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SerW/jjf Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
Vol. LXn No. la Omaha
24 Tevet, B7M, January 7, IMS
Scheduled for Jan. 25
Federation missions program on board of directors* agenda
By Barbara Chandler Federation public relations director Due to overwhelming response of the Omaha Jewish community to the 1994 UJA/Federation Campaign, the community event on Jan. 20, featuring speaker Elie Wiesel, will be held at the Red Lion Hotel.
By Barbara Chandler Federation public relations director Jerry Slusky, president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha announced that on Jan. 25, at the board of directors meeting, there will be a presentation outlining the Federation's missions program. Jan Perelman, Federation missions director, will discuss how recent missions have impacted the annual campaign and volunteer involvement.
Tickets to the event were made available to anyone in the Omaha Jewish community who made a pledge to the 1994 CampE^ign by Dec. 31. The event was scheduled to be held at Beth El Synagogue, which seats 950 people, but the number of pledges and requests for tickets has exceeded that number, and the campaign chairmen felt it was necessary to hold the event in a location that would allow everyone who made their pledge by the deadline the opportunity to hear Professor Wiesel speak.
General Nechemia Dagan, director of UJA overseas programming will discuss the national missions program, its importance in promoting Jewish continuity and its importance to Israel. In addition, participants of past missions will share some of their personal experiences, and there will be reports from the newly formed Missions Committee and from the chairmen of the 1994 Family Mission and Community Mission. The meeting will begin at 7:30 and niissions will be the first item on the agenda. The meetiijfg js open to the community and Mr. Slusky encourages-' anyone who is interested in going on a mission, or who would like an overall picture of the Federation's mission program, to attend.
Elie Wiesel event moved to Red Lion
General Nechemia Dagan, director of UJA Overseas Programming, with Marcia and Steve Pitlor, chairmen of the 1994 Summer Family Mission, wilt be addressing the Federation board of directors on Jan. 25.
Tickets for the event will be mailed on Jan. 10. For information, call Jewish Community Services at 334-8200 and ask for the Federation office.
•Middle East peace to be focus of community mission By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director Harriet and Jerry Slusky are leading a Federation mission to Israel from Oct. 2-12, and they have invited the Jewish community to come along. "Whenever you ask people returning from a mission what the best part was, they always include 'going with people from Omaha.' We know what a joy it is to see and hear and learn in Israel with others from our community," said Mr. Slusky. "Omaha is unique among communities our bize," noted Mrs. Slusky. "During the past few years, nearly 100 people have had the privilege of going to Israel on Federation missions and the word is spreading. With the help of those who have gone before, we hope to encourage those who have never gone to Israel to come along with us this time!" Explaining why they named it the Shalom Mission, Mr. Slusky said, "Shalom has many meanings, including'peace' and' hello.' We will explore the current promises and perils of Shalom — peace, and we hope tn have many first-time mission par licitiunt^ iuldine Us to say Shalom — 'hello' Id Israel. "Of ti.- •. •.. !•• i.-'tli the first-time visitor iiiid those whi) return with us, the itinerary will inrludistops at security po.sls on all of Israel's borders us well as opportunities to see the economic and social changes in Israel as the country moves cautiously toward peace." Mr. Slusky explained that although this will be u larger mission than those in recent years, space will be limited and the Sluskys encourage those who are interested to begin planning now. "We will only be able to have two buses with some spaces reserved for participants from other midwest conimunilies who have been invited to join the Omaha mission." "When people go on a mission, we all iKincfil — •I individuals and as n community," remarked Mri.. Slusky " Jewiiih continuity is important to all of us. but thai requires increased «upporl and volunHer Involvement Israel provides the eneruy and
understanding required forthat commitment, but in the past, many people had to wait to go on a mission until they were financially able to meet the minimum campaign gift requirement. "For this mission, we have been able to reduce the amount of the minimum gift, offering more people a chance to go on a mission at an earlier time in their lives. They will come home with enthusiasm and knowledge to strengthen our Jewish community. The sooner people can go on a mission, the more years this community and Israel will benefit from their increased support and volunteer involvement."
"When I was asked to co-chair that Women Mission, Jerry had already experienced a UJA mis sion and encouraged me to do it," remarked Mrs Slusky. "1 learned then about the impact a mission can have." The community is invited to either of two information meetings at the Slusky's home — Thursday, March 10 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. or Sunday, March 13 from 3:.30 to 5:00 p.m. Federation slafi' members and mission leadership will be there to answer all your questions about the Shalom Mission, If you plan to attend an informalion meelini; please call the Slusky's or the Federation ofiice nl .'J34-8200. ext. 210
Fe. eration invites community to Shabbat services
Harriet and .Jerry Slusky This is not the first lime the Sluskys have been to Israel. "I had always wanted to go to Israel, even in high school," said Mrs. Slusky. "When we wont together for the first lime in 1977, I discovered my roots, who I am as a Jew, and how significant that little piece of ground is. You can'l understand thai unless you go there." The entire family went in \W4 to celebrate their daughter's Hal Mitzviih and nephew's Bar Mll/vah Prior to that', Mr Slusky went on a Federation sponsored Men'i Division mission and m 1«HH, Mr^i Hluskv cochnired a Women's Mission
Hy Barbara Chandler, Fedenition public rvlations director Working togethiT, the syiuigi)t;ii' s and th^ Jewish Federation of Orniilin provid*' siTviccs, prn| grams and nclivitics that help inaki Omaha one ul the best Jewish lonimunities in the nation In : honor ot these community-huildinit efforts, thoi Federation is pli-a.ied to spunsor Shiihbal services^ at all (Imaha area »ynag6guos. On Shahhalmorning, Jan. 1.*), Margo Kiekes, | president of the Jewish flonimunily Center, anl agency of the Jewish Federation, will deliver the | D'var Torah at Helh Kl Synagogue. On Friday evening, Feb. 4, Michael Linn, prcsi-. dent of the board of directors for the Bureau ol| Jewish Education, an agency of the Federation, will' speak at B'noi Israel in Council Blufi's On Friday evening, Feh 11, Jerry Slusky, president of the Jewish Federation, will deliver the, D'var Torah at Temple Israel, and on Shabbat morning. F:b -.;, Caiol Kalxman, 19!M Women'sj Division Chairman, will give ihe D'var Torah nl Beth Israel The KedirniloM will dponsor the 0(W'(! Shahhalnf Kidiliish lollowiiig itvrvKes nl nil synagogues