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SERVMQ NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 Vm. LXIII No. 32 Omaha, Nab.
18 Ntoan, S746 Frtday, April 25, 1M6
Jewish groups hail Pope's visit to Rome's synagogue NEW YORK, (JTA) visit by Pope — The viait John Paul 11 to the main synagogue in Rome April 13 was hailed by American Jewish groups as a major step in the process of reconciliation between the Catholic and Jewish faiths. They also expressed hope that it would lead soon to VaticaQ recognition of the State of Israel. The American Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress declared in a joint •tatament that the Pope's visit "and the content of his eloquent remarks constitute an important and hopeful new chapter in the history of Catholicism's relations with Judaism. "The Pope's formulation of that relationship bespoke an unusual warmth and friendship that embrace and confirm the considerable progress that has occurred in in the past 20 years since Vatican II. More important, it holds the promise of further progress in that relationship," the AJC and
20/20 interviews Phil Sokotof The National Heart Savers Association and its president, Phil Sokolof, of Omaha, will be featured in a segment on cholesterol on ABC's 20/20 TV program of May 1. The show will broadcast on KETVat9p.m. Roger Sergei, a producer of medical stories for ABC news, contacted Mr. Sokolof after hearing of the city-wide cho"iitMM ^ree^hg ptbgrams sponkired" by the National Heart Savers Association. The U.S. government's National Institute of Health advised him of Mr. Sokolofs work in this area. Mr. Sergei was interested in producing a segment on c)ioleaterol, with special emphasis on children. During February, Mr. Sergei and a news crew spent three days in Nebraska taping interviews. Thousands of feet of videotape were filmed including a two hour discussion with Mr. Sokolof. Dr. Timothy Johnson, medical editor at ABC, will narrate the segment.
WJCsaid. WJC said. stands as an eloquent witness to the growing The statement, released in the name of sensitivity that permeates the dialogue Henry Siegman, executive director of the process between Catholics and Jews." Jews." AJC and newly named chairman of the ^ Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Los AnWJC's Commission on Interreligious Af- geles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, said, fairs, hoped "that the Pope's warm words "This short journey from the throne of St. of friendship will fmd expression before too Peter to the central synagogue of Rome aslong in the normalization of relations be- sures Pqpe John Paul II a special place of tween the Vatican and the State of Israel." honor in Jewish history. Had such a journey Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in America, declared that the Pope By LiM Palmleri-BUUc "has given flesh and blood to the proROME (JTA) — Ei^t d«ys after Pope nouncements of Vatican Council II and, in so doing, has given heart to Catholics and John Paul II paid his historic visit to Jews alike who seek to deepen their under- Rome's main synagogue, ranking Vatican figures hinted that one ramification of the standing of each other." Papal gesture could be Vatican recognition Schindler added, however, that "this does of tjie State ^flsrsel. not mean overlooking or ignoring the differences between us that still obtain. Jews Bishop Clemente Riva, president of the can disagree with the Vatican on abortion Ecumenical CJommittee of the Rome Dioand on diplomatic recognition of Israel and cese and a member of the Commission for still work with Catholics on racial equality, Religious Relations with the Jews, observed economic justice, world hunger and nuclear on a television interview that the Vatican's disarmament," Schindler said. failure to recognize Israel "is perhaps what Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and spiritual leader of the Park East Synagogue in New York, called the Pope's visit "a significant and symbolic act that will serve as the basis for broadening and deepening the relationship of Catholics and Jews, including eventual recognition of the State of Israel by the Vatican." Schneier also expressed confidence that the Pope's condemnation of anti-Semitism in all of its'forms and from'any sowee "witb: have a profound effect oji the attitude of Catholics to Jews and Jews to Catholics for generations to come." Dr. Ronal Sobel, chairman of the Intergroup Relations Committ^ee of the AntiDefamation League of B'nai B'rith, said in a statement that the Pope's visit was "both a symbol and reality testifying to the revolution that has taken place in CatholicJewish relations during the last quarter of a century." Sobel, who is senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in New York, added, "The Pope's recognition and reaffirmatien of the irrevocable call to the Jewish ptoplt by God also
been made by Pious XII, it is unlikely that Hitler's'Final Solution'would Hitler's 'Final Solution' would have reached oroDortiont." its demonic proportions.' Hier added, "Having ascended the steps of reconciliation with the Jewish people and vigorously condemned anti-Semitism, John Paul II should now ascend the fmal step by establishing full diplomatic relations with the SUte of Israel."
Vatican offidais hint at recognition of Israel offend* Jews the most." The Pope's visit to the synagogue, he said, should bie viewed as one more step toward recognition "which must, is bound to come, even though we cannot sior when." Riva added that for some time now it has been said "off the record" that "the Pope has a great desire to visit Jerusalem and is just waiting for an opportunity." Italian Jewish leaders feel this may well be the Pope's next step and "he knows he has a standing invitation," IXilia Zevi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish CJommunities, re^xmdeid.
Super Sunday Jeffkvy aad Patricia Newman, oo-cbainDea flor the Super Sunday portion of the annual Federation Campaign, show an early gain over 1986 during the initial calling effort. For more information, aee the Federation report on Page 3.
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Crandell estate makes gift By Larry S. Speera Foundation volunteer Murray H.' Ne?vman, chairman of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, announces the receipt of a gift from the es-i tate of Phillip and Lillian Crandell, both deceased, of Omaha. This cash gift was awarded to the Foundation as the result of a beqiMt made by the CrandeUs.
The CrandeUs, founders and former owners of Crandell Fun, were long-time Omaha residents. They are survived by a son, Sol, who resides in Phoenix, Ariz., and four grandchildren. The gift will be used to establish The Lillian and Phillip Crandell Memorial Fund, with income utilized to help support prctj-ects and programs of the elderly.
Hofcscaust commemoration observance in Uncoh B'nai B'rith winners A neord crowd of 1300 qn>landed Mark PiHar of Onuka Wortalde (left) aad Cnicktoa PMD*a 0«*» Jaadrte iwtac the B'aai B'rith «porta ata( at PMay Park April 10 whaa the two WOT* honored with tha Ban BaMler Memorial Awaid far ISM. cIveB to the oatataadlaC U|^ adMMl atUate of the T^ar. More photoe on page 10.
On May 6, Lincolnites and other Nebraskans will come together in the East Senate Chamber of the State Capitol Building for a Holocaust commemoration observance. The obeervance will begin at 10:30 a.m. The main address will be- given by Jim Fried of Omaha. Jim is U)e Son of Muvivoni Sam Fried and the late Magda Ftted Hia preeentationwill be given from the perspective of tihe childrtn of the Holocaust
s)iB(jyors. Other participants in the commemoration will be Governor Bob Kerrey, Mctyor Roland Luedtke, and Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justin Norman Krivosha. Prior t<> ttM State's Holocaust obaehranee, the Uneidn Jawiah community vrill sponaor a nUiious sendee de(fieited tp tiw memories vt the six million Jew* who ^isbed in the Holocaust The aervioetwill be held at Tifisreth Israel Synagogue at 0 a.m.