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Epstein Fund awards two scholarships
Groundbreaking on Sunday:
Riekes historical museum part of Gordman Center The Henry and Dorothy C. Riekes Historical Museum of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will be located in the Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning which will be built on the southwest corner of the Jewish Community Center.
Gary Shyken
Fishel Paley
The Sidney L. Epstein Fund of Beth Israel Synagogue awarded its first college scholarships of $2500 each to Gary Shyken and Fishel Paley, according to Leon Shrago, president. The fund, established by Gert Epstein in memory of her husband, will provide an annual scholai-ship to two recipients who plan to continue their Jewish studies. "My husband's family helped found Beth Israel Synagogue," said Mrs. Epstein, "and I wanted Beth Israel families to be able to benefit. "Sidney was very civic-minded," continued Mrs. Epstein. "He was a past president of B'nai B'rith, and his family worked tirelessly to build the building on 52nd Street. "We even remained members when we moved to Des Moines in 1954. Sidney passed away in 1985 and I moved back here in 1990. "Out of respect for my husband and his parents, I set up this fund. "I'm a great believer in education," she continued, "and it's getting so expensive to send children to college today. "Beth Israel students can be assured that they will have this opportunity for many years to come," she concluded. Fishel, son of Susan and Dennis Paley, recentiy returned from studying in Israel for his freshman year. He will continue at Touro College in Brooklyn and Shor VShuv yeshiva this fall. "I plan on studying in yeshiva and pursuing a career in education," he commented. "This scholarship will help me achieve that goal." Gary Shyken, son of Susie and Paul Shyken, graduated from Westside High School and will attend Indiana University. He is a past recipient of the Teen Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation of Omaha. "Indiana has a very strong Jewish studies program," he said. "Although I'll be mtyoring in either pre-med or pre-dental, I hope to obtain a certificate in Jewish studies, too. I'm very grateful to Mrs. Epstein for making this possible." To obtain applications for the 1995-96 school year, contact the Beth Israel Synagogue ofTlce at 5666288.
No shift in policy NEW YORK (JTA) — ReporU of a shiR in Yemen's policy toward its Jews are exaggerated, according to people in New York familiar with the situation th«re. The Associated Press this week quoted a Yemeni government ofllcial as saying Yemen has begun allowing members of its Jewish community to emigrate. In fact, Yemen has been allowing Jewish emigration for well over • year, reflecting a general opening toward the West in the wake of the unification of the eeparate northern and southorn Yemen states in 1990. About 500 Yemeni Jewi have left the country since then, moet moving to Israel. About 600 Jews remain in Yemen. The recent civil war, however, eevered all air links out of the country.
"This gift is our opportunity to give something important and lasting to the Omaha Jewish community, which has given so much to us," said Dorothy Riekes. Both her family, the Chaits, and the Riekes' early family members were a major part of the religious and communal life of early Omaha. . The Riekes gift of "We also believe strongly $100,000 and the in the outstanding work of Herbert Goldsten the Nebraska Jewish Trust gift of $50,000 Historical Society and feel have made it possible that this museum will add for this msgor Jewish a great deal to the richhistorical museum to ness of our Jewish commube included in the nity," said Henry Riekes. new building. The community is invited to the groundbreaking for According to Louise the Gordman Center for Abrahamson, president Jewish Learning, which of the Nebraska Jewish will take place on Sunday, Henry and Dorothy Riekes Historical Society, the Aug. 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the museum will include a restoration of the Kapulier Jewish Community Center. Jerry Slusky will chair Synagogue which was originally located at 24th the ceremony. and Nicholas and later moved to Slst and Cuming Jerry Gordman will speak on behalf of the Streets. Gordman family, and Carl Riekes will speak on behalf ofthe Riekes family. The Herbert Goldsten Wall of Histoiy will highOther program participants will be Louise light the old and new synagogues of Nebraska. Abrahamson, president of the Nebraska Jewish Also being planned is a Wall of Memory of Historical Society, Mike Katzman, president of Nebraska survivors of the Holocaust with plaques Friedel Jewish Academy, Steve Riekes, past presiin tribute to their families who died in the dent of the Bureau of Jewish Education, and Mary Holocaust. Fellman, co-founder of the Nebraska Jewish "We are very grateful to Henry and Dorothy and Historical Society and Federation chairman of the Goldsten Trust for making this dream a reali- fund-raising for the Gordman Center and Riekes ty," said Mrs. Abrahamson. Museum.
(Henry Appel dies Newcomers invited for holiday hospitality By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director Joyce and Sheldon Cohen, chairmen of the Jewish Federation's Newcomers Committee, invite newcomers who would like to ei\joy a holiday meal with a family to call them. They also welcome calls from families who will be hosting meals for the high holidays and would like to welcome newcomers to their table, "Sharing meals, especially at the High Holidays, is a wond^ful way to bring people together and enrich the holiday for tlie whole family," commented Mrs. Cohen. "Often, the people who move to Omaha have left family in other parts of the country — or other countries. Nothing makes you feel more at home than sharing holidays with family, and this is an opportunity to Aiow our newcomers how very warm and welcoming the Omaha Jewish community is. "Growing up, both my husband's family and mine always welcomed newcomers into our homes. We have continued that tradition with our own family and our sons certainly reaped the benefits of those experiences, meeting wonderful people from all kinds of pieces and b:ick|pt)undB." Jan Peretman, Federation atafT director for the Newcomer's program, suggested that those interested in hosting newcomers, or any newcomers who would like to spend the upcoming holidays with Omaha families, should call the Federation office at 334-8200, ext. 210 and she will arrange for Mre. Cohen to contact them.
Services for - ,, Henry Appel, 81, a ? past president of Beth Israel Synagogue, were held Monday at Beth Israel Synagogue. He died Sunday at Methodist Hospital of Congestive heart failure. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice; son, Stephen of Washington, D.C.; stepson, Paul Landow of Omaha and stepdaughter, Henry Appel Janine LandowEsser of Chicago. « Mr. Appel retired as president of Wade & Son, a heavy hauling firm in Omaha, in 1991. He became a founder of Omaha Hadassah with a gift of $10,000 in 1982. A native of London, Mr. Appel graduated cum laude from the London School of Economics ia ,^ 1933. V When Mr. Appel was a senior, the late Preoident John F. Kennedy was a freshman. The next year, he was admitted ae a felloVr of the Royal Economic Society with a letter of adxnlMionn signed by J. M. Keynei, Society Mcretary at the, time. Mr. Appel become an Aatrieaa d^jgta in 1964.
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