February 2, 2007

Vol. LXXXVI No. 21 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

As candidates enter 2008 race, they begin courting Jewish support AMERICA DECIDES 2008 by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- It’s a Washington ritual as reliable as the cherry blossoms, if nowhere near as pretty: Midterm congressional elections are over and aspirants for the most powerful job in the world are throwing their hats into the race for the U.S. presidency. Another ritual within the ritual is lining up Jewish support, and this year is no different. Some candidates are acting immediately: This month, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plucked Jay Zeidman, President Bush’s popular Jewish outreach official, to lead his Jewish campaign. Sometimes it’s even sooner than immediately: For the past two years, Ann Lewis, who has been prominent in Jewish causes since she served as the Clinton administration’s deputy communications director, has been sounding out Jewish support for Clinton’s wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Here’s a glance at the candidates and where they stand on issues of concerns to the Jewish people. The Democrats • U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) You probably won’t hear all about Clinton’s Jewish stepgrandfather this time around. That’s because she won’t need to grab at Jewish straws after six years of support for Jewish causes that activists across the spectrum say is stellar. Clinton’s 2000 run for the Senate was marred by a 1999 incident in which she Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton sat by and said nothing as (D-N.Y.) Credit: U.S. Senate Suha Arafat, Yasser Arafat’s wife, accused Israel of deliberately poisoning children. Clinton and Suha Arafat embraced after the speech. Clinton later claimed the interpreter skipped over the poisoning allegation, but she set about atoning for the gaffe. In addition to the revelation about her step-

granddad, she told two different Jewish audiences within weeks of Suhagate that Jerusalem was Israel’s indivisible capital. She won solidly that year, but with less-than-enthusiastic Jewish support. By 2006, however, Jewish support for Clinton was overwhelming and spanned the religious spectrum. Much of the money she has raised -- some analysts expect her to bring in $500 million by election time -- has come from Jewish donors. Pro-Israel lobbyists say Clinton’s voting record on issues related to funding for Israel and isolating its enemies, including Iran and Syria, has been top notch, and she has visited the country multiple times since becoming a senator. On domestic issues, too, she is reliably pro-choice and backs increased federal involvement in health care, stances that reflect the majority U.S. Jewish opinion. Her supporters say one area where Clinton has strengthened Jewish support might offer a clue to how she plans to overcome overwhelming conservative opposition to her candidacy, a residue of the 1990s culture wars: She seeks imaginative legislative solutions to get funding to parochial institutions while not skirting church-state divisions. • U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) As the lead Democratic spokesman on foreign policy -- Biden chairs the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee -- his rhetoric on Israel at times has been tough. Biden repeatedly has suggested that Israel and the United States “blew it” in the summer of 2003 by not backing sufficiently Mahmoud Abbas, who was Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) Credit: U.S. Senate then the Palestinian Authority prime minister. Abbas eventually quit because P.A. President Yasser Arafat frustrated his efforts to make peace with Israel, but he also accused Israel and the United States of failing to provide concessions that might have helped him confront Arafat. Pro-Israel advocates say there’s a substantial gap between Biden’s rhetoric and how he ultimately votes: He has a solid pro-Israel voting record and was a leader of the successful effort last year to pass the Palestinian Continued on page 2

14 Shevat, 5767 February 2, 2007

Banking on blood by SORIYA DANIELS The women’s weekly parenting class at our synagogue wasn’t so lighthearted. Posted on the walls near the Sephardic sanctuary, where our class is held, was the desperate plea of a mother for the life of her 31-year-old daughter, Tani, just diagnosed with “a serious medical condition” that only a match from a bone marrow donor can save her life. The flyer displayed photos of a beautiful, young woman with four small children, including one baby. I wanted to help, but it was unclear from what was written, other than “bone marrow fund,” what they needed from the Jewish community. I know that my husband and I registered our blood with a national registry at a bone marrow and blood drive several years back, so I figured that they must have exhausted the registry and come up emptyhanded. At the bottom of the Newborn Blood Banking flyer was a phone number 1.888.836.2262 to call for more informa- Viacord 1.866.668.4895 tion. This number put me Cord Blood Registry in touch with Tani’s moth- 1.888.932.6568 er, who revealed that to Stembanc 1.877.836.2262 their surprise and utmost CORD 1.877.CORDBLD *This list is not extensive. dismay, none of Tani’s many sisters were a match. There are many cord banking I learned that there are ten centers. Check with your physicompatibility factor’s that cian. The author and this publidetermine whether the cation do not endorse or guartransplant with be rejected antee any services provided by specific cord blood banks. by the host. I remembered the photos with the children, pasted along the edges of the flyer. Four children, four potential ideal matches for her. It was just on an episode of Boston Legal last year -- a father with an incurable disease sought the cord blood of his only child. It was his best chance for a match (of course, there were legal and custody issues, which was why it was on Boston Legal and not Oprah.) Tani’s mother regretfully told me that her daughter never banked any of her own children’s blood. “No one talked about cord blood when Tani had her children. Who knew?” she sadly said. Researchers are finding a rich supply of stem cells in umbilical cord blood for use in treatment of a number of diseases like leukemia and other blood and immune disorders. The stem cells found in cord blood are as viable and flexible as those found in embryos, can be easily collected without any ethical drawbacks, stored Continued on page 12

Resources/Cord Blood Banks

Doing their part to preserve history by ANDREA BARTMAN for JSS/RBJH The Lomir Redn (Let Us Speak) Yiddish Group, sponsored by Jewish Senior Services, is on a mission -- a mission to preserve a language representative of their heritage. Inspired by an article she read, Anne Skolkin began her work as a zamler (a person who gathers scattered things) for the National Yiddish Book Center. Located in Amherst, MA, the center depends on dedicated volunteers, like Skolkin and the Yiddish Group, to continue their work preserving the language that is an important piece of Jewish culture. According to Aaron Lansky, President and Founder of the National Yiddish Book Center, “The price of admission to America was to throw the old country away.” However, many immigrants to this country did not. With a current col-

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

lection of more than 1.5 million Yiddish books and more coming in every day, it’s become clear to Lansky, his staff and volunteers that there are many more books out there to be rescued. The word “rescued” is appropriate because, although these books survived transfer to the United States, they are in danger of being lost now by a generation that doesn’t read or understand Yiddish. When an older person passes on or moves to a care facility, often times it’s left to family members to organize and disperse their belongings. Yiddish books are many times among the trash because younger family members either don’t understand what they have or can’t read the language; therefore they find no value in the books. These books are definitely wanted. With more than 10,000 visitors annually, the Center is fulfilling it’s first mission; to preserve the books. Now, with the help of

interested less in the details of the holocaust than by this question: so who were these Jews they wanted to murder? What was this culture they wanted to destroy? I discovered in Yiddish the language by which Jews made sense of the modern world.” The Yiddish Group works to make sense of the Yiddish language every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., at the Some members of the Lomir Redn Yiddish Group include: Jewish Community Maxine Noodell, seated left, Frieda Krizelman, Abe Schloff, Center. “It’s not a club,” Miriam Meyerson; standing: Alan Wolfson, Harry Wolfson, says Skolkin. “We don’t Esther Simon, Anne Skolkin, Jack Noodell and Bob Gerelick. have presidents or a board. movie producer and director Steven Every week we have someone who takes Spielberg the Center is working to pre- care of the program and everyone conserve the collection digitally. tributes. It’s gotten so it’s like a family.” Says Lansky, “Early on I found myself Continued on page 2

This Week: Teen Age Features NCSY: Page 7 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

NCJW presents “A Sweet Affai”: Page 4

Coming Next Week: Simchas & Celebrations Heard any good stories lately?: Page 5

Jews and Christians learn together: Page 11

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 2, 2007

Candidates enter 2008 race

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Planned Giving Council of Nebraska, 8:30 a.m. Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel BBYO Kallah Weekend, 6 p.m. Junior Congregation Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El Interfaith Musical Service, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel

C L I P & S A V E

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Sisterhood Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Kallah Weekend, 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Tunes and Tales, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Yachad at Knights Hockey, 7 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 The Living Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad House Class with Rabbi Nadel, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Nashir Community Jewish Choir, 11 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Tu B’Shevat, 1:30 p.m. at Lauritzen Gardens Artist Gallery Reception, 2 p.m. Tu B’Shevat Seder & Dinner, 5 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m. Story Time, 11 a.m. at Kripke Library Women’s Book Group, 1 p.m. at Beth El “Build a Book,” 6:30 p.m. at Friedel Jewish Academy Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 7:30 p.m.

C L I P & S A V E

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 RBJH/Jewish Senior Services Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Mah Jongg Players, 12:30 p.m. at JCC BBYO Night, 6 p.m. “Intro to Jewish Ethics,” 6 p.m. Israeli Dance Class, 6:30 p.m. The Mothers’ Circle, 7 p.m. at Beth El Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad House JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

C L I P &

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 “The Short Stories of Isaac Beshevis Singer,” 11 a.m. at Kripke Library Exec. Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel “Notions of the Afterlife” class, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Learn to Write Hebrew Cursive, 7 p.m. at Beth El Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad House THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Getting More Out of Prayer, noon at Beth El Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. at Chabad House Yiddush Group, 1 p.m. Men’s Club Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Lessons on the Holocaust, 7 p.m. at Kripke Library Advanced Parshah Study, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

S A V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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Continued from page 1 of the successful effort last year to pass the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, which isolates the Palestinian Authority’s Hamas leadership as long as it backs terrorism and refuses to recognize Israel. Biden, like many other leading Democrats, has been reluctant to sign on to efforts to isolate Iran as long as it poses a nuclear threat, preferring to keep channels open to the Islamic republic. • U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Much of Obama’s current appeal has to do with his vocal opposition to the Iraq war in 2002-03, when he was a state senator in Illinois, at a time when it was not popular to oppose the war. Arab Americans initially held out hopes that his iconoclasm extended to Israel-Palestinian issues. During the 2004 primaries, Obama said Bush Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) had neglected the region, Credit: David Katz and in private conversations with Arab-American donors he reportedly said he favored a more “even-handed” U.S. approach between Israel and the Palestinians. Since then, however, Obama has cultivated a solidly pro-Israel record, and he visited the Jewish state last year. He has developed close ties with Chicago’s Jewish community, and some of its major donors backed him among more than a dozen candidates -- some Jewish -in the 2004 primaries. • John Edwards The appearance by the former Democratic senator from North Carolina at last year’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s policy forum was the first substantial sign that he was considering another run for the White House after he failed in his 2004 bid to win the Democratic primary and then the vice presidency. The millionaire trial lawyer had focused almost exclusively on his “two Americas” Sen. John Edwards, former theme in combating poverty Democratic senator from and advocating for universal North Carolina. Credit: health care in his primaries Office of John Edwards campaign, and Republicans cast him as a lightweight on foreign policy. He drew loud applause when he endorsed AIPAC’s trademark issue: isolating Iran as long as it resists nuclear transparence. “For years I have argued that the United States has not been doing enough to deal with the growing threat in Iran,” he said. “While we’ve talked about the dangers of nuclear terrorism, we’ve largely stood on the sidelines as the problems got worse. I believe that for far too long, we’ve abdicated our responsibility to deal with the Iranian threat to the Europeans.” Such talk has helped draw major Jewish donors to Edwards’ campaign. He raised eyebrows late last year, however, when he named as his campaign director David Bonior, a former Michigan congressman noted for his tough criticism of Israel. Bonior and Edwards reached out to top pro-Israel figures and assured them that Bonior’s role would not extend to foreign policy. Others • Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is probably the toughest critic of Israel among Democratic candidates. Next month he will be a featured speaker at a conference of Sabeel, a pro-Palestinian group, and in recent years he has consistently abstained or voted against pro-Israel measures. Kucinich maintains close ties with some dovish Jewish groups, and at times has challenged his ideological compatriots, once saying he was never con-

vinced that Yasser Arafat gave up on his dream of eliminating Israel. Kucinich’s candidacy is perhaps the longest shot this year, but he has accrued foreign policy credibility for opposing the Iraq war from the outset. • U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.). Another longRep. Dennis Kucinich (DOhio) Credit: Office of Dennis Kucinich shot, but with a solid proIsrael record. He told an AIPAC audience in Houston in October that he doubted the viability of a Palestinian state in the near future. • Gov. Tom Vilsack. The former Iowa governor hopes to appeal to voters as a

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) Credit: U.S. Senate Democrat who won two terms in a solidly Republican state. He is close to the small pro-Israel community in his state and recently visited Israel. • New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a well-known commodity in the Jewish community, dating from his

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack Credit: Office of Tom Vilsack service in the Clinton administration, first as U.N. ambassador and then as energy secretary, Richardson is the first Hispanic American considered to be a viable candidate for president. He has maintained an international profile even in Gov. Bill Richardson (D- his role as New Mexico govN.M.) Credit: Office of Bill ernor; most recently he Richardson earned Jewish kudos for negotiating a temporary cease-fire in Darfur, the area of Sudan ravaged by government allied militias. U.S. Jews have led the efforts to expose the Darfur genocide. The Republicans • U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) McCain’s Jewish strategy mirrors his broader realignment in recent years with Republicans who are loyal to President Bush, leaving behind the bloodletting of the tough 2000 primaries campaign. In addition to Jay Zeidman, he is counting on an endorsement from the former White House liaison’s father, Fred Zeidman, chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and a major fund-raiser for Bush. Another likely endorser is Ned Siegel, who was the named plaintiff in the successful effort to stop the U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ.) Florida recount, a decision Credit: Office of John McCain that placed Bush in the White House. McCain has a solid pro-Israel record, and he has been outspoken about isolating Iran as long as it poses a nuclear threat. He made that call most recently in a satellite address at last week’s Herzliya Conference and in October at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference. Continued on page 3

Preserving history Continued from page 1 The group unites to speak and expand on their Yiddish vocabulary; practicing using new words in sentences and discussing topics in Yiddish and English. At a recent meeting, the group viewed a video from the National Yiddish Book Center to learn more about the book collecting. In speaking with her, one is quickly able to identify the spirit and zest Skolkin brings to the group. “Yiddish is a kind of language that is very expressive”, she says. “There are times I’m at a loss for words and I’ll think of the Yiddish and it covers everything that I want

to say.” With regard to her work as a zamler, she says, “I read his (Lansky’s) book, “Outwitting History”, and I thought, I wonder if we could do something to help?” After presenting the idea to the group, she enrolled herself as a volunteer and is ready to begin collecting on behalf of the Book Center. Inquire among your friends and relatives. Look to see if you have any of these books at home. If you have books you’d like to donate or you would like more information on the Yiddish Group through JSS, please contact Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

February 2, 2007

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Candidates enter 2008 race Continued from page 2 McCain has toughened his opposition to abortion and gay marriage, positions that place him at odds with most American Jews. Yet he also has forged alliances with domestic Jewish groups on issues such as campaignfinance reform and against torture. • Rudy Giuliani The former New York City mayor may be the perfect Republican candidate for Jewish Americans: He’s one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in the United States and is unapologetically moderate on social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Giuliani has been circumspect about his candidacy in recent weeks. He has performed well in polling because of the reputation as “America’s mayorâ€? that he earned after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but he’s seeking strategies to reconcile his moderation on social issues with the conservative Republican base. Still, he is assembling a formidable campaign team, including Jeff Berkowitz, another former White House liaison to the Jewish community, as research director. Giuliani had overwhelming Jewish support as New York mayor from 1993 to 2001, once booting Yasser Rudy Giuliani, former mayor Arafat out of a concert hall: of New York City. Credit: City of New York The federal government may need to deal with the once and future terrorist, Giuliani said, but he did not. Giuliani has visited Israel multiple times, and formed a fast friendship with his Jerusalem counterpart at the time, Ehud Olmert, now Israel’s prime minister. Giuliani’s closeness to Israel did not end once he left politics. In his final days as mayor, he rejected a $10 million donation from a Saudi prince because the giver blamed the Sept. 11 attacks in part on U.S. support for Israel. In 2004, delivering the keynote speech at the Republican convention in New York, Giuliani emphatically noted Bush’s outspoken support for the Jewish state.

• Gov. Mitt Romney Romney passed on a bid for a second term as Massachusetts governor to get started on the Republican nomination this year. He wasted no time in making clear his message of solid support for Israel. That’s because however well governors perform on domestic issues -- and Romney made significant inroads with the liberal Jewish community in the Boston area -- they need to act quickly to establish foreign policy credentials. Romney was one of four candidates to address the Herzliya Conference last week, but the only one to do so in person. He spoke Gov. Mitt Romney, former forcefully about isolating governor of Massachusetts. Iran as long as it poses a Credit: Herzliya Conference nuclear threat, noting that he refused to provide police protection for its former president, Mohammad Khatami, when he spoke in the Boston area last year. He also called for the indictment of Iran’s current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on genocide charges. “The United States should lead this effort,â€? Romney said. “The full title of the Genocide Convention is the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Remember that word ‘prevention.’â€? Ahmadinejad has called repeatedly for the destruction of Israel and has denied the Holocaust. More practically, Romney also has attracted top Republican Jewish donors, including Mel Sembler, the former ambassador to Rome. Charlie Spies, formerly the counselor to the Republican National Committee, is now the Romney campaign’s counsel. Nancy Kaufman, who directs the Jewish Community Relations Council in the Boston area, said Romney earned community admiration for shepherding universal health care through the legislature and for his solidly pro-Israel credentials. But she said some were disappointed by his rightward drift on social issues like abortion, embryonic stem-cell research and gay marriage. As

a Senate candidate in 1994, Romney had tacked left on such issues. Others: • U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) is a leader on pro-Israel issues, especially relating to Israel’s claim to Jerusalem. He also is strongly conservative on social issues like abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stemcell research, but he has earned respect among some liberal Jewish groups for leading his party into advocacy on behalf of Darfur, the area of Sudan ravaged by government-allied militias. • Newt Gingrich. The for- Senator Sam Brownback (RCredit: Office of mer speaker of the U.S. Kan.) Senator Sam Brownback House of Representatives has a stellar pro-Israel record and was the architect of the 2004 campaign strategy of reaching out to Jewish voters by emphasizing President Bush’s pro-Israel record. • U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) and U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich, the former Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). speaker of the U.S. House of Both candidates are identiRepresentatives. fied with strong anti-immiCredit: Allan Tannenbaum grant sentiment in their party, positioning themselves against broad-based Jewish community support for a degree of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Tancredo also is an isolationist and has opposed foreign assistance, although both candidates have solidly supported measures isolating terrorists and their supporters. Rachel Mauro, JTA’s Washington intern, contributed to this report.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 2, 2007

NCJW presents “A Sweet Affair” by LISA LIEB NCJW Co-Vice-President of Public Relations The Omaha Section of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) presents “A Sweet Affair”, an evening of fabulous desserts, fine wines and fantastic art to benefit the many services supported by NCJW. Event cochairs are Laurie Epstein, Kelly Nogg and Melissa Shapiro. “A Sweet Affair” will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30–9:30 p.m., at the Adam Whitney Gallery, 8725 Shamrock Road in Countryside Plaza. The gallery will stay open exclusively for the event, and a percentage of all purchases made during the evening will be donated back to NCJW. Tickets are $25 per person, and may be purchased in advance by contacting Melissa Shapiro at 614.6571. “I am excited to be co-chair for this special event,” said co-chair Laurie Epstein. “Proceeds will help fund wonderful NCJW programs such as Dictionary Day and Totes for Tots. I hope everyone comes out to enjoy delicious desserts and fine wines, as well as great shopping in a beautiful setting.” An enticing array of desserts will be donated by some of Omaha’s top pastry chefs, including The Bagel Bin, Cupcake Island, The Market Basket, Wheatfields and Whole Foods Market. Desserts made by NCJW chefs Pam Friedlander, Joanie Jacobson, Cheryl Kricsfeld, Joanie Lehr, Lori Miller, Patty Nogg, Teresa Rubak, Anne Shackman, Sherry Shapiro and Harriet Singer will also be served. Fine wines and liqueurs will be provided by Nebraska Wine and Spirits. “We have so many terrific chefs donating desserts,” said co-chair Melissa Shapiro. “This event has been lots of fun to plan. I am looking forward to spending the evening with great friends, great food and great drinks to help raise money for the important programs that NCJW supports throughout the year.” The evening will also feature a drawing for several raffle prizes including a spa package from One Drake Place, a gift certificate to Sushi Japan, an interior decorating consultation with premier interior designer Mary Woodke, tickets to a performance at the Holland Performing Arts Center and more. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three tickets for $25, and may be purchased in advance by contacting Melissa Shapiro. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase at the event. You do not need to be present to win a prize. “We’d like to thank the generous donors who have provided such great raffle prizes,” said co-chair Kelly Nogg. Prizes have been donated by City Weekly/Andy Ruback, One Drake Place, Marty Woodke, Nora Zoob and Anne Suelter. “A Sweet Affair is going to be a great event,” Nogg added. “Where else can you eat, drink and shop, all while supporting your favorite organization? We are looking forward to seeing all of our members at this event.”

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ORGANIZATIONS YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Members will meet Monday at the JCC in the auditorium. Lunch will be served at noon at $6 per person. Musical entertainment by Bill Neiderhiser will perform at 12:30 p.m. Try your luck with bingo at 10 a.m. with Miles and Eileen Remer. For transportation, call Dee Dee at 330.4272. Deadline for reservation for the Feb. 15 day trip to the Ameristar Casino is Feb. 8. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. The group is now officially a zamler (collector) for the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA. If you have any Yiddish books you would like to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Visions invites you to explore the new exhibits at the Durham Western Heritage Museum (801 So. 10 St.) on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 10:15 a.m. A docent-led tour of Museum's Traveling Exhibits include Fashion in Film (Period Costumes for the Screen), Pressing Matters (500 Years of Wine in Art), Omaha: A City with Style. Lunch following the tour at the Bohemian Café. Cost of $14 includes lunch, tax, tip and museum admittance. Send reservations and full payment to Doris Alloy, 11317 Harney Plaza Circle, Omaha, NE 68154 by Feb. 16. For questions, call Rosalie Meiches at 556.5507. The Visions Luncheon Meeting is Friday, March 16, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. Join us for musical enter-

tainment by Derek Ventura. Cost is $10. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114 by March 9. For questions, call Jim Wax at 393.4442. Join Visions for a tour of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Union Station in Kansas City on Monday, April 30. The cost of $74 includes coach transportation, shopping at the Country Club Plaza (with lunch on your own), admission to the exhibit and a buffett dinner at the Union Station Café. Depart from the JCC at 8:30 a.m. (be at the JCC by 8:15 a.m.). Arrive home at approximately 9:30 p.m. Send reservations to Betty Sanford, 9205 Western Ave., #127, Omaha, NE 68114 by Feb. 26. For information, call Betty at 399.2001. Make all checks payable to Visions. JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL JWI will host its annual Sweetheart Day at the Rose Blum kin Jewish Home on Thursday, Feb. 15, 1:30 p.m. Maxine Noodell will entertain, acommpanied by Esther Wax. Refreshments will be served after the program. To RSVP or for more information, call Frieda Krizelman at 391.0661. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jim Tourville will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Sylvia Wagner, Chairman. Tourville is the Executive Director of the Douglas County Hospital. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for lunch and $3 for beverage service only.

Beth El invites Jewish community to the ultimate ‘wrap’ session by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Wrappers (tefillin, that is) will join together at Beth El Synagogue this Sunday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m., to participate in the annual World-Wide Wrap, sponsored by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (of which Beth El Men’s Club is an affiliate). This event brings Jews together from across the globe to learn about and wrap tefillin, and offers men, women and teens a wonderful opportunity to gain a new understanding about this important mitzvah. Ben Shapiro is serving as local chairman. Glen Fineman, Beth El Men’s Club member who introduced the ‘Wrap’ to Omaha six years ago, said he feels strongly about encouraging Jews to wrap tefillin, a ritual that “makes me feel a real connection with God. “It means so much to me that on the Sunday of the Worldwide Wrap, I’m doing the exact same thing as

Jews around the country and around the world.” Fineman, who serves on the FJMC’s national board, encouraged all Jews in the community to participate in this event, saying “it helps others to feel a strong sense of Jewish identity, and it reminds us that we’re part of a group, a family -- we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.” For those who have never wrapped tefillin but would like to learn how, volunteers will offer assistance at 8:45 a.m. Minyan will begin at 9 a.m., followed by breakfast and a presentation by Rabbi Mordechai Levin. In addition, a new video, “Wrapped: The How and Why of Tallit and Tefillin,” will be shown. The film focuses on the significance of tallit and tefillin in individuals’ lives and in the larger context of Jewish belief. The community is invited to participate in this symbolic and meaningful exercise; be part of the ultimate ‘wrap session’!

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Maintaining Independence. is an Option.

February 2, 2007

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Heard a good one lately? by JENNIFER ROSENBLATT Plans are underway to offer a Hebrew II class. This for Tifereth Israel in Lincoln intermediate course will continue reading from the Heard any good stories? Recently, Rabbi Royi Shaffin Siddur and Chumash, and incorporate Israeli newspaper of congregation Tifereth Israel in Lincoln, told congre- articles as well. This will also be a great opportunity for gants several stories when he began teaching the first in participants to increase their comfort with the language a series of Hebrew literacy courses. in preparation for the upcoming trip to Israel, scheduled Using course materials provided by the National for October 2007. Jewish Outreach Program, Rabbi Shaffin began teaching Last summer, Rabbi Shaffin offered an Advanced this Hebrew I course with the Aleph-Bet. For some stu- Hebrew course to help prepare adults and teenagers dents, this was the first time traveling to Israel. 10 peolearning these glyphs. Rabbi ple of all ages attended and Shaffin combined course they learned modern, conmaterials with a method versational Hebrew. developed by the Melton Many students, young and Research Center for Jewish old, ask, “Why learn Education, part of the Jewish Hebrew?� “It is the key to Theological Seminary. The opening up the secrets of method uses a story for every the universe,� responds letter in the Aleph-Bet as a Rabbi Shaffin. The body of mnemonic device to relate Jewish literature, including each sound to each letter. the Torah and Mishnah, are Rabbi Shaffin also invented written in Hebrew. “It is the some of his own stories. “For language of our people and example, the Pay/Fay looks Rabbi Shaffin teaches Hebrew to Richard Ingram, left, unites Jews all over the like a phone booth. If there Debra Evnen, and Lucy Bowers. world.� is a ‘person’ (dot) in the booth it makes the ‘p’ sound. Rabbi Shaffin has also been asked to teach a course at If not, it is just the ‘phone,’ which makes the ‘f’ sound,� the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, through the Harris explained Shaffin. Center for Judaic Studies. His course, “Israel and the This is the first time Rabbi Shaffin has offered the Middle East,� explores Zionism as a political ideology Hebrew I course at Tifereth Israel. “Students responded and movement. It traces the history of Israel, discusses very well. They were energetic and truly interested in the diverse population of Israel, and traces the backlearning,� said Shaffin. He was particularly impressed ground behind the Arab-Israeli conflict. with how far students had come. They began with the Rabbi Ilan Emanuel of the South Street Temple is also Aleph-Bet and ended up reading from the Siddur and teaching a course this semester entitled, “Literature of Chumash. Judaism.� The class also practiced writing English words with February’s topic for Adult Education at Tifereth Israel Hebrew letters. This is a strategy Shaffin devised in is “Halakhah: everything you need to know to be the order to eliminate the double challenge of recognizing ideal, practicing, Conservative Jew.� Classes are and decoding a foreign word at the same time. This Mondays in February, 7:30–9 at the synagogue. Visit strategy is based on the Yiddish language. “Rabbi is a our new website at www.tiferethisraellincoln.org or great teacher. He was very patient with us,� remarked call the office 402.423.8569 for more information. participant Debra Evnen. Other students included Lucy Remember to make Adult Education part of your own Bowers, Richard Ingram, and Kim Taylor. story.

Beth Israel offering a crash Temple Men’s Club course in Hebrew reading to welcome ADL Director by MARY BORT Alan Potash for Beth Israel Synagogue Would you like to be able to follow synagogue services, but don’t know how to read Hebrew? Then beginning with the basics is where you should start. The community is invited to attend Beth Israel’s Hebrew Reading Crash Course for teens and adults on Mondays, Feb. 12, 19, 26 and March 5, 7:30 p.m. The Hebrew reading class, lead by Rabbi Seth Nadel, will utilize the Hebrew Reading Crash Course (HRCC) and book provided by the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP). Copies of the book will be distributed during the class. The cost for the class is free for Beth Israel members and $10 for non-members. According to the NJOP website, “HRCC, NJOP’s most popular program, has already taught more than 194,000 North American Jews to read Hebrew. Designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew, the Hebrew Reading Crash Course concentrates on teaching the Hebrew alphabet, and reading skills.� “This is a very popular, entry level program,� explained Nadel. “NJOP offers a number of great programs including different levels of reading, Shabbat Across America, prayer services and Jewish holidays. The Crash Course focuses on the fundamentals of reading, and the lessons are based on the Hebrew found in the Jewish prayer book. I’ve spoken to the NJOP Director, Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald and have participated in some of their programs; I think people will find that the Crash Course is not so hard. I encourage everyone to try; it isn’t too difficult. I’ll try to make the class as painless as possible.� Rabbi Nadel continued, “Hebrew literacy is of extreme importance. The Siddur, Torah and commentaries are in Hebrew. While they are also available in English, there is something lost in translation. And our services are primarily in Hebrew. Hebrew language is referred to as ‘Lashon Hakodesh’ -- the holy tongue. It’s crucial to learn Hebrew. This class will help people develop their skills.� If you would like to attend, please register for the class by contacting Rabbi Nadel at 556.6288.

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator In December, Temple Israel Men’s Club hosted Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren. “I thought he was terrific,� said Larry Gendler. “He is really a class act, and given his very busy schedule, it was very kind of him to come speak with us. I thought those who attended his presentation got an idea of how active he is as a chief, his willingness to meet and discuss any issues, his concern for the community and the youth of our community, and his ability to work with others on crucial policing issues.� Also working with others on crucial issues, Alan Potash, regional director of the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, has concerns for the community and has been making the rounds of organizations to discuss them. He’ll bring his message, “ADL Issues Today and Their Impact on Omaha,� to the Temple Men’s Club meeting on Sunday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m., in the Milder Center. Potash returned to Omaha last summer after being gone for 11 years in order to replace Bob Wolfson who became the associate national director, regional operations, of the Anti-Defamation League. Not a new face in the ADL, Potash was the ADL community director in Austin, Texas, prior to taking over the leadership of the Plains Region. In Texas, he focused his energy on combating hate, bigotry, and prejudice in schools as well as battling extremist activity in central Texas, interfaith relations, and government affairs. ADL’s goal, “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people; to secure justice and fair treatment for all,� serves as Potash’s daily mission. Prior to joining the ADL, Potash directed Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at the University of Illinois and Purdue University. An artist, educator, and traveler at heart, Potash is also an award winning artist and film maker and has spent time teaching and working in the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and Israel. He and his wife, Amy Nachman, are parents of twin boys.

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Opening Winter 2007!

Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 2, 2007

IN THE NEWS

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Ben Nachman, son of Gary Nachman and Beth Staenberg, has been selected to serve as “Lodge Chief” for the Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow -- Kit-Ke-Hak-O-Kut Lodge. “Lodge Chief” is the head youth leader for the entire Mid-America Council’s Order of the Arrow (OA) “Lodge” or organization, which is a national Boy Scouts of America “honor society.” Nachman’s primary role as Lodge Chief is to provide general knowledge and guidance to the elected youth members of the Lodge’s Executive Committee, representing the voice of the entire Lodge. Scouts who are at least the rank of First Class in the Boy Scouts can be elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by a Scoutmaster. The youth must have experienced a minimum of 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping in the two years prior to his election. Nachman, 16, was inducted into OA in 2003, and previously served as the Lodge First Vice Chief, Lodge Treasurer and Coordinator. Nachman began Scouting as a Tiger Cub in Pack 420, and advanced through the Scout ranks, joining Boy Scout Troop 552, chartered to Lutheran Church of the Master, Omaha. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2004. Nachman, a student at Westside High School, is also a new (and the only youth) member of the Mid-America Council’s Board of Trustees.

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Voices for Children in Nebraska has announced the names of the individuals and the organization that will be recognized for touching the lives of children in the state of Nebraska during the past year. The “Making a Difference for Children Awards” will be presented at the third annual Voices Valentine Gala, Feb. 10 at the Scott Conference Center. The award winners include Aaron Parsow, a senior at Brownell-Talbot, who was nominated because of his leadership at school and in the community in addition to his service to youth. He is the son of Margo Parsow and the late Jay Parsow. Voices Executive Director, Kathy Moore, expressed that “The best part of the Voices Valentine Gala is the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the innovative ways people find to truly make a difference in the lives of Nebraska’s children. It is particularly heartwarming to realize, that this year’s award recipients are all providing “service” in their communities in such diverse ways.” Active since 1987, Voices is a statewide nonprofit child advocacy organization committed to building a powerful and effective voice for all Nebraska’s children

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through research, public education and advocacy. With 42 points, on 13-of-20 shooting from the field, Grinnell College women's basketball player Hannah Wolf surpassed the 1,000 career point mark for her career on Friday night. She now stands at 1,034 career points. The Omaha native was perfect on 6-of-9 attempts from behind the arc and sank all 10 free throws in the contest as the Pioneers fell to Ripon College 92-83. The 42 points also marked her career-high. For the season, the daughter of Nancy and Phil Wolf is averaging a Midwest Conference best 22.9 points per contest and is also leading the league with an average of 3.19 made three-pointers per contest. Her 83.1 percent free-throw shooting percent ranks third in the conference.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The first person in musical history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie is one of the most innovative musicians on the scene today. She will showcase her talents and techniques with the Omaha Symphony, Feb. 9 and 10, 8 p.m. when they present “Beyond Our Universe” as part of the MasterWorks series at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Profoundly deaf since the age of 12, Glennie has not let this inhibit her ability to perform at the international level. She gives more than 100 performances a year with the greatest conductors, orchestras, and artists in the world and has commissioned 133 new works for solo percussion from many eminent composers. In addition to her performances, Glennie’s activities include writing a best-selling autobiography, collaborating on the documentary Touch the Sound, presenting two television series for the BBC, lobbying for a wide range of political issues, and designing her own jewelry line. Single tickets range from $15 to $75 and are available at 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, www.omahasymphony.org or at the box office, 1605 Howard St.

Yachad part of record crowd important sixth man presence, encouraging the Jays by DUANE J. PIEPER Yachad members were part of the record breaking and waving their “Go Jays/Stomp Them Salukis” placQwest Center turnout of 17,459 at a Creighton Bluejays ards. As Creighton’s center Anthony Tolliver said: “Our game last month. They braved the snowy elements to fans did their job.” watch the Jays basketball team Yachad knows the importance of encouragement, persistence and do battle with the Salukis from giving your best effort. The Illinois. game’s emphasis on tenacity, What is a “saluki” you might resilience and teamwork goes ask? The term reflects a breed beyond the basketball court. Even of canine in ancient Egypt and setbacks have something to teach it has not lost any of its bite us. For those who are determined over the years. In a manner of to prevail, there are always new speaking, the ballgame was a opportunities on the horizon. real dog fight to the very end. Yachad members will be taking Unfortunately, Creighton’s their enthusiasm and best game to last shot by Nate Funk rimmed out and the Bluejays Lisa Salomon along with entire Yachad group cheer- the UNO Mavericks hockey event ing on Bluejay basketball team. lost by one point. on Feb. 3. To attend future Disappointed with the outcome, the game was an events or get involved with the program, call me at event to remember. The members where part of that Jewish Family Service at 334.6491.

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February 2, 2007

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM THE MORTON A. RICHARD YOUTH FUND Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the teens of the NCSY. Special thanks goes to Rabbi Seth Nadel for collecting the material.

Jr. NCSY Shabbaton was “amazing,” say teens Studying in Israel by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS Last month, Beth Israel’s National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Juniors flew to Chicago for a Regional Shabbaton. I accompanied 12 students: Kevin Adler, Sam Kohll, Aaron Kurtzman, Benjamin Lohman, Justin Lee Lohman, Eva Phillips, Lilly Phillips, Sarah Potash, Aaron Priluck, Michael Popkov, Cleo Rogers and Nathaniel Teetzel. The entire group had fun during each stage of the trip, even when departing. Lilly loved the snack bag filled with goodies. It was officially dubbed “The Snack Bag.” The bag was comprised of the “four food groups: pretzels, chocolate, potato chips and twizzlers.” “Where’s ‘The Snack Bag?’” was the mantra heard all weekend. As the group waited to board the plane, Sam exclaimed, “I’m very excited!” Kevin, attending his third Shabbaton, remarked, “I’m expecting a great time.” Michael joked, “My favorite part so far was going through security. I’m looking forward to other great activities, like waiting for baggage at O’Hare.” Arriving at O’Hare Airport resulted in one of the trip’s highlights. The kids were impressed that O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and were astonished by all of the people they saw. Enjoying themselves at the Junior “Wow, this is lots NCSY Winter Shabbaton are: Aaron bigger than Eppley,” Kurtzman, left, Kevin Adler, Sam noted Aaron Priluck. Kohll, Nathaniel Teetzel, Michael Outside, the kids Popkov, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, Eva were happy to dis- Phillips and Lilly Phillips. cover that Chicago was having a relatively mild winter. “Chicago isn’t as cold as I thought it would be,” said Cleo. Nathaniel noted, “Yeah, I thought this was supposed to be the Windy City.” In the NCSY van that picked up the Omaha group from the airport, Ben and Lee cheered along with the rest of the group, “This is going to be the best Shabbaton EVER!” Arriving at the hotel, Ben said, “This is so cool!” The Shabbaton took place at the hotel. The first thing NCSY did was to check in more than 200 kids and get them to their rooms. NCSY had everything so organized. They had an excellent staff, with a ratio of one advisor per five kids. NCSY also had many others at the Shabbaton, such as technical staff, who set up each event, and volunteers, in addition to the other adults who traveled with the kids. All of the kids were well taken care of. “There are tons of NCSY people here,” summed up Aaron Kurtzman. The technical staff, or “techies,” included Cleo’s brother, Forrest. Techies were responsible for changing all the room set-ups for each activity and all the meals. They were kept busy throughout the Shabbaton.

After check-in, everyone ate and then got ready for Shabbat. A pre-Shabbat Ruach, with a band, singing and dancing helped the kids get psyched up for the Shabbaton. After inspiring davening, there was a wonderful Shabbat meal, then everyone moved to sit in a large circle. “The Circle” was used throughout the Shabbaton and it added a dimension of closeness NCSYers didn’t expect with such a large group. During circle time, everyone sang songs and a number of kids gave d’vrei Torah. The next day started with breakfast and then everyone the attended Shacharit service. Aaron Priluck chanted the Haftorah in front of 200 of his All the peers. Omaha kids were Kevin Adler, left, Lee and Ben there to cheer him Lohman take a moment during the on; they were very busy Junior Shabbaton to be with supportive. Eva said, Rabbi Gross. “He was great.” Shacharit was followed by kiddush. The kids enjoyed all of the meals and snacks that NCSY provided. “I like all of these snacks we get to eat,” said Lilly. Later, everyone broke into small groups to learn Torah. Kids were grouped with others from different cities, so it was a great way for them to get to know one another. After the group sessions, there was lunch, a circle session, and then the kids got ready for the Shtick Contest, which is always a highlight. During the afternoon, the kids prepared for the contest, a favorite event at every Shabbaton. They prepared a short minute skit, song or parody. The Omaha NCSYers were in different groups. Kevin wrote a song for his group, that was a parody of a Weird Al Yankovich song parody, and it was hilarious. Cleo, Lilly and others performed a “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” parody. Lilly was a great Regis! Aaron was in a Conan O’Brien-themed shtick. Eva, Sarah, Nathaniel and Lee performed a skit that included “cow tipping.” Guess which rabbi was chosen to be the cow! After Mincha, there was another circle and then Shalosh Suedot, followed by Ma’ariv. When Shabbat concluded, the Jr. NCSYers joined together for an inspiring Havdalah. The night activity was Glow-in-the-Dark Miniature Golf. The kids summed up the activity by exclaiming it was “awesome!” Then everyone had pizza. “There’s always so much to eat; it’s great,” noted Nathaniel. On Sunday morning, there was breakfast and farewells. Then the group headed back to the airport to fly home. The kids all had very positive things to say about their Shabbaton experience. Eva said, “I had a great time and I loved meeting kids from Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City.” Sara exclaimed, “My favorite part was everything!” Aaron Kurtzman said, “Golf rocked!” And Cleo added, “It ruled!”

by NATE JOSEPH I am currently studying at Yeshiva Ohr David, truly a wonderful place. At the Yeshiva, I have learned how to read the Gemara from my teachers: Rabbi Recht, Rabbi Flom, Rabbi Harshoff and Rabbi Goodman. I have also learned about the Prophet Samuel with Rabbi Sofer and have improved my Hebrew with Rabbi Jacobs. In addition, I am learning the halachos of shechtita, laws of ritual slaughter, from Rabbi Langsom. I have made a lot of incredible friends from all over the world: Austria, Canada, New England, New York, Los Angles, and the list can go on and on. The Yeshiva not only has great rabbis and classes, the staff also takes us on amazing trips. For Nate Joseph, right, davens with his fellow example, we students at Yeshiva Ohr David in Jerusalem. have gone underneath the Kotel, visited the grave of the Ramban (Rabbi Nachmanides), met the great Rabbi Sheinberg. For Shabbat, I have been to many family friends that live in Israel. I have even been to the home of Chaim David, a well-known Jewish singer in Israel. We also have “in-Shabbats,” where we stay in the Yeshiva. On in-Shabbats, I walk to the Kotel, which is a lot of fun (especially in the snow, ha ha). In Israel, the holidays like Hanukkah and Sukkot, are very special times. It is the best time to come visit. Beth Israel’s R a b b i Jonathan Gross came to Israel last fall. We l e a r n e d together at my Yeshiva. This experience allowed him to meet Nate Joseph, right, listens to a lecture about some of my the Second Temple excavations at the rabbis and to Southern Wall. see how much I have grown. Seeing him here was wonderful and I can’t wait until I see him again when he comes in May with the Beth Israel Mission. I recommend that you all to come to Israel, even if it is a short trip, because it is an amazing place to visit, but an even more amazing place in which to live and learn. Nate Joseph is 2006 graduate of Westside High School and a former president of Sr. NCSY chapter in Omaha.

Beth Israel offers minyan incentive program for teens by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Extracurricular activities, watching television, listening to music, spending time with friends and family - there are many things that teenagers can do to occupy their free time. “Attending minyan” might not be an activity that most teens would initially think to add to their list of daily activities. However, Beth Israel Synagogue has developed a new program to change that way of thinking, with a new Minyan Attendance Incentive Program for Teens. The objective of the program is to provide an incentive for teens - both boys and girls ages 13 to 20 - to attend Beth Israel’s daily minyanim. This objective has been designed with two goals in mind. First, the program is designed to encourage teens to attend daily services with the goal of instilling the value of being a part of the synagogue community. “Beth Israel has daily morning and evening services, and those who participate feel a strong sense of community and of being a part of something meaningful,” said Beth Israel’s Rabbi

Jonathan Gross. “We want teens to see how important it is for them to become more involved and gain a true understanding of what it means to attend minyanim. Girls, as well as boys, become community-participants. They’ll find out about simchas, learn when someone is sick and pray together with their community.” The second goal is to increase the overall number of participants at daily services. According to Gross, “The daily services are an important part of Jewish life, and we would love to see more people participate, including teenagers. As post-bar/bat mitzvah’ed people, teens are adults in the eyes of Jewish law, and Jewish adults have a responsibility to attend services. Beyond the responsibility is the fact our teens will join together with others for an important, spiritual time in their busy day. We’ve established set times for weekly morning and evening services that are meant to make it easier to fit the services into everyone’s daily schedules.” Beth Israel’s weekday morning services are at 7 a.m. and evening services are at 8:30 p.m. Friday evening Ma’ariv starts at the time of candle lighting. Shabbat

morning services are at 9 a.m., as are Sunday morning services. The incentive program will work by offering teens the opportunity to earn points towards prizes. Each Beth Israel service attended - including weekday morning and evening services, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat Shacharit and Mincha/Ma’ariv, and holiday services - is worth one point to the participant. Teens who participate in the incentive program are responsible for maintaining their own log sheet. Beth Israel’s Minyan Attendance Incentive Program for Teens will run for 140 days, from Feb. 4-June 23. The incentive prizes include an iPhone for 120 points, an iPod for 90 points, an iPod Nano for 50 points, and $1.00 per point toward iTunes for 20 to 49 points. All prizes may be taken as comparable Best Buy gift certificates. “These are some terrific prizes,” noted Gross. “We came up with this list of prizes based on feedback from teens on what they would like to earn.” If you would like more information, or would like a schedule of services, please call the office at 556.6288.

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Talking about death Talking about death is a bit of a misnomer...mostly we don’t talk about it; we talk around it. We even use other words to describe death: he “passed” (in traffic?) or “expired” like a driver’s license. We are all going to die. Rich or poor, black or white, male or female, Jew or Christian, American or Russian -- we’re all going to end up on the cold gurney in a funeral home. Why are we so afraid to even broach the subject of death? What’s the problem? It’s not because Judaism has nothing to say about death. In fact, the mourner’s kaddish is part of every service in every synagogue in every stream of Judaism. And though the prayer doesn’t mention death itself, it is preceded by a reading of those who have just died as well as the list of those people whose yahrzeits (anniversary of their deaths) are commemorated that week. Judaism has lots more to say about death -and so do our synagogues. All our local institutions have hosted speakers about the Jewish view of death and dying. Most recently, Beth Israel hosted Rochel Berman, author of, Dignity Beyond Death (winner of a Koret International Book Award), and Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, a noted expert on tahara (Jewish ritual practices used by the Chevra Kadishe to prepare bodies for burial). Beth El and Temple Israel also have hosted speakers in the past like Dr. Maurice Lamm, author of the Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. Two years ago, a community committee worked with social workers at the Rose

Blumkin Jewish Home to develop a Jewish document so individuals can make some serious decisions about their final days before a crisis, not during one. Robert Berman, founder of the Halachic Organ Donor Society, came to Omaha to introduce the project and educate the community on end-of-life issues, including organ donation and living wills. “The Peace of Mind Project,” sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Jewish Senior Services and Jewish Family Service, is a resource for the Omaha Jewish community that presents appropriate inforthe Orthodox, mation from Conservative and Reform movements as they pertain to end-of-life decisionmaking -- and raises such questions as: Should I donate my organs? What are “DNR” orders (“do not resuscitate”)? If I’m incapacitated, who should make these decisions -- and how is that done legally -- and Jewishly? (More information -- and the form - for Peace of Mind is available at the Home’s website at: Blumkin www.rbjh.com; you can download it, discuss it with your family, complete it and distribute the document to your attorney and family members -- and the RBJH -- for safekeeping.) We can’t avoid death (or taxes) but we can prepare for it. Our sages note that “Tzedakah saves one from death.” This simple concept demonstrates how a good name can live on long after

death. After all, how many of us actually knew philanthropists like Milton and Corinne Livingston? They may have died, but their generous legacy lives on in the form of college scholarships, an endowment at the Jewish Community Center and grants to programs. Death is inevitable, so talk about it; discuss end-of-life decisions with your family, and leave a legacy ( an ethical will and an endowment) so that when you’re gone, we’ll still remember your name.

Jewish Press Committee Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice-Chairman; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Michael Siegel, Finance Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Melissa Schop; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. 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, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a constitutional committee of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Jewish the Committee, 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.

Yes, Bubba, it’s a Jewish plot

FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN In an unintentionally amusing video being e-mailed around, a large-boned, jowly man with a droopy mustache and hair parted down the middle sits at a desk and reveals a secret scam that Jews have been levying on unsuspecting Gentiles for years. Behind him hang an American flag and a banner featuring a large swastika. The short “program” is billed as “White Nationalist News” and our trusty correspondent is identified as “Mich Bubba.” Heavy metal guitar introduces and ends the spot; the refrain of the tune (so to speak) is “Tricky, Tricky Yid”. The conspiracy Mr. Bubba proudly exposes is the “Jewish tax” that hides in plain sight from unsuspecting non-Jews in secret code on food packaging. Long familiar to Hebrews of traditional bent, the various kosher symbols (the popular “u” inscribed in an “o” that is a trademark of the Orthodox Union -- which Bubba calls the “United Rabbinical Council” - as well as myriad graphic riffs on the letter “k”) are indications that the product so marked was produced under the supervision of a rabbi expert in the intricacies of both kosher law and food science. Bubba hews to the belief that such foods are simply “blessed by a rabbi” and identifies one product as carrying a second sinister rabbinical group’s certification -- “parve” -- which he pronounces “parVEY” (French rabbis, probably). In his essential point, of course, Bubba’s right. Companies do indeed pay for kosher certification. As they also do, of course, for the right to display, say, the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval (for which manufacturers must purchase advertisement space in Good

Housekeeping magazine). Or as they indirectly do through increased manufacturing costs for the right to call their products “organic” or “natural.” To Bubba, however, the Jewish arrangement is singularly unkosher; it smacks, to his fuzzy lights, of a Jewish “shakedown.” If companies pay for a rabbi’s service, he unreasons, the cost must surely be passed on… secretly, of course… to “Gentile” consumers. The risible accusation is nothing new; it resurfaces almost every time logic-challenged anti-Semites manage to catch their breath between rants on the Middle-East and “Jewish control of the media.”

If there is anything Jew-haters don’t like, though (besides Jews), it is having to deal with pesky facts. There are more important things to do, like sowing hatred and suspicion. As to inconvenient facts, The New York Times reported in 1975 that the cost to General Foods for rabbinical supervision of its “Bird’s Eye” products worked out to .0000065 of a cent per item. A Heinz Company representative maintained that its own kosher labeling actually decreases the cost of items, by increasing the market for them -the only rational reason, of course, a company would choose to pay for such a service in the first place. Nor is Bubba compelled to buy one brand of corndogs or beer over another. If the kosher item in fact proves more expensive, he can simply opt for one that hasn’t been supervised by a rabbi (which, he makes quite clear, he prefers in any event). If there is anything Jew-haters don’t like, though (besides Jews), it is having to deal with pesky facts. There are more important things to do, like sowing hatred and suspicion. Most folks even loosely connected to reality

(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern

know that there are no Elders of Zion (at least none who aspire to world control), and no Jews who murder Christians to mix their blood into matzohs, that such things are (forgive me) Bubba-meisehs. And yet, millions keep even those myths alive (not to mention create new ones, like Jewish recruitment of Arab innocents to fly planes into buildings). So it should hardly be surprising that there are people accusing us Jews of less obvious, more insidious crimes… like kosher certification. The persistence, ubiquity and sheer creativity of anti-Semitism rightfully concern us. But there is also something curiously invigorating about it all. Because it points to what underlies Jewhatred: the suspicion that the Jewish people are special. However odd it might seem of G-d, He did indeed choose the Jews. In other words, yes, Bubba, there is a plot (though not exactly a conspiracy; there’s only one Plotter). But Bubba needn’t panic. What anti-Semites like him don’t realize is that the Jewish mission isn’t to subjugate but to educate. Keep it under your hat, Bubba, but what we Jews are charged with is living lives of holiness and service to G-d and man. That includes prayer, charity and acts of kindness, study of holy texts and meticulous honesty in all our dealings -- as well as a multitude of ritual matters, including eating kosher food. But no, Bubba, undermining society and levying hidden taxes aren’t on the list. One day, G-d willing -- likely when we Jews shoulder our mission with more passion and determination -- those who labor so hard to hate us will suddenly be stopped cold in their tracks and made to meet a reality they never considered: that Jewish specialness was never a threat to them at all, but a gift. Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. This article comes courtesy of Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran can be reached at Shafran@agudathisrael.org.

Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., 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 $33 per calendar year U.S.; $40 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. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.

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How the West could lose

BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES After defeating fascists and communists, can the West now defeat the Islamists? On the face of it, its military preponderance makes victory seem inevitable. Even if Tehran acquires a nuclear weapon, Islamists have nothing like the military machine the Axis deployed in World War II, nor the Soviet Union during the cold war. What do the Islamists have to compare with the Wehrmacht or the Red Army? The SS or Spetznaz? The Gestapo or the KGB? Or, for that matter, to Auschwitz or the gulag? Yet, more than a few analysts, including myself , worry that it’s not so simple. Islamists (defined as persons who demand to live by the sacred law of Islam, the Sharia) might in fact do better than the earlier totalitarians. They could even win. That’s because, however strong the Western hardware, its software contains some potentially fatal bugs. Three of them -- pacifism, self-hatred, complacency -- deserve attention. Pacifism: Among the educated, the conviction has widely taken hold that “there is no military solution” to current problems, a mantra appli, Iran, Afghanistan , the Kurds , terrorism, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. But this pragmatic pacifism overlooks the fact that modern history abounds with military solutions. What were the defeats of the Axis, the United States in Vietnam, or the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, if not military solutions? Self-hatred: Significant elements in several Western countries -- especially the United States, Great Britain,

and Israel -- believe their own governments to be repositories of evil, and see terrorism as just punishment for past sins. This “we have met the enemy and he is us” attitude replaces an effective response with appeasement, including a readiness to give up traditions and achievements. Osama bin Laden celebrates by name such leftists as Robert Fisk . Self-hating Westerners have an out-sized importance due to their prominent role as shapers of opinion in universities, the media, religious institutions, and the arts. They serve as the Islamists’ auxiliary mujahideen. Complacency: The absence of an impressive Islamist military machine imbues many Westerners, especially on the left, with a feeling of disdain. Whereas conventional war -- with its men in uniform, its ships, tanks, and planes, and its bloody battles for land and resources -- is simple to comprehend, the asymmetric war with radical Islam is elusive. Box cutters and suicide belts make it difficult to perceive this enemy as a worthy opponent. With John Kerry, too many dismiss terrorism as a mere “nuisance.”

Only after absorbing catastrophic human and property losses will left-leaning Westerners likely overcome this triple affliction and confront the true scope of the threat. Islamists deploy formidable capabilities, however, that go far beyond small-scale terrorism: • A potential access to weapons of mass destruction that could devastate Western life. • A religious appeal that provides deeper resonance and greater staying power than the artificial ideologies of fascism or communism.

• An impressively conceptualized, funded, and organized institutional machinery that successfully builds credibility, goodwill, and electoral success. • An ideology capable of appealing to Muslims of every size and shape, from Lumpenproletariat to privileged, from illiterates to Ph.D.s, from the well-adjusted to psychopaths, from Yemenis to Canadians. The movement almost defies sociological definition. • A non-violent approach -- what I call “lawful” -- that pursues Islamification through educational, political, and religious means, without recourse to illegality or terrorism. Lawful Islamism is proving successful in Muslimmajority countries like Algeria and Muslim-minority ones like the United Kingdom. • A huge number of committed cadres. If Islamists constitute 10% to 15% of the Muslim population worldwide, they number some 125 to 200 million persons, or a far greater total than all the fascists and communists, combined, who ever lived. Pacifism, self-hatred and complacency are lengthening the war against radical Islam and causing undue casualties. Only after absorbing catastrophic human and property losses will left-leaning Westerners likely overcome this triple affliction and confront the true scope of the threat. The civilized world will likely then prevail, but belatedly and at a higher cost than need have been. Should Islamists get smart and avoid mass destruction, but instead stick to the lawful, political, non-violent route, and should their movement remain vital, it is difficult to see what will stop them. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Miniatures (Transaction Publishers). This column will be on hiatus until mid-April, while Pipes teaches at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He can be reached through his website at: www.DanielPipes.org.

Group that criticized Israel to stay in campus coalition despite protests

FOCUS ON ISSUES by BEN HARRIS NEW YORK (JTA) -- The Israel on Campus Coalition will not kick out the Union of Progressive Zionists for sponsoring a program that accuses the Israeli army of human-rights abuses. In a unanimous decision, the ICC’s eight-member steering committee rejected a request from the Zionist Organization of America to expel the union for sponsoring “Breaking the Silence,” a program that brings army veterans to campus to speak about alleged Israeli abuse of Palestinians. The committee -- whose rotating membership currently includes the AntiDefamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee -- also elected not to establish a mechanism to monitor programming of coalition members or to revise the coalition’s membership criteria and mission statement. A coalition statement released last week urged member organizations to “think carefully about the programming we bring to campus, and how that programming will affect the campus climate and students’ understanding of and support for Israel.” It also reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to “the spirit of pluralism and cooperation.” The decision did little to quell disquiet within the 31-member coalition, which Before someone offers you alcohol or other drugs, decide what you are going to say. Having the facts can give you confidence

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was created in 2002 to advance a proIsrael agenda on campus. Stand With Us, a Los Angeles-based organization that also complained about the Union of Progressive Zionists, responded with an online campaign to encourage Israeli army veterans to renounce allegations made by “Breaking the Silence.” Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America and initiator of the campaign against the union, was dismayed by the coalition’s decision. “We’re supposed to all be in this together to enhance Israel’s reputation on campus,” Klein told JTA. “And the principle should be -- and we thought it was -- that you do not harm Israel’s reputation by using falsehoods and by making presentations without context. And that’s exactly what UPZ’s ‘Breaking the Silence’ does.” Klein also lashed out at members of the steering committee, in particular the ADL and the AJCommittee, for failing to defend Israel against the charges leveled in “Breaking the Silence.” “Their mission includes fighting incitement, and yet we are astonished that they would ignore this incitement by Israelis against Israel,” Klein said. “ADL especially is supposed to be fighting defamation, and now they’re condoning defamation against Israel. We’re absolutely perplexed.” Michael Salberg, the ADL’s director of international affairs, said the program does not accord with his organization’s position on Israel, but he maintained that diversity of opinion in the Jewish com-

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munity is a healthy thing. “We’re troubled by it,” Salberg said of the program. “But I wouldn’t put it in the category of delegitimizing or demonizing or even defaming Israel.” Klein’s campaign against the progressive union appeared to have found some initial support when a letter surfaced from Gary Ratner, national director of the American Jewish Congress, saying his group was withdrawing from the Israel on Campus Coalition in protest. David Twersky, the AJCongress’ director of international affairs, said this week the letter did not reflect the group’s views, attributing it to an overzealous assistant who had overstepped her bounds. The assistant was no longer with the organization, Twersky said. The Union of Progressive Zionists and its supporters hailed the decision as an important victory and a principled stand at a time when, it said, some Jewish groups are trying to restrict the airing of views that don’t fit their agenda. “I’m feeling really positive,” union director Tammy Shapiro said. “I think there were a lot of requests from much older, better established, better financed organizations to remove us. I’m really happy they decided to listen to the youth on this.” But Klein was undeterred by his defeat. “ZOA is used to being in the minority on issues concerning the Arab war against Israel,” Klein said, “And tragically, we’ve been right every time.”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 2, 2007

Candlelighting Friday, February 2, 5:23 p.m.

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 southstreettemple.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 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

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

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

to reserve space, call

Allan Handleman, 334.6451, or Terri Greenwood, 334.6559.

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Feb. 9: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Cheryl Lerner presenting Music and Movement Jewish Dance. The community is invited.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m. led by members of Beth El’s Sisterhood; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. SHABBAT & TUNES & TALES: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.noon. Monthly sing-along program is open to all Jewish children (up to age five), their parents and grandparents. W E E K D AY S E R V I C E S : Sundays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; weekdays 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group; Living Hebrew with Susi Frydman-Levin; “The Weekly Parasha: It’s All About Me?!,” all at 10 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg; “Jewish Pot Pourri,” 11 a.m., led by Frydman-Levin. WORLDWIDE WRAP: Wrap tefillin with Jews around the world on Sunday, 9 a.m. (see story on page 4). TU B’SHEVAT AT LAURITZEN GARDENS: Beth El and Lauritzen Gardens will cosponsor a special community-wide Tu B’Shevat family celebration, on Sunday, 1:30-3 p.m. WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP: Monday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m., at the synagogue; All women in the Jewish community are welcome. THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Getting More Out of Prayer: Insights into the Siddur. CURSIVE HEBREW MINICOURSE: Wednesdays in Feb., beginning Feb. 5, 7 p.m.; taught by Sara Juster. Cost is $18. Contact the office to register. SISTERHOOD HAMANTASHEN SALE: Available for just $5 per dozen. Order deadline, Thursday, Feb. 8. Forms are available in the office or send a check -made payable to Beth El Sisterhood -- to: 14506 California St., Omaha NE 68154. Orders will be ready for pick-up in the social hall on Sunday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-noon, or March 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

TOT SHABBAT, Friday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. Cost, $5 for adults, free for children ages six and younger. For more information, contact Margie Gutnik.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:23 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. (call the office for schedule); Kiddush sponsored by Madeline Katzman and family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Maury Katzman and Meilach Katzman; Mincha, 5 p.m. followed by Suedat Shlishit with Gemara class; Havdalah, 6:27 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Nadel follows breakfast, 9:45 a.m.; Tu B’Shevat Seder with spaghetti dinner, Bracha Bee and children’s crafts begins at 5 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Bircat Hamazon class, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Advanced Parsha Study, 7:30 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Living Torah, 9:30 a.m., 20minute video broadcast. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: No W.O.W. Prayer Circle Tehillim this week; it resumes Feb. 20; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. Events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call 330.1800

B’NAI MITZVAH Gabrielle Fried, daughter of Sandi and Ed Fried, will become Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Beth Shalom in Kansas City, MO. Gabrielle is a seve n t h - g r a d e Principal Honor Roll student at Overland Trail

Middle School and is a mentor. Her interests include dance, theater, soccer, swimming and diving teams, and playing the flute. She has a sister, Maggie, and two brothers, Josh and Eli Grandparents are Shirley White of KC and the late Lew White, and Frances and Sam Fried, and the late Magda Fried.

or visit www. Ochabad.com.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.noon and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Tu Bishvat Program (grades 2-7), 4-6 p.m. at TI. THURSDAY: “The Light Is Green: Moving Toward a New Energy Culture,” 7 p.m. at Southminster United Methodist Church, 16th and Otoe Streets. For more information, call 402.423.8586 ADULT EDUCATION “Judging Judges -- New Approaches to Reading the Bible,” on Sundays, Feb. 11, and 25, and March 18 and 25, from 7-9 p.m.

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

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

a.m.-noon; Interfaith Service, 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church (5410 Corby) Temple’s Kol Rina Choir and St. Paul United Methodist Church Choir, conducted by the church’s Music Minister Jerry Brabec, will sing “Miriam’s Song of Triumph” and “Tov l’hodot,” both by Frank Schubert. TUESDAY, Feb. 6: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30–8 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 712, 6-8 p.m.; Jewish Notions of the Afterlife, 7 p.m. Contact Director Rosie Program Zweiback, 556.6536 or rzwei back@templeisraelomaha.com, to register for this class. Class fee is $18. THURSDAY, Feb. 8: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Linder, 10-11:30 a.m. No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker Night: Thursday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m. All players will be welcome, including players that are not Temple members. $50 Tickets may be purchased in advance; contact Adam Kirshenbaum at 965.8935 or akirshenbaum@ blackwellsanders.com. Congregational Conversation, Feb. 9, noon to discuss the Temple Israel Building Project and the Tri-Faith Initiative.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 5:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

TIFERETH ISRAEL

FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 pm. Rabbi Linder will lead the service. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults and children at no charge; Shabbat Shira Service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet will lead the service. Temple’s Kol Rina Choir and St. Paul United Methodist Church Choir along with several local musicians will perform. Jerry Brabec, St. Paul United Methodist Church Music Minister, will conduct. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Jordan Jensen, daughter of Lynne and Patrick Jensen, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teacher Learning Coffee, 9:30 a.m.; Grades K-6 Parent Teacher Conferences, 10

Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY and THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by a light oneg. SATURDAY: Weekly Parashah class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class. SUNDAY: LJCS K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.noon and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Tu Bishvat Program (grades 2-7), 4-6 p.m. at TI.

Learnin’ the ABC’s of Havdalah by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue’s pre-kindergartners to second graders and their families joined several together weeks ago during religious school to learn the what’s, why’s and how’s of the celebration of Havdalah (the farewell to Shabbat). Rabbi Mordechai Levin, at right, explained the significance of Havdalah and taught students blessings. Cantor Gastón

Bogomolni shared several Havdalah songs and teacher Daniel Christensen helped each family cre-

ate its own spice box. A brunch, sponsored by the synagogue’s Hazak group capped the morning’s activities.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

February 2, 2007

A plea to composers

SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Beshallah/Shabbat Shira The great poem in our Sidra, offering thanks and praise to God for the triumph at the Sea of Reeds, gives the name Shabbat Shira (Sabbath of Song) to this week’s parasha. I turn to the subject of synagogue melodies. Within the next one or two decades -- no more -- there ought to be a full-scale revamping of the melodies we use for prayers in our services. I do not mean traditional chants. I mean the additional melodies and tunes that individual cantors and other composers have set to some of our prayers. Very many of them are unsuitable. Here is a prayer that reads, in translation, “We declare Your greatness, Lord, through all generations, hallow Your holiness to all eternity.” It affirms our acceptance of the majesty of God. Should it be sung to “Row, row, row your boat,” or some similar ditty. But that is precisely what we have in a frequently heard: “ledor vador, ledor vador, ledor vador...” Her is another: “He spread out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. His glorious abode is in the highest heaven, His mighty domain in the loftiest heights...” Can this, should this be sung to a frivolous ditty? Yet in synagogues of all stripes, throughout the country, we hear the familiar, “Sheh-Hu noteh shamayim veyosed aretz, u-moshav yekaro...” Should we permit the melody and the rhythm to trivialize the prayer? Should we not insist that the music reflect the grandeur and majesty of the text of the prayer? Now, in the second place, quite aside from the inappropriate melodies and rhythms, there is another unfor-

Beth El Rosh Hodesh group blossoms during flower arranging demonstration Working with stems, buds and blossoms, members of the Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group learned the art of flower arranging at its meeting last week at the synagogue. Many of the arrangements were donated to the Blumkin Home to brighten the residence for Tu B’Shevat.

Top photo: Presenters Amy Blumenthal, left, owner of Blossoms, and assistant Krista Endelman, demonstrate a variety of techniques. Working on their colorful and creative arrangements are, bottom: Lea Grunkin, left: Darlene Golbitz, Gilda Pieck, Blumenthal, Evie Mitchell and Pam Friedlander.

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givable contribution of our composers: they disdain the Hebrew language and violate it freely. Hebrew sometimes permits, sometimes even requires moving the accent from the last syllable of a word to the next-to-last. But it never, never ever, permits moving the accent from the next-to-last to the last. Would you think of saying, “Hamotzi leCHEM min haaRETZ”? Nonetheless, “She Hu noteh shamayim veyosed aRETZ...” has aRETZ twice; it has minimAL twice. These hit the lover of Hebrew in the pit of his stomach and shatter his ears! Moreover it has two verbs accented in such a way as to change the tense: “You must know this day and take it to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” So the prayer has it. But with the changed accent, it reads, “You already knew and took to heart...” It makes nonsensical gibberish out of Moses’ pronouncement. It goes without saying that most congregants join enthusiastically in the inappropriate catchy tune. But how long will they permit their rabbis and cantors to take advantage of their lack of Hebrew knowledge and permit trampling on lashon haKodesh? This column originally appeared in Rabbi Kripke’s book, Insight and Interpretation.

DEATH DAVID ROGERS David D. Rogers died at the age of 55. Services were held Jan. 28 at Temple Israel with burial at Temple Israel Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Joan Rogers; son, David Rogers II; daughter, Jamie Rogers and son-in-law, William French; granddaughters, Kayla and Alyssa French; brothers, Marvin Stuck, Larry Rogers, Terry Rogers; and sister, Karen Ralston. Memorials to the Omaha Chapter of the ALS Association.

Jews and Christians learn together by BETH KATZ Director of the ADL Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs Back by popular demand, the Anti-Defamation league (ADL) Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs will sponsor another Jewish-Christian study circle on Sundays, Feb. 11, 18, and 25, 3-5 p.m., at Countryside Community Church. This study circle will bring Jews and Christians together to explore the shared text of the Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, a passage ordered and interpreted in different ways. This study circle will be jointly facilitated by Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant clergy and scholars: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel; Reverend Bert Thelen, SJ, Pastor of St. John’s Parish at Creighton University; Dr. Mary Ann Zimmer, Assistant Professor of Theology at Creighton University; and Dr. Paul Williams, Assistant Professor of Religion at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Event organizers hope this experience will allow Jews and Christians the opportunity to explore some of the scripturally-based theological issues that have united and divided the two communities and to build relationships in the process. “The [Ten Commandments] provide a moral code for the covenants G-d has made with us all,” said Rev. Thelen, who has been active in interfaith dialogue on the Creighton University campus and in the larger community. “This is an opportunity for us to continue healing the divide between our communities, to learn from each other’s traditions and to grow in our own faith.” For this event, the ADL Malashock Project has partnered with the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To register, contact Cyndi Kugler at 402.391.0350, extension 121, or email cyndik@countrysideucc.org. For information, contact me at the ADL office, 402.333.1303 or at bkatz@adl.org.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 2, 2007

New York comedy added to Temple Israel Deli Night menu Phillies baseball organization as an onby CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator field performer in a fruitless attempt to Awaiting you in the heart of midtown, entertain 40,000 of the world’s heaviestis a menu of classic gastronomy including drinking sports fans, according to the Jewish marble bread piled high with your comedian’s website. After graduating favorite deli, with cole slaw and dill pick- with honors, he decided to relax a bit by le on the side. Complement the sandwich serving in a combat unit in the IDF, the with plump matzo balls floating in chick- website relates. As a tank gunner in the en soup or succulent kreplach cooked to armored corps, he spent many a chilly perfection just like your Bubbe used to night not sleeping in his tank as his unit make. Another of Bubbe’s specialties, lay in ambush in the Golan Heights and South Lebanon. At the chopped liver, is also on end of his service, the carte du jour. Chasnoff performed It’s not the lower East stand-up comedy for Side of Manhattan. Well soldiers on bases it is. But on Sunday, throughout Israel. Feb. 11, 5-7 p.m., it’s After his discharge, also right here in River Chasnoff took “a quick City -- corn fields and trip” through Southcows notwithstanding. east Asia, the Middle It’s Temple Israel’s annual New York Style There will be deli sandwiches on the East, South America, menu at Temple on Feb. 11. and Europe, hitting 21 Deli Night. And this year, there’s an added attrac- countries in an experience that he tion. Joel Chasnoff will regale diners with believes taught him the true value of stories about his nine years in Jewish Day open-mindedness and frequent flyer School, his service in the Israel Defense miles. A resident of New York City, he is the Forces, and everybody’s Shabbat dinners. His experience-based, positive Jewish father of identical twin girls, his toughest humor goes down especially well with and most rewarding adventure that often leaves him looking back fondly on his New York-style cheese cake. Chasnoff has taken the stage in seven Army days. A portion of all revenue from countries at premier comedy venues his performances and sales of his CD, including a USO Comedy Tour of Japan “Hanukah Gelt,” is donated to charities and Korea entertaining American troops, promoting humanitarian causes. His performance is being underwritten Jewish and corporate events across North America and Europe, and hundreds of by the Simon family in honor of Stephen colleges and clubs. Recently, he made his Simon. Reservations are requested; call 556.6536 or send an e-mail to Maureen Israeli television debut. While a student at Penn, Chasnoff at mkube@templeisraelomaha.com. spent two summers with the Philadelphia

Banking on blood Continued from page 1 indefinitely and are easier to match to patients than those from bone marrow. It can be used to treat a host of serious illnesses for parents, babies and possibly family members, after they are thawed, even decades later, and used to reconstitute the blood or regulate the immune system. Since 1998, over 3,000 cord blood stem cell transplants have been successfully performed, worldwide, in the treatment of more than 40 life-threatening diseases. Essentially, every parent faces the same three choices at birth with what they should do with their baby’s cord blood: public donation, bank, or throw it away. The latter choice squanders a one-time opportunity to save something that could be incredibly valuable and potentially life saving. The often-stated adage, “Ignorance is bliss” used to be applicable here. It was for me, nearly three years ago, when I decided to throw away my only child’s cord blood. It was too expensive, I reasoned. Little did I know, like Tani, that I might need it one day. Families who choose to bank their child’s cord blood stem cells privately do so because they feel it offers them an extra precaution, as it is a perfect match for the child from whom they are collected. In the event these stem cells were needed, the process of finding a matching donor and the risks of rejection are eliminated. The last option is public donation, which can possibly help a family in need. An initial $10 million appropriation to establish a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network was approved last year by the U.S. Senate. The legislation will provide the resources necessary to collect an inventory of 150,000 cord

blood stem cell units over five years. “We have been highly supportive of the legislation and the ability to increase our national supply of life-saving cord blood samples,” says Stephen Grant, Cord Blood Registry co-founder and vice president of communications. Stem cell-rich cord blood also treats some Jewish genetic disorders, such as Gaucher’s disease, and is in trials for treatment of type I diabetes and breast cancer. Viacord, one of the cord blood banks, offers their services free of charge to any expectant family with a biological sibling or parent with an established diagnosis of a disease treatable with cord blood. I won’t lie to you: it’s expensive. Firstyear costs range from $950-$1650, but that generally includes collection, blood processing, initial freezing, and licensing fees. Some companies offer discounts for long-term storage or early registration, and most offer payment options. The fees after the first year, for continued storage in liquid nitrogen, approximate $150 per year. There is approximately a 15-minute window after a baby is born to collect these cells, immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. It is at that time that you’ll make a choice that could be a matter of life and death. Since this article was originally written, Tani has recovered, but this underscores the need for banking cord blood. Tani had an imperfect match by a random donor, went into rejection and almost died after the bone marrow transplant. If she had banked cord blood, it would have been a whole different story--no pun intended. Anyone who has not given a blood sample to the National Marrow Donor Program for profiling is encouraged to do so. For information, visit www.marrow.org.

TU B'SHEVAT AT THE GARDEN

GAUCHER DISEASE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - 1:30 TO 3 P.M. - FREE Enjoy story telling, live music, children's activities and more with Tu B'Shevat, a family event which marks the beginning of a "New Year for Trees" and celebrates the importance of nature preservation. Garden admission and activities are free for this event, generously underwritten by a donor. Activities and crafts are underwritten by Beth El Synagogue.

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Fortunately, Gaucher disease is treatable, Type 1 Gaucher disease (pronounced and the earlier the diagnosis the better, Go-Shay) is the most common Jewish genetic disease, and among the least well Should know because irreversible problems or premature known. In fact, it is much more common than about it. death can occur if left untreated. If you or your family members are experiencing any of Tay-Sachs disease. The symptoms of Gaucher the following symptoms, ask your doctor if a disease are progressive and often debilitating. Gaucher blood test is right for you. Symptoms can begin at any age.

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