Vol. LXXXII
No. 39
Omaha, NE
28 Iyyar, 5763
May 30, 2003
COMING NEXT WEEK: THE ANNUAL FATHER’S DAY/GRADUATION GIFT GUIDE!
Endowment Award Stacey Rockman and Todd Simon Honored as Federation Young Leaders Goes to Joel Alperson by PAM MONSKY, Federation Communications Director Stacey Rockman and Todd Simon will receive the Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Awards at the 100th Meeting of the Jewish Federation on Monday, June 9, 7 p.m., in the theater of the Jewish Community Center. Recipients of the prestigious Bruce Fellman and Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young LeadStacey Rockman ership Awards are selected by a committee of past Young Leadership winners from nominations from the Omaha Jewish community. Award winners are also provided with a stipend of up to $1,500 to attend the United Jewish Community’s General Assembly or National Young Leadership Conference and their names are engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in the corridor of the JCC. Stacey Rockman is this year’s Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award winner. This award was established in 1980 to honor a young woman who has demonstrated personal commitment, dedicated involvement and exemplary leadership qualities in service to the Jewish and general community. Rockman, 40, was nominated for this award by the Women of Reform Judaism. Rockman’s service to Temple Israel is commendable. As the current president of Women of Reform Judaism, Rockman has put her energy into developing the working committees for WRJ. She has involved hundreds of women in WRJ projects over the past year by combining her passion with her organizational skills. Rockman believes that personal contact makes all the difference and she has proven this by reaching out to members of Omaha’s Jewish community of all ages, backgrounds and interests.
One of her most satisfying projects has been leading Temple’s Torah Restoration Project. She took it upon herself to personally seek out the necessary funding and recruit the numerous volunteers needed to make the project such an overwhelming success. Rockman’s other volunteer involvement with the Jewish community Todd Simon includes service to the Temple Israel Board, on both the Nominating and Membership Committees. She has chaired various events for the Jewish Federation, most notably last year’s “Shabbat in Elmwood Park,” one of the House parties for the 2002 Women’s Campaign. In addition, she serves on the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center Advisory Board. In the general community, Rockman has been involved with the Omaha Children’s Museum, the American Cancer Society and Planned Parenthood. She also volunteers weekly at Swanson School and is in charge of maintaining Swanson’s grounds and their arboretum. Rockman and her husband Jonathan have two children, Oliver, 9 and Caroline 7. Her parents are Mike and Jill Erman and the late Eileen Erman. Todd Simon, 38, is the recipient of the 2002 Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award. This award, in memory of the son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, is awarded annually to honor a young man who has demonstrated personal commitment, dedicated involvement and exemplary leadership qualities in rendering service to the Jewish and general community. Simon was nominated by the National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section. (Continued on page 2)
The Road Map Rekindles Arab War for the “Right of Return” by DAVID BEDEIN, Bureau Chief, Israel Resource News Agency “The Americans rejected one of Israel’s central demands, which states that the Palestinian Arabs would agree to concede the right of return in return for Israel’s recognition of a Palestinian Arab state. They also rejected Israel’s demand to remove the Saudi proposal (a full withdrawal to the lines of June 4, 1967, recognition of the right of return, in return for the recognition of Israel by the Arab countries and natural relations) as one of the main sources of the road map’s authority,” said Shimon Shiffer, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, in last Friday’s Yediot Aharonot newspaper. In other words, what
Israel Navy commandos seized an Egyptian fishing trawler off the Haifa coast last week, loaded with bomb making components and CDs for instruction on how to prepare bombs and bomb belts for suicide bombers. Among the captured crew was a top Hizbullah bomb expert, Hamad Photo by ISRANET. Muslam Moussa Abu Mara.
our agency has been reporting for 15 years is indeed the case: The U.S. State Department, together with all the western governments, indeed support the Arab world campaign for the “right of return” to the Arab villages lost in 1948. None of these villages where they expect to return lie in Judea, Samaria (Also known as the West Bank) or Gaza. The U.S. support for the “right of return” is no theoretical matter. That support was translated into the $114 million that the US contributed last year to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. UNRWA continues to confine more than one million Arabs to the squalor of Arab refugee camps, who wal(Continued on page 11)
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Communications Director Joel Alperson, this year’s Endowment Achievement Award recipient, learned from his parents, Margie and the late P a c e y Alperson, how to support the O m a h a Jewish community. Joel thought he had “done it all” until he attended his first United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet caucus in 1992 when his conception of Jewish community took on profound new dimensions. When he joined the National UJA Young Leadership Cabinet that year, the experience changed his life as he developed new relationships with others his age who were making tremendous commitments to the Jewish people. Alperson’s first high-profile national position was as a Co-chairman for a national singles mission to Israel in 1995 with 485 participants which he described as “overwhelming.” A few years later, he co-chaired another mission, the Chazak III mission to Israel and Spain. In 1996, Alperson accepted the Jewish Agency’s prestigious International Young Leadership Award given to two international young leaders. He was also the recipient of Omaha’s Young Leadership Award in 1994. In 1997, he was named National Young Leadership Chairman. While Alperson held that position, the Ben Gurion Society, a campaign division for donors under the age of 45 who give $1,000 or more to the annual campaign, and the Jewish Leadership Institute, a leadership development program, were both created. In addition, he was part of the first Cabinet mission to Cuba. UJA elected Alperson to its Board of Trustees in 1998. He served on the Campaign Cabinet as the Midwest Region’s Major Gifts Chairman. In Omaha, he served in the crucial role of Pacesetter Chairman during the Federation’s 1999 Campaign and then as General Chairman for the 2000 Campaign. Since 2002, as National Chairman for UJC’s Network Communities, Alperson has been responsible for pockets of Jewish populations too small to support a Federation. There are 360 network communities that together raise more than $12 million. He established “a very substantial” Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment (PACE) Fund with the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha in 2000, said Marty Ricks, Foundation Executive Director. This gift serves to endow his annual UJC/Federation campaign gift. “The Omaha Jewish community is forever indebted to Joel for establishing this PACE Fund,” added Ricks. “In the tradition of previous endowment award winners in Omaha, Joel Alperson is clearly the model of a deserving recipient.”
INSIDE: Monthly Calendar ............................. pages 6-7 Shavuot articles ................................. pages 8-9 Spizman Honored at Temple .............. page 12
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SPARKS FROM THE WORD Former Cantor for Temple The Wilderness and the Mountain by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Bemidbar This fourth Book of Torah opens saying that “God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai.” I cannot contemplate these two words together--wilderness and Sinai. What a contrast! Wilderness implies chaos and an inhospitable environment, an area where it is impossible to find directions, except by the sun and the stars. But Sinai is quite the opposite. It is the very center of direction and purpose and value! Sinai is not simply the place of the Ten Commandments, but it has come to mean all that flows from them. Sinai asks us to study the nature of man and to determine the place of man in Nature. Mankind is subject to Nature, for man is born, he lives and he dies under Nature’s laws. He is bound by Nature and cannot escape it. Nonetheless, he rises above it; he transcends it because of the Spirit of God within him. He quickly learns that he cannot escape his limitations as a child of Nature; but he learns, gloriously, that in some ways he can defy Nature by refusing to be a child of the wilderness. His spirit and his mind enable him to appreciate beauty. The wilderness itself has a beauty of its own. Does the lion appreciate it? The wolf? The squirrel? But man does. Man learns to value the stuff of the earth itself, the soil. He learns to love to have the soil on his hands. He learns to love the wind, and sunshine, and the variation in temperature, and the progression of the seasons. Nature, and all that is implied by the concept of wilderness, overpowers him, to be sure, but he learns to accept what he cannot control and to turn it to his advantage. Why all of that? Because the wilderness is not all: there’s also Sinai. And Sinai instructs and liberates. It limits mankind with Thou Shalt Nots, but in its limitations and boundaries, it indicates there’s much more to life than Thou Shalt Not. Thou Shalt Not prevents man from dishonoring and diminishing himself. Thus it opens up all that lies beyond: truth and beauty, fairness and justice, striving and achievement, exploring and discovering, thinking and proving, theorizing and philosophizing. In short, Sinai throws back the curtains of ignorance and helps man to discover his full stature. No wonder that the Psalmist sees man as little less than divine. He is not restricted to trudging through the wilderness. Sinai beckons him to ascend the mountain. For he is more than the mountain and its master.
Young Leadership Award Winners (Continued from page 1) Simon has long been involved with many aspects of the Omaha Jewish community. He has served in leadership positions in the Federation’s Annual Campaign for many years and was the master of ceremonies for the Thomas Friedman Federation Campaign Event in 2000. He also serves on the Federation’s Budget and Allocations Committee. Simon is also an active board member for Jewish Family Service, having held many leadership positions with the organization since 1999; he is currently Treasurer of JFS. At Temple Israel, he was part of an ad hoc committee studying commitment ceremonies and as a youth in 1981 held the position of President of OTYG. In the general community, Simon is President of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and has held positions on their board for more than 15 years, including President. He is a founding member of the Downtown Northeast Redevelopment Association and has been actively outspoken in his efforts to save historic downtown Omaha buildings. Simon approaches his volunteer activities the same way he leads the Marketing Department of Omaha Steaks, International: using a delicate combination of passion and logic, which, when combined with his long-range vision and ability to “cut to the chase” create a results-oriented leader. Simon’s parents are Fred and Eve Simon and Barbara and Gary Goldstein.
Israel Dies by MORRIS MALINE
Harold (Hal) Firestone, cantor at Temple Israel from 1980-1990, died May 24 in Ocala, FL, where he resided since leaving Omaha. He was 78. In addition to his wife, Madeleine, Cantor Firestone is survived by four sons, two stepchildren and four brothers, Jack, Leon, Paul and Morris. Before coming to Omaha, Cantor Firestone was with the North Country Reform Synagogue at Glen Cove, Long Island, NY for 18 years. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Army at the Battle of the Bulge. Shortly after his retirement, Cantor Firestone wrote and produced a musical based on the life of Haym Salomon. The production premiered at the Jewish Community Center theater in Omaha. A week before his death, my wife and I visited Cantor Firestone in Ocala. Although unable to communicate verbally and confined to a wheelchair following a severe stroke, he displayed a strong handshake and offered a loving smile. He enjoyed hearing us talk of his days in Omaha and his musical accomplishments, especially with the children’s choir at Temple Israel. Services took place at Beth Shalom Chapel in Smithtown, NY with burial in Washington Memorial Park Jewish Cemetery, Long Island, NY.
Controversial French Foreign Minister Arrives in Israel by JEWISH PRESS News Service
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, right, arrived in Israel Sunday and held talks with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom in an effort to heal the strained relations between Jerusalem and Paris. De Villepin met Monday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Many Israeli politicians that see De Villepin’s insistence to see Arafat as yet another example of French diplomacy acting against Israeli and U.S. Photo by ISRANET. interests.
Attention Shop Shalom Shoppers: Most mezuzah cases bought from the Israeli vendors at Shop Shalom did not contain the scroll, the handwritten rolledup parchment which is the most important part of a mezuzah. Kosher scrolls must be inserted into the mezuzah case for the mezuzah to be complete. A scroll can be purchased from a Sofer (scribe) or most Jewish bookstores.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE All photos used in the Passover issues of the Jewish Press can be picked up at the office. Those photos remaining will be turned over to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society archives. Photos may be picked up during regular business hours,Monday-Friday,8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.or call 334-6448 to make other arrangements.
May 30, 2003
SYNAGOGUES
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Candlelighting Friday, May 30 .............................................. 8:31 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism
7023 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556-6536 templeisrael-ne.org
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
1502 No. 52 St., Omaha, NE. 68104 -5013 556-6288 BethIsrael@novia.net
14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492-8550 WEB--www.bethel-omaha.org
FRIDAY: Men’s Club, 11:45 a.m. All male members of Temple Israel are invited to a weekly informal get together at Spirit World, 7517 Pacific St. Join us for some relaxation and great conversation; Service of Confirmation and Graduation, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate, along with graduating seniors: Leora Azriel, Alex Clark, Lauren Freeman, Samantha Friedman, Shaina Meyers, Rebekah Phillips, Sara Schweid, Emily Sternberg, Becky Sternberg, Ben Taxman, A.J. Walts, and Allie Willensky. The Oneg will be sponsored by Arlene and Tony Adelson in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Jaclyn, and by the parents of the confirmands. This year’s B’nai Mitzvah class will display their mitzvah project accomplishments during the Oneg. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30 a.m., in the Milder Center; Morning service, 10:30 a.m.; Jaclyn Harriet Adelson, daughter of Arlene and Tony Adelson, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY, June 5: Adult Study with Rabbi Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m. SHAVUOT Thursday, June 5: Erev Shavuot Service and Book of Ruth Dedication, 7 p.m., followed by an Oneg. The Ten Commandments will be read in Hebrew and then translated by Temple’s 5th grade class. Children in grades 3-6 will attend a special program and study session of their own during the later part of the service. Sitter service is available for younger children. Following the oneg, the clergy and other staff will teach a session on “The Six Remembrances.” Friday, June 6: Shavuot service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m; Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel.
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. West Minyan, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Fishel and Jean Paley. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 8:45 a.m. Free babysitting begins at 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood. Mincha, 8:25 p.m., followed by Shalosh Suedot and Ma’ariv, Shalosh Suedot is sponsored by Rabbi Allan and Rini Gonsher in honor of Dr. Peter and Rosemary Warschawski; Havdalah, 9:41 p.m. SUNDAY: Morning services, 9 a.m; Evening services, 6:45 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 6:45 p.m MONDAY: Talmud class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. SHAVUOT THURSDAY: Candlelighting, 8:35 p.m.; Mincha, 8:40 p.m. FRIDAY: Morning Services, 8:45 a.m. A special dairy kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood. Candlelighting, 8:36 p.m.; Mincha, 8:40 p.m. West Minyan, 8:40 p.m. at the home of David and Brooke Shrago. SATURDAY: The schedule for the Second Day of Shavuot includes Yizkor service at 10:30 a.m. and a luncheon following services. Please reserve lunch by June 4th.
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Friday , 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush hosted by Beth El. Rabbi Levin’s last Torah Class of the year, 8:15 p.m. Evening services at 8:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Morning services, 9 a.m.; Evening services and Study Session, 5:30 p.m. This relaxed, informal minyan, is led by Gastón Bogomolni. This week’s topic: The Torah Service and Its Prayers; Rosh Hodesh Group discusses The Ten Commandments of Women’s Friendships, 7:30 p.m., Reservations are a must, please call Dinah Raful, 493-1436 or Kathy Schmitt, 492-8550. WEEKDAY SERVICES: 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4: Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m, led by Cantor Emil Berkovits. Thursday, June 5: Dairy Dinner and traditional Tikun Leil Shavuot Study Session, 6 p.m. Rabbi Morechai Levin and Professor Guy Matalon lead discussions and Cantor Berkovits will provide a Shavuot Song fest. Dinner cost $5, please reserve with Kathy Schmitt, 492-8550.
BEYT SHALOM
An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
3012 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68124-5130
P.O. Box 241130 402-592-4082
FRIDAY and SATURDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
FRIDAY: Evening Service, 7:30 p.m. Oneg will follow.
Cantor Berkovits Honored at Beth El Last Shabbat by OZZIE NOGG Last Shabbat morning, Saturday, May 24, Beth El Synagogue recognized and honored Cantor Emil Berkovits for his 22 years of service to the congregation. Cantor Berkovits will leave his Omaha position at the end of July. Beth El President, Dick Fellman, acting on behalf of the congregation, presented Cantor Berkovits with a watch, a symbol, according to Mr. Fellman, “of Emil’s timeless devotion to Beth El.” Cantor Berkovits also received a plaque inscribed: “To Cantor Emil Berkovits, our shaliach tzibur-1981 to 2003...whose voice is sweet and whose nature is pleasing to his fellow.” A rock in Cantor Berkovits’ honor was also placed on the Beth El Tree of Life Wall. “All these gifts come with love from Emil’s Beth El family,” Fellman continued. “In addition, the Executive Committee voted to rename the synagogue’s music fund in Emil’s honor, and we encourage everyone to contribute to this newly established Cantor Emil Berkovits Music Fund.”
SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway, Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294-6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m..
SOUTH STREET TEMPLE
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
2061 S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435-8004 jewishnebraska.org FRIDAY: Teacher Recognition Shabbat, 7:45 p.m., led by Brian Bornstein. Sarah Kelen will give a sermon, Mark Miller is the musician. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m., Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Religious School picnic at the Cadwallader Farm, 10 a.m. WEDNESDAY: AA Meeting, 7 p.m. in the Library or Social Hall.
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 Phone: 322-4705 e-mail: doc jeb @aol.com
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
CHABAD HOUSE
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Services, 7 p.m., led by Nancy Rips. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Alan Shulewitz. SHAVUOT SERVICE FRIDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet. All services are held in the Herbet Goldsten Chapel and are open to the community.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 tiferethisraellincoln.org
423-8569
An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement
1866 So. 120th St., Omaha, NE 68144-1646 Phone: 330-1800 E-MAIL--chabad@aol.com WEBSITE: www.nebraskajudaism.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Monday-Friday: Services at 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Services at 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services at 8:30 a.m.
Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday: Men’s Group at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, call Yale Gotsdiner at 423-7066, or the office.
B’NAI MITZVAH Samantha Elyse Kenik, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jay Kenik, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, June 7, at Temple Israel. A seventh grade superior honors student at Millard Central Middle School, Samantha enjoys horses, dance, cheerleading, tennis, piano, swing choir and track. For her mitzvah project she volunteered at a public library helping in the children’s room with activities and storytime. Samantha has a brother, Jordan. Grandparents are Tom and Wanda Steel and the late Sam and Sylvia Kenik.
Aharon Yaakov Weinstein, son of Barry and Mindy (Weiner) Weinstein became a Bar Mitzvah on April 4, at Yeshiva Far Rockaway, NY. Aharon is a student at Yeshiva Ketana and his chesed project is Tikkun Olam--repairing the world, one joke at a time! His hobbies are reading, games, magic tricks, and stand up comedy. Aharon has a brother, Yehuda Leib, and a sister, Shoshana Malka. Grandparents are Dik and Ina Weiner, Rhoda Weinstein, Valley Stream, NY, and the late Joseph Weinstein. Great-grandparents are Ann Margolin of Omaha, and the late Dr. Milt “Doc” Margolin.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 30, 2003
The Road to Hell
EDITORIAL Ah, yes--another “peace plan.” This time, it’s called the Road Map, designed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, promoted by the Bush administration, and endorsed by the U.S. and the rest of the “Quartet”--those illustrious leaders of the United Nations, the European Union and Russia. But the problem, as author and historian Bernard Lewis so eloquently stated last Thursday when he spoke in a broadcast Live from the 92nd St. Y in New York City, is what you mean by negotiation. If, he said, the negotiation is whether or not Israel has a right to exist, there’s nothing to talk about. If, on the other hand, it’s a question of negotiating boundaries, then it will get solved over time, just as last century’s border disputes in Alsace Lorraine and the Sudetenland did. On paper, it’s got all the elements of all the other peace plans: confidence building measures like easing border restrictions by the Israelis and stopping terrorism by the Palestinians. But Hamas, the Al Asqa Brigade (directly under the control of Yasser Arafat) and the Islamic Jihad have all stated they’ll continue suicide bombings and other forms of “resistance” as
long as Israel remains on Arab land. And who knows if Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian Prime Minister, can really put a stop to it. If he does stand up to these terrorist factions, he puts his own life in danger. If he doesn’t, we’re back to square one and there’s nothing to talk about. The Road Map states: “In Phase One, the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence.” This was supposed to have taken place this month. Instead-Israel got, according to a Zionist Organization of America report: “at least 38 terrorist attacks or attempted attacks, in which 12 people were murdered and 92 were wounded.” Here’s another kicker: when Hamas says it will continue attacks on Israelis living on Arab lands--it doesn’t just mean in Gaza and the West Bank. The trick is to read what Arabs say to one another--in Arabic (and we can thank MEMRI and IMRA, two important news resources that translate the Arab press into English; you can visit their websites and see for yourself). What the PA continues to say is that Arafat is still “in charge.” Terrorist groups continue to say--in Arabic, of course--that Jews in Jerusalem
incitement against Israel.” Again from ZOA, “the PA’s official newspapers, television, and radio continued to broadcast a steady stream of antiIsrael, anti-American, and pro-violence incitement, and PA officials continued to make inciting statements.” This so-called Road Map leads nowhere. Despite the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Cabinet has approved it, this road is headed straight to hell.
Truth Be Told
FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN It’s been a banner month for falsehood. First, The New York Times, the “paper of record,” was forced to admit that one of its rising stars had been in fact a Roman candle, a serial plagiarist and fabricator of facts. Then there was the retrial of Lemrick Nelson. In 1992, he was acquitted of charges that he murdered Yankel Rosenbaum during the 1991 Crown Heights riots. The acquittal was apparently based on Nelson’s lawyers’ claim that their client had not been the man who, as part of a mob exhorted by shouts of “Kill the Jew!” had repeatedly stabbed the Jewish college student. Nelson was subsequently tried on federal civil rights charges--for stabbing Rosenbaum because he was a Jew--and found guilty, but a technical irregularity necessitated a retrial. This time Nelson and his lawyers opted to inform the court that yes, their client had indeed been the stabber, but his actions had been fueled not by Jew-hatred but by beer. The claim of his innocence during his earlier murder trial, in other words, had been a lie. Compounding the duplicity swirling around the case was the jurors’ remarkable verdict: Nelson was indeed guilty of depriving his victim of his civil rights by stabbing him--but not by killing him. Thus, instead of a possible life sentence, the murderer,
(because, you see, that’s the West Bank, according to the U.N.!), all of the West Bank, and Gaza are fair game. So, how does a bombing right next to the American Embassy in Tel Aviv fit into this picture? If you read what Hamas and the like are saying to their own people, you’ll understand that ALL of Israel is fair game! The Road Map also states that “all official Palestinian institutions end
with credit for time served, may be a free man in a matter of months. The jury forewoman later explained that she and her fellow jurors had taken into account old news stories that implied negligence on the part of the hospital that treated the dying Rosenbaum. However, there had been no testimony about the hospital’s alleged negligence; the judge had explicitly ruled it was irrelevant, since Rosenbaum would not have died had he not been stabbed. All the same, the jurors apparently decided to violate their sworn oath to decide the case on the evidence presented. But another egregious duplicity revealed in recent weeks had to do not with a murdered Jew but a live one. The current issue of Moment Magazine features an article by author and political commentator John Loftus. Loftus, who served as a prosecutor for the Justice Department and has held some of the highest security clearances, claims to have gotten to the bottom of why, in 1987, Jonathan Pollard, despite his cooperation with the government and a plea bargain agreement that was expected to lead to a more lenient sentence, was sentenced to life in prison, where he languishes to this day. It is no secret that the severity of Pollard’s sentence was due to a secret memo from then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who stated pub-
licly that Pollard’s acts amounted to “treason” and had caused great “harm to national security.” The nature of that alleged harm is what Loftus examines, and his conclusion is a disturbing one. He rules out the theory that Pollard shared with Israel the identities of American agents in the Soviet Union, information that subsequently fell into the hands of a Soviet mole in Israeli intelligence. Loftus himself accepted that theory at the time of Pollard’s sentencing, but now believes it to be untrue. The American agents were in fact compromised, but the culprits, says Loftus, were neither Pollard nor any mole in Israel but rather Aldrich Ames, who confessed in 1994 to betraying most of the American agents for cash; and Robert Hanssen, the senior FBI official arrested in 2001, who spilled the identities of he others. Pollard, Loftus maintains, didn’t even have the security clearance necessary to gain access to the names. Loftus maintains that what so incensed Weinberger was that Pollard provided the Israelis with an American roster of Saudi and other Arab intelligence agents, some of whom were connected to terrorist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and what we now know as Al Qaeda. Thus, says Loftus, who is currently writing a book on the subject, “Pollard stole the one book...that unquestion-
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ably proves that the Americans knew as early as 1984 about the connection between the Saudis and terrorist groups.” Weinberger, he further asserts, undermined a number of efforts to expose Saudi connections with terrorist elements. Recent events, of course, have laid bare for all the world to see the evil inherent in terrorism, and the bitter, bloody upshot of allowing it to fester. And post-9/11 America is officially at war with international terrorism. If Loftus’ claims are confirmed, it would be fitting were President Bush, who wisely declared that war, to consider commuting the sentence of the man who has served 18 years in prison for having sought to undermine our mortal enemy back when it was considerably less powerful than it is today. Truth, says Rabbi Shimeon ben Gamliel in tractate Avot, traditionally studied by many Jews over the spring and summer months, is one of the “pillars on which the world stands.” No wonder our world is so unsteady. Maybe it would help a bit if we recognized the truth about Jonathan Pollard. He violated our nation’s law and deserved a punishment, to be sure. But he has been amply punished, and does not deserve to remain where he is. Rabbi Avi Shafran is Director of Public Affairs for Agudath Israel of America. This article is courtesy of Am Echad Resources.
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Joanie Jacobson, Vice-Chairman; Penny Endelman, Secretary; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Kip Gordman; Bobbi Leibowitz; Howard K. Marcus; Scott Meyerson; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Melanie Weinstein; Amee Zetzman; George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member). Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
May 30, 2003
OUR MAN IN ISRAEL
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
When Transfer Was Seen as an Aid to Arabs
The Left’s Dream
by CARL ALPERT Haifa--We pause in our reporting on helping the Arabs, Warburg saw in current affairs and take a short trip the commission a means to “facilitate back through time to recall an episode emigration of [Palestinian] Arabs into which drew little attention at the Transjordan.” Apparently out of a time, but now takes on significance in desire to make it attractive to the view of more recent developments. Zionists, he added, thereby “increasOne is led to ponder the vagaries of ing agricultural possibilities for Jews fate, and what might have been.... in Palestine.” In many circles “transfer” is a conHe pursued the matter with Sir troversial word. It is used to designate John Robert Chancellor, the British the removal of large numbers of High Commissioner for Palestine. He Israel’s Arabs, who prefer to be known depicted his proposal as less of a popas Palestinians, and their transfer to ulation transfer than an attempt to other, neighboring Arab states. provide work for the Arabs where This step is advocated to assure a ample land was available. Jewish majority in Israel, which He continued to press the British to sometimes seems threatened by the provide financial assistance to aid large Arab natural increase. aggrieved Arab farmers by resettling Opponents of transfer look upon it as them in Transjordania and at the extreme, xenophobic Jewish national- same time increase the “absorptive ism, and it is not openly capacity” of Palestine supported by moderate Warburg advised in order to facilitate Zionists. increased Jewish setthe British But an interesting government that tlement. echo from the past Though the British reveals that some 70 if it wanted to rejected the suggestion, years ago a distin- help the Warburg continued to guished American Palestinian Arabs advocate the resettleJewish leader, Felix ment program as a road Warburg, by no means it could best do to peace between Arabs a Zionist, not only sug- so by making and Jews, even while gested transfer of Arabs agricultural land he openly opposed out of Palestine in their establishment of a own best interests, but available to them Jewish state. also vigorously conduct- across the Jordan When another noned a quiet campaign to River. Zionist, Edward bring it about. Norman, suggested a The story is told in the latest issue program to finance the emigration of of the Journal of the American Jewish Arabs from Palestine to Iraq, Archives, where Rafael Medoff, a Warburg enthusiastically offered to scholar and historian, reveals what he help finance it. As a result of British found in the Warburg archives. lack of interest, nothing came of the As early as 1930, addressing a rally proposal. Subsequently, when the in the Madison Square Garden, Arab riots broke out in 1936, he conWarburg advised the British govern- tributed generously to the defense ment that if it wanted to help the needs of the Jewish settlements. Palestinian Arabs it could best do so Warburg’s espousal of the transfer by making agricultural land available program at the Madison Square to them across the Jordan River. Garden meeting was his only public Said Warburg: “It is unjust to speak expression of support for the idea. Yet of such an offer of land in Medoff ’s research reveals that he was Transjordania as expatriation of the constantly and consistently seeking to Arabs, as Transjordania is distinctly influence the British to accept the Arab territory...” transfer program as a step toward Medoff notes that at first this promoting the best interests of the seemed to contradict Warburg’s previ- Arabs themselves. ously expressed views, which had As for the political status, Warburg always advocated concessions to the urged the creation of a federation Arabs, for the sake of peace. comprised of three independent canAnd though he continued to advo- tons, Iraq and Transjordan as Arab cate concessions, he just as vigorously units, and Palestine, or some parts of pursued proposals to encourage it, as a Jewish canton. Palestinian Arabs to leave the counThe project excited him, and he try. Indeed, precisely because he was explored it with Dr. Chaim Weizmann interested in helping the Arabs, he and with representatives of the felt they would be much better off British government. How far it would away from the Zionists. have gone we shall never know, for he When the British proposed setting suddenly suffered a heart attack and up a commission to explore ways of passed away in 1937.
by DANIEL PIPES Has anyone noticed an indifference in the precincts of the far Left to the fatalities of 9/11 and the horrors of Saddam Hussein? Right after the 9/11 attack, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen called it “the greatest work of art for the whole cosmos.” Eric Foner, an ornament of Columbia University’s Marxist firmament, trivialized it by announcing himself unsure “which is more frightening: the horror that engulfed New York City or the apocalyptic rhetoric emanating daily from the White House.” Norman Mailer called the suicide hijackers “brilliant.” More recently, it appears that none of the millions of anti-war demonstrators have a bad word to say about Saddam Hussein nor an iota of sympathy for those oppressed, tortured, and murdered by his regime. Instead, they vent fury against the American president and British prime minister. Why is the Left nonchalant about the outrages committed by Al-Qaeda and Baghdad? Lee Harris, an Atlanta writer, offers an explanation in a recent issue of the Hoover Institution’s journal, Policy Review. He does so by stepping way back and recalling Karl Marx’s central thesis about the demise of capitalism resulting from an inevitable sequence of events: • Business profits decline in the industrial countries; • Bosses squeeze their workers; • Workers become impoverished; • Workers rebel against their bosses; and • Workers establish a socialist order. Everything here hangs on workers growing poorer over time--which, of course, did not happen. In fact, Western workers became richer (and increasingly un-revolutionary). By the roaring 1950s, most of the Left realized that Marx got it wrong. But rather than give up on cherished expectations of socialist revolution, Harris notes, Marxists tweaked their theory. Abandoning the workers of advanced industrial countries, they looked instead to the entire populations of poor countries to carry out the revolution. Class analysis went out the window, replaced by geography. This new approach, known as “dependencia theory,” holds that the First World (and the United States above all) profits by forcefully exploiting the Third World. The Left theorizes that the United States oppresses poor countries; thus Noam Chomsky’s formulation that America is a “leading terrorist state.” For vindication of this claim, Marxists impatiently await the Third
World’s rising up against the West. Sadly for them, the only true revolution since the 1950s was Iran’s in 1978-79. It ended with militant Islam in power and the Left in hiding. Then came 9/11, which Marxists interpreted as the Third World (finally!) striking back at its American oppressor. In the Left’s imagination, Harris explains, this attack was nothing less than “world-historical in its significance: the dawn of a new revolutionary era.” Only a pedant would point out that the suicide hijackers hardly represented the wretched of the earth; and that their objectives had nothing at all to do with socialism and everything to do with--no, not again!--militant Islam. So desperate is the Left for some sign of true socialism, it overlooks such pesky details. Instead, it warily admires Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and militant Islam in general for doing battle with the United States. The Left tries to overlook militant Islam’s slightly un-socialist practices-such as its imposing religious law, excluding women from the workplace, banning the payment of interest, encouraging private property, and persecuting atheists. This admiring spirit explains the Left’s nonchalant response to 9/11. Sure, it rued the loss of life, but not too much. Dario Fo, the Italian Marxist who won the 1997 Nobel Prize for literature, explains: “The great [Wall Street] speculators wallow in an economy that every year kills tens of millions of people with poverty so what is 20,000 dead in New York?” The same goes for Saddam Hussein, whose gruesome qualities matters less to the Left than the fact of his confronting and defying the United States. In its view, anyone who does that can’t be too bad--never mind that he brutalizes his subjects and invades his neighbors. The Left takes to the streets to assure his survival, indifferent both to the fate of Iraqis and even to their own safety, clutching instead at the hope that this monster will somehow bring socialism closer. In sum: 9/11 and the prospect of war against Saddam Hussein have exposed the Left’s political self-delusion, intellectual bankruptcy, and moral turpitude. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Militant Islam Reaches America (W.W. Norton). His articles are available at: www.DanielPipes.org.
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SATURDAY, MAY 31 BESTT Graduation, 10 a.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 1 Federation Partnership 2000, June 1-3 Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Volunteer Recognition Brunch, 11:30 a.m. Eagle Scout Ceremony, 2 p.m. Swim Team Parent Meeting, 5 p.m. Congregational Tribute to Dorothy Spizman, 5:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Beth El Women’s Rosh Chodesh Program, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Carole Greenberg MONDAY, JUNE 2 YES Program, 10 a.m. Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 5 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Foundations in Drawing Class, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 Specialty Camp Orientation, 9 a.m. B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge THURSDAY, JUNE 5 Specialty Camp Orientation, 9 a.m. Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. B’nai B’rith Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth El OCTL Shavuos All Night Learning Program, 11 p.m., 1313 No. 58 St.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11 JOLT II Meeting, noon Hadassah Luncheon, noon B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 13 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.
MONDAY, JUNE 8 LOVE Event, 1: 30 p.m.
TUESDAY, JUNE 17 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 Musical Theatre Camp, 9 a.m. YES Program, 10 a.m. Federation Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Foundations in Drawing Class, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. BBYO BBG Council Meeting, 6 p.m. RBJH “Glen Miller Reveiw,” 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 19 Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Monthly Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. in the Kripke Library
SUNDAY, JUNE 22 Visions Brownville Concert, 11:30 a.m.
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MONDAY, JUNE 23 YES Program, 10 a.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, JUNE 24 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge THURSDAY, JUNE 26 Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Visions Baseball & Bar-B-Que, 6 p.m. at Rosenblatt Stadium SUNDAY, JUNE 29 Beth El Women’s Rosh Chodesh Program, 7 p.m. (location to be announced) MONDAY, JUNE 30 YES Program, 10 a.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel
FRIDAY, JUNE 20 OCTL Happy Minyan Prayer, 7 p.m.
All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
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May 30, 2003
Tastes of Jewish Tradition
READ IT AND EAT
by J. Hirsh, I. Goodman, A Goldenholz & S. Roth (JCC of Milwaukee, $26.95+ $4 s&h)
Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN For you and your family to learn about the holidays, the origins and meanings and enjoy the suggestions on how to experience them...Tastes of Jewish Tradition is delightful reading and fun projects. Beginning with Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah and continuing through the 11 yearly holidays to Shavuot, read about each holiday, the traditions, food facts, menus with a blessings guide, creative “Kids in the Kitchen” and arts and crafts projects, and a read-aloud story. Spring, summer and fall harvests are connected to Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. Shavuot (which means “weeks” in Hebrew), known as Chag HaBikkurim, the holiday of first fruits, is also connected by the rabbis to the giving of the Torah and is celebrated seven weeks from the second night of Passover. “On Shavuot we received a Torah, the gift of God’s commandments.” This anniversary of receiving the Ten Commandments is also the holiday during which “Reform Jews celebrate Confirmation, the ceremony in which (post B’nai Mitzvah teens) affirm their acceptance of Torah for milk and honey and decorating your home in flowers and greens. These holiday sections are followed by the recipes which were favorites contributed by the Milwaukee community. More than 130 recipes are included. Dandy templates for the art projects and blessings and prayers follow. Following the ingredient list the recipes include brief instructions, chef ’s tips, yields and whether the dish is parve, dairy or meat. Shavuot meals are often dairy, as it is suggested
that “once the Israelites received the Torah, they had to adopt a kosher lifestyle.” And the “Midrash tells us that the Israelites overslept on the day of receiving the Torah! Therefore, the custom of staying up all night studying, reading and discussing Torah and other traditional books are to show God that we are excited to receive His words. Also, the Jewish mystics said the sky opens at midnight for just a moment to reveal Heaven on this evening.” Whatever your family traditions to celebrate are, here’s a recipe to try from this delightful cookbook and project book. INCREDIBLY EASY CHALLAH 2 packages dry active yeast 71/2 cups all-purpose flour 11/2 sticks margarine 1 cup hot (not boiling) water 3 eggs plus 1 yolk 1/2 teaspoon salt 11/4 cups sugar 1 egg to coat challah Sift yeast and flour. In a large bowl, mix margarine and water until margarine is melted. Add eggs, yolk, salt and sugar. Keep mixing. Gradually add flour mixing well (a wooden spoon works great). Cover bowl with warm damp towel and leave covered for three hours, more is better. Smash down, divide into 12 balls. Roll into snakes. Braid snakes into four loaves. Put on cookie sheet. Cover with damp towel for one hour. Brush loaves with beaten egg. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Pareve; yields four loaves.
Beth El Offers Shavuot Evening Study Session by OZZIE NOGG Shavuot--the festival that celebrates the giving of the Torah--will be marked at Beth El Synagogue with the traditional nighttime Tikun Leil Shavuot Study Session on the first evening of the festival, Thursday, June 5, 6 p.m., beginning with MinchaMa’ariv, followed by a Shavuot Dinner at 6:30 p.m. The dairy meal costs $5 a person. Following dinner, Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Guy Matalon, JELS Director and UNO Professor, will each teach two classes. Rabbi Levin will explore “Shavuot and Its Meaning” and Professor Matalon
will shed light on “God, Torah and Israel: Jewish Poetry for Shavuot.” Each 45 minute-long session is designed to combine text study along with discussion. During the 15-minute break between classes, Cantor Emil Berkovits will lead a Shavuot Songfest. During the Tikun, students in Rabbi Levin’s “Introduction To Judaism” classes will receive a Special Certificate. Beth El’s Tikun Leil Shavuot is open to the entire community. Please make your reservations with Program Director, Kathy Schmitt, at 492-8550.
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New Scroll of Ruth to be Dedicated on Shavuot at Temple by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel’s four Torah scrolls will be rededicated and a new Scroll of Ruth will be dedicated for the first time at Erev Shavuot services, beginning on Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m. Sofer-in-Residence Rabbi Moshe Druin, who spent a week at Temple in April restoring the existing scrolls, was also commissioned by the Women of Reform JudaismOmaha (WRJ-O) to inscribe a new Book of Ruth for the congregation. “It is complete,” reported Rabbi Druin from his home in Florida. He explained that before a sofer begins to work on a Megillah of Ruth or any other megillah, he has to spend much time practicing. “It’s hard to even estimate how long it takes” to finally complete the “entirely hand written” scroll. But it takes “a long time,” he emphasized. Rabbi Druin added that his experience at Temple Israel “was more touching than I have encountered in a long time. This was a community that had a love of Judaism, a love of Torah, and a sincere love to learn--the very lesson that Ruth gave to us. It was a wonderful thing and a source of inspiration to me. A community that loves to learn should hold within it a Megillah of Ruth.” Rabbi Craig Marantz of Temple Israel said, “The service is a celebration of the Gift of Torah. Shavuot gives us a chance to reflect on the power of the Torah to shape our freedom to be Jewish and make our Jewish practice most meaningful.” Fifth graders from Temple Israel’s Religious School will sing the opening song, “Tree of Life” by Richard Silverman to be followed by an opening prayer by Temple member Katherine Finnegan. Other congregants involved in planning the service with Rabbi Marantz, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, and Cantor Wendy Shermet are Stacey Rockman, President of WRJ-O, and Rosie Zweiback, Temple Israel Program Director. To celebrate the giving of the Torah, including the Ten Commandments, at Mount Sinai, Rabbi Marantz will read them in Hebrew followed by the English translation of the commandments by the fifth grade class. Temple’s adult learners; Jews-by-choice, who will hold the new Scroll of Ruth; and nearly 200 families who donated to WRJ-O’s Torah Restoration Project will be honored at the service. After spending part of the service with their parents in the sanctuary, children in third through sixth grades will be invited to attend a special ageappropriate program and Oneg with Stephanie Grossman, Temple’s Director of Youth and Informal Education. Sitter service will be available for younger children. Following services in the sanctuary and an Oneg, the clergy and other Temple staff members will facilitate a study session on “The Six Remembrances” (Sheish Z’chirot), biblical verses whereby Jews are commanded to recall certain events.
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Don Fiedler will reprise his role as the icon in American courtrooms this weekend in the critically acclaimed play, An Evening with Clarence Darrow. The limited engagement at the Blue Barn Theater is tonight through Sunday, May 30-June 1, 7:30 p.m. Fiedler, who has been a practicing attorney in Omaha since 1970, is a former President of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association and has served three terms on its national board. As an actor, Fielder has been recognized for his roles as Lenny in the Omaha Community Playhouse production Of Mice and Men, and Vito in Breaking Legs. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and may be obtained by calling 345-1976.
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The Jewish Press office will be closed Friday, June 6 for Shavuot. The deadline for ads, photos and articles is noon as follows: Issue Deadline June 13 Wednesday, June 4 Questions? Call 334-6448.
May 30, 2003
PEOPLE OF THE BYTE by MARK MIETKIEWICZ Shavuot is coming and so are the blintzes and cheesecakes. Although it’s customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot, you may want to take a pass on some of the cholesterol. There are other ways to remember the holiday at your dining room table--if you look at the holiday’s agricultural roots. In the days of the Temple, Shavuot was the time when farmers would bring the first harvest of seven special grains and fruits to Jerusalem. Nowadays, we have no Temple but you can enjoy dishes made from the Seven Species: wheat and barley, grapes and figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. Today some Shavuot food for your table--and food for thought--from the World Wide Web. (Please note that some recipes mentioned in today’s column may require substitutions if you plan to enjoy them in a meat meal.) Wheat has always been considered fundamental to Jewish life. “If there is no flour there is no Torah; if there is no Torah there is no flour.” (Pirke Avot 3:21) In Foods of the Bible, Phyllis Glazer presents a wonderful overview of how our ancestors would mill grains and explains what kinds of breads, cakes and other dishes would be prepared. She then shares recipes for unleavened flatbread, wild wheat salad and earthy unyeasted bread. I like the way Glazer tries to paint the scene as she does with Biblical Dumplings. “Perhaps it was the hunting season, and the young shepherd boy was out with his flocks in the hills. His provisions were few--flour, oil, salt and water from a nearby oasis. Chancing upon a quail’s nest, he made off with its precious contents. And back at the oasis, he may have come up with this original dish. (Serves the shepherd and three of his comrade.)” [http://ariga.com/visions/biblfood/wheat.htm] Glazer has dug deep into the Torah and has found many facts that will hearten barley aficionados. Barley is mentioned no less than 32 times in the Bible. In the Book of Ruth (which is traditionally read on Shavuot), Boaz first fancied Ruth working in the field under the hot sun and gives her a gift of “six measures of barley.” (Ruth 3:15) [http://ariga.com/visions/biblfood/barley.htm] After you’ve soaked in barley’s rich history, you can try your hand at barley break cakes and wash it down with barley tea. Or reach for something a bit more stout and read about the Land of Israel’s ancient ties to beer, usually brewed from barley. Archeologists digging at Tel Isdar have uncovered 3,000-year old beer mugs which indicate that beer drinking in Israel went back to the days of King Saul and King David. [www.fosters.com.au/beer/ history/history_of_beer.asp] As food writer and historian Gil Marks notes, grapes were the most important fruit in ancient Israel. There are numerous references to grapes and wine in the Torah, from Noah’s indiscretions after the Flood to the huge grape cluster that the spies brought back after their tour of Canaan. The children of Israel are even compared to this “As grapes in the desert I found Israel.” Marks then presents a few recipes that incorporate wine such as Israeli Raspberry-Orange Wine Soup, Ashkenazic Chicken with Wine and Alsatian Wine-Poached Pears. [www.ou.org/shabbat/recipes/ grapes.htm]
Shavuot and the Seven Species The fig also has the distinction of being the first fruit mentioned in the Torah whose leafs allows Adam and Eve to cover up. (Genesis 3:7) If dried figs don’t inspire you, then take a look at some of the creative alternatives presented by Jerry Parsons, Professor of Horticulture at Texas A&M University. You’ll find figcentered recipes including stuffed fresh figs, poached figs, fig jam and fig ice cream. [http://makeashorterlink.com/?C37A210A4] According to the Midrash, pomegranates (rimonim) have 613 seeds corresponding to the number of mitzvot. The fruit was held in such high esteem that it was adorned to the Temple’s columns and used widely on coins. [http://makeashorterlink. com/?W12242294] You can ponder the fruit's importance as you dine on some pomegranate soup, followed by pomegranate lamb topped off by pomegranate ginger muffins. [http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blmuff16.htm] Beyond their familiar tastes, each of the Seven Species are said to have special Kabbalistic attributes. The Lubavitcher Rebbe suggests that for most of us, “life” is synonymous with “struggle…We struggle to find a partner in life, and then we struggle to preserve our marriage; we struggle to raise our children…The ‘olive’ in us is that part of ourselves that thrives on struggle, that revels in it, that would no more escape it than escape life itself. ‘Just like an olive,’ say our sages, ‘which yields its oil only when pressed,’ so, too, do we yield what is best in us only when pressed between the millstones of life and the counter forces of a divided self.” To find out why the fig embodies “perfection,” the pomegranate represents “deeds” and fig is a symbol of “involvement” check out Yanki Tauber’s article “Seasons of the Soul: The Seven Kinds.” [http://chabadonline.com/scripts/tgij/paper/Ar ticle.asp?ArticleID=2776] When the Torah mentions “honey” it isn’t actually referring to bee-honey but to honey made by boiling dates with sugar and scooping out the sugar that rises to the top. [www.gemsinisrael.com/e_ article000039885.htm] Israel currently exports nine varieties of dates including medjoul, halawi and zahidi. [www.hadiklaim.com] Use them in Date Pecan Bread, Rice Crispy Date Roll, Lamb Tajine with Dates and Almonds or the more than 100 date recipes at Just Fruit Recipes. [www.justfruitrecipes.com/date/] The Seven Species may all be lovely foods but they certainly don’t corner the market on great Israeli produce. What unique qualities do they share that gives them special status? I’ll leave the last word to Israeli botanist-agriculturalist, Noga Hareuveni. “They require, in addition to hard work and intelligent agricultural processing, the right degree of sun, wind and rain in the proper proportions at the right time. These seven species obviously demand not only human effort but also Divine intervention. They are testimony to the partnership between humans and God in producing the life-sustaining foods from the earth.” [www.jpost.com/com/Archive/29.Jul.1999/Columns/Article-0.html] Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based website producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at: highway@rogers.com.
OCTL Hosts “Late Night with the Rabbis” by SHARI BLUM On the 50th Day of the counting of the Omer, Jews around the world will celebrate the event of the giving of the Torah, the holiday of Shavuos. What better place to celebrate than Omaha’s very own kollel, the Omaha Center for Torah Learning, dedicated entirely to learning and teaching Torah. The Beis Medrash (“Study Hall”) will be open all night Thursday, June 5, 11 p.m. , and classes will be offered by the OCTL’s rabbis, Rabbi Aryeh Blum and Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman. “On Shavuos night we stay up all night learning Torah to show our great love and appreciation for God’s greatest gift,” explained Rabbi Blum, OCTL’s Director. “Sometimes, we tend to sleepwalk throughout the year, but Shavuos is our chance to be stand up, be bold, and state, ‘I’m worthy of receiving the Torah’.’”
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As always, all Jews are welcome and dairy cakes (as well as tea and coffee, of course) will be available. “The Torah is the deepest spiritual connection between one Jew and another,” he added. “I invite all of Omaha Jewry to come and connect with us this holiday.” This is also an opportunity to meet the newest member of OCTL: Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman, who arrived in Omaha last Sunday with his wife, Ariella, and two young daughters. Both Rabbi Blum and Rabbi Hoffman will be available to study with on Thursday night, as well as for one-on-one study sessions throughout the summer. Please call Rabbi Blum at 320-8055 to arrange a time. Shavuos night is, of course, free of charge and the only thing to lose is sleep!
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May 30, 2003
ORGANIZATIONS
IN THE NEWS
OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING The community is invited to a Sheva Brachos Kiddush, Saturday, May 31, 12:30 p.m. in honor of newlyweds Eva and Josh Gonsher. It is sponsored by the friends of Josh’s parents, Rini and Allan Gonsher. It’s also an opportunity to welcome OCTL’s second couple, Rabbi Tuvia and Ariella Hoffman. Rabbi Aryeh Blum will give his weekly parasha shiur tomorrow afternoon, May 31, 6:30 p.m. The Beit Midrash meets on Tuesday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. The Wednesday Women’s Class is June 4, 7:30 p.m., all at the OCTL House, 1313 No. 58 St. Join OCTL for the weekly discussion of Torah Topics at Lunch ’n Learn, Wednesday, June 4, noon, at the Kripke Library; the Wednesday Teen Class meets at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Brooke Shrago, 805 So. 120 Ave. Join the OCTL for the first night of Shavuos, Thursday, June 5, 11 p.m., for open Beis Medrash and classes all night long, in honor of the festival of the giving of the Torah. For information about OCTL, call Rabbi Aryeh Blum at 320-8055.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN NCJW-Omaha Section will host its monthly board meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 7 p.m., at the JCC. Board members who served in the 2002-03 program year should bring their notebooks and materials to give to 2003-04 board members and officers.
WALK-IN, DROP IN There will be no program as the holiday of Shavuot begins at sundown, Thursday, June 5.
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Join the group Wednesday, June 4, noon, at the Park Inn Regency. Lunch is $9; beverage service only, $2. Programs are open to the community.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH The Yiddish Conversation Group will meet on Thursday, 1-3 p.m. at the JCC. Call Anne Skolkin for information at 343-1638. Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share for “YES Talk” at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon in the auditorium, join us for dancing with the Broadway Connections. For transportation, call Dee Dee at 330-4272. Call Eileen Remer at 334-6521 for reservations: Father’s Day Party and the Rick & Cris Show is June 16, deadline is June 9.
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She holds an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College and has taught at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is currently an assistant professor in English at Creighton University. With Erin Belieu, she is the editor of The Extraordinary Tide: New Poetry by American Women (Columbia University Press, 2001). Jennifer Cooper, a graduating senior at Millard North High School, received the Senior Woman of the Year Award at Honors Night. This is the highest award given to a student by Millard North. She also won the award as a freshman. In addition, Jennifer received a top percent Honor Cord, President’s Education Award, Principal’s Leadership Award and National Honor Society award. Jennifer will attend Indiana UniversityBloomington in the fall, where she received a Faculty Award. She was selected to be a member of the nationally ranked IU Pom Squad. Jennifer is the daughter of Rose and Harvey Cooper. Evan Robinson, of Norfolk, graduated from the Eller College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He will be staying in Tucson and is employed by American Express Financial as a Financial Advisor. Evan is the son of Dick and Betti Robinson of Norfolk, and grandson of Bob and Letha Pitlor of Lincoln and the late Margaret and Arnold Robinson.
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Creighton University English professor and nationally recognized poet Susan Aizenberg has received the 2003 Distinguished Artist Award from the Nebraska Arts Council, as well as the $1,000 Sixth Annual Larry Levis Reading Prize. The Artist Fellowship Award worth $5,000 recognizes exemplary achievements by originating artists in their fields of endeavor and supports the contributions made by Nebraska artists to the quality of life. The Levis Reading Prize, from the Department of English at Virginia Commonwealth University, is for the best first or second book of poetry published in the year 2002 and honors Aizenberg’s book-length collection titled Muse, published by Southern Illinois University Press as part of their Crab Orchard Poetry Series. The award is named for the late poet Larry Levis and includes an all expenses-paid reading at Virginia Commonwealth University. Aizenberg is a contributing editor for The Nebraska Review, having served as its poetry editor for ten years. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in many journals, including Prairie Schooner, AGNI, The Journal, Laurel Review, Passages North, Third Coast, Chelsea, the Journal, ONTHEBUS, and the Prague Review. Her first collection, Peru, appeared in Graywolf ’s Take Three 2: AGNI New Poets Series, which has been chosen as a “Recommended Book” by both the Poetry and Small Press editors of Amazon.com, and as a “Noted Book” by American Poet.
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“An evening with Darrow is one of the better on-person seen on stage “in several years” —Larry L. Kubert— Lincoln Journal Review
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Laurie and Jeff Abramson of Missouri Valley, IA, announce the May 8 birth of a son, Andrew James. Grandparents are Ronald Ray Allen, Jr., and Susan and Roger Farley, all of
Iowa, and Dan Abramson of Nevada. Great-grandparents are Norma and Ronald Allen, Sr., Don Adams, and Rose and Jim Sell, all of Iowa, and Babe Dobrofsky of Omaha.
OLDTIMERS/Y.E.S REVIEW by ILENE PACHMAN This has been quite a year for Y.E.S, as I finish one year as President with another one to go. We’ve done quite a bit, all thanks to Maggie Conti and her helpers, Eileen and Stacey. We wish more Y.E.S. members and prospective members would come to the ‘J’ and join us. See your friends
(they may not recognize you if you haven’t seen them in awhile!)--or make new friends. If you need transportation, call Dee Dee at 330-4272. We have lots of plans for the summer; join us for bingo or exercise and then the discussion group prior to an always great lunch. See you soon!
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Road Map (Continued from page 1) low in these “temporary shelters” under the specious premise and promise of the “inalienable right of return” as defined by the UN for more than 50 years. Another three million Palestinian Arabs are defined by UNRWA as official refugees and serviced by UNRWA. Canada chairs the RWG, the Refugee Working Group together with the US and the EU countries. The RWG provides the continuing official western governmental policy that stirs the expectation amongst the Palestinian Arabs that they will be repatriated to the Arab villages from 1948, which have been replaced by Israeli cities, collective farms and woodlands. The genesis of a Palestinian Arab entity has done nothing to stem those expectations. The ideology of the PLO remains that every Arab who left in 1948 who claims to be descended from an Arab who left in 1948 can have the absolute unquestioned right to return to that village. IRNA asked the head of the PLO refugee committee, Daoud Baraket, about the difficulties of that “right of return,” since Israelis live in cities which replaced the Arab villages from 1948. Baraket had a simple solution. “The Israelis should leave,” he said. And what if they do not leave, we asked. “Well, we would have to kill them, and international law would be on our side,” Baraket said. It is no wonder that the 59 UNRWA refugee camps remain the safe haven of Arab terror groups. And what the U.S. discovered during the April war with Iraq was that UNRWA refugee camps in
Lebanon, financed in part by the U.S., were transformed into paramilitary training centers for well trained Arab militias that were dispatched to fight the U.S. and Britain in Iraq. More than 320,000 Palestinian Arab refugees live in the worst of the UNRWA camps in Lebanon, which is the only host country for UNRWA that restricts Palestinian Arabs from working in most professions, so as to keep the Palestinian Arabs in the UNRWA camps. The UNRWA camps in Lebanon conduct their daily military exercises to dispatch thousands of refugees to flood northern Israel to retake their homes and villages that were lost in the 1948 war. And these refugees in Lebanon are being are being primed by UNRWA policies which are endorsed by the U.S., Canada and the EU. The people of Israel know nothing of all this. They will soon find out, however. After 15,000 Arab terror attacks throughout Israel which have taken the lives of almost 800 murdered Israelis in less than three years, the people of Israel are in for a rude awakening. The rallying call which inspires Arab terror is the “right of return,” not “free the West Bank and Gaza.” That rallying call is not only supported by Arab terrorists. The right of return, which means the right to murder just about all of the people of Israel, is supported by the official foreign policies of the U.S., Canada, and the EU. Israel is at war with the world.
Local Leaders Attend Annual Cantors’ Convention by OZZIE NOGG Cantors Emil Berkovits and Gastón Bogomolni of Beth El Synagogue recently returned from the 56th annual convention of the Cantors’ Assembly, held this year in Los Angeles, CA. The Assembly is the largest professional organization of cantors in the world and an affiliate of the Conservative movement. Featured speakers included prominent Conservative rabbis Bradley Artson, Elliot Dorff and David Wolpe who addressed the changing role of Jewish clergy in the 21st century. Among other presenters were nationally syndicated radio host, Dennis Prager, and terrorism expert, Steven Emerson. Convention delegates were treated to a preview of the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, an ambitious project conducted over several years to chronicle and record masterpieces that reflect the American Jewish experience. Particularly moving, was a session presented by Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation. The delegates also attended evening concerts at two of the country’s most prestigious synagogues--Sinai Temple and Stephen S.
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Wise Temple. Jacob Ben Zion Mendelson, an internationally renowned cantor who serves Temple Israel Center of White Plains, New York, was installed as the Cantors’ Assembly’s newest president. Cantor Mendelson is a respected teacher of Hazzanut and has served on the faculties of the Academy of Jewish Religion, Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is also profiled in a soon to be released documentary entitled, Chazz’n. Also noteworthy of this convention was the installation of the organization’s first woman officer, Nancy Abramson, of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City. Women were first admitted into the Cantors’ Assembly in 1990. “This was my first convention,” said Cantor Bogomolni, who is still acting as Beth El’s Ritual Director until he assumes the Cantorial duties on Aug. 1. “At the Convention, I was introduced as a new member of the Cantors’ Assembly. After they presented my name during the meeting, almost 150 cantor’s voices welcomed me by singing, Havenu Shalom Aleichem. I was thrilled!”
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Omaha to Host Partnership 2000 Midwest Consortium by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Twenty-five Americans and Israelis will spend three days in the Omaha Jewish community, June 1-3, to discuss which programs and projects to support in Israel’s Western Galilee, Omaha’s Partnership 2000 area. The communities participating in this bi-annual Consortium meeting are: Canton, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Dayton, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Louisville, Kentucky; San Antonio, Texas; and the Western Galilee in Israel. Joanie Kaiman is the chairperson for the weekend event. She is working with Zoë Riekes, Federation Vice-president and the Partnership 2000 Midwest Consortium Social/Cultural Chairman, and Jan Schneiderman, F e d e r a t i o n Israel/Overseas Cochairman. “There are very important decisions to be made during this weekend,” said Kaiman. “Our Partnership area in the Western Galilee is quite unique and is home to both Arabs and Jews. In the past, we’ve come up with some innovative programming for teens, the arts and women’s issues. We truly are improving the quality of life for people in the region.” Partnership 2000 is a national program started by United Jewish Communities that pairs Jewish communities in the United States with similar regions in Israel. Israeli and American Jews meet twice a year to develop and monitor projects and programs that meet the needs of the people in the region. They also share business, medical and educational expertise. Over the past few years educators, doctors and students from Omaha and the Western Galilee have visited each other to exchange information and experiences. One recent Partnership 2000 exchange occurred last summer when four young athletes from the region came to Omaha to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games, along with three faculty members from the Art Department of the Western Galilee College who facilitated one of the “hang-time” activities. The four large-scale murals they helped create with the athletes during the Games now hang in the Jewish Community Center. The Partnership 2000 Midwest Consortium meetings are being held at the Jewish Community Center and will also include evening visits to local tourist spots.
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Temple Israel to Honor Dorothy Spizman Upon her Retirement by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel’s Executive Director Dorothy Spizman is retiring May 31. When she started in 1983 as Temple administrator, she expected to stay “for five years--tops,” she recalled. Rabbi Barry Weinstein, associate rabbi at the time, encouraged her to interview for the position. He is one of seven rabbis, five cantors, and 13 Temple presidents with whom Spizman has worked over the past 20 years. “I grew to love this job. It grew and I grew. It wasn’t anything I wanted to leave after five years,” she acknowledged. After 10 years, her title was changed to Executive Director. Dorothy and her husband, the late Phil Spizman, moved to Omaha in 1962 and joined Temple that same year. They both became active congregants. Their children were consecrated, became B’nai Mitzvah, were confirmed at Temple, and were involved in Omaha Temple Youth Group. Spizman reflected on the changes she has seen seen over the years including building construction projects and additional adult education opportunities thanks to the gift of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. She has seen “the volunteer scene” change. “Volunteers do more of the planning,” she explained. They are more involved in “the big picture” and not as much in the details. She also had to become “computer literate,” she smiled in her typically self-mocking way. She considers herself lucky to have been in a position to affect other people’s lives. They consider it fortunate to have had her help. Jeff and Sandy Passer met Spizman in 1985, “when we got married,” said Sandy Passer. “We got to know Dorothy in our roles as Sisterhood President and as Temple Board members. I’ve
worked with Dorothy for years on the congregational seder.” They’ve also been guided by Spizman in planning life cycle events from weddings to their children’s B’nai Mitzvah as have hundreds of other Temple members. “Besides just being a friend, Dorothy is so perceptive and she really knows every congregant. She seems to know intuitively what their needs are and how to make them comfortable. It doesn’t matter who they are,” Passer said. Silvia Roffman, another Temple member and volunteer, remarked, “The best thing about Dorothy is that congregants know that they have her attention and discretion and friendship. Her sense of humor is contagious, and she’s able to handle any situation with calm and integrity.” “The opportunity to get to know such a variety of people,” according to Spizman, “has been the most enjoyable part of my job.” Retiring from it “hasn’t been an easy decision.” But she is looking forward to being able to spend more time with her family. “I’ve got a long list of things I’d like to do,” she admitted. “It’ll be fun just to finish a book,” she joked. She also confided that transforming into a congregant who doesn’t work at Temple “is going to be really hard to turn off. It’ll
take a little time, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. Temple Israel will still be my congregation, and with such a closely-knit staff, I’ll still feel they are an extension of my family. I know that’s not going to change.” Indeed, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel thinks of Spizman as a part of his family as well as a dedicated professional. “Having Dorothy as a loyal, devoted, energizing partner for 15 years on a daily basis has been a blessing to me and the congregation,” he emphasized. A dinner in Spizman’s honor is planned for Sunday, June 1, at Temple Israel. Her children, Randy and Julie from Phoenix and their two children, Mikaela, 14, and Jacob, 11; Dorothy’s daughter Beth from Omaha; and sons David from Kansas City; and Mark from Phoenix will all be attending the dinner. Relatives from Minneapolis and Moline, Illinois, are also coming. “It’s hard to put in words what Dorothy has meant to this congregation,” commented Mike Walts, President of Temple Israel. Her warmth, personality, and ability to relate to people are her greatest attributes. Although we’ll miss her in her role as Executive Director, we look forward to many years of being together with her as a congregant. “She is still a part of our Temple family.”
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