SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vol. LXII No. 19
Omaha, Neb., Fit, January 6,1984
A Jewish response to nuclear hdocaust
Sholom Aleichem program opens Jewish College
By Ira Sllverman By Doreen Lerner, chairman, CJFL President, Reconstruction!** Rabbinical College The College of Jewish Family Learning announces the ' A Jewish response to the threat of nuclear holocaust? commencement of a new semester of classes to be inauIsn't everyone opponed to such a catastrophe? One would gurated by "An Evening of Sholom Aleichem" on Jan. 28. hope ao. But American Jewry, so politically active and arMurray Horwitz recreates ticulate on many other issues, has been strangely quiet the gentle humor of the Jewabout questions of nuclear policy. Other religious groups in our country, notably the American Roman Catholic bish- ish Mark Twain by conjuring up a stage full of unseen ops, have been in the forefront of advocacy. characters through the Clearly, Jews have n profound stake in a rational nuclear magic of his storytelling. policy. And, out of their tradition, Jews certainly have There will be a charge of something to say about cherishing life and averting destruc$2.60 per person and $1.50 tion. Those premises animate Preventing the Nuclear for senior citizens and stuHolocaust: A J e w i s h Response, published by the Union dents to attend the performof American Hebrew Congregations for its Commission on ance, Murray Horwitz Social Action of Reform Judaism. ' For those who have pre-regiatered for a class prior to Jan. This volume, edited by Rabbi David Saperstein, is a 300- 28 admission is free. The presentation will begin at 8:30 page compendium of diverse materials, ranging from pres- p.m., preceded by deli dinner at 7 p.m. There will be a $5 idential addresses to organizational resolutions and Sab- charge for dinner. Reservations are required and can be bath sermons. It is designed, according to Rabbi Saperstein, made at the JCC, 334-820O, ext. 232. "to aid individuals and organizations within the Jewish As part of the college opening festivities, Cantor Harold community in understanding the nuclear arms race and in and Madeleine Firestone will present a musical program of engaging in efforts to resolve it." The Manual is organized to provide insight into major aspecta of the subject. The "Jewish Perspectives" section offers views on nuclear war and nuclear strategy, deriving from balakab (Jewish law) and aggadah (legend). Writings of rabbis and scholars coming from radically different By Leslie Wolfsoa places in Jewish life provide solid traditional backing for Federation Staff Associate organizational statements which a n also included. TW» rotaM U*Mm apitiom of Iht «rtm. The "Factual" section presents statements by public ofIt's only January, and summer probably seems a long way ficials and private analysts on the current military balance, off. However, a lot of college students use their summers the likelihood of nuclear war, the economics of the arms to earn money for school, and have to think ahead. Even n e t , the intentions of the Soviets and future policy options now, college students may be asking themselves, "Let's see, Iron Ronald Reagan's START to freeze. what can I do this summer? Stores and restaurants are A aection titled "Jewish Concerns" treats the effects of always hiring, but I'd like to try something new." the anna race (and effort* to halt it) on matters of special Well, this summer, if you are in college and have comconcern to Jews, such as the security of Israel, Soviet Jewry pleted at least your freshman year, you might be interested and iatergroup relations in the United States. in a unique experience being offered fay the Jewish FedA fourth section, "Educating about the Nuclear Arms eration of Omaha. Race," describes resources end strategies for informing JewThis is a job where you not only get paid, but you learn . ish communities on the issue, leading to the "Action Sec- as well, and the experience might help you if you're contion," which recommends a variety of methods of political sidering a career in Jewish Communal Service. So what is advocacy. this wonderful program? It's called P1JC0, (pronounced pidge-ko), and the initials This book makes its most significant contribution in the distinctly Jewish sections, elucidating the rationale for par- stand for Professional Internships in Jewish Communal ticular Jewish concerns about nuclear holocaust. The very Opportunities. The intcrnihips are available to those coluse of the term "holocaust" ia pointed at underscoring Jew- lege students who hove completed at least their freshman ish sensitivities to the peril of man-made destruction of year. humanity. PIJCO internships this year will involve two Federation But Jewish teachings on war began centuries before the agencies: the Jewish Community Center and the Bureau for Nazi war against the Jews, and — from Noah's Rainbow tho Aged. Based upon need, the intern at the Jewish ComSign to the injunction! of Isaiah — the teachings of Tbrah, munity Center will be working in teen programming, halakha and aggada and their modem interpretations administration or cultural arts. have much to tell us today. The intern at the Bureau for the Aging will be working The selections presented, by Maurice Lamm, Immanuel at the Row Blumkin Jewish Home, assisting In the therJakobovits, Michael Wyshogrod, Arthur Waskow and apeutic and recreation program which will include planning Leonard Bcerman, among others, provide a useful intro- and implementing regular weekly programs and special duction to traditional insights into the dilemmas of war events. end peace. ., .. In both internships, the intern will gain "hands-on" exThese insights constitute a virtual command that Jewry perience and gain insight into the goals, purposes and inengage in the pursuit of peace. Several essays and resolu- ternal workings of their particular agency. The'PIJCO tions in this work point toward the responsibility of today's program lasts eight weeks, approximately 40 hours per organized American Jewish community in responding to week, and each intern wilt be paid a stipend of $1,000. that mandate. .I ' • Brochures and applications will be sent through the mail
Jewish compose™ on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. in the JCC theater. This program is open to the public. To round out the weekend, on Monday afternoon at 5;15 p.m. Tom Neuman will offer a program of stories for children by Sholom Aleichem. This program is designed for the primary grades. . The six-week scries of classes will begin Monday evening, Jan. 28. The following is a brief synopsis of classes: Monday 7:30 • 8:30 p.m. Mark Delman - 20th Century Jewinh Humor; Rabbi Myer Kripke - Biblical Commentators.
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Seth Levy • Aging Parents: Whose Responsibility?; Muriel Herzog and Judy Timberg • Sholom Aleichem: A Way of Life; Marcia Bamestein • Chuug Ivri • An informal hour of discussion in Hebrew relating to current events. ' " Tuesday - 7:30 • 8:30 p.m. ^ . Dr. Bette Evans - The American Constitution and Religious Liberties; Suri Jacknia • Hebrew - A continuation of the fall reading course. 8:30 • 9 : 3 0 p.m. Suri Jacknls - Conversational Hebrew
Internships available for college students to those qualifying students in the community. Applications are being accepted. Don't delay . . . summer is closer than you think! For more information about the program, please contact Leslie Wolfson, staff associate at the Federation at 3348200, extension 264.
"Blessed be the one who releases prisoners" Although ahe now is recovering, she has not been able to By Morris Maline return to work because, to date, her employer has not kept Editor-in-chief a promise to give her the job back. Marcia Barnestein, director of the Jewish Day School, was honored with nn oliyah recently at B«th El Synagogue— — an honor with a Soviet Jewry connection. leased from prison and this news prompted o discussion : TheShflbbot of her nliyah, coincidentally, was the bewith Rabbi Paul Drazeh. He arranged for the aliyah. "• ginninffof tfteJJook of Exodus and she recited a blowing-. Ms. Barneatcin aaid, "I hope -and pray that the book of "Baruch Matlr Asurim" (blessed be the one who releases Exodus with its theme from slavery to freedom will soon .prisoners). I become reality for the Elberts and all oppressed Jews everyShe then apote of the release' from prison of Lev Elbert where." • of Kiev and the problems of his wife, Inna. Her interest in To help Inna, she has mailed tho following letter and has the Elbert* goeslback to laslt Akril when her son, Daniel, asked her fellow Qmahans to also consider writing-. • was twinned witrktba Elbena' wn, Karmi. ; Twinning is a iWcticejrt^ome Bar and Bat MiUvah To: Chief Procurator OSIPENKO Inna Elbert Lev Elbert youngsters who oily thejnspfves spiritually with a counter2 Kreschchatik part in the Soviet Union who is not allowed to participate greetings in Hebrew," she said. Kiev, Ukraine USSR in such a religious observance. Last May, Lev was imprisoned on the charge of draft Ms. Barnestein told the Jewish Press that Lev was said evasion since he refused to enter the Soviet Army reserves. Dear Sir, to have "classified" information, but in reality he had been He refused because he knew that exit visas would be that I am shocked at the injustice of your treatment of INN A involved in the engineering of swimming pools. much more difficult to obtain. •'•'<•. ELBERT. It was our understanding that her job would be There were many yean of harassment, yet Lev continued The family continued to undergo'harassment and young : given back to her after her illness. I am sure that your sense hoping while teaching Hebrew "underground". Karmi also experienced physical boatings. Inna went on a of humaniurism has been,rectified or will be-in: the very > near future; that her job has been returned to her. My sinDaniel and his mother received a return receipt from the hunger strike protesting the treatment of her husband. Elberts showing that mail from Omaha bad been delivered. She has since developed a heart ailment and liver prob- cere wishes to you and yours and all peoples.for a happyNew Year. "Much to our delight we|aw Lev's lignature and Purlin lems and has loet her job. « . • •
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