Vol. LXXX1I
No. 10
Omaha, NE
3 Kislev, 5763
November 8,2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
Rabbi Marantz to be Installed at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Communications Director -*———""•
Rabbi Craig H. Marantz, who joined Temple Israel's staff last summer, will be officially installed at a special Shabbat Worship Service on Friday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Donald Goor, senior rabbi at Temple Judea in Tarzana, CA, who Rabbi Marantz met in 1984 at Camp Hess Kramer in California, will participate in the service and give the sermon. It is entitled, "A Time to Give Thanks: An Ancient Covenant ~a New Beginning." Rabbi Goor, the son of a rabbi, was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1987. Currently, he serves on the faculty of Hebrew Union College (HUC) in Los Angeles and teaches a class to rabbinic students on topics relative to practical aspects of being in the clergy. He also mentors rabbinic interns who continue their education working and learning at Temple Judea. Setting standards for Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Rabbi Goor co-founded the HOPE Network and the Valley Interfaith Council Homeless Project, a program that helps homeless individuals regain their independence and dignity. The rabbi has also chaired the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance's Jewish Community Relations Council and cochaired the Jewish Federation's Cults and Missionaries Commission. In 1998, Rabbi Goor was honored by the Valley Interfaith Council with its Humanitarian Award for his work in helping "build bridges" between communities. (Continued on Page 2)
Jewish Minyan in Senate Grows as Lautenberg andColeman Win by SHARON SAMBER
WASHINGTON (JTA)also solidified its previous With Frank Lautenberg's control of the Housetriumphant return to the could affect domestic Capitol and Norm issues that are important Coleman's victory in to the Jewish community. Minnesota, the Senate's Parts of the Bush Jewish minyan is safe for administration's agenda, the next two years-and such as the faith-based even a little more crowdinitiative, which calls for ed. In the House of opening up more funding Representatives, one new to religious groups to proJewish face emerged after vide social services, might Tuesday's national elecbe advanced. Congress tions—Rahm Emanuel, the has moved slowly on the former Clinton adviser. initiative, pushing the In an indication of the R e P - L e e Terry beat first-time challenger J i m White House to pursue spectrum of Jewish p o l i t i - S i m o n i n Nebraska's Second Congressional change through means cal views, Emanuel will District; Green P a r t y c a n d i d a t e Doug o t her than legislation, join Eric Cantor (R-VA.), a Paterson came in a distant third. Tn the race for the staunch conservative and the only Jewish Senate, venerated Jewish lawmaker Lautenberg, a Republican left in the House. Democrat, beat his Republican opponent, Doug Overall, the Jewish presence in Congress stayed Forrester, in New Jersey. Lautenberg, a former almost the same, with 11 senators and 26 represen- chairman of the United Jewish Appeal who retired tatives. The 107th Congress had 10 senators and 27 from the Senate in 2000, stepped into the race in representatives, but one senator and one represen- October to replace the incumbent, Sen. Robert tative died in office. Torricelli, who quit following charges of ethics vioIn Tuesday's election, four Jewish candidates were lations. vying for seats in the Senate, 35 for seats in the In addition to his support for Israel and his strong House of Representatives (including Jim Simon of Jewish communal connections, Lautenberg is wellOmaha) and two for their states' governor's man- known for his work in assisting immigrants, resultsions, both of whom were successful. ing in a 1990 measure that required immigration When it woke Wednesday morning, the nation— officials to take into account historical persecution which voted for 36 governors, all 435 members of when judging an applicant's refugee status. the House of Representatives and 34 members of The Lautenberg Amendment, which is still in the Senate-learned that the Republicans had effect, allowed many Jews from the former Soviet gained full control of Congress. Union-some 350,000 to 400,000 by the senator's With a faltering economy, a war brewing with Iraq count—to gain entry to the United States without and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict roiling the having to prove they were persecuted. Middle East, Congress' leadership and approach With more than 450,000 Jews in New Jersey, the after these elections will be significant. Jewish turnout probably had some influence. Jews (Continued on page 14) The Republican victory in the Senate~the GOP
Matalons to Chair 2003 Super Sunday
Saul Graetz Named Honorary Chairman of Book Sale
by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director"
by MARY FELLMAN — ; — Each year, the Kripke Jewish Federation Library hosts a sale of Jewish books to coincide with the annual Jewish Book Month. This year, the Honorary Chairman is Omaha native, Saul Graetz, who, for many years, was in charge of sorting books for the Omaha Public Library's annual sale. The Kripke Library Books Sale starts this week. Born Oct. 10, 1910, the 92-year-old Graetz still exercises at the Jewish Community Center on a regular basis. As a youngster, Graetz was Aleph Godol (president) of AZA #1 in Omaha and later served on the Beth El Synagogue Board of Directors. Corporate treasurer of Brodkey Jewelers for 45 years, he has been an AARP tax associate. Graetz has been married to Esther Spar Graetz for 68 years. The couple has three grown children.
Jewish Federation and When Guy and Elinor Super Sunday in particuMatalon agreed to serve lar, it became instantly as co-chairs for Super clear that much of the Sunday 2003, they had Federation's work one request...to inject it revolves around the conwith Jewish learning. cept of tzedakah. Almost Super Sunday is the everyone already knows largest fund raising event that Super Sunday is a for the Jewish fund raiser, but they may Federation's Annual not know why we're raisCampaign and the ing the money in the first Matalon's couldn't resist place. Guy and I hope to what they call "an ideal reinforce what the money opportunity to focus on accomplishes and why one of the most important tzedakah is so central to Jewish values: tzeJewish life," explained dakah." Elinor. Guy and Elinor Matalon "It's been a tumultuous are both Israeli-born Guy and Elinor Matalon two years for Israel and Jewish educators in Omaha. Elinor is a community teacher for the syn- the Jewish people and the issues facing us are agogues and is the Judaic studies coordinator at extraordinarily complex, But one thing remains Friedel Jewish Academy; her husband, Guy, spe- constant...we take care of each other, To me, that's cializes in Judaic Studies as an assistant professor what Super Sunday is all about," said Guy. Emphasizing tzedakah during Super Sunday 2003 at UNO's Department of Philosophy and- Religion. He is also a frequent and popular commentator for is even more significant this year because the commany local forums and "Lunch and Learns" about munity is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Israel and current Middle Eastern affairs. Jewish Federation of Omaha. As part of the Together, the couple makes a formidable and impas- Centennial Celebration, the 2003 Annual Campaign has introduced the "Centennial Patron Program" to sioned team. (Continued on Page 16) "As we learned more about the mission of the
INSSDE: Omaha Highlighted at Melton Conference............ , ...page 6 Newman Fund Announces Grants....page 12 Elderhood, page 13 StBJH Seeks Photos .page 16