Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Creating a heart-to-heart
February 22, 2013 12 Adar 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 23
This Week
Lithuanian Holocaust heroine by LEONARD GREENSPOON Creighton University Omaha audiences will have two opportunities to hear author Julija Sukys describe her work in uncovering a little-known Holocaust heroine who repeatedly risked her life to help those trapped in Lithuania’s Vilna Ghetto during World War II.
The poetry of Leonard Cohen Page 3
Dr. Jim Newland, left, Dr. Catherine Eberle; UNMC medical students Suzanne Higgins, Matthew Pazderka, Joseph Marion, Yang Hu and Sara Schenk; Dr. Ruti Margalit, Course Director. Seated in front of the group is Blumkin Home resident Louise Abrahamson who acted as the RBJH Ambassador at the Feb. 1 event.
Incredible Experiences in Israel Pages 6 & 7
by OZZIE NOGG Students participating in an elective program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center called The Healer’s Art recently received small red felt hearts from Blumkin Home residents. “Last year, Dr. Ruti Margalit of UNMC came up with the idea to partner with the Blumkin Home to make the felt hearts,” said Maggie Conti, RBJH Activities Director. “The RBJH activity staff
produced over twenty hearts, each a little different to represent each student’s uniqueness. The first couple years of med school can be a struggle for students, and we hope the hearts will help them focus on their goal.” Conti explained that the hearts can be tucked inside students’ lab coat pockets “to always remind them of their mission to heal with compassion.” The Healer’s Art is a medical
school curriculum designed in 1991 by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., a pioneer in the mind/body holistic health movement and the first to recognize the role of the spirit in health and recovery from illness. Currently available at more than seventy medical schools world-wide, this is the second year the elective course has been offered at UNMC. Fourteen students and eight faculty Continued on page 2
Customer Service a campus priority In Uruguay, Jews are finding security and sandy beaches 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 SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Our One Campus, One Community initiative is well documented and well known across the community. Everyone is probably very familiar with the new business model and the many changes it implemented. What you may not know is that improving customer service quickly became a top priority. In his first year as CEO, Michael Silverman prioritized excellent customer service across all campus agencies and programs. Continually improving customer service became an important goal in the spring of 2011, and its ongoing implementation has paid off in countless ways. Whether making a phone call, arriving on campus for a class or special event, attending a fine arts program, working out at the JCC, or looking us up on the world wide web
Patty Nogg and Howard Epstein (r.) joined a recent customer service class (www.jewishomaha.org), Silverman believes, “Everyone deserves an outstanding experience each and every time they are on this campus.” Silverman relayed an especially heartfelt story at a Campaign meeting a few months after customer service training had begun. A longtime JCC member (from another city) was enjoying a workout here in Omaha when an issue arose that required assistance from our JCC staff. This particular JCC member found the staff person so helpful and accommodating that he phoned Silverman directly, relayed his experience and expressed his appreciation with a gift to the Federation.
Karen Gustafson, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, was an original Customer Service Initiative committee member and continues to lead the project. While attending an Annual AJFCA (Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies) meeting in Calgary, Canada, in 2011, Gustafson attended a session which presented Zingerman’s theories for delivering great customer service. Inspired, she returned to Omaha to recommend its training methods. In August, 2011, the Federation Board of Directors agreed and made a meaningful appropriation towards Continued on page 2
Julija Sukys Sukys will speak at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at The Bookworm (in Countryside Village), and at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the HixsonLied Auditorium in Creighton University’s Harper Center. Sukys’s research uncovered the story of Ona Simaité, a littleknown university librarian who entered the Vilna Ghetto for three years under the pretext of collecting unreturned library books. In reality, Simaité was bringing in medicine, food, and other forms of aid, then carrying out and hiding letters, manuscripts, and even children. Sukys painstakingly sifted through a collection of thousands of letters scattered in archives around the world. Fragment by fragment, she succeeded in painting a nuanced portrait of Simaité’s compelling and courageous life. Last year, the University of Nebraska Press published Sukys’s account in the book Epistolophilia: Writing the Life of Ona Simaité. Through this and her other writings, Sukys has become known as a passionate archival researcher and a writer whose work examines the facets of individual lives with a view to uncovering bigger truths. Creighton political science professor Terry Clark made this observation about Sukys: “She leverages both the talents of a historian and a creative writer to bring one of the ‘Righteous among the Nations’ back to life.” Julija Sukys’s visit to Omaha is coordinated by the Omaha Friends of Siauliai Committee (Omaha Sister Cities Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2013
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Can you hear me now? by KAREN GUSTAFSON their own existence.” An AAC is any device, system or Jewish Family Services Executive Director method that improves a person’s ability to communicate Actually, the more appropriate question may be “Can you effectively. Without augmentative communication strateunderstand me now?” A primary focus of the Yachad gies, people with speech disabilities do not have the tools Program is to make sure that needed to participate in the our members can communiworld around them and are often left in silence. cate their needs and wants in Some interesting facts on a way that enhances their selfcommunication disabilities, sufficiency, allowing them presented by the DynaVox more independence to comMayer-Johnson Company: municate with others in a manner that is understood by eight out of 1,000 people the recipient. Several of our worldwide cannot use speech members have a very sophisto communicate; 2-3 million ticated method of communipeople in the U.S. could benecating with their family that fit from speech generating has been developed over devices; but, only 5% of these DynaVox training with Mark Kazor and Jan McCarthy. time. Parents have become people have a speech device. adept at knowing what their child wants, as would any of us On Jan. 30 of this year, JFS/Yachad staff Jan McCarthy, with our own children. Yachad is trying to help our mem- Mark Kazor and I were trained to use and to program the bers take their language a step further by utilizing a pro- AAC device for individual use with our Yachad members. grammable communication device, called a DynaVox. It will Janette Bereuter, the DynaVox Sales Consultant for Eastern assist those we need to communicate with to convey their NE and Western, IA, spent two hours with us explaining true thoughts and feelings. how the device can supplement speech for those who may With a grant from the Jewish Federation of Omaha only need or wish to use it occasionally to help others in Foundation’s Special Donor-Advised Fund, JFS’s Yachad their world understand what most of us can explain with our Program was able to order this Augmentative and words. Alternative Communication Device (AAC) through the A special thank you to the JFO Foundation, DonorAmerican Speech and Hearing Association. The American Advised committee for awarding Yachad with this grant and Speech and Hearing Association states, “All persons, regard- for Marty and Iris Ricks for presenting this gift to Yachad, less of the extent or severity of their disabilities, have a basic on behalf of the Foundation, during their annual Hanukkah right to affect, thorough communication, the conditions of Party on Dec. 9 at Sarah Care.
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Continued from page 1 members participated. “The Healer’s Art is a highly innovative elective course that enables service-oriented medical students to preserve their sense of meaning and calling and bring their full humanity to their work,” Dr. Margalit explained. The curriculum utilizes contemplative studies, as well as creative arts and storytelling, to explore human dimensions of medicine rarely discussed in medical training. “This course reminds students to hold their hearts tenderly so they can hold someone else’s,” Margalit said. “That who they are is just as important as what they know.” According to Conti, Blumkin Home resident Louise Abrahamson acted as RBJH Ambassador to the course representatives: five UNMC first-year medical students and three attending faculty members. “Louise presented herself - and represented the Home -- so well. I was so touched by her regal nature and her warmth. She did an outstanding job.” The red felt heart gifts were given to Dr. Margalit and five of her first-year medical students -- Suzanne Higgins, Matthew Pazderka, Joseph Marion, Yang Hu and Sara Schenk -- at a February 1st tea at the RBJH. “When we arrived at the Blumkin Home, the residents were seated and Louise greeted us. She had warm opening words and then invited each student and faculty to tell a little about themselves and why they chose to go into medicine. Then Blumkin home residents were invited to share their experience with an exceptional physician.” According to Conti, “Ethel Grossman, age 101,
told a tender story of how kindness touched her life during a medical procedure, and several other residents also added their memories to the discussion.” Rabbi Myer S. Kripke, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday, took part in the presentation. “Rabbi Kripke spoke to us about our lineage as doctors and asked us to consider patients as whole beings – with physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs,” Margalit said. “And he emphasized the need to tend to the healer’s wellness if one is to be effective in healing others. He concluded by bestowing the ancient Hebrew priestly blessing upon us. Then Louise gave each of us the soft hearts. In this context, it was as if the residents were saying, ‘We are old and need your heart when you take care of us. We appreciate how much you invest in your studies and hope these hearts can remind you to bring your wholeness into the practice.’” After the presentation, Conti took the UNMC group on a tour of the RBJH and all received a small challah to take home. Margalit and the students later delivered the felt hearts to the Healing Arts class and shared the experience. “The students were moved by the gift they received, by Rabbi Kripke’s blessing, by Louise’s energy, high spirits and eloquent remarks, and by the beautiful facility and whole caring atmosphere of the Home,” Margalit reported. “Two students said they are considering focusing on geriatrics training in the future. We are all grateful to the Blumkin Home for their partnership and support of this project.”
Customer Service Continued from page 1 professional training, and “Zing Train” arrived soon after. A well-known offshoot of the famous Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan, “Zing Train” began when the deli’s loyal customers asked to copy its customer service philosophy. Almost thirty years later, Zingerman’s seminars in organizational change have been applied to thousands of organizations worldwide looking to improve relationships with its customers. The Federation’s initial investment has returned big dividends as the original employees trained by Zingermans have since trained dozens of other employees in every agency on campus. “Staff attending the Zingerman training then became ‘our’ customer service trainers. We wrote a training program which rolled out during 2012, focusing on training the entire campus staff,” said Gustafson. Joining Gustafson on the committee are: Kathy McGauvran (JCC), Josh Gurock (RBJH), Lindsey Kass (HR) and Jessica Gall (ADL). The committee continues to expand customer service learning opportunities and will focus in 2013 on new employee training and introducing additional topics to those trained in 2012. “We have an ambitious schedule for the New Year but we
will get it done. It illustrates the importance we place on our customers, the Jewish community of Omaha,” said Silverman. Upcoming sessions include quarterly new employee training in (January), April, July and October. In the spring, Silverman and Human Resource staff will train management on writing effective employee evaluations, and staff training on superior telephone etiquette occurs in the fall with the theory being, even in the electronic communication era, the need for outstanding telephone skills still exists.
Lithuanian Holocaust heroine Continued from page 1 Association), with financial support provided by the Journal of Baltic Studies, which is housed at Creighton University. Clark is editor of the journal; Sukys, who lives in Montreal, is the journal’s technical editor. Sukys’s presentation at Creighton, which will be followed by a reception, is co-sponsored by the University’s Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, the Department of English, the Department of History, the Women and Gender Studies Program, and the Journal of Baltic Studies.
February 22, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3
The poetry of Leonard Cohen by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Life Leonard Cohen the singer – perhaps you have listened to him. Bird on a Wire; Suzanne; Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye; So Long, Marianne – these are his. If they don’t strike a chord, perhaps you will recall the hauntingly passionate song that was covered by the Ben Hameytarim group at the JCC last year as part of their Yom HaAtzmaut tour – Hallejujah. There is no mistaking the Cohen voice, delivery, and style – described recently by a professional voice instructor as “recitativo accompagnato. It’s all about the words. Except for a small chorus, he’s telling us the story.” And of course this would be so. Before there was Cohen the singer, there was Cohen the stand-up comedian, novelist, and poet. He produced a significant volume of work from the early 1950s and into the 60s before focusing on singing – partially as a means of financial support. Beginning March 1 and continuing on each subsequent Friday throughout the month of March, Bob Goldberg will lead discussion sessions to investigate the early poetry of Leonard Cohen. The classes will be in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library from 11 a.m. - noon. Class fees are $36, reduced to $28 for those who are in good standing with their contribution to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Goldberg is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Outside of work, he is a reader of classics and poetry. He received his master’s degree in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Goldberg states that “Cohen’s work has brutal honesty, an incredible curiosity and openness for the world, with a strong connection to Judaism.” This
question, and discover.” Goldberg explained that this struggle and the irony of being connected yet not connected characterize much of Cohen’s work. At the age of 78, Cohen continues to draw large concert crowds. His 2013 tour will take him throughout the United States and Canada before journeying to Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark. His considerable talent for music and ability to craft lyrics have earned him his rightful
place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cohen’s work has stood the test of time and this class goes back to the roots of his art. To register for the class and make payment of $36/$28, contact Mark Kirchhoff at 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. The class is being presented through the Center for Jewish Life as part of its mission to bring imaginative, compelling, and meaningful Jewish experiences to the Jewish community.
ADL to hold Educator Breakfast
Leonard Cohen class will provide a sampling of Cohen’s work, which Goldberg further describes as “almost prayer-like.” The class will focus on Cohen’s earliest books of poetry, Let Us Compare Mythologies, The Spice-Box of Earth, and Flowers for Hitler. To help with the discussion, the class will incorporate Cohen’s music and videos of his reading his own works. Looking at the early stages of Cohen’s career is of particular interest to Goldberg. “These are Cohen’s first creative works. Among other things, they show his reverence for being a Jew, and the struggle he has in not always connecting with his religion. Cohen shows his deep drive to explore,
by LIZZY GILBERT Corporate & Community Development, Anti-Defamation League Education and law enforcement have not always been linked in the average person’s mind, but more and more, communities have realized the necessity for connections between these two institutions. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) works closely with both of these establishments to ensure respectful dialogue, appreciation of the need for respectful relations among diverse groups, and the development of concrete action plans for working within a highly pluralistic society. On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 a.m., ADL will hold the next installment of its Educator Breakfast Series. The focus will be Security and Education: Cultivating Community Partnerships. Nationally, ADL is the single largest nongovernmental provider of training to law enforcement. The 100-year-old organization serves as a resource for government and law enforcement on domestic terrorism and extremism, hate crimes, cyberhate, and community security. In addition,
the Plains States ADL, located in Omaha, serving Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, works in local schools to provide anti-bias and anti-bullying training to students, as well as parents, teachers, and administrators. With recent public scrutiny focusing on the roles and responsibilities of schools and safety, this Educator Breakfast will include a panel discussion featuring Alan Potash, Regional Director of the ADL; Todd Schmaderer, Omaha Police Chief; Thomas Metz, FBI Special Agent in Charge; a representative from the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office; and Brian Begley, Principal of Millard North High School. The event, which is free and open to the public, will allow the education community the opportunity to hear from local community leaders on the challenges and rewards of the unique relationship between schools and law enforcement. Advance registration is required in order to attend. Please visit http://adledbreakfast022013.eventbrite.com/ to register. You can also find information on ADL’s local Facebook page at www.facebook .com/ADLOmaha.
4 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2013
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Community Calendar FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Star Deli – Dairy Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Friedel Purim Talent Show, 1:30 p.m. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Megillah Reading, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Ice Cream Social & Pajama Party, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Purim Carnival, 11 a.m. at Beth El Purim Under the Sea, 3 p.m. at Chabad Purim Seuda, 5 p.m. at Beth Israel 92Y Inside Israel’s National Security with Chuck Freilich & Reuven Pedatzur, 7:15 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El YAC Playgroup, 10:30 a.m. at RBJH 4-session Tai Chi Class, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Forgotten Jews but Definitely Jewish, 7 p.m. Introduction to Judaism, 7 p.m. Beth Israel Monthly Women’s Dessert & Discussion, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Star Deli – Dinner Deli, 5:30 p.m. at RBJH BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board of Director’s Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Rabbi and Presidents Meeting, noon BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Federation Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. “Put God on Trial” OJC program, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Hinduism and Buddhism, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Grades K – 6 Omaha Youth Orchestra, 9:30 a.m. Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, 9:30 a.m. Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with Rabbi Brown, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Scholars Club for 4-6 graders, 3:30 p.m. at RBJH Hebrew 101, 6 p.m. JFS-Love and Logic Class, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Oh say Shalom to Shabbat & Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Congregational Dinner, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Scout Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, MARCH 3 AIPAC Policy Conference, 8 a.m. BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Passover Makeover: Home Edition with Shira Abraham, 2 p.m. at Beth El Friedel – Family Game Afternoon, 4 p.m. MONDAY, MARCH 4 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Introduction to Judaism, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Temple Teen Night, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Dilemmas of Faith, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MARCH 7 Kindergarten Round-up, 9:30 a.m. at Friedel Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with Rabbi Brown, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Kindergarten Round-up, 1:30 p.m. at Friedel Scholars Club for 4-6 graders, 3:30 p.m. at RBJH Hebrew 101, 6 p.m. Friedel-Speech Contest, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 8 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, MARCH 9 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Men’s Club Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Shabbat’s Cool & Lunch, 10 a.m. at Beth El Parent/Child Learning & Dinner, 5 p.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, MARCH 10 Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Meeting, 9:30 a.m. BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Dance Training Company Performance, 4 p.m. MONDAY, MARCH 11 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Introduction to Judaism, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, MARCH 12 Jewish Medical Ethics, noon at the Med Center BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board of Director’s Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El 92Y Joy Behar W/ Judy Gold, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 YAC Playgroup, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MARCH 14 Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Scholars Club for 4-6 graders, 3:30 p.m. at RBJH Friedel-Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 p.m. Hebrew 101, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 15 Scholars Club Shabbaton in Chicago thru March 17 Friedel-AM Parent Teacher Conferences NO SCHOOL Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Marc Shapiro, 7:13 p.m. in Beth Israel Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Benjamin Gampel, 7 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Marc Shapiro, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Scholar in Residence: Dr. Benjamin Gampel, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Youth Dance Party, 5:30 p.m. Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Benjamin Gampel, 7 p.m. at Beth El
SUNDAY, MARCH 17 BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Adult Ed Class, The Highly Controversial Laws of the Torah, 10 a.m. at Beth El 39 Forever Event, 10 a.m. Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Night Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, MARCH 18 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Friedel Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Introduction to Judaism, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, MARCH 19 The Ethics of Our Fathers, 2 p.m. at Remington Heights BBYO Night, 6 p.m. BESTT Talmud Torah Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 Rabbi and President Meeting, noon BESTT Talmud Torah Class, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Federation Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, MARCH 21 Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Scholars Club for 4-6 graders, 3:30 p.m. at RBJH Dames & Drinks, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, MARCH 22 Friedel School Seder, 10 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, MARCH 23 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel OTYG Lock-in, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, MARCH 24 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Program, noon at Temple Israel Chocolate Passover Seder, 2 p.m. MONDAY, MARCH 25 Friedel Spring Break begins Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, MARCH 26 JCC is closed for Passover Commununity second Seder, 6 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, MARCH 28 Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Scholars Club for 4-6 graders, 3:30 p.m. at RBJH FRIDAY, MARCH 29 Beth El YAC Playgroup, 10 a.m. at the Childrens Museum Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to you at Remington Heights, 3:30 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 30 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, MARCH 31 Temple Israel Stephen Center Breakfast, 9 a.m. Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El WRJ Meeting, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El
TUESDAY, MARCH 5 AIPAC Policy Conference, 8 a.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
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February 22, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 5
Meet Cantor Ellen Dreskin by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Temple Israel is hosting a special guest during its April First Friday weekend: Cantor Ellen Dreskin, an innovative leader in the Reform Judaism movement and the Coordinator of the new Cantorial Certification Program at the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at HUC-JIR in New York. Cantor Dreskin will be leading the Shabbat service Friday night before joining members of the congregation Saturday morning at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City for a twoday prayer workshop. “I enjoy worshiping and celebrating with new communities and helping communities discover ways in which Judaism can make a positive difference in their Cantor Ellen Dreskin lives, and thereby make a positive difference in the world,” Cantor Dreskin said. On Saturday, Cantor Dreskin, who is on the road once every six weeks with different congregations, will lead a morning service she calls, Worship with the Wires Exposed, a service “filled with explanations and inspiration, designed to give one spiritual tools for approaching meaningful worship in today’s world.”
After lunch, Cantor Dreskin will conduct an afternoon session entitled God Shopping, “an activity that invites participants to explore myriad Jewish ideas about God and clarify what they find most challenging, comforting, or relevant to their lives today.” Congregants will also have free time in the afternoon to simply enjoy the nature around them, whether they’d like to read a book outdoors or go on a hike with the clergy, before coming together again for dinner at 6:30 p.m., which will be followed by a Havdalah service filled with stories and songs. Cantor Dreskin will lead morning prayers at 8 a.m. Sunday for those who want to wake early. Breakfast will follow at 9 a.m. and from 10 a.m. to noon, Cantor Dreskin will teach A (very!) Brief Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, during which she will discuss Kabbalistic and Hasidic texts “designed to shed a small, mystical spotlight on creation, Torah, God and Jewish living for today.” The retreat, originally scheduled for two nights at the Lied Lodge, was changed to one so that more people could enjoy Cantor Dreskin at the First Friday service. Registration is open for those who would like to take part in this spiritual, relaxing weekend. The cost is $215 for a single-occupancy room and $260 per person for a double. This includes food, the room and speakers’ fees. To register, contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg at wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com. “I consider an experience successful if I am able to leave congregants with teachings, melodies, or insights that they can continue to grow with and explore on their own,” Cantor Dreskin said.
Lincoln Federation Annual Meeting by SARAH KELEN camp and activity scholarships. This year, the Federation The Jewish Federation of Lincoln hosted Liz Fine, the provided scholarships for ten children to attend Jewish Director of International Initiatives for the Joint camps, as well as supporting one young athlete’s participaDistribution Committee (JDC) at its annual meeting on Feb. tion in the Maccabi Games and helping to fund a young adult’s participation in a five3, 2013. Fine began by dismonth service program in cussing the teaching that kol Israel. Campaign Co-Chair Yisrael arevim zeh la zeh, all Sarah Kelen reported that the of Israel is responsible for one Campaign exceeded its another, which motivates the $88,000 goal for the year, and work of the JDC worldwide. that ten percent of the current Having heard the discussion of local needs that the Jewish 160 members have joined in Federation of Lincoln seeks to the past two years. address, Fine noted that the In addition to these reports basic safety net that we have on past Federation activities, in the United States is lacking Federation Vice-President in other parts of the world, so Art Zygielbaum also showed that the support of the North Lincoln Federation President Al Weiss, left, JDC Director of a video preview of the American Jews is critical to International Initiatives Liz Fine, and Campaign Co-Chair Australian play Hitler’s the survival of small and vul- Sarah Kelen are all smiles after a successful annual meeting. Daughter, which will be prenerable Jewish communities, like that in Cuba, or the lives of sented at the Lied Center in April. The Federation is a sponindividual Jews in need, like those in the Former Soviet sor of that play, which raises questions about whether atrocities can be left in the past, or what obligations they impose Union. The meeting also featured reports on local activities from on later generations. The play will be presented in a student the Lincoln Jewish Community School, which receives matinee, giving area teachers a vehicle for bringing these much of its operating budget from the Federation, to youth questions into the classroom.
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by DAVID STEIN The Jewish Committee on Scouting, an official committee of the local Mid-American Council of the Boy Scouts of America, is proud to honor all Boy and Girl Scouts who have earned their Jewish Emblems or Awards at a special Shabbat service Saturday, March 2, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Synagogue. These accomplishments echo a long and strong commitment that the Jewish community has had with Scouting for over 100 years. Several Jews were among the founding leadership of the Scouting movement. Scouting’s core values resonate with those of Judaism, instilling in all Scouts the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scout Law: “A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.” The Jewish Committee on Scouting serves to promote Scouting among Jewish youth and promotes Jewish values in Scouting through programs like the religious emblem and award program. Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts are encouraged to attend Scout Shabbat in uniform, and Scouts in uniform will receive a special Scout Shabbat patch to commemorate the event. Please be sure to email the Jewish Committee on Scouting at ojcscouting@gmail.com to confirm your participation in Scout Shabbat. All Jewish Scouts are invited to be part of the programs of the Jewish Committee on Scouting. The Committee will be holding a planning meeting at the Jewish Community
Center on March 10, at 1 p.m. in the Canteen. At this meeting, Scouts will work together to organize a community service project to benefit Jewish Family Services. If you would like to participate but cannot attend either of these events, please email your contact information to the Committee so that we can keep you informed of future Jewish Scouting events. For additional information about Jewish Scouting, please contact David and Julie Stein at djstein9@cox.net.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, Feb. 27, 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.
6 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2013
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Temple spaghetti dinner a big success by DAVID GOLBITZ by OTYG Co-Vice President of Membership Ariel Kohll, Temple Israel Staff Writer benches and pews that won’t be making the move to the new About 200 congregants came out to Temple Israel on a building, and the opportunity to babysit Rabbi Josh Brown’s blustery Sunday evening to support OTYG in its biggest whirling dervish of a daughter, Hannah. fundraising effort of the year, the annual spaghetti dinner The biggest draws of the auction were the first parking and auction. spaces at the new Sterling OTYG Special Projects Ridge building, which Coordinator Maddie were, predictably, heavily Jensen and her peers sought after. worked tirelessly to make The auction brought in sure the evening went about $15,000 according smoothly, and, despite a to Executive Director couple broken dishes and Dennis DePorte. spilled pasta, it did. “We raised the money “It went really well,� that we had hoped to,� said Jensen said. “I thought it Youth Advisor Amy Katz. was a big success. It all “We met our fundraiser went according to plan.� goals, which was to do betThe evening, Feb. 10, ter than last year.� began with a silent auction OTYG counts on the OTYG hosted one of their most successful spaghetti dinners and as attendees were able to money raised at the dinner auctions ever. walk the perimeter of the and auction to fund its Friedman Social Hall and bid on gift baskets that included programs and activities for the coming year, with a “signifiitems like gourmet coffee and chocolate, a professional cant portion� being donated to Camp Rainbow, a summer photo session, a sports camp and artwork. camp in Missouri for children with cancer and blood-relatDinner was then served by OTYG members, all of whom ed diseases, Katz said. were dressed in tuxedo T-shirts. “Anything that we don’t absolutely need, we donate to Jensen felt a deep sense of relief once the dinner portion Camp Rainbow,� Jensen said. of the evening was over, “because it was really stressful.� Katz, in her last year as Youth Advisor, beamed with pride After dinner she was able to kick back and relax with her at the work OTYG put into the evening. fellow OTYG members and watch Social Justice Committee “It was exactly what an advisor would hope for,� she said. Chair and amateur auctioneer Dan Gilbert solicit bids for “Maddie Jensen, as our special projects coordinator, did a the items donated by members and local businesses. great job leading her peers throughout this process. It’s so “When people raised their hands to bid, to sponsor rewarding to see kids take on a challenge like Maddie did, then OTYG, that was really special to see,� Jensen said. “I was so realize, ‘Oh my, it’s a lot of work,’ but made it happen anyway. glad everyone was supporting OTYG and Camp Rainbow.� “I was really proud of the kids,� Katz continued. “Really Items up for bid at the black-tie T-shirted affair included proud. It’s an amazingly cohesive group of kids. They get Nebraska Cornhusker tickets, portraits of the clergy drawn along so well.�
Incredible Experiences in Israel
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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 metropolitan 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, and,
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.jewishomaha.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. The following articles were written by teens who participated in programs in the summer of 2012, and each was a recipient of an Israel Experience Grant.
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by HANNAH MILLER This summer I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Israel on a BBYO Passport to Israel program. It was my first time traveling to Israel, and when we got on El Al in New York I had no idea what to expect. Our first look at Israel was in Jerusalem, walking through two thousand years of history while getting to know everyone else in the group. We climbed through Hezekiah’s underground water tunnels and visited the Western Wall and experienced the city. As the trip continued, there was time spent on the beach, hiking through places like the Nahal Kztiv and the Montfort Crusader castle. In the north, we had a cable car ride down to the ocean caves of Rosh Hanikra and learned the background of the caves. Then it was more hiking, rafting down the Jordan River and biking in the Golan. The group visited the Syrian border and learned about the Six Day War and the Yom
Kippur War. In Safed, we got the chance to meet an artist who made aliyah and used Kabbalah to inspire his work. He was very interesting and talented, and we were very impressed with his knowledge, presentation, and his artwork. In Tel Aviv, we had the chance to learn about Israeli life by meeting up with some Israeli teens who spent a day with us in Tel Aviv at the beach and then exploring the market. We also visited the Atlit Refugee Camp, which was a very shocking experience for us because many of us were not really aware how difficult it was for the Jews to come to Israel after World War II. One of my favorite parts of the trip was going to the Western Wall on Shabbat. It was a great experience to see what people did, and it was fun to dance and spend a really good Shabbat evening there. I had a great time in Israel and returned with memories and friends that I will have forever. I hope that I can go back sometime soon!
February 22, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7
Bonding over Bieber by JACK GILINSKY Over the summer of 2012, four of my closest friends and I went on a trip to Israel. When I first heard about this trip from my mom, I got really excited because I had never been to Israel before. Before the Journey, there was a group on Facebook that you could join and talk to the other kids who would be accompanying us on our trip to Israel. I thought it was a great idea. I really wanted to see who the other kids going on my trip were besides my four friends, Tyler, Josh, Emily and Mackenzie. I joined the Facebook group in early May. I Facebook chatted with most of them and friended everyone. This was one of the things that really got me excited to go on this trip. The day of departure was one of the most exciting days of my life (to that point). First of all, I had never been on a wide body plane, which I thought was pretty cool. Secondly, it was the day that we met up with the other twenty-five kids that were going to Israel. When we arrived at the JFK airport in New York, we finally met everyone, including two of our staff from America, Ben and Anna. From this point on I knew this trip was going to be fun. All of the kids seemed really nice, and I couldn’t wait to get better acquainted with them. When we boarded the plane, everyone was extremely excited because we all knew that in just twelve short hours, we’d be in the Holy Land. Once we landed in Tel Aviv, everyone was tired and jet lagged. After we picked up our luggage, we were introduced to the staff from Israel. The first person I met was Elyon, our head tour guide. The next person I met was Oleg, our bus driver. Oleg was a very peaceful man and seemed very nice. Oleg didn’t speak a word of English, but we all found our own little way of communicating with him. Our body guard was Uval. Uval was the
coolest body guard known to man. me and for many other people After we met everyone, we were off on my trip as well. I know this to ascend to one of the most because after we left the Wall we famous and beautiful cities in the all sat in a circle and talked about world, Jerusalem. This is where how we felt just coming from the Journey finally began. there and thinking about how The next day we navigated holy that place was. Although we through underground tunnels were all in the same place and did that were filled with water up to the same things, we all had a difour knees and were pitch black! ferent experience. We also conIt was the first real bonding At the W nected with Tommy Fellman and all with all the Omaha kids al experience with the whole group Lincoln, Senator Johanns. They were on ong with Bob Ev left, Senator Jo nen from hanns, and Tom on our journey. About halfway another trip. We took a quick picFellman. through tunnels, the girls started to sing a Wa l l . ture and caught up for a few minutes, variety of Justin Bieber songs and, of course, One of the things that I thought about but it was really nice. the most famous song in the world at the when I was standing up there was how many Overall, my trip to Israel couldn’t have time, Call Me Maybe. The boys realized we people have been up standing where all been better. Everyone got along, and the really couldn’t do anything about it so we these people and I were standing. It was guys were just awesome people to hang out just started singing along. This was definite- truly amazing. Just thinking about how holy with. The guides were the coolest guides ly one of the major bonding points in the a place the Wall is, combined with the events anyone could ask for and I will never forget trip because it was when the awkwardness of that occurred over thousands of years, gave them. This trip changed my life not only as a not knowing everyone finally broke. me a feeling there is something much bigger person, but as a Jew. I am very proud to be a Another great memory from Israel was than I can understand. I feel like I really con- Jew. I am so glad that I went on BBYO when we went to the Dead Sea. Although I nected with my Jewish religion while I was Passport: Journey 1. If I hadn’t, I definitely had a few minor cuts, it was still a really cool at the Wall. It was a very special moment for would not be the person I am today. experience. After the Dead Sea, we went to an active archeological excavation. We met this funny guy who had a very bad New York accent, yet he was an Israeli native and afternoon, kibitzing, enjoying a delicious by RUSS KAPLAN lived there all his life. We couldn’t figure it bagel, being with like-minded individuals, and Russ Kaplan Investments out. The day after digging, we went to the The Stock Market can be a ponderous mys- keep up-to-date on the Stock Market. He is an Red Sea and the Jordan River. We got to go tery to most of us. Yet, it does not have to be independent financial adviser with thirty snorkeling in the Red Sea and see some that way. Would you like to find out what is years of experience in the field. Russ always Mediterranean fish. When we got to the happening in the financial world, without hav- has current and interesting topics to discuss. Jordan River they had rafts ready for us. I ing to pay for the advice? Do you enjoy dis- He is happy to answer any of your financial was really excited because I love rafting. cussing the happenings in the world of invest- questions. Bagels and Finance is a discusThis was one of the most fun things in my ing? This can be done when you stop by Russ sion group open to the public. Be sure to opinion that we did. One of the most meanKaplan Investments, Inc. Bagels and check the dates on the Russ Kaplan ingful things that I have ever done in my life Finance, held monthly on Friday, at the Bagel Investments Facebook Page or call Russ at was in Jerusalem. Bin, at 3:30 pm. Enjoy a your late Friday 402.614.1321. We hope to see you there. Going to the Western Wall is very emotionally moving. You get to lay tefillin and PAID ADVERTISEMENT then you go and say prayers at the Western
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8 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2013
Point of view
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Girl power
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press In Israel, civil disobedience is alive and well; this month, not for the first time, a group of ten women were arrested for praying at the Western Wall. They did so covered in prayer shawls, something that is forbidden at the Kotel by Israeli law. Among them were Anat Hoffman, chairwoman of the Women of the Wall, and American Rabbi Susan Silverman, sister of comedian Sarah Silverman. “Hey auntie,” Sarah Silverman’s niece Hallel Abramowitz tweeted, “want a copy of my mug shot?” The mission statement of Women of the Wall reads: “As Women of the Wall, our central mission is to achieve the social and legal recognition of our right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectively and out loud at the Western Wall.” And so they try, month after month, ever since, during the first International Jewish Feminist Conference in Jerusalem, a group of 70 women held a prayer service at the Wall. Men as well as women screamed and physically assaulted them, and the organization Women of the Wall was formed shortly thereafter. “When the law and the society literally, publicly and deliberately silence women in prayer,” the website states, “it is a violation of civil rights, human rights and religious freedoms.” (Womenofthewall.org) From an American perspective, it is very easy to criticize allowing the religious convictions of some to dictate the law for all. In America, we claim to believe in the separation of religion and politics. The Founding Fathers were smart enough to realize that deeply held religious convictions can make ruling much messier than it needs to be, and therefore set the stage: freedom of religion has to be upheld for everybody. It cannot dictate the law. That sounds really nice, doesn’t it? Of course, it doesn’t
work that way in the real world. It’s a utopian ideal that only functions perfectly on paper. Reproductive rights, prayer in public school, and LGBT equality are all discussed within a very religious context. If you don’t think so, where were you during the last election cycle?
Is it realistic to expect a complete separation of church and state? Doesn’t it seem more logical that when people become truly passionate about their political convictions, those convictions are often fed by their faith, whatever that faith looks like? Is it possible that the Women of the Wall and their
opponents are no more religiously motivated than Americans who debate gay marriage or abortion rights, on either side of the issues? Maybe. We all think we are right. But, at the end of the day, this is really a question of religious rights vs. civil rights. A discrepancy between what we believe in the privacy of our own home, and the law of the land. And when those two are in conflict, who wins? If there is a perfect answer to this conundrum, I certainly don’t know what it is. I don’t see a problem with women wearing prayer shawls; it’s 2013 and we should be beyond telling women what they can and cannot do. However, you who read this might think it’s entirely inappropriate, and that’s your right. I think Roe vs. Wade is a done deal and we should move on; you might want to see it repealed. I will never allow a gun in my house; you may own several. And so on and so forth. The ability to disagree on fundamental issues is, in and of itself, a freedom. And as long as we don’t abuse that freedom (you will agree not to spit on me and I won’t call you names) we can have a healthy debate and actually make the world a more livable and humane place. We do not need to share each other’s point of view in order to respect it. I know that’s a tall order; I am not that naïve. But we can’t give up just because something is difficult. In fact, it means we all have to work harder. That also means: if your religious convictions cause you to start any sentence with “Women should not be allowed to…” you need to think again. We’ll never have that healthy debate if we keep treating women as a homogenous blob that needs to be told what to do; the freedom to practice your beliefs in peace does not include denying others that same freedom. Demanding respect comes with the responsibility to give respect.
Moving to Israel as a Christian Zionist
Behind the headlines MAGGY VETTERLING (JNS.org) Why Israel? My husband Kurt and I, as Christian Zionists, have constantly gotten that question since we moved to the Jewish state. We met in 2008 at a pro-Israel event hosted by the church where he was a pastor. At the time, I worked in Israel advocacy and was one of two Christians in an otherwise entirely Jewish office. I had been sent to network with the church that evening, so I suppose you could say it was a success, as we were married two years later. Growing up, I was always drawn to learning about Judaism and the importance of strong Jewish-Christian relations, to the point of making it my major in college. Learning about Israel was as much a passion of mine as was writing or cooking; it simply drew me in. Kurt was taught by his church to love Israel, but visited for the first time in 2010 and realized, on his own, how truly important it was. Then came our proverbial “bend in the road,” our lifechanging event. It was April 14, 2012, the day we called our boss to say that we were quitting our jobs and moving to Israel. We made the call when we were out taking our dog, Lucy, for a walk. It was an epic, life-changing phone call, so naturally it dropped three times. I sat on the sidewalk, Lucy sat in someone’s yard, and Kurt walked around with his cell phone high in the air. Looking back, I suppose it’s a good thing we’re not superstitious. Despite our prior knowledge about and affinity for the Jewish state, no one on the Internet had put up a step-bystep guide on how to quit your job, sell your home and move
(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
to the Middle East. I know, because I looked. Although, if there were, it would probably suggest having a job or a place to live once you arrived. We didn’t even have someone to pick us up at the airport. After all, we aren’t Jewish. Leading up to our move, we felt like our lives were being called in a different direction, literally, about 7,000 miles east. The idea of traveling to Israel with no promise of landing on our feet conflicted with my upbringing as a banker’s daughter who valued logic and stability. It did not, however, conflict with our faith. We believed we were being led out of our jobs and our stable lifestyle to something a bit more risky, but substantially more fulfilling. At the time, it seemed to many that we had foregone any sense of wisdom, but we disagreed. The wisest choice does not always look like the best one. Besides, the worse-case scenario was that we would spend three months in one of our favorite places in the world and would not have to live with the “What if?” Within one month we had sold our home. In fact, it took us longer to stage it than to sell it. We eased out of our jobs, sold our SUV, boxed up our belongings and somehow convinced my in-laws to keep Lucy, despite the protests of their small lap dog. My husband and I arrived in Tel Aviv on July 27, just a few hours before Shabbat descended. Exhausted and admittedly nervous, we hauled our duffel bags out of the airport and took a sherut (shared taxi) to Jerusalem. I remember sitting in the last seat of the van and looking out the window, watching the landscape go by and desperately hoping that we had made the right decision. Two weeks later, once we had settled into a place to stay, we began visiting various organizations. Perhaps, if we pushed on doors, then the right one would open. We were determined,
however, not be another Zionist couple on a mission to the “Holy Land” with a twinkle in their eyes and a Bible under their arms. In fact, we happen to firmly believe that more Christians should understand modern Judaism. Not just because “God blesses those that bless Israel,” but instead because as logical, educated individuals, my husband and I stand with Israel. We believe in Israel and the Jewish people. We began attending a local congregation and suddenly felt as though we had known this community all our lives. Here were people who loved Israel, who sold their homes and left their stable salaries to work, volunteer or simply visit the country we loved so much. They too felt honored to be amongst a chosen people and dared to pursue a life they loved. As it turned out, in a few months my husband was offered a position at our (now local) congregation. We would not (do not) make a salary, but rely fully on the monetary support of individuals who similarly love Israel and the Jewish people and understand our desire to live in the Jewish state. Our Israeli friends seem amazed that others would support us to live here. It’s an honor we don’t take lightly to show them that Zionism still exists, and not only among the Jews. Convictions and faith aside, we simply believe in living life to the fullest and allowing God to direct our steps. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway,” so we did. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Maggy Vetterling grew up in New England and moved to Colorado when she and her husband, Kurt, were married in 2010. She is the writer and editor for their congregation in Jerusalem, and chronicles their new life in Israel on her blog (http://www/maggylivingtall.blogspot.com).
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material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content
sonal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
February 22, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9
Letter
Obama’s big choice in Israel: To engage or not to engage for peace
Focus on issues ALAN ELSNER President Obama’s decision to visit the Middle East this spring has focused new attention on how hard he intends to work and how much time and political capital he might expend on trying to bring about peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Obama can expect to receive a warm welcome both in Jerusalem and Ramallah, despite rocky personal relationships with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The ceremonial aspects of both visits are important in terms of winning over Israeli and Palestinian public opinion to the President’s agenda. But Obama faces a choice: he could make speeches in both cities, lay wreaths at appropriate sites and leave with a warm feeling – or he could use the trip to kick start a sustained, concentrated, focused and determined push to finally end this conflict. It is essential that President Obama take the second, tougher option. It’s a high risk choice with no guarantee of success – but failure to act could be disastrous not only for the region but for US national security interests as well. We could get a clue about Obama’s intentions from his recent State of the Union address. Israeli-Palestinian peace may have only gotten one or two sentence mention – but even a few words can have enormous significance depending on whether the President sticks to well-known bromides or whether he says something slightly more specific. The probability that a new, more centrist Israeli government will be in place by the time of the visit provides an opening for US diplomacy that has not existed for the past three years. With Obama having won the last election of his life and now relatively immune to right-wing groups that reflexively oppose almost everything he does, now is the time to move forward.
TO THE EDITOR
To give this visit real significance, Obama should signal that the visit marks the start of what is certain to be a tough process that may take all four years of his second term with the aim of reaching a peace deal based on a two-state solution. He should also pledge his continued personal involvement to help the parties reach that goal. Experience has taught us that only US leadership and mediation can bridge the gaps between the parties. Both the Israelis and Palestinians now seem locked in psychological patterns in which they discount the views and claims of the other side as unreasonable. Each side has its own narrative, proclaims its own historic and legalistic rights and dismisses the claims of the other side as illegitimate. That kind of debate will never bring peace. The trick for Obama and for Secretary of State Kerry will be to bring both sides to a realization that this negotiation is not about proving which of them is more right and which is more wrong (or wronged) but in reaching a compromise to benefit both peoples. It’s not about what each side may have to sacrifice but about what they stand to gain. If Obama fails to take advantage of the moment, the door on a two-state solution may close forever. Then, Israelis and Palestinians will be locked in an endless conflict and the United States will have to deal with a festering sore in the center of the Middle East that will never heal. The President seems aware of the challenge and ready to meet it. If he succeeds, it would stand as a towering historic achievement and legacy that would benefit not only Israelis and Palestinians but all of humankind. Elsner is a former State Department and chief political correspondent for Reuters covering everything from the end of the Cold War to the collapse of the Soviet Union. As chief political correspondent, Elsner led coverage of the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections, and served as the agency’s chief writer on Sept.11, 2001. Prior to joining J Street, Elsner served two years as the executive director and director of communications for The Israel Project.
Dear Editor: I am writing to congratulate Carol Katzman for helping us to understand Chuck Hagel’s true feelings about Jews and Israel. Hagel may not be an anti-Semite, but he sure sounds like one. He may not hate Israel, but he sure sounds like he does. I believe he is unqualified to be Secretary of Defense. I also believe that he was picked by Obama because their views about Israel coincide and they both fail to recognize the dangers of radical Islam. Sincerely, Maynard Telpner
All Together Now
Israel and the U.S. by RON KAMPEAS (JTA) Bill Kristol on Fox News Sunday berated Barack Obama for... talking to Benjamin Netanyahu. Not just for talking to Netanyahu, but for being solicitious toward him. Kristol accuses Obama of “checking out” Sept. 11, the day of the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi: So basically, the president seems to have checked out. He spent an hour that evening on the phone with the Israeli prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu, because there has been that flap about Israel at the Democratic Convention the week before, and I think he wanted for political reasons to show that he was
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in touch with the Israelis. They did a readout of that call, the National Security Council spokesman did. So they're busy talking to the Israeli prime minister, doing the readout of the call for the press, and he is not talking to Panetta and, insofar as we -- and Donilon, apparently, is not talking to Panetta. And it is really, I think, a dereliction of duty on the part of the president and his senior staff, and I think they should be asked about it. So wait, what was the point of that extended preelection ad by Kristol's Emergency Committee for Israel about Obama not making time for... Israel? And Netanyahu?
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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, March 8: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Nancy Wolf, Community volunteer on Ikebana-Friendship through Flowers. The community is invited. Cantor Beth Schlossberg will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.
BETH EL 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.; Kiddush given by Beth El; Evening Service, 5:45 p.m.; Festive Purim congregational Megillah reading at 6:45 p.m., followed by appetizer/dessert reception. WEEKdAy SErVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SuNdAy: Torah Study Group will not meet this week; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m., with Hazzan Krausman; USY Purim Carnival, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. MoNdAy: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; YAC Playgroup, 10:30 a.m. Dress up for Purim and join the costume parade at the Blumkin Home. For more information, contact Caryn Scheer at carynscheer@yahoo.com; Tai Chi Class class 6:30 p.m., taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Beth Staenberg. This is a four week session. Cost is $12 for Beth El members, $18 for non-members. RSVP to programming@bethel-omaha. org, and send your check to the synagogue. Tot Shabbat/Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. Cost: Beth El members, $5; non-members, $7.50. No charge for children six and younger. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact programming@bethel-omaha.org. Scout Shabbat, Saturday, March 2, 9:30 a.m. Third/Fourth Grade Wedding, Sunday, March 3, 11:30 a.m., BESTT students will participate in a fun-filled mock wedding and share with guests what they’ve learned about Jewish wedding rituals. Reception follows. All are welcome to attend. Passover Makeover, Home Edition, Sunday, March 3, 2 p.m., join Shira Abraham at her home as she shares tips and tricks on how to stay organized for the holiday, and explore new traditions to add to your week of Passover. No charge to attend, but please RSVP to shira.abraham@gmail.com. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Please contact the synagogue for office hours. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FrIdAy: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:49 p.m. 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 in honor of the Bat Mitzvah
Bat Mitzvah Raelyn Rose Cherry (Rachael Miriam), daughter of Kimberlee and Michael Cherry, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Beth Israel. Raelyn is a sixth-grader at Friedel Jewish Academy. She has received trophies for dance, baton, piano and modeling. Her interests include playing piano, singing, dance and baton. For her mitzvah project, Raelyn will be participating in the Women’s Megillah reading on Feb. 24. She has also been doing a food drive for a challenged adult home in Omaha call “G-ds Will.”. She has two sisters, Alyysa and Robyn, and a brother, Troy. Grandparents are Mary Ellen Riley, Hugh Bolt, and Deborah Platt.
of Raelyn Cherry by her parents, Kimberlee and Michael Cherry; The Laws of Shabbat, 4 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Boys (ages 10 and up), 5 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 6:50 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m.; Megillah Reading, 7:30 p.m., followed by ice cream social and pajama party; Late Megillah Reading, 9 p.m. SuNdAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Megillah Reading, 9:30 a.m.; Women’s Megillah Reading, 10 a.m.; Megillah Reading at Remington Heights, 2:40 p.m. and open to the community; Megillah Reading, 4:30 p.m.; Seuda and Costume Contest, 5 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. WEEKdAyS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MoNdAy: Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m.; Teens 4 Israel Latte & Learning, 7:30 p.m. at Starbucks, 114th & Dodge. TuESdAy: Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m. WEdNESdAy: Omaha Jewish Connections for high school students, “Putting God on Trial,” 6 p.m. at Beth El; 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; Megillah Reading and light refreshments, 7:15 p.m. Come in costume! Reserve by contacting Devorah at 402.330.1800. SuNdAy: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m.; Purim Under the Sea Party, 4 p.m. for the entire family. RSVP at ochabad.com/purim or call 402.330.1800. 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 402.330.1800 to reserve. ThurSdAy: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN 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: Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennifer, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m., featuring the Star City Kochavim, with the confirmation class from Heritage Presbyterian Church as guests and oneg following hosted by Nathaniel McHargue and Steve Kaup. SATurdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Tetzaveh. SuNdAy: Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 9 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gan through Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple for Purim Baskets; Purim Seudah for all ages, 12:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel for lunch and hamantaschen; Purim Take Broadway - Purim Spiel, 1 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. TuESdAy: E.N Forum, True Islam: Human Rights, Faith, and Women, 7 p.m. with Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Laureate at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
Candlelighting Friday, February 22, 5:49 p.m.
WEdNESdAy: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ThurSdAy: Star City Kochavim Rehearsal, 7 p.m.; Henry Ford’s War Against Jewis and the Legal Battle Against Hate Speech, 7 p.m. with Vicki Woeste, American Bar Association, Bessey Hall on the UN-L campus. AdulT EduCATIoN TuESdAy, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #10 led by Rabbi Lewis. ThurSdAyS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m. and Advanced Hebrew, 7 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 Renee and Mark Kazor. 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 Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet. SATurdAy: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Benjamin raffel, son of Wendy and Adam Raffel, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SuNdAy: Teachers Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Purim Spiel, 11 a.m.; Purim Carnival, noon. WEdNESdAy: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 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. First Friday Shabbat, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m. followed by a Congregational Dinner at no charge, but reservations are required for dinner contact Lachisha, lsherrod@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536. Tot Shabbat, Friday, March 1, 6 p.m. followed by a Congregational Dinner at no charge, but reservations are required for dinner contact Lachisha, lsherrod@templeisraelomaha.com or 402-556-6536.
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: Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennifer, 6 p.m.; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATurdAy: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch; Gala Congregational Purim Celebration, evening, at the Coren home, 3417 Hanson Court. People of all ages welcome. SuNdAy: Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 9 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gan through Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple for Purim Baskets; Purim Seudah for all ages, 12:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel for lunch and hamantaschen; Purim Take Broadway - Purim Spiel, 1 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. WEdNESdAy: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m.
Tifereth Israel to celebrate Centennial by BRENDA F. INGRAHAM President of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Lincoln The members and friends of Lincoln’s Tifereth Israel Synagogue will be smiling and dancing on Sunday afternoon, March 3 at 3 p.m. when Dr. Marina Fabrikant and Friends perform a 'Concert of Traditional Jewish Music' for piano, cello, and clarinet. This special event, one in a series to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Tifereth Israel, will feature the music of Mendelssohn,
Schoenberg, Gershwin, and Bruch, along with a medley of traditional Yiddish folk melodies, and climaxing in rousing klezmer favorites. The afternoon is part of the synagogue's TI@100 series, which will also include an illustrated lecture by Prof. Oliver Pollak of UNO on April 21, and topped off with a gala synagogue Homecoming weekend in early August. Tifereth Israel is proud to have represented Conservative Jewry in Lincoln for over 100 years.
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February 22, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11
How to worship
In memoriam ABE J. BUCKSNER
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha T’tzaveh Our Sidrah and its Haftarah testify to the profound change that was taking place in ancient Israel. The first and second Temples assumed that worship of God was by the offering of animal life on the altar. We are not to be surprised by this. It was so understood by many peoples and many religions in the ancient world. The sustenance represented in these sacrifices was not wasted; only the parts not suitable for human consumption were burnt on the altar. The flesh was given to the Kohanim, who distributed it among the people, either for pay or free. Even people as instinctively joyous in beauty, like the Greeks and Romans, accepted the idea of sacrifice on an altar. It is a profound change from worship on the altar to worship in the synagogue. Worship in the synagogue was through prayer and hymn, through readings from the bible, and new writing that came from the worshipers. The worshiper’s dedication to God came from heartfelt prayer, and from minds concentrated on man’s dependence on God. It was God who provided man with food, clothing, and the inspiration to see the world with clear eyes. God inspired submissive hearts to offer thanks for a world where humanity can find not only food for the body, but also for the mind and soul. All these elements may have been present in Temple worship, but they came to the forefront in the synagogue. The synagogue in ancient Judaism was not only the ancestor of the modern synagogue, but also profoundly affected the worship of Muslims and Christians. Thus, history has affected not only physical humanity, buts its mental, moral and spiritual being as well
The Megillah takes Broadway by SARAH KELEN Following a Purim seudah (festive meal) at 12:15, Lincoln’s Jewish community presents The Megillah Takes Broadway at 1 p.m. on Feb. 24, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The cast includes adults and children from both of Lincoln’s Jewish congregations: the South Street Temple and Congregation Tifereth Israel. Judith Hart (formerly of the Angels Theatre Company) is the director. The Megillah Takes Broadway features parodies of songs from Oliver, Les Miserables, Fiddler, Damn Yankees, Pal Joey, Guys and Dolls, Chorus Line, Music Man, Pajama Game, Pirates of Penzance, and other Broadway hits, plus several musical groaners. The South Street Temple’s Rabbi Craig Lewis will be the most beautiful cross-dressed rabbi on the stage in his role as one of the beauty pageant contestants in Ahasuerus’s search for a new queen. Audience members are invited to come in costume and to participate with graggers and cheers. In the final scene, children from the audience will help the kids from the cast chase and catch Haman. Both the lunch and the performance are free. Those who plan to attend the lunch are asked to RSVP to either congregational office to help with planning, although reservations are not required.
Abe J. Bucksner passed away on Feb. 16 in Overland Park, KS. Services were held on Feb. 19 at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetary Chapel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Bucksner. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, David and Heather Bucksner, and Brian and Nanci Bucksner; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren Abe served his country in World War II, spent more than 40 years in the auto parts business, was Chairman of the Board of Park Lane Medical Center, active in the Democratic Party and a proponent of liberal causes. Memorials: may be made to the Democratic Party or any charity that supports social justice issues.
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Florence C. Davis passed away on Feb. 16 at the age of 90. Services were held Feb. 18 at Beth El Synagogue. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosalie and Herman Cohen. She is survived by sons, David L. Davis, M.D. of Los Angeles and Henry A. Davis; grandchildren: Lauren and Cameron Davis; brothers, Sheldon Cohen and Arthur S. Cohen. Florence attended Benson High School and the University of Omaha where she studied nutrition and dietetics. She supported several charities and had leadership roles in the City of Hope and the Eastern Nebraska Mental Health Association. She was a member of Hadassah and the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation. Memorials may be made to the City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.
DAVE SHKOLNICK Dave Shkolnick passed away Feb. 13 at age 74. Services were held Feb. 15 at Beth El Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Beth El Synagogue. He was preceded in death by parents, Jacob and Jeanette; brothers, Stanley and Donald; and sister-in-law, Lois. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Phoebe; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Andre' Flott; daughters, Michelle Shkolnick, Lisa Shkolnick and Rachel Blum; grandchildren: Lucy, Henry, George and Joe Flott and Charlie Blum; brother, Rodney; nephews, Jeff, Stuart, and Marc Shkolnick; niece, Charlene Shkolnick. He was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother and uncle, and an avid Hawkeye fan. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.
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Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308872-8327. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $225. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6449 or call 1800-369-2850. LOOKING FOR the classic car, truck or motorcycle of your dreams? Midwest Classic Cars website is your Midwest connection to classic vehicles for sale. Need to sell a classic vehicle? For only $25, your ad with photos will run until sold! Call this newspaper today for more information or call 1-800-369-2850. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 175 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln. 402-742-0063. Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 60+ Dealers. Storewide Sale, February 16-March 3. New items arriving daily! Antiques, collectables, furniture & more. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST opening for Northwest Area Schools Education Cooperative in NW South Dakota. Competitive wage, excellent benefits, vehicle provided. Contact Cris Owens at 605-466-2206 or Christine.Owens@k12.sd.us.
(an Oldcastle Materials Group Inc Company)
• Responsible for operating the dredge efficiently and effectively to maximize production while at all times maintaining a safe work environment. • Responsible for ensuring daily maintenance is completed. • Responsible for keeping dredge clean. Oldcastle Materials & all of its companies provide competitive wages and a full benefits package including year round health and retirement options. EOE/AA
Apply online at http://jobs.oldcastle.com
SMALL, AGGRESSIVE company looking for skilled laborers to travel throughout the country. CDL license, welding, mechanical, concrete experience a plus. Should be ambitious with an eye for detail. Valid driver’s license and pre-employment drug screen a must. Call Deb at Farabee Mechanical, 402-792-2612. OWNER OPERATORS: ITL Tanklines need owner operators to pull tank trailers throughout Nebraska & surrounding states. $200,000 average, fuel surcharge and more. Call Brian at 800-728-2675. YOU GOT the drive, we have the direction. OTR Drivers, APU equipped pre-pass EZ-pass passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% No Touch. 1-800-528-7825.
12 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2013
In a Uruguayan town, Jews are finding security and sandy beaches by DIEGO MELAMED According to the Global Peace Index 2012, PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay (JTA) -- which measures a country’s relative peacefulKnown across South America as a beach ness, Uruguay ranks higher than Brazil and oasis for the elite, and more recently as the site of Donald Trump’s first residential development on the continent, Punta del Este has long seduced visitors with its beaches and luxury accommodations. But in recent years, the town also has emerged as a premier Jewish destination during the South American summer months, from January to March. Hundreds attend Shabbat Mendy Shemtov, right, greeting visitors to the Chabad-run services at the city’s Beit Meir hostel Yaacob House. Temple. Punta del Este has a Credit: Jabad Lubavitch Punta del Este Jewish film festival, a sumptuous mansion offering low-cost accommoda- Argentina, home to the region’s largest Jewish tions to Israeli backpackers and Sabbath ele- community. With only one road into Punta vators in luxury high-rises. Uruguay’s first del Este, it’s somewhat easier to control crime. kosher pizza restaurant opened here in The Jewish presence in Punta del Este has January. And alongside promotional ban- grown dramatically in recent years, but it ners flown daily by airplanes above the can be traced to Argentinian businessman beach is one sponsored by the local Chabad Mauricio Litman, who created the rabbi displaying the time for lighting Cantegrill Country Club here in 1950, folSabbath candles. lowed a year later by the launch of the Punta “We love coming and meeting old and del Este International Film Festival, which new Jewish friends, and we also love the raised the city’s profile abroad. In 1959, beaches,” said Roberta Iavelberg of Sao Israeli Foreign Minister Golda Meir hosted a Paulo, an employee of the Jewish meeting in Punta del Este for Israeli ambasConfederation of Brazil, or CONIB, the sadors throughout Latin America. community’s main umbrella group. In the 1960s, Jewish developers and archiThe city has long drawn visitors for its tects began to build here. Weiss-Sztrykpleasant weather and sandy white beaches. Weiss, a Jewish construction firm, started in But for Latin American Jews, many of whom the 1970s. The Atijas family, also Jewish, split live with constant concerns about personal from Weiss and started its own firm. Both security, the city’s tranquility and safety are companies had a huge influence on the city’s key parts of the city’s appeal. development. In the 1980s and ‘90s, middle-
class Argentinians began vacationing here. “The city is a profitable investment and many people from the Jewish community throughout the region who have great abilities to analyze different investment scenarios have opted for this city,” said Nestor Sztryk, the director of Weiss-Sztryk-Weiss, which is developing eight residential buildings in the city. “It is also a place that offers quality of life, quietness and freedom with which those in Argentina or Brazil who live with insecurity can enjoy here, without fear for their children and belongings.” Punta del Este, which has a year-round population of just over 9,000, has four synagogues. Estimates of the Jewish influx during the summer range from 25,000 to 50,000 in a country with a population of 3.3 million, including approximately 17,000 Jews. As the summer season began in early January, so did the cultural offerings targeting Jewish visitors. Despite the allure of a beautiful, sunny day, more than 650 chose to attend a discussion at the Conrad Hotel about challenges facing Israel. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed on Jan. 18, and Israeli universities and philanthropies routinely organize events here. In February, the 10th annual Jewish Film Festival will open with support from Jewish groups from Argentina, Brazil and Chile, as well as the Uruguayan government. “Jews always looked for liberty and here we have this,” said Wilson Tobal, 78, who owns high-end furniture stores here and in Buenos Aires. “More than that, high-class Jews from Brazil and Argentina have more security here, so they can relax, enjoy time with their kids on the streets without fear and celebrate their Judaism at local temples. “In both Argentina and Brazil there are guards at the temples. Here we celebrate
Shabbat ceremonies with open gates and nothing has ever happened.” The first Chabad emissary arrived in Punta del Este in 1985. The Chasidic outreach group converted a mansion into a hostel, Yaacob House, where Israeli backpackers and local Jews can find accommodations for just $20 per night in a neighborhood where houses typically cost around $2 million. “We also offer Shabbat services and meals for young people who spend their summer in villages in Punta del Diablo and Jose Ignacio,” said Rabbi Elieser Shemtov, referring to two beach towns further up the coast. “Tourism in Uruguay is expanding eastward and so is Chabad.” With Argentina’s financial crisis of the late 1990s, many middle-class Jews left for Europe and the United States. Some, however, came here, for more economic and physical security. One was Yael Cohen, who emigrated with her husband after they were kidnapped and assaulted by thieves. “We saw crimes on TV, and when it happened to us we decided to look for a more quiet life,” Cohen told JTA. In late January, in the latest sign of the Jewish imprint here, Argentinian Samuel Liberman announced he was building a $600 million hotel and shopping center -- a sum six times as much as the complex being planned by Trump. The Jewish institutional presence has grown, too, as it has elsewhere in Latin America in recent years. The Comunidad Israelita de Punta del Este, or CIPEMU, was created in 2005 and now counts 800 members. A new school, Nefesh, was launched last year. And a yeshiva is being planned with support from Jewish families from Argentina and Brazil.
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Feb. 23: UNO vs. North Dakota Ralston Arena 1 p.m. Feb. 28: UNO vs. South Dakota State Ralston Arena 7 p.m.
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Evening Deli Special Brisket Dinner Tuesday, February 26 5:30 -7:30 p.m. All regular Deli specials will be available Reservations appreciated
Contact Mike at 402-334-6522
Upcoming Mar. 1: UNO vs. Wisconsin CenturyLink Center 6:37 p.m. Mar. 2: UNO vs. Wisconsin CenturyLink Center 7:07 p.m.
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