Vol. LXXXIV No. 9 Omaha, NE
At Polling Stations Across U.S., Jews Cast Coveted Votes by JTA Staff PHILADELPHIA, (JTA)--In the leafy Philadelphia suburb of Bala Cynwyd, Amy Feldman stood in line, two young children clutching at her waist, ready to cast her vote for U.S. president. “I’m voting for George Bush because he’s stronger on Israel and that’s my No. 1 issue,” said the 35-year-old attorney Tuesday. But Feldman appeared to be a minority--not only among Jews interviewed at two polling stations in Montgomery County, PA, one of the Philadelphia suburban regions deemed critical to winning the coveted 21 electoral votes in this swing state, but among Jewish voters across the United States. Although Jews make up a small percentage of the overall U.S. vote, many of the states seen as crucial in the election--Florida and Ohio, as well as Pennsylvania--have significant Jewish populations. Both campaigns spent unprecedented resources to target Jewish voters. The president has made a concerted attempt to woo the Jewish vote, hoping to improve on the 19 percent he garnered against Al Gore in 2000. But despite his best efforts, Jews appeared once again to be overwhelmingly backing a Democrat, this time Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). For Efrat Aharonowich, a New Yorker in her mid-40s, deciding who to support was a tough call. “I was considering Bush because of his fondness for Israel, but I thought that overall, for the direction of this country, I had to vote for Kerry,” said Aharonowich, who has dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship. “On the one hand I want Bush for Israel, but on the other hand, as an American, I want Kerry to win. But if it is Bush, I think I’ll be happy.” But for lifelong Democrat Jack Lichtenstein, the choice was easy. “I didn’t need another Messiah. I didn’t need somebody who speaks to God to makes decisions about money,” said the 81-year-old resident of New York’s Upper West Side, who pulled the lever for Kerry on Tuesday.
Norma Fried, right, waits patiently in line at her voting precinct at Omaha’s Jewish Community Center. She avoided going at 8 a.m. when the polls opened because she knew the line would probably be out the doorway and into the lobby of the JCC. And it was. But she added, “I hope we’ll know the outcome before too long.” Bush’s strong belief in the role of religion in public life was only one of the issues that motivated many Jewish voters: the war in Iraq, Israel’s security and domestic concerns also ranked at the top of many voters’ priorities for the president. Several Jews interviewed said the future make-up of the U.S. Supreme Court was a factor in their decision. Bush is likely to be in the position to appoint some new justices to a court that has been virtually split on cases related to abortion rights and church-state separation, issues that many Jews care about. Continued on page 3
Inside
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
A New Building, a New Rabbi by CAROL KATZMAN Rick Katzman and Dr. Paul Shyken chaired the Editor of the Jewish Press Building Committee, working with owner’s representaIn 1978, Rabbi Isaac Nadoff, z”tl, asked Joe tive Cliff Levitan of CL Enterprises and overseeing Kirshenbaum, then President of Beth Israel Synagogue, designer Marty Shukert of RDG Planning and Design, to “take a little ride” with him. Driving more than eight and the Weitz Company, building contractors. In addimiles west of the 52nd and Seward St. location of the tion to introducing the honored guests of the evening, congregation, the two men stopped at a small country Katzman called on Rabbi Gross to recite the school, located on 126th and Pacific. “This,” Rabbi Shehecheeyanu and dedicate the new building, adding, Nadoff told Kirshenbaum, “is where we should build a “When Rabbi Gross was a young man (laughter from new synagogue.” And so, 26 years later, the congregants of Beth Israel finally realized that dream. In a ceremony late Sunday afternoon, the synagogue’s newest (and youngest) rabbi, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, recited the words of the Shehecheeyanu, to formally dedicate the new 18,000 square foot building. The building (which was only just repaired after a driver slammed into the corner of the front entrance on Oct. 15) opened its doors in February after a multi-year fundraising campaign. It features a fan-shaped sanctuary that seats 350, a chapel, social hall, meeting room, children’s nursery, offices, fullservice-kosher kitchen, and the possibility of expansion in the lower level. The sanctuary was nearly filled to capacity with family and friends who had come from New York, New Rabbi Jonathan Gross, newly installed spiritual leader of Beth Israel, is congratuJersey, Florida and California, former lated by his grandmothers, Gusti Blumenthal, left, of Kew Garden Hills, NY, and Beth Israel members from Arizona, Shirley Maza of New Jersey. Rabbi Gross says he followed in the footsteps of his Washington, D.C. and Texas, and well grandfather, the late Rabbi Yosef Maza. Other members the family who attended wishers from across Omaha’s Jewish included: Rabbi Gross’ parents--Sandy and David Gross from New Jersey; grandfather, Sidney Blumenthal; sister, Amy of New York City; brother-in-law Avi spectrum. “Only once in a lifetime does one Greenbaum of Boca Raton, FL; his aunts Rena Gelernter and DeeDee Honigsfeld; have the privilege--or the opportunity Sara Gross’ father, Ralph Kostant of Los Angeles and her sister, Elyce of New York --to be a meaningful part of building City. Unable to attend, but sending best wishes were Rabbi Gross’ sisters, Dr. Laura a new synagogue,” said Joe Greenbaum of Boca Raton and Nina Gross of Brooklyn; Sara Gross’ mother, Laura Kirshenbaum, chairman of the Kostant, and her sister and brother, Esther and Nathan Kostant, all of L.A. fundraising committee. “Another generation, over 50 the crowd); when he was a yeshiva student...last week years ago, made the original Beth Israel possible, and (more laughter), little did he know that one day he’d be now we have had this unique opportunity to do it for the Rav HaMachshir of Omaha, of Nebraska...of North the next generation. and South Dakota (more laughter), Wyoming, Montana “Our groundbreaking was two years ago,” and Idaho!” Kirshenbaum reminded the audience, gratefully Though Rabbi Gross is only 27-years-old, he was acknowledging the large initial gifts from Harold praised repeatedly by representatives of the Orthodox Cooperman, the Carl Frohm Foundation and Jerry Union, colleagues and teachers. In fact, during his Gordman and the Dan Gordman Fund. He noted that acceptance speech, following the elegant dinner, Rabbi “without their generosity, this building would not have Gross said, “My family and friends have come from far happened. But these three gifts, coupled with four oth- away to be here. Rabbis are saying nice things about ers from within our congregation raised 45% of our ini- me, and I’m getting gifts! tial goal.” “Do you feel like you’re at my Bar Mitzvah?” he asked Kirshenbaum says he was “gratified with the the crowd of more than 230 with a wide grin. response...from those who have never even been affilHe may be young, but one special guest, Sylvia iated with Beth Israel. In fact, knowing that we are still Kellerman studied with Rabbi Gross when he was a short of our ‘adjusted’ goal, I am still getting pledges rabbinic intern last year at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Los Continued on page 9 from non-members.”
Laughter Rules at the YJO Event by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Last week’s Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) event featuring the stand up comedy of Joel Chasnoff attracted more than 150 Jewish Omahans, many of them ages 21-45. Chasnoff’s brand of Jewish humor kept the crowd laughing non-stop throughout his 50-minute routine, touching on the funnier side of the American Jewish experience including attending Yom Kippur services, surviving airport security and Jewish family life. Omaha “returnees” Laurie and Jason Epstein and Matt and Melissa Shapiro were four of the 100+ Young Jewish Omahans who made new friends and renewed old friendships. Continued on page 2
This Week: Teen Age Features OTYG: Page 11 Federation Embarks on Strategic Plan: Page 2
21 Cheshvan, 5765 November 5, 2004
Did Anti-Semitism Fuel Red Sox Curse? Page 3
Coming This Month: Hanukkah Gift Guide, Nov. 26 Yossi and Jagger at Film Festival: Page 5
Two Stories on birthright Israel and programs: Pages 6-7
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
Laughter Rules at Young Leadership Event
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Continued from page 1 Photos from top left: Catching up after the show are Vicki and Mark Sanford, Joel Chasnoff and Deb Marburg. The YJO event opened by honoring the Federation Young Leadership Award recipients for 2003. David Kohll was presented the 2003 Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award by Tom Fellman. Katherine Finnegan received the 2003 Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award from Phil Schrager. Displaying enthusiastic laughter during the stand up act of Joel Chasnoff are: Don and Anne Osborne; Theresa Kramer and Andy Ruback; Jordana and Jim Glazer; Michael Schop, Mimi Silverman and Melissa Schop; JELS Director Guy Matalon; and Eric Phillips. Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) is a social group for members of the community ages 25-45 and sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For more information about YJO programs, please contact Sharon Kirshenbaum, Young Leadership Director, 334-6485 or e-mail her at: skirshenbaum@jewishomaha.org.
CLIP & SAVE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Adult Retreat with Rabbi Josh Zweiback, Nov. 5-6, 7 a.m. at Temple Israel Tri-Faith Dialogue, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Visions Mystery Trip, 9:30 a.m. Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. JELS Class at Temple Israel, noon
C SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 L Jewish Potpouri,10 a.m. at Beth El I Adult Education, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel P Bible Study, 11 a.m. at Beth El Hebrew Crash Course 11 a.m. at Beth El & Temple Israel Sponsored Dinner at Stephens Center, noon AMIT Women Meeting, noon S Basketball Parent Meeting, 12:30 p.m. A Camp Fair, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel V JELS/Opera Omaha “Oral History of American Musicians”, 7 p.m. E
C L I P & S A V E
Federation Embarks on Strategic Planning Process
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Visions Weather Station Tour at Offutt Airforce Base, 9:30 a.m. 350 Years in American Halacha Class, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 ADL’s Manhigim Institute, 4:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Beth El Executive Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon C Temple Israel Bible Quiz Study (Gr. 7-12), 5:30 p.m. L Temple Israel Youth Group Dinner, 6 p.m. I “Live from the 92nd Street Y” features Ashenazi Wedding, P 7 p.m. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. S Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel A Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. RBJH Veterans Day Program “The Aviators”, 5 p.m. V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not
&
responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Norm Sheldon, Federation Vice-President, has been appointed to head the Federation’s Strategic Planning Committee announced Zoë Riekes, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. “The purpose of the Strategic Planning Committee, and the strategic planning process in particular, is to develop a shared vision and road map for the future of the Omaha Jewish community,” explained Sheldon. “By putting into words our goals for the community, we can put a plan into place to create a stronger Jewish community and determine the Federation’s role in achieving that vision,” he added. The Federation is using the services available through United Jewish Communities (UJC), the national parent organization for 189 Jewish Federations across North America including Omaha. As a member of UJC, the Omaha Federation can take advantage of planning consultants who have a high level of expertise in strategic planning for Federations for very reasonable cost. Omaha’s consultant is Leslie Robin, Senior Consulting Executive for UJC Consulting, whose areas of expertise include planning, allocations, community services, human services, Israel relations, and Partnership 2000. Federation President Zoë Riekes lauded Sheldon’s
appointment as Strategic Planning Chairman and said, “There is no doubt that Norm Sheldon has the exceptional leadership qualities that make him the right person at the right time to be leading this very important committee. The Federation’s last strategic plan was over ten years ago. Since then, we’ve changed and learned that Norm Sheldon planning for the future of our community is a process that never ends.” Sheldon has assembled a committee consisting of individuals who have a broad range of experience working within the Jewish community. The Strategic Planning Steering Committee, led by Sheldon, includes Ann Goldstein, Jeff Kirshenbaum, Bob Kully, Murray Newman and Allan Noddle. Making up the full Strategic Planning Committee are Bob Belgrade, Harry Berman, Bonnie Bloch, Toba Cohen, Ted Friedland, Jay Gordman, Howard Kooper, Susie Lehr, Bruce Shackman, Todd Simon and Suzanne Singer.
November 5, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Henry Ford’s Anti-Semitism Fueled Jews Cast Their Votes Continued from page 1 One Miami woman, Janie Levin, shook Kerry will “protect our court system,” her head when she recalled the 2000 Boston Red Sox Curse, Article Says said Ariella Reback of the Pepper Pike elections. “I’m 78-years-old and I had no by PETER EPHROSS sportswriter named Fred Lieb, who NEW YORK (JTA)--Most casual base- wrote histories of several teams, includball fans know about the “Curse of the ing the Red Sox. Published in 1947, Bambino.” Lieb’s history of the team paints a porNow a sportswriter has written that the trait of Frazee that is “as pointed as that curse--which links the Boston Red Sox’s of the Shakespearean character failure to win a World Series since 1918 Shylock,” writes Stout, who told JTA he to the sale of slugger Babe Ruth the fol- donated his pay for the article examining lowing year to the New York Yankees-- the curse to the Anti-Defamation League. has anti-Semitic origins. Fast forward about 40 years, to when Of course, all that changed Oct. 27, New York Times columnist George when the Sox swept the World Series, 4- Vecsey indirectly referred to a curse con0, against the St. Louis Cardinals. nected to Frazee’s sale of Ruth after the The publication of the story Red Sox let a 1986 comes as the history of Jews in World Series victobaseball is getting unprecedented ry against the New publicity, including a recent twoYork Mets slip day conference at baseball’s Hall through their of Fame celebrating Jewish playgrasp. ers. The story also comes as Shawn The curse was Green, a player with the Los further etched Angeles Dodgers, made headlines onto the popular with his decision to sit out one of mind a few years his team’s two games during Yom later by Boston Kippur. Globe columnist As writer Glenn Stout tells it, the Dan Shaughnessy story revolves around the antiin his book, The Semitic attitudes of pre-World War II Curse of the America--and some previously Babe Ruth in his Red Sox uni- Bambino. George unchallenged historical inaccuracies. form. Credit: The Sports Museum Herman “Babe” Ruth was sometimes referred to as “the Bambino.” Stout made sure to emphasize that neither Vecsey nor Shaughnessy is guilty of antiSemitism. To some, the link between antiJewish sentiments and the curse may seem tenuous. But to Stout, the antiSemitism of Ford and Lieb set the stage for later interpretations of Frazee’s sale of Henry Ford’s anti-Semitic newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, pubRuth as the onset lished diatribes in the 1920s that depicted the alleged negative influence of this decades-old of Jews on the game of baseball. curse. In the September 2004 issue of Boston For his part, Vecsey has since written a Baseball magazine, Stout writes that the mea culpa. In a column printed last roots of the animus against Harry Frazee, Friday in the Times, Vecsey wrote, “The then the Red Sox owner, lie in his battles Red Sox may indeed be haunted by with the president of the American some miasma dating from the sale of League, Ban Johnson. Babe Ruth,” but “it is time, however, to Knowing that Frazee was from New York exorcise any image perpetuated by and was a theatrical producer, Johnson Henry Ford and his lot.” assumed he was Jewish. But he was Shaughnessy, however, isn’t convinced wrong--Frazee was Protestant, Stout writes. by the entire argument. Further, Stout writes, the popularly “I don’t see what this has to do with understood ‘facts’ behind the curse are the history of the Red Sox,” he told JTA. not true: the sale of Ruth was not neces- He added: “The story is an enormous sary to finance the Broadway show No, stretch.” No, Nanette, and many sportswriters at Fans appear to be equally split on how the time thought the Ruth sale was a much time they want to give Stout’s artigood move. cle. Since the piece appeared in Boston But the Frazee-was-Jewish story Baseball, Stout says he’s received severgained further traction when Frazee was al e-mails from readers. One man wrote blasted in automobile magnate Henry to tell him that he thought it was okay to Ford’s anti-Semitic newspaper, The read the article during Yom Kippur since Dearborn Independent. it dealt with Jewish issues. Frazee’s tenure as owner of the Red “I got a kick out of that,” Stout said. Sox amounted to “the smothering influBut Martin Abramowitz, a Red Sox fan ences of the ‘chosen race,’” the and the force behind the recently pubIndependent railed in 1921. lished set of Jewish baseball cards, had his The problem, the Independent decid- eyes more fixed on worrying about the ed, was that Frazee was an unprincipled baseball playoffs against the Yankees, businessman, not a baseball purist. than about baseball’s past.“We’re (always) “Baseball was about as much a sport to too busy trying to beat the Yankees,” he Frazee as selling tickets to a merry-go- said. But with four straight wins against round would be,” an article in the paper their arch rivals, followed by a shut-out said, according to Stout, adding that World Series against the Cardinals, “baseball was to be ‘promoted’ as Jewish Abramowitz can go back to his Jewish managers promote Coney Island.” baseball cards and stop worrying. The caricature was furthered by a
suburb of Cleveland. The Republicans had been seen as making inroads among Orthodox Jews, and anecdotal evidence in Milwaukee bore that out. For Rabbi Moshe Gilden, a scholar at the Milwaukee Kollel Center for Jewish Studies, one important set of issues in the election was morality. Speaking just after morning minyan at Beth Jehudah, the 28-year-old said he believes Bush “will uphold morality in this country.” Both parties have worked assiduously to demonstrate their credentials on Israel-and there's no doubt that for many Jewish voters, Israel is an important factor. “It’s amazing that women in my Hadassah chapter are 100% for Israel, and I don’t understand why they want to vote for Kerry,” said Lotte Retig, 81, who was reading the latest issue of Hadassah magazine as she waited in line to vote in an apartment building in New York City. “Bush has done everything for Israel.” After the 2000 election debacle, in which confusing ballots were blamed for some of the problems among Jewish elderly in Florida, many states updated their outdated voting machines.
trouble voting then and none today,” she insisted. “If voters thought they marked the wrong box, all they had to do was ask for another ballot.” “You know, you can’t legislate against stupidity.” With the election so close, many observers predicted the possibility of a deadlock, similar to the one that occurred four years ago. As it turned out, Bush won both the popular vote, as well as electoral. “I’ve had more anxiety about this election that I’ve had about any other,” said Sharee Newman, an active Democrat living in Omaha. “I’m scared to death we’ll end up with disenfranchised voters, absentee ballots that never got to people who requested them, and military personnel who won’t get ballots, but are risking their lives for us.” Contributing to this report were JTA Editor Lisa Hostein, JTA Managing Editor Michael Arnold, JTA Staff Writers Rachel Pomerance and Chanan Tigay and Online Editor Andy Neusner. Also contributing were the Cleveland Jewish News, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, JTA correspondent Tom Tugend in L.A., the Washington Jewish Week, the Omaha Jewish Press and the New Jersey Jewish Standard. JTA Staff Writer Peter Ephross wrote the story.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
After Long Months of Studious Preparation, Beth El Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class to Celebrate by JILL BELMONT studying and learning will result in personal growth.” she decided that “it was my turn. If I was ever going to Beth El Publicity Coordinator For Roitstein, “becoming a Bat Mitzvah has always do it, this was the perfect time.” Almost two years of hard work and commitment will been a dream of mine, to demonstrate my commitment She added that personal growth was also a factor in reach fruition as eight Beth El congregants become to Judaism, which began with my conversion 35 years her decision. “There’s a time in your life when you hit B’nai Mitzvah during Shabbat services on Saturday, ago.” She added that, “Beth El provided the opportuni- a point of self-discovery,” she said. “It’s a time to make Nov. 6. This year’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah class, taught by ty for me to pursue that dream when they offered the changes in your life, and I decided that expanding my Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, includes Denise Ipock, adult B’nai Mitzvah class, and I am so grateful to Rabbi education would be that change.” Diane Malashock, Carol Nathan, Frances Gottlieb, Levin and Cantor Bogomolni for their assistance. The Being raised in a close-knit Orthodox home, Ipock David Cooper, Dan Levitan, Debbie Roitstein and Caryn rich traditions and strong family values are unique to said that Judaism and Jewish traditions were always at Rifkin. Celebrants will sing prayers together and will the Jewish people and something my husband, Lloyd, the forefront. “My great-grandparents came from individually chant Torah and Haftorah, Cantor and I have passed on to our children.” Russia, were among the early members of Beth Israel, Bogomolni said. Gottlieb recalled that when she was growing up in and their involvement in the synagogue was quite sigThe culmination of their studies is exciting to both New York City, Orthodox Jewish girls did not become nificant. Because Judaism has been so important in my class members and their instructor, life, the fact that I did not complete who remarked that the most enjoyHebrew school or become a Bat able aspect of teaching the adults was Mitzvah has always left a void in my “seeing their deep desire to learn and life,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to reach this point. I’ve loved seeing to now have this opportunity, and to them challenge themselves to become share this time of joy with the membetter Jews and become more knowlbers of this B’nai Mitzvah class, some edgeable about Jewish traditions, hiswhom I have known for many years tory and prayers.” and are among my closest friends.” That admiration goes both ways, as Levitan recalled that as newlyweds, the cantor’s students voiced appreciahe and his wife discussed their desire tion for their mentor’s enthusiasm and to become B’nai Mitzvah, but the timteaching ability. ing was never right to attend classes: “Gastón is so energetic and unbewith two young children, the couple’s lievably intelligent,” Nathan said. “He limited time prevented them from pardidn’t just want us to memorize ticipating several years ago; and later words; he wanted us to know what on, Levitan was busy working on his we were reading. He provided us with master’s degree. “The third time was a a lot of history and the ‘whys’ behind charm,” he laughed, adding that his everything.” wife is planning to participate in next Surrounding Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, center, are his B’nai Mitzvah students, from left: David Cooper, She was also quick to point out that year’s B’nai Mitzvah class. Both are Frances Gottlieb, Carol Nathan, Caryn Rifkin, Denise Ipock, Dan Levitan, Debbie Roitstein and Diane “he laid it on the line and said that if working toward their goal of reading Malashock. The group will participate in a special B'nai Mitzvah celebration on Nov. 6 at Beth El. we wanted to do this, we had to pracTorah during their sons’ B’nai Mitzvah tice.” Already busy with family responsibilities and a B’not Mitzvah and were not allowed to attend Hebrew several years from now, he said. full-time job, finding time to study was difficult at times, high school; however, her mother enrolled her in a Cantor Bogomolni noted that the next Adult B’nai Nathan admitted, but the effort paid off. “A year-and-a- Conservative religious school so that she could study. Mitzvah class will begin March 6, and he encouraged half ago, I didn’t know one Hebrew letter, and now I Later, after moving to Omaha and joining Beth El, she those who are interested in studying to enroll in Beth El’s can follow along during services,” she said. was excited to see women reading from the Torah. three-month-long Hebrew Crash Course, which begins Reaching this meaningful milestone is significant to “When I saw them becoming B’not Mitzvah, I felt that Sunday, Nov. 7, 11:10 a.m. to noon, in the synagogue the celebrants for a variety of reasons. Rifkin noted that I missed out, and realized that this was something that library. The course, taught by Susi Frydman-Levin, will she was “too shy and insecure at age 13 to handle the I wanted.” offer basic Hebrew, a requirement for those wishing to pressure of standing before the congregation as a Bat Gottlieb’s two daughters, son-in-law and grand- become B’nai Mitzvah. Those who already know Hebrew Mitzvah.” However, she said, “as I neared my 50th daughters will travel from their homes in Arlington, VA, will not be required to take the class. birthday, I decided that it was time to do this for and Kansas City to celebrate with her. “For me it’s a real The cantor said that he looks forward to teaching this myself.” accomplishment, and it also means a lot to my daugh- very rewarding class to his next group of students. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah also fulfills a long-held ters,” she said. Until then, he will enjoy with pride and happiness his desire for Cooper, who remarked that “all my life I have Malashock, who will present the morning’s D’var first B’nai Mitzvah class’s simcha, and will join the comfelt I missed something by not participating in the for- Torah regarding the parasha Chaya Sarah, said that munity in wishing the celebrants mazel tov on this sigmal ritual. It is quite a challenge, and I am hoping the since her three children had all become B’nai Mitzvah, nificant accomplishment in their lives.
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November 5, 2004
Award Winning Israel Film, Yossi & Jagger, at Film Festival by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Third Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival will continue with the Israeli award winning, Yossi & Jagger on Thursday, Nov. 18 7 p.m. Based on a true story, “Yossi & Jagger” (Israel 2003) portrays the love affair of two Israeli officers in an IDF position on the Israeli-Lebanese border. They are commanders, they are in love, and they try to find a place of their own in an oppressing and rigid system, which sends them to defend a cause they do not necessarily believe in. Yossi, the company commander, is an introvert guy and largely a man-of-the-system. Jagger, the platoon commander, is an open and much more liberated guy. He is the star of the company. Yossi is determined to keep their love in secret. Whereas, Jagger, who is about to finish the service, believes that Yossi should leave the army with him. Shortly before departing for a dangerous ambush, the tension between the lovers gets almost explosive. Yossi & Jagger depicts in a courageous, genuine, amusing and sometimes painful fashion the complicated and sensitive topic of "gays in the military". It also portrays the tragic structure of life of young Israelis today. The film presents an enchanting ensemble of young men and women that were supposed, in this time
of their lives, to dance, study and love. Instead, due to the mandatory army service and the complicated situation in the region, they have to devote their most beautiful years to their country, to be soldiers, to kill and get killed. By showing the apparently small details of the commanders’ and soldiers’ lives, the film creators emphasize the distorted situation in which these men and women are forced to live and die. “There’s no hot-button ideology here, just the tale--said to be true--of the two men, a female soldier who has fallen for one of them, and an ambush. Yossi & Jagger could have been made anywhere, really; it’s a tale of being scared, of being hopeful, of the unsettling intersection between commitment and loss” says Howard Shapiro, Philadelphia Inquirer. To purchase tickets, call the Kripke Jewish Federation library at 334.6462 or email gkatz@jewishomaha.org. Tickets are $5 each or a four ticket Festival pack is $15. Free babysitting service will be provided by for ages two and up. Please RSVP to 334.6462 because of limited space. The Third Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival is sponsored by: Jewish Educational & Library Services, The Kripke Jewish Federation Library, and The Avy L. and Roberta L. Miller Foundation by Lindsey Miller-Lerman.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
You Won’t Want to Miss the Women's Campaign Event by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Make your plans today for the Jewish Federation Women’s Campaign Event, featuring an evening of light-hearted and exceptional entertainment of pianist and vocalist Marty Henne, Tuesday, Nov. 16 7 p.m., at Ironwood Golf and Country Club, 12627 Pacific St. Marty Henne is a well-known entertainer who has performed for audiences in nightclubs, country clubs, and cruise ships. He is known for his interaction and rapport with his audience, and has developed a devoted following among those who love good music and pure entertainment. In addition to his wonderful music, Henne’s show is also filled with stories and insights about the writers and the times they lived and worked in, all told
with his unique humor, joy and warmth. His performances have drawn comparisons to the shows of consummate entertainers like Mel Torme and Michael Feinstein. The Women’s event is free and open to women in the community who make a gift of any amount to the 2005 Federation Annual Campaign. A dessert reception and CD sale and signing will follow the show. Marty Henne recently announced that he would donate 10% of CD sales at the Women’s event to the Women’s Campaign! The CDs sell for $20 each. Reservations are recommended due to space limitations and can be made by calling Lana Reichardt, Federation Executive Secretary at 334.6430 or via email at: lreichardt@jewishomaha.org.
Playing Hits Through the Decades Omaha’s always-popular group Pam and the Pearls will provide the musical entertainment as the Jewish community joins together to celebrate Beth El Synagogue's 75th anniversary, at its festive Diamond Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Nov. 13. Reservations are still being accepted for the 7 p.m. gala, which will be held at the synagogue. For reservations or for more information, call event chairmen Ann Goldstein, 391.1050, or Cheryl Cooper, 391.7514.
Antidepressant Medications for Children Have New Warning Labels
JFS CORNER by KAREN M. GUSTAFSON MS, NCC, LMHP After many studies and increased concerns and complaints by grieving parents, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered that all antidepressants carry “black box” warnings indicating that they “increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior” in children who take them. Dr. Lester Crawford, acting FDA commissioner, said “we continue to believe, however, that these drugs provide significant benefits for pediatric patients when used appropriately.” In fact, Crawford states that suicides among youths decreased by 25 percent in the last decade, as antidepressant prescriptions to children soared. The warning begins, “antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior...in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders.” These risks need to be balanced against psychiatric need, the label indicates in a warning surrounded by a black box, hence the “black box” designation. Independent experts working with Columbia University agree that on average, 2-3 percent of children taking the antidepressants Wellbutrin, Paxil, Effexor, Zoloft, Lexapro and Fluoxetine have increased thoughts of suicide. The drug labels include details of studies that have, to date, pointed to Prozac as the safest antidepressant for children. So, how should parents make the best decision they can regarding their child? The answer is simple and complex at the same time. The simple part is to remind
parents to be informed. Since these new warnings will mainly be seen by doctors, the FDA is creating an information guide for patients and their parents advising them of the risk. Parents are also advised to talk with and insist on information from their family physicians, the prescribing psychiatrist and the pharmacy. Parents should ask about alternatives and seek a second opinion if they feel it is necessary. The more complicated part often rests with the parents and the increased need to be a diligent observer. Parents and physicians are being advised to watch for warning signs in children that include worsening depression, agitation, irritability and unusual changes in behavior (signs that some children already exhibit). These “signs” could come within a short period of beginning the antidepressant or if the drug’s dosage is changed, higher or lower. For many families having their child see a therapist is frightening, not to mention the fear that medication will be suggested. Please remember two things: Children, and adults, most often get better if they go to therapy and remain in therapy until their treatment is done; and, the majority of children who need medication due to a medically diagnosable condition fair better than those not medicated. All medications have risks. It is all of our responsibility to be aware of those risks and to be vigilant about monitoring the situation. Psychiatric medications should not be more feared than any other medications, and all should be considered carefully. This topic is currently highly controversial. Should you wish to receive more information please e-mail me at kgustafson@jewishomaha.org.
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Young Israelis Promote Homeland on Campus New Initiative Speaks Young Adult-to-Young Adult by JEFF RUBIN dents “is my home--this is me,” he said. Director of Communications Hillel: The first three weeks were difficult, Selsky said-The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life “New Yorkers speak very fast!”--but he found a warm Washington, D.C.--For Oded Frid, Zionism is not just an reception from the staff and students in Brooklyn. idea--it’s been his way of life. The son of Argentineans “They accepted me with open arms. I was very wantwho made aliyah as young adults, he was instilled with a ed,” he said. great appreciation and love for Israel, and as the new Selsky will focus on the needs of the Russian students Israel Fellow at the Jewish University Center in Pittsburgh, at Hillel, and he is planning an event where students he encourages his American students to celebrate and can discuss the differences between being a Russian advocate for the Jewish homeland. Jew in the United States and in Israel. He is putting “I want to show them that there’s more to Israel than together an exhibition for Sukkot called “My Personal what you see on the news,” he said. Israel,” which will display photographs of ordinary Frid is part of the Israel Fellows Program, a new part- Israelis in everyday life, in contrast with the often vionership between the Jewish Agency for Israel, Hillel lent images of Israel shown on TV, and he also advises and birthright israel, which places outstanding young the Israeli advocacy groups on campus. “It’s amazing to Israelis on key North American campuses for a year of see people so dedicated to Israel,” he said. educational service as Hillel staff members. The fellows For Ayelet Zur, it was the right time to become an focus on Israel programming on campus, working with Israel Fellow. Having just completed her master’s thesis birthright returnees and recruiting for Israel programs. in law and economics and serving as an economic After one week of training in Jerusalem and another at adviser at the Knesset, the Haifa native jumped at the Hillel’s 2004 Charles Schusterman International Student chance to join the staff at UCLA Hillel. Though classes Leaders Assembly in Pennsylvania, the fellows spread are only starting this week, Zur has already met with out to serve 19 campuses in the United States and returning students and is amazed at their commitment Canada for the 2004-05 academic year. to Israel. Frid, a native of Herzliya, was in the middle of his “Seeing students willing to give so much time and political science program at Tel Aviv University when energy for Israel--it makes my heart bigger every day,” the Jewish Agency approached him about becoming an she said. Israel Fellow. Active in student life at his university, he While at the Knesset, Zur worked with Michael Eitan, found the idea of educating American students about the chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Israel to be appealing. After an initial brainstorming Committee, who is spearheading the effort to create a meeting with students from both Carnegie Mellon written Israeli constitution. She wants to involve stuUniversity and the University of Pittsburgh, Frid has dents in the process by forming a group to discuss already put together a five-part strategy for the year, what they would like to see included in an Israeli confocusing on Israel education, Israel trips, social activi- stitution, and she is bringing Eitan to campus to speak ties, Israeli advocacy and community outreach. about his work in early October. With registration for the winter birthright israel trips Zur has enlisted Israeli actor Oren Rehany to help underway, Frid is focusing on recruitment, and he students plan the production of an Israeli play, and she hopes that after the participants return to campus next has also partnered with a personal trainer from Israel to semester, they will remain involved in Hillel and create a program combining physical fitness with spiribecome leaders for Israeli advocacy. tuality and Israeli values. She hopes her innovative pro“I want to use birthright as an engagement tool for gramming will engage new students to become Hillel rather than just a program in and of itself,” he involved in Hillel. “Every student is here for a different said. reason,” she said. In the coming weeks, Frid Reut Ekshtein is one is planning a video conferof three Israel Fellows from ence between students and last year’s pilot program Amran Mitzna, the former who decided to return to mayor of Haifa, to discuss campus for an encore. As Jewish-Arab relations in the she begins her second year city. at University of Illinois, Like Frid, Noam Ben-Tov, Urbana-Champaign Hillel, the Israel Fellow at the Ekshtein, a former youth University of Florida Hillel, director at a home for troualso hails from Herzliya and bled youth in Tel Aviv, is is a student a Tel Aviv excited to educate more stuUniversity. And after being dents about Israeli politics on campus for just one and culture. month, he is also knee-deep “We have a very mulin programming ideas. ticultural campus, but stuOmahan Scott Langnas participated in a birthright israel Along with Hebrew con- trip last year. dents often have a limited versation classes and discusview of Israel,” she said. sions about Israeli current events, Ben-Tov is planning “They don’t know that Israel has a very vivid culture.” a Shekel Festival, a battle-of-the-bands competition This year Ekshtein plans on continuing the popular inspired by a similar concept in Israel. Ben-Tov Israeli film club, which regularly brought 40-60 students explained that a number of popular Israeli bands come together to watch and discuss recent Israeli movies. She from the working-class town of Sderot, and when they is also advising students on how to advocate for Israel tour the country, they only charge a one-shekel admis- through the campus newspaper, which often declines sion fee to concertgoers in other disadvantaged cities. to cover pro-Israel events, such as this past spring’s For the Shekel Festival, he plans to charge $1 admission successful Israel Week activities. fee, with all proceeds going to benefit Sderot. Ekshtein is the voice of Israel not only for Hillel, but Beyond Hillel, Ben-Tov also attends the activities of for the greater University of Illinois and Urbanaother student organizations and offers a personal point Champaign communities. She recently spoke to law of view on topics related to Israel and the Middle East. students about the role of women in the Israeli Defense He enjoys the diversity of the University of Florida cam- Forces, and she also shared her culture with students at pus and the opportunities it affords him to learn more a Baptist church. Ekshtein hopes to work with other about different cultures. student groups this year to plan cross-cultural pro“I want to feel like I’m a worldly person, and Hillel gramming, and she is working with the Jewish federagives me that opportunity,” he said. tion in Chicago to bring students from neighboring uniAt Brooklyn College Hillel, Israel Fellow Alex Selsky versities together for an Israeli advocacy conference. shares Russian roots with many of the students. He “I hear a lot of excitement about Israel from stumoved from Ufah, a city in central Russia, to Israel at dents,” she said. “They love everything about it--the age 16 to attend a special academy for Russian stu- food, the music, T-shirts with Hebrew. It’s amazing.” dents. While studying for his business degree at the The 14 other Israel Fellows serve Hillel of Broward College of Management in Rishon L’Tzion, Selsky and Palm Beach, Hartford Hillel Foundation, Vancouver worked with new immigrant students as a cultural and Hillel Foundation, Texas Hillel Foundation, University social counselor, helping them adjust to life in Israel. of Massachusetts-Amherst Hillel, Rochester Area Hillel, After he graduated this summer, he followed the path London (Ontario) Jewish Campus Services, Greater of many counselors who become shlichim, emissaries Miami Hillel, San Francisco Hillel, Hillel at Davis and who promote Israeli issues abroad. Being an Israel Sacramento, Kent State University Hillel, JSA University Fellow is an ideal position because working with stu- of Ottawa and University of Maryland Hillel.
November 5, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Four of Temple’s Young Adults Visit Israel on Birthright by CLAUDIA SHERMAN were “Jerusalem and the Old City and Temple Israel Communications Coordinator the Orthodox praying at the Wall on “Who could say no to a free trip to Shabbat morning. It was pretty moving,” Israel?” asked Rachel Langnas, 18. Rachel he said. Going to Israel “is a spiritual said yes and so did more than 10,000 experience that I think everyone should other young Jewish adults who traveled have,” Scott added. “There are no words to Israel last summer courtesy of birthright israel. Founded five years ago by Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, birthright israel offers the free 10-day trip to young Jews between 18 and 26 years old who have never been to Israel on a peer educational trip. So far, 70,000 visitors from 35 countries have gone on the trips which are sponsored by the founders and other philanthropists in partnership with the government of Left: Scott and Rachel Langnas both traveled to Israel last Israel, Jewish communities summer on birthright israel trips. One of their stops was the around the world, North American to explain Israel--it’s an experience.” Jewish Federations through the United For Rachel, “staying in a Bedouin tent Jewish Communities, the Jewish Agency in the desert and seeing the Old City in for Israel, and Keren Hayesod. Jerusalem” were among the trip’s highRachel, a sophomore at the University lights. The trip was everything she of Kansas and her brother Scott, who expected it to be “and more.” She would will be 21 in November, a junior at KU, like to go back someday. were both on birthright israel trips last Aron Neesman, who graduated from summer. Their trip was sponsored by Temple Israel High School last spring Kesher, the college program of the and now is a freshman at the University Union of Reform Judaism. It was the first of Missouri at Kansas City, had wanted to trip to Israel for Rachel and Scott whose get back to Israel for eight years. He had family is a member of Temple Israel. been there previously to attend his They visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, uncle’s wedding. There were about 40 Masada, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the on his trip which was sponsored by desert--“anything they could pack into Sachlav. ten days,” said Scott. The highlights for “I didn’t know anyone on the trip,” he Scott, who is majoring in political sci- said, but he made new friends with his ence, international studies, and Arabic, traveling companions. Aron is majoring
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in theater with a minor in Judaic studies. Aron said he never felt that he was in danger at any time on the trip. “We had security. The media portrays Israel as far more dangerous than it actually is.” Actually, birthright israel participants
wanted to see Israel in a whole new way,” she explained. “This was a chance for me to learn more about my homeland, the people, and the culture that I am so interested in and in love with. “Being a part of the Kesher group was something that only happens once and I could never imagine anything ever comparing to it, because it was such a meaningful and spiritual experience for me. My expectations far exceeded what I had dreamed of it being. The people I met were so inspirational.” Currently attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Leora is majoring in religious studies. After arriving in Tel Aviv, “we began touring right away, dragging Kotel in Jerusalem. Right: Leora Azriel also made it to our tired but excited feet Jerusalem where she posed with her friend Adam Simpson. through the Old City and its have pumped $110 million into the beautiful gates.” Her group also visited Israeli economy over the past five years. Eilat, Masada, Arad, Jerusalem, and Tzfat. El Al, Israel’s airline; hotels; bus tours; Although she was nervous right before restaurants; and tourist sites have all ben- she met the other participants who were efited from the economic impact. from New York, Massachusetts, New Leora Azriel agreed with the others on Jersey, Texas, Arizona, the Midwest, and the security. “I felt extremely safe on my Canada, after the long plane ride, “I was trip. Everything was calm and none of us eager to spend more time with these had any fear of being far away from home. young adults.” I expected shops and other public places “Going on birthright,” said Leora, “has to be deserted in case of an attack of some made me more in tune with what really is sort. What I found were cities more alive happening with Israel and its neighbors. If than ever before, people bustling around people do not take advantage of this at internet cafes and shopping at the latest amazing opportunity, then they are truly new stores,” she said. missing out on a remarkable experience.” Leora, 19, had been to Israel previousFor more information and to register ly to visit her grandparents and other rel- for a free trip to Israel, young Jewish atives. “But I wanted to go on this par- adults can check out the organization’s ticular birthright experience, because I website at www.birthrightisrael.com.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
Pizza and Bowling Planned for Singles, Single Parent Families
ORGANIZATIONS
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Singles and single parent families--and their kids of all ages--are invited to a pizza and bowling party on Sunday, Nov. 14, noon. Temple Israel has ordered Valentino’s pizza for a lunch at Temple. Then the group will head to Maplewood Lanes, 3030 No. 101 St., for an afternoon of bowling. “We want to build a welcoming community at Temple Israel for all families--including families of one,” said Rosie Zweiback, program director at Temple Israel, who has been planning events for singles and single parent families. In addition to the event on Nov. 14, singles and single parent families are encouraged to attend Temple’s annual Hanukkah dinner together on Friday, Dec. 10. On Jan. 9, a Sunday morning conversation meeting is planned. Other possible events include a Shabbat dinner in February and attending the April 24 Congregational Passover Seder together. RSVP to Temple at 556.6536 or to rzweiback@templeisraelomaha.com for the pizza and bowling party. Lunch is $5 for adults; $3.50 for children 12 and younger. The event is open to all singles and single parent families in the Jewish community.
IN THE NEWS
VISIONS Reminder: For those members going on the day trip to the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt A.F.B., please meet at the JCC main entrance at 9:15 a.m. Please bring a photo I.D. to enter. Luncheon meeting is Friday, Nov. 19, 12:30 p.m., at Canglia’s Venice Inn. Cost is $9.50 per person. Bob Wolfson, Director of the Anti-Defamation League, will bring us up-to-date on recent events. Make check payable to Visions and send reservations to Mickey and Tootsie Simon, 8725 Izard, Omaha, NE 68114 by Nov. 12. For information, call Harry Alloy at 697.8709. As a joint project with Jewish Family Service, Visions members are asked for a monetary gift. JFS will use this money for Jewish families who are in need. Please bring your donation to the luncheon or send a check to: Doris Parker, 120 So. 70 St, Omaha NE 68132. JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Reminder: All are welcome to join us for a Veteran’s Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., in the JCC auditorium with the Avi8ors. There is no admission fee. The performance is supported in memory of Dr. Arthur M. Greene, a flight surgeon with the Army Air Corp, by Deborah Greene, Silvia and Larry Hoffman. For reservations call Maggie Conti at 334.6521. TORAH LEARNING CENTER (TLC) Classes are taught by Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman; for information, call 981.0569.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Brodkey’s Jewelers, Nebraska’s oldest and largest family-owned jewelry store, has opend its newest store in Wolf Creek Plaza in Bellevue. According to Sherman Brodkey, President of the privately-held company, “Changing traffic patterns necessitated our move from Southroads Mall” to the new location at the intersection of Cornhusker Road and Kennedy Freeway. Former Omahan Sidney Dunn has retired as Executive Director of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish fraternity of North America. He will continue as ExecutiveVice-president-emeritus in the fraternity’s headquarters in Indianapolis, IN, and will serve as adviser and consultant to the fraternity and its foundation.
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The Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, under the musical direction of Aviva Segall, presents its first concert of the season on Sunday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m., in Joslyn Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall. The All-Orchestra concert is $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. OAYO’s second concert is Nov. 13, 3 p.m., at Benson High School. For tickets, call 238.2044 or visit the wesbite at: www.oayo.org. Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land, an exploration of the last refuge of one of legendary Jewish patriot Shimon Bar Kokhba’s groups of followers during a desperate uprising for religious freedom in the year 132, will air Tuesday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m., on PBS (check local listings). The expedition takes NOVA to a remote cave in the Judean desert, first excavated by the famed Israeli archaologist Yigael Yadin in 1960. The documentary, featuring former Omahan Dr. Richard Freund, sheds new light on the Bar Kokhba revolt, which resulted in the Roman slaughter of 580,000 Jews.
Dining
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Mondays, 7:30 p.m.: “Kosher Kitchen”--Learn the laws of keeping kosher. No prior knowledge necessary. Beginner and Advanced students will gain from this class at the home of Rabbi and Ariella Hoffman. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.: “Growth Through Torah”-through Jewish philosophy, at a private home. Wednesdays, noon: “Maximize Your Relationships”-explore relationships through Torah wisdom at the JCC. Thursdays, 1 p.m.: “Meaning of Life and Other Business”--based on the Kabbalistic text Way of G-d by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto at the JCC; at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC, learn to read Hebrew in just a few weeks in our Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, sponsored by NJOP. Hear humorous relationship insights presented by Canada’s Aryeh Pamensky, renowned relationship expert. The event is hosted by Judi Moore and Chris Thurber at 12832 Lafayette Ave on Sunday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. RSVP by Nov. 16 by calling 981-0569. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Richard Shugrue will be the guest speaker at our Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Nov. 10, noon, at Park Inn Regency, according to Gary Javitch, Chairman. Shugrue, a Creighton University professor, will analyze the recent election. Cost is $10 for lunch; $2 for beverage service. Breadbreakers is open to the community.
BIRTHS Joan Marshall of Council Bluffs, IA, announces the arrival of her daughter, Lauren Victoria, born June 21, 2003, in Beihei City in the province of Guangxi, China. Grandparents are Jean Marshall and the late Dr. Victor Marshall. Chuck and Paige Gitles of Glenview, IL, announce the Oct. 19 birth of Ashley Brooke, named for her grandparents, the late Anne and Art Grossman. Ashley has two brothers Brandon, 5, and Geoffrey 2. Grandparents are Arlene Grossman Gitles and Ed Hammerman of Northbrook, IL, and Joel and Susan Fishman of Palm Desert, CA. Stacie and Michael Vereb, St. Petersburg, FL, announce the Sept. 20 birth of their daughter, Madison Aryn. Grandparents are Randi and Joe Nanfito, Lorrie and Gary Katelman, Martha Lenderman of Pinellas Park, FL, and Michael S. Verb of Tall ahasee, FL. Great-grandfather is Stanley Katelman of Deerfield Beach, Florida. Great-great grandmother is Helen Kulakofsky.
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November 5, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
A New Building, A New Rabbi Continued from page 1 Angeles. “I was so impressed with his wealth of knowledge, his attitude and his ability to communicate,” she told the Jewish Press, “that I felt I had to come to this special celebration.” If readers think they recognize the name Kellerman, they’re right; she’s the mother of child psychologist-turned mystery writer Jonathan Kellerman, and mother-in-law to his wife, award-winning mystery writer, Fay Kellerman, who spoke here 10 years ago at a Jewish Book Month luncheon. A parody written for the old building, “Come and meet...the most elite...on the avenue we’re taking you to...52nd St.” would now be a little trickier according to Sunday night’s chairman, Bette Kozlen. “Those are the words of the Broadway show 42nd Street, performed for our beloved Rabbi Isaac Nadoff and Jeanette in 1983, Rabbi’s chai--18th year--at Beth Israel. So now we’ve moved. How we’ll parody ‘12604 Pacific Street’ is beyond me. But with our beautiful new building and the excitement of people, you never know!” Rabbi Ari Rockoff of Yeshiva University who initially sent Rabbi Gross to Omaha on Y.U.’s Torah Tours several years ago, told the crowd of yet another connection to Omaha. When Y.U.’s Dean of Students, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop heard that Rabbi Gross was to be installed in Omaha, he pulled out the installation certificate of his grandfather, Rabbi Yechiel Charlop, who served from 1923-35 at B’nai Israel, an Orthodox congregation at 18th and Charles. “And who sat in his grandfather’s living room more than 75 years ago to form AZA?” Rabbi Rockoff asked. “Henry Monsky, who also spoke at Rabbi Charlop’s installation.” Temple Israel’s Rabbi Aryeh Azriel looked out over the diverse crowd and said, “You don’t see this in other cities; Omaha will only survive with strong synagogues.” Beth El’s Rabbi Mordechai Levin added, “It’s good for the Jewish community to have different avenues for Jews to live their Jewish lives.” And Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation, noted, “We at the Federation have always appreciated Beth Israel’s support in our community and its strong Israel advocacy. We look forward to continuing a tradition of partnership with the congregation.”
In speaking about Rabbi Gross, his teacher and mentor Rabbi Steven Weil told a rapt audience of growing up in the cattle business in upstate New York. When he asked his father how they’d price their wheat crop, he was told, “The way the Cornhuskers go, that’s the way we go.” But he became serious when talking of the parasha in which Abraham buys burial plots at the Cave of Machpela. “What is Avraham Avinu saying to us as Jews in the 21st century?” Rabbi Weil asked. “He’s saying that whatever the issues are--stem cell research or war--we have a unique method that God gave us in the Torah in which to deal with it. It doesn’t wave in the wind and we don’t use simplistic slogans to find solutions.” Referring to the dot com bust in the stock market four years ago, Rabbi Weil noted that the high flyers of Wall Street were making fun of the steady guidance of financial geniuses like Warren Buffet. “But when the wind
has blown,” Rabbi Weil added, “you go back back to substance and depth, to sage advice.” After thanking his parents, grandparents, teachers, rabbis, and his wife, Sara, Rabbi Gross asserted, “The Torah is a living Torah. What we learn, we live. “What’s the secret of a Jewish community?” is asked of a a rabbi in the Talmud. To build a community, the rabbi said he would plant trees, grow flax and weave a net to capture a deer. He’d shecht it to feed to the orphans; smooth the skins for a Sefrei Torah. “The rabbi would choose five students to each learn a Book of the Torah and six more to each learn a Mishneh and he’d send raise them to be teachers. I can shecht already,” added Rabbi Gross. “Now...we educate the young (and the young at heart) in Jewish education, Torah and Torah values. “And that’s how you build a community!”
• Northern Indian • Tandoori Cuisine • Regional Specialties • Vegetarian • Favorites • Lunch & Dinner Photos from top left: Rabbi Steven Weil of L.A.’s Beth Jacob Synagogue installed Rabbi Gross; Rabbi Jonathan and Sara Gross; Marty Shukert points to the Aron Kodesh, stained glass windows and frieze which he designed; Building Co-chairmen Rick Katzman, left, and Pacey Shyken opened the dedication ceremony with Jerry Gordman’s blowing of the shofar; former Beth Israel Presidents David Kohll and Joe Kirshenbaum confer; Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum schmooze with Rabbi Gross’ mother, Sandy; Rabbi Ari Rockower, left, who first sent Rabbi Gross to Omaha on Y.U.’s Torah Tours, and Rabbi Gross’ longtime teacher, Rabbi Eliyahu BenHaim; Jeanette Nadoff, left, and Sunday’s chairman Bette Kozlen, right, welcome Elaine Shapiro from Arizona; Susie and Paul Shyken welcome federation Director Jan Goldstein; Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) spoke of America’s close relationship with Israel; Rabbi Mayer Waxman from the Orthodox Union said, “I am here to pat your back for you!”; Rabbis Myer Kripke, left, Aryeh Azriel, Mordechai Levin and Cantor Gastón Bogomolni, as well as Rabbi Gershon Sief, Midwest Region NCSY, came to pay tribute to Beth Israel.
Dining
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When you patronize these fine establishments, tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
AZA #1 Sweetheart Dance Just Around the Corner
ADL Offers Sound Solutions to “December Dilemma”
by JEFFREY MALASHOCK Borovskiy, Alison AZA #1 Godol and Dance Chair Levinger, and Alyson The number one chapFriedman. ter of Aleph Zadik Aleph AZA #1 also honors is hosting its 71st Annual current seniors who have Sweetheart Dance titled, demonstrated a commit“Mamas in Wonderland.” ment to BBYO by nomiOn Saturday, Nov. 20, nating them as evening will begin at 7 Sweetheart Honoraries. p.m. at the Double Tree This year, our Honoraries Hotel Downtown with a are: Anna Turetsky, Gal Havdallah service and Tsbari, and Becky Kahn. dinner, and the dance Abby Ginsburg is AZA will follow immediately. #1’s current Sweetheart. Every year, the chapter The entire Jewish honors several girls who community is invited to are from the BBG chap- This year’s AZA #1 Sweetheart candidates and honoraries were see the naming of the ters by nominating them selected in August; the 2004-05 Sweetheart will be announced 2004-05 Sweetheart at as Sweetheart Candidates. Saturday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m., at the AZA #1 dance. Procession, which will At the end of the night a also be held at the Sweetheart is crowned. The chapter’s sweetheart is then Double Tree at 11 p.m. Procession is free to the public, invited to all of its programs the following year. but donations will be accepted. For more questions This years Candidates are: Erin Abramson, Alex about the dance or AZA #1, please call me at 689.1263.
by SHARON BRODKEY for the Anti-Defamation League The school year is underway and questions inevitably begin to arise as the “December Dilemma” draws near. The December holiday season presents our public schools with interesting challenges and wonderful multi-cultural learning opportunities and the ADL has some helpful tools for parents. “We believe that the best way to deal with these issues is to address them before they become problems,” said ADL Regional Director Bob Wolfson. “Parents often find themselves feeling blindsided and frustrated when public school musical programs, classroom parties and late fall art projects result in more than snowflakes and snowmen. It can be just as emotional and confusing for parents as it is for our kids.” Wolfson suggests that parents begin by educating themselves and understanding the guidelines about what is permissible when it comes to religion in the schools. He suggests parents take advantage of some very helpful online resources regarding the “December Dilemma” at www.adl.org. The professionals in the Omaha ADL office are also available to help. Wolfson adds, “It is very important that parents note that there are positive, proactive approaches that heighten principals’ and teachers’ sensitivity toward children who don’t celebrate Christian holidays. We have to be sensitive to the way we inquire about the display of religious symbols and the selection of religious music for practice and performance. We have extensive experience in this area so, if any parent has concerns or feels like they need some guidance or assistance, they should call us.” Among some of the practical steps parents can take to begin building relationships with their children's schools, the ADL suggests the following: • Notify your child’s teacher(s) about when your child will be absent in advance of Jewish holidays. In some classes where credit is given for daily participation, make sure your child will not be penalized for missing school for religious observances. Request that no tests be given at a time that would prejudice your child’s performance or preparation. Request that your child be given appropriate time to make up his/her homework from those days. • Meet with your school principal to ask about school policies regarding religious issues (materials in the schools, presentations by teachers, music programs, religious decorations) and share with him/her any concerns you may have about these matters. • Meet with your school music teacher as soon in the year as practical. Discuss the musical selections that will be performed at the winter music program, as well as at other various programs. If you have any questions regarding church-state issues, civil rights concerns or dealing with your school administrators, the ADL is here to assist you in any way we can! If you wish to be updated on these or other issues, send us an e-mail at Omaha@adl.org or call us 333.1303.
Rabbi Marantz and John Dacey to Address “December Dilemma” by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “There are legitimate challenges that families face during the holiday season that affects their sense of peacefulness,” said Rabbi Craig Marantz of Temple Israel. “The December dilemma is something our community faces on a regular basis, because there are so many families who have members who celebrate Christmas.” To address those challenges, Temple Israel will offer an educational opportunity entitled the December Dilemma on Sunday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m., at Temple. Anyone from the community is welcome to attend. “December Dilemma will allow us to talk about real life issues in pursuit of homes that are more peaceful, whole, and in which families can maintain their dignity,” explained Rabbi Marantz who will lead the discussion with Temple member John Dacey. Dacey, who has led numerous Jewish Journey Groups at Temple, participated in Outreach Fellows
Interfaith Family Training at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, last summer. He was one of 36 participants from across the country. “In the latest census of 1996-2001,” pointed out Dacey, “47 percent of Jews who married got married to someone who is not Jewish…and we need to address that. Christmas is inescapable. If you’re Jewish, how do you deal with this overwhelming time of year in America? We also have Hanukkah around the same time of year. How do you celebrate that in the context of Judaism? There can be pulls and tugs between competing traditions. How do you address that without tearing at the fabric of the family? Jews-by-choice still have members of their families imbedded in the Christian tradition. Some people have grandchildren celebrating two traditions. How do we address this?” asked Dacey. He and Rabbi Marantz will deal with these questions and more at December Dilemma which is free.
Camp Sabra is the resident co-ed summer camping facility of the St. Louis-JCC. Located on 960 acres and 3.5 miles of private shoreline on the magnificent Lake of the Ozarks, Camp Sabra serves children and teens entering grades 3-10 in four week sessions. Two week options are available for campers entering grades 3-6.
ore arn m e l o t d invited bra an You’re t Camp Sa e of fer abou ograms w ouse! the pr ecial open h p at a s
Koret Young Writer Jewish Themes Contest Entries Due
CAMP SABRA OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 • 12:30PM - 1:30PM OMAHA JCC 2004 SABRA REUNION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 • 1:30PM - 2:30PM OMAHA JCC
To register for Summer 2005, contact the St. Louis JCC Phone: (314) 442-3465 Fax: (314) 442-3404 campsabra@yahoo.com www.campsabra.com
by STEPHANIE SINGER One writer whose work contains Jewish themes will be awarded $25,000 and will spend three months in residence at Stanford University. The residency allows time for writing, participating in and/or leading workshops on campus and within the Bay Area community; and the option of designing and teaching a course at Stanford. The winner will be honored at the 7th annual Koret Jewish Book Awards ceremony on April 11, 2005. Applicants must be 40 years or younger and have published no more than one book at the time of application. This award is for fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Scholarly work will not be considered. Non-U.S. residents are invited to apply provided they meet eligibility requirements. The application deadline is Nov. 15. Details regarding the application process are available at www.koretfoundation.org.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE
Contact Omaha representative Eadie Tsabari at 402.390.0192 for more information on the open house or reunion.
Due to the closing of the Press office on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 25, the deadline for the Hanukkah Gift Guide issue is Monday, Nov. 15; the deadline for the Dec. 3 issue is Tuesday, Nov. 23. Questions? Call 334.6448.
TeenAge
November 5, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
underwritten by A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR
Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features the teens of OTYG. Special thanks goes to Lynne Jensen, OTYG Adviser, for collecting the material.
OTYG Kicks off Year with Sukkot Party!
Summer Camp at OSRUI
by THE OTYG BOARD The Omaha Temple Youth Group hosted a Sukkot party at the home of Rabbi and Elyce Azriel. There, we had tons of fun making caramel apples and watching movies. We were also able to incorporate Hebrew games and songs with the help of Uri Levin. Uri is from Israel and has been helping us learn Hebrew. He is here for a year as the Shaliach at the JCC and has been nothing but fun to be with!
by SARAH BLEICHER, JACLYN ADELSON and JACKIE NEESMAN Every year, Temple Israel sends many of its young people to OSRUI (Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute), located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. This is a very Jewish camp as opposed to being a camp to which Jewish kids go. We were two of the 14 Temple kids who went to OSRUI and signed up for Tiferet Studio for the second year in a row. Sarah received her five-year t-shirt. Tiferet is the arts unit at camp. Jackie Neesman spent seven weeks in the Hebrew
Jake Bleicher, left , Elyce Azriel, and Nate Joseph
Uri Levin, left Aaron Bleicher, Sarah Bleicher, and Jaclyn Adelson Jackie Neesman and friends she made at OSRUI
While Uri had seen caramel apples in Israel, he didn’t realize they could be made with so many different toppings. We spent the night at Rabbi Azriel’s and got the year off to a great start. We also invited the Temple eighth graders so they could see what OTYG is all about and were visited by Rabbi Craig Marantz. He even joined in on some of the games. In the morning we sold the caramel apples at Temple Israel after Sunday school to raise money for OTYG programs and projects. We want to thank Mary and her friend, Amy, who came over to the Azriel’s to help us make the caramel apples. Amy Schweid
Six Go to Leadership Training Institute by JACKIE NEESMAN and ELIZA COWAN Last month, six board members of the OTYG board went to LTI--Leadership Training Institute: Jake Bleicher, Eliza Cowan, Jackie Neesman, Jaclyn Adelson, Nate Joseph, Sarah Bleicher and advisor Lynne Jensen. It was hosted at Wildwood Outdoor Educational Center outside Kansas City. We participated in many workshops and worked with other people who have the same jobs on board that we do, so that we can be better at the board positions that we hold. Since this is Lynne’s first year working with OTYG, she learned a lot, too. We bonded as a youth group board and we learned about working together as a team. We discovered many new program ideas and also had a lot of fun on the four-hour ride there and back. We were challenged on the low-ropes course, working with our networks (other people with the same jobs.) We learned how to communicate, work together and include everyone in order to succeed.
Shalom to All Teens!
SHE’ELOT VETSHUVOT by URI LEVIN
Board Members kneeling Nate Joseph, left Jake Bleicher, Sarah Bleicher, top left Jaclyn Adelson, Jackie Neesman, and Eliza Cowan Along with all of this we saw many of our old friends and made many new great friends, played games, and had fun! Board Members Jaclyn Adelson, left Jackie Neesman, Eliza Cowan, Jake Bleicher, and Sarah Bleicher
unit--Chalitzim. It was her fifth year at camp as well. There are four sections to Tiferet--visual arts, music, drama, and dance. We were in visual arts and had a wonderful art instructor, Ohad Sha’atil. Although we spent five hours a day in studio, and on some days we spent all day in studio, we still managed to do regular camp things like swimming, sports, Hebrew, singing songs, and services. We had a lot of fun especially on Shabbat when everybody gets dressed up. What could be better than spending Shabbat with 800 other Jews the same age as you? Jaclyn plans to go back to Tiferet Studio next year again. Summers at Osrui are magical. You can meet so many new people you can hold on to for the longest time. Sarah Bleicher attends Brownell Talbot, as does Jaclyn Adelson. Jackie Neesman is a sophomore at Westside High School.
Jackie Neesman is a sophomore at Westside High School and Eliza Cowan attends Central High School.
This month, I received an e-mail from Becky Kahn, who wrote: “Uri, what kind of music do teens listen to in Israel?” Becky, what a great question! And just in time for a program we are planning on Dec. 4, called, “Ha Mo’adon”--an Israeli Disco Party. This is a great opportunity for you to bring your Jewish friends to hear some Israeli Rock, Dance, Trance, Rap, Hip-Hop and more! This will be a total Israeli party with Israeli modern music and Israeli food and snacks. And it’s all here in the ‘J’. In the mean time, while you are waiting for the party, you can goon line and listen to some Israeli radio on the web. Go to this website: http://www.mp3music. co.il/radio.asp, and you’ll see a collection of Israeli radio stations. Just click on one of the stations and the heavenly, yet oh-so-cool sound will burst out of your speakers. For any questions about Ha Mo’adon on Dec. 4, or to ask me questions about Israeli culture, current events, or anything, send an e-mail to me at: ulevin@jccomaha.org. LeHitra’ot Ba'Mo’adon--see you at the clubs!
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
Opinion The Lessons of This Election Most voters found a long line when the polls opened Tuesday morning in Nebraska at 8 a.m. But within a few hours, the procedure had settled down into an average wait of 15 minutes or less. By dinner time, traffic picked up again, with some voters even having to wait passed the regular 8 p.m. closing time. That’s a first for most voters. As the Jewish Press noted last week, one of the good outcomes of this election is the increased registration of new voters and the more thoughtful attention paid to op-eds and other sources of information about candidates and issues. Now that John Kerry has conceded--and doesn’t seem to want to drag out the process with a long court fight over provisional ballots in Ohio, it’s time to move on--and accept the outcome. So where do we go from here? Well, the National Council of Jewish Women always hosts a post-election discussion. Sometimes it’s good news for the organization that takes a strong position on such issues as domestic violence, reproductive rights, Israel’s security and children’s welfare. And sometimes its leadership wonders how they will ever get an new legislation passed that enhances the lives of women, children and family. On the other hand, no one should ever remain complacent, no matter who’s in office. We still have to worry about Israel, especially with an ailing Arafat and no apparent successor (G-d knows how the various Palestinian factions will fight it out and what the repercussions of those battles will be on the Israeli politic, psyche and--physically--in their lives). We still have to worry about growing the economy, helping small businesses survive
the onslaught of the chain stores (which even has an impact on us at the Jewish Press), and finding a way to bring our young Jewish adults back to Omaha--with jobs. And, of course, we still have to sorry about our aging Jewish community and the impact of skyrocketing health care costs have on individuals, families and institutions like the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Those issues aren’t going to be solved overnight, and they aren’t going to be solved by one party more than another. The U.S. Congress has already made a commitment to Israel, regardless of who wins. In the short term, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Roy Blunt (RMO) suggested in an exclusive interview with JTA that the incoming, 109th Congress would not hesitate to support Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's efforts to withdraw settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip. “I wouldn’t at all be surprised in a new Congress to see resolutions easily adopted that encourage the current policies to continue,” Blunt said. Hoyer said such support would be a natural fit with the new Congress. “Israel has to decide what policies it wants to pursue for its own safety and security and future economic health, and it is my posture that the United States needs to be very supportive of those objectives,” he said.
(Founded in 1920)
And our response to the Halloween-like video tape released by Osama bin Laden? The American electorate came out in droves, not intimidated by OBL’s feeble threat. More than 120 million Americans voted, a whopping 60% of those eligible, and the highest number since the 1960 race between Nixon and Kennedy. So there, Osama. Take your video camera back to your cave; we’ll find you eventually.
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Have Americans Learned from 9/11?
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES As Americans pick a president, one key criterion is how the war on terror is going. Is George W. Bush correct in his positive view or John Kerry in his negative one? This same debate, interestingly, is also taking place within conservative circles, where analysts sharing the same basic outlook--that Americans are fighting for their very existence --come to dramatically different conclusions. Consider the contrasting views of two important voices on the right, Mark Helprin and Tod Lindberg. Helprin, author of such powerful novels as A Soldier of the Great War and Winter’s Tale, writes a despairing analysis in the current issue of the Claremont Review of Books, where he finds America’s failure today to understand the threat it faces “comparable to the deepest sleep that England slept in the decade of the 1930s,” when it failed to perceive the Nazi menace. Helprin finds that the country, and its elites in particular, remain enamored with the illusion that it can muddle through, “that the stakes are low and the potential damage not intolerable.” In other words, 9/11 did not serve as a wake-up call. He calls on Americans to make up their collective mind and answer the simple question, “Are we at war, or are we not?” If not, they need not worry and can remain happily asleep in pre9/11 mode. If they are, “then major revisions and initiatives are needed, soon.” Helprin sketches out the steps needed for serious war-fighting, both abroad (focusing on Iraq and Iran) and at home. The latter include: truly secure the borders with a
30,000-strong Border Patrol, summarily deport aliens “with even the slightest record of support for terrorism,” closely surveil American citizens with suspected terrorist connections, and develop a Manhattan Project-style crash program to protect against all chemical and biological warfare agents. The means to take these steps exist; what prevents them from taking shape is the Left being in a state of “high dudgeon” and the Right not even daring to propose such measures. “The result is a paralysis that the terrorists probably did not hope for in their most optimistic projections, an arbitrary and gratuitous failure of will.”
...America’s failure today to understand the threat it faces (is) “comparable to the deepest sleep that England slept in the decade of the 1930s,” when it failed to perceive the Nazi menace. Lindberg, editor of the Hoover Institution’s Policy Review magazine, also finds a wide agreement among Americans, one that transcends the partisan divide of the current election season. Unlike Helprin, he is cheered by what he finds. The Bush administration, he notes in the Weekly Standard, has “outlined a new strategic doctrine that is going to guide national security policy for the next 50 years, regardless of who wins the 2004 election.” Whereas Helprin looks at the deficiencies, Lindberg points to four changes which Bush asserted and now Kerry appears to accept, namely that Washington: • Forwards democracy globally, “because free, democratic states want to live in peace with each other.” • Intends to do what it takes “to remain the
Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Lori Kooper-Schwarz Production Assistant Jewish Press Committee Howard K. Marcus, Vice-Chairman; Bobbi Leibowitz, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Finance Chairman; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Fred Tichauer, Immediate Past-chairman; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Stanley Mitchell; George Quittner; Linda Saltzman; Joey Shyken; Michael Siegal; Nancy Skid; and Melany Weinstein. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press and the Foundation are constitutional committees of the Jewish Federation.
world’s foremost military power by an order of magnitude sufficient to discourage all other states from attempting to compete militarily, thereby encouraging the peaceful resolution of disputes between states.” • Holds governments responsible for permitting any support for terrorism within their borders, thereby discouraging this activity. • Will, facing the prospect of weapons of mass destruction being used for terrorist purposes, reserve the right to engage in preemptive action rather than wait for aggression to occur, thereby dissuading some states from following the Iraqi example. The Democratic nominee could have revised or rejected these policies. He could have endorsed lower spending on the American military, focused narrowly on terrorists and ignored the states behind them, forsworn preemptive war, and promised noninterference in the internal affairs of other states. But Kerry did none of these. Rather, he complains about implementation, basically limiting his criticism of Bush to Osama bin Laden’s eluding capture or gaps in the coalition versus Saddam Hussein. Helprin and Lindberg have reached nearly opposite conclusions about the underlying agreement between the hostile Democratic and Republican tribes. But Helprin, who excoriates the American reluctance to do what’s necessary, is the more correct. Lindberg correctly discerns that Kerry has, during the electoral season, accepted the Bush administration’s presumptions because they are widely popular. But there is no reason to expect these views to survive into a Kerry administration, which is very likely to revert to a wholly different outlook. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Miniatures (Transaction Publishers). He can be reached at: www.DanielPipes.org.
Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $35 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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November 5, 2004
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Victory Would Give Bush Mandate for Change--but not in the Mideast tion, and its ideology hasn’t changed.” Bush’s black-and-white worldview makes a shift on Middle East policy unlikely, agreed David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee. “He’s driven very much by his own moral code of what’s right and wrong, and that will determine his policy should he be re-elected,” Harris said. “He has a strong sense of those nations that are friends and those nations that are foes, and that won’t change because of voting patterns on Nov. 2.” Instead, look for bold shifts in domestic and social policy--and an even more assertive American posture abroad. Hannah Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella body for local Jewish community relations councils, said the Republican retention of the White House and both houses of Congress creates dangers for the Jewish community. “With the branches of government all appearing to be Republican, I think many of our domestic issues, how we fund programs, are in big trouble,” she said. Congressional Republicans reportedly already are discussing more tax cuts, and Rosenthal said funding for Medicaid--a centerpiece of Jewish community assistance to the impoverished elderly-topped her list of concerns. With as many as 55 seats in the Senate --an increase of four--Republicans will be better positioned to pressure Democrats into at least reducing their use of the filibuster, the Senate maneuver that allows a party to block Senate action. A filibuster can be broken with the vote of 60
AMERICA DECIDES 2004 by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA)--Now that President Bush has prevailed when the final votes were sorted out, questions about his mandate will forever disappear: He will use his clear majority of the popular vote and the increased Republican strength in both houses of Congress to effect dramatic change at home and abroad. Just don’t expect change in Israel. The intractability of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, coupled with Bush’s sincere sympathy for the Jewish state, suggests that the president will not use his second term to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon into peace talks with an unreformed Palestinian Authority. “I don’t see any shift in Bush’s policy or his attitude toward the IsraeliPalestinian situation,” said Jack Rosen, President of the American Jewish Congress and a friend of Bush. Some Americans had feared--or hoped, depending on their political outlook-that a Bush freed of concerns about reelection would get tough on Israel. “There were those in my community that would wink and say a second-term president who is free from pressure” would press Israel to stem settlement expansion, among other things, said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. “But I don’t think this government did what it did for electoral reasons. It’s an ideological administra-
senators. Democrats have used the filibuster to block Bush appointments to the judiciary who are considered extreme right. With a 5-4 split on the U.S. Supreme Court against the liberal social issues most Jews favor--reproductive rights, church-state separation and gay rights-Jews anxiously are watching the health of the oldest liberal judge, 84-year-old John Paul Stevens. “As a woman, as a Jew, as a mother of two daughters, I am very concerned where the Supreme Court will be, how it will protect my rights as a woman, the important separation of religion and government,” Rosenthal said. Rosen, who is close to the congressional Democratic leadership--and who was mourning the defeat Tuesday of an old friend, Minority Leader Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD)--said such concerns were valid, but not as pressing as some might think. “As for the domestic agenda, I know it seems that the Republicans have increased their numbers in the Senate, but if there are any dramatic attempts to change some of the domestic policy issues, the Democrats still have enough strength to pull that back,” said Rosen, whose organization, the AJCongress has been in the forefront of battles to maintain a high wall between church and state. “The president and the country are engaged in a war against terrorism, a war
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in Iraq, a lot of priorities internationally that I think will engage the Bush administration for the next several years and probably not enable them to get too proactive on the domestic agenda.” Among those issues are the war in Iraq --where Bush has yet to reveal how he plans to contain a rampaging insurgency --as well as Iran, which could soon pose a nuclear threat. Yossi Alpher, an Israeli analyst with bitterlemons.org, an idea-exchange Web site, said Iran would probably ignore any sanctions that the U.N. Security Council might impose in coming months, raising the stakes for Bush. “He will have to ask, does he or does he not use military force, or does he let Iran go nuclear on his watch?” Alpher said. Should Bush choose force, he would probably have the domestic backing he recently has lacked for the war in Iraq, when some dismissed him as a president who lost the popular vote in 2000 and who had a bare majority of a single vote in the Senate. Whatever direction Bush takes, the circumstances of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship are as much a hindrance o increased action as is Bush's reluctance to cross Sharon. “If Arafat is still leader, that reduces the likelihood of Bush getting involved,” Alpher said. “He won’t be prepared to interact with Arafat. We’re unlikely to see a major shift in the coming year.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 jewishnebraska.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 333 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan Torah Learning Center 1313 No. 58 St. Omaha, NE 68132 553.5397
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
If you’re looking at this space, so are others! YOUR AD CAN GO HERE...
to reserve space, call Allan Handleman, 334-6451.
November 5, 2004
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Adult B'nai Mitzvah class, including David Cooper, Frances Gottlieb, Denise Ipock, Dan Levitan, Diane Malashock, Carol Nathan, Caryn Rifkin and Debbie Roitstein, will participate in services. Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; K’tantan (K-2), 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Evening Service, 5 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sitter Service is available during Friday night and Saturday morning services, on a drop-in basis, at no charge. WEDNESDAYS: PATTER (Parents & Toddlers, Torah, Exercise, Recreation) session class for 11/2 to three-year-olds with Helen Epstein, 10:45 a.m. For more information, call Harriet Einziger, 492.855; Adult B’nai Mitzvah class with Cantor Bogomolni, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, noon: Join Rabbi Levin’s class; “The Most Important People and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible.” Lunch is available following class; for reservations or for information, contact Harriet Einziger. SUNDAY, 10 a.m.: Jewish Pot Pourri Class in the synagogue library, join teacher Susi Frydman-Levin for a new class offering a little bit of everything Jewish: from music and literature to history and traditions. For reservations, call Harriet Einziger; Bible Study Class, 11 a.m. led by Leonard Greenspoon; Hebrew Crash Course, 11:10 a.m. led by Susi Frydman-Levin. For information or to make reservations, contact Harriet Einziger. TOT SHABBAT, FRIDAY, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.: We welcome the entire community--from our youngest to oldest members--to experience our warm and lively Tot Shabbat service in the west court. Come for stories, music and prayers, and our kid-friendly Oneg Shabbat of juice and cookies. DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY GALA Saturday, Nov. 13: Make your reservations now to attend the synagogue’s sparkling and festive 75th anniversary celebration. Cocktails at 7 p.m.; dinner at 8 p.m., followed by dancing. Reservations are required; for information, please call chairmen Ann Goldstein, 391.1050, or Cheryl Cooper, 391.7514. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP: Welcome the month of Kislev on Thursday, Nov. 18, by attending our Rosh Hodesh meeting at the home of Toby
Schonfeld, 2239 N. 127th Cir. Schonfeld and co-host Lena Bogomolni will discuss the story of Judith during their meeting entitled, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Cheese, Hanukkah and Courage.” Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m.; the program will follow at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are needed by Nov. 12, and may be made by contacting Schonfeld at 861.1811, or via e-mail at tschonfeld@unmc.edu.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free Babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Josh, Amanda and Leah Gurock. Mincha, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:57 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 6:45 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 6:45 p.m. 350 YEARS OF HALACHA IN AMERICA This new series of classes begins Monday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., given by Rabbi Gross. begins. The first topic will be “Fair or Fowl: A study in kosher birds and the great turkey controversy in the new world.” Class on Nov. 15, will discuss “Gambling with the Gut Life: the Halachic issues over gambling,” and on Nov. 22, the topic will be “The Life and Teachings of Omaha’s Rabbi Zvi Hersh Grozinsky and other American Orthodox Leaders.” MONDAY, 7:30 p.m.: NCSY Latte & Learning, at Border’s Café, 72nd & Dodge. Rachel Katzman will share her experiences on the Young Judaea “Shalem” program in Israel, where she participated in community volunteering in Arad and Haifa and learned in a classroom setting in Jerusalem. TUESDAY, 7:30 P.M.: Sisterhood Board Meeting WEDNESDAY, Noon: Business Ethics Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Gross, at the office of Joe Kirshenbaum, Noddle Companies, 13710 First National Bank Parkway. A Bagel Bin lunch will be available for $5. Make a lunch reservation with the synagogue office; Beth Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
BEYT SHALOM SATURDAY: Havdalah, 6 p.m. at the Simon’s home. Please call the synagogue for more info. SUNDAY: Religious School, 35 p.m. at the JCC.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Mamarim class, 9 a.m.; Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.
Mishneh class, 9:30 a.m. MONDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; Halacha, “Walking the Walk” of Jewish Law, 7 p.m. This course offers textual study and practical how-to’s on the laws of the Festivals. TUESDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; “W.O.W: Strength and Majesty-The Womanly Art in Relationships”. This course focuses on the dynamic of interpersonal relationships using the attributes of Chachma, Simcha, Chessed and Bittul, 9 a.m. Women only; babysitting available upon request. WEDNESDAY: Services, 7 a.m.; Kabbalistic Journeys, 7 p.m. THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. Events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call 330.1800.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in Lincoln two weekends a month. Please call her at 402.416.2321 or e-mail her at rabstiel@aol.com to set up an appointment. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m led by Rabbi Stiel. Oneg following provided by Brian Bornstein and Christie Emler. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Stiel; Social Justice committee meeting, 1:30 p.m. all are welcome. SUNDAY: Adult Hebrew Class, 9 a.m.; Hebrew School, 9 a.m.Noon ADULT EDUCATION Tuesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. 8:30 pm: A Comparative Look at Judaism, Christianity and Islam," led by Dr. Rita Lester
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz, and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Rabbi Craig Marantz will give the sermon. Oneg is sponsored by the Ginsburg Family and the Grossman Family in honor of the B’not Mitzvah of Chloé Ann Ginsburg and Hannah Beatrice Grossman. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Chloé Ann Ginsburg daughter of Cheri and Larry Ginsburg will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at Shabbat Morning Services. SITTER SERVICE: Available at each Friday evening service, Saturday mornings when there is a bar or bat mitzvah, as well as Sunday mornings when there is Religious School. Please make a
Candlelighting Friday, November 5, 4:56 p.m.
reservation through the Temple office. Cost is $2 per family. Sorry, there are no facilities for infants. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Nov. 7, 10:15 a.m.Noon: Hebrew for Beginners. Register for Hebrew for Beginners, a six-session introduction to the aleph bet taught by Colleen Kennealy. The 4 B’s: Behaving, Belonging, Believing and Bagels. Join Rabbi-inResidence former Omahan Rabbi Josh Zweiback for “A Taste of the Talmud: What the other Big Book has to teach”, 10:30 a.m. TUESDAY, Nov 9, 7-8:30 p.m.: Jewish Journey Group-Looking Through a Different Set of Lenses: Creation, Revelation and Redemption in Judaism and Christianity, led by John Dacey. THURSDAY, Nov. 11: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m. FRIDAY, Nov. 5: Readings in the Zohar, with Prof. Guy Matalon, noon-1 p.m. SHABBAT COMES TO YOU Rabbi Marantz and members of the Temple Youth Group will lead a Shabbat Service, Friday, Nov. 12, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights. DECEMBER DILEMMA Sunday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.: Join Temple congregant John Dacey and Rabbi Craig Marantz for a discussion (See article on page 10).
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN AT TLC FRIDAY: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush Luncheon and Mincha, 12:33 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, MONDAY & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066. Mindstretcher Series is rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11. Tifereth Israel Synagogue will be hosting their Annual BOOK and GIFT FAIR on Sunday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Great selections of Judaica, Judaica books for adults and children, games and gift items. Hanukkah is early this year...so shop early.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE College students can enjoy a free subscription to the Jewish Press; just e-mail your name, address at college (don’t forget dorm or suite number), city, state and zip to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
November 5, 2004
One Hundred Twenty-Seven
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Haye Sarah Occasionally I like to play with numbers--and to see whether the biblical Narrator was doing the same. So I was intrigued by the way the Sacred Text records the death of Sarah--not by saying she died, but by saying how long she lived. How long? One-hundred twenty-seven years. The commentators have much to say about the way the Text parcels out the 127 years: seven years and 20 years and 100 years. And then, notice: the number 127 is a prime number, that is, it can be divided by no number except itself, not by three or four or five, except by 127. This is different from Abraham, her husband, or Isaac, her son, or Jacob, her grandson, whose numbers were 175 and 180 and 147, respectively...irrelevant here but at another point, I called attention to some interesting facts about those numbers. What follows her death grasps our attention. For here is the account of the first land ownership in Canaan, later to be the Land of Israel. Abraham does not rest until he attained ownership--with the deed apparently publicized--of a plot of land as a burial site. This Cave of Makhpelah, in Hebron, is sacred to Jews all through history and until our day. And Abraham was buried there and others of our Patriarchs. Ever after, Jews have been mindful of the fact of death. One of the first things Jews did--and do--in a section of land they move to--was to acquire a burial site, qarqa, “ground.” The American poet Longfellow called attention to the burial ground of the Jews of Rhode Island. Incidentally, have you...?
Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group to Examine Story of Judith by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator “Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Cheese, Hanukkah and Courage” will be the theme for the Thursday, Nov. 18, Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh meeting, to be held at the home of Toby Schonfeld, 2239 No. 127 Cir. Schonfeld, along with Lena Bogomolni, will co-host the get-together, which welcomes the month of Kislev. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m.; the program will follow at 7:30 p.m. During the evening, courage, faithfulness and moral uncertainty will be discussed using the story of Judith, which takes place during the month of Kislev, Schonfeld said. “While Judith is normally heralded as an example of a faithful Jew who demonstrated courage during a time of strife, her story also exemplifies an important moral dilemma: can one commit one evil act to avoid a larger evil?” she asked. Attendees will address this quandary and apply it to current times, as well as why the book of Judith was not included in the canon of the Hebrew Bible, yet remains important for contemporary Jews In addition, Schonfeld noted that “we will connect the story of Judith with Hanukkah, to demonstrate how women can also be role models for courage and bravery in light of certain defeat.” Reservations are needed by November 12, and may be made by contacting Schonfeld at 861.1811, or via email at tschonfeld@unmc.edu.
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Hannah Beatrice Grossman, daughter of Stephanie and Barry Grossman, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Temple Israel. Hannah is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Lewis & Clark Middle School. She was selected for the Duke University Talent Identification Program and was awarded the Presidential Academic Award. She was active in Girl Scout from K-6 grades. She enjoys playing flute (seventh grade band-second chair), and reading. She has enjoyed playing softball on the Rainbow Softball league and loves going to Jewish summer camps, OSRUI and Shwayder. For her mitzvah project, she made bedside “pockets” that can attach to a sidebar of a hospital bed or tuck under a mattress. They are filled with games and other fun items. The pockets will be donated to children staying in area hospitals. She also assists Eileen Clignett, the Learning Specialist at Temple Israel, each Thursday during religious school. Hannah has a brother, Noah. Grandparents are the Betty and Jerome Grossman and Diane and William Shoemaker.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the closing of the Press office on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 25, the deadline for the Hanukkah Gift Guide issue is Monday, Nov. 15; the deadline for the Dec. 3 issue is Tuesday, Nov. 23. Questions? Call 334.6448.
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B’NAI MITZVAH Ben Joseph Merliss, son of Lori and Andrew Merliss, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on tomorrow, Nov. 6, at Tifereth Israel in Lincoln. Ben is a seventh-grade student at Irving Middle School where he plays bass in the orchestra and jazz bands. For his mitzvah project, he is raising money for Peace Child Israel. Ben has a sisters, Miriam and Rachel.
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Thirty-three seniors explored during an adventure in Council Bluffs. After a visit to the scenic Lewis and Clark Monument, Visions members “went to jail” at the historical Squirrel Cage Jail; visited the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, had lunch at the Riverside Grill and stopped at the Jam & Bread session at he Western Historic Trails Center. Some participants walked to the riverfront, including: Rose Pitlor, left, Peggy Chasen, Sally Masnek, Jean Elkon, Doris Alloy, Bud Greenspan, Anne Skolkin, Sylvia Davis, Sol Swartz, Maurie Meiches, Ethel Grossman, Florence Hauss, Ethel Goldston, Sylvia Schwartz, Betty Sanford, Doris and Lewis Izenstat, Etta Epstein, Doris Parker, Harry Alloy, Steve Abrahamson, Shirley Weinstein, Sandy and Fred Bromley, Doris and Nate Shukert, Elaine Shapiro, Maggie Conti, Lynda Wiseman and Joe Frank.
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Children’s Needs a Focus at Lincoln Temple by SARAH KELEN Congregation B’nai Jeshurun October was Child Advocacy Month at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, Lincoln’s South Street Temple. The Social Action Committee has made children’s needs a priority for this year’s organizing and activism and joined with synagogues and churches nationwide in holding a special Children’s Advocacy Shabbat service last month to educate the congregation about the needs of children in the community. Speakers discussed children’s rights and gave some The diapers pile up as B’nai Jeshurun mem- suggestions for bers contribute to the Temple's October things Temple Diaper Drive. The Lincoln Action Program members can will distribute diapers to families. do to help children at risk in the community. Social Action Committee chair Barb Straus noted encouraging members to bring diapers when they came to Temple. Unlike food items, disposable diapers are not covered by any government subsidies. Religious School children made posters to advertise the Diaper Drive.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 5, 2004
Klezmer Band Features International Cast of Performers by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Drawing upon folk music, lyrics composed by Yiddish poets, songs of the Yiddish theater, and instrumental dance music, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band from Chicago also features the work of singers like Molly Picon. The band, which will present a concert on Saturday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel, also performs arrangements by its own members including violinist Alex Koffman. Born in Minsk, Byelorus, Koffman received his masters degree from the Conservatory of Minsk. His musical positions have included concertmaster of the Byelorussian Pops Orchestra. After immigrating to America in 1990, Koffman became violinist and arranger with the Maxwell Street Band as well as arranger and composer of musical scores for productions of the Yiddish Arts Ensemble Theater. He is co-instructor of the Midwest Klezmer and Yiddish Music Institute and performs with classical and show orchestras in Chicago. Kimber Leigh Nussbaum, vocalist with the Klezmer Street Band, is from Kansas City. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater and has performed in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago. She has shared the stage with Theodore Bikel in Fiddler on the Roof and was also in a work commissioned by the National Council of Jewish Women in Kansas City. A professor of music and the director of bands at Triton College in River Grove, IL, Shelley Yoelin plays saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He has been with the Maxwell Street Band since 1985. He holds a bachelor of music degree from Northwestern University and a master’s from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. A summer jazz clinic instructor, Yoelin also teaches every year with the International Federation of Jazz in London. In addition, he has recorded Hora and Blue with his own Modern Klezmer Quartet. A graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Gail
Mangurten is the pianist with the Maxwell Street Band and has played with musical theater groups such as Tuxedo Junction. She performs regularly with the College of DuPage (Illinois) Jazz Band. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Mark Ponarovsky, percussionist, received his bachelor’s degree from Kiev College of Music. He toured with various show orchestras in the former Soviet Union and was the percussionist of the
Kiev State Circus Big Band. After immigrating to the United States in 1989, he performed in Milwaukee until he moved to Chicago in 1991 when he joined the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Jim Cox, who plays string bass with the band, played cornet until he switched to electric bass when he was in high school and played with several garage bands. He got involved in jazz band while still in high school.
At the University of Illinois, Cox earned a degree in double bass performance in 1979. He settled in Chicago and has worked there full time as a free lance musician and as an instructor on the college level. Currently, he is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University in Chicago. He has played with Ben Vereen, Cheri Lewis, Rosemary Clooney, and Harry Bellefonte and has recorded more than 50 CDs. A native of Prague who has been with the band since 1993, Ivo Braun plays trumpet. He received his undergraduate degree in trumpet performance from the University of Illinois and his master’s from the University of North Texas where he performed with the school’s award-winning Two O’Clock Jazz Band. Braun has played with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Irving Symphony in Dallas, and the Symphonic Pops Orchestra of Chicago. He also has enjoyed teaching music appreciation at the college level. Steven Weintraub moved to Chicago from Atlanta in 2003 and joined the staff of the band as a performer and dance leader. He received his dance training in New York City and is one of only three dancers who specialize in traditional Eastern European Jewish dance. A choreographer, performer, and teacher, Weintraub has been called the “the best Yiddish dance teacher around.” He has choreographed for Yiddish theater and presented dance performances in New York and Georgia based on Jewish themes. A six-year member of the faculty of KlezKamp, he has also taught at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, given dance workshops in Canada and the United States, recreated “shtetl weddings,” lectured on the history of Jewish dance, and performed a one-man storytelling show. Sponsored by Temple Israel’s Music Fund and a generous donation from Fred and Eve Simon, the concert is open to all in the community. Tickets can be purchased at Temple or by calling the office at 556-6536 or by e-mail at mkube@templeisraelomaha.com. Adult tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Student tickets are $5.
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