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VoLLXXI No. 36 Omaha
10 Slvan, S7B4, May 90,1M4
Rabbi Kushner to speak By Al Crounse Publicity chairman Rabbi Harold Kushner, who will speak Sunday svening at 7:30 p.iii. at he Jewish Community Center, is the author of nany books, including Vhen Bad Things 3appen to Good People.That book,which las sold over four million :opies, is considered by nany as one of the leadng books on the grieving irocess. Rabbi Kushner will iiscuss his newest book, Rabbi Kushner CO LIFE, A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking. A ;)ulpit rabbi for 30 years before retiring from that ispect of his life, he was interviewed recently by «lephone. The following are some of his thoughts. When asked to account for the success of When Sad Things Happen to Good Peoplewhich was witten after the untimely death of his son, Rabbi Cushner offers two reasons: his expression of his Jteology and his witness to it, and that conventionil religions don't always give people the answers to {uestions of grief. He says he hears constantly rom people who say, "I have always wanted to )elieve what you have written." Rabbi Kushner started his newest book, with a Hend, a Methodist minister, who wanted him to do 1 book explaining Judaism to'Christians, while the minister did a book explaining Christianity to tews. When his friend decided not to do his book, labbi Kushner and his publisher decided to nstead aim the book at a Jewish audience and at he same time, talk to others. On the success of the movie Schindler's List, labbi Kushner describes the movie as wonderliland helping to deepen the understanding of the lolocaust. However, he says that he doesn't want bnerica to see the Jewish people only as victims. Should be taught history He says Americans should be taught the history f the cifews including their life in America. This is lot Nazi Germany or Spain of the 16th century. On the subject of actively securing converts to ludaism. Rabbi Kushner believes in doing that to olve interfaith relationships with one Jewish partter. He feels that the Jewish cotnmunity should Bssen restrictions to make it as inviting as possiile. This way the children can be raised as Jews. Rabbi'Kushner relates the success of his books 0 his spending thirty years explaining and putting hings into terms that people understand. He has reused on questions people have, such as mortality md the meaning of life.
70th wedding anniversary and Edward Teppermaii will colcbrate their ^Oth wedding anniversary June 15. Their children yill host a Kiddush luncheon at Both El Synagogue May 28 A family reunion will bi> hold June 16 DlalivcH will travel from both coB!«ts to celebrate (trr'iimril)
Mimi Waldbaum named Humanitarian
Mimi Waldbaum, an activist who has contributed to the improvement of life in Omaha, has been named Humanitarian of the Year by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Presentation of the award will take place at the Federation's annual meeting on June 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center. Nominated by ADL/CRC, Mrs. Waldbaum has been cited for her life-long service to the Omaha community and her exceptional contributions toward the advancement of women, equal opportunity and human rights, making Omaha a better place for alt its citizens. Details of her nomination were provided as follows: Her efforts have been directed toward learning about the needs in the community and trying to effect changes in and through government and community organizations to meet these needs. She was "up to her neck" in the ERA fight in the Nebraska legislature and worked to alert organizations in Nebraska and other states of the dangers of the recision effort. She-has worked to involve more women in the United Way organization and on its agencies and boards. Mrs. Waldbaum fought for funding for women's programs and was instrumental in United Way's encouragement and support of Girl's Club, of the revision of the YWCA and the many programs they and other agencies are providing for girls and women. She has been involved in promoting expanded participation in the decision making on many committees and boards of agencies, including the clients of agencies. In addition, she has been active in expanding the role of women in all phases of community. She has also worked to involve more volunteers in community and government activities and ensure that the contributions of the volunteer as both resource and advocate are recognized and appreciated. A great deal of her time has been committed to developing and increasing citizen involvement in the political process and in bringing concerns of the
Mimi Waldbaum citizens to government officials. Mrs. Waldbaum has been a devoted supporter of the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and has served on the board since 1970. She has also served on the executive committee and Civil Rights committee since 1989. Her service has helped the ADL/CRC in its mission to stop anti-Semitism and to further understanding through education and counteraction. In 1982, she was awarded the ADL's Torch of Liberty Award, an honor given to those who personify the noblest traditions of the United States. The Torch of Liberty award is reserved for "those who care not just for themselves today, but for the children and grandchildren of tomorrow, who care enough to translate caring into action, who aid in community programs whose purposes are to build a future in which every citizen will share the fruits of democracy." Mrs. Waldbaum has also served as Jewish Federation of Omaha board member from 19721984. Other positions were held on the executive committee, co-chair Phase II (Center for Aging Planning Committee) and Foundation Board.
Annual newcomers brunch By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director On June 12, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Newcomer's Committee will host a brunch from 10a.m.- noon at the Jewish Community Center. Joyce Cohen is chairman. The brunch is held annually to provide an opportunity for those who arrived in Omaha during the past year to meet representatives from the Federation, its agencies, the synagogues and other local Jewish organizations. Mrs, Cohen commented, "We make a point of sending a welcome packet to newcomers as soon as we have their address and try to follow up with phone calls. The brunch provides an opportunity for us to meet everyone personally and answer any Questions they may have about the Omaha Jewish community. Somr of the people on our lu-wconii-rs list niiiy have been in Oiniiiia for sRVeial mouihs already, nmi other.-, arrived vi-ry recently. We hope they will ull join us for brunch .so that they can meet each other and we can .•-x-ii 'hem a warm welcome," • Mrs Cohen added that .she wuuiii welcome interest from any volunteers in the community who would like to serve on the Newcomers ("ommittee "It is a volunteer position that is not very lime consuming but is very rewnrding," she remarked, "Omaha is known for itK midwest hospitality and newcomers certainly oppreciate the pertonni welcome wc extend from the Jewish community." Thnvx interonlod in «i>rving on the Newcomers < runch nhould call the I <l 210
Continuing Exodus The newest family from the former Soviet Union to arrive in Omaha as part of the Operation Kxodus resettlement campaign is greeted at the airport by Lidiya Linde, also from the former Soviet Union, who now is being honored by Jewish Family Service as volunteer of the year She presents flowers to KstJi Dubov while her hushand. Grngory.and son, llya, look on. In the wheelchair is llya's grandmother, Frimn Shinder, Those greeting the family were surprised to find that the grandmother was accofnpanied by a medical courier because she required medical assistance enroutc and also r(>(|uired a wheelchair, Jewish Family Service had not b'en nolined ahead of time of the family's spe cific needs