Vol. LXXXVII No. 40 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
10 Sivan, 5768
June 13, 2008
Obama, Clinton team up at AIPAC to slam Republicans
McCain’s pitch to Jews and Iraq to Jewish voters
for Clinton and her candidacy, and the New York senator returned the favor, assuring the thousands of delegates at the annual policy forum of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that her Democratic rival would be a dependable ally in the White House. “I know Senator Obama knows what is at stake here,” Clinton said of her Senate colleague from Illinois, adding, “Let me be very clear: I know Senator Obama will be a good friend to Israel.” Jewish Democratic insiders said the speeches not only signaled a rapprochement of sorts between the candidates but reflected the emergence of a wider, more aggressive party strategy for fending off Republican efforts to Barack Obama insisted that Jerusalem must remain Israel's undivided peel away Jewish capital in his speech at AIPAC forum on June 4. Credit: AIPAC votes and contrition’s policies on Iran and Iraq have hurt butions. American and Israeli interests. A few years ago, many Democratic Obama and Clinton also sought to activists and lawmakers would have been paint McCain, the presumptive content to stick with the line that both Republican candidate, as bent on carry- parties were equally strong on Israeling out those same policies if he were to related issues. Now as Iran pushes ahead reach the White House. with its nuclear program, support Obama began his remarks with praise Continued on page 5
by RON McCain was referring to the troop escaKAMPEAS lation that he advocated a year ago, and WASH- that was carried out under the command I N G T O N of David Petraeus, the top U.S. com(JTA) -- No mander in Iraq. confessional “It’s worth recalling that America’s bloc rejects progress in Iraq is the direct result of the the Iraq war new strategy that Sen. Obama vehementmore than American Jews do. But in a bit ly opposed,” McCain continued. of political jiu jitsu, John McCain is mak“Allowing a potential terrorist sanctuing the policy his own in his plea for ary would profoundly affect the security Jewish votes. of the United States, Israel and our other The presumptive Republican presiden- friends, and would invite further intertial nominee made headlines -- and drew vention from Iraq’s neighbors, including heavy fire from Democrats -- for launch- a very much emboldened Iran. We must ing this year’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference last week on June 2 with an attack on Barack Obama’s Iran policy. But more remarkable was how Senator. McCain (RAriz.) chose to close his speech: Defending his commitment to an unpopular war by casting it as important for Sen. John McCain speaks at the opening plenary of the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington on June 2. Credit: AIPAC Israel’s safety. “Another matter of great importance not let this happen.” to the security of both America and Israel The line earned applause at the AIPAC is Iraq,” he said. “You would never know policy conference -- the lobby’s memberfrom listening to those who are still ship skews far more Republican than the caught up in angry arguments over yes- wider Jewish voting public -- but how it terday’s options, but our troops in Iraq will play with the broader American have made hard-won progress under Jewish public remains to be seen. Continued on page 4 Gen. Petraeus’s new strategy.”
by AMI EDEN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- After months of seeking to paint each other as opposites on Middle East policy, U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were on the same page Wednesday at the AIPAC policy conference as they ripped into the Bush administration and John McCain on several fronts. In back-to-back speeches a day after Obama appeared to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination, the two senators eschewed any attempt to differentiate themselves. Instead they opted to argue that the Bush administra-
AMERICA DECIDES 2008
Change of heart leads to change in policy at Temple Israel by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press A letter to the congregants of Temple Israel became the subject of a front page news story in the Omaha World-Herald last week, announcing a major policy change by its senior rabbi. Stating that he had been troubled for years, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel announced that he will now officiate at interfaith weddings. He does have several “preconditions” for his participation: • The couple has agreed to maintain a Jewish home, raise their children only as Jews; • The couple agrees to membership at Temple Israel or another congregation, where they live; The couple will meet with Rabbi Azriel for pre-marital discussion and instruction on basic Judaism as well as on creating a Jewish home; and • Clergy from Temple Israel will be the only officiants at the ceremony, and will assume the responsibility of creating an appropriate religious ceremony.
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
Why the change of heart after 20 years in the pulpit at Omaha’s largest synagogue? According to the letter, he had agonized about this issue since last fall’s High Holidays, writing, “I pray that my officiation will enhance Jewish practice within Rabbi Aryeh Azriel our community, and will articulate our important message and philosophy of inclusiveness.” Rabbi Azriel is no stranger to controversy. Several years ago, he shook the community when he announced that commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian Jews would be held at Temple -- but only if both partners were Jewish. Rabbi Azriel has performed two commitment ceremonies since that decision and will
conduct two more this summer. That caused confusion, and in some cases anger, among some congregants, unable to understand why he would officiate at ceremonies still not considered legal in the state of Nebraska, but refused to conduct a wedding between the Jewish son or daughter of longtime members and their non-Jewish spouses. But his change of heart really didn’t surface until this year, when he was notified by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religions that reaching 25 years as a rabbi entitled him to an honorary doctorate. “I began looking back at my whole career,” he told the Press, “and this was the outcome.” After all, he noted, once married, interfaith couples have long been welcomed as families at Temple Israel. Many nonJewish spouses have gone on to serve on committees and the Temple board, and some have even chosen conversion to Judaism. In fact, it’s has often been the
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Blumkin Home staff adjust to construction disruptions: Page 3
non-Jewish spouse who brings the Jewish one back to Judaism, according to Rabbi Azriel. Like them, Rabbi Azriel said, he’s taken a journey. “I have seen the significant number of couples who have made a commitment to raise their children as Jewish and to maintain a Jewish home despite the fact that one partner is not Jewish,” he wrote to his congregation. “Secondly, I have become very aware that the pain created in the past by the refusal is intense, long-lasting, and counterproductive, if we seek to ‘keep the door of Judaism and to the community wide open.’” His position, however, does put pressure on other religious leaders in Omaha, and in Lincoln. Other than the former cantor/rabbi at Lincoln’s South Street Temple, Rabbi Michael Weisser, no Nebraska rabbinic leader has ever officiated at interfaith ceremonies. In fact, parents looking for a rabbi or cantor to marry their children have often Continued on page 2
Coming This Month: Senior Living: June 27 Ambassador Ross voices concerns over America’s reputation: Page 6
Friends of Friedel gather for tribute dinner: Page 7
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 13, 2008
Omaha shows its strength once again
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TONI ROSEN
I want to express my gratitude to Campaign CoChairs Steve and Marcia Pitlor, their leadership team, and the many volunteers who worked on the 2008 Campaign. This was a critical time in our community and I am very proud of our volunteers and our donors. by JAN GOLDSTEIN As we close this year’s campaign we are already well Executive Director under way in planning not only next year’s campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha but in strategically positioning ourselves to meet the challenges of a new generation of donors, and adapting The last two years exemplify some of the greatest fundraising efforts our community has our mission to meet their changing needs. We must always look forward and determine how we ever seen. Through two Annual Campaigns, Operation Promise, The Israel Emergency Campaign and the Rose can continue to offer vital services to the Omaha Jewish Blumkin Jewish Home Capital Campaign we’ve raised community, in addition to doing our part to meet the needs of the Jewish more than $24 million, and I marvel people throughout the at the generosity of the Omaha world. And we must Jewish community. always keep our focus At the same time, while we take on the next generation great satisfaction in our fundraising of leaders. success, we can’t ever take our finanOur recent Kripke cial resources for granted. Campaign Leadership For the 2008 Annual Campaign, Mission was a waterwe were pleased to see a 4% card for shed moment in posicard pledge increase. Yet due to the tioning this community inevitable reality of attrition we fell for future success. We short of our goal, raising a total of have developed a won$3,230,000, compared with $3,320,000 raised during the 2007 Stuart Tully was one of several volunteers who partici- derful group of new pated in the 2008 Annual Campaign Direct Calling leaders, who bring new Campaign. This, combined with rising costs, (ACDC), reaching out to donors to make their pledges. energy and ideas to the requires Federation agencies and departments to adjust table. The Omaha Jewish community has proven repeatedly to more limited resources. Throughout the campus Jewish professionals and lay over time to be one of the most dedicated, generous leaders alike have worked together to achieve greater communities nationwide. I am confidant that our efficiencies to maximize our dollars. We are committed Campaign fundraising will soon be back on track, to continuing our efforts, moving forward with new enabling us to provide the exceptional programs and ideas and new ways to meet the needs of our con- services you’ve come to expect -- and most certainly deserve. stituency and continue building Jewish Omaha.
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Change of heart leads to change in policy CLIP & SAVE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, JUNE 13 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights C L I P
SUNDAY, JUNE 15 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El
& S A V E
C L I P &
MONDAY, JUNE 16 Intro to Midrash, 7:30 p.m. at Kripke Library
S A V E
TUESDAY, JUNE 17 ADL/CRC Board of Directors Meeting, noon at JCC BESTT School Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El
C L I P & S A V E
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 Intro to Midrash, noon at Kripke Library THURSDAY, JUNE 19 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Parsha for kids, 4 p.m. at Chabad Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel 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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C L I P & S A V E
Continued from page 1 had to go out of state, to rabbis and cantors from Kansas City or Sioux City or farther afield. So how does this change affect Omaha’s other synagogues? According to Rabbi Mordechai Levin, spiritual leader of Omaha’s Conservative Beth El Synagogue, “For years, intermarried families have found a comfortable and welcoming home at Beth El, attending religious services and participating in cultural and social programs. Beth El’s membership includes couples with one spouse who has undergone conversion to Judaism, plus interfaith families who have chosen to raise their children as Jews and have enrolled them in the synagogue’s religious school.” But, he added, “According to Jewish law, a Jewish wedding is one in which both the husband and wife are Jewish. A key phrase of the Jewish wedding is ‘with this ring you are consecrated to me in accordance to the laws of Moses and the people of Israel.’ When one of the partners is not Jewish, the wedding is not considered to be Jewish, since the laws of Moses and Israel are not binding upon non-Jews.” Rabbi Levin noted that “The Reform movement does not consider Jewish law as binding and therefore some Reform rabbis officiate interfaith weddings. A non-Jew can always choose to become a Jew and then embrace a Jewish wedding ritual.” Even though he’s a member of Beth El, Howard Epstein supports Rabbi Azriel’s decision. “With the conditions he put on, Rabbi Azriel is encouraging these couples to become active members of the Jewish community. That’s a good thing.” “Reaching out to interfaith couples does not diminish our community or our commitment to Jewish continuity. It enhances it,” wrote Rabbi Azriel. Katherine Finnegan echoed that, telling the Press that while “each movement is different, this is the direction we’re moving (in Reform congregations) to lower the barriers, to welcome more, to be more inclusive.
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Creating an opportunity to remain Jewish and create Jewish homes is one that shouldn’t be lost.” And Dr. Eugene “Speedy” Zweiback agreed. “I’m delighted by it; I wish it had occurred sooner,” he told the Press. “This is an issue all Jews will have to face.” However, Zweiback’s son, Rabbi Josh Zweiback does not perform interfaith ceremonies. How does his father feel about that? “One of the hallmarks of Reform Judaism is to leave it to the locals,” he responded, noting that the senior rabbi does perform them at Temple Judea in Los Altos, California, where his son is the assistant rabbi. In fact, according to the Union of Reform Judaism website, “most Reform Rabbis do not officiate at mixedmarriages, but each is free to act as his or her individual convictions and conscience lead.” The policy against intermarriage dating back to 1909 was reversed in 1973, and reaffirmed recently stated, “the Central Conference of American Rabbis, recalling its stand adopted in 1909 that mixed marriage is contrary to the Jewish tradition and should be discouraged, now declares its opposition to participation by its members in any ceremony which solemnizes a mixed marriage. The CCAR recognized that historically its members have held and continue to hold divergent interpretations of Jewish tradition. In order to keep open every channel in Judaism and Klal Yisrael [the Jewish People] for those who have already entered into mixed marriage, the CCAR calls upon its members: to assist fully in educating children of such mixed marriage as Jews; to provide the opportunity for conversion of the non-Jewish spouse; and to encourage a creative and consistent cultivation of involvement in the Jewish community and the synagogue.” Rabbi Jonathan Gross, of Omaha’s Orthodox Beth Israel Synagogue, declined to comment on this issue. Finnegan who married Omahan David Gilinsky 19 years ago last month, told the Press that their ceremony was officiated by a “rent-a-rabbi” and a minister who was a family friend. Looking back now after years of involvement as a Jew in the Omaha community, she was wistful about her own wedding. “The minister was actually more personal and more inspiring than the rabbi, who, of course, didn’t know us,” she recalled. She added that she thinks this change in policy at Temple is “a positive one,” noting that “this was a rabbinic decision; Rabbi Azriel has the ultimate authority (in that area) at Temple. And I support it.”
June 13, 2008
Beth El to install board, honor congregants during annual meeting by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The morning of Sunday, June 22, 11 a.m., will be one of celebration at Beth El, as the synagogue holds its annual meeting at a champagne brunch. During the event -which is open to the entire Jewish community -- new and returning board members will be welcomed, out-going board members will be applauded and awards will be given to several very deserving congregants. Scheduled to be installed are the following: Steve Pitlor, president; Toby Schonfeld, Eric Phillips and Norman Sheldon, vice presidents; Allan Noddle, treasurer; Michael Sigmond, secretary. For a second two-year term: Jon Jabenis, Michael Levine and Ed Schneider; for a two-year term: Jeffrey Kirshenbaum, Bruce Kutler, Linda Saltzman and Jan Wayne. The synagogue will thank the following out-going board members: Stanley Mitchell, Audrey Wiener, Harold Zabin, Holly Weill, Gary Rifkin, Gloria Kaslow, and Hyman Sukiennik. The Sunday morning meeting will also be highlighted by the presentation of awards to several congregants, who have made significant contributions to the synagogue during the past year. Toby Schonfeld will receive this year’s Earl Siegel Award, presented to an outstanding board member. Schonfeld’s involvement at Beth El has included serving as chairman of Beth El’s cantorial search committee, spearheading the formation of a caring committee, serving as an adult-education teacher and gabbai, and helping out with Kadima Shabbatonim. Synagogue President Sally Zipursky lauded Schonfeld’s dedication, citing her work Toby Schonfeld as search committee chairman. “Toby accepted the daunting task of chairing the search committee for a new cantor, and her organizational and administrative skills were second to none. She worked long hours to insure committee members had all the tools needed to complete the task while also acting as liaison with the candidates.” She added, “Toby was amazing: her leadership and diligence were incomparable. It was also clear how her passion and dedication to Beth El were guiding her in this task. The entire congregation is grateful to Toby for her efforts; we thank her for sharing her talents with her Beth El family.” Being honored with the 2008 Selwyn Roffman Award, which recognizes congregants for religious growth, will be Mikhail Ginsburg. Ginsburg is a daily “minyannaire,” and regularly attends Shabbat and holiday services; he also volunteers as a service leader, reads Torah, serves as a frequent greeter during Shabbat services, and is a former board member. “I think the phrase ‘steady is as steady does’ describes Mike Mikhail Ginsburg Ginsburg,” Zipursky noted. “He is a regular at minyan and can always be counted on to participate in or lead the service. He attends Shabbat services each week; it is a joy to watch him daven with true ruach in his heart. And he is one of the best hagbah in the congregation! I've also watched as Mike offers guidance to visitors of our synagogue, helping to make people feel welcome and able to participate in the service. He is an outstanding choice for the Selwyn Roffman Award for Religious Growth.” For her years of dedication to Beth El in so many capacities, Caryn Rifkin will be recognized with the synagogue’s President’s Award, an honor bestowed upon a non-board member for exceptional volunteerism to Caryn Rifkin the synagogue. Rifkin has logged countless hours as an active member Continued on page 5
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Blumkin residents and staff adapt to ongoing changes by OZZIE NOGG As construction on Phase 2 of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home moves steadily toward a July completion date, residents and staff continue to adapt to the ongoing changes. Currently the North nurses station is in a
Above: A dining room awaits demolition; above right, Shana Hester, Nurse Secretary, seated, and RN Greg Breci work out of the temporary nurses station, while the north nurses’ station sits empty, below right. temporary space and the Synagogue is being used as a part-time lounge. “This is a challenging time for the Home,” said Mike Silverman, executive director. “This phase of the project is the most stressful and really tests our attitude and morale. Going about our work in the middle of all these changes requires all of us to be as flexible as possible. But from here it gets easier for the nurses and more comfortable for the residents.” According to Silverman, the demolition of the North
wing makes way for a new ambulance entrance and allows for installation of concrete posts designed to hold up the soaring roof on Main Street. The Home’s laundry has been relocated, a new oxygen closet installed, and the re-designed kitchen -- with separate meat, dairy and pareve sections -- is also part of this construction phase. “In August we’ll make an aggressive move into Phase 3,” Silverman said. “I see light at the end of the tunnel.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 13, 2008
McCain’s pitch to Jews Continued from page 1 Jews and black Protestants oppose the war in greater numbers than any other religious group -- more than 70 percent, according to some polls. That and McCain’s commitment to conservative social mores -- particularly his anti-abortion positions and stated admiration for recent GOP judicial nominations -would apparently make him a difficult sell to American Jews. But recent polling has shown McCain -in a race against Obama, the likely Democratic presidential candidate -- faring much better among Jews than any Republican candidate has since Ronald Reagan. In a Gallup poll of Jewish voters last month, McCain garnered 32 percent again Obama’s 61 percent, substantially better for the Republican candidate than the 24-75 break President Bush earned in 2004. McCain’s backers credit a “straight talk� strategy, which would explain McCain’s tack Monday at the AIPAC conference: Voters favor a candidate who says what he means even when they don’t agree with him, the backers say. “What is most strikingly different from other candidates is that he is strongly principled and an independent thinker,� Lew Eisenberg, a McCain campaign national finance co-chairman, told JTA. He cited McCain’s backing for the surge a year ago and his backing for an unpopular immigration reform bill around the same time. Democrats are not allowing McCain’s “straight talk� reputation to go unchallenged. In his AIPAC speech, McCain targeted Obama’s signature foreign policy distinction, his willingness to directly engage with the leaders of pariah nations,
including Iran. war in Iraq that John McCain supported “The Iranians have spent years working and promises to continue indefinitely has toward a nuclear program, and the idea done more to dramatically strengthen that they now seek nuclear weapons and embolden Iran than anything in a because we refuse to engage in presiden- generation.� tial-level talks is a serious misreading of McCain’s campaign will not let the history,� he said. Bush linkage go unchallenged, and is That sparked a long detailed reply from working hard to distance the candidate the Obama campaign outlining the from the president, particularly in its Illinois senator’s advocacy of tough Iran appeal to Jewish voters, a senior adviser sanctions bills and resolutions. The state- told JTA. ment also continued a Democratic policy McCain “said in 2003 that unless we of associating McCain with Bush, the change things we’re going to be in real most unpopular president in polling his- trouble, he argued for a change in stratetoty. gy, a counterinsur“John gency, the troops that McCain were needed,� the stubbornly aide said. insists on In a recent interview continuing with Jeffrey Goldberg a dangerof the Atlantic, McCain ous and displayed a willingness failed forto chart his own course, eign policy even while echoing that has much of Bush’s thinkclearly ing on Iran and Iraq. In made the particuar, he signaled a AIPAC President David Victor speaks at the pro-Israel United commitment to playing lobbyist's policy conference in Washington on June 2. States and a more active personal Credit: AIPAC Israel less role in Israelisecure,� the Obama statement said. Palestinian negotiations. “Here are the results of the policies that “I would have a hands-on approach,� John McCain has supported, and would McCain said in the interview, in sharp continue. During the Bush administra- contrast to the current president’s muchtion, Iran has dramatically expanded its noted reluctance to play such a role. “I nuclear program, going from zero cen- would be the chief negotiator. I have trifuges to more than 3000 centrifuges. been there for 30 years. I know the lead“During the Bush Administration, Iran ers, I know them extremely well. Ehud has expanded its influence throughout a Barak and I have gone back thirty years. I vitally important region, plying Hamas knew Olmert when he was mayor of and Hezbollah with money and arms. Jerusalem. I’ve met many times with During the Bush Administration, Hamas Netanyahu. I’ve met with Mahmoud took over Gaza. Most importantly, the Abbas.�
Another tack for appealing to Jewish voters, McCain backers say, is to argue that although McCain backs conservative policies, he thinks for himself -- an approach that they hope will go some way toward assuaging concerns of Jews who are concerned about the conservative shift in the U.S. Supreme Court. McCain has stated his admiration for Bush’s judicial picks, but also drew the ire of conservatives several years ago, when he spearheaded the so-called Group of 14; the collection of seven Democratic and seven Republican senators who reached a deal that successfully headed off a partisan meltdown in the chamber and effectively paved the way for Democrats to block several of Bush’s most controversial judicial nominees, while permitting the appointment of dozens more. Downplaying considerations regarding the court will help focus Jewish voters on security issues, said U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the deputy minority whip and a principle Jewish surrogate for McCain. Concern over Israel and American security “applies more than ever to the American Jewish community at this time,� he said. “ Iran is the issue for the American Jewish community.� It’s a consideration that helped shift the vote for Karen Zeiger of San Diego, a reproductive rights activist who had backed Obama’s rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the primaries. She was now considering McCaiin, despite the prospects of a Supreme Court that might overturn Roe v. Wade, the seminal abortion rights decision. “With the court, you can take chances,� said Zeiger, who was attending the AIPAC conference. “With Israel you have one chance.�
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June 13, 2008
Obama, Clinton team up at AIPAC Continued from page 1 remains low for the Iraq war and Israel continues to face Hamas rocket attacks, Jewish Democrats see an opening to rebut the GOP’s claim to be the party that’s best for Israel. This is a new approach,” said Steve Rabinowitz, a Democratic consultant whose communications firm also does work for many Jewish organizations. “Two years ago many thought it would be difficult to persuade people that George W. Bush had not been good for Israel, even dangerous to try it. It’s not only a case that can be made now, it’s also true.” Rabinowitz said many Democrats feel emboldened to push that argument given the GOP’s harsh rhetoric about Obama and Israel. McCain, an Arizona senator, has portrayed Obama as a Hamas-supported candidate, and Bush delivered a speech at the Knesset last month that many observers viewed as an attempt to tag the Illinois Democrat as an appeaser. In his speech Monday to AIPAC, McCain took direct aim at Obama, arguing that his plan for a phased U.S. pullout from Iraq would lead to the creation of a “potential terrorist sanctuary” that would profoundly “affect the security of the United States, Israel and our other friends, and would invite further intervention from Iraq’s neighbors, including a very much emboldened Iran.” In keeping with the increasingly popular Democratic approach, Obama fired back at the Republicans, painting them as advancing a reckless foreign policy that has hurt Israel. “I don’t think any of us can be satisfied that America’s recent foreign policy has made Israel more secure,” Obama said. “Hamas now controls Gaza. Hezbollah has tightened its grip on southern Lebanon and is flexing its muscles in Beirut. Because of the war in Iraq, Iran -which always posed a greater threat to Israel than Iraq - is emboldened, and poses the greatest strategic challenge to the United States and Israel in the Middle East in a generation. “Iraq is unstable, and al-Qaida has stepped up its recruitment. Israel’s quest for peace with its neighbors has stalled, despite the heavy burdens borne by the Israeli people. And America is more isolated in the region, reducing our strength and jeopardizing Israel’s safety.” “Senator McCain refuses to understand or acknowledge the failure of the policy that he would continue,” he said. “I refuse to continue a policy that has made the United States and Israel less secure.” In a conference call immediately following the speech, McCain’s highest profile Jewish supporter, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), rejected Obama’s arguments, saying he was wrong to blame Iran’s resurgent power on the Iraq war. “If Israel is in danger today, it is not because of American foreign policy,” Lieberman told reporters. “It’s because Iran is a terrorist, expansionist state.” Obama sounded several notes more often associated with his hawkish Jewish critics: He insisted that Jerusalem must remain Israel’s undivided capital and stressed his willingness to resort to military force if stepped-up diplomatic efforts failed to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambition. “I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon,” he said. “Everything.” Obama appeared to move toward Clinton on the issue of how to deal with Iran, as he argued for boycotting
MARRIAGE SHELDON/LUCOFF Scottsdale residents Lisa Ellen Sheldon and Charles H. Lucoff were married Sunday, May 25, at Beth El Synagogue in Omaha. Rabbi Mordechai Levin performed the 5:30 p.m. ceremony. A reception followed at the Hilton Omaha. The bride is a daughter of Dr. Norman and Suzy Sheldon. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Dena Lucoff Credit: www.frphoto.com and the late Mark Lucoff of Milwaukee. Honor attendants were the bride’s sister, Wendy Raffel, and Phil Lucoff, brother of the groom. Following a honeymoon in St. Kitts, the newlyweds will live in Scottsdale, AZ.
“firms associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard” and stating that the corps has rightly been labeled a “terrorist organization.” He also appeared to hedge on what many observers understood as an openness to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As for Clinton, while at an earlier stage in the campaign she would have belittled Obama’s willingness to meet with top Iranian leaders, on Wednesday she stressed her criticisms of the Bush administration for its failure to adopt a more effective diplomatic approach. In another sign of the two sides coming together to advance a united front on Israel, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) -- a former Bill Clinton administration official who just endorsed Obama -- said Hillary Clinton supported his decision to accompany Obama to a closed meeting Wednesday with top AIPAC leaders. Though Clinton appeared to draw a warmer reaction, Obama received several standing ovations, including an impassioned one when he spoke of the Jewish religion’s commitment to social justice and the importance of forging strong ties between the Jewish and AfricanAmerican communities. U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), a Clinton supporter who has said that Obama needs to do “repair” work in the Jewish community, praised the speech, saying it hit all the “right notes.” Obama, he added, needs to make more speeches like that. Norman Katz of Bloomfield, Mich., described Obama’s speech as “very inspiring,” saying the Democratic candidate had the audience “in the palm of his hand.” Katz said that although he had been a supporter of Clinton, he would vote for Obama in November. Lisbeth Fried of Ann Arbor, Mich., a Clinton supporter who is “very disappointed” that the former first lady won’t be the Democratic nominee, called Obama “outstanding.” Fried said it was the first time she had heard Obama speak, adding that before the speech she had been skeptical about some of his positions. “I believed a lot of the rumors that were flying,” she said. “My mind was put to rest today.” Bonnie Gober of San Bernadino, Calif., was less enthusiastic. Gober said she was “glad to hear” Obama take a stance on issues of importance to Israel, but when asked if she would support him in November, she would say only, “I’ll vote Democratic.” Others were impressed but not swayed. Another Ann Arbor resident, Marvin Gerber, who identified himself as a Republican, said Obama’s speech was “electrifying” and proved he would be a “credible opponent” against McCain. “It was a terrific speech, so polished,” Gerber said. “He overpowers both McCain and Hillary. However, his policies will not make us strong and will not help Israel.” Gerber said he would not support Obama at the polls. “I just don’t trust him,” he said. With reporting from JTA’s Mark Joffe and Uriel Heilman.
Beth El’s Annual Meeting Continued from page 3 of Sisterhood (also serving as president for the past several years), baking, helping to organize the groups’ annual Boutique and volunteering in a variety of other capacities. She can also often be found working in Beth El’s Judaica Shop, overseeing merchandise and keeping the operations running smoothly. Rifkin has made her mark on Beth El in many ways, Zipursky commented, adding that, “Everyone can see the fruits of Caryn’s labors every time they walk into Beth El. All you have to do is glance at the window of the Judaica Shop or stop in to browse, and you’ll understand why Caryn is receiving the President’s Award for outstanding volunteerism. She has treated the Judaica Shop as if it were her own business, upgrading both the merchandise and displays. She spends countless hours working both in front of and behind the scenes. All this, while leading our Sisterhood!” Zipusky noted that, “Caryn has helped our Sisterhood organize numerous successful programs which have supported many synagogue activities. Caryn is a marvelous volunteer and a role model for us all.” Rabbi Mordechai Levin expressed gratitude for all of the congregants who will be recognized, saying, “We owe all of these dedicated congregants our appreciation, and we are pleased to be able to honor them for their contribution to synagogue life.”
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June 13, 2008
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Ambassador voices concerns about America’s standing in the world by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press According to Dennis Ross, “statecraft is the marriage of objectives and means.” An administration can have great ideas, but the inability to carry them out, and the key is to “identify the vulnerabilites of those we want to change and plan from there.” In two speeches last week -- one off-therecord to donors to the Great Plains Region of the Anti-Defamation League -- and the other, a public one as part of the Holland Lecture Series sponsored by the First Unitarian Church, the former United States Ambassador to Israel touched on topics ranging from Iraq and Iran to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Hamas and Hezbollah. But only his views on this administration’s failures in Iraq and attempts to bring peace and security to Israel and the Palestinians overlapped. Ross is credited with facil-
Ambassador Dennis Ross, author of several books on diplomacy, makes a point about Iran at an ADL luncheon.
Left: Jonathan and Stacey Rockman laugh at Dennis Ross’ quips about his diplomatic experiences, while right: Marty and Gary Nachman comment to each other. Below left: Among those also at the ADL luncheon were Scott Meyerson, left, Bob Goldberg, and right: ADL President David Gilinsky, his wife Katherine Finnegan, and incoming president Richard Evnen of Lincoln.
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FOLLOWING THE SUN Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
itating the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty and brokering the 1997 Hebron Accord, however his shuttle diplomacy in that region did not bring out the hopedfor peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. “He doesn’t beat about the bush and I learned a lot,” said Sylvia Wagner, who attended the ADL luncheon. “But while he’s forthcoming, he was very partisan in his support for Sen. Obama and I didn’t appreciate the biased tone of his politics. I wish he had just stuck to the facts.” While Ross stated later at the public Holland Lecture that for 18 months at the end of President Bill Clinton’s presidency, in the years 1999 and 2000, “Israeli and Palestinian security forces cooperated ... it was the only time in Israel’s history that there were no Israeli fatalities,” he neglected to mention the rise of suicide bombings brought on by the Oslo Accords in 1993, and the failed Camp David negotiations of 2000, which led to a second intifada. The audience applauded him loudly every time he criticized the Bush administration, hammering home his point on what he would do in a withdrawal from Iraq, though he did credit General David Petraeus for his success with the surge. “The surge changed things,” Ross told the more than 350 people at the Scott Conference Center last week. “Security is better. In Basra, Sadr City and Mosul, the Iraqi army has performed. That’s the good news.” But he added, “To be sustainable, the surge needs a political underpinning.” Ross outlined five steps he would take to accomplish that: central government needs to reflect the reality of the country;
provinces have autonomy; share revenue with all stakeholders; election of a representative government (tribal and sectarian); and an atmosphere of decency to the citizens of Iraq and to its neighbors. And in order to accomplish these steps, he suggested a “carrot-and-stick” approach that combines “leverage and coercion.” Ross emphasized that no one really wants an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, noting that even if “they fight until they’re exhausted, it would convulse the region.” The other options he says are “to become Iraq’s referee, which even the Joint Chiefs of Staff insist we can’t do” or “use withdrawal as leverage.” In other words, Ross says if the U.S. tells Iraqi leaders “cooperate with one another and we’ll withdraw when, where and how you want.” For those who don’t, “we’ll stay, but others will benefit and you won’t.” During the question and answer session, Ross avoided confronting a Palestinian supporter. Ross had reminded the audience earlier that “Norway gives more to the Palestinian people in a year than all the Gulf States put together.” His major point to move negotiations along (which he said is unlikely to happen given the weakness of PA President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert), would be to create jobs. But he also suggested that since Israel left Gaza in 2005 and Egypt does not want responsibility that Olmert should give the governing Hamas terrorist group a definite date when Israel will stop supplying fuel, electricity, food and supplies and stick to it. “What other country in the world continues to supply a neighbor that fires on them every single day?”
June 13, 2008
A tip of the hat to Beth Israel Sisterhood A recent luncheon sponsored by Beth Israel Sisterhood featured a show of hats, wigs and scarves. Hats were provided by “Hats by Susan” of Chicago, arranged by Shirley Goodman. Wigs and scarves were provided by Bravada’s in Omaha, arranged by Bette Kozlen.
Photos from top: Among the attendees were Sherry Taxman and Bonnie Hines; Sisterhood co-president Debbie Kricsfeld and Cori Oxman; and Annette Fettman, Ida Banner, Tracy from Bravada’s, and Bette Kozlen, Credit: Shirley Goodman Sisterhood co-president.
ORGANIZATIONS LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343-1638. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Iowa Western Community Band presents "Sensational Summer Sounds" on Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m., at the JCC. There is no Admission fee. For information, call Linda Fitzgerald at 334.6520. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS It’s a double bonus: Anti-Defamation League Executive Director Alan Potash and B’nai B’rith’s Eighth Annual Awards lunch on June 18, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. Join us as we honor all the people who helped make the year a great success; Potash will give the keynote address. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. Buffet lunch is $13 and beverage service only is $3.
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Friends of Friedel gather for tribute dinner by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP duced Cookie Katskee, who was celebrated for spending Last week, more than 200 community members came the past five-and-a-half years at the helm, and helping together at Beth Israel for an Israeli themed dinner, Friedel grow and flourish. Goldberg coordinated a film Friedel style. Honorees were retiring Principal Cookie for Cookie as well, giving the staff and teachers at Katskee, Dr. Eric Phillips and his wife, Friedel art teacher Friedel a chance to speak out on everything she has done Julie Phillips, and board member Donald Gerber. for the school. Emcees of the evening were Debbie Denenberg and Katskee was given a standing ovation, as well as a surLloyd Roitstein. prise when several older stuBoard member Bruce dents showed up carrying in Potash, who was the driving one of her most beloved art force behind organizing the projects. Several years ago, event, said, “The committee Friedel students created a -- Jeff and Sherry Taxman, painting, “The Garden of Jeff and Danielle Gordman, Eden” which Phillips had Bob and Kim Goldberg, and framed in order to present it my wife Linda -- did a fanto Katskee upon her retiretastic job. Also, we are very ment. grateful to the honorary “This is such a wonderful chair, Phyllis Friedel. We gift,” Cookie said, “I’ve were pleased to see so many always loved this piece so friends of Friedel together in much. I noticed it was missone room. We are already Tribute dinner organizer Danielle Gordman, left, Susan ing from the school and thinking about next year and Fellman-Witkowski, president, organizer Lise Sasson, and have been wondering all this are planning to make the Beth Cohen, all have daughters going to Friedel. time what happened to it!” Friedel Tribute Celebration an annual event.” Rabbi Jonathan Gross, who was one of the presenters, introduced honoree Donald Gerber, who has devoted much time and energy towards Friedel. “I believe it is important for a community to have a heart beat,” Gerber said in his speech, “and a healthy, robust day school, support- Left: Cookie Katskee, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, Honorees Right: Don Gerber, Cantor ed by this many people, is Don Gerber, and Eric and Julie Philips; Bogomolni, and Jeff Taxman certainly evidence Omaha has that heart beat.” “The food was great,” guest Tippi Denenberg said. Rabbi Gross added that, since he made a quip about She attended with her husband Steve, sister-in-law, emptying his pockets during graduation, he had come to Debbie, as well as Steve and Debbie’s parents Norm and the conclusion “$1.36 was not enough to start a fund. Eunice Denenberg. “It was such a haimische experience We’ll need quite a bit more than that and I hope this and wonderful opportunity to get pumped for next dinner will be the first of many. Friedel is teaching the year.” Their son Danny will be starting kindergarten at future of our community, and we can all be proud of the Friedel come fall, as will Debbie’s son Levi and daughschool for the quality education and wonderful atmos- ter Rebecca, which gave the whole family plenty of reaphere they provide.” son to support Friedel. Retiring Principal Cookie Katskee had the honor of Susan Fellman-Witkowski, who attended with husintroducing Dr. Eric and Julie Phillips and the guests band Isaac, and is the current president of the school were given a first-hand look at what the Friedel students board, was equally impressed. “This was a wonderful learn in art class. Bob Goldberg coordinated a short warm gathering of around 200 extended ‘family’ memfilm, showing students eloquently explaining what “Miss bers, all coming together to celebrate a few of their own Julie” and her art instruction means to them. who have worked countless hours to help FJA grow into One child said, “Art is art” and art can be anything the successful thriving school that it has become,” she you want it to be. Another student explained that even said. “The committee did an outstanding job making when something goes “wrong” it can be turned into the evening memorable and elegant. Somehow it felt something else, an idea that is very important to Phillips. like having a night out with a few of your closest friends. “It is good for children to see that when things don’t We couldn’t have asked for a better event!” turn out exactly the way you expected, it doesn’t autoThe evening ended on a musical note, as Gerber, matically mean you throw it away and start anew. You Cantor Gaston Bogomolni, and Jeffrey Taxman treated can keep working with the same materials, but in a dif- the audience to an inspirational and very entertaining ferent direction,” she explained. “This is a notion that concert. Rabbi Gross gave a short speech in honor of can be used for life, relationships, all sorts of problems Yom Yerushalayim, and many attendees lingered long we run into; art can be a great metaphor for life in gen- beyond the official end time to enjoy the music, the eral.” great company, and maybe the last few bites of that Board member and Treasurer Jerry Gordman intro- delectable dessert.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 13, 2008
What we can do to stop Iran Is it too late to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons? In Dennis Ross’ opinion, it just may be. “Israel can set the program back,” the former United States ambassador to Israel said to a group of ADL supporters last week, “if they destroy the infrastructure. But you can’t destroy know how.” And Iran’s scientists now have the knowledge to proceed. Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic nominee for President (assuming he’s confirmed by delegates to their convention in Denver), has offered to conduct direct talks with Iranian leaders. Pundits have accused him of appeasement, likening him to Neville Chamberlain, who was assured by Adolf Hitler he had no plans to expand in Europe, only to have him turn around and invade Czechoslovakia and Poland. Obama supporters, on the other hand, have noted that diplomacy must go hand in hand with threats, be they sanctions or military action. At AIPAC last week, Sen. Obama said, “I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That starts with aggressive, principled diplomacy without self-defeating preconditions, but with a cleareyed understanding of our interests ... There will be careful preparation. We will open up lines of communication, build an agenda, coordinate closely with our allies, and evaluate the potential for progress.” Ross did say that economic sanctions against Iran just might work, but only if the United States could get Europe and China to agree. Right now, countries like Germany actually subsidize corporations who do business with Iran. But with a lame duck president, nothing is going to happen now. Secretary of State Condi Rice seems to think that sanctions worked just fine. She can claim that, but it just isn’t true, especially after the National Intelligence Estimate came out in 2007 and announced that Iranian scientists had given up on creating weapons-grade ura-
nium. Everyone recognized the NIE report as flawed, but the administration wanted to declare some kind of victory and announced success. Problem is that once the report was made public, Iran went right back to work -and the European Union, which HAD backed sanctions, ended their isolation of Iran. It didn’t take long to go back to business as usual. According to the Jerusalem Post on May 29, “A ranking International Atomic Energy Agency official called Tehran’s possession of a drawing showing how to make part of an atomic warhead ‘alarming’ and said the onus is on Iran to prove it had not tried to develop nuclear arms, said diplomats attending a closed briefing,” wrote the Associated Press. “The U.S. said the evidence detailed by IAEA Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen increased concerns that Tehran had tried to make such weapons. The ‘briefing showed ... strong reasons to suspect that Iran was working covertly and deceitfully at least until recently to build a bomb,’ Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the agency, told reporters.” And then, of course, there’s Syria, whose supposed reactor facility was covertly destroyed by Israel’s Air Force. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), “requested” permission to view the site and of course, was rebuffed. Rather than complain to world leaders, Dr. Mohammed ElBaradi instead whined about Israel! “It is deeply regrettable that information concerning this installation was not provided to the agency in a
timely manner and that force was resorted to unilaterally before the agency was given an opportunity to establish the facts.” Guess he thought Israel should have waited until it was radioactive from the fallout of Syria’s bombs. But what about Sen. John McCain? As the Republican nominee for president (again assuming confirmation at their convention in St. Paul), what’s his position? He also talked about Iran at the AIPAC conference, noting that, “Tehran’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons poses an unacceptable risk, a danger we cannot allow ... European negotiators have proposed a peaceful endgame for Tehran should it abandon its nuclear ambitions ... But Tehran has said no ... in reality a series of Administrations have tried to talk to Iran ... Rather than sitting down unconditionally ... in the hope that we can talk sense into them, we must” ... impose “targeted sanctions” on gas, by freezing assets, and the denial of visas. G-d help both candidates; the possibility of failure is just too frightening to contemplate.
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by MITCHELL G. BARD, PH.D. Just over 90 years ago two seminal events occurred that changed the world. The first was the Russian revolution, which ushered in the era of the Soviet empire. The second was the Balfour Declaration, which heralded the reestablishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel. Today, the Soviet Union is part of Marx’s dustbin of history while the State of Israel is celebrating its 60th birthday. Who would have predicted that outcome? What are the odds that a nation comprised largely of people who came from non-democratic countries to a region where human rights and freedom are alien concepts would emerge as one of the world’s most vibrant democracies? Who would expect that a country with no natural resources to speak of, one that is boycotted by its natural trading partners and forced to spend a disproportionate amount of its budget on defense, could emerge as a hightech powerhouse whose economy has grown faster than some of the most advanced Western nations? Many critics would like Israel to have achieved perfection, and to have solved all the social ills that continue to bedevil far older nations, but even though it falls short of such impossible standards, Israel has done a remarkable job of building a just society in a very short time. Israel’s accomplishments are all the more
Power comes with responsibility and Israeli leaders must balance sometimes impossible choices between security and morality. It would be easy enough for Israelis to escape the perceived threats; many have moved to the United States and other countries. Most Israelis are determined, however, to continue to beat the odds. While a handful of refuseniks got headlines for objecting to serve in the territories, others showed up for service even when they were not required to do so. During the war with Hezbollah, more soldiers reported than were called up from the reserves. Even while teens are expressing skepticism about the future, large numbers continue to sign up for combat units rather than choose potentially safer assignments.
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Betty Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
History is on Israel’s side amazing when you consider they have occurred against the backdrop of a conflict that has denied the citizens of Israel a day of peace. It is truly remarkable that Israel has not only survived, but thrived. Even as they have beaten the odds for the last 60 years, Israelis continue to fear for the future. The ADL just released a poll that found that 77% of Israelis believe their nation is under a certain or serious threat of destruction. Young Israelis are even more pessimistic, with 82% of teens expressing concerns about the future; more than half (52%) said it faced a certain threat of destruction.
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You can be sure that all of those teens would prefer to be where their American peers are today, enjoying sex, drugs and rock n’ roll in college – and you can be sure their parents would prefer that they were sitting in classrooms rather than foxholes, hoisting beers rather than rifles and spending spring break at the beach rather than chasing terrorists in Gaza. I just completed a book on Kristallnacht, which documents how powerless the Jews of Germany were in 1938 and how little the world cared. We know what happened afterward. Today, Jews are not helpless and do not depend on the goodwill of others. The sovereign nation of Israel is their homeland and it is prepared to exercise all the power at its disposal to keep the people safe. Power comes with responsibility and Israeli leaders must balance sometimes impossible choices between security and morality. At times the balance tips too far in one direction or the other, but for the last 60 years a democratically elected government has determined the fate of the Jewish and non-Jewish citizens of the state. The decisions in coming months will be even more challenging as the government grapples with the growing threats from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. These are perilous times indeed, but the lesson of not just the last 60 years, but the last 90, is that the Jewish people will survive and the nation of Israel will grow from strength to strength. Am Yisrael chai. Dr. Mitchell Bard is the Director of the Jewish Virtual Library and author of the new book Will Israel Survive? (Palgrave).
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Rediscovering the will to win
Sharansky reminds us democracies can’t defend themselves without ‘identity’
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by JONATHAN S. TOBIN Some three-and-a-half years ago, former Prisoner of Zion and Israeli cabinet minister Natan Sharansky was George W. Bush’s favorite author. Sharansky earned an unexpected boost when the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. invited him and coauthor Ron Dermer to the White House and told the world that everyone should read their book, The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny & Terror. While this was not the equivalent of an invitation to Oprah Winfrey’s guest couch, Sharansky’s tome did make it onto The New York Times bestseller list. After the easy overthrow of Saddam Hussein by U.S. troops a year earlier and the post-Sept. 11 spirit of rolling back the tide of Islamist tyranny, optimism seemed on the upswing. But that was a long time ago. Discredited Cause The war in Iraq, now in its sixth year, is, whether fairly or not, now seen as a quagmire in which America is stuck because of the misguided beliefs of those who foolishly thought they could plant democratic values abroad. The insurgency in Iraq, as well as the election victory of the Palestinian terrorist Hamas movement in 2006 (despite Bush’s praise, Sharansky had criticized Bush’s reliance on elections as an indicator of democracy), has thoroughly discredited the notion that we could spread democracy to the rest of the world in the minds of most Americans. Undaunted by the drastic shift in the public mood, Sharansky, who has given up politics and now writes from a perch at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, is back with yet another book that aims to persuade the West to keep fighting for its ideals. Having seen the progress democracy’s enemies have made, Sharansky believes that one element has given strength to the Islamists, while at the same time undermining the West’s determination: identity. In Defending Identity, which was co-written by Shira Wolosky Weiss and edited by Dermer, Sharansky points out that while a universalist appeal to individualism rings true to us, Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah have spent the last several years illustrating that a group identity that transcends economics or the value of life itself is a lethal foe of democracy. At the same time as this rise of deadly Islamic extremism, Western intellectuals have increasingly come to see religion and nationalism as antithetical to freedom. The problem is that, if we make the mistake of seeing them as being a primitive poison that is itself the cause of violence, the West will be robbing itself of the tools with which we can defend our values. Identity can be, Sharansky argues, a “force for good,” not merely an ideology of evil. “Strong identities are as valuable to a well-functioning society as they are to … well-functioning individuals.” More to the point, “without identity, a democracy
becomes incapable of defending the values it holds most dear.” The current situation in Europe, where democracies seem at times to be unwilling or unable to stand up against Islamist cultural and political forces, illustrates this all too well. The collapse of ideas like colonialism, that were once associated with European empires, has allowed “postidentity” thinking to trash national feelings, as well as faith. But rather than this rejection of Europe’s cultural norms helping its democratic culture to prosper, it has rendered it defenseless in the face of aggressive and selfconfident Muslim immigrants.
“The path to peace lies in strengthening Israel’s Jewish identity, maintaining a robust Israeli democracy and encouraging our non-democratic neighbors to build free societies.” This trend has led to a virtual collapse of the cause of human rights around the world. Not only are many Western intellectuals and academics now largely uninterested in bringing the benefits of liberty to places where Islamo-fascists and local authoritarians rule, many have actively allied themselves with the cause of those who want to destroy existing democracies. That is the only way to understand the willingness of so many in the West to support Palestinians, whose worldview is the complete opposite of what these liberal thinkers themselves supposedly espouse. It is, after all, the State of Israel, where the right of Jews to their own “identity” is under siege both from those who oppose any non-Muslim sovereignty in the region and Western critics, including a growing cadre of leftist Jews, who see Zionism as regressive nationalism. This is a body of thought that has gained ground in war-weary Israel, as the so-called “post-Zionists” have sought to wean the country away from its roots. Rather than seeing it as the place where one small group has found the freedom to let their ancient civilization blossom anew on their historic homeland, the post-Zionists urge Israelis to eschew such parochialism. But it is here that Sharansky, an immigrant whose background made the idea of him ever becoming prime minister an impossibility, understands the threat better than any sabra. As a dissident in the former Soviet Union, Sharansky himself bridged the gap between the movements to promote human rights for all Russians and the push for the right of Jews to emigrate. But his goals of promoting freedom for all Soviet citizens and the particular rights of Jews were not contradictory. To the Communists, the bid to extinguish individual freedom was indistinguishable from their attempt to eradicate Jewish identity. Sharansky’s two causes complimented each other as the eventual victory of both proved. Similarly, today Sharansky is derided by activists in groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch because while still backing human rights causes elsewhere, he actively supports Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorists, whose goal is to deny Jews freedom. Just as the West can’t defend itself against Islamism by giving up a belief in the superiority of their own ideals of
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democracy, Israel won’t survive by “giving up on Jewish identity.” “There is another way,” argues Sharansky. “The path to peace lies in strengthening Israel’s Jewish identity, maintaining a robust Israeli democracy and encouraging our non-democratic neighbors to build free societies.” The Best Defense Equally as important, Defending Identity cuts to the heart of the malaise that causes many in Europe and America to refuse to understand the threat to their freedoms that post-identity thinking represents. “A world without differences is a world that denies people their deepest attachments to history and to the future, to memory and to inheritance,” writes Sharansky. Islamists claim they will win because Westerners and Jews “love life,” while they “love death” because their belief in their cause is so great. The author’s answer is to to assert that “the free world’s shield against its enemies is its own identity, vigorously asserted … Not all cultures are the same. Not all values are equivalent. The right to live a unique way of life is a right worth fighting for and if necessary worth dying for.” The altered political climate may mean that another trip to the bestseller list for Sharansky is highly unlikely. But this is a message that all those who espouse the values of the democratic West need to take to heart. Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be contacted via email at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com.
LETTER TO THE
EDITOR
To the Editor: Your editorial “What Do Agricultural Subsidies and Immigration have in Common?” was excellent, as usual. It was thoughtful, well-reasoned, and tackled a complicated issue without the usual simplistic answers. I met Sima Bensasson for the first time here in Sioux Falls at our Region Conference two years ago. She had just joined Hadassah and found both the organization and the conference to be very helpful, as she is living in Postville, Iowa, and feeling very isolated, for many reasons. First, of course, is that it’s so far from everything. She has to drive about two hours just to get to an airport! Secondly, she is Conservative, so she doesn’t fully fit into the Orthodox community, although she has good connections with it, but also doesn’t fit into the rural Iowa community. She has joined a shul in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Her husband works for Agriprocessors, and the turmoil of the last few weeks has been very difficult for her, as it has for all parts of the community. Watching families torn apart, hearing terrible rumors about what was going on at the plant, dealing with the problem of unskilled workers (who often turn up drunk) being brought in to take the place of those who were arrested, seeing her kids’ friends deported, and then reading all of the vitriol has been very hard for her. Gail Axelbaum Klein, Area Vice President Upper Midwest Region of Hadassah Sioux City, IA
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 13, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, June 13, 8:39 p.m
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
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 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Toni Goodman on Living Each Day to the Fullest. The community is invited. The oneg is sponsored by Toni and Steve Goodman in honor of Steve’s 60th Birthday.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. Friday: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Cynthia Epstein and David Wiesman, in honor of their son, Mathew, becoming a Bar Mitzvah; Minha/Ma’ariv, 8:55 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Bible Study SUNDAY: Discussion Group, 10 a.m. MINYANNAIRES’ SHABBAT: On Saturday, June 21, 9:30 a.m., congregants who regularly attend daily minyanim will be recognized for their dedication. ANNUAL MEETING: Sunday, June 22, 11 a.m., attend a champagne brunch, featuring the installation of 2008-09 officers and board members; congregational awards will also be given. No charge to attend. FAREWLL SHABBAT FOR CANTOR: On Saturday, June 28, 9:30 a.m., following Shabbat services, the entire community is invited to a special Kiddush luncheon honoring Cantor Gastón Bogomolni and his family. Join us and wish them well as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with
Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by the Berman Family in memory of Dr. Bradley Berman; “Guard Your Tongue” and “Advanced Analysis of Midrash Rabbah” begins one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 8:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:51 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Oxman, 9:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Programming Committee Brainstorming Session, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by LOVE Members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack. SUNDAY: Father’s Day concert and special Tea Time, 1:45 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; New Class “Heading Somewhere” studing the book of Numbers, 9:30 a.m.; Parsha study, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Parsha for Kids, 3:45 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.
FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You, 10:30 a.m. at Swanson Towers; Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights led by Cantor Wendy Shermet; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m., led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet; D’var Torah: Gary Marshall -- “Representing the Diaspora, or, How My Mother Learned to Cook Middle Eastern Food” SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE: Available Wednesday evenings during Family School hours, Friday evenings service except when there is a Tot Shabbat, Saturday mornings when there is a B’nai mitzvah, and Sunday mornings
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Sue Schreiber. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. WEDNESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group, 11 a.m. at International Quilt Study Center
BAT MITZVAH Lila Zoe Schlossman Ferber, daughter of Dr. Jenni Schlossman and Jeff Ferber, will become a Bat Mitzvah on S a t u r d a y, June 21, 10 a.m., at Beyt S h a l o m Reconstructionist Synagogue. Hannah is a eighth-grade Distinguished Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. She received a
and Museum on the UNL East Campus, 33rd and Holdrege Streets, for a guided tour and then to Valentino’s for lunch, 12:15 p.m. Tickets are $6. RSVP to Stephanie Dohner, 435.0140 or Marcia Kushner, 423.5959. THURSDAY: Jews and the News, 12:30 p.m. with Rabbi Emanuel.
Superior Award in Flute, and a WMS Distinguished Athlete Award. Her interests include photography, art, tennis, volleyball, playing flute, WMS track team and lepidoptery. For her mitzvah project, Lila is teaching the residents of the Blumkin Home how to play on the Nintendo Wii. Lila has a brother, Isaac. Grandparents are the late Evelyn and the late Alvin Schlossman, and the late Lillian and the late Erwin Ferber.
during Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation appreciated. Young children, including infants, are welcome. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. Tuesday, June 24: From Generation to Generation, 7 p.m. Fee is $18 for Temple members and $25 for others. To register, call Program Director Rosie Zweiback.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. WEDNESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group, 11 a.m. at International Quilt Study Center and Museum on the UNL East Campus, 33rd and Holdrege Streets, for a guided tour and then to Valentino’s for lunch, 12:15 p.m. Tickets are $6. RSVP to Stephanie Dohner, 435.0140 or Marcia Kushner, 423.5959; Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner, 423.7066. The office will be closed Monday-Friday, June 16-20.
‘Tommy’ Lapid, a brash Israeli political and media figure, dies at 77 by ROY EITAN TEL AVIV (JTA) -- Yosef Lapid, among the most politically incorrect figures of Israeli politics, died of cancer June 1.. He was 77. Known to friends and foes alike as Tommy, a nickname from his n a t i v e Yugoslavia, Lapid was a dominant figure among Israel’s intelligentsia. As playwright, journalist and commentator, he brought an old European brio to the nascent Jewish state. Memories of the Holocaust, in which his father died, gave Lapid a keen sense of the importance of Zionism. But though he came to Israel as a refugee immigrant, Lapid vociferously championed a secular Ashkenazi ideal, to the exclusion of many fellow citizens. He was especially disdainful of fervently Orthodox Jews, seeing their religious dogma, largefamily benefits and exemptions
from mandatory military service as threats to the future of a democratic Israel. Lapid was particularly infuriated that the most potent religious political movement, Shas, catered to Sephardim. His puffy appearance and witty truculence drew comparisons to Archie Bunker, the bigoted hero of the 1970s American television show “All in the Family.” “He was a man with a sense of humor,” Aryeh Deri, a former Shas leader, said on Army Radio. “He always said what was on his mind. You knew what he thought about you -- he’d tell you straight to your face.” The eruption of Palestinian violence in 2000 sharpened middle-class Israeli bitterness at having to shoulder a security burden largely shirked by Arab and fervently Orthodox citizens. That prompted Lapid to run for parliament at the head of the secularist Shinui party in 2003. His campaign openly mocked religious Jews in terms that some Israelis found distasteful, even anti-Semitic, but the strategy Continued on page 11
June 13, 2008
Pulverent e
DEATHS Continued from page 10 worked Shinui (“Change”) became the sixth-largest party in the Knesset. Lapid served as justice minister in the coalition government of Ariel Sharon, memorably advocating that Israel’s security fence should run closer to the West Bank boundary in order to avoid taking in too much Palestinian land. Shinui eventually quit the government in a funding dispute and, shorn of executive powers, found itself marginalized as a protest party with little in the way of a positive policy to offer its electorate. Many commentators also faulted Lapid for not toning down his invective, which included referring to fervently Orthodox Jews as “parasites” and dismissing a hit song by a Sephardi crooner as “the sound of Tulkarm” -- an especially violent Palestinian town. Shinui was decimated in the 2006 election, and Lapid returned to the media, hosting a weekly radio show and making regular television appearances. He also served on the board of Yad Vashem, a position that gave weight to his frequent verbal attacks on radical West Bank settlers. Their treatment of Palestinians, he said, recalled the anti-Semites of prewar Europe. In recent months, Lapid dedicated an increasing amount of energy to defending his longtime friend, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, against corruption allegations in the press. “May those bloodsuckers choke,” he told Israel Radio in reference to investigative journalists who accused Olmert of financial misdeeds or called for his resignation in the wake of the costly Second Lebanon War. Lapid died in a Tel Aviv hospital with Olmert at the height of a bribery investigation that could force him from office. “Here, today, I would like to say that Tommy Lapid was a Jew through and through,” Olmert told his Cabinet in broadcast remarks. “I am certain that I speak on behalf of the decisive majority of the residents of the State of Israel, who feel that Tommy Lapid placed his special stamp on public life in the State of Israel as a brilliant journalist and minister. We have lost a dear man, a dear Jew and an irreplaceable friend.” Lapid is survived by his wife, Shulamit, a playwright; a daughter, Meirav; and a son, Yair, who followed his father in becoming a major media personality. Another daughter, Michal, died in a 1984 road accident. JOHN T. DACEY John T. Dacey died June 3 at the age of 55. Services were June 6 at Temple Israel, followed by interment at Temple Israel Cemetery. A certified Drug and Abuse Counselor, he led several “journey” groups at Temple and was active in its adult
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
education program. He is survived by wife of 29 years, Don’L Dacey; daughter and son-in-law, Erin and James Bagwell; daughter, Brenna Dacey; sister, Kathy Willms and four other siblings. Memorials to the family or to the Sarpy County Drug Court Fund, Sarpy County Courthouse, 1210 Golden Gate Dr., suite 1129, Papillion, NE, 68046.
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DAVID FRIEDLAND David Friedland died June 11. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Israel. A full obituary will be in next week’s press. ADAM JACOBS Adam Jacobs died suddenly at the age of 41 on May 30. Services were held June 3 at Heafey and Heafey Memorial Chapel. He was past president of Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith, and of the Midwest Region and was the 2000 recipient of the Label A. Katz Young Leadership Award from B’nai B’rith International. Jacobs had recently joined the law firm of Stinson Morrison Hecker. He is survived by his wife, Christine; two sons, Seth and Liam; parents, Arthur M. and Linda L. Jacobs; brother and sister-in-law, David and Michelle Jacobs; sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Steve Hudson; grandmother, Elizabeth Moser of Council Bluffs; father-inlaw and mother-in-law, Bruce and Nadine Lester; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan Lester and Kelly Lester of Connecticut. Memorials to the Seth and Liam Jacobs Education Fund or to a charity of choice. BERNARD DAVID WEINSTEIN Bernard “Bernie” Weinstein died May 27 in San Antonio, TX, at the age of 85. A graveside service was held May 30 at Beth El Memorial Park in San Antonio. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 22, at Beth Israel. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he attended the University of Texas at Austin and then worked many years as a car salesman. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of San Antonio Lodge #1079. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis J. Weinstein; sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Rae Weinstein of San Antonio, and Michael and Benay Weinstein of Kirkland, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Ed Joseph; grandchildren, Justin, Jonny, Thommy, and Rebekah Weinstein, and Nathanial Joseph; a great-granddaughter; and sister, Elaine Kaufman of San Antonio. Memorials to Beth Israel or Chabad of Nebraska.
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The order of command
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Behaloteha Our Sidra suggests that the lights in the Sanctuary are to be directed in a carefully ordered fashion. The order does not come directly from the Lord to the priests, but rather to the priests from Aaron, who received the order from Moses. It is like the Army: the five-star general does not speak to privates nor corporals; he speaks to colonels or onestar generals. Note the instruction follows the order from top to bottom. It takes hold about whatever level of command the order applies. Thus, the Lord speaks to Moses, who speaks to Aaron, who, in turn, speaks to the priests. If this is somewhat clumsy and roundabout, so be it. That is the way it is. It may be that is the way it is in families as well: the father, who at least thinks he is the boss, tells the mother to tell the older child to tell the younger child what they must do, and what they must not do. They must not, for example, play with fire. Our Sidra goes on to say that Moses, who apparently is a jack-of-all-trades, was to make a pair of silver trumpets, which were to be used to call the whole people together. According to different sounds of the trumpet, Moses was able to use them to call this group or another to come to talk to him and receive instruction.
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These trumpets also were used to call the people together in time of war (for the House of Israel has never lacked enemies). The sound was to appeal to the Lord to come to Israel’s aid. Moreover, the trumpets were used on days of joy and Holy Days, as well as on Rosh Hodesh, in case the Lord needed a reminder that He had to do certain things for His people. The trumpets were also used t set the people on their way after lingering at Sinai for what is all of the book of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus, into the Book of Numbers to this point. And now the people are given marching orders through the wilderness. Wilderness does not mean desert where sand delays and hinders marching, but rather assumes that no one has been this way before. Can you imagine a road upon which no human being as been before? You are Columbus; you are Magellan; you are Vasco de Gama. Now I repeat: this is virgin land, “where the hand of man has never set foot.” We are given the place names of the so-called 40 years of wandering, where the Israelis set forth, not to the north, but apparently to the East, so that eventually they entered the Promised Land going westward. Moses, who is telling this, is already in the Land of Israel and was seeing this as he looked east. (If this has you confused, so am I. Fortunately, Moses was not -- otherwise, our ancestors might have ended up in Saudi Arabia and we would have been stuck with that black gold, the oil, on which the world runs. Unfortunately -- or fortunately, our ancient ancestors left us in the wilderness, so that the Holy Text must help our ancestors plow their way back and keep the reader wondering if anything will come of this.)
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 13, 2008
JCC salutes board, staff and volunteers at final meeting by LISA SHKOLNICK JCC Associate Executive Director At its final board meeting of the year earlier this month, the Jewish Community Center presented awards to board members, inducted new members into athletes Hall of Fame divisions, and recognized 10 staff for celebrating their five, 15, 20, and 30-year anniversaries with the Center.
seniors who have lettered in a varsity sports and excelled academically as well. This year’s award recipients are Rebecca Crabb of Westside for soccer and Aaron Murow of Burke for golf.
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Above: The 10 JCC employees honored for their years of service are Corey Kirshenbaum, left, CDC Director, 20 years; Hayley Swanson, CDC Teacher, five; Marco Bautista, Housekeeping, five; Jill Salomon, Fit ’n Sit Associate, five; Maxine Hedquist, Front Desk Associate, five; Marlene Hert, Workroom Coordinator, 30; Denise Ipock, Member Services Director, five; Margie Utesch, Publicity Director, five; Ana Motley, Housekeeping, five; and Lora Rosenbaugh, CDC Teacher, 15 years. Not pictured: Sue Gan and Brenda Suput, 15 years, Bill Sullivan and Emilie Marek, 20 years, and Paul Roth, 25 years. Jeffrey Aizenberg, JCC executive director, thanked outgoing President Michael W. Miller for his leadership over the past two years. Among the many accomplishments during his tenure included restarting ARTZA -- the JCC Teen Trip to Israel -- one that Miller personally led. Additional programs included Partnership with Israel, the support of a year round shaliach, and the JCC Maccabi Games sister city program, as well as providing wireless internet service throughout the JCC, licensed physical therapy services for members, and hosting the Jewish Arts Festival and Israel at 60 community celebration. The Omaha JCC recently garnered nine awards from the JCC Association of North America. The JCC also put a plan in place to renovate its 35-year-old Beth Friedman and Don Fiedler aquatic facilities and new The “JCC Athletic Wall of Fame” award recognizes the achievement of Omaha’s Jewish athletes who participated in JCC sports programs in their youth and went on to make significant contributions to the Jewish community, the general community and/or the Jewish Community Center. The inductees were Beth Friedman for tennis and the late Don Fiedler for his accomplishments in football. Michael Miller and Kimberly Robinson Danielle Gordman was named JCC Volunteer of the Year for Danielle Gordman her outstanding leadership as a long time volunteer at the CDC and as current Chairman of the CDC Committee. The Eileen S. Erman “Educator of the Year” Award was presented to the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center teacher, Julie Shelburne. She was recognized for her outstanding achievement and devotion to the CDC for the past six years as a lead teacher for the four-yearJulie Shelburne old program.
marketing strategies to help maintain membership. Other achievements noted include hiring a new insurance company with a much more intense focus on defining and preventing specific risks faced by the JCC, dealing effectively with increasing competition, and working with the Federation to consolidate administrative Rebecca Crabb and Aaron Murow functions on the campus. Miller thanked board members and The “Jewish High School Athlete of the Year” Award recognizes the achieve- staff and welcomed Kimberly Robinson ments of Omaha’s Jewish high school as the new President for 2008-10.
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