Vol. LXXXVII No. 7 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 86 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
The only Jewish chaplain in Iraq reports on connecting Jews in the military by CHAPLAIN (CPT) SHLOMO SHULMAN wearing leather on Yom Kippur. It was just hours before the start of the Sukkot holiHow many Jewish soldiers are stationed in Iraq? day, as the Blackhawk helicopter cut across the Iraqi It’s difficult to get an accurate count, because they desert, on a mission to transport important cargo. No, often avoid designating their “faith group” in military these were not top-secret military supplies, nor ammu- databases, especially once they find out they’ll be nition for the battle against Iraqi insurgents. Actually, it deployed to an Arab country. They may not want the was an emergency supply of lulavs and etrogs. word “Jewish” printed on their ID necklaces (dog tags). As the only Jewish chaplain stationed in Iraq , life is, If they’re captured in Iraq or Afghanistan, what kind of well, interesting. Iraq was treatment could they expect? once the pinnacle of the Once a week or so, I ride Jewish world, dating back in a Humvee up to Camp 2,500 years ago when Jews Victory, the massive military were exiled from Israel after complex from which the the destruction of the first generals run the war, using Holy Temple. The Talmud Saddam’s lakefront Al-Faw was written here, and Palace as their headquarters. prophets are buried here. Saddam’s initials are everyAnd now, I am leading where, his egomaniacal way services at the only synaof making sure a conqueror gogue in town. My “shul” is would have to dismantle the a prefabricated plywood whole building to erase his building that serves as the legacy. The place is quite chapel here at Camp Striker, ostentatious, with the secadjacent to Baghdad ond-largest chandelier in the International Airport, where world (after one that hangs I’ve been stationed since in Buckingham Palace). May. Camp Victory also has an My main responsibility is array of ornate stone and to ensure every soldier’s free Cpt. Shlomo Shulman, the only Jewish chaplain in Iraq, marble vacation cottages exercise of his religion, as works from one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. that had been reserved for guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. That means con- Saddam's family and cronies. It’s all arranged around an tacting Jewish soldiers and helping them with their enormous man-made lake -- the perfect location for my needs -- whether it be counseling, kosher food, or the “congregants” and I to do the Tashlich service after question of whether it’s permitted to wear regulation Rosh Hashanah. leather Army boots in light of the restriction against Continued on page 4
HUC professor of Jewish and Islamic Studies to serve as scholar at Temple by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Professor Reuven Firestone's impressive list of speaking venues sounds like U.S. News and World Report's roll call of elite universities. He has been invited to lecture at Brandeis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Oxford, University of California at Berkeley, Stanford, Princeton, and George Washington University. Professor of medieval Jewish and Islamic studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles since 1997, Prof. Firestone will be Temple Israel’s scholar-in-residence FridaySunday, Nov. 16-18, discussing the topic, “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Dialogue and Dissent.” He has been at HUC-JIR since 1985 serving as director of the Edgar J. Magnin School of Graduate Studies, a lecturer of Biblical Hebrew and Babylonian Aramaic, and as an associate professor. From 1997 to 2005, Dr. Firestone was director of the Jerome Louchheim School of Undergraduate Jewish Studies at the University of Southern California. From 1987 to 1992, Dr. Firestone was assistant professor of Hebrew language and literature and director of Hebrew and Arabic programs at Boston University. In addition, he was the academic director of Boston University Study Abroad at the University of Haifa, Israel. Dr. Firestone has also served as a visiting scholar intermittently at Kibbutz Lotan in Israel, and a lecturer of Islamic and Jewish studies at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Perhaps one of the most controversial lectures Dr. Firestone gave was at Ain Shams University in Cairo,
Inside
Egypt, where he had been awarded a 2006 CASA III Fellowship at American University. The fellowship was funded by the Fulbright Binational Committee in Egypt and the U.S. Department of Education. “Things became interesting in Egypt,” after he gave the lecture, Dr. Firestone said. The topic was “The Chosen People: Professor Reuven Firestone The Idea of Chosenness in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.” It was “provocative, stimulated a lot of questions and answers, and some significant disagreement,” according to Dr. Firestone. He was accused by at least three Egyptian newspapers of attacking Islam. “I was interviewed the day the articles appeared by a sympathetic Egyptian journalist who attended the lecture and was outraged by the coverage. He interviewed me in beautiful Hebrew. That article appeared a couple days later in the political opposition newspaper and is very good, informative, and actually cites me rather than those who attacked me,” Dr. Firestone explained. Born in Santa Rosa, CA, Dr. Firestone was educated at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Antioch College in Ohio, HUC-JIR where he received his M.A. in Hebrew literature and history in 1980 and rabbinic ordination in 1982. He also attended New York University where he Continued on page 3
This Week: Monthly Calendar for November: Pages 8-9
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
Women do homework in preparation for community event: Page 3
14 Cheshvan, 5768 October 26, 2007
Riekes and Belgrade to receive Spirit of Federation awards by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Norman Sheldon, president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, has announced that Margo Riekes and Bob Belgrade will receive the Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award, funded by the Phil and Terri Schrager Supporting Foundation. The Schragers have provided funding for this annual award to honor men and women age 45 Bob Belgrade or older who have shown personal commitment, dedication and leadership in the Federation and its Centers of Excellence, and shown a passion for Jewish life. The awards will be presented at the Federtion’s Community Event on Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., at the downtown Hilton Hotel (1001 Cass St). Recipients Riekes and Belgrade are viewed as outstanding role models, inspiring others to join them in serving the Omaha Jewish community. Margo Riekes Margo Riekes’ volunteer resume reads like a chapter in a tikkun olam “How to” book. Just as she teaches her students at Beth El Synagogue that it’s fun to participate and to do things, she does the same for the Omaha Jewish community. Being a board member isn’t enough for Riekes. She has served as president or as chairman of committees of the Jewish Community Center, Friedel Jewish Academy and the Bureau of Jewish Education (which became Jewish Educational and Library Services and now is called the Center for Jewish Education). In addition to leading those organizations over several decades, Riekes has also served on the strategic planning and marketing committees of the Federation and has been a division leader for annual campaigns. While Riekes has worked on fundraising for her projects, what she really likes is creating programs that benefit the community and its youth -- even when the money has been raised by others. “Once a project is started, there is nothing more rewarding than to see the fruits of your labor grow and flourish,” she remarked. Some of the projects she refers to are still in existence or are being developed throughout the Jewish community. For example, more than 20 years ago, Riekes presented the idea of a sprung wood floor for the dance studio. She knew that it was essential to have that type of flooring if the dance department was to be successful. Many laughed at her and said it would never happen, but she helped secure the funding for the floor. Today, the JCC Dance Department is known as one of the finest in the city, and will soon install an enhanced version of the sprung wood floor. So much of what Riekes works on has to do with young people. Many years ago, she helped to create the ARTZA teen trip to Israel. She wanted Omaha teens to have their own trip to Israel, and in 1988 that became a reality. While Chairman for the United Talmud Torah (UTTO) High School, she created the Merit Scholarship and ROOTS programs for high school students. Merit Scholarships award teens with money to use for youth group conventions, trips to Israel or college. Continued on page 2
Coming Next Month: Hanukkah issue on Nov. 23 Art exhibit to accompany Klutznick-Harris Symposium: Page 5
GOP candidates make case at Republican Jewish conference: Page 7
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 26, 2007
Spirit of Federation awards
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Continued from page 1 Successful completion of the program requires synagogue and Hebrew high school attendance, leadership involvement in a Jewish youth group, community service plus additional research projects. The ROOTS program involves classroom learning that culminates in a trip to New York to discover Jewish American roots. It doesn’t stop there. Riekes has written curriculums for Beth El and Friedel Jewish Academy and continues to donate her time to helping Bar and Bat Mitzvah students with their speeches. She loves the kids, it’s the place where she can make the greatest contribution to the community by teaching children to love and respect Judaism and Israel. Riekes feels that the Federation is the glue of the Jewish community. Whether someone belongs to a synagogue or not, the Federation is there working to get people involved and keeping them connected to the community and their Judaism. For the past three years, she has been chairing the “Opportunity Omaha� college internship program. Again, thinking outside the box, this Federation committee implemented a project to get our college students back to Omaha for a summer work experience. It included social and cultural events to show these young people that Omaha would be a wonderful place to return to after college graduation. “Opportunity Omaha� was a winner of the community service award for 2006-07. When asked why she has spent countless hours volunteering in the Omaha Jewish community, Riekes replied, “It’s who I am. I love to create. It’s challenging to come up with new ideas, figure out ways to implement them and hopefully help the community. Life is short and every moment is a gift. Volunteering and teaching have given my life meaning. I’m grateful that the Omaha Jewish community has provided me the opportunity to be creatively involved.� Many years ago, Bob Belgrade was asked to join the Jewish Federation’s Library Committee. Former Director Edie Wolf had laid the groundwork for the finest Jewish content library, he recalls. This would be the first of many volunteer roles he would take throughout the Jewish community. In fact, it’s hard to find an area that hasn’t been touched by the volunteer efforts of Bob Belgrade. One of Belgrades passions has been the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS), an organization with which he has been involved for more than 20 years. “The Historical Society does incredible work with very little money,� he said, adding that people really enjoy the agency’s work. He refers to the recent Gary Gerelick display as an example of an NJHS exhibit embraced by the community. “This display was a great project, because the content of Gary’s work touched so many different people,� he said. He pointed out that most exhibits displayed throughout the JCC were produced by the Historical Society with funds granted by local, regional and national foundations. Belgrade worked closely with Joanie Bernstein on the NJHS Board, serving as president immediately following her term. So when Bernstein asked him to join the
board of Jewish Senior Services (JSS), he agreed. “Joanie has a way of inspiring me to follow her wonderful example,� he said. Today he serves as board president, having once again followed in the footsteps of JSS’ immediate past-president Joanie Bernstein. In the course of his seven-year tenure with JSS, the board has dealt with many complex issues. Within this time span, they hired executive director Mike Silverman, merged operations with Jewish Family Service, and are currently completing a multi-million dollar construction project for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Long before undertaking a capital building campaign, JSS took steps to ensure the community’s trust. “First we had to make sure that our business and operations were in order, so that when it came time for a building project we could tell our donors that their donations would be used responsibly,� Belgrade explained. Launched several months ago, the Rose Blumkin building campaign has raised almost $16 million to date. Belgrade credits the growth and development of JSS to its team of professionals and lay leaders. “The high caliber of the board combined with a first-rate professional staff has allowed for a constructive environment to flourish,� he said. He added that the merger of Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services has created new synergies to better address Omaha’s social service needs. In addition to his roles with NJHS and JSS, Belgrade is vice president of the board for the Jewish Community Center. “Looking at both the facility and the programming, the Omaha JCC is second to none,� he said, noting that he first began serving on the JCC board during the presidency of fellow Spirit of Federation award winner Margo Riekes. Throughout the years, Belgrade has worked on the Federation’s insurance committee, building and grounds committee, and budget and allocation committee, and last year he co-chaired the Federation’s Men’s Campaign. He has been a trustee for the Herbert Goldsten Trust for the past several years, a position he considers an incredible honor. “I can only hope that I’m worthy of being associated with such fine leaders in our community,� he said of his position with the Trust. And that’s what it’s all about for Bob Belgrade. Insisting he hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary, Belgrade is quick to point to the outstanding people with whom he’s had the good fortune to work. “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to work with and learn from many of the great leaders of our community. It’s a stimulating experience that I value tremendously,� he said. He said that the best way to achieve worthwhile results is to surround yourself with strong people and utilize their talents. “Nothing gets accomplished without teamwork,� he said. For his part, Belgrade has proved more than willing to be part of the team. To RSVP, contact Joyce Uber at 334.6430 or juber@jewishomaha.org. For more information, visit www.jewishomaha.org. Janie Murow, Federation Community Development Director, contributed to this article.
Professor of Jewish and Islamic Studies to serve as scholar at Temple
New Beth El adult ed class to feed your Jewish spirit
Continued from page 1 received his Ph.D. in Near East languages and literature, Islam, and Arabic literature in 1988. Professor Firestone is the author of numerous books and dozens of articles on Judaism, Islam, and comparative studies between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He served on the international “Voice of Peace� radio project and has been involved in a variety of committees and commissions exploring Jewish-Muslim and JewishArab relations in the United States. Dr. Firestone’s scholar-in-residency is sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning and is open to the entire community. For more information, please contact Temple Israel at 556.6536.
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Because the office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving, there are early deadlines for upcoming issues --9 a.m., for all ads, photos and articles -- as follows: Issue Deadline Nov. 23 Tuesday, Nov. 13 Tuesday, Nov. 20 Nov. 30 Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s new, monthly adult-education class “Nurturing Your Spirit: Enriching Your Jewish Soul,� promises attendees creative and interactive get-togethers, camaraderie and new ways to feed everyone’s Jewish spirit. Taking time to give the soul a tune-up is the goal of teacher Susi Frydman-Levin, who planned the first session of this year-long class on Sunday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to noon. “How often in your everyday Susi Frydman-Levin life do you take time to nurture your soul?� FrydmanLevin asked. “We take medications, vitamins, we exercise and we try to eat healthy food. What do we do to take care of our soul?� Rabbis and writers have addressed this topic, she noted, adding that, “We will learn from their writings, speeches and inspirational messages, and we will try to enlighten our lives with their messages in an experiential way.� The Jewish community is invited to take part. Cost is $36. To register, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or at programming@bethelomaha.org.
October 26, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Women do their homework for community event
Woman’s Campaign chairman puts her expertise to work
demonstrates that decisions regarding by LISA LIEB foreign relations are so intricate, with so Federation Communications Director Next month, best-selling author many different facets to consider. Do Michael Oren will speak at the Jewish today’s candidates really understand this Federation’s community event. One level of complexity?” Rips was impressed with the expertise group of Omaha women has already the panel brought to the table and the done their homework. As an ideal prelude to the community effort they put into making this event event, a group of Women’s Campaign educational and enlightening for all who Major Donors joined Annual Campaign attended. “I was so pleased with the Co-Chairman Marcia Pitlor and Women’s Campaign Chairman Nancy Rips to discuss Oren’s latest book, Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to Present. The women will soon have the opportunity to meet the author, who will sign their copies of his book at the upcoming Nancy Rips, left, Carol Bloch, Ann Goldstein, Danielle Gordman, Zoe Riekes, Bobbie Epstein, Bonnie Bloch and Stacey Rockman community event. Moderator Nancy are members of the Women’s Campaign book panel. Rips assembled a dynamic panel to lead efforts of the book panel,” she said. “It the discussion. Panelists Bonnie Bloch, was terrific bringing together such a Carol Bloch, Bobbie Epstein, Ann diverse group of incredibly smart women. Goldstein, Danielle Gordman, Zoe Each of the panelists came with a unique Riekes and Stacey Rockman shared their perspective to share with the group.” The community event will be held perspectives about Oren’s historical account of America’s relationship with Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. at the downtown Hilton Hotel (1001 Cass St.). the Middle East. The women answered questions about Contact Joyce Uber to RSVP at their favorite parts of the book, what they 334.6430 or juber@jewishomaha.org. learned and whether the book changed Copies of Oren’s book are available for their political perspectives. When asked purchase at the Kripke Jewish Federation about today’s political candidates, pan- Library. For more information, visit elist Bonnie Bloch said, “This book www.jewishomaha.org.
by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director In a year with a best-selling author coming to speak to Omaha’s Jewish community, the Federation is fortunate to have a literary expert as the Women’s Campaign Chairman. Throughout the years, Nancy Rips’ love of literature has inspired countless others to become fellow ‘bookworms.’ When Rips isn’t selling books at The Bookworm, she can be found reviewing books on radio and television; storytelling in stores, Nancy Rips, schools and libraries; leading Pitlor. book group discussions and organizing events for library members and supporters. Rips is on the boards of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, Friends of
Herzl Camp is Coming to Omaha! Sunday, November 4th, 2007 12:00pm-1:00pm Beth El - 14506 California Street (402)492-8550
Bring a Friend! New & Old Campers and Parents are Welcome! Q & A's, Giveaways, Registration Information, See the Camp Video and Meet the Director, Anne Hope. Questions? Call (952)927-4002 or info@herzlcamp.org
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the Omaha Public Library, and the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Earlier this year she was appointed by Mayor Fahey to serve on the Omaha Library Board of Trustees. And in her ‘spare time,’ Nancy has written a book about people’s Passover memories which will be published in March. Last year, Rips was honored as the Center for Jewish Education’s Volunteer of the Year. In her nomination form she was described as the face of the left, and Marcia library who puts her tireless energy to work for both the library and the community. Her energy, enthusiasm and spirit have already been a driving force in this year’s Annual Campaign.
You’re entering the ... ‘Construction Zone’ by OZZIE NOGG While Blumkin Home residents are engaged in bingo, quilting sessions and sing-a-longs, there’s activity going on beneath their feet in the New Beginning basement construction zone. Jeff Graham of the Home’s maintenance department recently guided this reporter through an underground hard-hat tour of the new boiler room, heating and A/C mechanical room. “The basement is the Home’s life-line,” Graham said. “Increased storage and new design elements will let employees do their jobs more easily. When the project is finished, the kitchen, laundry and maintenance in general will function more efficiently, and what goes on in those departments will be less noticeable to residents and visitors.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 26, 2007
Jewish chaplain in Iraq Continued from page 1 The High Holidays were really great. On Rosh Hashanah, I served about 130 meals, using only a oneburner stove and without running water. We had apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, gefilte fish, and honey cakes that my wife sent from the U.S. About 40 people showed up on the first night. I had plastic flower centerpieces on the tables, and I managed to get kosher wine for kiddush, which was a big hit; since alcohol is strictly forbidden by the Army in Iraq, for many soldiers this was the first taste of alcohol they’d had in a long time. Blackhawk Battalion How did I get here in the first place? After spending a few years learning at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, I’d been working in Boston on a Jewish community development project, and was looking for something different. I came across the U.S. Army Chaplaincy website late one night and sent an e-mail for more information. From that point on, the Army recruiter handled all the details, putting me in touch with other observant Jewish chaplains. I signed up for a three-year hitch. Last January, I left my wife and two little girls in Boston and signed in at the three-month-long chaplain school at Ft. Jackson, SC. There were about 80 students, some from denominations I’d never even heard of. We learned how to interview a soldier applying to be a conscientious objector, dialogue with foreign religious leaders, request federal funds for religious programming, and other tasks of the trade. We spent weeks role-playing counseling situations, slept out in the field for nights at a time, and had long philosophical discussions about good and evil. Six weeks after I graduated, I was on a plane to Iraq, joining the fabled Third Infantry Division’s aviation brigade outside Baghdad. My battalion consists of about 400 soldiers who maintain, fix and fly Blackhawk helicopters, the U.S. Army’s version of the minivan. Our pilots pick up and deliver everything: mail, food, medical supplies, and of course assault teams of camouflaged soldiers on missions to take out suspected terrorists or search for weapons. At first my wife thought I was nuts. But she saw the excitement on my face and knew this is what I wanted to do. But more so, she realized the importance of helping Jews reconnect with their heritage, no matter where they’re located. I try to call home every day, but it’s tough with the time difference. My joke is that Iraq is “eight hours ahead of the East Coast, but a thousand years behind.” If I time my call right, I can catch my wife and kids in the car as they head to school in the morning. Then I try to call my wife again when she’s by herself and have a longer conversation. We e-mail all the time, and occasionally get to see each other on the webcam. I’ll see my
family sitting in our home in Boston, and they’re looking at an oasis of date palms behind me, while helicopters fly overhead. Jewish Networking As the only Jewish chaplain in Iraq, I’m a bit of an oddity. Wherever I go, I see soldiers squinting at the patch on my uniform, just above my name tag on my right chest. It’s an embroidered depiction of the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, crowned by a small Star of David. All types of Jews are in the military. Young enlisted guys barely out of their teens, women with masters degrees who fly helicopters, veterinarians (yes, the Army still has a Veterinary Corps), doctors, psychologists, lawyers, infantry foot soldiers, Arabic interpreters. We’ve got privates and colonels in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine uniforms, plus civilians working here for the U.S. State Department or private contractors. Guys with last names like O’Laughlin, McCann and McCay, and others named Cohen, Sternberg and Kaufman.
Cpt. Shlomo Shulman, second from left, serves as the only Jewish chaplain in Iraq, with a Blackhawk Battalion. There’s the reporter for the Wall Street Journal. The farm girl from Montana, now a sergeant who eats only kosher food. And there’s the Jewish grandmother from New York, incongruously in Iraq, to help interrogate high-value terrorist suspects. As I stepped into the transient housing tent known as “The Stables,” a young civilian spotted the Ten Commandments patch and introduced himself. He was originally from Tennessee, but now lives in the Philippines, where he’s an active congregant in one of the two synagogues there. He’d just arrived in Iraq beginning his second tour as a private “security consultant,” headed to Fallujah for the next year or so. We exchanged e-mail addresses, and I promised to put him in touch with another Jewish contractor I’d met who’s working in Fallujah: a retired Denver cop teaching police tactics to Iraqi law enforcement officers. Jewish networking is alive and well here, too.
Chow Hall “Camp” is an accurate word for our Army base. It’s pretty spartan, really just a huge cluster of dusty tents, trailers and a few plywood constructions housing about 13,000 Americans. Permanent structures are few, because U.S. policy is to give the impression that we’re not in Iraq for the duration, only long enough to help the Iraqis run their own country. A big lizard scurried in front of me today. It was the first live creature other than humans I’ve seen in five months. This place is so hot that nothing seems to live here. It’s like sticking yourself into an oven set to 125º. Our “tents” are rows and rows of CHUs (containerized housing units), the Army’s way of describing a converted metal shipping container big enough for two people. Have I become accustomed to life here? Well, spend enough time in 125º temperatures with choking sand and dust in every nook and cranny, listening to the unbelievably loud and terrifying booms of outgoing and incoming artillery rounds, as well as the round-the-clock deafening roar of helicopters flying through the sky; using port-a-johns a lady wouldn’t set foot in; living in tents with a dozen other soldiers or converted metal shipping containers barely seven-feet wide; and in a bizarre way, you just get used to it. There isn’t much kosher food for me to eat in the chow hall, so I usually bring in a self-heating camping meal from a care package or a kosher MRE (Meals, Ready to Eat), long-life military rations. Our battalion food service officer dropped off 23 cases of them at my office not long ago, so I can never claim to go hungry. I mainly go to the chow hall to grab a soda and schmooze with my fellow soldiers. It is the unofficial hub of the camp, where people meet each other, seminars and promotion parties are held in the side rooms, and giant flat-panel TV sets line the walls broadcasting CNN, Fox News and other shows taped earlier in the U.S. More than once, a soldier has spotted my kipa and introduced himself as a fellow Jew. So I try to eat there at least once a day, for good visibility if nothing else. War Routine I am frequently reminded of the danger and tragedy of war. I’ve been called to assist in counseling a squad that lost three guys in one day, as well as an entire helicopter crew who witnessed a mortally wounded soldier die in the back of their aircraft. In a counseling capacity, I often deal with guys who have reached “The Point.” The Point is usually reached nine or 10 months into a deployment, when a soldier has been in some hot, dusty, nasty, inhospitable corner of the world so long he’s forgotten why he’s there to begin with. He takes on what the Army would define as a really bad attitude, often gets into trouble, and then I, the Continued on page 5
Nebraska Torch Relay to Save Darfur Sunday,October 28th Please join us at Temple Israel,7023 Cass Street, at 9:30 am for the torch lighting ceremony. The torch will be passed for 15 miles throughout Omaha and finish at Memorial Park at 1pm for a brief closing ceremony. All are welcome at Memorial Park.
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Jewish chaplain in Iraq Continued from page 4 chaplain, am called in to help him “chill out,” to use the medical term. Above all, a chaplain needs to be a good listener. That’s why I posted a translated verse from the Book of Proverbs on my office door: “A worry in a person's heart; he should discuss it with others.” As I write this, I’m still thinking of the soldier I spoke with yesterday, the youngest of nine children, whose father unexpectedly passed away two months ago. At age 22, he didn’t have a lot of life experience and was having difficulty coping with his personal tragedy. About 45 minutes into the conversation, I realized that he was at the verge of suicide. I asked him about it, and he said that he’d returned to his bunk just two nights before with the intention of shooting himself in the head with his Armyissued rifle. It turns out he’d forgotten to bring his ammunition with him, but if not for that detail, he’d have been dead that night. I had him leave his weapon in the office, and we walked together down to the camp clinic where fortunately I found a psychologist friend of mine on duty. The three of us had a long conversation, and the soldier was sent to an extended group therapy retreat up north at Camp Liberty. Light Unto Nations Shabbat is the best part of the week. That’s when I host services and a meal, either here at Camp Striker or at some dusty outpost my assistant and I have been flown to, joining with guys who perhaps haven’t heard Hebrew or worn a kipa in months or even years. I try to get everything ready on Thursdays, because no matter what time Shabbat comes in each week, no matter where you are in the world, there just
doesn’t seem to be enough time to get everything done. It’s like a rule of life. You could be unemployed with absolutely nothing to do all day in Alaska in the summertime, and I guarantee you will be rushing to get everything ready before you have to light candles at 11 p.m. I’ve received lots and lots of care packages from synagogues, Hebrew schools and individual supporters in New York, California and everywhere else in between - even Israel. People send prayer books, food, and all the other necessities a Jew would require while living in a plywood-lined tent without a kitchen or running water and less-than-reliable electrical power. The Torah prophesies that we Jews will be exiled from our land and scattered to the four corners of the earth, where our job is to find ways to spiritually elevate our surroundings and be a “light unto the nations.” That’s why Jews seem to be everywhere on the planet, and a U.S. Army camp in Iraq is no exception. So while the news is filled with battles of Sunni vs. Shiite, and insurgents vs. surge, my slice of military life has more to do with scrounging for kosher salami and trying to convince non-Jewish guys from the Arkansas National Guard to help build me a sukkah. Shlomo Shulman grew up in Beverly Hills, graduated with a degree in journalism from San Diego State and worked in the field of environmental education. A round-the-world journey eventually took him to Jerusalem, where he studied at Aish HaTorah. He lives with his family in Massachusetts, and is currently the only Jewish chaplain stationed in Iraq. This article is reprinted with permission from Aish.com, “the most popular Judaism website.”
Art exhibit accompanies Symposium this thought-provoking show come from by JENNI SCHLOSSMAN Curator of the exhibition around the United States: Omaha artists An exhibition in the Gallery of the include Rebecca Bloom, Lila Ferber, Eliska Morsel Greenspoon, Jewish Community David Hansen, and Liz Center, “Tikkun Olam: Langdon; from the East Repairing the World Coast: Judith K. Brodsky of One Artist at a Time,” New Jersey, Janet complements the theme Culbertson from New of this year’s 20th York, and Peggy Davis from Annual KlutznickMassachusetts. Mnneapolis Harris Symposium, artist Leah Golberstein, “The Mountains Shall Chicago photographer Jim Drip Wine: Jews and Krantz, and Californian the Environment.” David Stein round out the Artists’ interpretashow. Media include handtions of the environmade paper, recycled matemental and ecological rials, lithography, and phocrises the world faces tography. vary from beautiful The exhibition will be in imagery, such as Leah the JCC gallery from Oct. Golberstein’s “Uprooted” sculpture, to “Garbage Bag Mountain” by 27-30. The Symposium Judith K. Brodsky’s Judith K. Brodsky, is one litho- opens Sunday, Oct. 28 at depiction of a mountain graph in her series, The the JCC and continues of garbage (pictured). Meadowlands Strike Back, 41 x Monday at Creighton University. Eleven participants in 29", 1997.
IN THE NEWS The Ninth Batchelder Conference for Biblical Archaeology will be held on the campus of the University of NebraskaOmaha, Nov. 8-10 at the Thompson Alumni Center, according to organizer Dr. Rami Arav. The program opens Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., with convener Richard Freund, University of Hartford. James Hoffmeier, Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, will discuss “Did the Exodus Happen? Evidence from the Wilderness Traditions and Archaeology.”
“We also will screen the famous controversial documentary, ‘The Lost Tomb of Jesus.’ It is a James Cameron production directed and filmed by Simcha Jacobovici, an Israeli who was raised in Canada and is the producer of the series ‘The Naked Archaeologist’,” said Arav. The screening will be followed by a discussion by James Tabor, who participated in the film and Dan Bahat, a world renown Israeli archaeologist. For more information about the conference, a complete schedule or to register, visit the event website at: www.unomaha.edu/bethsaida.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
for Kiddush and Lunch Celebrating the 65th Wedding Anniversary of Shirley & Buddy Goldstein Saturday, November 3, 2007 Beth El Synagogue Donald, Gail, and Kathy and their families
PAM & BRUCE FRIEDLANDER ANDEE & ANTHONY SCIOLI Invite you to the
Jewish Federation of Omaha 2008 Community Event Featuring Best-selling author MICHAEL B. OREN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday, November 1, 2007 7:30 p.m. Omaha Hilton - Downtown 1001 Cass Street
Award Recognition
Rabbi Myer S. Kripke 2006 Humanitarian of the Year
Bob Belgrade Margo Riekes 2006 Phillip & Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Awards
Dessert reception to follow
R.S.V.P by October 25th Joyce Uber, 334-6430 or juber@jewishomaha.org Visit www.jewishomaha.org for more information You will have the opportunity to make your gift to the 2008 Annual Campaign
Marcia & Steve Pitlor 2008 Annual Campaign Chairs
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 26, 2007
KIDS!
We Need Your Artistic Talent! Your color drawing could be on the front of our Hanukkah Gift Guide! Use color markers, crayons, construction paper or whatever you like to create your drawing on an 8.5X11 piece of white paper. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Fill out the form below, attach it to the back and send or bring it to the Jewish Press, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The deadline is Monday, November 12, 2007.
2007 Hanukkah Gift Guide Cover Coloring Contest Name __________________________________ Parent’s _________________________________ Address _________________________________ Phone Number ____________________ Age _____
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The Ninth Annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights Featuring
Natan Sharansky
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The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror (2004)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7:00 p.m.
Ballroom (Second Floor) Milo Bail Student Center
Beth Israel to host NCSY Shabbaton by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue One-hundred and fifty young visitors and their advisors from the Midwest and Canada will soon descend upon Omaha when Beth Israel Synagogue hosts the Junior National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Midwest Regional Shabbaton, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11. Junior NCSY is for fifth through eighth grade students. Shabbaton attendees will be coming from Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Winnipeg, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago and Indianapolis. According to Rabbi Jonathan Gross, “This is a big deal for Omaha to host this shabbaton. Our chapter has really proven itself, including winning chapter of the year this past spring. We have earned this opportunity to host the shabbaton. NCSY sees us as capable of putting together what larger communities do, with fewer volunteers. I'm really happy that we can bring everyone from the region to Beth Israel and Omaha, and let them see what a fantastic community we have.” Hosting the shabbaton is a challenge, but one that Beth Israel is prepared to handle. “There is lots of planning involved with the shabbaton, including arranging to house over 150 people near the synagogue, all of the food and the Saturday night programs for the kids,” stated Executive Director, Beth Cohen. “Fortunately, we have dedicated volunteers who are ready to do what it takes to make this a truly successful shabbaton. One of our volunteers, Joey Shyken, will work to coordinate everything with NCSY's regional office.” Shyken has been keeping busy with his volunteer duties. “I am coordinating the Surprise Saturday Night Activity, Shabbos housing and working with Beth Israel and the regional NCSY office on anything the synagogue may need for the shabbaton,” he said. Shyken is motivated to work on the shabbaton and with the kids. “Being involved with NCSY for the past four
years, I have seen many kids change and grow in their lives. The most important thing is that the kids get to meet other Jewish kids from a variety of cities in the Midwest and make lifelong friends. NCSY gives the kids an opportunity to learn about being Jewish through informative sessions and songs.” During the shabbaton, the young people and their advisors will arrive on Friday, Nov. 9 and will be taken to their host homes to settle in. Then they will return to the synagogue for a preShabbos ruach, which consists of singing and dancing with a live band. After services there is a dinner and sessions for the kids to attend. Saturday will be a full day of services and activities, starting with Shabbat morning services, a Kiddush, more sessions and lunch. After lunch there is a shtick contest, afternoon services and singing. According to Shyken, “That is followed by ebbing, which is when one of the advisors will get up and tell some inspiring stories and words of encouragements as Shabbos leaves us.” Saturday evening begins with services, Havdalah, singing and dancing with the band, and then the Surprise Saturday Night Activity when the kids board buses to a surprise destination for a night of fun. Afterwards, they will return to the synagogue for food and more dancing. The shabbaton will end on Sunday. Everyone will enjoy breakfast together and then close the shabbaton with songs and dancing. A shabbaton is an exciting and busy way to spend a weekend. “During shabbatons, I am so actively involved with the kids that I barely get any rest,” said Shyken. He also noted how worthwhile a shabbaton can be. “Just seeing how one small thing can change the course of someone's life is truly amazing. I find shabbatons very meaningful and worth every minute. Every shabbaton I attend changes my life.” For more information, please contact the office at 556.6288.
Teddy bears, Shema Tot Shabbat and Miss Bettie come to Temple Israel art project is “Don’t Forget to Say the by ELYCE AZRIEL Bring your teddy bears to this month’s Shema.” Miss Bettie (Adams), formerly a Tot Shabbat on Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat is a carefully orchestrated, teacher with the Child Development yet informal Shabbat worship service that Center at the Jewish Community Center, brings a Shabbat experience to Temple’s will help guide tots and their families youngest congregants and their families. through songs and prayers. She is now a This service is designed for newborns media specialist at Westside Middle through second grade-aged children -- of School and serves as a young child specourse, older siblings are invited, too. cialist at Temple. The monthly service held in the chapel includes songs, Bar’chu and Shema, Torah Hakafah, a story and the blessing for the children. There are several new additions this year to Tot Shabbat. Not only will each service have a theme and activity, but musical instruments will be used. The instruments have worked well to engage Rabbi Eric Linder and Justin and Joan Cooper get ready to lead the children’s bodies, the kiddush at the October Tot Shabbat. Everyone is invited to attend the servminds and spirits. “Music with maracas isn’t at your ordinary Shabbat,” observed ice, but reservations are needed for the dinner. The cost is $5 per adult and free Dana Kaufman. Before leaving the chapel, Kiddush and for children. Contact the office at HaMotzi are recited. Dinner and an art 556.6536 or mkube@templeisraelomaproject follow. November’s theme and ha.com.
Order a gift subscription to the Press and get an extra two months free! The University of Nebraska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. For special accommodations please call 554-2628.
Send a check for $33, made out to the Jewish Press, 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.
October 26, 2007
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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GOP candidates make their case at Republican Jewish conference AMERICA DECIDES 2008 by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Each of the leading GOP presidential candidates to some degree has run away from the Bush legacy. But this week they made their case before one of the president’s most loyal constituencies: Republican Jews. The Republican Jewish Coalition on Oct. 9 hosted a forum in Washington for presidential hopefuls. Six of the party’s nine candidates were invited, and five attended: former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, and current U.S. Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Sam Brownback of Kansas. Giuliani, the front-runner in national polls and among Jewish fundraisers, told the audience that he was the likeliest Republican candidate to win the presidential election. “I think I give us the best chance of winning back the House and the Senate,” he said. Giuliani said Republicans would not fare well without “purple states” -- transitioning between Democratic blue and Republican red -- such as Michigan and New Jersey, where he polls competitively with Democratic candidates and other more conservative candidates do not. Brownback’s longstanding rejection of legalized abortion and opposition to gay marriage places him on the opposite side of much of the U.S. Jewish community, but he earned applause at the RJC event with comments about family values. “We’ve got to rebuild our family culture,” Brownback said. “The place to raise a child is with a mom and a dad.” McCain drew sharp distinctions between himself and Bush, criticizing among other things the president’s handling of the Iraq war and relations with Russia. Romney, competing hard with Giuliani in early primary states, also drew subtle distinctions with Bush on Middle East peace policy. The RJC event comes at a time when the president’s approval ratings are perpetually hovering around 30 percent and many Republican constituencies, lawmakers and candidates are walking away from the Bush White House. Still, many leading Republican Jews remain fiercely loyal to the president and the most hawkish elements of his foreign policy agenda. This summer Matt Brooks, the RJC’s executive direc-
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tor, and two of the organization’s other board members -- Ari Fleischer, Bush’s former White House spokesman, and Sheldon Adelson, a casino mogul -- joined in establishing FreedomsWatch, a group dedicated to preserving what likely has become the president’s most unpopular legacy, the Iraq occupation. Most of the new group’s funders are well known as the RJC’s principal backers, including Mel Sembler, a former ambassador to Rome, and Richard Fox, an RJC founder. McCain’s sharply critical rhetoric was a departure from the earlier part of his campaign, when he refrained from criticizing Bush administration policy. The strategy of backing an unpopular president as well as mismanagement nearly derailed McCain’s campaign in the spring, although he has recovered somewhat. The Arizona senator was especially critical of Bush’s policy in Iraq, although he said the current “surge” policy adding troops on the ground is garnering results. He
Mitt Romney speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s forum for GOP candidates, Tuesday, Oct. 16 2007. SOURCE: Courtesy of RJC claimed some credit for the surge strategy, noting that when he started calling for additional troops in 2004, “I was criticized by Republicans because of my disloyalty.” McCain also implied another sharp rebuke to Bush, saying he did not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin when it came to seeking international assistance in isolating Iran until it ends its suspected nuclear weapons program. “I looked into Putin’s eyes and I saw three letters -- a K, a G and a B,” he said, referring to Putin’s earlier career as a spy. Bush once famously said he looked into Putin’s eyes and saw a good soul, and McCain’s jibe drew scattered applause and some murmurs among a crowd fiercely loyal to Bush.
McCain said winning in Iraq was critical not just for U.S. interests but for Israel. “The transforming struggle of the 21st century is our struggle against radical Islamic extremism,” he said to applause. Romney expressed skepticism about Bush administration plans to convene a peace conference next month in Annapolis, Md. Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, says the aim of the conference is Palestinian statehood. “How could you possibly have a peace conference at this stage?” he asked, noting that the Palestinian Authority leadership had yet to wrest control of the Gaza Strip from Hamas terrorists. “Who would you talk to?” On several fronts the RJC continues to stake out right-of-center positions, even as Bush and the GOP candidates have moderated their stands. For example, in recent months the Bush administration has raised its voice on the need to deal with global warming, yet in its September-October bulletin the Republican Jewish organization mocks Democrats who focus on the issue. The Democratic front-runner, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), is criticized for asserting that “we should not hesitate to engage in the world’s most difficult conflicts on a diplomatic front” even though Giuliani has essentially made the same argument. Still, during his RJC address, Giuliani drew sharp distinctions between himself and Clinton, accusing her of wanting to “negotiate” with Iran. Both candidates favor keeping military options on the table. Giuliani said he was more decisive than Clinton, noting his order in 1995 ejecting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from a Lincoln Center concert. He also took a subtle dig at his leading competitor in the race, Romney, who is leading in key primary states. Giuliani said that when he ejected Arafat, “I didn’t call for a team of lawyers,” a reference to a recent Romney debate answer to how he would deal with an Iranian attack on American troops in Iraq. In his RJC address, Romney was aggressive about how he would deal with Iran, saying the military option was still very much on the table, however committed U.S. forces are in Iraq. “I do not believe we are not able to deal with Iran militarily,” he said. He would not use ground forces against Iran, he said, but would consider “blockade, bombardment and surgical military strikes.” Thompson also emphasized the Iranian threat. “The terror masters in Tehran and Damascus make only the most minor distinction between the United States of America and Israel,” he said. “They say that America is Continued on page 10
Page 8
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October 26, 2007
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the below events.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Hazak Lunch and Learn, noon at Beth El Game Night with Make-Your-Own Tacos, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 The Living Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel 20th Annual Klutznick-Harris Symposium, 10 a.m. Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El WRJ Cooking Program, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT bring your parents to school, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishpach Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Minyan 101, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Scrapbooking, 12:15 p.m. at Temple Israel Let’s Talk About It Jewish Literature, 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Parent/Toddler Class, 9:30 a.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Out of Sight Saturday Night Overnight, 6:30 p.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Jr. NCSY Shabbaton through Nov. 6, at Beth Israel Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishpach Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Book Club, Four Bs, and Tapestry Project Workshop, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Minyan 101, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Basketball Parents Meeting for Grade 1-4, 1 p.m.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 Zionism Then & Now, 7 p.m. Hebrew Crash Course, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El Derech Torah, 8 p.m.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m. Kripke Library Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Sisterhood Mah Jongg, 1 p.m., at Beth Israel JCC Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Zionism Then & Now, 7 p.m. Hebrew Crash Course, 7 p.m. at Beth El Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 WOW Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m.at Chabad Hebrew Roots of Prayer, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Chabad House Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Know Thy Muslim Neighbor, noon at Temple Israel Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Know Thy Muslim Neighbor, 7:30 a.m. at Village Inn ADL Media Coverage Workshop, 8:30 a.m. Mishpacha University’s Playgroup, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Kripke Library Book Month Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. State Representatives’ Panel, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad Young Men’s Division, 7 p.m. at Dundee Dell
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El JFS Love & Logic, 6 p.m. USY ‘Trick or Can’, 6 p.m. at Beth El Federation Community Campaign Event, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Center for Jewish Education Board Meeting, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El ADL Youth Leadership Mission Open House, 6:30 p.m. WRJ-O, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 BBYO New Members Convention in St. Louis, through Nov. 11, noon USY Chapter Presidents Shabbaton, 3 p.m. at Beth El All Girls Shabbat Dinner, 4:45 p.m. at Chabad House Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 USY Chapter Presidents Shabbaton, 3 p.m. at Beth El Keshet Eilon in Performing Arts Series, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Annual Blood Drive, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Camp Day with Susan Alexander and Men’s Club with Mitch Sherman, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Mishpach Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Visions Brownville Concert, noon MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m. at Beth El Zionism Then & Now, 7 p.m. Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER13 ADL Director to speak, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel WOW Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad ADL/CRC Executive Committee Meeting, noon Eye on Israel, noon Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 at Friedel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel ADL Youth Leadership Mission 2008 Meeting, 7 p.m. Beth Israel Women’s Group Spirits & Spirituality, 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Maamar class, 9 a.m. at Chabad Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Scholar-in-Residence, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Mishpach Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad CJE Teacher Training with Barry Holtz, 12:30 p.m. Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing , 1 p.m. Let’s Talk About It, 2 p.m. Beth El’s Hazak tours NJHS, 4 p.m. Temple Israel Thanksgiving Interfaith Service, 7 p.m. at First Christian Church
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Mishpacha University’s Playgroup, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Know Thy Muslim Neighbor, noon at Temple Israel NJHS Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad JFS Love & Logic, 6 p.m. at Beth El
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19 ADL Educator Training, 7 a.m. JSS Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m. Kripke Library Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Jewish Book Club, 11 a.m. Campaign Leadership Program, 7 p.m. Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Kripke Library Book Discussion Group, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Blumkin Home Family Night, 5:30 p.m. NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Theology Cafe, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel ADL Youth Leadership Mission Meeting, 7 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Parent/Toddler Class, 9:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Visions Luncheon, 12:30 p.m. Scholar-in-Residence Dinner, 5 p.m. at Beth El Scholar-in-Residence, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Scholar-in-Residence, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Scholar in Residence, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El “Parents Only” Night Out, 6 p.m. at Chabad House
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 WOW Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad Beth El visits Remington Heights, 10 a.m. Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m.at Chabad Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Mishpacha University’s Playgroup, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Kosher Kitchen, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 WOW Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. at Chabad JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Eye on Israel, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. ADL The Journey that Saved Curious George, 6 p.m. Federation Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Parshah Roundup, 7 p.m. at Chabad Federation Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Federation AC/DC - Session #1, 6 p.m. Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. at Chabad Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. Jewish Critical Thinking, 7 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El JFS Yachad Social Skills Class, 6 p.m. Federation AC/DC - Session #2, 6 p.m. Sixth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m. Theology Cafe, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
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October 26, 2007
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Following the Sun Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old”address before we are notified by the Post Office.Every time they return a paper to us,you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the day trip to Charlie’s on the Lake, please meet at 10:45 a.m. at the JCC. For information call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. If you have any Yiddish books to donate, please call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Visions Board meeting is Friday, Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m., at the JCC social hall. Brownville Concert Series presents “I’ll be Seeing You... Love Songs of World War II” by Andrea Marcovicci on Sunday, Nov. 11 in Brownville, with dinner following at The Brownville Lyceum. The cost is $36, which includes motor coach, admission, dinner, tax and tips. Depart from the JCC at noon (be at the JCC by 11:45 a.m.) and return by approximately 7 p.m. For reservations, send form with check to Maggie Conti
Youth Soccer Day All soccer players in uniform get in free! Sunday, Oct. 28 • 1:00 p.m UNO Soccer Field • 68th & Spring Streets Sponsored by Northern Natural Gas
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B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Beth Katz will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Oct. 31, noon, at the Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. Katz, director of the ADL Interfaith Project, will discuss her expanding program and the success it is having in improving interfaith relationships in Omaha. All men and women in the community are invited to attend. Cost is $12 for a complete lunch and $3 for beverage service only.
ADL hosts media workshop: How to get Better Coverage by HANNA WANZENRIED Interfaith Intern-Project Interfaith-Anti-Defamation League Do you work for a religious organization or for an organization that deals with issues of religion and faith that is struggling to get its message heard? Are you having trouble getting coverage in the media for your programs and services? Are you looking for useful tips on how to maximize the coverage you receive? Help is here. Project Interfaith, an affiliate of the ADL, is holding a new and unique workshop- “How to Get Better Coverage: A Workshop for Religious Leaders and Organizations on Maximizing Media Coverage and Accuracy”- for those who work for religious organization or on issues of religion and society. This program will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center. The workshop will be led by Dr. Eileen Wirth, Chairman of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at Creighton University. Dr. Wirth will provide the participants with key tools and knowledge on how to increase their coverage in the media as well as
providing tips on how to cultivate relationships with those working in the media. This workshop will also feature a panel of reporters who will discuss the current challenges for journalists covering religion. Organizers of this workshop hope that this program will help strengthen the frequency and accuracy of media coverage about issues of religion and society. “Through our work with various religious groups and in the community, we kept hearing people complain about the challenges of getting accurate and in-depth coverage on issues of religion,” said Beth Katz, Director of Project Interfaith. “We developed this workshop to give those who work on these important issues basic tools and guidance on how to hopefully achieve better coverage on the issues of religion, faith, identity and society.” Cost is $18 and breakfast is included. Payment is due by Thursday, Nov. 1. To register or for information, please contact Beth Katz at 334.5673 or email bkatz@adl.org.
GOP candidates make their case Continued from page 7 the Great Satan, and Israel is the Little Satan, and they both must be destroyed.” Giuliani hinted at a split with the Bush administration, saying the time was not ripe to discuss Palestinian statehood. He said Palestinians must recognize Israel and dismantle terrorist groups. “If they do those two things and they mean it, and time demonstrates that they mean it, then of course we negotiate,” Giuliani said. In his 40-minute address, Giuliani mentioned the Iraq war, the key issue dogging Republican candidates, only once in passing. Like McCain, Romney has backed the engagement in Iraq but been sharply critical of how it has been carried out. Brownback last week backed a pro-settler initiative to extend Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank, directly undercutting Bush’s attempt to leave a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one of his legacies. He has since dropped out of the race. In addition to standing with Bush on foreign policy, Republican Jews also have emerged as one of the few constituencies willing to touch what has become a third rail in congressional politics: Bush’s determination to roll back parts of the popular State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which reaches children from families that earn above the Medicaid threshold but still cannot afford insurance. SCHIP has wall-to-wall Jewish community backing,
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today. For rides to the JCC, call Betty Kolnick at 553.4748. Visions Luncheon Meeting is Friday, Nov. 16, 12:30 p.m., at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Cost is $10 per person. Special guest is Rachel Jacobson, Film Streams founder and director. Film Streams’ programming at the Ruth Sokolof Theater features first-run films, new independents, documentaries, and foreign films. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114. Call Harry Alloy for questions at 697.8709. Make all checks payable to Visions.
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but in recent weeks Noam Neusner, Bush’s former Jewish liaison, defended the president’s position in the Forward and Michael David Epstein, a senior RJC activist, did the same on JTA. Brooks said such loyalty is natural for a president that has proven second to none in his backing for Israel. “Bush has earned it,” he said. “Here’s a president who in very difficult and challenging times, especially on core issues like Israel, was there for us and was one of the only world leaders standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel.” Among other instances, Bush gave Israel slack in putting down a flare-up in the Palestinian intifada in the spring of 2002 and in striking back against Hezbollah in Lebanon in the summer of 2006. Also in April 2004 for recognizing some Israeli settlements as a reality on the ground and repudiating a right of Palestinian refugees to return to Israel. Prior to the RJC forum, Brooks told JTA that a major goal of the event was to remind “the Jewish community that it will have some important choices to make as we start to address a post-Bush environment.” Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, was invited but could not attend. Not invited were long-shots U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Tom Tancredo of Colorado and Ron Paul of Texas. Paul was rejected because of his consistent voting record against U.S. assistance to Israel and his criticism of the pro-Israel lobby.
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Israeli Ecotourism PEOPLE OF THE
BYTE
by MARK MIETKIEWICZ This winter, eco-tourists bent on traveling the world’s most inviting destinations can roam the rainforests of Costa Rica, swim in the underwater wonderland of Palau or hike the rugged trails of the Negev desert. Although Israel may not spring to mind as a natural choice for environment-friendly vacations, the compact country has developed an impressive array of activities for tourists who want to see nature up close and aren’t afraid to break a sweat. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” [ecotourism.org] A recent report suggested that in the past five years, almost 50 countries had defined strategies for ecotourism in order to deal with the growing demand. [tinyurl.com/2kcqz3] By the way, support for ecotourism isn’t universal. Critics say that choosing to fly around the world just to see a country’s natural splendor does more harm than good; genuine supporters of the environment should understand they could end up being part of the problem. [tinyurl.com/2pevpg] That being said, if you want to visit Israel but would like a break from Jerusalem’s crowds and Tel Aviv’s nightlife, you’re in luck. Start at Ecotourism Israel which gives a good overview of the natural sites and other destinations including organic farms and ecological guesthouses. Who knew you could rent a cabin in the Golan to learn all about bee life and honey making? [tinyurl.com/276l3a] Although the environment has been getting a lot of coverage lately, respect for the land is not new to the land of the Torah. That becomes quite obvious when you visit Neot Kedumim, a nature reserve dedicated to restoring the flora and fauna of Biblical Israel. Located halfway between Jerusalem and Israel, the reserve uses the Torah as its handbook to create a network of natu-
ral and agricultural landscapes. The reserve’s eco-tour focuses on ancient (and current) practices including the Sabbath and the sabbatical of the land, the laws of gleaning and tithes, and the Biblical requirement to protect fruit trees. [neot-kedumim.org.il] You can get a taste of life on the reserve by taking the “Grain, Wine and Oil” online tour. [tinyurl.com/24v6lh] Pedal the Past -- Preserve the Future. That’s the slogan of the Israel Ride which takes cyclists on a 450-kilometre, six-day journey from Jerusalem to Eilat. The ride is organized by Hazon (vision), an organization that promotes outdoor physical challenge and creates programs which look at food from a Jewish and contemporary context. Two Jerusalem-to-Eilat rides are planned for 2008 with the first in May. [tinyurl.com/2kxr8o] (To learn more, ask its executive director Nigel Savage, who will participate in this year’s Klutznick-Harris Symposium, Sunday-Monday, Oct. 28-29.) As you tour the country, chances are you’ll be struck by the diversity and beauty of Israel’s wild flowers. The marvelous Wild Flowers of Israel website has photos and descriptions of 1,000 flowers with an audio link with the Hebrew pronunciation for each. And if you can’t tell a heliotropium hirsutissimum from a eucalyptus camaldulensis, you can use the site’s search tool it identify flowers by color and “life form” (e.g. tree, shrub, vine, etc.) [wildflowers.co.il/english/] Did you know that despite its small size, Israel has about 2,500 species of higher plants compared to the 1,500 species found on the British Isles which are 10 times the size of Israel? And who knew that planting trees would ever become trendy? The venerable Jewish National Fund was way ahead of the curve over a century ago when it planted its first grove of olive tree. Since then thousands of tourists to Israel have taken time to pitch in. But, as this is a Shmitta year, there’s no planting until Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 29, 2008). [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmita] Until then, you can go to the JNF site, calculate your “carbon footprint” and make a donation that will eventually be used to offset your carbon emissions -- and your eco-trip to Israel. [tinyurl.com/3xywzr] Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
An evening untarnished by ... tarnish!
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator During a recent Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group “polishing party,” a group of Beth El congregants raided the synagogue’s cabinets, drawers and shelves to restore silver trays, pitchers and bowls to their original sparkle. Photos from top: Carole Greenberg, left, Sherry Shapiro and Patty Nogg display the fruits of their labor; Ozzie Nogg, middle photo, Pam Friedlander, Dottie Rosenblum and Darlene Golbitz work diligently to shine up their serving pieces.
Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 26, 2007
Potholes and pitfalls ahead Some weather pundits are predicting that perhaps the heavy rains in Omaha over the past few weeks portend major snows accumulations this winter. And with that come the undermining of streets, parking lots and driveways. As water finds its way through cracks and crevices, the result is a winter of potholes. That could be said of the upcoming talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas. As the two meet later this month in Annapolis, MD, we are reminded of a similar scenario just seven years ago. It was the summer of 2000, in the final year of Bill Clinton’s second term as president of the United States. Clinton desperately wanted to announce an Israeli-Palestinian peace proposal (one that would make him a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize ... but now won by his Vice President Al Gore for an altogether different reason). Ehud Barak, then Israeli Prime Minister, put all of Gaza and 94% of the West Bank on the table. But PA Chairman Yasser Arafat never met a deal he could take. He preferred violence to governance. Despite the desperate push of Clinton’s Secretary of State Madeline Albright, no deal emerged from Camp David. Instead, Arafat used the pretext of Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount to ratchet up the rhetoric and begin a second intifada against Israelis. And though the Oslo Peace Accords had been signed on the White House Lawn in 1993 at the beginning of Clinton’s
term, his presidency would end with even more suicide bombings, terrorist attacks and deaths of Israeli civilians. If it seems like deja vu all over again (in the immortal words of Yankee catcher Yogi Bera), you’re not crazy. Once again, it’s the end of a two-term presidency ... this time it’s Bush the younger; recall that his father was ousted by Clinton in 2000). George Bush, too, would like to leave a foreign policy legacy (and the current situation in Iraq is not cutting it). His Secretary of State is Condaleeza Rice. Though she hasn’t run after Abbas in the humiliating way of her predecessor, Rice has failed as Albright did, on a number of diplomatic fronts. To whit: North Korea may be saying that it is giving up further development of nuclear weapons, but much of that material has shown up in Syria, hence the September Israeli air attack on a “facility” near Damascus. Rice hasn’t stopped the carnage in Sudan, nor the spread of Al Qaeda to places like Pakistan, Indonesia, and sad to say, Europe. Our relationship with Russia is at a new low, and now she’s trying to push Olmert into “sharing” parts of Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest site. With friends like these, who needs enemies? Abbas has no backing from half his people; Hamas has threatened to tear
the Palestinain nation (such as it is) apart. And with Olmert, facing charges of fraud and corruption, at a low point in popularity, what can possibly be achieved at Annapolis? Abba Eban noted dryly that the Palestinians have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The so-called “peace talks” next month may only be an opportunity for more cracks in the pavement. Beware of quick fixes; there are major potholes underneath.
It’s time for Jews to grapple with the ‘real’ Israel, flaws and all
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by NAOMI CHAZAN JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Uninformed readers of the general American press these days learn only two things about Israel. One is that it is consumed with war and peace. The other is that this small state of seven million people deploys -- or does not, depending on whom you are reading -- the most powerful, homogenous lobby in Washington, bending the American government’s actions to its interests at will. American Jews know better, of course. The quest for a fair and sustainable settlement to conflict in the Middle East is indeed central, but the peace process is not the only challenge of Israel’s continuing struggle for survival as the state its founders intended it to be. Important, too, are issues that define Israel as a society, as a homeland for Jews, as a democracy. In the long run these and related topics will contribute as much as military and diplomatic matters to answering the question of whether Israel will survive another 60 years. Since serving as deputy speaker of the Knesset, I have spent more of my time on what I call the struggle for Israel’s character. As a democracy with a thriving civil society, there is plenty of scope for argument in Israel over issues ranging from minority rights to religious freedom. However, there are also voices of extremism, intolerance and ultranationalism that threaten not just the Israeli ideal of a liberal, democratic state but the very mechanisms that allow us to fiercely debate the issues that will define our future. For example, the independence of Israel’s High Court, the most important guarantor of rights in a country without a written constitution, is under siege from right-wingers inside and outside the government who would like to subject it to political manipulation. The struggle to impede the theocratic objectives of religious parties continues, with progressives
working hard just to prevent further encroachment on what should be a firm religion-state divide. Perhaps most important, and difficult, is the growing chasm between Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens, as some of the former continue to perpetuate de facto inequality, and the latter react with an increasingly radicalized vision of an Israel bereft of any identifying Jewish characteristics. Moreover, Israel is a country facing increasing socio-economic discrepancies. The widening gap between the prosperous Israeli center and the struggling peripheries in the Galil and Negev was exacerbated by last summer’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the difficult recovery in the North.
The issue is not whether Israel is always right or always wrong, as the current discourse aridly asserts. Rather the question is how to deal constructively and creatively with Israel’s very real problems. Overall, the prospects for immigrant youth, Israeli Arabs, mizrachim -- citizens from Middle Eastern and North African lands -- residents of development towns, Bedouin and all the other outsiders to Israel’s thriving economy remain severely constricted. Women confront gender rights issues every day, and not just in the Orthodox and Israeli Arab communities. The disgusting parade of Israeli politicians accused and found guilty of sexual harassment and worse is the most visible indicator of a society struggling to overcome serious problems with patriarchy. These and similar issues constantly, if not always consciously, affect the relations between Israel and world Jewry. The notion of a single-minded American pro-Israel lobby that only reflects the world view of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee -Walt and Mearsheimer notwithstanding -- is ridiculous. In the next week I will be engaging, along with other Israeli progressive social activists, in
a nine-city national conversation sponsored by the New Israel Fund titled “Towards a Progressive Vision for Israel.” Anyone attending these events for even an hour no doubt would conclude that much of the American Jewish community is to the left of some of its “official” spokesperson organizations, and that this large segment deserves a louder voice on key Israel-related issues. Achieving a more powerful voice for these Jewish voices in the United States is crucial for two reasons. First, the taboo of criticizing Israel must be broken. The issue is not whether Israel is always right or always wrong, as the current discourse aridly asserts. Rather the question is how to deal constructively and creatively with Israel’s very real problems. The debate about Israel must be reframed. Second, the majority of Israeli citizens -who have achieved real successes advocating in an open, argumentative, self-critical society -need support from their American counterparts. When the most visible American backers of Israel are the Likud-fellow-traveler Jewish groups and the Christian right, it is almost impossible to counter those powerful and well-financed voices and the retrogressive values they champion. Americans, whether Jewish or not, deserve more than a sound-bite understanding of what Israel is and where it may be going. Beyond the heartfelt support that most Americans feel for Israel are real dilemmas for the only fragile yet working democracy in the Middle East. Most Israelis see the threat of religious ultranationalism, minority repression and economic inequity all too clearly. It is time for true democrats in both Israel and the United States to challenge themselves with the reality of Israel in its 60th year: a vibrant, thriving country still striving for ideals not yet attained. Naomi Chazan, former deputy speaker of the Knesset, is professor emerita of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and head of the School of Government and Society at the Academic College of Tel-AvivYaffo. She is a member of the New Israel Fund board of directors.
(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern Jewish Press Board Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Eve Randone, Melissa Schop; Michael Siegel, Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation. 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: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $40 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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Page 13
Star power
FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI AVI SHAFRAN The symbol commonly known as the Magen David (“Shield of David”) or more colloquially as the “Jewish Star,” is the subject of an unusual responsum written by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in 1968 (Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 3, 15). The familiar six-pointed polygon yielded by two superimposed triangles adorns countless synagogue ark curtains and Torah covers, containers for religious items and pieces of jewelry. And, of course, the Israeli flag, set between two broad stripes meant to evoke a talit, or Jewish prayer-shawl. It was, in fact, that appropriation of the Jewish star symbol which formed the basis of the question posed to the famed decisor of Jewish law: Since the State of Israel is the fruition of an essentially secular, political dream -Herzl’s Judenstaadt -- is the Magen David symbol appropriate as an adornment for religious items? Rabbi Feinstein replied that regardless of what service the symbol may have been pressed into, it remains an ancient Jewish emblem, and is therefore entirely properly displayed in synagogues and on religious objects. What the Magen David signifies, however, the revered rabbi continued, is not entirely clear. Despite the hexagram’s antiquity, there seems to be no authoritative Jewish source that addresses its significance. All the same, Rabbi Feinstein suggests that the sixpointed form symbolizes G-d’s dominion over all of space (“above and below and in all four directions”). We experience our universe in three spatial dimensions. To pinpoint the location of an object, in other words, one must identify its latitude, longitude and altitude with respect to some other fixed point. Things can be moved in two directions along each of those three
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axes, and so a six-pointed figure symbolizes all of space -- and, in the case of the Magen David, reminds us how the universe is transcended by the Divine. As to the Jewish Star’s connection to King David, writes Rabbi Feinstein, “perhaps it signifies that David, during the wars he fought, relied on G-d, Who rules over [all of the universe], and thus, as the Torah commanded, never feared mortal kings and their armies.” G-d’s hand, so apparent to King David, was evident as well to many Jews -- even of secular bent -- in 1948, when Jews living in the Jewish ancestral land repelled the attack of the Egyptian, Iraqi, Syrian and Lebanese armies set on obliterating the nascent Jewish State and its inhabitants. Similarly, in 1967, Israel’s routing of the armies and air
...the future of the Jewish presence in the Jewish land -- the future of all Jews everywhere -remains not in our hands -but in G-d’s. forces of its belligerent neighbors Egypt, Syria and Jordan (assisted by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Algeria) -- what came to be known as the Six-Day War -was widely regarded as miraculous. The religious Jewish identities of untold numbers of Israeli and American Jews were forged by that summer’s events. Others, though, less willing to concede supernatural impact on earthly matters, chose to write off Israel’s dazzling victories as the predictable yield of superior military intelligence and fighting forces. That attitude became increasingly common, particularly in the boasts of Israeli leaders. In 1973, however, amid vocal Israeli confidence in early warning systems and air superiority, came the Yom
Kippur War, exposing the limitations of such achievements. Israel -- although she thankfully managed to prevail in the end – was not able to forestall – or even foresee -- an attack launched against her by Egypt and Syria (again aided by other Arab states). The bubble of Israeli military invincibility was burst. Two inconclusive wars in Lebanon later, the sobering only continues. Israel, despite its vaunted military might, has become politically precarious. Of late, calls for her destruction -- from within, through an unfettered “right of return” for descendents of once-resident Arabs; and from without, in the form of blatant threats from points east -- have alarmingly increased, both in frequency and intensity. Still and all, miracles -- of a sort easily overlooked by all but sensitive eyes -- abound. Terrorist intentions are foiled, explosives detonate in the hands of their crafters and rockets fall harmlessly in fields. Improbable missions like the recent bombardment of a mysterious, but no doubt worthy, target in Syria succeed. Such small salvations elicit deep gratitude to G-d from religious Jews. And the usual expressions of hubris from others, including all too many Israeli leaders, who rarely speak of – and seem oblivious to -- the Divine. To those, though, who include in their daily prayers a plea for the safety and security of our fellow Jews in the Holy Land, who daily recite specially designated Psalms in their merit, the future of the Jewish presence in the Jewish land -- the future of all Jews everywhere -remains not in our hands but in G-d’s. And, in the light of Rabbi Feinstein’s nearly fourdecade-old words, we perceive a subtle but striking irony: The true key to Israel’s security, as unrecognized as it may be to some, has been hiding in plain sight since the Jewish State’s founding, fluttering in the wind above every Israeli government building and military outpost. Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. The article is courtesy of Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran can be reached at: Shafran@agudathisrael.org.
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Candlelighting Friday, Oct. 26, 6:08 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
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 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 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 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
Tree of Life Center 2925 Prairie Road Offsite classes: First Plymouth Church, 20th and ‘D’ Streets Lincoln, NE 68506 613.7443 email: treeoflife.rabbimichael @yahoo.com
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. FRIDAY, 2:30 p.m. Rabbi Levin and Cantor Bogomolni will lead a Shabbat celebration for residents at the Blumkin Home; Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. at Beth El. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Following services, family therapist Glen Fineman will present “Tips on Handling Change (and We Don’t Mean the Pennies in Your Pocket!).” There is no charge for this program or the Kiddush luncheon, but courtesy reservations are requested by calling Tootie Simon at 397.3616. Fineman will speak in the chapel at 12:45 p.m. Questions? Contact Gloria Goodman, 333.3351; Minha/ Ma’ariv, 6:15 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Minyan 101, 11:15 a.m. MONDAY: Hebrew Crash course, 7 p.m. THURSDAYS, noon: Beginning Nov. 1 Rabbi Levin leads Insights and Values from the Torah. Cost is $36. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: Thursdays, 1:15 p.m., led by Susan Paley. BRING YOUR PARENTS TO SCHOOL DAY Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.noon, for all BESTT parents of students in grades K-7. Parents will meet in the chapel, and then will have opportunities to participate in their children's classes. Men's Club will provide refreshments. BILU-USY ‘TRICK OR CAN’ Thursday, Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m. Following dinner, costumed USYers will visit the neighborhood, asking for canned or other non-perishable foods to donate to the Omaha Food Bank. For more information or to RSVP, contact
Robert Mosenkis at youthdir@ bethel-omaha.org. SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: On Saturday, Nov. 3, 11:15-11:45 a.m. Monthly singalong program is open to all Jewish children (up to age five), their parents and grandparents. New monthly class, led by Susi Frydman-Levin, “Nurturing Your Spirit,” begins Sunday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $36. To register, contact Margie Gutnik.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by the Taxman Family in honor of Lindsey’s participation in the Klutznick-Harris Symposium; Mincha, 5:30 p.m. followed by Suedat Shlishit sponsored by Sarah and Bruce Potash in honor of Linda’s birthday; Havdalah, 7:08 p.m.; Game night and Taco bar, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; “Reading the Rambam”, 9:45 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s weekly Thursday night class is cancelled due to the Federation Community event.
Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Calidonna, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, 7 p.m. A Taste of Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. MONDAYS, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Read Hebrew America! Hebrew Reading Crash Course, co-taught by Jaine Merliss and Jennifer Rosenblatt at Tifereth Israel, and is open to the community. Visit www.NJOP.org for information. TUESDAYS, Nov. 6 & 13, 7 p.m., UNL Professor, author, screenwriter, and Temple member Gerry Shapiro will lead adult education at the Temple.The Outside World by Tova Mirvis will be the subject of the discussion.
BEYT SHALOM
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
FRIDAY: Shabbat in the home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Maamar Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer Circle Tehillim & More, 9 a.m.; Parshah Roundup: Weekly Torah Portion Class, 7 p.m.
BAR MITZVAH Gershon Brickner, son of former Omahan Debby Duitch and Avi Brickner, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Nov. 1 in Jerusalem. Gershon, who was born with Canavan disease, a genetic disorder that has left him wheelchair-bound for much of his life, cannot speak with his voice, but can laugh and use his eyes to communicate. Because the family is observant, Gershie’s Bar Mitzvah will be on a Thursday morning, allowing him to turn his head to depress a switch; that will trigger his father’s
WEDNESDAY: Mishpacha University’s TGI Playgroup, 10:15 a.m.; Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. All events and programs are open to the entire community. For more information or to register call 330.1800 or visit our website http://www.Ochabad.com.
voice to do the Brachot for the Torah reading. Not expected to reach his 13th birthday (Oct. 24), Gershie will become a Bar Mitzvah on his Hebrew birthday, the 20th of Cheshvan. His grandmother Jean Duitch will be there for this long-awaited simcha, along with his twin sisters, Nechama and Yehudit, staff and students from Neve Zvi, a special education school that Gershie attends, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins from Israel and the United States.
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. in the tea room, hosted by Beth El. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Sydney Robinson, daughter of Kimberly and Andrew Robinson, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah; OTYG/ JYG Haunted Havdalah, 7:45 p.m. Meet at Temple for a “hairraising” havdalah before getting spooked at some of Omaha’s creepiest haunted houses. SITTER SERVICE: Available Wednesday evenings during Family School hours, Friday evenings service except when there is a Tot Shabbat, Saturday mornings when there is a B’nai mitzvah, and Sunday mornings during Religious School. Advance reservations and a $5 donation appreciated. Young children, including infants, are welcome. SUNDAY: Red Cross Babysitting Class, 9 a.m.; Teacher Learning Coffee, 9:30 a.m.;
Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.noon; Grade Two,” 10 a.m. at Humane Society. WEDNESDAY: No Religious or Family School; No Middle/Hogh School; Know Thy Muslim Neighbor, noon with Rabbi Azriel and Muslim community members. There is no fee, but register with Program Director Rosie Zweiback, 556.6536. Lunch is available for $6 with advance notice; Hebrew “Roots” of Prayer: We “Dig” Liturgy, 7 p.m. with Naama Artzi. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Linder, 10 a.m. FRIDAY, Nov. 2: Parent/ Toddler Class, 9:30-11 a.m. There is still room for additional tots and parents. Saturday, Nov. 3: Madison, daughter of Jill and Bruce Baron, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah during Shabbat morning services.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 6 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6:15 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Sunday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m.: Read and discuss Who She Was: My Search for My Mother’s Life by Samuel G. Freedman, a columnist for the NY Times and a professor at Columbia University. Brenda Friedman Ingraham will facilitate.
TREE OF LIFE CENTER Services and activities led by Rabbi Michael Weisser; call for location of classes. SATURDAY: Morning Minyan and Torah study, 10 a.m.; drumming meditation and Jewish mystical chanting, followed by a meal and Havdalah, 6:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Jewish roots of Christianity, 8 and 9 a.m. MONDAY, 6:30 P.M.: Insight Meditation. TUESDAY: Torah, prophets and writings: 9:30-11 a.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Comparative Religion, noon, offsite location. WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m.: Adv. Mindfulness Meditation. THURSDAY, 7 p.m.: Int. Mindfulness Meditation.
PERSONAL My personal thanks to my family, friends and Rabbi Levin for their visits, cards, donations and flowers during my recent recuperation. Frieda Krizelman
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
October 26, 2007
Man must be moral -- if not ...
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Va-Yera Our Sidra has many interesting and important matters before it. One is the pronouncement that Sarah will have a son, and Isaac is born. Now we are told that the Lord informed Abraham that he was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, for they are cities in which there is nothing but evil and sin. Abraham, however, argues with God that there may be righteous men there. Will you destroy these cities if there are 50 righteous men there? And then when God demurs, Abraham responds: what about 40, how about 30, 20, 10? Will you destroy the cities if there are only five righteous men? The Lord tells Abraham there are not even five and the cities must be destroyed. It is not in plain words that we are told, but clearly by implication, that there is no point in life if man does not live morally and with understanding. One of the first treaties in history is given here, where Abraham and Abimelech agreed not to allow their servants to steal water form each other. In our day, where water is becoming dangerously short in supply for mankind, the story suggests that there should be worldwide agreement on the use of water. Untold riches await the man who discovers how to make potable water from seawater -- at an acceptable expense. The Sidra ends, or nearly so, with the story of the Akedah, where Abraham is commanded to sacrifice Isaac as an offering to the LORD. Abraham prepares to do so, but an angel of the LORD commands him not to harm the young man nor to do anything wrong. The Akedah has loomed large in Jewish tradition as the extent to which we must be willing to sacrifice. I may have told this once before: a group of non-Jewish women protested that they would never sacrifice a child in this way. I pointed out to them that they have done it and will do it. How? By letting their sons, indeed encouraging them -- not for the sake of the LORD -but for the sake of our country and our patriotism, to send their sons into war after war. They said that they had never thought about it this way. Do think about it.
DEATH SAM COHEN Sam S. Cohen died at the age of 83. Graveside services were held on Oct. 21 at Mt. Sinai Cemetery He is survived by wife of 60 years, Rose Cohen of Des Moines, IA; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeannie and Rick Gilinsky, Cindy Cohen and Mike Milkovitch of Minnetonka, MN; sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Kathleen Cohen of Topeka, KS, and Steve and Judy Cohen of Chicago, IL; brother, Haskell Cohen of Amherst, MA; and 11 grandchildren.
Jewish community responds by JACOB BERKMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- As of Tuesday afternoon the fires in Southern California had turned some 1100 acres from San Diego to northern Los Angeles into an inferno. The Jewish community of nearly three quarters of a million people in San Diego and Los Angeles counties is struggling to assess the damage in its own ranks. San Diego County, with about 100,000 Jews, has been hardest hit, with 14 separate fires raging. About 320,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. It is unknown how many of the evacuees are Jewish, but 30 communal leaders met via teleconference on Tuesday to discuss the situation. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla has been evacuated and has incurred some smoke damage, according to Michael Sonduck, chief operating officer of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County. The residents of the Jewish Sea Crest retirement villages in Rancho Bernardo and Encinitas were voluntarily evacuated. Two of the area’s 40 synagogues were evacuated, and a number remain in fire zones, but it is still not known whether any of them have been damaged, according to Sonduck. The Federation, the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Family Service of San Diego have set up a disaster fund to help assist with relief. “San Diego is our big concern,� Rabbi Mark Diamond, executive vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, told JTA. The fund collected $35,000 in its first day. Even as they worry about their own synagogues, some Jews have reached out to the broader community. Chabad-Lubavitch has been delivering blankets and food to the 11,000 evacuees staying at Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers.
Beth El’s “Bring your parents to school day� promises to be a fun family affair board will discuss goals for the year. During the rest of the morning, parents may attend their children’s classes and enjoy refreshments in the West Court, courtesy of Beth El Men’s Club. A directory of classrooms and teachers’ names will be posted in the canteen area, Rubin said, adding that parents are welcome to stay for either the entire open house, or just a portion of the morning. She also noted that in addition to the interactive open house, parents are always welcome to visit mid-week religious school classes and may set a date and time by contacting her at 498.0904, or eddir@bethel-omaha.org. In addition, several mid-week faculty members have already designated dates for parents to visit their classrooms.
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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Jewish education will be a family affair at Beth El on Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-noon, as the synagogue’s Talmud Torah (BESTT) sponsors its fourth annual “Bring Your Parents to School Day.� All families with students in pre- kindergarten through seventh grade are invited to participate in this special open house, which offers parents the opportunity to become familiarized with their children’s Sunday school classes and participate in a fun-filled morning of learning alongside their children. The morning will begin with an open assembly in the chapel, where Education Director Judy Rubin, Rabbi Mordechai Levin and a member of the BESTT school
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POLICE OFFICERS: Earn up to a $20,000 bonus. Train to protect your fellow soldiers, be a leader in the Army National Guard. 1-800-GO-GUARD.com/police. CENTRAL NEBRASKA weekly paper seeks editor position. Experience preferred. Applicants should send resume to: The Minden Courier, PO Box 379, Minden, NE 68959. WEB OFFSET Operator or experienced Assistant Operator. Immediate full-time position, paid insurance, vacation and more! Call or send resume in confidence to: Rocket Printing, Inc., PO Box 369, Armour, SD 57313. 605-724-2848. FOREMAN NEEDED for progressive, quality oriented company. Experience with field fabrication, equipment repair/ installation, ability to lead crew of 3-6 men. Wages 32k+ and benefits, DOE. Contact Buckley Steel, Ainsworth, NE, 800-310-0347. Email: kim@buckleysteel.com. GREAT OPPORTUNITY at Landmark! Landmark Structures is hiring Superintendents and Foremen with direct experience in heavy civil and industrial work. Must have strong working knowledge of concrete mix designs/ admixtures, structural concrete forming systems (gang, Symons, slipforms), an impeccable safety record, and ability to travel out of state on a 10 days of work and 4 days off rotation - all travel expenses paid by Landmark (flights, hotel, per diem). If you would like consideration as part of our team, please contact Landmark at 800-888-6816 ext. 107. You may also fax your resume to 817-439-9001 or e-mail to resumemgr@yahoo.com. HEAVY EQUIPMENT Operator training. Nationally certified, 4 week, 200 hour program, job placement assistance, 1-970-474-3686, Heavy Equipment Training Academy. SERVICE TECHNICIANS wanted. Taylor Implement Company, a John Deere dealership in Hoxie, Kansas. Hourly wage with incentive plan, retirement plan, health insurance, paid sick & vacation days. Moving expense reimbursement and signing bonus included. Please send resume to: Taylor Implement Company, PO Box 725, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. koryt@tayloric.com, 800-322-5830. LAYNE WESTERN is seeking experienced Drillers and Pump Installers for municipal and industrial markets. Excellent wage, paid vacation, industry leading health benefits, and 401k program. Travel required, CDL license with endorsements preferred. Apply at 4601 North 252nd Street, PO Box 597, Valley, NE 68064, 402-359-2042, 402-3592310 (fax). SERVICE TECH/Service Manager. HVAC, electrical experience required, $15 $25/hour. Excellent benefits, vehicle. Plains Boiler Service, Sioux City, IA, 712-252-4797, EOE. DRIVERS - MORE money! Sign-on bonus, 36-43cpm/$1.20pm, $0 lease/teams needed. Class A + 3 months recent OTR required, 800-635-8669. DRIVERS: WE pay more! Reefer average $875 - $1,448/ week, excellent network, late model equipment, 401k, Blue Cross Insurance. 800-771-6318, www.primeinc.com. DRIVERS: WE’VE got it all! $5,000 sign on with 1 year OTR. Regional/48 State! www.ffeinc.com, students welcome, training available! FFE, Inc. Call now, 800-5699232. LICENSED INSURANCE Agents with Medicare Advantage experience. Appointments provided. Protected territory. Real $3-$7K per week. Contact td122@yahoo.com or call 402-217-2488.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 26, 2007