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aERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 Vol. LXV No. 9 Omaha, Nabr.
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21 Chaahvan, S74« Friday, Nov. IS, 1B87
Omaha to join Washington demonstration
^^' By Morris Maline A delegation from the Omaha Jewish community will join with an estimated 200,000 other Americans in making a summit statement in behalf of human rights. At a qMcial meeting Wednesday night, the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation authorized an expenditure of up to $10,690 to help subsidize the group trip. Those aelected by the ADL/CRC committee will fly to Washington to participate in a demonstration on Dec. 6, the eve of the summit meeting between President ReAgan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
The ADL/CRC committee had requested $14,980, but the only working funds available without dipping into reserves was the Federation's contingency balance of $10,590. The vote of approval came after one-andone-half hours of discussion in which concerns were raised: * How would the delegation mix be established? * Who would watch out for the teenagers on the trip? * What about inclement weather? * Will travdl take place on Shabbat?
• Where will the money come Come from? * And what about the lack of adequate funding for local needs? These were some of the questions debated by members of the Federation Board and members of the Budget and Allocation Committee. The B&A members had been invited to express their opinions, but were not eligible to vote. Soviet Jewry activists Shirley Goldstein, S<4 Parsoyr, and Alice R. Milder, fcrmer aide to Senator Charles Grassley, joined E. Robert Newman, president of ADL/CRC and Barbara Frohinan, assistant ADL/CRC director, in presenting the case for the fund request. "This is a ohce-in-a-lifetime summit and takes and share some of our same problems. But Israel is this country's number-one ally its time to show where we stand," said Mrs. in the Middle East, perhaps in the world, Goldstein. Ms. Milder, who now is a candidate for and it will always be a 8}anbol of freedom and independence for Jews everywhere." Congress, said that a delegation from In the past, Mr. Gordman has served on Omaha is necessary to demonstrate the serithe Federation's Budget and Allocations ousness of the Jeirish community's concern. "Politicians pay particular attention Committee, the board of the Jewish Community Center and is currently chairman of when the message comes directly from the Building and Grounds Committee. This homei," she said. is the first time he has chaired a division of the Campaign. "I've never been asked before," he replied. "It didn't occur to me to say 'no.' What's more, I've asked 30 men to work By Joanie Jacobson with me on the campaign and not one of Federation public relations director them has said 'no.' Nominations from the Omaha Jewish "Actually, the Pacesetter Division is commimiiy<t-lai:ge are now being accepted prob^>ly the easiest. These- are the guys by the Jewish Federatim of Omaha for the who understand the problems, accept the Justin Greenberg and Lds Jeanne Schrager responsibility and, just by being in this di- Young Leadership Awards, Humanitarian vision, demonstrate their commitment and of the Year Award and the Jewish Teen their beliefs. Leadership Award to be presented at the "I'm no great expert on Judaism or Is- Federation's Annual Meetmg on Jan. 10, rael, but I have always been ptoad that Jew- 1988. ish people represent the best in intellect, The Justin Greenberg and Lois Jeanne morals and values. Supporting the Federa- Schrager Young Leadership Awards will tion, its agencies and Israel is the beat way honor a young man and woman respecI know to maintain that quaUty of ,^wish tively, under the age of 40, who have demonlife. strated perscnal cammitment, dedicated in"We've made so much progress in the last volvement and exemplary leadarahq) qualifew years thanks to people like Tom ties in rendering service to the Jewish and Fellman, Howard Kooper and Leonard general communities. Lewis, who have led the campaign, and After his death in 1976, friends and famHarlan Noddle, Joe Kirshenbaum, Phil ily of Justin Greenberg established the Schrager, David Friedland and Howard Young Leadership Awiid aa a tribute to his Kaslow, who have been chairmen of the active rde in conununity activities. Pacesetter Division. Founded b^ Phil Schrager in 1980, the "The last thing we want to do is to take Lois Jeanne Schrager Muoorial Fund proa step backwsid," coochided Mr. Gordman. vides for college sdwlarahips and a variety "It's time to brush aside thoee easy-to-find of programs and services foir the Omaha reasons not to give. It would be a shame to Jewish conununity. In addition, this fund go back." provides for the annual presentation of the Lois Jeanne Schrager Young Leadorship Award to honor Mrs, Schrager's commitment to the volunteer sector. The winnos of the awards will receive stipends to attend the 1988 Council of Jewish Federation's General Assembly where they will be honored, along with other young leadership winners, at a special.recognition much wants to go ahead with this," even if Jackson's current schedule prevents his meeting personally with Klarsfeld at this time. Jadkson's goal is to personally ddiver By David Landau the letter to the Syrian Embassy in JERUSALEM (JTA| - Vice Premier and Washington. "It is our hope that the letter Foreign Minister Shimon Peres lashed out could be helpful," Lewis said. at Premier Yitzhak Shamir's "do-nothing" Jackson has maintained good relations peace policy and "statu:'thinking" before an with the Syrian government since his suc- appreciative audience of Jewish journalists cess in obtaining the release of U.S. Navy around the world. flier Robert Goodman in 1984. Goodman's from 'What does it mean to be united over the recamudaaanee Oif^ was shot down ovo' goal, but divided over the means?" Peres Lehanoo, and the Syrian government had aakad. "If you aren't prepared to take a first toid the U.S. government they would hdd step, you can never reach the goal" himcH>tive. "United over the goal and divided over On Nov. 1, Brunner, who was Addf Eich- the means" was the fonnula that Peres himmann's deputy in the SS and successor in self uaed-with Shamir's warm approvalVienna, gave a telephone interview to the in his speech to the U.N. General AssemChicago SoB-llnMS in which he said that bly in New York last month. the Jews "deswved to die, because they But in a more spirited and partisan mood were the devil'a agents and human garbage. in Jerusalem, Pens warned that "those Is"I have no regrets and would do it again." raelis who say an international peace con-
Gordman chairs Pacesetters By Joanie Jacobson Federation public relations director Nelson GordJman, president of Richman Gordman Stores, Inc., has been named chairman of the Pacesetter Division for the 1988 Jewish Federation of Omaha Campaign, announced Leonard Lewis, Men's Division chairman. Nelson Gordman "Nelson will lead by example," Mr. Lewis remarked. "He is a highly effective member of this community who hasiMBt consis' tantly responsive to our needs." "lliere are some things you have to do just because you're Jewish," explained Mr. Gordman,—"fw the same reason that there are things you have to do just because you're American—or because you're a man or a woman or young or old. I took this job because I believe that each of us has a responsibility to get involved—to do the job that needs to be done. We owe that to the Jewish community. "I suppose it runs in the family. My dad and brother have also chaired the Pacesetter Division and Bob Gordman is this year's Grand Gifts Division chairman. "It's not that 1 love going to more meetings. Who does? But I've been active enough over the last number of years to see the good work being dene by our local agendea uid to (q;>preciat« their needs and their "We ahrayauwkntand the aaeds of Israel I've been tlMce twice. I know it's not some perfect utaiii«>-Israelis make mia-
iltelcson 'strongly' interested in Mter to AsaKl on Brunner By Susan BimbamB NEW YORK (JTA) - The Rev. Jesse Jackson has "indicateid strong interest" in Nazi hunter Beate Klarsfeld's request that he send a letter urgingj^rian Piesklent Hafez Assad to extradite wanted Nazi war criminal Alms Braoner to West Germany. The Democratic presidantial candidate was woiliiM on socha letter eaily this week beI III a^iii'ifii. mmpajgii uppmirMlM-tM, turmiin^
to Anne Lewis, a political ajialyst in WaaUngton who is working with Jackson on dbs project Lewia toU Rl«rrfii(0 that such a letter would be. pnpaMd ieiMi, but the rigors of Jackaon's campaign schedule u>parentlly precluded the letter's completm, Lewis told the Jewish Telegraphic iigenqr. Efforts to reach people umiliar with the letter project at the Jackson campaign mre unsuccessful. But Lewis, who is bn contact with Jackson wfaHe he is on the road, aaid that the Oemoentic presidential hopeful "very
Mr. Newman pointed out (that it's a lot more difficult for midwestemers to participate so that "it really makes a statement when we go." Board membw Ilene Klein questioned additional spending when "local needs appear to be inadequately funded." The suggested plan presented-.by ADL/ CRC and the Summit Action Task Force called for hill-fare tickets to members of the Russian/Omaha community, special-priced tickets to teenagers who have twinned their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs with Russian children, and tickets for the general community with a subsidy attached. Steven Rod, executive director of the Federation, explained that teenagers going on the trip would be accompanied by an adult. Discussion also took place on whether the group could depart a day earlier to minimize the danger of inclement weather making travel impossible. Rabbi Paul Drazen, a Board member, said that such travel would only be permissible if it took place after Shabbat. "The final motion gave the committee the flexibihty to determine the mix of delegates for the trip.
Awards nominations sought ceremony. The selection of local winners is made by a committee comprised of past award recipients. The Humanitarian of the Year Award will honor an outstanding Omahan, who need not be Jewish, who has performed an outstanding service for humanity. Evaluations will be made (1) on the contributions they have made throughout their Uves to promote human welfare and advance social reform, and (2) on the commitment given in time and energy "beyond expectations." This award is not necessarily given each year. The Jewish Teen Leadership Award will honor two young men or women who have exhibited outstanding leadership activities in the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization or synagogue youth group. Each of the winners will receive a plaque and a $500 stipend to attend a convention, conclave or summer camp with a "Jewish component" of their choice. "Everyone in the Omaha Jewish community is encouraged to submit nominations in every category," explained Mort Tractenbarg, Federation president. "An annual meeting is important to every Jewish community. It tells of our work. It pays tribiMkto those indivkhMis who have been so; JMlninsBtal in our soceaes aa a Jewisl^: For Booiiiiatiaa information and appliestion forms, contact Joanis Jacobson at the Federation crfBce, 334-8200, ext. 274. Nominations must be returned no later thkn Dec. 4.
Peres attacks Shamir pQlicies ^ ference is dead are sqiting peace is dead. He did not refer to Shunir by name, but his attacks on the Likud leader were clearly understood—and for the most part applauded—by the Jewish journalists in his audience at the Van Leer Institute. The occasion was the second International Conference on the Jewish Media, which opened in Jerusalem Monday and continued through yesterday. The confeience is sponsored by the Information D^uutment of tJie World Zionist Organizatiim, the Israel Govemront Prsarpffiee and th? WorU Federation of Jewish jolomalista. Soms 100 laraelijauraalists and some 150 of their colleagues from SOdi^qxtra countries are attending the ctpifanDee, whose focus is "The Jewish Media in the Electronic Age."
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