Vol. 90 No. 6 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
30 Tishrei 5770
October 8, 2010
2009 Spirit of Federation Awards winners by SHERRIE SAAG Jewish Federation of Omaha Sometimes it’s the littlest things that bring us the greatest rewards. Sometimes, it’s the ‘little known’ or ‘behind-thescenes” jobs that bring us the most satisfaction. And sometimes those who volunteer in this way impact each and every one of us in the most profound way. This best describes the volunteer commitment to our Jewish community of both Pete Brodkey and Judy Josephson. In recognition of their great service, the Jewish Federation of Omaha is honoring them with the 2009 Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Awards. They will be recognized at our Volunteer Reception on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. The Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation is awarded annually to one man and one woman who have demonstrated personal commitment, dedication and leadership to the Federation and its agencies. Pete Brodkey’s 30 plus years of volunteering does indeed include nearly every Federation agency. His involvement began through young leadership when Mort Greenberg, Federation Director at the time, wanted to put together a young leadership group. It occurred to Brodkey that it was payback time. He was in his early 30s, had grown up spending his free
time at the JCC on 20th and Dodge and in AZA, and enjoyed his Jewish youth so much it was time to give back to the
require families whose children were active in BBYO to be members of the JCC. Brodkey says it took getting used to
Pete Brodkey
Judy Josephson
community. He was a board member of the Dr. Sher Home, precursor to the Rose Blumkin Home. He sat on the JCC Board under Hy Tabachnik, JCC Director, as the current JCC facility was conceived and built. Hy assigned Pete to what he simply termed “Youth”. His mission? Find Omaha youth that got out of the habit of using the JCC and encourage them to return. Pete and Hy then conceived an idea, novel at the time. They decided to
– they had never sold the JCC this way before, but he remembers it turned out successfully. Pete was instrumental in brokering the agreement of all three rabbis to open the JCC on Saturdays. “It took some convincing, but all three were gracious enough to say yes. We knew this was controversial, but necessary to the success of the JCC. Our Jewish youth were not going to wait to swim or play basketball until Sunday afternoon,” he said.
Week for mockeries at the United Nations by JTA STAFF attacks, he called on the United Nations NEW YORK (JTA) -- During last to establish “an independent fact-finding week’s gathering of world leaders for the group” to investigate. annual opening of the U.N. General The U.S. delegation walked out of Assembly, some of the proceedings inside Ahmadinejad’s speech, as did all 27 were nearly as farcical as the proceedings European Union delegations, Canada, outside. In one Jewish-organized protest on the street near the United Nations, activists wearing rainbowcolored wigs, mini-skirts and pom-poms danced around a man wearing a massive effigy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s head and clad in a nuclear suit and chains. Behind him stood an activist in a Hawaiian shirt wearing an Obama mask on his head, a rub- An effigy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad occupies ber octopus on his hand center stage at a protest outside the United Nations. Credit: Iran180 and carrying a sign that read, “No Nukes for Iran.” New Zealand, Australia and Costa Rica. It was all part of a mock trial of the As is his custom, the Iranian president Iranian leader organized by a group also used his annual speech at the General called Iran180. Assembly to lash out against Israel. Inside the U.N. plenum, Ahmadinejad “This regime,” he said of Israel, “which by many accounts was making a mockery enjoys the absolute support of some of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Western countries, regularly threatens the The United States arranged the 9/11 countries in the region and continues attacks “to save the Zionist regime,” publicly announced assassinations of Ahmadinejad declared in his Sept. 23 Palestinian figures and others, while address. Suggesting that U.S. officials at Palestinian defenders are labeled as the highest levels were complicit in the Continued on page 2
Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 8
Fred Simon named honorary campaign chair by BOB GOLDBERG go anywhere and do anything, and at “If your actions inspire others to the end of the day, what is most impordream more, learn more, do more and tant to him? His family and his commubecome more, you are a leader.” nity,” said Sheldon. – John Quincy Adams According to Ellie Batt, the time was These words take on great significance right to name Fred Simon honorary as Ellie Batt and Norm Sheldon, co- chair. “It was a great decision for the chairs of the 2011 Federation, because Federation Annual Fred is well respected Campaign, announce and admired, and sets the first honorary chair an example in philanof Federation’s annual thropic leadership,” she campaign, Fred Simon. said. As Executive Vice “As someone who has President of Omaha spent a lifetime making Steaks and a lifelong successful investments resident of Omaha, in business and comSimon has actively supmunity, who better ported local causes dear than Fred Simon to to him, including the persuade people that Jewish Federation of there is no better Omaha. investment here in Simon is the perfect Omaha than in the Fred Simon ambassador to promote Jewish community,” this year’s campaign theme, “The Gift said Jan Goldstein, Federation you Get Back.” He currently serves on Executive Director. the Foundation’s board and has served Fred Simon sat recently with as Campaign chairman, and as Goldstein and Debbie Denenberg. Pacesetter chairman. Following are excerpts from their con“I wanted Fred Simon to be our hon- versation. orary chair, something brand new, What was your first memory of because he is an inspiration to the com- Federation and charitable giving? munity. Here is a man who has traveled I was a freshman in high school and extensively throughout the world, can Continued on page 2
Next Week: Jewish Camping See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
Next came a board position with Jewish Family Service during the second wave of Russian immigration into Omaha. He describes his work during this time as “the neatest learning experience of my life.” Then Pete began a decades long commitment serving on the Federation’s annual campaign team. He describes his work on campaigns as “moving up the ranks, doing any and every job asked of me.” Ten years ago he became the first chairperson of the Campaign’s Men’s Division. Since then, Brodkey has never wavered in his commitment and volunteer efforts for the campaign. And, he added, he’ll be around for a long time to come as he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. That’s to our benefit, no doubt. Like her fellow award winner, Judy Josephson is a committed and dedicated community member whose multitude of talents touches every part of Omaha Jewish life. Not a day goes by when Judy isn’t doing something for the community. Just try to make a lunch date or set a time for an interview, Judy’s calendar is filled with her work for the Jewish Community Center, the National Council of Jewish Women, and Temple Israel. She makes it sound so easy and for her, it is. Judy grew up in Aberdeen, South Continued on page 3
Coming This Month: America Decides - Election Preview Annual Federation campaign launches 1:1 outreach Page 5
“Glass Ribbon Project” helps draw attention to breast cancer Page 6
Sukkah Hoppers marking new Community tradition Page 7
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
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by SUSAN ROTHHOLZ Event chair, Sokolof Javitch Music Fund Omaha is in for a great treat when Karen Kushner returns to her hometown for a free piano concert at the JCC on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. After years as an adjunct associate professsor of piano at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Karen will be thrilling her Omaha audience with her beautiful interpretations of the piano compositions of Shubert and Chopin. Kushner received a Bachelor of Music degree Karen Kushner from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in music from The Juilliard School, and did postgraduate work towards a Ph.D. at
New York University. She has played Carnegie Hall Recital Hall, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago, plus concert tours in Spain, France, Poland, China and more. Her recordings of Chopin: The 51 Mazurkas and Music of Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann received glowing reviews by well known music critics. In Kansas City, Karen teaches at the Conservatory and privately in her studio. She is married to the pianist Robert Weirich and occasionally they play duets together. Her parents, Barbara and Marshall Kushner, are lifelong Omahans whose children, Jill and Mark Belmont and Kim and Matt Placzek, also live here. Kushner’s concert is sponsored by the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. with a reception following where Karen will greet her audience. All of Omaha is invited for this free and exciting evening.
Fred Simon named honorary campaign chair
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Continued from page 1 would go to the JCC after school until my Dad could pick me up after work, around 6 or 7 p.m. There were recreational activities, classrooms and a library at 20th and Dodge and I knew a lot of my friends would be there. I decided to go swimming the first day and I noticed some kids had to pay to get a basket in the locker room. The attendant told me there was a fee to swim, unless I was a member. I told him I didn’t know, maybe I was? He asked who my father was and I told him, Lester Simon. He said, sure go on in. Later, I asked my father how I came to be so privileged. He told me he makes a gift to Federation each year, not a big gift, but what he could afford and our family enjoys certain benefits because of that gift. I thought that was a good way to get value out of giving. Over the years my brothers and I have learned that we have a responsibility to the community and we get value back for what we give. That’s how it all started. You learned a sense of responsibility for the community. How do you think we instill that sense of responsibility in the next generation? We have to set the same example for our children and grandchildren. I think they have to see what goes on. They have to make a trip and see the educational and recreational programming. The Blumkin Home is an inspiration. We have to see what we invest in. Campaign isn’t just giving a gift; it’s an investment in our community. You mention the beautiful new Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. What was the inspiration behind placing your family’s name on the chapel in the home? We looked at the various dedications and sponsorships we could do and decided the chapel would be the most meaningful way for us to be part of the Blumkin Home. I went to a program there recently and they moved all the chairs out of the chapel and back; it is a marvelously flexible space. You are a big supporter of opera, the visual arts and theatre. Is there something meaningful to you that ties
the cultural arts to the Omaha Jewish community? It’s all about education, about learning. Last year’s Brundibar performance was the perfect example of how the community brought opera, symphony and choral music together in a very meaningful way. What makes Omaha such a strong community? The Jewish Federation is the focus of Jewish life here in Omaha. A tremendously high percentage of Jewish residents in Omaha give to the Jewish Federation and/or give to their synagogues. Living a Jewish life brings meaning and significance to a lot of people. How do you inspire others? It starts with a plan. You have your goals and objectives that define your campaign. Then you get people to buy into it. That sounds very simple but it isn’t. It requires a lot of work. We have to make the attempt to reach people and then we have to reach them again. Face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, sometimes letters. It is a multi-layer approach. Why is it important to you to keep Jewish philanthropy as a top priority? It’s my heritage, it’s our family’s heritage and because I want to feel that I am doing my job in the Jewish community. I am compelled to support in whatever way I can. It isn’t just money, it is time; serving on Boards and making sure money is well managed and well directed. Many years down the road when your biography is written again, how would you like to be remembered? As a person who is inspired by Jewish culture and love of the arts and humanities. What is your favorite cut of steak? Strip sirloin, medium rare. “This year, at such a critical juncture, we look to our honorary chairman as a role model for the investment we, as a community, make for our future. When an individual like Fred Simon gets involved in Campaign, it says how critically important it is,” said Goldstein.
Week for mockeries at the United Nations Continued from page 1 terrorists and anti-Semites. All values, even the freedom of expression in Europe and the United States, are being sacrificed at the altar of Zionism.” It wasn’t the only attack Israel faced last week at the United Nations. A day earlier, the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council issued its report on the May 31 flotilla incident in which Israeli soldiers killed nine Turkish activists in a confrontation aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla. The report called the actions by Israeli naval commandos “disproportionate and brutal,” saying they “demonstrated levels of totally unnecessary and incredible violence” and calling for “prosecution against Israel for willful killing and torture.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the report “biased and distorted.” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called it “extremely fair and based on solid evidence. We appreciate that. It meets our expectations.” A separate inquiry by the United Nations commissioned by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is ongoing. At U.N. headquarters in New York, Israeli representatives did not respond to Ahmadinejad’s tirade because the speech took place on the Sukkot holiday and Israel’s U.N. delegation was absent. President Obama made the case for Israel in his own speech to the U.N. General Assembly, which preceded
Ahmadinejad’s. “After 60 years in the community of nations, Israel’s existence must not be a subject for debate,” Obama said. “Israel is a sovereign state and the historic homeland of the Jewish people. It should be clear to all that efforts to chip away at Israel’s legitimacy will only be met by the unshakeable opposition of the United States.” The U.S. president also called on the world community to back Israeli-Palestinian peace with deeds and not just words. “Those who long to see an independent Palestine rise must stop trying to tear Israel down,” Obama said. “Many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians, but these pledges must now be supported by deeds,” he said. “Those who have signed on to the Arab peace initiative should seize this opportunity to make it real by taking tangible steps toward the normalization that it promises Israel,” he said, referring to the 2003 Saudisponsored plan that offered Israel comprehensive peace in return for its withdrawal to pre-1967 borders. Following Ahmadinejad’s remarks, the U.S. mission to the United Nations issued a statement saying: “Rather than representing the aspirations and good will of the Iranian people, Mr. Ahmadinejad has yet again chosen to spout vile conspiracy theories and anti-Semitic slurs that are as abhorrent and delusional as they are predictable.”
October 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Students connect with work of ADL by KAITLIN ARNTZ ADL Intern Seven students demonstrated the true meaning of Tzedakah in May, donating a portion of their Donor Advised Funds, created by collaboration between the students and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy, to the Anti-Defamation League. Out of the many non-profits worldwide, the ADL received the greatest number of designations from students participating in the Philanthropy’s first allocation. ADL Regional Director Alan Potash said, “This is very exciting for the ADL.
It shows the significant impact our programs and efforts are having on our youth in the community.” B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program Director Janie Murow noted that students give to organizations “they understand and connect with. It’s more than just writing a check.” A current focus of the ADL, whose mission is “to secure justice and fair treatment for all,” is eradicating cyberbullying. One student said, “There was a lot of bullying that happened at my middle school last year, and the ADL does a lot to stop it.” The B’nai Tzedek allocation event,
which took place in May, was the final step for first-year participants in the teen philanthropy program. First, teens established individual endowment funds with $125 of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift money. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation matched the gift with an additional $375. Since the goal of the program is to establish a pattern of giving and create lifelong philanthropists, a large part of the program is dedicated to helping students discover their philanthropic interests. Students learn about a variety of Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations through educational programs, field trips and individual research. Each year
2009 Spirit of Federation Awards Continued from page 1 Dakota in the one synagogue in town that is still there today. According to Judy, if you wanted to do anything – build a sukkah or make a batch of latkes you had to do it yourself. She believes the same mentality exists here in Omaha. If something needs to be done, you roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. “I am so energized by the people in the community who surround me. So many people make this a great community that it is easy to do my part,” Judy said. She doesn’t take these opportunities to be involved for granted. On the contrary, Judy views it as a privilege. “Others have made this such a great place for me and my family. It is natural to want to give back.” And give back she does. Judy’s volunteerism began with young children at the newly-opened CDC. She remembers doing so much at the CDC that she was in the building as much as her toddlers
were! She recalls Jeffrey Aizenberg as an important mentor. “He opened my eyes to so much about every agency and all they do. I chaired so many committees with his leadership. That was my training,” she said. She spent more years on the JCC Board than she can remember and believes now that it was those first experiences at the JCC that cemented her commitment to the community. Judy followed her children to Beth El Synagogue’s religious school and volunteered on any and every committee for Talmud Torah. Now that her daughters are raised and almost on their own (younger daughter Lauren is a senior at Syracuse University), Judy has focused her many talents on volunteer efforts at Temple Israel. Joining Temple’s Caring Committee with close friends soon became a new passion. The committee took off under Judy’s leadership with over 20 volunteers visiting Temple’s Blumkin Home resi-
dents each Friday afternoon. When Temple Israel inherited the care of the old B’nai Jacob and B’nai Sholom cemeteries that adjoined the Temple Israel cemetery, Judy took on the task of creating an endowment fund for ongoing care of the cemetery property. Judy found and secured the resources to not only erase a deficit, but secure its financial future, a job she describes as “a small project with big rewards.” In addition to serving on Temple Israel’s board of directors, Judy is working on long-range planning as a member of Temple’s planned giving committee. Just last week, as she volunteered for a few hours at an NCJW consignment sale, Judy was reminded again of why community service is so important to her. “We all have an obligation to do our share. If every person did just a little bit, we would be amazed at what could be accomplished.”
until high school graduation, students will have the opportunity to donate a percentage of their funds one or two nonprofit organizations annually, at least one of which must be Jewish. “It’s nice to know the ADL is using my donation for great causes,” said a student. “I’m excited to be able to give to a Jewish organization that not only helps Jewish people, but all people.”
The Kripke Library: The Place to be for Mommy & Me! by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Jewish Federation Library announces the return of “Mommy & Me,” aimed at the Jewish communities’ newest and smallest members! Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 12, and meeting weekly thereafter, join Gary Katz, Library Administrator, for a funfilled time exclusively for little ones ages birth through four years. “Mommy and Me” meets from 10 – 10:30 a.m. For the “me’s,” Katz will include Jewish stories, games and more. And, lest we forget the “Mommies,” the library will have all the ingredients on hand for a perfect cup of morning coffee so you can relax, socialize with friends, and check out the latest materials in the Kripke Library. No need to register or sign-up, just show up at the Kripke Library. For more information contact Gary Katz at 334.6462.
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& With U.S. Representative Lee Terry (R) and Nebraska State Senator Tom White (D) Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:00 p.m. Jewish Community Center 333 South 132nd Street R.S.V.P. to Linda Pollard at 333-1303 or lpollard@adl.org
Presented by the Civil Rights Committee of the Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region Co-sponsored by Bnai B’rithHenry Monsky Lodge, National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section and Temple Israel
*As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, ADL is non-partisan and does not endorse or oppose any candidates for political office.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
Being the stranger: A 2010 Chassidic tale
Deadline is approaching
by NAAMA ARTZI A Cuban native who speaks four languages, Rabbi To this post-1973 War baby who grew up in the Golan Maximo composes his sermons – two for Rosh Hashana Heights, Yom Kippur has always had a distinct sound – and two for Yom Kippur – throughout the year. After a silence loud enough to be heard. It was the silence of the high holidays are gone, he shreds each composition. being in awe of the holiest day of the Jewish year, and Every year he writes the sermons anew, and every year the silence of remembering that not every Yom Kippur, the congregants testify to his words being so “surprising even in the Jewish Homeland, can we pray for inner and and, as the Yiddish saying goes, ‘so on the nose.’” outer peace without disruption. This year was no exception. “What will you make out Since I‘ve been in Omaha, I’ve had the privilege of of this Yom Kippur moment?” he asked in his first serobserving Yom Kippur mon. In the awe-filled with members of many silence of my Yom branches of Judaism. Kippur in Sioux City, I Whether the service was was reminded of those sung by a local cantor or Chasidic tales in which a one from out of state, stranger who happens to each synagogue has been need a place to stay for welcoming, providing a Shabbat or Yom Tov, a taste of home and that place to eat, or a place to familiar silence of awe. pray, seems to always This year I was invited find far more than he was by Rabbi Maximo looking for. Shechet to join him and For you see, I was that the congregation he has stranger. People I had been leading in prayer never met before shared for the past 40 years in with me their Jewish Sioux City, Iowa. enthusiasm and their Former Mt. Sinai Synagogue in Sioux City, IA Each and every person well-earned pride in this at the Minyan of the United Orthodox Syna-gogue small but powerful community. I want to thank them all made me feel at home, shook my hand, and shared with – particularly Dr. Steve Gordon and his wife Bethany me their personal connection to Omaha, military serv- Manning, my generous hosts who made sure I was propice, Jewish day schools and Israel. erly dressed for the sudden cold rain of that Yom Kippur I met many unique and colorful people in that short day. They made this Israeli feel at home. space of time. The World War II veterans who fought in I invite you to make a visit to this synagogue-almostFrance and the Pacific. The man who teaches math to lost-in-time to share for yourself my experience there. Native Americans, and the non-Jewish gentleman in the Each year the Jewish Federation of Sioux City organizes honey business, who finds a deep connection to the a fundraising event called “the Sioux City Kosher Latke Jewish faith. The lawyer who chants the Book of Jonah Sale.” This year the event will be held on Sunday, perfectly every single year, and the lady who came from October 10th, from 11:30am to 6:30pm at the CBS South Dakota to say Yizkor. These are the people who – Synagogue – Congregation Beth Shalom. A huge tent with Rabbi Maximo –keep the flame of the “United will be put up and Jewish local “cooks” from all walks of Orthodox” Synagogue of Sioux City proudly burning. life will be helping. Together, they clean this beautiful historical building, Interestingly, most supporters of this sale are the nonand maintain the Minyan. They hold services during the Jewish locals who appreciate fresh, fun food and the year, they tell the many tales of this community, and, opportunity to be in contact with this vibrant but through their words, they keep their history alive. They shrinking Jewish community. share stories about the the Shul's mechitzah, the late Why not pack the family into the car and make the Rabbi Saul I. Bolotnikov, their beloved and fearless easy ninety-minute drive up Interstate 29 North to leader, the forty Shochatim who found their livelihoods Sioux City, just minutes away from beautiful Stone State at the meat plants of Sioux City. They talk about the Park? While the scenery will be eye-catching, the true sheep who were brought all the way from Canada, and reasons for making the trip will be that kosher latke the original 1901 lion decorations that are still present lunch and the unique opportunity to meet and make a today. The hardest stories to hear concerned the famous difference to the Jewish Community of Sioux City, Kosher lekach and strudel – not because they were badly Iowa. told, but because we were fasting and they sounded so As for the silence of awe - over a plateful of latkes? Not delicious! so much!
by RENEE CORCORAN Executive Director of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
822 North 16th Street - Lois & Gerald Bernstien The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is continuing to collect photographs and stories from families who were involved with “Mom and Pop” grocery stores in Nebraska and western Iowa. To be included in the next edition of the NJHS publication, Memories of the Midwest, Volume 14, information must be received by Oct. 15. The Society is requesting photographs of grocery stores as well as the stories about the families who made “Mom and Pop” businesses a part of the history of our community. Please contact 402.334.6442 with any questions or email njhs@jewishomaha.org.
BIRTHS Jennifer and Erin Vik announce the Sept. 22 birth of their daughter, Isabel Emmalynn. She is named for her great-grandparents Elliot (Bus) Rubin and Elaine Bernstein. Grandparents are Lynn and Danny Rubin, Jeri and Eric Mason, and Marlyn Vik, Jr. Great-grandparents are Betty Rubin, Jane Laughrey, and Marian Vik.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT David Seay, Master Artist with the Nebraska Arts Council, will be presenting a free harmonica workshop on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 1:30 p.m., at the Joslyn Museum in Omaha. Within the first few minutes workshop participants will be playing actual folk songs on their very own harmonicas. Harmonicas will be available at the workshop. For more information, contact David at david@greenblattandseay.com.
Cohen’s Computer Club David M. Cohen, Ph.D., President
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October 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Annual Federation campaign launches 1:1 outreach with “2 Debbies” by GARY JAVITCH The Jewish Federation of Omaha needs your help-and your dollars – to fund the agencies that provide specific and valuable services for the Jews in Omaha, Israel and other key spots around the world. Federation fundraising was down the last two years primarily because of changing demographics (deaths and departures) and a difficult economy. To ensure, however, that the connection between the Federation and the community remains strong, the campaign leadership has enlisted the help of two very talented and experienced women, Debbie Denenberg and Debbie Friedman, to train volunteers. Indeed, the “2 Debbies” have already begun their work. Ms. Denenberg, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford and a Harvard MBA, has two training goals, she said. “I want to reach people on a more personal level so that we can share our passions and stories about the Omaha Jewish community. Secondly, I would like to create a team of knowledgeable volunteers to broaden and deepen our outreach. I’m not sure if the entire community knows that our basic institutions couldn’t exist without the support from the Federation. That’s just one of many reasons raising funds for the Federation is so important.” Ms. Friedman, a Senior Performance Consultant in Training and Organizational Development in the architecture and engineering industry, agrees. In a separate conversation, she added: “In my HDR position, I am a facilitator. My goal is to help adults make connections. “Likewise, I would like to do that for our philanthropy campaign. We can start by beginning a dialogue
where Jews in our community can reach out to other Jews and share their passions for this community. We want to do this with one person at a time, reaching out to another person at a time.” One way Ms. Denenberg makes her connection is to incorporate a ‘You never know’ theme in her presentation. “‘You never know’ that your gift may be providing a hot meal for someone in the former Soviet Union or for your neighbors, who are quietly meeting with Jewish Family Service because they are in desperate circumstances. “Omahans have a deep feeling for our own community and Jews worldwide,” Ms. Denenberg added. “It is exciting for them to share their stories with one another. It is part of our building and maintaining a strong community bond.” Ms. Friedman provided a different dimension for the training sessions she will lead. “I moved to Omaha over 30 years ago from Wyoming. This community has always been there for me at different stages of my Jewish life.” Those stages included her marriage, her children’s Jewish pre-school, and their Bat Mitzvahs. “Now, it seems like our family is completing the circle, as my father-in-law is in the Blumkin Home. “My goal is to touch their hearts by getting our donors to identify and reveal their ‘inner Jew,’” Ms. Friedman concluded. More training sessions will be available to anyone wanting to participate in the campaign or just to learn about Federation. For more information, readers can call Bob Goldberg in the Federation office at 334.8200.
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Beth Israel Sisterhood’s “A Day in Paradise” by BETH COHEN Executive Director of Beth Israel Synagogue Beth Israel Sisterhood’s annual luncheon will take place this year on Sunday, Oct. 31. The annual luncheon is the main fundraising event of the year for Sisterhood, and the event promises to be a wonderful afternoon for all who attend. This year’s event, “A Day in Paradise,” will feature a luau luncheon, style show and silent auction. The luncheon is chaired this year by Susan Polack and Jenifer Ruff, and the planning committee includes Bette Kozlen, Ann Moskovits and Sisterhood president Tobye Swichkow. “What better way to celebrate winter coming to Omaha than with a Luau,” says Polack. “It will be warm, bright and cheerful, and it will make it seem like you’ve just stepped into paradise. Come enjoy the tropics with good food, warm people and shop till you drop at the silent auction while enjoying the awesome style show set up for us by Christopher and Banks. You may even find something to wear for your next tropical vacation.” “A Day in Paradise” will begin at 11:30 a.m., with time for attendees to visit with one another and enjoy appetizers while they shop the Sisterhood Gift Shop and participate in the silent auction.”All of the items from Sisterhood’s Gift Shop will be available for purchase, including items made in Israel,” explained Bette Kozlen, Sisterhood’s Gift Shop chair. “There will be some great new items to choose from, too, such as jewelry and Chanukah gifts. It’s never too early to start your Chanukah shopping!” The committee has been hard at work finalizing items for the silent auction, including an American Girl doll (a hotly contested item last year), plus giftware, housewares, and gift certificates to grocery stores, salons and boutiques. The lunch will be served at noon. “People look forward to our catered luncheon because it’s always lovely and delicious,” noted Kozlen. “The meal will be a buffet, so there will be something for everyone.” Attendees may select to be a Donor, choosing a Donor category that includes lunch, or just enjoy lunch for $18. Donor categories to choose from include $100, $72, $54 or $36. “This is my first year as an active member of the Sisterhood and I am excited to be part of such an important and fun event,” explains Ruff. “This year promises to provide great food and an even better social time. We hope to see both long-time members and new faces, and to continue to enhance the lives of Jewish women in Omaha.” In addition to the fabulous lunch and silent auction, attendees will be treated to a style show from Christopher and Banks. Beth Israel Sisterhood members will be modeling the latest fall and winter fashions.
Sisterhood President Tobye Swichkow adds, “Every year, when we join our Sisterhood in this especially wonderful afternoon of food and fashion, prizes, and silent auction, we share special moments with all our friends. We show off our new baby and grandbaby pictures, find out who has gone away to school, and see who is engaged and starting brand new careers. We make new friendships most of all - and you can just never ever have too many friends!” Since the event is on a Sunday, it is the perfect opportunity to invite older girls to experience what Beth Israel Sisterhood is all about. Attendees are encouraged to invite junior high or high school aged girls so they can be introduced to the Sisterhood community. “Fashion shows have been part of Beth Israel’s Sisterhood for decades,” explains Debbie Kricsfeld, past Sisterhood President. “It has proved to be an event that mothers, daughters, and grandmothers can enjoy together. Who wouldn’t enjoy great shopping, visiting over a lovely lunch, and seeing the latest in fashion on a fall Sunday morning?” Invitations have been sent out to all Sisterhood and synagogue members, but the event is open to the community. “Everyone in the community is invited to attend Sisterhood’s annual luncheon,” said Polack. Reservations need to be made with the synagogue office by Wednesday, Oct. 20.
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ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Lee Terry will discuss his defending quest for a seventh term in the US House of Representatives from the 2nd district on Wednesday, Oct. 13, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $13; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thursday, 1-3 pm. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
To order a gift subscription to the Press... Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press and prorated for this year and for 2011, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.
800-369-2850 www.nebpress.com
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Broadband Internet Makes Money The Internet is no longer a luxury. High quality, affordable broadband Internet was never given a Mike Meister chance in Nebraska. In 2005 Dave Heineman supported corporate Telecom lobbyists. They gave away near monopolies in urban areas and denied access to rural Nebraska. Economists are unified on the economic power that the Internet provides. Individual jobs or entire businesses can be run from home saving gas, time, and wear and tear on cars. Businesses save money on utilities. Fewer people need to move out of state to pursue employment opportunities. We need to rethink the way we do broadband Internet. By the FCC's standards, 33 counties in Nebraska are "unserved" by telecommunications companies. 35% of Nebraska does not have affordable access to the necessary internet quality to run a business from home. Communities should decide what is important to them, not the accounting department of a global telecom. Vote Mike Meister for Governor, I will fight for high quality, affordable broadband internet access. Our economic future depends on it. Paid for by Meister for Governor Kevin Sylvester, Treasurer 614 E. 27th St. St. C, Scottsbluff, NE
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
“Glass Ribbon Project” at Beth El helps Jewish women draw attention to breast cancer
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by JILL BELMONT Participants have the opportunity to pre-purchase the Beth El Publicity Coordinator final artwork, Wees said, but they are not required to do Women throughout the Omaha Jewish community so. All pieces that are not bought will be donated to will come together at Beth El on Monday, November 8, Rosenthal’s collection. Examples of the items being sold 7 p.m., to participate in the “Glass Ribbon Project,” a can be found at Beth El’s Judaica Shop and on the syncommunity art project to support the fight against agogue’s web site: www.bethel-omaha.org. breast cancer. Camaraderie, Information about pricing creativity and fun will be on as well as order forms can tap for all during the be found on the Beth El evening, sponsored by Beth web site; just click on the El’s Sisterhood and “Glass Ribbon” image. Full Women’s Rosh Hodesh payment and completed Group, Beth Israel’s order forms are due by Oct. Sisterhood, and Temple 18, to Beth El Synagogue, Israel’s Women of Reform 14506 California St., Judaism. Omaha NE 68154. The Glass Ribbon Project Wees said that the evening was established by will include a presentation renowned Judaica sculptor Coordinating the upcoming “Glass Ribbon Project”: Caryn by special guest speaker Gary Rosenthal. Rifkin, left, and Joye Wees from Beth El’s Sisterhood, and Michelle Shkolnick, a breast Participants are invited to Tobye Swichkow and Bette Kozlen, representing Beth cancer survivor. She will create pink glass mosaics, Israel’s Sisterhood. Not pictured: Susie Norton, from Temple share her unique perspecwhich will be incorporated Israel’s Women of Reform Judaism. Several samples from tive and personal experiinto items in the Rosenthal the project are displayed on the table. ences with those in attenCollection’s ‘Woman of Valor’ line of Judaica. The col- dance. lection includes Shabbat candlesticks, tzedakah boxes, All women in the Jewish community, ages 12 and up, mezuzot, menorahs, dreidels, and more. A portion of are invited to take part in The Glass Ribbon Project, and the sales of all Woman of Valor items is donated to Wees emphasized that no artistic experience is necessary Sharsheret [http://sharsheret.org/], a non-profit to participate in this very worthwhile project. organization that supports young Jewish women living For planning purposes, reservations are needed by with breast cancer. Nov. 5, and may be made by contacting Beth El All materials will be provided for participants, accord- Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or at ing to Joye Wees, who is hosting the program, along programming@bethel-omaha.org. with Kori Wees, Tobye Swichkow and Susie Norton. Join your fellow community members on November 8 Upon completion, each glass mosaic will be returned to for a wonderful evening of sisterhood and artistic inspiRosenthal’s studio to be fired into solid fused glass ration – and support the ever-important fight against which will adorn the Woman of Valor objects. breast cancer.
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Torah walk
The ‘Torah tour’ brought the Torah to residents of the Blumkin Home. At left: Max and Josh Pollack, Rabbi
Mizrahi, Rabbi Weiss, and Jim Pollack; at right: Jim Pollack visits Denise Ipock and her mother Ida Herzoff.
Beth Israel to offer CPR course
You can see the future in his eyes.
by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS Beth Israel Synagogue On Sunday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m., Beth Israel synagogue is proud to present an emergency CPR class, available at no cost to community members who would like to attend. The class is being given by The Cure Safety, a first aid supply store here in Omaha. The owner, Dan Hosford, is a certified instructor by the American Heart Association. The class is being sponsored by Leon and Dani Shrago in gratitude to Hashem for Leon’s surviving a heart attack, and so that all members of our community will be prepared if, G-d forbid, they are presented with a crisis that requires CPR. The following Shabbat, Oct. 23, will be Health and wellness Shabbat at Beth Israel. On that Shabbat, we read Parshat Vayera. The haftarah of Vayera is chapter 4 from the book of Melachim Bet that contains the episode in which the Navi Elisha used some form of
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emergency rescue procedure to save the life of a young boy who fell into a coma. It is therefore the perfect Shabbat to draw awareness to the absolute necessity for everyone to be familiar with CPR and other life saving techniques. With proper preparation and with God’s help, lives can be saved and tragedies prevented. The one-hour CPR class will be followed by Beth Israel’s monthly Sunday night dinner at 6 p.m. This month’s menu is a Chinese buffet of orange beef, fried rice, egg rolls and vegetarian lo mein, created by Alan Kricsfeld, a Beth Israel “celebrity chef,” along with a host of volunteers led by Sunday Night Dinner Chairs Shirly Banner, Joey Shyken and Miriam Gross. Dinner costs $8 for adults and $4 for kids, and reservations are needed by Tuesday, Oc. 12. For more information about the CPR class or to make reservations for the dinner that follows the class, contact the synagogue office at 402.556.6288 or BethIsrael@ OrthodoxOmaha.org.
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October 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Sukkah Hoppers stop at Jewish landmarks, marking new Community tradition
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Nearly 200 members of the Jewish community took a symbolic journey on September 26 from sukkah to sukkah, evoking memories of their ancestors who escaped from lives of slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. As opposed to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness though, it took only about five hours to travel from Temple Israel, to Beth Israel Synagogue, to Beth El Synagogue and then to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Michael Shrago, a member of Beth Israel and Beth
El, said, the Sukkah Hop “was great.� His sons, Noah, five, and Ethan, ten, agreed as they finished off their soup and salads at Beth Israel. The boys’ mother, Lesli Shrago, a member of Temple Israel, also thought it was “a great event, and it needs to happen every year.� “I think it’s a great idea for a community event,� commented Nancy Wolf. “I was looking forward to seeing my friends from all the synagogues.� Her husband, Phil Wolf, pointed out that he and Nancy have belonged to Temple Israel, Beth Israel, B’nai Israel in Council Bluffs, and have participated in Chabad events. “I think this is a terrific way to get everybody together. I think it’s a great idea, and I think we should do it again and again.� Temple Israel member Deb Chasen said, “It’s fantastic to get everyone from all over the city together.�
Deb’s mother-in-law, who belongs to Beth El, noted the Sukkah Hop was “a very festive, very nice family event,� and added, “it’s nice to see people I haven’t seen for awhile.� “I like seeing the whole community together,� said Sindie Katskee, a member and educator at Beth El, who came with her husband Jerry, their daughter Naomi Gaca, and granddaughter, two-year-old Annika. The day reminded Katskee of “how our ancestors wandered for 40 years so a new generation could enter the Promised Land. We are the new generation today showing our children the tradition.�
Clockwise from top left: Noah Shrago, five, Michael Shrago, and Ethan Shrago, ten, enjoy the second stop on the Hop at Beth Israel. Yachad members Jeff Steinberg and Jillian Salomon relax after lasagna and pizza at Beth El. Rabbi Jonathan Gross and two-month-old Rayali, made the entire Sukkah Hop journey, along with Miriam Gross, from Temple Israel to the Blumkin Home. Shiri Tene painted faces at Beth El Synagogue, the third stop on the Hop. Families from all Omaha's congregations met inside the sukkah at Beth El.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
Free Speech by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press In 2006, Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder died in Iraq; he lost his life in service to his country. His body was returned home, and burial took place with full military honors, and approximately 1,200 people attending. For his family and friends, that should have been more than enough grief. Unfortunately, the Phelps family (yes, them) thought otherwise: they took Matthew’s funeral as an opportunity to broadcast their selfish beliefs. Matthew’s father Albert Snyder sued, and won; however, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision, citing free speech, and even ordered Snyder to cover Fred Phelps’ legal fees. Now, the circus has made it all the way to the Supreme Court, which will rule on October 6. This newspaper goes to print on Tuesday, so as I am writing this, the court has not yet spoken. However, you will read this after the fact; if you haven’t yet heard the results, you can Google it. That there is not much sympathy for Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church is no secret. For people who profess to hate gays, Jews, Catholics, the U.S. Army, the country, other Christians, immigrants (to name but a few), it is not easy to make friends. And yet, somehow they find people in their corner, not because of shared beliefs, but because of the Constitution. For people who hate America, they sure know how to make use of its legal system: the First Amendment has provided shelter to the Phelps family on more than one occasion.* Suggesting a change to that same First Amendment – even if it is to limit these protests – makes Americans nervous, and with good reason. In the Oct. 4, 2010 issue of Time Magazine, journalist Sean Gregory wrote: “In July, several news organizations, including the Associated Press, the New York Times and Dow Jones, submitted an amicus brief backing
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Phelps’ right to protest. (Time Inc. did not.) When it comes to free speech, the media essentially have no more rights than the average speaker on the street does. The concern is that if Fred Phelps can be held liable for offensive speech, what prevents a news outlet from being sued for commentary that someone finds hurtful?” It’s a question that has to be asked. What price are we wiling to pay, in order to see the Westboro fanatics legally banned from expressing their outrageous opinions? How problematic is it, really, what these people are doing? Phelps and his cohorts are irritating; infuriating even. Are they dangerous? Perhaps. Do they inflict harm? Without a doubt. The emotional hurt that Matthew Snyder’s family feels as a consequence of Phelps’ actions is very real, and should not be without consequences. But: “In rare instances where courts limit speech, they have long preferred that restrictions be based on the truthfulness, rather than the offensiveness, of the language.” (Time, 10-4-10 p. 34) And therein lies the rub. Who can prove statements like “God hates Jews”, and “Thank God for dead soldiers”? And what’s more, do we even want to use our resources trying to? On the other hand, it would be a lovely thing if we could stop these people. I don’t have a legal education. The last time I took a law class I was 16 years old. However, at the end of the day, I believe it is impossible to have law without morality. We should not put the letter of the law before people’s well being, no matter how tempting it may be. Justice cannot always be blind. Our legal system is man-made; and sometimes it is wrong. A man like Fred Phelps should be stopped from
spreading his poison, and he should be marginalized. What he and his family are doing is morally objectionable, hateful, and provides nothing but a dead end. And that is not what the First Amendment was designed for. *In July of 2010, Megan Phelps-Roper, a member of Westboro Baptist Church located in Kansas, filed a lawsuit that said Nebraska’s law violated her right to free speech. [Phelps was charged with desecrating the American flag at a 2007 protest at a soldier’s funeral, edit.] In September 2010, U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf ruled that the law cannot be applied as long as members of the church “otherwise act peacefully while desecrating the American or Nebraska flag.” It was also ruled the Nebraska state officials will have to pay the $8,000 attorney fees for Phelps-Roper. The bill will be paid by Nebraska’s taxpayers. (DigitalJournal.com)
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by URIEL HEILMAN In the four weeks since direct IsraeliPalestinian peace talks resumed, settlement construction has been identified widely as the most immediate obstacle to the survival of negotiations. In media accounts about the diplomatic standoff over the issue, Israel’s decision not to extend its self-imposed 10-month freeze on settlement building has been portrayed as a slap in the face to the Obama administration, deepening Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and creating more stumbling blocks to a final peace accord between Israelis and Palestinians. This week, world leaders reportedly telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge him to extend the freeze. French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for an end to settlement building following a meeting in Paris with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Quartet peacemaking envoy Tony Blair met with Netanyahu twice over four days. All to no avail. The Palestinians, meanwhile, say they will wait a week before carrying out the threat of withdrawing from the peace talks. “Of course we don’t want to end negotiations; we want to continue,” Abbas told Europe 1 radio, according to Israel’s daily Haaretz. “But if colonization continues, we
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Michael Kaufman; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Why Israel allowed the settlement freeze to expire will be forced to end them.” In Israel, the only response is the rumbling of earth-moving equipment headed for construction sites in the West Bank. That’s because what is perceived around the world as Israeli stubbornness is seen much differently in Israel. The differences in outlook cut to the heart not only of how Israelis view these negotiations but how they view the future border between Israel and a Palestinian state. In Jerusalem, it is the Palestinians who are seen as stubborn for sticking to their insistence that settlement building be halted before coming to the negotiating table. Never before had such a precondition been imposed on negotiations; in the past, Israelis and Palestinians talked while both continued to build in their respective West Bank communities. Having offered the freeze unilaterally 10 months ago to coax the Palestinians back to the negotiating table and satisfy U.S. demands for an Israeli good-will gesture, the Israeli government sees itself as the accommodating party whose gesture was never reciprocated. Rather, it took the Palestinians nine months to agree to resume negotiations, leaving virtually no time for substantive progress before the freeze expired. Then there are the political considerations: Netanyahu’s right-leaning coalition partners made clear that extending the freeze was a nonstarter. Perhaps most important, however, the freeze was seen by many Israelis as unfair. The vast majority of the 300,000 or so Jews who live in the West Bank are families living in bedroom communities within easy commut-
Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
ing distance of Jerusalem or metropolitan Tel Aviv. While some Israelis moved to the settlements for ideological reasons, for many the motivating factor was economic: Housing was much cheaper in the West Bank than in Israel proper. What’s more, for decades the government offered Israelis economic incentives to settle across the Green Line -- the 1949 armistice line that marked the Jordan-Israel border until the 1967 Six-Day War. During the freeze, these Israelis saw themselves as unfairly penalized: Why were they barred from expanding their homes when their Palestinian neighbors were not? “Stop making us look like monsters,” Yigal Dilmoni, director of the information office for the Yesha Council, the settlers’ umbrella organization, told JTA in a recent interview. The problem, of course, stems from the ambiguous nature of Israel’s presence in the West Bank. Most nations view the area as illegally occupied by Israel. The Israeli government views it as disputed territory captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. While Israel annexed some territories captured in that war (eastern Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria) and withdrew from others either unilaterally or within a peace deal (the Sinai Peninsula in a deal with Egypt, the Gaza Strip unilaterally), Israel left the West Bank in legal limbo. The Palestinians claim the land as the site of their future state. In Israel, many on the right believe that Israel should not cede an inch, and many on Continued on page 9
Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewish omaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but it 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. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. 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 information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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October 8, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Why was J Street so scared of Soros? by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- George Soros has been a top funder in recent years of liberal political advocacy groups, and Jews have still been voting for Democrats at a 75 to 80 percent clip. J Street, meanwhile, has built relations with lawmakers, lined up support from liberal rabbis and communal leaders, and found itself on the White House invite list. So why exactly did J Street and its director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, risk the organization’s reputation and undermine its credibility by misleading the world about the donations it received from the financier and philanthropist? “It doesn’t make sense to me,” said Abraham Foxman, the Anti-Defamation League’s national director, when asked about J Street’s earlier denials. Foxman noted that Soros and J Street share the same posture on Middle East peace: an aggressive U.S. role, including pressure on all sides and opposition to settlement building -- not to mention an openness to talks with Hamas. “It's the most appropriate thing, it fits, it makes sense -- there's nothing wrong with it,” Foxman said of the relationship. A senior staffer for a Democratic congressman who has accepted J Street’s endorsement agreed, saying that Soros’ support for J Street would not have been “a major factor” in deciding whether to accept the organization’s endorsement. “People have to know first who George Soros is and, second, why it would be bad for a pro-Israel group -- in some circles - to be associated with him,” the staffer said. “There are a lot of people like that in the Jewish macherocracy -- but not in our district.” The Washington Times revealed in a Sept. 17 story that Soros and his children had given J Street $245,000 in 2008. The lobby confirmed the amount and said the Soros family since then had contributed another $500,000 -- 7 percent of the $11 million J Street says it has received in donations since its launch. Ben-Ami and spokesmen for Soros said the feint arose from the controversy that was sparked in 2006 when it was revealed -- by JTA and other agencies -- that Soros was a likely funder for the then-unnamed lobby Ben-Ami hoped to establish. “It was his view that the attacks against him from certain parts of the community would undercut support for us,” BenAmi said. “He was concerned that his involvement would be used by others to attack the effort.” Michael Vachon, a spokesman for Soros, confirmed that outlook, adding that Soros would not have objected to making his role public once he and his family started funneling money to J Street
six months after its founding in early 2008. “He knew that had he given the money at the beginning, media outlets would have tried to claim that the organization is a Soros-funded organization,” Vachon said. That may have made sense in 2006, Foxman said, when Soros was associated with MoveOn.org, the provocative organization at the forefront of the opposition to the Bush administration, particularly its Iraq war. “People who liked Bush because of Israel were upset because of MoveOn,” Foxman said. It didn’t help that MoveOn was erroneously associated with a Web advertisement that likened Bush to Hitler, and that Soros himself said the times reminded him of aspects of his Nazi-era childhood in Hungary. But, several observers said, the fraught politics of just a few years ago -- when Soros was seen as an unhinged provocateur baiting the Bush administration and Republicans -- were a thing of the past, with Democrats now controlling the White House and the U.S. Congress. “His reputation is fine, he's pro-peace,” Foxman said of the Soros of 2010. For better or worse, insiders said, J Street’s very success has mainstreamed the very beliefs that had once occasioned anger against Soros. The views espoused by J Street and Soros are now part of the mix, said Shai Franklin, a veteran of an array of mainstream groups like the World Jewish Congress and NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia. “It was unnecessary, and that’s what makes it a tragedy,” Franklin, now a senior fellow with the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, said of Ben-Ami’s deception. “People like me were willing to accept J Street as the new kid on the block, but this disfigures J Street.” A source associated with J Street dismissed predictions that the controversy would turn J Street into a pariah, noting that 80 of the group's leaders met separately Tuesday with Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, and U.S. State Department officials. To be sure, many Jewish conservatives, including U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the House minority whip, continue to cast Soros as a bogeyman and are seeking to make an issue out of his support for J Street. J Street, since its founding, has attracted support in many liberal circles, so just how many Jewish doves are there who would back an organization that shares Soros’ positions and openly says it wants
him as a financial supporter -- but not if the organization actually takes his money? Soros, who made his billions in the hedge fund market, first became known for aggressively backing democratic movements in the former communist world. He also developed a reputation for micromanaging how his charitable money is spent and unabashedly using it to political ends. Such an approach may have once been considered outsized, vulgar behavior for a philanthropist, but these days it is commonplace. Soros’ J Street role signifies a Jewish involvement that is always welcome from the very rich, according to some insiders -- especially for someone who in the 1990s was known for his pronounced disinterest in Jewish causes. Ultimately, much of the fury this week was directed at Ben-Ami instead of Soros for misleading the public in the first place. Even in an apology posted on J Street’s blog, Ben-Ami appeared defen-
sive. “Those who attack J Street over the sources of its funding are not good government watchdogs concerned about the state of non-profit financing in the United States,” Ben-Ami wrote. “[if] Our critics are really so concerned with transparency of funding, then I challenge them to reveal the sources of funds for the organizations with which they agree.” “Legalisms,” sputtered Rabbi Steve Gutow, who directs the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, an umbrella body for Jewish public policy groups and has defended J Street on many occasions. Gutow noted that a number of the JCPA’s constituent network of local community relations councils have praised J Street for helping to suck the wind out of anti-Israel divestment efforts by presenting a credible left-wing, pro-Israel alternative. The potential loss of that voice was worrisome, he said. “I am not happy that the Soros money was not explicitly admitted to all along by J Street,” Gutow said.
Why Israel allowed the settlement freeze to expire Continued on page 9 the left say settlements are a crime and the West Bank should be entirely Palestinian. But the majority Israeli view is that most of the West Bank will end up as Palestine while parts of it -- large Jewish settlement blocs adjacent to the Green Line -- will be annexed to Israel. In almost all the scenarios, Israel plans to keep the major settlement blocs. Among them are Gush Etzion, a largely religious cluster of towns with some 55,000 people less than 10 miles from Jerusalem; Maale Adumim, a mixed religious-secular city of some 35,000 about five miles east of Jerusalem; and Modiin Illit, a haredi Orthodox city of some 45,000 located less than two miles inside the West Bank, halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. More difficult is Ariel, a city of 18,000 located approximately 13 miles inside
the West Bank. Israel also aims to keep the smaller settlements near the West Bank-Israel boundary. This plan encompasses the vast majority of the settler population. Israeli officials say they have received assurances from U.S. officials that this would be the case -- most notably in the April 2004 letter by then-President George W. Bush to then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Operating under this assumption, the Israeli government viewed a complete, open-ended settlement freeze as unreasonable: If the major settlement blocs will be Israeli, why stop building within them? After 10 months of an experimental freeze to see what it would elicit from the Palestinians, their return to the negotiating table was not enough. It was time for the experiment to end.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
Candlelighting Friday, October 8, 6:36 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Prayer Group 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Bucky Greenberg, former Olympic Swimmer, will speak on Exercise and Health. The community is invited.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat & Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. Service is followed by dinner. Cost is $10 for members, and $15 for non-members. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie in the office, or at programming@beth el-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Learner’s Service, 10:15 a.m. with Cantor Schlossberg; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m.; Veronica Dubov, duaghter of Tanya and Ilya Dubov, will become a Bat Mitzvah at Mincha/Ma’ariv services. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 10:30 a.m. with Frydman-Levin. BESTT CHAVERIM: Youth group for fourth – sixth graders will hold annual elections on Sunday, Oct. 10, 11:30 a.m. Students will present campaign speeches prior to the vote. SYNAGOGUE MYSTERY TOUR: On Sunday, Oct. 10, BESTT 1st and 2nd graders will participate in this communitywide special event. Drop-off and pick-up will be at the JCC at 9:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., respectively. Parents wishing to pick up their children at Beth El (the final stop on the tour) are asked to notify Judy Rubin at 498.0904, or ed dir@bethel-omaha.org. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. will discuss A Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:36 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored in honor of Oct. simchas by family and friends; “Guard Your Tongue,” “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up), one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 6:15 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 7:34 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.
TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halchic Kollel, 9 p.m.; Follow the Kollel at www.omahakollel.blogspot. com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class is cancelled this week as Rabbi Gross is at a conference.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Fiddler on the Roof at the Lied Center for Performing Arts with the Lincoln Jewish Federation. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. Jewish Views on poverty and the mitzvot designed to alleviate it, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren at the Mill, 4736 Prescott Avenue.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
Members of the community are invited to attend Services.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: OTYG Board Meeting, 9 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Grades 1 & 2 meet at JCC for Synagogue Mystery Tour, 9:45 a.m. and pick-up is at 12:15 p.m. at the JCC; WRJ Meeting, 10 a.m.; Club 56 Bowling, noon-2 p.m. pick-up is at 2 p.m. at West Lanes. After Religious School, fifth and sixth graders will have lunch at Temple Israel and then walk over to West Lanes (151 North 72nd Street) to enjoy an afternoon of bowling with friends. Cost is $5. Please RSVP to JYG Advisor Leora Azriel, leoraann@aol.com; Candidate Forum Q&A, 2 p.m. at the JCC. Cosponsed by Temple Israel, the Anti-Defamation League and National Council of Jewish Women. Nebraska’s Second Congressional District incumbent Lee Terry, a Republican, and his challenger, State Senator Tom White, a Democrat, will each speak for ten minutes and then take questions for twenty minutes. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. Join them by contacting Program Director Wendy Goldberg, 556.6536 or wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha. com. An Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony is scheduled for May 13. WEDNESDAY: No Religious
School, No Family School and No Middle School. THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10 a.m. Tot Shabbat, Friday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. led Rabbi Linder followed by a medley of Autumn soups and kid-friendly fare. Hosted by Asher and Sara Stoller, and Sarah and Adam Yale. Sponsored by Women of Reform Judaism. Cost for the dinner is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Please contact the Temple Israel office, 556.6536 or mkube@temple israelomaha.com, to make a dinner reservation.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush luncheon and Talmud study. LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; GanGrade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Fiddler on the Roof at the Lied Center for Performing Arts with the Lincoln Jewish Federation. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. Jewish Views on poverty and the mitzvot designed to alleviate it, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren at the Mill, 4736 Prescott Avenue.
Vatican paper slams Berlusconi over ‘Jewish joke’ ROME (JTA) -- The official Vatican newspaper slammed Italy’s prime minister for a joke that played on Jewish stereotypes and made fun of the Holocaust. Silvio Berlusconi told “offensive” and “deplorable” jokes, the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano said in an editorial published Sunday Berlusconi was filmed telling the “Jewish joke” to well-wishers Oct. 2; the video clip was posted online by the anti-Berlusconi newspaper La Repubblica. In the clip the prime minister recounts how a Jew charged another Jew about $4,000 a day
for hiding him during World War II. The punchline of the joke states, “The Jew says, the question now is whether we should tell him Hitler is dead and the war is over.” Berlusconi has been filmed or quoted in recent years making a number of other jokes that include content seen as sexist or offensive. In its editorial the L’Osservatore Romano said, “The head of the government’s jokes appear more deplorable” and “offend indiscriminately the feeling of the faithful and the sacred memory of the six million victims” of the Holocaust.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Hadassah Members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack and David Herzog. Services will be held in the Chapel.
BBYO needs your recipes by ANNE MUSKIN Ediar BBG, a chapter in the Bnai Brith Youth Organization, needs your help in making everyone’s favorite recipes available for all to enjoy by creating an Ediar cookbook. Please email your favorite family recipes or questions to ediarcookbook@yahoo. com, or feel free to drop them off at the BBYO Office to Jodi Levine
located in the JCC across from the Canteen. Recipes will be accepted until Nov. 1. Please list you name, a title for the recipe, and the recipe. We are planning on having the cookbook out by December, so please take the time to send in your recipes so everybody has a chance to share the special memories this year!
October 8, 2010
For you and me
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Shemini Atzeret Somewhere in the Midrash (if you know where, let me know) it is suggested that Shemini Atzeret was meant to be a special day just for God and Israel. The previous seven days were for everyone, all the world, but Shemini Atzeret was for God and Israel alone. An analogy was offered: a child had a birthday party for 25 or 30 of his friends. But when it was over, and they were leaving, he pulled a special friend aside and told him not to go. “We will have a special few minutes just for the two of us. We can have cookies and milk if we want, but only if we want”. Thus the suggestion was that the first seven days of Sukkot were meant for all the world. But the next day, the eighth day, was for God and Israel alone.
Sukkahs that captured a city’s imagination to go nationwide by SUE FISHKOFF SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- It was a surprise hit on the cultural roster of a city that may be the most culturally busy city in the nation. The Sukkah City architectural competition in New York is being dismantled this week, but look for Sukkah City next year in a town near you.
“Fractured Bubble,” by Henry Grosman and Babak Bryan, won the Sukkah City architectural competition in Credit: courtesy of Reboot Manhattan. “Our goal is to fan it out across the nation next year to 15 cities,” said Roger Bennett, who put together the sukkah competition with writer Josh Foer. More than 620 participants from 43 countries submitted designs for sukkahs, the outdoor booths Jews build on the Sukkot holiday. A dozen finalists, chosen by an expert panel, were constructed for two days in Manhattan’s Union Square Park. Thousands of visitors wandered through the sukkahs; more than 17,000 voters cast ballots for their favorite. The winning design -- “Fractured Bubble” by Henry Grosman and Babak Bryan, which one reporter described as an “exploding coconut” -- was left up alone for the duration of the holiday ending Friday. Bennett, vice president of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies and co-founder of Reboot, a network for Jewish innovation, said one inspiration for the competition was to rescue Sukkot, one of the Bible’s three pilgrimage festivals, from its neglect by non-observant American Jews. “We wanted to take Sukkot, a 21st century festival of meaning, and place it back on the pedestal where it belongs,” Bennett told JTA. “Themes of homelessness, of scarcity and abundance, of hospitality -- there are few more important values embedded in a ritual than these.”
To submit obituaries: E-mail to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mail to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Save the Date On Wednesday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. there will be a Federation Community Event at the JCC Theatre. The featured speaker will be Howard Rosenman, Academy award winning film and television producer. His credits include the films Father of the Bride with Steve Martin, Family Man with Nicholas Cage, and the HBO critically-acclaimed original series, John From Cinncinati. He made his acting debut in Gus Van Sant’s Milk, opposite two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn. This event is open to the entire community. Admission to the event is a gift to the 2011 Federation Annual Campaign. You will have an opportunity to make your gift at the community event. For reservations, please email Sharon Kirshenbaum at skirshenbaum@jewishomaha.org.
DEATHS HENRY MISLE Henry Misle passed away Sept. 26 at the age of 89 in Boca Raton, FL. Services were held on Sept. 29 at Beth El Cemetery and officiated by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Laurie Misle; brothers Abram and Julius Misle. He is survived by his wife, Esther; daughters and sonsin-law, Drs. Lilly and Herschel Stoller, and Drs. Barbara and Wayne Cornblath; sons and daughters-in-law, Bryan and Suzanne Misle, and Sidney and Jennifer Misle; grandchildren, Asher and Sara Stoller, Amy and Andy Misle, Lindsey Misle and Fahad Osman, Eli and Max Cornblath; and two great-grandchildren. Henry emigrated to Nebraska from Balvi, Latvia in 1939 via Ellis Island. He was stationed in the Pacific with the U.S. Air Force from 1943-1946. Henry quickly learned the automobile business from his family, becoming a highly regarded salesman along the way. The first dealership opened in Crete after World War II, and Misle Chevrolet opened in Lincoln shortly thereafter. Henry kept the family business alive through 1990, but couldn’t stop selling cars even then. His career spanned over 60 years. When not devoting himself to business, Henry raised a family of four kids with his loving wife Esther. Henry and Esther retired to Boca Raton, Fla. in 2007. “It is my family that I am most proud of,” Henry stated in an obituary he prepared in anticipation of this occasion many years ago. He was also proud of his success in business, his contributions to civic and Jewish causes, and his role as a loving grandfather. Memorials to Chabad of Nebraska, 1866 S. 120th St., Omaha, Neb., 68144.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8, 2010
Friedel welcomes visitors for Simchas Torah
Top photos from left: Isabella Wright and Dahlia Hamicksburg during the blessing; Visitor Ellie Batt is seen dancing with Leo Kohll, left, Jack Cohen, Abby Kohll and Jake Lucoff; Ophir Palmon recites one of the seven Hakafot, while Rabbi Levin looks on. Bottom photo: Parents, staff, and visitors hold up several Tallitot under which the Friedel students are blessed. The ritual takes place every year during the Simchas Torah celebration at Friedel, and “is one of the highlights of religious celebrations at the school,” according to principal Ron Giller. “Having so many visitors and parents join us makes these holidays especially meaningful to our students,” he said.
“Will the Real Tevye Please Stand Up?” A lecture series at Beth Israel by BETH COHEN Executive Director of Beth Israel Synagogue “Will the Real Tevye Please stand Up? A Study of the Works and the World of Shalom Aleichem” is the title of the upcoming Monday night lecture series led by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. The lecture series will take place on three consecutive Monday nights, Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1. Lectures take place at Beth Israel Synagogue at 7:30 p.m. “Like most Jews today, I had heard of Shalom Aleichem but had never become acquainted with his works,” explains Rabbi Gross. “When I was approached by the Omaha Community Playhouse to be the religious consultant for the recent production of Fiddler on the Roof, I thought it was necessary to read the Shalom Aleichem original story. I learned not only that there were a great many differences between the original story and Fiddler, but I also become captivated by the writings.” Rabbi Gross continues, “The musical Fiddler on the Roof is possibly the most iconic portrayal of prewar European Judaism. Ironically, Fiddler on the Roof was written by American-born playwright Joseph Stein. The original story, Tevye the Dairy Man, was actually written by the European Yiddish writer Shalom Aleichem. This lecture series will explore the original works of Shalom Aleichem, his view of the Jewish world of his time, and how it relates to the Jewish world of modern times.” On Monday, Oct. 18, the lecture topic will be, “The Yom Kippur Scandal.” This comic-drama comes with a twist at the end. “The Railway Stories” will be the focus of the lecture on Monday, Oct. 25. “The Railway Stories” are actually a series of stories. The lecture will focus on “Elul,” a tragedy that illustrates the author’s views on Russian culture’s conflict with traditional Jewish values. The lecture series will close on Monday, Nov. 1 with “Tevye the Dairy Man vs. Fiddler on the Roof.” The original “Tevye the Dairy Man” is also a series of short stories. Fiddler on the Roof is based on three of the stories about three of Tevye’s many daughters. This lecture will look at the story ‘Shprinze,’ his fourth daughter. We are also going to discuss how the omission of this particular story points to a great chasm between Shalom Aleichem’s views and the views of the writer of Fiddler on the Roof. “I chose three stories that I felt are good representatives of a number of different genres within Shalom Aleichem’s large body of work. If the class is popular, I hope to have future series where we can explore some of his other works,” says Gross. “Also, all of the stories being discussed during the lecture series will be available as part of the class. Reading of the stories prior to the lecture series is not required.”