Jewish Press
Happy 99th birthday Mrs. "B"!
Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
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QBJIM 23 KISLEV, 5753 Friday. Deceniberl8;i992
Vol. LXX Noi13'Omaha
Cantor Fettman honored
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Happiness abounds
Paula Demidovich (l^ft) shows great joy upon greeting her sister, Tamara Karayeva who arrived in Omaha from Russia last week as part of the Operation Exodus resettlement program funded by (he Jewish Federation of Omaha. In background is Mrs. Demidovich's husband, George.
Seminar teaches political action By Deborah Fellman A crash course in political activism: stay informed, know who represents you on local boards, and court the cooperation of those who already share your opinions. , According to Bob Wolfson, director of the Anti-' Defamation League (ADL), these techniques have helped the religious right gain political power, and they can help Jewish groups too.
JThe things 'm teaching you tonight are being taught..."
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The things I'm teaching you tonight are being taught in churches and rellgiouK communities all over the country," he said at a political how-to forum sponiored jointly by the ADL. the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and the American-Uraeli Political AcUon CommittM (AIPAC). About 55 people attended. Many of them said th«y etme to learn how to bacome Involve^ In politic*. "Being part of a minority, Jewish or otherwise, it'a Important to be Involved." said participant Amy Frankal. It'a tar the bettermant of the (ommunlty as a whole." iMuaa oonaldarad 'J«wlah* art vartad Ptar^lAaple. the ADL (betiiaa on
Bob Wolfson
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preventingtprejudice and hate crimes, while the NCJW works to improve child care and women's health care. AIPAC, obviously, supports pro-Israel candidates and cause*. But certain techniques can help all groups further their causea. Mr. Wolfson said politicallymotivated pe6ple should start by Hndlng like-minded peers. They should organite groups, inventory their reaourcea, amd rehearse their argumente, he said. Then they should learn how to get media coverage and write publishable letters to newspaper editors. Similar techniques helped right-wing, evangelical Christian groups gain power last month in many states, including Iowa, where an equalrights amendment proposition waa defeated, and Colorado, where voters paated an amendment banning all ordinances that protact homoaaauala from discrimination, Mr. WOICKW said. Speakers at the seminar were state Sen. Joaala Raamusaen, AIPAC regional coordinator David Patron, Oall Flannery of Votcaa for ChUdran, and
Carol Bloch, who represented Nebraska Voters for Choice and Planned Parenthood. , Sen. Rasmussen offered adviee^on how to influence legislators: "Know their views on issues, know their coalitions ajpong colleagues, and know their own agendas," she said. ' Written material handed out at the seminar outlined how to write effective letters to be published as "letters to the editor," how to lobby, and how to prepare to meet with a legislator. Copies of all materials are still available at the ADL office at the JCC. "We're trying to reinvigorate the grass-roots involvement of the Jewish community in politics of all sorts," Mr. Wolfson said. "We're trying to help them in whatever causes they chooaa to support."
1993 UJA/Federation Campaign:
How we're doing...
Cantor Leo Fettman was honored at Beth Israel Synagogue on Sunday as a Torah was rededicated in his name. Richard Katzman, chairman for the event, spoke of the 18 years of dedicated service Cantor Fettman had given the congregation. About 180 people attended the event. Although he is retired. Cantor Fettman still does work for the synagogue, including visiting people in the hospital. Rabbi Mark Urkowitz said when he asked Cantor Fettman if he would like a Torah to be dedicated to him he Was very quiet. "I told him we would bring the Torah back to life in his honor like he brought his life back." Cantor Fettman and his wife, Annette, are survivors of the Holocaust. Before the ceremony, the Torah was restored by a scribe in CMeagK"*
2,650,000 2,500,000 2/tO0,O0O 2,300,000 2,200,000 2,100,000 2,000,000 1,900,000 1,800,000 1,700,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,300,000 1^00,000 I,100,0<)0 1,000,000 !K»0,OW 800,000 700,000 (500,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,0i» lOOJMQ Source: Jewirii Fe<leratiaa of Omaha
Jesse Jackson asks to work with Jews WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Jesse Jackson' included "the security of Israel, the joy of its chil-. dren and peace for all its inhabitants" in a prayer he offered in an address to the national board of trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Responding to an introduction by Rabbi Alexander M. Schipdler, UAHC preiident, that called for a black-Jewish dialogue "entered into openly, sensitively and candidly," Rev. Jackeon emphasized the importance of 'renewing the black-Jewish coalition. ,
"We have common enemies," he said, "and we are vulnerable when divided. But we are a powerful force for good when we work togeth^er toward the goals we share." He' urged the Reform Jewish group "to cooperate with black ' organizations in turning the promise of Presidentelect Clinton's 'New Covenant' int^ a powerful compact for change. "We must lobby together, pressure together, campaign together so that the Clinton Administration commits itself to a genuine urban agenda — jobs, child care, health
Hanukkah run Thirteen cold-reeUtant Joggara completed an ei^tmile couree Sunday at the annual Hanukkah Torch Run iponaored by Bnal B'rith, Pictured above at the Beth Israel trallhead are (from left) Barry Sadofiky. Mike Abrmaon. Steve | Wakaa and Marty Shukert. / . .
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care, bfettcr schools — and so that the new President listens not to those whose chief concern is the budget deficit but to those of us who support Government programs that will offer an alternative to despair and hopelessness." Rev. Jackson, who received a warm welcome from the Reform Jewish leaders, evoked applause and laughter when he recalled the gathering of the Jews at the foot of Mt. Sinai after the exodus.