June 20, 2008

Vol. LXXXVII No. 41 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Jewish scouts tell harrowing experience in deadly tornado by GARY JAVITCH Special to the Jewish Press For two families in the Omaha Jewish community, it was every parent’s worse nightmare. Each had sent a 13-year old son to Boy Scout camp for a special week-long training program open only to the “best of the best” -- the elite scouts. Then came the news that a tornado had struck the Little Sioux Scout Camp and not only were there injuries, but the unthinkable had also occurred: there were fatalities. Of the 125 staff and campers, the tornado had taken four Lloyd Roitstein, executive director of the Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, left, addresses young lives and injured the media at the Blincoe Community Center about the events surrounding the June 12 tornado at the Credit: Josh White, Daily Nonpareil more than half of the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch. my head up. My glasses flew off. I saw branches flying people there, some still hospitalized at press time. around and a truck blown into the chimney, knocking it Just back from a hike “I felt like my ears had been torn off,” Zach Kahn said, down. It lasted for eight seconds and just ‘bam,’ it disdescribing the deafening roar of the tornado that struck appeared,” he concluded. At the worst of it, he wondered, “Am I going to die?” on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:35 p.m. Four scouts did die: Josh Fennen, 13; Sam Thomsen, “We had just gotten back from a hike. I noticed that the clouds were turning red and were coming our way. 13; and Ben Petrzilka, 14, all of Omaha. The fourth I heard the sirens. (As instructed) we ran for the troop killed when a cabin collapsed was Aaron Eilerts, 14, of shelter,” he told the Press. “When everyone was (safe) in Eagle Grove, IA. Zach sustained cuts on his left knee and right leg. He the shelter, our troop guide offered us a Monty Python movie. I had seen it before and it was pretty good. But also injured his back and was taken to Missouri Valley then suddenly a scout leader rushed in and told every- Hospital. Undeterred, aside from his bumps and bruises, he planned on attending a regularly scheduled scout meetone to ‘Get under the table.’” Zach paused, “Within seconds it hit! The wind pres- ing this week and soon will attend another scout camp. sure was trying to pull you up off the ground. It pulled Continued on page 2

Former Omahan gets personal with her satiric first book by LEO ADAM BIGA For a long time playwright/author Rachel Shukert saw herself not as a young literary lioness but as a sassy stage/screen actress for the X-Y-Z Generation. Picture a Jewish Marisa Tomei. Then reality hit. In New York the Omaha native grew disillusioned by the business of acting -- making the rounds, et cetera. Unable to find monologue material to suit her satiric bordering-on-absurdist tastes and suffering from anorexia, she turned inward, where she’s most comfortable anyway, and funneled her imagination into writing. The words poured out. Fast forward a few years later and the late-20-something is now enjoying her new status as a produced playwright, published journalist and acclaimed author. Her first book, the nonfiction Have You No Shame? And Other Regrettable Stories (Villard), is lauded for its collection of unsparing satire. Shukert will schlep through town for two book events: Thursday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library at the JCC; and Saturday, June 28, 1 p.m. at The Bookworm in Countryside Village. Reinventing herself as a writer both liberated and test-

Inside

ed her. “I was having a hard time as an actor in New York,” she said by phone from the L.A. Book Fair. “I’m not particularly castable and I also really dislike the process and the dues you have to pay as an actor. All of the things actors have to do to get started I found completely anathema to my way of being. I’m a total narcissist, but I’m not a narcissist in the right way. She added, “I have a really hard time sending photographs of myself to people Rachel Shukert and constantly being up and being really hungry for roles I have absolutely no interest in. I hate going to the gym. I hate doing hair and teeth and skin. The actual day-to-day grind of being a professional actor did not sit very well with me.” Shukert, who enjoyed writing English themes at Central High and sporadic diary entries at home, thought like a writer before becoming one. Continued on page 5

This Week: More coverage of AIPAC: Pages 6-7

See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12

Schreibman scholarship winners announced: Page 2

17 Sivan, 5768

June 20, 2008

Omaha loses a leader by JOAN K. MARCUS David Friedland, a man who always loved books, died June 11 at the age of 75. Services were held June 13 at Temple Israel for the former chairman of the board of United Distillers Products Company and active member of the Omaha Jewish community. Friedland came to Omaha from Chicago in 1962 when he married Omahan Nancy Blotcky. When the first board of directors for the “new” Jewish Community Center was formed, he was approached to serve on the committee. His expertise as a volunteer and a businessman led him to the presidenDavid Friedland cy of the Jewish Federation Foundation and an original member of its Board of Directors. He remained a member for many years. In 1991, United Distillers, a distributor of liquor since 1893, bought out the Ed Phillips and Sons Company of Omaha, a subsidiary of the Phillips Beverage Company of Minneapolis. After 115 years in the family, it was sold in February of this year to Republic National Distributing Co. and he became chairman of the board. He was active -- and well-liked -- in the liquor industry and served as president and a director of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. In 1986, Friedland was appointed, along with Phil Schrager, to lead the Pacesetters Division of the men’s campaign, comprised of donors who gave a donation of $5,000 or more to the campaign. In 1988, Friedland, then chairman of the Foundation, was part of group that approved a grant to assist recreuitment for Jewish community teachers in Omaha. The Bureau for Jewish Education hoped that this grant would help Omaha be competitive in the marketplace. Friedland said at the time the grant was only a temporary solution to a permanent problem because there was no guarantee the teachers would stay after they got here. He said, “Quality Jewish teachers have always been at the essence of Jewish life for centuries. Teachers are not only an influence in our schools but in the general community as well. They make an impact and we need them. I am confident that this community will continue to respond. This fund, to endow the community teachers program, will surely reap its own rewards.” Friedland lauded the Foundation because it was a small, cohesive board that worked well together. He was always known as a man who always worked well with others. He quickly became a “team member” for whatever cause he represented. In 1993, Friedland received the Endowment Achievement Award of the Council of Jewish Federations (today part of United Jewish Communities). That award is presented annually to those who have helped the growth of their Federation’s endowment funds through their leadership, vision and dedication. Norman Veitzer, then chairman of the Foundation, said, “David’s efforts on behalf of the endowment funds of the Foundation were particularly noteworthy. As a dedicated volunteer and community leader, he was not only a founding member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, but he found time to later serve as its chairman.” Friedland considered his greatest achievement, however, to be his involvement with the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. He, himself, was an avid reader and a collector of books, noting, “I’ve always loved libraries and enjoyed going to them. I can spend all day in a good library without any trouble at all.” He read extensively and believed that the Library was the largest collection of Judaica between Chicago and the West Coast. “Because of this library, there is a great Continued on page 15

Coming Next Week: Senior Living: June 27 Temple president raises building question at annual meeting: Page 3

Yachad campers appreciate teamwork, meet challenges: Page 9

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 20, 2008

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MONDAY, JUNE 23 Institute for Holocaust Education Echoes and Reflections Training at Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, Overland Park, KS Intro to Midrash, 7:30 p.m. at Kripke Library

C L I P & S A V E

TUESDAY, JUNE 24 RBJH Board Meeting, 11 a.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 Intro to Midrash, noon at Kripke Library Iowa Western Community Band, 7 p.m. C L I P &

THURSDAY, JUNE 26 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

S A V All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated.The Jewish Press is not E responsible for the accuracy of events.To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING,VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

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by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator Center for Jewish Education The Jake J. Schreibman Foundation has been awarding scholarships to Jewish students residing in the Omaha community since 1997. This spring, the Foundation interviewed 22 students and,according to Stan Maliszewski, who works with Marlene Bernstein in managing the Foundation, Sarah Sadofsky “We found the candidate pool to be the most competitive we have ever encountered in 12 years.” Schreibman was born in Omaha, on March 6, 1911. He graduated from Central High School in 1927, was a member of the Jewish Community Center where he won several awards as an athlete. During World War II, he served as a medic in the Pacific Theater. After a lifetime “hobby” of financial investing, he died in 1994, and the Foundation was established to serve the Omaha Jewish community. What better way to accomplish this objective than to focus on the education of the young people who were about to enter college. To this end, the Jake J. Schreibman Freshman Year Scholarship was devised to aid those students who were accepted to schools the cost of which would be a burden on the student’s family. Sarah Sadofsky was selected as the recipient for the 2008-09 full scholarship. She plans to attend Nebraska Methodist College and major in nursing. Receiving a merit award scholarship was Ben Nachman who will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Institute for Holocaust Education will also be the beneficiary of the Schreibman Fund. Bernstein, a long time teacher at Central, understands the importance of

providing teachers with their own educational opportunities. “The Schreibman Foundation is privileged to help support this incredible project which, through workshops for teachers, has educational resonance far beyond the Jewish community,” she explained. “The support from the Schreibman Foundation provides an opportunity to blend educational goals from Ben Nachman various disciplines for educators and students in Omaha and the surrounding areas,” noted Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education. “Knowing how important the development of sound criteria for teaching the Holocaust is to both Stan and Marlene, we continue to set our standards high and deliver the vital lessons of the Holocaust.” Bernstein added, “We were so pleased to discover how important involvement in the Omaha Jewish community through BBYO was to all the Jewish candidates. Our focus has always been to support those students who have overcome with integrity some obstacle in their lives and those who have worked not only at school but also have worked to contribute financially for college.” The Schreibman scholarships are for a student’s freshman year only at the college or university of his or her choice. All Jewish high school seniors attending any high school in the greater Omaha metropolitan area are eligible to apply. The intent of the scholarship is to ensure that a student’s first year’s tuition, fees, lodging, and books will be provided without taking out a student loan. Information is available in the yearly Guide to Scholarship and Grant Opportunities, distributed in December by the Center for Jewish Education.

Jewish Scouts survive Little Sioux tornado

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SUNDAY, JUNE 22 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Annual Meeting, 11 a.m. at Beth El Institute for Holocaust Education Echoes and Reflections Training at Highland College, Topeka, KS

Schreibman Foundation awards announced

C L I P & S A V E

exploded. The walls were Continued on page 2 blown out. Hal survived The two boys next to by grabbing hold of a Zach were not quite as table bolted to the floor. lucky. One lay dead on When that table blew top of the other, the botaway, Hal held onto a tom one trapped by brick pole.” debris from the fireplace. The boy next to him did That’s when Zach’s prenot survive. paredness training kicked “Hal was one of the kids in. that started to help As a member of Troop organize the situation, #558, the Morton checking to see who of Magnet Middle School the other kids were hurt,” student had earned 15 he explained. merit badges on a variety of topics, including First Zach Kahn, left, son of Marc and Kim Kahn, and Hal Emas, right, Emas credited the scout Aid and Emergency son of Leigh and Rick Emas, were two of the 125 scouts and staff training for the fact that there were not more Preparedness. As he and at Little Sioux when an F3 tornado struck the camp site. others started pulling the smaller bricks off the boys, injuries or deaths. “They responded the way they were Zach tried to reassure the boy on the bottom that every- trained to respond. They even had had a disaster drill the thing was going to be okay. “I tried to calm him down,” day before.” Lloyd Roitstein, Scout Executive/President of the Zach related. “He was bleeding from his mouth. “Are my teeth gone?” the injured boy asked Zach. Mid-America Council of the BSA, echoed that sentiZach examined his mouth and told him, “Your teeth are ment. “By all accounts we can be proud of the young there, it’s probably a chip in your mouth,” he informed men who were at Little Sioux Scout Ranch -- they acted him. The boys helping Zach were unable to remove the with courage and honor, just as Scouts should -- they were truly heroes. Please share that story with the other debris and rescuers had to do it a short while later. Zach’s parents, Marc and Kim received the awful news Scouters in your area and ask all to keep us in their in a phone call from their good friend Leigh Emas. prayers,” he e-mailed me several days after the tragedy. Leigh and her husband Rick were already on their way (Updates and other information are being posted on the to the Missouri Valley Hospital because their son Hal website, at: www.mac-bsa.org.) In an updated phone interview, the 37-year Boy Scout was also at the same camp. veteran recounted the sad part of his job and how he had 25 Merit Badges According to the sash draped across Hal Emas’s chest, been to the funerals and talked to many of the families. the young man has earned 25 merit badges. He, too, Still, Roitstein said, “We will rebuild our camp, bigger knew what to do in an emergency, according to his and better.” father Rick Emas. Roitstein, who remains an active volunteer in the “Hal is staying with his grandparents now, taking a Jewish community, “We will have a reunion next year to vacation that had been planned much earlier,” he said, commemorate this event.” indicating that his son was not available for comment. Separately, Zach Kahn had also expressed an interest in “It was truly a miracle for us,” Emas continued. organizing just such an occasion. “There was not a scratch on Hal. He was just very, very “People today have a lot of choices to make where to dirty. When you consider the fury of the storm and all send their kids. Many are choosing Scouts. That’s the things that could have happened, it was pure luck.” because these young men knew how to perform. They He then added with thankfulness, “It was divine inter- can keep their cool in an emergency. Their actions, vention. God has a plan for everyone. It just wasn’t Roistein explained, “solidified my belief in how imporHal’s time.” tant scouts are.” Emas added, “I was up at the camp afterwards. The Indeed, when mother nature unfurled her ferocious whole place was destroyed. Hal was in the north camp winds, the Boy Scouts fulfilled their motto, “Be building that was hit by the tornado. The building just Prepared.”

June 20, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

“High School Musical” kicks off JCC Specialty Camps

Temple Israel president raises building question at annual meeting

by RACHEL BLUM JCC Jewish Program Director Campers have been preparing for a community wide performance of the hit Disney movie, High School Musical during the Musical Theater Camp at the Jewish Community Center on Friday, June 27, 11 a.m. in the JCC Theater; it is free to the public. Leading this musical theater camp is Esther Katz, JCC Dance Director, who has been working directly with the participants as well as with local professionals. With special instruction from set, lighting, and costume designers, campers are receiving a high quality theatrical experience.

Throughout his speech, he repeatedly asked: “What’s by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator going on with the new building?” and then, as if ignor“What a terrific year we had here at Temple Israel,” ing the question, moved on to another point. Finally, at proclaimed Board President Jon Meyers as he spoke at the end of his talk, he admitted that he was “sick of ... the congregation’s 137th annual meeting earlier this not answering. Honestly, this is all about real estate. You month. He touched on the year’s successful fund raisers would think that should be simple ... it’s not,” he and emphasized how much fun the poker tournament, emphasized. “In the last five years we have looked at more than 24 playing softball with Beth El’s Men’s Club, and the sites and made six serious, time consuming efforts to Chicken Soup Cookoff were. In keeping with Temple’s commitment to do its part obtain the right location. The process has been fair and in repairing the world, Meyers praised the congregation democratic. Intelligent, well-intentioned people have been working more hours for its Yom Kippur donation than you could imagine on to the Omaha Food Bank, this project.” He recognized serving meals at The John Waldbaum and called Stephen Center, raising attention to the “enormous awareness of the atrocities in amount of time meeting and Darfur, and raising money dreaming” that has tranfor malaria nets in Africa. spired as the congregation Another milestone this year pursues its vision toward was the introduction of “the right path for our Mishkan T’filah, the first new Reform prayer book in Temple honored the office support staff at the congrega- future. This building project more than 30 years. tion’s 137th annual meeting, back row: Lonnie Williams, left, will happen,” he promised. Meyers took time to say Misty Weidner, Maureen Kube, Edith Gamble; front row: Rabbi Azriel, completing how inspired he was at the Vicki Ducharme, Lori Bennett, and Bonnie Sullivan. 20 years at Temple Israel, process that Rabbi Aryeh began his remarks by Azriel took to come to his decision to officiate at inter- acknowledging that “you, the congregation, have faith marriage ceremonies. “We can all learn from your blessed me and my family sevenfold!” Providing a leadership and example to embrace change,” Meyers glimpse into plans for next year, Rabbi Azriel explained said to the rabbi. that there will be some new dimensions implemented by “Our education program is second to none,” Meyers the Caring Community, more experimenting with continued. He pointed out that Religious Education Mishkan T’filah, serious youth work, more people mobiDirector Elyce Azriel “has created a learning environ- lized on targeted social justice issues, more doors ment for our children and has tried many innovative opened to help interfaith families feel comfortable at ways to excite our high school-aged kids to keep them Temple, leadership development, and the bar will be involved at Temple through the 12th grade and raised “even higher” within Temple’s award-winning beyond.” adult learning curriculum. He went on to thank outgoing Omaha Temple Youth He praised Temple’s support staff who were honored Group (OTYG) President Sarah Bleicher and the OTYG at the annual meeting. “They are our family,” and he paid Board for their work and perseverance and expressed his tribute to “the soul they have given to this place.” In pleasure that Amy Katz has stepped into the role as conclusion and with Shavuot arriving in just a few days, youth group advisor. the rabbi noted that the congregation has devoted “137 At the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial in years of fulfilling the covenant given to us on Mt. Sinai.” December in San Diego, 24 Temple members comNominating Committee Chairman Wendy Goldberg prised “one of the largest delegations in attendance.” presented the slate of officers and members of the Board Meyers added that “the most important thing ... we of Trustees who were elected to serve one-year terms: learned (at the Biennial) is what an amazing place Jon Meyers, president; Jan Schneiderman, president (Temple) is.” elect; John Lehr and John Waldbaum, vice presidents; Meyers also commended Judy Josephson for her Jeff Schweid, treasurer; Katherine Finnegan, secretary; efforts in raising money to help retire some of the ceme- Wendy Goldberg, past president. Elected to serve threetery debt and in raising awareness of the “countless souls year terms on the Board were Ted Friedland, Jill who rest in the old cemeteries, many of whom have been Idelman, Mike Norton, and Bob Reiss. Susan Rothholz was elected to serve two years. long forgotten.”

The cast includes back row: Maddie Skolkin, left, Sarah Alexander, Cora Watanabe, Sara Cleveland, Tanner Hawkins; front row: Sarah Wenzl, Devon Cleveland, Benjamin Adams, Sam Lieb, Michael Militzer; not pictured: Hannah Pred. Returning counselor Kurt Swanson, currently an art teacher in the Papillion-LaVista School District, and Zohar Winer, JCC Community Sh’licha, also are working with campers. Bringing his theatrical experience is recent graduate Steven Meyer, who played the leading role of Troy Bolton in the Millard North performance of High School Musical. “‘High School Musical’ gives kids a chance to experience great theater in a modern, yet kid-friendly way,” Meyer says. The JCC Specialty Camps will continue throughout the summer and will include a golf camp July 7-11, and an Outdoor Adventure Camp, July 14-18, where kids will spend the week canoeing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and climbing rock walls. The highlight will be spending a night and two days camping out. Sports Camp, which will include traditional sports, as well as some of the hot new trends in sports such as fishing, laser tag, and lacrosse will run from July 21-25, a Water Park Camp July 28-Aug.1, and an Art Camp from Aug. 4-8, where participants will be introduced to a variety of artistic media. For more information about Specialty Camps, contact me at 334.6404 or rblum@jccomaha.org. To register for camp, go to www.jccomaha.org or contact Cindy Reed, Registration Associate, at 334.6419.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 20, 2008

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Philanthropist Dick Holland will join us on Wednesday, June 25, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Jerry Hoberman, chairman. Mr. Holland will discuss how he will help give underprivileged kids “Bright Futures,” which is the name of the new organization he started and which will be run by Dr. Ken Bird. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13 and beverage service only is $3. YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday at the JCC with musical entertainment by Robyn Lensch. Lunch is served at noon for $7 per person and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Join us for Bingo with Miles Remer at 10 a.m. Call Teresa at 330.4272 for transportation. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip to the Horseshoe Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. VISIONS Visions and 39 Forever Annual Baseball at Rosenblatt is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, 6 p.m., with dinner on your own at the Stadium View Club. The game (Royals vs. Nashville Sounds) begins at 7:05 p.m. The cost is $6 per person. Send reservations to Harry Alloy, 11317 Harney Plaza Circle, Omaha, NE 68154 by July 15. For more information, call Judy Katskee at 493.8875 or Harry Alloy at 697.8709. Luncheon meeting is Friday, July 18, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia’s Venice Inn at. Cost of $11 per person includes lunch, beverage, tax and gratuity. Join us for musical guest Cantor Gaston Bogomolni. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114, by July 11. For information, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709. For transportation, call Florence Hauss at 571.4583.

Make check payable to Visions. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Reminder: Iowa Western Community Band presents “Sensational Summer Sounds” on Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m., at the JCC. For Information, call Linda Fitzgerald at 334.6520. 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. BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Following Shabbat services on Saturday, June 28, Beth El will sponsor a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Cantor Gastón Bogomolni and his wife, Lena (pictured with children, Emmanuelle and Samuel), before they move to Needham, Massachusetts, next month, where the cantor will assume the duties of cantor at Temple Aliyah. The Jewish community is invited to attend the luncheon, chaired by Tuffy and Helen Epstein. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN NCJW-Omaha Section will host a Mother-Daughter tea benefitting NCJW, on Sunday, June 29, 1-4 p.m. at Patty Nogg’s home in West Shores, located at 24630 Mason Street. The event is $25 for adults and $15 for

ages 10 and under. John Hattem will be catering a traditional “English tea” and the kids will have fun with lake swimming, face painting, and getting manicure/ pedicures and hairstyling. Cost is $25 per reservation to NCJW ; mail checks to Beth Friedman 15666 Farnam Cir Omaha, NE 68118. LEAGUE OFFERING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ELDERLY Join LOVE on Sunday, July 20, 11:30 a.m., for registration and check-in at the JCC for Game Day. Spend an afternoon playing Mah Jongg, Pan, Poker, Bridge, Scrabble, Canasta or game of your choice. Make up your own table and bring your cards and help LOVE raise funds for the residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “It will be a fun filled afternoon with delicious refreshments and fabulous door prizes,” says Mary Lou Walker, Chairman of this event. Play will begin at noon. Send your $20 donation, made payable to LOVE, to: Eileen Remer, 9804 Nina St, Omaha, NE 68124. Include a list of your table mates with your check, or if you wish to join a group, please indicate with your check. If you have any questions, call Remer at 397.2349.

Eileen Remer, left, Gloria Millimet, Rita Novak and Esther Wax practice for LOVE’s Game Day.

IN THE NEWS The audiobook version of Steve Fischer’s best-selling true crime book When the Mob Ran Vegas: Stories of Money, Mayhem and Murder has been selected the winner of a major industry book award. The 6-CD audiobook was named ForeWord magazine’s Book of the Year (adult nonfiction), in the industry’s 10th annual competition. Winners are determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers at BookExpo in Los Angeles. The audiobook was also one of three finalists for the prestigious 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award in the highly competitive category of adult nonfiction. The Mob book was recently honored as a “Best Beach Read” in the general nonfiction category by the Beach Book Festival. Fischer, a Las Vegas historian and memorabilia collector, formed his own publishing company, Berkline Press, to publish and market his book, audiobook and forthcoming titles, including Showgirl Stories. He is an adviser to the proposed Las Vegas Mob Museum committee.Fischer himself provided the voice recording for the audiobook at the Clear Channel Radio studios in Omaha. Fischer’s book and audiobook are available at most local bookstores and online at www.WhenTheMobRan Vegas.com and amazon.com. In the wake of resent attacks in New York, Officer Vinie Martinos of the 71st Precinct Community Policing Unit, turned to the Jewish community for their input in the Police Athletic League essay competition. Former Omahan Yosef Abrahamson, a 16-year-old student at Darchai Menachem and the son of Dinah Abrahamson, took on the challenge and won. In his essay, he wrote: “To reduce

crime and protect all New Yorkers if I were Police Commissioner for one day, I would take the approach of the Big Picture scheme ... I would ... begin a policy of Pro-Active Policing, rather than Community Policing. Pro-Active Policing pays attention to the lesser crimes and makes them just as important as the more violent crimes ... so that those who commit petty crime don’t get away with the small stuff. ... if you ignore them in the name of spending all the resources fighting crime like murder, etc, the group of criminals gets bigger and better and moves from small, ignored crime to all the bigger and more serious crime ... I would hold meetings ... reviewing our selection, training and supervision of our officers, discussing ways of making sure they have a clear sense of their authority ... I would round up the day with a meeting with the press to release the events of the day, and to send a strong message assuring the citizens and visitors of New York we will live in a just, safe, and civilized community and to send an even stronger message to inform all those who break laws ... they will definitely be going to jail.”

Rabbi Chaim Perl of Darchei Menachem, left, and NYPD representatives including Raymond Kelly, Police Commissioner, congratulate Yossi Abrahamson on winning first place in a recent essay contest.

Out

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June 20, 2008

Former Omahan gets personal with first book Continued from page 1 “I certainly always made up stories in my head. I would sit in my room for hours and talk to myself and they were very much like constructed stories with these perfect sentences that I would repeat over and over again but I just never really wrote them down.” She’s always been an attentive reader. She counts Phillip Roth, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Jonathan Franzen, David Sedaris, Truman Capote, Kingsley Amos and F. Scott Fitzgerald among her favorite authors. “I’ve always been very turned on by very elegant writing -people who are really wonderful stylists.” Despite a love of words, she said, “I actually did not begin to write seriously until college.” Writing reinvigorated her artistically and healed her emotionally. “I had a pretty bad eating disorder for a time while I was in college,” said Shukert, whose book humorously recounts such struggles. “And it was at that time when I retreated into this shell -- my own world. When you’re imprisoned by your anorexia there’s not a lot else you can do. You don’t want to go out and eat or drink with people. So to keep my self company almost through this I started to write a lot. “It was really kind of writing that brought me back to life from being sick because I suddenly felt I have this thing to say. It’s not dependent on all these things in the way acting is -- like how you look. Then I wrote my first play when I was about 19 or 20, which was performed, and everyone was like, ‘We had no idea you did this.’” After graduating New York University with a theater degree her writing eventually superseded her fledgling thespian career. “My writing seemed to have momentum,” she said. “I was moving forward at a rate I never had for the two years I was trying to be an actor. I felt like I was getting all this traction, things were moving really fast and people were really responding. And suddenly I felt like I had this path to follow.” One thing led to another. “I kept writing plays and plays turned into stories. It all sort of snowballed,” she said. Her theater influences include Tennessee Williams, Tom Stoppard, Charles Ludlam, Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments and Lerner and Lowe’s My Fair Lady. With her plays getting staged and assignments flowing in from online magazines Nerve, Heeb, McSweeney’s and, more recently, Salon and Jewcy, she said she decided, “Well, maybe this is what I should be doing instead of struggling at this thing I don’t really like and that doesn’t really do it for me creatively. But I definitely had like a mourning period for my acting, just because it had been like who I thought I was going to be for so much of my life - from the time I was seven or eight. But now I really haven’t looked back.” The transition’s not all roses. “I’m not a writer that finds writing particularly easy. It can be pretty torturous, like extracting teeth or driving needles into my hand. So I have to give myself a lot of time. I’ve never been able to just knock it out.” The book produced a breakthrough. “This is a project where I think I really figured out a lot about my writing style and rhythms because I never had ... such a protracted process before. What’s been kind of a nice surprise is that writing is a lot easier than it was at the beginning. I’m a pretty good editor of my own work. I have a pretty sharp eye. I’m pretty down with cutting things and getting rid of things that don’t work.” She said that she writes every day. “I’m pretty disciplined about that and I won’t stop until I have something. When I was writing the book I really tried to do about a thousand words a day. I’m pretty good about punishing myself. If I slacked off and didn’t write a thousand words then I wrote 2,000 words the next day.” She recalled, “I remember there’s one section I wrote after I woke up in the middle of the night. I wrote 15

pages in like four hours and that’s one of the sections of the book that’s the most unedited and unchanged.” That section, about the bacchanal of a Jewish youth convention she attended, elicited negative feedback when a shorter, harsher version of it appeared online. “That was one of the very first pieces I wrote as a freelance assignment,” she said. “I think I was still like trying to make a splash. I mean, I still think it’s a good piece and I totally stand by it but I’m glad I got to do it over again and give it a little bit more perspective and space. The chapter in its extended form is a lot gentler ...” The book’s irreverent stories focus her withering wit on everyone and everything, especially herself. “I think you can’t really try to skewer other people unless you’re willing to turn the same eye to yourself, otherwise you’re just a bully. Right? While obviously that kind of satire is part of my work and it’s sort of the way I see the world and the way I write, it’s very important to me to not be unnecessarily cruel or hurtful ... and I find turning that critical gaze on myself sort of tempers that.” Her book is partly an expression of the dissatisfaction she felt growing up as a brilliant, defiant free spirit. “When I was younger I was extremely rebellious,” she said, “and really pretty unhappy. I mean, that was very much just me. I don’t think it had anything to do with my surroundings. But I certainly felt limited and under a microscope.” She refers to Omaha as “the little shtetl on the prairie.” “I have kind of a contrary nature. It’s like whatever’s popular, whoever’s in charge, I always want to do the other things. It’s almost compulsive, like even when there’s no reason to be at odds with something I have a certain sort of combativeness.” She’s mellowed a bit as she’s gotten older “but I always do kind of find myself, no matter what situation I’m in, feeling like I’m the kid in the back of the room making wisecracks about how ridiculous it all is.” A maddening thing about the Midwest she still can’t shake is how one’s Jewishness is made an issue here by gentiles. “Like they need to point it out. It’s very weird.” It’s one reason why she prefers New York. She and her husband Ben, an advertising creative director, reside in Manhattan on the Upper East Side. All of the pieces in the book long simmered in her. “I think I’ve sort of been writing them in my head for most of my life. I mean, it’s funny how a lot of my close friends have been reading this book and they’re like, “I know about this. This is the way you always told this story.’” Her stories invariably throw in stark relief our shared human frailties. Life’s comedy and tragedy exposed side by side. “That’s kind of my thing. I try to combine the two,” she said. “I want them to be hilariously funny and you only realize how serious they are afterward.” The title chapter ends the book on a warm, funny, sad, graceful note describing the final days of her beloved grandmother. Shukert’s love for family shines through. An autobiographical work is a rite-of-passage for firsttime authors. “It’s almost like you have to get it out of your system before you can do something else,” she said. “Like you have to tell your own story before you can tell other people’s.” Today, she’s busy writing essays and cultural criticism for online mags and, increasingly, for print publications. “I really like journalism,” she said. “It’s a chance to exercise your craft without having to like think it all up yourself, which can be intimidating. It’s nice to have that jumping off point, even if it’s something editorial like a movie review or a blog post. At least you have that information to analyze. I really like analyzing everything.” Her penchant for picking things apart may be a function of being the daughter of a psychologist mother and urban planner father. Shukert’s now outlining her next book and working on a new play. She’s also co-starring with friend, actress and comedian Julie Klausner in a serial soap parody they wrote, WASP Cove, that finds them playing Dynasty’s Linda Evans’ and Joan Collins’ characters, respectively.

BIRTHS Emily and Gabe Meyer announce the May 8 birth of their twins, Owen Allen and Edella Pauline. They are named for their great-grandfathers, Owen Winters and Edward Pinsof, and grandfather, Allen Howard. Grandparents are Virginia Howard of Worland, WY,

and the late Allen Howard, and Judith and Marshall Meyer of Haverford, PA. Jennifer and Boyd Ruff announce the May 14 birth of their son, Isaac Carl (Yitzchak Chaim) named for his great-grandparents.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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June 20, 2008

Omahans attend exciting AIPAC Conference and Lobby Legislators

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by GARY JAVITCH It was the first full week in June, and the nation’s capitol bristled with excitement as over 7000 Americans representing all 50 states attended the largest ever American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference. The line-up of presenters included A-List national and international figures. Emphasizing that point, all three (at the time) presidential candidates addressed the conference. So did the Prime Minister of Israel, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader and their counter-parts in what has annually become the prestige Washington, DC conference.

ping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and supporting Israel’s quest for peace by calling on the administration to press the Arab states to do more to support the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Jan Schneiderman and Jerry Slusky led the delegation to talk to Sen. Ben Nelson, while this reporter headed the groups talking to Sen. Chuck Hagel and Representative Lee Terry. Karen Javitch, Mark Javitch, Ari Riekes, Margo Riekes, Steve Riekes and Janet Slusky also attended the conference. Lincolnite Bob Evnen talked to Representatives Adrian Smith and Jeff Fortenberry. Adam Goldberg, a

Margo and Steve Riekes were at the AIPAC conference with their son, Ari. Among the many other speakers, Omahans would also easily recognize former Knesset member Natan Sharansky and Michael Oren, two members of the distinguished Shalem Center in Jerusalem. The two authors both spoke in Omaha in 2007. AIPAC’s primary goal is to bolster the American-Israel relationship. For those who want to soak up current events and historical knowledge, this annual “I-LoveIsrael” policy conference is the perfect venue. And that’s not said glibly. That’s because it makes no difference if you are a liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, Christian or Jew, you are accepted fully because you share the desire to see Israel remain strong and vibrant. With many college campuses awash with anti-Israel professors, AIPAC for a number of years has invited student leaders of all faiths and colors to learn about Israel. This year more than 1200 students from colleges across the nation joined the conference goers. The three-day conference concluded with the state delegations dividing up to lobby their legislators on three key issues: passing the foreign aid bill, (which included $2.55B in security assistance for Israel) stop-

Karen Sokolof Javitch, Gary Javitch, Mark Javitch and Adam Goldberg meet with Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, center.

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Jerry Slusky, left, Mark Javitch, Gary Javitch, meet with Andy Landingham, aide to Sen. Ben Nelson, along with Jan Schneiderman, Steve Riekes and Adam Goldberg. Westside High School senior, representing the students and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization joined the Omaha group in their lobbying effort. A fun part of the conference is the bus trip to the hotel and back. Each bus receives a police escort, with sirens blaring and makes no traffic stops.

AIPAC Conference: Of leaders, think tanks and the coincidental confluence of candidates by GEORGE BAUMGARTEN United Nations Correspondent The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), America’s much-vaunted, often-criticized (as some detractors would wish, excoriated) “Israel Lobby”, recently held its annual Policy Conference at Washington’s Convention Center. The Conference was held on the cusp of momentous changes, both in the Middle East and in America’s own political universe. As the U.S. tries to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the Olmert government makes overtures -- however indirect -- toward Syria. Some reports have it that Olmert himself may face charges, over his relationship with an American businessman. And -- by a fortuitous coincidence -- on the very next morning after the end of the primary campaign, both Democratic candidates came to pledge their devotion to Israel’s cause. The convergence of all these factors made for a Conference both stimulating and unusually exciting. The Policy Conference provides a veritable plethora of seminars, panels and other presentations, for the interest and enjoyment of delegates. At this year’s Conference, about half the 7,000 delegates were first-timers, and some 1,200 were students, from colleges and universities throughout the country. The one complaint this writer had was that there were only four time slots for such sessions (and I came too late to the first). This forces one to make some very hard choices, so I chose the programs on Hamas and Hezbollah, Israeli politics, and Israel’s international image (“Global View: Acceptance, Rejection or Ambivalence?”). The positions of Hamas and Hezbollah are among the most dangerous imponderables in the “witch’s brew” of

current Middle East politics. Hamas began in 1987 as an “anti-establishment” Palestinian force, won a majority in the 2006 legislative elections, and finally seized power in Gaza, in a short but bloody coup in June 2007. It is somewhat supported by Iran, but not to such an extent as Hezbollah. There is some cooperation between the two groups (despite the fact that Hamas is mostly Palestinian Sunni, and Hezbollah Lebanese Shiite), but only in a limited way. Nevertheless, 150 Hamas fighters are said to be training in Iran. Both groups seek to destroy Israel, and are said to be overtly anti-Jewish as well as merely “antiZionist”. Hamas speaks of resistance to the U.S. and its “lackey states”, and is also -- effectively if not absolutely -- the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, long established in Egypt. Hezbollah advocates a similar outlook, but operates primarily in Lebanon, particularly since the end of the Second Lebanon War (July-August 2006). It recently led an armed rebellion in Beirut, which now effectively has the Lebanese government hostage, despite finally electing General Michel Suleimane as President. It is heavily supported by Iran, as a “brother” Shiite organization. This support is given both directly and through its Syrian “client state”. The Iranians are thus said to be both scared and very surprised at the recent indirect contacts between Israel and Syria, through Turkish intermediaries. Hezbollah is said to now have as many as 50,000 missiles in Lebanon (vs. 15,000 before the 2006 war), despite the prohibitions of the Ceasefire (Security Council Res. 1701). The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, operates under an unusual and almost bizarre system of proportional Continued on page 7

June 20, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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AIPAC Conference: Of leaders, think tanks and the coincidental confluence of candidates

High school artist combines service, art to portray creation for upcoming Temple preschool class

Continued from page 6 nounced Israel -- as measured against its representation. Thus, with a total of 120 Declaration of Independence -- “an seats and a majority of 61 (hopefully, a astounding success”. Wieseltier -- much given to philosofew more) needed to govern, a party gaining, say, 25% of the vote in a general phizing -- also rated Israel a success. But election would get 30 seats. In practice, he warned the audience that only certain no one party has ever gotten a majority; aspects of Jewish destiny are within its therefore, the largest party usually gov- control, while most are not. And Gavison erns in a coalition, generally with several noted that while much has been achieved small religious or other “specialized” par- in Israel’s 60 years, it’s perhaps the only ties. There is always a major left-wing party (originally Mapai, now known as Labor [“Avodah”]) and a right-wing one (originally known as Herut [Freedom] and now Likud. In the last election, there arose for the first time a major center party, Kadimah (“Forward”), founded by Ariel Sharon of Likud and Shimon Peres of Labor, and now led by Ehud Olmert, the former Likud Mayor of Jerusalem. As of the opening of the AIPAC Conference, Kadimah had 29 seats, Labor 19 and Likud only 12. The feeling at the Israeli Politics panel (in which representatives of all three parties participated) was that Labor’s numbers would remain about the same, but that Kadimah’s and Likud’s numbers Adam Goldberg met with Rep. Lee Terry. would be approximately reversed. This would likely make the Likud leader, state whose right to exist is still quesBenjamin (“Bibi”) Netanyahu the new tioned -- from within as well as without. Sharansky further noted that while we Prime Minister. What this does not take into account, however, is the fate of are all created in the image of God, each Olmert and any possible new leadership person must have a purpose in this world. of Kadimah. Among the most interesting events of the Policy Conference was a panel on “Israel Today and Tomorrow”, moderated by David Horovitz, Editor-inChief of the Jerusalem Post. The panelists were Michael Oren (Fellow of Jerusalem’s Shalem Center and author of the recent Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present), Ruth Gavison Adam Goldberg, Amy Cotton, Steve Riekes and Karen (Professor of Law at Hebrew Sokolof Javitch. University), Natan Sharansky (former And Oren commented further on the difSoviet prisoner, Cabinet Minister and ference between Israel in 1948 -- beleaMember of the Knesset) and Leon guered and with no real allies ... and the Wieseltier (Literary Editor of The New economic powerhouse -- and center of innovation -- that she has become. Republic). The panel was meant to assess “Where Finally, Sharansky cautioned his listeners are we, and where are we going?” as a that no Palestinian leader has yet truly state and as a people. Oren noted that accepted the “two-state solution”. It was one of those rare panels of conIsrael has survived all attempts to destroy it, but still hearkened back to Herzl’s siderable length, which still left its audidream: “If you will it, it is no legend” ence wishing for more. Next Week: Part II: “The Senators, (Im tirtzu, en zu agadah). Prime Minister and the Sharansky told how he had come, as it the were, “from hell to paradise”, and pro- Candidates.”

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Rachel Brodsky, 17, like her fellow classmates at Westside High School, had to fulfill 80 hours of community service (service learning) before she graduated this spring. As she thought over the possibilities, she remembered that Elyce Azriel, director of religious education at Temple Israel, had asked Rachel if she’d be interested in creating some artwork for the preschool class at Temple Israel. “I started in November or December and have been coming on Wednesdays,” Rachel mentioned as she showed the seven panels she has been painting. The brightly colored panels portray the creation of the world. A vivid yellow sun overlooks a glowing night sky, billowing clouds float across an azure blue sky, birds soar above a sea of luminous fish while a lion and cubs share a green landscape with a human couple. Challah, candles and shining wine goblets depict Shabbat in “The Seven Days of Creation.” “I’m thrilled that she chose to come here to do her service hours,” Azriel acknowledged. Even after Rachel had completed the required hours, she stayed to complete the project. A former student at Temple herself, Rachel takes pleasure in art as a hobby. It’s a form of relaxation for her. She doesn’t envision art as a career for herself but intends to continue to use her skills as a pastime. “After high school, I’m pretty into being a chef.” She’s thinking of going to culinary school to “learn more

L.O.V.E. presents check to Blumkin Home by LOIS WINE RBJH Director of Volunteers This donation represents LOVE’S gift for two comfort carts for individuals and their families who are receiving Hospice Care, and four carts, each equipped with a 27” television and DVD player to be enjoyed in the privacy of a resident’s room. LOVE continues to raise money through donations and fundraising so that the group is able to give a gift to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to support the many programs which benefit residents and their families.

Eileen and Miles Remer, outgoing co-presidents of LOVE (League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly) present Joanie Bernstein, right, immediate past president of Jewish Senior Services, with a check for $10,000.

about it.” For the past year or two, Rachel, daughter of Jodi and the late Joel Brodsky, has been working for a couple about twice a week for a few hours at a time to help them take care of their home. She cooks for them, types, and performs other random tasks. “They’re really great people,” she said, and she loves helping them.

Rachel Brodsky puts the finishing touches on one of her seven days of creation panels. Rachel has completed some other works of art including a charcoal drawing of twin boys. She’s been taking art electives at school since she was in middle school and has won some Scholastic Art Awards, a program administered nationally by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The alliance judges entries on originality, technical proficiency, and the emergence of an authentic vision or voice. “The Seven Days of Creation” were God’s vision. Thanks to Rachel, they’ll come alive in vibrant color for next year’s preschoolers at Temple Israel.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 20, 2008

Chabad evening with premier kosher cookbook author inspires and informs nights Moses spent on Mount Sinai by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Earlier this month, approximately 40 receiving the Torah.” During the demonstration, Fishbein women from many different segments of the Omaha community came together at proved that she is both a knowledgeable Chabad of Nebraska to enjoy a cooking chef, and a very entertaining speaker, saying that “Shani Katzman could not be demonstration by Susie Fishbein. Fishbein is the author of the wildly suc- lovelier to work with,” and had many cessful Kosher by Design cookbook series. compliments for Kelly Kirk, who put the She has appeared on The Today Show evening together. with Katie Couric, Allie & Jack, Sheila “I love to see how Jewish people live in Bridges Designer Living, on several network news show cooking segments, as well as an appearance on Martha Stewart Radio. She has taught at the prestigious Degustibus cooking school in New York, and was featured at Disneyworld, at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The evening started with a wine and cheese reception, and an opportunity to meet with Fishbein. The public was Left: Kelli Kirk,right, organized the event which brought cookthen invited into the book author Susie Fishbein, left, to Chabad. Right: Among those Chabad kitchen and din- attending were Kathi Rotella, left, and Mary Daub. According to ing hall, where Shani Katzman gave a other parts of the country,” she said, short introduction. “and giving these cooking demonstra“Never expect to come to Chabad tions allows me to meet with many differwithout learning something new,” she ent communities.” Fishbein took quessaid, “and since it’s almost Shavuot, we tions from the audience as she demoncan talk about the importance of dairy strated how to cook an attractive, kosher, foods during this holiday. It’s also essen- three-course meal. “Only a Jewish girl tial to remember that kosher calories would think of filling a martini glass with don’t count.” hummus,” Fishbein admitted, as she She then went on to explain how, after showed the audience how to make her receiving the Torah, the Jewish people Middle Eastern Martinis, the recipe for are like newborn children, who need to which can be found in her Short on Time be nurtured on milk. In addition, she cookbook. continued, “The numerical value of the She then went on to make a salmon Hebrew word for milk, chalav, is 40 entrée, as well as a crème brulee dessert, which reminds us of the 40 days and forty which was perfect for Shavuot. Visitors

were given samples of all the food, which had been prepared ahead of time in the Chabad kitchen by a team of volunteers. “Without volunteer help, we never could have pulled this off,” Kelly Tichauer-Kirk said, “and I want to thank Shani, Estie and Shevi Katzman, as well as Cheryl Lerner, Devra Bram, Kim Novak, Sherry and Chelsea Taxman, Joanne Andresen, and Marty Tichauer for all the

young as three can pop the shells off of chickpeas, and besides, letting them cook something is the best way to make them eat and try something new.” When asked what the worst thing was she had ever tried in her test kitchen, she answered: “One time, I attempted to create a strawberry pretzel crust dessert. After about seven tries, my family begged me to stop. I never did figure that one out.” Fishbein spiced up her presentation by sharing anecdotes of what life is like for a celebrity cook: “When my cookbook Kosher by Design for Kids came out, my children did some of the promotional work. It happened to be the Christmas season, so here were all the Fishbein children, being featured on a set decorated for Christmas brunch,” she Rotella, “What a wonderful evening it was! I enjoyed meeting laughed. her and am looking forward to making many of the delicious Volunteer and attendant recipes in her books for my family and with my family.” Kim Novak enjoyed herhard work they put in.” self immensely: “I always have such a Fishbein doesn’t limit herself to writing great time at Chabad events, but this one for adults, but is adamant that children was particularly nice. I was happy to be a need to become familiar with all the part of it, and amazed at all the practical kitchen has to offer. She even wrote advice Susie Fishbein gave us. I will cerKosher by Design for Kids, which contains tainly use her tips in my own kitchen. I recipes that go far beyond the peanut also enjoyed Shani Katzman’s introducbutter sandwich, but are nonetheless easy tion; she is always able to offer useful to make for children of all ages. insights, as well as Jewish connections.” “The most heartbreaking comments I In addition to the volunteers, many difget during my presentations are those ferent sponsors made the evening possifrom newlywed people who come up to ble. Bag ‘n Save, Absolutely Fresh me and admit they don’t even know how Seafood Company, Ideal Pure Water, Hyto boil water,” she said. “Kids belong in Vee, United Rental, Nebraska the kitchen, and we as parents shouldn’t Warehouse, Mike Sullivan, and Wal-Mart be afraid to let them help out. Children as donated food as well as services.

Beth El to salute loyal ‘Minyannaires’ during special Shabbat service by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El holds the distinction of offering religious services twice a day, every day of the year -- thanks to a dedicated group of congregants which attends daily services on a regular basis. Those loyal ‘minyannaires,’ who attended at least 24 times during the past year (and many attended more than 200 times), will be honored and thanked during Shabbat services on Saturday, June 21, 9:30 a.m. The following people will be recognized: Marcel Kahn, Merle Potash, Rick Emas, Frances Gottlieb, Sol Schwartz, Harry Weiner, Shane Kotok, Kathy Weiner, Steven Riekes, Rodney Shkolnick, Mikhail Ginsburg, Peter Ginsburg, Stanley Edelstein, Andrew Greenberg, Diane Baum, Stanley Widman, Karen Pollak, Dolores Goodman, David Kotok, Florence Simon, Nancy Skid, Stanley Silverman, Cary Grossman, Stewart Tully, Ronald Epstein, Benjamin Shapiro, Carol Gendler, Toby Schonfeld, Steven Levy, Joan Latchaw, Ernest Wintroub, Dorothy Rosenblum, Caryn Rifkin, Gary Rifkin, Nancy Rips, Macklin Emas, Leigh Emas, Hal Emas, Esther Wax, Jim Wax, Rosalyn Zeffren, Dennis Paley, Steve Pitlor, Howard Kaiman, Jack Epstein and Leah Grunkin. Shane Kotok began coming to daily services regularly after her father died last June, and because of the comfort she received during that 11-month period of saying Kaddish has passed, she still goes to Beth El three times during the week, wanting to assure a minyan for others wishing to pray. “I realized that others were there for me when I needed to say Kaddish; I couldn’t have done it for the last 11 months without them, and I want to be there for them. It’s the concept of ‘pay it forward.’” Kotok recently sent a letter of thanks to the synagogue’s board of directors, expressing her gratitude

for having morning and afternoon minyanim available during that time of mourning; she spoke of being “symbolically wrapped in a tallit of Beth El’s love by a group of devoted minyannaires who spoke to me not with words but by their presence. “It was the mornings, it was the evenings, it was the person who attended every day, it was the person who came once a week, it was two wonderful friends who decided that a true extension of their friendship would be to start coming to minyans. It was Michael Gerson (daily-service coordinator), who was always there offering knowledge and gentle guidance to all.” She added: “How do I thank Beth El for having two daily minyans? Many conservative synagogues in larger cities than Omaha do not support a twice-daily minyan. As I began my day and ended my day in our lovely chapel, as I watched the sunrise and the sunset, the healing quality of the Kaddish comforted me. I felt surrounded with love and the prayers of others. The minyan may be the oldest form of a support group in history and the most effective. Thank you, Beth El, for being here when I needed you. I am now planning on being part of the minyannaires.” Kotok also encouraged others to attend daily services, saying, “Please join us; what you get and what you give are priceless.” Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin expressed his appreciation for the dedicated congregants who make up the daily minyannaires. “Our daily morning and evening services serve an important need in the local Jewish community,” he said. “They fulfill spiritual needs -- not only of our congregants but also the Jewish community at large. They make it possible to recite Kaddish for loved ones, and allow those observing a yarzheit the opportunity to lead the service.”

ENGAGEMENT KATSKEE/WINTHROP Sindie and Jerry Katskee announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Talia, to Edward David Winthrop, son of Sonia and Stephen Winthrop, of Minneapolis. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Lt. Col. Irvin J. Harris, USAF Ret., of San Diego and of the late Martha Harris, Mabel and David Katskee. She earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an Associates degree in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis, graduating as the 2007 Minnesota APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) outstanding student. She works as a physical therapist assistant at Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital in St. Paul. Her fiance is the grandson of Reva Winthrop of Minneapolis, the late Charles Winthrop, and Sally and Eli Wiener. He attended the University of Minnesota studying kinesiology. He works full-time for State Farm Insurance. The two met and worked as USY advisors; Rachel for Beth El Synagogue in Omaha and Eddie for Temple of Aaron in St. Paul. A Nov. 2, 2008, wedding is planned at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minneapolis.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, for the July 11 issue. Questions? Call 402.334.6448

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Yachad campers appreciate teamwork and meet challenges by ANDREA BARTMAN guardians attended as well, including Carol Parsow, for Jewish Family Service Doug Wolfson and Fred and Sarah Kader and family. This year’s Camp Yachad, held at Mahoney State Park, Yachad members were appreciative of the encouragedrew a group of 20 community members, including 10 ment and support provided by these generous individuYachad members, caregivers, parents and generous vol- als. unteers. Duane Pieper, Yachad Coordinator, reports that “Everyone enjoyed the baseball game,” says volunteer the members are already asking about next year’s camp- Mark Kazor. “They took an active roll in the game, geting plans, scheduled for May 17-18, 2009. ting hits and running the bases. It was awesome seeing “Thanks to the beautiful spring weather,” says Pieper, everyone participating and bonding. They learned what “the group spent most of their time outdoors enjoying good sportsmanship is all about.” the natural ambiance of Mahoney Another camp volunteer, Joanna State Park.” The opportunity to go Kay, agrees that the camping expefishing for bass and bluegill, to go rience is unique and beneficial to hiking and play miniature golf and Yachad members who choose to to participate in a nature scavenger participate. “Camp is one way to hunt were among the many activipromote the urge and bravery to ties. overcome,” she comments. “It Getting outdoors and out of provides many opportunities for their day-to-day environment is a them to do things out of the ordivaluable and enriching experience. nary -- things that might scare Pieper noted, “The challenge of them. When they see that new and different circumstances although they were apprehensive, and experiences not only taught once they jumped in, they were self-reliance but pointed out the happy they did.” virtues of teamwork. Exposure to “Camp Yachad 2008 was more the great outdoors and the dynamthan the fun and games the memic and vibrant life that fills this natbers participated in,” comments ural arena helped develop a greater Pieper. “It was a life enriching sensitivity and appreciation for all experience for the Yachad memthat HaShem has created.” bers with broad ramifications. Besides the outdoor fun, Sprinkled in with all the fun were a campers participated in a craft Yachad campers enjoyed the fantastic weather myriad of lessons, such as developproject, creating an embossed this year and the opportunity to prepare ing a greater sense of confidence, metal mezuzah and decorating it s’mores outside: Yachad Program Coordinator building trust, discovering new with Jewish symbols for their Duane Pieper, left, Grace Isler, Jillian Salomon, abilities, problem solving, sharing, homes. This activity was made pos- Eric Friedberg and Michael Parsow. caring, and cooperation.” sible by Avi Zukerman of The Ultimate Art Workshop of Grants from the Harris Family Endowment Fund New York City, who donated the kits for the project. made the camp possible, along with the Samuel and Among those who went along for the trip were volun- Delma Goodman Youth Fund. If you would like to teers Mark Kazor, Karen Lepp, Aaron Wolfson, Kathie make a difference in the life of another, please contact Pieper and Joanna Kay. A few family members and Jewish Family Service at 330.2024.

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Temple Israel’s Shavuot guest speaks of the miracle of Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “One of the greatest miracles is the miracle of Israel,” stated Dr. Jonathan Adelman, professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He spoke about “The Rise of Israel: How Did the Miracle Happen and What Happens Now?” on Shavuot at Temple Israel. Congregants sharing Israel’s birth year, 1948, were asked to come up to the bimah where they held the unfurled Torah scroll, recited the blessings before and after reading it, and were blessed by the clergy.

Arlene and David Fredricks enjoy a selection of dairy delights at the oneg after the Shavuot service at Temple Israel. “When you celebrate the birthday of 60-year-olds, you get a feeling of the amazing historical moment of the birth of Israel,” said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. “The journey for the creation of the Jewish State started on the pages of the Torah scroll, and we shouldn’t take life or the birth of Israel for granted.” After giving a taste during the holiday worship service of what was to come, Dr. Adelman, whose expertise and research interests cover Soviet and Chinese politics, comparative revolutions, the military, and contemporary Middle East issues, led a discussion at the cheesecake oneg. “Who would have imagined?” how 50,000 Jews in Palestine, ruled by the Ottoman Empire in 1900, would morph into 500,000 in 1948, he asked. Even David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, was skeptical

about the new state’s ability to survive and flourish in the volatile Middle East, Adelman said. But then, “Who would have imagined” that in 2006, billionaire “Warren Buffet would invest four billion dollars in Israel?” Adelman wondered. However, despite “enormous obstacles, the power of will and human consciousness” have resulted in the triumph of seven million Israelis to endure surrounded by 340,000,000 Arabs and Persians, observed Adelman. Responding to questions from the audience, Adelman attributed Israel’s survival to governmental intelligence, a willingness on the part of her people to take risks and to sacrifice themselves for a cause they believe in, and a focus on human will, ideas, and socialism. “Most Israelis want peace desperately,” but they need a negotiating partner “on the other side.” When the United States went into Iraq, according to Adelman, Dr. Jonathan Adelman, from Israel thought the wrong the University of Denver, country had been invadspeaks candidly about Israel ed. It should have been during the oneg. Iran. Nevertheless, Israelis are aware that they need the support of America and particularly, the American Jewish community. In a conversation about the world’s view of America, Adelman pointed out that “if you look at it from Iran’s point of view, (Iran is) winning.” He suggested that “there’s nothing wrong with negotiating and talking (to rogue countries). “You never know what could happen,” what influences their leaders, and what they’re thinking.

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Four books for summer -- or anytime ing mores of contemporary life. What most impresses me about this collection are the BOOK REVIEW short stories. “Conversion of the Jews,” in particular, is BY BETH KAPLAN

The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle I confess. I have an addiction to reading books. If I don’t have a book to read or if I don’t know what book I’m going to read next, I start to feel jumpy and nervous. I read with the same desperate intensity throughout the year. So, although I’m recommending the following books for “summer” reading, if you don’t get around to them before mid-September, please don’t strike them from your list. These books bear reading in any season. A. B. Yehoshua is considered by many Israelis today to be the country’s top writer. Yehoshua has had a long career and churned out more that a half-dozen novels. Most of his novels are lengthy, more than 500 pages long, and several of them have (from an Israeli standpoint) exotic settings -- from North Africa around the year 1000 to contemporary Minneapolis. Yehoshua’s most recent novel, A Woman in Jerusalem, is relatively short at around 230 pages and is set in a familiar time and place -- in Jerusalem in the early 2000s. It centers on a middle-aged man, a human-resource manager for a medium-sized Israeli company, who gets an assignment from his boss that quickly becomes all-consuming. The assignment leads the main character on a wild goose chase through Jerusalem and far beyond. All the while, he ponders moral questions, including what a company owes its employees and what do the living owe the dead. The novel succeeds in being simultaneously funny and deep, uniquely Israeli and universal. In 2007, Philip Roth published the award-winning novel Everyman, which Paula Fine recommended in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle last summer. I second her recommendation and add one of my own for a much earlier Roth masterpiece: Goodbye Columbus: and Five Short Stories, published in 1959. Reading Everyman inspired me to search for other works by Roth. But that was in spite of the impression I had of him from the 1960s, when I had heard that his characters and settings presented negative stereotypes of Jews. Although the stereotype of materialism is certainly present, for example in the novella Goodbye Columbus, it is only part of the backdrop. What I discovered is a very deep writer, adept at bringing out psychological tensions that transcend the chang-

one of the best short stories I’ve read in years. It reminds me of one of my all-time favorites -- “Guests of the Nation” by Irish writer Frank O’Connor. Although Roth’s story has an edge of sarcasm not present in the O’Connor story, both highlight profound human truths with supreme impact. “The Conversion of the Jews” features a child as protagonist; children are also the main characters in my next recommendation -- All of a Kind Family by Sidney Taylor. This children’s book is part of a five-book series that is wonderful to read aloud to preschool and young schoolage children. Taylor writes with great warmth and paints vivid pictures of Jewish immigrant life on the lower East side of New York at the turn of the 20th century. The “All-of-a-Kind” series became part of my family’s culture; their stories became our stories. The series was pivotal enough that after a hiatus of a few years in reading these books, we started rereading them, at my daughters’ requests, when the girls were in middle school. Summer is the perfect time to read aloud to children. I highly recommend delving into this delightful series with children or grandchildren. Older children might take part in doing the reading. My final recommendation, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, is a recent work of nonfiction by a writer with a Jewish background, Michael Pollan. Before I launch into praise, a few caveats: although the book is about food, it otherwise does not specifically focus on Jewish themes; and although Pollan makes brief mention of the laws of kashrut, he makes no apologies for chowing down on pork, seafood, and other treyf. That said, this book presents myriad, powerful insights on cooking and eating, looking at these activities from cultural, historical, anthropological, biological, and political perspectives. Besides being extremely thought provoking, this book is funny. Pollan has a dry humor that creeps in when you aren’t expecting it. When reading in public, I found myself bursting into spontaneous laughter and suffering the odd looks of strangers (a third caveat, I suppose). This book’s ideas and wit make it great reading for summertime or anytime. Editor’s note: Many of these books can be found at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, along with other choices for summer reading for adults, teens and kids.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT On Wednesday, July 2, 7:30 p.m., Rona and Aaron Michelson of Modi’in Israel, will present a travelogue on China and Tibet, lavishly illustrated with their beautiful pictures and covering not just the locales, but also the Jewish experience in China in history and in the present. They also will be bringing along some interesting and attractive door prizes. Rabbi Aaron Michelson served for over 20 years as a U.S. Army chaplain and later as a civilian rabbi before making aliya. Dr. Rona Michelson is a marriage and family therapist who taught on a masters level as well as having a private practice. Together they have become tour guides for Shai Bar Ilan Geographical Tours, guiding kosher/shomer shabbat tours in in English in China and in Vietnam/Cambodia. Their other hobby is their five children and 24+ grandchildren, all of whom live in Israel. They promise an entertaining evening filled with laughter, information, and beautiful images at the Jewish Community Center. There will be no sales pitch, but they will be available afterwards to answer any questions. Film Streams heads to the Holland Center, where Academy Award-winning director and Film Streams

Board Member Alexander Payne will share the concerthall stage with acclaimed actress Laura Dern for a conversation about her career and select clips from her movies. This fundraiser, chaired by Betiana and Todd Simon in support of Film Streams is Sunday, July 13, 5:30 p.m. for cocktails, dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 8 p.m. Among the hosts are Nancy and David Jacobson, Kutak Rock, LLP, and the Sokolof/Javitch family. Single tickets for the presentation only are $35. For more information about tickets for dinner and the private reception, please contact Hallie Sharkey at 402.933.0259, ext. 13, or hallie@filmstreams.org. Music and Memories will run Aug. 1-2 at the Omaha Community Playhouse Mainstage. Wayland Pickard pays tribute to the legenday Liberace. This 90-minute show invites the audience to remember “Mr. Showmanship” at his finest. This musical journey down memory lane includes Liberace’s signature rendition of “Chopsticks” and classics such as “Beethoven’s Fifth”, “Rhapsody in Blue” and even the “Beer Barrel Polka.” Tickets are $35; groups of 15 or more are $30. Call the playhouse box office at 553.0800 for more information.

June 20, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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At 80, Yaacov Agam still vibrant with his artwork and other ideas by GABRIELLA BURMAN DETROIT (JTA) -- It would be easy to characterize Yaacov Agam as a painter in the twilight of his career. The celebrated Israeli artist, who turned 80 last month, is focused on preserving his legacy of great public works and building an eponymous museum in his birthplace, Rishon LeZion. Agam is set in his ways and topics he wants to discuss, and he hires the same French-speaking limousine driver whenever he visits the United States. But that would be a superficial dismissal of the artist, who like his surname, the Hebrew word for “lake,” shimmers with infinite ideas beneath the surface. For starters, he says, “I don’t feel 80. And anyway, 80 in the Talmud corresponds to strength.” The dark moustache of his youth has given way to a long white beard, but the deeply spiritual Agam remains serious, sharp and agile. He is at work on a show to be unveiled in his adopted city of Paris in October that he promises is “completely new.” Agam also has been jet-setting to birthday parties in his honor in Miami, Detroit and New York City, where earlier this month the French and Israeli consulates held a joint event in honor of Israel’s 60th anniversary and “80 years of Agam.” He also aspires to win a Nobel Prize for an award-winning educational program he developed that strengthens visual skills and memory in preschool children. Many schools across Israel have implemented the Agam Smarts program. In visual cognition tests conducted by the Weizmann Institute of Science in

Rehovot, children were asked to identify shapes in complex drawings. Those who participated in the exercises outperformed those who did not. “This will be my greatest contribution, as important as my artwork,” Agam said. “Because if we can learn a new way to see, we can unleash creativity, and creativity brings solutions to the world.”

His own creations run counter to the time-bound nature of most artworks he saw as a young man. Viewing a painting was like “looking at a gravestone,” he said. “It was in the past and never changing.” The concept was at odds with the kabbalistic upbringing by his father, Rabbi Yehoshua Gibstein, the author of several books on Jewish spirituality who also was known to doodle on napkins. Agam married a basic premise of Jewish mysticism -- that one never stops transforming as long as one is alive -- to kinetic art, a movement that incorporates motion into artistic expression. The movement, which has existed since the early 20th century, is best represented in the larger art world by sculptor Alexander Calder.

Among Agam’s greatest works reflecting this aesthetic are the monumental fountain integrating sculpture, light and the musical orchestration of water jets in La Defense, Paris’ business district; the Dizengoff Plaza fountain of water, fire and music in Tel Aviv; and countless “Agamographs,” many of them containing Jewish subject matter, which present

cast aside by conceptual artists such as Marcel DuChamp, added the dimensions of time and space, and taken painting to another level.” Agam has an ardent following among Jews and non-Jews. Dr. Steven Eisen of Las Vegas and his wife, Stacey, own 12 Agamographs. Eisen’s appreciation of the artist’s work is twofold. “I like the dynamism and the painstaking effort of using hundreds of different colors -- that’s what catches my eye,” Eisen said. “I also like the Jewish symbols represented. They mean something to us. It’s certainly nice to have Jewish references in our art collection.” The Eisens, active synagogue-goers, are considering building a larger home because they are running out of wall space. Chris Cameron, of Beverly Yaacov Agam uses the rainbow, left, which he calls God’s Hills, Mich., who is a first gift of art to man, in all of his art. Christian, owns nine Agam Credits: GALLERY M INC, Copyright (c) 2008. works of various sizes and Yaacov Agam’s photo courtesy ParkWest Gallery shapes, including two paintdifferent images depending on the view- ings with movable pieces, and an Agam ing angle. necklace made up of nine concentric cirThe works all contain the colors of the cles that can be taken apart and rainbow, a universal image that Agam has rearranged. called God’s first gift of art to man. Cameron says she is intrigued not only Not everyone agrees that Agam’s oeu- by Agam’s intellect, but also his religious vre will stand the test of time. Some crit- beliefs. ics contend that Agam has made a career “I’ve gained an appreciation of his reliof one idea and never evolved, while oth- gion through his art,” she says. “There’s ers call it a fertile concept that has sus- a lot more going on in the painting than tained him for more than 60 years of what meets the eye initially.” making art. Such comments would seem to mirror “I think he’s a stone genius,” said Agam’s understanding of his own work. Morris Shapiro, the gallery director “Central to Judaism is its emphasis on at ParkWest Gallery in Southfield, Mich., life, and the only constant in life is which has exhibited and sold Agam for change,” the artist said. “This is what I’ve decades, and also hosted a birthday party incorporated into my art, and today’s for him last month in Detroit. “He took society is finally starting to understand up the thread of aesthetics that had been this.”

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June 20, 2008

Fifteen minutes of fame Lloyd Roitstein got his last week, but it wa not the way he wanted. As Scout Executive/President of the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Roitstein had the unenviable job of facing the media after an F3 tornado slammed into the scout camp in Little Sioux, IA. Of the 125 scouts and adults at the campsite, four teens died and nearly 30 were injured, several severely. Though the tornado hit at dinnertime, parents waited nervously at a nearby community center until one in the morning to hear news about their sons and loved ones. As Gary Javitch wrote in the front page story this week, “it’s every parent’s worst nightmare.” Car accidents probably rank as the number one concern parents have when those late night phone calls come. The teens who died, however, were only 13 and 14. And they were members of an elite group of scouts who were invited to participate in one of the summer highlights, a week of leadership and preparedness training. Roitstein not only spoke of the purpose of the camping experience, but of the highly qualified scouts who participated. Older scouts had attended this event in prior years; their training gave them an edge over ordinary mortals, who are (mostly) ill equipped to handle a disaster of this kind. But Roitstein’s scouts had several things going for them: experience, training, and probably most important, a sense of calm and level-headedness which allowed them to assist their fallen fellow scouts with a maturity beyond their years. “They acted with with courage and honor,

just as Scouts should,” Roitstein told the Press, “they were truly heroes.” These young men -- not the likes of Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears, Brad Pitt, or rapper 50-cent -- are the true heroes. They risked their own lives to stay by their comrades and friends. They talked them through pain, while suffering from their own injuries. They used almost super human strength to move concrete debris. And all the while they remained calm and cool under difficult circumstances. Roitstein, a longtime volunteer in the Jewish community, is no stranger to most of us. He has served in leadership positions, as chairman of this newspaper, Friedel Jewish Academy, and as co-chairman of the Federation’s annual Men’s Campaign. Those leadership qualities came in handy as he faces hordes of media in numerous press conferences; he, too, remained cool and calm, relaying facts when he had them and being honest with reporters when he didn’t know the answers to their questions. We applaud him and the entire MidAmerica Council, from its staff and volunteer leaders through the ranks of scouts. Though the BSA has often been under fire for its stand on its oath and membership, they

have remained true to their ideals of raising new generations of leaders. The story, which made national news, highlighted the volatility of weather in the Heartland, where residents of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana also are dealing with floods as a result of more snow than average and violent spring storms. Dumping as much as four inches of rain in an hour, this season’s record number of tornados and floods are breaking Iowa river flood stage levels set in 1993 by nearly 10 feet. If you’d like to help, contact the Mid-America BSA, 12401 West Maple Road, Omaha, NE 68164, 402.431.9BSA or online at: www.scoutingfriends.org, or the American Red Cross, 2912 So. 80 Ave., Omaha, NE 68124, 402.343.7700 or online: www.redcrossomaha.org.

BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES How do the two leading candidates for president of the United States differ in their approach to Israel and related topics? Parallel interviews with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, who spoke in early May with Democrat Barack Obama and in late May with Republican John McCain, offer some important insights. John McCain and Barack Obama, in close discussion, asked roughly the same set of questions, they went off in opposite directions. Obama used the interview to convince readers of his pro-Israel and pro-Jewish bona fides. He thrice reiterated his support for Israel: “the idea of a secure Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea, and a necessary idea”; “the need to preserve a Jewish state that is secure is a just idea and one that should be supported here in the United States and around the world”; and “You will not see, under my presidency, any slackening in commitment to Israel’s security.” Obama then detailed his support within four specifically Jewish contexts. • Personal development: “when I think about the Zionist idea, I think about how my feelings about Israel were shaped as a young man -- as a child, in fact. I had a camp counselor when I was in sixth grade who was Jewish-American but who had spent time in Israel.” • Political career: “When I started organizing, the two fellow organizers in Chicago were Jews, and I was attacked for associating with them. So I’ve been in the foxhole with my Jewish friends.”

... major-party candidates for the U.S. presidency must still pay homage to warm American ties to Israel, no matter how ... dramatically this may contradict their previously-held views. In contrast, McCain felt no need to establish his Zionism nor his pro-Jewish credentials. Taking them as a given, he used his interview to raise practical policy issues, particularly the threat from Iran. For example, asked about the justness of Zionism, he replied that “it’s remarkable that Zionism has been in the middle of wars and great trials and it has held fast to the ideals of democracy and social justice and human rights,” then went on: “I think that the State of Israel remains under significant threat from terrorist organizations as well as the continued advocacy of the Iranians to wipe Israel off the map.” Again referring to Iran, McCain committed himself “to never allowing another Holocaust.” He referred to the threatened destruction of Israel as having “profound national security consequences” for the United States and he stressed that Tehran sponsors terrorist organizations intent “on the

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.

Obama vs. McCain on the Middle East • Ideas: “I always joke that my intellectual formation was through Jewish scholars and writers, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Whether it was theologians or Philip Roth who helped shape my sensibility, or some of the more popular writers like Leon Uris.” • Philosophy: “My staff teases me sometimes about anguishing over moral questions. I think I learned that partly from Jewish thought, that your actions have consequences and that they matter and that we have moral imperatives.”

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Robyn Belgrade Sales Associate Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

destruction of the United States of America.” A second difference concerns the importance of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Obama presented it as an “open wound” and an “open sore” that infects “all of our foreign policy.” In particular, he said, its lack of resolution “provides an excuse for antiAmerican militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions.” Asked about Obama’s statement, McCain slammed the idea that radical Islam results mainly from the Arab-Israeli confrontation: “I don’t think the conflict is a sore. I think it’s a national security challenge.” Were the IsraeliPalestinian issue resolved tomorrow, he pointedly continued, “we would still face the enormous threat of radical Islamic extremism.” Finally, the two disagree on the import of Israelis continuing to live on the West Bank. Obama places great emphasis on the topic, commenting that if their numbers continue to grow, “we’re going to be stuck in the same status quo that we’ve been stuck in for decades now.” McCain acknowledged this as a major issue but quickly changed the topic to the Hamas campaign of shelling Sderot, the besieged Israeli town that he personally visited in March, and whose predicament he explicitly compares to the mainland United States coming under attack from one of its borders. Goldberg’s twin interviews underscore two facts. First, major-party candidates for the U.S. presidency must still pay homage to warm American ties to Israel, no matter how, as in Obama’s case, dramatically this may contradict their previously-held views. Second, whereas McCain is secure on the topic, Obama worries about winning the pro-Israel vote. Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum. Read more at: www.DanielPipes.org. © 2008 by Daniel Pipes. All rights reserved.

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. 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 $33 per calendar year U.S.; $72 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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Israel ponders implications forJewish state of Obama presidency

FOCUS ON ISSUES by LESLIE SUSSER JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Although Israeli officialdom is not commenting on the possibility of a Barack Obama presidency, in private some officials in Jerusalem are expressing mixed feelings about the prospect. Some in government quarters are concerned that Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, might be soft on Iran, pressure Israel to make concessions on the Palestinian track and even change the tenor of the strategic relationship between Israel and the United States. Yet Foreign Ministry experts on U.S. foreign policy say no American president, Obama included, would adopt an overtly anti-Israeli posture. Israel’s left wing hopes that an Obama administration will be more hands-on in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, perhaps even pressing the parties into a mutually beneficial deal. By the same token, the right wing fears that an Obama administration and the Israeli government could be on a collision course, especially if the Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu wins the next Israeli election. Obama’s powerfully expressed commitment to Israel at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference June 4 in Washington went a long way toward assuaging Israeli fears. Israeli officials noted Obama’s readiness to use force against Iran if necessary, his promise to maintain the Israel Defense Forces’ qualitative edge, his support for isolating Hamas and his commitment to Israel’s Jewish character, with

Jerusalem as its undivided capital. But the officials also offered two caveats. Although Obama, an Illinois senator, is saying all the right things, there is no way of knowing what he would actually do in office. Unlike his Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. John McCain (RAriz.), Obama cannot boast a long, unwavering record of support for Israel. Second, some pundits argued that his commitment to a united Jerusalem was so obviously over the top that it cast doubt on the rest of what he had to say June 4. Following harsh Palestinian reaction to his comments on Jerusalem, Obama clarified his remarks the next day, telling CNN that the fate of the city would be up to Israel and the Palestinians to discuss. The main worry in Israel is over Obama’s readiness to talk to Iran. Israeli officials and pundits are concerned that the Iranians will play the Americans for suckers, building nuclear weapons under the cloak of ongoing negotiations. In late May, the Foreign Ministry’s research department convened a meeting of ministry and outside experts to discuss “American foreign policy after Bush,” including the possible implications of an Obama presidency. The conclusion: Israel has no reason to worry regardless of who wins the White House. The consensus was that because support for Israel is so strong in both Congress and American public opinion, no president would take a radically different tack. Pressure on Israel is unlikely, the

experts said, since the main focus in the Middle East for the new U.S. president will be Iraq and Iran, not Israel and the Palestinians. On Iran, any U.S. administration will try diplomacy before using force, the experts agreed, including McCain. They also saw merit in Obama’s argument that if the United States negotiates with Iran in good faith and fails, it then would have far more moral justification if it resorts to force to destroy Iranian nuclear installations. “I don’t think diplomacy and even direct negotiations are necessarily a sign of being soft,” one of the experts, Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul general in New York, told JTA. “I think it’s an avenue that if successful could be beneficial to Israel, especially since he’s not taking the military option off the table. “I am not sure the Rambo -- let’s bomb them back into the Stone Age -- is necessarily a better policy.” Pinkas noted two more reasons why Israel has nothing to fear from Obama. One, after the staunchly pro-Israel Clinton and Bush administrations, the classic conflict between pro-Israeli and more “even-handed” American policy is a thing of the past, he said. Two, Obama almost certainly will appoint an overwhelmingly pro-Israel Cabinet. “I just cannot see Obama deviating from that general pro-Israeli position,” Pinkas said. Where Pinkas does see a possible change in U.S. policy under Obama is on the Israel-Syria peace track. He thinks an

Israeli officials and pundits are concerned that the Iranians will play the Americans for suckers, building nuclear weapons under the cloak of ongoing negotiations.

Obama administration might make the Syrians an offer they can’t refuse, coaxing them to leave the Iranian axis and join the moderate pro-Western Arab coalition. “If this is part of a grand U.S. strategy to isolate Iran, then it could be very much in Israel’s interest,” he said. On the Israeli right, however, suspicion of Obama remains strong. Likud hawks are still seething over remarks Obama made to a group of Jewish leaders in Cleveland. “I think there is a strain within the proIsrael community that says unless you adopt an unwavering pro-Likud approach to Israel, then you’re anti-Israel, and that can’t be the measure of our friendship with Israel,” Obama said in March. Likudniks recall the severe strains in relations between Israel and the Clinton administration when (then Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu refused to make concessions to the Palestinians. They fear Netanyahu and Obama could be on the same kind of collision course with worse consequences, especially if it turns out that Obama does not share Clinton’s profound commitment to Israel. Pinkas points out that the ClintonNetanyahu tension resulted from Netanyahu’s allying with Newt Gingrich, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, against the administration. Netanyahu has not made the same mistake this time, having taken pains to establish good relations with Obama. Perhaps more than anything else, the question of how the next U.S. president will relate to Israel may rest on another as-yet-unknowable factor: who will be Israel’s next prime minister.

More than one side to immigration debacle at Iowa plant

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW by SIMA BENSASSON Editor’s note: Sima Bensasson’s husband works for Agriprocessors. A member of a synagogue in LaCrosse, WI, she attended a regional conference of Hadassah to meet other Jewish women, outside the mostly Orthodox Jewish community of Postville, IA, where she lives. The President of the Upper Midwest Region sent Bensasson a copy of the May 30 Jewish Press editorial; this is Bensasson’s follow-up opinion. According to Ben Harris, “Federal authorities have not brought criminal charges against the company or its executives. The bulk of the accusations, particularly those concerning worker mistreatment, remain unsubstantiated,” he wrote for JTA. I am a Conservative Jew and currently affiliate with a Conservative synagogue. I am embarrassed that someone who is a religious leader of Conservative Jewry is urging Jews to stop buying kosher meat from Agriprocessors under the platform that unethical conditions existed at the plant. This rabbi has been pushing to break the Orthodox/ultra-Orthodox monopoly on kashrut certification by creating what he calls the hechsher tzedek. This particular rabbi and his group spoke, during a trip to Postville last month, with a select group of frightened people, who, in some cases, after working several years for this same company that “abused” them, were in danger of losing their families, facing jail terms and deportation. Apparently working conditions weren’t as miserable, dangerous, and at a pay scale so low that these workers had to flee once they had some money in their pocket. A letter sent to the congregation of one of the rabbis contained rumors and inaccurate information on the current situation. At no time were representatives of Agriprocessors or the Jewish community spoken to. There was no other side to this story written about because this group was not interested in hearing anything else. Take two disgruntled groups: the union workers who were unsuccessful at establishing a foothold in the company, and rabbis who, under the guise of righteousness, want to suggest that Jews switch brand loyalty from Glatt

Kosher Aaron’s Best to a different non-glatt brand. Don’t forget the tremendous fees this committee would stand to collect from companies who will use this hechsher. This committee should spend their time in finding ways to assist the U.S. government in maintaining secure borders and helping to sponsor the DREAM Act which would have enabled the “undocumented” students in our school district to work towards citizenship, either by performing military service or attending college. Our children have friends whose futures are now uncertain. Where are these religious leaders using their influence within the Conservative Movement in helping to create a quicker way for immigrants to achieve U.S. citizenship? The plant was called a “Hillul Hashem” -- (a disgrace in G-d’s name). The biggest Hillul Hashem is the inability of this group to recognize that the current issue did not begin with Agriprocessors, but by the failure of human rights groups to advocate hard enough for legislation on work permits for potential immigrants seeking citizenship. Instead, Agriprocessors is, in my opinion, being used

as a scapegoat to cover up our government’s failure to provide us with safe and secure borders (that should be ICE’s job -- not raiding plants and destroying families after the fact). Perhaps the Conservative constituency who is sponsoring this “hechsher tzedek” should check their own laundry baskets. How many members have electronics, shop at Wal-Mart, drive foreign cars and purchase fruits and vegetables grown here? Off-shore manufacturing facilities are known for their questionable labor practices. Where does “hechsher tzedek” fit in here? What do you think happens to the 70% percent slaughtered meat from Agri not considered “kosher”? You can be sure the price of ALL meat will go up dramatically. Where is the support of our Jewish communities? How many busloads of Jewish congregants made the journey here to work the line to assist filling the temporary void formed by an overnight reduction in workers? If this is an example of what Conservative Judaism is, it is no wonder why it is struggling hardest of Judaism’s three main branches.

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Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 20, 2008

Candlelighting Friday, June 20, 8:42 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.

and his family. Join us and wish them well as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

BETH ISRAEL 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.; During services, congregants who regularly attend daily minyanim will be honored for their dedication; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; 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 will resume July 13. CONGREGATIONAL 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, but reservations are requested to Margie Gutnik in the office. KADIMA: Beth El’s youth group for sixth-to-eighth graders will spend an afternoon canoeing at Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area on Sunday, June 22, 2-4:30 p.m. Drop-off and pick-up will be at Beth El; cost to attend is $5. For more information or to RSVP, contact Robert Mosenkis in the synagogue office, or at youthdir@bethel-omaha. org. FAREWELL SHABBAT FOR CANTOR Saturday, June 28, 9:30 a.m., following Shabbat services, the entire community is invited to a special Kiddush luncheon honoring Cantor Gastón Bogomolni

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 Leon and Dani Shrago in honor of their birthdays, David Shrago’s birthday, and the birth of Ezra Gitt; “Guard Your Tongue” and “Advanced Analysis of Midrash Rabbah” begins one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 8:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:53 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. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.

BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Lila Ferber’s Bat Mitzvah, 7:30 p.m. at the synagogue. SATURDAY: Lila Ferber’s Bat Mitzvah, 10 a.m. at the synagogue.

CHABAD HOUSE 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

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

If you’re looking at this space, so are others! YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...

to reserve space, call

Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559

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. Lila is a eighth-grade Distinguished Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. She received a

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.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, July 4, for Independence Day. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, for the July 11 issue. Photos from the Passover issue and Salute to Seniors issue may be picked up during regular business hours. Questions? Call 402.334.6448

for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. Kabbalah WEDNESDAY: Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Parsha for Kids, 1 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.

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; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, 7 p.m. Introduction to Hebrew, led by Rabbi Emanuel will begin a four-week session on July 8. Contact the Temple office at 435.8004 or stemple@neb.rr.com to register.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack. SUNDAY: LOVE Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m., led by Rabbi Eric Linder; D’var Torah: Omaha Temple Youth Group -- “Low Watt Shabbat.” Followed by a picnic.

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 during Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation appreciated. Young children, including infants, are welcome. TUESDAY: A Card Making Party, 9:30 a.m. Join us for a morning of making cards to celebrate new babies and birthday wishes and to show caring during illness and times of mourning. Temple will provide the supplies. Sitter service is available, and a $1 donation per child is appreciated. To RSVP, please contact Sherrie Saag, Caring Cards chairman, 505.3767 or sherriesaag@ cox.net; From Generation to Generation, 7 p.m.

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: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner, 423.7066. The office will be closed Friday, June 20.

Local restaurant hosts Yachad families by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service Yachad members and their families were recently treated to a luncheon provided by Andy and Jenny Hsu of China Road Restaurant. According to Dennis DePorte, executive director at Temple Israel, the Hsu family was looking for a way to give back to the community. “This is actually the second time Yachad has been invited to a luncheon done by China Road,” said DePorte. “Andy asked for a group that would appreciate this,” he noted. “I suggested Yachad and it went from there.” “This generous out- Yachad members and their families dined in style at the reach was a luncheon hosted by the Hsu family. blessing to Yachad,” said Duane Pieper, Yachad Program Coordinator. “It allowed them to come together and experience ‘mishpochah’ -- family. The Hsu family and staff went all out to make everyone feel special as they catered to the specific requests of each individual in attendance. The Yachad group was touched by the outpouring of hospitality.”

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

June 20, 2008

DEATHS DAVID FRIEDLAND Continued from page 1 obligation imposed upon the Federation. The implications are simple; the well being of the Library depended upon who was running the Federation at the time If somebody who didn’t care about books was in charge, they were willing to cut it out of the budget.” Among his greatest achievements, Friedland considered the hiring of Edye Wolf as director of the Library. He said of her, “She never asked for money for herself but she did ask for funds for her staff and for books. She was incredibly capable and she is the reason that the library exists.” He said that libraries aren’t just repositories for books, noting, “They are a place where people go to use their heads. Now that we have a school, it is important and our obligation to maintain a good library. Readers are leaders and a school without one is nothing.” Until his death, Friedland was highly involved in civic matters. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Conservative Savings Bank, and was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Omaha Public Library, Nebraskans for Public Television, and Children’s Memorial Hospital. In additional to being a past member of the Board of Directors of the Federation, a past member of the JCC Board, he served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Israel. In addition to his wife of 46 years, Nancy Blotcky Friedland, he is survived by daughters and sons-in-law,

Forever and forever

SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Shelah Far be it for me to suggest that the Lord is general of the army, but since Moses does not seem to know what is practical, the Lord tells him what to do. What is most astonishing in all this is that the Land the Lord had promised all the way back from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, now, after 40 frustrating years in the wilderness, the Israelites find the Land was theirs providing they could take it from the indigenous people. They found the people living there did not take kindly to the suggestion that now that the Israelites were there, they must politely move on somewhere else. It is not usual that a people living in one land would courteously suggest that they had been saving it all along for the unfortunate Israelites. Indeed not. Instead they got up off their haunches and made it clear to the Israelites that “if you come any further, we will come to meet you.” Come to meet you with sandwiches and drinks? No, come to meet you with our army and best defenses! So Moses is forced to do some reconoiterring. He sends scouts (not spies) into the Land to see what the status is. Are the cities walled? Can the walls be breached? Are the people innocent and vulnerable? Or are they tough minded people who say, “This is our land. Turn around and go back to the wilderness. We will not harm you if you do not cross our borders.” So Moses sees that the Promised Land is not there waiting for the Israelites with flowers and welcome mats. Instead, they find they can progress no further unless they are prepared to fight. One might say that there’s nothing worth having that isn’t worth fighting for. This might be considered a natural law of life. But it requires Israel to forget that the Land was promised to them forever and forever. It is like a mother who has promised cookies and desserts to her child, but when the time comes, says, “Now go clean up your room first.” We are, however, because of our fore knowledge, able to know that Israel will defeat Og, king of Bashan, and Sichon, king of the Amorites, and take possession of the Land. This is an ordinary history lesson: almost every country occupies land that it took from previous owners. The United States, for example, pushed Native Americans into reservations. Was this ethical? Maybe not, but it was necessary. It turned out that America (we think) is a benefit to the entire world. So, too, Israel, in taking the Land form early dwellers, did the world a favor. It gave the world the Bible and the standards of ethical conduct and morality. Whether the world likes this or not, Israel established a world aiming at, if not achieving, morality and decency.

Melissa and Gary Steiner, and Paula and Matt Boggust; son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Jamie Friedland; grandchildren, Julia and Luke Steiner, Anna, John Harrison (Harry), Jane and Emma Boggust, and Rose and Alex Friedland; and brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Toni Friedland of Chicago. Memorials to Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Nebraska Humane Society, or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. DOROTHY ZEVITZ Dorothy Schwartz Zevitz died June 12 at the age of 77. A graveside service was held June 15 at Beth Israel Cemetery. She is survived by husband of 57 years, Norman Zevitz; daughter, Marilyn; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Joan Zevitz of Michigan; and two grandchildren. Memorials to Beth Israel Synagogue. MORRIS (MORRIE) SHAPIRO Morris J. Shapiro died June 16 at the age of 89. Services were held June 17 at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. A veteran of World War II, he was one of the thousands of young soldiers who was a recipient of the hospitality of North Platte, NE, as they headed west to ship out of California. He flew nearly 50 missions before being sent back to the United States with a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Service medal. A former owner of the Bungalow Inn and Interlude bars, he was employed up until his death at Nebraska Wine and Spirits. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Audrey Shapiro; son, David; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Denny Lewis; grandson, Travis Lewis of Birmingham, AL; sister, Esther Meiches; sisters-in-law, Flora Telpner, Fritzi Telpner of Canada; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Maynard and Sally Telpner, Ashland, OR. Memorials to Temple Israel, Planned Parenthood or charity of choice.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

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Statewide Classified ROSE ZIEGMAN Rose Brick Ziegman died June 10, 10 days shy of her 97th birthday. Services were held June 15 at Beth El Cemetery. She was active in the business started by her husband of 66 years, I.B. Ziegman, the Rose Bowl and the Ranch Bowl. When Veterans Hospital opened in 1951, she became active as a Grey Lady and dedicated 30 years to volunteering to the Red Cross. The last remaining sibling of the Brick family, she had three brothers and two sisters. She also was preceded in death by her son, Jerald. She is survived by her daughter, Paula Ziegman and her partner David Thomas; and nieces and nephews. Memorials to charity of choice. CORRECTIONS In the June 6 obituary of Sheldon Coren, the last name of his daughter was omitted; he is survived by Ruth and Moshe Reichenberg. Also in last week’s front page article about Rabbi Aryeh Azriel’s decision to officiate at interfaith weddings, there were several errors: the Temple Board of Trustees has not voted on the proposed policy change; the decision is strictly Rabbi Azriel’s. Also Temple Beth Am is the name of the congregation where Rabbi Josh Zweiback serves, and, a former rabbi at South Street Temple in Lincoln, Rabbi Kenneth White, performed interfaith weddings 25 years ago. The Press regrets these errors.

To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: 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 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers 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. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

June 20, 2008

David Friedland

The Board of Directors and staff of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation mark with sadness the passing of David Friedland. In 1983, David and a few other far-sighted community leaders established the Foundation.He served almost continuously since then as a director and as president from 1988 to 1990.From our inception and even through his last days,his intelligence has guided us,his ideas inspired us,his wit entertained us and his determination energized us. The Foundation is, and we are charged to always be, a reflection of David’s concept of how best to serve, and to preserve,our Omaha Jewish community. We join his proud family in celebrating a life of wise leadership and exceptional charity. We will miss him as we carry on his good work. The Directors and Staff of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation