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Gordman, Newman head Pacesetter Division
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Federation writes Shamir on "Who Is a Jew" Issue Editor's Note: The Council of Jewish Federations, the organization of 220 Federations in North America, is coordinating the coalition of its members and national agencies to address vigorously the "Who is a Jew" issue. Tlie following lettra is a response from local leadership:
Robert Gordman blood of this community," -he said. "Without the flow of funds, we cannot continue to maintain the caliber of services that people in this community have come to expect. "Our dollars support the Federation and its operating agencies which provide essential human services and the highest quality of programming for the entire Omaha Jewish community. "As vice-presidents of the Federation, Jay and Don have focused on building an organization with some continuity," Mr. Gordman conttinued. "I strongly support 'that concept and felt a responsibility to step up and tidwpart I want to do what I can to make sure Jewish Omaha remains sound and vibrant." Mr. Newman, past chairman of the Foundation of the Federation, explained there would be a total reevaluation of gifts for 1989.
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Vol. UVI No. 11-Omaha, N«br.
By Joanie Jacobaon Fadmitioii public relations director Jay Lerner and Donald Yale, chainnen of the 1989 Men's UJA/Federation Campaign, anqounced that Robert Gordman and Murray H. Newman have been ^pointed chairmen of the Pacesetter Division. Men in this division contribute $6,000 or more to the annual fundraising effort and account for more than half of the total doUars idised by the campaign. The Pacesetter Dianer wUl be held, on Monday, Dec 12. at the HIghlaiid Country Club, begfauiing a( 6:30 p.m., and will (eatnri John Loftua, former Justice Oept. trial attorney and prosecutor of Nazi war aimiaals who will speak on "The State Department vs. The Jews." "Jay and I are thrilled to have two people of such stature and abiUty," commented Mr. Yale. "Murray succeaafully led the campaign 10 years ago, and Bob's term as chairman of the Budget and Allocations Committee was exemplary. Both of these men have a good, working knowledge of the Federation and a record of outstanding service to the Omaha Jewish community. We welcome their input and value their participation in the '89 campaign I*' Mr. Gordman, president of Richman Gordman Stores, Maphasized the key role of the Federation is to provide funds. "The fundraiaing aspect is the life-
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Murray H. Newman "The Pacesetter Division is the heart of the Federation Campaign," he said. "These men are already generous and committed people. This year, we want to talk to them, not about what they gave last year, but rather, about what they're capable of giving in 1989. "This is 8 crucial time for Omaha and other Jewish communities across the country," Mr. Newman continued. "Our needs grow faster than our ability to pay for them. Gifts to the '89 campaign will be based on ability to pay, not on a prior gift or some modest percentage of increased giving. "1 chaired the campaign many years ago," he added. "I felt I had taken my turn. But today, we have some very impcutant decisions to make as a Jewish community, and it's going to take all of us workhig together, and giving more, in ordor to be continuously successful.''
November 16, 1988 Prime Minister State of Israel Prime Minister's Office Jerusalem, Israel Dear Mr, Prime Minister The question of "Who is a Jew" is a potentially explosive and divisive theological issue which may have an extremely daonaging effect on the unity of the Jewish people. Theological interpretation of issues like this are properly the concern of the appropriate Rabbinic bodies. This is as it should be. Honest and decent people
may disagree on a matter of principle as important and complex as this. However, it is our view that this question must not be decided in the context of political accommodation in order to ensure the maintenance or downfall of a particular government.
this issue aa a means to achieve narrow political advantage. We cannot straas strongly enough our unshakable belief that any other course of action, no matter how axpadient, will irreparably weaken the bond that now links world Jewry to the State of Israel.
At this critical juncture in our collective history, this problem must not be allowed to divide diaspora Jewry from the Israeli brethren. We are on the defensive, as it is, and this incendiary issue must not be allowed to everywhere drive a wedge between the various constituent element of Klal Israel. We, the leadership of the Jewish federation of Omaha, Nebraska, urge the leaders of Labour, Likud and all Israeli political parties to come together in bipartisan solidarity to reject the introduction of
Mr. Prime Minister, buckling under to attempts of extortion or ultimatimis will only serve to fuel the fires of fanaticism. We sincerely hppe that you will remain firm. The future of Klal Isrsel depends on your determination. As the Psalm says: "May your heart be strengthened and energized. '' Please do not let us down. Thank you, Sincerely, Saranne Gitnick, President, Jewish Federati(Mi of Omalia
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Reagan administration rejects declaration as uniiateral act
By David Friadnan WASHINGTONIJTA) The Roagan admjniatratian rajactod TiMsday tho dadaraUon of an indepaadnit Palastinian sUt« by Yaair Arafat, chief of tha Paleatine Ubaratloo Orfanlsation, sayiac it waa not a poaitlve atap toward paaco in the MidcUe Eaat. "You can't dstarmina tha atatus of tha Weat Bank and Gaaa by &ilataral aeU of eitW aida, but ohly through the procoaa of nafotlations," State Department spokesman Chariao Redman aakL Arafat mada his daolaratioo aarly Tueaday in a qtaach to tha Pahatina NaCouBdl in Alcian^ would not answer oa the status of but U.S. poUcy tkat white tha dty abunitadlitafiaal odty ba datar is tha graoada oa
whkh the Unitad Statea has refuaad to nwva iu mbaaay fran Tai Aviv to Jerusalem. Both Redman and White House apokaaman MarHn Fittwatsr said tha admfaiiatratioo would not CQBomaat on tha PLO'a naw program until it waa able to atudy tbs taxta. But FiUwatar said it had "poaitiva alsoMHita," if. as raportad, the PNC aecwtad U.N. Security Couaefl Raaohitions 242 and 338. Radpoan only hM that it would ba "a poaitiva step" if than ware axpUdt racognition el tha two raaohiTha Saagan adminiatratioo iiaa tMBportad Itraal in
ItoovvQaitte la a Pdaitin ian'atata. Vloa Preddaot Gaorga Buah raitaratad this poatdoo in a spaich during his campaifa tor tha araaidaany to B'nai B'ritk ItamaHoi^ria I "I havaaiada that I aat ontoaad to aa hi-
d^ieodent Paleatinian stata for a aimple reason." Bush sakL "Such a state wouM be a threat to the security of Israel and of Jordan, which is crudal to any lasting aettlaBMOt of tha conflict And. I would add. it wouM also be cootraiy to Aiaarica's in-
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While Arafat's dwdaration maaaa that tha PLO would try to aatahliah ambaaaiaa fai aay oouatiy that would psnnit it, tha adminiatratioo nads it dear it would hava aothiag to do withtham. Both Redman and FlUi water said U.S. poUey oontinuaa to ba that Waahlor ton will not have any dialogua" with tha PLO it maata tha thiaa ICOBUMMI MI P^ia U)
Israel Bonds honors Robert M. Robert M. spires attorney general of tha State of Nebraaka, will raoaiva tha lalaal 40th Aaaiwsaiy of Indapwdwica Award at an • I«aai TrOMite Dinaar in UB hooor, Dae 14, at 6 p.m., at tha Univaraity Chib ia Linoofai.
Spire on tha 40th Anniversary of Statehood of the State of larael." Mr. Grant sakl. "On thia annivsraary, the paraiMctiva of hiatory raquiraa ua to put aside ths trottblea of tha maoMHit to dwail on what laraal h«a Thia annduncamant wis achiavad in thaaa difficult mada by Ovald Grant and and challnfiiQg 40 years, Amliaw OooAiiaii. c» iliaii datpita war, boycott an^ nan of tha Uacobn Canuiittea of Stataaf brail Beida. "Tha prohtMna of tha haur Jiidia NataaDB Krivoaha ahriak aa w« saa how itn wiUba ia aapaeially proud to honor Bobart M. "UMOIB
tbair aayacKy to dahad aa wan aa to
buiM a ttiriving, dy sodaty during tliaae fo crisea-fillad dacadaa. "We celebrate thia niveraary in Lincoln aa maa] and women who have shared, in aoma measure, to dsvalop tha State of laraaL To thia MKL aU pravimu guaata of hoaor aid chairman will (aoaiva 40th Analvwaary SeroUs and be hoaqrad at fiaiidhMghllin I at ths dinner. "Moshs Foau Cooaal of Islaai. win batea IdiMkatha awards." Mr. Grant