May 31, 2013

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Dr. Larry Roffman Humanitarian of the Year

May 31, 2013 22 Sivan 5773 Vol. 93 | No. 37

This Week

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Being Jewish, according to Dr. Larry Roffman, “is not about sitting on the sidelines of life. It is life. You reach out, you welcome newcomers, you volunteer, you study, you vote, care, support Israel, and you add your voice to public discussions.” Larry Roffman is this year’s Humanitarian of the Year, and will be honored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha at the Annual Meeting on June 3. Originally from Council Bluffs, IA, Larry attended Abraham Lincoln High School, after which he studied at the State University of Iowa, earning a combined B.A. and medical degree. He and his wife Silvia (Sivi) have two daughters. Susie is married to Mike Norton, Julie is married to Thor Rosenquist. They’ve also been blessed with grandchildren: Justin, Seth, Aaron and Leo Norton, and Asher and Eitan Rosenquist. “My father Sam told me once that

Incredible Israel experiences Page 6

Getting to know the city of Prague Page 7

Dr. Larry Roffman everybody has to have a job and earn a living,” Larry says. He’s tried to follow that advice (and then some) ever since. His primary hospital was Clarkson

Hospital, and he served several terms as Chairman of the OB/GYN department. In fact, the comment frequently heard around the community is: “Larry Roffman? Oh, he delivered me/my siblings/my children!” Case in point: “Dr. Larry Roffman has given a lifetime of commitment and devotion to the Jewish Community of Omaha,” says Jody Malashock, Jewish Federation of Omaha President. “I congratulate Larry on receiving the highest honor of our Jewish Federation. On a personal note, Dr. Roffman will always be special to me – he delivered both of my children.” It’s one way to have an impact on many, but Larry didn’t stop there. He’s acted as a volunteer clinical instructor for OB/GYN medical students at the former Nebraska College of Medicine,

which is now the Nebraska Medical Center. His colleagues honored him as a “Clarkson legend.” Since his retirement, he has continued to work with the Nebraska Medical Center on a variety of projects. Larry is a Past President of Temple Israel, and a former member of the Investment Committee. He continues to serve on the Jewish Federation Foundation Board of Directors, and has served on the Jewish Social Services Board, where he was named an Honorary Trustee for Life. He continues his membership on the Douglas County Hospital Foundation Board, and was a board member for the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, due to his interest in the history of Iowa and Nebraska, and Council Bluffs and Omaha in particular. Maybe that interest in history is partially responsible for the fact that Larry doesn’t easily forget where he comes from, or who helped him along the way. Continued on page 2

The cool new space Ryan’s story of glory The remarkable story of Jacob Besser Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Week Father’s Day See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

9 10 11

Corey Kirshenbaum --and all ‘his’ kids-- have much to be excited about by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPThen there’s the actual kids’ space. WRIGHT The teen lounge, aftercare: it’s been hidden from view for weeks, and it’s Editor of the Jewish Press You may have noticed: something impossible to see what’s going on. has been brewing in the canteen area. Youth Director Corey Kirshenbaum Space has been blocked off, Friedel and BBYO Director Leora Azriel Jewish Academy has a new donor have temporarily moved their offices wall and a nice set of double doors, to the CJL’s Kripke Library, and afterwhile the canteen itself has actual fur- care has taken up residence in the niture. As in: comfy couches and new Community Room. We’ve heard sustables and chairs and art on the wall. picious noises, smelled all sorts of things, and wondered about the end result of all that hard work. What, exactly, is it that Mike Silverman means when he uses the word “update?” “The project is generously funded by the Ann Goldstein JCC Endowment fund,” says Mike, “and we are looking forward to its completion at the end of May. The new enhanced space will provide more room for our teens to socialize, and upgraded Continued on page 3

Ryan Haney and Jen Freeman by JEN FREEMAN JCC Personal Trainer JCC member Ryan Haney is a 39year-old husband to Jen Naughton and proud father of two wonderful sons. When I first met Ryan, however, I knew him only as a participant in my Group Exercise classes. I would think to myself, “Wow, that guy is a real blast to have in class…a little ‘sassy’ and opinionated, but truly a delight otherwise.” Little did I know the accomplishments he would achieve within the span of a year. Ryan started attending my Boot Camp and Strength classes in early

2012. He also started training with JCC Personal Trainer Beth Cutsor. By June of 2012, he became extremely focused on his fitness routine, because he had entered into a “Biggest Loser” type competition with his peers. During this time period, I weighed and measured Ryan on four occasions. He became leaner and stronger every time we met for these measurements. In September 2012, Ryan weighed 245 lbs His body fat percentage was 25.5% and his waist measured 46.25 inches. He scheduled another body Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2013

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Rockmans Rock! 2014 Campaign Chairs named by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Longtime community leaders and experienced fundraisers Stacey and Jonathan Rockman will lead the 2014 Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO) Annual Campaign. Together, they have decades of philanthropic and volunteer experience. Their knowledge and depth of care and concern for Jewish Omaha, Israel and Jewish life in the diaspora will have an enormous impact on this year’s Campaign. The Rockmans succeed Carl and Zoë Riekes, who just finished an unprecedented third year (2009, 2010, 2013) chairing the Annual Campaign. Together with their children, Stacey and Brett Atlas, Carl and Zoë emphasized the importance of multi-generational community involvement and certainly led by example. With the Rockmans at the helm, this generational model of leadership will continue with family members serving together in Campaign leadership roles. Stacey and Jonathan come to the Federation Annual Campaign as seasoned fundraisers. Together with the late Phil Schrager, they co-chaired the Israel Emergency

Campaign in 2006 which successfully raised in excess of $1 million; with the funds going directly to Israel to support those areas hard hit by a month of Hezbollah and Hamas missile attacks. “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the Rockmans chairing the Campaign. No one knows Omaha better than Stacey and above all, both she and Jonathan care deeply about this community,” said Marty Ricks, JFO Chief Development Officer. “They are eager to build upon last year’s success and so we have already begun meeting to plan out the 2014 Annual Campaign. They are focused on a plan, setting goals and understand the importance of follow-through. We are fortunate to have their experience and brainpower working for us.” The Rockmans are very active in our local Jewish community and both have traveled extensively to Israel for personal, business and philanthropic reasons. Their travels have provided them a deep understanding of Jewish needs in Israel and the diaspora and they are ready to put that knowledge to work for Jewish Omaha.

Humanitarian of the Year Continued from page 1 “My teachers, from elementary through medical school, had a very strong effect on me,” he says. “They set the standards I have always tried to perpetuate.” Those teachers, no doubt, would be proud: the Roffmans established a scholarship at Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine, specifically targeted at students from Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. “We Jewish kids from Council Bluffs grew up with our AZA buddies in Omaha. We socialized, met up at the JCC for dances and meetings and created wonderful bonds that have lasted for many years, especially since many of us made the move from Council Bluffs to Omaha over time.” “From the moment I arrived in Omaha, Larry has been available to provide helpful counsel,” says Mike Silverman, Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO. “His commitment to our Jewish community is unparallelled. At JSS, he shows a rare level of insight. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Humanitarian of the Year award. To Larry, Jewish life centers on family. Family means Sivi, his children and grandchildren, brother and his family, and

all other relatives. “But,” he says, “there’s more to it than literal family. It also means good, dear friends. It means schmoozing, “solving” local and national problems over breakfast, lunch or dinner with like-minded individuals. Few things are better than being with friends who are equally invested in the Jewish Federation, our Jewish community, and Omaha in general. My ‘eating partners’ are people who give time and money to a variety of causes, from Jewish Federation to synagogues, and from education to organ donation and civic organizations. Family means sharing the passion to make the world better. We can’t do it alone.” Larry counts himself fortunate to have the high caliber of both lay and professional leadership in Omaha. “Because we care, Omaha is recognized nationally for our philanthropy and our ability to get the best out of people everywhere, from synagogues to Federation agencies and various community organizations.” Dr. Roffman will be presented with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Humanitarian of the Year Award during the Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3, at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater.

Ryan’s story of glory Continued from page 1 measurement and assessment in November (let’s take note: this is Thanksgiving month). He weighed in at 220.4 lbs with a waist measurement of 42 inches and a body fat percentage of 19.9%. “Oh My,” I exclaimed, impressed with this wonderful progress. Within two small months he lost 24.6 pounds, reduced his waistline by 4.25 inches and decreased his body fat percentage by 5.6 %. When I measured Ryan again in February 2013, the results were a little less impressive, but it was the holiday season so I forgave him. He lost an entire 0.4 lbs and his body fat dropped to 19.1%, but at least the numbers were going down. His waist stayed the same. I thought, “Has the warrior finally plateaued?” But then Ryan Haney before. something magical happened. Much to my awe and delight, after the February measure-

ments Ryan became more disciplined with his diet. His wife Jen supported these efforts by helping him carefully plan meals, making extra grocery trips, and working with their schedules to make sure their fitness routines were achieved every day. In April 2013, Ryan returned for another measurement. For his final assessment, Ryan weighed in at 204 lbs, a 41 lb drop since his first weigh-in! His body fat plummeted to 14.7% putting him in the “excellent” category according to the body fat charts in our office. His waist even shrank to a tiny 38 inches. “Hooray!” I exclaimed and we shared a high-five. When Ryan started his weight loss journey in June of 2012, two months before his first assessment, he weighed 264 lbs. This means his total weight loss has added up to 60 lbs! How has he been so successful over these seven months? We could say it’s my brutal Boot Camp Group Exercise Class, or Beth’s superior personal training. We could say it’s his impeccable playlist that gets him cooking on the elliptical, spin bike, and weight machines. We could even say it’s the support of his fellow Boot Campers and friends who motivate him with their own fitness achievements. But, I think the true reason for Ryan’s success is the fact that he’s a tough guy with a heart of gold. He wants to be around for as long as possible to enjoy life with his wonderful family. Now when I see Ryan, Jen and the boys, I simply stand inspired and say, “Way to go!” Success stories like his are what make my time working at the JCC priceless and completely rewarding.

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May 31, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 3

NCJW-Omaha Section to install 2013-14 officers and present awards by SHARON HOUCHIN Co-Vice President of Public Realations, NCJW-Omaha Section The Omaha Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) will install the 2013-2014 slate of officers on Sunday, June 9, 2-4 p.m. with an Afternoon Tea at One Pacific Place Clubhouse – 1365 S. 101st Street. Holly Weill has been elected as the President for the Section’s board 2013-2014. Before being elected President, she served on the NCJW-Omaha board in 2011-2012 as a Director where she Co-Chaired the first Omaha Chocolate Festival. Last year she served as Co-Vice President of Community Service where she helped to start a new proNikki Kirshenbaum gram with Child Saving Institute. She has been very active in the Omaha Jewish community holding key roles in BBYO and USY. In 1991 she was the Federation’s Teen Leader of the Year. As a member of Beth El Synagogue she has taught at Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT), served on the Board of Trustees for two terms, and currently is serving on the school committee. She volunteers on the Child Saving Institute’s Guild Board. Holly taught elementary school for eight years and owns the Posh Princess store in Shops of Legacy, which she opened in April of 2011. She is married to David and they have two children Julia (8) and Levi (4). Officers to be installed: Co-Vice Presidents of Community Service: Sonia Tipp and Kelly Kirk; Vice President of Fundraising: Lise Sasson; Co-Vice Presidents of Membership: Lori Kooper-Schwarz and Dana Kaufman; Co-Vice Presidents of Public Affairs: Lisa Lewis and Becky Brenner; Co-Vice Presidents of Public Relations: Sharon Houchin and Alice Klein; Treasurer: Eileen Remer; Corresponding Secretary: Lisa Lucoff; Financial Secretary: Patty Nogg; Recording Secretary: Cheryl Lerner; Parliamentarians: Dottie Rosenblum and Julie Martin; Directors: Jill Simon, Sarah Spooner, Melinda Graham, Debbie Friedman, Nikki Kirshenbaum, and Tina Meyers; Nominating Chair: Beth Friedman. Lise Sasson and Nikki Kirshenbaum will be presented special awards June 9. Lise Sasson will receive the NCJW Award for Emerging Section Leaders, in recognition of her potential for assuming future leadership and as someone who understands and supports the NCJW purpose and programs as well as demonstrates commitment to the section. She has been a life member of NCJW for 6 years and was involved with NCJW in both the Philadelphia and Northern San Diego sections before coming to Omaha. Originally from San Diego, Lise moved here with her husband, Aaron

and their three children, Eliana (10), Abigail (8) and Joel (6). Lise served on the 2012-2013 Board as Recording Secretary and has been elected to the 2013-2014 Board as Vice President of Fundraising. Lise attended the Washington Institute and came back with many ideas for the Omaha Section. She stated,

Lise Sasson

Holly Weill

“Washington Institute was a life changer for me. It was a wakeup call. It made me think very critically about how important my beliefs are, and about being a minority in our very conservative state. I realize now, it’s not just my vote that’s vitally important; it’s my commitment to the cause. It was absolutely amazing to see, hear, and speak to women just like you and me who have literally written law with their passion and activism. They have saved lives. They have made lives better and safer. It was a truly inspiring, motivat-

ing and beautiful experience.” Nikki Kirshenbaum will be honored with this year’s Distinguished Service Award. This award, which is a special award of Omaha Section, recognizes an NCJW member who has demonstrated outstanding years of service and has shown loyalty, commitment and dedication to the Section with an overall awareness of NCJW while volunteering with a willingness to work at any level. Nikki personifies loyalty, commitment, and dedication to the Omaha Section. She is married to Adam and has two children, Joey (11) and Jordyn (9). She has been a life member of NCJW since 2001 and was the recipient of the Emerging Leader award in 2007. She has fulfilled the honor of that award by serving as Co-Vice President of Membership for two years, Vice President of Fundraising and Co-President of the section in 2009-2010. She has been elected to serve on the 2013-2014 board as a Director. In addition to serving on the board, Nikki has chaired or co-chaired several committees which include the Kidz Shoppe Consignment Sale, Marcus Theater fundraiser, the Donor Campaign and Project Runway. In addition, she was co-chair of the Nominating Committee on the 2012-2013 board. She has also been on the Mini Grant Committee since 2001, assisted with Dictionary Day and the Jackson School backpack project. No matter what the job is, Nikki has always been available giving both her time and talent. If you plan to attend the Afternoon Tea on June 9, please RSVP to Vicki Perlmeter at vickp@cox.net or call 402.392.2610, by Thursday, June 6.

The cool new space Continued from page 1 and spacious Sit and Fit area, a Lego pit, and many more special amenities.” That does sound exciting: instead of separate spaces, walls have been broken down to create one large open space, with great flow for a variety of age groups. “In addition,” he says, “with the windows to the canteen corridor, all our visitors who use that entrance will be able to see lots of activity in that space.” The project has been chaired by Jason Epstein, and, according to Corey Kirshenbaum, has been in the works for about two years. In addition to the generous underwriting from the Ann Goldstein Endowment, support from the Leon Fellman Memorial Trust Fund has made it possible to purchase a Sportwall Xer Trainer. The Xer Trainer will provide our youth with a great interactive system; players, working as teams or individually, randomly or sequentially hit moving lit targets with hands, feet, beanbags, foam noodles, and playground, medicine or sports balls, to achieve their best score.

“The original game room was the only part of the building that hadn’t seen any updates since 1972,” says Corey. “With all the changes, it’s going to be a real showcase for us. Besides Fit and Sit and aftercare, the space can be used for BBYO dances, there is a DJ-and-lighting system, a pool table, ping-pong, shuffleboard, foosball, and bumper pool. The new Lego area holds literally thousands of Lego pieces, and we’ll have a lounging area with a big screen television.” And it doesn’t stop there. The state of the art space also provides two TVs for the Wii and two computers. Staff will be able to play music to create just the right atmosphere. There are also board games and room for various art projects. The Fit and Sit hours will remain the same as before: 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday through Friday. The new area will officially open Sunday, June 2, from 1-3 p.m.; all community members are welcome to come and take a look at this great new space. We encourage you to bring your children and explore the new facility and spend the afternoon trying out the equipment. Refreshments will be served.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 4 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. AIPAC Nebraska Annual Event, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, JUNE 6 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Men’s Club Jews ‘N Brews, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, JUNE 7 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Annual Meeting, 5:45 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Meeting, 10:15 a.m. at the SAC Musuem NCJW Installations & Awards, 2 p.m. at One Pacific Place Apartments Clubhouse MONDAY, JUNE 10 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bearing Witness Seminar, 1:30 p.m. Rabbi Elliot Dorff, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El

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MONDAY, JUNE 17 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel School Board Meeting (Friedel Conf. Room), 7 p.m. TUESDAY, JUNE 18 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel The Ethics of Our Fathers, 2 p.m. at Remington Heights BBYO Night, 6 p.m. BESTT Talmud Torah Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El School Board Meeting (Friedel Conf. Room), 7 p.m. Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, JUNE 20 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Dames and Drinks, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, JUNE 21 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El MONDAY, JUNE 24 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Iowa Western Community Band, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Jewish Medical Ethics, noon at the Med Center BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JCC Awards Night, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel

THURSDAY, JUNE 27 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Mainstreeters Baseball Game and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Werner Park

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel

FRIDAY, JUNE 28 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Chef Demo, 1:30 p.m. at RBJH Call for advertising opportunities in the Jewish Press.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Genealogy Club, 1 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30 Temple Israel: Stephen Center Breakfast, 9 a.m. Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Young Adult Committee goes to Stormchasers Baseball game, 2:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15 Beth El Our Shabbat Tables, 12:30 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 Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

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Beth El teens applauded for service to the synagogue by JILL BELMONT hamantaschen for Purim, and assisting with Rosh Hashanah Beth El Publicity Coordinator honey sales. She has also volunteered for USY Purim carniTheirs are familiar faces at Beth El. They volunteer, they’re vals, Shabbatons, and has lent a hand to the religious school, youth-group participants; they are dedicated to their Jewish wherever needed. studies; they offer guidance to and inspire youngsters in the “Growing up at Beth El, I was surrounded by people who congregation. For their outstanding involvement at the syn- put on amazing events, baked great hamantaschen, and overagogue, Naomi Zipursky, Aaron Zipursky, Samantha all made it a great place to be a Jew. I think it’s my responsiWiener, Elissa Wiener, and Zev Krausman have been hon- bility to give back to the community that gave me my Jewish ored with this year’s Beth El teen awards. identity,” said Samantha, who will be a freshman at the Twins Naomi and Aaron Zipursky are the 2013 recipients University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, this fall. “It’s very gratof the synagogue’s A.B. and Freeda Gendler Award, given to ifying to be noted for my work. I do not volunteer to be high school seniors who have praised, but I really appreciate shown exemplary dedication being recognized for it.” to the synagogue. The award’s While it can be difficult as a criteria include regular attenkid to establish a Jewish idendance at BESTT Hebrew tity in Omaha, she said, “Beth High School, Torah reading El made certain I would find and/or Haftorah chanting, mine. I have grown up not leading service portions in with a few helping hands, but the sanctuary, attendance at an entire community that I services and participation in feel helped form my Jewish the synagogue’s USY youth beliefs. The members of Beth group, as well as other service El have made the synagogue a to the synagogue. welcome place and I hope it Naomi and Aaron, children continues to be so for the This year’s teen awards winners at Beth El Synagogue of Sally and Jim Zipursky, children there today.” include, Zev Krausman, left, Elissa Wiener, Naomi Zipursky, expressed gratitude in receivSamantha’s sister, Elissa Samantha Wiener, and Aaron Zipursky. ing this special recognition Wiener, has also been honfrom the synagogue. ored by Beth El, receiving the Jack Molad Spirit Award. “Receiving this award is both humbling and gratifying,” Calling the award “a complete surprise,” the Central High Naomi said. “For as long as I can remember, Beth El has junior said, “I have been extremely invested in Beth El for as always done everything to ensure I grew up with a strong long as I can remember. I cannot describe how much it Jewish identity, as well as the education I would need to cre- means to me to have my work recognized by even just one ate my own life as a young Jew once I left. It was common person, let alone the entire synagogue community.” sense to return the favor to a place I hold in such high regard.” Elissa has contributed to many areas of synagogue life, Saying that as a young child, she always admired the older volunteering in a variety of capacities, plus leading and parkids who served as her tutors and teachers’ aides, Naomi ticipating in many youth-group programs. Every Shabbat added that, “I knew one day I wanted to be just like them. morning, she can be found at Beth El, helping to lead Junior Now that I am their age, I am so happy to be filling their Congregation for the congregation’s youngsters. shoes as the younger students’ teacher, tutor, and older “I have grown very attached to the younger children at friend. Beth El has taught me not only how to be passionate Beth El and look forward to being a part of their lives in the about Judaism, but also has taught me how to teach others future,” she said. to be passionate. It is the most rewarding feeling to see your “Honestly, I truly love Beth El,” she added. “It is such a big students go up and lead prayers and be able to participate in part of my life, and without it I’m sure I would have gaping discussions about God and spirituality, and know you had a holes in my weekly schedule. I have grown up there and met tiny hand in making them the students they are today.” some extraordinary people who have helped shape me as Naomi, along with her brother, recently graduated from not only a Jew but a person.” Burke High School: she will attend Emory University in the Finally, the Joe Ginsberg Leadership Award, named for fall, and plans to study either political science or interna- the late congregant who spent more than 20 years as head of tional studies; Aaron will study biomedical engineering at the synagogue’s youth commission, has been awarded to Zev Northwestern University. Krausman, son of Laurel and Hazzan Michael Krausman. For Aaron, the Gendler Award represents “how accepting A sophomore at Millard North High School, Zev expressed and supportive of me Beth El has been over the years. I’ve appreciation for receiving the honor after living in Omaha dedicated so much time to the synagogue because I truly for only one year, saying, “It really shows how important believe the synagogue should be a place where our entire menshlekhkeyt is to Omaha and the Beth El community.” community feels at home. I’m active in youth activities Noting that he has “enjoyed the overwhelming friendliness because I want to make sure my peers and younger students of the congregation,” Zev has jumped into synagogue life with learn how to enjoy being at the synagogue. It’s a great feeling both feet during the past year. He has volunteered as a BESTT to know I have been able to pay forward the same experiences tutor, helped out at religious-school shul-ins and Shabbatons, and sentiments I’ve received from Beth El over the years. and has become active in USY. His youth-group peers recent“Beth El has been a special place over the years because ly elected him Executive VicePresident/ Israel Affairs. others have worked to provide this same atmosphere for me. In his elected capacity, he said he looks forward to This nurturing and welcoming spirit I’ve felt over the years “increasing membership and forming a strong connection has been a huge part in making Judaism such an important to the state of Israel.” part of my life.” Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham applauded all the award Samantha Wiener, daughter of Audrey and Richard recipients and their invaluable contributions to their conWiener, and a recent Central High School graduate, has gregation. been recognized with the Beth El Sisterhood Teen Award. “Our synagogue’s lifeblood is its youth,” he said. “We’re For years, Samantha has volunteered for Sisterhood, helping honored to be able to recognize these four teens’ accomprepare for holidays and dinners at the synagogue, baking plishments at Beth El.”

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, June 5, 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 Yiddish has been called the Robin Hood of languages. The vocabulary of Yiddish is drawn from German (mostly), Hebrew, Slavic Tongues, Romance languages, and English. Yiddish bears the marks of our expulsions from land to land, it has absorbed the laments of generations, the poisons and the bitterness of history, the language whose precious jewels are undried Jewish tears. Yiddish stresses the humor in

every situation because the reality for Jews is most often too difficult to bear. That is what we offer--fun and laughter. Come join us at the Blumkin Home’s Boardroom every Thursday from 1-3 p.m. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

Birth Megan Adams and Jeffrey Bennett of South Orange, NJ announce the May 15 birth of their son, Aaron Gabriel Jacob Bennett. Grandparents are Bettie and John Adams and Sheree and Fred Bennett of Verona, NJ. Great grandmother is Rose Adams of Reno, NV.

6 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2013

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Your Voice Matters

Our community is a complex place. It is filled with needs, opportunities and challenges as diverse as the people who live here. Caring for our community and its people requires the work and dedication of us all. We ask ourselves, what does it take to make this the best possible place to live? Where do we see potential, problems and promise? How do we make this a better place for future generations? To help find the answers, United Way of the Midlands, Iowa West Foundation and the Omaha Community Foundation are joining forces in a unique and important initiative. We’re calling on the people of Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties to share their thoughts and concerns through an online survey. The valuable insight gathered through this survey will be an integral part of planning and finding solutions that best serve us all. Help us identify our community’s most pressing needs. Take our online survey and share your opinions at www.your-voice-matters.org. Participating Organizations:

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Incredible experiences in Israel by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life Each year, many teens and young adults have the experience of a lifetime, traveling to Israel on a wide variety of programs. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is proud to support these experiences through the Israel Experience Grant program. The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time gift from the Federation for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 25 for an approved Israel experience. The grant is available to anyone in the Omaha Jewish community who meets the following requirements: 1. The applicant must be a resident of the Omaha metropolitan area 2. The applicant, or his/her family, is a donor in good standing to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 3. The applicant agrees to provide an arti-

cle and pictures of the experience within one month of return to Omaha for publication in the Jewish Press 4. The applicant will participate in any required preparatory program Applying for an Israel Experience Grant is a simple one-page application. The applications are available on the Scholarships and Grants page of the Center for Jewish Life on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jewishomaha.org. Return completed applications to the Center for Jewish Life, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Those in need of additional financial assistance can also apply for financial needbased scholarships. Scholarship information, deadlines and applications are also found as explained above. The following article was written by a teen who participated in a program in the summer of 2012, and was a recipient of an Israel Experience Grant.

Seeing is believing: My Israel Experience by MIRIAM KATZMAN ever lived. He introduced the ten Sefirot You know that queasy feeling you get (attributes) that describe the nature of crebefore flying? I better not miss my flight. I ation, which form the foundation of most hope I packed enough hiking gear. What if Kabbalistic works today. they don’t let my toothpaste through securiOne of the most exceptional portions of ty? Will they remember my kosher meal on our trip was spending the plane? Did I Shabbat in the city of pack for the Hebron. It was so right weather? humbling to be with It’s winter, but I the extraordinary heard it’s warm people there, people these days. Then, who risk their lives before we knew it, every day to hold our plane hit the onto the holy soil r u n w a y . which Abraham purPassengers cheered chased from Ephron and the crew welthe Hittite. As we comed us on our read in the book of journey to Israel. Genesis (23:17-19); Earlier this win“And so the field of ter, I was privileged Ephron which was to join a group trip in Machpelah, facto Israel, an incrediing Mamre, was ble experience. As we established (as approached the gate Abraham’s possese Western sion). ...Afterwards, in Ben Gurion e friends by th sing with som Po t. Airport, the mounAbraham buried cond from righ all. Miriam is se W tains grew larger; the Sarah his wife in the cave of the excitement was tangifield of Machpelah, facing Mamre, which is ble. But as we exited the aircraft into the Hebron, in the land of Canaan.” Holy Land, it was clear that this was not an It was Friday, the 15th of February, and we ordinary trip. This was so much more. Those were headed to the Cave of Machpelah in all-consuming worries I had before the Hebron. As we drove down from Tzfat (situflight? Nothing but petty concerns. ated way up north), I tried to envision what My eyes were greeted with more than 3,000 we were about to see. Certainly I’ve seen years of history. It all looked familiar, almost photographs of the cave, but now I was as though I’d seen it before. It was not the going to enter the very place in which our first time I had seen something ancient or forefathers rest. It was very exciting. After historic, yet this was different. This wasn’t driving more than three hours through thousand-year-old history, this was still alive. spectacular scenery, we finally arrived. As The majestic mountains, narrow roads, we climbed the many large steps leading up mysterious caves and flowing rivers were not to the grotto, I felt the Chumash I had studmerely a part of the magnificent panorama ied coming alive. This is where that deal was created by G-d. They told a story. They spoke made for Abraham to obtain ownership; this the tales of our forefathers journeying on is where Jacob came to bury his parents these very roads; they told us of our victorious Isaac and Rebecca, and later his wife Leah. brethren who conquered many with few. Mesmerized, I walked through the cave. It They reminded of the times of the holy house was almost surreal. I thought of the soldiers of G-d in which daily sacrifices were brought. that surrounded the cave, the bomb-proof They told us the stories of faith, peace and playgrounds in the south and the bulletbelonging. proof glassed buses we’d ride back on. I Aside from viewing the incredible natural thought about the ancient Greeks, the beauty of land, we spent much of our two Romans, the Philistines, the Babylonians. weeks visiting various historical monu- They are all history, yet here I am, living, ments and locations. Each stop on the map breathing in my land. I thought of my relacame with a unique story and enlightening tives who settled in this very city 200 years message, as relevant today as they were ago, only to be chased away in the massacre thousands of years ago. While spending sev- of 1929. Yet here I was, back again. eral days in Jerusalem, we went to the burial What was the secret? How have we made place of King David, author of Psalms. it through? How will we make it through? I During our stay in Tzfat we visited the grave picked up a book lying beside me, the book of the Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as the of Psalms. I uttered a silent prayer. And I Ari Zal, perhaps the greatest Kabbalist who knew. In my hands, I held the secret.

May 31, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 7

Getting to know the city of Prague by STEVEN J. RIEKES (Note: This is a continuation of a description of the Jewish Heritage trip that Margo and I, Nate and Hannah Schwalb, and Bernard and Naomi Bloom took with Professor Stephen Berk of Union College last summer. From Budapest, we flew to Prague.) The Jewish Quarter of Prague is in the very heart of a beautiful and enchanting city, which also is the capital of the Czech Republic. It contains the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, the Altneuschul (the “old-new synagogue”), completed in 1270. The area contains many other famous medieval synagogues. The Pinkas Synagogue, built in 1535, is now a Holocaust memorial. Its walls are inscribed with the names of the 77,297 Czech Jews who were victims of the Holocaust, including the names of the grandparents of former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright. In this Quarter, there is the so-called “Spanish” synagogue, with a dazzling Moorish-style interior, and many other synagogues and places of interest. An important Jewish museum is located in the area which, according to government authorities, is the most visited museum in the city. This museum houses one of the richest collections of Judaica in the world. Ironically, this vast collection was preserved, in part, because the Nazis wanted to create a “central museum of the defunct Jewish race.” The area contains a Jewish cemetery, with over 12,000 tombstones, which ceased accepting burials in 1787. Included is the tombstone of one of the most famous of European rabbis, Judah Loew ben Bezalel, also known as the “MaHaRal” (an acronym, meaning “our teacher, Rabbi Loew”). He was a great religious scholar, who also respected secular knowledge, particularly mathematics. He was well known in both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities and, in 1592, had an audience with the Emperor Rudolph II. Associated with the name of Rabbi Loew is the legend of the Golem. The legend has it that Rabbi Loew created, out of clay, a very large creature, a Jewish Frankenstein, to protect the Jews of Prague from anti-Semitism. However, like Frankenstein, the Golem became out of control. Therefore, Rabbi Loew had to deactivate the Golem, and hid his remains in the attic of the Altneuschul. Despite there being no basis in fact for this legend, souvenir shops all over Prague are well stocked with Golem figurines, most of which look like gingerbread cookies. There are also many other interesting sites in this area. For instance, there is the Jewish Town Hall, built in 1582, with a clock tower with Hebrew lettering, where the time runs “backwards.” The Town Hall was built by a fabulously wealthy philanthropist, Mordechai Maisel, who also created the beautiful

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Maisel Synagogue for his family. In addition, there is an unusual sculpture, unveiled in 2003, of a mini-Franz Kafka sitting piggyback on his own headless body. Kafka, a Jewish citizen of Prague, was a world-famous author of the early 20th Century.

Hannah, left, and Nate Schwalb, Margo and Steve Riekes There are a number of Jewish restaurants located in or near the Quarter. At a kosher one, the King Solomon, we had one of the best meals of our entire trip. The Jewish Quarter is part of Prague’s Old Town area, containing many interesting medieval sculptures. One of the most interesting is the medieval astronomical clock. Hundreds of tourists wait each hour for various figures to pop in and out of the clock. On the beautiful Charles Bridge over the Vistula River, there is a sculpture of Jesus on the cross with Hebrew lettering. There is an explanation nearby that states that the Hebrew lettering resulted from an anti-Sematic incident in 1696 and the Hebrew lettering was designed to humiliate the Jews. Nevertheless, the bridge and the whole embankment are very beautiful. Along the embankment is a music building. On its top are a number of statues of famous composers. One of the statues is that of Felix Mendelssohn. Although he was of Jewish blood, he was not a Jew. His father converted to Christianity before he was born. Nevertheless, when the Germans occupied Prague, despising anyone with Jewish blood, they ordered some Czech workmen to go on top of the music building and cover up the statue of Mendelssohn. When the workmen got to the top of the building, they had no idea which statute was that of Mendelssohn, so they picked a statue of the man with the biggest nose, and covered him up. Ironically, the figure they chose to cover up was that of Richard Wagner, a composer who was a well-known antiSemite and Hitler’s favorite!

Our trip also included a visit to the nearby small town of Terezin. This town originally contained a fort designed by the Austrians to keep the Prussian army at bay. It also contained a prison. When the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia, they converted Terezin into a ghetto, forcing all the nonJewish residents out, and overcrowding Jews inside. Thus, the infamous concentration camp of Theresienstadt was created. At the entrance to this camp, there was the same phony slogan as in Auschwitz, “Arbeit Macht Frei,” (Work Makes Free). Many Jewish artists and intellectuals were initially housed in Theresienstadt before they were transferred to death camps. Nazis used Theresienstadt as a showpiece. In particular, the Nazis wanted to fool members of the Red Cross into believing the Jews were well treated and were enjoying their situation as concentration camp inmates. Thus, this camp had many cultural activities, whereas other concentration camps did not. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Jews were shipped out of Theresienstadt to meet their death at Auschwitz and other places. Even without that, more than 33,000 Jews died at Theresienstadt due to disease and other factors. Professor Stephen Berk, our excellent lecturer for our trip, raised the question of what the world would have been like if these tens of thousands of Jewish authors, craftsmen, and thinkers had been allowed to fulfill their lives. What would the world have been like if the thousands of Jewish children, such as Petr Ginz, a teenage author and poet, had not perished because of Theresienstadt? In reviewing a new book, Beyond Courage, Hadassah Magazine noted: “In Theresienstadt, the will to live was apparent in secret classes held for children – in geography, history, math, Hebrew and literature. Before she was deported to Auschwitz, Friedl Dicker-Brandeis hid her students’ 4,500 drawings and paintings in an attic.” The Professor showed us some recently uncovered areas of Theresienstadt. One may see closet-size rooms in which Jews were forced to live. In addition, a tiny Jewish chapel was recently discovered that may have been hidden from the Nazis. In the chapel, our group said Kaddish for those who perished. Then, Professor Berk asked the question, “Where was God in all of this?” I replied that this was the wrong question to ask. The real question is, “Where was man, during this period?” Speaking of religion, our trip to Prague began at Hradcany Castle, which overlooks the city, and is the seat of the government of the Czech Republic. Situated among the public buildings of the castle area is St. Vitus Cathedral, a beautiful medieval gem. It is brimming with gold and silver, and stained glass windows. Our Czech guide, a delightful young Continued on page 8

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8 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2013

Prague Continued from page 7 man, remarked that on Sunday mornings, only about 15 to 20 people attend services there, even though it is the seat of the Archbishop. Hardly anyone goes to church in Prague, he said. So I asked him what a postChristian Europe was going to be like. What do Europeans in this new era care about? What do they believe in? How will the Jews of Europe fare in this new era? I received no reply. The Jews of Bohemia, which is now known as the Czech Republic, have had, historically, their ups and downs. But, relatively speaking, there are significant positive things to The Golem of Prague remember. For the most part, Jewish culture has thrived in Prague. Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the State of Israel and help supply it with arms in its war for independence in 1948. This fall, the Czech Republic was the only European country to side with Israel in the U.N. in the vote regarding a Palestinian state. We thoroughly enjoyed the people, the concerts, the food, and the whole atmosphere of the City of Prague. Although it has a relatively small Jewish community today, it is a place that has been and should continue to be good for the Jews. Roll out the barrel!

Texas graduates

Ygal Schuller (son of Yaffa and Dan Schuller) and Effie Tsabari (daughter of Eadie and Eitan Tsabari) celebrated their graduation from the University of Texas at Austin last weekend.

Renowned trumpeter to perform, teach here by DIANE AXLER BAUM Aviva Segall, Music Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, is encouraging area brass students to seize the opportunity to learn from Allan Dean. The worldrenowned trumpeter, an expert in early music and historic instruments, will be in Omaha June 29 and 30. The Omaha Chamber Music Society will present Dean in Ancestors and Descendants: Five Centuries of Brass, on Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m., at First Central Congregational Church, 421 S. 36th St. The concert is the third of four in the OCMS Allan Dean Summer Concert Series. Dean will share the stage with top professional, local musicians: K. Craig Bircher, trumpet and cornetto; Jay Wise, trombone and sackbut; Scott Anderson, trombone and sackbut; and Ken Yoshida, percussion. The cornetto is an early wind instrument, dating from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods; the sackbut is a trombone from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

On June 29, Dean has agreed to teach a Brass Masterclass at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, thanks to arrangements made by Stacie Haneline, OCMS Executive Director and a member of the UNO piano faculty. The Masterclass will focus on five brass students, who will receive detailed guidance from Dean as they perform. Many other brass students will also benefit, Haneline said, by “watching, listening, and learning from this uniquely qualified teacher.” Segall, calling the Masterclass “a significant contribution to music education in Omaha” said she will assist in any way she can in addition to urging OAYO brass players to participate. Allan Dean is an adjunct Professor of Trumpet at the Yale University School of Music. He coaches brass chamber music, directs the Yale Cornet and Sackbut Ensemble, and performs with the Summit Brass, St. Louis Brass and the Yale Brass Trio. He and his wife, artist Julie Shapiro, live in the Berkshire Mountains. Dean grew up on a farm in Mason City, Iowa, surrounded by a musical family. He spent 20 years in the New York City concert and recording field before joining the University of Indiana School of Music faculty from 1982 to 1989. More information on the Summer Concert Series and the Brass Masterclass is available at 402.960.6943 or omahachambermusic.org.

Shelley Fox to provide important ‘caring’ training at Temple Israel by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer On Tuesday, June 11, the Temple Israel Caring Committee is holding a workshop to train volunteers who want to establish, or in some cases, reestablish, a link between the congregation and its members who are housebound or in residential care. The workshop, led by Shelly Fox, the Director of Community Outreach for Jewish Social Services, will teach volunteers how best to contact and communicate with its members who might be in need of comfort or care. “Contacting someone you don’t know, or someone who has just come home from the hospital, can be awkward at times, depending on the situation,” Fox said. “So many people in our community do this on their own, which is really amazing, and we just want to help in facilitating these sorts of relationships.” The training workshop will introduce volunteers to a script they can follow when making contact, and there will be a roleplaying session designed to give volunteers an opportunity to test what they’ve learned in a safe, controlled environment. Fox stressed that participating in this sort of relationship can be a real commitment for the volunteers. “Ultimately, it’s about the connection you make,” Fox said. “We’re hopeful that our volunteers will eventually create strong, lasting relationships with the people they contact, but it’s important to know going in that this can be a real time commitment.” The workshop will also discuss privacy guidelines and how to handle sensitive information volunteers might become privy to. “While volunteers aren’t covered by the same sort of privacy laws that professional caretakers are, they still need to understand that they might learn something that would otherwise be considered privileged information,” Fox said. “We

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need to be able to trust that our volunteers won’t circulate any information they learn from these relationships.” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will also be on hand during the workshop to share some of his experiences with caring and comforting members of the congregation. “I think it’s very important to explain to the volunteer that some of these relationships aren’t going to work, not right away, and they can’t take it personally if someone says, ‘Thank you for calling, but I don’t want to talk to you,’” Rabbi Azriel said. “This has happened to me numerous times, and you have to respect their wishes.” The workshop will be from 1-2:30 p.m. on June 11. If you would like to attend, contact Temple Israel Program Director Wendy Goldberg at 402.556.6536 or wgoldberg@ templeisraelomaha.com. And if you know someone who you believe could benefit from this sort of connection, please contact the Temple Israel clergy or Wendy Goldberg. “To me, this is not just caring, but it’s Jewish caring,” Fox said. “It’s as Jewish as it gets, it’s as human as it gets. This is what kind people do for each other; they reach out to one another.”

In the news Hannah Deresiewicz recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia University. She double majored in sociology and political science and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in February. She is the daughter of Kathy Kirshenbaum and Bob Deresiewicz of Newton, MA. Hannah is the granddaughter of Kevee Kirshenbaum and the late Myrna Kirshenbaum and the late Herbert and Eveyln Deresiewicz of Englewood, NJ.

Saving Lives!

May 31, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 9

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Peace meal

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press When the U.S. Secretary of State visits the Middle East, all sorts of things can go wrong. You could insult a politician, insult the local population, be overly optimistic about the peace process, or antagonize various religious groups. Ordering the incorrect shwarma meat, however, should not be among the things you worry about. Secretary John Kerry must have felt some sympathy for President Obama’s “Pastrami with mayonnaise” debacle when he was criticized for eating his shwarma with turkey instead of the traditional lamb. “In this case,” wrote Ron Kampeas for JTA, “Kerry might have bridged a cultural divide, rather than fell into one. Shwarma, absolutely, is Palestinian. Making it from turkey, though, is an Israeli invention, stemming from the country’s austere first decades, when lamb and beef were barely available. This utterly sensible practice (turkey is also healthier) spread to the West Bank, and has persisted there despite the apparent collapse of any other signs of Israeli-Palestinian agreement.” Food as an important part of the peace process isn’t an entirely ridiculous idea. Sometimes, when we eat together, we are reminded of what we have in common, more so than when we monitor what the politicians on either side are saying. The easiest way to make friends is to invite one another for a meal. Take Israeli Yotam Ottolenghi and Palestinian Sami Tamimi, for instance. Together, they wrote a cookbook titled Jerusalem (where they are both from), building on their shared memories of the city and its food. They operate several delis and gourmet restaurants in London, and have been featured as poster children for peace by the New Yorker, the Daily Telegraph, and even an Anglican minister, who used them as an example for interfaith dialogue. Ottolenghi and Tamimi, who “didn’t go out there to declare a political

stance,” nowadays employ over 200 people in their London eateries, simply cooking the food they both like. More contentious is the ongoing ”hummus war” between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon took the lead nearly three years ago, with a 22,000 lbs. vat of hummus, doubling the last attempt by Israel, and landing in the Guinness Book of

World Records. The “war” was born out of an argument between the two countries about where the dish originated. Fun fact: when Arab-Israeli restaurateur Jawdat Ibrahim set the previous record, his batch was so large he had to borrow a satellite dish from a local broadcast station to contain it. There’s even a documentary describing the chickpea saga: Avital Levy directed Hummus Wars in 2012. You can find the teaser at http://jewcer.com/project/hummus-wars. Then there’s the non-profit organization “Chefs for Peace.” Founded in Jerusalem in November 2001 by a group of Jewish, Christian and Muslim chefs, who are committed to

exploring cultural identity, diversity and coexistence through food, Chefs for Peace has been cooking at a variety of events in a variety of locations. From Toronto to Stavanger, from Salerno to Berlin, and from Lisbon to Ramallah, these chefs have been maintaining their momentum for 12 years. Their mission: “Only real people living and working together, not politicians, will create peace on the ground. For us, peace happens every day, in the kitchen and around the table.” (We should invite them to Omaha!) Of course, we won’t solve the peace process in the kitchen alone. However, on those days when peace seems far away, when collaboration and coexistence seem impossible ideas, living in a dark tunnel leading to an even darker abyss, stories about small initiatives like these can give us hope. We are reminded that no matter how tough it gets, there are always reasons to believe in a better outcome. We don’t stop wishing for peace just because it is hard, and we don’t give up just because the odds are against us. Believing that everyday people, through local initiatives, can someday make a better case for peace than the political leaders, may seem naïve and overly optimistic. Yet, the alternative hasn’t given us much reason to rejoice. And in a time when Hezbollah declares war on Al Qaeda, whose side are we supposed to be on anyway? We may as well take a look at our neighbor, and solve this mess over a nice meal. Watch a documentary about the other side. Read a book that’s written by someone you think you disagree with - and still may disagree with after you’re done reading. If we all keep reaching out, we may find out that we have a lot more in common than we think.

Don’t cut Social Security benefits

Focus on issues NANCY K. KAUFMAN, Chief Executive Officer of NCJW The best anti-poverty program we have ever had just turned 78, and many in Congress as well as the president want to cut its essential benefits. At a time when millions were near starvation during the depths of the Depression, the U.S. adopted the system of social insurance we know today as Social Security. Confronted with overwhelming need and an economy on the skids, the country committed nevertheless to the task of rescuing millions from destitution. Now that we’re the richest country on earth, somehow we can’t afford to maintain the current standard of benefits? Social Security was cut significantly in 1983 when the full retirement age was raised from 65 to 67 (to be phased in by 2027). Still, more than 40 million older Americans of all incomes now receive benefits, and 17 million more who are disabled or minor children also receive a monthly check. And as for fighting poverty, Social Security lifts nearly 15 million -- almost 47 percent -- of those aged 65 and over from falling below the poverty line as well as more than one million children. In fact, Social Security is the largest program benefiting the nation’s children, providing $2.5 billion every month to 4.4 million minors who survived the death of a working parent or whose parents are disabled. It also saves nearly six million adults aged 18-64, mostly disabled, from impoverishment. That’s 21 million people all told. For women, the prospects in retirement are dire. In 2011, the average annual Social Security income received by women 65 years and older was $12,188, while men

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Phyllis Brown; Daniel Christensen; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinowitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social 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

received $15,795. Unmarried women -- including widows - age 65 and older relied on Social Security for half their total retirement income, while Social Security comprised only 36 percent of unmarried elderly men’s income and only 31 percent of elderly couples’ income. So women rely more heavily on Social Security than men do, receive less to begin with, and will therefore suffer more from any cuts. Nevertheless, the government’s commitment to Social Security both as a concept and as a program is under attack -- on the one hand from those who find it ideologically distasteful and on the other from those who would “help” Social Security by cutting benefits. The proposal by President Obama to reduce monthly checks by revising the cost of living adjustment -- substituting the so-called “chained” CPI or Consumer Price Index -- is a dispiriting breach of trust to future generations by the Administration. The president’s proposed cuts mean that an average earner retiring in 2011 at age 65 would lose more than $6,000 over 15 years. The chained CPI under the president’s proposal would also be imposed on many other federal programs and on federal pensions, multiplying its harmful effects throughout the workforce. These cuts would come at a time when workers’ savings are already paltry. Three quarters of near retirees (ages 50 to 64) have annual incomes below $52,201 and average retirement savings of only $26,395, and the decline in home values has only made the situation worse. It is true that Social Security is in need of adjustments to ensure its long-term stability. Such adjustments have been made in the past and no doubt will be in the future. But they have always been made to achieve stability in the program

itself - that is, any gains made by such changes have been used to sustain the viability of the system. They have not been offered as a bargaining chip in some grander deal that penalizes recipients - including current recipients - for the sake of a concession in Congress on some other completely unrelated matter. In fact, rather than cut benefits, there is actually a case to be made for raising them. Americans have long been told to think of their retirement income as a three-legged stool -- a pension, savings, and social security. Defined benefit pensions -- the traditional notion of a pension that baby boomers grew up with -- are vanishing in the corporate world. Even IBM no longer offers pensions to new employees. But too many workers can’t afford to save what they need due to stagnant incomes over the last decades. And public employee pensions aren’t what they used to be either. They are often underfunded at the state and local level and can’t be relied on to deliver what was promised. We do need a broad public discussion of the future of Social Security. But first we need to recommit ourselves to its original goal of providing a strong underpinning to that three-legged stool and remember its original purpose -pulling a generation out of poverty. Nancy Kaufman is the CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, and has had a distinguished career as a public servant, advocate, and non-profit leader. Prior to joining NCJW, Kaufman served as the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Boston for twenty years, where she led the social justice, Israel advocacy, and governmental affairs agendas for Boston’s Jewish Federation and its agencies.

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material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content

sonal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

10 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2013

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, 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 Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m., with Hazzan Krausman. WEDNESDAY: Dames & Drinks, 7 p.m. All women of Beth El are invited. For more information, contact Melissa Schop at melschop@hotmail.com. THURSDAY: Jews ‘n’ Brews, 7 p.m. Food prepared by Ben Shapiro. All men of Beth El are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested to cover costs. For more information, contact Ari Kohen at akohen2@unl.edu. Annual Meeting, Friday, June 7, beginning with a 5:45 p.m. barbecue (weather permitting) on the synagogue’s back lawn, followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m., and an outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Dinner cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 7-12, free for children six and younger; there is a maximum charge of $30 per family. RSVP and pay online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact the office, 402.492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha. org. Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, Sunday, June 9, 10:15 a.m., we’ll meet at the Strategic Air and Space Museum to view “Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims and Survivors of World War II.” RSVPs and payments must be received by June 5. Cost is $11. Send checks to Beth El, and RSVP to Jill Belmont, at BeanK2@aol.com, or 402.333.9202, or Margie, in the office or programming@bethel-omaha.org. Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Elliot Dorff, chairman of the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, will address “The Fundamental Principles of Jewish Medical Ethics,” on Monday, June 10, 7:30 p.m., at the synagogue. No charge to attend. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

7:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m. TUESDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Women’s Study Group, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Kathy and Harry Weiner. WEDNESDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m.; Sacred Grounds with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.

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 and Meditation, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch will follow. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. Please reserve by calling 402.330.1800. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. Call 402.330.1800 to reserve. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. Contact Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu to receive updates. 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: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Micahel Boekstal, with oneg following hosted by Lori Raphael. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Micahel Boekstal; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parsahat Shelach, led by Robert Fredman. Family Dinner and Shabbat Service on Friday, June 7. Join us at 6 p.m. for dinner, followed by the Early Shabbat Service at 6:30 p.m. Come check out this musical, family-friendly and fun worship experience. RSVP to the Temple office if you plan to attend the dinner.

Candlelighting Friday, May 31, 8:33 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Resident Family Shabbat Dinner, 5:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg. 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 Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Summer First Friday on the Green, Friday, June 7. Candle lighting, 5:30 p.m. and Service, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. Come for the Shabbat service and stay for an outdoor (weather permitting) potluck dinner. Temple Israel will provide the main course. Families with last names A-L are asked to provide side dishes and M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Please RSVP for dinner by contacting Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536 by Wednesday, June 5. Temple Israel First Fridays are sponsored by Bob and Elly Gordman, Andie Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald, and Lindsey Thomas, in memory of Brandon Thomas.

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, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat Services, 7:45 p.m. followed by cake, coffee and a discussion of timely news topics pertaining to the Jewish world. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Dahlia, Tziporah and Illyana Hamicksburg sponsored by the Coren family. SUNDAY: Tifereth Israel’s Annual Meeting, 2 p.m.

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: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; The Laws of Shabbat, 6:15 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 7:15 p.m.; Mincha/Seuda Shlishit, 8:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:41 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross,

Israeli panel advances measure on haredi military service by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- A Knesset committee advanced a bill requiring 18-year-old haredi Orthodox men and women to register for military service, with a deferral of up to three years. Under the bill submitted Thursday by the Peri Committee, also known as the Knesset Committee for Promoting Equal Share of the Burden, those who do not register for the draft could be jailed. Some 1,800 yeshiva scholars would be exempt from service each year. Some 8,000 haredi Orthodox 18-year-olds are drafted each year. The bill also calls for an increase in the number of months of army service for national-religious hesder yeshivas, from the current 16 months to 24 months, by 2016. The Peri Committee was set up last year and charged with integrating the haredi Orthodox community into Israel's military after Israel's Supreme Court ruled in February 2012 that the Tal Law, which had allowed haredi men to defer army service, was unconstitutional.

Summer of change at Temple Israel by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer It is a summer of change for Temple Israel. In a few short months the congregation will be uprooted from its longtime Cass Street home and a new era will begin at Sterling Ridge. In a nod to this and other changes Temple Israel has invited a few of its members to take part in this year’s Summer Speaker Series, the theme of which is “transition.” “Each summer we look forward to hearing great stories showcasing a slice of Jewish life from Omaha, Nebraska,” said Program Director Wendy Goldberg. “Our goal this year, as we prepare to move to Sterling Ridge, is to hear stories of significant change or transition in the lives of our members.” This year’s speakers range in age and experience, and each one brings their own unique insight to the idea of transition, like Jewish Press Editor Annette van de KampWright, who immigrated to the United States and discovered that speaking English is not the same as understanding America’s idiomatic subtleties. “I will be specifically addressing the language transition for immigrants like me,” she said. “You know, the ones who think they speak English, only to discover they miss out on all the subtleties. Telling the wrong jokes, sounding serious when you don’t mean to, misinterpreting what others are saying, taking something as a compliment when it’s actually an insult, and so forth.” Temple Israel member Andie Gordman has an intimate understanding of the difficulties that can be associated with transitions, and she will be sharing some of that insight this summer. “Transition is a time for reflection,” Gordman said. “I am going to talk about Brandon’s death, Lindsey leaving for college, changing careers and Temple’s move. I have been a Temple member since pre-school so I have strong attach-

ments and great memories of our current location.” Larry Kavich takes the long view when it comes to transition, and plans on discussing some of the challenges he has overcome over the course of his 68 years. “I suppose my transitions have come from maturity,” Kavich said. “My renewed health, thanks to my daughter’s kidney. My freedom of not having to kiss anyone’s ass because they are a client. My freedom from schedules. My freedom of having choices. “I am one lucky [guy], and my talk will probably be about where I am... and where I was.” Kavich continued: “To have lived 68 years without one regret, or want of one do-over, I am truly blessed. Given the chance to change one thing in my life, there is nothing I would change, except I had an old 1956 Mercedes that I wish I hadn’t sold.” The 2013 Summer Speaker Series begins on June 14 with Cantor Wendy Shermet, followed by Andie Gordman on June 21; Larry Kavich on June 28; Rabbi Josh Brown on July 12; Janey Dann on July 19; Aaron Sasson on July 26; new Director of Youth and Family Education Debbie Massarano on Aug. 9; Annette van de Kamp-Wright on Aug. 16; and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will close out the series on Aug. 23. In addition to the Summer Speakers, Temple Israel is also continuing its new tradition of First Fridays this summer. Following the Shabbat service on June 7, July 5 and Aug. 2, dinner will be served outdoors, weather permitting. Temple Israel will provide the main course and those who attend whose last names begin with A-L are asked to provide a side dish, while M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Friday evening services will begin at 6 p.m. throughout the summer and be held in the Livingston Chapel. Check Temple Israel’s website or eTidings newsletter for additional information. Dates and speakers are subject to change.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

May 31, 2013 | The Jewish Press | 11

The Land and the People

In memoriam LAWRENCE HORNSTEIN

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Shelah Lekha The scouts who spied out the Land of Israel for Moses described it as a land flowing with milk and honey. And indeed, compared with the desert areas the Israelites had traversed, the land was very good. It was a land of brooks and fountains, of rich deposits in the rocks of its hills, and of agricultural produce beyond anything they had known. All of this is comparative, of course. Today, Israel would gladly give up the modest copper mines it has for a fully flowing oil field or two. The breadbasket we live in here in the Middle West of the United States is infinitely more blessed by nature that Israel’s grudging soil and climate. Nature has a way, though, of making land and its people spiritually inseparable. It is not unusual, then, that ancient Jews should have extolled the Land of Israel and its beauties. Nonetheless, it is far beyond the usual that Jews should have held a central part of their hearts open to Eretz Yisrael for almost 2,000 years, long after the warmth would normally have cooled down. No other people has ever displayed anything like this. Only the Jews, and only the Land of Israel. If it is not a land flowing with oil, or even milk and honey, it is a land flowing with the great ideas of Judaism. It is a land where men confronted God and where God confronted men with the concept of human duty. It is the land of Torah, of ethnical sensitivity, of the concept of brotherly love, peace, freedom, and human redemption.

Mayor Anthony Weiner? by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Ex-New York Rep. Anthony Weiner said he is running for mayor of New York City. “Look, I’ve made some big mistakes and I know I’ve let a lot of people down,” Weiner, 48, said. “But I’ve also learned some tough lessons. I’m running for mayor because I’ve been fighting for the middle class and those struggling to make it for my entire life. And I hope I get a second chance to work for you.” Weiner ran for mayor in 2005 but lost in the Democratic primary. He faces a crowded field, but still has millions in his political war chest from before his resignation, when he was considered a front-runner to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has exhausted his allowed three terms.

Lawrence Hornstein passed away on May 26 at age 71. Services were held on May 27 at Golden Hill Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bess and Julius Hornstein. He is survived by his partner, Miki Petersen; son and daughter-in-law, David and Laura Hornstein; son and fiancé, Tom Hornstein and Julie Witcofski; grandchild: Haley; cousins, Martha, Becki and Isaac Frishman; chosen family: Mary C. Peterson, her daughter Carly, her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Janie, and grandson, Brody; and many other family and close friends, including the Omaha Hockey Communtiy. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Iran legislation moves through Congress by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA)--The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved and sent to the full House a bill backed by Reps. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the chairman of the committee, and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), its senior Democrat, that would authorize sanctions against any business undertaking substantial dealings with Iran. Separately, a slate of Republican senators led by Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced a bill on Tuesday that would ban the purchase of goods from any entity that the president determines is “owned or controlled” by the government of Iran. The Senate also voted 99-0 on Wednesday to approve a nonbinding resolution that reaffirms support for Iran sanctions and expresses support for Israel as it contends with Iran in the region. The resolution “urges that if the Government of Israel is compelled to take military action in legitimate self-defense against Iran’s nuclear weapons program, the United States Government should stand with Israel and provide, in accordance with United States law and the constitutional responsibility of Congress to authorize the use of military force, diplomatic, military and economic support to the Government of Israel in its defense of its territory, people, and existence.” An earlier version of the bill had not included the caveat “legitimate” in describing Israel’s self-defense and did not include the language requiring “accordance” with U.S. law. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who had introduced the bill with Sen. Lindsey Graham (D-S.C.), modified the language after a number of liberal groups expressed concern that the unamended language did not make sufficiently clear that the resolution does not sanction war with Iran.

Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group to view Searching for Humanity exhibit by MARGIE GUTNIK Beth El Program Director Beth El’s Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will enjoy a special field trip on Sunday, June 9, as participants head to the Strategic Air & Space Museum to view Searching for Humanity: Veterans, Victims and Survivors of World War II, an exhibit created by local artist Matthew Placzek. (This program was originally scheduled for last March, but was cancelled due to weather issues.) Using photos, memorabilia and testimonies of Nebraska Holocaust survivors, soldiers and liberators of prisoners of concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Europe, the poignant Searching for Humanity exhibit asks its audience to reflect on the search for humanity during the Holocaust and to realize man’s obligation to humankind. Placzek will serve as the program’s special guest, speaking about his experience conceptualizing and creating the exhibit. “Matt is responsible for some of this city’s most stunning and masterful artwork, including the sculptures and 35-foot-high clock outside of the CenturyLink Center, the whimsical sculptures of children and colorful umbrellas anchoring Children’s Hospital, the ‘Labor’ sculpture at the Lewis and Clark Landing, and displays at the Henry Doorly Zoo, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Heartland of America Park, among many others,” said meeting host Jill Belmont. “Searching for Humanity is yet another example of his ability to tell a powerful story using his unique artistic talents, and I encourage everyone to join us on the 9th and share this special experience.” Attendees will meet at the museum at 10 a.m., and the program will begin at 10:15 a.m. Following the formal meeting, attendees are welcome to spend time touring the rest of the museum. All women in the Jewish community are welcome to

attend. Admission is $11 (there is no admission fee for museum members, but reservations are still needed). Reservations and payment MUST be received by June 5. RSVP to Belmont at BeanK2@aol.com, or 402.333.9202, or to Margie Gutnik in the synagogue office, 402.492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. Send checks -- made payable to Beth El -- to the synagogue.

Temple Israel Annual Meeting

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

SALES MANAGER Gerhold Concrete Company, a division of Lyman-Richey Corporation, is seeking an experienced Sales Manager to oversee personnel, equipment, and customer accounts within the sales, service, and quality control departments for our operations, spanning multiple plant locations in Nebraska and Iowa. This position will be based in Norfolk, NE. Bachelor’s degree in Sales and Service or a related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience and five (4) years related experience in the ready

mixed concrete, block, precast, or building materials industries. ACI Grade I Concrete Field Testing Technician Certification or equivalent preferred. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes: • Competitive wages • Retirement plan • Health, dental and vision insurance • Company-paid life insurance • Paid vacation plan Interested candidates should call Genelle at 402557-4886 for more information, or apply online at www.careerlink.com. Equal Opportunity Employer

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Lyman-Richey Corporation, established in 1884, is one of the largest producers of ready-mixed concrete, sand and gravel and other construction products in the Midwest.

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12 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2013

The remarkable story of Jacob Besser: Part 1 by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT that same year.” To put it in historical perspective: that was outside were limited, as well as the exertion, because of that Editor of the Jewish Press just in time for the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962. It temperature. Editor’s note: This is part one in the story of Jacob Besser was the year of Fidel Castro’s excommunication by Pope John By late September, Jake found himself at Chanute base, and his remarkable journey from Russia to Omaha, and a XXIII and frequent nuclear testing in the Nevada desert. near Champagne, Illinois, where he received further technifew other places in between. Rather cal training. He became an aircraft than compress it, it needs to be told technician and trained on a B52 in its entirety. Parts two and three bomber simulator. He graduated on will be published in future editions January 31, 1966. From Chanute, he of the Jewish Press. went to Tinker base, Oklahoma, for Originally from Stalingrad, Russia, his first assignment. Jacob (Jake) Besser has called Omaha “I worked on many different airhome for many years. It’s a famous craft. There were probably about place to be from: often seen as the 3,000 servicemen there, as well as stage for a turning point in World quite a few civilians,” he said. War II, it’s where the Battle of “However, we didn’t have much conStalingrad occurred. The battle took tact with the civilian side of things.” place between August 23, 1942, and He lived on the base, and didn’t leave February 2, 1943, and was marked by that base very often: “I didn’t have my constant close-quarters combat and own car, and besides, the small town lack of regard for military and civilthat was there didn’t have much to ian life, resulting in combined casualoffer,” he said. “And Oklahoma City ties amounting to nearly two million. was too far away; it was difficult to get German leadership trouble, difficulty there on your own.” with supply lines, constant and However, transportation was proextremely bloody hand-to-hand vided every Friday night to the synacombat and a terrible winter eventugogue in Oklahoma City. Jake and ally broke the German armed forces. five or six others would go together Jacob Besser, 1965 Jacob Besser today Stalingrad goes by a different name whenever they were able. In the nowadays; it’s known as Volgograd, and to complicate mat- John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth, the meantime, the Vietnam War continued to escalate. Jake ters further, Jake’s parents (who married in 1939) were orig- Beatles came on the scene, and Egyptian President Nasser knew what was waiting for him and many others. inally from Poland. “At the onset of World War II,” Jake said, declared that Gaza belonged to the Palestinians. The Besser “We had people in the shop who had already gone and “they all moved east. My father and his brothers were arrest- family settled in Brooklyn. Jake finished High School, and in come back, and they would talk about what it was like,” he ed, accused of being spies, and sent to Siberia. My mother the background, the Vietnam War continued to heat up. remembers. “And then in September of 1966, I received my ended up in various German camps, but eventually escaped “In 1965, the draft was closing in,” he said, “and I didn’t orders. I was to report later that year; I was going to and ended up in Uzbekistan. Miraculously, they found each want to wait until they decided to draft me into the army. Vietnam.” other again after the war ended.” And so, it seemed to me, the best option was to volunteer for An added unpleasant surprise: that was the moment the Jake was born in 1945. He has a sister, Ellen Rausman, the Air Force.” military changed the time for deployment from five or six who nowadays lives in Woodmere, New York. He came to It’s something he felt good about: “America was good to months to a year. the United States in March of 1962, when he was 17 years us, and I was happy to, in a way, pay something back. “I wasn’t happy, but I knew it was coming,” he said. “I old. Enlisting allowed me to do my part for the United States.” accepted it. There were seven of us in the shop at the Tinker “I came alone, because of the immigration quotas. Not He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force base, Air Force base; I was the last one, and closed the door many were allowed to leave Russia in those days. However, outside San Antonio, Texas. It was August when he arrived; behind me.” my parents and sister were able to follow me in September of to this day, he remembers the extreme heat. The hours spent To be continued...

Senior Coming in June

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Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org