Vol. LXXXIII No. 41 Omaha, NE
Memorial Endowment to Help JFS Pay for Basic Life Necessities
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
22 Sivan, 5764 June 11, 2004
Jewish Federation Honors Its Own
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator Otmar Liebenstein was born in 1913 in Huttenheim, a village nestled near the beautiful mountains and crystal clear lakes of Bavaria in southeastern Germany. But his life was anything but beautiful. His father died as a soldier in World War I when Otmar was only two leaving the family extremely poor. As a child, Otmar was sent to an orphanage in order to get an education. But the adults there were especially cruel to the children. Those early years “influenced his whole life,” said Iris Ricks, Liebenstein’s daughter. Deprived of a mother’s nurturing, Otmar was repeatedly told that he “would never amount to anything.” As a young man, Liebenstein studied farming in Italy to prepare for a life as a farmer in Israel. However, he had a cousin in New York who agreed to be a sponsor. So in 1938, Liebenstein came to America for the opportunities it offered.
Relatives, friends and co-workers turned out Monday night at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s 101st annual meeting. Photos from top left: Jay Gordman, newly installed Chairman of Budget & Allocation and recipient of the Federation’s Volunteer of the Year (along with his JOLT Co-chairman Harry Berman) represents the next generation of Jewish leaders--as does his toddler son, Spencer; Shane Kotok, Jewish Senior Services Outreach Director hugs Robert Mosenkis, one of three Jewish teen leaders; and Shirley Goldstein, a past recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year, congratulates this year’s winner, Howard Kooper. More photos on page 7.
JCC Recognizes Athletes at Final Meeting of the Year Ruth and Otmar Liebenstein Four years previously, 17-year-old Ruth Machtinger from Kielce, Poland, had come with her mother and two brothers “for a better life in America,” said Ricks. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society was instrumental in helping them get to America. Years later, Ricks was told by Machtinger about the anti-Semitism she saw as a child “even from other children.” Both Liebenstein and Machtinger found opportunity in Chicago. She worked at a factory, owned by her brother, where she made purses. Liebenstein worked unloading trucks until he took a job as a bookkeeper/accountant for a steel company. Both Otmar and Ruth attended night school to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. Otmar later went to night school at Northwestern University where he studied finance and economics and was awarded a certificate in commerce. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and returned to Europe as a translator serving in Germany. Liebenstein returned stateside and met Machtinger on a blind date at the end of 1945. On May 19, 1946, they were married in a “very small” ceremony in Chicago, said Ricks, their only child. “Family and friends” were of most importance to Ruth, recalled Ricks. “For my Dad, he was always very, very interested in proving the people in the orphanage wrong. He invested in the stock market and was always driven to accomplish something.” Ricks said her parents “felt lucky to come to the United States.” Otmar had just saved enough money to bring his mother to this country when he learned that she had perished in a concentration camp. “My father was more Orthodox than my mother,” Ricks recounted. But Ruth kept kosher and lit Shabbat candles every Friday night. “My mother belonged and was a volunteer for the Sisterhood.” The Liebensteins observed Judaism mostly in their home, although Continued on page 2
Inside
by LISA SHKOLNICK JCC Assistant Director At the annual meeting last week of the Jewish Community Center of Omaha, the following men were inducted into the Athletes’ Wall of Fame: William Alloy, Mark Belmont, Bob Endelman, Sheff Katskee, Paul Rifkin and Arnie Weitz. Each was presented with a plaque and will have their names inscribed on the Wall of Fame located near the JCC’s Fitness Center. Bill Alloy was an all around athlete who excelled in numerous sports at the JCC from 1962-66. He played softball at the JCC Newly inducted into the JCC’s Athletes Wall of Fame last week were: Sheff Katskee, left, and was on the champi- Mark Belmont, Bob Endelman, Arnold Weitz, William Alloy, and Paul Rifkin (not pictured), onship team in 1964. He whose award was accepted by Gary Rifkin. also played baseball for Central High from 1962-65, and current member of Rotary International. Mark Belmont participated in a variety of BBYO participated in American Legion baseball. Alloy was active in the Youth Council and participat- sports in high school. He was active in basketball, softed in swimming, track, ping pong and bowling. He ball, and football at the JCC, and lettered in baseball at Central High, where he was a second baseman. He has won his weight division in wrestling in 1965. He was also named to the all-star basketball team in been active in coaching and motivating our young bas1965, and was captain of the regional all star basketball ketball players at the “J” since 1997. Belmont was President of the ADL-CRC Board, Board team that same year. Alloy has served on the Meals-on-Wheels Board of Member of the JCC, the Jewish Press, ADL-CRC, and Directors in St. Louis, MO, the United Way of Greater was Co-chairman for Super Sunday. He served on the Topeka, KS, the Board of Directors of the Dialysis JCC Athletic Committee, and was a Men’s Campaign Center of Topeka, and as President of the Board of the worker for the Federation many years. Special honors Topeka Air Ambulance Service. He was active at Mark has received include: ADL-CRC Volunteer of the Temple Beth Shalom where he served on numerous Year in 1990, and the Justin Greenberg Memorial Young committees including the Endowment Committee for Leadership Award in 1993. 15 years. Bill is now living in Perryville, MO, and is a Continued on page 2
This Week: B’nai Israel Celebrates 100th: Page 12 Teens Receive “Boggy” All-JCC Maccabi Awards: Page 2
JCC Honors Outstanding High School Athletes: Page 3
Coming Next Month: Healthy Living Issue on July 9 Omahan Computer-Literate Shepherd Now in Israel: Page 4
Stiels Leaving Omaha for Kansas City: Page 5
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 11, 2004
Jon Lerner and Olga Elkin Receive Isadore “Boggy” Bogdanoff All-JCC Maccabi Team Award
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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SUNDAY, JUNE 13 Bible Study Group, 11 a.m. at Beth El Installation of Officers and Volunteer Recognition, 1 p.m. at Beth El Transformations Art Reception, 2 p.m. Reception for Rabbi Kutner, 2 p.m. at Beth Israel Farewell Reception for Steve and Rabbi Debbie Stiel, 3:30 p.m. MONDAY, JUNE 14 YES Program, 10 a.m. High Holiday Youth Program Meeting, 6 p.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, JUNE 15 Temple Israel Adult Education, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Iowa Western Community Band Concert, 7 p.m. at RBJH Sisterhood Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 Hadassah Board Meeting, 10 a.m. Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, JUNE 17 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Crash Course in Hebrew Reading - Beginners, noon Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7:30 p.m. All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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by RACHEL BLUM JCC Program Director Isadore “Boggy” Bogdanoff was a lifetime member and participant at the Jewish Community Center. As a young man, he was a star basketball and baseball player at the J. In his middle years he was an active participant and leader in dozens of Jewish organizations, and later, many people began to refer to him as the “Mayor” of the JCC because of his involvement with and concern for hundreds of fellow members. Visiting hospitals, calling the sick at home, going to funerals, going to services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, driving people to the airport, picking up and delivering items for people that needed help, sending hundreds of cards for every occasion imaginable, delivering the Jewish Press to the Health Spa, keeping in touch with those who were home bound, are just a few of the activities that kept “Boggy” on the move. He loved seeing the children participate in sports at the J and always had a story about his own love for the Center and everyone he met during his 91 years. For his athletic ability, his community service and his overall generous spirit, the JCC established the Isadore “Boggy” Bogdanoff All-JCC Maccabi Team in 2003. This award recognizes outstanding teen participants in the annual JCC Maccabi Games, recognized for their consistent participation, athletic talent and contribution to the “community spirit” of the Games. This year, the two All JCC Maccabi Team recipients are Olga Elkin and Jon Lerner. Olga Elkin, the 16-year-old daughter of Eugene and Julia Elkin, attends Millard North and has just complet-
ed her second year on its varsity tennis team. Olga is currently ranked 57th in the nation and won the State Class A singles tournament last year as a freshman. She has participated in two JCC Maccabi Games, and this year in Columbus, OH, will be her third. Her most memorable Maccabi Olga Elkin moment was winning the gold medal here in Omaha. She also thinks Opening Ceremonies are amazing, believes it’s something everyone should experience. Jon Lerner, the 16-year-old son of Dick and Martha Lerner, just finished his sophomore year at Westside, where he’s been a member of the varsity diving team. Jon’s Maccabi history includes the Games in Sarasota in 2001, Omaha in 2002, and St. Louis last summer. Jon will complete his four year Maccabi run when we go to Columbus this August. He is an excellent bowler and has won eight medals throughJon Lerner out his Maccabi career. When asked what he enjoyed most about the JCC Maccabi Games, Jon said he loves talking and hanging out with new friends from different cities, and that bowling provides a great environment for this type of interaction. Jon also likes to collect Maccabi paraphernalia…in fact, his room has become a Maccabi Museum!
JCC Recognizes Athletes’ Achievements at Final Board Meeting Continued from page 1 Bob Endelman was on the AZA basketball team for four years. He was competitive in many sports, including those he participated in at Abraham Lincoln High School such as: football, basketball, track and boxing. Endelman played for his high school team as a Center, when they earned ‘all state’ in 1934. He served on the JCC Health Club committee and has been an active volunteer for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home through the years, making regular visits to residents and delivering Passover items. A lifelong member of the JCC, Sheff Katskee grew up involved in the sports programs at the “J”. He was a competitive wrestler at Central High School and wrestled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sheff Katskee coached Youth Council Basketball 1954-60 and also volunteered to coach Youth Council wrestling, baseball, and basketball; he also taught bridge lessons at the”J” for eight years. He has been a volunteer for Bergan-Mercy and Methodist hospitals for 20 years and volunteered for the Omaha Public Schools as a math resource teacher. Special honors Sheff received include: Life Master Bridge Award, Competitive Duplicate Bridge Award, Master Angler Providence of Manitoba, Canada, and Master Angler of Saskatchewan, Canada.
At age 91, Sheff continues to actively participate in many special events and traditions at the JCC. Team sports for Paul Rifkin included softball, basketball, and wrestling at the JCC between 1942-49. At Tech High School, Rifkin excelled in basketball, baseball, and football. He played on the city championship team for the American Legion Club and has fond memories of playing with pitcher Jack Urban, who went on to play for the New York Yankees. Rifkin was a member of AZA #100 and Habonim. He retired from engineering, and left Omaha in the late 1940s. Currently living in Dallas, Texas, Paul still walks four times per week and lifts weights. Arnold Weitz has many memories of activities at the JCC, participating in softball, basketball, and football. He attended Central and lettered in baseball and basketball. He went on to play baseball at the University of Southern California, where he was third baseman. Serving on the Federation and JCC Boards, Weitz has assisted with many campaigns and was a member of the Federation’s Budget and Allocation Committee. He was President of the Red Cross Heartland Chapter, President and Secretary of the West Omaha Rotary, and board member of the Ironwood Country Club. He is currently a board member of Nebraska Public Television, and is an Investment Manager.
Endowment to Help JFS C L I P & S A V E
Continued from page 1 Otmar went to synagogue most Saturday mornings. On Sunday mornings, Ricks remembers her father “would go in the bedroom and spend some time praying.” “He always tried to save money,” said Ricks. “I think my Dad always wanted to make sure he had enough to eat and be warm.” The three tried to take a vacation together once a year creating “special memories” for Iris. Ruth and Otmar, both of whom became American citizens, eventually were able to take several trips to Israel. They also went on some cruises and to London but never returned to Huttenheim or Kielce. Family trips continued even after Iris married Marty Ricks, current Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Ruth died in November 2000. After Otmar’s death in February 2003, Iris established a Jewish Family Service (JFS) Financial Assistance Endowment Fund in her parents’ memory. Income from the endowment fund, set up through the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, will be used to help needy Jews living in the Omaha metropolitan area to cover basic necessities of life including but not limited to food, clothing, medical care, prescription drugs, rent, utilities, mortgage assis-
tance, and transportation. This new endowment gives JFS six funds that can be used to help Jews in the community who are in financial need or in the throes of a crisis. Steve Stiel, JFS executive director, said endowment income meets about $14,000 of the $70,000 JFS gives to those in need each year. The rest of the money comes from grants, donoradvised funds, and individual contributors. “We never know when the economy is going to take a downturn,” Stiel pointed out. “We see an increase in requests during those times, and contributions tend to fall off at the same time. The endowment funds provide a safety net when the need arises.” Losing any contribution would impact how JFS assists clients. Although he’s “always humbled by how this community steps forward to help,” Stiel indicated that “we could use even more endowments.” “It feels really good to do something to honor my parents,” Ricks said. “I am who I am because of them and the values they taught me. I’m really grateful that I had the parents that I had,” she added, “and that I grew up in a house where I was loved. I’m so fortunate to have had all the basics, and I want others to have that.”
June 11, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
JCC Honors Outstanding High School Athletes by BOB FRANZESE JCC Athletic Director In addition to inducting adults into its Athletes Wall of Fame, the JCC also recognized graduating high school seniors who have excelled in athletics. Winners for 2004 include: Bradley Abramson Ryan Blumkin Marissa Epstein Bradley Abramson, Ryan Blumkin, Marissa Esptein, Jennifer Finkle, Ben Gerber, Emily Gordon, Kate Josephson, Matt Kelberg, Emily Muskin, Laura Shkolnick, Sasha Skulsky, Brittany Sukkienik, Hannah Wolf, and Kylie Zacharia. Bradley Abramson, son Matt Kelberg Emily Muskin Laura Shkolnik of Mike and Sheri the state and ninth in the nation. She Abramson, graduated Millard North, also won the United Way Teen Volunteer where he participated in football all four years, lettering his senior year. He was of the year. Jennifer Finkle, daughter of David named team captain as a senior and and Judy Finkle, is a recent graduate of received an honorable mention for allMillard North, where she participated in state and all-metro. This past season, and lettered in varsity dance team all Brad was a key part of the undefeated four years. She has been active in JCC football team that won the State activities, starting her dance career there Championship. and was President of Ediar BBG in 2001Brad has also been active at the JCC. 02. Academic honors include National He participated in the youth basketball Honor Society and membership on the program and as a member of Team Millard North debate team. Omaha’s boys’ basketball team in the Ben Gerber, son of Don and Maggie JCC Maccabi Games. Academic honors Gerber, graduated from Burke, where he include membership in the Rotary Honor lettered in Cross Country in 2003 and Roll and National Honor Society. 2004 and in track as a pole-vaulter for Ryan Blumkin, son of Irvin and Susan three years. Ben has also been active at Blumkin, is a recent graduate of Burke, the JCC, where he participated in the where he participated in and lettered in youth basketball program and as a memtennis all four years. ber of Team Omaha’s boys’ basketball Ryan has been very active in JCC athand track team in the JCC Maccabi letics over the years, participating in Games. He is a member of the National youth basketball leagues, as well as the adult men’s basketball league. He was Honor Society, Future Business Leaders also a member of team Omaha’s tennis of America, and DECA. Emily Gordon, daughter of Peter and team in the JCC Maccabi Games, where Jenny Gordon, graduated from Burke, he won the gold medal. Academic honwhere she participated in softball, basors include Honor Roll for the past seven ketball and track, lettering in softball. semesters and receiving the AllEmily grew up playing basketball for 11 Academic Tennis Award. years at the JCC, and was a member of Marissa Epstein, daughter of Ronald Girls Basketball Team during the JCC and Harriett Epstein, graduated from Maccabi Games. Burke, where she ran track and lettered Academic honors include membership as a member of the pom squad. in National Honor Society, winning acaMarissa recently completed her term as demic letters all four years, and winning BBG chapter president in BBYO, where the Informational Technology Academic her group won chapter of the year. She Achievement Award in 2003. is also a member of DECA, and particiKate Josephson, daughter of Keith pates in the Knowledge Masters and Judy Josephson, graduated from Competition, where she placed first in
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Burke, where she played tennis all four years, lettering the past two years. Kate has participated in numerous sports and activities at the JCC over the years, most recently as a member of Team Omaha in the JCC Maccabi Games, playing both basketball and tennis. Academic honors include membership in the National Honor Society, winning academic letters the past three years, and taking third place in the National History Day Competition. Matt Kelberg, son of Larry and LeAnn Kelberg, graduated from Millard North. Matt played basketball all four years and lettered in basketball his sophomore, junior and senior year. He set several school records and ended as the all-time leader in assists and steals. Other honors for Matt include being named honorable mention all-metro in basketball, being selected to play in both the Metro High School All-star Game and the Boys and Girls Club All Star Game. Emily Muskin, daughter of Bruce and Mary Beth Muskin, graduated from Central, where she participated and lettered in softball, basketball, and tennis.
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Emily was named to the all division team three times in softball, and this past season was named second team all-state. Emily was also active in the JCC basketball program, where she played in the youth program and on Team Omaha’s girls basketball team in the JCC Maccabi Games, 1999-02. Academic Honors include membership in National Honor Society and being nominated as the Central Scholar athlete. Laura Shkolnik, daughter of Gerald and Lynne Shkolnik, graduated from Millard North, where she participated on the diving team; she lettered and qualified for state all four years. Laura finished 13th in the state her sophomore year, and finished 14th senior year. Laura also participated in diving as a member of the JCC swim team in 1997-99. Sasha Skulsky, daughter of Dr. Steven Skulsky and Susan Skulsky, graduated Oakwood Friends School, Poughkeepsie, NY. Sasha played and lettered in soccer, basketball, and softball all four years. She was also a member of Team Omaha’s girl’s basketball team in the JCC Continued on page 5
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 11, 2004
Former Omahan Now a Computer-Literate Shepherd in Israel by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of The Jewish Press Bobby Shapiro would be a good candidate for this year’s New Year’s issue. Its theme is “Second Time Around” and features Jewish men and women who have changed careers. Bobby started out in the engineering school at the University of Iowa, switched to math, added elementary education and graduated with a degree in secondary education. But the story doesn’t end there. This 28-year-old son of Larry and Sherry Shapiro did his student teaching in his birthplace, Sioux City, IA, while living with his grandparents, Ben and Betty Shapiro. And then he was offered a position to complete his student teaching in Melbourne, Australia. His one requirement was to be “within walking distance of a synagogue,” Shapiro told the Jewish Press on a recent visit to Omaha to attend the wedding of his sister, Melissa Shapiro, who married Matt Shapiro (no this isn’t a typo!) on May 16 at Beth El Synagogue. “The headmaster of the school called me to tell me he had good news,” Shapiro added. “He said, ‘There are 15 synagogues in the neighborhood!’” After he finished his requirements, Shapiro backpacked around the huge country and returned to Melbourne looking for full-time work, but “it wasn’t easy for an American to get a work permit,” Shapiro said. So he went door-to-door to Internet cafes, trying to use his engineering background and computer expertise. For a while, he made $10 an hour just distributing flyers, but management soon realized they had a computer whiz on their hands. Shapiro “graduated” to designing a new cash program for the cafe and soon became the manager. Later, while travelling in Europe, Shapiro got a call from the manager to come back “in a hurry.” But the job was no longer fun or interesting and instead, Shapiro decided to speak to the Israeli shaliach (literally messenger, but also used as the name of a representative from the Jewish Agency for Israel). “I had always dreamed of working on a kibbutz,” Shapiro explained. “My goal
was to learn Hebrew. I wasn’t observant then, but for some reason, the shaliach insisted that I live on a religious kibbutz to go to ulpan (intensive Hebrew classes).” Over the course of the five-month program,
Above: Bobby Shapiro, right, became close to the Oded family in Arad. Right: Shapiro carved these mezzuzot for members of his family--including one for his sister for her recent wedding. Below: Bobby--Ezra--in his stone cottage.
...“the Jewish nation has a task... fulfilling its own mission and helping other nations fulfill theirs.” Shapiro believes that each step along the way has brought him closer to fulfilling his own... Shapiro kept his head covered with a kipa (skullcap) and studied Torah on Shabbat. “It was gradual,” he said, “my Hebrew wasn’t that good.” Little by little, Shapiro started observing more mitzvot....first kashrut, then Shabbat. After a few months at Kibbutz Yavneh in Ashdod (40 minutes south of Tel Aviv), Shapiro returned to Omaha to prepare for aliyah, immigrating to Israel. That was 30 months ago. A stint in the Negev town of Arad in the WUJS program (World Union of Jewish Students) to improve his Hebrew and influence from the Odeds, his WUJS host family, brought him to the yeshiva in Otniel, where the Oded’s oldest son learned. “The style of learning at Otniel is very much influenced by Hassidut,” Shapiro explained. “The attitude is to focus on the love--of people and of learning and doing mitzvot--not on the obligation. People there understand that first we’re human, then part of Am Yisrael (the Jewish People). At Otniel, the rabbis push people to reach their potential.” And since it’s a hesder yeshiva, where students combine
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learning and military service, Shapiro, too, fulfilled his obligation in the Israel Defense Force. “It’s not all learning,” he added, “Hesder students do community service, guard duty, and prepare for having jobs in the real world.” Shapiro’s “real world” now is a private organic subsistence farm on a yishuv, Susya--a 21-year-old agricultural settlement in the Hebron Hills. About 100 families live there. They’ve built schools, a grocery store, even an olympic-size pool, used by other nearby yeshuvim. Unfortunately, Yair Har-Sinai, the farm’s leader, was murdered in 2001, when he went to gather his flock, but his farm has continued to grow. Shapiro--engineering student turned
math major turned teacher turned computer whiz now tends the farm’s flock of sheep. Don’t be fooled though; this isn’t an easy, lowtech job. Some days Shapiro spends the entire day shepherding his flock of sheep. Others, he’s on his cell phone all day with the army, alerting them to possible Arab intruders. He’s also responsible for helping maintain the fenceless borders around Susya and assisting with building enclosures and housing. He and other members of the community are working on fencing in another grazing area, downhill from the yishuv. That way, the sheep can be let out of their pens to graze, without anyone tending to them on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. There is no television on the farm, nor computers (though Shapiro hasn’t lost his touch and still communicates with his family via e-mail). But there are solar panels and a windmill to provide electricity and charge batteries that can operate for up to two days without recharging. Yes, there’s refrigeration, showers and toilet facilities. Water is delivered by trenches, which carry it downhill from Susya to the farm, where it’s stored in cisterns. The farm grows its own produce in a winter garden and a summer garden. “I’d like to get married,” Shapiro admitted, “and continue learning Torah and living on the farm.” But he hasn’t forgotten his past either. “In order to build, a person has to keep his foundation. I was born both Bobby and Ezra, and both names are part of my identity.” Rabbi Yonatan Pesach had a big influence on Shapiro, too. He teaches at WUJS and at other learning institutions for men and for women. He’s helped Shapiro understand that “the Jewish nation has a task...fulfilling its own mission and helping other nations fulfill theirs.” Shapiro believes that each step along the way has brought him closer to fulfilling his own individual task. Fifty years from now, he sees himself sitting under an olive tree in Eretz Yisrael, surrounded by his grandchildren. “The Torah is the first step,” he insisted.
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June 11, 2004
Stiel Family Leaving for KC by TANYA SEINA, L.C.S.W. for Jewish Family Service Even before Rabbi Debbie and Steve Stiel became parents, they talked about Jewish day school education for their children. While Omaha’s Friedel Jewish Academy provides a full-day for grades K-6, the Stiels wanted a school their kids could attend through high school with a large peer group. Throughout the years, the Stiels have visited day schools in other cities. Last January, on a weekend getaway with their sons, Micah, 8, and Jonah, 5, they stopped in to visit Kansas City’s Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, a K-12 day school with an enrollment of 320. “When we told Micah we were going to visit Hyman Brand, he protested and said he’d never go there,” Steve Stiel recalled. “Five minutes into the school visit, Micah was asking the admission counselor questions like, ‘Do you have classes on the Holocaust?’ and ‘Are all the classes taught in Hebrew?’ We knew he was hooked!” Their dream of sending their boys to a large day school will be realized when the Stiel family moves to Overland Park, KS, next month, near the Academy, located on the campus of the KC JCC. Originally, the Stiels planned on mak-
ing the move--without securing jobs first. Steve has been the Executive Director of Jewish Family Service for four years, and his wife, Rabbi Debbie Stiel, was Associate Rabbi of Temple Israel. She’s currently the spiritual leader of B’nai Jeshurun in Lincoln and will stay on part-time, commuting two weekends a month, to serve the needs of the Reform congregation there. An e-mail correspondence between the parent of a child at Hyman Brand and a member of Omaha’s Jewish community brought the offer of a job interview for Steve. That parent just happened to sit on the search committee at Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Kansas City, MO, looking for a new administrator. The congregation is breaking ground this summer for an office and school building, just five minutes from the Stiel’s new home--convenient for its new Executive Director. A farewell reception for the Stiel family is planned for this Sunday, June 13, 3:30-5 p.m., in the Community Room of the JCC, next to the JFS office. Well-wishers will also be able to meet JFS’s new Executive Director, Becki Brenner, a former Omahan who is moving back here from--where else?--Kansas City, where she worked with Planned Parenthood.
Beth El’s Shavuot Study Evening Focuses on Teachings of Maimonides by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The teachings of Jewish philosopher Maimonides were examined and discussed during Beth El Synagogue’s annual Shavuot Study Night, held May 25. Around 120 attendees joined together to mark the holiday, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Study sessions were led by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, who addressed “The Question of Biblical Anthropomorphisms: God Doesn’t Have an Eye or a Hand,” and Professor Guy Matalon, whose topic was “The Purposes of the Commandments: The Essence of Judaism is in the Doing.” Both presentations focused on excerpts from Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed, and Rabbi Levin noted that the philosopher’s writings were chosen to commemorate the 800-year anniversary of his death. Anthropomorphisms, or attributing human physical characteristics to God, is an important subject to study, Rabbi Levin said, as “almost every week, we read about an anthropomorphism during
Shabbat services, and it is important to know how to understand the text.” He cited examples in the Torah which state that God sees, hears or speaks, and explained that the idea being transmitted was how God perceived what was happening. He added that the Torah was written in language that human beings would understand, and that any human attributes given to God should not be taken literally. Professor Matalon spoke about the purposes, the “whys” of the commandments. He expounded on Maimonides’ belief that the laws were established to protect the welfare of the body and soul, providing guidelines for physical and spiritual morality necessary to bring order to society. The evening also included Cantor Gastón Bogomolni leading attendees in Shavuot-related songs, plus the presentation of participation certificates to the adult students in Rabbi Levin’s “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century” class, Susi Frydman-Levin’s “Hebrew Crash Course,” Professor Leonard Greenspoon’s Bible study class, and the cantor’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah class.
JCC Honors Teen Athletes Continued from page 3 Macabbi Games in 1999-2002. Academic honors include being on the independent study honor roll for all four years. Brittany Sukiennik, daughter of Hyman and Marlene Sukiennik, graduated from Millard North, where she participated and lettered in cheerleading. Brittany was selected to participate in Youth Leadership Omaha and the national youth law forum in Washington D.C. Academic honors include membership in National Honor Society, receiving a UNL Regents Scholarship and Distinguished Scholars Award at Tulane University. Hannah Wolf, daughter of Phil and Nancy Wolf, graduated from Millard West, where she participated in softball, basketball, track, and volleyball, lettering in track and basketball. This past season, Hannah was named all-metro third team and all-state honorable mention in basketball. She was selected to play in the
Boys and Girls Club All-Star Basketball Game and will play in the Coaches All Star game in Lincoln on July 27. Hannah played basketball at the JCC from first through eighth grade and then participated in the JCC Maccabi Games as a member of Team Omaha’s Girls basketball team from 1999-2002. Academic honors include being a three-year academic letter winner and membership in National Honor Society. Kylie Zacharia, daughter of Dick and Terri Zacharia, graduated from Central, where she participated in and lettered on Pom Squad all four years of high school. Growing up, Kylie participated in the JCC basketball program from elementary school to middle school. Academic honors include being inducted into the National Honor Society, the Purple Feather Award, and membership in the Golden Eagle Honor Roll.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
Summer’s A-Cumin In, Nu! by BERNARD MANN Legacy Crosswords, © 2004
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 11, 2004
ORGANIZATIONS
Out
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, the JCC Dancers will perform. For transportation, call Dee Dee at 330.4272. WALK-1N, DROP-IN: Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise and bingo will begin at 10 a.m. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 11:30 a.m. in the Social Hall. The movie Calendar Girls will begin at noon in the Blumkin Home auditorium. Popcorn will be served. For transportation call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.
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LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC in the Social Hall on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for information. VISIONS Join us at the Henry Doorly Zoo to see the new Hubbard Gorilla Valley on June 30, 10 a.m. (meet at the upper main entrance). Lunch will be at Piccolo Pete’s at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $18 per person and includes zoo entrance, lunch, tax and tip. If you are a member of the zoo, the cost is $9.75. Make check payable to Visions and send with reservations to: Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St., Omaha, NE 68144 by June 21. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Reminder: JSS presents the Iowa Western Community Band on Tuesday, June 15, 7 p.m. in the JCC auditorium. The band has performed in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area for 25 years. A dessert reception follows the free performance. Call Maggie Conti for reservations at 334.6521. B'NAI B'RITH BREADBREAKERS S/Sgt Jay Benton, Jewish war veteran, will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, June 16, noon at the Park Inn Regency, according to Spring co-chairmen Ken Weiner, Marty Ricks and Gary Javtich. Benton, recently returned from combat in Iraq, will talk about his experiences. Cost is $10 for lunch; $2 for beverage service only. Breadbreakers is open to the community. TORAH LEARNING CENTER Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will teach the following classes: on Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., “Jewish Philosophy”, ongoing discussions on Jewish philosophy and selfgrowth; Wednesdays, noon: “Down To Earth Philosophy” at the JCC; at 7 p.m., learn “Advanced Hebrew” at the TLC Beis Midrash, 1313 No. 58 St. Thursday nights, 7:30 p.m., learn insights to the weekly Torah portion at the JCC. New home-study groups and classes and individual study sessions are available at the Torah Learning Center. Please call Rabbi Hoffman at: 981.0569 for more information.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JMR Productions presents From Generation to Generation at the Jewish community center Theatre on Saturday, June 26, 7:30 p.m., as a benefit performance in memory of Dr. Ben Kutler and Jan Anderson. Proceeds will benefit the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children. Tickets that night are $20 for adults and $15 for children and include a reception. The musical about Rose Lieberman and her efforts to create an enduring gift for her unborn granddaughter, also runs on Thursday, June 24, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 27, 2 p.m. and again on Thursday, July 8 and Saturday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For information, call 393.3893.
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The Children’s Hospital Suitcase Program will be at the Omaha Children’s Museum on Wednesday, June 16, and Thursday, June 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nursing students will bring dress-up attire, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and more and talk to children about being healthy. The museum is open every Monday during the run of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. There are also special demonstrations for all museum guests in the Discovery Ports at the Titanic PreBoarding Area. For information, call 342.6164
An Experiment in Hebrew Education by MARY SUE GROSSMAN JELS Administrator This summer, Jewish Educational and Library Services will offer an innovative class to teach conversational Hebrew. The class will meet twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and use the latest material to teach Hebrew. The class will focus on speaking ability rather than grammar and translations. The method to be used in the class is Ivrit b’Ivrit--Hebrew in Hebrew. Maya Wertheimer, an accomplished linguist and experienced language teacher, will be the instructor. “The idea of offering an intensive Hebrew class meeting twice a week is something that has developed over time,” said Guy Matalon, Executive Director of JELS. “We have tried different opportunities in Omaha for our community, but not something like this. This summer, we are offering a novel way of learning Hebrew.” The class materials will include books, audio tapes, and CDs to reinforce the material covered in class. According to Matalon, “This is really an experiment for Omaha--to teach Hebrew using an ulpan-type of methodology. It is exciting and refreshing. I cannot wait to speak to the participants around our community in Hebrew!” Classes will be held in the JELS classroom Tuesday and Thursday evenings in July. Class dates are July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29, 7-8:30 p.m. Cost is $60. For more information or to register, please contact me at 334.6445 or mgrossman@jewishomaha.org
IN THE NEWS Nicholas “Nick” Cary Newman graduated from Pine Ridge Academy in West Jordan, UT, and has been attending Westminster College in Salt Lake City since January and will graduate from there this August. He is the son of Omahans Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman. Dustin Friedman, son of Sandy and Amy Friedman, was a three-year member of the Executive Committee and chaired the design of the course for the 14th annual Undergraduate Design Competition at Northwestern University. Thirty-one teams entered autonomous robots going head-to-head in a competition for a $4,000 first prize. Dusty will graduate June 18 from Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering. Laura Senft was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Young Leadership Division/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Laura has a Masters degree and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Psychology. She is the district psychologist for two school districts in the western suburbs of Chicago and the daughter of Marsha and Steve Senft. An estimated 2,000 walkers participated in the largest fund-raising event for the American Heart Association in Nebraska. For the second consecutive year, the Omaha-Metro American Heart Walk broke all previous fund-raising records, grossing more than $311,000, a 33% increase over last year’s record total. Currently, the association sponsors $1.7 million in cardiovascular research at Nebraska universities. Jay Noddle served as chairperson for the Omaha walk and Tom Baker as Vice-chairperson. Phil and Terri Schrager recognized Westside Community Schools’ teachers Janet Fidler and Roger Groth recently. The Schragers announced the Schrager Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award and presented each teacher with a plaque and a $10,000 award from the foundation. Fidler is a guidance counselor at Hillside Elementary. She has worked in the Westside school district for 17 years. Groth, Director of Bands at Westside High School, has worked in the district for 29 years. Former Omahan David Wigodsky was awarded a Masters of Divinity degree and received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City last month. He is the son of Steve Wigodsky and Patsy Wallace and grew up at Temple Israel.
June 11, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Federation Honors Its Own
Photos from top left: Zoë Riekes, newly installed President of the Jewish Federation, paid tribute to her in-laws: Dorothy Riekes (and Henry Riekes, not pictured); Outgoing Federation President Steve Pitlor recognizes Michael Miller, outgoing Young Leaders’ Division Chairman, who also received the JCC Volunteer of the Year; three generations of Omaha leadership include Harriet Singer, left, Traci Kugler and Sandi Kutler (daughter and mother team recognized with the Community Service Award for Shop Shalom, along with their co-chairmen Jamie Friedland and her mother,
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Terri Zacharia); Esther Wax says goodbye to Rabbi Howard Kutner, who is moving to Cleveland, OH, next month to be the rabbi at Menorah Park Center for Senior Living; this year’s Pacesetter and Lion of Judah chairmen, Bruce and Anne Shackman, have agreed to chair the 2006 Annual Campaign; Alana Kinarsky received the Teen Leader award from Joanie Jacobson--who also presented it to Janet Baack (right); Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Volunteer of the Year 102-year-old Rose Frankel enjoys a moment with her daughter-in-law, Barbara, and son, Dean; Zoë Riekes recognizes
Melissa Medvin--ADL’s Volunteer of the Year, along with Bucky Greenberg (not pictured)--and, below, Scott Meyerson, the Jewish Press Volunteer of the Year; Federation Executive Director Jan Goldstein congratulates Howard Kooper on his Humanitarian of the Year Award. Other award recipients included Volunteers of the Year Harry Berman, Jennifer Glazer and Ilene Pachman; and outgoing and incoming JCC Presidents Jeff Kirshenbaum and Gary Epstein. The Young Leadership awards to Katherine Finnegan and David Kohll will be presented in the fall.
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Jewish Family Service Cordially invites you to a community farewell
for Steve Stiel and Rabbi Debbie Stiel On Sunday, June 13 At the JCC Community Room From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by and thank them both For their contributions to enhancing Jewish Life in Omaha. There is also an opportunity to meet the new diredtor of Jewish Family Service,
Becki Brenner
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 11, 2004
Opinion Planting Seeds for the Future Monday night’s tribute to community volunteers was the focus of the Jewish Federation’s annual meeting. And one theme was stressed repeatedly by speakers from outgoing President Steve Pitlor to incoming President Zoë Riekes: our job as leaders is to plant seeds for the future. Pitlor gave credit to the scores of men, women and teens here who combine their talents, energy and financial resources in creating a cohesive community. “Our role (as leaders) in determining the shape of Jewish life,” he noted, “comes from you.” The ideas, the hours, the funding for projects big and small are only as good as the volunteers who are involved and the staff who can execute them. Jan Goldstein, the Federation’s Executive Director, continued Pitlor’s theme, noting that we have “built on a strong lay and professional relationship” in order for our programs and projects to succeed. Goldstein pointed to one of the Federation’s biggest priorities this year--attracting newcomers. A year ago, the Federation Board passed a 2003-04 budget which included a small amount of funding (plus a grant from a generous, forward-thinking donor) to hire a Community Development Director. That position, filled by Janie Murow, is now a permanent part of the Federation budget and in one short year has already shown some success. According to Goldstein, some 100 families have moved to Omaha in the past year. And Murow is now working with local businesses to help them “sell” the Jewish community when they recruit new employees. Riekes, too, was optimistic about the plans put in place by the leaders who preceded her. The challenge, she said, was to nurture the “seeds we plant today...by the next genera-
tion of Jewish leaders.” For her, too, attracting newcomers and leadership development will be major components of her term as Federation President. That’s not to say this community doesn’t have challenges. Goldstein noted several of them: strengthening Jewish education in this community, increasing resources, especially through the development of PACE and LOJE endowments (Perpetual Annual Campaign and Lion of Judah Endowments), and caring for our aging Jewish population. There are not easy tasks. Because we are aging, the number of new major gifts may be more difficult to obtain. Because we are aging, there will be more of us who need assistance. Because we are aging and not replacing ourselves, our resources for our seniors will be competing with resources for our children and teens. It is a challenge...but it’s not an impossible task. Goldstein also alluded to the famous line of Talmud that “we are all responsible for one another.” That’s what makes a Jewish community...knowing when someone is sick and needs help, knowing when an elder’s out-of-town children need to be contacted, knowing when a wrenching divorce is affecting children. It also means “agreeing to disagree.” The Hindus say “there are many paths to the sun.” While we’re not suggesting taking on Hindu ritual, there is practical advice in that simple statement. With the talent and creativity at
(Founded in 1920)
hand, let’s take all the ideas--good, bad and indifferent--and put them on the community “table” for discussion. Observers of group behavior note that some of the best ideas often come from disparate groups that work together and learn how to cooperate. If we’re serious about helping Zoë Riekes accomplish her goals as President, let’s use all our resources...even from those who may be distant from the community right now. This may be the perfect way to bring them back. after all, we’re planting seeds for their children’s future, too.
Cabinet Approves Sharon Plan, but Hurdles Remain for Gaza Pullout
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by DAN BARON JERUSALEM (JTA)--Ariel Sharon’s Gaza withdrawal plan overcame a key hurdle with its passage in the Israeli Cabinet this week, but more obstacles lie ahead. The version of the plan the Cabinet approved by a 14-7 vote Sunday was a withdrawal in principle, but the Cabinet did not vote on actually dismantling any Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip or West Bank. “Israel is taking its future in its own hands,” the Israeli prime minister said after the vote. “Israel has no intention of waiting any longer for the Palestinians to rein in terror and incitement.” Coincidentally, the vote came on the anniversary of two landmark Middle East events in which Sharon played a pivotal role: the beginning of the ground campaign in the 1967 Six-Day War, and Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Immediately after the vote, Cabinet minister Ehud Olmert said he would order the Israel Lands Authority to freeze any new requests for settlement construction in the Gaza Strip. He also said Monday that Israel would have to give up some Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem--where Olmert formerly served as mayor--to secure peace and maintain Israel’s demographic balance, according to the Web site of Israel’s Ma’ariv newspaper. After Sunday's vote, the White House urged that Israel focus on preparing for withdrawal. “We view the prime minister’s plan to withdraw all settlements in Gaza and certain settlements in the West Bank as a courageous and historic step,” White House spokesman
Scott McClellan said in a statement Sunday. “We urge that practical preparatory work to implement the plan now proceed as rapidly as possible in Israel.” But even the compromise plan that was approved Sunday, worked out in recent days after a more comprehensive plan appeared likely to lose a vote, was difficult to achieve. The measure passed only after days of wrangling and a drawn-out Cabinet meeting. Last Friday, Sharon fired two Cabinet members who strongly opposed the plan, Tourism Minister Benny Elon and Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman, both from the National Union Party. Their dismissals helped ensure that the plan had majority support in the Cabinet.
“Israel is taking its future in its own hands,” the Israeli prime minister said after the vote. “Israel has no intention of waiting any longer for the Palestinians to rein in terror and incitement.” Opposition also had come from members of Sharon's own Likud Party, especially Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and Education Minister Limor Livnat. To mollify these “rebel ministers,” Sharon diluted the plan, eventually limiting the vote to the principle that Israel should disengage from the Palestinians. No actual vote was taken on whether Israel should evacuate the 21 settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank that Sharon had specified in his original plan. Sharon also had to include a last-minute compromise regarding a letter of understand-
ing he had exchanged with President Bush on the disengagement plan. The approved plan referred to the letters, but they weren’t appended to the plan itself, as Sharon originally had wanted. Sharon had hoped to clinch support for the plan after Bush endorsed it in April. At the time, Bush said Israel had the right to retain some West Bank land in a future peace deal with the Palestinians and that Palestinian refugees from Israel’s 1948 War of Independence should not be granted the right to return to their former homes inside Israel. But Sharon’s plan ran into trouble in early May when the Likud membership rejected it in a party referendum. After this week’s Cabinet vote, Sharon’s coalition ran into new trouble when the proSephardi Shas Party, the liberal Yahad bloc and Israeli Arab parties urged the Knesset on Monday to vote no-confidence in the government over a funding crisis in Israeli municipalities. But the Labor Party, whose support is necessary for the motions to pass, said it would abstain from such a vote to give Sharon a chance to plan the details of his pullout plan. On Sunday, Labor Party leader Shimon Peres denied there were talks under way for Labor to join the government if the National Religious Party bolts over the disengagement plan. “We have not been invited to join the government, and we are not about to invite ourselves,” Peres told party members. Despite the difficulties, Sharon was optimistic after the Cabinet vote, which came as opinion polls showed that a majority of Israelis support the pullout plan. “Most people understand that this decision ensures Israel’s future,” Sharon said. “Today’s decision gives hope to everyone.”
Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Nancy Skid; and Melanie Weinstein. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitional committees of the Jewish Federation. 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. Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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June 11, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Ronald Reagan Remembered as President Who ‘Got’ Jewish Issues
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--Some Jewish officials said they had a certain perception of Ronald Reagan when they walked into the White House during the 1980s: that the 40th president of the United States was aloof and unfamiliar with the complexities of the issues of the day. But when they walked out of meetings with Reagan, those perceptions often had changed. “He was far brighter than he was given credit for,” said Shoshana Cardin, former Chairwoman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “He was far more knowledgeable.” Even Jewish leaders who didn't always agree with Reagan on political issues are remembering Reagan, who died June 5 at age 93 in California, as a man deeply committed to the issues the Jewish community focused on during the 1980s. But beyond that, many remembered Reagan as a man who was open and interested in listening to the Jewish community. “There was respect shown; there was no hostility,” said Hyman Bookbinder, the longtime Washington representative for the American Jewish Committee. “With Reagan, you had disagreements but you didn’t get angry with him.” Reagan’s familiarity with Jewish concerns began in Hollywood, where as an actor he worked closely with many Jews, said Marshall Breger, the Jewish liaison in the Reagan White House. Even before first running for office in the mid-1960s, he resigned from the Lakeside Country Club in Los Angeles because it refused to admit Jews. Shortly after becoming governor of California, he spoke out in support of
Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and “I realized we had in the White House headlined a pro-Israel rally at Los probably the warmest, most attentive Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. individual to individual needs,” Cardin “He had this tremendous ability to take said. “This man cared.” people as they were, and he had a comDespite being a conservative plete lack of social prejudice,” Breger Republican, Reagan still had a way of said. “It was evident when you heard making a positive impression on a him, spoke to him, came into contact Jewish constituency that was mostly libwith him.” eral and Democratic--even if they disThe interests of the Reagan administration and American Jews intersected throughout much of Reagan’s time in the White House. As Reagan worked to end the Communist threat in the Soviet bloc, American Jews sought to give Jews there the right to practice their religion freely and emigrate if President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail they so chose. Gorbachev sign a nuclear missile treaty in the East Room of the Reagan was able to use White House on Dec. 8, 1987. Credit: Reagan Presidential Library the Soviet Jewry issue as an entryway into negotiations with Soviet agreed with him on domestic issues like President Mikhail Gorbachev. It framed abortion, taxes and social programs. the discussion when Gorbachev first came “There was no one who was better at to Washington, a day after 250,000 people working a crowd, and no one who was rallied there for Soviet Jews. And Reagan better at selling an idea, and that’s why I showed a strong personal commitment to think in hindsight the tensions faded,” the Soviet Jewry issue, whether he was said Mark Pelavin, who was a legislative dealing with Jewish officials or the Soviets. assistant at the American Jewish When Theodore Mann returned from Congress in the Reagan years and is now his first visit to the Soviet Union as head associate director of the Religious Action of the National Conference on Soviet Center of Reform Judaism. Jewry in 1981, the first call he received in Reagan’s support allowed Jews to feel his law office was from Reagan. more comfortable backing and voting for “He wanted to know all about the Republicans, and it led to the growth of trip,” Mann recalled. “We talked about a Republican Jewish constituency. the refusenik community, which he was “President Reagan is directly responsivery familiar with.” ble for the founding of the Republican Cardin recalled that in 1987, when Jewish Coalition and was the leading figattending a White House ceremony ure in starting the movement within the marking the arrival in the United States Jewish community for greater support of refusenik Vladimir Slepak, she began for Republican candidates,” said to see Reagan in a way she had not seen Matthew Brooks, the group’s Executive other presidents, especially Republicans. Director. “He set the tone, he set the
direction and he really led the Republican Party to where it is now in terms of its commitment to reaching out to the Jewish community.” But there also were occasions of disagreement between Reagan and the Jews. Reagan’s decision to visit the Bitburg military cemetery in Germany in 1985, despite the fact that it contained graves of SS soldiers who had committed warcrime massacres, led to protests and a month of back-room negotiations between administration officials and Jewish leaders. In the end, Reagan added a trip to Bergen-Belsen to appease American Jews, but many remained upset about the episode. Reagan also upset many Jews when he pushed through the sale of powerful spy planes to Saudi Arabia. But many Jews appreciated Reagan for his support for Soviet Jewry. “I think it was easy to compartmentalize," said David Harris, a Soviet Jewry advocate who now is Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee. “Bitburg was Bitburg. It was very troubling, but this was a president who from the get-go had demonstrated his commitment to our issues.” In his 1980 debate with the incumbent President Carter, Reagan asked viewers, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” After Reagan’s death this week, Jewish officials said they saw a Jewish world that was better when Reagan left office in 1989 than when he took office. “The decade began on very troubling and sour notes,” Harris said. “The decade ended with much more optimism. I cannot attribute all of it to Ronald Reagan, but he certainly deserves his share of the credit.” (JTA Washington Bureau Chief Ron Kampeas contributed to this report.)
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Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 jewishnebraska.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
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June 11, 2004
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored by Cheryl and Gary Lerner in honor of their son, Alec, becoming Bar Mitzvah. K’tantan (kindergartensecond), 10:45 a.m.; Evening Services, 8:50 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SITTER SERVICE During Friday night and Saturday mornings services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, 11 a.m. Adult Bible Study Group, with Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, continues with The Book of Samuel, in the library. WEDNESDAY, 7 p.m.: Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni. SPECIAL PROGRAMS COME & DANCE! Israeli Dance Lessons Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. For information, contact Cheryl Lerner, 334.8430 or cldancer@ aol.com. SUNDAY, 1 p.m.: Beth El Annual Meeting, including installation of officers and new Board of Trustees members. Outgoing Board of Trustees members will be recognized. The President’s Award, Earl Siegel Memorial Award, Selwyn Roffman Memorial Award, and the Freeda and Abe Gendler Award will be presented. During the meeting all Beth El members are encouraged to participate in a congregational photo, taken in celebration of the synagogue’s upcoming 75th anniversary. Following the meeting, join us for a Volunteer Appreciation party, and the “Artists of Beth El” art exhibit. A variety of artists will exhibit their work, and selected pieces will be for sale, with 30% of the proceeds directly benefiting Beth El. WEDNESDAY, 7:30 p.m.: Board of Trustees Meeting including the “State of the Synagogue” update and annual report at the board’s monthly meeting.
MONDAY, June 21, 7 p.m.: Women’s Rosh Hodesh group will meet in the synagogue’s front courtyard for a presentation of “The Power of Music: Food for the Jewish Soul.” Favorite composers and songs will be shared and Judaism’s musical heritage will be explored. Reservations are needed by Wednesday, June 16. Please contact co-hosts Susi Frydman-Levin or Jill Belmont at Susifrydman-levin@cox.net or BeanK2@aol.com.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m-noon. (These office hours are effective through June). Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by the Board of Commissioners to celebrate our high school graduates; Mincha, 8:41 p.m. and Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Reception to honor Rabbi Howard and Nadine Kutner, 2 p.m., presentation at 3 p.m. The community is invited. Evening Service, 8 p.m. Weekday Morning Service, 7 a.m.; Weekday Evening Service, 7 p.m..
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Monday-Friday, Morning services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY Halacha Intermediate level, 7 p.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 416.2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
Friday, June 11, 8:39 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, June 16: Conversations with Rabbi Azriel, noon-1 p.m. Bring your own lunch to this informal discussion of current events and issues that affect the Omaha Jewish Community and others throughout the world. THURSDAY, June 17: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Marantz, 10-11:30 a.m. SUMMER SERVICE TIMES In June, services will be at 6 p.m. on June 11 and 18, and at 7:30 p.m on June 25. Beginning Friday, July 7, continuing through August 27, all Friday evening services will begin at 6 p.m. in the Livingston Chapel. Saturday morning services remain at 10:30 a.m.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Kaballat Shabbat services, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat services, followed by a kiddish luncheon, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.,, followed by Havdalah.
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: 4 p.m.: Rabbi Craig Marantz and members of the Omaha Temple Youth Group will lead a Shabbat Service at Remington Heights; Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE SUMMER SCHEDULE During the months of June, July and August, Sitter service will be available at each Friday evening service. Please check the Temple Tidings worship page, the Temple website www.templeisrael-ne.org, or The Jewish Press for service times. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at the Olive Garden, noon. Call Marcia Kushner at 423.5959, if you need a ride or did not receive your call for reservation. WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Friday, June 18, 8 p.m.: Sol Eppel, son of Kathy and Mike Eppel, will be confirmed. A special Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by his parents.
Beth El Association for Mitzvot to Lend a Helping Hand at Stephen Center
BAR MITZVAH Alexander Chaim Solomon, son of Ardyne Solomon and Jeffrey Solomon, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 19 at Beth El Synagogue. Alexander is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Beveridge Magnet School. He is involved in the science club, plays trumpet in the orchestra, appeared in The Wiz, participated in cross country and is a member of the peer leadership program.
FRIDAY: Potluck Dinner, 6 p.m. Pioneers Park, Shelter #1; Outdoor Shabbat Evening Service, 7 p.m. Led by Rabbi Stiel with Oneg to follow and sitter service available. The service will include a short story in place of a sermon. Dress casually and bring sports stuff if you like for after the service. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Stiel; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Stiel. TUESDAY, 7 p.m.: Service Leader Training--If you are interested in leading services, delivering the sermon or leading music, please attend this event. The training will be lead by Rabbi Stiel and Elaine Monnier. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS: Beginning Hebrew Prayers, using the book Hineini, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Please call the office to sign up. UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, June 19, 6 p.m.: Game night.
Candlelighting
He also enjoys bike riding, computer related activities and cooking. For his mitzvah project, he collected food for Jewish Family Services. Alex has a sister, Morgan, and a brother, Micha. His grandparents are Elizabeth Felton of Johannesburg, South Africa, the late Vincent Felton, and the late Daisy and Maurice Solomon.
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s BEAM volunteers will cook and serve meals at the Stephen Center on June 27, July 25 and Aug. 22, according to BEAM coordinator Toby Schonfeld. The center is a homeless shelter which also provides an outpatient program--including transitional housing--for those dealing with chemical dependency. Twelve to 14 volunteers will be needed to help out each day, and grocery shopping assistance would also be welcome,
Schonfeld noted. Beth El’s Sisterhood will sponsor cost of the meals for the June date and Men’s Club plans to cover expenditures for July 25. To defray the cost of the food, BEAM is also requesting that food donations (pasta, pasta sauces and other non-perishable items) be placed in the designated box located in Beth El’s community court. To volunteer or for additional information, please contact Schonfeld, at tschonfeld@unmc.edu, or M’Lee Hasslinger, at: mlee1@tconl.com.
June 11, 2004
Intelligence Agencies
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Shelach L’cha Americans have been treated to a display of fingerpointing in the attempt to determine responsibility for the terrible events of 9/11. Our intelligence agencies have passed the buck freely from one to another, each dodging responsibility. We all know how this occurs from childhood situations: Who broke the window? It is not quite the same thing with the scouts (I hate to say spies) that Moses sent to scout out the Land. It was a natural thing to do, to find out whether the Land could be invaded successfully. The report of 10 of the 12 was that the Land was beautiful and productive, but its inhabitants were mighty people; the cities were fortified, and the straggling Israelites were no match for the indigenous inhabitants. “We were like grasshoppers in their eyes and so we were also in our own estimation.” But two of the scouts, Caleb and Joshua, were more optimistic. They said that with the Lord’s help, they could invade the Land successfully. Most of the people, however, were totally depressed. “The Lord said He would give us the Land! And now we have to fight for it! Perhaps we had better return to Egypt.”
Community to Say Farewell to Rafuls by Jewish Press News Service A dessert reception honoring Larry and Dinah Raful for their distinguished service to the Omaha community will be held at Beth El Synagogue on Thursday, June 17, 7:30-9 p.m. The no-host reception will serve as a farewell to the Rafuls, who will move to New York next month, where Larry will assume the position of Dean of the Touro Law Center. The Rafuls have requested that no gifts be brought; however, those who would like to honor the couple may make contributions to the Anti-Defamation League-Plains States Region Endowment Fund; L.O.V.E. (League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly); the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center; Beth El Synagogue Scholarship Fund; the Lawrence and Dinah Raful Scholarship Fund at Creighton University’s School of Law. The entire community is invited to attend the reception; reservations may be made by contacting Linda Pollard at the ADL/CRC office, 333.1303.
The Lord is furious with them and considers destroying them and making a new people with Moses as the progenitor. But Moses, giving an example which Jews have always followed, said, “What will the goyim think? Because You couldn’t get this people into the Land, You destroyed them in the wilderness! You had better be with them and give them the Land which You had promised.” (Incidentally, in Moses’ appeal, he utters the famous 13 attributes of the character of the Lord which has entered our liturgy so that all of us have heard it many times: “The Lord! Slow to anger, abounding in kindness, etc., etc.”) In our liturgy, there is the most audacious misquote of this passage, by closing the quotation off at a point where God is forgiving, rather than go only two words farther, where the text reads, “Forgiving? Not at all!” From this whole encounter, incidentally, we have derived the idea of a minyan of 10 people. For of the 12 scouts, 10 were of one opinion. Believe it or not, they are called in the Sacred Text, “this evil community.” And this is the idea of 10 making a community, a quorum, a minyan. Those humorless rabbis! But our Sidra, except for the addenda in Chapter 15, ends on an unhappy note. The people insisted on trying to invade the Land. They are definitively defeated. The text insists on calling that place, where they invaded from the south and were defeated, “Horma--destruction.” Well, there is better news to come.
Beth Israel Salutes Omaha Sergeant--Jay Benton by SIERRA GENDELMAN America’s war on terrorism has forced hundreds of thousands of Americans to Iraq in defense of our country, but the conflict hit closer to home when Jay Benton was called up from the reserves last year. Sgt. Benton has served in a reserve special operations unit to secure various camps near the Kuwaiti border in Iraq since last summer; after a year, he finally returned home. In honor of Benton’s safe homecoming and national service, Beth Israel will host a kiddush on Saturday, June 19 (at approximately noon). The kiddush is being
Solution to Legacy Crossword Puzzle on Page 5
sponsored by Dik and Ina Weiner. Benton’s mother, Bonnie Hines, is very proud of her son’s dedication to his country. “I’m thrilled he’s back and that Beth Israel and his friends there would honor him by having a kiddush,” she said. Benton returned two months ago, but his travels might not be over as the reserves could call upon the sergeant again for his services. His orders state that he is free and clear for 90 days and after that period there are no guarantees. The community is invited to the kiddush to help recognize Sgt. Benton and his service to our country.
Hundreds to Say “Cheese” for Beth El’s Congregational Photo by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Through family portraits, we commemorate special times in our lives and immortalize faces of those we hold dear. With that in mind, Beth El Synagogue invites all of its members to join together at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, for a special congregational photo to be taken in honor of the synagogue’s upcoming 75th anniversary. The photo, to be taken during the synagogue’s annual meeting, will be used to promote and celebrate Beth El’s year-long anniversary festivities, and will be on display at the synagogue, said Andy Greenberg, who serves on the 75th anniversary committee. “This will be an informal photograph, so come as you are,” Greenberg said, noting that no reservations are needed to participate. “We’d love to have every seat filled with Beth El members and their families; we want a full house for this very special family portrait!”
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DEATHS YANKEL GRUNDMAN Jacob (Yankel) Grundman of Tel Aviv died May 24 at the age of 65. He is a survivor of the Holocaust who emigrated to Israel in 1945 with his parents. “Yankele” was a well known soccer coach in Israel. He is survived by his wife, Yasmin; daughter and son-in-law, Anat and Eli Mazleach; two granddaughters all of Israel; and a sister, Rosa Richtman of Omaha. Memorials to charity of choice. EDITH LEVIN KLINE Edith Levin Kline died June 7 on Miami Beach at the age of 86. Services were held there June 9 at Temple Beth Shalom. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dr. Leo Levin and Milton J. Kline. She is survived by a daughter, Jane Levin of Miami Beach; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbi and Speedy Zweiback, Adrienne and Steven Messing of Miami; a son, Albert Levin of Miami; and grandchildren, LeighAnne and Lauren Brown, Leah Messing, and Alexandra and Stephanie Levin. Memorials to the ADL.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 11, 2004
Jewish Press Wins Award for Personality Profile at AJPA by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Freelance writer Leo Adam Biga’s story in the July 4, 2003, issue of the Jewish Press, “Sisters of the Shoah: Three Survivor Tales, Golden Fates and Iron Wills”, tied for second place with the Houston Jewish Chronicle in the American Jewish Press Association’s annual Simon Rockower Awards. The David Frank Award for Excellence in Personality Profiles was announced last week in Atlanta, GA, at the AJPA’s annual meeting. This brings to four the number of awards the Press has won this year; in 2003, the Press won three awards from the AJPA and three from the Nebraska Press Association--a record number. This is the third award Biga has won for the Jewish Press. He previously wons two awards from the NPA for his Holocaust-related articles. In 2002, he won a first place award in the single feature category for his story on Dr. Fred Kader, “Discovering a Lost Childhood.” In 2003, at the NPA convention, Biga won a third place award for “A Rescuer’s Story”, about Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz--credited with saving the lives of 62,000 Jews during World War II. Dr. Ben Nachman, a retired Omaha dentist has often “turned Leo on to untold stories about the Holocaust.” Biga has also written other personality profiles for the Press, often in special issues. This past spring, he wrote about former Omahan Gail Levin, who makes documentaries in New York, talent scout and booking agent Manya Nogg, and California entertainment lawyer Ira Epstein. Biga has now turned to writing fulltime and has promised to “keep writing for the Press!”
B’nai Israel Celebrates 100th with Joy
Photos from top left: Council Bluffs’ only synagogue, B’nai Israel, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a reunion last weekend, organized by Allan and Sandra Kurland. The reunion--which brought together dozens of former residents from all over the country--culminated in a concert by Rick Recht on Sunday. Joining Recht on stage were Jill Belmont, Cantor Gastón Bogomolni and Tuffy Epstein, while the crowd (right photo) “rocked the house.” Flying in from Florida were the Steinberg sisters: Helen Kirschner, left, Florence Cohen, Esther Burstein, and Helen’s son, Fred Kirschner of
Philadelphia. A reception, featuring two anniversary cakes, followed the concert, attend by more than 130 people. Newlyweds Jaime and Brian Nogg recently moved to Omaha from St. Louis and joined mom Patty Nogg, center, co-chairman of the B’nai Israel events, to celebrate. Shirley and Buddy Goldstein underwrote the celebration in memory of her parents and brother, all members of the Council Bluffs Jewish community. More photos and an interview with the Steinberg sisters and their recollections of growing up in the Bluffs will be in a future issue of the Jewish Press.
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