The NewJCC: 'We're on the Way!' . Omaha—Where do we stand with the new Jewish Community Center? According to CM. Newman, president of the Omaha Jewish Federation, "Many months of ~planning~areTi(5w""paying off and things are hajroeninj»_that_ indicates we're on our way to the realization of a new JCC in Omaha." Mr. Newman noted that last month the Federation Executive Committee "approved in principal" the preliminary de* Signs prepared by Ed Baker, architect for 'Hie new Center project. The board also approved the building fund raising drive. ' "Before taking these steps," Newman said, "we wanted to discuss the project with some of the major contributors. Two special meetings were held this month for that purpose; and we are very pleased with the reactions." Mr. Newman reported that
those attending the meetings "came because they care about the future of the Omaha Jewish community and were interested in knowing m o r e about the needs to-be served through a new C en t e r^1)UtldIiig.~Tney seemed jpleased _wJih JheL sa ~fui thought with which Mr. Baker prepared the preliminary designs," Newman said, "and indicated their enthusiastic support of the project.'Now we are taking the next step," Newman continued. "The next 60 days will tell much of the story."Mr. Newman explained that the preliminary designs prepared by Mr. Baker "are not necessarily the f i n a l plans. They do, however, provide the necessary f a c i l i t i e s for tho • m a n y program recommendations made by the New Center Planning Committee." , • Planning Committee Under the chairmanship. of Charles Monasee, the New Center Planning Committee con-
ducted an intensive study involving more than 250 people studying the needs and wishes of the community at large for programs to be housed in the new facility.
Mr. Monasee said, "All "of us were surprised by the large numbers of people who apparently are, deeply Interested in getting a new Center "for our community."
The Planning Committee was divided into six sub-committees; e a c h studying specific areas to be served by the new Center. "The sub-committees —I (Continued on page 2)
Serving Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Lincoln, Omaha Vol.
M—No. 10
OMAHA, NEB., WJGD., DEO. 89, 1971
Livisigst©BB F©iiBifIatI®ii 4»i£i .Provides.
ifCltalleiige' l o r Kfew J € t Fund tlrive Omaha — A challenging gift by the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation for the Hew Jewish Community Center has been announced by the trustees of the Foundation. 1 To encourage maximum giving By the community, the Livingston Foundation has pledged a sum equal to 25 per cent of all monejs contributed by the community at large to construct and equip the new building.
Announcement oLthe gift was made December 19 at a special meeting of community leaders where plans for tho new building were discussed. Present at the meeting were three of the four trustees of the Livingston Foundation: David E^ Beber, Morris Jacob3 and J. M. Newman. Not present^ was Dr. Abe Greenberg who recently moved to make his home in Palm 'Springs, California.
J. M. Newman (leff)*and David E. Beber at meeting where first 2- JCC building fund gifts were announced.
Speaking for the trustees, Mr. Beber reviewed the commitment of the late Milton Livingston to a new Jewish Community Center, which led the trustees to the decision to provide 25 per cent of the funds lor the new building. "Milton S. Livingston was always among the leading contributors to every drive or campaign for Jewish causes," said" Mr. Beber. "He considered a now Jewish Community] Center as very important to the programs and activities of the Jewish community of Omaha, and by his contribution, and that of the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation, the 96th and Western Avenuo site was acquired. When the Planning Committee sought a larger site, the Trustees of the Livingston F o u n d a t i o n stepped in and acquired the 30 acre site on 132nd Street." . Mr. Beber noted,tBat "By its contribution of the site, the Livingston Foundation has already contributed more than $325,000.00 toward the realization of a new Jewish Community Center," and that they now want to make "a substantial and meaningful contribution to the cost of the hew building and its equipment."
Mr. Beber said, "If the community builds a new Jewish Community Center building, the Livingston Foundation will give a sum equal to 25 per cent of all moneys contributed by the community at large to construct the building and equip it. This is in addition to the cost of the land bought by the
Foundation for the Center. '-(The Trustees make this pledge as a challenge to the community, and to encourage maximum giving by Omaha's Jewry. We hope that this offer, will be an incentive to the community—if it wants a new Center—to achieve its goal/' Mr, Beber said.
,000 for New JCC Family Omaha-A gift which will total $450,000 for the new Jewish Community Center was announced this week by the Newman family. Members of the family include Messrs. and Mmes. J. M. Newman, C. M. Newman, E, Robert Newman and Murray Newman.- • ',!.'. . ' • . : . , ' • " . : . . • . . *••••: •' , Commenting on the gift made by his family, J. M. Newman said, "We are very impressed with the work of the New Center Planning Committee, and believe that they and the architects have come up with a plan for a building which will serve the community for many years to come..•'..- .. .:•.-...-.. - ~. "We arc confident," said Mr. Newman, "that a new Jewish Community Center .will'serve as a. focal point for JcwiBh life In Omaha. It will provide facilities and programs to enhance the cultural, athletic, educational, social and religious needs of tbe Jewish community. At the same time, it will provide an excellent vehicle for the Jewish community to make a meaningful con-, tribution to the total community and to increase the awareness of the non-Jewish community of the Jewish values we hold dear." "I am very pleased," said Mr. Newman, "that our family has the opportunity to participate in this project, which is so vital to Jewish life in our community."
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' An architect's sketch of how the aew lewish Community ^Center may loti'k.
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