Vol. LXXXIX No. 12 Omaha, NE
Indyk opens Schwalb Center
Ambassador Martin Indyk helped inaugurate the new Nathan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha last week. Speaking about the current state of affairs in the Middle East, Amb. Indyk commented on prospects for peace, the settlements, and other issues. Due to the unexpectedly large crowd, extra chairs had to be set up for UNO students and members of the Jewish community. “We are very proud of the collaboration between our Jewish Federation and UNO and are excited for the launch of the new Schwalb Center at UNO,” said Jody Malashock, JFO vice president and president-elect. Credit: Bob Goldberg More photos on page 8
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
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U.S., Israel closing gaps on Iran and peacemaking by LESLIE SUSSER steer clear of tough measures against Iran. JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel and the United States Iran responded with contempt. Rather than close seem closer than they have been for months on two key down the facility at Qom, it would start building five issues: peacemaking with the Palestinians and Iranian new ones over the next few months, and accelerate plans nuclear ambitions. for another five in their wake. The Iranian parliament The point was hammered home with Prime Minister urged reduced cooperation with IAEA inspectors, and Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of a 10-month there was even talk of Iran withdrawing from the freeze on building in West Bank settlements and strong Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty -- moves that would White House censure of Iran's plans to build 10 new give it a free hand to pursue a nuclear weapons program uranium enrichment plants. without international scrutiny. But important differences of nuance remain on both Continued on page 2 fronts. Israel would like to see more robust action on Iran without delay, and the United States wants Israel to make further substantial peace overtures to the Palestinians. The latest escalation in tension between Iran and the international community came after the International Atomic Energy Agency demanded that the Islamic Republic immediately halt enrichment at a previously secret site near the holy city of Qom, and outgoing IAEA director Mohammed ElBaradei declared that he could not confirm that Iran did not have a nuclear weapons program. The strongly worded IAEA motion of censure was endorsed Signs show that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking Nov. 29 during by Russia and China, two powers a news conference in his Jerusalem office, and President Obama are very much on that in the past have tended to the same page concerning Iran sanctions. (Yossi Zamir/Flash 90/JTA)
Tough times teach life lessons for developer “Library Lady” dies at 99 as he takes the reigns of the Foundation NEXT GENERATION IN BUSINESS by GARY JAVITCH Special to the Jewish Press From the attractive and spacious offices of Noddle Development Companies in the newly developed Aksarben Village, one of his company’s projects, Jay Noddle gazed out the window. He reflected on some life lessons learned during the tough economic times his company has weathered. Noddle, president and CEO of the organization, has overseen or been deeply involved with some very high-profile Omaha projects that have included Gallup University Riverfront Campus, First National Business Park and First National Bank’s downtown redevelopment, among many other properties. He pointed out his company’s plans in the Village for the development of a movie theater complex in an entertainment district, UNO buildings, and other corporate structures. He also spoke about working to find common shared values of good, the value of family, and the need to leave the world a better place than you found it. It was just before Thanksgiving and there was a short lull in Jay’s busy business day. He noted that with age you develop a certain amount
Inside Opinion Page see page 12
of wisdom. “A person grows in different ways. What you learn from 40 to 50 is different from what you learn between 20 and 40. And, of course, at 50 you recognize what you never will know …” Very youthful looking at 51, Noddle has developed some keen insights. “I have been around the real estate industry my entire professional life and I have a degree in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Jay Noddle Denver,” the entrepreneur said. “Today, doing this job is not as much fun, but it is every bit as intriguing. It’s not fun because of the challenging economic times. Most anyone we are working with, internally or externally, is facing challenging times. “When we get to the other side of recession, we will note that behaviors have changed significantly. We did not sign up for this. I noticed in the past, the world was full of authorities -- everyone sought them out for opinions based on experience on a variety of topics from world peace on down. In this job market today, there Continued on page 10
This Week: Business Guide starts on page 9 with profile of restaurateur See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Survivor of Kristallnacht dies at age 89: Page 2
by JOAN K. MARCUS Bess Brodkey, who loved books and libraries, died -at the age of 99. Her husband, Dr. Morris Brodkey, died in 1972. Her daughter, Dale D. Brodkey, assistant attorney general of Nebraska, died in 1986 at the age of 40. Her son, Dr. Mark Brodkey of Kansas City, and sisters, Esther Graetz, Rae Gimpel of Camarillo, CA, and Shirley Greenberger of Chicago; as well as numerous nieces, nephews-- survive her. In 1994, Bess Brodkey established the Brodkey Memorial endowment fund to purchase children’s books for the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. When she set up the fund, she said, “An endowment fund is a permanent way to perpetuate the Federation ... and a way to assure that organizations continue to exist.” Brodkey always loved books and wanted to remember her late husband and daughter through this fund. Her late daughter was interested in ecology, nature, art and “books were a big part of her life.” The daughter of Russian immigrants, Brodkey said that she didn’t have much while growing up. However, she was taught to share of her talents and money. That philanthropic philosophy is what brought her to be a “Friend of the Omaha Public Library.” In 1982, she began sorting and organizing books donated by the library at the branches for a citywide book sale. The city libraries also contributed discarded books to the sale. She was always proud to announce that there were thousands of books for sale. Some of them included art books, rare and first editions and books no longer in print. When she assumed operation of the book sale, it earned $2,982. Proceeds increased annually and, in 1989, the sale earned $13,631. Continued on page 2
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
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Continued from page 1 Israeli pundits say the Iranian threats are intended to test international resolve in the hope of getting an improved offer from the United States and other major powers: permission to enrich uranium to industrial grade on Iranian soil rather than in France and Russia. But this time, the pundits say, the Iranians may have miscalculated, and the clear White House warning that “time is running out for Iran to address the internationcommunity’s growing concerns about its nuclear program” could presage the end of President Obama's attempt to engage Iran and the beginning of the harsh sanctions regime Netanyahu has long advocated -- with Russia and China aboard. Indeed, when he first met Obama in 2007, before either man was in high office, Netanyahu pressed the case for strong economic sanctions against Iran. Obama, then a junior senator, picked up on this and soon afterward sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act. During their latest meeting in Washington just over three weeks ago, Iran again was high on the agenda. Netanyahu told journalists that time would show the meeting to have been very significant -- he strongly emphasized the word very -- language some pundits took to imply that major understandings on the Iranian nuclear issue had been reached. For now, the signs are that Obama and Netanyahu are very much on the same sanctions page, with slightly different views on the timing. The big question is what happens if sanctions fail. Israeli pundits argue that Obama, embroiled in Iraq and Afghanistan, will not want to open a third front against Iran, whereas Netanyahu is not ready to take any option, including the military one, off the table. What is clear to both leaders is that if either decides to attack Iran, Israel will become a target for Iranian retaliation. Hence the huge joint military exercise in the Negev in late October, testing Israeli and American antimissile defense systems. On the Palestinian front, the Americans welcomed
Netanyahu’s building freeze as going beyond anything previous Israeli governments had done. But at the same time the Americans made it clear that they would have liked to have seen more -- for example, a freeze that did not exclude East Jerusalem, public buildings and housing units already started -- because the object of the exercise was to get the Palestinians on board for peace talks, and only a full freeze might have achieved that aim. The Americans also are pressing Netanyahu to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners outside the framework of the impending deal for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal held by Hamas for more than three years, because of the bitter rivalry between the secular Fatah organization and the more militant Hamas. The thinking is that the standing of the U.S.-backed Fatah leader, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, could be weakened by the planned release of about 1,000 prisoners to Hamas in return for Shalit. Releasing large numbers of Fatah prisoners to Abbas would help prevent him from losing face. The main U.S. goal, though, is to revive the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and here they believe Netanyahu could have done more -- for example, by agreeing to resume talks where his predecessor, Ehud Olmert, left off, or giving the Palestinians a clearer idea of the contours of a final peace deal. The way forward now could be new U.S. bridging proposals which do exactly that. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Netanyahu’s settlement freeze has made this possible, and the United States will soon present the parties with something along these lines. The Americans, however, are well aware that with Hamas in control of Gaza, and with conflicting Israeli and Palestinian bottom lines on all the core issues, the chances of success are not high. On the other hand, the prize to be won is huge. Success would mean a pacified Middle East with enhanced American influence and prestige. The question is, will Obama be prepared to take the risk of likely failure, with the attendant consequences for his and America’s international standing?
The “Library Lady”
Survivor of Kristallnacht dies at 89
Continued from page 1 In 1990, more than 50,000 books were donated and the sale generated nearly all of the $60,000 the Friends of the Library contributed over two years to computerize the card catalogue and circulation systems. It was during these sales that she earned the title of “The Library Lady.” Books would arrive at Swanson Library the day after each sale and Brodkey was responsible for the sorting by volunteers. She also ran a “personal shopping service” for people who were looking for hard-to-find books. In 1991, when Howells, Nebraska, was ravaged by floodwater, Brodkey helped to replenish the city library. Only 400 books survived the flood. She made sure that the Friends donated several thousand books to the Howells Library. She said that a good library is an important part of any community but it isn’t always the first thing a community can turn to while cleaning up after a disaster. Brodkey never lost her enthusiasm. The diminutive lady was always full of power and energy for her work. Her enthusiasm and energy were infectious and she never seemed to let illness or minor mishaps immobilize her. She encouraged volunteers to work during the book sales and would assign them to work for a couple of hours. However, because of her enthusiasm, they would usually stay all day. Bess didn’t limit her interests to the libraries. She always had a large garden and she said that she painted “spasmodically.” She sewed quilts and played Bridge and Mah Jongg. She was a member of the Omaha Symphony Guild Board and served as president of Beth El Sisterhood. She also served as president of the Dundee Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association and the Children’s Theater Board before it was named the Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater. In 1985, she was recognized by the Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater for her work as a faithful volunteer. She traveled the United States from coast to coast and she went to Israel, Europe and China, but said, “Omaha isn’t too big. It has a very good school system, good libraries and all the culture anyone would want.” In 1994, Bess Brodkey told the Jewish Press, “I think we’re in this world to help others. It’s a small effort that I have made, but it gives a little meaning to life to help somebody else. It has fulfilled me.” Services were held Nov. 30 at Beth El Cemetery. Memorials to the Omaha Public Library or the Nebraska Humanities Council.
by JOAN K. MARCUS Hilde Gottlieb died Nov. 29 at the age of 89. Graveside services were held at Dec. 1 at Temple Israel Cemetery. She was one of a handful of Holocaust survivors from Muelheim, near the Mosel River in Germany, in the heart of the German wine country. She was from one of the five Jewish families in the village. She often said that religion was inconsequential because everyone was neighborly and helped each other. She told the Jewish Press that she was literally sick with worry when she had to attend school every day. She wanted to finish school so that she could find work and get away from the Nazis. She tried to learn as much as she could about cooking, cleaning and nursing so that she could qualify for a “domestic” permit and could leave for England and obtain a job as a housekeeper. On Kristallnacht, Nov. 9, 1938, everything changed for Hilde, then a teenager. Her father and uncle had already been taken to the camps and she had remained behind with her mother and sister, Else. The Nazis placed a guard in front of the Mayer home and cut off the water going to the house. The only hope for the family was a cousin in the United States who was willing to sponsor their immigration to America. However, the family didn’t have enough money to buy tickets for such a long voyage. Instead, hilde was able to use her expertise as a housekeeper to obtain permission to go to England. Her mother and sister remained behind, but Hilde promised she would send for them as soon as she could find a sponsor. She went without knowing a word of English. The domestic bureau in London located a family who was interested in hiring her but there were problems in obtaining a German passport -- largely because she was a Jew. She always spoke of a heartbreaking farewell with her family. Hilde tried to find a sponsor for her mother and sister but her efforts were fruitless and the Nazis took them. She never heard from them again. Fortunately, the family who hired her was very kind and she settled in to their comfortable home. The father, a captain in the army, would spend time with her every afternoon so she could learn English. She eventually left her job as a housekeeper and went to work full time at a canteen in the international center. There were many other refugees working there who were, like herself Continued on page 15
December 4, 2009
Temple choirs to light up first night of Hanukkah by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Voices of Temple Israel's Children's Choir and Kol Rina will welcome Hanukkah at Shabbat services on Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. Emily Meyer, who is leaving Omaha, will be honored for her work with the Temple Children’s Choir in its first concert of the new year with the adult choir. Mimi Silverman and Nikki Kirshenbaum, cochairs of the Hanukkah dinner, have planned a traditional holiday meal to follow services. Along with singing voices, bring menorahs and candles to light. After dinner, the table centerpieces, assembled with hats and gloves, will be donated to The Stephen Center for the shelter’s Christmas dinner which Temple’s Social Justice Committee prepares and serves. Silverman asked that new adult and children’s underwear and socks be brought to the dinner. There is no charge for dinner for Temple members, but reservations are due by Dec. 4. Please call the office at 556.6536.
Junior Congregation Shabbat at Beth El invites families to celebrate together
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator A special interactive Junior Congregation Family Shabbat celebration at Beth El will bring the synagogue’s thirdthrough-seventh graders and their families on Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m., for a morning of camaraderie, prayer and music. The spirit of Shabbat will fill the air as BESTT faculty members Eadie Tsabari and Judy Rubin and participating students will lead the service. Children will be tutored from 10-11 a.m. by a group of the congregation’s teenagers; then families will meet at 11 a.m. in the chapel. The Family Junior
Congregation Shabbat on Saturday mornings is a new feature for the 200910 school year, noted BESTT Education Director Judy Rubin. “We all learn that philosophy applies to math, science, the arts,” Rubin said. “It is no less so for davening. Participating in a Shabbat service for Junior Congregation is the best way to learn the service. Students will be able to show their parents what they have learned in Talmud Torah and everyone--parents and children alike -- will have opportunities to lead prayers and participate if they so choose.” For more information, contact Rubin at 498.0904 or eddir@bethel-omaha.org.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Hanukkah torch run to be “biggest ever” to honor JCC Maccabi Games by GARY JAVITCH B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge Next year will be a very special one for Jews in Omaha. For the second time this decade, the Jewish Community Center will host the JCC Maccabi Games. The last community-wide effort in 2002 earned Omaha acclaim across America for the spectacular results that were achieved. The Games can be said to be the Jewish equivalent to a Junior Olympics, with the student participants coming from all parts of the United States and Israel. To launch the “Maccabi Year,” the JCC and the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith will team up with Maccabi youth during the Lodge’s annual Hanukkah Run, this year to be held on Sunday, Dec. 13. The program will bring sports and Judaic programming together, as it expresses the values of both the Maccabi Movement and B’nai B’rith: “the continuity of the Jewish People, the love for Israel, freedom and independence.” To promote this upcoming event, more than 50 students will carry the Maccabi Olympic Torch and will weave their way through a five-mile course that circles the JCC. They will be joined by 20 Lodge members and others to celebrate the holiday and the upcoming games. This event shares a unique history for every year since 1944, the Maccabi World Union and the Maccabi Tzair Youth Movement in Israel have conducted a traditional torch relay that takes place during Hanukkah. The torch is lit at the graves of the biblical Maccabees in Israel and travels through the Jewish state and S the Diaspora symbolizing the spiritual
reunion of the Jewish people. Likewise, since the 1980s, the Monsky Lodge has also promoted Hanukkah themes in an annual run that has highlighted, for example, the Jewish fight against persecution or terror or celebrated “350 years of Jews living free in America.” The Dec. 13 torch run is open to the entire Jewish community. Participants will meet at the JCC’s southwest entrance at 9 a.m. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Together runners/walkers will follow the five-mile route with JCC vans following behind. Any participant who feels tired or is unable to run/walk the entire route may elect to ride in the van at any time. At the conclusion of the run/walk at approximately 10:15 a.m., members of the community are invited to line the parking lot of the JCC. They will officially greet the Torch as it arrives in Omaha and welcome runners/walkers as they finish. A symbolic lighting of the menorah will then take place in the JCC and refreshments will be served. Adults who wish to enter may send an $18 check, (Non Maccabi athletes may enter for $10), payable to Henry Monsky Lodge B’nai B’rith C/O Jenny Gordon, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. The Run/Walk is free to all registered JCC Maccabi Games athletes, who need to register by Dec. 6 with Diane Malashock at 590.2143. For more information, please contact Jenny Gordon at 334.6443. General registration can be completed up to Dec. 13; however, to guarantee the special souvenir T-shirt, all applications need to be in to Jenny by Dec. 1.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
B’nai B’rith sets 24th annual Zorinsky Bible Quiz
by JENNY GORDON B’nai B’rith Secretary Many Jews know that “Deuteronomy” is the English name for the fifth book of the Torah. But what is the name in Hebrew? If you did not know the answer was Devarim, you may want to join the audience as the Henry Monsky Lodge #3306 launches its 24th Annual Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz. That’s because, as Steve Riekes, a Lodge Trustee explains, “During the program everyone learns something about the bible. And at the same time, it’s a lively contest that all really enjoy.” The program is open to the community at no charge and is held in conjunction with the Federation’s Jewish Book Month. It is set for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. “The Zorinksy Quiz is specifically designed for Omaha Jewish high school students,” Riekes continued. Its purpose is to encourage our youth to become familiar with the Bible, the foundation of Judaism and of civilization.” This year, the subject of the Quiz is Deuteronomy. The Lodge will award over $1500 that night. For first through fourth place finishes, scholarships will be given which can be utilized at the recipient’s choice for college tuition, a trip to Israel or an approved camp or educational program
sponsored by a Jewish organization. A special bonus at the conclusion of the program, all students who answer at least three questions correctly will receive a $20 cash prize, and the winner will receive $50. “Adults are encouraged to attend to support our youth,” said Gary Javitch Lodge president, “and also because the program is like ‘Jeopardy:’ It is fast paced and exciting. This program is always a great success because of the help of the synagogues and the community.” At this time, judging the event will be professor Leonard Greenspoon and Rabbi Yaacov Weiss. Gloria Kaslow will be quizmaster. Ari Riekes will be timekeeper and Mark Javitch will be scorekeeper. Stanley Mitchell has helped coordinate the contest in the past. Student participants include Kevin Adler, Zachary Bram, Connor Dietrich, Hal Emas, Zane Fletcher, Grant Glazer, Joe Hack, Caroline Juster, Samantha Juster, Sam Kohll, Aaron Kurtzman, Gabe Levin, Ben Noodell, Hannah Perry, Lilly Phillips, Adeev Potash, Ezra Potash, Aaron Priluck, Julie Sadofsky, Matthew Wiesman, and Aaron Zipursky. Before the quiz, the Lodge provides an informal dinner to the contest participants, the high school religious school classes, the judges, its members and all the volunteers. For more information, please call the B’nai B’rith office at 334.6443.
Singing, spirituality, mark Beth El’s Shabbat School by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator For four Saturdays this year, Beth El Talmud Torah (BESTT) is treating its students to a special “Shabbat School” experience, offering mornings filled with learning and fun. The school’s next program is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, and will be held in conjunction with the synagogue’s 80th anniversary celebration. Geared to students divided into two groups – Pre-K to 2, and grades 3-7 -Shabbat School sessions are a combination of innovative and traditional ageappropriate programming, including classes, services and a kid-friendly lunch to cap off the morning, said Education Director Judy Rubin. On Dec. 12, students will be treated to the same traditional Shabbat Kiddush luncheon as the adults, but will be served in a separate location. On weekends when the program is held, no Sunday school sessions take place,” she noted, adding, “One of the plusses of the program is that families can have Sundays free following a Shabbat school. Also, families who are Shabbat observant may have the entire day for themselves for taking trips or whatever they choose to do together.” Saying “these programs are tailor-made for a fun and meaningful Shabbat experience,” Rubin said the upcoming morning will offer the following: “The younger
students will be learning Shabbat morning prayers, participate in classes and Shabbat-appropriate games and activities; the students in grades 3-7 will engage in peer tutoring with our talented teens, learning Hebrew reading and chanting prayers. They’ll also participate in a “hug” (pronounced ‘hoog’), a special interest activity that is chosen during mid-week classes. These activities can be Israeli dancing, parasha play or Torah games. The older children will also attend a junior congregation service led by Eadie Tsabari. Following the morning’s instruction, the children will join their parents in the sanctuary, and will present their own special artistic and musical tribute to celebrate Beth El’s milestone anniversary. Rubin shared her hopes that children will take away from Shabbat School “the warmth of spending Shabbat with their peers, camaraderie, plus learning and davening together in an informal atmosphere. Because it is Shabbat and we cannot use technology of any kind, we all become more imaginative, thoughtful and are more open to spiritual experiences. “What is especially sweet about our Shabbat School is the spirituality that is felt by having large numbers of students praying and singing together. There is nothing like the voices of children who are being taught the prayers of our people – they are perpetuating our heritage.”
HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Wednesday, Dec. 30 for the Jan. 8 issue. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
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The rousing Broadway musical, based on the Book of Genesis (from Creation through the Book of Noah) Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, creator of “Wicked,” in collaboration with John Caird -and starring members of our own Jewish community!
Great entertainment for the entire family! Saturday, December 12, 7 p.m. | Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California Street Tickets: $18 for adults; $10 for children (12 and younger) To reserve tickets, call the synagogue at 492-8550, or e-mail programming@bethel-omaha.org. Ticket order forms are available at www.bethel-omaha.org, or in the synagogue office; cash, checks or credit cards (over $25) will be accepted. Tickets will also be sold at the door. The annual Cantor’s Scholarship Concert benefits Beth El’s Youth Scholarship Program, providing opportunities for youths to attend Jewish summer camps, visit Israel or attend Jewish youth conventions. “Children of Eden” was made possible, in part, thanks to the Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Grants Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, and Beth El Sisterhood. “CHILDREN OF EDEN” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 W 54th Street, NY, NY 10019. www.MTIshows.com
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NFTY Conclave in Omaha rates high in attendance and programs
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Youth group members from Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; and Colorado were hosted by Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) at the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Fall Conclave in mid-November. “There were 105 kids” at the conclave, according to Emily Katz, who co-chaired the event with fellow OTYGer Grace Hack. Emily indicated that attendance topped the past two fall conclaves in other cities.
Both Emily and Grace have spent nearly every Wednesday after school and Sundays preparing for the conclave. “My job was making sure all the pieces were completed and fit together,” explained Grace. Along with Emily, OTYG advisor Amy Katz, and OTYG President Haley Burns, “we oversaw everything from name tags, posters, and housing. Emily added, “The final three weeks leading up to the conclave were the busiest.” Zoe Vann, attending her first conclave, thought, “It
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Left photo: Emily Katz and Grace Hack, co-chairs of the November NFTY Fall Conclave, helped hold an Israeli flag as more than 100 youth groupers from four states sang “Hatikva” prior to Shabbat dinner at Temple Israel. There were 25 Omaha youth at the conclave. Emily Katz, left, and
Grace Hack; Right photo: OTYG President Haley Burns (forefront) helps sort clothes at Together Inc. Ariel Kohll is partially hidden behind Haley to the right. Danny Pachman, another OTYGer, is working at the far right.
“I think it went very well,” she added. “Everyone was into the programs and found them interesting.” Beginning with Shabbat worship services on Friday night during which Jewish rock band leader, Dan Nichols, sang and played his guitar followed by a Shabbat dinner at Temple, a Dan Nichols concert, Hannah Grossman’s program on “The Story of Stuff” which revealed how marketing influences us to buy more and how that behavior impacts the environment and society; worship services written and led by Emily and Grace at the UNO Thompson Alumni Center on Saturday morning; Shabbat lunch, a social justice project planned by Jordan Jensen which pointed out how lower, middle, and upper class differences affect people’s lives, and a social action project at Together Inc., the conclave culminated in a social event at Temple on Saturday night. “Dan Nichols was a really big hit,” Emily indicated. Saturday evening characterized a night in Israel theme and included a rock wall which represented Masada; a DJ symbolizing a Tel Aviv night club; human bowling to signify the Maccabi Games; and “Ben Yehuda Street” which featured Israeli products such as Israeli chocolate, Dead Sea products, humus, and henna tattoos. According to some of the teens, the social was the best ever! Hannah Perry, a high school freshman, was there. “I thought it was great,” she affirmed. “I got to meet lots of new people and see ones I’ve met before,” some of whom she had met at a Junior Youth Group Conclave in St. Louis last year. The social event was her favorite memory of this year’s conclave, “because there was so much going on, and it was a good way to have fun.” Grace was “really pleased” as well with the conclave’s turnout and programs. “This was the first regional event Omaha’s hosted in a while. People were having a really good time.” She said the NFTY regional board surveyed various aspects of the conclave from food to programs. “We got really good scores on pretty much everything,” Grace noted.
was a lot of fun and a good opportunity to meet a lot of other Jewish teens.” She enjoyed the Dan Nichols concert. “It was a lot of fun.” She also liked volunteering at Together Inc., which provides services to local people and families in need through a free food pantry, a store, and financial assistance programs. Together Inc. reported the teens did two weeks of work in one afternoon.
Jordan Jensen, OTYG social action vice president, led a program about class differences. Emily and Grace are thankful to the OTYG Board, Amy Katz, Temple Israel, the community, parents, and Lori Bennett, Temple Religious School Coordinator, for all their help. The girls also mentioned the family of Justin Norton, who became a Bar Mitzvah the weekend of the conclave. They welcomed the energized NFTY group at worship services on Friday night.
ORGANIZATIONS
YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday for a high energy musical program with the Terry Edwards show. Cost for lunch is $7, served at noon; the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Play bingo at 10 a.m. Call Theresa for transportation at 330-4272. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.
are getting today, and if teaching students are being prepared the correct way, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, noon at Regency Lodge. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Jenny at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., at the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN NCJW-Omaha Section will host a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen in One Pacific Place on Tuesday, Dec. 8 -- all day. Eat lunch or dinner, either dine-in or take-out, this Tuesday and a portion of your money will come back to NCJW and benefit our community service projects. To request a flier contact Vicki at vks4psu@hotmail.com.
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Dr. Nancy Edick, new UNO Dean of the College of Education, will speak about the low scores that students
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
Temple students, parents, teachers inspired by Scary Guy
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Tattooed from head to foot, The Scary Guy spoke to middle and high school students at Temple Israel in November. Many of their parents also listened to Scary Guy’s message about stereotypes, prejudice and judgmentalism based on appearances. Invited by Temple Israel, The Scary Guy’s presentation was funded by a grant from the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund, “I want to thank Temple Israel for bringing The Scary Guy to Omaha,� commented Sherrie Saag. “It was an extraordinary experience for Rachel and Jordan, and I am so appreciative they had the opportunity to listen to his message. I chose to have Jordan, my sixth grader, attend and am so glad I did. Jordan called the lecture ‘inspiring.’� I know The Scary Guy had a huge impact on him.� Debbie Finnicum attended as a seventh grade teacher at Temple. She’s also a middle school guidance counselor. “I enjoyed his message about teasing and bullying,� she said. “He encouraged students to not take in the negatives that are put out there, to surround themselves with positive people, and not be a part of the negative energy that people participate in.� Eighth grader Josh Sullivan thought Scary Guy’s presentation “was interesting and very informational.� Josh
was struck by how The Scary Guy learned to control the way he acted around people. “He used to get mad at people but changed himself. It definitely made me think about how to treat people,� Josh said.
self, and stand up for yourself and who you are.� “I think he has a strong message that is vitally important for today’s youth,� said Steve Danon, who teaches ninth grade at Temple. “We are impacted continually with what we ‘should’ look like by the media and our culture. It is truly a tragedy, and Scary Guy does a great job in his very special way of sharing how wrong that message is. His challenge to go for seven days without calling someone a bad name and not to think or say any type of prejudicial statement is an excellent opportunity for our youth to better understand and grasp our Jewish concept of “tikun olam� or as Scary would say: ‘To heal the world.’�
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT At Temple Israel, Josh Sullivan, left, helps The Scary Guy spread the word about the negative affects of judging people by their appearance. Megan Bucher, a sophomore, liked Scary’s message, too, which she interpreted to mean: “Don’t judge people by their looks, don’t bully people, be proud of your-
Karen Sokolof Javitch is having a CD release party for her 10th CD: “Star Tracks -- the Tribute Album.� She wrote the 17 songs which pay tribute to such celebrities as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Warren Buffett, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen DeGeneres, the Obama Family and others. “Star Tracks� is a benefit album for Pancreatic Cancer Research, in memory of Patrick Swayze. The open house will be at Ware House Recording Studio, 206 So. 44 St., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2-4 p.m. Singers will include Tiffany White-Welchen, the Maynard Triplets, Dani Burr and other surprise guests. Questions? Call 393.3893. Former Omahan Rachel Shukert, author of Have You No Shame?, will be a part of the Hanukkah Lights program on Friday, Dec. 11, noon, on KIOS radio, 91.5 FM. She’ll be reading her short story, “Entries from a Maccabi Diary.�
Cleo Rogers will perform in the Imperial Nutcracker as a butterfly, maid, tea cup and mouse from Dec 3-6 at the Orpheum in cooperation with the Rose Theatre. She is daughter of Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas.
ENGAGEMENT
NOGG/JASON Patty and Steve Nogg announce the engagement of their daughter, Annie, to Todd Jason, son of Fay and Buddy Jason of Memphis. The bride-to-be graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a BA in human development and family studies. She is the nursing program coordinator at Jewish Vocational Service in San Francisco. She is the granddaughter of Harlan (Bud) Studna, the late Betty Studna, Jean Lee Parelman of Kansas City, MO, the late Seymour Lee, and the late Adalynn and Ernie Nogg. Her fiancĂŠ earned a BA in business administration from the University of Memphis. He is an account manager at Apex Systems, Inc., in San Francisco. He is the grandson of Renee and William Jason and the late Reva and Jake Oks. A Sept. 5 wedding is planned at Lauritzen Gardens.
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Evaluate your portfolio before the end of the year
by MARY LANGDON Marketing Director for Russ Kaplan Investments It has been a crazy year for investments and finances! As we near the end of 2009 there are many things that we need to evaluate in our portfolios. Take a few hours out of your busy schedule, and look at your investments one by one. Consider selling the losers in your portfolio. You may have made an investment mistake, but at least you can write it off on 2009 and maybe future tax returns. A good financial advisor will be happy to do a free evaluation of your portfolio to determine what might be good sell candidates. Another important thing is to have some money set aside for your IRA. Under the current rules you can contribute $6000. if you are fifty and over or $5000 if you are under fifty. Whichever type of IRA (traditional or Roth), you choose, they are tax deferred until you remove them from the IRA. We can also give you free advice on which type of IRA is best for you. Finally, the tax laws are quite complex and we have given you general advice so please consult with your CPA concerning your individual situation. If you would like further advice on your investment portfolio or need advice on how to get started on investment, give Russ Kaplan Investments a call at 614.1321 or e-mail: russ@russkaplaninvesmtments.org.
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The rabbis debate by ELYA WILSON Community Shlicha On the right side -- Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel Synagogue; on the left side --Rabbi Eric Linder of Temple Israel. Last month, these two rabbis took center stage in this B’nai B’rith Youth Organization program, sponsored by the Weizmann chapter and organized by BBYOer Kevin Adler. The rabbis were presented four questions for discussion regarding Jewish issues: Homosexual relations: what does Judaism have to say about it? Tattoos: are they allowed according to Judaism? Israel: land for peace? The Torah: is it the word of God? For each question, the rabbis received a specific amount of time to answer, rebuttal, and ask each other questions. At the sound of the bell -- they were done, and had to move on to the next topic.
Rabbi Eric Linder, left, debates Rabbi Jonathan Gross at a BBYO event last month. Future debates will include other rabbis from the community. “This would never work in Israel!� I said later, thinking of making a rabbi (or any Israeli, really) stop speaking their mind after only two minutes! Other than receiving the answers to the itching questions from both sides, the teens learned something much more valuable -- an important factor of Jewish learning, which has existed for years in Jewish tradition -- the art of debate. There is a beautiful saying in Hebrew: “A knife does not sharpen, but with the help of its friend� -- meaning that the only way to learn is by debating, by questioning, by discussing pressing issues with friends, and more specifically with friends who have different views but are still as sharp. Adults can learn from the teens of BBYO, fearless in questioning each other’s views and engaging in discussion, in order to achieve a better understanding of other points of view. Accept each other’s differences, then move forward, work together, learn together (and from each other) and live together as friends, and as one strong community. To get a glimpse of the action, teens will soon be able to check out the debate on YouTube. For more information about this and other BBYO programming contact Anne Muskin at 334.6404.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
IN THE NEWS Roberts Dairy has been a part of your holiday season by providing you with delicious and wholesome dairy products fresh from our farms to your table for over 100 years. Roberts Dairy wants to know how you use their products in your favorite holiday recipe with their annual “Submit Your Favorite Recipe Contest.â€? One lucky winner will be awarded a year’s supply of Roberts Dairy products. Roberts Dairy’s Favorite Holiday Recipe Contest runs through Dec. 31. Whether it’s your homemade creamy potato soup or your delicious chocolate crème pie, all Roberts Dairy requires is that the recipe includes at least one Roberts Dairy product. Visit www.robertsdairy. com to submit your favorite holiday recipe online. Recipe entries may also be printed on a 3â€? x 5â€? index card and mailed to: Roberts Dairy, “Holiday Recipe Contest,â€? PO Box 3825, Omaha, NE 68103-0825. Include name, address and phone number on your entry. Roberts Dairy is your resource for recipes -- visit www.robertsdairy.com/recipes to try something new or discover a traditional favorite. Additionally, with your permission, Roberts Dairy may share your favorite recipe by posting it on their website with the thousands of other recipes in Roberts Dairy’s library of recipes. For more savings, register online to receive Roberts Dairy Internet coupons at www.robertsdairy.com/coupons. Howard J. Kaslow, senior partner of Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, has been named “Omaha Best Lawyers Corporate Lawyer of the Yearâ€? for 2010 by Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating “Lawyers of the Yearâ€? in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.â€? Kaslow is being recognized in the area of Corporate Law. Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The lawyers being honored as “Lawyers of the Yearâ€? have received particularly high ratings in their surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Kaslow has been recognized annually by Best Lawyers for 20 consecutive years. Three other attorneys with Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP also are recognized in Best Lawyers for 2010: John W. Herdzina for Corporate Law and Franchise Law, Timothy M. Kenny for Municipal Law and Thomas J. Malicki for Trusts and Estates.
Kully Financial Services has announced that Mark Hoffman has joined the company as a registered representative. Kully Financial Services is an Omaha-based financial firm that provides a wide range of financial and insurance products and offerings. Hoffman’s addition to the company is an asset and will allow the successful company to move in a more technologydriven atmosphere. Along with traditional ideas and methodologies, the company believes it is both prudent and necessary to use technology to improve business solutions. To merge Kully Financial’s business and finance model with technology, the company needed “young blood� to implement and evolve with technology as it changes. With this in mind Bob Kully decided to bring on a partner who would complement his level of financial experience. With more than 20 years of business and technology experience, Hoffman is a perfect fit. “Mark’s business and technology insight will surely benefit not just our company, but our clients and potential clients as well,� says Kully. Hoffman earned a BS and an Executive MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, with an academic concentration in Management Information Systems and Business.
Ruth Margalit, M.D., has taken on a new role in the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Dean Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., announced recently. Dr. Margalit was named director of the newly created Inter-professional Service Learning Academy; her appointment is part of the college’s continued accreditation effort, Dr. El-Mohandes said. The Inter-professional Service Learning Academy will provide students with an interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning experience while addressing community-identified needs. It will: facilitate collaborative partnerships between the university and external communities; enhance student learning; advance community health; and foster civic engagement among students and faculty. “Service Learning is not another volunteering in the community activity; it is both a philosophy and a teaching methodology that allows students to make connections between what they are learning in the classroom and what they experience through service,� Dr. Margalit said. “Service-Learning has an equal focus on both the service that is being provided and the learning that is taking place, and with critical reflection, can enhance cognitive mastery of academic concepts.�
Hanukkah starts Dec. 11. To order a gift subscription to the Press for the rest of the year and all of 2010... Send a check for $35, made out to the Jewish Press, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 334.6448.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
Indyk opens Schwalb Center at UNO
“The Schwalb Center started as a conversation two years ago,” said its first director, Dr. Guy Matalon, and “became a reality in July. It required vision, resources, commitment and most of all, an ability to involve others. Nate and Hannah Schwalb, working closely with the Sokolof-Javitch family, Charles Mikhail, the Jewish Federation of Omaha,
UNO, and the University Foundation, brought this to life.” Photos from above left: Karen Schwalb Ross, left, Hannah and Nate Schwalb, and David Schwalb, right, greet Ambassador Martin Indyk to the inagural event of the new Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO. Indyk, center, thanks members of the Sokolof-Javitch fam-
ily for underwriting the lecture: Jennifer, left, Mark, Gary and Karen. Second row: Howard Goldstein, left, Federation Executive Director Jan Goldstein, Indyk, Shirley and Leonard Goldstein. Indyk, left, Dr. William L. Blizek, Chairman of Religious Studies at UNO, and Matalon; a large crowd came to hear the former U.S. Ambassador to Israel
at UNO’s Thomspon Alumni Center; Federation 2010 Annual Campaign Chairmen Carl and Zoe Riekes; Carl noted, “Through caring and education, community and justice, tikkun olam and tzedakah, we prove that a small group of people can make the world a better place for everyone.”
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After 30 years, Julio’s makes new home “home”
Memorable events and charity work “A couple, for example, would come in every Friday night,” Fox related. “The wife was pregnant at by GARY JAVITCH about the same time as my wife Special to the Jewish Press Shelly was. Our daughters were Voted the best Tex-Mex restaurant five three months apart. When the daughter years in a row. Great reputation. Thirty turned 16, I hired her and she started years in one place. But when the lease hosting. She’s now a grad student at expired this year, Julio’s co-owner Rick Texas A & M and still does hostess work Fox knew that it was time to make a here during her winter vacation.” change. “Moving from 130th and Arbor (Rick’s Valentines Day marriage to was really an emotional decision,” Fox Shelly Alloy is now well into its 28th year. said. The couple has a daughter, Naomi, 22.) He reflected on how it all began. “Our Fox is particularly proud that he has restaurant was to open in the Old Market been able to hire a lot of Jewish kids since in July 1977. We needed a name and he opened. “It doesn’t always work out, ‘Julio’ is Spanish for July. We had seven but it’s been a nice thing to be able to partners, just a bunch of guys with lots of do,” He recalled. John and (the late) ambitions and no responsibilities. And we Judy Robinson’s youngest son, Todd, were young. Now there are just the three also worked for him. of us,” Fox explained, referring to Jerry “Ari Brodkey, Sharon’s son, started Aquila, who still runs the original down- working here, too,” Fox said. “After a town location, and Tiffany Mainelli. short while, Ari told our hostess that ‘[Julio’s] is the only place I ever want to work!’ We tried to cure him of that feeling very quickly.” The memorable stories flowed … Our customers have come in for the Sunday-after Bar Mitzvah brunches ... One customer’s out-of-town daughter surprised him with a 50th party; no one knew Owner Rick Fox, left, welcomes Jonathan Rockman to the new home of his daughter was Julio’s Restaurant, on 123rd and Center. even here. “We did well enough in the beginning Everyone cried. so that after two years, we decided to When prompted, Fox related perhaps open another restaurant. We thought all one of his most unforgettable family stothe money was out west. But that turned ries: it is about his famously close relaout not to be true. It was a myth. At least tionship with Heisman Trophy winner back then.” Eric Crouch. Still, in going from a small operation to “Susan, Eric’s mom, was a divorcee and a big one out west in 1979, they had a worked here for over 10 years. When she number of challenges to overcome. For started the boys were about seven and five. starters, Fox, at 23, had to find a new I remember an occasion where we had an clientele. employee picnic and Eric almost ended his Getting started and carving career before it ever started. While playing, out a niche the kid ran into the corner of a picnic table Money didn’t flow in that easily at the and knocked himself out.” new location. “It took us a couple of Fox played a close enough role in Eric’s years to realize we couldn’t do every- life that he was asked to join the Nebraska thing. We discovered that we could not quarterback at the Heisman Trophy cerebe a fancy restaurant serving crab legs and mony in New York City. other fancy foods. “For me it was a once-in-a-lifetime“Our real customers taught us a valu- sporting moment,” Fox recounted. “It able lesson. Belatedly, we discovered that was truly great. It was just incredible our best clientele were young people and being there in the Downtown Athletic families.” Club with the four guys nominated for But they had no seating for the kids. the greatest college football award. I was That realization prompted Fox to alter right by [the other award candidates] his thinking. “We turned our operation Grossman, Dorsey, Joey Harington and around and gave our customers what they Eric. Then came the Heisman announcereally wanted: affordable family fare, ment, “And the winner is….” booster chairs, high chairs and crayons!” Now Crouch comes in to Julio’s with He added, “When we first opened, we his two kids. had a lot of support from the Jewish comFox then turned to another topic. “One munity, and I’m pleased to say, we still of our mainstays through 30 years has do. But I really prefer to think it’s because been our commitment to local charities of our food and service: People wouldn’t and other organizations. As a locally come if they didn’t like it.” owned and operated business, we were But everyone did. In short order, particularly proud when we were given a Julio’s started to get repeat customers. ‘Good Neighbor’ award for JDRF Lots of them. He and his staff got to (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), know the regulars and many became ‘like which is one of our pet causes. Another family.’ favorite is Project Harmony,” he said. Of course, it helped that Rick’s warm “Sometimes ideas for charitable direcand jovial personality easily lent itself to tions flowed to us from different cusdelightful “schmoozes” with his cus- tomers, like charity golf outings. We sent tomers. They would share family stories, the proceeds to various local charities.” work and life tales. Continued on page 10
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Tough times teach life lessons Continued from page 1 are not as many experts. We are in new territory.”He added, “Most important, we have to find ways to work together. There has never been a more important time for bias to be set aside. If we don’t find a way to do this, the world we leave our kids and grandkids will be worse.” On whether he supported Democrats or Republicans in this economic environment, he noted, “I look at politics and pick out people that I can identify with and that I have something in common with.” He says red or blue doesn’t matter. “When my dad used to ask me what I was going to do on a project, I occasionally responded that ‘I am hoping to accomplish … ,’” he smiled. “Harlan’s response was ‘Hope is not a good strategy.’ He emphasized that and that’s why I believe that we should look for and support good people in our lives. We will not agree with everything they say, but somewhere out there we can identify with certain things we have in common.” Then he turned to talk about his family. “We are fortunate that my mom (Nancy) is doing so well. Her social calendar is booked. She has family and friends (close enough to be considered family). The only thing missing is Dad -- my mentor.” (Harlan Noddle, a major philanthropist, successful real estate developer, and father to Jay and Susie, who lives in New York, died four years ago this month.) “We just have to cherish what we have,” he said. “That’s why we spend a ton of time with our kids. It’s priceless time; you can’t ever replace it.” He mentioned his middle child, Sam, 16, (Westside High School) who plays Select Soccer. “Sam’s team is traveling the country. They had a match in Tulsa last week end. (Mid-November at press time). We drove there. It gave us 18 hours in the car. Nothing was off limits. We had a no-holds barred conversation. That’s time you don’t get back.” Besides Sam, Jay and his wife of 20 years, the former Kim Platt, have a daughter Rebecca, 18, (a freshman at University of Denver) and Aaron, 11 (who attends Rockbrook Elementary). “When I was younger, Jay, remarked, “I couldn’t connect with my elders when they talked about the need to improve the community. But then I never thought I would end up living here. Family brought us back.” He added, “Now, Kim and I live in the same areas we grew up in and we think, ‘What can we do to help and make it better?’ Why think that? We want our children and future generations to enjoy a higher quality of life.” “What drives me (us) is that we have something to offer and can a make difference. This community has been fabulous to my family and me. We have a terrific life. We have an obligation and responsibility to pass that on. We have mental, physical, and financial resources that can be
used. It’s really pretty simple. Put back a little more than you got. Then something good will happen.” Noddle recently became chairman of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. “Not many know what a great community asset we have,” he observed. “As chair, I would like more people to participate. That’s my goal: to increase participation and awareness. People can get involved by simply adding a few sentences to their last will and testament.” Marty Ricks, director of the Federation Foundation described Jay as “wanting to be on top of everything. We’ve made it our goal to meet frequently to share what we are each doing to better the Foundation. And we have been meeting with Bob Lepp, president of the Federation, and executive director Jan Goldstein to enhance collaboration between our offices.” And yes, according to Ricks, Jay is working behind the scene with some exciting plans! While Noddle has a number of favorite charities, he has focused more recently on the Children’s Hospital Foundation. He also really enjoys Omaha By Design. “It’s all about making Omaha a more livable community,” he explained. His real estate development reflects that “green” philosophy, too. Perhaps of all the charities, he has a softer spot in his heart for the University of Nebraska Eppley Cancer Center. “Our family’s experience with Dad and his cancer turned on the lights for me. We can make a difference here. I know about making the most of the time that you have. We’re in a position where I would like our focus to be on initiatives and efforts that will make a difference.” Noddle added, “I used to think volume, number and size were really the most important things. I understand now that sometimes, ‘less is more.’ We are committed to being thorough and doing our projects well. We try to keep the best interests of people and community in mind. If we do that right, then those decisions will turn out good for us, too. Noddle enjoys working on things that are simple, he says, “but we find that projects that are complicated, that require study and ‘impatient patience’ (a patient urgency) bring out the best. Healthy tension is a good thing; it sparks debate. That results in a better outcome. We have terrific people here. They are bright hardworking and care. They understand accountability. We have opportunities to lead our group through projects and through the business cycle. Things will improve.” Every problem has a good solution, Noddle says. “We get to it by finding the right people to look at things thoroughly. We call it ‘Being handicapped with the knowledge of the facts.’ But if you are, and you have great thinkers and doers, then one final thing is to make sure you listen more than speak.” Good decisions will come from that.
Julio’s new home
What should you do now: year end planning
Continued from page 9 The Move The restaurant’s relocation to 123rd and Center took Fox to a much better location. They refurbished and modernized the former LaFonda restaurant. “We have more exposure and better visibility; it’s a more vibrant center,” he stated. “Who knew that in the old spot we would be across the street from a movie theater that would remain closed for 14 years?” He talked about the new place with a great deal of satisfaction. “Our staff has always been upbeat, but the move has also reenergized everyone,” he observed. “We have 50 staff and about 35 menu selections. I am also very proud of our bar. We have one of the largest Tequila selections in the state.” He added, “A lot of people looked at the old place as home. So when we relocated, actually just down the street, we brought all the beautiful wood tables and benches with us. We detest cookie cutter restaurants that come from the many corporate and chain restaurants around. Julio’s is unique.” Fox walked over to a few tables and greeted some old friends. He knows everyone’s name. He looked back and said, “Yeah, this is the fun part.” The transition was quite smooth. They didn’t skip a beat. The new restaurant seats 40 more people and at interview time, it had already been open two weeks and been full many times. “In spring,” he added, “we will have an outdoor patio. And we have been well received by the businesses around us. Fox looked around his beautiful new surroundings and concluded, “I started working in restaurants when I was 16, as a busboy for Jack Churchill at Claudia’s.” Not bad for a guy who says, “I fell into the restaurant business.”
by LORRAINE DIMARTINO, CLU President, DiMartino & Associates Inc. While there’s still some time to have an effect on your bottom line for the 2009 tax year, here are some things to think about. 1. If you think your tax bracket next year is going to be the same or lower than this year, look for opportunities to defer income until 2010. For instance, maybe you can defer your yearend bonus to 2010; or delay the collection of rents, payments for services or business debts. Other ideas: take installment payments, instead of lump sum payment; postpone retirement plan distributions that aren’t required. 2. You also might consider paying medical expenses that aren’t due next year, before the end of this year; or you could prepay deductible interest and property tax; or you may want to increase charitable contributions this year. 3. Assuming you qualify to make deductible contributions to a traditional IRA, consider contributing a maximum of the smaller of $5,000 or the amount of your taxable compensation for 2009 ($6,000 if you are 50 or older). You can generally make 2009 contributions until April 15, 2010, or the date the financial institution that holds your IRS indicates. 4. If you have the funds available, you might want to contribute the maximum amount allowable to your 401(k) plan. For 2009, the max contribution is $16,5000 ($22,000, if you are 50 or older). The deadline is the end of 2009 for 2009 contributions. 5. In case you were not aware, if you are 70 1/2 years old or older, you are ordinarily obligated to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your pre-tax retirement accounts. However, that requirement was suspended for the year 2009. These are just a few ideas that could significantly alter your bottom line for 2009. There are many other areas to think about. Please contact your tax professional for guidance. PAID ADVERTISEMENT
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Your year-end investment checklist by MICHAEL SIGMOND Financial Adviser, Edward Jones We’ve seen it all this past year -- a bear market, a long rally and even a period of neither-up-nor-down. But even though we’ve only got a few weeks left of 2009, you still have time to make some moves that can pay off for you in 2010 -- and beyond. Here are a few suggestions to consider: • “Max out” on your IRA -- and make regular contributions next year. For the 2009 tax year, you can contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $6,000 if you’re 50 or older. And you have until April 15, 2010, to fully fund your 2009 IRA. It’s not easy to come up with lump sums of money, but do whatever you can to make up for any shortfalls. And in 2010, consider setting up automatic monthly contributions -- it’s a more efficient way to maximize a great retirement-savings vehicle. • Increase your 401(k) contributions. If your employer permits it, try to add more money to your 401(k) or other retirement plan before the year ends. By increasing your 401(k) contributions, you can lower your adjusted taxable income while you potentially build more resources for retirement. • Convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Depending on your individual situation, a Roth IRA, which offers the potential for tax free growth, provided you meet certain conditions, may be a better choice for you than a traditional IRA, which offers the potential for growth on a tax deferred basis. If you meet eligibility limits, you may want to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. However, this conversion is likely going to be a “taxable event,” so you’ll need to have money available for the tax bill. • Sell your “losers.” If it’s appropriate for your portfolio balance and long-term goals, you may want to sell some investments that have lost value to take the tax losses. If these losses exceeded your capital gains from selling appreciated stocks, you can deduct up to $3,000 (or $1,500 for married couples filing separately) against your other income, reducing the amount on which you must pay taxes. And if you lost more than $3,000, you can carry over the excess into subsequent years. Consult with a tax advisor before selling investments to claim a tax loss. • Consolidate your investment accounts. Instead of having an IRA with one firm, some other investments with another and a cash-value insurance policy with a third, you might want to consolidate all your assets with one provider. You’ll be better able to align all your assets with a central, unified investment strategy. • Review your insurance coverage. Over the course of a year, you could experience significant changes in your life: marriage or divorce, the birth of a new child or the departure of an older child from your home, the start of a new job or retirement from an old one. Make sure you have the right amount and type of insurance to protect your family and your financial future. By making these moves, you can close out 2009 on a positive note -- while positioning yourself for progress on your longterm goals. Consult with a financial adviser, tax professional and/or attorney before making any financial decisons or changes. PAID ADVERTISEMENT
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
The busines of business BERT’S EYE VIEW by BERT LEWIS So the special theme within the pages of this issue of the JP is Tax and Financial Planning. Ok, I’m good with that, except for one thing. This is not exactly my area of expertise, therefore, what the heck am I going to tell you about it? After considerable thought, I finally realized I have a great story relating to the very words, Business Guide. Let me tell you and see if you don’t agree. We need to go back in time to somewhere in the early 1930s, and I must be certain you understand I’m guessing at my dates because there’s nobody I can ask to verify. All the major players in this true story are now, sadly, gone. The leading character is my paternal grandfather, to be known here after as Zayde. He was preparing to launch his junk business from the horse and wagon to a proper place of business -- a store! Of course my zayde was an immigrant with not a great deal of the English language at his disposal, but he did have four sons and one daughter, all born right here in Omaha, proper Americans. Yes, maybe their first language was Yiddish, but that was only at home. Outside they spoke English like the citizens they were, and like many other kids, they often translated English for their parents. Zayde had his advisors right there around the kitchen table. I don’t know who found the empty store which was meant to house the business, but I do remember the address was 2706 Cuming St. I also remember it didn’t have electricity, nor any kind of heating system. Basically, it was a very large empty space, with a basement. My late brother used to say he wouldn’t go down those steps without side arms for all the money in the world. There was said to be animal life of some kind inhabiting that basement, and he didn’t want to invade the territory! Back to the story -- we can discuss rodents later. Step one: A new business must have a name. What shall we call it? I’m sure my zayde must have thought his kids were foolish to worry about such things, but he deferred to their judgment and agreed they should think up a name. After what probably was plenty of talk and differences of opinion, they decided on “The ABC Junk Company.” Why? Because, they reasoned, that would make it the first in the phone book listings of other such businesses.
Smart kids? Probably, but I haven’t a clue as to whether there were others, but I assume there were. And you noticed the words phone book, yes? That meant this space without electricity or heat or plumbing, would have a telephone, because a business needs a phone! I can, to this day, hear my zayde quoting his phone number. It was something like “chana (Harney) 0204”. Darn right he had a phone! He also had a truck by then, and don’t ask me what happened to the horse and wagon. They were before my time, but I do remember the truck. I don’t know yet how my little zayde climbed up to the running board and into that truck, but he did it with a certain flair ... one foot swinging out and the other stretching way up, and suddenly, he was in the driver’s seat. There were lots of stories connected to that truck, which my uncles loved to tell, and most were hilarious. The truck, however, represented the first really modern part of the newly organized business -- that and the telephone! I can’t say how much my uncles and aunt had to do with the operation of the ABC Junk company after it was situated, but I do know they must have read the mail and taken care of such duties requiring English. And my dad, being the eldest, was in charge of bailing Zayde out of trouble with the local cops, who it seemed, would ticket him at least once a month for some infraction. Like not stopping at stop signs, for example. Zayde didn’t see the point if nobody was there anyway. The store was a well known and recognized fixture at 27th and Cuming for many, many years. It had odd hours, because Zayde didn’t open in the morning until after he’d been to shul, and people learned to get there on Fridays before the door slammed shut in the early afternoon. Business was done for the weekend so Zayde could prepare for Shabbos, of course. And, he became known as a reputable dealer to call when selling off furniture or various items of every description. He learned to recognize a valuable small piece of china or crystal mixed in with a bushel of cheap dime store stuff; and he learned to pick up his phone and call my mom, saying in Yiddish, come over right away. There’s something here you might like. She found more than one treasure mixed in with what Zayde called “the chazerai.” So that’s my business story. I can’t discuss taxes and financial planning with you, but oh boy, can I tell you stories about my zayde’s store! True, it was dark and dreary, musty and dirty, but it was an especially wonderful part of my brothers’ and my childhood. I don’t know if anyone remembered the “ABC Salvage Company, but everyone knew Zayde’s store. Bert Lewis can be reached at BertLewis39@aol.com.
Page 12 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
“Start up” community The new book by Dan Senor and Saul Singer -- Start Up Nation -- is a must read. Using dozens of interviews with members of the Israel Defense Force, CEOs of high-tech companies (both Israelis and Americans), politicians, venture capitalists and others, these two accomplished authors describe the financial, entrepreneurial and historical road Israel has taken to become one of the world leaders in economic growth. One of the ways this is accomplished is by creating “clusters” -- areas that might seem disparate (like math and the military) but have actually worked to enhance Israel’s aircraft and weapons industries. Clusters, as the authors point out, involve universities (and medical centers) near one another, big companies and start-ups, higherthan-average talent pool, government investment in research and development, and leadership opportunities provided at a young age by the IDF. Many of Israel’s young entrepreneurs originate from “8200” -- the technology unit in the IDF’s intelligence division -- creating a new kind of soldier who can solve problems from a different and unique perspective. The authors also make a point of highlighting the somewhat irreverent attitude in the IDF. There’s no saluting of officers; every soldier (even generals) are called by their first names or better yet, nicknames. Criticism is encouraged, allowing junior personnel to dispute the commands of senior officers. Questions are not ignored and sometimes (like after the 2006 War in Lebanon) generals are forced to step down. And, not unlike the Huskers, each day’s events are reviewed at night, enabling failures to be reviewed and corrected with input all the way down the line. What a remarkable environment then is created for young upstarts to challenge the status quo -- whether it’s in the biosciences, high tech, or manufacturing. There are lessons here for business, as well as non-profits. In fact, failure is not discouraged. It appears,
according to the authors, to be the basis (along with the risk taking that comes from living in a hostile neighborhood) of future success. And something that is often disparaged -- the argumentative nature of Israelis -is one of the useful traits needed by young entrepreneurs with novel ideas. Giving up is not an option, whether it’s on the battlefield facing Hamas, Hezbollah or just your ordinary terrorist -- or in the pursuit of venture capital to turn an algorithm into a program that can eventually lead to yet another public stock offering. (Israel is second only to the United States in the number of IPOs each year, and third only to the U.S. and Canada in the number of companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.) America can learn from this. Better yet, the Jewish community can learn even more. These are traits that should be encouraged -the idea that challenging the establishment, questioning the status quo, and combining activities that don’t generally go together are good ingredients for a creative, growing community. Jewish communities, especially those the size of Omaha’s, have a somewhat similar milieu as Israel -- small enough for citizens to remain connected, big enough to accomplish seemingly insurmountable tasks, and proud enough to want to compete against the “big boys” of larger communities -- and nations. The leaders in Omaha’s Jewish community never stopped to think of the downside when they rushed to protect the fledgling state of Israel in the late ’40s nor throughout the country’s many wars of survival. Each time the call was made for help -- in resettling Jews from Yemen in the 1950s or from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s -- the Jewish community -- the Jewish Federation of Omaha -was there, with open hearts and wallets. And while there certainly is an existential threat to Israel’s survival with a nuclear-arming Iran and its support of surrogates in Gaza and Lebanon, the more serious threat is the discon-
nect between young diaspora Jews and Israel. The “pull at their heartstrings” approach that worked with past generations doesn’t seem to have the same appeal for young Jews today. So using Start Up Nation as a guide, maybe we should consider new strategies to connect Omaha’s young Jews to Israelis in a “cluster” model. Through the Federation’s Partnership with Israel with the Western Galilee, Omahans have forged relationships with Israelis in academia, the arts, and social services. Omaha’s next step might want to be the creation of its own “cluster” with Israel -- in start up businesses, high tech, the biomedical industry. Who knows, maybe one of our young people could help launch a profitable business in Israel -- and wouldn’t that be an empowering way to solidify the next generation’s tie to the Jewish state!
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by TEVI TROY
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Officials in the Obama administration have decided that they will be cutting the guest list in half for this year’s Hanukkah party at the White House. The Jerusalem Post, which first reported this development, suggested that this will be politically harder for Obama the Democrat than it would have been for Bush the Republican. As one of President Bush’s advisers for many of his Hanukkah parties, I can assure you that it would not have been easy in the previous White House, either. During the Bush years, Jewish staffers were inundated by people who wanted to be invited to Bush’s Hanukkah soirees. Karl Rove once proclaimed at a West Wing meeting about the upcoming holiday parties that invites to the White House Hanukkah party were officially the toughest ticket in town. Bush’s first Hanukkah party, in 2001, gained national attention as the first one ever thrown in the White House residence. Each year, Bush continued the tradition, adding various refinements along the way. The first year, the children of a White House staffer lit the Hanukkah menorah in a ceremony kicking off the party. In subsequent years, Bush selected as candle lighters children of Jewish men and women in uniform, the father
Karl Rove once proclaimed at a West Wing meeting about the upcoming holiday parties that invites to the White House Hanukkah party were officially the toughest ticket in town. for guests who kept the dietary laws, but this led to confusion over which offerings were kosher and which were not. One year, due to a labeling mishap, some observant Jews accidentally ate from the nonkosher tables, leading to high-decibel complaints directed at the prim and proper White House ushers. From then on, Mrs. Bush decreed that the parties would be completely kosher, regardless of the expense. The scrutiny given to a White House Hanukkah party, and particularly the guest list, will certainly be more intense in a Democratic administration than in the Bush years.
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Obama must beware of the Hanukkah snub of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and -- in a joint ceremony to acknowledge Israel’s 60th birthday -- the grandsons of Harry Truman, the president who first recognized the new nation of Israel, and of David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Another refinement was the introduction of kosher food. The party was not kosher at first, as kosher food is significantly more expensive than nonkosher food -- 33 percent more, according to an estimate in The Jerusalem Post. Initially the White House did have a table with kosher food
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One reason is the long-standing attachment of Jews to the Democratic Party, as voters and especially as donors. Fully 78 percent of Jewish voters supported the Obama-Biden ticket in 2008, and Jewish fund-raisers figured prominently in the campaign. Reducing the size of the guest list, as Obama officials want to do, will therefore be an extremely difficult task. Just inviting the more than 40 Democratic members of Congress and their spouses will take a significant portion of the allotted spots, let alone the expected invites to Jewish senior staffers and large-dollar donors. Yet one wonders if there is more to this reduction than the reasons given by the administration, such as the high cost of kosher food and a desire to allow the list to grow over time. Over the past year, the Obama administration has given the Jewish community a number of reasons to fear that it takes its votes for granted. For instance, there is the administration’s pressure on the Israeli government over settlements. And many Jews are concerned with the selection of Mary Robinson -- a leader of the Durban conference boycotted by both Israel and the United States for its antiIsrael bias -- to win a Medal of Freedom. In addition, the administration attempted -- but eventually backed away from -- to put Israel critic Charles Freeman at the head of the National Intelligence Council. The administration’s move, as Politico noted, “comes on the heels of Obama’s cancellation of an appearance before the General Assembly of North American Jewish Federations.” Continued on page 13
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December 4, 2009
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
The Mofaz plan -- state now, ask questions later
NEW YORK (JTA) -- Shaul Mofaz has a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Mofaz, the Likud Party defense minister-turnedKadima leader, says the first step is the immediate establishment of a Palestinian state with temporary borders on 60 percent of the territory in the West Bank. Then, over the course of the next four to six years, the two sides would negotiate the final-status issues, including permanent borders. The final deal would be put to national referendums in Israel and Palestine. Under his plan, not a single Israeli settlement would be uprooted during the course of final-status negotiations, and both Gaza and the West Bank would be united under a moderate Palestinian government. In the end, Jerusalem would remain united under Israeli sovereignty, the large Jewish settlement blocs in the West Bank would be annexed to Israel, and the Palestinian state would be completely demilitarized. “Israel must initiate forward movement rather than being dragged into unwanted agreements,” Mofaz said last month at a presentation of his plan to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He also sat down for a one-on-one interview with JTA to discuss his proposal. “Today, we don’t have an Israeli master plan for implementing the vision of the two-state solution,” Mofaz said. “This is the first plan.” Absent a Palestinian leader with the willingness and standing to sign on, the only thing Mofaz needs is a
genie in a bottle to make it come true. Of course, Mofaz isn’t really expecting anyone to implement his plan anytime soon. The proposal is part of a strategy to win some attention as he jockeys for the leadership of Kadima, Israel’s chief opposition party. In the last Kadima primary election, in September 2008, Tzipi Livni edged Mofaz by just 431 votes. While many political analysts dismissed Mofaz’s strong showing as a fluke -- it was Kadima’s first primary, and less than 40,000 votes were cast -- Mofaz sees himself as a strong contender for the premiership. Having a plan to talk about allows Mofaz to criticize both Livni, his Kadima rival, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the presumed front-runner the next time Israel goes to elections. The plan itself, however, hasn’t received much traction in Israel. Livni has dismissed it as a political ploy, and Israeli media outlets have shown little interest. Mofaz came to the United States last month hoping for a better reception in a trip paid for by ORT, the worldwide Jewish educational organization. (Mofaz did some work promoting ORT during his visit.) But if the audience at Mofaz’s presentation Nov. 19 to the Presidents Conference is any gauge, the former general’s proposal will be met with great skepticism here, too. “I’m not sure I understand what’s new and different about it,” one questioner said at the presentation. “I don't understand how you propose to get it done and who you propose to negotiate with.” Several potential trouble spots are apparent in the plan. It presumes Palestinian acquiescence to an interim step, but the Palestinians are insisting they won’t return to the negotiating table unless final-status issues like dividing Jerusalem, the right of return to Israel for Palestinian refugees and the removal of Israeli settlements are up for
Hanukkah snub
Syria is still not ready for peace talks
NEWS ANALYSIS by URIEL HEILMAN
Continued from page 12 (This was one instance where the president deserves the benefit of the doubt, having made the understandable decision to attend a memorial service for the victims at Fort Hood instead. Nonetheless, it has fueled the concerns of some who see it as part of a string of slights.) For these reasons, while the size of the party may not be a big deal in the grand scheme of things, even some of Obama’s supporters may see it in the context of this longer train of politically tone-deaf decisions. Regardless of the party’s size, Obama should be warned that Jewish visitors to the White House often live up to the old maxim that “Gentiles leave without saying goodbye, while Jews say goodbye and never leave.” I have seen this phenomenon myself. After one particularly late night social event at the White House, thenChief of Staff Josh Bolten joked to Bush's senior staff that the White House military aides -- who staff official events in full ceremonial garb -- almost had to unsheathe their swords in order to get Hanukkah celebrants to exit the White House residence by the party's 8 p.m. close. A smaller group may make this particular problem easier to handle, but neither it, nor a nagging sense that there may be a studied callousness at work here, are going away. Tevi Troy is a visiting senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. He held multiple senior jobs in the Bush White House, and served as the White House Jewish liaison from 2003 to 2004.
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BEHIND THE HEADLINES by MITCHELL BARD Cutting Edge contributor In November 2009, after meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would meet Syrian President Basher Assad for direct negotiations, anywhere, anytime, without preconditions to discuss a permanent peace treaty between Israel and Syria. Assad, after meeting with Sarkozy two days later, flatly rejected Netanyahu's offer and half-heartedly countered with the possibility of restarting indirect negotiations through Turkey. This was vintage Assad. Typically, he meets with world leaders who praise him for privately expressing an interest in peace before he publicly declares he has no intention of negotiating with Israel. This pattern actually began with Assad's father as early as the mid-1970s, when President Carter met with Hafez Assad and extolled his virtues only to recall later in his memoirs that Assad subsequently did everything he could to sabotage his peace efforts. In those years, Israel was reluctant to offer any concessions on the Golan Heights, but starting with Yitzhak Rabin in the early 1990s, successive Israeli prime minis-
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discussion. It also presumes the Palestinians would agree to trading the West Bank settlement blocs for territory in Israel proper; the Palestinians have rejected such offers in the past. The plan ignores Hamas’ control of Gaza and the possibility that Hamas could trump the more moderate Fatah faction in the next Palestinian elections, which were supposed to be held in January but appear to be on hold. In addition, the plan does not account for what happens if Gaza remains under Hamas control, if the proposed Israeli or Palestinian national referenda reject the deal or if final-status talks fail. The last time final-status talks failed, when Yasser Arafat rejected then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s offer at Camp David in 2000, the second intifada was launched. If that were to happen within Mofaz’s arrangement, the Palestinians already would have a state in 60 percent of the West Bank. At its core, the plan differs little from other Israeli efforts to reach Israeli-Palestinian accord. The Oslo Accords awarded the Palestinians interim territory in the West Bank and Gaza; the territory simply wasn't called a state. The main difference in Mofaz’s vision appears to be the size of that area. Mofaz says his plan is about changing the atmosphere between the two sides so the gaps on the final-status issues can be bridged. It sounds very much like Netanyahu's stated strategy, which is to foster economic prosperity in the West Bank to create the conditions necessary for peace. Talks between the Israelis and Palestinians haven't shown much progress since they ran aground in 2000. And Mofaz’s proposal, given its reception thus far, doesn’t seem likely to get the two sides past their current impasse. The question is whether it can at least give him a boost in his effort to move past Livni and Netanyahu.
ters have offered to withdraw from the area in exchange for peace. In 2008, under Ehud Olmert, Israel engaged in what originally were secret talks moderated by Turkey. Though progress was reportedly made, Assad undercut the talks by tying Israel-Palestinian peace to a Syrian deal. The basic terms of a treaty have been established over these last two decades, but finalization of the deal has been prevented by Assad's position that Israel must return the Golan to Syria as a precondition of negotiations and his unwillingness to commit to the full normalization of relations after Israel's withdrawal. Meanwhile, even as he tells Western leaders he wants peace, he continues to work with Iran to arm Hezbollah with guns and rockets and to host a variety of terror groups in Damascus whom he had promised Secretary of State Powell he would expel. Israel would very much like peace with Syria, as this would not only ensure that that border remains quiet but would pave the way for negotiations with Lebanon. Israel's commitment to peace is evident in the risk it is prepared to take in leaving the strategically valuable Golan Heights. Syria is long overdue in reciprocating with concessions through direct talks. Mitchell Bard is the author of the forthcoming book The Arab Lobby. This op-ed first appeared at www.thecuttingedgenews.com.
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Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
Candlelighting Friday, December 4, 4:38 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Prayer Group 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Dec. 11: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Mitch Sherman, Sports Reporter for Omaha World Herald. Please bring your menorah to light for Hanukkah. The community is invited.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat & Say Shalom! to Shabbat, 6 p.m. services and 6:30 p.m. dinner. Open to all families in the Jewish community. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for non-members. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, call the office or email programming@ bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Beth El; 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. LEARNERS’ SERVICE: This new Shabbat morning service, scheduled for Saturday, 10:1511:15 a.m., is for those who would like to learn the basic structure of our Shabbat morning service. Meet in Room ‘B’; we’ll return to for services. JUNIOR CONGREGATION FAMILY SHABBAT: Saturday, Students (grades 3-7) arrive at 10 a.m. for tutoring; join parents at 11 a.m. in the chapel. BESTT HANUKKAH: On Sunday, 10 a.m., BESTT students in Pre-K-2nd grade will enjoy Hanukkah activity centers, games, crafts, a songfest, refreshments and much more. WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP: Thursday, Dec. 10, 1:15 p.m., to discuss Fabulous Small Jews, by Joseph Epstein. All women in the Jewish community are invited to participate. CHILDREN OF EDEN: 2009 Cantor’s Scholarship Concert presents a local production of this Broadway musical, on Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. For
ticket information, call the office.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-2:30 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, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Helene Lohman; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to every Shabbat; Mincha, 4:30 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels & Beit Midrash begins with breakfast, 9:40 a.m.; Sacred Text Messages (for teens) with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m.; Living in Season with Miriam Gross, 10 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:15 p.m. MONDAY: Mincha & Mishna, 5:15 p.m., Mishna study with the rabbis along with Mincha/ Ma’ariv services. TUESDAY: Scholar’s Club for fourth-sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Board of Commisioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi’s Weiss’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings Remix, 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Soul Quest: The Journey through Life, Death and
HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Wednesday, Dec. 30 for the Jan. 8 issue. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by e-mailing the editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, complete form and click on “submit” twice.
Beyond, 7 p.m. To enroll, visit www.myJLI.com/SoulQuest or call the office. Contact Shevi@ ochabad.com with any questions. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. 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. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board Meeting, 2 p.m. at South Street. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. The Ethics of Consumerism, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Nancy Rips and Andy Greenberg. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog and Jim Polack.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet. First and second graders will help lead service through song and a story. Dinner for the students and their families will immediately follow. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Danny Glazer, son of Jennifer and John Glazer, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Religious School (PreK-6), 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m. with Children’s Choir and Rabbi Sandy Sasso; Spirituality and Parenting with Rabbi Sandy Sasso, 10:30 a.m.; Children’s Choir Rehearsal, noon. Lunch provided for choir members and younger siblings; Club 56 to Durham Museum, noon. Cost is $5. Please RSVP to Club 56 Advisor Leora Azriel, leoraann@ aol.com; Bible Quiz Practice, 12:15 p.m.
TUESDAY: Bible Quiz, 7 p.m. at the JCC. Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to a dinner before hand at 6 p.m.; Grandparents Circle, 7 p.m. Rabbi Linder and Program Director Wendy Goldberg will facilitate the course. Contact Temple or wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com, to register for these classes. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m. Children’s Choir Chanukah Concert, Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. Family Shabbat Worship Service and Hanukkah dinner immediately following. Emily Meyer will be honored for her work with the Temple Children’s Choir. A traditional holiday meal will follow services. Bring your menorahs. Temple’s Social Justice Committee asks that you also bring new underwear and socks (all sizes) to donate to the Stephen Center. Sponsored by the Women of Reform JudaismOmaha. RSVP with the office by Friday, Dec. 4.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:38 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday, 8-11 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board Meeting, 2 p.m. at South Street. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. Hanukkah Hop, Sunday, Dec. 13, noon. Latkes and a meal will be served in honor of our seniors, 80 and over. Their meals are free and they’ll be transported to the Hop in style. Bring yourself and your family and be part of crowning a King and Queen of the Hop. Cost for adults (under 80) is $10, Children (ages 2-12): $5; and children under age two are free. FREEDOM BREAKFAST: Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, 7:30 a.m. at Embassy Suites (1040 “P” St.); reservations are due immediately. Tickets are $15 per person and the form for ordering tickets is available at the synagogue or by calling Nancy Knapp at 472.1663. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY, 7:30 p.m. The Ethics of Consumerism, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren.
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December 4, 2009
DEATHS Continued from page 2 HILDE GOTTLIEB Jews who were escaping from Germany and other parts of Europe controlled by the Nazis. She told The Jewish Press in 1981, “On Passover, we had a seder. Even though everything was rationed, each one of us brought a little something. We couldn’t go to the synagogue because none of us could afford seats.” She spent eight years in England and, in 1947, came to America to meet relatives who had left Germany and emigrated first to England and later to Omaha. There were adjustments for Hilde when she arrived here. Everything was different -- even the money. She began looking for a job all over again and found one at a downtown dime store. One of her relatives introduced her to Walter Gottlieb, also a survivor. They were married in Omaha on Jan. 1, 1948. Hilde continued to persist in trying to find her immediate family members but had no success. She wrote to the neighbors and all of her letters were returned. Many years later, a neighbor confirmed that her mother and sister had been deported and killed. She never returned to her homeland because she said that there was nothing to go back to. She was proud to be an American and always spoke of the beauty of this country. After their marriage, Hilde and Walter were faithful members of Temple Israel. For more than 20 years, Hilde helped at the Friday night Oneg Shabbat, serving coffee. She was a Temple member for more than 60 years. In later years, she became involved with the Temple’s Kol Rina choir. She said that this was “really fun” and something that she had always wanted to do. After her difficult early life, she was always very appreciative of her home and good friends. Her husband preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Craig Saylan; and son, Steven Gottlieb. Memorials to Temple Israel Caring Committee. DOLORES A. REDLER Delores “Dodi” Redler died Nov. 26, at the age of 70. Services were held Nov. 30 at Temple Israel. A former religious school teacher at Temple Israel for 10 years, she also was a teacher for 10 years at the Jewish Community Center’s preschool. In addition, she volunteered for Temple Sisterhood, chaired its Used Book Sale for three years, and served as co-chairman of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Super Sunday. She is survived by her husband, Steven Redler; daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Ken Jacobs of Tampa, FL; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Dara Redler of Atlanta, GA; sister, Natalie Lebow of Highland Park, IL; and five grandsons, Alec, Jansen and Mason Redler, Ryan and Austin Jacobs. Memorials to Temple Israel Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund or Methodist Hospital Home Hospice. ELI STONE Eli Stone, a resident of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, died Nov. 26 at the age of 98. Graveside services were held Nov. 30 at Hillcrest Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern M. Stone. He is survived by his family and friends. ETHEL KERSON WALD Ethel Kerson Wald died Nov. 27 in Houston, TX, at the age of 90. Funeral services were held on Dec. 2,in the Beth Yeshurun Cemetery. A native Texan born in Galveston, she worked for American National Insurance Company as a key-punch operator. In 1944 she married Nathan Wald, who died
UNVEILING of the gravestone for the late Jack Schrager Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Temple Israel Cemetery 6412 No. 42 St.
HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Wednesday, Dec. 30 for the Jan. 8 issue. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
60 Years Experience in 2002. She was a life-long member of Congregation With Jewish Beth Yeshurun, where she was active in the Sisterhood. Lettering and Memorials She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Helen and Mark Spain of Raleigh, NC, and Harriet and Ron Epstein; grandchildren, Kevin Spain and his wife Christy Gorarlnik of San Mateo, CA, Jennifer Spain of Raleigh, NC, Brittany Epstein and Marissa Epstein of Dallas; two great-grandchildren; sister, Minnie Baum of 200492ar1.tif v2 10:40 12/2/02 Houston; and caregiver, Annie Ledet. 200498 Memorials to the American Stroke Association, Congregation Beth Yeshurun or charity of choice.
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1439 So. 13th 341-2452
Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.
JC
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IRIS-1
ROBERT GERELICK Robert Gerelick died Nov. 29 at the age of 90. Services were held Dec. 1. He was preceeded in death by his wife, Kay. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Steve Pitlor; son, Howard Gerelick of Denver; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Larraine Gerelick of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Lisa and Ian Abramson, David Pitlor, Kimberly Pitlor, Dan and Paige Gerelick, Jason and Amy Kinsey; and a great-grandson. Memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
A meeting of the brothers It’s her future.Do the math.
SM
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Vayishlakh Our Sidra tell us how Jacob, more or less, afraid of his meeting with Esau, sent agents before him with multiple gifts for his brother, gifts of herds and flocks. The gifts were by no means stingy. Jacob sent gifts of great value to Esau, hoping to appease his expected anger. After the flocks and herds, Jacob had to send his family. Biting the bullet, Jacob sent the families deriving from his two concubines first, followed by Leah’s family, and finally, Rachel’s sons, Joseph and Benjamin, who is born on the road to Canaan, after which Jacob’s beloved Rachel dies. Rashi’s comment was brief and to the point: “Aharon, aharon, haviv,” placing the farthest from harm’s way the more beloved of Jacob’s family. As one wag put it, “The more behind, the more beloved.” Now Esau proved himself to be the gentleman. He told Jacob that he had enough of his own and had no need of all the gifts that Jacob was sending. Jacob was not very much relieved. He then suggested to Esau that Esau and his retinue proceed first, on the grounds that his family, with its many children, had to proceed slowly. In fact, however, at Esau’s suggestion, the brothers proceeded together, at a pace that even the younger children could manage. Thus, Jacob’s fears were abated and the brothers and their families moved together to Canaan, the place that was to be, historically, the Land of Israel. (Editor’s note: Some alert readers noticed that Rabbi Kripke’s column of Nov. 20 on Parashat Toldot revolved around Joseph as the “hero of Genesis.” Rabbi Kripke did intend that column to be as such, as it introduces Joseph’s father Jacob and its description of estrangement of the brothers as a repeated theme in Genesis.)
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EDITOR/BUSINESS MANAGER For the Omaha Jewish Press
Jewish Federation of Omaha has an immediate opening for Editor/Business Manager of the Jewish Press, a weekly Jewish community newspaper and web edition in Omaha. This is not an entry-level position. This position requires a hands-on leader with newspaper or related experience. Additional qualifications include but are not limited to; writing, editing, budget and content management, and knowledge of the Jewish communal organizations and religion.
NOTE TO PUB: DO NOT PRINT INFO BELOW, FOR I.D. ONLY. NO ALTERING OF AD COUNCIL PSAS. Girl Scouts - Newspaper (3 3/4 x 3 1/2) B&W GSUGSU-N-09209-E “It’s Her Future” 85 screen Film at Schawk: 212-689-8585 Reference #: 200498
The Editor/Business Manager is a full-time position with full-time benefits. Please send resume with cover letter and non-returnable work samples in PDF or text format to: Tina Story, Human Resources Specialist at tstory@jewishomaha.org. Please no phone calls.
Statewide Classified ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $210/25 word classified ad. Over 175 newspapers with circulation of more than 400,000. Contact the Jewish Press at 334-6448 or call 1-800369-2850. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 178 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. ADOPTION: LOVING parents and their 9-year-old adopted daughter would love a baby brother or sister. Stay at home mom, professional dad. Expenses paid. Please call Becky/Mike 800-472-1835. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 800-3692850 to place your ad on the national www.midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25.00. Your ad runs until your vehicle is sold! BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press:
HUNT DUCKS & geese with Westminster Woods Hunt Club. One mile southeast of Lexington, NE. Hunt one day & night for $225.00 or one day only for $175.00. Call Vern Hiatt, 308-530-0100.
Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
20 ACRE land foreclosures near growing El Paso, Texas. No credit checks/owner financing. $0 down, take over $159/month payment. Was $16,900, now $12,856. 800755-8953, www.texaslandforeclosures.net. WALK-IN BATHTUBS $2,995, hot tubs $995 to $4,995, saunas $1,995 to $2,795. Call 1-800-869-0406 for price list and pictures. Town Center Showcase, Lincoln, NE. goodlifespa.com. 4 BEDROOM Doublewide. Owner financing. Reasonable down. Will move. Land available. 785-862-0321. **************** We own the bank! Doublewides/modulars. Call to prequalify! It’s Free! 800-375-3115. FRANKLIN COUNTY Memorial Hospital, Franklin, NE, recruiting Family Practice Physician or Internal Medicine Physician. Employment vacancy, Call 1:4. Critical Access Hospital. Designated Basic Trauma Center. Provider based Rural Health Clinics. New $4.1 million Outpatient Expansion. Call Jerrell Gerdes, Administrator, 308-425-6221 or send Confidential Resume to PO Box 315, Franklin, NE 68939. AIRLINES ARE hiring - train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Housing available. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance, 888-349-5387.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 4, 2009
JCC Gallery hosts local artists
by LYNN BATTEN Storm chasing and satellite imagery will dominate the JCC Gallery this December, as the Gallery welcomes local photographer, Mike Beck and local fabric artist, Juli-Ann Gasper. Their exhibit “Looking Up/Looking Down. Two Artists/Two Perspectives� opened Dec. 1 and will run through the end of the month. Beck loves to look up to the skies and watch the cloud development and transformation during Nebraska’s tornado season. Primarily photographed in black and white, these photos of awe-inspiring cloud formations makes the viewer feel as though they are standing amidst the clouds. A photographer for seven years, his recent work is a collection of storm chase photos taken mostly from the back roads of Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Capturing a sky-scape alive with its varied shapes, colors and sounds makes the pursuit of the storm even more fulfilling. His professional training as an artist guides the development of this series. Gasper enjoys looking down upon the earth through the satellite imagery she uses to inspire her quilt art. Canada’s tundra, Iceland’s river plains and Russia’s oil fields are just a few of the topographical landscapes used to inspire these textile pieces. As a quilt artist for the past 15 years, she has perfected the unique process of her creations. Fabric layering, cutting-away and thread painting are techniques frequently combined to yield her images. From the mathematical system used to create her Spiral series to the natural and historical artifacts that influenced her Native American Art installation, Gaspar proves that inspiration is found everywhere. The public is invited to the artists’ dessert reception on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-5 p.m. in the Gallery. Artist trading cards (new in collectibles) and original photo note-cards will be available for sale.
Beth El to celebrate 80th anniversary with special Shabbat service, Kiddush luncheon
ued. “Without remembering the past, you won’t ever by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator have the opportunity to improve and understand the Celebrating the present, paying tribute to the past, and blessings of the present.� The Schlessingers said they were happy to assume the looking forward to the future will be the order of the day on Saturday, Dec. 12, as Beth El Synagogue celebrates chairmanship of this event, seeing it as a way to thank the its 80th anniversary during a special Shabbat morning. synagogue that has meant so much to their family. “We have always felt fortunate to have a great synaEveryone in the community is invited to join the festivities, beginning with 9:30 a.m. services and followed by gogue in Omaha – that’s one of the reasons we decided a gala Kiddush luncheon. to come to Omaha in the first place,� Nancy said. “Over Marking this milestone offers the congregation a great the years, our children have found this a great place to opportunity for reflection and pride, according to Nancy learn about Judaism, and we have seen great things that Schlessinger, who is chairing the synagogue has done for the morning with her husus and the community at band, Joel. large. This is just one small “This is not only a chance thing that we are able to give to thank the folks who creatback to Beth El.� ed this meaningful and During the morning, parimpactful part of our current ticipants will recall Beth El’s lives, but to forge an ongoorigin and history; in addiing connection to the past,� tion, relatives of the foundNancy said. “Without these ing families will be recogongoing connections and nized and will help to lead remembrances, it is impossiservices, read Torah and ble to gain a sense of historichant Haftarah. cal importance, and that All of the synagogue’s past would be a terrible shame.� presidents will be asked to Joel agreed, adding, take an aliyah, and Rabbi “Think of America without Emeritus Myer S. Kripke will an ongoing and repeated be among the special guests focus on where we came Joel and Nancy Schlessinger are chairing the Shabbat cele- in attendance. The congrefrom and why it is impor- bration of Beth El’s 80th anniversary. gation’s children will also tant. The same thing goes for those members and the participate in the service, offering a musical tribute for milieu that created Beth El 80 years ago. Imagine, in the the anniversary. very beginning of the Depression -- starting a new synaThe Schlessingers recognize the many people who gogue and building the structure of something that have helped to plan this celebration, including luncheon would last for 80 years and grow to be a leader in the chairmen, Sherry Shapiro and Joye Wees; simcha coordicommunity and an icon in Omaha! That was really nator, Les Kaye; archives organizers, Laurie Epstein and something, and it alone should be lauded.� Leslie Eades; and committee members Adam Graham, “We are taking a small time to reflect upon the impor- Andy Greenberg, Bev Fellman, Frances Gottlieb, Joanie tance and thankfulness that we share for those founding Jacobson, Ron Feldman, Pam Feldman and Melissa families and their current family members,� he contin- Shapiro.
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