Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Holocaust Memoir
August 8, 2014 12 Av 5774 Vol. 94 | No. 47
This Week
by SANDRA WENDEL write on, inc. “Alle raus!” (everybody out), the German soldiers screamed as they pounded on our door with the butts of their rifles.” And thus began four-year-old Milton Kleinberg’s 4,500-mile journey from Pabianice, Poland, as his family used bribery and darkness of night to flee when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. They hid in a burned-out synagogue, forded the Bug River in a dilapidated boat, and found refuge (of sorts) on a cattle car bound through Russia to Siberia. In his newly published memoir of his childhood during the Holocaust, young Milt (then Mendel Dawidowicz), from age four to 14, tells in vivid detail about the tortuous journey of his parents, his brothers, and himself in cramped rail cars with other Jewish refugees through frigid Russia, the indignities of forced labor, the shame of begging for bread just to survive, the death of those closest to him—and his eventual landing in a Polish Children’s Home in Uzbekistan in Central Asia for the duration of World War II. The family’s plight includes abandonment, hunger, and separation (and later astonishing twists of fate and tearful reunions) quite unique even among Holocaust stories. Community invitation Milt and Marsha Kleinberg invite Continued on page 2
Eye on Israel hears voices from Israel Page 3
Fills the Void opens Jewish Omaha film festival Page 4
by SHERRIE SAAG Communications, Jewish Federation of Omaha In addition to all the programs, panels, and partying planned for the Omaha Jewish Reunion weekend, the city’s Jewish congregations will open their doors and welcome Reunion registrants for scheduled Shabbat worship serv-
Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum
Milton Kleinberg
Down the Rabbit Hole Rachel Martin to lead BBYO program Page 6
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
This Month Men’s Guide See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
8 10 11
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press Summer is rapidly coming to an end. That’s unfortunate, because it means no more camp; many of us have to go back-to-school shopping, and those lazy late night dinners on the patio are numbered. However, we also have things to look forward to: a more regular schedule, the High Holidays, pumpkins and autumn colors. And, of course, Fall programming at the Jewish Community Center. The JCC Cultural Arts Director, Esther Katz, has a full schedule planned. While in previous years, two performances were selected for the entire year, this time Esther found three plays she simply fell in love with. “I just couldn’t choose,” she says, “and so we will be offering three separate musicals. The first one, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Junior, will take place in the fall. Auditions are sched-
L’Chaim! Omaha Reunion
uled for Aug. 24. I’d love to see the “big” roles go to the kids, with few exeptions. For the adults who are eager to be on our stage, we have something else planned, and it’s really exciting.” That ‘something else’ is called Into the Woods Junior; a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, based on the book by James Lapine. Sondheim is well known for his lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy, among many others. Into the Woods made its stage debut in San Diego in 1986, and is currently being made into a movie. The musical combines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales and explores the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from Little
Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, among others. The performance is tied together by an original story involving a childless baker and his wife, the witch who has cursed them, and their interaction with other storybook characters. “It has a tremendous score,” says Esther, “and since it’s basically all music, we will be looking for strong adult voices. We will cast 21 parts, and although we’ll welcome anyone 12 and up to audition on Nov. 23, it’s not really meant for children. We’re looking for more serious and experienced actors.” This musical will include rehearsals, which will be mostly on Wednesdays in the evening, and focus on specific song practice, so Continued on page 3
ices. Beth Israel Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue, Temple Israel and Chabad have all planned Shabbat meals and, in most cases, arranged for guest speakers. All the following events are included in your $50 registration fee, as are all the weekend events. Be sure to reserve your space when you register for the reunion at www.oma hajewishreunion.com. Beth El Synagogue welcomes Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum, retired professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha; past director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Department of Education; and the former president of Gratz College in Pennsylvania. Following Friday worship services at 6 p.m. and a congregational Shabbat dinner, Rabbi Rosenbaum will discuss “Conservative Judaism at the Crossroads and the Omaha Response”. Rabbi Rosenbaum’s Saturday morning sermon is titled, Who’s in the Pew? How Omaha fits (and doesn’t) American Jews’ Expectations. A Kiddush lunch will follow services. Rabbi Moshe Feller of St. Paul, Minnesota, will be the guest speaker at Chabad House Friday evening. He is director of Upper Midwest Merkos and, according to Shani Katzman of Omaha Chabad, is a “legendary homegrown Midwestern rabbi. He will share charming memories and stories of the Jewish Midwest.” Candle lighting begins at 7 p.m. followed by services, Kiddush and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Temple Israel hosts services at 6 p.m. Friday evening, followed by its congregational dinner at 7 p.m. Beth Israel Synagogue is welContinued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | August 8, 2014
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by JNS NEWS STAFF (JNS.org) The Israel Prison Service (IPS) discovered an apparent escape tunnel under the toilet of a cell shared by eight prisoners from the Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad in northern Israel’s Gilboa prison. The IPS said it received “intelligence” that led it to uncover the tunnel, which was up to 16.4 feet long. The terrorist prisoners had apparently opened the sewage pipe under the toilet in their cell and began to dig a path under the prison, which stands on a foundation of concrete posts. This meant that the debris from the digging was not immediately noticeable. Two of the eight prisoners in the cell are serving life sentences, one for murder and the other for conspiracy to commit manslaughter, according to Israel Hayom. Another prisoner is serving a 25-year sentence for conspiracy to commit manslaughter. The others are serving shorter sentences. An Israel Defense Forces soldier was fatally shot in the stomach at Jerusalem's Mount Scopus on Monday, just hours after a tractor driven by a Palestinian man ran over and killed a pedestrian in an apparent terrorist attack that also came in Jerusalem. A suspected terrorist killed the soldier in a drive-by shooting on a motorcycle before fleeing the scene, according to reports. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which has a campus on Mount Scopus, issued a statement that the shooting "had nothing to do with the university." "The campus is safe and secure. All is normal and operations are continuing as usual," the university said. In the tractor assault, Muhammed Naif El-Ja’abis, an east-
ern Jerusalem resident identified as the driver, was shot dead by police after he killed the pedestrian. Also on Monday, masked Arab youths attacked police with stones and fireworks at the Temple Mount on in a continuation of violence at the site that began over the weekend and has led to more than 12 arrests. Five Israeli police officers were lightly wounded as the rioters set up blockades around the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In eastern Jerusalem, meanwhile, Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli authorities. Israeli police have arrested 430 suspected violent rioters since the beginning of July, and more than 150 have been indicted, reported Yedioth Ahronoth. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, speaking at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on Monday, suggested the possibility of a U.N. mandate in Gaza after Hamas is toppled. “There are three options,” Lieberman said, addressing the possible outcomes of the Gaza conflict. “A [diplomatic] arrangement, Hamas’s submission, or a state of limbo where we respond when they open fire. … In my opinion, the third option is irrelevant; otherwise Hamas has the option to open fire whenever it pleases. A country cannot be at the mercy of a terror organization.” Lieberman also addressed questions about what would happen if Israel topples Hamas, saying, “I think there are a few possible answers here, one of them being a U.N. mandate. We saw a U.N. mandate work in Kosovo, and therefore I think we need to work to bring back a U.N. mandate to the region.”
Reception to launch local Holocaust Memoir
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Continued from page 1 the community to a dessert reception on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall. Kleinberg will read passages from his memoir entitled Bread or Death: Memories of My Childhood During the Holocaust, and answer questions. Copies of the book will be available for sale. This coming-of-age Holocaust memoir is the author’s personal account of how—through great sacrifices by his mother and his own ingenuity—he managed to survive the worst atrocities in human history, his uncertain days in the children’s home, scrambling for fallen fruit, surviving kidnapping, a knife fight and murder on the Black Road, and eventual return to Displaced Persons camps in Germany at war’s end. He still gets a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes when he recalls the ship filled with immigrants sailing into New York harbor past the Statue of Liberty and into a land of opportunity. He was just a young boy, age 14, who had to grow up too fast and had yet to attend school – and yet eventually became the CEO of an international insurance business in Omaha. An “Overnight” Success in Omaha Kleinberg is Chairman and CEO of Senior Market Sales, Inc. Under his leadership, the company serves an everevolving senior market by staying on the cutting edge of technology, developing products to meet a changing marketplace, and devising innovative marketing techniques. When asked about his accomplishments, Kleinberg likes to say, “After fifty years of hard work, I became an overnight success.”
Kleinberg has served as a special advisor to Congress on insurance reform. Now at 76, Kleinberg still runs his company and travels extensively with his wife of 53 years, Marsha. Milt and Marsha Kleinberg are generous philanthropists giving of their time and expertise to serve the community. They support a number of nonprofit organizations and charitable causes including the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Chabad House of Nebraska, The Salvation Army, Beth Israel Synagogue, Friedel Jewish Academy, Bellevue University, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), United Way, the Omaha Public Library, and the Omaha Food Bank. For the Young Adult Reader Originally written as a remembrance just for his grandchildren, the second edition has been edited and published for use in Holocaust education in high schools and includes pertinent world history and vintage family and archival photos. Bread or Death has been reviewed by the Institute for Holocaust Education with input from area high school teachers and includes a glossary, a timeline, and a Teacher’s Guide. Suitable for book clubs as well. Kleinberg has begun speaking about his Holocaust experience at schools and synagogues and for the Institute for Holocaust Education. He is dedicated to carrying on the memory of the Holocaust so that future generations can better understand what happened—so that it never happens again. This book is his legacy.
L’Chaim! Omaha Jewish Reunion Continued from page 1 Omaha Jewish Reunion volunteer, has planned a delicious coming everyone “home” at Saturday morning Shabbat wine tasting at the popular spirits store and restaurant. “We are joining forces with Brix services and Kiddush, where and Quail Distributing for a Dr. Richard Freund, Professor night of great wine and appeof Jewish History and tizer pairings,” Eckstrom Director of the Maurice Linda & Nelson Gordman explained. “It’s the perfect Greenberg Center for Judaic Rabbi Myer S. Kripke Foundation venue for people to reconnect Studies at the University of Sharee and Murray Newman and reminisce.” In fact, he Hartford joins congregants Noddle Family Foundation titled the event, Reyd Reyd and guests. Wine, a play on the word For those looking forward Carol & Alan Parsow to further kibitzing and reyd, which means “talk” in Dorothy & Henry Riekes Donor Advised Fund schmoozing following Friday Yiddish. Eve & Fred Simon night Shabbat observances, “Tim Burke from Quail Todd and Betiana Simon follow your fellow reunion Distributing will act as our Sokolof Javitch Music Fund attendees to Brix in the sommelier and help pour the Village Pointe Shopping wines. He will guide us Rose Blumkin Foundation Center (southwest corner of through the many selections 168th and West Dodge Road) from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. chosen for us. So, please join us at Brix and L’chaim!” said Mikal Eckstrom, a member of Temple Israel and an Eckstrom.
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August 8, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 3
Eye on Israel hears voices from Israel by ELIAD ELIYAHU tion. They try to deal with the kids’ questions Community Shaliach and fears. They attempt to find creative ways “No one is even close to understanding to deal with the horror that is present. how living in Sderot is… No one!” This sen- Unfortunately, the people from Sderot and tence was spoken by an eleven year old girl other settlements near the Gaza strip have who was interviewed for the national radio been filled with advice but are empty of lastin Israel because of a letter ing solutions. An important she had written to Israeli source of strength and hope Prime Minister Bibi for them is the solidarity and Netanyahu complaining support people from all over about the current situation the world show to Israel – its in Israel. She repeated that IDF soldiers and all Israeli sentence a few times, and citizens. from one time to the next, In the era of social media, you can easily feel the you can easily become aware strength she had. In spite of of the warm hearts the peothe girl’s young age, the ple of Israel have for the solbroadcaster did not interdiers and citizens directly fere, and gave her the stage affected by this conflict. to share her emotions with Whether it be in the sending Eliad Eliyahu the listeners. During this of gifts and candies or taking time of Operation Protective Edge in Israel, the risk of coming before Shabbat to cook there are many voices being heard. The voic- traditional food like Kuskus in large pots; es are not only from the people in Sderot opening a portable gourmet restaurant and the cities near the Gaza strip, but also operated by one of the best chefs in Israel, from citizens in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and providing a portable barber shop, enjoying Haifa. From the varied voices, the voices of the presence of a portable stage for Israeli the kids are the most touching. During their famous singers to come for a few hours to summer vacation, these children must cope sing in the fields and in the shelters, Israelis with a surreal situation, almost as if from a bring good energy and happiness to a trouhorror film - running to shelters in less than bled area. Each rally for Israel, pro-Israel 15 seconds; hearing rockets explode in the demonstration, visit to Israel by delegations sky; watching homes and schools being from all around the world is appreciated and damaged by rockets -- and now the newest demonstrate how strong “Am Yisrael” is all terroristic tactic: armed militants digging around the world. This strength is the power tunnels under playgrounds or living rooms, to stand strong against the terror that Israel waiting for the right moment to leap out and combats. Many pictures of support are terrorize an unsuspecting passerby. You hear uploaded to the social media sites. To the those chilling words in your ears, “No one is temporary “Like” on Facebook there is even close to understanding how living in another eternal “LIKE” for the support and Sderot is… No one!” encouragement felt in the hearts of those The adults try to cope with this new situa- facing these challenging days.
Eye on Israel is our opportunity to examine current events and reflect on what they mean. During the last Eye on Israel session, we compared different media sources in Israel, Europe, America and the Arabic world and discovered many surprising facts about this operation. We saw that today’s conflict is only a part of a constant conflict in the area, and that different media sources report events filtered through the perceptions of different societies. The next Eye on Israel will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. In this session we will put the media aside for the discussion. It will be challenging, but let’s give it a try. We will begin with a short “Israel update” and then we will hear the real stories of Israelis who have dealt with this life in the south for the last eight years. We will hear from the
Israeli citizens who have just entered the new reality of life under fire. We will hear the story of those who fought as soldiers in Protective Edge. We will hear and discuss the stories via skype, recorded videos and some guests who will come to share their Israeli stories from the last operation. Please mark your calendar now and come to the next Eye on Israel session. Remember, Tuesday, Aug.12 from noon - 1 p.m. Eye on Israel, the Community Shaliach program and Partnership2GETHER are programs of the Center for Jewish Life whose mission it is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For more information, please call Mark at 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishom aha.org.
Down the rabbit hole not every cast member will need to attend every rehearsal. There will be no cost for participating in Into the Woods. Finally, to round out this year’s schedule: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior, auditions for which will take place in January 2015. “Who doesn’t love Beauty and the Beast?” Esther says. “It has great songs, wonderful characters, and the story is familiar to almost everyone. I think people will be excited to act in it, sing in it, and the audience will love it. We can’t wait!” Auditions for Alice in Wonderland Jr. are Sunday, Aug. 24 from 3-4 (18+) and 4:305:30 p.m. (8-18); show dates are Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Auditions for Into the Woods Jr. are Sunday Nov. 23 from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. (12+); show times are Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. Auditions for Beauty and the Beast Jr. are Jan. 11, 2015 from 3-4 pm (18+) and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (8-18). Show times are May 18, 2015 at 7 p.m. and May 31 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Cost for participating in Alice and Beauty is $145 for members of the Jewish Community Center and $181 for non-members. To sign up, email Laura Wine at lwine@jccomaha.com or call 402.334.6419. For more information about the JCC Musical Theater Community Acting Group, contact Esther Katz at ekatz@jccomaha.com.
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4 | The Jewish Press | August 8, 2014
Fill the Void opens Jewish Omaha Film Festival
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by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life When the 13th Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival begins Sunday, Aug. 10 the opening night film will focus on an ancient premise. Fill the Void is a 2013 award-winning Israeli film centering on the unexpected dilemma for Shira, who, at 18 years of age, is the youngest daughter of a Tel Aviv Hassidic family. As Shira is about to be married, tragedy strikes the family when her older sister dies while giving birth. As the widower struggles to move forward, Shira’s mother proposes a match between him and Shira. In Mark Kermode’s review from The Guardian published in December, he describes the film as a “warm and sympathetic portrait of a young woman’s struggle to balance personal fulfilment with family duty into the realms of something very special. Set within the Orthodox Hasidic community of Tel Aviv, and offering an intimate insider’s view of a world which remains little seen in mainstream cinema, Fill the Void is an intelligent and moving examination of the possibilities of personal freedom within the strict confines of religion and tradition.” The film’s director is Rama Burshtein who grew up in New York and embraced Hasidic Judaism while at film school in Israel. She is now devoted to nurturing a small but growing cinema of Orthodox Judaism especially for women. Burshtein is the first ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman to write and direct a feature-length film for a general audience — a notable achievement, since the Hasidic community typically forbids watching secular television and movies. In an interview with the Washington Post, Burshtein said “I’m a storyteller more than anything, and I realized that we had no cultural voice. Most of the films about the community are done by outsiders and are rooted in conflicts between the religious and the secular. I wanted to tell a deeply human story.” Fill the Void focuses on the beauty of the Hasidic community living its life. Burshtein won three Ophir Awards – the Israeli Oscar – for directing, writing and producing Fill the Void. The film also won an additional four Ophirs. The film is 90 minutes in length with the dialogue in Hebrew with English subtitles. The evening will also feature a discussion immediately after the film led by a name very familiar to Omaha’s Jewish community. Dr. Guy Matalon, who now lives in an Orthodox community in Rehovot, will share his thoughts on the film. Guy and his wife Elinor, both native Israelis, returned to Israel, along with their four children in 2012. Guy is the Executive Director of the Jerusalem Institute for Jewish Thought, a think tank that researches contemporary Jewish issues. He also teaches at Yeshivat Ohr Somayach in
Jerusalem. He was the former director of the Center for Jewish Education and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Professor of Judaic Studies in the department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Guy is also the former director of the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO. Other film festival offerings will include The Zigzag Kid on Sunday, Aug. 17. The film is based on the beloved novel by David Grossman and focuses on the adventures of Nono, the son of a famous police inspector. Nono longs to be a good detective like his father and two days before his bar mitzvah, he has his chance. The film, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be preceded by a casual dinner at 5:30 p.m. featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, chips, cookies and beverages. 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. 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) The third film showing on Wednesday, Aug. 20, will be Rue Mandar – Where We Grew Up. This French comedy centers on three siblings reuniting for their mother’s funeral and the subsequent comedy and drama involved with the selling of their parents’ apartment. The film will begin at 7 p.m. (France, 2013, 95 minutes, French with English subtitles) Concluding the festival will be the film Magic Men on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. Avraham is a magician and Holocaust survivor who, during a return to Greece, is trying to find a man who sheltered him during World War II. His son, Yehuda, a devout Hasidic rapper from whom Avraham is estranged, and Maria, an engaging prostitute, become a part of the quest. (Israel, 2014, 100 minutes, Greek, Hebrew, English with English subtitles) Tickets are $8 per and may be purchased at the door. Dinner reservations for Aug. 17 must be made by the 14th by calling 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. 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.
Club
[August 2014 MEMBERS] PUBLISHER Bruce Belgrade Marlene & David Cohen Mimi & Scott Farkas Fran and Rich Juro Gloria & Howard Kaslow Marsha & Milton Kleinberg
Jody & Neal Malashock Julie & Mark Martin Patty & Steve Nogg Iris & Marty Ricks Memorial Howard Silber Mimi & Mike Silverman
Kathy Simon Joodi & Norman Veitzer Nancy & Phil Wolf Jeremy Wright
EDITOR Beth Cohen & Harry Berman Randi Friedel Jablin Julee Katzman
Abigail & Adam Kutler Sandy & Greg Meyerson Marina & Mike Sadofsky Wayne Schwarz
Memorial Howard Silber Suzanne Singer Esther & Jim Wax
REPORTER Marcia Arch Claire & Lawrence Blass Janey Dann Sharon & Howard Epstein Liz & Yonatan Feldstern Judith Feigin Annette & Cantor Leo Fettman Lois N. Friedman Jordana & Jim Glazer
Alan Goodman Jerry Gordman Myrna Grumer Margie & Bruce Gutnik Bea Karp Sara & Ari Kohen David Lercher Judy & Van Marcus Elinore Penner Susan Rothholz
Lynne & Errol Saltzman Caryn Scheer Claudia & Marc Sherman Memorial Howard Silber Susan Silverman Jan & Phil Wayne Andi Wilensky Lois & Norman Wine Phyllis & Harold Zabin
August 8, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 5
August Mainstreeters offerings by OZZIE NOGG Good Times Never Felt So Good: with performer Charlie Glasgow, Monday, Aug. 18, 12:30 p.m. lunch in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. Charlie is known for his vocal impressions of Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Elvis, and more. A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Charlie Glasgow has worked with such notables as Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bobby Vee and Styx. As a solo artist, Charlie has played casinos, lounges, night clubs and concerts from Las Vegas to Branson, interweaving stories and light humor to entertain audiences across the nation and in Canada, too. You’ll have a great time at this event. For your entree, choose either a Tuna Salad or Egg Salad Plate over greens. Both served with mushroom barley soup, challah roll, cookies and a beverage of your choice. Cost is $10 a plate. Charlie Glasgow, vocalist and Make checks payable to multi-instrumentalist. Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Reservations are appreciated by Monday, Aug. 11. For transportation, call Maggie at 402.334.6521. Mainstreeters Annual Summer Picnic: Sunday, Aug. 24, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. indoors at Chalco Hills Recreation Area Nature Resources Center complete with air conditioning. Come enjoy the food and fun. Cost is $6 per person. Tim Javorsky, saxophone and vocalist, will provide entertainment. Tim has always had a passion for entertaining people. While in college studying classical sax and voice, Tim began a DJ service that delighted audiences at school functions, weddings and more. After leaving school for the “real world” Tim started a pep band. Thanks to the encouragement of his wife, Dorothy, Tim continues to delight peo-
ple of all ages through his involvement with the Pinewood Bowl Pit Orchestra, the Lincoln Civic Orchestra and the Lincoln Community Concert Band. He’ll wow you, too. Boston Market rotisserie chicken and beverages will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share with the group. If your last name begins with A through G, bring a dessert. If your last name begins with H through Z, please bring a salad. Make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and send reservation with full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Reservations are appreciated by Monday, Aug. 18. Call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 with questions. And a special thank you to Ilse and Marcel Kahn for chairing this event. Join Us at the Movies: Last Vegas, Friday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. No charge for the film or for unlimited bags of fresh popcorn. No reservations necessary. Last Vegas stars four legends like you’ve never seen them before. The film tells the story of Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam (played by Academy Award winners Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline), who have been best friends since childhood. When Billy, the group’s sworn bachelor, finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend, the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However, upon arriving, the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined. This is a truly fun film. If you’d like to have lunch at the Star Deli in the Rose Blumkin Home Auditorium before the movie, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table or to answer your questions. Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli starts serving at 11:30 a.m. Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 and up. “Tell your friends and join us for all our events,” said Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “Monthly luncheons and feature films are just a few examples of our diverse programming, all designed to give participants the chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, and continue enjoying life to the fullest.”
LAST CHANCE
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.
NCJW Partners with Jackson Elementary by SONIA TIPP Vice-President of Community Service, NCJW-Omaha Section On Wednesday, Aug. 13, students will return to school at Jackson Elementary School in the Omaha Public S c h o o l District. Many will be excited to meet their teachers, reconnect with friends, and catch up on summer happenings. Many others will be thrilled to take ownership of brand new school supplies: sharpened pencils, crisp notebooks, and full glue bottles just waiting for little hands to put them to use. The Omaha Section of the National Council of Jewish Women has partnered with Jackson Elementary through the Adopt-a-School program for the past nine years as one of their Community Service projects. On the first day of school, NCJW members and volunteers pass out school supplies to every classroom at Jackson. Students often do not have many personal belongings, and these school supplies mean a great deal to them. Jackson School project chairperson Harriet Epstein, shared that “When we distribute supplies to the students at Jackson, you see their eyes light up with the excitement of receiving supplies that are brand new and theirs to keep. The teachers are also so appreciative because our project relieves them of the burden to purchase supplies for their students.” Community Service VP, Sonia Tipp, shared that “It is so rewarding to see our fundraising efforts put to good use right here in our community. These kids are off to a better start to the school year when they feel excited about their classroom tools.” To volunteer with NCJW in passing out school supplies at Jackson Elementary, please contact Harriet Epstein at rehbm@cox.net.
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Rachel Martin to lead BBYO Program by MARK KIRCHHOFF Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Life The Center for Jewish Life (CJL) is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with the Jewish Community Center in the hiring of Rachel Martin as the new BBYO/Teen Director. Rachel comes to the position with a wealth of experience working with children and teens, and has already been working on the Federation campus in a variety of departments including Aquatics, Dance, the Youth Rachel Martin Department, and as a contributor to the Jewish Press. BBYO is a youth-led, worldwide organization that provides fun and meaningful Jewish experiences for Jewish teens in 9th – 12th grades. Throughout BBYO’s 90 year history, the organization has brought leadership training, community service opportunities, Jewish education, a connection to Israel, and positive identity to thousands of Jewish youth in North America and beyond. BBYO has always been the world’s leading pluralistic Jewish youth movement. As the first and the most dynamically inclusive organization of its kind, every Jewish teen, of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, will find an experience that provides the foundation for a meaningful Jewish life. In addition to BBYO, Rachel’s responsibilities will include running 6th-8th grade programming, B’nai Tzedek (Teen Philanthropy), and taking a major role in staffing JCC Summer Camp. The BBYO position will be supervised by Beth Cohen, Executive Director of CJL. As a past BBYO Regional Director and JCC Youth and Camping Director, Beth is in a unique position to mentor Rachel and help her strengthen the BBYO program for Omaha’s Jewish teens. To get your teen on the BBYO mailing list, contact Rachel Martin at rmartin@jccomaha.org. Watch for more information coming soon about upcoming programs.
For the Love of the Land by MIRIAM KATZMAN for Chabad Omaha’s Jewish women express deep concern and are personally pained by the challenges of raining rockets their sisters in Israel face daily. Women who have visited and even those who have not. It is not surprising. The Jew’s connection to the Land is inexplicable. The People, the Torah, and the Land are three aspects of the same whole. An impromptu luncheon was hosted by Rebetzin Katzman at her home for women and girls to celebrate the Land, be inspired, and to learn what can be done to help Israel and stand with her during this difficult time. The event included prayer and a rallying call for an increase in Mitzvahs dedicated to Israel’s security and the protection of its people and the IDF. Rhonda Saferstein said she “appreciated and welcomed the opportunity for women to gather for meaningful, stim-
RBJH Garage Sale by OZZIE NOGG You didn’t see it advertised in the World Herald classified section, but on Thursday, July 24, The Rose Blumkin Jewish
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unteers managing their own booth. Participation was great.” During the Garage Sale, all 98 RBJH Residents were accompanied by shopping escorts and given $10 in Blumkin Bucks with which to purchase new, used, and donated items. The sale featured health and beauty products, stuffed animals, stationary, jewelry and colorful knickknacks. Nurses’ stations were set up as specialty shops, managed by volunteers, to suit the needs of residents. “Residents and families were treated to great sales and were served popcorn, soda and brownies,” Menagh said. “We planned this initial sale as a test run, but the Residents and staff reaction was so positive, we might make the Garage Sale an annual event. Stay tuned.”
Organizations
Births Jessica and Cliff Smolinsky of Snoqualmie, WA announce the July 15 birth of their daughter, Aria Rose. She has a brother, Caden Grandparents are Jill and Mark Belmont of Omaha; Gail and Ken Smolinsky of Covington, WA. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Marshall Kushner of Omaha, Rosalyn Smolinsky of Philadelphia, the late Florence and Joe Belmont, the late Hal Smolinsky and the late Anne and Martin Zemble.
ulating conversation”. It is important to her that “we share as Jewish women intellectually and mindfully”. “The luncheon was elegantly set, healthy, and delicious-an Israeli feast, appropriate for the day’s topic”, said Tippi Denenberg. The afternoon’s setting featured a display of the ‘Seven Species for which the Land is blessed in the Torah. “I appreciated the spiritual guidance and the stimulating mix of people”, Tippi said. “Best of all was learning from Shani Katzman. She always sets me in the right direction.” Anna Mosenkis loved the “warm home atmosphere, great Mediterranean food”. If two Jews means three opinions, how many opinions for the over 20 Jewish ladies? Anna added, “We shared the experience we had visiting Israel and discussed the present situation. We raised many hot topics and number of passionate opinions were voiced.” She hopes to “continue the conversations with future learning and events”.
Blumkin Home Resident Louise Abrahamson, left, with volunteer Gina Marcuzzo enjoy a bit of retail therapy at the RBJH Garage Sale. Home held its first ever Garage Sale. “Our wonderful activities staff worked very hard to make the event a success,” said Karen Menagh, Jewish Social Services Activities Director, who arranged the event. “L.O.V.E. (League Offering Volunteers to the Elderly) stocked and sold goodies out of the Sports Lounge on Main Street, and we even had teen vol-
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Ruth Hultgren Henneman, a vice president at Lutheran Family Services, will talk about their work with refugees in the Omaha area on Wednesday, Aug. 13, noon, at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Our meetings are on Thursdays from 1-3 p.m., at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s boardroom. We welcome all who would like to attend. For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
August 8, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 7
Upcoming youth programs for JYG & OTYG 2015 Campaign Chairs by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Summer is coming to an end and our youth programs at Temple Israel are revving up for the new school year. “I can’t wait for our events to get going, I’m really excited to see all of our kids,” Nikki Flatowicz, Director of Youth Engagement stated recently. Our youth group for 7th and 8th graders, JYG, will have their Rush Sunday, Aug. 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. They will meet at Temple Israel at 3:30 p.m. and travel by bus to Defy Gravity! The Rush event will also include pizza for dinner. The bus will return to Temple Israel at 6 p.m. The cost of the event is $15 and includes the bus ride, admission to Defy Gravity and dinner. All Jewish youth in the 7th and 8th grades are invited to attend. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Nikki at nflatowicz@templeisraelomaha.com. RSVPS are due by Monday, Aug.11. OTYG, our youth group for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Graders, will hold their annual Rush event on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kids will meet at Temple Israel in the parking lot at 12:45 p.m. and will travel by bus to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo for a picnic and a
zoo scavenger hunt! Madelin Miller, one of our OTYG board members, created the scavenger hunt and said, “It’s going to be great. We will be using our cell phones all through the zoo to record our successes at each stop.” The
The Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce the Dr. Norman and Suzy Sheldon will chair the 2015 Annual Campaign. Dr. Sheldon has served in many different capacities in the campaign including past co-chair and Suzy is a long time campaign volunteer.
OTYG Rush 2013 at Worlds of Fun
Take me out to the ballgame
cost of the event is $15 and will include the bus ride, zoo admission, lunch and snacks. Kids may want to bring extra spending money for souvenirs and other snacks. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nikki at nflatow icz@templeisraelomaha.com. RSVPs are due by Monday, Aug. 18. This event is open to all Jewish high school youth in the greater Omaha area.
Netanyahu letters to slain soldier’s family made public by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Condolence letters from Israeli leaders sent to the family of lone soldier Max Steinberg, who died fighting in Gaza, were published by a Jewish Journal reporter. The letters were first posted Aug. 3 on Twitter and came from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pastPresident Shimon Peres, as well as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. They were published the following day on the website of the Jewish Journal, a Los Angeles weekly, with excerpts. Steinberg, 24, a southern California native who was spurred
to make aliyah by a Birthright Israel trip two years ago, was killed in a Hamas attack on his armored personnel carrier. “The people of Israel share in your unfathomable grief," Netanyahu wrote. "I know that there is little that can console bereaved families, but I hope that our embrace of Max and of you can offer some comfort. Max set an example of selflessness that must always be preserved and passed on to future generations.” At the bottom of the letter, Netanyahu handwrote, “My wife and our two sons, who were at the funeral, share your grief with all our hearts.”
Mainstreeters go out to the ballgame. Pictured are Jim Wax, Yvette Roffman, left, Tootie Simon, Harry Alloy and Doris Alloy. Harry Alloy, dedicated Mainstreeters participant, has been organizing the group’s annual baseball outing for over 15 years. The recent evening at Werner Park in Papillion was a home run, with a full moon illuminating the Omaha Stormchasers’ win over the Iowa Cubs.
8 | The Jewish Press | August 8, 2014
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
We’re just getting started ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor It was about nine months ago that Mike Silverman and I first started talking about a Jewish Press exhibit. After all, we have 90+ years of material to choose from; there are many great stories and photos to look at. “Why don’t you book the JCC Gallery and run with it?” he said, and so I did. August 2014 seemed very far away, and I wasn’t worried. Much. Okay, maybe a little. Thanks to Linda and Harold Mann, who were willing to listen to me, and who were able to hear the vision behind my excited babbling, the planning could begin. Because of Linda and Harold, the Carl Frohm Memorial Foundation underwrote this exhibit, and I am so grateful. I hope Linda and Harold know how excited I am, and how good it feels to have people who are supportive of projects like these. They believed, and knowing that has pulled me through many a late night. Working on this project, one thing was clear almost from the beginning: there is too much material to choose from. All the people, all the stories, all the photos: even for a relative newcomer like me it is obvious that this community is not only vibrant, its vibrancy has been extremely well documented over the years. And while, in recent years, community after community has had to give up its local Jewish paper, we keep going. The color photo collages come from my personal files, which I’ve kept since I began as the editor in early 2010. I carry my camera with me, often, but many of the photos never see the light of day. Or, they make it into the paper once, and then we move on; I thought it would be fun for all of us to take another look. Again, I had to make some tough choices, because there is just too much there. None of the
people in the photos is identified, because we are a family. You don’t put labels on the pictures you have on your mantel; besides, I want you to really look at all of them -- not just search for the familiar faces.
In addition, we have the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, which holds a treasure trove of cool files. Its Executive Director Renee Corcoran was kind enough to allow our Jewish Press intern, Sara Cohen, to make herself at home in her department. Sara’s hard work is on display in the black and white photo collages, and we at the Press are incredibly grateful to her for her dedication. We are also grateful to Sharee and Murray Newman, who make it possible for us to have an intern every summer. One of the reasons it takes time to look through old edi-
tions of the Jewish Press: it’s impossible to ignore the ads, the prices, the names, it’s a time capsule in and of itself. The old advertisements we selected are displayed in a variety of frames, hunted down at estate sales and thrift stores; their language speaks for itself. I have to admit: I’ve been agonizing over whether I’ve included enough, and what I had to leave behind. Then it struck me: it’s a luxury problem. With a community such as ours, of course there is too much to choose from. What’s more, we continue to write our story, week after week. New chapters are added, new people join the community, and that is a good thing. Any comprehensive Jewish Press exhibit should be a work in progress, because our combined story is a work in progress. In other words, we should do this again in two years. Why not? I want to thank Margie Utesch, Lynne Batten and Carissa Hupke in the marketing department for all their help; they are fantastic and everyone should know it. I also want to thank Julee Katzman, who has the patience to listen to my excited rambling and always provides great advice. Nancy Wolf and Patty Nogg: thank you so much for your help with all the framing. I think I owe you both a manicure. And, of course, I have to thank my staff for putting up with me through this entire painstaking process. Sorry about the mess I made at the office. I can’t promise I won’t do it again. I sincerely hope you will all take the time to stop by the JCC Gallery and look at our exhibit. Although it started out as a way to celebrate 90-plus years of Press, it’s become more than that: it’s a celebration of our community, and all the people who make this community. I feel honored to be a small part of it.
While global anti-Semitism surges, don’t forget U.S. campuses
Focus on issues TAMMI ROSSMAN-BENJAMIN
(JNS.org) Amid the current unrest in Israel and Gaza, Jews around the world have been targeted for attack. Virulently anti-Israel demonstrations and activities in cities across Europe and around the world have resulted in frightening anti-Jewish violence. Meanwhile, in the U.S. right now, school is out and students are safe. But there is little doubt that when the academic year commences, Jewish students on American college and university campuses will be targeted for harassment, intimidation, bullying, and worse, solely because of their actual or perceived identification with the Jewish State. First, let’s take stock of the global picture for Israel. In Paris, a synagogue was firebombed while hundreds of worshippers were inside. And in a Paris suburb, anti-Israel rioters torched a synagogue, Jewish school, businesses, and cars. In Berlin, demonstrators charged a Jewish couple and shouted “Jew, we’ll get you” after seeing that the man was wearing a yarmulke. In the Netherlands, the chief rabbi’s home was attacked with stones twice in one week. In Turkey, the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul and the embassy in Ankara were attacked, and an Islamist close to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Muslims to target the country’s 15,000 Jews and warned that Jewish tourists to Turkey would be attacked. In Morocco, a rabbi was badly beaten in retaliation for Israel’s air strikes on Gaza. In Australia, a Jew was punched by men screaming “Jewish dog” in Arabic as he
(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 Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President-Elect; Sarah Edelstein, Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Sarah Grossman-Lopez, Debbie Kricsfeld, David Kotok, Noah Priluck, Paul Rabinovitz, and Nancy Wolf. 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
walked in a Jewish neighborhood. In Canada, at an anti-Israel rally organized by the President of the University of Calgary pro-Palestinian club, two Jewish women were kicked and punched by a large group of angry men, and portions of the crowd chanted “Kill Jews” and “Hitler was right.” In Los Angeles, Jews at a proIsrael rally were assaulted with sticks wielded by four men waving pro-Palestinian flags. In Boston, Jewish students had to be extracted by police from a pro-Hamas rally, at which demonstrators chanted “Jews back to Birkenau.” Now, back to American campuses. As we all know, the college campus is a hotbed for anti-Israel sentiment. Is there any reason to believe that the global anti-Zionist surge won’t permeate U.S. campuses once the school year starts? This new flood of anti-Jewish sentiment will come to campuses already racked by the virulently anti-Israel actions of student groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), whose members are often aided and abetted by anti-Israel faculty. Last semester alone, numerous Jewish students across the country reported feeling unsafe on their campuses. Here are their firsthand accounts: At DePaul University: “This entire campaign and entire sit-in going on in the SAC (Schmitt Academic Center) is totally unsafe for Jewish students, and I have had a lot of Jewish students text me and call me today and tell me they are not comfortable walking through that part of our campus, which is really disheartening… About two months ago when SJP started the ‘DePaul Divest’ campaign, I no longer felt safe on this campus and I no longer felt I could be a proud Jewish student.”
At New York University: “Being very straightforward, [the slipping of anti-Israel eviction notices under dorm room doors by SJP members] made me feel targeted and unsafe in my own dorm room, and I know others feel exactly the same as myself.” At the University of California, Los Angeles: “For myself and other Jewish and pro-Israel students, the atmosphere is poisonous. We feel attacked, ostracized, and threatened. Our identities are being rejected and our right to express our beliefs endangered. Our academic performance is being harmed unjustly; and our supporters are now targets of hate campaigns, baseless accusations, and unfair political and social retaliation.” At the University of Michigan: “It was not just individual students who were the victims of violent threats and intimidation by pro-Palestinian forces. Student government representatives were similarly targeted and, most telling, called ‘kike’ and a ‘dirty Jew.’ Both CSG (Central Student Government) representatives and ordinary students were afraid to attend their classes because they felt unsafe.” At Vassar College: “This year, SJP has made Vassar an unsafe environment for me and for other Jewish students. From their harassment of students participating in the spring break trip, to the Nazi incident and anti-Zionist rhetoric about ethnic cleansing that verges on blood libel, SJP has done everything in its power to make Vassar an unsafe space for Jews.” Despite the clear and present danger for Jewish students on U.S. campuses, in most cases university administrators have been unwilling to address the problem, preferring Continued on page 9
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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
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August 8, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 9
Israel defines the empowerment of women, even during wartime der gaps in the world. Today, three of Israel’s major political parties are led by women. For a country barely old enough to collect Social SHMULEY BOTEACH Security, it’s an amazing accomplishment—a model for women’s rights. by ELIANA RUDEE As a nation that truly defines the empowerment of (JNS.org) The Electric Intifada recently published a piece women, Israel must not rest on its laurels and must continthat claims ending Zionism is a feminist issue, as a disue to fight the gender norms ingrained in its society. proportionate number of women and children are being Unlike their neighbors, Israeli women have the right killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Electric Intifada and are encouraged to become successful entrepregot only one thing right—it is true that women and chilneurs, scientists, politicians, and generals. dren are at great risk during wartime. But the true As such, on the morning of July 28, Women of the offender of who creates that vulnerability was completeWall gathered at the women’s section of the Western ly left out of the article. Wall to pray on Rosh Hodesh, the start of the Jewish It did not mention that the United Nations found month. The Jewish feminist movement, however conrockets hidden by Hamas in schools. troversial among some Orthodox men and women, It did not mention that Hamas launches rockets from represents the struggle for women’s rights that has been inside and around mosques, hospitals, and children’s inseparable from Israel’s law, politics, and society since playgrounds. Israel’s founding. It did not mention that Hamas uses women and chilOne does not have to look to the World Economic dren as human shields to take advantage of the Israel Forum’s Global Gender Gap survey to see that Israel has Defense Forces’ (IDF) restraint. made positive strides toward gender equality. The proof It did not mention that Israel was by far the highestis all around Israel, and can even be seen from around ranked country in the Middle East with the smallest the globe, as Women of the Wall stream their Rosh gender gap by World Economic Forum’s Global Gender A prayer service of Women of the Wall, a group which proves that Israel Hodesh prayers online. As a woman who is proud to Gap survey of 2013. has made positive strides toward gender equality, according to Eliana call herself a Jewish feminist, I am extremely fortunate In a neighborhood where women are often reduced to Credit: Women of the Wall Rudee. to be in Israel, where I can learn from countless Jewish third-class citizen status and can even be jailed or exeAnd finally, in the Knesset, Israel shines as a place where women who are smart, bold, successful, and unapologeticalcuted for “allowing” themselves to be raped, it’s not surprisstrong and politically minded women flourish. Golda Meir ly female. ing Israel holds the top spot in the Middle East and North Eliana Rudee is a contributor to the Franklin Center for Africa region. No other Middle Eastern country cracked the served as Israel’s fourth prime minister, a position only two other women, globally, could claim before her. Government & Public Integrity. She is a graduate of top 100, while Israel proudly stands at 53. In contrast, the United States has yet to elect a female head Scripps College, where she studied International Relations So much for ending Zionism to advance feminism. of state. The same goes for Sweden, the Philippines, Ireland, and Jewish Studies. She published her thesis in Perceptions In reality, Israel is a hotbed for feminism and women’s and Switzerland, which are ranked fourth, fifth, sixth, and and Strategic Concerns of Gender in Terrorism. Follow her rights. To undermine Zionism would be to undermine femiseventh, respectively, as the countries with the smallest gen@ellierudee. nism, as feminism was embedded in Israeli law, politics, and
Focus on issues
society since the early ages of the Jewish state’s establishment. By law, women are protected by Israel’s Declaration of Independence and the Equal Rights Law. In the judicial system, women comprise more than half of all judges, according to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics published in 2011. In the IDF, women are given the right to serve in any capacity. Women also excel in business, science, and athletics.
The New York Times’s erroneous and shameful defense of Hamas
Behind the headlines DEBRA FEUER (JNS.org) What a sad day when New York Times, the U.S. “newspaper of record,” defends the way Hamas deliberately endangers its own citizens. According to the paper, Hamas intentionally embeds its weapons and fighters in and around houses, mosques, schools, and hospitals—thereby drawing fire to them. It discourages civilians from heeding warnings to leave those areas. But for the NY Times, if Hamas doesn’t quite force those civilians to stay, it isn’t technically using “human shields.” Actually, utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas, or military forces immune from military operations constitutes a war crime—whether or not civilians are forced to stay. In some cases, after Israel warns civilians to evacuate, Hamas may discourage them from fleeing without physically pinning them down. That is malevolent enough. But Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that rules over Gaza. When it directs civilians to stay, disobeying that directive is a difficult and dangerous choice for a Gazan family. According to Nathan Thrall, the NY Times’s latest human rights expert, when Hamas deliberately embeds its weapons and fighters among civilians, it is just trying to level the playing field. And it may be acting out of desperation, not as part of a political strategy. This line of reasoning constitutes profound legal and moral obfuscation. International law does not condone terrorists deliberately embedding their military apparatus among civilians if the terrorists are “desperate.” Besides, desperate to do what—shoot rockets and otherwise attack Israelis? That hardly seems like desperation cognizable under international law.
Affordable Care Act
Hamas had a clear and legal way out of its desperation. It could have used its resources to build up Gaza, instead of turning it into a launching pad for rockets and incursions into Israel aimed at eradicating the Jewish state. Hamas and Gaza’s civilians alike would have been safe—and infinitely better off. In the meantime, although Hamas has provided no shelter for its civilians, it has built a network of underground bunkers to shelter its own leaders and fighters. Every civilized person must pity the people of Gaza, whose so-called leaders exploit them that way. Israel can, and must, continue to defend its citizens from rocket fire and terrorist incursions. Israel does everything it can to limit civilian casualties in these terrible circumstances. Israel’s multiple warnings to civilians, the field hospital it built for the Palestinian wounded, the countless times the Israel Defense Forces has declined to fire because civilians were in harm’s way, and the poignant photos of Israeli soldiers escorting Gazan children and elderly out of harm’s way—these are powerful reminders that no country on earth has done more to protect the enemy’s civilians. The NY Times’s attempt to defend Hamas’s abhorrent behavior demonstrates how thoroughly it has lost its moral compass. Hamas started this conflict by firing rockets at Israeli population centers—by now it has fired well over 2,500. The Palestinian terror group embeds its machinery of war among its citizens, including in hospitals and schools. Hamas knows that it scores points every time it kills an Israeli, and it scores public relations points every time Israel hits a Palestinian civilian. Shame on the NY Times for falling right into Hamas’s trap—and even whitewashing it. The NY Times, and other like-minded media, would serve the Palestinian people far better by roundly condemning Hamas’s depraved tactics, and thereby undermining its diabolical calculation. Debra Feuer is an attorney based in Bethesda, Md.
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Continued from page 8 instead to defend the freedom of speech or academic freedom of the student and faculty perpetrators. Moreover, Jewish students are well aware that hateful behavior which would never be tolerated by university administrators if directed at other minority groups is perfectly acceptable when directed against Jews, and they experience this blatant double standard as yet another form of anti-Jewish bigotry. The vulnerability of Jewish students on U.S. campuses is further compounded by the unwillingness of the federal government to protect them from the hostile environment they are experiencing. Seth Galanter, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights who was responsible for dismissing several federal anti-discrimination complaints filed on behalf of Jewish students who were being severely harassed, intimidated, and bullied by their fellow students and faculty, has stated that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights will not even consider complaints in which “offensive conduct [is] based on an individual’s support for… the policies of a particular nation.” In other words, if Jewish students are being harassed because of their real or perceived identification with the Jewish state, no matter how severe the harassment—even to the point of physical assault—they cannot count on protection under federal anti-discrimination law. In light of the alarming rise in global anti-Semitism and the unwillingness of university or government officials to protect Jewish students from campus-based anti-Semitic activity, it is fair to say that when Jewish students return to school in the fall, they will be the single most vulnerable students on campus. The Jewish community must act now. As university stakeholders—students, parents, alumni, donors, and taxpayers— members of the Jewish community and their supporters have every right to use their influence as consumers and funders to demand that Jewish students are protected from the growing scourge of Jew-hatred on U.S. college campuses. Tammi Rossman-Benjamin is a lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz and co-founder of the AMCHA Initiative, a non-profit organization that combats antiSemitism on college campuses.
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Global anti-Semitism surges
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10 | The Jewish Press | August 8, 2014
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: Chef ’s Demo at the Rose Blumkin Home, 1:30 p.m. Debbie Roitstein will be our guest chef; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Steve Riekes; Mini-minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:15 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.; Daddy & Me, 10 a.m. THURSDAY: Jews & Brews, 7 p.m. Bar Mitzvah of Zach Krausman, son of Hazzan Michael and Laurel Krausman, Saturday, Aug. 16. 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. followed by Beit Medrash Learning with Project SEED; Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Dr. Guy Matalon Scholar-in-Residence, Shacharit, 9 a.m. with sermon by Dr. Matalon; Shabbat Lecture with Dr. Matalon on Living in and Loving the Land: Israel, Aliya and the current situation following Simcha Kiddush Luncheon; Pre-Mincha class on The Mitzvah of Torah to our children: Is it really an obligation? by Dr. Matalon, 7 p.m.; Mincha, 8 p.m. followed by Seudah Shlishit with Project SEED; Havdalah, 9:17 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash with SEED, 10 a.m.; Kids Craft & Teen planning meeting, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Project SEED Lunch & Learn, 1 p.m.; Tuesday Night class with Project SEED, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.
B’nai Mitzvah Zachariah Matan Krausman, son of Hazzan Michael and Laurel Krausman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Beth El. Zach is an eighth-grade Superior Honor Roll student at Kiewit Middle School. He plays the saxaphone in the school band and select jazz band. He is actively involved in Beth El’s Kadima youth group. He has been a camper at Camp Ramah Darom for more than five years. For his mitzvah project, Zach is collecting non perishable food to be donated to the Food Bank for the Heartland. Donations can be dropped off at Beth El or call the synagogue at 402.492.8550 to purchase grocery cards for donation in honor of his Bar Mitzvah. He has a brother, Zev. Grandparents are Henry Krausman and the late Lil Krausman, and Elaine Tepper and the late Robert Tepper. Heather Slovut, daughter of Beth and Mitchell Slovut, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Temple Israel. Heather is an eighth-grade student at Kiewit Middle School. She medaled in UNO String Olympics. Her interests include playing viola and violin, reading, skiing, playing soccer and acting. For her mitzvah project, Heather collected gently used books for donation to Boystown and Open Door Mission. She has a sister, Josephine, and a brother, Simon. Grandparents are Ginger and Bernard Slovut of San Diego, and the late Lawrence and Abbey Kuller.
WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by Beit Medrash Learning with Project SEED; UNMC Chaburah with SEED, 1 p.m.; Open Beit Medrash; Learning with Project SEED, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by Beit Medrash Learning with Project SEED; UNMC Chaburah with SEED, 1 p.m.; Open Beit Medrash; 1:1 Learning with Project SEED, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.
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 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: Family Dinner and Early Service, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Elaine Monnier. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Va’etchanan. SUNDAY: Board of Trustees, 2 p.m.; 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?
Candlelighting Friday, August 8, 8:14 p.m. 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.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community 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 Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel; 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; Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity - Framing, 15 p.m. To sign up or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dan Gilbert, dmgilbert@gmail.com; Back from Camp S’mores, 7:30 pm. at Rabbi Brown’s house. SUNDAY: TED Talk, 11 a.m. Temple Israel Annual Golf Outing, Monday, Aug. 18, noon at Shadow Ridge Country Club. The schedule is as 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: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Rabbi Ian Jacknis and his wife Suri’s visit to Lincoln sponsored by Lucy and Kirk Bowers.
Five questions with Julie Sadofsky by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel 1. How is this summer in Israel different from your other summer experiences? This experience is similar to other summer adventures as I love to travel (Central America and Middle East) and volunteer with youth (counseling summer camps, coaching ultimate, doing nonprofit work). My first visit to the Middle East was in 2012. My sister and I came on Taglit and we extended our stay to explore the countryside together. We were able to travel freely with our backpacks so we moved from place to place, hiked far distances, and experienced the authentic Israeli life and culture. It was different then as the country was not in the midst of war. Two years ago, I did not have the same challenges I face today. Now I have to be weary of traveling to certain areas and the potential risks (demonstrations, protests, missiles, etc.). For example, I cannot run or hike far from town as a rocket might fall in “open space” near me. I often travel with a buddy and I always tell friends or neighbors where I am going and when I will be returning. It gives me a sense of security to have someone watching out for my safety. I also am acutely aware of how I present myself to others. In the past, I felt more comfortable to freely express my Jewish identity and now it is something that I conceal when I travel from place to place. Last summer, I was at the tail end of my study abroad program in Costa Rica. I spent five months studying, volunteering, and traveling around the country. It was pura vida. During the summer, I usually have the freedom to be who I am and go where I want. I have learned that this kind of freedom is a privilege not to be taken for granted. 2. What has made your summer in Israel special? The Middle East is my home away from home. Israel has always held a special place in my heart. This summer has
been more eventful in comparison to my first visit two years ago. My experiences staffing a Taglit-Israel Outdoors trip, coaching for Ultimate peace, and spending extended periods of time in the West Bank have made this summer stand out from years past. I had an incredible summer volunteering and traveling in the region even during this time of conflict. I arrived to Israel with an amazing group of Jewish adults as a staff member of Taglit. I am grateful I was able to share their first experiences of Israel and travel with them after our trip to unconventional places and events (i.e. Burning Man Israel). Once I finished the Taglit trip, I volunteered with an organization called Ultimate Peace. Ultimate Peace is a nonprofit that brings separated groups by conflict together to create peace and friendship using the unique sport, ultimate Frisbee. Arab Israeli, Israeli, and Palestinian youth work all year round in their own communities learning and practicing the sport, and then these groups come together on multicultural teams at Camp Ultimate Peace. It has been groundbreaking in promoting acceptance between people and renewing dialogue to many families and communities in the region. My commitment to the organization is fundraising before camp, coaching in communities in Israel and the West Bank, and helping with camp preparation. I have been a volunteer coach of Ultimate Peace since 2012. My last visit I had the opportunity to coach communities in the West Bank: Bethlehem, Beit Sachur, and Jericho. The ultimate practices in these communities were a few hours long and in the past we only stayed for the practice and dinner. This year there was a mentor coach living in Beit Sachur and working with these communities. This provided a unique opportunity for me to spend quality time in the West Bank learning and understanding the Palestinian people and culture. Continued on page 11
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
August 8, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 11
Five questions with Julie Sadofsky
In memoriam ARTHUR I. NOVAK Art Novak passed away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lovely service was held on Aug. 3 at Beth El Cemetery where his family celebrated his life and the enormous impact Art had on the lives of his wife of 54 years, Freddie Novak, children Vicki and Greg Bielli, Wendy and Jerry Ferrill and Jon and Jennie Novak as well as his 8 adored grandchildren. The family was blessed with dear friends’ presence, thoughts and love in observance of Art’s passing. Born in 1938, Art was born the 10th child of Ben and Dora Novak. He lived in Omaha most of his life with the exception of the time he attended the University of Oklahoma where he completed his degree and met the love of his life, Freddie. Following University; Art and Freddie returned to Omaha to join the family business and start their own family. Throughout his life, Art was known to be a man of integrity, kindness, laughter and generosity; often being referred to as the strength whom held others up. Art is surrounded in life and death by his loving family. Memorials may be made to Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 or to your organization of choice.
Eric Cantor yields the floor by RON KAMPEAS Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, gave his final speech in that capacity on July 31. Cantor was the only Republican Jew in Congress and the most senior Jewish lawmaker in U.S. history. Cantor never deemphasized his Jewishness, and he did not do so here. He mentioned his grandparents’ flight from repression, a history that clearly has shaped his political outlook. He included a nod to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the minority whip, with whom Cantor often collaborated on pro-Israel initiatives. Cantor rode the Tea Party wave into the Republican victory in 2010, and embraced some of that movement’s resistance to cooperation with Democrats.
Card of thanks I would like to thank everyone for all the cards, phone calls, gifts, visits and prayers during my recovery from my heart attack and subsequent by-pass surgery. Your kindness helped me through my tough times. Richard Busse
Continued from page 10 This summer has been very special to me as I have made strong relationships and lifelong friendships throughout my journey. I especially feel very blessed by my local friends in Israel and the West Bank who have welcomed me openheartedly into their homes as a guest. These are the things that have made my summer special. 3. How do you see life in Israel right now with the events happening in Gaza? This is a tricky question. Everyone is experiencing the conflict differently. In general, I would describe life in Israel right now as tense. I have neighbors who will not go too far from home because they fear missiles will rain down and they will not be near a shelter. I have friends who have strong relationships with Arab-Israelis and Palestinians and cannot share in the celebration of breaking fast during Ramadan. There are many Israelis who have been separated from their families and called from reserve duty to serve in the war. These experiences are the reality for a few local Israelis and Arab-Israelis. However, most of the people are going about their lives and praying for peace. They want an end to the war. 4. What have you learned or experienced so far that you never thought you would? I have spent over ten weeks in Israel. During this time, four innocents boys were kidnapped and murdered, three Jewish and one Muslim. The whole region has heard too many sirens and witnessed hundreds of rockets on both sides. The IDF has lost over fifty young men fighting to protect Israel’s right to defend itself. Over 1,700 Palestinians have died in Gaza in Israel’s effort to end Hamas. Everyone is paying the deathly cost of this cycle of hate and violence. As a promoter of peace in the Middle East, this war has been a rude awakening to the large capacity of hate and violence in the world. I struggle to keep my faith in humanity during this time. I believe this war has caused irreparable damage socially, politically, and economically for the State of Israel and the future state of Palestine. I believe renewed dialogue between the people is necessary to make peace. All groups separated by conflict have the right to live in peace. 5. What will you miss the most about Israel when you return to Omaha? I already miss it here knowing that I will not return for some time. It will be after my Peace Corps service that I can reunite with my friends and family in the Middle East. This summer has been eye opening and life changing for me. The light memories of falafel every day and Frisbee every night will be missed dearly. Whereas the dark times of missiles overhead and news of death and destruction were events I wish had never happened. Praying for peace in the Middle East.
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12 | The Jewish Press | August 8, 2014
Pro-Israel volunteers defend Jewish state on social media by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ (JTA) -- Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Haim Divon nodded approvingly as he surveyed the small army of 50 men and women fighting for Israel. Around a conference table in an office in the Amsterdam suburb of Buitenveldert, 30 volunteers were writing and collecting pro-Israel materials and transferring them to an editor who posted them on social networks. Nearby, the graphics department churned out glossy logos and catchy memes that compared weather forecasts from London -- partly cloudy with a chance of light showers -- to that of Tel Aviv: Rocket volley with a chance of death. This was not Divon's operation. In fact, he and other embassy staff were making only their first visit to the situation room set up by Jewish and Christian volunteers to counter anti-Israel rhetoric online. Community leaders say the effort is unparalleled in Europe and a testament to the vibrancy of Dutch Jewry. “What you have done here is amazing,” Divon told the group. “I think this is unique in Europe, and this is exactly what we need to give us enough time to accomplish what we need in order to ensure the safety of the people of Israel.” The volunteers at the Buitenveldert situation room began working last week out of the cafeteria of the local Jewish Cultural Center, which they converted into a space where 80 people can work in two 14-hour shifts each day. The volunteers have created hundreds of posts and articles on Israel, which they disseminate through the Holland4Israel Facebook group and on Twitter, among other social media. “The idea is to empower pro-Israel advocates who used to work out of their student apartments by giving them a community framework, interaction and facilities,” said Ron Eisenmann, a former community leader from Amsterdam who spearheaded the project with Rabbi Yanki Jacobs, director of the Dutch branch of the Chabad on Campus network, and Christians for Israel, an international network of Christian Zionists. For some participants, the situation room is the only place outside their homes where they can express support of Israel without rebuke. After one of her classmates posted on Facebook that “f-----g Zionists are something that every Jew should be ashamed of,” one Jewish student decided she
needed to be more discreet about her views. “Most of my friends are left-wing non-Jews, so I knew they were no big fans of Israel,” said Naomi, a student in her 20s from an eastern Holland city with few Jews, who asked to be identified only by her first name. “But I was shocked by their attacks on me because of my comments online about Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Holland’s well-organized Jewish community an extra push in its public diplomacy efforts, according to Binyomin Jacobs, Yanki's father and the rabbi whose home was attacked. “The supporters of Israel from Christians for Israel are an enormous help and an important element to the Jewish story here,” said Jacobs. Representing hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of countries, Christians for Israel was founded in the Netherlands in 1979. Its international headquarters is still located in the town of Nijkerk. Recently, the group launched several campaigns against PGGM, a major pension firm that divested from Israeli companies, and against several supermarket chains that reportedly agreed to boycott settlement goods. The markets denied they had made such a decision amid protests led predominantly by Christians. Christians for Israel’s contribution to the pro-Israel effort during the current Gaza crisis was evident at a July 19 demonstration, where approximately 1,000 people -- many draped in Israeli flags -- packed Amsterdam’s Dam Square. Rabbi Yanki Jacobs, right, with Christian volunteers Timo Erkelens “I was surprised at how many Jews showed up,” said and Eveline Hagoort in the pro-Israel situation room near Amsterdam, Sergiusz Licpyz, an Israeli living in Amsterdam. Credit: Cnaan Liphshiz July 24, 2014. “They sang Hebrew songs and completely dwarfed Support for the Palestinian cause is strong in the the counter-demonstration of 30 pro-Palestinians, who Netherlands, which has seen a string of efforts to divest from ended up looking quite pathetic. I think they were also surIsrael over its policies in the West Bank and Gaza. Earlier prised.” this month, Muslim demonstrators twice chanted menacing About 75 percent of the participants were Christians, calls about Jews at rallies in The Hague. Separately, uniden- according to David Serphos, a former Jewish community tified individuals smashed the windows of the home of a leader who helped set up the situation room with Eisenmann. chief rabbi, the fifth attack on his residence in recent years. “Thank God for Christians for Israel because without But the kingdom is also home to one of Europe’s most them, that demonstration would have been different,” active pro-Israel communities, led by the Center for Serphos said. Information and Documentation on Israel, or CIDI. The 40Back at the situation room, Timo Erkelens of Christians year-old organization with 10 professional staffers, an online for Israel’s youth group, Israelity, describes his involvement television channel and two research departments has given as a form of compensation for “all the horrible things” that the Netherlands’ small Jewish community of 40,000 an out- befell Dutch Jewry. The Holocaust wiped out 75 percent of sized voice on Israel affairs unequaled by similarly sized the community, the highest death rate in all of Nazi-occucommunities elsewhere in Europe. pied Western Europe. But it is the support of Christian Zionists that gives “We are here to change the record,” Erkelens said.
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