'Carriers' Found in Omaha Tay-Sachs Testing Program By Dr. Jamet D. EIMB Omaha — More than nine montha have elapsed tince the Jewish population of Nebraalia and weatern Iowa «ere offered the opportunity of taUng part in the TaySachs Screening Program. r A^total of 700 people were tested during the month of June 1973. Of that 43 were 'found to l>e possible carriers for the gene which results in Tay-Sachs disease. The remaining aS7 were notified that their tests were negative. The 43 who had abnormal test results were informed 01 these findings, as were their
Feldman Begin Hunger Strike
physicians. They were told that it was possible that the results were a "false positive", and that a second and more precise teii had to be performed. This was strongly recommended to tiiese 43 individuals. Twothirds of these people came back for a repeat test. We have now Identined thirteen individuals as definite carriers for the single recessive gene for Tay-Sactis disease. This is a ration of l:S4. If the remaining passible carriers come in, luid tlie same percentages of falae positives were to be found, the ratio of carriers to normal individuals in our population of 700 would be 1:47. This compares with the national figure of 1:^. We are currently providing genetic counseling for the families of confirmed carriers. Fortunately, none of the carriers has an affected spouse, so that the risk of producing an abnormal child is extremely minimal. However, the caniers have been urged to contact their siblings so tliat th^, in turn, can be tested.
LONDON, (JTA)-Jewish sources in the Soviet Union report ,that Alexander Fekiman, who is serving a 3<^ year sentence in a strict regime labor camp, has ^begun a hunger strike In iipniast against hie soiitary '-confinement. Feldman ii at tlie Shepetobka Camp. - Prom theday of hisarrivtt at Uw camp, he has b«cn -subjected to constant All in all, we consider this harassment by the ad- program a success. We have ministration, and forced to do identified definite carrier* in , liie most difficult and un- the population. They are pleasant Jotis. He suffers aware of the Significance of from an inflammation of tlie the findings. Hopefully, this \ Udney, and would not con-. . program will prevent, or at tinue with heavy physical least reduce, the incidence of work. The Jewish sources Tay-Sachs disease in the . said that as a result, Feldman Jewish population. was placed in solitary conIt may be of interest to you finement on Feb. 9 for 10 to know that Just last month a days. On March. 12, relatives case of Tay-Sachs disease - visiting the camp were told was discovered in the that Feldman was still in population in Lincoln. The solitary confinement. They child is in Ute process of dying were also refused permission at this time. The parents are, to ste him or speak to the interestingly, not Jewish. We : commandant of the camp, are in the position to assist according to the Jewish this couple by monitoring each pregnacy, so that we sources.
can, in effect, guarantee them a nonaffecled child. As you know, voluntary contributions of ten dollars per person were solicited to assist in defraying some of tlie expenses of the program. These funds have been turned over to the Jewish Federation. The equipment which was purchased for the Tay-Sachs testing is currently in the Omaha-Douglas County Health Department. It is available at no charge on an on-going iMsis to anyone in the Nebraska-Iowa area who wishes to be tested in the future for the carrier state for, the Tay-Sachs gene.
Hate Qroi^) Loses Tex Exemption WASHINGTON. (JTA) The National Youth Alliance, an avowed hate group, has had its federal income tax exemption suspended as a result of an Internal Revenue Service inquiry requested by Bep. Hugh L. Oarey (R,NY). Carey called for an IRS review of the organization last Dec. when he learned that the NYA, headed by former Nazi WUliam L. Pierce had a major ux exemption based on IRS approval of the. group's innocuous application. A check of NYA's application by Carey revealed that the group, which sponsors anti-Semitic, anti-Black mailings and publishes a magazine dedicated to violence, bigotry and political assassination, had listed itself as an organization "engaged in charitable activities . . . helping to build character, patriotism, a sense of community aiid an appreciation of the American heritage in young Americans."
SERVING OES MOINES,, Vol.LIII-No.2B
^COUNCIL BLUFFS', LINCOLN, OMAHA Omaha, Neb., Fri., March 2B, 1974
Federation Board Approves Sabbath Hours for Center Omaha — A recommendation ' for limited programming at the new Jewish Community Center on Saturday afternoons was approved by the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Omaha last Sunday. The recommendation by the House Rules Committee of the Jewish community Center had previously been approved by the board of ttie Jewish Community Center and by the Executive Committee of the Federation. The adopted recommendation provides for the closing of the Center from 5 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday. Competitive events would not be allowed diring the Saturday afternoon open hours, however programs would be developed for all ages in all areas of the building which would place heavy emphasis on loosely organized gameroom programs, a variety of discussion groups, special holiday family programs, physical recreation and
family swimming. The-hope was expressed in the recommendation that the Rabbinate would be involved
'Streaking' Hits Israel jpiUSALEM, (JTA) It had to happen sooner or later, and on March 19 it did, though a modast scale. A man bravfng near freezing temperature., ran through the center of Jerusalem stark naked — a one-man demonstration of the streaking fad that's hit the West. Police were astonished by the sight and by the time a police van arrived the streaker was gone. Police were reluctant to give a precise description of the naked one and claimed they had scant information since the streading act took them by surprise.
both with respect to direct imput into special programs and also with helping staff set the general guidelines for the program. Federation approval of the recommendation followed a lengthy discussion which reviewed the objections by the rabbis to any plan for opening the Center on the Sabbath. Proponents of the proposal noted that of S possible alternatives geiierally used to determine Center Sabbath policies, the one recommended was closet to the stated positions of the local rabbis. Other Action Nomoan Batt, cliairman of the JCC Building Committee,' announced that May 15 has been projected as the completion date for the indoor pool, and July 1 for the outdoor pool. Other action of the Federation board included the approval of the appointment of Richard Zacharia as chairman of the Esther K. Newman Camp Department.
Omahan Finds Feeling of 'Desperate Hope'in Israel Omaha — Miss Beatrice Sommer, chairman of the Omaha 1(74 Women's Division Philanthropies Campaign, can k>ok back on four months of intensive activity with great satisfaction. "The starting date of our campaign was pushed forward because of the Yoflv>i^ippur Wiy," she said. "Butn«women of Omaha met the cluHenge and hopefully we will su goal of t300,000." Miss Sommer recently returned from a UJA Women's Study Mission to Israel. She noted tremendous changes since her first trip to Israel before 1967. "The enormous drive and energy I saw on my first trip, still characterizes Israel today.
despite the shock of the Yom Kippur War," she said. "However, there is a feeling of apprehension about the future, coupled with a desperate kind of hope." To Miss Sommer, hope is the essence of Israel. "Israel was Itie culmination of long years of hope. It is a salvation of all Jews who have been, and still are, persecuted in many parts of the world. It Is significant as well to American Jews who have not been persecuted. Israel gives us a feeling of security of pride, and an opportunity to work in partnership with our own people." It is this basic belief that Jews take care of Jews which it the rationale of "^Iss Sommer's activity In the UJA
campaign. "Working on the Philanthropies Drive Is the t>est way I know of giving thanks for what I have in the USA, and at the same time helping others so that they can lead a good life as free Jews as well." Miss Sommer noted that "we cannot compensate for the loss in human lives suffered by Israelis during the Yom Kippur War, but we can help ease the economic burdens created by the war. There is a desperate need for cash to provide for the constant flow of new Immigrants, and we must supply the means to serve these human needs. I urge all Omaha women to pay their 1974 pledges as quickky as passible," sba said.
VIENNA — Soviet dlstMenl Pavel M. Utvinov and his family board a trabi In Vienna for Rome. Mr. Lllvinov. grandson of a farmer Soviet Foreign Minister and one of the most prominent Soviet' dissidents, had arrived in Vienna two days earlier from Moscow and was met by officials of the Jewish Agency. In Rome, Mr. LItvlnov indicated that he planned to go to the United States, with the help of United HIA8. A ll-year-old chemical engineer, he spent four years in exile In Siberia for taking part in a protest in Moscow's Red Square in l*<8 against the Soviet invasion of Ciechoslovakia. He is the third dissident to be allowed to leave the Soviet Union hi recent weeks.