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903.010-00 60 f.'e3R HISTORICAL SOC 1500 R ST LINCOLN NE
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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920
'Vol. LXIII No. 33 Omaha, Neb.
23 Niaan, S746 Friday, May 2,1986
^olcwaust Ceremony Tuesday Temple Israel holds at 10:30 a.m. in Capitol 1986 Yom HaShoah Service The Holocaust Commemoration Ceremony which will be held IXiesday, May 6, in the East Senate Chamber of the State Capitol at 10:30 a.m. is in ^memory of the millions of individuals who perished over 40 years ago during the Holocaust. The sponsors oi the observance include the Community Relations Committee of the Anti-Defamation League, the Lincoln Jewish Welfare Federation, and the Holocaust Observance Committee appointed by Lincoln Mayor Roland Luedtke. "Jt is hoped that by remembering the clrcumstanees .and horrors of the Nazi atroc-
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ities, we con help prevent the likelihood of future recurrences of such crimes and tragedies, mbiaskans, both Jewish and nonJewish, are encouraged to be present at the ceremony in order to show that we remember what happened and that we commit ourselves to the slogan "Never Again," said Yale Gotsdiner, chairman. The speakers at thexommemoration will include Governor RobeK Kerrey, Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Norman Krivosha, and Lincoln Mayor Roland Luedtke. Survivors of the concentration camps will also participate in the ceremony.
Lincoln to celebrate Israel Independence Day
Plans ai% uiuierway for Lincoln's celebration of Israel's 38th anniversary. The celebration, which is sponsored by the Lincoln Jewish Welfare Federation will be held on May 18 at 3:30 p.m. At that time, Debbie Friedman will be featured in a family concert at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. "Debbie Friedman sings, composes and excites. And she does it like nobody else. She blends a special musical gift with a re-° freshing enthusiasm for her heritage. In concert halls-and synagogues all over the world, Debbie bas coazed even the most
Israel trip for teenagers? A two-week trip to Israel for high school sophomores may be available, the Federation's Board of Directors was advised Monday night. Spokesmen for the Bureau of Jewish Education qyked the Board for reaction to a new plan whereby a subsidized mission for teenagers could be developed. Joe Kirahenbaum, Margo Riekes and Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum explained the new concept as part of the Bureau's attempt to increase interest on the part of Omaha teenagers in visiting Israel. Mr. Kirshenbaum said he interpreted the Board's reaction as "favorable" and that the Bureau now would proceed to formalize its plan for presentation to the Budget and Allocations Committee. In other action at the April Board meeting, approval was given to spend up to $96,660 to repair the indoor snimmiiig pool at the Jewish Community center.
timid hearts to dance, to sing, and to share. To hear her is a joyous thing. To see her perform live is an experience like no oUier," a Lincoln Federation spokesman said Following Ms. Friedman's concert, a light soup and salad dinner will be served. The dinner will feature the tastes of Israel served in a festive atmosphere. A reservation form with fiirther information about the day's program will be sent to all Lincolnites who are Federation members. Non-Lincolnites interested in details, should contact Niincy Gown (423-6695).
The annual Yom HaShoah, communitywide memorial service will be held this year at Temple Israel on May 6 at 7:30 p.m. This service will climax a series of. activities which were held to commemorate the Holocaust. According to Doreen Lerner, chairman, "The Jewish Cultural Arts Council is proud to have co-sponsored the April 19 and 20 performances of Hannah Senesh. We hope that the large audiences which attended the play will be inspired to join us on May 6 to remember Hannah Senesh and the many ethers who perished in the Holocaust." The members of the Yom HaShoah planning committee, led by co-chairmen, Lisa Lewis and Marc Delman, said they were deeply moved by the Holocaust survivors who responded to their call for submissions on the topic "What the Holocaust Means to Me in 1986." Excerpts from submissioi^s by Miriam Grossman and Cantor Leo Fettman follow. The full text of their comments will be published in the commemorative booklet which will be used at the memorial service at Temple Israel. Rabbi Stephen Barack will lead the service with the assistance of rabbis and cantors from all Omaha synagogues. The service will also feature a candlelighting ceremony. The candles will be lit by families representing all three Omaha congregations. Excerpts from: "What The Holocaust Means To Survivors in 1986" Miriam Grossman — "HistDiynhowi-thBt forgetting brings on repetition, and that it is not humanly possible to forgive the destruction of lives which belong only to God. It makes one aware (low wrong a government is when it treats minorities as secondrate citizens. It should alert us to what hate and injustice can do to other human beings. It shows how tragedies occQr when people think about their own gains without consideration of how it affects othera — that power without justice leads to corruption. It makes me sensitive to the value of every human being, regardless of their status, material possessions, or appearance. It makes me respect the individuality of others, without losing' my own, unless they are bent on destroying the dignity of others. It makes me also appreciate kindness and
New programs funded By JehM I. Roaen September, 1987. Endowment Director Pilot Program to EncourThe Esther K. Newman/ age Attendance at Little ^Carolyn Kully Newman People's Services, spon'Grants Committee has ap- sored by Beth Israel Synproved funding for three agogue and under the direcnew programs. tion of Shirley Goodman, Chairman Marvin Poli- has as its goal to encourage kov said the programs were the attendance of four chosen because they met through eight year olds at Committee guidelines for one Shabbat morning serbeing innovative and for vice each moiith. Through seeking to enhance, the- the use of fairy tales and Jewish identity of youth in puppets, the theme for the the greater Omaha area. \ morning (be it the Torah High School Hebrew, a portion and/or current Jewnew program for students in ish Holiday) will-be woven the public schools, submit- into delightful tales which ted by the Bureau of Jewish will involve student particEducation, will seek to pro- ipation and interaction. vide a substantial introducCamp Joy-C-C, sponsored tion to modern spoken Hebrew, as well as to language by the ilewish 'Community Cejiter, will reactivate and syntax of Biblical narratives in both high school Camp Jay-C-C and provide a local residential overnight and university courses. A total of four courses Jewish camping experience. Four objectives of this (two high school,, two iunivereity) would be offered. It program are: to provide an is anticipated ihis program alternative for the Omaha will be available beginning Jewish community to the
expensive overnight camps, maintaining a fee of approximately $200 per week; to provide continuity in the camping program from Camp Shalom, Pamp Chavarim, and Arts Camp which are all day camps to an overnight experience with Jewish content; to broaden the scope of Jewish Center programming in concert with the National Committee on Maximizing the Educational Effectiveness of Jewish Community Centers in the USA; and to strengthen the link of Jew- ish education in Omaha by using local Jewish educators in a different setting. As part ot the grant process, the Committee requires written or verbal evaluations of all programs upon their completion. The Committee wiU be meeting again in late lummer and organizations will have the opportunity to submit new proposals.
goodness in each individual regardless of their background, national origin or religious preference. It puts On me and any foirminded individual the responsibility to witness to others what hate and injustice did, and if not cured, will do again." Cantor Fettman — "It took me over 20 years to open up and speak about the horror and misery of my Holocaust experience. There are things that I will never be able to reveal because they are too painful. Some memories I will carry with me to the grave. When I speak to young people it makes a great impact on them. They ask, 'Whatcan we do to avoid another Holocaust? Can wc do something to heal your wounds?' Unfortunately nothing can heal our wound^. The scars will remain forever. These young people feel guilty that their parents or pimdparents did so little, if anything, to stop the murders. I try to tell them not to have guilt feelings about their grandparents' lack of positive action. Personally, I am very disturbed about the Jews in America and other nations. They did have some power to stop the massacre, but they were silent and often urged individuals in power 'not to rock the boat.' These facts come to light in 'the Sacred and the Doomed' by M. J. Nurenberger and 'The Abandonment 6f the Jews' by David S. Wyman. How can I rebuke my non-Jewish friends for their silence when my own flesh and blood were the same? I could not understand why so many Jewish parents were against their children learning about the Ijolocaugt. These students wont to know. At first I thought it is too painfkil. They don't want their children to hear about the horror that the Jews endured. Now I am beginning to understand the reason, although I hope I am wrong. Maybe the American Jews did know and did nothing and now they are ashamed of themselves. Over and over again non-Jews ask, 'Why not forget and forgive?' This is very much against the teachings c^i the Ibrah. I explain that every Frid^ night we repeat in'the Kiddush 'Zeicher Litziat Mitzrayim: in remembrance of the departure from E<gypt'. I will never, never forget nor do I have the right to forgive the murder of my parents.. Only the victims themselves can grant forgiveness. Unfortunately, my parents are not alive to speak for themselves. I have instructed my family to engrave my number (37,276) on my tombstone to let the world know that I was there and I witnessed it."
Super workers exceed 1986 ByEUiePenner \ Federation ataff aaoociate The record books were re-written this year at the conclusion of the telethon portion of the Federation's 1986 Campaign. The total figures tell the story — $30,903 raised in 1986 compared to $23,782 on the same cards in 1985, a 30% increase. ' A special effort was made to broaden the base of the Campaign this year and the number of new gifts reflects that effort "The conversion of 185 zero gifts to secured pledges really made the difference," said Co-Chairman Patricia and Jeffrey Newman. "It was because of the commitment of all our super volunteers that we were able to suipas* last year's totals. They deserve the credit for the success of Super Sunday and Superweek," the Newmans added.