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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 ; Vol. LXVI No. 53 Omaha, Nabr.
Temple Israel offers position clarification Editor's Note: Temple Israel was mentioned in last week's story about the Esther and Dan Gordman gift to establish a new education wing on the Jewish Commnnlty Center campus. The following letter from Temple Israel President James Farber is intended to clarify Temple's position on this proposal. I congratulate the Federation and the Bureau of Jewish Education for achieving this milestone in creation of a Center for Jewish Education, and Esther and Dan Gordman and their family for the extraordinary gift initiating the project. An impression was left in a statement in the last paragraph of the announcement story that needs clari^cation. It states: "Discussions are continuing with the boards of Temple Israel and the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society concerning their participation in the new shared educational facility." In the early days of this undertaking. Temple Israel made it known that space needs for religious education of our students is not a problem for us and we advocate religious school education at the Temple to encourage a strong physical and spiritual connection with Temple Israel during the formative years. However, because of its commimitywide impact, we felt a closer look at the proposal was warranted. In late 1988, Dr. Larry Roffman chaired a committee to explore the issues. On March 8,1989, Jay Lemer, chairman of the Planning and Evaluation Committee and vice president of the Federation, was invited to attend Temple's regular monthly board meeting. He discussed the Federation's reasons for studying the concept of a Community Education Facility. After his presentation, Dr. Hoffman's conunittee report was given and the following motion was approved by the board: "... Temple Israel shall be an integral part of ^planning, formulation and supervision of policy, and the administration of any community education building built by the Jewish Federation of Omaha..." The motion went on to say that Temple is will'ing to explore cooperative ventures but has no plans, as an institution, to be financially involved. President Mel Epstein subsequently communicated this policy statement to the Bureau of Jewish Education and to the consultant conducting the Needs Asessment Study. Our pcdicy has been in place as stated above. The article implies hesitation on our part to endorse this concept. That is not the case. For 117 years, Templa Israel has been a responsible participant in community-wide affairs and will continue to be so in the future. James A. Farber, president Temple Israel
i Former Omahan to speak at Temple Rabbi R^ Perimeter faith and heaHh conrill be the pulpit guest cerns, a Temple spokespeaker at Temple Israel nian said, and he is an acD Sept. 8. tive participant in these A former Omahan, areas m his community. ,abbi Perhneter, is a Phi Temple invites the eta Kappa graduate of Hnceton University and community to attend the graduate of the Hebrew 8:16 service and hear fnion College^Iewish In- Rabbi Perhnetar. Rabbi Perlmetar and dtute of Religion. He is le rabbi at Temple Is- his wife, Rabbi Rachel Hertznuu^ reside in Mitel of Greater Miami. Rabbi Perimeter's spe- ami Beach with their ll interests are inter- daughter, Jacqueline.
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Gordman, Newman, Cooper, Goldstein to lead 1990 Federation Campaign
Murray H. Newman By Joanie Jacobson Federation public relations director Leadership for the 1990 UJA/Federation Campaign, the major fundraising effort by the Jewish Federation of Omaha to benefit the entire Jewish community, was officially aimounced by Saranne Gitnick, Federation president. Robert Gordman and Murray Hi Newman have l)een named chairmen of the Men's Division. Cheryl Cooper and Ann Goldstein will lead the Women's Division. "This is not the Federation's campaign," said Mr. Gordman, "it's the Jewish community's campaign. Unfortunately, this is the year our community will have to come face-to-face with a financial crunch that we have allowed to exist for a number of years. "The lack of sufficient campaign dollars has been shrouded by the use of reserve funds and a modification in allocations, both of which no longer can continue to be our policy if ws kre to remain a viable Jewish community in this country. Simply, we no longer can afford the level of Jewish services and programs we have provided ourselves in the past. "In light of the problem, we will make an extraordinary effort to connect the campaign to the good that it does," he continued. "We'll introduce people it helps and shovcaae some of the benefits we receive as a community and as individuals." Mr. Newman 'explainad, "We've been putting off the inevitable. There are no more free rides, no more idle threats. Ws have to
Robert Gordman make it our business to understand what the Federation campaign m^ans to this community and accept full responsibility for our welfare and our future. "The question for 1990 is, 'If Not You, WHO?' Who will provide for us if we don't provide for ourselves?" "We hope to generate conversation," said Mrs. Goldstein. "We want people to clearly understand the problem, talk about it, and be part of the solution. We want them to visit Israel, hear Jewish leaders of other communities and see the bigger picture of where we stand. "Every year, we come back with new ideas from the UJA Midwest Leadership Conference," she continued. "Last year, we implem^pted the Lion of Judah division (honoring any woman who makes an individual gift of $5,000 or more to the campaign), and we sent Omaha Jewish women on a mission to Israel. "This year, we want to build on that—to add to it." Mrs. Cooper explained that both the men's and women's divisions will initiate the Fly-In SoliciUtion Program. "As chai^ men, we know it's critically important for key Jewish leaders in this community to meet informed and committed Jewish leaders from the national and international Jewish community. It gives us perspective. It makes us smarter. "We'll also work in cooperation with the men's division to sponsman Omaha Community Misdra to Israel in January," she added. "To withdraw support from
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Ann Goldstein
Cheryl Cooper
Israel is just what much of the world would like us to do. Israel needs us now more than ever, and we need her." Mr. Gordman announced the Men's Division will establish a chapter of the Maimonides Society "in an effort to more directly involve Jewish medical professionals in the general well-being of our community. We need these talented and capable people to come forward for the good of us all," he said. "In general, over the last couple of decades, people in the Omaha Jewish community have been insulated from the reality of their need to give at an appropriate level," he added. "A number of very large gifts has taken the pressure off the general community to give appropri-
ately. Now, we've lost some of those gifts, primarily due to death, and we will lose more." "Time is running out," reiterated Mr. Newman. "Meaningful programs will be eliminated that will affect us all. Hopefully, it won't have to come to that before people believe we no longer have the necessary funds on-hand. "For our own sake, we have to respond generously to a new decade and new challenges. We're writing history. I hope people know that."
Life after death? See page 10
Jerome Gleekel will speak at Women's Bonds luncheon Jerome Gleekel, an authority on Israel, the Middle East and Arab politics, will speak at the gala champagne luncheon honoring Merriara Cooperman on Sept. 13, noon, at the Plaza Theater, Peony Park. His involvement in Israel's cause pre-dates the establishment of the St^te of Israel and began in 1933 when he joineii the Hechalutz movement for migration and settlement in Palestine. Mr, Gleekel has traveled throughout the Middle East. He has had extensive conversations with Arab mayors in Israel and with leaders in refugee camps in the region. He maintainB contact with Israeli political.
Jerome GInckel military and government officials, and is a wellinformed observer of events in that part of the workl, a Bond spokesman told the Jawisk Press. Reservations may be made by calling the Bond offics, 341-1177.