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From Jordan to Jerusalem: The Women's Mission
iJoanie Kaiman (left) and Anne Cohen, ^Women's Mission chairmen By Barbara Chandler, Federation communications director The effects of the peace agreement between Jordan and Israel have reached all the way to Omaha. When the Federation's Women's Mission goes to Israel next fall, the participants will visit ;Tel Aviv, Jerusalem—and Jordan, Since January, many UJA missions have made ^ordiMi a regular part of their mission itineraries. According to Jan Perelman, Federation missions director, "Jordan welcomes new tourism and provides an exciting addition to the mission experience. In fact, cooperative agreements may soon ipesult in IsraeU planes flying into Jordan." The Women's Mission, scheduled for Oct. 22-31, is chaired by Anne Cohen and Joan Kaiman. An (nformational meeting will be held Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wyndham Hills Clubhouse. In addition to visiting Petra and Jeresh in Jordan, the mission will go to Mt. Nebo where Moses^ stood and looked into the Promised Land. The itinerary in Israel is uniquely tailored to the
interests of women. The group will participate in home hospitality with members of the Israeli Women's Network, discussions on issues regarding Arab women, and a special seminar'at the Diaspora Museum on "Women's Role in Judaism." They will also visit locations where innovative programs are addressing the challenges of Israel's disadvantaged populations such as youth aliyah villages, JDC sites and a shelter for battered women. Special cultural opportunities include visits to the Chagall Windows, artists studios and an evening at the theater. Archeological excava[tion sites in the Jewish Quarter, as well as Rachel's Tomb and Golda Meir's gravesite will provide the backdrop for the group to experience their historic roots. In additipn, they will visit Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, a settlement in Judea re-established on the site evaeuated in 1948 when it was overrun by invading Arab armies. Children of the original settlers are among the members. And of course, a meaningful morning at Yad Vashem will be followed by the traditional tree planting. Anne Cohen, who went on her first mission to Israel in 1992 is looking forward to returning. "My first visit was so fabulous and I have dreamed of going back. Fm most excited because this will be a different way of seeing Israel. I'll be with Omaha women and I just can't think of a nicer way to return to Israel." Joan Kaiman went to Israel for the first time last October on the Shalom Community Mission. "Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to go to Israel two years'in a row, but my 1994 trip was such a wonderful experience that when asked to be one of the chairmen for the 1995 Women's Mission, I could not say no. 1 want to encourage as many women as possible to go on the Women's Mission so that they can experience for themselves what this incredible country is all about, and as Jews we can stand 10-fl. tall and be so proud of it." Invitations for the information session on June 22 were mailed to all the women in the community. It would be appreciated if anyone planning on attending the information session would R.S.V.P.
Federation will honor Jill Belmont, Joel Alperson
Jill Belmont
Joel Alperson
By Morris Maline The Jewish Federation of Omaha will honor Jill Belmont and Joel Alperson with Young Leadership Awards at the annual meeting, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center theater. The annual meeting also will include election and installation of Federation and agency officers and directors as well as the presentation of the Community Service Award, the Humanitarian of the Year Award and awards for Volunteers of the. Year. A reception will follow the meeting in the Oan and Esther Qordman Center for Jewish Learning adjacent to the JCC. Nominated by ADL/CRC for the Lois Jeanne Schrager memorial Young Leadership Award, Mrs. Belmont was dte^ for her "depth and breadth" of involvement in the Jewish community. She has provided assistance to the Jewish Federation and several of its agencies, the National Council of Jewish Women - Omaha Section, Beth El Synagogue and several other community activities. Nominated by the Jewish Community Center for the Justin Greenberg Memorial Young Leadership Award, Mr. Alperson was dted for his many volunteer roles with the Federation and its agencies. One of his most important contributions to the community has been his service to the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, the announcement stated.
Victor Yampolsky... "Russian man with Jewish background" R\ By Morris Midine ctor Yampolsky, the new music director of the Omaha Symphony, recalls his introduction to Judaism: '^hen I was a youiig boy in Russia, my mother {ave me a piece of matzah bread and asked me to taste it I did and said.ugh! what's that?" Although he appreciated his mother going 'underground" to get him the matzah, Mr. Sfampolsky said^ preferred the taste of caviar. In a recent telephone interview, Mr. Yampolsky laid his parents were pianists and that he grew up ji a culture of the Russian language, great poems ^d novels, and Russian classical music - none of irhich can be erased from memory. :_ *I could be described as a Russian man with a iewish background." While in the Soviet Union, he was a violinist and in assistant conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic [>rchestra. He said that his future was shaped pretty much the fact that bis brother emjgrated to Israel in
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Oiiee this Jewish identification was made, it lecame diflicult for Mr. Yampolsky to maintain his Dusical career in Russia. So he decided to press for family reunification ind follow his brother to Israel. He emigrated in 1973, going through Rome, fh«r« he auditioned for Zubin Mahta and Laonard
)em8tein, among others These auditions earned him the Leonard Bernstein Tanglewood scholarship. His appointment to the Boston Symphony Orchestra came that same year. *I was embraced by the Jewish community of Boston, and I experienced a feeling of gratitude which prompted me to learn as much as I could. "I have Jewish blood and fsel totally at home and related to every Jew in the world." Mr. Yampolsky said that although he has had no formal Jewish education, nor Jewish life cycle experiences, he feels most comfortable in spending Friday nighU with Jewish families. He spent such an evening with Willis Ann and
Alvin ROBS, and said he appreciated this kind of hospitality. He pointed out, however, that because of his upbringing his feeling for Jewishness doesn't go beyond the feelings one might have for a good relative. He said also that from the practices of Jewish life that he has seen in many countries, there ore many ways for Jews to live their lives and no one way. When this reporter praised his diction and command of Enghsh, he said that he speaks Bnghsh at home with his second family consisting of his wife, Carol, a violinist, and their seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. His 27-year-old son and 22-year-old daughter by a previous marriage reside, respectively, in Boston and Son Francisco. Mr. Yeunpolsky said that while he is experiencing a wonderful life in America, it is sad to see that people have to leave their homeland. He said the-Jewish people have contributed 'enormously" to the culture of Russia and the Ukraine over the past 600 years, and that their emigration represents a great loss for them. Mr. Yampolsky said he felt good about having an opportunity to perform in the former Soviet Union after 21 years. *I realized then how the whole society has disintegrated and that it needs to be rebuilt... the old way is gone, the state infrastructure is gone, and the new way is not yet in place." Here, however, the new maestro is in place, with baton at the ready!