IIEW1SH PRESS Vol.LXXXi
No. 17
Omaha, NE
20Tevet,5762
January 4,2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
Super Sunday 2002 to Sport Red, White and Blue
NJHS Board Offers Support to Pioneer Women Exhibit
by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director "Super Sunday is imporKim and Mark | tant because It allows Schwartz had so much every Jew in Omaha the fun the first time, they're chance to take responsileading Super Sunday for bility for those less fortuthe second year in a row! nate. In a Jewish commuIn honor of the survivors nity this small, we need to and victims of the 9/11 stick together and take terrorist attacks, a care of each other. theme of Red, White and Especially this year, if we Blue has been chosen for haven't learned how this year's event, to be important it is to work held Sunday, Feb. 10. together, then we never Calls will once again will," said Mark. take place at Omaha Mark and Kim Schwartz Kim said that Super Steaks' telemarketing facility. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Sunday gives everyone the chance to smake a differSimon family has generously opened their doors for ence in another person's life," she added. Tffs a great this well-loved community event. Kid's Super honor to work on an event that allows people the Sunday will return for the fourth time on Sunday, opportunity to do such a mitzvah...to make a tangible Feb. 3,12:30 - 2 p.m., at the JCC. difference in someone else's fife, especially in the wake Kim and Mark Schwartz have been involved with of the terrorist attacks here in America and Israel." "Community involvement reaches a pinnacle durSuper Sunday for four years, starting as volunteers for Kids' Super Sunday in 1999 and serving on the ing Super Sunday," said Jan Perehnan, Federation 2000 Super Sunday Steering Committee before Executive Director. "The emphasis is that each conchairing Super Sunday 2001. Serving as chairmen tribution is important, no matter the size. The act two years in a row gives them a chance to build on of participating in tzedakah is what makes Super their experiences and learn from last year's event Sunday so special." to make this one even better. (Continued on page 2)
by DIANE AXLER BAUW : At this year's final meeting of the National Jewish Historical Society Board, president Louise AibrahamsoB issued a call for volunteers to support the award-winning exhibit, Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest. "Volunteers axe needed &r a wide range of activities, Including the grand opening, set for Sunday, J a n . 27, 2-4 p.m., in the JCC Gallery. Caryn Rifkin, coordinator of the exhibit in Omaha, said she is especially seeking volunteers to become docents for the exhibit, scheduled to remain in the Gallery through April 21. Unpacking on, the Prairie brings to life the problems and adjustments of Jewish families, especially the women, who helped settle the Upper Midwest. The exhibit was developed by the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and the Minnesota Historical Society. "Ifs a great thing that we are able to bring this innovative, interactive learning experience to Omaha," said Renee Ratner Corcoran, NJHS Executive Director. Through text, photos, video, display cases and hands-on projects, Unpacking on the Prairie will help us introduce Omahans of all ages to the Jewish pioneer women who made the foundation for our community.'* The exhibit has received highest acclaim as it travels around the United States, most recently at the Klutznik Museum in Washington, D.C. It was made possible, in part, by grants from the Otto Bremer Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The NJHS and the Jewish Cultural Arts Council have joined as co-sponsors to bring the exhibit to Omaha with the help of funding from the following contributors: the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation, the Herbert Goldsten Trust, the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund, the Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Fund and the Nebraska Humanities Council. To become a decent, or to obtain additional information, please get in touch with Caryn Rifkin by email at: crgr6175@aoLcom or by calling 334-7216; or caH the NJHS, at 334-6441.
Federation System Mobilizes to Help Argentine Jews in Need by JULIE WIENER NEW YORK (JTA) - The North American Jewish federation system is being asked to contribute more than $12 million over the next three years to help Argentinian Jews survive the country's economic crisis. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee held an emergency meeting Jan. 2 with top leaders from the federations' umbrella organization, the United Jewish Communities, to discuss the rapidly changing situation in Argentina. Argentina's approximately 200,000 Jews have been hit hard by the country's economic crisis, which erupted into street riots .in which 25 people were killed earlier this month. Traditionally middle class, a growing number of Argentine Jews — as many as 50,000 people, or a quarter of the community — has fallen below the poverty line in the past two years, according to estimates. Argentina has a long history of anti-Semitism, but Jews apparently are not being singled out for attacks right now, according to a memo from the UJC. Now, after riots forced the resignation of President Fernando de la Rua and a new and untested interim leader took his place, many Jews are seeking to emigrate to Israel. Others are looking at Europe, Latin America and North America.
In an ironic twist, some Argentine Jews whose grandparents fled Poland are now seeking to return there and reclaim citizenship. The JDC initially requested $10 million for Argentina three months ago, but leaders say the recent-economic collapse has forced them to increase their estimates. In addition, the Jewish Agency for Israel — which is trying to process increased applications for aliyah — faces new needs in Argentina. Together, the JDC and Jewish Agency receive approximately $300 million a year from the federation system. Stephen Hoffinan, the UJCs president and CEO, said it is not yet clear how the federation system will respond to the call for help, and that it is currently working with the JDC, Jewish Agency and a few smaller agencies to get a better sense of the needs. So far, he said, the different players have been providing somewhat conflicting reports about the scope of the Jewish community's needs. In particular, Hoffman said, the UJC is seeking information on the capacity of Argentine Jewish institutions to meet community needs, what programs would generate "a significant number of people to consider Israel for resettlement," and "what kind of welfare assistance can be significant but also within our reach." "The only thing that's clear is that there's a need for special assistance, whether coming from special action by federations or approaches to foundations," Hoffinan said. Several Jewish foundations have allocated money for Argentine Jews in the past few months, including $400,000 in job training programs sponsored by the New York Jewish federation. The JDC has invested $1 million in emergency funds in the past few weeks, but says the money is This Jewish couple from Argentina were part running out. The group is working to help "the very of a contingent of 63 people last week. The worst cases" of impoverished Jews and is providing JDC estimates 20,000 Argentinian Jews will cash assistance to help people pay rent and meet mortgage payments, said Michael Schneider, the immigrate to Israel in the next few years. JDC's executive vice president. Photo by ISRANET.
Interactive panels, like the one shown above, are part of the Unpacking the Prairie exhibit, whieh opens later this month. Visitors can "feel the bundle" and guess what items their grandparents may have brought to America and open drawers containing such things as seder plates which can be assembled.
INSIDE: Teen Age
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Temple Israel Schedules Classes, Programs, Lectures ...................page 10 <JCC Offers Fitness Programs
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