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Gordman Educational Center out for bids
By Mai:^ Fellman An old Yiddish expression says "Man Trocht, jott lacht" In English it means "Man thinks and )lan5; Grod laughs." This saying is with me as I •emember Dan and Esther Gordman and their najor involvement in the new Center for Jewish [peaming. The story began almost ten years ago with disussion of the needs for an Education Center at 'lanning and Evaluation Connmittee meetings. Vhen it was given the "go ahead," there was a disippointing period when the Federation director, Steve Rod, and I approached several families for their major financial involvement One day a committee member quietly said, "I ihink you should talk to Dan Gordman." And so }egan a number of wonderful sessions, call them iiscussions, mostly listening to Dan talking about lis Jewish feelings, his hopes and dreams for maha's Jewish youth, his previous involvement d leadership roles in Beth Israel Synagogue and er Jewish areas of life. There were many times talk about what an Educational Center could ean for tjhe fcwish life for Omaha's children and dults. And th6f« was the day when a gift of 1,000,000 was requested and he and his wife, ler, not only understood the need but endorsed with enthusiasm and love for its potential. However, it was to be a long time of starts and itops for additional fund-raising, for delays because if Operation Exodus campaigns, for the hesitation f some of the expected participants, for various bommittees' concerns fbr campus space, and on and Dn. Through it all, Dan was patient, supportive, )ften disappointed, but never withdrawing his sup>ort. His business and health problems were not letenrents as he was informed of all changes in the Driginal plans for a m^or building housing Jewish schools, classrooms. Federation library, offices and Other facilities. He was determined to continue his support when some of the expected occupants withdrew from the planning, and he asked only that there would always be room available for educational activities and classes in the late afternoons, tvenings and summers.
Dan and Esther Gordman The recent "go ahead* vote of the Federation board means now that the groundbreaking will take place this spring; a beautiful one-story center will be built on the Jewish Community campus with space for the Friedel Jewish Academy, a Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Museum, offices and additional parking. A number of families and foundations have already made pledges for the commons room, classrooms and museum. Hopefully, more will come forward with their contributions so that eventually there will also be an endowment fund to insure support for this building. Generations of children and adults will use and enjoy this facility; the hopes and dreams of Dan and Esther Gordman will be partially fulfilled. Unfortunately, they will not be here to see it because of their recent deaths. However, the Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning will always be a reminder of two people who cared deeply about the Omaha Jewish Community and its Jewish life.
By Morris Maline The Dan and Esther Gordman Educational Center will be up and running in about a year. Architect Marty Shukert made the prediction following a unanimous vote of final approval by the Federation's Board of Directors at its March meet-; ing. Mr. Shukert said bids for the 9,500 square foot structure would go out shortly and that groundbreaking might take place in May. Completion would follow in about 10 months, hej added. || The Board's approval followed the reading of a final agreement among the Federation, the Gordman family and representatives of the Friedel Jewish Academy. The Board was advised that the Gordman Educational Center will be constructed as a turnkey building including all sofl costs and contingencies not to exceed $1,171,100. There will be no cost to the Federation for Friedel Academy's participation in the project, the agreement stated. The Friedel Jewish Academy will be the major tenant in the building which will be constructed at the southwest corner of the Jewish Community Center. An estimated 700 square feet will be used to house the B'nai Jacob Museum, a project of synagogue reconstruction provided by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. In addition, some 450 square feet will be utilized for ofTlces of the Bureau of Jewish Education. Enhancements discussed at the March meeting included the construction of additional parking spaces and replacement of an outdoor storage shed with basement storage, and modifications to the main parking areas. In addition to the $1 million pledged by the Gordman family, other benefactors include: Gene and Charlotte Rich, the Frohm Foundation, Robert Eisenberg, and the Katzman family. Final approval of the plans came after six years of discussion and preparation during which the concept of a $3 million, 30,000 square foot building was scaled to the present size.
Holocaust program in Iowa An estimated 500 students, along with faculty, administration and other Iowa residents gathered at the Tri-Center gym in late March to consider the Holocaust and the extermination of six million Jews. A report on the program, prepared by Maureen R. Olsen, editor and publisher of the GAZETTE, is being reprinted in this issue with the permission of the publication. The report starts on page 5 and continues on page 7. A copy of the publication is available in the office of the Jewish Press. The GAZETTE, a 1993 Iowa Newsppaer Association award winning newspaper, circulates in McClelland, Minden, Neola, Persia, Shelby, Treynor, and Underwood. The Holocaust coverage took up most of the front page and included a photo of Holocaust survivors Lola Reinglas, Sam Fried, and ADL/CRC director BobWolfson. Ms. Olten also included an editorial which the Omaha Jewish Press plans to publish in next week's issue. Now at the JCC ia an exhibit of artlfacU ^m the site of Bcthsaida in Israal. At top, uian Draxon, dir«otor, Bureau of Jewish ducation, ihows part of the wall exhibit. olow is a display case with items dating cl( thousands of years. The exhibit will b« n display until April 28, and tours can be ngnd by oailin«SS4-820O.
March of the Living Six teenage girls led Omaha Tuesday to spend two weeks in Poland and Israel in connection with the March of the Living program. Participating in the program, sponsored by the B'nni IVrith Youth Organization, ore MOIIISB Katsman, Jayme Tiehauer, Mindy Colcher, Dob GoldiUin, Sarah Rafltl and Beth Shyken.
Before their departure for England, George Bronitein, left, of Lincoln, and Jacob Cohen, his navigator, stand in f^nt of an amyh barracks in the United States. Jacob and aorialj gunner Jack Shepherd survived. Beoj Bronstein's story on pafeS.