[r SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 19 ChMvan, 5747 Friday, Novembar 21,1986
lBadM« M. Tretiak (left) is the flrat Omaha redpient of the national Council of Jewish Federations' Endowment Achievement Award. MaUng the preaentation is Joe Kir. ahenbaum. In right photo, Conrad Teitell (left) gnest spealcer at the Fonndadon din-
ner Tuesday at the Highland Conntiy Clnb, talks taxes with Murray Newman, chairman of the Board of Tmstees of the Federation Foondation.
Foundation sees "window of opportunity" in tax law By Mania Maline The Jewish Federation's Foundation has urged the Jewish community of Omaha to talffi advantage of the "window of opportunity" in the tax laws before Dec. 31 to receive benefits that won't be available in 1987. Murray Newman, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, suggested the prompt action to 140 guests at a dinner in the Highland Country Club Tuesday. The event also recognized the selection of Isadore M. Tretiak as the community's first recipient of the national Endowment Achievement Award provided by the national Council of Jewish Federations, and a^rded Conrad Teitell, tax lecturer, an opportunity to present an overview of the new Tax Act. Mr. Newman said the Tax Refwm Act of 1986 malces it wise to pay all past philanthropic pledges and accelerate actions planned for fiiture years. He pointed out that establishing a philanthropic fund with appreciated assets before' Dec. 31 will give the donor tax benefit^ that will not be available after Jan. 1, 1987. This availability, he said, is being called a "window of opportunity." He suggested tliat members of the community work with the Federation Foundation to he^ them-
sdlves while benefitting the Jewish community. Mr. Teitell, editor and publisher of a tax guide called'"Taxwise Giving," presented an overview of the new tax law and offered the following advice: "Push income into next year and gather deductions this year." He said that one should consider prepaying property taxes, participate in an IRA, pay state income taxes, make big sales tax ' expenditures this year, and pay miscellaneous expenses includrog medical fees this year. "The easiest deduction to time is charitable giving," he said, enJaining that Dec. 31 is the final day for deducting in the 60 per cent tax bracket and the final opportunity to obtain full market value for an appreciated asset of stock or property. He said special attention should be paid to Life Income Gifts whereby property coiud be transferred to the Federation while the donor retains income througfaout his life. The presentation to Mr. Tretiak was made by Joe Kirshenbaum who described the honoree as an "inspirational role modd" for the entire community. "He has constantly worked behind the scenes to benefit the community, and he continues to be
'I wish you could have been there...' By Steven J. Rod Executive Vice-PresidaBt Jewish Federation of Omaha I wish you could have been there. Yes, youl I irisb you could have been with us at the 65th annual Genoral Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations in Chkago last wedc I was proud to accompany some 20 members of the Omaha Jewish community, who joined with nine than 8,200 Jews from almost 200 Jewish communities throughout North America for a five day conference focusing on the current status of Jewish life. I wish you could have heard Vice President George Bush telliiig us about the United States' firm support for Israel, and that if "Israel were ever to receive the boot at the UN, the US's boots wouU be mtde for waUdn' too," noting that the US wonld sot support the UN without Israel as a member. Probably the highlight of the entire five days came when the Vioe-President conversed with Natan Sharansky via live satdUte TV broadcast from Jerusalem. They reminisced about Sharansky's fight for freedom fix>m the Soviet Union, and Natan focused on the deteriorating conditiaos for Soviet Jewish activists... he urged all , Jews to visit the Soviet Union and maintain contacts with these activists. It was a dramatic moment in American Jewish history: the first time a US Vioe-President ad-
dreesed an audience of 3200 Jews after participating in the traditional Havdalah ser vice ending the Sabbath, expressing support for Jewish life here and abroad, and then speaking live with the man in Israel who has become the symbol of the Soviet Jewry freedom issna I wish you could have been there... I was very moved listening to Marty Stein of Milwaukee, the current National chairman of the United Jewish Appeal who reflected on bow easily we could be in the position of our brothers and sisters in the Soviet Union, had our parents, grandpar ents or great-grandparents not decided to come to America when ihey did. He called for each of us to do what we can to get the S&viet Union to allow Jews who wish to emigrate to do so. This is only the tip of the five days. In next Friday's editioo. hopefully you will read some of the formal news stories that Editor Mania MaUne raoeivea about the GA from the Jewish Telegr^hic Agency. I'm afrakl my ttory, or the ^TA's next week, can't properly c^ture the "ruach"—the spirit—of thMS five days of deliberation, learning and sharing. I wish you could have been thera I know you would have e^joyod it as much, if not mare, than we did! See additional oovgrage on page 4.
nearly 25 per cent of the on-going funding involved," Mr. Kirshenbaum added. Mr. Tretiak ha^ served the community as needs of tlte Federation's agencies will come president of the Dr. Philip Sher Home'for from earnings from these endowments. "Our annual campaigns have fallen short the Jewish aged, head of the Federation campaign, president of the Federation, vice to meet the many needs of our agencies. Our president of Temple Israel and a member population is aging, the needs are changing and increasing, and our annual campaigns of the Federation Board of directors. Mr. Newman said that the Foundation be- have not kept pace." Mr. Newman pointed out that as memgan with the sale of the Jewish Community center building at 20th and Dodge Streets. bers of the community die or move away, "The $700,000 proceeds have grown to their annual contribution of dollars are not where your Foundation today has assets of being rqilaced. "The endowment fund must nearly $8.5 million... The ^wth has come grow in order to perpetuate these funds and from grants from individuals, bequests gifts, far into the future," he added. from iirills, the Roae Blumildn Home buildOther {Mtigram participants were Steven ing fund which became an endowment in it- Riekes who gave the invocation and IVuself, and some 18 individual philanthropic man Clare who introduced Mr. TeitelL Suzanne Singer served as chairman of the funds." Mr. Newman also said that next year, dinner committee.
Israel Bonds secures $750,D00 in purchases By Morris Maline Israel Bmidis surpassed last year's sales performance, and recorded one of the largest amounts ever tabulated in its Omaha-Israel Dinnw of State program. The Tribute dinner honoring Truman Clare at Beth Israel Synagogue Sunday night generated more than $750,000 in Bwid purchases. According to Eldward M. Josq>h, regional director, the sales total re|iresents one of the largest since the series was initiated in 1971. More than 200 guests were on hand to applaud Mr. Clare who was honored with the Gates of Jerusalem MedaL Mr. Clare is the first non-Jew to be so honored at the Omaha program and the presentation of the medal vas made Iqr bis niece, ^ter PatridaCSare Sullivan of Des Moines. Among the major investors announced during the dinner were First Tier Banks, $260,000; the Federation Foundation, $100,000; the Livingston Foundation, $50,000; and the Blumkin Foundiition, $26,000, brmging itayeariy total to $70,000. Mr. Joseph pointed out that 80 purchases were made and that 16 of that number were for $10,000 or more. Former foreign correspondent David Schoenbrun told the group that Israel is America's outpost in a hate-filled part of the world. "They would destroy Jews, Christians and democracies," he said, adding that it is clear that America needs Israel. Mr. Schoenbrun pointed out that one third of Israel Bond sales are made by nonJews and that tbda S)q>paft assures the ctmtinuation of a democratic people in the Middle East. Mr. Schoenbran said that when Preskient Reagan needed he^ to cany out his Iranian connection, he turned to Israel as the one
Sister Patricia Oare Sdiv«i^ aieee of Tmman Clare, presents her meie with the Gates of Jwosalem Medal at the SUte of Israel Bonds "Mbnte Dinner Sunday at Beth Israel Synagogue. Addttioaal photos on page 4 reliable ally who could be counted upon to take the risk. In other presentations, Dr. Paul Shyken thanked Mrs. Alan Parsow for her service as Women's chairman; Mr. Jos^h presented a community award to Dr. Shyken and Cantor Leo Fettman for chairing the tiew Life dinners. Other particqumts included Murray Newman who gave the invocation, Mrs. Marjorie Nabity who delivered greetings from Congressman Hal Daub, Ben Josin and Leon Scbrago who gave the toasts to Israel and the United States. Mort Trachtenbarg c«Ded fat the Scrolls of Honor, Cantor Fettman led Grace after the nteal, Rachel Bleichw introduced Mr. Schoenbrun, and Harlan Noddle discussed investment in Israd. The benediction was given by Rev. Neil Cahill of Crdj^ton Univeraity. jm