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jj^^^flsik piTS SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920
Vol. UIV No. 41 Omaha, Nebr.
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Susan Drazen appointed director of education By Morris Maline
The appointment of Susan A. Drazen as director of the Bureau of Jewish Education has been announced by Joe Kirshenbaum, Board president. Mrs. Drazen, wife of Paul Drazen, rabbi of Beth El Synagogue, has been serving the Bureau as interim administrator since last August when Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbaum accepted a new position in Hartford, Conn.. In an interview, Mrs. Drazen said that under Rabbi Rosenbaum the position responsibilities were shared with time at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This no longer will be the case, she said, adding that her efforts will be directed to the day to day administration of the Bureau.' "The Bureau of Jewish Education is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its principal activities are in the recruit• ment and training of teachers, administering the scholarship and loan program, and organizing the Shabbaton program for seventh and eighth graders. Mrs. Drazen said she also will maintain a liaison with the Jewish Chair at Creighton University and Dr. Michelle Millen at UNO. "Our priority will be the recruitment and retention of high quality teachers for the community teaching program, and the field is a lot different today than it was 15 years ago." She said the demand for Jewish education teachers is greater than the supply and that Omaha is now in a competitive market. "I am confident, however, that we will
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Susan Drazen have the three full-time teachers we need by fall." Mrs. Drazen said that she would like to see the Bureau improve and expand its services to teachers and to make the Bureau a resource for Jewish education throughout the entire conununity. A native of Sheboygan, Wis., Mrs. Drazen has a B.S. in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She has taught from pre-school through adult education and also has had camping experience at Ramah. The Drazens have two children: Gila, six, a student at the Friedel Jewish Academy, and Yoni, three, a pre-schooler at the Jewish Community Center.
Israel to provide information to Iran-Contra investigators
Editof's note: The Consulate General of Israel in Chicago has provided the Jewiah PiesB with a statement by the Congressional Committees investigating the Iraa-Contra affair. The statement follows:
The Congressional Committees investigating the Iran-Contra affair signed an agreement with the Government of Israel that enables the Committees to obtain new information on the Iranian arms transaction and related events. Under terms of the agreement, Israel will provide the Committees two chronologies based on information assembled by the Government of Israel as a result of a previ-
ous understanding reached with the Committees. In addition, the Israeli Government will permit the Committees to interview General Raphael Vardi, who has been in charge of the Israeli fact-finding effort. No time has yet been set for this interview. "The Committees wish to express our great appreciation for the unique cooperation being extended by a sovereign nation at this vital stage of our inquiry," said Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, chairman of the Senate Committee investigating the Iran-Contra affair. "Without such voluntary assistance, relevant facts would not be available to us or the public."
Canoes away. Twenty-three third and fourth graders recently participated in the mini-sports adventure camp sponsored by the Jewish Community Center. A new program, the camp included an overnight at the Platte River State Park. Pictured are campers preparing to launch canoes at Standing Bear Lake as they learn canoeing skills. In the foreground are Ann Brown, Andrea Friedman and Jason Hoberman.
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13 Tammuz, 5747 Friday, July 10, 1987
Protestant group affirms Judaism's legitimacy By Margie Olster NEW YORK (JTA) - The United Church of Christ, one of the largest American Protestant denominations, issued a strongly affirmative declaration on Judaism. It proclaimed that Judaism and Christianity are equally legitimate and requested forgiveness for denying Judaism's validity and for the sometimes dire historical conse^ quences of that denial. The landmark declaration, made at a convention in Cleveland of the 1.7-millionmember UCC, followed a compromise statement by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) several weeks earlier. The latter was received with ambivalence in the Jewish community because it stressed Palestinian rights and claimed "the modem state of Israel cannot be validated theologically."
Rabbi Alan Mittleraan of the American Jewish Committee, who sat on the UCC committee that drafted the document, said that doctunent is unique because it "reflects what Jews see as their Judaism . .. The Christians were well aware that one of the great sins of their Church has been defining our Judaism for us." "It really is a very bold statement which has also admitted historical Christian complicity in anti-Semitism," he continued. The Protestant statement declared: "We in the United Church of Christ acknowledge that the Christian Church has, throughout much of its history, denied God's continuing covenantal relationship with the Jewish people expressed in the faith of Judaism. This denial has often led to outright (Continued on Page 2)
Challenge for leadership Omaha Challenge for Leadership delegation at Midwest Young Leadership Retreat in Lake Okoboji, May 15-17. Pictured from left to right bottom: Dr. Larry Malashock; Jody Malashocki co-chairman; Sondra Topper, Federation Associate Director; Marcie Oatrow; Dr. Neal "Buzz" Malashock, co-chairman; Joel Alperson. Top: Pete Godwin; Spencer Brookstein; Jan Schneiderman, Federation Human Resources Connection Chairman; Diane Malashock; Nancy Godwin; Rabbi Joseph Telushkin; Noelle Rips; Gary Ostrow; David Rips; Bunny Rothenberg; Steve Rothenberg.
'Challenge' program completes year By Joanie Jacobson Federation pubh'c relations director "Challenge for Leadership," a leadership training program for young adults sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, recently completed the first year of a twoyear program designed to identify, motivate and educate potential yoimg leaders in the Omaha Jewish community. "It was an excellent year," commented Buzz and Jody Malashock, co-chairmen of the Challenge program. "We formed a cohesive group of 40-some people who we feel are well on their way to assuming leadership roles and who will be instrumental in guiding our Jewish community through the coming decades." "It is apparent," said Mrs. Malashock, "that our group has formed a special bond of friendship through Challenge participation. Due to the success of this year's program, many other young Jewish adults have voiced an interest in participating in prospective leadership development projects." "Our chairmanship has been made more enjoyable due to the guidance and dedication of our Federation staff advisor, Sondra Topper," continued Dr. Malashock. "She brought continuity, professionalism And continued interest to the project. We hope that the enthusiasm of the Challenge participants will be contagious and motivate other young Jewish adults to take an active part in our community. "We are excited about next year's continuation of the Challenge program," Dr. ;«aEi;,i-;ssiif...«
Malashock added, "and hope that its success will insure,future programs like it." "We are personally gratified that the Jewish Federation of Omaha has made Challenge for Leadership a top priority," concluded Mrs. Malashock. "The work has been most fulfilling for both Buzz and me." Ms. Topper explained, "Our purpose is to acquaint Challenge participants with the workings of the Federation. We answer three basic questions: 'What is the Jewish Federation of Omaha, how does it work and why do we need it?' > ' "The focus is on the Federation, the seven agencies, the Foundation and the committee process itself," Ms. Topper continued. "For instance, we took a tour of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, viewed the Mikvah, sampled a typical Shabbat dinner and heard a formal presentation, and participated in a question-and-answer session with the Blumkin Home staff. As it happened, most of the group had never toured the Home or even knew the Mikvah was there. The fact that everyone was able to ask questions and exchange information was invaluable. That's the purpose—to learn." Ms. Topper noted that next year the "Challenge for Leadership" group would continue their study of the agencies and take a look at the Budget and Allocations and Plaiming and Evaluation Committees of the Federation. Plans also include sending a delegation to the National UJA (United Jewish Appeal) Young Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.