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'Get us the hell out of here—fasti'
By Morris Maline ote: In late October, I had the opportunity to accompany Shirley Goldstein and Ruth Potash of the Omaha Soviet Jewry Committee to the Soviet Union where we joined with more than 60 other members of the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews in an unprecedented 11-day visit with Soviet Jews. This is the first in a series of reports.
A young Soviet Jpw who is married with young children crystallized my thoughts during a recent 11-day trip to that country.. Mark M. Kotlyar of Kiev was on a tour bus in Moscow when we struck up a conversation and he said: "Your slogan is 'Let My People Go'... Ours is 'Get us the hell out of here fast.' " I used his slogan as the introduction to this series of articles because I believe there is an urgency now that did not exist a few years ago. The economic situation in Moscow, Leningrad, and Riga, the capital of Latvia, can only be described as deplorable and getting worse—not better. Reports obtained from other cities indicate the situation is as bad if not worse elsewhere as well. Historic anti-Semitism . And given the Soviet Union's historic tradition of anti-Semitism, one can only conclude that the past will repeat itself, that severe economic conditions for the general Soviet population will translate itself into actions against the Jews. But all in this report is not doom and gloom. There's an emergence of Jewish culture and Jewish pride that is new. In this and future reports, you will have an Opportunity to see the celebration of Simchat Torah ia Moscow, open meetings with Refuseniks in Leningrad and Moscow along with a fully-operative Jewish Day School in Riga. Also, there will be photo coverage of memorials dedicated to a concentration camp, the killing field at Rumbula, the blasphemous fire-murder at the Choral Synagogue, the continuity of Jewish prayer at a small synagogue in the Ukraine, and the formation of the Israel-Latviaii Frieadship Society. Before emboildng on toe trip, I was prepared to see the long lines at the stores and the emergence of antiSemitic activities that I had read or hei^ about. I was unprepared for the intensity.
Foundation to honor Mort Trachtenbarg Mort Trachtenbarg, the first chairman of the Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, has been named to receive the 1969 Endowment Achievement Award. The award, nomination for which comes from the Foundation Board of Trustees, is preeanted annually to an individual who, through "leadership, vision and dedication, has Mort Trachtenbarg bten most instrumental in the successful growth of the Investment Comthe Foundation's Endow- mittee. ment Fund." According to the citaFormal announcement run ^^ the th< award will take tion, Mr. Trachtenbarg is at the Council of "a dedicated and commit'ewish Federations Gen- ted community leader, he ^9ewisl eral Assembly late this continues to give unselfmrath. A preMatation will ishly of his time and talent ba made locally at the next in helping the Foundation Federation annual meet- achieve its goals." ing. In additkm to his service A Certified Public Ac- on the Foundation Board, ^^wntant, Mr. Trachten- Mr. Trachtenbarg is a patft ^Hprg MTves on the Pou» pretklent of th« Federa^^•tion's Professional tioo and a current member of iU Board of Directors.
Jewish Boya Choir performs at Moscow Synagogue. The long lines are there and they are getting longer. Elderly men and women line up long before the stores open and stand in the cold and the rain and now the snow. Little to buy When they get into the shops, there is little that they can buy beyond the basic food and clothing necessities. Most of the good food and quahty merchandise either is exported or put up for sale in stores catering to hard currency (which Soviet citizens are not allowed to have). Soviets line up for everything. At 6:15 in the morning, I saw at least 50 men and women waiting in the cold for a newspaper stand to open. They wait outside restaurants and often see scores of tourists being escorted in without waiting. Hard currency talks in the Soviet Union. The economic situation has turned the nation into one
massive black market. It is impossible for a visitor to the Soviet Union to walk the streets, ride an elevator or take a subway without being confronted by someone asking: "Change money?," or "Buy watch, hat, caviar?" Riding along with the failing economy and the new (Continued on Page 4)
Veterans honored In honor of Veterans Day, this week's Jewish Press features pictures of veterans which were not available for use in the Rosh Hashanah issue.
Omahans sign up for Mission to Israel By Joanie Jacobson Federation public relations director Sandy and Paul Epstein, chairmen of the Omaha Community Mission to Israel, Jan. 14-24, 1990, reported that, to date, 10 Omahans will be joining them on the trip to the Jewish homeland. They'are Suaan and Marvin Cohn, Cheryl and Ron Cooper, Ann and Donald Goldstein, Ellie Penner, Susan Silver and Janis and Donald Yale. "The fii|ial deadline for registration is not yatH Dec. 1," said Mrs. Epstein, "so there's still time to reconsid^ and come along. Paul and I wouM be happy to talk to anyone who might be interested in going. There's nothing like seeing Israel on a UJA Mr. Epstain explained
that the Omaha group will be traveling with a larger delegation from the Midweat "It's a tnoiandous ofiportunity to aaa Israel,
mast aome great poopia.
rediscover your heritage in an unforgettable way and all at a very affordable price, thanks to UJA and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.'
The Omaha Conmiunity Mission is available to contributors of $ 1,000 or more to the 1990 UJA/Federation Campaign. The cost of the mission is $875 for each participant (double occupancy!, with a $500 subsidy from UJA and an additional $500 subsidy from the Federation. "It's a great itinerary," remarked Mrs. Cohn, "— that's what's going to be so much fun. I love archaeology, and we're scheduled to go on a dig. I'm very interested in meeting the Israeli people. I 've heard so many things about them ... I just want to see for myself. 1 want to see jthe homeland.' We're going to have a great time." For information, contact Sandy or Paul Epstein, 397-2528, or Ellie Pennar at the Federation office, 334-8200, Bxt. 264
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