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SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vol. LXI No. 20
Omaha, Neb., Fri., January 28,1983
Rabbis launch effort to feed the hungry By Morris Matloe The Rabbinical Council of Omaha has launched a campaign to help feed the hungry. Rabbi Isaac Nadoff told the J e w i s h Press that collection boxes are being w t up at all the synagogues to receive non-perishable food items. He aaid that this initial campaign would extend to Purim which falls at the end of February, but moot likely will continue beyond that point if economic condition* warrant such action. Rabbi Nedoff said that this is the first time in his memory that Omaha rabbb have found it necetaary and desirable to (tart a food program for the general Omaha community. He «aid that having Purim as a target date for the distribution is appropriate because the holiday carries with it an obligation to share with the needy.
Area rabbis advised their individual congregations nlxiut the plan during Shabbat services last week. Talmud Torah students responded immediately by bringing food parcels to class on Sunday. According to Rabbi Nadoff, when enough food hag been gathered, a truck will collect the package* at all the synagogues and bring them to a central collection point for distribution. He aaid the program was discussed by the rabbi-members of the Rabbinical Council, all of whom were concerned with high unemployment and media reports of long lines of hungry people. Rabbi Allan Gonsher, director of Jewish Family Services, said the program is similar to the Tzedakah effort put forth by JFS during holiday times, but that in this case the food campaign is earmarked for the non-Jewish members of the Omaha community.
Stan Lipsey heads The Buffalo News Stanford Lipsey, vice chairman of T h e Buffalo N e w s , will become it* president and publisher effective July 1. He will be the tilth publisher in the 102-year hlttory of The News. fn 1978 Mr. Lipsey became a consultant to The News. In May, 1980, he was named vice president of media operations for Blue Chip Stamps, The News parent company. He was named vice chairman of l i t e News and ita chief operating officer Jon. 1, 1981. T o o Buffalo N e w s is the 21st largest daily newspaper in America. Warren Buffett of Omaha is chairman of the board of The News. A native of Omaha, Mr. Lipsey Joined The Omaha Su o Newspaper* io 1050 and was editor and ruutktont publisher before becoming publisher in 1965. He sold Tho Sun to Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. in 1969, and was ita publisher in 1973 when it became the first weekly newspaper to win a . Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. It also was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of Sigma Delta Chi, tho professional journalistic society. He was a founding member and chairman of the Nebraska Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosia Society, Advertising Man of the Year of the Omaha Advertising Club, Secretary of tho United Way of the Midlands and served on tho boards of the Strategic Aerospace Museum, Omaha Chamber of Commerce, South Omaha Mer-
Stanford Lipsey chants Assn., Jewish Federation of Omaha, Highland Country Club, the Northwestern Notional Bank, and Beth El Synagogue. Mr. Lipsey was tho first recipient of the J e w i s h P r e s s "Volunteer of tho Year Award", given by the Jewish Federation of Omaha for his many years of guiding, instructing, advising and building the J e w i s h Press.
Seven Omahans join President'sMission The 1983 President's Mission to Israel will have more participants than ever before, according to Mission Chairman Don Nogg. "We are very excited that seven people will be participating in the Mission", said Mr. Nogg. "This trip will give us the opportunity to travel to places the average tourist doesn't visit and to meet with high level government and Jewish agency officials." Joining Mr. Nogg wilt be Sharon Cohen, Ellen and Bob Gordman, and Murray Newman. Also participating will be Marvin Polikov, co-chairman of the Men's Division and Allan Greene, executive director. The Mission will depart Jan. 30 and,
upon arrival in Tel Aviv, proceed north to Tiberius. Providing security can be arranged, the group will go on to Lebanon and return for home hospitality in Metulla on the Israeli-Lebanese border. The itinerary calls for the group to return to Tel Aviv via Haifa, where meetings have been set up with Aryeh Dulzin, head of the Jewish Agency. A meeting in Tel Aviv with the opposition leaders is also planned. In Jerusalem, the participants will meet with President Navon, visit Yad Vashem and Ammunition Hill. A state dinner with Prime Minister Begin at the Knesset is the highlight of the Mission. Participants will return. to Omaha on February 4.
Super Sunday produces successful telethon By Ellen Gordman Federation Staff The most successful Telethon in the hiatory of the Federation Campaign was held but Sunday. Over $47,000 was pledged to the 1983 Federation Regular Campaign and $4,253 for the Israel Special Fund. "Gail and I ore very pleased with the result* of the telethon," said Stan Fidclstein, Super Sunday Telethon co-chairman with Gail Kohll. "We Mill hhve about 350 cards that have not been reached. We will work until we have contacted each person in the telethon division cither personally or by letter." Eighty-five volunteers made over 1,500 phone calls during the Super Sunday Telethon. The atmosphere at the Pacesetter Corp, offices was one of concentration as the volunteers made calls to prospective contributors. But there was also an air of excitement created by the competition for prizes that were awarded to the top performers. Prizes were given for the two largest percentage incrcano over 1982 pledges, the largest dollar amount solicited for the Israel Special Fund and the most pledges solicited in each shift. "I want to thank all the merchants who donated gift certificates and congratulate the winners," said Mrs. Kohll. "Tho added incentive made people work a little harder to get pledge*." Winners were Carl Grccnberg, Steve Nogg, Harriet Marko and Harriet Singer, Paul Epstein, Steve Lustgarten, Connie Kully, George Schapiro, Mary Fcllmnn, Jack Noodell, Rose Sabcs, Jerry Kohll, Janoy Dann, Harris Goldstein, Morris Maline and Lucille Zelinaky..
Merchants donating gift certificates were Bags and Baggage, Boge! Bin, Baker's, Brandcis, Brodkey Jewelry, Command Performance, Cris Rexall Drug, Feld Drug, Fruit Basket, Goldstein-Chapman, Kohll's Drug, Omaha Steaks International, Richman Gordman, Spirit World, Tires, Inc., Zales Jewelry, Zoob's/The Daisy. T-shirts were donated by Herman's Inc and Colorque. Logo screenprinting was done by Colorque. "I want to thank allof the volunteers who gave their time on Super Sunday," said Mrs. Kohll. "With their help we were able to make the telethon a success. Additional volunteers whose names were not listed in the newspaper were Suzy Sheldon, Ellene Edelstein, Charlie Guss and Steve Riekes." Helping out were members of the AZA and BBG chapters including Barb Rainish, Jeff Schwartz, Wendy Grccnbcrg, Kim Juro, Lisa Gordman, David Spizman, Corey Kaplan, Jason Franklin, Andie Gordman, David Cohen, Eric Tntclman, Scott Tatclmnn and Mark Garber. Also helping was Jay Gordman. Any person who is interested in working during evening make-up sessions for the Telethon Divisions should call Ellen Gordman, 334-8200. •
Jim Wolf to speak Jim Wolf, of Albion, will speak at Tifcrcth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln, following services Friday night. He will discuss the role of anti-Semitism in his recent unsuccessful effort to unseat State Senator John DeCamp.
Tu B'Shevat — new year of trees By Dvora Waymnun Tu B'Shevat is the popular name for the: New Year of -Trees, although ita literal translation Is simply 16th Shevat, the date when It is believed that tho sap begins to rise in the fruit trees of Israel. However, iU real name in Hebrew refers to trees and planting (Rosh HaShana le-Ilanot), an agricultural holiday marking the date from which to count the age of a tree. This was originally for reasons of tithe in Temple times, and also to indicate the maturation of fruit because, in Jewish law, fruit cannot he eaten until the fourth year. The New Year of Tree's is mentioned in the Mishnah as one of the four "natural" New Years. There is very little ritual associated with Tu B'Shevat — planting trees, partaking of various'fruits and reading passages in the Bible that relate to trees, fruit and the fertility of the earth. Appropriate passage* are the story of how tree* and plants were created (Gen. 1:11-18); the Divine promise of abundance a* a reward for keeping the Commandment* (Lev. 203-18) and the parable of the ipreflding vine (Ezek. 17) which tyjnboUze* the people of
Betfnntoga: a girl In Jerusalem ready for the T u B'Shffvatplaatlnf ccreooay. •
Israel. Sephardi Jews read from a special manual entitled ^ ^ d g i y^ ^b pU h d r i i in 1763 and written in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish). In Israel, tho custom of planting trees is widely practiced on Tu B'Shevat and it has special significance now that the people have returned to the land and agriculture is such an important facet of Israeli life. Judaism has always stressed the holiness of the soil and there is a Biblical prohibition (Deut 20:19) against destroying fruit-bearing trees. This is known as "bal toshhit" — do not destroy. The Midrash (Exodus, Rabbah 34) observes that the reason the wood used for the Tabernacle in the wilderness was not from fruit-bearing trees was to teach us this lesson. Planting a tree, especially in Israel, is one of the greatest "mitzvot" a Jew can do. It is said that he who plants a tree loves humanity, for one plants a tree not for one's own pleasure, but for future generations. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai placed so much importance on it that he wrote: "If you are planting a tree and you hear that the Maatiiach (continued on page 2)