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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 3 Elul, 5747 Friday, Aug. 2S, 1987
Vol. LXIV No. 48 Omaha, Nebr.
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o^ Danielle Epstein
Todd Finkle
Joshua Finkler
Marda Greene
Dana Nogg
Wendi Rosenblatt David Spizman
NataUe Weinstein
Stephanie Weinstein
Endowments provide scholarships to 14 students By Susan Drazen Director, Bureau of Jewish Education As the new academic year begins, scholarships from five endowment funds administered for the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha by the Financial Aid Committee of the Bureau of Education have been awarded to 14 Omaha area college students. The Auth Sokolof Special Education Scholarship Fund was created and funded by Phil Sokolof to honor and perpetuate the memory of his wife, Ruth. Mrs. Sokolof, a volunteer and teacher at the J. P. Lord School, worked with the handicapped for many years. The fund, a living memorial to her efforts for the handicapped, benefits graduate students in the field of special education. Recipients of the Sokolof scholarships for the 1987-88 academic year are Marcia Greene and Dotua Greenberg, both emolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Phillip G. Schrager in 1980 as a lasting tribute to his late wife. LAis Jeanne Schrager was
a community volunteer before her death in 1978. She was active in the Nebraska Arthritis Foundation and was president of the local Omaha chapter. She worked for VIDA, a social service organization designed to help juveniles in trouble. Mrs. Schrager was an active member of several Jewish women's organizations and served as a volunteer at Children's Hospital and as a Gray Lady at Clarkson Hospital. Eligibility for the Schrager scholarships is based on academic performance, involvement in extra-curricular activities, participation in Jewish programs and financial need. Recipients of the Schrager scholarships for the 1987-88 academic year are Danielle Epstein, University of Southern California; Joshua Finkle, Reed College; Kevin Saltzman, Harvard University; and Stephanie Weinstein, University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The family and friends of Nancy and Don Greenberg established a scholarship fund in their name to recognize their leadership in the Jewish community. Endowed in 1983, the fund. benefits a Jewish resident of P^naha who is an undergraduate. Valeiy
Court compels graduation to accommodate Sabbath NEW YORK(JTA) - A federal court in New York has ruled that a Long Island School Board must reschedule its 1988 High School graduation so that a Sabbathobserving student can attend his high school graduation without violating his religious beliefs. The lawsuit was filed by the American Jewish Congress on behalf of 17 year-oldDavid Smith who alleged that the North Babylon School Board's decision to hold graduation exerciser on a Saturday violated Smith's First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. Smith, who will be a senior at North Babylon Senior High School this fall, is a Sabbath-observing Jew. His religious beliefs prevent him from attending secular events on a Saturday. Smith, with the help of his father. Rabbi Richard N. Smith, had requested that the School Board move the 1988 graduation to a day other than Saturday. When the North Babylon School Board unanimously refused Smith's request, the American Jewish Congress filed suit on Smith's behalf. In a 38i>age opinion issued Aug. 11, District Judge Jacob Mishler of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, ruled that in refusing Smith's request to move the graduation day, the North Babylon School Board placed "an unconstitutional burden" on Smith's "First Amandmmt ri^t to the free exerdae of his rdigioua bdiefs not to engage in sectdar activities on the Sabbath." The Court's opfaiion rejected all three of the main arguinents that the School Board raised in defense of its decision not to move the Saturday graduation. The Court ruled that because Smith's inability to attend a Saturday graduation is rooted in his religious belief, his request triggered the protection of the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. Secondly, the Court ruled that graduation exercises were an "important benefit" that Smith would be deprived of if graduation
were held on a Saturday, and so the School Board's decision to hold a Saturday graduation imposed an "unconstitutional burden" on Smith's Free Exercise. Distinguishing a graduation from sporting events, dances and stage productions because it is "conducted as pairt of and as an extension of the education program," Judge Mishler reasoned that "the educational system itself instills a legitimate expectation in students that, if they fulfill all requirements, they will have the opportunity, along with their peers, to attend the event that marks the culmination of their academic effort and the recognition of their achievement." Finally, the Court held that the School Board did not prove that it had a "compelling interest" to justify retaining Saturday as a graduation day. Under current law, proof of a "compelling interest" would be sufficient to overcome a claimed burden on free exercise rights. The Court found that neither of the interests asserted by the School Board were "compelling." Smith's attorneys, Ronald A. Krauss and Amy Adelson, said they were "pleased that the Court's ruling will ensure that David will not have to miss his high school graduation." Krauss was formerly, and Adelson is currently National Staff Counsel for the American Jewish Congress' legal department, which specializes in First Amendment litigation. Krauss is currently an associate of Wolf, Block, Shorr and Solis-Cohen, a law firm in Philadelphia. Both attorneys said that they "were gratified that the Court accepted the American Jewish Congress' legal position that a school board cannot exercise power arbitrarily to run roughshod over a fundamental constitutional right, the right of free exercise of religion." Also assisting in the preparation of Smith's case were Lois Waldman and Marc Stem, CD-directors of the American Jewish Congress' Commission on Law and Social Action.
Astor is the recipient of the Greenberg Scholarship for the 1987-88 academic year and will be attending UNL. Founded to provide grants for graduate education to worthy students from the Jewish community of Omaha, a fund was dedicated to the memory of Sandra L. Feldman. Ms. Feldman graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University and studied at the University of Vienna, Harvard University and the business school of the UNO. Ms. Feldman's family established this fund to perpetuate her memory and achievements. Todd Finkle, attending the University of Wisconsin, and Diane Berger, Creighton University, are the Sandra Feldman scholars for 1987-88. Five college students have been designated Beatrice and Nate H. Sherman scholars for 1987-88. Founded by the Nate H. Sherman Foundation to provide annual scholarships for qualified college students, this fund is named in memory of this Omaha couple to recognize their generosity to Omaha and other cities. This year's Sherman scholars are: Edi EisenschM*, Peru State College; Dana Nogg, Colorado Col-
lege; Wendi Rosenblatt, University of Arkansas; David Spizman, University of Kansas; and Natalie Weinstein, UNL. The Bureau of Jewish Education ad^ ministers eight scholarships and loan programs for the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. These programs cover many areas of Jewish education from informal camping programs to graduate school. It administers funds for preschool scholarships through the Carolyn KuUy Newman Fund, college loans through the David Beber Scholarship Fund and the B'nai B'rith Dr. Abe Greenberg/Henry Monsky Lodge Endowment Fund. Israel pilgrimages, youth programs and day school scholarships are funded through the Esther K. Newman Fund. Anyone wishing to contribute to existing scholarship and loan funds or to endow new funds to provide monies for needs which have not yet been addressed should contact the endowment director of the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, Nebr. 68154, (402) 334-8200.
UTTO high school initiates merit scholarship program The United Tahnud Torah of Omaha High iSchooI of Jewish Studies has announced the launching of a merit scholarship program. According to the annoimcement, the incentive program will be available to Beth El Synagogue and Beth Israel Synagogue students who are enrolled in the high school program this year. It is designed to reward students who choose to develop their own base of Jewish knowledge beyond the framework of the formal Wednesday evening program, Stanley Mitchell, U1T0 director of ediication, told the Jewish Press. First-year funding will be provided by Beth El Synagogue through the Henry and Dorothy Riekes Beth El Endowment Fund. The $500 scholarship is available to anyone completing the program, Mr. Mitchell said. The program has three categories of required activities: attendance in a youth group, at synagogue and at the High School of Jewish Studies; volunteer work; cultival and creative activities. Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis, with payment made upon gradu-
Beth El honors Rabbi, Susan Rabbi Paul and Susan Drazen will be honored by Beth El Synagogue, Saturday, Sept. 5, on the occasion of their 10th wedding anniversary. According to the Mishpacha committee, the couple will be fet^ at a Kiddiish following Shabbat morning services. Members of the congregation and friends of the Drazens in the community are being invited. The Drazens were married on Sept. 4, 1977. The couple has two children, Gila and Yoni.
ation from public high school for continuing education at an accredited institution of higher learning or for an approved trip to Israel. Each year a student participates in the program, that student can earn $500, or up to $2,000 during the high school years. Students may sign up at any time during the acacdemic year, as long as the requirements are completed before the beginning of the next school year, Mr. Mitchell said. Brochures are available in the UTTO office, 556-3770. The program will be explained in detail to all students the first evening of class on Sept. 9 at the JCC. Committee members who created the program include: Margo Riekes, High School Conunittee chairman; Mr. Mitchell, Shirley Banner, Rabbi Paul Drazen, Gloria Kaslow, Cheryl Kricsfeld, Carole Lainof, Roy Levine, Rabbi Isaac Nadoff, Karen PoUak, Steven Riekes, Nancy Skid, Sondra Topper.
Rabbi Kushner here Sept. 17 Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, author of several best-sellers, and ^^ spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Natick, Mass., will speak at Beth El Synagogue Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Kushner is mar^ ried to the former Suzette Estrada of Omaha. He has been rabbi of Temple Israel in Natick since 1966. A reception in Beth El social hall will follow his lecture on Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life. Copies of his books will be available for sale and for autographing during the reception. Proceeds from the evening will be used to benefit educational and out-reach programs at Beth El Synagogue. For information and tickets, call the synagogue office;' 663-3221.
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