by Pam Monsky, Federation Communications Director
Bobbie Epstein
Beatrice Karp
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Gerri Phillips Lester Waxman Talia Eisenberg Brittney Eshelman Renata Yurikov The Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Centers board member and serving as chairman of the to learn new tasks even in the midst of a busy of Excellence have selected 11 individuals to hon- Bureau's Special Needs Committee. school schedule. ored as Volunteers of the Year at the Federation's Mark Sanford has been selected as the JewishThe Jewish Press has selected Lloyd Roitstein annual meeting June 24, 7:30 pjn., at the Jewish CommunityCenter^s JVplunteecof theTe'ar,foi.his „ , for. his service on the Press board, and for his work Community Center. foresight in-planning the 'JCC 'Campus Facility organizing the community reception for Editor Bobbie Epstein has been named as the Plan to move the JCC into the 21st century, as Emeritus, Morris Maline. Federation's Volunteer of the Year for her work on well as his service on the board of directors as JCC Lester Waxman is the Volunteer of Year for Partnership 2000 in Israel and her. many years" President Elect and Vice President Jewish Senior Services for his many years of serserving on the Federation board of directors execuGloria Kaslow has been named as Jewish vice to the Jewish community, most recently as tive committee. . . . Family Service's Volunteer of the Year for her ded- President of Young Energetic Seniors (YES). ADL/CRC has named Beatrice Karp for speak- ication and leadership as agency President. Gerri Phillips has been named by the Rose ing to audiences about her personal story of surThe Jewish Federation Library has, selected Blumkin Home/LOVE committee for volunteering vival during the Holocaust. . three young women, Talia Eisenberg, Brittney her time over the last eight years to give maniPam DePorte is the Volunteer of the Year for Eshelman and Renata Yurikov, as their volun- cures to the residents, in a dedicated, reliable and the Bureau of Jewish Education for her service as a teers because of their cheerfulness and willingness conscientious way.
Reform, Orthodox groups unite in effort to free Jonathan Pollard by Debra Nussbaum Cohen
NEW YORK(JTA)-- It's not everyday that the heads of the Reform and Orthodox movements create shared letterhead so that they can issue a joint letter. They have taken the unusual step, though, in an effort to free Jonathan Pollard. Rabbis Eric Yoffie and Raphael Butler, the1 heads, respectively, of the Reform movement's Union of American Hebrew Congregations and of .the Orthodox Union, wrote to President Bill Clinton, asking him "in the noblest spirit of biblical teaching" to "show mercy to Jonathan Pollard and commute his prison sentence." The president has decided twice against freeing Pollard, who is serving a life sentence in prison for delivering classified U.S. information to Israel. Life , sentences have been meted out to other spies only when they were involved in espionage on behalf of one of America's enemies. Never before has someone spying on behalf of a friendly power been given, such a stiff sentence. "• Pollard Spent the first several years of his incarceration in solitary confinement, but is now living as part of the general population in the medium- to maximum-security prison in Buttner, N.C. "We realize that you are familiar with his case and have considered such appeals before," Butler and Yoffie wrote to Clinton in their April 18 letter. 'Yet we, the representatives of the broadest spec- • trum of the American Jewish community, come together in the spirit of unity and out of a clear sense of fellowship and brotherhood as fellow Jews to raiso Jonathan's plight with you once again."
The rabbis have not yet received a response from Clinton. The letter's timing, insisted Butler, was purely coincidental. He had been working with Yoffie on it long before an otherwise little-known fervently Orthodox rabbinical group declared last month that the liberal movements were "not Judaism." The declaration illuminated deep differences between the movements and set off a firestorm of controversy.' The letter was not intended to be a show of Jewish unity, said both rabbis, but it is having that effect. "We are Jews united in sustaining other Jews," Butler said in an interview. "When you have a Jew in captivity you expend all efforts" to help him. While Pollard's wife, Esther, said she was pleased that the two rabbis had issued the joint letter, she was sharply critical of the organized Jewish community's efforts to free her husband. The letter was not likely to be effective, she said, unless serious political pressure is also brought to bear on the president. Both Butler and Yoffie said they sympathized with Esther Pollard's feelingB, but both said they feel that the Jewish community has acted responsibly on her husband's behalf. Jonathan Pollard also has a petition pending before Israel's high court asking the government there to accept full legal responsibility for his work spying for them, which then would compel them to moro vigorously seek his freedom, said his wife.
Protesters gather at UNO as Moshe Katsavreceives honorary doctorate by Carol Katzman, assisted by Morris Maline
About 40 people demonstrated quietly as more than 200 Omahans gathered inside the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Alumni Center Tuesday night. Upset by the invitation to a member of the Prime. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, the protesters gave out flyers but did not disrupt the ceremony. Inside, UNL President Dennis Smith conferred an honorary doctorate upon Minister of Tourism Moshe Katsav for his role in' creating a joint campaign for tourism with the Jordanian government the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Egypt. , A showing of The Lost City ofBethsaido. followed the ceremony. The film, a one-hour documentary produced by UNO Television, will premiere on.Nebraska ETV Network on Sunday, June 22, at 5 pan. Introduced by Tom Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies at UNO, Israeli Minister of Tourism Moshe Katsav spoke to the press before receiving his honorary doctorate. Gouittierre noted that the Minister "can carry on good diplomacy with his neighbors to the East," as the two spoke in Persian and in Arabic. Katsav added, "The peace process is irreversible; the trend is positive and the marketing campaign is an indication of growing Mideast cooperation... "These archeological sites (like Bethsaida) belong to all of humankind; we cannot put borders between them and those who want to learn."
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 23,1097 by Rabbi MyerS. Kripke
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FRIDAY, MAY 23 p Russian Club, 9:30 a.m. Child Development Center Graduation & & Reception, 11 a.m. A SATURDAY, MAY 24 V Bat Mitzvah of Amy Cotton, 9:30 a.m., E at Beth El
C L P & S A V E
SUNDAY, MAY 25 Dreams & Realities Meeting, 2 p.m. Chabad Lag B'omer Family Outing, 12:30 p.m., Location: TBA TUESDAY, MAY 27 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 Intermediate Hebrew Class, 7:30 p.m. . Milder Memorial Planning Meeting, 7:30 pjn. Breadbreakers, noon, Highland Country Club Temple Israel Confirmation Class, 6:30 p.m., C at Temple Israel L . • I THURSDAY, MAY 29 p Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. & Temple Israel Sisterhood Adult Education, 11 a.m., at Tsmple Israel | Beth El USY Final Banquet/Installations, V 6p.m., at Beth El : All events held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call MarleneHert at 334-6437. '
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For the Land Is Mine When my daughter was married in Israel in 1973, there was at least one man who was careful not to eat anything that was "produce of the land." For that was a shemitah year. Our Sidrah describes the Shemitah (release). The land was to lie fallow every seventh year, and one was not to eat even what grew by itself, for it was to be left for the poor. Still observed (by some!) in our time. Actually, when one reads the Sidrah, he may feel that these socio-economic devices were rather primitive and basically inoperative. But I am thrilled by them, and Til tell you why. Primitive? Well, whoever wrote these chapters contemplated a Land of Israel occupied by Israelites, with the land divided among the tribes, and tribal lands divided among families. And after seven "release years," there was to be a Jubilee year, in which all lands "sold" would be returned to original owning families. ' Clumsy indeed! Further the writers) had no idea of manufacture arid commerce, or the use of land for anything other than agriculture. This was a society that has nothing to say to us, the reader will conclude... I said that I was thrilled with it. And here is the point: The writer-at this early time in human history-was filled with the idea that land was not to be abused. The idea that land was to be returned to original owners was part of the idea that land was not to be sold in perpetuity, because "The Land Is MINE, said the Lord. Now see if this ancient writer was not talking to us: Why have we permitted forests to be cut down for newsprint? Why have we permitted strip mining, and the kind of surface mining that leaves vast acreage bare and useless? Why have we polluted lakes and rivers and beaches? The writer of our Sidrah, like Isaiah add Jeremiah, would have been appalled at our, treatment of the gifts of nature-God's gifts to us. Here in our Sidrah we have an early warning about this little planet we live on. Its resources are not limitless. We are committed to use them wisely and well, recognizing that we are not the last generation to need them. Here is the Bible's ecological statement. Its warning is for a much earlier society. But its concerns reach to us.
Summer library hours Summer hours at the Jewish Federation Library will start Sunday, May 25, and continue through Aug. 24: Sunday: Monday: Tues.-Frl.: 1-5 p m 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 7p.m.-9p.m.
MICHAELFAYNSHTEYN Michael Faynshteyn, who arrived in Omaha Jan. 1,1992, from Riga, Latvia, died May 15. Survivors include his wife, Genya Itkovich; daughter and son-in-law, Galina.and Artur Yurikov; and two granddaughters, Renata and Elina. • :
YJO members attend rabbinic panel
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Lisa Platt, left, and Shelly Pickik were among the 30 Young Jewish Omaha members who attended the rodent Rabbis' Panel Discussion, sponsored by the YJO Education/Religious Committee.
Rabbi Aryeh AzrieL left, of Temple Israel; Rabbi Paul Drazen of Beth El; Rabbi Howard Kutner of Beth Israel; and Rabbi Mendel Katzman of Chabad-Lubavitch, fielded a wide variety of questionsfromthe audience. Young Jewish Omaha is a group for Jews, under the age of 40, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Social, religious and educational programming is offered, as well as opportunities for community service. For more information about upcoming programs, contact YJO Coordinator Sharon Kirshenbaum at 334-6485.
Jewish War Veterans to host events Jewish War Veterans Epstein-Morgan Post #260 will have a table at Memorial Park Saturday, May 24, in honor of Memorial Day and The WbW-the traveling Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. The park is located at 60th & Underwood St It will be family day, highlighted by the Heartland of America Band concert from 1:302:30 p.m. Also, on Monday, May 26, a brief allfaiths service and "reading of the names" will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m.. > • For more information, contact Commander Jay Benton at 390-9058.
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S:.?S p.m. TEMPLE ISRAEL Member of the EJtiion of American Hebrew Con.';rcfjntionfc 7023 Cnsn Street, Gmnhp, WE 68132 6S6-6538 FRIDAY: Early worship service, 5:30 pan. Rabbi Azriel will officiate using the Union Prayer Book. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the Temple Sisterhood. ' Sitter Service Sitter service is available each Shabbat evening service and the Saturday morning Shabbat service when there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please make a reservation. There are no facilities for infants. SATURDAY: Shabbat service, 11:15 aan. Simcha B'Shabbat-an informal Shabbat service that includes study and discussion of a variety of Jewish text. ADULT EDUCATION May 29--Sisterhood Adult Education, 9:3011 tun, Rabbi Azriel will continue teaching from the Pulitzer prize winning book God, A Biography by Jack Miles. ; 7:30-8:30 p.m., "Beyond Midrash," led by Don Schwartz. TEMPLE ISRAEL'S 125th ANNIVERSARY Temple Israel will celebrate its 125th Anniversary at the Annual Meeting Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Jane Rips, outgoing President, will be honored. Election and installation of officers and trustees will be held. The program, Telling Our Story," will be followed by a champagne dessert reception. For reservations, call the Temple office.
BEYTSWAtOM An Affiliate of the Jewish HeeoMstrucUottiet Federation • P.O. Box 241130, Omaha, NB 68124-5130 758-9233 , http://0MabAfree1iet.org/beytehal FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 p.m. at the synagogue. .. SUNDAY: Religious School, 10 a.m., Westside Community Education Center, 108th & Grover. Contact Dr. Marty Rosenberg at 390-9062 for placement. The last day of school for this term is.May 25. The next monthly Family Shabbat service will be June 6. Rabbi Sachs will officiate.
ROSE BtUMKlH JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: „ Service^ted^l^aiA^Nb'odell; start at 9 a.m. MemberS'Of the'cSnimuriity are invited to join residents for services and Kiddish. * «A»J Affiliate*)?the Worldwide... . Chabad-Lubflvitch Movement J1923 Pacific, Omaho,* WE (18144 697-1124 • E-MAIL-chabnd@aol.com SATURDAY: Davening starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddish. WEDNESDAYS: Talmud classes, 9:30 a.m.; "Hooked on Yiddish" lessons, 7 p.m. THURSDAYS: Advanced Talmud, noon
OFFUTT 25th, and Capehart Omaha, NE 294-6051 FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ' RSunsberoftheUnionof Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd St., Omaha, NE «8lO4 556-0288
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 145C6 California, Omaha, NE 68154 492-8550 WEB~http://omahafrocnct.or({/bethcI
Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ETUDAY: Services, 7 pan. SATURDAY: Services start at 8:45 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 10:30 a.m., Kiddish sponsored by Shelly and Rea Coren in honor of the birth of their grandson; Pirkei Avos class with Rabbi Kutner, 7:55 p.m. at the synagogue; Mincha, 8:25 p.m., followed by Shalosh Seudot, Ma'ariv and Havdalah. • SUNDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m., followed by breakfast; 10 tun.—a discussion group with Rabbi Kutner; Mincha, 8:30 p.m. MONDAY (Memorial Day): Services at 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 ajn. and 8:30 p.m.
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil Berkovits. FRTOAY: Services'} 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 930 a.m., Kiddish following. , Amy Cotton will become a Bat Mitzvah Friday evening and Saturday morning. Sitter service, 10 aan. TSS (Torah Siddur Skills), 10 ajn. Shabbat Story Time—first and third Saturday at 11 ajn. ; K'tantan-second and fourth Saturday at 11 ajn.. Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 8:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd. Lincoln, NE 68502 423-8569 Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyans on Mondays and Thursdays, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Early Kabbalat Shabbat services, 6 p.m.; Jordan Kaplan Kenyon Bar Mitzvah. SATURDAY: Services^ 9:30 a.m. Jordan Kaplan Kenyon Bar Mitzvah. Kiddish luncheon following services, hosted by Barbara and Alan Kenyon. CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN SOUTH STREET TEMPLE! Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2061 S. 20th St. Linooln, NE G8502-2797 Services officiated byGantor Michael Weisser. TUESDAY: Adult Education, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Choir practice, 7:30 p.m. FRD3AY: Shabbat services at 7:45 p.m. •:• SATURDAY::Torahstudyand'seryice, lOain.' SUNDAY: Hebrew. scho0l;:9 ,a;m.;. Religious school, 10 a.m. ' ; v . , •, B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE y ; Council Bluffs; fowa 51503 322^4705 ' v E-MAIL: docjeb@5uno.com' FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. The discussion topic is "The Eradication of the anti-Semitic Virus."
The Family of Bette R.Schmidman appreciates your kind expression of sympathy A Special Memorial Service for our mother, led by Rabbi Mendel Katzrrian, will be held May 26 at 7 p.m. at her home.
Jacob Roberts, son of Michaela Getz and Denis Roberts, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah Saturday, May 31, at Temple Israel. A seventh-grade student at Beveridge Middle School, he enjoys ice hockey, music, inline skating and playing the guitar. .Grandparents are Charles and Harriett Phillips of Lincoln and the late Sidney and Julia Roberts. Naomi Michelle (Mimi) Wolfson, daughter of , Louis-, and , Renee | Wolfson, will celebrate ' her Bat Mitzvah May 31. ! at Beth El Synagogue. ; A seventh-grade stu}dent at Beveridge ] Middle School, she i enjoys playing soccer and basketball and horseback riding. She also' likes drawing and reading. ---•'• • Mimi has a brother, Josh, i GranJparenU-uro Mr. uhd'Mrs. William Wolfson of O m a h a a n d Mr,; a n d Mrs.';Edwiri HirscHVof Morton Grove;IK:'" „.•••..-.-..iv, ! . . , , . ' .;(-..:-.!:,.,
Veterans Memorial Day Service Irving Cohen Lodge#688. B'nai B'rith of Council Bluffs will hold its AnnualiVeterans:Memorial Day service Sunday, May 25, 11 a.m., at Bikur Cholim Cemetery in Council Bluffs. Lloyd Krasne and-Ben Schneider will officiate; Maynard Telpner will speak. GRADUATION PHRTV SUPPU€S
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Funding non_-3rflfiodox movemfentsin Israel Fs not enough • I- i;\f\ \ ;•
In an attempt to correct the disparities in funding of the Reform and Conservative movements in Jsrael, the Federation Board of Directors will be voting on Tuesday to allocate $5600 each to ARZA and Mercaz, the Reform and Conservative Zionist movements. While the amounts may- seem small, they will certainly add to the funds those organizations use to attract Israelis to their movements. Add to that the funds.allocated by other Federations across the country and the totals could make a quantifiable impact. But, for Reform and Conservative to succeed in Israel, it will take much more than just (Jollars. The Orthodox community sends nearly 6000 American students a year to study in Israeli yeshivas; contrast that to the 500 enrolled in Reform, Conservative, university or Zionist programs like Young Judea. The Orthodox Union of Jewish Congregations of America (the O.U.) has also been extraordinarily successful in fundraising from within its own ranks for
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programs and schools in Israel Contrast that with the difficulty Conservative Rabbi Michael Graetz, formerly of Lincoln, is having raising just $3 million to renovate a house of study in Tel Aviv Members of Reform and Conservative synagogues should support their own institutions first, but they should also think about making a "plus" gift to their movement's arm in Israel. Leaders of those movements should also broaden the educational opportunities available to graduating high school and college students in Israel sponsored by their movements. And, they should encourage more non-Orthodox American Jews to make aliyah. Israelis have not yet seen or felt the impact of these movements, the way American Jews have. Numbers dj> count, whether its dollars, students or Americans making aliyah. For non-Orthodox movements to succeed, all three are needed and even then, only the Israelis can decide if they'll be interested.
The tragedy of Lag B'Omer: Judaism's social catastrophes by Rabbi Irving Greenberg, president of CLAL - the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadershipand author of The Jewish Way
NEW YORK (JTA) - Most people think of Lag for such openness and acceptance, and that all traB'Omer as a warm, fuzzy semi-holiday with a ditional systems, not just Judaism, were vulneranature-loving, children-oriented theme.In the ble, each group has locked in on its own needs and Talmud, Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day of the Counting strengths and written off the others' concerns. of the Omer period, is a devastating reminder of an Reform responded to its growing constituency of historic catastrophe caused by Jewish divisiveness. intermarried with unconverted partners by recogIn a very short period, tens of thousands of Rabbi nizing as Jewish children born to a Jewish father Akiva's students died. They died because "they did and non-Jewish mother. not treat-each other with respect," says the Orthodox objections were dismissed on the Talmud. grounds that the Orthodox would not accept liberal What is the connection of no respect and loss? converts anyway. Yet, Conservative Judaism's rabAkiva and some of his students proclaimed Simon binic leadership also rejected patrilineal descent. Bar Koziba, the leader of the Bar Kochba revolt, to In another expression of "lack of respect for each be the Messiah. Other colleagues strongly opposed other," Reform's leaders concluded t h a t t h e the Bar Kochba rebellion in Judea against Rome. Conservative laypeople had lower standards than Rabbi Yochanan Turta mocked Akiva, saying their rabbis, that the laypeople were ready to "grass will grow from your cheeks (meaning, you accept patrilineal Jews and that they would evenwill be long buried) and the Messiah will not yet tually force the Conservative rabbinate to go along. have come." • In other words, the Conservative rabbinate had no What if the students had dialogued respectfully principles that they could uphold. and learned from each, other? Perhaps the A plague of divorce swept the Jewish community. Messianists would have listened to the others; per- Second marriages without benefit of a get, or relihaps the two groups would have come up with a gious divorce, threatened to create halachically more sober strategy of resistance to the Romans. unmarriageable children. To prevent illegitimacy, Instead, there was a total revolt that brought a Rabbi'Moshe Feinsteiri ruled that Reform marcrushing defeat and 1,800 years in exile. riages were halachically invalid, thus requiring jno Assimilation and Christian proselytizing alike get to end them. _^ eroded Jewish Mmmimitfefl.1n:the^firstand.aecond~ centuries. What if Akiva's students and the rabbis,; •respect,for the Reform rabbinate. It.'was.«asier to who differed widely in.th^ir.approaches.ijxadl j u l e ,that Beform was; ah invalid 'religion than to admitted that none of them had jaolved.the.prob-v. validate Reform marriages arid require a higher Iems of assimilation'and cultural competition? x/' •:-. level of interdenominational cooperation to assure Using all the different approaches, together, they .- . thatReform laypeople would pbtaifragef;/; . might have reachedvtBe»masses.~Hadrtiie3rbeen '•' " I m p o r t a n t Reform Rabbis such as Eugene more modest, more: open; perhaps they:could have- JBorowitz. welcomed the Feinstein solution. They overcome the enormous contempt and" stridentcork, accepted disrespect so they, in turn, would have flict between t h e scholars' circles and t h e full freedom of action: There would be no need to unlearned people. Instead, countless Jews were temper behavior for the sake of Orthodox concerns. lost as were many students of the great rabbi. Reform has little or ho respect for Orthodox posiIn this generation, we face a social catastrophe in tions on homosexuality and on intermarriage — the making. dismissing them as "homophobic" or "unrealistic." The behavior of Orthodox, Conservative, Now the disrespect has boiled up. Reconstructionist and Reform leadership is a clasThe Union of Orthodox Rabbis declared that sic repeat of "they did not treat each other with "Reform and Conservative are not Judaism at all, respect." but another religion." Since the 1960s, when America opened up to While the mainstream Orthodox leadership disJews in an unprecedented fashion, there has been owned the statement, they also are angry at liberal a "plague" of assimilation. . rejections of tradition. Therefore, they did not Instead of recognizing that no one was prepared make an unequivocal positive statement that liber-
al movements are legitimate, even if they view them as wrong or mistaken.. Neither theologically nor politically is any centrist Orthodox leader able or willing to publicly respect Reform and Conservative; Judaism by asserting their legitimacy. Now the leadership Tof the, liberal movements has dropped all restraints of language. Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Rabbi Ismar Schorsch recently said that the Chief Rabbinate ; is "dysfunctional" and i t s religious courts are""without a scintilla of moral worth." Schorsch called for a religious center "for whom piety and sanity are not polar opposites." In other words, in the Orthodox rabbinate piety and sanity are polar opposites. Reform leader Rabbi Eric Yoffie described the Israeli rabbinate as "medieval," "extremist," "radical," and "fanatic," and "a disgrace to the Jewish people and its religion/1 Schorsch,,and YpfHe both know that they must deepen the spiritual life, education and observance levels of their constituents. They know that positive exposure and contact with the Orthodox community will upgrade liberal Jews in those areas in which Orthodoxy is strongest - learning! observance and community. But by] now; the anger and lack of respect is the ovemdingxpnnectipnr.'WpuW use such language use vis-a-vis Christians? ;• In fact, Rabbi Norman Lamm, president of YeshivrfUioivOTSiiyj and Agudath Israel of America know that the Orthodox community is weakest in coping with new roles for women and in facing the challenge':qf social action: They k n o w t h a t Orthodoxy harfa lotto learn from the liberal'moyements in many areas.
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They know -that insulation has kept intermarriage and assimilation rates among Orthodox low, so they will have to face these issues in time, and again, will have to learn from liberals. But right now the levels of respect are so low that they cannot admit or even articulate such ideas. Unless there is a major uprising by all Jews for unity, the Jewish people may be heading for a fundamental schism. Only spotlighting the forces of divisiveness, generating strong internal pressures within each movement to take others into account, and increased support for active dialogue and joint activity can arrest this slide toward separation. •
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Leyinger, Vice President; Lloyd Roitstain, Treasurer; Jane Rips, Secretaryj Bob; Birt; Cynthia Epstein; Steve Danon; Marti Gallner; Joanio Jacobson; Sheryl Lee; Fred Mogul;. George Schapiro; Howard Silber; Fred Tichauer; Sylvia Wagner. ' Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment. •-.-
NEW YORK (JTA)-- Top .Jewisli' fupd-raiBera met with representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements to find ways to raise more money for their programs in Israel. Talks were held in Chicago last week, where the United Jewish Appeal held board meetings. Under consideration is a plan to allocate $20 million a year ~ $10 million each "in designated giving" « to Reform and Conservative enterprises, said Richard Wexler, national UJA chairman. That money would be "over and above" the alloca-. tions federations make for overseas needs, he stressed. Federations allocate a portion of their, campaign money to UJA for distribution overseas and keep the remainder at home for local programs. UJA and the federations' umbrella body, the Council of Jewish Federations, are in the process of forging a partnership. -,,-.. The joint campaign has been under increasing pressure from the grass roots to allocate more of its money to the non-Orthodox streams in Israel,
o'arn response tdHhe Strategic'i'lari aad the Israel sub-committee to allocate 10 % of this year's Campaign increase,"the Budget' and Allocation Committee will recommend to the. Jewish Federation Board of Directors on Tuesday evening, an additional $11,000 for a new: category, Israel Pluralism," noted Howard Bloom, Federation Executive Director. "The amount will be divided between ARZA (the Association of Reform Zionists of America) and Mercaz (the' Zionist organization of the Conservative movement)," Bloom added. This is the first time the Federation is making a direct allocation to Reform and Conservative institutions in Israel." •'./•• where Orthodoxy has an official" monopoly over religious affairs. : Recent efforts by Orthodox parties in Israel to legislate Orthodox control have prompted some American Jews to threaten a boycott of the campaign. UJA has responded by trying to send the message that such a boycott would only hurt the
.'iTewFsh neecTy around'th"erworld as; weifas the': For impart, CJFTedentiyrecbmmehdfedddubling the spending'for Reform and Conservative programs in Israel. '.' . The system currently allocates about $1 million each to Reform and Conservative programs there and about half a million dollars to the Orthodox. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Reform movement's Union of American Hebrew Congregations, said Chicago's meeting was the first in a series with UJA aimed at creating a "closer partnership" and finding ways to secure more funding for nonOrthodox programs in Israel. It is "too early to tell on the basis of the meeting what will come" of the effort, but "the process will continue." Wexler said there were plans to meet with the Orthodox Union to explore how UJA "can be of assistance" to the Orthodox in Israel. . He also said .the next meeting with, the Conservative and Reform leaders would be held late next month in Israel. , , .
High Court hears petitions to indict Netanyahu, Hanegbi by Naomi Segal
JERUSALEM (JTA) - Israel's High Court of Justice last week considered petitions calling for the prime minister and justice minister to be charged in connection with the Bar-On affair. The panel of five justices held a marathon session to consider whether the prime minister and justice minister should be tried for breach of trust and fraud in connection with the short-lived appointment of Roni Bar-On as attorney general. It was not clear when the court would render a decision. Earlier in the day, the justices threw out separate petitions that called on the court to order a state commission of inquiry and make public a 995-page police report about the affair. In mid-April, police recommended indicting x
Prime: Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Tzachi Hanegbi and other top officials for fraud and breach of trust because of their handling of the Bar-On appointment. .. \ ;• A three-month police investigation was launched after an Israel Television report alleged that BarOn was appointed as part of a deal to provide a plea bargain to Knesset member Aryeh Deri, who is on trial for corruption.. In turn, Deri allegedly promised his party's support for the Hebron agreement, which was coming up for Cabinet approval at the time, the television report said. . Though three attorneys in the prosecutor's office also wanted to indict Netanyahu and Hanegbi, Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein.and State Prosecutor Edna Arbel decided last month that there was only sufficient evidence to recommend an
indictment against Deri. That decision drew charges from supporters of Deri, who heads the fervently Orthodox Shas Party, that an anti-Sephardi bias had led to his indictment. The backbone of Shas support comes, from religious Jews of Sephardi background. •: .!; :| Bar-On won Cabinet approval Jan. 10, but stepped down two days later amid growing charges in political and legal spheres that he lacked the experience to hold Israel's top legal post. Two weeks later, the Cabinet unanimously approved Rubinstein to serve as; Israel's attorney, general. During court proceedings, one of the petitioners accused the justices of being part of a campaign by the Ashkenazi establishment against the Sephardi community. A petition .to reverse the attorney general's decision regarding Deri was also rejected.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May 23,1907
Three cantors and a rabbi to perform at Beth Israel
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Three cantors and a rabbi, from three houses of worship, will perform in a concert at Beth Israel Synagogue's social hall Sunday, June 8, at 7 p.m. A reception will follow. Seating is first come, first served. Donations are $10 per person; $7 for those age 18 and under; and $75 for Patrons, which includes two adult tickets. Tickets can be obtained from Beth El Synagogue, Temple Israel or Beth Israel Synagogue, or by calling Bernice and Don Cohen at 558-3423. Checks are to be made payable to Beth Israel. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the concert.
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YES . No program Monday. Happy Memorial Day! WALK-IN DROP-EM Members who are going on the trip to the EMAX Theatre should meet at the JCC Thursday a t 10 a jn. There will be no regular activities. VISIONS Deadline is May 29 for the Baseball and BBQ planned for Thursday, June 12. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the Stadium View Club; game will follow a t 7:05 p.m. (Royals vs. Buffalo Bisons). Cost is $11.25 per person and includes dinner buffet and game ticket. Send reservation form to Harry Alloy, 5811 Nicholas S i , Omaha, NE 68132. The Broadway production of "Lea Miserables" will be on t h e stage a t t h e Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln on Sunday, Sept. 28. A matinee performance will be followed by dinner at Misty's. Cost is $65 per person and includes coach transportation, theater tickets, dinner, tax and gratuities. Group will depart from the JCC a t 12:15 p.m., and return at approximately 8:30 p.m. < Send reservation form with full payment by J u n e 4 to Sam and Rosaline Epstein, 9205 Western, #325, Omaha, NE 68114. Make checks payable to Jewish Senior Services. Sorry, no refunds due to theater policy.
BREADBREAKERS B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers will meet Wednesday at noon at Highland Country Club. Dr. Richard Freund, Chairman of the Philosophy and Religion at UNO, will speak, according to Richard Diamond. Dr. Freund will discuss "UNO and the Dead Sea Scrolls." Cost is $7.75 and the event is open to the community. OMAHA CHAPTER OF HADASSAH Omaha Chapter of Hadassah will hold a bake sale Friday, June 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Baker's Supermarket, 132nd & Center. For more information, call Maxine Noodell, Chairperson, at 493-7483.
Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
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Tours of Jewish Omaha, the restored Kapulier Synagogue are now being Members of Women's American ORT will tapescheduled for the summer and fall months. record an American History textbook used in the Individuals or groups who want to schedule tours Omaha Public School District by students who are should call the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society blind or dyslexic. The textbook will be taped this at 334-6441 or 334-6442 or stop in at the office at summer to be used by students next fall during the the Jewish Community Center. There is no .charge 1997-98 school year. for the tour, but sponsors are asked to provide Volunteers, who need not be members of ORT, transportation by car or bus. . .. will each tape one or two chapters in their own Tour of Jewish Omaha takes approximately two homes. This community service project is related to hours by bus and includes the sites of former ORT's-focus on public education, a key national Jewish neighborhoods, old synagogues, cemeteries; issue of thje-.organization. the former Dr. Sher Home for the Aged, and maiiy' Anyone interested in participating in this tape- other Jewish historical sites. 'r .i\.-f( VrLJ; '; : recording project can call me at 496-3523. ,:!•.;-• Tour^pf .the.m.useuitf in/the GordmanCenTter -!i:;". ;!>:<|!). ' incluHesfyiewing the. "\Vall ,of Nebraska .Svnagp^ye^ Histoi^.as'.wsJ^^^^^ Kapulier Synagogue; on 24th,' apd'^icKpl^s' St.'. 31siah^Cumi'rigSt.' " " ' ' ' '*" " " " ' ' ' " Tours were recently conducted for out-of-town; visitors, National Council of 'Jewish •Wome'nJ'dind'; Temple Israel. Two of the groups used "Ollie: the: Trolley" buses. ' :. /.. i :
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Dr. Orly Gilat was recently elected new Chairperson for the Douglas County Housing v Authority.. Dr. Gilat re<'• ceived her Ph.D. from 1 * ' The London School of \^ Economics and Political O 5 Science, London, Great " s Britain. She owns a consuiting business, Gilat Planning & Research.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jeff Shapiro, a senior at Burke High School, was recently awarded a Hy-Vee scholarship. He is the son of Sherri and Larry Shapiro.
Seventeen students from Beveridge Middle School were recently selected as Rotary Honor Roll recipients. Five of those were from the Jewish community Lauren Paley, daughter of Dennis and Susan Paley, was recently recognized as graduating in the (pictured above): Noah Priluck, Justin Lerner, top 10% of her class. She was also one of two stu- Andrew Yale, J a m i e Hamburg, and Brian dents at Central to complete the requirements for Dunnaskin. Students were selected city-wide from all graduation in three years. Omaha-area public, private and parochial schools. • Kimberly J. Kahn, daughter of Nancy L. Kagan Criteria for the selection is leadership, character, of Englewood, CO, and Dr. and Mrs. James M. scholarship and presence. Kagan of LaPort, CO, recently, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Nicole Paley, daughter of Dennis and Susan Clarkson College in Omaha. Honors include three Paley, was recently inducted into the English years as a recipient of the Student Leadership Award; recognition from the American Red Cross, Honors Society at Stern College for Women, Other honors include being named to the Dean's Heartland Chapter, as an outstanding volunteer; and has qualified for the American Red Cross list for achieving a 4.0 grade point average for the fall 1996 semester and serving as the chair of the National Nursing Pin. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli first Stern College Arts Festival. Jabenis, Mrs. Toby Kagan and the late George H. Next fall, she will assume the position of EditorKagan, all of Omaha. . in-Chief of Sounding Board, Yeshiva University's The Nebraska Arts Council has recommended literary magazine, and Cultural Arts Editor of The merit awards of $2,000 for poets S u s a n Observer, the Stern College newspaper. Aizenberg and Miriam BenYaacov, both of Mark Kraft was elected as a member of the City Omaha, and S t e v e n S c h n e i d e r of Kearney. Recommendations were based on literary excel- Council in the recent election. His father, the late Leo Kraft, was also a city council member, lence. •
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TIPP/RAFFEL Dr. Steven and Marilyn Tipp announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy Renee, to Andrew Scott Raffel of Kalamazoo, MI, son of Francine Raffel and the late Jerrold Raffel. Ms. Tipp is a Registered Nurse with the American Red Cross. She graduated from' the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is the granddaugh- • ter of Monroe and Helen ' Rosenberg of Omaha and the late Pearl Rosenberg, and Rose Sher of Overland park, KS, and the late Alvin Tipp. Mr. Raffel is a Management Development Trainer with the Pacesetter Corp. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. An October wedding at Beth El Synagogue is planned. . .
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
May23,1897
Mary Fell man and Oliver Pollak to be honored Witt Mari Sandoz awards
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The first 'In the Spirit of Man Sandoz" awards of the Mari S ndoz Heritage Society will be presented to Mary Fe, lman and Dr. Oliver Pollak Wednesday, June 11. I ecognized for their "outstanding effort" in establifhing the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society in !.982, the two will be honored at the society's lunch on, at noon, at the Omaha Press Club. Both Felmarf and Pollak have served as presidents of tie NJHS, editors of its newsletters and journals, a id as advisers since its founding. Dr. Ron . lull, president of the society, will speak about the , Nebraska Sand Hills author who wrote about the bornhusker State. Sandoz's best-known book was lid Jules, a biography of her father, a Sand Hills rancher. Reserva: ions may be made by calling 345-8008. for the luicheon selection and cost. Dr. Hull's speech wil be broadcast by Nebraska Public Radio on'delayet tape. Coppel a takes the stage at The Rose In a be lefit performance to build the Sylvia Adler Broc cey Memorial Fund, the Omaha Theater Company Dr Young People will present the ballet Coppelia «une 6-8 at The Rose. This is the first project of ;;he fund, founded last year to promote dance edu :ation for Omaha children and youth, and marks the kick-off of a community-wide drive to build th i permanent endowment to $100,000. Ying Ixe and Jiabin Pan, principal dancers of Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, will lead the cast of 59 performen in this full-length, three-act ballet. Ticket p ices range from $6 to $12 and are available by cal ing the box office, 345-4849. CORRECTIONS
Dr. Be h Bernstein, daughter of Gary Goldstein informed us that the first screening for Cana >an'8 disease occured in New York City in 19) )6, not 1966 as reported in the May 9 issue. Sara acobson, daughter of Nancy and David Jacobson, was also inducted into the Nationa Honor Society at Central High School. 1 ie information was incorrectly submitted to is. . Allison Sherman, daughter of Michael and Patty Sh trman, was inadvertantly emitted from the i ist of World Herald Scholars in the May 16 is we. In that same article, the name of Jason Hibernian's-father was incorrect; his father it Kenneth Hoberman. The Jewish Press reg \ets the errors.
by Lisa Shkolnlck, ftBYO Director
The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization recently held its annual spring regional convention, "This is the Moment," hosted by St. Louis at Camp Sabra Lake of the Ozarks. The convention began with a program addressing the purpose of Mid American Conventions. As Mid America Region (St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha) for the past five years, the purpose of conventions is no longer to conduct regional business, elect regional.officers, or to plan .regional programming. Rather, each city functions independently. Joe Wittenstein, Mid American Regional Supervisor challenged the convention body to outline their intentions for continuing regional conventions, including; new convention guidelines, plans for making conventions benefit the local councils and chapters, and specific examples of how conventions can and will be brought back to the chapters and used for their benefit. For the duration of the convention, participants explored ideas, attitudes, and actions to address the task at hand. "This program really set the tone for convention," says Lisa Pitlor. "Everyone realized they play a true part in the future of Mid America, and it made for a great convention." Members brain-stormed programming ideas, outlined the mission of BBYO, developed methods for strengthening leadership, discovered more ways to incorporate Jewish content into programming, and decided how to bring all of this home to their respective councils and chapters. BBYO Conventions, however, are more than their programs and leadership training seminars. "Along with learning new skills I can bring home to my chapter, I also met many new people that I know I will keep in touch with," says Ediar's chapter president, Melissa Shapiro. Conventions encourage teens from different cities to meet and network ideas, strengthen Jewish identity, establish lifelong friendships, and allows BBYO'ers to show their spirit and dedication to their chapters. ,., Mother Chapter AZA #1 won three chapter awards, including: Program of the Year for the Jungle^ Party held last February, best Scrapbook,
Omaha's BBYOers enjoy a moment together' at Camp Sabra, front row: Nikki Romnnik and Andy Itkin; back row, from left: Erin Malashock, Jeremy Iyers, Laynie Ginsberg, Elisa Gerber, Aryn Brechwald, Mike Cohn, Melissa Shapiro, Lisa Pitlor, Lauren Brown and Eryk Gilinisky. Training) of the Year. Win or lose, the Omaha delegation applied for more awards this convention than in conventions past; proof that Omaha. Council is getting stronger. Spring Convention is also the time of year in which individuals receive the Star of Deborah and the Shield of David Awards. These are not competitive awards, but rather awards that represent outstanding and continual achievement on an individual basis. This year, two BBG's from Omaha will receive the Star of Deborah, Jessica Chait and Lisa Pitlor, and four AZA's will receive the Shield of David, Jeff Shyken, Travis Lewis, Adam Langdon, and Mike Cohn. It is no coincidence that all six BBYO'ers receiving these awards were once or are presently chapter or council officers. Furthermore, Lisa Pitlor and Mike Cohn were also installed into their offices of BBG and AZA Cornbelt Council presidents at this convention. Inevitably, Spring Convention is also the moment that seniors bid their farewells to BBYO. Omaha Council Presidents Jessica Chait and Lance Polikov were two of the six Regional Council and Most Spirit at Convention. Presidents to give their "Lives, at Spring Ediar BBG #710 won Best Scrapbook, tied for Convention. "Giving: my life," says Jessica Chait, second for Program of the Year for their Mr. AZA "made me realize what an impact BBYO has had Pageant held last February, and won second place on me these past years." Additionally, all seniors for Best Chapter Banner. were recognized at the "Friendship Circle" at the Mendel Kurland of Chaim Weizmann #1510 won close of the convention. "It's really hard to say AIT (Aleph in Training) of the Year, and Ediar goodbye to the seniors," says Robyn Frank. "They BBG's Erin Malaschock won MIT (Member in have taught me everything I know about BBYO."
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