ewish Press
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SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS VoL LXXVm
No. 5 Omaha, NE
Former Omahan offers grim assessment from Russia and Ukraine by Llndsey Paige Taxman
(Editor's note: Iindsey Taxman, whose family still resides in Omaha, was in Russia and the Ukraine this past summer, for the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews, UCSJ. She is National Coordinator of UCSJ's Yad I/Tad partnership program. This article has been excerpted and edited from the 26-page report she submitted to the UCSJ upon her return.) Though the purpose of the UCSJ trip this summer was to acquire information about the condition of Jews in Russia and the Ukraine,, insights into these communities were discovered...the lives and struggles, joys and hardships. These connections are important for both Western contacts and those in the former Soviet Union in order for everyone to know there is someone else who cares about basic survival of the Jewish people worldwide. The cities visited were St. Petersburg, Pskov, and Orel in Russia, and Lviv, Novograd-Volynsky, Ternopil, Kiev and Trustyanets in Ukraine. In each community, the question, "What is your dream?" was asked. Though the communities have different needs, the answers are similar. ~ Many Jewish communities want to stand on their own, support themselves and enrich their lives with Jewish culture and spirituality through a wide range of practices. The people are poor and desperate, just like everyone else in the FSU. The economy continues to worsen and many people these feel it will spiral downward before it improves. Jews there are also susceptible to the missionary efforts of. cults and Christian groups; they worry, too, like Americans, about assimilation without any historical or cultural knowledge of Judaism. Take the community of Orel in Russia. Nearly 3000 Jews live there; about 75% are elderly. The Jewish leaders there dream of a community center which could encompass all activities, from sports and music for children to programs for the elderly. They need teaching materials, Jewish literature and medical reference books. In discussing life under Communism, one Jew in Orel said, "We used to celebrate Passover in secret. Our houses were close together, so families would visit one another and bring presents to pretend it was a birthday party. "Once, our neighbors asked, If it's a party why is there no music?" "Oh, we always dance to the accordion," was the " reply, "the man who plays it forgot to bring it." Due to failing health and poor nutrition of both the elderly and children, medical needs are rising. In addition to asthma inhalers, other medicines are needed for chemotherapy, diabetes, heart disease and bronchitis. Hospitals are now recommending that patients bring their own syringes, TVs and
(Continued on Page 12
The Klutznick Symposium
"The End of Days?: Millennialism from the Hebrew Bible to the Present" unfolds this weekend, Oct. 9-11, in 14 thought-provoking sessions
Saturday night and Monday at Creighton University Sunday afternoon and evening at the Jewish Community Center For more Information, call 280-2303.
28Tishrei,5760
October 8,ii/^
Human rights on the agenda for Soviet Jewry activist by Morris Maline
The struggle.for human rights in China has come to the attention of Omaha as a result of the inaugural Shirley and Leonard Goldstein lecture at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Human rights in China is not just a cauBe for the Chinese people because international pressure is critical to bringing about change, Xiao Qiang, executive director of Human Rights in China, told an audience of more than 200 at UNO's Alumni Center last week. Chinese activist Xiao Qiang, left, meets with Soviet Jewry activist "China is changing with Shirley Goldstein and her husband, Leonard, at the opening lecture economic openness, but on human rights, sponsored by the couple at UNO. political institutions have not changed. A free market economy and a rigid held accountable for withholding human rights and demonstrating for individual freedom, he added. political system can't go together." Examples of courage included two mothers who The 37-year-old ex-doctoral student in astrophysics at Notre Dame University urged Amer- lost their sons in the massacre. They submitted icans to contact Congress and encourage the papers for an unprecedented legal action to the American government to change its "flexible policy" Beijing office of the Supreme People's toward China to a policy, moreattuned,to promot; Procuratorate. ing human rights.; ' '' - " ' •;••"••" • 'These, papers included a request, signed by 105. ; Qiang became a human rights activist following the victims and family members of those killed in the 1989 crackdown, to institute an investigation into Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4,1989. He said the work of his organization, based in New criminal acts committed in the imposition of marYork City, is to work worldwide to change the culture tial law in Bering. Along with the petition, they submitted evidence of impunity for human rights abuses which has preof the crimes ordered by the leadership including vailed in China throughout the last 50 years. Many courageous Chinese also are activists in former Premier Li Peng. (Continued on page 12) their own way trying to get the government to be
OCTL inaugurates program year by Carol Katzman
To mark the inauguration of the Omaha Center for Torah Learning, a Champagne and Dessert Reception will be held to honor its first Rosh Kollel (director) Rabbi Shlomo Levin, on Sunday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m., in the Jewish Community Center Gallery. Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlgelernter, spiritual leader of Congregation Adat Yeshurun in LaJolla, CA, will speak on "Jewish Community Building." Rabbi Wohlgelernter was approached by a rabbi vacationing in Southern California 13 years ago to come to LaJolla as a full-time pulpit rabbi. With the help of six other families, the tiny group began hosting services in a nearby hotel and the rabbi's home. Within three months they outgrew home hospitality and moved into an office at a professional center. The 900-square foot space, which seemed too big initially, has been outgrown as well and this year more than 700 adults and children attended High Holiday services. Prior to his arrival in Southern California, Rabbi Wohlgelernter held the position as "in-house" rabbi for Masada College in Sydney, Australia, and as rabbi of KehillatMasada. He received his smicha (rabbinical ordination) from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, MD, and from Mishkan HaTorah Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem. "People are attracted to learning and knowledge," said the rabbi about his upcoming visit here. "We've taken non-committed Jews in Southern California and turned them into committed ones.
Rabbi Shlomo Rabbi Jeffrey Levin Wohlgelernter "Why?" he continued. "Because we've told them in a non-threatening way how beautiful the Torah is." His congregants have demanded Jewish education on a daily basis. His own weekly schedule includes 26 different classes, both an early morning and a late evening DafYomi session (a page a day of Talmud), and classes in Bible, ethics, Talmud, prophets, and practical halacha (Jewish law), among others. "Jews assume that Torah is a list of what you have to do and what you can't," Rabbi Wohlgelernter added, "but if they start with basic thoughts on everyday living, like Pirke Avot, the Ethics of the Sages, they will learn that Torah has a real message for their lives today." (Continued on page 12)
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999 The root of all things by Rabbi Stanley M. < Rosenbaurn, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Lincoln, guest columnist
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 Russian Club, 10 a.m. Temple Israel's OTYG "Shabbat Comes to You," 3:45 p.m., at Livingston Plaza SATURDAY, OCTOBER 0 Bagels & Bible, 9:30 a.m., at Temple Israel Humash Class, 6:10 p.m., at Beth El Klutznick Symposium, 8 p.m., at Creighton SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10 Klutznick Symposium National Conf. Community Justice Walk-a-thon Visions Day Trip to Nebraska City Men's Club, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Richard Freund Lecture, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel Red Cross Babysitters Course, Noon Kadiraah/USY Crop Walk, 12:30 p m., at Beth El Missions Meeting, 4 p.m. Children's Missions Meeting, 4 p.m. Wolf Cub Scouts, 4 p.m.; Boy Scouts, 4 p.m. MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 Klutznick Symposium, 8:30 a jn., at Creighton YES Program, 9:30 a.m. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 Beth El Adult Lunch & Learn, Noon, at Blumkin Home Conference Room Sisterhood Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., at Beth El Sisterhood Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., at Beth Israel BBYO Night,6 p.m. JAAVA Program, 5 p.m. WRJ Exec. Committee, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel WRJ Board Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple Israel Exec. Committee Meeting, 7:15 p.m., at Beth El WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13 Hadassah Mtng., 10:30 a.m., at Livingston Plaza JYG Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p m., at Beth El • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14 Walk-in Drop-in, 9:30 a.m. Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel All events held at the JCC unless otherwise Indicated. The Jewish Pnwa Is not responsible lor the accuracy of the sventa. To keep calendar accurate or tor questions, call Marlene Her) at 334-6437.
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Parasbat Bereishit Rashi asks why the Torah bothers to begin with the Book of Bereishit (Genesis), since the first command to the People of Israel only occurs in the 12th chapter of the Book of Shemot (Exodus). The answer he brings from the Midrash is that since God created the whole earth, He is its owner and may allot it as He wishes. And God wished to demonstrate before all peoples that Israel's title to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), the Promised Land, is legitimate and inviolable. The Torah constitutes the Jewish people's deed of ownership, as it were. Were we to limit our understanding of Bereishit to this legal perspective alone, we would lose some . • of the most profound, beautiful and significant insights into life and its meaning that are uniquely present in the stories of Bereishit. Anthropologists use the term "mythic" to describe metaphors so trenchant they incorporate within themselves an entire world-view that informs the way in which we understand reality. The narratives of Bereishit partake of this primal character, defining the root identity of Judaism's essence. From the beginning, we are introduced to the concept of the onenesB of God, the Creator of all that exists, whose essence is holiness. It is this God who creates the world as a Garden of Eden, a beautiful, peaceful and harmonious place. He chooses to create humanity and endow it with the gift of moral free will, holding us accountable for the choices we make, rewarding and punishing accordingly. And it is this God who deems us His partners in fulfilling the ends of creation, concerned about how we run the world we have inherited, demanding we restore it to its peaceful perfection through the process oitikkun dam (perfecting the world through our good deeds). These fundamental concepts have become the basis of understanding of all Western religions, influencing billions of people over the last 4000 years. The implications of this world-view are enormous. The creation narrative of a cosmos built consciously in an orderly and harmonious way implies the world is understandable, that there are laws of nature that are discernible. The world is a universe, not a multi-verse or chaos. This makes science possible, enabling mere mortals to glimpse the secrets of our existence. The creation of humanity by only one ancestor, our Sages tell us, signifies the importance of the individual, human equality, and the right to be different. That all human beings are created "b'tzelem Elokim" ("in the image of God"), demands of us ethical responsibility, a commitment to the active pursuit of justice and peace, and the promotion of the concept that all humanity is one family. The Garden of Eden story shapes our optimistic view that life is intended to be good and it is our responsibility to maintain and promote a healthy world. We are commanded to be the "caretakers of the garden." When things go wrong we look first at whether we have shirked our responsibilities, and by omission or commission enabled the evil rot to enter the world. The recently concluded High Holy Days emphasized the Torah's conviction that a loving God understands our human failings and provides us with the process olteshuva (repentance). The continuing narrative of Bereishit will speak of the most profound human issues which inspires us in what makes for worthy living: a life of Torah.
Key in to Jewish Omaha at www. Jewish omaha.org
MARION GRAETZ Marion Graetz, 93, native Omahan, died Sept. 27 in Lincoln. Burial was Sept. 30 at Mount Cannel Cemetery in Lincoln. Graetz, a retired Lincoln businessman, was a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) United States Army Reserves. ; • Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; son and daughter-in-law. Rabbi Michael and Naomi Graetz of Omer, Israel; four grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; Bister, Janet Beriek of Puyallup, WA; and a brother, Saul Graetz of Omaha. MARILYN A-GOLDBERG Marilyn A. Goldberg, 74, native Omahan, resident of Lincoln for 53 years, died on Sept. 18. Survivors include her husband, Stuart; and daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Thomas Leahy of Chicago. Mrs. Goldberg was a Member of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, and a life member of Hadassah. TUXIEKOHNBRESLOW Services for Tillie Kohn Breslow were held Oct. 4 in Lincoln, She was 91. Survivors include her children; Elvin and Bruce and Jan Breslow of Lincoln, and Lois Breslow of Morton Grove, IL; two granddaughters; one greatgrandson; and a brother, Sam Kohn, of Omaha.
Beth El discusses "Catholics/Jews confront the Holocaust and each other" byOzzieNogg
The first Beth El Synagogue Lunch and Learn of the season will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Conference Room at the Rose Blumkin Home. Rabbi Paul Drazen will lead a discussion based on an article entitled, "Catholics and Jews Confront the Holocaust and Each Other," written by Eugene J. Fisher, a Consultor to the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Dr. Fisher is also the Associate Director of the Secretariat for'Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. His article traces the history of Jewish/Catholic relations and acknowledges the list of rerent controversies which range from Jewish concerns over the Pope's meetings with Yassar Arafat and Kurt Waldheim to whether a convent should be located near Auschwitz/Birkenau. "Perhaps the single issue underlying all the controversies is memory," said Dr. Fisher. "How, Jews ask, will the next generation of the world's more than one billion Roman Catholics be taught about Jews and Judaism, about the Holocaust?" For lunch reservations, call Beth El at 492-8550. Copies of Dr. Fisher's article may be picked up at the synagogue office in advance of the discussion. PERSONALS Thank You, Rabbi Kripke. The members of Beyt Shalom deeply appreciate your support over the past year, and thank you for giving a beautiful DVar Torah for Yom Kippur. May you go from strength to strength. I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during my recent hospitalization. Mark Robinson
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October 8,1999
SYNAGOGUES TEMPLE ISRAEL Member of the Union of American Hebrew
7038 Cws Street, Omaha, NE 68182-2051 G50-053S tejnploisroel-ne.org
jofAnwrfcon Hebrew Congregations
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Services officiated by Cantor Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Sabbath Eve service, 7:45 pan. SATURDAY: Sabbath service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah study, 10:30 a.m.; Simchat Torah celebration, ,7 p.m.
*$> : ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY Services, 9 n.m, led by Andrew Greenberg. All services followed by Kiddush. A memorial service is held on the last Shabbat of each month, in memory of residents who have died. Members of the community are welcome to attend services.
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CANDLELIGHT1NG: 6:36 p.m. BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
M<ioil*r of the (talon of Orthottax Jtwith Congrcgatlreitt of Anrrlu 1502 No. 52nd S t Omaha, NE 68104-5013
Mcalwr of United Sytt4gogin.it ot OpnsorvnUvo itudatsiu UM* California Oniaha.NE 68J54-1980 492-8550 WEB-www.bftliel-omaha.org
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, S a.m. * KluAY: "Shabbat Comes To You," 3:45 p.m. . Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will lead a Shabbat service at to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. Livingston. Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m.-A short service of FRIDAY: Services, 6:40 p.m. song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will SATURDAY: Services, 8:45 a.m.; Bar Mitzvah of be held for toddlers through children in the primaJ o s h u a Grossman, son of Alex and Mary Sue ry grades and their families; Evening Service, Grossman; Class with Rabbi Kutner, 6 pjn.; Mincha, 8 p.m., Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Jennifer ft30 pan.; Havdalah, 7:35 p.m.; Little People service, Blum will officiate. The Oneg Shabbat will be spon10:15 ajn..; Jr. Congregation, 1030 ajn. sored by Shirley and Al Brodyin memory of Tedde SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 6:30 p.m. Rosenblum, Marie Bloom and Hyman Brody. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.; Mincha, Guest speaker Dr. Richard Freund, Director of the 6:30 p.m. Maurice Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies and WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Kutner teaches a Talmud Greenberg Professor of History at the University of Hartford, CT, will speak on "Who Wrote the class at the synagogue, 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Prayers?" SATURDAY: 9:30-10:15 a.m. B a g e l s a n d BEYTSHALOM Bible: an informal opportunity to learn Torah with . , AnAffiMatoofilio ' ' the rabbis. Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m. Jewish RoomntrucHonlsl Flotation '. SITTER SERVICE P.O. Box £41180, Omaha, NE 68124-5180 Sitter Service is available each Friday evening, 758-9233 Saturday mornings for Bagels and Bible and the worship service. Cost is $2 per family. Please make FRIDAY: Trope class, 6:30 p.m., immediately fola reservation through the Temple office. SUNDAY: Dr. Richard A. Freund Lecture Series, lowed by Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Religious School at the JCC. 10 a.m., in the Friedman Social Hall. Rabbi Freund TUESDAY: Religious School, 4 p.m., at the JCC. will deliver the first of a five-lecture series. His FRTOAY, O c t 15: Tot Shabbat, 7 p.m. topic will be "Who Wrote the Siddur?" ADULT EDUCATION TIFERETH ISRAEL SUNDAY, Oct. 10: Beginning Prayer Class with " V • Member of the United SynogOBue Rabbi Debbie Stiel, 10:15-11:15 ajn. of Conservative Judaism - ... . . TUESDAY, Oct. 12: Chumash Bemidar, 103219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 11:30 ajn. Rabbi Shlomo Levin will use classic and 2& modern commentaries to study central stories of the Book of Numbers from an original Midrashic Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. perspective; Advanced Prayer Class, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Rosenbaum. Minyan on Monday and Thursday at WEDNESDAY, Oct. 13: Midrashah, 10 a.m.- 7:15 a.m. noon; Introduction to Jewish Philosophy, facilitatFRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. ed by Professor Guy Matalpn, 7-8:30 p . m . SATURDAY:, Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Discussions will follow readings from two classical Congregation, 10:15 aari. Jewish texts. SUNDAY: Mt. Carmel Cemetery Association reorTHURSDAY, Oct. 14: Sisterhood Adult ganization meeting, 2 p.m., at the Synagogue; open to Education, 10-11:30 ajn. Rabbi Debbie Stiel will all members and non-members; USY meeting. teach "The Sages of the Middle Ages-Learning ADULT EDUCATION About the Three Rs of Judaism." Jewish Identity in SUNDAYS: Jewish Thought & Philosophy/RabbinFilm, 7-8:30 p.m. Facilitator David Yudelson looks ics-"Piekei Avot: The Ethics of the Fathers," by Rabbi at film as a medium of expressing what it is to be Rosenbaum, 10-10:55 a.m.; Jewish Practices and Jewish. . . ' . - . . Observances-Beginning Hebrew Reading (Nancy Jewish Journey Groups Coren), ll:05-noon; Tanach/Bible-Perek Yomi (A THURSDAY, Oct. 14: "Living with Illness, 7- Daily Chapter), with Rabbi Rosenbaum. 8 p.m., for people who are living with illness or for WEDNESDAYS: Basic Judaism with Rabbi those who love someone who lives with illness. Rosenbaum, 7:15-9:15 p.m. Sally Kaplan, L.C.S.W., will lead the group. SATURDAY, Oct. 16: Kadima shul-in (sleep-over). FRIDAY, Oct. 15: Jewish Spirituality, 9:3011 aan. Mimi Rogers will lead the group in read0PFUTA1B FORCE BASE ings, discussion, Jewish Meditation and Jewish 25th and Capehart, Omaha, NE 69113-50CW yoga. — ; ' ; 2 9 5 ' * ; FRIDAY, Oct. 15: Family service, 7:15 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ira Flax. 1999 National Observance of Children's Shabbat Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 with Btoryteller Rita PaBkowitz on "Wonderfully Made: Preparing Children to Learn and Succeed." p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Shabbat dinner proceeding the service; call Temple CHABAD HOUSE Israel for information and reservations, 656-6536.
GATION B'NAIJESHURAN ' t'S5nRT'MXJE " '
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
J8WSo, IKOthSt., Omaha,NE«8t44-J64» Phone: 880-1800 E-MAIL-chabad#aoLcom WEBSITE;: Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., followed by Kiddush; Mincha/Ma'ariv, 7:15 p.m., followed by Havdalah.
. - . » B'NAMSJRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster S t i Cbuncil Bluffs, IA 51503*0766 . (V;.- j
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat, prepared by Peggy Deland and Sandra Kurland, follows.
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 Cantors Emil Berkovits and G. Michael Horwitz. FRIDAY: Services, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush following services; Sitter service and Torah Study Skills (TSS), 10 a.m.; K'tantan (K-3rd grade), 10:45 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time (pre-kindergarten and under), 11 a.m.; Humash with Rashi study session, 6:10 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah services, 6:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; the Perek'Yomi, "Read a Chapter a Day" program, will meet for the first time at 10:15 ajn, ' LUNCH AND LEARN TUESDAY, O c t 12, noon-1 p.m., with Rabbi Drazen at the Rose Blumkin Home conference room. Call the synagogue for reservations. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
'nai Mitzvah Joel Passer, son of Jeffrey and Sandra Passer, will celebrate his B a r l Mitzvah on Oct. 16 a t [ Temple Israel. A seventh-grade stu-j dent at Brownell Talbotl Middle School, he w a s ! selected for the Dukei University Talent Identi-I fication Program. He is a I member of Boy Scout I Troop 552, ranked l s t l class member of the JCC [ swim team and Brownell-Talbot swim team, a member of the school competition math class and school football team. In addition, he plays double French horn in the school band. Joel has a sister, Lyndi, and three brothers, Sam, Jeremy and Aaron. Grandparents are Stanley Passer of Omaha and the late Edith Passer, and Dick and Dorlene Graham of New Market, Iowa. . Stephen Aaron Lercher, son of David Lercher I and Dr. Minnie Abromowitch, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Oct. 16 I at Beth El Synagogue. An eighth-grade honor I student at Beveridge I Middle School, he was 1 selected to be in the Duke I Talent Identification I Program. He enjoys judo, I soccer, singing and playing trombone in the school jazz band. Stephen and his partner are the only Juniors certified in five Black Belt Judo Katas in the United States. Stephen has two brothers, Ryan and Daniel, and a sister, Alison. Grandparents are Faiga Abromowitch of Toronto, Ontario, and the late Louis and Minnie Lercher of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Eric Marshall Rosenberg, son of Brenda and Terry M- nl '• n m 1 'lark Rosenberg, will become a |Bar Mitzvah on Oct. 15 at •Congregation B'nai Jell shurun in Lincoln. He enjoys music, football, •camping, fishing and drawling architectural designs. Eric has a sister, Marci, 10. Grandparents are Joan IZalkin Horwith of Omaha l a n d the late Marshall JZalkin, Myrna Rosenberg of Grand Island and David Rosenberg of Hastings. Great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Louis Reiner of Longview, Texas.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Helping Jews worldwide Lindsey Taxman's front page story about her summer information-gathering trip to Russia and the Ukraine is a heartbreaker. No matter, how much money the Western Jewish communities have allotted for assistance to Jews overseas, it is obviously not enough. Klderly Jews are living on $8 to $17 a month. There is no money for medicine, let alone basic necessities like food and heat. Many are frail and infirm; more still are alone, with no family members left to care for them. Organized Jewish groups lack educational materials, books, art supplies, tapes and CDs and musical instruments for the kinds of art and music programs we here in Omaha take for granted. Families in Omaha cry as they bid goodbye to their children leaving for three weeks at a Jewish summer camp, while on the other side of the world, Jewish families face more difficult choices. Young Jewish teens are isolated and often face the choice of growing up with anti-Semitism or leaving their families to live in youth aliyah villages in Israel until their parents
can join them. Or they stay in their small Jewish communities trying to learn more about their Jewish heritage as local leaders compete with larger cities, like Moscow, Kiev and Minsk, for their meager share of the funds that will help them survive. Lindsey Taxman is no stranger to the Omaha Jewish community. A 1994 graduate of Westside High School, she is a 1993 recipient of the Teen Leadership Award. After earning a bachelor's degree from George Washington University (while spending a year in Russia to perfect her language skills), she continued her studies in Israel. Now a full-time administrative assistant for the Union of Councils for Soviet Jews, her background, both in Omaha and in college, prepared her for the observational skills required by her grueling month-long trip to Russia and the Ukraine. Her words should not be taken lightly. There is a need, a tremendous need, and it is our obligation to meet it. Though we have a choice, many Jews in the former Soviet Union don't. Let's make the right choice.
Letters to the Editor
Journal entry from Israel
To t h e Editor: I want to take this opportunity to thank Bert Lewis for the Where are they now? article she wrote about my wife, Betty, and yours truly in the Sept. 24 issue. It was wonderful to see so many friends from my Omaha past and share great memories. I often praise the Omaha Jewish community to my friends in the Phoenix area. As I serve on the board of the Jewish Community Center in Tempe, AZ, I often bring copies of the Jewish Press to the JCC Director. Once again, thanks for the write-up. Happy New :;Year to everyone. And to Bucky Greenberg...there never was any doubt! (Editor's note: Bucky Greenberg recently placed first in several events at the Master's Swim meets where he also set new records.) Lindy PauL Gilbert, AZ To the Editor: Fifty years ago in Rehovot, Israel, Chaim Weizmann's vision became a reality. The young chemist and first president of the State of Israel understood how important basic science would be in reclaiming the desert lands of Israel, in generating industry, in achieving economic viability through superior technology and in establishing normal relations with the nations of the world. Today, as it celebrates its jubilee anniversary, the Weizmann Institute's contributions to the understanding of cancer and many immunological diseases, the fundamentals of genetics and life, computer software design and mathematics, advanced physics, critical environmental issues and solar energy technologies have had enormous impact around the globe. Weizmann's achievements have helped make Israel a proud leader in mankind's wars against deadly diseases, hunger and environmental challenges. Moreover, the Institute is a leader in science education for all. In short, Weizmann embodies the best practices of science for humanity. The Weizmann Institute can truly be called one of the most precious assets of the Jewish people, because Diaspora Jewry has played an important role in its growth. It is a crown jewel for Israel and is poised to meet the unprecedented scientific challenges of the new millennium. For many American Jewish supporters, the Weizmann Institute is an expression of a commitment to the most profound values of the Jewish people, a commitment to strengthen Israel, and a commitment to tikkun olam—improving the lot of humanity through research and knowledge. Jeffrey Sussman, Asst. VP, American Committee for t h e Weizmann Institute
The day before by Teddy Weinberger
Among certain segments of the Jewish community, there is a concept of Friday being an erev Shabbes (Sabbath eve) Jew. Erev Shabbes Jews devote their entire Friday to preparations for. the upcoming Shabbat. It's easier to be an erevShabbes Jew in Israel than anywhere else, since many work-weeks run from Sunday through Thursday. What is also striking in Israel is the possibility of being an erev chag (holiday eye) Jew. In fact, what is most amazing to me about the Jewish'holiday season in Israel is not so much the holidays themselves, but the holiday eves. The different Jewish holidays are so rich with their own symbols, melodies, texts and foods that the "Israel" factor does not loom large in my holiday experiences here. The eve of the holiday-now that's when you know that you are in Israel. The eves of the three major religious holidays in Israel--Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover-are themselves quasi-holidays: public facilities and services are curtailed, and all schools are closed-as are many businesses. Yom Kippur eve is especially observed: banks, government offices, and the stock market are closed. Even the indoor pool in Givat Ze'ev, which is open every Shabbat, is closed for the whole of erev Yom Kippur. (Interesting side note: if you are a Sabbath observer and never utilize the pool on Shabbat, you get a one-seventh discount off the cost of membership to the pool). Outside of Israel, unless you happen to work for a Jewish organization, erev Yom Kippur is usually a work day. This year, since it occurred on a Sunday, Jews everywhere could appreciate what Israelis always have on erev Yom Kippur: a more leisurely entry into the Day of Atonement. Whatever else a religious holiday may be, it is also a human cultural creation, and a rule of thumb in human experience is that the more time and energy you devote to an event, the richer will be your experience of that event. (The National
THE JEWISH PRESS (Founded in 1920)
i Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting eds locally, nationally and in Israel, ence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish fish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family 1 Services. The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $26 per calendar year U.S.; $30 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication. Telephone 402-334-6448; FAX 402-3345422; E-mail <yshpress@aol.com> Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68164-2198. .
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Football League, for example, understands' this principle very well, and one of the main reasons why the Super Bowl is "Super" is that the media has 14 days-double the usual time—to hype the game.) With its slower-paced "erev" days, Israel encourages a more meaningful experience of Shabbat and holidays. This is not to gloss over the fact that most Israelis do not look either toward Shabbat or toward holidays-including Yom Kippur-for meaningful religious experience. Indeed, I have grown rather skeptical concerning the surveys that suggest that a large percentage of Israelis fast on Yom Kippur. Based on my experience here, I believe that very few secular Israelis-and these constitute a sizable percentage of the Jews here—fast on Yom Kippur. As with Shabbat and erev Shabbat, so with holiday and erev holiday: Israelis prepare for and experience these national days of rest and celebration in a multitude of ways. ; Most. Israelis, however, do not understand that included in this multitude are a number of different religious options, and so I was happy to see over this past high-holiday season a media campaign (financed by a Jewish family from San Francisco) that introduced Israelis to the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel. A theory behind the campaign is that many Israelis would consider incorporating more religious elements in their Shabbat and holiday experiences if they perceived themselves as having choices beyond Orthodoxy! Since I am a religious Jew, I can't say that I would complain if .more Israelis would use the opportunity of a holiday eve in order to flesh-out for themselves some traditional elements of the holiday. Judaism after all is more like a participation than a spectator sport-and the larger the player pool, the better the game.
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Fred Tichauer, Vice-Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Secretary; Howard Silber, Treasurer; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Steve Danon; Jean Duitch; Penny Endelman; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Steve Levinger; Linda Saltzman; George Schapiro; Steve Simon. Editorials express tho view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, 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.
October 8,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
PageS
When did some Palestinian Arabs initially become landless? by Kenneth W. Stein
With the renewal of Israeli-Palestinian final status : talks last month, discussion about resolving the Palestinian refugee question is again at hand. It is an eniotional issue for Palestinians and Israelis alike. The bottom line consists of two parts: first, Palestinians want the unimpeded right to return to Palestinian-governed land — as many as three million have been suggested to return. Israelis want to limit Palestinian return to perhaps 10% of that number, both before and after a Palestinian state is created. At all costs, Israel seeks to prevent any Palestinian return to Israel proper which would threaten Israel's Jewish demographic majority. Kicking off the Palestinian claim, Arafat, at a recent Arab League meeting, noted that the Palestinians' right "to return to their homeland is our conviction and one which we will never compromise." Ze'ev Schiff, the savvy and highly talented Israeli military analyst wrote in Haaretz (9/24/99), that when final status talks resume, the Palestinian side [will demand] that Israel accept moral responsibility for the creation of the Palestinian refugee problem during the War of Independence in 1948. Schiff cautioned that if Israel accepts responsibility for the creation of the refugee problem because of a war that was forced upon Israel, that after Israel makes territorial withdrawals, it will be put at risk "of losing its Jewish majority in its own country and all the dangers that implies." But did the Palestinian refugee problem begin around Israel's Independence War? Over the last decade, some Israeli historians of the Arab-Israeli conflict claimed in scholarly writings there was collusion between the Zionists and the Jordanians to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in 1948 and the intention to drive out Palestinians. Collusion did occur between Jewish land buyers and resident Palestinian (not absentee) Arab sellers, during the Zionists' drive to create a territorial base in Eretz Yisrael. That.collusion initiated the displacement of Palestinian peasants; refugees were created by
Israel's struggle for independence, but their landlessness started decades before the 1947 U.N. partition vote to divide Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. If anyone has any doubts, look in the Zionist Archives, read the Palestine Arab press in the 1930s, or check the Palestine Land Department files. Hilmi Husayni, a British district officer in the Arab district of Jenin in Palestine, wrote the following to a fellow official in the British administration on Aug. 16,1930: "It is believed that everyone of the (name of an Arab notable family member) is going to Bell to the Jewish National Fund or any other person whom they will find, but...they [the Arab sellers] are afraid to lose their moral prestige amongst the inhabitants because of such sales, they are borrowing money from the JNF and making secret arrangements in which they agree to sell their mortgaged share by public auction, simply to show the public they were unable to refund the money borrowed and were obliged to accept the sale which was affected through the court. And in the meantime, this process relieves them from the rights of the cultivators which will be claimed should the lands be sold in the ordinary way." , Palestinian Arab newspapers in the 1930s acknowledged the horror of Arab land sales to Jews and displacement of Arab peasants. Al-Jami'ah al-'Arabiyyah said in September, 1934, "By selling, they [the Arabs] sell the blood and remains of their fathers." The Palestinian Arab nationalist paper, al-Difa', in November, 1934, asked, "Is it human that the covetous should store capital or evict the peasant from his land and make him homeless or even sometimes a criminal? The frightened Arab who fears for his future today melts from fear when he imagines his offspring as homeless and as criminals who cannot look at the lands of their fathers." Palestinian Arab peasants were initially made landless and homeless by Arab land sales to Zionists. One of the motivations for the 1939 British White Paper was to halt Jewish land sales,
and as British Colonial Office official John Shuckburgh said in 1940, "The Arab [needed] to be protected against himself." The displacement of Palestinian peasants from their lands can be traced back to the 19th century when large-landed estates were created. Owners fell upon hard economic times and gave up ownership rights. Palestinians were displaced by the struggle to control Palestine, first among themselves, then between Palestinians and the Zionists, then between the Israelis and surrounding Arab countries. Forget the debate about why they left; some left of their own accord, some were driven out as noted in the Hebrew edition of Yitzhak Rabin's memoirs. My students ask: who is morally responsible for the creation of the Palestinian refugee problem? Was it the British for allowing and then controlling the Jewish national home's development? Was it the Zionists, for using covert methods in buying land and in immigrating Jews to Palestine, and then asserting their new found power to defeat the Arab armies in 1948-49? Was it the Palestinian landowner who helped the Zionists establish a foothold in Palestine, and the void in Palestinian Arab political leadership and inter' Arab rivalries that helped Israel establish itself? Was the Palestinian Arab himself responsible because he decided it was more important to save his family in time of war than retain property o r remain as a tenant on land he or his family once owned outright? The answer is all of the above. Palestinian refugees must be resettled. Refugee camps must go; they foster economic squalor and remain breeding grounds for anti-Israeli feeling. Economic development must accompany Palestinian refugee resettlement. Compensation should also be considered for Jews who were forced to leave Arab lands during the same time. History did not begin in 1948. Kenneth W. Stein is the author of the recently published, Heroic Diplomacy: Sadat, Kissinger, Carter, Begin, and the Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, Routledge, 1999; his first book was The Land Question in Palestine, 1917-1039,, North Carolina Press, 1984.
The Philip M. & Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization
Twelfth Annual Klutznick Symposium "The End of Days?: Millennialism from the Hebrew Bible to the Present' Saturday evening, October 9 • Sunday afternoon & evening, October 10 • Monday, October 11 FREE and open to the public SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9: IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE KLUTZNICK SYMPOSIUM Jerome F. Shapiro, Hiroshima University, Japan, presents "Atomic Bomb Cinema: Judaism, the Apocalyptic Narrative Tradition and Western Culture at the Dawn of the New Millennium" Lecture: 8 p.m. • Showing of the motion picture Waterworld: 9 p.m. Eppley College of Business Administration Building Refreshments will be served Walsh Lecture Hall (room 117), Creighton University
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11
Jewish Community Center, 333 So. 132nd St. 12:15-12:30: Opening Welcome 12:30-1:50: Catherine Wessinger, "Understanding Contemporary Millennial Expressions, Peaceful and Violent." Richard Freund, "The Apocalypse According to the Rabbis: Divergent Rabbinic Views on the End of Days."
Creighton University Student Center, 2500 California Plaza
2:10-3:30: Brenda E. Brasher, "When Symbols Dance: Jerusalem in the Eschatological Thought of USA Christian Fundamentalists." Harris Lenowitz, "Time, Place, the Millennium and the Messiah." 3:40-5:00: Dereck M. Daschke, "Mourning the End of.Time: Jewish Apocalypses as Texts of Cultural Loss." SethWard, "The Evasive Epoch: Jewish Perspectives on the Millennium and Other Calendrical Conundrums."
7:30 p.m. James D. Tabor -
University of North Carolina-Charlotte "Apocalyptic Dreams and Schemes: How An Ancient Jewish Vision of the Future Came to Dominate the Modern World" Dessert reception follows
THE JEWISH , FEDERATION OF OMAHA.
8:30-9:20: David Timmer, "The New-World Pilgrimage of the Church: Millennial Expectation Among Franciscan Missionaries." 9:30-10:20: Matthew Goff, Evil and the End: The Incorporation of the Antichrist into End-Time Scenarios." 10:30-11:20: Eugene V. Gallagher, "Borrowed Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation in Some New Religious Movements." .1130-1220: Lunch 12:30-1:20: Brenda E. Brasher, "From Revelation to the X-Files: An Autopsy of Millennial Themes in American Popular Culture." 1:30-2:20: William M. Ashcraft, "The Dawn of the New Cycle: Millennial Hopes and Pedagogical Realities." 2:30-3:20: Yaakov Ariel, "Where the Millennium Begins: Jerusalem in the Millennial Visions of Evangelical Christians." 3:30-Closing Remarks
' Please visit our web site at http://puffin.creighton.edu/klutznick/klutznick.htm
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday in the auditorium of the JCC. Come exercise with Michelle Streif at 10:15 a.m- in the auditorium. All are welcome! Or try your luck at Bingo with Eileen Reiner at 10&0 in room 6. Bring articles to share for the "YES Talk" discussion group, led by Art Grossman, at 11 a.m. in the auditorium. Following lunch at noon, come meet Harris Finkelstein, the new JCC Library Director. For transportation, call 330-4272. Deadlines: Oct. 11 for the New York Party on Oct. 18; Oct 14 for Bluffs Run Casino on Oct. 21; Oct. 22forthe T.I.G.G.S. Luncheon on Oct. 27 • Reminder: Flu Shots will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the JCC auditorium. Bring your Medicare Card.
WALK-IN DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise starts at 10:15 tun^ bingo starts at 1030 in room 5. Bring a dairy sack lunch to eat at 11:90 in room 5. At noon, come enjoy the movie The Out-OfTowners in the Blumkin Home auditorium. Popcorn will be served/For transportation, call 330-4272.
Visions makes donation to JSS
BETH ISRAEL SISTERHOOD Beth Israel Sisterhood will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 12:30 pan., in the synagogue social hall. Please make reservations with your Sisterhood Wally Elkon, Executive Chairman of Visions, caller, or Bernice Cohen at 558-3423. and Harry Alloy, Advisor and Luncheon CoMah Jongg tournament scheduled chairman, presented a $1000 check to COUNCIL BLUFFS HADASSAH Barbara Gottlieb, Executive Director of Council Bluffs Hadassah will hold its annual Jewish Senior Services, to help with the donor luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 19, noon, at operating cost of the adult programs. Lakeshore Country Club. The program will feature Georgina Scurfield, coOMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEARNING ordinator of the Sarpy County CASA program, who Class in the weekly Torah portion taught by recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteer Rabbi Levin at his home, 5023 Lafayette, is child advocates. Saturday, Oct. 9,5 p.m. For more information, call Edythe Krasne at Class in the book of Numbers taught at Temple Israel is Tuesday, Oct. 12,10-11 a.m. 323-9172; or Sally Telpner at 322-5607. Lunch 'n learn is hosted by Jeff and Sherry Taxman, 1810 S. 108th St., 397-5816. We will eat BREADBREAKERS David Kotok, a political analyst with the Omaha lunch together (bring your own lunch), followed by Jewish Women International will host its annual World-Herald, will speak at B'riai B'rith Bread- Torah study on Wednesday, Oct. 13, noon. A Mah Jongg fundraiser on Sunday, Oct, 17, noon-, breakers on Wednesday, accofding to Adam class in modern, spoken Hebrew, hosted by Shelly 4 pjn., at the Jewish Community Center. To reserve Jacobs. Kotok will discuss the upcoming presiden- and Rae Coren, 5629 Parker, 556- 6552, is front or for more information, send a $15 check, made out 5-6 p.m. to JWI, to: Rosalie Greenspan, 8108 Howard, tial election and other political topics. Talmud class is hosted by Beth El Synagogue on Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon Omaha, NE 68114,,phone 391-1954; or Esther Wax, Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at Pastimes Restaurant, 129th and West Maple. • 118 So. 88th St., Omaha, NE 68114, phone 3934442. For more information, please contact Rabbi Preparing for t h e t o u r n a m e n t a r e : Roalie The program is open to the community; cost is Shlomo Levin at 551-1564. $8.50. Greenspan, left, Cindy Shuleqitz, Esther Wax and Corinne Levin.
MYERS/GIVNER elor's degree a t UniKimber Myers and versity of Kansas, and Steven Givner, both of a J.D. at Drake Shawnee, KS, were University Law School. married Saturday, Matron of honor was Sept. 4, at the Young Cameron Stoeckel of Matron's House in Atlanta, GA; bridesKansas City, MO. maids were Debra Judge Marcia Walsh Givner, sister of the officiated. groom; Jennifer Stone, The bride, daughter Jennifer Curts and of Lana Williams of Tina Anton. Bunker Hill, IN, and Best man was Eric George Myers of Givner of Newport Kokomo, IN, received a B.A. at Indiana University, an Beach, CA, brother of the groom; M.S.W. at University of Iowa, and a groomsmen were Mark Hunter, Joe J.D. (law degree) at Drake Dimarco, Daryle Edwards and John University Law School. Chuang. The groom, son of Donna and Nat Following a trip to Jamaica, the Givner of Omaha, received his bach- couple will live in Shawnee, KS.
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October 8,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Giving the gift of sight by Norman L. Leventhal
through gifts and bequests from people "with vision." In less than 30 days of instruction, blind Israelis attain a level of independence and mobility that they never dreamed possible. It is rare that a gift gives such immediate results. The Center is making an extraordinary difference in the lives of visually impaired Israelis. To give a little insight into how much of a difference, here is a story of one of our graduates. Gadi Yarkoni was a young Israeli soldier when he was blinded in Lebanon. A terrorist bullet ricocheted and severed his optic nerves. All efforts to restore his sight failed. He received his instruction with Waldo, A Black Labrador Retriever and is now able to travel independently wherever he chooses to go. Gadi is now enrolled in a Physical Therapy course at Tel Aviv University. The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind is a private initiative with just one objective—to improve the quality of life of blind Israelis through the use of guide dogs. They often hear from visitors 'to the guide dog center that the Center should have a video of the center to tell the story, which is why they recently prepared "Partners", a seven minute video which describes what they are about. After a month of instruction with his new guide dog at our Center in Beit Oved, one of the new graduates said to the Director, Noach Braun, "do you remember a few months ago when you interviewed me and told me that a guide dog is a lot of work. This guide dog gave me the feeling today— as I walked in town—that I am not blind anymore. George gave me'the sensation of seeing again. I walked with confidence, maneuvered around people and obstacles while thinking to myself that this is a miracle."
What the Israel Guide Dag Center for the Blind is doing is nothing short of a miraculous for those who come to us for a guide dog. It's hard to imagine how you can take a little ball of fluff and in less than 18 months transform this little animal into being a guide for a blind person. For the blind person—it's a miracle. There are few things in life more feared than loss of vision and there is no known mobility aid for a blind person that is better than a guide dog. The urgency of the need and the promise that it offered toward restoring the self respect,, independence and mobility of blind people in Israel led to the establishment of the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing "another pair of eyes" for blind Israelis and assisting those who already have guide dogs. ' • : • -I T h e guide dog is trained to stop at all curbs, doors, stairs and other obstacles, to obey commands, to cross streets, stop for approaching vehicles, pass other animals without being distracted and guide a blind person to a bus and to an empty seat. The guide dog is even taught intelligent disobedience—to disobey a "forward" command when there is danger ahead. The center first started training guide dogs in Israel on Jan. 1, 1991, just before the Gulf War, and have now graduated 113 Partnerships of blind Israelis with their guide,dogs. In addition, 30 puppies are being raised by families in Israel. At the end of one year with their puppy raising foBter family, the pups return to our Center with a working knowledge of several commandsmature and ready to begin training. While the cost of each Partnership is $10,000, the training, guide dog and aftercare are provided at no charge and are funded primarily
The Omaha Center for Torah Learning invites you to an inaugural Champagne Reception to mark the appointment of its first Director
Rabbi Shlomo Levin Sunday, Oct. 17,7 p.m. JCC Gallery Keynote Address:
Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlgelernter Community builder, educator and spiritual leader
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Series to explore Jewish studies in Nebraska Jewish studies are alive and well, even thriving, on college campuses in Nebraska. A number of scholars are researching, writing, and teaching Jewish religion, culture, history, thought, and literature. . "Not an Ivory Tower: Jewish Studies and Jewish Community in Nebraska" is an innovative series that will explore this fascinating topic by asking, and answering, questions such as: What do these scholars do? How do they do it? Why do they do it? What does it mean to the community at large? Beginning on Thursday, Oct. 21, "Not an Ivory Tower" will run on consecutive Thursdays through Nov. 18. Each week, a different professor will reflect on what he or she does and explore the importance of this work both within and beyond the academic world. Each week's session will begin at 7 p.m. and meet in the Friedel Commons at the Jewish Community Center. Dr. Alan Steinweis, Professor of History at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will speak at the first session (on Oct. .21). His topic is "Jewish Research on Nazi Germany." Dr. Gerald Shapiro, a UNL Professor of English, will follow on Oct. 28, with a presentation on American Jewish Fiction." Nov. 4 will feature Dr. Brian Horowitz of UNL's Department of Modern Languages and Literature. He will discuss "Tortured Oracles: Russian-Jewish Writers and the Fate of Jewry."
On Thursday, Nov. 11, Leonard Greenspoon, holder of Creighton University's Klutznik Chair in Jewish Civilization, will look at "How and Why Jews Study the Bible." Dr. Jean Cahan, Director of UNL's Harris Center for Judaic Studies, will conclude the series on Nov. 11. Her lecture, which will be dedicated to Dorothy and Myer Kripke, is titled "Why Jewish Philosophy Now?" The Series is sponsored by the Lifelong Jewish Learning Committee and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For further information, call Michael Linn at 334-0517, or Leonard Greenspoon at 280-2303.
Nebraska Wesleyan University Forum features performance of "The Last Yiddish Poet" <
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USY schedules dedication USY will dedicate a tree to honor the memory of Laurie Misle. The event will take place Sunday, Oct. 17, at noon, at the synagogue. The entire congregation is invited.
Open meeting for USY and Kadima An "open meeting" for anyone interested in USY or Kadima is planned for Tuesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. For more information, call Debbie Ward, USY/Kadima advisor, at 483-1191.
You're invited to attend OPPD's October Board of Directors meeting in Blair.
In an effort to strengthen communications with uisloiiii'r-owncrs anil make it more convenient for customers to meet with the Hoard, OI'IM) I )irectors jKriodically schedule evening meetings at varying locations. Time is made available for comments and questions from the public at all Ol'l'l) monthly Hoard meetings. , •
Thurs., Oct. 14, 1999 at 7 p.m. OPPD Blair Area Office • 716 Front Street Blair, Nebraska N.P. Dodge Jr. Chairman of the Rnanl Metropolitan Sulxlivkion
Michael J. Cnvannuxh Vice Chairman of the Hoard Metropolitan SiilMllvlsiiin
Geoffrey C Hall Inwurer North:SiilxlivMnn
Anne 1. Mcfiulre Secretary Metropolitan Subdivision
Kirk E. Brumbaugh Board Mcmlicr Suburban Sulxlivislnn
John K. (Irccn Hoard MemberMetropolitan* Subdivision
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Del I). Weber Hoard Member Metropolitan Subdivision
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The San Francisco-based company, A Traveling Jewish Theatre, will present the one-act play The Last Yiddish Poet as part of the Nebraska Wesleyan University Forum series. Performances are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 12, and Wednesday, Oct. 13, in McDonald Theatre, located in the Elder Memorial Speech and Theatre Center, 51st St. and Huntington Ave. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m. and last approximately 75 minutes. University Forum is free and open to the public. Advance reservations are not needed. The last Yiddish Poet is a celebration of the language that was the language of daily life for most European and Central European Jews from the 10th to the mid-20th century (when more than half of the Yiddish-speaking people of the world perished in the Holocaust).. It includes songs and poems by several Yiddish writers. "As we began to study the language, we found that it had given rise to an incredibly rich and complex literature that contained the story of our Eastern European ancestors, from the breakdown of traditional shtetl life in the late 19th century to the creation of a modern Yiddish culture in the early 20th century, and finally to the destruction of that culture only a few decades later in the Holocaust," noted Corey Fischer and Albert Greenberg, co-writers of TheLast YiddishPoet. The play is performed in English and Yiddish. When Yiddish is spoken in the play, however, an English translation is provided for the audience. Fischer and Greenberg helped found A Traveling JewishTheatre (ATJT) in 1978 ,and have continued as part of the four-person artistic ensemble for the company. In the last two decades, ATJT has created 12 original works, performing in more than 60 cities internationally, including Chicago, New York, Berlin, Oslo and Jerusalem. In addition to creating and performing in eight original productions with ATJT, Fischer's credits include work with the New York Shakespeare Festival and in such movie and television projects as M*A*S*H, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Sunshine and Barney Miller. He also teaches workshops and classes in solo performance, ensemble creation and storytelling. Greenberg has performed in and created music for eight ATJT productions. Before joining the ensemble, he worked primarily as a musician, recording his own compositions with Pentagram Records and the Silvery Moon Production Company. He has also directed programs in music therapy for children and taught workshops on the performance of original work at theatre festivals throughout the United States and Europe, The University Forum series has brought speakers of regional, national and international acclaim to the Wesleyan campus for more than three decades, providing students and the general public with the opportunity to hear opinions and perspectives on a wide variety of social, ethical, political and global issues. Selected Forum presentations are broadcast on Omaha public radio station KIOS (91.5 FM).
October8,1999 Part II
(Continued from page 1) , In an example of continuing persecution, Qiang cited the government's ban on Falungong practitioners claiming that the spiritual group represents a massive threat to society. In an interview, Qiang told the Jewish Press that the man who stopped the tank in the famous photo at Tiananmen Square has never been identified and most likely will never be identified. "My theory is that he was whisked away by plainclothes police and was either imprisoned or killed." Qiang also related a personal experience he had at Tiananmen Square: "Shortly after the shootings, I rode my bicycle past some of the soldiers patrolling the perimeter. I observed a man go up to one of the guards and confront him with questions. "I paused on my bicycle to overhear and I was astounded to hear the man ask a barrage of questions. At first, the guard did not answer, but later told the questioner that he was not from Army 27 (the military group held responsible for the killings)," he continued. "At that point, another guard walked overtothe questioner and hit him on the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking him to the ground. The guard then looked at me with a stare and with his finger oh the trigger. My eyes were fixed on his as I slowly retreated." In her welcome to the audience, Nancy Belck, Chancellor, UNO, said, "We are incredibly proud to be the home for this lecture series." Thomas E. Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies and Programs, told the group that Shirley Goldstein's name is well-known in Russia for her work on behalf of Soviet Jews. Belck and Gouttierre announced that they plan to visit China soon to visit the university's cooperating colleges. China Rights Forum is a publication of Human Rights in China and its website is:
Wanted: Jewish parents for Jewish children TWo agencies seek Jewish parents to adopt children of Jewish heritage -'
PageS
Human rights—
Transforming a Jewish Community .
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
by Debra Nussbaum Cohen
S Editor's note: This is the second of a two part homes. aeries on adoption in the Jewish community. Krausz says it is untrue that Jewish law prefers
NEW YORK (JTA)--Wanted: Jewish parents for Jews to adopt non-Jewish children and convert Jewish children. them out of concerns they might be mamzerim, the Conventional adoption wisdom says that it's nearly halachic category that refers to children born out of impossible to find a Jewish child to adopt. But it's not a forbidden relationship such as incest or a married Two organizations are looking for Jewish parents woman's adultery. readytoopen their homes and heartstoJewish children. Products of such unions are extremely rare in the One is the Denver-based Jewish Children's Jewish community, he said, and completely avoidAdoption Network, begun almost a decade ago by able in open adoptions, in which the birth and Steven and Vicky Krausz. adoptive parents have contact. Most of their chilThe other is the Cradle of Hope adoption agency, dren come from Orthodox and Conservative homes. . which specializes in overseas adoptions. Krausz says they frequently get calls from Chasidic "Every child, Jewish or not, has a right to their fathers whose wives have-just had their 10th or 11th heritage," says Steven Krausz. child, this one with Down syndrome or spina bifida. The Krausz's matchmaking service, formally Many in the Chasidic community, thinking the known as an adoption exchange, places about 200 problem is hereditary rather than a genetic anomchildren a year. Most - but not all -- are considered aly, believe that prospective spouses will not want "special needs" because of their age or because they to marry their other children, fearing an increased have medical or emotional difficulties, or develop- chance of producing children with birth defects, mental disabilities such as Down syndrome. Krausz said. The service gets calls regarding three or four chilOther babies come from Conservative homes in dren each week from rabbis, social workers, adop- which a teen-age daughter has become pregnant. tion agencies, attorneys and birth families, and Reform girls, he believes, are more likely to have tries to match each with one of the more than 1,000 an abortion, and modern Orthodox girls, he confamilies who have signed on to their database. tends, are more likely to place the baby in a nonThe Krauszes, whom Steve describes as "black hat- Jewish home so their community doesn't find out. ters," or fervently Orthodox, started the organization Another group looking to make matches between after they struggled to adopt a Jewish child themselves. Jewish parents and children believed to be of They had had two biological children after two Jewish origin is Cradle of Hope. very difficult pregnancies and many miscarriages, The Silver Spring, MD-based organization has and wanted to expand their family, he said. placed about a dozen babies from the former Soviet As Jews, "we had nowhere to go," he recalls. The Union who are thought to be Jewish, says Linda local Jewish family service organization "wasn't Perilstein, the agency's executive director. doing much, and we couldn't go to Catholic or Perilstein, who adopted two children herself, said http://www.HRIChina.org/. The website is Lutheran social services. The county wouldn't talk the number of children of Jewish backgrounds blocked to the four million Chinese on the Internet. to anyone who wasn't black or Hispanic." seems to be increasing. Sometimes the babies' Then, through a social worker they had met, they records indicate their Jewishness. More often the heard about a four-month-old Jewish girl whose organization and its contacts decode Jewish ancesmother was mentally ill and living on the street. try from the child's first or family names, which are The city said it didn't care "if the baby is a'Jewish generally markedly different than the names given kid," Krausz says, "but the baby's grandparents by ethnic Russians to their children. etail Merchandiser wanted her raised by a Jewish family." There is rarely incontrovertible proof, so the babies Part-Time So they began" fighting local bureaucracies for the almost always undergo conversions once adopted by right to foster-parent, and later adopt, the baby. On Jewish parents in the United States, Perilstein says. Omaha & Surrounding Areas the day they finalized their adoption of Elisheva 11 But no matter how tenuous the child's Jewish linA n nnrummllr exbti with the Procter c* (JamMe C w m e i k i Dtvrjkm. T h e ' nrimanr |ob reTfxmlhllltk* Include the Inlllnl & ongoing; r o m kx ttic li>ver years ago, they were expecting their third biological eage, she believes it is important that they be Girl & Max factor nutlets. T n l i Is a rrcrtt upnntiimltrfiwr«1'lf re-enlerlnn child Since then, they have adopted 'two more Jewish adopted by Jews. the work rorce. Prioe rewll merchandbins cxp b r « f d • Drive Your Own Car • Independence & children, ages 4 and 6, both with Down syndrome. "For parents, it's another point of connection," (we reimhitriie) Flexible Work Schedule • Valid Driver'. After gaining custody of Elisheva, Krausz says, Perilstein says. "If you're not going to have the bio• Candidate! Mult Re Ltcenxe Available At Least "we started getting calls from all over the country logical tie to the child, a lot of Jews cherish the cul• Proof of Insurance 3 Full Dayn Per Week tural connection." saying "How did you find a Jewish child?' • Good Hourly Pay, $8.50 Per Hour "There are people desperate to adopt a Jewish The ancestors of many American Jews came from Please wtite/scntl resume to: child, and people were calling us saying there are Eastern Europe and "adopting a child from there Jewish children who need a Jewish home, and helps them connect with that." Procter&Gambte somebody needs to make a shiduch," he said, using Jewish Children's Adoption Network can be . Cosmetics Division the Yiddish word for match. reached at 303-573-8113. Attn: Recruiting Specialist Cradle of Hope can be reached at 301-587-4400. The couple called dozens of Jewish organizations REF *004MM, Mail Stop 2B around the country. "Nobody wanted to do it," he Jewish Family Service also can assist with inter11050 York Road Hunt Valley, M D 21030-2098 says, so he and his wife did. Since then, they have national adoptions. Tanya Seina, JFS adoption placed more than 1,000 Jewish kids in Jewish specialist, can be reached at 402-334-6494.
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Controversial stories to spark Book Group --••
>
by P l a n e A x l e r B a u m
..
• • - • • ' .
The controversial content of Nathan Englander'B Reb Kringle, the story that comes the closest to Yada...Yada...Yada...Only in Jewish stories motivated Harris Finkelstein's decision to humor. ' lead the next Book Discussion Group on Oct. 21. Quality humor is something Finkelstein appreciOmaha! www.jewishomaha.org "In a book discussion, I like it more when some ates. He enjoys reading sophisticated comics, like will love it and some will hate it," said Finkelstein, Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes, he said, but otherwho became Executive Director of the Jewish wise he concentrates on "tough stuff." For example, Federation Library in August. "When Englander'B he recently finished Moby Dick and The Brothers collection of stories Karamazov, and now bik Servve came out, it caused a he's into some Tom qtk tervve stir. The stir came our Irving and Tom ff service way, and 'I wanted Robbing. involved'." Finkelstein holds a Only 28 years old, =LOCKBMITHB = B.A. in History from and Engiander already the University of Calis being compared to ifornia, Santa BarRoth, Bellow and Mabara; an M.A. in ReSchollman's lamud. He qualifies, ligion from VanderBeautiful Decorative said Finkelstein, as bilt University; and Cabinet, Door & "the heppest ' cat an M.S. in Library Bath Hardware •,".-. around among young and Information SciSupplies Jewish readers and on ences from Louisiana the lecture circuit" HOURS:MonFri8-5;Sat 8-noon State University.iSohollman's, your personal hardware consultant Engiander was born Last June, he attendand raised in an Ored the annual confer593-9210 thodox community on At the September meeting of the Book Discussion ence of the Associ8425 "F" St. (across from Acura) Long Island, N.Y., and Group, are (front row, from left) Harris B. Finkelstein, ation of Jewish Lire-established, 1998 attended the local ye- Director of Federation Library; Marilyn Berman, braries in Boca Rashiva. He then fought Book Group Chairman; Ross; (back row) Pearl ton, FL. He said for the chancetopursue Giventer; Sophie Katz SchuUnan; Dorothy Kaplan, Great Books, which a liberal arts education Associate librarian; Frances Gottlieb, Library Board recently started a proat the state university, Chairman; Phyllis Bittner and Deirdre Evans. gram called Great Specializing in Your Long Term Care Needs rather than remain at home as a commuter to City Books in Judaica, sponsored an especially valuable College. session on book discussions. Julie J.Foy During his junior year abroad, he fell in love with "The greatest tool I took away was that discusDirector of Marketing Jerusalem and with travel. After graduating from sion leaders should use what they, don't know as college, he spent time in Argentina, worked as a their springboard," he recalled. "They should be photographer, and returned to Israel before coming, comfortable posing a question about something Phone (402) 697-9590 River City Bldg. Toll Free: (888) 456-8884 back to New York, where he started to write seri- they actually didn't understand." In other words, 399 N. 117th SL Suite 308 Fax: (402) 697-9(68 ously. A friend's mother, who is a children's book it's important for leaders to have ideas, but not to Omaha, NE 68154 Email: LTCagency@aoLcora editor, read his story The Twenty-seventh Man and feel they need to know everything. encouraged him to apply to the Writer's Workshop The Book Discussion Group meets at the library in Iowa. on the third Thursday of every month from 1 p.m.-2 Engiander now lives in Israel, devotes himself to or 2:30 The group enjoys a core of dedicated memASK FOR... writing fiction, and defines himself as "utterly secu- bers, but Finkelstein hopes the membership will lar." In his stories he explores the universal issues grow and that new discussion leaders will emerge. TONI ROSEN of religiosity, identity and morality, but he does so He invites anyone who could participate on a lunch MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CAREER SALES within a framework of the insular worlds of Hasidic break to bring a dairy sack lunch and join the disand Orthodox Jews. cussion for as long as the work day allows. To Buy or Build Finkelstein selected for the October discussion To assure that adequate seating is arranged, new four stories from the collection titled For the Relief participants are asked to call the library in advance Your Dream Home of Unbearable Urges. Copies are available at the at 334-6462. Federation Library for a $2 fee. On Nov. 18, Rabbi Myer Kripke will lead the Res: 334-7257 Included are The Wig, a story written from the Book Group in a discussion of Gift of the Jews, by ! ^ REAL ESTATE Jus: 498-3500 ,' T A UCUMMCAN MllVtCf• WfKIAtl perspective of several women to look at the issue of Thomas Cahill. The Dec. 16 meeting will focus on fading youth, and For the Relief of Unbearable selected stories from Mystery Midrash, an antholoUrges, which deals with delicate sexual and reli- gy of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction edited gious issues. by Lawrence W. Raphael. Also, The Tumblers, a. particularly challenging At the meeting in September, Willis Ann Ross led a piece, interweaving history and psychology, and lively discussion of The Jew Store by Stella Suberman.
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Temple Israel will join thousands of congrega- tions to help them learn and succeed. Furthertions across the nation in the eighth annual more, CDF notes that after-school hours represent National Observance of Children's Sabbath on other wasted opportunities. Experts estimate that Friday, Oct. 15, at 7:15 p.m. Sponsored by the nearly five million children are left unsupervised Children's Defense Fund and supported by more after school each week, and are at risk for drug and than 200 religious organizations, this service will alcohol abuse, sexual activity and pregnancy, crime focus on the needs of children. and violence. This year's theme is Wonderfully Made: "Great national attention is being paid to the Preparing Children to Learn and Succeed. It focus- potential disaster of arriving at *Y2K unprepared, es on the critical importance of strong schools and with the computer systems unsolved," said Marian enriching after-school activities for older children Wright Edelman, founder and president of the and the role congregations can play in helping. Children's Defense Fund. "A far greater threat to The Children's Sabbath will address the obstacles our national stability and capacity to move ahead to children's readiness to learn and succeed posed by into the new millennium, however, lies in the failthe poverty that blights the lives of more than 14 ure to prepare all children to learn and succeed, million children in America. and not to solve the problems in our educational Parents are the first and most important teach- and health care systems." ers in a child's life. However, CDC points out that "The Hebrew word Torah' means 'instruction or economic necessities require many parents to work teaching*," said Rabbi David Saperstein, Executive outside the home. Increasing numbers of children Director of the Religious Action Center for Reform spend part of their early years in settings other . Judaism. "From the earliest days, the Jewish comthan the home. These Bettings should also be stim- munity has valued learning and recognized its ulating and enriching. Today, 13 million children sacred and practical responsibility to educate chilare cared for by someone other than their parents. dren. Today, we are called to action so that every According to CDF information, countless older child may have the experiences at home, in child children are in substandard schools without care, in school, and after school that help him or resources, materials, quality standards or expecta- her learn and succeed;" '
Violence through the eyes of teens
October8,1999
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
by Courtney Rabb
The Search Institute Profiles of Student Life will survey as as many as three hundred Omaha teens on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 5 pjn. One of the many topics to be discussed will be violence. Four Omaha youths, Andy Finkle, Mendel Kurland, Annelise Ocanto and Annie Rifkin, recently shared their personal experiences with teen violence, their reactions to it, and what they have done to stop it. They also discussed whom they would turn to for help when they become aware of j violent situations that are occurring. A specific situation does not stand out in Finkle's mind; however, he shares that, "in general, the fights I have seen have been about drugs, alcohol or money. Some have occurred in school while others have been out of school. My experience has been that the Andy Finkle two people involved are usually under the influence of drugs oi alcohol at the time of the fight." He goes on to say]that, "The main thing I try to do is stay out of it. The fewer people involved, the better." A fight which stands out in Kurland's mind hap''pened at school. , "Two males were fighting : over a girl. One* was mad at |the other for talking about ', "his girlfriend. They ended • up hitting and kicking each other in the head and face. Basically, it was resolved by the Assistant Principal and a few teachers," Kurland 'said. He continued, "In this 'instance, it was too danger: Mendel Kurland ous for students to try to stop it. One of the kids even swung at the Assistant Principal." /,
just because he thought he was cool. He kicked the seventh grader in the head. The fight was broken up by teachers, and both were suspendedjl^Ocanto_ recalls. She also .remembers the other students' reactions during the fight, explaining, "All the kids just stood around and watched Nobody did anything to pro vent or stop it." A school dance was the | scene of a fight Rifkin re members. "There were two | Rifkin girlB who started yelling and punching each other. The principal stopped the fight, and the girls were expelled," she explained. Although all the teens remembered a violent incident, they also knew where they could go for help. Finkle explained, "It depends on the situation. First I would approach a friend to get them to convince him/her not to fight. If things got too bad, I would call the police." Kurland stated, "I would tell my parents if one of my friends was having a problem with abuse from a parent or close friend. If there was some sort of violence at school, I would tell a teacher or principal. That is what they are there for." Ocanto says, "I would turn to Allen Gonsher, a trusted friend. I consider him my second dad, and I ": ~| really think he would know jhow to help me or a friend in this type of situation." 1 would tell an adult whom l t r u s t e d to h e l
P w i * tile "*•
uation," Rifkin explained. These interviews clearly show how common it is for teens to be exposed to or involved in violence. The survey of Omaha area teens Ion Tuesday will address Annelise Ocanto this and other important Ocanto's memory of a violent situation also issues. For more information on this program, conoccurred at school. "One< day in'middle school during lunch;'an" tact Debbie Brown, Assistant Director of ADL, a t ' eighth grader started to beat up a seventh grader 334-8200.
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Grim assessment of Russia and Ukraine (Continued from page 1) even bedding with them. The institu- ancestor, Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, a tions do not have the supplies, funding Hassidic rebbe who still has a following or staff to provide the most basic today, schlepped a piano all the way to necessities to patients. Little gifts of the United States from Ukraine. vitamins or aspirin made such a differOnce home to hundreds of Jews ence in the lives of several elderly Jews who danced in the streets at Purim in Noyograd-Volynsky in Ukraine. and blessed the candles on Shabbat, Faiga Zelmonovna is an elderly only 10 Jews remain. One Jewish Jewish woman with reticulitis. She woman lives with her bed-ridden lives in a one-room apartment with mother, but are leaving for Germany her 45-year-old son, who contracted this month. While there, the doctor meningitis when he was very young. came to check on her and commented He should have his leg removed due the Jews are treated in Ukraine. to gangrene, but refuses. The cemetery in Trustyanets looked Clara Borisevna, born in 1914, lives like many others in the Ukraine - the on a pension of $8 a month. The Jewish gravestones were vandalized, overcommunity gives her supplementary turned, or aged to the point that the names and dates are no longer visible. funds as well as medicines and food. •.'•.., Lilia Sampvna's sister recently In the older part of the cemetery, died, but Samovna cannot afford the where gravestones from the 18th and $100 for a gravestone. She, too, lives 19th century once stood, nothing in a one-room apartment on a pension marks the site where members of the of.$17 a month. She receives pack- Trustyanets family mourned their relages from the Joint Distribution atives. All records were destroyed by Committee three times a year — for the Nazis or the Soviet government. Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah and From'city to city, Jews said, "We are Pesach. Her dream is to have a visit- surviving, not living, just surviving." ing nurse to help with weekly chores; ; • Without a connection to the West, "• There is a religious community, without the spirit of Judaism in their which has a Torah and celebrates hearts and souls, they have no hope. Shabbat and other holidays in their Our best gift is to help them acquire center, and a cultural center in the tools and education to support Novograd-Volynsky. A women's group themselves and their communities. meets weekly and helps the elderly Yad LTad (Hand to Hand) pairs who come there with food and medi- American synagogues and Jewish cine. It costs $25 a month for rent. schools with Jewish communities in In addition to the cities on the the FSU to provide humanitarian, eduUCSJ itinerary, an additional stop cational, medical and financial assiswas made in Trustyanets in Ukraine, tance. For information, contact UCSJ from where the Trustin family emi- at 1-202-775-9770, ext. 13 or ltaxman@ucsj.com [Part II will grated to Omaha. Nachman Trustyanets, named for his appear in next week's Jewish Presa>
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OCTL inaugurates program year(Continued from page 1) The rabbi noted that Omahans are probably no different from his congregants in Southern California who are looking for meaning in their lives. "People are hungry for understanding life," he said. "And Judaism has a 5000 year old message. "When Torah is offered in a way that makes it sound strictly Talmudic, it seems a little scary to many JewB," he added, "but when it's presented as a discussion of ideas, of Jewish ideas, instead of just a litany of quotes, then it's rooted in something that's both very ancient and very real to Jews today." Rabbi Wohlgelernter also has extensive experience in teaching Torah to audiences of all ages, from third graders to graduate students in yeshiva, as well as to congregants of all educational backgrounds. He has found in his 13 years as a pulpit rabbi in LaJolla that many Jews first become attracted to educational opportunities by asking themselves, "What am I missing?" "Sometimes the practice comes first," noted Rabbi Wohlgelernter, "And for some, it's the joy of learning for learning's sake that's important, and the practice may, or may not, come later." His remarks at the OCTL's first community reception will focus on the ingredients needed for growth in Jewish communities, "not just physical growth," according to OCTL Chairman Allan Gonsher, "but spiritual and educational growth." Gonsher noted that in the first two months of Rabbi Levin's tenure as rosh kollel (Director) of the OCTL, "more has been accomplished than we ever envisioned." In addition to coordinating last month's High Holiday Fair, wliich featured all of Omaha's rabbis, Rabbi Levin has already offered a variety of educational opportunities. Weekly Lunch 'n Learn sessions rotate among participants' homes; another Lunch 'n Learn is offered once a month for attorneys with discussions of Jewish legal texts. Nearly% 20 individuals have also scheduled private chavrusa-style (one-on-one) learning sessions with Rabbi Levin. Rabbi Levin teaches a Chumash (Bible) on Tuesday mornings at
Temple Israel and a Gemorra (Talmud) class at Beth El Synagogue Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. The rabbi also invites the community to his home each Shabbat afternoon for a discussion on the weekly Torah portion. A Bible class will begin on Tuesday evenings at Beth Israel this fall as part of the synagogue's adult education program. (All of the classes scheduled at Temple Israel, Beth El and Beth Israel are open to the community, but participants should call the various synagogue offices for more details.) ' "The mission of the OCTL is to increase the likelihood that our community leaders will find satisfaction in Torah education in order to become literate and identified Jews," Gonsher said, noting that its goal is to "increase the number of Jewish educational resources in the community." The OCTL raised $100,000 in its first year to bring Rabbi Levin and his family to Omaha and provide the resources for educational programming. OCTL is presently raising an additional $100,000 to bring a second rabbinic couple here. Rabbi Levin is a graduate of Bar Ilan University in Israel. He obtained his smicha (rabbinic ordination) from the Israeli Rabbinate and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat. His wife Noa, a native of France, IB fluent in French and Hebrew, and has taught art in Israeli schools. They are the parents of Talia, 2U2, and Yaakov, 1. OCTL is affiliated with the worldwide Torah Mitzion network of Jewish study centers. A Shabbaton is planned later this fall for the 18 kollell directors who have been placed in communities around the United States, including Kansas City and Omaha, among others. . Added Rabbi Wohlgernter, "Life is always about growing. And the only way to grow is to understand what you are growing towards. Each Jew should ask, /What are my goals?' and then set those goals to grow forward." The Oct. 17 reception is free and open to the entire community. For more information about the OCTL or its programs, call Rabbi Levin at 551-1564.
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Beth Cohen named administrator at Beth Israel 'Donald Gerber, President of Beth Israel Synagogue, announced that Beth Cohen will become the synagogue's administrator on Nov. 1. Cohen has worked at the Jewish Community Center for the past eight years, most recently as Youth Services Director. She has also been involved in leading the synagogue's youth group, NCSY, and is serving her second term as recording secretary for the National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section. She will replace Jakob Besser, who resigned in September. This month, the Beth Israel office will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday and will be staffed by synagogue members.
by Bert Lewis
Have you looked through a family album lately? It's always such an experience, even if it isn't your family. There's a certain similarity to them, whether they belong to a clan named O'Brien or Cohen. Let me explain what I mean by that. First of all, there are always photographs of grandparents, great-grandparents and sometimes even great-great grandparents. Those are usually sober looking people who appear to not trust whoever it is taking the picture. Their clothes are old fashioned, naturally, but the hair-dos aren't necessarily odd, given today's hairstyles. Then there are always wedding pictures. . .many wedding pictures showing just the bride and groom and many showing a large group of folks, which includes the newlyweds and their respective families. Right in the front row center will be the oldest member of the assembled crowd, and generally the youngest will be on the floor at her/his feet. It's a given. t The album will contain vacation photographs, with people either climbing mountains or swimming in the ocean, looking as though life just couldn't get any better. Somewhere in the travel pictures there is always,, without fail, a shot of people standing by the car. Make that THE CAR, because if the picture is old enough, the car was a big deal and was always included in a photo opportunity. There are pictures taken with new babies in the arms of kvelling grandparents; pictures of kids dressed for the first day at school; pictures of kids astride a pony (if the album goes back far enough!); pictures of kids in Halloween costumes; kids dressed for the first important social event; and the inevitable graduation pictures. .-'.. There are Bar Mitzvah pictures, naturally, and if the album belongs to the Cohen's, not the O'Briens,' there are likely to be pictures taken in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Of course, there will be at least one of grandpa sitting on a camel. Grandma will be shown with the Wall in the background, and I don't mean the Great Wall of China. There will be pictures taken at Auntie Sarah's 80th birthday party and some taken when the family celebrated the 60th anniversary of the cousins on Grandpa's side. (Right after that she filed for divorce-oy what a shanda that was!). The point is, no matter whose album or what family, they are a pictorial representation of life cycle events, both big and not so big, but all important to the participants. I don't know who invented the first camera, and I'm too lazy to research and find out, but I think there should be universal recognition of this person. We take this wonderful invention for granted because none of us can remember a time when it wasn't around. . . today, even little kids are likely to have and use one. They even make the kind that's used once, sent back for developing, then discarded. The other end of that extreme is the camera that shows the photographer the picture he's taking and what it will look like when printed. This all started with a discussion of photo albums, didn't it? I strongly recommend you go get yours and sit down in a comfortable chair. Spend a little time looking at those old pictures. You'll be glad you did.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Where are they now?
Page 13
by Morris Maline
If you would like to see Rep. Jon Christensen, he Benjamin J. Cipperley received two appoint(BJ), go to Panama City, ments: West Point and FL; enter the Naval the Naval Academy. Diving and Salvage "I decided on the Naval Training Center and dive Academy because of its into the water. Hold your proximity to big city breath because you may activity and I've been have to descend to 190 very happy with my feet to view this young choice," BJ said. He Naval enBign at work. graduated with distinction from the Naval Or, if getting wet is not Academy in May in the your cup of tea, get up at top 10 percent of his 6 ajn. and join the 6 foot, class, a class incidentally 190 lb. Omahan on a six which started out with mile run, or perhaps parsome 1,100 students and ticipate in the two-hour ended with several hunexercise dasB that follows. dred less. If you'd rather join him in school, be prepared to Ajon Farber, who study diving physics, divserved as liaison officer ing medicine, underwafor the military acadeter cutting and underwamies and as a member of ter welding. Don't get the Second District selecdiscouraged, because if tion committee, said the preceding gives you most of the kids who the ijends', hell be home reach the interview stage for Thanksgiving. B. J. Cipperley are bright, but he B J, a 1995 graduate of Burke High School and recalled that BJ had a number of other good qualithe son of Sharon Cipperley and Dan Cipperley, ties that made him an excellent prospect. had all the right stuff in both academics and athlet"My work in Panama City," said BJ, "is to become ics. He was ninth in his class and played football, a basic diving officer who will be responsible for swam and got real serious about rugby, a sport that training Navy divers and supervising then- safety." he continues to enjoy in his spare time. He will be in Florida until the end of January, In a telephone interview, BJ said he doesn't know then he goes to Surface Warfare Officers School in when the idea of a military career entered his Newport, RI, after which he will be assigned to the thinking, but it seemed to just present itself at the USS Sentry, a minesweeper berthed in Texas. right time. Oh, yes, there's a girlfriend in his life. He met According to his mother, BJ adopted a "Top Gun" Megan Blair of George Washington University focus at the age of 10 and then did everything right when he was at the Naval Academy, so Omaha to achieve an academy appointment. girls may as well deep-six the diver from their As a matter of fact, through the offices of former bachelor ranks.
Outreach hosts first program of the year at Temple Israel
"Being Jewish in Japan" topic at Beth El on Shabbat
Rabbi Aryeh Azriel will lead a panel discussion on "The Three B's: Birth, B'nai Mitzvah and Burial" on Sunday, Oct. 17,10 a.m., as part of the Outreach Committee's program year. The program deals with three major parts of raising a family and leading a meaningful religious life, according to Rabbi Azriel. These Jewish moments are important in the life of every family, especially interfaith families, and celebrating them can be meaningful and uplifting or challenging and confusing," he added. For more information about this program or Outreach at Temple Israel, call the office, 556-6536.
Jerome F. Shapiro, a specialist in cinema studies, theater and.comparative culture at Hiroshima University, will speak on "Being Jewish in Japan" during Shabbat services at Beth El Synagogue on Oct. 9. Shapiro, whose field is Comparative Culture, will be in to open the Klutznick Symposium this weekend at Creighton and the JCC.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
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In the News Marvin Parilman has recently been elected President of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus, the official chorus of the Omaha Symphony. The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews, is holding the Walk-asOne walkathon on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Heartland of America Park. For registration information, call Patty Sherman, Regional Coordinator, 391-4460.
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Michael Linn, right, Director of the Lifelong Jewish Learning Committee, reviews the Klutznick Symposium agenda with Marty Ricks, Director of the Federation Foundation. Ricks will serve as t h e welcoming speaker at this year's event, Saturday night and Monday at Creighton University, and Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. A full program appears on page 5 of the Jewish Press. Bobby Newman, left, Matthew Heyman, and Julianna Scheet, right, studied with Rabbi Debbie Stiel for their Jewish scouting badges during the 1998-99 school year. They received the badges in a ceremony at Temple Israel during the summer.
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Ediar BBG presents "Feel Good Fall"
Starting this Sunday, Ediar BBG will hoBt a series dealing with health and beauty. The programs are open to all teenage girls in grades 9-12. Hair stylist Shelly Harr will start the series on Oct. 10,3-4:30 p.m., at the home of Kari Green. Snap Productions will present The Last Session, On Sunday, Oct. 17 from 2:45-4:15 p.m., a musical about a record- Larissa Tresnikova will present a workshop on ing star's battle with yoga at the JCC; Laurie Imig, a nutrition specialAIDS, Oct. 15, 16, 22 ist, is the featured speaker on Oct. 24,3-4:30 pan. Statement of Ownership and 23, at 8 p.m., and The final program is Oct. 31, 3-4:30 p.m., at the Management and Circulation 1. PtttaUn nir Jnhli PnH Oct. 17, 24 and 2 at 8 home of Jamie Hamburg, featuring Pam Merrill, a WkdNm 3. ring Data M M ! p.m. at the Frankie Pane cosmetician and facial expert. 4. l w » rnquncy: Waak* on fiMay Building, 1112 Douglas. 5. Ho. ol I U U H I W h t w l AnuUy: U Cost is $5 per program, or $15 for all four. For < «« l S b4 4 l l eR i e > Tickets are $15; call 342- information, call Julie Kushner, BBYO adviser, 7. CoivMo Idling Addrm of Known Otto ointnabJrcMlSouttiiJMEt, Omaha, 9053 for reservations. NEStlSMIM, U M M 4 U I . 334=6404. I. ConpMa Iking Addraaa d Htadquartara or Qtnaral Builntn ORIco of Publlihtr:
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Third, fourth and fifth graders continue their studies from religious school while their parents investi- . gate Jewish values using biblical texts. There are still a few spaces open in Family School. For information, call Joan Cooper at Temple Israel, 556-6536 ext. 25.
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Family School members piecing it all together-at t h e Temple. Israel Family School Shabbaton. Back row: Jon Gates, left, Joan Cooper and David Goldberg; center: Lindsey Thomas; front row: Jeff Gates, Molly Noodell and Brandon Thomas.
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Book Discussion Group reviews book on aging ' by Shane Kotok JSS Director of Community Outreach Services
Chabad to host Laibl Wolf, author of Practical Kabbala ____
SUSHI FACTORY 431-1532
Page 15
Journey home to Jewish Omaha. www.icwishomaha.org
by Shanl Katzman
The internationally known facilitator for personal growth and human resources development, Laibl Wolf, will speak at the Chabad House on Nov. 22. The author of Practical Kabbala: A Guide to Jewish Wisdom for Everyday Life, Rabbi Wolfs topic for the program will be "Angels, Souls and Dreams: Meditation Journeys through Inner and Outer Space and Time." Rabbi Wolf is the founder and director of the Unam Development Institute. In this capacity, he travels the world conducting retreats and seminars in areas of spiritual awareness through the pathway of behavorial Kabbala and Hassidism. He is the procuder of a series of spiritual self-help audio and visual materials, teaching meditational approaches to mindfulness and consciousness. An Orthodox Jew, he is equally at home with a group of Buddhist monks as he is amongst New Age practitioners. He recently met the Dalai Lama and discussed common teachings with him. Rabbi Wolf is known for his broadmindedness and encyclopedic knowledge. He resides in Australia with his wife, Leah; the couple has seven children and five grandchildren.
Mary Pipher, who is best known for her work on adolescent girls, has now ventured into the territory of aging. Pipher explores significant issues faced by millions of baby boomers as their parents and grandparents age in her most recent book. Her inspirational and and practical field guide, Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders will be the focus of a book discussion group on Oct. 21 that will be a prelude to Pipher's visit in November. Pipher said, "We know less about the aged than we think we do. There is lack of good information about the developmental, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the old. We can empathize with children because we have been young. We remember some of what happened and how it felt. However, we haven't had experiences that allow us to understand the old." Susie Drazen will facilitate the discussion that is hosted by Jewish Senior Services. "Thirteen years ago when my family was faced with, the dilemma of caring for my 90-year-old grandmother who had broken her hip, we faced issues of family, dignity, and appropriate care," Drazen noted. "The issues were difficult. We dealt with them with love and seichel (common sense). Reading this extraordinary book brought it all back. It emphasizes how vital it is to make such Let it not be said diversification is not a part of decisions considering all the human factors." The book discussion group is for all individuals our programming. At the Sukkot holiday party, the and families in the community who are interested Early Bird discussion group heard co-host Norm in having a better understanding of the "foreign Zevitz briefly review Edmund Morris' biography, Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan, which territory of old age." According to Pipher, Another Country will not revealed some not too well known aspects of the only help adult children understand their parents, former president's life. From that area of thought, we hopped over to but will ultimately help the readers themselves. Pipher shares with the reader the belief that "How Time magazine's suggestions as to the most influwe deal with our parents will influence the way we ential person of the 20th century for its year-end grow and develop in our life stages. . .helping par- cover issue. Some of our preferences were Franklin ents through these hard times is one of our best D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill. chances to grow up." —-The book-group will-meetin theSffiJH-conference • — At the lunch, because we are diversified in reli gious beliefs, this reporter related the significance room on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. of Sukkot and the building of the sukkah as the RSVP to Shane Kotok at 334-6529. : The book can be purchased at the Rose Blumkin Israelites wandered in the wilderness, following Jewish Home at a discount of 20%. off the publish- the exodus from Egypt to Eretz Yisrael. The lunch room has a festive appearance for the er's price. holiday, and one of our favorite entertainers, Joe Taylor, "Mr. Memories," regaled us with tunes that stirred memories. We welcomed a special group of visitors, calling themselves the 'Class of '41', the year they graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. Ruth Buddi is a new member. Sushi Bar and Grill Shalom.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
October 8,1999
Campaign events bring community together
Top left: Women's Campaign co-chairmen Joan Kaiman, left; and Nancy Noddle welcome 300 women to Wednesday's event. Middle left: Suzanne Singer admires Itzik Benshalom's sculpture. Bottom left: Chairman-elect Sharee Newman; bottom right: Anne Weitz. Top middle photo: Jordana
Glazer and Joanie Jacobson chant the Birkat HaMazon, the grace after the meal. Middle: Marilyn Ginsberg and Betty Rubin listen to Mike Ginsberg; known as Israel's 'Sheriff of the North*. Bottom: a Young Jewish Omaha table— Amee Zetznjnn, left, Eimberly Robinson, Stacy Bockman,
Lori Miller, Cindy Goldberg; standing Andrea Siegel, Nancy Kavich. Top right: Mike Milder, left, talks to Andi and David Willensky about Benshalom's bronzes. Bottom right: luncheon committee - 'Ducky" Milder, Danielle Gordman, Mary Bernstein and Terriflacharlalead the mozti.
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