Vol. LXXXVII No. 51 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
28 Av, 5768
August 29, 2008
Biden and the Jews: Strong ties and friendly disagreements by RON KAMPEAS and ERIC FINGERHUT DENVER (JTA) -- Before he announced his vice presidential pick, Barack Obama said he wanted someone to spar with but who ultimately would be loyal enough to create a comfortable working relationship. No one knew then that Obama had picked his U.S. Senate colleague Joe Biden (D-Del.), 65, but the Democratic presidential candidate’s ad fit Biden’s relationship with the Jewish community to a tee. On Saturday, two days before the start of the Democratic National Convention here, Obama chose Biden to be the No. 2 man on the party’s ticket.
Hailing Olympic heroes
Israeli Olympic swimmers Tom Beeri, left, Itai Chammah, Gal Nevo and Guy Barnea connect with students at the Shi Jia Elementary School in Beijing who have been learning about Israel for two years before the Games. Credit: Alison Klayman
The loquacious Biden, a senator since 1973, has sparred frequently with the pro-Israel community and with Israelis, particularly on the issue of settlements. But he has a sterling voting record on pro-Israel issues and as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has helped shepherd through key pro-Israel legislation. His straightforwardness is considered an asset, even among those supporters who have disagreed with him. “He’s open minded, he votes his own conscience,” said Gary Erlbaum, a Philadelphia-based real estate developer who is backing Republican candidate John McCain for president but has supported Biden’s Senate campaigns. “I don’t always agree with him” -- Biden is a staunch critic of the Bush administration’s Iraq policy, Erlbaum helped found the pro-Iraq war group Freedom’s Watch -- but “he does not try to sugarcoat.” Biden has been especially sharp in criticizing the United States and Israel in their failure to support Mahmoud Abbas in 2003, when he was the Palestinian Authority prime minister attempting to establish a power base to challenge then-President Yasser Arafat. Abbas eventually was sidelined by Arafat, allowing the Palestinian leader to continue his policies of corruption and stasis until his death -and creating a vacuum ultimately filled in large part by Hamas terrorists.
Joe Biden (D-Del.)
Credit: U.S. Senate “I’ve had my shouting matches over 25 years, privately, in my office and in the offices of prime ministers,” Biden said in a March 2007 interview with the Forward. “I’ve had disagreements. Israel’s a democracy and they make mistakes. But the notion that somehow if Israel just did the right thing, [the peace process] would work, I mean that’s the premise, give me a break.” In that same interview, Biden firmly rejected calls for the United States to distance itself from Israel and assume a more neutral role in brokering Middle East peace talkes. “The suffering is real on both sides, but there is a side that can impact ending it,” he said. “The responsibility Continued on page 3
Teen talks about accident at next drug and alcohol education seminar Final session of three-part drug and alcohol prevention series by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service He just didn’t think that it could happen to him. How many of us, adults and teenagers alike, have made the decision to drink and get behind the wheel of an automobile? Matt Robinson, now age 18, doesn’t describe himself as an alcoholic; now or back then. He’s a kid who was doing what a lot of other kids were doing. Partying on the weekend here and there and masking the pain in his life with his drinking. Matt will tell the story of his accident, which resulted in the tragic loss of two of his high school friends, at a drug and alcohol education seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. “I was at that point in my life where I based my friends around partying. Basically the sole glue to my friendships was drinking,” Matt says, as we discuss his life before the accident -- on Dec. 28, 2006 -- a rollover crash at high speed with Matt as the driver and sole survivor.
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“Since the accident, I think I have one friend that I had from before,” he says. So much in his life has changed that he hardly recognizes the person he was. After the crash, Matt completed his senior year of high school and is now enrolled at Metropolitan Community College. He’s completing his court ordered probation and community service and trying to carry on with a life forever changed by the poor decisions of just one night; just one moment. Just think -- If other teens could be spared this kind of tragedy in their life. This is Matt’s focus right now and his goal as well as the goal of Jewish Family Service and the JCC -- to help teens and pre-teens in the community to make the right decisions at the right time, before it’s too late for them.
Matt before the accident had, himself, attended drug and alcohol prevention programs. “Basically, when I was sitting there (in the programs),” he says, “I just thought this couldn’t happen to me. It’s true that it’s hard to learn unless you’ve had a first-hand experience, but that’s why I’m trying so hard to help kids to not have that first hand experience. No one should lose their life drinking and driving.” We discuss human nature and how each of us seems programmed to this sort of thinking. That it won’t be us that has an accident; it won’t be us that hurts or kills someone else as a result of our poor decisions. As part of his community service, Matt has been speaking about his decisions and the consequences of his actions. He estimates he’s spoken around 50
This Week: The Learning Curve special issue on education
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
Columns on Hebrew on the web, starting kindergarten: Page 2
times now on the subject, groups ranging from hundreds of people down to just a few. The first time Matt gave a speech about his accident was in front of a group of 750 people. “I talked the best I could,” he says. “I broke down and cried pretty hard.” Since the accident, Matt has a lot to say about what he’s learned. He’s been forced to grow up quickly because of the events of that December night. “I’ve learned that there are other ways to deal and to truly meet problems instead of masking the problem with alcohol,” he says, “to try your best to rely on your family, or a true friend (not friendships based solely around alcohol or partying) if your family is part of the problem.” He describes the pain of knowing that, just days after his accident, high school friends were already making plans to go out drinking for New Year’s Eve -- and what he thinks it takes to help change those decisions for young people like him. Continued on page 10
Coming Next Month: New Year’s issue on Sept. 26 Monthly Calendar for September: Pages 8-9
It’s back to school for Friedel students and new principal: Page 16
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
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Ha’im ata rotzeh lilmod Ivrit? Do you want to learn Hebrew? It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student getting ready to return to school or you haven’t practiced your Hebrew since your Cheder days. The Internet provides incredible resources for people who want to improve their Hebrew. And what better time than Israel’s 60th to hone your skills? Today, a look at some online resources for people with beginners and intermediate Hebrew. Whatever your level of Hebrew, your first stop should be at Yale University. The Yale Hebraica Team has done an outstanding job explaining the history of the language along with an introduction to the 22-letter alphabet as well as gathering links to some of the very best Hebrew resources on the Web. [tinyurl.com/hebraica] That Yale has such a good Hebrew Web site shouldn’t come as a total surprise since the university required Hebrew as a basic curriculum course for freshmen in 1777. The essay, “How Hebrew Came to Yale” explains the special relationship that Rabbi Haim Isaac Carigal had with Yale’s fifth president, Reverend Ezra Stiles. To this day, the shield of Yale University carries the Hebrew words “Urim v’Tumim” which refers to the High Priest’s breastplate mentioned in the Torah. [tinyurl. com/yaleurim] Aklah may have been designed as a kids’ site but it has some great resources for anyone learning Hebrew. The alphabet page has sound files for each Hebrew letter, printable flashcards, alphabet coloring pages and much more. Click on “more information” for instructions on how to write each letter. [tinyurl.com/akhlah] The Akhlah home page has more Hebrew exercises. [akhlah.com] Also, check out these Alef Bet links. [tinyurl.com/alefbet]
Kindergarten
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Once you’ve mastered the alphabet and a few basic words, you’re ready for the Starting with Aleph site. This delightful and sophisticated tutorial not only quizzes you about the spelling of some basic words, it also gives you an introduction to the mystical beauty of the Hebrew alphabet. [tinyurl.com/5bqopf] (This is a paid site, however, the first lesson is free and delightful.) Aleph-Bet on the Net is an excellent tutorial that tests your knowledge of Hebrew words and phrases. When you see Hebrew words flashed on the screen, you are asked to type in the English equivalent. And when English appears, so does an on-screen Hebrew keyboard so that you can type in the proper Hebrew response. [tinyurl.com/6o87p4] (Note: worked on a PC only.) Creating an online English/Hebrew - Hebrew/ English dictionary is not a simple task but Morfix is up to the challenge. Going from English to Hebrew is simple enough: just type in the word and hit enter. In order to go the other way, first click on the word “mikledet” and a virtual Hebrew keyboard will appear. As you use it to type in Hebrew letters, the characters will automatically appear in the Morfix screen. When done, hit enter and you get the English translation. [milon.morfix. co.il] For anyone who has grown up used to the English language QWERTY keyboard and wants to learn to type in Hebrew the correct way, I highly recommend ZigZag’s Hebrew Keyboard Tutor. On your screen, you’ll see a miniature Hebrew keyboard -- A, S, D, F become Shin, Dalet, Gimel, Kaf. As the giraffe hangs Hebrew letters on a clothesline, you are prompted to tap the corresponding key. There are five levels to keep you busy and the program even keeps track of your accuracy and speed. Engrossing and exasperating. [zigzagworld.com/ HKTutor/] Stay at ZigZagWorld for the best Web site to learn more of the language through games and puzzles. [zigzagworld.com/hebrewforme] That should keep you busy for a few days. Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.
We had prepared our daughter Isabella for kindergarten all summer long, but had forgotten to prepare ourselves. The choice to send her to a Jewish day school had not been a hard one; it was a great school, with a fantastic art program, and a small class size. We never even stopped to think that first day might be hard, since our daughter was quite an independent little thing; of course she was more than ready. Or so we thought. When Aug. 23, 2006 came around, Isabella had turned five only three days before. We woke up early, we dressed her in her new school uniform, brushed her hair, and handed her the backpack that was about half her size. She sat down on the couch, looking forlorn. Now that the moment was here, she suddenly wasn’t so sure about all this. Sure, planning was fun, buying school supplies was great, but actually going to school? She managed to hold back her tears until we walked into the building, said our goodbyes, and were ready to leave. Then she let loose with the ferocity of a barn cat. To this day, I don’t know how we made it back to the car, leaving behind that red-faced little girl, crying as if her life depended on it. I imagine the kind teachers at Friedel Jewish Academy had something to do with it; they’re good like that. We drove home, wondering whether we had made the wrong decision; was she too young? Was it too soon? Would she be okay, or were we traumatizing her for the rest of her life? Should we turn around and tell them we made a mistake? Approximately two hours after we came home, the phone rang. Jewish Federation it said on the caller I.D. My heart sank, but somehow, I wasn’t surprised. During
the few seconds of reading the little screen, and actually answering the phone, a million scenarios raced through my head: They were sending her home because she refused to cooperate. She was curled up in a little ball in the bathroom. She had gotten violently ill. All the other children hated her. They would give us back our deposit, and wish us luck finding a different school. In fact, they would pay us not to bring her back. Of course, the truth was entirely different, and much less dramatic. When I picked up the receiver, the voice of the Principal greeted me, and she hesitatingly informed me that Isabella had gotten a hold of the scissors. They didn’t know how it happened, she said; there had been three adults in the room. She had been very quick, and she had cut off a sizable chunk of her hair. “Did she cut anybody else’s hair?” I asked, not yet daring to exhale. “No; just her own.” Came the answer. The Principal’s voice sounded nervous. Maybe they expected me to be upset, but I wasn’t. In fact, it was the best news anybody could have told me that morning. It meant that my cheeky, independent, untamable little girl had recuperated from the morning’s meltdown. She was back to being herself, her actions made that more than clear. Isabella wasn’t just naughty; she was creatively naughty, which told me she felt right at home in the kindergarten class. Also, it was excellent for the teachers to know right from the start what they would be dealing with from now on. After that first day, we never looked back. Now, almost two years later, Isabella is starting second grade. I still feel a little pang when I think about how fast time goes by, but I no longer worry about her. I know she’s going to be just fine; somewhere in a drawer, I have a little Ziploc baggie filled with hair to prove it. Annette Van de Kamp-Wright, a freelancer writer who contributes frequently to this paper, has recently been accepted as a member of the American Jewish Press Association. She can be reached at: avandekamp@ tconl.com.
August 29, 2008
Biden and the Jews Continued ofrom page 1 rests on those who will not acknowledge the right of Israel to exist, will not play fair, will not deal, will not renounce terror.” Just two months earlier, Biden took the lead in the Senate in rejecting the Iraq Study Group’s assertion that the United States would not be able to achieve its goals in Iraq unless it “deals directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict.” “I do not accept the notion of linkage between Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict,” Biden said during his opening remarks at a Jan. 17, 2007 Senate hearing. “Arab-Israeli peace is worth pursuing vigorously on its own merits, but even if a peace treaty were signed tomorrow, it would not end the civil war in Iraq.” Biden’s longstanding relationship with the Jewish community should reassure Jews who still feel anxious about Obama, the Illinois senator who has deep ties to the Chicago Jewish community but has been on the national stage barely four years, said Cameron Kerry. “I’ve seen the enormous respect [Biden] commands in the pro-Israel community,” said Kerry, a convert to Judaism and a senior adviser to the 2004 presidential campaign of his brother, U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).”He has a well-established record, he knows the issues, and he can talk the talk. He may be the best goyishe surrogate I’ve seen in the Jewish community.” Biden’s son married into a Jewish family, but his keen interest in the region dates back to his first visit as a senator, not long before the 1973 Yom Kippur. He met Israel’s then-prime minister, Golda Meir. In an interview with Shalom TV last
year, when he launched his own presidential bid, Biden said he came away from that meeting understanding that “there is this inextricable tie between culture, religion, ethnicity that most people don't fully understand -- that is unique and so strong with Jews worldwide.” “When I was a young senator, I used to say, ‘If I were a Jew I’d be a Zionist.’ I am a Zionist,” he said. “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist.” Mark Gittenstein, who worked for Biden from 1976 to 1989, said no one matched his breadth of knowledge on Israel -- not even his Jewish staffers. “He was much more knowledgeable about Israel and its problems than I was,” Gittenstein said. Biden has a keen understanding of the Holocaust, partly because of his relationship with Tom Lantos, the late California Democratic congressman who was the only Holocaust survivor elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Biden hired Lantos as an adviser in the late 1970s, a leap into politics that led the Hungarian-born economist to consider a political career. At a memorial service for Lantos in February, Biden cracked up the somber crowd recalling how Lantos marveled at his son-in-laws very Middle American names. “My daughters married Aryans,” Biden recalled Lantos as saying. More substantively, his tutoring by Lantos led Biden to take the lead on genocide issues. Biden now champions efforts to isolate Sudan over the massacre of hundreds of thousands of civilians in its restive Darfur province. “Any country that engages in geno-
cide forfeits their sovereignty,” he said to applause at a National Jewish Democratic Council presidential candidate forum last year. Obama, who has been outspoken in opposing the Iraq war, had considered a number of centrist and conservative Democrats as running mates to balance his dovishness. Picking Biden, also a war critic, allows Republicans to describe the Democratic ticket as leaning to the left on Middle Eastern issues. Among Republican Jews, that means scoring both men for opposing some of the tougher anti-Iran measures embraced by McCain, an Arizona senator, and some Democrats, including Obama’s chief rival in the primaries, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (DN.Y.) “With the selection of Senator Joe Biden as Senator Obama’s vice president, the Democrats’ ticket has now become an even greater gamble for the Jewish community,” the Republican Jewish Coalition said in a statement Saturday hours after Obama made his announcement. “Biden has failed to recognize the serious threat that Iran poses to Israel and the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East.” Ira Forman, the director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, responded that focusing on recent differences over nuances regarding Iran policy missed the larger point of Biden's long years of commitment to Israel. “The RJC would criticize the Democratic pick for vice president if it was Ben Gurion,” Forman said. “There is no one you could possibly pick who knows the issues, who is committed to Israel’s security and knows Israeli leaders as much as Joe Biden.”
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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UNMC college named for Maurers
by JO GILES UNMC Public Affair Education and the support of health professionals, students and researchers are among the deepest passions of a widely known Nebraska couple. At last week’s groundbreaking for UNMC’s College of Public Health, University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken announced that the new building will be named for UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and his wife, Beverly. “Under Chancellor Maurer’s leadership, the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus has been transformed into a nationally recognized center of medical research, education and patient care. The College of Public Health will add another dimension to the university’s impact on Nebraska, and it is fitting that it carry the names of Hal and Beverly -two individuals who have a deep concern for the future of health education and for the quality of life in Nebraska,” said Milliken. Omahans Ruth and Bill Scott made the lead gift. Instead of putting their name on the building, they opted to honor the Maurers. “Beverly and I have lived by the same philosophy: come to work, work hard and good things will happen,” said Chancellor Maurer. The Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health will open in April 2010. The 52,500-square-foot facility will boast three levels. The College of Public Health became fully operational in 2007. It was the first new college on UNMC’s campus since 1968. Although there are 125 academic medical centers in the United States, less than 40 have colleges of public health.
CORNERSTONES FUND Building a Solid Foundation for a Jewish Tomorrow
The CornerStones Fund provides need based scholarships to assist Jewish children in attending the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center Preschool, Friedel Jewish Academy, Jewish summer camps, and youth programs. Your contribution will help meet the ever increasing needs in our community. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation salutes the generosity of all donors to the many scholarship funds for families in need of financial assistance in our community for Jewish summer residential camps, the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center Preschool, Friedel Jewish Academy, peer trips to Israel, undergraduate studies, graduate studies, yeshiva studies, professional studies, cultural arts programs, youth group activities, and adult education. For information on contributing to existing scholarship funds or endowing new funds, please contact Marty Ricks, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154 or call (402) 334-6440. To apply for or to receive more information on scholarships, please contact the Center for Jewish Education office at 334-6445 or email scholarships@jewishomaha.org.
A beneficiary agency of the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha
YES! I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TOTHE CORNERSTONES FUND!
Name ______________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________________________ I wish to have a card sent to: (please include recipient name, address, and your personal message) ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to “CornerStones Fund” and mail to the Center for Jewish Education, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha NE 68154. Tribute cards will be sent with a minimum donation of $10. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
Youth education opportunities abound at Beth Israel
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Advanced Parshah for Kids, Sunday classes, Hebrew school -- these are just a few of the many youth education opportunities that Beth Israel offers. Children have the chance to study on Shabbat as well as other days of the week, all with the goal of enhancing their Jewish education.
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Shabbat morning classes for youth include Terrific Torah Topics, How to Daven Shacharit, Junior Congregation, Advanced Parshah for Kids, Tot Shabbat and Haftorah study. These classes are taught by Donald Gerber, Leon Shrago, Dani Shrago, Howard Gendelman and David Kohll. “Just as we adults study the Torah and learn together on Shabbat, so can our children,” said Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “We’ve come up with some innovative ways to get them excited about the Torah. And the kids enjoy it.” Beth Israel’s Hebrew School offers one hour per week of private or small group tutoring in Hebrew language and synagogue skills. This session is set up at a time that is convenient for the student and his or her family. Sessions follow a text-based curriculum for teaching Hebrew language within the context of Jewish law. Rabbi Gross will teach a 10 a.m. class
on Sunday mornings for seventh through 12th graders, beginning Sept. 14. His class will focus on improving students’ familiarity with important figures and texts, to give students a historical framework of Jewish tradition. The Board of Commissioners continues to provide a Friedel Jewish Academy tuition subsidy to all children of families with primary membership at Beth Israel. One-half of a child’s tuition for the 2008-09 school year is paid for with the subsidy. “Friedel offers an unparalleled learning opportunity for kids in Omaha,” noted Gross. “We’re so pleased to offer this subsidy to our families.” NCSY is another avenue for youth to learn and have fun while they are doing it. Beth Israel is the home to Omaha’s chapter of NCSY, an international organization for teens. Junior NCSY is for sixth through eighth graders, while Senior NCSY is for high schoolers. According to NCSY’s website, “NCSY is committed to provide a safe space where teens can celebrate their Jewish heritage, embrace Torah and tradition, develop a positive Jewish identity, acquire invaluable leadership skills, connect with dedicated Jewish role models, and learn to live passionately Jewish lives.” NCSYers attend Shabbatons throughout the Midwest, hold dinners, and do many other fun activities each month. Beth Israel is committed to providing youth with many education opportunities and encourages children and teens to participate. For more information, call 556.6288.
Beth El’s Shabbat celebrations for children sure to delight community’s families
by JILL BELMONT Morning LIVE!’ offers youngsters the Beth El Publicity Coordinator opportunity to learn prayers, blessings After a summer hiatus, Beth El’s lively and Torah study, all introduced through Shabbat celebrations for young children music, puppet theater, dance, Shabbatwill return in September, to the delight of appropriate games and crafts. SML’s families throughout the Jewish community. upcoming programs are planned for Oct. The synagogue’s heartwarming Friday 18, Dec. 13, Feb. 21, March 21 and night Tot Shabbat service will return on April 18. The synagogue’s popular Saturday Sept. 5, 6 p.m., led once again by earlychildhood specialist “Miss Patty” Nogg. morning Shabbat Tunes & Tales, also led This interactive service has attracted families from throughout the Jewish community, and is a wonderful way for grandparents, parents and children of all ages to enjoy welcoming Shabbat in a kidfriendly atmosphere. Tot Shabbat gives kids ‘that Shabbat feeling’ through songs, storytelling, and rituals learned through hands-on activities. Services are followed by a delicious, Esther Katz (shown here leading a Tot Shabbat servkid-friendly dinner for all Tot ice last year), will lead Beth El’s monthly Shabbat Shabbat families, a wonderful way Morning Live! program for preschoolers through secto continue the celebration with ond graders. friends and loved ones. by Patty Nogg, will resume at 11:15 a.m. Upcoming Friday Tot Shabbat services beginning Oct. 25, and will also take and dinners are scheduled on the follow- place on Nov. 22, Dec. 20, Jan. 24, ing days: Oct. 3, Nov. 14 and Dec. 5; Feb. 28, March 28, and April 25. programs in 2009 are scheduled for Jan. Tunes & Tales is a fun-filled sing-along, 9, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3 and May 8. custom made for children up to age five Now in its second year, “Shabbat and their parents. Morning LIVE!” will resume on To RSVP for Tot Shabbat dinners Saturday, Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-noon. (reservations are required the Wednesday This innovative Saturday morning pro- before the program), or for more inforgram, led once again by Esther Katz, is mation, contact Program Director sure to put smiles on the faces of every Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or propre-K through second grader. ‘Shabbat gramming@bethel-omaha.org.
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August 29, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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First day of Temple Israel Religious LAST CHANCE SEPTEMBER 5 LAST CHANCE School begins with Jon Simon concert by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Last year it was Rick Recht. This year, Director of Religious Education Elyce Azriel has lined up Jon Simon, one of America’s foremost contemporary Jewish musical artists, for the first day of Religious School at Temple Israel, Sunday, Sept. 14, following the 11 a.m. prayer assembly. Religious School classes begin at 10 a.m. Azriel said she is enormously grateful to the Howard and Judy Vann Family School Educational Grant for sponsoring the concert. “It has been Jon Simon a pleasure working with Judy (Vann) in creating new ways to educate our students and their parents,” remarked Azriel. Simon has performed at Harvard University, the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., Jewish community centers from New York to Utah, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, rabbinical assembly conventions, Reform Judaism’s Biennial Conferences, UJA Young Leadership conferences, before the United States Senate, and dozens of congregations. With a repertoire of Jewish music combining beloved traditional melodies, wellknown folk songs from the Jewish heritage, and a unique piano style, Simon adds his own technique and improvisational skills. “A Jon Simon concert is filled with heartfelt and humorous interpretations of songs we all know and love, coupled with Jon’s stories, anecdotes, and humor. Some of his interpretations are upbeat and energized, others are soulful and inspiring,” according to his website. On a journey that stretches back to seventh century Jewish music, Simon performs a “boogie-woogie version of Zum Gali Gali, a swinging rendition of Dayenu
as well as a spiritual musical meditation of a beloved High Holiday prayer.” Dividing his time between composing and performing his works for ensembles and solo piano and serving as a senior executive and consultant to a variety of companies throughout the United States, Simon’s ninth recording, SOAR, features 10 original compositions. On tours across North America, he performs music from his new recording along with music from jazz interpretations of Jewish-themed music such as Hanukkah...and all that jazz, Zoom Gali Boogie, and Shabbatjazz. In addition, he applies his passion, technique, and improvisational skills to the music of the Beatles and From Broadway to Hollywood recordings. Simon studied music composition with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom at the University of Michigan School of Music. Voted one of Moment Magazine’s Top Ten Jewish Instrumental Performers, Simon lives with his wife and three children in the Washington, D.C. area. Gady Tene, owner of ShirTal Jewelry, has been invited to sell jewelry he imports from exclusive Israeli designers. Many pieces resemble classic Mediterranean treasures but are designed for contemporary women of all ages. ShirTal jewelry is personally crafted and individually assembled, according to the importer’s website. Fused glass artist, Larry Budwig, who designs fused glass jewelry, glass platters, and kiln-formed sculptures in his studio, Kind Designs, will also be on hand at Temple on Sept. 14 with glass jewelry from his collection. Especially for Rosh Hashanah, handmade baskets filled with apple stress balls, honey sticks, honey sesame candy, a honey jar and dipper, and apple-scented candles will also be for sale. Proceeds from the baskets will support additional programming within the Religious School. After the concert, Temple’s Golf Outing Committee will serve a barbeque lunch for Religious School students and their families.
Beth El luncheon to explore “Jewish Life: Coincidence or Design?”
by JILL BELMONT famous inventions were created by Jews? Beth El Publicity Coordinator What modern medical miracles have their Remarkable statistics about Jews’ origins in the Torah? achievements and Jewish life over the “No other civilization has a record of years will offer food for thought during such consistent achievements in the histoBeth El’s upcoming lunch ‘n’ learn event ry of the world,” Greenberg noted. “We on Saturday, Sept. 6, will review certain Torah texts following Shabbat servthat point to us being the ‘chosen ices. Led by Andy people,’ and then we’ll explore if Greenberg, a congreall these achievements and occurgant and teacher at the rences are by design or coincisynagogue, the discusdence. sion will delve into a ‘I won’t be trying to change peovariety of historical staple’s minds or influence their feeltistics and will ask, “Are ings during this program; rather, these achievements by this get-together is designed to coincidence or design?” inspire a thought process.” Among the topics to Cost to attend is $9.75, if reserAndy Greenberg be pondered: How vations are received by Aug. 29; does the life expectancy of Jewish people after that, the cost is $10.75. To reserve a compare to non-Jews - and how about in spot, send a check to Tootie Simon, 8725 the areas of health and education? What Izard St., Omaha NE 68114.
Send Rosh Hashanah Greetings
This year you can send your greetings through these very special ads that will run in our annual Rosh Hashanah issue.Each ad can be personalized with your name,the names of your children or your grandchildren. Just fill out the form below and send or bring it to the Jewish Press office. But hurry these ads will only be accepted through September 5,2008.
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JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day. All lists for the New Year’s issue of births, deaths, marriages and B’nai Mitzvahs are due by Friday, Aug 29; and all synagogue schedules for Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah services for the week of Sept. 26 are due no later than Sept. 2. Questions can be directed to the Press office at 402.334.6448.
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__________________________________________________________ Please send a check for the amount listed along side the different sized ads or you can drop the form and payment off at the Jewish Press office in the JCC. Jewish Press,333 South 132 Street,Omaha,NE 68154
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
The
Learning CURVE Lincoln Jewish Community School includes special events
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by TRACY GORDON Administrative Coordinator The Lincoln Jewish Community School, a joint project of Congregation Tifereth Israel and Congregation B’nai Jersherun (The South Street Temple) in Lincoln, offers religious education for children Pre-School through High School. In 2005, the two Lincoln Jewish Congregations mutually agreed that the Jewish youth of Lincoln would benefit from a merged religious school for all ages. With a strong desire to increase the quality of Jewish education for youth in the area, efforts to initiate a Lincoln Jewish School began. Three years later, the LJCS is a strong and active part of the Lincoln community. Through the activities of the school, we enable students to develop a strong Jewish identity and to become knowledgeable about Jewish religious observations, history and values. We provide opportunities to experience relevant aspects of Jewish practice and tradition through active experiences with study, participation in worship services and celebration of holidays. Our program believes in fostering strong relationships between children, parents, teachers and administrators and works to accomplish this through special parent/ child events, parent/teacher conferences and all school community events. What makes the LJCS unique? We believe the teachers, the children, the families, the buildings and the thoughtful, intentional, multi-faceted approach to curriculum help to establish an environment of mutual trust and respect all of which leads to a rich opportunity to explore the many aspects of Judaism. The LJCS invites visitors to join us on Sundays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 7, as we meet for Jewish education, friendship and fun. Special events for 2008 include: A community Seder for Rosh Hashannah next month; a specially led Hallel Service in October; Family Education Program “Our Mezzuzah” in November and a Family Hanukkah Event in December. In January, 2009, join us for Tu B’Shevat “Spirit In Nature”, the Delivery of M’Shloach Manot baskets in March, as well as Megillah Reading and Costume Parade for Purim; Chabad presents “Matzah Factory” in April, and Tikkun Olam Project: “Cleaning Up My World”. Questions and comments can be addressed to me at tgordongjc@ yahoo.com or Andrea Halpern (Program Director) at halperns@inebraska.com.
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Thanks to the new Yachad Program Assistant, Mark Kazor, Yachad was able to enjoy a tour of Clear Channel Radio, which hosts KFAB, KGOR, The Twister, The Cat and The Brew. Alan Friedman, left, gets his voice recorded for radio while Jeff Steinberg looks on. Other Yachad members in attendance, but not pictured: Lisa Solomon, Jillian Salomon, Ben Kravitz, Josh Parsow, and Ben Friedman. Credit: Rabbi Jonathon Gross
BIRTHS Jennifer and Michael Lerner of Minneapolis, MN, announce the July 28 births of their twin sons, Sebastian Jay and Jonah Austin. Grandparents are Cheryl and Gary Lerner, the late Doreen Lerner, and Faye and Michael Copland of Houston, TX. Great-grandparents are Ethel and Jerry Lerner of St. Louis, MO.
IN THE NEWS
The financial services firm Edward Jones has hired Mike Sigmond as the financial advisor to open Edward Jones’ branch office at 144th and Blondo Streets. “We’re very proud to have Mike on board as we become part of the Northwest Omaha community,” said James D. Weddle managing partner of Edward Jones. “Mike brings a level of commitment and enthusiasm that is certain to benefit his clients.” Sigmond said he is excited to be opening a new office for a firm that has built a reputation on serving individual investors. “Edward Jones is the largest financial services firm in the nation in terms of offices, but it maintains its commitment to individuals,” he said. “I have been impressed with the interest the firm’s headquarters in St. Louis has shown in this new office. Omaha, and the investors who live here, are very important to the firm, and I really like that.” Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. Edward Jones headquartered in St. Louis can be found at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com.
David Golbitz has graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is the son of Darlene and Sherman Golbitz.
On a recent Mediterranean cruise on the Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, three former Omahans were part of the Amazing Journeys group. Amazing Journeys is a travel organization for Jewish singles sponsored by the JCC of Pittsburgh.
Tiffani Sherman, left, (daughter of former Omahans Mike and Ellie Sherman), Andy Epstein (son of former Omahans Steve and Judy Epstein), and Randi Sherman (daughter of former Omahan Phyllis Friedel and the late Leonard Friedel), were part of the large group on the cruise.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
On Sunday, Sept. 21, 2-5 p.m., the Institute for Holocaust Education, in conjunction with the Omaha Theater Company, will hold auditions for the production of Hana’s Suitcase at the Jewish Community Center Hana’s Suitcase takes place at a present-day Holocaust Center in Tokyo, Japan and flashes to memories in Terezin, Czechoslovakia during the Holocaust. The cast of eight includes four young actors between the ages of 10-15, as well as two adult men and two adult women. We are seeking some culturally and ethnically appropriate actors for the cast. The production will run the last weekend of April 2009 at the JCC. Audition by appointments only. Please contact Fran Silau, production director at 402.660.6892 or Beth Seldin Dotan, Dir. Institute for Holocaust Education at 402.334.6575.
The Omaha Conservatory of Music will present the children’s opera Brundibar on Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 7, 3 and 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The production is under the musical direction of Dr. Lucinda Sloan and stage direction by Dr. William Shomos. This opera, written by Hans Krasa, was performed by the children of Theresienstadt more than 50 times. It “premiered” in the concentration camp in 1943. The fairy tale is the triumphant story of victory over the tyrant. It sends a clear message of hope, soneeded in the dark times of World War II, and has relevant poignancy for the world today. This production is made possible in part by generous grants from the Javitch Music Fund and the Friedman Foundation. Tickets are $5 at the door.
August 29, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
When it comes to adult education, Beth El Synagogue offers a smorgasbord of opportunities The
Learning CURVE
course (two sessions have already taken place) on the following Sundays: Aug. 31, and Sept. 7, 14 and 21, 10 a.m. to noon This class is perfect for those who have never learned Hebrew or anyone wishing to take a refresher course and it’s a great way to learn to read Hebrew before the High Holidays. Cost: $18. Women’s Book Group: This weekly group will resume on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1:15 p.m. in the synagogue library; the first book selection will be Nowhere in Africa: An Autobiographical Novel, by Stefanie Zweig. All women in the Jewish community are welcome to join; there is no charge to participate. I Am a Jew: Andy Greenberg will lead participants through the many-faceted journey of what it means to be a Jew during this monthly class, scheduled for Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 1, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 and May
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator ‘Back to school’ doesn’t only apply to kids: at Beth El, creating exciting classes for adults in the Jewish community is of great importance, and the synagogue’s 2008-09 course offerings promise to deliver another outstanding year of enlightening and informative learning opportunities. You don’t have to be a Beth El member to take advantage of these classes; whether you’re interested in yearlong classes or the more abbreviated mini-courses, you won’t want to miss the following: Jews and the Environment: In this mini course, Creighton University Professor Leonard Greenspoon is exploring representative passages from the Bible which address the environment and what we as humans should be doing about it. Traditional Jewish understandings of these teachings will be discussed, and active participation is encouraged. The last session of the class will be held on Tuesday, Susi Frydman-Levin, standing center, enjoyed a group of Sept. 2, 7 p.m. Hebrew Crash Course: enthusiastic students during her first Hebrew Crash Course, Teacher Susi Frydman-Levin offered several years ago. She will reprise the course beginis leading this six-week ning Aug. 31.
Body from the Inside Out: This thoughtprovoking class, which focuses on Jewish ethical choices related to the body, will be led by UNMC medical ethicist Toby Schonfeld, and is scheduled for Mondays, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10 and 24, 7 p.m. Based on a book in the “Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices” series, the class will address tattooing, weight/body image/diet, and high-risk behavior. Cost: $18 (class members will also be asked to buy the $12 book). Jewish Ideals and Ethics for Everyday Living: Rabbi Mordechai Levin’s Thursday class will resume on Nov. 6, noon; this year’s class will focus on values, wisdom and moral teachings of Judaism. According to the rabbi, “It will make accessible the richness of thousands of years of the Jewish ethical tradition as Members of the synagogue’s Bible Study Discussion Group meet a living, vital resource. We weekly on Sunday mornings to delve into interpretations and will study laws, legends meanings of the Hebrew Bible. and maxims and aneca religion or a lifestyle?’ ‘Are we a nation?’ dotes that hold up to us a vision of how ‘Are we all alike?’ ‘What do we all have in to live; we will also deal with Jewish viewpoints on many major contemporary common?’” issues: our relationships with others, proCost to attend Greenberg’s class: $36. Bible Study Discussion Group: After a tecting our bodies and preserving our brief hiatus, the synagogue’s weekly Bible health, the environment, business ethics, Study group will begin meeting again on divorce, gossip, abortion and birth conSunday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m., and will dis- trol, education, work, and many more.” cuss Genesis, Chapter 1. This dynamic Cost to attend: $36. group is open to all Jewish adults in the Additional adult-education classes will community: whether you’re a newcomer be offered throughout the year. For more to Bible study or a seasoned student of information or to register, call the synathe text, everyone is welcome. gogue office or e-mail Margie Gutnik at Tattoos and Jews? Ethics and the Jewish programming@bethel-omaha.org. 3, 10-11:30 a.m. Religious, cultural, spiritual, social, charitable, educational aspects of being Jewish will be discussed. Structured around open conversation, Greenberg says the goal of the course “is for each individual to know or learn what it means to be Jewish. We will talk about the December dilemma, holidays, prayer books, Jewish history from the Torah to today and of course, Israel. We’ll also discuss questions such as, ‘what are our responsibilities to each other, to God, to the world, to the future?’ ‘Is being Jewish
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Labor Day -- JCC Open, and Federation Offices Closed TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 W.O.W Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Jews and the Environment, 7 p.m. at Beth El Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 AIPAC Council Meeting, 11:45 a.m. Pacesetter Kickoff Event, 5 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad Omaha Conservatory of Music presents Brundibar, 7 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education Classes, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Men’s Club Summer Softball Series, 10 a.m. Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Patron Member “Brunch With Beth,” 11 a.m. at Beth El Temple Israel JYG BBQ, noon Omaha Conservatory of Music presents Brundibar, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Chabad Patrons Event, 6 p.m. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. Hadassah Open Board Luncheon Meeting, noon
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Omaha Conservatory of Music presents Brundibar, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 W.O.W Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program, 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Center for Jewish Education Board Meeting, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Open House Shabbat, 5 p.m. Board Dinner with OU Pres. Steve Savitsky, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education Classes, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Newcomer Brunch, 11 a.m. RBJH Grandparents Day Celebration, 1 p.m. “Live from the 92nd Street Y” Thomas Friedman, 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. Temple Israel OTYG/JYG Sundaes and Cosmic Bowling, 8:30 p.m.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Jewish Book Club Meeting, 2 p.m. Federation Board Dinner & Meeting, 6 p.m. Federation Volunteer Recognition Reception, 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel BESTT 7th grade family program, 10 a.m. at Beth El Adult Education Classes, 10 a.m. at Beth El Cantor Karen Webber Workshop, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Kever Avot Services at the cemeteries, 11 a.m. JCC Select Basketball Parents Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m. Visions & 39 Forever Summer Picnic, 1 p.m. Auditions for “Hana’s Suitcase,” 2 p.m. Omaha Artists Association Reception, 2 p.m. Jewish Film Festival Dinner, 6 p.m. Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m. Chabad House Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 W.O.W Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad BBYO Chapter Elections, 6 p.m. Jewish Writing Workshop, 6 p.m. CJE Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. BESTT Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El ADL 2008 Youth Leadership Mission Meeting, 7 p.m. Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Temple Israel Torah on Wheels, noon Rabbis & President’s Meeting, noon Omaha Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel WRJ Luncheon, noon at Temple Israel School Directors’ Meeting, noon 2009 Campaign Leadership Lunch Meeting, 12:15 p.m. Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Beth El Clergy Holiday Visit Remington, 1:30 p.m. Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 “Out of Sight Saturday Night,” 6:30 p.m.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Annual Blood Drive, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth E Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad Kripke Library Friends Event, 6 p.m. LOVE Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 W.O.W Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. BBYO Chapter Installations, 6 p.m. Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m.
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Tickets can be purchased at the MAC Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at midamericacenter.com or ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone: Omaha: 402.422.1212, Lincoln: 402.475.1212, Sioux City: 712.252.3434, Des Moines: 515.243.1888. For more information, call the MAC Box Office at 712.326.2295.
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
The
Learning CURVE Teen talks about accident
Continued from page 1 “I haven’t touched alcohol since Dec. 28, 2006,� he states. “It’s a message that I think needs to be told. There aren’t many people my age out there speaking; someone that middle school, high school and college age kids can relate to.� Matt is very approachable and charismatic. You can tell from his tone and the direct way in which he speaks that he’s been profoundly affected by his experience and does truly care about affecting the lives of others. What he has to say just could make you picture yourself in his position; it could make you think a bit harder about your decision to drink and get behind the wheel and about what friendships are truly made of. Jewish Family Service and the JCC encourage all middle and high school students, along with their parents, to come hear Matt’s story and participate in discussion regarding the power of thinking and making good choices. The program is funded in part by the Herbert Goldsten Trust and is open to the public. For more information, please contact JFS at 330.2024. Just think. What if this program could save your life?
Family races for the cure
Sheryn Joffe, center, breast cancer survivor, and her daughters Suzanne Pocras, left, and Andrea Siegel, will be part of the NCJW team in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday, Oct. 5. The community is invited to join the NCJW team to run, walk or just sleep-in, but register by Sept. 9. Go to www.komennebraska.org and register for NCJW. Questions? Call Susan Rothholz, 391.3043 or spredwood2@cox.net.
Focus will be on fun for Temple preschoolers by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator There will probably be kids in Marlen Frost's prekindergarten class at Temple Israel this year whose parents attended the Jewish Community Center Preschool when Frost was the director there. Over the last three decades, Frost has probably touched the lives of more preschoolers than any other person in the Omaha Jewish community. Now some of her former students are sending their children to the pre-kindergarten class she’ll teach this year at Temple. At the request of Temple’s Director of Religious Education, Elyce Azriel, Frost will lead a team striving to instill a life of Jewish learning in three, four and five-year-olds. They’ll explore Jewish holidays and Bible stories in a hands-on approach through art, music, food, midrashim, and getting to know Temple's rabbis and cantor. From 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays, each class will fea- Marlen Frost will be back with ture a specific topic starting ing at Temple Israel. with tzedakah on Oct. 5. That will be followed by Sukkot on Oct. 19, Shabbat on Nov. 2, creation on Nov. 16, Hanukkah on Dec. 7, a bible story on Jan. 11 and Feb. 22, Tu B’Shevat on Feb. 1, Purim on March 1, Passover on March 22, a family trip to the zoo on April 26, and Israel on May 17. Frost said she “would like to instill an enthusiasm for Jewish learning and a high comfort level for being in the synagogue.� She noted that “having an opportunity to socialize with other Jewish children and learn some Jewish customs and celebrations add up to fun and having a good time which the children will associate with being at Temple. Having positive experiences and learning that it's fun to be at Temple when they're little is part of their whole education process.� Originally from Detroit, Frost didn’t set out to become an educator when she started classes at Michigan State University. “That just kind of fell into place,� she said. After she and her husband, the late Murray Frost, who was from New York, finished college, they moved to Santa Barbara, California. She taught Sunday School in Altadena and Santa Barbara and eventually became the principal there. In 1974, the Frosts moved to Omaha. “Our first stop was at Temple,� she recalled. Not only did they enroll their children in Religious School, Marlen made arrangements with Rabbi Barry Weinstein to be a second grade teacher. In 1976, she moved to kindergarten. Frost became a preschool teacher in 1978 at the
Omaha Jewish Community Center. A year later, she was named director of early childhood programs, a position she retained until 1990. She also continued teaching at Temple Israel until 1993. Her career took a turn in 1990 when she joined the Omaha Schools Foundation, the fund raising arm of Omaha Public Schools (OPS). Frost supervised Kids Club, the OPS before-and-after child care program which grew from seven to 38 clubs under her direction. Although she “officially� retired in 2006, Frost taught a GED class for a year at Metropolitan Community College with another Temple member, Dora Goldstrom, and still teaches parent-child swimming classes at Prairie Life Center, home-alone classes for children who live at Offutt Air Force Base, and CPR as a Red Cross volunteer. Through the years, she’s attended continuing education classes such as the CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish preschoolers this year teach- Education) Conference, courses in child developmental and early child education, and numerous workshops. When teaching preschoolers, Frost is a proponent of “doing things on their level, at their rate of understanding. They’re so eager. They’re like little sponges. They haven’t learned to view school as a chore. They’re still affectionate and so willing to learn. Every experience is new and exciting. My only regret about retiring,� she insisted, “is missing the interaction with the little kids.� She enjoys imparting “that good feeling for Judaism and Jewish institutions.� Using tzedakah as an example, Frost said it gives her “a warm feeling� when her little learners contribute their own money and help decide where it's going to be donated. Sherrie Saag, who will co-teach, is from Chicago and moved to Omaha with her family last year from Dallas. She taught preschool at Congregation Beth Torah, a Conservative synagogue, in Richardson, Texas, for three and one-half years. “Marlen and I have known each other for a year now,� said Saag, who feels she can “bring a fresh perspective. Pre-kindergarten is a wonderful time to introduce Judaica� and the young children are “eager learners who easily soak up knowledge ... in a fun, creative, and stimulating environment. Judaism is filled with wonderful characters and exciting stories that four and five-year-olds really enjoy.� Morrisa Miller, a Temple eighth grader, will be the class madricha. Frost said she is “really looking forward to getting started and working with Sherrie and Morissa. I only do things for fun now!�
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Deli and a movie -- What could be better?
Prepared for senior years? by RICHARD L. NESS President, RLN Financial Many people face their parents’ retirement and aging without a second thought. Making this assumption can be a serious mistake. With average life expectancy increasing, it’s not uncommon for people to live 10-20 years (if not longer) after retiring. A great deal can happen and life’s events don’t always work out as planned. Culprits such as inflation and illness can wipe out a nest egg and undermine seniors’ financial independence. Inflation can seriously erode money’s purchasing power over time. Even with an average inflation rate of 4%, retirees at age 60 with an income of $2,500/month will have the purchasing power of $1,388/month by the time they’re 75 years old. Start with a meeting of the generations to
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
discuss everyone’s plans, wishes, and concerns. Here are some questions to ask: Will your parents’ retirement funds be adequate? Inflation and longer life expectancies may make retirement costlier than they’ve anticipated. What supplemental funds are available? Who will manage their finances if they cannot? Discuss long-term financial plans, the location of records, and power of attorney. What are their estate plans? Do they have updated wills and an executor? Are their insurance programs adequate? Where would they want to live, if incapacitated? Generally, parents and children feel uncomfortable discussing these matters. One solution is to work with a group of professionals, such as an attorney, tax advisor and insurance agent. For more information, please contact me at 505.7499.
Financial tips for college students
find plenty of banks willing to give you a T-shirt by MICHAEL SIGMOND or a frying pan for opening an account with Edward Jones Financial Advisor If you have a college student, he or she may them. But these places may not be offering you already be back on campus. This year, in addi- the best deal on checking or savings accounts tion to whatever courses they may take, they or loans. It pays to shop around. • Keep track of student loans. Understand need to try to master some financial lessons. Many students already have at least one foot all the terms: how much you’re expected to pay in the “real world,” because, in addition to tak- each month, when payments are due, what ing classes, they’re working many hours a week interest rate you’re paying, what credits may be to help pay for school, rent and living expens- available for on-time repayment, etc. You might es. But even full-time students, living on cam- be able to achieve a more favorable repayment pus and paying for school through a combina- schedule by consolidating two or more loans. • Never stop looking for financial aid. The tion of grants, loans, savings and help from aid package received as an incoming freshman parents, can learn some financial basics. doesn’t have to be the final word on financial Consider these suggestions: • Don’t overuse credit cards. Credit card assistance. Colleges offer some scholarships marketers aggressively target college students, based on college-level academic achievement so be vigilant about all the offers. While it might or real-world experience. not be a bad idea to carry a single credit card • Estimate future income. Once you have a for use in emergencies, it’s very easy to over- realistic idea of how much you’re going to earn, use the “plastic” and rack up big debts. you may have the motivation to avoid bad finan• Shop around for financial services. You’ll cial practices, such as accumulating big debts. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS
by GARY KATZ Library Administrator Hungry for a good movie? Need a deli fix? Satisfy both urges on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Seventh Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival with the popular, “Dinner and A Movie”, featuring the award winning Israeli film, The Little Traitor. A deli dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The film follows at 7:30 p.m., all at the JCC. The Little Traitor is based on the novel “Panther in the Basement” by the worldrenowned author, Amos Oz. The movie takes place in Palestine in 1947, just a few months before Israel becomes a state.
This special showing of The Little Traitor is made possible with the support of the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith. The price for both dinner and the movie are $16. Tickets for the film alone are $6. Reservations are required for dinner and are due by Sept. 15 by calling 334.6462. Other award winning films being presented during the Jewish Omaha Film Festival include: Refusenik at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater (14th & Webster, 933.0259) on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m.; Noodle, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. and Jellyfish, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., both at the JCC Theater.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Scott Kleeb, U.S. Senate Candidate from Nebraska, will discuss the reasons he wants to represent the Cornhusker state. His opponent will speak in October according to Steve Riekes, chairman for the Wednesday, Sept 3, noon program at Regency Lodge. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Lois at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip to the Shadow Lake Shopping Center and out for lunch on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 10:30 a.m. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m.,
in the social hall of the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
VISIONS Reminder: Visions board meeting is Friday, Sept. 5, 9:30 a.m. at the JCC. Visions and 39 Forever Summer Picnic is Sunday, Sept. 21, 1-3:30 p.m. at Chalco Hill’s Recreation Area (Nature Center). Cost is $6 per person. Entertainment is by Rockin’ Johnny Ray Gomez. Send reservations by Sept. 15 to Judy Katskee, 10356 Browne St., Omaha, NE 68134. If you need a ride, contact Florence Hauss at 571.4583. Capture the excitement with the Capitol Steps at the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40. Depart from the JCC at 6:30 (be at the JCC by 6:15) and return by approximately 10. Send reservations to Betty Sanford, 9205 Western Ave. #127, Omaha, NE 68114. Make check payable to Visions.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
Now that the Olympics are over, the REAL games begin We’re talking about politics, of course! As we go to press this week, the Democrats are in the midst of holding their convention in Denver. The Republican convention opens just a few days from now, on Sept. 1 in Minneapolis. If network television executives thought the viewing public was exhausted from staying up late every night to watch the Olympics, they shouldn’t be surprised if no one tunes in to watch night after night of infomercials for both political parties. We assume that Sen. Barack Obama is the actual nominee, since Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s supporters cut a deal allowing her name to be placed in nomination as well. And he’s chosen Sen. Joe Biden (not her) as his vice president. This weekend, Sen. John McCain will announce his choice. Will it make a difference in either camp? Frankly, we don’t think it matters. In fact, we’ll bet that most readers can’t name any of the vice-presidential picks of the losing party for the last 50 years. (Some of our readers might not remember the vice presidents who did take office either!) Voters choose a president based on the name at the top of the ticket. While we want to be reassured that should something tragic happen to the president, his vice president will be ready on “day one.” It’s only happened twice since 1963: the first time when Lyndon B. Johnson stepped in after John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The two men didn’t even like each other, but Johnson was forced on
Kennedy in the days when there really were smoke-filled rooms where deals were made by big party bosses. And, as it turned out, it was Johnson who pushed through Kennedy’s major civil rights legislation. The second time a vice president counted was during the Nixon years. But Spiro Agnew never made it to the White House. Indicted on bribery charges stemming from his time as governor of Maryland, Agnew stepped down before Nixon himself was forced to resign after the Watergate scandal. Instead, it was Gerald M. Ford, Speaker of the House, who was wellliked and easy going, who not only replaced Agnew, but stepped into history as president. But his service was shortlived; he lost to Jimmy Carter in ’76. Do you recall any other vice presidential picks? How about Nelson Rockefeller? Bet you didn’t remember that he served as Ford’s vice president for two years. Or Alben Barkley? Doesn’t ring a bell? A former congressman and senator, he was Harry Truman’s running mate in the 1948 election and returned to the U.S. Senate in 1954. What about vice presidents who never made it into office? Or better yet, one who was asked to step down from the ticket? Sen. Thomas Eagleton of Missouri was first chosen by Democratic presidential contender George McGovern. After a revelation
that Eagleton had been hospitalized for depression and treated with electric shock therapy, he was forced off the ticket. By the way, how many of you knew that Adlai E. Stevenson was Grover Cleveland’s Vice President from 1893-97? His grandson was the Illinois governor who ran and lost twice to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ain’t politics fun!?!
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
A black man and a Jew walk into the White House...
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL I wasn’t going to bother with the whole Obama “humor deficit thing,” until I began wondering if anyone has compared Obama jokes to Lieberman jokes. In talking about the late-night comedians’ inability to get a comedic “handle” on Obama, it’s a useful compare-and-contrast. Like Obama, Lieberman as vice presidential candidate under Gore was breaking ethnic ground -- the first in his ethnic group to be considered for so high an office. And like Obama, Lieberman had a virtuous, even sanctimonious, reputation in 2000. So why were there more Lieberman jokes? Could it suggest that America is more willing to mock Jews than blacks, and Jews are more accepting of such jokes? The short answer is yes. The long answer is -- well, first consider what was funny about Lieberman the First Jewish Vice Presidential Candidate. There were basically two categories of Lieberman Jewish jokes. First there were the old-school ethnic jokes, playing off (fairly mild, but sometimes uncomfortable) Jewish stereotypes: Jews drive a hard bargain. Jews have guilt. Jews eat funny foods. Jews have strange holidays. Consider one of the “Top 21 Results of Having a Jewish Vice President,” which wandered around the Internet: “U.S. never to pay retail again for nuclear warheads.” Or this one from freelance writer Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe: “Although Lieberman has not yet mapped out his full domestic agenda, he did say that all the White House furniture will be covered in plastic slip covers.” Cute. Offensive? Told among Jews, no big deal. If Leno told them, we could live with it. I wouldn’t want to hear such jokes from Pat Buchanan, but they’re not exactly a blood libel.
Second were the insider-y jokes, told by Jews themselves, who juxtaposed the worlds of observant Judaism and the Executive Branch. About minyanim in the Oval Office, for example, or a kosher supervisor aboard Air Force One. These are the kinds of jokes Jon Stewart told. Lieberman “has promised to build that bridge to the 58th century,” quipped Stewart, and will work for the American people “24/6.” Again, fairly harmless -- and funny to about 740 people who happen to live on the Upper West Side. Now Obama. If late-night talk show hosts were to tell jokes about him using even mild ethnic stereotypes, they would keep wandering into dangerous territory.
Jewish jokes have also lost their sting thanks to our community’s great economic, professional, and academic success. In that sense, to use a phrase popular in the academic press, Jews have become white people. First, the hosts are all white. It’s low-risk for Jon Stewart to tell Jewish jokes, because he is a Jew. And it’s safe for a non-Jew like Leno to tell Jewish jokes because -- well, the entertainment industry is Jewish, in the sense that Jews are represented disproportionately not only on the creative side, but on the content side. Jewish stereotypes abound in entertainment, but they are largely benign. At worst, we’re pushy and ethnic. At best, we’re the truthtelling outsiders, like Judd Hirsch in Independence Day or Jeff Goldblum in every movie he’s ever made. Jewish jokes have also lost their sting thanks to our community’s great economic, professional, and academic success. In that sense, to use a phrase popular in the academic press, Jews have become white people. White hosts have a problem with black humor because so many black stereotypes -and let’s face it, humor demands stereotypes -are weighed down by historical baggage and
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the continued perception of racial inequality. A black comedian like Chris Rock can riff on single motherhood, black-on-black crime, and 100 other close-to-the-bone stereotypes, but Jay Leno can’t. So he’s relegated to gags like this one, about Obama’s prowess on the basketball court: “Let me tell you something. If shooting baskets now is a requirement to be president, a white guy may never have that job again.” Leno managed to find perhaps the least touchy stereotype about blacks and make it funny. But where else can he go? Finally, there’s Obama himself. It is not that he is humorless. It’s that he confounds black stereotypes, and comedians haven’t found an alternative. To joke that Joe Lieberman would serve gefilte fish at the White House works as a (not very funny) joke because you can imagine Lieberman as a typical older Jewish guy. But to say that 50 Cent will be Obama’s secretary of defense rings false, because comedians sense, rightly or wrongly, that Obama isn’t “that kind” of black man. Their audiences perceive his background as too diverse, his education and demeanor as too “white,” for the black stereotypes to get much purchase. And perhaps in confounding black stereotypes, Obama is helping to knock them down. None of this has to do with “political correctness.” It’s really about the authenticity of joke-telling -- that a joke works only if it is grounded in something we suspect or acknowledge as “true.” That Lieberman is “Jew-y.” That Gore is stiff. That Bill Clinton is a rogue. Comedians, who’ve tagged McCain as “old,” are still struggling to find that unshakable comedic label for Obama. They’ve tried smug, messianic, self-righteous. Jackie Mason calls him an empty suit, a “doorman.” And still Obama slips the punch line. But give it time. Presidential races have a way of making a joke out of everybody. Andrew Silow-Carroll is Editor-in-Chief of the New Jersey Jewish News.
Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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August 29, 2008
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Page 13
Presidential forum highlights divergent views on Supreme Court
FOCUS ON ISSUES by ERIC FINGERHUT
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was asked Saturday night, Aug. 16, which member of the U.S. Supreme Court he would not have nominated, the Republican presidential candidate didn’t just name his least favorite justice. He picked four -- the group commonly identified as the more liberal wing of the court, including the two Jewish justices, Ruth Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer -citing their “legislating from the bench.” McCain’s answer at the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency -- an event in a Lake Forest, Calif., church aimed at evangelicals -bothered some Jewish activists. The issue isn’t that McCain would have wiped out Jewish representation on the court, but rather that he would have eliminated a whole worldview from the justices’ deliberations. And, Jewish communal observers say, the clear contrast the candidates drew on judicial nominees could lead to the issue taking on a higher profile in the campaign. While McCain zeroed in on the entire liberal bloc, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) told the forum’s moderator, Pastor Rick Warren, that he would not have nominated Justice Clarence Thomas because he did not believe Thomas was qualified at the time of his appointment. Obama added that he wouldn’t have nominated Justice Antonin Scalia, another of the court’s staunch conservatives, because “he and I just disagree.” The potential stakes are high when it comes to the Supreme Court. The judges McCain said should not have been appointed to the court, including Justices John Paul Stevens and David Souter, really represent centrist viewpoints, not classically liberal positions, said Mark Pelavin, the associate director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. “If you take away those votes, by any fair reading, the court would move significantly to the political right,” said Pelavin, whose organization generally stakes out liberal positions on domestic affairs -- in keeping with what polls suggest are the views of an overwhelming majority of American Jews. The composition of the court could affect church-state issues such as the permissibility of religious symbols on public property, Pelavin said, noting that two cases last year dealing with the display of the Ten Commandments resulted in a “fractious court.” Issues of government funding for religion also are sure to be impacted, Pelavin said, pointing to cases making their way up the system dealing with the constitutionality of the “faith-based initiative,” or providing government funding for religiously infused social services. In addition, he said, jurisprudence “on abortion, a variety of civil rights, affirmative action, environmental protection and the whole question of federalism” as well as the limits of executive power could change with new justices. Calling the courts a “critical issue” that does not receive the exposure it deserves, Nancy Ratzan, the president of the liberal National Council of Jewish Women, said her organization was “pleased the candidates were so clear about their distinctions and very clear
about what kind of judges we need.” Ginsberg and Breyer “have been justices we’ve admired and appreciated and valued,” Ratzan said. McCain’s openness was “clarifying” and “useful.” “I thought it was a pivotal moment,” she said. Jewish Democrats are promising to play up McCain’s answer about the justices. “It summarizes the stakes of the elec-
Whatever the effect a president can have on the Supreme Court, the issue has not always resonated in past elections. Pelavin said he had been wrong about the potency of the issue in the past, but said 2008 could be different, because both candidates appear to be “willing to make it an issue.”
the McCain mold could have a significant effect on church-state separation cases. He said a number of conservative judges have been less willing to allow cases on the basis of “psychic harm” arguments in areas such as graduation prayer cases. Thus, such cases may never even get the chance to be heard in the courts, depending on the future makeup of the court. One Jewish legal observer who asked not to be identified noted that an Obama pick could disappoint some in the Jewish community on security-related issues. For example, the expert pointed out, some Jewish groups have advocated for treating terrorism as more serious than typical criminal activity in the legal arena -- a stance that could be affected depending on future appointments.
Jewish court watchers agree that this Supreme Court session was not as damaging as the last to issues that concern Jewish civil rights groups. Credit: Supreme Court of the United States tion,” said Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council. One top Republican Jewish activist, in contrast, doubted that the issue would make much of an impact among Jewish voters in November. Jews are “overwhelmingly focused on national security” and the “continued vitality of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” with the economy second, said Mark Lezell, the treasurer and a board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition. The issue of the Supreme Court, he said, is “not a tipping point issue” but one of many others on the Jewish agenda. Lezell noted that McCain has previously said that Chief Justice John Roberts would be a model for his appointments, and argued that the Jewish community should feel comfortable with Roberts because “he has not come to his decisions with an extensive ideology or legislative intent.” The general counsel of the American Jewish Congress, Marc Stern, said he found nothing particularly new or notable about either McCain’s or Obama’s comments regarding judges, pointing out that it was just a continuation of the politicization of the issue of judicial nominations that began during the Nixon administration and continues to this day. “Each candidate said what they needed to say for their base,” Stern said. “It would have been surprising if they’d said something” that went against “the religious beliefs of their party.” But, while emphasizing that it all depended on the specific judge nominated and who he or she was replacing, Stern did say that an additional judge in
Whatever the effect a president can have on the Supreme Court, the issue has not always resonated in past elections. Pelavin said he had been wrong about the potency of the issue in the past, but said 2008 could be different, because both candidates appear to be “willing to make it an issue.” McCain, for instance, specifically asked Warren when he’d be able to talk about the
Supreme Court issue during the forum. The candidates also drew a sharp division on the abortion issue. Obama called himself “pro-choice” but focused on reducing the number of abortions in the country, while McCain emphasized his presidency will have “pro-life policies.” Ratzan, of the National Council of Jewish Women, somewhat downplayed the exchanges on abortion, saying that neither candidate revealed anything they hadn’t said publicly before. She said she doubted it would be a substantial issue in the election and argued instead that the courts are the “long-term issue” voters should be focusing on. Forman, of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said that based on anecdotal evidence, he believes a number of Jewish voters, generally strongly “pro-choice,” think McCain’s maverick image means he’s not “pro-life.” Saturday’s forum also clarified that issue, he said. The forum, one of only four joint appearances scheduled for the candidates in the general election, featured each candidate one-on-one with Warren, with them on stage together only briefly between the two interviews. The event took place at Warren’s evangelical Christian church, but Jewish observers said the site didn’t bother them and they praised Warren’s thoughtful queries and wide scope of questions. “The questions were good and the candidates were clear,” Ratzan said. “I don’t think I’d want every candidate forum in a church,” Pelavin said, but added that he thought Warren drew out more interesting answers from the two candidates than anything else they’d offered during previous appearances. And he noted it was significant that while issues such as abortion and gay marriage were on the agenda, so were poverty and the environment -- a change from the focus of many other evangelical leaders. After years of religion becoming “highly politicized,” and evangelical Christians being viewed as beholden to one party, it’s a “healthy sign for our country that we can have an open debate about religion and faith,” Stern said. It “indicates a greater distance between church and state.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Approximately five years ago, we created a memorial to the memory of those lives lost in the Holocaust by installing “Six Million Lights” plaques in each of our local synagogues. Shortly thereafter, we realized that that was not enough. What followed was the establishment of the Holocaust Memorial in Lincoln--a place where all ages could come visit, visualize, and learn the story of the Holocaust. Not yet enough, as we felt that any memorial needed a tie to active education...especially for children. Our enthusiasm led us to hope for the establishment of a National Holocaust Fund, but realisitically, a Heartland Educational Fund seemed more reachable. The overwhelming support of our Nebraska Universities confirmed that we were right. Holocaust programs are now funded and managed at the Universities of Nebraska in Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney as well as Creighton and Wayne State Universities. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of funding such programs in perpetuity.
As we approach the New Year, we thank you for your understanding that Holocaust rememberance belongs to all of humanity. It is our fervent hope that the synagogues will keep their promise to include a special prayer for its victims during memorial services. Our profound gratitude for helping our dream begin to come true. Sam and Frances Fried
To the editor: I wanted to say thank you again for two amazing years at the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish community of Omaha. I really appreciate everyone and anyone in the community who made me feel at home here and enabled me to bring Israel to so many places in the community. I am not going too far and will be back in Kansas City after visiting Israel for the High Holidays. Have wonderful high holidays and hopefully we’ll see each other sometime soon! Zohar Winer JCC Shlicha, 2006-08
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, August 29, 7:42 p.m
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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to reserve space, call
Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: There will be no Services this week.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush sponsored by Carole and K. Wayne Lainof, in honor of thier 40th wedding anniversary; Minha/Ma’ariv, 7:50 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Bible Study SUNDAY: Discussion Group, 10 a.m. BESTT: Classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2 for grades 5 and 6; and on Wednesday, Sept. 3 for grades 3, 4, and 7, and for the high school (grades 8-12). JEWS & THE ENVIRONMENT: Mini course led by Professor Leonard Greenspoon, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. HEBREW CRASH COURSE Join Susi Frydman-Levin for her six-week Hebrew Crash Course, on Sundays, Aug. 31, and Sept. 7, 14, and 21, 10 a.m. to noon. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP Tuesday, Sept. 2 “Minyan and Me: Could It Be?” with minyan (optional) at 5:30 p.m., followed by a light dinner and dessert; the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. To RSVP, contact co-hosts Diane Baum at hypelady@aol.com, or 496.7455; or Carole Lainof at the lainofs@cox.net, or 293.0321. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: Resumes Thursdays, Sept. 4., 1:15 p.m. TOT SHABBAT: Monthly service, open to all families in the Jewish community, resumes on Friday Sept. 5, 6 p.m. services and 6:30 p.m. dinner. For reservations made by Wednesday, Sept. 3, cost is $5; after Sept. 3, cost is $10 per person. No charge
for children 6 and younger. RSVP to programming@bethelomaha. org or call the office. LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN: On Saturday, Sept. 6, following services, Andy Greenberg will present “Coincidence or Design”. Cost is $10.75. Call Tootie Simon at 397.3616 to RSVP or for questions. I AM A JEW: Year-long adult education course led by Andy Greenberg, will begin Sunday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. The class will focus on topics such as raising a family, careers, Jewish guilt, spirituality health, education (secular and Jewish), holidays, Israel and more. Cost: $36. To register or for information, call the office.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Adam Bohn in honor of the entire Omaha Jewish community for its hospitality and friendship; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha each Shabbat afternoon; Mincha, 7:45 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit, sponsored by Bruce and Linda Potash in honor of Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah; Havdalah, 8:43 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Subway Deli Dinner (by reservation only), 6 p.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Synogogue office is closed; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
Prayerbooks Available for Visually Impaired The Jewish Heritage for the Blind announced the availability of the High Holiday Machzor in large print and in Braille free of charge for those who need them. A doctor’s note stating necessity is required. To receive a complimentary Machzor, contact our office at 718.338.4999; or fax 718.338.0653; or e-mail to Jewishheritage@gmail.com.
BAT MITZVAH Mallory Jill Rogers, daughter of Marcelyn (Marti) and Charles Rogers, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Temple Israel. Mallory is a seventh-grade student at Beveridge Middle School. She received the Presidential Academic Award. She was a “History Day” Speech contest finalist, and has received trophies and ribbons for swimming.
Her interests include playing violin with the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra, competitve swimming, reading, sailing at Lake Okoboji Yacht Club, and Broadway shows. For her mitzvah project, Mallory performed violin solos and assisted in the recreational department at Sarah Care, an adult day care program. She has a sister, Renatta, and a brother, Gavin. Grandparents are Don and Karolyn Kagan Marti of Lincoln and Arnolds Park, IA, and Patricia and Charles Rogers. Great-grandparents are the late Moses and Gertrude Kagan.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, where the Mini-Mensch title will be awarded, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Heading Somewhere, studying the book of Numbers, 9:30 a.m.; Parsha study, 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:40 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: A Peaceful Shabbat, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Maureen and Dale Lobb. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. MONDAY: Temple office closed for Labor Day. THURSDAY: Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.; Choir Rehersal, 7:30 p.m. Back-to-School Supplies Drive: Bring school supplies to the social hall to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. LJCS FIRST DAY OF CLASSES Sunday, Sept. 7 (except for Gan Simcha kindergarten), Grades 3-7
at Tifereeth Israel, 9:30 a.m.; Grades 1-2, 9:45 a.m. at South Street; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at TI. Wednesday classes begin on Sept. 10, 4-6 p.m. for grades 3-7.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m., led by Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. FIRST DAY OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, Sunday, Sept. 14: Classes K-6, 10 a.m.; Kindergarten Orientation for parents, 10:15 a.m.; Family Prayer Assembly and great concert with Jon Simon, 11:15 a.m.; All School BBQ, noon, sponsored by the Temple Israel Golf Committee.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner, 423.7066.
Residents welcome Cantor, await Grandparents’ Day More than 40 residents of the Rose Blumkin Home welcomed Cantor Beth Schlossberg from Beth El Synagogue at “Shabbat Comes to You” last Friday. Many volunteers were present to help serve refreshments. Rabbi Levin introduced the new Cantor to the residents and the two led the prayers and Shabbat songs. Above: Rose Blumkin Home resident Margot Roesberg greets Cantor Beth Schlossberg. In honor of the residents, Grandparents’ Day will be celebrated at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday Sept. 14, 1:45 p.m. Family entertainment will be provided by “Plain Labels.” Following the concert,
there will be cookie decorating and make your own sundaes. This program is funded by endowment
funds administered by the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha: the Sheldon A. and Lorrie Bernstein Fund, Betty A. and Seymour T. Lee Fund, Chester and Phyllis Lustgarten Fund and the LOVE Auxiliary. Please call Lois Wine, 334-6519, with any questions.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
August 29, 2008
It’s your choice
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Re’eh Our Sidra opens with a simple, direct, bold statement of what lies ahead for the Israelites about to enter the Promised Land. There is a blessing and a curse. And it is for you to choose. But to dramatize the problem for unsophisticated desert-wandering Israelites, the matter is placed onto two mountain peaks facing one another -- the blessing here, the curse there. This is not the first time that Israelites were reminded that there is an ethical choice facing them, day-by-day and year-by-year. The right choice does not necessarily bring monetary rewards; the rewards are rather moral and ethical sensitivity. This choice holds through all of Jewish history -- and, for that matter, human history. History gives us a long and unhappy record of the way humanity has failed its primary duty. This is not to say there are no bright spots in Jewish history and human history generally. It is for us who are among the sensitive, and more selfishly, for the tiny minority of Jews in the world, to advance the cause of right instead of wrong, and the ethical against humanity’s worst inclinations. Parents are used to explaining all of this to their children. But the human race must see itself as placed before this choice -- today, tomorrow, this year and every year. It is a choice easy to describe, but it is the hardest choice to make in life itself. The first word of the Sidra --Re’eh -- has the connotation of “Look here” and now! There is much more to our Sidra, however. Included, for example is the prohibition against consuming blood. But one need concentrate, especially on the naked choice with which the Sidra opens.
To submit obituaries: E-mail to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mail to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.
DEATHS MARVIN SUVALSKY Marvin Suvalsky died Aug.19 at the age of 77. Services were held Aug. 21 at Oak Hills Cemetery in Council Bluffs. He was co-owner of Master Furniture in Council Bluffs with his brother, Selwin Suvalsky, and served in the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-inlaw, Selwin and Reva Suvalsky. He is survived by his wife, Dotty; daughter, Linda Suvalsky of Atlanta, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Lisa Suvalsky of Houston; and grandchildren, Erin and Paige Suvalsky of Houston. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. RONI FISHER Former Omahan Roni Fisher died Aug. 23 in Mesa, AZ, after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was 60 years old. Funeral services and burial were held on Aug. 26 at Mt. Sinai Jewish Cemetery in Scottsdale. Until her death, she served as Director of Crisis Services for Pinal County in Arizona. The daughter of the late Shirley and Mort Fisher, she is survived by sons, Seth, Aaron and Matthew Peterson; granddaughters, Wendy and Gabrielle Peterson; former husband, Roger Peterson; sisters, Barbara Fisher and Molly Foster of Arizona, and Carol Brodkey. JEROME WASSERMAN Jerry Wasserman died Aug. 26 at the age of 77. Services were held Aug. 28 at Beth El Cemetery. He devoted more than 25 years of service to the American Bowling Congress and was a member of the Beth El Choir. He was preceded in death by his brother, Sidney; and earlier this month, his sister, Rosalie Friedman. He is survived by wife of 53 years, Phyllis Wasserman; daughter, Helene Wasserman of Evanston, IL; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Lisa Wasserman of Lansdale, PA, Andrew and Christine Wasserman of Uehling, NE, and Steven and Tessa Wasserman of Webster Groves, MO; grandchildren, Hannah, Talya, Emma, Tiffani, Heather, Alisha, Ricky, Lacie, Leighton, Max and David; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Merle and Ruth Potash. Memorials to Beth El or the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center of the Jewish Community Center.
Beth Israel offers “Holiday Meals To Go! by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue New this year, Beth Israel is offering the Omaha c munity “Holiday Meals To Go!” Orders must be placed by Friday, Sept. 5, and may be picked up at the synagogue on Monday, Sept. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beth Israel’s caterer, Nancy Mattly, will cook everything you need for your High Holiday meals, leaving you with less time spent in the kitchen. “ Our ‘Passover To Go!’ program has been extremely
Jewish Senators at DNC
popular in the community,” explained Executive Director Beth Cohen. “We decided it was time to offer a similar program for the High Holidays. This is a great way to have meals ready for Rosh Hashanah, or freeze some of your food for Sukkot.” She added, “Leave the cooking to us!” Order entrees such as brisket or roasted chicken, soups, or desserts. “You definitely will want to try the carrot soufflé,” noted Cohen. For a complete menu, and to place your order, call the office at 556.6288.
JEWISH PRESS OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day. Photos from the Passover issue and Salute to Seniors issue may be picked up during regular business hours. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
Sponsors sought to finance news investigations of the nascent Palestinian Authority, to examine allegations of Palestinian Authority involvement in... • Narcotics Trafficking • Arms Smuggling • Persecution of Christian Minority • Trampling civil liberties of the Palestinian people • Disseminating virulent anti-semitism • Collaborating with Hizbullah and Hamas terrorists • Aiding and Abetting Islamic Iranian regime DENVER (JTA) --U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), left, and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) take part in a media conference call featuring Jewish lawmakers on Aug. 26 at the Democratic National Convention. The DNC was launched with a faith meeting that included four rabbis, and a “nosh ’n schmooze” at Zaidy’s Deli. The Jewish Press has learned than former U.S.A.F. chaplain, Rabbi Ira Flax, will give a closing prayer at the Republican Photo credit: Ron Kampeas National Convention.
Funds can be sent to: THE CENTER FOR NEAR EAST POLICY RESEARCH* POB 1783 1295 Beacon Street Brookline, Mass. 02446-0014 *US Tax deductible Further Information: PolicyResearch1@yahoo.com
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 29, 2008
It’s back to school for Friedel students
The
Learning CURVE Limmud Omaha tells stories
by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Director of Operations and Programming Center for Jewish Education Featured speaker at Limmud Omaha earlier this month. Joel Grishaver started the day with the keynote address, “It Only Takes Four Stories to Be Jewish.” He described family stories as falling into four categories: those that relate to Genesis, stories of Exodus, accounts of redemption, and tales that share their roots in the receiving of Torah. After giving examples, Grishaver involved the audience by asking for their family stories.
Joel Grishaver’s session focused on “Stories We Pray.”
Following the keynote address, participants faced the challenge of selecting three of the 12 afternoon sessions. Presenters included Susan Aizenberg, Beth Seldin Dotan, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi, Dr. Tracy Leavelle, Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Dr. Joan Latchaw, Gary Katz and Dr. Moshe Gershovich. The day ended with a wrap-up by Grishaver and Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. Earlier in the day, Grishaver presented a teacher training program to more than 40 educators.
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT ways for parents to get involved, whether they have a litThe beginning of the school year brings excitement to tle time or a lot. People can come help serve lunch, volstudents, parents, and staff alike. It’s especially true this unteer for special events like Latke day, or our Sukkoth year for Friedel Jewish Academy’s brand new Principal, and Lag B’Omer celebrations, or serve on a board comRonald Giller. mittee.” “We are welcoming 44 students and their families this Witkowski is currently serving her second year as year, and we have eagerly anticipated their arrival. We President of the Board of Directors. Daughter Gabby plan to continue the long tradition attends second grade. Unlike the of providing excellent education to students, the Board does not take the Jewish youth in our communithe summer off, and its members ty,” Giller said. “My predecessor, are always hard at work making Cookie Katskee, has fostered so sure the school thrives. much success over the past five“I anticipate another amazing year and-a-half years, and I am happy to of growth,” Witkowski added, build on that.” “with emphasis on top-notch eduPrior to the first school day, stucation in both general and Judaic dents and parents were welcomed studies. Our children receive an back by the PTO with a pizza party exceptional education in a warm at the Jewish Community Center. and nurturing environment that Steve and Tippi Denenberg, parfosters both their intellectual and ents of new kindergartner Danny, personal development. This is were happy to attend, ask quessomething we accomplish not only tions, and mingle. Since the sumwith the effort of our dedicated mer all too quickly made way for teachers and staff, but also with the Danny’s important first day of support and enthusiasm of our parschool, it was nice to have the ents.” chance to meet with some of the So, how did Danny Denenberg’s Danny Denenberg is impressed with his new first day actually go? other parents. “My husband Steve and I are so school uniform. “He made us do his hair, for the excited,” Tippi Denenberg said. “We have heard so first time ever,” Tippi Denenberg said. “He never actumany good things about Friedel, and can’t wait to watch ally cared about his hair before! He also made us go over our son make himself at home in Mrs. Zeman’s his teachers’ names, so he would be as prepared as posKindergarten class. Danny is excited, curious, and prob- sible. After his first day was over, he mentioned that ably a little bit scared, but that’s part of starting school. there were a lot of big kids, and that he thought it was I have no doubt that he will feel very welcome; we did- extremely exciting to sit with them at lunch. He also n’t hesitate for a second when it was time to pick out a seemed impressed that the word for ‘pasta’ is the same in school. Of course he was going to Friedel!” Hebrew, and then told us he was very, very tired. Steve “Everybody at Friedel works very hard to not only and I are very pleased with how happy Danny is to be welcome our new and returning students, but also to part of the Friedel family.” make the parents feel at home,” Susan Fellman Giller, like Danny, is excited to be here. “I am proud Witkowski said. “We love for our parents to be a big part to be associated with such a dedicated group of individof the students’ lives at Friedel, and encourage anybody uals, and I encourage all members of the Omaha Jewish to get as involved as possible. There are many different community to visit our school this year,” he added.
Look to the future. Get tested for Gaucher Disease today. If you are Jewish and of Eastern European Symptoms: Fatigue • Bone pain • Easy bruising and/or bleeding • Enlarged abdomen •
descent, one simple test today may make a very big difference tomorrow. Type 1 Gaucher Disease is the most common Jewish genetic disease. It can strike anyone at any time and the symptoms can be devastating, even fatal. Fortunately, type 1 Gaucher Disease is treatable. In fact, the earlier the diagnosis, the better… sometimes even life-saving. Ask your doctor if a Gaucher test is right for you.
To learn more, call 1.888.TYPE1GAUCHER (1.888.897.3142), or visit www.gauchercare.com GAUC/US/P003D/12/07