. ''- fl lb.
IA>:M.C_(! ISL^JKL
-
flewish Press Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
U Cbmbvan, 5754, October 29,1»93
Vol.LXXI No.T Oraalia
"Teamwork" brings drive to successful end By Morris Maline The Jewish Federation of Omaha's president said that teamwork produced a successful fundraising effort to help Mark Epstein. During a presentation turning over collected funds to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Jerry Slusky said many facets of the community played important roles in raising the money for Mark's cancer treatment. He pointed out that the Jewish Press communicated the need, the synagogues and organizations conducted appeals, the Federation's Foundation became the repository for funds, and many individuals participated in making the drive successful. Mr. Slusky identified some of the key participants as; David Goldstein, who coordinated the initial effort with the Enterprise Bank; Sandy Kasin, who alerted the Jewish Press and provided the necessary medical documentation; Congressman Peter Hoagland and his aide, Paul Landau, who helped expedite Mark's treatment. "Everybody working together produced an incredibly positive result," Mr. Slusky added. Sheldon Bernstein, executive director of The Foundation, said the s&'ccessful fund drive to help one person is indicative of the wonderful spirit that runs through our community." And Norman Veitzer, chairman of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, added," Fortunately, we have, in place, the mechanism for providing this kind of help."
The Jewish Federation of Omaha handed a plain-white envelope (filled with donated checks) to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for its Clinical Research Support ^und. Participating in the presentation are from left, Glenda L. Conley, UNMC's Governance and Administrative Office; Jerry Slusky, president, Jewish Federation of Omaha; Joe Graham, associate hospital director, UNMC; Sheldon Bernstein, executive director. The Foundation of the Jewish Federation, and Norman Veitzer, chairman of the Foundation's Board of Trustees
CLAL led by Rabbi Irwin Kula called "exceptional" By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director "Every culture has a story and the power of that story is that it shapes our reality. Thanksgiving is one of several American stories. We Jews start our story with Abraham whose one obsession in life was to have a child," explained Rabbi Irwin Kula, Senior Teaching Fellow at CLAL (College of Learning and Language). "The whole book of Genesis is about families — all kinds of families including good and bad parenting, sibling rivalry, even fratricide." Rabbi Kula was in Omaha to lead the first of three Federation-sponsored CLAL sessioni. Two discussion sessions were open to the community on Sunday, Get 17 and a Monday morning breakfast session was held for Federation and Synagogue profetsionali. *It was exceptional," remarked Cheryl Cooper. 'Rabbi Kula presented a great way of looking at things and provided very sensible altamatives. I'd like my children to hear him speak." Mike Abramson commented, 'Rabbi Kula was insightful and thought provoking. His comparisons between American and Jewish heritages illustrated Home amazing similarities." Sandi Fried, chairman of CLAL, said, "Many people commented to me that the discussions started them thinking about new ways of perceiving Judaism in their lives.' How we teach our children the Jewish ttory was s a cefttral theme of Rabbi Kula's remarks as ha illustrated how Judaism constantly evolves to keep our story alive. "We are an Exodus people," ha sxplainsd. *If we can't transmit the story that life moves from slavery to fVeedom, our culture won't survive. Our ttory must be compelling because our children have lot* of choicee. Eighty-percent of Jews pass through the synacogue at some time in thslr lives. •-—We new) to make it interestini^ tar them when they walk through."
I
(from left) Sandy and John Lehr, Judy and David Finkle, Rabbi Irwin Kula, Mike and Sheri Abramson, Joel Alperson aad Sandi Fried, CLAL chairman.
Rabbi Irwin Kula leads Omaha's first CLAL session.
Thst theme will be continued in the November 14 CLAL session, The next Jewish era — what's in store?" The session will be held from 3:00 to 5.00 p.m. at the home of Nancy and Harlan Noddle. Hosts are Caryl and Bucky Greenberg, Cheryl and Barry Kricsfeld, Carol and Alan Parsow, Shane and David Kotok and Ann and Donald Goldstein. A second session on November 14, "Jewish views on sex,' will be from 7.00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home of Natha and John Waldbnum. Hosts are Jodi and Gary Epstein, Margo and Jay Parsow and Carey and David Henberg. Rabbi KUIH touched on that topic, asking, "Where do you want your children to loarn about sex? Do you want them to loam the Shabbat view or the 'Beverly Hills 90210, NYPD, Dallas' viewr Discussing th* power of Jews in America today, Rabbi Kula noted, "When Jews came to America between 1880 and 1920 they were poor, illitar|tte and snti-traditional. Today, we have power. We can get i call returned by a U.S. Senator in lets than 48 hours.
That never happened for my father in Poland The issue of power will be discussed further on Monday morning, November 15 at a CLAL power breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the Garden Cafe Party Room in Rockbrook Village. The topic will be 'Moving from poverty and persecution to affluence and influence," Hosts are Nancy Noddle, Jerry Hoberman and Mike Abramson. Anticipating the November sessions, Jeff Taxman remarked, "The issues Rabbi Kula talked about hit on exactly whnl we're all scared about. It was very satisfying to talk about the evolution of Judaism and how we're going to keep this meaningful, essential and exiting for all of us." All November CLAL sessions are open to the community. There is no charge to attend, but reservations IS are necessary end may be made by calling th Federation ofTice at 334-8200, ext 210. The final CLAL sessions will be held on Dec and 6.
I