."Ear.^^Mj^rtfr?^-----
^i^'iS; •^tlSSifwii..i
ewish Press
Sening Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920 Vol. LXX No. 11 Omaha
9 KISLEV. 5753 Friday. Decemh
NCSJ chairman speaks at Federation event
From left ar* Harley Schrager, Richard Wexler a|Md Howard Kooper.
Russians hold hearing on anti-Semitism By Alexander Lesser
Article 74 of the Russian Criminal Code, which r MOSCOW (JTA) — For prohibits incitement of the first time ever, a com- racial and ethnic tensioti. Sonie of those present inittee of Russia's legislature has conducted an expressed disappointment official hearing on the at the small turnout for problem of anti-Semitism the hearing. "Only five of the comin the aJUntry. The Supreme Soviet's mittee's 12 members Committee on Hliman showed up and not many Rights heard five hours of journalists. But when the testimony on past and far right calls a press conpresent manifestations of ference, the press flocks to it" lamented Mikhail anti-Jewish hatred. Amohg those testifying Molostvov of St. Peterswere Mikhail Chlenov, co- burg, a one-time dissident chairman of the Vaad, the who is now a member of .main umbrella group of the Congress orPeople'i^ Jewish organizations in Deputies. Others attributed the the former Soviet Union; noted Moscow lawyer low turnout to the fact Ganrik Reinik; and Val- that attention is riveted «ry Fiukyev, rv of on the Congress of theMoacowC » People's Deputies .session Human Rights«. omruiitee. which is expected to be a Testimony focused on mnjor test of strength |br .possible amendments to President Boris Yeltsin.
Eban narrates documentary NEW YORK (JTA) — Thirty-nine years ago, Israeli statesman Abba Eban watched as the Israeli flag was first raised at t^e United > Nations. At thsit moment, he Mt that "the statws of the Jewish people in history had irreversibly chang«d," he reoantly recalled. IIM formar laraeU ambasaador to tba United States will share those end other memories in 'Uraet. s Nation is Born, wltk Akte IkM. a Per
sonal Witness," a fivepart television documentary on the/hiatory of tha Jewish state. The series, which depicts the birth and evolution of the state of larael, will premiere on WNET. the pubUc Ulavision station in New York, on Dsc. 6. It will be made available to public television stations nationwide, according to WilUam iMkar, prsaidaia aad chief «•*»• tiva oOnr «f UNVF. tmptt»7)
by Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director "Omaha is an exsmple to all Jewish communities," said Richard Wexler, chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry. Tou have a complete understanding of the meaning of tzedakah," Mr. Wexler, also an attorney, was in Omaha Nov. 22 to address volunteers of the Pacesetter Division for the 1993 United Jewish Appeal/ Federation Campaign. Harley Schrager and Howard Kooper are cochairmen of the Pacesetter Division."Caring and compassion are the watchwords of the Jewish people," Mr. Wexler said. "At the heart of your commitment to the campaign ia a contribution to the continuity of the Jewish people and a rea^rination of Jewish values."
Concerning the new Israeli government. Mr. Wexler said that Rabin has elevated peace to the highest priority-and is committed to vital change in Israel's economic priorities. He called the rescue of more than 400,000 Soviet Jews and .the total Ethiopian Jewish population a "miracle" and said it was "the direct result of our advocacy on their behalf and our promise that if they became free, we would be there to support them." Mr. Wexler urged support for the Continuing Exodus campaign to rescue hundreds of thousands of Jews still being oppressed in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He said Jews fare worst in ethnic clashes. "When ethnic minorities are persecuted, Jews receive the worst treatment of all," he said.
Secular schoolteachers visit Temple By Dawna L. Robertson Teachers and principals from secular schools throughout Omaha attended Shabbat services at Temple, Israel on Nov. 20 for "Public School Teachier Shabbat." The program serves to inform secular- teachers about Jewish holidays and to allow them to see. how Jewish students and their families are involved in their congregations. About 60 teachers and principals attended. For PrincitJiiI Francis Can- of Oak.i tary the Sha,: .t was memorable. He described Cantor Karen Webber-Ciilat's singing as "extraordinary and thoroughly eivoyable." Jan Vlllotta. a fourthgrade teectwr at OaUala Elaraantaiy, said tha isrvice waa a laamim «aq)»rience.
^..it Is not often you see children so Involved In their religious activity..." 'It makes sush a dlflkr> snce ftr tha laaehsr to sea the foeua oa a holiday other than Chrlatmae,
Sam Sehwaid daawstrataa her Hebrew shlUa to teacher Becky f1«mM>g of MoBtolair Eleneotary. •n^ it la not oftea you see 'What is the role of a Doss. "When conscience children so involved in CantorT "MThat is a bar/ takes precedence over th«ir religious activity bat Mltivahr and What learning, learning enis an Oneg ShabbatT One dures: but where learning anyway,'(he said 9he said two of bar stu- secular teacher, also a takes precedence over 4eats helped her follow Sunday school teacher at oooaciance, leaniiag doee tha aarrtca in the psayer- his church, asked abou^ not endnrt,* ha said. the books of the Torah. The event was planned Rabbi Axriel urged by Beth Walts, TempI^^ tabbi Aryeh Asriel invited the teachers and teachers to be sensitive to Israel's Parents' Assoc^H principals to Join him oa Jewish youngsters, par^ ation committee leadei^H the bimah for a closer ticularly through the and Ann Kibel-Schwart«, view oftheTbrah sooUs. upcoming holidays. He director of education. He thanked the sducators reminded teachers that Mrs. Schwarts said the ft>r their "important and Jewish studeata oAen bet event ia offered 'every shared Influence on our Isolated duriiHi Christmas three or feur years.* --peclally youth,* and encouraged celebrat 'Pahtlc S^ool Tkachar ha sole ShabbalTla one of saveral then to call upon the when • Taapla's staff with any Jew in a ciiiMMruum. proframa aimed at pro) or ra^uaato ODBRabbi Daniel rink, matlag a friendly atmoetet phara of understanding ntudanta. Taa«ha«> then asked qussttotta, iaelttdtag: kan