IIEWISH PRESS3 Vol. LXXX LXXX Vol.
No. 39
Omaha, NE
5761 29 Tammuz, 5761
July 28, 2001
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
Even in Israel, There's Relief!
Cash Prizes to be Awarded for New Essay Contest on Patriotism by CAROL KATZMAM, Editor
life does go on as usual in Israel despite continuing violence by the Palestinians. With summer holidays entering their second week,
country sent youngsters to seek relief at swimming pools and water parks throughout Israel, like this one in Givat Brenner,
high temperatures around the
Photo by ISRANET.
\
Thanks to the generosity of a member of tie Jewish community, cash prizes of $600 will be awarded to the first-place winners of a newlyinitiated essay contest in the Jewish Press. The contest will be offered in two age categories: writers under the age of 25, based on the theme of "What Being an American Means to Me," and those over age 25, who should write about ''What Being an American has Meant to Me." "I've been thinking about the blessings we have in this country," explained the anonymous sponsor, "and how the Press eaa help com-' mtinicate that message. "Men and women my age recall the sacrifices of World War II and the opportunities our parents had when they came to this country, but younger people might want to interview their elders or do their own
research and write about this subject, too," he added. K We could all leara something from this." The donor, who is. himself ..a veteran of World War II, went on to say he hoped the contest would encourage people to express their patriotismEssays should be typed, singlespaced, and limited to 1000 words. A cover page with the name, age, and phone number of the writer should be included, and mailed with the essay to the Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198, Judged by a committee headed by Press Member Kip Gordman, the essays are due Aug. 24. Winaers will be announced in late-September and their essays reprinted in the Press during the High Holidays. For more information, call the Press office, 334-6448.
Newman Grants Fund Programs to Strengthen Jewish Identity and Promote Welfare of Youth by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator • In keeping with its purposes to subsidize new and religiously distinct while trying to fit into the secuinnovative programs, the Esther K. Newman Fund lar life of their surroundings, the exhibit's message supports programs designed for Jewish youth remains pertinent today. The program will be between preschocland college age and young shown from Feb. 3 to April 21, 2002, at the Jewish adults under the age of 23 who are not attending a Community Center (JCC). college or university. A grant was given to the JCC of Omaha, which The Newman Grants Committee seeks to assist will be one of five hosts across the United States for programs that strengthen Jewish identity and val- the 2002 Maccabi Games, the largest event for ues through educational, religious, cultural, social, Jewish teens, 12-16 years old, in the country. More or recreational activities sponsored by synagogues than 1,000 Jewish teenagers, their parents and and Jewish organizations in Omaha and Lincoln, coaches from approximately 20 cities are expected as well as Jewish Federation agencies. to participate hi five days of sporting events, social Income from the Carolyn Kully Newman Fund is programs and community service. A delegation allocated to fund programs and activities for from Israel is also expected to attend. Jewish children of kindergarten age or younger. In addition to providing a powerful Jewish expeProjects that strengthen Jewish identity and val- rience for the athletes, the Maccabi Games are ues through educational, religious, cultural and intended to involve the entire Jewish community of social, or recreational activities, are considered by Omaha in planning and implementing the event. the committee. Programs that promote general A third grant was made to the Jewish Cultural health, development and welfare of Jewish children Arts Council for the concert featuring Jewish pop and their families are also eligible to apply for rock star Yehuda, which celebrated Yom grants. Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day), May 20. Some 300 At the Newman Grants Committee meeting in people gathered for this family celebration at the the spring, grants were awarded to six programs JCC to heighten awareness about this "new" including Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women Jewish holiday and to honor the Federation's and in the Upper Midwest, an exhibit sponsored by the Centers' of Excellence Volunteers of the Year, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Outstanding Jewish Teen Leaders and the recipiJewish Cultural Arts Council. ent of the Community Service Award. Reaching out to younger generations of the Jewish Family Service received a grant to Omaha Jewish community, the exhibit will provide train one of its staff members, Karen. Gustafson, in an opportunity to explore the experiences of Jewish the Foster Cline program of "Love and Logic". Cline American women who helped settle the Upper is an internationally-known clinician who works Midwest by focusing on how they interacted with extensively with families, schools and systems to their neighbors, maintained Jewish homes, and facilitate change within families, especially created Jewish communities in a region only between children and their parents. sparsely populated by Jews. Focusing on a spectrum of problems, the program The exhibit tells the story of Jews as homestead- covers how to talk with children and teenagers; difers and merchants in the Midwest trying to raise ferences between mothers and fathers and ways they communicate with children; how not "to spoil" families and maintain Jewish homes. With its portrayal of women struggling to remain children; practical solutions to parenting chal-
lenges; how to talk about drugs, sex, alcohol, peer relationships, academic performance, and teenage parties; how to raise stress resilient youngsters with humor, empathy, and positive messages; how to manage the toddler years and the onset of hormones. Other topics include how to increase responsible behavior, manage disorders such as ADHD, and how to win homework battles. As a certified trainer in the Foster Cline program, Gustafson will be able to teach these techniques to parents, child advocates and te'achers in our area. Targeting audiences of Jewish children, teenagers and young adults, the Girl Scouts organization was awarded a grant from the Newman Funds to present The Yellow Dress and Remote Control programs on domestic violence prevention. The Jewish group is a small subsection of a larger community audience that will be able to see the presentations during a two-week time frame hi the fall of this year and in the spring of next year. A successful showing of The Yellow Dress and Remote Control were presented in Omaha last February. According to the Girl Scouts, there is "a significant demand" to make the programs available again. The project is dedicated to preventing dating violence and abuse as well as harassment and bullying behavior. (Continued on page 11)
INSIDE: Crossword Puzzle™.-.
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NJHS Hosts Annual Meeting
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M&ccabiah Game..«.«...................
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