Vol. LXXXVIII No. 11 Omaha, NE
Part I:
Kristallnacht remembrances visit today’s concerns by TOBY AXELROD BRUSSELS (JTA) -- They still hear sounds of breaking glass, still smell the fire, still feel a parent’s hand protectively close over their own. And they still feel fear. Those who remember the events of Kristallnacht 70 years ago may be ever fewer, but their memories are vivid. At memorial events Nov. 9 in Brussels and Berlin, the witnesses brought home the details. Hundreds of ceremonies around the world, large and small, including Omaha, marked the anniversary of what was a turning point leading to the Nazi genocide of European Jewry. In Berlin and Brussels, speakers also focused on current concerns, including rising antiSemitism and Iran’s threatening posture towards Israel. Continued on page 2
Miriam Cukier and her father Victor pose in front of his photo, one of 35 remaining survivors of the Holocaust in Omaha. The photos, taken by David Radler, were first presented as part of a Kristallnacht commemoration with members of the Omaha Sympony at Joslyn Art Museum on the 70th anniversary of “The Night of Broken Glass.” Part II of this story will go behind the scenes of the local commemoration and will be published in next week’s Jewish Press.
Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
23 Cheshvan, 5769
November 21, 2008
Nebraska Regents approve UNO Israel and Jewish Studies Center by GARY JAVITCH Special to the Jewish Press Earlier this month, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents gave life to a vision Natan and Hannah Schwalb had entertained for a very long time. The couple, both Israel-born, have been strong supporters of the College of Business Administration as well as the College of Arts and Sciences at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Nate, a UNO graduate, has been a particularly proud and active alumnus. Together, the long-time Omahans wanted to fulfill two goals: enhance university programming and expand the knowledge of the community about Judaism and Israel. “As Israeli natives, it became clear to us that we could accomplish those goals by establishing a Center for Israel and Jewish Studies,” they affirmed in the fundraising brochure. “As a UNO graduate and a long-time resident of Omaha, I have followed UNO’s growth and development over the years,” he added. Most of the other major study centers are located primarily on the east coast. “So the obvious choice was to establish a Center here in the heartland of America where our roots and ties are solidly entrenched.” The Center will be the only one of its kind in this region. In addition to their own major gift of a reported half million dollars, the Schwalbs have already received a sizeable donation that will enable the university to offer a lecture series, bringing renowned scholars
and other experts to campus. The Center will also offer a variety of courses, according to the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Dr. Guy Matalon, the Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education (CJE). Besides his CJE duties, Matalon is also a UNO professor involved with the Center. On Nov. 7, according to the Omaha World-Herald, Matalon said the new courses are “just about finished and should be ready for the [next] Fall.” The newspaper account continued, “The courses will deal with Israel’s religions, its politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and be offered through UNO’s history, political science and religious studies departments.” The couple has worked behind the scenes for a long time to lay the groundwork for the Center discussing their thoughts with a number of community leaders and, along with the University of Nebraska Foundation, holding a luncheon recently to acquaint as many as possible with their goals and ideas. “We want to enlist as many in our community as possible to advance this project,” Schwalb continued. With the Regents’ approval, it is evident that their concept was well received not only in university circles but also in the Jewish community of Omaha and the broad general community. The University of Nebraska Foundation’s Mary Bernier and Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s Continued on page 2
Former Sharon advisor to headline Federation community event by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Media advisor Dr. Ra’anan Gissin, who previously served as spokesman and key advisor to Ariel Sharon, will be the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s 2009 Campaign community event. In addition, the Spirit of Federation Award will be presented to longtime Jewish community volunteers, Howard Epstein and Bobbi Leibowitz. The event will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m., at the Theater of the Jewish Community Center. Gissin is one of Israel’s leading spokesmen for the foreign press and the international community on security, strategic issues, terror, the Iranian and Radical Islamic threats, and the peace process. His distinguished career with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began in 1979 with his position as a Strategic Analyst. At that time he was involved in the planning and implementation of the Sinai withdrawal and peace process with Egypt.
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
IDF. In 1991, he was named special advisor to the Israeli Delegation at the Madrid Peace Conference and he remained in this position during subsequent negotiations with the Arab and Palestinian delegations in Washington D.C. After retiring from active duty in 1993, Dr, Gissin initiated and organized the Pension 2000 Conference in Israel with senior Israeli economic leaders and top fund executives and investors from the United States. In 1996, he was appointed spokesman of the newly created Ministry of National Infrastructures, headed by Ariel Sharon. Throughout Sharon’s rise as Prime Minister until his departure in 2006, Dr. Gissin remained his Dr. Ra’anan Gissin will keynote the Federation’s closest advisor on public diplomacy Community event on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the JCC. and the media, in addition to servDuring most of the 1980s, which includ- ing as his official spokesman to the fored the War of Lebanon and the Intifada, eign press. Dr. Gissin served as spokesman for the Today, Dr. Gissin is one of the leaders
This Week: Craig Taubman in concert: Page 12 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Obama’s new Jewish chief-of-staff: Page 4
of the Startcom project, where he is helping to develop an effective communication strategy for Israel and other embattled democracies facing the challenges of public diplomacy in the global village. Campaign Co-chairmen Carl and Zoë Riekes anticipate a strong turnout for the event. “Dr. Gissin is a top-caliber speaker who brings a wealth of knowledge about Israeli political and military issues,” Carl Riekes noted. Zoë Riekes added that in addition to Dr. Gissin’s keynote address, program highlights will include special recognition to Jan Goldstein for 10 years of service as the Federation’s executive director. She describes the event as an evening for everyone. “We are a community, and this is a chance for us all to come together to celebrate the wonderful things we’re doing,” she said. The event is free and open to the entire community. RSVP to Sharon Kirshenbaum by Nov. 25 at 334-6485 or skirshenbaum@jewishomaha.org.
Coming Next Week: Tax and Financial Planning Republican Jewish Congressman -moving up in the House: Page 5
Place for spirituality to become home for physical rehab: Page 7
Page 2
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November 21, 2008
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad Judaism 102, 6:30 p.m. Tattoos and Jews , 7 p.m. at Beth El Jewish Learning Institute: Soul Maps How to Navigate Your Inner Word, 7 p.m. at Chabad Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m. C L I P & S A V E
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Parsha, Prayer, and Prophets, 9:15 a.m. at Chabad JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Thanksgiving; JCC and Federation closed Annual Football Game, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel 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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Kristallnacht remembrances
Continued from page 1 that Germany’s most active far-right political party today It is not enough to merely worry, said Moshe Kantor, be banned. the head of the European Jewish Congress who was in German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the gathering Brussels to introduce a project to promote tolerance in that tolerance must not be neutral and passive. She said Europe. that Iran and Hezbollah calling for the destruction of The project is to include an annual paper on best prac- Israel must not be tolerated. tices promoting tolerance and a “convention of tolerIn Brussels, standing on the bimah of the 130-year-old ance” to serve as a model for legislation designed to pro- Great Synagogue of Europe, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, 78, tect Europeans from discrimination on the basis of “eth- said he could still recall the sound of “the SS and SA nic, cultural, linguistic, sexual or religious identity.” destroying everything in sight” in his home city of A draft of the convention, with 39 articles, was distrib- Vienna on Nov. 9, 1938. uted Nov. 10 at the E.U. Parliament. It includes a list of “I saw and felt glass all over the street, and as I nine anti-Semitic acts that should be punishable by law, approached my synagogue … I saw that it was set afire including acts of violence against people and the desecra- -- and the fire brigade was standing by, not doing anytion of religious sites. thing,” said Schneier, the At Omaha’s commemoraspiritual leader of the Park tion, more than 700 gathEast Synagogue in New ered at the Joslyn Art York. Museum to hear chamber “They called it spontamusic written by Jewish neous, but it was not spontacomposers who lived during neous,” said Rabbi Yisrael the Holocaust, performed by Meir Lau, former chief rabbi members of the Omaha of Israel. Born in Poland, Symphony. Several pieces Lau survived concentration featured mezzo soprano camps but lost most of his Lucinda Sloan and Cantors family in the Holocaust. Wendy Shermet of Temple The Nazis thought “that if Israel and Beth Shlossberg of they touched us at this point, Beth El. the center of our lives, if they A photo exhibit of Omaha burned our Torahs, we survivors was unveiled at the German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressing a crowd of would have no chance,” said Joslyn and is now displayed several hundred at ceremonies at the Rykestrasse Lau, who has been named in the Gallery of the Jewish Synagogue in Berlin marking the 70th anniversary of the new chairman of the Yad Credit: Toby Axelrod Vashem Council. Community Center. The Kristallnacht. black and white portraits Few people heeded the were taken by local phowarning signs in 1938, but tographer David Radler, the new warnings -- espewho noted how cially threats by Iran -“touched” he was when must not be ignored, said he was “allowed to hear Kantor, the Russian-born some amazing stories” head of the Euro-pean during the photography Jewish Congress, addresssessions with the suring some 500 guests at vivors. the ceremony in Brussels. One of those featured Those who fail to in a book, “Portraits of respond today are playing Survival,” a compliation into the hands of the of the photos, was Bea Hitlers of tomorrow, said Karp, who often speaks of Kantor, whose “week of her life during the Moshe Kantor, head of the European Jewish Congress, addresses a tolerance” last week Holocaust to school chil- gathering in Brussels on Nov. 9, to mark the included meetings at the Credit: Detlev Schilke European Parliament foldren, youth groups and 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. churches. She recalled the night of Nov. 9, 1938 and her lowed by a rabbinical gathering in Prague. The goal is to father running to save what he could from a nearby syn- unite American, European and Russian leaders in forging agogue in their hometown of Karlsruhe, Germany. new approaches to fighting xenophobia and antiShe remembers her family looking out the window of Semitism, he said. their apartment: “It was as though the whole city was At the Brussels remembrance, Kantor called burning,” Karp said during her interview with Jessica Kristallnacht Adolf Hitler’s first test” to see whether Omer in preparation for a commemorative DVD, narrat- people would stand up for the Jews. Afterward, Hitler ed by local philanthropist and World War II veteran, was “completely sure that the German people would not Richard Holland. protect the Jews, their neighbors and friends of yesterAccording to Beth Seldin Dotan, director of Omaha’s day,” he said. Institute for Holocaust Education, sponsor of the comKantor, who also heads the World Holocaust Forum, memoration, “Our intent is to distribute the DVD to said U.N. members today fail to protest when Iranian schools, the survivors and their families; the book will be President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad makes anti-Semitic available for them as well.” statements at the General Assembly. He also noted that Speaking at Berlin’s Rykestrasse Synagogue on Nov. 9, even though Iran is developing nuclear weapons, thouCharlotte Knobloch, the president of the Central sands of European companies continue to do $100 bilCouncil of Jews in Germany, remembered picking her lion in business with the Islamic Republic. way through shards of glass on the sidewalks of Munich Part II: Behind the scenes at Omaha’s Kristallnacht with her father 70 years ago. Knobloch, now 76, urged commemoration will appear in next week’s Press.
Israel and Jewish Studies Center
general community and Continued from page 1 to further strengthen our Director Marty Ricks ties to Israel.” have worked very closely While the Center has in support of the new received a number of gifts Center. and expects many more, The Center is expected the official fundraising to open before the Fall effort doesn’t begin until semester begins. Besides Matalon, Harvard Unithe end of the year or versity Ph.D. Moshe early January. Gershovich will play a “We are so excited major role in the develop- Dr. Moshe Gershovich, left, Charles Mikhail, Dr. Guy Matalon, about the Center,” ment of the curriculum. Hannah and Natan Schwalb, Mary Bernier of the UNO Foundation, Schwalb related, “not According to Julee Bill Blizek and UNO Dean David Boocker gather after the luncheon only because of all the Katzman, assistant direc- last week. support we have received tor of the Federation, “We are anticipating that the Dean and but also for how positively it will affect our univerof Arts and Science will appoint Guy as Director of the sity, the city, and the Jewish community.” Center. This is a tremendous opportunity for our com(See related story on page 3 about a donor to the new munity as well as the University to bring Israel to the Center.)
November 21, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Palestinian-American -- a vocal and financial supporter of new Center
by GARY JAVITCH Special to the Jewish Press “I grew up in Ramallah on the West Bank of Israel,” Charles Mikhail stated. “My father was a pharmacist there.” A cousin to former Palestinian Authority legislator Hanan Ashrawi, Charles has his own views of the IsraeliPalestinian situation. “I am a Palestinian nationalist and I am a Christian. I believe in Israel’s right to exist and I support the right of the Palestinians to have their own country, too.” Mikhail was speaking to an audience of Omaha Jewish leaders and activists invited to the Happy Hollow Country Club to meet him on Veterans Day and learn about the newly established Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies, due to open in July 2009 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Then he began to elaborate on why he, as a Palestinian, was so strongly supporting a center to learn about Israelis, Palestinians, and the Jewish religion. “With a Center like this, I believe that there will be academic freedom to discuss both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. I truly believe this a part of a great effort to promote understanding. With better understanding, there are better opportunities for Peace,” he said. “Unlike the Evangelicals, I don’t support Israel for religious reasons. I support it for secular ones: Israel has a right to exist and the Palestinians have a right to their own state.” Elaborating on that position, he added that the Iranians, Arabs, and Islamists who hold an extremist position hinder the possibilities for peace. “It is important for the U.S. to promote reform in the Islamic world and promote economic progress. This will
discourage extremism,” he declared. “There are extremists out there because they feel that they lack political and economic rights. It is important for America to blunt the influence of Islamists. He added, “Presently, the extremists carry the day. People are afraid to speak out.” Why then does Hamas get so much support?” he was asked.
the Center will be of very high quality, attracting the best in academic scholarship,” he observed. “The Center is truly a feather in the cap of Jewish Omaha, all of Nebraska and the Midwest.” And so strongly does he support the new Center that Charles has already given cash to the University of Nebraska Foundation and pledged a total of $70,000 over the next three years to fund
Left picture: Charles Mikhail, left, and UNO professors Dr. Guy Matalon and Dr. Moshe Gershovich discuss Israeli and Palestinian relations at a panel discussion at the Kripke Library last week; Right picture: Natan and Hannah Schwalb are founders of the new UNO Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, to which Charles Mikhail has pledged $70,000. “The vast majority of support they get a course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is from Palestinians who believe that and grant money for faculty and students they are victims of a corrupt, secular who want to visit and study in Israel. Fatah leadership. Hamas has been able His involvement in the entire project to provide needed social services, func- grew out of a close relationship to an tion more effectively and get things Israeli-born man he calls his best friend. done,” he explained referring to the That man is Dr. Moshe Gershovich, curpolitical party named as a terrorist rently a UNO professor who will play a organization by the U.S. Department of big role, along with Dr. Guy Matalon, in State,” he responded. the development of the program. Mikhail believes that if the U.S. can He then recounted the story of how he stop the violence and provide a Marshall met Gershovich. The two were both plan-type program for the Palestinians, studying at Harvard. At the time, Moshe Hamas will lose its support. was a sophomore and Charles, who He says that the Center can be very already had a Master’s and later would effective in educating students about the become an attorney, was taking a Middle challenges in the Middle East. “I believe Eastern history course at the university.
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In a class both were attending, Charles observed Moshe arguing with a professor but couldn’t exactly hear all that was taking place. “I know that Arabs are good in “discussing” topics, but based on the gesturing, the tone, and the intensity of the exchange, I correctly assumed Moshe was not only Jewish, but Israeli,” he said with affection. They connected later and became fast friends. Besides his close ties to Gershovich, Mikhail had one other major reason to support the Center: to promote a better understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. What is remarkable are his contacts with so many different individuals. He met the late Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat, a month before he died, “when he was not very coherent,” he revealed. “I am a Palestinian and I have become very good friends with Salaam Fayad, the current Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.” He knows other “movers and shakers” as well Mikhail still maintains a home in Ramallah, one of three he owns. As an attorney in Mississippi, he has done quite well, achieving recognition for his role in a successful lawsuit that became the subject of the 1999 Russell Crowe movie, The Insider. Among the 32 who attended the function as guests of the University of Nebraska Foundation was the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, David Boocker, who just arrived in August 2008. He also spoke, as did the Center’s founder, Nate Schwalb. Mark Javitch, who represented his two siblings, was also present; the Javitch family endowed a new Phil and Ruth Sokolof Lecture Series for the Center.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21, 2008
Obama’s new chief-of-staff: attack dog, policy wonk, committed Jew
by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Political insight, killer in a fight, Yiddishkeit -- it’s an inseparable package when it comes to Rahm Emanuel, say those who know President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to be the next White House chief of staff. Since his days as a fund-raiser and then a “political adviser” -- read: enforcer -for President Bill Clinton, Emanuel has earned notoriety as a no-holds-barred politico. Accept the good with the bad because it’s of a piece, said Steve Rabinowitz, who worked with Emanuel in the Clinton White House. “He can be a ‘mamzer,’ but he’s our mamzer,” said Rabinowitz, using the Yiddish term for “bastard,” speaking both as a Democrat and a Jew. “Sometimes that's what you need.” The apocrypha is legendary, if somewhat hard to pin down: Jabbing a knife into a table screaming “Dead!” as colleagues shout out the names of political enemies, sending a dead fish to a rival, screaming at friends and enemies alike for no good reason. Even his allies acknowledge that Emanuel, 48, can be on edge at times. “He’s not running for Miss Congeniality, ever,” said U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who has known Emanuel since they worked at Illinois Public Action, a public interest group, in the early 1980s. “He is relentless; he doesn’t give up, but in a strategic way. He’s good at figuring out other people’s self interest and negotiating in a way that comes out in his favor.” Emanuel, an Illinois congressman who boasts strong ties to his local Jewish community and the Jewish state, also can be seen as embodying Obama’s stated commitment to Israeli security and diplomacy: During the first Iraq war, Emanuel flew to Israel as a volunteer to help maintain military vehicles. Two years later he was an aide to Clinton, helping to push along the newly launched Oslo process. Within four months of joining the U.S.
House of Representatives in 2003, Emanuel had an impressive command of the issues, said Michael Kotzin, the director of the Chicago Jewish Community Relations Council. “He gave a thorough and insightful analysis of issues on our agenda,” said Kotzin, adding that Emanuel was responsive to his Jewish constituents.
Barack Obama’s pick for White House chief of staff has strong ties to Israel and the Jewish community. CREDIT: Rahm Emanuel Obama chose Emanuel to escort him to a closed-door meeting with leaders of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in June, a day after the final Democratic primaries. One thing Emanuel is not, all agree, is the president-elect’s conciliatory signal to the Jewish community after a campaign fraught with worries that Obama would tip toward even-handedness in dealing with the Middle East. Emanuel was chosen strictly for his political skills and his closeness to Obama, said Rabinowitz, whose public relations firm does work with both Jewish groups and the Democratic Party and its affiliates. His closeness to the Jewish community “would be a tiny factor, if at all” in the hiring, Rabinowitz said.
The Arab and pro-Arab media have made much of the fact that Emanuel’s father is Israeli, and Benjamin Emanuel didn’t improve matters in an interview with Ma’ariv. “Obviously,” the senior Emanuel told the Israeli daily, “he’ll influence the president to be pro-Israel. Why wouldn’t he? What is he, an Arab? He’s not going to be mopping floors at the White House.” By the time JTA reached the elder Emanuel, a physician, it was clear his son had asked him to keep away from reporters. Picking up the phone, he said, “This is Benjamin Emanuel, the plumber,” and asked a reporter to call back in a week, after he’d spoken in person to Rahm -- “if I’m still alive then.” In truth, some observers say, Obama’s Jewish supporters and Emanuel’s Arab critics are oversimplifying by painting the new chief of staff as a guardian of Israeli interests. Emanuel will be a strong voice for Israeli security -- but also one with the standing to cast a skeptical eye on some Israeli claims. “Rahm, precisely because he's a lover of Israel, will not have much patience with Israeli excuse-making,” Jeffrey Goldberg, a writer for The Atlantic, suggested on his blog. “So when the next prime minister tells President Obama that as much as he’d love to, he can’t dismantle the Neve Manyak settlement outpost, or whichever outpost needs dismantling, because of a) domestic politics; b) security concerns; or c) the Bible, Rahm will call out such nonsense, and it will be very hard for rightwing Israelis to come back and accuse him of being a self-hating Jew.” Tom Dine, a past president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and a senior policy adviser to the Israeli Policy Forum, concurred and said that Emanuel’s knowledge of the issue will mean i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. “God help the national security staffer who incorrectly spells an Israel town name,” Dine said. “Having said that, he has to be very careful, he can’t step on the
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toes of the secretary of state, the national security advisers, of Joe Biden,” the vice president-elect whose emphasis will be foreign policy. The significance of Emanuel’s Jewishness is more how unremarkable it is that an unapologetic Jew should rise so far, said Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League. “He has never hesitated to wear it proudly on his sleeve,” Foxman said. During Emanuel’s freshman run for Congress in 2002, a backer of his Democratic primary opponent in the largely Polish district noted his service in Israel during the first Iraq war. Emanuel shrugged off the accusation as true -- and won by a wide margin. His brother, Hollywood super agent and liberal activist Ari Emanuel, also has been unapologetic about his support for Jewish causes. He sparked headlines when he called on people in the movie industry to blackball Mel Gibson over The Passion of the Christ. Both brothers have inspired a television character: Rahm is said to be the model for Josh Lyman on “The West Wing,” and Ari more famously is immortalized as the agent/predator Ari Gold on the HBO series “Entourage.” A year ago, honoring his Hollywood agent brother for supporting children with learning disabilities, Rahm Emanuel recalled returning from Israel in 1967. More than his brothers, Emanuel remembered, he tended to darken in the Israeli sun. He was scooting around on his bike when a bigger kid grabbed it, saying black kids weren’t welcome in the neighborhood. Ari, Rahm recalled, “beat the crap out of him” -- not because of the bike, not to protect his brother, “but because of what he said about black kids.” Rahm defended his brother in terms he might have applied to himself: “Where others see fierceness, I see loyalty. Where others see intensity, I see passion.” Continued on page 5
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November 21, 2008
Rep. Cantor moving up in U.S. House
by ERIC FINGERHUT WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The only Jewish GOPer in the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to become its second-highest ranking Republican. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is likely to ascend to the minority whip position in the House after another GOP lawmaker, Roy Blunt of Missouri, stepped down from the post on Nov. 6. Cantor, 45, has served as chief deputy whip for the past six years and been considered a rising star in the Republican Party pretty much since his election to the House in 2000. As someone who could appeal to two key constituencies -- Jews and conservatives -Cantor's name was even floated this summer as a possible vice- Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the only presidential pick for Jewish Republican in the U.S. John McCain, although House of Representatives, is likely it doesn’t appear as if he to ascend to the minority whip Credit: RJC were seriously consid- position. ered for the position. He also played a key role in negotiations over an economic bailout bill earlier this fall, offering conservative alternatives to the package originally proposed by the Bush administration. Representing a district that includes parts of Richmond and its suburbs as well as rural areas to the north, Cantor’s political philosophy is one of a traditional Republican conservative on both economic and social issues. Newsweek described the “Cantor Brand� this week as an emphasis on “fiscal discipline, lowering taxes and government accountability.� He also is pro-gun and anti-abortion, and has backed Bush administration secrecy policies. Such views have led Jewish Democrats to argue that while he may be Jewish, his views are “out of step� with the mainstream of the community, at least on domestic matters. On Middle East-related issues, Cantor has been on the front lines for his party in advocating for the Jewish state
and charging Democrats with being insufficiently committed to Israel. On the latter point, he’s been accused of distorting Democratic positions. As an example, in May he released a statement misquoting Barack Obama as saying Israel was a “constant sore� in the Middle East. In fact, Obama was speaking of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, not the Jewish state. Cantor never corrected the statement. Cantor has been an effective representative of Jewish concerns to the Republican caucus. William Daroff, the vice president for public policy of the United Jewish Communities and the head of the group’s Washington office, credited Cantor with helping to stave off efforts this summer to limit tax exemptions for nonprofits. Blunt stressed the importance of Cantor’s religion in a July interview. “The fact that Eric's the only Jewish Republican member of the House creates an entry into the community,� said the outgoing whip. Cantor also played a key role in convincing his former Republican colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served eight years, to back Iran divestment legislation. “Eric was involved quietly trying to persuade people,� said Ron Halber, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. Cantor was raised as a Conservative Jew, and in a 2001 interview with The Washington Jewish Week said he does his best to keep kosher. He said avoiding non-kosher meat can be complicated as a politician when he attends an event and his hosts want him to try their barbecue, but they usually understand. Cantor has strong roots in the Richmond Jewish community, having co-chaired the federation’s young leadership division and served on the Richmond Jewish Community Center board. Known and lauded in his party for his prodigious fundraising skills, Cantor did run into problems from a fundraiser he held at a kosher deli in 2003. His campaign didn’t pay the bill for the event at disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s delicatessen, Stacks, but when the problem became public, Cantor apologized, paid the bill and was not sanctioned. Cantor also received $30,000 in campaign contributions from entities affiliated with Abramoff. After the lobbyist pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges, Cantor donated $10,000 of the money to charity.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Obama’s new chief-of-staff
Continued from page 4 In general, Emanuel is fiercely loyal to his family, and they were a consideration in his hesitation to take work he’s always dreamed of having -- he waited two days to say yes. Obama, in his statement announcing the pick, recognized the pain it would cause Emanuel’s wife, Amy, and “their children, Zach, Ilana and Leah.� Emanuel, born to an Israeli doctor who married a local woman after he moved to Chicago in the mid-1950s, speaks Hebrew and fondly recalls summering each year in Israel as a child -- including just after the 1967 SixDay War. He attends Anshe Sholom, a Modern Orthodox synagogoue in Chicago, and sends his children to Jewish day school. His rabbi, Asher Lopatin, recalls Emanuel approaching him just before Rosh Hashanah this year, telling him that an effort to put together a bailout package for the hardhit stock market before the holiday had failed and asking whether it was permissible to take conference calls on the holiday in order to salvage the bill. “I asked, ‘Is it as serious as people say it is?’� the rabbi recalled. “He said, ‘Without this bill there could be a meltdown of the financial system.’� Lopatin considered the effect such a failure would have on children and the poor. “I felt it was a case of ‘pikuach nefesh,’� the commandment that places the saving of life above all other commandments, Lopatin said, and gave Emanuel the ‘OK’. The somberness of the request couldn’t quell Emanuel’s acerbic wit. Lopatin recalled Emanuel’s teasing, wondering whether the status of the rabbi’s 401(k) investments wasn’t also behind the hechsher. “He kibitzed with me about that,� the rabbi said.
BIRTHS Lisa and Major Brad Green of Seoul, South Korea, announce the Oct. 29 birth of twin sons, Eli Jacob and Seth Aaron. Grandparents are Fran and Mickey Coren, and Ruth and Lester Green of Bethesda, MD. Great-grandfather is Paul Grossman.
Emanuel repeated the story, to raucous laughter, in caucus meetings on the Hill -- an example of how he will skid in the same sentence from Judaism to a liberal commitment to social reforms to hard-nosed politics, Schakowsky said. “There’s barely a caucus meeting where he doesn't make some reference to being Jewish, often in a humorous way,� she said. But his Jewishness does more than inform his sense of humor, Emanuel’s rabbi said. “He has a very deep commitment and feel for Yiddishkeit,� Lopatin said, “and it’s a Yiddishkeit that’s about ‘tikkun olam,’ having a positive effect on the world.�
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Moscow Ballet performs its “Great Russian Nutcracker�at the Omaha Music Hall on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. The cast features luminaries of the Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools. Chief Choreographer Anatoli Emelianov returns, with Ballet Masters Vladimir Troschenko and Andre Litvinov. For tickets, please go to www.nutcracker.com or call the box office at 402.422.1212. Omaha Performing Arts welcomes Marilyn May to 1200 Club at the Holland Center in two performances on Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. May has been immortalized in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., as one of the best singers of the 20th century. A favorite of Ella Fitzgerald and Johnny Carson, she appeared on “The Tonight Show� a record 76 times. Now in its third season, the 1200 Club transforms the Holland Performing Arts Center’s most intimate venue, the Scott Reecital Hall, into a relaxed lounge. Tickets, priced at $25 in advance and $30 at the door, may be purchased by phone at 402.345.0606, online at www.TicketOmaha.org, or at the box office.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21, 2008
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to Beth El Rosh Hodesh group by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator We read about Israel, we study it, and if possible, we visit the Jewish homeland. But the nuances of everyday life there can only be shared by one who has lived there. Tamar Halevy, a native of Israel who came to Omaha several months ago to serve as the JCC’s shlicha, will provide that unique perspective when she serves as guest speaker at “Coffee, Cocoa and Conversation,” the upcoming Beth El Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group meeting. Scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., the get-together is hosted by Carol Parsow, at her home, 2222 Skyline Dr. Halevy said she plans to discuss her life on a kibbutz, as well as her military service as an officer. “To be a woman in Israel, my home, is not a simple thing. Israel, the most beautiful, multi-dimensional and complex country in the world, can be the most liberal place to live in, in some cases, or the most discriminating in other cases,” she remarked. “We have a lot of achievements to be proud of -today, we are very close to making history, as three of the most important positions in our democracy will be occupied by women: Dorit Beinish is the president of the Supreme Court; Dalya Itzik is the chair of the Knesset; and Tzipi Livni might be our Prime minister. Over 18 percent of women have a B.A degree, compared to only
12 percent of men. “In the Israeli Army -- the IDF, a woman can join today most of the elite units and be equal in many areas: she can be a pilot, a naval officer, a combat soldier in the Border Police and other units,” Halevy added. Despite those impressive statistics, Halevy noted that women still earn much less money than men. “According to the average salary in Israel, a woman makes 63 percent of a man’s salary. You will not find many women as board directors, and there are not many women engineers.” During her stint as an Israeli Border Police officer, Halevy recalled the difficulty she had with fellow officers who were sometimes reluctant to work alongside a woman. “Serving in the Israeli Border Police as a red-haired, liberal woman officer who comes from a kibbutz -- when most of the officers were men from the periphery of the country like Druze or Yemenis -- was not an easy job. Some of them came from a culture where a woman is allowed to speak in a discussion, and some of them just silently disrespected me. To survive in that system, I often had to deal with inappropriate sexual comments.” Halevy will share her perspectives about these and other aspects of living as a young woman in contemporary Israeli society. Reservations may be made by calling Parsow at 289.3211.
IN THE NEWS Rich Juro was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. During the summer of 2008, Rich and Fran Juro sold No Frills Supermarket to their seven-member senior management team. After receiving a bachelor of arts and a law degree from Columbia University, Rich Juro came to Nebraska in 1966 and started working with his fatherin-law, Harold Cooperman, at Harold’s Supermarkets. In 1980 a new store concept, No Frills Supermarkets, was started. The strategy propelled the growth from one location to a 16-store chain with more than 1300 employees. Over the years, Juro has been one of the strongest supporters of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. He served on the Board of Directors for 21 years, and is the only board member who has served multiple terms as Chairman. He also served on the National Grocers Association Board of Directors for two terms.
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The women of the class of 1966 from Central and Westside High Schools got together for a reunion to celebrate their 60th birthdays recently. Organizing the event in Palm Desert, CA, were Linda Eisenstatt Luttbeg and Jennifer Rodin Seigner. The group came from California, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. Pictured above are, back row: Donna Stender Canfield, left, Marilyn Novak Derrick, Cheryl Weiss Kricsfeld, Linda Luttbeg, Jennifer Seigner, Gail Goldstein Raznick, Peggy Perlmeter
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November 21, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
A place for spirituality to become a home for physical rehabilitation
by OZZIE NOGG Greenberg said. “When we started with The next phase of construction at the our first prayer, Ma Tovu, I mentioned Rose Blumkin Jewish Home includes how well this shul has served the residemolition of the existing synagogue to dents. I talked about how beautiful it is make way for a new Rehabilitation Suite. -- sentiments that echo the theme of the And so -- following the example of our Mah Tovu which expresses our appreciaancestors who erected temporary taber- tion for being able to come together and nacles as they moved through the pray in a synagogue, in a beautiful, holy Wilderness -- the residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home have ‘set up shul’ in the Tea Room -- a temporary sanctuary in which to hold Shabbat services until the new synagogue on Main Street is completed in the fall of 2009. During this transition period, Lois Wine, RBJH Director of Volunteer Services, serves as the Blumkin community’s unofficial shamash. “During the week,” Wine explained, “a Blumkin Home residents Rabbi Elihu Milder, left, Selma locked storage closet in the and Jim Shamberg, Victor Cukier, and Pat Glass and others Tea Room will secure the in the back row attend services in the old synagogue. Torahs, the tallitot, prayer books and kip- place.” pot. Each Friday afternoon, volunteers Greenberg also gave the milestone a will bring the kiddush cart to the Tea contemporary spin. “We had a really nice Room while I put on my roller-skates and crowd that final Shabbat, and when I told push the Torah reading table into the the congregation that there was a relaworship space.” Wine recognizes that tionship between the Rose Blumkin synatransforming the Tea Room involves gogue and Yankee stadium, the residents coordinated effort, and she praised the asked what I meant. So I explained that volunteers for their “patience and cooper- this year thousands of people went to ation during this construction period.” Yankee stadium when it was torn down in Andy Greenberg is one of those volun- order for a new stadium to be built. And teers. After having led Shabbat morning so it was with the Blumkin synagogue. services at the Home an average of twice This Shabbat would be the last service to a month for the past eight years, be held in our synagogue because it will Greenberg is called ‘Rabbi’ by many of be replaced by a new one during the comthe residents. “The final service in the ing year. The residents got it. They synagogue was very special for me,” enjoyed the connection.”
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The core of volunteers involved with prayer services at the Blumkin Home is large and devoted. Nancy Rips, a Friday night veteran, asked Greenberg to join her once a month for what the pair calls ‘Shabbat Caroling’ -- a spin through the dining rooms, singing Shabbat tunes.
on Shabbat and during the High Holidays,” Greenberg continued. “These young volunteers are developing the same warm feelings for the synagogue at the Home that many people before them have felt. These kids are now part of a rich tradition.” For Greenberg, this particular moment
Photos from left: David Herzog, left, Andy Greenberg and Jim Polack on the bimah; the Hebrew on the ark reads: “Know before Whom you stand.” Zack Bram, left, assists Andy Greenberg with services at the Blumkin Home synagogue. “Jim Polack is always there on Saturday in the history of the Blumkin Home is morning to help the residents,” bittersweet. “Today, the Blumkin synaGreenberg said. “David Herzog, who is gogue is a memory where hundreds always there with his mother, has become prayed, either alone or with their famia Shabbat service leader along with Jim.” lies,” he said. Greenberg also acknowledged Milt “Over the years I met many residents. Marcus, Steve Riekes, Alan Schulewitz, When I hear of their passing, or when a Marty Shukert, Phyllis Hoffman, Miles family member calls and personally invites Remer, Rabbi Maximo Shechet, Renee me to a memorial service, or when I read Kazor, Mark Kazor, Sharon Houchin and their names during kaddish -- it hurts. Rick Eirenberg -- all of whom are valued Tears flow. Yet it’s very gratifying to know volunteers who lead services and read that I, along with other volunteers, met Torah -- as well as Doris Alloy who checks or added to the residents’ spiritual needs the Torah mantles and makes any needed during their stay at the Blumkin Home,” repairs. he added. “I feel honored to have led “I’m especially happy that teenagers them in services, especially on that final like Zack Bram, Sam Munzesheimer and Shabbat.” Naomi and Aaron Zipursky now join me
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21, 2008
Be careful what you wish for Financial meltdown. Big banks, investment institutions, car manufacturers, home builders -- all going under. And now comes the bad news in the retail sector: Circuit City files for bankruptcy, CITI lets go of 53,000 employees and numbers are down for big department stores and discounters (except for Wal-Mart, which posted a 2.4% gain in October). The country’s drive to boost the economy after 9/11 by spending doesn’t seem to be working. Of course, it could be that the unemployment figures have jumped to 6.4% and the stock market has plunged to the mid-8000s from the August, 2007, high of 14,000. And in little more than nine weeks, Barack Obama will take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. Think he’s saying thanks for this Thanksgiving or wishing he had a crystal ball in 2007? When he started his campaign, just 18 months after he entered the U.S. Senate as the Junior Senator from Illinois, the economy was roaring along and the big talk then was about ending the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home. What’s he thinking now? Maybe, something like, “Michelle, why didn’t you stop me? We could have let Hillary take the fall!” Seriously, this young man certainly has his hands full. With the unions and the execs at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler demanding bailout billions on one side, a heavily Democratic Congress flexing their muscle on the other, President Medvedev of Russia poking him in the eye about the U.S. placing strategic weapons in Poland, and once joyous Arabs now upset because the new Chief-ofStaff is a committed Jew, our President-elect is
trying to remain as cool as the press depicted him during this long and arduous campaign. We feel for him; we really do. Being President of the United States is not for the timid and meek. You’ve got to have backbone and beitzim, as our bubbes have said (and if they had beitzim, they’d be our zaydes!). So how can we, as American citizens, help our country through this morass? One way is to have an honest dialogue with one another whether we voted for Obama or McCain. That means putting aside partisan differences for the moment and trying to come up with solutions that are good for the country, both short term and for the long haul. For example: any campaign agenda item that is not of immediate importance (like gay marriage, reproductive rights, and closing Gitmo) should be put on the back burner. Only two items are of grave importance: the economy and security. The economy first: no more talk of bailouts. We don’t have the money; frankly, we didn’t have the $700 billion already allocated. The Big Three car makers knew decades ago they were in trouble, but they stuck to their 20th century ways in design, fuel economy and
100% benefits for employees -- even those who had retired. Somehow the Asian manufacturers, like Honda, which just opened a new plant last month in the U.S., have managed to stay in business, thank you very much. On to security: Teddy Roosevelt’s advice still holds more than a century later -- talk softly and carry a big stick. And use it if you have to. Right after the election, Al Qaeda announced an attack “bigger than 9/11” aimed at the West. We can’t let that happen. When the U.S. Attorney’s office tried 1993 Twin Towers bombers in criminal court, it didn’t work. There are America-haters still plotting against us -- in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in our own cities. It’s your job to protect us. Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. President-elect.
AMERICA DECIDES 2008 by MATT BROKKS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Over the next few years, the Jewish community will face serious challenges. Throughout this presidential election campaign, we always understood that whomever was elected president would shape how our country deals with these challenges. From the beginning, the Republican and Democratic candidates competed for support in the Jewish community. They elaborated on their solutions for critical issues like our troubled economy, the threat of a nuclear Iran, continued Hamas violence against Israel and the need for energy independence. The Republican Jewish Coalition helped not only raise these critical issues, but helped the Jewish community get clear answers. Since the first days of the election campaign, the RJC challenged President-elect Barack Obama to articulate his positions on these issues, and through our actions, let him know that the Jewish community would carefully examine his responses. As a result, neither party nor candidate took the support of the Jewish community for granted. The RJC is proud to have played a role in facilitating this important debate. Early on, there were serious and legitimate reasons to be concerned by Obama’s positions on Israel, Iran and the Middle East. Nervous Jewish Democrats mobilized as never before. Numerous third-party groups formed and scores of high-profile surrogates flooded the community dedicated to addressing these concerns and to electing the Democratic candidate for president. The Obama campaign itself deployed an unprecedented amount of resources and manpower into the Jewish community to maintain this traditional support.
Our tradition teaches us that we hold the capacity to accept multiple opinions --- even to value opposing positions. The Talmud says these opposing positions are to be valued as they may prove to be correct someday. While we congratulate President-elect Obama on a hard-fought campaign, we are disturbed by some emerging trends that we hope do not continue. Throughout the campaign, Democrats consistently resorted to ugly intimidation to silence our message and stifle this important debate. It even went so far as the Obama campaign and other Democratic entities refusing to debate RJC surrogates. When the RJC brought up legitimate policy differences, some Democratic surrogates reflexively called our questions “smear and fear” tactics and refused to discuss the important issues. Some discourse was marred by episodes of vicious attacks against our organization -- at times even becoming personal. One Democratic surrogate, and former Clinton administration official, likened the RJC to Yasser Arafat. Clearly this goes beyond
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Debate even among a united people Despite this tsunami of Democratic resources, Obama was unable to exceed Bill Clinton or Al Gore, and only slightly improved on John Kerry’s support in the Jewish community. Unlike many other constituencies that had huge increases in support for Obama, Jewish support for him showed only slight gains and lagged far behind other key demographics. Throughout the fall, through our efforts, the RJC challenged the candidates to specify their policies. If Obama’s positions on Israel, Iran and the Middle East evolved throughout this election, it stands testament that he, and his campaign, understood the RJC’s message and adjusted theirs.
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any acceptable level of discourse. Unfortunately, the trend of Democrats punishing those who disagree with their policies seems to be continuing past Election Day. Only two days after President-elect Obama’s victory, there are reports that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Senate majority leader, is contemplating threats, rebukes and penalties against Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) over Lieberman’s decision to back McCain’s presidential campaign. Throughout the campaign, Obama promised a post-partisan era of cooperation. If he is truly sincere about that commitment, seeking retribution against Lieberman is not the right way to start his administration. The kind of behavior Reid is exhibiting is an all-too-familiar hallmark of the Obama campaign and other Jewish Democratic entities. Particularly regarding the actions of Jewish Democrats who engaged in these blackball, retributive tactics, it is unfortunate that they do not revere, as we do, the Jewish intellectual tradition of debate. Our tradition teaches us that we hold the capacity to accept multiple opinions -- even to value opposing positions. The Talmud says these opposing positions are to be valued as they may prove to be correct someday. Today, our nation moves forward into a new chapter. We come together in the Jewish community not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Jewish Americans united in our resolve to move our country forward. We pray that President-elect Obama will stay true to his campaign commitments and promises to the Jewish community. Our Jewish tradition, however, teaches us not to shy away from debate not stand by idly. The RJC stands guard over our right to always raise the issues of critical concern to our community and sound the alarm when necessary. Matt Brooks is the executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, a grass-roots political organization based in Washington, D.C.
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November 21, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Don’t Misinterpret the Jewish Vote: Support for Obama doesn’t mean American Jews don’t care about Israel
With Barack Obama’s historic win, the question of who won the Jewish vote has understandably been swept to the side. With the Democrat sweeping to victory across the country, the political donnybrook that has been fought within the Jewish community is nothing more than a sideshow. Nevertheless, the fact that Obama won, according to exit polls, 77 percent of Jewish votes, is no small achievement. The Obama tidal wave swamped the efforts of supporters of Sen. John McCain to increase the number of Jews who vote Republican and an aggressive ad campaign by the Republican Jewish Coalition that drove Democrats up the wall. While some in the GOP had spoken optimistically of McCain matching, or even exceeding, the nearly 40 percent of Jewish votes that Ronald Reagan received in 1980, it was wishful thinking that Jews would forego their longstanding commitment to the Democratic Party. Conservatives may dismiss the persistent affection of the majority of Jews for the Democrats as being rooted as much in nostalgia for Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman as in the merits of their successors. But Republicans know too well that Jews are second only to African-Americans in their dogged refusal to vote for anyone but a Democrat. And, in what must be considered one of the most partisan moments in American history, their expectation that a sizable number would bolt across the aisle was unrealistic. Myths About Jewish Voters Chief among the reasons why the Republicans have failed to create a political realignment was that their wedge issue -- support for the State of Israel — is not the only item on the list of Jewish concerns. Domestic issues, particularly those related to the separation of church and state, and social issues, such as support for abortion rights, are seen as matters of profound personal concern. On a deeper level, most Jews have traditionally interpreted Judaism’s imperative for social justice as a mandate for liberal politics. Conservatives may jibe, not without justice, that the faith of liberal Jews may be defined as the Democratic Party platform with holidays thrown in, but there’s no denying the power of these ideas. That said, Republicans were poised to make some gains. McCain’s strong stands on Israel and Islamist terror gave the GOP reason for hope. Also helpful to the
Growing assimilation is altering the demographics of the Jewish community, and most American Jews are still more afraid of Pat Robertson than they are of Hamas, Hezbollah or even Iran. But it would be dead wrong to think that most don’t care about Israel. In the October issue of Harper’s Magazine, writer Bernard Avishai, an Israeli who is a strong critic of the way American Jews fervently support his country, stated his belief in an essay titled “Obama’s Jews,” that the unwillingness of Jews to vote Republican, despite their supposed superior record on Israel, means that they are indifferent to such appeals. He blithely assumed that this Democratic majority stuck with its party’s candidate precisely because it has rejected the mantra of down-the-line support for Israel. Ironically, his view seems to echo the laments of Jewish Republicans, who fear that the vote for Obama means that Jews no longer care about Israel. That is a particularly bitter reflection for them, because conservatives have long held that, sooner or later, American Jews would switch parties because they were bound to eventually conclude that the Democrats were inherently unreliable on Israel. It is no secret that there is a large element of the American left that is inherently hostile to Israel and Zionism. They wield proportionally more influence among Democrats than that portion of the American right that is similarly hostile to Israel (think Pat Buchanan). To the extent that any Democrat can be
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identified as a clone of former President Jimmy Carter, whose view of Israel as an apartheid state has thoroughly discredited him as a mainstream figure, the Republicans do gain. Yet, as the results of 1980 proved, when Jewish voters are presented with a Democrat who is perceived as hostile to Israel, they will vote for his or her opponent. In that election, Carter (whose animus for Israel wasn’t nearly as pronounced as it has since become) received a record-low Jewish vote. But, contrary to the conclusion of Avishai and the pessimistic Republicans, if Democrats have held their own among the Jews since then, it was not because they have chosen to flout the sensibilities of supporters of Israel, but because they never allowed themselves to be wrongfooted on Israel as they were in 1980. They Do Care In line with this insight, throughout this year’s campaign Obama wisely never allowed much daylight between his positions and that of the pro-Israel community. His goal was not to prove that he had a better record than McCain, but to show an inherently sympathetic audience of Jewish Democrats that his pro-Israel stance was plausible enough to allow them to vote for him, and against his opponent, on the basis of other issues. In response, the RJC ad campaign focused on branding Obama as a radical who is hostile to Israel. But the fact that it failed to move voters was not be due to the fact that Jews think Obama is weak on Israel and don’t care. Rather it was because the majority of Jews who are Democrats believed the assertion to be false. Growing assimilation is altering the demographics of the Jewish community, and most American Jews are still more afraid of Pat Robertson than they are of Hamas, Hezbollah or even Iran. But it would be dead wrong to think that most don’t care about Israel. Republicans may question Obama’s sincerity, and point to his personal history and waffling on issues, such as Jerusalem, to back up their cynicism. But his consistent statements of support for Israel effectively parried the claim that he is another Carter, which is all he really needed to do to hold on to the Jewish vote. My guess is that his inherent pragmatism and keen political skills will mean that he will probably be able to keep it four years from now. The proof, of course, will be in the pudding. Should a President Obama prove his critics right and go back on his word on Israel, he will discover that Jewish voters, including many Democrats, are every bit as capable of punishing him as they were Jimmy Carter 28 years ago. Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be contacted via email at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com.
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GOP was the victory of Sen. Barack Obama, a virtual political unknown, over Sen. Hillary Clinton who had strong support among Jews. Obama’s long association with a radical anti-Semite like the Rev. Jeremiah Wright rightly troubled many voters. However, by late September, GOP optimism fell victim to the panic on Wall Street. But more important at sounding the death knell, at least among the Jews, was the Sarah Palin factor. Though Palin’s presence on the ticket energized the Republican base, her identity as a social conservative and Evangelical Christian has had the opposite effect on most Jews, because their views on domestic matters run contrary to hers. The hostility that she has generated among liberal Jews, especially women, was visceral. There’s little doubt she cost McCain some Jewish votes. The result of these factors is that the Democratic dominance of the Jewish vote was strengthened. Unfortunately, that led a few pundits to jump to some unjustified conclusions even before the votes were counted.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, November 21, 4:42 p.m
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Ruth and Eyal Margalit, in honor of their daughter, Tal, becoming a Bat Mitzvah; Minha/ Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m. SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: Saturday, 11:15 a.m. This fun-filled Shabbat singalong, led by Miss Patty, offers joyful Shabbat music, custom made for children up to age five and their parents. Open to all families in the Jewish community, at no charge. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Bible Study SUNDAY: Discussion Group; and Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club, also led by Frydman-Levin; and Synagogue skills class, led by Cantor Beth Schlossberg, 11 a.m. BRUNCH ’N LEARN: Sunday, 10 a.m., featuring guest speaker Joanna Kay, a CSI with the Douglas County Sheriff ’s office. Sponsored by Men’s Club, this breakfast event is free of charge and open to the Jewish community. BESTT: Sixth and Seventh grade minyan, Sunday, 9 a.m. following minyan, breakfast for students and parents will be provided by Men’s Club. JUDAICA SHOP SALE: Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Everything in the shop is at least 10% off. TATTOOS & JEWS: led by UNMC medical ethicist Toby Schonfeld on Monday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Jewish Ideals and Ethics for Everyday Living, noon. SHABBAT COMES TO THE BLUMKIN HOME: Friday, Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP: Will meet
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BAT MITZVAH
to reserve space, call
Elizabeth Snyder, daughter of Jane and Michael Snyder, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Beth El. Elizabeth is a seventhg r a d e Superior Honor Roll student at Anderson Middle School. She placed third in the
Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559
on Monday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at the home of Carol Parsow. (See full story on page 6). CRAIG TAUBMAN CONCERT: Family Hanukkah concert on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. (See full story on page 12.)
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:42 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 4:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Mishnah Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Halacha Class, 7:45 p.m. W E D N E S D AY- S U N D AY: The office is closed for Thanksgiving. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Annual Thanksgiving Football Game follows minyan; Regular Thursday Classes are cancelled for Thanksgiving.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. For more information or to register email Estie@ochabad.com. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:40 p.m.; Soul Maps, Kabbalah
to navigate your inner world, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Schreiber Family. Celebrate with Sue Schreiber as she is called to the Torah. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street; LJCS Teachers meet, 12:30 p.m. at South Street. WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes. THURDA Y: Thanksgiving: Temple office closed. SUNDAY, Nov. 30: Join us for a book discussion of You Shall Be Holy: A Code of Jewish Ethics by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 3 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg and assisted by Aaron and Naomi Zipursky, and Zachary Bram.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Family Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Eric Linder; light food will be offered at 5:45 p.m.; Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m., led by Cantor Wendy Shermet. An art project follows dinner. Cost is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Contact the office or mkube@templeisraelomaha. com to make a reservation. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Katherine Slosburg, daughter of Martha and David Slosburg, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.
SUNDAY: Teacher meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades Pre-K-6, 10 a.m.; WRJ Board Meeting, 10 a.m.; Children’s Choir Rehearsal, noon, with lunch provided for choir members and younger siblings; Tri-Faith Youth Group Thanksgiving program, 1 p.m. Join OTYG and the Tri-faith youth group at Temple and take a bus to the Omaha Food bank to stock shelves. Share food in an “ethnic food feast” followed by the service at Temple; RSVP to Emily Katz at 517.7863; Thanksgiving Interfaith Service, 5 p.m., followed by a dessert reception sponsored by all the congregations. If you would like to help bake, please contact Sandy Passer at 330.4289. WEDNESDAY: No Religious or Family School; No Middle/High School. Save the Date! Craig Taubman in Concert on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at Beth El. (See full story on page 12.)
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:42 p.m. SATURDAY: Srvices, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. and Bat Mitzvah of Anna Hutkins followed by Kiddush luncheon sponsored by Nancy and Charlie Coren in honor of Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum’s visit and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street; LJCS Teachers meet, 12:30 p.m. at South Street. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; No Hebrew classes. SUNDAY, Nov. 30: Join us for a book discussion of You Shall Be Holy: A Code of Jewish Ethics by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 3 p.m.
Blumkin staff honored National American Miss Talent Pagent. Her interests include Show Choir, Drug Free Club, and Builders Club. For her mitzvah project, Elizabeth plans to volunteer at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. She has a brother, Ben. Grandparents are Fran and Barry Snyder, and Letha and Robert Pitlor. Great-grandmother is Sarah Silver.
A special Recognition Tea was held recently at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to honor two employees with the Schrager Award, presented by Mike Silverman, JSS/RBJH executive director, left, to Mary Ann Blair, activities assistant, and Gary Larsen, JSS bus driver.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO.
November 21, 2008
Mothers and sons
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Haye Sarah In describing the length of life of Sarah, our Sidra parcels it out in sections of seven years, of 20 and 100. Rabbinic Judaism suggested that this implies, especially because of the plural noun for “life” that there is life after death. We may, more usefully interpret the words as meaning the obvious life of Sarah and an inner life of thought and contemplation. In any case, the implication seems to be that we should use our years as productively as possible, depending of course, on the natural abilities with which we have been endowed.
This is not to say that we must spend our lives in rapt attention to the serious side of life; as it is said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” There is a midrashic suggestion that the death of Sarah occurred quickly after she heard about the Akeidah, the binding of her precious son Isaac on the altar for a planned sacrifice by none other than Sarah’s husband Abraham. That it did not come off and that Isaac was saved for a productive life did not alter Sarah’s natural fears. All of this tells us something about the human skills of the writers of the Bible. Mothers do not take lightly the harm that may come to their children. A skillful and talented writer could expand this story into a full novel, but the few verses the Bible doles out are quite sufficient. The story of “Mothers and Sons” need not be expanded. The emotional attachment of generation to generation is vividly implied in the few words devoted to the life (or lives) of our matriarch. (Attention, Sarah Palin!)
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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SHELDON HARRIS Longtime attorney and community leader Sheldon Harris died Nov. 10 at the age of 81. Services were held Nov. 11 at Temple Israel. A civic leader, whose volunteerism began when he was a student at Central High School, he was voted King of Honor by the Jewish Youth Council and was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce. But he probably is most remembered for his efforts in helping to found and become the first president of the Omaha Zoological Society in 1956, which later became the world famous Henry Doorly Zoo, and for his nearly 30-year commitment to Goodwill Industries. Harris did much of Goodwill’s legal work pro bono, served as a member of the board since 1982 and as its president. He helped them grow from two buildings to 12; Goodwill’s latest building addition at 108th and Blondo is named for Harris and his wife. He was inducted into the Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2007 and into the Central High School Hall of Fame last month. According to his son Jim, “he was a problem solver” in his legal practice, “who could patiently bring all sides together to save a deal.” He was preceded in death by his sister and brother-inlaw, Ellie and Henry Greenberg, who raised him from the age of 11, and his nephew, Justin Greenberg. He is survived by wife of 56 years, Janice Harris; sons and daughters-in-law, James and Marti Harris, Thomas and Barbara Harris of Northbrook, IL, and Stephen and Magi Harris, Denver, CO; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Pete Godwin, grandchildren, Leanne, Zachary, Joseph, Madeleine, Samuel, Brandon, and Katie Harris, Jacob and Andrew Godwin; brother-inlaw, Richard Rosen of San Francisco, CA; and his niece and her husband, Midge and Bill Bowers. Memorials to Goodwill Industries or the Henry Doorly Zoo.
EVA MEYERSON HANDLEMAN Eva Meyerson Handleman died at the age of 82. A graveside service was held Nov 18 at Golden Hill Cemetery. Known as “The Piano Lady,” she volunteered weekly at the Blumkin Home playing piano for the residents. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Meyer Meyerson and Philip Handleman. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Janice Meyerson and Ray Scheindlin; son and daughter-in-law, Robert S. Meyerson and Kimber Graeve; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Lois “Noni” Selner; stepchildren, Bob and Judy Handleman and Janet and Bill Alloy. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or Temple Israel.
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LEWIS LAVINE Lewis Lavine died at the age of 75. A graveside service was held on Nov. 14 at Golden Hill Cemetery. He worked at Commercial Optical for 40 years. ETHELYN ROSEMAN Former Omahan Ethleyn Roseman died Nov. 1 in Dallas. A graveside service was held Nov. 4 at Beth-El Cemetery. She taught elementary school for 30 years in Omaha. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold, and is survived by her daughter, Barbara of Austin, TX; son and and daughter-in-law, Jim and Lee Ann; grandchildren, Allyson and Michael, all of Dallas.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving. For all ads, articles and photos, the deadline for the Dec. 5 issue is Wednesday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 402. 334.6448.
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Temple second graders visit the Humane Society
Temple Israel’s second graders were able to truly be kind to animals earlier this month when their class visited the Nebraska Humane Society. Seven-year-old Brooke Wilczewski, daughter of Chris and Allyson Wilczewski, would have been happy to adopt her new feline friend, except “my Dad is allergic to cats,” she explained. Each year, part of the second grade curriculum is devoted to respecting animals. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel accompanied the children and talked about the difference between animals rights and human responsibility toward animals and what Judaism says about caring for them.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 21, 2008
Temple Israel and Beth El to present Craig Taubman in concert
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Craig Taubman draws thousands to sell-out concerts in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. His songs have been recorded by artists such as Chita Rivera and Jennifer Holliday. As a composer, he directed the music for the Fox children’s series Rimba’s Island, the critically acclaimed HBO animated series, Happily Ever After, and Shari Lewis’ PBS series, Charley Horse Pizza. His music has been featured at the Coca Cola Olympic Pavilion in Atlanta as well as in the Paramount Pictures film, Andre, New Line Cinema’s Pinocchio, and Disney’s animated short film Recycle Rex. Get excited Omaha! On Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m., he’s coming to Omaha! He’ll perform at Beth El Synagogue in a concert sponsored by Craig Taubman Temple Israel and Beth El. An American singer/songwriter and music producer based in Los Angeles, Taubman “has a knack for pleasing parents as much as he enchants kids with his hit group Craig ’n Company,” wrote Lisa Traiger, an arts writer and former associate editor at Moment magazine. Taubman, father of two college students, is widely known for his “Friday Night Live” services at Los Angeles’s Sinai Temple that attract about 1,500 people each month. He emphasizes “the tradition of the Jewish people: It’s a service of the heart,” he told the interviewer. Describing a typical evening service, “It starts when people walk in. We say, ‘Shabbat Shalom,’...we don’t wear ties and suits -- that’s good because I don’t own one. And, most important, we urge people to relax and be in the moment.” Taubman’s dynamic music -- including his own arrangements of “L’cha Dodi”, “V’shamru”, “Dayenu” and many more well known congregational and camp favorites -- has been inspiring Jewish communities for more than 25 years. He began performing with his guitar, leading services, when he was 15 at Camp Ramah in
Ojai, CA. His interest in music grew with his passion for Jewish history and culture as a student at Northridge University and the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. He also spent two years at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and while there, he performed for Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Taubman is the founding director of Yad B’Yad, a citywide teen performing arts program funded by the Jewish Federation Council of Los Angeles. Bridging traditional Jewish themes and ancient teachings with passages and experiences of contemporary Jewish life, according to his website, Taubman has recorded more than 30 albums. He’s also the executive producer of the Celebrate Series, 12 Jewish-themed compilation albums with titles like “Celebrate Hip Hop” and “Celebrate Hanukkah.” Through his production company, Craig ’n Company, Taubman has conceived of and produced the highly successful Let My People Sing Festival, presented yearly in Los Angeles, the Hallelu Concert Series nationwide, and four editions of the Jewels of Elul booklet. Taubman initially launched his career as a children’s recording artist in the early 1990s when he was prominently seen on the Disney Channel performing songs like “Haircut” and concerts like Rock’n Toontown at Disneyland. His latest project, Lights! Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert, will air nationally in December on PBS. The musical special features an eclectic group of performers, many of them well known in the Jewish music scene. In recent years, he has recorded and performed more adult-oriented music, most of it Jewish in nature, although he continues to record and perform for children of all faiths and backgrounds. Taubman’s CDs will be for sale at both Beth El in the Judaica Shop and at Temple Israel in the gift shop and at the concert. For a complete listing of his CDs, visit www.craignco.com. Proceeds will be used for camp scholarships by Temple and for Beth El’s Youth Scholarship Fund. Ticket prices for the following patron categories (all of which include two tickets) are: Director, $5,000; Executive Director, $1,000; Investor, $500; Manager, $100; and Patron, $50. Individual ticket prices are $18 for adults, $10 for
students, and $5 for children age five and younger. All concert tickets can be ordered by sending a check, payable to Beth El Cantor’s Concert, to Beth El, 14506 California St., Omaha, NE 68154-0430. Patron donations received by Monday, Dec. 1, will be printed in the concert program. This concert has been made possible, in part, by a donation from the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Supporting Foundation.
Separating real Kabbalah from imitations by SHEVI KATZMAN Last month, the Barry Epstein Memorial Lecture Series lecturer blew his audience away by “bringing the [Kabbalah] concepts to earth.” Dr. Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet flew in from Toronto to “introduce us to a new way of looking at [Kabbalah],” said another. Rabbi Schochet is a Swiss-born scholar and Judaic authority who has written some 30 books and has penned many articles on critical Jewish issues. He is a Professor of Philosophy at Humber College, Toronto, and has taught bio-ethics at its School of Medicine. Some of the 60+ attendees noted that Schochet managed to “relate complex topics in layman’s terms.” The group learned the difference among “the good, the bad, and the fad” of modern-day Kabbalah; one noted that “the speaker made the helpful distinction between practical and philosophical Kabbalah and made the important point that Chassidism already integrates a lot of Kabbalah.” The lecture was sponsored by Irv and Geri Epstein. For more information about future events, e-mail chabadoffice@cox.net or call Carol at 330.1800.