Vol. LXXXIII No. 13 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 82 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Despite Their Small Number, Iowa's Jews Leave Their Mark by RON KAMPEAS curities often found in isolated commuDES MOINES, Iowa (JTA)--Des Moines’ nities. Jewish community has only about 1,000 “It’s smaller and very active. It’s very families, but it’s vital enough to turn out easy to get involved and make an a minyan reliably for the essential life impact,” said Heidi Moskowitz, who cycle events: weddings, Bar Mitzvahs moved here with her husband David and coffee with presidential candidates. from Washington's Maryland suburbs Iowa’s position as the first battleground four years ago. in the presidential electoral season means Jewish political involvement reaches the state’s Jews receive the attention of deep into both parties: Paulee Lipsman candidates eager to test out directs the Democratic legpolicies on Israel, church and islative staff in the state state, and other matters house and has worked on important to U.S. Jews. campaigns for Sen. Tom Rabbi Ari Sytner, who Harkin; Bud Hockenberg is moved to Des Moines from a key Republican strategist New York five years ago, and chairman of Sen. marveled at the difference Charles Grassley’s 2004 between politics in the two reelection committee. states. “In New York, you see There are plenty of signs hustle and bustle and action, of an active Jewish life in a but I’d never experienced state better known for freezRabbi Ari Sytner political action like this,” said ing winters, flat plains and Sytner, who heads the Orthodox Beth El some of the largest hog farms in the Jacob synagogue. “Here, I’ve met Dan world. There is a Jewish day school Quayle, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton. I’ve had through grade eight and two Jewish delJoe Lieberman in my home.” icatessens. The Des Moines community Statewide, there are no more than last year completed an eruv, or Sabbath 7,000 Jews in Iowa--one quarter of one boundary, working in close cooperation percent of the state’s 2.8 million people with the city council. --but Jews here display few of the inse- Continued on page 10
3 Kislev, 5764 November 28, 2003
Israel “A Surprise” for Mission Participants
One of the most moving experiences of the mission was a visit to Beit Elazarchi Children’s Home in Netanya. Beit Elazarchi is home to 150 children aged four-18, whose parents lack the capacity to raise them due to abuse, neglect, substance abuse or men-
tal illness. After a performance by some of the children, the group helped make Hanukkah crafts and then shared lunch. Maxine Kirshenbaum, center, and Stephanie Grossman, right, pose with some of the More photos on page 3. Home’s girls.
Steinhardt Education Proposal Steals Show at General Assembly by RACHEL POMERANCE JERUSALEM, (JTA)--Imagine a world in which every newborn child receives a voucher toward early childhood Jewish education and a free trip to Israel. That’s what philanthropist Michael Steinhardt asked 4,300 delegates to the North American Jewish federation system’s General Assembly to consider last week. The “Newborn Gift” would be part of an overall investment in strengthening Jewish education that Steinhardt is proposing. He told delegates that he was willing to contribute $10 million to the project, which he called the Fund for Our Jewish Future--on condition that his contribution represent no more than 10 percent of the total fund. In other words, the former Wall Street tycoon was challenging the audience to raise at least $90 million for Jewish education in the Diaspora. Many in the room found Steinhardt’s speech groundbreaking--and highly relevant. Chip Koplin of Macon, GA, said the speech gave him the chills. Koplin said that of all his experiences at this year’s General Assembly--his first time in Israel --Steinhardt’s speech “is going to have the most profound effect on me.” “As an American challenged with the struggles of a small, Southern Jewish community” trying to sustain Jewish identity, Koplin said he could relate to the speech. The speech came as federations strug-
Inside
gle to fund their local and overseas needs amid flat campaigns. Still, federation leaders didn't appear to worry that Steinhardt’s appeal would undermine their own efforts. “He made the speech to a convention of North American federations, so clearly he is looking” to partner with them, said Jacob Solomon, Executive Vicepresident of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. In fact, the federation s y s t e m encourages such visionary ideas, Solomon said. Steinhardt Michael Steinhardt said the proCredit: Robert A. Cumins posal is a response to decreasing Jewish identification among non-Orthodox Diaspora Jews. Steinhardt mustered a litany of statistics to prove his point. Some 49 percent of American Jews identify as secular; only 20 percent give to Jewish causes, down from a post-World War II period when half the community gave to Jewish causes; and the number of American Jews is dwindling, according to the 200001 National Jewish Population Survey, Steinhardt said. “This part of the Diaspora community
--its majority--is in crisis,” Steinhardt said. While most Jewish activists focus on threats to Israel, in some respects the Diaspora is “far more vulnerable.” “We don't know enough about our religion to take true pride in it. We remain Jewish on the vapors of cultural memory,” Steinhardt said. He also bemoaned what he called a glaring lack of Jewish leadership and innovative ideas. By contrast, he pointed to the birthright israel program, which offers free trips to 18-26-year-olds who have never been on a peer trip to Israel. Steinhardt is one of the program’s major funders. “Birthright has been nothing less than a transformation in Jewish life,” he said. However, “the future of the program is tenuous--not because there are no young people who want to partake of this venture,” but “simply because there’s not enough money to pay for them.” While the federation system raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the Israel Emergency Campaign, it has difficulty raising “a fraction of that amount” for birthright, Steinhardt said. Steinhardt called for a “Jewish renaissance for our young people.” He said his agenda would focus on the “centrality of Israel for the Jewish soul,” the “pre-eminence of Jewish peoplehood,” encouragement of vibrant rabbis, the principle of charity and the “imperative of a Jewish education.”
This Week: More Mission Photos, Page 3 Lincoln Center: Annual Federation Meeting Page 4
JCC Maccabi Games Bring More than “Love” Page 5
“Our survival depends on the next generation being educated,” Steinhardt said. The audience, which buzzed with electrified chatter after the speech, seemed to feel the same way. Many rushed the stage to shake Steinhardt’s hand. Passing out flyers outside the auditorium, Jewish students stated that they would raise $500,000 for Steinhardt’s proposed fund. Federation leaders largely praised the initiative but noted that the challenge is significant. They rejected the idea that the appeal might undermine their own fund-raising efforts. Robert Schrayer, Vice-chairman of the United Jewish Communities, the federation umbrella organization, sounded a note of optimism. “Can he do it? Yeah, I think there’s a large amount of money available in the American Jewish community for a cause like this,” Schrayer said. John Ruskay, Executive Vice-president and CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York, praised the effort but took a waitand-see approach. “We need to have more details” on what such a plan would entail before commenting on its chances for success, Ruskay said. As far as Steinhardt is concerned, the project is an imperative. “The Jewish future of our children” is at stake, he said. “We owe our children nothing less.”
Coming Dec. 5: The Jewish Press Hanukkah Gift Guide Monthly Calendar: Pages 6-7
Ford Foundation to Stop Funding Hate Groups: Page 9
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 28, 2003
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JFS Gears Up for Project Dreidel by TANYA SIENA dents, as well as high school students who need servJewish Family Service ice learning hours for graduation, participate each year It’s hard to believe that Hanukkah is just around the in Project Dreidel. This is a wonderful way to reach out corner. Jewish family Service, along with community to individuals in our community, as well as teach our volunteers, is preparing to purchase, pack and deliver children and grandchildren the mitzvah of tzedakah. holiday gifts and food to Jewish families in need. Please call me at the JFS office at 330-2024 for more Project Dreidel helps local children, from birth information about sponsoring a child or family, volunthrough high school, receive new gifts for Hanukkah. teering to purchase, wrap or deliver holiday gift baskets We will be wrapping gifts on Sunday and Monday, or if you would like to be added to the list of families Dec. 14-15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Jewish Community receiving gifts through Project Dreidel. JFS appreciates Center. All gifts and food will be delivered to families the continued support and generosity from the comthe following morning. This hanukkah, JFS expects to munity for this important mitzvah project. assist approximately 60 families and individuals--up from 37 just a year ago. If you wish to donate to Project dreidel, please bring an unwrapped, new item to the JFS office by Wednesday, Dec. 10. Gift certificates are a great idea as they give kids an opportunity to choose the toys and games they want and allow parents to purchase items they need. There are also opportunities to anonymously sponsor an individual or family and cash donations are always appreciated Left photo: Marsha Kleinberg and, in back, in need. Right: Zoe Zier, in back, Julia and (checks may be made out to Shelly Fox, volunteer each year for Project Nate King, Lilly Goldberg and Elizabeth Wine Dreidel by purchasing, packing and deliver- deliver food collected by preschoolers at the JFS). Many B’nai Mitzvah stu- ing kosher food and gifts to Jewish families JCC Child Development Center.
Progress Tour Beth El Sets Events New Beth Israel Building as Preview to Hanukkah at by BETH COHEN
by DIANE AXLER BAUM for Beth El Synagogue Beth El is planning a Shabbat Hanukkah Dinner for families, Dec. 12, and a Sunday morning learning session for parents, Dec. 14. Both events will preview the joy of observance of this year’s Festival of Lights. The Hanukkah Shabbat dinner and program, sponsored by Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah (BESTT), will follow the regular musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, which starts at 6 p.m. Harriet Einziger, Beth El’s Program Director/Educator, said Lucy White will prepare her famous fried chicken, along with crispy latkes, to celebrate “the miracle of the oil.” The evening also will feature a fun-filled musical program with games, surprises, and simulated karaoke, starring Cantor Gastón Bogomolni. Einziger expressed appreciation to Enid Blumenthal, who operates the Beth El Judaica Shop, for providing the means to decorate the social hall for the occasion and for assuring that all the children who attend will be delighted with special surprises. Babysitting will be available at no charge for children who are too young to attend any or all parts of the evening. Cost of the dinner is $9.50 for adults, and $5 for children. Please make reservations by no later than noon on Friday, Dec. 5. Then, on Sunday, Rabbi Mordechai Levin invites all BESTT parents to join him, and each other, in a look at “Everything You Want to Know about Celebrating Hanukkah.” The session is scheduled for 10-11 a.m., in the Library, so that parents can stop in after they bring their children to Hebrew School. Rabbi Levin said he will structure the learning session around questions such as these: • Does Hanukkah teach a political or spiritual message? What are the holiday’s historic roots? • What message do we convey by celebrating Hanukkah? • How can we incorporate this message into the modern world? • How should be approach Hanukkah and Christmas? “After you bring your children to their room, take an hour for yourself,” suggested Rabbi Levin. “Enjoy a ‘nosh’, meet other parents, and hear about ways to bring more joy and meaning to the observance of Hanukkah in your home.” For additional information, please call Harriet Einziger, at 492-8550.
Executive Director The last tour of the new Beth Israel building under construction at 126th and Pacific Streets is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. The official opening is scheduled for Feb. 13-14, 2004, but for safety reasons, visitors may only visit the building site as part of the organized tour next week. Members of the architectural and construction team will lead the tour, showing off the floor plan and answering questions. Those attending will see that the interior walls are completely framed, drywalling is finished and painting has begun. The exterior brick continues into the entry hall to create a “main street” as the major corridor of the building. The entry floor has been tiled and much of the finish carpentry work, including wood trim and installation of built-in cabinets, is in progress. While the construction team is still hard at work on the inside of the building, not many changes will occur on the exterior. The masonry work is complete; roof and windows have been installed and the parking lots is finished. Even trees have been planted in the parking lot “islands.”
What’s New at the Kripke Library by GARY KATZ Assistant Librarian New arrivals of fiction and non-fiction are now available for circulation at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. On the shelves in fiction are old stand-bys as well as the latest imprints: Street Dreams by Faye Kellerman, Seven Blessings by Ruchama King, and the ever popular The Chosen by Chaim Potok. Good reading for anytime of the year! For those who prefer non-fiction, the library has received Lessons for Dylan by Joel Siegel, A Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz, and Wise Men and their Tales by award winning author Elie Wiesel. The library also has several new popular movies and documentaries on DVD: First Person Singular: Elie Wiesel, Catskills on Broadway, The Gates of Jerusalem, In Search of Peace, Trembling Before G-d, The Believer, and Tak for Alt. Come check us out!
November 28, 2003
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Surprise for Mission Participants
Continued from page 1 Photo from top right: After touring and shopping in Safed, an artists colony and the birthplace of Kaballah, the mission had a lively dinner at Bat Ya’ar ranch. After dinner, the group ended up dancing the night away: Steve Riekes (back) and Maxine Kirshenbaum (foreground). Second row, from left: Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of the Federation greets Irit Kahn, a leading jurist and member of Israel’s Ministry of Justice who handled the case against Ariel Sharon in the Belgian courts last decade. The group’s first night in Israel was spent at Beit HaTefutzot, or the Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv. Finishing dinner at the Museum are Sue Schreiber from Lincoln, left, Stephanie Grossman and Rabbi Craig Marantz. Hannah Scwalb helps a young girl with her art project at Beit Elazarchi Children’s Home in Netanya Rabbi Howard Kutner and one of the boys from the Home discuss their craft project. Bobbie Gittis of San Antonio visits with an artisan at Life Line
for the old, a sheltered workshop in Jerusalem. Former Omahans Jeremy Rosenbaum and his parents, Dr. Susan and Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum, now of Philadelphia, caught up with the Omaha group. Rabbi Rosenbaum was the former Director of the Bureau of Jewish Education and now runs Graetz College. Bottom row, from left: Joe Kirshenbaum, second from left, spoke of the commitment of the Jews of Omaha during the Mission’s caucus at Hebrew Union College’s Beit Shmuel as Guy Matalon, left, Zoë Riekes and Jan Schneiderman listen. Omaha attorney Steve Riekes “chairs” a session at Israel’s Supreme Court, an architecturally renowned building. Prof. Deborah Lipstadt spoke to an overflow crowd at the G.A. on "the new antiSemitism." Lipstadt, who was sued for libel by Holocaust denier David Irving two years ago in a British Court, insisted that Jews cannot base their identity on how they’re viewed through negative images portrayed by anti-Semites.
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November 28, 2003
B’nai B’rith Lodge Celebrates New Members Appreciate Night
LINCOLN CENTER Mission Participant to Brief Community at Federation Meeting by AMY ZLOTSKY Sue Schreiber will speak about her recent trip to Israel. Sue traveled to Israel with the Omaha Mission and attended the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Jerusalem. She will share her impressions and insights, including her meeting with other representatives from small Jewish communities. Join the Lincoln Jewish community for the annual meeting of the Jewish
Federation on Sunday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m., at B’nai Jeshurun, the South Street Temple. A vegetarian supper will be served in the social hall prior to the start of the meeting in the sanctuary. Babysitting services will be provided during the meeting. Please let us know if you are coming so we can plan for food and sitters. For more information or to make reservations, call Julie at the Temple office at 435-8004.
MAZON Makes Grant to LIC by LOIS EPSTEIN for B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge held its Membership Appreciation Night Dugout earlier this month. More members and guests turned out
annual at DJ’s than 60 to hear
BIRTH Carolyn and Jack Donnelly of Glenshaw, PA, announce the Oct. 25 birth of their daughter, Lauren Aryn. Grandparents are Don Abramson of Las Vegas, NV, Norm Krizelman and the late Judi Krizelman and the late Jack and Dorothy Donnelly. Great-grandmothers are Babe Dobrosky and Frieda Krizelman of Omaha.
Mitchell Sherman, left, sports reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, who spoke about the Huskers. Right: B’nai B’rith lodge members David Jacobs left, Gil Cohen and Richard Diamond were among the crowd at the event.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Nebraska Methodist Hospital is sponsoring a program that introduces children to the tools doctors use (like stethoscopes) and talks to them about being healthy at The Omaha Children’s Museum on Friday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 342-6164.
As 2003 slips away and you begin to think about how to invest wisely during the new year, you can also plan your strategy to minimize income taxes and benefit your favorite charities. Consider these options: ■ outright gifts of cash, stock* or existing life insurance ■ policies, etc. ■ deferred gifts that provide lifetime income to you or a ■ loved one such as charitable remainder annuity trusts ■ and unitrusts. *forms to transfer stocks are available in the Foundation office “I’ll be happy to answer your questions regarding tax saving options while supporting your preferred charity organizations. Call me for a confidential meeting.” Marty Ricks, Executive Director Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 402/334-6440
by JEREMY DEUTCHMAN for MAZON MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger announced that help for Nebraska’s hungry and needy is on its way after awarding a total of $20,000 to two of the state’s hunger-relief organizations. Over the course of the last twelve months, MAZON granted $3.2 million to over 290 programs nationwide. In Nebraska, a $10,000 grant was
awarded to the American Indian Council in Alliance, in support of the Council’s food program, which serves hungry Lakota Indians and other low-income people in Alliance. And an additional $10,000 grant was awarded to the Lincoln Interfaith Council (LIC) in support of the Council’s network of 12 food pantries, providing food and case-management services to more than 16,000 individuals annually.
Lincoln Preschool Celebrates Jewish Education by LORI MERLISS for Gan Simcha About 10 years ago, Lincoln had a Jewish preschool that met five mornings a week at Tifereth Israel. This full service, traditional preschool celebrated Jewish holidays and followed the Jewish calendar. It served both Jewish and non-Jewish children from the neighborhood and beyond, and many people have fond memories of “the synagogue preschool”. Unfortunately, the program became impractical to run and was discontinued. Jewish children in Lincoln now could begin their formal religious education no earlier than kindergarten. Enter Elyza Halev. The mother of two young children at the time, Halev singlehandedly revived Jewish preschool education in Lincoln. She worked with B’nai Jeshurun and Tifereth Israel to create a cooperative religious preschool that would serve children from both communities. A unique part of the program was the use of parent volunteers as co-teachers. Each family was asked to make a commitment to help teach class four times a year. Children and parents both had fun learning prayers and songs, making crafts and celebrating holidays. Parent involvement really is the heart of Gan Simcha. Because the children are only three or four years old, many parents find that their children do better when they remain in class with them. From the teachers’ point of view, this parent involvement means lots of exciting and creative ideas to share with the children. We all come from different places and backgrounds, with a rich history of Jewish tradition to pass along. Those with a good command of Hebrew help those who are rusty. Different versions of songs are remembered, explanations of traditions are discussed. Parents and children get to know other Jews and feel comfortable in a community of new friends. The commitment of these parents to their children's Jewish education is clear. What motivates them? Marc Shkolnick responded, “I have my daughter Karsyn in Gan Simcha so that she can begin to understand the values and traditions of her Jewish upbringing. I want her to be proud of her Jewish heritage and have
the opportunity to socialize with other children who are being raised in the Jewish faith. The future of Judaism in this country is rooted in our ability to teach our children about Torah.” Jodie Stein Payne added, “Taking pride in Judaism gets difficult when there are so few to share it with. The less exposure there is, the easier it becomes to have our religion fade away. “We have a four year old son, Jonah, in Gan Simcha. He gets extremely excited for ‘Hebrew School’ and can hardly wait to learn about his holidays and all of the symbols and traditions in his religion. We see him now being comfortable in the synagogue and singing
Parents act as co-teachers in the Gan Simcha classroom. songs and prayers. We hope his growth in Judaism will continue through his difficult teenage years and into adulthood.” Amy Zlotsky explained, “First, Sarah loves going. She calls Gan Simcha ‘my special school.’ It’s important to us that she knows that there are other Jewish children who celebrate the same holidays, know the same blessings, and sing the same songs that she does. It seems to be important to her as well.” With such a great group of children and such thoughtful and committed parents, Gan Simcha is a wonderful place to be on Sunday mornings. Visits from Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum add to the curriculum. The children joined in the Simchas Torah celebration at the synagogue and enlivened the day for young and old alike as they waved flags and carried stuffed toy Torahs. At that moment, the future of Judaism seemed secure.
November 28, 2003
“Love” on the Tennis Court by JOAN K. MARCUS Andrew Shefsky, a tennis coach from Atlanta, sat down In August of 2002, Susie and Irv Blumkin were mak- beside her. He introduced himself and Jessica says, “We ing plans to remodel their home. Meetings with archi- started to talk. I knew right away that he was the man tects and a million things to do filled their calendar. for me and that I wanted to ‘hang out’ with him for the And, they had three teenagers staying at their home for rest of my life! He says he knew immediately that I was the JCC Maccabi Games. Housing was the greatest chal- the ‘right girl’for him, too, but he was afraid to get his lenge for the event and more than 300 Omaha Jewish hopes up. He didn’t know if I was interested in a relafamilies opened their homes to the athletes. The entire tionship or a romance!” event was a monumental task for Omaha that had The longer that they kept talking, the more that they taken over two years of planning. realized how much they had in common. Later that One thing that wasn’t planned was that a girl from afternoon, Jessica called her mother to ask if she could Omaha and a boy from Atlanta would fall in love! As if bring her new “friend” to dinner with the family and the Blumkins didn’t have enough things to do, their their guests. “I asked him what they had planned for teenage son, Ryan, was playing tennis and he expect- the coaches and he said that they were going to the ed his parents to come and watch his games. casinos. He didn’t seem enthused about going, so I The Games began on Aug. 4, 2002, but planning had invited him to come with us. I told him that in our fambegun two years before. Close to 1000 athletes came to ily it was ‘the more the better!’” she laughed. Omaha and probably 300 parents and grandparents Jessica returned to Curry College in Massachusetts came as well as supervisors, staff, delegation heads and and Andy went back to Atlanta, where he works in the coaches. The total number family publishing business. who visited Omaha was They continued to speak well over 1500. daily on the phone and Host families were exchange e-mails. BLUMKIN/SHEFSKY responsible for providing Andrew explained, Susie and Irv Blumkin announce the engagement daily breakfasts, snacks for “Every day, I was more and of their daughter, the evenings and two dinmore certain that Jessica Jessica, to Andrew ners.Thursday night, Aug. 8 was the girl for me!” Shefsky, son of Penny was “family night.” Many Jessica agreed, “Having and Marvin Shefsky of families joined together for Andy in my life has been like Roswell, GA. the evening. Some held a dream come true! I'm so The bride-to-be gradcookouts and went sightlucky to have him in my life!” uated from Curry seeing, but the Blumkin Almost a year to the day College in the Boston family had made plans to go they met, Andy proposed in area in May of 2003. She out for dinner. Omaha at the tennis court surrenly works for the Susie and Irv had many where they met. His family new Nebraska Furniture things to do and they couldhad been invited to attend a Mart in Kansas City in its n’t seem to sandwich in University of Nebraska footmarketing department. going to see Ryan play tenball game and Andy says, “I She is the granddaughter of Louis and Fran nis on that Thursday afterthought that it would be Blumkin and Tom and Suzanne Keene, Sun City, AZ. noon. “I was going to try to perfect to propose at a time Her fiance is a graduate of Indiana University, go,” Susie admitted, “but my when both families were where he was a member of ZBT. He is a BBYO advidaughter, Jessica, came to together to celebrate!” sor in Atlanta and was a volunteer tennis coach for the rescue as usual. She So while most of Omaha’s the Atlanta delegation to the 2002 JCC Maccabi came home and said, ‘No Jewish community thought Games in Omaha. He works in his family’s magazine big deal, Mom; I’ll watch the JCC Maccabi Games publishing business. Ryan!’” were about sports and His grandparents are Seymour and Rosalin Samet Jessica remembers sitting friendships, for one couple, and the late Isidore and Dorothy Shefsky. in the bleachers to watch at least, it was also the A June, 2004, wedding is planned in Omaha. the tennis game when beginning of a love story!
ENGAGEMENT
A Walk on the Wild Side
Seniors, students and preschoolers from Y.E.S., the CDC and Friedel enjoyed a show of unique and exotic animals by Wild Encounters: Ilene Pachman, left, Isaac Rogers Marcovitz, Norm Zevitz and Cleo Rogers-Marcovitz.
IN THE NEWS Creighton University Assistant Professor Susan Aizenberg has been awarded this year’s Nebraska Book Award for poetry for her collection, Muse. Earlier this month she gave the Levis Prize reading at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. A tape of the reading, along with a taped interview conducted by poets David Wojahn and Greg Donovan, is forthcoming in the January issue of VCU's online literary journal, Blackbird, and a small selection of poems appears in the current issue. Another poem from Muse, “Triptych for Michael”, is forthcoming this fall in Mot Juste. Greg Greenberg, son of Andrew and Carole Greenberg, has been selected for the Henry W. Bloch Award for Outstanding Community service for the H&R Block advisors for 2003. As part of the national award, the H&R Block Foundation will make a donation in Greenberg’s honor to the Jackson County (KS) CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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ORGANIZATIONS WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the Bunch to Lunch trip to the Market Basket on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 11 a.m. Exercise will begin at 10 a.m. in the social hall. For transportation call Maggie Conti at 334-6521. Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Come play bingo at 10 a.m. with Eileen Remer or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share for “YES Talk” at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon, join us for a special program with the Dancing Grannies. For transportation call Dee Dee at 330-4272. Call Maggie Conti at 334-6521 for all reservations: Bluffs Run Casino on Dec. 18 and the Hanukkah Party, Dec. 22. VISIONS Reminder: Vision Board Meeting is Friday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m., in the Conference Room at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Congressman Lee Terry will speak on Wednesday, Dec. 3, noon, at the Park Inn Regency, according to Gary Javitch, December Chairman. Rep. Terry will discuss current events. Cost is $9 for lunch and $2 for beverage service only. Breadbreakers is open to the community. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Want a place to brush up on your Yiddish? Join us every Thursday, 1 p.m., at the JCC. Call Anne Skolkin for information at 343-1638. OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING A Hebrew Reading Crash course will start Wednesday, Dec. 3, noon, at the JCC. No prior experience in Hebrew is necessary. The class taught by Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman is co-sponsored by NJOP. Advanced Hebrew Comprehension is Wednesdays, 7 p.m. at the OCTL Beis Midrash, 1313 No. 58 St. For more information, call Rabbi Hoffman at 9810569.
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November 28, 2003
November 28, 2003
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 YES Program, 10 a.m. Adult Ed. Class, 11 a.m. Jewish Press Committee Meeting, 5 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 JELS/ADL Lunch & Learn, noon Federation Campaign Leadership Team Meeting, 4 p.m. Adult Education, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel UNO Kabbalah Class, 6 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 HAZAK Meeting, 9:30 a.m., at Beth El B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at Park Inn Regency Lodge Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon Bible Quiz Rehearsal, 5:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7p.m., Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century� with Rabbi Levin, noon, Beth El Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Toby Schonfeld class “Ethics of Cloning�, 7 p.m. NCJW Bookclub, 7 p.m. Israeli Dancing, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El B’nai B’rith Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 YES Program, 10 a.m. “Soul of the Text� Adult Ed. Class, 11 a.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 JELS/ADL Lunch & Learn , noon Adult Education, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel UNO Kabbalah Class, 6 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Leukemia Support Group Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Open House, 7 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting, 7 p.m., at Beth El Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 Rabbis and Presidents Meeting, noon B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at the Park Inn Regency Lodge Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon Rabbinic Council Meeting, 1:30 p.m. Middle/High School Teacher Meeting, 5:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz Dinner, 6 p.m. Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7 p.m. Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century� with Rabbi Levin, noon, at Beth El Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Israeli Dancing, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 Beth El School Shabbat Dinner, 7 p.m. Beth El BELLS Luncheon with Guy Matalon, 12:30 p.m. BBYO Ediar WRC Hype-Up, 7 p.m. Temple Israel JYG Event, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Men’s Club Meeting, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel WRJ Cradle Roll Event, 10:30 a.m., at Temple Israel Bible Study, 11 a.m., at Beth El Club 56, noon, at Temple Israel 39 Forever Chanukkah Party, 6 p.m., at Parkwood Terrace Clubhouse MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 YES Program, 10 p.m. “Soul of the Text� Adult Ed. Class, 11 a.m. JELS Advisory Board Meeting, noon Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Adult Education, noon, at Temple Israel JELS/ADL Lunch & Learn, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Hadassah Board Meeting, 10 a.m. B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at Park Inn Regency Lodge Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon Federation Planning & Evaluation Meeting, 5 p.m. Social Justice Club (Gr. 7-12), 5:30 p.m., at Temple Israel CDC and Youth Hanukkah Extravaganza, 5:30 p.m. Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Grade 7-12 Religious School/AIPAC Speaker, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Walk-in Drop-in Activity, 10 a.m. “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century� with Rabbi Levin, noon, at Beth El Yiddish Group Meeting, 1 p.m. Kripke Library Monthly Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Friedel Hanukkah Program, 2 p.m. JOLT II Meeting, 7 p.m. LOVE Auxiliary Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Israeli Dancing, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 Friedel Jewish Academy Latke Sales, 11:30 a.m. Hanukkah Family Dinner & Service, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 BBYO Winter Regional Convention in St. Louis 21 thru 24, 7 a.m. Kids Snack and Learn, 11:30 a.m., at Beth El OTYG Board Meeting, noon, Temple Israel Congregational Hanukkah Dinner, 6 p.m., at Beth El
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 BBYO Winter Regional Convention in St. Louis, 7 a.m. YES Program, 10 a.m. “Soul of the Text� Adult Ed. Class, 11 a.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 BBYO Winter Regional Convention in St. Louis, 7 a.m. B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at Park Inn Regency Lodge Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 JCC OFFICES CLOSED - H & FITNESS OPEN 9-5 Israeli Dancing, 7:30 p.m., Beth El
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26 Temple Israel OTYG Winer Chavurah (26 thru 29), 7 a.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 29 YES Program, 10 a.m. “Soul of the Text� Adult Ed. Class, 11 a.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, noon, at Park Inn Regency Lodge Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, noon JCC CLOSED AT 7 PM - NEW YEAR’S EVE
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Bible Quiz Rehearsal, 9 a.m., at Temple Israel Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m., at Temple Israel Men’s Club Meeting, 10 a.m., at Beth El Adult Education with Dr. Jonathan Adelman, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Bible Study, 11 a.m., Beth El Social Justice Club/OTYG Event, 1 p.m., at Temple Israel JELS Chanu-Kids, 2 p.m. Progress Tour of New Building, 4 p.m., at Beth Israel
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Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 28, 2003
Opinion The New Anti-Semitism and the Unity of the Jewish People There’s good news and bad news that came out of the recent General Assembly of United Jewish Communities held in Jerusalem last week. First the bad news: Deborah Lipstadt, professor at Emory University and author of Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory, spoke of the libel charges leveled by Holocaust denier David Irving, showed clips from a new Syrian version of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” (Egypt produced a 28-part tv series last year), and gave examples of the “new anti-Semitism” in the world today. While she cautioned the over-crowded gathering of living Jewishly “because the world is against us,” she also warned of the growing number of academicians, news media and upper classes who spread antiSemitic myths in a more sophisticated way. “Irving was left standing exposed,” Lipstadt insisted, “He’s not important, but the fight was important. We must conduct an unrelenting fight against those...who cause tremendous pain and damage. But we must never attribute our existence to their attitudes about us. We can’t let this turn into the raison d’etre for our being Jews, our living as Jews, our giving Jewishly.” But, when a woman in the audience who had survived the Holocaust as a child commented that “it seemed like 1938 again,” Lipstadt responded, “For the first time in a long time, I’m scared, too.” Now that’s bad news when an author and speaker of Lipstadt’s stature makes a statement like that. No, we probably don’t have to worry about the United States, but Jews living in Europe might want to make sure their passports are valid.
Now the good news: more than 4300 North Americans attending and an additional 2000+ Israelis registered for workshops and events, making it the largest in the the 72-year history of the G.A. It is hope that most if not all of the delegates will go back to their home communities and let others--Jews and non-Jews-know that travel to Israel is safe. Jews need to go to Israel, not only to inject badly needed funds into the Israeli economy, but to express solidarity and give hope to our brothers and sisters there. Another piece of good news was the expression of unity found among the delegates to the G.A. Twenty or so years ago, participants had to order special kosher meals and representatives from the Orthodox community were rare. Today, not only are all the meals at the G.A. kosher, but Orthodox rabbis and adherents participate in large numbers. It is not unusual to see kipot and tzitzit on many men and sheitels (wigs) or “snoods” on observant women at the G.A. What is surprising is to see how establishment Chabad has become at a gathering like this. Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Director of Chabad of Nebraska, was kind enough to extend invitations to a Shabbat lunch to mission participants. More than 75 shared a delicious meal together, sang songs and schmoozed, among them Federation leaders from California, Connecticut, New Orleans, New Jersey, Nashville--and, of course-Omaha, including Temple Israel’s Rabbi Craig Marantz. Frankly, it was uplifting to see rabbis from every part of the Jewish world: Reform, Orthodox, Conservative and Chabad dancing
and singing together with only one goal in mind--to share a pleasant Shabbat in the holy city of Jerusalem. That air of unity was repeated during a tribute to the Israel Defense Forces. The ensemble representing the Israeli Air Force, Navy and Army closed the musical tribute by singing “Moshiach Achshav” a well-known Chabad song, “We Want Moshiach Now.” A Conservative rabbi sitting nearby smiled and commented, “If the IDF is singing this song, maybe the Moshiach is coming!” A good thing, too, because there are many who fear we need Moshiach now--more than ever.
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 constitional committees of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
A Democratic Middle East?
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES “Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe.” This sentence, spoken last week by George W. Bush, is about the most jaw-dropping repudiation of an established bipartisan policy ever made by a U.S. president. Not only does it break with a policy the U.S. government has pursued since first becoming a major player in the Middle East, but the speech is audacious in ambition, grounded in history, and programmatically specific. It’s the sort of challenge to existing ways one expects to hear from a columnist, essayist, or scholar --not from the leader of a great power. Bush spoke in a candid manner, as heads of state almost never do: “In many Middle Eastern countries, poverty is deep and it is spreading, women lack rights and are denied schooling. Whole societies remain stagnant while the world moves ahead. … As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export.” This is not the first time Bush has dispatched decades’ worth of policy toward a Middle East problem and declared a radically new approach. He also did so concerning Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict: • Iraq: He brushed aside the long-standing policy of deterrence, replacing it in June 2002 with an approach of hitting before getting hit. U.S. security, he said, “will require all Americans to be forward-looking and resolute, to be ready for preemptive action when
necessary to defend our liberty and to defend our lives.” This new approach provided justification for the war against Saddam Hussein, removing the Iraqi dictator from power before he could attack. • Arab-Israeli conflict: I called Bush’s overhaul of the U.S. approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict in June 2003 perhaps “the most surprising and daring step of his presidency.” He changed presumptions by presenting a Palestinian state as the solution, imposing this vision on the parties, tying results to a specific timetable, and replacing leaders of whom he disapproved.
“As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export.” And this time: • Democracy: The president renounced a long-accepted policy of “Middle East exceptionalism”--getting along with dictators--and stated U.S. policy would henceforth fit with its global emphasis of making democracy the goal. He brought this issue home by tying it to American security: “with the spread of weapons that can bring catastrophic harm to our country and to our friends, it would be reckless to accept the status quo.” Then, on the premise that “the advance of freedom leads to peace,” Bush announced “a forward strategy of freedom in the Middle East.” Drawing explicit comparisons with the U.S. success in sponsoring democracy in Europe
(Founded in 1920) Joanie Jacobson Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Jon Gates 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; Nancy Skid; and Melanie Weinstein.
and Asia, he called on Americans once again for “persistence and energy and idealism” to do the same in the Middle East. Understanding the rationale behind the old dictator-coddling policy makes clear the radicalism of this new approach. The old way noticed that the populations are usually more anti-American than are the emirs, kings, and presidents. Washington was rightly apprehensive that democracy would bring in more radicalized governments; this is what did happen in Iran in 1979 and nearly happened in Algeria in 1992. It also worried that once the radicals reached power, they would close down the democratic process (what was dubbed “one man, one vote, one time”). Bush’s confidence in democracy--hat despite the “street’s” history of extremism and conspiracy-mindedness, it can mature and become a force of moderation and stability--is about to be tested. This process did in fact occur in Iran; will it recur elsewhere? The answer will take decades to find out. However matters develop, this gamble is typical of a president exceptionally willing to take risks to shake up the status quo. And while one speech does not constitute a new foreign policy--which will require programmatic details, financial support, and consistent execution--the shift has to start somewhere. Presidential oratory is the appropriate place to start. And if the past record of this president in the Middle East is anything by which to judge --toppling regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, promoting a new solution to Arab-Israeli conflict--he will be true to his word here too. Get ready for an interesting ride. Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and author of Militant Islam Reaches America (W.W. Norton). 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, 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 to ckatzman@jewishomaha. org.
Nebraska Press Association
November 28, 2003
FOCUS ON ISSUES by EDWIN BLACK WASHINGTON (JTA)--In a stunning reversal, the Ford Foundation has admitted it erred in funding anti-Israeli Palestinian groups and has vowed to establish tough new guidelines to stop its funds from being used for anti-Semitic activities anywhere in the world. The group said it was “disgusted” by anti-Israel and anti-Semitic agitation action taken at the 2001 U.N. Conference Against Racism at Durban, South Africa, which the foundation helped finance. “We now recognize that we did not have a clear picture of the activities, organizations and people involved,” conceded Ford President Susan Berresford in a Nov. 17 letter to U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). In addition to establishing new funding guidelines, the foundation’s letter said the group promises to cease financing of pivotal anti-Israel groups and even recover funds where the grant's intent was violated. Ford’s wide-ranging announcement was detailed in a five-page, singlespaced letter to Nadler. Nadler had circulated a petition signed by 20 members of Congress demanding that Ford halt its funding of anti-Israel hate groups. Nadler’s petition and Ford’s letter came in the wake of a four-part JTA investigative series, “Funding Hate,” which documented how Ford grantees were using the prestigious foundation's money to foment virulent anti-Israel and antiSemitic agitation in the Middle East and worldwide--and in some cases advocacy for armed revolution in Israel. The series prompted immediate congressional calls for an investigation from Nadler, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA.) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. There were also indications from the IRS, State Department and Justice Department that officials would review Ford’s funding. In her letter to Nadler, Berresford wrote, “Recent media stories have raised questions about the conduct of certain Palestinian grantees who participated in the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism in Durban, and the adequacy of the Foundation's oversight of grantees. In response, Foundation officers and trustees have discussed these stories with concerned individuals, making clear the numerous steps that the Foundation takes to ensure the proper use of its funds. “Having reassessed our own information on the Durban Conference,” the letter said, “and in continuing talks with others, we now recognize that we did not have a complete picture of the activities, organizations and people involved. Although some Ford-supported grantee organizations repudiated the bigotry they witnessed in Durban, questions remain about others. More troubling still is the fact that many organizations among the large number at the conference did not respond at all. “We deeply regret that Foundation grantees may have taken part in unacceptable behavior in Durban,” the Durban section of the letter concluded. Nadler and representatives of Jewish groups with whom Ford officials had met after publication of the JTA series praised Ford’s response. Ford Foundation officials could not be reached for comment. But Berresford promised more than just apologies. She pledged to take sweeping new preventive and monitoring measures to address revelations in the JTA investiga-
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
Ford Announces New Funding Guidelines as It Admits to Aiding Anti-Israel Groups tion that Ford grantees were openly refus- president, Alexander Wilde. had misused funds,” Berresford said. ing to sign U.S. government funding In statements and letters to the editor, The Ford Foundation president also guidelines designed to ensure that charita- Wilde had insisted, “We do not believe” said that Ford is disturbed by the conble donations in the Middle East don’t end that the events at Durban “can be duct of LAW’s past leadership at the up in terrorist hands. described as ‘agitation.’” Durban conference. Those guidelines are known as the “To ensure that we receive a complete Although a newly constituted board USAID’s Certification Regarding Terrorist picture of grantees involved in the and executive leadership have made the Funding. Durban conference, Foundation officers organization smaller and more focused, In a section of Berresford's letter titled, and outside advisors will seek out atten- she said, LAW has “not taken adequate “Prevention of Funding for Terrorism,” the dees whom we, American Jewish leaders steps to demonstrate financial control to Ford Foundation said it regularly checks and others concerned about anti- warrant continued support.” approximately 4,000 active grantees Semitism and hate speech think should Berresford’s letter ended by acknowlagainst a State Department list to identify be heard on these matters.” edging the “new Anti-Semitism”--which any that might be on the State Promising action, Berresford’s letter has been the subject of numerous magaDepartment's proscribed list. “To date we said, “If the Foundation finds allegations zines articles and a newly released book have found no of bigotry and by Abraham Foxman, the National matches,” the of Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Ford’s standard grant-agreement letter, incitement letter said. hatred by par- called Never Again. But, the letter which grantees worldwide must sign to ticular grantees Last week, Berresford had an hourc o n t i n u e d , receive Ford funds, “will now include to be true, in long meeting in her office with Foxman, new measures mance who has been active in the effort to explicit language requiring the organization confor will help with normal address Ford’s funding. It was one of ensure that to agree that it will not promote violence or F o u n d a t i o n several meetings Berresford had with funds will not terrorism. policy, we will Jewish organizational leaders since the be passed cease funding.” publication of the JTA series. through one organization to another, or In that vein, Berresford’s letter Nadler, who released the Ford letter that Ford grantees use other independ- announced that the Foundation “has last week, praised Ford’s response to the ent monies to promote violence or ter- decided to cease funding LAW, a grantee revelations, saying the foundation's rorism. that has been the subject of criticism.” “leadership outlines a set of important In addition, Berresford said, Ford will LAW, whose full name is the and concrete steps they are voluntarily require additional measures “to make Palestinian Committee for the Protection taking to strengthen oversight of explicit our intolerance for unacceptable of Human Rights and the Environment, grantees and to utilize the Foundation's activity by any grantee organization.” was a special focus of the JTA series. The considerable international reach and She said that Ford’s standard grant- group was a principal player in the anti- standing to assist in combating global agreement letter, which grantees world- Israel agitation in Durban. An audit con- anti-Semitism.” wide must sign to receive Ford funds, cluded it misappropriated millions in Foxman said he welcomed the “the “will now include explicit language philanthropic funds. sincere effort by the current leadership requiring the organization to agree that it “LAW had over 30 donors in all, includ- of the Ford Foundation to deal responsiwill not promote violence or terrorism. ing European and Scandinavian govern- bly with the past and to put into place This prohibition applies to all of the ments, and an audit commissioned by safeguards so that these things do not organization's funds, not just those pro- Ford and other donors revealed that it recur.” vided through a grant from the Ford Foundation. Organizations unwilling to agree to these terms will not receive Foundation support.” The Berresford letter also contained a section titled, “Prevention of Funding for Bigotry and the Destruction of any State,” which declared that organizations promoting the delegitimization or destruction of Israel would be ineligible for funding. “Grantees refusing to sign this agreement will not receive Foundation support," the letter said. “We will never support groups that promote or condone bigotry or violence, or that challenge the very existence of legitimate, sovereign states like Israel.” Addressing questions raised in the JTA series about monitoring of funds to grantees, the Berresford letter included a section titled “Financial Oversight,” in which Ford announced a major new auditing initiative. “Ford will now reinforce its oversight with a new and expanded worldwide program of grantee audits. The Foundation has engaged the international accounting firm KPMG to create a risk matrix that Ford will use to determine which grantees it will audit in the new augmented oversight program.” The new system will go into effect within weeks. “KPMG will develop and fully test this new oversight effort in our Middle East office, starting in early December,” Berresford wrote, saying it ultimately would extend it to its other offices worldwide. Berresford’s letter also said that Ford is willing to commission a special organizational audit and if “concerns remain” will “recover funds, if that is appropriate.” Meanwhile, in a special section specifically addressing the Durban conSponsored by Middle/High School - Opening event for Chagigat Yisrael Grades 7-11 ference, the Berresford letter completely reversed the earlier position of its Vice -
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Synagogue Listings
November 28, 2003
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
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 1502 N. 52 St. Omaha, NE. 68104 -5013 556-6288 BethIsrael@novia.net
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660-2395 http://welcome.to/beytshalom/
Chabad House An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330-1800 nebraskajudaism.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshrun 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 Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556-6536 templeisrael-ne.org
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, or Ray Pred, 334-6559.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. FRIDAY: We welcome Shabbat with a musical Kabbalat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m. Ygal Schuller, son of Yaffa and Dan Schuller, becomes a Bar Mitzvah. In honor of Ygal, the family is hosting the kiddush following services. Evening Services, 4:40 p.m. SITTER SERVICE In addition to our longstanding Saturday morning Sitter Service, we now offer Friday Night Sitter Service on a drop-in basis at no charge. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: Bible Study Group meets at 11 a.m. in the Library, under the guidance of Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. WEDNESDAY, 7 p.m.: Adult B’nai Mitzvah class meets again with Cantor Bogomolni. THURSDAY, Dec. 4: “Jewish Wisdom for the 21st Century” After a break for Thanksgiving, Rabbi Levin’s class will resume at noon. Optional lunch available at 1 p.m. For more information, call the synagogue, 492-8550 A THOUGHT FOR SHABBAT To receive Rabbi Levin’s week-
ly "Thought for Shabbat" message by e-mail, please send your email address to exec@bethelomaha.org. This is free and open to the entire community.
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 Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 4:35 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Services, 8:45 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:42p.m. SUNDAY: Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 4:35 p.m. Weekday Morning Services, 7 a.m.; Weekday Mincha and Ma’ariv, 6:30 p.m. MONDAY: Talmud Class, with Rabbi Kutner following evening minyan. NCSY Saturday night, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: Plan on attending the Mexican Movie Night at the Kohll’s. Dinner’s included.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home. SUNDAY: No Religious school, at the JCC due to Thanksgiving vacation.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Monday-
Iowa’s Jews Leave Their Mark Continued from page 1 In recent years, the city’s Jews also have built an auditorium and a lodge for Jewish summer campers on the outskirts of Des Moines. Community members have posted a “Jobs for Jews” Web site to attract interest in Des Moines, a center for the financial-services and health-care industries. Jews here also have sponsored the arrival of Jews from the former Soviet Union and Argentina in recent years. A small Chabad outreach center serves Jews in outlying towns. Most remarkably, there is a Jewish kollel program training four Orthodox rabbis, and a program for troubled Jewish youths from other communities around the country. In interviews, Jews credited their willingness to assume a high profile in the state to Iowa’s warm, unbigoted populace. “People in Iowa are sweet and loving,” said Karen Weiss, who is active in Tifereth Israel, the Conservative synagogue that hosted the political forum for the presidential contenders Nov. 16. Hockenberg, a fourth generation Iowan, said his grandfather-who as a young man worked as a peddler in the Iowa countryside--would always remind him that Iowans readily gave him shelter and food in the winter.
Hockenberg said, “My earliest memory is of him carrying me on his shoulders into a polling booth when I was three or four, and saying: ‘This is a great country, always vote.’” Another facet of Iowa Jewish life is the willingness of all three Jewish denominations to work together. Sytner noted that all three denominations contributed to the renovation of his synagogue’s mikvah, or ritual bath. “I’ve never seen the interaction among Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews that I’ve seen here,” Sytner said. While the state’s political importance isn’t the principal attraction, Jews here say it indeed plays a role in their decision to live here. “Judging from my e-mails, a quarter to a third of the house parties in Des Moines are in Jewish homes,” said Alan Koslow, a vascular surgeon who is active in the Democratic Party. Sytner and Hockenberg both say they’ve encountered Holocaust revisionism among some Iowans. Still, Jews here consider themselves more confident--and involved--than they would be elsewhere. Lipsman said an experience in 2000 brought home the Iowa Jewish message for her: A group of recently-arrived Russian Jews wanted to register to vote.
Friday, Morning services, 7 a.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Rabbi Debbie Stiel will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, all day. You may reach her 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 416-2321 (local for Lincoln), or at rabstiel@aol.com. FRIDAY:Shabbat Services, 7:45 p.m. Oneg to follow. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY: Hebrew Refresher, 7 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; led by Alan Shulewitz.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: All male members of Temple Israel are invited to a weekly informal get together at Spirit World, 7517 Pacific St. Join us for some relaxation and great conversation, 11:45 a.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. Rabbi Craig Marantz and Cantor Wendy Shermet will officiate. Rabbi Marantz will give the sermon. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 7-8:30 p.m., The
Candlelighting Friday, November 28, 4:38 p.m.
Jewish State with John Dacey. WEDNESDAY, 6:45-8:30 p.m.: “History of Israel, Part I: Biblical and Pre-Modern Foundations” with Dr. Moshe Gershovich. THURSDAY, 10-11:30 a.m.: “Adult Study With The Clergy” with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. TOT SHABBAT DAVEN & DINNER Friday, Dec. 5: Join us for our regular Tot Shabbat Service in the chapel and stay to celebrate Shabbat with a pasta dinner, in the Milder Center. Cost for the meal is $5 per family. Please RSVP to the Temple office, tisrael@qwest.net or 556-6536. THE PANCAKE MAN Sunday, Dec. 7, 9-10:30 a.m.: Women of Reform JudaismOmaha, is again sponsoring a pancake breakfast featuring Jim the Pancake Man. Bring the whole family for breakfast before the children go to Religious School and parents can hear guest speaker Dr. Jonathan Adelman, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $4.25 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 and under.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday & Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:15 a.m. WEDNESDAY: The Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH Amanda Elizabeth Bucher, daughter of Ron and Michelle Bucher, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on saturday, Dec. 6 at Temple Israel. Amanda is a seventhgrader at Beadle Middle School in the Millard School District, where she is on the Distinguished Honor Roll. She enjoys reading, art, basketball and hanging out with her friends. She won first place honors in the Elinor
A.Whitman Memorial Book Appreciation Contest for her book jacket. For her Mitzvah Project, she helped at competitions and in the office for the Special Olympics. Amanda has a younger sister, Megan. Her grandparents are Joan Kaiman and the late Ben Kaiman and Gerald and Shirley Bucher of Tucson, AZ.
Amos Oz Draws Crowds in Omaha and Lincoln by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator An overflow audience crowded into Temple Israel’s sanctuary on Nov. 19 to hear the famed Israeli author and Peace Now founder Amos Oz, center. He read from his books in Hebrew and in English and answered questions about his literary career and the Israeli-Arab conflict and solutions. Afterwards, he autographed books that were selling out faster than he could sign them. Rabbi Myer Kripke and Rabbi Aryeh
Azriel were among those who had an opportunity to chat with Professor Oz after his talk. On the previous day, he spoke in Lincoln as part of the annual Kripke Lecture Series.
November 28, 2003
Nature or Nurture
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Toledot There is a longstanding academic debate between the biologists and the psychologists and others. Biologists, to overstate their position, say that people are what their birth-traits make them. Psychologists and others say that people are what their life career makes them with emphasis on the environment. I remember once in college that a professor refused to bother reading my term paper or my final exam, when he read in the first paragraph that someone had made the mistake a biologist is likely to make, assuming that character is dependent upon inherited traits. He said there was no need to read any more and gave me an “A” for the course. The Torah, at least in our Sidra, is not quite sure: Is it Nature or Nurture? It assumes that Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, will never amount to anything more than “a man of the fields”, while Jacob is a man who likes to be indoors, presumably studying. Rebecca, mother of these twins, favors Jacob the student and resorts to astonishing deception to fool the old and dundering (God save us all!) Isaac. The account in the sacred text, however, gives us numerous hints that Isaac really knew that they were pulling the wool over his eyes, as well as over Jacob’s smooth skin, and he allows himself to be fooled. In his old age, Isaac recognized, apparently, that his prefer-
ence for Esau’s game (that is, food from the hunt) was not the highest desideratum in life, but that intellectual achievement is basically to be preferred. There is also an undercurrent that we find running through other biblical families, in that the Bible while always proclaiming the rights of the first born, nonetheless, continuously favors a younger brother to the elder. This is one example: Jacob is preferred to Esau, his elder. Another is David, the youngest of a slew of brothers. There are many other examples for which we need not stop. Jewish tradition plays both sides against the middle. It is always full of praise for the son or grandson or descendant of some great scholar. But it is also willing to admit someone into the ranks of scholars and learned men, even though he could not boast of learned ancestors. Thus, Jewish tradition was always eager to push anyone and everyone into the ranks of scholarship since it values learning above almost everything else. (Piety? Morality? Decency? What have you?) Many families have noted, for example, that you can’t make a ballet dancer out of someone with two left feet, or a mathematician out of someone with no left brain. Some kids couldn’t be pulled away from their books. Others couldn’t be pulled away from their baseballs or footballs or tennis racquets, etc. But, on the other hand, some kids obviously preferred ball-playing yet ended up as industrial tycoons. You can really have it both ways. It takes a Rebecca, a mentor, a loving and perceptive mentor. Among our ancestors, was Rebecca, the sister of Laban the Aramean, the most important, the mother of the Jewish people?
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Sized to Befit by DIANE AXLER BAUM for Beth El Synagogue At recent Shabbat morning services, B e n Shapiro proudly displayed the “Super Yad” presented to him by Beth El Synagogue as a light-hearted twist on the congregation’s gratitude for the countless times he has read Torah. Holding up two fingers, inches apart, Rabbi Mordechai Levin said, “At Simchat Torah, we present a yad (pointer) of this size to say thank you for reading more than seven times. So, reading over 100 times calls for a much, much larger yad.” Beth El also gave Schapiro Jewish books to say “thank you,” the rabbi added. The explanation met with smiles and warm feelings on the part of the recipient, the presenters, and all in attendance.
DEATHS JEAN ANN KRUPINSKY Jean Ann Krupinsky died at the age of 66. Services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. at the Heafey and Heafey West Center Chapel. Krupinsky was a voracious reader and accomplished writer. She often volunteered to assist organizations in writing their publicity or assisting with public relations campaigns and she was an avid supporter of both the public libraries and Omaha’s Jewish community library: the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. She is survived by husband, Jerry Krupinsky; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Andrew Salomon; daughter, Dena Krupinsky; grandchildren, Jacob and Leah Salomon, all of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Gerry Horwitz of San Diego, CA, Jeanette Sullivan of Seattle, WA; and sister-in-law, Marcia Daley of Chicago, IL. Memorials to the Suburban Rotary Foundation, the Omaha Public Library, the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, Make-A-Wish Foundation or the American Cancer Society. EUGENE L. WOHLNER Former Omahan Eugene Wohlner died Nov. 18 at the age of 72. Services were held Nov. 20. Wohlner was an attorney in the Los Angeles area for more than 37 years. He served as President of both the Burbank Bar Association and the Californians for Nebraska organization. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of Los Angeles. Memorials to charity of choice.
Israel’s Political Landscape to be Explored at Day-Long Teach-In at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Dr. Jonathan Adelman, who will lead a full day of learning more about Israel from the Zionist movement of the 1880s to the present day political situation, “is a do-not-miss speaker,” said Joe Kirshenbaum who has heard Dr. Adelman at two previous presentations. “He’s outstanding,” according to Kirshenbaum who said the scholar “tells it like it is.” A professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver, Dr. Adelman will lead off an Israel Teach-In Day on Sunday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m., at Temple Israel with the topic, “How Did We Get Here? Israeli History 18812003.” This overview will include the Zionist Dr. Jonathan Adelman Movement, the founding of the state of Israel, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. At noon, there will be a panel discussion among recent travelers to Israel including Kirshenbaum, Rabbi Craig Marantz, Iris Ricks, and others. A dairy “Israeli style” lunch will be catered by the Mediterranean Bistro. Although there is no charge to attend the TeachIn sessions, the lunch is $7 per person. Please RSVP to Temple Israel at 556-6536 or tisrael@qwest.net by Tuesday, Dec. 2. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will show clips from the Simon Wiesenthal Center documentary, The Long Way Home, about Holocaust survivors finding their way to Israel after the war, to be shown at 12:45 p.m. The film explores the impact of the Holocaust on Israel and its culture of “never again.” Professor Adelman will conclude the day at 2 p.m. with a session entitled, “The Current Crisis in Israel: Is There any Hope for the Future?” He will analyze the current situation in Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition to numerous lecture tours to China, Russia, Hungary, England, and Denmark, Dr. Adelman has made three recent national television appearances on Fox News and CBN and has been a guest on national talk radio shows including the Dennis Prager Show. He has been a regular contributor on issues about Israel on Voice of America since 1998. Sponsored by Temple Israel’s Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, the Israel Teach-In Day is open to the entire community.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
November 28, 2003
Two New Hebrew Classes Start Next Week for Beginners and Advanced Students by ARIELLA HOFFMAN for the Omaha Center for Torah Learning Starting Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Omaha Center for Torah Learning is offering two free Hebrew Crash Courses. The beginners’ course is designed to teach those with no basic knowledge of the Hebrew language how to read Hebrew in as few as 10 easy lessons. This class will begin at Wednesdays at noon, at the JCC starting on Dec. 3 in the Federation Conference Room. The advanced course will also start Dec. 3, at the OCTL Beis Midrash every Wednesday at 7 p.m. This class is for students who already recognize the Hebrew letters, but want to gain skills in comprehension. Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman will lead both of these crash courses. With his extensive background in theatre and Jewish thought, this crash course promises to be as entertaining as well as informative. Tereza Wigodsky, who just completed the crash course in Hebrew said, “I have enjoyed this class very much. Rabbi Hoffman is a wonderful teacher; he is as excited about teaching as he makes you feel about learning. “I have two children, take classes, and work part of the time and I still manage to not only keep up but really grasp the principals and concepts being taught,” Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman Wigodsky explained. “This class was comprehensive without being complicated, fun and informative. I learned a great deal in a very short time without being stressed out at all. “If you want to learn to read Hebrew this is definitely the class to take.” Jerry Hopkins, another recent graduate of the course, described his elation when “after just a couple classes, I could reads the Hebrew on the front of the podium at Temple Israel which says, ‘Shema Yisrael!’” For many Jews, the inability to read Hebrew and understand the synagogue services is an effective barrier to active participation in Jewish life. By teaching them to read Hebrew and making them feel comfortable in synagogues, the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP), sponsor of the Hebrew Reading Crash Course, hopes to open the door to a year of Jewish growth and commitment for thousands of previously uninvolved or marginally committed Jews. The beginners Hebrew Reading Crash Course, at the JCC, is geared toward Jewish beginners, as well as those who sometimes attend services, but feel left out --unable to follow or appreciate the liturgy. The course begins with learning the Hebrew alphabet and covers basic reading skills, preparing the participant for the exciting experience of reading and understanding the prayer book and other Jewish texts. Those who complete the course will be able to read Hebrew and gain a rudimentary understanding of the prayers. The advanced Hebrew Reading Crash Course at the OCTL Beis Midrash, is designed for those who already recognize the Hebrew letters and can pronounce the words but want to gain comprehension of the texts in their original language. Starting with Adon Olam, Ashrei, and other basic prayers, the student will not only gain the tools to translate these classic prayers, but also the ability to translate other prayers on their own. For more information about the Hebrew Reading Crash Course call Rabbi Hoffman at 981-0569 or NJOP at 1-800-44-HEBREW. The National Jewish Outreach Program was established in 1987 by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, and has become one of the world's largest and most successful Jewish outreach organizations. NJOP offers free programs at more than 3,620 locations across North America and in 30 countries worldwide. Through programs such as Shabbat Across America/Canada and Read Hebrew American/Canada, NJOP has successfully reached more than 715,000 North American Jews.