EW1SH PRESS Vol. LXXXt
No. 2
Omaha, HE
4 Tlsftfei, 5762
September 21,2Q01
SERVING NEBRASKAAND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
by JEWISH PRESS News Service
Even for North American Jews used to thinking about security issues at home-and confronting terrorist acts in Israel—the series of horrific acts that struck Sept 11 eaiae as a devastating, unimaginable blow. "This is surreal. This whole situation seems surreal," said Martin Raffel, the associate director of the Jewish. Council for Public Affairs, whose offices are located in midtown New York, a safe distance from t h e destroyed World Trade Center. Before the initial shock wore off from the hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, Israel was offering help, U.S. Jewish groups were reacting with anger and Jewish communities across North America were holding prayer vigils. In a statement of support, solidarity and prayer, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Centers of Excellence and the synagogues, said, "(We) join with the community, the country and the world in expressing our immense sorrow at the senseless loss of life on Sept. 11. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those lost in this horrific act. "We pray for the recovery of the injured and stand ready to support those seeking physical and emotional healing. We condemn those who act with hate and violence toward innocent people, here at home and abroad, and we recommit ourselves to eradicating terrorism.
"We must always remember.. .if one of us is not safe, none of us are safe." In Israel, more then 400 doctors, nurses, other hospital wcrkers, visitors and patients attended a memorial service on Sept. 12 at the Hadassah Medical Center in the Ein Kerem suburb of Jerusalem. The service for those who lost their* lives* in the day of terror in the U.S. also served as a solidarity rally with the American people The rally was opened with a moment of silence and a chapter from Psalms. Professor Shlomo Mor-Yosefj director general the Hadassah Medical Organization, said; ""We stand with our Hadassah family and the entire American people. We all feel as if the'tragedy that happened in the United States, happened to us here in Jerusalem." Bonnie Iipton, National President of Hadassah, t h e Women's Zionist Organization of America, said she was moved by the feelings of solidarity expressed by Israelis. "Last month, when- 550 delegates of Hadassah were in Israel far our national convention, we vowed that terror would never deter us from our w&rk. The terror in the United S t a t e won't stop us either. Just the opposite,'' she said. Irdnically, t h e Sbarro pizzeria in downtown Jerusalem reopened the day after the terrorist attack on the United States, five weeks after it was gutted by a suicide bomber. {Continued on page 3)
Thousands of Israelis from all walks of life converged on. Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to participate in a solidarity rally with the people of the United States, following the recent terror attacks in New York, Washington and Pittsburgh. The event was organized under the slogan 'you nave a friend'. Many tearful and somber Israelis lit candles of remembrance. The message from Hie rally was clear that terrorism has to be fought wherever it occurs. Photo by ISRANET.
'Door to Dooris a Play AboutUs' Chicago Production is 2002 Women's Campaign Event by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director
I t spoke to me. It's a play about us. person," said Bobbie, "even a better wife or mother. "Three women, three different stages of life, and I That's what I saw in Door to Door, that relationcould relate to each one of them. There's power in ships with the most important females in our lives is at the core of who and what we are." that connection.'1 "You watch these women grow," Ellie added, "and It was more than a year ago that Bobbie Epstein and her daughter-in-law, Ellie, saw a performance realize that, over a lifetime, we have many of the of Door to Door at the UJC Midwest Women's same peaks and valleys. We're all on the same Conference in Chicago, but their impressions of the roller coaster of life, and that sense of universalitycan be a source of play remain vivid and strength. strong. "I refer to the producOn Oct.15, women in tion as 'no-frills,'" Ellie Omaha's Jewish communicontinued. "Its simplicity ty will have their own allows us to focus on the opportunity to experience people and their personal the play's poignant messtories, not what's sage when the Women's around them." Division of the Federation When Door to Door preAnnual Campaign will miered at t h e Victory present Door to Door for Gardens Theater in two shows, 10 a.m. and Chicago, it received acco7 p . m . , a t t h e Jewish lades from critics and Community Center audiences alike. SherRoslyn Alexander, Cheryl Ross Mitchell and Theater. It's a contemporary ^ m Wade star in Door to Door, a play by m&n> whose Beau Jest story about a mother, Playwright James Sherman. r a n for m o r e two daughter and granddaughter being there for each years off-Broadway, is an award-winning playother, leaning on each other, understanding each wright and former writer/actor with Second City. other, struggling together in their relationships-all The featured Chicago actresses are seasoned perof the things today's women go through to get formers with notable credits. Indeed, Door to Door along," Ellie explained. has all the ingredients for a heartwarming and Tve always believed a woman who has the love unique "Jewish" theater experience to share and and loyalty of family, particularly the support of a enjoy. mother, sisters or daughters, is a better, stronger (Continued on page 13}
Rescue and Relief Resources The Omaha Jewish community has professional counselors avaifable to talk with members of the public who fee! isolated or distraught by this incident. To speak with a trained professional from Jewish Family Service, piease call 330-2024. After regular business hours, please cali the pager at 888-9425, and leave a number where you can be reached; your cail will be returned immediately. Donations are being directed to several humanitariarr^aid organizations, based on their immediate needs. With the UJC stamp of approval, you can be assured that your contributions will go where they are needed most. UJC receives nothing from any of these donations and are donating administrative services so that 100% of every dollar will go towards helping the victims of this horrible tragedy. UJC Emergency Relief Fund 111 Eighth Avenue, Suite 11E New York, NY 10011 Make checks payable to "UJC Emergency Relief Fund". Piease note on your check that you are affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
The Jewish Federation encooreges si* members of the Jewish community to attend a memorial, this SUNDAY, SEPT, S3, 3 PJbL at Memorial Park, organised by the City of Omaha. The Federation stated thai •*& memorial specifically for the Omaha Jewish community is not appropriate. America is the clear target of the terrorists and we must not separate ourselves the rest of the country at tfci* lime."