To Instill Commitment to Judaism' By Judith Marburg OMAHA - A long family - history of education and teaching are among tlw things • Rabbi David L«vin, new Educational-Youth Director of Beth Israel Synagogue, cited as influences which made him decide to concentrate his energies in that direction. Rabbi L«vln. who assumed his duties at Beth Israel Aug. 1, counts "approximately 80 teachers in four or five generations" In his family background. A native of New - Orleani. La.. Rabbi Levin (pronounced Le-veeni said his family has been in New '^Orleans since the 1840's and is Rabbi Levta me of oldest established " Jewish families in that city. His experiences growing up in a Southern town, ex- Torah classes and working periences In cities such as St. with (he youth group. Speaking of his six years Louis, Chicago, New York, plus those in smaller com- with the Skokie synagogue. munities, prompted Rabbi Rabbi Levin stated that "Both Levin to comment there are as teacher and youth advisor, "stronger ties to the Jewish I have had the opportunity to community 1P the south and Influence and strengtiien the midwest — more Jewish otuervance of Torah and spirit" t>)an in ma]or Mitzvot among many of my students. Many of them have metropolitan areas. In the KMth and mldwett continued their Jewish "ttare It a mall-lmrn teeUng education In day schools, — each mamber o( the Jewlih yeshlvot and girls' seminaries community 'bat to doytt btanaetr retultlng In a grvter atpae of commltmeot." Ordained at the Hebrew
because of this Influence.'' Impressed by the amount of Jewish activity in Omaha, Rat>bl Levin said he hopes to involve the youth group in community programs such as the Dr. Philip Sher Home and the Russian immigrants. Among the areas he wished to explore are an "Adopt-aGrandparent" program and the seeking out of the "hidden Jewish poor." Working wltb the youth group was matt rewaidlng, Rabbi Levin tald. and be bopet to Initiate a more intentlve ttudy program here with more attentiaa paid to backgrtwnd. He wltbet to enoourage Jewlib ttudlet at the high icfaooi leyel and it eager to paitic^te in the Omaha High School o( Jewtth Studiea. He it motivated by a dettre "to taittill a commitment to Judaltm" in youth. Saying "Any person can learn anything, at any age — he just needs someone to teach him," Rat)bl Levin expressed interest in adult educatkm here and hopes to become involved in the Continuing Studies program. (Continued on Page4<
Jewish Studies High School
Theological College In Skokie,
Ul., this past June. Rabbi T>vin, 29, brings wllh him over nine years of experience in the field of Jewish education. While a student, he performed a wide range of duties at the Skokie Valley Traditional Synagogue, including the organizing of morning and evening minyanlm, teaching Talmud
Apnoupces Fall Reoistration
" Classes will be open to all OMAHA - Registration for Jewish high school students, the Omaha High School of Jewish Studies will take place grades 9-12, regardless o( on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 7:15 synagogue affillatiim. Classes p.m. at Beth El Synagogue, It wHl meet each Wednesday was announced today by Carol evening, 7:15-9 p.m. at Beth Gendler, director of the El. Special events and school which Is sponsored assemblies throughout the Jointly by Beth El and Beth year will take place at Beth Israel. Israel synagogues. The board of directors of the school includes Rabbi Kenneth Bromberg, Rabbi Isaac Nadoff. Rabbi David Levin, Stanley Mitchell, Dr. James Wax. Dr. Martin P. Wolf. Sam Gendler, Manny Goldberg, were Required to leave large Lois Shkolnick, Caryl cash deposits and family Greenberg and Steve Riekes. The board urges parents to members t)ehlnd as Insurance that they would return; encourage their high school moreover, permission to age children to attend the travel abroad for such classes. Staff and curriculum emergency treatment has will be announced soon. been discontinued this year. A ipedal branch of the Muhabarat (secret police) overtees the enforcement of tlie numerous and harth rettrictlont confronting the Jewith community In Syria, JERUALEM-An austere among tbem: government burial was A total ban on all Jewish scheduled for Thursday, Aug. emigration, even for the 14, for Pinhas Sapir. Israel's purpose of uniting families in finance minister for II years the U.S., Canada and other and one of the nation's founplaces far removed from the ding fathere\ who died of a Arab-Israel conflict. heart attack Tuesday. Aug. 12. The requirement that Jews The body of Sapir. 68, who obtain special permission was head of the Jewish from the secret police to Agency at the time of his travel more than three miles death, was to lie in state here from their homes. Thursday morning The Nightly curfews and Israeli Cabinet scheduled a periodic roll calls memorial service before the The requirement that Jews funeral cortege left on its 30carry qieclal Identity cards mlie Journey to the small with "Mutawl" (of the faith of cemetery near Sapir's K'far Motet) printed boldly In red. Saba home outside Tel Aviv. Israel's two chief rabbis, The bankhonks of Jews, their drivers' llctotet and even often foes In public debate. (Continued on page 8) (C^ontinMedonPageS)
True Plight of Syrian Jews Glossed Over Despite recent attempts by the Government of Syria to "put a cotmetic gloss on the treatment of Syrian Jews, the 'fact remains that the estimated 4.500 Jews of Syria (3.000 In Damascus, 1,200 in Aleppo, 300 om Qamishly) are held virtual prisoners In a country that will not let them leave and will not let them live Indignity In the courae of Its recent public relations compaign tlesigned to woo U.S. opinion - and through It the US .Government - Syrian 'authorities have singled out a few Jews for special and .privileged treatment who may 'imn shops and live outside the Jewish ghetto of Damascus. %1)ese persons are put on ^display whenever foreign 'dignitaries or newsmen from the West inquire about Syrian Jews according to a study by ithc American Jewish |ConRress. The shallowness of the VSyrlan position, however, is .pointed up dramatically In the Wact that while a few Jews ; were able to leave the country 'last year for medical teatment 'not available in Syria. th<>y
Sapir'Dies At Age 68
SERVING DES MOINES,
BCOUNCIL BLUFFS,
Vol. UV No. 41
LINCOLN, OMAHA
Onfiaha. Neb., fri.. August 16,1*75
NJCRAC Rejects JDL Request Editor's note: TliB Pltotiy MSdoo o( the NaUooal Jewish Comnnmlty iUlattaai Advliary Camidi, at tU meeUng In Mew Yofk ki tmm, rajMtMl tka ^ pUcaUoo «( Uw JMWI Osiae LMTK tor manibgsfalp and endorsed 1 nport by Uw manberAlp oommlttM o( th« raasoos tor Its rMonuModaUoo. What foUows Is tfas letter witttea to Uw JDL by Albert D. Cbemln, mCRAC aacuttre vleedialrman. and the twoote by iisIM Heir Kiriwae, Intenuitkinal dialnnan of ttie JDL. Mr.GeneSbiger Jewith Defente League 1133 Broadway, Suite lOM New York, New York 10010 Dear Mr. Singer: It is my duty to Inform you that yesterday, June 29, 1975, the Plenary Session of the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council unanimously rejected the application of the Jewish Defense League for membership. The Plenary Session, as I believe you know, is a delegated txxly comprising representatives of all our constituent national organizations and of our constituent community agencies. Jhe action of the Plenary Session was taken oh the unanimous recommendation of Uie Memt>ership Committee, reached after full review of your application. The Membership Committee also comprises representatives of all our constituent national agencies and of the constituent community agencies. The Plenary Session unanimously endorsed the following report by the Memt>ership Committee of the reasons for its recommendation: NJCRAC and its member agencies have long been committed to strengthening Uie American democratic process. Our commitment to the democratic process is reflected In the NJCRAC process which is based on voluntary cooperation by our national and local member agencies who represent a wide range of the Ideological spectrum found within the Jewish community. Even when there are differences, our member agencies participate in the NJCRAC on the basis of mutual respect and a shared acceptance of the common cause. The right to dissent is fully recognized. The NJCRAC and its member agencies support militancy as a legitimate way to achieve change. In regard to Israel and Soviet Jewry, as well as other community relations Issues, we have urged activist measures In carrying out our program. We believe that the American democratic system provides the means for effectively expressing our views and bringing about change. In this context resort to violence is harmful to our cause and morally unacceptable. The Jewish Defense League does not accept this basic approach. First it has had a history
of encouraging and indeed undertaking acts of violence. Such tactics have the effect of weakening the processes of democracy in which the Jewish community has a direct stake. Second, JDL has denied the right of dissent of those who differ from its position by using Intimidation, including violence, in attempts to Impose Its will on those with whom It disagrees, ttolh within and outside of the Jewish community. We regard it as intolerable that any Jewish organization should resort to force to compel the Jewish community to accept its views and only Its views. Very truly youn, Albert D. Cbemln Executive Vice Chairman ADC:Is July 15.1975 Mr. Albert D. Chemin Executive Vice Chairman NJCRAC NewY9rk,N.Y.1003S Dear Mr. Cbemln, Your letter of June .'iOth rejecting the application of the Jewish Defense League for membersbip in MatkMial Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council has been received, and we are shocked — if not surprised — and totally unwilling to accept this as the final word. Your group, with a long and sorry record of non-action, is a public, not a private, body, and has no right to reject any organization that plays a prominent role in the American Jewish community. The lack of democracy in the American Jewish Establishment is legendary, but we are prepared to put an end to that state of affairs. Your rejection of JDL was not because of the false and hypocritical reason given in your letter, but rather because every group within your organization is deathly afraid of the impact of JDL upon the American Jewish community. We intend to pursue this matter In the courts as well as the press and through demonstrations. Our final word concerning your reason for turning JDL down. Your claim to reject any group that would "resort to force to compel the Jewish community to accept Is views" rings hollow as there sit In your organization groups that turned over names of Jews to the FBI and informed on them in so many other ways. The age of feudalism with .its arrogant contempt for a democratic voice In the Jewish community Is over. With Love of Itrael, JEWISH DEFENSE LEAGUE Rabbi MeirKahane Intematkmal Chairman
DM Federation Elects President DES MOINES - Gary Rubin was elected President of the Jewish Welfare Federation at the annual meeting on July 31. In his outlook for the future Rubin expressed the hope that Uie community, despite all the pressure locally, nationally, and overseas, will "maintain a path of cohesiveness" and remain the "united Jewish community that has characterized Des Moinas in the past,"he said. Rubin desires active
GaryRubhi
community participation in the Federation and constituent agencies, jfle appeals to everyone in the community to feel free to voice their concerns directly to him In an effort to maintain open channels of communication. "I will be delighted to discuss any and all subjects." The .new president expressed his pleasure In assuming this office and is thankful for the opportunity to serve the community In the coming year.