NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL
Newman to Lead 1977 Drive; UJA Mission Is First Step
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LCOUNCIL BLUFFS. LINCOLN, OMAHA , n Q_ Omaha, Neb., Fri., August 27,1878
OMAHA - Murray H. Newman has been named, to lead the 1977 Jewish Philanthrsples Campaign aeesfdisg to Leonard Goldstein, president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. "Murray Newman is a dedicated individual who will bring a fresh and young approach to the Philanthropies Campaign," Goldstein said making the announcement. "I'm very pleased that he has accepted the responsibility. The needs in Israel and at home are and have always been so great. Murray will help bring the younger members of the community into the fabric of the campaign and sharpen their awareness of their responsibilities to Israel and the community."
wsidered Staunch Supporter
UJ IT «. UJ Z - J Z (JTA) Sen. ftobert J. Dole of Kansas, chosen by President Gerald Rprd to be his running-mate In the election campaign has a record of staunch support for Israel and Soviet Jewry In his 15 years as a U.S. Representative and Senator -and-has been honored by the government of Israel. / Although he is usually found backing Republican Administration policies, the conservative Junior Senator from Kansas has on at least two critical occasions publicly recommended to the Presl-dent that his Administration provide more adequate support to Israel. .'"••' In 1971, the year President Nixon named him as the Republican Party's national chairman, Dole was among the first Senators to urge the
White House to supply Israel with Phantom Jet planes, then a controversial subject In Washington. IB May, 1S7S, when the Ford Administration was engaged in its "reassessment" of the Middle East policy with pressures on Israel, Dole Joined 75 other Senators In signing * letter to the President urging him to provide adequate military and economic aid to Israel. This letter followed a White House announcement of the Administration review of policy and the White House delay in submitting to Congress a request for aid to Israel. Firmly conservative on most fiscal Issues, Dole has been supportive of forelgiCald requests for Israel. Last year, he also voted for Sen. Henry M. Jackson's amendment, to
The Jerusalem Mission
the Defense Procurement Act, providing for the transfer of military equipment to Israel. He also backed the U.S. role In the Sinai accord between Egypt and Israel. In December, 1974, Dole signed a letter with 70 other Senators to President Ford, urging him that the U.S. be resolute In upholding Israel's right to reply to the Palestine Liberation Organization In the United Nations General Assembly. Dole also backed the Senate steps against UNESCO's actions hostile to Israel. A consistent supporter of Soviet Jewry, he voted for the Jackson-Vanlk amendment. , Dole, a Methodist, was honored at a Kansas City Jewish community dinner in December, 1071, after Israel conferred on him Its Prime Minister's Medal for his assistance to the Israel Bond Organfzatlon. i
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latest'-fHp-'liT thp—SUtes ' gratified by the understanding WnMky, dkactof gonaral of and support for the concept of UJA offfc» in • loMor to Irving l*rmthe October Jerusalem conM n of #w rational O M oHleo in Now ference which I experienced in Vork, doKribM (wool — IM moodi my meetings with the exand Mun pnxpacft with omehatlt on ecutive directors of several of pooplo-lo-soopl* concopl the communities. My ImpreswMch *Tnl» YMT In Minalwn' hoi sion and feeling was that they (Continued on Page6) I returned to Israel from my
Deadline Set OMAHA - Due to the long Labor Day Weekend, copy and advertising deadline for the Sept. 10 issue of the Jewish Press will be noon on Friday, Sept. 3.
Newman, at 37, Is the youngest man to lead the Omaha Philanthropies Campaign. He has served on the Federation board of directors since 1974 and Is the Nebraska State chairman of the AntlDefamation League of B'nal B'rith. He was,, fund-raising chairman for the Jewish Community Center building fund and has served on a wide variety of committees in various capacities. ~ "The early selection of Newman as campaign general chairman will enable him to run an especially effective and well-organized drive/UJoldstein noted. "We expect hint to set, a fast and efficient pace and organize a team which is fully cognizant of the vital role which the Philanthropies Campaign plays in support of Israel and a team which is totally capable of achieving the goal." Newman and Lou Solomon,
Murray Newman executive director of the Federation, will leave Omaha on Sunday, Aug. 29, to participate In the annual United Jewish Appeal Prime Minister's Mission to Israel. This Mission is designed for campaign chairmen, executive directors and other leaders In communities which raise over $1 million. Meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and key personnel in Israel's government will provide an up-to-date briefing on the cur-
rent human land economic ' needs in Israel. The fast-paced Mission itinerary will cover ail facets of Israels social and industrial development, emphasizing accomplishments and especially present and future needs. Following their return on Sept. 2, both men feel they will be in a better poslton to appraise the local community of these and local needs and the goals of the 1977 Campaign. "The insight which Is to be gained from important missions such as this is invaluable," Newman said, adding that he expects to channel that insight into a highly productive and successful campaign. "The additional advantage afforded by meetings of this nature comes from the Input of equally concerned community leaders from all over the United States. Our combined experience should make the 1977 Jewish Philanthropies Campaign the finest effort to date," Newman concluded.
Area GroupsPledge Support OMAHA - The Jewish to see that the school year Federation of Omaha, area begins and continues,In a synagqgues, the Community peaceful and law-abiding atRelations Committee, Omaha m o s p h e r e , " s a i d Lou Section of National Council of Solomon, executive director of Jewish Women and the Antl- the Jewish Federation of Defamation League of B'nal Omaha. "As citizens, It Is our SMth have Jo_lneda;.wlth Other responsibility to up-hold the Omaha community groups in "law and work for its efficient pledging support for Concern- and peaceful implementation. ed Citizens of Omaha in Its effort to ensure the peaceful Howard Weinsteln,. CRCtransition to court-ordered ADL director asks that inbusing which will begin Sept. 7 dividuals or groups that wish with the opening of the Omaha to assist In the peaceful public schools. desegregation process call the "We urge the entire com- CRC-ADL office (341-3575) "oY munity to work cooperatively CCFO (422-1976).
Special Environment Is New Center Director's Goal By Barbara Simon OMAHA-The "J" has Jazz. It also has picnics, The Hut, two new days of older-adult programs, and new plans for the outdoor' athletic field, which by next spring will be the place to go for baseball, Softball, football, track and soccer at the "J". These activities are a few of the new things that are happening at the "J" since Phil Cofman began his Job as Center director In June. Cofman, quick, businesslike, with a warm, bright smile and a matter-of-fact tone of voice gives the Impression of one who Is moving surely yet diplomatically through the first stages of a hard, new Job. He says, "What's important to me In my private life Is to have my family surrounded by a set of comfortable Jewish values which allow all of us to live as free of conflict as possible. " He sees the JCC in the same light. "I see the Center as a place which can provide people opportunities to learn, relax, enjoy themselves, socialize - engage in activities which are Jewish In purpose and which give Inner gratification and satisfaction," Cofman says. Center work reveals to Cofman two characteristics about Jewish life which he values and fosters: broad participation by Individual members In the running of the Center; and a sense of linkage with Jews across the city, country and world. "The thing I like most about the JCC here," he says, "is that not a day goes by that someone doesn't stop in or call to make a comment about something that's going on at the Center, good and bad. The Interest and devotion to this institution are more intense and are shared by more people in Omaha than in other cities. I think It's terrific." Cofman feels that the large number of people serving on Center and Federation committees and boards points up the degree of individual htvoSvesest la Jewish life to Omaha. "At the Cents' particularly," be says, "people feel they can rate a voice, talk about what they would like different, complain,
Cofman, right, discusses Center policy with Lou Solomon, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. (JP Photo) praise—and that they will be listened to—which they will be. I think that feeling Is what makes the Center special and different from other institutions - 1 think It Is a uniquely Jewish feeling." "You know," he says, "there is the old Jewish Joke that says that two Jews will never agree about anything except what a third J e t . should be doing I The tradition of comment and criticism that we share is part of our insistence that things can always be better than they are." Linking Jews together is another important concept which Cofman feels is crucial personally and to his work as Center director. He enjoys being part of the JCC where Jews who are non-affiliated as well as Orthodox meet and cdme together. The Center can promote activities that are significant to all Jews — rallies tor Soviet Jewry or Israel, for example -r- and can i R # represent the community, as the word "community" In "Jewish Community Center" implies. -
"Because we are involved in a broad range of activities," says Cofman, "from social to athletic, to cultural, to political, and because we do not represent any one particular Jewish'polnt of view, we can be flexible and inclusive. One of the most important things we do is the encouragement of a sense of peoplehood. Our Center can be the place where the Jews of Omaha connect to the causes of the Jews of Israel, Russia, South America—or wherever else Jews live and need our attention." Cofman stresses flexibility as a key concept In his Center administrative style. As a new member In the Omaha community but an old hand to community center administration, he has the chance to show Center committees and boards how other centers are run. He is eager for the Center policy-makers to become familiar with new ways of doing things. He is also eager for the boards and committees to enter serious dialogue through "board training" about the role and responsibilities — and the limits — of lay leaders. "A tremendous amount of energy and work went Into the creation and building of this Center," he says. "Now I'm eager to explore with the board what new programs are occuring in other cities and how other centers solve problems. We need to question: are there better ways to develop a health club, for Instance .. Are there better ways to do a day camping program " Cofman's Intensity and enthusiasm serve him well in this Job where he is leading the Center Into its third year of operation, overseeing an enormous building, a large staff, a huge core of volunteers and a multi-purpose program. He says, "My Job is to constantly define staff Jobs and Center programs, develop board leadership and committees, and most Important, keep tabs on the constant changes and needs among the members. I'd rather take the risk of making some mistakes than never make changes. To my way of thinking, change is healthy and constant examination-of how ws.caa be better Is healthy." (Continued on Page 3)