Vol. LXXXVI No. 25 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
“Silent Exodus” refugee in Omaha wants her story told, too complex than it appears by GARY JAVITCH on the surface. Special to the Jewish Press For example, in his essay Two significant stories on “The Palestinian surround the mass moveRefugees,” scholar-author ment of refugees before Mitchell Bard contradicts and after Israel’s declarathe Arab explanation: tion of statehood in “The Palestinians left 1948. their home in 1947-48 The first you know for a variety of reasons.” about. The rich left early, anticiThat’s the one concernpating the war, while othing the Palestinian Arabs ers left, he explained, who lived in the British “[to] get out of the way mandate that became of advancing armies.” Israel. Still, “a handful were Equally compelling and expelled, but most simply generally left out of hisfled to avoid being caught torical accounts is the secin the cross-fire of battle.” ond narrative, the one By UN estimates, these that concerns the forced original 462,000 refugees migration of Jewish from their (650,000 by Israel numrefugees bers; one million people, homes throughout the Arab figures) Middle East during this using same period and beyond. demand the right to Until recently, this topic return to their old homes. has received very little This Right of Return has become the unresolved attention. obstacle in all the peace This article will focus proposals, even after nearon that “Silent Exodus” ly six decades. as seen through the eyes of Helene (In French, it is Pictured here in 1961, Helene Avigdor (Weber) was born in Cairo, The underlying assumppronounced Elle-en’) Egypt, and lived there until she was 13-years-old, when she and her tion for all the Arabs who Avigdor Weber, an family fled first to Marseilles, and then Paris, before arriving in fled was that the seven invading Arab armies Egyptian Jew who lived Wilmington, DE, in 1963. through this period and now resides in Omaha. would quickly crush the nascent Jewish state and then But first, some historical notes on the Palestinians who the Arabs could return to their homes and enjoy the claim that Israel forced them out of their homes in 1948. spoils of war. As everything in the Middle East, this issue is far more Continued on page 5
Largest Nebraska group ever to attend AIPAC conference in D.C. by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Among the highlights of the upcoming American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s Annual Policy Conference in the nation’s capital will be an opening dinner featuring Eitan Wertheimer, CEO of Iscar Enterprises, the Israeli company purchased by the world’s second richest man, Omaha’s Warren Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway paid four billion dollars for a share in the precision tool manufacturing plant in 2006. Iscar is located in the Western Galilee, Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region. Wertheimer will kick off the conference with Michael Oren, Senior Fellow at the Shalem Center, and John Hagee, founder and Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX. Nearly a dozen Nebraskans will be on hand for AIPAC’s annual Conference, March 11-13 in Washington, D.C. The group will lobby members of Congress and show their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. More than 5,000 pro-Israel activists, including 1,000 students representing more than 250 campuses are expected to attend, as well as these Omahans: Gary and Mark Javitch, Milt and Marsha Kleinberg, Steven Riekes, Jan Schneiderman, Janet and Jerry Slusky, and Lincolnites Bob Evnen and Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Continued on page 2
Inside Opinion Page see page 12
American billionaire investor Warren Buffett, left, gave a news conference with Eitan Wertheimer, head of the Israeli company, Iscar, at the Iscar Metalworking headquarters, Sept. 18, 2006, in the Tefen Industrial Zone in the Western Galilee. Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway company bought an interest in Iscar for four billion dollars in May, 2006, visited Iscar and met with employee Noam Shalit -- father of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped by Gazan terrorists in June 2006. Buffett also met with Israeli Credit: BPH Images/JTA political and business leaders.
This Week: Teen Age features Lincoln’s South Street Temple: Page 11 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Israeli reporter to discuss Jewish identity: Page 2
12 Adar, 5767 March 2, 2007
Dead Sea Scrolls and writing instruments by OLIVER B. POLLAK Union Station in Kansas City is exhibiting the Dead Sea Scrolls until May 13. In 1947, Bedouin goat herders discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls near Qumram. Eleven caves revealed over 100,000 Biblical and non-Biblical texts. Carbon dating, magnetic fields, coins, and stratigraphy, date the documents between the third century BCE and 136 CE. The scrolls contain hymns, prayers, rules, laws, wisdom and commentaries. Manuscripts are hand-written documents. Scrolls or rolls are continuous records like the Torah, as opposed to a codex, which is a bound book. All may be stored on book shelves, but the Dead Sea Scrolls were stored in sealed clay pots or jars in caves. Visitors to the exhibit are inspired by the antiquity, as well as the technical process of finding, preserving, translating and interpreting the fragments. Their linkage to the Hebrew Bible and contemporary affairs has exercised the imagination of archeologists, religious scholars, historians and the public for over half a century. Several years ago I saw the Library of Congress exhibition, “Scrolls From the Dead Sea: The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship.”
Chief curator of National Treasures Hava Katz was in Kansas City last month to set up the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at Union Station; a poster advertising the exhibit is behind her. Credit: Rick Hellman, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle My particular fascination in Kansas City was the writing process, the medium: “paper,” pen, ink, and calligraphy. This mechanical focus was sparked by a visit to an old haunt, the Pen Place at the Westin Crown Plaza. Cities of a certain size can support a pen specialty store. Pens serve as Bar Mitzvah, graduation and even wedding gifts. Every time the pen is used it ignites the memory of the donor and the event, and what remorse when the pen is lost. For a short period, Omaha had a pen store in Westroads. Now pen aficionados go to niche counters at the Gadgeteer and Borsheims for a limited offering of fine writing instruments. The British calligrapher Donald Jackson and the brothers of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, are creating the first illuminated bible in 500 years. The work in progress was the centerpiece of a magnificent exhibit at the Joslyn Museum in 2006. The Pen Place has been in business for 17 years, and at the Crown Plaza for 12. David Ackelson, the owner for the last five years, disclosed his customers’ buying habits: 45% ball point, 25% roller ball, 20% fountain pens and 10% mechanical pencils. The fountain pens run from a few dollars to stunning collectable limited editions costing a few or more thousands of dollars. Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, and resins adorn these pieces of writing jewelry that are packed in highly stylized containers. Roller balls are not good for everyone. I destroy them quickly by pressing too hard. Ackelson has a ballpoint retrofit, only available in broad black, which brought new life to my Pelikan. Continued on page 2
Coming Next Week: Home & Garden Issue
Temple scholar reveals stories of early rabbis: Page 3
Five local artists to exhibit works in JCC Gallery: Page 16
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
Dead Sea Scrolls M
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Continued from page 1 For thousands of years scribes have scratched on stone, wax, wooden boards, pottery, and various metals, especially copper. Papyrus, parchment, leather and paper require ink. The Dead Sea Scroll black and red ink combined soot, resin, oil and water. Inkwells were made of pottery and bronze. Reeds and quills provided the stylus. The final display revealing the transformation of the illuminated manuscripts into print, includes a leaf from a Latin Gutenberg Bible of the 1450s, the German Luther bible of 1534, the English 1611 King James, all wondrous examples of the early age of print.
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Picture above is a fragment of one of the Dead Sea Scrolls that mentions “community rule.” Credit: Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit organizers Visitors to the Dead Sea Scrolls will need reservations. For a list of accompanying speakers and events, visit the website at: www.unionstation.org, click on the DSS icon. Unfortunately, the entire lecture series is sold out already! I can also recommend the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the adjacent American Jazz Museum, as well as the stupendous revivified National World War I Museum, and a favorite bookstore in Westport, Spivey’s
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MARCH 2 Purim Student Celebration at Friedel Jewish Academy Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. CDC Purim Spiel, 11 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel
C L I P & S A V E
SUNDAY, MARCH 4 Purim Celebrations, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel The Living Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad House Class with Rabbi Nadel, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Nashir Community Jewish Choir, 11 a.m. at Beth El USY Purim Carnival, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Purim Carnival, noon at Temple Israel Community Purim Seudah, 4:30 p.m. at Chabad House MONDAY, MARCH 5 Women’s Book Group, 1 p.m. at Beth El Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 7:30 p.m. Hebrew Reading Crash Course, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
C L I P & S A V E
TUESDAY, MARCH 6 Eye on Israel, noon at Kripke Library BBYO Advisor Appreciation Dinner, 6 p.m. Intro to Jewish Ethics, 6 p.m. CDC Sign Language Class, 6 p.m. The Mothers’ Circle, 7 p.m. at Beth El It’s Not Your Maxwell House Hagaddah Anymore, 7 p.m. at Kripke Library Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad House JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 Abba, Eema and ME, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Tapestry Workshop, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Notions of the Afterlife, Part 2, 7 p.m. at Beth El Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad House Community Open House, 7 p.m. at Friedel Academy
C L I P &
THURSDAY, MARCH 8 Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Getting More Out of Prayer, noon at Beth El Center for Jewish Education Board Meeting, noon Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. at Chabad House Yiddush Group, 1 p.m. Exec. Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Academy ADL Youth Leadership Meeting, 7 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Academy WRJ-O Poker Night, 7 p.m. at home of Jennifer Miller Advanced Parshah Study, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Kosher Kitchen with Rabbi Nadel, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel
S A V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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Visions tour to Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit opens to community by BETTY SANFORD Visions is sponsoring an exciting trip to Kansas City on Monday, April 30, to view a special exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Union Station. This exhibit is the only midwest venue in 2007 and is now open to the entire community. In 1947, a group of Bedouins found a series of caves on the coast of the Dead Sea. The caves contained the most incredible archaeological find of the century. Preserved for 2,000 years, the animal skin and papyrus scrolls are the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible. Having no punctuation and sometimes no spacing between words, the scrolls also contain hymns, prayers, rules and law, war conduct and commentaries. Also included in the exhibit are artifacts from the ancient community of Qumran where the scrolls were discovered. Cost of $74 per person includes coach transportation, time for shopping at the Country Club Plaza (with lunch on your own), admission to the exhibit and a buffet dinner at the Union Station Café. The group will depart from the Jewish Community Center at 8:30 a.m. (please be at the JCC by 8:15 a.m.) and return at approximately 9:30 p.m. For information, call me at 399.2001. For reservations, send payment to me at 9205 Western Avenue, #127, Omaha, NE 68114 by March 26. Please make your check payable to Visions.
AIPAC conference
CLIP & SAVE
SATURDAY, MARCH 3 Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat Tunes and Tales, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Purim Celebrations, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Purim Spiel and Disco, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel
Rare Books, Maps & Fine Art. Oliver B. Pollak, author, historian and attorney, can be reached at: obpomni@aol.com.
Contin ued from page 1 The conference begins with a panel discussion on “Global Impact: Understanding Today’s Middle East” with Marc Ginsberg, Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco; Robert Satloff, Executive Director, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Ephraim Sneh, Deputy Defense Minister, Government of Israel; R. James Woolsey, Former Central Intelligence Agency Director; and moderator Dan Senor, former spokesman for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Other confirmed speakers include: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (DCA), House Republican Leader John Boehner (ROH), Senate Majority Israeli ambassador to the Dan Nations, Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), United Gillerman. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Credit: Paulo Filgueiras/UN House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor, and Israeli
Ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman. Ranked as the most influential foreign policy lobbying organization on Capitol Hill, AIPAC is an American membership organization whose mission is to “seek to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel.” For more than 50 years, AIPAC has been working with Congress to build a strong, vibrant relationship between the U.S. and Israel. With more than 100,000 members across the United States, AIPAC works throughout the country to improve and strengthen that relationship by supporting U.S.-Israel military, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation, sponsoring missions, local events and regional and national policy conferences. In Omaha, the AIPAC Council has scheduled its annual Nebraska dessert reception on Thursday, May 3, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Tom and Darlyn Fellman. Featured speakers - include AIPAC’s Director of National Affairs and Development Jon Missner -AIPAC’s “number three man” in the Washington office -- and United States Marine Corps Lt. Col. Bill Cowan, who just returned from an AIPAC-sponsored trip to Israel for military journalists. For more information about the conference or AIPAC, visit the organization’s website at: www.aipac.org.
Jewish identity in America explained by Israeli reporter C L I P & S A V E
by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Center for Jewish Education is pleased to present the award winning documentary, “Jewish Identity in the USA” with, Israeli commentator and journalist, Yaron Deckel, on Sunday, March 18, 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Deckel will show his awarding winning three-part television documentary series, Jewish Identity in the USA, which offers an engaging insight into the world’s second largest Jewish community. The program depicts American Jewry in light of Yaron Deckel growing assimilation, intermarriage, and erosion of Jewish identity alongside examples of renewal and innovation. The series “refers to relations between Israel and
American Jewry,” Deckel said, “On one hand, it is easy to be Jewish in America, but on the other hand it is not; the Christian surroundings make it an effort to maintain Jewish identity. Not everyone wants, or is able, to invest energy this way.” Deckel is considered one of Israel’s top political reporters and commentators. He has covered the trials and tribulations of Israeli politics since 1985, including five general election campaigns. Since September of 2002, Deckel has been reporting from Washington as Bureau Chief, covering the 2004 presidential campaign, the Shuttle Columbia disaster, and U.S. political events related to the Iraq war. Deckel was recently invited to interview President Bush in his Texas ranch -- an exclusive interview that was the first ever granted to an Israeli journalist. Sponsored by the Center for Jewish Education, this program is free and open to the community. For more information, contact me at 334.6462 or gkatz@jewishomaha.org.
March 2, 2007
Scholar guides Jews and Christians to “better understanding” by BETH KATZ Director of the ADL Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs Last month at Countryside Community Church, more than 350 Jews and Christians from Omaha and the surrounding area attended Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s community presentation “Jesus the Jew: What Jews and Christians Need to Know to Have Meaningful Dialogue” . Levine, who is Jewish, described how her early experiences with Christian anti-Semitism on one hand, and her friendships with Catholic children on the other, sparked her interest in Jewish-Christian relations. Her desire to
Levine’s talk was jointly presented by the ADL Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs and the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church. Levine is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion. Her presentation incorporated material from her most recent book, The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus. Both the ADL Malashock Project and the Center for Faith Studies are planning a variety of programs to build on many of the themes and issues raised in Levine’s talk. For more information, contact me at the ADL office, 402.333.1303 or e-mail bkatz@adl.org. To learn more about the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church, contact Cyndi Kugler at 402.391.0350, ext. 121 or e-mail cyndik@countrysideucc.org
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Trade Wind Dancers perform for Y.E.S.
Lincoln’s Trade Wind Dancers Anne Bauers, left, and Nancy Taylor, right, performed for the members of the Young Energetic Seniors recently at the JCC, including: Charlotte Kaplan, Millie Altman, and Lucille Nearenberg. The dancers trained at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, brought a variety of exotic native instruments and beautiful, colorful costumes to use performing Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing.
Temple Israel scholar to reveal stories of early rabbis
Prof. Levine speaks to a crowd at Countryside Community Church as part of the ADL Malashock Project. help Jews and Christians better understand each other ultimately led her to become a New Testament scholar. She then explained how the parables, the “Lord’s Prayer,” and the general teachings of Jesus of Nazareth fit within his first-century Jewish context, and how Jesus drew his teachings from the Scriptures and traditions of Israel. Levine stressed that understanding Jesus in his historical context is critical to alleviating anti-Jewish and antiSemitic attitudes and teachings and for deepening their understanding of how Synagogue and Church eventually separated. She also noted the importance for Jews to be knowledgeable about the New Testament, the historical Jesus and the basic tenets of Christianity. “Such knowledge recovers for Jews part of our own history, since Jesus, Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Paul were all Jews, and it helps us understand how some antiJewish ideas developed,” Levine added. But she also noted that “Jews and Christians should read together the works they consider sacred Scripture and to share their interpretations. That way, misunderstandings of Jewish and Christian views can be prevented.”
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Maintaining Independence. is an Option.
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “I think that all of Jewish tradition is a rich resource for contemporary Jews,” believes Dr. Dvora E. Weisberg, associate professor of rabbinics and director of the Beit Midrash at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles. “Rabbinics is particularly important because the Judaism we practice -- whether we are Reform, Conservative or Orthodox -- is rabbinic Judaism not the Judaism of the Bible,” she said. Dr. Weisberg will be scholar-in-residence at Temple Israel from Friday-Sunday, Dvora Weisberg March 23-25. A Ph.D. in Talmud and rabbinics, a degree she earned from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1994, Dr. Weisberg will talk about “God, Torah, and Israel: Stories from our Early Rabbis” throughout the weekend at Temple Israel. Originally from San Francisco, Dr. Weisberg graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University. She majored in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. Her senior thesis topic was: “Can the Demands of Jewish Feminists be Met Within the Halakhic System?” She continues to be interested in and explore gender issues in rabbinic texts. “I was thinking of becoming a rabbi…so I thought
majoring in Jewish studies in college would be good preparation for my future studies,” she explained. Dr. Weisberg has been at HUC since 2001 where “the job description was precisely what I wanted -- teaching rabbinic texts in their original language and being an active participant in preparing students for careers as Jewish professionals.” Prior to HUC, she taught the history of ancient Israel, rabbinic Judaism, Bible, biblical Hebrew, introduction to Judaism, and women in Judaism at the University of Pittsburgh between 1996 and 2001. From 1993-96, she was an instructor in biblical Hebrew, rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. At Temple Israel, Dr. Weisberg will give the d’var Torah at the 7:30 p.m. Shabbat worship service on March 23. She’ll also join Sparks Beneath the Surface, the morning study session at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 24, On Sunday morning, March 25, Dr. Weisberg will conclude her residency at 10 a.m. in the Milder Center. All of these sessions are open to the community and sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. Dr. Weisberg has published articles in Encyclopedia Judaica (2006), Hebrew Union College Annual, Shofar, AJS Review, and Lilith among other publications. Through her studies and teaching of Genesis 38 and the Book of Ruth, Dr. Weisberg became interested in levirate marriage (between a man and the childless widow of his brother) in classical Judaism. She’s written a book on the subject and is currently in the process of having it published.
JAKE J. SCHREIBMAN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Scholarship Award The Schreibman scholarship is for a student’s freshman year only, and can be used at the college of choice. The amount of the award varies according to each student’s needs in regard to tuition, fees, housing, and books. Eligibility All Jewish seniors attending any high school in the Greater Omaha Metropolitan Community. Application and Criteria A letter regarding the application process along with a checklist of criteria and contact information regarding questions can be personally picked up at any of the following: Beth El, Temple Israel, and Beth Israel. Inquire at the receptionist desk or request to speak to the educational coordinator. Deadline The application packet must be completed and delivered to Beth El, Temple Israel, or Beth Israel no later than March 7, 2007. Applications received after this date will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
As remote communities dwindle, Jews seek to record their histories by RACHEL SILVERMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Growing up, Steve Hochstadt didn’t think much of the Buddha trinkets strewn about his house. “I thought that every family had little statues of Buddha in their house,” said Hochstadt, a history professor at Bates College in Maine. “I did not have a sense that my family was different from other families.” Years later, those trinkets would come to fascinate Hochstadt, and lead him on a journey to his roots in Asia. Hochstadt started by asking questions -- first to his elderly grandmother, a German Jew who emigrated to Shanghai during the Nazi regime. Hochstadt soon learned that approximately 15,000 German-Austrian Jews had followed that path, lured to Shanghai by its Western business culture and relatively open borders. “For many people, this caused them to re-emphasize their Jewishness,” Hochstadt explained. “They founded several synagogues, held cultural performances, opened Viennese pastry shops. They didn’t see themselves as Chinese.” By the time he was done, Hochstadt had conducted 100 interviews, mostly in German, with Shanghai Jews now living in the United States. Thus was born the Shanghai Jewish Community Oral History Project. Hochstadt is one of a growing number of Jewish oral historians working to capture the diversity of the Jewish experience. Through documentary filmmaking, tape-recorded conversations and a variety of other primary source materials, these projects give voice to vanished or vanishing Jewish communities in China, Iran, Iraq, Cuba and other unlikely locales.
Riv-Ellen Prell, a cultural anthropolo- work, she was disappointed by what was gist at the University of Minnesota, said left out. “I saw that they hadn’t even talked to the projects are part of a larger trend of oral histories. She described the medium, one Jew, let alone other minorities,” she which sprang up in 1970s, as “the prod- said. “I mean, Jews had been around” in Persia “for 2,700 years -- I thought uct of a cultural revolution.” “Before, writing history belonged to somebody should talk about them.” Sarshar founded the Center for Iranian those in power, with great education, who were predominately male,” Prell Jewish Oral History, a Los Angeles-based said. This version of history trumpeted organization that seeks to document the one official narrative -- that of the “win- life and history of Iranian Jews. The center has conners.” ducted 100 interviews But with a with Persian Jews -swelling interest in mostly in Farsi -- prothe minority expeduced 20 documenrience during the taries, collected 2,000 1970s, all kinds of documents and pubhistory makers and lished five books. historical subjects The center’s research came out of the focuses on the experiw o o d w o r k . ences of Jews in Iran Pluralism became between the start of the the norm. “Suddenly an Young German-speaking refugees attend a C o n s t i t u t i o n a l entirely invisible party at the Shanghai Jewish Youth Revolution in 1906 and the Islamic revolution history became Association school, around 1946. Credit: Photo courtesy Steve Hochstadt in 1979. In two- to visible,” she said. Jewish subgroups were among those three-hour interviews, Sarshar and her whose stories were brought to the fore. colleagues ask subjects about life back Prell described the process as an exercise then, touching on school, work, Jewish practice and coexistence with Muslims. in communal self-awareness. Sarshar said she adopted the methodol“What does it take for a community to gain self-consciousness, and then go to ogy from the Survivors of the Shoah the larger Jewish community and say, ‘We Visual History Foundation, a Los Angeles-based organization that seeks to have a story to tell?’ “ she asked. For Homa Sarshar, a Persian Jew who preserve Holocaust testimony. “I didn’t have any clue how to conduct grew up in Shiraz, Iran and now lives in Los Angeles, the answer to that question an oral history project when I first started out,” she said. “But they trained five of came in 1995. A prominent journalist in the Iranian us. They showed us how to gather inforAmerican community, Sarshar happed mation.” Hochstadt prefers a different techupon two oral history projects of Iranian Americans. While excited to discover the nique.
“At first I started with a list of questions,” he said. “Then I realized what I wanted to do was to let people talk about their lives. I wanted to hear what they thought was important, what they wanted to say without me guiding them.” But the conversation doesn’t always flow so easily. When Carole Basri started taking oral histories of Iraqi Jews, she found even her own family members unwilling to talk. “Telling these histories is a very painful process,” said Basri, a lawyer by training. “People don’t want to talk about being in jail, or hangings...nobody wants to think of themselves as a refugee.” Over time, however, Basri was able to get Iraqi Jews to open up, using connections from her grandparents, who were prominent members of Baghdad’s Jewish community. She now has produced three documentary films and interviewed 100 Iraqi Jews in the United States, Canada, Israel, India and elsewhere. “I wanted to understand what made people decide to leave and why they did leave,” she explained. “The oral histories were so important because I couldn’t get the answers anywhere else.” Miriam Greenberg, a New York filmmaker compiling a documentary about Jews in Cuba, has run into other snags. An assistant professor at the Pratt Institute, Greenberg says she can’t find funding for her film, which chronicles the experience of 50 Jews still in Cuba. Though the film’s production was supported through grants, “No todos nos fuimos” -- “We didn’t all go” -- has been on hold for the past two years. “They gave money to produce it, not to edit it,” Greenberg explained. “We have Continued on page 6
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March 2, 2007
“Silent Exodus” refugee
Continued from page 1 France. Joined by her father’s brother, the six of them But that didn’t happen. Instead, the surviving Israelis shared one cabin. turned swampland and deserts into farmland and cities. “We arrived in Marseilles a week earlier than expected In contrast, the Palestinian refugees, many of whom and HIAS was not ready for us. In fact, they wanted us traveled only a few miles from their original homes, to go back,” Helene explained. “But my father was insisbecame political pawns of the other Arab nations: They tent and told them, if we had to, we would all sleep on were not absorbed as refugees by any of their brethren. the floor.” The family was allowed to stay. Their standard of living sharply declined. Their number The next stop on their circuitous route to America was has now swollen to just over 4.1 million, Dr. Bard wrote, Paris where they had to stay for nine months. That was with about one-third still living in UN refugee camps set how long it took them to acquire the papers they needup in 1948. ed to go to Wilmington, Delaware, where cousins would Helene’s escape sponsor them. Throughout the process, HIAS helped On Aug. 8, 1962, Helene Avigdor was 13 years old. them. Helene proudly pointed out that “My father paid She lived with her parents, an older sister and a younger them back for all the money they provided him, brother in Cairo, Egypt. “I came home that day and I although it was not a requirement.” saw the luggage by the door,” she explained. “My father Thriving in America kept us in the dark, and until that moment, I didn’t At their arrival in America on April 18, 1963, Helene know we were leaving Egypt.” was 13, her mother, 45 and her father, 55. While Helene Speaking to his family in French, their primary lan- was multi-lingual, at the time speaking Arabic, French guage, Maurice Avigdor (her first language), Spanish, cautioned his children, and some Hebrew, she and “Don’t tell anyone we are her family spoke no English. going!” Undaunted, they accepted Since the founding of the challenges ahead and Israel, pressure mounted on divided up the tasks. They all Jews through the Middle had to learn the language, East. The Avigdors, a her mom would take care of Sephardic family, experithe kids and her dad had to enced a great deal of prejufind a job. Like their foredice, Helene explained, “My bears, they all succeeded. father told me that on a They found work, and in number of occasions when May 1969 they all became the doorman of their fourcitizens. It was a very proud story apartment saw him moment for Helene, who coming, he would turn off stayed in Delaware until the power in the lobby, forc1972. At that time she ing my dad to walk up the joined the now-defunct four flights.” Eastern Airlines as a flight That was not the only disattendant, a job she held for Helene Avigdor Weber crimination he faced. Her about 18 years. father, who spoke seven lanToday she enjoys life in guages and had a good job working for an Italian Omaha with her second husband, Clinton, a civil engiimport/export company, stated he had been stopped neer. She has no children and stays in touch with her often on the street. There had been a number of times brother and sister. She keeps herself busy with friends when, without cause, he was stopped, questioned by and some part-time work for Lancôme cosmetics at authorities, and occasionally arrested. He knew of others Younkers. Her parents are now gone. While her father is buried that were roughed up. And those same kinds of circumstances were occurring in Delaware, her mother was laid to rest in Omaha’s all across the Middle East. Jews were made to feel Golden Hills Cemetery. Coming Out unwelcome. Jewish emigrants by the hundreds of thouRecently, after seeing French filmmaker Pierre Rehov’s sands left their homes. “Most Egyptians Jews we knew left the country in 2004 movie Silent Exodus, which detailed the expulsion 1948,” Helene continued. “Even more got out in 1956 of more than one million Jews living throughout the after the Suez war. (This week-long war began after Arab Middle East during and after the time Israel Egyptian President Nasser took control of the Suez became a state, Helene became aware that she was a part Canal, which was owned by British and French compa- of that history. “The story fascinated me. With all the nies. Israel joined Great Britain and France in a series of attention being focused on the plight of the Palestinians, I wanted to let people know that the Jewish people also military battles to regain ownership of the canal.) “I remember seeing Nasser that year -- in a big parade faced great suffering and many obstacles, too,” Helene at the start of the Suez war. After the conflict, he forced explained. Indeed, the award-winning film had a great impact all the French teachers out of the country. That affected me because I attended Lycée Français, a French private when it was shown in New York City in 2005. school,” Helene lamented. “My father had to get us a According to the FrontPageMagazine.com film reviewer Michael Margolies, the film represents riveting tutor to teach us how to read and write in Arabic.” Finally, Maurice and Rachel Avigdor decided it was accounts of Jews living under “dhimmitude,” the time to go. “When we left, we took only what we could “Muslim-sanctioned, permanent second-class citizenship for non-Muslims in Muslim countries. All experifit in a suitcase,” Helene commented. enced daily humiliations which included always holding Difficult Trip to America The trip would not be an easy one for the family. one’s tongue out of justifiable fear of physical attack…” The reason little was heard from the Jews victimized Helene explained that she left a good life behind. “We had a nice middle class existence and lived a good life, by this anti-Arab sentiment is that for the most part, with a nice apartment. I attended private schools. Our Israel absorbed a very high percentage of the Jewish family lived across the street from Temple Ismailia on 40 refugees. That is in direct contrast to the Arab states Adly Pacha St., where the women worshipped upstairs which have used the Palestinian refugees to fan the flames of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. and the men downstairs. My father was religious.” Nevertheless, the trip to America offered some exciteReflections On April 2, Helene will turn 58. She has visited her ment because when Helene and her brother heard they were going to America, Helene got excited. “I thought family in Israel. “I really appreciate that my father came we were going to the land of ‘Cowboys and Indians!’” to America. We have had a better life. My father did They would however, be going alone. Unlike all the much better than my other relatives who had and still other members of their extended family, who departed have a very hard life in Israel. Only my uncle did well Egypt years earlier and chose the newly formed Jewish there. On one of those Israel visits, she thought back to state, the Avigdors decided on America. Childish fantasies aside, the five Avigdors were travel- when she lived in Cairo, in an apartment across from the ing without a passport. In addition, the documents they synagogue and was not allowed to wear a Star of David did carry described the Egyptian family as “Stateless,” or anything that identified her as a Jew. According to reports, there are only about l00 Jews and as “Israelites.” They were aided by HIAS, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society, which helped them left in Egypt. During the trip, Helene had a chance to visit her former homeland again, but then changed her navigate their way through the travel process. The family drove two hours north to Alexandria. mind. “I felt no allegiance, and I didn’t feel like I wantShortly thereafter, they departed from the ancient ed to go back. I just didn’t want to give them one cent Egyptian capital aboard a ship bound for Marseilles, of my money,” she concluded.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
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March 2, 2007
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Upcoming mini-course DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL ARTS at Beth El to explore The JCC of Greater Kansas City is accepting applications “Notions of the Afterlife” for the position of Director of Cultural Arts. Responsibilities include: programming, publicity, strong planning and organizational skills, budgeting, supervision, work with lay committees, and fundraising. Some evening and weekend work is required. Qualifications include a degree (master’s preferred) in arts management or related field, 3 years of experience in cultural arts programming and management, strong knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions, and good interpersonal skills. Send resume and cover letter to: Steve Berman, Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115 St. Suite # 101, Overland Park KS 66211 or e-mail to steveb@jewishkc.org.
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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator An intriguing mini-course, “Notions of the Afterlife,” is scheduled for every Wednesday this month (March 7, 14, 21, 28) at the Beth El Synagogue. Led by Dr. Guy Matalon, executive director of the Jewish Federation’s Center for Jewish Education, the class will explore Jewish perspectives on the afterlife, using such sources as the Torah, Talmud and other rabbinic sources. According to Matalon, the class is based on his research on different perspectives of the afterlife. “The purpose of the class is to explore the texts and the various alternatives that are presented in the Jewish tradition,” he explained. “The afterlife as a concept is tied to other key concepts such as messianism, resurrection of the dead, immortality and non-existence. The course will discuss not only the meaning of the terms but their implications on our relationship with God and Torah.” Tuition for the four-session class is $23, and is discounted to $18 for donors to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. To register or for more information, contact Margie Gutnik in the office. “Notions of the Afterlife” is being co-sponsored by Beth El and the Center for Jewish Education.
Fall and Winter. 150 recipes with make ahead/storage information and detailed numerical instructions are marked with a P (pareve), D (dairy), or M to signify which part of the kosher meal they fit into. Recipe titles are listed as part of each chapter introduction as well as in the alphabetical index in the back of the book. Using this array of recipes, make your dinner table the center of your family life for Shabbat, a holiday or any day. This recipe is from the Spring section. CHIVE MASHED POTATOES (D AND P) 3 large russet potatoes, (about 3 pounds), peeled and cut into large slices 1/4 cup whole milk, warmed 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes thoroughly. Rice the potatoes through a ricer or use a potato masher and mash until no longer lumpy. (Do not use a food processor, as the potatoes have a tendency to get gummy.) Stir the milk, butter, and chives into the potatoes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 4.
IN THE NEWS The Program for Women and Successful Aging (PWSA) will honor Mary Lou and Art Walker, among others, at a luncheon Wednesday, April 18, 11:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Central. Videos of all the people honored will be presented. The featured speaker is Lorna Landvik, bestselling author of Oh My Stars and Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. Individual tickets are priced at $40 ($35 for those 60 and older). Corporate tables are available, beginning at $500. For ticket information, please call Yolanda Burgos at 402.554.4897 or e-mail her at: yburgos@ mail.unomaha.edu. The On Track Guild for the Durham Western Heritage Museum will host the annual Ladies Luncheon around the museum’s exhibit “Fashion in Film: Period Costumes for the Screen” on Monday March 12, 11 a.m., starting with an exhibit viewing, followed by lunch at noon. A presentation and fashion show with facts about the costume’s role on stage and screen to presentations of costumes from the Omaha Community Playhouse, the Rose, and Opera Omaha is one of the afternoon’s highlights. The exhibit runs through March 25. Tickets are $50. Funds from the event will go to projects requested by the museum. At the December meeting, a check for $25,000 was presented to the museum. For information, call Christi Janssen at the museum at 444.5071.
Jews seek to record their histories
The Kosher Kitchen series continues at Beth Israel
Continued from page 4 over 60 hours of footage. It all needs translation, subtitles, graphics. It’s a rough cut.” Greenberg says the delay is particularly frustrating because there’s such a pressing need to catalogue Cuba’s Jewish history. “A lot of people who left Cuba after the revolution were the most involved -- the rabbis, the teachers, the leaders of the community,” she said. “They took with them a lot of knowledge of the history of the community.” Thanks to the recent rebirth of the island’s Jewish community, a younger generation of Cuban Jews is eager to hear their history. “This is meant to bridge the generations,” Greenberg explained. Hochstadt, who is pulling together interviews for two books about Shanghai Jews, also cited a time crunch. “Most of my interview partners were teenagers or younger when they arrived in Shanghai,” he said. “The Jewish adults who made the decision to flee to Shanghai, who somehow found tickets and organized their trip, are by now no longer able to tell their stories.” That would be a devastating loss, Hochstadt says. “They’ve been from Europe to Shanghai to the United States,” he said. “They’ve lived around Japanese, Russian, French and Chinese. They developed an attitude that’s kind of remarkable -- they are so tolerant. “I think of them as world citizens,” he added. “They have seen the world.”
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue With Passover arriving in a month, it isn’t too soon to begin making preparations for the holiday. If you would like some reminders about how to prepare your kitchen for Pesach, or would like to learn some new Pesach recipes, then come to “The Kosher Kitchen: Extreme Passover Edition” classes offered by Beth Israel this month. Led by Rabbi Seth Nadel, the Kosher Kitchen classes will focus on the laws of Pesach, along with providing some great recipes. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings, March 15 and 22, 8 p.m. The March 15 class will be held at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Seth Nadel, and the following week at the home of Shami Jacobs. “Our first series of classes were held in January,” stated Nadel. “They were well-attended and enjoyed by everyone. Each time, we reviewed Jewish law and then went into the kitchen to make a new recipe. With Pesach just around the corner, it made sense to offer this next series, focusing on the kitchen and Pesach.” There will also be a special Kosher Kitchen session held on Sunday, March 25, noon. The session will focus on kashering your kitchen for Pesach and will be held in Beth Israel’s kitchen. “We’ll demonstrate some techniques for kashering for Pesach,” explained Nadel. “Attendees should come away with a clear sense of what they can do in their own homes.” Please call the office, 556.6288, to RSVP and for directions.
March 2, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Beth El’s Megillah readers keep coming back for more by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator They’re repeat offenders of the best kind, showing up at Beth El year after year to commit the same mitzvah. They’re longtime congregants who are drawn -- like clockwork -- to the synagogue to read from the Megillah every Purim. This gang of Megillah-philes includes Marty Shukert, Gary Nachman, Jim Fried, Steve Denenberg, Dan Morris, Forrest Krutter and Ben Shapiro; it is a group greatly appreciated by Rabbi Mordechai Levin who noted the dedication of these men to re-tell the story of Esther, her uncle, Mordechai, King Achashveirosh and the evil Haman. “One of the many things we are proud of at Beth El is our Megillah readers,� Rabbi Levin said. “It’s always a pleasure to hear again the story of Purim sung by them with the traditional Megillat Esther trope. They help us to experience the story.� Shukert, who has served as a reader for around 13 years, says he taught himself the Megillah trope when he and his wife, Aveva, lived in Austin, Texas, years ago. He recalled that since his synagogue was, for a time, operating without a rabbi, “I was the all-purpose reader there.� He added that, “I have learned a great deal from listening to other readers, sometimes adapting their notes.� Shukert said that he is drawn by the challenge of reading, as well as the sense of camaraderie shared by the readers. “For some reason, I find Megillah trope to be one of the cantillations that takes some effort to maintain, possibly because it comes up only once a year,� Shukert said. “But we all do it each year because it’s fun, part of our contribution to the synagogue, and because the Megillah readers at Beth El have become something of a team -- a little ‘guild’ that makes this effort for the congregation and usually lives to tell the tale.� Jim Fried recalled that it was during his high school years he was first taught the special trope for Esther, under the tutelage of the late Rabbi Alex Katz. He’s been reading on and off since then, and consistently at Beth El for the past four years. Expressing regret that he’ll be out of town during this year’s Purim festivities, Fried explained his fondness for the holiday and all it represents. “Purim is such a wonderful, lighthearted family holiday. It’s a costume party, musical, documentary and religious experience all rolled into a single event. The story is full of intrigue and nuance, and in the end, good triumphs over evil without ever lifting a sword. Most
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by DEVRA BRAM for Chabad House Purim in the Chocolate Factory is a communitywide Purim celebration which will take place on Purim Day, March 4, 5 p.m. at the Chabad House. Get out and celebrate Purim in costume with the Chocolate Factory theme or your favorite Purim characters. As Shani Katzman, education director explained, “There are four mitzvahs for Purim: eat a festive meal; hear the reading of the Megillah; send Purim baskets to your friends, and give Tzedakah. You will be able to do it all.� Activities will include Purim dinner, multi-media Megillah reading featuring our very own stars, and games and activities for the children. Cost is $9 adults, $6 for children and students, and children 3 and under are free of charge. For reservations or more information, call Carol at 330.1800. You can also register online at www. ochabad.com/.
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ble -- by disguise, planning and execution. It is a lesson in life that yes, you can overcome the odds. And the fact that God is not ever mentioned teaches us that we can and should control our outcomes, if we as Jews stick together and work together.� He added that the holiday of Purim gives him great joy, bringing back happy childhood memories. “Purim connects my adult life with my life as a child celebrating the holiday. I love to see the families together and preparing for the holiday, the costumes and all. It’s another one of our Jewish traditions that connects family.� Does Greenberg see himself joining the band of regulars during their annual ritual at Beth El? Yes, he said, for several reasons: “As a teacher at BESTT (Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah), it is important to show the students that even at an older age, you can learn new skills and it also shows that I ‘walk the talk.’� His other reason? “Use it or lose it!� Beth El’s Family Megillah reading will take place Saturday, March 3, 6:45 p.m.; the full reading will take place at 8 p.m. that evening, as well as on Sunday, March 4, 8 a.m., for Purim Shacharit.
Jewish Experience Grant Applications (Now available to children in grades 3 – 12 for summer residential Jewish camp. Also available for the 2007 Jewish Federation of Omaha Family Mission) Deadline: March 30, 2007 All applications can be printed from the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jewishomaha.org. Select “The Center for Jewish Education� and then select “Scholarships & Grants�. Applications are also available by calling 334-6445 or via email request to scholarships@jewishomaha.org. For any questions on grant or scholarship programs, please call the Center for Jewish Education office at 334-6445.
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amazing is that, even though we think of the event as historical, no one knows if the kingdom of Shushan ever existed!â€? This year will mark the 10th year Dan Morris has read from the Megillah -- and he’s read the same portion, the 10th chapter, every year since his Bar Mitzvah. “After my Bar Mitzvah, Cantor (Emil Berkovits) asked me to read. He asked me to read the next year, too, and after that it just became a part of what I do every year. “I’m not sure what exactly draws me Grogger in hand, a costume-adorned back every year, Gary Nachman reads the Megillah. but there is something that feels good about being the person who reads the 10th chapter every year.â€? The readers tend to have fixed assignments, Shukert noted, saying that for years he read the first chapter, but more recently “transitioned to the second.â€? “Why do we read the same chapter every year?â€? he asked. “It’s a tradition.â€? This year, the veteran readers welcome a newcomer to their midst: after reading Torah and Haftarah for years, Andy Greenberg recently accepted the challenge from Cantor G a s t Ăł n B o g o m o l n i Steve Denenberg and Ben Shapiro, particito expand his pated in the Megillah reading last year. expertise to the Megillah. The messages taught in the text still remain relevant in contemporary life, Greenberg said. “The Megillah talks about bravery, planning, protecting, heroes and religious rites. It reminds me of the old TV show, Mission Impossible, which dealt with overcoming odds that seemed impossi-
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
Why move to Omaha? For starters...the Friedel by EUNIE DENENBERG “Omaha? Why on earth would we move to Omaha?” Fran Edwards is describing her reaction to husband Cris’ announcement that the family was relocating from Virginia to Nebraska, a move she “dreaded”, she confesses, until she began investigating, and “all my stereoabout small, types Midwestern towns devoid of Jewish life flew out the window.” Fran and Christopher, a naval lieutenant at STRATCOM, Offutt Air Force Base, are parents of three girls: Siobhan, two months, Gavriella, four, who attends the CDC and O’Bryen, six, a secondgrader at the Friedel Jewish Academy. Members of Temple Israel, the Edwards feel comfortably integrated into Omaha’s Jewish community. “Every Jewish essential important to us is here,” Fran explained. “Kosher meat, Passover food, who knew? Plus -- a day school! And what a day school, we love Friedel.” Fran is a one-woman band beating the drum for her daughter’s school. “The classrooms are small and the teachers tailor the curriculum to each child. O’Bryen was encouraged to begin reading before the rest of her group, because she was ready. I know a kindergartner who is working with a first grader and a second grader who’s doing third grade assignments. Plus,” she adds, “nothing is ‘dumbed down’ for the kids.” “Now,” she concludes, I can’t believe I dreaded coming to Nebraska. Our needs are so fully met here, even better than when we lived in Virginia Beach with its 30,000 Jews. Omaha is a gem of a community and it’s strengths begin with its educational resources - for us, it’s Friedel.” Janie Murow, Community Development Director for
the Federation, is the Jewish community’s official greeter for potential newcomers, who, she says, are always “impressed” by our day school’s environment and faculty. “The energy is evident the minute you step in the door,” comments Janie. “We’ve seen such growth there, including the parents’ involvement. When parents are committed and get active, it’s important for Omaha’s Jews in general.” According to Principal Cookie Katskee, the quality of the faculty and the students’ achieve-
Schools, describes Friedel’s teachers as “self-starters who enjoy working with small groups in a creative climate.” Another family interviewed for this article offered another perspective on Omaha in general and Friedel in particular. “When you’re lost,” began Sarah Taibel, “such a welcoming as we got can touch your heart forever.” The Taibels came to Omaha because their kindergarten-aged daughter needed a transplant at the UNMC. When they discovered the day school, the entire family moved, enabling them to be together for the nine months of transplant procedures. “Literally, we were strangers in a strange land, but the day our son started school at Friedel, we were instantly absorbed into an incredible community. Neil’s scholarship and Hebrew skills blossomed, and his teachers made specific adjustments for his needs.” “Friedel’s philosophy is: how can the school help the child succeed? The teachers treated our son with respect. His character, his intellect were strengthened. When we got back to Houston, we actually changed schools Photos, clockwise from top left: Friedel moms Karen because Omaha showed me Cohen, left, Julie Stein, Nancy Kutler and Susan Witkowski what can be done in a truly make challah for a school project with their children. Neil positive, caring environment Taibel made an easy transition to Friedel when his family when your child has the best moved to Omaha for his sister’s transplant procedure at teachers for the job.” Sarah the University of Nebraska Medical Center. O’Bryen is emphatic. “What you have Edwards’ father is an officer at STRATCOM; she’s a sec- in Omaha is not common.” The Friedel Jewish ond-grader at the school. Friedel is hosting an open house invites the entire Academy on Wednesday, 7 p.m. community to an Open ments establish Friedel as a bona fide top of the line House, Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m. For more inforeducational arena. Cookie, who spent over 35 years as a mation, call 334.0517 or e-mail friedelacademy@jewteacher and administrator with the Omaha Public ishomaha.org.
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A Science Fair to remember by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Mere weeks ago, Josh and Hannah Stein did not grasp the rules of M&M survival. Gabby Witkowski had no idea why things taste so funny when you have a cold. My own daughter Isabella couldn’t care less about the weather forecast. Cleo Rogers wasn’t sure whether plants could live on 7UP, and Ethan Potash considered pickles just a food. Cue the Friedel Science Fair. Last month, approximately 30 Friedel students showed their science projects to the judges. Elementary Education students from Creighton University came to Friedel to take a closer Isabella Wright demonstrates look at the projects, and lis- Science Fair. ten to the students explain their work. Josephine Zbylut-Birky said, “The wonderful thing about the judges is how positive they are. The children really get a sense that it is their participation that is important, not whether anyone wins first or second prize. That is why they all receive an individual award, as well as a certificate.” Friedel parent Patrick McNamara was amazed at the independence his daughter Ilana showed. “Over the past few weeks, Ilana has refused help from both her parents. She insisted on doing it all herself.” McNamara also said “It can be difficult to let your child do things on her own. Especially when they are in kindergarten, and they have never done this before, you feel like giving them a helping hand. However, her project turned out wonderfully, and we are extremely proud of her.” Ilana grew beans and studied the outcome, and made her display board all by herself as well. Josephine added that “the students really enjoy themselves and use the Science Fair as an opportunity to grow academically. I was truly amazed at the progress they made; especially with the students that participate more than once we can see true growth from year to year.” The students’ enthusiasm was tangible while they
Can you identify this photo?
ENGAGEMENT GRAHAM/LEHRMAN Adrianne Graham and Matthew Lehrman of Lawrence, KS, have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a BS in secondary education, and a minor in history. She was on the Dean’s List. She is a high school teacher in DeSoto, Kansas. She is the daughter of Jaine Evnen and Mark Graham of Lincoln, and the granddaughter of Elaine and Everett Evnen of Lincoln, and the late Mary and Charles Graham. Her fiancé, son of Nancy and Jerry Lehrman of Plymouth, MN, graduated from of University of Wisconsin in Madison with a BS in Political Science and International Studies. He is the Program Director for Hillel at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He is the grandson of Arnold Lehrman of Minneapolis, MN, and the late Helen Lehrman, the late Robert and the late Norma Hexter. A wedding is planned for Sept. 2 in Lawrence, KS.
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In response to the Jewish Press’ request for photos for the March 30 Passover issue -- “The Blumkin Home at 25: a New Beginning” -- Geri Phillips delivered photos of her parents, Anne and Lewis Ellis. She also left this photo at the Press office, with her father pictured at the left. If readers can identify any of the others pictured above and date the photo, please send the information to the Press at 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, call 402.334.6450 or e-mail ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. The deadline for submitting photos of current or prior residents of the Blumkin Home or their Passover recipes to the Press for the Passover issue is Monday, March 5.
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showed their displays to their parents and grandparents in the evening. They were able to explain in detail what it was they researched, and took great pride in completing something from beginning to end. Ilana McNamara wasn’t the only one who was interested in plant life. Cleo Rogers decided to raise several plants in a variety of liquids. She fed them regular water, 7UP, Diet Dr. Pepper and coffee. It made for a fascinating display. Who knew there were so many different ways to say: “this plant is dying”? Elisa Wiener earned accolades for her original title; her project was called “To her project for the Friedel Freeze or not to Freeze.” Elisa’s purpose was to learn what freezes first and last. Joshua Polack discovered that citrus fruit can be substituted for batteries. Visitors learned that lemons make the most “juice” and oranges the least. Sam Kricsfeld found out, with the use of a box and a lamp, that black cars retain more heat than white ones. The absolute star of the evening was Ethan Potash, who managed to steer electricity through a pickle. Many pickles bit the dust as he demonstrated the process over and over again. This was received with great enthusiasm, proving that the nastier something smells, the more people are drawn to it. A taste test was not included, however. Maybe something to think about for next year? What stood out the most at this year’s Science Fair was the sheer enthusiasm of all students involved. They clearly enjoyed themselves immensely. This is a credit to teachers who are not afraid to let their kids try something new and unexpected. Unfortunately for Omaha’s M&M’s, pickles, and plants-with-a-drinking-problem, this is one event that all students will look forward to repeating. The evidence? My five-year-old has filled my freezer with dubious things immersed in water. After all, it’s not gross if you call it a science experiment.
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Temple to host panel on ABC’s of education legislation by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator In 2006, the Nebraska Unicameral passed LB 1024 which created a learning community comprised of the school districts of Douglas and Sarpy counties. Since then, efforts to find alternative solutions have continued. Last year’s new law was put on hold by a court injunction. Now the question is: What will the legislature do this year? In the interest of staying in touch with the issues, Temple Israel is hosting a panel, “The ABCs of Education Legislation,” on Sunday, March 11, 10 a.m. The panel discussion, which is open to the community, will be moderated by Omaha World-Herald columnist Mike Kelley. Panelists will be State Senators Gwen Howard, a member of the Education Committee, and Lowen Kruse as well as school board members Tom Baker, president of the Board of Westside Community Schools, and Nancy Huston, Omaha Public Schools Board member. Both Senators Howard and Kruse are from Omaha. Several plans have been introduced in the new session, which began in January, including LB 547 by Senator Gail Kopplin of Gretna, LB 91 by Bellevue Senator Abbie Cornett, LB 473 sponsored by Omaha Senator Ernie Chambers, LB 641 and LB 642 by Senator Ron Raikes of Lincoln, LB 558 by Omaha Senator Brad Ashford, and LB 440 brought by Senator Don Preister of Bellevue. None of the proposed legislation has come out of committee yet.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT After a sold out debut performance, Rabbi Seth Nadel returns to Benson playing his original Jewish folk rock. In December, Nadel packed Omaha’s Foundry Cafe with almost 200 people who came to see him play his high-energy hybrid of rock, pop, folk, and blues with a spiritual twist. An Orthodox rabbi with an unorthodox approach to music, he plays Mick’s, 5918 Maple St. in Benson, Sunday, March 18, 7 p.m. Admission is $5. Nadel’s music has been compared to the music of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, and more contempoRabbi Seth Nadel rary acts like the Counting Crows. He has toured nationally as a solo act and along with his band inspiring and entertaining audiences across North America. In 2004, he released the CD “One Thing I Ask,” called by critics, “passionate rock and roll for the soul.” For more info: www.micksomaha.com or www.sethnadel.com. The Omaha Community Playhouse will present Give ‘Em Hell, Harry on its Mainstage Mach 2-25. The production is sponsored by HDR, Inc. and Hughston Walkinshaw, is guest director. This drama of the Truman White House years captures the saga of an improbable but great statesman, the events of his time and his momentous decisions. Performance times are Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. (matinee) and 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are: adults, $30, and students, $19, and may be purchased at the Box Office, by calling 402.553.0800, or at www.OmahaPlayhouse.org. The Joffrey Ballet is coming to the Orpheum Theater on Friday, March 16, 8 p.m. Celebrating its golden anniversary in 2007, this uniquely American company presents an evening performance that accompanies three exciting ballets: Les Presages, Motown Suite and The Green Table. For more information on the company, visit www.joffrey.com. Tickets are on sale now for The Joffrey Ballet, part of the Omaha Performing Arts Presents 2006/07 Dance Series and may be purchased through Ticket Omaha online at www.ticketomaha.org, by phone at 402.345.0606 or in person at the Ticket Omaha box office at the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas. Tickets are priced from $19 to $45.
NCJW needs donations for consignment sale by DANA KAUFMAN NCJW Omaha Section Vice-President of Fundraising The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)Omaha Section invites members of the community to donate quality children’s items to be sold at KidzShoppe, a West Omaha consignment sale taking place Wednesday-Saturday, March 21-24. Proceeds from the sale will support NCJW’s “Totes for Tots” program, which provides a bag full of necessities to toddlers in foster care. Requested donations include: name-brand children’s and maternity clothes, toys, cribs, strollers, high chairs, books, car seats, videos, computer games, Halloween costumes, children’s décor and almost anything having to do with children. Any clothing donated should be stain-free, and toys must work and have all of the pieces. Receipts are available for all donations. “Leslie and I are looking forward to co-chairing the consignment sale again this spring,” said Nikki Kirshenbaum, Vice President of Membership. “This is the sixth time that NCJW has participated in this particular sale and each time it gets better and better! She added, “Please consider donating children’s items, maternity clothes or even a few hours of your time to work the sale or help price items. The work is fun and your involvement benefits children in foster care.” Items may be left in the donation bins placed at Kidz Inn and the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center at the Jewish Community Center through March 14. To make arrangements for items to be picked up or to volunteer your time, please contact Leslie Eades at 330.8208 or Nikki Kirshenbaum at 965.8935.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Mark Nasar will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, March 7, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Marty Ricks, chairman. Nasar,the official voice of the Omaha Royals, will discuss stadiums, sports and the success of the team. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only. YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Members will meet Monday at the JCC in the auditorium. Join us for the CD Dancers who will demonstrate Country Line Dancing. Lunch will be served at noon at $6 per person. The dancers will perform at 12:30 p.m. Try your luck with bingo at 10 a.m. with Miles and Eileen Remer. For transportation call Dee Dee at 330.4272. Call Maggie Conti at 334.6521 for reservations for the day trips to Mr. C’s bunch to lunch on March 17 and Ameristar Casino on March 29. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. The Yiddish Group is now officially a zamler (collector) for the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA. To donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Visions luncheon meeting is Friday, March 16, 12:30 p.m. at the Venice Inn. Join us for musical entertainment by Derek Ventura. Cost is $10 per person. Send reservation form to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St. Omaha, NE 6811 by March 9. For questions, call Jim Wax at 393.4442. As a joint project with Jewish Family Service, we are asking our members for a monetary gift. JFS will use the donation to purchase Passover items for families in need. Please make check payable to JFS and bring to the March luncheon meeting or send to: Betty Kolnick, 1031 Hillcrest Dr, Omaha, NE 68132. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES The Metropolitan String Quartet will perform at the JCC on Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m. in the auditorium. There is no admission fee and all are welcome to attend. The quartet was formed in 1986 in Omaha and has played many concerts in the Midwest. In addition to providing music for weddings and receptions, the quartet has played for President Bill Clinton, First Lady Barbara Bush and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
March 2, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM THE MORTON A. RICHARD YOUTH FUND Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the teens of B’nai Jeshurun -- the South Street Temple in Lincoln. Special thanks goes to Randi Imanuel for collecting the material.
My experience in Israel by JERI L. KOHN from 8 am to 6:30 pm, being on my own and living in A little over a year ago, an article was published in the except on Fridays when another culture, but I came Jewish Press about a boy from Omaha who traveled to school was only until 1 pm. home yearning to learn more Israel on a program called NFTY-EIE. Josh Bleicher Part of the program is to see about my history and considerwrote about his experience, labeling it as in amazing Israel; thus we traveled all ing a career in the rabbinate. time and one that he grew from. About a month after I across Israel, sometime wakOverall, my experience in Israel came upon this article, I met him unexpectedly at a ing up a 6 a.m. to do so and was amazing, life changing, and speech tournament. not getting home until midthe time of my life. I encourage After these two events, I was inspired to apply for a night. We went on long hikall teenagers and their parents to semester in Israel with NFTY’s (National Federation of ing trips where we spent five look into NFTY-EIE or any proTemple Youth) Eisendrath gram to Israel because as Jews Israel Exchange program. today it is very important for I can’t even begin to each of us to have a personal explain the fears I had in late connection with our country. Tributes to slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin Jeri is an junior at Lincoln August shortly before I are often found at the memorial in Kikar Rabin. Southeast High. would be leaving my friends and family and moving to days straight hiking through Israel for approximately four the desert and from the to the months. But unlike popular Kinneret thoughts, my fears weren’t Mediterranean. We particiby RACHEL LUNDHOLM of the recent war with pated in Ganda, a military Everybody has a different reason for attending synaLebanon or terrorist attacks, simulation program, where gogue different times of each month and year. Some but rather of the fact that I we learned to shoot M-16s. The beautiful beaches in Tel Aviv are an attraction for teens people only attend the High Holy day services such as did not know a single person And we did the hardest to Israel. on summer trips Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah while others attend who I would be living with thing of all -- we flew to once or twice a month, or even every week. I attend in Israel. Poland and visited the death camps of World War II. Reform synagogue, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun the On Aug. 28, I met 30 other teenagers in the JFK airThe number one reason to go on this program is not of Lincoln, every week, but my reasons for attending port of New York City and instantly all 31 of us became the life changing experience you will have traveling different from other teenagers and adults. are friends. We became more than just friends to one anoth- abroad -- because you could travel abroad anywhere and One of my reasons for attending frequently is er; as a group we were more like a support system, have a life changing experience. But rather, the reason to because ever since my Bat Mitzvah in March of 2005, always needing to work together and support each go is the Jewish History program NFTY offers. The I feel it is my duty as an adult in my community to parother. This family is crucial to this program because this Jewish history class is a whopping three hours every day, ticipate. By helping out during services reading at least program isn’t simply a walk in the park, it’s intense. not to mentions the all day history trips. This class is aliyot, I feel it one prayer for the service and doing the For four months, I went to school six days a week what changed me the most. Yes, I did change from is important to set an example for the children of my community and to inspire them to want to continue their Jewish education, even after they have become B’nai Mitzvah. by EMILY STANFIELD join a group that supports people in poverty, or join a Zach Knecht, of the Conservative synagogue I think everyone should be involved in social action, group that fights for political issues. Tiferith Israel, says he doesn’t go to services to be conregardless of age, but teenagers especially should find a Personally, I’m involved in groups that try to help chilnected with G-d because he believes he is always consocial action group to be involved in. Why? There are dren in Uganda, children with disabilities and serious illnected with G-d wherever he goes. several reasons. nesses, oppose the war in Iraq, and raise awareness about Instead he says it is about being a part of the Jewish One reason is that teenagers are often more passionate the situation in Darfur. Just get involved in something community not only in Lincoln or Tampa Bay, FL, about causes than adults. They aren’t jaded and disillu- that you feel passionate about. where he was originally located, but to be connected sioned like adults get. More teenagers should get So, teens who read this, go ahead and get involved. with Jews around the world. involved in their communities and take advantage of this It’s good for your community -- plus it looks good on I feel that is a really powerful statement and I respect time in their lives when they’re still optimistic. college applications. that. There are many ways to get involved. You could join Rachel is a freshman at Lincoln Northeast High. an environmental group, volunteer at a soup kitchen, Emily is a junior at Lincoln High.
Connecting with G-d
Why teenagers should be socially active
Last minute Purim sites for kids
PEOPLE OF THE
BYTE
by MARK MIETKIEWICZ Purim’s practically here and if you haven’t gotten around putting together costumes for your kids, teaching them a song or two, or just telling them some stories about the holiday, it’s not too late. All the resources you need are at your fingertips. Aish HaTorah (featuring the ubiquitous Mordy Mermeltashen) has a large selection of activities geared toward Kids and their Parents. Jewish Heroes is a series of three workshops designed to stimulate discussion about heroes and heroines. And if you’re a mom or dad who doesn’t mind letting your kids turn your house upside-down for a bit of fun and education, then take a look at the detailed instructions for the Purim Scavenger Hunt. By the time your kids have scoured your house for the fifteen clues, they will have learned a great deal about the holiday -- without evening realizing it. [www.aish.com/holidays/purim/] The Cyber Purim Play is really two treats in one. It’s a 16-page holiday coloring book which you can print out. But it’s accompanied by an audio play that tells the story of the holiday. Great for kids who can’t yet read. (You will need the free Shockwave plug-in to hear the site.) Be prepared to stay a while. This is a large site that takes a while to download. [http://tinyurl.com/yukyh3]
Need an idea for your kids’ costumes? Just go to Flickr where proud parents have posted over a 100 photos of their adorable progeny bedecked for the holiday. [http://tinyurl.com/3dn3ux] If you opt for something traditional like King Ahashverosh, Queen Esther or Haman, then Purim on the Net makes things easy for you. Just print out their masks, ready for coloring. [http://tinyurl.com/yrqd6v] I’m not sure quite sure of its historical accuracy but Ben Finkel has put together instructions for making an origami Haman’s hat. [http://tinyurl.com/2xxcbf] If you want to try making a real crown, you can find detailed illustrated instructions online for a beaded crown. The project calls for glow-in-the-dark beads that will make your favorite Queen Esther beam. [http:// tinyurl.com/yrgxbh] Could anything be more appropriate than a Hangman game in which you hang Haman? That’s what Dr. Nurit Reshef has dreamed up in her Purim Games section. There is a huge assortment of games here including word search and a game in which you can smash that villain. After you’ve let it out on Haman, you can print out the Hebrew crossword puzzles and a story in Hebrew about charity where you are challenged to write the ending. [http://tinyurl.com/yr4k7d] If you want to have the most expensive gregger on the block, go to the gregger link at the Celebrate with Joi Purim Site and click away. [http://tinyurl.com/ 26vmwb] You will hear a genuine rattling noise but your computer may be a bit heavy to shlep to shul for megillah reading. If you want a gregger that’s a bit more
portable, try your hand at building the one at My Jewish Learning. Follow the instructions and Purim night, take your home-made gregger to shul for a spin. [http:// tinyurl.com/2hbhqv] Your computer can help your kids brush up on some of the basic Purim vocabulary in Hebrew. [ www.zigzagworld.com/milim/] Zigzagworld has a lovely little game which lets you build a mask or crown on your desktop while teaching a words in Hebrew. [www.zigzagworld.com/mask/] (Please be patient. These games may take a minute or two to load.) One highlight of a children’s Purim celebration is the Purim spiel orplay. Valdosta Hebrew Congregation in Georgia have put their effort on-line if you’d like to use it as your inspiration. [http://tinyurl.com/yu42v4] Arutz Sheva has created the best musical assortment anywhere with five hours of Purim tunes online! The only problem is their Jewish music page is in Hebrew only. (Click on the tab that says “Tayvat Negina” then on “Chagim”.) [http://tinyurl.com/3cwos5] If that presents a problem, here’s a shortcut that will take you directly to 60 minutes of kids’ tunes. [http://tinyurl. com/2ot43a] And if you would like to include some Purim songs on your mp3 players, go to the Aish and download classics like Chag Purim and Shoshanas Yaakov and you’ll be ready for the holiday in no time. [http://tinyurl.com/2mfq8v] Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based website producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be contacted at highway@rogers.com.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
Ahmadinejad’s no Purim joke Despite the merriment in this weekend’s Purim festivities, the underlying threat from “Persia” remains with us 2372 years later. This time, Haman (read Ahmadinejad) isn’t fooling aorund with casting lots (“Pur”) to determine a date on which the Jews will be killed; he’s flat-out announced that “Israel should be wiped off the map.” You can’t get more blunt than that. Even Adolf Hitler in his more vociferous moments didn’t make public announcements about exterminating the Jews; he let his henchmen just carry out the tasks of just “relocating them” to the so-called “work camps.” According to the experts, the Iranians are still two years away from going nuclear -- that is, being able to produce the enriched uraniam needed to actually make nuclear bombs or nuclear-tipped missiles. Ahmadinejad isn’t content with nuclear threats as his only weapons agains Israel -- and the rest of the world’s Jews. His meddling in the Mideast extends to both Hezbollah and Hamas. Just last week, IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis (www.imra.org.il) posted a story by Nicholas Blanford, a writer for the London Times (timesonline.co.uk), noting that Hezbollah is purchasing land north of the area patrolled by United Nations troops in southern Lebanon. Using the mountains just north of the Litani River, Hezbollah is covertly bringing in weapons, many of them longrange missiles from Iran, shielded from the prying eyes of the 12,000 UN forces.
Acording to Blanford, “Hezbollah’s opponents believe the goal is to create a Shia-populated belt spanning the northern bank of the Litani...Hezbollah readily admits that it is rearming. Three weeks ago, a lorry loaded with rockets and mortars was stopped by Lebanese customs on the edge of Beirut. Hezbollah said the weapons were intended for its military wing and asked for their return. The Lebanese minister of defense said they would be handed to the Lebanese army. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, said weapons were being transported to ‘the front’ in south Lebanon. ‘We have weapons of all kinds and quantities, as many as you want. We don’t fight our enemy with swords made of wood,’ he said...Some officials Lebanese view Hezbollah’s rearming as part of the looming showdown between the United States and Iran over its nuclear ambitions.” There’s more bad news: Brits learned last week that the terror threat in the UK is at an all-time high, with some 2000
home grown jihadists ready to enter paradise by taking thousands of innocent lives with them. One bit of good news -- maybe in the form of a modern-day Queen Esther. Israel is negotiating with the United States for permission to fly over Iraqi air space to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites if necessary. Three Arab states have also agreed to the air corridor, though Israel’s government denies this in the Ha’Aretz newspaper. With women now piloting Israeli Air Force jets, perhaps the 21st-century version of the Purim story will have the same happy ending. We’ll drink to that...Chag Samayach!
Women don’t belong at the back of the bus How to read a former
FOCUS ON ISSUES by PHYLLIS SNYDER At a time when women are taking their rightful place at the forefront of Israeli society, something is pushing them back -- to the back of the bus, that is. The matter soon will be considered in Israel’s highest court. Egged, Israel’s government-funded bus company, for more than a decade has run sex-segregated buses known as mehadrin on routes serving mostly haredi, or fervently Orthodox, communities. Introduced for religious reasons, the buses now move through religious and secular neighborhoods in and between cities. Along many routes the mehadrin buses are the only public transit option. And women, regardless of their religiosity, are expected to board using a separate entrance at the back and to dress modestly. When women try to take an empty seat toward the front of these buses, they often are threatened - verbally, sometimes physically. Women have been kicked off buses, at night and on highways. But now some are fighting back. After being heckled for refusing to forfeit her front seat, Naomi Ragen, an observant Jew and well-known author, joined the Israel Religious Action Center -- the Reform movement’s legal and public advocacy arm in Israel -- and a small group of women to petition Israel’s Supreme Court about bus segregation. They have the National Council of Jewish Women’s support and solidarity. To American ears, bus segregation is
the very symbol of civil rights denied. It recalls the historic moment when the civil-rights movement gained the momentum it needed to bring an end to Jim Crow laws. To Jewish ears, segregation is fraught with memories of an American past in which segregation extended beyond where we could sit to where we could work, study and live. The back of the bus carries a symbolism beyond its physicality. It’s where a society sends its second-class citizens. It silently screams “inequality,” shouts “inferior.” It squelches dignity. As a young nation balancing its identities as a democracy and a Jewish state, Israel has unique considerations and responsibilities. But make no mistake, women’s presence in public places is not an attack on anyone’s religious freedom. In any country, when we start banishing women from public spaces, we begin a descent down a dangerous slope. In Israel we already have seen the ripple effect, with men on non-mehadrin buses demanding -sometimes violently -- that women move to the back of the bus. Yet we also know that when women’s rights prevail, they can create a ripple effect. Consider, for example, the ascendance in September of Justice Dorit Beinisch, the first woman to serve as president of Israel’s Supreme Court, which will be considering the bus petition. In the meantime, we can support Israeli women by standing up for their right to sit down wherever they please.
...we can support Israeli women by standing up for their right to sit down wherever they please.
Phyllis Snyder is the national president of National Council of Jewish Women, and can be reached at: www.ncjw.org.
President’s recent book
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by ALAN POTASH
There has been much talk and controversy around the country and in Omaha about former president Jimmy Carter’s book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. One can be torn between being respectful to an ex-president and looking critically at his book. One can question his intention to write a scholarly work exploring the development of peace over the past 25 years or his intention to write a memoir of his experiences, opinions and in his opinion, who is to blame for the failure of peace in the Middle East. No matter the distinction Carter articulates, using the incendiary word “Apartheid” to refer to Israel and its policies is unacceptable and shameful. Apartheid, that abhorrent and racist system in South Africa, has no bearing on Israeli policies. Not only are Israel’s policies not racist, but the situation in the territories does not arise from Israeli intentions to oppress or repress Palestinians, but is a product of Palestinian rejection of Israel and the use of terror and violence against the Jewish state. In some ways, Carter’s book picks up the theme of the outlandish paper on “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” by Professors John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. Like them, his examination of almost every issue concerning the conflict results in blaming Israel for most or all of what has gone wrong. Many supporters of the book praise Carter for “taking on Israel” and “speaking for the Palestinians” and there are those that have criticized him of being biased, unbalanced and inaccurate in his treatment of Israel. It is a troubling work by an individual who views himself as a peacemaker. The criticism of Carter’s book has been significant and with merit. It is not a work of scholarship or a foreign policy paper. It is a memoir of his quest through the Arab world and a one sided view of history. It is not the goals that Carter seeks that are so troubling, but his obsession with blaming Israel for these goals not being achieved. To some, societal discourse cannot hold a decent logical argument or discussion. Many have lost the art of Continued on page 13
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Defending separate but equal: Sitting apart empowers women
FOCUS ON ISSUES by SHIRA LEIBOWITZ SCHMIDT JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Jewish men wearing black hats are sitting in the front of some buses in Israel. The women’s section is in the back. Segregation? Nope. It’s empowerment of women. Egged recently added buses that travel between fervently Orthodox neighborhoods and accommodate that community’s preferences for separate seating. Some women who boarded these buses were rudely treated and, led by novelist Naomi Ragen, filed a petition with Israel’s High Court of Justice objecting to this service. Miriam Shear, who objected to sitting in the back of an Israeli bus -- not one of the special buses, incidentally -has been compared to Rosa Parks, a black woman who symbolized the U.S. civil rights movement by refusing to sit in the back of a bus. ... religious women A better analogy, however, is between Parks, who stood ... view the right to for empowerment of blacks, sit separately, even and religious women who if it’s in the back of view the right to sit separatethe bus, as ly, even if it’s in the back of the bus, as empowerment. empowerment. The fervently Orthodox community has observed the degradation of Israel’s public square in recent decades and wondered, how low can you go? Forced to listen to raunchy music, gaze at indecent ads and observe bare midriffs, religious women and men arranged their own private buses. These rival buses attracted so many customers that Egged tried to put them out of business by offering similar conditions on certain routes. Egged wants to make money and doesn’t want to lose haredi customers, so it added a few extra “mehadrin” lines -- optional and stringent -- to provide separate seating for those who didn’t want men to have to mix with scantily clad women. This entrepreneurship is as American as apple pie. Egged’s mehadrin lines became extremely popular. But the glitches will take time to resolve.
Fervently Orthodox women feel empowered by the separate seating. While many people decry provocative dress and sensual ads, few do anything about it. By arranging separate seating on extra buses, the fervently Orthodox have created new options. This is multiculturalism and pluralism. The vast majority of Israeli buses continue to have mixed seating. Why women in the back? It isn’t strictly required, but in the Shema prayer we are warned not to follow our roving eyes, and some Orthodox men take an extra stringency upon themselves to minimize such opportunities. The advertising industry did not need the Shema to know that men are more easily stirred by visual stimulation than women. By analogy, if your spouse is on a diet, you wouldn’t intentionally tempt your spouse, saying, “That’s your problem, control yourself.” While self-control is an admirable quality, you shouldn’t put stumbling blocks before the blind or the sighted. Women who chose to ride in the rear of the bus see themselves as partners in, and beneficiaries of, the attempt to encourage family integrity by creating temptation-free comfort zones. I’m not implying that mixed seating on buses leads to busses, but this gift from God -- that women nicely distract men -- belongs in the privacy of the home. Men are hard-wired differently than women. It’s the men who are disadvantaged because Jewish law imposes more limits on their visual freedom. But this multicultural approach of providing a variety of different services has a downside: A tiny percentage of passengers have had unpleasant experiences. I apologize to Ragen, the other petitioners and anyone else who was treated rudely. The Orthodox need to do much introspection to minimize the offense to those who prefer mixed seating. Rabbis in the fervently Orthodox press have rebuked their community for bus boorishness. Unfortunately, there is much road rage and hurtful behavior in all sectors of Israeli society that has nothing to do with religious issues. As Amos Oz wrote, “Israel belongs in a Fellini movie, not an Ingmar Bergman film’’ -- meaning that Israelis tend to hyperactivity. Egged, which didn’t want to lose an economic opportunity, did a half-hearted job and didn’t mark the mehadrin buses so people would be aware they were
boarding a separate-seating bus. It was left to the passengers to sort things out for themselves -- a formula for chaos and conflict, as illustrated by a few incidents where women who didn’t move to the back were insulted and, in one rare case, assaulted. That led to the High Court petition for a temporary injunction on separate seating. The petitioners are asking Egged to regularize mehadrin lines, mark buses clearly, formalize rules for deportment and limit the number of special buses. Perhaps something good will come from the initiative of the petitioners: Egged will fish or cut bait. All sides -- the women who feel empowered by separate seating, those who petitioned the court, Egged and the media, which is having a heyday -- should be applauded for encouraging a public airing of this fascinating conundrum. Shira Leibowitz Schmidt, a graduate of the Stanford University engineering school and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, is co-author of a book on science and Jewish tradition. She lives in Netanya.
How to read Continued from apge 12 listening. We live in a “you are either with me or against me” society. Win or lose. No gray area. No process. No common ground. How does one read this book and respond to it? There are two very complicated narratives going on in the region on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The one time peacemaker and president, has chosen one side of the story. Whether it is because he is personally drawn to that version by thought, experience or influence of others he has closed the door on exploring the other narrative. He continues to hold Israel to a different standard than any other country. When one leaves balance behind, trusting a peacemaker has turned into a challenging proposition. And that is part of the problem with this book -- no balance, no trust. One of ADL’s criticisms is Carter’s view that the Jewish community stifles debate on Israel. In other words, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, resonates of the age old anti-Semitic canard that Jews control the media, Congress, and the U.S. government. Alan Potash is the Executive Director of the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
Candlelighting Friday, March 2, 5:58 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, March 9: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, author Steve Fischer describing “The Fabulous Mob History of Las Vegas.” The community is invited.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (grades K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 6:05 p.m. W E E K D AY S E R V I C E S : Sundays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; weekdays 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Living Hebrew, 10 a.m., with Susi FrydmanLevin; “The Weekly Parasha: It’s All About Me?!,” 10 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg; “Jewish Pot Pourri,” 11 a.m., led by Frydman-Levin. THURSDAYS, noon: Rabbi Levin leads Getting More Out of Prayer: Insights into the Siddur. PURIM SERVICES: Saturday, March 3, 6:15 p.m. Minha service; 6:45 p.m., Family Megillah reading, costume parade and ice cream social; 8 p.m., full Megillah reading. Sunday, March 4, 8 a.m., Purim Shacharit - full Megillah reading. PURIM CARNIVAL: Sunday, March 4, 11:30 a.m. SISTERHOOD HAMANTASHEN SALE: Orders will be ready for pick-up in the social hall on Sunday, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. NOTIONS OF THE AFTERLIFE: Four-week minicourse scheduled for 7 p.m. every Wednesday in March at Beth El, led by Dr. Guy Matalon. Cost is $23, discounted to $18 for donors to the Federation’s Annual Campaign. To register or for more information, contact Margie Gutnik in the office. MOTHERS CIRCLE: Class for non-Jewish mothers raising Jewish children, continues Tuesday, March 6, 7 p.m. and is open to the community, free of charge. For information, contact Judy Rubin at 498.0904 or eddir@bethel-omaha.org. ABBA, EEMA & ME: Wednesday, March 7, 9:30 a.m11 a.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross.
FRIDAY: Deadline for ordering Shmurah Matzah for Passover. Matzah comes in one-pound boxes (about 8 whole matzahs) for $18 per box; Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:58 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Dr. Howard Gendelman in honor of the birthday of Bonnie Bloch; Mincha, 5:45 p.m. followed by Suedat Shlishit with Gemara class; Havdalah, 6:59 p.m.; Megillah Reading, 7:30 p.m., followed by ice cream social and costume contest. SUNDAY: Shacharit and Megillah Reading, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Nadel follows breakfast, 9:45 a.m.; Megillah Reading, 10 a.m.; Megillah Reading, 5 p.m., followed by Purim Suedah, children’s activities, and the Purim Spiel “American Idol Auditions Live from Shushan!”; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Hebrew Reading Crash Course, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Advanced Parsha Study, 7:30 p.m.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service; Megillah reading, 7 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Megillah reading, 9 a.m.; Second Megillah reading, 4 p.m.; Purim In The Chocolate Factory, 5 p.m. Dress up as your favorite character in this story. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer Circle Tehillim & More, 9 a.m.; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. Events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call the office.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi
Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m., all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.noon and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; Parent volunteers needed to drive students to deliver Purim Mishloach Manot, food gift baskets to the elderly and home-bound. E-mail or call Shoshanna if you are available; The Megillah According to Stage and Screen, 6 p.m., followed by a Hamantaschen reception; bring nonperishable food items for Lincoln’s emergency food pantries; Winter Lecture Series, 7-9 p.m. at Unitarian Church, 6300 ‘A’ St. “Tackling Climate Change: The U.S. potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency to 2030” with Dr. Charles Lutscher of the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, CO. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew class (grades 2-7), 4-6 p.m. at TI. THURSDAY: Saratoga School Food Distribution Program, 5 p.m. at Saratoga Elementary School. ADULT EDUCATION “Judging Judges -- New Approaches to Reading the Bible,” on Sundays, March 18 and 25, 7-9 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Linder, and Cantor Shermet will lead the service along with Grade 4 students; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. Rabbi Azriel will lead the service. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults and children at no charge. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; It eez time for Purim Spiel and Disco, 7:30 p.m. Featuring a special guest from Kazakhstan. Bring an appetizer to share, wear a costume, and disco dance like Borat. High Five! SUNDAY: Teacher Learning Coffee, 9:30 a.m.; Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.-noon.; Prayer Assembly, 11 a.m.; Reading of the
USY’s Nativ college program now accepting applications by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Nativ, USY’s college/leadership program in Israel, is now accepting applications for the 2007-08 program and is open to students during the year following their high school graduation. Partici-pants in this exciting, challenging program spend an
academic year (September to June) immersed in Israel’s diverse society, studying at either Hebrew University or the Conservative Yeshiva at Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center. Students will also work on a kibbutz or volunteer in a development town, as well as receive innovative leadership training
developed to inspire Conservative Jewish leaders of tomorrow. According to the Nativ website, the program creates a beneficial balance between academics and volunteer work, learning and teaching, personal growth and community living. For more information, visit www.nativ.org.
Megillah, 11:20 a.m.; Pre-K and Kindergarten children who are accompanied by a parent get a sneak preview of the Purim Carnival, 11:30 a.m.; Costume Parade for Kindergartners into the carnival, 11:35 a.m.; Purim Carnival, noon. There will be fun for the whole family with food, games and prizes at the Purim Carnival. Open to the community. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30–8 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 712, 6-8 p.m.; Tapestry Workshop, 6:30 p.m., explores art materials and the possibilities of creating the Temple tapestry one block at a time. Suggested donation is $18. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Eric Linder, 10-11:30 a.m. WRJ-O POKER NIGHT: Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m. At the home of Jennifer Miller (13616 Seward St.) Bet, bluff and be yourself at a fun night of free poker; RSVP to mkube@templeisraelomaha.com. SHABBAT COMES TO YOU: Friday, March 9, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY and THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. with a Shabbat dinner following. SATURDAY: Weekly Parashah class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class. SUNDAY: LJCS K-1, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at B’nai Jeshurun; Grades 2-7, 9:30 a.m.noon and Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew class (grades 27), 4-6 p.m. at TI.
PERSONALS I would like to thank my family and friends for their get-well wishes while I was in the hospital recovering from surgery. Special thanks to Rabbi Levin of Beth El. Bette R. Alloy To my very dear and beloved friends and relatives, also not to be forgotten -- Rabbi Levin and Cantor Bogomolni at Beth El -- I would like to express my thanks for your cards, visits, donations, letters and prayers during my recent hospitalization. Also, I am so grateful for the excellent care and caring I received at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home by Shane Kotok and her staff. The Physical Therapy Dept. is the “Greatest.” God bless you all. A special thanks to Karen Gustafson of Jewish Family Services for her effort on my behalf. Again, thank you! Louise Abrahmson
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March 2, 2007
Lux et veritas
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Tetzave Our weekly Torah reading opens with a word about the lights that Israel was to provide in the Sanctuary. Because the light was to be from pure olive oil, the Midrash on the Sidra (Shm.R. 36) allows itself many reflections about olives, and what Israel must do if it is to be compared to olives. But the Midrash reverts to thinking about light itself, and marvels that Israel is privileged to offer light to God, when, in fact, He/She lights up the whole world. Perhaps we should follow the Midrashic thought no further, and, instead analyze where it has already led us. It has led us to a whole, basic theological foundation of religion. It disturbs us more than a little to realize there is nothing, nothing that we can do for God. Ancient Israel offered sacrifices -- which obviously God did not need or use. In our day, we offer prayers, in carefully ordered services or in spontaneous bursts of emotion. We know it is all for ourselves, not for God. At one point (Shm.R. 36.2), an ancient master said that life offers no greater feeling of joy than in the thought that our sins are forgiven. The whole enterprise of religion is for ourselves, not for God. Offering light, then, and prayer and fasting -- even study -- are for ourselves. Whether God listens to us and watches over us is not essentially relevant. What we do, to repeat, is for ourselves. What then is religion all about? It is orienting ourselves to the world. It is helping ourselves to understand the role of humanity and our infinitesimally tiny worth in the vastness of the cosmos. If some cosmic accident destroyed all human life in a flash, would the heavens care? Would the cosmos even yawn? But all of this is irrelevant. What is relevant is that we must satisfy ourselves. The pious lighting of the Sabbath candles, for example, is deeply pleasing to the woman of the house. While she is praising God, she is silently blessing her family. The ceremony ostensibly is for God, but the blessing rebounds to the family. But wait! That’s not all! If you call the Jewish Press within the next 10 decades, you will get another column free! At no cost to you! If that column confuses you, you can return it -- no questions asked -- for a full refund of your confusion. Happy Purim! (Editor’s note: this column originally appeared in the March 9, 2001, issue of the Jewish Press.)
Jews celebrate on Oscar night with a handful of small victories by TOM TUGEND LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- After a slow start in the initial Oscar nominations, Hollywood's Jews reaffirmed the tribe's historic resilience with a credible finish at the Academy Awards. Host Ellen DeGeneres set the stage in the Feb. 25 broadcast by noting the diversity of this year’s nominees, concluding that without “blacks, Jews and gays, there would be no Oscar.” Alan Arkin beat out the likes of Eddie Murphy and Mark Wahlberg to win the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as the coke-snorting, womanizing grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine. The 72-year-old actor, director, author and musician had waited a long time for the honor. He was nominated for his 1966 screen debut, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, and again in 1968 for his role in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, but lost both times. An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s wake-up call on the threat of global warming, captured the documentary feature Oscar. Sharing the stage and the plaudits with the former vice president were the film’s Jewish director Davis Guggenheim and producer Laurie David, wife of TV personality and writer Larry David. Perhaps the most surprised winner of the evening was Ari Sandel, whose West Bank Story took the Academy Award for best live action short film. Created as a student project at the University of Southern California, the 21-minute musical comedy depicts the rivalry between the Jewish and Arab owners of adjacent falafel stands in the West Bank. Their conflict is resolved with singing, dancing and a lot of hummus when an Israeli soldier falls in love with a Palestinian girl. “This film is about hope and peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” said the director, whose father is Israeli. “So many other people support this notion, so perhaps hope is not hopeless.” Later, in a backstage interview, Sandel said, “My intention was to make a movie that Israelis and Jews would watch and find themselves liking the Arab characters, and that Arabs would watch and like the Israeli characters.” Israeli composer Yuval Ron wrote the songs and score for West Bank Story. British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen was present, but his adapted screenplay for Borat was trumped by the script for The Departed, which also snagged the Oscar for best picture. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented its Humanitarian Award to Sherry Lansing, former head of Paramount Studios and long active in civic and Jewish charities.
Beth El’s “What’s Jewish About Music?” to delight preschoolers by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The sounds of aspiring musicians will be heard throughout Beth El on Sunday, March 11, noon to 2 p.m. as the synagogue presents “What’s Jewish About Music?” an afternoon of fun-filled activities geared to all Jewish parents and their preschoolers throughout the Omaha community. Led by Helen Epstein, this program will offer children ages two to five the opportunity to make their own instruments (banjos, tambourines, drums, rain sticks, monochords and musical cookies), and participate in sing-alongs in a festive, kid-friendly atmosphere. Guest musicians sharing their talents with the children will include Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, Emily Meyer and Brent Spivack.
“What’s Jewish about music? Everything! Epstein exclaimed, noting that, “From ancient times until now, lutes and timbrels were the way to worship. Miriam led the children of Israel in dancing with tambourines. Children learn best with music and rhythm -- it’s a wonderful way to teach them about their Jewish heritage.” All Jewish families are invited to participate in the program, Epstein said, adding that, “Our goal is to offer something purely fun that parents and children can enjoy together. I really like to see parents interacting with their kids in such a positive manner, and this will be a wonderful Jewish experience for everyone.” Cost is $5 per person (includes lunch); reservations may be made by contacting Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or at programming@bethelomaha.org.
B’NAI MITZVAH Lindsey Thomas, daughter of Andie Gordman and Paul Thomas, will become Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 10, at Temple Israel. Lindsey is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Kiewit Middle School. She participates in high ability learner programs. Her interests include basketball, and softball. For her mitzvah project, Lindsey visited nursing homes with dogs as part of Paws for Friendship. She has a brother, Brandon. Grandparents are Elly and Bob Gordman of Breckenridge, CO, and Bonnie and Denny Thomas of Cherokee, IA.
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Statewide Classified CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in over 170 newspapers. Reach thousands of readers for $195/25 word ad. Contact the Jewish Press at 334-6448 or call 1-800-369-2850. BANKRUPTCY: FAST relief from creditors. Statewide filing. Affordable rates. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-872-8327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. LOOKING FOR the classic car, truck or motorcycle of your dreams? Go to www.midwestclassiccars.com. It’s 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. 1962 CHEVROLET Impala convertible to be auctioned at the 26th annual Cox Collector Car Auction, April 20 & 21, Branson, Missouri. For consignment information: www.bransonauction.com, 800-335-3063. ATTEND COLLEGE Online from home. Medical, Business, Paralegal, Computers, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer provided. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121, www.OnlineTidewaterTech.com IRS PUBLIC auction: 11 parcels of real estate including 6 parcels of unimproved farm land. For more information go to www.irsauctions.gov or email steven.d.hopkins@irs.gov, 651-308-5260. LOSE WEIGHT and save money. Free sample pack. $9.95 postage. 888-225-6136, www.jevnutrition.com. HOME BUSINESS opportunity. Improve your family’s financial future. Free info. $9.95 postage. Full training provided. www.jevhomebiz.com, 402-694-6606. 5 BEDROOM bank foreclosure, $49,900! Buy for only $397/mo! More homes available! 5% down, 20 years @ 8%. For listings 800-618-0668 xs888. SPECIALS: 3 door glass coolers, hoodless fryers, soft serve machines. New/used complete line of restaurant/bar equipment. Public welcome. Restaurant Equipment Outlet, 2121 Floyd Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104, 800-526-7105. HOT TUB buyers. Buy direct from manufacturer, save $1,500 to $2,000. For price list and discount coupon, Call 1-800-869-0406. Spas, 2645 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE, goodlifespa.com. ALL STEEL! Rigid frame or pole building. Excellent value and service. Free quote and erection estimates! Sentinel Building Systems, 800-327-0790 ext 26, www.sentinelbuildings.com. WANTED TO buy: 428-391-454 irrigation core engines and related parts. Cash buyer, $250 and up. Call 785-256-2029. AIRLINES ARE hiring. Train for high paying aviation maintenance career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance, 888-349-5387. CONTRACT SALESPERSONS to sell aerial photography of farms on commission basis. $5000-$8000 per month, with proven product in earnings. Call toll free 1-877882-3566. DREAM JOB! 18-23 sharp, self-motivated individuals. Must be enthusiastic, moneymotivated, clean-cut, free to travel. Work smart, play hard! 866-847-1559. SALES MANAGEMENT. Cyclonaire Corporation is seeking someone for our Standard Products Division. Go to www.cyclonaire.com. Forward resume to Cyclonaire Corporation, Box 366, York, NE 68467. EOE. SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME! CETUSA seeks coordinator to place and supervise international high school students in host families. Training, stipend and international travel. Call Sudy, 1-877-238-8729. PART-TIME, HOME-BASED Internet business. Earn $500-$1,000/month or more. Flexible hours. Training provided. No investment required. Free details. www.K348.com.
Hal Emas, son of Leigh and Rick Emas, will become Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 10, at Beth El Synagogue. Hal is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Beveridge Middle School and is a participant in the Duke Talent Identification Program. His interests include playing trumpet in the middle school Jazz Band, and being active in the JCC Boy Scout Troop #218. He has a brother, Macklin. Grandparents are Minnie and Harvey Emas of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Marlene and Jerry Bernstein of Cambria, CA.
DIESEL TECHNICIAN needed for heavy duty truck dealership in central Nebraska. 2 years experience or trade school diploma. Send resume to Box 2076, Kearney, NE 68848. MURPHY TRACTOR is looking for a full-time Field Service Technician to perform repairs/maintenance on all makes of construction equipment including Nissan forklifts and Bobcat skid steers. Hydraulics and electrical systems experience preferred. Mast and carriage rebuilding and power train repair experience helpful. We offer a competitive salary and company service vehicle for qualified technician. Submit resume via mail or email: Murphy Tractor, Attn: Branch Manager, PO Box 1013, North Platte, NE 69101-oremail: mbrown@murphytractor.com DRIVERS: OUR drivers get the best - do you? Excellent compensation package. Terminals in Grand Island, NE and Rensselaer, IN. Class A-CDL/6 months OTR experience required. GICC, 877-367-4422, www.gicc.chiefind.com. DRIVERS! ACT now! 21 CDL-A drivers needed. 36-43cpm/$1.20pm. $0 lease new trucks. CDL-A + 3 months OTR. 800-635-8669. TECHNICIAN WITH Chrysler experience. Offering: 401(K) plan, paid vacation, wages based on experience, excellent benefits. Midway Chrysler, 219 2nd Ave, Kearney, Nebraska, 308-237-5904, 888-522-0232. EOE.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 2, 2007
Yachad savors joy of bowling by DUANE J. PIEPER The latest Yachad event brought everyone together at Maplewood Lanes. There are some sports in which each participant can bring their own unique style and experience a great deal of satisfaction. One of those sports is bowling and it is one of Yachad’s favorite activities. The members have all mastered the key to the sport. It’s the body language, a sort of a bowlers ballet, which guides the ball to its final destination. It’s a very kinetic sport. There is this solid, round, projectile which you can hurl with all your might down the alley and upon contact the pins just explode. What a sound! There are not many venues where you can safely do this sort of activity other than a bowling alley. And its happening all around you. You can Jeff Steinberg focuses on making that hardly hear your- next strike at Maplewood Lanes. self think with the ongoing crash of pins and all the shouting. Who wants to think too much anyway when everyone is having so much fun. When all is said and done it’s not the final score that is the most important. No one walks away from the bowling alley with their head down for a week bemoaning that one pin they missed. The experience is what is remembered. It was the excitement, the laughter, and the fellowship that is cherished. Come and join Yachad at a future event and savor the memories. Call JFS at 334.6491 to be put on the mailing list.
Five local artists reach creative heights by RACHEL BLUM JCC Program Dirctor Creative powers combine as the JCC Gallery presents a collective exhibition of works from local artists J. Lynn Batten, Hayley Cleaveland, Carole Greenberg, David Milward and Kurt Swanson. This eclectic multi-media show, running March 2-30, brings together some of the area’s most creative minds and unique styles. Each work of art will be for sale. Batten is an artist based in Omaha and received her Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2004. Though varied in her media, Batten’s subject matter often explores the perception of memories and how they are influenced by social/historical context. She is involved in the local art scene having participated in Omaha’s public sculpture series, the J. Doe II Project and has also created pieces for the Omaha Children’s Museum. Recently, Batten was chosen to participate in the Sesquicentennial Bench Project, a public art project celebrating the 150-year anniversary of Sarpy County. She works as a Publicity Associate at the Jewish Community Center. Cleaveland is a local artist whose creative talents are clearly expressed through the use of bright, radiant colors in her work. She is a teacher of two-three-year-olds at the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center on the JCC campus. She further extends her passion for creativity when she co-partners with Carole Greenberg in teaching the CDC’s Academy of the Arts classes. Hayley currently exhibits her work at Everything Them, located in the Old Market.
EVERY SHOE ON SALE! BEST SELECTION OF RUNNINGSHOES, WALKING SHOES, & TRACK SPIKES
Sale Runs Feb. 28 - Mar. 11, 2007
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kindergarten round-up Friday, March 9 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Contact Julie Adams, Director of Admissions, at 556-3772 or juadams@brownell.edu for information.
400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd. Omaha, Nebraska 402.556.3772 / brownell.edu
Greenberg’s passion for art began well over 30 years ago. The experimentation and eclectic style of her work are a direct extension of her view on life. Carole is the Assistant Director at the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center. Thanks to her dedication and enthusiasm for art education, the CDC’s Academy of the Arts classes have been attracti n g record numbers of budd i n g young artists. She has watched many of her former students continue their interest in the arts, all the way through the collegiate level. Greenberg currently exhibits at Everything Them in the Old Market. Milward is an aspiring artist whose talents were recently revealed. A native of England, his unique sense of humor influences his creations. This is his first showing of work with his daughter, Hayley Cleaveland. Swanson is a published artist with an original book on children’s yoga available at bookstores nationwide. Currently, he is working on illustrating a second book of the “Freckles and Maya” series of children’s literature. His work isn’t just for children, as adults will be impressed with his distinctive style and his bold, fun use of color. He is an art teacher for Papillion LaVista schools and currently exhibits at Everything Them in the Old Market. The public is invited to attend the opening reception this Sunday, March 4, 3-5 p.m. in the JCC Gallery. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday: 8a.m.-5p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-5p.m. For information, contact me at 334.6404.
Last Chance! Submit photos of your relatives who lived in the Blumkin Home (or live there now) by March 5. Don’t forget to send their Passover recipes,too!
E-mail to:ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or mail to: Jewish Press | Passover issue 333 So.132 St.| Omaha,NE 68154. For more information, Call 402.334.6450.