^5^^ ' • • \- ~'- • i-
dewish Prff^ Servina Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Nr
ri
N
21 Chathvan, 5784, Woy«mb«r 8; IWa
Vol.LXXI No. 8 Onuha
P Flanagan and Monsky -- Men of Vision Editor'g Note: The following comments were made at the recent opening of the exhibit, Men of Viaion at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City: (The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society helped create the exhibit.) By Father Val J. Peter, executive director of Boys Town "On Aug. 27, 1904, a young Irish immigrant arrived on Ellis Island and saw America as a land of hope, dreams and promise. On Dec. 12, 1917, that same Irish immigrant, now a young Roman Catholic Priest, joined hands with his best friend, Henry Monsky, and founded what has become one of the world's greatest programs for unwanted and troubled children — Boys Town. The friendship between these two men of vision jointed together two great communities: the Jewish community and the community of Boys Town. In 1938, Henry Monsky became International President of B'nai B'rith. He guided its war service activities and its efforts to assist the victims of the Holocaust. He was instrumental in organising the American Jewish Conference and worited tirelessly toward the unification of all American Jews and the formation of a Jewish state. Father Flanagan went on to build Boys Town, inspired by a determination to change the way America thought of its troubled children. He wanted to give these youngsters the same hopes, dreams and promises he saw when he arrived here. The friendship between Henry Monsky and Father Flanagan flourished and grew as the two men achieved national prominence, In 1947, just before Father Flanagan lefl Omaha on a mission to help Japanese orphans, he had Henry Monsky draw up his will. It was the last contact the two friends had. On May 2, following a meeting of the American Jewish Conference in New York, Henry Monsky, just 57 years old, suffered a heart attack and died. Father Flanagan called the
^«fcer P!)^,,^^*"^ —
AfenorvS^-
Library sponsors '^j^
Michael Klepper, left, primary underwriter of the exhibit and the Rev. Val J. Peter loss "one of the greatest sorrows of my life." Scarcely a year later, on May 14, 1948, Father Flanagan, 61, died of a heart attack in Germany as he was trying to help the homeless youth of that nation. OfRciats of B'nai B'rith wired their sympathy to Boys Town noting 'the great friendship between Father Flanagan and Henry Monsky exemplified the spirit of brotherhood which we fervently hope will someday encompass all people. Your loss is ours as well.' Two great humanitarians had passed from the scene, but their legacies still live on. And, speaking for the 17,000 boys and girls we are caring for in 17 sites around the nation, we are proud and happy that the story of these two men is told in this magnificent exhibit and at a place of honor for all Americans."
CLAL focuses on future, relationships and power By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director Sandi Fried, CLAL chairman, announced that Rabbi Bradley Hirschfield will lead the November sessions of Omaha's CLAL program. "Those who enjoyed the format of the first CLAL sessions with Rabbi Kula will be pleased to know that all CLAL scholars, including Rabbi Hirschfield, use Rabbi Hirrchfield the same high-energy, dynamic disciusion style,* said Mrs. Fried. Rabbi Hirschfield received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Institute of Traditional Judaism and is completing a doctorate in Ancient Judaism from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He now teaches at both seminaries. Rabbi Hirschfield has been a Stroock Doctoral Fellow at JTS, has served as Scholar-in-Residencc at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and has taught for the Elder Hostel program sponsored by the Jewish Federations of Connecticut and New York. Commenting on the success of the October CLAI< sessions, Mrs, Fried remarked, "It was very satisfying to hear how much people appreciated having this program in our community and to see, by their rssponsas during the discussions, how much it affected them," More than 100 people participated in the three October CLAL sessions and Mrs, Fried anticipatot an even grsater response for th» next sessions.
Three CLAL sessions will be held in November. The first will be on Sunday, November 14 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the home of Nancy and Harlan Noddle. The topic will be TTie next Jewish era — what's in store?" Hosts are Caryl and Bucky Greenberg, Cheryl and Barry Kricsfeld, Carol and Alan Parsow, Shane and David Kotok and Ann and Donald Goldstein. Th^ second session will be on Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home of Natha and John Waldbaum. The topic will be "Jewish views on sex." Hosts are Jodi and Gary Epstein, Margo and Jay Parsow and Carey and David Hereberg. A CLAL power breakfast will be held on Monday morning, November 15 from 7:45 a.m. to 9:16 a,:n, 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. Mrs. Fried noted that all November CLAL sessions are open to the community and it is not necessary to have attended the first sessions in order to participate in and ei>joy the upcoming discussions. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are necessary and may be made by calling the Federation office at 334-8200, ext. 210. CLAL is hcint! brought to Omoha through the support of an anonymous donor , »he Mnrrny II, and Sharce C. Newmnn Found Goldstori TriiHl iind the Jnv\; Omahii
annual book fair By Diane Axler Baum, Book Fair publicity The author who revealed secret stories of Jewish children hidden during the Holocaust, and the biographer whose new saga probes the most powerful Jewish banking dynasty in America and Germany, will keynote programs during Omaha's annual Jewish Book Fair, Nov. 18 through Dec. 12, The"Book Fair, sponsored by the Jewish Federation Library, marks its 20th anniversary this year. Since 1973, the Book Fair has recognized Jewish Book Month by bringing prominent lecturers to Omaha and triggering discussions, contests, special programs, and a book sale. Jewish Book Month, initiated in 1943, is celebrated in communities throughout North America during the 30 days preceding Chanukah to commemorate reading and bring attention to new books of Jewish interest, said Edythe Wolf, director of the Federation Library. "In Omaha, where there is no Jewish book store, Jewish parents and grandparents depend on our annual book sale for Chanukah gifts, families browse here to expand their home libraries, and Jewish educators replenish their shelves," Mrs. Wolf said. "The book sale offers the largest selection of Jewish literature for children and adults in one place. (Continued on Page 8) Teens selected for "March of Living"
Eight delegates from Omaha will be among 5,000 teenagers from around the world to participate in the 1994 "March of the Living," The local teens are from lefl, top of photo, Sarah Raful and Beth Shyken; middle, Jayme Tichauer, MellisB Katzman, and Mindy Colchcr; bottom, Andy Katzman and Danny Cohn. Not pictured is Deb Goldstein. The first week of the April trip will be spent visiting Poland and other Holocaust-related locations ] such as concentration camps sites. The week will end on Yom Hashoah at Auschwitz-Birkcnau, Participants will retrace the ' steps of the "March of Death," the three kilomete^ walk Trom Auschwitz to the gas chambers oif "" tdup then will fly to Iiraol to joir of Yom lin'nttmiuit, Urnfl's 46lh^ liulcpctnlciui' Diiy on April M.