Vol. LXXXVIII No. 13 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
8 Kislev, 5769
December 5, 2008
Grim news from Mumbai hits home by JACOB BERKMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- Until confirmation finally came that the Chabad emissaries in Mumbai were among the more than 195 victims killed in last week’s terrorist attacks in India, Chabad Chasidim and emissaries the world over prayed for the best while fearing for the worst. By the morning of Nov. 28, the hostage standoff at the Chabad’s Nariman House was over two days after it had begun. Early that day, witnesses saw a series of explosions at the community center as Indian special forces stormed the site and battled with the gunmen who had taken over the house -- one of 10 sites in the city attacked Nov. 26 by terrorists. When the smoke had cleared, the bodies of five hostages were found, including those of the couple that ran the center, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg. At a Nov. 28 news conference at Chabad world headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., the mood was one of shock and grief. “This news is fresh and this news is raw,” the chairman of Chabad’s education and social services arm, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, told reporters. New York Police Department Commissioner Raymond Kelly also was on hand. Chabad has more than 3,500 emissaries, known as schluchim, who run Jewish outreach centers around the world. The centers began to be established at the behest of the late Lubavitcher rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Among them are Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman, who
Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, right, and his wife, Rivkah, left, pictured here at a wedding in Mumbai in 2006, served as the Indian city's Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries since 2003. They Credit: Chabad.org were brutally murdered by terrorists in the Mumbai attack last week. arrived in Omaha in 1986 with their first ment in Colaba, in the southern part of child, Estie, when they were about the Mumbai, quickly became a hub both for same age as the Holtzbergs. Jews traveling in India -- many of them Those who knew the Holtzbergs -- Israeli backpackers traveling in the counGavriel, 29, and Rivkah, 28 -- spoke of try following their service in the Israeli them as highly dedicated to the Chabad army -- and for those living in India. mission of spreading Judaism to Jews “Jews from all nationalities stopped there around the globe. The couple moved from -- primarily Israelis, but also those from Brooklyn to Mumbai in 2003 at the urg- Singapore and other places,” said Elijah ing of Chabad’s leadership. Their apart- Jacob, the American Jewish Joint
Federation exec lauded for 10th anniversary at community event by LISA LIEB Under her leadership, Federation Communications Director a strong infrastructure “The Jewish community is has been developed, fortunate to have an executive which includes the director as capable and dedicatrestructuring of the cened as Jan,” said Joe tral services area under a Kirshenbaum, who has served Chief Operating Officer. in local and national leadership She also had the foresight roles. “She has had a major to be one of the first impact on furthering Jewish Federation Directors to values in our community. Jan is create a Community also extremely well thought of D e v e l o p m e n t on the national scene with Department to address the areas of outreach, UJC. I’ve personally seen pronewcomers and Young fessionals look to Jan for her Jewish Omaha. advice and leadership on matThrough that departters and that’s very unusual for ment, the Federation welsomeone from an intermediate comes and connects newsize city. Jan is very special to comers to the Omaha our community.” community, On Wednesday night at the Last winter, Jan Goldstein took a Leadership Mission group Jewish Federation’s Community to visit ISCAR (a precision tool company purchased by engages young adults to Event, Jan Goldstein was hon- Berkshire Hathaway in 2005), located in the Western become involved and take ored for 10 years of service as Galilee, and meet its CEO, Eitan Wertheimer. on leadership positions, provides welcome baskets for babies, and reaches out to Executive Director. Much has been accomplished in the last 10 years under those not yet connected to the Omaha Jewish community. Goldstein’s leadership, all with an overriding theme of It has become a model for federations across the country. building community. Her work towards that end has The foundation of any organized Jewish community is included bringing the Federation agencies together the annual campaign, which provides funding for the towards one shared mission, striving for collaboration structure of the community and all its endeavors. Continued on page 5 and cooperation in their programming and services.
Inside Opinion Page see page 8
This Week: Blumkin’s kitchen: a reminder of home: Page 3 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Sunday concert with Craig Taubman to benefit youth: Page 3
Distribution Committee’s country manager for India. “It was almost like a second home to them. Our country director used to say it was like a second home to him because of all of the Jews there on Shabbat.” Said Omaha’s Rabbi Katzman, “We are not equipped to offer answers, only to embellish the painful questions. Rabbi Gabi and Rivkie Holtzberg were the personification of kindness, of light, of warmth, dedication and selflessness, as inspired emissaries of the Rebbe. Their faces radiated love, joy and humility. Their lives were shared with the myriad souls they touched.” He added, “Evil has reared its ugly head yet again and attempts to throw us into despair. We can and must banish evil which is not confined to a single geographic location. How? Resolve to multiply acts of kindness exponentially. Now is the time for our community to band together and support one another in unity,” he said. “Through this our broken hearts will be healed. May we merit the coming of Moshiach speedily.” Chabad of Omaha e-mailed its supporters last week, requested that they dedicate their Shabbat candlelighting to the slain shluchim, including the welfare of twoyear-old Moshe Holtzberg. Rabbi Kotlasrky recounted the last conversation Gavriel had with the Israeli Embassy, shortly after the center was taken over by the terrorists. “He said, ‘The situation is not good,’” Kotlarsky recalled. “And then he was cut off.” Continued on page 2
Young Leadership Mission planned for June by JANIE MUROW Community Development Director An extraordinary opportunity awaits Young Jewish Omaha. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is planning a Young Leadership Mission to Israel for Jewish adults, ages 25-40 living in Omaha, for June 10-19, 2009.
Above: aerial view looking due east across the Jewish Quarter to the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza. On the right is Credit: ISRANET construction of the Mograbi bridge. “We are so excited about taking a group of young leaders to Israel because this is the first mission specifically for this age group that we have offered in several years,” said Jan Goldstein, the Federation’s executive director. “This trip has already attracted a tremendous cross-section of people, including those who are returning to Israel and those who are first-time visitors.” Continued on page 2
Coming Next Week: Hanukkah Issue Teens to compete in annual B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz: Page 4
High schoolers learn to analyze media coverage of Israel: Page 12
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
Grim news from Mumbai
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. BESTT 6th and 7th grade Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Book Fair, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Pre-K, and Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Beth El C Teen Class with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mishpacha Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad L Four B’s, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel I Club 56, noon at Temple Israel P Beth El & Temple Israel present Craig Taubman in Concert, 3:30 p.m. at Beth El MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
& Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon Chabad S A V E
Hadassah “Adopt A Family” Party, 1 p.m. Judaism 102, 6:30 P.M. RBJH presents “UNO Heartland Philharmonic,” 7 p.m. Soul Maps, 7 p.m. at Chabad Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Judaism 101, 8 p.m.
C L I P & S A V E
Young Leadership Mission
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9:15 a.m. at Chabad ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Mishnah Club, 3:45 p.m. B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz Dinner, 5 p.m. Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 OTYG Planning Meeting, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel Events, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel C Currents Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
L THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 I P Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel
C L I P
&
&
S A V E
Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Ideals and Ethics, noon at Beth El Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. JFS Grief Support Program, 7 p.m. Jewish Book Month Speaker, 7 p.m. at Kripke Library Young Leadership Mission Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
the Jewish Agency for Israel. Two of her three children Contineud from page 1 News of the Holtzbergs’ deaths hit hard in the already were living in Israel. Lubavitch neighborhood of Crown Heights, where tens Rabinovich, who was visiting the Chabad center, had of thousands of Chabadniks live. In this tight-knit com- been traveling in India with the intention of making munity, nearly everyone is connected to one another. aliyah at the end of her trip. “It is painful to see,” Rabbi Velvel Farkash said outside Unlike other Chabad houses in the Far East, which see of Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern a steady stream of Israeli backpackers, the Nariman Parkway. “It is a deep pain. I really have no words for it.” House catered more to Israeli and foreign businessmen. Jacob described Gavriel Holtzberg as a community A typical Shabbat dinner at the Holtzbergs would builder in Mumbai, home to some 4,500 Jews living in include up to 50 guests, ranging from locals to the Israeli a western Indian city of 14 million. The city has eight consul general and his family, Beser said. synagogues, mostly in the southern part in predominant“They were so committed to what they were doing ly Muslim neighborhoods. and they were such “[Gavriel] helped out with some of good people,” the local synagogues. He helped them Beser said of the collect donations and did fund-raising Holtzbergs. “They for the synagogue T’feret Israel, in were so welcoming. central Mumbai in Jacobs Circle. He It was amazing how helped build a mikvah there,” Jacob, many people came who grew up in India, told JTA. through that “He was also officially a shochet [rithouse. And still she ual slaughterer] and made chickens was like, ‘How was available to the community. They also your week?’ and made challah for the community. They was able to hold all were available for the community. If of this information people had questions about halachic about what I was principles, what is right and what is doing.” wrong in terms of the rights and cusThe only Mumbai toms of Judaism, they were basically terrorist caught Volunteers from ZAKA, the Israeli organization that collects alive told an Indian guiding the local community.” On Nov. 27, the day after terrorists body parts in preparation for Jewish burial, arrived in newspaper that he took over the Chabad House, the Mumbai on Nov. 30. In addition to the Holtzbergs and Naomi and his colleagues gunmen released the Holtzbergs’ Rabinovich, ZAKA also found the bodies of Israelis Yocheved were sent to target two-year-old son, Moshe, and the Orpaz and two kashrut supervisers in India on business, and Israelis. building’s cook, Sandra Samuel, who Rabbi Leibish Teitelbaum and Benzion Kruman, ZAKA volun- Azam Amir Kasab, reported that the Chabad emissaries teers reported evidence of torture, damage to Torahs and a Pakistani, told were alive but unconscious. The Jewish books, and stockpiles of ammunition. It was obvious, Indian police that Holtzbergs have another son who was according to one volunteer, that the Chabad House was the terrorists tarCredit: ZAKA geted the Chabad not in the center when it was cap- being used as a base for the terrorists. tured. outreach center, known as the Nariman House, because Krinsky said Chabad would take care of Moshe. it was frequented by Israelis, The Times of India report“The world of Chabad-Lubavitch and its emissaries ed Sunday. Israelis were targeted to “avenge atrocities on will adopt this beautiful toddler, and raise him and give Palestinians,” the paper reported Kasab as saying. The Times also quoted a source as saying that some of him a beautiful upbringing,” Krinsky said at the news the terrorists killed in the operation had earlier rented conference. On the morning of Nov. 28, as reports spread that five rooms at the Nariman House, identifying themselves as of the hostages being held at the Chabad house were Malaysian students, in order to study the building. “There is no doubt that these attacks were designed, dead, Erin Beser was holding out hope that the Chabad inter alia, to intentionally harm such Jewish instituemissaries were not among them. Beser, who spent a year in Mumbai as a volunteer for tions,” Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his the JDC, said she spent nearly every Shabbat at the Cabinet Sunday. “The government of Israel is doing, and will continue to do, everywhere, what needs to be Chabad house during her time in India. “I was by myself in India for two months as a volun- done to protect Jewish institutions insofar as the matter teer,” Beser said. “And in India, your week is just so depends on us and is possible, in the very special circumstressful and foreign, and everything is different, from stances related to events of this kind." Olmert praised the Indian government and military for the food to the climate. But going to Chabad was just like coming home. And I came back every week. If I did- their response to the attacks on 10 sites in Mumbai, which killed more than 170 people and left hundreds n’t come one week, she would call.” Another victim at the center was Norma Shvarzblat injured. Five Israelis were confirmed killed in the Rabinovich, 50, a Mexican citizen who was scheduled to Chabad center. make aliyah on Dec. 1, according to a news release from JTA staffer Ron Kampeas contributed to this article.
Continued from page 1 Mike and Dana Kaufman and Ted and Jamie Friedland will lead the adventure, where participants will visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Western Galilee on the shores of the Mediterranean. Among the trip’s many highlights, visitors will see Masada and the Dead Sea, explore the Golan Heights, experience the new Yad Vashem, and walk the narrow alleyways of the Old City of Jerusalem. Mission participants will also have the unforgettable opportunity to meet many Israelis. Visitors will get a chance to visit with people from Omaha’s Partnership
area in the Western Galilee and some of the recipients of the community’s Campaign dollars. With these encounters, participants will hear first-hand what a difference these donations have made. The cost of the trip will be partially subsidized, thanks to the generosity of many Omaha private foundations and donors. Space is limited. Please come for an information meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Jan Goldstein. For more details and to RSVP, contact me at jmurow@jewishomaha.org or 334.6566.
150 people gathered at Ironwood on Saturday night for the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Young Leadership Awards and Casino Night. Left: Award winners Dan Marburg and Toba
Cohen-Dunning, both of whom celebrated birthdays last week, were surprised with a cake; Right: Andy Raffel, left, Wayne Schwarz, Amy Raffel, Stephanie and Mike Sigmond.
S A V E
All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated.The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events.To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING,VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
This Space For Rent Call Robyn Belgrade 334-6559
December 5, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Sunday’s kid-friendly Blumkin’s kitchen: a reminder of home by OZZIE NOGG Since aging can diminish the senses of taste and smell, To paraphrase cookbook author Norman Kolpas, cooks use various herbs and seasonings to spice up the concert to benefit “Food, like a loving touch ... has that ability to comfort.” flavor of food, while -- at the same time -- going easy The cooks at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home are with salt or spices that could upset stomachs. In addiBeth El and Temple Israel keenly aware of the role they play in providing RBJH tion, wait staff must be quick to offer residents help with
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Craig Taubman and his band will perform their kidfriendly pop sound at 3 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 7, at Beth El Synagogue in a concert jointly sponsored by Beth El and Temple Israel. Individual tickets can be purchased at Beth El for $18 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children age five and younger. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of concert. The following patron cateCraig Taubman gories (all of which include two tickets) are: Director, $5,000; Executive Director, $1,000; Investor, $500; Manager, $100; and Patron, $50. Proceeds from the concert will be used to support the Temple Israel Camp Scholarship Fund and Beth El’s Youth Scholarship Fund. The concert has been made possible, in part, by a generous donation from the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Supporting Foundation. Taubman, singer and songwriter, writes songs, it seems, as easily as the rest of us write grocery lists. His clean, crisp, slick music is sometimes funny like “I Don’t Want to Go to Bed,” and sometimes sweet like “Lullaby for Zayde.” Other times, he’s poignantly emotional as in his recent composition, “Holy Ground,” featured in the upcoming PBS holiday special, “Lights Celebrate Hanukkah.” Taubman’s Hebrew songs frequently mix poetic translations and English lyrics that borrow from a variety of pop styles. “I am happiest doing the Jewish stuff,” Taubman said, “but my feet are firmly grounded in both communities.” For more information or to purchase tickets, call Beth El at 492.8550 or Temple Israel at 556.6536.
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residents with nutritious meals that also comfort and the meal when it arrives at the table -- opening milk carsoothe their souls. Be it chicken soup, oatmeal, brisket tons, buttering bread, taking foil off a baked potato so or mashed potatoes, the dietary staff understands that that food can be enjoyed while it’s hot. Translation: whichever way you slice it, comfort food often serves as Aparo, Bair and the entire Blumkin Home kitchen crew an emotional security blanket, a nostalgic reminder of use large measures of sensitivity -- an ingredient not the familiar foods of childhood. included on recipe cards. “We meet with the Resident Food Council every In addition to veteran cook Armstrong, the RBJH month,” said Cindy Armstrong dietary staff includes Dana who has been a cook in the Webster who has worked in the Blumkin kitchen for 19 years. Blumkin kitchen for 10 years. “We hear their suggestions and Webster is in charge of the dining comments and do our best to room, supervises dietary aides meet their requests and specific and -- together with Bair -- has tastes. The residents are like taken ownership of the new ongrandparents to me. I know what site bakery. Cook Jerry Bearfield they like to eat, what they don’t joined the team six years ago. like to eat, and I know how to get RBJH cooks include: Cindy Armstrong, left, Jerry Juan Carlos and Maria Soto came some of them to eat even when Bearfield and Dana Webster. Not pictured: Juan on board recently. Carlos and Maria Soto. they don’t want to.” Each cook has a signature dish. Laura Bair, Blumkin Home Webster -- in addition to her cake “Food is not about impressing people. decorating talent -- is the Food Service and Catering Manager, said, “It hurts the staff It’s about making them feel comfort- spaghetti whiz. Armstrong turns to see the residents pick at their out mean kasha varnishkehs. Ina (nee Rosenberg) Garten, Bearfield is the go-to guy for food. They know how to coax able.” them into eating at least a little, the (Jewish) Barefoot Contessa matzah ball soup, fried chicken and lately the dietitians have seen and fish. According to Webster, a lot of good weight gain.” the atmosphere in the Blumkin kitchen is friendly. A famous Russian revolutionary once proclaimed, “Like family,” she said. And, like most families, this “Any cook should be able to run the country.” Could one has a designated jokester. “I was Puerto Rican when be. But not just any cook can run the Blumkin Home I came here,” quipped Bearfield. “Now I’m a Hebrew!” kitchen. The family feeling extends to meal time in the dining Mike Aparo, RBJH Director of Food and rooms, where interaction and banter between kitchen Environmental Services, has the unique skills needed to staff and RBJH residents is often light-hearted. “I asked prepare appetizing meals for the elderly. Aparo makes one resident if she’d like something to drink,” sure that the cooks who work under his direction are Armstrong said. “Her answer was, ‘Can you get me a alert to dietary restrictions that accompany a resident’s bourbon?’” medication, and that the food they prepare is easy for Whether or not that request was granted remains clasdenture wearers to chew comfortably. sified information.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
Teens to compete in Bible Quiz
by LOIS EPSTEIN For B’nai B’rith Twenty-two Omaha area teens have signed up to compete in the 23rd Annual Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz. “It’s a lively contest and is open to the public,” said Steve Riekes, a Trustee of Henry Monsky Lodge.” It is set for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. The contest is specifically designed for Jewish high school students in Omaha. Participants include Kevin Adler, Sam Burrell, Hal Emas, Susan Freeman, Adam Golberg, Daniel Grossman, Emily Katz, Sam Kohll, Tali Levin, Melanie Long, Vince Long, Rachel Martin, Lev Nachman, Adeev Potash, Ezra Potash, Aaron Priluck, Jessie Reno, Daniel Schlessinger, Effie Tsabari, Ygal Schuller, Jordan Slutzky and Uriah Wertheim. This year, the subjects of the Quiz are the Books of Leviticus (chapters 11, 19, 23 and 25); Numbers (chapters 11-25, 27, 32, 35 and 36); and the Book of Esther. The program, which is sponsored by the Lodge, is supported by Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Israel, and the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. The event, held in conjunction with Jewish Book Month, is open to the community without charge. The Lodge will award first, second,
third and fourth place scholarship money. The prizes in the contest can be utilized, at the recipient’s choice, for either college tuition, an approved trip to Israel or an approved camp or educational program sponsored by a Jewish organization. The first place winner will receive a scholarship in the amount of $600 plus $50 cash. At the conclusion of the contest, the Lodge will give out a $10 cash prize to all participants who answer three questions correctly. A special committee prepared the questions for the contest. Acting as Judges will be Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Dr. Guy Matalon, Cantor Beth Schlossberg and Rabbi Yaakov Weiss. Gloria Kaslow will be the quizmaster, and Karen Javitch and Mark Javitch will also participate. Lodge President, Gary Javitch also will recognize the contributions of Stanley Mitchell, who for 23 years has helped coordinate the contest. Prior to the contest, which is open to the public, members of Henry Monsky Lodge, judges. volunteers and contest participants, as well as all of the high school religious school classes will be invited to a dinner in the Jewish Community Center auditorium. For more information, call Steve Riekes at 492.9800 or me at 334.6443.
HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. for the Jan. 9 issue on Wednesday, Dec. 30. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 2 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
Israel, eight years later
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT by BOB LEPP President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha I recently had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Israel on the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s 60th anniversary mission. It was the trip of a lifetime. I saw firsthand the miracle of this country. While I cannot begin to describe every place we visited and all that we did and do it justice in this column, let me share a few highlights. From a hill in Sderot, we looked upon Gaza a day before the bombings started anew. We walked on the boardwalks of Eilat and Tel Aviv and floated in the Dead Sea. We visited Israeli soldiers guarding the Egyptian border and a military base where guard dogs are trained. We were greeted with excitement and special performances by children at Bet Elazraki Children’s Home and at Sheik Danun, an Arab Village that is part of our Partnership with the Western Galillee. And we went to Jordan and drove through the coastal town of Aqaba, noting the huge effort to transform that city into a resort like Eilat. A special Jordan highlight was our visit to Petra (which was seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). Of course, we also trekked to Masada, cried at Yad Vashem and at the Kotel in the Old City of Jerusalem, and walked through the citadel in Akko. Throughout this trip, I continually asked myself: why -- especially in these
difficult economic times had I taken two weeks out of my work schedule to make this trip? Indeed, why do I give so much of my time to be involved as Federation President? This mission answered my questions: simply put, we are a family! Not only are the Jewish people of Israel an integral part of this family, the individuals who went with us from Omaha -- many of whom I did not know before this trip -- are also my family, and will remain that way forever having shared this unforgettable experience with me. We are all truly blessed to have taken this journey together. Finally, I must say that not having been to Israel in eight years, I was very surprised at how much it had grown, how vibrant and happy the people were and how safe we felt at all times. So if you have not been to Israel, you absolutely must go. And if you have been there before, it’s time to go back. The Federation has two missions scheduled for June of 2009, a Young Leadership Mission to Israel, and a Community Mission to Israel and Budapest. To find out more about these exciting opportunities, contact Women’s Campaign Director Kathy McGauvran in the Federation office at 334.6427. Israel is an amazing place that is always changing. Being there continually reaffirms our connection to each other as Jews. I know that I will return and I will definitely not wait another eight years to do so!
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pathway to Israel emerged. Omaha’s Partnership with Israel -- which also began in 1998 -- has become an integral part of Federation programming, and one of the most successful vehicles for connecting Omaha with Israel. In Israel, every mission now includes time spent in our Partnership area of the Western Galilee, where we have developed strong friendships and seen new programs come to life. Many partnership programs have come to Omaha, such as last year’s four-part Performing Arts Series. Teens from our Partnership area join Omaha teens at the JCC Maccabi Games and Friedel Jewish Academy students work on special projects with children from Ma’ayanot, a school in Omaha’s Partnership region. Goldstein’s passion for Partnership has had a tremendous affect on the success of Omaha’s 16-city consortium, and she is sought out by other consortiums to help their programs achieve the same kind of success. She sees the time that goes into building Partnership as time well spent, as she often says, Partnership puts the face on Israel. “Jan has shown me how to be a leader,” said Partnership Central Consortium Chair Zoë Riekes. “Besides being a good friend, she’s been a great mentor and has led me on an amazing journey where I’ve had opportunities to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally.” Central to her tenure as executive director has been her ongoing commitment to leadership development. Goldstein’s focus in this area began even before she became the exec. While Women’s Campaign Director, she launched the On a 1998 trip to Minsk, Bob Kully, left, Jan Goldstein, and Joe Kirshenbaum, right, met for- Young Leadership mer Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres at a meeting of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Perspectives program, aimed ality, leadership and outreach, women’s philanthropy at recruiting and educating young adults in the commuhas made tremendous strides under her tenure.” nity. This program evolved into Young Jewish Omaha. Due to the strength of the annual campaign, Omaha Leadership development remains a strong focus of the has been able to successfully implement campaigns in Federation. So it’s no surprise that when Rabbi Myer S. other areas, including the campus renovation in the late Kripke approached Goldstein last year with a generous 90s, the recent Rose Blumkin Jewish Home renovation donation and asked her how it could be most effective, campaign, and a number of emergency campaigns for she didn’t hesitate. Goldstein immediately began makIsrael in crisis. Goldstein has always said that these sup- ing plans for the Kripke Leadership Mission, for which plemental campaigns can’t work without a strong annu- she recruited a group of leaders, each of whom made a al campaign, and she has helped maintain a consistent commitment to help lead this community into the annual campaign year after year. future. A big focus of her work for the Omaha Jewish comMission participant David Gilinsky, Vice President of munity has been building a the Federation Board of Federation President Bob Lepp, who has served on Directors, said “Jan has bridge between Omaha and Israel. Goldstein’s passion the board during Jan’s entire tenure as Executive great vision in the area of for Israel began in 1992, Director, shared his thoughts about the last 10 years. Young Leadership. She when she took her first trip “I have worked closely with Jan over the years and it understands that engaging to Israel as the Federation’s is my belief that there is no one more committed to or and fostering the involveWomen’s Campaign and ment of the next generation passionate about our community. On the national Missions Director. She of leadership is critical to the describes this as the time she stage, Jan’s hard work has made Omaha an important health and well-being of discovered what Israel can player in the Federation world. Although quite small by Omaha’s Jewish do for the soul of a Jew. She comparison to other Jewish federations, through Jan’s Community. The Kripke single-handedly launched efforts we have become recognized as one of the Leadership Mission was a the Federation’s Missions strongest and best run,” he noted. fabulous catalyst to fuel this program, and it has flourstrategy. On top of that, “Locally, Jan’s commitment to the growth of our misished far beyond the expechaving just celebrated my tations of those early years. sions program has played a huge role in the develop- 45th birthday, I love her Through the missions pro- ment of our lay leaders. I, for one, can point to my first definition of ‘young’.” gram, Goldstein has trip to Israel with Jan on the Family Mission in 2000 as Upon accepting the posibrought hundreds of a turning point for me in my commitment to and tion in 1998, Goldstein said Omahans to Israel, in addi- involvement in community affairs. More recently, I her goal was to forge an tion to Prague, Cuba and even greater partnership returned with Jan to Israel and experienced the trip of the former Soviet Union, with the Federation, agenwhere participants have a lifetime; as always Jan was thoroughly immersed in cies, synagogues and Jewish been able to see first-hand all aspects of this mission. While in Israel, other feder- organizations. “Omaha will how our overseas dollars are ation executives continually sang her praises, thanking continue to be an example put to work. Mission partic- her for her help in the development of their mission pro- of vibrant, broad-based, ipants come home with a grams and constantly telling us how lucky we were to strong Jewish communal new passion for Judaism, life,” she said. have Jan.” and many have gone on to Ten years later, her vision Lepp closed, by saying, “As President, I put my trust remains right on course, become our community’s in Jan and rely on her completely given her great knowl- with the Omaha Jewish most active leaders. Right in the midst of edge of our community and the federation system. community well-positioned building Omaha’s vibrant Without her leadership and guidance, I would be lost. for a bright future ahead. Missions program, a new Continued from page 1 But as Goldstein would be first to say, a campaign is really all about people. During her tenure, she has reached into every corner of the community, personally connecting with individuals from every walk of life to deliver her message that it’s not about the size of the gift; it’s about everyone doing their part -- it’s all about building community. Howard Kooper was Federation President during Goldstein’s early years. “I’ve watched Jan take this position to a whole new level,” Kooper said. “She has builtrelationships with people of every generation of this community, and her level of caring is 125%.” Goldstein has infused the Annual Campaign with her vision that women make a powerful contribution to the vitality of Jewish life, and under her guidance we have experienced tremendous growth in women’s philanthropy. “I’ve been involved in Women’s philanthropy for many years, and I’ve seen first hand the incredible job Jan’s done,” said Nancy Noddle. “Jan has been a happy pleasure to work with, and because of her person-
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
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In honor of the United Nations passing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America and K’Vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network have declared Dec. 1213 to be Human Rights Shabbat. Temple Israel will observe the occasion at 6 p.m. at Shabbat worship services on Friday, Dec. 12. Focusing on equality and freedom, Temple’s Shabbat service will emphasize human rights and human wrongs. Songs of freedom and human rights will be interwoven with the liturgy that evening. Speakers such as David Swensen, a member of Temple Israel, will add their personal stories of human rights violations. “I grew up as a Mormon and attended Brigham Young University,” Swensen said, “until I got kicked out because I’m gay.” Disenchanted with the faith of his childhood, Swensen discovered that one of his great grandfathers was Jewish and began to study Hebrew. Eventually he went to Hebrew University in Jerusalem and started attending worship services to supplement his Hebrew studies. “I found an accepting community,” explained Swensen who converted to Judaism. “I’m a very spiritual person and teach sixth grade Bible studies and mentor B’nai Mitzvah students” at Temple. “I think gay people in general experience human rights violations,” he pointed out. California’s passage of a proposition banning gay marriage and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy are examples that he cited. Sixty years since the U.N. approved the landmark document which, in part, decried the horror and human rights abuses of the Holocaust and the Second World War, there’s still a lot of work to do. The U.N. declaration proclaimed the international values of human equality and freedom and was part of the international response of “Never Again.” With key passages on civil liberties, equality, the rule of law, and humane treatment of detainees, the declaration enshrines the concept of k’vod habriot, the inherent dignity of all human beings. According to Rabbis for Human Rights and K’Vod Habriot, approximately 50 congregations across the nation are participating in the Human Rights Shabbat.
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue How do you make the most of your Shabbat dinner? How do you make the Friday night Shabbat experience fun and stimulating for your children? How do you host an interactive, engaging and exciting Shabbat meal each week? These issues will be addressed in a two-part program at Beth Israel on Friday, Dec. 12, with Part II on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. “Just about everyone knows how to make a Shabbat dinner,” explained Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “But, not as many people know the true significance of the many rituals we perform and the prayers that we say. That’s what our new program is all about.” Everyone from a novice to an expert can benefit from this program. Gross added, “We’ll explore every aspect of the Friday night meal, from Shalom Aleichem to Birkat Hamazon and everything in between. There are countless teachings and messages embedded in the Friday night experience and by incorporating these ideas into a regular routine, it will enhance the entire family’s Shabbat.” The community is invited to attend the first program next Friday, starting with Kabbalat Shabbat is at 4:38 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. and Shabbat dinner at 7 p.m. Cost for the dinner is $12 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. Babysitting will be available at no charge during Kabbalat Shabbat and the program. The program is part of Beth Israel’s “Lev Banim al Avotam - Hearts of Children Upon their Parents,” and is supported by a grant from the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project. According to Gross, “Shabbat has the potential to be the most inspiring regular event in a child’s life; but to be so, it must not only be fun; it must be engaging and stimulating as well. This program will give parents the content and skills to transform their dining room into an arena of high impact, with Torah study that will excite their children and make them love being Jewish.” For more information or to RSVP, please call the office at 556.6288.
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Opening today at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, on the campus of the Unviersity of NebraskaLincoln, at 313 No. 13 St., is The Secrets, an Israeli film directed by Avi Nesher. For one week only, from Dec 5-11, film buffs can view a story of Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an Orthodox rabbi, who finds herself at a crossroads of life choices when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father’s prodigy. Distressed, she begs that her father allow her one year to study at a women’s seminary in Safed. Her father relents and Naomi’s life takes an unexpected turn. She and her new friend Michelle befriend a beautiful, mysterious older woman, who is ill and living nearby who may or may not be Jewish, and may have committed a crime of passion. For tickets, priced at $6 for members, $6.50 for seniors, $7 for students, and $8.50 general admission, call 402.472.5353 or online at: www.theross.org. How is this publication thinking about the future?
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More than 60 dance artists from Omaha and surrounding communities will come together to stage A Winter Celebration of Dance, the fifth annual production by the Omaha Dance Project. “ODP’s mission is to give community dancers a professional-style performing experience, and to bring audiences a diverse, entertaining, high-quality performance,” said co-director Patti Zukaitis. “We think we’ve really succeeded at both goals this year.” The production will include four dance works. “We’ve planned this production to be family-friendly,” said co-director Esther Katz. “The running time is less than 90 minutes including intermission, and the dances will have lots of color, action and variety. It should be a great show to bring your children.” A Winter Celebration of Dance is presented jointly by the Omaha Academy of Ballet and the Jewish Community Center dance department. Performances will be Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center Theater. Tickets are $10 for seniors and children under 12, and
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B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Matt Seigel will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Dec. 10, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Marty Ricks, chairman. The TV sportscaster will talk about the Huskers and other sports topics. 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 Lois at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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On any given Sunday, Beth El's hopping with activity by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Pick a Sunday, any Sunday, and you’ll find classes, events and special programming at Beth El for Jewish community members of every age. Among the recent activities, pictured below (from left), Cantor Beth Schlossberg taught Torah and Haftorah trope to adult students during her weekly Synagogue Skills class; ; sixth and seventh graders and their families participated in a
special BESTT family program to discuss the importance of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah; the synagogue’s Sisterhood held its annual Boutique, which brought shoppers from far and wide to buy jewelry, art work, plus clothing and home accessories last month; 100 people came to a special Men’s Club brunch ’n learn to hear featured speaker Joanna Kay explain the ins and outs of being a crime scene investigator for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the trip to Ameristar Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m.
LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m., in the social hall of the JCC. For information call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
VISIONS Reminder: The Visions Board Meeting is Friday, Dec. 5, 9:30 in the social hall of the JCC. Membership dues to Visions for 2009 are now due. Please mail your check payable to Visions for $7.50 to: Visions in care of Phyllis Schwartz, 1212 So. 137 Ave., Omaha, NE 68144, by Jan. 31.
JEWISH SENIOR SERVICE Reminder: The Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra presents Sci-Fi Night at the JCC on Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy audience favorites featuring works from Mozart, Kenton Bales, Gustav Holst and John Williams (The Empire Strikes Back medley). For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.
Yachad goes to the Planetarium
Our “stars” -- Ben Kravitz, left, Lisa Salomon, Jillian Salomon and Jeff Steinberg -- shone the brightest when the Yachad group visited the Planetarium recently. For more information about upcoming Yachad events, call Jewish Family Service at 330.2024.
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IN THE NEWS Two Community Workshops with Dr. Charles Haynes, Senior Scholar at the First Amendment Center and author of Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in the Public Schools, are part of the Project Interfaith Community Conversations Annual Speaker Series. Dr. Haynes is one of the country’s leading scholars and experts on religious liberty and religion in American public life, best known for his work on First Amendment issues in the public schools. Haynes is the author/coauthor of six books and his column, “Inside the First Amendment,” appears in newspapers nationwide. Workshop 1: Creating Policies, Procedures and Practices for Religious Liberty and Inclusive School will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at
the UNO Thompson Alumni Center, 6705 Dodge St. Cost is $30 per person (lunch and resources included). Workshop 2: Religious Liberty in the Public Schools and in the Public Square is that evening, Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., at the UNO Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine St. There is no charge for this workshop. Registration is required for both; email info@projectinterfaithusa.org to register.
Cleo Rogers will appear in the Imperial Nutcracker Dec. 4-7 at the Orpheum Theater. She will perform in the red cast as a mouse in the battle scene and tea cup in the Chinese dance. Cleo is the daughter of Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
Yet another wake-up call It was no surprise that the terrorists, who aimed their attacks at locales where Americans and other Westerners gather in Mumbai, got around to setting up shop in the city’s one Jewish institution: the Chabad House. After all, Chabad is the one worldwide organization that welcomes all Jews, regardless of observance level or affiliation (or lack thereof). For decades, backpackers and travelers, especially Israelis, have used Chabad as a link to home, stopping in for a Shabbat meal or Passover seder, or just to meet other Jews who might be visiting the area. Whether it’s Bangkok, where Rabbi Kantor’s flight had to be diverted to a remote airport due to the massive protests at the main airport, or Beijing’s Chabad House, which served thousands of visiting Jews during the summer’s Olympic Games, the mission of Chabad is always to welcome other Jews with open arms. As the news trickled out, the public first learned that the terrorists had taken over the Chabad “Jewish community center.” Then we witnessed the dramatic escape by the nanny and cook, holding toddler, Moshe Holtzberg, the son of the Chabad rabbi and rebbetzin in Mumbai. We next learned that there were hostages inside, and they were unconscious. And soon, we watched on live tv, as Indian anti-terrorism specialists dropped down from a helicopter on a nearby apartment building, ready to storm the Chabad House. It was all to no avail, as the next group to enter were members of ZAKA, the Israeli volunteers whose sole duty is to collect body parts to ready them for a proper Jewish burial. Among the dead: Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, 29 and 28 years old. Their
son, by the way, was to have celebrated his second birthday the day his parents were murdered. The other victims include: Rabbi Leibish Teitelbaum and Benzion Kruman, mashgichim in Mumbai on business as kashrut supervisors; Naomi Rabinovich, a Mexican Jew on her way to Israel to make aliyah; and Israeli Yocheved Orpaz. This act of terror, like all the others before it, is not justifiable. Like the apologists who claimed after 9/11, that the perpetrators came from poor homes and were uneducated (as if that was an excuse!), today’s equivicators claim “injustices towards Muslims” and “India’s relationship with Israel” as a rationale for the murder of nearly more than 170 innocent men, women and children, and the injuries to more than 300 others. They were wrong after 9/11 and they’re wrong now. If the terrorists were trying to drive a wedge between India and America, their attacks only serve to bring the two countries closer. The same goes for India and Israel, countries which have long regarded one another with respect and admiration, for their scientific and technological achievements and their rapid ascent from Third World nations into prominent players on the world stage. If they were trying to “right the wrongs” of perceived injustices against Muslims in India, they’ve set back their cause by a thousand years. In fact, there are 150 million Muslims in India, a democratic nation of 1.1 billion, and India’s former president is a Muslim, so how legitimate are these “grievances” anyway? And sadly, more Muslims have been killed by Islamic extremists than any other ethnic or religious group.
Survivor Jonathan Ehrlich had it right: “The people who did this have no souls. They have no hearts. They are simply the living manifestation of evil and they only know killing and murder. We -- all of us -- need to understand that. Their target tonight was first and foremost Americans. Why? Because they fear everything that America stands for. They fear hope and change and freedom and peace.” Too bad this portion of Wolf Blitzer’s interview with Ehrlich on CNN has since been cut. Maybe we should leave this in God’s hands. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord. Amen to that.
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by DANIEL PIPES A Scottish judge recently bent the law to benefit a polygamous household. The case involved a Muslim male who drove 64 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone -- usually grounds for an automatic loss of one’s driving license. The defendant’s lawyer explained his client’s need to speed: “He has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow and sleeps with one one night and stays with the other the next on an alternate basis. Without his driving license he would be unable to do this on a regular basis.” Sympathetic to the polygamist’s plight, the judge permitted him to retain his license. Monogamy, this ruling suggests, long a foundation of Western civilization, is silently eroding under the challenge of Islamic law. Should current trends continue, polygamy could soon be commonplace. Since the 1950s, Muslim populations have grown in Western Europe and North America via immigration and conversion; with their presence has grown the Islamic form of polygyny (one man married to more than one woman). Estimates find 2,000 or more British polygamous men, 14,000 or 15,000-20,000 harems in Italy, 30,000 harems in France, and 50,000-100,000 polygamists in the United States. Some imams openly acknowledge conducting polygamous marriage ceremonies: Khalil Chami reports that he is asked almost weekly to conduct such ceremonies in Sydney. Aly Hindy reports having “blessed” more than 30 such nuptials in Toronto. Social acceptance is also growing. Academics justify it, while politicians blithely meet with
... just as the concept of one man, one woman marriage has shaped the West’s economic, cultural, and political development, the advance of Islamic law (Shari’a) will profoundly change life as we know it. • United Kingdom: Bigamy is punishable by up to seven years in jail but the law recognizes harems already formed in polygamy-tolerant countries. The Department of Work and Pensions pays couples up to £92.80 (US$140) a week in social benefits, and each multiculturally-named “additional spouse” receives £33.65. The Treasury states that “Where a man and a woman are married under a law which permits polygamy, and either of them has an additional spouse, the Tax Credits (Polygamous Marriages) Regulations 2003 allow them to claim tax credits as a polygamous unit.” Additionally, harems may be eligible for additional housing benefits to reflect their need for larger properties. The Netherlands: The Dutch justice minister, Ernst Hirsch Ballin, has announced that polygamous Muslim marriages should not be dealt with through the legal system but via dialogue.
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Westerners welcome harems polygamists or declare that Westerners should “find a way to live with it” and journalists describe polygamy with empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Islamists argue polygamy’s virtues and call for its official recognition. Polygamy has made key legal advances in 2008. (For fuller details, see my blog, “Harems Accepted in the West.”) At least six Western jurisdictions now permit harems on the condition that these were contracted in jurisdictions where polygamy is legal, including India and Muslim-majority countries from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia to Morocco.
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• Belgium: The Constitutional Court took steps to ease the reunification of harems formed outside the country. • Italy: A court in Bologna allowed a Muslim male immigrant to bring the mothers of his two children into the country on the grounds that the polygamous marriages had been legally contracted. • Australia: The Australian newspaper reports “it is illegal to enter into a polygamous marriage. But the federal government, like Britain, recognizes relationships that have been legally recognized overseas, including polygamous marriages. This allows second wives and children to claim welfare and benefits.” • Ontario, Canada: Canadian law calls for polygamy to be punished by a prison term but the Ontario Family Law Act accepts “a marriage that is actually or potentially polygamous, if it was celebrated in a jurisdiction whose system of law recognizes it as valid.” Thus, for the cost of two airplane tickets, Muslims potentially can evade Western laws. (One wonders when Mormons will also wake to this gambit.) Rare countries (such as Ireland) still reject harems; generally, as David Rusin of Islamist Watch notes, “governments tend to look the other way as the conjugal mores of seventh-century Arabia … take root in our backyards.” At a time when Western marriage norms are already under challenge, Muslims are testing legal loopholes and even seeking taxpayer support for multiple brides. This development has vast significance: just as the concept of one man, one woman marriage has shaped the West’s economic, cultural, and political development, the advance of Islamic law (Shari’a) will profoundly change life as we know it. Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and Taube distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. Read more at: www.DanielPipes.org. © 2008
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Will biased FDR biographers mislead Obama? because the Roosevelt administration FDR biography, Prof. H.W. Brands of the created bureaucratic obstacles to reduce University of Texas, is likewise making refugee immigration to levels far below excuses for Roosevelt’s response to the what the law permitted. During the years Holocaust. Appearing on the Diane the Nazis were slaughtering six million Rehm radio show last month, Brands European Jews (1941-1945), nearly repeated the FDR-era immigration quo190,000 quota places from Axis-con- tas myth, claiming there was nothing FDR could have trolled countries sat Like Roosevelt, Obama will begin done to increase unused. Jewish refugee Next, Smith his presidency with a focus on immigration to the blames the State U.S. because he Department for America’s economic problems. But “could not unilatabandoning the also like FDR, Obama will soon face Jews. That’s true-- a series of foreign policy challenges ... erally change the immigration but it should not absolve Roosevelt. The State Department laws.” Evidently Brands, like Jean did not create its own foreign policy. It Edward Smith before him, is unaware of answered to the president. Assistant those 190,000 unused quota places. Brands also claimed that until U.S. Secretary Breckinridge Long, who was in charge of refugee matters, reported to the bombers controlled the skies over president on his efforts to keep refugees Germany in 1944, “there wasn’t anything that the United States could do about out. In one notorious incident, Roosevelt [the mass murder of the Jews].” Of assured Long that he would not let course there was. For example, the refugee advocates “pull any sob stuff” on Roosevelt administration could have let Varian Fry continue rescuing Jews in him. Then Smith blames the realities of war. Vichy France in 1941 instead of canceling He speculates that if FDR had been per- his passport. Roosevelt could have pressured the sonally asked to order the bombing of Auschwitz, he understandably would British to open Palestine to Jewish have rejected “any diversion of military refugees. FDR could have directed that resources from the central effort to defeat empty troop supply ships returning to the U.S. be used to bring back refugees to be Germany.” Smith neglects to mention that sheltered for the duration of the war. As for the idea of bombing the death Auschwitz could have been bombed without diverting from the war effort, camps, Brands said that “Roosevelt’s miland in fact Allied bombers repeatedly itary advisors to a person said, no, do not struck German oil factories near bomb the camps, do not bomb the rail Auschwitz, some less than five miles from lines.” Another half-truth. The War the gas chambers. Meanwhile, the author of another new Department’s senior officials took that
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by DR. RAFAEL MEDOFF
The recent Time magazine cover depicting Barack Obama as a Franklin D. Roosevelt look-alike dramatically illustrated the widespread expectation that the new president intends to govern in the spirit of FDR and the New Deal. This perception has been reinforced by an Obama spokesman’s confirmation that the president-elect is currently reading Jonathan Alter’s book about Roosevelt’s first hundred days, as well as Jean Edward Smith’s biography, FDR. Alter told reporters, “It’s just nice that we’re going to have a president that has a strong sense of history.” True enough, but one hopes the new president will be careful to separate the wheat from the chaff, because when it comes to the issue of FDR’s response to the Holocaust, Smith’s book is deeply flawed. Smith acknowledges that the U.S. failed to take significant measures to help the Jews in Europe -- but he refuses to assign any of the responsibility to President Roosevelt. Again and again, he tries to find other parties to blame. First, Smith blames Congress for enacting tight immigration quotas--but he ignores the fact that Roosevelt could have saved many refugees just by quietly permitting the existing immigration quotas to be filled, without changing a single law. The quotas from Hitler-controlled countries were almost never filled,
position because, as a matter of principle, they opposed using any military resources for humanitarian purposes. (Although, ironically, none of them protested when General Patton diverted U.S. troops to rescue the Lipizzaner dancing horses.) The War Department never even undertook a study to determine the feasibility of bombing the camps. It simply rejected the requests outright -- even after the administration received maps from Auschwitz escapees pinpointing the exact location of the gas chambers and crematoria. Like Franklin Roosevelt, Barack Obama will begin his presidency with a focus on America’s economic problems. But also like FDR, President Obama will soon face a series of foreign policy challenges, including the question of how the United States should respond to the mass murder of innocent people abroad. Whether the issue is the genocide perpetrated by Arab militias against black Africans in Darfur, or the genocide that Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dreams of carrying out against Israel, the new president will face difficult decisions regarding U.S. intervention abroad. Hopefully his perspective will not be unduly influenced by the FDR-did-no-wrong apologetics that characterize the work of some of Roosevelt’s biographers. Dr. Medoff is director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and author of Blowing the Whistle on Genocide: Josiah E. DuBois, Jr. and the Struggle for a U.S. Response to the Holocaust, which has just been published by Purdue University Press. This article originally appeared in the Jerusalem Post.
Ignorance is not bliss
FOCUS ON ISSUES by DR. JASON R. EDWARDS
Quick, attempt the following: Name the three branches of the federal government. Recognize the speech where the words “of the people, by the people, and for the people” come from. Identify the female judge on American Idol. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute released on Nov. 20 its latest findings on civic literacy in the United States. Not surprisingly, young people once again proved that their mastery of popular culture far surpassed their knowledge of basic facts in American history, political science, and economics. What might surprise readers however is the fact that even when one polls the middleaged, seniors, college graduates, and elected officials, the results were not necessarily any better. Specifically, more than 2,500 randomly selected Americans took ISI’s basic 33-question test on civic literacy and more than 1,700 people failed, with the average score being a 49 percent, or an “F.” Over twice as many people knew Paula Abdul was a judge on American Idol than knew that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” came from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Shockingly, elected officials scored even lower than the general public with an average score of 44 percent. As for success, only 0.8 percent (or 21) of all surveyed earned an “A.” Simply put, America faces a crisis in civic literacy. This fact probably does not come as a surprise to any-
one who watches Jay Leno do interviews on the street or Jeff Foxworthy match adults against fifth graders; however, the problem is no laughing matter. ISI makes its findings and its test available on its website and it is worth perusing. The test consists of basic questions culled from standardized tests for high-school graduates and the U.S. citizenship exam. Furthermore, ISI’s test is multiple-choice, and yet the average American did not get results over 50 percent, which means they did not even double the results one would statistically achieve just by blindly guessing. Naysayers might question whether civic literacy truly poses a problem for the United States. It does. The American system depends on its citizens to make wise decisions. Such an achievement is beyond the ability of an uninformed electorate. ISI’s findings suggest a more familiar example may be needed for Americans to grasp this political fact. Think of it this way: Can one make an intelligent prediction of American Idol’s next winner without a working understanding of Randy’s, Paula’s, and Simon’s personalities? Do you put much faith in the Super Bowl predictions of a person who thinks football is soccer? Whether around a water cooler or outside a voting booth -- debate, deliberation, discussion, and discernment all require a firm understanding of a system’s rules and a clear conception of the personalities and parties involved. Without that knowledge, we flail in the dark and can expect success only through divine intervention or dumb luck. No contemporary American problem lacks an historical precedent, but Americans have become trapped in a tyranny of the present. If we want to find solutions (and avoid mistakes) to problems such as economic collapse,
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the extent of executive power, or even pirates, the place to look is our past. In fact, it is the only place we can look. Likewise, if we have any hope of maintaining the precious hard-won freedoms we all enjoy, we must all -- parents, teachers, professors, students, citizens -- commit to learning, teaching, and upholding the informing principles of our system of government. Amnesia is the surest way for an individual to lose his identity; the same holds true for a people. Amnesia leaves an individual vulnerable and scared. As a people, our civic illiteracy has made us vulnerable; it is high time for us to be scared. Civic illiteracy is a multi-causal problem that will require a multifaceted solution. The answer however does not likely lie with some of the institutions Americans typically trust to fix it. For three years, ISI has documented how colleges and universities are failing to improve their students’ civic literacy. Likewise, this year’s study revealed that television-including watching the news-also reduces a person’s civic literacy. Conversely, civic literacy improved through consistent reading and thoughtful conversation. In other words, the solution lies within our lifestyle choices. Don’t shoot the messenger; the Intercollegiate Studies Institute has done the United States a favor by bringing this threat to our attention. Now, it is our collective job to take up the serious responsibility of citizenship that freedom places upon us all.
Jason R. Edwards is a research fellow with The Center for Vision & Values and the director of Educational Policy Studies at Grove City College where he serves as an associate professor of education and history.
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, December 5, 4:37 p.m
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
If you’re looking at this space, so are others!
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. with teacher Daniel Christensen, who will present “Go West Young Jew.” The community is invited.
Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:37 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored by Sisterhood; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour prior to Mincha, 4:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Mishnah Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. Board of WEDNESDAY: Commissioners , 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. BESTT fifth and sixth graders will participate; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. Dinner follows services. Cost is $5 for everyone ages seven and older; no charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie Gutnik in the office, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Minha/ Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group; and Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, and “I Am a Jew,” led by Andy Greenberg held on the first Sunday of each month; the next class is scheduled for Jan. 4. Cost: $36. To register, contact the office. 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club, also led by Frydman-Levin; and Synagogue skills class, led by Cantor Schlossberg, 11 a.m. THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Jewish Ideals and Ethics for Everyday Living, noon. CRAIG TAUBMAN CONCERT: Craig Taubman will perform at a special family Hanukkah concert at Beth El on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the office. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: Will meet on Thursday, Dec. 11; Bev Fellman will lead the discussion about the book, The Assistant,by Bernard Malamud. SHABBAT MORNING LIVE: Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m.noon. Led by Esther Katz, for 4-8 year olds and favorite adult(s). This month’s session will focus on Hanukkah. No charge, but please RSVP to Margie in the office.
Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Gan Israel Shabbat, 11 a.m.; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. For more information or to register email Estie@ochabad.com. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Soul Maps, Kabbalah to navigate your inner world, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:40 p.m. Please contact shevi@ochabad. com for a guest pass. All events and programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi
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to reserve space, call
Emily Glazer, daughter of Jordana and Jim Glazer, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Temple Israel. Emily is a seventh-grade student at Westside Middle School. Her interests include volleyball, acting, singing, soccer and reading.
Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559
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For her mitzvah project, Emily volunteered at Challenger League and Project Harmony. She has a brother, David. Grandparents are Phyllis and Dick Glazer, and Fern and Arie Eisner of Columbia, MD. Great-grandparents are the late Muriel and David Bernstein, the late Rose and Aaron Glazer, the late Rosa and Egon Eisner, and the late Mina and George Hirsch.
Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: LJCS Family Shabbat, 6 p.m. with participation by the LCJS classes; Dairy Dinner, 6:45 p.m. served by the Hallah High students. 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; Gan through Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple. TUESDAY: Healthcare Reform in Nebraska: An educational presentation by Drs. Michelle Petersen and Les Spry, Nebraska Medical Association Health Care Reform Task Force, 7:30 p.m. at South Street Temple Questions? Call Barb Straus at 476.1070. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Join us on Sunday, Dec. 14, 47 p.m. for Hanukkah Hoopla. Cost is $6 per adult, $3 per child. For more information or to RSVP calll Jean at 435.8004 or stemple@neb.rr.com. 16TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING FREEDOM BREAKFAST: Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30-8:30 a.m., at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P St., with keynote speaker, The Honorable Judge John Gerrard, Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Call the Temple office for information.
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dren three and younger; Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Jewish Book Fair, 10 a.m. The book fair will offer an up-to-date collection of the best in Jewish literature; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.–noon; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Four B’s: Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?, 10:30 a.m. with parenting columnist Sharon Duke Estroff; Club 56 Humus…Falafel…Hebrew?, Noon–2 p.m. Join us for food, Hebrew and Israeli games with rizes. Please RSVP to Leora Azriel, 960.5796 or leoraann@aol.com; Craig Taubman in Concert at Beth El Synagogue, 3 p.m. Contact the Temple office, 556.6536, for ticket information. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Planning, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Jewish Current Events, 6:30 p.m. with by Steve Danon. THURSDAY: “Adult Study with the Clergy” with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, 10 a.m. Hanukkah Dinner, Friday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. with Kol Rina and Temple’s new Children’s Choir. After services, stay for a traditional Hanukkah dinner sponsored by the WRJ– Omaha. Bring your own menorah with candles. Send a check with reservation form to the office by Friday, Dec. 12. No phone reservations accepted. Adults, $9.50 ($12.50 after Dec. 12), Children grade 6 and younger, $5 ($8 after Dec. 12), Children two and younger, no charge.
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Nancy Rips and Andy Greenberg. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg and assisted by Naomi and Aaron Zipursky and Zack Bram.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder, Cantor Wendy Shermet along with Grade 1 & 2 students. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Tyler Siegel, son of Andrea and Michael Siegel, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Pancake Man, 9 a.m. Pancake Man, 9 a.m. Cost is $5 per person, no charge for chil-
FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:37 p.m. SATURDAY: Srvices, 9 a.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. and Talmud study. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan through Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple. 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. at Tifereth Israel.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
December 5, 2008
BLUE RIBBON
DEATHS MICHAEL HOBERMAN Michael Hoberman died at the age of 53. A graveside service was held Nov. 28 at Beth El Cemetery. He was owner and president of Mid-City Distributing Company and active in many community organizations. He is survived by his wife, Tiffany Hoberman; children, Joel, Sarah, Jacob, and Gabrielle Hoberman; parents, Donald and Nancy Hoberman; sister and brotherin-law, Diane and Steve Kohler; and mother-in-law, Karol Dubinsky, and family of Colorado. Memorials to Beth El Synagogue. AUDREY R. SHAPIRO Audrey R. Shapiro died on Nov. 17. She was 84 years old. She was preceded in death just five months ago by her husband of 61 years, Morris J. “Morrie” Shapiro. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dennis Lewis; son, David Shapiro; grandson, Travis Lewis of Birmingham, AL, brother and sister-in-law Maynard and Sally Telpner of Ashland, OR; sisters-inlaw, Esther Meiches, Flora Telpner of Council Bluffs and Fritzi Telpner of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. IRVING CHUDACOFF Former Omahan Irving Chudacoff died on Nov. 29 in St. Louis. Graveside services were held Dec 2 at Beth El Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Chudacoff. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Nancy Chudacoff of Providence, RI, and Rick and Katy Chudacoff of Franklin, TN; daughter and son-inlaw, Barbara Raznick and Dan Smiddy; grandchilren, Jason and Heather Raznick, Jennifer and Kent Thaler, Sasha Chudacoff, Sophia Chudacoff; and four greatgrandchildren. Memorials to the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146. COL HERBERT ROSENTHAL Col. Herbert Rosenthal, formerly of Omaha and Council Bluffs, died in St. Petersberg, FL, at the age of 91. He retired from the Air Force after a 30-year career as a pilot stationed in the U.S., Canada and Europe. He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Barbara Rosenthal; daughters and son-in-law, Diane and Peter Suchman and Sandra and Robbie Schmeer; six grandchildren, Cynthia, Henry, Jane. Lynne, Max and Michael; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. HARRY PASKOWITZ Harry Paskowitz died on Nov. 29 at the age of 95. Services were held at Temple Israel on Dec. 2. A veteran of World War II, he served as Commander of the Omaha Chapter of the Jewish War Veterans, as well as President of the Young Energetic Seniors. He
also wrote a column for YES in the Press in the 1980s. Ten years ago, he celebrated the 72nd anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lucille Paskowitz; his son, Les; and daughter, Rita. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: “Lewis Lavine dead at the age of 75.” He lived. He died. He worked in between. A two line obituary in the Jewish Press. That’s it. Nothing else. Nothing could be further from the truth. Lewis Lavine lived 75 years. Every day of those years he had a smile on his face. Every day of those years he had something new and interesting and fun to say. Even if you didn’t know him, you knew him. Maybe you saw him making a minyan at Beth Israel Synagogue, setting up Friday night Shabbat services at Remington Heights Retirement Center or perhaps you remember him passing out books and yarmulkes at the Rose Blumkin Home. Did you ever see him at Rosenblatt Stadium? Or the old AkSarBen? You probably bought popcorn or peanuts or a snow-cone from him. If you ever purchased new eye glasses, most likely he was the one you saw making deliveries around the shop. Some people make noise and do nothing. Lewie quietly went about the business of doing something every day of his 75 years. He taught valuable lessons by example. From him we could learn: no matter where you begin or end in life, you can have a good word for everyone. No matter what your academic or socio-economic background may be, you can demonstrate kindnesses daily. And no matter what your intellectual capacities are, scholars can and will learn from your curiosity every day. Lewie made me laugh. He was always front and center at my Current Events group at the Rose Blumkin Home. He had an opinion on everything. It didn’t matter that I rarely agreed with him when he made statements like “No woman should ever be a President of the United States. It’s not right.” I would say, “Now Lewie, can we at least talk about this?” He would smile and say okay. At Remington, he was always the first person to pass out books at Friday evening Shabbat services for me. Then he’d insist on helping me pack up the prayer books, the Shabbat candles, the leftover wine and challah, and accompany me to load up my car. No one would say Lewie was run of the mill. But doesn’t our tradition teach us to honor our differences? May we learn to live as Lewie did, with a love of Judaism, a positive attitude, and a caring personality. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. “Lewis Lavine dead at the age of 75.” He will be missed by many. And that includes me. Nancy Rips
Parashat Vayetze Our Sidra beings by telling us that Jacob left Beersheba and went to Haran. From this, we can deduce that he had been in Beersheba, which no one had mentioend before. Rabbinic comment suggests it was important to say that Jacob left because when a notable person leaves a town or city, that place loses a great deal of its attractiveness. The important man had been a major reason why others thought of that place as significant. Not that the notable person is gone, it is nothing more than a humdrum, no account place. The narrative continues, telling us that Jacob came to “a certain place” and there he became aware of a magic ladder extending from the earth up to the heavens, with angels (God’s agents) ascending and descending on it. The alert reader, following rabbinic interpretation, notices that the angels go up first and and come down afterwards. The implication is that we are always surrounded by God’s agents, who leave only to get additional instructions from the good Lord, to learn how
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
they can serve us further. Jacob is suddenly struck by the holiness of the place, even though he had not realized it before. The understanding for us is that, wherever we are, we are on holy ground. The Bible and Judaism would suggest that all of the land is holy, meaning in Israel. But by extension, we ought to treat the land all over the planet as holy. We are not here to corrupt or defile the land in any fashion. If we are to fulfill our human duties, we will treat the land, wherever we are, as holy. So think of it. Now, and all the time. We must not treat the land lightly or carelessly. It is the source of our future and the futue of the entire human race.
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HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 1. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. is Wednesday, Dec. 17 for the Dec. 26 issue and Wednesday, Dec. 30 for the Jan. 9 issue. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 2 due to staff vacations and a need to upgrade computer equipment. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
December 5, 2008
Temple high school students learn to analyze media coverage of Israel
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “Researchers may differ on how much the news media influences individuals, but few would dispute that public perception is shaped substantially by journalistic reporting of events. Israel’s struggle for survival and acceptance as a legitimate, sovereign nation in a turbulent region is perceived by most Americans through the lens of the media,” according to CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America.
Palestinian and talk about Palestinian history, feelings, emotions, and mentality and then change character and portray herself as an Israeli. “I showed them pictures of Palestinians and Israelis and told them: ‘we’re Jewish and we brought a passion for justice to the world. We’re not always following that.’” CAMERA has distributed the “Eyes on Israel” curriculum to approximately 500 schools and educators across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Britain, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. A high
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Na’ama Artzi discusses media coverage of Israel with her class at Temple Israel. Elyce Azriel, director of religious edu- school teacher in a Michigan Jewish Day cation at Temple Israel, adds that “per- School was “delighted to see the students haps at no other time in history have peo- exercising critical thinking skills and evalple’s perceptions of the world been so uating the various sources that were quotshaped by what they see, read, and hear in ed.” the media. And with Israel so often in the This past summer, CAMERA promoted headlines, that nation is especially suscep- “Eyes on Israel” at CAJE (the tible to the possibility of skewed journal- Conference on Alternatives in Jewish ism.” Education). Azriel became acquainted With that in mind, she added a class with the curriculum through the Omaha entitled “Eye on Israel: Accurate Jewish Educators. Dr. Guy Matalon, Reporting in the Media” to the high director of the Center for Jewish school curriculum this fall at Temple. Education, offered a disc of materials to Na’ama Artzi, who has taught middle, review. high school, and adult learners at Temple, “Eyes on Israel” is divided into four encourages her “Eye on Israel” students modules including Journalism and Its “to listen to both sides” of a story and “to Responsibilities, U.N. Resolution 242: A be objective. I’ll ask them to judge fairly Case-Study in Media Coverage, What and to judge who’s right and who’s You Can Do (teaching students how to wrong or are they both right and advocate for balanced and accurate coverwrong?” she explained. age), and A Brief History of Modern One of the goals of “Eye on Israel” is to Israel. help students evaluate articles, radio and Taking the concept a step further, any television broadcasts, and web sites student enrolled in grades nine through alongside historical facts to encourage 12 this year at Temple Israel is eligible to insight into the nature of the Middle East enter an essay competition, “How Does conflict and the way in which it is por- the Media Create a Hero?” Described as trayed by the media. As the data necessary a creative writing contest, entries are for understanding the challenges Israel expected to involve research and to reflect faces is provided to the students, the sources. course helps develop their need to quesArtzi, who has taught at Friedel Jewish tion and probe. Academy for seven years and was the Artzi said, “Some of the students are 2007 recipient $10,000 as the Sokolof sitting on the fence to see what’s going to Jewish Teacher of the Year, is “very happen. Some of them have definite opin- impressed” with her students at Temple. ions about how much they care about “They are involved, articulate, committed Israel and politics.” to Judaism and social justice. I’m so One of her objectives is to talk about thrilled to spend time with them. They’re the Palestinians and the Israelis and “how really caring.” She hopes they are learning they ended up where they are now.” A “to think for themselves, to be leaders.” native Israeli, Artzi plans to dress as a
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