Vol. LXXXI
No. 43
25 Tammuz, 57S2
Omaha,
to Assume Pulpit at Beth El by OZZIE NOGG
July 5, 2002
Teens Stand Up for Isn by BEN DELMAN, Jewish Press Student Intern
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Dick Fellman, President of Beth El Synagogue, has announced the appointment of Rabbi Mordechai Levin as spiritual leader of the congregation. Rabbi Levin comes from Congregation Lamroth Hakol in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he has served as head rabbi since 1984. Rabbi Levin will assume the Beth El pulpit on Aug. 1. "Beth El welcomes Rabbi Levin and his family," Fellman said. "We're excited an delighted about his arrival. With the help of the Rabbinical Assembly, we interviewed more than a dozen candidates from all over the world, and after a thorough review of the applicants, our Search Committee of 18 members unanimously recommended Rabbi Levin's appointment. "He has a wonderful record of leadership in Buenos Aires and we look forward to the same leadership here at Beth El and in Omaha. We also look forward to his long tenure as our rabbi." A native of Buenos Aires, Rabbi
Levin attended Jewish day schools during his elementary and high school years and graduated from Hamidrasha Haivrit in Buenos Aires, where, in 1975, he become a teacher of Judaic Studies. ~~ During the mid-1970s and early 1980s, Rabbi Levin was an instructor in Bible and Jewish Thought at David Wolfsohn Jewish High School, directed the Educational Program at Camp Ramah and served as Director of the Youth Leadership Department at the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary. During his tenure at Congregation Bet El in Buenos Aires, he established and directed the Youth Department for college students. . Rabbi Levin received his B. in administration from the University of Buenos Aires in 1977 and studied Comparative Religions with Prof. David Flusser at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. (Continued on page 3)
Gary Kenzer, National Director of Magen David Adorn, spoke to nearly 100 teens and adults Sunday at a rally organized by the B'nai B'rith Youth
Organization. The teens surpassed their goal of more than $4000 for MDA, which provides medical emergency services in Israel. More on page 9.
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On Luay rtreet corner P in the center of tne city, in the middle of flowex-filled roundabout, in front of the magnificent Jerusalem Theatci, at several approaches to the colorful flag-filled City Hall Square you'll come upon one of the 80 stately lions, individually "dressed" by professional and amateur Israeli artists. Joining the international club of cities (like Omaha and its "JDoes" and Chicago and its cows) that have turned their streets into art galleries, Jerusalem chose as its symbol, the logo of the City of Jerusalem, the Lion of Judea. Co-sponsored by Peugeot Israel, the $200,000 project has captured the imagination of Jerusalemites, from taxi drivers to A lion statue stands guard in the heart of downtown attorneys, shopkeepers and shoppers, and Photo by JTA. especially children of all ages in the six Jerusalem. child of Aliza Olmert, an artist and the wife of weeks since they've been out on display. As pedestrians and drivers travel throughout the Jerusalem's mayor, Ehud Olmert. The exhibit is city on their daily routes, they have become aware managed by Dafna Naor, who has established and of the lions, some which are seated and some of organized various art projects which stand. The project has helped soften the and exhibitions on behalf of private and public unease and tension that is felt on the streets of institutions in Israel and abroad. The overall plan of placing plastic art statues on Israel.at this time. People walking by usually stop city streets originated in Zurich in 1998 when the for a minute and smile at the lions. After observing them from all sides, they walk away in a happier project was introduced to the world. Hundreds of cow statues were decorated by different artists and frame of mind. Established artists and those just finishing their captured the imagination of the city for months. The originality and freshness of the project studies were invited to take on the project of painting a lion, incorporating visual arts, graphics and caught on all over the world and gave birth to simiindustrial design, and showing daring expression lar projects in other cities. Cleveland, the home of and quality. They worked on a deadline of a month, the rock 'n roll museum, just joined the 'club' with together in a large studio set up in the basement of guitars; Seattle has pigs, Toronto moose; Los Teddy Stadium. Some artists were able to finish Angeles angels, Miami flamingos, Berlin bears, within a week or two; others used the entire month New Orleans fish. Tel Aviv now has dolphins poised in the middle of a jump. for their creation. One of the most outstanding Jerusalem lions is Bringing the idea to Jerusalem was the brain-
ono made of a mosaic of tiny mirrors of all sizes ami snapes reflecting bright summer sunlight in front of the Jerusalem Theater on David Marcus Street, Another has been painted pink and given teats, establishing a female presence near the president's and prime minister's residences. At the entrance to the Municipality of Jerusalem, the city hall complex, a large multi-colored plexiglass box captures a lion in a scene filled with snow. The design of the lion in front of the YMCA across from the King David Hotel invites children to climb on its back. The lions will be up until mid-September. After that, the statues will be sold by public auction, and the proceeds will be distributed to a number of local charities. If you are interested in bidding on a lion and having a bit of Jerusalem brought home, visit www 4 erusalem.muni.il. Leah F. Chase is a freelance journalist hosed in Charleston S.C. who travels often to Israel and other Mediterranean countries.
COMING NEXT WEEK; In next week's annual Healthy Living special issue, watch for: • "Friends for Life", the remarkable sir>ry of a womaa who donates a kidney to her hfisi friend; • The latest medieai and health information, including "The Medicine Cabinet in the Kitchen" and aa interview with a local doctor/athlete; 0 A story about testing for Ashkenazi Jewish genetic diseases—and, more!