ilewish Press Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Vol. LXX No. 10 Omaha
2 KISLEV. 5753 Friday, Novel
Political science professor warns of Iran's military
Pope condemns anti-Semitism
Jews urge resettlei of Yugoslav refugl By Cynthia Mann States News Service
By Ruth E. Gruber
Prom left, Zoe Rlekes, Dr. Janice Stein, Sharon Kooper By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director A political science proTessor at the University of Toronto warned of Iran's growing military strength during a Federation Campaign luncheon at the Highland Country Club last week. Or. Janice Stein, a consultant on Middle East peace negotiations for the U.S. State Department, spoke to women of the Lion of Judah, Double Chai and Chai Grand Gifts Division of the Womeh's 1993 UJA/ Federation Campaign. Sharon Kooper served as chairman of the event. Dr. Stein said that tl\e Middle East i? involved in the most intense arms race in histofy. "In three years, Iran will have enough military strength to close the Persian Gulf She said also that Syria has Scud missiles that can carry chemical warheads and possess the accuracy and range Co reach any target in Israel. "Hie large oil producing countries have no ability to defend tliemselves, and the only solution tn their iMcurity problems is the United Sutea," Dr. Stoln asMtted. She added that tlie crilU in water ahortagea ia pushing BU partita to the
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peace table because they all understand that the only solution is a regional solution. Dr. Stein who has worked personally with Prime Minister Rabin said "He is exactly the right person at exactly the right time. He understands the big picture.... We must avoid another devastating war that would decimate another generation of young Israelis." "Rabin is'committed to reaching a peace agreement within 18 mont^js,' she added. Zoe Riekes, chairman of Women's Division, noted that the Women's Division raised 20 per cent of the $2.6 million donated in the 1992 campaign. "You ladies turn promises, into realities, locally sponsoring such programs as Meals-onWlieels, child care, counseling, assistance for the elderly and Soviet resettlement. In addition, Jews Around the world b«;nefit from our dollars." Bobbie Epstein, Uon of Judah'chairman, presented seven new Lion of Judah members saying, *It Just gets better and better in this community, and the women of Omaha have reeponded again.*
Edward Idris Cassidy, president,of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, also were in attendance. Bronfman was in Rome in his dual role as head of the WJC and , esident of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations. He was on hand when WJC honorary vice president Gerhart Rie jner was awarded a Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his 50 years of commitment to interreligious dialogue. Bronfman indicated that moves were under way to coordinate a concrete religious response to current manifestation of hatred and prejudice — not just anti-Semitism — b^ leaders of various faiths, but he declined to go into specifics.
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WASHINGTON (JTA) - The Ameri Committee has urged President Bush t( emergency and resettle' at least 25,00C refugees from the war-torn former rct/uoucs oi Yugoslavila. "As Jews, we feel we are reliving a nightmare" with the situation' in Bosnia-Herzegovina, AJCommittee President Alfred Moses and David Singer, the group's executive vice president, wrote in a letter to Bush. "As a community dedicated to preserving tlie memory and lessons of the Holocaust, we cannot remain silent while a portion of Europe again descends into massive displacement, detdention and killing of targeted ethnic or religious groups," they wrote. The AJCommittee letter is the latest action in a campaign being waged throughout the organized Jewish community to press the United States to take tougher measures against Serbain atrocities and to provide humanitarian aid to the victims. Perhaps the most dramatic action was the evacuation by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee of 350 Jewish, Moslem, Serbian and Croatian refugees from Sangevo. Bosnia's ambassador to the United Nations wrote a letter to The New York Times in which he praised the Jewish community's response to the crisis. Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey said many Jewish organizations had been "at the forefront in breaking the silence" with "calls for more resolute action." Sacirbey wrote the letter in response to a Nov. 9 New York Times column by Flora Lewis that proclaimed world Jewry had a "special responsibility" to respond.
90th birthday
Charlee Fellmnn celebrated his 90th birthday laat week at Beth El Synagogue In the company of hia slater, four brothers, eons and other Pellman relatives from throughout the country. The Fellman albllnge are the ehlldren of Gerahon and Brendel Fellman. Pictured are (from left) Joe Fellman of Dallas; Prof. David Fellman of Madison, Wis.) Charlie; Sarah Henoch of Kecondida, Calif.; Dr. Abe Fellman of San Diego; and Harry Fellman of San Diego.
Medical professor speaks on Jewish ethics .J
^^ IMtormh VvUmmn Modem medical technology has enabled doctors to help InfcrtUe eouplaa conceive, terailnallyUl patiahts die earlier, and people who dislike their bodv shapes to change them surgically. ' But are thaee procedurai ethical? Dr. Fred Rosnar, assistant dean and professor of m«trt""'" -' *t»—•• Pi^.t-.i" '"Urge of Medicine at Yfi iibbis' and Jewish SCIHM'II') II(MIIII'III nil viir... iiHiut-i, iH thrce lectures at Beth Israel Synagogue and Temple Israel. A surv:— *• *Se Holocaust who f1»d Berlin as a young c) unar iraduated fVom live Talmudic Academy, T< iid Albert Kinsteln ^College of Me*! '< b^k aald rabtus umi Juwiuii sthulani would have the ^^Hwdag opinions on modvm nwHltral liilvinmas. *Abor< |*Abo IpNfnmvj
VATICAN CITY (JTA) — Pope John Paul II opened a half-hour audience with Edgar Bronf-'man, president of the World Jewish Congress, by condemning antiSemit'sm. They discussed issues ranging from Vatican relations with Israel to a condemnation of antiSemitism. Bronfman said he presented the pope with a copy of the Declaration of Tolerance, written by Elie Wiesel and to date signed by about 65 heads of state, which the pope indicated he was anxious to sign. Bronfman said that during the audience he raised the possibility of the pope going to Washington for the inauguration of the new Holocaust Museum and Memorial in April, a ceremony also to be attendee^ by, fiew President Bill CttaMtt. He also raised ttie possibility of the pope accepting Israeli Foreign Minister Yitthak Peres' recent invitation to visit Israel. They also discussed the continuing progress on the hew Carmelite convent that will replace the one at Au8chwit«. . Bronfman said he "acknowledged with gratitude," the pope's stand on the issue. The pope told Bronfman that everything was on track for the construction of the new convent apd the nuns will be moving into the new building as soon as it is nnlahed. "It was a great honor and an enormous privl.lege" to have the audience, Bronfhtan told reporters afterward. Israel Singer, secretary of the WJC, and Cardinal
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physical or emotional health of the pregnant woman woman, phone numbers numbers. In such case*, abortion Is required because the life of *AIDSt Though the rabbis end scholars condemn the woman takes precedence over the life of the letus. many behaviors that spread the AIDS virus, Including 'Coametlo eturgaryt Becauae of a ban on intention- honMeeatialtty, drug use and proetltution, Dr. Rosner ally wounding or cutting one's body, cosmetic surgery said, AIDS patlenU should not be oati^clied. Doctors is uittally not aUowed. But if the surgery ii neoeauiy mait make tyr^ nrrnrt to eurt and treat tha diMase for peychiatric reasons, then rabbis may allow it. For and rabbis example, some rabbis have condoned nose Jobs for visit AIDS pniKiiiH (iH ihey wouM visit any other'pa«! some teenaged girls who were "convinced that they tienu. Mefiey should be set aside speeifleally for were ugly and couldnt (yinctlon at school* because they reeearch, he said were obeeeaed wltl> their noaee. Dr. Roener said. *Aaele«ing euicidee. n \h ifon 'OrgMi donatl'v tible to save any specific mous machinn does, is n< ,,ii>- A. . .led, person's life, hut i i« desecration, the hndy imid docshould I y III rvlripve ussblv orf; • <> Rskmg Rosner » iggDRta thnt tn avoid th«< ' Civ autopsy often msncbile*! cards, Jews siiould a* posalblv not sign general nrgan >\rds. Rsther, they minutes aws.\ "K lUj shouM carry cards that stale that organs will be donat- hasten their death, that's murder. morally sfieaking,' ed with tht* rtitiiwnt nf n iipnuiu< nr (uininl irivini> Hiirli he said.
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