Vol. LXXXIII No. 44 Omaha, NE
Beth El Welcomes New Education Director Judy Rubin by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator A new face will be seen around the halls of Beth El, as Judy Rubin takes the helm as BESTT’s new education director on July 12. Holding a master’s degree in educational policy and administration, Rubin has worked in Jewish education since the 1970s, serving as educational director for religious schools in Kansas City (her hometown), Pittsburgh, and, for the past four years, in Richmond, Virginia. Judy Rubin “I am very happy about my move to Omaha, and look forward to serving Beth El, BESTT, and the Omaha Jewish community,” Rubin said. “I’m delighted to return to the lifestyle and temperament of the Midwest. I’ll be closer to my family in Kansas City, and will be able to share in their lives more often than once a year.” Rubin said her goals for BESTT include the professional development of teachers and curriculum, and the implementation of family education programming. “In each school that I have directed, I have been fortunate to work with faculty and lay-people who have shared in my vision to have students reach toward their potential,” she said. “Through cognitive and affective programming for students and parents, families also benefit from the process. It is my hope that students will increase their skill levels in Hebrew and Judaic studies, as well as begin to practice what they have learned in their own lives.” Continued on page 4
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
13 Tamuz, 5764 July 2, 2004
Summer Fun!
by RACHEL BLUM Jewish Community Center Program Director Some really exciting things are happening in the Specialty Camps at the Jewish Community Center, and it’s enough to keep certain fifth through eighth graders coming back for more! As we begin to approach the halfway mark of our summer season, Specialty Campers have been exposed to much
more than lazy days at the pool and fun in the sun. From laser tag competitions and trivia contests to team building activities and sporting events, campers have had the opportunity to experience a variety of activities available in Omaha and surrounding areas. Above: Molly McVay, left, Rachel Saferstein, Jenna Herse and Chelsea Collins enjoy a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. Continued on page 4
From Early Days in America, Jews Appreciated Their Religious Freedom by RABBI MARC D. ANGEL NEW YORK (JTA)--In 1795, Solomon Simson, a prominent member of New York’s Jewish community, addressed a letter to the Jews of China. Describing the status of New York Jewry, he wrote: “We here in America in New York and other places live in great tranquility. Jews sit in judgment in civil and in criminal cases just as do Gentiles.” When he wrote this letter, New York’s Shearith Israel congregation already had been around for well over a century. The earliest settlers who arrived in 1654 founded Shearith Israel, the first Jewish congregation in North America. Simson could look back at a long history in which Jews played an active part in American life and in which Jews literally helped found the United States through their service in the American Revolution. American Jews were ecstatic to be equal citizens, with rights and responsibilities guaranteed by the Constitution -something unprecedented in the history of the Jewish Diaspora. President George Washington recognized the revolutionary new opportuni-
Inside
ties for different religious communities with the founding of the United States. In a January 1790 letter to the Jewish communities of New York, Philadelphia, Charleston and Richmond, Washington noted that “the liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivaled in the history of the nations.” In a letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, written in August 1790, Washington rejoiced that “the citizens of
the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy--a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.” America’s unique political system gave equal rights to all citizens--not as a favor, not from a spirit of tolerance of one group for another, but in recognition of each individual’s “inherent natural rights.”
expressed his delight that “a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened nations of the earth,” and that the United States demonstrates how freedom can lead to greater social harmony and happiness. Jews of the time relished the blessings of religious freedom and foresaw an everimproving future, an attitude that would characterize American Jews to our own time. In 1806, the Jewish community of Charleston sent a letter to London’s The main sanctuary of New York’s Congregation Shearith Israel, Sephardi community which was founded in 1654, with a view of the Aron Kodesh and Ner seeking recommenTamid. This Torah scroll was damaged by British soldiers during the dations for a cantor. Credit: Congregation Shearith Israel The letter described American Revolution. In a letter to the Jewish community of the good life for Jews in America. Savannah later that year, Washington Continued on page 5
This Week: “Where Are They Now?” on Page 2 More Photos from B’nai Israel’s Centennial: Page 3
JELS Announces Staff Changes: Page 4
Coming Next Week: Healthy Living Issue on July 9 Review of My Life, Bill Clinton’s New Book: Page 6
Israeli Scientists Make Earthquake Discoveries: Page 12
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 2, 2004
The Steinberg Sisters Visit Their Roots
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The lessons paid off as both Florence and Esther would get college scholarships to the University of Omaha (now University of Nebraska-Omaha) and eventually make careers out of their musical ability. by CAROL KATZMAN Helen went to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for Editor of the Jewish Press two years, boarding at UNL, but Esther and Florence What do Council Bluffs, Philadelphia and South recall paying 10¢ to take the trolley across the Missouri Florida have in common? If you know the Steinberg sis- River and riding all the way to Elmwood Park. There they were finally able to start dating “some Jewish ters, then you know the answer! All three sisters: Helen Steinberg Kirschner, 91, boys,” said Esther, “since there weren’t many in Council Florence Steinberg Cohen, 88, and Esther Steinberg Bluffs.” And now, readers, you’ll see where Philadelphia Burstein, 86, traveled back to their birthplace--Council Bluffs, IA--last month for the 100th anniversary cele- comes into the picture. Realizing how limited their daughters’ choices were and desiring Jewish mates for bration of B’nai Israel Synagogue. They traveled back in time, too. Dr. Ben Nachman them, the Steinbergs shipped them off to Philadelphia, videotaped the three poised, elegant women whose one by one. First Helen went, in 1938, then Esther and demeanor belies their age. This project for the Florence followed a year later. All three married Jewish men--and all three married Nebraska Jewish Historical Society’s archive of oral histories, enabled this writer to hear their stories first-hand men by the name of Isadore! Helen married Isadore Kirschner in 1941; they had prior to the final afternoon of centennial festivities at B’nai Israel. “We interrupt each other all the time,” two sons: Fred (who accompanied his mother and joked Helen, the oldest of the three sisters as the inter- aunts here to the B’nai Israel Centennial Celebration) and Michael. Fred and Sue have two daughters, Jodi view commenced. The daughters of Minnie and Simon Steinberg visited and Lisa; Michael and Pat have two sons, Jeffrey and their family’s home while here for the celebration. Mark--who runs the family oil and gas business in Located at 710 Willow Ave. around the corner from the Philadelphia, which now includes truck stops, too. Helen was an active volunteer in Philadelphia, servShyken home, the women remembered it as large and ing on the boards of the Jewish Federation, National beautiful. “It seems so small now,” Esther exclaimed! Bloomer School was just across the street and the Council of Jewish Women and the Hebrew Immigrant bright little girls were smart enough to pass the test get- Aid Society and volunteering at the Jewish hospital. Florence married a biology professor, Isadore Cohen, ting them into Miss Davenport’s class. The three sisters could come home each day for lunch, their mother in 1949. He served in the army for five years, then pursued a master’s and doctorchasing them out of the ate at the University of kitchen as the lunch bell Pennsylvania. “Isadore was began to ring. Bloomer the first Jew inducted into School is still there today, the American International and it’s only a walk of a few College of Biology,” she blocks to B’nai Israel. said proudly. “I remember our grandfaThey spent more than 40 ther, Isaac Brandeis, standyears living and teaching in ing on the bima with his Longmeadow, MA, a suburb tallis wrapped around him,” of Springfield, where added Florence. “Any Florence was the choir important people who came leader at the synagogue. to Council Bluffs would stay The Steinberg sisters: Florence Cohen, Helen Kirschner and Though they have no chilfor Shabbos lunch with Esther Burstein examine a display of old photos at B’nai dren, Florence says, him.” Israel’s centennial celebration last month “Between us, we’ve taught The sisters remember seders going until midnight and “Grandpa wearing a many, many students--and consider them our children.” Esther traveled to England right after the war (World white kittel” (cotton robe, signifying purity). And they also recall their grandfather’s sister, Bessie Whitebook War II) to meet her grandmother’s relatives--the and her husband George, who blew the shofar for the Bursteins--and there, she met Isadore Burstein, a third cousin. After four days in London, Esther went to the Jewish holidays. “We sat upstairs in the balcony,” Florence added, continent to complete her trip there. But she kept getthough only one of the original three-sided balconies is ting telegrams from Isadore to come back and take the plane home instead of the ship. She did just that--until left today. The Steinbergs were willed Farmers’ Mercantile on he proposed and they were married in Philadelphia. The couple lived in Wembley Park, a suburb of Broadway by its owner, Mr. Cherniss, and the family originally lived above the store. Both parents worked London, where she played in two orchestras and taught there and in the small dry goods store next door they Isadore’s death in 1984, Esther then returned to purchased later. They remember the farmers dressed in Philadelphia. Friends Norman and Frances Batt visited Esther and overalls coming in from rural Iowa to sell their produce, dairy and eggs. “They had a hard life,” Esther “Bunny” (as Isadore was known) in England in 1961. admitted. She would “candle” the eggs, looking for Whenever they went to Florida, the Batts would visit blood spots which would make them unacceptable for two or three of the sisters who lived there as well. “When I think of these three women, I think of three sale. The girls sold gloves “with two thumbs” to the queen bees!” Frances Batt said after their visit here. farmers to shuck corn. Helen received her first pair of silk stockings from her “Each is a leader in her own sphere. They make life father when a new shipment arrived. “But I stepped on beautiful, like bees make honey.” During their daughters’ young adult years in a firecracker and when it exploded, I ruined my brand Philadelphia, the Steinbergs sold their businesses in new stockings!” It was “a disciplined life,” according to the sisters, Council Bluffs and moved to be closer to their girls. filled with music lessons, studying, family celebrations, But, they also decided to spent six months of the year Jewish holidays, and occasional trips to Omaha. “Father in South Florida. So, years later, it was no surprise that all three women had a big sedan--a Marman,” Helen added. “We’d drive wound up moving there, too. Today, Helen lives in over the bridge to see a movie and eat dinner.” Florence recalls as a three-year-old going with her Palm Beach Gardens, just a short drive to Lantana, grandmother to 8th St. at the end of World War I--Nov. where Florence and Esther live and still play piano and violin. 11, 1918, to see an effigy of the Kaiser. As to their visit here? Helene joked that her Their parents hired the nuns at the convent school nearby to teach them piano. “Mother decided we “Philadelphia friends always thought I lived with should play together,” Helen explained. “The band Indians,” but when family friend “Don Nogg drove us director suggested Helen play the flute. So we became to the cemetery to see the gravesites of our grandfather a trio: flute, violin and piano--and played together at Isaac and uncle Morris Brandeis, it really took us back all those years.” many events.” “The Kurland family (Allen and Sandra) really have to All three attended Abraham Lincoln High School. “Esther won the award for outstanding senior in her be commended,” Florence added, “for what they’ve class,” said Florence. “But she left her violin on the done to keep B’nai Israel going. This was an event! Every minute was so valuable!” piano bench one day--and I sat on it!” And the future? Last year Helen took her four grandFlorence won awards for her piano playing, too, and wonders if some of her students are still here, “espe- children on a cruise to celebrate her 90th birthday. Maybe they’ll celebrate Helen’s 100th in Council Bluffs! cially the Grossmans.”
THURSDAY, JULY 8 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. NCJW Bookclub, 7 p.m. Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7:30 p.m. From Generation to Generation, 7:30 p.m. All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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B’nai Israel Celebrates Centennial
More than 300 people celebrated during June 4-6 when B’nai Israel Synagogue celebrated its 100th anniversary in Council Bluffs, IA. Events included a special Shabbat service, a Saturday night dinner attended by more than 140 and a Sunday afternoon concert with Rick Recht which brought out another 125. Sandra and Allen Kurland chaired the centenntial, while Patty Nogg assisted with a book of “Reflections--celebrating a century of Jewish presence in Southwest Iowa.” Photos from top left: David Tepperman and
his sister, Marcia Kusher (of Lincoln, NE) participated in the Shabbat service, as did Jolene Friedman of Texas; passing the Torah were Rick Katelman, left, Steve Goodman, Doug Krasne, Marlene Friedman Kavan of Urbandale, IA, Esther Burstein of Lantana, FL, Harold Fox, Helen Kirschner of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Steve Nogg of Omaha; Allen and Sandra Kurland’s daughter, Shayna, lights the Shabbat candles; Edith Krasne, left, who still lives in Council Bluffs, catches up with Barbara Frankel Wald of Narbeth, PA;
Harold Fox of Omaha welcomes home Lorraine Meyerson Silverman from Scottsdale, AZ; Sally Telpner traveled back from Ashland, OR, to participate in the service; Allen Kurland crowns Esther Burstein as Queen Esther--something she was promised decades ago; Herbert Aronson and Elaine Rayman Aronson of Calabassas, CA, greet Omahan Chickie Passer Linsman; Omahan Jan Schneider Lund and her son, Alex, reminice with Gail Krasne Kenkel of Council Bluffs. Photos by Steve Glozwacki.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 2, 2004
Temple Members Help Build a House…and Understanding
JELS Announces Staff Changes by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Gary Katz has been promoted to the position of Administrator for the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, a department of Jewish Educational and Library Services. Katz has been with the library for two years, in the position of library assistant. Prior to joining the library, he worked as a program assistant for Jewish Programming for the Jewish Community Center.
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Left photo: Howard Needelman, left, and Gary Kaplan from Temple Israel spent part of Father’s Day volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Temple volunteers joined members of Countryside Community Church, First United Methodist Church, the Hindu Temple of Nebraska, the Islamic Center of Omaha, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Nebraska, and Mt. Sinai Baptist Church constructing a house at 1723 No. 32
Ave. Right photo: Magda Peck (on the ladder), also from Temple Israel, along with her husband Jim Anderson and their son Sam, were together as well on Father’s Day building the house along with understanding and appreciation among people of different faiths. Skilled and unskilled workers have been working as hosts at the site, snack providers, and bookkeepers as others do the actual construction. They’ll be working through July 17. Others interested in helping can call Margo Rosen at 391.4842.
Beth El Rosh Hodesh Group to New Education Director Continued from page 1 Commemorate Month of Av Gloria Kaslow, acting chairman of BESTT, noted that by JILL BELMONT The Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group will join together on Tuesday, July 20, to welcome the month of Av at the home of Phyllis Hoffman, 971 So. 95 St. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m.; the meeting (to be held outdoors, weather permitting) will begin at 7:30 p.m. During the get-together, co-hosts Hoffman and Lourdes Secola will address the poignant historical events associated with the month, including the 9th of Av, which commemorates the destruction of both Temples. The evening will also offer attendees the opportunity to identify negative experiences in their lives, and find ways to create peaceful new beginnings. Reservations are needed and may be made by contacting Hoffman at ezbubbe@cox.net.
the education director’s role has been expanded to include Shabbat programming, comprehensive family education and supervision of the synagogue’s youth groups. “I’m very pleased that all our educational programming will be administered by one person; our entire educational experience will be interwoven and each piece will complement the other,” she said. Before the school year begins, Rubin said she plans to hold several informational meetings to explain to parents the school’s curriculum and to discuss the transitions in the BESTT program. Meeting dates will be announced in the near future. Until then, she encourages congregants to stop in and say ‘hi,’ as she gets settled in at the synagogue! For information about BESTT, call 492.8550.
Summer Fun Contiued from page 1 Each week of Specialty Camp has a specific theme and the activities we do are centered around that theme. We kicked off our summer with Planet Omaha, which took us to venues around the Omaha area, including the relatively new entertainment center, Planet X. Our second week was Survivor, which kept our young teens in competition all week. We began with a day full of cooperation and trust activities to demonstrate the importance of teamwork and spent the rest of our week involved in cooking contests, hut building, team sports, laser tag, and all types of competitions. Last week was one of three water weeks this summer, and we spent our days poolside at local water parks and recreation centers. Today marks the end of our popular golf camp, where campers with different abili-
ties took to the courses of Omaha. We spent a few mornings learning tips and techniques from the pros at Papio Greens and a few afternoons at local par three courses and driving ranges. The types of activities at Specialty Camp not only promise a good time to participants, but also enable campers to make new friends and understand the importance of teamwork and cooperation. And as we move into the second part of our summer programming, we look forward to many more activities and adventures around Omaha. From horseback riding and hayrack rides to visiting Adventure Land in Des Moines and Island Oasis in Grand Island, Specialty Camp at the JCC truly does offer something special. For more information about JCC Specialty Camps for fifth-eighth graders or to register for camp, please contact me at 334.6404.
Gary Katz, left, and Mary Sue Grossman (not pictured: Nicole Strayer). “We are glad to see Gary at the helm of the library. He brings new ideas for programs and services that the library can provide our community,” explained Guy Matalon, Executive Director of Jewish Education and Library Services (JELS). “It will be an exciting year with what the library committee, chaired by Susan Rothholz and Suzanne Singer, and Gary will implement.” Katz has a master’s degree in English from the University of Nebraska Omaha and is pursuing a master’s in Library Science from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He and his wife Monica have a son, Joseph. Also joining the library staff is Nicole Strayer, who will be working as a part-time library assistant. Nikki, a senior at the University of Nebraska Omaha, is majoring in religion and secondary education with a minor in anthropology. She recently returned from Israel, after studying for five months at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be’er Sheva. Mary Sue Grossman has been hired as the Administrator for JELS. “In the short time that she has been here, Mary Sue has a grasp on the scholarships and financial aid programs that we administer,” Matalon noted. “She brings a fresh new perspective to what we are doing at JELS. Her contribution to the agency and our community will increase in the days to come. I am glad to have her as part of our family.” Mary Sue, who has worked for the past four years at WOWT, has extensive organizational support experience in addition to working in banking for 16 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Mary Sue and her husband, Alex, have three children: Sarah, Joshua, and Daniel.
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Early Days in America Continued from page 1 tion umbrella group, gives reason for concern about a “In a free and independent country like America, decline in Jewish numbers and an increase in assimilawhere civil and religious freedom go hand in hand, tionist patterns. Jews have paid a high price for their freewhere no distinctions exist between the clergy of dif- dom in America--perhaps because so many Jews have ferent denominations,” they wrote, “where in short we viewed it as “freedom from” rather than “freedom to” enjoy all the blessings of freedom in common with our practice Judaism. fellow citizens, you may readily conceive we pride ourThe Torah uses four different words to describe selves under the happy situation which makes us feel God’s redemption of the Israelites from servitude in we are men, susceptible of that dignity which belongs Egypt. Rabbi Benzion Uziel, a former Sephardi chief to human nature, by participating in all the rights and rabbi of Israel, described these four words, an integral blessings of this happy part of the Passover country.” seder, as reflecting difPrior to the ferent stages in the American experience, redemption process. Jews in Diaspora com“Vehotzeiti,” or “and munities suffered cenI brought out,” refers turies of persecution to physical removal and indignities. They from bondage. were confined to ghet“Vehitzalti,” or “and I tos, deprived of civil saved,” refers to the rights, physically and slaves overcoming verbally abused, their feelings of inferistereotyped, demoority and servitude. nized, despised and “Vega’alti,” or “and I ostracized. redeemed,” alludes to Though certainly ultimate salvation, there were better and physical and spiritual. worse periods in “Velakachti,” or “and I Diaspora Jewish histotook,” refers to the ry, there was no periachievement of a od when Jews were higher level of God’s recognized legally as providence, inspiring being equal citizens of us to create a just and the countries where The chapel in the Shearith Israel synagogue in New York has some fur- righteous society, livnishings that date back to 1730. Credit: Congregation Shearith Israel ing lives on a high they lived. Freedom and equality in America gave the Jews their level of holiness. first taste of being not just Jews, but equal human Jews’ religious freedom in America must also be seen beings. Secure in their religious and civil freedoms, in stages -- from the attainment of equal rights, to actuthey could participate in American life and make their ally having the feeling of equality, to living in physical contributions to society. and spiritual freedom, and finally to contributing to Yes, Jews still had to overcome anti-Semitic attitudes society as Jews. among individuals and anti-Jewish policies of various As we approach the 350th anniversary of the private businesses, schools and other institutions. The American Jewish community in September, we can U.S. Constitution guaranteed Jews equality and free- thank God for having sustained us and brought us to dom, not that they would always be loved and appre- this milestone. We recognize the sacrifices and achieveciated by their neighbors. ments of American Jews of earlier generations and For Jews, the American experiment in freedom has rejoice in the freedom and idealism of America. provided the opportunity to be a unique faith commuWe can pray that we may be a worthy foundation for nity while at the same time participating in the univer- future generations of American Jews. sal concerns of American society. America has not In the words of Washington’s blessing, “may the chilasked Jews to abandon their religious traditions or let dren of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land, themselves disappear in the American melting pot. continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other If Jews still are a vibrant community after 350 years in inhabitants, while everyone shall sit in safety under his the United States, it is testimony to the courage, faith- own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make fulness and tenacity of generations of American Jews. him afraid.” But for all the boons of religious and civil freedom, Jews Rabbi Marc Angel is senior rabbi of also are free not to maintain their religious traditions, but Congregation Shearith Israel in New York. His to assimilate, water down or abandon their faith. most recent book is Remnant of Israel: A Portrait The National Jewish Population Survey 2000-01, com- of America’s First Jewish Congregation-Shearith missioned by the United Jewish Communities federa- Israel.
ENGAGEMENT PALEY/TOPEK Dennis and Susan Paley announce the engagment of their daughter, Lauren, to Seth Topek of Houston, TX, son of E. Stanley and Barbi Topek. The bride-to-be graduated magna cum laude from New York University’s School of Education with a BS in elementary education; she earned a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She will teach in the Austin Independent School District next year. Grandparents are Norman and Joan Rips and the late Arthur and Evelyn Paley. Her fiancé graduated from New York University with a degree in philosophy and is entering his third year of law school at the University of Texas Law School in Austin, TX. His grandparents are D. Aaron and Helen Topek of Houston and Sadie Mae Garsek of Fort Worth, TX, and the late Rabbi Isadore Garsek. An Aug. 8 wedding is planned at Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha.
Major Jewish Groups Release Get Out the Vote ’04 by ALEXIS RICE Union for Reform Judaism WASHINGTON, D.C.--Get Out the Vote 2004, a guide prepared by a consortium of major U.S. Jewish groups to help the Jewish community register and educate voters for the upcoming elections, is now available in print and online at: www.rac.org/pubs/vote04.html and at www.uscj.org/images/2004_Vote.pdf. Get Out the Vote 2004 was produced jointly by the Union for Reform Judaism, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. This guide is based on publications produced in past years by a number of Jewish organizations, including the National council of Jewish Women. The Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism created this year’s guide. “There is a great deal at stake in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections, including vital political, economic, and moral issues important to all Americans as well as issues of special concern to American Jews,” said Rabbi Marla Feldman, Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. “Jewish leaders can play an important role in inspiring members of the American Jewish community to make their voices heard at the polls this year.”
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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For Clinton, Special Regrets about Failure in the Middle East My Life by Bill Clinton (Alfred Knopf, 957 pages, $35)
B OOK REVIEW Reviewed by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--When Bill Clinton calls himself a failed president, it’s not because of the scandals, the legislative battles or even his personal life--it’s because of the peace in the Middle East that he never achieved, despite long hours spent cajoling Israeli and Arab negotiators. Writing in My Life, his memoir that hit bookstores last week, Clinton places the blame squarely on Yasser Arafat. During Clinton’s final days in office, the Palestinian Authority president “thanked me for all my efforts and told me what a great man I was,” Clinton writes. “‘Mr. Chairman,’ I replied, ‘I am not a great man. I am a failure, and you have made me one.’” Readers who buy Clinton’s autobiography looking for details of his relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky, as touted in the book’s pre-publicity, also will get detailed insight into Clinton’s search for peace between Israel and its neighbors. Clinton’s account of his presidency is chronological rather than thematic; all in all, about 68 pages scattered through the 957-page book are devoted to the Middle East peace process. The outlines are not new, but there are sharp details about his days spent at several retreats working with negotiators and about whom he believed to be compliant and who played hardball. Clinton largely faults Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak for the breakdown of peace talks between Israel and Syria. Though Barak was the driving force behind the summit with Syria in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in January 2000, he didn’t have the will to make concessions, Clinton writes. Barak wanted to draw out the negotiations so he would appear to be a tough negotiator, Clinton writes. But as a relatively new politician, Barak didn't understand that peace with Syria would reap greater political rewards with Israeli voters than if he hung tough, he says. “Barak had not been in politics long, and I thought he had gotten some very bad advice,” Clinton writes. “If Barak had made real peace with Syria, it would lift his standing in Israel and across the world, and increase the chances of success with the Palestinians. If he failed, a few days of good poll numbers would vanish in the wind. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t change Barak’s mind.” But Clinton saves his harshest criticism for Arafat. As
Clinton’s second term was expiring in the fall of 2000, he recalls questioning Arafat about his desire to make peace following the failed Camp David summit and the outbreak of the intifada. Clinton was considering investing his energy pressing North Korea to end its missile production programs, but only if Arafat indicated that even a final push wouldn’t bring peace with Israel. “He pleaded with me to stay,” Clinton says of Arafat, “saying that we had to finish the peace and that if we didn’t do it before I left office, it would be at least five years before we’d be this close to peace again.” Yet before long, Arafat’s maneuvering got in the way: After agreement had been reached that the Muslim and Christian quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City would come under Palestinian sovereignty and the Jewish and Armenian quarters under Israeli rule, Arafat demanded a few blocks of the Armenian Quarter. “I couldn’t believe he was talking to me about this,” Clinton writes. Clinton suggests that Arafat may not have been at his full mental capacity in the final months of negotiations, saying he seemed “confused, not wholly in command of the facts.” Then again, he writes, Arafat may simply have been unable to “make the final jump from revolutionary to statesman.” The book abounds in revealing anecdotes. For example, Clinton was in awe of Barak’s toughness when the Israeli prime minister returned to negotiating immediately after nearly choking to death on a peanut during the Camp David summit. Clinton describes the day that Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin came to Washington to sign the Oslo accords in September 1993. Clinton forbade Arafat to wear a revolver on his hip, and had to convince Rabin to shake hands with Arafat. One account shows how high political drama can at times merge with farce. Clinton and his national security staff coordinated a way to ensure that Arafat would not try to kiss Rabin, something Rabin insisted he wouldn’t allow. “National Security Adviser Tony Lake described the procedure and we practiced it. I played Arafat and he played me, showing me what to do,” Clinton writes. “When I shook his hand and moved in for the kiss, he put his left hand on my right arm where it was bent at the elbow and squeezed; it stopped me cold. Then we reversed roles and I did it to him. “We practiced it a couple of more times until I felt sure Rabin’s cheek would remain untouched.” Clinton speaks at length of his affinity for Rabin, and writes glowingly of the late Israeli leader’s work and personality. “By the time he was killed, I had come to love him as I had rarely loved another man,” Clinton writes.
American Diabetes Association Honors UNMC Chancellor by Leticia Harnung search for the best treatMarket Manager for the ADA ments of patients with diaThe American Diabetes betes. The university plans Association awarded its to begin performing pancre2004 Honor Award to atic islet cell transplants and University of Nebraska may explore the possibility Medical Center Chancellor of converting stem cells to Harold M. Maurer, M.D., at islet cells, which produce its annual banquet. insulin. “With nearly $500,000 “It’s really worthwhile for committed to research, us to find a cure to this disinnovation and Physician ease, which affects so Scientist Training Awards many,” Dr. Maurer said. from the ADA to UNMC, it is Dr. Maurer said that many clear Chancellor Maurer fospeople deserve credit for ters an environment that Nancy Noddle, left, congratulates Beverly Maurer and her the award, including many complements and supports husband, Dr. Harold Maurer, chancellor of UNMC, as does faculty and staff, community the American Diabetes Harlan Noddle, a member of the UNMC Board of Directors, leaders and his wife, Association’s goals in dia- who spoke at the event. Beverly. betes research,” said Caroline Stevens, interim chief “Beverly does a lot in the community to facilitate the executive officer of the ADA. vitality of the medical center, and she and I have made “I’m grateful for this recognition from the ADA. It’s a a conscious decision to fully participate in community. reflection of the work of many people at the Medical In turn, community leaders have learned that they can Center,” Dr. Maurer said. “Diabetes is among the lead- trust us,” Dr. Maurer said. “We’ve been fortunate that ing causes of death in the nation, and it also leads to those leaders have been willing to participate in the blindness, vascular problems and other disabling ill- success of UNMC. They recognize the compelling comnesses. UNMC must support all research avenues avail- mitment that all of us at UNMC have in becoming able to find a cure for the disease.” world-class, and they want to be a part of it.” Dr. Maurer noted that UNMC is pushing forward in its
July 2, 2004
IN THE NEWS The University of Nebraska Medical Center is currently enrolling participants in a research study of Parkinson’s disease. For more information, contact UNMC at 552.2254. Hayley Lynne Epstein of Houston, TX, daughter of Dr. Steven and Elaine Epstein, graduated from Emory University with a BA. She was an Emory White Scholar and a member of Phi Betsa Kappa, Delta Delta Delta sorority, and Alpha Epsilon Delta medical honor society. She will be attending the University of Texas Medical School in Houston next fall. Her grandparents are Etta and Harold Epstein. Jonathan Cipperly, son of Sharon Friedlander and Dan Cipperley, graduated cum laude from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FA with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has been an intern with Elliot Roth CPA, PA, for the past year and plans to pursue a master’s in accounting and CPA certification. He is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society and the Accounting Students Association. Joshua Needelman, the son of Lee and Howard Needelman, graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, during the college’s 115th commencement exercises on campus. Needelman received a liberal arts degree in Psychology.
school and who were not included in the June 4 Salute to High School Graduates include: Maya and Iva Fabrikant, daughters of Marina and Ilya Fabrikant; Anna Hutkins, daughter of Charla and Bob Hutkins; Josh Geffen, son of Charles Geffen; Amy Misle, daughter of Bryan Misle; Jacob Wallick, son of Miriam and Mark Wallick; and Niki Solomon, daughter of Angie DeCamp. The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) announced the induction of Martin Shukert, FAICP into the elite membership of AICP’s College of Fellows. Shukert was welcomed as a Fellow of AICP on the basis of individual achievement in the field of urban and rural planning at a ceremony held in conjunction with the American Planning Association’s (APA) National Planning Conference in Washington, D.C. Altogether, 46 planners from 25 states were inducted into the AICP College of Fellows this year. “Throughout Marty Shukerts’s 27-year career he has consistently produced plans distinguished by a unique combination of creative analysis, urban design excellence and feasibility. His pioneering work as Omaha’s Planning Director continues to positively shape that community, while his innovative plans have improved numerous communities in Nebraska, Iowa and other Midwestern states,” said Daniel Lauber, AICP President.
Lincoln teens who recently graduated from high
VISIONS The Visions Board Meeting is next Friday, July 9, 9:30 a.m. in the Blumkin conference room. Luncheon Meeting is Friday, July 16, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Cost is $9 per person. Dave Webber will perform. Send reservations to Tootie and Mickey Simon, 8725 Izard, Omaha, NE 68114, by July 9. For Visions next Mitzvah Project, bring donated items to help support the Nebraska Humane Society. Please bring these items to the Luncheon or deliver to the Blumkin Home in care of Maggie Conti. For more information, please call Doris Parker at 553.3249.
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B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Fourth Annual Awards Lunch, honoring our great members for their contributions to B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge #3306, is Wednesday, July 7, noon, at the Park Inn Regency, according to President Gary Javitch. Lunch is $10; beverage service only, $2. TORAH LEARNING CENTER Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will teach the following classes: on Tuesdays, 7 p.m.--Jewish Philosophy--ongoing discussions on self-growth, and on Wednesdays, noon-”Down to Earth Jewish Philosphy” in the Omaha Room of the Jewish Community Center. New home-study groups and classes and individual study sessions are available. Please call me at 981.0569 for more information.
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN Save the date! NCJW, Omaha Section, will present Board Training with National Board Member Ricki Kline on Sunday, Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m., at the JCC.
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Visions Summer Picnic is Sunday, July 25, 12:30 p.m., at Chalco Hills Recreation Area. Cost is $6 per person. Send reservations to Sally Masnek, 1314 No. 113 Ct. #4601, Omaha, NE 68154, by July 19. Join Visions for our frst Dinner Cruise on the River City Star on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m. Cost is $28 and includes a buffet dinner, live music and a cruise down the Missouri River. Send reservations to: Sandy and Fred Bromley, 13419 Marinda St., Omaha, NE 68144, by Aug. 12. Make all checks payable to Visions.
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LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Lomir Redn Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for information.
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JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES There is no Y.E.S. on Monday, July 5. The Independence Day Party is Monday, July 12, at the JCC. Dress in patriotic colors. Play bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer or exercise at 10:30 a.m. A discussion group will follow at 11 a.m. At noon, join us for an All-American lunch with entertainment by Bob Berg and the Foggy Mountain Cloggers. Make all reservations with Maggie Conti at 334.6521 for the Pat and Pat Show on July 19, cost is $6 for lunch; day trip to Village Pointe and out for lunch on July 15, cost is $3 for transportation; WinnaVegas Casino on July 29 (no charge). If you would like to be on the mailing list, please call Maggie. For transportation call Dee Dee at 330.4272.
Kids who learn from their parents or care-givers about the risks of drugs are:
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July 2, 2004
Opinion How Can We Help? Did you have a simcha in your family? A Bar Mitzvah, wedding, birth, bris or special anniversary? We hope you’ll share that happy occasion with the rest of the Jewish community. We’re publishing our second annual Simchas Issue on Aug. 6 and we’d like to publish photos and short articles about your celebrations. Send us photos and short articles (you can have the photos back as soon as the issue is published) by July 23. Speaking of simchas--if you’ve got one coming up, you need only call the Jewish Press office at 334.6468 to ask for a form; just complete it and send it (with a photo for weddings, engagements and B’nai Mitzvah) so we can publish it in the Press. If you e-mail us at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org, we can send you a form via e-mail. If you’ve got other news about a promotion or honor at work, graduation and awards received in college, other special honors or news you think the community might like to know, send that, too--with a picture, if you’d like. We’ll print it in our next available issue in our “In the News” column. There’s no charge for these features in the Jewish Press, not even for scanning and printing the photo. Unlike many of our colleagues across the country, the Jewish Press decided long ago that this was an important feature of community life and our readers should not have to pay to share their good news... Or their bad news, like obituaries. We don’t fill that space until the very last minute before we go to print (of course, we hope that no one dies). There’s no charge for this service either, however, death notices must be sent directly to the Press office--either by instructing the funeral home or synagogue to fax it to
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us (at 334.5422), or by having a member of the family take care of this responsibility. We cannot “pick up” obituaries from the Omaha World-Herald; that would be plagiarism--and, if there’s a mistake in the W-H’s obit, we don’t want to compound it by printing the mistake again in the Press. All synagogues have copies of our obituary form which can be used as a guideline. Since the Press is a “shirt sleeve” operation (no secretaries or receptionists), we all answer the phone. That means you could be speaking to any one of us at the Press--from our part-time Production Assistant to the Editor. We’ll try to assist you with your announcement, or in some cases, take a message so the appropriate person can return the call. But our motto here remains “How can we help?” Admittedly, we don’t always get it right! We do sometimes transpose numbers in address changes, or write down the wrong name in an obituary (that’s why we prefer you send the information to us-in writing we can read--preferably typed so we can scan it into our publishing program or via e-mail so we can “cut and paste” it). We think we’ve
really made an improvement in this area already, but we’d be lying if we said we’ll never make another mistake. After all, the people who work here are, well, people--and human beings do make mistakes. For a community this size, there’s a lot going on--from the “good stuff” like simchas to the tearful news like funerals, from announcements about staff changes to classes to programs offered by our Jewish institutions. We do try to accommodate everyone, but our space is finite (send us some good advertising leads and we’ll be able to publish larger papers!). So if you’ve “Got News”--send it our way. There’s no better place to share it than in your hometown Jewish Press!
Walking Back the Chalabi Cat
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES The Iranian government learned recently that American intelligence has deciphered its codes and can read its mail. This is a blow to U.S. interests, for it means losing the ability to access the enemy’s confidential communications, with all the advantages that offers. Who is to blame for this development? Ahmad Chalabi--the Iraqi politician whom I have known, worked with, supported, and admired since 1991--has for the past month sat in the hot seat, accused by unnamed intelligence officials of informing the Iranian regime that its codes had been cracked. Chalabi denies the accusation, saying that he and his organization, the Iraqi National Congress, have not received “any classified information” from the U.S. government. For what it is worth, the Iranians also deny that Chalabi told them about U.S. code breaking. Thinking this through logically, I conclude that Chalabi is not responsible for the damage to U.S. interests; rather, the blame falls on his opponents in the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department. Here is my logic, a form of “walking back the cat” (spook-speak, defined by William Safire as applying “what is now known to the actions and events of a previous time”). To begin with, I make three assumptions: First, that the reaction in Washington (which includes possible criminal prosecutions) bespeaks sincerity and confirms that U.S. cryptographers did indeed crack the Iranian codes. Second, that Tehran interprets the U.S. reaction as proof that its codes were cracked.
Third, that it is taking the necessary steps to regain secrecy. One possibility is that Chalabi told the Iranians nothing. In which case, the allegation that he did so originated elsewhere: • Perhaps State or the CIA made it up. (Plausible: Time magazine has documented how since April, the White House has been attempting to marginalize Chalabi.) • Or the Iranians floated it to check if their codes were broken. (Plausible: It would explain why they used that same code to tell about the code break.)
...the brouhaha in D.C., not what Chalabi did or did not say, signaled Tehran that the Americans broke their code. Or Chalabi did tell them that Washington had cracked the code. In which case: • Perhaps he made this up and just happened to be right. (Plausible: Chalabi reportedly took steps in 1995 to trick the Iranians.) • Or he thought he was providing disinformation but actually was telling the truth. (Unlikely: Too convoluted.) • Or he knowingly divulged classified information. (Unlikely: Why should the Americans give Chalabi, a British subject known to be in close contact with the Iranian regime, a crown jewel of U.S. state secrets?) Whichever scenario actually took place, the implication is identical: the brouhaha in D.C., not what Chalabi did or did not say, signaled Tehran that the Americans broke their code. That’s because anyone can assert that the code was cracked, but why should he be
believed? The Iranians surely would not accept Chalabi’s assertion on its own and go to the huge trouble and expense of changing codes because of his say-so. They would seek confirmation from U.S. intelligence; and this is what the unnamed sources who leaked this story did--they supplied that proof. Their fury at Chalabi instructed the Iranians to change codes. In the end, what Chalabi did or did not do is nearly irrelevant; his detractors in the U.S. government, ironically, bear the onus for having informed the Iranian opponent about a vital piece of intelligence. Americans might pay heavily for the rank irresponsibility of those in State and the agency who publicly confirmed the code break as part of their turf wars with the Defense Department and, more broadly, their fight with the so-called neoconservatives. On this latter point, note how gleefully elements of the American press exploited the allegations against Chalabi. To take one example of many, the Los Angeles Times on June 10 published “A Tough Time for ‘Neocons’,” which states that neoconservatives are “under siege” partly because, “in a grave threat to their reputation, Iraqi exile leader Ahmad Chalabi … is enmeshed in an FBI investigation of alleged intelligence leaks that supplied secrets to Iran.” Were the press properly doing its duty, it would stop playing the Washington favorites game and investigate the likely damage Chalabi’s opponents have done. Were State and CIA managements doing their job, they would be punishing the elements who conveyed a vital secret to the militant Islamic government in Iran. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Miniatures (Transaction Publishers). His articles can be found at: www.DanielPipes.org.
Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Nancy Skid; and Melanie Weinstein. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitional committees of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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Conspiracy Theories Attempts to Cast the War in Iraq as a Plot Should Give its Critics Pause
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by JONATHAN S. TOBIN There are some people, I am told, who don’t believe that 35 years ago, American astronauts landed on the moon. At the same time, other members of the public think that a vast conspiracy has covered up the discovery of UFOtype creatures. And still others cling to the notion that the CIA killed John F. Kennedy, while a Jewish subset of this sector similarly thinks that Yitzhak Rabin was murdered by the Mossad. In other words, there are some really dumb people out there, a portion of whom are stark-raving mad. Conspiracies are the lifeblood of mystery novels and thrillers. They feed into our fear that somehow, all of our troubles can be traced to a small group of malevolent malefactors, whose plots and stratagems are designed to steal our liberties and our money while we innocently sleep. Such nonsense has helped employ a small army of writers, film crews and actors for generations, with little effect other than to keep those people employed and the weak-minded entertained. So there should be no surprise about the fact that the Sept. 11 attacks--and the American invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq that followed--would become source material for the same sort of conspiratorial fantasies. Soon after 9/11, rumors began sweeping the Arab world that the Al Qaeda attacks were the work of Israel. A fable about the Jews who worked in the World Trade Center calling in sick that day became widely accepted. Of course, this attempt to blame a familiar target of Arab intolerance was somewhat paradoxical, since many in the same sector claimed that only the Jews were smart enough to have pulled off such a dastardly and complicated crime. Crackpots know no boundaries But nutty conspiracy theories are not the sole province of the Jew-haters who seem to dominate the Muslim world these days. Although it would be unfair to draw a straight line between vile Islamic anti-Jewish conspiracy theories and those of the American far left, let’s just say that the crackpots of Cairo might find something to talk about with the
likes of, say, Tim Robbins or Michael Moore. Robbins, the Hollywood star/play-wright, had his anti-Iraq war satire Embedded produced at New York’s Public Theater this spring. The play, which portrayed the war as a neoconservative conspiracy, will be remembered chiefly for the fact that, as Wall Street Journal critic Terry Teachout pointed out, Robbins actually used a publication put out by lunatic left-cult leader Lyndon Larouche as the source for a misquote of conservative philosopher Leo Strauss.
...what is troubling about the undeserved respect given Moore is whether his film and the wacko world of conspiracy that lies behind it will help drive the debate on the war during the presidential campaign. As for Moore, his new “documentary” film Fahrenheit 9/11 opened after a huge buildup in the press. The flick, which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, purportedly shows the war to have been a conspiracy cooked up by evil-doers in the White House. Among the chattering classes, Moore is considered something of a comic genius, though his previous films were more agitprop than wit. I’ll leave the skewering of his latest work to others after it comes out. But I will note that anyone who could have written in a book, as Moore did in his best-seller Dude, Where’s My Country? that George W. Bush was behind the 9/11 attacks, or that most Israelis “know they are in the wrong” in defending themselves against Palestinian suicide bombings, is not exactly a trusted source on the subject of the war on terrorism. Though Moore belongs on the Sci-Fi Channel, his brand of analysis is being treated as the stuff of mainstream debate on C-Span. And that has consequences not just for the upcoming presidential election, but for the sanity of American democracy itself. After the failure to find Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, ongoing American casualties and with seemingly little progress made toward transforming Iraq into
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something that resembles a democracy, skepticism about the war is widespread. Second thoughts about the wisdom of the war are understandable. But they are also a distraction from the real question of whether transforming the Mideast from a hotbed for Islamo-fascism into a beachhead for democracy is practicable. While the cause remains just, the answer to that question remains uncertain, even though it can still be argued that the Middle East is a safer place now that both the Taliban and Saddam Hussein have been toppled. Yet what is troubling about the undeserved respect given Moore is whether his film and the wacko world of conspiracy that lies behind it will help drive the debate on the war during the presidential campaign. That is clearly the intention of Moore and those who back him, such as the far-left MoveOn.org Web site, which is hoping to push Democratic candidate John Kerry to move from second guesses and sniping at Bush to open opposition to the war. Common-sense advice Though common sense dictates that a major-party candidate should move to the center rather than to left or right, Kerry may be advised that he can’t afford to let Independent/Green Party candi-
rwolfson@sfhmi.com
date Ralph Nader seize the initiative on the war. Nader, whose presence on the ballot probably put Bush in the White House in 2000, has said he will use the war as his top issue. If the gadfly erodes the Democratic base this year as much as he did four years ago, that could again sink the Democrats. But Kerry should remember that the overwhelming majority of voters outside of Hollywood and the Manhattan theater district are not as enamored of Bush conspiracy theories as are the denizens of these places. Just as Bush must attempt to navigate between his right-wing conservative base and the center, Kerry must avoid alienating Americans who may have doubts about Bush, but still do not question America’s motives in the war on terror. President Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Paul Bremer, America’s pro-consul in Baghdad, as well as some of the tactics they have employed, are all fair game for criticism. But what’s needed now from the Democrats is a reasonable alternative policy that will not result in a U.S. retreat. What we need from both parties is a commitment to a free Iraq, coupled with unceasing pressure on the terrorists and their allies. Kerry should remember there are more votes to be found there than in the nightmarish world of Michael Moore. Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be reached at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 jewishnebraska.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
PERSONAL I would like to thank all my friends and relatives for the cards, donations and gifts during my recent stay at the Blumkin Home. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Rose Perelman
July 2, 2004
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored by the children of Esther and Saul Graetz, in honor of their 70th wedding anniversary. Evening Services, 8:55 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SITTER SERVICE During Friday night and Saturday mornings services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. SPECIAL PROGRAMS COME & DANCE! Israeli Dance Lessons Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. For information, contact Cheryl Lerner, 334.8430 or cldancer@ aol.com. K’TANTAN PLUS, July 17 and 31, 10:45 a.m.: Bring your kids to Beth El for some summer Shabbat fun! Open to children in k-7; activities will include exploring the Siddur in an age-appropriated fashion. TUESDAY, July 21: Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will meet to commemorate the month of Av at 7 p.m., at the home of Phyllis Hoffman, 971 So. 95 St. For reservations, cantact Phyllis Hoffman at ezbubbe@cox.net. HONEY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: What better way to wish loved ones a sweet New Year than through a festively-wrapped sixounce botle of honey accompanied by a special New Year’s greeting? Support Beth El Sisterhood’s annual honey sale! Place your
orders by Aug. 6; order forms will be sent in the mid-month mailing and are also available in the synagogue office.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m-noon. (These office hours are effective through June). Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Mincha, 8:35 p.m. and Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Evening Service, 7 p.m. MONDAY, July 5: Morning Service, 9 a.m. Weekday Morning Service, 7 a.m.; Weekday Evening Service, 7 p.m..
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in Home
FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. Led by Stephanie Dohner with Oneg to follow. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. led by Sara Friedman. THURSDAY, July 8: Choir practice at 7 p.m-8:30 p.m. Contact Elaine Monnier or Holly Heffelbower for information and questions. THURSDAY, July 8: The Board of Trustees Meeting originally scheduled for this date has been postponed. July 8-11: Fiddler on the Roof at 8 p.m in Pioneers Park at the Pinewood Bowl. Advance tickets are $6 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12 (ages 5 and under are free) and are available at area Russ’s Market locations. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS: Beginning Hebrew Prayers, using the book Hineini, at 9 a.m. July 11, July 25, Aug. 15 and Aug. 29.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Monday-Friday, Morning services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY Halacha Intermediate level, 7 p.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 416.2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com.
Candlelighting Friday, July 2, 8:43 p.m. rael-ne.org, or The Jewish Press for service times. Please make a reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants. SUMMER SERVICE TIMES Beginning Friday, July 2, continuing through August 27, all Friday evening services will begin at 6 p.m. in the Livingston Chapel. Saturday morning services remain at 10:30 a.m. SUMMER SERVICES CELEBRATES 350 YEARS OF JEWS IN AMERICA As we commemorate and celebrate the 350th anniversary of Jews in America, summer services at Temple Israel will embark on a year-long journey of topics exploring the Jewish-American experience. This summer, the clergy will present topics at Shabbat worship services on music composers, authors, other artists and personalities, and watershed events that have shaped Jewish-American life.
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SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Steve Riekes.
FRIDAY: Kaballat Shabbat services, 7 p.m.. SATURDAY: Shabbat services, followed by kiddush, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.,, followed by Havdalah.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz will officiate. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SITTER SERVICE During the months of July and August, Sitter service will be available at each Friday evening service. Please check the Temple Tidings worship page, the Temple website www.templeis-
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m.
Beth El’s First Women’s Rosh Hodesh U.N. Turns Mirror on Itself Retreat to Be Held in Nebraska City in Addressing Anti-Semitism by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group has announced its first-ever retreat, to be held Friday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Arbor Day Farm - Lied Conference Center in Nebraska City, according to member Dinah Raful. “Renewing Our Spirits...Celebrating Ourselves” will be the theme of the retreat, Raful said, noting that all of the women of Beth El are invited to join together for a joyful Shabbat filled with spirituality, study and song, beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, and ending after Havdalah Saturday evening. (Participants may stay over Saturday night after the retreat, but must make arrangements for this extra night by calling the Lied Center, 800.545.6519.) In addition to joyous, creative Shabbat services, activities during the retreat will include yoga with Larisa Ginsburg, Israeli dancing led by Cheryl Lerner, and study sessions such as “Turning Pages”
with Nancy Rips, “Exploring Our Spirituality,” with Stephanie Koraleski, and “Risk-Taking,” led by Gloria Kaslow and Marti Rosen-Atherton, Raful said. Cost for the retreat (includes three vegetarian meals and full accommodations) is $110 per person/double occupancy, or $140 per person/single occupancy. With the hope that all women of Beth El will be able to attend, scholarships have been made possible through generous support from the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation and an anonymous donor, and are available on a confidential basis, by calling Beth El Executive Director Larry DeBruin at 492.8550. Registration deadline is Aug. 27; registration forms are available at the synagogue and on the Beth El web site, bethelomaha.org. Please mail the form, along with your check (made payable to Beth El Synagogue) to: Rosh Hodesh Retreat, c/o Helen Epstein, 2223 No. 100 St., Omaha NE 68134.
by RACHEL POMERANCE public, came on the heels of conUNITED NATIONS (JTA)- ferences on anti-Semitism by the -Last week’s U.N. conference on Organization for Security and anti-Semitism was only the latest Cooperation in Europe in Berlin in a slew of recent international and in Paris, as well as other recent events addressing the growth in gatherings. Organized by the U.N. anti-Semitic activity worldwide. Department of Public Information, The difference was that the host the conference began with an of conference turned the mirror on itself. “The U.N. has become the leading global purveyor of antiSemitism, intolerance and inequality against the Elie Wiesel, center, takes part in a U.N. conference on antiJewish peo- Semitism along with other panelists, June 21, in New York. Credit: U.N. ple and its state,” said Anne Bayefsky, a opening address by U.N. SecretaryColumbia University law school General Kofi Annan and included a professor whose speech at the lineup primarily of Jewish organiJune 21 conference drew thun- zational officials. derous applause. Many of the speakers used the The conference, which was open platform before some 650 attento U.N. non-governmental organi- dants to list a litany of grievances zations, member states and the continued on page 11
July 2, 2004
The Efficacy of Prophesy
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Balak The heathen soothsayer Balaam, of whom we read in our Sidra, would have done well in the Middle Ages selling indulgences. His stock in trade in the ancient Middle East was a package of blessings and curses. If he sold one or the other, and it came to pass that the blessing or curse worked, he had earned his pay. If not, well then not. This is the man whom the king of Moab contracted with to curse the Israelites as they approached their land, lest in passing by Moab, they might do some harm to Moabite assets. But Balaam had warned Balak that he could bless or curse only to the extent that the Lord (to Whom he paid allegiance!) permitted him. And in the end, he blessed Israel.
I came across once a Jew who would not believe that “our Rambam” wrote his Guide for the Perplexed in Arabic. This must be the same man who could not believe that our lovely prayer, “Mah Tovu”, came from this heathen Balaam. This whole puzzling sequence of Balaam’s attempt to curse Israel would have netted him a healthy fee, only to find that his mouth uttered only praises and blessings. This whole sequence of events raises the question of the real nature of prophesy. Naive students are sometimes shocked to find that the prophets did not attempt to foretell the future--excepting, repeat excepting when they were saying that morality is eventually rewarded and immorality eventually punished. The prophets of Israel’s Tanakh were teachers of morality. The Hebrew word Navi has no implication of the future, in contrast to the word prophet in English. In our Haftarah for this Sidra, the prophet reminds his listeners or readers that what God demands is “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
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U.N. Turns Mirror on Itself continued from page 10 against the international body, from its lopsided level of condemnation of Israel to its failure to pass a resolution exclusively condemning anti-Semitism. Several also noted that one of the most egregious examples of anti-Semitism came under U.N. auspices: the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, in which widespread hate speech and incitement against Jews and Israel prompted Israel and the United States to leave the event. At the same time, in addressing the conference and in news releases afterward, many Jewish organizational officials called the event a landmark step in repairing the relationship between Jews and the United Nations, which was created after the defeat of Nazism to promote international cooperation and peace. “This institution is beginning to say there is a problem, there is an issue,” said Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, signifying that it was a first step toward addressing the issue. In his opening remarks to the gathering, Annan said, “Let us acknowledge that the United Nations’ record on anti-Semitism has at times fallen short of our ideals. The General Assembly resolution of 1975, equating Zionism with racism, was an especially unfortunate decision.” That decision was repealed in 1991, but the United Nations continues regularly to single out Israel for criticism. Annan called on the United Nations to follow the action of the OSCE in condemning acts of anti-Semitism and urged the U.N. human rights representatives on racism and religious freedom to “actively explore ways of combating anti-Semitism more effectively.” For their part, Jewish figures praised Annan for his remarks and challenged him to make good on his
words. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, said he mistakenly thought anti-Semitism had died in Auschwitz. But “only the Jews perished there. AntiSemitism is alive and well,” he said. “We must prevent the world from entering that fear of the future and the choice is always ours.” Even before the conference concluded, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom called the secretarygeneral to commend him for his speech and ask for his help in passing a General Assembly resolution against done.” Calling Annan's speech an “action plan,” he said, “the next few months will be the test.” Others said they felt the heavily Jewish atmosphere gave Jews their day at the United Nations without facing opposition or controversy. At the least, “this is now on the record at the U.N.,” said Mark Weitzman, Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Task Force Against Hate. Shashi Tharoor, the U.N. undersecretary general for communications and public information, who coordinated the conference, asked “for some realism” by the audience in expecting change. “We have at least opened today a new chapter,” he said. Humoring the crowd with a joke about Adam asking Eve whether there was someone else, he underscored his point that the United Nations is the only world governing body. “Let’s work together, with it and in it,” Tharoor said. Weitzman echoed others in his agreement. “This is the place that gave birth to Israel, that breathed life in Israel,” he said. “Given that and given the reality the U.N. plays in the world, I don’t think any of us are ready to walk away from it. We want to correct it, not erase it.”
DEATHS EVELYN DANSKY ALPERIN Evelyn Alperin died June 26 in St. Louis at the age of 87. Graveside services were held at Beth El Cemetery on June 29. A graduate of the University of Chicago with a Master’s in social work, she served the Red Cross during World War II and worked as a medical social worker and assistant professor in the Family Practice Department of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice S. Alperin. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Raizell and Mark Kalishman; daughter and partner, Davida Alperin and Sharon Stiefel; sisters, Miriam Hirsch and Arlene Fred; grandchildren, David Kalishman, Sarah Kalishman, Michael Stiefel Alperin and Emi Stiefel Alperin. Memorials to charity of choice. CORRECTION In last week’s front page photo caption about the scultpure donated to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, it was the decision of Harold and Ruth Fox to determine the type of memorial to Esther Fox that would benefit the residents of the Home, but it was funded by an endowment established by the late Al Fox.
HERMAN BARRON Herman Barron died June 28 at the age of 78. Services were held July 1 at Beth El Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Celia; son and daughterin-law, Marty and Diane Barron; son, Leonard Barron; daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Mark Calidonna; grandchildren, Lisa, Holly, Brandon, Alex and Joshua; one great-grandson; sister, Nancy Goldstein Levine, and a brother, Phillip Barron. Memorials to the American Heart Association. EVELYN “BABE” RATNER Evelyn “Babe” Ratner died June 29 at the age of 77. Services were held July 1 at Beth El Cemetery. She is survived by her husband, Philip Ratner; daughters, Renee Corcoran, and Susan Ratner of St. Louis; son Randall Ratner of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Ashley Corcoran, Tanya, Adam and Jessica Ratner; and sister Barbara Cohen of Overland Park, KS. Memorials to the Selwyn Roffman Fund at Beth El Synagogue.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE Additional volunteers are needed to proofread the Jewish Press when our “regulars” are out of town. If you’re available on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon for a few hours and would like an “advance look” at the Press, please call Editor Carol Katzman, 334.6450, for more information.
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July 2, 2004
Quake Scientist Hopes Israel Will Make Others Shake with Accurate Predictions by TOM TUGEND “We have made a major breakthrough, discovering LOS ANGELES (JTA)--The man hailed by many of his the possibility of making predictions months ahead of fellow scientists as the world's leading earthquake pre- time, instead of years as in previously known methdictor wants to help Israel become the forecasting cen- ods,” said Keilis-Borok, who continues to lead a ter for the Middle East. research group in his field at the Russian Academy of Vladimir Keilis-Borok, 82, has become a modest Sciences in Moscow. “This discovery culminates 20 media celebrity in California through his accurate pre- years of multinational and interdisciplinary collaboradictions of two major earthquakes in 2003. His peers tion by a team of scientists from Russia, America, and quake-conscious citizens around the Pacific Rim Western Europe, Japan and Canada.” are watching anxiously to see whether Keilis-Borok is the his third prediction will hit the mark. first to admit that his Keilis-Borok is now working at the predictions cannot pinUniversity of California at Los Angeles point the exact day and after a brilliant career in Russia. There, place of a big earthhis scientific skills were so valued that quake, but he has he reached and retained high posts, come a lot closer than despite being a Jew in the former anyone else. Soviet Union, where state-sponsored His team’s first sucanti-Semitism hindered Jewish cess came when it preadvancement. dicted in June 2003 that The Soviets granted him the privian earthquake of maglege of traveling to Israel in the 1960s, nitude 6.4 or higher on where he organized two conferences, the Richter scale would as well as to the United States. strike within nine Keilis-Borok is convinced that months in a 310-mile Israeli seismologists, geophysicists region of Central and mathematicians have the ability to California. In build on his method and warn their December, a 6.5 earthcountry and the surrounding Arab quake hit the southern nations of impending major earthpart of the region. quakes. In July 2003, the team Seismologists consider the art of predicted a magnitude UCLA seismologist Vladimir Keilis-Borok. earthquake prediction as the holy 7 earthquake or higher Credit: Annual Review of Earth and Planetary in Japan’s northern grail of their craft, Keilis-Borok says. Sciences, www.annualreviews.org island region. An 8.1 Many have claimed to have found the grail only to be proven wrong, and now more than a earthquake hit off Hokkaido island on Sept. 25. few skeptical scientists believe the task may be imposAt the beginning of this year, Keilis-Borok forecast a sible. 6.4 or higher earthquake in a broad swath of the Not so, says Keilis-Borok, a mathematical geophysi- Southern California desert by Sept. 5. If the UCLA scicist and now professor in residence at the UCLA entist hits the mark this time, even skeptical colleagues Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics. may have to acknowledge that more than coincidence
is at play. His fellow earthquake scientist at UCLA, professor Leon Knopoff, described Keilis-Borok as “an extraordinarily creative and imaginative thinker, who works in unconventional areas passed up by others.” Keilis-Borok and his team have evolved their method over the last two years and dub it the “tail wags the dog” approach, meaning that in a given region, small earthquakes eventually “wag” a major earthquake. Stations around the globe constantly record background seismic activity in the Earth's crust. KeilisBorok’s team monitors the data, looking for four symptoms that might point to an eventual large earthquake. These symptoms are small earthquakes in an area becoming more frequent; earthquakes becoming more clustered in time and space; earthquakes occurring almost simultaneously over large distances within a seismic region, and an increase in the ratio of mediumsized quakes to smaller quakes. If the symptoms fall in line, Keilis-Borok signals a nine-month alarm. He currently is not sounding any alarms for Israel, but he notes that large temblors have occurred in that area and along the Mediterranean coastline since biblical times. Going back into recent history, he has paid particular attention to the magnitude 7.3 Aqaba earthquake in 1995 and the 6.9 earthquake in Cyprus in 1996. In both instances, all the prior symptoms pointed to major earthquakes, and Keilis-Borok believes that if his method had been developed in the early 1990s, he could have predicted both quakes a few months in advance. He argues that better short-term earthquake forecasting is vitally important to Israel. “Just as in war, Israel must be prepared because it has many unsafe buildings and because her enemies might take advantage of a devastating quake,” he said. Increased government support for scientists would help Israel become a center for earthquake forecasting --and press the Arab world to cooperate, he added.
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