Vol. LXXXVIII No. 33 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
23 Nisan, 5769
April 17, 2009
Sokolof merit scholarship winners named scholarships from the Sokolof Honor by MARY BORT for the Foundation of the Jewish Federation Roll Fund are Claire Schlessinger and When Phil Sokolof created the Phil and Ygal Schuller. Lauren Brown and Jordan Ruth Sokolof Merit Scholarship Fund, he Kenik are the recipients of the health care specified that these scholarships were not scholarships. The Sokolof Javitch Music to be based on financial need. He was Fund scholarship was awarded to looking to reward four students with a Annelise Ocanto. Claire Schlessinger $10,000 scholarship each -- two for their This year’s Valedictorian at Millard first year of college and two for their North High School, Claire is a National study in the field of healthcare. The students were to be chosen based on their personal achievements, scholastic performance, community service and overall good character. In addition, he created the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund in honor of his daughter whose talent and appreciation of music and theatre arts inspired him. This merit scholarship is for a student Claire Schlessinger Ygal Schuller pursuing a degree in music performance, composition or music edu- Merit finalist who had a rigorous academic schedule throughout her high school cation. The Funds are administered by the years. Her list of accomplishments attests Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. to her abilities and commitment to sucSuzanne Singer is the chairman of the ceed. “Claire has a zest for life and for learncommittee that selects the award winners. The scholarship recipients will be hon- ing I see in so few students,” said Jodi ored at a program during the Yom Therkelsen, Guidance Counselor at Ha’atzmaut celebration at the Jewish Millard North. “She is so driven and perCommunity Center on Sunday, May 3, sistent in her studies, she makes the most difficult of programs look easy.” 3:30 p.m. Claire’s interest in language has led her The two high school students receiving
to study both Latin and French. She has been an active member of the Latin club for four years. For one of her classes, she wrote a 4,000 word essay in French and looks forward to studying French and linguistics when she attends college. Her high school career has included peer tutoring, participating in debate for three years and forensics for four years, and taking a wide array of honors cours-
Lauren Brown Jordan Kenik Annelisse Ocanto es. Claire obtained additional academic face her fears,” he said. “To get the rank of experiences each summer, attending pro- ‘apprentice black belt,’ one must demongrams on medicine and society at Brown strate good athleticism, discipline, and a University, medicine and healthcare at willingness to not only challenge oneself, Georgetown and philosophy at Johns but to ‘lead from the front’ where others are concerned. Claire has demonstrated Hopkins. Simon Rohde, history teacher at this time and time again …” Claire volunteers at Solomon Girls Millard North, noted how Claire demonstrates a level of curiosity and maturity Center, a place for young disadvantaged that is beyond most students. “Her girls to study and play. She also spent resume and records will attest to her abil- three years as an assistant at Beth El’s first ities … She has demonstrated a degree of Continued on page 4
Preserving Holocaust oral history is speaker’s life work
A blessing once in 28 years
Birchat HaChammah, the blessing of the sun, is recited once every 28 years, when the sun appears in the same location, relative to earth, that it was at the time of creation. Since the sun was created on the fourth day -- Wednesday, Birchat HaChammah also occurs on Wednesdays, but this year it also occured erev Pesach. A crowd of nearly 75 people gathered at the Frohm Pavillion at the Jewish Community Center before dawn last Wednesday morning, to recite the prayers, led by Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel Synagogue. More on page 15.
Inside
This Week: Jewish activists ready for Durban II: page 9
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
growth that is rare in students and I can only imagine how much more she will do in college,” said Rohde. Having worked with Claire for over nine years through the martial arts program at his kickboxing and fitness center, Mick Doyle described Claire as a role model who is dedicated and works hard. “She has pushed her mind and body to its limit in our program and has been quite keen to
Where Are They Now? features author: Page 8
by SHERRIE SAAG Administrative Assistant for the Center for Jewish Education Bonnie Gurewitsch attended Jewish day school in the 1940s and early ’50s, at a time when the Holocaust was not formally taught in the classroom. Yet, as Gurewitsch recalls, it was “present in almost everything we studied -- the biblical prophets, religious observance, Jewish history and literature.” She rememBonnie Gurewitsch bers the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 as a “major event and clearly explained to children as being connected to the Holocaust.” This formed her very first memories. Then, in 1950, the Holocaust became frighteningly personal when her father’s cousins, Holocaust survivors, came to New York City to live with her family for several months. “This was traumatic. It was frightening to see adults so broken, vulnerable, and emotionally needy. Yet, they were eager to find jobs, learn English and gain independence, which they did quite soon. It was obvious they had experienced all the horrific things I read about. Seeing the effects on live people, my own family, was quite different than reading about it,” she said. On Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m., Gurewitsch will be the featured speaker at the annual community Yom HaShoah Commemoration. She will share her passionate Continued on page 2
Coming Next Month: Mother’s Day Gift Guide America Decides 2009: Looking for a comeback: Page 10
Israeli sappers brief local law enforcement: Page 16
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
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by OZZIE NOGG In recent weeks, we’ve given a contemporary slant to the roles played by the Four Sons in the Passover narrative by reframing their questions from the perspective of Omaha’s Jewish Family Service. The Wise Son asked the first, most basic question, “Why do we have a Jewish Family Service?” The answer: To strengthen and preserve life in the local Jewish community and the community at large through financial assistance, counseling and other vital human services. In subsequent stories, we addressed questions posed by the Wicked Son and the Simple Son. Today, we close this exercise by speaking to the concerns of the fourth child: The Son Who Does Not Know How To Ask. This description of the Fourth Son in the Haggadah brings to mind an infant or very young child. For our purposes, let’s discuss children of all ages -- and parenting, as well -- not in the context of Passover but through the lens of Jewish Family Service. According to Jewish tradition, each boy and girl is considered a child of God, and it is a parent’s sacred duty to nurture and guide them toward their full potential. The weight of this responsibility can be daunting. And so, Jewish Family Service offers Love and Logic -- a program designed for moms and dads who want to sharpen their parenting skills. Today, families come in all configurations. Single parent households. Blended families. Interfaith families. Consequently, raising children is often more challenging than it was in the less complicated past. Being a good parent is a full time job. There are no shortcuts. In Love and Logic classes, parents learn how to establish healthy relationships with their kids and have fun parenting while, at the same time, teaching their children to be responsible for their actions. Love and Logic sessions offer simple, practical techniques that help parents raise children who are respectful, honest, self- disciplined, tolerant, generous
and kind. Children who are decent human beings, prepared to make good choices and positive contributions. Jewish tradition tells us that parents are powerful role models. Long before psychologists determined the impact of parental influence, the rabbis of the Talmud explained that a child speaks in the marketplace the way he heard his parents speaking at home. JFS -- with Love and Logic -- teaches parents the importance of treating their children with dignity and respect. To communicate calmly, with empathy, while providing limits in a caring way. Through this valuable resource JFS strengthens families in our community and, by extension, each of us. Now, before we leave the Haggadah altogether. Some commentators say the Fourth Son is unable to ask questions not because he is too young, but because he is indifferent. In response to this interpretation we quote Elie Wiesel. “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” Indifference to the work of Jewish Family Service is not an option. Other commentators maintain that we are obligated to tell and retell the story of our redemption from slavery even if no one asks. And so it is with Jewish Family Service. We will continue to tell and retell the story, even when no one asks. The Passover observance has ended. But the work of JFS continues. To learn how you can support the agency’s efforts to bring financial assistance, counseling and other vital human services to those in need, call 330.2024.
The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference. Elie Wiesel
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Continued from page 1 commitment to recording and preserving Holocaust oral history. This year’s program takes place at Beth El Synagogue. Throughout her studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Brooklyn College, she says she was always fascinated with primary historical documents. “They brought history alive for me as no textbook ever could.” After receiving her graduate degree, Gurewitsch began a volunteer position at the Brooklyn Center of Holocaust Studies and spent time listening to oral history interviews of survivors and liberators and verifying the historical data in them. This cemented her life’s work. Gurewitsch saw the role of the archivist as “the means by which historical record could be expanded and enriched to include eyewitness testimonies recorded years later.” Oral history is a relatively new discipline, having developed in the latter half of the 20th century. It is vitally important to Holocaust studies because it harnesses technology to record memories and eyewitness testimony that can be accessed in the future. As technology has evolved, recording techniques have changed – from the original wire recordings to acetate audiotape, videotape, and now digital media. According to Gurewitsch, “this presents both opportunities and dangers. Our ability to record memories and testimonies has increased exponentially. We have created huge archives of recordings. The real challenge is not in the process of creation or collection, but in what we do with what we have.” Some of the huge body of recorded testimony is being integrated into films and other multi-media production, the most familiar of which is Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. Gurewitsch is at the forefront of ensuring that this material is carefully verified and evaluated to avoid the dangers of misinterpretation. “Recently, there were a few instances of published
Holocaust memoirs proven to be fraudulent. If oral history is not properly verified, we run the risk of having unreliable testimony that would discredit future Holocaust history,” she says. So what might the future hold for further Holocaust studies? Since there will be fewer new recordings, emphasis may shift to discovering new information in the recordings we already have. “If we dig deeper, we can gain insight into such things as the dynamics of survival, ethnic identity, coping strategies, and the aftermath of lifetime trauma, to name a few,” said Gurewitsch. “We might turn our attention to the second and third generations of Holocaust survivors and study long term effects.” Gurewitsch is the author of Mothers, Sisters, and Resisters: Oral Histories of Women Who Survived the Holocaust, one of the first books of its kind to document women’s experiences during the Holocaust. According to Gurewitsch, “Women’s experiences were often overlooked in history books because they were usually not leaders or heads of households.” Using recordable history as one of many sources, Gurewitsch’s book divides women’s experiences into three types: Motherhood, Sisters, and Resistance. This last experience, Resistance, is not usually associated with women of the 40s, yet is clearly a significant category. Now an exhibition curator at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, Gurewitsch is teaching about the Holocaust in three dimensions -- combining artifacts, documents, photographs, and testimony -- to engage the mind and the senses. She has a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that those lost in the Shoah and Holocaust survivors will not be forgotten to future generations. The Yom Hashoah Commemoration is presented by the Center for Jewish Education and the Institute for Holocaust Education and sponsored by Beth El , Beth Israel and Temple Israel. For more information, please call 334.6445.
April 17, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Visiting a mother’s grave at Auschwitz
by STANLEY GLOGOVER AVENTURA, Fla. (JTA) -- I remember, after the Kaddish was said, after the pale roses were laid down, a light rain falling through trees. On a gray March day in 2007, I made a visit to what in all likelihood was the grave of my mother, my two younger brothers, Hershek and Moshek, and my infant sister, Itka. The boys were only 11 and 9 when they left the world; Itka was barely 6 months old. Their nameless tomb rests in a location to which I once vowed never to return, a death-sown place that had destroyed my teenage years and 28 members of my family. But the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau are far different now from the time I was detained there, from 1942 to January 1945. It has the dubious honor of being the most heavily visited museum in Poland. Brightly painted buses from many countries are a regular sight in the parking lot, and tourists line up in the cafeteria for its fine soups and pastries. I went to give testimony to a hard-working documentary TV crew from Britain. I went to make memory whole and love useful, and to honor my dead. My family and I first arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau in November, 1942, on the transport from the Mlawa Ghetto in Poland. The rail head was crowded with bewildered travelers, snapping guard dogs, heaps of abandoned luggage and dull-eyed inmates in striped pajamas. We had no idea of where we were and truly believed that this was just a labor camp. I recall my mother, Anna Glogover, a pretty auburnhaired woman in her 30s, bouncing my sister in her arms and keeping her good humor in the chaos around us, even when the German clerk came to separate her and my siblings from my father and me. “We must consider bathing facilities for the ladies and the ‘kinder’ first,” he said politely. “Mein Frau, come with me.” He ushered them away quickly. And I hold this image forever: My mother smiling back at us, my two brothers clinging to her coat, baby Itka riding up close to her shoulder. “See you soon,” my mother called out, her voice warm with encouragement. The four of them disappeared in a huge wave of women and children.
I never saw them again. From that day forth my father, Lazer Glogover, and I entered the pit of the beast the Germans had created. Days of unceasing hunger, terror, illness and brutalizing work followed. A few weeks later my father disappeared. I could find no trace of him. Eventually I found an uncle, Azriel Glogover, working as a Sonderkommando, a Jewish official forced to aid the Nazis by disposing of Jewish corpses.
Stanley Glogover, with his daughter-in-law Norma Glogover, at the entrance to Auschwitz, with the sign above reading “Work Makes You Free.” Credit: Courtesy Stanley Glogover At great risk, I went at night to his barrack alley, whispering to him through a small window. He had no information on my father, but he told me that he had found my mother and three siblings on the metal corpse cart. Her lifeless fingers so tightly gripped Itka and the boys that Azriel had to pry their dead fingers apart. He and another man had cremated their bodies separately. “I put their ashes in glass jars,” my uncle said. “I waited until it was quiet and buried them behind Crematorium Three. Underneath a tree, you can’t miss it. It’s the only thing growing there.” Despite the curfew and the bitter cold, I had to go and see for myself. The small birch was nothing more than a sapling. I knelt and said Kaddish for them, not caring if the night patrols came upon me with their guns. Nothing in the future could ever be as horrible as this moment. There are experiences that settle in a man like a stone
buried permanently in the flesh. The jars of ashes beneath the tree are my marker. I see the image of the birch tree now. I shall see it forever. Through a miraculous fate and the compassion of others, I lived through the next two years and survived to be rehabilitated by the Allies Displaced Persons program. After the war I wandered through various DP camps, thinking I might at least find someone from my hometown of Makow-Mazowiecki. My search took me across Europe to Italy. At the very last camp in Santa Maria Di Bagni, I was blessed to find my father -- alive! My father and I hadn’t seen each other since our time in Auschwitz in 1942; his work detail had been shipped to a camp in Austria. But somehow, when the war was over, we became each other’s miracle. In 1947, the two of us left Europe to begin a whole new life across the Atlantic with relatives in the United States. More than 60 years have passed since that tumultuous period. The image of the tree and all that is beneath it rises before me. A British writer friend connected me to the Holocaust documentary crew from Britain. “Will you come with me to Poland,” she asked, “to give your story to the cameras, to bear witness for Mama Anna and the kids?” The sapling in Birkenau is now a tall, majestic birch, its bark silvered with age, its trunk durable and wide, its leaves shimmering in the wind. Just beyond are the ruins of the crematorium where the grandchildren of former inmates light yahrzeit candles in honor of the lost. I stand with my daughter-in-law, Norma, and together we lay the roses among the birch’s winding roots. We recite the Kaddish and I can’t tell whether I grieve or feel relief, or maybe both. Just as the birch grips the earth, I feel anchored with it and sense some emanation of peace from the much-loved presences that lie here. A light rain begins to fall through the pale gray branches, and it’s time to go. I kiss the tree’s trunk and whisper, “I did not forget you.” Stanley (Szlamek) Glogover was born 1925 in Makow-Mazowiecki, Poland. After surviving Auschwitz, he immigrated to the United States in 1947. He lives in Florida with his wife, Joanie.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
Sokolof scholarship winners
Continued from page 1 grade Sunday school. Her involvement in community is also demonstrated through her participation with Youth Leadership Omaha and the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council. The daughter of Joel and Nancy Schlessinger, Claire will attend Brown University this fall. Ygal Schuller Summarizing Ygal’s achievements is no small task. Ranking near the top of the class at Millard North, he is involved in academic and community activities, youth groups, and extracurricular organizations. As Robert Mosenkis, Beth El’s USY Youth Director, put it, “Ygal Schuller is quite the unique high school senior and is going to make a difference in the world.” One way that Ygal makes a difference in the world is through his commitment to help educate others. At Beth El, he served as a Sunday school assistant, and is the Junior Congregation Leader for third through sixth graders. He has been mentoring freshmen and tutoring fellow classmates for two years. Ygal is an advocate for having informed and active youth in the Jewish community. He served as Vice President and President of the local United Synagogue Youth (USY), and now serves as Regional Communications Vice President for USY’s Executive Board. He has attended 17 USY conventions. According to Mosenkis, “Ygal has shown time and again how much love he has for this organization in which he has grown as a leader, as an active community volunteer, a supporter and advocate of social justice, and as a Jew.” He also is active in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) and participates in BBYO’s community volunteer program. Ygal is always involved in community events, including the annual B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, the Annual Israel Trivia Contest and the Profiles in Jewish Courage Essay Contest. A National Merit Finalist, Ygal speaks Spanish, French and Hebrew. He has taken Honors and other advanced courses throughout his high school career. Ygal has been a member of the Forensics and Debate team for four years and co-founded Millard North’s Model United Nations Chapter. He was one of eight selected from over 400 applicants to lead the United Nations simulation at the UN in New York. “Ygal values education and consumes knowledge and retains it in a manner rarely seen in a high school student,” explained Guidance Counselor Jodi Therkelsen. “He is mature, meticulous, conscientious and an achiever.”
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The son of Dan Schuller and Yaffa PodbilewiczSchuller, Ygal plans to attend either Washington University in St. Louis or University of Texas in Austin. Lauren Brown The commencement speaker at Burke High School’s graduation in 2000 and a graduate of the University of Kansas, Lauren is working toward two Masters Degrees - one in Human Services and the other in Clinical Counseling at Bellevue University. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and is currently a counseling intern with Jericho Counseling Associates. Lauren was once told it was her destiny to become a therapist. Wanting to help others and change lives for the better, she has developed an understanding of the complexities of mental illness. In her current internship, she works with adolescents that have a history of being abused. She works more than 60 hours a week, unpaid, with these young people who come from unfortunate circumstances. According to Jennifer Sharp, Lauren’s internship coordinator and professor, “Lauren’s excitement for helping these children is contagious. My clients have responded well to Lauren. I whole-heartedly believe that Lauren has the drive and the potential as a therapist to incite so much positive change in so many peoples’ lives.” Jon Kayne, another Bellevue professor, concurs. “I believe that she has a great deal to contribute to the community, the profession, and to her future clients,” he said. “She has demonstrated clear academic ability. an outstanding commitment to the counseling profession, and to the compassionate delivery of health services to the community it serves - especially those abused, neglected, and forgotten.” During Lauren’s undergraduate years at Kansas, she taught at pre-schools and earned a degree in Human Development and Family Life. She somehow found time to volunteer at a children’s hospital, serve as a Big Sister to a third grader with academic and behavioral problems, and mentor a student at a local elementary school. Lauren currently donates her time to Omaha’s Jewish community as a youth group advisor for BBYO. Lauren is the daughter of Debbi Zweiback and Jonathan Brown. Jordan Kenik A graduate of Millard South High School, Jordan currently attends the University of Chicago where he has made Dean’s List each year and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He plans to attend medical school
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in the fall. Identifying Jordan as one of the best students she has ever taught, Professor Erin York Cornwell believes that he will be highly successful in medical school. “Jordan is extraordinarily bright, hard working and motivated,” she said. “His consideration of health and medicine from biological and social scientific points of view is a testament to both his intellectual ability and his dedication to identifying and addressing the causes of illness in society.” For two years, Jordan has worked in the molecular cardiology lab at the University of Chicago’s Department of Medicine, helping to design, conduct and evaluate experiments with the goal of finding cells that regenerate muscle in muscular dystrophy. Jordan was the coauthor of an article that appeared in the prestigious American Journal of Pathology, an accomplishment that is rare for an undergraduate student. His mentor for the project, Dr. Gregory Wallace, noted how impressed he was with Jordan’s dedication and enthusiasm. “I was amazed by Jordan’s ability to perform lab work, volunteer, and play tennis for the University as well as teach tennis to children. I am confident that Jordan will excel as a doctor.” With research and classes, it is surprising to learn that Jordan also made time to play for the university’s Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. He believes that this experience has helped him develop the tenacity he’ll need as a doctor. Jordan also found time to volunteer at a children’s hospital, playing and reading to patients. In addition, he served as a high school volunteer tutor, teaching geometry, algebra and calculus. Currently studying Spanish abroad, Jordan’s goal is to do medical service projects in Latin America during medical school and beyond. The son of Suzan and Jay Kenik, Jordan has not yet decided where he’ll attend medical school but lists University of Michigan, University of Nebraska, Northwestern and St. Louis University as places where he has been accepted. Annelise Ocanto Ever since she was a child, Annelise has had a love of music. A graduate of Westside, she studied music at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, earning a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and vocal music, with an endorsement in English as a Second Language. Annelise currently attends the Jewish Theological Continued on page 5
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April 17, 2009
Temple scholar applies Biblical text to Jewish American life
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN stranger” in text of prayer services, I Temple Israel Communications Coordinator found it fascinating how Rabbi Panken Providing text from Genesis, pulled biblical quotes and rabbinic comMaimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed, mentary to demonstrate its origins and and Charles Darwin’s The Origin of meanings. I will definitely respond to that Species, Rabbi Aaron Panken, vice presi- directive differently when it’s read in servdent for Strategic Initiatives and dean, ices and think of it differently in regard to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute everyday practices.” of Religion, presented converging views Howard Kaiman added, Rabbi “spoke of science and religion on the origin of about the Talmud, especially the Gemarah the universe and life. Rabbi Panken was a scholar-in-residence at Temple Israel in late March and spoke at worship services on Friday night, at the Saturday morning study session, and a Sunday morning discussion. “I had recently been to hear Richard Dawkins at the Holland who postulates that God and science do not mix,” commented Jeff Schweid who heard Rabbi Panken speak at Temple. Bob Kully, left, converses with Rabbi Aaron Panken after his “Rabbi Panken provided a Sunday discussion. very good thesis that in fact, God and and the Mishnah, and he used the rabbinic Darwinism can co-exist.” explanations for his text especially on the On Saturday morning, Rabbi Panken stranger, how you should not oppress the talked about welcoming the stranger in stranger or converts.” Jewish law and lore. He accompanied his Rabbi Panken concluding on Sunday commentary with text from Genesis, concerned “True Lies: Truth, Gossip and Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, the American Jewish Way.” Kaiman found Jeremiah, the Babylonian Talmud, and the conversation to be “innovative and Maimonides. “It was very thought pro- very stimulating” in Panken’s use of “bibvoking,” Schweid said. lical history rather than rabbinic history.” Judy Feigin, who also attended on Summing up the scholar, Schweid Saturday morning, remarked, “Although described Panken as “a wonderful resource, one hears the directive to “love the friendly, easy to talk to and learn from.”
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
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Sokolof scholarship winners
Continued from page 4 Seminary (JTS) in New York, where she studies sacred music. Her goal is to achieve investiture in Hazzanut and a masters in sacred music and Jewish education. When she is done with her training, Annelise hopes to have a part-time pulpit cantorial position while also teaching bilingual (Spanish/English) education. During her studies, she applied for and was chosen to be the High Holiday cantor for a congregation in the Dominican Republic. According to the Dean of H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the JTS, Hazzan Henry Rosenblum, “In truth, she was not only cantor, but the sole clergy person. She brought beauty of song and meaning of our faith to a group of people who would not have had such a meaningful holiday experience without her.” Her vocal coach in New York, Ilana Davidson, describes Annelise as bright and someone who will blossom into a promising cantor. “She is very musically intuitive and has an affinity for languages,” said Davidson. “She is also very keen to learn about a variety of different fabrics within her curriculum to become a more astute and well-rounded cantor and spiritual leader.”
Annelise has performed with choirs, sung in recitals and has participated in music presentations. “Annelise is a most talented young woman,” said Cantor Lawrence Avery, an instructor at the JTS. “She has a lovely lyric soprano voice which she uses very nicely. She has learned, with great ease, lots of Jewish music and has mastered the traditional cantorial style beautifully.” While she attended college in Omaha, Annelise was active in the community, serving as a second grade Sunday school teacher and youth group advisor at Beth El. She also was an adult ESL teacher for the Literacy Center of the Midlands and was an elementary school substitute teacher for Omaha Public Schools. Currently, Annelise is active with her studies at JTS and is the treasurer for the Cantorial Student Board. She was the chair for the JTS Purim Tzedakah campaign. Additionally, she is a volunteer at an elementary school, reading with a fifth grader each week. Annelise interns for a Jewish Ladino/Sephardic singer/songwriter, where she helps create Jewish music libraries for cities in Cuba. She is the daughter of Lourdes Secola and Romer Ocanto.
Nebraska schools to be recognized at State Holocaust Commemoration
by GARY HILL During Nebraska Holocaust Commemoration, this Sunday, 3-4 p.m., in the rotunda of the state capitol, Nebraska schools which support the State Holocaust Memorial will be recognized. The memorial was dedicated on April 15, 2007, and is located at Wyuka Cemetery, the nation’s only state cemetery. Students from Southeast High School in Lincoln serve on the memorial’s executive committee, acting as docents, writing programs and brochures and helping publicize the memorial to schools
throughout our state. They will be at the memorial at Wyuka from 1-2:30 p.m, to provide visitors with information. Helping to build the memorial and fund its on-going educational efforts, 16 Nebraska schools provided financial support. One year ago, seven of those schools received plaques to recognize the work of the students and teachers. This year, nine more schools will be recognized. Robert Evnen, a member of the Nebraska State Board of Education member will present the plaques.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
Charles Arnold, also known as “Uncle Chuck”, has a grandson in Omaha who is having his Bar Mitzvah in August 2009. Uncle Chuck currently lives in Washington and we are seeking donations to pay for his transportation costs to Omaha, where he intends to remain. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Steven J. Lustgarten at 402/346-1920 or 402/333-6811.
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Ron Wolfson to check up on Temple’s “God’s To-Do List” progress by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “I think that what Temple has done is a model for the rest of the country and the world,” said Ron Wolfson, who will be a scholar-in-residence at Temple Israel, April 24-26. Wolfson, who is the Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, is returning to Temple to check up on what he started in September on Rosh Hashanah. His visit is funded by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. At that time, he kicked off Temple’s social justice project, “God’s To-Do List,” a menu of opportunities to volunteer, donate, and attend, named after his book by the same name. Next week, he’ll return to talk about: “Know Thyself: Know the Angel Within.” On Friday, April 24, a “Gift of Time” Volunteer Dinner at 6 p.m. will celebrate and acknowledge the generosity and support of those who participated. Dinner reservations can be made by contacting the Temple office at 556.6536 or at mkube@templeisraelomaha.com. Dinner is $12 for adults, $8 for children six to 12 years old, and free for those younger. Some of the congregants who have been working on their “God’s To-Do Lists” will share a few of their social justice stories at the 7:30 p.m. Shabbat worship service after dinner. “I hope that will inspire some who haven’t participated,” Wolfson said. “It’s never too late. I’ll revisit the concept of my book and the project. The world needs our skills,” he emphasized. “Work out your spiritual muscles. You’ll feel energized just like exercis-
ing! You’ve got to put some effort in.” On Saturday, April 25, Dr. Wolfson will join a Family Shabbaton from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue. The day of nature, study, and reflection is $12 for adults over 18 and free for youngsters. Please call the Temple Religious School office, 556.6536, for reservations. Wolfson characterizes himself as “an educational entrepreneur.” A pioneer in Jewish education in the 1980s, Wolfson and his wife Susie, a Jewish oriented early childhood educator, “quickly learned the power of parents as Jewish teachers. A lot of Jewish education is based on bringing children to school and camps, but you cannot replace the home for Jewish learning and Jewish experience,” according to the Omaha native. “The challenge is that some people get a bit nervous about celebrating Jewish life in the home.” Wolfson wants “to empower them to be Jewish and teach it.” “Circling back to where we started,” Wolfson will present “Blessings and Kisses: The Power of Family” at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26. “The power of families to be in places of Jewish learning and experiences” will be the morning’s theme. “I want to reemphasize that parents can be empowered to create Jewish experiences such as reading, a great Passover seder, holiday celebrations, Friday night rituals, all kinds of ways. It’s not scary or intimidating. I’ll probably bring some examples from my book of Jewish role models for families. It’s about creating memories. That’s the job of a parent and grandparent -- and it’s meant to be fun.”
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Attorney David Herzog and Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, April 22, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. Herzog and Lehr will discuss their role in the criminal justice dystem. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, call 334.6443 or e-mail bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us Monday for special musical guest Billie Troy. Lunch will begin at noon and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Cost for lunch is $7. Troy’s powerful voice has the ability to take you from the sounds of the 50s all the way up to today’s top 40s. Come play bingo at 10 a.m. Call Theresa for transportation at 330.4272. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. VISIONS Reminder: Luncheon meeting is Friday, April 24, 12:30 p.m., at the Venice Inn. Join Rivkah Sass,
Director of the Omaha Public Libraries who was voted “2006 Librarian of the Year” by the Library Journal. Send reservation form to Harry Alloy, 11317 Harney Plaza Circle, Omaha, NE 68154 by April 17. Make check payable to Visions. As a joint project with Jewish Family Service, please bring a donation, made out to JFS, to purchase Passover items for families in need, or send to Florence Hauss, 3116 No. 97 St., #141, Omaha, NE 68134. Join us for Wicked at the Orpheum Theater on Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m. The cost of $86 includes admission and transportation. Dinner is on your own at Cascio’s Steak House. Depart from the JCC at 1 p.m. to return by approximately 7 p.m. Send reservations to Rose Pitlor, 827 Dillon Dr, Omaha, NE 68132. For information, call her at 558.5144. For transportation to the JCC, call Florence Hauss at 571.4583. Make check payable to Visions.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. at the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT “Art, Memory and Law: A Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion on Holocaust Art Restitution” will be presented on Thursday, 23 April, 7-9 p.m., at the Ross Film Theater/Van Brunt Center. on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The evening will revolve around the general issue of Holocaust art restitution, but will kick off with a discussion of the litigation relating to Gustav Klimt’s famous painting (now seen on lots of coffee mugs!) of Adele Bloch-Bauer. The painting -- the object of years of legal disputes in Vienna and before the U.S. Supreme Court -- was resolved not very long ago. It is believed that it was purchased by Ronald Lauder for $100 million, and now hangs in the Neue Galerie in New York. One of the U.S. attorneys in the case will be on the panel, along with the principal art historian in the recent movie The Rape of Europa, Prof. Jonathan Petropoulos. Dr. Jean Cahan will moderate. Contact Cheryl Kruid, ckruid2@unl.edu or Jean Cahan, jcahan1@unl.edu for more information.
The Omaha Symphony and Film Streams have partnered to present the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through two distinct, but complementary, mediums: film and live orchestral music. Film Streams will screen the Oscar-winning film Amadeus from April 24-30, 7 p.m., at the Ruth Sokolof Theater. To kick off the screening, Omaha Symphony music director Thomas Wilkins will introduce the film and lead an interactive Q & A forum on opening night. Amadeus is the perfect introduction to the Omaha Symphony’s Mozart and Salieri concert on Saturday, May 9, 7 p.m., which will feature some of Mozart’s most popular compositions. See Amadeus and receive 25% off tickets to the Omaha Symphony’s Mozart and Salieri concert at the Holland Center on May 9! Bring your ticket stub to the Omaha Symphony Ticket Office or use the special promo code (given at the screening) online or via phone.
April 17, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
IN THE NEWS
Council Bluffs community leaders display hidden culinary talents as their favorite recipes are showcased through cooking demonstrations at the Visiting Nurse Association inaugural “Cooking for VNA� fundraiser. “Cooking for VNA� will be on Thursday, May 7, 68:30 p.m., at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. Tickets are $50, which includes dinner, cash bar, and entertainment featuring singer Michael Walker. Guests may also participate in a silent auction featuring unique items donated by metro area organizations. Project WIN provides free public health nursing visits to any family who is expecting or has a new baby. Families are assisted in identifying needs and accessing health, education, and social services in our community. All home visits are made by registered nurses with advanced training in breastfeeding support, care of the newborn, and coping techniques for new families. Tickets are available online at www.theVNAcares.org or by calling 402.930.4021.
Internationally acclaimed writer and scholar Reza Aslan returns to Omaha to discuss his newest book How to Win a Cosmic War: Confronting Radical Islam (available in April 2009), on Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. at Countryside Community Church (8787 Pacific). His book is an indepth study of the ideology fueling Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and like-minded militants throughout the Muslim world, and an exploration of religious violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This program is free and open to the public. Register at www.rezaaslanomaha.eventbrite.com. For more information, please call Project Interfaith at 402.933.4647 or email info@projectinterfaithusa.org. This program is jointly presented by Project Interfaith, the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church, and the Islamic Center of Omaha.
The Harris Center for Judaic Studies and the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln collaborated to invite researchers from different academic disciplines for the “First Symposium on Judeo Latin American Literature and Culture� to be held at UNL City Campus Student Union, Lincoln from Sunday-Monday, April 19-20. In the era of multidirectional universalism, hybridism and transnational linguistic and socio-cultural migrations, the question of Jewish presence in the history, cultures and societies of Latin America, with and without a hyphenated identity, and the concern with the exclusiveness and marginality of the Jewish communities of Latin America, should be reevaluated. Are notions such as otherness and exclusion still relevant with regard to discussing Latin-American Jews and/or Jewish Latin-Americans? Are there new representations of “Jewishness� within the Latin American context? And how do they pertain to other realities outside the Latin American and/or Jewish hemispheres?
Which representations have acquired or require themes such as the Holocaust, identity and collective memory? This symposium -- “Babel: Jewish Latin American Experiences and Representations� -- proposes to reexamine some of the prevalent paradigms in the area of Latin American Jewish studies from an interdisciplinary standpoint, comprising literature, culture, history, cinematography and visual arts. For more information, contact Cheryl Kruid, Judaic Studies Assistant at 402.472.9561 or email ckruid2@unl.edu.
Guess what’s cookin’ at Hadassah’s spring luncheon
by GLORIA SHUKERT JONES Hadassah Publicity Coordinator The Omaha Chapter of Hadassah invites the community to “What’s Cookin’� -- its annual spring luncheon on Wednesday, May 6, 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Following lunch, attendees will be treated to a cooking demonstration by Mike Aparo, Master Chef at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. This will not be an everyday cooking experience, since Aparo delights in preparing gourmet dishes, which are his specialty. Cost is $6 per person, and reserv a t i o n s Myrna Grumer, left, Mike Aparo, and Maxine must be Noodell pose in their chefs’ hats. received no later than May 1. Donations to Hadassah College Jerusalem and Career Counseling Institute are welcomed, and can be presented at the door. Please make checks payable to: Omaha Chapter of Hadassah. For reservations, or any questions, please call the event planners, Myrna Grumer at 763.4441, or Maxine Noodell at 393.7624.
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Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top HospitalsŽ by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare. The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excel-
lence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, patient satisfaction, financial performance and operational efficiency. “This designation tells us that we are delivering on our commitment to provide high quality care for the body, mind and spirit of every person who comes to us,� said David Tew, vice president of operations, at Alegent Health and Bergan Mercy Medical Center. “Our nurses, physicians, techs and staff are among the best in the country and this designation reflects their expertise and their heart.� Bergan Mercy, like all 10 of the Alegent Health hospitals, consistently track performance through quality and patient satisfaction scores. Chief Medical Officer Mark Kestner, M.D. says quality is essential in earning patients’ trust. “Awards and designations are nice – they validate what we’re doing, but at the end of the day, the real gauge of our success is our patients’ experience and outcome,� said Dr. Kestner. The winning hospitals were announced in the March 30 edition of Modern Healthcare magazine. More information on this study and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at www.100tophospitals. com.
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
What’s a nice Jewish boy like you doing writing about all this mishigas? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? by LEO ADAM BIGA
Omaha native Scott Muskin?s wellreceived first novel, The Annunciations of Hank Meyerson, Mama’s Boy and Scholar, tells a funny, enlightened, inconvenient journey of self-discovery taken by the title’s protagonist-narrator. This satirical adventure leaves Hank scarred, liberated and, better-late-than-never, wised-up. The novel was the inaugural (2007) winner of the Parthenon Prize for Fiction, a national competition to boost unknown authors. The Prize, which honored Annunciations out of more than 350 submissions, netted Muskin $8,000, plus a full, traditional book publishing contract. The final judge was author Tony Earley (Jim the Boy). Muskin will be in Omaha for a signing at the Bookworm in Countryside Village on April 18, 1 p.m. Annunciations was released this winter by Hooded Friar Press, a Nashville, Tenn.-based literary house that describes itself as “dedicated to publishing highquality books by new authors.” Muskin’s clearly arrived as a new voice deserving attention. He’s the son of Omahans Linda and Alan Muskin, members of Beth El Synagogue. His mother was a Millard Public Schools teacher. His father owned Youngtown, a chain of stores selling children’s furniture, toys, sundries. Alan’s
father and Scott’s grandfather, Stuart Muskin, co-founded Youngtown, originally a Kiddie-Cut-Rate. The father character in “Annunciations” is a toy merchant from Omaha whose two boys, Hank and Carlton, were raised there. Most of the book is set in Minneapolis, where Muskin and his wife Andrea Bidelman live in a 1920s stucco faux-Tudor home near Lake Nokomis. Muskin anchored the fiction in a reality he knows. His story is a modern, urban walkabout for a middle-class, secular American Jew who’s somehow managed to graduate college, start a career and marry without ever really finding himself or figuring out what he needs. Much less how to get it. His dysfunctional family is a case study. Smart, charming Hank’s schlepped through life, failing to hold himself accountable, letting old wounds fester, ignoring the very things that fill him with unresolved anger, unanswered questions, unfulfilled desires, unmitigated regret. An academic and free spirit by nature, he’s more attuned to Emily Dickinson arcania than to real life emotions and actions. “Hank expected more of himself. He had larger dreams, of living a more passionate life,” Muskin said by way of analysis in a phone interview from his home in the Twin Cities. “When he starts to act on those, that’s when the trouble starts. Be careful what you wish for -- that’s what’s driving the plot of the novel.” Hank, a smart-alleck nebish who cops a superior attitude, is long overdue a comeuppance and he gets a doozy. Along the
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way, the putz learns to be a mensch. Well-meaning in that lackadaisical way men are, Hank’s flippant defiance mucks up the works whether dealing with his estranged wife Carol Ann, distant father Daniel, troubled brother Carlton or the
memory of his dead mother. Morally weak Hank acts out with his sister-in-law June and promptly runs away from his problems. Like an addict who believes the world revolves around him and conspires against him, Hank’s submerged in a bathos of ego, lust, self-pity, resentment and entitlement. A saving grace is his humor, which can cut through the clutter of his myopic vision. It’s a witty and poignant exploration of the self-centered male psyche in identity crisis. Hank represents a type of male many women are familiar with -- the kind who require a rude awakening to grow
up. His stumbling, guilt-ridden initiation into adulthood rings true. Especially resonant is his strained relationship with his father and brother, who represent aspects of himself and his past he’d rather forget. “I think one of the central dynamics of the book is that tension between silence and the unspoken energy in a family or in a relationship and the ways that that silence ends up finding voice,” said Muskin. “It’s not like it’s not there. It’s just being said in different ways. A lot of the interactions between the characters are animated by the ways it’s being unsaid. It does come out sometimes quite messily.” Like most first novels, “Annunciations” is personal. Muskin wrote it, in part, as a catharsis for the rough patch he went through around the time he started it. “Well, I was getting divorced at the time or I was just divorced,” he said, thus the book is on one level “a working out of some of those things.” The drama. Life happens. “And I then found this voice to fictionalize it, which is a must. You’ve got to fictionalize it,” he said, otherwise it’s a selfindulgent rant. “I’m into real people and the real struggles they go through. Flaws and idiosyncratic obsessions -- everyone?s got them. Shining a light on people who take a hard look at those things in themselves I find fascinating.” Muskin found in Hank a literary avatar. “I’m a quite biographical writer in terms of being able to find the emotional core of a situation if I’ve been through it or somehow been there. I then turn it or Continued on page 11
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Pro-Israel activists set to do battle at Durban II What critics overlook is that while conference diplomats also inveighed against Israel, they excised the worst language. Nevertheless, the final text, under the heading “Victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” lamented “the plight of the Palestinian people.” In the context of an anti-racism proclamation, Israel’s defenders say this implies racism -- a charge they say has nothing to do with what they view as a political conflict. The Durban document identified no other state, so this remains a sticking point eight years later. Observers expect Iran, Syria and others to level more charges against Israel in Geneva, but it’s unclear whether Europe will allow them to revise the document. Likewise, the 2005 Danish cartoons -- which sparked Muslim protests that turned violent -have spurred a “defamation of religions” movement that is seen as an effort to stifle criticism of Islam. Jewish NGOs will be among those pressing the European Union to focus on topics they deem more legitimate. They’ll also be networking with likeminded NGOs. “While some groups try to bring as much harm and pain as possible to Israel, my job will be to build up a coalition among those who realize their agenda is being hijacked,” says Shimon Samuels, director for international relations for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. To avert some of the rowdiness of Durban, U.N. diplomats decided to eliminate the NGO forum and hold this session at their secure Geneva campus. Jewish activists say they will be better prepared this time around to deal with Instead, activists will joust farther away anti-Israel demonstrations like this one in Durban, South Africa in 2001. to win hearts and minds. Credit: Julian Voloj Presumably drawing TV cameras will demonstration and brainstorm ways to strengthen their be a major anti-Israel demonstration -- especially with Israel-is-apartheid argument. But this time around the “International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network” a highJewish groups are, among other things, sponsoring a ly visible co-sponsor -- and a “Warsaw to Gaza” event pro-Israel rally, co-sponsoring a human-rights event that that links Israelis to Nazis. will feature Martin Luther King III and others, and helpMeanwhile, where Durban I was a milestone that ing to organize a Holocaust commemoration just out- launched a campaign against Israel similar to what aimed side the gates of the bucolic U.N. compound in Geneva. to dismantle Apartheid South Africa -- the ongoing “Some have told me the reactions now are like post- “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement” -traumatic stress syndrome, because the community was Durban II will take the campaign one step further. so traumatized by what happened in 2001,” says Felice One organizer says leading legal minds -- including Gaer, who attended Durban as director of the American several from apartheid-era South Africa -- will huddle to Jewish Committee’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for figure out how to make the apartheid charge stick Human Rights. “Jewish tradition teaches us to repair the against Israel. world, not turn our back on the world. So why will “Apartheid is already defined as a crime against Jewish groups be in Geneva? To bear witness, fight back humanity, but there’s not a lot of experience in taking it and repair the world.” to court,” says Ingrid Gassner Jaradat, director of the Inside the actual forum, with Israel having announced Bethlehem-based BADIL Resource Center for its boycott long ago, each pro and anti-Israel group will Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights. “If you be allotted several minutes daily to address governmen- strengthen the legal argument, educate and raise awaretal delegations. ness, you also strengthen the efforts to prosecute this as Yet the Israeli-Palestinian conflict won’t be the only a war crime.” provocative subject: the forum may become a flashpoint Jewish activists will fight back. for newer tensions between Islam and the West. With On April 20, Swiss Jewish groups will host a Holocaust some European states still threatening a boycott, the 57- commemoration that features Nobel laureate Elie member Organization of the Islamic Conference will Wiesel, French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, and likely accuse the West of Islamaphobia and press to others. The event will be expressly non-political, with restrict criticism of Islam -- and perhaps overwhelm all pamphlets and posters barred, says Sabine Simkhovitchother grievances. Dreyfus, vice president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish “It’s part of the Islamic group’s strategy: rather than Communities. deal with extremist Islam, they take offensive position However, the organizers also chose a highly symbolic and say Islam is the victim of Western crimes,” says Hillel location for the ceremony – in the large square just outNeuer, executive director of the Geneva-based U.N. side the main entrance to the U.N. compound. Watch. “What else will they talk about -- genocide in “It’s possible that it will be perceived by certain perDarfur?” sons as politicizing the Shoah,” says SimkhovitchThe original Durban conference -- particularly the Dreyfus. “But this is certainly not our intention. To the NGO forum that preceded it -- was a seminal U.N. contrary, we want to draw the attention of all delegates event in Jewish pro-Israel activism, echoing the to a universal message. And we think the Shoah is one of “Zionism is Racism” era from 1975-1991. the keys, if not ‘the’ key universal, anti-racism message.” Though some had warned the Arab-Muslim bloc -Moreover, some 40 human-rights groups will sponsor backed by developing-world allies -- angled to produce a “Geneva Summit for Human Rights, Tolerance and an indictment of Israel at Durban, the on-the-ground Democracy” to showcase Burmese, Cuban, Iranian and reality shocked them. Egyptian dissidents; Jewish groups will co-host a The NGO document, hammered out in a hostile, “Conference Against Racism, Discrimination and intimidating environment, painted the Jewish state as Persecution” -- viewed by some as a virtual “alternative” the world’s greatest perpetrator. to the actual Durban conference -- and Jewish and Israel At the time, David Matas of B’nai B’rith Canada, said, groups will put on an “Israel Wants Peace” rally-- with “This is the first time I’ve ever felt anti-Semitism this Natan Sharansky, Alan Dershowitz, and Ethiopian and personally, at such a level of intensity.” Bedouin Israelis. The text was so extreme, then-U.N. High “If the U.N. were really reflecting universal and moral Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson reject- values, these are the types of events they would run,” ed it -- a stunning blow for the host agency. Even today, says Gerald Steinberg, executive director of the the new commissioner, Navi Pillay, denounces “the viru- Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor. “And Israel wouldn’t lent anti-Semitic behavior” at Durban, though only have to go out of its way to show it’s not racist.” blames some groups “on the sidelines.”
by MICHAEL J. JORDAN BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (JTA) -- Eight years ago, at the first U.N. World Conference Against Racism, proIsrael activists endured a week of hate-filled insults, pamphlets, posters and marches in the streets of Durban, South Africa. When they finally marched out of a forum that branded Israel genocidal and racist like Apartheid South Africa, keffiyah-clad antagonists serenaded them with chants of “Free, free, Palestine!” Overwhelmed, activists vowed to prepare better the next time. That chance comes later this month: the Durban Review Conference will be held April 20-24 in the Swiss city of Geneva. Palestinian supporters will hold another large street
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men and firefighters on contracts in order to get the manpower back on the streets. “They can’t get back into the pension program and we can’t give them any more health benefits because they already have them,” Daub insisted. “I am convinced that it is the broken family, the lack by JOAN K. MARCUS of fatherhood, the dropout rate and the lack of a job that has increased the crime rate. And, if we don’t do anything to change these things, we will just keep on throwHal Daub, familiar political figure, ing kids in jail.” is back as a candidate for mayor of Omaha. Daub teaches in the life-learning dorm of Omaha’s At age 67, he is still full of political vigor and has the energy to go with it. You can mention any facet of city county jail. “There, I see 10 young people, all under age government and his obviously photographic brain will 22, and nine of ten of them have no father and no male come up with facts and figures. Daub is correct when he influence in their lives,” he noted. In addition, Daub wants to put an economic director says that our next mayor must have toughness and intelback in the mayor’s office in order to coordinate small lectual abilities. And, he thinks he possesses both. He grew up in the Benson area, graduated from and large business efforts and recruit workers. Also, to Benson High and received his bachelor’s degree in busi- make sure that the Planning Department issues permits ness administration from Washington University in St. and inspections in days instead of weeks. “We’re letharLouis. Later, he earned law degree from UNL He is a gic and not very business friendly in City Hall right partner in the law firm of Husch, Blackwell and Sanders now,” he said. “We also need to develop four economic industrial in Omaha. The firm has more than 700 lawyers in 18 tracts. I did it before when I developed the Omaha offices in The United States and England. Hal served as the Second District Congressman from Foundation Industrial Tracts on Pershing Drive along 1981-89. He succeeded P.J. Morgan as mayor of Omaha the river. And out here on 99th to 102 on ‘L’ and ‘N’ from 1995 until 2001. During those six years, he claims Streets. We need to do that again.” he insisted. “I’ve had a little experience when I did the North that he had a proven record of fighting crime and changing the Omaha Police Department. He says he cut prop- Omaha Business Park and the South Omaha Stockyards. erty taxes each year and, if elected, will fight to do it That was all junk and weeds before I became mayor and again. Another promise he made is to bring jobs to now there are eight businesses there and they are back on the tax rolls with hundreds of people working, paying Omaha and make businesses thrive. their bills and leading In a recent speech to their lives.” the B’nai Brith One can almost see Breadbreakers, Daub the wheels in Hal’s brain promised a “safer, spinning as he proposes, brighter and more pros“Let’s put some of that perous” Omaha. In these land back to work so that tough economic times, we can say to the country, that’s something that we ‘Omaha’s open for busicould all use. He has ness!’ It’s a productive, recently been endorsed by friendly place and parking the Omaha Worldand plumbing is in. Let’s Herald. not go to 240th and plow “I have listened to more ground.” than 100 leadership Another proposal is to groups from neighborhood associations and give a 10% credit to leaders from the business homeowners on their and labor communites George Shafer and Bonnie Bloch listen to Hal Daub’s proposals as taxes for permitted and have put together my candidate for mayor of the city of Omaha. improvement. Now, vision for Omaha for the next four years. Four years from homeowners are penalized if they modernize their now, I would like us all to be able to look back and say homes. His plan would reward them. In other words, that our city is safer, healthier and cleaner. And that owners would apply for building permits and then take a together we beat the recession!” he said. percentage off of their taxes over three years. This would “Given the recessionary environment we face in the be an incentive for people to buy materials, employ peonation and in the world, and here in Omaha, those are ple and fix up their homes, he says. goals that will move us forward. To achieve them, the A very important project for Daub would be the mayor and the Omaha City Council need to work on regaining of Omaha’s AAA Bond Rating. “We’ve lost it three subjects: crime, creating jobs during a recession because we have no cash reserve for the first time in hisand our fiscal accounts. When things get tough, we need tory. The City Council spends down to zero and Omaha to sharpen our thinking.” is broke. Plus, we have a five million dollar police and fire He cites the crime issue as being very complex. pension liability,” he explained. According to the candidate, “We have a very serious “We need to get rid of spiking for police and fire, keep crime problem here in Omaha -- more serious than we them longer, negotiate back on health care for retirees should have. The murder rate is up 76% since 2001and and set up a secondary, supplemental plan in which the violent crime is very serious in our community.” current city worker and the retiree pays in with a city Daub states that, according to the FBI, we have 102 match and the total of that money goes into a treasury gangs in Omaha with 3000 known, booked and finger- bill supplemental pension account that will be theirs. printed gang participants. He cites graffiti in the 25th That will help to fill the 500 million-dollar hole.” and Leavenworth area as a sign of the problems. Attorney Steve Riekes asked Daub, “I’ve always said He has diagnosed one of the principle reasons for our that you have great vision and passion for Omaha. But it crime problems as being the presence of fewer police seems that we’re running into a problem with the stadiofficers on our streets.“Presence equals deterrence on um that will basically be used for two weeks a year. the law enforcement and apprehension side. The other Meanwhile, Sarpy County is going to build a stadium piece is intervention and prevention on the more social and take the Royals. The whole thing seems like a disasside. If you neglect weeds, broken windows, running ter and we’re heading into a terrible situation.” stop signs and graffiti when they are perpetrated by peoDaub answered, “I voted ‘no’ but the vote on the ple who learn that they can get away with them, you MECA Board was four to one. Even if I were to be encourage them to break into the car, the house and Omaha’s next mayor, I can’t change the contract itself. then break a body,” he insisted. It’s a done deal. But I will, if we get the chance, negotiDaub notes that 70% of the people who are now in jail ate to keep the Royals in 72 user-days in that stadium. I are repeat offenders. His recommendation is to pay will not negotiate for a second baseball team. I’ll do my attention to the little things which are a starting point best to get more use into that stadium and develop leverfor decreasing crime. “With 110 officers short because age around it.” they took their big, fat pension checks in the 2004 penHe ended by saying, “I am eight years older and have sion deal, we have lost all that experience on the street a little more gray hair. I think my judgment is a little betand all of those officers,” he added. ter and there are some things I wish I could have done “Because they quit at age 46 with full pensions and better. I have learned some lessons, but I will stand up fully paid health care until they are age 65, our city now and fight for what’s right for Omaha and our future. has a nearly bankrupt pension system that is about ready What you see is what you get and I can’t be made into to bankrupt our city if we can’t get ourselves in a better something else.” management position.” He smiled, “Will I be more mellow? Let’s just say that He proposes bringing back some of the present police- I have evolved!”
AMERICA DECIDES 2009
April 17, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
What’s a nice Jewish boy like you doing ...?
Continued from page 8 filter it through the prism of the character, and that’s important because then it forces you to think about the character’s perspective on things. You create three dimensionalities just by doing that -- the interaction of the author, the character and the reader. It’s a way of getting closer to the universal.� How close is Scott to Hank and vice versa? “There’s a lot of similarities between me and Hank,� said his creator, “but there are also a lot of differences, and the differences were more generative and healthier for the novel then were our similarities.� For example, Muskin has a sister, not a brother, and the two of them get on fine. Finding the right voice for his protagonist let Muskin examine sibling rivalry. “The book really took shape when I stumbled upon this voice,� he said. “I had been reading Richard Ford’s ‘Independence Day’ and I remember thinking, ‘This is the kind of voice I want -- a narrator who’s introspective but sardonic, thoughtful but sharp-witted, sharptongued. In essence, complex and likable and not likable.’ That’s the protagonist I wanted. I tried to steal that voice for a short story, not very successfully. Only when I put it into my own context did it begin to take shape.� Short story writing was Muskin’s literary form of choice at the time. He’d had success placing pieces in literary journals and magazines. A collection by him was a finalist for the 2005 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. While his stories earned him admiration and praise and some were published individually, he said “no one was terribly interested� in publishing them as a collection. A mentor of his in graduate school at the University of Minnesota first suggested his talents might best lay in novel writing. “One of my teachers, Julie Schumacher, pushed me. She said, ‘You ought to write a novel. You seem like a natural for it,’ and I took that to heart, and I finally hit upon a voice that I felt could sustain the novel for the reader.� So, what did Schumacher see that made her nudge him along the novelist’s path? “She said that I was writing longish short stories anyway. It’s not uncommon for me working on a short story to generate 60 pages,� Muskin noted, “and that’s kind of a tough road to hoe because long short stories have less of a chance of getting published in magazines and things.� Besides, he was already creating fiction from real life, lending it “a richness and complexity of character relationships, particularly family relationships, which are a lot of times the bread and butter of novels.� Except, he said, “I was expounding more than evoking.� It left him unsure if he was up to penning a fully-realized novel. “I know a lot of writers who say, ‘My first novel’s still in a drawer,’ and I was terrified of that happening. It’s a terrifying endeavor to spend so much time on something and to not know what you have until you share it with a trusted reader. I wanted to make sure it was not puerile and jejune because first novels tend to be personal and you’re working out a lot of your own bullshit. I was certainly doing that, but I was hoping I was doing other things, too, to achieve a universality.� It was the fall of 2003 when Muskin delved into the project.
“I spent a month and a half in upstate New York at an arts colony. I did a lot of writing there. I just started writing and it sort of all spilled out. And I might have thought this would be a short story (to begin with) but as soon as I realized I was onto something I wanted to keep going with it.� The novel’s development, which proceeded at different arts colonies, entailed a search. “I started fumbling around for a narrative archetype to hang a story onto. I read a lot of Greek and Roman mythology and they’re just so great for giving evocative narratives where the grand passions are on display, and that’s what I felt I had in Hank -- a grand passion he was trying to express.� The evolutionary process of writing meant Muskin was open to literary influences and to reconfiguring plot lines, characters, et cetera. “I had envisioned the Carlton character as a friend whose domestic life Hank was going to be jealous of,� he said, “but once I realized Carlton wasn’t a friend but a brother that’s when I felt I had the Scott Muskin triangulation I needed.� The triptych of two brothers in conflict with each other and with their dissatisfied traveling salesman father hints at Death of a Salesman. “That is definitely one of the archetypes,� said Muskin. “That Willie Loman character weighs heavily in this book, from the dad’s point of view. After all, he is a traveling salesman who’s not connected to his sons. His boys are competitive. And he has a favorite son. I’d be stupid to say I’m going to ignore� the parallels to that part of the Arthur Miller play, added Muskin, who said he took great pains to not make Daniel Meyerson “a postcard character� that’s a pale imitation of Loman. Saul Bellow’s The Adventures of Augie March was another model of sorts. Muskin used an excerpt from the Nobel Prize-winner’s novel to set out the theme of Annunciations: “In any true life you must go and be exposed outside the small circle that encompasses two or three heads in the same history of love. Try and stay, though, inside. See how long you can.� The quotation from Augie is used by Muskin as an epigraph, along with a quote from an unpublished Emily Dickinson poem: “A single thrill can end a life or open it forever.� For Muskin, it became important “to keep� his novel “true to� the Bellows observation that a life “encompassing the same circle of love� poses complications by the proximity of that love. “That was pretty powerful for me,� said Muskin, who was inspired to “have a novel where we have only four or five characters and they’re all related to one another -- strong ties that you can’t really do without, and that Hank tries to do without. It generated the plot for me that Hank would stray from his marriage with his sister-in-law. It all kind of folds in on itself.� The author doesn’t conceal his appreciation for Bellows. “I’m a big fan,� said Muskin, who enjoys how dense Augie is “with voice ... thought patterns. Bellows
gets into the micro-micro of this character’s life.� Muskin said when he employed a similar approach in looking at the minutiae of Hank’s life “things really took off.� Muskin’s style has also been compared to that of Jonathan Franzen and Philip Roth. Unlike many writers who come to their craft through reading Muskin flipped the script by having his early passion for writing spark his later reading habit. “I always wrote, but I didn’t always read,� he said. “Maybe it’s a boy thing -- the opposite of girls stereotypically always involved in a book. I can’t really say it wasn’t because books weren’t around, but I didn’t really dive in until later in life.� “Key teachers were very important,� he said in recognizing his talent. “In first grade I wrote a poem about trees that my teacher actually accused me of plagiarizing. I was mortally offended. We worked it all out. I remember my parents and her having several conversations about how creative I was with language.� Encouragement continued through elementary school (Columbian), junior high (Horace Mann) and high school (Burke). He earned a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College (Iowa) and a master’s from Minnesota. He’s well-ensconced up north by now, but he admits he gets ferklempt being away from family in Nebraska. It was never in the cards for him to take over for his dad at Youngtown, which Scott helped his father close out. Writing was always in the young man’s future. Freelance copywriting jobs permit Muskin’s literary pursuits. A stable income’s more important now that he and his wife are parents to a baby girl, Campbell. Around the gigs that pay the bills he toils on literary projects from the home office he built in his spacious garage, which looks out onto a garden. “I’m working on several short stories,� he said. “They’re in the drawer phase right now because I’m not sure what I have. I’m working on a new novel. I just got a grant to do some research for it in Spain. It’s about a grandfather-grandson relationship. They’re both at a crossroads in life. The grandfather’s a larger-than-life character.� Adding, “They’re going to have adventures,� Muskin noted that he’s just not sure what yet. “It’s also going to cover the grandfather’s Sephardic Jewish experience. It’s something I don’t know much about. I just started getting into this. It’ll examine this sense of dislocation and loss -- of being a minority within a minority.� Never one to maintain a rigid writing schedule, Muskin said, “I’m a firm believer that life should be lived. There can’t be one without the other. It’s a balance thing.�
BIRTH
Shawna and David Schwalb of Chicago, announce the March 8 birth of a son, Gavin Isaac. Gavin has a sister, Gabrielle Ruthie. Grandparents Hannah and Natan Schwalb, and Nancy and Daniel Gooz of Highland Park, IL. Great-grandparents are Harry and Betty Allswang of Skokie, IL, and the late David and Paula Schwalb.
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
The meaning of evil in today’s world It’s the beating of a 17-year-old girl in Pakistan and then its perpetrators blaming it on “a Jewish conspiracy.” It is the gunning down of unarmed immigrants in in a citizenship class in Binghamton, NY, by a former immigrant, who blames his despicable actions on America. It’s the rush to judgment by news outlets who run a story about alleged “atrocities” by Israeli soldiers in Gaza, without bothering to check facts or verify information. The list goes on -- from North Korea’s launch of a missile (that someday could carry a nuclear warhead and threaten the democratic nation of Japan) to Bush bashers and Obama haters who make personal attacks on their opponents, instead of debating the issues. Has anything changed since World War II? For readers old enough to remember, the New York Times actually ran stories about reports coming out of the concentration camps of Europe. But did anyone do anything? Did it stop the genocide? And what’s being done today to stop the slaughter in Darfur? The Jewish community has been in the forefront to publicize the mass murder of nearly 300,000 Sudanese by government militias. (Another 2.7 million have been made homeless.) Where is everyone else? But Omar Bashir, the president of Sudan, was welcomed (and even praised!) at last month’s meeting of the Arab League, which not only condemned the indictment by the International Criminal Court, but turned right around and said that Israel should be “held accountable” for war crimes in Gaza! We all know there’s a double standard when it comes to Israel and the world press (and many of the members of the United Nations). And it’s hard to trust the media when, for example, CNN hires the likes of Nidal Rafa, who HonestReporting.com has shown in
video footage at a recent media event, calling Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon a “fascist.” And CNN says it’s unbiased? So fast forward 20 years from now, make that 10, and ask yourself what will happen when only a handful of survivors of the Holocaust are alive (our apologies to all of them for even thinking of life after they’re gone). Who will tell their stories? Who will show a high schooler the faded tattoo meant to dehumanizing prisoners? Who will recite the names of family members, killed by the Nazis and their henchmen (yamach sh’mo -may their names be blotted out)? Only us. Those who care enough about the past to want to remember it. Men and women who know George Santayana’s line by heart -that those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It’s up to those of us who see man’s inhu-
manity to man continuing today -- in places like Afghanistan, where it is now apparently legal for a husband to rape his wife -- and in Gaza, where Hamas-run television promotes a culture of death by encouraging children as young as three years old to die as martyrs by blowing up Israelis! Evil comes in many forms, but it is evil nonetheless. But it is not just the evil we remember on Yom HaShoah -- it is the survival of the witnesses to that dark period in human history which should call all of us together on Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m., at Beth El Synagogue. There, we should pray for the courage to denounce evil everywhere, for the strength to overcome it, and for forgiveness for remaining silent when we see it. Holocaust survivors know more than any other group what happens when bystanders are silent in the face of evil.
by MITCHELL G. BARD, PH.D.
Adolf Hitler told the German parliament on January 30, 1939, he would “settle the Jewish problem” and warned of “the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe!” Imagine how history might have changed if someone would have been willing to stand up to Hitler. Just two months earlier, the implementation of Hitler’s plan began and might have been stopped before it had gone too far if enough Germans had the courage to act. This is not a column about failure, however, it is about those who were willing to help their fellow German or Austrian, even if they were a Jew. What made the attacks on Jews on November 9-10, 1938, so remarkable was that all the people of Germany witnessed the brutality of the Nazis, and many participated in attacks on the Jews. On that date, which became known as *Kristallnacht*, the “Night of Broken Glass,” because of the shattered glass from the windows of Jewish homes and businesses, murderous riots were orchestrated in nearly every town and village where Jews could be found. Only a handful of Germans had the courage to stand up to the mobs, protect Jews or condemn the Nazis for their atrocities. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Max Schmeling, for example, hid two sons of a Jewish clothing store owner in his hotel suite. He stayed in his room pretending to be ill for four days until he heard it was safe for the boys to leave. When the Gestapo prepared to set Berlin’s Oranienburger Strasse synagogue on fire, the local police chief, Wilhelm Krützfeld told them
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, 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. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., 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.
The courage to stand against evil
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the building was a historic landmark. Krützfeld was reprimanded for his intervention. He saved the synagogue from arson, but it was still destroyed when the British bombed the city in 1943. A few Jews lived in the small village of Warmsried. The town was dominated by a Catholic priest named Father Andreas Rampp. The priest did not support the Nazi party and the village had few members. On *Kristallnacht*, no actions were taken against the Jews, partly because of Rampp and partly because the village’s economy depended on a sawmill that was run by a Jew who had been driven out of another town. That Jew stayed in Warmsried for the entire war and survived. Two other villages, Derching and Laimering, also did not allow any attacks on their Jewish residents.
Imagine how history might have changed if someone would have been willing to stand up to Hitler. Frank Correl’s father had to go to the Gestapo office to get a passport and exit visa. An official asked him if he owned a store and remembered a particular customer. Correl’s father said he did have a store and knew the woman. The Gestapo official said, ‘Do you remember that you would take her out in your car from time to time?’ Correl’s father was suspicious about why he was being asked, but admitted he took the woman out. The official asked him why and Correl replied that the woman was a good customer and that since she was disabled he wanted to do something to show his appreciation and make her feel better, so he would take her for rides in the countryside. The Gestapo official got up and said, “That
was my aunt. Here is your passport.” Wichard von Bredow was ordered to burn down the synagogue in Schirwindt. He put on his army uniform and told his wife, “I’m going to the synagogue in Schirwindt where I want to prevent one of the greatest crimes in my district.” When storm troopers and other Nazi arsonists arrived at the synagogue, von Bredow was waiting for them with his revolver. The group left and the synagogue was saved, the only one in the district that survived. Despite his act of disobedience, von Bredow was not punished and remained the County officer throughout the war. Pastor Julius van Jan told his congregation in Swabia, “Houses of worship, sacred to others, have been burned down with impunity – men who have loyally served our nation and conscientiously done their duty have been thrown into concentration camps simply because they belong to a different race. Our nation’s infamy is bound to bring about Divine punishment.” For his forthrightness, Jan was beaten and his home vandalized. He was ultimately imprisoned. Unlike these heroes, most Germans watched their neighbors’ homes broken into and Jewish men taken away by storm troopers. They stood by as synagogues were set ablaze and Jewishowned shops were looted. At least 96 Jews in the Third Reich were murdered, 1,300 synagogues and 7,500 businesses were destroyed, and countless Jewish cemeteries and schools were vandalized. The failure of more Germans and Austrians to stand up to the Nazis on *Kristallnacht*, as well as the unwillingness of the international community to react, set the stage for the Holocaust. Mitchell Bard is author of 48 Hours of Kristallnacht: Night of Destruction/Dawn of the Holocaust: An Oral History and director of the Jewish Virtual Library.
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 (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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April 17, 2009
What does real dialogue demand?
ANOTHER P OINT OF VIEW by RAN KUTTNER
On Friday, March 27, the TriFaith Initiative gathered over a thousand people for an interfaith worship service followed by a conversation on peace, in which three leaders from the three Abrahamic religions shared their views and aspirations on the subject. In an editorial published in the Jewish Press the day before, the editor expressed reservations from this gathering, questioning whether real dialogue can be fostered among people whose opinions on certain issues are unclear, for example: how can it be possible to engage in a real dialogue with Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America if her views on the Wahhabism or the Islamic Brothers are unclear. Where does Dr. Katherine Jefferts Schori stand on Israel’s right to defend itself. And how can Dr. Naser Alsharif have it both ways -- serve on the board of the TriFaith initiative and sign an anti-Israel boycott petition? It seems to me that the organizers’ vision was a little more modest: that it wasn’t a gathering aimed at engaging in a dialogue; it was a gathering that aimed at taking a step in the direction of having an inclusive dialogue, and setting the ground for what may have the potential to develop into future dialogue, where such and other challenging questions can be addressed. If the author wishes that her worthy questions will be constructively discussed, creating the terms for dialogue is needed, as dialogue is a process that people have to be prepared to engage in. A true dialogue aims at helping its participants to open up to the other as well as to view themselves in a new way, with willingness to suspend and even question their most basic assumptions regarding the others, themselves, and the issues in discussion. Aware of their interdependence, participants in dialogue focus not on persuading or blaming others but on thinking together and co-constructing a shared meaning of the reality we live in, while trying to see this reality with all its complexities and grey areas. It is not easy to get to the point where participants feel comfortable to enter a dialogue. Dialogue may be a scary interaction, as it puts in danger our presuppositions not only regarding the “other” but also regarding our own bounded, firm and well-organized opinionated selves. It is important to set the ground -including through inspirational and aspirational conversations on peace -- so that in a later stage the conversations could turn into a dialogue. It invites us to set aside the urge to argue our fixed and well-thought positions, and to explore
instead both our outer and internal conflicts and incoherencies, while witnessing the complexity of ours’ and others’ heart and mind. Within the realm of a dialogue with Dr. Naser Alsharif, for example, maybe -- just maybe -- will we be able to make sense of his presumably contradictory activities -- to participate and promote the TriFaith Initiative, on the one hand, while signing an anti-Israel boycott petition, on the other hand? I admit, when not in a dialogic state of mind my own instinct is to fortify in my understanding that he is trying to have it both ways. But there are also moments when I am eager to learn more and willing to open up exactly to these kind of complex views because they are currently strange to me, but vital to understand if I wish to better apprehend the Middle Eastern reality. I cannot allow myself but to continue to explore, to better understand such views and what they mean to our shared existence, in order to better understand not only “their” view but also my own reality as a Jew and as an Israeli. Last month I gave the annual Brooks Lecture, and spoke about dialogue and the need to cultivate a dialogic mindset in the Israeli society in order to better manage our internal splits, gaps, conflicts and complexities. I claimed that the strength of the Israeli society depends on whether its members learn how to transform their adversarial, polarizing mindsets into a dialogic mindset, and that the current non-dialogic mindset and adversarial style of managing conflicts poses a threat on our existence as a cohesive, inclusive and vital society. The same, I believe, applies here: I invite us to allow ourselves to take the necessary steps to set the ground for the cultivation of a dialogic mindset, in which we feel safe enough to loosen our grip on our well entrenched presuppositions and allow ourselves to explore the complexities that compound the reality of both our neighbors --whether in the U.S. or in the Middle East -- and of ourselves. In such conditions, the editor’s important questions can be openly and sincerely raised, and receive worthy attention and thorough consideration, as part of a true effort to better understand. Dr. Ran Kuttner is a professor for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at Creighton University. Kuttner is an Israeli, who taught mediation and conflict management courses in numerous academic and professional settings in Israel. Prior to joining Creighton, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, where he finished his Ph.D. dissertation on cultivating dialogue in mediation and negotiations.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor: What a winner you guys produced (with the April 3 Passover issue)! I read every single article and qvelled, especially since I found I knew someone from high school or cheder on every page. This issue explains exactly why we must have a local paper. It strengthens our community, revealing in many ways how connected we are to one another, what riches we get from each other, how much we learn about ourselves, our world, and on and on and on. To you, your board, your staff, your writers and your volunteers: congratulations. To paraphrase my mom, “only in Omaha”. Eunie Denenberg
To the Editor: The Sokolof Merit Scholarship Committee was again amazed by the high caliber of its applicants. Omaha’s Jewish community can be justly proud of the outstanding young people who exemplify Phil Sokolof’s values of personal achievement, academic performance, good character and community involvement. Selecting the scholarship winners was an extraordinarily challenging task. We have no doubt that all of our applicants will be highly successful in their future pursuits. We wish them all the best. Suzanne Richards Singer Chairman, Sokolof Scholarships Jewish Federation Foundation
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Durban II: Is a boycott really enough?
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by GEORGE BAUMGARTEN United Nations Correspondent The title sounded like a noble effort to redress centuries of abuse of God-given human rights: “World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance”. The reality, however, was something quite different. Far from providing redress for centuries of injustice, this conference turned into a forum for the criticism and “bashing” of a single country: Israel. And -- however noble its original intent -- it did precious little to fight any of the still-prevalent prejudices in its title. It will shortly be coming back … to haunt the conscience of the world. The conference -- planned for several years and with several “preparatory” meetings -- was held in Durban (ironically, South Africa’s premier beach resort) from Aug. 31 to Sept. 7 2001. Its American participants must have been just coming home, when their nation came under attack the following week. The Durban conference produced a relatively mild “Declaration and Programme of Action”, as its final “Outcome Document”. At least it acknowledged the State of Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign, independent state: #63. “We are concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation. We recognize the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to the establishment of an independent State and we recognize the right to security for all states in the region, including Israel, and call upon all states to support the peace process and bring it to an early conclusion; And a further article, in even milder language, provides that #151. “… respect for the principle of self-determination and the end of all suffering, thus allowing Israel and the Palestinians to resume the peace process, and to develop and prosper in security and freedom;” But these mild “final outcome” documents are dangerously deceptive. In a meeting of NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) -- often referred-to as the “parallel conference” -- numerous speakers stood before the session to foist upon it a stream of anti-Israel invective. Consider, for example, Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treiki, Libya’s Secretary of the People’s General Committee of African Unity: “The Palestinian people were expelled collectively from their land. They are daily exposed to killings for political reasons. What could be more racist than what is happening in Palestine? But super-Powers protect the racist regime. We condemn what the Germans did, but do the Jews have the right to repeat what Hitler did?” This from the man now widely expected, as Africa’s favorite son, to be the President of the forthcoming 64th United Nations General Assembly. And the Palestinian representative said that “…the representative of Israel spoke on behalf of a Minister who declined to address this Assembly. We believe that is an admission that Israel has failed to prove that it is a peace-loving country that abides by international law and humanitarian law”. After just a few days of this sort of violent, pompous buffoonery, Israel and the United States decided that they’d had enough, and departed the conference. Originally, the Durban Conference was hardly noticed by the Jewish community
and media. No one reported on it from Durban, and at best some articles would make small mention of it, datelined from such places as Washington (!). Worse yet, it is difficult to imagine what all of this Israel-focused invective could possibly accomplish, in the fight against the very real problems of racism et al. It was decided to hold a “Durban Review Conference”, to be held April 2024 in Geneva, the headquarters of the UN’s European operations. The “ostensible” purpose of the Review Conference will be to establish just what progress has been made, toward the goals established at Durban. An “Outcome Document” would be issued by the conference, and a draft would be circulated in advance. This has been done, and there have been several “preparatory meetings” to discuss the draft as well as other issues. Far from engaging in a “review”, however, some countries and their supporters have given every appearance of starting another “Israel-bashing” festival. The original 48-page draft contained numerous [offensive] references to Israel, and few references to any other country. The Obama administration had decided -- despite strong criticism from rightwing Jewish groups -- to send a team to the preparatory conference in February. But its members were so revolted by the experience that they walked out. The Obama administration ultimately announced -- to the great consternation of its detractors -- that it would be boycotting the Conference. Israel did likewise, and Canada and Italy followed suit. The United Nations, particularly Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay (ironically, a Durban native), seem to truly want to make some progress, toward the goals of eliminating all forms of intolerance. Ban described to me last summer how he really wants to foster these accomplishments. More recently, Commissioner Pillay agreed with me that the proper response to evil was to “confront it, not ignore it”. The world must ask itself: By boycotting the Conference -- or any event -- are we engaging in de-facto appeasement? In an effort to mollify the conference’s critics, the Conference Committee -largely at Commissioner Pillay’s instigation -- re-wrote the draft outcome document, reducing its size to a mere 17 pages. This was done also to forestall a possible boycott by the European Union. The Israelis were still not happy with the document, since it cited a declaration from Durban that calls Israel a “racist state”. And no one is talking of ending their boycott. The boycotting countries are certainly to be commended for refusing to associate themselves with a project of dubious intent … and discriminatory focus. But the Jewish media must understand that it has a sacred obligation to come to Geneva and bear witness. Calumny, prejudice and defamation must be shown always … to be the evils they truly are. I am reminded of the words of the late Ambassador (later Senator} Daniel Patrick Moynihan, on the imminent passage of the obscenely defamatory “Zionism is Racism” resolution, in 1975 (Repealed 16 years later). “As we were certain lose the vote,” Moynihan wrote, “it was essential that we win the argument.” Or, to paraphrase the immortal words of the late German Pastor Martin Niemoller : “If the forces of freedom are absent …WHO will be left to speak up!”
Baumgarten is a freelance writer in NY.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
Candlelighting Friday, April 17, 7:49 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
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 323 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.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 7:55 p.m. SHABBAT MORNING LIVE: Saturday, 10:30-noon, for all Pre-K-second grade children and their parents. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SIXTH-SEVENTH GRADE MINYAN: Sunday, 9 a.m.; at 10:15 a.m., students and parents are invited to a high school recruitment meeting. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group; and Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club led by FrydmanLevin; and Synagogue skills class led by Cantor Schlossberg, 11 a.m. From 6-8:30 p.m., all thirdseventh grade BESTT boys are invited to Cantor Schlossberg’s house for an evening of pizza making and games. To RSVP, contact the cantor in the office, or at cantor@bethel-omaha.org. YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM FOR TEENS: All Jewish teens (grades 7-12) are invited to a dinner at the Teen Café Dilemma on Wednesday, April 22, 5:30 p.m. followed by facilitated discussions with local Holocaust survivors. At 7 p.m., teens are encouraged to stay for the community Yom HaShoah commemoration and program. PJ PARTY AT CANTOR BETH’S: Saturday, April 25, 8:30 p.m., all third-seventh grade BESTT girls are invited to Cantor Schlossberg’s for a pajama party, beginning with havdalah, followed by cookie baking, games and other activities. Third-fourth graders are welcome to stay until 11 p.m.; older girls are invited to spend the night (bring sleeping bag and pillow). Cost is $3 for
each child (and adults, who may stay until 11 p.m.). To RSVP or for more information, contact Cantor Schlossberg in the office, or at cantor@bethel-omaha.org.
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 and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored by Bruce and Linda Potash in honor of Sarah’s 13th birthday; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to Mincha, 7:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 8:44 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m.; Sunday Night Dinner, 6 p.m., Home-made Pizza night; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:15 p.m. TUESDAY: Mishnah Club and Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class resumes on April 21. WEDNESDAY: Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration Service, 7 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. For more information or to register, email Estie@ochabad.com. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer,
Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:45 p.m. Please contact shevi@ochabad. com for a pass. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early 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; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. If you have questions or need a ride, call Deborah Swearingen, 476.7528. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7 Cleaning up my world, 9:30 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Returning to Babel: Jewish Latin American Experiences and Representations, 1 p.m.; Holocaust Remembrance Service, 3 p.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda. MONDAY: Yom Hashoah Service, 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel and Nancy Coren. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at the Olive Garden. Contact Stephanie Dohner if you have questions. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Art, Memory and Law: A Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion on Holocaust Art Restitution, 7 p.m. at the Ross Film Theater. LPS YOM HASHOAH SPEAKER SERIES: The next speaker is Bea Karp on April 30, 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Northeast, and Jen Marlowe on May 7, 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Southwest.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg and assisted by Zack Bram.
Passover at the White House President Obama hosted a Passover seder dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House last Thursday, April 9, with friends and White House employees and their families joining the Obama family. Credit: Official White House photo by Pete Souza
THURSDAY: L.O.V.E. Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel; Tot Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel. Hosts are Jenn & Matt Kirshenbaum. Dinner is $5 for adults; no charge for children. Please contact the office, or mkube@templeisraelomaha.co m to make a reservation; Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Wendy Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Rachel and Josh Sullivan, children of Louri and Charles Sullivan, will celebrate their B’nai Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Grade 2 Parent Meeting, 10:15 a.m.; Children’s Choir Rehearsal, noon. Lunch is provided for choir members and younger siblings. TUESDAY: Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; Grades 7-12 Youth Program and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El; Community Yom HaShoah Service, 7 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Linder, 10 a.m.; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon. Dr. Ron Wolfson, scholar-inpresents “Know residence, Thyself: Know the Angel Within”, Friday-Sunday, April 24-26. (See full story on page 6.)
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. There will be no serices held during Passover, resuming April 24.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7 Cleaning up my world, 9:30 a.m.noon at South Street; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Returning to Babel: Jewish Latin American Experiences and 1 p.m.; Representations, Holocaust Remembrance Service, 3 p.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at the Olive Garden. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m.
April 17, 2009
Who will be the judge?
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Shemini Our Sidra has both joy and tragedy. The joy has to do with the inducting of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. The tragedy is that two of the priests -- sons of Aaron -- without waiting for instruction, tried to make use of their new position by bringing an offering that had not been requested. The result: a Divine fire which took their lives. Perhaps we are meant to take this as a lesson for ourselves: in dealing with th most holy of practices, we are not to decide for ourselves, but for instruction and tradition as to what must be done. Involved here is a warning that any change in our practices and symbols may not come from our own wishes, but must have their origin with the tradition itself. Formally speaking, the Orthodox among us consider that they are not making changes from tradition. The Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionists among us think that the changes, additions and omissions are for the greater good of Judaism as it is practiced. Who can be the judge of these clashing opinions?
Binghamton victim loved to help by JTA Staff WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Roberta “Bobbie” King almost wasn't teaching English at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton, N.Y., on the Friday afternoon of April 3. When full-time teacher Elisabeth Hayes needed a substitute so that she could celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary that day, the 72-year-old King hesitated at first because she needed to spend time preparing for Passover. But Hayes said King couldn’t turn down a chance to help out. “She was very interested in my ESL class and whenever I went away she was the first person I would want to come,” Hayes told the New York Daily News. “She had an ability to be understanding to the students and I knew that my students would be safe and well taken care of with her,” she said. King was one of 13 people who were killed when a gunmen entered the civic center and opened fire on the citizenship class King was teaching. Jiverly Voong, a Vietnamese immigrant, was reportedly upset after losing his job a few weeks ago and killed himself after the rampage.
Roberta “Bobbie” King teaches English at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York in 2008. Funeral services were held April 6 at Temple Concord in Binghamton for the mother of 10 and grandmother of 17, who is being remembered as someone who had lots of friends and loved to help others. King grew up in Syracuse, where she met her late husband, physician Abraham King, before moving to Binghamton more than 40 years ago. The couple had sent all 10 of their children to college, five of them to Cornell University. King was a substitute teacher at Binghamton High School in addition to teaching a summer English class at the American Civic Association. Her son Jeffrey King, a Binghamton-area surgeon, told the Daily News that his mother immensely enjoyed teaching that English class. “She loved the students there,” he said. “She loved to learn about their cultures.” And retirement was not something she thought about, King said, recounting a recent conversation he had with his mother on that subject to the Associated Press. “I said, ‘Mom you’re in your 70s,’” King said. “She said, ‘What? You don’t think I enjoy working?’”
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DIANE BOGDANOFF Diane M. Bogdanoff died on April 11 at the age of 76. A graveside service was held April 14 at Golden Hill Cemetery. She is survived by brother and sister-in-law, Bernie and Esther Bogdanoff; nieces and nephews, Sandee and Howard Friedman, Cindy and Morris Friedman, Adam Bogdanoff, Brian and Jennifer Bogdanoff; and great nieces and great nephews. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. MARGOT ROESBERG Margot Roesberg died at the age of 86. Services were held in Springfield, MA. According to Portraits of Survival, published by the Institute for Holocaust Education, “Margot Roesberg was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 1922. Her family was warned to stay in their apartment the night of Nov. 9, 1938,” a date later referred to as Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass. “They hid in the attic ... Soon after, a friend was able to secure work for Margot in England. She never expected the separation from her parents to be permanent. They perished in Auschwitz in 1942.” Arriving in the United States in 1942, she settled in Springfiled, MA, and in 2001, helped to create the Hatikvah Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Western Massachusetts. She had just come to Omaha recently, to be near her son and his family. She is survived by her son, Jeff Schweid; and granddaughters, Sara and Amy Schweid.
Here comes the sun!
Page 15
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Continued from page 1 Participants sang “Here Comes the Sun” as they awaited the opportunity to bless G-d for creating the sun for the first time in 28 years. A second service, led by Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad of Nebraska, took place at 8:30 a.m. last Wednesday, erev Pesach. More than 100 Jews gathered in front of Friedel Jewish Academy. Credit: Shevi Katzman
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Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
April 17, 2009
Israeli sappers give tips to local law enforcement Community comes together
by CAROL KATZMAN tions, training and command and control” was not Editor of the Jewish Press meant “to tell us how to do it in America, but that they So what’s a former Chicago cop, an Irishman, at that, want to share their experiences.” doing working for the Israeli Consulate? Rowan explained that “one of our presenters talks Besides being teased by his five brothers and sisters, all about operations, for example, the response of police Chicago cops (as was his father), Thomas Rowan after an attack.” While he doesn’t want to give tactics describes his position as Director of Homeland Security away, Rowan said police are now instructed to park their Affairs as being a liaison with community law enforce- cars in such a way so that they don’t block emergency ment in the Midwest. He brings years of experience, not vehicles that may need to get through police barriers. only as a former Chicago police officer, but with an edu“Bomb sappers also need to look for secondary cational background from bombs,” Rowan added, the Northwestern Univnoting the proliferation of ersity Traffic School and bombs that are timed to from the FBI’s national explode after police and academy, a school for rescue arrive on the scene. police departments’ upper “Those can do even more management. damage.” Rowan was in Omaha The Israelis, both of earlier this month with whom have experience as two Israeli policemen bomb disposal technicians who specialize in defusing or heads of bomb squads, bombs. Though his intent also spoke about the kinds was not to claim that of bombs they’ve defused, Israelis “are the be-all of as well as how to cultivate everything in security sources and learn necesmatters, they do have sary information about experience.” possible future attacks. And yes, Israelis have An an ADL reception, Tom Rowan, left, Director of Homeland “They -- the bombers become proficient not Secutiry Affairs for the Israeli Consulate in Chicago, shows Lt. - are getting more sophisonly in defusing bombs, Shayna Ray and Federation/Press bookkeeper Barb Kirkpatrick ticated,” Rowan said. but in crowd control after the green paint still on his hands from dying the Chicago River on “They know what can set an explosion, as well as St. Patrick’s Day last month. Rowan’s father began the tradition. off a metal detector” so search-and-rescue efforts. Rowan’s team offered local they’ve devised other means to separate the components law enforcement tips on what works and what doesn’t. and avoid detection. “We’ll tell them what we’ve tried and what worked for Rowan ran this informative course in Michigan for its us,” he explained, noting that Israeli experts have State Police, as well as in Chicago and downstate Illinois. learned how to scan crowds, what to look for and what This trip took them to Kansas City and Minneapolis. suspicious activities might look like. Working with ADL and local Community Relations Though the video and slide presentations are graphic, Councils of Jewish Federations in the Midwest, it’s just according to Alan Potash, director of the Plains States one of the ways the office of the Consulate General of Region of the Anti-Defamation League and sponsor of Israel can use the lessons learned from heartbreaking terRowan’s visit, “the information on suicide bombers, rorist attacks in Israel and put it to good use in the bomb detection and design, responding to bomb situa- United States.
for Yom HaZikaron
by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education The Israeli Knesset declared the fourth of Iyar as Yom HaZikaron, a memorial day for soldiers who died in the struggle for statehood and for all those who have lost their lives since fighting to retain that statehood. In choosing this date, just one day preceding Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, the Knesset conveyed a powerful and direct message: Israelis owe the independence and the very existence of the Jewish state to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for it. This year, the Omaha Jewish community is invited to observe the solemnity of Yom HaZikaron at a special event on Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel. Rabbi Jonathan Gross will lead the event. The evening will begin with a service, during which Dr. Moshe Gershovich will share his family’s experiences during Israel’s fight for independIsraeli flag photo by Melissa Katzman ence, experiences that date back to 1948. Rabbi Gross will then transition from the somberness of Yom HaZikaron to the joy of Yom HaAtzmaut with songs of Hallel -- praise and thanksgiving. The evening will conclude with dancing to the Mesamechai Leiv (“Make the Heart Happy”) Orchestra and a dessert reception. “It is not mere circumstance that these two holidays were placed back to back on the Hebrew calendar. On the contrary, it was done with a specific intent in mind. The State of Israel chose this for very symbolic purposes,” said Rabbi Gross. “It was done to remind us that we are able to celebrate Israel’s independence only because so many before sacrificed their lives for it. We should honor the sacrifice, but then celebrate the joy.”