Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Spirit of Federation
May 11, 2012 19 Iyar 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 34
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by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha “Do not expect the same things from others that you expect from yourself or you will lead a very lonely life.” -Phil Schrager Stacey Rockman often remembers these wise words from the late Phil Schrager. Stacey learned many things from Phil; most importantly, to have high expectations for yourself and strive to always do good for those around you. These are the guiding principles behind the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Awards. This year’s recipients are Stacey Rockman and John Glazer. “This award means a great deal to me. I had the privilege to co-chair the Israel Emergency Campaign in 2006 with Phil Schrager. In addition, we began fundraising for the new Temple Israel building before he became ill. I learned so many things from Phil and respect and admire him and Terri,” Stacey said. “I am fortunate to have so many opportunities to work in our community. I believe it is my obligation
Stacey Rockman
John Glazer
to help others and to try to help to make our community better and to try to make others’ lives better,” she added. Describing her childhood in Omaha as “perfect,” Stacey Erman attended the University of Illinois and lived in Chicago for ten years, working as a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Shortly after her engagement to Jonathan Rockman, she moved to London
and continued her career at the London International Financial Futures Exchange. They returned to the States when, according to Stacey, “We decided we wanted our children to be Americans. We returned to Omaha twenty years ago and it was the best decision of our lives!” Stacey describes her 2004 trip to Israel as “a major turning point in my life,” and soon after, she agreed to chair Federation’s Partnership
with Israel (now Partnership2 Gether) program. “I remember saying I would chair Partnership, but only if I didn’t have to go to any Federation meetings.” Almost a decade later and more meetings than can be counted, Stacey’s passion, energy and commitment to the people of Israel are truly amazing. “Partnership is all about building relationships, tangible relationships. Its mission is to strengthen American Jewry’s connection to Israel and bridge the gap between mere financial support to fostering real relationships with the people of Israel, the land and its causes,” Stacey said. Jordana Glazer, Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Chief Financial Officer, says Stacey has the rare ability to be an advocate for Israel’s complex global issues while at the same time being involved on a very intimate, individual level. Stacey helped build a playground for disabled children in the Galilee, raised emergency funds for the second Lebanon war in Israel and worked tirelessly on building “The Friendly Room” in the Western Galilee Hospital, a Continued on page 2
Philanthropy according to Henry Davis No easy path to being a daughter for Jewish transsexual Page 12
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by OZZIE NOGG Children and youth in the western Galilee region of Israel are better off today because of gifts made by Henry Davis to Partnership with Israel, now called Partnership2 Gether. “Henry chose to become personally involved with programs designed for at-risk Israeli families and youth,” explained Stacey Rockman, former Omaha Partnership Chairman. “In general, Partnership builds people-to-people relationships between our Jewish community and Israel. It’s the vehicle that gives everyone an opportunity to get connected and involved. Henry’s financial support of Partnership will have a direct, positive impact on the residents of the Western Galilee. His gifts will really make a difference to the future of these kids, and Partnership thanks him very much for his generosity.” Donor programming options offered by Partnership include cultural, educational, social, medical, economic and regional development. “Stacey came up with many different areas that deserved support,” Davis said. “And while I
understood that each option had value, I’m always most attracted to programs that benefit youth. Here in Omaha that includes Children’s
for deaf participants -- along with lap tops -- help the kids integrate into society through social networking. This unique program is also
Gene Klein, LCSW, Project Harmony Executive Director, left; J.D. Brown, a friend of Sugar Ray Leonard’s; boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard; Henry Davis. Hospital and Project Harmony. Israeli kids have special needs, too, so my decision was easy.” From the list supplied by Rockman, Davis chose: • Hafuach al Hafuach, cafe and counseling centers in Akko where teens in distress -- both Israeli and Arab -- can talk with peers, professionals and volunteers in a warm, safe setting. Over the past few years, the centers have provided counseling and assistance for well over 100,000 teenage boys and girls. • Kivunim, a program providing life-skills training that enables young Israelis with disabilities to manage household expense, pay bills and become independent. Kivunim sign language interpreters
open to youngsters from the U.S. with sensory or physical disabilities who are interested in experiencing Israel. • House on Wheels, a center that provides drama, art, music and sports activities for physically handicapped children, along with respite for their families. • Youth Futures, a program that mentors at-risk kids -- beginning with elementary-aged children -- by acting as their advocates in school, at home and in after-school setting. • Orot Hesed, an organization which collects and distributes food to more than 350 underprivileged families in the Akko community. On school days, the group delivers over 450 sandwiches to children who
might otherwise have no lunch. • Playground Maintenance, for the benefit of developmentally disabled Israeli and Arab children in the Matte Asher Regional Council area. This specially designed playground allows children to challenge themselves in a safe environment, under the supervision of trained staff. As social gaps in Israel continue to widen, Partnership continues to address disparities in economic and geographic advantage, in education and equal opportunity. According to Rockman, “We sometimes forget that Israel is faced with problems other than defense. There is urban neglect and pockets of poverty and hunger. Some kids drop out of school and get into trouble. The programs Henry chose to support ensure that families and youth receive social assistance services they too often lack -- financial consultation, nutritious meals, drug counseling, camping experiences. Henry has given these kids and their families a brighter tomorrow in which they can thrive.” Rockman stressed that funding for Partnership programs comes from a variety of sources, including grants from the Israeli government, gifts from Israeli citizens, allocations from Annual Campaigns in the U.S. and direct gifts from the American Jewish community. Partnership programs are staffed, in the main, by Israeli volunteers. Case in point -David Ovdi, a retired army hero who served in the 1967 Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | May 11, 2012
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by LIZZIE GILBERT screening of Bully. Nearly 200 teens attended and each Corporate and Community Development, ADL received a voucher for free soda and popcorn. Nearly 100 Hundreds of Omaha students, parents, and educators adults also attended. attended two screenings of the documentary Bully sponsored Following the film, ADL Education Director Jessica Gall by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) last week at Aksarben guided the students through a talk-back session with the assisCinema. Following each screening was the opportunity to dis- tance of Ashley Spessard, Program Director for RESPECT. “It cuss the film and talk about how to fight bullying locally. was wonderful to see so many diverse students from all across The movie Bully has garOmaha come out for this event. It nered national attention for really shows that bullying is a colits very real look at bullying lective problem that requires in schools across the couneveryone in our community to try. The film follows five come together,” Gall said. students and their families A second screening was held on over the course of a school Tuesday, May 1. More than 150 year and takes viewers parents, educators, and youth along as they ride the turned out to see the film and school bus, go to class, eat participate in a panel discussion in the cafeteria and even featuring local bullying experts visit the principal’s office. Bret Anderson, Principal of OPS As a national partner Wilson Focus School, Jessica After the viewing, attendees discussed the film’s impact with the filmmaker, the Gall, ADL Education Director, ADL provided educational resources to aid in the outreach Dr. Patricia Newman, Licensed Psychologist and Executive and promotion of the film. Director of RESPECT, and Kevin Riggert, Principal of When ADL Board Member Carol Bloch saw the film, she Elkhorn Ridge Middle School. The panel was moderated by knew Bully needed to come to Omaha. “Providing anti-bully- Mel Clancy, Project Achieve Director at UNO and ADL ing programming is one of the many things that the ADL does Facilitator. extremely well in our region. However, it is often said that, 'It “Tuesday night was very much a community conversation takes a Village to Raise a Child' and this film, I believe, demon- about what role parents and school communities can play in strates that point exactly when it comes to bullying,” Bloch said. addressing the bullying issue,” said Clancy. “We all need to educate ourselves and be aware of what is going To watch a trailer for the documentary, visit on with 'our' children so that we can be prepared to do what we http://youtu.be/rjjeHeAzZZM. can to help the victims and potential victims of bullying.” For more information on the ADL and their programs to On Sunday, April 29, with the support of generous local address bullying, please contact them at 402.333.1303 or visit funders, the ADL offered free tickets for teens to a special www.adlplains.org.
Spirit of Federation
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Continued from page 1 facility that provides necessary services to victims of sexual assault. Glazer continued: “Stacey is one of the smartest women I know. She works hard. In fact, I don’t know when she sleeps. As the Budget and Allocation Chair during the One Campus, One Community initiative, she helped revamp the entire budgeting process and created a committee that not only allocates Campaign donations, but now meets year round to establish and review financial policies. This latter point is a change in operations that will ensure sound fiscal practices for our community.” Stacey also chairs the Board of The Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Now in its fourth year, the Center continues to grow beyond its annual Sokolof Lecture Series. “We just partnered with Film Streams for a threepart Israeli Film Series and began teaching Hebrew classes at the University,” Stacey added. While she relishes her philanthropic work outside of Omaha, the volunteer job closest to her heart was chairing the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games. “Nothing beats having our entire community come together for a great event. Watching all of us work together towards a common goal is what it is all about,” she said. Colleagues describe John Glazer as someone who quietly works behind the scenes and gets things done. Jody Malashock, Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Board President describes John in this way, “He is the kind of volunteer who is great at collaborating and motivating people to move forward. He has a calm demeanor, but also a fantastic sense of humor. This combination just makes him a joy to work with.” “Add to that his intelligence and passion for the community and one understands why he is deserving of our Spirit of Federation Award,” she added. John is President of the Board of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and also serves on the Federation Board. He was chair of “Overall Sports” for the 2010 Maccabi games along with Jeff Kirshenbaum. During the One Campus, One Community initiative, the JCC underwent its share of changes. “John guided the JCC through a time of incredible transition; his diligence, tenacity and sound analysis was invaluable in steering the JCC and the Federation through many, many changes,” said Mike Silverman, Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Chief Executive Officer. “I’m also proud to say he is a founding member of chicken basketball which meets every Tuesday and Friday from 67 a.m.,” Mike added. Along with Bob Belgrade, John chaired the search committee that ultimately brought Aaron Rosenfeld to Omaha as the new JCC Executive Director. John cares deeply about the JCC and understands the importance of its fitness facilities, Child Development Center, and cultural and youth programming to the community.
John helped to reorganize the JCC into its current six departments with the goal being better delivery of programs and services. “It’s been great to see the staff ’s creativity and energy turn into all kinds of new and improved programming,” he said. Additionally, John assisted in making significant investments, including equipment upgrades, poolside food and towel service and new shade umbrellas, all designed to improve the members’ great experiences. John was also involved in reintroducing “Live at the 92nd Street Y” and the JCC Community Acting Group. John has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Along with the JCC executive committee, he is looking forward to the almost-completed renovation of the Canteen and JCC locker rooms. “It’s important we use our resources to reinvest in our facilities. We have an obligation to all our members to keep moving forward and improve their membership experience,” John said. “Being involved at the JCC as board president has meant a great deal to me. Along the way, from beginning to end, I worked with lots of people for whom I have great respect and from whom I have learned a lot.” Please join Stacey, John and the rest of our community volunteers when we honor them on Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater during the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Meeting. The entire community is invited to attend.
Henry Davis Continued from page 1 According to Rabbi Jonathan Gross, “Ovdi, for no pay, now manages an army of volunteers for the Orot Hesed food bank. He was driving an old van, distributing sandwiches to kids, and would joke that driving all around Akko in a beat up vehicle was more dangerous than being in battle. Of course, buying an automobile in Israel is a big expense. When Henry Davis heard about the need, he donated a new car to Orot Hesed.” Davis prefers to eliminate middle-men from his philanthropy. “For me, giving directly to a particular cause makes more sense than writing a check to an organization which then decides how my gift will be used. With Partnership, I feel a direct connection to the recipients. The kids, the families, the volunteers aren’t abstract. They’re real. Each time Stacey comes back from a trip to Israel I ask her what’s going on there. Who needs what. And if I can help effect positive change or make a difference in any way, I will.” For details on Partnership donor opportunities, please contact the current Omaha Co-Chairs, Stacie Brodkey – 402.397.3684 or Patty (Steve) Nogg – 402.493.3479. Information is also available from Mary Sue Grossman, Associate Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education – 402.334.6445.
May 11, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 3
Jewish community comes together to tend new garden by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Inch by inch, row by row, Gonna make this garden grow, All it takes is a rake and a hoe And a piece of fertile ground. Inch by inch, row by row, Someone bless these seeds I sow. Someone warm them from below ‘Til the rains come tumbling down. The Garden Song by David Mallett The beds have been dug, the soil has been tilled, and now, Omaha’s Jewish community is ready to jump into an exciting first-time venture: a community garden. Located just south of the Jewish Community Center, the garden will be a true collaborative effort, bringing together institutions and individuals wishing to exercise their green thumbs, connect with nature, and who share a common objective: to nurture a garden which will provide fresh vegetables to Jewish Family Service and its clients. The idea of a community garden was planted last year during a meeting of Beth El Synagogue’s Social Action Committee. According to committee member Jeff Kirshenbaum, the discussion revolved around finding longterm, sustainable projects, and the idea of a community garden resonated with attendees. After months of studying the logistics, it was determined that rather than locating the garden at Beth El, “the long term growth and success of this project increased with participation from many other Jewish groups, and by locating the garden of the Federation campus,” Kirshenbaum said. “We reached out to Friedel, because in the past, they had a little garden and we had heard that they were interested in continuing to pursue it.” Since then, the garden idea has been enthusiastically embraced by the Jewish community, and is being sponsored by Beth El, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, Chabad Center, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, and the Friedel Jewish Academy. Kirshenbaum is overseeing the project, along with Beth El’s Social Action Committee chairman Ruti Margalit, Friedel parent Karen Cohen, JCC Executive Director Aaron Rosenfeld, and Friedel Principal Ron Giller.
Pleased with the collaborative spirit that surrounds the project, organizers hope it will be a draw for people of all ages: from teens in Jewish youth groups, children at the JCC summer camps and tots at the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, to residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
The new community garden is located South of the JCC campus, and was officially opened last Sunday. According to Giller, the land on which the garden sits is owned by Metropolitan Utilities District. MUD has allowed this green space, which abuts the JCC’s property, to be used for a play area and the community garden. The garden consists of 11 raised beds, he said; organic vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peas, green beans, carrots and squash will be grown, as well as herbs. A butterfly garden of wildflowers is also in the making. At harvest time, the produce will be given to JFS and its families, Giller said, noting, “This is a great opportunity for all the major Jewish organizations in the Omaha area to work together to help those less fortunate. Chesed!”
Planted last weekend under the supervision of Karen Cohen and the Friedel staff, the new garden will serve as an invaluable learning tool for the children throughout the community, and especially for Friedel students. “Children learn best experientially -- and a garden can be creatively incorporated into every aspect of Friedel’s curriculum, from science and mathematics to language and fine arts, as well as Jewish studies,” Cohen said. “It will also reinforce the culture of wellness at Friedel, as the students experience the growing cycle of the flowers, herbs and veggies through all their senses and physical effort. “Friedel families will help plant, weed, water and harvest, and also celebrate the Jewish calendar with special school events in the garden, participate in a back-to-school Israeli Kibbutz ceremony, or just provide Shabbat cut flower bouquets or Havdalah dried herb sachets to the Blumkin Home residents,” she continued. “We may have some fun art projects to help beautify the garden as well. The garden will be very hands-on, so the opportunities for participation are endless.” The idea was heartily embraced by Harold and Linda Mann, avid gardeners whose generous financial support has brought the project to fruition. In gratitude of their support, the garden will be known as the Harold and Linda Mann Community Garden, Kirshenbaum said, adding, “The Manns’ gift has given us the ability to succeed.” Linda Mann said she and her husband are thrilled to support the project, and described it as “a perfect marriage: everyone will be able to enjoy this experience together. It’s fabulous – I think people are really going to go for it.” In addition to their financial support, the Manns look forward to being hands-on in the garden after it’s established. “I would love to be part of actually doing something out there after it’s finished,” Linda said, adding, “Eventually, maybe it will be sophisticated enough that we can give tours or people can hold parties there; it depends on how big it gets.” Cohen summed up the beauty and value of the community garden, saying, “Here is an intergenerational effort to cultivate a garden: to connect with the earth and with each other, to provide for those in need, to appreciate the miracles of the One who provides for us. This is what Judaism is all about.” Everyone in the Jewish community is invited to help weed, water and tend the garden throughout the spring and summer. To volunteer, contact the Friedel office, 402.334.0517.
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Teens 4 Israel meets with Congressman Adrian Smith by KEVIN ADLER President and Founder of Teens 4 Israel Are you an Omaha teen who is passionate about Israel? Teens 4 Israel may be exactly what you are looking for! This year we saw a series of anti-Israel activity on college campuses across the U.S. At UC Irvine, Israeli ambassador Michael Oren was shouted down by protestors, Harvard hosted a conference advocating the end of Israel, and in our own backyard a group of activists tried to bring Israel Apartheid week to the UNO campus. During his recent trip to Omaha, Israel expert Mitchell Bard said that teens must be educated on how to advocate for Israel before they get to college. That is exactly why we started Teens 4 Israel, an Omaha youth group that focuses on Israel advocacy and strengthening the U.S./Israel relationship. In our first year, we got off to a great start. Using the Hebrew High School as a meeting ground, we got the word out to Jewish teens and built a strong core membership. We had regular Latte & Learning meetings at Starbucks to discuss current events relating to Israel. We built a relationship with our regional AIPAC office, held meetings here in Omaha with our leadership and their staff, and we hosted a Teens 4 Israel Shabbat dinner featuring AIPAC’s Callyn Weintraub. Most memorable, of course, was the Israel advocacy mission to New York made possible by a number of generous donors from the community. Staffed by Rabbi Gross and our shelicha Naama Keren, we had the opportunity to meet with organizations like CAMERA and AIPAC, with student advocacy groups, and with professional and lay Israel advocates. As a graduating senior, I feel confident about advocating for Israel when I continue on at UNL, and I am inspired to take a leading role in making sure that Israel advocacy has a strong voice on campus. One of the most important functions of our group is meeting with elected officials and discussing with them why we feel the U.S./Israel relationship is beneficial to the U.S.
Recently we met with Congressman Adrian Smith of the 3rd District. We found him to be a staunch supporter of America’s relationship with Israel. Days after our meeting with him, he published an op-ed that appeared in over 150 weeklies throughout the State of Nebraska. “This past week marked the 64th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. From day one, the United States and Israel have enjoyed a strategic partnership based on shared democratic values, friendship, and respect. With the escalating instability in the Middle East and the threat of a nuclear Iran, it is as important as ever we stand firmly with our most important ally in the region.” Congressman Smith went on to say that the U.S. and Israel have common concerns and that “the same extremists who seek Israel’s destruction also seek the destruction of the United States. Strengthening Israel’s security against our common enemies ultimately strengthens our own security.” He emphasized that a nuclear Iran poses a threat to the U.S. and Israel and that when Iran’s Holocaust-denying President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he wishes to “wipe Israel off the map,” we must take him at his word. He ended by reaffirming his commitment and the commitment of his fellow congressmen to Israel, regardless of party affiliation. “Our strategic relationship with Israel dates back to when President Harry Truman became the first world leader to officially recognize the Jewish State - just 11 minutes after her people declared their independence. Now, we must continue to work together to strengthen this crucial alliance, built upon shared concerns and values, as threats continue to materialize in the region.” Teens 4 Israel’s next event is on May 23 at 4 p.m. at Beth Israel. Teens 4 Israel will be meeting with a group of Israeli soldiers and hearing their perspective on the current situation. All teens are welcome. We have a number of graduating seniors, and we are looking for passionate teens to take over the leadership for next year. If you are interested, please e-mail omahateens4israel@gmail.com or check out the Teens 4 Israel page on Facebook.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Norm Sheldon, former president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, will talk about his new undertaking as a dentist. He has a new dental procedure that will help you reduce (eliminate, perhaps?) SNORING on Wednesday, May 16, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH How much Yiddish do you know? Probably more than you think. Some English words have made their way into Yiddish. Many Yiddish words are commonly used in English. Every first Thursday of the month, we will be playing Yiddish Bingo. Everyone is invited! We meet every Thursday from 1-3 p.m., in the Rose Blumkin Home Board Room. For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
Commandments
A Guy’s view GUY MATALON, Jewish Federation of Omaha Scholar in Residence As we enter the summer months and life slows down a bit, at least for some of us, I thought to discuss the importance of particular commandments. The first commandment I want to write about is the one that is hashed and rehashed, and is at the core of what Judaism means to many of us: Tzedaka. Judaism presents us a dichotomy - the physical/material world vs. the spiritual/holy world. Living in the material world, it would be hard to convince us that giving our hard earned money is logical and just. With the pressures of raising a family, paying for summer camps, daycare, bills, mortgage and all the things that most of us have to contend with, it would not make a whole lot of sense parting from money we need. But the Torah teaches us that although there is sense and justice in this position, there is another way to look at it. To have a relationship with God it requires a shift in emphasis and that emphasis cannot simply be in our mind or heart, it has to manifest itself in the material world. Caring for others shows that we take God’s creation with the same care that we are supposed to. It allows us to rise above our material nature of “what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours.” Giving tzedaka shows that we reject that view because we are willing to share what is rightfully ours and give it to someone else even if there is no reason to do so. Through tzedaka we are elevating ourselves beyond the physical. The Hebrew word tzedaka is made up of two parts: tzedek (justice) and God meaning that it is God’s justice, not a favor, not a gift, rather the right thing to do by God. One idea that really made an impression on me is that everything that we receive or earn in this world is loaned to us. When we die, we can’t even wear our socks and underwear. All of it stays behind. From the Rabbis’ perspective, the money that we earn is a test - are we to continue the process and share it with others? Or are we going to hold on to it? This test can be a key to a greater spiritual elevation, because if we can overcome our natural desire to hold on to what we earned with the sweat of our brow, so to speak, and do it for the right reason, we grow as human beings and as spiritual beings. Dr. Guy Matalon is the Jewish Federation of Omaha Professor of Judaic Studies; The Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies University of Nebraska at Omaha, and as such aims to educate and inform the community about matters pertaining to Judaism and Israeli politics. A Guy’s view can also be found online at www.jewishomah.org.
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May 11, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 5
Sipping, study and celebration to highlight Shavuot at Beth El by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator An evening of sipping, singing, study and celebration will be on tap during Beth El’s Shavuot festivities on Saturday, May 26. The 7:30 p.m. program will follow the 7 p.m. Minha service, and will feature study sessions, a kosher-wine tasting, and a song session led by Cantor Beth Schlossberg. The wine tasting will be led by wine maven Michael Levine of Kansas City. For over 20 years, Levine has been a food and wine enthusiast – both as a hobby and a profession. In 2008, after leading hundreds of food and wine events/classes, he completed the Introductory Sommelier Course sponsored by the International Court of Master Sommeliers. Levine also authors a wine blog entitled Eat KC & The KC Wine Buzz [http://drinkvino.blogspot.com.] During his Shavuot presentation, he will lead guests through a mini Vino 101, exploring and evaluating various grape varieties, and plans to explain the wines being sampled. Joining the conversation will be Beth El’s Assistant
A taste of Israel in Lincoln by NANCY COREN
Members of the Lincoln Jewish community joined together to celebrate “a taste of Israel” in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut #64. Decorating a cake map of Israel, making buttons, and participating in a Tzahal boot camp kept participants involved and happy. There was also Israeli dancing and noshing on Israeli food. The event planned by Tifereth Israel’s lay-leader, Nancy Coren, and South Street Temple’s Rabbi, Craig Lewis, was deemed a success. Others who helped run activities included: Bob Pitlor, Jenn Lewis, Nanci Hamicksburg, Nate Shapiro, and Sarah Abuhab Valente. Nava and Andrea Halpern were instrumental in coordinating the details for the event. The evening left participants with a true sense of joy that they had celebrated as a community with synagogue and temple members, UNL students, young and old gathered together.
Rabbi Steven Abraham, who will discuss the kashrut of wine, examining the history of kosher wine and why it has been such an important aspect of Jewish autonomy throughout the ages. The evening will also be highlighted by a study session led by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, focusing on “The Symbolic and Ethical Meaning of Kashrut.” “The Torah states that the purpose of kashrut -- Jewish dietary laws -- is to attain unique holiness and is a means of living in accord with the divine will,” Rabbi Levin said. “It is a reminder of important ethical teachings of Judaism: among them, it teaches us to curb our appetites by instilling habits and traits of self-restraint; it also inculcates kindness and preventing cruelty to animals.” Following the study sessions, Ma’ariv and Havdalah will begin at 9 p.m. For more information about the evening, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik in the synagogue office, 402.492.8550, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org.
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Former Omahans Roxanne & Terry McGuan of Bonita Springs Fl., announce the engagement of their daughter Sarah Anne Alloy McGuan to Ryan Hand, son of Gina and David Hand of Milwaukee WI. The bride-to-be graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Cum Laude with a degree in Multi Media Digital Photography and is a graphic designer with MG Design in Milwaukee. She is the granddaughter of Bette Alloy of Naples, Fl. and the late Sam Alloy, and the great-granddaughter of the late Sarah and Sam Wiesman, and late Yetta and Wolf Alloy. Her fiancé graduated with a bachelor’s and earned his master’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater and is employed with M&I Trust as a Trust Operations Specialist. He is the grandson of Elaine and Joe Danish of Milwaukee WI.
S U S H I | J A PA N E S E | C H I N E S E
In the news Dr. Judith K. Stern was inducted into the Benson High School Hall of Fame on April 27, 2012. A graduate in the class of 1959, Dr. Stern was honored for her contributions as a teacher and physician. Dr. Stern began her career as an English teacher in Minnesota after graduating summa cum laude from UNO in 1970. Her teaching career continued at Westside High School upon her and her family’s return to Omaha. At age 38, Dr. Stern entered the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, where she was in the Honors Program and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. After earning her Doctor of Medicine degree and completing a residency in Internal Medicine, Dr. Stern practiced medicine at Internal Medicine Associates (IMA). She became certified in geriatric medicine and was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Physicians. In addition to the exceptional care Dr. Stern provided her patients, highlights of her career include being the first female president of Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital’s medical staff. Now retired, Dr. Stern enjoys occasionally writing for medical related publications, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, participating in book and investment clubs and walking her dog, Millie.
Buy and weed by RUSS KAPLAN Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc. Spring is here, and our focus turns to planting and weeding. There is also an investment strategy that has a form of financial gardening called “buy and weed,” which goes on year-round. Buying value and holding on to stocks for long periods of time doesn't always work for short time periods. In fact, none of the value investors refuses to ever sell a stock. This fact is illustrated in instances, over the years, in our Heartland Adviser monthly newsletter. David Dreman expresses a better term for this type of investment strategy in his recent book, Contrarian Investment
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Strategies, the Psychological Edge, which he labeled as “buy and weed.” This means frequent checking to see if for some reasons a company’s fundamentals have changed or it has gone above its intrinsic value, which are good reasons for selling. Certainly value investing is not perfect. There are certain periods of time and certain stocks where it doesn't work, but I believe it is a better way to invest than anything we have, and if used properly and consistently can result in above average appreciation. It worked in 1900, 2000, and because human nature doesn't change, and will no doubt work in 2100.
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6 | The Jewish Press | May 11, 2012
Lincoln’s Tot Shabbat fun for young and old alike
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by SARAH KELEN Once a month, the youngest members of the Lincoln Jewish community bring their parents and grandparents to Tifereth Israel to welcome Shabbat together with songs and
Rosenblatt points out that, “since Gan Simcha does not start until [children are] three, Tot Shabbat provides an opportunity for the very youngest to become familiar with Jewish songs and stories.”
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Above left: Friends start to gather before Tot Shabbat. Standing: Eden Lewis, Rabbi Craig Lewis, Jennifer Lewis; back row, seated: Jemma Coren, left, Nancy Coren, Jon Harris, Jennifer Rosenblatt, Eva Bloom, Max Grossbart, Moses Bloom; front row, seated: Brynn Clymer, left, Serenity Wallick. Above right: Oren Trainin waits patiently for the start of Tot Shabbat with his abba, Guy Trainin. stories. Tot Shabbat is led by Jennifer Rosenblatt, the lead teacher in the Lincoln Jewish Community School’s Gan Simcha class (preschoolers and kindergarteners). The most recent Tot Shabbat was April 27, and the next one will be May 18. Rosenblatt--or “Miss Jennifer,” as the Gan kids call her--started Tot Shabbat three years ago as a way for families with children too young for services to experience Shabbat in a fun, communal setting. Like the Lincoln Jewish Community School, Tot Shabbat welcomes families from both of Lincoln’s congregations: Tifereth Israel Synagogue and the South Street Temple (Congregation B’nai Jeshurun). At Tot Shabbat, Gan children can reinforce what they are learning in the classroom, and pre-Gan children can get excited about starting Gan when they are bigger.
In one of the kids’ favorite Shabbat songs, each child gets to suggest an ingredient to put into a pot of soup for Shabbat. The children’s collaborate soup recipe is always creative, if not necessarily appetizing. At Tot Shabbat on April 20, the children proposed such non-traditional soup ingredients as “chocolate cake,” “a house,” “chapstick,” “macaroni and cheese” and “chocolate chips.” The opportunity for the children to have fun celebrating Shabbat also serves a serious purpose. In a small Jewish community, it is important for children to interact with their Jewish peers. Sarah Trainin, whose young sons Oren and Itai are Tot Shabbat regulars, credits Tot Shabbat with being an important component in her sons’ strong Jewish identities: “At the Thanksgiving party in kindergarten, when the teacher asked what [Itai] was thankful for, he replied, God.”
NCSY Youth Group hosts chess tournament • Current Chairman • of the MUD Board of Directors • Worked 36 years • for Northern Natural Gas • No other candidate can offer • the combined Knowledge, • Experience and • Commitment. • Vote Mike McGowan • for the MUD Board
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by DAVID ATRI Co-President for Junior NCSY at Beth Israel An anonymous Jew once said that all rabbis should play chess because it develops a way of life closely related to Torah and logic. In 1978 Professor Arpad Elo, a great chess master, wrote a book that numerically rated some 476 major tournament chess players from the 19th century onward. Of the 51 highest ranked players, approximately one-half were Jewish or had Jewish roots. At Beth Israel, the long Shabbat afternoons are the perfect times for socializing, learning Torah, and, of course, playing chess. Every Shabbat the social hall is filled with people from 6 to 86 years old, challenging their minds and engaging with one another in this age-old game of expertise. On June 2 at 3 p.m., the Omaha NCSY Youth Group will host their first annual Chess Tournament, chaired by Jr. NCSY copresidents David Atri and Max Pollack. The event will include separate tournaments for kids under 13, teenagers, and adults. For advanced players, Beth Israel is proud to host Ben Fabrikant, a High Class Chess Player, four-time Lincoln City Champion, and two-time state Champion runner up. Ben has studied with some of the strongest players in the world; he has won numerous tournaments throughout Nebraska, including most recently the Midwest Open in November 2011. Mr. Fabrikant, a member of the Omaha Jewish community and an active member of YJO, will play a simultaneous game against up
to 30 players. In a simultaneous tournament, a high level chess player plays against many other opponents all at once, rotating from one board to another, strategically developing multiple strategies until every match is finished. Registration is $5 per person made out to Beth Israel Syangogue - NCSY Chess. To register you can call Beth Israel at 402-5566288 or e-mail bethisrael@orthodoxomaha.org. Shabbat-friendly registration will be available every Shabbat at Kiddush. You can also sign up on the Facebook “Chess 4 Akko” event page. Registrations must be in by 2:30 p.m. on June 2. Chess sets and boards for the event are being generously provided to Beth Israel by Ben Fabrikant, but just in case, bring your own board if you have one! The tournament will be a fundraiser for a good cause in Israel. All proceeds go to the Moadon program in Omaha’s partnership region in Israel. Moadon is an afterschool program in Akko, a city in Israel, that provides after-school snacks and homework help for children from broken homes or children in need. NCSY hopes to raise $500 to help the Moadon purchase board games and sports equipment for their daily programs. Following the words of the Torah, “If you will eat then you shall make sure everyone eats;” or in this case, “If you will play board games, everyone should be able to play board games!” The tournaments and the simultaneous game will all begin at 3 p.m. on June 2.
May 11, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 7
Temple to bid farewell to Rabbi Linder, high school graduates as Jewish rock band welcomes Shabbat by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel will honor Rabbi Eric Linder at the 6 p.m. Shabbat worship service on Friday, May 18, as he prepares to leave at the end of May for his new congregation in Athens, Georgia, where he will be the spiritual leader. “Six years ago, a professor of mine suggested that I speak to an Israeli rabbi in Omaha,” recalled Rabbi Linder who then called Susie Norton, chair of the Search Committee for a new associate rabbi at Temple Israel. I “had a lovely conversation with her” which led him to submit his resume even while “still thinking that (a) Omaha is too cold, and (b) Omaha is not a ‘real’ city.” However, “upon meeting with the congregation, I felt instantly like it was home even if I couldn’t order pizza at midnight. Temple Israel has been the perfect home for me,” he emphasized. “In my (recent) interviews at other congregations, I often brought up what I call the “human” moments I’ve had here -- mistakenly walking off the bimah with the Torah during Rosh Hashanah, teasing with Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet on the bima.” He added, “I will always be thankful to this congregation for allowing me to be me and for challenging me to become a better me.” Rabbi Linder will be serving Congregation Children of Israel in Athens. “The weather will be warmer, and now I’m going to have to be a Georgia Bulldog fan. But Atlanta is one plane ride away (from Omaha), and I look forward to coming back and visiting. I just won’t crash Rabbi Azriel’s car this time around,” he promised. “Rabbi Linder has been an important asset to our congregation with his interest, technology, and willingness to help,” commented Rabbi Azriel. He will be missed both around the table at Blue Line and next to me on the bima. Rabbi Linder’s good work with the staff and Temple Israel’s membership will be a great gift for his new community in Georgia.” “Rabbi Linder has a way of clarifying an issue that is tothe-point and perceptive. His sense of humor has made me laugh for six years!” acknowledged Cantor Wendy Shermet. John Lehr, president of Temple Israel’s Board of Trustees, said, “Rabbi Linder has made such a positive impact on Temple Israel and on me. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and kindness were on display in whatever he was involved with, and he was involved with a lot! Certainly we’ll miss him but we’re excited for his new opportunity to fully shape and guide his own congregation.” Susie Norton pointed out, “Rabbi Linder has been an integral part of the leadership of our Temple family during his tenure here, and he will surely be missed. Through his wisdom and engaging manner, he has played a valuable role in our congregation’s spiritual guidance, religious education, and life cycle events.”
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Also at the May 18 worship service, Temple Israel’s graduating high school seniors will be recognized as they take the next step along their life journeys. Following the worship service, youth groupers and eighth graders will board Ollie
Rabbi Eric Linder (with sunglasses), attending the recent groundbreaking ceremony for Temple Israel’s new building, will soon be on his way to a new congregation of his own.
Steve Brodsky, left, Robbi Sherwin, and Scott Leader will sing at the May 18 Shabbat worship service at Temple Israel. the Trolley for a two-hour ride around Omaha. Dinner will be served on the trolley. Please RSVP for dinner to Amy Katz, youth group advisor, at amykatz9120@hotmail.com. In addition, the Jewish rock band, Sababa, which means “cool” in Israeli vernacular, will welcome Shabbat with the
congregation on May 18. Sababa brings its energetic, spirited cool Jewish sound to Temple Israel, thanks to the generosity of Nelson and Linda Gordman who are underwriting the band’s performances in honor of their grandchildren. Comprised of Steve Brodsky, no stranger at Temple Israel; Robbi Sherwin; and Scott Leader, Sababa has been described as a Jewish “Crosby, Stills & Nash.” “We’re a bit uncomfortable with that moniker,” said Sherwin. “We’re just three great friends who love to make music together.” Sherwin, who has been a NFTY song leader, professional baker, singing telegram deliverer and waitress, has served since 2005 as the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Butte in Crested Butte, Colorado, where she popularized the “Mountain Minyon,” Shabbat on skis. Known for her legendary energy and her uncanny ability to sing harmony, she is in demand across the United States as a cantor and artist-in-residence. She plays guitar, mandolin and percussion. Brodsky, singer, songwriter, cantorial soloist and music educator in the Jewish community, is best known at Temple Israel as a founding member of Mah Tovu, one of the first Jewish rock bands. Now a well known contemporary Jewish recording artist, Steve’s honey-smooth voice and superior guitar skills earned him the nickname, the Jewish James Taylor. Administrative Director for Sounds Write Productions, the largest wholesale and retail distributor and publisher of Jewish music in North America, he lives in Denver. Leader is one of Jewish music’s top up-and-coming young singer/songwriters. He’s also a respected record producer in Jewish music. Although his first “language” is piano, Scott is also a guitar virtuoso. His award-winning music is featured at many synagogues across the country. He’s been a science and music instructor at the Austin Jewish Academy, director of Camp Isaiah in Los Angeles, cantorial soloist in Denver, and now serves as the music director of Temple Gan Elohim in Phoenix. He also runs Brick Road Studio, a high-end recording facility in Scottsdale. Sababa’s debut CD, Pray for the Peace (2007), reaped rave reviews. Love Adonai, based on the V’ahavta prayer, won the finalist prize in the Shalshelet Foundation’s Third International Festival of New Jewish Liturgical Music. On Sunday, May 20, Sababa will perform again at noon on the front lawn at Temple Israel after this year’s last day of Religious School. As a fundraiser, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) will have lunch available and offer activities such as face painting, Frisbee painting, and pizza preparation among others. Proceeds will benefit WRJ projects. This community celebration is open to all. You can even get your car washed by the youth group beginning at 10 a.m. in the parking lot.
this is your last chance
class of 2012
high school seniors and parents
we will be publishing our annual high school high school seniors graduation class pages on june 1, 2012. to be included, we need your graduation photo and the information below. you can also email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
high school senior information name _______________________________________ parent(s)’ name(s) _______________________________________ current high school _______________________________________ college you plan to attend _______________________________________ send by may 14 to: the jewish press | 333 So. 132 St. | omaha, ne 68154
8 | The Jewish Press | May 11, 2012
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
Teachable moment
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Teaching young children about the Holocaust is generally a good idea. Of course, you have to bear their grade level in mind, and develop a lesson plan that is age appropriate. To be honest, this is not always easy (I imagine) and teachers who pull it off should be commended for the effort they put in. If you want to teach anything well, you have to put in hours of preparation; you have to learn the material and do thorough research as well as keep up with the latest developments and publications. In addition, when it comes to lessons about the Holocaust, one has to be extremely sensitive. It’s hard work, and it’s not for everyone; it is, however, necessary. I am going to assume that South Carolina fifth grade teacher Patricia Mulholland had the best intentions when, in late April, she started her social studies lesson. However, in an attempt to “supplement a previous lesson,” according to the Associated Press, she allegedly dragged a student out of his seat by his collar and pushed him under a table. She then shouted at him: “This is what the Nazis do to Jews!” In this day and age, fifth graders everywhere have cell phones in their pockets; the incident was filmed by at least four students, and that was that for Mrs. Mulholland’s career. She was suspended from her teaching duties and subsequently charged with assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Her behavior made national headlines; the lapse in judgment was obvious to most who read about it. Not so fast, said her husband: Mulholland was under the influence of medication, which was actually prescribed for him, not her; she took it by mistake, thinking it was hers. I don’t know Mrs. Mulholland personally, so I can’t speak for her teaching skills. By all accounts, she’s had 23 unremarkable years, during which she never attracted trouble or misbehaved in any way. Surely that counts for something. And anyway, her lawyer threw that ‘bad-drug-reaction’ defense out there and has been silent since, so we can’t know
what she was really thinking. The issue here is not what Mrs. Mulholland is or isn’t disclosing about that day. Maybe she really “can’t remember a thing,” as she has claimed. The issue is how we react to her story, and what, if anything, we can learn from it. A good lesson about the Holocaust does not require reenactments, especially not in front of fifth graders. This is not a fairy tale, this is not a Hollywood movie; Brad Pitt will not show up, swinging a baseball bat to save the day. This is not simply a case of bad guys versus innocent victims; this is a compilation of six million individual stories, about individual people, who loved, who had families, who dreamed and hoped, and whose existence was thrashed after more than a decade of slow indoctrination of the world around them. The thing is, you don’t need bad drugs to end up with a bad Holocaust lesson. To think that these situations are outliers, rare occasions where one individual wreaks havoc, would be a mistake. Mrs. Mulholland may have messed this one up royally, but at least Holocaust education is part of the school’s lesson plan. We can safely assume someone else will step in and make things right, this time without theatrics. What about all the places in the world where this part of history is simply not a priority? The Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research (ITF) is an intergovernmental body whose purpose is to place political and social leaders' support behind the need for
Holocaust education, remembrance, and research both nationally and internationally. (Source: holocausttaskforce.org) The ITF has 31 members; 31 countries who deem this important enough to take an active part in monitoring and facilitating some type of educational standard worldwide. Russia is not on that list, and neither is the Ukraine. Turkey is missing, China, Portugal, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. New Zealand and Australia are notably absent. In fact, of the 31, 28 are European, only one is South American (Argentina), none are African, and Israel is the lone participant in the Middle East. None of these facts are very surprising. But it does illustrate that we have bigger things to worry about than a single teacher in South Carolina with a problematic interpretation of Holocaust education.
Jewish groups should embrace new legal protection for Jewish students
Behind the headlines MORTON A. KLEIN and SUSAN B. TUCHMAN (JTA) -- Imagine if the NAACP responded with skepticism to the passage of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and urged African Americans to exercise their civil rights cautiously under this law. Title VI was landmark legislation when it was passed in 1964 to remedy racial and ethnic discrimination in programs receiving federal funding. In fact, the NAACP fought for Title VI’s passage and has vigorously sought to enforce it to uphold the right of African Americans to be free from discrimination. Jewish students are facing their own serious problems of harassment and discrimination at schools receiving federal funding. After a six-year campaign by the Zionist Organization of America, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or OCR, finally clarified in October 2010 that Jewish students finally would be afforded the same protection from harassment and discrimination under Title VI that other minorities have enjoyed for close to 50 years. Yet instead of embracing the new legal protection, some in the Jewish community have been strangely critical of it. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs describes itself as “the representative voice of the organized American Jewish community” in the Jewish community relations field. Its national member agencies include the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and more than 100 Jewish community relations councils throughout the country.
(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Shiri Tene Advertising Executive Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Vice President; Jason Epstein, Treasurer; Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Daniel Christensen; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Michael Kaufman; Paul Rabinowitz; Caryn Scheer; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf. 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 jewishoma-
A year after the Office for Civil Rights’ policy clarification, the JCPA proposed a resolution regarding Title VI. Instead of praising the new policy and committing to a nationwide campaign to educate Jewish students and university officials about students’ right to be protected from anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination under Title VI, the JCPA resolution tried to impose unreasonably harsh standards on when Jewish students should use the law to rectify a hostile anti-Semitic school environment -- stricter even than the standards that the Office for Civil Rights applies. Critics of the new Title VI policy have paid little attention to the fact that the policy has already shown its value. University of California President Mark Yudof recently issued a public statement in which he condemned antiSemitic harassment on the UC campuses. This month, Rutgers University President Richard McCormick issued a statement publicly condemning a student paper, The Medium, for falsely claiming that an article mocking the Holocaust had been written by a vocal Jewish, pro-Israel student. McCormick said that “no individual student should be subject to such a vicious, provocative, and hurtful piece, regardless of whether First Amendment protections apply to such expression.” Significantly, McCormick had failed to condemn previous anti-Semitic incidents on campus. It is likely that OCR’s Title VI policy, which recommends that university leaders label certain incidents as anti-Semitic, played a role in the decisions of both McCormick and Yudof to speak out. Surely also at play was the fact that there are Title VI investigations pending against their schools.
The David Project recently issued a report about rethinking Israel advocacy on campus. Curiously, the report cautions that “legitimate efforts to combat campus antiSemitism could be complicated by overly aggressive complaints” under Title VI. But what are “legitimate efforts”? And what does the David Project mean by “overly aggressive”? Only weeks after the Office for Civil Rights issued its new Title VI policy, the ZOA was able to use it effectively without even filing a complaint with the OCR. We contacted officials at a Maine high school where there was longstanding anti-Semitic harassment and informed them of their Title VI obligations. The school acted on nearly all our recommendations and rectified the situation. Would the David Project consider our actions legitimate or overly aggressive? What if school officials had refused to fix the problems? Would a Title VI complaint then have been legitimate? It is difficult to understand why members of the Jewish community are skeptical of a critical new legal tool under Title VI or why they are sending a cautious message about using it. We should be fully supportive of Jewish students and holding schools accountable when they don’t respond to campus anti-Semitism. It’s time for us to stop being “shah-still” frightened Jews of the previous generation and start strongly speaking out on behalf of our Jewish brethren when necessary. Morton A. Klein is the national president of the Zionist Organization of America. Susan B. Tuchman is the director of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice.
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May 11, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9
Put Russian-speaking Jews on the community’s radar
Behind the headlines MISHA GALPERIN NEW YORK (JTA) -- With the contemporary music world buzzing about Regina Spektor’s upcoming album more than a month before its release, I cannot help but think about the young musician’s rise in the context of Russian-speaking Jewry. Spektor, who came to the United States with her parents when she was a young girl, still identifies deeply with the Russian-speaking Jewish community and has been an outspoken defender of Israel. And she is not an exception. Even though -- perhaps because -- many Russian-speaking Jews were deprived for years of a Jewish education or the ability to affiliate with other Jews, the strong emotional connection that many Russian-speaking Jews have with their Jewishness and to Israel and the Jewish world at large is tribal. This stands in contrast to the majority of North American Jews who define their Jewishness as a religious identity. While the Russian-speaking Jewish community, particularly the second generation, has gained much success in commerce, the arts, technology and medicine, I am concerned about its third generation. Without even a faint memory of life behind the Iron Curtain, my children’s children will need more than an ethnic sense of connectedness if they are to choose being Jewish. And unless the organized Jewish community can figure out how to tap into the potential of what is undeniably a vast infusion of energy, passion and creativity, we are looking at an epic failure in recognizing and addressing a game-changing opportunity. Twenty percent of the Jewish world is Russian speaking, but it occupies only a small percentage of our thinking as an organized Jewish community. While the members of an emerging generation of Russian-speaking Jews worldwide are connected to one another and feel a strong kinship with Israel, their strong identity is decidedly not reflected in affiliation with organized Jewish life. Perhaps a million Jews remain in the former Soviet Union, but most are highly assimilated and it is estimated that our outreach efforts are only reaching 8 percent to 15 percent of them. The majority of the 1 million Russian-speaking Jews who are now making a tremendous impact in Israel remain disconnected from the Jewish communal milieu. More than 200,000 Russian-speaking Jews now live dispersed across 180 communities in Germany, where a generation without great knowledge or practice of Judaism has no Jewish community to seek. In North America, Google, PayPal and VoiceOver IP would not exist if not for Russian-speaking Jews. But synagogues and federations -- the core institutions of Jewish communal life -- barely register on the Russian-speaking Jew’s radar. To be fair, some of the more visionary leaders do get it. In
partnership with UJA-Federation of New York, the Wexner Heritage Foundation, which identifies young, talented and committed Jewish leaders from across the professional spectrum and trains them in contemporary Jewish leadership, has launched a cohort exclusively for Russian-speaking Jews. It is a great model. But unless it is scaled and replicated by federations across North America, the impact will be negligible. We need a cadre of Russian-speaking Jewish lay leaders in every major city. The second issue is directly related to the first. Once these talented and motivated people are ready to lead, they will need to be continually engaged. There is a severe lack of firstand second-generation Russian-speaking professionals in the Jewish communal arena who, through shared history and personal experiences, can harness the energy of potential leaders and keep them involved. In North America, there are less than a few dozen trained Russian-speaking Jewish communal professionals to work with a population of 500,000. Building a platform to sustain the engagement of networked lay and professional leaders should be a top priority. The third challenge is more deeply rooted in the psyches of many Russian-speaking Jews: the notion of “collective� response. Not surprisingly, the idea of centralized giving and planning does not sit very well with a population that associates collectivism with identity suppression, corruption and inefficiency. To many it is what they were all too happy to
leave behind. We need to explore models by which Russian-speaking Jews do not feel threatened but rather empowered to innovate, and where there is flexibility for them to direct their philanthropy in accordance with their own ideas as Jews. At the Jewish Agency for Israel, we’ve found that the highprofile visibility of Israel’s struggle can be a powerful window of opportunity for mobilizing their support. A recent Brandeis University study of Birthright Israel applicants and alumni, focusing on those with at least one Russian-born parent, showed their emotional attachment to Israel and global Jewry to be much higher than that of their American peers, despite a weaker knowledge of Judaism. Given the positive backdrop with which to work, but cognizant of the dangers looming if these Jews are not brought into the broader communal framework, this is indeed the time to act. But this is not just the work of the Jewish Agency. There is too much to do; the entire Jewish community must make up for lost time. Today, with the assimilation rates in the Jewish community in general reaching alarming levels, and given the high percentage of Russian-speaking Jews in the overall Jewish population, we must recognize that a strong Jewish future requires that they be a significant part of it. Misha Galperin is the president and CEO of international development at the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Letters TO THE EDITOR Dear Jewish Press Editor Jessica Gall, Lizzie Glbert and the entire ADL staff deserve accolades for the outstanding program held this evening at the Aksarben Theatre. The powerful film Bully was shown with an excellent panel of educators available for a Q&A immediately following the film. The film was shown free of charge to our community's teens and with great promotion by Jodi Levine, BBYO Director, there was a great turnout. The local panel of educators made the subject matter of the film hit close to home for our kids. As the parent of two of those teens, I am grateful to those listed above for making this program possible. Sherrie Saag On behalf of our family and our dad, Jerome “Jerry� Milder, a resident of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, we are sad that Pat Inserra, the Home beautician for 29 years, is no longer working.
Pat was a constant and devoted friend to the residents of the Blumkin Home. She patiently cared for the neediest, often crankiest, frequently funny, sometimes demanding, always grateful elderly of our community. She could be counted on to take care of and get every resident in for a hairstyling, manicure or pedicure appointment – almost as soon as they requested a visit. She genuinely cared about each person and treated them with kindness and compassion. They responded to her care. Her salon was a social center of the Blumkin Home. She accommodated schedules and location. If a resident didn't want to or could not get to the salon, Pat performed the desired service in the comfort of their room. We and Dad, as well as countless other residents, will miss Pat. She is a dear woman who was thought of as “one of the family.� We wish her well. Yours truly, Cheryl Milder Cooper, Gayle Milder and Harlan Milder
To order a gift subscription to the Press... Send a check for $30, made out to the Jewish Press and prorated for the year, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 402.334.6448. 26th Annual Mike Trader’s Mid-America Basketball Camp Boys & Girls held at Grand Island Central Catholic, Doane and CCC (Platte Campus) Columbus
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Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Let’s Do Lunch, noon, with Rabbi Levin at Blumkin Home’s Star Deli. RSVP to the rabbi at rabbi levin@bethel-omaha.org; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Music & Movement Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m., led by JCC dance instructor Cheryl Lerner and Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m., led by Deborah Kronick and Jeff Taxman. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. Dinner cost is $10 for Beth El members, $15 for non-members. No charge for children ages 6 and younger. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or email programming@bethel-omaha.org; Dinner & Drash, 7 p.m. following services, stay for dinner and a study session led by a Beth El clergy member. Cost: $8. RSVP to the office, or at www. bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:25 p.m. Kadima Shabbaton, Friday, May 11–Sunday, May 13, at the 4H Camp in Gretna; for all 5th – 8th graders in the Jewish community. For more information, contact Judy Haven at 402.498.0904, or eddir@bethel-omaha.org. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Parsha & Pizza, 12:30 p.m. at Bagel Bin, led by Cantor Schlossberg. MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham. THURSDAY: Jews & Brews, 7 p.m., at the synagogue, sponsored by Men’s Club. All Beth El men are welcome. No charge. For more information, contact Mike Schop, at mschop@rbjh.com. BESTT Graduation, Friday, May 18, 6 p.m., for 7th graders and 12th graders. The evening will recognize BESTT faculty members, the retirement of Margo Riekes and a farewell to Education Director Judy Haven. Dinner will follow. For more information, visit www.bethel-omaha.org, contact the BESTT office, 402.498.0904, or eddir@ bethel-omaha.org. Diversity in the Movies, Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m., led by Susi Frydman-Levin, and Jewish Values in Today’s World, Sunday, May 20, 11 a.m., led by Rabbi Levin. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: 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, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush lunch is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 7 p.m.; Mincha, 8 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 9:21 p.m. SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast; Mother’s
Shabbat to honor Jewish Federation of Lincoln by SARAH KELEN Members of the Lincoln Jewish community will gather at the South Street Temple on Friday, May 11 for a special Shabbat service honoring the Jewish Federation of Lincoln. Rabbi Craig Lewis of the South Street Temple and Nancy Coren, spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel will lead the service with participation from Federation board members. Alan Potash, Director of the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League, will address the congregation. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by an Oneg Shabbat hosted by the Jewish Federation of Lincoln. The South Street Temple is ls located at 2061 South 20th Street in Lincoln. All are welcome.
Day Dinner, 6 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross. Contact the office for information on how to call-in to the conference call; New Monthly Women’s Class, 7:30 p.m. with Ilana Weiss. TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:30 p.m. with Rabbi Mizrahi; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross.
CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m.; Kiddush lunch follows the service. SUNDAY: Service at 8:30 a.m. followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. MONDAY: JLI Course, The Art of Marriage, 7 p.m. Register online at ochabad.com. WEDNESDAY: A Taste of Yeshiva-Chevruta style Beit Midrash study, 6:30 p.m. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Federation Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Alan Potash, Regional Director, Plain States AntiDefamation League with an oneg following hosted by the Federation Board. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Emor. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at Misty’s in Williamsburg, 40th & Old Cheney. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Session #16 led by Rabbi Lewis. The cost is $50 to cover course materials. Register by calling the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or email stemple@neb.rr.com. Note: Please contact Rabbi Lewis if the cost for a class creates a financial hardship.
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ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. with B’nai B’rith Members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Marty Shukert. SUNDAY: Mother’s Day Concert, 1:45 p.m. with Anna Mosenkis and Lev Shekhtman; Mother’s Day Resident Tea hosted by LOVE. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.; Confirmation and Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet. We will honor those celebrating a birthday or anniversary in May with a special blessing. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Emily Kazor, daughter of Michelle and Stu Kazor, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; WRJ Mother’s Day Herb and Flower Sale, 10 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6-8 p.m. THURSDAY: God was in this place and I did not know, 1011:30 a.m. with Rabbi Linder. He will be looking at what our tradition says about the normal moments ... Maybe they’re not so normal? Shabbat Worship Service in Honor of Rabbi Eric Linder With Sababa’s Cool Jewish Music, High School Seniors to be Recognized, Friday, May 18, 6 p.m. (see full story on page 7.) OTYG End of Year Party, Friday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. Sababa and Picnic Lunch on the Lawn – Celebrate the Start of Summer, Sunday, May 20, noon (see full story on page 7.) OTYG Car Wash, Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. – noon
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Federation Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. at South Street Temple with guest speaker Alan Potash, Regional Director, Plain States Anti-Defamation League with an oneg following hosted by the Federation Board. SATURDAY: Study Session on Pirkei Avot, 9:30 a.m.; Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at Misty’s in Williamsburg, 40th & Old Cheney. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.
SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
B’nai Mitzvah Geordana Morgan Gonzales, daughter of Dana and Edward Gonzales, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 19, at Temple Israel. Geordi is a seventh-grade Superior Honor Roll student at Kiewit Middle School. She placed 1st at School level, 2nd at Districts and 2nd at State, competed as a 5th grader against 6th9th graders in the Modern Woodmen School Speech Competition. Her interests include soccer, dance and helping animals. For her mitzvah project, Geordi focused on helping organizations that rescue dogs. She visited Hearts United for Animals in Auburn, NE. She was able to spend time with rescued dogs of all types, many with serious medical issues caused by their time at puppy mills. Geordi ran 3 newspaper drives, collecting papers for the dogs. She also made crafts to sell at local craft fairs, and raised money for the medical care of dogs in foster care with Midwest Dog Rescue Network. Geordi volunteered in foster homes, volunteered at adoption events and sponsored one at Temple Israel. Grandparents are Jan and Phil Wayne, and Rosemary Corso of Brooklyn, NY and George Gonzales of Bronx, NY.
Emma Joanna Hochfelder, daughter of Joanna Hochfelder, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 19, at Beth El. Emma is an eighth-grade Honor Roll student in the Enriched Program at at Harlan Community Middle School in Iowa. Her interests include competition in Iowa Mock Trial for the past 3 years; her team went to State this school year in Des Moines. She has a strong passion for politics. She also loves creative writing, and her IA, NE & Herzl friendships. She was unable to do a community project in Omaha due to the distance from Iowa. Her dedication to learning Hebrew started in the 7th grade; her tenacious project was learning Hebrew in less than a year and a half for her Bat Mitzvah. She has a brother, Benjamin. Grandparents are Fred and Barbara Hochfelder of Florida; who at age 85 and 87 are making the trip to Emma’s Bat Mitzvah. Great-grandparents are the late Jake and Lillian Hochfelder and the late Victor and Mildred Reiss, all of NY.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
May 11, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 11
Instructions to the Kohanim
In memoriam
Class Explores Qualities of Women of the Tanach by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Associate Executive Director, The Center for Jewish Education The Center for Jewish Education is pleased to continue its Friday Learning Series, with a three-week class exploring the qualities of the women of the Tanach. The class will be taught by Judy Rosenfeld and will meet from noon-1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library on May 18, 25 and June 1. “All of us have qualities we admire about ourselves and those we wish to emulate” states Rosenfeld. “We will be exploring these qualities as we identify them in the women of Judy Rosenfeld the Tanach and apply them to our life today. The guide that will be used in the class is the 49 days of the counting of the Omer, with one woman represented each day, along with one of God’s attributes” She continues saying “The class will delve into some of our favorite women in the Tanach as well as some women that are less known but still quite interesting. Those with all levels of Jewish knowledge are welcome to attend!” Rosenfeld received her Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies from Brooklyn College. She has been a Jewish Educator in the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform communities for over twenty years. Most recently, she served as the Educational Director for the Congregation B’nai Israel in Toms River, New Jersey. This is the third class she has taught for the Center for Jewish Education. Class tuition is $26 for the three sessions, discounted to $21 for the donors of the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Pre-registration is required and should be sent to mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org or by calling 402.334.6463. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
OMNI Behavioral Health Residential Support Specialist OMNI Behavioral Health is seeking persons to support individuals with a variety of developmental and behavioral impairments in their daily routines via group home care. Part-time evening and weekend shifts are now available, with an opportunity to advance to a full-time position. Training provided. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or related field experience. Must have a valid driver’s license, ability to lift 75 lbs. Starting wage $10-13 per hour based upon experience. Interested applicants please e-mail resume to spavlik@omnibehavioralhealth.com
Chamber music concert at JCC boosts interest by DIANE AXLER BAUM A standing-room-only audience packed the JCC Theater on April 1 to hear “Legacies: Extraordinary Chamber Music by Jewish Composers,” presented by the Omaha Chamber Music Society. The free concert was made possible by a grant from the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund. Numerous West Omaha residents and members of the Jewish community were introduced to or became reacquainted with the Omaha Chamber Music Society (OCMS). Since then, many have ordered tickets for the Summer Concert Series, featuring a concert every Sunday afternoon in June, at 3 p.m., at First Central Congre-gational Church, 36th and Harney Sts. The series will open June 3 with an energetic and expressive concert for brass quintet and harp. For more information or to order tickets please call 402.960.6943 or online at www.omahachambermusic.org.
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Sparks from the word
Lottie “Nana” Colick passed away May 6. Services were held May 9 at Golden Hill Jewish Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Edie and Howard Hapner of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Brittany and Stephanie; brother, Lionel Marsh of England; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great, great-nieces and nephews. Lottie was born in Birmingham, England and moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1946. She was an active member of Bnai Israel Synagogue. In addition, she was invovled with City of Hope and The War Brides Club. Memorials may be made to the Jewish Tower Sunshine Fund, 3160 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30327.
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LOTTIE “NANA” COLICK
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DO YOU live in rural Nebraska and need a small business loan under $50,000? REAP can help! Call 402-656-3091 or visit www.cfra.org/reap. ANTE UP Productions, Saddle Roping, May 13 in Wall, SD. Guaranteed cash & prizes. Details at www.anteupproduction.com or call 605-515-3066. Like us on Facebook. VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln. 402-742-0063. Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 60+ Dealers. Storewide Sale, May 1-30. New items arriving daily! Antiques, collectables, jewelry, furniture & more. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 1-800369-2850 to place your ad on the national Midwest Classic Cars web site for only $25.00. Your ad with photos runs until your vehicle is sold! QUALITY, PUREBRED, polled Charolais bulls, and open heifers ready to breed. Prestige herd. Devon Dells Charolais, Pleasant Dale, NE, 402-450-8752. CHARGE NURSE: Alpine Village of Verdigre, seeking night shift charge nurse. Three 12-hour-shifts scheduled, every third weekend. Competitive compensation package. don@alpinecares.com or 402-668-2209. AIRLINES ARE hiring. Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance, 888-896-8006.
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12 | The Jewish Press | May 11, 2012
No easy path to being a daughter for Jewish transsexual by JOY LADIN become suspicious, Jacob conceals his NEW YORK (JTA) -- If your mother has smooth forearms under hairy swatches of never seen your face -- if you have never had fresh-killed kid-skin that will make his arms a face to be seen -- if, in a sense, you have feel as hairy as Esau’s. If his father recognizes never been born -- do you have a mother? If your mother has always called you “son,” can you ever really become her daughter? For most of my life, I couldn’t begin to ask such questions. My sister, three years my junior, was the only daughter in our family. And though I hated being a boy, I could be messy, dirty, ruthlessly self-centered, indifferent to my appearance, careless of others to the point of rudeness -behaviors my sister could never have gotten away with. I hated myself for deceiving my family, and it broke my heart that they were so easy to deceive. I felt utterly alone, and as so often when I was child, my estrangement from the world around me drove me to the Torah. There, I found someone I recognized as the direct ancestor of my own unbearable tangle of love and lies. In a passage I read over and over, Jacob serves his blind, aged father Isaac his favorite dinner as a prelude to receiving In her new book, Joy Ladin writes of how the Torah aided his blessing. There’s only one her journey of sexual identification. problem with this scene of filial Credit: The University of Wisconsin Press devotion: Jacob is impersonating his twin brother Esau, who, older by a that the manly Esau is really the feminine moment, is his father’s heir. Esau, a vigorous, Jacob, Jacob will be cursed instead of hairy, hyper-masculine hunter, is his father’s blessed. favorite. Like Jacob, I wasn’t the boy my parents Jacob is a smooth-skinned, domestic, meant to bless with food, shelter, clothing, almost feminine farmer. Lest his blind father love. Under the skins of masculinity -- the
pants and shirts I hated, the roles and games I forced myself to play -- was something too smooth, too soft, too feminine to be loved like the male “twin” I pretended to be. Like Jacob, I found deception heartbreakingly easy. As long as I kept my hair short and wore pants and shirts, no one could see the girl cowering beneath. But Jacob had something going for him that I didn’t have: a mother, Rebekah, who knew him for who he truly was. It was Rebekah’s idea that Jacob masquerade as Esau because she knew he was destined to transmit Abraham’s spiritual legacy to future generations. She sees that Jacob is a firstborn trapped in a second-born’s body, and that only by flouting law and love can he become the person he was meant to be. Not only didn’t my mother know who I truly was, I was sure that the moment she suspected, I wouldn’t have a mother at all. But for four-and-a-half decades, my skins never slipped. The first time my mother and I really talked, I was 46, sitting on a box in a dim, cool basement storage room, surrounded by old tax returns and broken computer equipment. An underground room for unwanted things was the perfect setting for the moment I’d been avoiding my whole life -the moment when I would finally tell my mother that I wasn’t her son. I had lived that moment in dreams and nightmares, fantasies and wishes. Now I was about to live it in the flesh. I dialed her number and waited. Hundreds of miles away, my mother’s phone rang. Don’t answer, I whispered, as though if I couldn’t complete this call I would somehow avoid this conversation. She answered. “Hello. Jay?” “Yes,” I told her, “it’s Jay. I need to tell you something, Mom. Something hard. But first,
you have to promise me that what I tell you won’t affect your relationship with the children. You’ll stay in touch with them, right?” “Of course. I’m their grandmother -nothing is going to change that.” “Good,” I said. “Because soon I’m -- I’m moving out. This will be hard for the kids, and they need you to stay in their lives.” “Of course,” she said. “I’m so sorry.” I wished she would ask me why I was moving out, but she didn’t, so I took a deep breath and recited the words -- even I found them hard to believe -- that I’d practiced. “Mom, our family is breaking up because I’m a transsexual and I can’t live as a man anymore.” The pause that followed my revelation -the most honest thing I had ever said to my mother -- seemed to stretch for years, years we had lost, years we now might never have. I thought I was ready to lose her. But in that pause, when truly motherless years were only a breath away, I realized that I had never stopped clinging to the hope of her. “I’ve heard about this,” she said at last. Her voice, rich and low, trained for a radio career she had never had, was thick with feeling. “I know that you have to be who you are, and no matter what that is, you will always be my child.” The air above my head felt empty. The sword that had always dangled above me, the terror of what would happen if my mother discovered what I was, was gone. My voice rose to the pitch I had made my own, and for the first time in my life, we really talked. Joy Ladin is a professor at Yeshiva University. This article is excerpted from her new book, Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders and has been reprinted with permission from the University of Wisconsin Press.
The Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting Honoring our Community Volunteers Humanitarian of the Year Award Joel Alperson
Please Join Us Monday, June 4 7 p.m. | JCC Theatre Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting Honor our Community Volunteers State of the Federation Address Jody Malashock | President Mike Silverman | Chief Executive Officer Election of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board Performance from The Music Man
Phil & Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award Stacey Rockman & John Glazer Community Service Award National Council of Jewish Women: The Great Omaha Chocolate Festival Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award Andy Ruback Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award Susan Fellman Witkowski Robert & Ellen Gordman Teen Leadership Award Kevin Adler & Brad Kutler Volunteers of the Year Jewish Federation of Omaha | Debbie Friedman & Debbie Denenberg The Center for Jewish Education | Mark Javitch Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee | Shirley Cemaj Jewish Community Center | Mark Martin Jewish Social Services | Joanie & Terry Bernstein The Jewish Press | Margaret Kirkeby Jody & Neal Malashock Award for Professional Excellence Marty Ricks