903010-00 60 NE3R HISTORICAL SOC ^500 <» ST LINCOLN N£
SEAViNG NEBRASKA AND IOWA i
1920
Vol. IXVH No. 22 Onwlw, Nobr.
24 Shomt, S7S1 FiMiy. ftb. «, 1M1'
Callers raise record $56,707 during Super Sunday campaign By Jill Ktulmer Belmont Ftdentiaa public rdatkins cMociate Last Sunday's Super Sunday phone-a-thon proved to be a record breaker, raising $56,707 for the 1991 UJA/Federation Campaign, accordiog to the event's chsnnen Barry and Judy Sif& "Our original goal was (49,334, but it was obvious early on that we were going to have a great day," Mr. Siff said. "The reoponae from the community was tremendous—our total reflected a 31 percent Increase over 1990, and card for card we saw a 32 percent increase." He added that "our volunteers' enthusiasm was really the hij^ilil^ to me. We had famiWiw, teenagera and senior citizens pai^ tidpating, and ewryoue was sharing and supporting each other. It peraonified everything Judy md I wanted to happen." Over 80 volttateera made calls during the day, Mrs. Siff said, and "their sincerity, their caring, poettive attitudes were instrumental in making this foad^aisar snch a thrilUng Sheri Idalman, who led caller-training sessions prior to each shift, said, "I feel great about the day. Not only were the callers motivated, but the people on the otkv sod of Uw line had their hearts in the light place." A variety of tktors led
Sheri Idefanan, center, aaawara a queetioa Croai Caren Friedman, ML Kdly llchaner. right, is oa the phone. Both giria were voliuteerB for BBYO. many first-time callers to partlcQMte in the phone-athoa this year.
Iliey were very willing to give, many for the first time."
BBYO member Caren Friedman saki^ "helping out Was bnportwtt. to our youtli groigi. 'Di^ladantfoe haa done ao omch fdr ns and we wmted to give something back."
Another firat-time caller, Bitdor Grsenbergi said he participated bee^iiM. "a k»t <^ p«<»ie hamD't been CQotaeted, and Sopar Sunday iaagood vehkte to readb thnn."
Kelly Hchauer, also a BBYO member, agreed, and added that, "with the situatkio in Israd, I wsnted to try to get other people to help out." J<|li Epstein echoed thoee smtJBMwts, saying, "there is an urgent, immediate need of our auMMit in Israel IlMy aera us now more than evw, and maqy of the people I called responded to that jq^gi
Mdbtii Gordon to sp*alc Rabbi Yod Gordoa. a native of Green Bay, Wiac. will be coming to Omaha Feb. 22-24 for Beth El's Torah Weekend. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Rabbi Gordon continued his studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America which granted him both a master of arta degree in Hebrew Utaratura uid rabbinic ordination.
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After graduation, already with many years experiMoe worUag in Jewish education, Rabbi Gordon moved to Loa Angalea where he aerved in various adminiatrativa poaitions at the Loa AngMee Hebrinr High School. In 1978 he returned to the MidWeat u the executive director of the Tahnud Torah of St. Paul,
RabU Yoai Gordon In 1990, Rabbi Gordon left Talmud Torah to devote full time tooonmiet' ing a Ph.D. in "aecond Ianguagea and cultures edu* oatlon" Torah Weekend programming faidudee talks by Rabbi Gordon on Fri> day night and Saturday morning during services and at a breakfast st 10 a.m. on Sunday. All programs are free and open to thepubUc.
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After participating in 14 Super Sundi^y events, Jewish Federation associate director Charlie Epstein sakl this year's effort was "the moat gratifying of aU. The SIffs, their committee and Sheri Idahnan did outstanding jobs, and all of our callers were refreshing, exciting and committed. We coukln't have done this without such marvelous dedication and community spirit."
Sturms donate $50,000 to eBtabllsIn "Immigrant Educational Fund" By Jni Kushner Belmont Federation pabUc relations aaaodate Through the generosity of Donald and Susan Sturm, many of Omaha's Russian Jews will soon have the opportunity to become re-trained in their fields of expertise. The Donald L. Sturm Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the Jewish Federation of Omaha to establish the "Mark and Sophie Sturm Immigrant Educational Fund," in memory of Donald Sturm's father and in honor of his mother. The fund will make available money to Jewish immigrants needing professional or vocational training to make their skills commensurate with American standards, according to Natalie Rubin, Jewish Family Service's Resettlement coordinate. Individuals who qualify will be eli^jilille for up to $6,000 to be used for tuition fe||fe, English latiguagf a^ teemik^l language courses, aa well as other re-training classes. Mr. Sturm explained that the fund was eetablished because "my wife and I felt that the people from Russia needed some transitiai into our capitalistic Mdety, just as my father would have been served by such a program Back then, many inunigrants got stuck in jobs for whidi they were overqualified and in many cases, a lot of their potential was wasted. "We're hoping that
Susan and Donald Storm through this fund, these new members of our community can utilize thdr education and realize their aspiratimis," he said. Mark and Sophie Sturm were bom in Austria and immigrated to the United States in 189S and 1922, respectively, Mr. Sturm said. His father died 30 years ago; his mother, 87, lives in Santa Monica, Calif. "My mother is interested in seeing that resettjad, Rusaians and all immigranta have tbeoiiMr tunity to achieve their potential," he said. "She waa extremefy pleaaed and proud that I would hcmor her and help other peqjtle. "I h(^ this fund will be ongoing and financially suppcnrted by members of our community who want to assure future Jewiah immigrants the opportunity to resume their professional livelihoods." The fund will be administered by a committee comprised of Mr. Sturm, Qkiria Kasbw and Martin Lehr. Their reqponsibilitiea will include sattiag
Sophie Sturm guidelinea for eligibility and allocating the money, Mrs. Kaslow said. She noted that among thofe who will benefit from the fund are doctors, computer programmers, economists, accountants andangbMcrs, alt of whom need to be re-certified or retrained using American technical tCTmiDology. The fund will be used in additkm to Jeirish Family Service's free ESL (English aa a Seeond Lanipiag^ program, whidt provides aighr wesirs cr 80 hoora of Engllah^ lessons, Mrs, Robfeaaid. "If we can provide additional English to these pecyle, that Would be a real plus." She added that "this fund is just wonderful We are very grateful to the Sturma for initiating this and canying it throogfa. Our raeettismsnt program focnaea oa familkw' immediate physkal resettlemeat, and this extra money is the frosting on the cake. "The fund is a godsend to help these people help themselvee.'
'It's A Wrap!' offers fun and excitement By Joanio Jaeobaon Fedaratioa pnbik: relatioaa directar "We worked hard and now it'a time to play hard," said Margo Rfekes, chairman of "It's A Wrapl-a fun-filled pat-onthe-back for workers in the Women's Division of the 1991 UJA/Federation Campaign." The event, marking the official clooe of the women's campaign, will be heU on Feb. 20, at the Jewish Commnnl^ Center bejhaning at 11:46 a.m., and is intended to honor every woman who worked on tlM campaign in any capacity,''Mn. Riakea said. "Whan I accepted the chafrmanahip, I decided from the beginning that this event would be fun, differHtt lad exciting, " Mrs.Riak«i«xpiida«l."It was navor going to be seri-
MaigoRiakee ous. We'd heard speakers throughout the year, but now it was time for the women to feel appreciated and have a great time. "There'll be prisea, games and a light and lovely lunch catered by Hap Abraham and JCC Catering-Boup and salad —elegant but simple. Along with a reprise of 'Wheel of Federation.' the
"Of courae, we wanted afternoon will faatore the ' 1st Annual GokfaB OoUa to keap axpensea at a ndniAwarda,' presented for mum." aha explained. •m««tng feata in fundrais- "The committee did not ing, and named, no less, want to put a drain on the for one of the most out- campaign budget for the standing Jewiah women fa> luncheon. The Federation is not in the antertainment larael's historyl "Of course, we've given buainaaa—it's in the buda new 'twist' to Golda- nees of raising doUara. "However, It'a imporshe's replaced the 'Oscsr' in Omaha—and with Rini tant we eome together," Gonahar as 'MC,' we're ex- she nonitotod. "-that'a cited shout revealing the what the Fedaratkm Is all winners in sll 12 categor- about. We are woman iri>o tea as well ss awarding have worked for the same door prizes throughout the cauae and can IM good about our aftorta. now, afternoon. "I have a terrific com- it'a time to cekrinta." Aaae Brodar and Jutae mittee," she continued. "Carole Greenberg has Kattmaa. co^hatrasa of done an ezoallsnt job hi the Women's Division, deeigning a very upbeat praised Mrs. Riekaa and invitatka and creating the all woman of the Omaha< actual'OoUa'itaelf. Other Jewiah wwmuwily for out- memben are bu«y making "TUa avant wu origicenterpieoea and securing wonderful priasa ht the (oontinued on paga 8) day.
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