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QoiaAd 1974 Campaign Near $3 Mi/lion Mark Omaha—:: It teemed imposilble ( weeks ago when we annoaaccd a «4.M«.M0 (oal (or (be 1174 Omaha Jewlfh Pfatlantbrotilei Campaifn, bat we BOW have every reason to bellcve that the goal will be r e a c h e d," Alvln Abramson >aM this week The chairman o( U)e 19^ Omaha campaign. Mr. h^fai^ son reported that pledges* to the 1974 Omaha campaign are exceeding the 300 percent increase • needed to reach the goal. "As of this week." Mr. Abramson said, "we have 1,300 pledges amounting to $2,71B,O00. These same cards produced «880.000 in the 1973 campaign. The response has been tremendous,'^ he said, "and while we
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OmAha —Frank ColtII)erg and Paul G. Cohen, chairmen of the General Men's Division of the 1974 Omaha Jewish Philanthropies Campaign, have announced that h telethon will be held this Sunday in an effort to reach as many men as possible for their 1974 campaign pledges. "We urge all men to wait at home for a phone (^all this Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 g^. Be prepared to tell the caller that you are committed to the survival of Israel and that your 1974 pledge will be a minimum of 3* times your gift last yepr. Expect our call; welcome it and respond generously. Israel is counting on us and we are counting on you," Goldberg said.
afe grateful to those who liave set the pace for our campaign, we cannot ease our efforts until every member of the community has made a similar commitment." Mr. Abramson noted that the Yom Kippur War in Israel necessitated early 197 4 c a mpaigns in Jewish comunities throughout the United State.s. "American Jews are being asked to give unprecedented amoimts of money and we are being asked to respond quickly so that the war-torn people of Israel will .know the extent of our help during this emergency. Our campaign sa far Indicates that Omaha will be among the top Jewish comiftunities which demonstrated responsibility toward and solidarity with the people of Israel during this critical period." ' Mr. Abramson said ttiatthe Omaha campaign is only half "i«y-TompIrt«f,- «iJff*'''!FIUiti work remains to be dona," He urged those who have not yet made a 1974 pledge to "welc 0 m e the campaign worker when he calls, prepared to make a generous gift. Come to a meeting if you are called. Help us complete this campaign as quickly as possible. The needs are urgent and the time to respond is now. "The limits of time and volunteer manpower make it impossible for everyone to be contacted personally," Mr. Abramson said. "We are, therefore^ u s i n ^ small . meetings and phone solicitation to cover the community as quickly as possible. The $4,000,000 goal can be reached if the response during the balance of the campaign matches those who have already made their commitments."
Hanukkah 1973
Next Wednesday at sundown, Jews throughout the world will begin the observance of. tiie il-day Hanukkah holiday. An ancient story, as old as recorded history, the Hanukkah story is as relevant as today's newspaper headlines. The holiday had its begimiing more than 2.000 years ago (168 B.C.E.) when the Syrian King Antiochus intensified his campaign to wipe out the Jewish people. Treasuring their religious freedom, the Jews fought back. Outnumbered by their enemies 15 to 1, the small army of faithful Jews, the Maccabees, hferoically battled the mighty Syrian armies and won the fight fol* religious freedom. The Maccabean victory over the Syrians Was the first fight for religious freedom—but not " the last. Throughout Jewish history there have been tyrants who sought to destroy the Jews. Each generation of Jews has produced its own
Maccal>ees, committed to justice and freedom, who bravely fought back again.'st the oppressors' and rekindliid th^ light of Ju(^ai$m for their* day. The retelling of the Hanukkah story each year is a reminder that the mightiest armies cannot desti'oy the spirit of the Jewish people. It is a reminder that the figlit for freedom which began with the Maccabees has been triumphant through succeeding generations of Hamans and Hitlers. It challenges us to prevail in the face of the threats of the Nassars and Sadats of our day. Hanukkah in 1973 will not be celebrated in the peaceful world we pray for; but in the celebration we are reminded of our ageless goals of peace and justice for all men. It is a time to remembfir the past and rededicate our efforts to ac^ evement of the goals in the future.
Memorie/s of ihe Paist; Hopes; for the Future
Symbolic of ^lmf(ar observances wMdr wfll be held throughout the Jewish world next week, the youngster pictured above recites the blessings over the Hanukkah candles. Tbe celebration of Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean victory over the Syrians more than 2,090 years ago. It serves as a reminder of the historical triumph of freedom and justice over tyrants -who would oppress and destroy. It challenges each new generation to rededicate itself to these ideals; to face the trials o( the preseat with memory of the past and hope for the future.
The Reality of the Present
'New Look' for The Jewish Press Omaha—Jewish Press readers will be aware of a 'new look' to the paper beginning with the January 11 issue. It wii: i>e a cleaner, more modem-looking offset printed paper '• with clearer photographs and new, interesting typography. The change is the result of closing of the Blacker Printing Company which has been printUng the Jewish Press for the bulk of the paper's history. The ^letterpresi operation of Blacker Printing Company, printer of Uie Omaha Sun Newspapers, will be closed as a result oi the Btata'i acquisition of tiM printing pl^t for the extension «f Kennedy Freeway.
The long association the Jewish Press has Iiad with the Sim . N»wspa[>ers will be continued as the Press Joins the Sun in arrangements to have the printing done in the modem plant of the Norfolk, Nebraska Uaily Mews, The change will provide read-ers with a more attractive, readable newspaper,' It will, iMwever, necessitate strict adherence to earlier deadlines. Kffecttve immediately, the deadline (or all news and advertising copy for the Jewish Press will be Monday of the , wees o( publlcatloD. Copy reeelved after deadline will be held for tbe foUewiag week's publicallon.
As Jews preiMre te celebrate Hanukkah, recalling (he attempt by the Syrian King Antiochot to destroy the-Jews In 165 B.t'.IC,, (here are grim reminders that Jews still face Syrian threats of deslnictlon. The picture above is one of many released recently by Rep. Ri-lla S. Abzug. The pictures allegedly show the results of Syrian alrecities'against captured Israeli soldiers In the Yom Kippur War. According to Information provided Rep. Abr.ug by o((iclal Israeli sources, approximately S9 men were found bound, Mlndiolded and murdered at several Golan Heights sites. Men were repostedly (eand sbst, stabbed and wiik hetds smashed by rlHe butts. There was also evidence of torture, Includlflg eye-geuglng. The Isratll sources told Rep. Abzug (hat Syrian prisoners as well as other inlormants had confirmed (he commission of tbe atrocities.