January 7, 2005

Vol. LXXXIV No. 18 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

26 Tevet, 5765 January 7, 2005

Israel, Jewish Groups Pitch in to Help Victims of Quake, Tsunami BY DAN BARON HAIFA (JTA)--For thousands of young Israelis, the sun-drenched archipelagos of Southeast Asia were the perfect destination to forget the rigors of military service. But last week that post-Zionist nirvana became a nightmare. The tsunamis that swept India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands on Sunday plunged hundreds of Israeli families into a frenzy of worry over relatives feared lost while touring. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that witness testimony suggested at least a dozen of some 500 Israeli tourists still unaccounted for in hard-hit Southeast Asian nations may have been swept out to sea and drowned. At least 33 Israelis are receiving treatment in hospitals in the region, the Foreign Ministry said. For thousands of families living in or visiting the Indian Ocean region, Sunday’s catastrophe confirmed their worst fears: At least 135,000 people were killed by the devastating earthquake and tsunami, mostly in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. A Belgian Jewish couple lost their 11month-old son in the disaster. According to Israel’s Ma’ariv newspaper, Matan Nassima’s body was found Dec. 29 near the Thai resort where his family had vacationed. The child’s parents had posted a picture of the boy on the newspaper’s website after he was swept away during the tsunami, in hopes that Israeli tourists might recognize him and report his

whereabouts. Matan’s grandfather told Ma’ariv that the toddler would be buried in Israel. Details were not immediately known, but it also was believed that members of the South African, Australian and New Zealand Jewish communities were missing. Immediately after the tragedy, Israel and Jewish groups swung into action. Israel’s Foreign Ministry set aside $100,000 in aid for each of the countries hit by the tsunami. Four top doctors from Israel’s Hadassah Hospital were dispatched to Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the ministry’s request, Hadassah said. Among them were the hospital’s head of general surgery and trauma, its chief of pediatrics and two anesthesiologists. On Dec. 28, Sri Lanka turned down an Israeli offer to send military personnel to help with search-and-rescue efforts, but said it would accept a smaller team. The efforts were appreciated by at least one Israeli located bruised but safe at the Thai resort of Phuket. “Everyone has been great. I have been visited by Israeli diplomatic representatives, as well as Chabad,” Yaron Weiss told Channel Two television from his hospital bed. “I have a feeling that the other tourists here are a bit jealous that their countries are not as attentive.” North American Jewish groups also were paying attention. The American Jewish World Service sent its first shipment of medicine Dec. 29 to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India. It has been coordinating with 23 partner organizations in the region to assess

Israeli soldiers pack supplies before loading them onto an Israeli army airplane in the early morning at an army base near Tel Aviv, Dec. 28. Israel sent a medical team with medicine and equipment to Sri Lanka and another to Thailand, following the catastrophic damage caused by an earthquake and resulting tsunami, and sent a military search and rescue team Credit: IDF/BP Images/JTA to Sri Lanka on Dec. 29. needs on the ground. hook,” Strongin said. “It looks like peoRonni Strongin, the AJWS’ director of ple are truly responding.” public relations, said one of the largest The American Jewish Joint Distribution immediate needs is expected to be water Committee is working with its office in because corpses have contaminated the Bombay and elsewhere to coordinate water supply. relief efforts. The organization is hoping The group is hoping to receive dona- to provide food, water, clothing and tions to cover the cost of emergency sup- shelter to countries affected by the earthplies. quake and tsunamis. “The phones keep ringing off the Continued on page 2

Reorganized Maimonides Dr. Jonathan Sarna to Speak at Beth El Society Features Israeli During Return Visit to Omaha Next Week BELMONT Judaism has taken in Trauma Expert at Opening byBethJILL El Publicity Director America over the past 350 by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Jewish Educational and Library Services Administrator The Jewish Federation of Omaha in cooperation with Jewish Educational & Library Services has formed the Maimonides Society, an affinity group for Jewish health care professions in the Omaha metropolitan area. Dr. Sam Cemaj, Dr. Dan Schuller, Dr. David Finkle, and Dr. Eric Phillips have been instrumental in reorganizing the Maimonides Society and comprise the group’s Steering Committee. The Maimonides Society is an honor society for Jewish health care professionals who seek to strengthen the bond among themselves, Israel, and the Jewish community through educational, social action, and philanthropic activities. Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, also known as the Rambam) is perhaps the most famous Jewish physician of all time as well as a renowned Jewish scholar and leader. The group’s inaugural event will be a luncheon scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 6, noon, at the Jewish Continued on page 6

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

Beth El will welcome one of America’s years. Through in-depth leading Jewish historians, Jonathan D. examination, the book Sarna, who will present an enlightening examines how Judaism has D’var Torah regarding 350 years of been influenced and develAmerican Judaism, during Shabbat oped, as well as how Jews Services on Saturday, Jan. 15. have shaped their commuDr. Sarna, the Joseph H. and Belle R. nities and their faith over Braun Professor of American Jewish the years. The book was History at Brandeis University, is chairhonored as National Jewish man of the Academic Advisory and Book Award’s “2004 Book Editorial Board of the Jacob Radar Marcus of the Year.” Center of the American Jewish Archives in “We are privileged to have Cincinnati, and is the past chairman of the Prof. Sarna, one of the academic Council of the American Jewish nation’s top scholars in Historical Society. american Jewish history, He was recently named chairman of the speaking about the 350th Academic Advisory Council for Celebrate anniversary of of Jewish life 350: Jewish Life in America, a collection in America,” said Beth El Jonathan D. Sarna of organizations focused on raising Rabbi Mordechai Levin. “He national awareness of the 350th anniversary of Judaism has written an impressive array of books and articles in America. and is an entertaining and gifted speaker. He holds degrees from Yale University, Brandeis “Surely, he will help us to understand better the hisUniversity and Hebrew College. Dr. Sarna has written, tory of American Judaism and its implications for edited or co-edited over 20 books and articles; his most Jewish continuity,” he added. “We invite the entire recent offering is American Judaism: A History (Yale community to take advantage of this wonderful opporUniversity Press, 2004), which chronicles the path tunity to hear this informative and fascinating speaker.”

This Week: Teen Age Features Beyt Shalom: Page 7 Next Week: Guide to Tax and Financial Planning: Jan. 14 Faith in the Path of the Tsunami: Pages 2-3

Chabad Sponsors Bridal Pageant: Page 5

ADL Lists Important Stories for 2004: Page 9

Lincoln Jewish Federation Celebrates: Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 7, 2005

Jews Pitch in for Tsunami Victims

Gary Kuklin

Continued from p[age 1 their best face on what was emerging as a crisis of globB’nai B’rith also is accepting donations to help victims. al proportion. Chabad of Thailand responded to the crisis by dis“Telephone communication in this region is very patching a rabbi to Phuket to aid rescue efforts, and hard. Most of the infrastructure has collapsed,” said turned the three Chabad Houses of Thailand into crisis Nissim Ben-Sheetrit, the Foreign Ministry’s deputy centers where survivors can call home, have a free meal director-general. “We are working around the clock, or receive funds for new clothing and medical help. with a small team, to cover a huge area, trying to locate For families of potential Israelis and bring them to Donations to the American Jewish World Service’s relief victims, the waiting for safe shores.” efforts are being accepted at www.ajws.org and by phone news was excruciating. But hearts across the at 1-800-889-7146. The American Jewish Joint Distribution At Erez Katran’s home in Jewish state sank as reports Committee is accepting credit card donations at Haifa, a 24-hour vigil was surfaced from the hardestwww.jdc.org or by phone at 212-687-6200, ext. 889. set up next to the telephone hit coastal resorts. Donations to B’nai B’rith can be made online at www.bnaibin hopes that he would call. In addition to delivering rith.org or by mail to the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund at His family hoped Katran’s bad news, the Israeli com2020 K St., NW, Seventh Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006. silence was due to the fact munications industry Donations also can be sent to Chabad of Thailand, 96 that he was incommunicado pitched in with the search Thanon Rambuttri, Bangkok Thailand 10200, or online at while sailing in the Bay of efforts. www.chabadthailand.com (for U.S. tax deductibility, Bengal. Every major Web site set checks should be made out to American Friends of Chabad of “We are definitely feeling up a page where pictures of Thailand.) the pressure,” said Katran’s missing tourists could be And donations can be made directly to the Jewish older brother, Micha. “If we posted in hope that someFederation of Omaha, online at: www.jewishomaha.org or don’t hear something by one would report their locathrough the Foundation at: 334.6440. Wednesday night, my father tion, and one cell-phone and I will head out to India, to try to locate him some- company offered its Israeli customers in Southeast Asia how.” 10 minutes of free airtime to call home. Katran was among nearly 200 Israelis who remained unaccounted for Tuesday, despite urgent Foreign JTA staff writer Matthew E. Berger in Ministry efforts to track them down. Israeli officials put Washington contributed to this report.

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Faith in the Path of the Tsunami

Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢! Use the form on page 6 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org. CLIP & SAVE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 Temple Israel Grade-12 Trip to Washington, D.C., Jan. 7-10 Tri-Faith Dialogue, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Lane Steinger, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 Jewish Potpouri 10 a.m. at Beth El C Family Program, 10 a.m. at Beth El L Bible Study Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El I Hebrew Crash Course, 11 a.m. at Beth El P MONDAY, JANUARY 10 & “Kosher Kitchen”, 7:30 p.m. at the Home of Rabbi & Ariella Hoffman S TLC “Crash Course in Hebrew Reading,” 7:30 p.m.

C L I P &

S A A TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 V V “The Guy and Bob Show,” noon E E Adult Education, noon, at Temple Israel ADL’s Manhigim Institute, 4:30-6 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel ADL/CRC Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. TLC “Growth Through Torah”, 7:30 p.m., at private residence

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 “Spice and Spirit of Jewish Cooking Club,” 9 a.m. at the Chabad House Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon High School Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El C Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel L THURSDAY, JANUARY 13 I P Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel & Rabbi Levin’s Class “Most Important People of the Bible,” noon at Beth El S Yiddish Group, 1-3 p.m. TLC “Meaning of Life” Class, 1 p.m. A Friedel Jewish Academy Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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By RABBI NECHEMIA WILHELM Our three Chabad centers in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, Thailand--Ten minutes after the disaster hit, Ko Samui have been transformed into crisis centers for my phone started ringing. It’s been ringing ever since, counseling, clothing, communication, food, money, 24 hours a day. Husbands looking for wives. Mothers transportation and shelter. looking for daughters. Friends looking for their traveling companions. As one of the Chabad emissaries living in Southeast Asia, I was dispatched that very night to the hardest hit areas. My mission: to aid with the search and rescue efforts, particularly in regards to the thousands of missing Israelis and other Jewish travelers. Yakov Dvir, the Israeli Consul in Thailand, conveyed an urgent request in the name of Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, director of Chabad-Lubavitch activities in Thailand, that Chabad step in to help. All of us -the six permanent Chabad rabbis and our families and the 12 rabbinical students now living and working in Thailand--immediately moved into 24-hour mode, fielding calls, compiling lists, and offering aid and comfort to the survivors. When I arrived in Phuket, the bloated Prof. Dan Engelhardt, right, head of the Pediatric Department at the bodies still lined the streets. We had hunHadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem, and an infectious disease expert, dreds of names on our lists, with new ones and Prof. Avi Rifkind, second from left, head of general surgery and the being added every hour. For days now I trauma unit, were briefed Sunday in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by directors of the have been making my rounds of the Sri Lankan Health Ministry. The photo was taken by Dr. Yoel Donchin, an morgues, hospitals and makeshift shelters, anesthesiologist and a member of the Hadassah team. trying to match faces and fates to the names in my lists. We have opened our phone lines for free calls to For the dazed survivors we arrange food, clothing, assuage the fear of parents who will not rest until they medical care and transportation back home. For the hear their son or daughter’s voice on the other end. dead, we now have the unfortunate task of helping the Our free e-mail service has enabled hundreds to conZAKA (Disaster Victims Identification) volunteers who tact worried loved ones and assure them of their safety. have flown in from Israel make the identification, The survivors come to us shaken, hungry and overarrange for a proper Jewish burial, and get the news to whelmed. They need to go home and be with their loved ones keeping vigil by the phone. family. Until that is possible, it is our responsibility to But in a place where unfortunately so many will be provide them with that love, comfort and safety while thrown together in mass graves, there is some sense of they are still here. For some that means a warm meal, relief and closure knowing that the victim has been others need money and arrangements for necessary found and will receive a Jewish burial. From the travel documents, some a hug or shoulder to cry on, moment a Jewish body is identified, it is not left alone and others a place to sleep. for a minute. This is the last respect and love we can The Thai government has been incredibly helpful and give to our brothers and sisters. organized. Now that people have been able to travel On Monday we found Matan. We searched for him here to help, we have been joined by dozens of volfor two days. The 11-month-old boy was torn from his unteers who have flown in from Israel. We’re all workmother’s arms as they played on the beach. Both she ing together, around the clock. and her husband survived the tsunami, but Matan was No one has yet digested the magnitude of what hapnowhere to be seen. pened. Right now, there’s too much to do to even pause On Dec. 29, Steve and Sylvia Nesima found their for a moment to contemplate it. son. He was in the makeshift morgue along with the The unity among all the workers is incredible. I was hundreds of other children who had no chance against moved to tears when I saw the news reporters join us the monstrous waves. to help locate and identify the injured and dead. They Matan was flown to Bangkok where Chabad emis- were no longer looking at the situation through the saries took turns sitting with him, around the clock, camera, but through their tear-filled eyes, as they until they put his small body on the El Al plane to worked alongside the rabbis, government officials and Israel, the only appropriate place where such purity volunteers. Continued on page 3 and innocence can be buried.

January 7, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Faith in the Path of the Tsunami Continued from page 2 On a larger scale, this disaster has brought people of every race, creed and religion together. There are no divisions in suffering. There are no barriers. Rich, poor, young, old, male, female, were all the same in the eyes of the waves. And now, once again are all the same when it comes to offering aid, support and love. What keeps us going are the miracles that are sprinkled throughout the horror. Today a 20-day-old baby was found alive, floating upon a mattress in the water. A one-year-old who was torn from his mother’s arms was miraculously recovered by his nanny, seconds before he was submerged in water. A Jewish family of six were scheduled to fly to Ko Phi Phi, the hardest hit of the islands; we feared the worst for them, until we learned that they had missed their flight and were sitting on the runway bemoaning their ruined vacation when the news broke. Today, when I visited the hospital, an Israeli woman called me over and started crying when she told me her story. She had been traveling by boat with another 41 Israelis. They had just docked at Ko Phi Phi when the waves began to hit. The group ran as fast as they could, but could not outrun the rushing water. They were immediately swept in its path along with debris, trees and cars. This woman was sure her life was over and without time to think, suddenly found herself screaming to others to join her in saying the Shema out loud. With the last ounce of strength in her body she cried out the words of the most foundational prayer of the Jewish people. And as she finished the verse, she suddenly felt a log come up from under her feet, keeping her head above water so that she could breathe. Then, as she floated along, she looked upward and saw a rope come down from the sky. The rope had been thrown from her boat, where other survivors had gathered. They pulled her aboard and managed to save 40 of the group. Unfortunately, there are two still unaccounted for. It is these miracles that give me hope and remind me of my purpose and my mission. There are no words to describe the horror that has happened, and certainly no understandable explanations or reasons for its occurrence. But I believe that though we can’t make sense of it, this, like everything we experience, is part of a larger picture that we currently don’t see. More importantly, we must use this opportunity to focus on our ability to

overcome, to help others, and to rebuild. Every living, breathing person who survived this not only has to live his or her life, but must live for those who were not able to survive. And, I keep trying to tell myself, we must remember that just as instanta- A family sits in disbelief where their house once on the southern coast of India, Dec. 27. Credit: Disaster Mitigation Institute/American Jewish World Service neously as utter destruction struck, so too in a split Above right: Rabbi second we can be redeemed, we can Nechamia Wilhelm, start anew, we can have complete peace, Director of Chabad of love and goodness. Thailand, surveys the I’ve seen more pain and suffering in damage in Phuket, a the last few days than I’ve seen in all my resort heavily dam32 years. But I’ve also been privileged to aged by the tsunami. witness compassion and faith of a magRight: The ZAKA emernitude that I never imagined existed. gency rescue team I have watched as people from differprepares a shipment ent cultures, faiths, countries and menfor tsunami victims in talities join together to help another. Southeast Asia. Israel When physicality is destroyed, the only was one of the first thing left is spirituality, and that is now countries to respond what is apparent throughout this annihito the humanitarian lated area. crisis, offering cash So, for now, I continue to help rescue and assistance of and identify the victims, working along trained personnel. with representatives from throughout the Credit: Uzi Barak. world here to do the same. The Israeli embassy has asked all hotels in Thailand to request their Israeli guests to call either the israel embassy or one of the Chabad Houses, so we can ensure that the people who are safe and sound have called home and are not considered “missing.” This Shabbat we will have hosted many tsunami survivors at at our Shabbat tables here in Phuket, and hundreds more at the Chabad Houses in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Ko Samui. We are still hoping to find more survivors, to provide the injured with all their needs, and to make possible for those who were not so fortunate to be brought to their families for a proper burial. Thanks to everyone’s unbelievable Left: Tsunami survivor Adi Peled, left, who was on the island of Ko Phi Phi in southern dedication and work, we have made Thailand, is welcomed back to Israel at Ben Gurion Airport by her grandfather, Israel Doblas, much headway. From an initial list of right, her mother Nurit, second from left, and grandmother, Tova Doblas on Dec. 31. Adi was 2,000 missing Israelis, only 17 remain in a diving lass listening to a lecture when the room started filling up with water, trapping her and her Israeli instructor, Ran Bivas. They managed to escape the building, dragging a unaccounted for as of Dec. 31. drowning a Thai woman with them. Right: Tsunami survivor Ran Bivas, center, is welcomed home by his parents on Dec. 31. Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA.

Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 7, 2005

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IN THE NEWS The name of Jon Blumenthal was inadvertantly omitted from the “In the News” column of Dec. 24, noting the “40 Under 40” leaders honored by the Midlands Business Journal. Blumenthal is a partner with the Baird Holm law firm and serves on the Nebraska Bar Association’s real estate guidelines committee. In 2004, he was named one of 10 Outstanding Young Omahans by the Omaha Jaycees. Rebecca Murow installed Allie Willensky as President of the University of Michigan’s chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority last month. Murow just completed her term as chapter president and is now studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem for second semester of her junior year. Murow has been active in Hillel at UM, serving as co-chairman of the Conservativ Minyan. Willensky is also involved with Hillel, as one of the leaders of the Reform Chavura and also is a member of the Jewish a cappella group on campus. She is currently a sophomore, studying communications and psychology.

Action Ink-Jet and Toner Refill, a company that will refill, remanufacture and recycle printer cartridges, announced that it will open its doors in the Montclair Shopping Center at 129th and Center. “We started in this business for three reasons,” according to Gary Javitch, the company President and one fo three partners in the operation. He and his son, Mark Javitch, Vice-president and Sales Manager, said prices for printers had decreased due to competition, but manufacturers began charging high prices for inks and toners. The cartridge expense propelled the two to look for a better solution. The third piece of the new business was the ability to preserve the environment. Since the plastic in each toner cartridge used 3.5 quarts of oil to fabricate and 2.5 ounces for ink-jets, the remanufacturers in the U.S. were able to reclaim 29.7 million toner cartridges and 136.5 ink jet cartridges and save 28.6 million gallons of oil. “By recycling cartridges,” Gary Javtich noted, “ we can help reuce our country’s dependence on oil.” The law firm of Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP has made a contribution on behalf of its clients to the Omaha Hearing School for Children, whose mission is to serve children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, their families and the community by providing auditory oral education.

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High Schools

TORAH LEARNING CENTER (TLC) All classes are taught by Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman. Please call 981.0569 for details. Monday, 7:30 p.m.: “Crash Course in Hebrew Reading”--learn to read Hebrew in just a few weeks, at the JCC. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.: “Growth Through Torah”--personal Growth through studying Jewish philosophy from the Torah at a private residence. Thursday, 1 p.m.: “Meaning of Life & Other Business”--based on the Kabbalistic text Way of G-d by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, in the Kripke Library. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for more information.

You are cordially invited to attend our High School Open Houses Benson Thursday, January 13, 2005 Burke Northwest South Central North Bryan Career Center

6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2005 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2005 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2005 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2005 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 23, 2005 1:00-3:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2005 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, January 29, 2005 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

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VISIONS The Visions Luncheon Meeting is Friday, Jan. 21, 12:30 p.m., at Venice Inn. Cost is $9.50 per person. Celebrate the installation of new officers and musical entertainment by Jon Rathsam with Esther Wax accompanying on the piano. Mail reservations to Mickey and Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard, Omaha, NE 68114 by Jan. 14. For more information, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709. Membership dues for 2005 are now due. Send $5 per person, payable to Visions, to: Beverly Gilinsky, 1406 No. 126 St., Omaha, NE 681154. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS U S Senator Chuck Hagel will speak at B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers on Wednesday, January 12, noon at the Park Inn Regency. Please email Gary Javitch at gjavitch@cox.net for the weekly updates--or to be put on the Breadbreakers newsletter list or call Lois Epstein at 334.443 for information. Cost is $11 for a full lunch and $2 for beverage service only.

Kalwerisky of Atlanta, GA, Makre Waks of Tampa, FL, and Joyce and Alec Rogoff of Durban, South Africa. Michael and Lesli Shrago announce the Dec. 16 birth of their son, Noah Solomon, named for his greatgrandmothers, Sarah Shrago and Mary Kosherov, his grandfather, Morris Franklin, and his great-uncle, Morris Shrago. Noah has a brother, Ethan. Grandparents are Jack and Helen Shrago, Sam Kosherov of Cincinnati, OH, and Sheilah Kosherov of Kansas City, MO. Great-grandmother is Mollie Franklin.

Cultural Arts Scholarship Applications Due by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Dorothy Lustgarten Riekes had a true love of music and because of that, her family established a fund to provide scholarships for cultural arts lessons for Jewish youth under the age of 21. The types of lessons that will be considered for these scholarships include music, dance, and art. Along with funding lessons, scholarship awards can also be used to purchase necessary materials and equipment, including, but not limited to musical instruments, costumes, and uniforms. Scholarships are awarded on a financial need basis. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Applications are available at www.jewishomaha.org under Jewish Educational & Library Services/ Scholarships & Grants, by emailing scholarships@ jewishomaha.org or by contacting the JELS office at 334.6445.

Beth Israel Synagogue Seeking Air Mattresses for NCSY Shabbaton by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue will host the National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Junior District Shabbaton West, Friday-Sunday, Jan. 21-23, for preteens in fifth through seventh grades. NCSY is a multifaceted Jewish youth group offering social and educational programming, and a fun environment for Jewish teenagers to learn about their own heritage.The Midwest Region Shabbaton involves going to shul, singing, learning, socializing, and more. Beth Israel plans to house more than 80 people that Shabbos. In order to ensure that all the teens are comfortable during their visit to Omaha, Beth Israel Synagogue is seeking air mattresses. To loan an air mattress for the Shabbaton, please call Housing Chairman Dani Shrago at 333.6108.

January 7, 2005

Happy 2005!

BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS

ATTENTION JEWISH PRESS SUBSCRIBERS: Don’t forget to pay your 2005 subscription of $31 ($36 foreign) by the end of this month in order to remain on our subscription list. We’d be happy to add gift subscriptions as well--just send an extra $31 and tell us for whom the gift is for, including address, city, state and zip.

Dining

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sweets for the dessert table. Baking dates are Jan. 9 and 11; anyone interested in contributing treats are asked to contact Novak, 334-3164 or Rifkin at 334-7216. Sisterhood members are also preparing for their wildly popular annual hamantaschen sale, Rifkin added, recalling that last year, 22 participants baked over 3,800 pieces for the community1s enjoyment. Those persons interested in joining the baking brigade on Jan. 23 and 30 are encouraged to contact her to reserve their spot in the kitchen.

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Okay, so it’s a new year--I mean a really new year. The kind that makes you stop and think when you’re writing the date on something, like a check or a letter. I tend to say things like “how can it already be 2005?” because it doesn’t seem like such a long time since folks were fretting about 2000. Remember that? How some people were worried that terrible things would happen when it stopped being 1999 and turned into 2000? So what happened? Just the usual stuff....but with lots of extra hoopla because it was a new century. And now, here we are at 2005, with a new chance to do a better job this year than we did last year. No, this isn’t the place where I list resolutions. I’ve been around long enough to know that’s mostly an exercise in futility. I mean, who really pays attention to such self-promises after maybe a week or two? Practically everyone decides to lose 10 pounds (or 15 or 20), to stop stressing over those things we can’t change, to try harder to be nicer to others--that kind of thing is what’s found on a list of resolutions for future behavior. I guess they’re called personal diciplines. The really important (as well as unimportant) events go on in everyone’s lives, no matter the year, with each of us managing as best we can. Things change over which we have no control, and if we’re adults, we go along day by

day, coping as well as possible. The hardest we’re called upon to handle, in my opinion, are the changes in the census numbers of family and friends. Do you know anybody who hasn’t lost a dear one this past year? I certainly don’t. Nothing really takes the edge off that kind of loss, but wait--often a tiny new person makes an appearance in a family where one of the elders ran out of time. Life cycle events keep arriving and sometimes change the annual statistics of a clan. So we keep moving forward, and do the best we can, regardless of the date. Youngsters tend to look ahead, anxiously waiting for a certain time, because that’s the year they’ll be old enough to drive or vote or do something they can’t presently do. Youngsters, not those of us who have been around long enough to vote for many presidents, are the ones who “can’t wait” for a certain future time. So what’s the moral of the story? Or is there a moral? Probably not. Mostly I’m just sitting here thinking about the end of one year and the start of a new one. The old one had some wonderful days and some that were less then wonderful. At this time, at the start of a fresh, new, never-been-touched year, I have only a few wishes. May everyone--strangers and friends alike,--as well as all of our loved ones be well and healthy and may they enjoy those blessings in a peaceful world. Happy New Year. Happy 2005! Bert Lewis can be reached at Bertelewis39@aol.com.

BY JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The month of January will be a busy one for members of Beth El Synagogue’s Sisterhood, according to the organization1s vice president Caryn Rifkin. Jan. 22 will mark the annual Sisterhood Shabbat celebration, with members leading the service and sponsoring the Kiddush luncheon afterward, said Rifkin, who is cochairing the event with Kim Novak. In preparation for the luncheon being planned by Helen Kay and Debbie Roitstein, bakers are needed to prepare

42nd

by SUSAN PALEY “truly a sight to behold!” Each bride will for Chabad of Nebraska be escorted down the runway by two “‘I Am My Beloved’s,’ is a little bit flower girls, including Ellie Simon about being a Jewish bride and a lot (daughters of Bruce and Stacy Simon), about being a Jewish woman. The mes- Sara and Zoe Cohen, (daughters of Bob sage is one to be truly treasured,” said and Marla Cohen), Samantha and Rachel Joanie Jacobson. The renowned artist Sullivan (daughters of Charlie and Louri teamed up with Shani Katzman, a cre- Sullivan), Miriam Katzman (daughter of ative writer in her own right, and Debbie Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman), Josie Denenberg, popular and talented theater Platt (daughter of Jeff and Ellen Platt) producer, to produce the script for the and Eliana Schuller (daughter of Dan Chabad Women’s celebratory Bridal and Yaffa Shuller). Pageant on Sunday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m. “This afternoon is a warm, welcoming “Women have always creevent for everyone in our ated the essence of Jewish community-mothers, life in a changing world,” grandmothers, and daughJacobson explained. “We’ve ters of all ages. No one will inherited extraordinary want to miss seeing the qualities from our matriarradiant faces of our own chal ancestors to our own local brides,” Louri and mothers. This program Kimberly confirmed. entertains, inspires, eduCommittee members cates and instills centuries also include Amber Baker, of pride in today’s Jewish Marla Cohen, Devra Bram, woman. Cheryl Lerner, Julie Phillips “Wow!” Jacobson added. and Laura Schrager. Table Joanie Jacobson This community event, hostesses are Carol Parsow, co-chaired by Kimberly Robinson and Tippi Denenberg, Shirley Goldstein, Louri Sullivan, features Nancy Rips, Danielle Gordman, Kim Novak, Ellen Andee Scioli and Joanie performing Platt, Sara Gross, Janet Kohll, Yaffa Karen Sokoloff Javitch’s beautiful title Podbilewicz-Schuller, Debbie Powers, song “Ani L’Dodi,” accompanied by Liat Lynne Saltzman, Andee Scioli, Nancy Dotan on the flute and Devra Bram, vio- Wolf, Sherry Taxman and Diane lin, (“adding just the right feeling and Shandell. flavor”, said Jacobson). Reservations may be made through The bridal fashion show costumes, return invitation or by calling the modeled by our community’s lovely Chabad House, 330.1800. young women, according to Joanie, are

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Special Shabbat Service, Hamantaschen Baking on Tap for Beth El Sisterhood Members

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Chabad Bridal Pageant Features Script by Local Women

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January 7, 2005

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Temple Jewish Journey Group to Bring Genesis to Light by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator It might seem obvious that it all begins in Genesis, but Katherine Finnegan will lead a Jewish Journey Group at Temple Israel to consider just what does come to light in the first of the Five Books of Moses. This new Jewish Journey Group will focus on Genesis to convey a general understanding of the stories in the book. Meeting on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 11, noon-1 p.m., “It All Begins in Genesis: A Jewish Journey Group” will get together four times to engage in dialogue and learn from one another. “I am so excited about facilitating this Journey Group,” said Finnegan, a member of Temple Israel who has taught Hebrew in Temple’s Religious School for nearly four years. “This text is as alive today as it was 3,000 years ago. It is my goal to focus our discussion toward the relevance of Genesis in our lives today and how we can apply the lessons of the text toward the challenges of our time. “Teaching is so gratifying for me, because I love seeing people put together the pieces of their own puzzle, and it's so exciting to be present when those moments of revelation occur,” she emphasized. “I am relatively new to the study of Torah but am passionate about it. I believe there is a lot to be said for a group of peopie reading Torah together and sharing their thoughts and feelings about the most widely read

book of all time and, ultimately, learning more about their relationship with God. “While I was preparing for this group,” Katherine recalled, “I heard a rabbi say, ‘When we read together as a community and debate and hear what others have to say, what we are hearing is the word of God.’ This statement sums up what I hope we can achieve Katherine Finnegan in our Journey Group.” “We are very fortunate to have in our congregation passionate students who continually strive to study Torah,” remarked Rosie Zweiback, program director at Temple Israel. “Katherine is one of those students of Torah, and she is also a gifted teacher who is willing to share her talents. This is going to be a great journey.” Temple’s Jewish Journey Groups, sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, share a common structure and seek to foster deep connections, openness to growth, and an awareness of the Divine Presence. Please register with Temple’s Program Director Rosie Zweiback by e-mail to: rzweiback@temoleisraelomaha.com or call her at 556.6536. Jewish Journey Groups at Temple are open to the community.

Maimonides Society Features Israeli Expert

Photography Exhibit by Rick Katzman Opens at Jewish Community Center Gallery

Continued from page 1 Community Center, featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Stein. Dr. Stein is a highly respected and innovative trauma surgeon from Tel Aviv, Israel. He will be accompanied by his trauma nurse coordinator, Dina Alvoar. Stein and Alvoar are being brought to Omaha by the Creighton University Medical Center where, during their stay in Omaha, they plan to meet with students and others in the medical community to present a lecture series titled, “Terrorism and Mass Casualty Incidents.” The Omaha Maimonides group is open to all Jewish physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, veterinarians, optometrists,residents, fellows, and medical students who share the vision of Maimonides with regard to Jewish leadership and involvement. The Maimonides Society inaugural luncheon event featuring Dr. Stein is an opportunity to learn first hand the challenges faced by trauma unit personnel in Israel on a daily basis. The luncheon is $10 per person and reservations are requested no later than Jan. 31. For additional information, to make reservations for lunch, or to have your name added to the Maimonides Society mailing list, please call me at 334.6445, send an e-mail to mgrossman@jewishomaha.org or visit our website at www.jewishomaha.org.

by Jewish Press News Service

The Gallery at the Jewish Community Center will display “Fine Photography” by Rick Katzman. The exhibit runs through Jan. 28. Katzman specializes in both color and black and white prints in a variety of sizes. The photographs on display highlight a cross-section of his work, including landscapes, portraits and still life. All photographs are for sale with special orders and sizes available, both framed and unframed. Many of the photographs on display are culled from Katzman’s travels around the world. He is a freelance photographer and works in the areas of commercial and fine art photography, corporate art and portraiture.

TeenAge

January 7, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR

Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the teens of the Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation. Special thanks goes to Alice Weiss for collecting the material.

Finding My Judaism by ADAM SIMONS I first moved to Omaha in October of 2001. You could say that I had yet discovered myself--my inter identity. By Sukkot of the following year, we found Beyt Shalom. I met the congregants and attended a few services. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of it all; I had never really gotten to interact wiht other Jews in Portland, Oregon. But soon, my dormant Judiasm started to awaken. I met Rabbi Myer Kripke, and had a Bar Mitzvah. I became increasingly interested in becoming involved with the Jewish community, and over time, became friends with the other teenagers in the congregation. I have since joined BBYO, and I try to attend as many Beyt Shalom Hebrew school classes and services as possible. I want to give back to the Jewish Community of Omaha as it has given to me. I am glad I joined Beyt Shalom, “House of Peace”.

Pictured left: Mermaid Drawing by Judy Radloff. She is a ninth-grader at Millard North High School. Her parents are Ellen Radloff and Arnold Radloff. Above: Abstract Drawing by Anna Munzesheimer. She is a ninth-grader at Millard North High School. Her parents are Alice Weiss and Ken Munzesheimer. Right: Self Portrait by Sara Munzesheimer. She is a Junior at Millard North High School. Her parents are Alice Weiss and Ken Munzesheimer.

BBYO Opens Registration for 2005 Summer Programs by RACHEL BLUM BBYO Director BBYO, Inc., the world’s leading trans-denominational Jewish youth movement, has just opened registration for its 2005 Summer Experience, which features more program options than ever before. Jewish teens interested in travel, community service, outdoor adventure, leadership, the arts or Judaism will find a high-quality program to suit their needs. “A BBYO summer experience is a life-changing opportunity,” said Jason Horowitz, a senior from Allentown, PA, who has participated in seven BBYO summer programs. “Each program adds new value and meaning to my life, as well as new friends, so I keep coming back for more.” BBYO’s Summer Experience features adventure programs open to all Jewish teens: • Passport to Israel (P2I) includes three distinct threeweek trips: Israel Journey for first-time visitors, Trek Israel for adventure-seekers and Kallah Israel for those seeking a spiritual, kibbutz-based experience. For more information, visit www.passport2israel.org. • ETGAR 36 is a 22-day cross-country summer journey, which provides Jewish teens the opportunity to explore politics and social activism.

• Derech Eretz, offered on both the West and East coasts, is an exciting outdoor camping experience complete with rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking and rafting. • Nitzotz provides the opportunity for Jewish teens to spend two weeks lending a helping hand to communities in need in Chicago or the Washington, DC/Baltimore-area. BBYO also offers leadership training conferences to develop BBYO members into future Jewish leaders, as well as a series of Jewish enrichment programs, designed to help teens explore their Jewish identity. For instance, BBYO’s Connection to Israel program (Kesher L’Yisrael) offers one week at a summer camp where teens learn about the history and culture of Israel and a second week in Washington, DC where participants can put their knowledge and leadership skills to use meeting with White House staff, Congressional leaders, Israeli Embassy diplomats and representatives from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). “BBYO has a long history of providing safe and meaningful programs for Jewish teens,” said Jeff Hoffman, BBYO’s Director of Program Initiatives. “We are thrilled to be offering such an extensive array of

programs that will involve even more teens in powerful Jewish experiences.” For more information on the 2005 BBYO Summer Experience or to register, visit www.bbyoprograms.org or contact met at: 334.6404.

Stories Due for Contest by Jewish Press News Service Original short stories by Nebraska authors are due Feb. 17, for the annual Bess Streeter Aldrich Short Story Contest. Entrants are asked to submit an original short story of 1000-2000 words in the spirit displayed by Aldrich to: Bess Streeter Aldrich House, PO Box 167, Elmwood, NE 68349. Adults are eligible for $100 for the first prize, $50 for second prize and $25 for third; high school students are eligible to win $50 for the first prize, $25 for second and $15 for third. The awards will be announced at a banquet on April 16. Please send a cover sheet with name, address, email address, phone number, title of story adn two copies of the submission, one with the entrant’s name and one withut. Include a line noting how you learned of this contest. Please include an SASE for return of results; stories will not be returned.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 7, 2005

Opinion Playing Politics with Disaster Relief By now, readers have heard the stinging criticism against the United States for being so “stingy” in the first two days after the earthquake and tsunami in Southern Asia. What you may not know is that the State of Israel offered $100,000 in direct aid to every country affected, (making it the highest per capita donor among nations giving monetary aid) and offered to send 150 trained personnel from the Israel Defense Forces to Indonesia. The government of Indonesia initially refused Israel’s offer, then decided it would accept 50 emergency personnel (and the money and supplies, of course). The reason Indonesia’s government reacted this way is obvious--and unfortunate. Indonesia is an Islamic country and has harbored terrorist cells, offshoots of Osama bin Ladin’s Al Qeada, for years. Israel represents the “Zionist entity,” an “enemy of Islam,” according to hardline extremists in the Muslim and Arab worlds. Imagine. Your country is hit by double whammies: the strongest earthquake in 40 years--and a roaring tsunami which swallows everything in its path. And a country that has expertise in emergency medicine, treating trauma victims and managing disasters (albeit man-made terrorist acts) offers to lend you a helping hand--and you dismiss it--because they’re (gasp!) Jewish! In the end, the losers are the victims--the dead, the dying and the injured. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, a country

(Founded in 1920)

which is 68% Buddhist, welcomed the offer, as did Thailand and India. Trained experts in disaster relief have already arrived in those countries from the Hadassah Medical Center, the IDF, and ZAKA (which, unfortunately, bears the responsibility for overseeing the collection of bodies--and body parts--for burial). The rabbis of Chabad of Thailand, already on the scene feeding the thousands of Israelis and Jewish tourists who backpack and vacation in the country each year, this time found themselves offering counseling, free calls back to the United States, Israel and other countires, and food and housing to the survivors. Other charitable organizations--from the American Jewish World Service to B’nai B’rith International, and the Joint Distribution Committee to the Union of Reform Judiam and the Orthodox Union are collecting funds to be used in the relief effort. (Address-es for donations can also be found on page 2 in this issue or at the websites of the individual organizations.) According to Pam Monsky, Federation

Communications Director, The Jewish Federation of Omaha is collecting donations for victims of the tsunami. Donations can be accepted online at: www.jewishomaha.org or by calling the Foundation office at 334.6440. Donations will be sent to JDC. Nearly 40 Jewish federations are soliciting funds for the tsunami victims--UJA Federation of New York has raised some $500,000--and plan to donate the money directly to the JDC, an overseas partner of the federation system. By the way, in addition to the $350 million now pledged by the U.S. government, other American organizations have reported raising more than $25 million in just the first 10 days after the disaster.

manded to “rule over” the animal world. The notion that humans are mere animals can lead to ethical obscenities, like PETA’s appeal to the director of the federal penitentiary where Timothy McVeigh was awaiting execution, that the mass murderer not be served meat so that he “not be allowed to take even one more life.” Or the group’s lodging of a protest with Yasser Arafat over a terrorist attack because the donkey carrying the explosives detonated in the attack was killed. Or its “Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign, comparing the killing of chickens and cows to the murder of Jewish men, women and children. Or solemn declarations like Ms. Newkirk’s that “Six million Jews died in concentration camps, but six billion broiler chickens will die this year in slaughterhouses.” And so when PETA launched a media blitz several weeks ago, sending scores of journalists and others copies of surreptitiously filmed and carefully edited videotapes of animals being slaughtered at the AgriProcessors plant in Postville, Iowa--the largest producer of “glatt”--or highest-standard kosher meat in the nation--the immediate reaction on the part of

of shechita. In one case, an animal even righted itself and took several steps before collapsing. Every method of animal slaughter yields a small percentage of such unfortunate results, when some degree of consciousness persists longer than it should. What PETA claims, though, is that what was depicted on its edited video of operations at the Iowa plant represents fully a quarter of the animals slaughtered over the seven week period during which the video was made. There is reason to be skeptical about this claim. A subsequent visit to the plant by Dr. I.M. Levinger, a veterinary surgeon and physiologist, yielded his testimony that, of the as many as 150 animals he saw slaughtered over the course of his two day visit, only a single cow exhibited any conscious activity after shechita. What is more, USDA inspectors are typically present on the killing floor during animal slaughter, to ensure that the process complies with federal standards. The inspectors present at the Postville plant during the period PETA compiled the images in its video presumably saw the entire picture, and never complained about any inordinately high number of postslaughter displays of consciousness. A high level USDA official, for that matter, visited the plant after PETA released its video to personally observe the allegedly inhumane practices and take appropriate action; what he saw apparently persuaded him that there was no need to shut down the plant or alter its basic practices. Likewise, top officials from the kashrut organizations that certify AgriProcessors’ neat visited the plant to monitor the shechita process and found that signs of post-slaughter consciousness were extremely rare. Indeed, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Patty Judge, who had initially expressed her deep chagrin after watching PETA’s video--even calling for a federal investigation’’ concluded, after personal visit to the plant, that the shechita there “...was humane... and there was absolutely no problem with the way they [the animals] were handled.” Continued on page 9

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

The PETA Principle

FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Now that the blood has settled, a clearer perspective might be had about the recent brouhaha over shechita, or Jewish ritual slaughter, at a meat-processing plant in Iowa. Yes, the beginning of that sentence was meant to jar. Blood and attendant unpleasantness are part and parcel of the process of turning livestock into meat, and most people are content to interact only with the final product. Some, though, choose not to do even that. They include people who are repulsed by the thought of eating what was once alive, and others who feel that meat consumption is a wasteful use of natural resources. Yet others shun meat for health or religious reasons. And then there are the folks at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, who object to all killing of animals because, as Ingrid Newkirk, the group’s co-founder and president, famously put it, “a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy” because of their belief, in other words, that animals are no different from humans. The Jewish religious tradition forbids causing animals unnecessary pain. And there are observant Jews who are vegetarians; our tradition even teaches that the first man and woman--indeed all of humanity until Noah-were divinely forbidden to cat meat. But the Jewish faith expressly permits the killing of animals for human needs, including food. Which animals may be eaten and how to dispatch them are topics dealt with at considerable length in Jewish legal literature. lndeed, the “PETA Principle,” the moral equating of animals and humans, is an affront to the very essence of Jewish belief, which exalts the human being, alone among G-d’s creations, as, among other things, the possessor of free will, a being capable of choosing to do good or bad. That distinction is introduced in Genesis, where the first man is com-

The notion that humans are mere animals can lead to ethical obscenities, like PETA’s appeal to the director of the federal penitentiary where Timothy McVeigh was awaiting execution, that the mass murderer not be served meat so that he “not be allowed to take even one more life.” some Jewish organizations and many of those in the kosher food industry was understandably negative. The video, to be sure, was disturbing. Although the PETA “mole” who secretly recorded the film likely witnessed thousands of unremarkable slaughters during his months on the job, the edited film showed a number of animals that seemed conscious after the act

Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melany Weinstein. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitutional committees of the Jewish Federation.

Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.

Nebraska Press Association

National Newspaper Association

January 7, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

ADL Lists Top Issues Affecting Jews in 2004

BEHIND T HE HEADLINES by MYRNA SHINBAUM and PETER HOFFMAN Gaza disengagement, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ, the death of Yasser Arafat and Protestant divestment from Israel, were among the issues most affecting the Jewish community in 2004, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual list. “With Prime Minister Sharon’s bold Gaza disengagement plan and the death of Yasser Arafat we have, after a long wait, a real opportunity to develop a legitimate partner for peace and a framework for a peaceful Palestinian state,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “Europe has begun to realize the scope and danger of anti-Semitism, and is working to curb its spread. The threat of global anti-Semitism still exists, with Middle Eastern media plying it as its stock and trade and new technology making it available to a worldwide market, the threat is just as real as it has been.” The Issues • Gaza Disengagement: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon put forth an historic plan to unilaterally disengage from the Gaza Strip and areas of the West Bank. Four years of unabated Palestinian terrorism, lack of action to impede terrorism by the Palestinian Authority, lack of a responsible partner for peace and the need for Israel to protect its citizens, led Sharon to propose a four-phase withdrawal of settlements and Israeli troops from Gaza and portions of the West Bank. In October 2004, the Knesset voted 67-45 in favor of the plan, with seven abstentions. • 2004 Election: President George W. Bush was reelected in November garnering 51% of the popular vote. The President pledged to continue his fight against terrorism, his steadfast support for Israel’s right to defend itself and his support of the Jewish State as a democratic ally of the United States. The Republican Party also increased its majorities in both the House and Senate, putting both the Legislative and Executive branches under Republican control. • The Fight Against Global AntiSemitism: Anti-Semitic incidents, vandalizations and attacks continued in Europe, the Americas and elsewhere around the globe. This year saw landmark progress in efforts to have Europeans recognize that anti-Semitism is a problem and advance the fight against it. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held three conferences on anti-Semitism leading to the historic Berlin Declaration, which spelled out a series of binding commitments for the 55 member states to take action through the collection of data on anti-Semitic incidents and the promotion of educational initiatives to counteract anti-Jewish sentiment, prejudice and bigotry.

The United Nations held the first U.N. into politics and political campaigns, the theatrical release of Mel Gibson’s The Seminar on Anti-Semitism where teaching of intelligent design and cre- Passion of the Christ was virtually indistinSecretary General Kofi Annan publicly ationism in public schools, as well as guishable from the earlier version shown condemned the “alarming resurgence of campaigns to display the Ten to select audiences and was minimally this phenomenon.” In the U.S., Congress Commandments in government build- changed from the “early draft” of the script ordered the State Department create an ings were key issues concerning the ero- that was reviewed and raised concerns office to monitor incidents of sion of the constitutional barrier about the film by a panel of scholars. The antiSemitism around the world. between church and state. Two cases film repeated many of the stereotypes and • Anti-Semitism in the Arab Media: regarding governmental displays of the images surrounding the death of jesus that During the run-up to the 2004 presidential Ten Commandments have reached the have generated anti-Semitism for 2,000 elections in the United States, expressions U.S. Supreme Court and will be decided years. “The Passion”, which received huge of ugly anti-Semitism and in 2005. audiences in the United States and Europe, The threat of global anticonspiracy theories • New Outreach by cleared the censors in many Middle appeared in the Arab Semitism still exists, with Hate Movement: the Eastern nations including Iran, Jordan, media with startling reg- Middle Eastern media white supremacist Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. ularity. Claims that movement is trying to • Security Barrier: After enduring over America’s elections were plying it as its stock and reach out to school-age four years of suicide attacks, Israel continbeing controlled behind trade and new technology children to and new ued construction of a security barrier to the scenes by a manipu- making it available to a members. The hate separate itself from the West Bank, to prelative Jewish lobby or the worldwide market... music label Panzerfaust vent attackers from slipping across the borIsraeli government and Records, a record com- der and attacking Israelis. Built as a temthat both candidates are the handmaidens pany that brags to create racists, porary measure which has proven to be of Jews were common in editorial cartoons launched “Project Schoolyard,” an out- effective in preventing terrorist attacks, the from around the region. reach campaign to distribute sampler security fence faced international condemIn an effort to combat vitriolic hatred CDs of songs by various white power nation by bodies such as International and anti-Semitism being broadcast out of bands whose music is filled with racist Court of Justice and the United Nations. the Middle East, France’s highest admin- and anti-Semitic themes to middle and The route of the barrier was changed, by istrative court ordered a French-based high school students, ages 13-19. order of the Israeli Supreme Court, to company to immediately end satellite • The Passion of the Christ: The February address humanitarian concerns. broadcasts of Al-Manar, the Lebanonbased television network owned by the terrorist organization Hezbollah followcommitment to religious liberty, in ing incendiary broadcasts that violated Continued from page 8 Those personal observations confirm PETA’s eyes, is eminently expendable as France’s hate speech laws. The United States is grappling with how to handle what scientific theory would have pre- well. Even though the Iowa plant has disAl-Manar broadcasts that reach the U.S. dicted: that the incidence of displays of post-slaughter consciousness is more continued a bleeding-facilitating arterial via satellite. • Death of Arafat: the death of rare in cases of shechita than when non- cut that PETA deemed a “dismemberPalestinian Authority Chairman Yasser kosher methods of slaughter are ment” of live animals, the animal rights Arafat closed a chapter in the history employed. That is because, as Dr. S.D. group is now demanding, among other Israel and the Palestinian people. His Rosen, MA, MD, Faculty of Medicine, things, that U.S. government regulations legacy is that of a terrorist, who turned Imperial College, London, noted earlier regarding animal slaughter be changed his back on the opportunity for a this year in a monograph in the in fundamental ways and that the type of Palestinian state. In the four years of Veterinary Record, studies have shown restraining pen required by some Palestinian violence, Chairman Arafat did that after the cutting of the trachea, decisors of Jewish law be outlawed. These are not minor points; they nothing to stem the tide of suicide esophagus and carotid arteries--the sheattacks, proving himself an unwilling chita process in essence--an animal’s touch, and not gently, upon the issue of partner for a real and lasting peace. His consciousness is lost within approxi- rabbinic authority and religious autonomy. And that game is zero-sum: What death presents an opportunity for the mately two seconds, and irreversibly. The evidence would appear to sug- constitutes proper animal slaughter Palestinian people to put forward a real leader committed to the formation of a gest, therefore, that PETA is grossly methods for observant American Jews palestinian state who will be a willing exaggerating the frequency of post-she- will necessarily be determined in the chita signs of consciousness at the Iowa future either by rabbis or by advocates partner in peace talks. • Divestment Movement: the move- plant. Perhaps it should not be surpris- for animal-rights. Shechita was attacked and outlawed ment to divest from companies that do ing that PETA’s 25% figure differs so drabusiness with Israel is still active on col- matically from what others have seen. by the Nazis when they came to power lege campuses, but has found a new Because, while the group’s concern that in Germany. Today, animal rights audience. In protest of the treatment of animals not be caused unnecessary pain activists have succeeded in banning it in the Palestinians, two Protestant denomi- is commendable, PETA also has an ulti- several European and Scandinavian nations have put forth plans to divest mate, and openly declared, goal: to stop countries. If PETA’s misleading campaign from Israel. The Presbyterian Church people from eating meat. And so, if a bit is not seen for the partisan salvo it is, our (USA) and the Episcopal Church called of dissembling is necessary to move in own country may be next. for divestiture from companies doing that direction, well... wouldn’t you This article is courtesy of Am business with Israel. The churches said stretch the truth to save Jews from Nazis? Precision, though, is not the only thing Echad Resources. Rabbi Avi Shafran divestment would target companies that operate on occupied land; sell products, PETA seems prepared to sacrifice in is Director of Public Affairs for services or technology to support Israeli order to achieve its goal. Our nation’s Agadath Israel of America. settlements or the construction of the separation barrier; or do business with organizations that support violence against civilians. • Church State Separation: the expansion of direct government funding to houses of worship through the withSkilled staff are at your disposal in both based initiative, the injecting of religion Bernina stores. They are ready to discuss and demonstrate all that is new from Bernina

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Your editorial on Dec. 17 on preserving the memories of our elders was right on the mark and state precisely what is the intent of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society’s Oral History Project. We are grateful to you for bringing it to public attention. I would like to add that the Historical Society has almost 150 interviews and, through the efforts of Dr. Ben Nachman, a professionally-edited film has been made, featuring snippets from the stories

of 20 of our treasured collection. The film is 50 minutes long and is available at no charge to area organizations to view at meetings, gatherings and programs. A representative from the NJHS will present the program and answer questions. The response to this film has been very gratifying. Please call our office at 334.6442 to reserve a date or for more information. Helen Rifkin Chorney NJHS President

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 jewishnebraska.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethlincoln.org

If you’re looking at this space, so are others! YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334-6451.

January 7, 2005

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Marcia and Michael Meyer, in honor of their daughter, Rachel becoming a Bat Mitzvah; Evening Service, 4:55 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. SUNDAY: Jewish Pot Pourri Class, 10 a.m. Bible Study Class, 11 a.m.; Hebrew Crash Course, 11:10 a.m. WEDNESDAYS: PATTER (Parents & Toddlers, Torah, Exercise, Recreation) with Helen Epstein, 10:45 a.m. THURSDAY, noon: Join Rabbi Levin’s class; “The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible.” WOMENS ROSH HODESH GROUP Meet at Beth El on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m., to learn the art of knitting with co-chairs Ruth Potash, Phyllis Wasserman, Evie Mitchell and Helen Epstein. Reservations are needed, and may be made by contacting Potash at 571.5006 or via e-mail at rsvp55@cox.net. TOT SHABBAT: Join us Jan. 14, 6 p.m. for our Tot Shabbat service. Grandparents, parents and kids of all ages, Beth El is the place to be for this fun and joyous service! SEVENTH-GRADE PROGRAM Sunday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m., seventh graders and their parents will participate in a special program discussing what it means to grow up Jewishly. Families are encouraged to complete and bring along their “Belonging” worksheet, which was mailed last month. Please contact the BESTT office at 498.0904 or eddir@bethel-omaha.org. COMFORT & CONVERSATION Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m., Beth El offers a special get-together for anyone mourning the recent or past loss of a loved one. A light dinner will be served, and we will be joined by Shane Kotok and Shelly Fox, who serve as Jewish Senior Services outreach representatives, with expertise in bereavement counseling. There is no charge to attend; however, courtesy reservations are being taken by Harriet Einziger in the synagogue office. JONATHAN SARNA PRESENTATION On Jan. 16 during Shabbat services, renowned Jewish historian Dr. Jonathan Sarna will deliver an enlightening D’var Torah focusing

on “350 Years of American Jewry.” The entire community is invited to attend. SISTERHOOD SHABBAT: Join us on Saturday, Jan. 22 for our special annual Sisterhood Shabbat, followed by a delicious Kiddush luncheon. HAZAK SHABBAT/ LUNCH ‘n’ LEARN A special Shabbat led by our Hazak group, will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, followed by an entertaining, Lunch ‘n’ Learn event featuring KETV consumer reporter Michael Sigmond. Sigmond will address “New Products: Will You Get What You Paid For?” Cost of the lunch is $7.75 per person; $6 for children under 10. Reservations may be made by sending a check to Natalie Rubin, 2004 So. 138th Ave., Omaha NE, 68144. For more information, contact Gloria Goodman at 333.3351.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Ma’ariv and Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Mincha, 12:45 p.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood. 5 p.m. followed by Ma’ariv; Havdalah, 5:59 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “To Knit or Knot to Knit!”, 10:30 a.m. Learn how to make “fun fur” scarves. Call the synagogue office for Mincha/Ma’ariv service time. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Call the synagogue office for Mincha/Ma’ariv service time. WEDNESDAY: Beth Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Kaballat Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Religious School, 3 p.m. at the JCC.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.; Aleph Champion and Little Scholars Programs. Innovative, interactive learning for kids, 10 a.m.-noon. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m. First class of the new session. TUESDAY: “W.O.W: Women of Redemption--Revisiting the Book of Exodus, with Shani Katzman, 9 a.m. Women only; babysitting available on request. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah: Journey of the Soul, 7 p.m. First class of a multi-session course. Programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call 330.1800.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in Lincoln two weekends a month. Please call her at 402.416.2321 or e-mail: dstiel@everestkc.net to set up appointments. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Debbie Stiel with an Oneg following provided by Stacie and Bob Bleicher. SATURDAY: Shabbat Service/ Torah Study, 10-11:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Stiel. LUNCH AND LEARN with guest scholar in residence Rabbi Lane Steinger, Regional Director of the Midwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Steinger will speak on “350 Years of American Jewry and 180 Years of American Reform Judaism:Glories of the Past & Prospects for the Future.” Join us for a potluck lunch with an American Jewish theme and hear Rabbi Steinger share his insights about the history of Jews in America. Please RSVP to the temple office at 435.8004 or stemple@neb.rr.com. TEMPLE ANNUAL MEETING Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005. Refreshments and babysitting will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to attend. More information will be sent as the date gets closer.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andrew Greenberg.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. Join Rabbi Craig Marantz and friends for songs and a story; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30 p.m., Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Guest speaker Rabbi Lane Steinger will discuss “350 Years of American Jewry and 180 Years of American Reform Judaism: Glories of the Past and Prospects for the Future.” Rabbi Steinger has been the regional director of the Midwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism since 1996. Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by the WRJ-Omaha.

Candlelighting Friday, January 7, 4:53 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Jan. 9, 10:15 a.m.Noon: Beyond the Aleph Bet. Colleen Kennealy will teach you to read Ivrit during the six-week course. Class fee is $18 for members/$25 for non-members. TUESDAY, Jan. 11, Noon-1 p.m.: It All Begins in Genesis. Temple congregant Katherine Finnegan will lead this Jewish Journey Group through a general understanding of the stories in the first book of the Bible and haw this sacred text has relevance in our lives today; 6:30-8 p.m.: Reaching Out to Interfaith Families. This a seven-week course facilitated by Temple congregant John Dacey will help interfaith couples in exploring religious differences, choosing and transmitting a faith for a family, and what it means to be part of the Jewish community. There is an $18 fee, per couple.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:50 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush Luncheon and Mincha, 12:54 p.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066. ADULT EDUCATION MONDAYS: Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum, 7:30-9 p.m. SUNDAYS: (during Hebrew School days): Jewish Law through the Ages with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-11:45 a.m.

BAT MITZVAH Rachel Meyer, daughter of Marcie Meyer and Michael Meyer, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Beth El Synagogue. A seventh-grade superior honor roll student at Kiewit Middle School. She loves art and the arts. For her mitzvah project, Rachel donated her time to prepare and serve dinner one night at YES (Youth Emergency Service). She has also made several warm blankets for

the kids which she will deliver after her Bat Mitzvah; she will also donate a portion of the monetary gifts received from family and friends to the YES house. Rachel has a brother, Steven Meyer. Her grandparents are Joe Ann and Arnie Kratchman of Kansas City, and Betty and Louis Meyer of Scottsdale, AZ, and the late Edward Levine.

January 7, 2005

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Pharaoh Lays and Egg

SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat VaEra When one turns from the Torah text to the Midrash upon it, he is impressed, as usual, with the inventiveness and the originality of thinking of the rabbis of the Midrash. To be sure, we are also aware, not a few times, that the inventiveness of the rabbis can be downright silly and childish. But all of this indicates their emphasis on the complete conquest of Egyptian wickedness and the total triumph of the power of the Lord. When Moses and Aaron do magic with their staffs, the Egyptian magic-makers scorn such simple things: “Every child can do things like that. Didn’t you know that Egypt is a world center of the magical arts?” But the rabbis are heartened by the opportunities afforded them by the plagues. The first plague, blood, allowed them to say that the Egyptians could find no place to get water. All water turned to blood, but not when Israelites, of course, wanted to drink water. But even then, the Midrash has it, if an Egyptian drank from the same vessel from which any Israelite was drinking water, the water turned to blood for the Egyptian! And so on. The frogs were all over Egypt. The rabbis suggested (note the latent sense of humor) that the frogs settled a border dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia. The frogs invaded all of Egypt. Where the frogs stopped, so Egyptian territory stopped, and the land without frogs was Ethiopia. How many human

lives could have been saved with this simple device. Perhaps even Hitler (yimah shemo) would have been persuaded--and stopped. If only Europe had enough frogs (and you know that I don’t mean Frenchmen!). In our Sidra, it is noteworthy that Moses had no eagerness to engage in leadership. At first, he told the Lord that the Israelites would not listen to him. Especially, he said, because he was not an eloquent speaker. Despairing, he begged the Lord to find someone else: “If you want to send word to Pharaoh, send it by whoever you wish--but not by me.” (Today, you would say, “You can use my cellphone, Lord.”) Moses shows his reluctance when he tells the Lord that He has only made the lots of the Israelite brickmakers worse. “Why have you harmed these people!” There is a high measure of hutzpah in a charge like that, and Moses hasn’t shrunk from it. From this sorry performance, the leadership of Moses becomes a signal show of leadership--with talent, devotion and recognition of goals. One must first add, with genuine denial of personal aggrandizement and eagerness for acclaim. In our Sidra, the plagues visited upon Egypt came one after another. We are faced with the theological problem that the Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart so that he cannot repent. But that would ruin the story! Pharaoh, helpless, earns the ignominy and the material punishment that he would have hoped to avoid. Our Sidra, for the naive reader who doesn’t know the story, leaves off on a cliff-hanger. It remains for the next Sidra to strike the final blow, when Egypt succumbs. Even for the reader who has read the narrative again and again, the Biblical story (aside from the miraculous) is both credible and powerful.

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EDITH CHERWITZ Edith Cherwitz died at the age of 76. Grave side service were held Dec 30 at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Gordon Cherwitz; and a son, Dr. David Cherwitz. She is survived by her son, Dr. Richard Cherwitz of Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Miriam Cherwitz Newton and Phil Newton of Texas; daughter-in-law, Dr. Linda Goldman Cherwitz of Minnesota; grandson, Kevin Cherwitz of Minnesota; brother and sister-inlaw, Harold and Dodie Sugarman of Florida; brothersin-law and sisters-in-law, Phyllis and Jerry Wasserman and Ruth and Merle Potash. Memorials are requested to the Rose Blumkin Home or Beth El Synagogue. JOEL N. CHERNISS Former Omahan Joel N. Cherniss died Dec. 31 in San Francisco, CA, at the age of 89. Servicews were held Jan. 2 at the Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel in Colma, CA. A distinguished Navy veteran who served in World War II, he was a longtime postal foreman and scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #37. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Pearlman Cherniss. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Cherniss and Ilene Cherniss; sons and daughters-in-law, Fred and Tessa Cherniss, Eldon and Nancy Cherniss and Randy and Lil Cherniss; grandchildren, Larry, Nathan, Karen, Rachel, Iliana, Daniella, Brent and Bryan Cherniss; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 2680, No. Canton, OH 44720; American Heart Association, 120 Montgomery St., Ste. 1650, San Francisco, CA 94109; San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts, 1001 Davis St., San Leandro, CA 94577; or ARMDI (American Red Magen David for ISrael), 888 Seventh Ave., Ste. 403, New York City, NU 10106. HARRY W. FOX Former Omahan Harry W. Fox died Jan. 1 in San Francisco, CA, at the age of 86. Services were held Jan. 4 at Sinai Memorial Chapel, followed by interment at Eternal Home Cemetery. He served in World War II with the First Armored Division and moved to San Francisco 14 years ago from Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Allen

Jonushaitis. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Selma Fox; daughters and sons-in-law, Terrie and Gary Liss, Cathy and Stephen Shain, Joyce and Michael Bignell; daughter, Pamela Fox Jonushaitis; 10 grandchildren and brother, Marvin Fox of St. Louis, MO. Memorials to the National Kidney Foundation, 611 Mission St., San Francisco, CA, or the Hebrew Educational Alliance, 3600 So. Ivanhoe, Denver, CO 80237. DELORES SKLAR ROBINSON Delores Robinston died Jan. 2 in Des Moines, IA, at the age of 81. Services were held Jan. 4 in Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her sister, Florence Hurwitz. She is survived by her husband, Martin Robinson; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Bruce Sherman, all of Des Moines; grandchildren Amy and Darren Goldstein of Chicago, IL, and Andy Sherman of Denver, CO; sister and brother-in-law, Sis and Art Adler.

To Submit an Obituary Notice: Send full name, age, date of death, location of service and burial site to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax, 402.334.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68114. Survivors shall be listed, including names of surviving spouse, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and their places of residence; the numbers (but not names) of greatgrandchildren, as well as the name of the spouse or children who preceded the deceased in death. The cause of death may be included, if authorized by the immediate family. In cases where confusion might arise due to people of the same name either being the deceased or a survivor, maiden names or middle initials shall be added, if known. Nieces and nephews shall be listed when there are no surviving children or grandchildren. Friends of the deceased (companions or life partners) shall be listed. Other pertinent biographical information (including honors or the serving as an officer in a Jewish organization) may be included at the Editor’s discretion. Memorial suggestions are acceptable to any bona fide, charitable organization; addresses will be included to out-of-state nonprofit organizations, if provided.

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Here’s my ad for jBay: Name ________________________________________ Address _______________________________________ City, State and Zip _______________________________ Phone _______________ Check enclosed for $ _________ Mail to jBay, The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 The Jewish Press jBay classifieds are only for use by individuals–businesses should contact the Advertising Department– Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Ray Pred, 334.6559, for display ads.

Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

January 7, 2005

Jewish Federation of Lincoln Celebrates at Annual Meeting by LORI MERLISS Last month, 75 people met for the Jewish Federation of Lincoln dinner and annual meeting at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Campaign Chairman Sue Schreiber received a standing ovation when she reported that the campaign goal of $100,000 was met and exceeded with pledges for 2004 now at $109,000. United Jewish Communities (UJC) Director Mark Weintraub, received a check for $30,000 which brings the 2004 contribution to $60,000. This is a $10,000 increase over the last two years. It was announced that Elaine Wolf has received the Lion of Judah Award for women whose donation is at $5,000 or above. A resolution of commendation was given to Sylvia and Robert Jacobs for their long-term devotion and support of the Lincoln Federation and recognizing their leadership and exemplary representation of our people in their hometown of Columbus, Nebraska. Sylvia’s brother Max Neiden accepted the award on their behalf as they are out of the state at this time. Several awards were given including one to the American National Bank for their donation of a $1500 scholarship for a Lincoln child to attend a Jewish camp in the summer of 2005. Jeff Holmberg, President of the Lincoln bank, accepted the certificate of appreciation. Jaine Graham, Barbara Strauss, Amy Zlotsky, and Lori Feldman were elected to the board. Retiring board members are: Yale Gotsdiner, Joyce Davidson, Mike Eppel, and Bob Evnen. A board

resolution recognized Yale Gotsdiner’s 33 years of service, his leadership in the Jewish community, his role in initiating the annual Holocaust Commemoration at the State Capitol, and his reputation as a respected spokesman for “all things Jewish in Lincoln.” Marcia Kushner reported on the Lincoln Federation activities. “The Federation supports Jews around the world and in Israel through UJC, and constantly seeks community-building activities in the Lincoln Jewish community. We appreciate the valuable support of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Left photo: Accepting a resolution of apprecia- President of American National Bank received Foundation for grants for several impor- tion from Marcia Kushner for Bob and Sylvia an award from Kushner for the $1500 scholartant projects Jacobs of Columbus, NE, is Max Neiden, ship donated by the bank to send a Lincoln child Kushner stated that she believes this Sylvia’s brother. Right photo: Jeff Holmberg, to a Jewish camp next summer. is a good time in the L i n c o l n Jewish comm u n i t y . “There is an excitement that I feel. We are coming together as never before. Dr. Daniel Pomp, a professor of Left: Bob Nefsky, past President of the Lincoln Jewish Federation and Chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented Animal Ge- a resolution of gratitude to retiring board member Yale Gotsdiner. Right: DeDe Krout, left, Miriam Merliss, and Kitra Monnier nomics at the report on their camp experiences. University of Nebraska spoke on the seen in 90 percent of those who claim to discover genes controlling obesity identification of pattern of genes com- to be Kohanim. Pomp is currently and to develop drugs based on these mon to Kohanim. Pomp is an engaging involved in a major new research col- discoveries. speaker who said that this pattern is laboration with Merck Pharmaceuticals

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