Vol. LXXXIV No. 20 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
11 Shevat, 5765 January 21, 2005
New Leadership Energizes Federation’s Partnership with Israel
Local Child Welfare Experts to Address NCJW Members
by PAM MONSKY most meaningful experiFederation Communications ence is when particiDirector pants interact with peoFederation President ple who benefit from Zoë Riekes has appointPartnership programs. ed Joan Kaiman and Often, it’s the first time Stacey Rockman to lead an Omaha Jewish com“Partnership with munity member is able Israel,” a Federation to make a direct correlasponsored program that tion between making connects Omaha’s their gift to the Annual Jewish community (as Campaign and the how part of a Midwest that gift impacts the Consortium) with comrecipient. munities in Israel’s The Partnership is Western Galilee region. structured around five Partnership with Israel task forces, each with a brings together Israeli unique focus. These Map of Omaha’s Partnership with Israel area: and American Jews include Community the Western Galilee working together to Development, Regional develop mutually beneficial projects and programs. Development, Education, the Arts, Marketing, Medical, Those who have been involved in Partnership With and Planning and Development. Israel projects (which began in 1996 as “Partnership Kaiman and Rockman’s duties with the Partnership 2000”) describe the experience as exceptionally mean- include coordinating and participating in regular conferingful and personally fulfilling. ence calls with our Israeli counterparts in the Western When Israelis from our Partnership visit Omaha, last- Galilee, increasing local participation in Partnership projing bonds are formed between them and the commu- ects, and coordinating the visits of the Israeli participants nity members who volunteer to help by providing of Partnership projects coming to Omaha. transportation and meals, acting as shopping companThe two will also have the opportunity to participate ions or even inviting them to stay in their homes while in bi-annual Consortium meetings with one meeting they’re here. On the other side of the world, Omahans held in the Western Galilee and the other held in one who visit Israel on Federation missions reconnect with of the Midwest Consortium cities. In appointing Kaiman the Israelis they met in Omaha. and Rockman, Riekes noted that both women have Partnership with Israel fosters new understandings of proven leadership skills within the Jewish community our mutuality as Jews and promotes Jewish identity for as well as a deep passion for Israel. participants on both sides of the ocean. But by far the Continued on page 4
by SHARON BRODKEY NCJW-Omaha Section Publicity Co-Vice-president Did you know that: • According to the Kids Count Source Book, 19% of two-year-olds in Nebraska were not immunized in 2002; • 12% of Nebraska children were living in poverty in 2001; • 34% of Nebraska’s fourth graders scored below the basic reading level in 2003; • 2,553 youths aged 15-19 in Nebraska were in foster homes in 2001; and • 18% of Nebraska children were living in homes where no parent had a full-time, year-round job in 2001? The National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section is committed to helping children and families in our community with a new community service project. As part of our “Year to Hear,” Omaha Section is presenting an important panel discussion aimed at educating our members about the welfare of children in Nebraska and, specifically, in Omaha. The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., in the JCC Social Hall. The panel of experts includes: Kathy Moore, Executive Director of Voices for Children in Nebraska; Penny Parker, Executive Director of Camp Fire USA; and Shelley Kiel, Executive Director of Hope Medical Kathy Moore Outreach Coalition. Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, Becki Brenner will moderate the discussion and questions.
Study: Trip to Auschwitz Helps Students March to Jewish Identity by CHANAN TIGAY The new study, LongA group of Omahans will be participating in this spring’s NEW YORK (JTA)--A Range Effects of the March March of the Living for the 60th anniversary of the end of decade after taking part in of the Living on World War II, including: Bob Wolfson, ADL-CRC Executive the March of the Living, Participants, found that 94 Director, and Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the ADL’s Bradley Laye still credits his percent of those who've Institute for Holocaust Education; Marcel and Ilse Kahn, Bea experience with launching gone on the program Karp and her daughters: Jeanie Soshnik of St. Louis and him along the path to a believe it is important that Nancy Kutler and her son, Danny Krantz; Gloria and Howard career in Jewish communal they marry a Jew. Kaslow, Patty Nogg and her sister: Judy Brantz of Boulder, service. This is significant, the CO; Marti Rosen-Atherton, Paul Smith: a high school teacher “The march was the thing study notes, at a time when from Lincoln Southeast; and Carol Katzman, Editor of the that started it,” said Laye, intermarriage is prevalent. Jewish Press. As of press time, the ADL was awaiting word to now the CEO of Hillel of One-third of all Jews curlearn if a film crew from Nebraska Educational Television Broward and Palm Beach, rently wed are intermarried, would be joining the group as well. Fla. “It was the seed for my according to the 2000-01 Jewish involvement and love of Israel.” National Jewish Population Survey, which also found The program's long-lasting effect on Laye is not that intermarriage is rising at a steady pace and stands unique, according to William Helmreich, the author of at 47 percent. a newly released study on the annual program, which The new march study also found that 94 percent of brings Jewish teenagers from across the globe to respondents plan to provide their children with Jewish Auschwitz and then on to Israel. education; nearly 25 percent said that, like Laye, the Indeed, said Helmreich, a sociology professor at the march had affected their career choice; nearly twoGraduate Center at the City University of New York, thirds said the march had made them more tolerant “people who went to the march long ago report that toward other groups; and 85 percent said the program even 12 years later, the march had a very, very power- made them more likely to donate to Jewish causes-ful impact on them.” with 66 percent saying they had already done so. “The point of the program is to affect people's lives, The March of the Living, which has been running its but many programs succeed and many fail,” he said. trips since 1988, brings Jewish teenagers to Poland on “What’s most impressive is the length of time of the Holocaust Remembrance Day to march from Auschwitz effect.” to nearby Birkenau, where the prisoners were actually Jewish educators concerned with the long-term gassed, followed quickly by a trip to Israel to mark the effects of their programs use tools like the new march Jewish state’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. survey to gauge the effectiveness of their offerings. Continued on page 6
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Part of Omaha Section’s “Year to Hear”
Shelley Kiel
Penny Parker
Omaha Section President Kate Kirshenbaum said, “Our ‘Year to Hear’ campaign began last summer when we committed to making this a year of education and action on behalf of children in our community who need our help.” The Omaha Section adopted a special project, dubbed “Totes for Tots” for the Child Saving Institute. Led by Shelly Pichik and Tina Meyers, the Section raised funds for the project through a community-wide consignment sale and donations from businesses and individuals. Grants were also received from the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation and the Rose Blumkin Foundation. Tote bags were assembled containing necessities and comforting items that children arriving at CSI could use and keep. The Child Welfare Panel is just one of several activities planned to inform NCJW members about the scope of issues facing local children and how NCJW can best help. Last fall, Wanda Gottschalk, from the Child Saving Institute, was joined by Cynthe Johnson of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for an informational meeting with NCJW’s board members. Continued on page 2
This Week: Where Are They Now? Features Bryan Greenberg: Page 7 Next Month: Simchas Issue on Feb. 18 Cousin of Omahan Promotes Tour of Jews of the South: Page 2
New JELS Scholarship Honors Memory of Sherman Neff: Page 4
Two Essay Contests on Courage Open to Teens: Page 5
JDC Update on Tsunami Relief: Page 11
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 21, 2005
Vicki Reikes Fox to Promote “Jews of the South” by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator, Jewish Educational & Library Services Jewish Educational & Library Services is delighted to announce Vicki Reikes Fox will be in Omaha on Jan. 30 to help promote the upcoming JELS “Jews of the South Tour”. Following a dinner of Southern food, she will give a presentation planned to entice attendees to participate in the trip. Her talk will be based on the book Shalom Y’All: Images of Jewish Life in the American South. Reikes Fox, who was born in Savannah, GA, and raised in Hattiesburg, MS, wrote the text for Shalom Y’All, where she noted: “Shalom Y’All marks the fruition of a journey from the discovery of a discarded ark curtain to the preservation of the rich culture of Southern Jewish life. It is our hope that through these photographs and stories readers of this book will share in the wonder of the Southern Jewish experience.” Reikes Fox has worked in museums for over 20 years as a curator and educator and she was the founding project director of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. Steve Riekes, who suggested bringing her to Omaha to promote the trip, will be hosting his cousin Vicki during her visit. “Vicki is nationally known for her work in highlighting the history and development of Jews in the American South”, said Riekes. “In celebrating 350 Years of American Jewry, her presentation will provide a unique look at Jews in the South and provide a springboard for the upcoming tour.” Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, who will lead the tour, added, “Vicki’s presentation in Omaha will allow the entire community to sample Southern charm, wit, and cooking, all seasoned with Jewish culture and tradition. Whether or not you are able to travel with us in April, this is an opportunity not to be missed.” Dinner will feature a number of Southern inspired dishes; cost is $10 per person and reservations are requested no later than Jan. 26.
Sun, Sun, Sun, Here We Come Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢! Use the form on page 5 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 Jr. NCSY 6-8th Grade Shabbaton, Jan 21-23, at Beth Israel BBYO Kallah Weekend, Jan. 21-23 Shabbat Dinner, 7 p.m. at Chabad House Seventh Grade Shabbat, 7 p.m., at Beth El SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 C L Sisterhood Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El I SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 P
C L I P
& Adult Education, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel
&
E
S A V E
Bible Study Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El S Hebrew Crash Course, 11 a.m. at Beth El A “40th Anniversary Commemoration of Nostra Aetate,” 4-5 p.m. and 7 p.m. V
C L I P & S A V E
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 Tu B’Shevat “The Guy and Bob Show,” noon Adult Education, noon at Temple Israel BESTT Tu B’Shevat Activities, 4 p.m. at Beth El JIsrael Information Night, 6 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26 Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, Park Inn Regency BESTT Tu B’Shevat Activities, 4 p.m. at Beth El Religious School Grades 7-12 Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Commons Shabbat Music Class, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, JANUARY 27 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Levin’s Class “Most Important People of the Bible,” noon Yiddish Group, 1-3 p.m. L.O.V.E Auxiliary Board Meeting, 7 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)
COMMERCIAL and
RESIDENTIAL
8037 H Street Omaha, NE 68127
402/593-1242
NCJW Panel of Experts Continued from page 1 “It is our goal to learn as much as we can, not only about this problem but others so that NCJW can adopt community service projects that truly improve the quality of life in our community,” said Kirshenbaum. The panel discussion on Jan. 26 is open to all NCJW members and guests and will be followed by a dessert reception. If you would like more information about this event, log on to: www.ncjwomaha.org or call Kate Kirshenbaum at 334.8541 or Becki Brenner at 334.6492.
New NCSY Advisor Busy with Shabbaton Preparations
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jewish Potpouri, 10 a.m. at Beth El
The “Jews of the South Tour” will run April 6-10, and is being presented by Jewish Educational & Library Services as a 350 Years in American Jewry event. The tour will be led by Dr. Greenspoon, holder of the Klutznick Chair at Creighton U n i v e r s i t y . Participants will visit Savannah, GA, and Beaufort and Charleston, SC, looking at contemporary Judaism in the South and the southern roots of the American Jewish experience. The tour cost is $1,545 for double occupancy and $1,845 for single occupancy. For dinner reservations, tour brochures and additional information please call the JELS office at 334.6445 or e-mail mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. Information is also available on the Federation website at www.jewishomaha.org, under the JELS section.
C L I P & S A V E
BY MARY BORT maze, a UNO Maverick’s hockey game, for Beth Israel Synagogue “Latte & Learning” sessions at Starbucks, Beth Israel Synagogue’s new National and a NCSY Seniors Conclave in Illinois. Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Most recently, he has prepared for the Advisor is Joey Shyken, 28, who previNCSY Junior District Shabbaton this ously worked as a volunteer technical Shabbos at Beth Israel. NCSY Juniors staff member. His duties included getting will go to shul, sing, learn, socialize, and ready for regional conventions and workmore. ing with the young people. This experiMaking arrangements for housing and ence, coupled with his life-long involvefeeding some 80 visitors--as well as ment at Beth Israel, led to Shyken being planning all of the social and educationhired as the NCSY Advisor. al programs--has been a challenging, yet “It is an incredible opportunity to help rewarding, endeavor. Shyken looks forout with the youth of our synagogue,” ward to this action-packed weekend that Joey Shyken said Shyken. He views NCSY as a great will include a surprise trip to Mt. setting for youth to do fun activities with other Jewish Crescent ski area. kids. Young people also benefit by working with menShyken expressed feelings of gratitude toward Rabbi tors, such as Shyken, who can connect with them in the Jonathan Gross and President Bonnie Bloch for giving NCSY atmosphere. him the opportunity to work as Beth Israel’s NCSY “You get a good feeling providing Jewish kids with Advisor. “They have allowed me to make an important something Jewish to do, what with all the influences of contribution to our synagogue and to our youth. I am the secular world,” he added. excited to create new and interesting experiences that In the past few months, Shyken has already organ- benefit the young people in our community,” he ized a wide variety of activities including trips to a corn added.
January 21, 2005
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Maimonides Society Inspired by Trip to Israel by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator Jewish Educational & Library Services When Dr. Sam Cemaj moved to Omaha from California 14 months ago, he and Guy Matalon, Jewish Educational and Library Services Director, became friends. Matalon soon began talking to Dr. Cemaj about his interest in reactivating an Omaha area Maimonides Society, a Jewish affinity group for doctors and other health care professionals. After a trip to Israel early in 2004 during which Cemaj and Dr. Eric Phillips visited Israeli hospitals and learned more about the needs there, the desire to establish an active, vibrant Maimonides Society was solidified. Of particular interest to Dr. Cemaj is Israel’s Emergency Response Group, or
ERG, a program in which foreign physicians are trained to take over in Israeli hospitals should a situation arise in which those physiDr. Michael Stein cians are needed elsewhere. Dr. Cemaj, along with Dr. Dan Schuller, took an ERG course while on another trip to Israel and they are excited about getting Omaha area health care professionals involved. A Maimonides Society Steering Committee was soon formed with Dr.
Cemaj serving as its chairman; he is Assistant Professor, Division of General Surgery with Creighton University’s School of Medicine. Other committee members are: Dr. Schuller, Chief, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Creighton Med Center; Dr. David Finkle, a cosmetic surgeon with Curves Ahead; and Dr. Phillips, an orthopedic surgeon with the Nebraska Spine Center. The Society’s inaugural event will feature a luncheon with keynote speaker Dr. Michael Stein. Dr. Cemaj met Dr. Stein at a conference and then worked with the Creighton University Medical Center to bring him to Omaha for a lecture series for the medical community. Dr. Cemaj noted that “Dr. Stein is a very well known and well respected trauma surgeon. His expertise in the area of trau-
ma care is highly regarded. His talk should be of great interest to the medical community.” Dr. Stein and his trauma nurse coordinator Dina Alvoar are being brought to Omaha by CUMC where they plan to meet with students and others to present a series:“Terrorism and Mass Casualty Incidents.” The Maimonides Society inaugural luncheon will be Sunday, Feb. 6, noon, in the JCC Auditorium. The luncheon cost is $10 per person and reservations are requested no later than Jan. 31. Dr. Stein will speak following lunch. For information, to make reservations or add your name to the Maimonides mailing list, visit the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, call me at: 334-6445 or e-mail: mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.
“Voyages to Freedom” at Kripke Library
Knitting for Fun--and the Needy
by GARY KATZ Library Administrator Stop by the Kripke Jewish Federation Library and visit the exhibit: “Voyages to Freedom: 500 Years of Jewish Life in Latin America and the Caribbean.” This interesting display underscores the dramatic participation of Jews in the age of discovery, and throughout the development of Latin America and the Caribbean. It explores four main themes of the Jewish experience: Latin American
by BETH COHEN Executive Director More than 25 men and women attended Beth Israel’s “To Knit or Knot to Knit” class earlier this month. An impressive array of scarves were started and many
of the end products will be donated to needy recipients. While people knitted, Rabbi Jonathan Gross gave a short D'var Torah discussing the appearance of knitting and other crafts in the Torah and in Halachah.
Left photo: Brooke Shrago helps Toba Cohen start her fun fur scarf. Right: Susan Polack, left, assists JoEll Gerber, while Jeanette
Nadoff works with a friend of JoEll’s, Mary Sue Grossman and Audrey Gerber.
migration; family and communal life; economic and cultural development; and relations between Jews and their neighbors. Created by the Anti-Defamation League and the NY Council for the Humanities. The exhibit will be shown through Feb. 28 during normal library hours. The exhibit is sponsored by Jewish Educational and Library Services, the Kripke Library, and the Anti-Defamation League. For information, call me at 334.6462.
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JCC Maccabi Games July 31st - August 5th, 2005
Join TEAM OMAHA as we head for
TE The JCC Maccabi Games are a week-long international, multi-sport, athletic and cultural event involving a total of 6,000 young Jewish athletes. Each year athletes share in the FUN of competing, the JOY of meeting other athletes from North America and five other countries, and the PRIDE of being part of a world-famous Olympic style event filled with Jewish content and values. It is a life and personality-shaping experience that the JCC Maccabi Games have been offering to Jewish teenagers since 1982. At this Jewish mini-Olympiad, each participant has the chance to participate in one of 13 sporting events. In addition to daily athletic competitions, teens participate in evening programs, Judaic activities, and community service projects.
AS SPORTS OFFERED: TEAM:
Boys Baseball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Softball and Girls Volleyball INDIVIDUAL:
Bowling, Dance, Golf, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis
To register for the Games or for more information contact Rachel Blum at 334-6404 or rblum@jccomaha.org
REGISTER by January 31st & receive a 20% discount!
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 21, 2005
Partnership with Israel
New JELS Camp Scholarship Honors Memory of Sherman Neff by DIANE AXLER BAUM Jeanie Neff believes Jewish Educational and Library Services gave her the most meaningful way to honor the memory of her husband. Through the auspices of JELS, Jeanie established the Sherman Frederick Neff Camp Scholarship Fund to provide assistance for youth to attend Jewish summer camps. She based the decision on her Sherman Neff late husband’s advocacy of Jewish overnight camping. “Sherman believed in Jewish summer camping as an ideal background for creating long-term friendships while sharing experiences that contribute to physical, intellectual, and spiritual maturity,” Mrs. Neff said in a recent interview. “He considered Jewish summer camp a place for discovering interests, practicing leadership skills, and strengthening Jewish identity.” “My husband felt that his own camping experiences contributed to his development as a responsible, independent, Jewish adult,” she added. He was thrilled that
our grandchildren were able to enjoy Jewish camping experiences, and I know it would please him to assist other children to have similar opportunities.” Jeanie remembers her husband as “a Renaissance Man,” whose many interests ranged from appreciation of the arts to playing golf. He enjoyed a long career in retailing, she said, adding, “For 14 years he managed golf shops and was associated with the Professional Golf Association, which allowed him to combine his professional expertise with one of his favorite hobbies.” Following a long illness, Sherman passed away in Dec. 2003. Jeanie, retired now after 28 years in real estate, said she hopes to become a volunteer at the Nebraska Medical Center, where her husband received his care. Jeanie’s generosity is just one example of the wonderful support provided by donors in our community. We are very fortunate to have so many benefactors aiding our youth,” said Mary Sue Grossman, JELS Administrator. April 1 is the deadline for camp scholarships for summer, 2005, Grossman noted. She urged parents whose children could benefit from assistance to go to the Jewish Federation website at: www.jewishomaha.org. “The JELS Scholarship and Grants page includes all the information needed to apply,” she explained. Information also is available by calling JELS at 334.6445.
UNL Professor to Explore Contemporary Meaning of Holocaust at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Portrayed in movies, books, theater, television, college courses, museums, and public monuments, the Holocaust continues to hold meaning for contemporary Jews and Americans. From Elie Wiesel throwing out the first pitch at a Mets season opener in Alan Steinweis 1988 and the idealization of Anne Frank to a cookbook of recipes from survivors of the Terezin concentration camp, the Holocaust is part of the American cultural consciousness. Alan Steinweis teaches the history of the Holocaust and modern Jewish history at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). From 1995 to 1998, he served as director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at UNL. On Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m., he will present the topic, “The Holocaust: Its Contemporary Meaning for Jews and Americans” when he speaks at at Temple. As he explores how American Jews reacted to the Holocaust during and just after World War II, Prof. Steinweis will discuss how we continue to understand, incorporate, and respond to the Shoah. Even in Nebraska with its small Jewish population, “the lessons to be derived from the Holocaust about human nature, tolerance, morality, and civil courage tend to resonate very strongly,” according to Steinweis. Holocaust historian and author of The Destruction of the Jews, Raul Hilberg “has keenly observed that the Holocaust has become ‘a marker of an absolute evil against which all other transgressions in the conduct of nations could be measured,’” wrote Prof. Steinweis in The Americanization of the Holocaust edited by Hilene
Continued from page 1 “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Joanie and Stacey on a number of projects in the past,” she explained. “I’ve seen them in action and know they can motivate others and get the job done. They were my first and only choice for these positions and I’m very grateful to them for accepting it,” explained Riekes. Kaiman and Rockman say they are looking forward to the rewards and challenges of the work ahead. Said Kaiman, “I’ve been involved with the Partnership in one way or another since its inception and I’ve always had a wonderful experience. I’ve been on six missions to Israel with the Federation and I’ve met extraordinary people I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to know. I’ve been able to get to know
Stacey Rockman
Flanzbaum. Prof. Steinweis wrote a chapter for the book. “But it is in the commemoration of the Holocaust that the ritualized deference to the Jewish minority is at its most conspicuous,” pointed out Prof. Steinweis. “No doubt there has been a great amount of Christian guilt at work over the past half-century, but this condition might well wear off as time passes,” as evidenced by an announcement at the Southern Baptist Convention to step up efforts to convert Jews, added Professor Steinweis. “As the Holocaust recedes into the past, its place in the American consciousness will inevitably evolve. The course of that evolution is hard to predict.” A Senior Fulbright Fellow at the University of Heidelberg in Germany in 2003, Prof. Steinweis taught a seminar there on the memory of the Holocaust in comparative international perspective. Author of books and articles on such subjects as art, ideology, and economics in Nazi Germany, he is working on a study of the Nazi science of Jews and Judaism, a study of Nazi anti-Semitic scholarship. Steinweis is also the series editor of the Comprehensive History of the Holocaust published by the University of Nebraska Press and Yad Vashem with financial support from the Ike and Roz Friedman Family Foundation. In addition, “I’ve recently completed an article on the uses of the Holocaust in political debates over American foreign policy,” he said. When he speaks at Temple, he plans to deal with “the anti-Holocaust backlash among some left-wing American intellectuals who think the Holocaust has been abused by American Jews to support Israeli expansionism, and more generally, to suppress discussion of American persecution of Blacks, Indians, and so forth,” among other issues, he noted. His lecture is sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. The community is welcome to attend.
Joanie Kaiman
them on a personal level and these friendships make me feel like I have a real “home” in the Jewish homeland! As a Co-Chairman for Omaha’s Partnership, I’ll have the chance to do something that is both meaningful and rewarding.” Rockman looks forward to the challenge of engaging more people in the Omaha Jewish community with some of the innovative projects being developed by the Partnership. “What intrigues me is how Americans and Israelis sit together at the same table and figure out how to meet the needs of Jews in the Western Galilee and benefit Jews in the Diaspora simultaneously. From what I’ve experienced in the Partnership, American Jews get as much, if not more, out of the various projects as the Israelis do.” Federation Executive Director Jan Goldstein envisions a new level of involvement in Partnership saying, “I believe that by appointing these two women we will bring more Omahans into the Partnership circle by reaching out through our agencies and synagogues. There is a critical opportunity for everyone to get involved in this program that speaks to a new era in American-Israeli relations.” Partnership With Israel is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign, United Jewish Communities (UJC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). Partnership promotes people-to-people relationships between our Jewish community and communities in Israel’s Western Galilee through cultural, social, educational and economic programs. Omaha, along with 12 other Midwest cities, comprise the Midwest Consortium and is partnered with the Western Galilee, located in the most northern part of Israel along the Mediterranean coast. For more information, or to volunteer for Partnership With Israel projects, please contact me at 334.6431 or e-mail, pmonsky@jewishomaha.org.
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January 21, 2005
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
Lt. Irving Cohen Profiles in Jewish Courage Essay Contest by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Jewish Federation Library has announced the “Lt. Irving Cohen Profiles in Jewish Courage” Essay Contest--open to Jewish students in the Omaha metropolitan area in seventh through 12th grades. There will be two student divisions: seventh through ninth grades and 10th-12th grades. All entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges and three winners will be selected in each division. Prizes will be awarded as follows: • 10th through 12th grades: First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize $50. • Seventh through ninth grades: First Prize ‹ $100, Second Prize $50, Third Prize $25. The essay should identify a Jewish person who has
Write Now! Accepting Submissions for 2005 Essay Contest on Moral Courage by MELISSA MEDVIN Essay Contest Coordinator for the Anti-Defamation League Ever think about what you would have done had you been a bystander during the Holocaust or another event that challenged your moral ethics? High School students have the incredible opportunity to explore this question by participating in 2005 Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest. This will be the third year of the contest. Last year over 300 thought- provoking entries were submitted. Deadline for entries is Feb. 28. Sponsored by ADL, Dana College and the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, the contest asks high school students to use a historical or literary example of moral courage and to relate it to his/her life today. Through participation in the contest, students will study the courageous and inspiring efforts of Holocaust Rescuers and learn how one person can make a difference. Founders of the Tribute to the Rescuers essay contest envisioned challenging students to grapple with the stories of moral courage and to incorporate the strength of these stories into their essays. Jurors will assess originality, message, and voice when evaluating the entries. Thanks to a generous donation from the Carl Frohm Foundation and Sam’s Club, student awards include a $750 first prize, $500 second prize and $250 third prize. Winners will be selected from two categories, ninth and 10th graders and 11th and 12th graders. More information, including entry forms, rules, and regulations visit the ADL web page: www.adl.org/tribute_essay_contest. Contact me at mmedvin@adl.org with any questions.
shown courage in his or her life. The person can be well known, a community leader, a family member, or a friend. By identifying ordinary people who became extraordinary through their great acts of personal courage, we underscore the importance of a shared commitment to Jewish values. Entries must be in essay form. Entries must be typed, double-spaced, with a minimum of 200 words for seventh through ninth grades and a minimum of 400 words for 10th through 12th grades. All entries must be submitted by March 1, to the Kripke Federation Library. Irving Cohen was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 12, 1921, the son of Anne and Harry Cohen. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs and attended the University of
Nebraska Lincoln. He left the university early in 1942 to enlist in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II, and the essay contest is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Irving Cohen. An award ceremony will be held May 15, during the community Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the Jewish Community Center. All winning entries will be on display at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The Lt. Irving Cohen Profiles in Jewish Courage essay contest is sponsored by: The Lt. Irving Cohen Memorial Endowment Fund, The Kripke Jewish Federation Library, and Jewish Education and Library Services. If there are any questions regarding the contest, please call the Kripke Library at 334.6462 or e-mail me at: gkatz@jewishomaha.org
Beth El Teen Calls Camp Ramah His Home Away from Home by JILL BELMONT people there aren’t good, Beth El Publicity Coordinator then the camp means nothFor Seth Rich, summertime ing.” The lasting friendships means heading up to he has formed have afforded Conover, Wisconsin, to Camp him the luxury of welcoming Ramah, a Jewish camp sponaccommodations throughout sored by the Conservative the Midwest. “I can travel Movement. A five-year veteranywhere in the Midwest and an of the fun-filled retreat, the have a friend to stay with - I 15-year-old will attend this don’t need to stay in a hotel,” summer as a counselor-inhe said. training, then as a full-fledged Rich cited his favorite camp counselor during the followactivities as soccer, Frisbee, ing year. and boating, and mentioned Ramah offers a full range of Omahan Seth Rich, standing, third from right, joins fellow special events such as “my activities which integrate Ramah lifeguard-class members for a photo during last trip to Canada last year, Jewish values and observanc- summer's camp session. Friday night services and es into the daily camp experisinging, and the song festival ence. Activities include swimming, sailing, kayaking, where all of the campers and staff sing songs as loudly music, dance, nature, photography, arts, sports and as they can, and the whole camp bonds.” drama. All meals are kosher and Shabbat is observed. Following his older brother as a Ramah camper, Rich The camp offers two four-week sessions (June 16 - July said that his parents felt that the camp “makes good lead10; July 12 - August 8) for children entering the sixth ers and is a Jewish camp, not just a camp for Jews.” grade, and an eight-week session, from June 16 - August Beth El Rabbi Mordechai Levin also voiced support for 8, for seventh through 11th graders. Ramah, saying that “it is known for its fun, social, educaRich said that while many factors draw him back to tional, committed Jewish environment. Going to Ramah camp year after year, deep friendships with both campers often leads children to take Judaism more seriously and staff hold great significance, offering him a sense of because it is a place full of experiences which help to family and a home away from his Omaha home. Unlike shape Jewish identity.” other camps, where camp ends once the summer is over For more information about Camp Ramah, call 312. and you leave, Ramah’s influence stays with you and 606.9316, ext. 221, or via e-mail at: registrar@ramahkeeps growing and growing, he said, adding that, “You wisconsin.com, or visit the camp web site at can have the best camp facilities in the world, but if the www.ramahwisconsin.com/.
START YOUR ‘Israel Journey’ HERE
MOVING?
There are many excellent teen Israel trips available for the summer of 2005 for Jewish teens currently in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Parents and Teens are invited and encouraged to join us for
Please give us the following information:
Name ________________________________________________
Israel Information Night Tuesday, January 25th 6:00 pm at the JCC
Old Address __________________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________________ (Or attach your mailing label)
Name ________________________________________________ New Address __________________________________________ City, State, Zip _________________________________________ New Phone ___________________________________________ Effective Date _________________________________________ If moving out of town, please check one: ❏ Discontinue Press ❏ Bill Me ❏ Full-time College Student ❏ “Snowbird” date of return _____________ Mail this coupon 3 weeks in advance to:
The Jewish Press 333 South 132nd Street Omaha, NE 68154 or see bottom of page 8 for email address and Fax number
• • • • •
BBYO: P2I-Passport to Israel JCC Maccabi Israel NCSY Israel Leadership Programs NFTY in Israel USY Great Summer Escape
Come learn about all the teen Israel trips offered this Summer, and decide which one is right for you. Pizza dinner will be served.
Israel Information Night is also designed to answer your questions about security and programming, and to identify how different Israeli agencies are involved in making all of the Teen Summer Israel Trips safe, inviting, exciting and educational. Wendy Keter, Midwest Director of the Israel Program Center, affiliated with the Jewish Agency for Israel will be here to answer these questions, and more. While in Omaha,Wendy Keter will also be available for personal information sessions regarding other opportunities in Israel. To set up a personal meeting with Wendy, please contact the Chicago Office at (847)674-8861 or at wendyk@jazo.org.il If you have questions about this Israel Information Night, contact Lisa Shkolnick JCC Assistant Executive Director 334-6425 lshkolnick@jccomaha.org
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 21, 2005
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Three Omahans won free tickets to The Producers in the recent Jewish Press contest for new subscribers: Fred and Sandy Ostrow, and Sara Willis. The Producers opens Tuesday, Jan. 25, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 30 at the Orpheum Theater. Tickets to the award-winning Broadway musical are still available by calling: 345.0606 or at any Ticketmaster outlet: 402.422.1212 or www.ticketmaster.com. Another reader, Ruth Tucker won a pair of tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Qwest Center earlier this month. Watch the Jewish Press for upcoming contests for new subscribers or visit: www.jewishomaha.org and click on Jewish Press to make gift subscriptions online.
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Matisyahu--a hip, hasidic reggae group--will perform at the Ranchbowl on Monday, Jan. 31, 8:30 p.m. The lead singer of the group, Matisyahu Miller, who says his sound is a cross between Bob Marley and the late hip Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, didn’t grow up as an observant Jew. Trips to the Colorado Rockies and Israel, however, turned him on to Judaism, which incorporates into his music. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The Bemis Center for Contemporary Art announces BemisUndergroud, a new curatorial program which complements its internationally renowned Artist-in-Residency program. The BemisUnderground is a basement level gallery space ideal for presenting visualk, audio and performance art in an interactive environment. The Bemis received an $80,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to launch this program, which opens Jan. 28 with Omaha artist Scott Blake’s exhibit: Bring Your Barcodes. For gallery hours or information, call 341.7130.
IN THE NEWS Nancy Nogg has been named as Vice President of Fund Development for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska & Council Bluffs (PPNCB). She recently held the roles of executive vice president of OI Partners and assistant dean in the UNO College of Business. She has 20 years experience working in marNancy Nogg keting, organizational development, business management and education. Nogg holds an executive master's in business administration (EMBA) and a BA in communications. She has also served as board member for the Downtown Omaha Rotary Club, Nebraska State DECA, Temple Israel, chairman of the EMBA Alumni Board, and as President of Women of Reform Judaism. She is also an adjunct professor at Bellevue University. Long-time Omaha attorney Jerry Slusky, widely recognized for his expertise and standing in commercial real estate, announces the formation of Slusky Law and Slusky Mediation. In addition to Slusky, Shaun James and Sheryl Lohaus will be joining the firm as attorneys. The new practice will be located at Lakeside, in the American National Bank Building.
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Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Women of Spirit Mult-Faith Gathering, held at the UNO Milo Bail Student Center. This event, which begins at 1 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m. the same day, brings together women from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths to share and reflect on teh concepts of believing, behaving and belonging within each faith tradition. The theme of this year’s celebration is Weaving Women’s Wisdom, which will feature speakers from each of the three faith traditions including Dru Greenwood, the Director of Synagogue Renewal at the United Jewish AppealFederation of New York. The conference is open to the public, though participants must register ahead of time. Information is available at the conference’s website, http://marian.creighton.edu/~wos, and at Temple Israel’s website, http://templeisrael-ne.org/ womenofspirit.shtml.
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March of the Living Continued from page 1 David Machlis, March of the Living’s vice chairman, said he was pleased “but not surprised” at the study’s findings. “For a short-term program to have such a dramatic impact on people’s way of thinking and being, we’re very proud of that,” he said. Helmreich acknowledged that those who choose to take part in such a program are, to some degree, a selfselecting group, probably more likely than others to be involved in Jewish concerns. Because of this, he said, the study focused on the increase in Jewish belief, identification and behavior that resulted from their experience. Eighty-four percent of march participants, for example, said the program influenced their “thinking as a Jew.” Some 58 percent said it has affected their “behavior as a Jew.” The study also found that 45 percent of those who have taken part in the program have visited Israel since the trip. Thirty-two percent of those who’ve returned have done so three or more times, while 19 percent did so twice. “When you’re coupling the tremendous tragedy with the rebirth of Israel back to back, the March of the Living participants walk impact becomes from Auschwitz to Birkenau during long lasting,” YomHaShoah in April, 2004. Credit: Ryan Blau/MOL Machlis said. “It’s very, very powerful. You’re going from death and destruction to renaissance and rebirth.” The study was based on telephone interviews with 300 randomly selected past participants during the spring of 2004. Participants from 1992, 1999 and 2003 answered the 49-question survey.
ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip to the Bluffs Run Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC main entrance at 8:45 a.m. Call Maggie Conti at 334.6521 for reservations. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Lomir Redn Yiddish meeting at the JCC in the Social Hall on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Join us at the Joslyn Art Museum to see the exhibit “The Old Masters: Renaissance to Rococo” on Wednesday, Feb. 23. We will meet for lunch (on your own) at 11:15 a.m. in the Atrium of the Joslyn (Durham Café). An escorted tour will follow lunch. The cost is $5.50 each for admission. There is no charge for members of the Joslyn. Make check payable to Visions and send reservations by Feb. 23 to: Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St., Omaha, NE 68144. Feeling young? Come with Visions on a special tour; go back in time to see some old artifacts at UNO, “Silent Spectators of the Sacred” on Wednesday, March 9, 11:30 a.m., meet at the China Road (132nd and Dodge) for lunch on your own. Following lunch, carpool to UNO and view the exhibit with the curator as our guide. Suggested donation of $2 single or $3 for couple. Make check payable to Visions and send reservations by March 2 to Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St. Omaha, NE 68144. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Join us for live music at its finest with The Omaha Municipal Orchestra on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., at the JCC auditorium. The theme is Sounds French and features compositions from Massanet, Debussy, SaintSaens, d’Indy and Honneger. There is no admission fee. Bring a friend. For reservations call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. BREADBREAKERS Dr. Alison Freifeld will be the guest speaker at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Jan. 26, noon, at Park Inn Regency, according to Marty Ricks, Chairman. Dr. Freifeld is a specialist in highly infectious diseases at UNMC.Cost is $11 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only. Breadbreakers 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.
January 21, 2005
ARE THEY NOW?
The Freshman
With a clever new show on HBO, former Omahan Bryan Greenberg is joining the illustrious ranks of Tony Soprano and Larry David. Meet the next big breakout star of 2005.
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by CURT SCHLEIER believes the public’s posiSpecial to the Jewish Press tive image about the ecoBryan Greenberg is a nomics of the business young actor, and young needs some revision. actors make mistakes. He “I like the show because lands a small role on “ER” pretty much all you hear is and offends one of the reguno, no, no, no, no [from lars by not recognizing him. casting directors]. The pubHe pads his resume and is lic thinks actors have an caught in the lie by a casting easy life of luxury but that’s director. He shows up on a like a half of a percent.” casting call for a film called Greenberg looks Jewish. Wild Wind in motorcycle No question. Some actors gear, only to discover the Bryan Greenberg, left, and Nick Paonessa (Bryan’s real life feel that hurts their careers. former roommate in Los Angeles and a college friend from Jennifer Grey, for example, movie is a western. It’s all part of a new HBO NYU) on the set of HBO’s new series, “Unscripted.” had well publicized plastic Photo Credit: P. John Johnson, HBO series called “Unscripted” that airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. (CST) The show is funny and sad, a mix of fact and fiction that in many ways resembles another HBO hit, “The Larry Sanders Show.” The behindthe-scenes glimpse of television talk shows provided by Sanders is exactly the same view offered of the life of young actors. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction further is that the actor Bryan Greenberg in “Unscripted” is played by an actor whose name really happens to be Bryan Greenberg. (In fact, with the exception of Frank Langella, who portrays acting teacher Goddard Fulton, all the principals use their real names.) While the show is billed as fiction, “it’s all based on Nick Paonessa, left, Bryan Greenberg, and Krista Allen. Photo Credit: P. John Johnson, HBO true stories,” the 26-year-old actor said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. “We’d sit around a table and surgery to change her appearance in search of more just sort of talk. The actors, George (Clooney, an exec- roles. Greenberg, however, is happy with the way he utive producer and director), Grant (Heslov, also an looks. “Are you kidding,” he laughs. “I had four nose exec producer and director) jobs already to get this nose. and Matt (a co-executive “I’ve gotten ‘he’s too producer), we’d share stoJewish.’ But some people ries.” say you don’t look Jewish. Those stories form the I’ve won roles, too.” In the basis of the show. But by CAROL KATZMAN just completed film Prime, Editor of the Jewish Press there’s reality, too. scheduled to be released As a child in Omaha, Bryan Greenberg was known as a next fall, he plays a young Greenberg just resigned for “cute kid,” says longtime family friend Aveva Shukert. “He an eight-episode arc on Jewish man dating an older had already started performing in plays at the Emmy Gifford “One Tree Hill,” the WB woman (Uma Thurman) Children’s Theatre and at the Jewish Community Center. teen series, so that became against his mother’s (Meryl “But who knew?” part of the “Unscripted” Streep) wishes. Bryan’s mother sure did. story line, as well. He just Another thing he’s not “Cheryl Lerner suggested Bryan audition for the finished filming a movie changing is his name. ‘Nutcracker.’ At age eight, he was travelling with the Omaha Prime in New York, and “Absolutely not. I’m not that Ballet in the role of Fritz,” said Denny Greenberg in a recent Unscripted’s cameras were guy. I wish I was born with phone interview from her home in St. Louis, MO. She and her there, too. a last name like Cruise, but husband, Carl, were active volunteers in Omaha’s Jewish It’s a good time for what are you gonna do? community, taking leadership roles in a number of organizaGreenberg, who spent most Cruiseberg? Cruisestein?” tions, from Beth El Synagogue to the Jewish Federation. of his childhood in the Does he bring anything Jewish Family Service, and ADL among others. unlikely city of Omaha, NE. Jewish to his “Unscripted” Bryan’s first ‘professional’ stop came right after the move “Yes, I’m the one,” he said, role? “I’m neurotic,” he jokes. to St. Louis, when he signed with an agent and landed a referring to the Jewish popAlso, he doesn’t want to give Cookie Crisp commercial. Later, at NYU’s Tisch School, he ulation of the city. Actually a kina hora, even after he’s added more small parts: a Clearasil print ad, commercials for there is a small, but active told how good the series is. “I Pizza Hut, tv’s “Law and Order” (where he played a chicken Jewish population there. don’t have a high expectation. delivery boy--and was killed off in the first scene) and a develHe grew up in a conserI think it’s an intelligent and opmentally challenged man in an episode in “Third Watch.” vative household, had a bar smart show and I don’t think In 1998, while still at NYU, he had a small role in the film, mitzvah (at B’nai Amoona in everyone’s going to get it.” A Civil Action, and in 2003, began playing the role of Jake in St. Louis, MO) belonged to Greenberg was in North the WB network’s popular One Tree Hill. Jewish youth groups, went Carolina when his manager “The fan sites started emerging then,” Denny recalled. to Jewish summer camps-called to tell him about the “And since his role opposite Scarlet Johannsen in The Perfect (Herzl Camp in Wisconsin), show. “There’s no audition. Score, it’s been crazy!” Bryan was home for Thanksgiving, and even traveled to Israel. They just want you to fly in but hasn’t had to avoid the local malls yet--St. Louis is “still Both parents are psycholoand meet with them. They safe,” according to Denny. gists, “which just drove me were looking for a young To prepare for his role as David Bloomberg in Prime, Bryan crazy,” he jokes. (I assume actor who worked a lot, but just used his own situation (yes, the character is Jewish). In he was joking.) isn’t a name. And they fact, says Denny, the whole premise is that Meryl Streep’s His family moved to St. wanted someone who character (Bryan’s mom in Prime) wants him to marry a Louis--his parents are still screws up all the time. Jewish girl--but instead, he’s fooling around with Uma there--when he was 12. He “That’s me. I’m always putThurman. subsequently attended the ting my foot in my mouth.” “Just like real life!” Bryan told Denny. “Right?” prestigious Tisch School of Bryan’s got another movie in post-production, Thanks to Performing Arts at New Curt Schleier is a freeGravity, but no date has been set for its release; Prime is due York University and got a lance writer and author. out this year. And his experience working with George Clooney few small parts on TV and He also teaches business and Steven Soderburgh in “Unscripted” are, no doubt, adding commercials. There were writing to corporate to the impressive resume he’s building. times (as on “Unscripted”) executives. This article Omaha friends have followed his career since his roles on where he’d have a line and originally appeared in “Law and Order”, “Boston Public” and “Providence.” be edited out of the show. Jewsweek. Read “I remember Bryan at birthday parties in West Omaha,” The way that the consisSchleier’s other arts and recalled Melissa Katzman. “When the 17-year-old daughter of tent rejection actors receive entertainment articles on a friend squealed, ‘Oh my G-d; you know Jake from One Tree is portrayed on “Unscripted” the web at: www.jewHill?’, I knew I should have gotten his autograph then!” appeals to Greenberg, who sweek.com.
Page 7
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 21, 2005
Opinion Rena, Ditza, Chedva v’Simcha Don’t recognize those words? They’re all Hebrew for joy and they’re found in the Sheva Brachot--the seven blessings recited at a Jewish wedding. Simchas are a wonderful thing--joyous occasions where friends and family gather to celebrate an important event. Sometimes guests travel hundreds of miles, even from overseas, to witness the wedding of a special friend or the B’nai Mitzvah of a neice or nephew or to celebrate a ‘big’ anniversary of grandparents. What a special joy it is for the celebrants to share a simcha together; it’s a chance to catch up on the family, take photographs (which the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society would love to have!), and create new memories. So it’s a pleasure for the Jewish Press to announce our second “Simchas” issue in just six months! This fairly recent feature has become so popular--with submissions of photos and stories from our readers--that we’re doing it again (and our advertisers are sure happy, too!). It will publish on Friday, Feb. 18, but we must receive all photos, captions and stories about your special occasion no later than Monday, Feb. 7, in order to be included. Tell us about your parents’ 60th anniversary (send a picture, too) or the recent wedding you attended with guests from both U.S. coasts and as far away as Europe. Send us photos from your child’s B’nai Mitzvah of the
centerpieces you donated to a local charitable organization. Or tell us about the room full of Omaha rabbis who attended your son’s brit milah. This is the kind of good news we love to share with our community. And our out-oftown readers want to hear all about your simcha as well. Don’t forget--the deadline is Feb. 7 for all photos and articles. Call us at 334.6450 if you have any questions. Speaking of good news, the Joint Distribution Committee has now raised more than $14 million for tsunami relief. The effort is now being coordinated by a consortium of U.S. organizations (although several Israeli organizations have also asked to be included) which will collect the donations and make allocations based on requests from groups “in the field.” Americans are showing themselves to once again be the generous people they are after every natural disaster, but many are concerned that the funds go to the organizations which will use them most appropriately. No one wants to donate money for food that will spoil in a warehouse or for clothing items (like winter coats) not needed in locales like Thailand and Sri Lanka. If you have any concerns about
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where your dollars are going, go to the website of the organization to which you plan to donate--and ask them via e-mail exactly how the funds will be used. You can also donate online directly to the JDC, at the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org.
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.
Election Report from Hebron
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by MJ ROSENBERG In Hebron, West Bank, I asked a young Palestinian woman if she really believed that the Palestinian election would change anything. Her answer was unambiguous. “It will change everything,” she said. “This is the first democratic election in the Arab world. We are now a democracy without a state but the election will lead to a state and to peace.” The 2005 election was hotly contested and every Palestinian I spoke with during a week in the area--including 18 hours in Hebron on election day--believes that this election was the start of a new era. I was in the West Bank as one of 80 official election observers dispatched to the Palestinian areas by the National Democratic Institute, which has been monitoring foreign elections for over two decades. Our delegation was led by former President Jimmy Carter (in his capacity as head of the Carter Center in Atlanta), Ken Wollack, President of NDI, former Governor of New Jersey Christie Todd Whitman, and former Swedish President Carl Bildt. In addition to our delegation there were several hundred other international observers, primarily from the European Union. Our goal was to assess the quality of the democratic electoral process in the West Bank and Gaza. We spent a week meeting with candidates, party officials, local election officials, civil society leaders and various analysts from both the Palestinian community and from Israel. One day before the election, we visited our assigned polling areas to make sure that everything was in order. Our 80-person group was divided into 40 two-person teams who would observe the voting in designated polling places until they closed 14 hours later. Each team had a driver and an interpreter. This was not your typical election. It was, after all, conducted under occupation and
that, in itself, makes it anomalous. Most nations hold elections only after gaining independence (although the Zionist movement also conducted elections prior to statehood). Naturally there was considerable concern before the election that freedom of movement would be constrained by the Israeli army and particularly by the hundreds of military checkpoints, which often make Palestinian movement from one village to another nightmarish. That didn’t happen. Israel pulled back from the territories to make movement by Palestinians (and observers) unusually easy.
“...it would have been inconceivable that France would have allowed free elections in Algeria--let alone hundreds of international monitors to roam the country,” said Michel Rocard, former French prime minister. At a press conference following the vote, Michel Rocard, the former French prime minister who led the 300 European Union monitors, said that no nation under occupation had ever been allowed to hold free elections before. He said that it would have been inconceivable that France would have allowed free elections in Algeria let alone hundreds of international monitors to roam the country. President Carter agreed with Rocard and also praised the Israelis, noting that they were much more helpful in 2005 than in 1996. The election resembled nothing this American ever experienced before. Not surprisingly, after 228 years, we tend to take voting somewhat for granted. Not so the Palestinians. They approached the voting with a combination of exuberance and reverence. The exuberance was outside the polling places, most of which were public schools. The schoolyards were mobbed with noisy celebrants, disproportionately male and young. Most were adorned with scarves, buttons, and stickers endorsing their
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.
preferred candidate. Many (especially the small children) waved Palestinian flags. The best word to describe the scene outside was festive. Inside the atmosphere was hushed, especially within the rooms that held the voting booths. All the election officials were teachers (it was a school holiday) and that may have accounted, in part, for the no-nonsense atmosphere. Voters approached the election officials to obtain their ballots in silence. In order to vote, a person had to pass by three different officials to make sure that he or she was legally entitled to vote. Once approved, the voter was “inked” with a stamp designed to prevent people from voting more than once. Finally, he or she would go behind a screen, mark their ballot and then deposit it in the sealed voting box. Still in silence, the voter would exit the room. The ballot count at the end of the day was conducted in the same way. Each ballot was read, the ballot was then held up, shown to the various officials and observers (including the international observers) and finally tallied. It felt almost religious. In a sense it was. Religion consists, to an extent, of ritual. And these Palestinians were practicing the unfamiliar rituals of democracy. But, of course, religion is not exclusively about ritual. At its heart is something far more profound. That is also the case with democracy which has, at its core, the still revolutionary idea that people are “endowed with the inalienable right” to decide for themselves the laws and modalities under which they will live. Palestinians have never been able to do that. They have almost always lived under foreign occupation and domestic despots. They understand that democratic elections are a step toward the self-determination they are desperate to achieve. Every person I spoke to understood that the only way to achieve decent, good lives for themselves and their children was by achieving peace with Israel. I do not claim that they like Israel or that they are glad Israel is there. But they accept Israel’s reality, its power Continued on page 9
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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Keep up the good work and the fine writing. Ronald J. Grossman, MD To the Editor: I happened to read in the New York based Russian paper, New Russian Word, an article about a group of Jewish activists in Frankfurt-on-Maine, Germany, who “collect”... Jewish monuments--monuments to prominent Jews all over the world. Their search is enlightened by a phrase. “Bones and ashes is not everything that the Jewish people left to mankind.” By now, the group discovered there are 126 such monuments in Germany, 96 in the former USSR, 54 in Europe, and 18 in America. Out of these 18, the paper shows two monuments. One has been erected in honor of Ludvig Boerne (1786-1837) a remarkable writer and philosopher who called upon German people to move to the New World to find true freedom. So, a small community followed his call reached the shores of America and founded a town in Texas which they named Boerne. The other picture is the famous monument to Albert Einstein in Washington. I wonder if these are any such monuments here in Midwest. Please send any information to me at: efusmary@yahoo.com or call me at 932.9844. Mary Etus
JTA NEWS BRIEFS • Few Israelis of Iraqi descent will vote in Iraq's upcoming election, officials said. Under regulations for the Jan. 30 poll, any Iraqi expatriate or foreigner born to an Iraqi father can take part, making at least 130,000 Israelis eligible. But despite the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has yet to recognize the Jewish state, meaning that the nearest place where an Israeli could cast an absentee ballot would be Jordan. The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center, Israel’s main group for Iraqi expatriates, said Tuesday that turnout for the vote would be negligible due to the logistical problems. But many among some 45,000 Jews of Iraqi descent living in the Diaspora had expressed an interest in voting from their home countries. • Some 150 Jewish officials thanked Pope John Paul II at the Vatican for his outreach efforts to Israel and the Jewish world. The delegation, which included rabbis, cantors and other Jewish officials
from Europe, Israel and North America, came to the Vatican on Tuesday under the auspices of the Pave the Way Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit organization that promotes religious understanding. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Vatican’s Nostra Aetate declaration, which opened the door to formal Catholic-Jewish dialogue. • An Israeli volunteer group was named an adviser to a United Nations committee. The decision on Yad Sarah, made last Friday, marks the first time an Israeli Jewish organization has been recognized as an advisory body to the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council. Yad Sarah, one of Israel’s best-known volunteer organizations, gives free short-term loans of medical equipment. Its services include emergency alarm systems, transportation for the wheelchair-bound and play centers for special needs children. The recognition will allow the group to participate in U.N. conferences.
F OCUS ON ISSUES by SHIRA ZAMIR National Education Coordinator Jewish National Fund New York, NY--Thousands of children will learn about and celebrate Tu B’Shevat through Jewish National Fund’s annual educational program “Tu B’Shevat in the Schools.” Tu B’Shevat--the New Year for Trees--lands on Jan. 25 and is when trees start drinking the New Year’s rainwater and the sun renews itself. According to the Mishna, where it is first mentioned, Tu B’Shevat--the 15th day of the month of Shevat--is the date used by farmers to calculate the year's crop yield and determine the tithe that the Bible requires. It also marks the beginning and end of the first three and four years of a tree’s growth, during which it is forbidden to eat its fruit. As the Jewish Arbor Day, Tu B’Shevat embodies the strong dedication to ecology, environmentalism and conservation that Jewish National Fund has championed since the organization's inception in 1901. JNF promotes the celebration of Tu B’Shevat and planting trees in Israel as a way to give children a direct and posi-
Continued from page 8 and its permanence. In exchange for a viable Palestinian state, the people I spoke to are ready, even anxious, to live in peace with the people they insist on calling their “cousins.” Along these lines, it is worth noting that Palestinians distinguish between Israelis and settlers. This is especially true in Hebron’s Old City where some 400 gun-toting extremists (many from outside Israel) devote themselves to making some 35,000 Palestinians so miserable that they will abandon their homes; many already have. In general, one would be hard-pressed to find a Palestinian who will tolerate settlers in their midst. As one told me, “they can stay but in the same way Israeli Arabs live in Israel, under our flag and our laws. Israel would not accept autonomous Palestinian communities in Israel and we won’t accept autonomous
MJ Rosenberg, Director of Policy Analysis for Israel Policy Forum, is a long time Capitol Hill staffer and former editor of AIPAC’s Near East Report. He can be reached at: mj847@aol.com.
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Israeli communities here.” The one worrisome aspect of the Palestinian election was that its very success has raised expectations sky-high. They have met President Bush’s demand for democratic elections. And they have elected a President who is determined to end terrorism once and for all. In exchange, they want serious negotiations to end the Israeli occupation. They want America to play the role of honest broker. They want their state, peace and justice, too. I tremble to think of what will happen if all the Palestinians receive, as so often in the past, is the back of our hand.
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tive connection to the Jewish homeland. Since JNF was established in 1901, the organization has planted over 240 million trees in Israel. Over the course of the next few months, students from schools registered for the program can purchase trees to be planted in the Negev. For $18, two trees will be planted--one tree in the student’s name as a gift from JNF, and one tree in honor or memory of someone special. Students who plant a minimum of four trees will receive a prize from the JNF Education Department. In some cases our youth can “Plant their way to Israel” by receiving credit towards a trip to Israel from the proceeds of special tree sales. JNF will provide registered schools with copies of the Tu B’Shevat issue, tree order envelopes for each student, and the opportunity to order JNF’s interactive Tu B’Shevat Haggadah, Branching Out. Last year, over 300,000 students participated in JNF’s Tu B’Shevat programs-including the Friedel Jewish Academy. To register your school or for more information about the JNF Plant Your Way to Israel program, visit www.jnf.org/education, call the JNF Education Department at 212.879.9305 ext. 263 or e-mail education@jnf.org.
Election Report from Hebron
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JNF’s Tu B’Shevat in the Schools 2005: Help Make Israel Beautiful
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: I am a physician in private practice in New York City, and was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I subscribe to the Jewish Press, to keep in touch with family and roots. I read your piece about AIDS (“Metaphorically Speaking”) which was published in the Omaha paper on Dec. 3, 2004, and wish to express my extreme gratitude for the extraordinary content of your essay. It is rare to read anything about HIV disease that is not tainted by prejudice, misconceptions, and personal bias. I am curious as to why you were at the International Conference in Bangkok, and whether you write regularly about the subject. Thanks to the U.S. Air Force, I spent two years in Thailand during the Vietnam conflict, and am well familiar with the culture and even--to a small extent--the language. Thus I was delighted with the anecdote of the woman and her contribution of a few baht to relief. (the cashier would have answered “My pen rai, krop”--the classic rejoinder to her formal “Khop Khun Mak Kha”). For your information, I am a pioneer in the treatment of HIV and AIDS, having seen my first case in 1983 at the beginning of the epidemic. And I too have see the disease change from a “gay disease” (which it never was and could never remain) to what is destined to be a primarily heterosexual and predominantly female disease.
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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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January 21, 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. BESTT seventh-graders will participate. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Evening Service, 5:15 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 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.; “Comfort and Conversation” Rescheduled due to the inclement weather has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. at the synagogue. The monthly group serves as a support for anyone mourning the recent or past loss of a loved one. There is no charge to attend; however, reservations are being taken by Harriet Einziger. THURSDAY, noon: “The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible,” with Rabbi Levin. HAZAK SHABBAT LUNCH ‘n’ LEARN Shabbat services led by Hazak will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, followed by Lunch ‘n’ Learn, featuring KETV consumer reporter Michael Sigmond. Cost is $7.75 per person; $6 for children under 10. Send checks to Natalie Rubin, 2004 So. 138 Ave., Omaha, NE 68144. For information, contact Gloria Goodman at 333.3351. KADIMA SHABBATON: From Jan. 28-30, sixth, seventh and eighth graders will enjoy Shabbat at the 4-H campsite in Gretna, led by Cantor Bogomolni. FOURTH-GRADE CONSECRATION: Join us in wishing our fourth graders ‘mazel tov,’ as they celebrate their consecration during on Sunday, Jan. 30, 11:15 a.m. during BESTT’s weekly Sunday school assembly. BETH EL/JELS CLASS Beth El and the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Educational & Library Services present a month-long mini-course: “To Be or Not to Be: Maimonides on the Resurrection of the Dead,” taught by JELS Executive Director Guy Matalon on Thursday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 7:30 p.m. Cost (including all materials) is $18. To register, call the synagogue, 492.8550 or JELS at 334.6445. “JEWISH PARENTING 101” Beginning Feb. 3, this series of eight classes will be offered at the synagogue on Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., led by Program Director Harriet Einziger, along with guest speakers providing support and expert-
ise in different areas. Babysitting available upon request. To register for any of the classes, please contact Einziger at 492.8550. BELLS LUNCHEON: Lunch ‘n’ Learn follows Shabbat services on Feb. 12, featuring Beth El congregant Carol Gendler, who will examine the history of Jewish Omaha. Cost is $9 for adults; $5 for children; free for children under age four. For reservations, contact the synagogue office.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 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. Beth Israel welcomes NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth) Regional Junior Shabbaton participants this Shabbat. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Omaha NCSY; Mincha, 5:15 p.m. followed by Ma’ariv; Havdalah, 6:13 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. MONDAY: Tu B’Shevat Seder and Spaghetti Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate the new year of the trees! Cost is $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under. WEDNESDAY: Shabbat Music Class, 7 p.m. Taught by Rabbi Gross, this class is in preparation for the upcoming Musical Shabbat. MUSICAL SHABBAT Join us on Jan. 28-29 with Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. Enjoy a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday at 5:30 p.m. followed by Shabbat dinner. On Saturday, Rabbi Dembitzer will lead us through a musical morning service. Kiddush is sponsored by Rabbi Gross in honor of his birthday. At 7:30 p.m., Ari joins an All-Star Beth Israel Band. Reservations are needed in by Jan. 24. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: TuB’Shvat Seder, 5 p.m. at the synagogue. SUNDAY: Religious School, 3 p.m. at the JCC.
Candlelighting Friday, January 21, 5:09 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.; Aleph Champion and Little Scholars Programs. Innovative, interactive learning for kids, 10 a.m.-noon. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m. 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 Shira, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Debbie Stiel, featuring music by SST choir members. There will be a sermon in song, featuring music composed to highlight verses in the book of Exodus. The Oneg will be provided by Roberta and Sheldon Stick. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.-noon; TEMPLE ANNUAL MEETING: Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday, Jan. 23. 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 Steve Riekes.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m., Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate at this service honoring Shabbat Shira, Sabbath of Song. Third grade students will participate and storyteller Rita Paskowitz will
be the guest speaker. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Jan. 23, 10:15 a.m.: Beyond the Aleph Bet. Colleen Kennealy will teach Ivrit. Class is $18, members; $25, non-members. SUNDAY: The 4 B’s: This month we focus on the first Behaving: “How Your Behavior Can Raise Respectful and Responsible Kids.” JFS therapist Karen Gustafson shares her wisdom and experience, 10:30 a.m.-noon. TUESDAY, Jan. 25, noon: It All Begins in Genesis. Congregant Katherine Finnegan will lead this Jewish Journey Group through an understanding of the stories in the first book of the Bible; 6:30-8 p.m.: Reaching Out to Interfaith Families. This is a seven-week course facilitated by congregant John Dacey. Cost is $18 per couple. THURSDAY, Jan. 20: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Cantor Shermet, 10-11:30 a.m. CONVERSATION WITH DRU GREENWOOD Friday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m. One of the Reform Movement’s leaders in Outreach, Dru Greenwood returns to Omaha to give the D’var Torah on Friday evening. She will address what the Jewish community looks like today and where it will be 50 years from now.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:05 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush Luncheon and Mincha, 1 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066. ADULT EDUCATION MONDAYS: Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum, 7:30-9 p.m. SUNDAYS: (during Hebrew School days): Jewish Law through the Ages with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-11:45 a.m.
Beth El Fourth-Grade Consecrants Celebrate
Beth El Synagogue’s fourth graders will be recognized during a special consecration ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 11:15 a.m. in the synagogue's sanctuary. Class members include: front row: Kylie Kirshenbaum, Maddison Skolkin, Melissa Epstein, Zachary Kahn; middle row: Zachary Bram, Aaron Kurtzman-Nissen, Avishai
Halev, Mathew Wiesman, Noah Kohll, Matthew Stein; back row: Teacher Sara Juster, Aaron Zipursky, Naomi Zipursky, Aaron Stein, Alex Preston, Gabe Levin, Connor Dietrich, teaching assistant Leah Chapman, BESTT Education Director Judy Rubin. Not pictured: Samantha Wiener, Tal Margalit.
January 21, 2005
Exodus and Song
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Beshallah The famous rabbinic comment has it that the Lord chided the Israelites for rejoicing at the discomfiture and drowning of the Egyptians, for they, too, are God’s people. But we can hardly blame the ISraelites, and can fully understand their elation, when their oppressors, pursuing with their superbly trained and outfitted chariotry, were overcome by the waters of the Sea of Reeds. Do we Americans not celebrate Armistice Day, when our enemies sued for peace? How natural! But the rabbis of the Midrash were a special breed, to whom morality had no boundaries. It reached with sympathy even to the oppressor, even to the wicked. But readers of the Bible have a greater treasure in our Sidra, greater even than the moral gem just cited. This is the wonderful “Song of the Sea,” the Shirat haYam, the 15th chapter of Exodus. It had early become a part of the daily Shaharit (morning) service, so that any Jew who prayed daily recited the Song of the Sea many, many, many times, so that like other prayers, it was quickly assimilated into memory. In one sense, it is too bad that the davener reads the Song very day for it tends to become upgedavent, i.e., read off or mumbled off from memory without the davener taking time to savor its beauty and sense its power. We suffer from a surfeit of beauty. The Song has challenged poets and analysts of poetry to seek out the sources of its power, scholars with
far greater skills than I can bring to bear. But I can still call attention only to a few of the characteristics of Biblical poetry. In the first place, the reader of English notices that it is without rhyme. In the second place, it is without rhythm (at least in terms of English poetic rhythm). Where from, therefore, does it derive its beauty and power? In the first place, it has a rhythm of its own, a rhythm of phrases rather than words or syllables. This is so pronounced, that both in printed books, and, moreover, in the original hand-inked printing in the Torah Scroll itself, the Text is carefully laid out in a special poetic form, to distinguish it from prose. In the second place, the language is poetic, high flown and different from “poetic” prose. It merits the name, Shira, Song. It is introduced by “then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song to the Lord...” It is not bound by moral considerations for the poor Egyptians. It glories in the Lord, a Man of War. It is He Who has tossed into the water the vaunted chariotry of the Pharaoh, and the three-man crew of the chariots, together with horse and chariot itself in the raging sea. In breathless two-word phrases it records the boastful plans of the enemy--until like lead, they perished in the mighty depths. “Who is like You, O Lord, among those worshiped as gods; Who is like You, distinguished in power?” It is not to be wondered at that some of these words, quite aside from the great poem itself, are added to our daily liturgy. How chosen we are, to have this brilliant, exciting poetry as our daily fare. It is one thing to be saved from the Mizrim; it is another, gilding the lily, to have this record of salvation preserved in such electrifying language! How wonderful to read this daily! How cleansing the spirit! How strengthening the vision! How clarifying the soul!
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Jewish Coalition For Asia Tsunami Relief Convenes to Unify Jewish Community’s Response by JOSHUA A. BERKMAN Public Relations Manager American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc. New York, NY--The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief (JCDR) announced the Jewish Coalition for Asia Tsunami Relief in order to facilitate a coordinated Jewish strategy for assisting in tsunami victims in South Asia. As of Jan. 10, 35 Jewish organizations have joined the Jewish Coalition for Asia Tsunami Relief, which met via teleconference on Jan. 11. The coalition will ensure that there is an integrated approach to tsunami relief from the Jewish community, including the sharing of information regarding partnerships and programs in the field, streamlining communications, and avoiding duplication of efforts by pooling financial resources and manpower. “In the past few weeks North American Jewish organizations from across the ideological spectrum have raised money in record sums for tsunami relief,” said Will Recant, Assistant Executive Vice-president, nonsectarian programs for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which serves as the coalition’s chair. “This tremendous response demonstrates the Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam at its very finest. For our efforts to have maximum impact, it's crucial that we CORRECTIONS Last week’s Press published Lisa Bloom’s story of survival of the tsunami in Thailand. The following information was inadvertantly omitted. In addition to being Bev Fellman’s niece, Bloom is also the granddaughter of Dina Bloom, and niece of Brent Bloom, all of Omaha. Lisa is the daughter of the late Dr. Bruce Bloom, who grew up in Omaha, and his wife, Arlene. Dr. Bernard Bloom of Dallas, Bruce’s identical twin, is another uncle. In the Jan. 7 issue, the names of three grandchildren were omitted from the obituary for former Omahan Joel N. Cherniss: Jeremy, Jason and Lilian, and his daughter’s name is Irene Cherniss (not Ilene, as previously printed). The Jewish Press regrets the errors.
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. For a complete form, visit the Jewish federation of Omaha’s website: www.jewishomaha.org, and click on Jewish Press or call 402.334.6448 for guidelines and the obituary form.
all work in concert with one another.” Participating organizations include: ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors; American Jewish Committee; American Jewish Congress; American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; American Jewish World Service; Anti-Defamation League; B’nai B’rith International; Canadian Jewish Congress, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Hadassah; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS); Jewish Communal Fund; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Jewish Foundation for the Righteous; Jewish Healthcare International; Jewish Labor Committee; Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish War Veterans; Jewish Women International; MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger; Meretz USA; Rabbinical Assembly; Rabbinical Council of America; Religious Action Center; UJA Federation of New York; Union for Reform Judaism; Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations; United Jewish Communities; United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Ve’ahavta; Women of Reform Judaism; Women’s American ORT; Women’s League for Conservative Judaism; and World Jewish Aid. In Omaha, donations can be made directly to the Federation of Omaha at its website: www.jewishomaha.org; the donations will be forwarded to JDC.
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Here’s my ad for jBay: Name ________________________________________ Address _______________________________________ Beth El’s kitchen was recently filled with the aroma of freshly-baked desserts, prepared for the synagogue’s Sisterhood Shabbat luncheon to take place tomorrow following services. Joining synagogue kitchen manager Lucy White, second from right, to create the sweet treats were, Hanna DeBruin, left, Phyllis Silberstein, Caryn Rifkin, M’Lee Hasslinger, Helen Kay, White and Hollie Fineman. Sisterhood is gearing up for its annual hamantaschen baking marathon! If you’d like to join in the fun on Sunday, and again on Jan. 30, call Caryn Rifkin, 334.7216, and join our baking brigade!
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 21, 2005
OPENS IN 4 DAYS! TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
LOR ANDY AL TAYLOR
PHOTOS BY: CHRIS CALLIS/PAUL KOLNIK
DY BOB R AMARAL
THE LAUGHS ARE JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY!
Tickets are available at Ticket Omaha at the Orpheum Theater, call 402-345-0606, or Ticketmaster.com and outlets, call 402-422-1212 (Omaha) or 402-475-1212 (Lincoln) BOB AMARAL ANDY TAYLOR ”THE PRODUCERS” the new MEL BROOKS musical book by
music & lyrics by
MEL BROOKS & THOMAS MEEHAN MEL BROOKS and by special arrangement with StudioCanal direction and choreography by
SUSAN STROMAN
PHOTOS BY: CHRIS CALLIS/PAUL KOLNIK
JANUARY 25 - 30 • ORPHEUM THEATER
Original Broadway Cast Recording Available On Sony Classical
www.producersontour.com