.i^sk pires SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920
10 Sh«vat, 5740 Friday, Jan. 29, IMS
Vol. LXV No. 20 Omaha, Nobr.
4th generation Kulakofsky leads Jewish Federation By Morris Maline As the newly elected president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Saranne Gitnick brings to the volun[ teer job more than her own [credentials of service to the Icommunity. [' She represents the fourth [generation of the Kulakofsky family to be in the ^leaidership roles of the Jewish community of Omaha. Her great grandfather, Michel Kulakofsky, was a trustee of the Jewish Com'munity Center built in the ; 1920s at 20th and Dodge Streets, and according to Jewish Press records, thousands attended his funeral in 1929. Her grandparents, Sadie and Harry Kulakofsky, continued the tradition of community activity with Harry [ leading the Federation as I president from 1953-55, and . Sadie being active in leaderi ship roles for a variety of organizations and Israel causes. And her parents too, Ethelyn and Loyal Kaplan, ' participated in Jewish community life with her father leading Beth El Synagogue in the late 1940s. Now, it's Mrs. Gitnick— after many years of service to the Jewish community in a variety of leadership ; roles—assuming the post of Federation president, the second woman to be so elected. In an interview recently, , Mrs. Gitnick recalled some
of the generational attitudes toward religion and tzedakah which had been passed on to the Kulakofsky children and grandchildren. "My grandmother was bright, capable, and she believed that "something can always be done." Mrs. Gitnick said this outlook on problems means that there are always many options and that all have to be explored to solve problems.
"My grandmother also had a saying which went something like this: 'We are debtors for what we have been given, and merely nodding the head does not row the boat' ". Mrs. Gitnick, one of 14 Kulakofsky grandchildren, said that religion and tzedakah were integral parts of their upbringing. She recalled that all of the (Continued on Page 11)
From left, Dr. Menachem Mor and his wife, Devorah, being congratulated by Philip M. and Ethel Klotznick during a Sunday reception at the Jewish Community Center.
Creighton inaugurates Klutznicks' Jewish Chair
Saranne Gitnick, a fourth-generation member of the Kulakofsky family and the newly elected president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, points to a plaque in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home—one of the reminders of her family's participation in the conuiunity. The plaque states that the Infirmary Wing of the Home was refurbished in honor of the lives of Sadie and Harry Kulakofsky by their children and the community.
Kitty Dukakis sees lierself as Jewish 'first iady' "My maternal grandmother was an orthodox Jew and she was largely responsible for the limited Jewish education I had as a youngster," Mrs. Dukakis said. "She would have me over for Shabbat dinner and we would attend synagogue together ... my parents were not affiliated religiously so this was pretty much the extent of my Jewish upbringing." She pointed out however, that she aqd her husband, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, are raising their children with knowledge and understanding of Kitty DukaUa two faiths: Judaism and 'is the United States Kitty Dukakis told the Jew- Gre^ Orthodox. "The children have pride ready for a Jewish first ish Press in a recent interin both backgrounds and view. lady? While campaigning for recognize each religion as a "I hope so because if my her husband in the Council rich and wholesome exhusband Michael receives Bluffs area, Mrs. Dukakis perience ...eacb of the the Democratic nomination commented on her Jewish three children has emerged for President and wins the background and lifestyle so 'With a strong ,individual general election, I am pre- that potential supporters personality with an enriched pared to be the first Jewish could have a better under- background." (Coffltbnied on Page 11) woman to have this honor," standing of her family.
"This is a truly unique arThe Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish rangement and testifies to Civilization is now a reality the extraordinary vision . and dedication to huat Creighton University. More than 200 from both manitarian and educational Creighton and the Jewish needs by Phil and Ethel Community of Omaha at- Klutznick." Praise for the vision of the tended the inaugural program at Creighton Monday, Klutznicks also was exand applauded the conferral tended during the JCC reof the Chair medallion on ception, the inaugural cereDr.^lenschem Mor of Hai- mony and the festivities fa, Israel, the first scholar to following by James E. Hoff, S.J., vice president. Univeroccupy the Chair. The inaugural ceremony sity Relations, Creighton, was one of several functions and Michael G. Morrison, arranged by Creigliton and S.J., president of Creighton. Saranne Gitnick, presithe Jewish Federation of Gmaha to celebrate the oc- dent of the Federation, credited former president casion. Paul Cohen, past presi- Mort Trachtenbarg and dent of the Federation, Steven Riekes with working pointed out at a Sunday out the details of the Chair reception in the Jewish with Creighton. . In his remarks, Mr. Klutz• Community Center that the $1 million gift endowing the nick, an international Chair will enable the Feder- statesman and counselor to ation to conduct programs several United States presiusing the talents of the dents, said that he learned Chair holder. The Jewish much while residing in OmaFederation will receive 10 ha and attending Creighton per cent of the distributed Law School. "I was taught to look at income under the arrangeboth sides of a controversy mant.
before making a decision, and this applies not only to law, but to human relations "as well." Mr. Klutznick, Dr. Mor and Rev. Hoff made separate references during the programs on their "dream" to see Creighton equipped with Chairs in Christian and Islamic Civilization "so that all three great religions" could share a common base for understanding and peace throughout the world. Mr. Klutznick said thkt his idea for a Chair in Jewish Civilization actually began some 20 years ago during a conversation with the president of Israel. "From that meeting came the idea for the International Center for Study of Jewish Civilization, and now there are some 1,000 such Chairs in theworld," Mr. Klutznick added. (The Jewish Press plans to publish Dr. Mor's inaugural lecture on Why Study Ancient History? in the Passover edition. Also, see editorial on page 4.)
Jewish Woman's Week Gov. Kay A. Orr has prodaimed the Wsak of the Jewish Woman, effective Febr. 28. In the proclamation, Gov. On dted Lubavitch Womu'a OrgaaisathM as being especially committed to projeeto which iocNase the awafeaess of women to their great Iiiiliiiiiiiilillllji illiiiiiaii ilMlhdar naUirn niitiii arr flir hanli fnr ntlnnit and mnral family and commnaity life. Pnwtoating in tht-vMremony are from left, Kari«ad Pam Kauvar, Gov. Oir holdbg EatleKfftnnan, Shani Katzman, MvrQjro Aienson aadhcr daughter, LcaOe. Acconifaig to Rabbi Mendel Kataaoaa, a lundHon is |)f{ng pianiied to commemorate the event, aad tafomtatioB ouy be obtaiaed from Ma. Araison at 89&0392. . H IJ-.'.'l. .<-!•
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