=JEWISH PRESS Voi.LXXXI
No. 14
Omaha, NE
29 Kistev, 5762
December 14,2001
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
'500-strong' UJC Solidarity Mission Stands by Israel by JEWISH PRESS News Service
A 500-strong "Israel Now and Forever" solidarity mission of the United Jewish Communities of North America arrived in Israel last week in a show of strength and support with Israel in the wake of the wave of terrorist bombings and attacks that took the lives of 26 Israelis and wounded hundreds. The mission, chaired by Omahan Joel Alperson, represented 37 different communities from across the United States with special emphasis on western and central USA. The UJC is the Larry Raful, center, one of 14 members of the Omaha contingent of Jewish Agency's partner- last week's mission, shows solidarity at the Western Wall. ship and fundraising link with Jewish communities location of the car bomb which exploded as rescue of North America. Jewish communities from abroad workers arrived at Ben Yehuda Street after two are linked with Israeli communities through the Palestinian suicide bombers killed 26 Israelis. Members of the group visited the Gilo neighborJewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program. Some 550 Diaspora communities participate in this pro- hood, which has repeatedly come under terrorist fire. With UJC funding, the Jewish Agency supports gram. The first stop for the group was the Western kindergartens and cultural institutions in the neighWall, for a nighttime ceremony. Mission members borhood and has installed air-eondilaoners and built also toured the Yad Sarah rehabilitation center, playgrounds for kindergartens. The Jewish Agency is where the UJC donates funds through the Jewish also involved in building a music center in the area, Agency. UJC volunteers assembled walkers at the with the assistance of Keren Hayesod. (Continued on page 2) Yad Sarah facility, located on Rav Kook Street, the
J5S Director Barbara Gottlieb to Take Post in Pittsburgh by JEWISH PRESS News Seivte »
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Joan Bernstein, President of Jewish Senior Services, has announced that Barbara Gottlieb will become Chief Executive Officer for the Jewish Association on Aging in Pittsburgh. PA. ^In the past five years that Barbara has been our Executive Director, she has lifted the Blumkin Home to new heights.". Bernstein noted. Barbara Gottlieb "Barbara has provided the residents with warmth, understanding and innovative programming. From her first day in Omaha, she has worked to make herself a vital part of the Jewish and Omaha community. B She will be missed by her many friends and certainly by JSSj* Berastein added. "But we know our loss is Pittsburgh's gain. We wish Barbara and her daughter, Carolyn, happiness and success in their new home." A national search, for her replacement is under way, said Bernstein. Eobert Cox has been named Interim Administrator until a new Executive Director has been hired. Cox has served as Comptroller for Jewish Senior Services for the past eight years and was recently named JCC Chief Financial Officer.
The Project Dreidel Chronicles
The 'All-American' Nightmare by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director
* The story you are about to read is true and used with permission. The names have been changed to respect the privacy of individuals and fmailies. Over the next several weeks, you'll get to know some the Omaha-area Jews helped by Jewish family Service. Bach person depicted in these stories has graciously agreed to share their story with the community to increase awareness of the programs and services of JFS that have made such a tremendous difference in their lives. Through Project Dreidel, JFS provides Hanukkah gifts and Jewish holiday meals to families in our area who cannot afford them. But sometimes, families and individuals have unexpected emergencies that require immediate intervention. JFS is there to provide the financial and emotional support needed Photo by Jen Gates to get back to normal, and that support costs money ried for six years and were the parents of three year 'round. Your gift to the Jewish Federation of Omaha beautiful children, ages 5, 3, and 18 months. James was a controlling man with a quick temper 2002 Annual Campaign, along with donations to the JFS tzedakah fund, is what allows us to take and the couple had a tumultuous relationship right care of each other. Despite our best efforts, our com- from the start. Throughout their marriage and the munity's needs continue to outpace the increase in birth of their first two children, James had made it gifts to the Annual Campaign. clear that Miriam needed to hold down a full-time Your increased campaign gift ensures that every job to help support the family. Omaha Jewish community member will have access But when the youngest child was born, Miriam to professional and compassionate help in a Jewish carefully explained to James that she wanted to environment To find out how you can help make a quit work and stay at home full-time. James didn't difference in the lives of others, please contact JFS think they would be able to make it financially on at 330-2024, or the Jewish Federation at 334-6431. his salary alone, but he reluctantly agreed to try. Miriam Faiman thought she had it all worked out. Miriam discovered that her life as a full-time mom Less than 18 months ago, she was living the all- was what she was meant to be doing. She felt fulAmerican dream. But today, she's seen with her own filled and happy, and even though money was tight, eyes how quickly dreams can turn into nightmares. Miriam enjoyed finding ways to economize. Miriam and her husband, James, had been marShortly, though, Miriam began experiencing
exhaustion and body aches. She chalked it up to the flu and bought some over-thecounter medicines and got some extra sleep. But no matter what she did, the pain and fatigue continued to worsen during the coming weeks. She was depressed and snapped at James and the children. When she finally went to the doctor, he couldn't find anything wrong, and Miriam's pain and sleeplessness continued to plague her. She consulted a string of other physicians who misdiagnosed her as having rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Meanwhile, Miriam's symptoms made it almost impossible to properly care for the children. She was also racking up some serious medical bills and James was becoming increasingly resentful. His temper flared and he blamed Miriam for all their financial problems. They were spending a fortune on doctor bills and nothing was helping her. James began to think that Miriam's illness was all in her mind. The couple's relationship began to quickly disintegrate in the wake of their financial misfortunes and Miriam's mysterious illness. (Continued on page 12)
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