December 3, 2010

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Remembering Alex Fleischer

December 3, 2010 26 Kislev 5771 Vol. 90 | No. 14

This Week

by BOB GOLDBERG Federation Communications Specialist and Young Leadership Director When Alex Fleischer, 66, died on Oct. 19, the Omaha Jewish community lost a very good friend. Fleischer passed away in his beloved Tel Aviv. Beginning in 1993, Alex helped design and lead 29 missions with the Omaha Jewish community. “Alex was our community umbilical cord to the land, people and sights of Israel,” said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. “So many of us have been enriched and cared for by this marvelous man. May Alex’s work as a lover of Israel continue to inspire us and strengthen our commitment to the State of Israel”. Alex always said he got into the tour guide business by accident after he returned to Tel Aviv from his studies at the London Royal Academy of Art. He remained a passionate painter and photographer throughout his life. For 40 years, he was also one of the most knowledgeable and sought after tour guides for North American Jews wanting to experience Israel. Alex was a student of Jewish history. As such, he accompanied many Omahans to the Former Soviet

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Filmmaker marries Hollywood to tikkun olam Page 6

Union and Poland. He believed in always looking for and growing connections between Jewish people. Rabbi Jonathan Gross says, “Alex

Alex Fleischer and Harlan Noddle was a kind and deeply spiritual man who loved the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Being in his presence and listening to his stories added to the experience on every trip. In his life, Alex led hundreds and hun-

Child Savings Institute honors NCJW by TIPPI DENENBERG Vice-President of Public Relations, NCJW NCJW was honored by the Child Savings Institute (CSI) at their 2010 Annual Board Luncheon on Nov. 4

dreds of people around every corner of the land of Israel and he left a part of his soul in every one of those places and in the hearts of all of

president of the National Benevolent Association, CSI’s former parent organization. Initiated in 1984, the first Gibble award was given to John Gottschalk, retired chief executive

Finding the aahs and oys of Jewish toys Page 8

those he touched.” The word associated with Alex the most is “Kadima,” to go forward. At bus stops across Israel, Alex would be heard telling participants “Kadima!” “Go forward, get moving.”

He wanted to get in as much as possible for each group, one more site visit, one more slice of the beautiful tapestry of Israel. Alex saw his work as a gift to each of us fortunate enough to have made the journey with him. “I had the opportunity to travel with Alex several times,” says Dr. Guy Matalon, Director of the Center for Jewish Education, “He brought a lot of knowledge, humor and sophistication when presenting Israel to us. Alex’s words and descriptions are still with me and helped make Israel more meaningful to me. I am grateful for his hard work. He really connected Americans to Israel.” Alex’s photographic mind, quick wit and deep understanding of Diaspora Jews and Jewish peoplehood made him a popular and loved figure to Jews throughout the U.S. However, if you asked him where his second home was, he would always tell everyone - it’s Omaha. Alex leaves behind his loving family in Israel, including his wife Hannah, daughters Gallit and Ophira, son Duby, and sons-in- law Shai and Nir, as well as 4 grandchildren. Our community will deeply miss Alex Fleischer. He made Continued on page 2

Can you tell me how to get to Jewish Sesame Street? by JACOB BERKMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Oscar the Grouch and Moishe Oofnik, his Israeli cousin who lives in a recycling bin on Rechov Sumsum in Tel Aviv, opened up what would turn out to be the most explosive plenary session at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.

The two Muppets, however, were at the GA for something much less polarizing -- to help roll out Shalom Sesame, a new version of the iconic children’s puppet show that is geared toward a North American Jewish audience aged 3-7. The 12-part DVD series, which was given a soft release in late October, was taped in Israel using

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This Month Senior Living See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

NCJW’s Nikki Kirshenbaum, left, Melinda Graham, and Beth Friedman with two CSI board members. at Happy Hollow Country Club. NCJW received the William T. Gibble Award named for the first

officer and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald. For the past several years the award has been given to a faith-based organization or individual in honor of extraordinary service. Over the last several years NCJW-Omaha Section provided duffle bags filled with necessities, toiletries, stuffed animals and blankets for tots and teens entering into foster care, Pack n’ Plays and most recently pillows, towels, and bedding. For information on how to help with our Totes for Tots and Teens program, call Nikki at 965.8935.

Oscar the Grouch and his Israeli cousin Moishe Oofnik, visited the federations’ General Assembly in New Orleans to promote Shalom Sesame, a version of the iconic Sesame Street that is designed for young Jews. Credit: Daniel Sieradski They introduced the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, whose address that included talk of resisting some Palestinian demands on settlement building would be rambunctiously interrupted by left-wing activists, creating a buzz throughout the rest of the three-day conference in early November.

the Muppets and the set of the Israeli version of Rechov Sumsum, the show on which Moishe Oofnik stars. It is aimed at presenting life in Israel and Jewish culture to North American Jewish children that they may not ordinarily receive. “We don’t look at it as being Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

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by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The framers of an interfaith effort with the grand goal of halving American poverty in the next decade had a small but focused message this week: Keep those school lunches coming. At a meeting Monday on Capitol Hill at an event attended by congressional staffers, the framers of the effort spoke of a pending vote to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, the program which brings school breakfasts and lunches to needy children. They are concerned that Congress in its post-election session will rush through an agenda to have lawmakers home in time to prepare for the new Congress in January and neglect to pass an act that must be reauthorized every five years. “It’s a lame-duck Congress, but it has to be done,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, the director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Jewish public policy umbrella taking the lead in the Fighting Poverty with Faith initiative. “It has to be passed or else kids are going into Christmas hungry.” Both houses of Congress have passed the reauthorization, but now the House must pass the Senate version in order for the act to reach President Obama’s desk. Congressional insiders do not give reauthorization strong chances. Congress is expected to end its session this week and is grappling with funding unemployment insurance. Reauthorizing the act, although an immediate term goal, was emblematic of the broad measures envisioned by the Fighting Poverty with Faith initiative over the next decade. At the Capitol Hill event, which followed a day of lobbying, representatives of the three umbrella bodies -- the JCPA, the National Council of Churches in Christ and Catholic Charities USA -- joined Obama administration officials in outlining how faith groups could partner with government to reduce poverty. Census estimates show that 40 million Americans live at or below poverty level. The programs wedded government with church and synagogue in a way unimaginable before President George W. Bush launched a faith-based initiatives office. Obama has tweaked some of Bush’s programming, weeding out more obvious expressions of faith, but he has embraced the partnership in ways other Democrats have not. David Hansell, the acting assistant secretary for health and human services, called on faith groups, for instance, to train volunteers in navigating the federal bureaucracy, and then in assisting the poor in obtaining available benefits

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Continued from page 1 aired in 120 countries. about religion but tradition and culture,” Shari Rosenfeld, Shalom Sesame is the first attempt by the workshop to the vice president and project director for reach out to a specific ethnic group. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind “The closest thing we have done to this is the Sesame Street franchise, told JTA. “We the Mosaic Project in which we created want to provide building blocks with content from our shows in Arab countries,” Jewish literacy, an introduction to Hebrew Rosenfeld said. “That didn’t have the same language learning, to showcase the Jewish kinds of legs as Shalom Sesame. people, and to create a connection between The Sesame Workshop is looking at this the U.S. and Israel.” as a pilot for potentially addressing other Sesame Workshop enlisted an education religious and ethnic groups. advisory board that represented a diverse Sesame Street in its various forms has not cross-section of the Jewish community, shied away from difficult issues. Rosenfeld said. Its South African version has a character The project is a revival of the Shalom with AIDS. The show broke ground in the Sesame series that ran from the mid-1980s United States when it first aired in 1969 to early 1990s and also was an outgrowth of with black and white characters living on the Israeli version of the show. That project the same block, which got it banned in consisted of 11 VHS tapes and actually was Mississippi. And its Israeli show has ArabNew Shalom Sesame DVD run on PBS. Rosenfeld estimates that about Israeli and Palestinian characters. release Mitzvah on the Street are 1 million copies of the tapes were sold. Shalom Sesame, however, promises to be a available Jan. 11, 2011 from The new version will be released on DVD bit more vanilla, despite its GA debut. SISU Home Entertainment along and be available for sale online and at “It is not designed to meet the needs of with two other titles, Shabbat Jewish bookstores. It will be rolled out offichildren in Israel or Palestine, but it is Shalom, Grover! and Grover cially Dec. 5 with a screening at 120 JCCs designed to meet the needs of North Plants a Tree. across the country. American children,” the Sesame Workshop’s The Sesame Workshop, out of which Sesame Street has spokesman, Philip Toscano, told JTA. been produced for 41 years (previously under the name The “I know we take a lot of time trying to take the basic funChildren’s Television Workshop), now produces 20 versions damentals of trying to teach about Israel and about the holof the show with puppeteer groups based in countries rang- idays and that kind of thing. I don’t think you will see the ing from China to Ireland to Jordan. Though its U.S. ratings Muppets talking about the major political conflicts of Israel, have sagged in recent years, the show in its various forms is Palestine and the rest of the Middle East.”

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they might not otherwise know exist. The supplemental nutrition assistance program, or food stamps, reach only two-thirds of those eligible, said Max Finberg, the director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Faith groups could bring the $133 a month available under the program to another 20 million people. The question looming over the proceedings was how such initiatives would be treated by the new Congress, in which the House will be led by Republicans spurred by the costslashing Tea Party. “The great frontier virtue of self-reliance must be leavened with the equally as American virtue of compassion,” Hansell said at Monday’s meeting. He used Tea Party rhetoric, which perpetually references the founders, to make the point. Gutow said afterward he did not see the changed political climate as an immediate concern because both parties are dedicated to alleviating hunger. “Hunger is bipartisan,” he told JTA. Officials note that the new poor come from the ranks of a class that is politically engaged, making it an issue that Congress would be hard-pressed to ignore. “We are now serving people coming in the front door who never envisioned in their lifetimes needing these programs,” Kevin Concannon, an undersecretary for agriculture, said of government relief programs. Much of the talk at Monday’s session was peppered with Jewish references, a sign of the disproportionate Jewish voice in the initiative. Non-Jewish speakers referred to the Passover Haggadah and to Hillel, in addition to Old Testament prophets, in making the case to alleviate poverty by 2010. This is the third annual fall mobilization for the initiative, culminating in a Thanksgiving-time call for change. Jewish groups often take the lead in the public initiatives to highlight poverty. This year, Detroit’s Jewish Community Relations Council joined a local Muslim umbrella body in organizing a day of free medical checkups for the poor. In New York, Hillels at New York University, Columbia University and Yeshiva University joined to set up a homeless resource fair last month that provided blankets, clothing and food for the homeless. “Our goal is to humanize the homeless community’s plight and inspire real reform to help these individuals find food and shelter,” said Ilana Hostyk, the Yeshiva University student who organized the fair.

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Send a check for $40, made out to the Jewish Press and for the rest of this year and all of 2011, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.

Alex Fleischer Continued from page 1 Eretz Yisrael come alive. For those interested in making a contribution to the Fleischer family, please contact Kathy McGauvran at 334.6427, or email kmcgauvran@jewishomaha.org.

December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 3

Sharing Aliyah stories abroad by KEREN NEIGER and a community of young people live, work The Jewish Agency, in conjunction with and act as role models in one of Israel’s most the Jewish Federations of North America difficult neighborhoods. (JFNA), organized a ‘Faces of Aliyah’ tour Keren Neiger, 25, made aliyah from the throughout the United States to bring the USA three and half years ago. The daughter unique stories of people who call Israel of a sabra father and a naturalized home to Jewish communities in the Diaspora. From Oct. 17-27, three Israeli women in their 20’s visited the Jewish communities of Omaha, Charlotte, NC, Worcester, MA, and the Quad Cities, IA. Katya Minakova, 28, was born and raised in Moscow where she became connected to her Jewish heritage thanks to the Jewish Agency summer Katya Minakova, left, Orit Tabay enter, and Keren Neiger in camps and Sunday school. the United States as part of a Faces of Aliyah tour organized She eventually came to Israel by the Jewish Agency in conjunction with the Jewish on a Taglit-Birthright trip. Federations of North America. Later, this PhD in social psychology spent an extended period of time in Israeli/American mother, she was active in Israel as part of the prestigious Masa Israel her synagogue and the B’nai Brith Youth Government Fellows Program- one of more Organization. Upon graduation from Indiana than 200 Masa programs available through University, she moved to Israel where she the Jewish Agency. She made Aliyah in joined her brother who was a “lone soldier” 2008, and currently works for the Institute serving as a paratrooper in the IDF. Soon for Jewish Studies headed by Rabbi Adin after her parents and younger sister joined Steinsaltz. them. Keren works for the Jewish Agency as Orit Tabay, 27, was born and raised in the Community Relationship Manager for Beer Sheva. Her Ethiopian-born parents the West Coast Region and New York. endured hardships before they were able to The trio made a real impact on the people settle in Israel. With a degree in educational they met. counseling and history from Bar Ilan “You three made a huge impression on University, made possible through the sup- our Young Leadership group, and it was a port of a Jewish Agency scholarship, she has pleasure to meet all of you. And when Faces devoted her life to helping under-privileged of Aliyah makes a return trip to the states, communities in Israel. As the director of the Omaha wants to be the first to sign up Hineni Young Community in Beer Sheva, a again!” said Jan Goldstein, Executive project supported by the Jewish Agency, she Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

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JDC announces 2010 Ralph I. Goldman Fellows by MICHAEL GELLER The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) announced that Zev Nagel and Alejandro Okret have been awarded the organization’s prestigious 2010-11 Ralph I. Goldman Fellowship (RIG) in International Jewish Communal Service. This highly-coveted fellowship enables participants to engage in intensive grassroots service and program activity in a number of the more than 70 countries where JDC operates. “We are incredibly proud that Zev and Alejandro - who embody the impeccable qualities we strive for in RIG Fellows - will take part in this life-changing opportunity in international Jewish service. We look forward to helping them further explore their passion and dedication to Jewish life and serving those in need,” said JDC CEO Steven Schwager. In his first placement, Okret will head to Israel to work on issues related to food security, including the regulation of food banks and harvesting of agricultural produce.

Nagel will travel to Hungary to work on programs related to young European Jewish leaders and to provide help with conflict resolution training for local institutions. The Ralph I. Goldman Fellowship (RIG), established in 1987, is named after JDC’s honorary Executive Vice-President, who served as the organization’s top professional leader and who proved to be instrumental in the establishment of the State of Israel. Fellows participate in JDC’s global programs through a range of unique assignments that respond to the changing needs of Jewish communities around the world. JDC is looking for the best young Jewish thinkers and doers - writers, artists, policy shapers, business innovators, and community builders - to help influence the future of Jewish life and the world through the RIG Fellowship. Submit letters of intent by Dec. 30 for the 2011-12 fellowship. Complete applications are due by Jan. 15, 2011. For more information, visit www.jdc.org/ralph.

Netherlands issues warrant for Nazi Faber by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The Netherlands has issued an arrest warrant for convicted Nazi war criminal Klaas Faber. Faber, who escaped from a Dutch prison in 1952 after being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of several prisoners in the Westerbork transit camp, has been living in Germany ever since, according to Deutsch Welle. Farber received citizenship from West Germany, where he fled after his escape.

Berlin has previously refused to extradite Faber, including turning down a 2004 request. The arrest warrant for Faber, the first time that the Netherlands has used the European arrest warrant system, is a preliminary step before a formal extradition request to Germany, according to Deutsch Welle. The Simon Wiesenthal Center called upon Germany to extradite Faber, in a statement released on Thursday.

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4 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

Two Cantors’ concert highlights Mainstreeters luncheon by OZZIE NOGG Sentimental Journeys, a concert featuring Cantor Wendy Shermet from Temple Israel and Cantor Beth Schlossberg of Beth El Synagogue, will highlight the Mainstreeters luncheon on Monday, Dec. 20. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “I’m sure this musical program by Jewish Omaha’s most beautiful voices will be a sell-out,� said chairman Jim Wax. “Our community always enjoys hearing Cantor Shermet and Cantor Schlossberg on the same stage.� Jerry Brabec, Music Minister at St. Paul United Methodist Church and Cantor Shermet’s choir conductor for the High Holidays, will accompany the singers. Both Cantors agree it’s important to get off the bimah and engage the community in different settings. “Beth and I come from classical music backgrounds,� said Shermet, “so it’s good to sing lots of different styles of music, as it challenges us and keeps us sharp.� For Schlossberg, “Concerts both on and off the bimah are wonderful ways to bring people together to share an experience, and also allow us as clergy the opportunity to open up to our community. A casual, low-key format like this is a wonderful outlet for fun, and lets people see our human side.� According to Shermet, “The program will include solos and duets, Hebrew liturgical music, a Yiddish tune or two,

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Lighting menorahs in places of high visibility, like ChabadLubavitch’s annual ceremony shown here across from the White House in Washington, is a central part of the Chanukah observance. Credit: chabad.org

plus popular musical theater selections.� Schlossberg considers music to be a universal language. “Regardless of where you’re from, what language you speak, or your race or religion, music has a way of connecting people, even if just for a moment, in a range of emotions. There’s no discussion to worry about, no opinions to be voiced. There’s simply the appreciation of the beauty of music and sound. The songs Wendy and I chose for this concert are pieces we enjoy singing, and we hope our enjoyment will be shared by the audience.� Entrees available at the Dec. 20 Sentimental Journeys luncheon are stuffed cabbage with roasted veggies or Cobb salad with sliced turkey. Both entrees include hearty vegetable soup and cost $10 per plate. Reservations are appreciated by Dec. 10. Please send reservations -- along with a check payable to Jewish Social Services -- to Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So 132 St., Omaha 68154. For transportation, call Conti at 334.6521. According to Wax, “Mainstreeters programs give mature older adults a chance to get together, socialize, renew acquaintances and meet new friends while learning new skills or being entertained. We have over 400 people on our mailing list. If you’d like to receive notices for upcoming events, please contact me at 393.4442 or zehde@cox.net or email Maggie Conti at mconti@rbjh.com.

B’nai B’rith to hold annual Hanukkah “Torch Run� by GARY JAVITCH Hanukkah is a celebration of freedom over oppression and light over darkness. To commemorate the victory for religious freedom, the Monsky Lodge will sponsor its annual Hanukkah run/walk or ride. This year’s theme will be promoting “Peace in the Middle East.� The B’nai B’rith Hanukkah Torch Run is not a race, but rather a group activity that draws attention to this year’s theme. Participants will follow a five-mile route that circles the JCC, beginning and ending there. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. Check-in begins at 9:00 am at the gym entrance on the east side of the JCC building. A van will follow behind the group. Any participant who feels tired may elect to ride in the van for any or all portions of the route. Kosher refreshments will be served at the end of the run. To enter, please send a check for $18 (Students: $10), payable to B’nai B’rith and mail it to Beth Gershovich, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. If you do not wish to run and want to send a donation, please mail it to the address above.

Come get a “Taste of Judaism� by ANDREW MALASHOCK Administrative Assistant, Center for Jewish Education Have you ever wondered what Judaism is really all about but didn’t have the time? Do you have a friend or relative interested in learning about different aspects of the Jewish religion? Are you finally at the age where Jewish learning appeals to you but you’re not really sure where to start? If you can say “yes� to any of the above, the Center for Jewish Education has planned an evening just for you! “A Dr. Guy Matalon Taste of Judaism� will be an opportunity to learn about Jewish values, ethics and spirituality in a quick two-hour crash course. It is designed to give a taste of what Judaism offers as a religious system. The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 13 from 7-9 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. “Taste of Judaism is a unique opportunity for people to come and learn about the beauty of Judaism,� says Toba Cohen-Dunning, President of the Center for Jewish Education. “We are very excited about the class as it is a gateway to greater learning. We encourage one and all to take advantage of this two hour class.� The session will cover the basics of scripture, rabbis and theology and will give attendees a chance to explore one of the richest religious traditions that the world has to offer. The program will be led by Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Education. Matalon is the Jewish Federation of Omaha Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He is also the director of the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO. “We hope this session of ‘Jewish learning, speed-dating style’ will cause the spark for attendees to think about Jewish learning� states Matalon. “There are so many opportunities for learning in our community and we want to help people get started.� “A Taste of Judaism� is open to the community, free of charge. Please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jew ishomaha.org if you have any questions. DEADLINE NOTICE Please send all articles, photos and ads to the Press by Thursdays, 9 a.m., for all regular issues. Early deadlines will be announced in advance. Questions? Call 334.6448.

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December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 5

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Judge rules against author of wolf memoir by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- A publisher does not have to pay writer Misha Defonseca for her false memoir about surviving the Holocaust with the help of wolves, a Massachusetts appeals court ruled. A panel of judges ruled Wednesday that Mt. Ivy Press owner Jane Daniel does not have to pay Defonseca $22.5 million, but that it owes $10 million to ghost writer Vera Lee, who did not know that the story was a hoax. The money was awarded to the writers

by a lower court in a dispute over the best-selling book’s profits. In Defonseca’s bestselling book “Misha: A Memoire of the Holocaust Years,� she wrote that she was Jewish and had survived the Holocaust as a child by wandering through Europe under the protection of a pack of wolves. The book was translated into 18 languages and made into a feature film in France before Defonseca admitted in February 2008 that she had made up the stories in the book and was not even Jewish.

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN sang camp songs with Sophie Goldberg. It Temple Israel Communications Coordinator was a delicious day complete with s’mores. Temple Israel second graders took the annual class field trip to the Nebraska Humane Society in October. Part of their curriculum is Gemilut Chasadim, improving communities through tikkun olam (repairing the world). That includes learning about tzedakah, guarding the planet, and being kind to animals. All grade levels participated in the yearly Camp Day festivities at the end of October. Jerry Kaye, director of Olin-SangRuby Union Institute, a camp in Jerry Kaye meeting Jane, Jennifer, and John Glazer. Wisconsin affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism that has been popular with Temple kids over the years, visited Temple for the 23rd time to promote Jewish camping. Religious School children made visors and picture frames to donate to Camp Rainbow, a camp located near St. Louis for seriously ill children. The Temple youngsters dressed in their pajamas for breakfast pre- Destiny Howard, left, Sophia Kohll, Sydney Krasno, and pared by the Pancake Man and Sophie Goldberg.

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candles illuminate our homes, we are reminded how much our community needs kindness and generosity. While many of us will be enjoying Hanukkah gifts with our loved ones, now is the JAN GOLDSTEIN, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha perfect time to go beyond the When you light Hanukkah candles, you home “borders� and share with others. You connect spiritually to millions of Jews may not know it, but our global Jewish comaround the world who celebrate this holiday munity is facing a tremendous challenge in in exactly the same way. For so many, the the form of Jewish identity. illuminating glow of the candlelight symbolFederation-supported programs and in izes that we, as Jews, care about preserving particular our 2011 Annual Campaign our heritage and the values of our ancestors. address these issues by fostering Jewish The Jewish Federation of Omaha is a identity and helping the next generation “keeper of the flame�. We put our Jewish val- make meaningful connections to our people ues of compassion, charity and caring for and to Israel. others into action every day. We safeguard No other organization can take care of the our cultural traditions through a variety of many diverse needs of our entire community programs, service and networks that touch the way Federation can. We distribute funds almost everyone’s lives. where they are most needed -- transcending To fulfill these responsibilities at the time politics, religious practices and specific projof year when the beautiful glow of Hanukkah ects to satisfy the needs of the whole.

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Filmmaker marries Hollywood to tikkun olam by URI FINTZY a short film. NEW YORK (JTA) -- What was Elisabeth Moss, star of It wasn’t enough. Erlbaum said he needed to do more to the AMC hit series Mad Men and an avowed Scientologist, spread the positive messages about human values he had doing hanging out with a Lubavitcher Jew? found in Judaism. They were making a movie together to promote “tikkun So in 2009, Erlbaum said, he decided to launch a film proolam,” the Jewish value of repairing the world. duction company “focused on creating inspiring, meaningThe product of their work, A Buddy Story -- a romantic ful content for mainstream audiences of all backgrounds and drama about a singer-songwriter who finds love on a week- affiliations.” He sees his work as promoting Jewish values. long trip with his neighbor -- is expected to make it to the “There is no better way than film to reach people, and I silver screen next year. have the power to be that ‘or It’s just one of several films that lagoyim,’ or ‘nation light,’ like Mark Erlbaum, an Orthodox the production company’s title,” “ba’al teshuvah,” or returnee to the he said. Or lagoyim is Hebrew faith, is making with Hollywood for “light unto the nations.” stars to promote positive mesErlbaum’s latest drama, Cafe, sages to movie audiences. starring Hewitt and Kennedy, “I am a religious person,” is about a Philadelphia coffee Erlbaum told JTA. “I very much shop where the stories of workbelieve in tikkun olam and the ers and customers dealing with core Jewish values of hope, selflife challenges intersect to sacrifice and mutual helpfulness.” weave a web of spirituality. The Aside from Moss, actors film, though not yet in wide Jennifer Love Hewitt, Will Ferrell release, was shown at the 2010 and Jamie Kennedy are involved Philadelphia Film Festival. in film projects at Erlbaum’s pro“Although there is no explicit Filmmaker Marc Erlbaum with actress Jennifer Love duction company, Nationlight Jewish content in the film, the Hewitt during the filming of “Cafe,” May 2009. Productions. values certainly guide the charCredit: Nationlight Productions “I adore Marc; he is such a wonacters in their development,” derful and funny man,” Moss told JTA in an interview. “He Erlbaum said. was the first interaction I had with the Orthodox communiIn addition to Moss, A Buddy Story features Orthodox ty. Although I was exposed to so many different people Jewish hip-hop star Matisyahu. The film was shot more than growing up in New York, I didn’t know what to expect, but three years ago and is now in post-production. he is so cool and funny. It was a terrific experience.” Moss said it was the storyline that drew her into the project. The journey that brought Erlbaum, 40, from the real estate “I just loved the plot -- it’s such a simple love story and it business to independent filmmaking also had something to really has uplifting moments to it,” she said. do with the journey that transformed him from a casual Jew Erlbaum laments the fact that Hollywood makes so few to an Orthodox one. such films, and he recently started a Facebook campaign to Erlbaum discovered Orthodoxy during his college years, encourage studios to make more positive, family-oriented when his father began bringing a Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi to films with uplifting messages. He also is starting a campaign their Philadelphia home to talk religion. Erlbaum hadn’t he calls “Filmanthropy” to encourage donors to support the thought much about his Judaism, but he quickly became production of films that promote the value of tikkun olam. captivated. The rabbi soon had a transformative effect on “There is definitely a cynical edge to media, and we as a him and his two brothers. society act accordingly, and that is too bad,” he said. “We were all stimulated and realized we actually knew By producing uplifting films, Erlbaum said, he hopes to nothing about Judaism,” Erlbaum said. increase the positivity that will make people act more In time he became strictly observant. Erlbaum, along with respectfully and kindly toward each other. his wife and family, embraced Orthodoxy. “I believe that everyone should be more thoughtful and Erlbaum had worked at his family’s bridal chain and giving,” he said. “We are not here to push for Judaism. I founded a Philadelphia real estate agency before turning to believe that everybody can do something significant for othwriting. By 2005 he had written, directed and co-produced ers, and I’m glad I have a medium like film to express that.”

Marriages DEBRUIN/ESTAVER Melissa DeBruin and David Estaver were married on July 25 at Beth El Synagogue. Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Cantor Beth Schlossberg, and Cantor Gerald DeBruin, grandfather of the bride, officiated at the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Hanna and Larry DeBruin. She graduated with a BA in Speech, Communication and Hearing from Univeristy of Kansas, and earned a BA in education from Peru State College. She is a teacher. Her matron of honor was Sarah DeBruin, sister-in-law of bride, and her attendents were Celsea Giles, Tabitha Hightower, Samantha McCracken, Leslie Ortega, Stephanie Shiers, and junior bridesmaid Sarah Marr, cousin of the bride, Chloe Cayado, flower girl, cousin of the bride. Her grandparents are Belle and Gerald DeBruin of Buffalo NY, and the late Tauba and Joe Szmerlak. The groom is the son of Sharon and Phillip Estaver of Buffalo Grove, IL. He earned his BA in Communications from Drake University and is a senior claims adjuster for EMC Insurance in Des Moines. His best man was Aron Estaver, brother of the groom, and his attendents were Brett Collins, Steve DeBruin, brother of the bride, Marc Levine, Derek Olson, Kevin Olson and ring bearer Gavin Marr, cousin of the bride. He is the grandson of Rose Mayer of St Louis and the late Rolf Mayer, and the late Margaret and William Estaver. Following a wedding trip to St Thomas and St Marteen the couple resides in Urbandale, IA.

NOGG/JASON Annie Nogg and Todd Jason of San Francisco were married on Sept. 5 at The Lauritzen Gardens. Rabbi Josh Whinston performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Patty and Steve Nogg. She earned her BA in human development and family studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the Healthcare Program Coordinator for Jewish Vocational Service of San Francisco. Her matron of honor was Molly Auld, a first cousin, and her attendents were Alison Besikof, Laynie Ginsburg, Nikki Martin, Jaime and Kelly Nogg, bride’s sisters-in-law, Melissa Shapiro, and Katie Kluger, bride's first cousin. Her grandparents are Harlan (Bud) Studna and the late Betty Studna, Jean Lee Parelman and Allen Parelman of Kansas City, MO, the late Seymour Lee, and the late Adalynn and Ernie Nogg. The groom is the son of Fay and Buddy Jason of Memphis, TN. He received his BA in business administration from University of Memphis. He is an Account Manager at Apex Systems, Inc. in San Francisco. His best man was David Jason, the groom’s brother, and his attendents were Jason Bloomfield, Josh Goldin, Len Gray, Jason Nahon, Brian and Jeff Nogg, the bride’s brothers, and Rodney Weiss. He is the grandson of Renee and William Jason of Memphis, TN, and the late Reva and Jake Oks of Memphis, TN. Following a wedding trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar the couple resides in San Francisco.

December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 7

Temple Youth Group members serve on NFTY Board by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Three members of Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) are currently serving on the eight-member North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Missouri Valley Regional Board. The region includes Missouri, Iowa, Illinois (outside of Chicago), Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Haley Burns, 17, immediate past president of OTYG and a senior at Central High School, serves as programming vice president of the region. Haley has been on the OTYG Board every year since she started high school. As regional programming vice president, a position she also held in OTYG, Haley plans a program at each regional event, trains local program vice presidents, assists with local programming across the region, and networks with other regional program vice presidents. “Although I loved being president of OTYG, I truly could not stand not being a programming vice president,” Haley confessed. “I have a crazy imagination, and by being programming vice president, the ideas don’t have to stay in my head. I have the ability and privilege to create intriguing programs that educate Jewish teens on a wide array of topics, often relating to the NFTY themes of this year which are: ‘What makes a Jew Jewish?’ and ‘Overcoming Overconsumption.’ Seeing my crazy and sometimes far-fetched ideas actually come to life and having an impact on hundreds of people is the most rewarding part of being a programming vice president.” Haley admits that “balancing homework with writing programs, attending events, and having conference calls can sometimes

be a tough act. NFTY is such an important aspect of my life that sometimes I forget the ‘real world’ exists. I constantly have to remind myself that I am so much more than the programming vice president of Missouri Valley. I am, most importantly, a student, a college applicant, the president of French Club, a Student Council member, and so much more that I feel like I hardly ever have time for myself. I sometimes forget about

cultural vice president as a freshman and a sophomore. As a junior, she co-chaired a regional chavurah in Omaha. Elected in April this year, she is now serving a year as the religious and cultural vice president on the Missouri Valley Board alongside Haley. “I oversee (worship) services and religious/cultural programming for the region,” she explained. “As a Board member, I help run regional events and serve as a mentor to local religious and cultural vice presidents in the region. I kind of decided I wanted to be religious and cultural vice president on a whim,” Grace admitted. “It seemed like a valuable learning experience, and, so far, it has been. Grace has “found the long distance communication challenging. As a regular Board member, I need to Grace Hack, left, Haley Burns, and Emily Katz are making their mark communicate with as NFTY leaders. the rest of the the importance of my other activities. regional Board and the local religious and Not many teens have opportunities to be cultural vice presidents, but very few of in such high leadership positions,” noted those people live in Omaha. However,” she Haley. “I really take pride in this achieve- added, “I’ve found the fact that I’ve met so ment and feel like holding this position is many new people to be really rewarding.” the best way for me to give back to NFTY for A member of OTYG since she was a freshall of the beautiful things it has brought to man, former OTYG membership and social my life.” action vice presidents as well as co-chair of Grace Hack, 17, a senior at Westside High the chavurah in Omaha last fall, Emily Katz, School, has also been active in OTYG since now a senior at Westside, is the regional her freshman year. She was the religious and Board special projects coordinator this year.

“My responsibilities are to do regional fund raisers for Camp Rainbow (a summer camp near St. Louis for children with life threatening illnesses) and advise local special projects coordinators on their fund raisers. I also work closely with the two camp (Rainbow) directors, Ronnie and Allen Brockman to help pick counselors, plan theme days, and create a schedule for Camp Rainbow.” Emily has been a counselor herself for the past three years at Camp Rainbow and “fell absolutely in love with it. I decided that I wanted to do more and running for regional special projects coordinator was a way that could allow me to work more in depth with Camp Rainbow. At each NFTY event, I have ‘penny wars’ and that always raises a lot of money. When I see how much money we raise on just one weekend, it is really rewarding to know that we are all making a difference. I also enjoy seeing behind the scenes at Camp Rainbow. I’m excited to start planning for this summer and seeing all of the great things that are accomplished! Other than “the distance issue,” which makes it a challenge to communicate with the Brockmans, “this position is really perfect for me!” Emily added that everyone can help support Camp Rainbow by attending OTYG’s Spaghetti Dinner and auction on Sunday, Feb. 13 at Temple Israel. “Haley, Grace, and Emily are true leaders in NFTY,” pointed out Amy Katz, OTYG advisor. “They teamed up freshman year with a goal to build our Temple youth group…and they did! It was a logical move to run for regional Board. It was unprecedented to have three kids from the same Temple on regional Board, but that reflects how the kids in the region respect and trust them. They work hard, have fun, and do their jobs very, very well!”

Taxes and Your Legacy What we don’t know: Income Tax Rates for 2011 – Will they be the same as they are for 2010? Capital gain and dividend rates for 2011 – Will they be the same as they are for 2010? What we do know: Establishing an endowment fund in either 2010 or 2011 will insure that your name will be remembered and publicized forever by our Foundation for your good deed. With an endowment set up by you in your name, the formula income each year will support a program that is dear to your heart, such as: • Sending Omaha’s Jewish teens on a program in Israel or • providing college scholarships • Helping the needy through our Jewish Family Service • Enhancing programs sponsored by our local ADL office and • the Institute for Holocaust Education • Providing scholarships for kids to attend the Pennie Z. Davis • Child Development Center or the Friedel Jewish Academy • Enabling the Jewish Federation of Omaha to invite quality • speakers on Jewish related topics What the “experts” tell us: Most people donate, not because they will receive a tax deduction, but because it is their desire to help their favorite charities. Consider establishing your legacy. To create an endowment fund: Contact Marty Ricks, Executive Director Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation 402-334-6440 or mricks@jewishomaha.org

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8 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

Finding the aahs and oys of Jewish toys by EDMON J. RODMAN OyToys sells a blue plush toy bone marked “kosher” and a Melissa and Doug, already known to parents for its line of LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- Want to increase your odds for plush ant marked “shpilkes,” among others. sturdy wooden activity toys, entered the Jewish toy market Hanukkah fun? Jewish toys are a niche product category that has long with several peg Jewish holiday puzzles. A new market of holiday offerings is featuring Jewish toys been dominated by small, sometimes traditionally oriented Looney Labs, publisher of Fluxx, the card game “of everthat flash, spin and challenge -- including No Limit changing rules” also has entered the Jewish market Texas Dreidel, a poker version of the classic top game. with an expansion pack with “Jewish themes of the There’s even something for the family pet. Torah and Shabbat.” Included is a “New Rule” card With new Jewish designs from niche and mainwith a “Judaic bonus”: “If you’re wearing a Magen stream manufacturers, finding something your kids David or a Chai, you may play an extra card on your will want won’t be a stretch. Or if it is, at least it’ll be turn.” a wearable one. Magnetic Poetry, whose products cover refrigera“We expect Hanukkah silly bands to sell a ton,” says tor doors from Los Angeles to New York, is offering a Laurie Glusman, founder of the OyToys cyber store, Yiddish version of its popular line that comes with of the Hanukkah-themed variation on the fad elastic the shpiel “words that will make your bubbe kvell.” wristbands being worn by American schoolchildren. Perhaps the most famous dive into the Jewish toy The bands, which feature shapes like the outline of box was in 2009 when American Girl, which is a menorah, Maccabee or dreidel, come in packs of 18 owned by Mattel, debuted the Russian-Jewish girl and sell for $3.99. doll Rebecca Rubin. “My three kids come home from school wearing The doll continues to attract seasonal attention the regular ones,” says Glusman, who runs her 6with the addition of a Hanukkah-themed outfit, a year-old business out of Atlanta. “It’s great they now purple jacquard-striped dress with white stockings have Jewish ones to trade and wear.” and shoes, and an accessory set that comes with a The bands are part of an inventory of children’s menorah, candles, dreidel and gelt. toys, games, puzzles and craft sets with a Jewish Soon after the launch, however, American Girl distheme that Glusman says has been growing since covered that its entrance into the Hanukkah toy marSome of the Chanukah inventory in the OyToy warehouse in Atlanta. New OyToys.com has been in business. ket would not come without a bit of tzuris. According manufacturers have been expanding the number of offerings in the the Among the new offerings, the oldest Hanukkah to the Product Reviews on the American Girl webJewish toy market. Credit: OyToys toy, the dreidel, is still a “huge seller,” she says. No site, the outfits were “way too snug” and were diffiLimit Texas Dreidel is a distant cousin of the earliest humble companies like JET, Jewish Educational Toys of Chicago. cult for child or adult to put on. versions that were made out of lead. JET produces board games with halachically wholesome Not to worry; Rebecca hadn’t eaten too many latkes. Will kids test the table limit on gelt? content and imagery that until recently usually sold in An American Girl spokeswoman, Susan Jevens, acknowlThe Texas version combines the dreidel game with poker, Jewish bookstores an aisle or two away from the seforim. edged in an e-mail the “fit issues” with the popular doll in its offering kids 9 and older the opportunity to “check, bet, raise Now you can buy one of its popular games, Kosherland, first production run, “but they have been resolved.” or fold depending on the strength of your dreidel hand or which is inspired by Candyland, at Moderntribe.com. Even Glusman, who is also a child psychologist, says Jewish toys how much you like to bluff,” according to the online catalog. Urban Outfitters had it a few years ago. can help parents relate the Hanukkah story to their children. Other updated dreidels include a pair of Dueling Bouncing JET, also drawing from the shelf of popular American “It’s a way of parents and grandparents to share their Light Up Dreidels, as well as a Techno Dreidel with Light and word games, produces Jewish and Junior Jewish editions of knowledge,” she says. Sound. Apples to Apples, that “game of hilarious comparisons.” Glusman adds that for households in which one of the After surveying the new offerings at this year’s wholesale Until recently these companies have had little competition parents is not Jewish, “toys are a non-threatening way to toy shows, Glusman sees a return to “standard popular from larger American toy companies. But since 2004, the introduce understanding of Judaism.” items” and expects “board games, dreidels and card games year Glusman opened her business, “The number of prodEdmon J. Rodman, a JTA columnist who writes on Jewish like Hanukkah Go Fish, to sell well this year.” ucts have increased dramatically,” she said. life from Los Angeles, designed Jewish Holidays Building Trending this year are also Jewish toys for the family dog. During that time, the mainstream toy manufacturer Blocks. He can be reached at edmojace@gmail.com.

December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 9

Business G U I D E TAX+FINANCIAL

Thanksgiving at the CDC

On Nov. 24, CDC students in the four-year-old group participated in the annual Thanksgiving program. Top: the Parpareem Pilgrims; middle: the Kochaveem class sings the opening song; Lise Sasson with son Joel; bottom: the Dovim Turkeys.

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Shakshuka worth writing about is a little tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Azura. We got a premiere table on the covered porch right next to the window that looks into the kitchen and directly in front of the big vat of shakshuka and dozens of kube waiting to be put into the soup. The menus are laminated in plastic and the restaurant writes the prices next to what is available each day. We ordered two bowls of shakshuka with “shnei beitzim” (two eggs) and it was in front of us in minutes. Rich, tomatoey, garlicky and spicy. Fresh pita helped us mop up the sauce in our bowls and it was completely and utterly satisfying. As we were wiping the last of Credit: Shawarmamayor.com the shakshuka from our bowls her for shakshuka at her favorite place in the and watching one of the cooks break new Iraqi section of the shuk (Mahane Yehuda). eggs into the big vat of shashuka, we noticed I was out of town at the time but I kept the line forming for tables. Sadly, it was time thinking about it since and yesterday was to go and let someone else have the pleasure. my lucky day. Laurie Moskowitz hails from We met on the earlier side to avoid the Washington, where she is a “professional” crowds, and after winding our way through home chef and serial entertainer -- regularvarious alleys and vendors we came out into ly hosting both large and small groups of one of those courtyards that takes you back people for Jewish holidays, Sabbath meals, in time. The first thing you notice is the school functions and political events. dozens of men sitting around playing Laurie is an avid reader of cookbooks, sheshbesh (backgammon) in sheshbesh watcher of all cooking shows, obsessive halls, drinking tea and smoking. They menu planner, and food shopper extraordilooked up once or twice while I snapped naire -- often known to schedule dinner some photos but then went right back to dates just to plan out upcoming menus. their game. And there, tucked into a corner, by LAURIE MOSKOWITZ It’s lunchtime and I’m thinking about yesterday’s lunch, which was a shakshuka so good I need to write about it. It all started about two weeks ago, when my friend Myra called one morning to see if I wanted to join

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Israeli sitcom Ramzor wins International Emmy by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Ramzor, an Israeli sitcom about three longtime friends and their romantic relationships, won the International Emmy Award for best comedy. The Emmy was awarded Monday night in New York at an International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards ceremony. Ramzor, which means “traffic light” in Hebrew, defeated entries from Thailand, Mexico and Britain. It was selected as a finalist by a panel of 700 judges from 50 countries. Earlier this year, the Fox network bought the rights to the show, which is being called

Mixed Signals and is scheduled to air starting in February. The American version will be written by Bob Fischer, who wrote the Fox TV series Married with Children and the film Wedding Crashers. Russia also has purchased rights to the show. The Hebrew version will be aired in several other countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Georgia, Ynet reported. Ramzor, which airs on Israel Channel 2 and is owned by its franchisee, Keshet, is taping its third season. Its second season was among the top 10 most watched shows of 2009, with 23.7 percent of Israelis watching.

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10 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

Still time for year-end financial moves by MIKE SIGMOND Edward Jones Financial Advisor Now is the right time to evaluate year-end financial moves that may benefit your financial future. You will want to talk to your financial advisor and tax and legal professionals first, but here are a few ideas to get you started: You have until April 15, 2011, to fully fund your IRA for the 2010 tax year, but the sooner you finish with your 2010 contribution, the quicker you can get started on your 2011 contribution -- and the earlier in the year you fund your IRA, the more time you give your account the opportunity to grow. Put more money into college savings plans. You can gift up to $13,000 per person per year without gift tax consequences. Don’t delay making charitable contributions. As long as you make a donation to a qualified charity before Dec. 31, you can

claim a deduction on your 2010 tax return. If you own investments that have lost value, you can sell them now, then use the tax loss to offset capital gains you may have earned in other investments. If you don’t have capital gains, you can use up to $3,000 of your tax losses to offset other ordinary income. If your loss is greater than $3,000, you can “carry over” the excess and deduct it from your taxes in future years. However, if you then want to repurchase the investment you sold, you’ll need to wait at least 31 days to avoid violating the IRS’ “wash sale” rules. Considering these moves now may prepare you addressing your financial future. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not tax advisors and cannot give tax advice. Please consult your qualified tax professional regarding your situation.

End of year investment planning by RUSS KAPLAN Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc. As we prepare for 2011, the first thing for anyone under 70 ½ years old is to be ready on the first trading day in January to add to or open an IRA. If you are under age 50 you can put in up to $5,000. If you are over 50 you can put in as much as $6,000. This is probably the best tax strategy for the middle class, because all dividends, interest, and capital gains are sheltered from taxes. Even more importantly, it gives you the discipline needed to be able to save properly for your retirement. A very wise New Years resolution is to save at least 10% of your income no matter amount it is. This is something most

people do not do, but is vitally important as entitlement programs like Social Security come under increasing strain. Another important thing to keep track of is all of your income and expenses. While paper and pencil will work, there are many good computer programs such as Quicken or even Excel, which will be a great and painless way to keep your records accurately. This exercise is invaluable in reaching your 10% savings goal. It shows you in which areas you are spending too much and therefore need to cut back. Finally, remember that taxes are certainly a factor in your financial planning, but don’t let them be the tail that wags the dog. Don't miss out on a good profit simply for tax reasons.

Sarah Kutler, left, Elissa Wiener, and Naomi Teetzel performed in Willy Wonka at Beveridge Middle School.

Arts+Entertainment Saturday, Dec. 4, 2-3 p.m., there is a musical fundraiser for Billy Mann, brother of Beth Mann Cutsor, trainer at the JCC. The event is organized by Karen Sokolof Javitch and includes singers Dani Burr (from NYC), the Maynard Triplets (from LA), Grace Bydalek, Tim Abou-Nasr, Rabbi Eric Linder, Tiffany White-Welchen and Pegi Georgeson. Join us at Warehouse Recording Studio, 206 S. 44th St.; if you would like to contribute, write a check to: Mann Family Benefit Fund, First Federal Savings Bank, 201 South 25th St., Fort Dodge, Iowa. 50501. Questions? Call 393.3893.

Engagement

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December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 11

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Omahan Rand Engel, home temporarily from Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia, will discuss “Rebuilding a war-torn Kosovo: An Insiders’ Look” on Wednesday, Dec. 8, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $13; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnairith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thursday, 1-3 pm. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. MAINSTREETERS Mainstreeters Luncheon is Monday, Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium. Cantor Wendy Shermet and Cantor Beth Schlossberg will take you on a Sentimental Journey. The cost is $10 per person. Send reservation form to Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti at 323 S. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For transportation call Maggie Conti at 334.6521 and for information call Jim Wax at 393.4442. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services.

Births Sarah and Steven DeBruin of Overland Park, KS announce the Oct. 5 birth of their daughter, Alexandra Michelle. Grandparents are Hanna and Larry DeBruin, and Sonia and Monte Cotton of Overland Park, KS. Great-grandparents are Belle and Gerald DeBruin of Buffalo, NY and the late Tauba and Joe Szmerlak, and Rickey and the late O. C. Cotton of Overland Park, KS. Sarah and David Simon Kotlyar of Neve Yakov, Jerusalem, Israel announce the Nov. 12 birth of their son, Aron Kotlyar. He has two brothers, Yosef and Moshe Grandparents are Judith Morrow of West Orange, NJ, Kenneth Morrow of New York City, NY, and Natan and Joan Simon Kotlyar, Albany, CA. Great-grandparents are Stuart and Esther Simon. Amy and Scott Levine of Highland Park, IL, announce the Nov. 23 birth of their son, Noah Asher. He is named for his paternal great grandfather, the late Norman Hirsh and his maternal great grandmother, Anne Katzman. Grandparents are Nancy Rips, Mrs. Dan Daniels of Jericho, NY., and Mr. and Mrs. Alan Levine of Riverdale, NY. Great-grandparents are Mrs. Norman Hirsh of Boynton Beach, FL. and Mrs. Jacques Levine of Belleaire, FL.

Temple youth attend Cincinnati Retreat by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Five OTYG members are also stretching their wings beyond Omaha. At the end of October, the five attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s (HUC-JIR) Fall High School Retreat in Cincinnati, Ohio. The retreat focused on “Jewish Sacred Text Messages: What our sacred texts say about 21st century relationships.” “To strengthen the Jewish identity of our youth and promote leadership qualities,” said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, “Temple Israel always searches for innovative Jewish programs around the country in order to expose our youth to a deeper understanding of their role in the Jewish community of the future.” Grant Glazer, a 16-year-old sophomore at Westside High School, took advantage of the opportunity “to meet and hang out with Jewish high schoolers from across the country as well as talk about sacred ‘text messages.’” He wanted to talk about Judaism with kids his age from all over the country. “There were discussions held wherein we interpreted passages from the Torah and talked about what they meant. The Grant Glazer highlight of the trip for me was learning about HUC and all of the resources that they have such as the American Jewish Archives and the rare book room.” Grant was impressed by “everyone who spoke to us at HUC. I’ve been to leadership conferences and Jewish events before but nothing that combined the two like the seminar at HUC.” Also a sophomore at Westside, Joe Hack, 15, said the highlight of the seminar for him “was visiting the Plum Street Temple. It’s really uni-que from an architectural perspective. It’s one of the only Temples in the world built in the NeoByzantine style.” It was a powerful experience, “because that’s where all the rabbis from HUC in Cincinnati are ordained.” Joe wanted to meet high schoolers from around the region “who are as interested Joe Hack and engaged as I am in Jewish learning and leadership. If I decide to become a rabbi, there were things I learned that would be valuable.”

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Religious and cultural vice president of OTYG, Hannah Perry, 15, a sophomore at Millard North, attended to learn from rabbis. “It’s really inter-esting learning from people who are dedicating their lives to Judaism and learning from other religious and cultural vice presidents.” Studying the messages in the Torah and other sacred texts, “I learned that there are a lot of Hannah Perry different viewpoints on things, and not to take everything so literally, and consider the hidden meanings.” She also learned there are hidden messages in the Torah and other sacred texts. Hannah said the highlight for her was going to see the Plum Street Temple. “It’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. There are so many light bulbs -- thousands of them.” She was also impressed that the directors of the American Jewish Archives and of admissions at HUC took time to be with the high school visitors. “My future plans at this time include going to HUC, and I saw this as a valuable opportunity to not only view the campus but to maybe further my learning,” explained Zane Fletcher, 15, a sophomore at Westside. He’s the programming vice president this year on the OTYG Board. “We participated in a plethora of community events as well as a Zane Fletcher small amount of intellectual discussions.” Junior Youth Group liaison on the OTYG Board, Hannah Budwig, 14, “learned about misunderstood messages in the Torah and how technology is a huge cause of misunderstandings. Even in the days of Adam and Eve, there were misunderstandings through communication,” Hannah mentioned. The Westside freshman said seeing her old camp friends was a highlight Hannah Budwig of the seminar. All these Temple Israel teens attend the new Community High School in Omaha.

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12 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Sour notes

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Have you ever heard of a band named “Tindersticks?” Me neither. Now, it is very possible for musicians to be wildly famous without me hearing about it; I don’t exactly stay on top of the music scene, and bands come and go without me ever noticing. As was the case with Tindersticks. Until, that is, the following press release came across my desk: It is with sadness that Tindersticks announce the cancellation of their forthcoming concerts in Tel Aviv. Over the past weeks, the pressure exerted on us by people and organisations, some close to us, has shown us that this is not the case. It is difficult to defy a rapidly growing movement with whose aims we agree, even if we are not wholly convinced by their methods. (tindersticks.co.uk) They’re hardly the first band to cancel a few shows in Israel; over the past year artists have been lining up to not play. From Carlos Santana to Elvis Costello, from the Pixies to Roger Waters: they all have joined the self-righteous brigade. Of course, people have a right to form their own opinions, even rock stars. The thing is, the minute you cancel a tour, or refuse to appear somewhere, it has an impact on the rest of the world in a way you can not control. What is the most disturbing, however, is the pressure these artists find themselves under. Groups lobbying for an Israel boycott are relentless in their pursuit of artists who will join the bandwagon. Earlier this year, when Elton John scheduled his tour, he was targeted by pro-boycott groups in a most disgraceful manner: A video clip circulating on the Web claims that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using gay tourism to Israel as part of the country's rebranding campaign. The clip urges John not to "let Bibi use you as his gay Band-Aid.”(Sabbah.com) Elton John, Bibi’s “gay band-aid?” Really? Although even the anti-Israel lobby must know he’s been called worse, it’s still a little nauseating to see how low people will sink in order to convince others. The question is, who are these groups that are calling for boycotts? Because, frankly, it’s getting a little confusing. There doesn’t seem to be one major organization, but rather

a grass roots movement, in many different countries. There was the recent announcement from 100 public figures in Norway, calling for a cultural and academic boycott. There was “International don’t buy Israeli products”- day, but it is unclear who was calling for it. This movement is hard to define, hard to pin down, and thus hard to counter. How much has changed since the Arab League called for the original boycott in 1948? However, in the face of all these enthusiastic cheerleaders who claim to “support peace”, there are other voices, the most interesting one coming from, of all places, South Africa. In October of this year, Bishop Desmond Tutu wrote a letter to Michael Williams, who is managing director of Cape Town Opera. The Opera house had a prior commitment in Tel Aviv (Porgy and Bess!), a commitment Williams decided to honor, against Tutu’s wishes. “I’m against arts and academic boycotts,” he told the Jerusalem Post. “It did not help the artists fraternity in South Africa when the boycott took place. We became voiceless. It set us back 10 years. [The arts] is not the place to be boycotting. That is the place to be supporting, to be interacting, strongly. The place to express oneself. I believe in doing something positive, in positive actions. Not coming is negative. Nothing would have come of not coming. Our being here will create all kinds of other reactions.” (JPost.com)

Williams is more than just one more voice: he represents those who have been on the other side of a boycott. We tend to look back at the South Africa boycott as a good thing, for a good cause, all’s well that ends well. But often there’s very little follow up to see who is actually affected by such boycotts. Williams’ assertion that artists in South Africa became voiceless as a result of the cultural boycott is something we don’t ever hear much about. It reminds us that blind idealism can, and often does, more harm than good. Disagreeing with certain decisions the Israeli government makes is not automatically a bad thing. If you truly love a country, you get to criticize it. But this has little to do with love, and I’m starting to get the feeling that all these boycotts aren’t the result of genuine criticism, but much more of old fashioned anti-Semitism. The lyrics may be new, but the melody is oh-so familiar.

Claims Conference must bring in an ombudsman

Focus on issues ELAN STEINBERG NEW YORK (JTA) -- Elderly Holocaust survivors are in fear. Last week the U.S. Justice Department charged employees of the Conference on Material Claims Against Germany, known as the Claims Conference, with participating in a $42.5 million fraud that saw the plunder of two major programs of Holocaust reparations. According to prosecutors, the thefts had been going on for nearly two decades. At agencies and offices such as ours that deal with the survivor community, the phone calls were emotional and desperate. Of course the reactions reflected the palpable anger and outrage felt by the entire Jewish community. “How could this happen?” and “How could it have gone on for so long?” were the repeated refrains. But we were haunted by the questions and concern posed most often. Survivors, in their 80s and 90s, were afraid. For all too many of our fragile remnant of the greatest Jewish tragedy of our time, the present circumstances are one of bleakness and uncertainty. Often a reparations check supplemented by a Social Security payment are all that stand between an elderly survivor and their daily needs -- food, medicine, utilities. They were too frightened to be angry. They wanted to know if their slim payments were in jeopardy or what was to be of their applications for restitution

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funds. Many knew that following discovery of the fraud at the Claims Conference, payments and applications for the Hardship Fund were suspended for three months. During that period even legitimate applicants in dire need could not receive payments from the fund. There was also a great deal of misinformation, or more precisely a lack of information, which was driving these fears. We needed to assure survivors that the Claims Conference has said repeatedly that their future payments are not at risk. But no, we could not tell them what the full extent of the fraud might reveal and what the ultimate consequences might be. Our survivors needed answers and assurances. In these tense circumstances, the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants called its National Executive Committee into emergency meeting. It was, of course, important to vent our outrage and demand that those responsible for this catastrophe be held accountable and brought to justice. But the burning issue before us was, what is to be done now? After long discussion, there emerged a sense that an institutional channel to credibly deal with survivors' fears and complaints was lacking. Simply put, most present agreed, there was no address for redress. The mood at the meeting was sober and realistic. We knew there could be no quick panacea, but something practical, doable and responsible had to be proposed. From this came the idea of establishing an office of ombudsman within the Claims Conference. By definition, an ombudsman could take

on the critical role that the present delicate situation demands -- a trusted intermediary who can represent the interests and concerns of the ultimate constituency of the Claims Conference, the survivors of the Shoah. We therefore called for “the Claims Conference to engage an Ombudsman acceptable to the survivor community to advocate on behalf of and represent the interest of the survivors.” For those present one thing was certain -- changes had to be made in the restitution and disbursement process to restore the confidence of shaken Holocaust survivors. An effective ombudsman can be one important element in those changes. But to fulfill this role the ombudsman must be more than a complaint office. He or she must act as an independent agent with a clear mandate allowing for broad authority to remove obstacles to the advancement of constituent rights and interests. The ombudsman can in fact serve as the herald of other necessary changes. We are under no illusion. The establishment and the effective functioning of the office of an ombudsman is merely a first step. At the same time, it is a categorical affirmation that the central purpose of Holocaust restitution funds is to address the needs, the concerns and the insecurities of the dwindling remnants of the Shoah. We have no choice. We must deal with the realistic fears of survivors today before an even greater and more shameful scandal emerges. Elan Steinberg is the vice president of the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants.

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December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 13

UNESCO needs a course correction

Focus on issues DANIEL S. MARIASCHIN WASHINGTON (JTA) -- How’s this for a philosophical question: Can you hold a conference dedicated to the open debate of some of the biggest issues in society in a nation that is among the least amenable to any free and open public discussion? Apparently the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization thought you could, and chose Tehran to host its ninth annual World Philosophy Day scheduled for this month. After an international outcry, and just weeks before it was to start, UNESCO withdrew its support from the Tehran location. The decision by Director-General Irina Bokova was the right one, and we commended her for it. Still, it is hard not to wonder about UNESCO’s initial choice -- just one in a string of recent puzzling UNESCO decisions. In late October, UNESCO’s executive board decreed, in a 44-1 vote with 12 members abstaining, that Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs should not be included on Israel’s list of national heritage sites. UNESCO’s resolution read that “the two sites are an integral part of the occupied Palestinian Territories.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responding to the UNESCO decision, said that "The attempt to separate the nation of Israel from its cultural heritage is absurd." Historians -- Jewish, Christian and Muslim -- have long recognized Rachel’s Tomb as the burial place of Rachel, a

matriarch in Jewish history. And historians also recognize the Cave of the Patriarchs as the grave site of Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; and Jacob and Leah -- Judaism’s forbearers. The two ancient locations are uncontestable Jewish holy sites. UNESCO’s executive board also concluded its 185th session last month by passing a resolution condemning Israel’s security fence, which has had success in preventing terror attacks emanating from the West Bank. The resolution made no mention of Palestinian terrorism. These incidents demonstrate how this U.N. body, like too many others, succumbs to political pressures. UNESCO needs to be a better steward of its own mission “to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples based upon respect for commonly shared values.” It is impossible to fathom how Iran was tapped to host a conference at which philosophers from around the world would, according to a UNESCO official, hold “debates in which each and every person should feel free to participate according to his or her convictions.” That is something not even remotely possible in Tehran, where protesting the government can at best send you to prison and, at worst, end in a state execution. As state policy, Tehran continues to violate even the most minimal standards of human rights. As the global leader in state-sponsored terrorism, Iran arms and funds terrorists. Its leaders defy the demonstrated will of the international community by continuing to pursue an illicit nuclear weapons program in violation of U.N. sanctions and numerous U.N. Security Council and

International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions. Hosting a prestigious global event, particularly one with the U.N. imprint, is an honor and elevates the host in stature. How can any legitimate international institution have considered bestowing this honor on Iran, a nation that much of the free world has condemned? Iran publicly and defiantly -- even proudly -- threatens to destroy Israel, another U.N. member state. And yet a U.N. body, even if temporarily, deemed it a worthy host to an international gathering. Choosing Iran to host this meeting of the minds sent a significant message that its authoritarian regime is acceptable, and that a nation can simultaneously defy the United Nations in one arena and be honored by one of its agencies in another. This is a moral line that UNESCO should never have crossed. The Tehran government represents the polar opposite of free and open discussion. Philosophy is the study of wisdom and rational argument. It’s about questioning what we think we know and the way things could be. It’s about debating ideas. The United Nations should have known that the free will and independence required in philosophy are unknown in Iran. UNESCO’s track record in its just-concluded session bodes ill for its neutrality. Without a serious course correction, UNESCO will soon be defined by these bad decisions, and its ability to provide the opportunities to open doors and minds through cultural exchange will be severely damaged. Daniel S. Mariaschin is the executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International [http://bnaibrith.org/]

Glenn Beck and the limits of Soros-bashing

Behind the headlines AMI EDEN Glenn Beck took aim at George Soros over three days last week, but so far -- at least within the Jewish community -the barrage appears to be backfiring. As JTA’s Ron Kampeas reported last week, several Jewish organizational leaders are taking issue with Beck’s comments on Soros’ childhood activities during the Holocaust: Jewish leaders are expressing outrage that Fox News Channel provocateur Glenn Beck has revived an unfounded claim that billionaire businessman and philanthropist George Soros as a child in Nazi-collaborating Hungary helped ship Jews to death camps. Beck is running a series this week on his radio and TV shows portraying Soros as attempting to control the U.S. economy, and on Wednesday he attacked Soros’ childhood during World War II. “And George Soros used to go around with this anti-Semite and deliver papers to the Jews and confiscate their property and then ship them off,” Beck said. “And George Soros was part of it. He would help confiscate the stuff. It was frightening. “Here’s a Jewish boy helping send the Jews to the death camps. And I am certainly not saying that George Soros enjoyed that, even had a choice. I mean, he’s 14 years old. He was surviving. So I’m not making a judgment. That’s between him and God. As a 14-year-old boy, I don’t know what you would do.” In fact Soros, then 13 and living under the protection of a non-Jewish Hungarian, on one occasion joined the older man when he was ordered by Nazis to inventory the estate of a Hungarian Jew who had fled. On another occasion, the local Jewish council had ordered Soros to deliver letters to local lawyers. Soros’ father, Tivadar, realized the letters were to Jewish lawyers and meant to expedite their deportation. He told his son to warn the targets to flee and ended the boy’s work with the council.

Plenty of liberals pounced on Beck immediately. But so the bad causes he supports, Beck painted him as a teenage did Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League and Elan Nazi collaborator on his Nov. 10 show. ... Steinberg, the vice president of the American Gathering of Beck has become a radio and television phenomenon whose Holocaust Survivors. ability to tap into people’s fears and suspicions about media Beck fired back at Foxman, claiming that the ADL leader and political elites has made him a star. But as the Nov. 10 had unfairly accused him of anti-Semitism. broadcast in question shows, his willingness to wade into subBut as far as we can tell, Foxman did no such thing. In the jects about which he knows little makes him appear both silly ADL’s Nov. 11 statement, Foxman called Beck’s comments and ill-intentioned. When discussing Soros’s father’s belief in “completely inappropriate, offensive and over the top.” No Esperanto, a pre-World War II movement that sought to cremention of the A-word. ate a worldwide language and universal government (which Same goes for his actual quotes to JTA: Beck incorrectly called “Esperanza”), he made it sound like “This is the height of ignothis bunch of ineffectual dorance or insensitivity, or both,” But in the clearest sign that Beck may have gooder pacifists was a coequal said Abraham Foxman, the overreached within Jewish circles, threat to freedom with director of the Anti-Defamation Communism and the Nazis. Jonathan Tobin of Commentary also took League, who noted that as a Their idea was foolish, but to child, he was protected by non- to the blogosphere to slam Beck’s treat them as if they belonged Jews who had not revealed his campaign against Soros. to an international conspiracy background to him. reflects a lack of context and “As a kid, at 6, I spit at Jews -- does that make me part of the knowledge about the era. Nazi machine?” Foxman said. “There’s an arrogance here for Similarly, when Beck played a recording of Soros speaking of Glenn Beck, a non-Jew, to set the standards of what makes a his efforts to undermine various governments, his listeners good Jew.” had to assume that it was part of some leftist conspiracy that We’ll be tracking this story and reaching out to Beck’s peo- he was funding. Beck left out the fact that what Soros was talkple for a story that’s in the works. ing about was his Cold War-era funding of movements that But in the clearest sign that Beck may have overreached sought to support anti-Communist dissidents in countries like within Jewish circles, Jonathan Tobin of Commentary also Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and the Soviet Union. In took to the blogosphere to slam Beck’s campaign against other words, while Soros’s current politics is abhorrent, he was Soros. one of the good guys when it came to the fight against Soviet Tobin and Commentary are generally in the camp of those Communism. ripping Soros over his harsh criticisms of U.S. and Israeli Political commentary that reduces every person and every policies in the Middle East. Yet, Tobin wrote last week, even thing to pure black and white may be entertaining, but it is Soros-bashing has its limits: often misleading. There is much to criticize about George ... Even George Soros does not deserve some of the opprobri- Soros’s career, and his current political activities are troubling. um heaped upon him by Glenn Beck this week. Beck has But Beck’s denunciation of him is marred by ignorance and devoted much of his TV and radio programs in the past few offensive innuendo. Instead of providing sharp insight into a days to detailing Soros’s sins. But instead of sticking to the shady character, all Beck has done is further muddy the waters issues and rightly flaying him for the stands he has taken and and undermine his own credibility as a commentator.

14 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Dec. 10: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speakers, Anna and Marcy Cotton, Storytellers, will present Cotton Tales. The community is invited.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat and Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. Service is followed by dinner. Dinner cost, $10 for Beth El members, and $15 for nonmembers. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie in the synagogue office, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Amy and Sandy Friedman in honor of his 65th birthday and anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: The Mystique of Judaism, with Andy Greenberg, and Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 10:30 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin. BESTT: Primary grades’ (Pre-K-2) Hanukkah activities, Sunday, 10 a.m. – noon. BLOOD DRIVE: On Sunday, Beth El, AZA #1 and the Red Cross will team up to sponsor a blood drive at the synagogue from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Open to the entire community. MONDAY: Blumkin Home Hanukkah, 1:20 p.m., Rabbi Levin and Cantor Schlossberg will lead a special Hanukkah celebration for Blumkin Home residents; Mens Club Latke Dinner, 6 p.m. Cost: adults, $15; children 4-12, $7; no charge for children under 4. For reservations, send a check – made out to Beth El Men’s Club – to the synagogue. Take-out is also available; call the office for details. WEDNESDAY: Women’s Book Club, 3:30 p.m. will discuss, A Tale of Love and Darkness, by Amos Oz. Open to all women in the Jewish community. New members are always welcome. WOMEN’S ROSH HODESH GROUP: On Wednesday, welcomes the month of Tevet with the program, A Great Miracle Happened, featuring guest speaker Lea Grunkin, who will share her personal experiences of returning to Poland with her daughters. The program, at the synagogue, is hosted by Julianne Dunn-Herzog and Lourdes Secola; honorary chairman is Ann Goldstein. Attendees are invited to bring menorahs to light the candles on the final night of Hanukkah (candles will be provided). Social hour, 7 p.m.; program begins, 7:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact Dunn-Herzog

Bar Mitzvah Jack Bennett Goldstein, son of Jill and Joe Goldstein, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Temple Israel. Jack is a seventh-grade student at Westside Middle School. His interests include playing golf, basketball and baseball, computers and spending time with his friends. For his mitzvah project, Jack has been involved with Child Saving Institute whose mission is to prevent, intervene, and treat child abuse and neglect. He helped serve food at the organizations “Touch a Truck” event in Sept., and is assisting with office projects, such as sorting in-kind donations and assembling development packets, and will lend a hand during a Dec. fundraiser. He has a brother, Alexander. Grandparents are Judi and David Goldstein, and Nancy Hornstein.

Personal In honor of Sandy Friedman’s 65th birthday, we invite family, friends, and members of the community to join us for Beth El’s Shabbat service, on Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. To mark the occasion, Sandy will recite his Bar Mitzvah Haftorah, and we will sponsor a luncheon immediately following the service. Amy and Sandy Friedman

at 392.2309 or JMDHerzog@aol.com, or Secola, at 991.0822 or lsecola@westmapledental.com. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Life Lessons for the Hebrew Bible, noon. Cost: $36, members; $45, non-members. To register, contact the synagogue office. ART WORKSHOP: Workshop for teens participating in the synagogue’s Cantor’s Concert are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 12, 12:30-4:30 p.m. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org 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, 4:38 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; Annual Shabbos Hanukkah lunch follows Kiddush; “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) and Shabbat Mishnah Group, Avodah Zarah, chapter 4, one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 4:30 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m.; Fourth Annual Hanukkah Carnival, 6:30-8 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. Contact the office to get the dial-in number and access code. TUESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halchic Kollel, 9 p.m.; Follow the Kollel at www. omahakollel.blogspot.com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbis Around the World, 7:30 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Kiddush luncheon follows. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Menorah Parade, 2:45 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: After school teen program, 2:40-4 p.m.; Menorah Lighting, 4:30 p.m. at Creighton University; JLI class, Medicine & Morals, Your Jewish guide through life’s tough decisions, 7 p.m. Questions? Contact Shevi at 402.330.1800 or JLI@OChabad.com. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to recive a guest pass. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Early Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel; Hanukkah Dinner and celebration, 7 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Please RSVP to the synagogue. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple for Hanukkah Wrap; Gan Simcha-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Book Drive: Through Dec. 12, South Street Temple and Tifereth Israel are collecting new or gently-used preschoollevel books to donate to Head Start Child Development

Candlelighting Friday, December 3, 4:38 p.m.

Center. Bring your items to either the Temple or the Synagogue.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:38 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Rabbi Jonathan Gross and members of Beth Israel will light the Hanukkah Menorah, 2:30 p.m. with residents; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Nancy Rips and Andy Greenberg. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg; NCJW will host a Hanukkah program and light the Hanukkah Menorah, 2:30 p.m. with residents. SUNDAY: LOVE will host Tea Time, 2:30 p.m. and light the Hanukkah Menorah, 2:45 p.m. with residents. MONDAY: Rabbi Levine and Cantor Schlossberg will have a musical program and light the Hanukkah Menorah, 1:15 p.m. with residents. TUESDAY: Mainstreeters will light the Hanukkah Menorah, 6:45 p.m. with residents and host an Ice Cream Party. WEDNESDAY: Members of Yachad will light the Hanukkah Menorah, 6:45 p.m. with residents and hold a Latka Party. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend Services.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet along with members of OTYG and followed by Hanukkah dinner. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Jack Goldstein, son of Jill and Joe Goldstein, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.. SUNDAY: Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.-noon; Club 56 Hanukkah Party, noon; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon; JYG/OTYG Remington Hanukkah and Skating Party, 5-9 p.m. TUESDAY: Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6 p.m.; 613 Mitzvot, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy,” 10-11:30 a.m.; Leadership Development, 7 p.m. Tot Shabbat and Dinner, Friday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Please contact the Temple Israel office, 556.6536 or mkube@tem pleisraelomaha.com, to make a dinner reservation.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Learners minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Morning Service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush luncheon and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple for Hanukkah Wrap; Gan Simcha-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Second Annual Hanukkah Hop, 12:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per adult, and $5 per child 10 and under. Rides willl be provided for anyone unable to drive. For more information or to RSVP please contact the synagogue. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Book Drive: Through Dec. 12, South Street Temple and Tifereth Israel are collecting new or gently-used preschoollevel books to donate to Head Start Child Development Center. Bring your items to either the Temple or the Synagogue.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

December 3, 2010 | The Jewish Press | 15

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Mikeitz As our Sidrah comes to a close, and as the story of Joseph and his brothers reaches toward a climax, Joseph’s goblet has been discovered in Benjamin’s sack of grain-where it was planted by Joseph’s retainers at his bidding. The brothers are devastated. Judah, crestfallen and desperately stalling for time, working on Joseph’s sympathies and yet trying to collect his thoughts for the supreme effort he is about to make, exclaims: “What shall we say unto my Lord? What shall we speak? And how shall we clear ourselves?” The Midrash views the wretched Judah as being overcome by a flood of memories, memories of tragedies and misdeeds (of the brothers collectively) that have weighed heavily on his conscience for years. He remembers the misadventure with his daughter-in-law; he remembers that embarrassing incidents when the eldest brother, Reuben, tried to assert his right to succession while Jacob yet lived, and Jacob’s indignant reaction; he remembers the shame that had come upon the whole family because of Dinah, their sister; and now, bitterly, he faces the crisis over Benjamin. The Midrash offers other lists, each tied, as this one has been, to phrases in the text, phrases in Judah’s appeal to Joseph. I think in this connection of a confessional prayer from the High Holy Day service, a prayer found also in the preliminaries to the daily morning service. “What are we?” the

In memoriam JACK IRWIN BRODY Jack Irwin Brody passed away on Sunday, Nov. 21 at the age of 92. Services were held on Nov. 24 at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles. He is survived by wife Florence Davidson Brody; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis Brody and Ruth Daniels Brody; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Howard Goldstein; son, Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt; daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Ted O’Connor; grandchildren: Rabbi Baruch HaLevi, Rebecca Rosen, Melanie Sterling, Scott Slutzky, Zachary Perelman, Mitchell Greenblatt, and Makenzie Greenblatt; and great-grandchildren, Yehuda, Maya, and Shoshana HaLevi, and Jakob and Samuel Rosen. He was born the youngest of five brothers to Harry and Rebecca Brody on July 25, 1918 in Madison, IL, he grew up in Centerville, Iowa and enlisted in the Army in WWII. He served with General Omar Bradley’s First Army, achieving the rank of Major and was Trial Judge Advocate in Germany following the war. Memorials may be made to Veteran’s Administration of Greater Los Angeles, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073, Attn: Voluntary Services, or a Jewish organization of your choice.

Making the list

prayer has it, “What is our piety? What is our righteousness? What is our attainment, our power, our might? What can we say, Lord God?” When I say these words, there come flooding back to my mind all the incidents of the past which I wish had not occurred, incidents when I was not my best self. I suppose that every one of us has memories of this kind, memories which adhere to our consciousness and which keep our conscience uneasy. In a very serious sense, prophetic theology looked at the calamities in the history of Israel and Judah as proper consequences of religious infidelity. And rabbinic Judaism followed along: “Because of our sins we were exiled from our land…” according to the text of the service for the Shalosh Regalim. It is time that these points of view, both prophetic and rabbinic, be blunted and tempered. We cannot say, along with the prophets, that the Assyrians and Babylonians destroyed Israel and Judah as punishment for our two Biblical kingdoms. Nor can we say, with the rabbis, that the Greeks and Romans later despoiled Judea and effected the Diaspora because of the sinfulness of Jews. Military empires do what they do because they have the power and the cupidity. The Nazi empire was motivated both by avarice for world control and seething hatred. The Soviets at the height of their power, whether or not you’d conceive of them as “the evil empire,” were powerful because of their unscrupulousness: nothing matters, except their power. They may hate X today and love Y, and reverse the roles tomorrow, depending on whether X and Y contribute to their power. Does Jewish religious fidelity or infidelity cause the march of empire? Surely historians understand it otherwise. This column is a reprint from Rabbi Kripke’s 1988 book Insight and Interpretation.

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

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Facebook page memorializing Jewish pilot by JTA NEWS STAFF SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) -- A Facebook page in memory of a Jewish pilot who was killed when his plane crashed in California has amassed more than 100 messages, as well as photos and videos. Ben Glattstein, 28, a graduate of Moriah College in Sydney, was flying from America to Australia to be a groomsman at his friend’s wedding at the Great Synagogue in Sydney when his single-engine plane crashed just outside Hollister Municipal Airport, about 100 miles south of San Francisco. Glattstein was the only person aboard the Mooney 20R aircraft when it went down Nov. 25 at 6:35 a.m. He was dead among the plane’s wreckage when firefighters arrived at the scene. The Federal Aviation Authority is investigating the incident. Glattstein left Australia in 2003 for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he became a pilot. He was flying to Australia via Hawaii. Arrangements are being made to return his body to Australia for burial. His father, Nathan Glattstein, told the Sydney Morning Herald that his son “never said it but I think he loved the freedom, he loved the excitement, and everything that he did he showed that.”

Princeton hummus vote seen as part of BDS drive

Credit: creative.ly.com by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) One of the sexiest men alive, at least for the year 2010, lives in Israel. Israeli paranormalist Lior Suchard was named to People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive list for 2010 representing his age group, 28, on the Sexy at Every Age list of 100 men. “I still can’t believe that I’m on the list; I’m in shock,” Suchard, who is currently performing his Uri Geller-esque act in Las Vegas, told Ynet. “I got all sorts of text messages from people telling me that I’m in the magazine, so I immediately ran to the store to buy it.” “On the one hand I’m a little embarrassed, but on the other hand this is very exciting. It was never my goal to be on it, but it is definitely cool to be included in the distinguished list.”

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by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Princeton students are voting on whether to ask the university’s dining services to provide an alternative brand of hummus. The campaign to allow other brands besides Sabra in university stores reportedly is the brainchild of Philly BDS, which calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against companies that support the Israel Defense Forces. Sabra is half-owned by The Strauss Group, which has publicly supported the IDF and provides care packages and sports equipment to Israeli soldiers. The referendum was placed Monday on a United Student Government ballot. The voting will conclude Wednesday, according to the Daily Princetonian student newspaper. The Princeton Committee on Palestine, which is led by Yoel Bitran, an American-born Jewish student who moved to Chile and returned to the U.S. to attend Princeton, initiated the referendum. DePaul University in Chicago recently halted sales of Sabra products, according to the Princetonian.

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16 | The Jewish Press | December 3, 2010

FEDERATION WORKS BECAUSE

Jewish Federation of Omaha in our community dedicated to helping those in need and building Jewish life.

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!" !#$% &#'"&("$ AS A COMMUNITY What do you care about? Poverty? Hunger? Jewish Identity? Israel? Whatever it is, chances are The Jewish Federation of Omaha has a program that will help you make the world a better place. Whether caring for those in need, rescuing those in danger or inspiring Jewish life and learning, your Jewish Federation is at the heart of the Jewish community. Independent communities serve the needs of smaller Jewish populations across North America.

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