Vol. LXXXIV No. 19 Omaha, NE
Temple Israel Speaker to Reflect on the Jewish Community, Today and Tomorrow by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Taking a look at what the Jewish community looks like today at 350 years of age and where will it be 50 years from now will be the subject of the D’var Torah during Shabbat worship services on Friday, Jan. 28, 7: 30 p.m., at Temple Israel. Dru Greenwood, adjunct faculty member at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Dru Greenwood Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), will give the sermon. After services, she will continue the conversation at the Oneg. Greenwood, until recently the director of the William and Lottie Daniel Department of Outreach and Synagogue Community at the Union for Reform Judaism, will meet with members of the congregation who are involved in building a vision of an even stronger synagogue community. Her visit to Temple is sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. “We want to talk to Dru about generating conversation on what the Jewish community in America will look like in 50 years and our role in shaping that future here in Omaha,” said Rosie Zweiback, Temple’s program director. She invited everyone in the community who is interested in the topic to attend. Continued on page 4
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
4 Shevat, 5765 January 14, 2005
An Encounter with Disaster by LISA BLOOM Editor’s note: Lisa Bloom is the niece of Beverly Fellman; she works as a consultant in Philadelphia, PA. Lisa was on a bicycling trip which had just ended and was planning to stay a few days at the beach with a girlfriend when the tsunami hit. This is her first-hand account. Krabi, Thailand--The 10 a.m. hotel shuttle took me to where I could catch a boat to my friend Syd’s resort. The shuttle took me to Ao Nang. A young guy put my luggage and helped me into the boat. I was awed by the beauty. I started snapping pictures on the way over and was so excited about my next destination. I was not sure where my friend’s resort was. I was a little concerned, but I was early. Finally, I left my suitcase and walked a little way to try to find help. A man offered to help and hoisted my suitcase over his shoulder; he led me to the end of the beach and the entrance of the Rayavadee resort.
Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor reviews lists of the missing on the Thai island of Krabi, (where Lisa Bloom was vacationing). Credit: Chabad.org.
Then I was welcomed by two very nice men who worked at the resort. I told them I was there to meet my friend in Bungalow #110. They asked me to have a seat in the restaurant just off the beach while they called her. I was taking in my surroundings: a beautiful day, incredibly blue water, beautiful pool Lisa Bloom and restaurant. Then I looked at the beach; it seemed much drier than it had a moment ago. Just as I was processing how strange that seemed, I noticed the waiter had an incredibly terrified look on his face and was pointing to the ocean--a ‘smoking’ wave with some big sailboats on top of it. The men from the resort signaled to everyone to run--away from the beach. I thought we were being hit by terrorists. I looked back again and saw the boats tipping over--one by one--I started to run with my bag and carry on. I realized I was still not safe. I grabbed my suitcase, too, and ran as fast as I could, looking for Syd, hoping she didn’t go out to the beach looking for me. I stopped to rest my arms and catch my breath. A woman stopped at the same point and told me her husband, her son, and she had just come in from kayaking--just in time. Her husband had gone back to try to help people. She said it was a tsunami. Her husband joined us--bloody and badly cut when he had been pulled under. Kids were screaming and crying; people were bloody. I didn’t know where I was and which way to go in this campus of bungalows; I just followed the crowd with all my luggage on me. Continued on page 5
Newman Supporting Foundation Extends Helping Hand to 10 Projects by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator At its annual meeting in October, the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation met to discuss 15 applications for grants. Harlan Noddle, president of the supporting foundation, commented that this year’s requests for income were some of the best he had seen. Ten of the requests, totaling $20,437, were unanimously granted. Submitted by the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee (ADL/CRC), the 19th annual Prejudice Elimination Workshop (PEW) was given a grant for a one-day program to provide an understanding of the harm prejudice and discrimination inflict on individuals and society. Approximately 250 public, parochial, and private high school juniors representing 26 schools from the Omaha area attend. About 50 school counselors, teachers, and staff accompany the students who participate in the workshop. Additionally, 40 professionals recruited from the education field, businesses, and agencies attend a training session in order to facilitate small group sessions for the students. PEW’s objectives include learning to recognize biases and taking responsibility to combat prejudice and discrimination, to challenge stereotypes and biases which inhibit understanding, to build bridges of understanding, and to make new friends among students who represent diverse cultures, races, religions, sexuality, and abilities. A Catholic Educators Program planned for next sum-
Inside Opinion Page see page 16
mer and hosted by the Institute for Holocaust Education and the ADL received a grant for a conference entitled Bearing Witness: Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and Contemporary Issues. Catholic teachers attending the conference will receive training and resources to teach their students about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust by exploring their history including the role of the Church, recent changes in Catholic teachings regarding Jews and Judaism, contemporary issues of prejudice, and Holocaust denial. Bearing Witness, cited by the Holy See as an important initiative to improve Catholic-Jewish relations, is a national program that has already trained more than 300 Catholic teachers. The three-day conference here next summer will train 40 participants. To provide a unique and meaningful Jewish and Israeli experience for Omaha’s Jewish community, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) received a grant to bring the Israel Scout Caravan here next summer for three days. The 10 Israeli teens educate, entertain, and help create connections between American and Israeli youth. Plans include a performance at the JCC for the entire Jewish community, workshops at JCC day camps, the JCC dance program, and for Boys & Girls Club of Omaha as well as local Jewish youth groups and Jewish Boy Scout troops. Approximately 125 fifth through seventh graders who are members of the JCC are eligible to participate in Junior Maccabi which provides an atmosphere to devel-
This Week: Tax and Financial Planning Guide Starts on Page 11 Attorney General Warns of Tsunami Scams: Page 2
Federation’s Super Sunday Set for Jan. 20: Page 3
op positive Jewish identity while enhancing leadership skills. With its grant from the Newman Foundation, the JCC teen department will offer a variety of activities such as athletic events, field trips, Judaic programs, and community service opportunities that strengthen bonds among Jewish youth and prepare them to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games enriching their Jewish identities and motivating them to remain active within the Omaha Jewish community. Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides financial assistance throughout the year for approximately 60 individuals and 90 families for emergency rent and utilities, grocery certificates, medical prescriptions, and gasoline vouchers. Many JFS clients are faced with making choices between buying groceries or medications, decisions that JFS can make less painful. This Jewish Federation agency also assists people who cannot afford eyeglasses, emergency dental care, and medical equipment. With the funding from the Newman Foundation, JFS will be able to help meet the needs of families beset by major illness, debilitating disease, a severe accident, or the sudden death of a wage earner and now facing unexpected expenses and financial insecurity. For every two dollars that the Jewish Federation of Omaha contributes to birthright israel, a program that sends North American Jewish young adults to Israel, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation will contribute a dollar to the Omaha Continued on page 12
Next Month: Simchas Issue on Feb. 18
Dr. Hal Maurer Named “Midlander of the Year”: Page 7
Crossword Puzzle “All in the Mishpocheh”: Page 10
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Makes First Allocation to Tsunami Relief Partners
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by JOSHUA BERKMAN PR Manager, JDC New York, NY; January 4, 2005--The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee today announced the first in a series of allocations of the more than $2 million it has raised from individual donors in support of its South Asia Tsunami Relief effort. The 90-year-old organization continues to see donations arrive via phone, Internet and physical mail at a record clip and anticipates that it will ultimately raise several million dollars. Additionally, JDC has shipped more than $300,000 worth of medicine to India, which is being distributed by the organizations partner agencies in the field. JDC plans to divide the monies it raises for tsunami relief between immediate projects and long-term infrastructure rebuilding efforts, such as schools, hospitals, orphanages or medical clinics. JDC will announce at a later date which long-term projects it will support. Partner organizations supported through this morning’s allocation include: • International Rescue Committee. JDC is allocating $150,000 for ongoing delivery of relief supplies in the hard-hit Aceh province of Indonesia. • Disaster Mitigation Institute. JDC is allocating a combined $150,000 for delivery of food, clothing and temporary shelter materials in Chennai, India. JDC operates a field office in Mumbai, which will coordinate with these partner agencies in the field.
• Caritas. JDC is allocating $75,000 to Caritas to support its relief efforts in India. • Chabad International. JDC is allocating $25,000 to provide medical help, meals and clothing for injured survivors in Thailand. As part of a major, non-sectarian effort, Chabad volunteers are working at hospitals, providing clothing and counseling services. Additionally, JDC has dispatched a team of regional experts to Sri Lanka to determine which critical areas of need are not being serviced adequately and to select a partner agency on the ground with whom to work. Once this assessment is complete, JDC will make an allocation of $150,000 to support relief efforts in Sri Lanka. “We have to consider immediate needs and long term rebuilding and our allocations will reflect that thinking,” said Steven Schwager, JDC’s executive vice president. “We will need to help rebuild infrastructure, but our focus today, and in the coming weeks, will be on feeding survivors, keeping them warm, fighting outbreaks of disease and helping people in the region cope with the terrible psychological trauma this catastrophe has brought them.” Contributions can be made by credit card via JDC’s website: www.jdc.org, via phone: 212.687.6200, or by check payable to: “JDC: South Asia Tsunami Relief”, Box 321, 847A Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Or make your donations online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org, where they will be forwarded directly to JDC.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 14 Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m., at Beth El Shabbat Dinner, 7 p.m. at Beth El Singles Shabbat Dinner, 7 p.m., at One Pacific Place Clubhouse SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 C Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, L 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel I Jewish Potpouri, 10 a.m. at Beth El P Sisterhood Meeting, 10 a.m. at Beth El
C L I P
Bible Study Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El & Hebrew Crash Course, 11 a.m. at Beth El
ADL’s Manhigim Institute, 12:30 p.m. S Bridal Pageant, 1 p.m., at Chabad House A V MONDAY, JANUARY 17 E JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m.
& S A V E
Hadassah Board Meeting, 1 p.m. BEA.M. Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Jewish Press Meeting, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 “The Guy and Bob Show,” noon Adult Education, noon, at Temple Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19
C C Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El L Adult Education, noon at Temple Israel L I Social Justice Club (Gr. 7-12), 5:30 p.m., at Temple Israel I P P
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21
& Men’s Spirituality Group, 7:30 a.m. at Temple Israel
Library Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m., Kripke Library
&
S Walk-in Drop-in, 10:a.m. S A Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel A V Rabbi Levin’s Class “Most Important People of the Bible,” V E E noon at Beth El
Yiddish Group, 1-3 p.m. 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)
This Space For Rent Call Allan Handleman 334-6451
by MARILYN SHAPIRO Working closely with the International Red Cross and JERUSALEM-A huge four-day nationwide food drive Red Crescent, more than 4,000 MDA workers and volbegan Monday with tons of key products collected at unteers stood outside Israeli supermarkets and shopsupermarkets throughout Israel being immediately dispatched to the Tsunami disaster zone in South Asia. The mobilization was organized by Magen David Adom (Israel’s Red Cross equivalent), backed fully by MDA’s American support organization ARMDI, American Red Magen David for Israel, on the web at: www.armdi.org, which has established its own emergency relief campaign in the U.S. At the end of the first day, MDA has sent out a large cargo of Albumin, a protein that accounts for 55 percent of the MDA reports that the Israeli total protein in blood plasma. Its major function is to help maintain the osmotic pressure public, including Israeli between the blood vessels and tissues, and it is of utmost importance during this overArabs from Northern Israel whelming calamity, as protein levels drop as the result of severe wounds, and the casualties and from East Jerusalem, similarly suffer from drastic malnutrition and trauma. donated 2.5 tons of flour, 4 tons of rice, 920 liters of oil, ping malls for 48 hours until midnight last night, col2.5 tons of sugar, 1.5 tons of plain pasta, 39, 000 liters lecting huge supplies of mineral water, rice, oil, sugar of mineral water, 900 kilos of dried beans and 700 kilos and flour from the public, all headed to Colombo, Sri of jams and conserves. Lanka. “We had initially chosen just two days for the food “MDA is known to every Israeli for being there to drive, but the response has been so incredible, that save lives during times of emergency,” said an ARMDI we’ve decided to extend it for another two days and representative in New York City, “The impulse to proship the goods on Friday from Ashdod port,” said vide some relief to the victims of this horrible tragedy Israeli Magen David Adom’s International Director, Mr. gripped the Israeli public, and MDA was able to transYoni Yagodovsky. late those feelings into instant tangible assistance.”
Attorney General Warns Nebraskans to Beware of Tsunami Giving Scams by REGAN ANDSON Attorney General Jon Bruning has urged Nebraskans to get the facts before contributing money to Tsunami relief efforts. “The humanitarian disaster following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean is staggering,” Bruning explained. “Nebraskans have joined people around the world in opening their hearts and wallets to victims. Unfortunately, after any disaster, there are con artists waiting to take advantage of those who want to help.” The Attorney General offered the following tips to help ensure that donations reach victims in Southeast Asia: • Ask how your donation will be used. What percentage will go to actual relief for victims? What percentage will go for administrative costs or to professional fundraisers? What percentage will be used to fund other programs sponsored by the charity? • Do not make an immediate decision on giving, especially if you are not familiar with the charity. Only
give money to reputable organizations, such as the American Red Cross, UNICEF or your local synagogue or the Jewish Federation of Omaha. • Make sure the charity you select has experience in international relief efforts. • Do not be pressured by emotional appeals. • Do not give cash. Legitimate charities will accept checks or credit cards. A con artist does not want a paper trail. Be sure to obtain a receipt from the organization collecting the money showing the amount of the donation. It should also have the name, address and phone number of the organization and information regarding whether your donation is tax deductible. Research the organization asking for a donation by calling the Attorney General’s Office, the Better Business Bureau or visit www.guidestar.com, a database of nonprofit organizations. For additional information, contact the Attorney General’s Office at 800.727.6432, 402.471.2682 or at www.ago.state.ne.us.
January 14, 2005
Beth Israel Hosts a “Musical Shabbat” by BETH COHEN Executive Director of Beth Israel A “Musical Shabbat” featuring Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, will be held at Beth Israel on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28 -29. The program includes a Kabbalat Shabbat service at 5:30 p.m. followed by a festive dinner, and Shabbat morning services at 9 a.m., followed by a special Kiddush sponsored by Rabbi Jonathan Gross, in honor of his birthday. On Saturday evening, a Melaveh Malka will begin at 7:30 p.m., when an All-Star Beth Israel Band will be joined by Rabbi Dembitzer for fun evening of music and kibbitzing. Rabbi Dembitzer has served as Beth Israel’s High Holiday Chazzan for the past four years. He received smicha (ordination) from Mesivta Tiferet in Jerusalem and has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from NYU. He is currently working for Chai Lifeline, an organization that provides various services to children who are terminally and chronically ill. Dembitzer is the Director of Chai Lifeline’s summer camps, in which about 400 children each summer escape their diseases and, as he puts it, “get to be kids again.” Although not formally trained as a chazzan, Ari’s love of music and enthusiasm in leading a prayer service have endeared him to Beth Israel members who so enjoy his High Holiday davening. Rabbi Dembitzer feels the same, saying, “I consider Omaha, aside from Jerusalem, to be my favorite city in the world.” Dembitzer patterns much of his davening after his musical mentor, the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, who was famous for inspiring Jews of all backgrounds by creating an atmosphere in his shul for all to come to learn about holiness, spirituality and joy. Followers of Carlebach, who was most known for spiritual singing and festive dancing on Shabbat, continue in his tradition by bringing special “Carlebach Shabbos” programs to communities around the world. Reservations for the Friday night dinner are requested by Jan. 24. Dinner is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, and free to children under four. Free babysitting service is available on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Federation Campaign Nearing Goal; Super Sunday Culminating Event by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director As the 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha winds down, Super Sunday 2005 is gearing up! Super Sunday traditionally signals the end of the Federation’s Annual Campaign, and with a total of just over $3 million pledged so far this year, the Federation is working very hard to reach it’s goal of $3,250,000 million. “We’re counting on everyone to help us reach our Campaign goal,” said Stacey Atlas, who along with her husband Brett is leading Super Sunday 2005 on Jan. 30. “Only when the Federation achieves their fundraising goal can we be comfortable that many of birthright Israel, Children’s Needs Scholarships and the community needs will be met,” she explained. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Camp Grants and the Jewish Press. “With our theme, “Shaping the Future,” we wanted Volunteer callers are still needed to make calls for to hammer home the fact Super Sunday 2005. Calls that everyone in the Omaha are being made from Jewish community has the Omaha Steaks, 10909 John opportunity to change Galt Boulevard between things for the better. A little 8:30 a.m. and noon. bit is all it takes. If we all Breakfast will be served increase our pledges by just and callers are eligible to that little bit we will cerwin valuable prizes donattainly meet our 2005 ed by local businesses, as Campaign goal.” added well as some very special Brett. grand prizes to be The Federation Campaign announced during Super funds Jewish causes locally Sunday. and overseas. In Omaha, This year, those wishing Campaign dollars support to volunteer to make calls the Community Relations Eleanor Cohen-Dunning, age three, the youngest donor to can register on-line at Council (CRC), the Jewish the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign, www.jewishomaha.org. Community Center, Jewish recently made a contribution of $23.74 to the 2005 Super Sunday pledges are Educational and Library Campaign from change she’s been collecting in her also being accepted on the Services, Jewish Family tzedakah box. As a token of thanks, the Federation board website. For more informaService and Jewish Senior and staff presented Eleanor with a Jewish Federation of tion, please contact me at Services as well as Omaha tzedakah box and a “Tzedakah Bear.” Pictured: 334.6431 or by e-mail at Federation programs such Federation President Zoë Riekes, left, Eleanor and her pmonsky@jewishomaas Jewish experience schol- mother, Toba Cohen, and Campaign/Young Leadership ha.org. arships, missions to Israel, Director Sharon Kirshenbaum.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
Temple Speaker to Reflect on Jewish Community Continued from page 1 Author of Defining the Role of the Non-Jew in the Synagogue: A Resource for Congregations, published in 2003, Greenwood has taken a leading role since 1981 in developing the Reform Movement’s outreach efforts in response to interfaith couples, Jews-by-choice, and others--Jewish and non-Jewish--who are seeking a way into Jewish life. A frequent speaker and workshop leader, Greenwood, who holds a master’s degree in social work, has written and edited numerous articles and resource guides. At HUC-JIR, she teaches courses on Jewish identity, outreach to interfaith families, conversion, and synagogue change. She developed and led an Outreach Fellows program in conjunction with HUC-JIR that has trained more than 150 lay leaders to support people in the process of conversion. A similar training program for lay leaders working with interfaith couples and families was initiated last summer. Temple Israel’s John Dacey, Stephanie Grossman, Lee Needelman, and Mimi Rogers Farkas all became Outreach Fellows through the HUC-JIR program. On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 29, Greenwood will par-
ticipate in Women of Spirit XX, an interfaith, intergenerational day of celebrating the wisdom of women. The gathering includes singing, dancing, speakers, learning and conversing about aspects of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Greenwood will share Jewish reflections at the event under the theme, “Weaving Women’s Wisdom, a Multi-faith Gathering of Women of Spirit.” Fidelma O’Leary will discuss Muslim perspectives, and Maryanne Stevens, RSM, will convey Christian outlooks. Lee Needelman attended the conference last year for the first time. “The day was a totally awesome experience!” she said. “The whole day left me transformed, feeling close to women of different backgrounds, more informed of their faith traditions, and feeling hopeful that women can be the start of the healing of the world!” Registration and fees, which include dinner, must be received by Thursday, Jan. 20, for Women of Spirit which is scheduled for 1-8 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Milo Bail Student Center, 60th and Dodge. Women of Spirit is open to all women of the community. Registration forms and more information can be accessed by calling the Knowles Mercy Spirituality Center at 359.4288.
Beth El Synagogue Promotes Summer Yeshiva Program in Jerusalem by JILL BELMONT Five mornings a week, an Beth El Publicity Coordinator intensive ulpan will be The United Synagogue offered to supplement stuConservative Yeshiva has dents’ Hebrew speaking scheduled a summer study and reading skills, as well as program in Jerusalem for an active daily minyan, students of all ages, accordwith students leading the ing to Beth El Synagogue davening and the Torah Rabbi Mordechai Levin. readings. Students and facTwo sessions, offering a ulty also host each other for wide range of classes, will Shabbat meals. be offered during July and In the past, the summer August, he said, noting that Conservative yeshiva students engage in prayer and study, program has attracted parBeth El is promoting this as well as touring Israel and volunteering. ticipants from countries program because “it offers including the U.S., Canada, an opportunity to spend time in Israel studying the England, France, Italy, Germany and the Czech classic texts of Judaism, Talmud, Halacha, Hebrew Republic. Bible and Jewish philosophy. This is a great learning Session I of this year’s summer program will be held experience for college and post-college age students of July 3-21; Session II, July 24-Aug. 11. Cost for one sesall levels and backgrounds.” The Yeshiva is located in sion is $550; cost for both sessions is $900. Students the United Synagogue Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, may also arrange to study for a half-day only, at a cost which was dedicated last September. of $350 for one session, or $600 for two sessions. The Participants will study classic texts of Judaism, with sessions are not repetitive and individuals may attend courses built on the traditional model of hevruta, or either or both. learning one-on-one with a partner, and shiur, a semTo apply for the summer program or obtain further inar-style class. According to Yeshiva Director Rabbi information about the Yeshiva, contact Rabbi Daniel Daniel Goldfarb, the summer program is not-for-cred- Goldfarb or Rabbi Gail Diamond, at yeshiva@uscj.org, it, alleviating the pressure of tests and research papers. or visit www.conservativeyeshiva.org.
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Omaha Couple Among Those Caught by Tsunami by ANDY GREENBERG (Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Andy Greenberg’s d’var Torah at Beth El Synagogue last Shabbat. The couple agreed to printing part of it here.) My job requires a lot of business travel. In some years I fly 130 flights and 95,000 paid miles. Frequent flyer miles and hotel programs qualified us for tour recent trip to Thailand. We planned on going to Bali first, then Phuket. On the morning of Dec. 16, the story starts to unfold. I learned of the U.S. government travel alert for Indonesia, where Bali is located. There was credible information that a terrorist attack was imminent. We changed our plans and went straight to Phuket instead. Each of the previous six mornings before breakfast we walked on the beach across the street from the hotel. Each morning the security guards from the hotel paid no attention to us. That morning, the crabs were running around like crazy. The ocean had receded; local resident remarked she had never seen this before. We rented two chairs, took off our shoes and were about ready to start reading our books and do nothing for the rest of the day. Ah, vacations! There were several people in the water who went to see why the tide was low. All of a sudden they started running back to shore as the waves quickly reached our chairs, soon covered them and kept on going past. We found our way to the small hill, as did the water-to our ankles. As quickly as the first wave came, it left. The second wave came in and began to rise to levels where the cars lost control and started banging into each other. The Hilton hotel staff threw life preservers from the pool. Three people were left: Carole, another guest and myself. We heard screams as the third final and biggest wave was approaching The security guards grabbed us under our arms and in chest high waters risking their own lives-took us to the other side just as waters came crashing over and spilled into the street. We were safe--we did not know what this was or the damage and death it bought to thousands until several hours later. We e-mailed family, friends and business associates that we were okay. A cancellation of a stay in Bali--which kept us off Phi Phi Island--a discussion of earthquakes and tidal waves the day before--the animals warning of danger--the security guards paying no attention to us, then rescuing us--there was a higher force at work here. At what point did we truly feel safe and secure? After traveling 24 hours, we arrived late afternoon of Dec. 31. We went to Beth El for Kabbalat Shabbat services. As we saw the rabbi, and heard the cantor and joined the congregation in singing--at that point, we knew we were finally home safely where we belong.
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An Encounter with Disaster Continued from page 1 Read about an Omaha a kick out of the fact that one woman managed We made it to the area with the to make her life jacket look very stylish. At life jackets. I left my suitcase in couple’s escape from about 10:30 p.m., we got a call that we were a fenced in area, knowing I the tsunami in the going to be evacuating at 7:30 a.m. the next couldn’t take it any further. I sidebar on the day. We needed to pack up our things. befriended a nice couple from opposite page. I tried to sleep although it was very difficult. I Greece who were sitting in a heard helicopters all night long--knowing they tree. It was hard for me to sit up on the tree branch were trying to rescue people. because I was wearing a skirt. I stood on a chair and Once we got to the other side, the resort was charheld onto the tree. tering buses to Bangkok for guests. We decided to take At this point, it was sort of like living in the movie, the 10-12 hour bus ride. Our luggage was still at the Life is Beautiful, having a distracting conversation. We resort. Syd and I waited patiently as the buses left. We talked about where we were from, and Phuket. The probably waited about an hour and a half when our woman was reading a good book on the beach when luggage finally arrived along with some good news--we the wave struck. It was keeping me calm talking to them. But, we were told to get off the tree and go to the right. We followed a crowd to a mountain and started hiking up. I hiked up with my carry-on and bag. It was amazing how nice people were being offering to help me in the midst of everything. Meanwhile, people were struggling with carrying little babies and young children up the mountain. About a third of the way up, I looked down and saw Syd. Thank goodness! I started yelling her name but she couldn’t hear me. I waited for her about halfway up. We decided to go to the top of the moun- Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, right, sits with Zaka representatives tain. As we were talking, on the Thai island of Krabi, reviewing lists of the missing on Jan. 2. Credit: Chabad.org the Rayavadee staff brought watermelon, cookies and water. They continued to heard that Thai Air was adding flights to Bangkok. We serve their guests. I had cinnamon covered almonds I decided to chance it and go to the airport. had taken from my hotel that morning. We decided to We put our name on a waiting list for standby and sat eat those and leave the food for others. down in front of the TV broadcasting CNN. We couldWe were getting very cryptic information, but heard n’t believe our eyes--the earthquake and tsunami had that a nearby Krabi island, Ko Phi Phi, was demolished. hit about eight countries:Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, We also heard that Phuket got hit very hard. I was shak- Thailand, Malaysia, tens of thousands were dead and en by how close I was to being there alone that day. many, many people were missing. After about three hours, we got antsy. There was a People had lost everything but the clothing on their chance that other waves would come. Syd and I were backs. As the day progressed, the airport got more and behind a couple in their 70s, grandparents who were more crowded, filled with people with injuries and both bruised. The woman commented, “My grandchil- unbelievable stories. I overheard a boy sitting behind dren are not going to believe this.” me. When he was running from the wave, a cement It felt good when we got to the bottom, but I was still wall crumbled. He was thrown under water for about nervous about more waves. The water did so much dam- 30 seconds. When he got up, he climbed a roof which age; villas on the beach had broken windows and were also crumbled. ransacked. Fish were lying on the path; the pool was Syd and I both got onto the 5 p.m. flight. Bangkok gross--full of who knows what. The restaurant I was in felt like home and I realized I was very, very lucky. before the wave hit was completely wiped out. Some good last minute decisions (not going to Phuket, We passed people we had seen during the run for our taking the boat when I did--just 30 minutes before the lives. I saw the Greek couple again. One woman told us tsunami, getting off the beach, running as soon as I was that a group of people were having breakfast in a cave told to, and befriending people along the way) as well and were trapped. “Lots of dead bodies,” she said. as some miracles (my ability to run given that I had We finally arrived at Syd’s bungalow--a two-story badly hurt my foot two days before and the fact that house with a gorgeous front yard, including her own Krabi was not hit as badly as Phi Phi Island and hydro pool. We quickly realized the water, electricity, Phuket) enabled me to survive one of the most horrifand phone were not working. ic natural disasters in history. After a few hours, we found out from reception they I was also very fortunate to be surrounded by some were serving dinner. I was impressed with the incredible people. I can’t say enough good things makeshift dinner the hotel was able to put together. It about the Thai people and how incredibly caring, calm, was good to get some protein and “real food.” Many and efficient they were considering the traumatic cirpeople wore their life jackets to dinner. Syd and I got cumstances. I feel very blessed.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
Maimonides to be Studied During Upcoming Beth El/JELS Class by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue and the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Educational & Library Services (JELS) have teamed up to present a fascinating month-long mini-course entitled, “To Be or Not to Be: Maimonides on the Resurrection of the Dead” taught by JELS Executive Director Guy Matalon. The course will be held at Beth El on Thursday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. The entire community is welcome to attend this class, which will discuss the writings of Maimonides, who is generally acknowledged to be the greatest Jewish thinker, Talmudist, and codifier in the Middle Ages. A prolific author, Maimonides’ three major works include his commentary to the Mishnah (a third century collection of legal rulings and opinions), compiled in his youth; his gigantic code of law, the Mishnah Torah, compiled in his middle
age; and his best known work among non-Halakhists, the Guide for the Perplexed, compiled in his old age. During the upcoming class, attendees will investigate his views on resurrection of the dead-- one of the cornerstones of classical rabbinic eschatology--and learn how his rationalism interprets this topic. “Maimonides presents us with a fascinating perspective,” Matalon said. “His uncompromising rationalism forces us to ask deep questions of our faith and of ourselves. Our class will explore one of the most controversial texts which Maimonides composed. This is one of the texts that was rejected by many rabbis in the Middle Ages and fueled the Maimonidean controversy.” Cost of the course (including all materials) is $18. To register, please contact Beth El Program Director Harriet Einziger at 492.8550, or the JELS office at 334.6445.
BIRTHS Yosi and Aviva Applebaum of Chicago, IL, announce the Dec. 16, 2004 birth of their son, Shlomo. He has a brother, Dov. Grandparents are Walter and Harriet Richtman of Chicago, IL, and Rabbi Martin and Rosalie Applebaum of West Palm Beach, FL. Great-grandparents are Rosa Richtman
and the late Dave Richtman. Monica and Gary Katz announce the Dec. 30, 2004, birth of their daughter, Charlotte Iris. She has a brother, Joseph Grandparents Marsha and Richard Parry, and former Omahans Martin and Eleana Katz of Wilmington, DE.
WOMEN OF SPIRIT
20th Anniversary Celebration Weaving Women’s Wisdom A Multi-Faith Gathering of Women Saturday, January 29, 2005 1 p.m.-8 p.m. University of Nebraska Omaha Milo Bail Student Center 60th & Dodge Streets, Omaha, Nebraska Reflections and dialogue from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions will be facilitated by Dru Greenwood, Fidelma O’Leary and Maryanne Stevens, RSM. The day will be wrapped in music and prayer and built around listening and sharing. A festive celebration supper, a book and gift shop, and an art show and sale will be included in the registration fee. For information, access http://marian.creighton.edu~wos. For a registration brochure, call 359-4288.
ORGANIZATIONS NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN NCJW-Omaha Section will host an open board meeting in the Commons Room of the Friedel Jewish Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., to discuss “The Welfare of Nebraska’s Children.” Among the panelists will be: Kathy Moore, executive Director of Voices for Children; Penny Parker, Executive Director of Camp Fire USA; and Shelley Kiel, Executive Director of Hope Medical Outreach Coalition. A question and answer session will follow. YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS: Join us on Monday at the JCC for a Rip Roaring’ Good Time with Rag Time Piano Player Marty Mincer. Lunch begins at noon in the auditorium. Cost is $6 per person. Bingo will begin in the auditorium at 10 a.m.; exercise at 10:30 a.m. in the social hall and the discussion group at 11 a.m. Call Maggie for reservations at 334.6521 to Bluffs Run Casino on Jan. 27 and Bharata Natyam Dance (Hindu Dance) on Jan. 31.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC in the Social Hall on Thursdays, 13 p.m. It’s guaranteed to enhance your Yiddish! Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Visions Luncheon Meeting is Jan. 21 at the Venice Inn. Membership dues to Visions for 2005 are now due. Please mail your check, payable to Visions, for $5 per person to: Visions, C/O Beverly Gilinsky, 1406 No. 126 St., Omaha, NE 68154. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Betsy Goodman and Gal Tsabari will speak about their experiences on March of the Living at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Jan. 19, noon, at the Park Inn Regency, according to Gary Javitch. Lunch is $11; beverage service is $3. The program is open to the community. TORAH LEARNING CENTER (TLC) Rabbi Hoffman and his family are on vacation; classes will resume the week of Jan. 31. For information, contact him at: 981.0569.
Rabbi Gross to Lead Library Book Discussion by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Library Book Discussion Group will be reading and discussing Tova Mirvis’ new book, The Outside World on Thursday, Jan. 20, 1 p.m. Rabbi Jonathan Gross, will be leading the book discussion. The book’s basic plot follows the courtship, wedding and marriage of two Orthodox Jews in their early twenties. Their match also sparks the renewed friendship of their mothers, college friends who drifted apart, and their respective families. Mirvis
relates familiar everyday events within a brilliant evocation of Orthodox life in all its variety, complexity and internal flux. One clan lives in the ultra-Orthodox and less affluent confines of Brooklyn, while the other lives prosperously in a modern Orthodox suburb probably modeled after Teaneck, NJ. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. If you have an extra copy of the book and willing to lend it to our readers, drop it by the Kripke Library. For more information, call me at 334.6462.
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January 14, 2005
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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IN THE NEWS The International Association of Yiddish Clubs (IAYC) will hold its annual conference in Minneapolis, MN, June 2-5. Lovers of Yiddish from all over the country are expected to converge to immerse themselves in Yiddish culture, history, music, language and fellowship. The theme of the conference is “They Came to the Goldene Medine: the Immigrant Experience.” Plenary sessions will be presented by Professors Dov Ber Kerler, head of Yiddish Studies at Indiana University; Max Ticktin, Associate Chairman of the Judaic Studies Program at George Washington University; and Hyman Berman, Prof. of Labor and American Jewish History at the University of Minnesota. Conference registration is $295; sessions will be held at the Doubletree Hotel (for reservations, call 800.222.7833).For information and registration forms, contact Roz Baker at: 612.377.5456 or e-mail bsweetboy@usfamily.net. The Nebraska Democratic Party donated $5000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation in honor of Harlan J. Noddle, an Omaha developer and philanthropist, who received the NDP’s first annual “Omaha’s Finest” award, present to him in October. “The Democratic Party of Nebraska is committed to more than election campaigns,” said Steve Achelpohl, state chairman, “and it’s with great pleasure that we honor one of Nebraska’s finest citizens by supporting the UN Foundation.” Noddle is Chairman of Noddle Development, Vicechairman of the University of Nebraska Foundation, and Midlands Regional Board Governor of the National Conference for Community and Justice and sites on the board of the Nebraska Health Centers. He has also chaired the Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign, and served as Building Chairman for the original Rose Blumkin Jewish Home project, among his many volunteer efforts. The latest short story collection, Feast of the Purple Beast, by Omahan Jack Moscovitz is available at Amazon.com, PublishAmerica.com or by special order from Barnes and Noble or Borders bookstores. On Saturday, Jan. 29, 5 p.m., Downtown Omaha, Inc., will present awards to organizations and individuals who have contributed to the growth of Omaha’s downtown area. Among the winners are: Pinnacle Bank, The Gallup Organization, Jeff Davis Blues Concert at Lewis & Clark Landing, Eddith Bues’ J. Does Project, Liberty School, Creighton University, and Mayor Mike Fahey and Bruce Lauritzen of First National Bank, who will receive the President’s Award. For more information, or to make reservations for the cocktail hour, dinner and program, call the Downtown omaha office at 341.7300 or online at: www.downtownomaha.org. Tickets are $40 per person.
Dr. Hal Maurer Named ‘Midlander of the Year’ by TOM O’CONNOR UNMC Public Affairs For being “the spark behind what may be the University of Nebraska Medical center’s most explosive period of growth and for his efforts to make UNMC a world-class academic medical center,” UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., was named “Midlander of the Year” for 2004 by the Omaha WorldHerald. In a special 12-page section of the Jan. 2 edition, the newspaper highlighted Dr. Maurer’s accomplishments and featured five key faculty members who have been recruited or retained by the Med Center during Dr. Maurer’s tenure. Among them are Dr. Ken Cowan, head of the Eppley Cancer Center, and Dr. Howard Harold M. Maurer, M.D. Gendelman, professor and chairman of the department of pharmacology. Dr. Maurer, the 40th recipient of this award, is the first from UNMC and the first from the Jewish community. The award was initiated in 1965 by the WorldHerald to recognized business, political, educational and community leaders who have made a difference in the region. The special section also highlighted the milestones in UNMC’s 125-year history, detailed the five construction projects currently underway or expected to begin within the next year; listed eight major construction projects completed since Dr. Maurer arrived at UNMC in 1993, and recognized Beverly Maurer for being “the chancellor’s sounding board and wife of 44 years” and for her full-time work for UNMC, “even though she doesn’t get paid for it.” Dr. Maurer also was featured in the 2001 New Year’s issue of the Jewish Press, “L’Chaim: Health Professionals in the Jewish Community,” along with many of his colleagues at UNMC. That issue won a first place award from the American Jewish Press Association in the category of Special Editions and a third place from the Nebraska Press Association. UNMC also announced recently that a team of cardiovascular scientists has received a five-year grant totalling more than $10.6 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the mechanism for cardiovascular deterioration in heart failure. Irving Zucker, PhD, professor and chairman of the Cellular and Integrative Physiology Department in the UNMC College of Medicine, is the principal investigator.
Beth El to Offer Jewish Parenting 101 Mini-Course by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator If you are expecting a baby or are the parents of young children, Beth El is offering a mini-course custom-made for you! Beginning in February, a series of eight classes entitled “Jewish Parenting 101” will be offered at the synagogue, focusing on a variety of subjects surrounding general parenting issues, as well as raising Jewish children. The class, to be held Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., will be led by Beth El Program Director Harriet Einziger, along with guest speakers who will offer support and expertise in different areas. “This course has been a vision of mine for a long time,” said Einziger, who is writing a book about parenting. “I believe the most important job in the world is raising a child. In order to be a good Jewish parent, one first must become a good parent. Since there is no manual available, my goal is to create such a guide, using the advice of experts in a variety of areas.” She added that while the course is aimed at expectant or new parents and those with young children, anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.
This class is free of charge and open to the entire Jewish community, Einziger said, noting that parents are welcome to attend select sessions or participate in the entire course. Babysitting will be available upon request. To register for any of the classes, please contact her at 492-8550. The classes’ schedule follows: Feb. 3, “The Health of Your Child,” with presenters Drs. Michael and Karen Cohen; Feb. 10, “The Importance of Jewish Rituals,” presented by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, who will discuss various Jewish rituals in a Jewish child’s life, including Brit Milah, naming a child and Pidyon ha Ben; Feb. 17, “A Will for Your Child’s Future,” with guest speaker James Tews, of the law firm of Abrahams Kaslow and Cassman; Feb. 24, “Music in Your Child’s Life,” with Cantor Gastón Bogomolni; March 3, Dr. Michael Shnayder, DDS/oral and maxillofacial surgeon, will examine children’s oral health; March 10, “Financial Planning and Your Child’s Future,” featuring guest speaker Alan Parsow; March 31, Helen Epstein will discuss early- childhood education; April 7, “Your Child’s Language Development,” presented by Lena Bogomolni.
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
Israelis Hopeful, but Wary as Polls Give Abbas Victory by DINA KRAFT TEL AVIV--Edna Bar-Or wants to be optimistic about the prospects for peace after this week’s Palestinian elections, but like many Israelis, she is not sure she can. “I very much hope it will bring good,” said Bar-Or, 55, surrounded by stacks of laundry and hangers full of pressed shirts at her dry cleaning shop. “I want to be optimistic but I don’t think anyone knows what will be.” Israelis followed news of the Palestinian elections Sunday, pausing to listen to radio and television news broadcasts and to read newspaper front pages plastered with large photographs of Mahmoud Abbas, known better as Abu Mazen. According to exit polls, Yasser Arafat’s former deputy won the vote by a wide margin and will become the next president of the Palestinian Authority. The low-key, silver-haired Abbas, who has repeatedly spoken out against the armed struggle of the intifada, appears to be a leader Israel might be able to negotiate with. Abbas’ moderate comments give Israelis a measure of hope that his election could be an historic turning point, but they know an uphill effort lies ahead for Abbas. “I’m not jealous of him at all; he has so many problems to handle,” Bar-Or said. Israelis, like the Palestinians, are keenly aware of the tall order that lies ahead for Abbas: uniting security forces to crack down on extremist Islamic groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, renewing peace efforts with Israel in an effort to achieve the Palestinian goal of independent statehood, and instituting
reforms to quash corruption within the Palestinian Authority. Israeli officials said it was in Israel’s interest for the Palestinian elections to go as smoothly as possible. Army bulldozers removed roadblocks throughout the West Bank to ease freedom of movement for voters, and international observers said movement was relatively unfettered. The army also stopped operations across the West Bank with the exception of the villages in the area Mahmoud Abbas casts his ballot in the West Bank city of where an Israeli soldier Ramallah on Sunday. Palestinians voted overwhelmingly for was shot and killed in a him as a successor to Yasser Arafat and president of the drive-by shooting and four Palestinian Authority. others were wounded over Credit: Pool/Osama Silwadi/BP Images/JTA the weekend. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom Weinberg, a Tel Aviv lawyer as he said Israel hoped for a smooth election walked past the memorial marking the process “so that starting from tomorrow, spot where Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak the new Palestinian leadership will be Rabin was slain in 1995. “Anyone with able to do what it is required to do,” half a brain can see this is the same group of terrorists. Maybe some people Shalom told journalists. “I think that the leader who is elected see change, but Abu Mazen says he will will have to wage a genuine struggle start talking, he is not saying he will against terror immediately,” adding that actually do anything,” he said. Weinberg also said he had little faith in Israel expects a “new, different Palestinian leadership that will be pre- the new Israeli unity government set to pared to move in the direction of peace,” take power this week. “I only see more of the same continuShalom said in comments broadcast on ing, and maybe even worse things to Israel Radio. But some Israelis remained unmoved come,” he said. Afu Badawi, 48, an Israeli Arab from by the potential for change following the Nazareth, works at a falafel stand making death of Yasser Arafat two months ago. “Do you really think these elections pita bread. Working the pita dough, his will mean something?” asked David hands covered with flour, he said Abbas
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will have to make some tough choices if he wants to succeed. He needs to do the right thing for his people, to focus on rights, the economy and make sure everything “is free of corruption,” said Badawi. “Otherwise he will just be a continuation of Arafat.” Golan Shiri, 30, who works at a different falafel restaurant, is skeptical that Abbas will be able to do anything at all. “Abu Mazen can want to make changes all he wants, but does that mean he will really be able to make a difference? It’s not so much up to him,” he said. “It’s the warlords who really control things, not the officials.” Shlomo Tenami, a 58-year-old office clerk, also has little hope that an Abbas victory will lead to a revolution in IsraeliPalestinian relations. “I hope but I don't have a lot of hope because we have tried so many times before. Every time we give them land the violence just continues,” he said. Ben Caspit, a political commentator for the Ma’ariv newspaper, wrote a column Sunday titled, “His Victory, Our Hope.” He wrote of the great expectations and challenges that accompany the elections and new governments soon to emerge, both in Jerusalem and Ramallah. He writes that both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon “have their back up against the wall. The opposition is stepping up its pressure and the extremists are threatening,” adding that “the coming weeks will be fateful, the greater the hopes, the greater the dangers.” However, Caspit writes, “If there is any kind of hope out there, now is the time for it.”
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An overview of the art and science of bread making from this award winning cookbook author, who has written two other “Bibles”...The Cake Bible and The Pie and Pastry Bible, who used a bagel as a teething ring in Far Rockaway, New York, and who has lots and lots of bread memories and experiences. The 10 Essential Steps of Making Bread precede the six chapters: Quick Breads, Little Quick Breads (Muffins, Biscuits and Scones), Little Yeast Breads, and Batter Breads; Flatbreads; Soft Sandwich Loaves and Dinner Rolls; Hearth Breads; Sourdough; and The Brioche Family of Breads. Illustrating the recipes are line drawings and large close up color photographs...you can see the crumbs. Beranbaum walks you through each recipe with headnotes, insights, time schedules, equipment and various methods of mixing the dough, variations, Pointers for Success and understanding details. You‚ll find Challah for a dairy dinner, Traditional Challah, Levy’s Bagel and their Real Jewish Rye Bread, Bialys, Mediterranean Matzoh, Raisin and Sourdough Pumpernickel recipes. The last 65 pages further detail ingredients, brand names and sources. This cookbook is more than recipes it is a love affair with all the aspects of bread making--great to curl up and read and study. Most recipes cover several pages...in the information about “Glazing” these types of glazes are covered: A crisp crust: Water (brushed or spritzed); A powdery, rustic chewy crust: Flour (dusted); A soft velvety crust: Melted butter, preferably clarified (1/2 tablespoon per average loaf); A crisp light brown crust: 1 egg white (2 tablespoons) and 1/2 teaspoon water, lightly beaten and strained (the ideal sticky glaze for attaching seeds); A medium shiny golden crust: 2 tablespoons egg (lightly beaten to measure) and 1 teaspoon water, lightly beaten; A shiny deep golden brown crust: 1 egg yolk (1 tablespoon) and 1 teaspoon heavy cream, lightly beaten; A shiny medium golden brown crust: 1 egg yolk (1 tablespoon) and 1 teaspoon milk, lightly beaten. A very shiny hard crust: 11/2 teaspoons cornstarch and 6 tablespoons water: whish the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the water. Bring the remaining 1/2 cup water to a boil and whisk the cornstarch mixture into it; simmer for about 30 seconds, or until thickened and translucent. Cool to room temperature, then brush on the bread before baking and again as soon as it comes out of the oven.
The Millard North high School Drama Department will present The Hobbitt, as its 2005 winter production. The play, adapted from the novel by J.R.R. Tolkein, is the first of the stories about life in Middle Earth. A hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, played by Nathan Fineman, enjoys his quiet peaceful life until one day when he is tricked by a wizard into going on an adventure to find a lost treasure. The cast also includes Seth Kuydm and Amy Schweid. Megan Katelman is on the production
42nd
R EAD IT AND EAT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
fata’s Ca La
by Rose Levy Beranbaum (Norton, $35)
Featured as brides in the Chabad Bridal Pageant this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Chabad House are: Ariel Levine as LaLa Suleka, left, Ariel Fried as Rachel, Cynthia Shafer-Stern as Sorah, Chelsea Taxman as Ariel, Stacie Brodkey as Tikvah, Abby Ginsburg as Chaya Mushka, Becky Kahn as Shulamit, and Jackie Neesman as Rebecca.
132nd
The Bread Bible
be
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Chabad Celebrates Weddings Sunday
by BETH BELKIN The Government of Israel Economic Mission launched Business Briefs and Business Opportunities this week, an electronic publication designed to update American executives and entrepreneurs about new economic, trade and business developments in Israel, and to provide information on Israeli companies seeking to expand their presence in the U.S. BBBO will be published on a regular basis and will include a list of Israeli companies in a variety of industries seeking U.S. partners and sales and marketing representatives. The first issue contains potential opportunities with 13 different Israeli businesses. “Business Briefs provides a new avenue to encourage the expansion of Israel-U.S. business ties,” said Zohar Peri, Government of Israel Economic Minister to North America. “Israel’s entrepreneurial culture leads to the constant development of exciting new products and technologies. To be successful in the U.S., companies look for partners and representatives who know the local market. Our goal is keep American executives up to date with the latest news from Israel, and to facilitate matches between the Israeli and American businesses.” To subscribe to BBBO, send name, company, and email address to guykedem@emus.gov.il.
Lois Friedman can ReadItAndEat@yahoo.com.
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January 14, 2005
All in the Mishpocheh (Family Ties) by BERNARD MANN Legacy Crosswords © 2005
Sponsored by Category One
ACROSS 1. FIRST FATHER 5. JESSE’S SON 10. Marcel Marceau 14. ____-poly 15. Mountain ridge 16. Pre-med subj. 17. Substitute sec’y 18. Belgian commune on the Leie River 19. Play part, a la Molière 20. JACOB’S PARENTS (her name in Hebrew transliteration) 23. Erase, level a building 24. CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CROSSED OVER THE ___ OF REEDS 25. “IMA” (Hebrew) is _____ in Latin 28. “Vei” (Yiddish) is ___ in English 31. “Di” (Yiddish) or estos (Spanish) 35. _ ____ ratio is that of the side opposite the angle to the hypotenuse 37. Winnebagos, campers, etc. 39. Tabor, Carmel, Hermon, etc. 40. POPULATIONS DESCENDED FROM THE SONS OF JACOB (3 words) 44. Poetic contraction 45. Aunt, in Andalusia 46. Harsh 47. What a badly seated faucet does 50. Abbrev. for a courtesy word 52. Upper and lower reaches of Berne’s river 53. Expressions of satisfaction
55. Mountain lake 57. FIRST PATRIARCH AND MATRIARCH (her name variant) 64. Top-guns, champs 65. Shakespeare’s river and others of same name in England 66. ____-gun 67. Allot, or a boundary 68. Shalom 69. H.R.E. emperor 70. Poke at 71. Young eel 72. Slangish negative exclamations DOWN 1. Fact starter 2. Stags’ mates 3. ____ mater, as one’s university 4. English for “HOREH SHELI”, AS SOLOMON MIGHT SAY OF 5 ACROSS OR OF BATHSHEBA 5. Ladies, in Barcelona 6. These ___ ___, but those are old” 7. Sell 8. Anatomical passage 9. Canal St. _____ ends close to the Bastille 10. ABSALOM’S MOTHER 11. Native people of the Andes 12. Just do the ____ (figure it out) 13. Summer in St. Tropez 21. Panamanian major league baseball great, married into Judaism 22. Former armed forces member
25. Coupled, e.g., as swans do 26. SON OF JACOB WHOSE INHERITANCE LAY ON THE NORTHWEST COAST 27. First horizontal section in a stadium 29. _____ Faubus, Arkansas governor, fought school integration in 1957 30. FIRST MOTHER 32. Glowing piece of wood, charcoal 33. Cubic meter 34. Sinuous letters 36. Part of a tennis match 38. 42nd, N.Y.C., and Bourbon, N.O. 41. “From your ___ to G-d’s ear” 42. Brought up, as a child (contr.) 43. Male progeny of a “terri ble” tsar (start answer with tsar’s name) 48. Analyzed grammatically 49. “Shhh!” in Yiddish 51. Position 54. Form 56. Goose genus 57. Maple genus 58. Wager nothing 59. 1 ACROSS’ UNFORTUNATE SON (Hebrew transliteration) 60. LAND OF 62 DOWN’S BIRTH (Hebrew translitera tion) 61. ____ boy! 62. 5 ACROSS’ GREAT-GRAND MOTHER, NAOMI’S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW 63. Years, in Granada 64. Sound-increasing eqpt.
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Four Collegians from Omaha Attend Kesher Convention at Northwestern University by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Federation of Omaha). Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Presentations were given by Josh High school seniors often cry at their Neuman of Heeb Magazine, Dr. Mark final youth group conclaves. Lamenting Washofsky of Hebrew Union Collegethe end of their high school days and Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), their youth group years, the soon-to- Dru Greenwood who was with URJ at graduate seniors may not know that the camaraderie they shared with fellow youth groupers can continue into the years beyond high school. Kesher, the campus-based program of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), works in partnership with Hillel and other campus organizations to serve Reform Jewish students through Allie Willensky, left, and Ally Freeman at the Kesher Convention. Reform chavurot on campuses and national leadership the time, Rabbi Dan Freelander of URJ, events. Kesher offers annual conven- Rob Goldberg of the Hillel International tions, trips to Israel (through birthright Center, and Jonathan Kessler of AIPAC israel), and leadership training events. (American Israel Public Affairs Four college students from Temple Committee). Israel attended the Kesher Convention There were song sessions and worin November at Northwestern ship experiences, Israeli dancing, and University in Chicago. conversation with Rabbi Andrew Davis “I decided to attend., because I went of ARZA (Association for Reform to the Kesher Convention at the URJ Zionists of America) and Naomi Biennial in Minnesota last year and Chazan, a former Knesset member. gained a lot from the experience,” said “I participated in everything!” said Allie Willensky, a sophomore at the Allie Willensky. She led the motzi on University of Michigan. While she was Shabbat and attended campus cohort at the convention, Allie met up with meetings with representatives from friends she had met through NFTY other campuses. Her group included (National Federation of Temple Youth), students from Michigan, Indiana, Shwayder Camp, and from Omaha. Harvard, and Maryland, all with similar One of those was fellow Omahan size Hillels. She thought the Kingston Leora Azriel, a sophomore going to col- Mines Blues Club “was a lot of fun,” lege in Omaha, who “found out about and “Joel Chasnoff was hysterical! I was the (convention) because I participated laughing the whole time he was on in Kesher birthright israel this past sum- stage!” mer. Our trip members heard many Leora Azriel also “enjoyed song sesgreat things about last year’s conven- sions, because everyone gets really tion. I wanted to try it out myself!” she hyped up and excited, especially the admitted. song session on Shabbat. My ears were “I actually saw many people who I ringing ‘til the next day!” She also went to camp with that I haven’t seen looked forward to hearing Dr. since 1998!” She also met “many new Washofsky of HUC-JIR after reading his people from other colleges.” book, A Guide to Contemporary Reform A freshman at Sarah Lawrence Practice. College, Sara Rips found out about the Having met Rabbi Davids, Rabbi convention from her mother, Jane Rips. Freelander, and Dru Greenwood previ“I decided to attend, because I knew ously, Sara Rips appreciated hearing that.my friends from Omaha would be them speak. “They were all very eloattending,” Sara said. With more than quent,” according to Sara. 150 collegians in attendance, Sara knew As a journalism major, Ally Freeman, “a good deal of people there through “particularly enjoyed hearing Neuman, NFTY and through URJ Kutz Camp, and editor of Heeb, speak. “I’d actually only OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union recently read Heeb for the first time, but Institute).” had really enjoyed it and was interested For Ally Freeman, “attending the con- in hearing how they select their materivention was convenient and easy since it al and the editorial process of creating was being held on my campus.” With this magazine.” the scholarship Temple Israel offered all All four girls agreed that the best part the Kesher Convention participants and of the convention experience was knowing that “the other Temple girls reuniting with old friends. “Being with signed up, I decided to attend,” the other Omaha girls in a NFTY-conremarked Ally, a senior at Northwestern. vention like setting,” explained Ally Like the other girls, she saw people she Freeman, was “like I was back at camp knew from OSRUI and NFTY. or a conclave. Also, spending three Activities at the convention included days with other Jewish college students, student-led programs and workshops engaging in Jewish activities and such as “Kiss Me, I’m Kosher” and prayers was a nice change from what “What’s a Besheret Got To Do With It?” my typical weekend at Northwestern as well as a rap by Rabbi Marc Israel would be.” (aka the Fresh Prince of Kesher), a Allie Willensky added that she liked night out at the Kingston Mines Blues being “immersed in a community of Club, and a performance by comedian Reform Judaism” and learning “from the Joel Chasnoff) who appeared in Omaha incredible speakers we had. I cannot last fall at a Young Jewish Omaha wait to go next year!” event, sponsored by the Jewish
January 14, 2005
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
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January 14, 2005
Newman Foundation Makes Grants Continued from page 1 Jewish Federation to subsidize the cost of sending young leaders (45 or younger) to a Leadership Mission in Israel and Kiev in 2005. Birthright israel has given almost 70,000 young Jews between the ages of 18 and 26 the opportunity to visit Israel for 10 days since 2000 free of charge. With its grant from the Newman Supporting Foundation, the Federation will help promote Jewish awareness and foster Jewish identity by contributing to birthright israelTM as well as raise funds for a mission for future Jewish leaders in the Omaha community. Six to eight young adults from the Omaha Jewish community will be able to attend the United Jewish Communities Leadership Western Regional Conference in Los Angeles in March thanks to a Newman grant. By subsidizing the registration fee, the Newman Foundation will help the Federation attract young adults from the community to attend the conference which emphasizes leadership development, Jewish learning, and campaign strategies. The Young Leadership Conference is considered the premier event for 1000 young leaders who return with a sense of involvement and dedication to their local communities. Mt. Sinai Cemetery was established in 1934 and doesn’t receive financial support from any of the local synagogues. Started by a small association, Mt. Sinai is served by volunteers who continue to maintain the upkeep and appearance of the small cemetery at 78th and Crown Point Ave. In the past, when there were more burials at Mt. Sinai than there are now, a sizeable fund provided perpetual care. Now there are only three to six burials a year which aren’t enough to add to the growth of the perpetual care fund. The grant from the Newman Foundation will help strengthen the cemetery fund to ensure long term care of the grounds. Unitown 2005, a shortened four-day version of the
National Conference for Community and Justice’s (NCCJ) nationally acclaimed Anytown program, will mark its third year of offering high school students the knowledge, awareness, and skills to address issues of differences in race, faith, sexual orientation, gender, age, ability, class, etc. faced by today’s diverse society. The youth leadership program honors cultural diversity and embraces ideals of inclusion and civility. By confronting their own biases and prejudices, participants gain a heightened level of awareness and empathy to combat injustice, resolve conflict, and ultimately build communities that are mutually respectful and inclusive. With the grant it received from the Newman Foundation, NCCJ will present the Unitown program at Bensen High School, Westside High School, Skutt High School, and South High School in February and at Burke High School, Omaha North High School, Creighton Prep High School, and Central High School in March. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Omaha Section, received the final grant from the Newman Supporting Foundation this year. for its new Totes for Tots project. In conjunction with Child Saving Institute, NCJW will fill more than 400 duffle bags with toys, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toiletry items, books and other small gifts for young foster children who are frequently shuttled from one home to another. Often victims of neglect and abuse, these youngsters have little to call their own. NCJW believes it is a Jewish obligation to help children in the general community and extend the Jewish community’s concern for their welfare. In addition to Noddle, others attending the annual meeting of the supporting foundation were Sharee Newman, Lisa Lewis, Jay Lerner, Murray Newman, David Friedland, Patricia Newman, and Marty Ricks, executive director of the Jewish Federation Foundation.
“I Can Do My Estate Tomorrowâ€? by SCOTT MEYERSON for Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP Estate planning can be simple, but it is critical that you actually do it; STINSON MORRISON HECKER attorneys can help so that your estate plan is completed according to your wishes. SMH Attorneys work with you and your financial professionals as a team, to get your Estate Plan done TODAY in seven easy steps: • Use SMH’S simple questionnaire to get started, and an SMH Attorney will help you complete your Plan. • SMH will prepare your Plan documents to transfer your assets according to your wishes and to relieve worries about Taxes, Probate, and taking care of your Family or loved ones. • Select an Executor or a Trustee for your will and trust, and identify a Guardian for your minor children.
• Have ownership of your accounts reviewed to ensure all of your accounts are titled according to your Plan. • Designate Retirement Account and Life Insurance Beneficiaries to follow your Plan. • Prepare a Health Care Directive/Living Will to relieve family members of making difficult decisions regarding health care and life-prolonging procedures. • Sign a Financial Durable Power of Attorney to name the person you want to make financial decisions if you are unable to do so. Preparing your Estate Plan can be very simple to ensure your wishes for your family are fulfilled. For more information on how You can get your Estate Plan done today. Don’t procrastinate any more; please contact Jeff Toberer, 402.930.1712, Rob Likes, 402.930.1736 or me at: 930.1721, or visit our website at www.stinsonmoheck.com.
NJHS Offers Service to Genealogists by RENEE CORCORAN Executive Director The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society has announced a new service available to the community. If you have ever wanted to trace your family history back as far as you can, the genealogy division of the NJHS can help. We would like to introduce you to this fascinating world of your ancestry. Volunteer counselors are available to researchers, along with a computer and software to get you started. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the NJHS office at 334.6441 or 6442 or e-mail njhs@jewishomaha.org. It’s fun (and we promise not to tell anyone about the horse thief in your family).
An Effective Way to Protect Assets During Retirement Years by Gary Katelman, CSA, CLTC, LTC Director Senior Market Sales, Inc. A generation ago, the average life expectancy in the US was 72 years according to the Census Bureau. Today, due to advances in medicine, average Americans expect to live 10 years longer. Actuaries predict an increase to this number. From an investment standpoint, and in financial planning for retirement years, preserving assets is of utmost importance. Purchasing long-term care insurance (LTCI) is an important part of accomplishing this goal. A longer, richer life is something to look forward to, but those extra years can stretch your financial resources. People are living longer on their retirement income, sometimes with Alzheimer’s or other unexpected long-term disabilities. According to the Health Insurance Association of America, the average annual cost for longterm care is $42,000. That can quickly drain a person’s net worth. Medicare provides limited long-term care benefits and picks up less than 5 percent of the nation’s LTC expense. Medicaid covers less than half of these expenses. In most states, to qualify for Medicaid, a person can have no more than $2,000 in “countable� assets. A few years ago restrictive benefits and high prices made LTCI unattractive. Today quality of policies is up dramatically while costs are down. The older a person is at the time of purchase, the higher the premium. For people ages 40-60, the price of insurance increases about 8% per year (a 41 year old could pay 8% more than a 40 year old). For a person over age 70, premium differences are about 12% per year. Financial preparedness isn’t the only reason to purchase LTCI. Even those with assets to self-insure should consider purchasing a long-term care policy. It alleviates the worry of paying bills for longterm illnesses and protects assets so money can be passed on to heirs, used for vacations or special purchases. LTCI liberates holders from the cloud of uncertainty that often looms over retirees. No matter what age you attain in life, long-term care insurance can take away some of the uncertainty so that those years are happy ones.
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A Note from JNF’s Planned Giving Department by MATT BERNSTEIN CFP, Director, JNF Planned Giving Department Amongst all of the various classes of investments, real estate has performed very well over the last several years. With declines in interest rates and flat to down equity markets, investors have turned to real estate as the investment of choice. As with all successful investments, however, the art of disposing of it correctly takes almost as much effort and thought as making the investment in the first place. With every successful investment, your silent partner or favorite uncle comes looking for his portion of your good fortune. For this reason, how you sell or dispose of real estate can make a huge difference in the ultimate success of the investment because of taxes that are due on the sale, not to mention estate taxes, which can still take up to 50% on estates over a certain amount. Jewish National Fund, through its award-winning planned giving department, can show donors how to dispose of appreciated real estate with a charitable remainder trust that can save thousands in taxes, avoid capital gains taxes, provide income, pass more of the estate to heirs tax-free, and provide vital support for JNF’s long-term projects. Here’s an example of how this works: David and Robyn, JNF donors for 30 years, have owned an apartment building for the last 15 years. Originally purchased at $300,000, it is now worth close to $1 million. After all these years, they were ready to sell the building but unhappy about the approximately $140,000 in taxes due when federal capital gains taxes and state taxes were figured. They were also doing estate planning and realize that the bulk of this windfall will also be taxed at death, leaving very little for their children.
JNF was able to show David and Robyn that if they donated the building to a Charitable Remainder Unitrust that named Jewish National Fund as the final remainder beneficiary, they could achieve the following: • Create an annual income stream for themselves equal to 6% of the fair market value of the trust assets every year. In this case $60,000. • Avoid the capital gains taxes due on the sale saving them almost $140,000. • Create an immediate income tax deduction of close to $600,000 saving them almost $180,000 in income taxes. • Remove the $1,000,000 value from the estate, saving possible estate taxes in excess of $500,000. • Create a lasting endowment for JNF. While the idea sounded great, David and Robyn were concerned that by giving such a large amount to JNF they were disinheriting their children. To address this concern, we demonstrated that by purchasing life insurance on their joint lives with a portion of the tax savings or the income that the trust was paying, they could guarantee that their children would receive the value of the gift free of estate and income tax. After reviewing the details with their advisors, Robyn and David decided that this was a great idea. Save thousands in taxes, reduce the estate tax, receive income, give the children tax-free money from the estate, and help Israel with a lasting family endowment that will forever tie them and their children to JNF and the work we do. It truly was a winning idea for everyone concerned. If this idea sounds interesting, please call a JNF Planned Giving Specialist and we will be happy to provide you with all the details needed to make an informed decision. Call us at 800.562.7526.
Turn Your Someday into Now by ALLAN KENYON If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your personal or professional life, what would that one thing be? Barbara Kenyon is a Life Coach who can help you reach that goal and that dream. She provides a safe space for you to discover what it is that you really want and how you can make it a reality. Her coaching is done by telephone and it is completely confidential. Kenyon holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and she is a Graduate of Coach U, the leading global provider of coach training programs. She and her husband, Allan Kenyon, are partners with Kenyon Coaching Service. She works with success-minded people who want to
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Mega Merger Creates Nebraska’s Largest Real Estate Firm by SCOTT ANDERSON The owners of CB Richard Ellis/MEGA of Omaha and MEGA Commercial Corporation of Lincoln announced they have combined their resources to form the largest commercial real estate company in Nebraska called CBRE/MEGA. From 1983-88, the two firms were one company, called The MEGA Corp. They have been divided into two separate companies for the past 16 years. The new CBRE/MEGA firm is an affiliate of CB Richard Ellis, a leading global real estate services firm with more than 300 offices in 50 countries. CBRE/MEGA has a total of 38 commercial real estate sales professionals on staff and six million square feet under management with offices in Omaha and Lincoln.
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CB Richard Ellis/MEGA President Bennett Ginsberg, who will serve as president of the new CBRE/MEGA company, said that the two companies bring unique benefits to their combined client lists. “MEGA Commercial Corporation offers our clients years of brokerage, management and development experience with Don Linscott and his outstanding team. Don is particularly well respected as a developer and we are delighted that CBRE/MEGA clients who need development services can take advantage of Don’s expertise.� Headquartered in Los Angeles, CB Richard Ellis is a leading global commercial real estate services firm. With more than 13,500 employees in 300 principal offices in 50 countries, the company serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
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Selling Your Business: Pitfalls and Opportunities by BOB FINKENBINER for the Allan Group Selling a business can be a complicated effort and it is not uncommon for owners to close their businesses after failing to sell them themselves. Not surprising, many who are successful in selling their own business may not get fair market value for their life’s work. Many baby boomers have a substantial concentration of personal wealth locked up in their businesses. Having an exit strategy is crucial for financial planning and retirement goal setting. If you do not have an exit strategy, and are consumed with the day-to-day efforts of running your business, you may want to consult a business broker. A professional business broker may be best suited in assisting a seller in marketing and selling a business today. Business brokers work with professionals experienced in performing business valuations. They know and can explain the prevailing terms necessary to sell a business within the seller’s timeframe by assembling a comprehensive data package to assist a qualified buyer in making an informed purchase decision. Business brokers can confidentially reach many potential buyers and screen out competitors or unqualified buyers. They have the ability to structure a deal that maximizes the seller’s needs and fulfills the buyer desires. Business brokers facilitate negotiations between buyer and seller resulting in a faster selling process and ultimately yielding better results.
Here are some things to consider: • Do I have current and accurate financial records to show to a broker? • Am I serious about selling my business or just exploring options? • Do I have realistic expectation on price, terms and time frames to sell? When selecting a broker, consider the following: • What steps will the broker take to maintain confidentiality? • Does the broker understand my business and will he/she be able to accurately represent me and my business? • How will the broker market my business to attract qualified buyers? • Can the broker sell my business? What is his/her industry experience? • How is a broker compensated, and when? • Am I comfortable with the broker? Can I clearly communicate my desires and concerns to them? Hiring a specialist skilled in selling your business can be a smart move when you are making a decision that will have life changing and significant financial consequences. The use of a business broker, combined with the services of your CPA, financial planner, and attorney will greatly aid you in maximizing your profits in the sale of your business. Bob Finkenbiner is the owner of the Allan Group, an Omaha business brokerage firm.
Reverse Mortgages Becoming Popular in Omaha by DIANE MALLETTE for Fremont National Bank The demand for reverse mortgages is increasing in the Omaha area, according to Ray Somberg, business development specialist with Fremont National Bank. “We are seeing a steady increase of customers requesting information on this new service that benefits citizens 62 and older that need additional income in order to stay in their home,” he said. Fremont National Bank is one of few banks in the Omaha area to offer reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage is a home loan that does not have to be paid back as long as the homeowner lives in their home. With a reverse mortgage, the consumer can turn the value of their home into cash and not have to make monthly repayments. The total loan then is paid back when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Reverse mortgages enable homeowners to access the money they have built up as equity in their homes. “They are primarily designed to strengthen seniors’ personal and financial independence by providing funds without a monthly payment burden during their lifetime in the home,” said Rod Daake, Vice President of Real Estate Lending. “The reverse mortgage is ideal for a senior citizen who just can’t live comfortably with the income they receive from social security and interest on their investments,” he said. “They want to stay in their home and don’t want to be forced to sell out because they can’t make ends meet,” he said.
To be eligible, a homeowner must be at least 62 years of age and must own and occupy a home whose mortgage has been paid in full or has only a very low mortgage balance remaining. “Until recently, there were two main ways to get cash from your home--either sell your home, and move into a rental or smaller home or borrow against your home, but then you would have to make monthly loan repayments,” said Rod Daake, Vice President of Real Estate Lending. “Now, reverse mortgages give you a third way of getting money from your home without making regular loan repayments.” Proceeds from the reverse mortgage can be used for any purpose and can be paid to the consumer all at once, as a regular monthly advance, or at times and in amounts chosen by the homeowner. Reverse mortgage amounts are paid back plus interest when the homeowner dies, sells his home, or permanently moves out of his home. Fremont National Bank has spent considerable time educating the public on this service. “We’ve researched reverse mortgages inside and out and have met one-on-one and with groups of seniors and their families to explain the features and benefits,” said Somberg. Established in 1871, Fremont National Bank is a $340 million community bank. Last February, Fremont National opened an Omaha loan office at 11919 Grant St., Suite 201. Appointments can be made through Ray Somberg at 402.672.6331 or ask for Rod Daake at 402.721.1050. They can meet with you at the Omaha office, at your residence or in Fremont.
Take Control of Your Retirement Strategy by JOSEPH M. JOHN, CLU, ChFC afford the home of your dreams or another more modest one; When asked, most people continue to say that retirement is it guides you among the confusing array of college savings altertheir most important financial goal. We all know we can’t work natives nd gives you an idea of the cash that may be available this hard forever. With all the new retirement program incen- to enjoy along the way. tives, the federal government is clearly telling us that we need To put it in perspective, think about this: to save one million to be more self-reliant. Yet, when it comes to actually doing dollars by age 65, a 25-year-old needs to put away about $500 something about retirement, many of us say things like: per month, assuming he or she can earn six percent interest in • I’ve got too many other financial needs between now and a tax deferred account. On the other hand, a 50-year-old needs retirement; to save a little over $3400 per month to reach the same goal. • I’ve got a pretty good mental picture of what I need to do People who are near retirement age often feel it’s too late to do so I don’t need anything formal; anything. With people living longer, they don’t realize they could • Retirement is a long time off--I’ve got plenty of time to get actually spend one third of their lives in retirement. A retirement serious; strategy helps you decide when to begin receiving Social Security • I’m about to retire and there’s nothing I can do at this point and how to take distribution for employer-sponsored plans. to change things. Another important consideration--people used to think of In a recent study, 56% of participants said they felt more con- retirement as a one-time event. Thanks to today’s advances in fident about meeting their retirement goals once that had a medicine and medical technology, we’re living longer, healthier strategy in place. lives. Thinking about retirement doesn’t have to be overwhelmEspecially for young people starting out, financial needs like ing. You can take control with a formal strategy; a licensed saving for a down payment on a home, taking a family vacation financial professional can get you started today. Joseph John is a financial planner with the Prudential or paying for a child’s college education can seem more pressing than saving for retirement. But that’s why a retirement strat- Insurance Company of America. He can be reached at egy is so essential.It helps you decide whether you can really 926.2850. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS
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by DONNA MIGAZZI The Internal Revenue Service is waiting to hear from more than 300 Nebraskans who still haven’t received their 2003 federal tax refunds. An annual review shows 329 federal tax refunds totaling more than $174,000 belonging to Nebraska taxpayers were returned to the IRS as “undeliverable.” Most refunds are from tax returns filed for the 2003 tax year, but some taxpayers are due refunds for more than one
tax year. The average per-check amount is $531. Nationwide, 87,485 refunds totaling $73 million were returned to the IRS. Refund checks go astray for reasons that can vary with each taxpayer. Most often, it’s because a life change--such as a marriage--causes an address change. Taxpayers can find out if they have an undelivered tax refund by visiting the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov and clicking on “Where’s My Refund.”
January 14, 2005
Surprise! You Don’t Know Me, but I Left You a Million Dollars by MEIRA MAIEROVITZ DRAZIN for the Jewish National Fund Henry Shweid, a former violinist with the San Francisco Symphony and childhood friend of Isaac Stern was a stranger to Jewish National Fund until his attorney contacted the organization to inform them of a $750,000 bequest from the Shweid estate. In fact, Shweid is still an enigma. Before Robert J. McCarthy of McCarthy & Schwartz’s phone call, JNF records show his cumulative giving to the 104-year-old environmental organization was $1000. “Henry never saw himself as a wealthy man and during his lifetime he gave within his own perception of his means,” said McCarthy. “But towards the end of his life I think he began to realize and appreciate the value of his assets and the good that he could do with them.” While Shweid donated a violin to the Carnegie Hall Foundation so that “young people could play it,” it does not appear that he and his wife Munzi were actively involved or had a philanthropic history with any charities. JNF was one of nine charities that benefited from the Shweid estate, along with bequests to family members. According to McCarthy, Henry and Munzi chose the charities toward which they would leave their considerable estate based on “personal touch, if they thought the organization did good work.” Research and further inquiries however have not revealed how the Shweids chose the beneficiary charities they did or what connection they had with JNF to make it the recipient of such a generous gift. “You never know whose life you’ve touched,” says JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson. “You never know who might have heard something or read something about your organization, understood the critical nature of the work that you’re doing, the difference more dollars could make, and filed that information away somewhere for future use. In one case that we like to talk about here, we became the beneficiary of a $300,000 commercial annuity because the financial planner suggested it.” For organizations like JNF, constantly striving to strike a balance between its legacy of grassroots efforts like coins in the Blue Box and tree plantings with pursuing major gifts donors, and where 30 percent of its annual campaign is attributed to Planned Giving, the case of the Shweid estate is an important reminder that an $18 tree buyer in life can suddenly become a three quarter of a million dollar donor upon death. At the same time, planned giving experts are careful to point
out that although this type of surprise gift is still relatively common today, it does not reflect the future of planned giving: just the opposite. Over the last 15 years, charities have seen a slow shift away from straight bequests toward growth in gift annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts. Approximately 70% of Planned Giving gifts have traditionally come in the form of bequests but today charities report a greater consciousness in donors with whom they already have an established relationship to use planned giving vehicles to further the charities’ projects during their lifetime. “A Charitable Remainder Trust is a great way to transfer real estate property and avoid large capital gains as well as provide income for oneself or one’s beneficiaries, receive a charitable income tax deduction, and reduce estate taxes—all while helping a charity you believe in make major inroads, building projects in your name that you can see,” said David Frank, Planned Giving Chair of JNF. According to Matthew Bernstein, CFP, CIMC, National Director of Planned Giving at JNF, some new vehicles to look out for are Donor Advised Funds and Donor Managed Investment Accounts because they are less expensive alternatives to setting up a family foundation, allow donors to make a contribution to a charity and then use this as a vehicle to make additional gifts to other charities at the donor’s discretion and on his timetable, allow multigenerational giving over time, and ultimately allow the donor a greater sense of ownership as well as control over his investment--making charities who offer these programs more likely to receive bigger gifts. “A Donor Advised Fund not only has better tax benefits than setting up a family foundation, but gives donors--who don’t necessarily have the same deep pockets or don’t think of themselves in the same wealth category as those who establish foundations--the same opportunity to make charitable grants to many organizations,” says Bernstein. “JNF has decided to get on board and offer Donor Advised Funds because they offer people a smart and sophisticated way to consolidate charitable giving through one central vehicle. Instead of writing out 15 or 16 checks before Dec. 31 and making sure that each one is received in time for you to get your full charitable deduction, with a DAF you write one check and then can make grants to whatever charities you’d like at any time.” For more information on tax-wise giving and planned giving vehicles, visit www.jnf.org/plannedgiving or consult with a JNF planned giving specialist by calling toll-free 800.562.7526.
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To Sell or Not to Sell: Taxing Questions by ROB A. RANDELS, MBA, ChFC, CFP An owner of a small business considering selling or planning ahead to retirement is often prompted more by worries about taxes than a desire to develop a solid succession plan. But tax liability is actually an end result, an obstacle to be overcome, rather than the heart of the plan itself. Unlike a family heirloom or a parcel of real estate, a business is not divisible. It does not run alone. If the owner were to leave or if a new person should step up to the plate, a company’s shape and focus would change. A business, then must be treated differently than any other part of an owner’s estate. The process can vary, but some steps include: • Examine and clarify the owner’s objectives and motives. Are funds needed for retirement? Does the owner need to provide for surviving heirs? would the owner like to continue working but be freed form some of the day-to-day worries of running a business? • Identify potential buyers. Oftentimes, family members are high on the list, especially if they’re already involved in the business. But aptitude and talent must be considered. Sometimes key employees or an outside third party might be better suited. • Determine the buyer’s financing. Will family members need help in financing the purchase? If a non-family member has made an offer, how secure is the payment? What are the terms and what is the buyer’s financial integrity? Does the owner need a steady stream of income, or is a lump sum preferred? • Time the succession. Does the owner want to continue working or retire in five to 10 years? Will the succession occur gracefully or does the owner want to walk away from the business? Once the answers to these questions have been sorted, then obstacles like tax consequences can be addresses. When the context is fully understood, lawyers, accountants, insurance agents and other professionals can help the owner minimize tax liability. Advisers can often help an owner solidify and prioritize objectives. Sometimes an owner is too close to the day-to-day operations to be able to see the larger picture. By providing an outsider’s perspective, financial professionals can help the owner determine a future direction. Randels is an investment specialist with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. He can be reached at 390.8271 or via e-mail at: rob.randels@nmfn.com. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 14, 2005
Opinion Will the Real Abbas Please Stand Up? Remember the old game show, “To Tell the Truth”? Several contestants will pretend to be the “real” Joe Blow, giving answers to throw the panelists off the trail. Finally, one panelist would get it right (or wrong) and Joe Blow would be revealed. We’d like Mahmoud Abbas to be on “To Tell the Truth”--because we don’t know what his version of truth is right now. The new President of the Palestinian Authority seems to be espousing the same terrorist tactics of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat. On the one hand, Abbas stated in 2002 that “terror harms Palestinians more than (it does) Israelis.” And he added, “it was a mistake to use arms during the intifada and to carry out attacks against Israel.” On the other hand, he appeared during the campaign being hoisted on the shoulders of members of Hamas, ruling out a crackdown on terrorist organizations among the Palestinian people, and instead, insisting that the path he’ll take is one of “just talking” to various groups like Hamas and the Al Aqsa Brigade (now renamed the Yasser Arafat Brigade in memory of the biggest terrorist of them all). He’s also insisting on the Palestinian’s “right of return”, which, if implemented (something the Israeli government says it will never do) would overrun the entire state of Israel with the great-grandchildren of Palestinian refugees, many of whom have never even set
foot in Israel. And finally, Abbas did call Israel, “the Zionist enemy,” apparently willing to lay low, cool things off and pretend to be a moderate, all the while asserting that “the lesser jihad is over and the greater jihad is ahead.” So what is it, President Abbas? Are you indeed calling for an end to the violence, an end to murdering Jewish women and children in pizza parlors, an end to drive-by shootings and the launching of rockets into the bedrooms of infants? Or are you calling for a new kind of “holy war,” one that makes use of the German public relations philosophy: tell a lie often enough and people will believe it. Despite 800 foreign notables among the election observers--including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Democratic presidential contender John Kerry, who both gushed over Abbas’ “modera-
(Founded in 1920)
tion,” we’ll hold our opinion of you as a leader until we actually see demonstrable actions of real leadership. This would include: eliminating anti-Semitic and antiZionist references from your school books, standing up to Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations, and ending the 40 years of corruption endemic to the P.A. Will the real Mahmood Abbas stand up? Or will we get Yasser Arafat again in a so-called moderate’s clothing?
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.
Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Tsunami meters away, the locals live in hell on earth. The Nations were Destroyed for Lying, Sinning, and Being Infidels Ibrahim Al-Bashar, an advisor to Saudi Arabia’s Justice Minister, argued on the Saudi by MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute) Arabian/UAE Al-Majd TV channel that the sins Following practically all international events of the affected countries caused the tsunami: of importance, conspiracy theories are raised “Whoever reads the Koran, given by the in the Arab and Muslim worlds. This occurred Maker of the World, can see how these most recently following the Asian tsunami. nations were destroyed. There is one reason: Some of these conspiracy theories focused, as they lied, they sinned, and [they] were infithey often do, on allegations that it was a plot dels. Whoever studies the Koran can see this by the U.S. and Israel. Others speculated that is the result... the tsunami was a divine punishment for sins, “Man-made laws have been chosen over including that of celebrating Christmas. Allah’s law, which has been deemed unsuitThe following are speeches and articles able to judge people?! Whoever does not act which appeared in the Arab media raising according to Allah’s law is a heretic, that’s conspiracy theories about the cause of the what Allah said in the Koran. Don’t these tsunami; more will be postcountries have witch“...tests appeared to be ed on the MEMRI TV Project craft, sorcery, deceitwebsite: genuine American and Israeli fulness, and abominaThe Tsunami is Allah’s preparations to act together tion?” Revenge Allah Punishes at at Bangkok Corruption with India to test a way to Christmas The following are liquidate humanity.” The following are excerpts from a Friday excerpts from an intermosque sermon aired on Palestinian view on Saudi/UAE’s Al-Majd TV with Sheikh Authority TV by Sheik Ibrahim Mudeiris, Fawzan Al-Fawzan, a professor at the Alwhich was recorded and translated by the Imam University, which was recorded and MEMRI TV Monitor Project: translated by the MEMRI TV Monitor Project: “What happened there, in South-East Asia “These great tragedies and collective pun...we ask God to have mercy upon all the mar- ishments that are wiping out villages, towns, tyrs--for he who dies by drowning is a mar- cities, and even entire countries, are Allah’s tyr...Tens of thousands dead, and many predict punishments of the people of these countries, that the number will be in the hundreds of even if they are Muslims. thousands. We ask God for forgiveness. When “Some of our forefathers said that if there is oppression and corruption increase, the law of usury and fornication in a certain village, equilibrium applies..If people are remiss in Allah permits its destruction. We know that at implementing God’s law and in being zealous these resorts, which unfortunately exist in and vengeful for His sake, Allah sets his soldiers Islamic and other countries in South Asia, and in action to take revenge. especially at Christmas, fornication and sexu“The oppression and corruption caused by al perversion of all kinds are rampant. The America and the Jews have increased. Have fact that it happened at this particular time is you heard of these beaches that are called a sign from Allah. That’s when this tragedy ‘tourists’ paradise?’ You have all probably took place, striking them all and destroyed heard of Bangkok. Over there, there are everything. Zionist and American investments. Over there Allah Finished Off the Richter Scale they bring Muslims and others to prostitution. in Revenge of Infidel Criminals Over there, there are beaches, which they The following are excerpts from an interdubbed ‘tourists’ paradise,’ while only a few view on Saudi/UAE’s Al-Majd TV with Saudi
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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.
cleric Muhammad Al-Munajjid, which was recorded and translated by the MEMRI TV Monitor Project: “The problem is that the [Christian] holidays are accompanied by forbidden things, by immorality, abomination, adultery, alcohol, drunken dancing, and...and revelry. “Haven’t they learned the lesson from what Allah wreaked upon the coast of Asia, during the celebration of these forbidden? At the height of immorality, Allah took vengeance on these criminals. U.S.-Israel-India Nuclear Testing May Have Caused Asian Tsunami The Egyptian nationalist weekly Al-Usbu’ has published an investigation by correspondent Mahmoud Bakri, titled “Humanity in Danger,” claiming that the earthquake and tsunami in Asia may have resulted from joint nuclear testing by the U.S., Israel, and India. The following are excerpts from the article: “Was [the earthquake] caused by American, Israeli, and Indian nuclear testing on ‘the day of horror?’ The first (reason) is a natural, divine move, because the region is in the ‘Ring of Fire,’ a region subject to this destructive type of earthquakes. “The second possibility is that it was some kind of human intervention that destabilized the tectonic plates, an intervention that is caused only in nuclear experiments and explosions. “[It has also been proven] that India recently obtained high[-level] nuclear technology, and a number of Israeli nuclear experts and several American research centers were [involved in preparing this]. “The three most recent tests appeared to be American and Israeli preparations to act together with India to test a way to liquidate humanity. So far it has not been proven that secret Indian-Israeli nuclear testing is what caused the destructive earthquake, (but) there is evidence that the recent nuclear tests, the exchange of nuclear experts between India and Israel, and American pressure on Pakistan--all these pose a big question mark regarding the causes of the severe earthquake in Asia. MEMRI is on the web at: www.memri.org.
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.
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January 14, 2005
Executive Director of JINSA No kidding, Mr. Egeland, United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs. After calling the U.S. “stingy” in its initial aid offering, Egeland has developed a new appreciation for the U.S. government and the U.S. military with its ability to go where others cannot, and do what others cannot on a scale that others find hard to imagine. But in the interest of honest reporting, let us note that we were saved from “doing a mistake” only by our loose deadline. We were about to excoriate the Vatican newspaper for criticizing the IDF for a “decision to deny emergency help to disaster victims” in Sri Lanka and its call for “a radical and dramatic change of perspective” among people “too often preoccupied with making war.” In fact, the paper was itself criticizing Sri Lanka for rejecting Israel’s offer of help. So, here’s the real scoop: Israel’s disaster relief operations have been proven in places as diverse as Greece, Turkey, Honduras, Nicaragua, India and New Guinea. Immediately after the tsunami, Israel was on the move. Four Hadassah physicians, specializing in rescue operations, trauma and pediatrics, were among the first to reach Sri Lanka. The Israeli government sent: 82 tons of relief supplies, including medicine, water, food, blankets, tents, nylon sheeting and electric generators, and another shipment with 10,000 blankets, 3680 liters of mineral water, 12 tons of food, 17.5 tons of baby food, and over nine tons of medicine. Magen David Adom--denied membership in the
International Red Cross by anti-Israel elements--coordinated with the IRC anyhow and sent assistance. The private relief organization Latet sent a jumbo jet with 18 metric tons of supplies to Sri Lanka. The Fast Israeli Rescue and Search Team (FIRST), which has conducted more than 2,800 search and rescue missions in Israel and around the world, headed for India. Thailand got private teams plus assistance from the Israeli Ministry of Health, Magen David Adom and ZAKA. Israel’s contribution is, per capita, the highest in the world. The U.S. military marshaled a wide variety of assets in the Pacific, including two Marine/Navy Amphibious Ready Groups, the Navy’s U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Carrier Task Force and twelve ships from a maritime pre-position squadron--with water purification equipment and emergency food and medical supplies. American military spy satellites gathered information for damage assessments and disaster relief. Helicopters and hovercraft are making deliveries in remote regions. In all, more than 6,500 sailors and Marines are hard at work doing what needs to be done. Some day someone will calculate the cost and in retrospect we won’t look stingy. In the larger picture, the U.S. government provided $2.4 billion in food, cash and humanitarian relief in 2004--40 percent of the world’s total in relief aid. The Assn. of Fundraising Professionals says health and human service organizations (domestic and international) received more than $39 billion (that’s billion with a ‘b’) in 2003 from private individuals. There is always more that can be done and should be done, but in the face of unthinkable tragedy, we are proud of the United States and proud of Israel. To view INSA Reports online, go to: www.jinsa.org.
...Some day, someone will calculate the cost and in retrospect we won’t look stingy.
Bitter and Delusional
Lby ETTER FROM ISRAEL HARRY ALLEN The storm clouds hang heavy over Jerusalem today. The winter rains have begun in earnest. These are not the gentle rains of which poets speak, but are rather driving cold bitter squalls sending people scurrying for shelter, seeking refuge as best they can from the wintry onslaught. But other more ominous clouds are gathering on the Israel horizon. The winter rains will pass giving way to spring and deserts that will bloom with vegetation--even if only briefly. The blustery winter downpours are what ensure life in this arid bit of land. And so we welcome the clouds and the life-giving comfort they foretell even though for the moment we wish them to go away. But the other clouds which darken our horizons are of a different nature. On a small hilltop in the West Bank a small group of delusional settlers erected an illegal outpost which the army was ordered to demolish. Yitzhar is an encampment --a small collection of old shipping containers housing a handful of itinerant ideologues. These young people--many followers of the late and unlamented (at least to this writer) Rabbi Meir Kahane-are among the most extreme and most violent of the set-
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Helping Israel One Wrist at a Time
“I obviously did a mistake”
B EHIND THE HEADLINES by TOM NEUMANN
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
tlers. When the army came to evacuate the encampment there followed a terrible scenario, which could well be symbolic of the black cloud over hanging this country. Police arrested more than a dozen of the illegals and about a dozen others were wounded in skirmishes with the police. One reserve soldier who lived in the encampment donned his uniform and was arrested refusing to obey a lawful order. He will be court marshaled and faces a prison sentence as an example. What happened yesterday may well be the precursor of large scale violent resistance by an increasingly bitter and irrational settler’s movement to the Gaza disengagement plan. Make no mistake, the government will leave Gaza and rightly so. Those Israelis now living there (6,000 among 1,400,000 Arabs) will be handsomely compensated. They are not being marched to Auschwitz by a “Nazi” government as the settlers frequently charge. The Gaza disengagement is vital for the continued growth of Israel as a Jewish state--hopefully the cloud of irrationality will blow away--but it might not and the threat of a new Altalena episode looms menacingly over the Israeli landscape. Former Lincolnite Harry Allen lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Annie. He can be reached at: hsallen@internet-zahav.net
The Gaza disengagement is vital for the continued growth of Israel as a Jewish state...
B EHIND THE HEADLINES by JODI BODNER DUBOW LAWRENCE, N.Y.--First came the yellow Live Strong bracelet, raising money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation that helps enhance the quality of life of young cancer patients and their families. Then came the pink version, whose proceeds raise money for breast cancer victims. Rings are now on the market too, but they are just a novelty item. Now, brand new to the market and homegrown too, are the bright blue Yad Chazaka bracelets, being sold on the South Shore by 11-year-old Lauren Wilkowski and 12-year-old Gilad Katz, both of North Woodmere, NY. It is hoped that proceeds from the bracelets, going for $1, will raise money for non-profit organizations in Israel, and are a bar and bat mitzvah chessed project for the two adolescents. Lauren, who sold 65 bracelets on the first day out, and whose bat mitzvah is in June, 2005, said: “We’re proud to be part of this project. We’re trying to sell 100,000 bracelets total.” Fred Wilkowski and Stuart Katz, Lauren’s and Gilad’s fathers, were looking for chessed projects for their children just as their children were looking for Live Strong bracelets, now hard to come by or selling on eBay for $10-$15. “I was sitting in the car, waiting for Lauren to come out of another store in her search for the yellow bracelet,” said Fred, “and I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be wonderful to get the kids involved in doing something?” He conferred with Stuart, they came up with the name which means, “strong hand, or helping hand,” and a few days later the order for 30,000 bracelets was placed. Said Stuart: “It’s always been the larger organizations with vast resources and public relations that have been successful in receiving large contributions from abroad. Through the efforts of Yad Chazaka, we hope that smaller organizations will also receive the attention and recognition they need and deserve.” The two men discovered hundreds of smaller self-help and non-profit organizations which have been established to improve Israeli society via private projects. These non-profit organizations, range from the small, one-family, interest-free loan (gemilut chasadim) funds to the “name-brand” educational, religious and medical organizations. The quantity of non-profit, volunteer work which is going on in Israel today has reached record-levels. This amount of volunteer activity in Israel seems to increase with hard times, almost as a natural Jewish response to hard times. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sales of the bracelets will go to the participating organizations to support their continuing work on behalf of, and for the good of, Israel. A letter was sent out to the more than 250 organizations in Israel, alerting them to the project and asking them if they wanted to sell the bracelets directly. So far, eight organizations have responded and 800 bracelets have been shipped overseas. In the meantime the hope is that Yad Chazaka will encourage children of B’nai mitzvah age to take on a tzedakah project by volunteering with them or with any one of the participating organizations in Israel. For more information, contact them at 516.825.0966 or online at: www.yadchazaka.org.
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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
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to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334-6451.
January 14, 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.; Our monthly Tot Shabbat service, 6 p.m. Grandparents, parents and kids of all ages are welcome to attend this fun and joyous service! SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Renowned Jewish historian Dr. Jonathan Sarna will deliver an enlightening D’var Torah, focusing on 350 Years of American Jewry. Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Art and Sheryl Friedman, in honor of their granddaughter Julia Weill’s baby naming, and by Forrest Krutter and Lisa Stuart, in honor of their upcoming marriage; 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: “The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible,” led by Rabbi Levin. SISTERHOOD SHABBAT Join us on Saturday, Jan. 22 for our special annual Sisterhood Shabbat, followed by 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. 138 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.; Kiddush sponsored by Bruce, Linda, David and Sarah Potash in commemoration
of the yahrzeit of Leonard Potash; Mincha, 5 p.m. followed by Ma’ariv; Havdalah, 6:06 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; 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.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Learner’s Minyan, 7 p.m. at the synagogue. 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.; I AM MY BELOVED’S… Chabad’s Women of Worth invites you to “A Celebration Of Jewish Brides Throughout The Ages.” New York’s Miriam Hurwitz has teamed up with Joanie Jacobson and Debbie Denenberg, popular and multitalented theater producers, to create an original script and authentic costuming, spotlighting the Jewish woman’s extraordinary qualities inherited from their matriarchal ancestry. Cochaired by Kimberly Robinson and Louri Sullivan, this event features performances by a host of local artists. l-2:30 p.m. at the Ironwood Country Club, 12627 Pacific St. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m. First class of the new session. TUESDAY: Torah for Teens, 4:15 p.m. 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. with an Oneg following. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m.; Game Night, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: No Classes (LPS Break). TEMPLE ANNUAL MEETING Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005. Refreshments and babysitting will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Robert Mosenkis.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30 p.m., Rabbi Craig Marantz will officiate and give the sermon. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism-Omaha. 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 TUESDAY, Jan. 18, 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. WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19: Conversation with the Rabbi, noon-1 p.m. Uri Levin, the Jewish Community Center Shaliach, will be the guest speaker at this month’s Conversation. Levin is from a small settlement called Zurit in the Israeli Galilee. He served in the Israeli Navy on a missile boat after he graduated from high school in 1999 and then became an IDF officer. He loves to travel (and has taken hundreds of pictures of Israel and in numerous other countries), and enjoys acting, singing, and playing the guitar.
Candlelighting Friday, January 14, 5:01 p.m.
Uri will talk about current events in Israel. Remember to bring your own lunch and be ready to offer your own ideas, insights and comments. THURSDAY, Jan. 20: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Marantz, 10-11:30 a.m. SUNDAY, , 10:30 a.m.-noon: The 4 B’s: Behaving, Belonging, Believing and Bagels. This month we focus on the first “Behaving: How Your Behavior Can Raise Respectful and Responsible Kids.” Jewish Family Service therapist Karen Gustafson shares her wisdom and experience to help parents help their children be great human beings. A well-regarded teacher of “Love and Logic” parent education classes, Gustafson’s energy and humor will make this session relevant for every parent. Come for prayer assembly, stay for the workshop and enjoy a bagel on the house.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 5 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush Luncheon and Mincha, 12:57 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. TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at Lone Star, 70th and “O” Street, noon. If you need a ride, call Marcia Kushner at 423.5959. 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.
Shabbat Shira to be Celebrated at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator After Moses and the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea upon their exodus from Egypt, Miriam, Moses’ sister, sang and led the women in dance with timbrels (hand drums). The people celebrated God’s triumph over Pharaoh’s Army and the Israelites’ successful escape. On Shabbat Shira, celebrated this year on Friday, Jan. 21, at Temple Israel, the Jewish people recognize the many mira-
cles that the Israelites experienced on their journey to the Promised Land. Third graders from Temple’s Religious School will have the honor of participating during worship services on Shabbat Shira when the Torah portion, Beshalach, is read. Master storyteller Rita Paskowitz will be the guest speaker. As always the entire community is welcome to attend services which will begin at 6 p.m. There will be a Shabbat dinner for the third graders and their families following the service.
January 14, 2005
How is Freedom Won
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Bo Not everyone wants freedom, if you have to fight for it. The Midrash suggests that there were some Israelites in Egypt who didn’t want to leave. They had won positions in Egypt and had Egyptian patrons and protectors. The Midrash calls them sinners. This was one of the reasons, the Midrash suggests, for the three days of darkness, so these sinners could die (be killed?) and be buried without causing too much stir among the Egyptians. (I’ve often wondered whether contemporary Egyptians who are not exactly friendly with contemporary Israelis resent the depiction of ancient Egyptians [cruel ancestors] in the Bible.) I can’t think of a people or a state to which freedom was handed without cost, without revolutionary violence. One might say that the American black fits the picture, but I don’t think a case could be made for their acquiring freedom without their fighting for it. I think of Bastille Day in France and July Fourth in American history. Freedom is won, won by revolutionary violence. Biblically, the situation is radically different. The Israelites, enslaved in Egypt, applied to the Lord, Who brought the plagues on the Egyptians and forced them to “Let My People Go.” It is the Lord, Who is Deliverer-Redeemer--Liberator. This is echoed in a passage of the greatest impor-
tance. Notice that the Ten Commandments begins, not “I am the Lord, your God, Who created the heaven and earth,” but rather, significantly, “I am the Lord, your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of servitude.” Who is the guarantor of freedom? It is the Lord, Who demands and arranges freedom for His people. It is in freedom that a people is born. Until the Exodus, Israelites were an amorphous mass of individuals. But with freedom, Israel becomes a People. That is why we think of Pesah as the birth time of the People of Israel. Pesah, which like other Biblical festivals, has an agricultural nature in origins, became in time the Festival of Freedom. And so it is still, today. It is because of all of this that the Sacred Text puts it, “This month is to be considered by you Israelites as the first of the months.” The great Rashi famously remarked that the Torah might well have started with this verse (Exod. 12:2). It is not that this month was to replace Tishrei (and Rosh Hashanah) as the beginning of the year. But this month, the birth month of the Jewish People, was to be understood as the first, i.e., the most important month of the year. (Ask the Jewish housewife; she’ll tell you!) Another thought: In France, Bastille Day is the Day of Freedom, its symbol: the guillotine. Among Israelites, the people are warned not to rejoice at the drowning of the Egyptians, for they, too, are the people of God. He wanted Israel to be free. But He was deeply conscious of the cost, the loss of the pursuing Egyptians. Is all of this historical? It doesn’t matter. What matters is the emphasis on freedom. This is the greatest of the jewels on the cultural crown of mankind. The crown is only a hair piece, unless freedom is recognized as man’s greatest achievement.
JTA NEWS BRIEFS • Israel’s prime minister called the Palestinian Authority president-elect Tuesday to congratulate him on his victory at the polls. According to Israel’s Army Radio, Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas agreed to stay in contact and to meet in coming weeks. A senior Palestinian official said the conversation lasted about 10 minutes. Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres also called Abbas to congratulate him. • President Bush nominated a Jewish judge to head the Department of Homeland Security. Michael Chertoff, a judge on the Third Circuit Appeals Court in Philadelphia, ran the Justice Department’s criminal division from 2001 until 2003, and was involved in drafting the U.S. Patriot Act. He also was U.S. Attorney in New Jersey from 1990-94, and he and his wife were active in the Jewish community. If confirmed by the Senate, Chertoff would be the second Cabinet-level Jewish appointee; Josh Bolten heads the Office of Management and Budget. • H. David Dalquist, the founder of a Bundt pan that was partly the brainchild of Hadassah members, died Sunday at 86. In 1950, Dalquist, the owner of the Nordic Ware line of baking pans, created the pan after members of Hadassah in Minneapolis asked him to create a heavy aluminum pan for baking. The pan served as a fund raiser for Hadassah for several years, but only became a
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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January 14, 2005