February 5, 2010

Vol. LXXXIX No. 20 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

21 Shevat 5770

February 5, 2010

Blumkin Home’s Main Street welcomes NASA honors Ilan, expresses desire for “The Roffman Family Bank” by OZZIE NOGG look of a small-town busiAs far as he knows, ness neighborhood and there were no financiers gathering spot.” among Larry Roffman’s Both Sivi and Larry ancestors, but it makes Roffman have roots sense that a focal point on going back to the 1880’s Main Street at The Rose and early 1900’s in the Blumkin Jewish Home Omaha Jewish communiwill be a location named ty, and their connection The Roffman Family to the Blumkin Home Bank. runs deep. “The bank,” Larry said, “My parents, Debbie “symbolizes the economand Arthur Greene, were ic theory and values lifelong supporters of espoused by my zayde, the Home,” Sivi said. Muni Roffman, and by “Over the years they gave my dad, Sam. Their phia number of gifts, usually Sivi and Larry Roffman losophy was, ‘Save for a new equipment or scholrainy day. Spend less than you make.’ So the gift Sivi and arships for advanced education, things that would make I gave to the Home’s New Beginning -- The Roffman the job of the nursing staff easier or help them perform Family Bank -- is a logical way to honor and pay tribute their jobs better.” to our parents, Ruth Roffman Shapiro, Sam Roffman, Sivi described how her mother helped give manicures and Deborah and Arthur M. Greene, M.D. to residents and volunteered at bingo games. How her “Furthermore, though at one time there were lots of dad and Larry -- both physicians -- served on the Roffmans in Omaha, most in my generation had Medical Admissions Committee in the days when bed daughters. Eventually there may not be any Roffmans capacity at the Home sometimes couldn’t keep up with left, so we wanted to have the family name carried on for admission requests. our children and succeeding generations. The Roffman At times, many of those admissions included Roffman Family Bank will help do that.” and Greene family members. The bank’s facade is reminiscent of small town, sturdy“My maternal zayde, Moishe Wintroub, lived at the looking banks -- dark red brick, an American flag, a Dr. Sher Home for several years,” Larry said. “My bronze nameplate -- and will house Blumkin Home staff mother lived at the Blumkin Home, as have aunts, offices. “The concept of creating a Main Street at the cousins and other relatives.” Sivi’s great- aunt and uncle, Home came from the Home’s Executive Director Mike Elizabeth and Harry Rubenstein, moved into the Home Silverman,” Sivi Roffman explained. “The architects and shortly after it was built. “They were always young at the committee that chose the facades for each office heart,” Sivi said, “and kept up with current events, along the street did a wonderful job of capturing the Continued on page 2

Sokolof scholarships help students realize their dreams by JANET HENTHORN school, besides receiving multiple scholarships based on merit and achieving honors grades, he worked in Dr. Jewish Federation Foundation Endowment Associate Phil Sokolof had a strong feeling that there should be Howard Gendelman’s neuro-AIDS lab, finding a new scholarships based not on financial need but on stu- way to create a mouse model of HIV. He has also been dents’ overall good character, scholastic performance, a teaching assistant for first-year students. Lercher is in the process of personal achievements and applying for residency in community service. To this either pediatrics or plastic end he established the Phil and reconstructive surgery. and Ruth Sokolof Merit Pictured (in photo at left) Scholarships for a student’s volunteering at a pediatric freshman year at college, and medical clinic in Jamaica, he for those enrolled in studies is now taking a break, vacain the field of health care. In tioning in Australia, New addition, he established the Zealand and Fiji. Karen Sokolof Javitch Merit Dani Burr was the winner Scholarships for students in of the first Karen Sokolof musical performance, comJavitch Music Scholarship in position or education. Daniel Lercher Dani Burr 2006. Since then, she has Two past scholarship winners who certainly met those Applications for the 2010 Sokolof and Sokolof Javitch received her Bachelor of Fine criteria are Daniel Lercher scholarships are available at the Jewish Federation of Arts in Musical Theater at and Dani Burr. Omaha web site, www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Center for the Boston Conservatory and Lercher was a 2007 recipi- Jewish Education,” then select “Scholarships and Grants.” moved to New York City. Shortly after arriving in the ent of the Sokolof award for Applications are also available by contacting Janet Henthorn Big Apple, Burr was in a a student in the field of at 334.6551 or jhenthorn@jewishomaha.org. non-union off-off Broadway health care. Following an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, play called the “Yellow Brick Monologues,” where she he enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical was cast as Dorothy. Following that, she was in the national touring company of “Seussical the Musical.” Center to pursue his dream of being a physician. Now in his fourth year at UNMC, he is looking for- Being cast in a union play and signing a contract gave ward to graduation this May. During his years at med Continued on page 4

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

This Week: New board members, executive director join HHEF: Page 3 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’

Two Temple teens begin high school semester in Israel Page 5

greater cooperation with Israel (Jerusalem) -- President Shimon Peres met with a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) delegation during its recent visit to Israel. The delegation is headed by NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr., who was invited

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, President Shimon Peres and Rona Ramon hold a special plaque given by Bolden to the Israeli president as a gift. The plaque features photographs that Bolden took from space while he participated in a space mission to launch the Hubble telCredit: ISRANET escope. as a guest of honor to the International Ilan Ramon Space Conference. The conference is held annually in memory of the late astronaut who was killed in the Colombia space shuttle disaster. Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz, Rona Ramon, the wife of the late Col. Ilan Ramon, and leaders of Continued on page 4

Campaign finance decision may hurt Jewish influence by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In the rarefied arena of ideas, the American Jewish community has done quite well over the years in making the case for Israel, civil rights and the environment, among other issues. These ideas may now be tested in the blood sport of politics. Last week, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upended a ban of more than a century on direct corporate involvement in elections. Politics watchers are still trying to understand the implications of the 5-4 ruling by the court’s conservative majority in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The decision could have a profound effect on how Jewish groups operate in the public sphere. Most pro-Israel and Jewish civil liberties groups still operate under the tax code as 501(c)3 organizations -religious, educational and charitable groups. This classification allows donors to write off contributions as a tax deduction but bans direct participation in the political process. Groups with this classification are limited to pronouncements on issues and ideas: They may, for instance, speak generally about care for the environment or about energy conservations, but they cannot endorse or oppose specific candidates. Last week’s Supreme Court ruling opens the way for corporations to directly attack candidates. Continued on page 2

Coming Next Week: Simchas and Celebrations

Yeshiva students, Yachad members share Tu B’Shevat fun Page 7

Grosses receive Akko Young Leadership Award Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 5, 2010

Blumkin Home welcomes “Roffman Family Bank”

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Continued from page 1 “We love this community,” Sivi said. “It has always valincluding the comings and goings of our daughters, ued tradition. The words ‘honor’ and ‘respect’ have Susie and Julie. When the girls were small, Mother and I meaning here. Omaha Jews are committed to caring for would take each baby or toddler with us to visit the res- our elderly, our infirm and our children. It’s great that idents, and they always enjoyed seeing the girls and play- multiple generations get to meet and interact daily on ing with them. Some of our this campus.” close friends have lived at the According to Larry, “After Blumkin Home or received living in Houston for the rehab there. We know, firstfirst years of our marriage, hand, the caring, skilled we chose to return to attention the residents Omaha, to be with our parreceive. When my mom and ents, our family and friends, Larry’s mother moved there, old and new. We feel fortuwe knew they were in a safe nate to have raised our and loving place.” daughters here and now to In addition to their gift to have them, our sons-in-law, the Blumkin Home building and our grandsons part of campaign, both Sivi and this legacy.” The Roffman Larry Roffman have confamily includes Susie and Ruth and Sam Roffman tributed to the Omaha Mike Norton and their sons, Jewish community in other Justin, Seth, Aaron and Leo; important ways. Larry is curand Julie and Thor rently a member of the Rosenquist and their sons, Jewish Social Services board, Asher and Eitan. the Nebraska Jewish In the 1994 Passover ediHistorical Society board, the tion of the Jewish Press, Sivi Jewish Federation of Omaha Roffman and Bert Lewis Foundation board and is a wrote words that still respast member of the Jewish onate today. “The young are Senior Services board executhe elderly-in-training. The tive committee. He also old are mentors in life’s jourserved on the Jewish Family ney. Standing anywhere on Services board, and is a past this continuum, we are able president of Temple Israel. to see the moment -- to fastDeborah and Arthur Greene Sivi Roffman is a past presiforward to the future -- to dent of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and the Jewish reach back to our roots.” With their gift to the Rose Press committee. She was a vice-president of the Jewish Blumkin Jewish Home, the Roffmans exemplify the spirFederation, a vice-president of the Jewish Community it of continuity that makes our community so special, Center, a Temple Israel board member, and an organiz- and the generosity that keeps it strong. er of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.

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Continued from page 1 “It does shift the balance of power in the free marketplace of ideas, said Rabbi David Saperstein, the director of the Reform movement’s activist arm, the Religious Action Center -- itself a 501(c)3. “It shifts it dramatically towards corporations, which can now get involved in debate around elections.” The question for 501(c)3 groups is whether it becomes worthwhile to forego the tax exemption to enter the political fray more forcefully. They could do so as 501(c)4 organizations -- the classification for lobbying groups. “People will say, why should I give to a Jewish agency that has abstract policy positions when I can give to a 501(c)4 and have a direct role?” said Marc Stern, the legal counsel and acting director of the American Jewish Congress. JTA contacted an array of groups to discuss the decision, but most declined to comment, saying they were waiting to see how the decision would bear out. The group bringing the suit, Citizens United, is a conservative 501(c)4 that sought to screen a film, “The Hillary Movie,” that directly attacked then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during her presidential run. Some major pro-Israel groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, already have 501(c)4 status. Under the new ruling, they now have the freedom to weigh in on political battles; the question is whether it’s in their best interests to do so. One reason they might want to hold back from explicitly backing particular candidates, Stern said, is because “they know their prediction might be wrong, and then there’s a disadvantage if the other guy wins.” That would place groups such as AIPAC, which values its bipartisan reach, at a disadvantage against 501(c)4 groups that are partisan and do not care about alienating one side or the other. Another collection of pro-Israel groups facing key questions is political action committees, or PACs, which may have been rendered superfluous by the ruling. Corporations are still prohibited from directly funding campaigns, while PACs may directly contribute. However, under the new rules, corporations may spend as much as they want, running attack ads against candidates they don’t like, while donors may contribute only up to $5,000 to PACs. Also, PACs can contribute only $5,000 to a candidate, although there are loopholes that allow PACs to funnel bundles of the maximum individual donation of $2,500 to a candidate. In the 1970s, support for candidates by individual pro-

Israel donors helped protect Israel from Ford administration threats of estrangement backed by the oil industry. In the 1990s, these donors and pro-Israel groups helped the push for Iran sanctions against the interests of big oil. Were those battles to be replicated under the new rules, oil companies could marshal astronomical funds well out of the reach of pro-Israel donors to depict candidates as harming U.S. interests overseas. “The structure of PACs have allowed Jews to focus their money on issues,” Saperstein said. “Now you have corporations weighing in without any of the limitations that PACs have.” Some observers believe the anxieties are overstated. “It’s very clear that the majority of voters are very supportive of Israel,” said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, a founder of The Israel Project, a pro-Israel group that also tracks public opinion on Israel. “While there were times in history when that might have been a problem, this is not one of those times.” Some conservatives have shrugged off concerns about the new ruling. Just because corporations are now able to weigh in directly on elections does not mean they will do so, Marc Ambinder wrote on his Atlantic Monthly blog. “Corporate boards are risk averse,” Ambinder wrote. “Smart CEOs don’t want to risk internal conflict on boards when deciding which political candidates to back directly.” An official associated with one pro-Israel PAC said her group is now likely to stress the importance of funneling funds through PACs as a means of countering corporate influence. Other factors are mitigating the implications of the court ruling. The corporate world is diverse, and different companies may weigh in on both sides of an issue. Furthermore, it is not yet clear whether the ruling allows shareholders to sue to prevent corporations from parlaying big bucks on political campaigning. In this scenario, grass-roots activists seeking to prevent such spending simply would have to buy shares. In the meantime, Stern said he has been trying -- without success -- to convene Jewish groups to examine the decision and broader issues. Saperstein said the decision made the case for greater involvement in which judges make the bench. “It dramatizes the need for the Jewish community to get involved in nomination fights,” he said, “to make sure that people who don’t abandon 100 years of precedent that served the common good, as happened in this case, are appointed to the court.”

February 5, 2010

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund welcomes new executive director, new board members

by MARY BORT Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund The Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund has announced that Mike Abramson, Tom Baker, Bob Belgrade, David Brown and Nate Dodge have joined its board of directors. In addition, Susan B. Fried has assumed the role of HHEF executive director. Other HHEF board members include chairman Alan Simon, Sam Fried, Mort Glass, Bill Ramsey and Dr. Ronald Roskens. “We’re so fortunate to have Tom, David, Nate, Bob and Mike join our board,” said Sam Fried, HHEF founder. “Each brings experience and perspective that will help us continue to grow and work toward the goals of HHEF. And I’m very pleased that Susan agreed to become the executive director. She understands the importance of the HHEF and will provide us with more direction in her leadership role.” HHEF works to provide Holocaust and genocide education courses at institutions of higher learning across the heartland. Its goal is to educate future leaders about past atrocities so that they never happen again. HHEF also supports the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial, located at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln. “I am honored to serve on the HHEF board,” said Abramson, a partner with the accounting firm of Frankel Zacharia LLC. “Over the past few years, the climate and perception of Israel and, in particular, the Jewish people, have been tenuous and troubling. As world economies slow, we are seeing a resurgence in antiSemitism -- in particular, propaganda denying the Holocaust. The existence of

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organizations such as HHEF help to educate the public that the Holocaust indeed happened and that it can occur again. This has been seen most recently in Darfur.” Active in Omaha’s Jewish community, Abramson served as president of B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge and Beth El Synagogue. Currently on the board of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the JFO treasurer, he is also a past treasurer and board member of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. In addition, he is chairman of the TriMike Abramson County Workforce Development board and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Wo r k f o r c e Taskforce. He also belongs to the Nebraska Society of CPAs, the American Society of CPAs, the David Brown Omaha Bar Association and the Nebraska Bar Association. Community involvement is also a priority for Baker, a sales executive for Aon Risk Services Central, Inc. He serves on the board of Westside Community Schools and its Foundation; in addition, he is a former board member of the Boys

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and Girls Clubs of Omaha, the Omaha Food Bank, the Jewish Community Center and Temple Israel. Baker said he joined the HHEF board for a number of reasons. “I immediately said ‘yes’ when Sam Fried requested that I join,” he said. “Who could say no to Sam? He is very inspiring and, needless to

defining doctrine of equality and respect for men and women of all races and faiths.’ This mission encompasses my own personal passions for equality, respect, education and youth. Offering my services to HHEF, when asked, was a natural choice. “HHEF’s focus on the entire community strongly resonates with me,” he continued. “HHEF is not a single-faith initiative, but is a truly broad-based community initiative that has a proven track record of success with people from all religions, races and backgrounds. I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with Sam and the extremely capable board, and to passionately and Tom Baker Bob Belgrade appropriately educate today’s college students so that genocide will be an aberration of the past.” Belgrade, president of the Belgrade Company, a real estate and development business, said he was pleased to join the board, noting that, “I’m impressed with HHEF’s concept of working with Nebraska colleges and Nate Dodge Susan Fried universities to educate stusay, as a survivor of Auschwitz, he knows dents about the Holocaust.” precisely what he’s talking about.” In addition to his new duties with According to Baker, “The mission of HHEF, Belgrade volunteers his time in a HHEF is so appealing to me because it is variety of ways. He is a board member so specific: ‘to sponsor perpetually funded and former board president of the Rose college-level education programs that Blumkin Jewish Home/Jewish Senior teach today’s youth to protect America’s Continued on page 4

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 5, 2010

Holocaust Educational Fund welcomes newcomers Continued from page 3 Services; he is also a trustee of the Livingston Foundation and the Herbert Goldsten Trust. Belgrade was a JCC board member for 18 years and is a former board president of the Jewish Historical Society. He also serves on the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Chancellor’s Council, has volunteered at UNMC’s Child Life Department, and volunteers for the Westside Foundation. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, has also contributed time and expertise to numerous community service organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, Building Bright Futures, the College World Series executive committee, Destination Midtown, Nebraska Methodist College, United Way of the Midlands, and the U.S. Strategic Command consultation committee. “HHEF’s mission is important so that we do not ever allow the past to be repeated,� he said. “As efforts around the world attempt to diminish or even refute the evidence of the Holocaust, we as a nation must continue to stand up for those who can not stand up for themselves. Education, such as that supported by HHEF, is the first step in ensuring that such a debacle will not happen again.� New board member Dodge is executive vice president of NP Dodge Company, president of NP Dodge Management Company, and president of Omaha Title and Escrow, Inc. His involvement in the community includes serving on the executive committee of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Offutt Advisory Council, and the Ak-Sar-Ben River City Roundup board. In addition to being a Councilor of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, he is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and serves on the boards of First State Bank of Loomis, and the Lauritzen Corp. He is a past chairman of the Visiting Nurse Foundation Drive and the American Heart Walk, and has been recognized with the Omaha Jaycees’ Distinguished Service Award. “If we remember the Holocaust as only the story of the Nazis and their victims, we omit a crucial third actor: the bystanders,� Dodge said. “Through indifference or

ignorance, they were essential enablers of the Nazis’ evil. In an important sense, history has made us all bystanders. And lest we become enablers of future evils, history has made it our solemn duty to never forget. Through the work of HHEF, we remember the Holocaust – and by remembering, we shed light on the evil of the Nazis, we honor the memories of the dead, and we fight the indifference and ignorance of the bystanders.� Omaha native Susan Fried has taken the helm as HHEF’s new executive director. The daughter of Sam Fried and the late Magda Fried, she is a senior analyst for Biogen Idec, in Cambridge, MA, and has worked behind the scenes for HHEF since its inception. She also has volunteered for the Arthritis Foundation and the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation. “I watched as my parents struggled with the nightmares in order to bear witness in the 80’s at a time when nobody was talking about the Holocaust, and the revisionists were denying that the Holocaust ever occurred,� she said. “When Frances, my stepmother, and my father began the Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund, they were making sure that future generations will learn the lessons of the Holocaust when there are no more survivors left to bear witness. “When the opportunity arose to serve as HHEF executive director, I jumped at the chance,� she added. “My father and Frances have created an organization that is of critical importance to Omaha’s Jewish community, as well as to the broader communities in Nebraska. I look forward to continuing with the work of HHEF, assuring that heartland college students are educated about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide. Fried expressed gratitude toward the community’s support of HHEF. “It is only through their support that we are able to continue providing the college-level education that we believe is imperative in preventing future acts of genocide.� To learn more about the Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund, please call 334.6459 or email mbort@holocausteducationfund.org.

ORGANIZATIONS

AIPAC AND B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Steve Beckerman, AIPAC Assistant Director for Policy & Government Affairs, will discuss the political climate in the Middle East and AIPAC’s legislative agenda in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, noon at Happy Hollow Country Club. Everyone in the community is invited. The program is free; lunch charge is $25. RSVP to gjavitch@cox.net. For more information or to

PREPARING PARING FOR

be placed on the email list, contact Jenny at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. in the social hall of the JCC. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

Sokolof scholarships help realize dreams Continued from page 1 her the eligibility she needed to join Actors’ Equity -a big accomplishment for someone just out of college. Her acceptance to the prestigious Boston Conservatory was the culmination of many years of work in musical theater. Burr was in Show Choir at Westside High School and in all the musical productions there. After spending summers at Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Camp, she spent her senior year at the Interlochen Art Academy. Burr said one of her great joys is volunteering with a group that puts on “radio plays� interspersed with music at nursing homes. She supplements her income with various jobs and is certified as a Reiki II practioner. She’s one who shares her spirit with everyone who meets her.

NASA honors Ilan, wants stronger ties with Israel

Continued from page 1 the Israeli space industry also attended the meeting. As the meeting began, President Peres greeted Bolden, saying, “I offer you a hearty welcome. It is very meaningful for us to see you here. Israel is connected to NASA in many ways, including in memory of the unforgettable Columbia disaster and the heroic Ilan Ramon, who lost his life, together with his team.â€? The president stated that NASA is “the most advanced pioneering group [attempting to] discover the mysteries of our life and of our future.â€? He added that NASA “may be the most challenging organization in our time.â€? Bolden called it “an honorâ€? to visit Israel. Speaking about the late Ramon, he said, “some people go through life and never risk anything, never even try anything. What I think is so important about this week‌ is that it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the life of Ilan, on the kind of things he did and the standards he set for young people to follow.â€? Bolden added that NASA is interested in greater cooperation with the Israeli space industry.

BIRTH

Katy and Joe Platt of Kansas City announce the Dec. 16 birth of their daughter, Estella “Estee� Vivienne. She has a sister, Lila, age 2. Grandparents are Barb and Mike Platt, and Jill and Tom Turner of Kansas City.

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Two Temple teens begin high school semester in Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN are concerned,” Katz pointed out. Temple Israel Communications Director Without any conversational Hebrew Since they were in the eighth grade, experience, the girls took exams to deterEmily Katz and Grace Hack have always mine an appropriate Hebrew class placeknown they wanted to go to Israel while ment. Prior knowledge of Hebrew is not in high school. Now in their junior year at needed to participate in EIE. Westside High School, both girls are Although they’ll be immersed in Israeli beginning the trip of their young lives as society by living as part of a Jerusalem participants in the NFTY (North family and becoming an integral part of American Federation of Temple Youth) kibbutz life, Hack and Katz will also parEIE High School in Israel. ticipate on field trips throughout Israel, a EIE stands for Eisendrath International Exchange, which has hosted more than 1,000 high school students since 1961, introducing them to the culture and history of Israel. While responding to the needs and expectations of participants, parents and home high schools, EIE has had a profound effect on the lives of many students, some of whom have become leaders of North American Jewish communities. Katz, 17, has “always been interested in doing some sort of an exchange pro- Grace Hack, left and Emily Katz are now in Israel as EIE pargram. I had looked into ticipants completing their third year of high school. other programs, but the majority of them week-long pilgrimage to Prague, Krakow required me to stay an extra year in high and Warsaw, visit Auschwitz-Birkenau school, and I was not really interested in concentration camps, and spend a week that idea.” She and Hack will be with EIE getting a taste of life in the IDF (Israel from January 25 to May 28. Defense Forces). “When my friend, Sarah Bleicher, went “I’m most excited about experiencing on EIE and came back and told me all the country as more than a tourist,” said about it, the idea of me going just kind of Katz. “I’ve never been to Israel so I can’t stuck,” said Katz, the daughter of Dick wait to see the whole country inside and and Amy Katz. out. I’m also excited about meeting a lot Hack, 16, also heard about EIE from of new people from all around the counBleicher. After attending an information- try and world. One student is from New al session on EIE at the Jewish Zealand!” Community Center two years ago, “I was Hack is “excited for everything. I’m sold,” she said. Her parents are Mace especially excited for all the trips we Hack and Rosie Zweiback. take.” In addition to the IDF experience Based at Kibbutz Tzuba located outside and the trip to Poland, she mentioned of Jerusalem, the girls will attend the EIE backpacking in the Negev and hiking High School, which owes its success to from the Sea of Galilee to the the relationship between NFTY and the Mediterranean. Department of Education of the Jewish Scholarships are available for EIE from Agency for Israel. Accredited by the a variety of sources including Union for Middle States Association of Colleges and Reform Judaism congregations, local Schools, the EIE High School in Israel Jewish federations, and NFTY. awards academic credit for studying the As they strengthen their connections to land, people and cultures of Israel, gener- Judaism and the Jewish people, develop al studies courses offered at the students’ an understanding of and appreciation for home high schools, as well as opportuni- Israel, build Hebrew language skills, ties to take the PSAT, SAT, ACT or AP sharpen their awareness of international exams. issues, foster their independence and “This is really nice,” noted Hack, maturity and develop leadership skills, the “because we can continue taking our core girls were really only concerned about American classes and the high school one thing. According to Katz, “Honestly, credits transfer directly.” Honors and AP the only thing I’m nervous about is fitclasses are also offered. ting everything I want to bring into two “Our teachers teach us in English so suitcases!” that is not a problem as far as academics

ENGAGEMENT

HELLER/KATELMAN Jamie Heller and Joshua Katelman of Geller. Scottsdale, AZ, announce their engageHer fiancé earned his Bachelor’s degree ment. in Management Information Systems at The bride-to-be earned Iowa State University in her Bachelor’s degree in Ames. He works as a softSocial Thought and ware developer in Chandler. Analysis and Economics at He is the son of Shelli Washington University in Katelman and John St. Louis, and her J.D. at Katelman. Whittier Law School. She He is the grandson of currently works as an assoDorothy Strauss, the late ciate attorney in Chandler, Don Strauss, and the late AZ. She is the daughter of Milton Katelman and Doris Nancy and Will Heller of Paradise Valley. Katelman Geffen. She is the granddaughter of Joan Heller A December 2010, wedding is planned of Paradise Valley, the late William C. in Paradise Valley. Heller, Jr. and the late Harold and Rose

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by ELYA WILSON things, like make Israeli Community Shlicha food” said Perry. I can think of no better The weekend was all about way to spend a cold Shabbat getting back to our roots than in a cozy cabin with (quite literally!). We learned good friends and some great about water conservation in programs. Several weekends Israel, planted flowers and ago, that’s exactly what 26 had an interactive Tu BBYO teens did at Camp B’Shevat Seder. The highRivercrest, in Fremont, NE. light of the weekend was our After weeks of preparation, take on an Israeli Iron Chef – Chloe Ginsburg and Jesse five groups, each with a traditional Israeli dish to prepare. Reno, coordinators of the All the dishes didn’t just taste weekend, led a fun-filled Shabbaton in the spirit of Tu Dustin Ginsburg, left, Brad Kutler, Alex Brown and Kevin great (and authentic), but each group made them so B’Shevat and environmental Adler enjoyed snow tubing. issues, along with Ben Noodell, Kevin Adler, Hannah beautiful and creative that it was a shame to eat them! Right after the Israeli lunch, we had the perfect day to Perry, Hannah Radler, Anna Grossman, Shir Palmon and go out snow tubing (a first time for me), which was a Colin Belmont. “I had a great time, and learned how to do lots of new great end to a wonderful weekend.

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by MARK MIETKIEWICZ When you picture Israelis facing off against elite international athletes, you might think of them competing in sports like judo or windsurfing. But how about ice dancing or downhill skiing? That’s what they’ll be doing when the world’s finest meet this month at the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Although this is fifth Israeli delegation to the winter games, they must be used to being overshadowed by their high profile summer counterparts. Even Israel’s official Olympic web site barely mentions them. [bit.ly/isrolym01] Israel first sent a winter delegation to the 1994 Lillehammer Games in Norway where skater Michael Shmerkin finished a respectable 16th. At Nagano, Japan in 1998 Shmerkin was joined by ice dancers Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski and the pair would return to compete twice more finishing as high as sixth in Salt Lake City in 2002. [bit.ly/isrolym02] The Israeli contingent grew to five in Salt Lake City when Israel first competed in short track speedskating with Olga Danilov placing 14th. Many familiar names were back in Turin, Italy in 2006, where Chait danced with Sakhnovski and Alexandra (“Sasha”) Zaretski paired off with her brother Roman. That year Israel was first represented off the rink by alpine skier, Ukrainian oleh Mikail Renzhin. [bit.ly/isrolym03] Renzin will be there this year, but one Israeli hopeful won’t be there. Although figure skater Tamar Katz qualified according to Olympic standards, the Israeli Olympic Committee decided that she was not strong enough to compete. Boris Chait, chairman of the Israel Ice Skating Federation, disagrees. He told the New York Times, “… I’m trying to explain that these people are ambassadors. We’ve been to countries where people come up and say: ‘We didn’t know you Israelis knew how to skate. We thought you only knew how to shoot.’ … Israel is not like Germany or the United States, where they can be choosy. They have hundreds of athletes, all capable of winning medals.” [bit.ly/isrolym04] The Zaretskys will also be back again this year. The three-time Israeli national champions came in 13th at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles. Roman, 26, and his sister, Alexandra, 22, were born in Minsk, Belarus, and immigrated to Israel in 1992. You can learn more at their official web site [bit.ly/isrolym05] and watch them perform to Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” [bit.ly/isrolym06] Like most of Israel’s top winter athletes, the Zaretskys

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live and train in the U.S. That can be controversial but the athletes say they need to be here for the facilities and the coaching. “We may train in the U.S. most of the time, but we grew up in Metula and we are proud to be Israeli,” Roman Zaretsky told the Jerusalem Post. “We chose to skate to the music of ‘Hava Nagila’ and ‘Schindler’s List’ for a reason. We want to make Israel proud and show the world that we are here.” [bit.ly/isrolym09] Speaking of music, there has been some noticeable Jewish content leading up to the Games. Official Olympic broadcaster NBC has been featuring in their ads the song “One Day” by Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu. [bit.ly/isrolym08] Although they haven’t had a chance to represent their country at the Olympics (yet), I do want to mention that Israel does boast its own bobsled team. Reminiscent of the Jamaican bobsled team that caused a stir at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, the Israelis have participated in two world championships. The team maintains a Facebook where you can keep track of their progress. [bit.ly/isrolym10] Their web site is not being updated but it does have a great video of them whizzing by in their slick blue-and-white sled. [bit.ly/isrolym11] Realistically, none of the Israeli athletes to Vancouver is expected to come home with gold (or silver or bronze.) That may take a bit of time. After all, it took 40 years of competition until Israel won silver and bronze at the 1992 summer games in Barcelona. And it wasn’t until 2004 in Athens that “Hatikvah” was played as an emotional Gal Fridman was awarded gold for his incredible achievement in windsurfing. [bit.ly/isrolym12] Hopefully, it won’t take Israel’s winter elite quite as long. Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Yeshiva students, Yachad members share enriching experience

by OZZIE NOGG A group of energetic students from Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future in New York City visited the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home during their winter break and, with the involvement of Yachad, helped everyone forget the snow and blustery winds outside. “Previous to their trip, the students contacted Jewish Family Service because they wanted to come through Omaha to do a project with Yachad,� said Karen Gustafson, JFS Director. “We decided to pot plants for the residents of the Blumkin Home, all of whom were invited to participate if they wanted. Some residents took part, others watched, and there was a nice active buzz in the building.� According to Gustafson, YU student Jeremy Lichtman, son of the National Yachad Director, Jeff Lichtman, helped local Yachad member Jeff Steinberg deliver a lively refresher course on the meaning of Tu B’Shevat to the residents. “We potted one hundred plants that now brighten up the Home,� Gustafson said. “The program brought a taste of spring with it, and the entire morning was a beautiful experience.� The goal of Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future is to inspire highly motivated, talented young students and give them the skills to become Jewish leaders of tomorrow. Hezzy Jesin, Program Manager of the Center’s Leadership Training Division, said, “We want to enhance engagement between our students and people in diverse communities that they might not otherwise visit. Also, we want to expose our students -- all of whom are Centrist Orthodox -- to cross-denominational Jewish

Temple youth group members have “a blast� at Winter Conclave

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Director Fourteen members of Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) traveled to St. Louis in January for the NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) Missouri Valley Winter Conclave. They won awards, listened to speakers from Israel and this country, and had fun.

Enjoying their success are, front row, from left, Julie Sadofsky, Yaniv Azriel and Sam Burrell; back row, Alexis Slutzky, Emily Katz, Haley Burns, Sophia Miller, Hannah Grossman, Jordan Jensen, Sophie Goldberg, Ariel Kohll, Hannah Perry, and Morissa Miller. Not pictured: Molly Goldberg.

“It was probably one of the best weekends of my life!� according to Ariel Kohll, a high school freshman. “Half the people there went to my camp (Sabra in the Lake of the Ozarks), and it was great to see them again!� Julie Sadofsky, a senior, agreed, “It was a blast! We had a lot of great programs. We had an Israeli speaker who talked about conflict in Israel between the Palestinians, Arab Israelis, and Jewish Israelis. We also had a speaker from St. Louis who talked about his life with Tourette’s.� Sophia Miller won an award for the most creative flyer; Hannah Grossman for best programming; Julie Sadofsky for best rush; and Haley Burns, president of OTYG, won best submission award for all OTYG business materials.

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leadership throughout the trip so they can get a better “This trip gave me insight into how small communities idea of what the greater Jewish community looks like. with fewer resources than we have in New York can funcThis chance to travel with a team of fellow students, to tion,� he said. “I saw the JCC campus, the dance studio, share ruach with communities different from their own, the gym, and was surprised -- not by the number of prois a very special experience.� In addition to Omaha, the grams you offer but how successful they are. People in group made the Midwest seem so happy with their communities.� Psychology major Sarah Schwartz from Clifton, NJ., stops in found the Midwest to be nonjudgmental. “The people Kansas City, here seem different from people on the East Coast,� she Boulder and said. “This trip taught me a good lesson about how peoDenver. ple can get along and accept one another.� “The stuYachad, a division of the National Jewish Council for dents are purDisabilities (NJCD), is dedicated to enhancing the life suing various opportunities of children and adults with disabilities, professions,� Jesin continensuring their participation in the full spectrum of Jewish life through social, recreational and religious proued, “includgrams. “There are Yachad Chapters located throughout ing education, pre-law and the United States and Canada,� Gustafson explained. “Omaha’s Chapter provides our members with oppornursing. This tunities for personal growth. The activities are designed oppor tunity to give our special population their rightful place within to volunteer the Jewish community, while helping educate others in a hands-on about our members’ abilities and strengths. This collabway can proorative program with Yeshiva University was a win-win duce passionproposition. We all learned from one another.� ate future February is NAIM (North American Inclusion Jewish leader- Yeshiva University student Jeremy Lichtman, ship for our left, helps local Yachad member Jeff Steinberg Month) for those with developmental disabilities. “We schools, syna- select his plant. invite all interested community members to join Yachad gogues, community organizations and corporations.� for any of our activities,� Gustafson said. Monthly Meir Szegedi, from Budapest, Hungary, was among Yachad programs are posted at jewishomaha.org, on the the Yeshiva University students who visited Omaha. Jewish Family Service link.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 5, 2010

Experience the joy: Jump on the Maccabi bandwagon GUEST E DITORIAL by DIANE MALASHOCK JCC Maccabi Games Program Director Psalm 133 begins “Hinei ma tov u’manayim, shevet achim gam yachad” (“Behold how good and pleasant it is for us to be together”). The Omaha Jewish community will have the opportunity to experience the joy of coming together as we host the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games, Aug. 1-6. As a teenager, you will experience the joy of joining the Omaha delegation, competing as an individual athlete, participating in a team sport, or using your writing or photography talents as a journalist as part of our “Star Reporter” program. Experience the joy of meeting other Jewish teens in town whom you may not know. With over 250 eligible athletes from the metro area, it’s bound to happen. If you choose to be a host family, you’ll experience the joy of opening your home to Jewish teens traveling here to be part of the Games. Our city will be host to teens from cities around the United States, Canada, Mexico and Israel. We will need 350 Jewish families to “adopt” the teens for the week and make them a part of their family, as well as our Jewish community. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with other host families as you wait to pick up your houseguests when they return from the fabulous evening programs we have planned for them. As we meet 15 teens coming from our Partnership area in the Western Galilee, experience the joy of learning about their lives in Israel, and acquaint them with life in Omaha. These teens will participate as part of our local delegation. Know that you will be creating bonds that will last a lifetime. As a sponsor, experience the joy of knowing that because of your contribution, all of our out-of-town guests will leave here certain that Omaha is the best of host cities. They will have been treated to an unforgettable, extraordi-

nary experience. Know too, that as a sponsor, your contribution will allow local children to participate, who otherwise wouldn’t have the financial means to do so. Experience the joy of being one of hundreds of volunteers needed to make sure things run smoothly. Whether you are serving athletes a meal, timing a swim meet, supervising activities in hang time or working an information booth at one of the athletic venues, your involvement is instrumental to the success of the Games. So how do I know about the “joy” you will experience? In 2002 -- the last time Omaha hosted the Games -- I was able to experience the joy surrounding the entire week of events. I saw the joy and endless energy as our wonderful Jewish community came together. As a host family eight years ago, I had the joy of housing four teens from Indianapolis. They were competing in bowling and loved every minute of it. They all left our home with their new Nebraska t-shirts -- we had converted them into Cornhuskers in no time. On Host Family Night, we got together with five other families for a pool party and barbeque. We also invited those athletes’ parents who had come to town to support the Games and their children. I have also had the joy of hosting athletes from our Partnership area in Israel. Three beautiful young ladies came to participate with Team Omaha for the Dallas Games in 2005. Not only did they have an impact on us, but I believe we returned the favor. Two years later when my sister-in-law, Jody, traveled to Israel and was in our Partnership area, one of the girls’ mothers saw the name ‘Malashock’; she was so excited, she sought out Jody to see if she was the one who took care of her daughter. I have had the joy of being a sponsor. It wasn’t a big donation, but I knew that contributions of every amount would help in more ways than we knew.

I have had the joy of being a volunteer. I was the food chairman in 2002, and had the opportunity to see everyone involved in the Games as they came to see “Lunch Lady Di.” I have many wonderful memories of the volunteers who helped to make everything run like clockwork. I also have fond memories of a great group of basketball players from Atlanta; I smile every time I think of them. The entire Omaha Jewish community is invited to be a part of the largest Jewish teen event in the world. Let’s come together as a community, feel the joy, and know that it is truly good and pleasant for us to be together. Contact me at 590.2143 or dmalashock@ jccomaha.org to register as an athlete, become a host family, to make a donation or to volunteer. For more information check our web site at: www.jccomaha.org.

FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN

It was hardly the first or only time, but one night not long ago I learned something important from my wife. We were driving home from a wedding in another city, both of us sneezing and coughing from the bad cold we shared. As I drove, she checked for messages on her phone, which had been turned off during the wedding. One message was from one of our married daughters, who lives with her husband and family in a different part of the country. Could she call back, I heard our daughter ask, when she had a chance? Well, the chance was right there, and so my wife returned the call, on speaker phone so I could participate. She reached our daughter’s voicemail (of course) and left a message. I expected to hear the phone snap shut then, but instead heard the Ms. Monotone phonevoice offer options, one of which was “to review your message, press…” My wife did. More options, one of which was to delete and re-record her message. She chose that too. Her new message to our daughter consisted of precisely the same words as her previous one, but it was entirely different. The first one, understandably, carried with it all the misery of a bad cold – my wife sounded exhausted, and

right. My first thought, after marveling at the feat of great acting I had witnessed (who knew?), was to lament how few are the opportunities for second takes in daily life. The words that leave our mouths aren’t subject to editing, and so much that is unfortunate results from our neglecting to do mental edits before we set our tongues and lips to moving. The second thing that came to mind was a snippet of a Mishneh in Avot (1:15), a statement by the Tannaic sage Shammai: “Receive every person with a smiling face.” People think of gifts mostly as physical things. But the Talmudic tractate Avot D’Rabi Natan (end of chapter 13) characterizes a beaming face as the equivalent of all the most wonderful gifts in the world. Over the telephone, of course, a smile can’t be seen, but it can be heard. It’s hard, if possible at all, to sound happy without bringing one’s facial muscles into the configuration we call a smile. Forlorn as my wife felt in the car that night, she somehow managed it. I didn’t know it at the time, but I later discovered that a Chassidic Rebbe, Rabbi Yitzchok of Vorke, commented on the

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Michael Sigmond, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Eric Dunning; Jason Epstein; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, 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. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency 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: editor@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.

The value of a smiling, upbeat countenance? Priceless sniffles and an occasional cough accompanied her words. When she recorded her second take, though, she somehow managed to muster the energy to sound healthy, even cheery. I admit to taking my eyes off the road for a second to make sure the same person was still sitting to my

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Mishneh’s phrase for a smiling face, which technically, if strangely, translates as “a thinking, nice face.” “Thinking?” Said Rabbi Yitzchok: Even if you aren’t able to feel happy, what is important is that you make the person you are greeting think that you are. Our smiles, in other words, are not for us but for others. My wife had apparently intuited that, and took advantage of the rare gem of a second take. But what she also taught me with her choice that night was a new facet of the phrase “every person” in Shammai’s dictum. Its simplest meaning, of course, is that we are to show good cheer not only to respected or accomplished people but also (perhaps especially) to average folk. What my wife’s act inspired me to consider with her “take two” was that the phrase might also mean to warn us away from thinking that our smiles aren’t equally vital to those closest to us. It’s not an obvious thought. We feel comfortable with our siblings, our spouses, our children, our parents, and we know we can be more natural with them. That can sometimes mean showing something less than a shining countenance. “Every person,” though, says Shammai, deserves to be “received with a smiling face.” Even a daughter, even at a distance of hundreds of miles, and even if the smile is holding back a sneeze. Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America.

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: editor@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 it 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. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. 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 information, call the Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 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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February 5, 2010

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Non-Orthodox day schools seen as valuable, not a ‘shandah’ BEHIND THE HEADLINES by ELAINE COHEN

NEW YORK (JTA) -- For Orthodox Jews, day school education is a given. Jews who affiliate Conservative or Reform or are unaffiliated, on the other hand, have many choices about how to educate their children. When they enroll their children in a Jewish day school, we should celebrate the commitment they are demonstrating and encourage them along the path toward a more intensive Jewish life that a day school education signifies. Yet in a recent interview, Michael Steinhardt, a leading Jewish philanthropist who was a founding partner of PEJE, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, called non-Orthodox Jewish education a “shandah,” and characterized many of the young adults he has encountered through Birthright Israel as “Jewish barbarians.” This kind of disrespect has no place in any serious discourse about Jewish education. Among other charges, Steinhardt chastised educators of the Reform and Conservative movements for “undereducating our next generations.” Talk like this grabs headlines, but it distorts the notable record of achievement and commitment to Jewish life that thousands of alumni of non-Orthodox day schools manifest in their daily lives. The 49 Solomon Schechter day schools across North America continue to educate almost 15,000 students. In spite of the financial crisis, their parents still choose to

pay high tuitions to give their children a Jewish education. Testimonials from graduates and alumni affirm the enduring value of their day school education. Those who are now parents themselves often choose day school for their own children. As a businessman, Michael Steinhardt knows that no endeavor in life yields 100 percent success. If he would seriously assess the impact of the Conservative movement’s Solomon Schechter schools, the Reform movement’s PARDeS schools or the many RAVSAK-affiliated Jewish community day schools, he would have to acknowledge that these institutions are committed in their own ways to nurturing a high level of Jewish literacy.

These schools work to instill a love of mitzvot and Torah, a personal engagement with the heritage of the Jewish people, and a desire for Jewish living. And these institutions have had wonderful success stories. I am most knowledgeable about Schechter schools and can say with confidence that students in these schools develop competence in traditional text study, embrace the spiritual and ethical values of Judaism, acquire Hebrew language skills, and get to know and love the land and people of Israel through lived experiences. They live fully in both the general culture and in the Jewish world. These schools and the educators they employ work to instill a love of mitzvot and Torah, a personal engagement with the heritage of the Jewish people, and a desire

for Jewish living. And these institutions have had wonderful success stories. Mr. Steinhardt shows a striking lack of understanding and knowledge of what occurs in Schechter classrooms and the extent to which their graduates identify as engaged Jews. And of course we would welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr. Steinhardt to discuss this further. He chooses instead to provoke and engage in a nonproductive, combative foray. He fails to acknowledge that many young leaders in the Jewish community are products of non-Orthodox Jewish day schools. It is true that Reform and Conservative Jews live in a pluralistic American society with its challenges of assimilation and intermarriage. We acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, and we invite Michael Steinhardt to use his considerable resources to make Jewish day school education more affordable for more families, and provide opportunities for teachers to advance their own learning. He can do more to bring about the desired result -the highest level of excellence that day schools can achieve. We urge him to extend his generosity for Jewish family education so that more parents and children can benefit from the multiplicity of creative approaches to Jewish learning that constantly need more funding to have a maximal impact. Advocacy for better results is a positive initiative when it is coupled with respect for the richness and diversity of Jewish life. Mr. Steinhardt has the means to make it happen. That’s what we need from him in these challenging times. Elaine R. S. Cohen is the Solomon Schechter Day School Association Executive.

Grieving and grateful: Thoughts about Haiti, Israel and the USA

BEHIND THE HEADLINES by STEVEN B. NASATIR

CHICAGO (JTA) -- Grief and gratitude are two sentiments I feel as I consider Haiti’s nightmare. Grief for the unspeakable loss of life, the unmitigated suffering and the heart-wrenching pain of the Haitian people. But gratitude for being part of a community that has poured out its heart, doing everything it can to respond. As an American I am grateful to live in a democracy that believes in massively aiding people in dire need. As I write, Americans again are leading the world, donating hundreds of millions of dollars while our government deploys thousands of personnel and material assistance of every kind. As a Jew, I am grateful to be part of a people, a civilization and a religious tradition that heeds God’s call to

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tikkun olam, to repair the world. It’s a call Jewish Chicagoans answer time and again for people in need, regardless of their religion. I am grateful as a philanthropic executive to manage an organization that raised over $500,000 from more than 3,000 donors within 10 days of beginning to collect, most of them using our Web site to give. Right behind America in responding to Haiti has been tiny Israel, which opened the very first state-of-the-art field hospital in Port-au-Prince following the earthquake and whose mobile search, rescue and medical teams have become world famous for their speed and life-saving results. The sight of hundreds of Israelis treating thousands of Haitians makes us American Jews doubly proud. A nation of only 7.5 million, Israel has earned a reputation as the world’s best first responder. Israel’s aid to Haiti thus far is more than double that of China, a nation with nearly 200 times Israel’s population. As for oil-rich Saudi Arabia? It sent a letter of condolence. As I grieve and pray for Haiti, I am keenly aware of our blessings here in America and mindful that they carry

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sacred obligations: to care for the sick, to clothe the naked and to feed the hungry. From tsunami to Katrina, from earthquakes to floods, from victims of terror to refugees, Americans and Israelis are the first to help. At a time when despotic regimes and others attempt to portray Israel as a pariah state, the government and people of Israel again have stepped up to help others and demonstrate their humanity. At a time when America is seen by some as the great Satan, and terrorists try to blow up our airplanes and threaten our homeland, our government and the American people again are demonstrating our unequaled generosity and commitment to do good throughout the world. Grieving, grateful and proud -- very proud.

Steven B. Nasatir is president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Money raised through the Federation’s Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund supports the relief work on the ground in Haiti of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, IsraAID, ZAKA and the American Jewish World Service.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 5, 2010

Candlelighting Friday, February 5, 5:28 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

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.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 323 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 Prayer Group 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

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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Feb. 12: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Karen Gustafson, M.S.N.C.C. L.M.H.P., on Does It Happen to Us, Too? The community is invited.

and edible art activities. No charge to attend, but for planning purposes, RSVP to the synagogue office or at programming@beth el-omaha.org. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat/Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. services and 6:30 p.m. dinner; led by Patty Nogg and Susi Frydman-Levin. Open to all families in the Jewish community. Dinner cost is $10 for Beth El members, $15 for non-members. No charge for children 6 and younger. To RSVP, call the synagogue office, or email programming@bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:35 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Beginning Hebrew, with Eadie Tsabari, and Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 11 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin. Classes open to all adults in the Jewish community. To register, call the office. MEN’S CLUB WORLDWIDE WRAP: Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by breakfast and a short discussion by Rabbi Levin and a video, “Wrapped: The How and Why of Tallit and Tefillin.” Men’s Club membership is not required to attend. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Understanding and Living Jewish Values, noon. WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 3:30 pm. Please note new day and time. Will discuss Operation Shylock, by Philip Roth. No charge or reservations needed. SHABBAT MORNING LIVE: Saturday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Led by Holly Weill, for 4-8 year olds and their favorite adult(s). The fun program includes music, creative movement, Shabbat-appropriate games

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 and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:28 p.m.; Senior NCSY Shabbatton at Beth Israel. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored by Zvi Wilamowsky in memory of his father, Harav Alter ben Harav Yonah HaKohen, of blessed memory, and in appreciation of the Omaha community and Beth Israel for the kindness and hospitality shown to him and his family; “Guard Your Tongue,” “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 5:15 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 6:31 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels & Beit Midrash begins with breakfast, 9:40 a.m.; Sacred Text Messages (for teens) with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m.; Living in Season with Miriam Gross, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.; Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m

Mensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings Remix, 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living, 7 p.m. Visit www.OChabad.com for more details or to register. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Contact Shevi@ochabad.com. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat 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 Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel, Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; Board of Trustees, 1 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. TUESDAYS, 7:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics: Animal Experimentation, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren at Tifereth Israel.

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

CHABAD HOUSE

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. Mini-

FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, and Cantor Wendy Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Ari Rauhauser, son of Nancy Nogg,

will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Donate Blood to the Red Cross, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact office, 556.6536, to sign up; Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; OTYG Coffee Stand, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Noon. TUESDAY: Biblical Wisdom Literature: Job, ProEcclesiastes, noon with Dr. Guy Matalon. Fee: $36, discounted to $27 for donors to the Annual Campaign of the Omaha Jewish Federation. Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Education. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Planning, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 68 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Adult Hebrew, 6:30 p.m. with Mor Sheinbein; Is Religion Good?, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Linder. Cost is $18 for members; $25 for non-members; no charge for Family School parents. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10-11:30 a.m. No Religious School on Sunday, Feb. 14.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 5:28 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday, 8-11 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. with an oneg following hosted by Jennifer Rosenblatt. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel, Gan Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, 7:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics: Animal Experimentation, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy

Italy’s prime minister visits Israel

Apply now for summer Birthright trip

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lights the memorial flame in the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem earlier this week. Berlusconi, considered one of Israel’s best friends and a strong advocate in the international community, traveled to the Jewish state for an official threeday visit. While there, the prime minister and his colleagues participated in a joint Cabinet meeting; he also addressed the Knesset. Credit: ISRANET

Partnership with Israel has organized a special Birthright Israel trip for 22-26 year olds from our consortium cities. If you live in one of the 16 Central Consortium cities and meet the regular Birthright criteria (see www.birthrightisrael.com), you are guaranteed a space on the bus (up to 40 participants). This exciting trip is planned for this summer -- the exact dates will be announced in March. If you sign up but have to cancel, your down payment will be fully refunded. The official Birthright sign-up deadline is Feb. 17, but we need to know your name as soon as possible! Birthright is popular and spaces are limited; share this with the 22-26 year olds in your community, or with their parents. In order to reserve a spot for this trip, contact Regan Wagh, rwagh@jfgd.org or 214.615.5259 before Feb. 17, 2010. You may also contact Bob Goldberg at 334.6431 or bgoldberg@jewishomaha.org.

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February 5, 2010

Teach “duties of the heart,” the foundation for other mitzvoth

SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS Parasha Yitro The laws of Shabbat, the laws of theft and the obligations towards parents can easily be taught because all of these mitzvoth are physical, measurable acts. The true challenge that rabbis, teachers and parents face is teaching the more ephemeral and intangible mitzvoth like loving Hashem and valuing concepts of truth and kindness. These mitzvoth, known as the duties of the heart, form the foundation to all other mitzvoth because only if these obligations are internalized is there a chance that other mitzvoth will be performed. But can morality be taught? In his commentary to Parshat Yitro, Avraham Ibn Ezra asks this very question when discussing the 10th commandment, do not covet your friends processions. “Many have been puzzled by this mitzvah. How is it possible that a man would not come to desire in his heart anything that is pleasing to his eyes?” Ibn Ezra posits that it is indeed possible to train the heart to desire only things that are permissible, to instill a sense of happiness in one’s own lot, and to not desire one’s

neighbor’s possessions. However, there is one caveat – the training of the heart must begin at a young age. I once saw a three-year old girl from Beth Israel walking with her parents at the ‘J.’ She spotted a penny on the ground and immediately became very excited. She began frantically tugging at her mother’s skirt and she shouted with excitement, “Mommy, Mommy, look – tzedakah!” She did not see the penny for what it could buy her; this girl only saw how the penny could be used to perform a mitzvah. As she grows she will learn other uses for money, but the lessons of her youth will be ingrained in her heart forever. Her parents not only taught her the laws of tzedakah; they instilled in her tzedakah instincts that will habitually motivate her to always think of ways to help others. According to Ibn Ezra, if subtle lessons like this are taught to children, their hearts can be trained “to be happy with their own lot and they will not set their hearts to pursue things that do not belong to them. They will learn to love and trust in Hashem and strive to do what is right in His eyes.” These lessons are easier for children to learn but that doesn’t mean that adults are not responsible to learn them as well. Just as there is an obligation to learn all of the tangible mitzvoth of the Torah, time must be designated to learning and practicing the duties of the heart as well.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Page 11

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DEATHS DORIS R. ABRAMSON Funeral services were held Jan. 29 for Doris R. Abramson, who died Jan. 26 at the age of 77. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Alvin; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sheri; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Stuart Giller; brother, Dr. Leonard Rapoport of Chicago; grandchildren, Bradley Abramson and his fiancee, Marissa Wiseman, Erin and Jaime Abramson, and Emily and Abbey Giller. Memorials may be sent to Beth El Synagogue, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, B’nai B’rith, or to the charity of your choice. ANNA LEE COHN Anna Lee Cohn died on Jan. 8 in Omaha; services were held Jan. 12 at Temple Israel. A pediatric nurse, Cohn was a substitute nurse for the Millard Public schools. She also volunteered as a docent at the Henry Doorly Zoo, and was an active member of the Nebraska Nursing Board. She is survived by her husband, Edward; son John DiPaola and partner Charles Brown; daughter, Anna Leslie Lieberman; sister and brother-in-law, Hillary and John Rapp; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Dawn Nixon; brother-in-law, Sanford Cohn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Marilyn Dickman, and Susan and Peter Tuteur; aunt and uncle, Sylvia and Irwin Lieberman; stepchildren and spouses, Russell and Jacqueline Cohn, Amy and Steven Goldberg; stepgrandchildren, Aaron, Ben and Elliott Cohn, and Jason, Alec and Neal Goldberg; nieces and nephews. Memorials may be sent to the Nebraska Humane Society or Temple Israel. MINA GREENBAUM Graveside services were held Feb. 2 at Beth Israel Cemetery for Mina Greenbaum, a native of Ukraine who came to Omaha in 1960. Before coming to America, she performed in Yiddish theater. She was preceded in death by husband, Joshua, and is survived by son, Leo. Memorials may be made to Beth Israel Synagogue, the Rose Blumkin Home, or YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, 15 W. 16 St., New York, NY, 10011. ARMON E. KAMESAR Armon E. Kamesar, husband of former Omahan Barbara Blacker Kamesar, died Dec. 11, of congestive heart failure at age 82 in La Jolla, CA. A memorial service was held Jan. 17, in La Jolla. He was born in Milwaukee and raised his family there. He and his wife later moved to La Jolla, where he spent 35 years as a management consultant. He was also involved with many local charities. He was preceded in death by two sisters and a son, Rabbi Daniel Kamesar. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Adam, of Cincinnati, and five grandchildren.

LISA KAHN LUXER Lisa Kahn Luxer died on Jan. 26 in Las Vegas, at age 48. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Gloria Kahn, and grandparents Benjamin and Sarah Kahn. She is survived by her husband, Fred; son and daughter, Nicholas and Candice; sisters, Kim Memar and Melanie Kahn, brother Bret Kahn; aunts and uncles, Marlene and Stewart Kahn of Olathe, KS, Allen and Esther Kahn, Mary Lou Hawkins and husband Leo, Judy and Bert Miller, Albert and Sherry Claussen; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society.

JTA NEWS BRIEF • JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Two senior Israeli military officials were disciplined for “exceeding their authority” during the Gaza war, a government report found. The official 46-page Israeli government response to the Goldstone Commission report that was given to the United Nations last week said that a brigadier general and a colonel were “jeopardized the lives of others” by ordering the firing of artillery shells near a United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza “in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas.” The report also says that the shells were white phosphorus smoke munitions, which are permitted only in unpopulated areas and cause severe burns, though the army has disputed this claim. There were no casualties in the incident. The punishments for Gaza Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ayal Eisenberg and former Givati Brigade Commander Col. Ilan Malka were not disclosed. Meanwhile, the IDF announced Monday that a sixth team was appointed to investigate the treatment of Palestinian detainees during Operation Cast Lead last winter and look into individual incidents.

To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

February 5, 2010

Tu B’Shevat festivities always a favorite at Lauritzen Gardens by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator

Over 500 people were treated to an afternoon of fun during Beth El’s fifth annual Tu B’Shevat celebration at Lauritzen Gardens. The event featured activities such as seed planting, arts and crafts, storytelling and decorating leaf-shaped cookies. Around 200 people also enjoyed a nature-themed musical performance that capped the festivities. Above, a Lauritzen volunteer assists Doron Margalit and Yael Schuller with their craft projects; Matt Uehling, left, Beth El Cantor Beth Schossberg, Steven Wees (at piano), Lisa Senal and Tuffy Epstein pool their talents during the song, “Winter Fire and Snow.” Performers not pictured: Jeff Taxman and Aaron Weiss. Participating community partners for the event included Keep Omaha Beautiful, Earth Day Omaha Coalition, Environment Omaha, OPPD, City Sprouts and Bag & Save.

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Grosses receive Akko Young Leadership Award

by EMMA BURSZTYN LEBOWITZ scholar and teacher and had direct connections to Rav When Rabbi Jonathan and Miriam Gross were Moshe Zvi Neriya. “When I moved to Omaha in 2004, I learned that our approached to help raise funds for the yeshiva in Akko, Israel, they readily agreed. Little did they know that Federation’s Partnership 2000 program connects us to Akko. Immediately I saw a numhelping out would lead to being ber of similarities between our honored with the Akko Young community in Omaha and the Leadership Award. Jewish community in Akko,” The Grosses will receive their stated Rabbi Gross. “Both comaward at the 31st Anniversary munities have a rich Jewish hisTribute and Scholarship Event tory and both struggle with the for American Friends of Yeshivot challenge of attracting young Bnei Akiva on Wednesday, Jewish families. The other comMarch 17, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. monality we have is that when “Akko has always held a special we tell other Jews from bigger place in my heart,” commented communities the city we live in, Rabbi Gross. “It’s a 4,000-yearthe typical response is ‘I didn’t old ancient port town in northknow Jews live there.’ ern Israel, some 30 minutes “Despite the challenges, both Miriam and Rabbi Jonathan Gross from the Lebanese border. It’s communities are strong, vibrant, off the beaten path and not as widely known as Jerusalem passionate and have an exciting potential for growth,” he or Tel Aviv. As recently as seven years ago, the Arab pop- said. ulation came close to becoming a majority, but with the About the award recognition, the rabbi said, “I am establishment of the Yeshivot Bnei Akiva Hesder pro- particularly honored to join Rabbi Charlop as an hongram and the ensuing influx of young Jewish families, the oree at the YBA Dinner and Scholarship Tribute Event, Jewish population has steadily been growing.” because Rabbi Charlop was a great inspiration during my Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, the largest religious Zionist edu- years at RIETS, and he has been particularly encouragcational network of schools in Israel, was invited by ing to me in recent years because of our Omaha connecAkko’s dynamic mayor, Shimon Lankry -- who happens tion.” For more information about the dinner, visit to be an alumnus of a YBA high school -- to establish a hesder yeshiva in town. Hesder Yeshivot combine a five- www.afyba.org or call 212.248.0471. year program of Torah learning with military service. The Grosses will share the spotlight with Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, who will receive the Rav Moshe Zvi Neriya Lifetime Educational Award. Rav Neriya foundAnna Munzesheimer is participating in the Knox ed the YBA network over 70 years ago with the core philosophy of dedication to Torah study and observance, College Repertory Theatre Term production of Tony “Angels in America: Millennium dedication to the Land of Israel and to all its citizens, Kushner’s and loyally serving the state of Israel in army or national Approaches.” Ms. Munzesheimer is also currently working as assisservice. Coincidentally, Rabbi Charlop’s father, Rabbi Jechiel tant director for the production of “Perestroika.” Repertory Theatre Term is associated with Knox Michel Charlop, was the rabbi at Congregation B’nai Israel in Omaha from 1923-’25. He was a renowned College in Galesburg, IL.

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