ilewlsh Presr Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
17 Slvui, S7M, May 37,1M4
VoLLXXI No.M Omalia
Kushner offers hope for perplexed
Gommunlty to salute volunteers of the year
By Morris Maline For those Jews who had a bad experience in Hebrew school, there's hope. For those involved in Fourteen members of the Jewish community will interfaith families, there's hope for you as well. And be recognized as volunteers of the year during the for those seeking answers to spiritual and religious 90th annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of issues, there's hope for you too. Omaha, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jewish As Rabbi Harold S. Kushner explained to more Community Center. than 450 who came to the Jewish Community Those to be honored are: Carol Katzman, Steven Center Sunday night to hear his talk, he wrote his J. Riekes, Lydia Linde, Barry Gamine, Bert Lewis, new book. To Life... A Celebration of Jewish Silvia Roffman, Shel Perelman, Jerry Raznick, Being and Thinking, to awaken readers to the Eadie F. Tsabari, Justin Cooper, Edith Rogert, Joel rewards and relevance of Judaism today. Alperson, Larry Raful and Harry Alloy; Rabbi Kushner of Natick, Mass., told the audiMs. Katzman had been nominated by the JeAvish ence that he felt at home in Omaha inasmuch as Federation of Omaha for her many years of service his wife, the former Barbara Estrada, is from this with "enthusiasm, objectivity and vision." In the Jewish community and that she and her family had Joe Ginsberg (right) event chairman, greets annual UJA/Federation Campaign, she has served benefited from many years of association with Beth Rabbi and Mrs. Ebirold Kushner in, several leadership positions, most recently as El Synagogue. ing bacon. The priest suggested that bacon was chairman for the Women's Division 1994 He pointed out that his new book is sort of tasty, nutritious, and that the rabbi should try eat- Campaign. Sipbeafand that such a positive approach is need^ ing the 'delicacy.' Rabbi Kushner replied,"O.K. The Bureau of Jewish education nominated Mr. ed these days, particularly since most visitors to father, I'll try it at your wedding." Riekes for his work "behind the scenes" for the jthe Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C, canHe then explained that keeping kosher is not Financial Aid Committee which provides funds to hot help but think of the Jew as a victim. mandated for health reasons, but for holiness. hundreds of young people in the community each "Where is the museum about what the Jews He said man is the only animal who can subordi- year. have done for the world?" he asked. nate basic instincts for a higher purpose and that Ms. Linde has been named volunteer of the year In explaining the uniqueness of Judaism, Rabbi by observing dietary rules he is demonstrating his by the Federation Library for her expertise in dealKushner referrea to the existence of Jews as a peo- humanity. ing with the Russian speaking patrons. In addition ple before they had a faith, contrasting that experiIn a Monday morning session with professionals to acting as translator, she sends letters and guides ence with Christianity where theology is the prima- from the community and Jewish Federation, Rabbi the selection of Russian language books. ry component. Kushner offered advice on dealing with those who The Library also nominated Mr. Carnine for his He said the "center of gravity' about Judaism is are terminally ill. "Ill people are not afraid to die. involvement in the area of Bible and comparative connecting with people and that the minyan allows They are afraid of two things: pain and abandon- religion. He has catalogued many of the mof-e esoJews to accomplish in a group what they cannot ment." He pointed out that he is a big admirer of teric books on Judaism and related subjects. accomplish as individuals. hospices where residents can receive medication for The Jewish Press has nominated Bert W. Humans are social creatures, he explained, their pain and someone who cares not only for Lewis and Silvia G. Roffman for the hundreds of adding that Judaism really is the science of taking them, but about them. hours they put into assembling the photos, writing |the ordinary and making it holy. He advised counselors not to bury the patient the stories, and laying out the Passover issue, He often injected humor into his presentation at while the patient is alive by limiting attention, and theme of which was the Rose Blumkin Jewish one point telling a story about a man who was he advised family not to lie at this stage in the per- Home. Bsked why he attended synagogue so frequently. son's life. Shel Perelman and Jerry Raznick have been His reply was,"My friend, Garfmkle, goes to syna"This is the time to tell the family member all named by the Jewish Community Center for their gogue to talk to God, I go to talk to Garfmkle." the things you want him to know, or else you may service as co-chairmen of the Center's Fitness In another exchange, this time with a Catholic wind up telling all these things to a psychiatrist Center Committee. priest, the priest cajoled Rabbi Kushner for not try- later on in life." (Continued on page 2)
Infant transplant patient starts recovery phase Special to the Omaha Jewuh Prett By Gary Javitch The wait was over. After what seemed like teven endless weeks, the call announcing the availibility of a liver came late Sunday evening. The bllowing morning, 10- month- old Or Bibi received k new organ to replace his own which was severely lamaged. Two days later, on May 11, breathing iomplications forced surgeons to perform an emerlency tracheotomy to assist his respiration. Two veeks later, the Israeli infant remains in the pediitric intensive care unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where his condition mproves daily. An exhausted Nitza and Eli Bibi sat in the ntensive care waiting room immediately following ihe surgery. Having traveled thousands of miles on Jieir medical mission, Or's parents could relax for ho moment. His doctors stated that the transplant >peration had been successful. Speaking little English, the Bibi family commulicated this day through Ophir Palmon, an Israeli ivorking locally as a photographer. Eli, elated by he surgical outcome, said his stress level had been BJBDly reduced. His prayers had been answered. HKon had survived long enough to obtain o donor irgan. "Now, a new kind of waiting begins," Nitza ixplainod to Beth Seldin Dotan who has helped fre)ucntly with translations. Doctors continue to watch the baby closely for signs of organ rejection. The tracheotomy tube remains in place. Their ihyiicians wsnt Or to spend about four more »#•k« in the hospiul.
Museum tour a reality
By Kim Noddle and Maiy Fellman Following that, the baby will be released for two A dream of the Nebraska Jewish Historical additional weeks with his parents outside the hos- Society became reality May 11 when 63 members pital in University House, the hospital connected traveled to Washington, D.C, to visit the U.S. housing where the parents are now staying. Holocaust Museum. Like their friends at home in Nes Tziona, near Tel Aviv, the Omaha Jewish community has been supportive. On their own, the Jewish community has warmly responded to the family's needs. Many Omahans have dropped by to visit, occasionally cook kosher meals for them, and offer friendship. More opportunities for them to get out to grocery shop or visit are still welcome. Those who can speak Hebrew or can prepare a kosher meal and would like to visit the Bibis can cnll Beth Seldin DoUn at 334-8200. The Bibis maintain frequent contact with their two teenage daughters, staying with Eli's sister in Israel. Their longing to be together again as a family Waiting to enter the Holocaust Museum. was evident. Comments of those participating included: Eli returned to Israel over the weekend, for up to •^ell planned, best bargain in town, a must to three weeks, to see the children, attend a family Bar Milzvah and talk to the friends who sponsored do again." Yale Halperin said. "The Holocaust Museum exhibits really touched me and angered their trip. With an ever expanding English vocabulary me." According to Morric and Helen Lipp, it was "a Nitza described the change in Or's appearance. "Look at his eyes," she said, as she gently great mixture of the highlights of Washington. The Holocaust Museum was much mors lifa-lika caressed his hair and face, while holding Or in her than 'Schindler** List.** arms. Harry and Sophie Schulman particularly liked Since the oporntion, their yellowish tint reverted to white and his pallor had returned U> a more nat- "the camaraderie of a heterogeneous group." (Continued on page 2) ural color.
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