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FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | 2 3 S H E VAT 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 1 6 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 5 : 28 P.M.
Memories of “Uncle” Chuck Arnold
German, Jew, Muslim, Gay: The Life and Times of Hugo Marcus Page 2
The violinist Page 3
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Charles Arnold died Sunday, Jan. 17 at the age of 80. Better known as ‘Uncle Chuck,’ Arnold grew up in Florida and earned degrees in exercise science and psychology in 1962 from the University of Alabama, where he played football for the Crimson Tide. After college, he moved to Omaha to accept the position of Athletic Director at the Jewish Community Center. After 28 years in that position, he became the executive director of the Council Bluffs Senior Center, a position from which he retired in 2004. At the time, he said: “Your greatest gift to me has been the recognition that age is truly a state of mind. I will miss the center and all the dear friends I have made in our journey to make this the only comprehensive wellness center for older adults in the region - and the most exciting. My appreciation to each and every one of the members, volunteers, businesses, civic leaders, elected officials and professional staff who believed in us and supported us. I wish you much health and happiness and look forward to meeting you at the center as a member.” He was a professional member of the American College of Sports Medicine, the Council on Aging and the International Council on Active Aging. He was past president of the Downtown Council Bluffs Noon See Charles “Chuck” Arnold page 11
Biden administration unrolls Middle East policy Page 12
IHE continues Lunch and Learn
REGULARS
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
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All programming is from 11:30 ARIEL O’DONNELL a.m.–1 p.m. on the scheduled days IHE Administrative Assistant In 2021, the Institute for Holocaust via Zoom due to COVID-19 precauEducation will continue with the tions for our community members. Third Thursday On Feb. 18, 2021, the Lunch and Learn Series Institute welcomes Dr. that encapsulates our Steven Wees who will mission and vision of be sharing the testieducating the public mony of his mother, about the Holocaust Elizabeth Wees, who and its contemporary survived the Holocaust. Elizabeth Bodek Wees importance. The Lunch was born in 1924 in and Learn Series is an Svalava, Czechoslovaopportunity to hear kia. She grew up in an vital information, surOrthodox Jewish family, vivors’ testimonies, and and when the Nazis inprojects happening vaded she was 14 years within our community. Dr. Steven Wees old. Elizabeth spent time in the Mukacevo Ghetto, as well as several concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Ravensbruck. She survived multiple death marches, and was eventually liberated by the Soviet Army. Elizabeth passed away in 2016 at the age of 91. Her son, Dr. Steven Wees, has researched his mother’s Holocaust See IHE Lunch
Chuck Arnold
A successful Alice at the JCC
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor The JCC’s recent Alice in Wonderland performance, which was brought to fruition in spite of COVID-19, was a huge success. The play was directed by Jeremy Stoll, with Jessica Westerlin as rehearsal director and Esther Katz in the role of producer. “We are so proud that 23 actors
were able to safely meet in person for 16 weeks of rehearsals and produce a play,” Esther Katz, Performing Arts Director, said. “It gave these actors as well as the staff something to look forward to each week. They grew together and learned the art of acting. Our mission as a department is to teach the art of dance, acting and piano. In other words, we teach the performing arts in a See Alice in Wonderland page 2
