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IVlore annual meeting photos on page 5
Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Vol. LXX No. 35 Omiha
29 Slvan, 5753 Fridiy, June 18,1993
Jewish Federation outlines goals for 90th year
Jerry Slusky ^^ The Jewish Federation of Omaha's new president t plans to reach out to the entire Jewish contmunity and [ to enhance the Federation's relationship with the area synagogues. Jerry Slusky told about 200 attending the Federation's 89th annual meeting Sunday night at the Jewish Community Center that the Federation should strive to build on past succesBee and work together to ensure that "our children will receive the same strong Jewish community that was given to us." Mr. Slusky, who succeeded Donald A. Yale, said his primary goals as FMenation president are as follows: To continue the strong baae of programs and services which we now provi4e for our Jevmh community. To continually work toward adjusting these programs to meet the changing needs, priorities and lifestyles of our community. "To enhance the communication between Federation and the Jewish community so that no one is unaware of the availability'of such things as the services of the ADL, the programs of the Bureau of Jewish Education, the extraordinary care our aging population receives at the Blumkin Home..."
I'art of the Omaha/Israel Spectacular cast singing One People-One Destiny He asserted that the Federation will let it be known that volunteers and professionals stand ready to serve the entire Jewish community. Mr. Slusky suggested that strong ati^ffective communication will let the entire Jewish community know what's available to them and they, in turn, will continue to support Federation programs, the synagogues, Israel, and the Russian resettlement program. Other meeting hi^lights included elections to the Federation and its ag^cies, and'the presentation of awards. Other officers of the Federation are: Tom Fellman, vice president; Forrest Knitter, vice president/secretary; Bobbie Epstein, treasurer, Donald Yale, past president. Directors are Anne Broder, Mary Fellman, Leonard Goldstein, Julee Katzman, Zoe Riekes, Mark Sanford and Barry Siff. Volunteer of the year awards, presented by Howard Kaplan, went to Anne Broder, Julie Frank, Lee Bernstein, Judy Josephson, Pam DePorte, George
J^orumfocuses on ''Mercfumt of Venice
Goldsten Trust funds seven Jewish programs ;;
Days before curtain* op«n on The Merchant of While the play may carry a reputation of antiVenice* at the Nebraaka ShakaapMre Festival, acade- Semitism, this local production has been "nothing but micians and J«wlAh leader* will meet to discuss the sensitive to the Jewish community's and other groups' play's notorious dspiction of anti-SsmiUsm. concerns," Wolfson said. ADL Director Bob Wolfson and Temple Israel's For example, each show will be preceded by a halfRabbi Dan Fink will Join ths chair of the University of hour diacussion and question-snswer period on the Nebraska st Omaha drama dspartment, Doug play's characters and stereotypes. Jewish community Pttsrson; Crcighton University College of Arts and leaden will lead the dlscuaskms. Sdmoes' DMH FT. Michael Fnterra and CITs Charles The play will be performed July 1 to 4, 9 snd 11 in St«in, ssaodate professor of English, on a panel in the tha outdoor amphitheater at Elmwood Park. Also performed this year is "Two Gentlemen of JOC auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Juns 26. Topics include stereotypes, censorship and anti- Verona," on June 24 to 29 and July 8 and 10. Semitism. Panelists will discuss ths pUty a* a literary msstupisce, as a piece influsnosd by the times and as profMganda. They will also consider whether the play is an appropriate choice for the annual Shakespeare fsstWal. Playwright William Shakespeare The forum is sponsored by the ADL-CRC and the Jewish Cultural Arts Council. may never have met a Jew; Wolfson said The Merchant of Vanios" may not b* his fsvorits play, but It is "an inevitable cboioa." Jews were expelled from 'If vou lhii;k that a Shakaspears fsstival avantually has to produce all of Shakaspaara's plays, than of England In 1290. L coursa, you know thayll do this on*," ha said. • lliat Is asactly the philosophy 'of most Shaksspaare - Folg«r ShakespMrv Library AMtlvals," according to tha piay's guast dlrsotor, Rob Uibinati. "DMfn davotad to performing the antirs canon, and by all maaits thay will parform a play that's as wellknown as this one Is," h* said. - yi?PV-Tv_?*,id
Schapiro and Yale Halperin. Teen leadership award winners are Lindsey Taxman and Gary Shyken, presenters were Holly Friedman and Rikki Epstein. Mark Belmont was honored as Justin Greenberg memorial award winner, presenter was Henry Greenberg. The Lois Jeanne Schrager award winner was Debbie Friedman, presenter was Phil Schrager. Steven Nogg presented the Community Service award to Louise Abrahmson, Mary Fellman, liana Marmon, Nate and Doris Shukert, Susie Silver and Dottie Rosenblum, representing the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. Mary Fellman presented the Humanitarian of the Year award to Phil Schrager. Others participating in the program were Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Zoe Riekes, Gary Javitch, Carl Riekes, Jay Lemer, and the cast of the Jewish Cultural Arts Cotincii's Omaha/Israel Spectacular '46.
By Claudia Sherman "Trustees of the Herbert Goldsten Trust have announced that financial grants will be made to seven Jewish programs from the Trust's income. The Goldsten Trust was established by the Iste Herbert Goldsten and is funded through a bequest from his estate. Mr. Goldsten died in 1990, but the charitable tradition he initiated as a young man live* on to help fund Jewish religious, charitable and educational organitations in the Omaha Since October, 1991, the Herbert Ooldstsn Tru*t ha* paid or approved for payment a total of $260,000 In grants. This yesr'* rsclpisnt* include tha Bureau of Jawiah Education which will racaiv* fund* for acholarship* for Jewish childran who hava amigratad to Omaha fttrni tha former Soviai UiUon during 1990 or latar und*r ths Operation Exodus vt
Continuing Exodus programs. Beth El Synagogue will receive a grant to provide transportation to attend services or activities for its members who are unable to provide their own transportation for health reasons or because of their inability to drive. (Continued on page 4)
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