#1JEWISH PRESS Vot.LXXXl
No. 11
Omaha, NE
8Kislev,5762
November 23T 2SQ1
SfflVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
Walking the Bible Author Lands in Omaha by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director
Pitlors Turn Own Traumatic Event into Fund to Help with Transplant Costs
himself: to ground the Bible in by CLAUDIA SHEFftfiAiN, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator. real soil and in real history Mama Htior, who recently donat- Endowment Fund with the Jewish and, in so doing, demonstrate ed a kidney to her brother, Jerry Federation Foundation "to share our its amazing vitality." Chairpersons for the lecture Gerelick, whs has type one diabetes, success in a way to help other peois "a lot of cost that ple," Marda said. are Susan Rothholtz and found oat there 3 is not medical in nature involved in With the assistance of Marty Ricks, Suzanne Singer. A book signorgan donation. *Tnsurance only pays Director of the Foundatloa, who ing and reception will follow for the medical cost," she explained. explained to the Pitlors how the the lecture. Although there is Lost wages and travel expenses are endowment fund would be adminisno charge to attend, reservaonly the beginning of whaifs notcovBruce Feiler tered, they set up the fund to help pay tions would be appreciated by newest book, Walking the Bible. ered. for transportation to and from home calling the Walking the Bible Hotline Pitior reported that both she and to the location where the transplant Feiler's visit is sponsored hy the at 334-6402, or by e-mailing Sharon Jewish Federation of Omaha and the Kirshenbaum at her brother are doing "great. We're surgery is performed, temporary living cost for both the patient and famijust fine," she said. Kripke Jewish Federation Library as Thankful that everything went well ly while awaiting the delivery of the part of Jewish Book Month. Before Feiler, a native of Savannah, GA, is in her family's case, Marcia, who is co- organ, and other ancillary cost related writing the book, Feiler spent a year a graduate of Yale University. He has chairman of the Jewish Community to the operation. Determination of retracing the Five Books of Moses studied at universities in Osaka and Center (JCC)' Maecabi Games nest financial need will be made by Jewish through the desert. The book became Oslo and earned a master's degree in August in Omaha, said, "Obviously, Family Service. an instant New York Times bestseller. international relations from Cam- the transplant surgery impacted ail of According to the agreement, priority Walking the Bible: A Journey By bridge University. He now lives in us, not just me and my brother. We shall be given to Jewish residents of Land Through the Five Books of are just so thankful that everything the Omaha area and then to Jews HvMoses, was hailed as an "instant clas- New York City. During the last 10 years, he has came out great," she added. ing outside the area who travel to sic" by the Washington Post. "It is proMarda and her husband, Steve, a Omaha for transplant surgery. found without being oppressive, traveled to more than 60 countries, on humorous without being trite, and a five continents, immersing himself in past president of the JCC, wanted to Consideration will also be given to nondifferent cultures and experiences. do something to celebrate their fami- Jewish individuals and their families pure joy to read." "Thoughtful, informed, and percep- The result is four acclaimed books ly's good fortune. "Out of a sense of who are employed by the Federation or tive," wrote <"lie New York Times. that take the reader along on his fasci- doing something that we felt so good any of the Omaha synagogues. "Most of all, Mr. J*eiler achieves for his nating adventures and bring other about," the Pitlors established the We knew that at some point we'd Pitior Family Transplant Support readers what he set out to achieve for worlds vividly to life. (Continued on page 9) Bruce Peiler, the New
York Times best-selling author of five books, an award-winning journalist and a sought-after speaker, will appear in Omaha on Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., in the Theater at the Jewish Community Center for a free community lecture about his
An Israeli Woman Walts...and Hopes by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor
Since August, a 62-year-old Israeli grandmother has been waiting for a liver transplant. Mimi Atias, a retired administrator from Bat Yam on the Mediterranean Coast of Israel, has fought Hepatitis C and liver cancer, but the cancer hasn't spread. Doetors at the University of Nebraska Medical Center say she's "in a good position on the transplant list," so Atias and her family remain hopeful. If she was just waiting for a match, it wouldn't be that difficult, according to a friend—and Hebrew translator—Elinor Matalon. But it's not just blood type and the other factors which matter. In liver transplants, size matters, too. So a perfect match from an infant—or a 300-pound football player— wouldn't be so perfect. Matalon is one of several volunteers who has been at Atias' bedside for months. Her husband, Guy, also helps out, as do volunteers Edythe Wolf and Hannah Schwalb. Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman have invited Atias, and visiting family members, for Shabbat and holiday meals. Atias has had a steady stream of visitors, including two of her daughters and two sisters. Each relative has left behind children (or grandchildren) and jobs. And none of them are fluent English speakers. "At the beginning, when Mimi was feeling better, she and her family were able to go out for walks, spend Shabbat at Beth Israel or Chabad, and visit sites around Omaha," Matalon explained. "But since her bout of chemo, she's become weaker and can't walk without assistance." Atias thinks she contracted the hepatitis from a blood transfusion more than 30 years ago, when she was hospiHlized following an earthquake in her native Morocco. But she had no symptoms until last year, when doctors in Israel finally diagnosed the problem. In addition, Atias consulted with a doctor who is also a rabbi in B'nai Brak, Rabbi Ferer, known for making shidduchim (matches) between patients and doctors. He advised her to seek a liver transplant at
Atias through Jewish Family Service, according to Steve Stiel, JFS Director. "Not only does Mimi need financial help," added Matalon, "but we could use additional volunteers to help with translation, running errands, and just visiting her at UNMC.7* To volunteer, call Edy Wolf at 333-7448. "I'm so grateful to the many people who have already helped our family," said a tearful Atias, "especially the Elinor and Guy (Matalon), who have been especially kind and thoughtful." While Atias does have insurance through the State of Israel, she and her family know her- bill will be more than they can handle. Atias and her husband, David, (who plans on coming here in December) have already mortgaged their home in Bat Yam. David doesn't speak English, but in addition to speaking Hebrew, he also speaks fluent French. Matalon is trying to line up French translators in preparation for his visit, in addition to securing more Hebrew translators to help communicate with Tali Mazxeb, right, is one of three daughters the medical staff at UNMC. who has come to wait until a liver becomes Stiel said he would like to give the Atias family available for transplant for her mother, Mimi more And he can, if members of the Omaha Atias. Mazreh left three children at home in Jewishhelp. community respond. To make a donation to Israel, the youngest of which is only a year Jewish families in need, call Stiel at JFS, 330-2024, old. While she hopes the transplant will he or send your tax-deductible donations to him, soon, Atias will still have to stay at UNMC's marked "liver transplant", at: JFS, 333 So. 132nd Lied Transplant Center for another three St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198. months after the surgery. In the meantime, Atias waits. ..and hopes a comUNMC, known worldwide for its transplant program. patible liver becomes available soon. Her family So Atias arrived in Omaha with her daughter, waits, too...and prays for a refuah shlaymah, the Orli, and son-in-law, who left behind 10 children, health of Chaya Mimi bat Esther. the youngest of whom was not even three-years-old at the time. Each time 6ne of Atias' relatives visit INSIDE: here, however, it costs the family more than $3000 Monthly Calendar. .pages 6-7 for airfare, daily lodging at the Lied Transplant Center, meals and incidentals. Interview with Creighton's President, Money from an emergency medical fund, the Jake Fr. John SchlegeL~~.......~...~..~...........page 1G and Mary Wine Fund at the Federation Foundation (to which Rabbi Howard Kutner of Beth Israel Raising Soul&.«.,.., -page 12 Synagogue has input), has already been given to