Open Letter to the Omaha Jewish Community
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Awarded Grant The Nebraska Committee for (be Humanities (NCH) has awarded $18,929 to the Jewish Community Center to support "A Festival of Biblical Art and Archaeology." The project will be a temporary interpretive exhibition of ancient artifacts from the lands of (be Bible accompanied by a program of discussions, lectures, workshops, films, and other activities to Inspire public understanding of the Biblical and ancient Near Eastern foundation of our western heritage. Fields of the humanities such as philosophy, theology, archaeology, linguistics, and art history will provide the • basis from which cultural background will be presented In an attempt "to offer a lively participation In discovering our ancient roots." The project will have individual exhibits Including "The (Continued on Page 5)
A number of inquiries have been received about the Jewish Press's lack of coverage of the ka&brut controversy and the proceedings of the Beth Din which heard testimony in Omaha Feb. 27 and 28,1978. Thus, this letter of explanation follows: The Jewish Press has been prohibited from publishing anything regarding the controversy or the proceedings by a formal agreement entered Into by all parties. The agreement states, In part: "The Jewish Press shall publish no letter or article concerning the merits or issues involved In this controversy until said Beth Din has reached its final decision^ Thereafter, however, it shall publish the written decision of the Beth Din. In addition, and unless and until the Beth Din shall direct otherwise, no party hereto shall make any public announcement or endeavor to have others do so on their behalf concerning the merits or issues involved in this controversy." When the Beth Din, the Rabbinical Court of Justice of the Associated Synagogues of Massachusetts, concluded its hearing in Omaha Feb. 28, a spokesman for the court said that a Judgment would be rendered hi the near future. At that time, the Jewish Press will print the judgment of the Court, as well as some other background material about the Beth Dln./< -v Jewish Federation of Omaha Paul Alperson, Silvia Roffman; Co-Chalrman, Jewish Press Committee
With fiddle in band and a (batched roof for a perch, Harold Stein rehearses for 'Tiddler on the Roof", starting Saturday nlghtattheJCC.(JPPhbtobyUallne)
U press time this week, Israp! had launched her "larges reprisal raid" against Palei t i n e L i b e r a t lo n 1 Organization locations in Southern Lebanon. The raid toqk place 72 hours after PLO terrorists killed 32 Israelis near Tel Aviv.
Leon Wintroub, Men's Telethon chairman, totals telethon responses while Conrad Koller, staff assistant, looks on. (JP Photo x byNewman)
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The most common comment was "can I have some more cards?" This was the exciting mood generated as the Men's Telethon got underway. The volunteer workers from the department boards contacted hundreds of people in the first two Telethon sessions Sunday and Monday. Over $36,000 was raised. • The volunteers worked Sunday morning, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights. They are also working this Suadsy morning. Their hope is to give everyone In the Omaha Jewish'Community an opportunity-to participate In the Campaign. The volunteers are
The military affairs editor of the Omaha World-Herald said that last week's terrorist attack on Innocent civilians in Israel underscores the position that negotiations cannot take place with the Palestine Liberation Organization. "I hope that every American — Jew and hon Jew — feels the same way," said Howards. Sllber. Mr. Sllber and his wife, the former Harriet (Sissy) Katelman, were vacationing in Israel when the attack took place. "Our tour bus was headed toward Herzliya, a suburb of Tel Aviv . . . We were about six miles from the attack point when our bus was stopped by a roadblock." Howard S. Sllber, military affairs editor for the World-Hearld Mr. SUber said his* group shows a copy of an Israeli newspaper which describes the ter- was advised that the attack (Continued on Page 2) rorist attack. He was six miles from the scene. (JP Pboto by MaUne)
Vol.LVIINo.20
Bulletin
Charlie Guss bad the most fun in yean. Ron'FeJdman asked to do
Editor Near Location Of Terrorist Attack
spending'their time because they want every Jew in Omaha to be contacted personally. "The Talmud tells us not to separate ourselves from the Community" said Conrad Kol-' ler, Federation staff person, working with the Telethon. "While this is an Injunction on each of us, the Community also has an obligation to reach out." "By participating In the Campaign, Jews do two things" said Leon Wintroub, chairman of the Telethon. "First they say that they can be counted on as Jews, and second they share what they can monetarily with Jews in ijsrael and the 21 other countries around the world." ^ The Telethon hopes to raise $53,000.
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Temple Israel Hosts Institute for Clergy Temple Israel Is hosting the 38th Institute on Judaism for Christian Clergymen today. ; The lecturer is Rabbi Roland B, GUtelsohn, D.D., Sc.D., Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Israel, Boston. It is the first time the Institute is being devoted to a study of Social. Justice or the Social Gospel. •'' ' ",..,
program Announced: lues Schedule for 78 ie- Jewish Community r's Board of Directors, with professional staff, are!planning a "most exciting'; program year for Its 5,900 members. Highlights will Include the Festival of Biblical Art and Archaeological Exhibit: 'outdoor Cultural Art events; a Gala Auction; and family activities. Tq maintain service, and because of Inflation and high energy costs, the Board has raised membership dues beginning May 1,1978. Dues will be: family Membership $225; Single Parent $145; Young Married (under 25) $150; Adult Individual $165; Senior Citizens (Single) $35; Senior Citizens (Merrled) «55. Dues for nonresidents will be SO percent of the full rate in any dues category; ' Health Club dues have also
COUNCIL BLUFFS, LINCOLN, OMAHA Omaha, Neb.. Fri., March 17,1978
been increased: £enior Executive $230; Sehlpr Executive (female) $175; Husband 4 Wlft $345; Jr. Executive Male $125; Jr. Executive Female $125; Ladles Day Trial $60. The Board of Directors also changed the membership year to a calendar year which means that current dues statements will reflect an eight month charge through Dec. 31,1978. All dues for this eight month perjod are due on or before May 1,1978. In the fall, the membership will receive a statement for the new calendar year beginning Jan. 1,1979 through Dec. 31,1979. The Board has also Indicated that thqse members * who are unable to pay the regular membership-fees, may call or write Phil Cofman, executive director, to request a meeting to discuss fees.
In his Invitation to the Clergymen, Rabbi Sidney H. Brooks stated: "We have, I think, failed to appreciate the deep and lasting influence of the writings of the Prophets In the Hebrew Bible and the social consciousness plainly evident in the New Testament. "Increasingly those of us who are religious leaders have become aware that our preachments from the pulpit, our teaching, and our involvement In community affairs, Indeed, the major thrust of the religious life, is the response to divine mandate to care for our fellow man. Ultimately, this Is the way In which we complete the Kingdom of God here on earth." This year's lecturer, a leader In the field of Social Justice, Is an author and scholar. Rabbi GUtelsohn Is a past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Rabbi Gittelsohn's morning lecture is; "How Do We Express Social Justice Today? — Anticipating the Future." The afternoon lecture will be: "Where Did We Acquire Our Social Conscience? — A Look at The Past." Temple Israel's Institute regularly attracts one of the largest gatherings of Christian Clergymen in this area, and the aim of Temple Israel is to, provide the clergy with the kind of exchange needed most from and with each other to
Rabbi R.B. GUtelsohn enrich both mind and soul. At noon, the Temple Israel Sisterhood will provide a luncheon in the Social Hall at which, representatives of the local clergy will be present. Accepting Invitations to be present are: The Most Reverend Daniel E. Sheehan, D.D., Archbishop of Omaha; The Reverend Darrell E. Berg, President, Omaha Clergy Association; Dr. Ernest E.' Smith, Executive Secretary Emeritus, Omaha Metropolitan Association of Churches, Inc.; and the Reverend James S. Allen, President, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. ' • . ' . . . • • . ; At services tonight Rabbi Gittelsohn will be guest preacher. A reception will be held In honor of Rabbi Gittelsohn Immediately following the worship services;