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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920
1 Toval, 8747 Friday, Jmuary 2, 1tS7
Vol. LXV No. 14 Omaha, Noitr.
Mary Fellman named Humanitarian of the Year b
Lynda Frank Free-lance Writer This year's recipient of the Omaha Jewish Federation's Humanitarian of the Year Award truly exemplifies the meaning of humanitarian. A humanitarian is defined as having coiieem for or helping to improve the welfare of mankind; a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare. "Active" and "concerned" are only two of the' many adjectives describing honoree Mary Fellman. Mrs. Fellman, who has directly and indirectly touched the lives of most of the members of Omaha's Jewish community, will be honored at the Omaha Federation's Annual Meeting at the Jewish Community Center on Jan. 11. According to Carol Katzman, president of the Omaha Section of the Natioiial Council of Jewish Women, "The mark of a true leader is to create and teach ... Mary is constantly striving to bring fresh ideas to enhance Jewish life in Omaha, yet she is able to move on to new projects by leaving behind a cadre of well-trained volunteers." Mrs. Fellman has certainly proven this over the last 35 years, devoting thousands of hours to both Jewish and community organizations. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Mrs. Fellman first became involved in Jewish community activities in
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her teens. Over the years, she has served as an advertising account executive and editor of the Jewish Press and has held a variety of local, regional and national positions in Jewish organizations. Mary Fellman was the first woman to be secretary, vice president and president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. During her presidency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha in 1978-1979, Mrs. Fellman facilitated the establishment of the Bureau for the Aging, supervised pubUc relations programs to give a new image and visibUity to the Federation, and initiated the Phase II planning committee for the new home for the aged. Mrs. Fellman has consistently been a solution seeker when needs arise. When she saw a need for more services for older adults in the Jewish community, she fadUtated the expansion of the program to twice a week, where older adults could socialize and enjoy a hot meal. "Mrs. Fellman was instrumental in the growth of the (older adult) program to include over 300 older adults," said Mollie Dehnan, Older Adults director. In 1980, when the Jewish Cultvu-al Arts Council was floundering, Mrs. FeUman became the acting chairman. Under her direction, existing programs were expanded and improved. She helped to initiate new, innovative programs, including Jewish holi-
Mary Fellman
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day cooking classes, the Matza Bakery, adult Jewish education Classes, Kallah Educational Weekend and Israel independence celebration programs. The chairman of the Jewish Cultural Arts Council from 1980 to 1982, Mrs. FeUman said, "I believe the Council is important because it creates opportunities for Omaha Jews to observe and celebrate those occa-
sions that are significant to the Jewish community." Mrs. Fellman was also a founder of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. During her presidency, the NJHS mounted award winning exhibitions, and in 1986 established the "Corridor of History" gallery at the Jewish Community Center. Her influence also touched the community when the Society took on the responsibility in closing the Kapulier Shul in an elegant and dignified manner. The NJHS also sponsors the Morris C. FeUman essay contest for students and adults, named for Mrs. Fellman's late husband. Mrs. Fellman's involvement in the Jewish community has included serving as a member of the Jewish Federation executive committee, a member of the Jewish Press committee, a member of the planning and budgeting committee of the Federation, a co-chairman of the 26th Anniversary Celebration of Israel, a member of the women's cabinet of the Federation campaign and a member of the national board of directors of the CouncU of Jewish Federations. She was also a recipient of the B'nai B'rith Women's Annual Citizenship Citation Award. A member of Beth El Synagogue, she has served as president of the Beth El Sister(Cmtinned to Page 3)
Teen leaders named for FederatlOFHaward Lynda Frank Freelance Writer Two Burke High School students are being honored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha as Teen Leaders of the Year. Sixteen-year-old Steven Zuber and seventeenyear-old Jodi Greenberg will be recognized for their outstanding leadership and achievement in Jewish youth groups at the Omaha Jewish Federation's Annual Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 11. Steven, the son of Beverly and Robert Zuber, is currently president of the Omaha Council of BBYO and is on the advisery board of both the Omaha and Regional policy and nominating committees. A member of AZA iltl, he has served as rush chairman, secretary, treasurer and president. Soring on the BBYO convention steering committee, Steiven has been instrumental in planning conventions: He has attended Spring and Winter Regional Conventions, Leadership Training Institute, Judaism Leadership Institute and Intematioaal Convention. The beau of MZ Yoehanah brought the entire Omaha Council together for a joint pledge party nis^t whibh attracted over 80 membets uid also planned a successful Council SOichot service and ovonight, attended by 60 members. "His outstanding leadwahip qualities and dedication to BBYO jprograms aal new concepts have enhanced the BBYO {nogram in Omaha," said the JCC executive committee in recom> iwmHing Steven for Teen Leader oif the Year.
The daughter of Pam Rochman and the late Justin Greenberg, Jodi has been an active member of the MZ Yoshanah BBG chapter for three and a half years. Past BBYO director Debra Polsky describee Jodi as a role model for friendliness, enthusiasm and leadership. "Jodi takes her responsibilities seriously and manages to maintam her high level of BBYO participation while remaining in the top five percent of her high school class and working 20 hours per week." A past chapter president and currently editor/historian, Jodi has also held the offices of secretary, beau dance chairman and MIT MOM (in charge of membership recruitment and training). During her presidency, MZ Yoshanah won 12 awards on the regional level, including several program-of-the-year awards, banner, "Tshirt, scrapbook and sfHrit awards. Also under hw leadership, the chiq>ter applied for and received the international Miriam Albert Chif>ter Honor R<dl Award (one of only 62 ch^iters to win) and placed seccmd in the intemationd BBG scn^book contest. Jodi has also served as secretary/ta«a8urer for Combelt Region and is currently contest chairman for the newlyformed Mid-America Region. She was on the Joint Executives Committee which planned and carried out the merger of Combelt and Mo-Kan regions to form the new region. In her new position, Jodi will be responaible for allre^onal and international contests as well as planning and coordinating the Winter R^onal Convention.
Jodi Gtaenberg
Jnk BL Newmaii, left, praddtnt of tiM Livii«ctOB Foondatkn, pnaeBta a dwdi for $10,000 to Jcrald I. Bosen, diiector of the FonndatiMi of the Jewish FederatioB of Onafaa. This reiweaents the first ioataUiMat of a three year $30,000 pledge.
$30,000 pledge aids Federation Foundation Tl^ trustees of the Miltoa S. and Crarinne N. Livingston Foundation, Inc. have affirmed their continuing support for the Foundation of th« Jewish Federation of Omaha with a $30,000 pledge, payable over three years, to help d^ay administrative and organizational expenses of the Federation Foundation. The gift has been announced by Jerold I. Rosen, director of the Federation Foundation. Mr. Rosen noted that the Livingston Foundation took an early leadership role in helping to estabUsh and develop the Foundation of the Federation by providing the seed money for its organisation with a $20,000 tSnoA in 1983. llbe funds were used to organize tiie endowment programa for the Jewish Fed8ration,'to puUiciie their exiatenooi and prepare educational and solidtatioD programa. This waa followed by additional grants in 1984 and 1985 and the currant $30,000 pledge. •^jj.f-aSiHfei-i.IleiJ
Mort Tracbtanbarg, Federation president, praised the Livingston Foundation, and thanked its trustees, for continuing to underwrite the operating expenses of the Federation Foundation. He pointed out that, while the Foundation income from administrative fees oontinuee to grow, it is not yet self-Mfiparting. It is hoped, he said, that witJiin the next several years the Federation Foundation will generate enough income to defray its own operating eqNnses, but in the meantime, it ia dependent «q>on the granta from the Livingatan Foundatkn and other sources for finandil support. Mr. Trachtenbarg noted that this is but . one of many contributians to the Jewish Federation and its various irograms which the Livingston Foundation provides each year. "Its continued mq^Mrt of tiie Feder ation Founiiatlon," hs said, "willenable us to continue the achievements of which we are all so proud."