It is the story of how, on "one day in July 1941, half of the population of a small East European town murdered the other half." In the tiny Polish'village of Jedwabne, "ordinary Poles slaughtered the Jews . . . (N)ot anonymous men in uniform, cogs in a war machine, agents carrying out orders, but their own neighbors." Encouraged by the Gestapo, the mayor and town leaders rounded up most of the Jews of the village and, after hours of torment and murder, they marched the remaining .Jews into a barn and burned the barn to the ground. In this odd little book, a story describes, perhaps better than tho more famous Holocaust books, what the Shoah was really about. The author's straightforward style, intor-

sji wovon with direct quoins from witnesKCB and those charged with the. crimes, sots tlio austere tone to toll this utterly brutal story with little emotion or anger. The sentimental attachment to Anne frank, the sympathy for (.hone protected by Kcluntllor, thv. tormented dreams of Kli« Wioae.l, those clenuui'ts are missing in this book. But perhaps this is the. book our children and all high school children should road if wo want younu people to read just one book about the Holocaust. All the actors of the play are here: tho anti-Semites, the Nazis, the Catholic Church, the Righteous Gentiles, the martyred Jews, the Hidden Children, and the deniers. And the devil is here, too. Gross returns again and again to his thesis that the Nazis did not perpetrate this crime. The guilt ia laid directly at the feet of the willing spirit of the. Polish villagers. And in tho, end, the book reminds us that tho Shoah was about inoro than a war, or tho Nazis, or ovnn antiSt'iuitifim. The Klioah WOH about, hate. The more clearly we; toach that lesson, the better chance we have, to avoid it. repetition. This book its available, in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

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Page 8 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE June 1, 2001

Holocaust RestItutiori Claims

PEOPLE (>FlHi by MARK M1ETKIEWICZ

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Franz Maechler. Rifka Aaronsohn. Albert Questions section of the Swiss Bank Claims web- National Gallery: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/colsite: www.swissbankclaims.com/Questionsand lection/restjist.html and the J. Paul Getty Museum Einstein. Just three of the thousands of names appearing answers.asp. Information at this site available in of Los Angeles: www.getty.edu/art/provenance/ have created sections of their websites devoted to on the list of Swiss bank account holders who were 16 languages. In 1997, the PBS documentary Nazi Gold exam- items in their collection with gaps in their provenance probably victims of Nazi persecution: www.dorman.taccounts.ch/lists.html. The restitution of ined Switzerland's wartime role as banker and (history of ownership.) In most cases, the websites illustrate photos of the assets of Holocaust victims -- and the related financial broker for Nazi Germany. Although the controversy — have received a great deal of cover- Nazi Gold website has not been update recently, it the artwork and tell what they know about them. contains a great deal of valuable information: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum age in the world media. Since the original Swiss claims process was estab- www.pbs.org/wgbbypages/frontline/shows/naz has a good summary of international efforts to lished in 1997, there have been a number of lawsuits is/. There is a discussion area, a post-war chronolo- establish provenance: www.ushmm.org/assets/ arising out of the Holocaust. Many of these lawsuits gy of events, and a transcript of a debate from a ushmm4.htm as does New York's Frick Art have resulted in settlements or agreements, each Swiss television program, "Switzerland & the War: Reference Library: www.frick.org/html/prove» nancelinks.htm. with its own rules and claims procedures. There are Neutral or Cowardly?" The fight for restitution has been a difficult and Beyond the official sites, the single best website many sites on the Internet where you can learn more about the process, download relevant documents if on this topic is run by Swiss journalist Bruno sometimes combative one but I would like to conyou are considering a claim and read about the con- Giussani. Switzerland & the Holocaust Assets is "a clude with the stories of some people, who felt one-stop resource page for the information avail- strongly about justice being done. troversy over restitution. In 1977, Christophe Meili was a security guard at Please note that there are different claims proce- able on the Internet related to the actions of dures depending on the type of restitution you are Switzerland and other countries during and after the Union Bank of Switzerland when he discovered claiming (such as for victims of slave labor, for peo- Second World War — more specifically to the han- bank employees shredding what appeared to be Holocaust-era documents: ple trying to retrieve deposited assets, for people dling and recovering of the Holocaust Assets — and important who are heirs to claim old Swiss insurance policies, its current coverage by the world media." It's locat- www.time.com/time/magazine/1998/dom/98052 5/fi.le.of_mercy_fameand_ha6.html. etc.) Each type of claim requires completion of a ed at: www.giussani.com/holocaust-assets/. detailed form. Volunteer organizations from local You'll find references to late-breaking news, a After he handed those documents over to Jewish Jewish Federation and social service agencies time-line of events and a comprehensive list of rele- leaders, Meili was fired by the banks and received worldwide are available to assist claimants with all vant websites: www.giussani.com/holocaust- death threats for his efforts. Meili and his family the paperwork: www.dormantaccounts.ch/vol- assets/websites/websites.html. eventually fled to the United States and in order to unteer.html. Although much of the focus has been on restitu- offer him refuge, President Clinton signed special Claimants may also want to get professional tion from Swiss Banks, other countries have set in legislation granting them permanent residency in U.S.: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgiassistance in your claim. Please note that the dead- motion procedures for compensation. For example, the line for submitting a claim in some categories is as Austria's Reconciliation Fund addresses former bin/query/z?clO5:S.768; In order to thank him for slave laborers and forced laborers: www.recon.cil- his honesty and sacrifice, Meili and his family were early as Aug. 5, 2001. presented with an $18,0Q0~a-year scholarship at One of the best articles to summarize the strug- iationfund.at. gle for Jewish reparations following World War II The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Chapman University in Orange, CA. The award is also one of the most controversial: www.com- Website has summarized initiatives to trace came from a group of 660 Holocaust survivors: mentary.org/0009/schoenfeld.html. Gabriel Holocaust assets from around the world: www.cnn.com/US/S811/20/swiss.guard/. Shoenfeld, senior editor of Commentary, first takes www.ushmm.org/assets/frame.bitm, The site And finally, I came across this lovely story on the a look at the history of reparations and the early includes references to the situation in many Internet. In 1977, Kaspar Sutter, Massimiliano debates. European countries in addition to the situation in Desurama and three other high school students at the {For example, in the 1950s Menachem Began, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and the United States. Gynasium Newfeld in Berne set out to right a wrong. leader of Israel's Herut Party, held street demonMany other commissions have played key roles in As they write in their website, "It came as a shock to strations to denounce the Israeli government for setting up the claims process guidelines. The us to realize that some 50 years after the end of World accepting German "blood money.") Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust War II, there are still Holocaust survivors who are in Schoenfeld then looks at more recent events and Assets was chaired by World Jewish Congress need of support and who, so far, have never received suggests that in addition to "stoking the fires of President Edgar Bronfman. The Commission con- any compensation for their sufferings. We feel that anti-Semitism on the right," at least some of the ducted research into the fate of assets taken from one cannot afford to wait any longer and must give claims have been settled under duress by banks or victims of the Holocaust that came into the posses- these people a sign of solidarity and support.": corporations anxious to avoid unceasing notoriety. sion, of the U.S. Federal government: www.space.ch/fonds/e/indes:.html. Sehoenfeld's article drew a great deal of response www.pcha.gov/. Their efforts spread across the country and the which Commentary published earlier this year, The Commission's December 2000 findings can Solidarity Fund for the Victims of the Holocaust including a letter from U.S. Deputy Secretary of be found on its website. And the International was created: www.engli8h.upenn.edu/~afil' the Treasury Stuart Eizenstat: www.commen- Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims reis/Holocaust/swiss-now.btml, Two years later, tary.org/0101/schoenfeld.htm. was established in cooperation with several the five organizers travelled to Israel (at their own In February of this year, the Swiss Bank European insurance companies, representatives expense) and presented 50,000 Swiss Francs (more Dormant Accounts Web Site listed the names of of several Jewish organizations, and the State of than $30,000) to Amelia, the Israeli Center for owners 21,000 dormant accounts likely, to have Israel. The Commission's mandate is to address Holocaust Survivors and the Second Generation;:< belonged to Holocaust victims: www.dormantac- the issue of unpaid insurance policies issued to www.amcha.org/. counts.ch/. In addition to the list of names, the victims of the Holocaust: www.icheic.org/. site includes a Question and Answer section about One issue that is receiving a great deal of publicity is Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based televithe claim process, recent press releases and a copy how to deal with art confiscated from Jews during sion producer who writes, lectures and teaches of the detailed claim form. For an explanation of wartime — now found in galleries around the world. about the Jewish Internet. He can be contactthe claims process, consult the Frequently Asked Many of the finest art galleries including London's ed at: highway@home.com.

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Page 9

Israeli Building Methods Face Probe After 23 Die

by NAOMI SEGAL tmmmi mmmm,mmmmmmmmmimmmmmm JERUSALEM (JTA)--Israel has set up a state commission of inquiry into building safety after 23 people were killed and hundreds injured when a wedding hall collapsed last week. The May 24 collapse at the Versailles wedding hall in Jerusalem's Talpiot neighborhood has spurred a public outcry over what are considered widespread problems of corner-cutting by contractors and lax enforcement of building codes by local authorities. The collapse also heightened fears that poor construction practices could make many buildings disaster prone—all the more so since Israel is located in an earthquake zone. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said those guilty of negligence must be brought to justice. Israelis "pay a heavy and needless price as a result of a disregard for law and order," he said at a joint news conference with Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert. The commission will address construction problems in general, not the Versailles hall collapse specifically. A government statement issued Tuesday said the commission will examine the "full range of professional and legal questions related to the safety of buildings and places designed for public use." In what was considered Israel's worst civilian disaster, 23 people were killed and more than 200 injured last week when the dance floor collapsed beneath the feet of wedding guests, plunging them three stories in a cloud of broken concrete and twisted steel, One of the dead w a s a three-year-old boy. Rescuers said they found the bodies of an entire family sitting around a party table smashed in the wreckage. The bride and groom, Keren and Assaf Dror, were injured and received adjoining hospital bods. A video of the collapse showed well-drcsaod p«rtygoers dancing under colored lights when tho floor gave way beneath them. Police detained at least nine people for questioning-including the owners of the hall, engineers and building contractors-following the disaster. Among those held by police was the inventor of a lightweight construction method used in the wedding hall and in many other buildings built in Israel during the 1980s. According to reports, more than 6,600 structures in Israel were built using the cheaper Pal-Kal method, which uses thinner sections of concrete than usual during construction, The building method was banned in 1996 because of safety concerns, An initial inquiry indicated that recent renovations at the wedding hall-including the removal of supporting walls and beams, as well as the use of the Pal-Kal construction method-could have contributed to the building's collapse. Beautiful Flower Arrangements

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1941 will stop short of saying outright that Poles, not Nazi troops, did the killing. The inscription, released Monday, alludes to the horrors of neighbors killing neighbors and warns that hatred should never again "set the residents of this land against each other." A Polish official acknowledged that the text is a compromise that won't satisfy everyone, especially some Jewish groups. But he said he believes it "reflects current'knowledge and emotions surrounding the issue." • LONDON-The Israeli Embassy in London is asking the British Broadcasting Corp. to investigate comments made by its Gaza Strip reporter earlier this month at a rally organized by Hamas. Payad Abu Shamala, representing the Palestinian National Union of Journalists, told participants that journalists "are waging the campaign shoulder-to-shoulder together with the Palestinian people."

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• NEW YORK-Rela Mintz Geffen was named president of the 600-student Baltimore Hebrew University after serving several months as interim president. Geffen's appointment comes a year after the university's previous president, Robert BVeedman, cited tensions with Baltimore's Jewish federation—which allocates $1.1 million to Baltimore Hebrew University—as one of his reasons for resigning. • JERUSALEM-Three Israelis were killed in separate shooting attacks in the West Bank on Tuesday, hours before Israeli and. Palestinian officials were due to resume talks on security coordination. A resident of the settlement of Efrat— Sarah Blaustein, 5 3 , an immigrant from t h e United States—was killed when shots were fired at her c a r near the Israeli settlement of Neveh Daniel. Her husband, Norman, was slightly wounded» and a son, Sammy, was seriously wounded with three bullets in his back. Another Efrat resident, Esther Alva, 20, died several hours after the attack. Earlier Tuesday, an Israeli security official for a West Bank settlement was killed in a shooting attack near Nablus. The victim, Gilead Zar, was seriously wounded in another shooting incident three months ago. • WASHINGTON-Recent comments by the director of a Christian social services program praising the proselytization of Jaws are fueling Jewish opposition to President Bush's faith-based initiative. John Caatellani, executive director of Teen Challenge, a substance abuse treatment program, said in testimony before Congress last week that Jews at Ms center were "completed"1—that is, had accepted Jesus-as part of their treatment. Officials of the Anti-Defamation League and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism said Castellani's testimony shows the dangers involved in funneling federal funds to social service organizations that might proselytize.Both groups sent letters to Buflh expressing concern about tho White House plan to fund fuith-bnsucl Hocinl service programs such as Teen Challenge, • NEW YORK-Scienlific sotiGtios are renaming the jewfish, whoso name some hove found offensive, as the "goliath grouper," according to the Miami Herald. The fiah-which has inspired such locates as Jewfish Creek in the Florida Keys and Jowfish Point in 1x38 Angeles—is an endangered species. • J E R U S A L E M - T W Q suicide- bombers wounded one person in an attack on an Israeli army roadblock in the Gaza Strip, Israel Army Radio said, The bombers blew themselves up Tuesday near a roadblock used by Palestinian workers in southern Gaza to work in an area of Jewish settlements, the report said. The army had no immediate comment, • ROME-The inscription for a new monument to Jews massacred in the Polish town of Jedwabne in

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Page 10 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 1, 2001

Ethiopian Student Athlete Celebrates 10 Years in Israel with Dreams of Olympic Medal by ADAM WATSTEIN, Special to UJC Press Service

tation to represent his school in a national track (Editor's note: Adam competition, despite the fact that he had only Watstein from Sharon, MA, a participated in three races and had never actugraduate of Emory University, ally been trained. Class of 2000, has been in "Who's the best one here?" he remembers askIsrael since August as an ing when he arrived to compete. Shortly thereOTZMA participant. OTZMA after, the no-name high-schooler outran a is a leadership development stunned group of athletes who had been training program of United Jewish for up to 15 years. Communities (UJC) in which His talents are visible academically as well, select North American young and Gavriel has opted to pursue his potential in adults contribute a year of serthe U.S., which offers a more intensive and comvice to Israel and the Jewish petitive season for runners, along with direction people. Operation Moses and from some of the best coaches in the world. Operation Solomon were fundThese advantages will bring Gavriel closer to ed by UJC through Federation his overall goal—a medal in the Olympic games, Annual Campaigns, including and thus a platform to declare his gratitude Omaha's.) towards the State of Israel. Born in 1981, Gavriel spent the first 10 years of his life in A n E t h i o p i a n i m m i g r a n t w i t h after Operation Solomon and vis- "I just want an opportunity to say how much I the small farming village of J o e l Tauber, t h e n p r e s i d e n t of ited Ethiopian refugees at love to be Jewish and living in Israel," he added. Chakha Yorgis, Ethiopia. The U J A i n 1 9 9 1 ' Members of t h e Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar, then "And then...when they play Hatikva while I am patriarchal environment of the Omaha Jewish community were home to Amnon and Beth Seldin on the podium, and this entire expedition is finally complete...then it will be OK to relax and cry." community prided itself on the i n I s r a e l l e s s t h a n two w e e k s Dotan. Why did I write this? perpetuation of two basic was a pressing message for those in the village, and When I arrived in Israel, friendless and clueless, ideals: work ethic and the eventual return to it sent Gavriel's father to Addis Ababa to find refuge. he and his family took me in like a brother, and Jerusalem. By the time of his father's return, another of For 1,800 years, ancestors of his village remained Gavriel's brothers had taken ill and his mother had they proved to be some of the most generous steadfast in their Judaism. They repelled persua- passed away. The futility of Gavriel's father's friends I have known. If his life experience is a tessive propositions to convert, and withstood genera- efforts to escape Ethiopia, coupled with the recent tament to his character, then his efforts as both an athlete and a student will be exceptional. All he tions of forced integration with non-Jews. deaths of his wife and son, sent him into a whirlDuring the mid-1980s, urgency arose for Ethiopian wind of despair. He died only a week after his needs now is someone who knows someone who Jews to make an attempt at escaping to Jerusalem. wife...of a broken heart, says Gavriel, At eight knows someone who can make this happen. Gavriel, now a 10-year veteran Israeli, joined the Simultaneously battling nationwide famine and years old, the adult life of Gavriel Tagabo began. entire Ethiopian Jewish community, all the people political upheaval, the dispersed Jewish communities As conditions in Ethiopia worsened, Gavriel of Ethiopia recognized the need to fulfill their 2,000- found himself the caretaker of his two remaining of Israel and North American Jewry in celebrating the 10th anniversary of Operation Solomon. year-old prophecy and return home. brothers, a five-year-old and a newborn. On Friday, May 24, 1991, an emergency airlift, For Gavriel, the sequence of events is still not "There was no way I was going to let them die.. .1 fully understood as he was only six years old at the was going to get to Israel, and my two remaining unparalleled in scope and speed of execution, rescued more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews from the time. He only remembers being awakened in the brothers were going to get there with me," he said. midst of civil war in Ethiopia to bring them to their middle of the night, handed several bags to carry, For nearly a year, Gavriel supported his brothers and told to keep pace with the rest of the village. with the help of his grandmother. During this time, longed for homeland of Israel. The operation, coordinated between the governAs a child, Gavriel began his journey by foot south- correspondence continued between members of east to the border of Ethiopia, north across the Gavriel's village and Israeli Aliya representatives in ment of Israel and the Jewish Agency, with funds Sudan, west toward Addis Ababa, the capital of the capital. Finally, permission for Gavriel and his raised by the Federations of North America, involved a total of 45 flights from Israel to Ethiopia Ethiopia, and eventually to Israel via airplane. family to leave Ethiopia for Israel was granted. and was completed within 36 hours. After only two weeks, the villagers of Chakha Immediately, he, his grandmother and his two For Gavriel and thousands of other rescued Yorgis found themselves at the mercy of the pursuing brothers traveled to Addis Ababa, only to wait Ethiopian Jews, North American Jewry also gladly Ethiopian militia. Denounced and degraded for their another year for logistics to be settled. accepted the challenge of helping them to begin commitment to their tradition, they found them"The wait," Gavriel recalled, "was worth it." fruitful new lives in Israel. selves incarcerated and stripped of all possessions. Despite unbearable tragedy, relentless courage and Today, United Jewish Communities and The birth of his third brother, Moshe, is one of the resilience proved victorious for Gavriel. His return few concrete memories that Gavriel has of the lock- to Eretz Israel was finally completed in May, 1991. Federation Annual Campaigns continue to make it possible for Ethiopian olim to reach the Jewish up. After several weeks in prison, he and his family Though Gavriel never regained his childhood, the Homeland, and helps their absorption into the modwere released with only the clothes on their backs. experiences of going to school and being part of a Deflated of hope and stripped of everything of value concerned Jewish community made his familial ern Israeli society with funds for early childhood including land, Gavriel and his family began the role easier. In addition, his talents as both an ath- development, health care, social services, language training, education, job training, housing and more. process of rebuilding. After six months, the condi- lete and student became obvious as he grew older. tions proved fatal for his second brother. The death In 2000, his athletic abilities earned him an invi-

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Across I. Yigal , war hero, Knesset member 5. Popular vowels 8. Now obsolescent phono, records I 1 . Species of frond-leaved tree 14. Anagram of 5-Across 15. Flambe the poultry again? 17. Cow, to Caesar 18. Mad stinger, to a Cockney 19. It was, in ancient Rome 23. Pub font 25. The votes have them 26. Crude hero fashioned to save Jews from pogroms 28. Nickname for prophet of David's time? 30. Jerusalem colors (N. Shemer song) 36. de guerre 37. Hunter of the skies 38. Ballerina often wears one 42."... shall not teach . any more." 44. Eugene's daughter, Charlie's wife 45. "Goodnight, _ _ , goodnight..." 47. Raven ponderer 49. Assorted sky colors? 55. Beleaguered Fed, arts agency 56. Diminutive ponies 57. Above (Heb.) and maj. league 58. Prufrock's creator's initials 59. Lerner's song-composing partner Down 1. Sarah's husband 2. Confederate's commander-in-chief 3. Lets you remote-gamble on horses 4. Nickname for Helen (var.) 5. Disney wow'em center 6. New England splendid color sources 7. A bit better bracing than beer 8. Out to'lunch, and then some 9. Bird akin to phoebe 10. Tars . : 12. Big friendly black dog* 13, They're there between L and P

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Jane 1,2001

New Grossman Family Fund t o Help Jewish Family Service by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Foundation Public Relations Director • Quiet generosity comes naturally for Paul and

explained the process (of setting up a fund) and what the endowment funds would be invested in," Coren said. Sae felt the investments and &e parpose of the endowment would be compatible with her parents* values aad motives. ^Instead of paying this money to the government, at least some of it ean be used to help Jewish people in need," Coren mentioned. Establishment of the Grossman Karaily Endowment Fund wasssueh a wonderful, pleasant surprise," remarked Steve Stiel, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service. As aa agency feat provides direct Paul Grossman's father, Isaac, service, Jewish Family Service aeeds owned a furniture store in downtraiaed staff, emphasized Sti&L town Omaha and was "kindheart""Initial income from the new endowed" to customers who had a hard ment will be used to help pay a protime paying for their merchandise, fessional staff person to provide serCoren said. vices to individuals wife developmental disabilities and their families.'* So it comes as no surprise that Paul and Joy Grossman, both lifeStiel recognizes that there are prolong Omahans, recently set up a graoas serving those with developnew endowment fund with The mental disabilities in our communiFoundation of the Jewish ty. *bttt they're a neglected populaFederation "to benefit the protion. I have had numerous families grams and activities of Jewish { who have members with developFamily Service." mental disabilities approach me But there are more family ties in seeking help from Jewish Family this story than are immediately Service." apparent. Stiel hopes to provide a combina, „„ M M t At a family gathering, the Grossmans celebrated with their children and ,. „ . . . TT, -n : In December, Pam Monsky, -u-u /z. i . . *, n ,„ ,, n „ faon of professional and clinical seru j ,n „„ • +• grandcjbtildren (back row,* prom left)". -. . will -,, draw , .« - ,- - , Federation Communications * „ * ' ' J Henry . -L (Brud)' Grossman,* F r a n vices that these mdraduTV , • . • f 4.- Cirossman Coren, Dan Grossman; (seated) l i s a Coren, P a u l a n d Joyj (front . , ., • „ . , . . . ,, Director, wrote a series of arti,„ „ ~ •„, ~TT»-% .. ,-, ~ 77 a«s and t h e i r families into the T * . A „, • ,, T - 7 P oK«+ row) Emily Grossman, Meyer (Mickey) Coren, Becca Grossman, J u l i e Coren, , . , ., »~, , „ cles m the Jewish Press about T . „ * ™J J •" _« _ » . 7^7 , - „ Jewish community. The new staff f m -T „ - *•-„ „„„•„! ~A ^u~ Jamie Grossman and Nate Grossman. Tne Corens live in Omaha; Henry munity , and •«is«t.clinically * I. sound as a families in imanciai need who _ . »-™*- n ^ ' * *- , - ,therapist," _ ^ ^ , . lie . J added. member will have to be someone •• fits - . he ,, into . , need ., of - ,endowm ~,.~ i,^i^^^ v., T« -r,u T ? « ^ I r «Et>ssman is from Tyeras, NM; Dan Grossman and Ms four children T an Stiellive alsomindicated is in were helped by Jewish i?amily „ _,. -» > -» who well the Jewish camService. Pam Monsky's husband, ^ ment fund for preventative programming for adoHenry, is named after They his grandfather and is their wedding anniversary 2000. Paul, vrho lescents and*in the areas of domestic abuse, depresagreed the Grossmans. also wanted to supB'rith60th for many years. Likewise,in Joy, who recently Paul and JoyFamily Grossman's nephew. turn 90her in September, has served on Temple's port Jewish Service because of its help in will celebrated 85th birthday, has belonged to sion, chemical abuse, and suicide. "It costs a whole articles definitely their decision, Temple Board of Trustees and has been a member of B'nai lot less to prevent a problem than to treat it," he theThe adoption of one of theirinfluenced grandchildren. Sisterhood (now Women of Reform An independent insurance agent for H. A.-Wolf Judaism), National Council of Jewish Women, emphasized. Company and then Joffe, Kully Grossman B'nai B'rith Women (now Jewish Women "Endowment income is becoming a bigger part of Insurance Agency which later merged with Grace- International) and Hadassah. providing for our services and allowing us to grow," Mayer Insurance Company, Paul Grossman On behalf of her parents, who have supported Stiel said. "I always think of the donors when I use retired at the age of 84. In addition to watching • the Federation Campaign for more than 50 years, endowment income. We're very thankful to the his sons, Henry and Dan, play sports, Grossman Fran Coren spoke to Marty Ricks, Executive Grossmans and the other donors. Their gifts will played violin with the Omaha Symphony in the Director of the Federation Foundation. "He continue to give us a gift every single year." Joy Grossman. They learned it through the example set by their parents, Isaac and Tillle Grossman and Henry and Sadie Monsky. Henry Monsky, a well-known Omaha attorney, distinguished himself as the International President of B'nai B'rith who was instrumental in establishing Boys Town through his friendship with Father Flanagan. Monsky also helped start the Jewish Press in 1920 and was involved in the United Nations, reported his granddaughter, Fran Grossman Coren.

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