Vol. LXXXVII No. 46 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
22 Tammuz, 5768
July 25, 2008
Bodies of kidnapped Israeli soldiers traded for terrorist with “blood on his hands” by URIEL HEILMAN (JTA) -- For many Israelis, the timing of last week’s scheduled prisoner swap with Hezbollah serves as a bitter reminder of the failings of the Second Lebanon War. Two years since the 34day conflagration -- sparked by Hezbollah taking two Israeli soldiers captive in a cross-border attack -- the war’s ostensible goals appear to be unrealized. Rather than suffering a long-term blow, Hezbollah has managed to rearm and refortify itself in Lebanon. The Iran-backed group has gained veto power over Lebanon’s government and more than tripled the num- Demonstrators hold a banner showing captured Israelis Gilad Shalit, left, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser ber of missiles in its arsenal outside Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office in Jerusalem on June 29. The remains of Regev and Goldwasser from before the war, accord- were returned to Israel last week; Shalit is still believed to be alive and held by Hamas. Credit:Brian Hendler ing to Israeli estimates. And Israel, rather than recovering its remains were confirmed through DNA Hezbollah chief Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, two captive soldiers in the war, was testing just hours later as those of Regev rather than being cowed or damaged by reduced to negotiating with Hezbollah to and Goldwasser. the war, has emerged as a popular hero in bring its boys, Eldad Regev and Ehud Funerals for the two POWs took place the Arab world, inspiring confrontation Goldwasser, home. Their coffins arrived last Thursday. Goldwasser was buried in with Israel from Gaza to Tehran. in the early morning of June 16; the the Nahariya Military Cemetery and later
NU president returns from first trip to Israel:
“the most intellectually stimulating week of my life” by CAROL KATZMAN before signing on, conEditor of the Jewish Press cerned that there be a “sense of balance.” Because he knew two of According to Sam the organizers of a Witkin, PI executive Project Interchange trip director, Coleman has an for university presidents, ongoing research with the James B. Milliken, presiWeizmann Institute and dent of the University of other Israeli institutions Nebraska, opted for this of higher learning in areas trip to Israel, even though of biotech and homeland he thought that a trip to security, as well as student China or India might be exchange programs. more relevant. (Yudof, who was recently But when the letter named president of the came six months ago, University of California’s Milliken knew he could 10 campuses is profiled trust that this trip wasn’t in a sidebar on page 5.) just “a p.r. exercise,” he The third chairman was told the Jewish Press last week. Chaired by two James B. Milliken, president of the University of Nebraska, and his Harold Schapiro, presicolleagues he knows well: wife, Nana Smith, participated in a recent Project Interchange dent emeritus of Mary Sue Coleman, mission to Israel with other university presidents. Princeton University. President of the University of Michigan, and Mark The result, Milliken, said of his first visit to the tiny Yudof, president of the Univerity of Texas system, the country, was “the most intellectually stimulating week of trip was organized by Project Interchange. my life.” “It’s hard not to be intrigued by the military and And “tiny” was one of the adjectives he used repeatpolitical situations in the Middle East,” he explained. edly to describe his amazement, for example, in taking a But he wanted to be sure about the approach of the cab ride from Jerusalem to Haifa to bring his 10-yearAmerican Jewish Committee, parent organization of PI. old daughter to vacation with the daughter of an Israeli “Was it an effort to acquaint American university presi- professor who taught at NU last year. dents with our counterparts in Israel?” he asked himself Continued on page 3
Inside
This Week: Monthly Calendar for August: Pages 8-9
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
In the News: C. David Kotok named OWH managing editor: Page 6
that afternoon, Regev was laid to rest in the Kiryat Motzkin Military Cemetery. Live footage of the coffins being delivered to the Red Cross at the Rosh Hanikra border crossing -- under a Hezbollah banner that read “Israel sheds tears of pain, Lebanon sheds tears of joy”-- brought the painful news home. At the homes of the Goldwasser and Regev families, crowds of well-wishers wept and cried in outrage. An elderly woman fainted. Dazed-looking children lit memorial candles. “It was a terrible thing to see, really terrible,” Eldad’s father, Zvi, told Army Radio. “I was always optimistic, and I hoped all the time that I would meet Eldad and hug him.” Interviewed as the military rabbinate identified the bodies, Goldwasser’s father, Shlomo, voiced resignation. “This was not much of a surprise,” he told Israel Radio, alluding to an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the captives should be assumed dead. “But confronting reality is always difficult.” Under the swap deal, Hezbollah received four of its fighters who were captured in the 2006 war, as well as Samir Continued on page 2
NJHS previews Brandeis documentary at annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will be held on Sunday, Aug 3, 2 p.m., in the JCC auditorium. This year, along with the installation of new officers and board members, NJHS will present The Brandeis Store, a documentary, funded by the Alan and Marcia Baer Foundation and Marcia Baer, about the time when every downtown had a great department store. The meeting and the premier of the documentary are open to the community and will be followed by a dessert reception.
Coming Next Month Sports & Recreation on Aug. 8 Design aids staff at Federation Foundation: Page 10
Chabad dedicates Goldstein playground: Page 16
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
Kidnapped Israeli soldiers
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Continued from page 1 some 40,000 missiles, with ranges of up to 185 miles. That Kuntar, a Lebanese Druse convicted in Israel for infiltrat- puts most of Israel’s population within range of rocket ing the border in 1979 and murdering four Israelis, includ- attack, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and possibly even Dimona, the site of Israel’s nuclear reactor in the Negev ing a four-year-old girl and her father. In the deal, Israel also repatriated the bodies of 199 Desert. During the 2006 war, Hezbollah’s missiles reached no Arabs who had died trying to infiltrate the northern border over the decades. Hezbollah was to hand over remains more than 45 miles inside Israel. of other Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon. Kuntar, reviled in Israel, has become a cause celebre for Hezbollah, which called him an “Arab holy warrior.” Now fluent in Hebrew and equipped with a correspondencecourse degree from an Israeli university, Kuntar was reported to be considering a job as a Hezbollah spokesman. “When he took this action, the Hezbollah organization didn’t even exist,” said Brig.-Gen. Avi Beniyahu, Israel’s chief military spokesman. “To those who plan to dress him up in Hezbollah clothes and hold a victory procession with him in Lebanon, I say woe betide the nation that has no heroes.” Mark Regev, a spokesman for the prime minister, condemned the celebrations. “Samir Kantar is a brutal murderer of children and anybody celebrating him as a hero is trampling on basic human decency,” he said. While many Israelis have condemned the asymmetric swap, some pundits commended the Olmert government for not giving in to Hezbollah’s initial demand for the deal to include the release of hundreds of jailed Arab terrorists. “In all decency, it has to be admitted that this deal is one of the ‘cheapest’ in the history of the State of Israel, almost the ‘best’ of them,” former Yitzhak Rabin aide Eitan Cabel The funeral of Eldad Regev at the military cemetery in Haifa wrote in Israel’s daily Yediot Achronot. “We are depressed took place July 17. Credit: ISRANET because it seems to us that, yet again, Hezbollah has made a laughing stock of us -- but this is not the truth.” Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, who has emerged from hiding only rarely since the 2006 war, which he dubs a “divine victory” for radical Islam, was expected to deliver an address in Beirut. According to some reports, Hezbollah also planned to release video footage of the ambush in which Goldwasser and Regev were seized and eight of their comrades killed outright. Hezbollah named the prisoner swap “Operation Radwan” -- the nom de guerre of Imad Mughniyeh, the Hezbollah mastermind who planned the abductions and was assassinated in Damascus in February by unknown assailants. With Kuntar free, Hezbollah may try to avenge Mughniyeh with major terrorist attacks on Israel, sources in Jerusalem warned. In the Gaza Strip Karnit Goldwasser, left, sobs as she views the coffin carrying the remains and the West Bank, the prisoner swap was wel- of her husband, Ehud, at the Shraga army base near Nahariya on July Credit: IDF/BPH Images 16, 2008. comed. Over the past week, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly offered his congratulations to Kuntar’s family and and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni both have spoken up offered his condolences to the families of the Lebanese about the failure of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war. The measure called for who received their loved ones’ remains in the deal. In Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the one-time Hezbollah’s disarmament and a beefed-up U.N. presence P.A. prime minister, congratulated Hezbollah and Kuntar in Lebanon, UNIFIL, to prevent Iranian and Syrian arms for “the great victory of the resistance, which proved the shipments from reaching Hezbollah. “Resolution 1701 is being violated,” Barak told a Labor rightness of our way.” The focus in Israel likely will turn now to the Israeli sol- Party meeting on June 14. “Hezbollah continues to get dier taken captive by Hamas in 2006, Gilad Shalit. Shalit, stronger with the ongoing and intimate assistance of the who survived the cross-border raid that resulted in his cap- Syrians.” Barak added, “The delicate balance that exists on the ture, has been permitted to send several messages to his northern border should not be violated on the two-year family. Palestinians have demanded the release of hundreds of anniversary of the Second Lebanon War. We should make an explicit statement: Resolution 1701 did not work, it is Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his return. Two years on, there is a sense in Israel that the war’s les- not working, and all indications are that it will not work in sons have not been internalized by a government distract- the future. It is a failure.” Professor Yehezkel Dror, a key member of the Israeli ed by other things, from the profane to the profound. “Reading the newspapers, on the eve of the second panel that reviewed the government’s performance in the anniversary of the Second Lebanon War, you don’t know 2006 war, created a stir earlier this month when he said whether to laugh or cry,” Yoel Marcus wrote in Ha’aretz. that Olmert’s lack of a coherent defense strategy is harmMarcus cited Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s legal ing the country. Dror added that he regretted not calling explicitly for troubles, accusations of embezzlement against former finance minister Abraham Hirchson, Deputy Prime Olmert’s resignation in the final report by the Winograd Minister Haim Ramon’s sexual harassment affair and ex- Committee. “The current state of affairs worries me greatPresident Moshe Katsav’s demand for perks, including a ly; I would not trust this government with making critical new office and a car and driver, while still under indictment decisions,” Dror told Israeli reporters. He called on Olmert to resign, saying the prime minister clearly “does for sex crimes. “Flip another page and you discover that the govern- not show strategic thinking.” “It might be tragic for the prime minister, but better ment debate on the Haim Ramon affair was two hours longer than an urgent Cabinet meeting to discuss the arms have this than a tragic outcome for the state,” he said. Dror’s call has been echoed in the Israeli media. A race being carried out by Hezbollah and Iran,” Marcus wrote. “Instead of holding symposia on the past, which recent editorial in Ha’aretz called on Olmert to go on nothing is going to change, we need to focus on the imme- vacation immediately and let someone else steward the country while he sorts out his legal troubles. The diate future.” Chief among those concerns is the threat of a nuclear Jerusalem Post urged Olmert’s political party, Kadima, to Iran, which is inextricably connected to the Hezbollah elect a new leader. If there is a silver lining to Israel’s failures vis-a-vis problem. If Israel carries out a strike against suspected nuclear sites in Iran, the Jewish state must expect a retalia- Hezbollah, it is that the 2006 war served as a wake-up call for the Israel Defense Forces. tory attack from Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon. JTA staffwriter Roy Eitan contributed to this article. According to Israeli assessments, Hezbollah now has
July 25, 2008
Second Arab worker takes bulldozer on Jerusalem road rampage
heart of Jerusalem, took place within by MARCY OSTER JERUSALEM (JTA) -- In an imitation sight of the King David Hotel, which is of an attack nearly three weeks ago, an hosting Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) durArab construction worker rampaged ing the presumptive Democratic presithrough the streets of Jerusalem in a bull- dential candidate’s visit to Israel this dozer, crushing cars and hitting a bus week. before being shot dead by Israeli border The bulldozer driver, who according to police. witnesses At least 16 people were wore a large injured in the attack early white skullcap Tuesday afternoon, common to including a nine-monthreligious old baby and his mother. Muslims, One of the injured chased the remains in serious condiNo. 13 bus tion at Shaare Tzedek while raising Hospital, reports say. the shovel of The driver was identified his front-end in news reports as Ghasan loader, the Abu-Tir, 22, of eastern Security personnel gather at the scene of a bull- driver of the Jerusalem. He held an dozer attack in Jerusalem on Tuesday on King bus told the Credit: IDF/BPH Images H a ’ a r e t z Israeli identification card. David Street. His relative, Palestinian Authority newspaper. “I was driving on the main road when Parliament member Muhammad Abu-Tir, the [bulldozer] hit me in the rear, on the is jailed in Israel, Ynet reported. The attack, near the neighborhoods of right-hand side,� driver Avi Levi told Yemin Moshe and Talbiyeh, was similar Ha’aretz. “After I passed him he turned to a July 2 attack when a bulldozer driver round, made a U-turn and rammed the from eastern Jerusalem killed three windows twice with the shovel. The third Israelis on Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road before time he aimed for my head, he came up to my window and I swerved to the right.� being shot dead by an off-duty soldier. Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski told While that assailant was thought to have had political motives, Israeli author- Israel’s Channel 10 that the two bulldozities were unable to establish any clear er attacks could affect the future hiring of Arabs from eastern Jerusalem. “We links to Palestinian terrorist groups. Israeli police sealed off routes leaving should reconsider the employment of Jerusalem following Tuesday’s attack in these people,� he said. Lupolianski, who was near the area of an attempt to catch two suspected accomthe attack and rushed to the scene, added plices who were seen leaving the scene. The attack, at the corner of Keren that “tools of construction become Hayesod and King David streets in the opportunities for attacks.�
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
NU president returns from first trip to Israel
Continued from page 1 “It’s impossible to walk away without After all, Milliken added, “The Jewish being moved,� Milliken said. “It’s such a population in Israel is about the same as rich environment -- seeing where our stuin the U.S., but the importance of Israel dents live, eat, work.� But having the capin the world, relative to its physical size, is ital of Syria so close to the site holy to startling.� Though he is obviously well read, Milliken was unprepared for the “sense of normalcy� he found in Israel. Despite the fact that he was in Israel when an East Jerusalemite went on a rampage, killing three people with a bulldozer and injuring scores more, Milliken said he hardly noticed any policemen. “Oh sure,� he added, you see Israeli soldiers at every gas station and bus stop, hitching rides home,� but didn’t recall seeing a visible police presence in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. And while he, like most Americans, have a view of Israel through the lens of CNN, his sense Dr. Rami Arav, right, UNO professor and director of of proximity to “the rough neigh- the Bethsaida Excavations Project, gives NU President James Milliken a tour of the archaeologiborhood,� was eye opening. Israel is “so close to its neighbors. cal site, an addition to Milliken’s PI itinerary. We were north of the Kinneret and I real- Christians (and where NU students have ized that Damascus is only 50 miles annually spent summers since 1990) away!� North of the Kinneret is where might be a little disconcerting. the Bethsaida Excavations Project is Milliken brushed that aside as he spoke located, a dig of the early Christian set- of the value of that project -- and other tlers of the Galilee, managed by Dr. Rami cooperative ventures already taking place Arav, director of the project and a profes- between NU and Israeli institutions of sor at University of Nebraska-Omaha. higher learning. As an example, he touched While Milliken and Arav toured the site, a on the research he had done in preparation blimp hovered overhead, taking new aer- for the eight-day seminar, the fourth one ial photos where more and more of the Project Interchange has sponsored for site has been uncovered and exposed to presidents of universities and colleges. Continued on page 4 archaeologists -- and Nebraska students.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
NU president returns from first trip to Israel
Continued from page 3 In addition to speaking with Dr. Hal Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Milliken spoke to Dr. Howard Gendleman, director of the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, as well as Dr. Guy Matalon, director of the Jewish Federation’s Center for Jewish Learning and an assistant professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In fact, Milliken seemed almost surprised at just how much collaboration is already occurring between Israel and Nebraska. Dr. Gendleman frequently travels to Israel where he collaborates with Dr. Michal Schwartz of the Weizmann Institute on the immune system and its adaptability to respond to disease and injury. Her research has implications for Dr. Gendleman’s study into the degenerative affects of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease as well as HIV-induced dementia. But other NU institutes, like its Water Resources Research Initiative, are developing similar programs to Israeli universities, from irrigating with brackish water to produce sweeter vegetables (as Israeli farmers do at Nitzanim, a moshav in the Negev) to managing scarce supplies of water -- whether it’s because of drought on the plains or decreased rainfall into Lake Kinneret. The discussions with major players in Israel -- from religious life to politics, from military to medical experts -- also surprised Milliken about the openness of Israeli society. He found Israelis to be “passionate about their country and patriotic, but they are also its harshest critics,” he said. “We could learn from this open democracy. Of course we want to support our country, but we need to take an honest look to uphold the values we cherish.” The line-up of speakers and events ran the gamut, from a private dinner with former Ambassador and president of Tel Aviv University Itamar Rabinovich (“with his fabulous artwork,” Milliken added) to traveling to checkpoints into Gaza (“where rockets fell the day we visited Sderot”). He was impressed with the “range of political, military, historical, and religious discussions” with the likes of Prof. Alexander Lubotsky, a former Minister of the
Knesset, who spoke about settlements and their political implications, and Dr. Boaz Ganor, of the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzaliya, who put the challenges of living on the border with Syria and Lebanon before the group. Lynn Schusterman also hosted the group at her home in Jerusalem. The founder of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation, she has been instrumental in funding such major projects as birthright israel, which sponsors free trips to Israel for young Jews, ages 18-26.
Immediately behind the Project Interchange tour guide, James Milliken and his wife, Nana Smith, is the border fence between Sderot and Gaza. Several rockets landed while the group was in Sderot; no one was injured but terrorists in Gaza have launched rockets every week since the so-called “ceasefire,” most of which have landed in open fields. According to Sam Witkin, director of Project Interchange, the Schusterman Foundation is important in providing the resources necessary, not just for university presidents, but for Rhodes scholars, university body presidents and college newspaper editors. “We’ve been on college campuses for four years now,” Witkin added, noting that PI is about to add editors of law review periodicals, to their outreach for these totally subsidized trips to Israel. “What fascinating people we met,” Milliken added. “It was a great group of people on the trip and our hosts from AJC took great care of us.” Milliken was greeted at one stop by another “Cornhusker” -- U.S. Ambassador Richard H. Jones, who was interviewed by the Press in December of 2006. He will be leaving his post at the embassy in Tel Aviv
shortly. “I didn’t realize he was from Omaha,” Milliken said of the Westside High School graduate who has made a career in America’s foreign service. Though the itinerary was strenuous, the main purpose of the trip was to introduce this group of American university presidents to their counterparts. So off they went to Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, and Ben Gurion University, as well as Ashkelon College. The presidents’ tour was not limited to Israeli universities either. Al-Qasemi College and Al-Quds universities were on the itinerary as well. However, Dr. Sari Nussiebeh, president of Al-Quds, was not there when the group arrived. Milliken said, “I am interested in how we can assist, but I don’t know if, in good conscience, I can send our students there.” Dr. Salem Fayyad, the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, addressed the group about governance. The group also heard from a representative of the Bedouin community in Israel and was briefed on the view from the Palestinian “street” by Khaled Abu-Toameh, the Israeli Arab correspondent from the Jerusalem Post. “They’re intelligent,” Milliken acknowledged, but “when I see what Israeli has accomplished in just 60 years” in comparison to Palestinian society, “it’s sobering.” So just what are Milliken’s goals for NU now that he’s returned from Israel? “We don’t have as many strategic partnerships as we could,” he explained, “but having gone to Israel I think there are more opportunities for study abroad” for NU students. “Undergrads, especially, need more of a global understanding. Sending students abroad is like internships were a decade ago. And this can be a meaningful experience for them.” He’s hoping to attract some major donations to help him do that, as well as expand the faculty collaboration he’s already seeing at NU. “I’ve spoken to the president of BGU,” Milliken added, “it’s a natural fit” he said of Dr. Rivka Carmi’s work in “desertification” and the role of BGU in the development of the Negev. Corresponding exchanges of Israeli students and faculty will, according to Milliken, “depend on if discussions get to a certain level. We have to ask, ‘Is it valuable to them -- and to us?’”
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July 25, 2008
New Cal president keeps kosher, loves Israel
by TOM TUGEND budget, is the son of an electrician and says he never LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- The new president of the quite lost his taste for the blue-collar lifestyle -- especialUniversity of California’s 10 campuses and 220,000 stu- ly frequent meals at pancake diners. dents keeps a kosher home, lectures on Maimonides for “I’m always looking for the perfect pancake,” he says. intellectual stimulation and is an unabashed Israel supYudof joined the flagship campus of the University of porter. Texas at Austin in 1971 as an assistant professor of law, “I am what I am,” Mark Yudof says. “What I’ve found rising over the course of 26 years to full professor and works best for me is transparency, being direct and being dean. honest.” After his five-year stint as president at the University of As he takes the helm of one of the world’s leading Minnesota, Yudof returned to Texas in 2002 as chancelpublic research universities, Yudof, a former president of lor of the multicampus system. the University of Texas and the University of Minnesota, He credits his wife, Judy, with intensifying his Jewish has his work cut out for him. observance and connection, inside and outside the Over the past five years, Jewish students and some house. She is the immediate past international president observers have charged of the United Synagogue of repeatedly that the adminisConservative Judaism, the tration at the UC Irvine first woman to hold the post campus, now headed by in the organization’s 93-year Chancellor Michael Drake, history. Judy Yudof currently has failed to protect Jewish serves on the council of the students against hate speech U.S. Holocaust Memorial and intimidation by outside Museum in Washington and speakers and Muslim student on the international board of groups. Hillel. Yudof, a veteran law pro“Judy went to Israel quite fessor and expert on constioften, and I went along as tutional law and freedom of the bozo on her arm,” Yudof expression, says the issue recalls. presents him with something “I am a very strong advoMark and Judy Yudof greet an employee at a University of cate of Israel,” he says. “I of a dilemma. “It is an excruciating con- California staff reception in Oakland on June 16, two weeks just am. I’m there for Israel. flict when people demean before they arrived in Israel on the Project Interchange trip I may at times disagree with everything that Judaism with James B. Milliken, president of the University of Israeli policy, but when they stands for. Some of these Nebraska, and his wife, Nana Smith. suffer, I suffer and my wife Credit: Courtesy University of California suffers.” speakers and what they say drive me to distraction and I hate it,” Yudof says. “On The couple’s religious observance evolved over time. the other hand, I teach constitutional law and I have a “About 20 years ago, Judy said she didn’t feel right deep commitment to the First Amendment, which has about not keeping kosher at home, so we made the served us well over time. How do you reconcile that as a change,” Yudof says. “I’ve had no problem with it Jewish man? It is horrendously difficult.” except for all those dishes when we move.” Yudof defended Drake, who has been criticized by Outside the home, Yudof eats non-kosher food, except some Jews for not taking a sufficiently firm stand against for pork, he says. The couple has two adult children. hate speech. In Minnesota, the Yudofs belonged to two “I’ve had several conversations with the chancellor, Conservative synagogues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul and he has a great heart and enormous sympathy for the area. Now living in the Bay Area, they expect to join Jewish people. He is a mensch,” Yudof said. “Because I Conservative congregations, probably one in Oakland, take anti-Semitism so personally, I think I can give him where his office is located, and the other in San some good advice.” Francisco, Yudof told JTA. Yudof was in Israel earlier this month with Drake as “I hope we can hold it down to two synagogues,” he the co-leader of the American Jewish Committee’s quipped. Project Interchange trip for American university presiIn Texas, Yudof was heavily involved with Austin’s dents and chancellors. Yudof, who had invited Drake on Jewish community. the trip before he became the University of California “I’ve never known Mark Yudof to refuse an invitation president, says he thinks the trip will be beneficial for to a Jewish community event,” said University of Texas both he and Drake. Hillel director Rabbi David Komerofsky. Born in Philadelphia to descendents of Ukrainian Yudof may have a difficult time being equally accomJewish immigrants, Yudof, 63, says his grandfather on modating to California’s Jewish community of one milone side was Orthodox and on the other side a “well- lion. “I will do the best I can,” he said. “I feel a strong known atheist.” He says he was raised in a “tangentially moral obligation to do so.” Jewish” home and had a bar mitzvah. Today he belongs Yudof says he also hopes the Jewish community will to Conservative synagogues. continue its traditional support of public education and Yudof, who is leading a university with an $18 billion the University of California.
Beth El congregants to help “Brush Up Nebraska”
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Members of Beth El’s USY youth group and the synagogue’s 20s and 30s group will be rolling up their sleeves to assist during the Brush-Up Nebraska Paint-athon, scheduled for Sundays, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. Now in its 20th year, the paint-a-thon is a communitybased volunteer program responsible for painting homes of low-income elderly and low-income disabled homeowners. According to its web site, Brush Up Nebraska has painted over 2,100 homes since its inception. “BILU USY is doing this program because we're trying to put more focus on social action and helping out our community,” commented Dayna Cohen, USY president. “While social programs are a lot of fun, we want to do something that will benefit more people other than ourselves. It’s important for teens to be involved in programs like this because it really is a lot of fun to do, and I believe that helping others is an important part of Judaism.” Noam Margalit, USY’s Social Action/ Tikkun Olam vice president, echoed Cohen’s thoughts, adding that, “Painting homes for those in need is not only extremely fun, but it creates a new sense of pride for the homeowners. I encourage everyone to join because it is a great act of tikkun olam. Getting a little dirty while chatting and helping someone in need will be a blast!”
Recalling his participation in the project when he was in high school, Beth El Youth Group Director Robert Mosenkis said, “I had so much fun while at the same time helping those less fortunate in our community, that I knew it would be a great tikkun olam project for our USY and 20’s & 30’s group to partner on.” He added that the paint-a-thon “is a wonderful annual event that brings together a variety of companies and organizations to make a real difference for many in the Omaha community. “These afternoons will be a great way for our teens and young adults to give back to our community, and whether they can stay for an hour or two or the entire day, everyone’s help will really be appreciated.” Saying that Beth El volunteers will be scraping, caulking and painting on Aug. 3, and also painting on Aug. 10, Mosenkis noted that participants have been asked, if possible, to bring their own scrapers, paint brushes and small plastic containers (plastic milk containers or 2-liter pop bottles with the top half cut off) to hold paint. Participants will meet at the synagogue at 10 a.m. on both days, and will drive to their assigned home, in the area of 60th and F Streets. RSVPs for this program are needed by Aug.1; to register or for more information, contact Mosenkis at 492.8550, or at youthdir@bethel-omaha.org. Please be sure to specify which day(s) you’d like to volunteer.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
I am pleased to announce that I have joined the Sales department at Mercedes Benz of Omaha. Please contact me and let me personally show you why Mercedes-Benz is the most highly regarded automobile in the world. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to assist you with either a new or pre-owned Mercedes Benz or any of the other preowned automobiles we have available. Please call me 402-384-9999 to schedule an appointment. Jeffrey Mellen
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Thank You For Being Our Friend This list reflects donations received during our Friends Campaign; March-June 2008. We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to serve our community. Every effort has been made to reproduce names correctly. If your name has been misspelled or inadvertently omitted, please call 402-330-2024.
$1,000 Friend for Life
$36 Sponsor
Cynthia & Charles Schneider
Rosie Zweiback & Mace Hack Nancy Jacobson Marc & Kimberly Kahn Bea Karp Leslie Kully Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Barbara & Marshall Kushner Neal & Jody Malashock Scott & Jennifer Meyerson Gordan & Ann Moshman James Polack Leonid & Irina Raksin Nancy Rips Sheila Rosen Nathan Shukert Mrs. Charlotte Slutzky Marlene & Hyman Sukiennik Mary Lou Walker Andi Willensky Leon & Sally Wintroub
$500 Benefactor $250 Angel Fran & Rich Juro Bernice Kaplan Jeff and Sharon Kirshenbaum David & Sue Meyers Alan & Sandy Nogg Dan & Yaffa Schuller Suzanne Singer
$100 Patron Anonymous (4) Albert Bloch Carol & Steve Bloch Etta Epstein Ruth Erman James A. & Judy Farber Beverly B. Fellman Ann & Donald Goldstein Karen & Jeff Gustafson Julie Frank & Howard Kaplan Howard & Gloria Kaslow Myrna & Kevee Kirshenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Jarold L. Kohll Harold & Alice Kosowsky Angela Krieger Sharon & George Quittner Eileen & Miles Remer Carl & Zoe Riekes Iris & Marty Ricks Barbara T. Rips Dr. & Mrs. Blaine Roffman Dr. & Mrs. Peter Silberstein Mimi & Michael Silverman Harlan Studna Tom Vann/Vann Realty Co. Gail & Irv Veitzer Susan Witkowski
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Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.
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Beth El to host BBQ for college students
Jewish Community Center to host Silver Palette Show
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El is firing up the grills and preparing for a special barbecue picnic for college students on Thursday, July 31, 6:30-8 p.m., at Zorinsky Lake (Shelter #2). The event is open to all Jewish students in the Omaha area; there is no charge to attend. A casual, relaxing evening is planned for all, according to Beth El Youth Director Robert Mosenkis, who remarked, “Who can pass up a fun lakeside barbecue with their fellow Jewish college students? Everybody is getting ready to return to school and may still be in summer jobs/internships, but whoever is in town should definitely come relax, catch up with some old friends and make some new ones!” Reservations are being taken until July 29; to save a spot or more information, contact Mosenkis in the office at 492.8550, or youthdir@bethel-omaha.org.
by RACHEL BLUM JCC Program Director The Annual Silver Palette Show, presented by the Bellevue Artists Association, will be hosted by the Jewish Community Center, from Aug. 1 through Sept. 4. The exhibit is open to the public, and admission is free.
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Among the 30 attendees enjoying last year’s barbecue were, Brandon Rich, left, Annie Rifkin, Ben Taxman, Josh Grossman, Jamie Skog, Corey Green, Chelsea Taxman, Andy Siref, Abby Ginsburg and Igor Konfisakhar.
‘Candy Girls’ by Kathy Jurek A judged show, this promises to present some of the best emerging artwork in the area. The Bellevue Artists Association, since its inception, has encouraged interest and participation in the arts from the newly emerging artist to the professional. A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2-4 p.m. at the JCC. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday. 11 a.m-5 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, please contact me at 334.6404.
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IN THE NEWS C. David Kotok has been named Managing Editor of the Omaha World-Herald. He has covered numerous political campaigns since his arrival at the OWH in 1980. He also wrote a series of articles about the war in Iraq in 2005 and covered former Sen. Bob Kerrey’s return trip to Vietnam. Kotok, a former member of the Jewish Press board of directors, succeeds Mike Reilly, who had been named executive editor in December, 2007. Woodhouse Auto Family in Blair has hired Jon Simons as a Sales and Leasing Consultant. He will be responsible for sales and leasing of new and pre-owned vehicles at the Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep and Ford dealerships at 2171 So. Hwy 30 in Blair. Simons has been in the automobile business in the Omaha community for seven years getting his start in the business with his grandfather, Jim Earp in a family owned dealership that was closed in 2005. Simons graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in Business Admistration. He has also completed several advanced sales and management training courses in the automotive field. Woodhouse Auto Family also has a Lincoln-MercuryMazda-Porsche dealership in Omaha, Nissan in Bellevue and Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac in Missouri Valley, IA. Jon is the son of Dr. Gerald and Judy Simons. Nominations for the second annual Young Professionals Choice Award are being accepted until Aug. 1. The award recognizes organizations that excel in their efforts to attract, retain and develop young professionals in the greater Omaha community. “We want to recognize companies that are actively recruiting young professionals and creating work environments where they are encouraged to stay,” said Kirsten Case-Penrod, manager of leadership and workforce development for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. The award winner will be announced at the 2009 Young Professionals Summit on March 5 at Qwest Center Omaha. The nomination form and more information are available at www. omahachamber.org/ypc. For more information, contact Case-Penrod at 402.978.7945 or visit www.omahachamber.org/ypc. The Conservative Yeshiva of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and Hadassah College Jerusalem have announced the creation of Discover Jerusalem, an accredited semester for North American college or university students, from January to May 2009. The Discover Jerusalem semester is intended for college juniors, seniors and graduate students with an interest in Judaism, religious texts, Middle East studies, history, archeology, or just the chance for a unique
semester of study of Jewish text and context, in the heart of Jerusalem. The Conservative Yeshiva and Hadassah College Jerusalem will each offer students what it does best. The Conservative Yeshiva will expose the students to the classic texts of Judaism: Talmud, Midrash and Halacha, in the original Hebrew/Aramaic, as Jews have studied them for centuries, open equally to men and women, and to the questions raised by scholarship and modernity. Hadassah College Jerusalem will present Jerusalem as a microcosm of the Jewish People and of the Middle East: Tourism vs. Pilgrimage: City, Citizens, Sightseers, and the Environment; Photographing a Place, a People, a Past; and Water in Jerusalem: From Antiquity to the Present. The Yeshiva’s classes will take place in its EpsteinGeller-David Beit Midrash at the Fuchsberg Center and Hadassah Collegenear Zion Square. This combination of classes will offer students an opportunity to experience Judaism and Israel and to meet Israelis. The program will provide credit in accordance with the requirements of each student’s college. The students will take part in all its activities, in and outside the classroom (shabbatonim, trips, and more). The semester is part of the Conservative Yeshiva’s MASA-approved year program, so students may apply for the financial aid MASA offers. For more information, visit www.JerusalemSemes ter.org or yeshiva@uscj.org.
Dr. Ben Kutler was an Omaha dentist who served as a role model for the profession of dentistry by his caring and compassionate treatment of all, no matter what their financial circumstance. A 1945 graduate of Creighton University Medical Center School of Dentistry, Dr. Kutler received its Alumni Merit Award in 1997 for his lifelong devotion to his profession and to his community. Dr. Kutler was awarded membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society because of the numerous contributions he made to the profession and to dental education. The Epsilon Chapter of OKU at Creighton University is sponsoring the Dr. Ben Kutler Memorial Golf Tournament which will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, at Iron Horse Golf Course, 900 Club House Dr in Ashland, NE. Check in time is 12:30 p.m.; with tee-off at 1:30 p.m. The awards dinner is 6:30 p.m. Entry fee of $125 per person includes four person scramble, 18-hole tournament, cart and green fees, dinner and awards, a box lunch and more. Every year, the School of Dentistry provides quality dental care to those in need. The funds generated by this charity golf outing will be used to help defray the costs incurred in providing much needed dental health care for those who can least afford it.
July 25, 2008
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Visions Board Meeting is Friday, Aug. 1, 9:30 a.m. at the JCC. Brownville Concert Series presents KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler in “Always: The Love Story of Irving Berlin” on
Sunday, Aug. 24. Cost is $25. Depart from the JCC at noon and will return by approximately 7 p.m. Send reservations to Rose Pitlor, 827 Dillon Dr., Omaha, NE 68132. Make check payable to Visions. Deadline is Aug. 1. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jewish Press Editor Carol Katzman will discuss “The state of Jewish newspapers in the 21st century” at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, July 30, noon at Regency Lodge, according to chairmen Marty Ricks and Gary Javitch. Breadbreakers is open to all men and women in the community. An optional lunch is available for $13; beverage service only is $3.
Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group to examine Jewish identity by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator What does it mean to be a Jew in the 21st century? How has our identity changed over the years, and in what direction is it going? The women of Beth El will tackle these topics during the synagogue’s next Women’s Rosh Hodesh group, “Examining Our Jewish Identity,” planned for Monday, Aug. 4, at the home of Helen Epstein, 17017 Western Ave. Social time will begin at 7 p.m.; the formal meeting will convene at 7:30 p.m. To kick off the evening, Epstein and her co-host Ruthie Potash will show
Page 7
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
“The Tribe,” a short film about Ruth Handler (creator of the Barbie doll), and how she managed to assimilate her creation into a pop culture icon that was definitely not Jewish. The film “is an ideal metaphor for opening up a discussion about Jewish identity in the 21st century,” Epstein noted. “It’s very informative and timely, and it will be interesting to hear all of the contradictions that make up one’s Jewish identity in this day and age.” Reservations are needed to attend; to RSVP, contact Epstein at 391.9187, or aepstein1@cox.net; or Potash, at 571.5006, or rsvp55@cox.net.
JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos for the Sept. 5 issue is Wednesday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m. All board lists for the New Year’s issue are due by Monday, Aug. 25. Lists of births, deaths, marriages and B’nai Mitzvahs are due by Friday, Aug 29; and all synagogue schedules for Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah services for the week of Sept. 26 are due no later than Sept. 2. Questions about sending announcements or about the deadlines for the New Year’s issue can be directed to the Press office at 402.334.6448.
A kickoff was recently held at Security National Bank for the Music & Masterpieces 2008 event. This year’s three-tier event is presented by the Omaha Symphony Guild and hosted by Rockbrook Village. Co-chairs for the event were Kathleen Langdon, Omaha Symphony Guild, and Lori Anderson, representing the Rockbrook Village Merchants. The series of events involving the Symphony Guild and located at Rockbrook Village will start with the “Village Art Walk” on Thursday, Aug. 7, 5-8 p.m. This evening, which will be complimentary, will feature the premier viewing of the 28 pieces of indoor and outdoor art for the event. Thursday, Sept. 4, 5-8 p.m., “Razzmatazz,” will feature live music, open houses in Rockbrook Village and an opportunity to meet the artists. Thursday, Sept. 18, 58 p.m., “Music & Masterpieces Gala and Art Auction,” will feature oral and silent auctions, with food and beverages provided by Rockbrook Village food merchants. Art work will be sold at a broad range of prices. Scott Moore will be the auctioneer. President of the Omaha Symphony Guild is Connie Kinnear. Funds raised from the event will be used to support the education programs of the
Omaha Symphony. Tickets are $100 per person, and will cover both the Sept. 4 and Sept. 18 events. For advance ticket sales and further information, call 402.342.3836, x 171, or go to www.musicandmasterpie ces.com.
Opera Omaha continues its 50th anniversary celebration and kicks off its 2008-2009 season with a series of community events and the world premiere performances of The Blizzard Voices. Composed by Pulitzer-prize winning composer Paul Moravec, The Blizzard Voices is based on poetry of another Pulitzer winner, former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, and tells the story of the January 1888 Children’s Blizzard. Performances are on Friday, Sept. 12 at the Holland Performing Arts Center and Saturday, Sept. 13 at The Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College. Tickets for The Blizzard Voices are $19 to $99 and are available through Opera Omaha at 402.346.7372, online at operaomaha.org, or at the Opera Omaha Box Office at 17th and Farnam Sts. Tickets are also available through Ticket Omaha at 402.345.0606 or omahaperformingarts.com.
It’s “Sisterhood Shabbat” at Beth Israel by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Join Beth Israel on Saturday, Aug. 2, Parshah Masei, at Shabbat morning services for a special “Sisterhood Shabbat.” During the service, members and officers of Sisterhood will be honored. Debbie Kricsfeld will be installed as the president, along with the installation of her officers. Shacharit begins at 9 a.m. “Beth Israel is so proud of its active and vibrant Sisterhood,” said Rabbi Jonathan
Gross. “Every program that they do is fantastic. In addition, Sisterhood is integral to the day-to-day functions of the synagogue. We’re looking forward to celebrating all of their efforts and everything they accomplish.” A special Kiddush will follow services. Babysitting is available during services; reservations are not needed. For more information, please contact the office at 556.6288.
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego thru Aug 8 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Dance Open House and Registration, noon Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Annual Meeting, 2 p.m. Bellevue Artists Association Art Reception, 2 p.m.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 4 JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. Partnership With Israel Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. JCC Camp Overnight and Dinner, 4 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Tisha B’Av Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel USY & 20’s and 30’s Paint-a-Thon, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Men’s Club Summer Softball Series, 10 a.m. Tisha B’Av Break-the-Fast Dinner, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, AUGUST 11 Federation Campaign Lunch Meeting, noon Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 Friedel Jewish Academy teachers return Eye on Israel, noon ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. JSS Community Concert, 1:30 p.m. Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Academy Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Academy Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
MONDAY, AUGUST 18 Friedel Jewish Academy First Student Day JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. Jewish Book Club Meeting, 2 p.m. Federation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Open House Shabbat Services & Lunch, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 BBYO Trip to Worlds of Fun, 8 a.m. Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Community Teacher Training with Joel Grishaver, 10 a.m. Hebrew Crash Course, 10 a.m. at Beth El Limmud Omaha: A Day of Learning, 12:30 p.m. Back to School Pizza Night, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Academy
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Hazak Installation and Reception, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the below events.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Jews and the Environment, 7 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel ADL 2008 Youth Leadership Mission Meeting, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel School Directors’ Meeting, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 Beth El - Shabbat comes to the RBJH, 2:30 p.m. Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Crash Course, 10 a.m. at Beth El Visions Brownville Trip, noon MONDAY, AUGUST 25 Temple Israel Golf Outing TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Jews and the Environment, 7 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 Friedel Jewish Academy Curriculum Night Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. LOVE Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
Flexible, functional design aids staff at Federation Foundation
Send Rosh Hashanah Greetings This year you can send your greetings through these very special ads that will run in our annual Rosh Hashanah issue.Each ad can be personalized with your name,the names of your children or your grandchildren.
by OZZIE NOGG On my recent visit to the new Federation Foundation offices, staff members clearly showed their delight in the attractive, efficient work environment created by All Makes Office Equipment. “They encouraged us to pick quality items,” said Janet Henthorn, Endowment Associate. “They made sure we chose furniture that was functional and timeless, not trendy.” Marty Ricks, Foundation Director, took zero credit for the selection of office furnishings. Smiling, he quipped, “I probably would have picked orange crates.”
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Marty Ricks, left, Federation Foundation Director, and Foundation President Steve Bloch. Orange crates weren’t among the options offered by the design team who aimed to create a hospitable place for Foundation donors to come and discuss their future plans. In his role as team leader, Jim Shneider -- a special projects director for All Makes -- serves as liaison on the overall Blumkin Home Project between that company, Leo Daly Interiors, and Mike Silverman, Rose Blumkin Home Executive Director. Working with Shneider on the Foundation space were Kimberly Overton of Leo Daly as well as Jenny Maryott, an interior designer at All Makes. After doing a thorough assessment of office layout, filing and desking needs, the team selected colors and finishes to give the Foundation a fresh, classic look. “Marty Ricks is easy to work with,” said Shneider, “and since All Makes is a Jewish company we took extra pride in helping to make this a pleasant environment for the Foundation.” The connection between the Foundation and All Makes, co-owned by Larry Kavich, Jeff Kavich and Amee Zetzman, exemplifies the close ties within the Omaha Jewish community. “Steve Bloch, President of the Foundation, appointed the late David Friedland to work on the Foundation project right from the beginning, to make sure they got quality offices,” Shneider explained. “It was a meaningful experience for David because he was a close friend of Larry Kavich and his wife, Andi. David came to several meetings at All Makes. He gave advice but never told us what to do. It was very nice that he was able to see the finished project.” Endowment Associate Laurie Peatrowsky added, “We’re going to miss David a lot. He cared about how the Foundation office looked and wanted to make sure we didn’t have papers strewn all over our desks, so our goal in this new space is to find a place for everything.” According to Peatrowsky and Henthorn, increased filing space will help achieve that goal, afford easy access to papers and eliminate any tendency to overstuff drawers. “Our part-time office assistant, Hanna Wanzenried, especially appreciates this, as well as the fact that she now has a desk up front in an actual receptionist area, not back in a cramped, disorganized store room.” In addition to well-appointed administrative offices, the Foundation space
includes a handsome conference room and a large, uncongested work area where staff can more easily lay out materials for printing. A breakroom is another perk. “I had the microwave, refrigerator and the coffee pot in my old office,” said Henthorn, “and Laurie and I would shuffle papers around to make enough room to eat lunch at my desk. It’s wonderful to finally have a breakroom with all the amenities.” Restroom facilities are also provided. “Before we moved we used the restroom in the Blumkin Home employee breakroom,” Peatrowsky said. “When we had to direct donors there we’d point them down the hallway, past the pop machine and then to the back corner of the break room. Often they’d find the restroom already occupied. Our new arrangement is much more convenient and better looking, too.” Additional convenience is found in the new heating and cooling system that allows JCC maintenance, when called, to quickly adjust Foundation temperatures via computers from a central site on campus. “The feel in the Foundation is 100% better,” Peatrowsky said. “It’s brighter, the noise level is lower. Marty prefers the office to be quiet and I really like to listen to music while I work. So now I can have my iPod playing and not disturb him or anyone else. I absolutely love my office.”
Jim Shneider, standing left, All Makes Office Equipment special projects director, Janet Henthorn, Endowment Associate, and Foundation Director Marty Ricks. Seated: Endowment Associate Laurie Peatrowsky and Blumkin Home Executive Director Mike Silverman. The Federation Foundation is located in the northwest corner of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home lower level and can be reached through the south side door. The 1880 square-foot space is part of the total RBJH renovation. “For my 10 years at the Foundation, we operated out of 750 square feet with mismatched furniture that had fallen apart with age,” said Ricks. “It certainly did not hinder our growth as we tripled our asset base in that ten year period to $75 million. Since we have become one of the more successful Jewish federation foundations in the United States, it’s fitting that we work and greet our donors in a professional setting. We’re grateful for the assistance of Jeff Kavich and his highly professional staff, Kimberly Overton, and especially Mike Silverman, who allocated extra space from the original plans to enable us to expand our Foundation space from 750 square feet to nearly 1900 square feet.” In describing the expanded Foundation, Steve Bloch said, “Our new administrative offices properly reflect the growth and vitality which has characterized the Foundation and its operations over the last several years. Marty Ricks, his staff and our donor and endower community will now be able to carry on their important work in a very inviting setting.”
July 25, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Reform, Conservative seminaries in historic partnership to train clergy by BEN HARRIS NEW YORK (JTA) -- The largest Conservative and Reform seminaries are partnering in a rabbinic training program that officials from both schools say is the first to provide joint instruction to future clergy from different movements. The program, funded by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, will provide eight students from the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion with funds for tuition and living stipends for two years while they receive professional skills training Though the course of study will not focus on textual and theological areas, where differences between the movements are sharpest, the program nevertheless signals an increased willingness to cooperate across denominational lines. “We don't have the luxury of infinite resources,” JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen told JTA. “There’s also a positive good in strengthening the Jewish people, and that is accomplished by having our leaders get to know one another, learn from one another, respect one another.” Eisen said “exploratory discussions” were under way for similar initiatives with other seminaries, but he declined to elaborate. The partnership comes at a time when the historically rigid lines between the denominations have begun to blur. In May, Hebrew College in Boston graduated the first class from its recently established rabbinical school, billed as the world's first transdenominational rabbinic training program. And recent years have seen the rise of countless independent prayer communities across the country that are not easily classifiable in traditional
Rabbi Arnold Eisen, left, the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Rabbi David Ellenson, the president of Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion Credit: Courtesy JTS and HUC-JIR denominational terms. JTS and HUC also have established a joint chair in Israel studies, though it’s not clear if the position will be filled in the coming academic year. “I do think we live in an age where there is much greater permeability among denominations than was present in previous generations,” said Rabbi David Ellenson, the president of HUC. Ellenson said part of the reason is the decline in social and economics gaps that once separated the denominations. Ellenson and Eisen both stress that important distinctions remain between the Conservative and Reform movements, and that the growing partnership between the schools does not represent an effort to erase those differences. Rather, they say, certain communal challenges transcend those differences and ought to be addressed jointly.
Still, Eisen acknowledged it would have been difficult to imagine such a partnership in an earlier era. “I think if you go back decades, there was a feeling that people scored points at the expense of the other,” he said. “We’re not going to do that.” The Schusterman Rabbinical Fellowship will provide training in three major areas, according to Rabbi Hayim Herring, the executive director of Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal, or STAR, who has helped develop the curriculum. One part is demographics and Jewish communal trends. Another is management and organizational leadership. And the last is inclusion, with an emphasis on the intermarried. The inclusion area is one where differences between Conservative and Reform attitudes are probably the most acute. Reform Jews consider the children of intermarried couples to be Jewish, provided they are raised as Jews, while Conservative Jews do so only if the mother is Jewish or the children have undergone a conversion. Different approaches also exist within and between denominations toward the awarding of synagogue honors to non-Jewish spouses. “Part of what we hope to achieve is increased understanding,” Herring said. “I think it puts us in a great position to model how to have a conversation which is, in the words of the rabbis, ‘l’shem shamayim,’ or for the sake of heaven. He added, “What we’re trying to do is not persuade one another. I think we’re going to have some really interesting discussions and I hope they’ll be provocative in the best sense of the word.”
Elie graduates from eighth grade
JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL by TEDDY WEINBERGER
Last month, my son Elie graduated from the eighth grade of Yeshivat Noam. Like most secondary schools in Israel, Noam is a six-year school, and Elie will be continuing on at Noam for ninth grade. A theology professor of mine once told me that he likens differences between people’s religiosity to differences in their artistic or athletic abilities. In any given family, one child may be more athletic than the other children, one child may be more artistic than the other children, and one child may be more receptive to spirituality than the other children. Elie is especially gifted in spiritual and religious matters, and so it was appropriate that for Elie (unlike for his older siblings), we chose a school that is part of the more religious “Torani” stream of education in Israel. What does it mean to be a more religious religious school? The easiest way to tell Elie’s school from his brother Ezra’s is the hours: This past year, Elie’s average day ended at 5 p.m., while 10th-grader Ezra’s ended on average at 4 p.m. -- and the average day for the 10th grade in Noam ends at 6 p.m. The extra hours are devoted to Judaic studies, especially Talmudic studies. Elie’s graduation was held in Jerusalem’s Old City. The day began with morning prayers at the Kotel. r s, Y ea & A ll kes M a odels M
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Afterwards, parents and students were split into small groups, each to be guided by one of the graduates on a short walking tour of the old city. Elie was one of the guides, and he did a fine job explaining the historical significance of where we were. All the groups reconnoitered in the auditorium of one of the yeshivot in the old city. Elie’s principal, Rav Simcha Weissman, was later to remark that he had really wanted to hold the graduation in the Muslim Quarter, and in his deliberations with the authorities he had even offered to pay for the added security needed for the event, but his request was turned down. I thought to myself: just as well -- I didn’t need the added excitement. As is typically the case at Israeli graduations, the students were completely in charge. Two students were the emcees and the first part of the graduation consisted of a series of siyums (completions): one biblical, one Mishnaic, and one Talmudic. We were all then invited to partake of refreshment. It was about 11 a.m. by then, and even though most of the crowd had not eaten anything yet that morning, some of the boys spontaneously broke out into singing and dancing. They were soon joined by their teachers and fathers, while the mothers sang and clapped from their side of the room (there was separate seating). After the recitation of the Grace After Meals, there were remarks by Rav Simcha and a short slide show of photographs taken of the kids from the past year, set to a poignant piece of music. I got especially choked up seeing some of the shots of the kids on their nature
hikes. It was wonderful to see how the Land of Israel is a tangible part of the school’s curriculum. One of the graduates played a few Hebrew songs on the clarinet. He looked like a sweet kid, but it never ceases to amaze me how Israeli children can be persuaded that performing is an end unto itself and that talent is a bonus. Believe it or not, I had been chosen to deliver remarks as the representative of the parents. Contrary to Elie’s great fears, I don’t believe that I embarrassed him or anyone else. I spoke about how from what I observed over the past two years, in addition to the everyday life of a school (classes, exams, trips, etc.), the teachers have an ideal to which they would like the boys to strive--and this ideal is nothing short of holiness. I couldn’t help but think back to my own eighth grade graduation from the Yeshivah of Flatbush. It was a much more formal affair, with the graduates wearing caps and gowns. But the huge difference for me was not in the attire nor even the location, but the easy and relaxed relationship that my son has with his teachers and principals. It would never have dawned upon me to give my principal a friendly shoulder thump, but that’s exactly what Elie did to Rav Simcha before we walked back to our car. Okay, there is also this: our walk, instead of taking place on Avenue J in Brooklyn, was taking place directly above the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah to Israel in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children, three of whom are now serving in the IDF. He is a frequent contributor to this paper and can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 18, 2008
Welcoming a “hero” At the same time that the Regev and Goldwasser families were making preparations to bury their sons, Lebanon staged a “hero’s” welcome to Samir Kuntar. As readers will recall, Kuntar was sentenced to 358 years in prison for the murder of the Haran family -the father and his four-year-old daughter -and by default, the two-year-old daughter who was accidentally suffocated when her mother tried to keep her quiet under the crawl space of their home. Kuntar also killed an Israeli policeman in the 1979 beach attack near Nahariya. Goldwasser was buried in his home town of Nahariya last week. His wife Karnit made the rounds of offices of officials from Washington, D.C., to Paris, France, trying for two years to get the same officials who were pressuring Israel to make peace with the Palestinians to pressure Hezbollah to release Goldwasser. Nahariya is located in the Western Galilee, Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region. It’s a small, bustling town, long ago described as a “yekke” town, home to Jews from Germany (both before and after World War II). Today, you’re more likely to hear Russian and Amharic (the language of Ethiopian Jews), mixed with Hebrew. Nahariya is close to the Lebanese border, so it wasn’t difficult nearly 30 years ago for Kuntar and his quartet of terrorists to sneak into the area by lifeboat. He claims that the object of the mission was to kidnap Israelis for ransom of PLO prisoners, but the lifeboat was
shot and they had “no choice” but to kill the Haran family. For this, Sheik Nasrallah came out of hiding in Beirut to declare the “divine victory” of the 2006 war against Israel, which started with the killing of Israeli soldiers stationed at the Lebanese border and the kidnapping of Goldwasser and Regev. Despite United Nations Resolution 1701, which prohibits the build-up of arms and armies by Hezbollah, it has become apparent that not only has the Iranian-backed terrorist group increased the number of rockets it holds to 40,000, but also has stockpiled more long range rockets. Recall that in the summer of 2006, those rockets not only hit the Western Galilee Hospital and Nahariya, but reached as far south as Haifa and Tsfat. This is not good, not good at all. And you can thank Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for that. T h a n k f u l l y, Israel’s military
Liberte, egalite, fraternite ... for whom? away, raising one hand to his face as if to block off any eye contact with the Israeli. It was the first time they had ever been in the same room together.” Sarkozy and Reuters seem to think it is by SHOSHANA BRYEN newsworthy when an Arab breathes the same It is almost a shame to criticize French air as an Israeli; we think it is disgusting that President Nicholas Sarkozy on Bastille Day. they think so. But it is his own fault for feting Bashar Assad Perhaps worst, Assad was an honored guest last week in Paris -- at the expense of Lebanon, next to Sarkozy at the Bastille Day Parade, Israel and the French army, not to mention the and, according to a German newspaper, the United States and large parts of the Arab French government banned a planned protest world. by French veterans who blame Sarkozy claims a Assad’s goal is to bring American Syria for the deaths of 58 victory for inducing members of a UN attention and money to Syria -- and French Syria and Lebanon peacekeeping force in to announce plans maybe American pressure on Israel Lebanon in 1983. to establish to cede the Golan Heights without a Sarko abased France -- and embassies in one serious quid pro quo. Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite --another’s capitals -by elevating a dictator who from the birth of Lebanon in 1943, Syria has clearly has no interest in giving up his political, maintained that it is simply an extension of military and financial arrangements with Iran; Greater Syria, not a separate country. who is violently repressive at home (where is Claiming historic rights, Syria has stationed the outrage over the killing of more than 100 troops and intelligence officers in Lebanon, inmates in a Syrian prison earlier this month?); used the Bekka Valley for drug cultivation, who was building a nuclear reactor with North chosen a long line of Lebanese presidents, and Korea; who raped Lebanon and continues to been the pathway for Iranian access. So isn’t it allow Hezbollah to import arms into the south good that Syria will now recognize Lebanon as despite UN resolutions to the contrary; who an independent country? rebuffed American friends in the region; and No. The technicality of an embassy will only who harbors terrorists in Damascus and allows make it easier for Syria to run the parts of terrorists to infiltrate Iraq. Lebanon it cares to run, like the government. Assad let Sarko take him to the prom and The announcement was made at almost pre- show him off as a friend of France, if not the cisely the moment that Hezbollah was taking West. But Junior is hoping to go home with a its unelected, violently assumed place in a new different date. Lebanese cabinet, ensuring continued and Assad’s goal is to bring American attention deeper Iranian and Syrian control. And and money to Syria -- and maybe American Hezbollah’s “blocking third” in the new cabi- pressure on Israel to cede the Golan Heights net ensures that the United Nations probe of without a serious quid pro quo. the murder of Rafik Harriri will find only dead Indeed, one longtime region-watcher said ends. he was “auditioning for the next President.” Surely this was not what France intended. Surely that is not what France intended either, Sarkozy claimed victory for bringing Junior but that is what it got. Assad and Prime Minister Olmert together. Shoshana Bryen is the Senior Director for According to Reuters, “a Reuters photogra- Security Policy for JINSA, Jewish Institute for pher captured (Olmert) casting glances National Security Affairs. Read more at toward the Syrian leader. But Assad turned www.jinsa.org.
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
seems to have learned a thing or two from the 2006 war, as the destruction of a nuclear weapons plant in Syria by the IAF demonstrated. Unfortunately, what Israel’s gangland-style neighbors have learned from all this is that kidnapping pays: Israel will release prisoners with blood on their hands for the return of Israeli soldiers, dead or alive. So what if the Red Cross isn’t allowed to see them in captivity; the likelihood is that Hamas and Hezbollah will kill them anyway. They will only stop when Israel makes them pay a severe price for these horrendous acts. And from the looks of things, that’s not likely to happen soon.
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Bold leadership
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by HOWARD KOHR AIPAC Executive Director In this time of heightened anxiety and uncertainty in the Middle East, Congress has taken a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and security of our nation’s closest ally in the region. Earlier this month, the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved, and President Bush signed into law, funding that increases Israel’s total security aid for fiscal year 2009 to $2.55 billion. The funding--$170 million in additional security assistance to Israel--is in line with America’s new 10-year, $30 billion aid agreement with the Jewish state and was included as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Acts of Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009. Aid to Israel is not normally included in the supplemental. But with Congress expected to enact a Continuing Resolution at the end of this fiscal year--which will keep all federal programs, including aid to Israel, at fiscal year 2008 levels--bipartisan Congressional leaders acted to lock in the critical aid increase to Israel as soon as possible. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) were at the forefront of this effort. One month ago at AIPAC’s Policy Conference, Pelosi announced her intention to ensure that Israel received the full increase in aid called for under the new 10-year plan by including the additional funds in the supplemental. “For many reasons, it is important for us to support the security of Israel,” Pelosi explained. “It is in the national interest of the United States of America to support the security of Israel.” The top-ranked member of Congress then noted that the first installment of the aid increase, $170 million, “will be in the Continued on page 13
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July 25, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Captive soldiers must know Releasing terrorists encourages more attacks As a parent, I understand their efforts and agree that a Israel will do all to bring parent must always do everything for his child’s wellFOCUS ON ISSUE being. The parents of an abducted child have the full them home by RON KEHRMANN right and obligation to act in any way possible to bring
ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW by CHEZI SHAY
HOLON, Israel (JTA) -- Sitting in a Syrian prison, one thought kept me alive: the knowledge that my country was doing everything possible to bring me back home to my family and homeland. At times I imagined a hole in the floor, with Israeli troops emerging from it to rescue me. In the Syrian prison, I recalled the images of our war captives from Egypt stepping off the plane. I remembered the efforts the state made to get back the bodies of its soldiers. Time and again I recounted the story of the hostage rescue in Entebbe. Even in times of despair I knew that everything was being done to discover what happened to me and that Israel was making every effort to bring me home alive. There were times when I considered the possibility of ending my life, especially so my captors would have a body and not a living soldier. But I knew they would bring my body back to Israel, too. I knew they would never say that I disappeared. So I support the current prisoner swap. As one who sat in prison, with his family told for two years that he was dead, I am convinced that we had to make the swap despite the heavy price of releasing the murderer Samir Kuntar. Every soldier who goes to war should go to the battlefield knowing the state will do everything to bring him home. This knowledge should be etched in the consciousness of every soldier. God forbid that the example to be etched in our soldiers’ minds would be that of Ron Arad, whose fate, to our regret, remains unknown. I am glad that the swap is taking place and that the Goldwasser and Regev families can rest. When, heaven forbid, a soldier dies, army officials knock on the door and inform the family of the terrible news. Here we have two families who for two years have been facing a terrible situation, waiting for that knock on the door. Therefore, we had to do everything in order to end the distress they were facing. Chezi Shay was held hostage by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine from 1982 to 1985.
Bold leadership
Continued from page 12 supplemental appropriation bill the House will consider soon, in fact, that we are considering now, so we can expedite this.” Only a few weeks after her comments, Israel’s aid increase was locked in. U.S. security assistance is the most tangible expression of American support for the Jewish state. Indeed, the aid increase is vital to ensuring that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge over its potential adversaries. With a re-armed Hezbollah entrenched in the north, ongoing Hamas rocket attacks from the south and a nuclear-minded Iran to the east, Israel has little room to breathe. These same adversaries are also working to undermine other critical U.S. interests in the Middle East. By helping Israel, America strengthens its own position in the region, as well. The supplemental also provides economic and security aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) led by Mahmoud Abbas. Under strict oversight, the PA funding is aimed at improving economic conditions in the West Bank, as well as bolstering security and governmental reforms. The effort to lock in this vital increase in U.S. aid to Israel could not have happened without the active support of the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate. They should be applauded for their efforts.
JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos for the Sept. 5 issue is Wednesday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m. All board lists for the New Year’s issue are due by Monday, Aug. 25. Lists of births, deaths, marriages and B’nai Mitzvahs are due by Friday, Aug 29; and all synagogue schedules for Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah services for the week of Sept. 26 are due no later than Sept. 2.
HAIFA, Israel (JTA) -- I am writing from Israel as my government releases terrorists back to Lebanon in exchange for the return of two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah and for information on the fate of missing Israeli airman Ron Arad. My government made this decision without knowing all the details and the exact price Israel will have to pay, without knowing if the captive soldiers are alive, without knowing if the report on Arad is reliable. The negotiations over the prisoner swap deal and the families’ torment have been in the headlines here for more than 700 days, since Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were taken captive by Hezbollah in Lebanon. The constant concern in Israel for our captive soldiers has increased the price of their release. As a father who lost his daughter in a terrorist attack, this fateful trade -one that is backed by public opinion and fueled by the media -- forces me to raise some questions. How many terrorists will Israel ultimately have to release from prison to bring home its captured soldiers? How much will this decision increase the price of releasing Shalit, the soldier we know is alive? Would the price of a swap have been this high if media outlets had not injected themselves into these deliberations? How many more Israelis will die or be taken captive as a result of this swap? My daughter Tal was 17-years-old when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives belt on March 5, 2003, killing 17 Israelis -- Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druse. Did I fail as a father to protect my daughter's life when I did not try to change my government's decision to release convicted terrorists years before the attack? Would my government have listened to me? During the past months and especially in the past few weeks, we have seen the families of the abducted soldiers criticizing and banging on the doors of Israeli government ministers, Knesset members and other public figures urging them to release terrorists and get back their sons.
back their child, irrespective of the price the public must pay. But the involvement of the media and public opinion in their efforts raises serious moral questions. Should governments take such considerations into account? What about the other Israelis who now are at greater risk of attack? Poor decisions by politicians led to the murder of my daughter and 16 others on Bus 37 in Haifa. Now that I have joined the ranks of the bereaved, what should I do in order to protect Tal's brothers, Dror and Mika? Who will safeguard their lives after the mass release of terrorists with or without blood on their hands? The past has taught us that some convicted terrorists who are released from jail kill again. These attacks are a matter of when, not if. These terrorists were found guilty by the Israeli legal system in fair trials. But they remain heroes -- and inspirations -- to their people. Releasing them further jeopardizes the Israeli people and is a breach of the government’s responsibility to its citizens. As a parent who must protect the lives of his children, I wish that I would be welcomed in the halls of the Knesset with the same attentiveness, understanding and empathy as the parents of the captive soldiers. I wish I could add my input and experience to influence a decision with such a strategic and long-term impact. In any case, deliberation of such crucial issues must take place far from the public eye, free from the influence of stricken families or the media. Their intervention increases the price of a swap and prolongs the process of bringing home captive soldiers. Israel has to set a firm policy for dealing with the release of kidnapped soldiers and citizens -- a policy that will make clear that kidnapping Israelis does not bring rewards. The mass release of murderous terrorists teaches that terror is the way to victory. But we need to show that only honest negotiations will bring peace. Then Israeli and Arab children will have a better future, and not lose their lives as a result of senseless, hate-driven acts of violence.
The mass release of murderous terrorists teaches that terror is the way to victory. But we need to show that only honest negotiations will bring peace.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: With more than casual interest, I read Moira Schneider’s article regarding Zimbabwe’s Jews in the July 11 issue of the Jewish Press. In 1963, my husband and I were on a trip to Africa. As it happened, we were in Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia in those days) during the Jewish High Holy Days. In Harare (Salisbury), we became acquainted with some members of the Jewish community, some of whom were Holocaust survivors, some who had immigrated from Germany and others who had lived in the country for generations. They welcomed us with open arms and asked us to attend services with them and share meals with them afterwards. In Bulawayo, we were equally made to feel at home. We received gifts and were invited to a garden party at the rabbi’s home. I recall that a rabbi from Bulawayo visited Omaha many years ago. We attended both Conservative and Sephardic services and hoped that visitors from other lands would be equally welcomed at home in our country. Sadly, most of our African friends no longer live in Zimbabwe. Some have died; others have moved to South Africa or Israel. But I will always remember the High Holidays spent far from home as some of the best ones ever. Hannie Wolf Albion, NE To the Editor: The time has come to face the fact that two Israeli POWs were murdered in captivity. Exactly two years ago, a few days after Goldwasser and Regev were captured, the Israel government cabinet
secretary Attorney Yisrael Maimon, convened a press briefing following the Israeli government cabinet meeting, which this reporter attended, in which Maimon reported to the media that Goldwasser and Regev were captured alive. Maimon held at least 12 more briefings over the next few months in which he declared that Goldwasser and Regev were captured alive. Maimon told the media that he relied on Israeli intelligence data which confirmed that the two Israeli POWs were captured alive. Rev. Jesse Jackson, acting as an independent envoy, along with the Red Cross and the UN, all confirmed that Regev and Goldwasser were alive. Now that it is clear that Goldwasser and Regev died at the hands of Hezbollah while they were held in captivity, the responsibility for the murder of Goldwasser and Regev rests with the Hezbollah organization and with their sponsors in Syria and Iran. Meanwhile, the government of Israel now has a responsibility to the people of Israel and to the soldiers of Israel to hold Hezbollah, Syria and Iran accountable for the murder of the two POWs. The murder of a POW is defined by international law as a war crime. The question remains whether the UN, the International Court of Justice, or any of the plethora of international human rights organizations will say so at this time. David Bedein Bureau Chief, Israel Resource News Agency Chairman, Center for Near East Policy Research Jerusalem, Israel
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, July 25, 8:28 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
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.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. Friday: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. This special service -- Cantor Bogomolni’s last Shabbat at Beth El -- will be led by Cantors Bogomolni and Schlossberg, plus Annelise Ocanto and surprise guest musicians. SINGLES, SUSHI & SHABBAT On Friday, all Jewish singles from ages 21 to 35 are invited to a sushi Shabbat dinner following 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Cost: $10. To RSVP, contact the office or programming@bethelomaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m. D’var Torah given by Cantor Gastón Bogomolni; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Minha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 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. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. BBQ FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Thursday, July 31, 6:30-8 p.m. at Zorinsky Lake (Shelter #2). For information, contact Robert Mosenkis in the office, or at youthdir@ bethel-omaha.org. (See full article on page 6.) HAZAK INSTALLATION Friday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m., during
Shabbat services. At 5:30 p.m., the organization will sponsor a reception to honor incoming and outgoing officers. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP Monday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m., at the home of Helen Epstein, 17017 Western Ave. The evening’s theme is “Examining Our Jewish Identity.” To RSVP, contact Epstein at 391.9187 or aepstein1@cox.net; or co-host Ruthie Potash at 571.5006, or rsvp55@cox.net.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 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 Jerry and Candee Mack in honor of their grandsons’ first birthday; “Guard Your Tongue” and “Advanced Analysis of Midrash Rabbah” (classes begin on hour before Mincha each Shabbat afternoon); Mincha, 8:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:35 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam” with Rabbi Oxman is off for the summer; 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 is on break for the month of July.
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.; Heading Somewhere, studying the book of Numbers, 9:30 a.m.; Parsha study, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; Parsha for Kids, 3:15 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Peaceful Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Penny Berger. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. THURSDAY: Choir Rehersal, 7:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, 7 p.m. Introduction to Hebrew, a four-week session led by Rabbi Emanuel.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours:
FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by
Temple Israel members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m., led by Cantor Wendy Shermet; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m., led by Cantor Wendy Shermet; D’var Torah: Rita Paskowitz -- “OY.” 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.
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 Neighborhood Minyan
Rising food prices, dollar’s fall squeeze Israeli aid groups, poor
1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
by DINA KRAFT TEL AVIV (JTA) – It’s midafternoon and Michael Dahan is buying food for his first meal of the day. With rising food prices compounding his already dire economic situation, it has become his habit to skip meals, he admits. “What can I do?” the unemployed 49-year-old says with a shrug, holding the small carton of milk he has just bought at a grocery store in the rundown Shapira neighborhood of south Tel Aviv. “I hardly have anything to get by on once I’ve paid rent and utilities.” A block away, on a sidewalk strewn with cigarette butts and plastic bags, Maria Arnov, 28, an immigrant from Latvia and mother of two, says food prices have changed the way she shops. Arnov goes to the store less often and cuts corners wherever she can, like buying cheaper frozen meat and not buying the type of rice her family favors because its price has doubled in the past three months. Israel, like many parts of the world, has seen food staples such as meat, rice and vegetables rise significantly. Its poor, already struggling to make ends meet, have been hardest hit -- along
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with the nonprofit groups that serve them. Although it is rare for Israelis to go hungry, food insecurity is a growing problem in their nation as traditional social safety nets fall short and nearly a quarter of Israeli families find themselves subsisting on less nutritious diets than before. Many of the nonprofit groups that deliver food to the needy say they have been reeling from the one-two punch of rising prices and a Israeli shoppers look for bargains at a Jerusalem market on July 20. Credit: Brian Hendler sinking dollar. packages it delivers to families not financially possible to help In Israel, groups that rely in every month to 200, down from them,” said Ronen Ziv, the direclarge part on funds raised in the 500 last year. tor of the group, which provides United States have been forced by At “From the Heart”, an organ- food packages to 700 families per the dollar’s plunge to cut back on ization in Rishon LeZion that week. “We have no government services, sometimes reducing the runs a food distribution project assistance.” number of families they serve by called Lev Chesed, volunteers are With budgets becoming leaner, as much as 40 percent. overwhelmed by requests they government officials for the first In Beersheva, the social assis- cannot meet. time are pushing to develop a poltance group Beit Moriah has had “We have several hundred peo- icy to combat food insecurity. The to reduce the number of food ple on our waiting lists, but it’s Continued on page 15
July 25, 2008
Ethical warfare?
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Matot The interesting things that we may take from our Sidra this week are rules for ethical warfare ( if we can allow ourselves such a term). The Midianites had earned for themselves the anger and enmity of the Israelites. And the Israelites were now commissioned to destroy them. The Midianites are termed not only the enemy of Israel, but of the Lord Himself! Why? Because they attempted to entice the Israelites in their sexual worship of their idol, Ba’al-peor, one of the most serious affronts to the Lord. Ancient warfare assumed that battles ended in death. If there were prisoners, they, too, were put to death, and whatever wealth they had was considered, naturally, to be now the possession of the conquerors. It is (at least) noteworthy to see what was considered ethical warfare in those long ago days. For example, in addition to dividing the booty taken in the war against the Midianites, there are instructions to allow captured women to be kept by Israelite soldiers. And there are additional items not mentioned in previous wars: the purification and cleansing of the booty so it can be used by the Israelites, as well as an impromptu gift of booty to the priests to be used in the Temple service. That is to say, the rules and purification ceremonies would, therefore, separate the Israelite soldiers from what they captured, making their booty acceptable for other purposes. Today, with the United Nations and the International Court of Justice at the Hague, the rules of warfare are quite different. So be it. We may analytically assume in our Sacred Text that this is a kind of justification for ancient Israel’s occupation of agricultural lands and cities of conquered peoples. In the ancient world, it was assumed that conquerors naturally owned all the assets of defeated peoples, including the talents and even the lives of those they conquered. If we consider our own standards (or even the standards of the U.N.) to be higher than the ancients, at least we must recognize an attempt to control the appetites of the winners in the practice of “to the victor belong the spoils.� It is to some extent astonishing that here are advances from the earliest “ethics� of warfare. If we judge this attempt at “ethical warfare� described in our Sidra, we must at the same time recognize that there was clearly an attempt to make warfare less horrendous than it might have earlier been.
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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. Pipestone System/EMP SERV, LLC is seeking candidates for a System Supervisor to oversee our swine facilities in a three-state region – South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Qualifications: U Excellent leadership abilities along with strong communication/organizational skills. U Experience in the swine industry. U Four-year degree in animal science or related field.
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Dollar’s fall squeeze Israeli aid groups, poor Continued from page 14 first-ever interministerial report on the subject was completed recently, and legislation is pending in the Knesset for a new council on food security to be created to develop coordinated policies to tackle the problem. The ministerial report, which is pending Cabinet approval, recommends increasing annual state funding for nutrition and food insecurity to $10 million to $15 million from the current $1 million. “There needs to be an appropriate range of government responses, from funding food assistance programs, to reducing state Value Added Tax on staple foods, to ensuring that having basic foods is seen as a right for all Israelis,� said Batya Kallus, the director of the Forum to Address Food Insecurity and Poverty in Israel. The forum, which conducts research, engineered the establishment of Leket, Israel’s first national food bank. Established last year, Leket is based on the model of U.S. community food banks. It attempts to coordinate and streamline the efforts of many nonprofit food agencies. In the past decade the number of such groups has grown to about 400, which collectively distribute some 20,000 tons of food per year. “What we have been seeing in purchasing food to be donated is that people are paying a huge range of prices, from rock bottom to retail,� Kallus said. “We have tried to make sense of that by creating a central purchasing division where organizations can come to Leket and we offer them a wide basket of foods they can purchase that we offer at the lowest possible prices,� she added. In a 2003 study on food insecurity in Israel commissioned by Leket from the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, researchers found that some 22 percent of Israelis are unable to provide for their basic nutritional needs on a daily basis. A father of eight in Jerusalem whose family has slipped into poverty after emigrating from the United States many years ago says he lives with food insecurity every day. “When there is food we are happy, when there isn’t we are not,� said the man, who asked not to be identified. “It’s not a matter of decision-making. When there’s just no money, there is no food.� He says there are days when the family goes without food. Ido Nachum, a spokesman for Israel’s welfare ministry, says he hopes the interministerial report’s recommendations will be adopted, including increased state investment and oversight of nonprofits, the establishment of the national council on food insecurity, expanding a hot lunch program for schoolchildren and ensuring government subsidies for those who cannot afford to feed their families adequately. Far from the corridors of national decision-making, Dahan, the unemployed man in south Tel Aviv, shuffles away with his small bag of provisions, hoping for better days.
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Members of Visions, including Harry Alloy, left, had a real treat when Cantors GastĂłn Bogomolni and Beth Schlossberg sang Yiddish, Hebrew and Israeli songs from The Great Jewish Songbook. For information about future Visions programs, call Jim Wax at 393.4442 or Alloy at 697.8709.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 25, 2008
Soviet Jewry activist dedicates playground on anniversary of Lubavitcher Rebbe’s release from Russian prison
that on the 13th of Tammuz, when we celebrate the triby ESTIE KATZMAN umphs of Russian Jews and the miraculous events which for Chabad of Nebraska allowed them to outlive communism and to thrive as Jews, Eyes sparkled when the new playground euipwe dedicate a playground in honor of the Goldsteins.” ment arrived and was installed. The playground The significance was not lost on the campers. Camp has become the hub of social interactions at Camp Gan Israel nurtures the soul of Jewish kids and stirs their Gan Israel located at the Chabad House. The new consciousness. Children are inspired to make a differplayground was a gift from the Leonard and ence in the world by their positive actions. Mitzvot Shirley Goldstein Foundation to the campers. It (commandments), love for the Land of Israel, and the was inaugurated on July 16, corresponding to the personal, familial connection and responsibility we have 13th of Tammuz, as Shirley Goldstein and camper to one another is taught. The playground is the meshTommy Sullivan cut the ribbon and formally inauing of the commitment of the Goldsteins and Chabad to gurated the playground. this community and beyond. There are no coincidences. The 12th and 13th Lily Goldberg and Emily Kutler made a short presenof Tammuz are days marked by world Jewry as tation to Goldstein. Goldberg said, “We are having a dates of victory for Jews and Judaism against the great time at camp, learning a lot, and playing really Communist regime in 1927. hard. The playground gives us more opportunity for joy On this day Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn, the and friendships.” Kutler concluded the presentation former Lubavitcher Rebbe, was freed from incarwith a “Thank you for this wonderful gift.” ceration. The death penalty which hung over his Freedom to pray, play and think as we wish are novelhead was commuted and he was now “at liberty” ties unique to our blessed country, and the century in to continue building the network of Jewish day schools, mikvot (ritual baths), adult education, Chabad campers clamber aboard the “ship” on the playground, donated which we live. When Goldstein was active in freeing training for shochtim (ritual slaughterers) and by Leonard and Shirley Goldstein, pictured next to Shani Katzman, right. Russian Jews from oppression in the Soviet Union, Jewish children would study Torah in underground celmohelim(circumcisers). the former Soviet Union. Decades later, when Shirley Goldstein, now famed as “Shirley worked tirelessly on behalf of Soviet Jews. She lars. At Gan Israel, Jewish kids are inspired, their Jewish trailblazer and activist on behalf of Soviet Jews, traveled heard their cries and enabled their voices to be heard. Her identity is strenghthened, and they are prepared to be to Russia, she encountered many of the Rebbe’s emis- dedication was rewarded not only with ‘free Jews’ but with the Jewish leaders of tomorrow. saries who were still smuggling tefillin, prayer books, proud Jews who are free to express their Judaism and faith Escaping from the shackles of bondage is a very timeeducational materials, food and other necessities in to in G-d,” Rabbi Katzman explained. “It is quite significant ly message from which to take inspiration.
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