WE HIST SOCIETY 1500 R ST LINCOLN NE 6 8 5 0 8 - 1 6 5 1
Celebrating More Than 75 Years of Service
BarbPlatt
Courtney Rabb
Mark Levy
Kimberly Robinson
Wally Elkon
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b •* George Schapiro Nita Green Joann Reynek Ellen Fennick Martin Rosenberg For his many educational endeavors at the Rose youth group coordinator for this past year's Rosh The Jewish Federation and its Centers of Excellence have selected ten individuals to honor as Blumkin Jewish Home, his hours spent entertain- Hashanah issue, and is currently the Murray H, -yolunteers-of-the-Year at the Federation's"-annual. ing its residents, and for leading Shabbat and noli- • and JSharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation - meeting on June 24 at the Jewish Community day services there, Mark Levy has been named the > Jewish Press student intern. . The ADL/CRC has also selected two honorees as Center. During the evening, the honorees will be RBJH Volunteer of the Year. Wally Elkon has been honored as Jewish Senior its Volunteers of the Year: Joann Reynek and Nita recognized for their service in the Jewish communiServices' Volunteer of the Year for helping to cre- Green. Reynek, a volunteer with the agency for For her; years of service to the Jewish ate the Seniors social group, Visions, and for his more than four years, has assisted in compiling research files and has also helped out with a.variFederation, including serving two years as the co outstanding work as its executive chairman. . chairman of the Women's Campaign, the . Martin Rosenberg, Adult Education committee ety of ADL/CRC projects. Green, an ADL/CRC volFederation has named Barbara Platt as its chairman for Jewish Educational and Library unteer for almost four years, has also assisted in a Services, has been named that agency's Volunteer number of office tasks, and has made herself availVolunteer of the Year. Ellen Fennick has been recognized by the Jewish of the Year for, his commitment to creating and able to the staff whenever extra help is needed. The awards will be presented at the Federation, Cultural Arts Council for her commitment and promoting innovative educational programming for . annual meeting in the JCC theatre on June.24 at leadership to JCAC during her terms as vice-chair- the Jewish community. The Jewish Press has selected George Schapiro 7:30 p.m. New members of the boards of directors man and acting chairman The Jewish Community Center has named and Courtney Rabb as its Volunteers of the Year. of the Centers of Excellence and the Jewish Kimberly Robinson as its Volunteer of the Year for . Schapiro, a longtime Press volunteer, has spent Federation will also be installed. For more information, contact Pain Monsky, her dedication and work as chairperson of the numerous hours organizing articles and photographs for the office archives; Rabb served as Federation Communications Director, 334-6431. JCC's Child Development Center. : • t
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by Rebecca Perelman, Federation Communications Intern
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The rejuvenation project for the Omaha JCC will, for the first time, focus on a separate Women's Health Club as one of its major facilities. The current JCC Health Spa offers a wide variety of services to its 340 members. The issue is not where to find these services, rather when, since fewer than one-third are women. V Since the founding of the Health Spa in 1973, men and women have.taken full advantage of this facility. But up until the'proposal for a separate Women's Health Club, the discrimination towards women regarding accessible hours has become a growing issue. The Women's Health Club hours are currently Monday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with Tuesday as "Ladies' Day," 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No weekend hours are currently available to women, and women who work full-time are unable to take advantage of the few hours open to them. '.•',. The men's hours are twice that of the women's; Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m; Tuesday, 5:30-8:30 a.m;
Friday, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 1-7 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. As a result of the designated hours, the men's membership almost doubles that of the women's. • According to JCC Executive Director Jeff Aizenberg, "The prospective separate men's and women's health clubs will provide members with equal hours; This will benefit the men just as much as the women because right now they can't get into the club during women's hours." A new structure will be built for women adjacent to the current joint Health.Spa. The current common area, offering a spacious TV lounge, will remain in the same location. Both the common area and the Men's Health Spa will be renovated. The massage area will be moved and expanded. Member Services Director Kathy McGauvran added, "We hope to be adding such services to the Women's Health Club as manicures, pedicures and facials." , The Women's Health Club will include the same services previously available to them, such as the steam room, whirlpool, sauna, many types of therapeutic massages, and the sunbathing deck, along . (Continued on page 2)
SSSewAmericans form cultural club
Mark Ocheretyanskiy, left, will serve as president; Raisa Pisetsky, as member of the board; and Inna Zevakina, as secretary of the new organization. Omaha's most recent group of immigrants from the former Soviet Union have formed their own group, the New American Cultural Society. While Jewish Family Service will continue to supply staffing for resettlement of new families and acculturation of current families, this new organization will provide social and cultural programs. JFS was the first to make a donation to the NACS, in the amount of $250. Others wishing to make donations should send checks to President Mark OcheretyariBkiy, 12148 Erskine Cir., Omaha, 68164.
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Jewish Press,
At last..a women's health club (Continued from page 1) with unlimited towels, showers, and complimentary lockers. . . ,: ; i"With the new Health Club catering to adults and with lots of services to make members feel relaxed and pampered, an additional fee to their membership will be necessary but will hopefully be well-worth it," said McGauvran. Wendy Goldberg (not Greenberg as reported erroneously last week) is involved with the planning of the new Child Development Center facility. Steve and Patty Nogg and Marcia and Steve Pitlor are leading the fundraising effort for the rejuvenation of the JCC. Contributions of any size can be made to the project by calling the Noggs at 493-3479, or the Pitlors at 496 4632. Tom Fellman and Howard Kooper can also be contacted at 392-1800. Contributors may also contact the Federation directly at 334-8200.
The Worthy Unworthy Israelites
GENET.PLACZEK Services for Gene Placzek were held May 23 in Grand Island: He was 64. Survivors include his wife, Claire; sons and Parashnt B'Midbar daughters-in-law: Dan and Cheryl of Grand Island, If we weretoconfine ourselvestothe history of Dick and Lynell of Lincoln, Roger and Phyllis of our ancestors as given in the Torah, including the Wichita, KS, and Matthew and Kimberly of Book of Numbers (B'Midbar) which we begin this Omaha; 12 grandchildren: Will, Kate, Jon, Sabbath, they, would have been totally unworthy to Lindsay, Ben, Sam, Kirsten, Ali, Patrick, Aaron, enter the Promised Land. They were disloyal, Noah and Phoebe; and brothers and sisters. Memorials to Make-A-Wish Foundation. complaining, and untrusting. But we are on the threshold of Shavuot. This agricultural festival was transformed, by rabbinic Renewing the covenantor! Shavuot exegesis, into the Festival of Torah. Our Torah by Yosef I. Abramowitz reading for Shabbat, includes the Ten Commandments, and this has obvious implications. (JFL)—Only half of our children are being born Moreover, tradition assigned the Book of Ruth into Jewish-Jewish homes, since the interfaith marfor Shavuot, and this charming little book has a riage rate is more than 50%. Along comes Shavuot midrash of its own, including some remarkable with its tale of how Ruth chose the Jewish people. insights. According to the story of Ruth, she makes a vow The Book of Ruth locates itself historically in the to her mother-in-law: "Where you go, I will go; your time of the Judges, though no Judge is named. God will be my God." Through her commitment, The book is a piece of beautiful romantic fiction, she helps to renew the Jewish people. Exciting Fashion Lynne M. Popp, culminating in the sharply pointed claim that Tradition honors Ruth's action by declaring her Opportunity!?!! Ruth, a Moabitess, was the great-grandmother of the grandmother of the great King David, and, M.S. in L.D. • Enjoy the pleasures King David. therefore, the messianic line. Therefore, the Book and rewards of operating Learning Disability All that aside, the Midrash on Ruth makes some of Ruth is read at synagogue on Shavuot. your own business Specialist remarks about the grammatical peculiarity with Shavuot, meaning "weeks," comes exactly seven • Represent an exclusive which the Book begins. Sh'fot haShoftim obviously weeks after Passover (49 days of the Omer, rememNew York designer collection • Flexible hours means in the days when the Judges judged. ber). It originated as a harvest festival, but in the EDUCATIONAL • Lucrative compensation Peculiarly, however, the phrase could mean "When period of rabbinic Judaism Shavuot's focus shifted THERAPY •. Sell via home trunk the Judges were judged!" to commemorating the giving of the Torah to the showings Whatever one thinks of the Clinton administra- Jewish people on Mount Sinai. Hence the impor498-8708 Sil80()l58|7()15l tion and the President himself, most Americans tance of the story of Ruth, who accepted Judaism don't think that it is entirely Republican pursuit of and its covenant with God of her own free will. a vulnerable president that has led to the investiOne midrash (rabbinic story) about the giving of the r=NoboJy'l Chirr Tlan . .. gation of one after another after another of officials Torah has God offering the Torah to different nations. close to the seat of power. We are soused to it that Each turns it down for some reason. Finally, God our Mp ik Service we are not surprised at the almost daily accusa- turns to the Jews and asks if they will take the Torah. our Mflfw wrvt.ee our wlpbuf oevvicc tions of misconduct. Without even asking what is in it, they say, with one The author of these passages in the Midrash on. voice, "We will do and we will listen." 93^8 Ruth may have had specific misdeeds of kings and Another midrash is not as flattering. In this vertLDCKSMITHS: emperors in mind, misdeeds that needed "judging," sion God lifts Mount Sinai over the heads of the but we cannot identify them. terrified Israelites and asks them if they will More to the point in our interest-is the midrashic accept the Torah. Under such overwhelming / assertion, in the poem to the book, that the Ten duress, they hardly have a choice. MONUMENT CO. Commandments were a climactic point in human Teaching our children Torah should be a joyful prihistory. The Midrash asserts first of all, that had ority, one undertaken in the spirit of the first midrash. 60 Years Experience 1439 So. 13th Israel not accepted the "Ten Words," it would not Much like renewing wedding vows, we read the With Jewish 341-2452 have been considered worthy to live and would Book, of Ruth and renew our commitment to the Lettering and Memorials i have been destroyed right after the Exodus from Torah and to our covenant with. God. Shavuot is Egypt. also a day to honor the converts to Judaism who so But more than that: If Israel hadn't accepted the inspire and renew us. Some converts (and born Commandments ("We will do, and we will obey;") Jews) go to the mikvah (ritual bath) everyiyear on 3706 S. 132nd Slreel the whole world would have been destroyed and Shavuot to commemorate their conversion to Phone (402) 330-5050 7 returned 8 : toformless, void nothingness. God would Judaism or reaffirmation of their covenant Fax have despaired of mankind and would have It is also common on Shavuot for synagogues to condestroyed the world. Indeed, a world without duct confirmation ceremonies for teenagers who have DEADLINES HAVE NO MERCY morality and law is no attractive prospect. finished two years of post bar/bat mitzvah Jewish Render 2 tongs: £ £ £ ^ ThuB Israel, our so worthy ancestors, saved the education, and consecration ceremonies for children Pur Bulletin Board Service is open 24 hours, 7 days a week existence of the world and human life, the Midrash beginning their religious studies. Here are some says. .. Free BBS Software! • BBS: 330-3900 other ideastobring Shavuot to life in your home: But the world has yet to accept the Ten Words, 1) Study together. According to the Jewish mysexcepttopay lip service to them. tical tradition, it is customary to stay up all night on Shavuot to prepare for the revelation of the Torah. Some people spend the night studying at the synagogue or in chavurot (study groups). While it may not be possible for a family with chilAlan H. Friedman We iuant ta thank all QUA dren to do this, you can recreate that sense of President urgency and holiness by studying together at home. puettdi. jpn. ma&utf owi 50tU Graduate Gemologist 2) Make an ark. Our children have their own Atuuve/tiahtp iucU a UapfUf, 9107 Wilshire Boulevard. Suite 320 printed Torah scrolls that they cherish. We plan to occtUio*tl help them decorate a cardboard box for Shavuot, so Beverly Hills, California 90210 their Torahs will have a home in their room. 888»489«4545 • Fax 310»278«5449 3) Make fruit baskets. Like Sukkot, Shavuot is a Member of West Coast Diamond Club Oun. maue ta Jlinco-ln 21 harvest festival, the harvest of bikkurim, the first . Estate Jewelers Association of America fruits, one of the three pilgrim holidays-along with American Gem Trade Association yea>ti. aao- utai. the i^tuvUeii Passover and Sukkot-during which Jews are supttioue we eu&i madq and ute posed to go to Jerusalem. The pilgrims would carry baskets to Jerusalem full of the seven species of made matty oj, them. fruit'for which the Holy Land is famous as an Scltollinan's offering at the Temple. Beautiful Decorative Jlait weekend,wai, indeed a We often take our Jewishness for granted. • Cabinet, Door & Shavuot is a time to reaffirm for ourselves and our Bath Hardware children that 3,700 years ago a special relationship between the Jewish people and God was created. It Supply is uptoeach of us to make sure that this covenant browse our showrooms till 8 p.m. every Thursday continues joyfully for another 3,700 years. SchoUsnan's your personal hardware consultant Yosef I. Abramowitz, publisher of 593-9210 www.Jewisbfamily.com, is editor of Beyond Scandal: 8425 "F" St. (across from Acura) The Parents' Guide to Sex, Lies & Leadership ra-o»iobl!sh»d, logs fwww.JFLbooUfl.com/
393-^800
Pulverente
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Alan Friedman Company
by Rabbi Myer S . Kripke
May 29,1888
.••*FewBBh-Press, QmafuvNE •
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Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 1502 No. 52nd S t , Omttha, NE 68104 5W288
9$$& Cftft* Street, Onaalia, FRTOAY: Shabbat evening service, 8 p.m. Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Stiel and Hazzan Contzius will officiate. Rabbi Josh Zweiback, Rabbi Dennis Eisner, Jacqueline Hantgan and Tamara Lustgarten Gropper, teachers-in-residence, will lead Torah study during the worship services. The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by the congregation in honor of Lonnie Williams, III. SATURDAY: Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m. Ben Taxman, son of Sherry and Jeff Taxman, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah at Shabbat morning services. i Simcha B'Shabbat-An informal Shabbat service and discussion of a variety of Jewish texts. \ Sitter service is available by reservation Friday evenings and Saturday mornings when there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Cost is $2 per family if reservations are made prior to Friday; drop-ins are $3 per family. There are no facilities for infants. SERVICE OF CONFHtMATION/SHAVUOT Saturday, May 30, 7:30 p.m. Confirmands are: Benjamin Bleicher, Lauren Brown, Jeremy Chasen, Matthew Chasen, Julie Coren, Allison Fine, Jay Kulakofsky, Joshua Needelmari, Tara Renstrom, Whitney Taxman and Michelle Taylon. Following the service, the confirmands' parents invite everyone to an Oneg Shabbat, followed by Tikkun Leil Shavuot with Rabbi Josh Zweiback, Jacqueline Hantgan, Rabbi Dennis Eisner and . Tamara Lustgarten Cooper. SUNDAY: Morning service and Yizkor, 1030 ajn. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY,'June 4: Sisterhood Adult Education, Hazzan Contzius will teach "The World of Jewish Music," from 9:30-11 a.m. Rabbi Stiel will teach "Talmud for Beginners," 10:3011:30 a.m. "Beyond Midrash," led by Don Schwartz, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 5: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m. Following services, an Oneg Shabbat will be held on the playground in honor of the new playground equipment donated for the children. High School Graduation, 8 pan. Megan-Adams, Aryn Brechwald, Mark Gelbman, Becky Goldberg, Aaron Hardwick, Alan Josephson, Jessica Krieger, Travis Lewis, Alissa Manvitz, {Jill Sherman and Glenn Wigodsky are the first groupipf high school seniors to have maintained active participation in religious education. Rachel Tomar Langnas, daughter of Shari and Alan Langnas, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah during Shabbat morning services, June 6. 8EYT SHALOM '-', ,' Ari Affiliate of t h e .
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. P.O. Box 24*130, Omaha, NE 68124-5130 ; ' '- "; >'' ;/7fflM>233 " -: FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. at 3012 So. 119 St. SATURDAY: Rabbi Lisa Freitag will officiate at services, 10 a.m., and Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca • •• •
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WBB--http^/on>ahafreenet,org/foiither! -" . Services conducted,by Rabbi Howard kutner. Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. Office Hours: Monday through Thursday^ 9 a.m.' to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p'.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat service, 7 p.m. Services are conducted by Rabbi Paul Drazen and SATURDAY: (Erev Shavuot) Morning services, Cantor Emil Berkovits. 8:45 a.m.; Little People service, 10:15 a.m.; Jr. FRDDAY: Services, 6 p.m. Congregation, 10:30 a.m. Kiddush sponsored by SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush folSisterhood. Mincha, 8:30 p.m., followed by lowing services; Sitter service, 10 a.m.; TSS (Torah "Minhagim of Shavuot" class with Rabbi Kutner. Siddur Skills), 10 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time, first Shavuot candlelighting no earlier than 9:40 p.m. and third Saturday, 11 a m ; ICtantan, second and Tikkun Leil Shavuot at midnight, Torah: the fourth Saturday, 11 a.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Written Law and the Oral Law - an Overview." Havdalah, 8:45 p.m. SUNDAY: First day of Shavuot, Services at 8:45 Tikkun Ad-Hatzot, following Ma'ariv, 9:15 p.m. a.m. followed by traditional dairy lunch, reserva- Learn with Rabbi Paul Drazen,- Cantor Emil tions required. Mincha at 8:35 p.m., followed by a Berkovits, Rabbi Ira Flax, Dr. Richard Freund and class with Rabbi Kutner, "Reason for Eating Dairy Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. ' on Shavuot," followed by Ma'ariv. SUNDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., honoring 8th MONDAY: Second day of Shavuot, Services at and 12th grade graduates in BESTT, Beth El 8:45 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:30 a.m., class, "Ruth - Mother Synagogue Talmud Torah. Luncheon and discusof Royalty," with Rabbi Kutner at 7:35 p.m., fol- sion, "And these words which I command theelowed by Mincha, 8:35 p.m. and Havdallah, 9:42 what does it mean to be commanded?", following p.m. Shavuot services. WEDNESDAY: Adult education class, 7:30 p.m. MONDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m., with "Jewish Thought and Practice." Yizkor and dedication of memorial plaques. WEEKDAYS: Services at 7 a.m. and 8:35 p.m. . Mincha, Ma'ariv, 8:50 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ARTISTS SHOW: Members' artistic talents will be on display in the Social Hall during regular ROSE BLUMKiN JEWISH HOME | hours Saturday, May 30, through Sunday, June 7. SATURDAY: Shabbat services, led by Scott Bresler, 9 a.m. Kiddush following services. CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of the Worldwide Chabad-Iiubavitch Movement' 1800 So. 120th Sfc, Omaha, NE«8144 Phone:330-1800 E-MAIL~chabad@aol.com - SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. Kiddush following services. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; followed up annual dairy luncheon in honor of Shavuot will be held at Chabad House Sunday, May 31, at noon. The luncheon will follow a unique Torah reading (11 ajn.) with the participation of young children. Both are open to the entire community. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 ajn. WEDNESDAY: Mitzvah Munchkins class, 10 a.m.-noon THURSDAY: Talmud Class, noon. BWM ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster St., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 . •• • \
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E-MAllU docjeb2@juno.com FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m., topic is "Is Factional Judaism Committing Suicide?," followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of ihe United Synaffoffue Tikkun Leil Shavuot, adult study session, . - of Conservative .Judaism 9 p.m., at Lake Manawa State Park 3210 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502 423-8569 Services are conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURUN Rdsenbaum. ,-..•, , SOUTH STREET TEMPLE Minyan on Monday and Thursday at 7:15 a.m. Member of the Union FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. of American Hebrew Congregations SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 4KCO!M, WE 68502-3707 10:15 a.m. Shavuot services, 8 p.m.-Seminar #1 438*8004 with Dr. Sanford Kaplan; 9 p.m.-Shavuot services and refreshment break; 9:45 p.m.-Seminar #2 with Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum. TUESDAY: Adult Education, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY; 9:30 a.m.-Services and Confirmation; 8 FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 p.m! p.m.--Services. SATURDAY: Torah study, 10 a.m. Hebrew High School Confirmation will occur during Saturday, J u n e 5: Confirmation of Sara Doran, daughter of Rita Babbitz and John Doran; regular Shavuot Services, followed by a dessert recepCameron Rhodes, son of Lois Rhodes and the late tion. Monday, June 1: 9:30 a.m.-Services, including Jim Rhodes; Stefani Tomkins, daughter of Vicki • WeiBz and Alan Tomkins during Shabbat services. Tizkor. Hellwig.
LSMAGOGUE
•'•<Memberoft3'nited>Syttagog«eS'* ' ' f C t i J d a i s w i ,»* ^
OfAtt Air Force Base 25th and Capebart, Omaha, NE 294-6051 Services conducted by Rabbi Ira Flax. Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a^m.4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 5, 6 p.m.;Shabbat dinner. Call 651-9058 for reservations.
Aaron Schneider, son of Prof. Steven and Riyca Schneider ; of Ke.arney, NE, will celebrate his.. Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 6, at Beth Israel Synagogue. A seventh grade honor student at Sunrise Middle School, he enjoys basketball, mountain biking, hiking and camp-__ ing and is interested in becoming an architect or professional basketball player. He also hopes to study in Israel. Aaron has a younger brother, Roni. Grandparents are Barbara Goldman of North Miami Beach, FL, the late Irwin Schneider, David Rosenfeld of Philadelphia and Sandra Rosenfeld. Rebecca Anne Hellwig, daughter of Robin Hellwig and Charlie Hellwig, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah tomorrow at Beyt Shalom. A seventh grade honor student at Millard Central Middle School, she enjoys drawing and art, listening to music, and loves animals. Rebecca has a sister, Melanie. Grandparents are Lila and Al Jacoby of Omaha and Jane and Archie^ J Bannister of Wichita, KS.'*
Editorial
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Receiving the Torah
UTS-Dp
Scholars and laymen alike have debated the origin¥of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, for cen' turies. Some believe the Torah is a compilation of texts written by different authors at different times in the history of the Jewish people. Others ' 'believe it was dictated to Moses by 'God. For anyone who has ever volunteered to> sit for endless hdurs in committee meetings, debating inconsequential points and (sometimes) listening to rude1 reniiarks and personal attacks, envisioning : the Torah written'by a committee is qiiite ludicrous indeed! Oh the other hand, if some of the prophets did have their hands into the 'editing* of the tefcts, they were hardly the 'average volunteer!' Whatever your interpretation, it JB the upcoming holiday of Shavuot that celebrates the Torah - not the giving of it - by our receiving of it. That change in verbs means the onus is on us - as individuals and as a people - to read it, study it and carry out its lessons in ways that will improve our lives, the lives of those around us and those we don't see but whose lives change by our positive actions.
Letter from Israel
by Harry Allen
. The great Persian poet, Kalil Gibran, once wrote that the. tree that stands rigid during the storm is blown oyer, but the tree t h a t bends remains .upright after the stormihas passed..In politics, as .in nature, extreme, rigidity if often disastrous. -.. • The;newspaper Ha'Aretz reports that in a television program relates how King Hussein of Jordan flew to Israel before th Yom KipjJur War and told Prime Minister Golda.Meir that Egypt and Syria intended to attack. This was after Golda had turned down an Egyptian proposal for a small scale Israeli withdrawal from the Suez Canal to allow its opening. The prime minister passed on the information to army intelligence who "reassured her' that it was just a bluff - Egypt and Syria were in no position' to attack Israel. This rigidit£resulted, in the deaths of nearly 3000 Israeli troops,and a political eriiption which has not yet run its course. The question which thoughtful arid patriotic Israelis, along with its supporters, must ask, is this "Is the stubbornness of the prime minister in the present negotiations with the Palestinians being conducted with the same blindness which affected Israel, post 1967?" Once again King Hussein is'warning of an impending explosion; so, too, is Mubarak of Egypt; so, too, are the Americans. These are opinions not to be dismissed with a cavalier attitude or sloganeering on television. Arafat, doesn't help matters very much when he compares peace with Israel to the peace Mohammed made until such time as he would become strong enough to defeat those with whom he made peace. The army, unlike in 1973, is warning that anger in the West Bank and Gaza is at the boiling point and that a new intifada may erupt at any time. We saw this, if only briefly, during the Palestinian demonstrations to counter the 50th anniversary celebrations in Israel. ' The parading of a million Palestinians for a day may just be a harbinger of things to come. A new intifada will be carried out with guns this time, not ; just stones. •.,;••' In the end, of course, Netanyahu will have to concede much of the West Bank. But the cost of his negotiating strategy, if it may be called such, will be very much higher than it needed to be. Netanyahu needs to read Kalil Gibran.
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MEMORIAL-TRIBUTE SONSROOK
Focus on Issues
Gingrich visit does little to alter political realities by Naomi Segal ,
But prior to his departure last Friday, Gingrich JERUSALEM (JTA) - Before and during U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich's visit to Israel this backed off from his vow to visit the embassy site, citweek, there were fears that he would set off a ing a request from the administration. The WhiteHouse and State Department had expressed concern series of diplomatic land mines. But as the Georgia Republican concluded meet- that it might spark violent Palestinian protests. When he arrived in Israel over the weekend, ings with Israeli officials on Tuesday, it appeared that he did little to alter the realities of the peace Gingrich reaffirmed his support for 'moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But process that confront Israel - and Washington. To be sure, his comments supporting Israel's posi- touring Jerusalem with Mayor Ehud Olmert, he tion regarding a further redeployment from the West drove by, but did not stop at, the proposed location Bank provided a morale boost for Prime Minister for the embassy. The sigh of relief from the Potomac was evident Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been under attack from opposition members accusing him of sabotaging when, one day later, State Department spokesman the peace process, and; from: right-wing, coalition James Rubin said in a briefing that Gingrich's trip '"'• ! ' : members charging him with capitulating to had gone "reasonably well." Palestinian and American pressures. But Rubin did lash out at Gingrich, condemning But beyond that, his visit .appeared .tq.'dftjittle to as "appalling and outrageous" a comment Gingrich change the fact that th^^raeH^ovBrmiierrtTcnust1'- made-earlier1 thisrmon%& cainhtrU.S.IiSecrfelary of still wrestle with the U.S. demand that it pull back State Madeleine Albright an "agent for the • from an additional 13 percent of the West Bank in Palestinians. "There were some rather stunning reports over exchange for concrete Palestinian steps to crack the weekend about Speaker Gingrich's reported down on terrorism. Gingrich, who visited Israel as head of a congres- willingness to provoke the Israeli government to' sional delegation honoring the Jewish state on its disagree with his own government," Rubin said. "If 50th anniversary, has frequently criticized the true, those would be stunning comments that Clinton administration for putting pressure on would undermine the efforts we're trying to- make to advance America's nationaTinterest." . Israel to accept its proposal aimed at breaking *T*e people of Israel," During a speech to the "Knesset on the impasse in IsraeliGingrich drew applause when Gingrich added, "get to Tuesday, Palestinian negotiations. he declared Jerusalem the'"united and r During his visit, he ask ivhere our ambas- eternal capital of Israel." The United States' official position is reiterated the view — one sador fihould be. And that the future of the city should be also espoused by they have chosen determined in final-status talks with Netanyahu - that Israel and we the Palestinians. alone should determine Jerusalem* its security needs. should be appropriate- Gingrich, Who supported a non-binding congressional resolution to move But despite Gingrich's ly responsive.'* the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, rhetoric of support, it ...* recalled the visit several years ago of appears t h a t most Israelis understand that whatever Gingrich may then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to mark say, it is still the Clinton administration with Jerusalem's third millennium. "We in Congress stood with him them, and stand whom Netanyahu has to contend. For their part, Clinton administration officials with you today, in recognizing Jerusalem as the seemed relieved that Gingrich did not detonate any united and eternal capital of Israel," Gingrich told explosive issues. Before he departed for Israel, the the Knesset. lawmaker said he would visit the site of the future His remarks drew applause -- though from a lessU.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, provoking criticism than-full house. Gingrich, who has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials who said the visit would for taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiaundermine their efforts to secure part of the city as tions, was boycotted by some Israeli Arab legislathe capital of a future Palestinian state. They also tors who walked out of the Knesset before Gingrich said it could prompt Palestinian violence. began his address.
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May 29,1998. Jewish Press, Omaha, NE Page 5
Links to Netanyahu raises questions
Israel weighs ramifications of India's nuclear tests by David Landau
by Ellen Friedland JERUSALEM (JTA) - Israeli policymakers are treading warily around the potential pitfalls posed for the Jewish state by India's nuclear tests. While Israel shares the world's fears of a dangerous atomic arms race between Indian and Pakistan - fears heightened this week by reports of an imminent nuclear test by Pakistan - there are aspects and repercussions of the ominous conflict in the Indian subcontinent that create special challenges for Jerusalem. Foremost among Israel's concerns is the longstanding fear of an "Islamic bomb" - particularly one in the hands of an extremist state like Iran or Libya. This apprehension is not new, of course, just as the knowledge of India's and Pakistan's nuclear weapons potential has existed in the world's strategic consciousness for more than a quarter of a century. Israel has long been concerned that in Pakistan's quest to achieve nuclear parity with its larger neighbor, it will turn — or has turned - to rich Muslim states for cash aid and, where available, for brainpower and technology transfers. There have been scenarios under discussion here in which Libya or Iran request a quid pro quo for such help in the form of subsequent cooperation from Pakistan, also a Muslim country, that would in effect equip them with a finished weapon. A variation on this scary prospect has Pakistani personnel, motivated by religious and pan-Islamic as well as mercenary considerations, participating in Muslim military action against Israel. Israeli observers say the fear of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons is the foremost concern of the U.S. administration as well/and it accounts for the severity with which President Clinton has reacted to India's move and the energy he is investing in trying to head off a Pakistani response. . These observers say the president is determined to demonstrate that nuclear proliferation will be painfully punished, in the hope that the lesson will be learned in;Iran and Libya.:Beyond the Islamic , spillover effect, however, Israel is troubled by two other ramifications of the stepped-up arms race on the subcontinent that could affect the Jewish state. Israel, India and Pakistan are the only three countries that are widely believed to have a nuclear weapons capability who are not signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In addition, all three have, for different reasons, adhered to a policy of deliberate vagueness in all public pronouncements connected to their nuclear capabilities. Prinze Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adhered closely t>p this long-standing policy, when, asked on American( television for his reaction to the news that India, had detonated five underground nuclear tests, he immediately reiterated that "Israel will not be the first state to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East." The. meaning of that.statement? Make what you want of it, Netanyahu advised his questioners. But with India,. un<%r, its hew Hindu nationalist government;; boldly; 3.ebiding_io,step;out"of tihe1 nuclear closet, and Pakistan threatening to do likewise, people" here wonder how long Israel's option of nuclear vagueness will remain available. There could be, as a consequence of the world's sudden new interest in the danger of proliferation, a reawakening of international pressure - On all three recalcitrants -- to come clean and sign onto the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israeli policymakers, regardless of their political affiliation, are almost unanimous in their belief that Israel cannot afford to relinquish the vagueness posture - at least as long as the Israeli-Arab conflict remains unresolved. Indeed, in a readily understandable paradox, it is often the staunchest soft-liners on Israel's hawkdove spectrum who are the toughest proponents of Israel jealously guarding its nuclear capacity as the surest guarantee of its security. These doves believe that all progress made in the peace process rests ultimately on the Arab realization that Israel is ineradicable - in no small part thanks to their perception that the Jewish state has the ultimate weapon at its disposal. On a more immediate and tactical level, Israeli officials are concerned that the country's relatively recent but burgeoning relationship with India in
NEW YORK (JTA) — Questions are surfacing the sphere of military cooperation could fall victim regarding the close links between members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle to American sanctions. This week, a delegation from Israel Aircraft and a new American group promoting Israeli diplo.•...'; Industries was visiting India in the hope of promoting matic policies. , i W ,. ,.• , . The Princeton,. N,J.-based Committee for a;Secure military sales between the two countries. Israel's proven expertise in aircraft maintenance and refur-. Peace i s l e d almost exclusively by. Republicans bishment is of particular interest to New Delhi, with ..whose views orjlsraei's..sequrity mirror thpse of Netanyahu. The committee h a s raised-enough its large but aging fleet of Soviet-made warplanes. Israeli officials hope that signed contracts can be money to launch an unprecedented television ad implemented without Interference, despite campaign targeting what it refers to as the "ClintonWashington's anger at India: But they say that if Gore administration's" policies toward Israel...,;j the United States is adamant about sanctions, the Arthur Finkelstein, the brains behind, puccessful Israeli defense establishment could hardly enter political campaigns by Netanyahu and a. host of into new contractual relationships with India. Republican conservatives, is one of the organizaFor the moment, consultations among various gov- tion's advisers, according to former Sen. Rudy ernment ministries and agencies in Israel have result- Boschwitz, the committee's honorary chair. ed in a decision not to rush into a knee-jerk endorse- Finkelstein - who continues to advise Netanyahu also worked for Boschwitz, a Minnesota Republican. ment of the American declaration of sanctions. U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), the committee's coFurther down the road, Israeli officials realize, some deft diplomacy will be required to keep all of chair, said he has also "been in touch with Dore Gold, David Bar-Man and certain other ijnembers these business dealings afloat. Finally, the Indian decision to go public could well of the Knesset, like Uzi Landau, about these result in increased international pressure on Israel to issues," referring to, respectively, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, a top Netanyahu free its famed atomic spy, Mordechai Vanunu. Vanunu, a technician at the nuclear reactor in adviser and a hawkish Likud member of Knesset.. Saxton admits that the group's beliefs "are more Dimona, was not really a spy in the classical mold: he gave detailed information in 1986 on the work- along the line of Netanyahu than the more liberal" ings of the plant to the London Sunday Times Israeli views. because, as he has consistently maintained, he Abraham Poxman, national director of the Antibelieves Israel should disarm unilaterally. Defamation League, has charged the group with But he was sentenced to 18 years for passing secrets endangering the bipartisan tradition of pro-Israel to the enemy, and earlier this month a review board advocacy, "I am uncomfortable with that kind of refused to commute his sentence by one-third, as is relationship. It goes to the edge of interfering in the domestic politics of the United States." ~ ' usually the case for well-behaved prisoners.
CUSTOM-BUILT COMPUTERS
ELECTION 1998 INFORMATION for the Jewish Federation of Omaha and Us Corners of Excellence
JOlNTAfiNUAL MEETING
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JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAIIA OFFICERS & CHAIRMEN: . President .. i .......... Howard Koopet Vice President • •• JPpnTst Knitter Vice President •••'•• Bobbie Epstein Treasurer ; Robert Lepp ( Secretary • Jan Sclineldcmian Past President .-. :...::..::...Tom Fellmari Campaign Chairmen —,. Robert Eisenberg & E. Robert Newman Maxine Kirshenbaum & Jan Schncideniian Foundation Chairman ....-.;:.........;.;..— ;.!.Harley Schrager Budget and Allocations Chairman Arnold Weitz Building and Grounds Chairman : ...I..:.'....;.*.,. SorinJusttr Human Resources Co-Chairmen ... MargoRKkesA-JanSchneideiman : YoungJewlsh Omaha Co-Chairmen ...:...„......-...'...'........... Static Brodkey & David Goldberg . Israel Co-Chairmen '—.» •••— —•• Bobbie Epstein A Forrest Knitter v Jewish Press Chairman 1 ,»-..'. • Steve Levinger Planning and Evaluation Co£balnnen........,....•...' .....;....,. Martin Shukerl & Robert u p p '
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May 29, 1998 W
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QTYG hosts rush event, elects officers by Whitney Taxman
A bicycle policeman, left, signs Adam Rosen's scavenger hunt form.
An Evening of Enchantment
More than 20 teens attended the recent rush program in Omaha's old Market. We began with dinner and elections and ended with Havdallah on the Central Park Mall, led by Jennie Gates and accompanied by Adam Rosen on the guitar. • Four groups rushed around downtown for the scavenger hunt in search of the "charcoal lady", trying on vinyl pants and locating Max Sparber's favorite places. Candy and gift certificates were awarded to the winning team. New officers are: Jennie Gates, President; Rachel Flatowicz and Steve Sternberg, Junior Youth Group; Amy Willensky, Social Action Vice-president; Cole Schneider, Religious and Cultural Vicepresident; Nikki Flatowicz and Tara Renstrom, coTreasurers; Ally Freeman, Secretary; and Tamara Meyers, Programming Vice-president. "I am happy to see many new faces on our board," Gates said, "and I hope it will increase our success in gaining new members and having a great time."
OTYG wins awards at Spring Conclave
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by Jennie Gates Last month, 13 members of Omaha Temple Youth Group attended the final spring conclave of NFTY*B Missouri Valley Region in Kansas City and brought home a number of awards. Morgan Denny was recognized with four Social Action Awards and was elected to the regional board as Social Action Vice-president, along with Amy Willensky, who was named Membership Chairman. Nikki Flatowicz also received four awards, including Best Overall Fundraiser and Best Camp Rainbow Fundraiser. (Readers will remember that OTYG raised more than $4000 at a spaghetti dinner at which Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Hazzan Erik Contzius were challenged to shave their beards.) Overall, OTYG was recognized for raising more ; lhoneyttaf'efay other youth groupiri the1 region. ' . Additional awards included: Most Successful Program, Best Scrapbook, and Best Religious and Cultural Program. In total, twelve awards were Avon by OTYG. Attending with me were: Morgan Denny, Nikki and Rachel Flatowicz, Mark Gelbman, Nicole and Shane Kotas, Diana Manvitz, Ryan Olesh, Adam Schwartz, Jill Sherman, Whitney Taxman, and Amy Willensky, along with advisors Max Sparber and Stephanie Grossman. The weekend also included a picnic lunch, ice skating and arcade activities and a tearful friendship circle full of goodbyes until next year. For more information about joining OTYG, call me at 778-9742.
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Birth Steve and Nancy Kirsh announce the May 16 birth of their son, Jacob Harrison. ' Grandparents are Barbara and Alan Levin of Highland Park, IL., and Natalie and Ernest Kirsh of Deerfield, IL. Great-grandparents are Libby and Mickey Kaplan of Omaha and Mr. and Mrs. Irving Gray of Deerfield, IL.
Calendar of Events for June BBYO Every Tuesday night BBYO Night, 6-9 p.m., at the JCC For more information about B'nai B'rith Youth Organization activities or the JCC Senior High Department, call Lisa Shkolnick, 334-6404 or the BBYO Hotline, 334-6508.
Sr. and Jr. NCSY Every Sunday Beit Midrash after Shacharit services, 9 a.m. Every Monday and Wednesday .: Beit Midrash after Shacharit services, 7 a.m. Every Tuesday and Thursday Beit Midrash after Mincha All events at Beth Israel Synagogue. For more information about Jr. or Sr. National Conference of Synagogue Youth activities, call adviser Allan Gonsher, 330-4014 or 558-2767.
YACHAD For more information about YACHAD activities, call adviser Linda Novak, 493-8575.
USY Saturday, June 6: USY Rush, 10 p.m. Sunday, June 7: USY Rush at Worlds of Fun, 6:30 a.m. All events at Beth El Synagogue For. more information, contact USY advisers Derek Altman or Holly Friedman, 492-8550.
OTYG feunday, June 7: Travel to World of Fun near Kansas City; meet with two KC synagogue youth groups. Leave in the early morning and return late that evening. Cost is $20 per person. For more information about Omaha Temple Youth Group programs, call adviser Max Sparber, 556-6536.
Synagogue bombing prompts outrage, conspiracy theories by Lev Krichevsky
NEW YORK (JTA)~ The bombing of a Moscow synagogue has prompted an unprecedented outcry from Russia's political and religious leaders. • Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the Foreign Ministry called the bombing an act of "barbarism" and said he expected the police to work actively in order to find those responsible for the attacks, according to a presidential spokesman. Leaders of Russia's two largest faiths - Russian Orthodoxy and Islam - - also condemned the attack, with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II calling it a "sinful and criminal affair." But Russian Jewish leaders voiced concern that the police investigation of the bombing was moving slowly and not focusing on the activities of Russian neo-Nazi groups. No arrests have been made in two previous attacks on the synagogue, which occurred in 1993 and 1996. Jewish leaders said they were concerned that authorities would present the attack as an isolated case carried out by a single extremist rather than an incident linked to Moscow's rising neo-Nazi movement In fact, the explosion at the three-story Marina Roscha synagogue was not the only act of antiSemitic violence in the Russian capital this month. A burning container was thrown at the Darchei Shalom synagogue the same night the Marina Roscha synagogue was attacked. The container caused a small fire near the building's outer wall. Three days later, the rabbi's car was burned outside Darchei Shalom, the newest of Moscow's four synagogues,
. May 29; .1998,.! Jewish Press, Omaha, NE•• Page 9
Book '-•
The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill by Rabbi Myer S. Kripke
If you know a (literate) Jew who is not sure he delights in Judaism, force him to read this book. The Catholic scholar who wrote it thinks more of Judaism than 90% of his Jewish readers and 99 44/100 % of his non-Jewish readers. But, at the beginning, let me point out the readability of this book, the fetching style, the easy-going sentences, the underlying ready humor. Here are two examples: What do you think of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses? Cahill calls him "the world's first business consultant" And second, when Solomon's son, Rehoboam, refuses to ease the burdens that Solomon's rule had put on the tribes of the north, Rehoboam says, "My little finger is thicker than my father's thigh!" In other words, I'll be tougher on you than my father ever thought of! But Cahill translates the Hebrew word for "my little finger" about another part of Rehoboam's anatomy, more realistically and clearly off-color, a usage current in street, language in some places n Israel today. Aside from style, however, Cahill is dead serious in is insistence that the Hebrew Bible set the world - t h e world, not only Jews—off on a path entirely unknown before. Ifrwas a path of searching and feeling; searching for the mind, and feeling, for the heart. This path, a vision of superior religion and human, com,-, passion, gave meaning to .civilizar , tion and culture. .; .. :, ; .• Cahill introduces us to his friends, Avraham and Moshe and David. He helps us understand why there were two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, and. why both were destroyed. Cahill experiences the evil of those ancient Israelites, and he helps us to understand how these ancient ancestors became Jews. He does well with the impossible task of explaining the name of God, the unexplainable, unpronounceable, unprintable Tetragrammaton. He uses it throughout his book. HiSj, chapter on the Ten Commandments is superb.
In the Mews !Thi$ (pohimn Matures the mtues of jmemfeew of the Jewish.ccmmuaity let former Jewish Omahans) "who have ina<te changes In their lives {gradua* tiorte, job-changes tat promotions), ^received awards or made some noteworthy achievement. The name shall "be listed ift, boldface with a short description of the life change or award. A photo shall & used," If provided. s B'nai Mitevah Announcements • Announceraen'ta of children becoming Bar or Bat Mitevah will be printed on the synagogue page one week prior to the event The following information may be included: name, ;naroe of p a r e n t s , g r a n d p a r e n t s and/or great-grandparents (including late parentts] and/or late grand* parentfs]), names of sMiftp, date of event and synagogue location. The information/photo is due eight days prior to publication, In addition, the school which the child attends, honors and hobbies may be included, as well as th.e name of the child's Mitzvah Project and a one-sentence description. Clearly identified photos are welcome if they are easily reproduced. s
Jews scarcely nod, though we rise, when they are read on Shavuot. But Cahill considers these "Ten Words" to be a perfect blueprint, an indispensable definition of the Good Society. There is nothing, he says, to delete, and nothing to add to these Ten. Everything society needs^-order and law, compassion and love-can be deduced from thesefew"Words." With unfailing sensitivity, Cahill identifies the Sabbath as one of the great Jewish gifts to humankind. A Jewish invention, the Sabbath is a vote that humankind has purpose and meaning, somehow, for it distinguishes the human animal from all others. Men and women, boys and girls, need time to think, to pray, to contemplate the world, to turn away from usual pursuits, indeed just to rest. Further, from early times and into the future, Jews discovered that learning is good and study is wonderful, and that to be human means-more than anything else—to learn, to understand, and to use this world as much as possible and as carefully as possible. To continue the main point: Cahill demonstrates THAT all we hold dear in life, order; compassion for fellow human beings; hope for the future; love; faithfulness; and every thought we cherish derive fronTthe experience of ancient Israel. Fortunately, these ancients wrote down the sto-. ries of their group experience, so. that all generations and all people, Jews and non-Jews, have been able to adopt these traditions as their O W n .
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Bert's Eye View
by Bert Lewis
Now I've seen (or heard of) every- more easily picture folks in Dublin sitthing. You may have seen it too....the ting down to a small table in a cafe, story about a cafe operating in Israel ordering tea and whatever goes with it which doesn't serve anything. Yes; in that land, rather than' those same that's what I said—it doesn't serve people at that same table, being served • V ' anything. It calls itself a cafe and empty dishes. : has people who "wait on customers", • No, something is definitely wrong bringing invisible cups of coffee and with this idea. At least |p'my way of the like. thinking. I mean; if a person enters an ••'."•>•.•• Personally,11 thought it was a joke eating establishment,isn^ it-natural at first, and kept reading to see if to expect to eat while there? On the the story would eventually explain other hand, if a person enters a large this oddity,-but no, it just reported •area, say a hotel lobby, where there the fact that the only reason for peo- are chairs and folks sitting in them, ple to come in was to sit and be seen then wouldn't the, person entering expect to just sit down? Nobody under by others. . So what's the point? Darned if I those circumstances would expect food to be brought, would they? know. Well, you can see this entire subject I also must confess I have a hard time believing that people who, shall has me completely fardrait.At doesn't we say, like to eat and who enjoy food, make any sense to me no matter how might be interested in going to a much we talk about it. Arid right here restaurant where nothing is served. I will predict that this cafe, where no Let"s face it, as an ethnic group we do food or drink is served, will not have a appreciate everything from a small long life as a viable business enter. , * .'/.;•' : nosh to a meal which begins with an prise. • In fact, I'd be surprised if, it's still appetizer and ends with a dessert. This makes me wonder how the above • standing'and welcoming people^ $vho „mentioned cafe expects to become a don't happen to be hurigiiy. Ifjj by K, successful business. •• ;' . chance it is, thenfl wish theiri continMaybe someplace'else, but in ued, success, add lots ofjgo|>d lijck, Israel? Nah, I don't think so. •'becau'stil'' thinffefcftaVs whaitLthey're Still, this world is filled w i t h ' goinglo'need.T.'.ToiE'bf goodTuck. ' strange thingsand unusual ideas', so'" maybe it's possible. But then, food is • , so basic, not just to us good eaters, about,folks«whg patronize. £;uch- a cafe) but to everybody everywhere/ FdainH see something like this idea being a^ :: •Arougb.tranBlatioh? "Hayerytju gpne ;• success in Ireland, for example. l e a n ' inuts?:!" ''> •- -; •'•• \...;.-: '.-L "\v\ I
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tCahjjll concludes,,his.ibojO,k,,.wh^cli,, may be called an extensive midrash on the Hebrew Bible, with this summation: "We can hardly get up in the morning or cross the street without being Jewish. We dream Jewish dreams and hope Jewish hopes. Most of our best words, in fact-newr adventure, surprise, unique; individual, person, vocation: time, history, fjiturei &sSz dom, progress/spirit, faith, hope. juBtice--are the gifts of the Jews."
Obituaries , " ~ Obituaries shall contain the full name,' age, date of death; location ofsersdee and burial site if provided either by a> notice. in the Omaha World-tiervM or by a family member of the deceased. Survivor? shall be listed, including na'lftes.of surviving spouse; sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law and brothersin-law; sons, daughters, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; grandchildren; the number (but not names) of greatgrandchildren (and name of spouse preceded in death by the deceased). The cities in,which the surviving relatives live shall be listed, if available and if space permits. In cases •where confusion might arise due to people of the samo name either being the deceased or a survivor, maiden . names or middle initials shall be added, if known. friends of the deceased (companions or life-partners) shall be listed. A photo of a notable person may be used if space permits. Other biographical information may be added, if the editor determines it is pertinent. Memorials may be listed to bonafide charitable organizations; addresses will bo printed to out-of-state organizations, if provided.
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Auditions for Princess Diana, the Musical Y.E.S. There will be no meeting Monday due to the holiday of Shavuot. Visit the new SAC Museum and picnic at Mahoney State Park on Thursday, June 25. Cost of $12 per person includes admission to Museum, transportation and sack lunch. WinnaVegas Casino Trip is Thursday, June 18. Cost is $5 for the trip and an extra $1 added for lunch buffet, which you; can pay at the casino. For reservations, call Maggie at 334-6521. „ . . .
Y.E.SiOldtimers install officers
WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. English Class starts at 10 a.m., exercise at 10:15 a.m., and bingo at 10:30 a.m. Bring a dairy Young Energetic Seniors celebrated Mother's sack lunch to eat at 11:45 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., Day and installed the new steering commitwatch the video Do You Believe In Miracles? writ-tee. New Board Members are: Milton ten and produced by Hanoch Teller. For trans- Margolin, Program, left; Kate Fercr, Hospital; portation, call 330-4272. Ann Margolin, Treasurer; Millie Altman, Recording Secretary; Toni Kutcher, Vice VISIONS President; Sally Venger, Hospitality; Frieda Catered Picnic at Chalco Hills Recreation Area is Krizelman, Membership Dues; Art Grossman, Sunday, June 7,12:30-4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. President; Esther Waxman, Courtesy; Lester Lunch will be served from 12:30-1p.m. Space is Waxman, Former President; (not pictured: limited. For reservations, mail form with full pay-- Bess Rothenberg, Contributions; Dan ment by June 1 to Rosalie and Maurie Meiches, Greenfield, Maitre D; Charlotte Kaplan, 5036 Parker, Omaha, NE, 68104. Historian; Al and Reva Oruch, Advisors). The Omaha Royals play the Calgary Cannons at the Annual Baseball & B-B-Q on Thursday, June L.O.V.E. loves flowers' 11. Cost per person is $11 and includes dinner buffet, 5:30 p.m., at the Stadium View Club, and ball game. Park free near the club. Following dinner, cheer on the Royals at 7:05 p.m. For reservations, send form and check to Harry Alloy, 11317 Harney Plaza Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. . Join Visions for an afternoon in Brownville, Nebraska for music to remember by Debbie Shapiro Gravitte on Sunday, July 19. Cost is $30 per person and includes coach transportation, admission to show, dinner, tax and tip. Depart from Temple Israel west parking lot at 1 p.m. and return approximately at 8 p.m. Dinner at the Brownville House at 5:30, following the show. Mail form with payment by June 10 to Rosalie and Maurie Meiches, 5036 Parker Street, Omaha, NE Left photo: Eliane Freund, right, picks up her 68104. order of flowers from the recent Mother's Day Make checks for all events payable to Jewish fundraiser from flower-sale co-chairman Ellie Senior Services. Greenspoon. Right: Dory Mawyer, co-chairman, organizes flowers for pick-up.
GENIE CHAIN GLIDE
A New poor Opener Concept
Two auditions, for singers, dancers and actors of all ages, will be held for a new musical written by Karen Sokploff Javitch and Elaine Jabenis. The show, Princess Diana, the Musical, will be performed Friday and Saturday evenings, Sept, 2526, and Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27 at the Joslyn Art Museum as a benefit for the American Red Cross. Auditions are scheduled on Sunday, June 7, 2-5 p.m., and Monday, June 8, 7-9 p.m. at Red Cross headquarters, 2912 So. 80 Ave. Chuck Penington of Mannheim Steamroller will be the musical director. Roles include: Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Prince Andrew, Fergie, Prince William and Prince Harry, young Diana and more. For more information, call 397-4397 or 397-5619. by Art Grossman
Y.ELS. review The routine Oldtimers/Young Energetic Seniors meeting paused on May 25, Memorial Day, and will be cancelled again on June 1, Shavuot. Meetings will resume Monday, June 8. At last week's session, Dr. Ben Nachman, representing the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, related that the society is undertaking video interviews with seniors to preserve the knowledge and memories of events and facts of their lives. He asked for participants from our organization. Interviewers will visit volunteers at their homes and record their thoughts and recollections. Each person interviewed will be given a copy of the faceto-face meeting. Several of our members agreed to participate. Interested folks are urged to contact the society at the JCC. The Early Bird discussion featured a review of the ABC-Channel "7 drama Miracle at Midnight, televised last Sunday, which chronicled how the brave people of Denmark banded together in 1943 to save their country's Jewish population from extinction by the Nazis. Some 7,000 were smuggled into safety in Sweden in small "fishing boats. We stood in reverence in memory of Sam Kaplan, taken from our midst. Sam was a past-president of Oldtimers, Commander of the Epstein-Morgan Jewish Veterans and for years was active in fundraising for the Jewish Federation. Shalom.
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4665i"G"St.• 733-6440•OPEN.SAT.9AM t o 1PM Tijka I-80 lo 60th or 42nd Street Exit, 2 blocks south to F Street, then to 46th Street (OR) L Street to 50th S G. ' east to 46th Street •' .
Teen Connection Director
(Sam Beber that is... founder of BBYO)
Part-time Position Available The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization is seeking an energetic, highly motivated and creative individual to coordinate BBYO's 7th and 8th grade Teen Connection Program. 5 hours per week.
The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization is looking for men and women who enjoy volunteering thejr time with high school teens. BBYO Advisors assist members during Tuesday night weekly meetings
Salary dependent on experience. Must be 21 or older and enjoy working with young teens.
and planning creative and innovative programs year round.
Resume should be sent to Lisa Shkolnick, BBYO Director, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154, 402-334-6404.
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„HOT ,««-.tniS HK.r,0nmOxf/srifl/iriws* 01 o^ May 29,1998 Jewish: Press,Omaha, NE^PageJl
In the News
Former Omahan Rabbi Barry Weinstein is the first man to be elected to the League of Women Voters board of directors in Baton Rouge, LA. Currently spiritual leader of B'nai Israel Synagogue, Rabbi Weinstein served for many years as assistant rabbi to Rabbi Sidney Brooks at Temple Israel. Stephanie Shapiro Sutcliffe, daughter of Dr. Robert and Dottie Sha-;. — piro of Lincoln, graduat-i ed last week from the*- ^ University of Texas,T'~ Health Science Center, San Antonio Medici School, with a Doctor Medicine degree. She is the granddaughter of Milt and Rosalie Saylan of Palm Springs, CA, and the late Stanley and Betty Shapiro. Dr. Sutcliffe will begin a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Maricopa County and St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. Bryan Hirsch, grandson of the late Harriet and Robert Marantz, and Louis Katz, has been named a Bronfman Fellow. He is one of 26 teenagers in the United States to receive a 1998 Bronfman Youth Fellowship under a program designed to develop future community leaders committed to the concept of Jewish unity. The son of Carl and Marilyn Hirsch of Walnut Creek, CA, Bryan is a junior at San Ramon Valley High School where he is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society. He is also a recipient of the Principal's^ Scholar-Athlete Awards, the Varsity Ski Team and the Junior Varsity pole vaulting team. Active in Temple Isaiah, Bryan is also on the Temple Board of Directors and is President of his youth group. A new cookbook, Special Diets for Special Kids,
has been published by Future Horizons. It was written by Lisa Lewis, daughter of Omahans Bert and Leonard Lewis. The cookbook is an intervention strategy aimed at children and adults with autism. Lewis, who received her PhD from New York university in Biological Anthropology, lives in Penington, NJ, with her husband, Serge Goldstein and their two sons, Sam, 9, and Jacob, 6. The book is. available at the Jewish Federation Library; Lewis^also runs a website on dietary intervention at http:Wwww.autismndi.coni Marcia L. Gallner was one of the designers selected for the recent Omaha Symphony Showhouse. She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. -
Alan & Marty Cohen LACHIN/SALTZMAN Linda Lachin and Kevin Saltzman, both of Omaha, were married! May 24 at Washington! Hebrew Congregation i n | Washington, D.C. Ms. Lachin, daughter of | Alice and Robert Lachin I of Potomac, MD, is ai fourth-generation native! of Washington, D.C, and! a graduate of the Medill I School of Journalism at I Northwestern University. [ She is the granddaugh- j ter of Mrs. Maury Young of Chevy Chase, MD, and the late Maury Young and Libbie Lachin of Toledo, OH, and the late Marvyn Lachin.. Mr. Saltzman, son of Rosalie and Ernest Saltzman of Omaha, is a corporate lawyer with Kutak Rock in Omaha, where he practices financial services, health care,and technology law. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Columbia University School of Law. He is the grandson of Sara Saltzman of Omaha and the late Harry Saltzman and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Cohen. Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg will officiate the afternoon ceremony. Also participating will be Rabbi Melbourne Harris, who married Ms. Lachin's parents and grandparents.
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Engagement LERNER/SCHACHTMAN Nicole Ayn Lerner, daughter of Gary and Cheryl Lerner, and the late Doreen Lerner, and Todd Loren Schachtman, son. of Steve and Nancyj Schachtman of Minne-I apolis, will be married! November 8 at Beth El] Synagogue in Omaha. Ms. Lerner, a graduate I of the University ofl Wisconsin-Madison, with! a degree in journalism, is an account executive and| associate writer for Minnesota Meetings and Events Magazine in Minneapolis. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Ethel Lerner of St. Louis and the late Herman and Pearl Figler. Mr. Schachtman also graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a degree in communication arts and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He is an investment executive with R. J. Steicher & Co. in Minneapolis. He is the grandson of Zollie and Shirley Baratz, Sylvia and the late William Schachtman, of Minneapolis.
Barton (Bucky) Greenberg participated in the National Masters Short Course Swimming Championships in Indianapolis where he placed Visions visits tulips and traditions second in the 200-yard breaststroke and first in the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke in his age group. The event was held at the Indiana University Purdue University Swimming Complex, site of the 1996 Olympic Swimming Trials and the 1997 NCAA Finals. Greenberg trains in Omaha at the Jewish Community Center pool. Amanda Mack, who graduated from the Margolin Hebrew Academy in Memphis,. TN, last week, is the recipient of two scholarship awards. She was one of 70 students worldwide to have been selected for a academic achievement award from Lucent Technologies, and also has been chosen for a Frohm Scholar Award. She will be attending Michlelet Esther in Israel for her freshman year and will return as a sophomore to Stern College in New York. . • Amanda is the daughter of Jerry and Candee Mack and the granddaughter of Morris and Jean Bresel.
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Twenty-seven Visionaries visited the Dutch community of Orange City for the annual Tulip Festival, front row: Mnrcy Gallner, left, Phyllis Roffman, Bea Appel, Toni Kutcher, Morris and Helen Lipp, Pauline Landman, Sylvia Davis, Leona KIdtz, Rosaline and Sam Epstein (Trips & Travel Go-Chairs), Frances Kimmel; back row: Morey Landman, Sylvia Jess, Jean Elkon, Rosalie Meiches, Ann Kaiman, Rosalie Greenspan, Wally Elkon, Lewis Izenstat, Marvin Gerber, Doris Izenstat, (not pictured: Ce|e Cohen, Barbara Finkle, Lola Reinglass, Rachel Rosenberg).
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Page 12 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE May 29,1998
AIPAC delegates look to future despite cloud over U.S.-lsrael ties by Daniel Kurtzman
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- As pro-Israel activists gathered for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual policy conference, this much .was clear: There is no conflict or lack of clarity when it comes to backing Israel on its right to determine its own security requirements. Indeed, recent attempts by the United States to force- Israel's hand in ceding- land to the Palestinians only seemed to galvanize and strengthen the resolve of the some 2,000 activists, (including Ally Milder) pushing many of them more squarely into the corner of the Israeli government. But for the most part, the Jewish leaders and rank-and-file activists, including 700 students, (among them, Beth Shyken, a junior at the University of Michigan arid daughter of Paul and Susie Shyken) who gathered from around the country were looking past the events of recent weeks, which had seen the greatest strain on U.S.-lsrael relations since former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and President Bush sparred in 1991 over U.S. loan guarantees and Jewish settlements. There was a sense that despite uncertainty over what would happen next, at least for the moment a trying period had passed and now was the time to reaffirm the bond between the two countries. The AIPAC conference was convened at a time of delicate and intense U.S. efforts to break the deadlock in the long-stalled Israeli-Palestinians talks. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright threatened to reconsider the U.S. mediating role if Israel did not accept a U.S. plan that calls for Israel to pull back from a further 13 p'ercent of the West Bank in exchange for a series of Palestinian steps to crack down on terrorism. Under fire from Congress and American Jewish organizational leaders, the Clinton administration backed away from ultimatums and deadlines, and quickly moved to downplay any hint of confrontation. The reassessment came after the Conference
of Presidents of Majoi American Jewish Organ izations accused th administration of craftini' policies in the peac ' process that are perceive! I • to "complicate the negotia ' tions" and have "given rise to significant con cerns and have created perceptions of shift in U.S policy toward Israel." While the America]! Jewish communit; remains divided about how to proceed in tin peace process, the con sensus view from thi pro-Israel communit: represented at thi AIPAC conference was Vice-president Al Gore addressed the administration's commitment to that the Clinton adminis- the peace process a n d t h e future of the J e w i s h sate at the recent tration had stepped way AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. over the line in attempt'For many activists, the events of recent weeks ing to impose its judgment on Israel. evoked scorn for the administration and sharpened But there was also broad agreement that the their support for the Israeli government's position. administration should continue to play a role as a The recent tensions, meanwhile, also appeared to facilitator in the process. Still, support for Clinton, impact the language adopted this year in AIPACs whom many Jews have hailed as the most pro- action agenda. The group's executive committee - Israel president in U.S. history, appeared to have which includes officials from a wide range of dampened in the wake of recent events. There were Jewish organizations - decided against softening still cheers during the conference for the adminis- AIPACs position on Palestinian statehood. tration and its efforts, but they were more subdued A proposal backed by some in the Jewish commuthan in years past. nity, including AIPACs own officials, would have While many Jewish leaders went out of their way to called on the United States to oppose "the estabpraise the Clinton administration's record of friend- lishment of a Palestinian state with full, unlimited ship, the message to U.S. policymakers was clear. sovereign powers," r a t h e r than opposing a "Public pressure on Israel is counterproductive because Palestinian state outright, which was the traditionit doesn't work, it hurts the cause of peace and it under- al position. But opposition gathered amid concerns mines the essential pillars of the peace process," Howard that the change would be portrayed as a declaraKohr, AIPACs executive director, said. "Israel cannot be tion of support from AIPAC. for a Palestinian state seen as yielding to pressure, particularly as it moves -and the item was ultimately defeated. toward the much more difficult final-status talks."
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