SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vol. LXII Ho. 20
Omaha, K'eb., F t l , January 13,1884
Rabbi Stephan F. Baraclc has been appointed associate rabbf at Temple Israel, according to Dr. Blaine Y. Roffman, president ' of the congregation. Dr.* Roffman made the announcement after four months of interviews of candidates by a Search Committee under the chairmanship of Isidore M. Tre\ tiak. The selection of Rabbi Barack was then ratified by the Temple Board Rabbi Barack of Trustees. Rabbi Barack was selected from a panel of rabbis submitted to the congregation by the National Rabbinic Placement Commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Rabbi Barack is a graduate of Washington University with a BA degree in philosophy. He received his bachelor of Hebrew letters and master of arts in Hebrew letters degrees from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was ordained a rabbi in 1970. In addition to student pulpits, Rabbi Barack held positions as director of education and programming and director of religious Hebrew schools in Madison, Wise, while serving there'as assistant rabbi. From 1973 to 1982 Rabbi Barack-^vas associate.rabbi, at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minn. His most recent pulpit was that of rabbi of Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was visiting professor of religion at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for seven years. Rabbi Barack has also had wide experience in Jewish and community organizations.
By Allan Greene Federation e x c stive vice prep'" .it The Jewish, . jderation has implemented a new policy. 'Whenever a Jewish child is born in Omaha, the Federation will acknowledge and honor that birth by planting a tree in Israel in the Jewish National Fund Children's Forest. The daughter of Steffie and Edward Shrago will be the first child so honored. This new policy is more than just wishing a Mazel Tov to the parents. Hopefully, it will provide a link with each Jewiifjcnlld born in Omaha with their people in Israel. The idea was suggested to the representatives of the 52nd General
Rabbi Barack is a member of the National Commission on Jewish Education of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He has had a continuing interest in youth education and has developed programs for the National Federation of Temple Youth for which he was designated an Honorary Life Member. Rabbi Barack has served as a youth advisor, Hebrew teacher and high school department supervisor in congregations while as a student as well as following his ordination. He is the author of published articles in the fields of educational activities, teachers' resources and innovative programming for adults and families in congregational and community activities. While in Minneapolis, Rabbi Barack was centrally involved in Synagogue-Federation relationships. Commenting on the selection of Rabbi Barack for his new post with the Temple, Rabbi Sidney H. Brooks, senior rabbi, said: "I have known Rabbi Barack for many years, both through our direct relationships with each other and through his reputation among the rabbis and the congregations. He has'my highest regard personally and professionally. I am delighted to welcome him as a colleague and partner in the rabbinate of Temple Israel and to our community. I feel certain we will"all benefit from his presence among us." . ...Rabbi Barack's wife, Renee, is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia where she majored in education and English. Rabbi and Mrs. Barack are the parents of two daughters: Jennifer, age 14 and Deborah, age 13. Rabbi Barack will assume his duties at Temple Israel in mid-January.
Assembly in Atlanta by the scholar in residence, Reuvan Kimelman of Brandeis University. Since we wish to honor all newborn Jewish children
$50,000 bequests have been made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the Jewish Federation Foundation, and the State of Israel by the estate of Gertrude'and Sam Wolfson. Announcement of the bequests was made by Mort Trachtenbarg, chairman of the Jewish Federation Foundation; Mr, Trachtenbarg said the bequests were made according to the provisions of the Will of the lateT Gertrude Wolfson, and her deceased husbands-Sam Wblfsph. • Both Sam and Gertrude Wolfson were
• By Morris Maluie The new president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha has announced major goals for the incoming administration. Howard Kaslow told more than 230 at the annual federation meeting last Sunday that three major efforts will be pursued in the coming years. He identified the goals as reaching out to seek active involvement in the Jewish community by those who have not yet come forth to serve. Another goaJJs to build a year-round Campaign organization with a commitment of time and energy to the program by Federation professional and lay leadership. A third major goal, he said, is to strengthen and support the newly-organized Federation Foundation which provides an op,portunity for fulfillment beyond the annual Cam-
\
Rabbi Sidney Brooks makes the announcement: Older adult worker Mollie Delman is the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award. See page 9 for additional pictures from the Federation's annual meeting last Sunday. . •. paign. Mr. Kaslow's address capped an early afternoon program of lunch, enter-
tainment, award presentations, and installation of officers. (continued on page 8)
Visitors maywalk Many of the more than 200 attending the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Omaha last Sunday had an opportunity to 'walk back into the past'. The occasion was the official opening of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society exhibit of 100 Years of Jewish Organizational Life in Omaha, 1850-1950. The exhibit at the Jewish Community Center honors the 80th anniversary of the Jewish Federation and will be available for public viewing until Feb. 12. The materials will then be prepared for permanent display, A grant from Mort A. Richards and the National Foundation for Jewish Culture made the research and exhibit nossible. Special features of the exhibit include "Historical Moments" which set the timeframe for each featured organization! These <• start- with 1860 with the election of Abra-
ham Lincoln and continue through the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The walking tour, for which a printed guide has been made available, begins with the founding of the first congregation in Omaha, Temple Israel, and continues, decade by decade, through the organization of _the_Epstein-Morgan Post of the Jewish War Veterans in the 1940s. Also on display is the menorah received by the Jewish Federation of Omaha in honor of its 75th anniversary, two pieces of. sculpture from the old JCC on 20th and Dodge, a bust of International President of B'nai B'rith Henry Monsky, and the bronze plaque of early Federation president Morris Levy which hung formerly in the lobby of the old Jewish Community Center. Schools and groups wishing conducted tours may call^ary Fellman, 551-7257.
from Omaha it will be necessary for friends and relatives to inform us of births. Please contact Lois Wine at 334-8200 extension 271 with details.
born in Russia at the turn of the century^ During his adult life, Mr. Wolfson was one of the principal owners and operator of the Independent Fruit Company, a wholesale produce company located in the old City Market. Although Mrs.'Wolfson's health in her late yearstiid not permit active involvement in the Jewish community, she always identitled closely with her synagogue, Jewish.organizations, and ^ was deeply concerned about the welfare of the State of. Israel. . Mrs. Wolfson is surviyed by a sister, Miss. Libbye Rubenstein, of Sioux City, Iowa.
Residents of the. Boss. Blumkin Jewish Home for the Aged signed a birthday card honoring Hose Blumkin on her 90th birthday. Several of the residents visited the Nebraska Furniture Mart last week to present the card in person. From left/ are Ruth Potish, Dora Astor, Sylvan Block, Mrs. Blumkin, Faye Abrahams, Lou Ellio, Ann Ellis, Millie Fogel and Dave Bernstein.