b
ilewtsh Press Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
12 Elul, 57M, August 10, IBS*"
V0I.LXXI No. 48 Oinab>
fore than 175 attended the groundbreaking ceremony Sunday at the Jewish Community campus for the Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning. In this view, the camera faces west from the southwest comer of the Jewish Community Center. Photo at bottonn of page shows children from the Priedel Jewish Academy participating in the program.
Gene and Charlotte Rich donate $54,000 to Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning j^F In 1947, Eugene and Charlotte Rich moved from Chicago with son, Lou, to start Business Printing Service at 14th and Chicago. In the 46 years that followed, while raising Lou, Joel, and Phil, they became active in the Jewish community as well as the secular community. Beth El, Hadassah, Variety Club, children's activities and a full work program occupied their time. Sons married and then there were seven grandsons, five of whom have, are, or will be attending the Friedel Jewish Academy. Gene and Charlotte were impressed with the education their grandsons were receiving, the progress they were making and expressed a desire to "do something' for Jewish education. They made a m^or decision - to give a sizeable gift, to the new location of the school in the soon-tobe built Dan and Esther Gordman Center for Jewish Learning on the JCC campus. Their gift of $54,000 was unsolicited, presented without fanfare or publicity. Now that a decision has been made for the use of the mfuor gift, Charlotte, speaking for her late husband and herself, said, "We were and I am, strong believers in Jewish values. Gene and I were very proud and pleased to know the school's 'Commons Room' will bear our name. Hopefully, it will be a true center of activities and programs, a place where the spirit and the knowledge of the children will be enhanced. We are very fortunate to have our children wanting their children to be educated at the Friedel academy. They do a marvelous job!"
"Another dream comes true"
Gene and Charlotte Rich The "Eugene and Charlotte Rich Commons Room,' the core room of the Friedel Academy, will be used for a variety of programs, celebrations, lunch and snack periods, and possibly other activities once it is completed for the 1995-96 school term.
By Morris Maline With the words," Another dream comes true," Jerry Slusky, president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, started the groundbreaking program Sunday at the Jewish community's growing campus of buildings. Mr. Slusky introduced the speakers to an estimated crowd of 175 in a picture-perfect afternoon of pleasant temperature and low humidity. Participating in the program were: Jerry Gordman, representing the Gordman family and mEgor donors to the new Center; Carl Riekes, representing key supporters of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Museum and the Henry and Dorothy C. Riekes Museum Maintenance Endowment. Also, Mike Katzman, chairman of the Friedel Jewish Academy, the prime tenant of the new building; Louise Abrahamson, president of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society; Steve Riekes, representing the Bureau of Jewish Education; Marty Shukert, who oversaw the architectural components, and Mary Fellman, who struggled and persevered for eight years to effect the construction of the new building. Mr. Slusky also credited the Frohm Foundation , as well as Gene and Charlotte Rich and the Herbert Goldsten Foundation with being key participants in furthering the Jewish Federation's commitment to Jewish education and Jewish continuity in the community. M