HEWISH PRESS Vol.LXXX
No. 37
Omaha, NE
15 Tammuz, 5761
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July 6,2
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Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Honors Archivist, Board Members by JEWISH PRESS News Service
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society will host a celebration ] Wednesday, | July 25,! 7 p.m., at}?| the Jewish** Community Center to i honor their! departing! archivist and I organizer,' . B a r b a r a Outgoing and incoming presiB r e s s l e r ** en * s Bob Belgrade and Louise She and her Abrahams011 w*ll be honored by family a r e NJHS on July 25.
This sign was photographed in a shop win- American Jews who visit Israel during this dow on popular Ben Yehuda Street in difficult time. Members of the Omaha Jerusalem during the recent Women's Mission Women's Mission were MaxLne Kirshenbaum, to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Federation Eunie Benenberg, Joell Gerber, Maggie of Omaha. The 10 participants of the Mission Gerber, Susan Rothholtz, Suzanne Singer, said that this was just one example of the Susie Drazen, Rocky Stern, Carolyn Novicoff Photo by Maggie Gerber. heartfelt gratitude of Israelis towards and Julee Katzman.
moving in August to the Boston area where her husband, Scott, has found a new position. "The Bressler family has been a tremendous asset to our Historical Society as well as our community and we wish them all the best in their new home," said Bob Belgrade, outgoing president of the NJHS, who will remain active in fundraising and special projects Also being honored are outgoing board members and officers. Karen Pollock, outgoing treasurer, leaves the board, but will remain active assisting the Historical Society working on writing grant requests. A new group of board members will be (Continued on page 9)
Ariel Sharon: a War Criminal or the Victim of a Witch Hunt? by MICHAEL J. JORDAN
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NEW YORK (JTA)--The accusation that Ariel Sharon is a war criminal—back on the public agenda with two court cases in Belgium and a damning BBC documentary—is the latest step in a campaign to discredit and delegitimize Israel, supporters of the Jewish state say. A quick Internet search reveals a plethora of Arab and Muslim Web sites demanding that Sharon be "brought to justice" for the 1982 massacre of Palestinians by Lebanese Christians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps7 However, the Israeli premier also seems to be caught in the cross hairs of advocates of an international criminal court and a "universal justice" that knows no borders. Sharon's Arab antagonists may indeed be motivated by enmity toward Israel, but the international court proponents seem intent primarily on winning symbolic victories that they hope might deter future atrocities. It's highly unlikely that Sharon ever will wind up in the dock. But the Belgian cases and the BBC film have focused hostile attention on Israel and its leader precisely when the Jewish state is fighting what many see as an uphill battle for world opinion in the ninth month of the intifada. The second half of the 1990s saw major strides toward prosecuting war crimes and gross violations of human rights. It also emboldened those who have long wanted to go after polarizing figures such as Sharon, Henry Kissinger, Idi Amin, Muammar Gadhafi, Saddam Hussein, or the now-deceased Pol
Pot and Hafez Assad. First came war crime tribunals to prosecute perpetrators of the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia in the mid-1990s. Then came the October 1998 arrest and detention of Chile's former dictator, Gen. Augusto Pinochet. A Spanish judge issued the warrant over human rights crimes Pinochet allegedly ordered during his 17 years of rule, some of which
The commission found then-Defense Minister Sharon "indirectly responsible" because he had not foreseen the possibility that the Christians—who had entered the camps to root out Palestinian terrorists hiding there—would seek to avenge the recent assassination of their leader, Bashir Gemayel. Sharon received what some saw as a slap on the wrist: He was pressured to resign as defense minister, but remained in the Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. When Time later sought to assign Sharon a greater share of blame, he sued the magazine for KbeL An American court ruled that the article was erroneous but lacked malicious intent. Now, in light of the verdict against the Rwandans, Belgium has emerged as a pressure point against leaders like Sharon. "There is a general feeling here that a fight has to be fought against impunity, and that by having such a law at the national level, we contribute to the international fight," said Michel Malherbe, deputy spokesman of Belgium's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On June 18, a group of 28 Palestinians filed suit under the 1993 Belgian law, charging Sharon with ultimate responsibility for the massacre. The suit came on the heels of a similar suit filed in Brussels earlier in the month by a private group, reportedly on behalf of Palestinian victims of the current intifada. (Continued on page 9)
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon were directed against Spanish nationals. Earlier this month, Belgian courts convicted four Rwandans — including two nuns — of murder and incitement to genocide. That marked the first conviction under Belgium's ground-breaking 1993 law on "universal jurisdiction," which enables Belgian courts to judge atrocities committed elsewhere, regardless of whether or not they involved Belgians. No one was ever prosecuted for the Sabra and Shatila massacres, when Lebanese Christian militiINSIDE: amen killed some 800 Palestinian men, women and children. Several of the planners and leaders of the Maccabiah Garnet, on the InLernet page 10 attack are prominent figures in Lebanon today. Sharon's election as prime minister in February Surprise! benefit raises $100,00(L...page 11 may have spurred the embittered to take action. In 1983, Israel established the quasi-judicial Kahan Commission to investigate the massacres. Stern hills Create Endowment.........pag« 12
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July 6, 2001
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Fight for Turf, From Balak to Vieques
IRVING NOGG
Graveside services for Irving Nogg were held June 29 at Beth El Cemetery. He died June 27 at by RABB! MYER S. KRIPKE — the age of 83. Parashat Balak He was preceded in death by three brothers, During a brief period of suspended friendship Leon, Ralph and Ernie Nogg, and a sister, Pauline with neighbors, many years ago, because children Haykin. of the families were temporarily at odds over tricySurvivors include his wife, Charlotte Slutzky cle traffic, a seven-year-old neighbor demanded of Koom; daughter, Margery Hughes of Minneapolis; me, "Get off my prop'ty!" daughters and sons-in-law, Carole and Robert A financial advisor tells his clients, "Buy land. Adelstein of Denver and Nancy and Neal There's only so much of it and God isn't likely to Rauhauser of Omaha; son and daughter-in-law, make any more!" Russell and Jean Nogg of Anchorage, AK; grandMost people, including Balak, King of Moab, are children, Jennifer Ledder, James Cantor, Sara sensitive about infractions, and possible infrac- Nogg, David Nogg, Alexis Thompson, Ari tions,' of the security we demand in our "prop'ty." Rauhauser and Madeleine Rauhauser; two greatOur Bill of Rights specifically promises protection grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. against illegal, improper seizure of privately Nogg was President and officer regional level of owned property. B'nai B'rith, and President of Iowa Warehouse Historically, there were frequent wars over the Assn. Fertile Crescent, mideastern lands that were livMemorials to Beth El Synagogue or the Nebraska able, all the rest surrounded by the Mediterranean Jewish Historical Society. Sea on one side and impenetrable deserts on all others. CHARLES StJSMAN Who can blame Balak? Or the other little counCharles Susman died last week at the age of 86. tries that refused the ancient Israelites innocent He was an active member of Young Energetic passage through their territory? Cattle will eat the Seniors, grasses, no? People will consume everything edible He is survived by two sons, Harlan Susman of as they pass through, no? And water, especially Omaha and Ronald Susman of Florida. water, no? Well, let them go back to the desert or find some other way to get where they want to go. " ';• " ; ,BENELKIN '' ', ; V" ' There is no other way? Well, that's their problem, Services for Ben Elkin, formerly of Omaha, were not mine. And, meanwhile, put the army on alert. held July 3 ®.t Golden Hill Cemetery. He died June Here we are in the 21st century, and we know 29 in Los Angeles.at .the age of 89. that there are still hot spots in our world. Every He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie, people wants it's land intact, of maybe have a little and sisters, Alta and Dorothy. more. The Nazis brought indescribable disaster to Survivors include sister, Mary Fitter of Denver; the world in their demand for lebensmum, room to nieces, Betty Hoppe of Los Angeles and Helen live in. So we Americans continue to show the hun- Rifkin of Omaha. gry Iraqi that we can, if necessary, bomb them Memorials to charity of choice. back to the Stone Age, and we'll continue practicing bombing on Vieques for a few more years. CORRECTION Humankind is pretty disappointing, isn't it? We In the ad for the Women's Forum in last week's haven't learned. Will our children? Our grandchildren? How many generations? Just get off my Press, the name of one of the sponsoring organizations, Jewish Senior Services, was inadvertantly prop'ty. . . omitted.
Before Gold Medalist Goes to Israel, He Teaches Kids at a Summer Camp •
MONDAY, JULY 9 YES Program, 10 am.
by TOM TUG END l
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 Mah Jong Club, 11:30 am. JCC Family Picnic, 6 p.m., at the Frohm Pavilion THURSDAY, JULY 12 Va'ad HaKashrut Meeting, 4 p.m. FRIDAY, JULY 13 £ Temple Israel Friday Night Services, i 6 p.m., at the Frohm Pavilion All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of S the events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, A call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. V E FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISfT THE FEDERATION'S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar) &
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LOS ANGELES (JTA)--Like thousands of other TUESDAY, JULY 10 p Jews this summer, triple Olympic gold medalist BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Lenny Krayzelburg is going to camp. JFS Summer Education Series, 7 p.m. Krayzelburg is warming up for the Maccabiah Games in Israel, which are slated to begin July 16, A Henry Monsky B'nai B'rith A by sharing his skills and motivation with some 95 I Lodge Meeting, 7:30 p.m. J kids at the swim camp of the Westside Jewish
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looking to me for leadership," he says. "I think we must support Israel during hard times and continue the spirit of the Maccabees." Krayzelburg's athletic prowess was discovered early and he attended a special Soviet sports school. It was a demanding experience, not made easier because, he said, "I was one of three Jews Community Center in Los Angeles. among 2,000 kids. I was called names, and I got It's a homecoming of sorts for the 25-year-old into a couple of fights." champion, who got his first American swimming Yet he feels closely linked to his background and experience, and his first job, at the same JCC promises that when the time comes, he will marry shortly after his family arrived here in 1988 from a Russian Jewish woman. the Soviet Union. Krayzelburg, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and Instructing the youngsters, he told JTA, gives weighs 195 pounds — "I'm five pounds overhim a chance to not only polish their strokes, but to weight,"he said--believes that he owes his athletic transmit his belief that through commitment, dedi- success to his mental edge. cation and responsibility they can succeed in any "When you reach the tops, as in the Olympics, the walk of life. physical abilities of the competitors are pretty This dedication and single-minded focus helped much even. The one .with the greatest mental c Krayzelburg break Olympic records when he won strength wins," he noted. L the 100- and 200-meter backstroke at last year's By example and instruction, Krayzelburg's attiI P Sydney Olympics-and swam the first leg of the tude and philosophy seems to be getting through to & world-record setting 4x100 medley relay team. his seven- to 17-year-old students at the Jewish His commitment to his Jewish heritage sealed his community center. ® decision to participate in the .Maccabiah when "I got into competitive swimming because I saw A v other American athletes, concerned by the ongoing Lenny on TV winning at the Olympics, and he E Israeli-Palestinian violence, decided to drop out became my role model," says Michael Sheinin, a 14and stay home. . year-old sophomore at Los Angeles' Fairfax High Krayzelburg's decision was particularly noteworthy School. "He talks to us, not only about swimming, because it forced him to skip the World but about the importance of discipline and motivaChampionships in Japan, which will be taking place tion," added Sheinin, who'll compete in the U.S. at the same time as the Maccabiah. He acknowledges Junior Maccabiah in July. that the decision to go to Israel wasn't an easy one Aviva Brandes is 10, attends Maimonides and that he first satisfied himself that the best possi- Academy, a Los Angeles Jewish day school, and ble security arrangements were in place. specializes in the demanding butterfly stroke. At his parents' house, his father supported his "Lenny is very friendly, and he explains things decision, while his mother opposed it. very clearly," she said. "There is something special "I felt that at this point in my career, people are about him that inspires you."
July 6, 2001
SYNAGOGUES
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
CANDLEUGHTSNG
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-Member.of ..United' Synagoffue
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7o^ea>s^^ ...iOmaha/NE SUMMER SCHEDULE From July 6 through August 31, Shabbat evening services will be held at 5:30 p,m. This summer the study topic will be "Learning About Our Values and Ways Through Jewish Humor." Shabbat morning services will begin each Saturday at the usual hour of 10:30 a.m.
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. West Minyan at the home of David and Janet Kohll, 107 S. 128 Plz, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m.; Free Babysitting begins at 10 a,m. and runs through the FRIDAY: Shabbat service, 5:80 p.m. Rabbi conclusion of services; Kiddush lunch is sponsored Aryeh Azriel and Cantor Wendy Shermet will offi- in honor of Dr. Richard Buck by his friends; Rabbi's ciate, Rabbi Azriel will give the sermon, topic being class, 8:05 p.m.; Mincha, 8:35 pan.; Havdalah, "Laughing at Ourselves: The Origins of Jewish 9:50 p.m. Humor." SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. and 8:45 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. and 8:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Bagels and Bible, 0:80-10:15 sum. TUESDAY: Talmud class with Rabbi Kutner, Please join us as we begin our study of the Book of 7:30 p.m. Lamentations. Services, 10:30 a.m« WEDNESDAY: Annual Elections Meeting, 7:80 pan* SITTER SERVICE LECTURE Available for Shabbat services Friday evening Tuesday, J u l y 17, 4 p.m.: Rabbi Shraga and Saturday morning, as well as Sunday mornKaufman will lecture at the JGC. Rabbi Kaufman ings when there is Religious School. Please make is the Midwest Regional Kashrut Supervisor for reservations through the Temple office. Goat is $2 the Orthodox Union. His topic will be how modern per family. There are no facilities for infants, technology effects the world of kashrut. Rabbi ADULT EDUCATION Kaufman's lecture is co-sponsored by the VAAD WEDNESDAY, July 11: Midrashah, 10-taoon. HaKaahrut of Omaha. OUTDOOR SUMMER SERVICE Friday, July 18, 6 p.m,; The evening begins at CONGREGATION B'NAI JESHURAN the Frohm Pavillion at the JOG, with a bring-yourSOUTH STREET TEMPLE own picnic supper, followed by a worship service IYU'IIIIHT ol'lht! Union <>!'American llcliicw led by Rabbinic intern Danny Young and Michael Walts. A sitter will be provided for young children. ; 20(»l S..2(Hh;St.,; .Linculn.iNE «8.502-27»7; An alternative indoor service will be held at Temple Israel at 5:80 p.m. ' officiated by (-unlor Michael Wcisscr. FRIDAY: .Sabbath Kvo aorvicr, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Tnruh Study, 10 A.m.-noon MONDAY: Adult Ilobrow SLu<ly/Movi««, 7 p.m. TOKSDAY: Ocmvprnion class, 7-8:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: AA Meatinir, library, 7:30 p.m.
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B'NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynstei'St., Council Hluil's, IA
51503-0760 Phone: 322-4705 e-mail: .<lbcjcb@noi.cuni FRIDAY: Services, 7:80 p.m. Discussion topic will be "Can Liberty and Orthodoxy co-exist?" Oneg Shabbat and kidduah will follow.
••l8(i«So. 120th.St.,'Omaha, NE 6814'M(M6 Phone: 330-1800 E-MAlL-chahad@aol.eoin WEBSITE: www,ehaha<lcc*ntefs.c'oin/omaha Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katznian. MONDAY-FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m, SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m., SUNDAY: Services, 8:80 a.m. MONDAY: Genesis Lunch Series, 1J:45 a.m.1p.m. TUESDAY: A Tale of Two Souls, &80-11 a.m.; Bais Medrash, 7 p.m,
FRIDAY: Services, 7 p.m., led by Nancy Rips. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m., led by Andrew Greenberg. All services are followed by Kiddush. A memorial, in memory of residents who have died during the month, is held on the last sabbath of each month.
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B'NAI MITZVAH Scott Nye Hoffman* son of former Omahans , Shuron and Rick Rof'f'juan, bocaitu1 a Bar Milv.vah on Saturday, <Jum> 1G, ^' at Tcmplo Beth El in Flint, MI. An honor student | at Carman Ains! worth Junior High, | he enjoys swimming \ : on the school team, i computers, theater, and sports, especially soccer. b'or hi$ Mitzvah project, he collected children's books for Mott Children's Health Center. Scott host a slater, Srmih. Grandparents are Curt und Marge Nyc of Omaha, Maria Roffman-Ruback and Paul Ruback, and the late Elaine and Selwyn Hoffman.
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Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-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. Beth El celebrates its 10th Anniversary in its current home with special readings, memorabilia and a unique version of Paalm 30. Kiddush sponsored by Beth El in honor of the Littky Family; Mishnah study session with Rabbi Drazen, 8:25 p.m., followed by Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah, 8:55 pjm. in the Chapel. SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel, Join us every day for breakfast. FREE SITTER SERVICE Available every shabbat morning from 10 am. to the conclusion of services. This program is funded by the Early Childhood Development Committee and welcomes children ages 18 months-kindergarten. ADULT EDUCATION Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class will meet July 11, 7:80 p.m» Participants continue their studies with Rabbi Drazen and Cantor Barkovite.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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July 6,2001
Dry Bones
Being Jewish in America
Steven Spielberg's newest film, A.I., features a cartoon character version of Albert Einstein called Dr. Know. State of Grace, a new show airs on the Fox Family channel depicting the friendship between two preteens, one Catholic, one Jewish. Television personality Chef Emeril Lagasse uses the words schmeer and schpritz. What would they do without us? Aside from the humorous aspects of Jewish life which have crept on to the screen (big and little), Jews have made a big impact on America. It's no longer unusual to find Jews as .CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, playing basketball for the NBA or even running on a national ticket for Vice-president. While anti-Semitism does still exist in America (as evidenced by last summer'.s shooting.at the JCC in Northridge, CA), it's rare. What is growing is the intolerant attitude toward immigrants (especially Hispanics and Asians) and toward homosexuals. One day, perhaps, we'll write a similar editorial noting how infrequent those incidents have become. The atmosphere today is welcoming and even embracing of Jews. (As Dennis Prager,
the radio show host and author has noted, one reason assimilation has increased is because we're being "loved" out of existence by our non-Jewish neighbors.) As Jews, we have influenced America, but America has also had a major impact onus. However, the percentage of Jews in the American population has shrunk from 2.2% 20 years ago to below 1.7%. Neither the immigration of Jews,from the former Soviet Union nor the high birthrate in the observant Jewish communities has made up for more single Jews, a lower-than-replacement birthrate and assimilation among the rest of us. So, besides grilling outdoors and watching fireworks, what did you do to celebrate Fourth of July? Anyone have a family discussion of being Jewish in America? Did World War II veterans share stories, letters home and photographs with their grandchildren? Who rented Saving Private Ryan
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or The Patriot"?
Jewish Genealogists Gather to Decipher What's Behind a Name by BILL GLADSTONE
TORONTO (JTAWewish genealogists are looking for more than just names of ancestors. "Now we want all sorts of historical, cultural, sociological and anthropological perspectives to help illuminate our family backgrounds," said Saiil Issroff, a co-chair of the 21st International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, which will be held in London from July 8-13. The conference, held last year in Salt Lake City and in New York in 1999, expects to attract as many as 800 participants. Topics will include Jewish carpets; tracing the genetic line of King David from ancient to modern times and the pattern of cousin marriages within the House of Rothschild. While many attendees will be learning how to trace the noble lineages of barons and kings, others will be busy discovering ways to find their families' lost "black sheep" through the use of FBI files, prison records, police crime reports and other sources. Participants also can learn about the Jewish role in Britain's industrial revolution and the use of genealogical techniques to trace looted cultural property in the Nazi era. • "It's a much wider range of speakers and topics than offered by any previous conference," noted Issroff, adding that the program places special emphasis on Sephardic sources, Anglo-Jewry, genetics and Jewish migration. "It's amazing that interest among Jews in tracing their family trees went from hundreds of people in the early 1980s to tens of thousands of people today," said Gary Mokotoff, a former president of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, which boasts some 85 member societies worldwide. (Continued on page 5)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: His name was Ofir Rahum. For his sake, I wish I had never heard of him. Perhaps it would mean he were still alive. Ofir lived in the Israeli town of Ashkelon; he was 16 and had an enormous passion for the Internet. Through this passion, Ofir built and maintained a web page and spent countless hours in chat rooms, In one of those chat rooms, he met and befriended a woman named "Sali." She led Ofir to believe that she was an American tourist living near Jerusalem, a lie that allowed Ofir to trust her and pursue a deeper relationship that drove him to become obsessed with meeting his new exciting online love. "Sali" wasn't an American tourist. She was Amneh Muna, a Palestinian reporter for a local newspaper in the West Bank city of Ramallah, and a member of the Fatah. She is 25, but told Ofir that she was 23. Ofir was excited that an older woman was interested in meeting him. On Jan. 17, Ofir skipped school and boarded a bus for Jerusalem. Muna met him at the central bus station and drove him into Ramallah. At a predetermined location, Muna stopped the car and got out. Before Ofir could react, three masked men set upon the car and demanded that Ofir get out. When Ofir refused to leave the car, they shot him 15 times in the chest, killing him. I read Ofir's story about a month ago and can't seem to get him out of my mind. He enters my thoughts while I work, while I golf, while I sleep. There have been thousands killed in the Middle East. Why has Ofir's story affected me so dramatically? I don't even pretend to understand the conflict in the Middle East. I've never been to the Middle East. I'm not Jewish. Ofir's story has overwhelmed and consumed me. Since reading his story, I've spent a lot of time trying to understand, not only the conflict, but "the hate. I can't comprehend how anyone could look into the face of a 16-year-old boy, and then allow their hate to follow through with their plan to kill him, Muna didn't, even hate Ofir; she hated that he was Israeli and Jewish. (Founded in 1920)
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Carol Katzman
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As the United States enters its 225th year as an independent democratic state, and the most powerful in the world, we hope our place in American society is assured and that, as Jews, and Americans, we have reason to celebrate, too.
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Editor-in-Chief Maureen LaPour Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Barbara Frankel Rocky Stern Sales representatives Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Jen dates Production Assistant George Schapiro Volunteer
Ofir's parents said that the Internet killed their son, but it goes so much deeper than that. Ofir was killed by hatred —hatred that started decades before he was born, nurtured like a child, fed and allowed to grow. Again, I can't even pretend to understand what is happening in the Middle East. What I do understand though is that any conflict that perpetuates this kind of hatred can't be worth the price. People aren't dying for reasons or causes, they're just dying. One web page I visited stated, "This peace process is killing us." Ofir Rahum's death may never have meaning unless it serves as a catalyst for peace. Only in a state of peace, cooperation, understanding and detente will Ofir and all of the other victims of the Middle East conflict finally rest. Chuck Tracy To the Editor: The Jewish Press is read in our household more avidly than ever before. Your latest issue about the perfidy and murderous intentions of Israel's foes was especially illuminating. I have long held that there will never be a real peace between Israel and the Arab world, that there may well be another bloody and terrible conflict, that people who are taught from infancy to hate cannot change, that it will take a whole generation or two to do so, and that is the unhappy fact of life in the Near East. I think the best we can hope for is a strong Israel, with the support of the United States. No one else cares, really. The underlying culture of the rest of the world is that if Jews and Arabs keep killing each other, maybe the world will get rid of them both. But that is a simple mind set of many, many people and, even though unrealistic, it's there. We are all so busy taking care of our own lives and trying to stay around as long as we can that we just don't find the time to worry about others. And when we do, it becomes so terribly frustrating to realize we can't do much, most of us give it up. You are our link to "home." Keep up the good work. Norm Harris San Diego, CA
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Joanie Jacobson, Vice-Ghairman; Penny Endelman, Secretary; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Lloyd Roitstein, Immediate Past-chairman; Elyeo Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duiteh; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Bobbi Leibowitz; Howard K. Marcus; Lindu Saltzman; Howard Sillier; Amee Zetzman; George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member). Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omiitm or the Omnlm Jewish Community as a whole. This dtnvitih t'r««8 reserve,* the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not roMjumsibli! for the Kashnrth of any product or establishment.
July 6,2001
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
Observant lowan Hopes Tolerance Can Survive Divisive Town Election by JENNIFER NARDINI
—
POSTVILLE, Iowa (JTA)-Aaron Goldsmith is back where he started— on a city council in a seat that was given to him, challenged by some of his neighbors in this small town and finally returned by voters. The embattled councilman, a Lubavitch Chasid, endured months of gossip and a flurry of anti-Semitic hate mail while trying to hold on to his seat. But on April 24, the voters of Postville, Iowa, came out in force to show their support for the town's first Jewish council member. Nearly 52 percent of Postvillo's 1,047 registered voters cast ballots during the special election, choosing' Goldsmith by a comfortable 325-216 margin. "It's amazing. Usually we get about five percent coming out for a council vote," Postville Mayor John Hymau said. Why all the interest? Goldsmith became tine center of a political controversy the likes of which this small farm town had never seen. It all started Dec. 26, 2000, when the city council, by a 4-1 vote, appointed Goldsmith to fill a ' midterm vacancy. Soon after the appointment, Postville retiree Arlin Schager circulated a petition challenging' Goldsmith's right to the seat. Echoing some townsfolk who said officeholders should be elected rather than appointed, Schager said citizens should "decide for theniHelves who they wanted for n council person." The petition forced u special election in which Salinger's daughter, Tracey Schngor-who had hoped to be appointed to the seat—ran against Goldsmith. The days after the election, Goldsmith says now, brought a sense of relief. "Neighbors got back to being neighbors again, and there was a bounce in everyone's step," he said. "People said the air just felt friendlier." Today, Jews and gentiles alike stop Goldsmith on the street to shake his hand and say they're glad he won. And the support wasn't limited to Postville. "I got a flood of international calls from some very influential rabbis, who told me that the positive impact of this election is being felt worldwide," Goldsmith said, pointing to framed articles about him on his wall. Diversity is a new buzzword for Postvillo, whose 2001 census showed
a 54 percent jump in ethnic populations from 10 years ago, the largest increase in Iowa. The town was primarily white and Christian until 1988. Then a kosher meat packing plant opened, bringing Hasidic families to the rural region-along with job-seeking immigrants from Mexico, Eastern Europe, the Philippines and elsewhere. Hyman welcomed Goldsmith's addition to the council, saying, "he's an incredible asset for us, for our diverse population, and it did my heart good to see that the people of Postville agreed." The election gained national attention as the town polarized around questions of race and religion. Some saw Postville's Jews as standoffish,while others considered the townspeople bigoted. The town already had been the subject of widespread outside attention, including a book by University of Iowa professor Stephen Bloom, In Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America, Bloom contended that the Hasids' insular ways don't "work at all in a tiny, cohesive town of 1,500, where people depend on one another to survive." As for Goldsmith, he's glad to be able to get back to city business and his own company, Transfer Master Products, which manufactures adjustable beds. One of (JoJd.smith'n goals is helping PosfcvUle's immigrants move toward owning their own businesses and homos. "I want to see this town revitalized, by not only welcoming these people to town but helping them to make the next stop-taking pride in their part in the. community," he said,. All is calm in Postville.'now,, but the divisiveness could return as the November general election nears, Goldsmith is undecided about whether he'll seek the full term. "I'm taking it a day at a time right now," he said. "This whole process took a big toll on me." For now, he said, "the only goal I have is to finish what I started — energizing the city and moving it forward." One thing's for certain: Regardless of whether Goldsmith sets foot in the political arena again, this election will leave its mark on both him and Postville for years to come. "We were just this nothing little town, and then all of a sudden it was like struggling for and then winning the World Series," he said. "It's a victory everyone can be proud of."
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Genealogy is available at: wwwjewi8hgeii.org/Londoii200iy. (Editor's note: more information about tracing family history is available through the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. The staff can provide local information as well as e~ mail addresses and websites of interest. Call the NJHS at 334-6441 or visit the office and new Belzer Gallery on the campus of the Jewish Community Center.) .
Page 5
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What's in a Name The first conference in 1981 attracted about 75 people, he says. The growth of the Internet is responsible for some of this tremendous growth since then, he added. As publisher otAvotaynu, a leading journal of Jewish genealogy, Mokotoff began issuing a free monthly news bulletin over the Internet about two years ago. Its subscription list now exceeds 6,000 names. More information about the 21st International Conference on Jewish
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 6, 2001
INfHENE^S
A*
Some Toys Are Better Than Others!
Michael Kricsfeld graduated with Leo Hill was presented the "Heart high honors from the University of of the Arts Award" for his contributions to various organizations in Miami in May with a double major in Lincoln. Hill was president of the psychology and marketing. He is the Lincoln Symphony and has served on son of Cheryl Kricsfeld and Dr. Barry its foundation board. He has narrated Kricsfeld. musical works for the symphony, the University of Nebraska and the St. Michelle Lee, daughter of David Paul Chamber Orchestra and has and Sheryl Lee, graduated summa provided a student scholarship to the cum laude and with university honors UNL School of Music. from American University in In addition, Hill has served as pres- Washington, D.C., in May. She ident of the former Broadway Theater earned a BA in history with a minor League and was on the board _ of the in communications and was a memLincoln Community Playhouse and ber of Phi Alpha Theta history honor has appeared in more than 10 produc- society, Golden Key International tions. He currently volunteers as an honor society and Phi Beta Kappa. usher at the Lied Center, a poetry reader in Lincoln Public Schools and Taylor Sanford, daughter of'Vicki a reading mentor for Head Start. and Mark Sanford, completed her third season as a competitive gymMichael Fineman, son of Glen nast, Level 7 (out of 10) for the 2001 and Hollie Fineman, was named to season. She placed third at the the spring semester Dean's List at Premier Invitational, fourth at the the University of Minnesota by earn- Gymquarters Invite in St. Louis and ing a 3.67 grade point average or second at Gym Trek in Lincoln. Her lugher. He will be a sophomore in the best finish was at the All-American Carlson School of Management, Invitational in Boise, ID, where she placed first. The season culminated majoring in International Business. with the Nebraska State Meet in Lincoln, where she finished third.
Talking History Features Incidents of the Past by the JEWISH PRESS News Service The Talking History program airs on KIOS-FM every Monday at 10 a,m. and will feature these programs in July: July 9: Introduced by William Leuchfccnburg, Editor of American Places, this features an interview with James Cobb on Normandy, July 16: John Demos will speak about Fenway Park; Jules Tygiel will
comment on Polo Grounds. July 28: Kenneth Jackson will be interviewed on Main Street, Memphis; Joel Williamson will discuss Graceland. July 80: An interview with T.H, Breen will explore the Barre Monument; Kevin Starr will comment on the Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood.
BIRTHS Leslie and Brian Eades announce the May 31 birth of their son,
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Carter Benjamin (Tzvi Barukh), named after his late great-greatgrandmother, Celia Schwartz, and great-aunt, Beth Golbitz Adams. Grandparents are Darlene and Sherman Golbitz and Shari and Robert Eades Jr., all of Omaha. Great-grandparents are Cecily Golbitz of Pittsburgh and the late William Golbitz, Faye and Howard Ruback of Omaha, Millie and Robert Eades Sr. of Sunrise Beach, MO, the late Eva and Louis Roth, and the late Louis (Labie) Zaremberg.
Elyza Richmon Halev and Jeff Spinner Halev of Lincoln announce the June 2 birth of their daughter, Shoshana Sivaji, named in memory of her paternal great-grandfather, Shlomo Gordner, maternal greatgrandfather, Sidney (Shlomo) Weitzman, and great-aunt, Esther Segal. Shoshana has a brother, Avishai, 5, and sister, Davida, 3. Grandparents are Arlene and Harry Richman of Omaha and Mildred and Ed Rosenbaum of Southfield, MI, and the late David Spinner.
OLDtlMERS/VliS REVIEW by ART GROSSMAN •
;
Renowned American poet Joyce Kilmer said it: "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree." J. Sterling Morton, farmer, lawyer, journalist and, as United States Secretary of Agriculture, did. In 1854, he set out from Michigan with his bride for the Nebraska Territory. Near Nebraska City, he built a home, which in time would be called Arbor Lodge, and started planting trees. They were the first of tens of thousands which the Morton family would plant. Morton founded Arbor Day in 1872, now observed by many states on the last Friday in, April. That information was provided to us last month by Chris Aden, General Manager of
Arbor Day Farm and Lied Conference Center, designated a National historic Landmark, The Early Bird discussion keyed in on recent columns by retired Omaha World-Herald publisher Harold W. Andersen in which he emphasized the blame placed on Israel by most foreign governments for the problems in the Middle East. He later wrote he had anticipated the critical reaction by Jewish readers. Of course! His research was lacking in true facts, not the propaganda of Israeli adversaries. We paused in reverent respect for Sally Mayper and Melvin Bornstein. Shalom.
July 6,2001
Y.E.S, Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10:15 a.m. with Eileen Reiner, or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 aan. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk" at 11 a.m.. Following lunch at noon, Mary Fellman will speak about her recent trip to Europe and Israel and the current activities of the Historical Society. For transportation, call 330-4272. Reminder: Mah Jongg Club will meet July 11 in room 5 at the JCC. For information, call Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5658. Deadlines for reservations is July V2 for Harveys Casino on July 19; July 19 for Hot Dog Lunch and "Remembering When" with Lois Wine on July 26.
WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going on the Mystery Trip on Thursday, please meet at the JCC at 9:45 a.m. For transportation, call Maggie Conti at 334-6521.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NB
Page 7
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OMAHA CENTER FOR TORAH LEABNNG
Saturday, July 14, 6 p.m., Rabbi Shlomo Levin hosts a class on the weekly Torah portion at his home, 2001 N. 56th. Monday, July 16, 7 p.m., "Jewish prayer for women", is hosted by Carol Katzman at her home, 9151 Harney. Tuesday, J u l y 17, 7 p.m., Beit Midrash continues at Chabad. Wednesday, July 18, noon, Lunch '» Learn meets at the Federation Library. T h u r s d a y , J u l y 19, 7 p.m., VISIONS Talmud, Tractate Sukka, hosted by Reminder: Visions and Thirty-nine Bob and Myra Oberman, 710 J.E. Forever Mixer Picnic is Sunday, George. July 8, 12:30-4 p.m., at Chalco Hills For more information, please contact Recreation Area. Rabbi Levin at 551-1564.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Wildlife artist D. Arthur Wilson will appear at Heller Art Images, 757 No. 114th, July 13-14, as part of his national traveling exhibit. View his unique pastel application at an artist reception at 6 p.m. on July 13. The show continues on July 14, 10 a.m.5 p.m. Selected works will be on sale prior to his visit to Omaha through the month of July.
It's Pets' Week at the O m a h a Children's Museum, July 16-22. Children will be able to paint their faces like their favorite animal, make a toy for their pet, design a doghouse and make a paw print picture. For museum hours and membership information, call 342-6164. The OCM is located downtown at 500 So. 20th St.
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tional law experts and a former U.S. envoy to the Middle East under President Reagan. The film was punctuated by the assertion of Princeton international law Professor Richard Falk that Sharon is "indictable" for war crimes. Israeli officials immediately protested to the BBC, denouncing the program as "unfair, distorted and intentionally hostile" -- with a whiff of the BBC's "well-known anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias." The BBC and Keane stood by the broadcast. In an interview with JTA, Falk clarified his comments. "All the evidence I saw would make him indictable to those crimes, but not necessarily convictable," Falk said of Sharon. "That's an important distinction. Everyone's entitled to a fair trial." Falk drew on historical precedent. "One of the things that Nuremberg and the Tokyo trials after World War II made very clear," he said, "was that a general or political official is responsible for the conduct of military operations under his command. So that means if he fails to exercise sufficient control over those operations, that person is criminally responsible for the harm that is done." But Baker, from Jerusalem, countered that "the Nuremberg tribunal was intended to deal with Nazi war criminals. The mere fact that a fellow like that could draw such a comparison indicates the depth to which someone will go to incite against Israel," Falk, who is himself Jewish, already was familiar to Israeli officials: he was one of three members of a fact-finding team dispatched in February by the Geneva-based U.N. Commission on Human Rights to document Israel's "excessive" use offeree against Palestinian attackers — a conclusion it reached even before the investigation began. The resulting U.N. report, said Michael Colson, executive director of the Geneva-based U.N. Watch, was "one of the most frightening things I've ever seen come out of the U.N., with Israel guilty of every sin imaginable," All of which leads Baker to conclude that "when things were going well last year, everyone was happy with Israel. But as soon as problems arose, and the Palestinians decided they didn't want to negotiate anymore, we revert back to 15 years ago, where the name of the game is delegitimization of Israel and its basis for existence."
Lisa Shkolnick to Participate in Leadership Seminar by JEWISH PRESS NEWSSERVICE
——
Lisa Shkolnick, JCC Assistant Executive Director, has been selected to participate in the annual Sherman Seminar for Emerging Professionals at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, in July. This year the focus will be on Leadership And Change: The Professional Challenge. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss issues of their own professional growth and development.
The Sherman Seminar is conducted by the Hornstein Program's Continuing Education Institute, It brings together Jewish communal service professionals from all over North America who have displayed exceptional promise as Jewish communal leaders. Participants, who are selected based on the potential they have displayed for significant professional growth, are chosen from a larger group of nominees by a selection committee of Hornstein faculty. The yearly seminar is made possible through the generosity of Norton Sherman and the George and Beatrice Sherman Family Charitable Trust, which provides full scholarships for all of the participants.
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NJHS to Host Annual Meeting (Continued from page 1) "•"~~"~"'""' •"•""" • « ' • -—"•— installed with longtime board member Louise ing of video-oral history interviews with communiAbrahamson stepping up as President. ty members. Also, recently installed is a new comThe Historical Society is IS years old and has puter system that will help archive their collection moved into new quarters at the JOG, which include and possibly make it available over the internet the beautiful, newly-dedicated Belzer Gallery as from your home in the future. Their list of future well as a new controlled storage area and office projects includes online genealogy (family trees), a space. NJHS continues to help preserve the histo- history of rabbis in Omaha, and documentation and ry of Jews in our Midwest area and welcomes any exhibit of area cemeteries. historical items that the community wishes to con"It is truly an exciting time with lots of new tribute. Visitors can browse the many exhibits in things happening," Belgrade added. "Everyone is the halls at the JCC and explore the restored welcome and encouraged to attend this special Kapuliur Shul at the Riekes Museum. evening's honors." Call the Historical Society at The NJHS also publishes periodic journals and 334-6441 with any questions about this event or newsletters. Another ongoing project is the record- projects of the NJHS.
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• Nine Israelis were treated for shock after two car bombs blew up Monday in the Israeli town of Yehud, which is located near Ben-Gurion Airport. Israeli police said each of the cars had been rigged with nail bombs. • The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for Monday's car bombings in Yehud, saying it was retaliating for an Israeli helicopter attack late Sunday in which three members of Islamic Jihad were killed, Israeli security sources said the car the three were traveling in was packed with explosives that were going to be used in an attack against Israeli targets. • Israeli jets broke the sound barrier over Beirut on Monday, following an Israeli air strike on a Syrian position in Lebanon and an exchange of cross-border fire with Hezbollah gunmen. Witnesses heard sonic booms in Beirut, while others saw Israeli jets circling over the southern city of Tyre. The supersonic flights, seen as a warning, came after a series of strikes and counter strikes that began with a Hezbollah rocket attack last Friday that wounded two Israeli soldiers, one of them seriously. • Under a new measure weaving its way through Congress, President Bush soon may be forced to determine whether the Palestine Liberation Organization is complying with its requirement to combat terrorism. The foreign aid package, currently being debated in the House, includes language that would require the president to make a declaration about how well the Palestinian Authority is complying with its peace agreements with Israel, and possibly impose sanctions on the PLO. Because the language is included in the foreign aid proposal, it has a much better chance of becoming law than similar efforts earlier this year. "We put in very strong language that sends a very clear message" to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, said Rep. Nita Lowey CDNY). "We feel that this language was exactly what wan needed." • McDonald's apologized and pulled a new ad rnmpaign in KfOTl. sifter the American Jewish Cioiumitl.t'c demanded it bo withdrawn bocsui.Ht1 il foaturod a popular singer who promoter hatred of Israel. Sinf.er Hha'ubnn Abdt>lR;ihin>, who is feu lured in 1 h<> ad, hit the (op of the Kf'yptiuu. cliarls with Iris HUU»,, "1 Hnte Israel."
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JTANEVyS BRIEFS • Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, one of the founders of the Reconstructionist movement, died June 28 near Washington at the age of 94. Eisenstein was a close confidant of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionism, and was the main founder and first president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, the movement's rabbinical seminary. The Reconstructionist movement, which now has about 100 congregations in North America, says the Jewish experience is based on more than tradition. Reconstructionism, as defined by Kaplan and Eisenstein, sees Judaism as a civilization that is constantly evolving. His wife, Judith, who died in 1996, became in 1922 the first woman to have a Bat Mitzvah. She was Kaplan's daughter.
9
• A U.S. House, of Representatives committee approved a bill opening government programs to religious charities, a major component of President Bush's faith-based initiative. Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee rejected amendments meant to ensure that minority religions are not discriminated against and that programs cannot engage in employment hiring discrimination.
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• Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat said he would not crack down, on radical groups whose leaders have not endorsed the current ceasefire. "I am not looking for llamas or Islamic Jihad or any other party," Arafat said. "We respect all parties."
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• More than 500 members of Swiss Jewish youth groups held a rally Sunday night in Bern to show solidarity with Israel, The demonstrators called on the Swiss media to stop running stories about the Middle East crisis that have an anti-Isrnd bias.
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*A British court is considering Holocaust denier David Irving's request to appeal his defeat last; year in a libel suit he* brought ngmust nn American scholar, tn a highly publicized case in London last year, Irving lost his lawsuit against Deborah Lipstadt and her publisher, Penguin Books, who had accused him of being a Holocaust denier. In what was a crushing defeat for Irving, Britain's High Court ruled in April 2000 that he was a racist who had deliberately misrepresented and distorted historical evidence about the Holocaust. The court found that Irving had portrayed Hitler in a favorable light for ideological reasons. Irving was ordered at the time to pay Lipstadt's legal costs, estimated at nearly $3 million. The ruling ruined him financially. Irving, 63, is now requesting permission to appeal the verdict. Under the British legal system, the right to appeal is not automatic in all cases. living's written request for an appeal had already been rejected, but he was granted the right to an oral request. The Court of Appeal is expected to decide by the end of July whether to grant the appeal. • Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid told a meeting of leaders of Australia's major religious communities that he has "learned very much from Judaism." Wahid, a Muslim, made his comments during a meeting last month with the leaders, who included representatives of. the Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths. He said that oim of his closest friends had "taught him the history of the Holocaust and of the Diaspora experience. I cried together with him," he added, before criticizing "Saddam's madness"~a reference to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein-and the mistreatment of Jewish minorities in Arab countries. Wahid, who was a leader in international interfaith dialogue prior to his election in 1.999, told the group that the essence of Islam is to respect other faiths and that the Koran teaches that human beingH are made into tribes in order to learn from ench other, not to kill ouch other. AH the political leader of tlio worlds most populous Muslim nation. Wahid KlroBsed iliat Indonesia could only iuuctiun as u healthy society whtu Islam is noiipolitical »^d mm ideolotficul, but functions as a I'odi* of nunriiHl.y.
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Page 10
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 6, 2001
Maccablah &the Internet by MARK MIETKIEWICZ ——
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Sixty-nine years ago, a few hundred Jewish athletes met to compete in a unique sporting event in Palestine, the Maccabiah. Since then the Maccabiah has grown to become the premier sporting event for Jewish athletes~and has even become a showcase for future Olympic superstars. In addition to athletic excellence, the Maccabiah has also been associated with politics, controversy and tragedy. As Israel prepares to host next week,s 16th Maccabiah, we look at the games past and present on the World Wide Web. The best place to start is at the official Maccabiah website which paints a colorful picture of the games:www.maecabiah.org/etemplate.asp?cod e=21. The first Maccabiah games took place in Tel Aviv in 1932. The Games got off to a rousing start as Mayor Meir Dizengoff made an entrance into the stadium riding a white stallion. Those first games welcomed 390 from 18 countries. Here's a fascinating piece of history about the second Maccabiah in 1935: "In defiance of the British governments strict limitations on aliyah, many competitors took advantage of their being in the Holy Land and decided to stay. Such was the decision of the entire Bulgarian delegation, which unanimously decided to make aliyah and shipped their musical instruments back to Bulgaria instead of themselves." Over the years, the games have grown and have attracted some very talented though still unknown competitors. In 1965, an American swimmer named Mark Spitz won two gold medals in the pool. "The excitement of meeting Jewish athletes from around the world and sharing with them the universal spirit of sports competition was a matchless experience." www.maccabiusa.com/quotes.htinl By 1997, the Maccabiah hosted 5,500 athletes from 50 countries. But the 15th Maccabiah will always be remembered for the tragic accident that caused loss of life and numerous injuries..Four members of the Australian delegation were killed and some 70 others were injured when a footbridge collapsed as they walked over it to attend the! opening ceremony: www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/02/ 14/News/New8.21380.html. Four of the five officials found guilty of negligence for the bridge accident have been sentenced to prison terms. But Australia's participation in this year.s Maccabiah had been in doubt until Israel agreed to pay $4 million in compensation to Sasha Elterman. The Australian tennis player had been near death after ingesting a poisonous fungus in the polluted waters of the Yarkon River: wwwjpost.com/Editions/2001/06/26/LatestNew s/LatestNews-29114.html. Special memorial services will be held on Sunday prior to the opening ceremonies. As well, the official Maccabiah website has dedicated an area to the late Australian athletes with biographies of Yetty Bennett, Elizabeth Sawicki, Greg Small and Warren Zines: www.maccabiah.org/etemplate. asp?code=14. Despite Australia's attendance, this year's
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Maccabiah may see far fewer than the 5,000 athletes originally expected to attend. Because of unrest in Israel, this year's games were in doubt and were only confirmed after the United States delegation decided to attend. According to London's Jewish Chronicle, the American "about-face" and enormous pressure by the Israeli government convinced Britain and other countries to send delegations: www.thejc.com/Print.asp?Record=11351. Athletes attending this year's Maccabiah will compete in over 30 games and sports including triathlon, chess, wrestling, bridge and water polo. There are more than 50 countries invited and you can find links to many of the national Maccabi sites including pages for teams from Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Hungary and thei U.S.: www.maccabiah..org/etem.plate.asp?codeBl4. You can find more background at the Maccabi World Union website: www.maccabiworld.org/. (Editor's note: Look for results of the USA Maccabi Basketball Team with starting player Ben Jacobson, son of Nancy and David Jacobson of Omaha, and a sophomore at Lamar University in Texas.) While looking for photographs from previous Maccabiahs, I came across a wonderful website I hadn't seen before. The State of Israel's National Photo Collection has placed thousands of historic photos online. Just go to the Collection: www.mof.gov.il/pictures/defaulte.htm, type in a keyword like "Maccabiah" and you'll get some lovely results. (Try this site for just about any topic that interests you.) Although the Maccabiah may not have the international profile of other sporting events, some athletes appreciate it for the value its founders tried to instill. U.S. swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg won three gold medals in backstroke at the Sydney Olympics. Last December, he said that he planned to skip this month's World Swimming Championships in Japan just so that he could compete at , the Maccabiah: www.zipple.com/sports/20001228 jtnaceabiah,8 htm. In addition, he said that he plans to work with Jewish and immigrant children. "I may be wrong, but there might be, a perception that Jewish kids are not athletic. Maybe I can change that trend." That is probably just what Theodore Herzl had in mind a century ago: www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1997/ha'nukkah/maccabiah.games/. "Join together, young men, we need you. Train not only your spirit, but your muscles as well. Be strong and upright and study diligently. We shall need your strength and your knowledge. I believe that a new and wonderful generation of Jews shall arise in the country. The sons of the Maccabees will return to life!"
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July 6, 2001
Jewish Press, Omaha, NB
Page 11
Surprise! Benefit Raises More Than $100,000 by JEWISH PRESS News Service
•
For the past five years, songwriter Karen Sokolof Nebraska 2000, Jill Pennington. Javitch has been making music and at the same Omaha born John Beasley, who has been in the time raising money for various charities. Her latest Rudy, General's Daughter and The Apostle, sang production Surprise! raised more than $25,000 for his rendition of Javitch's original song, "There was the Alzheimer's Association and Prevent Blindness a Time." Nebraska. This money, along with last year's perNebraska quarterback Eric Crouch ran onto the formance, plus the funds raised from Princess stage with his football and performed his way Diana, the Musical, benefit shows of From through "I'm just an Ordinary Guy." Generation to Generation, and the Westside High The Surprise! CD made its debut at the opening School CD, Everything Happens at Westside, puts performance and includes a new Husker song, and her total at more than $100,000, which benefit songs performed by John Beasley and State local organizations. Senator David Landis. Dacia Jabenis, Dani Burr, "I am very lucky there are so many talented actors and Stan Widman also sing on this CD, which is and singers in Omaha," Javitch commented. "Judy available at Homers, Borders or by calling JMR Farber was the choreographer and did a great job, Productions at 393-3893. especially with the big tap dance number." Javitch has been working with Chuck Other community members featured in the recent Pennington of Mannheim Steamroller for more performances at the Jewish Community Center than a year on this CD, which was recorded at included Stan Widman, Elaine Jabenis, and Miss Wnrfi House Productions.
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Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
July 6,2001
Endowment Fund Will Perpetuate Sternhills5 Lives of Generosity
JFS Summer Series, Session One
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator -
% JEWISH PRESS News Service«
Even when she was in her 90's living at Twin Towers, 30th and Farnam in Omaha, Betty Sternhill took a bus to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs to work as a volunteer in the gift shop. She had volunteered at the hospital every week, compiling thousands of hours, and wasn't going to let her age or lack of private transportation prevent her from continuing. "She was a very dedicated person," said Maynard Telpner, a Council Bluffs attorney who knew Betty Sternhill and her husband, Dr. Isaac Sternhill,
humanitarism and in his memory, Mrs. Sternhill donated the funds for Mercy Hospital's first -ran. But as Telpner pointed out, athey were quiet people" who made financial contributions without seeking any recognition. In 1991, Betty Sternhill established an endowment fund with the Jewish Federation of Omaha, probably at the request of the late Jerry Rosen, who was endowment director at the time. The purpose of the fund is to support programs and activities for Jewish senior citizens. Howard Kaiman, Mrs. Sternhiirs nephew, recalled how lonely his aunt was ! after her husband died. Playing bridge at tlie ewish Community Center in Omaha helped to lighten • her loneliness. She stayed '•* T ie Rose Blumkin Jewish Hi le for awhile to reeuper. *•" from, a- heart attack. So semed natural, agreed >• • man and Vernon Stern. ., for Betty to set up a " n I to benefit senior pro- as that had offered her • ce. a addition to Vernon, | tne Sternhills have a ^daughter, Elaine Rayman, who lives in California. The family also includes Dr. Isaac and Betty Sternhill, 1963. gj^- grandchildren and one well. "She went to a lot of trouble to do things for great-grandchild. other people," Telpner added. When Betty Sternhill died last year, she left speDr. Sternhill, who immigrated to America from cific significant bequests in her will to the Romania and became a family practitioner in Hadassah Medical Organization, to the city of Council Bluffs, was "a beloved doctor," Telpner Council Bluffs for the maintenance of the park recalled. Having volunteered to serve in World War named after her husband, and B'nai Israel II, Dr. Sternhill is also remembered for being Synagogue, said Telpner. The remainder of her active in the Boy Scouts and in the B'nai B'rith estate, a considerable amount, was donated to lie Chapter in Council Bluffs. Known as a kindhearted Foundation of the Jewish Federation, according to man, Dr. Sternhill would treat patients who could- Mrs. Sternhill's wishes and will be added to the n't afford treatment, said Telpner. The city paid family's existing endowment for the benefit of the tribute to him after his death in 1974 by naming a " Jewish senior community, park in his honor. Barbara Gottlieb, Director of Jewish Senior Betty Sternhill, originally from Boston, was presi- Services, said the endowment income will continue dent of the Mercy Hospital Guild in 1954, a charter to be used "to bring in outside entertainment to member and president of the Council Bluffs enhance the quality of life of the residents" of the Hadassah Chapter and served the community in Rose BlumMn Jewish Home. She added that the numerous other ways. Both she and her husband fund helps in the staffs efforts to make life at the were active members of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Home "like being on a cruise." Council Bluffs. Dr. Sternhill served as president of Betty Sternhill didn't think of herself as a senior the synagogue and supported the Council Bluffs citizen even when she was in her 90's, reiterated United Jewish Appeal, according to their son, her friends and relatives. Instead, she spent much Vernon Sternhill, a semi-retired physician who lives of her life thinking of others. in Ann Arbor, MI. "Philanthropy was a major part of their lives," In addition to giving thousands of hours as volun- stated Vernon Sternhill. teers, the Sternhills contributed financially to vari"Now, thanks to the bequests in his mothers will, ous charities including Mercy Hospital where Dr. the Sternhills' generosity will enhance our senior Sternhill was on staff, civic groups, and several citizen community forever," said Marty Ricks, Jewish organizations. Proud of her husband's Jewish Federation Foundation Executive Director.
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"One out of eight women will develop breast cancer sometime during their lifetime.* This startling fact was presented to 17 men and women in attendance at the first session of the Jewish Family Service Summer Educational Series, "Breast Cancer Current Treatment ami Genetics."
'. * -'—' .
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•-i
From left: Gwen Reiser, a Certified Genetics Counselor with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Methodist Cancer Center, Karen Gustafson, JFS, and Dr. Stephen Lemon, a Medical Oncologist at the Methodist Cancer Prevention Center, discussed the advances that are being made in the treatment and detection of cancer.
The 198G*s were a period of marked increase in breast cancer. This was not due to an increase in the incidence of the cancer, but rather to £he technological advancements in mammograms and to an increase in fee number of women being tested. The presenters were asked specific questions about whether or not there is a higher incidence of breast cancer among the Ashkenazi Jews. Dr. Lemon has agreed to look into this issue further but had not found this to be true. Facts that were confirmed were that there tends to be a higher rate of genetic mutations on the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. A gene mutation is an alteration in the DNA. A woman who carries an inherited mutation in one of these two genes MAY HAVE a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer than women in the general population. In almost every ethnic, racial or geographic group, some genetic diseases are more common within the group than in the general population. Three BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations occur more frequently in .Ashkenazi Jews and are believed to have each originated with an ancestor who lived many centuries ago. Today, as many as one in 40 Ashkenazim carries one of the three specific mutations. For more information, contact JFS at 330-2024 to receive a brochure, or call Gwen Reiser at the Methodist Cancer Center at 35*4-5276, or UNMC at 559-4161,toinquire about the specifics of genetic testing. The next session in this series, Treatment and Anxiety, is on Tuesday, July 10, 7 p.m., in the JCC Social Hall. Presenter will be Stephanie Koraleski, Ph.D. from the Methodist Cancer Center therapy program.
Pit Stop By The Centra! Art Car Exhibit & Festival Saturday, July 21, 2001 11:Q0anM :00 pm
Mon-Fri 11-7; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5
74th & Pacific • 934-9304 • www.pacificfutons.com
Come feel the drive to create as art cars from across the nation make a pit stop at the Museum, View the moving works of art and meet the artists who have taken everyday airtos and made them into one-of-a-kind vehicles. We will also have activities inside the Museum where children can created their own art cars. Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday T;00 pm-5:00 pm 342-8164 www.ocm.org discover@ocn1.on3