July 25, 2014

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

A voice of reason

July 25, 2014 27 Tammuz 5774 Vol. 94 | No. 45

This Week

YJO goes to Jazz on the Green Page 3

Rabbi Abraham heads to Ramah, visits Beth El camp kids Page 6

by DR. MOSHE GERSHOVICH Professor of History and Director, Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, UNO Amid the dramatic and depressing news coming from the Holy Land following the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers, the emotional backlash it sparked, and recent warfare between Israel and Hamas, it is hard to believe that less than two months ago a group of Omahans had an opportunity to hear a very different vision for the future of that land. In May 2014, I led a group of six UNO students and eight Omaha community members in the inaugural Study Abroad trip to Israel organized by the Schwalb Center. Our trip lasted just under a fortnight and included Tel Aviv-Jaffa, the Western Galilee, including Caesarea and Akko, the Central and Eastern Galilee, including the UNO-led archeological dig at Bethsaida, Masada and the Dead Sea, as well as, of course, Jerusalem. It was there, at

The group of UNO students and community members poses outside the Rabin Museum Jerusalem’s Dan Panorama Hotel, that we got to meet with former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam

In the Courtroom: Riekes, Riekes and Gendler

Temple Israel 2014 Annual Golf outing August 18 Page 7

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press There are plenty of misconceptions about the legal profession in

we know do for a living. And so, we are debuting a new series, titled In the Courtroom, where we will feature community members from the legal profession. Although I have a long

our culture. We’ve all watched The Good Wife, and although real life rarely resembles a television drama, it can nonetheless be interesting to take a closer look at what happens in the real world and what the people

list of candidates, please let us know if you want to be featured in this column. Ari Riekes How long have you been a lawyer? I graduated from law school in 2003, and have been practicing ever since. Where do you practice? I am a partner at the law firm Marks, Clare and Richards, LLC, in Omaha. What do you think about Judge Judy? Well, I am working during the day, so I have not been exposed to the judicial brilliance of Judge Judy. But in all seriousness, any forum that seeks to resolve peoples’ disputes peacefully is a good thing. Continued on page 2

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Week Health & Wellness See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

Fayyad. Born in 1952 in the West Bank, Salam Fayyad received his BA from

the American University of Beirut and an MBA from St. Edwards UniContinued on page 2

13th Annual Jewish Film Festival by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life The 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival begins Sunday, Aug. 10 with four movies being shown throughout the month. All films will be shown in the JCC Theater

and the ticket cost is $8 per person. Opening the festival on the Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. is Fill the Void. This 2013 award-winning Israeli drama centers around 18-year-old Shira, the youngest daughter of a Hassidic family from Tel Aviv. She is about Continued on page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | July 25, 2014

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Continued from page 1 continues to represent) the best hope for Palestine to transiversity, before earning a PhD in Economics from the tion into normalcy and for the century-long conflict to University of Texas at Austin. Relating to the time he had finally become a thing of the past. spent in Texas, Fayyad recalled the famed football rivalry Fayyad’s political philosophy (sometimes known as between the Longhorns and Huskers, commenting on the “Fayyadism”) can be summed up as pragmatic transition brilliance of Coach Osborn. towards Palestinian statehood, by building his nation’s infraAfter teaching at Jordan’s Yarmouk University, in 1987 structure from the bottom-up. He is a staunch opponent of Fayyad joined the International Monitary Fund (IMF) in violence as a means to force a political settlement and he is Washington DC, serving as representative to the Palestinian similarly skeptical of the utility of the “peace process” as a Authority (PA) from 1996 to means to secure the end of 2001. Following this, Fayyad Israeli occupation and the served as the regional managachievement of a Palestinian er of the Arab Bank in the state. He recognizes Israel’s West Bank and Gaza until he need for security, which accepted an offer to become means strong defense and the PA’s Finance Minister. In secure borders. For the 2006 he resigned that post, Palestinians, security means co-founded the “Third Way” greater economic independparty and won a parliamenence and control over vital tary seat in the legislative resources such as water, elecelections. A year later (June tric power production, roads 2007) the PA President, and transportation, educaMahmud Abbas, appointed tion, healthcare, housing and Fayyad Prime Minster, a post employment. He desires a he filled for six years until his sustainable, inclusive policy, Charles J. Mikhail, left, Salam Fayyad and Moshe Gershovich resignation in June 2013. and regards sustained The initiative to bring Salam Fayyad to meet with our Palestinian existence and progress, rather than violence, as group during its tour of Israel came from Charles J. Mikhail. the true form of resistance. He urged his fellow Palestinians He is a successful attorney from Biloxi, Mississippi, who, “to stop appealing to historical narratives” and instead take among other cases, served on the original team of lawyers to a page out of the Israeli economic development playbook sue on behalf of various states the big tobacco companies and look to the future, not to the past. and force them into a historical settlement. A Christian In the conversation that followed Fayyad’s presentation, Palestinian and native of Ramallah in the West Bank, our Israeli tour guide, Gila Rosenfeld, who espouses moderMikhail has been a long-time supporter of UNO and the ate left views, expressed her disappointment and sadness Schwalb Center. The two of us met at Harvard University that Fayyad, a man with vision and a practical approach, was nearly three decades ago and became best friends. When he out of politics. Indeed, moderates out of power find friendhad learned about the Schwalb Center’s trip to Israel last ly foreign audiences for their idealism, but unfortunately year, he decided to participate in it. He also extended an lack the leverage to directly institute change locally. invitation for his good friend, Salam Fayyad, to meet with As we ended our meeting with Dr. Fayyad (who was on our group. his way to South Korea where he hoped to continue his Mikhail and Fayyad arrived together at the Dan Panorama efforts to raise international investments in the West Bank), on May 23, 2014 and joined our group for a delicious we could only ponder on the need for more pragmatic Shabbat buffet dinner. Afterwards, we gathered in a small visionaries like him on both sides of the conflict. With curmeeting room and shared an hour of conversation with the rent images of death and destruction constantly on our man who until recently has represented (and in some ways mind, that need seems to be greater than ever.

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In the Courtroom: Riekes, Riekes and Gendler Continued from page 1 What is your area of expertise? The bulk of my practice is litigation oriented, and I focus substantially in the area of employment discrimination/wrongful termination. I also practice in the area of commercial litigation which typically concerns contractual disputes. In addition, I represent a number of landlords (and sometimes tenants) regarding issues related to leasing of property. Finally, I also handle a limited number of family law disputes. What is your favorite restaurant? Big Fred’s. What would you like to see changed in America today? From a political perspective, I would like to see government functioning and tackling the problems that face ordinary middle class America. More and more, it seems that the business of government today is an all-out effort to assure that the other side fails. I think both parties are to blame, but the strategy has been used to the greatest extent by the Republican leadership in Congress since Obama was first elected. Fixing that problem and limiting the power of special interests when it comes to dictating policy would be a good start to changing America for the better. Who is your dream client? Any client that is open, honest, sincere and cooperative is appreciated, and I am lucky to have many that fall into that category. How does your Judaism affect the way you practice law? Judaism is a religion based on law. Questioning, understanding and analyzing Judaic law is a part of Jewish tradition. To be an effective lawyer in the secular world requires much of the same. Steve Riekes How long have you been a lawyer? Since 1965. After graduating Harvard Law School in that year, I was admitted to the Nebraska Bar, the Federal District Court for Nebraska, and the Eighth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Where do you practice? Right here in Omaha. Who do you practice with? I am a partner in Marks Clare & Richards, L.L.C. Our firm consists of nine partners and five associates. Besides myself, two other attorneys in our practice are Jewish, my son, Ari D. Riekes, and Lisa Lewis. What is your area of expertise? I work in the general practice of law, which involves everything from contracts to wills. However, I specialize in appellate and motion practice, which includes research and analysis of difficult legal issues and

brief writing. I have also been involved throughout my career with public housing law. I am a past president and a member of the board of directors of the Housing and Development Law Institute headquartered in Washington, DC. What is your favorite part of the Omaha Jewish community? I have been involved with all aspects of the Omaha Jewish community. I have a personal philosophy that requires daily exercise of my body, my spirit, and my mind. So I exercise my body at the Jewish Community Center. I worship at Beth El Synagogue. I am engaged in Jewish education, both for myself and in matters dealing with the Jewish community. In regard to the latter aspect, I am currently involved with the Philip and Ethel Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University and the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I am also a lifelong member of B’nai B’rith, which sponsors the Annual Bible Quiz and the Jewish Trivia Contest. What would you like to see changed in America today? I believe that the greatest danger to democracy and to our capitalist economy is the extreme inequality of our society today. The extreme wealth of a few gives them unparalleled access to the institutions of government. Inevitably, it allows them to distort the system in their own favor. Oligopoly and monopoly are destructive of our economy and our democratic way of life, which is founded upon an essential middle class. I am also concerned about gun violence and climate change. Who is your dream client? There is no way for me to tactfully answer this question. How does your Judaism affect the way you practice law? Judaism is not simply a religion, it is a way of life. In the book of Deuteronomy (Devarim), it is commanded: “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” I hope that I have been among those who contribute to the building of a just society. Judge Lawrence Gendler What do you do? I am a separate juvenile court judge in Sarpy County, Nebraska. I also am the statewide chair of the Nebraska Supreme Court initiative, “through the eyes of a child” (website is www.throughtheeyes.org), and I chair a statewide educational committee seeking to improve educational outcomes for court involved youth. Continued on page 5

July 25, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 3

Jewish Omaha Film Festival Kicks Off August 10th Continued from page 1 to be married in a dream-come-true scenario. Tragically, on Purim, her 28-year-old sister dies while giving birth to her first child. The family’s pain and grief postpone Shira’s promised match. When Shira’s widowed brother-in-law considers a new match which would move him and his infant son out of Israel, the girls’ mother proposes a match between Shira and the widower. Shira then has to choose between her heart’s desire and her family duty. Following the film, a discussion will be led by Dr. Guy Matalon, who now resides in an Orthodox community in Israel. (Israel, 2013, 90 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles) The Zigzag Kid is the featured film for Sunday, Aug. 17, and has been a darling of many other festivals, winning a number of awards. The film, based on the beloved novel of David Grossman, is a witty, spirited and action-packed adventure about Nono and his world of confusions, fears and fantasies. Nono longs to be a good detective like his father, a famous police inspector, but he is constantly in trouble. Two days before his bar mitzvah, Nono is sent off to his uncle’s to be disciplined yet again. Once on the train, the over-imaginative boy discovers one last chance to prove himself. Together with charming international thief Felix Glick, an old acquaintance of his father, he travels to the French Riviera and enters a world of disguises and crazy pursuits, crossing paths with a famous singer played by Isabella Rossellini and Zohara, a mysterious woman whose secrets will forever change Nono’s life. Immediately after the movie, Assaf Gavron, the new Schusterman Scholar for the Schwalb Center at UNO, will speak briefly. Assaf, an Israeli novelist, will talk about his acquaintance with David Grossman. Plan to come at

5:30 p.m. for dinner as well! A casual dinner featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, chips, cookies and beverages will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of the Klutznick Fund in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, dinner and the film are free for those under the age of 13 and adult meals are $10 per person. (Netherlands, 2012, 95 minutes, Dutch/French/English with English subtitles) A French comedy, Rue Mandar – Where We Grew Up will be shown on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The film begins with a traditional Jewish funeral whose rituals no one can quite recall. Then add a Yiddishkeit setting in a mostly Sephardic Jewish community and three French/Jewish siblings brought together after years of separation. This family dramedy finds Charles, Rosemonde and Emma, after reuniting for their mother’s funeral, soon squabbling about religious tradition, each other and what to do with their parents’ apartment at 13 rue Mandar. Charles summons a crew of Polish workers to redecorate his own apartment without consulting his long-suffering wife. Psychoanalyst Rosemonde barely pays attention during patient sessions as she obsesses over her faltering marriage and her son, who is now studying in New York. Scatterbrained Emma, a Tel Aviv translator, ends up efficiently cleaning out her mother’s apartment. Her “mourning special” giveaway of its contents on the Paris sidewalk below, leads to a chance encounter with Simon, the son of previous owners of the flat. (France, 2013, 95 minutes French with English subtitles) The final film of the festival, on Aug. 24, is a comedy/drama entitled Magic Men. Avraham is a magician and Holocaust survivor who, during a return to Greece, tries to

find a man who sheltered him during World War II. He wants to travel alone but he is forced to travel with his son, Yehuda, a devout Hassidic rapper. While Avraham is contemptuous of his son’s observance, Yehuda is not the typical Orthodox and doesn’t conform to the stereotypes. An interesting encounter with Maria, a Greek prostitute who is quite complex and engaging, leads to her involvement in the search. Yehuda joins in as well and the trio work together in Avraham’s quest. Absurd encounters interspersed with periods of magic performances lead Avraham and Yehuda to a final test as father and son. (Israel, 2014, 100 minutes, Greek, Hebrew, English with English subtitles) Films will be shown in the JCC Theater beginning at 7 p.m. with the exception of The Zigzag Kid which begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person and may be pur-

chased at the door. Dinner reservations for Aug. 17 must be made by the 14th by calling 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewish omaha.org. Many thanks to Nancy Skid, Eunice Denenberg, Renee Kasner and Jill Erman for their work in selecting this year’s films. The Jewish Film Festival is presented by The Center for Jewish Life as part of its mission to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. The Film Festival is generously sponsored by the Todd and Betiana Simon Foundation and the Klutznick Fund for Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. Additional support is provided from the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith and the Avy L. and Roberta L. Miller Foundation by Lindsey Miller-Lerman. For more information please call 402.334.6463.

YJO goes to Jazz on the Green by JUSTIN ZACHARY SPOONER Development Associate, JFO On Thursday, July 24, join Young Jewish Omaha at Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing. Jazz on the Green has become the premier Thursday night event over the last few years. Come join YJO for drinks and light snacks as we enjoy the music! The show, featuring Cuban Big Band Conjunto Chappottin Y Sus Estrellas, begins at 7:30 p.m. YJO

will have a section on the patio at Saint’s Pub a little before the 7:30 p.m. show time. Saint’s Pub is located in Midtown Crossing at 120 S. 31st Avenue, just south of Dodge Street. YJO’s mission is to offer young Jewish singles, couples and families, in their 20s and 30s, a broad range of social, educational, volunteer, philanthropic, and leadership development opportunities.

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SATURDAY, JULY 26 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon UNMC Chaburah with SEED, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Book Launch Reception for Holocaust Survivor, Milt Kleinberg, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 27 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

MONDAY, JULY 28 USY on Wheels visits Beth El, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

TUESDAY, JULY 29 USY on Wheels visits Beth El, 8 a.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El Bagels and Beis Medrash with SEED, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 Michael Segal guest scholar, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Michael Segal guest scholar, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Shabbat Afternoon Basketball, 1 p.m. at Beth El

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El MONDAY, AUGUST 4 Tisha B’av Mincha Services, 1 p.m. at Beth El Erev Tisha B’Av: Mincha “A Different Sorrow” with Project SEED, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel Erev Tisha B’av Services, 8 p.m. at Beth El

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21 UNMC Chaburah, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 SEED Kickoff Event, 5:30 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 UNMC Chaburah with SEED, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Picnic for Beth El Kids who attend Friedel Academy, 6 p.m. at Beth El

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Welcome Back Havdalah Ice Cream Blowout, 8 p.m. at Beth El

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 Ethics Workshop for Mental Health Professionals, 9 a.m. Jewish Family Service hosts – Three Realms of Ethics, 9 a.m. Guy Matalon Scholar-in-Residence, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Chef Demo, 1:30 p.m. at the Blumkin Home

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Adult Ed Class: Strange Customs of the Modern Day Jew, 10 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El USY LTI (Leadership Training Institute), noon at Beth El Mainstreeters Summer Picnic, 12:30 p.m. at Chalco Hills 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat Morning Speaker, Steve Riekes, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Guy Matalon Scholar-in-Residence, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel

MONDAY, AUGUST 25 JFO Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11 Friedel Back to School Ice Cream Social, 6 p.m. Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. Wednesday Night Class with Project SEED, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

Beth El Social Action Committee serves Lunch at the NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El brings Shabbat to the Blumkin Home, 1:30 p.m. USY LTI (Leadership Training Institute), 3 p.m. at Beth El Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat with dinner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Daddy & Me, 10 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El Bagels and Beis Medrash with SEED: Something for everyone-ages 1-120, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Jewish Press Gallery Reception, 2 p.m. 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 Project SEED Lunch & Learn, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Project SEED Lunch & Learn, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Friedel Jewish Academy First day of school, 8:30 a.m. Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Wednesday Night Class with Project SEED, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 JSS Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at It’s Yours Pottery JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 UNMC Chaburah, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Have a Cup of Coffee with God Learner’s Service, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. Beth El Beth El Social Action Committee Serves Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen Center

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 Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

July 25, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 5

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The Jews of Nebraska City (Part I) by SARA COHEN Jewish Press Intern Just about 50 miles outside the perimeter of Omaha lies a city recognized primarily for the achievements of one prominent family: the Mortons. As the founder of Arbor Day and father of the namesake of Morton Salt, Julius Sterling Morton remains the face of Nebraska City today. Yet, as I discovered when investigating my family origins in the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (one of the many benefits of my summer internship), to the Jews of Omaha, Lincoln, and other regional communities, this small town should represent a place of much greater significance. In the first part of the 19th Century, an ambitious Bavarian entrepreneur living in St. Louis learned of an emerging center of commerce located on the Missouri River in Nebraska Territory, and made the spontaneous decision to move to this town to seek his fortune. At the time, Nebraska City was one of the fastest-growing settlements in the country, attracting groups looking to profit from the California Gold Rush, families taking advantage of the newly established Homestead Act, and migrants drawn in by the transconti-

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Sadie, to fall in love with Robert Cohen, the son of her father’s prior business partner. Nebraska City News printed a tribute to their festive matrimony, describing it as “one of the most beautiful weddings that has taken place in this city.” It goes on to explain, “This marriage is the culmination of almost a life-long friendship of the two families, as Mr. Goldberg and the father of the groom were in business many years ago, and it was not until some ten or more years that one learned where the other resided.” It then lists details about the ceremony, such as, “At the home the decorations were carried out in green and white, the ceremony taking place beneath a canopy of smilax and white carnations, and the impressive words that united the lives of these two young people were spoken by Rev. Dr. Frederick Cohn of Omaha.” As Robert began work in the family business, Sadie, a skilled pianist and organist, gave birth to Elberta just over a

The family at the Jacobs’ house for the wedding of Elberta and Harry Cohen. unknown, Sadie (Goldberg) Cohen, Elberta Cohen, Harry Cohen, unknown nental railroad. When 19-year-old Lewis Wessel set up his dry goods shop in 1855, it became noteworthy not only as the first store in Nebraska, but also as a physical representation of the first Jewish settler of the new territory. With his wife, Sarah Reinheimer, Wessel had four kids. As they grew to be associates of their father’s business, now named L. Wessel’s Sons & Co., the children also married into the few other Jewish families that had inhabited Nebraska City. Concurrently, a man named Sam Goldberg ran an independent clothing business in Chicago. In 1871, he and his business partner, Hyman Cohen, split apart after the devastating destruction of their store in the Great Chicago Fire. Goldberg soon found himself in Shenandoah, Iowa, where he set up a store of his own. In 1884, he relocated his family to the promising town of Nebraska City. There, he raised seven children who, not unlike the posterity of Mr. Wessel, married within the limited concentration of Jews in their town. Bloomy, Sam’s eldest daughter, married I.D. Iseman, the man behind the “Co.” of “L. Wessel’s Sons & Co.” Later, A. W. Goldberg married Minnie Levi, Bessie Goldberg married Michael Gold, and Mose Goldberg married Edna Wessel. It wasn’t until 1911 that fate drew the youngest Goldberg,

year later. Through strong family connections and proximity in age, Elberta grew to be best friends with Helen Wessel (Cherniack) and Rae Sara Iseman (Jacobs). Though Omaha congregations had formed over 40 years before Elberta’s birth, the Jews of Nebraska City at the time were about as disconnected from their faith as they could be. Sam Goldberg was adamantly proud to be an American, and attempted to shroud all information about his origins (newspaper archives cite him as being born in Bohemia, Bavaria, or Poland). Following in the footsteps of their family patriarch, many Goldbergs committed themselves to Masonic orders, especially that of the Knights Templar. Besides a 58-word article in the Nebraska City News-Press detailing the services that “Rabbi” Lewis Wessel and “President” Sam Goldberg hosted at Odd Fellows Hall in the beginning of the 20th Century, no other mention of demonstrations of their religious affiliation exists. Nevertheless, most members of the Nebraska City families married within their faith, and few were buried outside of the Mt. Nebo “Hebrew” section of the Wyuka Cemetery, established by Jacob Sichl - another local Jewish clothier - in 1880. Mrs. Cohen frequently conveyed to her daughter her theory that if all people adhered to the basic principle of the Golden Rule, the need for organized religion would be obsolete. Robert, however, insisted that his child be brought up within a structured faith system, and he enrolled Elberta in a Sunday School at the local Church of Christian Science. This action soon proved ineffective; despite the frequent exposure to the religion, Elberta never felt a strong connection to Christianity. Editor’s note: due to space constrictions, part two of this story will be published in our next issue.

In the Courtroom: Riekes, Riekes and Gendler

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Continued from page 2 What makes you get up in the morning? Good question. I could say an alarm, but I am usually up before it goes off. I am no different than anyone else who has professional responsibilities. We get up and attend to our responsibilities, both professionally and personally. Does overlap exist between professional life and religious life? There is no overlap as we must be careful not to impose our religious beliefs or rely on religion in rendering decisions. But there are, on occasion, religious organizations that provide support for the youth and families we serve. And if they do not object, we will utilize these services. How did you arrive at this point in your career? Quite frankly, luck plays a huge role in becoming a judge. There are a number of qualified candidates who never get the opportunity. I was fortunate enough to have worked on legislation over 22 years ago, worked with the governor on its passage, and then came before him several months later as a judicial candidate. And having worked in the Sarpy County Attorney’s office for 14 years at that time had also provided me with valuable experience. I have over the years worked with a variety of policy makers and elected officials, which has provided me with wonderful opportunities and experiences. What is it that no one knows about the work you do? I doubt there is anything mysterious about my job. It can sometimes be a very lonely position as we are called upon to render difficult decisions where clarity of law or facts are not

present and the result will have long term effects on many. I suppose what we sometimes miss is that everyone, regardless of fault or circumstance, has a story. And those stories reflect the anguish and tragedy too many suffer, and in that context requires us to make every effort to carefully consider all that has been presented to us. What is your opinion of the way judges are portrayed in popular culture? It is hard for me to say as much of popular culture focuses on the federal courts and the US Supreme Court. To be certain, elections have consequences when it comes to judicial appointments. But much of the public may not appreciate that at the state level, regardless of which governor appointed a judge, these jurists attempt to render decisions in accordance with the law and not political party or personal opinion. In my role as project chair for the Nebraska Supreme Court initiative, I have met a number of recently appointed judges, as well as others who have served for 20 years or more. I have gotten to know them well and they do a tremendous job. I also think some of us may under-appreciate the level of cooperation and achievement that occurs in the rural parts of our state. From my perspective, how they approach their responsibilities eclipses our efforts in the metropolitan areas. This is probably not the vision popular culture has of “country” justice. To be featured in this column, please contact us at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Rabbi Abraham heads to Ramah, visits Beth El camp kids by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Although his days as a camper are past, Rabbi Steven Abraham’s passion for Jewish summer camp remains strong as ever. So it only makes sense that one of the rabbi’s favorite times of the year is summer, when he gets to visit Beth El youngsters attending their favorite Jewish sleep-away camps. Late last month, Rabbi Abraham, his wife Shira and their two children Naama and Leor, trekked up to Camp Ramah in northern Wisconsin, where they spent several days catching up with the Omaha contingent and participating in camp activities. “I have been thrilled to visit Beth El campers at Ramah and Herzl in the summers of 2012 and 2013,” he said, noting that he was only able to stop at Rabbi Abraham, with son Leor on his lap, and his wife Shira holding Naama, Ramah this summer. “It fills my heart enjoyed their recent visit with Beth El’s contingent of campers at Camp Ramah in to see them at camp having so much Wisconsin. fun, and I think the campers like seeing shows that kids who attend camp are significantly more liketheir rabbi outside of the synagogue, relaxing and having ly to be involved in the Jewish community as adults. I want fun with them. Naama and Leor to grow up loving Judaism, and I know that “Although I get to visit because I am the rabbi, the visit camp is a great way of making that happen.” itself is very personal.” As a youth, Rabbi Abraham spent summers at Camp Harlam, a Jewish camp in the Poconos, and Shira was a camper and a counselor at Ramah, so both have a passion and appreciation for the memorable – and valuable – expeB’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS riences these spiritual summer retreats offer. Mike Silverman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of “Camp allows kids to experience Judaism in a safe, non- Omaha, will talk about his first trip to Israel and why he's judgmental environment,” he said. “Talking about Shabbat is going to go back again on Wednesday, July 30, noon, at the one thing -- experiencing it is another. I think there is some- Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. An optional buffet lunch costs thing very special about being Jewish on your own terms.” $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to And while his small children are years away from sleep- be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibaway camp, the rabbi looks forward to the day when they rith@jewishomaha.org. join their parents in that special joy of connecting with a Jewish summer camp. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH “I hope that Naama and Leor will both attend Ramah,” he Our meetings are on Thursdays from 1-3 p.m., at the said. “Jewish camp is ideal because it pays dividends now; Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s boardroom. We welcome all kids have a great time, as well as in years to come. In addi- who would like to attend. For information call Anne tion to the amazing friendships that are made at camp, data Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

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July 25, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 7

Medical Ethics: What is the right or good thing to do? by OZZIE NOGG On Friday, Aug. 8, Jewish Family Service will sponsor an Ethics Workshop open to all Mental Health Practitioners and Social Workers in the Omaha area. The session will be facilitated by Dr. Amy Marie Haddad, Director for the Center for Health Policy and Ethics and the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Endowed Chair in the Health Sciences at Creighton University. According to Karen Gustafson, Jewish Family Service Executive Director, “Nurses, mental health professionals and social workers all need thirty-two hours of Amy Marie Haddad, Continuing Education Units Ph.D., R.N. every two years -- two hours of which is Ethics -- in order to remain licensed, so our agency offers this Ethics Workshop every two years. Therapists are often faced with situations in the counseling arena that are ‘gray areas’ of judgment. It is in those situations that mental health practitioners can make the biggest mistakes. To minimize these mistakes, Dr. Haddad will help our JFS staff and other participants explore several topics where ‘therapeutic boundaries’ can be compromised.” Dr. Haddad is a nationally known expert in ethics educa-

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tion, providing leadership in the development of novel methods to shape ethically competent and committed health professionals. “Ethics concentrates our attention on three main questions,” she explained. “First, what is the right or good thing to do? Second, what kind of person should I be? And third, what should I nurture or care about? In health care settings, whether home or hospital, ethics is especially important because of the vulnerability of the people involved. In all cases we should respect one another, refrain from harm, be fair. However, in health care all these questions and principles take on additional meaning. The Aug. 8 workshop will engage participants in the analysis of ethics cases on an individual, institutional and societal level. I hope the participants come away from the session with new awareness of how ethics plays a part in their daily work and lives.” According to an article in the bulletin of the World Health Organization, the ethical obligations of those who work for health are as old as the health professions themselves, and the commitment to place the interests of clients above all else is one of the hallmarks of professionalism. Ethical prescriptions are found in many cultures, such as the Hippocratic oath and the writings of the medieval Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. “The need for ethical conduct on the part of medical practitioners is paramount,” Gustafson said. “Jewish Family Service is proud to offer this seminar as a part of a health worker’s continuing education.” Jewish Federation of Omaha staff, in need of CEU hours, may attend the Ethics Workshop at no cost.

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Temple Israel 2014 Annual Golf Outing August 18 by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Once again, this summer Temple Israel will be holding its annual Golf Outing at Shadow Ridge. A day of fun and golf will be held on Monday, Aug. 18 at Shadow Ridge Country Club on 188th Street and Pacific Street. As in the past, Dan Marburg and Jeff Smedlund will be chairing the annual benefit for Temple Israel. The Golf Outing will begin with lunch at noon followed by a Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. and dinner with a cash bar at 6 p.m. Player options for the afternoon include: 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, driving range and dinner. Participant cost is $135; if you sign-up as a single, we will assign you to a Foursome. The cost for a Foursome is $540 -- If you would like to come to the dinner only, the cost is $30. Hole sponsorships are available and include signage on a tee/green and your name on all printed material the day of the event. Cost for members is $350 or $850 with a

Warming up before a day of golf Foursome. For non-members, the cost is $500 or $1000 with a Foursome. If you would like more information, or if you would like to donate a raffle prize, please call Temple Israel at 402.556.6536 or email us at templeisrael@templeisraelomaha.com.

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8 | The Jewish Press | July 25, 2014

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

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Losing the popularity contest ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor If you think I’m grouchy and stressed out, you’re right. If you think I am happy, relaxed and utterly adorable, you’d be right too. I can also be snippy, calm, friendly, amused, angry, impulsive, distant, sweet, sad, bossy, defensive and/or flirty. It all depends on the day, doesn’t it? I believe that’s true for most of us. Whatever image we project to others at any given point in time is a very small part of the whole. Who and what we are is a mosaic, a tapestry of emotions and reactions, beliefs and behaviors, and our personalities are much too complicated to be summarized so easily. And still, we try. With the knowledge that we have this tendency to simplify others must come the realization we often get it wrong. The boyfriend who seemed so cute ends up stabbing you in the back, the teacher who appeared cold and distant at first ends up being your strongest supporter. That mean girl you instantly despised on the first day of school becomes your best friend. And so on and so forth. Just as people often aren’t who they seem at first, we can’t watch current events with the assumption we know it all. Yet, there are many people outside of Israel who are more than willing to judge based on partial information. This has always been the problem with Israel’s public image, and it’s getting worse by the day. There are so many misconceptions floating around, it’s become nearly impossible to have a rational discussion with anyone about the current events. The good news: we all care. Truly, we do. The bad: we’re really bad at staying informed, and listening to each other. Add to that the popular misconception that Israel is a bully, is purposely killing Palestinian citizens, and that Hamas just wants freedom from “Zionist oppression,” and every attempt to educate the uninformed ends in mudslinging. I admit; I’m guilty of it myself. I am so sick of people who

blame Israel, boycott Israel, talk about the “Zionist war Machine” and use the words genocide and apartheid. Open your eyes, I want to say. Do you really think the problems will end if we could all just agree to blame Israel? If the IDF gave up, laid down its weapons and refused to fight? What if Hamas was allowed to go unchecked? Seriously, what do you think would happen to the Palestinian people? While the United Nations Human Rights Council readies itself to, again and again, denounce Israel, the UN’s Relief and Works Agency complains about “certain persons” plac-

ing rocket launchers in its Gaza schools. While all over the world people protest the actions of Israel, no one pays attention to the refugee camps in Syria, in Lebanon, or in Jordan. Nobody talks about Syria, period. And Iraq? How about the Sudan? Forget it. It’s not the hip thing right now. Changing popular perception is a tricky, tricky thing. During a CNN broadcast on Sunday, July 20, the uncomfortable and all-too-familiar question was posed: “Will Israel be forced to make concessions?” It’s uncomfortable, because history has shown us that the

answer is always ‘yes.’ That’s how the world turns: Israel makes concessions, Hamas does not. It’s expected. Maybe because deep down, most people do understand that in this conflict, Israel is the rational party. Even if that’s difficult to admit; it’s so much easier to say Israelis should make concessions because they are wrong. So, where does this leave Israel’s image? Has it affected the world’s opinion of Israel that a cease-fire was proposed, and Hamas flatly refused? Has it affected public opinion that Hamas has dropped quite a few rockets on its own people (by accident, of course)? Has it affected public opinion that the rest of the Arab world has not exactly rushed to Hamas’ defense, or reached out to help Palestinian civilians? What needs to change about the narrative (and what may help our collective frustration) is this: rather then defending Israel’s actions against the “Palestinian underdog,” we should keep pointing at Hamas as the real perpetrator. Yes, it’s a simplification of an age-old conflict, but we have to start somewhere. We have to stop apologizing. We have to stop trying to explain ourselves to people who are simply not willing to listen. I can’t think of any other country that has ever been asked to justify defending its very existence against a terrorist organization. It’s madness, and we should stop worrying so much about what the world thinks. What good does it do if world opinion is on our side, but there is no Israel left? I guarantee you there is not a single IDF soldier risking his or her life who would prefer to be popular and dead. This is not high school, although it sometimes seems like it. Unlike what some may think, it is not a popularity contest, and Israel does not need the rest of the world to hand it a permission slip before defending its existence. I love Israel, and I’m not sorry. No other country in the world would put up with this judgmental nonsense and uninformed hatred. Enough is enough.

Don’t lose sight of the Iranian threat

Focus on issues LAWRENCE GROSSMAN

NEW YORK (JTA) -- The bloody sectarian warfare in Iraq and Syria and the swift takeover of wide swaths of territory by the Sunni fundamentalist ISIS -- now calling itself a “caliphate” -- has triggered calls to cooperate with Shiite Iran as a counterweight. Yet we must not allow our justified concerns about ISIS to blind us to the even greater danger to regional security posed by a nuclear Iran. We must remember that a nuclear Iran could credibly threaten our allies with destruction -- especially Israel, which Iran has promised to wipe off the map -- furnish Hezbollah and other non-state terrorist groups with nuclear weapons, and start a nuclear stampede as other countries in the area initiate nuclear programs of their own. International negotiators resumed talks in Vienna on July 2 to address this danger to world peace. With a July 20 deadline looming, it is the latest -- and, unless they are extended, the final -- round of negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 nations (the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) aimed at preventing Iran from achieving military nuclear capacity, in return for which the international community will end the economic sanctions that have been placed on the country. This series of talks was agreed upon in an interim agreement, announced on Nov. 24, 2013, after Hassan Rouhani,

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinovitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf; David Kotok, Sarah Grossman-Lopez. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma

viewed as a comparative moderate, assumed the presidency of Iran. When the interim accord went into effect in January, Iran froze elements of its nuclear program and the U.S. eased some of the sanctions. Since it was the economic sanctions that had forced Iran to the negotiating table, Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) proposed legislation, to take effect after the July 20 deadline, that would hold Iran’s feet to the fire by ratcheting up sanctions if the current talks collapsed or Iran violated its obligations. But when the Iranians protested this threat of new sanctions, the administration convinced the senators to stand down. Nevertheless, Secretary of State John Kerry publicly stated that the sanctions would be reimposed and strengthened should the talks fail. The key issue separating the two sides is Iran’s enrichment of uranium, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes, but the P5+1 warn can be used to produce nuclear weapons. Iran today has some 10,000 operating centrifuges, the mechanisms that do the actual enrichment, and the “breakout time” -- how long it would take Iran to produce a nuclear bomb should it decide to do so -- is estimated at a few months. Western observers say that little progress has been made toward a comprehensive agreement due to Iranian defiance and refusal to diminish its nuclear facilities already built. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has issued several reports raising questions about the military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program. On June 2, the IAEA’s director general, Yukiya Amano, called Iran’s

posture a “jigsaw puzzle” and made clear that the IAEA’s inquiries would not be completed by the July 20 deadline. “That is not our timeline. It is their timeline,” said Amano, referring to the P5+1. “We will take the necessary time to resolve all the outstanding issues." Leading figures in the American administration have said -- almost like a mantra -- that “no deal is better than a bad deal.” And Secretary of State John Kerry, in a June 30 Washington Post opinion article, noted that the “public optimism” shown by the Iranian negotiators “has not been matched, to date, by the positions they have articulated behind closed doors.” Emphasizing the large gap between Iran’s professions of peaceful intentions and “the actual content” of its nuclear program, Kerry cited numerous previous instances of the country’s violation of international obligations. He wrote that the P5+1 will not agree to an extension of the July 20 deadline “merely to drag out negotiations,” and warned that should Iran not satisfy the demands of the international community, “sanctions will tighten and Iran’s isolation will deepen.” If that doesn’t deter Tehran, the administration has said that “all options are on the table.” Should the deadline pass without an agreement or a timespecific extension, we must be prepared to follow through on the administration’s wise words, and encourage the international community to follow suit. Nothing that is happening in Syria or Iraq mitigates the specter of a nuclear Iran. Lawrence Grossman is the American Jewish Committee’s director of publications.

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

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material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content

professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

July 25, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 9

What you may not know about JFS

Focus on issues KAREN GUSTAFSON, JFS Executive Director Did you know that two of the JFS therapists have been members of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in Omaha since 2001? The MRC is a volunteer branch of The United Way of the Midlands that trains and responds to crisis situations throughout Omaha, the United States and other world events. MRC members include nurses, EMT’s, decontamination units, doctors, dental pathologists, etc. Through JFS, our role is that of Behavioral Health professionals who help victims and witnesses, and provide follow-up services for First Responders. Our extensive and ongoing training allows us to be deployed around the country as our personal and work schedules allow. To date, either Teresa Drelicharz or I, or

both, have responded to the shooting at Von Maur (Teresa’s daughter happened to be working at Westroads Mall that day), helped Hurricane Katrina evacuees at the Civic Auditorium, responded to a Metropolitan Community College accident where a student training to be a phone poll climber/repair person fell to his death, provided crowd control and assistance with paperwork during the National H1N1 immunization push, led training exercises at the Family Support Center for the Offutt Air Show with Offutt staff, The Amercian Red Cross, and Bellevue Police (in case of a plane crash or other disaster); and, most recently, traveled to Pilger, NE, to help those residents who were dealing with the loss of their houses, town and many of their personal belongings. Although our role for the MRC is that of a Behavioral Health Volunteer, our professional positions within Jewish Family Service help to provide JFS with additional credibility and good PR in the larger Omaha/metropolitan community. We are happy to serve our community and to serve representing an agency that we are proud to be a part of. I just wanted you to know….if you didn’t already.

Hold Iran to account on AMIA bombing

Behind the headlines ROBERT SINGER NEW YORK (JTA) -- On July 18, 1994, a hellish scene unfolded in Buenos Aires as a car bomb set by Iranian agents destroyed the AMIA/DAIA Jewish center, killing 85 people and wounding hundreds. Twenty years later, there is still no justice in the case -- and a decision taken by the Argentine government is part of the problem. Last year, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian government that was supposed to establish a socalled truth commission to bring resolution to the case. In April, the World Jewish Congress, supporting the Argentine Jewish community, called on the Argentine government to rescind the memorandum. As Jewish communities around the world mark the anniversary with vigils, we urge the U.S. government to bring pressure to bear to see that this happens, and to again push the Iranians to surrender the AMIA suspects. Nothing has changed in Iran’s behavior in the 20 years since the AMIA atrocity. Iran’s terror forces continue to wreak havoc everywhere in the Middle East. Iraniandesigned rockets have been raining on Israel. Iranian-funded and -armed Hezbollah has assassinated its way into a leading role in the Lebanese government, and now assists Syrian President Bashar Assad in slaughtering his own people. Not to mention that Iranian agents supplied the roadside bombs that not so long ago killed so many American service personnel during the Iraq war. Iran’s terror team revels in its accomplishments. Two years ago, on the anniversary of the AMIA bombing on July 18, Hezbollah blew up a bus of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, killing six. The AMIA bombing itself was the culmination of more than a decade of Iranian-sponsored terrorist atrocities that killed many Westerners. In 1983, Iranian-backed terrorists

sent truck bombs into the barracks of American and French peacekeepers in Beirut, killing 299. In 1992, Iranian agents blew up the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 and wounding hundreds. (No one has been brought to trial in that case, either.) The Argentine memorandum is a despicable document. Argentina’s judiciary long ago presented clear evidence that the terrorist attack was ordered and masterminded by senior officials in the Iranian government and by Hezbollah. It even presented Interpol with the names of the alleged perpetrators, which in turn issued a red alert. Iran, however, refused for many years to surrender the suspects, so Argentina decided to try a conciliatory approach by signing the joint memorandum -- notwithstanding the vociferous protests of the Argentine Jewish community, which decried it as an affront to the victims of the attack. The community also warned that as a practical matter, the gambit was doomed to fail. It has. A year later, the Argentine government has nothing to show for it -- not surprisingly, since the Iranian regime has foiled the “truth commission” at every turn. We at the World Jewish Congress approach the AMIA anniversary, as we do each year, with a heavy heart. We grieve for our many friends lost and live with the aftermath of the atrocity. Since the AMIA bombing. we’ve learned that the world loves to forget. But as Jews, we must heed the commandment of “zachor” – to remember. To paraphrase Genesis, the voice of our brothers’ blood is crying out to us from the ground. Some people say that “justice delayed is justice denied,” but we will keep insisting until justice is done. The way forward on this case is the same as it always was: America, Argentina and the West must insist that the Iranian regime stop putting up roadblocks and dust and hand over the suspects. If Iran does not do so, it can never be accepted back into the family of nations no matter how many nuclear bombs it promises to forgo. Robert Singer is CEO of the World Jewish Congress.

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Since Israel’s operation to stop the barrage of Hamas rockets from Gaza began nine days ago, approximately 51 anti-Israel demonstrations have taken place in major cities across the United States, and another four dozen or so are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. Many of the rallies have featured calls to violence, Nazi comparisons, claims that Israel is indiscriminately murdering children, and, at times, expressions of antiSemitism, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which monitors anti-Israel activity in the U.S. and abroad. The level of extreme vitriol and hatred expressed at these rallies has emerged faster than ever before, including the 2008 and 2012 battles between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. While the U.S. rallies have been nowhere as threatening or violent as those seen in Paris and some other European capitals, many have shared a similar stridently anti-Israel message that often morphs into uglier expressions of hatred of Jews and support for terrorism against Israel. “Comparisons between Israel and the Nazis at these demonstrations are picking up steam,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “We know that the message is getting uglier when protesters against Israel twist and pervert the most traumatic event in history against the Jewish people – the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust – into a rallying cry against the State of Israel, the only nation-state of Jewish people. It is ugly, it is in your face, and it is often anti-Semitic.” Undeniably anti-Semitic expressions have been widely reported at anti-Israel demonstrations in Europe, where a handful of violent acts have also targeted European Jews. Calls of “You Jews are Beasts” (Frankfurt, Germany) have mingled with cries of “Death to the Jews” (Paris) and chants of “Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the Gas” (Gelsenkirchen, Germany). In The Hague, Israeli and Nazi flags were equated on protest placards. In France, two groups of dozens of demonstrators broke off from the march to wage violent attacks against two synagogues. In Los Angeles on Sunday July 13, four pro-Palestinian activists allegedly attacked a group of pro-Israel activists at a rally held outside the Wilshire Federal Building. No major injuries were reported. One possible explanation for how fast these rallies have devolved into anti-Israel hate-fests is the explosion of Hitler-related hashtags that have been promoted on Twitter and other social media in reaction to Israel’s Operation Protective Edge. Among the more disturbing hashtags being promoted on Twitter in comments about Israel’s response to the Hamas rockets from Gaza are #HitlerWasRight, and #HitlerDidNothingWrong. In a YouTube video and a series of blogs on its website, ADL has compiled a series of photos and examples of some of the more extreme expressions from anti-Israel rallies across the U.S. Go to www.adl.com to find these links. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

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Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.322.4705.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Serving lunch at Nebraska AIDS Project, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. with guest speaker, Carol Gendler will present A Bat Mitzvah in Beijing -- her trip to China to celebrate her granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mini-minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m. MONDAY: USY on Wheels visits WEDNESDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Afternoon Basketball, Saturday, Aug. 2, 1 p.m. meet in the west parking lot. Picnic for Beth El kids who attend Friedel Academy, Thursday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha-Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit (Barchu), 9 a.m.; Mincha, 8:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:35 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Lincoln Temple Youth Group. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Masei. SUNDAY: Cantillation Class, 6 p.m. TUESDAY: Star City Kochavim Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: High Holiday Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m. As part of the Temple’s 130th anniversary celebration, we want to reach as many former members and clergy as possible. Are you in touch with someone who used to attend? With kids who grew up and moved away? With friends or family with Temple connections? If so, please give their contact information to Barb Straus at barbstraus@gmail.com.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Temple Israel. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the commu-

Candlelighting Friday, July 25, 8:30 p.m. nity are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at the Rose Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown; Summer Shabbat Evening Services: A Pause for Reflection, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer. SUNDAY: TED Talk, 11 a.m. Summer Shabbat Evening Services: A Pause for Reflection, Friday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m. Davening & Dining with Rabbi Azriel at Pasta Amore, Friday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m., 11027 Prairie Brook Road. This summer, congregants are invited to enjoy no host Shabbat dinners with a member of the clergy after Friday evening services. For more details or to RSVP for one or all of these Davening and Dining evenings, contact the Temple Israel office, RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536. Temple Israel Annual Golf Outing, Monday, Aug. 18, noon at Shadow Ridge Country Club. The schedule is a follows: Lunch, noon ; Shotgun, 1 p.m.; Cocktails, 5:30 p.m. followed by Dinner with cash bar at 6 p.m. The cost is per participant is $135 and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, driving range and dinner. (Singles — we’ll find a group for you to join!). Dinner Only is $30.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. WEDNESDAY: Join us for an informal gathering for Rabbi Ethan Seidel and his wife, Rachel on Wed., July 30, 7:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel sponsored by the Corens so individuals can come visit with them. The gathering will last until 8:30 p.m. Please help us give a hearty welcome to our former Rabbi and Rachel.

13 Israeli soldiers killed in Ten things I learned from kids at Jewish camp Gaza City battle by RABBI JOSH BROWN bunch of their peers. They look and act like kids again by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Thirteen Israeli soldiers were killed in heavy fighting in a Gaza City neighborhood. The soldiers from the Golani Brigade were killed since late Saturday night in Shujaiya, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday evening, bringing the death toll of Israeli soldiers since the launch late last week of the Gaza ground operation to 18. In Shujaiya, seven of the soldiers died when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank missile. One was an American citizen, Max Steinberg, a Los Angeles native who joined the Israel Defense Forces in 2012, according to the Jewish Journal. He lived in Beersheba. Palestinian reports put the number of Gazans dead in the fighting in the area at more than 60. At least 360 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the start of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge several days ago. On July 20, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in an interview on the NBC news show Meet the Press defended Israel’s response to rocket fire from Gaza. “I don’t think any nation in the world would sit there while rockets are bombarding it. That is unacceptable by any standard, anywhere in the world. Israel has every right in the world to defend itself.” Kerry said he was hopeful that a cease-fire could be put into place, but added that “you cannot reward terrorism.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that Israel is taking “whatever action is necessary to stop this insane situation. They’re not only targeting our cities, they’re deliberately firing thousands of rockets,” he said. “They have already fired 2,000 rockets in the last few days on our cities.” Netanyahu said he is “sad” for every civilian casualty. “They’re not intended. This is the difference between us,” the Israeli leader said.

Assistant Rabbi, Temple Israel 10. Our kids aren’t the privileged city kids we think they are. Not only do they go without A/C all summer, our kids slept in tents, used port-a-potties for a month straight, walked a mile to the closest shower, drove tractors and farmed their own vegetables.

and it’s the best gift we could give them. 4. Tfifloat: What happens when you are floating down a river with 18 campers and they continue a well-known camp tradition of singing the morning service. Don’t be surprised if a bald eagle soars in to pray with you. 3. Our kids have a bigger family than we think they do.

9. We have an accent. All it takes is living under one roof with Jews from Chicago, Minneapolis, Israel and Paris to realize that we may speak a little differently than others, but we are all one family. 8. Let it rain!!! Because when it does, we all gather together in one of the few truly dry shelters for a spontaneous talent show. 7. Teens’ thumbs do not fall off when they don’t use their cell phones for a month. 6. One week. That’s how long it takes someone at camp who has never prayed in Hebrew to learn most of our daily prayers. And if you ask them, they’ll tell you they didn’t study for a single minute, it was osmosis! 5. Kids need to be kids. What happens when you give kids unstructured time, a safe place to be themselves and a

We often talk about the bullying behavior among youth but for every mistake a kid makes treating someone poorly, camp shows you that there are hundreds of moments where campers care for each other with immense compassion and empathy. They share their vulnerabilities, challenge each other and figure life out together - all while making it look easy. 2. Don’t worry about bringing up God, because they will ask you before you can get the words out - And don’t worry about proving God’s existence - nowhere is it more obvious than at camp. 1. Camp shouldn’t end with childhood. We would be a kinder, happier, more giving and more confident people if each of us got to do what our kids do at places like OSRUI, Shwayder, Sabra and Herzl every summer.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

July 25, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 11

Legal Issues Involving Investments

STEPHEN LINTZMAN Stephen Lintzman passed away on July 14. Services were held July 16 at Beth El Cemetery. He was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Jeanette. He is survived by Dr. Sharon Lintzman; brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Julie Lintzman; nephew, Aaron, and three children; close friends, Bonnie Hines and Marty Ricks. Steve was an avid car racing fan. He was a good man and easy going. He faithfully went to the JCC to work out and enjoyed his many friends. Memorials may be made to Jewish Community Center or to the organization of your choice in Steve’s name.

KATHLEEN LEE (VANN) MEYERSON Kathleen Lee (Vann) Meyerson passed away on June 27 at Parsons House. Services were held on June 30 at Beth El Cemetery by Cantor Wendy Shermet. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Ruth Vann, her brother, Howard Vann, and sister, Irene Vann Kamisar. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Jo Meyerson, son and daughter-in-law, Robert Meyerson, M.D. and Margo Dover; grandchildren: Joel, Leanne and Jeff; sister and brother-in-law, Susie and Ardy Friedberg, sister-in-law, Judy Vann; brother-in-law, Leo Kamisar; and a loving extended family. Memorials may be made to the National Council of Jewish Women.

Did you know:

by RUSS KAPLAN Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc. The U.S. Tax Code is extremely complex regarding investments. Certain actions are encouraged while others discouraged. The basic rule of thumb regarding tax issues is that making a profit comes first and tax considerations are secondary. In other words, it’s worth it to make a good investment and pay the required taxes. Some brokerages have designed a variety of tax-shelter investments, which takes advantage of the tax laws’ loopholes. Many of these shelters such as buying farmland, oil investments, master limited partnerships and more, have resulted in heavy losses for those investors. The best ways to take advantage of the tax laws are investments that defer taxes into the future. The major ones are the Individual Retirement Accounts and company retirement plans (401ks). The traditional IRA allows an investor to write off the amounts he/she deposits into their IRA. Contributions, interest, dividends, and capital gains are not taxed until taken out during retirement. This works well since once retired you are put into a lower tax bracket. The ROTH IRA contributions aren’t written off, but taxes on everything in the account are deferred, and if left in the account for a certain amount of time, do not require the payment of taxes until withdrawn. There are also a number of company retirement plans, which are not taxed until taken out with the advantage that the employer often contributes along with you. If you have this option it is your best choice.

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12 | The Jewish Press | July 25, 2014

Eight things you need to know about the Gaza-Israel conflict by URIEL HEILMAN (JTA) -- Israel and Hamas are fighting their third major conflict in six years, and while some things have stayed the same, the battle lines have also shifted in a few notable ways. Here are eight things you need to know about the current conflagration: • Iron Dome has been a game changer: its remarkable success rate this go-around has reduced Gaza’s missiles to more of an irritant than a deadly threat for Israel -- so far. In the eight-day conflict of 2012, Gaza fired some 1,500 rockets into Israel and killed six Israelis, five of them from rocket fire. In the three-week war of 2008-09, 750 rockets were fired into Israel, killing three (another 10 Israelis were killed in fighting). By comparison, more than 1,100 rockets have been fired toward Israel this time and thus far there's only been one Israeli death -- and by mortar fire at a border area, not a rocket attack. While one missed rocket can make things drastically worse, the success of Iron Dome has bought Israel time to carry out its Gaza operation without overwhelming domestic pressure for either a cease-fire or an escalation. • Iron Dome’s success is bad for Israeli PR: It’s a paradox of Israel’s able defenses that media coverage of this conflict has focused overwhelmingly on Palestinian suffering in Gaza, prompting complaints from some supporters of Israel. But in the absence of Israeli deaths, Gaza is where the story is. The scenes of devastation there, the tales of human loss and the Palestinian death toll are much more compelling for most viewers and readers than images of Israelis hunkering down in bomb shelters, taking cover in shopping malls or peeking into a hole in the ground where a rocket landed. But Israelis would rather suffer bad PR than battlefield losses. • Israel does not want a full-scale war: Israel’s quick embrace of an Egyptian-proposed cease-fire early Tuesday was a sign of its reticence to launch a ground invasion of Gaza and turn this into a full-scale war -- despite calls from some hawkish Israeli Cabinet members to deal Hamas a death blow. Israel would love to eliminate Hamas, but it doesn’t seem able to do so. Despite some limited success, after every conflagration Hamas has managed to rearm and improve its rocket capacity, as evident in the rocket range on display in this round of fighting. Another ground operation likely

would result in greater loss of lives on the Israeli side and worse carnage in Gaza. The Israeli government wants this over quickly because the longer it lasts, the greater the chances an errant Israeli strike causes mass Palestinian civilian deaths or a Palestinian rocket manages to penetrate Israel’s defenses and cause significant Israeli casualties. • Israel and Hamas are at a stalemate: On the defensive front, this confrontation has been a big win for Israel. On the

Palestinians walking among the rubble of a destroyed house following an Israeli missile strike, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 14. Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90 offensive front, however, Israel hasn’t managed to curtail the rocket fire, kill the top leaders of Hamas or significantly disable its fighting capabilities. Hawks argue that Israel could accomplish those goals if it launched a full-fledged war, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu either doesn’t agree or is unwilling to pay the price in Israeli lives or Palestinian collateral damage. For Hamas, which started off the war severely weakened politically, the battle has been an opportunity to demonstrate the improved range of its rockets and reassert its position as the Palestinian faction willing and able to take on Israel. But Hamas' inability to inflict any significant damage on Israel or protect Gaza from Israeli assault is not good for its reputation. • Hamas’ Egyptian lifeline is dead: Hamas has no friend in Egypt. The proposal did not include any of the Hamas leaders’ demands, highlighting the stark changes in the

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Egypt-Hamas relationship since Hamas’ 2012 confrontation with Israel. When the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi was elected Egyptian president in June 2012, Hamas rulers in Gaza gained a powerful ally in their neighbor to the south (Hamas is affiliated with the Brotherhood). Trade and arms trafficking in the tunnels linking Gaza and Egypt increased, and with the blockade of Gaza breached, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula became a staging ground for attacks against Israel. That’s over now. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi treats Hamas with the same disdain and antagonism he has for the Muslim Brotherhood, and he has choked off Hamas' access point at the Egypt-Gaza border. • The psychological effects of air-raid sirens across Israel may be long lasting: For the first time, Israel’s populous center, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, are the sites of frequent air-raid sirens. Though the incoming rockets are either being intercepted or allowed to fall harmlessly in unpopulated areas, the psychological impact of this conflict is likely to reinforce Israelis’ sense of being under siege -particularly for those too young to remember the last time their cities were the site of bombings or rocket fire. • The link between Middle East ferment and antiSemitism worldwide persists: As with past conflagrations between Israel and the Palestinians, anti-Semitic incidents around the world have spiked since Israel launched its bombing campaign in Gaza. A rabbi in Morocco was attacked on his way to shul last Friday night. Protesters in Paris marched to the Abravanel synagogue on Sunday chanting anti-Semitic slogans, throwing projectiles, and clashing with police and Jewish security guards. A synagogue elsewhere in France was firebombed. In Chile, a Jewish home was stoned while assailants yelled anti-Semitic epithets, according to the World Jewish Congress. • American Jews are playing their familiar role: The Israel-Diaspora relationship may be changing, but the way American Jews react to Israel in a time of crisis is not. The American Jewish organizational establishment is collecting money, going on solidarity missions and taking to the airwaves to defend Israel’s reputation abroad. Those staples of solidarity efforts, Israel emergency fundraising campaigns, are back in full swing.

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