Vol. LXXXV No. 40 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
20 Sivan, 5766 June 16, 2006
Omahans Pledge to “Finish the Job” with Operation Promise by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press They were two and 12-years-old when they left behind countries that didn’t want them and made life so difficult for Jews that their parents almost died. Their message--as representatives of United Jewish Communities latest fundraising campaign, Operation Promise--is that “the job isn’t finished.” According to Riki Mullu, one of two speakers at last week’s Operation Promise event, “Our job has just begun. And it won’t be finished until our own children go to the best schools and are leaders.” More than 150 people attended the event, which raised $86,583 (another $6,373 came in afterwards), which more than doubles the $88,046 already raised, bringing the total to $181,002, or almost one-third of Omaha’s $600,000 share of the $160 million UJC goal. So far more than $60 million has been raised nationally for the campaign which will bring more than 20,000 more Ethiopians to Israel, as well as fund critical services in the former Soviet Union, home to many elderly Jewish Holocaust survivors. Mullu, who was only 12-years-old, left her parents and siblings behind in Ethiopia when she was sent to Israel along with hundreds of other young Ethiopians. Living alone at boarding school, she eventually graduated and wound up working for the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the group that literally saved her life, helping other young Ethiopians when they arrived with Operation Moses in 1984. “Every year we recited ‘Next year in Jerusalem’ at the end of our Passover seder,” Mullu told the crowd. “And every year I waited for them in Israel, but they didn’t come.” At first the border was
closed; then Mullu was told it was too dangerous. Finally, “I made a big noise,” Mullu said. After sending in the Mossad (Israeli secret service agents) in 1987, Mullu went back to Ethiopia to take her elderly parents back to Israel, but not her 14-year-old brother, nor her two nephews, ages 12 and 10. Eight months later, she went back to get them. “And so, in 1990, 12 years after I went alone to Israel, our whole family was finally together,” Mullu said. A year later, Mullu explained, it’s a Shabbat like no other in Israel. On May 25, 1991, even the rabbis gave permission for the Israel Defense Force to take over El Al planes and fly more than 25,000 Jews out of Ethiopia in the largest one-day rescue in history. “We made history,” Mullu said. “Let’s do it again.” Anne Shackman, who co-chaired this year’s annual campaign with her husband Bruce, wiped tears away as Mullu spoke, recalling the 1991 Omaha mission when the group not only met newly arrived Ethiopians in Israel, but greeted a planeload of Russians at the airport. Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, on the other hand, came from a comfortable background in the FSU. Her 21-year-old father was a skier, an Olympic hopeful and the family was treated like royalty. It changed dramatically, however, when he broke his leg in a skiing accident. “Before he was brought down the mountain, Spaulding said, “my mother and I were being evicted from our apartment.” Young--and now destitute--the couple and their two-year-old daughter wound up living with their parents in a one-room apartment not much bigger than the stage from which Spaulding spoke. “My father, whose broken leg was not treated, was told he had less than five
Shirley Goldstein, left, the doyenne of the Soviet Jewry movement in Omaha, introduces herself to Operation Promise speakers Riki Mullu, who is originally from Ethiopia, and Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, who was two-years-old when her parents left the former Soviet Union. years to live,” she added. outfitted the two-bedroom apartment By 1978, her mother was finally con- with furniture, linens and toys, and nected to the Joint Distribution stocked the pantry and refrigerator. That Committee, a recipient of UJC funds, made for some humorous moments, and the process of leaving the FSU Spaulding said, “When my mother couldbegan. With stops in Vienna, Austria, and n’t figure out what the ‘green thing’ was then Ladispoli, Italy, where more than in the fridge--it turned out to be broc40,000 Jews from the FSU passed coli--which didn’t help, since she didn’t through on their way to Israel and know what that was either!” America, the Gerlovin family wound up Many of the former Russians attending in Passaic, NJ. the event laughed, remembering their “We were met by Kitty and Charlie own encounters with the aisles of plastic Breslow,” Spaulding related, “who wrapped bread at local grocery stores. opened the door to an apartment that And others, like Galina Kogan, cried. was beyond anything the newly arrived “It was a terrible time,” she said. “We family could imagine. Like Omaha’s left people we loved behind.” Resettlement Committee, Passaic’s had Continued on page 2
Temple Israel to Help Habitat for Humanity Build Home for Sudanese Family by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Joseph Dau and his wife, Niajok Mayoun, and their family of eight children will have their first home by the end of the summer. After fleeing war, disease, and starvation in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, in 1999, they lived in Egypt. They applied for refugee status through the United Nations, were accepted in 2000, and soon afterwards moved to Omaha. Mayoun has worked at Tyson Foods for three years. Dau recently had a change in employment and now works at Ameristar Casino. They welcome the opportunity for their children to live in security, attend good schools, and have a safe place to grow up. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, they’ll soon have their own home at 4221 Himebaugh Ave. Habitat for Humanity will build 16 homes for low-income families this year. The Sudanese family will put several hundred hours of “sweat equity” into their new home. Eight coalitions are helping to build the houses. Temple Israel is part of a 16-member multi-faith coalition that includes Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Jewish groups. Patrick Jensen, coordinator of the Temple Israel team, has asked for volunteers, both skilled and non-skilled in
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
This Sudanese family will soon be proud new homeowners of a house at 42nd and Himebaugh Ave., being built by a Habitat for Humanity multi-faith coalition which includes volunteers from Temple Israel. home building, to help on Sundays, June 25, Aug. 6 and 20, 12:30-4 p.m. Jensen said volunteers can help
This Week: A Look at Iran’s Jewish Community: Pages 4-5 See Front Page Stories at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Temple Chooses Architect for New Buildoing: Page 2
on other days, too. Sign-up sheets are available at Temple or volunteers can call Jensen at 680.1104 or send him an e-mail at pjensen@aoicorp. com. It’s recommended that volunteers wear tennis shoes and gloves, bring snacks and water, and be on time to their shifts to receive a safety orientation. Workers must be at least 16 years old. A carpenter who built custom homes in Chicago for 15 years, Jensen said he can teach those willing to help at the site as well as watch out for their safety. In addition to providing volunteers to build the house, Temple will be raising funds for the project. The cost to build one square foot is $55, Jensen said. “Our goal as a congregation is to fund as many square feet as we can. I invite you to make a contribution of one square foot or more.” He also suggested checking with employers about matching monetary contributions. “We are looking for in-kind donations like windows, drywall, roofing, and siding.” Any amount will be “greatly appreciated” and should be dropped off or sent to Temple Israel. “We need to stand together with our coalition partners to make this a successful project,” he confirmed. Volunteers can also provide snacks or drinks for the workers. Temple’s Social Justice Committee has donated $2,000 toward the new house.
Coming Next Month: Health & Wellness Issue: July 14 YU President Richard Joel Speaks on Raising Jewish Children: Page 3
Beth El Honors Its Volunteers: Page 12
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS SATURDAY, JUNE 17 Peace of Mind Lunch and Learn, noon at Beth El
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SUNDAY, JUNE 18 Beth Israel Travelin’ Toddlers, 4 p.m. at the Zoo MONDAY, JUNE 19 JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. Hadassah Board Meeting, 1 p.m. Reading the Old Testament Class, 6 p.m. CJE Intensive Hebrew Reading Class, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, JUNE 20 ADL Teacher Workshop for Echoes and Reflections, 8:30 a.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Hebrew Classes: Level 1, 7 p.m., and Level 2, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 The Works of Franz Kafka Class, 11 a.m. AIPAC Nebraska dinner, 6 p.m. at Fleming Steak House YU President Richard Joel, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, JUNE 22 Duties of the Heart, 10:30 a.m. Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Reading the Old Testament Class, 6 p.m. Hebrew Classes: Level 1, 7 p.m., and Level 2, 8 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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Rockman, has met with the Programming Committee by CLAUDIA SHERMAN chairs who “are excited to get going,” according to Temple Israel Communications Coordinator After nine months of investigation, research and inter- Meyers. The entire congregation will have opportunities views on the part of its Architectural Selection and to offer input at Programming Committee meetings, by Design Committee, Temple Israel’s Board of Trustees talking to Programming Committee members, and at a voted at its May meeting to engage the services of congregational session in September when the architects Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc. for the program- will be present. Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc. is a leader in the ming and design phases of a new home for Nebraska’s oldest congregation. In 2004, a gift of land near 168th field of new construction, historic preservation, and the and West Dodge Road from an anonymous donor was adaptive use of significant buildings. The Boston firm is well known for its community building approach and accepted by the Board of Trustees. Jon Meyers, one of four Steering Committee members recognizes that successful projects must satisfy a variety for the design and construction of the new Temple, of interest groups. The success of Finegold Alexander’s explained that the Architectural Design Committee projects stems from its proven ability to balance the goal started with ten candidates which were narrowed down of design excellence with the requirements of budget to four who were invited to interviews. From those four, and schedule, producing client-focused results. Founded in 1961, Finegold Alexander is the recipient the committee selected two architects before ultimately of 137 awards for design excellence. Clients include acachoosing Finegold Alexander. “We were looking for diversity in design,” clarified demic, cultural, commercial office, public, religious and John Waldbaum, also a Steering Committee member, multi-unit residential customers. In addition to designspeaking at the May Temple Israel Board of Trustees ing Omaha’s Beth El Synagogue which was completed meeting. One reason the Architectural Design in 1991, Finegold Alexander was the co-architect for the Committee picked Finegold Alexander was because it restoration of the Ellis Island Immigration Center and was felt the firm “would interact, not dictate to us,” the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Moe Finegold, president of Finegold Alexander, said Waldbaum said. “All of the architects were fantastic,” added Steering Committee member Rick Fox. “The process was very interesting.” Sandy Epstein, who served on the Architectural Design Committee, commented that she felt “the process was very fair and the committee was fair and respectful of the architects and each other. I West Dodge and 168th St. is the future site of Temple Israel’s new building. learned quite a bit and found it fascinating how the process of elimination his firm is known for its “service to clients and design worked well. We had to select among several amazing excellence in the way we relate to our clients which builds confidence.” Beth El was the first new synagogue architectural firms, but in the end, it was unanimous.” Other members of the Architectural Selection that Finegold Alexander designed. Since then, the firm Committee were Ted Seldin, George Quittner, Susie has worked on about a dozen synagogues across the Cohn, Silvia Roffman, Steve Cohn, Murray Newman, country, said Moe Finegold. He described the land at 168th and West Dodge Road as “a really exciting site.” and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Creating sacred place and space is an added opportuWendy Goldberg, president of Temple’s Board of Trustees, told congregants in a letter that “the contract- nity when designing a house of worship, Finegold ed fee for the initial (design) phase has been generously observed, which “separates it, for me, from other projdonated.” She said that as the next step in Temple’s fea- ects.” He went on to talk about how to reflect the valsibility study, “this process will bring forth various ues of social justice in bricks and mortar. “You begin by schemes and begin to form the basis for a ‘master plan’ getting together with committees and holding open for the site and the building. This process will allow us meetings. We begin with conversation before we draw.” “We love building synagogues,” Finegold remarked. to clarify priorities including projecting construction “We like working with committees and feel honored to expenses and fund raising goals.” Twenty-two programming committees will meet this win a second synagogue in Omaha. We’re very excited summer and evaluate the needs for specific areas of a that we have this opportunity and are looking forward new synagogue and school wing, said Meyers. The to building a synagogue that reflects the heart and soul Steering Committee, which also includes Stacey of Temple Israel.”
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Omahans Pledge to Fulfill Operation Promise Continued from page 1
move to Greensboro, NC, where she works for its Federation as Director of Outreach and Education, she’s still grateful. “Everything we have is because of you.
Helen Epstein, left, and Ruth Potash, two volunteers instrumental in resettling Jews from the FSU, sit silently as Alina Spaulding tells her family’s story; Zoe Riekes passes the gavel to Norm Sheldon, Federation President, 2006-08. “There was so much care by people like you,” Spaulding told the crowd. Her father, whose broken leg had caused so many health problems, was expected to die by the end of 1980, but Alina’s mother didn’t give up. And neither did their new friend Kitty. “Through an anonymous gift,” Spaudling continued, “a world famous cardiologist flew in from California and met us at JFK. Four hours later, after all the risks of surgery were explained, he agreed to take the case. Surgery was the next day.” Not only was the surgery successful, but the following year, the Gerlovins had a baby boy. Her father went skiing in 1982 and attended his son’s Bar Mitzvah in 1995. Though her father didn’t live to see Alina marry and
Above: Galina Kogan, left, Alina Spaulding and Jane Tsyrlin share a moment of remembrance, while, below: Inna Zevakina and her Omaha friends, Jews from the FSU, laugh at one of Spaulding stories about coming to America.
June 16, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Rare Opportunity for Omahans to Hear from Yeshiva University President by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue When speaking with Yeshiva University (YU) President Richard Joel, it soon becomes evident that he places importance on the themes of “community,” “responsibility” and “future.” Whether talking about college students at YU or young Jewish children in Omaha, Joel emphasizes the responsibility of a community to provide the necessary foundation for future Jewish leaders. Joel will incorporate these themes in his talk on Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. when he discusses “Raising Jewish Kids in America.” Co-sponsored by Beth Israel Synagogue and the Jewish Federation’s Young Jewish Omaha, the talk will be held at Beth Israel and the community is invited to attend. At first glance, the partnering of Beth Israel and Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) for President Joel’s talk might seem unexpected. But both organizations share similar demographics. Beth Israel’s growing membership of young families clearly intersects with YJO. YJO is a Federation organization for 22-45 year olds, providing social, educational and social action programming. According to Sharon Kirshenbaum, Director of YJO, “When Rabbi Gross told me that President Joel was coming to Omaha, I thought it would be terrific if he were to speak to the young people of our community. I heard him speak in 2002 at a Young Leadership conference. He’s such a dynamic and energetic speaker.” On the 21st, Joel plans to speak and then open the floor for questions. “I like to think of it more as a conversation, rather than a speech,” he said. Since 1915, YU has had only four presidents, including Joel, who’s presidency started in 2003. A former assistant district attorney in New York, Joel joined YU’s faculty and became the associate dean of YU’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Joel is also known for his successful tenure as the president and international director of Hillel, an organization that supports Jewish life for college and university students. Joel’s topic, “Raising Jewish Kids in America,” is relevant to many in the Omaha Jewish community. “Part of the role of Yeshiva University is to take responsibility for our future leaders,” he said. “Every child, every young person, every young rabbi is an investment. For example, Rabbi Gross is an investment in our future.” Emphasizing the perspective of “community,” Joel’s talk should resonate with parents, grandparents, college students, prospective parents or anyone else interested in retaining and advancing Jewish values and knowledge.
“With my ‘presidential’ schedule, I don’t get many opportunities to visit smaller communities,” stated President Joel. “I wish I could, so I’m glad I’m able to come to Omaha. I’ve never been to your community. I’ve heard that Omaha has a great Jewish community, with lots going on, and am looking forward to my visit.” When talking about raising Jewish children in today’s world, Joel talks about “the Jewish story.” His vision for YU--and the community--includes the “pillars” of noble purpose, education excellence, building community and the associated responsibilities, and a connection to Israel. Joel noted, “We, as a community, have been defensive for so long. It’s time to examine and share the values of the Jewish story. We have a conRichard Joel nectivity to one another that will help today’s Jewish communities move forward with those values of our Jewish story.” “It’s a very important topic,” stated Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “This is a guy on the front lines--as President of YU and previously as long-time director of Hillel. His time and experience with campus life enables him to see these kids when they’ve left home for the first time, and whether or not they stay engaged and involved in Jewish life. So, Joel can identify what has been learned and the experiences while growing up that have an impact on the path our Jewish students take. It’ll be interesting to see his perspective on the type of kids who tend to become Jewish leaders. What influenced them to do so?” Joel also wants rabbinic students to see how there are terrific opportunities in smaller communities like Omaha. According to Joel, “It’s my responsibility and YU’s responsibility to help them succeed. Visiting Omaha is an important opportunity. I learn during visits like this and take what I’ve learned back to YU. Rabbi Gross represents an example of such success, with his synagogue’s growing and vibrant community.” In addition to his professional expertise, Joel can also draw from his experiences as a husband, father and grandfather. “I’m the luckiest person to have spent the last 32 years with my best friend and partner, raising six
wonderful children. And, we recently welcomed our first grandchild into the world.” When asked if there was anything unique about himself that we wouldn’t likely already know, President Joel stated, with a smile in his voice, “I play the accordion. But don’t expect me to play!” Kirshenbaum encouraged everyone to attend Joel’s lecture. “It’s nice to partner with our synagogues and offer joint programming,” she said. “In doing so, we’re able to take advantage of opportunities that benefit our entire community.” Gross echoed Kirshenbaum’s enthusiasm for Joel’s upcoming talk, noting, “When I’ve heard him speak to an audience, Richard Joel is very inspiring. He’s personable and down-to-earth, and makes you feel like he’s talking directly to you.” Babysitting will be provided during Joel’s talk, by reservation only. Please call the Beth Israel office, 556.6288, to reserve a place for your child.
Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group to Enjoy Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer at Upcoming Barbecue by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator A relaxing evening of socializing and great food is on tap for all who attend the next Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group meeting on Monday, June 26, 7 p.m., at the home of Evie Mitchell, 1835 So. 139 St. Group members will welcome the month of Tammuz with a delicious barbecue and social gettogether. All food will be kosher, Mitchell said, and requests for vegetarian fare will be honored. Mitchell encouraged all attendees to come armed with their favorite summer memories to share, saying “Come, kick back, relax and enjoy! We’re looking forward to reliving our summers of past: favorite family vacations, Jewish summer camp experiences and more!” She also noted that part of the evening will also be spent brainstorming programming ideas for next year’s Rosh Hodesh meetings. Plan to attend and spend an enjoyable evening with friends--reservations are needed by June 22 and may be made by contacting Mitchell at 333.7668, or via e-mail at evmit@cox.net.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
It’s not the Best Place for Jews, but Iran’s Home to a Sizeable Community by RACHEL SILVERMAN NEW YORK (JTA --Iran wouldn’t appear to be a likely candidate to house the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world. After all, Iran is run by a fundamentalist Islamic regime whose president has threatened to destroy Israel and who regularly denies the Holocaust. But Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Iran currently is home to an estimated 25,000 Jews. What is lif --and Jewish life--like for these Iranian Jews? How do they reconcile their dual identities? And why do they choose to stay in a land that, at least from an outsiders perspective, appears increasingly inhospitable? History, in part, holds the answer to these questions. Iranian Jews have lived in the region for more than 2,700 years. During that time, they’ve survived waves of forced conversion, anti-Semitic propaganda, derogatory dress codes and economic, legal and social persecution. But there have also been times when they flourished, like they did under the pro-Western regime of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who ruled until the Islamists took over in the late 1970s. Indeed, some 100,000 Jews lived in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution prompted an exodus. Through these ebbs and flows, Iranian Jews have learned that oppressors, no matter how tyrannical, are only temporary masters. For this reason, as George Haroonian, a community activist in Los Angeles put it, Iranian Jews tend to think of the current anti-Semitic, anti-Israel climate as only “a temporary disruption in the long centuries of the relationship between Jews and Iranians.” “These people know this government will vanish, but Israel will stay and Iran will stay,” Haroonian, who runs a magazine for Iranian Jewish emigres, said. “We have to think of it in those terms.” For many Iranian Jews, that means making their peace and carrying on. “Right now, the situation is like a calm before a storm,” said Frank Nikbakht, the former public affairs director of the Council of Iranian American Jewish Organizations. “The problem is as long as the situation seems to be normal, it’s very difficult to ask somebody to pack up and leave a country they’ve lived in for hundreds of generations.” But there have been occasional anti-Semitic outbursts during the past decade or so. In 1999, 13 Iranian Jews were accused of spying for Israel, and 10 were imprisoned. Though all were released by 2002, the incident sent shockwaves throughout Iran’s Jewish community. During that period, reports also rose about 11 others who went missing between 1994 and 1997. Haroonian said that Iranian American Jews are “very much still following the issue,” since “the Iranian government has not given straight answers of what happened to these people.”
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In other ways, too, the situation for Iranian Jews is difficult. Anti-Semitic propaganda is pervasive, say those interviewed for this article, and Jewish citizens have been stripped of many rights, such as their ability to provide testimony in court or hold a position superior to that of a Muslim. Things have gotten so bad that several weeks ago, reports that Iran would be enacting a law mandating a Nazi-like uniform for Jews was widely believed in the West. That report, however, proved to be false. To cope with their lack of freedoms, Jews in Iran have mastered the art of separating their private lives from their public ones. Outwardly, Iranian Jews do their best to blend in and stay quiet. “In order to be as safe as possible, you must hide most of your feelings,” Nikbakht explained. “You keep a low profile and agree to the government position, whatever it is.”
An Iranian Jewish refugee receiving HIAS assistance awaits processing in Vienna in 2002.CREDIT:Jeff Lauterbach/HIAS Haroonian concurred. “Many Jews have sort of accepted, internalized the idea of being inferior to the majority Muslims. It’s the relationship of, You do your thing and I’ll do my thing and we don’t step over the lines.” Iranian Jews, at least publicly, often mask their affiliations with both Judaism and Zionism. When an Iranian Jewish dance troupe traveled to Russia recently, several members refused to eat pieces of cake decorated with the Israeli flag. And members of the community keep mezuzot on the inside of their doors instead of the outside. What happens inside those houses is another story, however. In recent years, Jewish practice may have strengthened in Iran. “Jews in Iran have become more religious since the revolution,” confirmed Pooya Dayanim, president of the U.S.-based Iranian Jewish Public Affairs Committee. “As their numbers have dwindled, solidarity and action among them has increased.”
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He cited 13 active synagogues in the country, as well as a Jewish hospital and slew of Jewish day schools. Nikbakht attributed this upswing to waning public entertainment, as well as a general trend toward religious extremism in the country. “When you see the environment is doing something, you tend to do the same in order to say its not only you who are close to God, it’s us too,” he explained. Still, practicing Judaism under the current regime has proved difficult. State law forces Jewish schools to remain open on the Sabbath, and specifies that Hebrew lessons are not permitted outside prayer time. Schools are required to have Muslim principals, since Jews must occupy subordinate positions at all times, and prayer books are printed in Farsi instead of Hebrew, as a means of controlling what is studied. These obstacles, perhaps, also account for the slow trickle of Jews out of Iran. The Hebrew Immigration Aid Society holds a contract with the U.S. State Department to operate an immigration center in Vienna, where Iranian Jews are detained until they can enter the U.S. Refugee Program and emigrate. Statistics provided by the organization show that about 200 Iranian Jews were resettled in 2004, and about 300 in 2005. Haroonian reported that relatives in the United States are “giving messages to their families saying, ‘think about your future, the future of your young kids.’ “ Many Jews in Iran are dismissive, he said. “When they hear about assimilation and divorce rates here, and security issues in Israel, so many choose to stay,” Haroonian said. “They think it’s not very rosy here either.” But Sam Kermanian, secretary-general of the Los Angeles-based Iranian Jewish Federation, pointed to other, more pragmatic reasons for staying put: Many are too old, or too sick to leave. “Those who remain to a large extent would have a more difficult time adjusting to life in a different country,” he said. He added that others may not have the financial means to leave. But unless Iranian Jews speak up, agencies in a position to help them will continue to receive mixed messages. “We certainly have noted with concern the flow of new stories of problems and statements by the government,” Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS, said. “But we really do leave it to the people on the ground to assess their own circumstances.” Nikbakht reiterated this claim. “Most of the Jewish organizations outside the country have made it clear to relatives or co-religionists in Iran that whenever they want to leave, the Jews outside the country are ready to help them,” he said. “Beyond that, there is no large-scale, organized effort to get them out. All we’re doing is telling them, if you want to get out, we’re ready to help you.’’
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June 16, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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On Trip to Russia, Tehran Jews Insist There’s a Jewish Future in Iran The Iranians-by LEV KRICHEVSKY aged 14 to 30-MOSCOW (JTA)-came to Russia Russian Jewish organizers thanks to diplomatic of a trip for 15 Iranian efforts by Arkady Jewish women in Russia Gaidamak, a Russian say they hope the trip will Jewish leader and launch contacts between businessman, and the two communities. with a special permit “We have not had any from the Iranian contacts with Iranian authorities. In addisaid Adolph Jews,” tion to general Shayevich, one of Russia’s tourist sites, the deltwo chief rabbis. “We egation visited a have heard various Iranian Jewish women visit the Anton synagogue and a rumors lately, that there is Chekhov Museum near Moscow. The Jewish day school in no Jewish community in women, who all live in Tehran, are memMoscow, as well as Iran, that things are bad bers of an amateur folk dance group the Jewish commufor Jews there. We are that came to Moscow to take part in a nity of Yaroslavl. happy to see it for ourJewish children’s arts festival. women The selves that this isn’t the Credit: KEROOR were expected to be whole truth.” The group is a 15-member women’s joined by Harun Yeshayaie, the chairman amateur folk dance group that came to of the Iranian Jewish community, but the Moscow last month to take part in the leader had to cancel his visit at the last Light a Candle Jewish children’s arts fes- minute, according to members of the deltival. The trip was a rare group visit egation. All members of the group live in the abroad by Iranian Jews, who live in an Islamic community virulently opposed to capital of Tehran, home to 15,000 Jews, the State of Israel--and they visited the majority of the estimated 25,000 Jews Russia, where Jews lived under tight who live in the Islamic Republic. This restrictions until the fall of Communism. community is only a fraction of the
100,000-strong community that lived in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But the Jewish women who visited Russia said their community has a future in Iran--despite the militant anti-Zionism of Tehran’s current political regime. “After the revolution, problems began for the community,” said Elham Abaei, 30, the leader of the group that came to Russia. Abaei, who runs the Iranian Jewish community’s Web site, www.iranjewish.com, said the community has adjusted to the political and social climate. “We can now run cultural and religious but not political activities,” she said, referring to anything related to Israel. Opposition to the Jewish state has been a cornerstone of the Islamic revolution. In 1999, 13 Jews were accused of spying for Israel. Ten eventually served jail terms, with the last being released in 2002. Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad caused a wave of international condemnation when he suggested that Israel should disappear from the map and called the Holocaust was a myth. The statement about the Holocaust reportedly triggered a rare example of discontent from the country’s Jewish leadership. Yeshayaie, the community’s chairman, wrote a letter to Ahmadinejad
saying that the remarks caused fear in the country’s Jewish community. But on the issue of Israel, these Iranian Jews would not speak out against Tehran’s official policy. “You can be Jewish and not associate yourself with Israel,” said Sarah Hay, a 21-year-old computer engineering student from Tehran. In Yaroslavl, a city in central Russia, the local community baked two cakes for the Iranian guests. But members of the group were visibly shocked when they saw the cakes were glazed with the design of the Israeli flag. The hosts gave the guests only those slices of cake without the flag design. But a member of the delegation who asked not to be identified because of the fear of repression back home said she had been to the Jewish state, visiting her family there. Some Jews use their foreign travels to meet with their Israeli relatives in a third country, usually in Turkey or Western Europe. The communal activities range from Jewish day schools--one-half of Tehran’s Jewish children are said to attend Jewish day schools--to synagogues, youth clubs and summer camps, and even a Jewish hospital in Tehran. There are no yeshivot in Iran, and only one ordained rabbi is serving Tehran’s 16 active synagogues.
Isolated Iranian Jews Have Own Customs, Traditions is said to have taken place in ancient Persia, which is today Iran. Celebrations include a 24- hour fast, megillah readings and desserts called halvah, made of flour or rice, sugar, oil and saffron. Weddings are also large and elaborate. At one party, the groom asks the bride’s family for permission to marry. In another, sweets are exchanged as a symbol of happiness. Other celebrations include mikvah rituals for bride and groom, a wedding shower for the bride, and a getto-know you session for extended family. But in Iranian Jewish practice, outwardly visible customs take a backseat to more inwardly focused customs, such as family-centered events in the home. Because of fear of persecution, Jews in Iran traditionally do not give their children Hebrew names, nor do they pay membership dues to a synagogue.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
Singer Memorial Fund Makes Grants to Five Community Programs
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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Foundation Public Relations Coordinator Established in 1996, the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth met for their tenth annual meeting on April 25 and allocated grants to five community programs. Due to an increase in investment income over the last two years, committee members were able to disburse more money this year. "These requests were well worth it," said Harriet Singer who set up the memorial fund in memory of her late husband. Since it first began disbursing funds, the Singer Memorial Fund has subsidized programs dealing with problems and issues facing Jewish youth under the age of 20 who reside in the Omaha metropolitan area. Programs that address alcohol and drug use, sexuality, eating disorders, inter-family relations, violence and gangs, suicide and depression, and Jewish identity have been supported. The Grants Committee is especially interested in funding new programs that are family oriented and provide meaningful experiences as opposed to lecture-structured programs. Beth El’s “Torah Values for Life: Middle School Retreat� will receive a Singer Memorial Fund grant. Often plagued with anxieties about their appearance, self-esteem, and social standing, middle school students sometimes make unfortunate choices of friends, try mood altering substances, and engage in sexual experimentation at too young an age, according to the application for funds. Sixth through eighth graders attending a retreat to build Jewish identity and self-esteem through Torah values can learn to make appropriate choices in their lives which can help curb experimentation with drug, alcohol, and food abuse; inappropriate social alliances; and sexual exploitation. The retreat is planned for January 2007. Professional training of Jewish Community Center (JCC) summer camp staff will be subsidized by the Singer Memorial Fund. Camp counselors learn the mission of the JCC, the general practices and procedures of the camping program, and how to best serve today's youth. A professional facilitator from Heartland Family
Service will prepare the staff on the psychological and behavioral patterns of children as well as behavior modification techniques. While building relationships with each other, camp staff are also trained in safety techniques, emergency procedures, first aid, CPR, and the JCC campus emergency plan. Scholarships for Jewish Family Service’s “Love and Logic� parenting skills program will be subsidized by the Singer Memorial Fund. As requests for counseling for their children by Jewish families increase, JFS tries to meet the need of low-income families seeking mental health services by offering scholarships. Temple Israel received a grant to fund “To the Performance of Mitzvot, There is No End,� with keynote speaker Danny Siegel, the Mitzvah Maven. Objectives of this workshop for middle and high school students include fostering the use of moral force rather than coercion; demonstrating practical techniques to cultivate peace that are presented in Jewish texts; illustrating to young people that a meaningful Jewish education brings about an awareness that Judaism is relevant to the personal, communal, and global issues of today; and recognizing and responding to the needs of others even beyond their own families and communities. Jewish Family Service requested financial support to develop and present a community-wide program for Jewish teens that focuses on Christian missionaries, cults, and Jews for Jesus. Having recognized the vulnerability of Jewish college youth to efforts by various groups to proselytize their religious beliefs, JFS proposes to bring to Omaha Rabbi Tovia Singer, director of Outreach Judaism, a national organization dedicated to countering the efforts of these groups who target Jews for conversion. The program, which received a Singer Memorial Fund grant, will be open to all young adults including high school students. Members of the Singer Memorial Fund are Harriet Singer, Mark Singer, Sandy Kutler, Gloria Kaslow, Elyce Azriel, Frances Blumkin, and Irving Veitzer. The fund is administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
Temple Israel Celebrates 18-Year Partnership with Rabbi Azriel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Nearly 500 people attended Temple Israel’s 135th annual meeting and dinner on June 4 at The Champions Club. Board of Trustees President Wendy Goldberg called the meeting, which honored Rabbi Aryeh Azriel on his 18th year here, to order. Goldberg reported on her first year as president, thanking members of the Temple Board of Trustees, staff, and committee chairs as she spoke.
Do Anything Better Than You� which drew delighted laughter from the crowd. Tamara Field and Rathsam sang the finale, “Together We Are One.� Others in the choir were Jaclyn Adelson, Steve Danon, Angela Friedman, Joe Goldberg, Molly Goldberg, Scott Goldberg, Wendy Goldberg, Chloe Heyman, Lynne Jensen, Jordan Jensen, Deb Marburg, Jon Meyers, Maxine Noodell, Abby Schondelmeyer, and Sarah Schondelmeyer. Julie Sandene accompanied on piano. Following the musical tribute, dubbed “Chai Aryeh,�
Left: John Rathsam poses as Rabbi Aryeh Azriel as he and Cantor Wendy Shermet lead a parody of songs in tribute to
the rabbi’s 18th anniversary. Right: Rabbi and Elyce Azriel thanked the Temple family. Photos by Howard K. Marcus.
Rabbi Azriel described it as “an amazing year� that saw lay members and staff “working on the details of what partnership� is all about. He paid tribute to Goldberg, Temple staff, and promised to continue to involve the congregation in the work of tzedek (justice). Temple congregants paid a musical tribute to Rabbi Azriel with custom-written lyrics by Phyllis Glazer. Among the songs were “Shalom Rabbi� to the tune of “Hello Dolly,� “Side by Side,� a tribute to Rabbi Azriel and his wife, Elyce; “I Can’t Say No,� sung by Jonathan Rathsam, emphasizing the rabbi’s boundless energy; and “Rabbi Oh Rabbi,� sung to the tune of “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.� Rathsam, taking the role of Rabbi Azriel, and Cantor Wendy Shermet combined for a duet entitled, “I Can
Rabbi Azriel read excerpts from his first sermon at Temple Israel on Sept. 11, 1988. He likened the synagogue to a wick and the congregation as the fuel. “You have proven than we have a superb synagogue. You have kept the flame alive.� He added that he would not apologize for “disturbing you when you get too comfortable� and emphasized being a congregational “family. It’s not about me--it’s about us. Let us draw a larger circle,� and welcome others home. Jewda, executive producer of Kosher Productions, performed his vision of hip-hop based on Judaic life concluding the event. “Chai Aryeh� was planned by Goldberg, Lisa Epstein, Mendy Halsted, Andrea Siegel, Kimberly Robinson, and Dennis DePorte.
June 16, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
My Dad: a Sentimental Guy Asian Fusion Menu
BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS When I think of Father’s Day I naturally remember a thousand things about my own late Dad. If you knew him, you know he was what some might call “a character”. He had a wild sense of humor and loved a good joke, especially if it was on somebody else! He loved lots of things - some very significant, some not so important. If I tell you what he loved, you’ll get a pretty good picture of the man as he was his entire life. First on the list must be family in general and my mother in particular. He loved babies and little kids, and he was wild about baseball. He loved cars, most particularly sports cars and convertibles. He loved Shavous because while he observed the reason for the holiday, he was nuts about my Mom’s blintzes and other dairy goodies. He loved always looking like the proverbial picture of sartorial splendor. He loved his religion and enjoyed increased participation as the years went by and allowed more time for “going to the minyan”. I listed family as number one in the above statement, and I can elaborate a bit on that. He was truly “a family man.” He was a devoted son to his parents, a loyal brother to his siblings, a loving husband and a great dad to my brother and me. When he became a grandfather for the first time, he loved it more than he could express; except the grin on his fact said volumes! There was always a special connection to his only sister and while he had some of the chauvinism typical of his generation, all the women in his life enjoyed a little extra attention. I remember his Valentine Day gifts to my mom, my sister-in-law and to me--he’d go shopping by himself, usually to Brandeis, and buy beautiful stockings for us. That was in the days before pantyhose, when ladies wore real hosiery and he always selected the top of the name brands. One year they came in a silky bag that closed with satin ribbons. Would you believe I still have that bag someplace? Yes, our Yankel was a sentimental guy and he liked his ladies to have pretty things. When his eldest grandchild graduated from law school, we took my parents to the commencement cer-
ORGANIZATIONS LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Independence Day Concert with patriotic music by Iowa Western Community Band is Tuesday, June 27, 7 p.m., in the JCC auditorium, sponsored by Iowa Western Community College, City of Council Bluffs and JSS. BREADBREAKERS Heidi Wilke will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, June 21, noon, at the Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. A rape victim, Wilke rebounded from her assault to help found an Omaha chapter of SANE/SART, two national programs to help survivors. The Henry Monsky Lodge #3306 recently honored her at the city-wide Omaha Safety Council lunch with a community service award. All men and women in the community are invited to attend Breadbreakers. Cost is $11 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only. METRO AREA JEWISH SINGLES 40+ Mark your calendars and reserve Saturday, July 15, 6 p.m., for an evening of dining and dancing with other Jewish singles from the metro area at the GermanAmerican Society, at 3717 So. 120 St. Dancing and live music follow the 6 p.m. dinner at 7:45 p.m. Please RSVP to Sandi Cole at 895.1815 or SRCOMAHA@ aol.com by July 10.
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emony. It was a highlight in his family history and he talked about it for days. When the occasion was the wedding of our daughter in New York. of course “Bobie and Grampa” went with us for the simcha. The fringe benefits of that simcha included some sightseeing and an unforgettable trip to Wall Street. How he loved all that! My dad had many friends in both the Jewish and Christian communities. His non-Jewish buddies helped to widen his horizons and to have a more ecumenical outlook as he became a senior citizen. Growing up as the child of immigrants often produced narrow views, but to his credit, he managed to divest himself of many archaic attitudes. When I think back, I know my Dad wasn’t really a very complicated person. He didn’t fool around with hints or subterfuge....he said what he meant and there was seldom any question about it. He admired great speakers and people with multiple degrees. And he loved a beautiful singing voice. While he seldom spoke of it, he had sung in a choir in his synagogue as a very young boy before his voice changed. In fact, one of my most cherished possessions is a small gold medal with the inscription: J. Wine under a musical symbol...a souvenir of his choir days. He loved operatic music and liturgical music and Sophie Tucker’s rendition of My Yiddisha Mamma could bring tears to his eyes every time. In other words, he really enjoyed all music. Of course he also enjoyed a standup comic as well as a good mystery or a fine dramatic presentation. He read his newspaper every day and his news magazine every week, and when television became important in his living room, he watched and listened to all the pundits, no matter which side they took. I guess if a man lives to the age of 88 it takes many more words than I have used to tell about him, but I couldn’t begin to tell all there is about him. I’ve tried to share a few of my thoughts, just to give you an idea of what he was like. He died in 1989 and I miss him every day, in the way a daughter always misses her dad. He wasn’t an elder statesman, nor a famous figure in an important post in government, but he was a great guy. He had many, many friends, a few of whom are still around. Every now and then I’ll see or hear from one, and invariably they’ll tell me how much they liked him. I thank them and go on my way, remembering him. My dad, Jake Wine. Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
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IN THE NEWS Yosi Abrahamson was one of the few Omahans who met President George W. Bush during his visit here last week. Dr. Lourdes Secola-Ocanto and Karen Mavropoulos also met Pres. Bush during a roundtable discussion at the Juan Diego Center.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BroadStreet Theatre Company announces its upcoming summer production and inaugural show, Hot Flashes: Revelations of the Dangerous Age by Dori Appel and Carolyn Myers. Hot Flashes will be presented July 7–23 at the Bellevue Little Theatre. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m. A special talk-back session and reception with the playwrights will be held following the performance on Saturday, July 8. Hot Flashes stars stage veterans Kay Clark, Sherry Josand Fletcher, Melissa Jarecke, Sue Mullin and Barb Ross. Directed by Roxanne Wach, Hot Flashes is a hilarious, zany, and fast-paced comedy delving into the frequently forbidden subjects of menopause and aging. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Reservations may be made by calling 402.301.1370 or purchased online at BroadStreetTheatre.com.
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
An Upside Down World In the aftermath of the death of one of Al Qaeda’s most notorious and dangerous terrorists, one listener called in to a syndicated radio show to protest the host’s apparent joy at alZarqawi’s demise. The Torah relates that God was unhappy at the rejoicing of the Jews on the banks of the Red Sea when the Egyptians pursuing them drowned. But later on, God demands that the Jews destroy Amalek, the terrorist who attacked the Israelite stragglers-the old and infirm--at the end of the line of Jews escaping from Pharaoh. Okay, so we shouldn’t be jumping up and down at Zarqawi’s death. So we’ll be somber instead and just be relived that he won’t be around to behead any more Americans, kill any more coalition troops or terrorize the Iraqi population. Good riddance to him and his kind. Their goal is not to create a democratic nation-state, but to create chaos. We wish them no success. The sane among British academicians, on the other hand, defeated nutty professors who wanted to implement a boycott against their colleagues in Israel. According to JTA, “A recommendation by a British teachers union to boycott Israeli academics was overturned. The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education overturned the original vote Sunday after it merged with another teachers union, the Association of University Teachers, whose leaders had opposed the boycott. The latter union had voted to boycott Israeli academics last year because of Israeli
policy toward the Palestinians, but rescinded the decision in the face of international criticism.” Hmm, it does seem that good is winning over evil, at least at the moment. But then read a report from Palestinian Media Watch and it’s back the other way. All weekend, viewers saw footage of a child whose family reportedly had been killed by Israeli shelling on a Gaza beach. But, according to Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, “Palestinian Authority TV has repeatedly broadcast a falsified video clip of the events surrounding the deaths of seven family members on the Gaza beach on June 16. In an attempt to blame Israel’s navy for the deaths, PA TV took unrelated video of an Israeli missile boat firing at Gaza earlier in the day and edited them into the scenes, creating the impression of Israeli responsibility. It should be noted that not only is the video falsified, but the beach scene clearly backs the Israeli contention that the deaths were not caused by an Israeli shell.” Sounds pretty much like the Mohammed al Dura episode. You remember--the little boy who was supposedly killed by Israeli fire as he hunkered down behind his father’s back? Israeli scientists investigated
and concluded that the Israelis could not have killed him as the trajectory proved he was killed by the Palestinians. The more things change, the more they stay the same. In the meantime, we hope Zarqawi is enjoying the company of 70 Viginians (you know, the kind with rifles and bowie knives).
Jewish Press Committee Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice-Chairman; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Michael Siegel, Finance Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; 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. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a constitutional committee 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.
Elena Tries to Convert
JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL by TEDDY WEINBERGER There are hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens who are not Jewish. No, I’m not speaking of Arab citizens of Israel. I’m speaking about individuals who entered this country under the Law of Return, which states in part that you are entitled to new-immigrant status as long as even one of your parents or grandparents is Jewish. Almost all of these non-Jewish citizens (it is estimated that there are 300,000 of them) come from the Former Soviet Union. In order to qualify for new-immigrant status, they cannot have converted to another religion. Officially upon entering Israel, therefore, these new immigrants are classified as “without religion,” although in fact a small portion of them do practice some form of Christianity. The vast majority of them assimilate into Israeli Jewish culture. Their New Year becomes Rosh Hashanah, their spring holiday becomes Passover, and their work-week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Only a tiny number of non-Jewish citizens convert. Part of the reason for this is that the only state-recognized conversions performed in Israel are Orthodox conversions. Not all Jews are Orthodox, and it would stand to reason that not every person interested in converting to Judaism is interested in going through Orthodox channels. So right off the bat, a large number of potential non-Jewish Israeli converts are deterred from entering a conversion program. Some are indeed willing to try to convert through Israel’s Orthodox Rabbinate. It turns out, though, that this conversion process lacks unified standards, is rife with turf battles, and privileges certain kinds of would-be converts over others. Following is the story of one non-Jewish citizen of Israel who was deeply and seriously interested in conversion. I relay it here without
editorial comment. You may draw your own conclusions. Elena Ushmakina married Dennis Zlatopolsky in 1995 in Engels, Russia. She was 18 and he was 19. The following year the couple made aliyah. Though Dennis’s deceased father was not Jewish, Dennis’s mother is Jewish. Elena is not Jewish, but because of her marriage to Dennis, she (along with Dennis) received citizenship and new-immigrant status upon immigration. After an initial period of acculturation (which included learning Hebrew, and 18 months of regular army service for Dennis--he continues to do army reserve duty), the couple settled in Jerusalem and began studies at the Hebrew University.
Elena Ushmakina-Zlatopolsky is trying to convert in Israel. She’s pictured here with her family. Around the middle of 2002, Elena and Dennis decided that they were ready to start a family. This gave Elena the push she needed to commit herself to a course of study that would hopefully lead to conversion to Judaism. Elena says, “I want to raise and educate my children within the Jewish tradition. It’s very difficult in Israeli society for kids not to be Jewish. They feel strange. So I thought that it would be difficult for my children if their mother was not Jewish.” Theologically, the decision was not a difficult one. “In Russia, I always believed in God, but never in Jesus. I have no doubt that there is a God, a greater power above us.” Elena entered a Judaic study program of six
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hours of study per week, and Dennis studied Talmud in the mornings. Elena’s course covered all of the topics prescribed by Israel’s Rabbinate for conversion. Mid-way through the year, Elena did indeed become pregnant. At the end of June, Elena and her teacher felt that she was ready for the interview with the rabbinical tribunal who would decide whether or not she could convert to Judaism. Elena--now eight months pregnant--arrived at the interview with Dennis and her teacher. It soon became apparent that the rabbis conducting the interview were much more interested in Dennis’s level of religious observance than they were in Elena’s knowledge of and commitment to Judaism. They were not impressed with Dennis’s study of the Talmud and suggested that Dennis enter a rigorous study program at an Orthodox institution. They asked if Dennis put on tefillin every day and implied that this was a condition for his wife’s conversion. The rabbis were quite bothered by the fact that the couple lives with Dennis’s mother and aunt, who are not religiously observant. Elena says, “I told them that I would try to keep kosher and Shabbat. I didn’t lie to them and say that I was religious religious. I want to be traditional.” The rabbis refused to convert Elena. They suggested that she return to them in a few months. Sophie Clara, Elena and Dennis’s daughter, was born on Aug. 24, 2003, eight weeks after the interview. Elena continues to incorporate Jewish tradition into her life: “I never mix milk and meat. I have separate dishes. There are even jokes in the family that I am the Jewish one. Even though they didn’t let me convert, I will educate my children with the Jewish religion.” As for taking the rabbinate up on its offer to reconsider their case, Sophie says: “Dennis was really disappointed and became disillusioned about the whole conversion process. They didn’t believe in our good intentions. I personally would try again, but not now because it still hurts.” Teddy Weinberger made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. They live in Givat Za’ev. He can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.
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.; $36 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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June 16, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
Jews Greet U.S. Overture to Iran with Ambivalence and Skepticism
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA)--Did the Bush administration just hand Iran a carrot or a stick? Or did it get the shaft? Those questions rebounded Wednesday through the corridors of Congress, think tanks and Jewis organizations after Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, announced a willingness to negotiate with Iran if it suspends the enrichment of uranium. Rice described “two paths” for Iran’s theocracy: Cooperation, which would reap benefits, or resistance, which would produce isolation. The analysis was under way even before Rice shut off the microphones in Foggy Bottom. Was Rice emphasizing the incentive or the threat? Or was she handing the Islamic republic something for nothing in granting it more time to fulfill its nuclear ambitions? By June 1, the plan had the backing of the major powers. In a rare show of unity, the United States joined Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in presenting an incentives-or-sanctions proposal to Iran. Last week, Iran said it would study the offer. The answer for now, according to the Jewish groups most involved in the effort to tamp down Iran’s nuclear ambitions: too soon to tell. “It’s all a matter of relative risk,” said David Harris, the American Jewish Committee’s Executive Director, who spent the day consulting with top administration officials on the policy. “There is no risk-free option available in seeking to end Iran's nuclear ambitions.” The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby that has for more than a decade led the at-times lonely fight to focus attention on Iran's nuclear ambitions, said Iran's response bears close watching. “If Iran fulfils the demands of the international community and those that were outlined by the United States in the offer to Iran of multilateral talks by immediately stopping all of its work on the nuclear fuel cycle and allowing inspectors unfettered access, that would be a positive development,” AIPAC spokesman Josh Block said. “We must remain cautious and aware of Iran’s two decade history of deception and delay, and not allow the offer of dialogue to devolve into a time-wasting exercise that solely serves the interest of Iran, further delaying necessary international action should Iran prove unwilling to voluntarily comply with its commitments to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons.” Other Jewish groups were mostly silent--reflecting an ambivalence about appeasing Israel’s most dangerous foe while wanting at the same time to neutralize Iran through diplomacy.
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For its part, Israel immediately welcomed the initiative. “Israel appreciates the steps and measures by the United States in continuing to lead the international coalition and in taking all necessary steps to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear capability,” Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in a statement. Israel’s concerns about Iran include its backing for terrorists in the Palestinian areas and in Lebanon, as well as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s rejection of Israel’s existence and his Holocaust denial. Rice made it clear that those concerns are still on the table. “We have many issues of concern with Iran that do not relate to the nuclear issue,” Rice said, including “the terrorism that Iran continues to support in places like the Palestinian territories and, indeed, in Lebanon.”
Top administration officials told Jewish leaders that Iran made the promise of direct talks with the United States a condition of continuing the negotiations... A top European diplomat confirmed to JTA that those issues would be paramount in any talks. President Bush called Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to brief him before the announcement, reports said. Iran’s initial response was not encouraging: the official Iranian news agency called the offer “propaganda.” Iran watchers were split. Patrick Clawson, deputy director for research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Iranians understand that the Bush administration was serious about coupling its incentives with threats. “Iran is not likely to take an extended hand unless it thinks the other hand has a fist inside the glove,” he said. Michael Rubin, who specializes in Iran at the American Enterprise Institute, said the offer was a capitulation to the European Union, which is unwilling to make hard choices about Iran. “We draw our red lines in crayon, and the Iranians no longer take us seriously,” he said. Rice said Iran must immediately suspend its enrichment-related activities, and cooperate with nuclear inspectors. The resulting benefits “could include progressively greater economic cooperation,” Rice said. “The United States will actively support these benefits, both publicly and privately.” Rice said the United States would also “come to the table with our E.U. colleagues and meet with Iran’s representatives.”
In an appeal pitched to younger Iranians, she offered “increased contacts in education and cultural exchange, in sports and travel and trade and investment.” Should Iran continue to refuse cooperation, she said, “we and our European partners agree that path will lead to international isolation and progressively stronger political and economic sanctions.” Rice suggested that the agreement to stand together extended to Russia and China. Both nations have until now resisted sanctions, partly because of their extensive dealings with Iran. They are key because of their veto power on the U.N. Security Council, which could impede sanctions. “You can be sure that our friends and our partners understand the importance of the step and the importance that the Iranians must now see of making a choice and making that choice clearly,” Rice said. Top administration officials told Jewish leaders that Iran made the promise of direct talks with the United States a condition of continuing the negotiations with Germany, Britain and France, known as the “E.U.-3.” “Senior U.S. officials with whom we spoke today say that they’ve heard various consistent reports that Iran wants to engage and seeks to negotiate,” Harris of the AJCommittee told JTA. “While not overly optimistic, these officials believe that this approach just might work.” There was greater skepticism in Congress, where bills urging Iran's isolation have garnered overwhelming support. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), whose bill isolating Iran passed overwhelmingly in April in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Rice’s initiative would at least call Iran’s bluff. “Time after time, the regime in Tehran has defied the world’s demands that it abandon its nuclear ambitions, even heralding its successful production of enriched uranium only a few months ago,” she said in a statement. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), the ranking member on the House's Middle East subcommittee, said the administration was cornered by its failures in the Iraq war and by its tough rhetoric. “It’s crunch time,” he told JTA. The war in Iraq, aimed at showing America's might, “didn’t get the message across because of the way we mishandled everything. Iran saw the mess in Iraq and looked at this whole thing amused. Now, we have no backup plan.” Jewish officials were walking a fine line. On the one hand, the prospect of a nuclear theocracy that denies both Israel’s existence and the Holocaust is clearly untenable. On the other hand, American Jewish organizations-particularly the Reform movement--are catching up with popular American Jewish sentiment, reflected in national surveys, that the Iraq war has turned out to be a fiasco. That experience has sharpened a wariness of military options, and created openness to diplomacy.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
Candlelighting Friday, June 16, 8:41 p.m.
Synagogue Listings
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
B’nai Israel Synagogue
FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
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 southstreettemple.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
Mitchell, at evmit@cox.net or 333.7668.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Evening Service, 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: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m./5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: Bible Discussion Group, 10 a.m. LUNCH ’N LEARN Saturday, June 17, following Shabbat services, learn about the importance and how-to’s of advance directives, led by Toby Schonfeld, PhD. Cost to attend is $8 for adults; $5 for children 612; free for kids age five and younger. Babysitting will be provided free of charge. To RSVP, contact Margie Gutnik in the synagogue office, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. K’TANTAN PLUS Our summer program, led by Daniel Christensen, meets in the chapel from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Our next session will be held, June 24. The program is open to children in K-6, and offers opportunities to take roles in leading Shabbat services, as well as the parasha discussion. For information, call Judy Rubin at 498.0904. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP: Will meet Monday, June 26, 7 p.m. for a relaxing bbq and social at the home of Evie Mitchell, 1835 So. 139 St. (All food will be kosher and vegetarian requests will be honored.) Discussion will include sharing favorite summer memories; ideas for next year’s Rosh Hodesh Group program schedule will also be explored. RSVP by June 22 to
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, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 10 a.m. (contact the office for class schedule); Kiddush is sponsored by Dani and Leon Shrago in honor of Cynthia Follick’s birthday; Shabbos House, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at Gary and Liat Shyken’s house, for kids under age five (older siblings are welcome). Get out of the Shabbos afternoon rut and enjoy an afternoon of play time and games (and fun for parents, too!); Mincha, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/ Ma’ariv service time. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time. WEDNESDAY, 7:30 p.m.: Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University, speaks about Raising Jewish Kids. This event is cosponsored by the Federation’s Young Jewish Omaha, and is open to the community at no charge.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; Torah Studies-Journeys exploring the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers), 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m.
WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call www. 330.1800 or visit Ochabad.com.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by David Williss, with Oneg following. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.
SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, and Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation are appreciated. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUNDAY, June 25, 12:30 -4 p.m. at 4221 Himebaugh Ave.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Services, 8:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY, & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Parashat Hashavu’a class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class. TUESDAY: The Ladies’ Lunch Bunch will meet at Wilderness Ridge at noon. If you need a ride, call Marcia Kushner at 423.5959. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; “Shema Temple Israel: Many Stories, One Congregation”; d’var Torah by Hollis Glaser, “American Shtetl.” SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed for Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4. The deadline for the July 7 issue is at noon on Wednesday, June 28. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. You can also submit other announcements--births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries --online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.
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Congregant Stories to Highlight Summer Shabbat Services at Temple Israel
Tifereth Israel
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator A congregation is the story of its members. With that in mind, Temple Israel’s Adult Education Committee has selected the topic, “Shema Temple Israel, Many Stories, One Congregation,” as the theme for next year’s curriculum of speakers, classes, and special events. This summer at Friday evening Shabbat worship services, the first of the stories will be revealed as congregants share their personal journeys. All Shabbat services begin at 6 p.m. in the chapel during the summer. Hollis Glaser, who has been teaching the 12th grade Religious School class at Temple and going with the tenth graders on their annual visit to New York City, will be the first speaker on Friday,
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethlincoln.org
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June 16, on the subject, “American Shtetl.” “I’m going to talk about growing up in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and then the journey since then through camp, graduate school, Omaha, and how I find meaning in different ways of being Jewish and in the Jewish community,” she said. On Friday, June 23, Barry Rubin, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, will talk about “Partisan Politics from a Jewish Perspective.” “I’ll talk about why I got involved in politics, how it relates to my Jewish upbringing, and why I chose the Democratic Party as a home,” he said. Following services, congregants can go to dinner together at the Greek Islands, at 3821 Center St, to continue the conversation. Louri Sullivan, who served as Religious School volunteer coor-
dinator for 2005-06 and on the Religious School Steering Committee and is a member of the Torah Corps, will tell her story, “Everything Has a Way of Working Out,” on Friday, June 30. “After five years of infertility treatment, we adopted our first child and (then) became pregnant with our second child three months later.” She’ll explain what a difference her children have made in her life and her husband’s, and the importance of Judaism in their lives. Jonathan Rockman, a member of Temple Israel since 1992, was born and raised in London. On Friday, July 7, he’ll reminisce about his “very Orthodox upbringing” and how Shabbat dinners were “the cornerstone of our week. Family and friends were always there.” Rockman’s father, Jack, and brother, Stephen, still live in London.
A past president of the Board of Trustees and Temple Sisterhood, Joanie Lehr will share her thoughts and recollections on Friday, July 14, on the topic, “Where Did My White Gloves Go?” A lifelong member of Temple who taught religious school for 15 years and served on the Board for about 11 years, Lehr belonged to Temple when its home was on Park Avenue. All her life cycle events occurred at Temple. She’ll recall the changes she’s seen and the experiences she’s lived as a child and an adult. Please RSVP to Rosie Zweiback, Temple’s program director, at 556.6536 or at rzweiback@templeisrael. com to attend the dinner on June 23. More stories will be shared on July 21 and 28, and Aug. 4 and 11. Speakers will be announced at a later date.
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June 16, 2006
Light, Moral Light
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat B’haalotekha Our Sidra opens with instructions to Aaron, the High Priest, on how he is to light the lights of the Sanctuary. Permit me, however, to move away from this detail to the great movement in the Western world for enlightenment following the so-called Dark Ages. Judaism did not fail to move with the Western world on this Enlightenment. The real problem in Islam, as I see it, is its total missing of Enlightenment, thus failing to enter modernity. It is “X” centuries in this respect behind the West. Islam’s conquest of modernity is largely restricted to the use of modern weaponry. For Jews, Enlightenment meant awakening from the slumber of the Middle Ages, and an eager grasp of modernity--politics (government and democracy); learning (study, science, universities), and humanity (social justice, recognition of essential racial equality). Enlightenment implies a certain approach, an enlightened approach and not a perverse, resistant approach to opportunities for the betterment of human life. We still have a long way to go. We still are in the throes of mutual hatreds, wars, racial battles over territory, power and energy. None of this is so frightening until we consider that mankind can literally destroy itself since the East and the West both have nuclear power. Stay tuned.
CORRECTION Andy Siref’s photo and information were inadvertantly omitted from last week’s Salute to Graduating Seniors. It will be published next week. The Press regrets the error.
DEATHS RABBI LOU H. SILBERMAN Former Omahan and rabbi of Temple Israel from 1944-51, Lou H. Silberman died in Tucson, AZ, at the age of 91. Services were held June 8 in the Congregation Anshei Isreal section of Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and daughter, Deborah Cohn. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Syrl and Saul Rubin of Arlington, MA; and granddaughter, Amanda Cohn of Los Angeles, CA. He was educated at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a BA in 1934 and at the Hebrew Union College, earning a BHebL in 1939, MHebL in 1941 and a DHebL in 1943. He taught at Vanderbilt University Divinity School from 1952-80, and from 1980-2000 he was a Visiting and Adjunct Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Arizona. Prof. Silberman was President of the Society of Biblical Literature in 1982. Memorials to the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music Society, P.O. Box 40802, Tucson, AZ 85717. MELVIN LINSMAN Melvin Linsman died at the age of 81. Services were held June 13 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Council Bluffs. He was preceded in death by brother, Moe Linsman, and sister, Dr. Rose Fleisher. He is survived by hiswife of 51 years, Chickie Linsman; daughter and son-in-law, Bari and Lance Bogart of Los Angeles, CA; daughter, Jill Volkmann; grandchildren, Louie and Jake Volkmann, and Charlie and Andy Bogart; and brother, Dr. Joseph Linsman of LA. Memorials to the American Cancer Society or Hospice House.
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Send full name, age, date of death, location of service and burial site, as well as other pertinent information to the Jewish Press via e-mail: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; fax, 402.334.5422; or mail, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68114. Obituaries--as well as engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies, and births--also can be submitted at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s website. Just go to: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press and click on “Submit Announcements.” Guidelines for all of the above also are located on the Jewish Press home page; just click on the box at the lower right.
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YJO Hosts Pool Party Dead Sea, Israel (JTA)--No, they’re Japanese sumo wrestlers. Israel hosted a delegation of sumo wrestlers, with 13 top representatives of Japan’s national sport arriving in Israel on June 4 for a weeklong visit aimed at boosting Jerusalem-Tokyo ties. As well as touring holy sites like the Dead Sea on June 8, they planned to put on a wrestling match in Caesarea and offer training to hopeful Israeli heavyweights on the beach in Tel Aviv. Though there are no Israeli sumo wrestlers, Hoshitango, born Imach Marcello Solomon in Argentina, was a highly ranked sumo wrestler in the late 1990s and was reported to be Jewish by the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. The so-called ‘stable’ of wrestlers visiting Israel, world leaders in their sport, leave Japan only once every two years. Credit: Sasson Tiram
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Page 11
GUNS, GUNS, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns, guns. Fonner Park, Grand Island, June 17 & 18. Remember your handgun permit.
To Submit an Obituary Notice:
by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Specialist Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) is invited to dive into summer at the second annual YJO Family Pool Party. Join us on Sunday, June 25, 11:30 a.m., at the Jewish Community Center for swimming, refreshments and fun. Pizza will be served in the Pavilion (across the street from the Child Development Center) at 11:30. Swimming will last until 2 p.m., and then it’s back to the Pavilion for a cool treat. In the event of rain, swimming will take place at the indoor pool, and refreshments will be served in the auditorium. Please RSVP by June 21st to Sharon Kirshenbaum at 334.6485 or skirshenbaum@jewishomaha.org. Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) is a social group for members of the community ages 25-45 and is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Membership is free and open to singles and couples.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
June 16, 2006
Volunteers, Board Members in the Spotlight During Beth El’s Annual Meeting by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator It was an afternoon of celebration as Beth El held its annual meeting on June 4, with over 130 congregants showing up to welcome new and returning board members, applaud out-going board members, and honor several very deserving award winners. Out-going President Hyman Sukiennik recognized out-going board members Dick Fellman, Ron Feldman, Harold Zabin, Ellene Edelstein, Alan Goodman, Joel Schlessinger, Jeffery Itkin, Andee Scioli and Lloyd Roitstein for their service to the synagogue; he also presided over the installation of the new officers, including Sally Zipursky, President; Steve Pitlor, Allan Noddle and Michael Hoberman, Vice-presidents; Gary Rifkin, Treasurer; and Sibby Wolfson, Secretary. Cary Grossman was introduced as the newly-elected President of the synagogue's Men's Club, and the following were installed as officers and board members of that organization: Jim Zipursky, Membership Vice-president; Scott Simon, Programming Vice-president; Ben Shapiro, Ritual Vice-president; Gary Kudym, Fund-raising Vice-president; David Adler, Secretary; Les Kay, Treasurer; Harry Weiner, immediate Past President; Fred Kader, Lloyd Roitstein, Dan Levitan, Michael Shrago and Glen Fineman, board members. The Sunday afternoon meeting was also highlighted by the presentation of several awards given to congregants who have made significant contributions to the synagogue during the past year. For her many years of innovative and dedicated service to Beth El, Eadie Tsabari received the President’s Award,
an honor bestowed upon a non-board member for exceptional volunteerism to the synagogue.
Out-going Board of Trustees President Hyman Sukiennik welcomes his successor, Sally Zipursky, following her installation during Beth El’s annual meeting. Sukiennik applauded Tsabari, saying, “For years, Eadie has been a tireless volunteer at Beth El, most recently chairing our 2006 Cantor’s Concert and helping in various capacities during January’s Kadima Shabbaton. She has served as a simcha coordinator for many of our Beth El celebrations, reads Torah and Haftarah and sings in the choir. Eadie’s culinary skills are also to be applauded, as she has generously cooked for our BESTT students, Kadima and USY groups, as well as the entire congregation, during holiday celebrations and special events. Eadie’s warmth and enthusiasm have endeared her to her Junior Congregation attendees, her religious school students, and the entire Beth El family, and we proudly present her with this well-deserved honor.” Longtime Beth El congregant Stan Widman was named this year’s recipient of the Selwyn Roffman Award, which rec-
for his many years of support and dedication at Beth El.” The Sisterhood Teen Award, a newly-established honor given to a teenager who has been a dedicated volunteer at the synagogue, was presented to Anna Grossman by Sisterhood President Caryn Rifkin. The incoming freshman at Millard North High School was recognized for the many Sunday mornings she spent during the past year working Award winners recognized for their dedication to Beth El in the synagogue’s gift shop, include from left, Stan Widman, Ron Feldman, Eadie Tsabari as well as her other volunteer and Anna Grossman. work with Sisterhood. ognizes congregants for religious growth. “Stan spent years singing in the Beth El Choir and has always said ‘yes’ when asked to help lead portions of Shabbat services,” Sukiennik noted. “He has performed in numerous synagogue musical productions over the years and is a regular minyannaire at daily services. For years, Stan has been a vital member of the Beth El family, and by his example, has encouraged and inspired others to become involved at the synagogue.” The 2006 Earl Siegel Award, presented to an outstanding board member, was Sisterhood President Caryn Rifkin honors presented to Ron Feldman. “This award Anna Grossman as the first recipient of the was custom-made for Ron, who has given Beth El Sisterhood Teen Award. over a decade of devoted service to Beth After the meeting, Sally Zipursky laudEl’s Board of Trustees,” Sukiennik said. “His involvement on the board has ed Grossman’s volunteerism, saying, included three years as secretary, eight “Anna is an amazing young woman. She years as treasurer and chairman of numer- has shown such leadership in the Beth El ous standing committees. We’ve always Gift Shop, exhibiting a gift for salesmanbeen able to count on Ron to step up to ship and customer service. How fitting the plate and generously volunteer his that Sisterhood honors her for her efforts time at the synagogue, and we thank him on their behalf.”
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