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ilewish Pre Serving Nebraska and Iowa Since 1920
V0I.LXXII No. U Omaha
Women establish Pomegranate Division By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director
8 Kislev, 5766, November 11, 1994
Kenneth Stein to disclose Arab-Israeli procedures I
By Diane Axler Baiun
The Women's Division of the 1995 UJA/Federation Campaign has announced the establishment of the Pomegranate Division for women contributing gifts from $1,800 to $4,999. Women in this division have the option of purchasing a pomegranate pin. Zoe Riekes explained, "Among the many symbols in Jewish tradition and history is the pomegranate, a fruit bursting with seeds which is seen as a symbol of fertility and plenty. One of the seven species of fruits and grains mentioned in the Bible, the pomegranate is said to contain 613 seeds, one for each of the 613 mitzvot noted in the Torah." Sandy Epstein remarked, "Currently, we have 49 women giving at this level and 10 more have already joined them with their increased gifts to the 1995 Campaign. We are truly delighted with this response so early in the campaign. "If you see a woman wearing a pomegranate pin, please feel free to speak with her about it. "The women in our community who have these pins wear them with pride. The pins are both Chai/Pomegranate Division Chairmen Sandy beautiful and meaningful to those who take an active part in our local Jewish community." Epstein and Zoe Riekes.
Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, director of Emory University's Middle East Research Program, will discuss "Choreographing Peace: How the Americans, Arabs, and Israelis are Stepping through the Mid-East Peace Process," on Sunday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., at the JCC. The event, co-sponsored by the Jewish Cultural Arts Council, is free and open to the Kenneth W. Stein public. It headlines the 1994 Jewish Book Fair, sponsored by the Jewish Federation Library. A reception will follow. "We are proud to bring to Omaha a leading authority on the history of modern Israel, the ArabIsraeli conflict, and modern Arab politics, especially in light of recent developments in the Middle East," said Joyce Cohen, president of the Jewish Federation Library board. "Dr. Stein is prepared to reveal numerous behindthe-scenes methods and procedures, which have been utilized by the major factions involved in Arab-Israeli negotiations, and to examine the evoBy Joan Kaiman, Shalom Mission participant lution and status of the peace process," Mrs. Cohen To be very honest, Israel was never at the top of added. my list of countries to visit, but I always knew that someday I would go. Dr. Stein will comment on President Clinton's My husband always wanted to go, but I seemed to landmark decision to open dialogue with Hafez Alfind a reason to go somewhere else. At one point, he Asaad in hopes that Syria and Israel will come to a had purchased tickets to take the whole family, but peace agreement. First he will look back at the then got too sick to make the trip. consequences on the Middle East of the 1967 War When he died in 1990, my urge to go seemed and analyze the motivations and procedures adoptgreater. I felt I had my own private mission. So ed by the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and other Arab parwith a nudge from Anne Broder, I decided that it ties in crafting a diplomatic process. was time, and the UJA Shalom Mission seemed Vice-President of the Association for Israel perfect for me. It had a terrific group of people Studies, Dr. Stein is identified as "an outstanding going, so I started my mission. scholar and writer who has experienced the workI don't think I expected anything other than visitings of governments first-hand." He served as ing cmother country, but everyone who had gone to President Jimmy Carter's advisor on Middle Israel before, said to me, "You will never be the same upon your return." Well, I have to tell you it's Eastern Affairs, and in 1991 he collaborated with true! former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Samuel W. From the minute the El Al plane started to Lewis, ill writing "Making Peace Among Arabs and descend near Tel Aviv, and Hatikvah played over Israelis: Lessons from Fifty Years of Negotiating the P.A. system on the plane, I was hooked. My Experience." emotions started to rise and a lump formed in my In 1993, Dr. Stein testiiied before the House throat — that's how the next 10 days were. Commitl«e on Foreign A/Tairs on American foreign Friends have asked me what was the highlight of From right: Joan Kaiman, Florence Brody the trip. Every day was a highlight in this wonder- Ann German and Bobbi Leibowitz at Beit policy towards the MiriJl? East after the Cold War. He witnessed the liistoric signing of the Israeli pliful country where I felt 10 feet tall, so proud to be a She'an archeological excavation in Israel. PLO ognftement. Jew. At times, I would pinch myself to make sure I In addjition to being the author ul Hi'vemi buo wasn't dreaming — that I was actually in Israel. Dr. Stein hnii written dozens of articles and moi Our day started at 7 a.m. with a fabulous buffet breakfast, and by 7:46 we were on our buses, ready than 100 Up-Ed pieces in national and internotion to roll. Our guides were Alex and Moishe. Their al newspjapers. RYs'^lltical analyses are heard and I have made my Mission to Israel. I now know knowledge of Israel was incredible. There wasn't a seen freljuently on ABC, BBC, CNN. NBC. and thing they didn't know or a question they couldn't what UJA stands for and I know I will return. My NI'R. Hii recently finished a book on the history of ahswer. only regret is that I never went with my husband. I Arab-Isrileh diplomacy. We started in Eilat and made our way north to have a feeling if Ben would have gone, he would At Emory University, where he joined the faculty the Golan Heights with so much in between. have stayed there. in 1977, Dr. Stein is Professor of Near Eastern From riding jeeps in the desert to climbing As I stood in the Yizkor tent saying Kaddish for History inS Political Science in addition to serving Masada; from visiting kibbutzim to lighting the six million Jews killed in the HolocaiiHt, I felt aa Director of the Middle East Research Program. Shabbat candles at the Southern Wall in Jerusalem where the men and women could be together. From his presence. Knowing he was glad thut I hud final- In 1981, he was recognized by the senior class as •The Beslt Undergraduate Teacher." having the most wonderful Shabbnt dinner with ly made it. To you who read this article who Wave never beon Tho JowiRh nook Fair at tlie JCC features special the Chief Cantor of the Israeli Army and ninging and dancing around the tables. All these incri>diblo to Israel — go. Don't put it off. As I, you will never evenlH for children and adults in addition to t bo the same. expeiiencM plus so much more. ofbooki jjlar readers of all ages
Go to Israel, don't put it off!
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