March 22, 2002: Passover Edition

Vol. LXXXS

No. 29

Omaha, NE

9Nisan,5762

March 22,2002

SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS

Omaha Hosts " 2002 Maccabi Games

Photo of Omaha partteipants of the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games by Howard K, Marcus

Page 2 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

April 6, 2001

Jews in Sports: Omaha Hosts

f Games

When this idea was originally proposed at a Press Committee meeting-, we all laughed. After all, an old joke notes that the thinnest volume in the library is the one on Jewish athletes. Much to our surprise, we had an abundance of award-winning athletes to interview!

Of course) most everyone knows about Irv Yaffe (who's been featured twice in recent years, in our tribute to Central High School and Through Golden Eyes, a Passover issue featuring the more "senior" members of the Jewish community).

But how many readers know that Omaha has produced four sports writers? Cal Kirshen became a household name in the 1970s, but now he's joined

by World-Herald sports writer Mitch Sherman, KETV-Channel 7 Sports Reporter Mike Sigmound, and collegiate sports reporter Ryan Malashock.

Their stories are just a few of the fascinating tales you'll find in these pages.

There's another reason, however, we chose to feature our Jewish athletes. It's all part of our tribute to the incredible undertaking by our own Jewish Community Center staff and hundreds of volunteers in hosting the 2002 Maccabi Games here in

Omaha this summer.

We hope readers will not only enjoy the stories about some of those volunteers and the profiles of many of the Jewish teens registered for the Games, but will open their homes to house the more than 800 athletes expected to be here Aug. 4-9.

Exciting events have been planned for these teen athletes, and the 300 families and coaches who will accompany them to Omaha. From opening and closing ceremonies (just like the Olympics...well, maybe not quite as elaborate, but just as meaningful to the athletes involved), to a Day of Caring and Sharing, providing community service through local United Way agencies, these teens will have the experience of a lifetime.

Yes, the Games are competitive and, yes, medals will be awarded. But our kids will also make lifelong connections with other Jewish teens from more than 20 communities across the United States and Israel. What could be more important?

An issue this size requires months of preparation.

Phone calls, interviews, writing, selling ads, production, all began immediately after the Jewish holidays in October. (Believe it or not, we've

already started work on the New Year's issue: a salute to The 100th Anniversary of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, to be published on Sept. 6!)

For the wonderful articles you'll read in these pages, our appreciation goes to Diane Axler Baum, Gary Javitch, Bert Lewis, Joan Marcus, Rebecca Murow and Claudia Sherman. Our beautiful cover photo was shot by Howard Marcus.

All the work on the hundreds of ads, sold by our persistent Advertising Manager Allan Handleman and Account Executive Ray Pred, were produced by our creative Managing Editor Maureen LaPour.

Page production and photo scanning was accomplished in record time by Jen Gates, Production Assistant. And our bookkeeper, Tim Ketelsen, kept meticulous accounting records. A special thanks to the JCC's Rachel Blum and Lisa Shkolnick for their help, and to Jean Duitch for proofreading.

We wish all of our readers and advertisers a happy, healthy holiday, and a peaceful spring. To all the Maccabi athletes—keep practicing—we'll be there with you Aug. 4-9!

Carol Katzman, Editor Fred Tichauer, Chairman

More than 50 of the nearly 90 Jewish teens registered for the 2002 Maccahi Games are featured in our cover photo. They include, back row, (from left): Jacob Phillips, David Phillips and Ben Gerber; fourth row: Jason Rich, Jon Lerner, David Martin, Emily Gordon, Hannah Wolf, Austin Gilinsky, David

Paige, Joel Passer, Justin Slutsky, Talia Eisenberg, Ben Goldstrom and Shiri Tene; third row: Olga Patkowsky, Becky Kahn, Josh Sweet, Corey Green, Nate Joseph, Adam Linsky, Aaron Passer, Ryan Blumkin, Kate Josephson and Spencer Gallner; second row: Taylor Workman, Anna Turetsky, David

Manvitz, Alex Wolf, Aaron Murow, Danny Raznick, Daniel Rahmani, Michael Crabb and Austin Davidson; front row: Abby Ginsburg, Liatte Dotan, Sarah Spooner, Taylor Sanford, Steven Meyer, Daniel Canfield, Michael Friedman, Max Schwartz, Zach Spooner and Bobby Newman.

Cover photo by Howard K. Marcus

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uves

The Jewish Press Staff & Committee

JEWISH PRESS

The

Nebraska Press Association

(Founded in 1920)

The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of ExceOence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services.

The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication.

The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $28 per calendar year U.S.; $32 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402-334-6448; FAX: 402-334-5422; e-mail editorial material, photos and address changes to: ckatzman^jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: mlapour^jewishomaha.org.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198.

Fred Tichauer Chairman Carol Katzman Editor-in-Chief Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Jen Gates Production Assistant George Schapiro Volunteer

JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Joanie Jacobson, Vice-Chairman; Penny Endelman, Secretary; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Lloyd Roitstein, Immediate Past-chairman; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Bobbi Leibowitz; Howard K. Marcus; Linda Saltzman; Howard Silber; Amee Zetzman; George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member).

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

March 22, 2002

Omaha Delegates for

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Maccabi in St. Louis Left: Only seven teen athletes from the Omaha Jewish community participated in the 1996 JCC Maccabi Games in St. Louis, MO. Since then, recruitment by the Jewish Community Center staff, and enthusiasm by parents and volunteers, has increased the number of participants significantly. By the year 2000, 25 Jewish teens traveled to Tucson, AZ, and the following year, 31 registered for the Games in Sarasota, FL. As of press tune, close to 90 Jewish teens from the greater Omaha area will compete in this summer's games, Aug. 4-9 in Omaha! Back Row, from left: Lisa Shkolnick, Jewish Community Center staff; Adam Nichols, David Epstein, Mendel Kurland, Aaron Aizenberg, Adam Cohn and Jon Zoob; front row: Rachel Blum, JCC staff; a Des Moines athlete and Julie Coren.

Help us hit a home run!

Become a JCC Maccabi Gomes Sponsor.

By becoming a Maccabi supporter you will be responsible for the success of the biggest event for Jewish youth in the history of the Omaha Jewish community.

135 Gold Medal ($25,000 & Above) The Milton S. A Corrinne N. Livingston Foundation

Silver Medal ($12.500-$24,999) Tom A Darlynn Fellman Steve A Sheri Idelman Jewish Federation of Omaha Howard A Sharon Kooper Sharee and Murray Newman Harley A Beth Scnrager Phil A Terri Schrager

Bronze Medal ($5.000-$12,499) Joel Alperson The Baker Family Bettie A Stuart Muskin Youth Sports Fund Carl H. Frohm Memorial Foundation Coca Cola Commercial Printing Company Harold Cooperman Pennie Z. Davis Bob Eisenberg Joe A Ruth Erman First National Bank Grace-Mayer Insurance Agency, Inc. The Hawkins Charitable Trust Herbert Goldsten Trust Ironwood Country Club Gary Javitch Joe A Audrey Kirshenbaum Joe A Maxine Kirshenbaum Forrest Krutter Lynn Roberts International Nebraska Health Systems Harlan A Nancy Noddle Omaha Steaks Pacific Realty Group, Inc. Pitlor A Son, Inc. Riekes Family Henry A Dorothy Steve A Margo Carl A Zoe Slosburg Family United Way of the Midlands

Star of David ($l,000-$4.999) Alan A Marcia Baer Family Charitable Trust Aramark Corporation Bagel Bin

Wrt

A

Star of David (continued) Patron ($100-$999) Baxter-Kenworthy Electric, Inc. Jeffrey A Susan Aizenberg Bob, Bruce, Jim A Robin, and Sandra Larry A Paula Albert Belgrade Leon A Eleanor Alexander B'nai B'rith Samuel A Bette Alloy Canfield's Albert A Juni Bloch David Keiser-Lillian Keiser Stoms Helen Brodkey Pete A Carol Brodkey Foundation Bruegger's Bagels Sally dayman Builders Supply Company Mr. A Mrs. J e f f dayman Business Printing Service Dr. A Mrs. Allen Morris Frederick A Mofiine Cassman DeMarco Brothers Co. Colombo Candy A Tobacco Co. E A K of Omaha, Inc. Concrete Industries, Inc. Elliott Equipment Company Continental Fire Sprinkler Mike A Jill Erman Harvey A Rose Cooper Esther K. Newman Foundation Ron A Cheryl Cooper Sandy A Amy Friedman Micky A Fran Coren Jerry A Lorraine Gerelick Custom Woodworks Ltd. Bud A Shirley Goldstein Daedalus Construction Co. Don A Ann Goldstein Art A Betsy Davidson Jerry A Linda Gordman Drake-Williams Steel, Inc. Nelson A Linda Gordman Audrey Epstein Nancy A Don Greenberg Dick A Bev Fellman Al Grosskurth A Karl Schaphorst Floors, Inc., Omaha Hebrew National Jim A Jill Folsom Ideal Water Frank McGill, Inc. Ike A Roz Friedman Foundation Fraser Stryker Law Firm Richard A Joanie Jacobson Gardenburger, Inc. Kaslow Charitable Trust Robert A Kay Gerelick Kavich Family Bob A Barbara Goodman Andi A Larry Kavich Gary A Sherri Green Nanci A Jeff Kavich =; ^Andrew A Carole Greenberg Amee A Ted Zetzman Bud A Rosalie Greenspan Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund Paul A Joy Grossman Established by His Parents Bruce A Margie Gutnik Koch Family Tennis Center Herman's Nut House/Pears Coffee Ben A Elinore Kutler Hershey Chocolate USA Stuart A Sandy Kutler Johnson Hardware Company Leonard A Bert Lewis John Katelman Neal A Jody Malashock Sara Juster/Abrahams, Kaslow Nestle USA No Frills Supermarket A Cassman Steve A Patty Nogg Maury A Madeline Katzman Skutt Catholic High School Mike A Carol Katzman Phil Sokolof Marcel A Use Kahn Tuff Shed Jeff A Sharon Kirshenbaum Norm A I r v Veitzer Kevee A Myrna Kirshenbaum Benjamin A Anna Wiesman Family Marvin A Sandra Kohll William A Ann Wolfson Kraft Foods Howard A Babs Krantz Abe Kukawka

Patron (continued) Benton A Harriet Kutler Howard A Nancy Kutler Dick A Martha Lerner Michael A Cheryl Levine Bernard A Carolyn Magid Ed A Sally Malashock Larry A Diane Malashock Stanley A Barbara Malashock Dick A Joanie Martin Joe A Tina Meyers Jerry A Fran Milder Allan A Janie Murow Nebraska Spine Center, L.L.P. Eric D. Phillips, M.D. Nebraska Wine A Spirits Sherm A Jeanie Neff Omaha Compound Syd A Gigi Osten Panera Bread Co. Marvin A Sheila Polikov I r a A Sheila Priluck Larry A Dinah Raful Reliable Maintenance Services Marty A I r i s Ricks Nancy Rips Andrew A Kimberly Robinson Jonathan A Stacey Rockman ftotella's Italian Bakery Mark A Vicki Sanford Joel A Nancy Schlessinger Jack A Lillian Schrager Norm A Susie 5heldon Dave A Phoebe Shkolnick Lisa Shkolnick Harold Siporin J e f f A Leslie Slutzky Sherm A Harriett Sperling Howard A Linda Shner Harriet Singer Kim A Jim Simon Steve A Nancy Skid Charlie A Mary Ann Taylon That's Me Sports Travel Connection Ernie A Janet Wintroub Aaron A Harriet Wolf Dick A Terri Zacharia Judy Zweiback Speedy Zweiback, M.D. Zep Manufacturing

To make a donation and join our team, contact J e f f Aizenberg, JCC Executive Director, 334-6417, or Lisa Shkolnick, Maccabi Games Director, 334-6425.

Or send a check to Jeff Aizenberg, JCC Maccabi Games Omaha, 333 S. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. '> omaha

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

A History of the Maccabi Games

by JEWISH PRESS News Service

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cially, as part of the Young Zionist movement. By the time World War II broke out, the world membership was estimated at 200,000, with branches in most countries of Europe, as well as in Palestine, Turkey, Egypt, China, Australia, South America and South Africa.

In 1939, a nucleus of refugees from * Europe established Maccabi in the United States.

The birth of the State of Israel gave the movement a new focus and impetus.

Since 1948, all of the activities of Maccabi have been oriented toward Israel, where the headquarters of Munich Olympics Xt ;~-' • • . - • -. « > W " the entire movein 1972, and Mitch >^ ment is located.

Gaylord in the Los Angeles Olympics The Maccabi Identified members of the 1991 JCC Maccabi Games bas- World in 1984.

Union Although Mac- ketball team included: front row, from left: Brian (MWU) today is cabi Games have Cipperley, Kevin Saylan, two unidentified teens; back active in 54 counexperienced years row: coach Jason Sealer, Tony Schrager, Andy Weitz, t r i e s around the of success in Is- Andy Ruback, Mitch Sherman; Chuck Arnold in back. world. It is an iderael, Europe and South America, it wasn't until ological and pluralistic movement, uniting mem1982 that the Games were brought to North bers with diverse perspectives on Judaism and life.

America by the Memphis Jewish Community MWU is an apolitical movement and is supported Center. The first competition attracted 300 ath- primarily by fundraising and by Jewish organizaletes from around the continent. tions such as the World Zionist Organization.

The JCC Maccabi Games have grown in size and The movement focuses on the community to scope since 1982. The number of participants in achieve its goal of strengthening and fostering 2000 exceeded 5,000 athletes and almost 1000 Jewish identity. Using sports as the main tool, in coaches. The Games are co-sponsored by the conjunction with cultural and educational proJewish Community Center Association of North grams, Maccabi embodies the belief of a "sound America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada mind in a sound body" as was put forth by the welland Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel. known Zionist leader Max Mordeau, in the late Community service is an integral component *of 19th century. _,' '" ,-every game. In keeping with the spirit of Tikkun The Maccabi name comes from the family of Olam (Repairing the World), JCC Maccabi athletes Judah Maccabee (Yehudah ha'Maccabee, in take time out from the competition to volunteer Hebrew). He was one of the great warriors in within the host community.

Jewish history who laid the foundation of the The Maccabi movement is an international future Hasmonean state.

Jewish sports organization with roots in Eastern The third son of Mattathias the Hasmonean, he and Central Europe. The origin of the Maccabi assumed leadership of the revolt against movement begins with young Eastern European Antiochus, the Roman conqueror. His exceptional Jews who were involved in the growing movement military talent made him the natural choice as milfor a national home in Palestine at the end of the itary commander of the Jewish rebels. Victories 19th century. They believed that one essential pre- over the Romans opened up the road to Jerusalem. requisite was the improvement of the physique of Judah entered at the head of his army, purified the Jewish youth. defiled Temple and instituted a festival of eight To this end, gymnastics clubs were founded in a days, which became a permanent festival celebratnumber of Eastern and Central European coun- ed today, Hanukkah. tries. The first club, opened in Constantinople, Judah was killed during one of the battles, and Turkey, in 1895, was called the Israel Gymnastics his body was taken by his brothers from the battleClub, while others were named after Jewish field to be buried in the family sepulcher in heroes, like Bar Kokhba, or were known by the Modi'in, which today is a settlement in Israel.

Hebrew names "Ha-Kotah" (strength) or "Ha- Judah Maccabee's name was pronounced "Mak-aGibbor* (The Brave). bee", with an accent on the first syllable. When the After the second Zionist Congress in Basle, first Jewish sports clubs were established in Israel, Switzerland, all clubs agreed to unite under a sin- they were called "Maccabi" with an accent on the gle title, "Maccabi," a name that is linked to the last syllable to honor Judah's great leadership and ancient Maccabees and their courageous fight to skill. establish the right to honor their religion and to be The Jewish Games, instituted in Israel, were given freedom of conscience and sovereignty. called "Maccabiah". When the Maccabi and JCC The first real approach to Zionism came in 1912, movements decided to start a set of Games for at a Maccabi conference in Berlin, where it was Jewish youth, they were also named "Maccabi," decided to organize group excursions to Palestine. after the original sports clubs. However, to mainBy that time, there were more than 100 affiliated tain awareness of this relationship, yet give these clubs in Europe, with a membership running into contemporary Games their own identity, the new several thousands.

Games were pronounced "Ma-kab-ee", with the The movement had come to be accepted, unoffi- accent on the second syllable.

In 1932, the first Maccabi Games were held in Tel Aviv, with delegations from 23 countries. This event forged a modern link in the chain of tradition which honored physical fitness, courage and respect for the health and well-being of the body and spirit.

Since 1950 Maccabiah Games have been held every four years in Israel as a twoweek international competition.

This competition has extended into recent ones, featuring many top athletes, most notably Mark \-w* i \ Spitz, who also participated in the

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2000 Maccabi Team included, top row, from left: Ben Gerber, Josh Levine, Ben Epstein, Bradley Abramson, David Phillips, Derek Passer, Dan Morris and Jeff Gates; third row: Emily Muskin, Sierra Gendelman, Lindsay Itkin, Emily Gordon, Adam Gendelman, Hannah Wolf, Jamie Lovette and Shayna Kurland; second row: Brittany Sukiennik, Joe McGinn (staff), Bob Franzese (staff), Julie Kushner (staff), Corey Kirshenbaum (staff), Kate Josephson and Matt Kelberg; first row: Sasha Skulsky, Jen Cooper, t o r e y Green, Kim Pitlor, Pavel Tsyrlin and David Paige.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

The First Maccabi Games in Omaha

by JOAN K. MARCUS

— — — —

So you think the Maccabi Games times when Amy and I would take are coming to Omaha for the first our vacation to get kids to their time this August? Guess again. games!"

In 1991, Sanford Friedman was co- At Central, Sandy was a quarterchair of the Maccabi Games in Omaha. This year, he'll chair the tennis committee. But 11 years ago, he and Sandra Kohll headed a • . smaller version of the Games, which included a unique combination of social events and athletics.

"The games were more than just games," according to Friedman.

"The kids were there to learn and meet other kids." .

Friedman, the son of Ike and Ruth Friedman, now both deceased, grew up in Omaha and graduated from Central High in 1964. He was in the 1 first graduating class' , ' » - , . , * <i J=_ i J>* a J , . , s TT . .. c The Friedman family, from left: Sandy, at the University of• . , AT\ *A A .Nebraska . , , at, Omaha. _ ,J Andrea, Amy and Dustm.

On June 26, 1977, he and Amy back on the football team, and ran Cassman, daughter of Molline and track for three years. He lettered in Fritz Cassman, were married. Sandy football, and loved the competition. described Amy as "someone who has He remembers playing basketball always been there to support and feed at the old JCC on 20th and Dodge the engine!" She is the Director of with some of his friends: Arnie Weitz, Communications for Mill ard Public Bob Gould, Jeff Noddle, Harley Schools.

Schrager, Bruce Hoberman and Sports have always been an impor- David Jacobson. tant part of their lives."There were "We all played at the 'J* and some of

the guys played in school. We used to and wins" as a freshman wrestler.

Dusty enjoyed Central's wrestling shoot baskets every night after school when Mr. Veret would let us in the team because it had African'J'.'"

-; *; ' American, Hispanic, Asian, Later, they formed a American team of men over the Indian, Indian age of 30 and won the and Anglo-Saxvarsity league, which on athletes on was teams of mostly colit, noting, "It lege students. was a great Friedman continues to learning experiplay competitive tennis. ence for me."

"I used to play tournaHe participatments, but I don't do ed in many that anymore. But, tournaments whenever I do someand played basthing, it's always comketball on the petitive. I try to exercise 1997 and 1999 now to stay in good JCC Maccabi health."

Teams.

In addition to his athletic prowess, Sandy 1991 Maccabi Co-chairmen: -Now a sturecently sold a business were Sandy Kohll and Sandy dent at Northcalled Customer Service Friedman. western UniProfiles, a quality service measure- versity, he continues to play softball ment program for financial institu- for his fraternity, and works out in tions. He transitioned out in July and order to stay physically fit. Although is currently "kind of retired" although he doesn't plan to participate in comhe promises a "new venture soon." petitive sports, he runs along Lake Friedman's son, Dustin, has inherit- Michigan to stay in shape. ed his father's athletic ability. Now He has always considered his sister, 20, Dusty remembers when his father Andrea, to be an inspiration to him was a coach of his JCC basketball because of her competitiveness. team and Little League Subur-ban "I've watched her play tennis, and baseball team. she is a role model to me as an older At Beveridge Junior High, he was a sister," he said. wrestler, and won the City Champ"She has shown me if you have a ionship. His athletic career continued goal or vision, you can achieve it," he at Central High, where he also let- added. tered in wrestling and baseball. He (Continued on page 7) holds the record for the most "pins

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Page 7

The First Maccabi Games in Omaha (Continued from page 6) Sandy added, "As parents, Amy and I never missed an athletic event that our kids were in! We spent a lot of time sitting on benches."

In 1991, he was asked to be general chairman of the Maccabi Team.

He had previously been active in the athletic committee of the JCC, and had been Vice-president of the Federation.

"I ended up as cochair with Sandra Kohll, and it was a delightful experience.

Sandra was very, very committed to the games, and it was a joy to work with her!"

He and Sandra worked hard to build the games, an offspring of the Maccabeah Olympic-type games held in Israel every two years for Jewish athletes from all over the world.

The Maccabi Games are Carol Parsow and son Danny, who played golf in the 1991 Michelle Patton, right, was a silver medalist in t h e the North American Games, here in Omaha.

Swimming Competition in the 1991 Maccabi Games. version. matches were at the Highland Country Club, ten"This year, in August, we're going to have four "We hosted nine cities and about 225 kids. We nis at Miracle Hills Country Club, and the closing times as many athletes and we need people to parhad athletes from San Francisco, Houston, ceremonies at the JCC. ticipate," he urged. "The logistics of a thing like Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Memphis, "I can remember watching the kids have a won- this are amazing. We have to feed kids, house them Baltimore, Milwaukee and, of course, Sioux City, derful time in the swimming pool after they had and chaperone them!"

Lincoln, Des Moines and Omaha," he recalled. competed against each other," Sandy recalled.

He remembers the 1991 Games as a tribute to The opening ceremonies were held at UNO. At "Omahans opened up their homes to the athletes, the Omaha Jewish community, and hopes the 2002 the end of the opening event, Israeli music served and there were a tremendous amount of volunteers Games will be, too. as an introductory .session for the players. Golf from the community.

"Life is a game of competition and I love it."

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Jewish Press, Omaha, N E

March 22, 2002

Presiding Over the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games

by BERT LEWIS

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Do the dates August 4 through August 9 ring a bell? If not, may I suggest you speak to Richard Jacobson, President of the JCC Board of Directors, and ask him what those dates signify.

Then be prepared to learn all about the event which will occur during that time, right here in Omaha. The event, which will undoubtedly become an important part of the history of the Jewish community of our city, is of course, the Maccabi Games.

As soon as I started asking questions about these Games, people began, referring me to Richard Jacobson. I was told he knew all t h e answers, because "he's been in on the entire project from the very beginning." It was even implied that not only was he a part of it all, but that he was largely responsible for taking an exciting idea and helping turn it into reality.

When I spoke to the man in question, I immediately realized I was in the right place if I wanted to understand why the Maccabi Games were going to be in Omaha. This was one of the "movers and shakers" who, upon learning the games would be in the summer, thought, "Why can't we have them right here?" Being a man of action, he went to Jeff Aizenberg, Executive Director of the JCC, who also became enthused with the idea.

They talked about putting in a bid to host the games, and felt from the very beginning they were dealing with an exciting prospect. Richard says he was positive i t would be something the community would always be proud of. He felt "we have so much to be proud of here-a much more impressive campus than many cities twice our size." He spoke of the value of getting kids together to share in such an experience—something

they would remember all their lives.

So what was the next step? Figuring out how to finance such an ambitious project, of course. Now, if you're an active member of the Jewish community, if you're accustomed to being involved in worthwhile projects, if it's important to you to be involved in something meaningful to your Jewish community, and, if you answered yes to all those questions, you know to whom you must speak.

So they made an appointment with Tom Fellman and Howard Kooper...

Since excitement and enthusiasm are contagious, it didn't take too much talking before a commitment was made by Fellman and Kooper to take charge of the fundraising.

Jacobson says, "Knowing those two men would be responsible for that important part of the picture gave us the courage to file an application with the National Maccabi Association."

The rest is almost history, as the cliche says.

When I asked if it was a hard sell to convince the powers that be that Omaha was perfect for the Games, he said "No, our reputation precedes us."

We know this is true, because if the subject is community centers or nursing homes, athletics or the arts, geriatrics or youth, people everywhere somehow know what we have here.

Those who made the final decision to say yes, obviously knew it too.

That's how the idea was born, back in 2000, and this summer, in August of 2002, with the help of many, many people, it will all come to fruition.

Jacobson was so proud of this enormous undertaking, there was no limit to his praise of those involved. He gladly names names and has praise for everyone who makes up the work force. He was quick to remind me of

letes, including five from Israel which the Jewish Federation kindly spon• sored. In addition, there • will be another 30 from Israel.

I don't know if Richard ' Jacobson ever read the •i book titled The Power of Positive Thinking, but it's clear he believes in that philosophy. He is totally and completely convinced t h e August Maccabi Games will turn out to be "the best, the most fun, the happiest event, the most successful and surely the most Jeffrey Aizenberg wonderful experience for Richard Jacobson JCC Executive Director all the kids involved."

JCC President doing their usual job, as well as help- He's quick to add this important and ing the 150 lay people. He told me obviously heartfelt statement: there are 27 different committees, "I don't know how all this would each crowded with people willing and have been accomplished without the anxious to do more than their share. leadership of the two over-all chairHe made his annual visit to the men, Marcia Pitlor and Jody United Way, to report on some of the Malashock. These two women have ways the 'J' utilizes the money they worked, and continue to work, tiregive, which is ear-marked for youth. lessly, energetically, enthusiastically During his report at the outset of the and pleasantly. They are a fantastic Maccabi project, he talked about it to team and, together, have managed to the United Way, who were so pull all the hundreds of pieces togethintrigued they offered to "partner" a er. They're really the kind of leaders special day of "caring and sharing" necessary to accomplish such a huge during the Games. This is an exam- undertaking." ple of how easily people became Jacobson's term of office expires in involved.

July, but he's been invited to stay on The fundraising is complete! The through the Games. Since he was one total budget of $600,000 has been of the architects of the plan, it seems met, with, as Richard says "$300,000 only fitting for him to be on the scene raised from within our incredible as President of the Jewish Communicommunity and the balance in the ty Center. form of fees from the participating I n y e a r s to come, h e ' l l be athletes." remembered a s , t h e ' J ' President On the subject of participants, there who b r o u g h t t h e 2002 Maccabi will be 750 athletes, 150 coaches and Games to Omaha, along with the staff and some 250 parents visiting. help of many hundreds of volunOmaha is expected to have 100 ath- teers and staff people. the 25 staff people working on this project, who are also responsible for

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Kirshenbaum to Succeed The Games Jacobson After Games and the Ladies

by BERT LEWIS

The completion of Richard Jacobson's term as President of the JCC and the end of the Maccabi Games will occur at roughly the same time.

Since President-elect Jeff Kirshenbaum has a great interest in sports as well as community related issues, everyone is confident he is exactly the right man for the job, Jeff Aizenberg, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Center, referred to Kirshenbaum as "a very impressive young man," praising him for his leadership abilities as a primary force in the planning of the Mtness Center. Aizenberg said "he was able to draw from his own experiences and contribute importantly to the project."

As a result, according to Aizenberg, "we have a facility of which we're

seems to enjoy the role. He is chairman of the JCC's Budget Committee and, there too, exhibits expertise.

Jeff A. says, "He's a good listener, he's Jeff Kirshenbaum articulate and a real asset in the budgeting process."

Not surprisingly, the Presidentelect will take an active part in some of the excitement of the Maccabi

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'"""Sharon, will be in charge of some 1000 kids on Zoo Day, one of the activities planned for an afternoon during the Games at the Henry Doorly Zoo. He is also active on the Security Committee for the Games.

Kirshenbaum has won the Jewish Federation's Rachel Blum Lisa ShkoLnick Young Leadership JCC Program Director JCC Assistant Director award and was honored Omaha Delegation Head Maccabi Games Director by the United Jewish extremely proud, one which any com- Communities at the General munity would envy."

Assembly in Chicago in November, !

One way which Jeff K. demon- 2000. strates his interest in exercise and fitHe has also been invited to particiness isby leading a Spinning Class, pate in the-Future Leadership which, for the uninitiated, means a Program of the Jewish Community group exercise class on bikes. Being a Centers Association Biennial Confervery physically-active young man, he ence in April, in Los Angeles.

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care enough about the Maccabi Games to generously offer a great deal of time and energy toward making the summer Omaha event a huge success.

They told me they've been working on this project since the summer of 2000, and can't give enough credit to both the wonderful staff help and the number of people who serve as volunteers on the more than 25 committees.

"Each committee has a chair," explained Marcia. "Some have their their own committees arid some chairs are just doing their job on their own."

They meet once a week, exchanging information and keeping each other up to date on current happenings.

The day we spoke, Marcia told me she and the group had met with the man who is in charge of producing the opening ceremony. He is a professional, private free lancer who does this type of work, making it perfectly clear to me the people who are designing this project know exactly what they're doing. Every detail, beginning with the opening ceremony, is being meticulously planned.

The women also said (with no small amount of pride), "The United Way is a Sponsoring Partner with us, providing help wherever they can, whether in ideas and suggestions or financial assistance."

They are also partnering in a "Caring and Sharing Day." This was described as one day when every youngster involved in the Maccabi Games will participate in one of a large number of community service {Continued on page 10)

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Here's a question to ask when starting this discussion: What would make two (otherwise sensible, intelligent and busy) women agree to accept the job described as Over-all Co-chairs for the Maccabi Games, which will be played here in Omaha this coining August?

I don't know the answer to that, but I can tell you who they are: Jody Malashock and Marcia Pitlor, the ladies who were, at first, somewhat bowled over with the idea, but then grew to believe it would bea combination of lots of hard work plus an enormous amount of fun and excitement.

Both have an above-average interest in sports in general, and in sports for Jewish kids in particular. Jody became involved in activities in the world of games and competitions when her (then) little boy, Ryan, developed an interest in baseball.

She spent a great deal of time watching him play and, as he grew up, watching as he turned into a polished athlete. (See Ryan's story elsewhere in this issue.)

Marcia, too, was influenced somewhat by her children and their partic-. ipation in sports.

"My daughter, Lisa (now a senior in college) played very competitive tennis from age 10 through high school," Marcia recounted.

Son David played varsity tennis in high school, and in the JCC basketball leagues, as well as in the Maccabi teams. Youngest daughter Kim is now a high school tennis player and will be participating in the games this year.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

The Games and the Ladies (Continued from page 9) projects. It means the kids will spend three to four hours one afternoon doing something totally unrelated to sports and games.

This would appear to be a very subtle lesson in re-directing the focus from playing and having fun to doing something for somebody who needs some help. The message appears to be "it's never too early to learn to give back to the community."

Everything t h e women talked about was described with great enthusiasm and excitement. As they put it, "The community needs to get involved in this very exciting event. This is something to be very proud of-bringing the prestigious Maccabi Games to Omaha."

They spoke about the pride these games generate, about the plea- *, sure felt not just by the Marcia Pitlor participants, but by spectators who watch kids they might not even know.

The co-chairs tried to describe the scenes they encountered in the past two years, when they visited the Games held in Oklahoma and Florida. They tried to convey the feeling that most Omahans don't really understand what an important event this is, what "a plum" to bring to our city.

"Counting our local kids who will be involved and various adults without whom these games wouldn't

be possible, we're probably talking about close to a at the time we talked, was the housing project. thousand people," Jody explained. "That's an impres- They told me they needed families to volunteer sive number to bring into our city." space in 350 homes, to house all these people who Listening to these very busy young women, who planned to be a part of the Games of 2002. And, have been dividing their time between every day hardly as an afterthought, asked me if I had an obligations and this special project, a person can't extra bed in my house! help but buy into their enthusiasm.

I had the distinct feeling that question followed And, here's a thought that kept popping up while any discussion on the subject, with anybody who talking to them. For some time, a few decades ago, h a p p e n e d to ask. there was an old joke about a book written on the They were absolutely topic of Jewish athletes. The caustic and meanr i g h t to ask, since spirited punch line was 'it only had one page.' I'm they had something so pleased to mention how out-dated and untrue like two-thirds of the that old barb is. required houses Today, we have untold numbers of Jewish kids to • signed up, but were whom athletics is more than extracurricular stuff now looking for the they do in school. Our youngsters are growing up r e s t , to be certain with a better knowledge of the importance of every youngster who healthy bodies and the benefits of regular exercise; entered the Games how can this help but lead them straight to such would have lodging. <7 wholesome and enjoyable ways to achieve the "buff* The excitement is look and still have fun?

•• , , . • - - 1,o contagious. Talking -jS^/jps' ! w i t h t h e s e people In wrapping up our story, the ladies told me it A.-., ,'^^t i w j 1 0 i^yg D e e n j m _ hasn't all been "a piece of cake," but there's been a great deal of fun connected with producing this JodyMaiashock mersed in the logisamazing affair. They have worked tirelessly on a tics of the Games for nearly two years now, a thousand details, and probably still have a thou- person can't help but get involved. The summer sand more to iron out in the few months before the event will be a marvelous memory for all who actual day it begins, on Aug. 4. participate in any facet of the program, whether They've worked together beautifully, as very good . big or small, whether as an athlete or as an friends often do. They've learned a lot along the way advisor. and (it's my guess) will probably never forget the My advice to you: be there for the Omaha JCC entire experience.

Maccabi Games from Aug. 4-9. You'll be so proud of Among the items getting top priority with them, those kids! : • - ' ,

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

s

Day of Caring & Sharing1 Brings Jewish Values to Maccabi Game

by DIANE AXLER BAUM — — — — While athletic competition and team spirit are central to the JCC Maccabi Games, these factors are only part of the picture. Maccabi also reflects the basic Jewish values of Tikun Olam .(repairing the world) and tzedakah (righteousness, sometimes loosely translated as deeds of charity and loving kindness), as the athletes and coaches at each site participate in the "Day of Caring and Sharing."

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the approximately 800 Maccabi participants in this city will volunteer their time and energy on projects to benefit, and express thanks to, Omaha as a host community. In preparation for this major effort, the United Way of the Midlands and Omaha's Maccabi leadership began a partnership over a year ago.

"We're delighted with United Way's input, which will lead us into a wide and varied range of projects," said Janie Murow, co-chair of the caring and sharing committee, with Bonnie Bloch and Nancy Jacobson.

Murow thanked United Way for a contribution of $2,500 toward meeting costs of the day. United Way is equally enthusiastic about the partnership.

"As a volunteer center, our mission is to promote volunteerism and to increase the organized capacity for people to care for one another. We're pleased to have been seen in this light," said Jamesena Grimes Moore, Vice-president of volunteer and community services.

The hope is for participants to have a positive experience and to continue to be involved in volunteering, she

explained "Our ultimate goal is that these young people will come away with a sense of pride for having touched someone else's life."

Carole Greenberg, Assistant Director of the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, is the JCC employee working directly with the 'Day of Caring and Sharing' Committee.

One of the realities they must keep in mind, she pointed out, is that the group sizes will be extremely large this year. This means at least 35 teens will .be stationed at each site of service.

A continuing role by United Way will be the coordination of involvement by its member agencies.

Heather Ainge, Youth Services Coordinator, and Kirsten Pearson, Director of Recruitment and Referrals, are preparing an information packet to be sent to the agencies in a mass mailing.

Their next step will be to work directly with interested agencies on creation and development of projects.

Final decisions regarding projects will come from the 'Day of Caring and Sharing1 Committee.

"We want everybody involved to be both excited and comfortable," Pearson emphasized.

Ainge and Pearson made their initial connection last summer with JCC professionals working on Maccabi, including Jeffrey Aizenberg, lisa Shkolnick and Greenberg. With their help, they were able to get in touch with Omaha teens who participated in previous Maccabi games in other cities. They held a focus group with some of these

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One of the final tasks will be to inform delegation leaders about any particular supplies the teens in their group should bring to Omaha. By early summer, the committee expects to ask the Jewish community for additional help in gathering supplies.

"We don't have a huge A***11111 Rich, left, was one of dozens of Maccabi partieibudget We P a n * s a * * a e Games in Kansas City in 1997 who painted dearly hope * n e baseball dugouts at a city park. The "Day of Caring the commu- a n < * Sharing5 has since become an institutionalized comnity will sup- P o n e n t of the JCC Maccabi Games. port tzedakah by responding gener- l e v e l of meaning, purpose, and Jewish ously," Murow said. content to Maccabi, Greenberg said.

Rini Gonsher, who is serving as Murow also needs a minimum of 25 Judaica Chair for the Maccabi adult volunteers to accompany the Games, will "help tie it all back teens in the capacity of group leaders. together" with a close look at the spe(To offer your assistance, please call cific Jewish values and mitzvot 498-8789.)

The scope of community service brought to bear in the 'Day of Caring offered by the 'Day of Caring and and Sharing*.

"For everyone who gets involved," Sharing" requires meticulous coordination and implementation. In Murow believes, "It will be 'a feel return, the event provides a deeper good day* and much, much more."

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Passover Greetings from

SCHWALB REALTY

Enthusiasm for Sports Wins Support for JCC Maccabi Games

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN — — When 900 young athletes converge on Omaha in August for the 2002 international JCC Maccabi Games, it will be the culmination of thousands of hours of planning, organizing, and raising funds on the part of nearly 200 volunteers, 350 home hosts,

"Harley has led the way in raising the money," she said. "It's not an easy job," she continued. "But Harley has been supportive from day one by and its Omaha apartment affiliates: attending our kickoff in January, 2001, and the • Hillsborough Pointe B'nai B'rith/Maccabi Hanukkah Torch Run in •Stonegate Park •December. Everyone is giving their full • Wellington Park effort and Harley has been a role model." i '.

Key expenses for the Maccabi Games »Corby Castle v include security; transportation for the '?/• ;i".

- „ •Charter Oaks •"' athletes to 11 venues and evening pro8 Arbor Place . \ grams; lunches, most dinners, snacks; opening and closing ceremonies at the • Cryer Place [, " • Civic Auditorium; an evening at the zoo, • Grover Hill and another at FunPlex.

• Grover Castle "Harley has a long track record of work• Norris Place ing with kids in sports," said Howard Kooper, who has been working with • Jackson Square Schrager to raise the necessary funds.

• Rubin 14 Founder of the Pacesetter Youth Baseball program for 9-14-year-olds about 15 years ago, Schrager also was instrumental in starting RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner-City), which was a summer baseball program in cooperation with the Omaha Housing Authority.

The qualities of participating and cornare extremely important in kids' development," pointed out Schrager.

Teamwork, hard work, and the effort to excel are qualities that will "stand them in As Honorary Chairman for t h e G a m e s , H a r l e y good stead" throughout their lives in whatSchrager l i t the hanukkiah at last D e c e m b e r ' s ever they do, he said.

Maccabi/B'nai B'rith Hanukkah Torch Run. Schrager and his wife, Beth, have tried Slmeriam HXle & uMarhle Company and a campaign which raised approximately to impart these values to their own children who have been involved in sports. Their son, Tony, who $300,000.

Each year, some 6,000 youngsters between the played on the Omaha JCC Maccabi basketball ages of 13 and 16 participate in the Maccabi team in 1991 when Omaha hosted a regional comMARBLE & GRANITE FABRICATION Games, according to Lisa Shkolnick, Omaha's JCC petition, was an All-American baseball player in MARBLE & GRANITE TILE Maccabi Games Director. "And the number is grow- college and is now a professional athlete with the ing every year," she said. It all started 20 years ago Chicago Cubs organization. The Schrager's daughINSTALLATION in Memphis, TN. This year, Omaha is one of five ter, Lois, who graduated from college last spring, cities in the United States and Canada hosting the was an equestrian and competed in national horse largest collective gathering of Jewish youth in the jumping shows when she was younger.

In addition to the obvious opportunities the JCC world today.

"It's a wonderful event for Omaha," said Harley Maccabi Games offer to the youth that compete, Schrager, honorary chairman of the JCC Maccabi Schrager noted there are also benefits for the 4623 So. 28th Street Games.

Bringing hundreds of kids here is an entire Omaha Jewish community. Hosting the 733-3100 opportunity for them to meet new friends and par- games "brings a lot of visitors here which has a positive economic and emotional impact" on the ticipate in the experience of competing, he added.

Since he was asked to be the honorary chairman local community.

The games also showcase the JCC's facilities, about a year and a half ago, Schrager, President of Omaha's Pacesetter Corporation, "has done a great which Schrager believes are "the most outstanding job of helping us raise the support we needed in the in the country." He added that the event is an community," commented Jeff Aizenberg, Executive opportunity "to meet and socialize with young peoDirector of the JCC. "Harley has a passion for sports ple from all over the country, which is a benefit to and knows how an event like the JCC Maccabi our youth."

Games can affect so many kids in a positive way."

In addition to his involvement in the JCC Shkolnick lauded Schrager and his honorary co- Maccabi Games, Schrager is a past general cochairmen, Tom Fellman and Howard Kooper, for chairman of the Federation Campaign and a fortheir fundraising efforts. "These three men can get mer chairman of the Jewish Federation people excited" not just to contribute money but in Foundation Board of Trustees. "He is still on the Foundation Board and is a valuable member of its "getting the whole community involved."

With 27 Maccabi Games committees, all headed Investment Committee," remarked Marty Ricks,

by Co-Chairmen Marcia Pitlor and Jody Executive Director of the Foundation.

Malashock, that include "all the groups, all the With less than five months before the opening synagogues, all the Jewish-related organizations" ceremony, Schrager continues to enlist enthusiasm INTELLIGENT that are part of the Omaha Jewish community, for the games. "I hope the entire Jewish communiARCHITECTURE reported Shkolnick, people are "getting excited ty will get behind this event," he said, "and make it about it, talking about it, and coming to our pro- a wonderful experience that we can be proud of as grams," she noted. a Jewish community."

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 13

Competing in the JCC Maccabi Games

by JEWISH PRESS News Service -

The Maccabi Games were a jr. award for diving, by the National highlight of Curtis Marti's Swimming/diving Coaches of youth. Though he was from America in 1990.

Lincoln, he participated with Representing Lincoln East High the Omaha delegation in School, Curtis was a finalist in the Chicago in 1988. He medaled in Nebraska School Athletic Association all gymnastic events, with District and State gymnastics meets, mostly firsts. and qualified for Ail-American honors on the parallel bars. He also won the "Because Lincoln did not have city diving competition for eight cona large Jewish population, the secutive years, and participated in games gave me a chance to the Jr. Olympic competition in the meet a variety of young people, one-meter, three-meter and towerwith similar interests, from diving events. around t h e world," Marti recalled. Coaches from other At a meet in Olathe, KS, he placed countries gave him helpful first in the floor exercise, and hints. Some people he met from received a plaque for all-around high Omaha, like Dan Fried, are still score for boys in the 15rand-under among his friends. category. He placed first again in another regional meet.

He became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple B'nai J e s h u r u n in But his athletic achievements Lincoln, and was able to comwere accompanied by academic ones, pare religious notes with athtoo. Curtis received the Sertoma letes from other areas. award for best scholastic and gym"The opening ceremony was nastic achievement in 1988, the memorable, especially the NISCA top 12 award for diving in music," he recalled. "I'd never 1990, and was selected by East High seen so many Jewish young School for gymnastics and diving people together!"

"Who's Who in Sports."

Curtis' bedroom is engulfed KOLN-TV asked Curtis to appear in with hundreds of ribbons, its "Kids Can Do" television special, and medals, trophies and plaques. he also was the gymnast in the nationThey share space with his mini ally-televised film Tm in Control.

Torah and Jewish books. (He is After graduating from high school still an avid reader of Jewish 1 9 8 9 - M a r t i w i t h f i r s t - p l a c e i n 1 9 9 0 ; C u r t i s e n t e r e d the Universliterature. He came home last d i v i n g medals. ity of Nebraska on a diving scholarThanksgiving and "raided" the bookcase of old ship. He was the swimming/diving team captain, Jewish books that belonged to his great-grandfa- designed the UNL athletic ring for the swimmers ther, and grandparents Moe and Gertrude Kagan, and divers, lettered in four varsity sports, and was and parents Don and Karolyn Marti). on the Big 8 swimming/diving championship team - His family was always sports-oriented. His grandfa- all four years. An Academic All Big 8 diver, Curtis ther, Moe, was a gold 'medal runner at Northwestern was also honored with the W.R. Weyraugh award University in Evanston. His dad, Don, was a boxing for outstanding student athlete in the swimming/ champ at Culver1 Military Academy in diving program.

Indiana. And his mom, Karolyn, taught • "" He won the Lincoln children's dancing for a number of years Optimist Club annual at the JCC in Omaha. :; „ ~fy diving award in 1991.

"My sister, Marcelyn Marti Rogers, was j*/r He managed to be on the Aquatics Director at the Omaha -&>' ""'A the Deans List JCC," Curtis added, "and will be involved "¥/ '' '', throughout college, in the 2002 Maccabi Games."

-. ' while teaching diving At age five, Curtis' first sports com'I dt the Knolls Country petition placed him first in swim com• • • Club, where his team petition with Nebraska Aquatics, .V ' placed first each year.

Lincoln, competing against a team Curtis continued his from Columbus. education at Creighton Upon receiving his ribbon, he said, ' University and gradubtacey and Curtis Marti.

"I goed!" ated summa cum laude During high school, he acquired many awards. in 1999, with a PhD in occupational therapy.

He was selected as a member of the Ail-American He moved to Austin, Texas', where he still has Elite Gymnastics team and a member of the "num- time to combine his athletics with his Jewish life. ber one high school gymnastics team in the nation" He dives at the University of Texas when time perby the National High School Gymnastics Coaches mits, and takes Jewish residents from nursing Association. His team broke the national record in homes to the Austin JCC for activities.

1987, 1988 and 1989. They were also the Nebraska During the Maccabi Games in 1988 in Chicago, State Champions. he participated in his first lOKrun as an extracurCurtis was a four-year high school varsity letter ricular activity. Memories of that event surface wanner in gymnastics and diving. He received an when he runs in Austin, andJrpnman triathlons.

All-Academic Team honor by the Greater Nebraska Today, his wife, Stacy, wears his Maccabi uniConference Plains and Capital Division for best form when she participates in competitive runs, academics and other achievements for a Nebraska but the uniform and memories linger on and on. • diver. He was awarded the Academic All-American

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Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

A 'Husky Hebrew Lad

by JOAN K. MARCUS — — - - — — — .

When I was a little girl, I remember that my father, Henry Krasne, alav hashalom, used to say his older brother, Marcus Krasne, was special because he was an "athlete."

Uncle Marcus didn't look special to me! He seemed like any other man of his age with a ruddy complexion and heavy, pop-bottle glasses. The exception was that he seemed bigger and, as an adolescent, when I started to grow to be tall and have big feet, everyone said, "She's going to be just like Marcus." It soon became apparent I hadn't inherited his height or his athletic prowess. And, it was also apparent my uncle had been a "star" in his youth!

The Search for Answers When the subject of this paper came up, I became curious about my uncle.

It had been years since I even thought about him, and I decided this was the time to find the answers. My cousin, Gerry Shafer Romanik, is a decade older than I am and I was sure she would have the answers to my questions.

An e-mail to her brought the following message: "Until I received your email, I thought I had some knowledge about Uncle Marc. As I am thinking, I realize how little I really know about him. These are some of the things that flit through my head...

"He was a good football player and loved sports. He was really a very loving man. He seemed cold on the outside, but had a very soft heart. His love was shown in subtle ways and you had to be aware to feel it. Like

my mother (Lena Krasne Shafer) and your father, they coped with problems by walking away from them."

"I wish I had known him underneath," Gerry added. "All I could see was this guy who loved me and made me feel important. He only confided in Aunt Martha because he loved her dearly. (Uncle Marcus and Martha Kohn Krasne were married in 1928, and were known by everyone to be true sweethearts!)

Gerry thought Uncle Marc would be pleased to know that this article would be included in an issue about Jews in Sports. According to her, our uncle was "smitten with my blue eyes and blonde curls." I'm glad I'm finding these things out-even if it is 64 years later!

Apparently, our uncle was born in Aurora, IL, in 1902. His parents, Sophie and Max Krasne, were Russian immigrants who later came to Omaha and settled on the Southeast corner of 24th and Caldwell, near many other Jewish people. Max, who loved to gamble, ran a small shoe repair shop first on 24th St., south of the Kapulier Shul, and later at 24th and Hamilton, near the Sam Flax Department Store.

Many times, he would close the shop to "shoot craps" with other shopkeepers, like Sol Lewis from the appliance store.

He Loved Sports According to his brother-in-law, Sam Kohn, Uncle Marcus was a big guy who loved to play ball. As a very young man, Marcus would come to

court Sam's sister, Krasne, captain of the Martha Kohn. The team and a 'husky two had an ongoing Hebrew lad', mopped love affair that conup the field and carried tinued throughout the ball for a second their marriage. touchdown."

"They saw each In addition to his athother frequently durletics, Uncle Marcus ing their youth, but continued to court they didn't always go Martha Kohn. The together," Kohn said.

Tech High yearbook Marcus went to Kelsaid Martha was "an lom and Long Schools expert accountant and began going to whose pretty curls and high school at Comdimples are admired by merce High.In 1921, many." he was named to play Of great surprise to on the first Technical me was an article from High School football the high school newsteam. A year later, he paper: "A deciding was named captain of debate was full of life the team. and rivalry. Marcus In 1922, his Tech Krasne and Jacob High year book said, Brookstein upheld the "Laugh and be fat. affirmative, while Marcus may not have Samuel Kaiman upheld laughed, but we have the negative." proof that he smiled a Marcus came out great deal about his with a very convincing stoutness. Marcus is main speech. I was one of our great footshocked to know that ball stars!" ** my uncle was a debater 1922—Marcus Krasne The records also and had aspired to show that he was on the baseball become a lawyer! team, the All-State Football Team Another visit with Sam Kohn and the class track team. In addition uncovered a beautiful gold medal that to all these teams, Uncle Marcus was Marcus won in 1922 for throwing the on a summer baseball team! shot put 40 feet and 5 inches. I now That same year, the Omaha Bee proudly display that beautiful gold noted, "For the first time in history, piece on a chain around my neck.

Tech outplayed Central High. Marcus (Continued on page 15)

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 15

'Husky Hebrew Lad' (Continued from page 14) —-—— College Years and Beyond When Marcus graduated from Tech High in 1922, college was only a word in the dictionary for first generation Jews from .North Omaha. His brother, (my father), and sister, Lena, both had quit high school after one year help to support the family.

However, because of his athletic prowess, Marcus was chosen to attend Creighton University on a scholarship. A check with the registrar's office at Creighton turned up the following information: "Marcus Krasne attended Creighton for three years. His first two years were spent in the undergraduate division, and then he transferred to the College of Law." "He was a member of the varsity team in 1924 and 1925,' and it is likely that he played in 1926. The following is a quote from the 1925 yearbook: 'Krasne held down the right tackle berth and did it in a very appropriate manner. Cannonball (a common nickname, as were Tank and Stonewall) was held out of the game several times because of injuries, but he was given a chance to strut his stuff and it looks hard for opposing left tackles in 1925. It was reported that he was one of the best linemen in the conference!"

After being a two-year letterman at Creighton, Marcus left to enroll at the University of Illinois at Champagne.

When he left Omaha, he told friends he was going to report for the freshman team.

An article in their paper said he

looked like "a real contender" for a line position, and also for positions on the track and wrestling teams.

A year later, the following announcement appeared in the Jewish Press, "Eight applications have been filed with the board of directors of the Jewish Community Center for the new position of head physical instructor. Among the applicants is Marcus Krasne, an Omahan who is currently a student at the University of Illinois. Should he land the position, Krasne will drop his studies."

Uncle Marcus did get the position, and he returned to Omaha where he and Aunt Martha were married. However, a short time later, another article appeared: "Marcus Krasne, Physical Education September, 1958: Marcus Krasne, left, with Joan K. Marcus and brother, Director at the JCC, will leave Henry Krasne.

Photo by Milton Marcus.

Sunday night for the University of from eating too many candy bars and tions of diabetes and congestive heart Illinois, where he will study for six drinking too much pop! failure. Eabbi Benjamin Groner came weeks in order to receive his degree."

From Akron, Uncle Marc bought to our house to counsel my father, He worked several years in Omaha another bowling alley in Burbank, and he said the wedding would go on and then moved to Akron, Ohio, CA, and his health continued to —regardless of a death. where he was Athletic Director at the decline. In August of 1958, when Research for this story has been a Jewish Community Center; Aunt Milton and I became engaged, Aunt revelation. Stories of his athletic abilMartha went to work as a bookkeeper Martha and Uncle Marcus came to ity passed down through the family in a tire factory. While still at the visit; it was apparent that the once- were certainly not exaggerated. Since Akron JCC, he bought a bowling alley husky athlete had been reduced to a Aunt Martha and Uncle Marcus and eventually quit as Athletic frail, sickly man. They promised to' never had any children, this tribute Director. come back in June of 1959 for our as the JCC's first Athletic Director can be some recognition for him. After It was during one of his visits to wedding.

Omaha when my father told me On June 19, 1959, at age 57, all, the only thing one can really Uncle Marcus had "caught" diabetes Marcus Krasne died from complica- leave after death is his name.

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

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Page 17

jt»age 18

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22. 2002

MAY PASSOVER BRING PEACE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS

by JOAN K. MARCUS

Larry Goldstrom grew up in. the Elmwood Park area, and his father and grandfather gave him no introduction to sports whatsoever. Although his parents, Betty and Bernie Goldstrom, supported his love of sports, his real mentors were the Jewish kids in the neighborhood who participated in ongo^WI^H^MB'-ffiBI mHjilii^ ' Sill ing baseball games in the backyard.

His friends, Bob and David Kutler, took him to the Washington School playground to play in "real" games, and Larry thought t was a really big deal to play with the "big" kids. (Bob is two years older im»,- -^^HjjMM^MBj^WjiffEPiJM^Sm than Larry). Howie Halperin, who later became a physical education teacher, also joined the game, and the two men remain friends.

As the seasons changed, the neighborhood kids played football in the streets, the school playground, and the park.

"Every weekend, we had a football game in Bob and Sandy Cipinko's backyard. The boys later Larry Goldstrom played varsity football at Central High," he added.

Larry recalls that his childhood was very much League and helped the team win the Nebraska like the movie Sandlot, The games were a great State Championship. In 1987, he was elected to the training ground for the organized sports he would team's Hall of Fame and, in 2000, he was inducted into the JCC "Athletes' Wall of Fame." participate in as a teenager.

Larry played football and baseball until he was "Youth sports in the '60s weren't quite as organized as the sports now available for the very com- 38 years-old, when he quit because "that's old for a ball player and it was time to go. Now, I just petitive kids," he admitted.

Even at eight years of age, Larry went to Central coach."

In 1982, Larry m e t and married Carol High football games to watch the school's star, Cummings.

Gayle Sayers, play. At this very young age, Larry "Carol didn't know much about sports when we decided he wanted to play football for Central.

He remembers Omaha did provide organized met, but she knows a lot now!" he laughed. "After age-appropriate baseball and football. By the our two sons were born, she learned how much suptime he entered Central High, he had played on port is needed for kids in sports."

Coaching His Sons championship youth teams and was the 12-yearBecause of his own extensive athletic career, old punt, pass and kick champion for Omaha and Nebraska, sponsored by the Ford Motor Larry began coaching in 1977 and '78 by assisting Coach J.D. Burks at Burke High School. His 1977 Company and the National Football League.

At Central, Goldstrom earned five letters, and AAA Midget Team won t h e Nebraska State started for three years as shortstop in baseball. He Championship. For the last six years, Larry has was Central's leading hitter in 1970 with a .394 been an assistant coach on Kevin Wynn's staff for batting average, and was named to the 1970 All- the Omaha Patriots Select Baseball, where his son, Metro Baseball Team. He was a right offensive Benjamin, is a catcher and pitcher.

Ben was born in 1987, and Larry laughs when he guard on the football team. He jokes that there says t h a t Ben's first words were, "Baseball weren't a lot of Jewish boys playing on the varsity Tonight."

He will soon spend his sixth and final football team—however, "there were a few of us!" year playing for the Omaha Patriots Baseball Club.

After high school, Goldstrom remained active in amateur athletics by playing baseball for eight On this team, Ben has had the opportunity to play years in the Ail-American Baseball League-a sum- with and compete against top players in his age mer collegiate league. He continued to play football group on a local, regional and national level.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 19

HAPPY PASSOVER

by JOAN K. MARCUS r.-^—w^-. ^ ^ ^ ^ When Judy Milder was a little girl, she liked to run and jump and was very athletic. She always loved playground activities and enjoyed playing "hide-and-ge-seek" and "kick-the-can" with the neighborhood kids.

"I was good at running, and my brother, Joel, and I walked from 56th and Underwood to Dundee School on 50th and California and then home for lunch and back again!" she recalled. "So, I always enjoyed running and flitting around."

The daughter of Frieda and Howard Milder went to Dundee School and graduated from Central High in 1952. Although she doesn't remember a structured athletic program while she was in high school, she liked a lot of "playing and enjoyed jumping rope" with her friends. Although she has never been fond of competitive sports, such as baseball or soccer, she recalls acrobatic classes, where she learned to stand on her head.

After high school, she attended UCLA for one year and returned to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She returned in order to get "pinned" to Omahan Howard Vann, who was a member of Zeta Beta Tau. They were married in 1955, and, after 47 years of marriage, Judy still considers Howard tall, handsome, and "the man of her dreams!"

Because of the shortage of teachers in the '50s, she was able to obtain a two-year teaching certificate, with the provision that she would return to college to continue her education. She began teaching but left Omaha with her new husband because

he entered officers training at Port Benning, GA. In 1956, Howard was sent to Korea to fight in the conflict, and Judy returned to Omaha, where she taught school at Hillside and Loveland Schools.

After his return to Omaha, Howard established Vann Judy Vann Realty Company.

Howard Vann is well-known for serving in Rotary International. He has achieved the prestigious position of being one of 13 "trustees" of the foundation, which includes over two million members and promotes peace and understanding throughout the world. The Vanns travel extensively, because of Howard's responsibilities in the organization, to places like England, France, India, Singapore, Taipai, Japan and Canada.

Judy and Howard have three sons: Bill, born in 1958, Tom in 1961, and John in 1964. John is an Omaha pediatrician. He and his wife, Wendy, have two children, Jake and Cecelia. Tom is president of Vann Realty, and his children are Michael and Zoe. Bill is a community volunteer and has a daughter, Susan. Although he suffered a brain injury in 1978, Bill says he is "handicapable!"

Introduction to Yoga Years before yoga became popular in the Midwest, Judy and Howard went to California for a visit. During their trip, Judy read a book about yoga and said to herself, "That sounded interesting because I had been playing golf but it took four hours and didn't suit my needs. Yoga is non-competitive because you only compete with yourself to do a little bit better!"

While still visiting Los Angeles, she took lessons at the Yoga School of India and discovered she enjoyed the stretching, "sculpturing", and flexibility of the body. Upon her return to Omaha, she learned someone was teaching yoga at various places around town. She continued her classes until she began to study with Omahan Eunice Denenberg.

In 1972, Denenberg was beginning her own advertising agency and wanted to give up teaching yoga; she prevailed upon Judy to begin teaching.

"This was an opportunity for me to combine teaching with yoga-two things that I loved!" Judy commented.

Thirty years ago, there were many misconceptions about yoga. Some people believed that it was "cultlike," religious, mystical and more than just a physical activity.

Vann teaches "Hatha" yoga. Since yoga is thought of as being a tree, the roots or foundation is known as Hatha. As the- tree goes up, there are different philosophies on each branch. She tells her students that they can bring their own value systems to her classes. What she teaches is that the body is very important and it is imperative to have good health and a good feeling about ones' self.

Since Judy teaches only this physical part of yoga, she leaves her students to branch out into their own feelings of religion or other activities and value systems.

"I never go into the philosophy of yoga in my "If you stand on your head for five minutes, classes because I believe that everyone should find all of your organs are turned upside-down that out for themselves," she insisted.

How To Stay Young and Healthy and it is a relief for your body," yoga teacher Vann likes to think of yoga as "prevention" of Judy Vann stated. "It temporarily relieves the gravity process and pressure on your legs stiffness, aches and pains, and anxiety. Breathing (Continued on page 34) and feet."

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NJS

March 22, 2002

Discipline of Swimming Applies to Life

by GARY JAVITCH

— — - — —

Don Goldstein is one of many volun- his early races at the 'J' were only for teers working to make the 2002 20 yards.) As he got older and better, Macabbi Games a success. His con- Don gradually moved to 50- and 100nection to the August event comes, yard contests. also, from his strong background in swimming, one of the Macabbi sports.

Young athletes today can compare their experiences with his.

"I swam in the pre-goggle days-when you could smell the chlorine at the old 'J' from blocks away," Goldstein said. He started swimming as a youngster during the summers at the old Highland. Bill O'Hearn was his coach at the former country club.

Later, the young athlete did agegroup swimming at the Omaha Athletic Club at 17th and Douglas.

"I didn't realize at age eight that I would still be competing almost 50 years later," Goldstein reflected. His love for swimming seemed to follow a typical pattern. He was introduced to the sport at a relatively early age, developed a liking for it, and continued participating in the activity throughout his life.

Don Goldstein Goldstein swam two strokes: the "like other sports, to succeed, you breaststroke and the butterfly, which didn't even become a competitive need discipline." That is the advice stroke until the 1950s. He eventually Goldstein would offer to the Maccabi focused on the breaststroke, where he athletes. The discipline keeps you in started out doing 25-yard races. good shape.

(Because of the shorter pool length, "Participation in a sport helps you

maintain your fitness level."

Goldstein can say that with confidence. He packs his 155 pounds into a trim 5'5" body, only a few pounds heavier than when he graduated from Central High School in 1964.

The swimming contributes to his feeling good today.

"I can feel the' difference," he said, "when I worked N." haven't | out for while." £ Admitted to the r ^ engineering proat Northwestern iversity, Goldstein knew he a good enough swimmer to qualifor his state school competitions, and felt he was strong enough to swim at the college level. Moreover, he possessed two attributes that characterize successful athletes: desire and determination.

So he convinced the Northwestern swim coach, Bill Peterson, that he

should be on team. In those years, freshmen did not compete. He earned a starting slot in his first season as a sophomore.

Goldstein liked a number of the opportunities that swimming afforded. For one, he got a chance to travel.

"I really enjoyed seeing Notre Dame, Ohio State, and the other Big 10 schools," he remembered. "I got to swim against future Olympians at Indiana University," which had one of the premier programs back then. He competed in an era when the pools were only a little bigger than the one at the old 'J.' Another benefit of his long-time swimming associations: "I still see people from 40-45 years ago that I made friends with," he reflected.

Today, Don continues .to swim, participating in a Masters swimming program. His 100-yard times are around 1:18 to 1:20, not too far off from his best high school time of 1:10.

For the Maccabi Games, he serves on a committee charged with developing a security plan along with a professional security company. He commented that the JCC still needs volunteers to help with the games.

Married 31 years to Ann, his high school sweetheart, the couple has two grown daughters, Becca and Debra.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 21

Still Fit After All These Years

by JOAN K. MARCUS —

—

—

Even at age 85, Bob Endelman can still be described as "a hunk!" The tall, dark and handsome octogenarian rakes leaves and wrestles trash cans

he was playing basketball, he heard was active in track He was on the some of the people on the sidelines boxing team at the YMCA in say, "You know! That's the biggest Council Bluffs.

Jew I've ever seen!"

In addition to being a football Even star in high school, he came to though his Omaha to play basketball with p a r e n t s AZA #7 at the old 'J' on 20th and weren't in Dodge. favor of his "I feel very fortunate because * * zest for com- I'm the only one left," he noted. p e t i t i v e "Even the guys I worked with are ^tJtJKS?*' sp°rfcs> t h e y gone!"

Moving to Omaha _„ T . Jir-'r Jri'% ^ signed the -p*.,, * . \j/& paper that Bob was called to service in >_: gave him World War II in 1943. He served %, permission with a B25 outfit in the Air to play foot- Force, 42nd bombing group, in ball. the South Pacific. He-was disHe was a charged in 1946 and celebrated fullback on by attending a dance for veterans the team, at the JCC. There, he met Lois Segall, and that and says, "I think it was love at first won him a sight, because I really took a liking to scholarship her. Besides, I hadn't seen women for Bob, left, boxed in the Golden Gloves tournament. to attend the three years!" he laughed. "There in his driveway like a man half his University of Iowa. weren't any in the South Pacific!" age. He attributes his youthful outWith sadness, he added, "I went Lois and Bob were married in 1947 look and physical prowess to the fact down for spring training and then my at the Fontenelle Hotel. that he works out every day at the dad had a heart attack. The family The Endelmans have three chilJewish Community Center. ran a bar and restaurant on 10th and dren: Randy Endelman, Michael Endelman was born in Council Broadway and there was nobody to Endelman and Sue Blackman, and Bluffs, graduated from Abraham run it, so I had to come home."" I never eight grandchildren.

Lincoln High in 1935, and was a went back to college. The business "Dad was into football, basketball Golden Gloves Boxer. His parents, was the livelihood of the family and and track and was a Golden Gloves Bessie and Charles Endelman, didn't somebody from the family had to be boxer. He always had a love for sports understand their son's quest, and there." He had two sisters, Sylvia and played sports with us when we their constant comment was, "If you Swartz and Sadie Burton (now were kids," added Michael. do that, you'll get hurt!" deceased).

It was after his marriage that Bob Bob says it was unusual for Jewish Bob liked to play football and it went to work for Ed Phillips and boys from Council Bluffs to compete seemed like a good way to get to col- Sons, liquor wholesalers. He was a in sports. He remembers once, while lege. He also played basketball and salesman for 33 years until his retire-

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Bob attributes his physical fitness today to his years of exercise.

"I used to be bashful ,and sports and exercise brought me out and toughened me up," he admitted. "In Council Bluffs, we never had any place to exercise like our JCC. However, I did live a block from the YMCA and I went there to work out."

Now, he goes to the JCC every day except Sunday. He walks a mile and then swims for an hour before taking water exercises.

"I'm doing well for a guy who flirted with death three times," he joked.

"Our plane was shot down, and I got malaria in the war. I've had a heart attack, a triple bypass and a bleeding ulcer. I'm a lucky guy, and I've had a good life!"

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March 22, 2002

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finished a 10K Betsy Newman's beautiful big blue eyes widen race. Her next as she speaks of running through the countryside race was a half with deer. The marathon- and double-marathon 4 marathon (13 runner tells of her "runner's high" and increased miles) and she spirituality when she is focused on her passion of completed that running. one, too.

Although Betsy's mother, Barbara Fink Long, A year insists that her daughter inherited her athletic later, she ran ability from the wind, Betsy attributes her physia marathon cal fitness to her father, Bob Newman. She (26 miles) remembers getting up very early in the morning with the help to accompany him while he did exercises from the of t h e strict Canadian Air Force Exercise Book. The father training patand daughter team would get up between 5:30 tern that she and 6 a.m. every morning to do their morning had set for constitutional-without pause. herself.

"Nobody else in the house would get up to "I could join him," she laughed, "and I thought it would hardly get up be fun and a good time to spend with my dad. and down the My brother, Jeff, and my sister, Jody, slept *" "' • steps at UNO while I spent quality time with Dad. It was just .-t Jr ' because I was something we did together for a couple of years, $' *^<V so stiff and and I continued even when Dad didn't." sore after that The exercise sessions continued through ninth marathon. grade because Betsy enjoyed the routine that she every had started. It became important to her that she 1992—Betsy Newman ran in the But, marathon that do some kind of organized exercise at the same Boston Marathon. time each day. "If you don't get it done in the morn- I tried after that, I always completed!"

After completing marathons, she went on to ing, you may not get it done during the day," she run "ultra m a r a t h o n s " because the 26 miles asserted.

When she was 16, Betsy left.Qmaha to attend a didn't seem long enough. Because they occur in private school in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and began to the mountains, the only way a runner knows do gymnastics. At that tune, she wasn't too inter- where she's going is by the markings on trees. ested in running or jogging because it wasn't some- She admits to being lost for as much as 10 miles. thing that came easily to her. Running was, and is, Her last race was 100 miles in Colorado!

A run at Pike's Peak was, according to Betsy, "a hard for her because of the way the body moves lot of fun because you have people in front and in kinetically. back of you all of the time."

College Years During the 1980s and early 1990s, Newman travNewman graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, with a degree in Fine Arts, and a con- eled from New York to Texas to Los Angeles to run.

"When people run marathons, like the Boston, you centration in dance. She auditioned at Walt Disney World in Orlando and worked as a dancer fpr a year have kind of a 'set' pace. I would meet people running and a half. She returned to Omaha and enrolled at in one place and go somewhere else a year later and the University of Nebraska-Omaha to take classes in run into the same people. I made friends and belonged to running clubs. Marathons, as well as psychology to pursue guidance and counseling.

In 1980, influenced by a college fitness class at training, are sociable things for runners."

Running F o r Pleasure UNO, Betsy began to run and jog. She remembers Although she no longer runs competitively, that she had to run in class and would be the last Newman still runs every morning. It is her time to one in Elmwood Park.

"My girlfriends would be talking to me and I organize her day and think about what she needs to couldn't talk and run at the same time!" she get done. She begins each day at 6:30 a.m., and runs laughed. "I just decided I had to do better, and to for about two hours. She used to run earlier with the do better, I had to run more! When the class was aid of a miner's light but she hasn't done that for over, I'd go back to the park and run until it wasn't some time because of safety issues.

Running every day is important to her. difficult for me anymore."

"I've done it so long that I feel out of place if I During this time, her father was working downtown and Betsy would meet him at the YMCA for a don't keep up. Now, I get out there and I smell the mile-and-a-half lunchtime jog. Although Bob would roses, look at the sunsets and think about different run and talk to Betsy, she still couldn't run and things," she admitted. "I really enjoy it, and I'm fortalk at the same time. After a year or so, she had tunate because I've never had any serious knee or improved her running and breathing to the point leg problems." that she could run and visit with her father at the Betsy has worked hard at her running because it same time! didn't come naturally to her. "It has trained me as a Later, her teacher at UNO suggested that Betsy person and it really doesn't matter if I win something try an organized run for charity. Although she was or make money doing it. You aren't always comfortreluctant, she tried a "Pepsi Challenge" and actually able, but you run through the pain."

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The Last of the Gym Rats Street every day after school.

"During baseball season, my boss understood that the game came first. Other times, I would go to ball practice after school and then go to work at 5 p.m.," he recalled. "Those were fun times. We'd walk 14 blocks from home to the JCC and then we'd walk back. We never thought anything about it being hard times!"

He and his buddies were "the last of the gym rats!" They would play basketball at the VF until they would lock up the building.

He also had a very short boxing career as one of the three members of the JCC Boxing Team: Moe, Ben Nachman and J e r r y Bernstein. They mainly "stayed out of the way of getting hit!" He was a "street fighter" and that's "no good for a boxer." His boxing career ended in one year!

He "Just Always Knew Renee" In 1951, Moe was drafted into the Korean War. He served in Korea for a year and then was stationed at Fort Carson, CO, until his discharge. He went to work for Melvin Plotkin, who owned a grocery store on 24th and Leavenworth.

Moe joked, "People talk about marrying the boss's daughter, but my boss didn't have a daughter, so I married his niece!" He thinks he met Eenee Plotkin at the JCC, but he's not sure.

Handleman says that he doesn't ever remember not knowing her. Rabbi Benjamin Groner married them at Beth Israel in 1954.

Their children1 are Allan Handleman, Advertising Manager for the Jewish Press; Judy Shkolnick, a representative for a pharmaceutical company in Des Moines; and Gail Lobin, communications director for the state auditor of Illinois. The couple has six grandchildren.

Around 1960, Moe, and Melvin's son, Gary Plotkin, bought the store. Moe later bought out Gary's interest and continued to run the store until 1984, when he went to work for a meat packing plant. He then bought Crown Foods on Saddle Creek1 Boulevard and ran it until his retirement in 1993. Although he admits that he never really cared for the grocery business, it's the only thing he knew and it became a way of life.

Handleman quit playing ball when he was in his 40's.

"The last time I played for a softball team, they were all young kids. I quit playing because I was afraid that I'd get hurt and there wouldn't be anybody to run my grocery store!" he laughed. "Three years later, I came out of retirement to play in a church league. I was feeling pretty good and thought I was throwing the ball pretty hard. Then the manager said, That's a good idea, Moe, take it easy!'" That's when he decided to retire for good!

He uses a treadmill and stationery bike for exercise, but he still loves baseball. However, he considers the high point of his athletic career to be when he coached AZA Basketball at the '«F. Moe is still an avid sports fan and a faithful movie buff.

"Sports and athletics have been a major part of my life," he added, "and with a good wife and good kids, I have nothing to complain about. I get up every morning and do what I want to do!"

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Moe Handleman "My father, Abe Handleman, had a grocery store like everyone else," he recalled. "The stores, first on 24th and Douglas and later on 27th and Howard, were about the size of a living room. We were poor, but we didn't know it. We always had three meals and a place to live and I didn't know that I lived in the ghetto until years later!"

Moe was born in Omaha in 1929; his mother, Jenny, died when he was only five years old, leaving Abe to raise his three sons, Phil, Ed and Moe. Abe later married Libby Epstein.

Handleman remembers playing baseball, basketball and other games that were in season.

"We lived in the Logan-Pontenelle Projects and were on the edge of the athletic field. I played outside from morning until night. It was cheap to play ball, and it was a good way to have fun. If one guy had a ball and someone else had a bat, we had a game, and it didn't cost anything," he admitted.

At a very young age, he played on a midget team, sponsored by Milder Oil Company and coached by Orville Milder. After attending Lake Grade School, he went on to play baseball and basketball at Central High School. He remembers playing baseball well enough to "letter" in the sport. He played in the "All City-All State" games and hit .389, the highest batting average in Omaha.

He was also on the Central High School team, but opted to play more basketball at the Jewish Community Center. After it got too hot on Sunday afternoons to play baseball, the Jewish "kids" began to play softball. He remembers teammates Wayne Seigel, Al Brown, Harold Nepomnick, Ira Trachtenbarg and Steve Lustgarten.

"Those guys were all good athletes and great softball players!" he laughed.

Life wasn't easy for Handleman. Even though he was a letterman.in baseball and basketball, he had to work in order to help the family. He put in a lot of hours at the Federal Market on North 24th

Page 23

BCPBU PKTURE FRAMING

by JOAN K MARCUS

When Moe (Morris) Handleman was little, he loved to play ball! Since his parents didn't have a lot of money, playing ball was something that everyone could do.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Connecting Through Yoga

by JOAN K. MARCUS — - " ~ - ~ ~ "

Suzy Kubin is really glad that she cook and somebody to take care of the United States. Even though Frieda could finally come "out of the closet." bedrooms, do the ironing and clean- was successful at saving survivors, she was not good at She has practiced yoga for se running her husmore than 40 years! For band's import-exmany of those years, she port business, and didn't tell people what she financial survival was doing because she was very difficult thought they would laugh for the three at her. a women.

I would tell people that "Many times, we I was going to exercise were broke," Suzy class because they didn't admitted. "Someknow about yoga and they times we had a lot would think I was of money and other strange," she admitted. times, we were desRubin was born in titute."

Mexico City in 193Y. The In Mexico, most petite, white-haired lady women didn't work. is the granddaughter of an However, Suzy and engineer who lived in Yvonne had to work Germany. During a terriwhen they were ble storm there, he went very young. They to check on one of his did secretarial bridges and was killed. work, worked in His son, Paul Blumenmovie houses and thal, Suzy's father, was Yvonne wrote for sent to live in New York, Suzy with her granddaughter, Rachel Lewis. the local newspabut didn't like the cold weather there so he kept traveling ing. I went to an American school and per. Because of their financial situation, Suzy remembers going to college south until he reached Mexico. After was spoiled rotten!"

In 1940, her father died; it became "on and off when they had money. settling there, he went back to Yvonne came to the United States, Germany to visit, where he met very difficult for Frieda and her two Suzy's mother, Frieda Haimann. The daughters. She worked very hard to married jeweler Walter Greenberg, two married and returned to live in save Holocaust survivors and man- and settled in Omaha. It soon became Mexico, where Suzy and her sister, aged to offer refuge for her sisters. her goal to have Suzy move here.

Mexico accepted ships that were car- However, Yvonne decided she must Yvonne, were born.

Growing up in Mexico was different rying Germans because of the work find a husband for Suzy to insure according to Suzy, who noted that Suzy's mother did. These ships had that she would stay.

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recalled, "Yvonne fixed me up with a bunch of dates! I think I dated every eligible man who was around my age.

Once I was here for 15 days and she fixed me up on 14 dates! There's no way I could have gotten to know any of them."

On her second visit, she was "fixed up" with Plattsmouth car dealer Abner Rubin. They were married five weeks later. Suzy has two daughters, Tammy Abramowitz, who lives in England with her husband, David, and their three sons; and Sydney Lewis, who lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband, Andy, and their six children.

Exercise and Athletics Suzy's family has always been very athletic. Frieda and Paul played tennis, skied, walked and loved to horseback ride. Suzy inherited their athletic prowess and became a disciplined runner.

"I used to win first place when I was in high school, until the American coaches came and made us wear shoes," she laughed. "Then, I couldn't run as fast!"

She had tried yoga in Mexico without being aware of what she was doing, but something she did daily.

"You learn different ways of breathing and it calms you down and teaches you how to meditate," Suzy explained.

"Tension is released, which makes you stronger and relieves your body so you're always toned."

(Continued on page 32)

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 25

——«.

Barton (Bucky) Greenberg won his lettered again in swimming. first swim meet at Creighton UniverAt the JCC Camp at Louisville, NE, sity when he was just 11 years old. Bucky was able to swim faster than Now, 66 years later, he still derives children who were much older. He pleasure from competitive swimming. attended a camp in Minnesota where The tall, slender swimmer was born he affirmed his love for the sport. in Omaha on July 1, 1924. His father, "We had a little swimming team at Joe Greenberg, was an insurance the 'J1 and went to Okoboji for a meet. man, also a native Omahan. The Ike Friedman, Stan Feltman and elder Greenberg was quite active in Norman Polonsky were some of my the Omaha Jewish community and a teammates; Dan Greenfield was our *K great role model for Bucky. coach."

His mother, Viola Hyman, was born In 1978, Greenberg became a masin Valley City, N.D., in 1896. After ter swimmer, competing against moving to Omaha, she became active swimmers his own age. Every five in Beth El's Sisterhood and the years, they go into a higher group. In Jewish Federation.

1994, he held two world records, one The Greenberg family was promi- of which stood for seven years. He nent at Beth El, where Joe was presi- also has AU-American Status, the dent, one of the founders, and instru- best time nationally in one event. He mental in the building of the syna- held this status for the past 12 years, Medalist Bucky Greenberg gogue at 49th and Farnam. Joe died and has three national breaststroke Bucky's father arranged for him to from heart problems at age 58; his records. attend an insurance school in death had a great influence on He has attended world meets in- Philadelphia, where he decided, like Bucky's future.

Montreal, Indianapolis and Munich, his father, that he wanted to be in the The Greenbergs lived in Dundee, German3r, and national competitions insurance business. where Bucky and his sister, Lee Jane in F t . Lauderdale, Buffalo, the In 1948, he joined his father, who Parsow, now deceased, attended University of Southern California, managed the insurance department of Dundee Grade School. He graduated Portland, OR, University of Michigan, the Harry A. Wolf Company here. from Central High School in 1942.

Arizona State, Indiana University When Joe died in 1951, Bucky left He began swimming at the JCC and the University of Minnesota1.. shortly thereafter to start his own when he was a young child, and swam Bucky continued to swim to avoid insurance agency. competively. Since there was no swim family heart problems. He attributes In 1951, Bucky and Caryl Bercovici team at Central, he swam at the 'J,' his good health to swimming exercise. were married at Beth El Synagogue. and then joined the swim team at After attending Iowa State, Iowa Caryl was his secretary and later Iowa State University. He lettered University, and a school in Ohio, continued to do the accounting. In there and competed on an Air Force Bucky graduated from the University 1982, the Greenbergs bought SuperMeteorology Team at Iowa University of Nebraska with a degree in business cuts franchises. They later became in 1943-44. After transferring to the administration. independent and now operate as 'Hair University of Nebraska at Lincoln, he In the middle of his senior year, Today1 on at 84th Street in LaVista,

and in Lincoln at 48th and 'O' St. Caryl and Bucky have two children.

Beth Greenberg lives in New York City with her husband, Jim Wright.

They are both architects. Her brother, Joe, a C.P.A., lives in Sherman Oaks, CA, with his wife, Terri, and two children, Lauren, 7, and Kevin, 4.

In 1970, Bucky joined the larger Greenberg Agency with Jack B. Cohen and Jim Farber. This agency merged into Alexander and Alexander in 1975. Bucky remained with "A & A" until 1994, when he left to start his own agency.

Greenberg swims at least three times a week. ~ '-" .__ "It has been very beneficial for me-health-wise. And, I've met some verj? fine people," he explained. "I'm very close to four people who coached me over the years."

In addition to his swimming career, Bucky enjoys fishing with a fly rod.

You learn the technique of getting the fly line out 60 or 70 feet. It's a very interesting way to fish!" he laughed.

He also enjoys hunting, and occasionally plays tennis.

Greenberg holds several advanced insurance degrees. He has served as President of Beth El, is on the board of ADL, and is a member of Kiwanis and the Omaha Association of Life Underwriters.

Plans for the future include some travel, continued participation a t Beth El and, you guessed it, a lot of swimming!

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

'Most Promising Boxer in the Midwest'

by JOAN K. M A R C U S — — — ~ • - ~ Attorney Ben Belmont wasn't exactly a model think to yourself, 'It's him or me!' Even as an amateenager. Although he never got into serious trou- teur, I thought about death when I was fighting.

"You're always trying to outthink your opponent." ble, he classifies himself as a boy full of frustrahe continued. "My parents assumed I would fight tions who wasn't very studious.

When he graduatATTORNEYS AT LAW ed from Burke High School in 1977, his goal was to once, get beat, then quit. My mother saw me fight once and refused to come back. My father was up open a bar with one of his buddies.

Practice Limited to Immigration For Belmont, boxidg was a way for him to find at ringside and kept smoking cigarettes because he The Mark Building was so nervous. Unfortunhimself and realize his full 9290 West Dodge Road Suite 302 ately for them,. I had potential. In retrospect, he around 60 amateur fights realizes that many Jewish (402)392-1280 and was successful," he immigrants were boxers laughed. "I kept winning, when they first came to and was selected 'Most America. Later, when they Promising Boxer in the became educated, they ous & fBeacefdfBassoifer Midwest'." quit.

In 1977, he was one of Belmont was born in 350 American athletes Omaha in 1959 to Florence selected to go to Israel to and Joseph Belmont, now participate in the 10th deceased. He admits to International Maccabeah having difficulties in Games. Ben had just gradschool and with accepting uated from high school; he discipline. went to Albany, NY, to "I was a boy who hadjj t r a i n with the United 'issues' and my grades States team. The team weren't good," he admitwas in Israel for two ted. "I wasn't studious, AMERICAN FAMILY weeks while participating and I was a free spirit. in the games, and Belmont After all, I grew up during BILLEVUE wound up with a silver a turbulent time!"

B e n Belmont medal in boxing.

Friedman-Dann Management If he liked a class, Ben "I had never had an affiliation with a synagogue did very well. If he didn't care for the subject, he just didn't go to class. According to him, there was and I didn't really know what it meant to be a "no in between" with his grades. He always had to Jew," he admitted. "I was a tough street kid, and work hard for good grades, but got a failing grade if that trip changed my life. I was a different person when I came back. It was no longer a novelty to be he didn't like the subject.

"I had great parents but they had a tough job a Jewish boxer. It was a phenomenal experience.

At that time, I was the first Omahan to particiwith me," he recalled. "I've learned now that parpate in the games and I was recognized by the enting isn't easy!"

Joseph owned the Crosstown Pawn Shop on 24th Omaha Jewish community," he added. "Before I got and Decatur, which burned out in 1969. Ben back into the country, my parents opened up the remembers that a man was shot in the store by a Magazine of the Midlands Section of the Omaha police officer, and the family later received death World-Herald and there I was! My sweaty face was threats. After the fire, the shop reopened at 16th in the newspaper, and they were so proud of me! It and Cass-across the street from the Police Boxing was very exciting and it turned my life around."

He turned pro in 1980 and had three professional Club Gym. matches. He fought as a lightweight and retired as Beginning to Box Since Ben was the middle child, he remembers a welterweight in 1981, but continues to referee 35 years roughhousing with his older brother, Mark. Later, professional boxing. of Catering Excellence A New Life his younger brother, Randy, would join in and, Ben says, he always ended up with his face being In 1977, Mark, Ben's older brother, suggested he pushed into the grass. go to college. Although Ben didn't have such won"I was a pretty good athlete and had always been derful grades, he was admitted to the University of involved in team sports. My dad's pawn shop was Nebraska at Lincoln. Mark told him, "This is your across the street from the gym and he took me last chance. If you flunk out, you're finished." there so I could learn to box. I guess he figured Ben knew he could be a good student and took since I was undisciplined in every other way, his brother's admonition as a challenge. He maybe they could teach me something," he said. pledged Sigma Alpha Mu and was tutored by his Over the years, boxing has been a sport that has fraternity brothers. Since his prerequisites for "roller coasted" in popularity. In 1976, when athletes some of his classes were missing, it was difficult. from the United States Olympic Team went to However, he graduated from UNL and was acceptMontreal, it became popular again. Belmont began box- ed at Creighton Law School in 1984. ing in 1975 and, as a Jew, he was a novelty at the gym.

Joseph Belmont lived to see Ben finish law school "Boxing gyms are full of history; you have train- and observed him while he won his first jury trial. ers 75 and 80 years old who remember the old "Even though my dad didn't want me to box, I fighters. They couldn't understand a Jewish kid know he was proud of me because I heard him brag coming in!" Belmont laughed. to his friends. I loved him so much that I wanted When he began, he was immediately embraced him to be proud of me," he said proudly. by the boxing crowd and by Jewish friends.

"I didn't have an easy life and it's not because my "Nobody likes boxing until you win. Then, it's neat parents didn't offer it to me," he admitted. "I just to get on the bandwagon!" he laughed. rejected it and went my own way. I'd like my kids He met Leonard Hawkins, who later became his to be exposed to some of the things that I've seen. coach, mentor and trainer. Ben admits it's mostly However, some of those things have helped me in "tough people" who box. However, they're from poor my law practice. There's book sense and there's circumstances and want to get out of poverty. He common sense. Now, I have a combination and it helps me relate to people." Today, Ben is a partner says they are honest and genuine.

"It's difficult to understand that I had a. chip on in the law firm of Lustgarten and Roberts.

Passover.

On June 12, 1983, at Temple Israel, Belmont Time for family, joy and freedom my shoulder and lots of frustrations," he recalled.

"Boxing people helped me to grow because they married Betsy Woods, the sister of a friend. They accepted me for who I was." met at the Jewish Community Center and, Ben Boxing taught him how to work hard and stay said, "I really wasn't thinking about marriage until focused. Ultimately, it taught him how to be a bet- I met Betsy. It was kind of 'love at first sight.'" ter Jew and opened his eyes because of the opporBetsy and Ben have two sons, Michael 14, and tunities it gave him. After his first amateur fight, David, 12. Both boys are gifted baseball players. things began to change in his life.

Although both boys talk about boxing, he tends to 3716 LEAVENWORTH ST. BelmonJ; had a gift of a "tough left hook." discourage them, noting, "Boxing is a tough, tough "You have an opponent in front of you whose goal is sport and the ultimate object is to knock somebody 346-7900 to hurt you," Belmont explained. "Therefore, you out."

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Page 28

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

A Father and Son Team

by JOAN K. MARCUS

•

It is very obvious that Bruce and Zachary Muskin are good friends.

Bruce sits quietly and smiles while his son, Zach, relates his day at school. The 13-year-old young man (who seems much older) is enthused about all of his activities at Beveridge Magnet School.

The school houses seventh and eighth graders and specializes in the performing arts and global studies, in

Zach and Bruce Muskin addition to" teaching all of the other required subjects.

"We have special music, dance, art and photography classes. However, we still have all of the other classes like math, science and sociology," Zach said.

Zach participates in drama and plays tenor and alto saxophone in the jazz and marching bands. His day begins at 7 a.m. and is full. However, the favorite part of his day is when he plays basketball.

Young Zach plays "point guard" for the team.

"There are five guys on the court and the 'point guard' controls the ball most of the time. I call out the plays, and I'm i kind of in charge. They don't . _' want a guy for a 'point guard' ' A who loses the ball all of the time "•*'lji to the other team!"

Zach likes to play "point guard" because he isn't big } enough to play "forward." He $ hopes to continue playing bas&h$i ketball in high school at either "jfofi Burke or Central, and hopes to t. "make the basketball team" -~j when he gets there.

The young athlete is also a third baseman for the Omaha Spikes baseball team. Although he has played almost every position on the team, his main job is taking care of third base.

"I also like to play center . field," he admitted.

Zach tried out for the Spikes, formerly part of the Suburban Stampede. He has played organized baseball since he was five.

Although baseball and basketball are his main sports, he also wrestles, plays football, soccer, golf and tennis.

He admits it's more fun to win than lose, and he tries to be a good sport.

(Continued on page 36)

/

•

Philosophy of Life Like a Game of Golf

by GARY JAVITCH —

—

With the arrival of the August There are other life comparisons, too, Maccabi Games, all eyes will be like the need for discipline and focused on the student g athletes. Omaha, however, is home to many ^ top Jewish athletes.

Harry "Hap" Pocras is one of them. Dr. Pocras' connection to the summer event stems from his strong background in golf, one of the Macabbi sports. Young athletes today can compare their experiences with his.

On the wall in his study hangs a picture of his idol, Arnold Palmer, and himself.

Pocras met the golfing , legend in 1976, when _ just a youngster. Pal-' H a r r y a p P o c r a s m h l s ^ study/trophy room. mer had come for an exhibition at the Omaha Country patience, especially when there is a Club, where the photo was taken. day when nothing seems to go right.

Hap started playing golf at the age "You can do everything right and of seven and began competing by 10. the outcome doesn't reflect your He played tournaments and won two effort," he said. Nevertheless, "there big ones in his youth. Those early is a tomorrow and I am always looksuccesses gav« him a big incentive to ing forward...looking to the future." compete.

Dr. Pocras credits golf for helping He developed a strong love for the him become a better clinician. Hap game of golf. He sees life like a game chose the specialty area of anesthesiof golf and compares the two. "You ology because he liked the style of have to figure out ways to get patient care. "All patients are anxious through tough times. There are daily when they go to see doctors," he challenges to overcome," he said.

(Continued on page 36)

'

UNIVERSITY

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March 22,2002

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 29

Businessman, Faithful Son, and Champion

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor •

—

Everyone knows that Louis Blum- at age 16, against the number one kin and his legendary mother, Rose, diver in the country, was a national or "Mrs. B" as she was more common- competitor in the three-meter events, ly called, are the only mother-son duo and helped propel Tech High to the in the American Furniture Hall of state championship.

But, that's not Fame. Most surprising for people also this modest ocknow that togenarian.

Blumkin still Since his days plays a most as a trim high important role school athlete, as chairmanBlumkin has emeritus in worked quietly Nebraska behind the Furniture scenes, garnerMart, the ing honors durlargest furniing World War ture retailer in II—where he the country crossed the under one roof.

Rhine River But few peo- jl into Germany pie know ^ with General Louie's success Patton's Third in high school Army, won the as Nebraska's -J' Purple Heart, State Diving and helped libChamp. Or erate the conthat he could centration camp have gone to Louis Blumkin enlisted in 1941. of TraubenWashington University, along with Tech High div- bach)--in the furniture industry (for ing teammate Bill O'Hearn, if World creating such innovations as in-store War II hadn't interrupted. Or that galleries and mass merchandising), Blumkin was named an All-Ameri- and for his philanthropic efforts for can, and was noted as one of the top such organizations as the National 10 high school divers in the country, Conference for Community and and might have competed in the Justice, Creighton University, and Olympics if the war hadn't cancelled Youth Care. the games.

His skill as a high school diver Blumkin competed in AAU meets, enabled him to entertain troops dur-

ing the war, where he put on diving the United States in 1945, Blumkin exhibitions in Chaltham, England had given up his dreams of diving at (while waiting for D-Day orders to the university level and, instead, invade France) and then in Garmish- entered "my mother's college."

Partigen in Germany, when he assist"She had street smarts," Blumkin ed with transrecalled proudferring disly, glad that placed persons during his tour made homeless of duty overby the Axis seas his mother Powers. had held on to the fledgling In 1937, the company she World-Herald founded in noted that 1937 with a Blumkin, who $500 invest"would make a ment. dive hanging by his teeth if they The diving gave more didn't stop, points for it...is however. He too modest to managed to talk about himshow his family self. Cal Hubhis prowess, bard (Tech's even after marcoach) does all riage to "his the talking. . . shining star" 'there isn't a F r a n c e s dive in the Veitzer, on in Louis Blumkin July 7, 1946. books Louis "Those three-meter boards looked can't do with reasonable success." awfully high!" Louie admitted, Along with his teammates, Blumthough "you couldn't make a career kin's skill enabled Tech to retain the out of it." state diving championship. He won Occasionally, on Memorial Day or first place in every meet in which the team participated, and lettered three Labor Day picnics with the whole times in his high school career. Quite family gathered around, Mrs. B an achievement for someone who would yell at her only son, poised on weighed "only 118 pounds dripping the diving board, "You're not 16 any more; be careful up there!" wet!"

By the time he returned home to (Continued on page 33)

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Page 30

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

War on Cholesterol

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor — _ _ Phil Sokolof is a man on a mission.

Since his first heart attack at age 43 in 1965, he has been a one-man campaign to educate the public and policy makers about the dangers of high fat foods and high cholesterol.

"I'm just a little guy from Omaha," he says with a smile, but he's managed to intimidate the United States Congress into passing food labeling laws, scared the food manufacturers into eliminating animal fat and tropical oils from their products, and exposed the drug companies on the cost of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

At the age of 80, Sokolof still runs National Heart Savers Association out of a suite of offices, sending out mailings to members of congress, fielding phone calls from people as faraway as Japan looking for information on heart disease, and producing ad campaigns with t h e l a t e s t on efforts to lower cholesterol.

His heart attack propelled him to ask lots of questions; he even described himself as "nosy." His attitude did lead to answers, which influenced him to change his lifestyle and then to change others.

His cholesterol was 300—extremely high—and his (good cholesterol) HDL at 30 was extremely low. Through diet and exercise, he was able to lower his own cholesterol to 200 within three months, and all the way down to 150 after six months.

According to new government guidelines, heart patients should have an LDL level (that's 'bad' cholesterol) of no more t h a n 100, and preferably lower. However, more than 75% of heart patients; have Mot yet achieved that goal and should be on dosages of the cholesterol-lowering

drugs, known as statins. Sokolof, whose information comes from the top heart research scientists, has promoted that goal for the last several years.

Though he has maintained low cholesterol through diet and exercise, Sokolof has taken statins as a preventative measure for the last 12 years.

Working with his friend, the late Sen. Edward Zorinsky, and his wife Cece, Sokolof was able to also garner 65 United States Senators to endorse National Know Your Cholesterol Month. To create awareness, NHSA tested more than 10,000 politicians and staffers for two years in a row, the largest voluntary event of its kind on Capitol Hill.

Sokolof considers the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act the proudest moment of his life. He ran a series of four national ads and threatened a fifth, naming the food companies who were blocking the bill.

He w a s cited by Sen. Howard Metzenbauin of New Jersey and Rep. Henry Waxman of California, a cosponsor of the nutrition labeling bill, as being instrumental in its passage.

"We would not be here today (at the signing) if it weren't for the efforts of Phil Sokolof," Rep. Waxman insisted.

Sokolof constantly refers to several major scientific studies, which created a public awareness about cholesterol.

The first was the surprise expressed by doctors in Korea, when, after a number of autopsies performed on young soldiers, they discovered the plaque built up in their arteries was as severe as if they were old men. The second was the study of Japanese diets in their'home country of Japan, the change after immigration to America, and the increase of heart disease.

(Continued on page 31)

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March 22, 2002

War on Cholesterol

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 31

High Score No Handica

(Continued from page 30) Finally, in 1984, the government Time, Newsweek and People, named by GARY JAVITCH — — — That's the observation the newly- tion, like acquiring any skill, practice released the findings of a 10-year, $150 "Person of the Week" by ABC News, named Macabbi golf coach made is very important. million study that proved unequivocal- somehow, he manages to project a sense about his favorite sport. Golf is a Godwin, a real estate property ly that for every one percent choles- of awe that he has made <such a huge game of perspective.

A duffer who manager, appreciates the many beneterol was lowered, the risk of heart impact on the health and fitness of the shot a score of 100 could be very fits of the game and the many differattack decreased two percent.

American public. happy with his game, while a player ent levels of enjoyment. He believes And so, Sokolof decided to do someHe credits his success, to his late thing even more dramatic to raise wife, Ruth Rosinksy Sokolof, who died that hits in the 70s can be quite disawareness. With the wealth he accu- in 1982 after being diagnosed with satisfied.

A two-time Nebraska state golf mulated from Phillips Manufactur- "terminal cancer" at the age of 26. it champion, Paul "Pete" Godwin said, ing, a company he started as a young "She put up a 30-year battle with a man, he created the National Heart disease that was so painful she often "It's an honor to participate and lend Savers Association. He has since paced the floor for hours at night," my expertise to the games." Godwin spent $15 million of his own money Sokolof admitted. "Ruthie was the has played for 35 years-since he was on heart-health awareness. His orga- inspiration for what I've done. She nine years old.

"Golf is in my blood," he explained. nization does not solicit contribu- fought her illness at every step, His uncle, Bud Godwin, a former tions. through 15 surgeries." men's state golf champion in His first project was to the nation's Through it all, Ruth Sokolof started Missouri, introduced him to the first free city-wide cholesterol testing, the J.P. Lord preschool for blind chilgame.

"He taught me golf etiquette, which began in Grand Island. In five dren and established a foundation to how to think, and what it takes' to be days, more than 8500 were tested; benefit them, which continues its good in the game."* Sokolof and his team of health profes- activities today.

Godwin hopes 10-15 Jewish teens sionals added Hastings and "It took so much patience to work eventually join the team. He already Columbus to the list and wound up with the blind," Sokolof explained. testing more than 200,000 people in "I'd watch Ruthie handle a two-year- has an idea of what he would tell the 16 states. As a bonus, he donated old and it really taught me to have kids when he starts to organize the team. "Be patient. That is important. cholesterol-testing machines to many patience in my life."

You can't worry about the previous health departments, a project he has This octogenarian is not resting on holes.

They are history. If you have continued by donating yet another his laurels. NHSA has embarked on messed up, you try to do better." machine to Omaha's Jewish an educational campaign in Canada.

Younger players have problems with Pete Godwin and son, Andrew.

Community Center.

While the cost of cholesterol-lowering their temper, he observed. "Their He gambled that the public wanted drugs is far lower there than in the more information about preventing United States, Canada does not yet expectations often are just too high." the camaraderie is fantastic in golf, heart disease and placed a number of have food labeling laws. Sokolof now Even his son, who is even-keeled, has and you can learn from others. full-page ads in such publications as has the backing of the Canadian gotten a little irritated on occasion, Everyone can derive some benefit; everyone can set their own level of the Wall Street Journal, New York Minister of Health, who has he noted.

Etiquette must be learned, too.

"It ' aspiration.

Times, Washington Post, and USA announced Canadians will have is, after all, a 'gentleman's sport.'

Winning isn't always everything. If, Today, accusing food manufacturers nutrition labels on their food prodThere are no referees.

You call your for example, 120 entrants start out in of "poisoning" America with the use ucts within two years. own penalties." a competition, your goal can be to of animal fat and tropical oils in their "I've had two journeys in my life," Golf is also a thinking man's game. make the first cut or break a certain products; yet another series went Sokolof explained. "One, as a young after McDonalds and fast food giants, man, was to make money. The second There's planning and strategy score. In addition, you can focus on as well as the Dairy Council. was to take that money and use it to involved. "You have to think: 'What different things or master certain do I want to do; go for a long shot or skills, such as grip, swing, stance, Though he's been honored by the U.S. help people.

Congress and the American Hospital "To think that I may have actually place it in a certain area to line up alignment, back swing, followAssociation, written up in the Journal saved someone's life is far more satis- the next shot?'" Pete stated that con- through, and squaring up to the ball. centration is essential, too. In addi(Continued on page 33) of the American Medical Association, fying."

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Page 32

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Connecting Through Yoga

Best Wishes For A Joyous Passover

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If you're quiet and your mind isn't chattering, "Even if you have pain, like that of arthritis, it is you can hear answers!" relieved so that you can still move."

Suzy insists that "yoga helps you to feel connectIn 1964, Suzy was approached by the Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce to do "something dif- ed." She recalled a 10-year period of her life, during ferent" for a fundraising project. They asked her to the '80s, when many bad things happened. teach a class, but they said she couldn't call it yoga because nobody would come!

When she started to teach her "exercise classes," she charged 250 per person.

Families came with children, parents and grandparents, and they all paid the same fee.

"Stretching and moving help to connect t.~Xy'~ '" your mind, body and soul," she explained.

"Anybody can do it and it doesn't matter if you're very young or very old!"

When she attends services at Temple Israel, the prayer book says to "meditate."

Suzy says very few people actually know how, but she has learned to meditate by using her yoga, and she's taught people from other faiths how to use it, also.

"I was thrilled when I was finally asked to Suzy^s grandsons dance at the family's most recent teach Jewish people," she admitted.

B'nai Mitzvah.

Because our minds are "always chatting," "There were so many things going on that I didn't we are really not listening when we enter a house of prayer, so she begins her lessons by teaching her have time to cry or mourn," she admitted.

"Meditation and breathing helped a lot. Even students how to listen.

"When you focus on one or two subjects, eventu- though I couldn't change anything, yoga helped me ally, you can completely calm your mind," Suzy to become stronger and find a way to cope. explained." There are four or five different ways "You stop blaming others for what is happening that you can meditate to empty your mind. to you," she added.

"Sometimes, you have fears about illness, so you From yoga, she has learned compassion, how to can focus on one line of a prayer. You close out accept responsibility, and that she isn't perfect. . . everything else; you meditate on that line, and it not a bad way to be connected. helps you," she added.

PASSOVER GREETINGS May this most festive of holidays be celebrated in lasting peace and in good health 'i:';'>"^Y-::^iNbrmah;;a;ndfBerhifce;HarnSr;: :;

viuyaic' Studies?

March 22, 2002

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 33

(Continued from page 25) from

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Tech High School Diving Team of 1939: Jack Louie Blumkin and Coach Hubbard-Heincheif, left, Bill O'Hearn, Don Housh, Nebraska State Diving Champions.

While only Irv "did a little diving,"all three of his ty to read trends in the furniture industry light sons are connected to the furniture industry. years before the competition.

Ronnie and Irv are active today at the Mart, while There's one big difference...and that's Louie's love youngest son, Steve, runs Outrageous Rugs in San of sports. The former diver has natural athletic Deigo, CA. ability and could have been an outstanding1 golfer, "I report to 'the boys'," Blumkin said with a too. But, Mrs. B didn't approve of vacations or time smile. "But they were all students of my mother's, off. One story has it that Louie snuck off during too. Even Steve says he makes decisions by asking lunchtime one day to hit a bucket of golf balls at a himself, What would Mrs. B do?' nearby driving range. Luckily, he wore a shirt and However, one family member did get the "diving tie, not your "normal" golfing attire, so Mrs. B gene." Irv's daughter, Rebecca, today a freshman at wouldn't catch him "goofing off"!

Denver University, competed on Burke High Even his grandson, Ryan, asked to "play golf School's diving team. soon" in 80th birthday wishes to his Grampa Louie "I'm very proud of her," Louie said, adding that in 1999. In fact, this celebration of Blumkin's eight Rebecca participated in city meets and coached decades included several rounds of golf, a pastime younger swimmers at Regency Lake and the Tennis now undertaken with enjoyment by Louie and the Club. rest of his family.

It's that kind of "coaching" that members of the Mrs. B's picture still adorns the walls of the facilBlumkin family have transmitted to so many oth- ity which bears her name, so "I won't mess up!" ers. Financier Warren Buffet, whose Berkshire Blumkin admitted. At nearly 83, that's hardly likeHathaway company purchased the Mart in 1983, ly, especially after all the achievements he's quietly described Louis and his mother this way in an arti- earn.ed over the years, like receiving an honorary cle by Howard Silber in the World-Herald: "Louie doctorate from Creighton University and being says he had the best teacher, and Mrs. B says she named to the Tech High Hall of Fame. had the best student. They're both right."

As his bride of 55 years mentioned, "I don't have There is much in commom between the mother to add a thing; he's a sweetheart-the most decent and son duo: the drive for success, the quick, calcu- human being I know!" Fran, too, describes him as lating minds that enabled them to rattle off prices "a wonderful teacher, from a wonderful family." of everything from carpeting to sofas, and the abiliQuietly echoing her sentiments, Louis thought-

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No Handicap (Continued from page 31) Godwin did so well in his scholastic career in Poplar Bluff, MO, (about size of Fremont, NE,) that he was offered and accepted a scholarship to the University of Missouri, where he played golf at the intercollegiate level. He did extremely well there and found it a great sport for making friends.

One friend he met was Nancy Harris, an Omahan, who played on the women's golf team.

She became his future wife. After graduating from college in 1981, with a degree in agriculture and economics, he came to Nebraska.

He continued to play golf and recently completed a term as president of the Nebraska Golf Association, an organization that administers amateur golf for the state.

One of the attractions for being a Maccabi coach is that he gets a great deal of satisfaction from seeing kids improve. Golf is easier for kids to learn

than for adults. And golf is a sport in which you generally reach your prime between 30 and 45 (Tiger Woods is an exception.)

The couple has two sons; their youngest, Andrew, 9, started playing golf at the age of 4. Pete feels it is easier for kids to build on their skills; there is a snowball effect. His 14-year-old has an impressive 12-13 handicap. As he grows, he will get better, Godwin feels. Contrast that to basketball, for example, Godwin theorizes that his son at 14 won't improve dramatically. As he gets older, he will slow down and his ability will decrease. Golf skills, on the other hand, decline much slower.

"That's why I am as good as I was at 24-the proof is in my scores and accomplishments," Pete concluded. Why do all this? It's his Uncle Bud's legacy: "Uncle Bud spent all that time so I could pass the skills on. It feels fantastic to give back."

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Page 34

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

A 'Family' Affair

Foundation for Life

(Continued from page 18) • At the 2001 Triple Crown Youth where he plays second base. He has Baseball World Series in Steamboat traveled with the Gladiators to Las Vegas to compete in the USSSA Springs, CO,; 10-year-old world series. So far, Ben highlighted' the highlight of his baseball his tournament' career is when he had three hits with a 330-foot ( in a victory over a team from two-run home-1Southern California. run during He just completed his second competition year as middle linebacker for with a team the North Omaha Boys Club, from Houston, where he was in on 63 tackles.

TX. Ben's the He was captain of the defense Patriot's leader for a team that went 8-1 for the in hits, homeseason. runs, doubles There are many youth sports and batting in Omaha at different age levels. average.

Ben Goldstrom At age 11, Jory is playing at a Groomed playvery high level. He thinks that you ing football for the North Omaha Bears and Boy's Club in the youth learn a lot of life's lessons from athfootball league, he played his final letic competition, adding "You have to show up every year of football last fall with other day, be part of eighth graders on the Kingswood a team, take Athletic Association Panthers--a instructions, group of Millard athletes. The and not comgroup captured the National plain when Youth Football Championship in you lose!"

Daytona Beach over Thanksgiving Larry says weekend of 2001. both of his Ben's Younger Brother sons are good Jory Brooks Robinson Goldstrom, students--in Ben's brother, was born in 1990, addition to named for the Hall of Fame third baseman. According to Larry, being good "Rabbi Azriel was a little surprised athletes.

Jory Goldstrom when we chose Jory's name.

"I would However, he was a good sport about support the boys in whatever they it!" decided to do," Larry insisted. "I The younger Goldstrom is. now would be just like my parents, who starting his third year with the always supported me on the amateur Omaha Gladiator's Baseball Team athletic fields in Omaha."

(Continued from page 19)

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movements that sculpt and strengthen the body—firming the muscles.

Judy uses yoga to keep her own body healthy. Her routine includes yoga every

"You get up every morning and you brush your teeth, wash your face and do your yoga! I teach what I preach, and I don't have aches \ and pains."

In India, 2000 years ,* ago, only men practiced yoga. Now, mostly *..< women of varying ages, from 21-80, participate.

Judy says if you want to be optimally fit, you do yoga or stretching, aerobics or "huff and puff exercises, walking Judy and Howard Vann and weight training. techniques are calming to the ner- "When I go to the fitness center at vous system, and students are taught the JCC, I don't think of it as being to "pick out" these techniques and use work, I think of it as an enjoyable them when they are needed. time when I play with my toys," she "During a lifestyle change, yoga laughed. "At age 66, I feel stronger helps us to be calm and peaceful. It than I did 1-0 years ago, and I'm as doesn't mean we don't have problems, limber as I was 20 years ago."

Her other "secrets" for maintaining but it helps us cope in a healthy fashion. Yoga helps us to enjoy our lives youth include getting the proper amount of sleep and eating nutritionbecause we feel better."

Because body and mind are con- al foods. Those two things, combined nected, breathing, movement and with exercise, will maintain a healthy relaxation make up yoga. These three body.

"It's simple!" according to Judy. things are connected—along with

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Page 35

by JOAN K. MARCUS «_____«»__».

We all remember tall, handsome Danny Epstein, Moe Handleman, Ira learned her name because group who performed Cal Kirshen as he delivered the Trachtenbarg and Joe Franks. They she kept taking money • there and tell them that weather and sports on the KMTV- all played first team for Central and out of her savings," he • if they were lucky, they'd Channel 3 News during the '70s. they were the 'big Icings' of AZA bas- laughed. "The bank had a make it to Lubbock!" he Now, at more than three score and ketball!" he laughed. rule that, if you made laughed. "They were pop10, his pearly pipes can still be clear"We had a lot of fun. The days of the more than three with; ular, but I told them tiny ly distinguished as he does "voice Roundtable of Jewish Youth Groups drawals in a month, you wouldn't make it anyovers" more than three decades later. was a great time. "Those were happy had to pay 25(2. When she where else. Well, one of The one-time popular television star times with the Sweetheart Dances came in for the third the guys I kept kidding says is "real" name is Kevee Kirshen- and times that brought all of the time, I asked her for the " was Waylon Jennings!" baum, but he sometimes uses "Cal" so Jewish kids together. Kids from all of quarter!"

From Texas, he as not to be confused with his cousin, the synagogues got along. Our par- "She started to yell at returned to Omaha to ents didn't have much money, but we me, 'For what? Are you the "other" Kevee Kirshenbaum.

Cal Kirshen radio station KFAB, didn't know that!"

Cal was born in Omaha on Nov. 10, kidding!? I have to pay a quarter to doing news and working nights.

1929, to Abraham and Yetta KirshenKirshenbaum graduated from take my money out of here?' So, in Auditions at all three television stabaum. His father delivered bread and Central in 1947, and enrolled at order not to create a scene, I put the tions finally paid off when he got a butter to the Jewish population of Omaha University with a Business quarter in! After she came in a few call from-KMTV. more times, I asked her out, he said "I was a raw rookie, but they took me Omaha. Abraham operated a Forbes Administration major.

Bakery delivery truck and packaged I had a minor in what little they with a smile. "It's funny because I on," he admitted. "I was a nervous kid his own butter from Fairmont Cream- had in broadcasting. My college was from Omaha and she was from in 1957, but learned from my coworkery. He (and his brother, Meyer), made career ended in 1951 when I was New York and we met in California ers, Floyd Kalber and Tom Brokaw."' deliveries each day to support his fami- drafted to serve in the Army during and fell in love."

He did live commercials until 1970, ly: Max, Cal, Rose (Cohen) and the Korean War." Joan and Kevee have four children: when he began to do weather and After basic training, he was sent to Craig and his wife, Sharon, live in sports. In 1973, he was called to the younger son, Joe. He describes his family life as California before going overseas.

Fremont; Todd in York; Kerry and office of the general manager.

"They flew us from San Francisco to her husband, Mike Hollst, in Yutan, "great." He recalls taking the street "I thought they were going to tell me car from grade school to the 'J' after Hawaii and then on to Tokyo. I was NE; and Larry in Miami Beach. They they didn't need me anymore but, sent to a school in Eta Jima, Japan. have four grandchildren. school to attend Talmud Torah. instead, they asked me to join the sales "Before class, we would all go swim- From there, I went to Korea. It was During school, he was told he would force. It meant much more money!" ming in the nude and then we would nice duty, but it was still Korea. We have to change his name. So, he Although he enjoyed his sales career, suit up and play basketball. We had lived in tents and I only had three decided to shorten Calvin to Cal and he added, "Television put me out in front of the public and I loved it!" basketball teams called the JCC showers during that whole year!" he Kirshenbaum to Kirshen. recalled.

Midgets. It was about 1938, and I "In those times, everybody on televiIn August, 2001, after 44 years at the remember we had green jerseys."

In 1954, he was discharged, finished sion had to change their names, so I station, Cal officially retired. However, In the '40s, when he started high college and went to a radio and televi- began my new identity. Since I had he was invited to stay on part-time. school, AZA #100 came along and were sion school in Los Angeles. While always been land of shy, I could hide Although he is shy about his level of attending classes, he got a job at a bank. behind my new name." physical fitness, Cal admits he's in known for having all the athletes.

"I never played anywhere but the A frequent customer was Joan Vavuna, He went to work at a little radio great shape. He runs 10 miles a week 'J', but the other guys played at a beautiful, young brunette living near- station, KVOW, in Littlefield, TX, and works out every day.

Central High. Some of them were by and vacationing in LA. near Lubbock.

"I get just enough exercise to eat Steve Lustgarten, Al Clayman, "I used to see her come in and "I used to kid this country-western desserts, and that's important!"

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Page 36

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Father and Son Team u%,ay your home he hlessedvoith Uiealih and £)oy this U^assover.

The Cohens...

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(Continued from page 28) -» "•• - ——» Although Zach does sports mostly for fun, he says he wants to also be physically fit. He tries his best to have good grades and be a "well rounded" person.

"Sports helpS with concentration and that helps me with my studies!" he said with a smile.

Like Father, Like Son Bruce Muskin was born in 1951, and grew up in Omaha around 60th and Western. The son of Stuart and Bettie Muskin, he attended Lewis and Clark Junior High and graduated from Central High. Like many Jewish teenagers, he had a summer and holiday job working in the family store— Babytown, later renamed Youngtown.

Like his son, Bruce was always in competitive sports. He swam summer and winter for the Omaha Swim Club until he was 10 or 11 years old.

Also, like Zach, he played baseball for whatever team was available.

"There weren't as many organized sports available at that time," he admitted. "Many times, I played baseball with my friends—just for fun!"

Bruce played on organized Lewis and Clark basketball and wrestling teams. He also participated in golf, tennis and table tennis. He recalls being the city champion in table tennis when he was around 10 years old.

At Central, Muskin played golf and basketball.

"I was a good player, but there were a lot of good players at that time," he recalled. "But, I lettered in both golf and basketball."

After graduating from Central in 1969, Bruce went to the University of Colorado, where he majored in Communications. Today, he owns and operates Omaha Temporary Services, a staffing agency.

In March of 1981, Bruce and Mary-Beth Davidson, daughter of Betsy and Art Davidson, were married. In addition to Zach, they have two daughters, Emily and Anne (both athletes in their own right). Dr. Mary-Beth Muskin is Assistant Professor and Director of the Counselor Education Program at Creighton University.

Bruce says that he still plays basketball, "a little bit." He continues to run, play tennis and ride a bicycle. Zach and Bruce play tennis and sometimes "bike" together. However, he enjoys watching Zach play more than he likes to play himself.

Learning F r o m Each Other Zach says he continues to learn from his father.

"Dad taught me how to swing a bat, shoot a basket and to swim and golf," Zach said proudly. "He helps me with all of the games that I play. He has even taught me how to throw a football and play basketball in the front yard." Zach jokes that his father usually "beats" him, and Bruce responds, "That won't always be, so I'll take my victories while I can!"

"What is nice about sports is that it can be a lifetime thing," Bruce added. "It's a way to stay in shape, to have fun, and to participate with family and friends. It's a nice activity for the long run and we try our best. We don't always have to excel!"

He still plays golf with his father, Stuart, and, he says, "It's just a nice thing for a father and son to do. It's a good way for us to be together and it makes for good memories.

"These have been times I'll never forget, and I hope that one day Zach will feel the same way about the times we've shared!" Bruce added.

Philosophy of Life

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(Continued from page 28) •— ———• explained. "I try to create a comfortable environment for them." He likes the interaction that develops when he combines his clinical and social skills to help his patients. It is an opportunity to blend passion and compassion.

Yet, Hap was not always sure he wanted medicine. He attended Lincoln Southeast High School and was a standout golf star. He garnered a full golf scholarship to the University of Miami, where he played varsity golf for two years. However, in his junior year in college, he decided to pursue medicine and returned to Lincoln in 1988, graduating from UNL in 1990.

Following medical school at UNMC and a residency in anesthesiology, he returned to Omaha, where he has spent the last 20 months at St. Joe's hospital; On March 1, he switched over to Methodist Hospital.

A scratch golfer-he has no handicap-Hap maintains an average score between 72 and 75. Always challenged, he joined Ironwood, won their club championship, and was named "player of the year."

The interesting thing about golf, he says, is that every golfer is looking for the secret to being a successful golfer. All great golfers accept that there is no secret. That's the secret.

For good golfers on their best day, it is effortless.

It's a game you can't push mentally. And, it can be horribly frustrating. A little like life.

He likes being organized and well-prepared. This has helped him in golf and in life. Playing golf is extremely relaxing for him. That's one reason he enjoys the sport, it allows him time to organize his thoughts and his life. Golf also provides him oppor-

tunities to socialize with his dad, who is one of his favorite partners.

Reflecting on his many years of enjoyment of the this amazing game, he said, "You can play this sport from ages 5-95. It's always there; you can't outgrow it."

He considers Tiger Woods the top golfer today, not only because Woods can hit the ball straight and far. "He is a champion because of bis physical skills and also because of his mental toughness. He knows he's the best and he knows others think him the best. He knows himself and his limitations. He is always trying to push past the limitations.

Psychologically, other golfers may not allow themselves to succeed or keep moving forward.

Tiger Woods is always trying to-improve mentally, making himself move forward. Other guys hit it straighter or further, but Woods stays on top.

What advice would Pocras give to the Macabbi athletes?

"Well, golf is one of the greatest sports in which to get involved. It brings friendships that can last a lifetime. The challenges can help an individual grow." He also points out that "it's easier to learn the game as a child. Kids seem to have the right attitude and can laugh at themselves more easily.

They can accept failure better than adults." He would encourage every kid to learn the game. "It's something theyll have for the rest of their lives."

Dr. Pocras is married to the former Suzanne Joffe, whom he met during his last year of med school. They have been married five years. Despite a busy schedule, he still manages to play 50-75 rounds of golf a year.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 37

Fit for Life

by JOAN K. MARCUS

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At age 91, Abram Kukawka declines to ride ele- on the assembly line," he recalled. vators because he insists he "needs the exercise."

Beside the fact that he didn't know a word of As we walked up the steps from the JCC's Fitness English, Abe was tormented by the other workers.

Center, prior to this interview, it was difficult for "Every day when I came home, I told Hilde that I me, .at age 64, to keep up with him! couldn't go back," he said. "They were anti-Semitic, Kukawka was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1910. and the five of us newcomers were the only Jews."

Family owned since 1888 His life as a furrier was uncomplicated until 1940, Cries from the factory workers included statements when the Holocaust started. He escaped being in a like, "Why didn't Hitler kill you and why did you surconcentration camp by hiding in the ghetto. vive?" There wasn't anywhere he could go to complain "Every day, they brought in more and more peo- in those days, and he continued to go to work. "I Chickie; Larry & Deanna; Kevin, ple; it was like having more worked there for 25 years, and I Patty, Lilly, Simon & Gabriel; than 20 people living in one put up with it because it didn't room. There was no food—no David, Katherine, Molly, Laura & hurt me and I needed the nothing!" he recalled. "And, if money. I started working there Jdck; Jeff & Susie; Caryn, Alan, you walked on the street, you for 83c1 an hour!" he recalled. might never come back!"

Jeri Ann & Joie Beth; Lisa, Danny I [e retired in 1975.

Abe lost 50 out of 52 members Abe was at a loss for some& Jake; Terri, Bryan & Blake of his family during the Nazis thing. He had always been stranglehold on Europe. But, healthy, ambitious and active, because he was strong, young but he needed a hobby. After 1408HARNEY 342-2611 and ambitious, he volunteered much urging from his son-infor work and survived. law, he joined the newly-built "By going to work, I had JCC on 132nd St. At age 65, he more chances," he explained. "I tried to walk around the track ran away; it took me two four times and became too tired. weeks to walk to Parczew So, he made up his mind he where the Jewish underground would increase the number of was. It was about 20 kilome- At 91, Abe Kukawka still works out trips. He began walking 60 or ters and I could only walk at at the '«F. 70 times and then began to jog. night when nobody would see. Jews weren't "I lost some weight and began to feel better," he allowed to go on the train or the bus." said proudly.

Among the underground units in Nazi-occupied Hilde died in 1989 and Abe has been a widower areas, there were mobile units hidden deep in the since then. His daughter, Susie, is married to Dr. forests, roaming the area and engaging in such Ron Wolfson, Vice-president of the University of operations as attacking rear-guard German mili- Judaism in Los Angeles. Wolfson, son of Omahans tary units, blowing up railway lines and sabotaging Bernice and Alan Wolfson, does extensive lecturing telephone and telegraph wires. and writing about Jewish families. He and Susie These Jewish members of the underground have two children. fought their own war, under the most unfavorable Today, at age 91, Kukawka gets up at 5 a.m. each conditions. It was very dangerous; however, they morning to prepare for his trip to the JCC. www.bcbsne.com never gave up. In 1944, he joined the Polish"I eat everything-a lot of fruit, chicken and meat, Russian Army, and t h a t took him to Berlin, and I don't believe in diets," he added. T o u have to Germany. When he arrived there, he wanted to set your own restrictions. Once in a while I have a look for Jewish people-and girls. little drink-everything in moderation."

"A friend and I went to the synagogue on Friday Kukawka arrives at the health club every mornnight and there were a couple girls. We started dat- ing at 7 a.m. After coffee and the news, he walks ing and then the war was over. I married one of about four miles and then enjoys the steam room them-Hilde." In 1948, Hilde decided that the cou- and a whirlpool bath. He credits his long life to ple should go to America. keeping busy and exercising. He used to take part "By that time, we were doing fine and I didn't in senior marathons, but has finally given that up. want to leave, but she insisted and we signed up to He still walks briskly, but has quit jogging!

A not-for-profit mutual insurance company and an independmt Ihensaa of tha Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. come to the United States. Our daughter, Susie, . In 1992, Kukawka had to have a heart bypass was a year old when we received notice." operation, which included the replacement of the The Kukawka family was headed for Fort Worth, aortic valve. "I'm still here and I'm still alive!" he TX, when they arrived in the United States. stated emphatically. "I see what happens to a lot of "There were 1100 people on the ship, and we were people I know, but I'm still driving and living in my to wait in New Orleans until they could send us to own home." Even though he has arthritis and our new homes. One day, they told us we weren't sometimes has pain, he says that "what you did going to Fort Worth because we wouldn't like the yesterday-you have to do again today. climate." Instead, they were sent to Omaha "I go up on the roof and I clean my gutters; I drive "It didn't make any difference to us because we my car, and I do my own cooking. Most of my didn't know anything about Fort Worth or Omaha!" friends have passed away, but I can still do what I Kukawka laughed. In 1951, a social worker from want," he asserted. "I do all of my own yard work AMERICA'S #1 MOVER® the Jewish Federation met the Kukawka family at and shovel the snow. If I couldn't do all of these the railroad station. They were placed in an apart- things, I'd sell the house!" ment on 24th and Harney. The only money they Abe wears glasses to read but emphasizes that had was $100 given to them when they left Berlin. he takes them off when he's not reading. At age "We came to Omaha on Saturday and, the next 91, he doesn't think he^ would be alive if he didn't day, the social worker found a job for me at a exercise. "Even if you're walking with pain-you're Van Lines machine shop fabrication company. They made still walking!" Kukawka insisted. "You've got to do • More Customers Recommend gears and machine parts and I was going to work it because nobody is going to do it for you!"

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Page 38

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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by BERT LEWIS . ~ ~ ~ - ~ ^ ^

If you're a member of the congregation at Beth El U.C.L.A. for soccer, and the other was to Michigan Synagogue, you certainly know the name Emil State University for track and field. Leaving little Berkovits. Even if you aren't, you probably know or no doubt, it was a fact that here was a talented him anyway, since he's been a familiar figure in the athlete who could probably go on to make his name city for the past 20 years. However, whether you known in the world of sports, except for on thing. know him as the man Here is where the on the bimah, whose tale takes a differentire professional ca- . ent turn. The star reer has been in liturgiathlete, who could cal music, or not, it's have gone to college on the strength of likely there are some his ability in varithings about him you'd ous sports, turned never guess. his back on all of it.

For example, try to ,Up until that point picture him robed in in his story, he had white, tall holiday not mentioned the kipah on his head, fact that his father singing the moving was a cantor. This, melodies we all associhowever, was unate with shul. Now, doubtedly a great close your eyes and see influence on his if you can conjure up a decision.

(I will scene with the same take some editorial fellow (somewhat license here and younger of course), only comment that while this time with a basethe world of sports ball cap on his head and may have missed a the name of his team great figure, it proudly emblazoned would have been a across his uniform shame to deprive shirt. That's right, I any congregation of said baseball.

EmiPs beautiful The next scene to voice.) visualize is Emil Berkovits as a little boy So the scholarship offers were enrolled in his yeshiva Emil Berkovits declined, and the school, doing what was expected of him while longingly looking for some of young graduate turned, instead, to a career as a the outside interests other kids enjoyed. Such as cantor. In a nutshell, that's how the potential star sports, for instance, since this kid had more than a of baseball became, instead, a commanding figure passing interest in athletics of all kinds. He recalls on the bimah. his involvement in track and field events, and The cantor's first Omaha post was in the midspeaks of a schoolmate who was a swimmer, who sixties at Beth Israel Synagogue. He told me he shared his enthusiasm. was asked to organize some baseball teams, which "I went to my Rebbe and convinced him to allow he did among the fifth, sixth and seventh grade us to compete with public school teams," Berkovits boys. Modestly, he added that his kids tied for first recalled. "We were lucky enough to win some of the place in city standings competitions and, at age 13 or 14, began to feel like He played at the JCC and, I suspect, whenever heroes." the opportunity presented itself. Clearly, sports Listening to the story of his early experiences, it's had (and has) an important role in his life, and he fairly obvious this was a youngster who had both has fond memories to share, if asked. It's easy to some natural ability and a real desire to make hear the pride in his voice when he remembers sports a part of his life. During his high school being invited by the famous Branch Rickey to come years, he showed what he could do. to Brooklyn to play. Memories like that are not forAmong other things, soccer became important gotten by retired athletes! enough for him to eventually become captain of the When asked if he closely follows the game these team. In addition, he played some football, but as days, he said he doesn't. he tells about it, it was baseball to which he was "Baseball has changed so greatly since I played, I drawn. really don't have a lot of interest in it today," he At the tender age of 16, he began to look for a said. But he laughingly admitted his son still can't team which might take him on and, in fact, he believe he could turn his back on what might have found one close to home. This was an AA team been fame and fortune. which belonged to the AAA Montreal Royals, who So that's the story of the ballplayer who became a were a farm team of the then Brooklyn Dodgers. cantor, following a proud family tradition. At this Of course, he made it clear that he wouldn't play time in his career, his plan is to leave Omaha in on Friday or Saturday, and was accepted on those the not-too-distant future, and try to re-locate closterms. He played with this team for two years and er to family (and especially grandchildren) in the east. He also looks forward to spending more time noted, "I was a pro; I was paid $24 a game!"

He tells about being invited to Brooklyn to play, with his wife, Lily. and mentions that Sandy Koufax~yes, that Sandy Hearing his reasons for wanting to leave our city, Koufax, was a young member of the Dodgers at after 20 years here, I couldn't help but recall those that time. Berkovits described him as "awful. He are the same reasons all famous athletes give, hadn't yet developed into a real player!" when asked why they're leaving the game. The Another exciting offer for the high school senior first thing is invariably, "I want to spend more time was an invitation to come to spring training in with my family."

Florida. He laughs and says he and a buddy startWhen the time comes, Emil Berkovits' friends ed the trip, hitch-hiking. He remembered "getting and congregation will have to wish him well and as far as Baltimore, chickened out, and went back send him closer to his family. home." (This writer can only imagine the mixed And who knows? If they know Emil is back, the emotions that went into that decision).

Yankees might call to ask if he can still run. Or, By the time young Emil graduated from high they might not, but then again, more than one forschool, he was offered two scholarships: one was to mer sports celebrity has come out of retirement.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 39

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Jewish Press, Omaha, ME

March 22, 2002

Best Wishes for a Happy Passover

May Passover bring special joy to you and your family.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Balancing Athletics and Academics

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an emerging freshman at the Even as a little girl, Andrea University of Missouri-ColumFriedman loved to play combia, I knew a huge challenge petitive sports. The 22-yearawaited me. What I didn't old daughter of Amy and know is that balancing athletSandy Friedman went to ics and academics would mold Crestridge Elementary and me from a naive teenager into enjoyed playing basketball on a strong leader, compassionthe JCC All-star Team. ate teammate, and inquisitive "There was one other girl on student. I will always feel a the team and me." huge sense of pride looking She also enjoyed playing socback on my experience as a cer at the YMCA, and played member of the MU women's sports with the boys in her tennis team." neighborhood. She admits to She chose to attend Missouri being "just one of the guys" because of i t s journalism because she played just as well Andrea Friedman has been an award- school and because it is a "Big as the boys, and was taller! winning tennis player since she was Andrea began playing tennis 10. In 1992, she was just learning with 12" school. She is majoring in advertising in the school of when she was about 10 and her grandmother, Molline Cassman. journalism. In addition to her old enough to ride her bike to the Regency Lake and Tennis Club. One of her ten- athletic skills, Andrea was the 1998 recipient of the nis partners, Jim Simons, would meet her there Total Person Program's Scholar Athlete, with a and they would play five sets. They pretended they perfect 4.0 fall grade point average, and has been a were playing at Wimbledon! "He was a good player dean's list student every semester.

"My tennis team consisted of girls from the and we both loved to play, so we just played a milUnited States, Bulgaria, Russia, Serbia and the lion sets!"

Her grandmother, Molline Cassman, started Czech Republic. Some of us grew up with money and others had to send part of their scholarship coaching her.

"Grandma would go out with me and kind of give money home to help support their family," she me lessons," Andrea recalled. "She was always a explained. "We all had our strengths and weakgood tennis player and taught me to be good rather nesses, but the beauty of a team is that we weren't quickly. She said I needed to take lessons from a alone. I spent countless hours tutoring my internapro!" Andrea entered her first tennis tournament tional teammates in English, while they educated me on European politics and what it was like to at Dewey Park at age 10, and won.

"I played the number one player on the first grow up in a post-Communist country.

"There was no better feeling than helping my round and I won," she recalled. "I was little and I teammates accomplish their academic and athletic didn't know any better, so I just played."

After winning many tournaments, Amy and goals!"

Andrea recently arrived home from studying in Sandy realized that their daughter was serious about her career; Andrea was playing at a college London for a semester, where she had an internlevel by the time she got to Central High School. ship in marketing. "It was an amazing time for She had to give up her other sports to concentrate me," she said. "I traveled to 11 countries with some on tennis, but chose to attend Central because of of the people in my program," From her studies in England, she was able to get its academic reputation.

While in high school, Andrea played at the num- a sense of how the United States began. She toured ber one singles spot all four years. She was student the sites of former Jewish ghettos and the Anne "Athlete of the Year" during her sophomore, junior Frank House in Amsterdam.

"It just got me excited about learning more about and senior years, and was the state runner-up in Judaism," she admitted. "It gave me an opportunisingles during her senior year. ty to learn because I didn't have to play tennis."

She also ranked in the Missouri Valley Section's After graduation this May, Andrea has plans to top five and in the nation's top 120 players. In addition to all of this, Andrea graduated from high move to a bigger city in order to do marketing or advertising. "I'd like to do something like promotschool with a four-point grade average.

Throughout high school, Andrea played National ing athletes, or maybe I'd like to be an agent. My Junior Tennis, and was recruited by college coach- long-range plans possibly include a law degree."

Looking back on her tennis career, she said, es from Iowa State, Drake, Colorado State, Emory, Colgate, Perm State, and the University of "Tennis kept me focused and it helped me get better grades because it forced me to learn time manMissouri.

"Sore muscles day-in and day-out, 6 a.m. morning agement. At a very young age, I knew how to be practices, tears of defeat, the joy of success; being a organized because I had so much to do. So, when I collegiate athlete is my most significant accom- went to college it was easy, because I had been plishment of the past four years," she recalled. "As doing it since I was 10 years old!"

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 43

League

by REBECCA MUROW Jewish Press Student Intern

Brown University sophomore Matt Kutler was always involved with sports. He began playing t-ball when he was seven years old. He played basketball and baseball in high school but, Kutler admitted, "Baseball just really stood out with me. I loved it best, and I was best at it."

Kutler has certainly proven his tremendous athletic capabilities. During his freshman year in college, he broke the Brown University record by hitting four doubles in one game against Columbia University. He also tied the school's record for most hits in a game (five hits per game) three different times.

Such accomplishments can only come with much practice and perseverance. Kutler practices three to five hours a day during the baseball season.

Practices begin at 6 a.m. and last for three to three-and-ahalf hours. On some days, weightlifting is included in the schedule, which adds an addi- Brown University baseball coach Marek Drabinski presented tional hour to the practice. Matt Kutler with the school's Freshman 'Athlete of the Year' Game days normally last Award in May of 2001. around six hours. them and playing together," Kutler says about Kutler was motivated to continue playing and with his university baseball team. learning about baseball by his youth baseball Kutler chose to attend Brown University because coach, Chris Knust. of the combination of its reputation as a great acad"Coach Knust inspired me the most," Kutler said. emic institution and "He always pushed me one step further. That work to play as a freshman.the opportunity he was given ethic stayed with me throughout high school and "I would be able to contribute to the team,"Kutler college." said.

Kutler has received many honors as a baseball The son of Debi and David Kutler, Matt was an player, both in high school (he graduated from honor-roll student in high school, and also particiMillard North in 2000) and in college. He was sec- pated in Boys' State. ond team All-State in high school and a member of Kutler is a business and economics major at the the All-Metro First Team. competitive Ivy League school, located in Rhode As a college student, Kutler received the Joe Island. He has considered his own busiPaterno Award. This esteemed award recognizes ness and, possibly, attendingstarting graduate the best freshman male athlete at Brown. He was This summer he'll play in the Cape school.

Cod League also named an "honorable mention freshman Ail- with other collegiate baseball players just American" and an "honorable mention All-Ivy might be appearing in the College World who Series in Team" baseball player.

Omaha in June.

The Wareham Gateman team, a Kutler was a participant in the Maccabi Games team which won the league title last year, signed for two years. He played for the Omaha Maccabi him. basketball team when the games were in Kansas "My ultimate goal is to play professional," Kutler City and Charlotte. His team placed second both says.

"I realize only a small percentage make it to times and won silver medals. the major My main goal is to take baseball Kutler enjoys the competition in baseball. He as far as Ileague. can." likes spending time with his team. "It's fun being

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Page 44

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Sports Writer's Job is Fun, But It's Work

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN —

—

Mitch Sherman talks to University. of Nebraska football players just about every day, from August through January. He watches spring practice in March, and goes to every away game, including bowl games.

He gets to sit in one of the best seats in the stadium on game days. He's met former Coach Tom Osborne and current Coach Frank Solich.

On top of all those "perks," he gets paid to do it.

Sherman, son of Marc and Claudia Sherman, is a sports writer for the Omaha World-Herald. He's worked full-time for the state's largest newspaper since May, 1998. However, even while he was in college, Sherman worked on a free-lance basis for the World-Herald. He's covered five football seasons including three that ended in national championships.

"My primary beats are Nebraska football and baseball," he said. He also covers Olympic sports such as track and field and gymnastics, along with University Athletic Department business and administrative issues.

In the past, he has written about wrestling and events such as the Cornhusker State Games.

During football season, Sherman is "generally working on football stories every day." There's seldom a day off.

Sherman and the other World-Herald football beat reporter "always have to be available" during the season.

"There's no vacation time" at that time of the year, Sherman explained.

"Things can happen at strange hours any day of the week," he added. "And they usually do."

Usually, Sherman and the other reporter, Steve Pivovar, cover practices, where they get the majority of their interviews. "Most of our stories

are features that can be done in one day," Sherman said. "But usually every week, we do two or three enterprise (in-depth) stories which take more than a day" taking into consideration the planning, research and interviewing those stories require.

Most of the sports stories are a result of what "I have learned on the beat,"explained Sherman. He and Pivovar discuss what stories they'll cover each week. Only a small percentage of them are actually assigned.

Coach Solich has a press conference every Tuesday during football season.

Interviews are also given before football games and at other unscheduled times. During the majority of the baseball season, Sherman is the only World-Herald writer covering the sport on a daily basis. There are about 65 games per season, although he doesn't attend every road game.

Mitch and Shannon Sherman As a youngster growing up in Omaha, Sherman was always hopeful when he played on the JCC basket- mer of 1996. The next summer, he was an intern with The Washington of getting College World Series (CWS) ball team. tickets every spring. Last year, he At Burke High, Sherman was Times in the nation's capital. Shortly didn't have to worry about getting a sports editor of the school newspaper. after that, he started working with ticket as he wrote about the Huskers He had his first contact with the the World-Herald on a part-time all the way to their first game in the World-Herald-other than digesting basis.

In. a college newspaper environCWS. the sports section word by word - in Sherman, now 27, has been inter- high school when he was an Explorer ment, Sherman said "every little thing is a story." He attributed his ested in sports since he was old Scout with the newspaper. enough to swing a bat. He began After investigating several universi- experience on The Daily Nebraskan playing tee-ball when he was five and ties with highly-rated journalism as being a big factor in choosing his played every year, including two schools, Sherman chose to attend the career. Working there "is its own culyears at Burke High School from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. ture." His life revolved around his where he graduated in 1993.

Before he attended a single class in work and his friends there.

About the time he started playing Lincoln, he walked into the office of "I didn't decide until college" to be a baseball, he also began bouncing a The Daily Nebraskan and asked to sports writer. "When I was in college, basketball at the Jewish Community join the staff. He eventually became I was every bit as wrapped up in Center, where he played through his sports editor, a position he held for a reporting as much as a career high school years on the Blue Star year-and-a-half. He earned his reporter. It was a lot more than just a team and with AZA #1. In 1991, he Bachelor of Journalism in 1998. job. It was a huge part of my life. It participated in the regional Maccabi While still in college, he interned was everything."

Games hosted by Omaha in 1991 at the World-Herald during the sum(continued on next pate)

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 45

Sports Writer's Job (continued from previous page) — Sherman said he didn't plan to work at the World-Herald. "It just worked out well, because they needed another reporter and I had developed a lot of the contacts I still have while working at The Daily Nebraskan. I wouldn't have been qualified professionally to cover football at Nebraska without the time I spent on the DN.° In addition to working about 50 hours a week during football season, Sherman joins Omaha's KPAB radio call-in show once a week a few hours prior to kickoff. He is also a guest two or three times a year on NETVs Big Red Wrap Up, a weekly television call-in show. For "big games," he also gets calls from other stations around the country for his "take" on the upcoming game.

Through his work, Sherman has met a number of celebrities, including Tom Osborne. "He's very interesting," commented Sherman, who also described the former coach-turnedU.S.-Congressman as "a unique, larger-than-life figure." Sherman has also met Governor Mike Johanns, U. S. Senator Ben Nelson, former Governor and former Senator Bob Kerrey.

He has remained casual friends with a few of the football players he covered during their college days, including Grant Wistrom and Ahman Green.

One person with whom he became much more than casual friends is a freshman he hired when he was sports editor at The Daily Nebraskan.

The young woman, who was also a

as

•7

when "it's not an eight-to-five job." He might have a morning free,-but be working at 9 p.m. "It's very flexible."

Sitting in the press box is different, too. "At first it was strange," he admitted. "There's no cheering." But he's gotten used to it.

Going to a bowl game is not just a vacation. "It's work. The only thing that's like a vacation is the location and staying in a hotel." Out of the 11 days he was in California for the Rose Bowl in January, he spent four or five days just working in the hotel, going to press conferences, and practices.

It's a job, he said.

Sherman advises aspiring young sports writers to "be diverse. Have an open mind—especially about computers. Make sure he or she is capable in V,' .* other fields of journalism," because people don't get the amount of news that they used to from newspapers.

According to Sherman, newspapers have to be creative—their role is evolving all the time.

For now, he said he's happy working at the World-Herald although he'd like to keep his options open for opportunities that would further his career. Like a close game when a writer has "to fly by the seat of your Mitch Sherman was a bat boy for the Omaha Royals baseball team in pants" with only five minutes to 1992; he also played on the 1991 Omaha basketball team in the regiondecide how a story is going to go, al JCC Maccabi Games, hosted by the Omaha Jewish community. "some stories aren't denned until it's sports writer, became his bride about Lincoln where they are both close to over," acknowledged the young rea year ago. Today, Shannon Sherman the work that brought them together. porter.

Neither is a career. is an assistant sports information "My job is fun," confided Mitch.

I should know. I'm his mother and director with the UNL Athletic "But it's still work. The hours vary my job deals with deadlines, editors, Department. The couple live in day to day." There are many days and interviews, too.

•4 a*

Sincere Good Wishes To You

av^d staff of the Jewish Federation of om,aha wish IJOU loved o\A,ts> a joyous, Next yea r

HAPPY PASSOVER! MikeFahey

Page 46

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22,2002

Love of Sports Becomes Basis for Career in TV

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Mike Sigmond wishes he could go to Cooperstown, NY, this summer to witness the induction of Harry Kalas into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kalas, the "Voice of the Philadelphia Phillies," influenced Sigmond to pursue a career in sports broadcasting, as did the late Gene Hart, former "Voice of the Philadelphia Flyers."

In a recent interview, on a day off from the KETVChannel 7 sports department, Sigmond cited his favorite broadcasters among the factors that contributed to his own career in sports broadcasting.

"Before we moved to Omaha, my mother and stepfather and I lived in a Mike Sigmond began playing soccer when he was seven years old. suburb of Philadelphia. In 1983, when I was only six, year, he attended a j o u r n a l i s m camp at the the Phillies went to the World Series and I really University of Minnesota. One evening, while he became interested and involved in sports," he said. and a friend were in the bleachers at a Minnesota (It was an interest that predated his own forays into Twins baseball game, the two started faking playby-play.

Little League, soccer and street hockey.)

"Someone overheard us and alerted us to a play"I'd start watching a game on TV, and then my parents would send me to bed, but I'd secretly lis- by-play contest. We entered and we won." Their ten to the radio until the game ended. The next prize was the opportunity to do an inning of playmorning, my stepfather would come in to give me by-play on the radio. Sigmond brought Tiome- a the scores, not knowing I already knew," he added. tape of that inning. Everyone who heard it com"My grandfather was a big fan of radio sports, too. mented on his talent.

Several years later, another broadcasting activiHe and I enjoyed phone conversations about radio ty, coupled with another contest, had a greater broadcasts of the previous night."

Also at a young age, Sigmond developed a private impact on his future. This time, between his junior and senior year of college, he attended a summergame in which he pretended to do broadcasting.

"I'd go out into the backyard with a tennis ball, sportscaster camp in Los Angeles. The first few throw it against the garage door, and 'broadcast days coincided with the NBA summer games.

"We did play-by-play, and we were critiqued. I the game'." This routine became the precursor to just got up there and did it, and I received really his true love, play-by-play, which became his good feedback" from t h e instructors, Sigmond responsibility as sports director of the radio station recalled.

The real bonus was that each participant at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. had the opportunity to do a simulated TV sports "What I do for the most part now is sports reportbroadcast which was taped on video. ing," Sigmond explained. These recaps are quite Sigmond used that video to enter the "CNNdifferent from the excitement of play-by-play, which requires the ability "to grab the microphone Jockey Sport Shorts" contest, a nationwide competition for amateur broadcasters. He won first place and go," a talent that comes naturally to him.

"I never had a problem speaking off the top of my in the contest, and one of his prizes was the opporhead," he said. At Central High School, as a mem- tunity to go to Atlanta, tour CNN, and appear on ber of the Debate Team and the Speech Team, he CNN-SI. That experience, he said, opened the door displayed a gift for Improvisation. In his senior for a summer internship at CNN-SI the following year. year, he became a National Qualifier in Speech.

In addition, while a junior in college, he landed Throughout high school, Sigmond continued to have an interest in broadcasting, but he still an internship at a TV station in nearby Harristhought he would probably pursue law as his life's burg, PA. His two successful internships, he said, work. Then came an incident that seemed to reveal proved to him that a TV broadcast career was a realistic possibility. a talent he should not overlook.

(Continued on next page) In the summer between his junior and senior

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 47

Love of Sports (Continued from previous page) —Purposeful direction and deter- .- _ mination were the foundation v '•. for Sigmond's next career step. *,• He sent out 30 tapes to TV sta- M-r>- _ tions nationwide in an effort to " ' land a sports anchor position. 4 - .

He went all out, he said, in spite P -\" * of the fact he'd been warned \ * > repeatedly "no one gets an on- ' the-air job right out of college."

What a dilemma he faced, therefore, when he received an offer to be the weekend sports anchor at a TV station in Sherman, TX, only to learn the station could not wait more than a few weeks. To take the job, he would have to leave college before completing his senior year. It was an agonizing decision, but he chose (with some influence from his mother) not to forego his Bachelor of Arts in Government.

On April 1, an offer that would prove more important came his way. The ABC affiliate in Medford, OR, approached him with the position of weekend sports anchor-weekday sports In Little League at age nine, Sigmond showed promise as a reporter. This offer required pitcher. . that he forego graduation ceremonies, but not his degree. He packed up his car small town, and viewers stopped him in the grocery and headed across country, elated that his broad- store or the sandwich shop, just to chat.

He began to hear repeatedly what he considers casting career was "the highest compliment," as viewers describing really on its themselves to be non-sports fans told him they were watching sports news only because they way!

Sigmond enjoyed his presentations.

"To be acceptable to a sports fan~or a 'sports signed a two-y e ar junky'-you have to be knowledgeable, and I believe c o n t r a c t I am," he said "But it actually means more to me to and started be appreciated by viewers who are not sports fans."

Last July, when Sigmond learned about an opena satisfying ing at Channel 7, he sent a tape. He was excited to job. "As the receive an offer to join their team. regular "It's wonderful to be back in Omaha," he said. weekend He's glad to be close to his parents and brother sports again and pleased to be back in Husker territory. anchor, I He enjoys seeing old friends, eating in a variety of wrote my scripts the good restaurants, and attending services at Beth way I El. He looks forward to the possibility of covering Mike Sigmond w a n t e d the JCC Maccabi games this summer.

At the same time, he admits that he misses the the-conversational and incorporating humor. I was regular anchoring he'd come to enjoy so much in intent on being myself-friendly, natural, and enerhis former position. He still thinks about some day getic," he said. "I wanted to display my interest in, getting into play-by-play, perhaps for a professional and my enthusiasm for, sports."

It was of primary importance that viewers sports team, perhaps as an ESPN broadcaster.

Nor has he given up the dream of returning in should consider him "a welcome guest in their livthe future to Philadelphia and to the Phillies, the ing rooms." Sigmond's audience responded positiveFlyers, and the memories of voices from the past. ly to what he offered. He became a celebrity in the - •

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Five Endowment Funds Score for JCC Athletics

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator — - _ - » . • • — - .

There are endowment funds, administered by the Foundation of the Jewish Federation, for just about everything including sending needy Jewish children to camp; purchasing Russian books for the Kripke Library; providing scholarships for teenagers to attend BBYO conferences; cultural arts programs; equipment for handicapped Jewish seniors; college scholarships; sending high school students on trips to Israel; and the education and care of special needs children—to name just a few.

With endowment funds for just about everything, sports haven't been shut out either. Five of the Jewish Federation Foundation's endowment funds were specifically created to subsidize athletics— especially for young athletes..

Established in 1979 in memory of Johnny Rosenblatt, "one of Omaha's most popular mayors," the endowment fund named after him was set up to "support health and physical education programs including equipment for the disadvantaged and handicapped" as well as for others who use the Jewish Community Center's (JCC) athletic facilities.

Rosenblatt was born in Omaha in 1907 and served as mayor of the city from 1954 to 1961. His son, Steve, recalled that his father "loved all sports and played basketball for Omaha University." He got a baseball scholarship to the University of Iowa but never played there. Instead he stayed home to help support his family. Later, he played professional baseball for the Omaha Packers, predecessors of the Omaha Cardinals, who were later succeeded by the Omaha Royals who play in the stadium named, in 1963, after Rosenblatt.

Another sports enthusiast, Jack Saferstein, coached little league baseball and was highly involved in the Jewish Federation, according to his son, Mark. He was also president of Beth El Synagogue. The Jewish community was important to Saferstein, said his son, who added that his father liked helping kids.

When Saferstein died in 1979, his friends and business associates, Stuart Muskin and Yale Gotsdiner, started a fund in Saferstein's memory.

"Jack was a good friend of ours," said Muskin. "He was a fine man - hard working and honest."

Both the Rosenblatt and the Saferstein endowment funds were used to support the JCC's Blue Star high school basketball program in the past.

Today, both funds are used to help recognize

youngsters who have grown up at the JCC. There are awards for best sportsmen, most improved players, and Jewish athletes of the year at the respective high schools of seniors who have reached the varsity level in their sports.

Another endowment fund that was used in the past to help support the Blue Star basketball program at the JCC was established to honor the memory of Al dayman, who died in 1983. Clayman had a long-time relationship with the JCC, both at the downtown location on 20th St. and at the present site on 132nd St. For at least 10 years, he was a volunteer basketball coach for AZA #1 and for the Blue Stars. The JCC's former physical education Director Chuck Arnold described Clayman as a man who "showed his great love and special warmth by giving generously of himself through teaching sports and sportsmanship to our Jewish teenagers."

Today, the Clayman Memorial Fund is used to support JCC teams that compete in city and parochial leagues and play on select teams. All three funds, Rosenblatt, Saferstein, and Clayman, have provided financial support over the past two years in sending youngsters from Omaha to participate in Maccabi Games in other cities.

As a boy, Jay Parsow played basketball with his three brothers at home and at the JCC. As an adult, he sponsored teams in the JCC youth league and was also the basketball coordinator at Brownell Talbot School where his two sons are students. He had joined the JCC's Wednesday Men's League and was playing there in January last year when-he suffered a coronary attack, which took his life at the age of 46.

Margo Parsow, Jay's wife, decided to establish an endowment fund in memory of her husband, who was a physiatrist specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The fund provides scholarships based on financial need for JCC members under the age of 18 to participate in the basketball program sponsored by the JCC. It's a way to "give back to the community and to keep Jay's spirit and memory alive forever," Margo explained.

Jeff Aizenberg, Executive Director of the JCC, said the new Parsow Youth Basketball Scholarship Fund will help support "our basketball program, which is really growing. There are lots more kids participating each year."

(Continued on next page)

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Page 49

Five Endowment Funds Score (Continued from previous page) I Also established just last year, the Bettie and Stuart Muskin Jewish Community Youth Sports Fund is being used to support youth sports programs at the JCC -specifically for the basketball and swimming programs and, [ generally, for other athletic programs.

The Muskin Fund can also be ' , . ' "./ ?*':'' ••'"' used to help defray the cost of *'!« I ^'4 ' ' ~ -i*. sending a team from Omaha to ** '.."", ^ Q e Maccabi games held either in '- ! "j,; g"'; this country, in Israel, or other 'f \ j • " countries. In addition, this new *' • * •» ' _ fund can also be used for the >fc .*/ ! ' .' '"- ' August, 2002, Maccabi games i n r 1 ' Omaha. Aizenberg confirmed t h a t Ni the JCC is already using this % fund for the upcoming games 1 ,' here.

Stuart and Bettie Muskin have both spent most of their lives in the Omaha area. They went to school here; Stuart was co-owner The Muskin Fund also helps subsi- o f a l o c a l business, Youngtown, dize young people who w a n t to w h i c h h e b o u e h t a f t e r serving in attend the JCC Maccabi Games, and W o r l d W a r n J Bettie raised three s u p p o r t s youth b a s k e t b a l l and children, and led an active volunteer career swimming.

Now retired, they wanted to do

F u n d s from t h e J a y P a r s o w Endowment provide scholarships, based on financial need, for JCC members under the age of 18 to participate in the basketball program.

"something for Omaha" and eventually met with Marty Ricks, Executive Director of the Foundation of the Jewish Federation. One of three funds that the Muskins created last year, the Muskin JCC Youth Sports Fund will provide scholarships for JCC youth to play basketball, according to Bob Franzese, JCC Athletic Director. The endowment could also be used to buy new equipment, Franzese said.

"Bettie and Stuart's children and grandchildren have all been involved in sports," said Ricks. "The Muskin fund helps make it possible for other youngsters, whose .-families might not have the extra dollars it takes to get involved in sports, to play and compete in their favorite athletic activities at the 'J1."

"Four of these funds—Rosenblatt, Saferstein, Clayman, and Parsow— pay tribute to four men whose memories will always be alive in the spirit of competition and good sportsmanship that are being developed in our young athletes at the JCC," Ricks said, adding that "the Muskin fund promotes these same values in loving tribute to their family."

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Regional Maccabi to International Maccabiah

by REBECCA MUROW, Jewish Press Student Intern

Ben Jacobson's most recent Maccabi Games expe- tacts going to Israel. It was a great experience. I rience was one of great magnitude. It was not the loved it.

The basketball part was great," Jacobson added. average Maccabi experience where various cities "Five professional players were on my send delegations to a „ ; team. I came off the bench, played my selected United States s< role, and good things happened." city to participate in \ These "good things" Jacobson resporting events. Inferred to include his title of "leading stead, Jacobson travscorer and rebounder" on the team. The eled to Israel to particiUSA team also won the gold medal, as pate as a member of the its undefeated record was 8-0.

USA Maccabi Men's "I truly I made friendships that will Basketball Team in the last a lifetime," Jacobson said. He consummer of 2001. tinues to be in contact with friends "I learned so much from the U.S, some of whom are here about Israel, culturally and some who now play professional and religiously, and I basketball in Israel. One of his closest met so many Israelis friends, Matt Minhoff, plays basketball and Jews from for Yale and they e-mail back and forth Australia, Canada and about their experiences playing college Hungary," he said of basketball. They are currently planlast summer's ning to do an internship for the N. I. T. Maccabiah Games. i (National Invitational Tournament), a Jacobson was one of pre-season tournament for college basfour athletes selected ketball teams. from a pool of 80 bas"The Maccabiah Games influenced ketball players to join me a lot, because I got to play for NBA the team. coach Herb Brown. Knowing I could "Overall, it was the play on that level, and now playing in best experience I've college, have brought me confidence ever had in my life," and maturity.

Jacobson said. "It was Jacobson currently plays basketball great meeting new peofor Lamar University in Texas. He's ple from different counBen Jacobson averaging seven points per game and tries. I made good wearing his Gold Medal. five rebounds. friends and good con-

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"I started in the first game this season against Rice University," Jacobson said of his college basketball schedule. "The next day in practice, I broke my hand."

Jacobson was out for a month and a half. His first six weeks back, he had a brace on his hand. But, Jacobson has clearly recovered from his injury, as he has averaged 15 points in his past few games.

"I just wish I wouldn't have broken my hand!"

Jacobson regrets. Despite his drawback, Jacobson adds, "I kept my head up."

The son of Omahans Nancy and David Jacobson, Ben could be said to have followed in his father's footsteps. The elder Jacobson also played basketball at Central, but admits his son long since surpassed him. Of course, there's always a chance his younger brother, Justin, another up-and-coming Jacobson athlete, will beat them both! (Justin will play on the JCC's basketball team in the summer Maccabi Games, Aug. 4-9 in Omaha.)

Ben actually played on the Omaha Maccabi team the summer before his sophomore year at Central High School, when Kansas City hosted the Games.

"It was a regional deal—teams mostly from the Midwest," Jacobson recalled. "I know my brother, Justin, will enjoy the Omaha games as much as I did when I played in Kansas City."

Jacobson offers the following advice to athletes in this summer's games: "Enjoy the experience. It's really just a wonderful time. Go about it with a good outlook-it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

And for the basketball players, Jacobson offers his motto that his parents taught him, "Hold on to your dreams and work hard. As long as you work hard, good things will happen."

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Page 51

Dancing Shoes

by REBECCA MUROW, Jewish Press Student Intern

I t was really fun," Cooper said. "I stayed with a "Sometimes we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the open one standing right in friend from camp, and there were people from all over who danced." front of us."

Cooper received a silver medal in ballet and a That's one of Jennifer Cooper's favorite quotations because it serves as a guide to her approach bronze medal in jazz. This summer, Cooper will assist with the dance program, as she is too old to on dancing.

"I get frustrated sometimes when I fail to do compete in the games.

"It's not something I about winwant to do," ning or losCooper admiting," Cooper, ted. "But there advises this are other opporyear's particitunities. I have pants. "It's other strengths. about having I have a positive fun and getoutlook on ting to experithings, and I ence competihave to be confition with dent in myself." other people, Cooper has because there been dancing are not a lot since she was of times when four years old. you get to "Before I was meet and able to dance, compete with my mom would people from buy me a leotard .» «-.

T other states. and a tutu," Jennifer Cooper Cooper said. "I'd dance around the house!"

"Just give it your all!

She's not just a dancer, though. An honor-roll Cooper now dances more than 16 hours per week.

Six of those hours are spent at the Jewish student at Millard North, Cooper is also involved Community Center's dance department in ballet, with Ediar BBG (one of the girls' chapters of B'nai Pointe and jazz classes. She also takes classes in B'rith Youth Organization) and was Sweetheart of jazz and lyrical (a ballet/jazz combination) at AZA #1 last year.

Jen looks to her parents, Harvey and Rose Nebraska Dance and is a member of the Millard North High School Dance Team. Cooper's school Cooper, as role models. She also credits her dance dance team practices two hours a day, five days a teacher at the 'JP, Wendy Larson-Cooper (no relation). week.

"She's just amazing at everything she "We work on technique and bond as a squad," does,"Cooper praises. "She works hard, has Cooper said about her team. "We grow as we patience with everyone, and a passion for dancing." improve our skills."

As for, Cooper's future plans, she wants to continThe Millard North Dance team competes in many ue dancing in college, but not as a major. competitions throughout the year. Among these is "I just want to keep pursuing it—whether it's the prestigious National Competition. Cooper being on a dance team or dancing at a studio," recently returned from her third trip to this compeCooper insists. tition in Orlando, FL. The team placed third in the She has even expressed an interest in opening a pom competition and fifth in jazz. Overall, the dance studio someday. squad was ranked fifth out of 135 teams.

"Ever since I was little and saw ballerinas dancOther performances in which Cooper has participated include two years with the Nutcracker, ing across the floor, I always knew that's what I Omaha Modern Dance Company performances and wanted, to be," Cooper says with enthusiasm. various dance recitals by the JCC's dance depart- "Dance has always intrigued me. When I get out on the dance floor, I just put my whole heart into it. ment.

Cooper also performed individual dance routines It's just something I love and something I love doing!" for the Maccabi Games in 2000 in Tuscon.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Champion

by BERT LEWIS

thing else in the little leagues at the J and at the Y. He played ball in the Suburban Baseball League and was a member of the travel team for a few years.

According to Ms parents, he was reading the sports pages of the newspaper at a very young age, deeply interested in descriptions of various games, even though he could only read about them. It didn't seem to make much difference that he couldn't play in them or, for that matter, even watch them while play was in progress.

By the time he was in high school, it was clear that baseball was his first love. He made the varsity team as a sophomore and was a starter throughout his high school and summer Legion baseball career. During that time, Burke's team made it to the state championship tournament, where he played well • enough to distinguish himself in newspaper accounts of the games. During his senior year that he wouldn't he was a captain on the team. watch, regardless of With this impressive backwhat was being ground, it's interesting to note played. Of course, that Ryan's interest has Ryan Malashock that kind of youngturned to sports writing.

Since throughout his young life he has played, ster was the ideal candidate for involvement with coached, and umpired his beloved baseball, he now "Uncle Chuck" and all the sports available at the enjoys writing about it.

In fact, this appears to be JCC. the goal for which he is seriously aiming. This is He played soccer, basketball, baseball and anyIn these pages, filled with words and stories about young people and their deep intere s t in and love of everything athletic, -• . it's only right that we „•',' include a story about Ryan Malashock. If you don't know Ryan, then you won't understand that statement.

Therefore, for the benefit of anyone who has never met him, or who doesn't know his p a r e n t s , Jody a n d Neal (a.k.a.Buzz), allow me to introduce you.

Ryan, who at the present time is in bis junior year at t h e University of Kansas, is the kid who was playing TeeBall a t age five. From t h a t tender age, his interest was always on sports. His dad says there was never a game on television

not to say he's given up playing!

As a college student, life at KU. has allowed him to maintain a connection with sports through his fraternity. He plays most intramural sports, and plays gold whenever he has the opportunity.

Nonetheless, writing about sports is beginning to look a lot like a future career. He became involved with the newspaper, The Kansan, from his first week on campus and, eventually, began covering the-intramural sports beat, followed by me and wqmen's cross-country, and then baseball and, finally, basketball.

He has progressed to writing columns, as well as articles for the Topeka Capitol Journal, and will be their KU sports correspondent during his senior year. The entire Malashock family is thrilled that he has been accepted for a summer sports writing internship at the Buffalo (NY) News this year.

Ryan's parents feel his involvement and commitment to sports has helped him to develop leadership skills, as well as to understand the concept of team goal setting and accomplishment.

Following his activities as he grew up, it seems reasonable to conclude that a healthy interest in sports, whether the participant is of champion caliber or just a regular kid who loves to play the game, can only be good.

Here is a young man who will soon be a self-sustaining adult and, at this point, it appears he'll be well able to carve out a career for himself. Some of the credit for that must surely go to all the time spent in an atmosphere which stressed keeping fit and playing the best game possible. Sounds like pretty good preparation for whatever a person decides to do, doesn't it?

Of course, it's not possible to look too far into the future or to make predictions, but still, maybe in a few years, those of us who regularly read the sports pages might begin finding columns with a familiar by-line...."by Ryan Malashock". Look for them.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 53

Vasswer CJreetfrujs and "Best Wishes r _

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by BERT LEWIS

When I do this column, for a special holiday edition, such as this one, I always try to incorporate the theme of the issue. This time, when I first began working on the interviews of the people who would make the Macabbi Games a reality, I wondered how I'd ever connect the Games to anything I had to say. The fact that I've never been known to have any athletic talents had nothing to do with it; I just couldn't imagine how I, personally, could relate to the entire concept.

Turns out, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I imagined. Actually, when I began to speak to people who were going to provide me with material for my stories, I realized it was going to be a cinch to connect it all to this column. Why? For the simple reason that I had known so.me of them since they were little kids, running in and out of my house. This is absolutely true, I promise.

My four kids, when they were very young, each had their own buddies, who were brought home from time to time. They were among the youngsters who might sit around the kitchen table with an after-school snack, or who might be in a bedroom with the door closed against intruders, giggling and re-running the events of the day. Or they might have belonged to a Scout troop (either gender) which I led briefly, and which, consequently, met in our basement rec room.

They were the kids who were part of car pools to and from Sunday School or Hebrew School, to Little League games, to the Mall, to wherever they

needed or wanted to go, before they were old This Macabbi Games event is happening because enough to drive. They were also the kids who were some of the hardest-working, dedicated, communiwaiting to be picked up at Central, when a sudden ty-minded young people are making it happen. blizzard caused school to be dismissed early, fol- They're running the entire show, and doing it as lowed by a phone call asking "could you please though it's a piece of cake! come get us?"

They will be remembered always, as the first to Some of these youngsters were at our dinner manage such a tremendous undertaking. They're table from time to time, often entertaining their the ones I called on for information, and they're the hosts with tales about events at their house which, ones who responded promptly. They're the ones had their parents heard, could have" caused them who gave me facts and figures, ideas, background and anything else I asked for. no little embarrassment.

In other words, what I'm talking about is little I never stopped kvelling about what terrific kids who were friends of our kids, who hung young people they've grown up to be. In fact, if I'm around our house and who, as a result, I knew very not careful, I'll forget the mischief and the funny well. Okay. Back to the present time, when I was stories and the bittersweet events that were part of starting to look for people who were in charge of their childhoods, along with my own kids. I'll forget the extravaganza known as the Macabbi Games the irate phone calls from neighbors who made accusations better left untold.

2002, in Omaha.

Would you believe some of those movers and . One thing I'll never forget, I know, is what a pleashakers turned out to be the grown-up version sure it is to be able to work with them on someof those children who hung out with ours, thing as significant as the stories about the Games. back when they were students in Western I feel so fortunate to have been there for some of Hills and Lewis and Clark? Here's something their earliest experiences, and now to be sharing else hard to explain...the pure pleasure I got yet another experience. Wow. (to say nothing of the kvell factor), watching Well, guys, you know who you are. I'm so proud of these young people in action today, doing you, I can hardly stand it. You turned out to be fabwonderful community-related projects. I've ulous adults, but watch yourselves. I still rememhad the pleasure of working with a couple of ber some of that stuff from your early careers that them in the past, which couldn't have given would make those horror movies look tame. me a greater kick if they'd been my own, but I'm not t h r e a t e n i n g or anything, but I somehow this is different. remember!

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Page 54

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the closing of the Jewish Press office on the first two and last two days of-Passover (Thursday-Friday, March 28-29, and WednesdayThursday, April 3-4), early deadlines are at noon for all ads, photos and articles: Issue Deadline April 5 Monday, March 25 April 12 Tuesday, April 2 Questions? Call the Press office, 334-6448.

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Do Young Jewish Athletes Compete with More than the Other Team?

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator—————— 3 „ Tve seen parents celebrate when their children's teams win a game," said Elyce Azriel, Director of Temple Israel's Middle and High School. "I've also seen parents applaud their children for actively participating in mitzvot.

"Parents want success for their kids on the court as much as they want it in the classroom - even the religious school classroom!" Azriel pointed out.

"The key is to find the right blend. Admittedly, it's a challenge."

With so many tugs on children's time from sports to music, from extra-curricular clubs and events at school, volunteering, part-time jobs, and religious school-not to mention homework and family timekids can be stressed beyond their snapping points.

Azriel realizes that some parents believe that socializing with other Jewish children on the court and on the field gives them a sense of their Jewish identity.

She cautions them to remember that "sports for kids should also be about enjoyment."

Monica Stoney regularly practices ice skatDavid Belmont, a 12-year-old who attends Peter ing and competes, but manages to find time Kiewit Middle School, is a seventh grader a t for religious school.

Temple Israel. He played basketball at the Jewish Community Center from the time he was six. He twice a week this year. From December to March, no longer plays basketball, but has been playing she plays basketball twice a week.

Despite her involvement in these sports, Jackie, football since he was nine and baseball since he a seventh grader, also sports a good attendance was four.

David has been going to religious school a t record at religious school and is studying for her Temple since he was in pre-kindergarten classes, Bat Mitzvah, which will be in May. She has missed and has had good attendance. He knows it's impor- some practices, because her parents insisted that tant to attend religious school especially since he she go to religious school. And although she sometimes felt that she was at a disadvantage, Jackie just celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in February.

He admits that on some days there are conflicts thinks her parents' rule is fair. Despite the perbetween going to religious school and playing in a ceived disadvantage, she and her partner won a game. He's willing to skip practices but tries to gold and a silver medal in the Special Olympics.

From the time she was seven years old, Monica make it to all his games. If he misses a class at Stoney has been competing in figure skating. She Temple, he makes up the work. has now progressed to intermediate, one of about "This year has been easier," he said, "because 20 levels.

There are only three levels that are more religious school is on Wednesday and there are no difficult than intermediate. Monica, who is now 12, sports on Wednesday." and attends Westside Middle School, competes in Jackie Neesman is 12 years old and a student at Westside Middle School. For three years, she has regionals against 15 or 16 other skaters from five been a Special Olympics unified partner with an or six states..

A seventh grader at Temple who just celebrated athlete that has disabilities. Jackie practices bocce two days a week with her partner during the sea- her Bat Mitzvah six weeks ago, Monica said, "I've son from late June to the beginning of September, pretty much gotten used to" juggling my schedule. which avoids most of the conflict with school atten- "I figure out ways to get it all done—school, homedance. There are three competitions at the end of work, skating, and Temple."

Her attendance at religious school is good. She the practice season. From mid-September to midDecember, however, she goes bowling with her spe- doesn't miss class often and "not ever on a cial partner twice a week to prepare for three com- Wednesday. It's important to learn more about my Jewish heritage and the Hebrew language," she petitions.

Jackie also played soccer until she broke her added.

(Continued on page 55) ankle when she was 10. She's back on the field

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Kids, Sports and Religious School (Continued from page 54) — —-— — • "Good attendance is imperative," emphasized Betsy Baker, whose son, Matthew Heyman, 11, is a sixth grader at Temple and is in the last year of Bar Mitzvah preparation. When Matthew, who has been involved in Tae Kwon Do since he was five, was in fifth grade, he attended make-up sessions at Temple on Wednesdays, although the rest of his class went on Thursdays. He also went to religious school on Sundays with everyone else.

"He didn't get behind," said Baker.

In September of last year, Matthew earned his Black Belt. In April, when he turns 12, he will be able to go to Tae Kwon Do on a night other than Thursday which happens to be when his Hebrew class meets. When possible, he goes to Tae Kwon Do after Hebrew or on another night, although with younger children.

Thursdays can be a long day, acknowledged Matthew, when he has gone to Tae Kwon Do right after religious school. A Black Belt is considered the highest rank, but' there are nine degrees of Black Belts. Matthew has to wait until he's 16 before he can test for the second degree of Black Belt.

Planning to continue attending religious school through 12th grade, Matthew said it will be easier when his class meets on Wednesdays at Temple.

"The conflicts of scheduling get complicated," admitted Baker, whose daughter participates in Brownies, swimming and dancing. "But religious school is more important," she said. There have been times when Baker just said "no" to her children's other activities and told them, "You have to go to religious school."

Azriel recalled seeing Baker share a picnic dinner with her children on Temple's lawn before going to Tae Kwon Do rather than take them out of Hebrew class early.

"Sports and friends are the primary focus of teen needs and interests when they're not in school," Azriel said. "We are faced with a formidable challenge-capturing the attention of the teens in the same spirit as their coaches would. It may not be as glamorous to the kids, but what we have to offer is an extension of what should be emphasized at home. We' nurture the values that one should live by."

From the Passover Kitchen

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 55

May you find happiness and-—fulfillment in this joyous Passover Celebration!

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by JEWISH PRESS News Service — — — — — - — — Balancing studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City and a life as an awardwinning certified pastry chef, Dvorah Buhr has created the following dessert recipes for Passover.

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE TART 11/2 cups matza flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 stick of margarine, melted 1 tbsp. cinnamon For the filling: 12 oz. pareve dark chocolate chips 1/2 cup non-dairy creamer 1/2 stick margarine 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup coarsely chopped cashews Combine matza flour, sugar, margarine and cinnamon and press into tart or pie pan. set aside. In a saucepan, bring non-dairy creamer to a boil.

Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, cinnamon and margarine; stir until smooth. Pour into prepared crust. Top with cashews.

Whip 2 cups liquid non-dairy topping or prepared whipped topping and cover tart. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 8-12.

FUDGEY FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE For the cake: 8 tbsp. butter or margarine 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, melted 6 large eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup cream or non-dairy creamer For the ganache: 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 1/4 cup cream or non-dairy creamer.

Melt chocolate and butter or margarine in a double boiler. Whisk in cream (or non-dairy creamer), sugar and then, the eggs. Pour into a greased 9" springform or high-sided cake pan.

Bake at 350" in the center of the oven with a pan of water set on the rack below. Cake is set when wide of pan is tapped and a cake tester comes out clean with a few wet crumbs attached...wet, but not liquidy!

Remove carefully from the oven and cool, then invert. While the cake is cooling, in a double boiler, melt chocolate for ganache. Once the chocolate has melted, whisk in cream and pour over cooled cake.

FRUIT CRISP 8 apples sliced or cubed 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup matza flour or potato starch 2 thsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 stick margarine, melted For the topping: 6-8 matzas ll/2 cups sugar 2 tbsp. cinnamon 1 stick margarine, melted Toss the apples with the sugar, spices, matza flour or potato starch and place in 9x13" baking pan.

Drizzle melted margarine over fruit and set aside.

Toss topping ingredients together and spread evenly over apple filling.

Bake at 350° until golden brown on top and bubbling, approximately 40 minutes. Serve warm or hot with whipped topping, if desired.

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Page 56 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Candleiighting Friday, March 22 6:20p.m.

Wednesday, March 27 6:26 p.mi Thursday, March 28 not earlier than 7:28 p.mj

j55$653^^ FRIDAY: Shabbat evening service, 8 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Seholar-in-residence Prof. Arnold Eisen will speak on "Taking Hold of Torah: Jewish Community and Commitment in America Today." The Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9 a.m. in the Milder Center, "Living with Leviticus: The Challenge of Ritual" with Prof. Arnie Eisen; Services in the Sanctuary, 10:30 a.m. Trevor Abraham Tully, son of Cinda and David Tully, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SITTER SERVICE Available for Shabbat evening, 8 p.m. service, Saturday mornings when there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as well as Sunday mornings, when there is Religious: School. Make a reservation with the Temple office. No facilities for infants. Cost is $2 per family.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, March 26, 7-8:30 p.m.: "The Still Small Voice: Wrestling with the Meaning of the Divine in Judaism" with John Dacey.

PASSOVER Thursday, March 28: Matza and Sacred Books, 9:30 a.m.; Morning service, 10:30 a.m.; Congregational Seder, 6 p.m.

CONCLUSION OF PASSOVER WEDNESDAY, April 3: Morning Service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.

^ | ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ |

Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser.

FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m.-noon TUESDAY, March 26: Introduction to Judaism, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, March 28: Community Second Seder, 6:30 p.m. Cost is $8 for members; $4 for children under 6; $10 for non-members and $5 for children over six. Reservations required.

FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m., followed by Oneg Shabbat. The discussion topic is "Spinoza-Did He Have Everything Right?"

Friday, March 29: Services will include an abbreviated seder, 7:30 p.m., followed by a Passover dessert Oneg Shabbat.

Office hours: Monday through Thursday, Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.- 5 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Services are conducted Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner.

by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:25 p.m.,' West FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat IArvit I'shabbat, 6 pan.

Minyan at the home of Howard Gendelman and SATURDAY: P'sukei D'Zimrah, followed by Bonnie Bloch, 6:25 p.m.

Shabbat Shacharit, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored SATURDAY: Shacharit, 8:45 a.m. free babysit- by Beth El; Humash Class with Rabbi Drazen, 6 ting from 10 a.m. through the conclusion of ser- p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 6:30 vices; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddush p.m., in the Chapel. sponsored by Toba Cohen-Dunning and Eric SUNDAY: Rabbi Drazen leads us in the study of Dunning in honor of the birth of their daughter; the Book of Numbers, 10:15 a.m.

Mincha, 1 p.m.; Havdallah, 7:21 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, March 27: Siyyum B'khorim, SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha IMa'ariv, 6:30 a.m.; Shaharit, 6:55 a.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv, 6 6:30 p.m. p.m.

MONDAY, March 25: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; THURSDAY, March 28: Shaharit, 9-.30 am.; MinhaMincha I Ma'ariv, 6:30 p.m.

Ma'ariv,6pJXLtCommuniiySecondSeder,7pjn* TUESDAY, March 26. Shacharit, 7 a.m.; FRIDAY, March 29: Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha I Ma'ariv, 6:30 p.m. Search for chametz no Minha-Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. earlier than 7:25 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 30: Shaharit, 9:30 aan.; WEDNESDAY, March 27: Fast of the First born Mincha-Ma'ariv, 6:35 pan. begins at 5:03 a.m.; Shacharit, followed by Siyum SUNDAY, March 31: Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; B'chorim, 7 a.m. Chametz may not be eaten after Minha-Ma'ariv, 5:30 p.m.

10 a.m. and burned no later than 11:14 ajn. Ereu MONDAY, April 1: Shaharit, 6:45 a.m.; MinhaTavshilin made prior to 6:26 p.m. candlelighting. Ma'ariv, 5:30 pan.

Mincha I Ma'ariv, 6:35 p.m.; earliest time to start TUESDAY, April 2: Shaharit, 6:45 a.m.; seder, 7:18 p.m.

Minha-Ma'ariv, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, March 28: SJiacharit, 9:30 a.m. (The Wednesday, April 3: Shaharit, 9:30 a.m.; Shema must be recited by 9:20 aan.); Mincha, 6:30 Minha-Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. p.m. Earliest time to start second seder, 7:28 pan.

THURSDAY, April 4~eighth day: Shaharit FRIDAY, March 29: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. (The (Yizkor is said), 9:30 a.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv, 7 p.m.; Shema must be recited by 9:20 a.m.); Kaballat Passover ends no earlier than 7:15 p.ni.

Shabbat, 6:30 p.m. The West Minyan is at the CAFE L'CHAIM home of Leon and Dani Shrago, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 7, 7 p.m. Gala Cabaret evening SATURDAY, March 30: SJiacharit, 8:45 a.m.; free with Cantors Herschel and Judy Pox. babysitting from 10 a.m. through the conclusion of lliiiiillBiiii services; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m., followed by a special Pesach kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 6:25p.m.; Havdallah, 7:29 p.m. ^^^^^P^^pi^^^fi^ SUNDAY, March 31: Shacharit, 8:45 a.m.; Mincha, 6:35 pan.

Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. MONDAY, April 1: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, Rosenbaum.

Minyan on Monday & Thursday, 6:35 p.m.

7:15 a.m.

TUESDAY, April 2: Candlelighting, 6:32 pan.; FRIDAY, Services, 8 p.m.

Mincha, 6:35 p.m.

SATURDAY, Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; WEDNESDAY, April 3: Shacharit, 8:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma'ariv, 7:45 p.m.

Mincha, 6:35 p.m.; candlelighting no earlier than WEDNESDAY, March 27: Shacharit, followed 7:35 p.m. by Siyum B'chorim, 7:15 a.m.; Mincha/Ma'ariv, 6 THURSDAY, April 4: Final Day of Pesach, p.m.

Shacharit, 8:45 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; Mincha, THURSDAY, March 28: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.

6:40 p.m. Havdalah, 7:35 p.m. Chametz should Mincha/Ma'ariv, 6 p.m. not be used before 8:40 p.m.

FRIDAY, March 29: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha I Kabbalat Shabbat I Ma'ariv, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, April 2: Mincha I Ma'ariv, 7:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, April 3: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha I Ma'ariv, 7:45 pan. • FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, April 4: Shacharit (including Yizkor), 9:15 a.m.; Pesach ends approximately 9 pan.

An Affiliate of the Woddwie GhabadrLuba\itch Moyement

K::1866;:Sd.:120th^St./Om^^ Phone: 330,1800 E-M4Jt--chabad@a0l.com WEBSITE: www.chabadcenters^com/bmaha

Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. v5 i Ah Affiliate of the SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. : Jewish Keeonsti'uetionist Federation MONDAY, March 25: Services, 7 a.m.; Prophets S012S: 119th Sti, P;O. Box 241130 : : :v Lunch Series, 11;45 a.m.p.m. lmaka,;NE,68124-5l30^. v,:- o ^ ^ 758-9233 : TUESDAY, March 26: Services, 7 a.m.; My ;:'i:-^ ? Http://jvelcome.to/beytshalom/ , ::,t-; Prayer, 9:30-11 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services in the home.

WEDNESDAY, March 27 (Erev Pesach): SUNDAY: Religious School, 9:4§ a.m. at the Services, 7 a.m.; JCC. THURSDAY, March 28 through Saturday, TUESDAY, March 26: No Hebrew Schbolv,.To. March 30: Services, 9:30 a.m. volunteerforset-up of Passover Community Seder,' , SUNDAY, March 31: Services, 8:30 a.m. please call 758-9233 or 932-6931.

MONDAY, April I/TUESDAY, April 2: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27: Community seder, Services, i"Smat,t 5:30 p.m. Please bring a potluck vegetarian dinner WEDNESDAY, A»jrjJ 3: Services, 9:30 a.m. food item. Share the seder with us and learn more THURSDAY, April"is Services, 9:30 a.m.; about our Jewish Reconstructionist community.

Mincha, 6 p.m., followed by "BigMoshiach Meal.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Steve Riekes and Don Novicoff.

WEDNESDAY, March 27: First seder, 6 pan., led by Andrew Greenberg.

THURSDAY, March 28: Services, 9 a.m., led

by Rabbi Maximo Shechet; second seder, 6 p.m., led by Dr. David and Phyllis Hoffman.

FREDAY, March 29: Services, 9 a.m., led by Rabbi Shechet.

SATURDAY, March 30: Services, 9 a.m., led by Andrew Greenberg.

WEDNESDAY, April 3: Services, 9 a.m., led by Phyllis Hoffman.

THURSDAY, April 4: Services, including Yizkor, 9 a.m., led by Rabbi Shechet.

Both seders will be held in the JCC Auditorium; services are held in the RBJH Herbert Goldsten Chapel.

March 22, 2002

by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

.

It's only March, but, so far, Lisa Shkolnick, Director of the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games, already has 12 coaches lined up out of the 14 needed for the Games Aug. 4-9. Shkolnick, who's also Assistant Director for the Jewish Community Center, is "pleased with the caliber" of the men and women attached to the Omaha delegation. As of press time, close to 100 teens from the Greater Omaha area (including one from Des Moines and one from Sioux City) are registered for the Games.

The list of coaches includes: Rick Armstrong, tennis; J.D. Burks, baseball; Devon Caines and Jarry Pettersen, table tennis; Pete Godwin, golf; Don Holstein, soccer; Jason Jackson, girls' basketball; Josh Meyer, boys' basketball; Carol and Ira Nathan, bowling; Jackie Pfitzer, dance; and Matt Sutton, swimming.

Pete Godwin (featured in the second section of this Passover issue) has been a competitive golfer and administrator for tournaments.

"Both my sons have participated in golf, basketball, soccer, swimming, karate and tennis," Godwin said. He's coached one of his son's recreational basketball teams for three years.

Last year, JCC dance teacher Jackie Pfitzer coached Jen Cooper, then a sophomore at Burke High School and long-time dancer at the JCC. Cooper won a gold medal at the

Sarasota Games.

"I work w i t h m a n y students at the J C C , teaching different dance styles, Jackie Pfitzer and consider them my kids," Pfitzer said, adding that her biggest thrill is seeing them "grow, not only in dance, but self-confidence."

The JCC's full-time basketball coach, Bob Pranzese, contacted J.D. Burks, a 30-year veteran, to be the baseball coach for the Omaha delegation .

Burks h a s coached J.D. Burks ev er ything from Little League to college baseball, serving as assistant coach at Kearney State College (now UNK) and then Burke. He helped guide the UNO Mavericks to two North central

Conference championships and a berth in the NCAA Midwest Regionals, and currently coaches his son's Little League team.

Don Holstein has played soccer since he was seven, and began coaching at his high school, Roncalli, when he was only 21.

H e ' s worked at the JCC's soccer camp and is currently Head Men's Soccer Don Holstein Coach at Bellevue University.

"I got into table tennis just for the exercise," explained Jarry Petterson, who will coach the table tennis team for the Games t h i s summer.

"I taught my kids to play, b u t there were no tournaments in Jarry Petterson Nebra-

ska, so I started hosting the qualifier myself!"

Petterson learned from USA Table Tennis coach Scott Priess at the Omaha Boys Club. Some of the kids he has coached "now are good enough to beat" him.

Rick Armstrong coaches tennis fulltime, including at Omaha's JCC dur" ing the summer.- This is his first Maccabi Games, but his experience as a coach helped propel his daughter, Sierra, to national ranks.

Head of the JCC's aquatic program, M a t t

Sutton will also coach t h e Omaha delegat i on ' s swim team. He started at the 'J' coaching Matt Sutton the Whalers, younger members of the swim team, has taught lessons and has "watched the progression of the kids" as they have grown in competence and competitive attitude.

Like all the coaches, Sutton "is looking forward to this summer's Games" and meeting coaches and athletes from all over the country. You can be there to cheer them on, Aug. 4-9!

When we were

Slaves in Egypt f

Page 57

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Page 58 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

Introducing.

B •

Maccabi Athletes!

MICHAEL CRABB . _- r. , Michael, a seventh• •-•*•"• " . , ' S r a ^ e r a ^ Westside \'\'\ Middle School, is the " '~*'' son of Ian and Suzan J Crabb. He plays Card'J inal baseball, KWAA football and basketball j$t* a t t h e YMCA, and will "f.l-Jf1 play baseball at the *'„ ;j Maccabi Games. plays Westside and sings in its Show Choir.

TALIA EISENBERG Talia, a sophomore at Westside High School, is the daughter of Robert Eisenberg and Pam Kohll. She's a member of the WHS Jr. Varsity Tennis Team and will play tennis in the 2002 Maccabi Games in Omaha.

This is her first experience with the Maccabi Games, something "she's excited about."

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JACOB FINNICUM Jacob, a freshman at 1 , Millard North high School, is the son of Doug and Debbie Finnicum. He participates in football, wrestling, track and field and snowboarding and will play on the JCC basketball team.

Jacob is also the captain of the freshman >'<?•*. %t football team at Millard is North.

LIATTE DOTAN Iiatte, a sixth-grader at Oakdale Elementary School, is the daughter of Amnon and Beth Seldin-Dotan. Though she plays basketball, she'll participate in bowling for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Iiatte also plays flute *""*"*• and piano, and has formed a bead company; she aspires to be an artist for Walt Disney.

DANIEL CANFIELD Daniel, a sixth-grader at Catlin Magnet Center, is the son of Rick and Sandy Canfield. He plays basketball as well as in local golf leagues and will play golf in the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Daniel also sings with his school's choral group, swims, plays football and enjoys playing video games.

ALEX EPSTEIN Alex, a seventh-grader at Beveridge Middle School, is the son of Gary and Lisa Epstein.

He is a regular participant in JCC basketball and will play on its team for the 2002 , Maccabi Games.

"Basketball is my life," Alex has been quoted as ' saying. He has attended basketball camp since he was eight.

BEN EPSTEIN Ben, a sophomore at Burke High School, is the son of Gary and Lisa Epstein. He plays on the sophomore reserve basketball team at Burke and will play basketball for Omaha. : /& r ^ Ben has played JCC j«-rf"'>/s>» basketball since he was _£1^*>»,£ ,r,' in preschool, and atv •> . *'f'--&**.\] tends Husker football % ^ V ' ^ w -"' -"O-v* "> games with his grandAliiw^i. VvlL^J "' Tj father, Bae Epstein.

BRAD FRANK Brad, a seventh-grader at Kiewit Middle School, is the son of Ron and Marsha Frank. He has ; played basketball at the JCC for years and is a member of the 2002 Maccabi Games basketball team.

"My Hoop-It-Up team placed second out of 10 teams last summer," Brad noted proudly. He also enjoys playing guitar.

JOSHUA FINNICUM Joshua, a seventhgrader at Kiewit Middle School, is the son of Doug and Debbie Finnicum, He will either play on the JCC's basketball team for the 2002 Maccabi Games or table tennis.

In addition to playing basketball, Josh is a teacher assistant at Temple Israel and an honor roll student.

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2002 Omaha Maccabi Athletes LAUREN FREEMAN Lauren a junior at (Vntral High School, is the daughter of Bob and Robyn Freeman. She •swims and plays tennis and will be on the JCC tennis team for the Maccabi Games.

She and Kim Pitlor won the gold medal in doubles last year at the Games in Sarasota; Lauren also wan a silver in single's tennis.

MICHAEL FRIEDMAN Mike, a sixth-grader at Kiewit Middle School, is the son of • . •'•.'. - Morris Friedman and ,._;". '• 'J Beth Friedman. He plays basketball, but will play tennis for the Maccabi Games.

"I love my two cats," Mike admitted. He also said he plays the sax, and enjoys designing cars and gadgets in his spare time!

SPENCER GALLNER "'<•"• Spencer, a seventhgrader at Westside Middle School, participates in basketball, tennis and cross-country track, and will play on the JCC's basketball team during the 2002 Maccabi Games.

An honor student, „ Spencer also loves games of all kinds, from board games to video games.

ABBY GINSBURG Abby, an eighth-grader at Beveridge Middle School, is the daughter of Bill and Beth Ginsburg. She participates in track, crosscountry and volleyball, and will play on the JCC's volleyball team, as well as perform an individual dance in the 2002 Games here in Omaha. The is her first Maccabi Games.

COREY GREEN 1 Corey, a freshman at %> Burke High School, is the son of Gary and Sherri Green. He plays soccer for West 0 United, and will participate on the JCC's soccer team for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

He learned to play it soccer at camp at the JCC, and hopes to eventually play while in college.

JUSTIN JACOBSON **'}••", Justin, a seventh*•*"'•• \t:-'"l bidder at Beveridge ., e'. Middle School, is the !^ y son of David and Nancy if*.. Jirobson. He plays on . two basketball teams, "' .md placed second in lluop It Up. He'll be on the basketball team for tin- Maccabi Games.

Justin enjoys playing \idtio games, going to movies and collecting cards.

tv"

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 59

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the closing of the Jewish Press office on the first two and last two days of Passover (Thursday-Friday, March 28-29, and WednesdayThursday, April 3-4), early deadlines are at noon forajlads, photos and articles: Issue Deadline April 5 Monday, March 25 April 12 Tuesday, April 2 Questions? Call the Press office, 334-6448.

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2002 Omaha JCC Maccabi Athletes ice skates and plays basketball and will be on the Omaha basketball team for the Maccabi Games.

Nate collects magic cards, plays piano and loves pets; he's involved in preventing drug and alcohol abuse among teens.

KATE JOSEPHSON Kate, a sophomore at Burke High School, is the daughter of Keith and Judy Josephson.

Kate has played on the : ' JCC Tennis Team for the Maccabi Games in Houston, Tucson and Sarasota. This will be her fourth time as a participant in the Games.

Kate also plays clarinet in the Omaha Area Youth Philharmonic.

DUSTIN LEPP Dustin, a ninth-grad;j,er at Millard North sA High School, is the son •',"£,? of Bob and Karen Lepp. " He plays baseball and basketball on a regular basis, and will play on the Omaha baseball i.^4'4 j team for the Games, -t. -M «j went to Cooperstown, NY (home of the Baseball Hall of Fame) for a baseball tournament," Dustin said.

JONLERNER Jon, an eighth-grader at Westside Middle School, is the son of Dick and Martha Lerner. He's a competitive bowler who won a gold medal at the 2001 Maccabi Games in Sarasota, and will bowl at this year's games.

Jon also enjoys playing football and baseball,, and participates in Boy Scout Troop #218.

ARIELLE LEVINE Arielle, a sixth-grader at the Friedel Jewish Academy, is the daughter of Michael and Karin Levine. Though she swims and dances, her favorite sport is really reading!

Arielle will perform an individual dance for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

She's very active in Girl Scouts, and plays the flute and piano.

JODI LEVINE Jody, a ninth grader at Millard North High School, is the daughter of Michael and Cheryl Levine.

"I will be dancing for the Maccabi Games," Jody said, adding that she skiis in Colorado, and dances at the JCC in tap, jazz and ballet classes. This is her first competitive dance experience.

NATHANIEL J O S E P H Nate, an eighth-grader at Westside Middle " -*;•. JW School, is the son of Ed .«'"•*•-^', a n c j Anne Joseph. He

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, , •. .^ ;

MAXKATZ Max, a seventh-grader at Westside Middle School, is the son of Richard and Amy Katz. He plays basketball and baseball and will play both sports for the JCC at the 2002 Maccabi Games.

He also plays trumpet in the Cool Jazz Band at Westside Middle School.

Max "loves math" and is a member of the Math j Counts team.

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SARAH LEVENTHAL Sarah, a sophomore at Urbandale High School ;, in Des Moines, IA, is * the daughter of Randy . \\ and Jody Leventhal.

She's been playing soccer competitively since fourth grade; her high school team won the state tournament last year. She. also plays volleyball and golf, but will stick with soccer for Maccabi.

9-

ADAMIJNSKY Adam, a freshman at Millard North High School, is the son of Sheri Linsky. He plays golf, basketball and baseball, and will participate on the JCC golf team for t h e ,2002 Maccabi Games.

"I've played in scramble golf tournaments," Adam said, adding that this is his first time in the Maccabi Games.

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March 22, 2002

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 61

2002 Omaha JCCMaccabi Athletes DAVID MANVITZ David, an eighthgrader at Eeveridge Middle School, is the son of Todd and Wendy Manvitz. He plays track and golf, and will be a member of the JCC's golf team at the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Last year, David won an award at the Eagle Award summer golf clinic and plays trumpet in the school band.

DAVID MARTIN David, a sophomore at Burke High School, is the son of Mark and Julie Martin. He plays golf, table tennis and basketball, and will be a member of the JCC's golf team this summer.

David won two silver medals last summer in golf at the 2001 Maccabi Games in Sarasota.

He's looking for gold this summer!

MAXMcCANN Max, an eighth-grader at Westside Middle School, is the son of Julie Westman"and John McCann. He plays tennis on a regular basis and will compete in that sport for the Games.

Max has been on the honor roll at Westside; this is his first time competing in the Maccabi Games, and he's excited about it.

STEVEN MEYERS Steven, a sixth-grader at Kiewit Middle School, is the son of Michael and Marcie Meyer. He plays golf . and basketball, and will play on the JCC's golf team for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

"I also enjoy science experiments and rocketry," Steven added, who also plays cello in the school orchestra.

RACHAEL MONSKY : Rachael, a sixthgrader at Kiewit Mid, die School, is the ^ daughter of Henry and Pam Monsky. She plays Softball, goes horseback riding, swims, and will participate on the JCC's Softball team.

She won four trophies in six years of softball; two ribbons in horseback riding; and won the fifthgrade Geography Bee.

AARON MUROW Aaron, a sixth-grader at Columbian School, is the son of Allan and Janie Murow. He plays both basketball and golf and will be on the JCC golf team for this year's Maccabi Games.

Aaron has won several awards in basketball at the 'J', and says, "basketball is my favorite sport!" He also plays trumpet and piano.

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Page 62 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

J

DANIEL MUROW Daniel, an eighthgrader at, Beveridge Middle .School, is the ' son of Allan and Janie Murow. He enjoys basketball, baseball, football and golf, but will play basketball for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Tve played basketball since I was five," Daniel said, adding that he's participated in "at least 20 tournaments."

EMELYMUSKIN

"^ -

ZACH MUSKIN Zach, an eighth-grader at Beveridge Middle School, is the son of Bruce and Mary-Beth Muskin. He will play basketball at the 2002 Maccabi Games.

He's won the Greenberg Award for JCC Basketball; won the 1314 age category at Eagle Eun in golf, and plays on the Spikes select baseball team.

.

Emily, a sophomore at Central High School, is the daughter of Bruce and Mary-Beth Muskin.

She was a member of the gold medal girls' basketball team at the 2001 Maccabi Games, and will play softball for this year's Games.

Emily plays All-Division Metro Softball, and is a second-year starter for the varsity at Central.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 63

2002 Omaha JCC Maccabi Athletes L '/*.»", . "

>1,'

BOBBY NEWMAN ~*J5£ Bobby, a <•;.,,•" at Swanson Elementary School, is the son of Jeff \ y- and Patricia Newman. '. . • An award-winning "VJ ',' * • swimmer, Bobby plays J "V shortstop and centerfield " '" for the Omaha Gladia•. "f tors; he also plays foot-;.' ball and does rock climbfc_. ing, and will swim in the \?< '" Maccabi Games. Bobby ' ' has a dog, Curveball, . * : and a cat, lightening.

•4&&

AARON PASSER

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DAVID PAIGE David, a ninth-grader at Millard North High School, is the son of Stephen Paige and Martha Paige. He's been a member of the JCC swim team since 1995, and will swim for the 2002 Games.

David also participated in the Maccabi Games in Tucson in 2000, and swims for Millard North.

JOEL PASSER

\

Aaron, a seventhgrader at BrownellTalbot, is the son of Jeff and Sandy Passer. He *' plays football, soccer and basketball and will be on the Omaha bast ., " ketball team for the Maccabi Games.

Aaron plays trumpet in the Brownell-Talbot band, and is a First Class Scout in Troop #552.

•> ~

i Joel, a ninth-grader • at Brownell-Talbot, is *'' the son of Jeff and Sandy Passer. Though he plays football and runs track, he'll be on the Omaha swim team for the Maccabi Games.

In addition to sports, Joel plays the French horn at Brownell and in the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra. He's also a Life Scout, Troop #552.

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AARON PARSOW

^

Aaron, a"seventh£r ider at BrownellTalbot, is the son of Margo Parsow and the laid Jay Parsow. He plays tennis and basketball, and will participjte in tennis at the Maccabi Games.

"I'm Mends with Bob (JCC BasketCoordinator)," said A,irbh, who played "4,5, 6 basketball" this year.

OLGA PATKOVSKY Olga, a seventh-grader at Westside Middle School, is the daughter of Ella Pat-kovsky. She plays basketball and soccer, and dances at the JCC. She will be on the soccer team for the 2002 Games.

Olga attended OSRUI camp for five summers, participating in the Maccabiah unit, which emphasizes sports.

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Page 64 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

2002 Omaha JCC Maccabi Athletes \, t

DAVID PHILLIPS David, a sophomore

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&VX ?;,".1 £i 4_ l.',

>n Creighton Prep, is t h e son of Eric a n d Julie Phillips. He'll partiupate on the JCC baskotball team for t h e 2002 Maccabi Games.

David is a also a member of the Governor's Youth Advisory Council.

He plays lead guitar for the Scatters, a local i ock band.

JACOB PHILLIPS Jacob, an eighthgrader at Westside Middle School, is the son of Eric and Julie Phillips. He has played basketball at the JCC for years, and will be on that team for the 2002 Maecabi Games this summer in Omaha.

Jacob also participates in Westside's Math Counts program, and is on the honor roll.

KIM PITLOR Kim, a junior at Central High, is the daughter of Steve and Marcia Pitlor. She won a gold medal in girls' doubles tennis in the 2001 Games, and a bronze in singles; she'll play tennis in the 2002 Games. Kim was a state competitor for Central's varsity tennis team, and made the All-Metro Academic Team in 2001.

DANIEL RAHMANI Daniel, a sixth-grader at Red Oak Community Middle School in Red Oak, IA, is t h e son of

DANNY KAZNICK Danny, a seventh-grader at Millard North Middle School, is the son of Jerry and Jeanne Raznick. He plays basketball, and also enjoys snowboarding (when there's snow!).

Danny will play on the JCC's basketball team at the 2002 Maccabi Games. He's also a member of the superior honor roll at his school.

BEN SALZINGER Ben, an eighth-grader at Lewis and Clark Middle School, is the son of Fred and Lynn Salzinger. He plays baseball, basketball, ^ tennis and golf on a regular basis, and will play either baseball or basketball at the Maccabi Games.

He received an award for Best Sportsmanship ' from the JCC on Feb. 10.

TAYLOR SANFORD Taylor, a seventhgrader at Kiewit Middle School, is the daughter of Mark and Vicki Sanford. This awardwinning gymnast placed first all-around in the 2001 All-American Invitational, and third in the 2001 Nebraska state meet.

She will perform an individual dance in the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Hertzel and Jan R.ihmani. He participates in tennis, Tae Kwon Do and bowling, and will be a member *of the tennis team for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

This is Daniel's first time in the Maccabi (i.imes.

A Wish. . .for you and your family: May the ancient traditions of Passover bring joy and peace throughout the year

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Profits from the eventual sale of donated property will be invested professionally.

Just like seedlings planted in the ground, the income from these investments will grow and help our Jewish community blossom and flourish.

Those who donate gifts of real estate to the Pardes Foundation will be entitled to

(1) a full tax deduction for the appraised value of the real estate, subject to certain limitations, and (2) a capital gains tax exemption for the property. In addition, donors who give their real estate to the Pardes Foundation will he free of the time and energy it takes to manage their property.

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March 22, 2002

Jewish Press, Omaha, HE

Page 65

2002 Omaha JCC Maccabi Athletes MAX SCHWARTZ Max, a sixth-grader at Catlin Magnet School, is the son of Michael and Rosanne Schwartz.

He plays soccer, basketball and football, and swims and water skiis regularly, but he'll participate in table tennis for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

Max also plays cello for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra.

SARAH SPOONER Sarah, a seventhgrader at Beveridge ;] Middle School, is the " daughter of Gayle and Jim Spooner. She dances, participates in drill team and jazz classes, and will perform an individual dance for the Maccabi Games.

Sarah also is an actor, performing at the JCC and the Playhouse.

SASHA SKULSKY Sasha, a sophomore at Oakwood Friends School in New York, is the daughter of Stephen Skulsky and Susan Seidler. She plays varsity softball, basketball and soccer, and helped achieve a gold medal for the girls' basketball team at the 2001 Maccabi Games. She'll play basketball again in this summer's Games.

Passover greetings

Zach, a fifth-grader at Columbian School, is the son of Gayle and Jim Spooner. He's been playing golf since he was eight years old, and will participate on the Omaha golf team for the Maccabi Games.

Zach loves sports and goes to Husker football, Maverick hockey and Creighton basketball games with his dad.

JOSH SWEET Josh, a freshman at Millard North, is the son of Mark and Lynne Sweet and the late Lori Sweet. He plays football, baseball, basketball and golf, and participates in track. He'll be on the basketball team at the 2002 Games. Last year, he won his basketball team's most outstanding player; he also hit a .400 batting average.

SHIRI TENE I Shiri, an eighth-gradI er at Westside Middle School, is the daughter of Gady and Mindy .»., ^ Tene. She takes classes in jazz, dance team and cheerleading, and is a cheerleader for the Kingswood Athletic Association.

Shiri is looking forward to performing an individual dance for the 2002 Maccabi Games.

BRANDON THOMAS Brandon, a seventhgrader at Millard Central Middle School, is the son of Paul Thomas and Andie Gordman. He plays basketball and baseball, and will be on the JCC basketball team for the Maccabi Games.

Brandon's baseball team won the Millard Athletic Association tournament last year.

ZACH SPOONER

DAVID SUKIENNIK David, a seventhgrader at Kiewit Middle School, is the son of Hyman and Marlene Sukiennik. He participates in basketball at the JCC, and will play on that team for the Maccabi Games.

Last year, David won the JCC Sportsmanship Award in boys' basketball during the 20002001 season.

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JUSTIN SLUTSKY Justin, a seventhgrader at Papillion Junior High School, is the son of Jeff and Lesley Slutsky. He plays football, basketball and baseball, and will participate on the JCC's basketball team for the 2002 Games.

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AWARD CERTIFICATE Good towards ONE (1) Complimentary Entree (Max $10 Value)

AND BLE&SD WITH PEACE

Good for your next visit, Lunch or Dinner, dine-in or take-out, every day

CONDITIONS: Not valid with other promotions, discounts or offers. Certificate expires one year from issue date. Only one certificate may be redemmed per party or take-out order, even if separate checks are issued.

May be applied to only lowest priced appetizer and/or entree. May NOT be applied towards desserts, beverages or gratuities. Maximum credit allowed per appetizer is $5; maximum credit allowed per entree is $10.

For awards with multiple appetizers and/or entrees, unused credit from one appetizer/entree may NOT be applied to any other appetizer/entree. Certificates may only be redeemed in their entirety. Unused appetizer and/or entree portions of an award certificate will be considered forfeited at the time of redemption.

Certificates may be redeemed by either the PDC member, or given to a friend or family member. If award certificate is lost, a replacement can only be issued to the appropriate valid PDC member upon presentation of a valid PDC card. Certificates have NO CASH VALUE and cannot be refunded or redeemed tor cash.

OFOMAHA Just South of 1-80 on 84th Street • Omaha • 30 -9100 Toll Free 1 "800-8444)724 « www.acurabfbmaha.com

Page 66

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22, 2002

2002 Omaha JCC Maccabi Athletes GAL TSABARI Gal, a freshman at Westside High School, is the daughter of Eitan and Eadie Tsabari.

She's been dancing at the JCC since preschool, but will be on the bowling team for the Maccabi Games.

Gal is a member of the freshman cheerleading squad at Westside, and an active member of Ediar BBG.

ANNA TURETSKY Anna, a ninth-grader at Millard North High School, is the daughter of Lenny and Margaret Turetsky. She takes ballet and jazz classes at the JCC, and will perform an individual dance at the Maccabi Games.

This is Anna's second Maccabi Games; she was a member of the 2001 team in Sarasota.

ALEX WOLF Alex, an eighth-gradi,. er at Russell Middle School, is the son of Phil and Nancy Wolf.

A silver-medal winner in doubles table tennis at last summer's Maccabi Games in Sarasota, Alex will play tennis for the 2002 Games in Omaha.

He also participates in basketball, golf and archery.

HANNAH WOLF Hannah, a sophomore at Millard West, is the daughter of Phil and Nancy Wolf.

She plays varsity basketball and softball. She was a member of the gold medal girls' basketball team for the 2001 Maccabi Games in Sarasota, along with Emily Gordon, right, her "best basketball friend."

(Editor's note: By press time, more than 60 kids had turned in profiles and photos for this Passover issue. The J e w i s h Press is grateful to Omaha Maccabi Delegation Head Rachel Blum, who coordinated this effort, starting last fall when registration for the 2002 Maccabi Games began. Many of these kids, who will participate under the banner of the Omaha Jewish Community Center in this summer's Maccabi Games, Aug. 4-9, also are featured in the color photo on our front cover. As of March 22, nearly 100 kids had registered for the Games.)

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Volunteers are still being recruited for a variety of tasks, according to Lisa Shkolnick, JCC Assistant Director and Director of the JCC Maccabi Games.

Especially needed is housing for the more than 800 athletes expected to arrive in Omaha for the Games.

Hosts must be able to provide a bed for each athlete; there are also several community events to which host families will be invited, including opening and

6 **-.

GUY W E I N S T E I N Guy, a seventh-grad1} > er at Lewis and Clark Middle School, is the " son of Dale and Kay "" •?.

Weinstein. He wrestles, was a Memorial Little League All-Star, and will play baseball for the Games in Omaha.

"If the Maccabi Games were ever held in the winter, I'd sign up for snowboarding!" '_, Guy insisted.

TAYLOR WORKMAN Taylor, a seventhgrader at Elkhorn Middle School, is the daughter of Keri and Tom Workman. She participates on the volleyball team and swim team.

Keri will compete in swimming for the 2002 Maccabi Games, her first, and is "looking forward to meeting other swimmers." closing ceremonies.

To volunteer your home, call Corey Kirshenbaum at 334-6415; to volunteer for the Games, call Lisa Shkolnick at 334-6425; to make a donation or sponsor any part of the Games, call JCC Executive Director Jeff Aizenberg at 334-6417.

And mark your calendar for Sunday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , Aug. 4-9, when the JCC Maccabi Games will be in Omaha.

What Are You Doing This Symmer?

Come to Herzl Camp for the Time of Your Life Herzl Camp is one of the nation's best Jewish camping experiences. With dozens of activities--roc/r-c///nb/7?g, dance, water-sports, drama, Ultimate Frisbee, tennis, basketball, art & more—every camper is sure to have an

incredible summer. Many sessions are already full, but a few spaces are available for: Taste Alef (June 18-24) Girls entering 3rd or 4th grade Ha'atid Bet (July 2-22) Boys entering 5th or 6th grade B'yachad Alef (June 18-July 15) Girls/Boys entering 10th grade For applications and information, contact us at:

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March 22,2002

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Index of Advertisers Advertiser Abraham Catering Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman Acuxa of Omaha Add-a-Shade Ak Sar Ben Beef Aksarben Heating and Cooling Alamar Uniforms Alan Friedman Co Alkar Billiards All Makes Office Equipment Co Aliens American Family Inn American National Bank American Tile and Marble Co Amit Women Anderson O'Brien Fine Art Gallery Anti-Defamation League AON Aramark Associated Counseling Professionals Backyard Adventures Badger Body Bag 'N Save Bagel Bin Bakers Beijing Gate .Belgrade Family •'Bergman's Bernina Sewing Centers Beth El Sisterhood Beth El Synagogue Beth Israel Sisterhood Beth Israel Synagogue Beyt Shalom Bike Rack BILU/USY BlueCross BlueShield Blumenthal, Cady & Associates Inc B'nai B'rith Youth Organization B'nai Israel Synagogue B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue Body Basics Borsheim's Broadmoor Development Company Broadmoor Market Brownell Talbot Bruegger's Bagels Builders Supply Business Printing Camelot Cleaners Cantield's Sporting Goods Caniglia's Venice Inn Care Consultants for the Aging Carl S. Baum Druggists Category One CB Richards Ellis/MEGA Centris Chabad of Nebraska Charleston's Cheri's Hallmark Christel's Clarion Hotel Climate Control Cohen Comfort Care Homes Commercial Printing Co. ..'.

Country Inn & Suites Countryside Village Creighton University Crown Pointe Crowne Plaza Custom Gems, Inc. '.

Dance Shoppe Davidsons Doubletree Hotel :...

Eisenberg Art Gallery Elan Elisa liana Elliott Equipment Company Enterprise Bank Eye Essentials Factory Eyeglass Outlet Family Enrichment, Inc Fashion Cleaners Fast Frame Fahey, Mayor Mike

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Advertiser

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First Westroads Bank 15 Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 64 Frankel, Zacharia, Arnold, Nissen, Stamp & Reinsch '.

23 Fraser, Stryker, Vaughn, Meusey, Olson, Coyer & Bloch 22 French Cafe 19 Friedel Jewish Academy 43 Galaska Printing and Decorating Inc 36 Garbo's 51 Gary Michael's Clothiers 64 Goldberg & Shrier 65 Gordmans 68 Grace/Mayer Insurance 21 Great Western Bank 58 Greek Islands 9 Grubb & Ellis 63 Hadassah 40 Hampton Inn 15 Harrah's Casino : 59 Harris Center for Judaisc Studies at UNL 32 Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith 16, 40 Herman's Nut House/Pear's Coffee 12 Herzl Camp 66 Hockenbergs 31 Honeyman Rent-All 22, Horizon Dental Center 22 Hy-Vee 17 I-Go Van & Storage 37 Ideal Water 64 Imago 54 Indian Creek 20 Industrial Label Corporation 34 Industrial Packaging Corporation 11 Investment Motors 64 Israel Bonds 57 Isuzu Truck of Omaha 54 JCC Maccabi Games 3 J.C. Mandarin 8 Jacobson Fish Co., Inc 46 Jewish Federation of Omaha 45 Jewish Federation of Lincoln 31 Jewish Press 2, 16, 61, 67 Jewish Senior Services 63 Jewish War Veterans 40 John A. Gentleman 10 John, Joseph M., C.L.U 47 Katelman Company Antiques 50 Keyboard Kastle 59 Keystone Glass Co 55 Kohll's Pharmacy & Homecare 32 KPMGLLP 32 KPTM/KXVO .v.rf.

10 Krieger & Krieger 26 Kudym, Gary 13 La Strada 72 8 Lakeside Dentistry 11 Landon's 46 Larimore 25 Le Peep 9 League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly (LOVE) 40 Lerner Company 24 L'il Prince and Princess 49 Lion's Automotive Upholstery 5 Louie M's Burger Lust 8 Louis Liquor 9 Lund Company 39 Lynn Roberts International 36 Malashock Jewelry 36 Malbar Vision Centers 43 Maple Crest ............. 54 Marathon Realty Corporation 23 Mark Sanford Group , ..................... 12 Marks Clare-& Richards 48 Mazon 61 McDermott & Miller 6 McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp, P.C., L.L.0 43 McGrath, North, Mullin & Kratz, P.C 22 Mediterranean Bistro 62 Mediterranean Foods, Inc 18 Mercedes Benz of Omaha 52 Metropolitan Community College 46 Mid City Bank 13

Advertiser Mid-Con Systems, Inc Mid-City Jewelry & Loan Midwest Box Co Midwest Ear, Nose, & Throat, P.C Midwest Woodworkers Mulhall's Mutual Protective N. Pitlor & Son, Inc National Conference of Synagogue Youth National Council of Jewish Women National Indoor Karting, Inc Nebraska Furniture Mart Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Nebraska Wine & Spirits, Inc. No Frills Nobbies Noddle Development Company Nogg Chemical & Paper Co Nu Trend Dry Cleaners Omaha Center for Torah Learning Omaha Community Playhouse Omaha Compound Company Omaha Steaks Omaha Temple Youth Group Omaha Temporary Services Opera Omaha Pam & Loie's Candy Shoppe , Parcel Place Parsow's Passport Pasta Amore Peterson Bros. Realty Inc Polish Delicatessen Pollak & Hicks, P.C Premier Motorcars Pulverente Monument Co Raders Randy's Pharmacy Rec Room Regency Court Regency Lodge Remington Heights Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. Roberts Pool and Spa Rossi Rotella.s Italian Bakery Ryco Packaging Corp Sacks Hardware Salon Aura Schrier Ford & Mazda Schwalb Realty Second Story Security National Bank Senor Matias Siegler's Catering Service Sol's Jewelry & Loan Sonny Gerber Auto Sales Sparks Computerized Car Care Spirit World St. Joseph Villa Steamatic Stokes Grill & Bar Sunridge Village Superior Pools, Spas, Etc Swartzbaugh Farber Temple Israel TierOne Bank Tifereth Israel Synogague Times Publishing ..

Thompson, Chester Tilly Time Center .......: Topps ...,.„..,.„„.,,..,........•...

University of Nebraska Medical Center US Bank .......;..;.......

V, Mertz .;...........

Valentino's Vann Realty : Visions Wiesman Development Winery Wolfson Used Cars Woodmen of the World Wyndham Street Ltd Young Energetic Seniors/Oldtimers Zio's

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

March 22,2002

something unexpected