WISH PRESS Vol. LXXX!
No. 24
Omaha, NE
10Adar,5762
February 22, 2002
: OMAHA HOSTS THE 2002 MACCABI GAMES
Jerusalem: a City Under Siege
Arafat Ponders Mortality as Israel Eyes Successors by GIL SEDAN
Pedestrians no longer walk casually through the downtown streets, but rather move purposefully to their destination. Far fewer people are to be seen and the relaxed atmosphere that existed in the city before the intifada has disappeared. Many hundreds of extra soldiers and policemen have been deployed in the city to guard against possible terror attacks. Most roof tops that command a good view in
the city center have armed soldiers on duty, looking down at the almost deserted streets below. As the holiday season arrives, the hoteliers and shop owners are not looking forward to much of a revival; in fact, many small businesses have already closed down. Above, a soldier takes a moment to put on tefillin at the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall,
site of recent attacks.
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JERUSALEM (JTA)-Something is happening to the man who used to be described as the "cat with seven souls." Yasser Arafat, 72, President of the Palestinian Authority and "symbol of the Palestinian revolution," is now talking about his own mortality. Arafat recently told one of the many groups of admirers who visited him in his besieged Ramallah headquarters that he would come to a liberated Jerusalem, either as a victor"or a shahid, the Arabic term for martyr. Then, meeting last week with journalists from the Gulf states and Egypt, Arafat mentioned two of his potential successors—Ahmed Karia, the speaker of the Palestine legislative council, and Arafat's deputy, Mahmoud Abbas. Two other potential candidates are Marwan Barghouti, leader of Patah's Tanzim militias, and Sari Nusseibeh, the PLO official in charge of Jerusalem. The statement won headlines because discussion of life after Arafat is considered taboo in Palestinian society. Yet, the Israeli daily Ha'aretz noted that Arafat merely was reminding his interviewers of the established succession procedures for his dual roles as head of the Palestinian Authority-which governs Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip-and of the PLO, which represents Palestinians both there and in the Diaspora. Some analysts say Arafat is more popular than during the days when he traveled the world on behalf of the Palestinian people. He receives daily delegations of support from the international community. Ha'aretz correspondent Danny Rubinstein, a long-time Arafat observer, said Arafat would never resign, because he has no reason to live but to lead the Palestinian people.
Photo by ISRANET.
Beth El Receives Three Awards at USCJ Biennial Convention by OZZIE NOGG
A delegation from Beth El recently returned from from our fellow Omahans," he added. According to Bruce M. Creditor, Chairman of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Biennial Convention in Washington, DC, where the Awards Committee, "These coveted awards Howard Epstein, Beth El President, accepted three are presented only to synagogues that have Solomon Schechter Awards on behalf of the congre- demonstrated excellence in congregational progation. The awards are presented to congregations gramming. As such, they are a source of pride affiliated with the USCJ that have distinguished not only to the wining congregations themthemselves during the preceding two years in one selves but to the United Synagogue as well." or more areas of congregational life in ways that Selections are based on a variety of criteria, exhibit "extraordinary characteristics and out- including imaginative and creative utilization of standing aspects or achievements which go beyond resources, as well as impact on the congregation's expected norms." membership. The awards were created to recognize The programs receiving Solomon Schechter excellence in congregational programming and to Awards included a Gold Award with special com- help spotlight "models" that may be emulated by mendation in the category of Celebrations for the the entire Conservative movement. "We Love Lucy! Luncheon"; a Silver Award in the The Solomon Schechter Awards have a long and category of Worship for "We're Tenting Tonight! A distinguished history. Established in 1950," they Shavuot Revelation & Revival Meeting"; and a generally are awarded to congregations rather than Silver Award in the HAZAK (Seniors) category for individuals, though there have been some excep"HAZAK: Why Should Kids Have .All the Fun?" The tions, most notably in 1963, when the awards were winning entries were on display during the given to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Convention. Martin Luther King for their contributions in the "These awards shine a glowing light not only on area of civil rights. Others in the Beth El delegation were Rabbi Paul Beth El, but on the entire Omaha Jewish communiDrazen; Larry DeBruin, Executive Director; and ty," Epstein said. "Our volunteers and staff planned and organized Dr. Ray Goldstein, a Past-president of the synathe programs for which we received awards, but gogue. Speaking for all of them, Epstein said, "Our prothe programs were supported by the entire community. Over 600 people attended the "I Love Lucy grams stood out over dozens of entries in each cateLuncheon," and our HAZAK chapter is the largest, gory and they certainly highlight the enthusiasm, most active group of its kind in Middle America. creativity, and participation of our members. Beth And while Beth El members make up the core El provided an example of outstanding congregagroup of participants, we get enthusiastic support tional life to other conservative Jews from cities
THE
UNITED SYNAGOGUE Of CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM and congregations across the country. "A big crowd attended the awards ceremony, and I was pleased to remind them that Omaha has a vibrant and extremely active Jewish community," he added. "Many people from larger cities arid from both coasts do not realize the deep commitment that Omahans, and Beth El members in particular, have to Judaism and their synagogue." Founded in 1913 by Dr. Solomon Schechter as the Association of Conservative Synagogues in North America, the United Synagogue serves as a resource to its affiliated congregation and works to formulate a Conservative Jewish response to pressing social and religious issues.
INSIDE: Monthly Calendar.
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Friedel program wins award , Purim and the Internet.
pages 6-7 page 8 page 10
Young leaders meet in Washington..page 12