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Vol. LXXI No. B Oniftlia
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7 Clioshvan, 6754, October 22, 1993
Epstein family "overwhelmed"; Foundation chairman seeks planning Temple reception endowments for growing needs By Morris Maline The Epstein family has been "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of affection and concern of those seeking to help Mark. Nancy Epstein told the Jewish Press that Mark underwent the bone marrow transplant and is now recovering at home. "We have received an estimated 1,200 responses from many states and • approximately $138,000 in donations has been received." The money for Mark's treatment has been sought in the past several weeks by the community's rabbis, individual^ and by articles in the Jewish Press. Mark's physicians had estimated the cost of his treatment at $150,000, and the public campaign was launched when it became known that the insurance company would not pay.
To show their gnititude, the Epsteins havi' arranged to meet with the Jewish community afa reception, Sunday, Nov. 7 from 2-4 p.m. at Temple Israel. "Mark certainly wnll be there as he personally would like to thank as many people as he can." Mrs. Epstein said also that personal notes would be sent to out-oftowners who would be unable to attend the reception. In describing Mark's condition and treatment, Mrs. Epstein said that he had come through the surgery "well" and that he now will be visiting the hospital regularly as ah outpatient. She said he is getting his strength back and that tests will be taken in about 100 days to determine the effect of high dosage radiation on his cancer Meanwhile, he has postponed his graduate
school studies until January with the cooperation of oflTicinls at UNO. In a personal note, Mark said that he would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support for their cards, calls, and donations toward his bone marrow transplant. "It is beyond words that I express my gratitude to everyone who has participated in the effort to get the necessary medical attention I was seeking. ."I would especially like to thank Rabbi Azriel and Rabbi Friedman for visiting me in the hospital during my treatment. I am happy that 1 am doing well in my recovery from the treatment I received that, again would not have been possible without everyone's help." Mrs, Epstein said non-Jews also have given to the fund and she is most grateful.
By Morris Maline The Federation is looking for dono.rs to help fund the "growing needs of the community." Norman Veitzer, chairman, The Federation Foundation, alerted prospects to endowment opportunities at a recent financial seminar. He said one such opportunity would be the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home where 35 per cent of the residents are now on Medicaid. This compares with less than 10 per cent only 10 years ago. As a second option, he pointed to an "overwhelming " need for scholarship funds, •'yrle said requests for educational assistance far exceed the funds available. A third option might be endowing a health club for women so that a full-time facility would be available to them.
Norman Veitzer (left) chairman of The Foundation's Board of IVustecs, with Irving Epstein, panel moderator. The financial seminar, moderator, said "People attended by nearly 50 at are generally shocked at the Highland Country the amount the governClub on Oct. 13, pointed ment takes from taxable out the various ways estates. Panelists said the new that charitable giving could be combined with tax law makes charitable estate planning while gifts less costly to the minimizing or avoiding donor and that now is taxes. Irving Epstein, the time to plan.
Anita Gray inspires women at major gifts brunch T7--WJ
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I (From left) Carol Katzman, Bobbi (From left) Lorraine Silverman, Miriam (From left) Cheryl Cooper, Ann Goldstein, Simon, Ramona Pepper, Ruth Goldstein, Sandy Epstein, Margie Alperson Liebowitz, Anita Gray, Nancy Rips Audrey Sophir, Muriel Steinberg, Rose Gross By Phyllis Glaaer, Women's Division Publicity On Tuesday, Sep. 28, the women of the Lion of Judah, Double Chai and Chai/Grand Gifts Divisions of the 1994 UJA/Federation Campaign gathered at the home of Nancy and Shel Rips for a 'M^jor OifU Brunch." A sneak preview of the Rips' succah preceded the morning's program. Carol Katzman, Women's Division Chairman, sUted that "other than in 1B48, when the State of Israal was bom, this is the most exciting time in history to be a part of the UJA Campaign.' Bobbie LeitMwiti, chairman of the event, welcomed everyone and introduced Anita Gray, the guest speaker. Ms. Gray, a Jew-by-choice, was bom a Sicilian Catholic and raised in Cleveland in a multiethnic neighborheod, Her "odyssey" into Judaism began when her brother married a Jewish woman. It was then that her parent* and she were introduced to and included in "seders and festive Rosh Hashanah dtflners.'
At 21, she realized that her basic philosophy was Jewish, and 6 years later she completed her conversion. "One G-d...Tzedakah...no other people take care of their own like we do!" she said. Now, at 46, Ms. Gray has become a veteran of Operation Exodus, the emigration of Russian Jewry, and was a witness to Operation Solomon, the Ethiopian Rescue. She has made four trips to the former Soviet Union and 27 trips to Israel; once, with U.S. government officials. In recounting her experience at the Lod airstrip in May 1991 upon the arrival of the Ethiopian Jews, she had tears in her eyes. "A world racord was set for the largest numbers of people ever to occupy a jumbo jet. The doors opened and 2,200 people stepped onto laraeli toil., home at last after a.SOO years in exile." Two comments have stayed with her since then. One was fh>m an Ethiopian woman who whispered, "I feel like, a butterfly after a long vrintar." The other waa IVom a mala emigrant who aaemad hum'>^a-J =^ 5^
bled when he said, "My grandfather's grandfather and his grandfather's grandfather longed to come to Israel, and, somehow, I have been chosen." Ms. Gray paused for a moment and then noted that it is our American dollars which have helped to resettle one million Jews in the last year... "not only Russians and Ethiopians, but Syrians and Yemenites as well." "I believe," she said, "that in 10 to 20 years Israel will be a major economic power. I am convinced that we are living in an epic moment of moments." Emotionally, she concluded, "^e are commanded to sell our Torah, if necessary, to Aree the captives. The fate of the Jaws is in OUR hands. And more importantly, as American Jaws, it is OUR privilege!" Guests at the brunch agreed that it was a privilege to hear Anita Gray. Said Sandra Belgrade and Joanie Uhr, "She was so inapiratienal, we eould have liatanad ta her all day.'
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