Vol. LXXXI
No. 38
Omaha, NE
20Sivan, 5762
May 31,2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
Federation Announces Community Service and Humanitarian Awards by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director ——»—«
'Jews, Christians and Muslims In Trlalogue9 Wins Community Service Award for Temple Israel Temple Israel will receive the Community T -* Service Award .rtV for their program "Jews, Christians and Muslims in Trialogue" at the Jewish Federation of Omaha's 99th Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Congregants of Temple Israel, First United J e w i s h Methodist Church and the Islamic Center gathered Community for a potluck picnic on Sunday, May 19. Center Theater. As part of a "scholar-in-residence" together to study and travel to an weekend, Temple Israel hosted a Islamic country. Several of the travelers were from unique program that brought Jews, Omaha, including Temple Israel conChristians and Muslims together for gregant Suzanne Singer. A program a meaningful afternoon of conversawas developed to feature the film tion and interaction. Dr. Richard Freund, formerly a and bring members of the three local Professor at the University of religious communities together. Three religious leaders, Chad Nebraska-Omaha, and now affiliated with the University of Hartford, Englemeyer, Pastor at First United Connecticut, brought the documen- Methodist Church, Yaseer Rahim, tary, "The Road to Morocco: leader at the Islamic Center and American Jews, Christians and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel Muslims in Dialogue," as part of his met with several congregants to lecture on the world's three design an afternoon of community Abrahamic religions. The film tells building. A panel to lead a discusthe story of 70 people brought sion after the film was moderated by (Continued on page 6)
Yale Richards Named Humanitarian ofthe Year The 2001 Humanitarian of Year is Yale Richards. This prestigious award is given to an outstanding Omahan who has performed exceptional service for humanity based on contributions they have made throughout their lives to promote human welfare and advance social reform. The Jewish Federation of Omaha will present the award to Richards at the Federation Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center Theater. Bob Kully, President of the Livingston Foundation and himself the recipient of the 2000 Humanitarian of the Year Award, Yale Richards said, "Yale has been an extremely important part of the Livingston suc- unteer and for years has given of his cess story for many years as our time and skills for the enhancement Executive Director and legal counsel. of the community. As a board member for the Jewish It has been a great pleasure to work with Yale. The Livingston Trustees Federation of Omaha, the Livingston will find a successor to Yale, but Foundation, the Livingston Plaza and Jewish Senior Services, Richards has never a replacement." Richards will retire this year as worked diligently towards serving Executive Director and Legal the needs of our community. He has Counsel of the Livingston understood for years the necessity to Foundation, a position he has held develop endowment funds that will for more than 28 years. But his ser- be there for future generations, and vice to the Livingston Foundation is in his capacity as a board member of just the tip of his devotion to the com- many philanthropic organizations, he munity. Richards has spent most of oversees their investments and allohis life working to make the Omaha cations towards that end. Richards has a special affinity for Jewish community a richer and more vibrant place to live. He epitomizes our Jewish seniors. He was instruthe most generous and dedicated vol- mental in seeing that both the Rose (Continued on page 6)
Former West Bank Official to Provide Mideast Update by DIANE AXLER BAUM
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conferences. He is recognized as one of Jonathan Livny, former Israel's most forceful advocates." Attorney General of the West Livny's travel constraints made it Bank who later served as impossible to schedule an engagement at Presiding Judge of the Military Beth El Synagogue, Perelman added. Court in Judea and Samaria, Rabbi Paul Drazen and congregation will visit Omaha in early June President Howard Epstein are eager to to provide an insider's update on host another UJC speaker, hopefully in the Middle East crisis. the near future. Livny will speak at Temple Livny is coming to Omaha as a member Israel on Friday, June 7, 8 of the Speakers Bureau of United Jewish p.m., during services, and at Communities (UJC) which recently Beth Israel Synagogue on stepped up its efforts as part of an interSaturday morning, J u n e 8. national Israel Terror Relief Campaign. The entire community is invited I Credit for planning his Omaha visit goes to attend and to stay for! Jonathan Livny to a large number of leaders, both lay and Temple's Oneg Shabbat and professional. Beth Israel's Kiddush luncheon following services. Under the Federation presidency of Forrest "Mr. Livny will relatefirst-handknowledge about Krutter, a forum of top lay and professional leaders the crisis in Israel and share personal experiences was developed in our community months ago, said as a soldier and officer in Israel's Defense Forces," said Jan Perehnan, Federation Director. "As a Steve Pitlor, incoming Federation president. prominent Jerusalem attorney, deeply involved in Among its members are the senior rabbi and conthe political, cultural and civic life of Israel, he has gregation president of Beth El Synagogue, Beth represented his country at numerous international Israel Synagogue and Temple Israel.
The forum became the foundation for Omaha's Israel Terror Relief Campaign, chaired by Tom Fellman and Shirley Goldstein. The campaign goal is to raise $1 million for Israel. Livny, a native of Israel, served in the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War and the War in Lebanon. In addition, as Chief Military Prosecutor in the Judge Advocate's Office, he was,involved in the prosecution of criminal cases and the drafting of laws for the West Bank. He was the youngest student ever to enter the Law School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and, at age 21, the youngest person to become a lawyer in the Jewish (Continued on page 2)
Tears ni Tp^roiism, Part ill
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