Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
CJL features Nicky’s Family A sense
February 8, 2013 28 Shevat 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 21
This Week
of pride by MAX POLACK Summer in Israel is like no other. What really made this summer the best summer ever was NCSY Kollel. In NCSY Kollel you get a sense of accomplishment that you cannot get by going on a “regular” Israel program. In a “regular” Israel program you may spend two or
Mystery and intrigue Page 3
Winton rescued children leaving Prague, from the film Nicky’s Family. by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, Center for Jewish Life A mid-year add-on to the annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival will feature the film Nicky’s Family on Sunday, Feb. 17, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Theater. Immediately after the film, a short discussion will be led by Dr. Waitman Beorn. Dr. Beorn is the Louis and Frances Blumkin Professor of Holocaust and
Remembering the March Page 7
Genocide Studies at UNO. Dinner, by reservation only, will be after the discussion and will include soup, assorted meat or veggie wraps, chips, fruit salad, dessert and beverages. Nicky’s Family tells the nearly forgotten story of Nicholas Winton, an Englishman who organized the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II, taking them across Hitler’s Germany to Britain. Winton, now 102 years old, did not speak
about these events with anyone for more than half a century. His exploits probably would have been forgotten if his wife, fifty years later, had not found a suitcase in the attic full of documents and transport plans. The story only emerged in 1988 when the BBC broadcast a thrilling show about the first meeting of approximately one hundred of the rescued children with their secret rescuer about whom they had Continued on page 3
The Tel Aviv bicycle scene Court decision on anti-Semitic tweets emboldens activists Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
Next Month The Passover Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
8 10 11
by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ AMSTERDAM (JTA) -- A short ride on a luxury wooden bicycle can take much longer than expected in south Tel Aviv. The roads are fine, Maxime van Gelder says, “but people keep asking you to stop and take their picture with the bike.” Van Gelder, the 22-year-old marketing director for the two-year-old boutique Dutch bicycle maker Bough Bikes, http://www.boughbikes.com/, was in Tel Aviv this month to help establish the city as the company’s fourth international market, after New York, London and Berlin. Bough, based in the city of Alkmaar, manufactures the distinctive bikes entirely from sustainably grown French oak and sells them for about $1,600 a pop. Van Gelder ended up leaving three bikes with Caspar Veldkamp, the Dutch ambassador to Israel, whose
An Israeli soldier riding her bicycle past a graffiti-painted wall in Tel Aviv, Credit: Serge Attal/FLASH90/JTA 2012. staff was to try them out before they were formally unveiled at the embassy’s annual Holland Day event on Jan. 28. “I know bikes and I know Tel Aviv and the advances the city has made, so I know it has the potential of being an ideal arena for us,” van Gelder told JTA. Bough isn’t the only European bike maker to notice the growing demand for high-quality, luxury bicycles in Tel Aviv, whose residents are relying increasingly on bikefriendly developments that have reshaped the flat, congested metropolis into a world-class bicycle city.
Dozens of miles of bike lanes now wind along the iconic Rothschild and Arlozorov boulevards in central Tel Aviv; along the city’s broad beach promenade; and most recently along Sheinkin Street, the epicenter of the city’s vibrant cafe culture. In 2011, Tel Aviv joined some 100 other cities in launching a municipal bike-sharing service. “We in Israel have always turned for inspiration to Europe’s bicycle culture, and to Holland and Denmark in particular, so it’s very exciting and perfectly logical that they are now looking back,” said Continued on page 2
Max at the Western Wall during his last day in Israel. three weeks touring the beautiful country, which, don’t get me wrong, is great in itself, but you do not get the full Israel experience. When I first heard about Kollel, I heard that it was a learning program, and here is what I, and probably most others, thought. You wake up, daven, learn, eat, daven, learn, eat, daven, sleep. When in reality it is much more than that. On Kollel, you really develop a love for learning. This is partially because there are no tests, but also because a group of the best Rabei’im on the planet are pulled together from across the globe just for you. They work hard to make the summer what it is by making the learning in depth so that you have to think about what you are learning for enormous amounts of time, sometimes hours, to figure something out. You would think this would be frustrating, when in reality, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride. Located in Moshav Beit Meir, a 25 minute drive to Yerushalayim, it is in a prime location to go to the Kotel and other places in and around Yerushalayim very often. We took advantage of this opportunity. On Tisha B’av everyone in Kollel took a bus to the city, and we met at the Kotel. There, all 200 plus of us sat in front of the Kotel and started singing. If a group did that in America, people would walk right by and think that you are crazy. At the Kotel, though, not only did most of the people stop, but they came to sing with us. We spent about an hour out there, and at the end we all stood. When we sang the final song, everyone had their Continued on page 6
2 | The Jewish Press | February 8, 2013
Follow your gift... by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Throughout every Annual Campaign, great effort is made to speak to our donors and have conversations about all the great things our community does with donor dollars. Campaign workers, lay leaders and professional staff are great listeners and look forward to answering all the community’s questions. One topic that seems to resonate more than most, especially with our younger donors is: where does my gift go? It is safe to say that once this question is answered, it’s hard to find anyone in this community not touched in some way by programs or services supported by Annual Campaign dollars. For young families, probably one of the first experiences with Federation is through the Child Development Center (CDC) when their toddlers are enrolled in pre-school. That is not the end point of contact, but rather the first in what can best be described as a domino effect. A child enrolled in the CDC visits residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, part of Jewish Social Services. They enjoy story time at the Kripke Library, part of the Center for Jewish Life. They swim and take dance classes at the JCC and visit the Riekes Museum, part of the Jewish Historical Society. And where do we get to enjoy stories and photos of all these activities? Where else but the Jewish Press! For young adults, Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) connects them to each other and the greater community with engaging social activities like its Cocktails & Conversations series and the Matzoh Ball and Purim Bash. They join basketball and softball leagues at the JCC and serve on Federation agency
boards and committees. Our active “mature adults” (no seniors here!) enjoy fitness classes tailored just for them at the JCC, classes and lectures through the Center for Jewish Life and social outings all around town through MainStreeters, a program of Jewish Social Services. Everyone is touched, at some point, by the
Annual Campaign; from the time a child is entrusted to the care of the CDC to the time when the services and care of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home are required, and everything in between. That’s why it’s so important that everyone “touch” the Annual Campaign: To show your support for all that we offer, all that we
do, and all that we accomplish, together as one family, one community. To make your gift to the Federation’s 2013 Annual Campaign, go to www.jewish omaha.org/donate or contact Sharon Kirshenbaum at 402.334.6485 or skirshen baum@jewishomaha.org.
The Tel Aviv bicycle scene Continued from page 1 pany Moto Ofan. The Dutch Gazelle brand the local infrastructure still leaves much to Oded Gilad, a spokesman for the nonprofit and the German A2B electric bicycle also be desired, the recent advances notwithIsrael for Bikes. “There is a real bicycle ren- are now available in Israel. standing. In the past five years, an average aissance in Israel, and especially of 15 cyclists were killed on the in Tel Aviv.” road annually and another 100 or Among the pioneers in Israel’s so sustained moderate to serious European-inspired bicycle marinjuries in a nation of 7 million ket is Ari Rozenweig of people and 1 million bicycles, Copenhagen, who seven years according to data compiled by the ago opened Israel’s first boutique Or Yarok road safety association. bicycle factory. The figures are high compared “In comparison to Europeans, to the 22 cyclists killed in 2012 in Israelis really love bling bling,” Denmark, a nation of 5.5 million said Rozenzweig, 41, a former people and 4.4 million bicycles, professional dancer who immiaccording to a study by the grated to Israel shortly before University of Technology in opening his shop. Sydney. While Danish and Dutch “Drivers are generally unaware cyclists prefer the reliability and Maxime van Gelder of the Bough Bike company in the Netherlands of cyclers and bicycle paths, low profile of a good kibbutz with one of the bike maker’s luxury models, January 2013. which are not always well Credit: Cnaan Liphshiz defined, and this makes cycling bicycle over a snazzy mountain bike, Rozenzweig says, “Israelis will buy A 2012 survey by the Heker Rating comparatively dangerous in Israel,” anything special or flashy. It’s good for busi- Marketing Surveys reported that in two Rozenzweig said. ness and I like their openness to novelty, but years, the number of cyclists in Tel Aviv has Rosenzweig says it will take another 20 to sometimes they buy crap they don’t need.” increased by 50 percent, from 12,000 who 30 years until Israel matches the bicycle In 2010, Israel’s adoption of European cycled to work every day in 2010 to 18,000 friendliness of countries like Holland and standards for electric bicycles attracted last year. Meanwhile, the number of drivers Denmark. other foreign bike makers: Kalkhoff, a has dropped in the same time period by “Like everything here, it’s going to take a high-quality German brand, is now avail- five percent. lot of lobbying,” he said. “But we’ll get able through the Israeli bicycle supply comEven as Israeli bike enthusiasm flourishes, there.”
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February 8, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3
Mystery and intrigue continue by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Life The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group continues its sampling of adventure novels with its February selection of Death in the City of Mystics by Janice Steinberg. The Devil’s Company by David Liss and Mistress of Death by Ariana Franklin, both mystery/ thrillers, have been the focus of the last two meetings. Steinberg’s novel for February discussion presents protagonist Margo Simon, who gets word that her mother has had an accident. Margo catches the next flight to Tel Aviv. Her concern grows when she reaches Safed where her mother, Alice, Janice Steinberg has been living while studying Kabbalah. What Margo thought had been a simple mishap is actually much more. Alice’s dangerous fall was caused by a reaction to a poisonous herb. Everyone, including Alice’s guru, Batsheva, seems to think that Alice had carelessly mixed the herb into her tea. But Margo knows better. Which brings up a frightening question - was someone deliberately trying to harm her mother? Then, when Batsheva’s body is found several days later, Margo knows for sure that what is happening in this city of mystics is no accident. Janice Steinberg is an award-winning arts journalist and has published more than 400 articles in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dance Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. She is also the author of five mystery novels,
including Death in a City of Mystics which was a Shamus Award-nominated work. She has taught novel writing at the University of California, San Diego extension and dance criticism at San Diego State University. A native of Wisconsin, she received a B.A. and M.A. from the University of California, Irvine. She holds a Blue Belt in the Nia dance-fitness practice and teaches weekly classes. She lives in San Diego with her husband. The Dorothy Kaplan book discussion group was formed on Nov. 15, 1979, and has been in continuous existence ever since. Members are dedicated to selecting books with Jewish content and/or those written by Jewish authors for the focus of their discussions. With the diversity of topics and modalities selected -- everything from poetry and mysteries to science fiction and biographies -- the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group offers something for everyone. You are invited to participate in the next discussion on Feb. 21 from 1–2 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Library Specialist Shirly Banner is available to assist you in obtaining a copy of the book. You may reach her at 402.334.6462 or sbnner@jewishomaha.org. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group is supported by the Center for Jewish Life, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
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A Week of Understanding by HILLARY FLETCHER Communication Coordinator, Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education announces a special guest speaker for A Week of Understanding 2013, March 4th through 8th, is chemist, author and Holocaust survivor, Inge Auerbacher. A Week of Understanding is an annual educational initiative produced by the Institute for Holocaust Education and the Omaha Public Schools. The week is designed to deliver Holocaust survivor testimony to a maximum number of students in one school week. Last year, partnering with Omaha Public Schools, ESUs throughout Nebraska and the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church, testimony was provided to 3,400 students, educators and community members. Between 1941 and 1945, a total of 140,000 people were taken to TerezĂn; of those, 88,000 were sent primarily to the gas chambers in Auschwitz and 35,000 died of malnutrition and disease while in TerezĂn. Of the 15,000 children imprisoned in TerezĂn, Inge Auerbacher is among the one percent who survived. Inge was the last Jewish child born in Kippenheim, a village in southwestern Germany located at the foot of the Black Forest. Her family had lived for many generations in Germany. In fact, Inge’s father, a textile merchant, was awarded the Iron Cross for his service to Germany in World War I. Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) occurred when Inge was just three. She recalled her grandfather’s arrest in the synagogue during morning prayers soon, after which Inge’s family sold their house and moved in with her grandparents in Jebenhausen. There Inge was allowed to attend a Jewish school located a train-ride away in Stuttgart. She was then six and forced to wear a yellow Star of David. Inge and her parents were deported in August of 1942 to
the TerezĂn (Theresienstadt) concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Following almost three years of imprisonment, liberation came with the Soviet Army on May 8, 1945. Inge was ten years old at the time. Inge and her parents immigrated to America in May, 1946. In 1953, she graduated high school with honors after only three years. She completed her college degree in chemistry in 1958 and continued with post-graduate work in biochemistry. Inge worked for over 38 years as a chemist with prominent scientists in research and clinical work. Inge’s writing has produced more than 50 poems and numerous published articles. Inge is the author of several bestselling and award-winning books, including I Am A Star. Auerbacher will speak one time to the community on Tuesday, March 5, at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street in Omaha, from 7-9 p.m. The IHE will co-sponsor this community program with the Center for Faith Studies. Presentations will stream live at 7 p.m. at www.darkwoodbrew.org. This event is free and open to the public. Countryside Community Church has limited seating.. In addition to Mrs. Auerbacher, expected featured speakers throughout the week include Holocaust survivors Bea Karp, Lou Leviticus, Dr. Fred Kader, Rachel Rosenberg and Kitty Williams. In-person testimony will take place at several schools throughout greater Omaha, select cities in Nebraska and also through video conferencing with survivors at the Museum of Tolerance. A Week of Understanding has received generous funding from the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation, the Omaha Community Schools Foundation and the Sherwood Foundation. For more information on A Week of Understanding or any IHE event, email info@ihene.org.
CJL features Nicky’s Family Continued from page 1 known nothing for 50 years. Winton is still diffident about why he kept his secret for so long. He also is an immensely compelling symbol of how the caring of one man can truly make a difference. A gripping documentary from the International EMMY AWARD winning film director Matej Minac, Nicky’s Family features dramatic reenactments and never before seen archival footage as well as interviews with a number of rescued children, Sir Nicholas Winton himself, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Nobel Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel. Nicholas Winton´s fascinating story, even 70 years after the events, continues to inspire people to make this world a better place. The film has received the Audience Award as Best Documentary or Best Film at Jewish Film Festivals in Pittsburg, Rockland County, Hartford, AJC Seattle,
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Visit DurhamMuseum.org for more details, including special events. Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power is organized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland, Ohio. It is sponsored locally by the On Track Guild, Mutual of Omaha, the Durham Society, the Douglas County Commissioners, the Dixon Family Foundation, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, the Parker Family Foundation, and Mary, Kelly, and Sarah Wilson. Media support provided by KETV.
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Rabbi Jill Jacobs to address social issues at Temple Israel by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Temple Israel will welcome Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, a human rights and social justice advocacy organization based in New York City, for a special Shabbat service and Torah Study on Feb. 15-16. Rabbi Jacobs, who has written extensively about the intersection of Judaism and social justice, including two books, There Shall Be No Needy: Pursuing Social Justice Through Jewish Law and Tradition and Where Justice Dwells: A HandsOn Guide to Doing Social Rabbi Jill Jacobs Justice in Your Jewish Community, believes that human rights and social justice are important cornerstones of Judaism. “When we talk about Jewish law, halacha, to be a Jew is not just about certain rituals, but how we act in the world,” Rabbi Jacobs said. “Jews have been victims of human rights abuses over the years, and God told the Israelites after they left Egypt, because of the experience you had, here’s how you treat other people.” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, who invited Rabbi Jacobs to speak at Temple Israel, agrees, saying that the struggle for human rights is inherent in Judaism. “I think Judaism has built in it the defense of human rights,” Rabbi Azriel said. “From a religious point of view, we talk about God’s image that exists in every human being, but this doesn’t guarantee human rights. Sometimes the religious community assumes theologically or religiously that all of us have to be treated equally, but unfortunately this doesn’t happen. It’s a fantasy. We should be very vigorous about fighting for and talking about human rights. Especially us, Jewish people. Our human rights were tram-
Chabad set to host Purim Under the Sea by RABBI LEIBEL BAUMGARTEN for Chabad Center Chabad invites the entire community to join a fun and innovative Purim celebration entitled “Purim Under the Sea,” on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 4 pm at the Chabad Center. The annual celebration is designed to bring a modern twist to the ancient holiday. This year’s special features include underwater entertainment and crafts, vegetarian sushi, a sumptuous dinner buffet and prizes for anyone in costume. These will join the traditional Megillah reading and Mishloach Manot swap. As one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar, the holiday of Purim is typically celebrated with dressing up, lavish feasts, gifts to the needy and plenty of merrymaking. Chabad’s party includes all that – and more! “Chabad’s parties are always loads of fun,” says Denny Lewis. “Especially their Purim bashes! I can’t wait for this year’s exciting theme.” Tippy Denenberg says she loves that the celebration is family friendly. “I could think of no better way to both teach my children the biblical story and keep them entertained at the same time than to bring them to Chabad’s celebration.” Why the underwater theme? Shani Katzman, Education Director of the Chabad Center, says that life under the sea is referred to as “the hidden world,” in contrast to the “revealed world” on dry land. “G-d’s involvement in the Purim story was veiled and obscured. It is why His name is not mentioned in the Megillah even once.” The lesson, she says, is for one to realize G-d’s hidden blessings within nature and our day-to-day lives. “The Katzmans and Chabad always pull out new, fun and captivating ideas to teach timeless concepts,” says Dr. Eric Phillips. “You’ll come to their Purim party for the good time, but stay for the inspiration and meaning.” Devorah Katzman, Program Director at Chabad, says the celebration will have water, sand and bubble fun and games, along with a photo booth to have your photo taken as a Captain. “It’s going to be a blast!” There will be something for everyone -- for the young and the young at heart. The celebration will be held at the Chabad Center, 1866 S. 120th St. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids. R.S.V.P is strongly encouraged and can be done by calling 402.330.1800 or visiting www.ochabad.com/purim. This program is open to the entire community.
pled so many times in our history.” Rabbi Jacobs will give the D’var during the Friday evening service and lead the Torah Study Saturday morning before services. Through her topics--”Judaism in Public: Why and How to Bring Jewish Texts, Laws and Values into American Public Discourse” and “When the Water Runs Out: Allocating Scarce Resources in a Desperate World” -- Rabbi Jacobs hopes to explain how lessons from Judaism can teach us how we as a community can tackle many of the tough social issues facing us. “We have thousands of years of Jewish wisdom that we can draw from,” Rabbi Jacobs said. “We have experience with economics, social science, morality... Since the economic crisis, we’ve had a scarcity mentality, where if someone wins, somebody else loses. These are very difficult issues. What if you really do have a scarcity of water? Of land? How do you balance those different needs? Human rights is not only about what’s important right now, but also what can be important in the future.” In addition to taking part in the Friday evening services, Rabbi Jacobs will also be on hand immediately following services to discuss T’ruah, formerly known as Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. “By having a human rights group like T’ruah, it helps us become more aware of the violations that from time to time we do, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” Rabbi Azriel said. “They have provided good information about violations of human rights, both in Israel and the United States, and they have alerted us about human rights violations in many other parts of the world.” For those who would like to talk further with Rabbi Jacobs, you can attend Shabbat dinner with her and the Temple Israel clergy. The cost is $12 per person, and you must contact Temple Israel to RSVP by Monday, Feb 11. On Saturday, Rabbi Jacobs will join a Social Justice Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the research that has been done in the aftermath of Temple Israel’s roundtable conversation on violence. The meeting is open for anyone to attend.
Get a Purim make-over during Beth El class by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Saying that “Purim is not only a holiday to be celebrated with costumes and parades,” Beth El’s Shira Abraham will present a special class, “Purim Makeover: Home Edition,” for all adults in the Jewish community, on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m., at the synagogue. During the class, participants will explore home traditions and customs, as well as those celebrated in the synagogue, Abraham Shira Abraham said, noting that a second Makeover session will be held on Sunday, March 3, dealing with Passover. There is no charge to attend; to RSVP, contact Shira at Shira.Abraham@gmail.com.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The (relatively) new Police Chief Tom Schmaderer will speak about “City Safety” and he will give his views on the new gun laws on Wednesday, Feb. 13, noon, at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH The Yiddish language is a wonderful source of rich expressions, especially terms of endearment (and of course, complaints and insults!). Come join us for fun and laughter. We meet in the boardroom of the Blumkin Home, every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. For information, please call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
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February 8, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5 LEGAL NOTICE
To merchants who have accepted Visa and MasterCard at any time since January 1, 2004: Notice of a 6+ billion dollar class action settlement. Si desea leer este aviso en espaùol, llåmenos o visite nuestro sitio web. Notice of a class action settlement authorized by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. This notice is authorized by the Court to inform you about an agreement to settle a class action lawsuit that may affect you. The lawsuit claims that Visa and MasterCard, separately, and together with banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards, including by: ™ Agreeing to set, apply, and enforce rules about merchant fees (called default interchange fees); ™ Limiting what merchants could do to encourage their customers to use other forms of payment through, for example, charging customers an extra fee or offering discounts; and ™ Continuing that conduct after Visa and MasterCard changed their corporate structures. The defendants say they have done nothing wrong. They say that their business practices are legal and the result of competition, and have benefitted merchants and consumers. The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to a settlement. On November 27, 2012, the Court gave preliminary approval to this settlement.
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To receive payment, merchants must fill out a XaV^b [dgb# >[ i]Z 8djgi Ă„cVaan VeegdkZh i]Z settlement, and you do not exclude yourself from the Cash Settlement Class, you will receive a claim form in the mail or by email. Or you may ask for dcZ Vi/ lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb! dg XVaa/ &"-%%"+'*"+))%#
OTHER BENEFITS
FOR
MERCHANTS
™ A Cash Settlement Class (Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class), which includes all persons, businesses, and other entities that accepted any Visa or MasterCard cards in the U.S. at any time from January 1, 2004 to November 28, 2012, and
Merchants will benefit from changes to certain MasterCard and Visa rules, which will allow merchants to, among other things:
™ A Rule Changes Settlement Class (Rule 23(b) (2) Settlement Class), which includes all persons, businesses, and entities that as of November 28, 2012 or in the future accept any Visa or MasterCard cards in the U.S.
™ Offer discounts to customers who do not pay with Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards, and
WHAT MERCHANTS WILL GET FROM THE SETTLEMENT Every merchant in the Cash Settlement Class that ÄaZh V kVa^Y XaV^b l^aa \Zi bdcZn [gdb i]Z +#%* W^aa^dc 8Vh] ;jcY! hjW_ZXi id V YZYjXi^dc cdi id ZmXZZY '* d[ i]Z [jcY id VXXdjci [dg bZgX]Vcih who exclude themselves from the Cash Settlement Class. The value of each claim, where possible, will be based on the actual or estimated interchange fees attributable to the merchant’s MasterCard and Visa payment card transactions from January 1, 2004 to CdkZbWZg '-! '%&'# EVnbZcih id bZgX]Vcih l]d ÄaZ kVa^Y XaV^bh [dg V edgi^dc d[ i]Z 8Vh] ;jcY l^aa WZ based on: ™ The money available to pay all claims, ™ The total dollar value of all valid claims filed, ™ I]Z YZYjXi^dc YZhXg^WZY VWdkZ cdi id ZmXZZY '* d[ i]Z 8Vh] HZiiaZbZci ;jcY! VcY ™ The cost of settlement administration and notice, money awarded to the class representatives, and attorneys’ fees and expenses all as approved by the Court. >c VYY^i^dc! bZgX]Vcih ^c i]Z 8Vh] HZiiaZbZci Class that accept Visa and MasterCard during the Z^\]i"bdci] >ciZgX]Vc\Z EZg^dY VcY ÄaZ V kVa^Y XaV^b
™ Charge customers an extra fee if they pay with Visa or MasterCard credit cards,
™ ;dgb Wjn^c\ \gdjeh i]Vi bZZi XZgiV^c Xg^iZg^V id negotiate with Visa and MasterCard. Merchants that operate multiple businesses under different trade names or banners will also be able to accept Visa or MasterCard at fewer than all of the merchant’s trade names and banners.
LEGAL RIGHTS
AND
OPTIONS
Merchants who are included in this lawsuit have the legal rights and options explained below. You may: š <_b[ W YbW_c je Wia \eh fWoc[dj$ You will receive a claim form in the mail or email or file online at: lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb# š ;nYbkZ[ oekhi[b\ from the Cash Settlement Class GjaZ '( W ( HZiiaZbZci 8aVhh # >[ ndj ZmXajYZ yourself, you can sue the Defendants for damages based on alleged conduct occurring on or before November 27, 2012 on your own at your own ZmeZchZ! ^[ ndj lVci id# >[ ndj ZmXajYZ ndjghZa[! ndj l^aa cdi \Zi Vcn bdcZn [gdb i]^h hZiiaZbZci# >[ ndj are a merchant and wish to exclude yourself, you must make a written request, place it in an envelope, and mail it with postage prepaid and postmarked no later than CWo (." (&') to Class Administrator, EVnbZci 8VgY >ciZgX]Vc\Z ;ZZ HZiiaZbZci! E#D# 7dm '*(%! EdgiaVcY! DG .,'%-"'*(%# I]Z lg^iiZc request must be signed by a person authorized to do so and provide all of the following information: (1)
i]Z ldgYh š>c gZ EVnbZci 8VgY >ciZgX]Vc\Z ;ZZ VcY BZgX]Vci 9^hXdjci 6ci^igjhi A^i^\Vi^dc!º ' ndjg full name, address, telephone number, and taxpayer identification number, (3) the merchant that wishes to be excluded from the Cash Settlement Class (Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class), and what position or authority you have to exclude the merchant, and (4) the business names, brand names, and addresses of any stores or sales locations whose sales the merchant desires to be excluded. Note: Oek YWddej X[ [nYbkZ[Z \hec j^[ Hkb[ 9^Wd][i I[jjb[c[dj 9bWii (Rule 23(b)(2) Settlement Class). š EX`[Yj je j^[ i[jjb[c[dj. The deadline to dW_ZXi ^h/ CWo (." (&')# Id aZVgc ]dl id dW_ZXi! hZZ/ lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb dg XVaa &"-%%"+'*"+))%# CdiZ/ >[ ndj ZmXajYZ ndjghZa[ [gdb i]Z 8Vh] HZiiaZbZci 8aVhh ndj XVccdi dW_ZXi to the terms of that portion of the settlement. ;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc VWdji i]ZhZ g^\]ih VcY dei^dch! k^h^i/ lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb#
IF
COURT APPROVES FINAL SETTLEMENT
THE
THE
Members of the Rule Changes Settlement Class are bound by the terms of this settlement. Members of the Cash Settlement Class, who do not exclude themselves by the deadline, are bound by the terms of this settlement whether or not they file a claim for payment. Members of both classes release all claims against all released parties listed in the Settlement Agreement. The settlement will resolve and release any claims by merchants against Visa, MasterCard or other defendants that were or could have been alleged in the lawsuit, including any claims based on interchange or other fees, no-surcharge rules, no-discounting rules, honor-all-cards rules and other rules. The settlement will also resolve any merchant claims based upon the future effect of any Visa or MasterCard rules, as of November 27, 2012 and not to be modified pursuant to the settlement, the modified rules provided for in the settlement, or any other rules substantially similar to any such rules. The releases will not bar claims involving certain specified standard commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. ;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc dc i]Z gZaZVhZ! hZZ i]Z hZiiaZbZci V\gZZbZci Vi/ lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb#
THE COURT HEARING ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT On September 12, 2013, there will be a Court hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement, class counsels’ requests for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and awards for the class representatives. The hearing will take place at: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York ''* 8VYbVc EaVoV Brooklyn, NY 11201 You do not have to go to the court hearing or hire an attorney. But you can if you want to, at your own cost. The Court has appointed the law firms of Robins, @VeaVc! B^aaZg 8^gZh^ AAE! 7Zg\Zg BdciV\jZ! E8! VcY GdWW^ch <ZaaZg GjYbVc 9dlY AAE id gZegZhZci i]Z 8aVhh š8aVhh 8djchZaº #
QUESTIONS? ;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc VWdji i]^h XVhZ In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you may: 8Vaa idaa"[gZZ/ &"-%%"+'*"+))% K^h^i/ lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb Write to the Class Administrator: EVnbZci 8VgY >ciZgX]Vc\Z ;ZZ HZiiaZbZci E#D# 7dm '*(% EdgiaVcY! DG .,'%-"'*(% :bV^a/ ^c[d5EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb EaZVhZ X]ZX` lll#EVnbZci8VgYHZiiaZbZci#Xdb [dg any updates relating to the settlement or the settlement approval process.
w w w. P a y m e n t C a r d S e t t l e m e n t . c o m s INFO 0AYMENT#ARD3ETTLEMENT COM
6 | The Jewish Press | February 8, 2013
Incredible Experiences in Israel by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, Center for Jewish Life Each year, many teens and young adults have the experience of a lifetime, traveling to Israel on a wide variety of programs. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is delighted to support these experiences through the Israel Experience Grant program. The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time gift from the Federation for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 25 for an approved Israel experience. The grant is available to anyone in the Omaha Jewish community who meets the following requirements: 1. The applicant must be a resident of the Omaha metro-
politan area 2. The applicant, or his/her family, is a donor in good standing to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 3. The applicant agrees to provide an article and pictures of the experience within one month of return to Omaha for publication in the Jewish Press 4. The applicant will participate in any required preparatory program Applying for an Israel Experience Grant is a simple onepage application. The applications are available on the Scholarships and Grants page of the Center for Jewish Life on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jew-
ishomaha.org. Applications may also be requested via email at scholarship@jewishomaha.org. Return completed applications to the Center for Jewish Life, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha NE 68154. Those in need of additional financial assistance can also apply for financial need-based scholarships. Scholarship applications are available as described in the previous paragraph. For additional information on all grant and scholarship programs, please call 402.334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. Max’s article was written by a teen who participated in programs in the summer of 2012 and was a recipient of an Israel Experience Grant.
A sense of pride Continued from page 1 hotel. We saw most of the old synagogues and arms around their neighbor and some were in beitei midrash. We also saw all the monutears. One day when the moshiach comes we will ments and had a chance to learn about the look back and think that this helped bring him. culture of the city by talking to some of the Learning and singing is not the whole summer people who lived there. though. We arguably did as much traveling as any Another trip we took, a staple of an other program. For example, one of the first hikes Israel trip, was Masada and Ein Gedi. We I went on during my trip was called Chatzatzon. It left the moshav at the early time of three in was rumored to be the longest and hardest hike of the morning. You would think that a the entire summer. We were going to be leaving bunch of high school students that can camp at 1:15 in the morning and would not be back barely wake up at seven would all be tired. until after 10 at night. It would reach temperatures In this case it was exactly the opposite. We of over 110 degrees, we would be climbing for at were ready to go. Not for the views, and least two hours, we would be rappelling down very not just to say we climbed Masada. We i on D i, sk akow ss, left, Even Gen ei W high cliffs and carrying at least eight liters of water were ready to see where our forefathers put vi . Tz ck r. la ei Po M d Max oshav Beit huda Gertler, an Ye on our backs. I decided right when they announced Max and his chaburah at m up a last stand against a larger and more , da pe Ze o rg, Ricard pel powerful force. Later that day we made a stop in Ein Gedi. where to sign up, I had no second thoughts. I got my Mozoroski, Yisroel Weissbe site. Since there was no one else, I vol- While resting in one of the many pools of cold water, a bag prepared and went to bed as soon as I could that unteered to carry one of the giant ropes. This is how I met thought occurred to me. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Leah, night. There was a problem, though. I could not sleep. An one of my really close friends, John. John stayed with me Rivka, Rachel, or Sarah, or many other people, could have even bigger problem occurred when I fell asleep because I for the whole time I was carrying the rope and made sure rested in the same spot. fell asleep at 12:45. One of the great parts about Kollel is the that I had water and was not dehydrated. When he saw that counselors, otherwise known as madrichim. So when I woke On the first free Shabbos that I had, I decided that I I was getting tired, he offered to carry the rope. The first would go to a shabbaton in Neve Daniel. During Shabbos, up late, my madrich made sure that I still got on the bus. When we started hiking at three in the morning it was time I turned him down -- the same with the second. After right before mincha, we took a tour of the town. It is not a already in the upper eighties. As we started climbing, our a few times though, I gave it to him and gave him water just big town, but, as it is one of the highest places in the area, guide pointed out a dark area and then a set of lights to us. like he did for me. we could see all the way from Yerushalayim to Tel Aviv. As Eventually, after all of the rappelling, climbing and walk- we were walking along, our guide, who also happened to be He said that the dark area was the Dead Sea and the lights were in Jordan. This was the first time that I really picked ing, we made it out of the canyon, and it only took us six- a rabbi at Kollel, asked us what we could see from the spot teen and a half hours. Coming out of the first hike of the we were standing. To this we answered many things, but up on how close together the once allies were. After two and a half hours when we reached the top we season, everyone made new friends and was ready for a eventually someone said “Yerushalayim!” We did not realwalked for another hour. As soon as the sun came up, we nap. Later this hike was renamed Chas V’shalom, or god ize where we were standing until the rabbi told us. We were had our teffilin on, ready to daven. Without a doubt, this forbid, because of how hot, long and hard it was. standing in the same spot that Avraham was standing when A few weeks in, we took a journey to the ancient city of he told his servants to take the donkey, and he and his son, was one of the most intense davenings in my life. I think this is because everyone was thankful that they did not die Tzfat. During our time there, we explored the city through Isaac, would go up the mountain. This was right before a scavenger hunt. It took us from the Arizal’s mikvah at the Avraham almost sacrificed Isaac. on the way up. After davening it was time to head towards the first rap- bottom of the staircase, all the way up to the top at our This summer truly was the best summer ever.
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February 8, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7
Remembering the March
On Sunday, Jan. 27, community members came together at the JCC theater to mark the 25th anniversary of the March on Washington to free Soviet Jews. Pictured clockwise from top left: Lydia Linde, left, Shirley Goldstein and Gloria Kaslow; Marina Sadofsky and Anna Yuz Mosenkis; Lucy Turetsky with her mother Svetlana Goldina; Leah Kosinovsky.
Temple spaghetti dinner by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer It is the end of an era as the Omaha Temple Youth Group prepares to host its final spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the current Temple Israel building on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. The dinner will be a bittersweet event for many, and OTYG is marking the occasion with a slideshow of photos from previous dinners. “We’re having a throwback theme this year,” said OTYG Special Projects Coordinator Maddie Jensen. “It’s kind of sad that this will be the last dinner at this building, because of all the great memories we all have, but we’re really excited to be moving to a new building.” As Temple Israel continues to plan its move into a new home at Sterling Ridge, certain items in the current building will not be making the trip from Cass Street, and OTYG will be auctioning off a variety of physical objects, including lobby benches, sanctuary pews, playground equipment and building signs. “One of the many things our youth do well is pull together as a team for big events,” said Youth Advisor Amy Katz. “They love the process as well as the outcome. They take great pride in their reputation in the region for such successful spaghetti dinners. We have to thank in large part the Temple Israel Community who generously donate,
attend and help cook the dinner and bid on auction items.” Other items to be auctioned include a professional photo shoot, parking spaces at the new building, a live DJ package from Complete Music, a new iPod and tickets to a Nebraska Cornhusker football game. OTYG promises a few surprise items up for auction as well. “A lot of local businesses have contributed a lot of great stuff,” said Jensen, a junior at Westside High School. The dinner costs $10 for adults and $4 for children ages six-12, with no charge for children five and under. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit both OTYG and Camp Rainbow, a summer camp for children with cancer and other blood-related diseases. “I think a lot of Judaism is helping others, tikkun olam [repairing the world],” Jensen said. “OTYG doesn’t get a budget from the synagogue, so some of the money helps OTYG plan programs for the coming year and send kids to conclaves around the country. Camp Rainbow is the one organization we always support. It’s a great camp where kids don’t have to worry about being different, they don’t have to worry about not having hair. It’s a place where they can just be kids and have fun.” RSVP by contacting Temple Israel at 402.556.6536 or RSVP@templeisraelom aha.com.
Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group to focus on self-reflection by JILL BELMONT It will be an opportuniBeth El Publicity ty to use some ‘selfBeth El’s Women’s awareness’ tools to reflect on who we are Rosh Hodesh Group and how others see us will welcome the - and how this influmonth of Adar with a ences our relationspecial get-together at ships. We will also the synagogue on examine how our valMonday, Feb. 11, 7 ues and sense of who p.m. The evening’s we are change over hosts, Marti RosenAtherton and Gloria time, at different stages Kaslow, will focus on Gloria Kaslow and Marti Rosen-Atherton of our lives.” the theme of self-reflection, addressing, All women in the Jewish community are “What Do I Know about Myself, Anyway?” welcome to participate. To RSVP, contact According to Rosen-Atherton, “The Rosen-Atherton at rosenath@ cox.net or evening will be a return to some of the ear- 402.391.3423, or Kaslow, hkaslow@cox.net lier Rosh Hodesh themes of self-reflection. or 402.391.3486.
Escape the cold
Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP
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should engage regularly with a variety of activities, such as bird watching, puzzles or word games, reading, looking at old photos, writing letters, scrapbooking, crocheting, taking walks, storytelling, playing cards and much more. Companion caregivers at Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) make a concentrated effort to facilitate higher spirits during the winter days, in addition to their usual day-to-day assistance around the house, which includes light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, scheduling and attending doctor appointments. The professionals at VNA are experts in caring for seniors and have been for more than a century. Whether you need assistance a few hours a day or 24/7, VNA Companion Care is there to make your life easier so you are able to remain at home with the highest level of independence possible. For information, call 402.342.5566 or visit www.thevnacares.org. Don’t let winter get you down – brighter and warmer days are ahead!
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8 | The Jewish Press | February 8, 2013
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
The writing on the wall
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Gerald Anthony Scarfe is famous for his illustrative work on Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Ever since that iconic performance, his career has been on solid ground; he’s worked as an artist and political cartoonist, and has done well for himself. Reputation included. Maybe he should have stayed away from the topic of walls since then. You can’t win them all, and sometimes it’s a good idea to quit while you’re ahead. On Jan. 27 of this year, the British paper Sunday Times published his drawing of Netanyahu building a wall on the bodies of Palestinians, using their blood as cement. The caption read: “Will cementing the peace continue?” To add insult to injury, Jan. 27 was International Holocaust Memorial Day, something of which Scarfe said he was not aware. The cartoon was meant as a response to the Israeli elections. “The drawing was a criticism of Netanyahu, and not of the Jewish people,” he said. “There was no slight whatsoever intended against them. I was, however, stupidly completely unaware that it would be printed on Holocaust Day, and I apologize for the very unfortunate timing.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews filed a complaint with the Independent Press Complaints Commission. Incoming Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens told the Jerusalem Post he would meet with leaders of the British Jewish community and made good on that promise. Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the Sunday Times, apologized as well, via Twitter: “Gerald Scarfe has never reflected the opinions of the Sunday Times. Nevertheless, we owe major apology for grotesque, offensive cartoon.” Before we make up our minds, I think we should ask the
question: What is the purpose of a political cartoon? It’s supposed to comment on political issues of the day, in a somewhat abrasive manner (but not too abrasive), it’s supposed to make us think. It’s designed to ruffle some feathers; in 1974, Scarfe famously drew a cartoon of resigning president Nixon, wiping his rear end with the American flag. In that sense, no one should be surprised when Scarfe doesn’t act like a boy scout. The Netanyahu cartoon did startle the public, and it did ruffle feathers. In that sense, it did its job. But Scarfe finds himself at the intersection of free speech and hate speech: cue the blood libel argument. Sure, the cartoon is aimed at Netanyahu and his policies, and so it is not necessary for every single Jew in the world to take it personally. Also, as much as we all love Israel and feel the need to defend it, simply being an Israeli politician does not make one immune to criticism. In that sense, cartoonists the world over can enjoy that free speech and criticize Netanyahu as they see fit. It’s the blood that makes this cartoon hard to stomach. I know, Scarfe’s favorite accent color is red; he uses blood in many of his illustrations. And I would not make the argument that he has to treat Jewish and Israeli issues with kid gloves; we are made of stronger stuff than that. Besides, having a healthy discussion about the peace process is not something many of us are afraid of. The issue I have with the cartoon is the pure crudeness of the imagery.
Blood that is spilled by a politician, in political cartoons, usually signifies innocence. Criticize Netanyahu’s policies all you want, but don’t act as if this is a one-way street. The problem is not that this is an attack on Jews the world over, and it is not like the blood libels of yore. No comparison with that nasty “Christian-blood-in-the-matzah-“ story. The problem is that the argument is one-sided. And that is something we are getting awfully familiar with: the idea that the only way to respond to the issues in the Middle East is by blaming big bad bully Israel for everything. I, personally, am getting incredibly tired of it. So tired, in fact, that I sometimes don’t even feel like listening anymore. Surely that is not what Scarfe had in mind when he drew that cartoon.
Passivity against racism leads to disaster
Behind the headlines MOSHE KANTOR BRUSSELS (JTA) -- One of the seminal slogans of the 20th century was the historic refrain “Never again!” This cry that rose from the ashes of the Holocaust was meant to ensure that there would be no repeat of the greatest tragedy in modern European history. The refrain rings hollow if it remains a theoretical verbiage utilized during speeches and ceremonies but lacking any real intent and action. In recent years, a seemingly long-dormant ideology returned to a semblance of power for the first time since the unconditional surrender of the German forces on May 8, 1945. For the first time in well over six decades, political parties that require members to be of “Aryan origin,” have full armed and open-fisted salutes, have logos distinctly resembling the swastika and call for a census of Jews are back in Europe. These elements are no longer consigned to the beer halls, isolated farm retreats or the margins of European political discourse. They are moving closer and closer to the mainstream. In fact, this newfound political confidence is reflected in the street, where more and more Jews are being physically and verbally attacked in the open. The Golden Dawn party in Greece, Jobbik in Hungary and Svoboda in Ukraine are just three examples of European political parties that have moved well beyond the historic far right and still unacceptable discourse of those like Le Pen’s National Front and the Freedom Party in Austria. We appear to be entering a new phase in European politi-
(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Phyllis Brown; Daniel Christensen; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinowitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma
cal history that has extremely worrying parallels with the past. Of course, many will argue that none of these parties currently have great power. But at what point will their power be too much? It's a question that all decision makers, opinion shapers and law enforcement agencies in Europe must ask. Not in a theoretical sense, but in a very real, practical sense. The Jewish people and other minorities who are in the direct line of fire from this maleficent hate have no doubts that this threshold already has passed, and it is having a practical effect on the streets. A recent survey found that 63 percent of Hungarians are willing to affirm their antiSemitism with no shame. On Sunday, the international community observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember the victims of the Holocaust and learn its lessons. A few days prior, I visited the seat of European governance, the European Parliament, which was the joint recipient of the recent Nobel Prize for Peace, along with other European Union institutions. Along with many others, I lauded the Nobel for the European Union’s commitment to peace and its success at unifying a continent that has known so much bloodshed. However, as Europeans, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and claim that a lack of war or conflict means that the European Union has succeeded in creating a harmonious and peaceful continent that can prevent future catastrophes. As the number of Holocaust survivors begins to dwindle, many are witnessing something that would have been unbelievable to them only a few short years ago: The new groups, rapidly increasing in popularity, are emulating and co-opting the policies and ideology of those who murdered their families and brought to them untold suffering. There are too many Europeans, especially those among its
leadership, who remember the death and destruction that follows the Nazi ideology, and we, as Europeans, should do everything we can to rid ourselves of this force that again tries to lay a dark shadow on our continent. We call on all figures in Europe -- media, cultural or academic -- to use their platforms to assist in the ridding of this disease. European politicians as a moral mass must adopt stricter legislation proscribing groups that promote hate, discrimination and racism from European political institutions. There must also be a demand for tougher enforcement and punishment, and the strengthening of education toward tolerance. Some eight decades ago, the National Socialist Movement caught many by surprise, and most did not fully comprehend or believe that it would be willing or able to fulfill its genocidal and destructive platform. Living with this dark history in our relatively recent lifetime, we have no similar excuses. We know what this ideology seeks, we know what this racist movement aspires to, and we cannot let it get a foothold again on our continent. Just as eight decades ago, the Nazi ideology was able to take advantage of a financial recession, so we face similar economic challenges. This is when we must be at our most vigilant. We must beat back the advances of this ideology -not for the victims of the past but for the possible victims in the future. If we do not, then “Never again!” will remain a hollow term utilized during speeches and ceremonies. As the prominent Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer said, “Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” Moshe Kantor is president of the European Jewish Congress and co-chairman of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation.
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February 8, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9
FSU governments must act against rising ultranationalism
Focus on issues MARK LEVIN and ANNA CHUKHNO WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Friends of Russia and Ukraine are worried. The Russian government’s recurring rhetoric about foreign meddling and fundamental differences between Russian and Western values is spurring nationalism. With Ukraine divided along linguistic and religious lines, many Ukrainians disillusioned by pervasive corruption and government ineptness are turning to nationalist ideology. The Ukrainian right-wing Svoboda party has found fertile ground campaigning on a platform that combines xenophobic, anti-Russian and anti-Semitic elements. On many occasions, Svoboda has called Jews and Russians enemies of the Ukrainian nation, opposed the annual pilgrimage of Breslov Chasidim to the grave of Rabbi Nachman in Uman and sought commemoration of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army that fought alongside the Nazis. When Igor Miroshnichensko, a member of the Ukrainian Legislature, publicly used the word “zhyd,” a derogatory term for a Jew, he sparked a wave of right-wing nationalism and anti-Semitism in the Ukrainian social media.
Beset by increasing authoritarianism, widespread corruption, nepotism and disrespect for the rule of law, many Ukrainians find in such ideology an appealing alternative to the government’s status quo. In Ukraine’s last parliamentary elections, Svoboda received more than 10 percent of the vote, up from less than 1 percent four years ago. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s administration has turned to nationalism and anti-Americanism to curtail domestic opposition. On Dec. 28, Putin approved a controversial law banning adoptions of Russian children by Americans. Severe laws criminalizing libel have been reinstated. Restrictive laws aimed at international NGOs label them agents of foreign governments. Last September, the U.S. Agency for International Development was forced out of the country. We find the recent developments alarming. Already the growing authoritarianism has sparked a new wave of potential emigration among the intelligentsia and business community. If this wave continues, it would be a sad loss to both countries, as these are the populations that also represent the countries’ greatest resource for economic growth, social stability and a democratic future. Faced with economic uncertainties, the search for national identity and fragile civil institutions, the popular anti-
Semitism that is always latent in these societies is now more visible and suddenly a possible threat to its Jewish populations. To counter this, the governments of Russia and Ukraine need to address real issues such as corruption, the weak rule of law and economic instability. Better mechanisms to confront extremists’ political messages need to be developed, and the governments’ condemnation of anti-Semitic sentiments and incitement to ethnic or racial hatred needs to be consistent and timely. Russia and Ukraine must embrace a nationalistic ideal that encourages inclusiveness and mutual respect, foster education about xenophobia and antiSemitism, and improve mechanisms of enforcing hate crime legislation. Inventing internal and external enemies for the sake of national unity has a notorious history and no place in a democratic society. Xenophobia, radical nationalism and anti-Semitism have never been the road to a stable, peaceful and legitimate society. They are the errors of the past. Mark Levin is the executive director and Anna Chukhno is a program assistant at the NCSJ: National Conference Supporting Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia.
polls, then the 13 would turn into 18. “When I said it, people laughed at me,” she says. While Lapid was traveling throughout the country, he learned just how disappointed the left-wing voters were with Livni and her decision to sit in the opposition without doing anything after winning 28 Knesset seats in 2009. He promised them that anyone that votes for him is really voting for someone who will not rest for a minute, whether in the coalition or the opposition. Lapid’s celebrity status (up until recently he was a television host) obviously helped him during his campaign. In the southern parts of the country, people came to his campaign events even if they were just looking for a night out. They heard him, and they ended up liking him. Common denominator But Lapid’s party, Yesh Atid, also got a boost from the many mistakes made by his political rivals, like Livni’s initiative to unite the center-left parties for example. According to one of Lapid’s associates, “though he is seen as a political rookie, he managed to gracefully get through two attempts at political spin at his expense: The first was Livni’s call for unity, at a time when the law no longer allowed it, and the second was Shelly Yachimovich’s call for an alternative government to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” Lapid rebuffed these attempts and declared that any coalition that Yachimovich would try to forge with Livni and the ultra-Orthodox parties to bypass Netanyahu would end up being the most extortionist government Israel has ever known. Now, Lapid and Netanyahu have exchanged messages through their emissaries, raising the possibility of the two joining forces in the next coalition. That exchange is ongoing. The key issue that the next government will have to address is the equality in sharing the burden (mandatory service, be it military or civilian, for all citizens). For Lapid, this issue is do or die. When Lapid outlined his plan for recruiting the ultra-Orthodox to the military he was harshly criticized by the social protest movement and the “suckers
encampment” protesters (a group of current and reserve soldiers who camped out in protest of military exemptions for the religious). In his plan, Lapid suggested granting the ultra-Orthodox full exemption from service, followed by the establishment of a civilian induction center that assigns civilian service within the ultra-Orthodox community to anyone whom the IDF did not want to recruit. The rest would continue to study in the yeshivot (religious schools). But Lapid rejected the criticism. “In our current situation, we are being screwed three times over,” he says. “Once when we exempted them from duty, once when we stuck them in yeshivot where they can’t go out and work, and once when the state has to foot the bill while they study.” It is not clear whether the ultra-Orthodox parties will fully agree to Lapid’s plan, but there is almost no doubt that they will agree to the first part: five more years of complete exemption. What happens after five years? That will no longer be the current government’s problem. What is more, in our amazing political arena, five years very often turn into 10 or more. The budding partnership between Lapid and Netanyahu will probably have to withstand some trying challenges in the coming years. Netanyahu is suspicious of Lapid. He needs him, but doesn’t want to be dependent on him. Lapid, as a rookie politician, may turn out to be a favorable partner, or, alternately, as someone who butts heads, like Shaul Mofaz and Yohanan Plesner did over the ultraOrthodox enlistment issue at one time. On the other hand, so far, Lapid has proven that he is capable of learning from other people’s mistakes. Perhaps he will remember how things ended up for Mofaz and Plesner (whose Kadima Party barely met the minimum threshold of votes and will enter the next Knesset with only two seats, as opposed to the 28 seats the party held prior to the election), and draw the necessary conclusions for his own conduct. This story first appeared in Israel Hayom and is distributed with the permission of that newspaper.
Is there a future?
Behind the headlines MATI TUCHFELD (JNS.org) It’s now clear that the polls were wrong: Yesh Atid (Hebrew for “there is a future”) party leader Yair Lapid took many votes away from Likud and dramatically eroded the ruling party’s presence in Israel’s next Knesset. But now comes the real test: Does he have staying power? Yair Lapid chose to spend the day after the big election celebrations at home with his family and his close friends. When he came out for the first time that day, at precisely 8 p.m., to greet the countless reporters and photographers waiting outside his house to hear him declare that he will not agree to be a part of an anti-Netanyahu bloc, Lapid looked happy and excited, as though he was still having trouble wrapping his head around his newfound status. Lapid officially began his political career more than a year ago. He was convinced that the government was about to collapse and that he needed to hurry to organize his entry into politics before reality caught him unprepared. But his preparation was premature. The government did not collapse. On the contrary -- it became even stronger several months later when Shaul Mofaz and his 28-seat strong Kadima Party joined the coalition. Likud feared Lapid’s entry into the political arena at the helm of the new Yesh Atid (Hebrew for “there is a future”) party, mainly because of his potential to transfer votes from the Right to the Left with the image of a centrist party. All the polls that came out throughout the campaign indicated a very clear-cut conclusion: Lapid won’t take a single vote away from the Right. In hindsight, it is now clear that the polls were wrong. Lapid took many votes away from Likud and dramatically eroded the ruling party’s presence in the next Knesset. It was important to Lapid to start at the beginning -- to establish a brand new party, from scratch, and make sure that it is populated by fresh faces. His rivals mocked him during his campaign for flaunting hollow slogans, for not having the necessary experience to address the hard issues or ideology behind the question that launched his campaign -- Where’s the money? -- and for directing his insipid campaign at the haters of the ultraOrthodox and middle class Tel Aviv residents. Lapid’s image did end up taking a hit. November’s Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza made his platform irrelevant. When Tzipi Livni announced the establishment of another center-left party, Hatnuah, Lapid took a major tumble, reaching a mere six seats in one of the polls. But Lapid kept at it. He repeated the same message with the same empty slogans, and it worked. The number of Knesset seats that the polls predicted for his party began climbing steadily until Election Day -- when he won 19 seats. Nili Reichman, Lapid’s media adviser, says that “the campaign went well because, contrary to common belief, he didn’t move from the top down, but rather quite the opposite. Lapid hosted events that started out with 30 people, and then grew to 150 people and ultimately reached 700 people. He combed the country, and during the course of all the meetings and conferences he realized that the issues that occupy the public’s minds are not the issues that the media talks about, but rather the cost of living, rent, etc.” Three weeks ago, Reichman claimed that if Lapid managed to cross the 12-seat threshold and get 13 seats in the
Koch’s final word on President Obama (we think) by AMI EDEN Until his recent death, Ed Koch was seen as something of a bellwether of where Jewish liberal-hawks stood on the question of whether Democrats were going soft in their support for Israel. Koch backed W. in 2004, then disappointed Jewish GOPers by endorsing Barack Obama four years later. Then Koch turned on Obama, endorsed the Republican candidate to replace Anthony Weiner in Congress, before saying the president had seen the light on Israel and endorsing him against Mitt Romney. But, wait! In case you missed it... Koch soured on Obama again, after his nomination of Chuck Hagel. Here’s what he told the Algemeiner a few weeks ago: “Frankly, I thought that there would come a time when he would renege on what he conveyed on his support of Israel.” So why did Koch decide to endorse Obama for reelection? “I did what I thought was warranted and intelligent,” he
said, “He was going to win! There was no question about it. I thought it would be helpful to have a Jewish voice there, being able to communicate.” The Mayor said he had no regrets, “it wouldn’t make any difference. The Jews were going to vote for him no matter what. And that’s the nature of the Jews. They are always very solicitous of everybody else except their own needs and community.” Meanwhile, President Obama made the following statement: Ed Koch was an extraordinary Mayor, irrepressible character, and quintessential New Yorker. He took office at a time when New York was in fiscal crisis, and helped his city achieve economic renewal, expand affordable housing, and extend opportunity to more of its people. In public office and beyond, his energy, force of personality, and commitment to causes ranging from civic issues to the security of the state of Israel always informed and enlivened the public discourse. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Ed’s loved ones, and to the city that survives him.
10 | The Jewish Press | February 8, 2013
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, call 712.323.8885. FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Bill Dreyfus, Disaster Action Team, Metro West Lead on Serving Others. The community is invited. Cantor Beth Schlossberg will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.
website, or by calling 402.493.8036. For more information about the evening, contact Shira Abraham, at shira. abraham@gmail.com, or Sonia Tipp, at stipp0811@yahoo. com, or 402.968.5519. Dames & Drinks, Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. All women of Beth El are invited. No charge to attend; babysitting provided free of charge with a reservation. For questions or to RSVP, Melissa Schop at melschop@hotmail.com. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat’s Cool, 10 a.m., for BESTT students in grades 3-7; Kiddush given by Beth El; Evening Service, 5:30 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables, 5:30 p.m. sign up for the spring OST session during our Havdalah kick-off. Light dinner will be served between Mincha and Ma’ariv services, followed by Havdalah. Registration is required for both first-time and veteran OST participants; deadline is Feb. 18. Send checks to the synagogue, attention, “Our Shabbat Tables,” or register online at www.bethel-omaha.org; PJ Havdalah, 5:45 p.m. Fun for children of all ages; dinner provided. No charge to attend, but reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact Eadie at 402.498.0904, or at etsabari@bethel-omaha.org. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Hamantaschen Bake-a-Palooza, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. All bakers from seventh grade and older are invited to bake for Purim festivities in the synagogue kitchen. Everyone who bakes gets to take home a half-dozen hamantaschen at no charge. For more information about the morning, contact Linda Fischer at ljlaz@aol.com, or at 402.996.0383; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; The Highly-Controversial Laws of the Torah, 10 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m., with Hazzan Krausman; Purim Makeover: Home Edition, 2 p.m. (see full story on page 4.) MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Tai Chi Class class, 6:30 p.m., led by certifed instructor Beth Staenberg; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m. (see full story on page 7.) WEDNESDAY: YAC Playgroup, 10:30 a.m., playtime in the JCC gym. For more information, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@yahoo.com. Dinner and Drash, Friday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., following Kabbalat Shabbat services; led by Hazzan Krausman. Cost: $12.50 per person. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or by contacting the synagogue office, or programming@ bethel-omaha.org. YAC Brix/Funny Bone Outing, Saturday, Feb. 16, Beth El’s Young Adult Committee will host a social evening for everyone in the 20s and 30s in the Jewish community (single and married), at Village Pointe. At 7:30 p.m., meet for drinks at Brix wine bar, and then head to The Funny Bone comedy club. Tickets for the show may be purchased at the club’s
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:32 p.m. Shabbat Dinner for Teens, following evening services. Please contact the synagogue office for dinner location. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 3:45 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Boys (ages 10 and up), 4:45 p.m.; Veshinantam, 5 p.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 6:34 p.m.; Kids’ Play Date at Bounce U, 13211 Chandler Rd. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; LEAP Limmud for Teens, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Gross; Children’s Purim Activity, 10:15 a.m.; Judaism 101: Living the Jewish Year, 5 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. TUESDAY: Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m; Med Center Chabura, 1 p.m. at UNMC; Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Gross.
CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch will follow. Receiving the Torah in our every day life. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. Please reserve by calling 402.330.1800. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. Call 402.417.2752 to reserve. THURSDAY: Call for women at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates. All programs are open to the entire community.
Candlelighting Friday, February 8, 5:32 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Cooper and Jackson Clark, sons of Kimara and Kevin Clark, will celebrate their B’nai Mitzvah; OTYG Pump it Up Party, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: MRJ/WRJ Hamentaschen Baking, 9 a.m.; Teacher Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Grade 2 Family Day, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Purim Rehearsal, noon; OTYG/JYG Spaghetti Dinner: Reelin’ in the Years, 5 p.m. (see full story on page 7.) WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6 p.m.; Temple Teen Night, 6 p.m.; Contemplative and Devotional Practices in Hinduism and Buddhism, 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Michele Desmarais, UNO Associate Professor of Religious Studies. THURSDAY: Articulate Architecture, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16. (see full story on page 4.)
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch; Kids Rule the Shul Services, 10:30-11:15 a.m. led by the Hamicksburg trio. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Torah Yoga with Barbara Barron, 10 a.m.; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 1-3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Board Meeting, 2 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.
Star City Kochavim
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
Bat Mitzvah Kathleen Kirshenbaum, daughter of Jenn Tompkins Kirshenbaum and Matt Kirshenbaum, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb, 16, at Temple Israel. Kathleen is a seventh-grade Honor Roll student at Buffett Middle School. She is a member of the All City Orchestra and a Duke University Tip Program participant. Her interests include being a member of the Buffett OPS champion swim team, being a Madricha at Temple Israel, and volleyball, piano and violin. For her mitzvah project, Kathleen volunteered at the Food Bank; she sorted food, stocked the agency store and packed donations in boxes for shipping. She also served meals at the Sienna Frances House. She has a sister, Laura, age 10. Grandparents are Kate and Tom Kirshenbaum, and Kathy and Bernie Tompkins. Great-grandparents are Joe Kirshenbaum and the late Audrey Kirshenbaum.
South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Youth Group Appreciation Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m., with oneg following hosted by Shannon and Michael Boekstal. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Mishpatim; Jewish Movie Night, 6-8 p.m. Havdalah service, dinner and the movie, An American Tail. For all ages. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Youth Lunch, 12:15 p.m. for grades 6-12 and their parents with Rabbi Lewis, Julie Sadofsky, and special guest, Beth Lipschutz, NFTY Regional Advisor; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 1-3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Board of Trustees, 2:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Star City Kochavim Rehearsal, 7 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #9 led by Rabbi Lewis. THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.
The Sunday after Shabbat Shirah, the South Street Temple’s Star City Kochavim performed a concert at Tifereth Israel. Their energetic and joyous music was wellreceived by members of both of Lincoln’s congregations. Here, lead Kochav Nathaniel McHargue plays clarinet while Eleanor Kirkland, Elaine Monnier, and Holly Heffelbower sing. Kochavim not pictured are: Steve Kaup, Scott Stanfield, and Don Glaser.
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February 8, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11
Four writers, one Torah
In memoriam BEATRICE “BETTY” ARONS
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Mishpatim In our Sidrah, Passover receives the most elementary treatment. Indeed, the three Pilgrimage Festivals are given, together, only three verses. In other passages, of course, the treatment of Passover and the other Holy Days is more extensive. This leads us to the question of the relationship of various Torah sections to each other. And here we have a major difference of opinion between tradition and the results of modern Biblical scholarship. The tradition is clear that the Torah is the work of Moses. A Midrashic comment on our Sidrah has it that Moses devoted his life to Torah, and it therefore carries his name. Further, the last verse, but one of the prophetic literature (Haftarah for Shabbat haGadol,) begins: “Remember the Torah of Moses my servant…” So much for tradition. Modern Biblical scholarship, on the other hand, sees our Torah as the work of at least four different writers, of different periods, with different interests, different emphases and even different “theologies.” And the four strands were marvelously woven together by a final editor or redactor, who gave us our Torah. The effect has been to produce a wonderful work, where the total is much more than the sum of its parts. A contemporary Jewish scholar has pointed out that we have a remarkable combination of viewpoints about the nature of God. Even the casual reader of the Bible notes that within the first chapters alone God is both the transcendent Creator of heaven and earth, and the God who speaks to Adam and Eve, personally and directly. He even prepares clothing for them. Later, we see Him carrying on a direct dialogue with Abraham and accepting criticisms from him. A similar difference exists in the image of God as a strict Judge on the one hand, and a God of Mercy, love and compassion on the other. The tension between these two has had a lasting effect on Jewish jurisprudence and Jewish ethics from ancient times to ours. This “documentary theory” of the origin of our Torah has helped us to understand the extraordinary beauty and power of the Torah. It has come to us as one work, our heritage forever. In the one Torah, it is not surprising for us to be told that the universal God of heaven and earth, Master of the universe, is nonetheless interested especially in His people Israel, and that each of us, each single individual, shares in His concern and His compassion.
Exhibit still open by HILLARY FLETCHER Communication Coordinator, Institute for Holocaust Education The Institute for Holocaust Education encourages the Jewish community to visit Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims and Survivors of World War II Strategic Air and Space Museum before it’s too late!
Beatrice “Betty” Arons passed away at age 94 on Jan 30, in Omaha. A celebration of life luncheon will be held on March 3 at Upstream Brewing Co., 17070 Wright Plaza (171st & West Center Road) from noon-2 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark; her parents, Helen & Zachary Dutky, brothers and sisters, Frances Riewerts, Samson Dutky, Louise Lincoln, Arthur Dutky, and Regina Marshall. She is survived by her cousin Leo Davidow, nieces and nephews: Connie Sheehan, Bitsy Elftman, Carolyn DutkyRomano, Steven Dutky, Virginia Lewis, Marsha Nipper, Sandy Brow, Paul Dutky, Howard Marshall, Meg Marshall, David Marshall, Joan Marshall, Jonathon Marshall, Mark Marshall, and many great nieces and nephews. Betty was born in Ithaca, NY and graduated from Cornell University where she met her husband Mark. They moved to New Orleans, LA where they lived for 48 years. Betty moved to Omaha in 2005 when she lost her house to Hurricane Katrina. Memorials may be made Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68134.
EDITH CHESEN Edith Chesen passed away on Feb. 2 at 98 years old. Services were held Feb. 4 at Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L Street. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60+ years, Louie E. Chesen. She is survived by four children: daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Gary Hawkins; and sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Vicki Chesen; Eli and Peggy Chesen of Lincoln; and Ed and Debbie Chesen of Golden Valley, MN; seven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was born and raised in Sioux City, IA. Edith and Louie lived out a love story. Special thanks to her dear friend Gloria Friedman. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
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REVA RUBENSTEIN Reva Rubenstein passed away Jan. 28 in Lenexa, KS. Services were Jan. 31 at B’nai Abraham/Fisher Farms and were officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham . She was preceded in death by husband, Jerry Rubenstein; parents Rose and Ben Gorelick; sister, Ida Herzoff, and brother, Charles Gorelick. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Allen Epstein and Susan and Vance Alfrey; grandchildren: Eric and Heather Alfrey, Amy Epstein and Joel and Lisa Epstein; three great-grandchildren; sister, Lorraine Passman and brother, Harry Gorelick.
Wellness Shabbat by JUDY ROSENFELD Join us this Shabbat, Feb. 9 at Beth Israel for a Wellness Shabbat - After Services Howie Halperin from the Wellness Council will speak on “Small Steps to Make Great Strides in Wellness” and Debbie Denenberg will speak “Its in our Hands” during a healthy Kiddush
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(402)885-0041 Now in its second year, Searching for Humanity continues to inspire, educate and provoke thoughtful conversation from visitors. This unique and moving exhibit asks its audience to consider the search for humanity during the Holocaust and to reflect on man’s obligation to humankind. Nationallyknown artist, Matthew Placzek, has created an affecting environment with photos, memorabilia, and testimony of Nebraska Holocaust survivors, soldiers, and those whose courageous actions liberated prisoners from concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Europe. Upon entering the exhibit, an emotional journey unfolds for visitors as the images chronicle remarkable personal experiences of confronting one of the most inhumane periods in our world’s history. Individuals and groups are welcome. Tours can be arranged by contacting IHE Education Coordinator, Donna Walter at dwalter@ihene.org. Hours and directions can be found on the museum website at www.strategicairandspace.com under permanent exhibit information.
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12 | The Jewish Press | February 8, 2013
Court decision on anti-Semitic tweets emboldens European activists by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ director of Meldpunt Discriminatie Internet, a watchdog BRUSSELS (JTA) -- Immediately after a French court on cyber hate. ordered Twitter to reveal details about users who had postSubsequently, Twitter agreed to block German users ed anti-Semitic messages, a proud Sacha Reingewirtz was from accessing the account of a banned neo-Nazi group in already spreading the word about a judgment he helped the first application of a company policy known as “counwin -- via Twitter. try-withheld content,” The New York Times reported. Within minutes of the Jan. 24 ruling, the vice president In Europe, anti-racism activists see the ruling as a failof the Union of French Jewish Students was firing off ure of such negotiations toward a modus vivendi that tweets with the details of the decision. The Grand Instance could bridge European hate-speech legislation and Court in Paris, responding to a complaint filed by the American constitutional protections. union and several other groups last year, gave Twitter 15 Others believe that imposing any domestic legislative days to hand over personal details of users suspected of limits on international online platforms is a step backward posting anti-Semitic tweets in violation of France’s restricfrom the freedom of information they enable. tive laws on hate speech. Paul da Silva, a French computer journalist, said the The court also imposed a $1,300 fine for every day that Paris ruling was “excessive” and would hide hate speech Members of the Union of French Jewish Students demonstrating in Twitter fails to comply and ordered the company to set up instead of addressing it. And Benjamin Bayart, president of Paris and carrying a sign that reads, “Jews murdered, republic a system that would flag illegal content for removal. the French Data Network -- a nonprofit promoting the Credit: UEJF endangered, 2012. The French ruling is the latest skirmish in the fight over online accessibility of academic research -- said French the extent of free speech protections in the digital age, jokes was indexed with the #unbonjuif hashtag. A similar prosecutors should “not hold the medium responsible for exposing the gap between Europe’s more restrictive post- phenomenon developed this month in Spanish with the the content.” Holocaust legislation on hate speech and the sweeping pro- hashtag #esdeJudios, or “just like Jews.” But European judges and legislators are more attentive to Twitter agreed to block access to the tweets only in France. European history and the lessons of the Holocaust, accordtections of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. It’s a rift that also runs through the Jewish world, with European It also refused to delete the tweets entirely, set up a flagging ing to Ronny Naftaniel, the executive vice chairperson of Jewish groups hailing the ruling as an important bulwark system or hand over details about those who were seen by CEJI, a Brussels-based Jewish organization promoting tolerUEJF as inciting hatred against Jews. The union and other ance through education. against hate. “Behind the anonymity that Twitter affords them, some groups filed a complaint with the Paris court on Oct. 23. “We have experienced what incitement can do and coun“Of the social networks, Twitter was the only one to reject tering it is part of our commitment to the concept of ‘Never users feel safe to air out hateful views which they would not disseminate under their own names,” said Esther Voet, that they bear any responsibility for content put on their again,’ “ Naftaniel said. deputy director of CIDI, a Dutch Jewish watchdog on anti- site,” said Mike Whine of the Community Security Trust, Nowhere are societies more open to both arguments than Semitism. “But Twitter is also a public space, subject to the British Jewry’s security unit. “You have to remember that the in Eastern Europe, according to Rafal Pankowski of the social networks were started 10 years ago by college kids, Polish group Never Again. Poland has resisted ratifying the same laws that apply on the street.” The Anti-Defamation League offered a more muted sometimes from their parents’ garages, who are only now Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, fearing the beginning to accept their social responsibilities. It’s a jour- censorship of online expression. response: “Whether the French court order can or should be enforced ney.” Pankowski argues that curbing online incitement is Last year, Whine attended talks in San Francisco between inevitable if the region’s young democracies are to retain in the United States gives rise to complicated issues of French legal interests versus American legal interests,” said Abraham social media companies and representatives of European their commitments to human rights and pluralism. Foxman, the ADL’s national director. “While the law may be anti-racism NGOs to discuss how social networks could “There are hardly any Jews in Poland, so populists can’t one tool in the fight against online hate, we believe that the address hate speech requirements in Europe. The last round even use them as scapegoats,” Pankowski said. “Yet there is of talks, which have not been made public, was held four anti-Semitism that is kept alive and being transmitted to best antidote to hate speech is counter-speech.” The French lawsuit centers on thousands of tweets organ- months ago at Stanford University. younger generations through social networks. Ideally this “The representatives of Twitter silently walked out when would be stopped through dialogue with the social media, ized under the hashtag #unbonjuif (“a good Jew”). Hashtags the time came to agree on something,” said Ronald Eissens, but they largely ignore our requests. So sometimes suing is are labels used to index tweets on a particular topic. In October, a competition of anti-Semitic and Holocaust co-founder of the Dutch anti-racism group Magenta and the only way.”
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