SERVING NEBRASKA AND IQWA SINCE 1920
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Vol. LXVI No. 23 Omaha, Nabr.
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Women will Initiate new training format By Joanie Jacobaoa FedetatioD public relations director Patty Nogg and Jan Perelman, members of the 1089 Women's Campaign Cabinet of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, announced that a new and innovative format would be featured at the Worker Briefing on Feb. 6, at the home of Suaie Silver. Mrs. Nogg and Mrs. Perelman, co-chairmen of the briefing,' emphasized the new format was created in response to suggestions from women in the Omaha Jewish community. "They wanted a more personal approach in a shorter period of time," explained Mrs. Perelman. "The briefing will be more like a friendly conversation than a meeting. We'll talk, we'll listen and we'll ask questions. We'll exchange ideas and be able to respond to the facts. t's a chance to really understand the story—what are the specific needs of the Federation and what is its potential for the future?" "We're giving the women what they want," said Mrs. Nogg, "—information that directly affects their lives— as members of this community, as Jewish parents, fJewish singles, working people and retired people. We want to hit them where they live. We want to learn from problema in the past."
Patty Nogg Mrs. Nogg explained there are two aeavione being offered, one in the morning and one in the evening. Each worker will attend the seaaion moat convenient for her. "We're busy people with busy lives," she continued, "but we have an important job to do. I respect the fact that some of these women have worked on Campaign year after year. They obviously care or they wouldn't do it. But some are con-
vinced they've heard it all and know it all. "Times change and our needs are different every year. To say the same thing year after year is a waste of time for all of us. The new format provides an easy way to stay 'current' and become more confidei)t fundraisers. "Unless you've been to Israel it's hard to undentan^. ail of Israel's needa," said Mra Nogg, "but k>cal needs affect our daily lives. We think a warm and personal approach to a worker briefing—one that's community oriented and presented in an intimate setting, is the answer." "Our goal is to supply the tools to do the job and make it count," added Mrs. Perelmab. "It's not a goal just for this year but, hopefully, for every year. "We've been persistent in our efforts," she noted. "Patty and I have made personal phone calls to explain the new format and encourage our workers to give it a try. We feel the concept is worth it and the results are that crucial." "In accepting this chairmanship, we both made a personal commitment," said Mrs. Nogg, "—to make this event meaningful for us and for every woman working on the Campaign."
JCC theater director combines two passions: drama and America By JoDi Woli Ah've gotta ron to rekuhsal now. G'boy luv!" By now. most Jewish Community Center members have aeen Andy Stevenson. And they remeinber him: the guy with the British accent who's always running somewhare. The 25-year-old was hired >y tlie JCC out of graduate ichool last summer to ^tart a JawiBh theater pro |ram which had baan dornant for two yaora. Tlia theiter hadn't been properly laiataiaed for 10 years. Ihere was no audience and ttle equipment. Mr. Stefeooon lobbied three comtitteea, finally getting 17,000 from the Jewish ederation for rigging, ghta and curtains. He was but, "I fael. in a that I'm now five out on a branch and a It of people are hoUinc iwa. However, if 1 puil it If, the opportunity is Stavanaon'a faacitkiaga Amari|w from watchjag tal^ and movlaa. His bva
Marvin Poiikov
Richard Jacobsoa
Men's divisions to liost Dr. Ellen Cannon By Joanie Jaoobson Federation pubUc relations director Dr. Elton Cannon, political analyst and noted lecturer, will return to Omaha on Feb. 16;. to speak at a dinner and discussion sponsored by the Men's C«mpaign of the Jewiah Federation of Omaha. "Power . . . Politics . . . and the Jewish Agenda" will be presented to the men of Divisions 12 and 13, at the Highland Country Club beginning at 6:30 p.m.; dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Ricbord Jacobson, Steve Nogg and Marvin Poiikov are cochairmen. "Ellen Cannon has spoken to our community twice before," noted Mr. Nogg, "and the reports indicate she really has a message and she's very good at conveying that message. She's been 'inspirational' to Omaha Jewish audiencesmen and women, and numerous people have commented it was well worth their time to listen to her." Mr. Poiikov stressed the value of information. "Being informed is probably one of the most important Utings a Jewish cooomunity can be," he said. "We have to know what's going on. It's our responsibility. We owe it to ourselves and our families.
University of Kansas working on a master's degree in theater. Then came toe theater director's opening in Omaha. ' "My goal is to have the theater dark as Uttle as possible. Our theater should be one of the most thriving, active, exciting placaa to be, not only in the Jewiah community, but in Omaha itsatl." Mr. StavensoD fonaeae an evantual Uiaatar year of four BorLyadaFMak to five shows, plua touring "It uaad to ba 90 percent companies and outside boolungs. liVst, the "Thea- of Jewiah children received ter at the J" must have "an aoma form of Jewiah educaidentity. It's dear we ore a i tion. Now only 60 paroaat Jawiob thaatar, b)it defini- ore receiving it," Dr. Ron UooB of what a Jawiah tba- WOUMW, diiwctor of uaivar atar ia ean be quite tridty sity relatkNia aod afaociated and a«a laoad oy Jawlsh profasaea of edkwatiott afr UM thaatan acmaa tiia coun- Univaraity of Judaiaai^ in Loa AaMtoa, said laal anaktry,'* aaid llr. Stavensoo. "la a play by a Jawiah endin Oataha. Or. WolfooD. who tfkvela pivmijitoo a wmrjnoah thttna material for a Jawlsh acroaa tba country teaching Utaatac? la a play by a Dflo- {amiUaa how to ba more JawMt fkuwri^ on a Jaw JawialK waa Uw guaat laciah thainaf Pv I uaa only tunr lor the aaouat Kallab WaeMndnawmnad by tha Jewish tBttmV' Th» thmtm'u flret "saa- Jawiah Cultucal Arta •on" ia two shows—"Big CoUBCiL Oarridayalghthaspoka (CoatlaiMd oa P^e 81
"I don't want anyone to think this dinner will be a long evening of high-pressure fundraising. On the contrary, the evening, with the^ he^ of Dr. Cannon, pronuses to deliver two hours of the most valuable, thought-provoking, eyeopening discussion a Jew "fhiotiM hear." IH. Cannon first spoke in Omaha last February at another Men's Division dinner and program Bob Gordman was divisional chairman; Paul Epstein was dinner chairman. "The response to BUen Cannon was phenomenal," said Mr. Epstein. "She was a very knowledgeable, very exciting spe^er," adttod Mr. Gordman. Last November, Dr. Cannon was invited to be the featured speaker for the Women's Chai/Grand Gifts Division appreciation luncheoa Judy Brodaky and Joo di Veitzer were co^hairmen of the event. '' Whatever you think you know about politics and its effect on the Jewish community ... consider it kindergerten information," said Mrs. Brodsky. "Hearing EUen Cannon is like getting your PhD. "She kept everyone on the edge of their chair. There wasn't a bored face in the group. No one yawned, and
no one looked at their watch. "She's extremely organized >» ^ thoughts," said Mrs. Biodaky. "She takes you from the begining of an issue to its end. Sbe's ri^ionaL She offers alternatives. She givee you things you can do on a personal level—things you can realistically accomplish that will make a difference. If anyone in this community— man or woman—passes up the q;>portuiuty to hear what Ellen Cannon has to say about being Jewish and living in this world, they're miiming sometBii>g vitally important to their lives." Mr. Jacobsob, co-chairman of his division with Mr. Nogg, emphasized the need for unity. "We can't be divided," he said. "Considering the current issues of today and the problems facing Jews all over the work), we need to be unifieil and we need to know the facts. "The more you know about something—for example, the more you understand about the importance of a Jewish organization like the Federation—the more comfortable you feel about giving. That's what this whole thing is aboutfeeling comfortable about giving your time and money to benefit all of the Jewish conuuunity."
JCAC speaker helps families focus on living Jewishly
Aady Steveaaon for drama was only natural as he tagged aioacwiti'> ^ porenta to "soiaa of tba beet thaatar in the watld" in London. Hii home suburb of Eltbam olferad 10 years of expariaoce lo "gang shows.' "Tbey were variety sbows, really. Tha Britiali equlvaf laot of U80) aacapt doM by Boy Soouts," His tirat Am^ftoaa vlait came in higK achool Two more exchajige opportunitiaa came in eolwga and graduata school Hb spent on* year at the Uaivaraity a( Califomia, SanU Barbara, and two yaira at the - -iiJ^LC •it^SBT-iy '.V .i
Dr. Roa WoMaoa U> over 150 at Bath Ivaal. addraeaing tha topk "ObswviiifSbBitbatoMnMt'alta Miaamag (or ' Modaro Pr. WoUaoB nailBiMiad about hia upbrimcbig In
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Omaha and how his o«i family obaarvad every Friday. He toU of get*^ ting home one Friday and luisaing Shabbat dinnar. His fatnaraxplaiBed to him how important it was to have this special tioM once a weak for averyooa I togather snd how bia( who waa in the i^ naaa. bad arranged to hav eveiy FHdny ni^offkoi; . ebrata Sbabbat. This left an iffiKamioo Oft tba . WqttM, who naw stu ham iha dyMunka of fantity inpaets on Ju Ha alw «aiatad how hl£9 (teightar ihowad him the • (Cowtbmadoa'PageT) j^MBirraB^'l lii»V-^- 'WBI LT.-!