Israel Bonds Will Honor Ethel Levenson Edgar ^COUNCIL BLUFFS, LINCOLN, OMAHA Omaha, Neb., Fit, August22,1980 o
i Jewish Festival Concert • • I I I educes Rfladeliene Firestone The final summer musical concert in the series titled "The Circle of Jewish Music: From Generation to Generation" features Omaha newcomer Madeleine Firestone, who will sing Yiddish, Hungarian, Ladlno and Israeli folk songs, accompanied by cello and flute. Mrs. Firestone has had extensive experience In operatic performance in New York and at one time directed her own opera company. The concert wlll.be held Sunday, Aug. 24, 3 p.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue. 1502 N. 52 St. Mrs. Firestone is the wife of Temple Israel's new cantor, Harold Firestone. Also featured In the concert are Willis Ann Ross, flute, Nancy Laub, cello, and Patricia Will, piano. They will perform an Ernest Bloch Suite for flute and piano, and works for cello, piano and voice from
President Won't Support Embassy Move NEW YORK (JTA) - President Carter has indicated that he will not support the plank in the Democratic Party's platform calling for moving the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "It has been our policy that Jerusalem should remain forever undivided with free access to the holy places for people of all faiths," the President said In a written message to the delegates of the Democratic National Convention Just before he was renominated as the party's candidate for a second term. "It has been and must remain our policy that the ultimate status of Jerusalem should be a matter of negotiations between the partios." Carter did not endorse moving the embassy during the 1976 campaign although It was also called for In the Democratic Party platform. The Republican National Convention in Detroit last month In naming Ronald Reagan as the GOP Presidential candidate, adopted a plank supporting the continuation of a united Jerusalem but did not mention moving the embassy. Carter, In his statement to the delegates, also pledged never to pressure Israel, promised not to negotiate witl) the Palestine Liberation Organization and to continue the Middle East peace process begun by the Camp David accords.
the traditional Jewish liturgy. This final concert is the fourth in a scries that Is presented to the community by the Older Adults of the Bureau for the Aging, Jewish Federation of Omaha. Children under 12 are admitted free, when accompanied by an Older Adult, and families are encouraged to attend together with several generations. General admission is $1 at the door. The series has been ar-
ranged at times and places accessible to Senior Citizens and is open to everyone. The Nebraska Arts Council, German Old People's Home, the Ruth Riekes Richards Trust and the Omaha Musicians Association have also contributed to the series to make Its presentation possible. For more Information call the Bureau for the Aging, 4517220.
JCC Appoints Mew Youth Director Jay Lerner, president of the Jewish Community Center and Phil Cofman, executive director, announce the appointment of Patricia Groves as Youth Activities Director of the Center. "We arc most fortunate to have been ahjeto locate and engage PatricTaTwiib Is an exciting person and we look forward to an outstanding Junior and Senior high program under her direction," Mr. Cofman stated. Miss Groves is a graduate of Crelghton University and holds a degree in education. She plans to work on her master's degree in administration at Crelghton on a part-time basis throughout the next few years. A member of Beth El Synagogue, Miss Groves said she feels "very happy at the Idea of working so closely with the J e w i s h C o m m u n i t y in Omaha." "1 am very excited about my new Job as Youth Director at the "J" and already have lots of plans and ideas for the youth department that I believe will prove exciting and worthwhile for all of those involved," she said. "I have spent a great deal of
Revoke Citizenship WASHINGTON (JTA)-The U.S. Department of Justice said it filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Chicago to revoke the citizenship of Liudas Kalrys, a native of Lithuania, who Is alleged to have concealed his services for the Nazi SS during World War II when he applied for citizenship. Kairys, the suit says, came as a displaced person in 1949 and was naturalized In 1957 as a U.S. citizen. It later became known, according to the Justice Department, that he Joined the Nazi unit In 1942 and served as a guard at the Infamous Trcbllnka death. camp where thousands of Jews were murdered. Kairys now resides in Chicago.
Patricia Groves lime working with a great variety of children, from preschool to hlghschool, and it has always been a very fun and valuable experience for myself and the kids involved. I would like to extend those experiences at the J." Miss Groves said she hopes junior and senior high students will come in to say hello.
By Suzanne Somberg The Greater Omaha Women's Division State of Israel Bonds has named Mrs. Ethel Levenson Edgar as "Woman of the Year." She will be honored at a luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Jewish Community Center. Mrs. Edgar Is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. As a teenager, she was an ardent Zionist. At 16 she went to a meeting of the prestigious Omaha Hebrew Club with the idea of selling tickets for a Zionist lecture to the men as they left the meeting room. However, at the request of the late Henry Monsky, she gave an extemporaneous speech for the Zionist cause to a room full of adults — who all bought tickets as they left! Speaking and organizing came naturally to this bright, dynamic, articulate woman. She shared Her knowledge of Judaism and her passionate Zionist feelings with Jews and non-Jews alike. She felt that if one understood the history of the Jewish people then he would understand the need for a Jewish state. Transmitting this understanding to the young was of primary Importance to Mrs. Edgar. She began organizing Young Judea groups for students while she herself was a teen. At one time over 500 young Omahans were Involved in these clubs. For many years Mrs. Edgar served as head of the Zionist Youth commission coordinating and overseeing their activities. Mrs. Edgar, who for years was the unofficial secretary of the men's Zionist organization in Omaha, became very involved in Hadassah. In 1924, as their secretary, she published the first yearbook. She went on to become regional president in 1927 and served on the national board. In 1932
Mrs. Ethel Levenson Edgar she was president of the Omaha chapter and was the first chairman of the Bargain Box. Hadassah honored Mrs. Edgar for her years of devoted service with their "Ima, Mother In Israel" award in 1959. A charter member of Beth El Synagogue, she also served on the board of the City Talmud Torah. Mrs. Edgar was deeply involved with the Jewish National Fund, served as President of the Council and, in 1966, was a delegate on the JNF Study Mission to Israel headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren. This group attended the dedication of the John F. Kennedy Peace Forest and Monument on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Mrs. Edgar's commitment to Israel Bonds began in 1951 in Washington D.C. when she heard Golda Melr make the first appeal for the purchaso of Bonds. Today Mrs. Edgar's face still lights up as she remembers the future prime minister's telling the crowd that the only security Israel could offer on their Investment was the gilt-edge security of the people of Israel. Mrs. Edgar has worked on the Bond drives since that meeting and served as the women's chairman In 1960 and 1966. With her late husband Mathias Levenson, she founded the Levenson Chemical Com-
Sisco Doubts
JERUSALEM (JTA.)-Former U.S. Undersecretary of State Joseph Sisco does not think Jordan will Join the peace process in the near future. Sisco is In Israel after a trip to Syria and Jordan. Speaking to reporters after a lecture he gave at the Van Leer Institute In Jerusalem, Sisco said Jordan continued to be interested In peace in the area, but It was unlikely that it would Join the peace talks in the foreseeable future. He said the Syrians were preoccupied with their own internal troubles, but they, too, did not preclude a peace settlement in the long range. In his lecture, Sisco warned Israel that American Interests were not always synonymous with those of Israel. "Regardless of. the difficulties, the security of Israel continues to be Inextricably linked with the U.S. As long as we are together we can protect our overall mutual Interests," he said. But added Sisco, this did not Nathan and Cella Grossman mean that American and Is"We take great pride," he selves to the goals and pur- raeli intefreste were synonystated, "in our community's poses of Israel Bonds, which Is mous. "You are a regional role In the Bond effort, and we to provide the nation with the power, We are a global shall continue to commit our- Investment funds It needs." power.'
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Grossman Honored by State of Israel Bonds Andy Goodman, chairman of the 1980 Lincoln Israel Bond campaign, urges all who have not made their reservations for the dinner honoring Nate and Cella Grossman to do so immediately. The Grossmans are. being honored for their many decades of activity on behalf of their fellow men, the Jewish community, and the State of Israel, according to Mr. Goodman. The Israel Dinner of State will be held Aug. 28 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Information can be obtained by calling 476-1469 or 489-7173. Mr. Goodman went on to say "This year, the Israel Bond drive marks its 30th anniversary year, and in these three decades Israel has grown and developed thanks in substantial measure to the successful Israel Bond program."
pany and Pest Control Service. After his death in 1943, she continued as head of the company. According to her daughters, Judy Iluston, Doris Haykln and Jean Duitch, their mother was a "Women's Libber" before the expression was created. To substantiate this claim is the fact that Mrs. Edgar was so offended by the fact that only males could belong to the Central High School debating society that she formed a debating club for girls. Actually this story from her youth tells a great deal about her Hie. She has always had the insight to see what was needed and the creativity, energy and ability to do something about it! Mrs. Edgar and her husband, Cantor Aaron Edgar, whom she married in 1973, spend four months of the year in their apartment in Jerusalem, a Just reward for someone who has labored so long in Israel's behalf. When they are not In residence, their apartment is often occupied by one of her 10 grandchildren. In fact, the grandchildren are the fourth generation to enjoy a prolonged stay in Israel, for Mrs. Edgar's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Saul Katz moved to B'nai Brak In 1950 and Mrs. Duitch spent a year at the first Anglo Saxon Ulpan ona Kibbutz. Jcri Kaplan, the 1980 Women's Division Chairman, urges the women of the community to attend this gala luncheon to support Israel Bonds and to honor a woman who has given so much of herself to Israel and to Omaha Jewry. Invitations will be sent shortly to all women In the area. Admission to the luncheon is a minimum purchase of Israel Bonds.