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Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
VoLLXXl No. S3 Omaha
Havel joins Jews protesting B failure of property bill •
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PRAGUE (JTA) — Czech President Vaclav Havel joined the local Jewish leadership in criticizing the failure of the Parliament last week to pass an amended bill that would have returned Jewish property confiscated under the country's Nazi and Communist regimes. Jiri Danicek, chairman of the Czech Federation of Jewish Communities, attacked what he termed the "narrow political and party interests" of the Parliament for the bill's defeat. And Havel, a strong supporter of restitution to Jews, reacted harshly to the bill's defeat. "The return of property to Jewish communities is dragging on too long," he said. "I'm very disappointed by it. I would almost say indignant. "It gives the impression that we don't want to achieve justice, and it even damages our good name in the world," said Havel. The bill was voted down after most of the deputies supporting the bill left the assembly hall to protest the amended version, which they said changed the sense and intent of the original proposal. The amendment — submitted by Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus' Civic Democratic Party, the strongest party of the country's governing coalition — stipulated that only the state, not local municipalities, would be obliged to return confiscated Jewish property. Under the amended bill, Jews would receive monetary compensation from the state for confiscated property, but not the property itself. The bill left it to the discretion of town councils as to whether to return Jewish buildings or provide monetary compensation. As a result, the fate of Jewish property — including the collections of the Prague Jewish Museum — remained re; unresolved.
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Belgian Jews oppose pardoning collaborators BRUSSELS (JTA) — Reacting to the country's current political and moral debate on a sharply divisive issue, Belgium's Jewish community has expressed its opposition to the idea of providing amnesty to the thousands of Belpans who collaborated with the Nazis during World War II. The Coordinating Committee for Belgian Jewish Organizations said in a statement that it stands in firm opposition to any general form of amnesty. Providing amnesty to collaborators, the Jewish committee said, would mean that "there had been no offense." The umbrella group for the Belgian Jewish community further stated that "washing out these bad deeds is a slap for all the victims of Nazism." The issue of amnesty was raised here recently after King Albert of Belgium, in a New Year's speech, recalled that his deceased brother, King Baudouin, had hinted in a 1990 speech at taking measures "that could contribute to reconciliation between all citizens." The remark was interpreted by some as a new appeal for clemency for the Belgians who helped the Nazi regime. The issue is one of the most sensitive in Belgian politics, and it is certain to arouse more controversy later this year when Belgium commemorates the 50th anniversary of its liberation from the Nazis. After World War II, some 242 Belgians were executed for collaborating with the Nazis. The amnesty debate has created an ideological split over the years, dividing the Flemish and the French-speaking part of the country. The Flemish Nationalist Movement has pressured the authorities over the years to grant amnesty to collaborators, but successive governments have never taken the step for fear that it would create a political crisis.
Senate confirms Dine to position with AID By Deborah Kalb WASHINGTON (JTA) — The same day that officers of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee were selecting his successor as AIPAC's executive director, Tom Dine was confirmed by the Senate to a top position at the U.S. Agency for International Development. On Feb. 10, the Senate confirmed Dine by voice vote to be assistant administrator for Europe of the agency known as U.S. AID, Dine stepped down last June from his longtime position at the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group after making published remarks perceived as derogatory toward Orthodox Jews. Dine's was one of several controversial departures rocking AIPAC over the past couple of years. Also on Feb.' 10, Neal Sher, who had been serving as director of the Justice Department's Office of Special Investigations, was chosen to fill AIPAC's executive director position. Howard Kohr, another possible choice to succeed Dine, had been serving as AIPAC's acting executive director since Dine's departure.
Annual camp day The Jewish Community Center will hold its annual camp day on March 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the JCC auditorium. According to the annpuncement, the JCC offers camp programs from ages two through 14 . Programs include 10 weeks of a variety of day camp activities, two one-week travel camps for older campers, and a two-week overnight camp at the end of the summer. For more information, contact Beth Cohen at 334-8200, ext. 217.
Omahan national chairman for UJA family mission
^^V By Barbara Chandler, ^^m. Federation public relations director ^^ When Omaha families go on the UJA Summer Family Mission to Israel in June, they will have a special bonus — the national chairman of the mission is Omahan Anne Broder. As national chairman, Mrs. Broder is overseeing the itinerary and recruiting families from all over the United States to go on this mission from June 26 to July 6. Omaha's local chairmen for the mission are Marcia and Steve Pitlor and their children, Lisa, David and Kim. Two information sessions about the mission were held during January, and several families indicated that they will be going in June. "Even if you didn't come to an information session, you can still sign up for the mission," noted Mrs. Broder, There's plenty of room." Mrs. Broder made her first trip to Israel in 1991 on the Omaha Community Mission. Since then, she has made several more visits, including one with her own family, and last July she led 33 Omaha teenagers on the ARTZA trip. This mission will be more than a great family vacation," said Mrs. Broder. "Our guides will introduce your whole family to the land and history of Israel in a most unique way, and each of you will touch the Jewish past in a way that makes Israel come alive. For ten days we will experience Israeli life together and create the memoHei of a lifetime!" As the national chairman, Mrs. Broder has planned thii miasion to include •xperiencea that everyone in the family will enjoy. She lilted some of the highlight! from the mission itinerary. This miition is geared fbr alt agai — 7 yean old and up," she explained. *Ws will go tubing down
the Jordan River, «mtMth* Sin of QtlilM. and
Pelletreau heads bureau
By Deborah Kalb take a jeep ride in the Golan Heights to learn the WASHINGTON (JTA) — Robert Pelletreau Jr. was strategic value of that land. sworn in to head the State Department's Near East We'll have a hands-on experience at an archeologi- bureau, which plays a key role in U.S. policies cal dig, and at Beit She'an, the largest dig in Israel, toward Israel. we'll discover 17 layers of ancient cities. The career diplomat took his oath of office as Other stops include the Grottoes of Rosh assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Hanikra and Ein Gedi, a nature reserve where Mrs. last Friday, after being confirmed by a Senate voice Broder says it is not unusual to see gazelles, ante- vote on Feb. 10. lope, and even mountain lions. Pelletreau succeeds Edward Djerejian, who is After a climb up Masada, participants will cool now serving as U.S. ambassador to Israel. off as they float in the Dead Sea. State Department spokesman Mike McCurry "A hallmark of UJA missions are the opportuni- said last Friday that Pelletreau "is beginning to ties to hear from top government officials," noted engage very fully in the work of the (Middle East) Mrs. Broder, "and the family mission is na excep- peace team." tion." McCurry added that Pelletreau's responsibilities "Government, military and agency officials will go "well beyond the peace process itself" enlighten us about what is happening now with the Peace Process and resettlement. "At the Lebanese border, we'll learn about security at border crossings and how the peace process is changing that. "And while we are being briefed, IsracM counselors will involve the younger children in their own special activities." Mrs. Broder also discussed the opportunities to interact with the Israeli people. "Everywhere we go, families will be able to meet and talk with Israelis. "Children, teens and young adults will meet Israelis their own age and learn what their lives are like. "We will spend time on a kibbutx where I guarantee everyone will make now friends." Applications for the Family Mission are due in to the Federation office by March IS. Purim pulchritude - Ann Margolin (loft) Anyone who ii interested in more information can and Priodn Kriielman Join their follow call Mrs. Broder, the Pitlors, or Jan Porelman at YESers In a holiday ptroviaw. Uappy IWioaS the Pedtration offin at 834-82(M>. .b^Ji'^-.H vv
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