Vol. LXXXIII No. 52 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
When Will You Meet the IDF Soldiers?
Israelis Celebrate Triumphs After Olympics
Unconventional Federation Campaign Event Set for Next Two Weeks by PAM MONSKY Lt. Assaf Ben Tzion, 24; Lt. Guy Federation Communications Director Kadmiel, 22; and Lt. Nimrod Katzav, The response from the Omaha 22. Jewish community to the Jewish Capt. Ofir is trained as a Navy Seal Federation of Omaha’s 2005 Campaign and served as the Commander of a Event, which features a visit by four D’vora patrol boat, a highly advanced active-duty Israel Defense Force (IDF) attack craft. Currently, Capt. Ofir is the officers Sept. 7-12, has been overCommander of an elite patrol unit at a whelming. Navy base. Lt. Ben Tzion is a highly According to 2005 Campaign Event trained helicopter pilot and has served Co-Chairs Jody Malashock and Marcia Marcia Pitlor and Jody Malashock in the IDF for three years. Lt. Ben Pitlor, the event is unconventional in a number of ways. Tzion comes from a family of six. “Unlike a traditional community Campaign event that’s Lt. Kadmiel attended Talpiot, an elite academy that on a single date and in a large space, we’ve scheduled accepts only 50 students a year. Currently, he serves in seven community Parlor Meetings on different days and a pilot’s course. He comes from a family of five. Lt. at different times of day. Most of the Parlor Meetings Katzav was recruited to the Givaty Combat Core, are in private homes, so the atmosphere will be relaxed Israel’s top fighter unit. After graduating from the offiand informal, allowing for cer’s course, Lt. Katzav commore personal interaction ‘Guy & Bob Special’ to Offer manded a bomb disposal between the IDF officers Sneak Preview of IDF Events unit. He comes from a famand members of the comily of four. by DIANE AXLER BAUM munity,” Malashock The IDF Soldier Event is A special edition of the “Guy & Bob Show” this explained. sponsored by the Jewish coming Tuesday, Sept. 7, noon, will spotlight four Marcia Pitlor described Federation of Omaha as young officers from the Israel Defense Forces as it other unique aspects of the part of the 2005 Annual transforms the Kripke Library into a sneak preview of event. “These IDF Officers Campaign. Funds raised events scheduled for the 2005 Federation Campaign. are hand selected through through the Federation’s JELS director Guy Matalon and ADL/CRC director United Jewish Communities Annual Campaign support Bob Wolfson will open this edition of their “show” and their visit is an Omaha Jewish causes locally and with remarks on the evolving role of Israel’s IDF. exclusive. The four officers overseas. In Omaha, Then they will pass the microphones to the officers, will return to their IDF posts Campaign dollars support representing a range of background and experience, immediately after leaving the Community Relations who have been released temporarily from active duty Omaha,” she explained. Council (CRC), the Jewish to come to Omaha. More information is available The four officers who will Community Center, Jewish through the JELS office, 334.6445 or be coming to the communiEducational and Library mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. Continued on page 3 ty are: Captain Eyal Ofir, 24;
“Live from NY’s 92 ST Y” Features Expert on Islamic World: Bernard Lewis by RACHEL BLUM Iraq and the Middle Eastern Jewish Community Center power balance. Lewis is the Program Director Cleveland E. Dodge This Fall promises to be Professor of Near Eastern an exciting time for the Studies Emeritus at Jewish community, as we Princeton University. He has are once again participating written numerous books, in the live satellite broadcast including: The Middle East: series titled, “Live from NY’s A Brief History of the Last 92nd Street Y.” 2,000 Years, a National The 92nd Street Y in New Book Critics Circle Award York City has set the stanfinalist; From Babel to dards for cultural programDragomans: Interpreting the ming, bringing in some of Middle East and What Went the most intellectual Wrong?: The Clash Between thinkers and speakers of Islam and Modernity in the our time. Through the latest Middle East, among others. in satellite technology, the According to Publisher’s JCC is able to bring these Weekly, “This lean, muscular lectures, discussions, and volume, an expansion of readings to the Omaha Lewis’s George Polk AwardJewish community at a minwinning New Yorker article, imal fee. sheds much-needed light on The live satellite broadthe complicated and volatile casts are displayed on the Middle East. To locate the Prof. Bernard Lewis 16x22 foot screen in the JCC origins of anti-American Theater. Our reception is extremely clear, and it’s as sentiment, Islamic scholar Lewis maps the history of though the speakers in New York are right here on our Muslim anxiety towards the West from the time of the stage. The entire program truly is top-notch. Crusades through European imperialism, and explains We will open our fall 2004 Season of “Live from NY’s how America's increased presence in the region since 92nd Street Y” with scholar, teacher and author Bernard the Cold War has been construed as a renewed cry of Lewis on Thursday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. imperialism.” Join Prof. Lewis as he shares with us his thoughts on Continued on page 2
Inside
This Week: Teen Age Features Israel Experiences: Page 11 Rosh Hashanah Recipes for Sweet Challah: Pages 4-5
Central’s Class of 1954 Celebrates 50th Reunion: Page 6
10 Elul, 5764 September 3, 2004
by DINA KRAFT TEL AVIV (JTA)--Doused with champagne and confetti and greeted with loudspeakers blasting “We Are the Champions” the Israeli Olympic team received a hero’s welcome home. The celebrations at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday capped an emotional two weeks of Israeli attention focused across the Mediterranean toward the Games in Athens. Any disappointments were overshadowed by the triumph of Gal Fridman’s gold in windsurfing and Arik Ze’evi’s bronze in judo.
Israel’s Olympic athletes returned home Aug. 30, celebrating Gal Fridman’s win in the mistral class sailing event--and Israel’s first-ever gold medal--as well as Arik Ze’evi’s bronze Credit: ISRANET medal in judo. “I am honored to be the first Israeli athlete to bring home an Olympic gold, and I hope there will be many more to follow,” Fridman told the roaring crowd. “Remember, there is no such thing as impossible. It’s wonderful that the gold medal made everyone so happy.” The Israelis’ triumphs were only two of more than dozen medals won by Jewish athletes at the Games, including two golds earned by Chile’s Nicolas Massu in tennis and several more medals by U.S. Jewish swimmers. But athletes winning medals wasn’t the only Jewish story at the Games. An Iranian athlete, Arash Miresmaeli, made international headlines after he refused to fight an Israeli competitor, Ehud Vaks, in judo. But in Israel, a country hungry for good news, the medals were the main story from this year’s Games. Newspapers published commemorative posters of Fridman, a victory laurel on his head, kissing his gold medal. Billboards were posted over major roads saying Continued on page 3
Bequest Left to Temple Israel by Walter Brandeis by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Walter Brandeis, who died on Aug. 11, 1962, left a $400,000 bequest to Temple Israel to be used for the permanent acquisition of original works of art of merit or articles of historical interest and value for exhibition in the synagogue’s building or buildings. Temple Israel was informed of the bequest upon the death of Walter Brandeis’s wife, Gladys Frost Brandeis Jacobs, earlier this year. A grandson of J. L. Brandeis, the founder of the Omaha department store, Walter was 68 when he died, according to an article in the Omaha World-Herald. In addition to the department store, Walter was also associated with Metropolitan Drug Store and was in the field of investments, reported the newspaper. Karen Guthrie, a friend of Gladys Brandeis Jacobs, said Walter and Gladys met when she worked at the cosmetics counter at Brandeis. “He wouldn’t let her work there after getting married,” Guthrie reminisced.
Coming Next Week: New Year’s Special Issue
Temple, Beth El Offer Educational , Alternative Programs: Page 8
Rosh Hashanah Crossword Puzzle: Page 10
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
COMPASSION For Israel Defense Force Soldiers, it’s more than just a word. When will YOU meet the IDF Soldiers? For details contact 334-6429; bfrank@jewishomaha.org 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign K A N D Y LA N D G N SI
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Tri-Faith Dialogue, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 JCC OFFICES CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY, HEALTH C C & FITNESS CENTERS OPEN, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
& S A V E
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Women of Worth, 9 a.m., at Chabad House JCC New Board Member Meeting, 5 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel JELS Class “War & Peace”, 7 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
L I P & S A V E
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United Way Campaign Managers Workshop, 1 p.m.
S JFS “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent”, 6 p.m. A Inna Novikova Art Reception, 7 p.m. V E “Live from the 92nd St. Y” with Bernard Lewis,
7 p.m. All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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by TANYA SEINA for Jewish Family Service Although it hardly seems possible, Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner. Jewish Family Service and community volunteers are once again planning to purchase, pack and deliver holiday foods to Jewish people in need. The project will take place on Sept. 13-14, and we expect to help approximately 46 individuals and families. Once again, the community is invited to help. This is an opportunity for you, your family or your organization to reach out to those in our community who cannot afford food and ritual items, and teach your children and grandchildren about the mitzvah of sharing. Nonperishable kosher foods (such as canned goods) can be brought to the JFS office no later than Friday, Sept. 10. Cash donations are also greatly appreciated and may be sent directly to JFS. There are Jewish families facing financial hardship right here in our own community, families that have an especially difficult time during the holidays. If you would like to volunteer to help with Project Tzedakah by delivering food to families or would like to refer an individual/family who may benefit from extra assistance this holiday, please call me at 330.2024.
Bernard Lewis
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Maimonides Class, 11 a.m. 2005 Federation Campaign Pacesetter Kickoff, 5 p.m. at Ironwood Country Club Youth Group Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Grade 7 Parent/Student Orientation, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Press Sub-Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. C Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. L I Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel P Jewish Women International Rainbow House
by RITA SHELLEY ment for all ages. JSS Marketing Director For a $7.50 sitting fee, family groups may sit for a The Jewish Community Center auditorium will portrait taken by a professional photographer, then become a wildlife theme park, a music hall, a magi- “top off” the day with ice cream sundaes. cian’s stage, a photo studio and an ice cream parlor for Funding for Grandparents’ Day has been provided by the annual Grandparents’ Day celebration on Sunday, the following endowment funds administered by the Sept. 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m. The afternoon of activities for Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha: the entire family is sponsored by Jewish Senior Services Sheldon A. and Lorrie Bernstein, Betty A. Studna and and its volunteer auxiliary, League Offering Volunteers Seymour T. Lee, and Chester and Phyllis Lustgarten. for the Elderly (L.O.V.E.) “This is always a fun, Representatives from memorable day for every Wildlife Encounters staff generation, from great will bring a menagerie of grand-parents to young chilfriendly animals, including dren,” said Lois Wine, direcsome that slither. Omaha’s tor of volunteer services at Intergeneration Orchestra, a the Rose Blumkin Jewish group of 40 musicians conHome. ducted by Chuck “If you don’t have a grandPennington, will perform. parent to come with, call us The musicians, ranging from and we’ll match you up 12 to 82 years of age, will with someone who can bring a repertoire of popu‘adopt’ you for the occalar hits and themes from sion,” she added. movies and television Volunteers who can help shows. escort Blumkin Home resiJoe Cole, an award-win- Lois Wine makes friends with a ‘representative’ from Wildlife dents also are needed, Wine ning magician from Omaha, Encounters; the group will bring a variety of animals on said. To volunteer, call her also will provide entertain- Grandparents’ Day. at 334.6519.
JFS Needs Volunteers, Rabbi Drazen Returns Donations for Rosh Hashanah to Beth El to Install HAZAK Tzedakah Project
12800 West Center Road
L I P
Jewish Senior Services Plans Grandparents’ Day Celebration
S A V E
Continued from page 1 His newest book, The Crisis of Islam: Holy War, ranges widely through 13 centuries of history, and charts the key events of the 20th century leading up to the violent confrontations of today: the creation of the state of Israel, the Cold War, the Iranian Revolution, the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan, the Gulf War, and the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Lewis is internationally recognized as one of our era’s greatest historians of the Middle East and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages. The Baltimore Sun newspaper said of Lewis, “No scholar of Islam in the Western world has more thoroughly earned the respect of generalists and academics alike than Bernard Lewis...An excitingly knowledgeable antidote to today’s natural sense of befuddlement...History with electric immediacy.” This program is co-sponsored by Jewish Educational and Library Services (JELS). “Bernard Lewis’s analysis of current events is priceless,” states Guy Matalon, Executive Director of JELS. “His style and knowledge are truly exceptional. I would encourage all who are interested in what is happening in the Muslim world to come and participate in this lecture,” he added. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance by calling Member Services at 334.6426. For more information about the series, contact me at 334.6404.
Following his installation for a second term as president of Hazak (Beth El’s organization for congregants ages 55 and up), Jim Wax, left, is congratulated by Susie Drazen and former Beth El Synagogue’s Rabbi Paul Drazen, who returned to Omaha to install the group’s new officers last month. In addition to Wax, officers include: Buddy Goodman, advisor; Harriet Marcus, secretary; Ilse and Marcel Kahn, treasurers; Gloria Goodman and Natalie Rubin, programming; Frances Gottlieb, publicity; Dee Goodman, membership; Mickey and Tootie Simon, Rita Novak, Jack and Ann Belmont and Phyllis Schwartz, members-at-large; Howard Ruback, national officer.
An Evening of Prayer, Music Planned for Selihot at Beth El by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The entire Jewish community is invited to join together at Beth El on Saturday, Sept. 11, for a meaningful Selihot service and special musical program. The evening will begin with Havdalah at 9 p.m., during which Rabbi Mordechai Levin will speak about the significance of Selihot. Following Havdalah, a musical trio will perform contemporary Jewish classical music by Israeli and American composers who reside in Israel. The trio consists of pianist, Yulia Kalashnikova; cellist, Patricia Ritchie; and violinist, Sachiko Watanabe; also joining the group that evening will be Tuffy Epstein on clarinet. A dessert reception will be held after the performance, followed by the Selihot service at 10:30 p.m., featuring the Beth El choir and pianist Esther Wax. “As the Jewish Holy Days approach, Selihot serves as the gateway into this time of renewal and forgiveness,” Rabbi Levin said. “It offers us a time to prepare for the holidays and a chance to focus ourselves on the process of forgiveness. Beth El has planned a beautiful and memorable evening of music and prayer on the 11th, and we look forward to sharing this celebration with the whole community.” For more information, call Beth El at 492.8550.
September 3, 2004
Meet the IDF Soldiers Continued from page 1 Services, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services as well as Federation programs such as Jewish experience scholarships, missions to Israel, birthright Israel, our Partnership With Israel, Children’s Needs Scholarships and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Camp Grants, and the Jewish Press. Attendees will be asked to make their pledges to the 2005 Annual Campaign. For more information, or to make a reservation for one of the Community Parlor Meetings (listed below) with the IDF Officers, please contact me at 334.6431 or pmonsky@jewishomaha.org. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Home of: David & Debi Kutler Co-hosts: Paul & Sandy Epstein
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 7:30 a.m. Location: Kripke Federation Library Hosted by: Arnold & Sheryn Joffe, Steve & Margo Riekes and Howard & Gloria Kaslow Thursday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. Home of: Mark & Jill Belmont Co-hosts: Tom & Keri Workman Thursday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m. Home of: Nancy Rips Co-hosts: Keith & Judy Josephson Friday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. Home of: Donald & Maggie Gerber Co-hostess: Joanie Kaiman Sunday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. Home of: David & Andi Willensky Co-hosts: Bob & Robyn Freeman Sunday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. Home of: Steve & Patty Nogg Co-hosts: Steve & Dodi Redler
Israelis Celebrate Triumphs Continued from page 1 “Gal Fridman, You Made the Country Proud” and rabbis spoke of Fridman in their Shabbat sermons. Ze’evi won the bronze in the under 100-kg category. His face is now also seen plastered in advertising posters across the country, as Israeli companies scramble to use these new Israeli sports heroes to sell their products. Upon his return to Israel, Ze’evi said Fridman’s gold should motivate younger Israelis to push Israeli sports further ahead. He said more corporations should get involved in helping sponsor athletes, not only in the country’s favorite sports like soccer and basketball. None of the Israeli athletes from the former Soviet Union touted as possible medal hopefuls made it to the podium. Among the disappointments among
these athletes was seeing pole vaulter Alex Averbukh, who won the European championship in 2002, reach the finals only to falter at crunch time. The Siberian-born Averbukh blamed his performance, in part, on what he said was overly intense media pressure to return with a medal. Michael Kalganov, a kayaker who immigrated to Israel from Uzbekistan and won Israel a bronze in Sydney, faired poorly in Athens, although Roei Yellin, another Israeli kayaker did make the finals. Immigrants from the former Soviet Union who exceeded expectations at the Games were Larisa Pesakovitch, a kayaker who placed sixth in her final. It was Israel’s best-ever performance at the event. Gymnast Pavel Gofman also performed beyond expectations when he made the final in the men’s all-around.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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JELS to Co-sponor NETV Premiere Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land desert. And when all was said and done, Emperor Hadrian changed history. He wiped the name Judea from the map-and changed the name to Syria Palestina. Going to the Cave of Letters is no picnic. It’s not on Israeli tourist maps. You can’t get there without a government permit, tremendous planning, and a bone-jostling ride through the desert. Once there, you face a treacherous hike --down a steep, crumbling pathway, across a sheer cliffface on narrow ledges, and finally up a 50-foot vertical ladder to the cave itself. Inside, former UNO historian Richard Freund led a new excavation of the cave and posed a radical new theory. Were the Bar Kokhba refugees the first Prof. Richard Freund, right, stands at the entrance to the Cave to seek shelter here? of the Letters. Photo courtesy of NETV On Monday, Sept. 13, stretch as far as the eye can see. And 7 p.m., you can enter the Cave of Letters water is nowhere in sight. The cave is without all the hassle--for free. Attend a 600 feet above a steep gouge in the world premiere of Nebraska ETV’s proearth known as Nahal Hever. It’s an duction of NOVA: Ancient Refuge in the astonishing and frightening view. Why Holy Land at the Jewish Community would anyone have come out to such a Center. The event is co-sponsored by the desolate place in the past? And why was Jewish Educational and Library Services I here now? of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. A Welcome to the Cave of Letters. Men, question and answer session will follow women and children fled here at the end the viewing. of a heroic uprising against the Roman If you think ancient history has nothEmpire by Shimon Bar Kokhba. The ing to do with you, think again. See you Romans were relentless in laying siege at the premiere. to more than 900 communities...killing Gary Hochman, senior producer 580,000 people. They even tracked for NETV is the producer of NOVA: down refugees in the middle of the Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land. by GARY HOCHMAN for Nebraska Educational Television I hold a child’s sandal in my hand. It’s 2,000 years old, found near the entrance of a cave in the middle of the Judean Desert. I look outside the cave and wonder. Temperatures soar to 115º. Sands
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
In a Low-carb-crazed Era, Jewish Breads Still Worth the Calories by LINDA MOREL NEW YORK, (JTA)--With the no-carb craze sweeping the nation, Atkins Diet adherents make sure to avoid pasta and potatoes, but when the High Holidays roll around, even purists are tempted by succulent Jewish breads. What would Rosh Hashanah be, after all, without huge round challahs? Or Yom Kippur without bagels to break the fast? Not to mention Bukharan bread, za’atar pita and the wide variety of breads that Sephardim adore. Atkins converts aside, bread has historically been among the most important staples in the Jewish diet. We even eat matza at Passover--a holiday that revolves around shunning luscious, lofty loaves. Indeed, bread was once considered a complete meal, and until recently was the mainstay of many people’s daily calorie intakes. In the Bible bread is a symbol representing food. “Jewish law says that if bread is served, you have a meal; without it, you are having a snack,” wrote Maggie Glezer in her upcoming book, A Blessing of Bread: Jewish Bread Baking Around the World (Artisan, A Division of Workman Publishing, Inc., October 2004). Bread is central to Jewish celebrations. Ideally before each meal, and certainly before holiday meals, a blessing is recited, thanking God for bringing forth bread, and by implication all food, from the earth. “At Rosh Hashanah, my family likes the same breads each year,” says Glezer, an Atlanta mother of two children who bakes huge batches of sweet honey challahs and freezes them. She serves some
of these airy challahs at Rosh Hashanah rye to try new delicacies like Turkish cofand the rest at Yom Kippur. But her fam- fee-cake rings or Hungarian walnut ily breaks the fast with her homemade sticks. Glezer’s goal was not to include honey cake--which Glezer considers every bread recipe in the Jewish reperbread. toire--which would Knowing that chaltake two lifetimes. lah braiding is a Her aim was to give dying art, what readers a thumbnail inspired Glezer to sketch by highlighting write a book about some recipes from baking Jewish bread? Sephardi, North “I’m a bread fanatic African, Near Eastern and a Jew--that’s how and Ashkenazi culI came to this,” she tures. To assemble says, adding that this impressive collecshe’s been seriously tion, she spoke to and studying bread bakbaked with people ing for 15 years. An from many backAmerican Institute of grounds. She also Baking-certified included lively oral baker, Glezer spe- The use of honey on Rosh Hashanah sym- histories, anecdotes cializes in teaching bolizes hopes for abundance and a sweet and passages from bread techniques to New Year. Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA folk tales. both amateurs and While the book feaprofessionals. This is her second book tures international holiday baking, about bread, and she writes on the sub- Glezer has a special place in her ject for culinary magazines. Ashkenzi heart for sweet challah. At “A Blessing of Bread is accessible to Rosh Hashanah, people often drizzle less experienced bakers,” she says. honey and raisins into challah, hoping Because Glezer empathizes with for a sweet year. Instead of the ovalbeginners relying on recipes and a pic- shaped, braided variety, the Rosh ture to produce unfamiliar breads, she Hashanah challah is spiraled to represent gives readers numerous guidelines, con- the cycle of life and the completeness of veying exactly what the dough looks like the world. at each step. Her recipes are often long, “Rosh Hashanah is apple season,” says but for novices it’s like having a profes- Glezer, explaining that while apples have sional baker at their side. been a symbol of sweetness for centuries, With more than 60 recipes in her cook- this treasured fruit has recently begun to book, Glezer encourages people to stray appear in American challah recipes. from the usual babkas, bagels, and deli- Calling for huge chunks of apples, Glezer’s spin on this new genre produces delightfully moist results. Her step-by-step instructions yield a coffee cake or a sweet bread to serve with dinner. “While my Apple Challah can be pre-
Celebrate the High Holidays in Our Century-old Synagogue
pared in a loaf pan or a circular cake pan, at Rosh Hashanah I prefer the cake pan for its round theme,” she says. “One of the best parts of the Holidays is Sephardic pumpkin bread,” says Glezer, explaining that her recipe was inspired by one from Gilda Angel, author of Sephardic Home Cooking. Angel explains that among Separdi Jews, pumpkin is popular at Rosh Hashanah because it expresses “the hope that as this vegetable has been protected by a thick covering, God will protect us and gird us with strength.” While pumpkin gives the bread an appealing color, it derives its aromatic flavor from cardamom and ginger, popular Sephardi spices. Glezer suggests either fresh or canned pumpkin. “My favorite part of writing A Blessing of Bread was listening to bakers and others talk about their lives,” she says. “Their stories are the fabric of Jewish life; their recipes the carriers of our tradition.’’ Hearing her rhapsodize about her favorite subject is like being with an energetic bubby who has burned her fingers in ovens a thousand times but still exudes the enthusiasm to taste the unfamiliar, learn from strangers and share amazing recipes for a never-ending basket of Jewish breads APPLE CHALLAH 2 envelopes instant yeast 5 cups unbleached bread flour 1 cup warm water 3 large eggs 6 tbsp. vegetable oil, plus extra for the pan and dough 2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 3 large baking apples (Braeburn preferred) Continued on page 5
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Calendar & Speakers Erev Rosh Hashanah – September 15 7:30 p.m. – Robert Wolfson Rosh Hashanah – September 16 10:30 a.m. – Zeph Telpner Friday Shabbat Service – September 17 7:30 p.m. Memorial Service – September 19 11 a.m. – Council Bluffs Cemetery Yom Kippur Kol Nidre – September 24 7:30 p.m. Leonard Greenspoon Yom Kippur – September 25 10:30 a.m. – Oliver Pollak Concluding Service – September 25 5:30 p.m. – Break-the-Fast Potluck to follow services
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Jewish Press Early Deadline Notice
INTEGRITY For Israel Defense Force Soldiers, it’s more than just a word. When will YOU meet the IDF Soldiers? For details contact 334-6429; bfrank@jewishomaha.org 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign
The Press office is closed Monday, Sept. 6 for Labor Day. The New Year’s issue publishes next week, Sept. 10 (there is no regular news in that issue). Deadline for the Sept. 17 issue is our regular deadline, Sept. 9; deadline for the Sept. 24 issue is Sept. 14.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
Jewish Breads Still Worth the Calories Continued from page 4 MIXING THE SLURRY: In a large bowl, whisk together the yeast and 1 cup of the flour. Then whisk in the warm water until yeast slurry is smooth. Let it ferment uncovered for 10-20 minutes, or until it begins to puff up slightly. MIXING THE DOUGH: Whisk the eggs, oil, salt and sugar into the puffedyeast slurry. When eggs are well incorporated and the salt and sugar have dissolved, stir in the remaining 4 cups of flour all at once with your hands. When mixture is a shaggy ball, scrape it out onto work surface and knead it until it is smooth and firm, no more than 10 minutes. Soak your mixing bowl in hot water to clean and warm it. If the dough is too firm to easily knead, add a tablespoon or two of water. If the dough is too wet, add a few tablespoons of flour. The dough should feel smooth, soft and only slightly sticky. INITIALLY FERMENTING THE DOUGH: Place dough in the clean, warmed bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough ferment for one hour, or until just slightly puffy. PREPARING THE APPLES: While the dough ferments, peel, quarter and core the apples. Cut each quarter in half lengthwise. Then cut each slice across into three pieces. End up with large, squarish apple chunks. Measure 41/2 heaping cups of the chunks. Reserve them in a covered container. ROLLING DOUGH & ADDING APPLES: After initial ferment, sprinkle dough and work surface with flour. Pull out the dough. Cut dough in half into two equal pieces, keeping one piece covered while working with the other. Roll out the dough into a 1/8 inch-thick, 16-inch long
square. Scatter 1 BAKING THE heaping cup of LOAVES: When apples over the cenloaves have risen ter third of dough. over the edge of the Fold up the bottom container and third to cover it. won’t push back Press dough into when gently apples to seal it pressed with a finaround them. ger but remain Scatter another indented, brush heaping cup over the each with a generlower half of doughous tablespoon of -onto the second oil. Sprinkle them layer of dough--and with a few tablefold the top of dough spoons of sugar. over both layers to Bake for 45-55 create a very stuffed minutes total. After letter fold. Press the first 40 minutes, down on the dough switch the pans to push out air pock- A Blessing of Bread: Jewish Bread Baking from side to side. ets and to seal dough Around the World by Maggie Glezer. Bake 5-15 minutes around apples. Roll more. When loaves dough into a bowl. Move dough in bowl are well browned, remove them from oven, so that the smooth side-- without a seam- unmold, and cool on a rack. -faces up. Cover with plastic wrap. Repeat with other piece of dough, using another PAN de CALABAZA bowl. Continue fermenting both doughs (SEPHARDIC PUMPKIN BREAD) for about an hour, or until they have 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree 1 envelope instant yeast risen slightly and are very soft. SHAPING & PROOFING DOUGH: 1/3 tsp. ground cardamom Oil two 8-inch round cake pans. Using as 1/2 tsp. ground ginger much dusting flour as needed, pat each About 33/4 cups bread flour, divided dough half into a rough round shape. 2/3 cup warm water Try keeping smooth side intact on top. 1/3 cup granulated sugar You won’t be able to deflate dough much 13/4 tsp. salt now because of the apples. Slip dough 1/4 cup vegetable oil into pans smooth side up and cover them 2 large eggs MIXING THE DOUGH: In a large well with plastic wrap. Let loaves proof for about 30 minutes, until they have crested bowl, whisk together yeast, cardamom, ginger and 3/4 cup of the flour. Whisk in their containers. Immediately after shaping the breads, warm water until yeast slurry is smooth. arrange an oven rack on the lower third Ferment for 10-20 minutes, or until slurry begins to puff up slightly. position and preheat oven to 350º.
Whisk sugar, salt, oil, 1 egg and pumpkin puree into puffed yeast slurry. When mixture is well combined, stir in remaining 3 cups flour with your hands. When mixture is a shaggy ball, scrape it onto your work surface. Knead it until well mixed, fairly smooth and firm. Soak mixing bowl in hot water to clean and warm it for fermenting dough. If dough is too firm, add a tablespoon or two of water. If dough is too wet, add a few tablespoons of flour. Dough should be light orange, firm, easy to knead and not at all sticky. FERMENTING THE DOUGH: When dough is fully kneaded, set it in the cleaned, warmed bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let dough ferment about 2-3 hours, until it has tripled in size. SHAPING THE BREADS: Oil 2 baking sheets. Divide the dough into 2 loaves of equal size, placing each on a baking sheet. Tent them well with plastic wrap. PROOFING THE BREADS: Let loaves proof 60-90 minutes, until triple in size. Thirty minutes before baking, arrange an oven rack in the upper third position. Remove racks above it. If both baking sheets won’t fit on one rack, place a rack below it, leaving room for bread to rise. Preheat oven to 350º. Beat the remaining egg with a pinch of salt to use as a glaze. BAKING THE BREADS: When loaves have tripled and don’t push back when gently pressed with a finger but remain indented, brush them with egg glaze. Bake loaves on individual baking sheets for 35-40 minutes. After the first 20 minutes of baking, switch the pans from top to bottom or from front to back so that breads brown evenly. Bake 15-20 minutes more. When loaves are very well browned, remove them from oven and cool on a rack.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
Central High Graduates Remember, Class Celebrates 50th Reunion by JOAN K. MARCUS High school reunions are always fun-but they are especially magical to those of us who attended Central High School before the sixties. They were part of a special group that 50 years later (at the Class of 1954 reunion) came to reminisce about those wonderful days of “hanging out” at the ‘J’ and playing ping-pong in the youth lounge. For only the weekend, cheerleaders thought that they could leap into the air in their orthopedic shoes, middle aged balding men sucked in their guts to impress each other and high school sweethearts felt “that old feeling” one more time! Arthur Schwartz, a patent and trademark attorney, is still impressed with the friendliness of the people in Omaha. He lives in Annapolis, MD, with his wife, Sue. Between them, they have four children but he says that he is too young for grandchildren. He says that Central High seemed to be bigger in 1954! Barbara Joffe Nelson is amazed at Omaha’s growth. She has two children,
Barbara Joffe Nelson, second from left, with classmates Jean Cutler, left, Tevee Bernstein Turkel, Dr. Bernard Turkel, Ruth Chudacoff Heeger, Elaine Krantz Krasne, Bette Wolfson Schroeder and Pat Mogil.
three grandchildren and two step grandchildren. She lives in Champaign, IL, and is retired after 20 years of working for the University of Illinois Athletic Department. Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Sports Medicine. Her group of girlfriends included: Tevee Bernstein, Harnet Soskin, Ruthann Chudacoff, Toby Okrent, Bette Wolfson and Elaine Krantz. Dr. Jerry Margolin lives in Clearwater, FL, with his wife, Ann. They have four children and three grandchildren. He is an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat surgeon) and enjoys running marathons and traveling the world. Margolin was impressed with the expansion of downtown Omaha and the new Quest Center, site of the reunion dinner. Marv Lincoln lives in Sedona, AZ, with his wife, Liberty. He has two children and two grandchildren and is semi-retired. He owns a public relations firm Marv Lincoln and classand credits his mate Suzanne Singer. journalistic abilities to being sports editor of the Central High Register. He moved to Los Angeles in 1957 and has been a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, freelance photojournalist, advertising and public relations executive, publisher and video producer. Other jobs he has held include: disk jockey, cable television talk show host and legal assistant. Ruth Ann Chudacoff Heeger and her husband, Alan Heeger met at Central. They live in Santa Barbara, CA, and have
two children and four grandchildren. She is a journalist and part time artist. Alan is a Nobel prize winner and they have traveled the world meeting heads of state, princes and kings. They credit Central High for their head start and they never take their good fortune for granted. Dr. Ben Rubin, Jr., says that he is from “The Land of Oz”--Leawood, KS. He is a pediatrician and medical director at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He and his wife, Debra, have three children and Toby Fellman and Ben six grandchildren. Rubin, Jr. He notices that the biggest change in Omaha is the downtown area around The Old Market, noting, “I still have business interests in Omaha, so I’m back here several times a year.” Rubin was born in Latvia and grew up in Tecumseh, NE. The family came back to Omaha when he was a senior but he still considers himself a Central alumnus. Robert Abramson, retired pharmacist, lives in Oxnard, CA, with his wife, Georgia. He has one son and three grandchildren. Although he is retired, Abramson is a much sought after relief pharmacist. Georgia enjoys gardening and is a gourmet cook. Bob remembers his education as being “special...The experiences I had while a student at Central prepared me for life.We can never go back, but I didn’t realize how
fortunate I was then.” Judy Cohn lives in Northridge, California with her husband, Bernard Stickgold. She is a library media teacherlibrarian and has worked for the Los Angeles United School District for 42 years. She is also a substitute librarian for the L.A. Public Library and teaches credentialing at Cal State University at Long Beach. Guest speaker for the evening was Mary Maxwell, Omaha humorist. She appeared in a Central High cheerleader outfit and introduced herself by saying, “Let’s get the important things out of the way right now! I’m 67 years old and I weigh 148 pounds. One of my goals in life is to weigh what it says on my driver’s license!” She insisted she could still “get into a size 10!” But, she added, “once I’m in, I can’t get out! However, in case any of you know my children, they have asked me to say that my name is Nancy Farber...ever since I drove into the wrong end of that carwash.” Maxwell made light of many of the members of the class of ’54 and said, “Well, here you are 50 years later with the friends of your childhood. It was hard for me to believe some of the effort it took to find some of your classmates. I truly believe that, if the government turned Suzanne Richards (Singer) loose, Osama bin Laden would have been found in three days.” The reunion ended with tears and goodbyes. Many said they’re not coming to another, but they plan to meet in another five years. There’s just too much magic in those reunions not to do it again.
September 3, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
High Holy Days at Temple to Begin with Selichot, Sept. 11, End with Children Leading Havdalah on Yom Kippur by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Preparing Jews for the approaching High Holy Days, Selichot is a service of forgiveness. This year at Temple Israel, Cantor Wendy Shermet and Dr. Tamara Field will sing music written by Michael Isaacson and Meir Finkelstein among other Jewish composers on Selichot on Saturday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Dr. Isaacson has composed and published more than 400 works, conducted and produced more than 40 CDs and albums, pioneered the NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) American folk music style, and is the founding musical director of the Israel Pops Orchestra. Next May, he will be at Temple to give the sermon on Friday, May 13. Meir Finkelstein, while serving as cantor of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles for 18 years, composed more than 100 settings for the liturgy. His compositions are sung in synagogues throughout the world. Since August, 2002, he has been cantor at Toronto’s Beth Tzedec Congregation, the largest Conservative synagogue in the world. Cantor Shermet and Dr. Field will be accompanied by Nester Hirzbaum on flute and Julie Sandene on piano. Families from Temple’s Family School will be given the honor of preparing the Sifrei Torah for the High Holy Days when the mantles are changed to white. Members of Women of Reform Judaism will prepare their annual array of chocolate desserts for a reception that evening. Evening services on Rosh Hashanah Eve are Wednesday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. There will be only one service that night, and sitter service will be available. On Thursday, Sept. 16, there will be a short, lively Rosh Hashanah service for young children, through approximately fourth graders, which includes a story or lesson from one of the rabbis, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Livingston Chapel. Services for adults begin at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. At the same time, there will be a family youth service, written by the Omaha Temple Youth Group members, in the chapel. It is suggested that parents accompany their children to share in this service. Shabbat Shuva, the Sabbath of Return, which emphasizes the return to values that enhance life and its meaning, is Friday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m. Shabbat morning services will be fol-
Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be provided. Hearing impaired congregants who would like to sit at the front of the sanctuary to see the signing, can call the Temple office (556.6536) to reserve seats. Children are always welcome to attend adult services if parents know their youngsters are ready to participate. For those who are too young, the Women of Reform Judaism have planned “Days of Awe-some Discovery for Children,” for four-year-olds through fourth graders. These meaningful, fun holiday experiences include storytelling, art projects, drama, and short lessons to help children appreciate the meaning of the High Holy Days and feel a part of the Temple community. There is no charge for these programs, but pre-registration (at Temple’s website: www.templeisrael-ne.org) is necessary by Tuesday, Sept. 7. The programming will be available on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mornings. Check-in begins at 9:45 a.m. Regular sitter service (without programming) will be available during the evening Rosh Hashanah service, the early (6 p.m.) Yom Kippur service, and on Yom Kippur afternoon beginning when the ethics panel convenes after the morning service. Sitter service for one to three-year-olds will also be offered on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah morning, Erev Yom Kippur (early service only), and during the day on Yom Kippur.
Children of Temple Israel participated in last year’s Days of Awe-some Discovery. lowed by Tashlich at the stream in Yizkor. Those who want to share their Elmwood Park. Families will cast pieces memories and feelings are encouraged of bread (symbolizing sins) into the to bring a photo or memento. Moments water. Tashlich, a brief service, repre- of Remembrance starts at 2:30 p.m. in sents the hope that by casting off mis- the Livingston Chapel. deeds, behavior can be changed and the At the same time (2:30 p.m.), the famyear can start fresh. ily youth service will begin in the sancTemple’s annual Memorial Service at tuary followed by the afternoon service the Temple Israel Cemetery, located at at 3:30 p.m., Yizkor at 5 p.m., conclud6412 No. 42nd St., is scheduled for ing with Neilah and Havdalah, led by Sunday, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. sixth grade students, at approximately On Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur Eve, 5:45 p.m. All congregants are encourFriday, Sept. 24, there will be two serv- aged to bring their own shofarot with ices. The first is at 6 p.m., and sitter serv- them to the closing service. Candy will ice will be available at that time but not be passed out to emphasize the hopes at 8:15 p.m. when the second service and prayers for a year of sweetness. begins. Simultaneous signing of the 7:30 p.m. On Yom Kippur, Saturday, Sept. 25, Erev Rosh Hashanah service, the 6 p.m. the young children’s service begins at 9 Kol Nidre service, and the morning and a.m. in the Livingston Chapel followed family youth services on both Rosh by the adult morning service at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. An alternate servBefore someone offers ice, conducted by Dr. Magda Peck and you alcohol or other Dr. Michael Walts, in the chapel will also drugs, decide what begin at 10:15 a.m. you are going to say. Morning services are followed by an ethics panel discussion on “Celebrating Having the facts can For Israel Defense Force Soldiers, it’s more than just a word. 350 years of Jewish political and social give you confidence When will YOU meet the IDF Soldiers? activism in the United States: Should American Jewry vote for President Bush For details contact 334-6429; bfrank@jewishomaha.org For more information, solely because of his unprecedented call support for Israel, or should our histori1-800-648-4444 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign cal involvement in social action, a vital element of American Reform Judaism, guide our decisions this November?” The panel will be moderated by David Jacobson and will include members of the congregation along with the clergy. At 1:30 p.m., in the chapel, the Nova String Quartet will present a peaceful interlude of music. Moments of Remembrance is a gathering for those who wish to participate in a supportive and caring setting with othEven in these days of heighters who will recite Kaddish during
Friedel Ice Cream Social a Cool Success by JORDANA L. KURTZMAN from teaching methods to the curriculum for Friedel Jewish Academy that will be covered this year. Friedel Jewish Academy held its Ice Cookie Katskee, Friedel’s principal, Cream Social was ecstatic, on Aug. 22. calling the This refreshevent an ing event amazing could not success in have come at regard to a better time the great as temperaturnout and tures for the the level of day reached e n e r g y well into the buzzing 90s. More throughout than 125 peothe school. ple attended Students Sam Kricsfeld and Eliana Schuller exchange hugs This year’s the PTO-spon- at the Friedel ice cream social. Ice Cream sored event which gave some parents a Social was sponsored in part by Bag ’N chance to meet other Friedel families for Save grocery stores. High school senior the first time and other parents to recon- Rebecca Zeman, daughter of Friedel’s nect with old friends. kindergarten teacher Diana Zeman, New Friedel parents were eager to helped set up for the event, served ice have in-depth conversations with their cream to the crowd, and even stayed to children’s teachers about topics ranging help clean up afterwards.
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
Adult Education at Temple Israel to Celebrate 350 Years of Jews in America spend Shabbat just prior to the symposium at Temple and talk about “Surviving Freedom: The Challenges and Possibilities of American Jewish Life.” On Jan. 7, 2005, Rabbi Lane Steinger, regional director of the Midwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism, will discuss “350 Years of American Jewry and 180 Years of American Reform Judaism: Glories of the by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Past and Prospects for the Future.” Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “The Holocaust: Its Contemporary Meaning for Jews It’s a year of anniversaries from Omaha’s 150th birthday to the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark and Americans” will be addressed by Professor Alan E. Expedition. Beth El Synagogue is celebrating it’s 75th Steinweis on Jan. 30, 2005. Dr. Steinweis is the former anniversary, and (just for fun) it’s also the 100th director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at UNL and teaches history of the Holocaust and modern anniversary of the all-American hamburger! For every Jew in America, 2004 also marks an historic Jewish history at the University. Omaha’s own Dr. Leonard J. Greenspoon, who holds milestone commemorating the 350th year since Jews sought to establish a permanent community in the land the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton that would become the United States of America. Those University, will present “Not Always a Laughing Matter: 23 Jews, arriving in New Amsterdam in 1654 from American Jews and Judaism in the Comic Strips,” at a Brazil, still faced persecution. Jews would continue to Sunday morning lecture on Feb. 13, 2005. In March 2005, Temple will sponsor a four-day trip fight for their religious rights into the twentieth centuto New York City for a tour of the first stop on the jourry. But in 1790, it was George Washington himself who ney of the Jewish immigrant experience. Courses this year include a three-sesinformed the Jews that the new governsion book discussion in March 2005 ment would be “generously affording to on “Lost Tribe-Jewish Fiction from the all liberty.” Washington assured the Edge,” led by UNL Professor Gerald Jewish community that the U.S. governThe Shapiro, and “Religion and Diversity” ment gives “to bigotry no sanction, to Hermene Zweiback Center in March and April with Dr. Tracy persecution no assistance.” He hinted Leavelle, who is with the history that America might itself prove somedepartment at Creighton University. thing of a Promised Land for Jews. Dr. Leavelle will examine the history of The Hermene Zweiback Center for Jews in America from the perspective Lifelong Jewish Learning will highlight for of how religious groups have particiAmerican-Jewish history over the past Lifelong Jewish Learning pated in the social and political life of 350 years by sponsoring scholars-inthis country. residence, guest speakers, adult classA two-part series, “Music for the es, musical experiences, and a trip to Jewish Soul,” as described in Temple’s New York City. The Adult Education new Hermene Zweiback Center for Advisory Committee selected this Lifelong Jewish Learning brochure, year’s theme “challenging us to consider the unique and noteworthy contributions made will feature a concert with the Maxwell Street Klezmer by successive generations of Jews to all aspects of Band on Nov. 20, and then, on May 13, 2005, Michael American culture, science, jurisprudence, and public Isaacson, one of the most prolific and accomplished law and policy,” according to Angie Krieger, chairper- American Jewish composers of our time. The Klezmer Band is sponsored by the Temple Israel Music Fund son of the committee in 2003-2004. Albert Vorspan, senior vice president emeritus of the and a donation from Fred and Eve Simon. The Special Union for Reform Judaism, will launch the year of adult Donor-Advised Fund of the Foundation of the Jewish learning as a scholar-in-residence at Temple, Oct. 8-10. Federation will sponsor Dr. Isaacson. University of Nebraska at Omaha Professor Guy He will spend the weekend enlightening his audiences Matalon, executive director of Jewish Educational and with the topic, “Tough Choices for American Jews.” Pamela S. Nadell, professor of history and director of the Library Services, will teach “Readings in the Zohar,” a Jewish Studies program at American University, will also six-session class at noontime that begins Oct. 15. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Craig Marantz, and Cantor be a scholar-in-residence. Her topic, during the weekend of March 4-6, 2005, will focus on “From Haven to Home: Wendy Shermet will continue to offer Adult Study with the Clergy throughout the year on Thursday mornings Celebrating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America.” Literary editor of The New Republic, Leon Wieseltier, beginning Sept. 9. Their topics will focus on Jewish life whose lecture is co-sponsored by the Hermene in America and Jewish American thinkers and composers. Zweiback Center and the Harris Center for Judaic Both rabbis will also continue to meet once a month with Studies at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL), those interested in sharing lunch and discussion of curwill speak about “The Silence in American Jewish rent events and issues at Conversations with the Rabbis Culture: Unhappy Reflections on Jewish Literacy,” beginning Sept. 22, noon. For more information or to register for any class, conwhen he is here Wednesday, Oct. 13. Other speakers include Jenna Weissman Joselit, tact Temple’s Program Director Rosie Zweiback by ePh.D., keynoter for the annual Klutznick-Harris mail at: rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com or call Symposium which begins Sunday, Oct. 24, who will her at 556.6536. 2004-2005 5765 Temple Israel • Omaha, Nebraska
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Beth El Alternative Shabbat Service Offers Innovative Format by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Once a month at Beth El, synagogue-goers are treated to an innovative alternative Shabbat service, which offers a mix of prayers, singing and instrumental music, and is highlighted by an informal Torah discussion. Following a summertime hiatus, this progressive, interactive Shabbat service will return on Sept. 11, 10 a.m., in the synagogue’s chapel. Established last year by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, the alternative service was developed to offer attendees an option to the traditional 9:30 a.m. Shabbat service--one with more English, increased congregational participation and musical accompaniment. “In recent years, there has been a trend in some of America’s Conservative synagogues to offer parallel services with different characteristics, as one size does not fit all,” Rabbi Levin said. “When I came to Omaha, many people told me that they were interested in a different kind of Rabbi Levin service, one that was more meaningful to them. While we have maintained the basic traditional structure of the religious service, we’ve shortened some parts to enable us to have more time for the Torah discussion, and more time to sing.” The musical component of the service “greatly enriches the entire morning,” Rabbi Levin said, noting that this year, instrumental music will be played throughout the service, with accompaniment by pianist Anna Mosenkis and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. To facilitate a more intimate, comfortable atmosphere, the service is held in the synagogue's chapel; more often than not, empty seats are few and far between. The weekly parasha comes alive during animated Torah discussions, with congregants offering personal interpretations and thoughtful perspectives on the weekly reading. The sharing of ideas is an important component of the service, Rabbi Levin said, explaining that “these Torah discussions give us the opportunity to hear pieces of wisdom from different people--it’s good to be able to learn from each other.” Congregant Joanie Jacobson agreed, saying, “I really like listening to what everyone else has to say, and Rabbi Levin always brings it around to today and how we can live the parasha in our own lives. There are some very smart and insightful people at Beth El, and the alternative service is a great place to learn from some of them. It’s refreshing. I just like being there.” Carole Schneider also expressed enthusiasm for the alternative service’s format and credited Rabbi Levin, saying “he adds so much to the service, with a great deal of knowledge and deep understanding. He personalizes the service for everyone there and creates a family-like atmosphere in the chapel. I love everything about it.” The most challenging aspect of holding two Shabbat services simultaneously is timing, said Rabbi Levin, who, along with the cantor, splits his time conducting portions of both the alternative and traditional services. Each service has much to offer to synagogue-goers, Rabbi Levin said, adding that, “regardless of which service you prefer--more traditional or more innovative --we invite everyone in the community to celebrate the spiritual experience of Shabbat at Beth El.”
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September 3, 2004
ORGANIZATIONS TORAH LEARNING CENTER Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will teach the following classes: on Tuesdays, 7 p.m.--Jewish Philosophy--ongoing discussions on self-growth, and on Wednesdays, noon--“Down to Earth Jewish Philosophy” in the Omaha Room of the Jewish Community Center. New home-study groups and classes and individual study sessions are available. Please call me at 981.0569 for more information. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jeff Beals and Trenton Magid will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Sept. 8, noon, at the Park Inn Regency, according to Gary Javitch, Chairman. The KKAR talk show hosts will talk to us about their program “Grow Omaha” and our city’s development plans. Cost is $10 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only. Breadbreakers is open to the community. YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS The next meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 13, as we celebrate River City Roundup with the Country Hearts Band. On Sept. 20, don’t miss the special entertainer Michael Nelson, who blends his performance with delightful story telling and musical scores that include songs from the 1930s. He has performed throughout the United States and Canada and is currently on tour in the upper Midwest. For reservations call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip to Harrah’s Casino, please meet at the JCC main entrance Thursday, 8:45 a.m. For transportation call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come play Yiddish bingo with us; it’s called Oivai! The Yiddish meeting is at the JCC in the Social Hall every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638 for information. VISIONS Reminder: Luncheon Meeting is Friday, Sept. 10, 12:30 p.m. at the Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Cost is $9 per person. Visions members will be entertained by a sensational preview of Hair by the Omaha Community Playhouse’s leading and talented performers, along with the Musical Director, Jim Boggus.
ENGAGEMENT DINOVO/COMISAR The parents of Shannon Christina Dinovo and Marshall Scot Comisar announce their engagement. The bride to be is the daughter of Brian and Sandy Nimmo, Terrance Dinovo and Diane Wallace Reid. She graduated from the University of NebraskaOmaha in May, where she was a member of the tennis team. She earned a degree in psychology and is currently working on a master’s in elementary education at the University of Minnesota. She is the granddaughter of Phyllis Matthews and the late Don Ringler, Sylvia Nimmo and the late Kenneth Nimmo, and John Dinovo. Her fiancé is the son of Frank and Cheril Comisar. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He earned a degree from the J.D. Edward’s program in electrical engineering. He will also be working on a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota. His grandparents are Joan Martin and the late Marshall Zalkin and Edith Comisar and the late Alvin Comisar. A wedding is planned for June 25, 2005, at the Ironwood Country Club.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
HUMANITY For Israel Defense Force Soldiers, it’s more than just a word. When will YOU meet the IDF Soldiers? For details contact 334-6429; bfrank@jewishomaha.org 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign
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BIRTH Heather Kahn and Rob Pyatt of Boulder, CO, announce the June 25 birth of their son, Bodhi William Benjamin, named for his great-grandfathers William and Benjamin. Grandparent are Marcia and Colman Kahn of Boulder, CO. Great-grandparents are Shirley Fogel-Greenberg and the late William J. “Poge” Fogel, Genevieve and Ed Martin of Arroyo Grande, CA, and the late Charlotte and Benjamin Kahn.
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Rebecca Blumkin attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she is majoring in Business Administration. She participated in the Semester-atSea program and studied at Oxford in England. She has volunteered for Special Olympics and at Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. Allyson Freeman is a senior at Northwestern University, majoring in journalism and urban studies. She co-chaired the Suitcase Party at Northwestern, publicized and recruited 30 students on a Hillelsponsored trip to Argentina and was a public relations intern at the Jewish Federation. The goal of the Coronation Ball is to celebrate volunteerism; all proceeds benefit the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben scholarship Fund.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
Healthy, Happy Wishes with Roses for Rosh Hashanah
Happy Jewish New Year by BERNARD MANN Legacy Crosswords, © 2004
by RACHEL BLUM BBYO Director This fall, the Advisory Board of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith are teaming up to bring smiles to hundreds of faces in the Omaha Jewish community by selling roses to be delivered to loved ones wishing them a happy and healthy New Year. “The program is beneficial to everyone involved,” states Lonnie Graul, BBYO Advisory Board Chair. “On our end, it encourages our teens and adults to work together to accomplish a common goal. In regards to the community at large, it really
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allows people to send a caring message to loved ones during the High Holidays. It’s a win-win situation.” This will be our second year participating in the Roses for Rosh Hashanah fundraiser, and we’re hoping we have as much success this year as we did last year. We had orders from all over Omaha, and it was a great experience for our teens to deliver roses and meet some of the recipients. This year, roses are being sold through Tuesday, Sept. 7, and can be picked up at the JCC or will be delivered locally on Tuesday, Sept. 14. To order roses over the phone or for more information, please contact me at 334.6404.
Revised Hillel College Guide Makes School Choice Easier
ACROSS 1. Ordinary writing 6. Domestic 10. Prin. of Wales 14. Main artery from heart 15. ___ Lindsay, Brazillian born guitarist-singer 16. Give a clue 17. If you have this screen, you see things 18. Secluded narrow valley 19. Suspension of breath (abbrev.) 20. Sing with a quaver 21. MOST SOLEMN DAY OF THE YEAR 23. Affirmative votes 25. Foot-healing salts 26. Bedroom furniture piece 30. Invitation acronym 31. Often used in painting walls 32. Bad coupling 37. “Honey, I can’t find _ ___ of socks!” 38. Goes with reel 39. The criminal, in Cordova 40. “Care for grape plant” (2 word command) 42. Film actress Samantha 43. Winners 44. Cruel dictators or despots 45. Glue, joy, or walking 48. In mensa ____ 49. 21 ACROSS IS ALSO THE DAY OF _____________
51. She was _____ in his will 56. Not a single instance 57. THERE ARE _ ___ OF (MANY) WORSHIPPERS IN THE SANCTUARY 58. Wake up, stand in revolt 59. Great joke, or a special person 60. Fidel Castro's brother 61. Hard seed coat 62. Robin’s home 63. Fly one without leaving the ground 64. “Peter, Peter, pumpkin____” DOWN 1. Play or film assignment 2. Leonine vocalization 3. Nate or nary starter 4. If lion starts this way, he’s a horse 5. AT SOME JEWISH HOUSES OF WORSHIP, YOU CAN GO TO AN ______ ______ RATHER THAN TO A LATER ONE 6. Hungarian 7. Woody’s son and namesakes 8. News piece 9. Shrek’s sidekick and others of his ilk 10. Ralph Lauren line 11. Big riverine mammal 12. Per ______ 13. Ending for a mob or gang 22. HOW MANY AND WHICH
FRUIT MIGHT YOU HAVE AS A SYMBOL OF THE NEW YEAR AND SUCCOT? 24. Poetic contraction 26. Mild oath 27. Hawser 28. Group spirit, eagerness for action 29. Slipped 30. Quoted a price, competitively 32. Three Stooges leader 33. Microscopic plant 34. Train, in Spain (might be on the plain) 35. Breath-mint brand, shortened 36. Pony, in cowboy-speak 38. Certified med. staffers 41. Pen stain 42. ___ Hashofet, or other Israeli locales with springs (var. sp.) 44. Snitch or spill beans 45. MANY OF JERUSALEM’S BUILDINGS ARE BUILT OF A BEAUTIFUL PINK _____ 46. Sound or musical pitches 47. Non-reactive 48. Animal nose 49. Soon, in older English 50. In King Arthur, Maid of Astolat (abbrev.) 52. District 53. Fog or fine spray 54. Italy’s Villa d’_____ 55. Letter opener
by JILL LEWIS Senior Communications Associate Washington, DC--Hillel has released an updated Guide to Jewish Life on Campus (JLOC) that makes choosing the right college more convenient than ever. The guide, available at www.hillel.org, is the only online resource that reports on Jewish activity on hundreds of campuses in North America and around the world. JLOC enables students and parents to search the database by a number of important criteria, such as Jewish student population, religious services, kosher dining options and Jewish studies courses. More than 35 student interest groups and activities, everything from a cappella to social justice programs, are also included. Many Hillels provide links to their own Web sites as well, and students and parents can use the site to find local Hillel contacts at their prospective schools. Hillel professionals can provide a first-hand perspective on their colleges and universities. “For some students, kosher dining is a necessity, while others may be more interested in the number of Jewish fraternities and sororities on campus,” Hillel President Avraham Infeld said. “Whether students want to study at a large public university or a small liberal arts college, this guide will help them examine if their chosen school will meet their Jewish needs.” By searching JLOC, students can find that Hillel brings together their Jewish peers at Christian institutions, such as Loyola University Chicago, Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University. JLOC users can even find schools in exotic locations, such as Omsk, Russia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hillel provides a world of opportunities for Jewish college students to grow as individuals and as community leaders. Students can participate in leadership training programs, travel abroad or develop programs that make an impact. Hillel is more than just a home away from home on campus: it is an engaging complement to college that adds value to students’ lives. Students can review schools with Jewish populations large and small, from Brandeis University, with an estimated Jewish population of 62 percent, to The Georgia Institute of Technology with 3 percent. One of the larger schools featured on JLOC, the University of Michigan, has 22 student interest groups at Hillel, including a cappella, athletics, drama and Israeli folk dance. There are also six historically Jewish fraternities and sororities, as well as College Democrats and College Republicans chapters. The University of Michigan Hillel offers daily Orthodox services, weekly Conservative and Reform services and a pluralistic minyan once a term. In contrast, Washington and Lee University, with an undergraduate population of 1,800, has 13 Hillel student groups, including birthright israel Alumni, social action and campus leaders. The Washington and Lee Hillel offers monthly Conservative and Reform services. Earlham College has an undergraduate population of 1,200 but has 10 student groups at Hillel, such as Israeli folk dance, klezmer music and social action. Students join members at a local synagogue for religious services. For information, visit Hillel’s website: www.hillel.org.
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by KENNETH BANDLER Director of Communications for AJC New York--The American Jewish Committee has just published Voices of Reason, a valuable resource guide on the Middle East for students to help them prepare for effective Israel advocacy on college campuses. “The more you learn about Israel, the stronger the case for Israel becomes, says AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. “Voices of Reason should be obligatory reading for every Jewish high school and college student.” Featured on the AJC Web site student section, the guide is designed to help students learn key facts about issues central to understanding Israel’s history and cur-
rent challenges, as well as to build effective advocacy skills. The guide includes a selection of posters, also available at www.ajc.org, that students can use as flyers for distribution on campus or ads in campus newspapers. “Being on the side of Israel is being on the side of peace,’ says Harris. “Israel needs more voices of reason and advocates for a secure peace, especially on college campuses.” The student resource guide also includes articles by AJC experts on Israel and the UN. It was compiled by Jewish college students Sarah Hiller and Cara Suvall, who worked this summer at AJC as part of the agency’s prestigious fellows program.
TeenAge
September 3, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR
Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features teens who participated in the Jewish Federation’s Israel Experience Program. Special thanks goes to Mary Lou Grossman, JELS Administrator, for collecting the material.
Smiling Faces, Genuine Friendships
Am Yisrael Chai! by SHEVI KATZMAN As I waited impatiently in the aisle for my turn to deplane El Al flight 2, I felt the warm air waft in through the exit door and embrace me. I was home! This past July 4, I was privileged to join 46 high school girls from across America and Canada to participate at Camp Machanayim, an Israel study and travel program. Our director, a dynamic Jewish history teacher for more than 30 years, brought to life our glorious history and helped bridge past and present. Our first stop was the Western Wall. As I kissed the stones of the ancient Wall, a surge of gratitude engulfed me. I thought of all the stories I had heard, of righteous Jews throughout the ages, exerting great effort to come to Jerusalem. Here I was standing at the holiest place in the world. Thank you, G-d, for everything. I prayed for my family and friends. I prayed for the safety of our brothers and sisters in the Land. As far back as I can remember, everything in my life revolved around the Land of Israel. The earliest prayers I learned to recite were directed towards Jerusalem. How incredible to walk through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem in the same paths of many of our Biblical and Talmudic heroes. I enjoyed wading through King Tzidkiyahu’s water tunnel. I climbed through the caves that were dug for the Jews to hide from the Babylonians. I hiked down the picturesque Mt. Carmel. This is where the miracle with Elijah the Prophet took place. I snorkeled in the Red Sea among the coral reef. I experienced its wondrous
by AVI KATZMAN I can’t believe how nervous I was, looking back on the first day of Achva. In the car on the way to the airport, my hands were shaking. I didn’t know anyone on this trip. Were the kids going to be friendly? How would they react when I told them I was from Nebraska? I had no idea what to expect. Looking back on that day it seems like a million years ago. Since then I have been to two new countries, become friends with 48 strangers, and learned things I will remember for a lifetime. Achva Europe, a summer program for post 10th graders, consists of four days in London, two weeks in Italy, and three and a half weeks in Israel. An amazing trip for a mere six weeks. Beginning in London, the sights were fantastic. Although it was raining, as expected, we still enjoyed all the tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, and Trafalger Square. Then it was off to Italy where we saw the most beautiful scenery and ate the most delicious Italian food. We traveled all over the country and all in all we visited eight different cities, including Milan, Rome, Pisa, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice. Jam-packed with excitement and tours, by the end of the two weeks we were already anxious to get to Israel. My first reaction to Israel and Israeli life on this trip started on the plane there. I remember landing and letting out a sigh of relief. We were finally here. The most anticipated part of the trip. The entire plane broke out in “Yerushalayim shel zahav” and I think it made us all feel at home. Our first night in Yerushalyim we headed straight for the Kotel. I think I experienced the Kotel differently on this trip than I had in the past. I never really appreciated it before this summer. The very next day we headed off to what was one of my favorite parts of the trip called the Bamidbar Experience. This consisted of three days and nights hiking in the desert. We slept under the stars on the tops of mountains and hiked all day. We learned that all you need is a role of toilet paper and some water and you’re all set. These three days were the most strenuous and difficult by far, but when we finished we all
felt our great accomplishment. Because of the Bamidbar experience, we became a tighter group. Being in such close proximity on one bus of only 49 kids, it was easy to become friendly with everyone. We continued the journey through many parts of Israel. From parasailing in Eilat, to hiking in the Golan and swimming in the Dead Sea. With a weekend in Sefad, and a free Shabbat in Har Nof, to a final shabbat in Yerushalayim, I now understand first hand what is is like to be a part of Israeli culture. Because of Achva I now have a better appreciation for the State of Israel and have a new found love for this amazing country.
Sea to the Red Sea, from the walls of the ancient temple to the ruins of our people on top of Masada, I have discovered so much about the State of Israel.
One week while we were in Israel, we were joined by seven Israeli teenagers. After figuring out how to conquer the language barrier, we became good friends. Then came the topic of the
I have seen so much, but I know there is so much more for me to see.
army. The Israelis who would be forced to join the army in the next several years wanted to know how we felt about this. After discussing this for a while, someone asked “What do you think of us, coming to see your country and saying how close we are to it, when most of us will never serve in your army?” All of the Israelis agreed, “For you, coming to Israel, is doing your part.” If nothing else, this one
response, made visiting Israel worthwhile. I now know that I have done my part for the State of Israel, and I had the time of my life while doing so. I felt safe 100% of the time. The security is the best I have ever seen. And a trip to Israel is worth a small risk. It is an amazing experience every Jew should have. Praying at the Kotel, riding camels, rolling down sand dunes, floating in the Dead Sea, snorkeling in the Red Sea are just a few highlights from my trip. I love Israel, because nowhere else can you go and be part of the majority, no place in the world can you go walk around wearing a kipa without receiving any weird glances from strangers. It is a home away from home for every Jew. It is a place where we can be safe and feel accepted for who we are. This summer has made me grow in appreciation for the State of Israel, realize why it is a necessity, and learn to love the place. I will go back sometime, maybe soon, maybe many years from now. I will return, and do my part to keep the Jewish State in existence. Josh Bleicher is a junior at Brownell-Talbott and a member of Temple Israel and OTYG.
beauty. Is this really the sea that split? Kosher ice cream in Israel is the best! Top picks were N e s t l e Crunch and N e s t l e On different trips, Shevi E x t r e m e . Katzman and Avi Katzman met That’s where by chance in Jerusalem. all my pocket money went. Isn’t that good for the Israeli economy? The only problem I encountered was receiving directions from the locals. Instead of the ice cream stand at Ben Yehudah, I often ended up at the bank. Everywhere I went, I felt ownership. Our forefathers walked along the very same paths.Our brothers and sisters have given their lives here. I realize now how much I love the land---G-d’s gift to all of us. At the army bases in the Golan Heights, I was awestruck by their strategic importance. At Hebron’s Me’arat Hamachpella, the burial place of our forefathers, I was moved and inspired beyond expectation. As I noticed the variance of its beauty, I realized how wondrous are G-d’s ways and how beautiful are His creations. I feel a greater desire to study, to explore more Jewish history. I am inspired to be more active in our community and teach whatever I know. I plan to study the works of the numerous scholars whose resting places I visited. I am charged to share my experience with others. I genuinely appreciate the fullness and quality of being Jewish. I must make use of every minute I’m alive to make this world a better place for all mankind. Then, we will all gather in Israel as one family! Am Yisrael Chai! Shevi Katzman is a senior at Beth Rivka High School in Brooklyn, New York, and a member of Chabad of Nebraska.
From this summer I learned that I don’t have to do something with a friend alongside me all the time. It is ok to try something new. It’s ok to be nervous on the first day. Looking back on that first day of Achva now, I remember all the smiling faces and the genuine friendships that were about to be made. All the people that I will remember from my most amazing summer yet.
Avi Katzman is a junior at Westside High School. She is a member of Beth Israel Synagogue, NCSY and MZ Yoshanah BBG.
Israel: Home Away from Home by JOSH BLEICHER I just spent five weeks in Israel with 300 other teenagers learning to love the country. We spent our first week in Europe, visiting the Jewish community that once existed in Prague, and where it had been eliminated in Poland. We visited Aushwitz and Birkenau just a few days before we made our journey to Israel. Seeing these terrors made me realize why a Jewish state is necessary. This made going to Israel a much more meaningful experience. We didn’t land in Tel Aviv until nearly four in the morning, after a long day of touring Warsaw, yet nobody slept on the plane at all. The excitement everybody had kept us all awake, and when we landed everyone was singing, “Am Yisrael Chai.” We were there. We were living our dreams. We went straight to Jerusalem that night, and after only a few hours of sleep, our quest through Israel began. From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to Eilat, from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 3, 2004
Opinion 5764: The Year in ReviewI’m hopeful we can get the word out so no one falls for it. This was the year we discovered it was fashionable to be Jewish. Well, at least it’s not a liability any longer. Madonna pretends to be Jewish, studying Kabbalah, giving herself a Jewish name (Esther) and refusing to perform on Friday nights. She’s introduced her friends, Britney Spears and Demi Moore, to Kabbalah, too. John Kerry’s grandfather was Jewish, but converted to Catholicism. However, Cam Kerry, John’s brother, returned to the family’s roots by converting to Judaism when he married a Jewish woman from Detroit. Wesley Clark’s grandfather turned out to be Jewish as well and Howard Dean’s wife is Jewish (and keeps her maiden name: Dr. Judith Steinberg). And of course, Sen. Joe Lieberman really is Jewish--an observant Jew who refrained from campaigning on Shabbat or Jewish holidays. But he didn’t win any primaries either. Even in Europe, Jewish festivals were thronged and several new Jewish museums opened. But no pop stars or political candidates claimed Jewish ancestry or adherence. There, the talk is of increased anti-Semitism, vandalism to synagogues and community centers, and further disengagement from Israel and the United States. There were some promising developments in Europe, however: the Reform movement was welcomed into the Central Council of Jewish organizations in Germany, opening the door to 15 Reform congregations receiving funding. And the Jewish community in Prague accepted the Conservative congregations there into its umbrella organization. There are some commonalities between Europe and the U.S.--some communities on both continents are concerned about the viability of the Jewish communities in their cities. Small towns here in the Midwest and in places like Glasgow, Nice and Venice, worry
that in another generation there won’t be any Jews left at all. The National Jewish Population Survey confirms that fear; Jews are moving from cities like Cincinnati and Des Moines to places like Tucson, AZ, and Ft. Meyers, FL. Omaha has already taken steps to plan for the future, forming a Community Development position, recruiting Jewish individuals and families to Omaha, and bringing back a Strategic Planning Committee. In Israel, the number of terrorist attacks declined, due in no small part to the construction of a security barrier. Concrete walls some 10 feet high, interspersed by wire fences and checkpoints staffed by soldiers, may be controversial in some quarters, but statistics prove the barrier’s working. Sharon has a fragile hold over his government, but is determined to plow ahead with withdrawal from Gaza. It’s something the Palestinians have wanted since 1967, but they don’t seem particularly happy; and it hasn’t stopped criticism coming from the Arab world and its cohorts in Europe. Sharon has other worries; though a pending criminal case against him was dropped and tourism figures are up, the economy’s still dragging and unemployment figures are still rising. Meanwhile, the infighting continues between the P.A.’s old guard and the Fatah movement. Yasser Arafat and the P.A. are seen as corrupt, nepotinistic and unwilling to listen to the needs of the Palestinian people. But the new blood doesn’t seem to be much better--they’ve abducted Palestinians, killed others (including three who were on their way to Gaza City with a U.S. escort to interview
candidates for Fulbright Scholarships) and bullied children and women into letting them use their homes for terror attacks on Israelis. Plus câ change! We’d prefer to look at the bright side, however. At the recent Olympics, an Israeli won a gold medal in the mistral sailing class (Israel’s first gold medal ever!). Several American Jews won medals as well--and, there was not a single terrorist attack from Palestinians, Al Qaeda or their sympathizers. The crowd cheered for the Americans--and the Iraqi Olympic team (though its soccer players insisted they’d be fighting Americans in Najaf instead--that’s gratitude for you!). We hope 5765 is a peaceful year. Maybe next year there will only be good news.
Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Why Should We Care About Sudan?
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by RABBI MARLA J. FELDMAN Why do Jews care about Sudan? It sounds like a strange question, yet we hear it all the time. While the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is occupied with relief efforts and the American Jewish World Service and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum are coordinating efforts to raise awareness about this travesty, others are asking “why?” There are no Jews in Sudan, there’s been killing and unrest there for decades, and we can’t get involved in every civil war around the globe, so why should we care about one group of Muslims killing another group of Muslims in Africa? The answer lies within our own experience. Jews empathize with the victims of ethnic cleansing because we have been victims ourselves. We seek to aid the weak and the desperate refugees because not so long ago, a few righteous individuals helped us--and because too many others did not. Some would have our country avoid engagement in Sudan because it is too far away, too complex or too dangerous. We know that it is far away...but also as close as the next act of genocide that goes unchallenged. We know that the violence taking place in Sudan is as complex as ancient ethnic rivalries...and as simple as murder for land. And we know that it is dangerous… as dangerous as living in a world that permits the annihilation of a people and turns away
from the suffering of innocents. In a few weeks, the Jewish community will gather together to observe the Days of Awe, including the “martyrology”--a litany of remembrance of the martyrs of our people. As we memorialize our ancestors brutally murdered throughout the ages, there are many lessons to be considered from the darkest moments of our past--some cynical and some uplifting. The government of Sudan has learned a lot from history. It has learned that it is rather simple to get away with murder under the guise of civil unrest. The Sudanese have learned how to instill hatred and breed distrust, and that it is a short leap from there to dehumanization and annihilation.
...we must not wait patiently for the politicians and diplomats to debate protocol while people are being annihilated. They have learned that neighbors and friends can become enemies overnight and that sane people can be convinced to do insane things. They learned how to use execution, torture, and terror to change their maps and their population. Yet, there are other lessons to be learned from our history. Lessons about courage and integrity. Lessons about what it takes to remain righteous when enveloped in evil. Lessons about the kind of world we wish to create for our children and future generations. We know that our actions today will be cause for honor, or for shame, in the next
(Founded in 1920) Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melany Weinstein. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constutional committees of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
generation. And we have learned that, as Elie Wiesel has taught, the greatest evil of all is our indifference. As he has said about the world’s response to the atrocities in Sudan – it is not worthy of us. Jewish tradition commands, “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” In our global village, we are all neighbors. We must not remain bystanders as children become targets for soldiers. We must not look away when women are raped and tortured as part of a military strategy. We must not offer empty promises as people are terrorized into leaving their homes. We must not be silent accomplices as aggressors are rewarded for their brutality. And we must not wait patiently for the politicians and diplomats to debate protocol while people are being annihilated. How we handle the Sudan debacle will be a test of which lessons the world has learned from the past. Bosnia, Kosovo, and Rwanda were manifestations of 20th Century failures to learn those lessons. What of the 21st Century? Is humanity doomed to a cycle of brutality and destruction? Or will we be able to look our children and grandchildren in the eyes and say that we were not indifferent, that we reached out to the oppressed, we defended the weak, and we remained true to that which is most noble in the human heart. These are the questions that should consume the public debate about Sudan and challenge all Americans as the nightly news brings genocide into our living rooms.
Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is the Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. Nebraska Press Association
National Newspaper Association
September 3, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Sensing Kerry Weakness, Bush Reaches Out Aggressively to Jews
AMERICA DECIDES 2004 by MATTHEW E. BERGER WASHINGTON (JTA)--Republican Jews believe they can sell their party and their candidate this year on more than just a pro-Israel record. President Bush’s support for Israel is at the heart of Republican courting of the Jewish vote, but the party also is stressing other facets of Bush’s leadership in the international community. They’re also attacking Bush’s opponent, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), for an alleged lack of leadership, and--in a change of strategy--are delving into domestic policy. With the nation’s attention focus on the Republican National Convention in New York this past week, Jewish Republicans hope to highlight Bush administration actions they think could swing Jewish voters to the GOP. Some recent polling shows that Republican inroads into the Jewish vote are minimal so far, yet strategists say they’re intent on attacking what they see as weaknesses in Kerry’s record and in his outreach to the Jewish community. When Republicans first started talking about making inroads into the traditionally Democratic Jewish voting bloc, party leaders said they would focus on the positives of Bush’s record, rather than attacking Kerry. Marc Racicot, chairman of the Bush/Cheney campaign, told JTA in March that he did not believe Kerry was weak on Israel, and that the campaign would focus instead on comparing the candidates’ defense and security records. But Republican Jewish officials said they began to see Kerry as potentially vulnerable in the Jewish community after his performance in front of the AntiDefamation League in May--Kerry’s only major speech to a Jewish audience so far in the campaign--and believed the Democrats were not actively trying to court Jewish voters.
“The ADL speech was Kerry for calling Palestinian Authority totally underwhelming,” President Yasser Arafat a “statesman” in one Jewish Republican his 1997 book, The New War. Jewish votsaid. “It showed his strategy ers seemed to understand that Arafat was was to move closer to the perceived differently in 1997 than now. president and hold the base Bush backers are working to juxtapose he already has.” what they see as Kerry’s shaky record on That analysis has led to an issues Jews care about with Bush’s increased effort by Republican Jews. In strong leadership. addition to highlighting Bush’s support In a coordinated effort, the White for Israel, their appeal to Jewish voters House released a 24-page booklet highhas centered on the administration's lighting Bush’s actions over the past four leadership against terrorism, Bush’s years on such issues. It lists all of the efforts against global anti-Semitism and times Bush met with Israeli Prime his leadership in volatile times. Minister Ariel Sharon, lit Hanukkah canBy contrast, they portray Kerry as dles at the White House and spoke out someone who has not led on Middle against anti-Semitism. East issues, and--customizing their broad It also includes laudatory quotes from “flip-flopper” argument for a Jewish a wide range of American Jewish leadaudience--say he has taken contradictory ers, including several who disagree with stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bush on other issues, predominantly his “The message is, ‘we don’t know domestic priorities. where John Kerry really stands,’” said It’s unclear to what extent Bush's strateMatthew Brooks, Executive Director of gy is working, however. Republican Jews the Republican Jewish Coalition. “Right continue to stress anecdotal evidence that now, given how important things are more Jews are coming to their side, and and how many lives are at stake, John the Republican Jewish Coalition says its Kerry is a risk the membership has The goal is to prevent Jewish voters grown from 3,000 Jewish community can not afford.” from automatically dismissing Bush people in 2002 to The campaign 10,000 this year. because of domestic issues... appears to be But Democrats testing different anti-Kerry messages, contend the Republican effort has been with a variety of results. Jewish voters for naught. In a recent poll, conducted continue to be concerned by a statement by a Democratic polling firm, only 22 Kerry made during the Democratic pri- percent of American Jews said they maries suggesting that former President favored Bush over Kerry, statistically Jimmy Carter or former Secretary of State even with the number Bush received in James Baker could serve as envoys to the 2000 presidential race, based on exit the Middle East. Both men are seen in polls. the Jewish community as being biased Kerry campaign officials say they toward the Palestinians, and are deeply believe the poll shows their base of supunpopular among supporters of Israel. port in the Jewish community is strong. Kerry since has stepped back from that “We’ve made it very clear from the proposal, and aides have suggested pri- beginning that we will take no commuvately that the comments were entered nity and no part of a community for accidentally into his speech. granted, least of all the American Jewish The Bush camp also has had some community,” said Jay Footlik, senior success in undermining Kerry’s stance advisor on Middle East and Jewish affairs on Israel’s West Bank security barrier. for the Kerry campaign. Kerry was critical of the fence in comFootlik said Kerry’s campaign is workments to the Arab American Institute last ing to educate the community about summer, but later clarified his remarks. Kerry’s “impeccable” record on Mideast But they have all but stopped attacking issues and his views on domestic issues.
At first, it seemed the White House would virtually ignore domestic concerns when talking to Jewish voters. In the wake of terrorism and attacks against Israel, Republican Jews were banking on the idea that Jewish voters would care more about the international scene than about domestic issues. But that policy is changing: The White House and the Bush/Cheney campaign both are looking to highlight positive effects Bush’s domestic programs have had on Jews. The White House booklet includes discussion of faith-based initiatives and highlights the Seattle Hebrew Academy, which received federal emergency relief aid after an earthquake because of a change in federal regulations. The goal is to prevent Jewish voters from automatically dismissing Bush because of domestic issues, arguing that Jews will be more likely to embrace the president if they understand the motivations behind his policies, even if they don’t support them. Strategists contrast it to the Kerry campaign’s efforts to position Kerry as comparable to Bush on Israel and the Middle East, hoping Jewish voters will move past those issues to domestic topics, where they feel they will fare better. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) a key Jewish surrogate for the Bush campaign, said he believes Jews might support Bush’s stance on faith-based initiatives if they understood it better. “There’s an understanding that if a Jewish agency is doing good things in the community, it should be just as likely to get a government grant as one without a Star of David on the door,” Coleman told JTA at the Democratic National Convention in Boston last month, where he was on hand as part of the Republicans’ rapid response team. The emphasis on faith-based initiatives is an interesting choice for the Republicans, considering that a majority of American Jews, and most Jewish organizations with the exception of Orthodox groups, do not support the program, and fear it breaches the separation of church and state.
Iraq’s Disappearing Christians
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES “What are the Muslims doing?” asked Brother Louis, a deacon at the Our Lady of Salvation, an Assyrian Catholic church in Baghdad minutes after it had been bombed. “Does this mean that they want us [Christians] out?” Well, yes, it does. Our Lady of Salvation was just one of five churches attacked in a series of coordinated explosions in Baghdad and Mosul on Aug. 1, a Sunday, between 6 and 7 o’clock in the evening. In total, these car bombings killed 11 persons and injured 55. In addition, the police defused another two bombs. The timing of the assault guaranteed a maximum number of casualties. Aug. 1 is a holy day for some Iraqi Christian denominations and because Sunday is an ordinary workday in mostly Muslim Iraq, Sunday services take place in the evening. The five bombings were by no means the first attacks targeting Iraq’s Christian minority since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Others, according to the Barnabas Fund (an organization assisting persecuted Christian minorities), were
bunched together at the weeks following the Aug. 1 bombings. end of 2003 and included a Whereas Christians make up just 3 missile attack on a convent percent of the country’s population, their in Mosul; bombs placed proportion of the refugee flow into Syria (but defused) in two is estimated anywhere between 20 and Christian schools in 95 percent. Looking at the larger picture, Baghdad and Mosul; a one estimate finds that about 40 percent bomb explosion at a of the community has left since 1987, Baghdad church on Christmas Eve; and a when the census found 1.4 million Iraqi bomb placed (but defused) at a Christians. monastery in Mosul. Although Muslim Christians, due mainly to leaders uniformly conIn addition, Islamists have attacked the pre- Islamist persecution and demned the attacks dominantly Christian Ayatollah Ali lower birth rates, are disap- (Grand owners of liquor, music, al-Sistani termed them and fashion stores, as pearing from the Middle East “criminal actions,” well as beauty salons, as a whole. while the interim Iraqi wanting them to close government bravely down their businesses. Christian women declared that “This blow is going to unite are threatened unless they cover their Iraqis”), they almost certainly mark a heads in the Islamic fashion. Random milestone in the decline and possible Christians have been assassinated. disappearance of Iraqi Christianity. These assaults have prompted Iraqi This seems all the more likely because Christians, one of the oldest Christian Christians, due mainly to Islamist persebodies in the world, to leave their coun- cution and lower birth rates, are disaptry in record numbers. An Iraqi deacon pearing from the Middle East as a whole. observed some months ago that “on a • Bethlehem and Nazareth, the most recent night the church had to spend identifiably Christian towns on earth, more time on filling out baptismal forms enjoyed a Christian majority for nearly needed for leaving the country than they two millennia, but no more. In did on the [worship] service...Our com- Jerusalem, the decline has been particumunity is being decimated.” Iraq’s minis- larly steep: in 1922, Christians slightly ter for displacement and migration, outnumbered Muslims and today they Pascale Icho Warda, estimates that make up less than 2 percent of the city’s 40,000 Christians left Iraq in the two population.
• In Turkey, Christians numbered 2 million in 1920 but now only a few thousand remain. • In Syria, they represented about onethird of the population early last century; now they account for less than 10%. • In Lebanon, they made up 55% of the population in 1932 and now under 30%. • In Egypt, for the first time ever Copts have been emigrating in significant numbers since the 1950s. At present rates, the Middle East’s 11 million Christians will in a decade or two have lost their cultural vitality and political significance. It bears noting that Christians are recapitulating the Jewish exodus of a few decades earlier. Jews in the Middle East numbered about a million in 1948 and today total (outside Israel) a mere 60,000. In combination, these ethnic cleansings of two ancient religious minorities mark the end of an era. The multiplicity of Middle Eastern life, most memorably celebrated in Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet (1957-60), is being reduced to the flat monotony of a single religion and a handful of approved languages. The entire region, not just the affected minorities, is impoverished by this narrowing. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Miniatures. He can be reached at: www.DanielPipes.org.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 jewishnebraska.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
MEMORIAL SERVICE Mount Sinai Cemetery Sunday, Sept. 10, noon Rabbi Jonathan Gross will officiate
PERSONAL We want to thank our family and friends for their thoughtfulness in remembering Judy Lincoln Robinson -beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife and Mother. Marge and Norm Lincoln Susie Bickford John, Andy, and Todd Robinson
September 3, 2004
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored by Carol and Edward Schneider in honor of their upcoming Jewish marriage, and by Les and Helen Kay in honor of Lily Kay’s 90th birthday. Evening Services, 7:45 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. SITTER SERVICE During Friday night and Saturday mornings services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. SPECIAL PROGRAMS WEDNESDAYS, 10:45 a.m. PATTER (Parents & Toddlers, Torah, Exercise, Recreation) session class for 11/2 to threeyear-olds with Helen Epstein, For more information, call Harriet Einziger, 492.855; 7 p.m.: Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni. SUNDAY, Sept. 5 and Sept. 12, 10-11 a.m.: Preparing ourselves for the High Holidays will be the focus of a two-part class presented by Rabbi Levin. The class is open to the community; RSVP: Harriet Einziger.. Beth El Bible Study Class resumes Sept. 12, 11 a.m., dynamic conversation, study text and discover how it relates to contemporary life, led by Prof. Leonard Greenspoon, will discuss Kings I. For more information or to sign up, call Harriet Einziger. TOT SHABBAT, FRIDAY, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Join service leader Patty Nogg to pray and sing together and welcome Shabbat! Kids of all ages look forward to our Oneg Shabbat of juice and cookies following the service. Jewish families throughout Omaha are invited. SELIHOT SATURDAY, Sept. 11, 9 p.m.: This special evening, open to the community, will begin with Havdalah at 9 p.m., followed by
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
a musical performance featuring Israeli and American composers. A dessert reception precedes Selihot at 10:30 p.m., accompanied by the Beth El choir. WOMEN'S ROSH HODESH MEETING: The Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group will meet Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.. at the home of Ozzie Nogg, 1323 Jackson St. Co-hosted by Susi Frydman-Levin, the meeting will celebrate the month of Tishrei. For reservations, please contact Susi at 932.6488, or susifrydman-levin@cox.net. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH RETREAT Women of Beth El are invited to the Arbor Day Farm-Lied Conference Center in Nebraska City, to enjoy “Renewing Our Spirits, Celebrating Ourselves.” The retreat will run from 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, to Saturday evening following Havdalah.
SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by the Sisterhood. Mincha, 7:15 p.m., followed by Shalosh Suedot/ Havdalah, 8:34 p.m. SUNDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Evening Service, 7 p.m. Weekday Morning Service, 7 a.m.; Weekday Evening Service, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioners Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. A short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice. Toddlers through children in the primary grades are encouraged to bring their families. Enjoy songs and a story with Rabbi Craig Marantz and a surprise visitor; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Rabbi Azriel will give the sermon. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism, Omaha. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION Contact Program Director Rosie Zweiback, 556.6536 or rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com, for registration and fee information. TUESDAY, 6:15-8 p.m.: Basic Judaism. This 20-session course taught by Stephanie Grossman is designed to provide a broad range of information to Jews who wish to explore their heritage and to non-Jews who are considering conversion or who want to gain a better understanding of Judaism, THURSDAY, 10-11:30 a.m.: Adult study with the Clergy. Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Marantz and Cantor
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat In the Home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. MONDAY-FRIDAY, Morning services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY Halacha Intermediate level, 7 p.m.
Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in Lincoln two weekends a month. Please call her at 402.416.2321 or e-mail her at rabstiel@aol.com to set up an appointment. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Sarah Kelen. Oneg to follow services. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. MONDAY: Temple office closed for Labor Day THURSDAY: Choir Practice, 7 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:15 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
Candlelighting Friday, September 3, 7:35 p.m. Shermet will introduce topics covered for this year’s class: 350 years of Jewish life in America, modern Jewish thought focusing on contemporary Jewish American thinkers, and the music of Jewish American composers, SHABBAT COMES TO YOU Friday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m.: Rabbi Azriel and members of the Temple Youth Group will lead a Shabbat Service at Remington Heights. NEW MEMBER SHABBAT FRIDAY, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. Join the Temple family in welcoming our newest members at this special service and Oneg celebration. (See story below.) S'LICHOT SATURDAY, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.: S’lichot is a service of forgiveness that brings us into the Days of Awe. The evening will include a wonderful chocolate dessert reception and Havdalah service. This year, Cantor Shermet, Dr. Tamara Field and Jonathan Rathsam will perform music written by Michael Isaacson and Meir Finkelstein among others, and will be accompanied by Nester Hirzbaum on flute and Julie Sandene on piano. Join us in the Sanctuary as Temple’s Family School families prepare our Sifrei Torah (Torah Scrolls) for the High Holy Days by changing the mantles to white.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat services, followed by festive kiddush, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew High KickOff, 10:30 a.m. at the synagogue. WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. If you do not receive a call, contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.
Temple Israel to Welcome New Members Next Friday Night by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Temple Israel’s 33 new individual and family members, who have joined the congregation in the past year, have been invited to a Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m. and the new member Shabbat worship service at Friday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. “They are a wonderful mix of people--from newborns to septuagenarians,” said Rosie Zweiback, Temple’s Program Director. “Some new members are ‘coming home’ to Temple where they were raised and then moved away and now are back.
Some are joining Temple to be with their children and grandchildren who are members, and some are newcomers to Omaha.” Joan Kaiman joined, because she wants to be with her daughters who belong to Temple. “I enjoy it immensely,” she said. She also belongs to Beth Israel, where members of her family “have belonged for a long time. I’ve got the best of both worlds,” according to Kaiman. Debbie Meiches-Simpson and her husband Jim have two daughters who are six and three “who are getting to an age that I want them to be exposed to Judaism,” she explained. Raised
in Omaha, the Simpsons joined Temple last year so their kindergartner, Sierra, could be enrolled in religious school. Raised with a Reform Jewish background, Jonathan Rathsam, originally from San Diego, California, moved to Omaha last August from Grinnell, Iowa, where he attended college. He’s now a graduate student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “I also studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary and had a Reconstructionist rabbi at college. But the people at Temple have adopted me and I feel at home there,” Rathsam said. He sang with the octet during the High
Holy Days last year and will sing at Selichot this year on Sept. 11. He attends Bagels and Sacred Books on Saturday mornings and described it as “a wonderful part of belonging to Temple.” During the worship service on Sept. 10, new members will be invited to the bimah for a special blessing. “We are so thrilled to have the new members,” emphasized Judy Zweiback, membership chairperson. “We want to show them what a warm and welcoming place Temple is.” She encourages new members as well as current members to attend the service “to welcome newcomers to our family.”
September 3, 2004
Closing Admonitions
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ki Tavo In this Sidra, which includes three chapters of Deuteronomy and the beginning of a fourth, Moses is trying to lay out the rules for an organized society. More than that, he is trying to make sure that this will enter into history! Since there was no way to publish ancient materials, he ordered stone slabs to be erected and on them, to write “all the words of this teaching.” We have no idea whether by this teaching, this Torah, he meant only the last teaching they had, or possibly all of the Torah as he knew it. The expedition which will find these ancient stone slabs, steles, will be the most famous in archeological history. All you archeologists, get up and dig! One thing that Moses has said to the people is that they have affirmed the Lord as their God and in return, the Lord has affirmed them as His people, a holy people. He assures them that this is true, that this day they had become “a people of the Lord.” There follows a listing of blessings and curses for obedience or disobedience to the laws just repeated. The blessings take fourteen verses to list, and the curses--53. What an even balance! This long list of curses has been known as the Tokhaha. And with this, the long “covenant (brit)” has come to its end and with it the second of the long discourses that Moses has favored the people of Israel with as he approached his death. As our Sidra ends, Moses begins the third of his long addresses on the shores of the Land. In short order, Moses rehearses all the events in Israel’s history, from the time of slavery in Egypt to this point. He reminds them that their chief business in life is observing this covenant (brit) and their life depends, indeed, on the observance of this covenant. In this brief repetition of Moses’ repetition, it is not possible to repeat or suggest the extreme emotion involved in Moses’ delivery, or the passion which he has aroused in himself, and thus also in his audience, as these last instructions are given to end his 40 years of service to this--stubborn!--people.
Beth El Rosh Hodesh Group to Share Resolutions by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh group will head downtown for its Tuesday, Sept. 21, meeting at the home of Ozzie Nogg, 1323 Jackson St. The 7:30 p.m. meeting, co-hosted by Susi Frydman-Levin, will celebrate the month of Tishrei by discussing “Rosh Hashanah Resolutions”--evaluating the past and setting goals for the upcoming year. “This month’s Rosh Hodesh meeting takes place during the Ten Days of Repentance, a perfect time to reflect on our lives and the changes we’d like to make both in our private and public lives,” Frydman-Levin said. “We will share our public resolutions--those regarding our community or congregation--and keep in private our personal inner ones, and hopefully end the evening looking forward to a wonderful new year.” For reservations, please contact Susi at 932.6488, or susifrydman-levin@cox.net.
DEATHS MALVIN TEPPER Malvin Tepper died Aug. 22 in Las Vegas, NV, at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Adeline Theresa Tepper; daughter, Arlene Tepper; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Mike Walsh; granddaughter, Melanie Tepper; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Kaplan. Memorials to charity of choice. NORMAN HAHN Former Omahan Norman Hahn, an entreprenuer and human rights advocate, died in San Diego Aug. 25 at the age of 81. Services were held Aug. 27. He served on the boards of the Urban League in Omaha and in 1965 became chairman of Omaha’s Human Relations Commission, when even Ernie Chambers praised Hahn for “his willingness to take issue...when it was not...fashionable”. He helped plan the 1966 White House Conference on Civil Rights, founded San Diego’s Human Relations Commission in 1991 and served various leadership roles in the American Jewish Committee. He is survived by his wife Diana Hahn; daughter Judith Hahn of La Jolla; son and daughter-in-law Robert G. “Rio” and Teresa Hahn of Bonsall, CA; and granddaughters, Sky, Rachel and Zodiac. Memorials to the AJC, San Diego Chapter, 5095 Murphy Canyon Rd., Suite 360, San Diego, CA 92123, or City of Hope, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017. LEONA EVELOFF Leona Eveloff died at the age of 85. Services were held Sept. 1 at B’nai Israel Synagogue in Council Bluffs, followed by burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Eveloff. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Danette Eveloff of Council Bluffs and Greg and Mikki Eveloff of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter, Rosalind Hoffman of Atlantic Beach, FL; brother and sister-inlaw, Stanley and Fran Katelman of Florida; grandchildren, Josh, Justin, Adam, Katrina, Ryan and Ashley Eveloff, and Damien, Rachel and Jana Hoffman. Memorials to B’nai Israel, Visiting Nurse Association of Pottawattamie County or American Cancer Society. BOBETTE GILBERT Former Omahan Bobette Gilbert died Aug. 28 in Escondido, CA. at the age of 91. Services were held Sept. 1 at Beth El Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert H. Silver and Martin Gilbert; a son, Harry L. Silver; and a daughter, Jeanne Silver Kirk. She is survived by a son, Steven J. Silver; grandchildren, David N. Silver, Fairfax, VA, Jonathon R. Silver, Seattle, WA, Robert H. Silver of London, England; Wendy Hamburger of Manchester, England, Gwen Silver and Lisa Silver, both of New York City; and seven greatgrandchildren. Memorials to Beth El Synagogue. GOLDA LIEBERMAN Golda Lieberman died Sept. 1 at the age of 86. Funeral services will be held in Toronto, Canada, Friday, Sept. 3. She is survived by her husband, David Lieberman; sisters, Luba Iywiec of Toronto and Sonia Fraderich of Toledo, OH; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials to Beth Israel Synagogue.
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High Holiday Kabbalah at Chabad by SHANI KATZMAN A two part series on the “Kabbalah of the High Holidays” is being offered by Rabbi Mendel Katzman at Chabad House on Sept. 8 and Sept. 22, 7-8:30 p.m. Discussions will include the ‘Coronation of G-d, the ‘13 Attributes of Kindness’, and the ‘Five levels of the soul’. No prior Jewish education is necessary. A variety of texts and a handout will be available. There is no charge, but reservations are appreciated. To reserve or for information, call 330.1800. The fall six-week session of Chabad’s Women of Worth classes are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. The new series, entitled Seasons of the Soul, will examine the rhythms of the Jewish Life Cycle through the eyes of the Kabbalah and Chassidus. Light refreshments are offered. A variety of texts and readings are provided. The classes are open to all women and continues Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12. Cost is $36.
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September 3, 2004
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18
$
99 750 ml.
5150 Center St.• 553-2664 • 50th & Center | 10808 Fort St. • 493-2089 • 108th & Fort | 3505 L St. • 731-6107 • Stockyards Plaza 3404 Oak View Dr. • 697-0811 • Oakview | 7910 Cass St. • 384-8668 • Peony Park | 9707 Q St. • 339-3047 • Applewood 747 North 132nd St.• 493-2911 • Westridge | 8809 West Center Rd. • 384-9072 • 90th & Center | 180th & Q St. • 896-4168 • Welch Plaza 1706 North 16th St., Council Bluffs • 328-9762 • North 16th Street | 1745 Madison Ave., Council Bluffs • 322-9260 • Mall of the Bluffs Sale prices good through September 17, 2004 while supplies last