PRESS
EJEWISH Vol.tXXX
No. 41
Omaha, HE
14ft¥»5?6t
August 3,200
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 80 YEARS
Leadership Organizes Annual Campaign
Co *jn»oa!«ons r- 3AV VONSKY. When the 2002 Federation Annual Campaign kicks off in afew-weeks. coinmunity members mill Y'*rk T'*"?.£•* ^ be introduced to someTo.ii Fried SB tri as thing fresh and s e w . keynote speaker^ The Jewish Federation of Together, this groap of Omaha has restructured ;; dedicated volunteers the volunteer leadership •; makes ap the Campaign of the Annual Campaign Leadership Teais, and in an effort to Involve will oversea all aspecss everyone in the Omaha of the Federation's Jewish community. Chairing t h e 2002 *TIB thrilled «o be a „»„. .? »v.-_ f--,r--,.*;«-« ~ Annual Campaign a r e J e r r y KoMl and J o a n i e Kaiman -J"a::Ie Kaim&n and Jerry Kohil, This is the first said Jeaiiie Kaiaian. A seasoned cania;*jru!y voltime in Federation history that a man and a unteer, Kaiisan has been involved with isc Jewish w~nan have served as General Campaign Co- Federation for many year? and recer.^y serwd as ?riairs- More emphasis is being put on specific seg- Women's Division Co-chair rr^ms of t h e community a a d each Campaign "There is an aiaaiiKj: energy tuinir.g fr«ra the Division has a volunteer chairperson. Campaign Leadership Team th-it is g?sr.g te alfse! These key Campaign leadership roles include the entire Jewish community."* Kaimasi e^ntina-ed. •^ttfve Xogg as Pacesetter Chairman; Men's "We've pulled together the most d*-eita*e€i Jewish ^'.iT.puigti Chair, Pete Brodkey; Jeanie Jacobson leaders from all sectors of our conanuaitv1 and ev*r>%',vt Patty Nogg as Women's Division Co-chairs; singie one of us is ready to deal with the i^fmrta.m >ii.rt3»I Miller and Susie Noddle Levine as Young issues fadng us ail. My personal goal is to meet with Leadership Co-chairs; and Mark and Kira every Center of Excellence Director to get ar overall .-' L"A3r*z as Super Sunday Co-chairs. picture of the needs for Omaha J*»ws~ Naicy and Harian Noddle, Danielle and Jeff Like Kaiman, Jerry KQMI also has the Ipadersh:p : i&rdnian and Murray and Sharee Newman are fCoatlaoed on page 14*
Former Omaten Jonathan to Speak on*Jews in Politics* Dr J^Jiatr JK 8«*j»sl#ai4rt; will s ; a t e a longawaited rettxrp vis-it to OKi-%fca to slisre Ms views "n ~.%bs*i*i*e Aeceptanc**. TJs«> Rj5» of Jews in .4ra?ric.in Poljii^s." c s T b a r s d a y , Aag» 9 , 7:36 fU3«-, at th* -ICC The ev«nt is fee and ofiesi Earlier «J the ilay. S'B^J B*ritfc will feature Dr. Ro9et&au*n OR a ent topic, *%*b«a Ardbeoti^y aad the Tfeet .GoBide: The Bible as History." Hie Lunch* n Leant, st^irtiag a t a o s a la tkm aattitsrioiB of tfae ^ ^ » Bluiskia Jewiglt Hooie, .is spea to sit* ceous waiter a t a c«s? ©f fS |jer Resef%*at»es can be lasd* fee callmf Lms at 334-64d. *Hi#r« is 00 charge for Bttuolua remdeuts. feut jt=««-i-i*ali©as are i Dr E o s e n b s c m , s nattonaiiy rece^aiied educator, scholar a a d r. has serred Qra%z College in saberb a a PfiiirKleiphls, t h e iadepertieat. Jewish studies is the From 19T6 10 1SS6, was a faculty member at t/NG.
R«eeat»«uaj
Record Number of Participants to Attend 2001 JCC Maccabi Games ty JEWISH PRESS News Service , ., New York—This summer, a record number of -Jewish teens from all over t h e U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel, Great Britain, Poland, Australia, Venezuela and Argentina will take part in the Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games. More than 8500 participants, plus parents and professional staff, will travel to Atlanta, Sarasota, Miami, Philadelphia and the New Jersey shore this month to compete in a wide range of athletic events. A large contingent from Omaha will leave this Sunday for Sarasota, accompanied by the JCC Program Director Rachel Shkolnick. For an entire week, these young athletes will share in the fun of competing, the joy of meeting other Jewish peers and the pride of being part of a world-famous Olympic-style event filled with Jewish content and values. According to Lenny Silberman, JCC Association's Continental Director of the JCC Maccabi Games, Tor many of these athletes, coming to the Games means getting in touch with their own Judaism for the first time; the JCC Maccabi Games are about sport competition, but also about Jewish heritage, Jewish culture and our connection to Israel. "Over the years," Silberman continued, "we've seen a number of our athletes and coaches—who might have never thought of going to Israel beforedecide to join a JCC Maceabi Experience Israel Program (JMaX) and travel to the Je%vish homeland, inspired by their involvement with t h e Games. When this happens, when people connect to Israel, one of the central missions of the Games is fully accomplished." It takes a lot of enthusiasm and collaboration to make the JCC Maceabi Games the unique, unforgettable week it represents in every participant's (Continued o n page 14)
Omaha is sending 31 teens to Sarasota on Sunday for the 2001 Maecaiji Games front roue, from left: Dustin Lepp, Ryan Blumkin, Kim Pitlor, Lauren Freeman, Jon Lerner; middle row: Brad Abramson, Harris Brand, AByce Brand, Anna Turetsky, David Martin, Alex Wolf, JCC Program Director Rachel Sfaukolniek; back row: tirtdsey Lovette, Stephanie Lovette, Jamie Lovette, Michelle Simon, Sasha Skolsky, Hannah WoLt Wotpictwmk Ben Epstein, Adam Gendelman, Ben Gerber, Emily Gordon, Corey Green, Lindsay Itkin, Kate Josephson, Matt Kelberg, Emily Muskin, David Phillips, Jacob Phillips and Rachel Taylon.)
INSIDE: Maecabiah Games Wrap-up "Where Are They Now?
_.pa^e 7 pages S-9
A Mountain of Paperc!ips...»... m ......page 10 Qmshan's View of Israel, P a r t IL,.page 15 > Parsow Family Creates FusscL-wM--..pBg« 16 ^
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 3, 2001
Real Achievement; MuStigetierationai HAMPTON INN • WESTROADS * 391-5300 Free Local Calls Free Passes lo Omaha Athletic Club Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast 7 Days • 6-10 a.m.
<3C. ^'ree Showtime. CNN, IJSPN, 1 WCN.STNT O,C>. In room MovU's Available -iV- Ue.iutiful fliivsl Rnrms For t /M - ' Vour HarAInt Mitavah & Wedding Guestf
9720 WEST OODG£ ftCMD • GROUP & CORPORATE RATES
Let JoeJohH Help -Build Your Retirement Fund On The Rock1® Choose tax-deferred annuities, life insurance and mutual funda* that'll keep on working hardforyou even after the; day you stop. Talk to me about it. |0£tek.- '•."' Joseph IW. John, CLU
• i/immmm .. p r u c o s e c u r it( e s Registered I s f i ^ B .. • Representative . • V : - % # .'. 440 Regency Pkwy,» Suite 150 ••.'•. \'': Sg ' " Omaha, NE 68114 402-926-2850
PradentSal
•Mutual funds are distriSufed through Prudential Investment Management Services LLO, 100 Mulberry St., Gateway Center Three, Newark MJ 07102, and olfared through Pruco Securities Corporation, both members SI PC and both subsidiaries of The Prudential insurance Company of America. Prudential and Pruco Securities are located at 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102-3777.©200QIFS-2QOQ08Q9-A000260.
CLIP & SAVE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 Beth El Mishoa, 8 p.m., at Beth El
c L I p
c SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 H&zak Installation Luncheon, Noon, at Bath El MONDAY, AUGUST 6 YES Program, 10 am. TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Talmud Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel
L I p
s A V
E
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 Mali Jong Club, 11:30 a.m. JFS Summer Education Series, 7 p.m. Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 Walk-in Drop-in, 10 am. All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Martene Hert at 334-6437. S FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION'S WEBSITE: www.JewIshOmaha.org (click on calendar)
by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE — — ——— Parashat VaEthanan The Midrash dwells at length on Moses' plea to enter the Promised Land, and the Lord's refusal. It reaches the point where the Lord cut the plea short and tells Moses to stop: "I will hear no more of this." The Midrash suggests that Moses argued, "Look! I have carried the bones of Joseph all these years and they can be shlept in, bones, bones, but not me!" A very clever reply is offered. When Potiphar's wife slandered Joseph and said he assaulted her, this Hebrew servant, Joseph at once indeed identified himself as a Hebrew. But when Jethro's daughters told their father that an Egyptian had helped them, Moses was silent and did not identify himself as a Hebrew. I cannot speak for life in America's largest cities. But I am old enough to remember that American Jews in earlier generations did not wish to identify themselves as Jews. My brothers and sister and I were the only Jews who regularly stayed out of school on Jewish holidays except, of course, for Kosh Ffashunah and Vom Kippur. Even in Now York, my wife, (z"l)t had difficulty explaining to lior students (including Jews) why who would not bo. teaching on Shuvuot. But atlov the. Hhoah, American Jows developed enough solf esteem and pride to idnnlify thorn • aelvra as Jews at ovory opportunity, in tho nice of Christian co-re)igionist.H of the perpetrators of history's most cruHhlnfj crime, I was omused that a Gentile friend was HO taken by "Catholic, Protestant, Jew" thut he naively thought Jews constituted one-third of the U.K. population! I wisli it were KO! Moses discovered, when his plea WUH rejected, that great achievements are multi-generational. Tie had done what wn,s for Moses; now Joshua would carry on and lead the people into the land. MOHPK w.'ui to die on tho far sido of the Jordan, not even his body to be carried in- Joseph's honow, yes! But not Moses' body. •The People of Israel in the Land of Israel wn.s yet to be. It was not a task for one generation, but for many. Kven then, there was a process ol' selection, When Jows lived in the sister kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the kings ol'larael--all ol'thein-und th« kings of Judah-moat of them--are considered unworthy by the historians who wrote about them. It was the prophets who appeared among them, especially in the eighth century, who made the Bible the great moral center of human life. Amos and Hosea, Isaiah and Micah, these are the voices that still enthrall and inspire the hearts of humankind. In a famous story, Moses was permitted to sit in on a lesson in the Academy of Rabbi Akiva, 14 centuries later. He understood nothing. But when Rabbi Akiva included his insistence that what he was saying derived from Moses, Moses was appeased. He understood now that learning was multi-generational, We all stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us. It is not only wealthmaterial wealth-that is inherited. So Moses understood, finally, that his mission to bring Israelites to the shores of the Jordan was enough and was not wasted. Another generation and still another and another would take over. In the course of history, there would be Jorduns and Rubicons and Hudsons and Mississippis to be crossed. No one man, no one generation, could vault over them all. But a soaring humanity could.
ILENE KLEIN Services for Ilene Klein were held Aug. 3 at Beth El Synagogue. She died Aug. 1 at the age of 68. Mrs. Klein was president of the Jewish Community Center and of the Women's League, She was on the boards of the Federation and National Council of Jewish Women. She also worked on the Federation Campaign every year. Survivors include her husband, Don; daughters and son-in-laws, Stephani and Jim Tikalsky of Minneapolis, MN, and Vicki and Mark Sanford of Omaha; sister and brother-in-law, Susie and Jim Silverman of Omaha; brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Phil and Betty Klein of Atlanta, GA; and four grandchildren, Taylor and Mitchell Sanford of Omaha and Libby and Sid Tikalsky of Minneapolis, Memorials to the The Donald M. Tikalsky Scholarship Fund, c/o Vicki Sanford, Beth El Synagogue, or your favorite charity.
GCTl's Rabbi Levin Accepts Position in NYC by JEWISH PRESS News Snrvicu
.
After a two-year stint, ,MS the first director and rosh kollel of the Omaha Center for Tornli Lenrninff, Rabbi Shlomo Levin will become the full time Program Director of the Rivenlale (NY) YW YMIIA, Himilar to the .Jewish (•oimmmity Center in Omaha. IUH portfolio will include providing pro tframmini? around Jewish holiday.'* and relebra tionn, as well a« teaching rlaswH. In addition to (hit! position, Rabbi Levin will be the part time rabbi for a tmuilL Orthodox oonnrt'iju (.ion in Rutherford, NJ, 'J.O IUI'UUIOH from New York City. Kiibbi Levin's wife, Non, who taught at the I'Yiedel Jewish Academy and in the religion* HCIIOOIB HH a community teacher for Jewiwh Educational and Library Servieen, will teach in I he KAIt Jewinh Day School in New York and complete Mimtetwori U'uiuiug HJIO begun in Omaha. "Kahili Levin j;ave us Hie lui;lu';il level of teach i»(j in his two yours here,* mtirf (K!TL I'mudent Allan Gonshor. "Ilia CIHHHWI, one on on« h'uruuu;, and community programs* attracted -lews from across the spectrum, And his Slmbbat table was fro«]u<Milly open to newcomers, both tti Judaism ami to (his omimnmity. "Our community was blessed to have such a modest man, a real Udmui chuchtim, and u tnenwh, m it« first rosh kvlld" (kmsher added. "We wish him Hntzlauha, but we will till misB him and hia lovely fiunily." Friend)* of the Levin family, which also includes daughter Talia, ngu 3, Yankov, ago 2, and infant Aviva, 3 1/2 montljs, are hosting tt farewell kiddish luncheon at Beth Isruei HynnRot?"" this Khnbbut, following sor'vices. To help sponsor the lunch, call OCTL treasurer Mike Kafcsmun, .'MG-HfJSO. "The Kollel Board lias Bpent tho last few months pouring over a dozen resumes in order to replace tho director with Bomeone of the•»««»« calibe.r n« Rabbi Levin," Gonsher added, aW(» will be bringing Rabbi Levin back for several visits here thin fall." For more information about OC'TL, its programs and projects, call Allan Oonahur at "KSO-4014 or 558-2767. Protect yourself from skin cancer. v
Get a hat - grab shades ~ cover up - move to the shade - use sun screen. NEBRASKA HEALTH AND HUMAN SI KVIOSSV SUM
A V
E
Mark YOUR Calendar! Women's Symposium' Sunday, November 4 At the JCC Topics will address transition in the lives of women. Tip #1 on Transition: Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve ones conditions.
Pulverente MONUMENT CO. Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr. 60 Yeats ExpBticncn With Jewish pottering and Memorials
1439 So. 13th
341-2452
• • PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE
STUDENTS
iiiiilliiii liiil tt all starts with
.1, JSOOI
Jewish Vvttm, Omaha, NR
Page 8
CANDLEUGHTING..............8:20 p.m.
llll^lllllllllll
§j;l|t|mte^
^l^^l^g^^^^^l^p SUMMER SCHEDULE From J u l y 6 through August 31, Shubbat evening services will bo hold at, 5:30 p.m. This summer, the study topic will bo "LonrnhiK About Our Values and Ways Thnmuh Jewish Humor." Shabbal mornini' services will betfin each Saturday at the usual hour of HfclM) a.m. FRIDAY: Sliabbat service, 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Arycb Azriol, Cantor Wendy Shennot and Rabbinic Intern Daniel Youuf; will officiate. Rabbi Azriel will speak. We will continue with our summer theme "Learning About Our Valuer and Way« Through Jewish Humor." SATURDAY; Hazels and Bible, ftJJO-Khlfl a.m. Plea.'io join us US we be^in our study of Hie (lalrn of Repentance, our prayer book for the llifih Holy Dayr.. Service;), 10:110 a.m. SITTKU SKKVUW Available (or Sbabltat .'services; i'Vuhiy eveuiui;. I'lease make reservation!! t h r o u g h the T e m p l e oHice, CON! in $'„', per family. There are no farilitie:; lor infants.
SATURDAY: Service;;, 5> a.m., led by Andrew (JreenbuT^. All tiervicesi an* followed by Kiddu.sh, A nteuiorial, in memory of resident!* who have dieel during the mouth, in held on the hint, sabbath of each month.
Services officiated by Htihhi Michael Wnuwfr, FRIDAY: Shfibtuit .-services!, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Tornh .Study, 10 a.m.<no»n. MONDAY: Adult Hebrew Sludy/Movie:i, 7 p.m. TUKSDAY: Convention chuui, 7-H::}0 p.m. WEDNESDAY: AA Meeting library, 7:110 p.m.
Offtco Hours: Monday tiinm^h Thursday, 9 a.m.Office bourn: Monday throucb Thursday, H:;)0 a.m. 4:;U) p.m.; Fridays. H::U) a.m. '..', p.m. fi p.m.; Friday, i) a.m. -1 p.m. ServiceK are conductServices conducted by Rabbi Howard Kutuer. ed by Rabbi Paul Drazon and Cantor 10 mi I HerkoviUs, FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shahbat, 7 p.m. West Minyan at the home of David and Janet Kohll. 107 FRIDAY: Services, « p.m. So. 12Hthria/.n,7::J0p.m. SATURDAY: .sVnvi-iw. JhIK) a.m. Kiddusb sponSATURDAY: Shabbo.s services, H:-i5 a.m.; Free sored by Heth Kt; Devnr Tor.-di will be (jiven by HabynittiiifT begins at 10 a.m. ami runs through the niHiiol Christensett; Mtnhtr Afn'ano anil tlwdutuh conclu.sion of services; Kiddusli sponsored by wrriec.t, H:'M p.m. in the Chapel. Siistorhood; a kiddu.sh lunch will follow in hmior of SUNDAY: Mnrnutji sernres, 0 a.m.; IIA'AAK Habbi Shlomo and Noa Levin, sponsored by their 2001 ',!QU;>, officer iiustalhttions. n o o n . Luncheon friends; Hnbhi'a class, 7:40 p.m.; Miueha, will be in the s,vmijr«K"e social hall; entertainment. H:10 p.m., followed Iiy Shalosh Suerfol and Ma'ariv; by due Taylor, For i»«tr«< hifornialion. caU Helh Kl. Havduluh, 9:2!) p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m.; following services*. WKDNKSDAY, Aui,'. H, 7:;|O p.m.: A>/nlt H'mu there will be a moi'tini? for all men of (be Mitsmh f 7*1-*;.-. will nu't't. Partinpattts will cantioue lion to discuss ways to revitalize our their s t u d i e s with Habbi Dra/ett utiil Cantor minyan; a lij'ht l>reakfast. will be served; Herkovif'i Hervices, H:20 p.m. WKKKDAYS; Services;, «:f»S n.m. and fliUO p,n>, WMKKDAYS: Services. 7 turn, nnd H:20 p.m. in tin1 Chapel Join un even v day f««r l»rakfarit. TUKKDAY: Talmud rlnns with Ualitx Kultier, 7;.'J0 p.m. FHKI: HirrKR SKUVJCF, KUMMKK TORAH S^MINAK Avathibie every uluthhat n m n n n j : from iO a.m. t«i Vt'iiluva Univ««rMty':> Summer 'J'orah Si'mmiir the coKH'hisitijt ot"«<n.'ici':i Tfu:; piot'uiiu r; funded by will be held at Beth Israel from Autf.l4«1tt. Tin- the Marly Childhood Development Cniutiutte^ mid week will include dully breakfast learning rn'ruunn, ' rhtiflreii ni't'U IH iiioiitb'i lnii(tfiv.ait<>ii lunch and |earu:>, a fnutily HUt^. and fesiive Shithboti nt«<td:i. For more udormntion or io iniilu* renervatiou:; i'or meuls, contact I he :i,viuu;o{;ue tiifice.
FRIDAY: Shabbnt nnrviws. T.'M p.m., n Sehnol in firnnhrtf for I he rrnumv in fat? summer; please cttU. fur ttuttv information.
Mmyait, Miuidnv & 'Vhutmlny, 7:15 u.m PhrOAY} ftonrirt-*. R p.ut, HAT^RDAYi Sm-uvi,. ihlW turn, HtlNDAY: Services, JWU) a.m.
Omaha Extends Hospitality to Israeli Family During Liver Transplant PHI l\l) On July '.','.', ii nui<h*-r :«itd h e r d a u g h t e r mtd Mfin in law iravclt-d from Hut Vsim in f ir»H hi Ujjmha fin1 a h \ e r lr;iu>pla«!» aE t h e I.H-II "('run ; p h i n t C e u l e r .(l flu* lUuvi-r-uty of N<*bi :i-Ka Mi-dicil I J'ilE.er. 't'st lu-lp t h e m ditnitr: flu.-. itruV.d, l!:s!ibi Mrndel K a t / m t i n of t h e C.Jinb:id IU>tt'.>c and Habbi lluwanl Kiilner n f i t r r l t Ir.nU'i h a i e worked w i t h vuluitUvrs to cdordinate kosher tt»id, tr;<n;.lal«if.i a n d driver.-, Miiuy m t h e c o m m u n i t y hiiv*- ah'fiulv vtilunfeered, A;; tlu- fanuiy -;fJIVH to litive t b e tratvipbutl, ilnver-i am! truiiiilator: 1 . wdl eouliutie to be needed To help, call Ky.le Wt»l(» a) X\:\ 7-»tH, or J at the C b a b a d Jlon-if :i| l\:to 1K00
by ,H
FRIDAY: Services, 7:'.W p.m. Dn.eujmicm topic will be "A Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Aifiiia':1 Who Need;. It!" Otiej; SUabbut and kiddush will follow.
Services cotifiucted Iiy Habbi Mendel K MONDAY-FIJI DAY: Service:,, 7 a.m. SATUHDAV: Service.-.. !>::i() u.m. SCIND/VY: Services. H::tOn.m. TURSDAY: hais Medni;.h, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY: Service;,, 7;M p.m.
Beth El Names New Youth Director by O7/W H(M.h Kl Syn;u;o|jue r e c e n t l y named Kllie (ireen.'tpoon a;; Yuuth Direclor. Acctirdinj; i<» Heth KI I'reHidenf Howard KpHtein, "We're very happy to have Kllie w o r k i u c w i t h our toens, As Youth Director, .she will hriuj; a niujjular Jewish Stack ((round and unique vision to the job." The daughter of HOWUUMI. :nirvivors, (ireensjHtou WIIH U»ru In Cwchoidovakia. She and her parent;! soon moved to lnrael and then, whonuhe wa>i nix, enu^rfited to (he State.s. hdluenci'd by her mother'H nkillt* ms a wuiiinti'i'jw and deni(jaer, Mllie. went, on to receive her BKA in (Irapbic AIIM and ilhmtration from VirKiina Ciimmonvveallh Hnivemity in Richmond and her MKA iu Phof,ofjraphy from (1l«'»i:t<«i. "Hoinjj the child of Hoiofaunt Murvivora in part, of my identify," (ireeuHp<ion Maul. "I lived it on n daily Im.'iisi. I'i<rht»pM I turned Iu art nn a way of bahutcius! rtil tlmt destruction wiih Hi" act of rivaling. In any
i-ii'.e, ii.s Youth Direcloi1 ! [ihui to use ruy personal
work ai the Kith Street (J.db-cv hiHlury as a Jew and my love of art and cullun1 in Now, after hnvnij; jn:;t :it(ended u meeting with wnyn that will lieui-fif the teeiui here at Heth I'M." other youth dmt'lori at Camp Uum.th in WY'rotisiu, 1 Over the yeara, lOllie turn honed her craft while {>rmih|xxiu in turning her aiU-rttitm U\ her new role. also teaching others. She wan awarded the pp'fMi "I'd been looking to work with kid'i a^am beauiac1 ffious Teacher of the Year Award for her work wiih f really enjoy it. When Beth K! put out. the call for a HtiKlent;; ul Ihe Fine /\rtn (Neuter, a nta^ju-t. Ht^h Youth Director, it, wmi jtixt the ««*«/#«• I tieedetj," School for the Visual and IVrfoninnj; Art.s in This yos\r. thiudm will play host to lUv rty.iwnl Crreenvilic, S<'. She wan al:iti nominated for Hie I'SY Kirmiu^f duruif* Thuttk.s^ivtntt wiu'keud (rolden Apple award because her iuflut'iire on one According to Program Dirit'tov Hu;ue Dra7.«<tk, "Kllie of her iUudenl.s helped, in his parent.':-, wordti, "turn cuiiH' on board just when our kid*' r<*fllly aee<led our sim'si life around." !;nnu'Ocif> to moUvut*'arid innpire fhom " Kllie him tuu|(ht iu vartoir,; ,iif<niiu;ri, helti mtincri'» hushantl, Leonard. UOWIM tin* oiiH fxhibit;-; and been awarded cnints from The Chair in J»»wtnh (*jvi!u.itUft» nt Art-H (!<uiinu.'isi<i!i (if South Carolina, ;ic w«:ll as the C'n'ifjhtnn University. They Iwvv two daughter.-) Kodak KouudatKHi. \h>r Omalm atmii<i i< loraU'd in (jjilUt, an a't:H!ctaU» producer of film in <"hicai;<>. wvl the Hot. Shopfi Arti-*t StudioM on I'Mh and Nichohtn, Talya, who Iw^itri her frenhman yenr nt Now York and sht1 currently sdtowti her lnfcut phofo/ini|ihi<* I'mvrraitv- tins fall.
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Iliiiiiil Washington, D.C., has the highest murder rate in the country, but that hasn't stopped scores of visitors from arriving each week to see the memorable sights our nation's capital has to offer. F a r fewer people are killed or injured in Israel's capital, Jerusalem. Though the news media has made it seem that there's hand-to-hand combat in the streets of trie old City, nothing could be farther from the truth. In.fact, more Israelis have been killed in traffic accidents in the last 52 years than in all the. wars and all the terrorism combined! This is a great time to visit Israel, as readers can see in this issue alone. The Jacobson family combined their love of basketball with a family trip to Israel for an experience of a lifetime. Federation professionals and volunteer leaders combined business meetings in the Western Galilee with sightseeing, shopping and lessons in history and religion. Next week, we'll feature a continuation of stories from Israel with personal accounts from Debbi Brown, Assistant Director of the ADL-CRC, and Super Sunday Chairmen Mark and Kim Schwartz, Following that, readers will experience a visit to Israel through a family reunion and
August 3,2001
Go to Israeli celebration of a Bat Mitzvah with the Josephson family. You, too, can discover your Jewish roots in Israel by participating in one of two upcoming Solidarity Missions, heavily subsidized by United Jewish Communities. The first leaves in only five weeks ~ Sept. 9-13 (with an option to extend your visit). The second mission is scheduled to leave from Washington, D.C., following the UJC's General Assembly—Nov. 13-18 (and can easily be extended up to or through Thanksgiving weekend). Cost is only $999 from the East Goast, and includes professional guides, transfers to and from Ben Gurion airport, all hotel expenses (including taxes and breakfast), and several meals. Participants will meat with top-level Israeli officials who will brief groups on the latest security measures, background information on political and military situations and offer possible scenarios for the future. Don't wait until it's too late. Gall Jan Perelman, Federation Executive Director at 334-6433, or Pam Monsky at 334-6431, to reserve your space now. If it weren't safe, would so many members of our own Jewish community be clamoring to go?
ISRAEL FARED VERY WELL WHH G-8
Q US POR A SOLID WEEK/
The Arabs' Ultimate Goal by CARL ALPERT
Haifa-What are the problematic issues which Israel and the Palestinians find so difficult to solve? Establishment of a Palestinian state? Sovereignty over Jerusalem? The right of return to Israel for several million Arab refugees? The daily violence, ranging from suicide bombers to deadly fire at motorists on the roads? There can be negotiations on all of these, but even if every one of these problems is faced and settled with some degree of compromise where possible, this will not bring peace to the Middle East, for each of these is but a symptom of the basic problem which many in Israel seem unwilling to face directly. The Palestinians are basically and inherently opposed to the very existence of Israel, and under their present leadership will not give up their struggle until Israel disappears from the map. This unpleasant truth has long been known and is given frequent expression in the Arabic press and in statements by Palestinian leaders, though never openly at international and diplomatic forums. Occasionally, this basic Palestinian axiom does find an echo in the outside world. Thus, very recently, Marwan Bargouti, leader of the Tanzim, who are responsible for much of the current terrorism, told The New Yorker; "The goal of the current Intifada is a Palestinian state, but afterwards, there will be even greater things for which, to strive. There is no room for more than one state between t h e Jordan River and t h e Mediterranean," Arnru Nasif, a columnist for the Egyptian paper Al-Usbu', shared with his readers the popular belief that "the despised racist Jewish entity will be annihilated. . .1 am not ashamed to speak about driving them into the sea," Feisal Husseini, one of the most prominent Palestinian leaders until his recent death, and sup-
posed to be a moderate, made no secret of the goal. In his last interview with an Egyptian paper he was asked what was the higher pun-Arab strategyHe replied; "From the river (Jordan) to the sea." Ho spelled it out at greater length, as he had done many times in the past: "Our ultimate goal in the liberation of all of historic Palestine from the River to the sea, even if this means that the conflict will last for another thousand years, or for many generations." Contemporary Palestinian political literature is filled with repetition of the same views. There's nothing new in it. A.M.. Rosenthal recently recalled that for decades when he visited Israel and asked the Arabs there what they wanted from the Jews, he "would get the same contemptuous waving gesture at the sea, meaning, we want the sea, and no Jews between us and it." Every map of the area produced by the Palestinians has ignored the existence of Israel and has depicted Palestine as occupying the whole land. These maps have been widely publicized. Why have they been ignored? In his book, Does America Need a Foreign Policy?, Henry Kissinger notes that "the Arabs, and especially the Palestinians, consider the very existence of Israel as an intrusion into 'holy1 Arab territory." What children in Palestinian area and Syrian schools are being taught about Israel and the need to eliminate it, assuring that the hatred is guaranteed in the coming generations, has been the subject of numerous revelatory studies, These are the views not only of the extremist Palestinian leaders, but also of the Palestinian man in.the street, who has them hammered into him incessantly. There's nothing new about them. I found in a 1988 issue of The Jerusalem Post an interview with one Abdel-Nasser, of the Nusseirat
PRESS
(Founded in 1920)
The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of tho Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Profw i.H a Constitutional CommittcM; of the Jewinh Federation of Omaha.
Nebraska Plena Association
Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, noon, eight days prior to publication.
Association
Tho Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $28 |x;r calendar year U.S.; $32 foreign, by the Je.winh Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402-M4.fi44H; FAX: 402-:.l.'M-5422; e-mail editorial material, phoUw and adclrews changi-s to: ckatzmnnWjew ishorwaha.or#; send ads (in . W or .POP format) to: mlnpour^jewishomaha.orjj. Periodical postage paid al Omaha, NK. I'OSTMASTER: Send address change* to: The Jewish Press, 33,1 So. 132nd SI., Omaha, NK 68lfi4-2198.
Fred Tiohauer Chairman
Carol Katzman Editor-in-Chief Maureen LaPour
Managing Editor Allan Handleman
Advertising Manager
Barbara Frankel Rocky Stern Sales representatives
Timothy J. Ket0lsen Bookkeeper Jen Gates
Production Assistant George Schaplro Volunteer
refugee camp. When miked by a roporlor if ho an independent Palivstino Ml.aU> in Uw iUm\ Strip and WOHL Hank, h<> replied: "No. Wo. want a PnloHtiniun stale over \.Uo whole of Pulciilinc not only in llic t<«rri torlpB, but nlfio in Haifa, Aero find Jnflh." Repeated opinion nurveytt among Palcmtiniiuw confirm those viowa, A vory roconL poll at Bir Zi»it University drew a 72% response of PulosUninnH supporting the "liberation" of the entire aroa. Fiven more recently, in June, 2001, the official Palestine' Authority l,olcvinton broadcast a sermon by Sheik Muhammad Ibrahim Al Mmlhi in which ho told all "lovorn of Allah" Uml, Mw<> will rontimu< tho Intifada until the land of Pnleufcino in liboratod. Wo will not be Hatirtfied with the mere oatabliuli nu'nt. of u Palestinian HIHUI," and ho added, goner ously: "We welcome, as wo did in tln> pant, any Jew who wants to live in this land na a Dhimtnl (second class citizen)." In view of the above, it is clear that any compromise made by Israel, any surrender of settlements or territory, merely makes easier and bringB closer the Palestinian implementation of their master plan. A thousand years, said one of them? Generations? But a strong and determined and united Israel can progress and develop and withstand all attacks. In the meantime, it is possible that there may yet arise among enlightened and intelligent Arabs (surely there must be such), a new brand of moderate leadership which will realize that the present policies are causing untold suffering and Urns of life among the Palestinians themselves. Surely, sanity may yet prevail, and hostility may be replaced by a vision of th« two Semitic brothers, living side by aide with mutual respect, creating a life of prosperity and security here for all. But that will obviously require patience.
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Joanie Jacobsum, Vicu-Ohairmaii; Penny Endelnutn, Secretary; Steve Simon, Troasurtsr; Lloyd Koitatvtn, Immediate PaHt-chutrmtm; Klyce Astrittl; Jill Behmint; Jean Dultch; Kip Gordnuin; Gary Kuttym; Bobhi Leibowits;; Howard K. Marcus; Lim.lu; Saltznmn; Howard Silbor; Araee Zt'tzmun; G«orge Schapiro (Hononiry Committee M<>m!:«!ri, MiHloriitl.i express the view iil'Un1 wntcr and sin- »«>t niv r.wanly leprcwaUUvi' of Un< vit-wi of f hi- J<iwinh Press Committee, the Jewish l'Vdi-ruiiori of f linaha or thr Omaha Jewish ('iimtminiLv u.i ;i whole The <II>W!HU ItYesm n'jrrvw th*- i'i)4il. Mi ciht U'l.tsT.4 and article:- fur 'IJJ»PI- uml content The Jowitth t'r^s*! m not rt'^punmhle li«- thti Kjwhrulh oi' any prwhu.(
Aujfust!), 2001
To the Editor: My family and I (there were 11 of us all toother) have recently returned from 10 marvelous days in Israel. We had a great time! Not once did we feel uneasy or terrified-juat the opposite, in fact. Shopkeepers, restaurateurs and tour guides were so gracious to us and greeted us so warmly. The 'situation' has certainly pinched the economy of Israel and the people are suffering, Many of those we met; urged us to return home and encourage others to travel to Israel. It was great we never had to wait at any of the sites or restaurants we visited. So, on behalf of the wonderful people waiting for you in Israel, if you have the opportunity to visit there soon, do so. Debbi Josephson To the Editor: (Editor's note: thin in a copy of a tetter sent to former mnahan Rabbi John Spitzer, who in the spirit tual leader of Temple Israel in Canton, OH.) We want you to know that you were very much in our thoughts on April 1, at 1 p.m., as we were enjoying a picnic lunch henenth the St. LOUIM Arch, an w<> had promised one* imothor we would do pome !,!0 yearn au«. On an early Hummer's* nifjht at Goldman <1.'unp Inntittite in Ziounville, IN, (he MoVKTY IMisHtmri Valley Federation of'lVmple Youthl Hoard of 197.1 wan holding JIH (inal nicetitij; in anticipation of tin' next, day'H iuHliillaUou of ii now irrotip of offic(>rn. The MoVKTV region of NK't'Y rula a broad Kwalh thi> nn'd wcMtcni United Hlith-s. Uy far l.lu> l ifi'O|;rii|ihical region in o u r Reform MovtMitoitl, tin' region Htrctclu'H iVom HI. Lmii.'t to Denver; from Korkfortl to Wichita, Nearly «'v<«r,v wot'k of tli;i( year wln'ii we tu«rvi'd m\ oli'ietTs, w<< would (ravel to viirimiti congregation!!, lwiiu;inf! innovative procnuuuuni;, Icadcrnhij) development, now Jcwinh music, uud social action Mlratefticii to Temple Ycuilh ftroupH, |»rj*o imcl nmftll. O u r tiitnl tuct'titifr Innlcd until dawn, nn wt> exrhiintji'd I'if't.i, smoked cii;ar« and recalled iiwin inijly wnmUrHN storiej; of till thai t h e year had brmiuJit to \m, and how we had all become s«» very do.'it* over t h e m o n t h * . At Hurne p o i n t i n t h e t*, we Hindu a Hole-run pled(;«* to one anothef: life nii|iht. take us in the yearn Us eiiine, tlutt wi> would meet ai;uin. We esptvrit'iwed, in out- much itnliripitfed reunion, not only the joy of frirmlu oominu tofjt'Utcr mjiun after MO mjuiy y^nrrt, h u t also « pcofiiund awiirrrw'HH of Clod':; pivjienco I hut. hud brought UP to a truly nacred moment in our liven. Of eounu1, we cauijht. up with one nnolher'H lifi> Htorien, nhnrini; photographs <»f our ramilie.s and children, aiul new:) df MoVKTV-itt'H pawt. and prc cent. Uiil tm that want). April day, we alfio took I he J'UHI
time to thoughtfully cousidor tujjetliej juwt what the power wati hdvind our Youth Group experience that had brought us, a quarter-century later, to the banks of the Mississippi River, Our active Youth Group involvement had given us the opportunity and freedom to discover much of our innermost potential. The travel, the friendships, the spirituality and the emotional opennesa provided occasions of real self-diacovery during those difficult, yet formative, teenage* years. For some of us, our weekend gatherings were something of an antidote to the usual feeling of being somehow different, nimply because we were Jewish. Being with dozens, or sometimes even hundreds, of other Jewish teens in a setting of Jewish context and content, especially helped those of m from small towns and tiny Jewish eomnunntieB to feel confident and secure in our identity. At the name time, we learned that, as Jews, we are different, holding within our hearts our own customs, music, language, history and vision. And so, John, we want to thank you, in this public manner, for all of the time and energy, advice and direction, comfort and affection that you brought to us durittfr «ur yonr of MoVFTY lender ship. And wo HIHO want to thank you acain for tin.1 departure nift that you prtwnted to onrh of usi on I ho nifihl of our firml Hoard Mootitifj mi iuwnhwi copy ofl'irkc A<>o(: The Elhu'xoftht1 Ftttln'ts, Kor Home of us, it WHJ-S (In* fir?it jiacnui, Jcwinh lest I hut wo placed info our personal library, ll WUH iinothor way yuu taught UK that the wiwdottt of MoVl'TY wn.-iit't jiiitt about our youth irrmip, but in all that we wen* (loiiwf, we were otinut-c'liai; with :mnu<lhini; much {freater and even more t'ttdunuer. We all remain linnly eouneeled and couunitted to Jewish life and learning. Uemtirkably, three of us are jiervins', fits rabbi;; in Reform c(inj;nij;atious in I,mi Angeles:, Hdsitm and Miami We arc the uueit now churned wiih I'uiihnj1. a iu-w i;eui<rntinu That c why w« hoju1 that our special tviimoii will b r / i l l l T f*"' . V " 1 1 . ; l ; l W « » H . I) d e e p r i f i r i c ( i f ; i a t l s f ; i c t i < i l l F o r tJj a l l tj»f»t y o u I*«VP nml b f o w p h t to u « i»n
,J<-wiHh ProH.s, Omaha, NK
Page 5
<;REEK GYROS • STEAKS l'HIMJKS • HURGERS
#t Food in the Midwest Open 7 Days n W«ek
4409 Dodge St. • 553-3326
YOUR
h
CHICKEN PICKINT PLACE Fried
f%r\
GRILLED
Dinner
Lunch
'rite
E L ALAMO fl3j«# "Hvttt Mexican Food111
(iuaettmott* • J'twui * Ft Ihtrrittm * Shrimp • Rrtehih Ctimtilnatliin /)f»««'rs (Utrnitns * Tnmuh'M • Armt f'ttn i'uih) * Mitvhttra MEXICAN tlUKR Conrnti • XX » ttohemln * Terutr * <\*tin Ulnnca Oj)(*n for Lunt'li iiurf l)i*nu<** if n.m.'fl OPRN 7 UAYH A WKKK -»!>!? Hutith 'Mth St. • ?.11-Hfm»
(eetiajjei'M, you math' it profound difference iti o u r livt'si a n d in a n e w fv'uernlitiu of .lewi:«li lite in
America, May we he blt'owd in our livtw by HvinfT up N nn t»xnmpli>.
MoVVTYtio»r4 ot Until Vickie Koi'don, I'tvKidont, tjutm-y, II.; Hob Light, St. Boh Davis, Woxtenri Kub-rctfutnnl l*rj*«idc'ntt Denver, ("O; Kenny Milder, Fro^rnmmintf Vic«>-preKi<Jt»irit, Oninha; Hurry IM\X, Tit*asurer, Denver, i)O; Meyor, (-hnplnin, IVairk- VtHt»nf*», KH; iu* Ht<'iiiht%rj;, Secretary,
Our KiU'lu'n Can Pivparr Ytuir l;r«voi'ilc Ho\ hiuu-h to \inir AnyOcCiKsion Parly! <BAR AND BAT M1TZVAI1S) luni'ht'onv> •• parlies ('nil and Ar-k for ( hit Cutntit;{
Ih'pttrinuiit
gat chutzpah? &OOt>
Northern Ta»dbor! Culiittt
* Lunch
Sun-Thurs: 11 a.m.-tOpjn,; Friday'Saturday; H a.m.-ti p.m.
v
646 North 114th St.
498-0804
J
10i0 Howard St * Old Market * 342-4856
Page 6
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 3, 2001
Kansas City Invites Young Jewish Omalians to'Ahiiiial. YAD Party
illiliiiiiil
iiiliiililiii!
Former Omahan Sid Dunn recently was honored with the Order of the Lion, one of Alpha by JEWISH PRESS News Service • Epsilon Pi's highest Hop on board and help celebrate the Young Adult awards. He has served Division's third annual party in Kansas City on as Executive Vice-presi- ' Sunday, Aug. 12,6:30-11 p.m., at Union Station. dent of the national Featuring nationally-acclaimed comedian Joel organization since 1976 Chasnoff, the event is $20 in advance or $25 at the and has been based in door. Participants are also asked to bring a child's Indianpolis since 1988. book or toy to donate to Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City community service project. YAd is a He has helped form 20 new chapters of t h e division of the Kansas City Jewish Federation. For more information or to make reservations, Jewish fraternity at colcall Sharon Kirshenbaum, Director of Young lege campuses across the country. Since his move to Indianpolis, the number Jewish Omaha, at 334-6485. of AEPi chapters has grown from 75 to 109. Proceeds from the awards dinner will fund a scholarship for a graduate student who wishes to study Jewish Communal Service, Rabbinical Studies or Cantorial Studies. •f% 01i§gs tout To make a contribution, send a check, made out C@in§iaiii@ii Care to AEPi Foundation, to Sid Dunn Jewish Character is priceless Communal Leadership Fund, 8815 Wesleyan Rd., Excellent References, Nationwide FBI Criminal Background Check, DMV Records, and Hold Harmless Contractural Agreement Provided. Indianapolis, IN 46268. Experienced, Tailored, Quality Elder Care that's Professional and Safe for those needing assistance.
Susan
, Companion
933»7737
swazlynk@yahoo.com
ELLIOTT MOORE BOUNDARIE , •
•
•
Sundown,
#
Lighting
ENTERPRISES
M
JWl OORES
I Sprinkler ft Services, Inc.
|7J
IRRIGATION
Back-to-School!
Taxman/Savoie Lindsey Paige Taxman and Brian Savoie, both of Washington, D.C., have s. announced their engagement. The bride-to-be, daughter of Sherry and Jeffrey Taxman and Babs and Mike Weinberg, all of Omaha, earned a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature from the George Washington University in 1997 and will obtain a master's in Jewish Education, also from George Washington University. She is currently a Development Associate at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Center and teaches Sunday School at Temple Micah in Washington, D.C. Grandparents are Barbara and Marvin Taxman and the late Lydia and Harry Foster and Dora and David Weinberg. Her fiance, son of Jeane Savoie of Deland, FL, Michael J. Flynn and former Omahan Dr. and Dennis Savoie of Miami, earned a B.A, in Stuart F. Oberman recently published Advanced Radio and Television from the George Washington Computer Arithmetic Design, a book on innovative University in 1996, and is currently Television techniques and cutting-edge research in the area Membership Manager for the National Association which drives many modern digital technologies. of Broadcasters. Oberman, son of Myra and Bob Oberman, earned His grandmother is Dorothy Savoie, Kankakee, his PhD at Stanford University and is currently IL. manager of VLSI Design at Nishan Systems in San An Oct. 14 wedding is planned in Frederick, MD. Jose, CA. He lives in Sunnyvale, CA, with his wife, Joy, MICHELSON/SHACKMAN and their three-year-old daughter, Leila. Emily Michelson of New Haven, CT, and William. Shackman of New York The Omaha Children's Museum will help :. City have announced kindergartners get ready for school with "Get ,] • •'} their engagement. Ready, Get Set, Aug. 6-12, and "Back to School," The bride-to be, daughAug. 13-19. Children will have the opportunity to ter of Mark and Kadidecorate personalized pencil boxes and draw picmah Michelson of Brooktures of their favorite school activities. ••*• . ,.F line, MA, graduated For hours of admission and membership informa;> from Harvard University tion, call 342-6164. in 1995 and is currently I a PhD student in history 'V at Yale University. NOW Opens Office Her fiance, son of 5 attiie'J ;'."!r •.-' ..'" . ! Bruce and Anne Shackman of Omaha and Elizabeth Singer of Chicago, is by JEWISH PRESS News Service— The Omaha Section of the National Council of a 1995 graduate of Northwestern University. He is Jewish Women has been quite busy lately. Last currently a PhD student in Jewish Studies at New April, volunteers moved boxes and files into an York University. office at the Jewish Community Center, located His grandparents are Joseph Shachman of just beyond the JCC Gallery. Donations offilecab- Omaha and Jeanette Singer of Chicago. inets, paper, office supplies and a computer have A Sept. 2 wedding and reception at Young Israel helped to complete the office. of Brookline is planned; Rabbi Mordechai The Section's new phone number is 334-6565, Silverstein will officiate. The couple will make and new e-mail address is ncjwomen@jew- their home in New York City. isliomaha.org. •
20°/<O OFF
1 item (with coupon) [
)
8725 Countryside Plaza • Omaha
402-398-0999
Siiiiit Residential Mortgage Services, in
Take advantage of today's low mortgage rates! 8
Purchase your new home!
• Refinance your existing higher rate loans! • Consolidate non-deductible bills into deductible debt!
„,, , Benefiting the Section's programs and projects was its spring Garage Sale, raising more t h a n $4500.
• Take equity out for other investments!
lynoe M. Pop'p Educational 'Therapy
Call Residential Mortgage Services
M.S. in Learning Disabilities, A.E T.
Rabbi Mendel and Sham Katzman announce the July 24/4th of Av birth of a daughter, Feiga Malka. Her sisters are: Estie, 15; Shevi, 13; Mushka, 11; twins Chani and Rochel, 10; Devorah, 8; and Mirelle, 6; and brothers: Levi, 7; Yossi, 4; and Zelig,2. Grandparents are Mrs. Sara Katzman and Eli and Leah Lipaker, all of Crown Heights, NY, and the late Rabbi Zelig Katzman.
PLUMB •CONSTRUCTION, INC. Quality Crqftsmanship
for Omaha's lowest fixed rates. Guaranteed! Omaha Bellevue Council Bluffs Lincoln
333-7900 292-7900 322-7900 423-8885
ia;^
4405 North 156th Ave. Circle PHONE: (402) 498-8708 FAX;445-0433 E>mail: lynnep@creighton.edu.
Jeff Plumb General Contractor 5728 Colorado Lane Ft, Calhoun, NE 68023
Phonet 572-0115
August 3, 2001
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
'We Just Decided with our Hearts to Go' by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor
It was utmost cancelled, and I ho USA Maccabi Men's Basketball Team lost their coach, when Omahan Ben Jncobson began receiving phone calls from young men who played in the 1997 Games in Israel. The Jacobson family had non-refundable tickets and were riding an emotional roller-coaster, especially after the bombing of the Dolphinarium disco in Tel Aviv, where 21 young Israelis were murdered, Then, a call came that clinched it. "I'm going," the caller said. "You need to go."1 The call was from Dolph Schayes, probably tho best Jewish basketball player of all time, a former NBA star and Basketball Hall of Fuiuer. Youngest son Justin had recently written a profile of Soli ayes and was thrilled with the chance to meet him. Not only did Schayes spend time with the family, he told Ben, the 67*' redstart freshman at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, "You have a chance to be one of the best Jewish players (over)." Coming from Schayes, that meant a lot to the. young basketball player. But the real story starts months ago, even before the tryouts for tho toani. Bob Gottlieb, a former coach at Creighton University, who now coaches in California, had Kasher, a former Brazilian seen Ben play during the summers when he nttend- attach© who made aliyah to ed basketball camps, along with Gottlieb's son, Israel in 1968." Doug, Coach Gottlieb mentioned Mie, Muociibiah Jaeobson also credits his Games in Israel to Ben's father, David. friend, Larry R a ful, and "He's a slam-dunk to make it!" Gottlieb Maid. *»»llii'^lifil':^i«iiill*lili So two days before the 2000 Central High School Debbie Stiel of Temple Israel, graduate was to begin at Lamar, he flew to New for their encouragement and York and tried out for the USA Men's Basketball support during the difficult Team, along with 80 other talented young men. days before' the Ggmes Only four were chosen, and Ben was one of them, opened. along with his good friend, Doug Gottlieb (who now Kasher didn't let the Jacobplays pro-ball in Russia). son's rest for a minute. One The second set of tryouts picked up eight more day, he took Nancy and players and the Men's Team was complete, along David, along with their 12with Larry Shyatt, head coach at Clemson. year-old son, Justin, and his But the 'situation' in Israel was getting worse; 21-year-old sister, Sara, to the one week after the diaco bombing, Shyatt resigned, .Roman ruins in Caeserea, the along with the head of the USA Maccabi Basketball ancient port of Acco and the Committee, Almost immediately, Herb Brown, English prisons used in 1947 Assistant Coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, and to house Jewish immigrants, brother to head coach Larry Brown, stepped in as as well as a tour of Haifa and the replacement. the beautiful new Ba'hai Gardens, and eating lunch "He talked to nxe for one hour that night," Ben in a Druze village, And then he whisked them back said. And Nancy added, "We just decided with our to the stadium near Tel Aviv for the evening's basketball game! hearts to go. "Our daughters, Rachel and Sara, encouraged us The Jacobson family also climbed Masada, swam to go" from the time that we were even considering in the Dead Sea, visited Jerusalem, walked going because they had such positive experiences through the Old City, and celebrated Justin's Bar visiting Israel with USY two years apart in 1994 Mitzvah at the Kotel, the Western Wall. and 1996, she added. "Matty felt a 'personal responsibility* for us," Ben flew to Philadelphia for a week's worth of Nancy said with a smile. "He wanted us to see us practices with the team. Of the original 12 players, much of the.country as we possibly could. Not only only five remained, but Brown was successful in did he give us religious background and history, he recruiting others. He told the team after the gold was humorous!" medal match against Israel that his only regret The question usked most on their return, of was that the original players didn't have a chance course, was "Did you feel safe in Israel?** to experience this like we did. "CNN provides a very biased point of view," After intense practice, the team met up with the according to David. "At the Druze village where we rest of the USA Maccabi teams and Hew on a char- had lunch, the people embraced us. Though they're tered B1A1 flight to Israel. There, they had an Arabs, they serve in the military and told us, 'We're opportunity to meet athletes from 40 other nations, happy you came.'" including Great Britain, Canada, Hungary, Russia The Jacobson family could tell that the numbers and of course, Israel. Prior to the opening of the of tourists were below average. There was no wait Maecabiah Games, nearly 4000 young people spent at Masada, and the Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv the week touring Israel, sightseeing, learning the has scaled back its hours and reduced its staff. history, geography and even the politics of the land. • "It was wonderful seeing Israel for the first time," In the meantime, David and Nancy were busy Nancy added. "With Justin becoming a Bar getting names and resources from friends in Mitzvah this November, and my participation in Omaha. "Jan Perelmun (Executive Director of the the Adult B'nai Mitxvah Program at Temple Israel Jewish Federation) was really helpful," David last spring,,, taking this next; skip of visiting Israel noted. "SIHJ directed us to longtime Omaha tour guide Alex Fleischer, who set us up with Matty not •Oldi':;l (luii/'hU'r :•":»,
Left photo: Ben Jacobson was t h e leading scorer for the USA Maccabi Basketball team with 17.5 points per game. Photos below, from topi Justin Jacobson, second from right, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, along with his father, David, right, tour guide Matty Kasher, left, and the rabbi; Justin, Sara, Nancy and David Jacobson in Caesara. Bottom photo: The USA team sports their gold medals, including'Ben Jacobson, cantor.
able to make this family trip ; she just started a new job at Theatre for a New Audience in New Yotk City, so Sara and Nancy became the "official" photographers of the trip. David praised the Israeli Maccabinh Committee, adding "The Opening Ceremonies was the greatest experience lien said he ever had. It was as professional as any Olympics." One humorous moment of the Games occurred when Todd Srhuyna, Dolph's son, held up a sign during tho opening ceremonies, saying "f want to meet ii nice Jewish girl" with the telephone number of his hotel. Schayes, coach of the American Masters Team (the basketball team for those over 35), was interviewed on local Israeli television. The resulting 1M00 phone culls to his hotel shut down the switchboard! Ben tlucobaou now joins another noted Omaha athlete-Ben Belmont, who boxed for the. United .States team--and coached Justin Jacobaon's sixth grade basketball team! Judge Lindsey Lehrman, Nebraska .Supreme Court Justice, represented the U.S., but the "two Hens" are the only ones to have represented Omaha in the "Jewish Olympics." Ben loved the whole experience including learning more and louring Israel .is well as plnying on US team. Most importanUy, he feels his teammau'« will \w JifHmu: friend:;, "It wii;1. giral IO see Hen fits .;u well." Nancy added, ' b u t (be u-i to e x p t w u e e IiTarl lugeiher was tho jT of thi:< Inp."
Page 3
Jewish Press, Omaha, ME
August 3,2001
Omaha'Native Lives Out Her Movie Dreams by LEO ADAM BIGA, Special to the Jewish Press —«
For most of us, childhood dreams remain just press for its informative and fun take on the views.' And I was like, 'Well, Liza, I'm in that—the unfulfilled musings of our starry-eyed making of The Wizard ofOz. Atlanta and you're in New York.' She goes, 'I'll She has worked with everyone from impish fly you up.' youth. But for Omaha native Dena Krupinsky, an Associate Director with Turner Classic Movies Mickey Eooney to Rod Steiger and tackled "So, I checked with my bosses and they said, (TCM) in Atlanta, her long-harbored fantasy of themes from "Religion in the Movies" to the "Art 'Go for it.' I went to her house in New York and, working with Hollywood greats ha1hanging on the walls, were these become reality. big Andy Warhol prints—one of Since joining TCM in 1994, the year tru1 • - her, one of her mother and one of national cable network launched, her father. Staring at those prints Krupinsky has produced dozens of special * reminded me I was with a memprograms featuring stars and other nota. ( ber of Hollywood royalty, and that bles from Hollywood's Golden Age. Even .n her mother really was Judy cursory glance at her producing credits ,• .' - Garland and her father really was reyeals a Who's Who of movie royalty she Vincente Minnelli. She was as has worked with—from Jack Lemmon, <0- •. easy as an old friend, but I was in Walter Matthau, Tony Curtis, James f .•'awe the whole time. It was great." Garner and Rod Steiger to June Allyson, Not at all jaded, even after hobLeslie Caron and Liza Minnelli. nobbing with scores of celebrities, Whether in a digital editing suite or in a the star-struck Krupinsky said she sound recording booth or in a television still gets butterflies every time she studio, she gets on intimate terms with meets one. "I'm always a little nersome of the very luminaries she's idolized vous, but the minute they start She might be producing a Private talking, you kind of forget you're Screenings session in which James Garner scared." recalls his career, or she might be pruning She said the stars are real troopa feature with Liza Minnelli discussing her ers who go out of their way to make father and his films, or she might be • her and her colleagues feel comfortrecording a voice-over track in which Carol v, able being around them. Burnett pays homage to Lucille Ball. "So far, they've all been so easy to "Do I wake up in the morning excited to work with and I think it's because go to work? Yeah," Krupinsky said. "I feel they want to tell their stories, like I'm doing exactly what I knew I'd bo . •sf- J They're proud. They don't do it for doing. It is a dream come true." * i the money, they do it because they She has, in the course of putting want to do it." together various programs, met dozens of She said stars are put through Hollywood legends, as well as many more their paces on a typical Private obscure, but no less significant, film Screenings production day, which industry professionals. entails a three- to three-and-a"I do feel lucky meeting these people. half-hour taping session, promoThey were part of that Old Hollywood, tional intros and press interwhich was an exclusive, elite world. And Omaha native Dena Krupinsky shares a moment with film star Tony views. now that I'm part of it, I'm so excited. Curtis, one of many Hollywood greats she has interviewed for TCM. "It's an exhausting process, but When I watch the Oscars, I'll see these never have we had problems, I've people up there and go, Tfeah, know him, met him. of the Con." Her work has been recognized in the never had anyone complaining that it's taking too Nice guy.'" industry with Telly awards for Private long, or demanding star treatment. They're totally That goes for screenwriter Ernest Lehman, a Screenings segments on Tony Curtis and Leslie professional," Krupinsky explained." When we 20O1 honorary Oscar recipient whom Krupinsky Caron, a 1999 Gracie Allen Award for a Carol bring them on to the set, they're not worried or met while taping a program in which Lehman dis- Burnett Oh Lucille Ball special, and the 21st anxious. They just say, 'I got it. I know what to do.' cussed how scenes from his script for North By Annual American Women in Radio and And they love it. I feel like they have as much fun Northwest were brought to inspired life by Director Television Award for a series of interstitials (pro- with us as we do with them. I mean, they even sit Alfred Hitchcock. motional links) on women in film. with the crew and eat lunch." Somehow, even as a little girl, Krupinsky knew Many of the stars that Krupinsky, a graduate of With stars flying in to Atlanta for the tapings, she was destined to work in film or television. the prestigious University of Missouri School of opportunities abound for Krupinsky to hang with Growing up in the Rockbrook Park neighborhood, Journalism, has worked with have since passed the screen legends. she was the oddball kid on her block who much away, most recently Jack Lemmon and Walter "We usually take them out to dinner the night preferred watching TV hour upon hour to playing Matthau. A Private Screenings installment she did before. Tony Curtis, whom we've worked with a lot, outside with her friends. So enamored was she with Lemmon and Matthau remains one of her came with his wife, Jill. We took them to dinner with whatever the magic box displayed that she favorites, if for no other reason than she was and shopping. Tony is a lot of fun. This is a guy would kvetch with her mother for extra viewing enchanted with the man who originated the role of who doesn't want to rest. He wants to go out at privileges. Oscar Madison on stage and on screen. night. He has fun with his celebrity. He gladly Although her parents, Jean Ann and Jerry "That was something that I loved to do. Walter signs autographs." Krupinsky, could not then see how such a steady Matthau was the greatest, funniest guy I ever met. Following a Private Screenings session with Best diet of old movies, sitcoms, dramas, game shows, I loved him. At one point, I was walking with him Actor Oscar winner Rod Steiger, Krupinsky was variety shows, soap operas and commercials could to show him where the Green Room is and he asked to escort the actor to a Florida film festival possibly benefit their daughter, it undoubtedly has grabbed my hand. He was so sweet. He called me in his honor, and she witnessed, first-hand, the - embuing in her a deep affinity for popular enter- Charlotte the whole time.. I'd be like, 'No, it's respect and adulation audiences feel for this 'Very tainment that, if not a prerequisite for working at Dena.' And he'd go, 'No, no, I had a girlfriend intense and very passionate" man. TCM, certainly helps. named Charlotte, and you're just like her.' When One of the toughest parts of her job, she said, is "It does. It definitely does," said the perky he died, I remembered this line he said that I loved trying to whittle down the star interviews from Krupinsky during a June visit to Omaha for her during our taping session: 'Dear, oh dear, I have a several hours to the one hour or less allotted for 20th high school class reunion. She is a 1981 grad- queer feeling there will be a strange face in heaven airing. For several months now, she has been workuate of Westside High School and a former student in the morning.' And I thought of him and that ing on the edit for a James Garner Private at Temple Israel Synagogue. T just always loved line. Bless his heart." Screenings segment. television and movies and I've just always known I Krupinsky invited her parents to attend the "James Garner's has been one of the hardest to wanted to be in them." Lemmon-Matthau taping. She said she often tries cut because he told so many good stories. I cut and During her recent visit from her home in sharing her Insider's position with less experienced cut on paper first and when I went to edit, I Decatur, GA., a community near Atlanta, where co-workers by letting them listen in on phone inter- thought for sure I'd be fine but it was still too long. she works, Krupinsky, who is single, wore a views, "I always like to have people listen because Cutting stories is the hardest part. Editing is a bright red dress that matched the burning it's too great a learning experience not to have your long process." intensity she has for her job. That job entails co-workers there." In preparing to tape a Private Screenings or to producing segments for the network's (Channel On one occasion, Krupinsky gathered a phalanx produce a special project like the Memories of Oz 55 on Cox) Private Screenings, Star of the of Liza Minnelli fans in her office for a scheduled documentary, Krupinsky immerses herself in the Month, Director of the Month and Spotlight fea- phone interview with the star, only to have the project, gathering and reviewing reams of matetures as well as producing special projects relat- diva surprise everyone by inviting the producer up rials on the subject, including published intered to individual films, figures or themes, such as to her place instead. views, biographies, tapes of movies and archival a new half-hour documentary, Memories of Oz, "She said, 'I'd love it if you could come to my photos, with the help of staff researchers. which has been well-reviewed in the national house—I really don't like to do phone inter(Continued on page 9)
August 3,2001
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
Where Are They Now? (Continued from page 8) «•«-»««•--—••-»«"«• "I become totally absorbed in my subject. For three months, I can tell you everything about Tony Curtis or James Garner because I study them and I learn about these guys. I'll know everything— dates, times, movies—you name it. But then once a project's done, that information goes away as I move on to the next one. The thing I love about my job is that I'm learning all the time. 1 feel like I'm still in school. It's like having advanced film classes with experts talking about how they approach screenwriting or directing or acting." Krupinsky followed a logical route to TCM, working in local television promotion before graduating to the network level. Once out of college-and with her sights dead set on a career in TV—she took an entry-level job as a secretary at CBS affiliate WAGA-TV in Atlanta, where she was soon promoted to associate producer status-developing image campaigns and teasers for the station's news and entertainment divisions. Even with the new position, she said, it was hard to get by on her small salary. "I was broke. I ate a lotatTacoBell." After a brief stint with a station in Knoxville, TN, she landed a spot as a writer-producer with Turner Network Television Latin America, which equaled a step-up on her career path but which also presented a dead-end since she did not speak a word of Spanish or Portugese. Then, in 1994, she heard about the formation of TCM and promptly applied for, and won, her current post. When she began at TCM, media mogul Ted Turner was taking a hands-on approach with the fledgling network, unlike today, when various mergers have taken Ted's folksy presence out of the picture and replaced it with sober corporate suits. "Ted would always come by. One day, we had a meeting with him and he was wearing a cartoon tie and he was just hilarious," she recalled. "Other times, he'd walk by the office and any, 'Hey, guys, what are you doing?' Everyone who worked for Ted has this feeling for him because he did a great job. Thank God I wsm there for that regime." Before joining the ranks of film buffs nnd cinephiles at TOM, Krupinoky acknowledges «l\o. was a bit out-of-step with her workmates because, even though she loved movies, she lacked a deep knowledge of their history and lore, As an example,
she points to Warner Brothers tough guy John Garfield, someone she was assigned to do a feature piece on and knew next to nothing about. "Before I did John Garfield, I didn't know who he was, to be honest. I told my mom who I was profiling and she said, 'Oh, John Garfield, he's great. You'll fall in love with him.' I said, I will?' And sure, enough, I did. You almost fall in love with all these people." The Garfield project led Krupinsky to the late actor's daughter Julie Garfield, an actress, who provided personal insights into the man, and to former director Vincent Sherman, who directed Garfield in the 1943 drama Saturday's Children and who worked with many other Warners greats in the 1930s and '40s. Krupinsky played matchmaker of sorts when she arranged for the two to meet. "I brought Julie and Vincent together for lunch and it was great to sit back and let him tell her stories about her clad that she didn't know. I w a s kind of proud, myself, because I brought these two together." Krupinsky feels privileged getting the inside scoop from veterans like Sherman, who at 95, is one of the last surviving directors from Hollywood's classic studio era. Sherman knew everyone on the Warners lot, and hearing him talk about the old days and the old stars, is like getting the Holy Scripture from the prophet himself, K I had lunch with him and he was telling mo stories about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and I'm sitting there thinking, 'Oh, God, I'm sitting here with n man who worked with these legends.' I mean, it in very cool. Vincent's become a friend of our network's." A large part of her producing chorea involves developing scripts, which generally include narration read by a star or stars who have some relation" ship with, or enthusiasm for, the subject. For example, to promote a month-long salute to the late producer-director S t a n l e y Kramer, Krupinflky hit upon t h e idea of hiivinjj comic Jonathan Winters, who appeared in Krumor'8 It'a a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, witx notttalfric about the filmmaker, with whom he was quite doge. She interviewed Winters by phone and developed si script from his common to thai adhered very closely to his own words. The resulting Winters* salute was a surprisingly
Once again, the Jewish Press will observe Rosh Hashanah with a beautiful special issue on Sept. 14, 2001* This year, the theme for our annual New Year edition is L'Chaim! Health Professionals in the Jewish Community. We will feature stories and photos of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, researchers, dentists, medical technicians, pharmacists and others who help keep us healthy—physically and mentally. A D V E R T I S E R S ; This is a wonderful opportunity to target your advertising, not only to members of the Jewish Community, but to the family and friends of these health professionals who are sure to share this issue with them!
sober, reflective and personal reminiscence. When it comes time for the star to record the narration, as in the case of Winters, leeway is given for the star to go off-script and improvise. "They'll paraphrase and add their own little things," Krupinsky said, "and so it almost sounds like it's off-the-cuff, and a lot of times it is." Among new and proposed projects, Krupinsky is now brainstorming ideas to promote TCM's. scheduled Coming of Age theme in* October. She would like to get Matt Dillon, Diane Lane or Reese Witherspoon to host the Coming of Age festival. Another idea she has is to get Dustin Hoffman alone, or as part of a reunion of the cast of The Graduate. Other projects she would like to see happen range from a special on the Marx Brothers (she recently interviewed Carl Reiner on that comedy team) to Private Screenings segments with Shirley MacLaine, Elizabeth Taylor, James Coburn and Jerry Lewis. She is also thinking of some project that would be a good fit for Steve Martin to host/narrate. Pitching projects is part of what Krupinsky or any producer does. She feels fortunate having superiors who value her input. "The cool part about my job is that as producers we have a lot to say, It'a not like, 'Hey, Dena, your next assignment is.,.' It's more like, 'Hey, Dena, here's the programming we're thinking of doing and wo want you to come up with ideaa,' I can come back and say, 'Let's try UliH,* nnd they'll stiy yes or no, but a lot of Union they nay "yea,'" she added. "That's why I lovo my job. Like the LenmionMutthtiu Private ScrooniiiKM. That WHS mine. I wanted to do something on comedy teams and I thought of Ijemmon-Matthau and I did it. And the cool thing is. you get to do thin stuff with people you've nlwnytt admired and wanted to meet." For now, Krupinaky is content at TCM, but she can see lu'milf moving on, perhaps to produce fenturo-lenffth documentaries. "I think about it all th« time and I do (Vel like I nm making a nlow protjresHion towards it. I'm doing great; stuff now but I trtwayn fed like there's something eluiv 1 could bo doing out thww. I don't want to ever get away from thia work. Even if I move on, I still want aomothinp to do with Older Hollywood. Right now, though, I'm happy where I am."
MEW ESSAY CONTEST In the Jewish Press! CATEGORIES Under age 25: "What Being an American Means to Me" Age 25 & Over: "What Being an American has Meant to Me." Cash prizes of $500 will be awarded to first-place winners!
9
Please note deadlines:
^ ^ ^ g p ^ ^ Call:
Rocky Stern
Allan HancSleman Advertising Manager
Sales Representative
334-6451
393-4952
Barbara Frankei
Ray Pred
Sates Representative
Sales Representative
883-7920
334-6559
u I M M ;; smmUM m HWSM
• Essays should be typed, single,-spaced and limited to 1000 words. • A rover pugc; with nnimv age and phono number ahould bo included.
Essays are due August 24, Winners will be announced in into September and toprintvd in the Press lUitiny tho Hnjh Holidays. MAIL TO: Jewish Pr«.)-;*-s. :W3 fto. K'K'nd St Omaha, Nf. OBI54 ?V.m
Page 10
Jewish Press, Omafea, NE
August 3, 2001
Mountains of Paper Clips in the Hills of Tennessee by DAVID TWERSKY, Editor-in-Chief, New Jersey Jewish News*
WHITWELL, TN-If you build it, they will come. That might be the motto for the eighth graders in the middle school of this small Tennessee townpopulation 1,600-situated in a valley west of the Smoky Mountains. These students have done a remarkable thing: As part of a two-year educational project, they've collected over more than 15 million paper clips to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. They have far exceeded their original goal of six million, one for every Jewish victim of the Nazis. Some of the youngsters have now set a new goal: 18 million, for chai, the Hebrew symbol of life'. Every day, the school receives boxes of mail, letters and cards and more paper clips. (The local post office has never worked so hard.) With each new delivery, the clips are counted and transferred into boxes and barrels that are placed in every available space on the school grounds. Every letter is responded to and filed in a loose-leaf binder. A record is kept of each sender's address, phone number and e-mail address. Students respond to e-mails received through their Web site, www.Marionschools.org, Social sciences and English teacher Sandra Roberts, whose subject matter includes the Holocaust, often takes letters home on the weekend, reading and answering them with the help of a niece and her 90-year-old grandmother. Approximately 10,000 letters have reached the school from all over the world-Germany, Austria, Israel, Australia, Canada. The Boston Red Sox sent a box of paper clips. Clips were also sent by former President Bill Clinton, former Vice-president Al Gore (a native Tennessean) and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Actors Tom Bosley and Henry "the Fonz" Winkler (of Happy Days), Tom Hanks, Eiie Wiesel, the Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys~all have sent paper clips. "I feel like Noah and the ark," says school principal Linda Hooper. "One Monday, we had nine tubs of mail." The biggest single paper clip received was made for the students by an iron forger in West Virginia, The largest donation, one millioh paper clips, came from a group of people in Atlanta. The clips keep pouring in because of all the attention Whitwell has received. National television coverage, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, Ma'ariv-&nd extensive reporting on the project in Germany. That's because Lena Gitter, a 94-yearold Holocaust survivor from the Washington, DC, area, who tripped over the Whitwell Web site one day, brought the students' project to the attention of two German journalists, Peter Schroeder, 59, and Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand, 58, both authors of books about the Holocaust. The two made some calls and filed stories for German and Austrian papers. Then the Schroeders came to Whitwell, which led to their latest book, published in German only, The Paper Clip Project, now in its second printing. Gitter sent the first paper clip to Whitwell. She died before the Schroeders' book was published, with a paper clip by her side. So what do you do with millions of paper clips? The original idea-to melt them down to make a sculpture/memorial—was scrapped. Now, "we'd like , to purchase a cattle car from Germany and glass it in at both ends," explained Sandra Roberts. "People will be able to walk through the cattle car and see the paper clips on both sides." The school needs at least $12,000 to purchase the cattle car and have it shipped to Tennessee. If you build it, they will come. I have a vision: hundreds of cars and buses winding their way through the greenest state, over the mountains and down through the Sequatchie River valley to this small village to see the cattle car filled with paper clips honoring victims of the Holocaust. What makes the students' accomplishment extraordinary is that the people of Whitwell are a homogenous population of white ProtestantsBaptists and Methodists, mostly. The town has only a handful of African-American and Roman Catholic families. The middle school's 425 students include just six blacks and one Hispanic. Needless
to say, before the students began their Holocaust education project, most folks in Whitwell had never met a Jew, let alone thought about the Holocaust. "When we started, not a single child had met a Jew or knew anything about Judaism," the middle school's soft-spoken deputy principal and football coach, David Smith, told me. "So we started with a blank pad. What we found is that the more we teach them, the more they want to learn." Whitwell is full of trailers and small, old homes with sagging porches. Coal mining used to be big here, but the last mine closed in 1962. Sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. The silverhaired Hooper said most of the children in her school will most likely never go to college and will probably move away from Whit-well after finishing high school. They'll work for Aetna or in factories outside Nashville, she said. The closest newspaper is the South Pittsburgh Hustler (I kid you not). Forty miles down one road is Dayton, where Clarence Darrow took on William Jennings Bryan in the 1925 Scopes ("Monkey") trial. The Ku Klux Klan was founded 100 miles west of here, in Pulaski, TN. The students are all blond—really-and polite. Quiet and shy, they answer questions from their teachers and principal (who knows every child by name and most of their parents as well) with a "Yes, ma'am" or "No, sir." Whitwell's Holocaust project did not come top down as the result of a state mandate or because of coalition building or political pressure. This was bottom up. It all began in the summer of 1998 when Smith attended a teacher-training course in nearby Chattanooga, the nearest "big city." There, he heard a Holocaust survivor speak. "I was looking for something to teach about hatred and intolerance," Smith told me. "When I heard the survivor, I said to myself, "That's perfect."' Smith returned to Whitwell and pitched his proposal for a voluntary course on the Holocaust to Hooper. Hooper liked the idea but thought she had better call a parents' meeting to run it by them. After some initial hesitation—some parents questioned the wisdom of exposing their children to such horrific material—parents relented after Hooper she said would have allowed her child to attend such a class. "They trust me with their children," Hooper said. Nor was this the politically correct, diversity version of Holocaust education—to include other genocldes:of the Ukrainians, Irish, Armenians, American Indians. This is about the Holocaust, on the assumption that through learning about this ultimate in evil, all the others can best be understood. The first year, Smith and Roberts, charged with teaching the subject, "learned as much as the kids." They read from such texts as Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, I've Lived a Thousand Years, Night and Kingdom of Auschwitz. They saw Schindler's List and other films about the Shoah. More often than not, Smith read aloud, because many of the students couldn't afford to purchase the books. It was also mandatory for par-
ents to attend a couple of educational meetings. What was missing, Smith and Roberts realized after the first year, was some way to make the huge numbers of Nazi victims—11 million civilians killed, six million of them Jewish—accessible to children growing up in a town of 1,600 souls. "We'd tell them the number and they'd say, 'Oh,' but we could tell we needed to make it concrete," Smith recalled. One of the students-Roberts and Smith said no one remembers whosuggested, "Why don't we collect six million paper clips, one for each Jew killed in the Holocaust?" In mid-July, 1999, they got their first letter from a woman named Lisa Sparks from of all places, Tyler, TX. The letter strongly supported the paper clip project. Why paper clips? Because during the Sec-ond World War, many people in occupied Norway wore them on their lapels to protest Nazi race policies and as a homage to Johan Vaaler, the Norwegian who took out the first paper clip patent in 1899. We know about the Danes wearing yellow stars of David, but I'd never heard about the Nor-wegians and their paper clips. Perhaps it took the children of Whitwell to recall this act of national courage and moral heroism. The day of my arrival in Whitwell was completely Holocaust education-oriented. The morning began with a lecture by Jennie Shepard, an llth-grade Jewish student from a Nashville suburb who had participated in this ye.'ir's March of the Living. On a tour of the school, I was shown the barrels and boxes of paper clips throughout the school grounds; displays of Holocaust photos covering the walls of the hallways; and other school projects, including a pile of shoes and a drawing of the front gate of Auschwitz and of concentration camp inmates in striped uniforms. For Liz Worley, the project made the Holocaust "a reality. Before I learned about it, I knew it happened, but now I've heard from people about their lives and shared their emotions." Student Drew Schedrick went to Auschwitz at the beginning of May. He said, "It's amazing what they did to people there. Terrible and amazing." What would they do if they encountered a Holocaust denier? "People who tell people it didn't happen, I'd say they're crazy," responded Chad Hatfields. Robyn Sisco was "surprised people could have so much hate. To go as far as they did, it amazed me." "Hitler told people who followed him they were going through tough times and he'd help with food and money," answered Elena Cookstar. "I find myself explaining it to my mom when I talk to her about it," volunteered Jordan Carroll. The students had taken a trip to (the Holocaust Museum in) Washington. "It felt like I was there. I was scared," said Cassie Crabtree, Finally we all went together to the regional museum in Chattanooga to see a traveling exhibition, Remembering Luboml, a vanished Polish town destroyed by the Nazis. In three groups, the eighth graders were led by docents who explained the photos of the vanished shtetl. When a decent asked, "What is Yiddish?" no one answered. But at another photo, she asked, "Who knows what rnatza is?" and four of the kids jumped in. "That's the bread they eat on Passover," they said, with their long Tennessee drawl. "It's really amazing," Smith said, summing up, "that people all over the world are watching us teach our kids about kindness, tolerance and understanding." Said Hooper, who has spent alt her life as si local educator and school administrator, "This is what America is all about."
August 3, 2001
Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10:15 ajn. with Eileen Remer, or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 a.m. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk" discussion group at 11 a.m. Following lunch at noon, Rabbi Azriel from Temple Israel will be our guest. For transportation, call 330-4272. Deadline for reservations is Aug. 9 for Lunch Bunch to Linoma Beach on Aug. 16; Aug. 16 for Hot Dog Lunch and Game Day on Aug. 23; Aug. 28 for Garden Day Trip on Aug. 30. Make reservations for the "Jazz Delicatessen" on Monday, Aug. 20. A kosher deli lunch will begin at noon. Following lunch, come enjoy Luigi Waites as he performs Jazz, Swing and Blues tunes. Waites was honored with the Governor's Arts Award as 1996 Artist of the Year by the Nebraska Arts Council. Deadline is Aug. 13. For reservations, call Eileen Reiner at 334-6521. Reminder: The Mah Jongg Club will meet on Aug. 8. For information call Charlotte Kaplan at 551-5658. WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise with Cathy Carroll or play bingo with Eileen Remer at 10 a m . in the Social Hall; Pizza will be served at 11:30 sum, The movie Castaway starts at nooai in the Blumkin Home auditorium. B»NAI B'RTTH' BBEADBREAKERS Senator Chuck Hagel will speak at Braadhreakers on Wednesday, Aug. 8, noon, according to Marty Ricks, Chairman. Sen, Hagel will discuss his experiences in the Senate, Breadbreakers meets every Wednesday at noon at the Park Inn Regency at 107th & Pacific. Cost for lunch is $9; beverage service only, $2. The program is open to the community. OMAHA CENTER FOE TORAH: LEARNING 'Saturday, Aug. 4, 1 2 J 8 0 p.m., a luncheon following services at Beth Israel Synagogue to honor Rabbi Shlomo and Noa Levin on their two yearn of service to the Omaha Jewish community. To add your narae to the list of sponsors, call Miko Katzman a t 345-3550. At 6 p.m., Rabbi Levin hosts a class on the weekly Torah portion a t his home, 2001 No, 56 St. Monday, Aug. 0, 7 p.m., the last class on "Women and Prayer," hosted by Carol Katzman. at her home, 9151 Harney St. Tuesday, Aug. 7, 7 j>*m*, Beit Midrash continues at Chabad. Thursday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., Talmud, Tractate Sukka, hosted by Bob and Myra Oberman, 710 J.E. George Blvd. For more information about OCTL programs, call Rabbi Levin at 551-1564. OMAHA CHAPTER OF HADASSAH In honor of Hadassah's 90th birthday, life membership is being offered at the special price of $200. The special ends on March 1, 2002. If you are 90 years young, cost is $90fora life membership. Any member who has paid dues through 2002, may get life membership for $175, or can choose the payment plan of $25 a month. However, dues must be paid up by March 1,2002. For more information, call Sandra Kohll, 391-5603.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Je wish Press Adds Ray Precl to Sales Staff by JEWISH PRESS News Service
-
Page 11
Care ConsuCtantsfor
,
Longtime Omaha businessman Bay Pred has Since 1991
The Wardrobe, a men's clothing store; for the last seven years he has worked in sales for the Nebraska Furniture Mart. "We're very excited about adding someone as • experienced in sales as Ray P r e d Ray is to our staff," said Carol Katzman, Editor of the Press. Added Allan Handleman, Jewish Press Advertising Manager, "I've known Ray for years. It's going to be a pleasure to have him help us grow the sales revenue at the Press" Pred and his wife, Gwen, are parents of two sons, Mark and Marshall, and three grandchildren. For information about advertising in the Press, call Pred at 334-6669. i
iliilliiiiililiiiiliiilli A Registry Providing Companions, Home Health Aides, Nurses Aides and Nurses Affordable rates with no minimum hours
Omaha 398-1848
Lincoln 488-3771
Pacific, Suite 100
6211 "0", Suite "B>
Franx Antiques
by ART GROSSMAN
Random thoughts on a good ol' s u m m e r shvitebud day-97", 1.11" heat index. Hoo ha! Dm ez Haysl Despite the furnace-like temps, our OT/Y.E.S, was remarkably well attended. Memories of our youthful days permeated our minds oil how we coped with the heat before air conditioning. For two bits, you could spend an afternoon at the Orpheum or Paramount theaters. Children wore relegated to biiaeinenLs. Families wore in droud of polio. At aundown, find ov<»n in tho early morning hours, Central High School's inviting lawn WJIH awanning wilh people t>ui)kiug ruUoi' from tuts H'Usding hoat. Those with curs took a spin to Elmood Park for a nwig of cool spring wntor-or was it roally piped in by M.U.D.? Wer<'. those really the dnyn? Today, a flick of a switch, in home or car, and voilul It's a mechayahl In keeping with a light-hearted program, fclileoh Remer stepped in for vacationing Maggie CouU, who is in Venezuela with her family. Eileen conducted Musical Bingo. The Early Bird discussion centered on Israel'*) stand amid Palestinian escalating violence. We paused in revorant respect for Helen Siegol, Sarah Hill Rosa Burnstein, and Cleo Wolfson.
COME SEE
WHJKT'SNEWAT
FRANX Antiques & Arts 3141 Farnam St.
402-34S-5266
LAKESIDE APARTMENTS
Learn and Play Together at Temple Israel by JEWISH PRESS News Service—.— . For nearly a decade, Temple Israel has offered a unique program to families with small children. Torah Tots is an opportunity to share quality time for toddlers (18 months to four years of age) and their parents-a chance to learn and play together. Each class provides a variety of age-appropriate activities to enhance social and motor skills, while incorporating Jewish values and practices for the home. Singing, crafts, snacks and snuggling up for stories are part of the "stress-free" classes on Friday mornings, from 9;«MM1;1§ sura. Classes are open to families with at least erne Jewish parent; participants need not be members of Temple Israel. The new six-week session begins Aug. 81, For more information or to register, call . Joan Cooper at 556-6536.
• Rent Starting Qp $605 • Gas Heat & Water Paid > Elevator Buildings 1 Maintenance Free Living • Heated Indoor Parking Paid • Trash Pick-lip at Your Door One Mile Garden Walk Around the Lake Close to Shopping, Restaurants, & Professionals hist class produt t ami SCIVK c beyond ytnti exp<;U;it!t>r)sf
144TH AND OLD "L" STREET • 3 8 4 , 9 9 9 9 (ACROSS FROM CHARLIE'S ON THE LAKE} OMAHA, mttMSKK WWW.MCBCIU'JMIH MZOFOMAHA.COM "J Jlltll >\iit(imi.-n) Men «i)in \inu I Vjlri
393-3206
Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 3, 2001
Some Toys Are Better Others!
$
399/Mo "BMW
*
*#8423W. 36-month lease, 10,000 miles/year, $2500 cash or trade down plus first month payment and security deposit due at signing. Tax, title and license extra. WAC
HAS SET THE STANDARD
FOR A L L OTHER MANUFACTURERS T O ASPIRE T O . "
--Insurance institute for Highway Safety
0 - 6 0 (months) i n 4 . 5 % A P R On select BMW models with BMW Financial Services COME VIEW OUR ENTIRE LINE OF CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED BMW'S
MARKELBMW ^^§^ 0MyincjM;tchirie :
Graham Supported Jewish Causes; Backing Seen as Part of Help for Community by DEBRA RUBIN, Editor, Washington Jewish Week '
WASHINGTON-There were three its foundation, were major contribusubjects that were taboo in Katharine tors to the center. She didn't just write a check, but Graham's childhood home: money, was an active fundraiser for the censex and her father's Jewishness. So wrote the legendary Washington ter, holding donor events, according Post publisher, who died July 16, in to Arna Meyer Mickelson, DCJCC her 1997 memoirs, Personal History. Executive Director. Her father, Eugene Meyer, was At one of those events she stood up, descended fro'm a Jewish family in pointed to a picture of her parents, Alsace-Lorraine, France, whose num- and said she was pleased to continue bers included rabbis and civic lead- in their path. ers. (Her great-great-grandfather had At a DCJCC event in May, where been a member of a Sanhedrin of she received the Center's Lee G. Jewish notables whom Napoleon con- Rubenstein Award, Graham said her vened in regard to recognizing Jewish parents "passed on to me and my sibrights.) lings their values and community When Graham was 10 or 11, a sprit, minus either of their religions. classmate suggested that, because Having grown up in the neighborhood she was Jewish, she portray Shylock. on Crescent Place, I knew first-hand When Graham went home, she asked how the Center could be a positive her mother "if I was Jewish and what force. It continues to revitalize a large that meant. She must have avoided portion of the surrounding neighborthe subject, because I can't remember hood, and it provides essential serthe answer," Graham wrote in her vices for people who really need them." book. 'I'm sure my parents were not Mickelson said she saw Graham's denying or hiding my father's support stemming from her "identifiJewishness from us, nor were they cation of [the DCJCC] with her parashamed of it. But "there was enough ents, which was important to her, and sensitivity so that it was never because The Post is dedicated to the explained or taken pride in," Graham revitalization of the nation's cities." wrote, noting the family had a pew in Graham also contributed to The St. John's Episcopal Church ("mainly Jewish Federation of Greater because the rector was a friend of the Washington, where she was an annufamily") and that she and her siblings al Major Gifts contributor and had been baptized by their Lutheran achieved Lion of Judah status. maternal grandmother. "She responded to every invitation Graham's funeral service was held she received. She responded ahead of July 22 at Washington National everybody else," said Rosahne Cathedral, an Episcopal church. The Drurian, Major Gifts Director, Lion of Post reported she had no religious Judah, "She was certainly a lady from affiliation, but sometimes attended the old school of manners." the Episcopal Christ Church in Her support for the Federation Georgetown. wasn't so much that it was a Jewish Although Judaism played no obvi- organization, but that it was a ous role in Graham's life, there were Washington community organization, times she was keenly aware of her according to a spokesperson, "She Jewish blood. She wrote, for example, gave to organizations in thia commuof her family vacation home in Mount nity that gave back to the community, Kisco, NY, saying she didn't realize and she saw us as giving back," he until she was older that the family said. had little or no social life there. In 1995, she received the Jewish "Only later did I learn that my par- Council for the Aging's Productive ents had suffered from local anti- Aging Award. Semitism." .„,.....,... Graham visited Israel several While a student at the University of times. "The overriding thing I rememChicago, she found out that a club ber was her absolutely insatiable had disbanded over the question of curiosity about the country, the peoadmitting her. And as a young mar- ple and the politics," said Bill ried woman looking to buy a house in Claiborne, who was The Post's Israel D.C. in the early 1940's, she was Bureau Chief at the time of her 1980 stunned when her husband, Phil, told visit. She was "absolutely fascinated her the real estate broker had called with the story of Masada." to say the house that interested her, The day they visited that fortress behind a Sears, Roebuck store, was "was hot beyond belief," Claiborne located in a restricted area, "zoned said, "but that didn't faze her at all." against sale to either Jews or He called her equally attentive to Negroes." Israeli officials and to Palestinians. Although her father, who bought "When we were in the West Bank The Post in 1933, was never "overtly talking to Palestinians, she seemed religious," nor was he a Zionist, sympathetic to Palestinians; when Graham wrote, he did support Jewish she was with Israelis, she seemed causes and charities. sympathetic to Israel," he said, One of those was the District of If Graham felt any emotional conColumbia Jewish Community Center nection to the Jewish state, Claiborne and, in 1939, he and his wife, Agnes, said, "I didn't detect it." donated a wing to the building. She was too much the professional When the DCJCC, which had sold to reveal such a connection, he said, the structure at the corner of 16th noting Graham was equally as curiand P St. in the 1960's and repur- ous and interested when he traveled chased it in the mid-1980's, began a with her in South Africa. fund-raising campaign to renovate That 1980 visit to Israel was the building, Graham followed in her around the time some in the profather's footsteps. Both she personal- Israel community were blasting The ly and The Washington Post, through Post for what they aaw as the paper's its corporate donations and through (Continued on page 13)
August S, 2001
Jewish Frees, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Katharine Graham (Continued from page 12)
QmWi i si i!u< Ova) CirWM B M M
Walter Pincus of TAe Washington Post's national desk presented Katharine Graham with the District of Columbia Jewish
Community Center's Lee <3. Rubenstein Award, given in May, She was a longtime supporter of the Center, Photo courteny DJCCC.
bias against Israel, a charge that was frequently made against the paper back in the 1970's. "I was the object of a lot of that criticism because of a series I did on the West Bank," Claiborne said, which detailed Israel's treatment of Palestinians, much of it in a harsh light. There are still some Jews who believe the paper is biased against Israel. Asked about the subject in a 1906 WJW interview, Graham was quoted as saying. The Post "doesn't cover the Middle East differently than any other conflict. We've had conflicts with the ambassador, and we've handled them like any other conflicts." Her reference may have been to Moshe Arena, Israel's ambassador in the early 1980s. Arena had prepared a survey of American attitudes toward Israel, and found The Post to be one of the larger circulation news-
papers with a bias against the state. He expressed his concerns with Graham in what he believes to be an off-the-record conversation, and was dismayed when the paper reported on the survey. K I was reasonably close to her, which is why I turned to her," Arens said. Former Ambassador Zalman Shoval recalled an editorial board meeting in 1990. "I raised the question of why does The Washington Post always refer to th<> Israeli government as the rightist Shamir government or the extreme rightist government. She began to reflect and aho awked I her Btatt], 'Why do we do this? Maybe the ambassador is right,™ For a long timo after that mooting, Shoval said, "that label was dropped" on the news pages "because she accepted it showed a sort of prejudice."
Reunion Expected to Draw Hundreds by JEWISH PRESS News Sen/ice < •• Omahans Larry and Sherry Shapiro will be among the hundreds of former Sioux Citians expected to attend this weekend's "Homecoming 2001" for the Jewish community in Sioux City, IA. They'll be joined by Rabbi Jules Harlow, Editor of the Conservative movement's prayerbook, Siddur Sim Shalom and its forthcoming Chumash (Five Books of Moses), as well as other notables, including the former U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria! More than 260 out-of-towners will join about 150 current members of the Jewish community ixi this small western Iowa town, just a few hours north of Omaha, according to one of the chairmen, Bert Lipshutz. "We're very excited about this reunion," he told the Jewish Press last week. "If any Omahan wants to see friends from Sioux City, they're welcome to drive up Sunday for our picnic. They're sure to see some familiar faces,* he added. "And we'd love to see them! The festivities start tonight a t 8 p.m., with Shabbat services at the Sioux City Convention Center, 801 4th St., followed by an Oneg Shabbat
(sitter service will be provided.) Tomorrow, Shabbat services will be held at 0 a.m. at the United Orthodox Synagogue, 1320 Nebraska St., followed by kiddush lunch at Congregation Beth Shalom, 815 38th St. (the former Mount Sinai Temple). At 2 p.m., visitors can choose a tour of the Orpheum Theater and Sioux City Art Center, or a Genealogy Workshop at 2:30 p.m., presented by Debbie Sterling at Congregation Beth Shalom. At 6:30 p.m., a cocktail hour will precede a banquet and program at the Sioux City Convention Center, Sunday, Aug. 5, includes cemetery visits from 9-10 sum., and a Brartdesi Camp reunion at 10 a.m. at Ceongregation Beth Shalom. The picnic takes places from 12-8 p.m. at Riverside Park, site of the former Sioux City Boat Club, 1201 Council Oak Dr., followed by an ice cream social and Farewell at 7 p.m, at the Green Gables Restaurant, 18th and Pierce St. For more information, call Bert Lipshutz at 712-289-1259, or cochairman Beit Shapiro at 712-2393887, or visit the Homecoming 2001 website: www.l32inSiou%tCom. .
#4692. MSRP $19,830
SALE PRICE
$
15.698
#5389. ABS, traction control, rear spoiler, power windows/ locks, tUt, cruise. MSRP $19,295
SALE PKICE
*16,698
2001 Wmcistar LX
_lpl
raHHraniP
# 4 7 9 3 . MSRP $26,380.
SALE
PRICE (llff^l^lfl I STARTING ^ B ^ C m J AS LOW
^ ^
^liillliE!.
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Sir Speedy
PRINTING, COPYING and DIGITAL NETWORK
Letterhead * Brochures •-Newsletters Business Cards • Mailers •• Postcards
Your Past is a Family Treasure SAVE YOUR MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD, COURTSHIP, PARENTS, THE FAMILY BUSINESS.
August 3, 2001
Maccabi Games
Leadership Organizes
( C o n t i n u e d from p a g e 1) .•••»•»»»»•«-.••-••»»»•••-.
(Continued from page 1) ^....~—«.-.~~.—....—~» experience necessary to lead the 2002 Campaign and focus on the most pressing issues facing Omaha's Jewish community. "The reality is that last year's 2001 Campaign raised the same amount of money as the 2000 Campaign did. While the generosity of Omaha's Jewish families remains unparalleled, a flat Campaign means that programs and services can only be funded at the same level as the previous year--and just barely. We can't allow for cost of living increases and we can't fund any new programs. If a crisis or urgent situation comes up in our community, we'll have to take the money away from an existing program or service to fund it," Kohll explained. The Jewish Federation's Annual Campaign is the major fundraising effort for the entire Omaha Jewish community. Money raised for the Campaign supports our five Centers of Excellence: the AntiDefamation League, the Jewish'Community Center, Jewish Educational and Library Services, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services. In addition, Campaign dollars go to fund programs and human services for needy and impoverished Jews in the former Soviet Union, Israel and 60 other countries worldwide. For a complete listing of allocations from the 2001 Annual Campaign, please log on to the Federation's website at: wwwjewishomaha.org, and click on the 'Annual Campaign' link.
accommodations for thousands of athletes. Nearly 1,000 coaches will volunteer their time and talent to train and guide participants throughout the JCC Maccabi Games. A total of 16,000 volunteers will ensure that the week-long event runs smoothly. At this Jewish mini-Olympiad, each participant has the chance to learn some great lessons that will be cherished for life: Teamwork, respect for the rules and respect for the opponents, fair-play, acceptance of success as well as of failure, and much more.
LET'S TURN YOUR WORDS A N D PHOTOS INTO A N ELEGANT HEIRLOOM BOOK.
Second Story 553-5704 |
Mishpucha in Arizona!!
Moving to the Sunny Southwest? Winter homes, ASU housing, investment prop I'll find just what you're looking for I've been in Arizona 20 yrs., after leaving Omaha (However, it seems like only yesterday)
Sheldon Babendure
WEST USA
Multi-Million Dollar Producer 8687 R Via De Ventura #110 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 o:mail: Shelrltor@aol.coin 1-602-740-4564 ;
; :-Ar i i o na>
Arizona
Too Oof Oafsxdef Come to
and see our new look! • Beautiful Art • Accessories • Lamps • Art Glass Now featuring the Art ofWhimsey (art to make you smile!)
8025 W. Dodge Rd * Omaha 391-7733 HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9-6; Sat: 9-3
. . . that we carry elegant stationery, invitations, napkins and hand towels from Consortium, Arlene Segal, Embossed Graphics, Jamie Ostrow, Fabsco and more. You don't have to come here to plan a whole party. You can simply order a box of stationary or napkins, or get access to all kinds of party enhancements that only we know about. If you want to rent a table cloth or other linen, we can help you with that. And if you want more, we can help you plan your event... if you like, We're here to make your parties and events special in any way we can, Corns by soon!
Events, lee. EVENTS WITH A TWHST! 352 North 76th St., Omaha, NE 68114 402.391.0708 fax: 402.391.0711 Visit www.eventsinc.com Bring in this notice to get special pricing
Dancers Shayna Kurland and Anna Turetsky will perform in i n d i v i d u a l events. At Opening Ceremonies, the Omaha delegation will participate in the Parade of Athletes, wearing this year's Maccabi attire, but they'll also throw t-shirts into the crowd reading "This year in Sarasota...next year in Omaha!" The JCC of Omaha is one of five host communities for the 2002 Maccabi Games. "We try to make the JCO Maccabi Games a memorable experience for our teens, one which combines aports and socialization with fun and meaning, in a setting that constantly stresses Judaism and Jewish values," said Steve Reiner, chairman of the JCC Maccabi Games. "We hope that in meeting teens from other places, both near and far, the athletes learn that their common heritage as Jews links them together in a special way, not just for the week of the Games, but always." For many of these participants, the Games open the door to a broader personal Jewish journey. The central Judaic concepts of Tzedekah (justice, charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing of the world) will generate a special day for community service: "Day of Caring-Day of Sharing", during which JCC Maccabi athletes take time out from the competition and help make a difference in the lives of the local communities. The Rachmanus rule plays a key role in our athletic event: from the Hebrew word for 'compassion,' the Rachmanus rule applies to individual players, teams, coaches and spectators. There is no room for violent reactions, slander, gossip or trash-talk at the JCC Maccabi Games. In order to reinforce the Jewish collective memory among our youth, the JCC Maccabi Games Opening Ceremony will feature a memorial tribute to the 11 Israeli athletes killed by terrorists at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. For the first time, JCC Maccabi Games are also establishing an Alumni Association that allows past participants to reunite, share memories with old Mends, attend regional and local events, reconnect with the JCC movement and keep the Games' international network alive. Thousands of medals will be awarded during the competition. One of the participants' most-practiced 'activities', though, remains trading the community identification pins that have already become valuable collectibles. The JCC Maccabi Games are sponsored by JCC Association of North America as the managing partner, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi World Union. Omaha is one of the host cities for next year's Maccabi Games. To help sponsor the Games or to volunteer, call Lisa Shkolnick, Assistant Director of the JCC of Omaha and Coordinator for the Maccabi Games here. She can be reached at 3346425.
Rosenbaum to Speak (Continued from page 1) .......i.,,!.,.
n. .,.,.„„
..., ,
Professor of Religious Studies, and he also directed the Bureau of Jewish Education of the Omaha Jewish Federation. "I have the greatest admiration for Jonathan Rosenbaum, and I know he was beloved by our community, We're overjoyed to bring him back, albeit briefly, and we look forward to informative, exciting sessions guided by his vast knowledge and expertise," said Steven Biekes, chairman of the Adult Education Committee of Jewish Educational and Library Services, which is sponsoring the evening event. In a telephone interview, Rosenbaum expressed reciprocal warm feelings about Omaha. "My family and I have deeply missed the Omaha community, which we were honored to call home for 10 years," he said, before offering a synopsis of his views on the rise pf Jews in American politics. "In the last year, we have seen a radical change, in the sense that not only a Jew, but a 'highly recognizable Jew' was nominated as a candidate for Vice-president of the United States," he said. "Further, this is not an isolated phenomenon. It is one example of a bipartisan trend that gives evidence to full acceptance of Jews and others in all aspects of American life." Rosenbaum said he will look at why and how political changes regarding Jews have taken place in the nation and in individual states, especially Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. Rosenbaum maintains close ties to all four Jewish movements in the U.S. As evidence of the high regard in which he is held throughout the spectrum of Jewish life, he has received honorary doctorates from both the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion and the Jewish Theological Seminary He came to his current post at Gratz College from the University of Hartford, where he held the Maurice Greenberg Chair of Judaic Studies and served as director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies and chair of the Department of History. He was also Adjunct Professor at Hartford Seminary and the Graduate School of the University of Connecticut and Lecturer in Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Diverse in his interests and background, he was trained in and has taught and published in the fields of ancient Near East and Biblical Studies as well as in rabbinics, American Jewish history and Jewish education. His most recent work is Making a Life, Building a Community: A History of the Jews of Hartford (co-authored with David G. Dalin). More information on Dr. Rosenbaum's appearances is available through the JELS office at 3346445.
August '<&, 2001
Jewish Press, Omaha, HE
Page 15
Part II
An Omahan's View of Israel by JAN PERELMAN, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha
On this recent trip to Israel with me were Zoe Riekes, Chairman of Partnership 2000 in Omaha, Dr. Speedy Zweiback, Mark and Kim Schwartz, and Debbi Brown, Assistant Director of the ADLCRC. In addition to meetings in the Western Galilee with the Israeli counterparts of Partnership 2000, representing 13 Midwest Jewish communities, we visited such familiar places as Yctd LaKashish, Lifeline for the Elderly For Israelis, there is great concern for their rapidly growing elderly population. Under the Law of Return, Israel accepts any Jew, regardless of age, health status or productivity. This policy, which guarantees every Jew in the world a home in Israel, has resulted in tremendous challenges for
Visit Israel This Fall! You, too, can show your support for Israel by joining us on one of two Solidarity Missions this fall: Sept, 9-14 or Nov. 13-18 (following the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities in Washington, D.C). Cost is $999 per person from the East Coast. For more information, call Pam Monsky, 334-6431, or Jan Perelman, 334-6433.
lives. Do we love our children any less than American Jews love theirs? Our lives go on and we are trying to retain our normalcy. "Yes, we are more careful where we go these days. We all live by the media. We hear about something that happens, then, we return to our daily life. Americans have to realize that there is a huge gap between what is reported about life in Israel and how we are actually living. With the exception of those who live in some of the settlements, we are not consumed by this every hour." And as another put it, "This situation is not new for us as Jews, what is new is the worry that our partners are not coming here to support us." In 1948 and 1967, Israelis gave all Jews a new sense of pride, and changed the image of the Jew as the underdog, scapegoat and victim. Israel gave us a home-' land to guarantee every Jew a safe country, and returned to us the place we have carried in our heartB for 2000 years. Over and over ngnm, I have been asked, "How was your trip to Israel?" Kim Schwartz, left, made seveal purchaser of handI Hity, with all honesty, Unit of the made Judaica at Lifeline for tho ElderlyVt gift shop. dozonM of Lhn«H I have tfoiu\ Uri« viml wnH very difficult—not because wo wora afraid or Israeli society. Nava Ein-Mor in the Director of Lifeline, u allot- imsnfo, bul. HH<I because I HIIW the Hpiritual, emotercel workshop which employs the older and immi- tional and physical separation of Amnriejm nncl grant populations in Jerusalem IIH productive* arts Israeli Jews, and craft workers. Under professional munaKoOn the other hand, I continue to ''. * '. manfc, Lifeline sells wonderful handiwork to mip- be umussed at the impucl. that a f«w (•)$•' port other operations, including propraiUH much can make by their presence tinti the like our Jewish Senior Service's Meals-on-Whoels reniarkuble transformntion I witand others, which promote the welfare and dignity ness in those who conio for tlte first of the elderly population. time. The unoxphiirmble connection Ein-Mor candidly talked about a feeling she to the land, the people, to our indicalled "nituk", which she translated as complete vidual place in our history—eviisolation and abandonment—and she compared it to denced by young people like Kim the psychological situation before the peace with and Mark Schwartz—can and will Egypt and Jordan. This feeling that American Jews preserve our Jewish future here in are refusing to come because of fear or, even worsts, America. a disinterest or lack of connection with Israeli But to do this, we need the help of Jews, raises deep concerns about the partnership of as many Omahans as possible. our people. Thanks to young people like Yoni The question keeps surfacing, "How do we, as Drazen, who participated in the Raraah trip to Israel this summer, partners, share our destiny together?" One person I spoke to put it this way, "We under- Max and Forrest Marcovitz and stand that you are afraid and, as a parent, you Brittney Eshelman, who are there don't want to send your children here, but our chil- now with NCSY, and Keith Oranl, dren are living here, going to school, living their Rebecca and Emily Storm hers,
Vitaliy and Paul Tsyrlin and Sarah Linn, who return home shortly from the ARTZA trip with teens from Kansas City, as well as Aaron Schneider of Kearney, who participated on the Young Judea trip, Israelis will know that Omahans do care, As Alex Fleischer, known to many through his work as Omaha's missions guide puts it, "Diaspora Jews need Israel just as we Israelis need you. The political reality is that we cannot exist without Diaspora Jewry. And American Jews cannot survive without Jerusalem, the central spirit of our Judaism for over 2000 years, "Through our collective memory we have remained a strong people and our strength is through our acts of remembering," he added. "Do not forget about us now."
Above, one of the elderly nrt»«aiiH at Lifeline pain IK a silk ohallah cover. Below: The Omaha group viHitcd a youth village in turtle!, homo to children whose parents cannot car« for them. Funds* from the Annual lifip .support tiiih
••<]
Jewish!
"worry... Coniplimeiitaiy features intitule: * Continental "plus" breakfast * In-room coffee & weekday morning newspaper * Local telephone calls and long distnnec ;KU\SS * Fresh-baked cookies & collet' In the lobby
A Cozy Stay At A Comfortable Price"
800-456-4000 www.countryinns.coni
You'll appreciate these extras; * Spacious guest rooms B, suites 4 Indoor pool & whirlpool * Golf courses, shopping & eitteiiaiiiiueut neatly * S p e c i a l group r a t e s lor out-of-town Q u e s t s for Bat/Bav Mltxvahs, weddings kn& reunions
Complimentary Suite with 15 or more rooms Ask for Frankie in Group Sates
402-445-4445
11818 Miami (North of Blonckum 1.20th)-.": : . Ask for Amy In Group S a l e s , ' 7!2-347-,%fM) 2210 Abbott Drive (Carter Lake, towa)
ii'i^ AH employees bonded & insured • FHBK estimates. • Wo care about overy minute, detail. * We use the boat tools and materials to got the job dorm (including the must, powerful household vacuum available with a certified ft.K.L'.A. filter lor allergy HiiiTtwrs! * OiistornorH receives a 1(W discount on carpet and air tlue.t cleaning from A.C.R.S. , Cminueraul, Movi: in/outs
BEYOND " ^
CLEANING CO.
Owners: Dorok Colin & Deniso Dearborn
616-3348 e-mail: aboveandbeyonclcleaning@home.com
Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
August 3,2001
Basketball Scholarship Fund to Memorialize Jay Parsow5s Commitment to Help Others by CLAUDIA SHERMAN, Foundation Public Relations Coordinator •
be a good sport." Jay Parsow lived every day "like it was his last," with Jeff Aizenberg, JCC Execufive Director. a Both Aaron and Charles agreed that they his wife, Margo, said. He made the most of every With the contributions of family, friends, aad collearned "the fundamentals of life, like being day," she added, l i e never sat around." leagues, the Dr. Jay Parsow Youth Basketball respectful." from their father. Charles said he Born in 1954 and raised with his three brothers, Scholarship Fund was set up to provide scholar1 n ship? based on financial need for JCC member? vill continue to pl^j basketball, of his favorite Alan, David and Steven, in Omaha, Jay Central High School before enrolling at the University of California at Los Angeles. Eventually graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), Jay attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and graduated in 1984. Following that, he completed his residency at the University of California at Irvine and an externship at Stanford University. Parsow married Margo Frohman in 1984 at Temple Israel in Omaha. The two had known each other since childhood, Margo said, and had always been friends. They started dating in the early 1980s when she was in graduate school at UNO and he was at UNMC. By 1988, the young couple moved back to Omaha from California. Jay was a physiatrist specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Margo was a management and training consultant. After a year at Immanuel Medical Center, Jay opened Ms own practice. Their family grew with the births of two sons, Aaron and Charles. As the boys got older, the Parsow family enjoyed family vacations together, including trips to Civil War battlegrounds, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Montana, Idaho and the Dakotas. There were family adventures in horse- W i t h iheir dog Buddy, the Parsow family includes (from left) Aaron, J&j, Margo and Charles. back riding and river rafting. "Being with his family was Jay's number one pri- under the age of 18, to participate In the basketball things to do with. Ms dad. ority," Margo emphasized. He also loved gardening program sponsored by the JCC. Aaron sffll has a hard time going to the JCC. He and working in his large yard near 96th and West "Jay was a very giving person," Margo remarked. may play basketball at bis school, but he's not sure Dodge Road. The endowment fund is Important to her, because he can face the memories of losing bis clad, that stir "He had a real talent for plants," Margo noted. "it will "give back to the community, and iffs a way when he plays at the JCC. Jay's father said that in addition to the basket"He could make anything grow." Jay also enjoyed to keep Jay's spirit and memory alive forever." Bob Franzese, JCC Athletic Director, explained ball endowment fund, another endowment, the yoga and practicing meditation, mentioned his that through the scholarship "Jay will still con- Parsow Family Fund, will provide funds to rewife. As a boy, he played basketball with his brothers tinue to help underprivileged youth come to bas- landscape and maintain the entire atrium area of at home and also at the Jewish Community Center ketball clinics land participate in our basketball the Sose BlamMn Jewish Home in memory of his wife, Lee Jane Parsow, who died last year, and in (JCC). He sponsored teams in the JCC youth leagues at the ST league and was also the basketball coordinator at Jay's father, Sol Parsow, having difficulty memory of Jay. The area will be named the Parsow Brownell Talbot School where Aaron will be a sev- expressing his thoughts through his grief, Family Memorial Garden. enth grader and Charles in fifth grade this fall. described Jay as "a loving husband, a loving Jay Parsow believed in putting forth Ms "maxiJust last year, Jay had joined the Wednesday father, and a loving son of whom I am very, very mum effort" Margo noted. He taught Ms sons that Men's League at the JCC. He was playing basket- proud. The thing that hurts is all the wonderful if they did that in everytMng from homework to ball there on the evening of Jan. 10 when he suf- education he received and all the people he could sports, It was all anybody could ask. He set an fered a massive coronary attack. Despite efforts have helped in his lifetime. He will be in our example by "taking care of people, healing them, his profession was very important to him," she to revive him, Parsow did not survive. He died at hearts forever." Aaron, who is 12, thinks "the money should go added. "He even made house calls1." the age of 46. Aaron recalled the family coming home from a Jay's funeral was attended by more than 1100 to anything to help people" and agrees with bis cMli dinner at school when Ms father got out of the mother's intent "to help kids do things they people at Temple Israel, a testament to the kind of car to retrieve a dog that had been Mt by a ear. couldn't afford." person he was, according to Margo. "Even as a They thought it might be paralyzed if not dead. Charles concurred. "That's what Dad would have young boy, he was honest, real, humble, even with However, Dr. Parsow "worked on the dog" and then all of his intelligence. I think people felt they just wanted," the 10-year-old said. "Jay would have liked something to help others took It to the Humane Society where it was picked didn't meet a person like Jay very often." To pay tribute to Jay, Margo decided to establish keep physically fit," Margo explained. "Basket- up by its owner the next day. Holding back tears, Aaron said, Til remember an endowment fund with the Foundation of the ball teaches good values, builds self-esteem, Jewish Federation. She discussed her intentions teaches how to get along with people and how to everything about my dad." !*•.-« ^T
*
*
Locally Owned & Operated
Bruce W. AarikD.p.&
PROFESSIONAL FULL
2S0S South 174th Plaza Omaha, NE 68130 Phone: 897-3838 Fax: 697-3888
E)
SERVICE CLEANING-CO. "Our Mission Is:
S3
To Serve With HONOR, To Work With PSIDE, To Inspire With INTEGRITY We take great care in recruiting only employees with the highest degree of moral values
m 3 8
All employees are fully insured and tended
^511 f " * * l ^ l 2 f i .
www.maidsofhonormc.com
12209 North 91st Plaza • Omaha, ME Mention this ad, receive 10% OFF (newpatients only)
iFind Us Fast in the; US WEST DEX Yellow t