Vol. LXXXII
No. 7
Omaha, NE
12 Cheshvan, 5763
October 18, 2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
From 'Bomb them5 to sl want proof: U.S. Jews Speak Out on War with Iraq
Omaha Synagogues Jointly Observe "Sabbath of Six Million Lights" by JOANIE JACOBSON
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A stone by which to rememwere arrested and sent to conber, the Torah by which to centration camps were many live, and an eternal light by of them died. NEW YORK (JTA)-When asked about a possible which to commemorate six Most American Jews whose U.S. war on Iraq, Marcy Pepper takes no prisoners. forebears immigrated before "Bomb them," Pepper, 43, said recently, while million Jewish lives lost. On Nov. 8-10, Beth El World War II, lost family they working out at Pittsburgh's Jewish Community Synagogue, Beth Israel never met or whose identities Center. they never knew. "Get rid of him," she said, referring to Iraqi Synagogue, Temple Israel President Saddam Hussein. "The Israelis should and the Chabad House will "There's never really been a share in a community have done it already." proper grave—no headstone to touch, no yahrzeit candle to But Raymond Schwartz of Louisville, KY., isn't so Shabbat observance to honor burn," explained Joe sure about war. The 67-year-old accountant the Jewish men, women and Kirshenbaum, project Cobelieves President Bush hasn't clearly made the children who died in the Frances and Sam Fried chairman. "It's important we case for military action against Saddam, he's wor- Holocaust and to mark the have something tangible, something visible to see, ried about an Iraqi retaliation on Israel-and he's unveiling of "The Six Million Lights Memorial." nervous about long-term U.S. involvement in Each synagogue will participate in the Shabbat of to talk about with our children and always be another country. the Six Million Lights" in its own way, either on reminded. "How can we ever forget six million Jewish lives?" "We haven't done such a great job in Afghanistan Friday night, Saturday or Sunday, under the direcin that respect. Do you think we'll do better in tion of Rabbis Aryeh Azriel, Mendel Katzman, he asked. Howard Kutner and Mordechai Levin. Upcoming Iraq?" he asked. During the Shabbat weekend, each synagogue will unveil the Six Million Lights Memorial, a square As the United States prepares for a possible inva- plans, dates and times are being finalized. The weekend of Nov. 8-10 was purposely chosen to three-foot by three-foot piece of granite in the shape sion, U.S. Jews-like other Americans-are weighing issues of war and peace as they come together for coincide with Kristallnacht, the night of the broken of a Magen David. A brass Torah scroll on either private events and for public gatherings at syna- glass in Germany, "the largest pogrom in the histo- side represents the power and sanctity of Jewish ry of the world," according to historian Joseph law, and words of prayer and inspiration offer hope gogues, JCCs, meetings and dinners. and renewed faith. The most outstanding feature is Like Pepper, a majority of Jews interviewed Telushkin. Having been separated from his parents by the a lighted torch at the top that will illuminate six across the country appear to support a U.S. invaNazis in 1938, a 17-year-old Jewish boy shot and million times in a year. sion, especially if all other options are exhausted. The memorial stones, donated by Frances and The unscientific sampling of ordinary American killed a German official in Paris. The Nazis decided Jews seems to reflect the position of the organized to punish all of German Jewry for his deed. On the Sam Fried in honor of their family and in memory Jewish community, which over the weekend issued night of Nov. 9, the glass windows in almost every of all victims of the Holocaust, were designed by a statement backing the Bush administration's use German synagogue, and most Jewish-owned busi- Sam Fried and rendered by noted Omaha artist nesses, were shattered. Thousands of Jews were John Thein. of force against Iraq "as a last resort." murdered during Kristallnacht and 30,000 more (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 2) by JTA STAFF
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Legendary Maggidim Storytellers at Beth El by OZZIE NOGG —
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During Beth El Synagogue's Kahn Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, Nov. ' 8-10, the entire community will have the opportunity to listen and learn from the powerful stories of The Legendary Maggidim—otherwise known as Rabbi Eugene and Dr. Annette Labovitz. The Maggidim, Hebrew for storytellers, will be in Omaha to teach and inspire through their retelling of timeless Jewish legends and folktales. Their appearance in sponsored by Marcel and Use Kahn and the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn k Kully Newman Fund. f ,. The name, Legendary Maggidim, was bestowed on the Labovitzes by people who have experienced their unique power to draw listeners into the soul of R Judaism. Like the old-world maggidim- f *? E u ? e n e ^*ovrtz and his wife, Annette, will serve as -the Jewish tale-tellers who traveled scholars-m-residence, Nov. 8-10. from village to village in Eastern more than three decades. Annette Labovitz is a Europe-the Labovitzes' stories are based in the rich highly regarded Jewish educator and is currently traditions of our heritage and focus on faith in God, completing her doctorate in Jewish Education at the survival of the Jewish people and the perform- Spertus College in Chicago. The Labovitzes have ance of deeds of loving kindness. Many of their sto- published four anthologies of stories about Jewish ries come from conversations with the late story- holidays, ethics and history. A book signing by the teller, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. authors is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, noon in According to Annette Labovitz, the stories she and the Beth El Gift Shop. her husband tell are not just any Jewish stories. Storytelling sessions by The Legendary Maggidim Rather, they are tales that present a comprehensive during the Kahn Scholar-In-Residence Weekend portrait of Jewish life~of time, place, character and include the following appearances, all at Beth El morals. "Jewish memories are so missing today," she Synagogue: said. "A holy story about people who are sanctifying • Friday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.: "Stop the World! I Want God's name will provide the memories for what a to Get Off-It's Shabbat!" The Legendary Maggidim Jew can aspire to be. It gives the people who are lis- will tell stories during the Kabbalat Shabbat service tening a connection to their Judaism." and at the traditional Shabbat dinner that follows. Eugene Labovitz was rabbi of Temple Ner Tamid Dinner reservations are needed by Nov. 1. of Miami Beach, Florida, where he has served for • Shabbat Morning, Saturday, Nov. 9: "Mitzvot
That Glimpse Eternity: What Does Proud To Be A Jew Mean?" Rabbi Labovitz will lead a congregational storytelling session during services in the Beth El sanctuary, while Annette Labovitz tells stories for children in the Beth El Chapel. • Saturday, Nov. 9, noon, BELLS Luncheon: "Shabbat Stories for the Soul and Spirit." Following Shabbat morning services, the Labovit2es will be the featured speakers at the BELLS (Beth El Lunch and Learn on Shabbat) session. This one-hour storytelling is geared for adults. Childcare will be provided. Luncheon reservations are needed by Nov. 1. •• Saturday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. Havdalah and Oneg: "The Mysteries of Havdalah: Eliyahu Revisited." Co-sponsored by USY and Kadima youth groups, this evening of storytelling explores the premise that "the way you say goodbye is commensurate with how much you love." BBYO, NCSY and OTYG have been invited to participate as well. (Continued on page 8)
COMING NEXT WEEK: • The annual Jewish Press Guide to Education and Camping features a profile of Rabbi Mordechai Levin of Beth Ei Synagogue and an interview with local Jewish authors who have been recently published. * Also look for the latest scliemile Tor the * ...-! Klutznick- Harris Sjmposium, ''Judaibn? and ^ood." *,, U • Inside-hi&>toriai), [»| [ £ author and attorney! Oliver Pollak, right, \ begins a series of new columns..., page 9
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