Vol. LXXXIV No. 29 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Join Mideast Expert Tom Friedman Live from the 92nd Street Y by RACHEL BLUM During his journalistic JCC Program Director career, Friedman has held On Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m. in the many titles at the Times, Jewish Community Center Theater, including Beirut bureau the Live from NY’s 92 St Y Series will chief, chief diplomatic corcontinue with Pulitzer Prize winner respondent, international Thomas Friedman, who will hold a economics correspondent, discussion with James Hoge, Editor of and his current position as Foreign Affairs magazine. foreign affairs columnist. Friedman has won the Pulitzer Friedman has also written Prize three times for his work at the many books; his most New York Times, where he currently recent--The World is Flat-serves as the foreign affairs columdemystifies the brave new nist. He graduated from Brandeis world of globalization, its University summa cum laude in 1975 successes and discontents. with a degree in Mediterranean His previous books are Studies. During his undergraduate From Beirut to Jerusalem; years, he spent semesters abroad at The Lexus and the Olive the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Tree: Understanding and the American University in Cairo. Globalization; and In 1978, he received a Masters Longitudes and Attitudes: degree in Modern Middle East Exploring the World After Tom Friedman Studies from Oxford and immediateSeptember 11. ly thereafter joined the London Bureau of United Press The live satellite broadcast is co-sponsored by Jewish International (UPI). Educational and Library Services and is funded in part by Friedman then lived in Beirut where he worked as a the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Supporting Foundation. UPI correspondent until 1981, when he was hired by Tickets are $5 and may be purchased by contacting Cindy the Times, as a general assignment financial reporter, Reed, Registration Associate, 334.6419. For more informaspecializing in OPEC and oil-related news. tion, please contact me at 334.6404.
Young Artists: Can You Paint? by RITA SHELLEY JSS Publicity Coordinator All fourth and fifth graders are invited to express themselves with paint on murals at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home while competing for prizes as part of the Kirsten Art Project. The mural-painting event will be Sunday, April 17, 1-3 p.m., at the Home. Activities staff and volunteers will place large sheets of paper on walls and teams will choose a Passover theme to paint. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 2:45 p.m. Paint brushes and paint will be supplied. Winning murals will be displayed permanently at the Home. This event honors Kirsten Budwig, a nurse at the Home who died suddenly two years ago at age 36. She had cared for Blumkin residents, a job that she loved, for nearly 10 years. “Kirsten loved children and art. Kirsten Budwig and two of her daughters She was devoted to her family and to the residents who thought of her as family, too,” said Mike Silverman, Executive Director of the Jewish Senior Services and the Blumkin Home. “The staff and residents are looking forward to this event, which will provide young people an opportunity to showcase their work and to meet some of the people who meant so much to Kirsten.” Teams of four fourth and fifth grade artists each will compete for prizes of gift certificates to Oak View Mall-$50 each for members of the first-place team and $25 each for the second place team. Participants may form teams in advance, or join a team at the Home. No art experience is necessary; just come and have fun. For more information, call 391.3043. See related story and a drawing of the new Home on page 2.
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Yad Vashem Inaugurates New Holocaust Museum
Heads of state, the United Nations Secretary-General, prime ministers, ministers, mayors and religious leaders from 40 countries were in Israel to participate in the inauguration of the new Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem. The distinguished visitors, led by President Moshe Katsav, attended the dedication of the new complex in a special general assembly ‘To Remember the Past, Shaping the Future’. The new museum cost $56 million, with the money being raised by private funding. Perhaps the most significant expression was made by Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize laureate, Elie Weisel, responding to this theme. “It was man’s inhumanity to man--no. It was man’s inhumanity to Jews. Jews were not killed because they were human beings. In the eyes of the killers, they were not human beings, they were Jews”. Copyright: ISRANET
Genetic Studies Provide Critical Information Hearing Loss Study Results Revealed by LYNDA MIRVISH for the Omaha Committee for Jewish Genetic Testing Early in 2004, Jean Duitch set about to find a laboratory that could help her arrange to conduct tests in the Omaha area to identify carriers of certain Jewish Genetic diseases. Her quest resulted in a partnership with Doctors William Kimberling and Edward Cohn at the Boys Town National Research Hospital, and the testing of more than 100 Omaha Jews. The test results showed that one in four of those tested was a carrier for one of the diseases! However, the history of how this partnership evolved is even more amazing than the results of the tests. When Duitch first spoke to Dr. William Kimberling seeking assistance with her goal of testing 100 people for the common Ashkenazi diseases the Boys Town group was eager to participate in the project. And this is why. As part of his research on Usher syndrome (conditions causing hearing and vision loss), Dr. Kimberling had collected DNA from families with only hearing loss. After the gene for the most common cause of hearing loss, DFNB1(also called GJB2), was discovered, he screened his patients. (DFN stands for a deafness gene. B, in DFNB means it is recessively inherited and 1 signifies that the gene was the first recessive deafness gene to be identified.) In 1998, Dr. Phillip Kelley and Dr. Kimberling published their findings of mutations involved in DFNB1, and reported a carrier frequency in the USA of 2.8% . They noted that a particular DFNB1 mutation seemed to occur only among subjects of Jewish descent. Dr Kimberling and Dr. Cohn studied the clinical characteristics of DFNB1 and presented the data at the Molecular Biology of Hearing Meeting in 1998. Colleagues from all over the world asked, "Are all of your patients with the unique mutation Jewish?" DFNB1 theoretically is responsible for more than one third of all early (prelingual) hearing loss in Jewish Continued on page 11
Creighton Professor Announces Results of Colorectal Cancer Research by BETSY REECE for Creighton University In a recent special edition of Familial Cancer, a quarterly Journal of Cancer Genetics, results of research found Ashkenazi Jews may have one of the highest lifetime risks for colorectal cancer of any ethnic group in the world. Henry T. Lynch, M.D., editor of the Journal, professor and chairman of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, and director of the Hereditary Cancer Institute at Creighton University Medical Henry T. Lynch, M.D. Center, calls for more intensive colorectal cancer screening guidelines as a result of these findings. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in the general population of the United States is approximately 5-6 percent. However, among Ashkenazi Jews, the rate is estimated to be as high as 9-15 percent. Approximately 5-10 percent of cases of colorectal cancer is hereditary. “Clearly, these findings emphasize the need to develop special surveillance and management strategies for colorectal cancer among Ashkenazi men and women,” says Dr. Lynch. He recommends individuals with first or second degree relatives with colorectal cancer begin colonoscopies at age 35 and repeat it every three years. Special screening attention must be given to hereditary forms of colorectal cancer. This issue of Familial Cancer is intended to increase Continued on page 11
This Week: “New” Home Reinforces Community: Page 2 Natalie Portman Stars in Low-Budget Israeli Film: Page 3
14 Adar II, 5765 March 25, 2005
Omaha Symphony Celebrates Beth El’s 75th: Page 5
Coming April 15: Passover Issue Monthly Calendar for April: Pages 6-7
Goldstein Foundation Awards 16 Grants: Page 12
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 25, 2005
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“New” Home Will Reinforce Sense of Community by RITA SHELLEY JSS Publicity Coordinator “Please help my family member stay connected with normal, everyday life.” This is a request and a concern of everyone who has ever looked for or lived in a nursing home, according
This sense of community has always been one of the Omaha Jewish community’s best-known “secrets.” It is already evident, as residents reminisce with the occasional Central High classmate visiting from out of town, go to the weekly sing-along and anticipate regular visits with children and toddlers from the JCC’s
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These two examples show how store fronts, skylights, greenery and streetscapes have been incorporated into senior living facilities across the country. This “Main Street” would replace the existing Rose Blumkin Jewish Home front entrance, while serving as an asset to the entire community. Separate care units, one for residents experiencing memory loss, another focusing on rehabilitation during short-term stays, and a third for extended periods of skilled nursing care, would be accessible from “Main Street.” to Joanie Bernstein, President of Jewish Senior Services, Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center. With the underscoring the reason for the current capital cam- ‘J’ nearby, residents also continue to be involved in paign to rebuild a “new” Home. the cultural activities that are important to them. And this is what the new facility will do---open the According to Mike Silverman, Executive Director of world, inside and out, to everyone who resides or vis- the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Jewish Senior its there. Services, the importance of designing a facility that “The new design with shorter hallways and non-hos- fosters connections between generations wasn’t as pital atmosphere will entice residents to go ‘out’ for well documented when the current Home was built. lunch or dinner at the new cafe or enjoy a cup of cof“These are basic quality-of-life issues,” Silverman fee or cold drink at a table on Main Street. They can said. “Today we know that meeting social needs isn’t step into the beauty parlor for a new hairdo, drop by just a ‘frill.’ The opportunity to continue living in a setthe big windows and watch children playing outside or ting where life is meaningful is something we want for join grandchildren having fun in the indoor play area,” our seniors.” Bernstein continued.
333-7900 292-7900 322-7900 423-8885
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue announced that Sara Gross, wife of Rabbi Jonathan Gross, has been appointed to the OB/GYN Residency Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Gross will graduate from the University of Southern California in May with an M.D and will begin her four-year residency at UNMC this summer. She learned of her match on “Match Day”--March 17 last week--the day when all medical school students across the country are informed of where they will spend their next few years as residents. When asked how she felt about her appointment at UNMC, Gross replied, “I’m relieved. I’ve been really comSara Gross mitted to my studies in medical school and felt good about where I applied. But it was little bit nerve-wracking. Since I only applied for the OB/GYN programs at the two medical schools in Omaha, I was taking a chance. There were only three openings at each of the programs.” Since her husband became rabbi at Beth Israel last August, it has been challenging for the couple to live apart, with Gross completing the last year of medical studies in California, aside from a few rotations arranged at UNMC. “I’m lucky that my husband found a position here, since Omaha boasts two really great medical schools,” she said. “I’m especially excited about matching with UNMC.” Gross is eager to begin her residency. “I’ll be an M.D. and have all of the responsibilities I’ve wanted. I’m ready to get in there and get started. Equally exciting is knowing I will now be able to more fully participate as a member of Beth Israel and Omaha’s Jewish community.”
Helen Epstein, left, and Lena Bogomolni will be the featured speakers during the last two sessions of Beth El’s “Jewish Parenting 101” class, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the synagogue. Epstein, a longtime educator, will address early-childhood topics on March 31; Bogomolni, a linguist, will discuss children's language development on April 7. To register, call Program Director Harriet Einziger at Beth El: 492.8550.
Beth El’s Bereavement Group Plans Another Meeting by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue’s “Comfort and Conversation” group, established to provide support for individuals mourning the recent or past loss of a loved one, will meet on the last Wednesday of every month, according to the synagogue’s Program Director Harriet Einziger. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for March 30, 6 p.m. A light dinner will be served, followed by an informal get-together facilitated by Shane Kotok and Shelly Fox, Jewish Senior Services outreach representatives with expertise in bereavement issues. There is a $5 dinner charge; however, those wishing to attend only the meeting are welcome to do so. This group is open to the entire Jewish community. For reservations or more information, please contact Einziger at 492.8550.
March 25, 2005
Sponsored by Hazak, Beth El’s Annual Deli Night Promises Deli-icious Feast by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Bring your family, your friends and your appetite to Beth El Synagogue on Sunday, April 10, 5-7 p.m., for Hazak’s always-popular Deli Night!
Hazak’s Deli Night drew community members of all ages during last year's deli-icious evening. Good eats and a good time await all who treat themselves to this annual feast. Whether dining in at Beth El or carrying out, you’ll enjoy the menu, which includes the following sandwiches: corned beef and pastrami ($9.25), salami ($7.50), turkey ($8.50), egg salad or peanut butter and jelly ($5); plus sides of baked beans, chips, fruit, dessert and a drink. Three percent of the meal proceeds will be donated to Mazon. Reservations and orders are needed by April 8, and may be made by sending your order and a check -made payable to Beth El Synagogue -- to Natalie Rubin, 2004 S. 138th Ave. Cir., Omaha, NE 68144. Be sure to include your name, phone number, sandwich preference/number of meals, and dine in/take out preference. For more information, contact Gloria Goodman at 333.3351.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Israeli-born Natalie Portman Stars in Low-budget, Thoughtful Israeli Movie both my parents are Jewish so I don’t have the religion aspect of the character who is not 100% Jewish and is not accepted by the Jewish community in Israel. So that’s by DAN BARON more imagination--but I definitely feel that split of origin.” For Gitai, who has won accolades for films including TEL AVIV (JTA) -- “Metzalmim!” The Hebrew version Kippur and Kadosh, such culture clashes are key to his of “Lights, camera, action” is predictably forthright-- this art. “Natalie Portman wrote me some e-mails over sevis an Israeli film set, after all--but the speaker is a big, eral months, some faxes, and she said she was intersweet surprise: Natalie Portman. ested to work on a picture with me,” Gitai said. The Oscar-nominated star of Closer has been spend“I like, in a way, to integrate the biographies of my ing a lot of time in her native Israel recently. She spent actresses and my actors into the film,” he continued. His a semester reading up on national history at the new film “is a kind of voyage into a place, but it is also a Hebrew University of Jerusalem last year, and hanging voyage into her own interior, to find something of herself.” out with sabra relatives. It may have been Portman’s first professional experiBut in what will no doubt surprise Hollywood ence in Israel, but she was no stranger to Middle East mavens, she also took time off from her schedule this politics. While studying psychology at Harvard month to appear in Free Zone, a low-budget Israeli film University, she wrote an open letter in defense of about Middle East coexistence. Israeli security policies after a pro-Palestinian student “It was really a point in my life when I really wanted slammed the Jewish state. When Palestinian terror to work in Israel,” she said in an on-set interview to be attacks peaked, she flew in to visit Israeli casualties in played on local television. “I think it’s an amazing time hospitals, doing her best to avoid publicity. for Israeli cinema. It is just starting to flower and I “The most important thing is the work and enjoying the think, you know, I wanted to be part of that.” work and feeling fulfilled from the work, and it was such Directed by Amos Gitai, Free Zone is about Rebecca, an amazing experience making Closer. So this is just a an American who falls in love with an Israeli and gets nice, sweet extra,” she said. “I have never had any expecaught up in a car deal that rience with prizes or anytakes her to the West Bank thing, so I never really and Jordan. thought about them much. For the 23-year-old beauty, So it was a nice surprise.” whose original family name When she moves on to is Hershlag and whose father her next project--filming an was a Jerusalem doctor, the adaptation of the action project was part of a process comic V for Vendetta in of self-discovery. “It definiteBerlin--Portman will take ly is informed by the fact that away fond memories of I was born in Israel and Free Zone, not to mention a raised in the States,” she said. bolstered Hebrew vocabu“There is sort of a split lary and even a smattering between where you belong of Arabic. “Zeh kef,” she and not quite knowing Natalie Portman on the set of Free Zone with Israeli costar said, describing the “fun” of Credit: Biran Communications the shoot. ’ where you belong, although Hana Laszlo.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 25, 2005
United Synagogue Youth Offers Travel Experience of a Lifetime by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator United Synagogue Youth, a branch of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, is offering fantastic summer programs and excursions throughout the world for our Jewish youth! Trips include: USY on Wheels, a six-week coast-to-coast journey throughout America; Outdoor Adventure: Pacific Northwest, a four-week camping trip complete with hiking, sight-seeing, and sea-kayaking; Summer in the City, USY, in partnership with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary, will offer students entering grades 11 and 12 a 33-day opportunity to experience the best of all that New York City has to offer, both academically and culturally. Participants will learn from top instructors at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Barnard College, explore the rich culture and history of New York City during evenings and weekends, and experience Jewish New York, all with other teen peers in a program supervised by USY. For youths wishing to venture farther away, USY offers the following: Outdoor Adventure: Costa Rica, during which participants will discover the wonders of Costa Rica on a three-week adventure and Spanish immersion program while hiking, sight-seeing, and exploring the rain forests of Central America; Israel Pilgrimage, offering a complete introduction to the land of Israel, with experiences including climbing the fortress of Masada, exploring the sta-
lactite caves of Netifim, swimming in the waters of the Kinneret, praying at the Kotel, and drinking tea in a Bedouin tent on the sands of the Negev desert; Eastern Europe/Israel Pilgrimage, a six- week program including the exploration of the history and cultures of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary; Poland Seminar/Israel Pilgrimage, trip which will begin with one week in Poland, studying the Holocaust and Polish Jewry. Participants will visit Warsaw, Cracow and Lublin, as well as the concentration camp sites of Auschwitz, Birkenau, Treblinka, Sobibor and Majdanek. Also, during the Spain/Israel Pilgrimage, the great heritage of Jewish Spain will be studied, including many famous philosophers, commentators, writers, and poets, such as Maimonides, Abarbanel, Ibn Ezra, Rambam, and Ibn Gvirol. Highlights will include visits to Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Toledo. Finally, Etgar! The Ultimate Israel Challenge will offer a fiveweek program for those who have already participated in the Israel Pilgrimage or a similar program and want to go beyond the souvenir stands and discover the Israeli side of Israel. Meet the challenge of study combined with volunteer work, hiking, and interaction with NOAM, USY’s sister movement in Israel. USY is offering Jewish youth the travel experience of a lifetime – for more information please visit www.usy.org/programs/escape/dates.asp.
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NCSY Sponsors Family Ice Skating and Eight-Grade Only Shabbaton Events by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Synagogue’s upcoming National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) activities include family ice-skating on April 3 and a special Shabbaton for eighth-graders, April 8-10. All Junior and Senior NCSYers, as well as their families, are invited to join together for an afternoon of indoor iceskating at Tranquility Park Ice Arena on Sunday, April 3. According to NCSY Advisor Joey Shyken, “We wanted to hold an event that would be enjoyable for a wide agerange of kids, as well as for their families, and this seemed like a great idea for a get-together. We’ll first meet at Beth Israel at 11 a.m. for bagels and beverages. Then we'll drive over to Tranquility Park to ice skate from noon to 2 p.m. People are also welcome to meet us directly at the ice arena, at noon. In that case, when checking in at the arena they should indicate that they are part of the Beth Israel group.” The cost of admission is $7.50 per person and includes ice skate rental. Tranquility Park is located at 125th & Maple Streets. Spring is a time when students see the end of the school year approaching and
start looking ahead to next year. Current eighth-graders, in particular, may find themselves wondering about the changes that will take place when they start high school. To that end, NCSY will hold a special Eighth-Grade-Only Shabbaton, Friday-Sunday, April 8-10, at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest in Arlington Heights, IL. Eighth-graders can experience the fun of a Senior NCSY shabbaton in a program geared specifically to them, easing their transition from Junior to Senior NCSY. Students from Omaha will join their peers from Chicago, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Winnipeg for a fun-filled weekend. And, there will be a raffle for the chance to win a free iPod! Shyken added, “This is an incredible opportunity for eighth-graders to form friendships with other Jewish teens from across the Midwest, knowing that they’ll see each other at future conventions throughout their high school years.” The price of the shabbaton is $99 for current NCSY members. Scholarships to attend are available on a limited basis. For more information about the ice skating event or the Shabbaton, please call Shyken at 556-6288 or e-mail him at NCSY@OrthodoxOmaha.org.
Sex Education 101: A New Focus on Teen Sexuality by ELYCE AZRIEL Temple Israel Middle/High School Director Temple Israel will present a workshop for parents with children of all ages on April 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring author and lecturer Howard Schiffer. Teen sexuality is Howard Schiffer the elephant that is sitting in the middle of the room that no one wants to talk about. “Just mention the title of my book to a group of adults and watch everyone begin to squirm,” says Howard Schiffer. It makes sense, most of us had no experience when we were young talking with our parents about sexuality, so there is no context from which to begin this conversation. Even thinking about teen sexuality is uncomfortable for many people; it restimulates those awkward memories from when they were teenagers first beginning to grapple with the confusing messages around sex. And many adults have their own current issues about sex, so opening up this door with their teenagers is not high on their agenda. “Sex Education 101: A New Focus on
Teen Sexuality” is a rallying cry for parents to begin opening the door for parents to start this dialogue with their teenagers or even younger children. The evening will begin with strategies on how to begin talking to your kids; everything from the timing to the setting, revealing personal history, boundaries, and the depth of issues that need to be covered. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will join Schiffer in a discussion at the conclusion of the workshop, adding a Jewish perspective to the topic. Schiffer began his career as a midwife when he worked with some of the founders of the home birth movement. He then entered the natural foods marketplace which lead to a number of successes including the creation and development of well known brands as: Dr. Atkins Diet Shake Mix, “Protein Power”, Balance Bars and more. Schiffer is the author of three books: How to Be the Best Lover: A Guide for Teenage Boys, How to Be a Family: The Operating Manual, and First Love/Remembrances. He now lectures and leads workshops around the country. “Sex Education 101: A New Focus on Teen Sexuality” is being funded by the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund. Babysitting is available at no charge.
IN THE NEWS Rami Arav, Ass’t Professor at University of Nebraska-Omaha and Director of the Bethsaida Excavations will sign copies of his new book at Barnes and Noble at Oakview (144th and Center) on Friday, April 1, 7 p.m. The title of the presentation is: Bethsaida, A City by the North Shore of the Sea of Galilee. The presentation will be illuminated with Power Point slides. Valpak of Omaha, the direct mail venture by husband and wife team Scott Farkas and Dr. Mimi Rogers, announce immediate plans for expansion. Businesses in the greater Omaha area have eagerly tapped into Valpak’s targeted, neighborhood-by-neighborhood, marketing program to attract new customers. The company, Valpak of
Omaha, will add 20,000 households to its initial 50,000-debut mailing and build to 190,000 by the spring of 2006. After working in radio broadcasting for more than 23 years, Scott along with wife Mimi, a Professor of Sociology, decided to build a company from the ground up. From Scott Farkas and experience, the Dr. Mimi Rogers market niche was easy: direct contact with the consumer. Farkas and Dr. Rogers can be reached at 402.330.3492 or by e-mail at Omaha@valpak.com.
March 25, 2005
Omaha Symphony Performance at Beth El to Celebrate Synagogue’s 75th Anniversary by JILL BELMONT include two tangos--one by Beth El Publicity Coordinator Astor Pizzola and the second As a special tribute to Beth one from Marianito Mores-El’s 75th anniversary, Cantor and both arranged especially Gastón Bogomolni will perfor the April 12 performance form with the Omaha by composer Norberto Vogel Symphony during its of Argentina. The selections, Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 “Uno,” for chamber orchestra p.m., Seville Neighborhood and tenor, and “Balada para Concert, featuring Cantor un loco,” for strings and Bogomolni performing three tenor, will also feature vocals selections, including an a by Cantor Bogomolni. cappella rendition of Kol The Seville Neighborhood Ernest Richardson Nidre. The cantor will offer a Concert is an annual event, short presentation regarding the prayer1s held as part of the symphony’s outreach meaning and the musical significance of in the metro area. “The Omaha that piece, followed by a second rendition Symphony wants to participate in the life written for cello and orchestra. of the community,” Richardson said. “We will try to show how a simple “These concerts allow us to do this in a melody can be developed into a more more focused way.” complex piece,” he explained. The Kol The community is invited to attend this Nidre performances “will be the most special event at Beth El. Tickets are $12 intriguing part of the concert to me,” said and $9, and thanks to the generosity of the symphony’s resident conductor the Symphony, a portion of the proceeds Ernest Richardson, who said he is look- will be donated to Beth El Synagogue ing forward to again working with Talmud Torah (BESTT). Tickets are Bogomolni (the cantor also performed at available through the symphony ticket last year’s Neighborhood Concert). office, 342.3560, or through the synaOther highlights of the evening will gogue, 492.8550.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
ENGAGEMENT KUCHAR/SIGMOND Dennis and Ruth Kuchar of Battle Creek, NE, announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Renee, to Michael Elliot Sigmond, son of Donald and Diane Axler Baum of Omaha, and Richard Sigmond and Susan Peteraf of Lafayette Hill, PA. The bride-to-be is a registered dental hygienist in Omaha. She attended the University of NebraskaLincoln, and earned an Associate Degree
in dental hygiene from Hastings Central Community College. Her fiancé is Consumer Watch reporter for KETV NewsWatch 7 in Omaha. Previously he was an award-winning sports reporter in Medford, OR, and later at KETV. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, with a degree in government. The couple is planning a May wedding in Omaha.
Baking Away at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JELS and YJO Don’t miss the community concert this Saturday night, 8 p.m., featuring the extraordinary singing group “Visions”! The concert in the JCC Theatre is free of charge. This high energy show featuring the talents of Amy Turner, 21, Andra London, 20, and Talia Osteen, 21, has something for everyone to enjoy. The event is
presented by Jewish Educational & Library Services and YJO (Young Jewish Omaha). Also plan to attend the community Havdalah service, sponsored by YJO, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the JCC Gallery. For more information contact the JELS office at 334.6445 or visit the Federation website at www.jewishomaha.org.
ORGANIZATIONS BREADBREAKERS Jim Flowers will speak on Wednesday, March 25, noon, at Park Inn Regency, according to Gary Javitch. Flowers is WOWT’s chief meteorologist, He will review his last quarter predictions and discuss tsunamis and tornados as we head into spring. Cost is $11 for a full lunch and $3. for beverage service only. The community is invited to attend. WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC main entrance by 8:45 a.m. For reservations call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Visions Board Meeting is Friday, April 1, 9:30 a.m. in the Blumkin Home conference room. Tour the Hindu Temple on Monday, April 11. Join Visions at 11 a.m. at the Mediterranean Bistro for lunch, then meet at the Hindu Temple (13010 Arbor) for an informative presentation and escorted tour which will explore the beauty and mystique of the Temple. A minimum tax deductible donation, payable to Visions, is $2 each or $3 per couple. Send to Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St., Omaha, NE 68144. For transportation, contact Maggie Conti at 334.6521 by April 2. The Omaha Community PlayhouseFonda-McGuire Series presents Dirty
Blonde on Thursday, May 5. The cost is $17.50 per person. Join us for dinner at 5 p.m. at the Olive Garden on your own. Send reservations to Ethel Goldston, 1108 No. 92 Plz., #101, Omaha, NE 68114 by April 8. For information, call Jean Elkon at 551.6656. Make check payable to Visions. Travel to Branson, MO, Sept. 19-23. The cost of $454 per person (double occupancy) includes coach transportation, four nights lodging, eight meals, admission to six Branson shows, guided tour and more. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES The Omaha Municipal Orchestra presents Water Music on Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m., in the JCC auditorium. Enjoy works form composers Mendelssohn, Chausson, Handel and Smetana, featuring Wendy Eaton, mezzo-soprano. There is no admission fee. This concert is sponsored by the Noddle family in memory of Edith Noddle. Call Maggie Conti for reservations at 334.6521. TORAH LEARNING CENTER All classes are taught by Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman. Please call him at 981.0569 for more information. Mondays, 7:30 p.m.: “The Siddur: The bestselling book of Kaballah” in the Omaha Room of the JCC. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.: “Growth Through Torah” at a private residence. Thursdays, 1 p.m.: “Meaning of Life & Other Business” based on The Way of G-d by Rabbi Chaim Luzatto, also in the Omaha Room of the JCC.
About 20 people baked “well over 900” hamantaschen on a recent Sunday at Temple Israel. Left photo: Whiffs of Allison Latenser’s recipe floated gently through the building turning the thoughts of children in religious school to the upcoming Purim carnival and Purim spiel. Ann Osborne, left, and Latenser offer a glimpse of the tasty pastry. Right photo: Two days later, under the direction of Lisa Epstein, left, the kitchen was astir again as volunteers baked 16 loaves of challah. Bonnie Pfrenger, holding her four-year-old daughter Nina, helped Epstein prepare the challah which will be delivered by Temple’s Caring Community to patients returning home from the hospital and to newcomers. Debbi Josephson also helped with the baking.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 25, 2005
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SATURDAY, MARCH 26 JELS “Visions” Concert, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, MARCH 29 AZA Elections, 6 p.m. BBG Council Elections, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel TLC Growth Through Torah, 7:30 p.m. at private residence WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Bereavement Group, 6 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Parenting 101, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Rabbi Levin’s class, noon at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. TLC Meaning of Life Class, 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Jewish Potpouri, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, Bible Study Class, and Living Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Jr. & Sr. NCSY Ice-Skating, 11 a.m. at Tranquility Park Yachad, 12:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Home Beth El Community Jewish Singles Dinner, 5 p.m. Senior Spring Fling, 7 p.m. MONDAY, APRIL 4 JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m. Cantor’s Concert, 7 p.m. at Beth El TLC Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 5 “The Guy and Bob Show”, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. “Live from the 92nd Street Y” Thomas Friedman, 7 p.m. Adult Education, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. TLC Growth Through Torah, 7:30 p.m. at private residence WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 Spice and Spirit of Jewish Cooking, 9 a.m., at Chabad HAZAK Meeting, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Beth Israel Business Ethics Lunch & Learn, noon, at the office of Joe Kirshenbaum Adult Education, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Temple Israel 10th grade trip to New York, though April 10 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Parenting 101, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. TLC “Meaning of Life” Class, 1 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Beth El USY Spring Kallah, April 14-18 Nebraska AIPAC Annual Event, 7 a.m. BBYO SRC, April 14 -17 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. JFS Becoming a Love and Logic Parent, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Ministers Institute, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel JELS Talmud Class with Guy Matalon, noon BEST Family/Congregational Dinner, 7 p.m. at Beth El
FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 Temple Israel “Shabbat Comes to You”, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights
SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Men’s Club Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Jewish Potpouri, 10 a.m. at Beth El “Cleaning for Pesach” Class, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel WRJ-O Friendship Tea, 2 p.m. at Temple Israel HAZAK Deli, 5 p.m. at Beth El MONDAY, APRIL 11 Visions Tour of Hindu Temple and Lunch, noon Hadassah Board Meeting, 1 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 12 National ADL Holocaust Curriculum Review, 8 a.m. ADL’s Manhigim Institute, 4:30 p.m. JSS Concert, 5 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel YJO Passover Cooking, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel JSS Concert, 7 p.m. Omaha Symphony Concert, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 Nebraska AIPAC Annual Event, 7 a.m. Patter, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Youth Group Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
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SUNDAY, APRIL 24 JCC CLOSED FOR PASSOVER Yachad Passover Seder, 6 p.m. at Beth El Community Second Seder, 6 p.m. at Beth El Passover Seder, 6 p.m. at RBJH
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SUNDAY, APRIL 17 Sisterhood Meeting, 10 a.m. at Beth El Cleaning for Pesach Class, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel LOVE Pan Tournament, 12:30 p.m. Deli Nite, 5 p.m. Temple Israel
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the below events.
FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Tri-Faith Dialogue, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel JELS Talmud Class with Guy Matalon, noon
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Community Calendar Editor’s note: Due to the large amount of listings on this month’s calendar, the Press is unable to list all the classes in April. Only the first class in a series is listed; for more information about subsequent classes, contact the sponsoring organization.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 25, 2005
Opinion Is the Terri Schiavo Case Assisted Suicide? Why should the life or death of a brain damaged Catholic woman have an impact on the Jewish community? If we remember our history correctly, we should recall that the first group of people the Nazis exterminated were the mentally and physically challenged. As Jews, this case--and the involvement of the courts, the Schiavo family and the U.S. Congress--should make us very uncomfortable, indeed, even angry. Fifteen years ago, a vibrant young woman, Terri Schiavo suffered a severe heart attack which resulted in brain damage. Terri had no living will, no document that would instruct her family and care givers to keep her on life support or conversely, forego any heroic measures to keep her alive. It’s obvious to everyone by now that her husband, Michael Schiavo, and her parents and siblings, the Schindler family, do not get along. Her husband, however, decided to withhold any kind of physical therapy; no radios or television were allowed to be played in her home, depriving her of music, speech and sensory stimulation. This so-called loving husband moved in with another woman and had children with her! If he cared so little for Terri, he should have obtained a divorce and allowed her parents and siblings to continue her care--which they’ve pledged to do. But last Friday he demanded--and the Florida courts agreed--to pull her feeding tube. This is tantamount to causing Terri’s death by starvation and dehydration--and it’s against Jewish law.
According to Dr. Moshe Tendler, one of the foremost experts on death and dying, a person is consider dead only when there is no brain activity. Terri’s brain, however damaged, allows her to breathe on her own without the aid of a respirator. This is a voluntary function of the brain--and therefore, means she is not “brain dead.” No she cannot feed herself, but neither can a severely mentally and physically handicapped child affected with a Jewish genetic disease, such as Tay Sachs or Canavan. And what about elders affected by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease? Many of them have certainly lost the ability to express themselves, to speak and walk and feed and toilet themselves. Would anyone--anyone-suggest withholding food and water from a defenseless young child or an Alzheimer’s patient--even though death will eventually overtake them? Then why allow Terri Schiavo to die this way? Isn’t this assisted suicide? And isn’t that against the law? By the time this paper is delivered to your mailboxes, this issue may be moot. Terri Schiavo will be dead--or the Congress may intervene to order doctors to reinsert her feeding tube, as Federal
(Founded in 1920)
judges have upheld the Florida courts’ decisions. This is a serious issue for serious people to ponder. It has far reaching implication--and not just for patients in a persistent vegetative state (as Terri has been described). But more than practical implications, the Schiavo case has an impact on our moral behavior. Who will care for the defenseless? Who will protect those who have no protectors? When courts have the power to order care givers to starve patients today, then tomorrow we may have to worry about those same courts issuing orders to deny food and water to Alzheimer’s patients and the severely mentally and physically handicapped. God help us.
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
True Believers Extremists Set the Agenda on Church-state Separation Debate
A MATTER OF OPINION by JONATHAN S. TOBIN Do Jewish communal organizations see the allocation of federal funds to religious organizations as inherently dangerous? If you were following the debate at the recent annual plenum of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs--the umbrella group of community relations and defense groups around the nation--the answer was clear: of course not. The JCPA reaffirmed the longstanding position on any potential breach of the so-called “wall” of separation between religion and state when it approved a resolution that viewed such entanglements as a violation of the Constitution, and a threat to the rights of minorities and religious believers. But the very same week that the JCPA concluded a yearlong study of the issue, Jewish federations, community centers, synagogues and schools were submitting their grant applications for federal monies that were slated to be given to religious institutions under the aegis of the Department of Homeland Security. While the deep thinkers at the JCPA were pondering the dangers of such measures, their counterparts at other Jewish organizations were working overtime pushing hard for the passage of the appropriations bill that allowed nonprofits to get a share of the Homeland Security budget to enhance their security. NO TO SCHOOLBOOKS, TOO! As ludicrous as this may seem, it isn’t the first time that the ideologues at the JCPA and the fundraisers at the federations have been at cross purposes. After all, it was only four years ago that the JCPA plenum voted to oppose any form of government funding for parochial schools,
even court-approved exceptions where government money is used for nonsectarian educational benefits, such as textbooks, computers and school buses. If the liberal hard-liners at JCRCs around the nation weren’t prepared to bend a little in their extremist interpretation of the law to allow kids in fundstarved Jewish day schools to get books or bus rides, why would they fold when it comes to enabling synagogues and schools--the quintessential “soft targets” for terrorists--to afford more security?
While many on the left see such governmental acceptance of religious symbols as anathema, their counterparts on the right view the ouster of Ten Commandment plaques from courtrooms as a sign of a liberal purge of religion. Is this argument meaningless? In a sense, yes, since few Jewish institutions are heeding the JCPA’s advice on the issue. Indeed, such stands on the part of the JCPA merely demonstrate how out of touch its delegates can be. But before we dismiss the JCPA vote as yet another lamentable expression of separationist extremism, it should be noted that the groups that make up the JCPA are probably more representative of Jewish opinion in this country than the folks at the agencies who did the right thing, and asked for the money to protect synagogues and schools. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, many of us are still afraid that we are one step away from a wave of pogroms. Some even believe that Christian conservatives intend to overthrow the Bill of Rights and institute some sort of theocracy. This was, after all, the same week that the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the
Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melany Weinstine. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitutional committees of the Jewish Federation.
question of whether the display of the Ten Commandments on government property constitutes an “establishment” of religion in violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution. While many on the left see such governmental acceptance of religious symbols as anathema, their counterparts on the right view the ouster of Ten Commandment plaques from courtrooms as a sign of a liberal purge of religion. The point is, extremists on both sides tend to confirm each other’s fears and fuel stands that are as unproductive as they are foolish. Thus, liberals wind up opposing the Commandments and “under God” while conservatives, eager to plant the embattled flag of religion everywhere, push the envelope on school prayer and other measures that actually might mean endorsement of sectarian religion, and the marginalization of minorities. THE COUNSELS OF OUR FEARS That they do so out of fear that their own faith is being watered down does not excuse them any more than the fear-based policies of Jewish liberals. That’s the source of the controversy over funding of faith-based groups that perform social services better than governmental agencies or the perfectly reasonable measures that help parochial schools, not to mention Homeland Security money for churches and synagogues. As long as the argument over separation is largely one between advocates of a religion-free public square and theocrats, there’s no middle ground. And indeed, such is the debate between some on the secular left and the Christian right. But that is not where most of us, Christian or Jew, live. Indeed, most Americans are perfectly comfortable with some government funding of faith-based institutions and religious symbols, but would never even think of supporting any infringement of religious freedom. Continued on page 9
Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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March 25, 2005
“When Adar Began . . .”
JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL by TEDDY WEINBERGER Because Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (on the 15th in Jerusalem), the whole month takes on a festive role in the Jewish imagination. Thus, the tradition says: “When Adar begins, we make merry.” Israeli children have a special way of fulfilling this commandment. It’s called Takanon Adar: the rules of Adar. On Rosh Hodesh Adar II, therefore (which began this year on March 11), Takanon Adar came into effect in national-religious schools in Israel (ultraOrthodox schools and non-religious schools, it seems, are not as committed to the Adar spirit). Through the Takanon, students issue rules for their teachers that must be followed else they cannot teach. Thus, for the two weeks leading up to Purim, there are specified days when teachers have to come to class in slippers and pajamas, when they must permit gum-chewing in class, and when they have to start class with either a joke or tell a fadiha (a time when they embarrassed themselves). Needless to say, homework is very much discouraged under the rules for Adar. This is my eighth year as a father of Israeli schoolchildren. The longer I am here the more mellow is my attitude toward school. Israelis are much less uptight about school than American Jews. I don’t know if I ever cut a class in high school. Yet I didn’t particularly think that I was a goody-goody (my children, however, assure me that I was one; or as they say using the appropriate slang Hebrew word, “Face it Dad, you were a super chnoon.”). I never learned the art of cutting class (second slang Hebrew word to cut is l’havriz). I was always concerned that I would get into “trouble” or that it would be difficult for me to make up what we have missed. Israeli schools sort of take the guesswork out of cutting by institu-
tionalizing it. Kids, especially in the upper grades, are routinely let out of classes anytime a teacher is absent. The educational system seems to tell the kids: we know that the most important thing in high school is to socialize, and we’re going to allow you a lot of opportunity to do this. It turns out that the smartest girl in my high school class at the Yeshivah of Flatbush also feels that she worked too hard in school. Last year, we spent a Shabbat with Rena Polin (now Langer) with her family at Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv (Rena and her husband Meir made aliyah more than 20 years ago and have four children). I was astounded to hear Rena (whom all the teachers adored) confess that, like me, she felt that she did not socialize enough in high school. Thankfully, all three of my high-school children have already more than corrected their father’s fault in this matter. Indeed, on Tuesday March 1, my high-schoolers, out of deep solidarity for the national union of students, decided that they just had to honor a national strike proclaimed for that day (I won’t even bother giving you the official reasons for the strike, since I don’t believe that this little item was of any concern to my children). A few years ago I would have said: Are you kids out of your minds? And I would have woken them up, gotten them out of bed, and forced them to go to school. But, having learned from similar experiences in the past, I knew that when they got to school they would have been among the very few students to have shown up and that no learning would go on that day. So, I grudgingly gave in to my kids’ demonstration of civic responsibility (demonstrated chiefly by not leaving their beds until noon). Yes, Adar II came early to Israel this year and the children of Israel rejoiced. Teddy Weinberger and his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, made aliyah eight years ago and live in Givat Ze’ev. He can be reached at: weinross@netvision.net.il.
True Believers Continued from page 8 Can the basic common sense of the American people prevail and allow us to work out these issues without the sort of apocalyptic rhetoric that usually characterizes such arguments? Maybe. But so long as we allow extremists, such as those that seem to prevail in Jewish communal forums, to
dominate the constitutional debate, the rest of us are left looking on in dismay as our society’s basic constitutional consensus in favor of religious liberty is assaulted. Jonathan S. Tobin is Executive Editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be reached via email at : jtobin@jewishexponent.com.
We will be pulishing our annual Graduation Teen Age on June 10, 2005. To be included, we need your graduation photo and the following information. Name __________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _______________________________________________________ Current High School _______________________________________________________ College you plan to attend __________________________________________________ Send by May 13 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154
Page 9
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor In response to Rabbi Jonathan Gross’s letter in last week’s Press, I would like to point out a few things he failed to include: • The film Time of Favor is a fictional story and was the winner of six Israeli Oscars, including Best Picture. The film is available to anyone in the community on DVD in our Kripke Federation Library. • The program for our teens involved both an introduction to the film by our community shaliach as well as a discussion afterwards in order to put the movie in context of Israeli society today. • Rather than “banning” the film as the rabbi wanted us to do, we invited him to participate in the discussion with the teens so that any of his concerns might be addressed. After viewing the film myself, it was clear to me that this movie is a fictional account which, if anything, portrays all the religious characters as sympathetic. The only characters that appear negative in the film are the secular ones who jump to false conclusions about the commander of the religious unit of the army. I support and congratulate Uri Levin, our community shaliach on selecting this film, presenting it in the proper context, trusting that our teens are bright enough to deal with sophisticated issues, and offering them a real look into the Israeli film industry. I look forward to many more outstanding programs that Uri may offer. Jeffrey Aizenberg JCC Executive Director To the Editor: The Jewish Community Center should realize it has become financially unattainable for most Jewish parents to give their children a Jewish education, which is even more important with the decreasing size of the Jewish population. As a working mother of two children who have attended the JCC since they were six weeks old, and now attend Friedel Jewish Academy, it has become painfully clear to me that I can no longer afford to continue sending my children to Friedel because of the ever increasing costs of Kidz Inn, the JCC’s before and after school program and summer camp. Due to financial reasons, I am forced to send them to the YMCA this summer for half the price of JCC camp. As parents, when do we say enough is enough? At some point we have to question the JCC’s judgement for the ever increasing prices of child care. The JCC is pricing themselves out of the pocketbook of the middle class working Jewish parents. It seems that despite the herculean efforts of Friedel to keep its tuition low, the JCC Kidz Inn program for two hours a day of “playtime” and JCC summer
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camp now costs more than $10,000 a year. Add the cost of lunches, Friedel tuition and JCC dues come to a whopping $22,000 a year for two children. I hope the JCC understands how their actions affect our youth, and that this letter opens up their eyes and ears to concerns of every parent and this dilemma. My children and I are deeply saddened and hate the thought of leaving a Center and school in which they have grown up. They value their Jewish education. Many other parents have expressed these same concerns to me. I urge them and others to contact the JCC before it’s too late, so that our children can grow up in the Jewish atmosphere they deserve and appreciate so much. The JCC and the Jewish Federation and their boards need to make Jewish education financially feasible for all so that no Jewish child is “left behind.” Susan Polack Editor’s note: While this newspaper has lamented the rising costs of living a Jewish life and sympathizes with the financial burdens faced by two-parent working families, the Press decided to look into this matter by checking costs at Friedel, both the JCC and the YMCA and area child care providers. This is what we found: • Friedel’s tuition will be $4800 next year, still low by national standards, but it does add up to $9600 for two children; • JCC camp this summer is $180 a week per child, compared to $184 a week per child at the YMCA (these are both member prices--it’s more if you’re not a member); • Before and after school or camp care at the JCC’s Kidz Inn is $55 a week for four hours a day, five days a week--or $2.75 an hour; the YMCA does not offer this, but at La Petite Academy, it’s $89 per week, per child, for two hours of before school (or camp) care and two hours after--or $4.45 an hour--per child. JCC staff indicated they would work with any Jewish parents who need assistance. For example, payment plans are available--even for camp--to spread the costs over the 12-week summer sessions. Granted, $9600 for Friedel tuition, $4320 for camp and $5720 for ’round the year before and after school care is a lot--$19640 for two children. And it’s a shame that parents feel they have to make choices that might eliminate Jewish content from their children’s lives. The Federation’s Budget and Allocation Committee might want to consider raising the allocation to the JCC for its CDC scholarship fund--or individuals can donate directly to that fund or the JCC itself to help keep costs more affordable.
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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 nebraskajudaism.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 jewishnebraska.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 Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethlincoln.org
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March 25, 2005
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Purim Celebration, Friday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.: Hear an abbreviated version of the story of Purim and help blot our Haman’s name. The community is invited. A potluck will follow services. Call Sandra Kurland at 323.8885 to let her know what you plan to bring.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Caroline Juster will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah; Kiddush is sponsored by her parents, Sara and Sorin Juster, in Caroline’s honor; Evening Service, 6:35 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. SUNDAY: Jewish Pot Pourri Class, 10 a.m. Bible Study Class, 11 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni, 11 a.m.; “Living Hebrew,” a new, intermediate-level Hebrew course, 11:10 a.m. WEDNESDAYS: PATTER (Parents & Toddlers, Torah, Exercise, Recreation) with Helen Epstein, 10:45 a.m. THURSDAY, noon: The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible, with Rabbi Levin. BILY/USY PURIM CARNIVAL: Sunday, 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. COMFORT & CONVERSATION: New group, established to provide support for individuals mourning the recent or past loss of a loved one, will meet on Wednesday, March 30, 6 p.m. COMMUNITY JEWISH SINGLES A new Jewish singles group geared to adults ages 45-65, has scheduled a progressive dinner on Sunday, April 3, 5 p.m., at Beth El. Jewish adults from the community are welcome to attend. Cost is $12; dinner reservations may be made by calling Harriet Einziger at 492.8550. “VOICES OF BETH EL” A special 75th Anniversary Cantor’s Concert is Monday, April 4, 7 p.m. For reservations, please mail payment to Beth El Cantor’s Concert. JEWISH PARENTING 101 CLASS: Don’t miss the last two session of “Jewish Parenting 101” class on Thursdays, March 31 and April 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. CONGREGATIONAL SHABBAT DINNER A mock exodus is on tap for attendees at the April 8 “From Slavery to Freedom” BESTT Family and Congreg-ational Shabbat Dinner following 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services. Cost is $12 for adults (seventh grade and older); $6.50 for children (preschool through sixth grade); no charge for children three and
younger. For reservations, send checksto the office–made payable to Beth El Synagogue.
munity. For information or to register, call 330.1800 or visit: www.nebraskajudaism.com.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Purim Day-Shacharit and Megillah Reading, 7 a.m. ; Megillah Reading, 9 a.m.; Megillah Reading at Remington Heights, ]10 a.m.; Late Megillah Reading, 5:30 p.m., followed by a Purim Seudah, Candlelighting, Kabbalat Shabbat and a Friday night dinner. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by the Sisterhood; Mincha, 6:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:25 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Call the synagogue office for Mincha/Ma’ariv service time. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Call the synagogue office for Mincha/Ma’ariv service time.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Purim and Kabballat Shabbat at the Blumkin Home. SUNDAY: Religious School, 3-5 p.m. at the JCC.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; Purim feast followed by late Megillah reading, 1 p.m. Purim Unity Shabbat Dinner, 6:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m.; Aleph Champion and Little Scholars Programs, 10 a.m.-noon. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: “W.O.W: The Mystery of Marriage,” 9 a.m. “I Am My Beloved’s.” Women only; babysitting available on request; Torah for Teens, 4:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah: The Mitzvah of Love, 7 p.m. Programs are open to the com-
Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in Lincoln two weekends a month. Please call her at 402.416.2321 or e-mail: dstiel@everestkc.net to set up appointments. FRIDAY: Purim Potluck Dinner, 6 p.m.; Purim Family Service, 7:15 p.m. with the Third and Fourth grade class participating. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. All led by Rabbi Stiel SUNDAY: No Religious School Classes. ADULT EDUCATION Tuesdays, April 5,12, and 19, 7:30 p.m.: Rabbi Elihu Milder will examine the Passover Haggadah, covering its development; the Four Questions, and other interesting material. Passover refreshments will be served.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Purim Festivity followed by Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone and Beyt Shalom SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz will officiate. The Oneg will be sponsored by Allison Latenser and Louis Pachman in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son Daniel. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Daniel G. Pachman, son of Allison Latenser and Louis Pachman will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, as well as
Candlelighting Friday, March 25, 6:24 p.m.
Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, March 29, 7 p.m.: My House Shall Be a House of Prayer for All Peoples: Responding to the Challenges of Outreach. Congregants John Dacey and Todd Hutton will facilitate exploration of perceived barriers Jewsby-choice and interfaith couples entering the Jewish community. THURSDAY, March 31: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Marantz, 10-11:30 a.m. TOT SHABBAT Friday, April 1, 6 p.m.: Join us for our regular Tot Shabbat Service in the chapel and stay afterward to celebrate Shabbat with old and new friends, and a child-friendly dinner. RSVP to the Temple office, tisrael@templeisraelomaha. com or 556.6536.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:20 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush luncheon and Mincha, 1 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Megillah Reading/ Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066. ADULT EDUCATION MONDAYS: Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum, 7:30-9 p.m. SUNDAYS: (during Hebrew School days): Jewish Law through the Ages with Rabbi Rosenbaum, 10-11:45 a.m.
B’NOT MITZVAH Ashley and Chelsea Levin, daughters of former Omahan Susie Fishbain-Levin, will celebrate their B’Nai Mitzvah on Saturday, April 2 at Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas, NV.
Ashley and Chelsea are seventh-grade students at Fertitta Middle School in Las Vegas, NV.
They like to act, sing, dance and spend time with friends. They attended Camp Ramah in California last summer and will be back again this year. Their experience at Camp Ramah has given them the opportunity not only to make new friends, but to develop an even stronger identity to Judaism. Ashley and Chelsea have a brother, Michael. Their grandparents are former Omahans Zena and Bennett Fishbain, now of Las Vegas, NV. Julie Sadofsky, daughter of Linda and Rod Sadofsky, will celebrate her Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, April 2, at Temple Israel. Julie is a seventh-grade distin-
guished scholar student at We s t s i d e M i d d l e School. Her interests include horseback riding, music, reading, camping and swimming. For her mitzvah project, Julie volunteers regularly at the Ollie Web Center where she assists people with disabilities and works with their families. Julie has two sisters, Sarah Sadofsky and Brandie Taylor. Her grandparents are Lorraine and Elton Lyles and the late Faye and Larry Sadofsky.
March 25, 2005
Ancient Israel’s Sacrificial Worship‘
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Zav I remember once pouncing with unforgivable fury on a teacher who was teaching children with great enthusiasm a song about two lambs, one to be offered each morning and one in the evening. I remember shouting at the teacher that we are not to glory in sacrifices nor sing about them; that we had long ago, for historicial reasons and moral-intellectual reasons, given up sacrificies. We now had better ways to worship. It might be noted that even the Greeks and the Romans--the highest culture of the ancient world-used sacrifices. Perhaps we too ought to consider the monetary gifts we give simply a higher form of the
ancient sacrifices. I return to the title of our Sidra, Zav, Moses is told “Zav” Aaron and his sons about sacrifices. Zav! Command! Would a simple word like, “Tell Aaron”, not have been enough? But “command” assigns greater importance. Indeed the sacrificial system, with all of its complexities was of signal importance for Israel’s ancient worship. But that was ancient Israel. We now consider the study of Torah superior to the ancient practice of offering sacrifices. Further, we expand the meaning of the study of Torah to mean the study of Judaism, the study of religion, of humankind, of society. How do humans live? More specificially, how can humans live in peace? It took seven days for Aaron and his sons to be ordained for the priesthood of the Sanctuary. It takes a lifetime of service now for anyone to be considered a servant of humankind.
Genetic Studies Revealed Hearing Loss Study
Cancer Research
Continued from page 1 patients. Several years ago Boys Town sought to inform our local Jewish community of the high carrier rates for DFNB1 and to confirm these findings. Shortly thereafter, Jean Duitch contacted Dr. Kimberling At the time of the blood draw for Duitch’s project, informed consent was obtained to conduct research on genes known to cause hearing loss. Four individuals were found to carry the common European mutation and three individuals carry the mutation seen in Ashkenazim. A total of 106 individuals were screened for the DFNB1 gene. Thus the carrier frequency in the population study is 7 in 106 or 6.6%. Therefore, in our opinion, DFNB1 testing should be considered for inclusion among “Ashkenazi diseases” for which genetic screening is suggested. In addition to testing for DFNB1, Dr. Kimberling’s lab coordinated testing for gene alterations in two genes for Usher syndrome. No gene mutations were found. These results were not unexpected, since only specific regions of the two genes were screened and the expected carrier frequency is approximately 1 in 70. The Omaha Committee for Jewish Genetic Testing included Joanie Jacobson, Carol Katzman, Lynda Mirvish, Suzanne Singer, Carol Parsow, and Toba Cohen-Dunning, representing Boys Town National Research Hospital. If you would like to know more about the testing, or have questions, please contact Kristal Platt, genetic counselor, at 402.498.6365.
Continued from page 1 the understanding of the specific cancer risks that Jewish people face, and to provide insights into causes, control and ultimately the prevention of many forms of carcinomas. Understanding familial cancer in Jewish people helps the medical community understand their special need and the importance of genetic testing, according to Dr. Lynch. Furthermore, marked clinical examples found Jewish people also have a higher risk of cancer of the ovary, pancreas, stomach and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Results of the research also found overall cancer incidence is not higher in Ashkenazi Jewish people when compared to North American, non-Hispanic white people. Dr. Lynch recommends individuals with first or second degree relatives begin colonoscopies at age 35 and repeat it every three years. Individuals with no colorectal-affected first or second degree relatives should receive full colonoscopy at age 40 and repeated every five years. Special screening needs are required for hereditary forms of colorectal cancer. Contact your physician for more information.
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EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Passover issue--Jewish Omaha: A Global Village--will publish April 15; there is no regular news in that issue. The office will be closed Monday, April 25 for Passover; the deadline for the April 22 issue is Wednesday, April 13.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
DEATHS EDWIN SIDMAN Longstanding pillar of Boston’s Jewish community, Edwin Sidman, died March 15 at the age of 62. Services were held March 18 at Temple Emanuel in Newton, MA. A former Omahan and Combined Jewish Philanthropies chairman, Sidman leaves behind his wife Paula Leventhal-Sidman, and two children. Sidman, for whom the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton is named, became the managing partner of the real estate company Beacon Companies in 1971 and oversaw the building of numerous Boston landmarks, including Rowes Wharf, South Station and One Post Office Square. Steve Riekes, a longtime friend of Sidman’s noted that he was “very proud to be a friend of Eddie’s. He worked for Jewish causes, took leadership positions for Jewish causes, and raised money for Jewish causes. It’s a tremendous loss for the American Jewish community.” Prof. Jonathan Sarna, a historian of Boston Jewry, said: “He was one of the great builders of the community. When one thinks of the work that Leventhal and Sidman together have produced, it has reshaped Boston.” Memorials to the Center for Jewish Art and Culture, JCCs of Boston, 333 Nahanton Rd., Newton, MA 02459. (Molly M. Shaffer of the Boston Jewish Advocate and Carol Katzman contributed to this article.)
MARSHA COREN Former Omahan Marsha Coren died in Kansas City, MO, at the age of 61. Services were held March 20 at Golden Hill Cemetery. She is survived by aunt and uncle, Sheldon and Rae Coren; many cousins.
To Submit an Obituary Notice: Send full name, age, date of death, location of service and burial site to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax, 402.4.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68114. Survivors shall be listed, including names of surviving spouse, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and their places of residence; the numbers (but not names) of great-grandchildren, as well as the name of the spouse or children who preceded the deceased in death. The cause of death may be included, if authorized by the immediate family. In cases where confusion might arise due to people of the same name either being the deceased or a survivor, maiden names or middle initials shall be added, if known. Nieces and nephews shall be listed when there are no surviving children or grandchildren. Friends of the deceased (companions or life partners) shall be listed. Other pertinent biographical information (including honors or the serving as an officer in a Jewish organization) may be included at the Editor’s discretion. Memorial suggestions are acceptable to any bona fide, charitable organization; addresses will be included to out-of-state non-profit organizations, if provided.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
March 25, 2005
Goldstein Foundation Awards $50,000 in Grants to 16 Requests by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator Members of the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation agreed to support the requests of 16 of the 26 applications submitted for monetary grants. The total amount granted was $50,000. In addition to reviewing all the proposals, the Goldstein Foundation Board of Directors unanimously voted to limit future grants to a maximum of $7,500 each. Among the grants approved was the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee’s request to send two leaders to the annual Shana Glass Leadership Conference this spring in Washington, D.C. Considered to be the premier ADL event, the conference brings together leaders and potential leaders to engage them in advocacy and the agenda of the national ADL. The Goldstein Foundation requested that the grant be used to send young or new participants to the conference. Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah received a grant for “The Art of Teaching,” a substitute teacher training/recruitment program. To fill the growing need for qualified religious school teachers, the program will provide teaching skills and Judaic background to members of Beth El’s congregation to serve as substitute teachers. The program is also intended to strengthen the skills of current teachers. Submitted by Chabad of Nebraska, Gan Israel Day Camp and Gan Israel Resident Camp received a grant to provide an educational and fun Jewish experience for children from three to 12 years old. Both camps will begin in July and will be staffed by professional teachers who are interested in the safety, well-being, and personal growth of each child as well as creating joyful memories for campers. Chabad’s Chesed Program was also awarded a grant to support a Kosher Food Pantry which provides supplemental food and toiletries for needy families and individuals. The ongoing Chesed program also offers group sessions for emotionally/mentally handicapped male singles through the L’Chaim Society. Holiday programs for Russian immigrants and rent and transportation subsides for needy individuals are also included in the Chesed program. As the seed dollars for the Institute for Holocaust Education are depleted, the Goldstein Foundation will help support a portion of the Institute’s annual budget for two years. The funds will be used for programs, confer-
ences/workshops, and in-services. The overall goal of the Institute is to reach out to all educators in providing the most up-to-date, age-appropriate Holocaust related exhibits, materials, and workshops for all students including adults. Live From New York’s 92nd Street Y, a series of lectures, interviews, panels, and readings broadcast live via satellite, helps keep the Omaha Jewish community connected to the Jewish community-at-large through distinguished speakers on topics such as anti-Semitism, politics, current events in Israel, and women in Judaism. The Jewish Community Center Informal Jewish Education Department received a grant to help continue the broadcasts. Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS) and Temple Israel are planning to establish a Hillel located on one of the local university campuses thanks to a Goldstein grant. JELS and Temple hope to encourage college-age youth, regardless of their affiliation, to avail themselves of this opportunity in the interest of Jewish continuity; bonding with fellow young Jews; interacting with Omaha’s rabbis, cantors, and youth directors; educating future laity; and developing future Jewish leaders. Jewish Family Service (JFS) will be better able to assist Jews in the community who are facing financial hardship with a grant approved by the Goldstein Foundation. The demand for emergency rent and utilities, grocery certificates, payment of medical prescriptions and other health care needs, and gasoline vouchers have “shown significant yearly increases,” according to Becki Brenner, executive director of JFS. Two educational trips, birthright israel and a mission to Israel and Kiev for graduates of the Federation’s JOLT (Jewish Omaha Leadership Training) program, were submitted to the Goldstein Foundation by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The birthright israel trip is offered free of charge to Jewish youth between 18-26 who previously have never been on a teen trip to Israel. Due to a matching grant from the Charles Schusterman Foundation, for every two dollars donated, one dollar will be returned to the Omaha Jewish Federation to subsidize its young leadership trip in September (for those younger than 45). A grant was also provided to Jewish Senior Services/Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to help pay to repair the Torah used for worship services in the Herbert Goldstein Chapel.
Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association received a Goldstein grant to help re-establish the strength of a perpetual care fund to ensure the long-term care of the cemetery. Mt. Sinai is the only Jewish cemetery in Omaha that remains under the direction of an association that doesn’t receive any financial support from a synagogue. A website was created last year by the National Council of Jewish Women to post its awarding-winning R.A.F.T. (Resources Available to Teens Guide) in both English and Spanish. With the grant it received, NCJW will maintain and update R.A.F.T. on the website. To preserve the oral histories of members of the Jewish community who are more than 50 years old, a Goldstein grant was awarded to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society to continue its oral history project. The funds will be used to purchase equipment such as microphones and lights. Another grant will be used by the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center to help send two administrative staff members and three teachers to the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education Conference in August in Seattle, WA. At the conference, which focuses on teaching Jewish curriculum, they will interact with others in the early childhood field about improving the learning experience for children and hear from Jewish professionals in the early childhood field. Holocaust education is the objective of the Six Million Lights Foundation which received an allocation to be used to fund college level, upper division courses on the Holocaust and for Holocaust-related essay competitions. The funds will also be used to help send youth to Washington, D.C. to visit the Holocaust Museum. Torah Learning Center received a grant to help operate a weekly Shabbat and Jewish holiday minyan in the old Beth Israel Synagogue-Metcalfe Park neighborhood for residents who were unable to move west near the new synagogue. The majority of those who attend the neighborhood minyan are Holocaust survivors, young Jewish families, and Creighton University students. The funds will help pay rent for the 2005-06 year. Goldstein Supporting Foundation members who attended the meeting included Leonard Goldstein, Shirley Goldstein, Donald Goldstein, Gail Kohll, Steve Nogg, Cheryl Cooper, and Arnold Weitz.