SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vd.UI No. 47
Omaha, Neb., Fit, August 5,1983
A message from the Federation president By Paul G. Cohen Recently, wveral mcnilwnt of the Omaha Jewish community hove written to me exprtiuiing their views relative to the article in the Jewith f'resa by Rabbi Meir Kahane. As prenident of the Jewish Federation of Omnhn, I have been deeply concerned about the opinion* contained in thme letters and certain perceptions about our Jewish community reflected in them. Out of this concern, ! convened n special meeting of the Executive Committee of the ,fcwi*h Federation to consider the maucs. "Trje Commitue reaffirmed the need for cohesion nnd a cooperative «piri(. From a detirc to strengthen the unity of the Omahn Jewish community, nnd to assure everyone of the Jewuh federation's npprccintion nnd reaper! for diversity in the community, we endowed (he following Ktnicmcnt: We recognise the need for all expansions of Judniiim to l>c represented in our city, and we tnke pride in the fnrt thnt Omaha hintorirally has cupported several synagogues nnd a multitude of Jewish youth nnd adult organization!*. We also rrcognizethnt the principles of a free and independent (irons, an generally undemood in American life, apply a* well to our own Jewith I'reu. We further understand the nerd for the Jtwith I'rrz* to deal with articles of a potentially sensitive or controversial nature with care and forethought, but also with appropriate reapect for the varying view*, background and opinions of the total community. Thl» I* not an attempt to pre-edit or restrict the fundamental rights of the I'rctt, but, rather, we encourage the publication to deal fully and responsibly with all iuues of the day in a fair and reasonable manner. Omaha Jew*, tike all Jews everywhere, are small in number. We need each other. From our divertity comes our strength and our vitality. As Roth Hothanah draws near, it is appropriate for us all to reflect upon the nature of our community and to be grateful for that which unites us, M well as for the differences in our pointii of view. Then, the New Year will find us united and bonded together IM n community of strength and mutual respect.
Rep. Hal Daub fasts at Soviet Jewry vigil Editor's Note: Rep. Hal Daub of Nebraska was among the Congressmen who fatted from sunrise to sunset one day recently In bebslf of Soviet Jewry. Ills participation is noted toward the end of Ibl* story. By Joseph P o U k o f f WASHINGTON - Deep concern over the treatment of Jewa in the Soviet Union in being demonstrated bath try Democrat* and Republican* in Congrefti and by the Reagan Administration but the general media appear* lagging considerably behind in commensurate interest, a canvas by thin newspaper indicated. "They've bc«n awful hut it'n a little better now," one Congrc»«lonal aide aummarized about media attention since tho Soviet embarked on its "anti-Zionist" campaign with anti-Semitic overtones three raonttui ago. Another Capitol observer noted "wo'rc very disappointed" in the media — print and electronic - - for the little attention given U.S. official representations. He noted the "scant time and epace" given to the unique "Congressional Fast and Prayer Vigil" thru coincided with the fifth anniversary of Anatoly Schnransky's imprisonment; the letter of protest, authored by Heps, Sidney Yale* (I) 111) and William (tradition (II Ohio) and nigncd by 372 other Congressmen, against Soviet claims that! virtually all Jews who want to emigrate have left; the unanimous resolution by the House of Representatives urging Schnrnnsky'* release and emigration to Israel; the hearing* by House subcommittee* on Soviet Jewry and tho evidence brought out in them, a tetter similar to the Yntea-Ciradiaon being circulated in the Senate by Senators Chrintopher Dodd (D Conn) and Rudy Boschwitz <R Minn). T h e "aBtonishing fact" that all 80 freshman House member* pledged to spefck for Soviet Jewry at the cla«» of 1983 organized by Frciihmen Steve Bartlett (R Texan) and Mel Lcvlne (DCalif) ho» gone virtually unnoticed in the general media, a Capitol
observer stressed. The class was formed with the cooperation of the National Conference for Soviet Jewry. Speaking of U.S. Ambassador Max Kompelrnnn'n denunciation of Soviet harassment of Jew* and others at the Madrid conference on the Helsinki accords, a source close to the Soviet Jewry issues noted media attention heightened with the Madrid proceedings in focus and the.aftermath of the Soviet campaign's inaugural in April. But he wan concerned about attention once the Madrid meeting concluded. "Madrid is the only international focus on Soviet Jews," he said. "At the United Nations there is no attention at all."
Congregation to honor Nadoffs in October
The Hcth Israel congregation him M:\ aside the weekend of October 28-30 to honor Rabbi Isaac Nadoff nnd his wife Jennctte, who ore celebrating their 18th (CHAI) year in Omnhn nnd nl Belli Israel Sy
The Hebrew word CHAI has lie come n popular ttymlxil and means "life," ns it encompasses synagogue, family and < uriuuuriity, us well n« representing the number IB. The evening of Oct. 2H, the Hoard of Coniminsioncrs will conduct late Friday night Family Services. An Oneg Shabbat reception following the services will honor the rabbi and his wife, It will be sponsored
Kabbi Nadoff by the Sisterhood, with Phyllis Schwartz, president, in charge. Saturday morning following the 8:45 service, the Kiddunh will be served in honor of the couple with the Htaff ns sponsors. The weekend's activities will culminate Sunday, Oct.
... Jcanctte Nadoff 30, with a CHAI dinner to honor Rabbi Nadoff nnd Joorie'tte. More details "will be made available at a later date. The events planned by the Beth Israel congregation precede the honored couple's 35th wedding anniversary Oct. 31.
Adult Servicesplans pool party 'first' The Jewish Community Center Adult Services Committee will hold a Pool Pnrty at tho JCC on Aug. 14,6:30 p.m. The party is open to the entire Jewish community although reservation* wilt be limited to the first lf>0, according to Bernard Altsulcr, chairman of the Adult Services Committee. "This party is a first," Mr. Aluulcr said. "It is the first community party planned by this committee; tho first 'adults of all agesonly' pool party; and the first of many social activities planned to bring the Jewish community together, jiist for fun." The music for the evening will be pro-
vided by Mark Allen, KOIL radio disc jockey. He will be playing music (or dancing or listening for all ages, from Frank Sinatra to Air Supply, according to Mr. Altiuler. A dinner of hamburgers, salads, relishes nnd dessert will be prepared by the catering service and the hamburgers will be grilled by the committee members. Drinks of wine, beer and pop will also be provided. The cost is $6 for JCC members, $8.50 for guests. "A fun evening for everyone can be had by sending your reservations to Debra Polsky by Aug. 8. Come out and be a part of a first," Mr. Altsuler said.
The fool and prayer vigil organized by two non-Jews — Rep*. Robert Mrazck (D NY) and John Porter (R III) — was joined by 98 House members. House Speaker Thomas O'Neill (D Mass) and Rep. Jim Wright to Tex), the House Majority Leader were among those urging Soviet casing of its campaign. Statements enmc from President Reagan nnd House Minority Leader Robert Michel (R III). The President said "our concern for human rights in general, and Soviet Jewry in particular, in integral to our national interest and remains a major focus of our foreign policy." Aviui! Scharansky, Anatoly's wife, attended the vigil that Porter described as "on behalf of Soviet Jews to bring to tho attention to tho people of our country that we remain concerned and committed about the denial of human righu in tho Soviet Union, particularly those of Soviet rcfuscnik* and prisoners of conscience." Avital, who como from Jerusalem specifically for the vigil, has not Been Anatoly since the day after their wedding 10 years ago, Among numerous speeches in Congress was that of Rep. Bobbi Fiedler (R Calif), ono of three Jewish women members of Congress, who compared tho media'attention to the Dreyfus ca»e of anti-Semitism in Franco in the 19th century and tho plight of Soviet Jewry today. "The world of tho 19th century with i u (continued on page 2)
InterNorth makes contribution
Paul Epstein, Federation treasurer, and James Finnegan, executive director of the InterNorth Foundation, are pictured In front of tho Jewish Community Center outdoor recreational area. The InterNorth Foundation has contributed $5,000 towards the completion of the project. "Wo are very pleased with the financial help that the InterNorth Foundation has given us," said Mr, Epstein. "When the grounds ore completed wo will have a recreational complex that will serve the needs ot the Jewish Community for years to come. The land will become a multi-use facility with two baseball diamonds and a football/ soccer field. Long range plans include facilities for the JCC Day Camp and an exercise par course. Extensive landscaping will make the grounds aesthically compatible with tho surrounding neighborhood."