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Israeli Celebration Ah Open Letter Adopts Maccabi Theme to the Omaha Jewish by RACHEL BLUM Omaha JCC Maccabi Games Delegation Head Community
Yiddisfae Cup will perform April 14,2:30 p.m. This year's Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, April 14, 12:30-3:30 p.m., will be a bit different from years past. The Omaha Jewish community will come together in honor of Israel's 54th year of independence, while taking advantage of the Maccabi-hype that has involved so many in our Jewish community. (Continued on page 8)
from JAN PERELMAN Federation Executive Director-*^-—-———••—— On Monday, I participated in an emergency conference call with Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. The call was facilitated by United Jewish Communities (UJC) and we were joined by Jewish leaders from around the world. The essence of the Prime Minister's message was this: • Israel is at war. • Israel will do everything in its power to protect its citizens. The ultimate goal is for peace and security in the region for generations to come. • Every act of terror against the Jews in Israel is an attack against all Jews. • In every generation, there are those who have risen up against us. As we have in the past, we will prevail and achieve peace and security for ourselves, our neighbors and future generations. •We need you more than ever to contradict those that support the destruction of the Jewish State, deny its existence and support terrorism and antiSemitism worldwide. Of equal importance was the message we gave the Prime Minister from the Diaspora: "We unequivocally stand with you and the people of Israel," Mort Zuckerman, Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.
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Pennie Z. Davis Dies Suddenly by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor.
Pennie Z. Davis, the man whose name adorns the Jewish Community Center's Child Development Center, died Saturday, March 30, at the age of 84. Services were held i April 2 at Beth El with burial at Beth El Cemetery. » -, Davis, who started g, working at Greater Omaha Packing Company in 1945 after he mustered out of the army, later became its president and owner. He turned over the reigns of the 500employee meatpacking business to his son, Henry Z. Davis, but still went to his office every day, after his workout at the JCC's Fitness Center. The business, which was honored with the Living the Dream Award in January of 2000 at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration, employed many Hispanic people and encouraged them to learn English and become American citizens. Both father and son offered unusual opportunities to their employees, providing them with an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and coach(Continued on page 2)
New Jewish Professionals to Join Community OCTL Hires Rabbi Aryeh Blum by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor-
Omahans Lee and Gary Shyken, left, and Jeff Katzman, students in Israel this year, were often Shabbat guests of Rabbi Aryeh and Shari Blum, OCTL's new "couple". After being without a director since Rabbi Shlomo Levin left last August to become the Program Director at the Riverdale Jewish Community Center in New York City, the Omaha Center for Torah Learning has finally found a "terrific" replacement, according to President Allan Gonsher. Rabbi Aryeh Blum and his wife, Shari, will join the,OCTL this July, after completing their studies in Israel. "We waited to find the best possible candidate from Torah Mitzion and Ner L'Elef, two networks based in Israel which assist in placing kollel directors, to follow in Rabbi Levin's footsteps," Gonsher explained. "Rabbi Levin created such innovative Jewish learning programs as the High Holiday Fair and a Shabbaton at Mahoney Park for 85 people. Rabbi Blum will not only be able to carry on Rabbi Levin's outreach to the whole Jewish community, he will add his own talents. Rabbi Raphael Butler also was instrumental assisting the OCTL with this latest step in our growth," Gonsher added. (Continued on page 10)
Temple Israel to. Welcome New Associate Rabbi Craig Marantz by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Temple Israel Communications Director Rabbi Craig H. Marantz, Among Rabbi Marantz's responsibilities at the Temple Director of Education at in Atlanta, he designed and Hebrew Benevolent implemented a teacher trainCongregation in Atlanta, ing institute for congregants; Georgia, has accepted the oversaw the planning and position of Associate Rabbi at development of informal eduTemple Israel in Omaha, cation including family educaannounced Michael Walts, tion, youth group programpresident of the congregation. ming, shul-ins, and retreats. Rabbi Marantz was' * He also created and oversees ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of 4" the programming and logistics for the Teen Living and Religion (HUC) in New York „ Learning Center (TLLC) and in 1999. He also earned mas- "' Teen College. ters degrees in Jewish Rabbi Craig H. Marantz Education and Hebrew "I have a real passion for Letters at HUC in Los Angeles. lifelong learning,' Rabbi Marantz explained. He is Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rabbi*Marantz is dedicated "to helping people understand their a 1990 graduate of the University of California at responsibilities as Reform Jews. I have a real love Los Angeles. He attended graduate school at for Jewish people," and as the new Associate Rabbi, Stanford University and earned a masters in edu- he hopes "to reach all facets of the Temple Israel family." ' cation there. Also "committed to social action", Rabbi Marantz As a rabbinic intern, Rabbi Marantz served congregations in West Hills, Thousand Oaks, and is especially interested in "preserving the dignity of San Mateo, CA. He also was a group leader for a children, making sure people have shelter and group of 42 high school students on a six-week food," and caring for the elderly. Exodus trip to Israel in 1996. Prior to that, he "As a rabbi, I feel a deep responsibility to weave coordinated the Help Our Homeless Project in Talmud Torah, the ongoing processes of Jewish Chatsworth, CA. • (Continued on page 10) However, it was as a counselor and unit leader at summer camp in the 1980s and 1990s, that Rabbi INSIDE: Marantz "discovered a real passion for building Teen Age . .page 9 Jewish community and exposing Jewish youngsters Interview with Head of IJfUC page 12 to the riches of Jewish learning and practice. I love teaching." J a n Schaeiderman's Farewell as NCJW's While waiting for acceptances to graduate school, National President page 14 Rabbi Marantz's mother, Marjorie Marantz, knowing how much her son enjoyed Jewish pursuits, Lenny KrayzeJburg Speaks to STouixg Leaders *. page 16 suggested he become a rabbi.