SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920 14 Tlihri, 5750 Friday, October 13,1989
Vol. LXVII No. 3 Omaha, Nebr.
Coopermans pledge $200,000 for new Beth El building The community's problem
rhe future of Jewish Omaha
By Margo Riekes, president, Bureau of Jewish Education, and Marvin Poliliov, president, Jewish Community Center Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of-articles outlining the financial crunch facing the Jewish Community of Omaha over the next few years and explaining what must be done to secure the continuing enjoyment of our Jewish programs and services. In a recent meeting of the Jewish Federation of Omaha agency presidents with Federation President Saranne Gitnick, a discussion took place regarding budgeting procedures for 1990. Present at this meeting were: presidents—Marvin Polikov, JCC; Gloria Kaslow, Library; Oliver Pollak, Jewish Press; Fritz ~C8S8Mfla,"ADL/CRC; Ma^ go Riekes, Bureau of Jewish Education; Steve Redler. Bureau for tlie Aging; Howard Epstein, Jewish Family Service; all of the agency directors and the Federation director Howard Bloom, and Charlie Epstein, Federation associate director. It was the consensus of the group that it would be worthwhile to share an overview of the discussion with the entire community. All of the agencies and the Federation are being faced with a critical problem. Omaha's annual Federation campaign and endowment income does not raise enough dollars to cover the current expenses pf operating our Jewish
community campus and programs. We have become a full-service community which offers programs and services spaiming the life cycle. The presidents agreed that we have tried to meet the needs of the Omaha Jewish community but may not be able to continue to successfully maintain the high level of service to which this community has become accustonted. Although each year Omaha has had a campaign that has raised more dollars than the previous year's campaign, the additional dollars are not enough to cover inflation and to also continue program services and to maintain the campus. According to Howard Bloom, executive director of the Federation, "In inflation adjusted dollars, our «ampaigB hasn't raised any more money than it did in 1974. As we move into the 90's, we are faced with the same purchasing power we had 15 years ago but we have many more things that we have to buy." "Part of the reason for this is that the laaders feel they have not educated and motivated the community sufficiently to identify the needs and understand the problems," stated Marvin Polikov, JCC president. "We realize there has to be an increased effort to communicate, educate and inform thacommunity at large so everyone can identify with the problems and feel the same urgency that the agency presidents feel."
"Omaha has always had a history of rising up and meeting a need when deeply felt," said Mrs. Gitnick, Federation president. "This could be seen when we built a new JCC and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, when we helped resettle Soviet and Ethiopian Jews, and when we supported Israel with additional dollars during the Six Day War in 1%7 and. the Yom Kippur War in 1973. "The need to continue to sustain Jewish life in Omaha through the prograins and services offered by the Federation and its agencies is crucial. It is our community's investment in Jewish life and in the hope for a viable Jewish community in the future."
Israel-Egypt in agreement By Hugh Orgel TEL AVIV (JTA) - Israel and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote industrial cooperationbetween the two countries. The agreement is expected to result in , stronger economic ties between the two countries in the coming months, especially in agriculture. The memorandum was signed in Cairo by the director general of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dessouki, and Uzi Netanel, outgoing chairman of the Israel Manufacturers Association, who headed a delegation of Israeli businessmen and industrialists visiting the Egyptian capital.
"This is just another example of the Cooperman's generosity in supporting many worthwhile causes in our conununity," Ray Goldstein, synagogue president, said. "They have a long and distinguished history of playing an active role in a wide variety of endeavors in our tity," he said. Merriam Cooperman The Beth El Building Fund Drive received another significant shot in the arm toward the attainment of its goal with the announcement this week of a major gift. Merriam and Harold Cooperman have pledged the sum of $200,000 for this drive, which represents the second largest gift in this campaign to date. The pledge of the Robert Feinberg family, announced last May, is the only gift, which surpasses the Cooperman's. "Merriam and I were members of Beth El before our present synagogue was built," Mr. Cooperman said. "We were mar-
The Cooperman's have been active supporters of the B'nai B'rith, Jewish Federation of Omaha, Israel Bonds, Anti-Defamation League, Masonic Temple Shriners, 40 and 8, Open Door Missioii, The Salvation Army and more. •V-
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"I hope this wonderful gift will encourage other members of our congregation who have been watch-, ing and waiting on the sidelines, to now join with us in realizing our goal," Mr. GoWstein said. "This has been a grass roots, broad-baaed fund drive in our congregation and our building plans are realistic and representative of our members and our tradition," he concluded.
Women's Cabinet members highlight 1990 Campaign
By Jan Perelman Women's division publicity chairman The UJA/Federation Campaign is about more than just raising dollars, according to Anne Broder and Julae Katzman, chairmen-elect of the 1990 Women's Division. "Keeping the community informed and building upon strong Jewish commitment are ke^ responsibilities of the mdividuals involved in a successful campaign," says Mrs. Katzman. "We generally think in terms of aijnpk card distribution and solicitation, when what is also very important is the transferring of information to the women of our community." "The bottom line is that volunteers become iwponsible for assisting staff in the areas of personnel, publicity and educational training," adds Mrs. Broder. Jan Schneiderman, cabinet member-at-large, heads up a new committee called "Special Solidtation." NW IhwM«lt« INvlaioa Tara UMIWI (froa Mt) Robwt Epirtab. Howa^ "This committee was MttnlHdl KwluMr, Tom faUmaa, MkhMl Enaan, Joe Emuui, Jerry MUdar aad put together with the sole DOMU Y4I. Not ptetwwi: Ltomui Uwia.
Leading the Pacesetters
Harold Cooperman ried by Rabbi Goldstein in 1938 and have always had a strong tie to the congregation," he added. Mr. Cooperman is president of No Frills Supermarkets, chairman of the board of River City Bank and board chairman of the United A-G Food CoSperative. ^. "The good Lord has looked kindly on us and allowed us to be able to make this size of a contribution," Mr. Cooperman stated. "We know the new synagogue building will stand for years to come and continue to serve our children, grandchildren and the many more generations to follow," he continued.
Anne Broder purpose of reaching out on a one-to-one basis," says Mrs. Schneiderman. "A select group of solicitors has been specially trained by our UJA Community Liaison, Sandra Lippy of Warren, Ohio. Each woman will chooee at least one individual she would like to meet with, person-to-person, to discuss her 1990 pledge. "Solicitation is not a punishment; it is a way of communicating," says Mrs. Schneiderman. "Solicitors need to be motivators and educators to get major pledge increasai. "I accepted tUapodtioa because I believe that (or this Jewish oommunity to perpetuate itself, it must
Julee Katzman continue to offer and expand upon existing services. But, we can't do this without the money. "My feelings for this community run deep," she continues. "It is very important for my family, (Continued from Page 1)
On TV A television interview with Omahan Phil Sokoloff is scheduled for pnaantatioo Sunday at 1 p.m. on Channel 7 during Ufaatylee of the Rkhaad Pamoiaa.
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