SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vol. LXil No. 3
Omaha, Neb., Fit, September 16,1983
Omaha women invited to festive Bond Suncheon
B y Barbara Simon All Omaha women are invited to attend the annual State of Israel Bonds Women'* Division luncheon, Oct. 5, at noon at the Jewish Community Center, Mnxine Kirshenbaum and Carol Goldberg, co-chairmen of the Bond drive, asid thai invitations hove been sent and their workers are telephoning Jill women in our community for their reservations and to urge them to attend. "It's st thin annual affair," Mm. Kirahenbaum said, "that we have the chance to invest in Israel and show our financial support. We're able to join other American Jewish women to show our independent initiative, to make our o w n investment and help Israel with the capital needed for economic development" Luncheon co-chairmen Joyce Cohen (Mrs, Sheldon) and Julie Kntrman (Mrs, Richard) say that the afternoon will be festive and beautiful, with Fall flowers, muaic and socializing. The menu includes salads, fresh fruits and special desserts. In addition, luncheon -goers will enjoy the unique entertainment of Internationally-, known folk singer Judith Steel, who one
music critic says "can move her audience to laughter and tears, evoking moods end memories common to Jews everywhere." Mias Steel sings in Hebrew, English, Yiddish, Lndino, Spanish and French. Another highlight of the afternoon will be a special presentation to three pout chairmen of the Women's Division, Marcia Cohen, Jean Duitch and Jeri Kaplan. "The luncheon promiaes to be elegant, the singer outstanding and the presentation to our recent past chairmen one we'll all enjoy being part of," Mrs. Kirshenbaum aald. Admission to the luncheon is the investment of at least the minimum bond of $600, plus the cost of the luncheon, $6.50. Women may also attend by investing in a new $250 Israel Certificate, but they should discuss the special provisions of this new certificate with their bond worker or the bond office. "Come join us, invest in Israel and have a wonderful afternoon," said Mrs. Kirshenbaum. Anyone who did not receive an invitation , who wishes to make a reservation may call the bond office, 341-1177.
Sukkot in Jerusalem Jews crowd the plaza near the Western Wall in Jerusalem during the Sukkot festival.
Star Wars and the Jewish problem B y Dr. Irving Grcenbsrg Director, National J e w i s h Resource Center Along with 60,000,000 othsr Americans, this cummer I went to see the third installment of the Star W o n saga, the Return o f the Jedf. I really liked the movie but, afterward, I brooded about the Jewish angle. Believe it or not, there a n religious implications in Star Wars, So like the proverbial Jewish schoolboy, I decided to write about Star Wars and the Jewish problem. Star Wars has a Jewish problem. The problem is that, among all the people and characters in the series, there are no Jews. The implication that a world of advanced life could develop — without Jews —• is troubling. For one, Jews intend to survive and be around at the final redemption when all of life is perfected. According to Jewish tradition, we have a divine pledge that we ere an eternal people — as long as there is a Rod, there will be a Jewish people. Now it is true that the films state that the action occurs in a distant galaxy far, far away. By implication, life has developed elsewhere in the universe. One of the charming aspect!) of tho {11ms has been the range of life portrayed. The idea that other forms of life such as one-homed or furry, or small cuddly Ewoka have evolved as intelligent ovnmunicativo live being* adds humor and spice to the proceedings. However, that all this life has evolved in another galaxy does not solve my theological objections to the non•presence of Jews. ,.,.. Let me explain this with an analogy. Years ago, when the
first explorations of space began, a challenge was laid down to Christian traditional theologians. If life were discovered in other folaxies, it would seem to be a crushing disproof to Christian claims that Jesus was the sole vehicle of salvation and access to God. Either the life on other galaxies would be cut off from God (end damned) which would make God unjust or there would be a clear case of direct access to God without Jesus. To which tho answer given by Christian fundamentalists was, if there were other forms of life on other planets, then God would incarnate again and reconcile those beings to God through a repeat of the sacrifice of Jesus. The Biblical view of Judaism and tho Jewish role in human history can bo similarly drawn. God wants oil humanity to be redeemed and tho world to be perfected. However, out of respect for human bcinp, God will not impose freedom or the ultimate paradise on humanity. Judaism is brought into existence to educate all people to their inherent dignity and right to freedom. The Jewish people is chosen to serve as a model for the way to improve the world until it is perfected — for everybody. Through Jewry and its work in history, the whole world is inspired, educated and. led to the ultimate redemption. If there were another world with life, God would not create redemption by fiat there, either. If there were no Jews in the other galaxies, they would have to be invented again. In short, there must be Jews in that distant galaxy. The only conclusion then 1A that there must be n Jewish
character in Star Wars. Obviously, I had not recognized him/her — either because "they didn't look Jewish" or perhaps they were assimilated Jews. The question then is: which character is Jewish? In discussing this problem with fellow theologians, their first suggestion was that the Jew was: Chcwbacca. He fit the profile because a) when he spoke, ho deemed to always be moaning and crying; b) he had peyot (long sidelocks of hair) which would make him.a traditionalist Hasidic Jew. Alternatively, since Chewbacca fought and risked his life for everybody else's liberation but never his own people's freedom — he was probably an assimilated Jew. (One friend of mine suggested that his correct name was Jew Bakka but the namo hod been garbled in transmission from the other world.) Personally, I wan reluctant to settle for a non-human Jew so I analyzed the other characters further. Ono possibility that could be ruled out categorically was Luke Skyvmlker. HiB name alone proved that. Luko? What kind of name is that for a good Jewish boy? Mark maybe... or Christopher . . . but Luko? Never. The next possibility was Princess Leia — the name was clearly Jewish. Besides, Carrie Fisher who plays Princess Lcia is the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, which makes her half Jewish. Come to think of it, according to the recent Reform patrilinear descent ruling, it would not take much for her to be all Jewish. Nevertheless, I was (continued on page 8)
United Talmud Torah begins Glasses in JCC More than 100 children gathered at the Jewish Community Center last week to attend the opening assembly of the newly-formed United Talmud Torah of Omaha. At right. Cantor Emit Berkovita organize* a student group in the JCC. auditorium, and at left, the youngsters listen to directions provided by Cantor Leo Fetlman in tho JCC theater. '