filewish Presf
I):-, I I
i O!. J
Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Vol. LXM NcHsymaliH
Lincoln author to speak By Miriam Ben-Yaacov , Book Fair publicity Gerald Shapiro, author of a critically acclaimed collection of short stories, From Hunger, will discuss his work Thursday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. This is the opening program of the Jewish Book Fair sponsored by the Jewish Federation Library. Gerald Shapiro Marilyn Bermah, chairperson for the event, which is co-sponsored by Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women Omaha section, invites the community to meet with this talented writer. Shapiro's stories are about "middle-aged Jewish meii in varying states of material and professional success or failure." All his protagonists have "a sense of an internal spiritual emptiness and a desire to achieve connectedness." All search for faith and community. In the title story, "From Hunger," we are reminded of the absurdist irony of Kafka and the biting wit of the early Phillip Roth. Altshuler, a failing j shoe designer invents an open-toed, stiletto-heeled hiking boot, that makes him rich. But, money doesn't satisfy his unnamed longing. Besides, life has not been treating him well. He had "been slowly descending, as if squeezing down through a tunnel," his marriage "flipped over and died without putting up much of a fight" and "little disasters _ kept nibbling away at him." His uncle Phil "unannounced, bursts into Jtshuler's sleek downtown Chicago office as if shot [by a cannon", and tells his surprised nephew, "I'm rail used up, kid. As GÂŤd is my witness. You take me in or it's all over for me. I'll end up in a dumpSter." Altshuler sees his uncle's predicament as an bpportunity for 'belonging*. (Continued on Page 2)
28 Cheahvan, 67S4, Novefnber 12,1993
Letter to the Editor: My family and I would like to once again thank everybody for their support during my transplant. We would also like to thank those people who were able fjo come to the reception at Temple Israel. We had a wonderful time getting to know everyone who came to show their support for me and my family during this wonderful occasion. I am proud to say that I am doing well and expect to continue graduate school in the Spring to get my M.A. in psychology. I hope my gratitude towards the community reaches all of you who were there to show your kindness and support when it was needed. This was just one example of how people can work together if they put their minds and efforts towards solving a crisis such as mine. I hope to do my part in helping the community in the future, even if in only some small way. I also hope that if there is another reason for the community to pull together to help someone else, we will not hesitate in helping that person. One person may.not be able to solve the problem, but the community proVed what with everyone's help, there is nothing we can't accomplish! Thanks again, Gary, Nancy, Robyn and Mark Epstein
Elinor A. Whitman book contest The Elinor A. Whitman book appreciation contest, sponsored by the local Jewish schools and the Federation Library offers two categories for kindergarten through eighth grade: book report and book jacket design. Books must be of Jewish content and form can be obtained from teachers or education directors. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 19. The book appreciation fund, established through a donation by Norman Whitman, was created to perpetuate the goals that Elinor Whitman had during her lifetime of service to the youth of the Omaha Jewish community. She had served for many years as a member of the Library Board as well as a member of the faculty of Beth El and Temple Israel religious schools.
Interfaith service Rabbi Paul Drazen (left) of Beth El Synagogue and the Rev. Albert L. Winseman, pastor of Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church, plan an interfaith service to take place Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Beth El S^agogue. The one hour service will include Beth El and St. Andrew's choirs and Cantor Emil Berkovits.
Workshop completed The Jewish Federation of Omaha's agency professionals and lay leadership completed a 10-hour workshop designed to improve communications. The workshop, funded by the Sadie and Harry Kulakofsky Memorial Fund for staff development was facilitated by Cec Farnsworth of Trainee Associates. Two Sunday sessions were held at the Club House Inn. Some 30 representatives of the Federation and its agencies agreed on five priorities: establish process for conflict resolution, regular meetings With agency presidents and Federation president, rules for Budget and Allocations with more lead time, representatives from each agency on B & A, and re-establish Federation nominating committee.
Pacesetter campaign team meets
I
The Pacenetter Division campaifn team for the 1994 UJA/Federation Campaign met recently at the home of Eve and Fred Simon. Don Goldstein and Fred Simon, co-chairmen, discussed the Importance of the campaign and shared stories about their parents' and grandparents' involvement in tzodakah in the Omaha Jewish community. Volunteers alio watched a videotape about the rescue and resettlement offorti of the Jewish Agency in Eastern Europe and in Israel In photos (clockwise) from left are; Larry Kavlch, Fred Simon, Joe Klrshenbaum; Don Goldstein, Stuart Simon; Marshall Kuihner, Marty Ixihr, Murray Newman, Sherman Neff. (Photos by Barbara (Chandler, ^ Federation public relations director)