^JEWISH PRESS] Vol. LXXX!
No. 20
Omaha, NE
12 Shevat, 5762
January 25,2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
Traveling Teflllah Band Brings Contemporary Sound to Synagogue 2000 Service by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator-—-----™.
Omaha Maccabi Delegation Surpasses 70 Teens by JEWISH PRESS News Sen/ice —
As of Jan. 21, the number of athletes registered Maccabi athletes registered include: Ryan " "Yachad," for the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games in Omaha is up to Blumkin, Dan Canfield, Michael Crabb, Justin > the Traveling 71, according to Rachel Blum, Omaha Delegation Davidson, Liatte Dotan, Talia Eisenberg, Alex -" Tefillah Band Head. "We've been offering programs on a monthly Epstein, Ben Epstein, Brad Frank, Lauren from Kansas basis in order for participants to get to know Freeman, Michael Friedman, Spencer Gallner, each other and find out what TEAM Adam Gendelman, Austin Gilinsky, Emily its con- OMAHA is really all about," she added. Gordon, Corey Green, Leanne Harris, ^ t e m p o r a r y "It's really-helping to get kids excited for Justin Jacobson, Nathaniel Joseph, Kate > *' approach to the Games this summer." Josephson, Becky Kahn, Maxwell Katz, j*-^ prayer and Matt Kelberg, Dustin Lepp, Kelsey Lepp, The most recent program was held last ,'?•". worship here, Saturday night at the JCC, and consisted Stephen Lercher, Jon Lerner, Arielle [*i Friday,Feb.l, of a pool party and table tennis exhibition Levine, Jodi Levine, Adam Linsky, Iindsey 'X"j 8 p.m., at from local league professionals. All the names of Lovette, and Stephanie Lovette. Shabbat ser- registered athletes were put into a prize drawing, Additional Maccabi Games participants include: vices at and two winners were announced. Ben Epstein, David Manvitz, David Martin, Max McCann, Temple Israel. who will play basketball in the Maccabi Games, Steven Meyer, Rachael Monsky, Aaron Murow, ; The band's won a Sony CD Walkman; Alex Epstein, another Dan Murow, Emily Muskin, Zach Muskin, Bobby visit here will basketball player in the Games, won a Sony Play Newman, David Paige, Aaron Parsow, Aaron be part of the Station. Passer, Joel Passer, Olga Patkovsky, David congregation's celebration that evening of the The final two prizes, a Nintendo GameBoy and a Phillips, Jacob Phillips, Kim Pitlor, Daniel accomplishments of Synagogue 2000. DVD Player, will be awarded at the next Maccabi Rahmani, Danny Raznick, Jason Rich, Max Rogers"Yachad," an ensemble of vocalists backed up by program, a bowling party at Mockingbird Lanes on Marcovitz, Ben Salzinger, Taylor Sanford, Max guitars, cello and drums, adds new dimension to Sunday, Feb. 24, 1-3 p.m. All registered partici- Schwartz, Sasha Skulsky, Sarah Spooner, Zach prayers with its rhythms, harmonies and contem- pants and those who are interested are encouraged Spooner, David Sukiennik, Josh Sweet, Shiri Tene, porary renditions. The band participates in the ser- to attend. For more information about these pro- Brandon Thomas, Jamie Tully, Trevor Tully, Anna vice to make traditional prayers accessible and grams, contact Gary Katz, Program Associate, at Turetsky, Guy Weinstein, Alex Wolf, Hannah Wolf and Taylor Workman. inviting, as well as to encourage active participa- 334-6403. tion and a spiritual connection among all who share the worship experience. "Part of (Yachad's) goal is to access the meaning of the prayers, to speak to people who are not familiar with what the prayers mean," said Devra by JEWISH PRESS News Service Lerner, a founding member of the band. "People come and they laugh and they cry and they pray," she added, "and nobody holds back." Lerner is the sister of Hermene Zweiback, who was an active member of Temple Israel before her death in 1999. Jeff Schweid, who heard Yachad when they performed at Synagogue 2000's Retreat in November, said the band played "exciting Jewish music with a lot of energy. There's a very Israeli feel to their music," he added. Beth Brodkey, who also enjoyed Yachad's style of music at the retreat, described the band as "fantastic. They were amazing and added so much to the retreat." Synagogue 2000 sponsored the Retreat in Nebraska City last November. Mike Walts, Synagogue 2000 chairman, as well as President of Temple's Board of Trustees, will give a D'var Torah at the Feb. 1 Shabbat service, reflecting on Synagogue 2000's impact on the congregation over the past six years. A national program, Synagogue 2000's goals are to help synagogues as they strive to become places where all congregants find the opportunity to feel welcome and engaged on every level of intellect, An interactive exhibit of the lives of Jewish and the Jewish Cultural Arts Council, feawomen in the upper Midwest during the last tures hands-on activities and guided tours by heart and soul. Walts will reflect on his own spiritual journey as well. - century opens this Sunday in the Gallery of trained docents. To schedule a tour for a pri"I think we're in for a special treat," said the Jewish Community Center, with a recep- vate group, contact the NJHS at 334-6441, or Temple's Program Director Rosie Zweiback. "Mark tion from 2-4 p.m. The exhibit, co-sponsored JCAC at 334*6404. The exhibit runs through by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society April21. your calendars for Feb. 1."
'Unpacking on the Prairie' Exhibit Opens This Sunday
Hobermans Honored at Martin Luther King Commemoration
INSIDE:
by CAROL KATZMAN, Editor
Monthly Calendar
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Longtime community volunteers Jerry and Cookie Hoberman were among six Omaha leaders honored with the Living the Dream Award Monday night during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., commemoration, sponsored by the City of Omaha. The Hobermans, who "adopted" Omaha Public School's Belvedere Academy in North Omaha, were cited for their devotion to improving the educational opportunities of children and eliminating inequtities (Continued on page 12)
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Plays preventing domestic violence on stage again in Omaha Page 9 Shukcrt Fund to assist employees of Blumkin Home.. page 10 A review of Rick Recht concert
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 25,2002
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The Reality of the Exocfys by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE — Parashat b'Shalah It is surprising that the text suddenly retreats from the omniscience of the godhead to more practical considerations. We have just come from the splitting of the sea and the triumphant dry-shod march through the sea-bed, and now the text finds it necessary to find a way out of Egypt avoiding the relatively puny Egyptian strong points along the Mediterranean Sea. The God who split the sea should have been able, easily, to wipe out the relatively powerless Egyptian strongholds along the Mediterranean shore. Egypt naturally had forts along the Mediterranean both for aggressive and defensive purposes. The Via Maris (the way of the sea) would naturally have to be defended by Egyptian forts against possible aggression from the north. But would these forts have stopped the Lord who can command the seas to roll back? Nonetheless, the text has it that to avoid these forts, the children of Israel were turned towards the wilderness, the sea of sands. Anyone who has set foot into these sands knows how hard it is to lift a foot out and push it forward and then to do the same with the next foot. And so on and so on. Maybe 40 years is too long a period for the march through the wilderness, but one can understand why the Biblical text uses this standard figure for a long time in describing Israel's frustrating march on the way to the Promised Land. What was it that limited God's power in this case? Alas, the text does not tell us. But we have to understand the rights of the narrator. Just as there is poetic license, so there is a license for the writer of narrative to emphasize one event and de-emphasize another, at his own desire. Further, in this case, to emphasize God's power or to de-emphasize it, in order to tell the story as he wants it told.
Schrager Fund Honors BBJH Employees by JEWISH PRESS News Service
When Sonia Schrager was a resident in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, her husband, Jack, was extremely pleased with her care. In her memory, he has implemented a program to reward the professionalism and caring provided by the staff at the Home for the frail elderly in its care. The first recipients of the Schrager Staff Appreciation Fund at the Blumkin Home are Shelly Spencer, LPN, and Ron Dacanay, Certified Nursing Assistant. Each received a check for $250. Every quarter, two employees will receive this honor. At the end of the first year, one person from the eight, who will be selected throughout the year, will become Employee of the Year and receive a grant award of $1000. Selected individuals must meet specific criteria in order to be considered for the award.
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Federation Communications Director—mm^mmammmmmm The theme for 2002 "Super Sunday All-Stars" is a patriotic tribute to the victims and survivors of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and also shows worldwide support for the United States' war on terrorism. Kids' Super Sunday is scheduled for Feb. 3, 12:30-2 p.m., at the JCC; the Super Sunday Telethon is the following S u n d a y , F e b . 10, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at Omaha Steaks. Both events are sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Kids' Super Sunday, now in its fourth year, is a celebration of the spirit of tzedakah just for children. Highlights include a free "All-Star Meal" (while supplies last) featuring pizza from Zio's, games, prizes, a moonwalk and clowns. Magician Joe Cole will entertain the crowd at Micah Stiel felt t h e 1 p.m. Tzedakah boxes e x c i t e m e n t a t Kids' were distributed to chil- Super Sunday 2001. dren enrolled in the religious schools, Friedel Jewish Academy, the JCC Child Development Center and the Youth Department. The decorated boxes and any amount of tzedakah should be brought to Kids' Super Sunday for free admission. Community members will meet at Omaha Steaks Telemarketing facility on the morning of Feb. 10 for Super Sunday. Each year, approximately 25 volunteers make phone calls to the Omaha Jewish community for te_ contributions to the Jewish Federation's D a n M a r b u r g " w o r k e d " t h e Annual Camphones at last year's telethon. p a i g n . Super Sunday raises more than $50,000 to help support Jewish programs and causes, as well as providing food and other assistance to local Jewish families in need. Chairmen Mark and Kim Schwartz are looking forward to both events and noted, "Super Sunday is so successful because of the people who volunteer their time and the many businesses who donate goods and services to both events." For more information about Super Sunday and Kids' Super Sunday, please contact Lana Reichardt in the Federation office at 334-6430.
NOTICE Those teens who have not yet collected their art work from the Young Jewish Omaha Artists exhibit in November must pick it up by Feb. 1 or all art work will be given to the Leon Fellman Teen Lounge. The art work is currently located in the Jewish Press office; please call 334-6450 to make arrangements for pick-up by Feb. 1.
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Shelly Spencer, LPN, and Ron Dacanay, CNA, are the first recipients of the Shrager Fund awards.
A special committee, consisting of the Director of Nursing, two employees of the facility, and a representative from the Schrager family, will meet four times a year to choose award winners. Department heads will submit names to serve on New York Life Insurance Company the committee. One Valmonf Plaza, Suite 100 Residents, families, visitors and fellow staff Omaha, NE 6S154 members can recommend any staff member. The Company You Keep® iOR/M/P/0/V Forms can be found at the front desk of the Home.
To mark Larry DeBruin's 10th year as Beth El Synagogue's Executive Director, the congregation will honor him and his wife, Hanna, at a special Kiddush on Saturday, Feb. 2, following Shabbat morning services. DeBruin is now fulfilling a second term on the Board of Governors of the North American Association of Synagogue Executives, where he serves on the Long Range Planning Committee and as committee chairman for Regional Groups and Outreach. "Over the past 10 years, Larry has shown great dedication and commitment to the Beth El family," said Howard Epstein, synagogue president. "We appreciate all the work he does to help keep Beth El running smoothly. We're also very proud that he was selected to serve the Conservative movement nationally, in such an important leadership role. The kiddush is our way of saying thank you and mazal tov to both Larry and Hanna." The entire community is invited to the event.
January 25, 2002
llslAGOGUES |pJ2i;<Eas^^ FRIDAY: Early Worship Service, 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Debbie Stiel and Jeffrey Taxman will officiate using the Union Prayer Book. This service is especially planned so that at its conclusion, you may be home early to enjoy a Shabbat meal and evening. Shabbat Shirah, 8 p.m., Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Cantor Wendy Shermet, the Kol Rina choir, guest conductor Jerry Brabec and members of the St. Paul United Methodist Church will lead this special musical service in honor of the Sabbath of Song. The Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism. SATURDAY: Bagels and Sacred Books, 9:3010:15 a.m. Please join us as we continue our study of "Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries: The S'hma and Its Blessings;" Services, 10:30 a.m. Allison Smoler, daughter of Susie and Stewart Smoler, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Jan. 27, 10-11:30 sum.: "I'm Dead, Now What?" Prof. Guy Matalon will discuss immortality in the Jewish tradition using a variety of texts to discover what happens after death. THURSDAY, Jan. 31, Adult Study with Rabbi Azriel, 10-11:30 a.m. The focus is on the writings of the Scholars-in-Residence who will join us this year; Basic Judaism, 7:30-9 p.m. TOT SHABBAT FRIDAY, Feb. .1, 7 p.m. A short service of song and prayer, followed by cookies and juice, will be held for toddlers through children in the primary grades and their families. Come enjoy stories and songs with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Patty Nogg. CELEBRATE SYNAGOGUE 2000 FRIDAY, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. Special musical guests "Yachad," an ensemble of vocalists and musicians from Kansas City, will join in our celebration of Synagogue 2000 and its accomplishments over the past six years. Members of the Synagogue 2000 Committee will participate in this service.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
CANDLELIGHTiNG Friday, Jan. 25
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5:14 p.m.
.• Jewish: G^gi^gations; ofi Afnevica;''?>;:•
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Services 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Services are conductconducted by Rabbi Howard Kutner. ed by Rabbi Paul Drazen and Cantor Emil FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:20 p.m.; The West Berkovits. Minyan is at the home of Jack and Bette Kozlen, 1023 FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat andArvit I'shabbat, S. 123rd Cir., 5:20 p.m. 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbos services, 8:45 a.m.; SATURDAY: P'sukei D'Zimrah followed by Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush spon- Shabbat Shacharit, 9:30 a.m., Kiddush sponsored sored by the Kolm family for the yahrzeit of Frieda by Beth El; TSS (grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; ICTantan Kolm; Shabbos House, 3-5 p.m. at the home of (K-3), 10:45 a.m.; Shabbat Story Time (pre-K & Donald and Maggie Gerber, 426 S, 126th St. All under), 11 a.m.; Humash Class with Rabbi school-age children are invited to an afternoon of Drazen, 4:50 p.m.; Minha-Ma'ariv and Havdalah schmoozing and learning. Parents are encouraged services, 5:20 p.m., in the Chapel. to attend with their children; Mincha, 5:05 p.m., FREE SITTER SERVICE followed by Shalosh Suedot and Ma'ariv; Available every Shabbat morning from 10 a.m. to Havdalah, 6:17 p.m. the conclusion of services. These programs welSUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m., and 5:20 p.m. come children ages 18 months-kindergarten, in WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. their age-appropriate program. TUESDAY, Jan. 29: Talmud class with Rabbi SUNDAY: Services, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Kutner, 7 p.m. Perek Yomi will meet at 10:15 a.m. Howard WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30: Beth Israel co-sponsors Epstein will lead our study on the Book of Exodus. "College Night" with Jewish Family Service and WEEKDAYS: Services, 6:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. JELS. All 9-12 graders are invited to attend the Join us every day for breakfast after minyan. event with their parents at the JCC, 7-9 p.m. ADULT BTMAI MITZVAH CLASS WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, "Jewish Thought" with Rabbi Drazen, and Hebrew with Cantor Berkovits, 7:30 p.m. STEW & STORD3S BELLS LUNCHEON SATURDAY, J a n . 26, following Shabbat Services; features Cholent Cook-off and Ozzie Hogg's stories. KIDS SNACK AND LEARN FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home. SUNDAY, Jan. 27, ll:30-noon. A Tu B'Shevat SATURDAY: Services, 5 p.m.; Tu B'Shevat Seder. program for all kids two years through kinderCome and learn more about our Jewish garten. Reconstructionist Community Service where contemMDDUSH HONORING DEBRUTN porary Jews explore new ways to make the Tu SATURDAY, Feb. 2, Larry DeBruin, Executive B'Shevat tradition meaningful. The entire communi- Director, and his wife Hanna, will be honored at ty is invited. RSVP to 758-9233. kiddush following Shabbat services. SUNDAY, Jan. 27: Religious Hebrew School, HAVURAH 9:45 a.m., at the JCC. SATURDAY, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m., Come meet for TUESDAY, Jan. 29: Religious Hebrew School, Havdalah services, pizza and a movie! 4 p.m., at the JCC.
Saturday Morning Services, 9 a.m., led by Phyllis Hoffman, followed by Kiddush.
FRDDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. WEBSJTEiSwww^H^ Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. MONDAY-FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m. MONDAY: Prophets Lunch, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. TUESDAY: Womanly Art of Prayer, 9:4511 a.m. WEDNESDAY: JLI class at the JCC, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sl^ Services conducted by Rabbi Stanley M. Rosenbaum. Minyan, Monday and Thursday, 7:15 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 8 p.m. SATURDAY, Shabbat Shirah: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:15 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY, Jan. 27: Pirkei Avot, 10 a.m. TUESDAY, J a n . 29: Aleph Bet, 7:15 p.m.; Introduction to Judaism, 8:15 p.m.
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 pan. Discussion topic will be "Values for Children and Grandchildren," followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
;•j2061rS/20th St.* Liritolh; NE 68502-2797 ;:\ 435-8004 www.southstreettemple.ofg Services officiated by Rabbi Michael Weisser. FRIDAY: Shabbat services, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Hebrew School, 9 a.m.; Religious School, 10 a.m.; Tu B'Shevat Seder, 7 p.m. MONDAY: Adult Hebrew Study, 7 p.m. TUESDAYS: Read Hebrew America, 7 p.m. THURSDAYS: Purim rehearsal, 7-9 p.m.
Amy Elizabeth Schweid, daughter of Jeff Schweid & Sharon Sobel, and Bonnie Schweid & Stewart Wardellj.win become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Temple Israel. A seventh grade Honor student at Peter Kiewit Middle School, she enjoys singing, dancing and theatre. She has appeared in plays at The Dinner Theatre, UNOmaha Theatre Dept., Kiewit Middle School and First Stage at Omaha Community Playhouse. She is also a member of Kiewit Krew (an auditioned choir) and sang with the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival's Canterbury Kids. For her mitzvah project, Amy volunteered at the Children's Respite Care Center, working with special needs children. Amy has a sister, Sara. Grandmother is Margot Roesberg of Suffield, CT. PERSONAL To the good people of Beth Israel Synagogue, the VNA Hospice Program, the Chabad and the many dear friends who gave their time and help to Dave Wine during his final illness, please accept our grateful thanks. Those bedside visits provided more comfort than words could possibly express. Know that just being there for him was surely the most meaningful gift you could have given him. Once again, our most sincere thanks. The Family of Dave Wine
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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January 25, 2002
Another Jewish New Year Though the environmental movement really didn't make its appearance until the first Earth Day in 1971, the Jewish tradition has long valued the protection of our natural resources. Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is one of four "new year" celebrations in the Jewish calendar, and is sometimes knows as the "Birthday of the Trees." We're familiar with one of the other new year holidays — Rosh Hashanah, "the head of the year," which occurs on the first day of Tishrei, actually the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The New Year of the Kings falls in Nissan, in which we celebrate Passover (think of it as an early version of April 15, the time to pay taxes). And the fourth "new year" is in Elul, the month prior to Rosh Hashanah, when the cycle for determining the priests' portion of the harvests begins. But why would our sages have scheduled a New Year for the Trees in Shevat? Even in the land of Israel, Shevat falls during the winter. It's dark and dreary; it's during the rainy season, or like last week in Jerusalem, it can even be snowing. It's certainly not the time on would normally think of planting trees, yet it's what most of us do...we put some coins in the Jewish National Fund blue box to plant a tree in Israel. Some people also have the custom of celebrating a Tu B'Shevat seder of sorts, by eating
the seven fruits grown in the Holy Land and named in the Torah, and by drinking four glasses of wine or grape juice. There is plenty of evidence in Jewish literature that we should "stop and smell the roses." The Talmud instructs soldiers to avoid cutting down orchards in the heat of battle. And, should the Messiah arrive, one should even finish the task of planting a tree before rising to greet him. But again we ask, why this month? It seems that the rabbis wanted us to look outside and see the trees in their most barren state, without leaves, without fruit. It's to remind us that spring is coming, but it's not here yet and there's work to do. We need to look at our surroundings and recall what's missing: flowers, green grass, trees bursting with life. Our task, then, during Tu B'Shevat, is to ensure that the promise is fulfilled. Can the field bloom if we have not fertilized it? Will the trees bear fruit if they have not been watered? It's also a metaphor for other areas of our lives...planning for the future, planting the seeds, nurturing them, so to speak, so our Jewish community will remain vibrant and strong. So, too, we must look at our own lives to discover what possibilities might arise with a new day. Today is dark and gloomy; tomorrow, we yearn for sunny days, full of promise and hope.
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The Price of Political Correctness by Daniel P i p e s
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How well is the Bush administration conducting the war on terrorism? Overall, it deserves high marks, having shown an impressive seriousness of purpose, discipline, and vision. It made winning the war the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy and almost flawlessly pulled off the military campaign in Afghanistan. It carefully picked out the next steps (soldiers to the Philippines, pressure on Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority, warning signals to Yemen and Somalia). It correctly made counterterrorism a high priority in American domestic life. There is just one glaringly weak spot. The Bush team adamantly refuses to acknowledge that there is an ideology that inspires America's enemies, preferring to ascribe its motives simply to "evil." Evil it is, but its actions follow from a specific set of radical Utopian ideas known as militant Islam. Ignoring militant Islam today is like fighting World War II without combating fascism or fighting the cold war oblivious to communism. The consequences of this' mistake are practical and far-reaching. Airline security, for example, is a casualty. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines issued "after" Sept. 11 forbid airline personnel from relying on "generalized stereotypes or attitudes or beliefs about the propensity of members of any racial, ethnic, religious, or national origin group to engage in unlawful activity." Appearing to be Middle Eastern, speaking a Middle Eastern language, or having a Middle Eastern accent are inadmissible grounds for paying special attention to a passenger, as are Islamic
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attributes such as a woman's veil or a man's beard. The government insists on what it calls the "but for" test. "But for this person's perceived race, ethnic heritage or religious orientation," security personnel must ask themselves, "would I have subjected this individual to additional safety or security scrutiny?" If the answer is no, extra scrutiny is not just disapproved of but illegal. It's like having reports of a tall, bearded mugger but requiring the police to devote equal attention to short females. Worse, DOT regulations permit additional inspections only if passengers are "properly selected on a truly random basis." Stopping every tenth or twentieth passenger is legal - but not stopping those who are nervous, shifty, or otherwise suspicious to the trained eye. This disallows airline personnel from drawing on their experience or using their common sense, and ignores the fact that many counterterrorism breakthroughs occurred precisely because an inspector followed a hunch. "A lot of it is in the nose," notes John Beam, former head of security for TWA. Government regulations thus demand a militant dumbness and a pretense not to know what everyone does know - that the would-be hijackers come overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, from the ranks of militant Islam. They send the unfortunate signal that it is politically easier to send troops to Afghanistan than to confront the fact that the enemy shares certain characteristics. And woe to an airline that has the misfortune of stopping an Arab-American who happens not to be a terrorist but who is politically connected! Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) "caused quite a scene
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and... wasn't very polite" when Air France delayed him a day, according to a company spokesman. A presidential bodyguard named Walied Shater turned "very hostile" and engaged in "confrontational behavior," in the words of the American Airlines captain who denied him transportation. (They're not terrorists but both of these two gentlemen do, interestingly, associate with militant Islam. Issa has declared his "tremendous sympathy" for the work of Hizbullah, a group the U.S. government deems to be a terrorist organization. Shater rushed with his alleged case of bias to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based group with ties to another designated terrorist organization, Hamas. The extra attention given these two turns out not to be entirely undeserved.) The time has come for the Bush administration to find the courage to acknowledge that the enemy is not made up of random and featureless "terrorists" but is specifically staffed by the cadres of militant Islam. The sooner it does, the more efficiently the country will be able to protect itself by clamping down on the forces of militant Islam. But the longer the government delays, the more likely the attacks will continue. The question boils down to this: How many more lives must be unnecessarily lost before American leaders have the courage to stand up to political correctness? The writer, director of the Philadelphiabased Middle East Forum, can he reached via www.DanieLPipes.org.
Fred Tichauer Chairman Carol Katzman Editor-in-Chief Maureen La Pour Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Ray Pred Account Executive Timothy J. Ketelsen Bookkeeper Jen Gates Production Assistant George Schapiro Volunteer
JEWISH PRESS COMMITTEE Joanie Jacobson, Vice-Chairman; Penny Endelman, Secretary; Steve Simon, Treasurer; Lloyd Roitstein, Immediate Past-chairman; Elyce Azriel; Jill Belmont; Jean Duitch; Kip Gordman; Gary Kudym; Bobbi Leibowitz; Howard K. Marcus; Linda Saltzman; Howard Silber; Amee Zetzman; George Schapiro (Honorary Committee Member). Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Committee, the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish Community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment.
January 25,2002 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
by HARRY ALLEN
Avi Boaz, a long-time acquaintance, was brutally beaten and killed recently near the village of Beit Shahur, a small Arab town that abuts Beit Jalam adjacent to Bethlehem. An architect, Avi had his office in Beit Jala, was friendly with his neighbors, celebrated their joys and mourned their sorrows. His staff consisted of bright young Arabs, one of whom we met at a delightful lunch in Beit Jala. Avi was a dedicated member of the Israeli "peace camp." He was a man of great gentleness, who was at home among his Arab friends. He was travelling with an Arab colleague when he was stopped by a PA roadblock by Palestinian gunmen. His friend was dragged from the car but
not harmed. Avi was driven to a place where he was beaten and shot...all in view of the Palestinian police who did nothing to prevent the attack. It was just 10 days ago that we stood with Avi in the company of friends and family to bury his wife, Eve, who lost a three-year struggle with cancer. Eve had been the secretary of our Beit Knesset, but had moved on to Machon Schecter, the Masorti Rabbinical College in Jerusalem. During Eve's final weeks as she lay, mostly comatose, in the Hadassah Hospital hospice, Avi was constantly at her side, a loving companion 'til the end. We have now joined that ever-growing pantheon of Israelis who have lost friends and family to the barbarism of the Palestinians. We now fully belong.
The peace we all fervently pray for seems rather more distant today. The cruelty of our enemies becomes more entrenched. Their schools intensify their teachings of hate, not only on the West Bank and Gaza, but throughout the Arab world". Charges of blood libel against the Jews are spewed forth every day from mosques and government-controlled press. . Jews in America may rush pell mell into "dialogue" with Muslims to prove that we really are democratic and tolerant. But Avi Boaz and all the hundreds of other Avi's testify to the futility of the exercise. Yet, we know in the end there will be peace, not friendship, but acceptance. We pray that the day may not be far off and we continue to hope and to build. Not to make Avi Boaz's death doubly futile.
To the Editor: It is a myth that the majority of Jewish families living in this area are to be considered wealthy or even moderately "well off. Most of the local Jewish families in this area, I wager, are middle class and face the day-to-day difficulties of fitting their moderate life-style into a less than abundant income. The high cost of entering fully into the many Jewish social activities can be prohibitively expensive and simply beyond a limited budget. The educational provisions, baby sitting services, primary school enrollment, membership in the Jewish Community Center's multi-faceted activities, Jewish camps—all put an exorbitantly high price tag on opportunities that most average Jewish families would desire but cannot realize,
simply because they can't afford the extra strain on their limited budget. Synagogue dues and programs add another expense that may strain the family purse. Our "opulent" JCC is an exquisite structure that provides a locus for many vital Jewish functions and is pivotal to this Jewish community. However, the cost of up-keep is not insignificant and must depend to a great degree on the largess of the relatively few "well heeled" members of this Jewish community. It is also necessary to restrain the leadership from expanding Jewish social services beyond the limited financial ability of our relatively small Jewish population. Dr. Jerome Bleicher
To the Editor: I read in the Dec. 14 issue of the Jewish Press about the celebration of Dorothy and Max Platt's 70th anniversary. I had the pleasure of knowing them both when I lived in Omaha from the 1950s to the '70s when I was Athletic Director at the JCC. For five years there, I had the privilege of playing volleyball with Max. Also among the players were Henry Riekes, Ed and Iz Levinson, Paul Grossman, Stan Feinberg, Jack Ban, Bill Kalman and many other wonderful friends. Best regards to the Platts and their children and grandchildren! lindyPauI Phoenix, AZ
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 Lunch & Learn on Shabbat (BELLS), 12:30 p.m., at Beth El Havdalah Social, 7 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple Kids' Snack and Learn, 11:30 a.m., Beth El JCAC/NJHS Official Opening of "Unpacking on the Prairie" exhibit, 1 p.m. Priedel Junior Girl Scout Meeting, Contact Karin Levine MONDAY, JANUARY 28 Tu B'Shevat, 7 a.m., at Beth El YES Program, 10 a.m. Boy Scouts, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 JELS Board Meeting, noon Jewish Federation and JCC Sponsor Red Cross Blood Drive, 4 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 College Night, 5 p.m. Chabad House Jewish Learning Institute Class, 7 p.m. College Night, 7:30 p.m., at Beth El THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 Adult Education, 9 a.m. NCJW Bookclub (contact Karin Levine) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Temple Israel JYG Conclave/ Friday through Sunday Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 BESTT Shabbaton, Grades 5 & 6, 10 a.m., at Beth El SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Outreach Committee Meeting, 9 a.m., at Temple Israel Grade 1-6 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel BESTT Parent/Teacher Conferences, 10 a.m., at Beth El Kids' Super Sunday, 12:30 p.m. HAZAK Super Bowl Night, 4:30 p.m., at Beth El MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 YES Program, 10 a.m. Jewish Press Meeting, 5 p.m. Boy Scouts, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Sisterhood Board Meeting, 10 a.m., at Beth Israel JCC Maccabi Games Security Meeting, 12:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Talmud Class/ Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel ADL/CRC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Board Mtng., 7:3 JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Friedel Brownie Troop, 4 p.m. Social Justice Club (Gr. 7-12), 5 p.m., at Temple Israel JFS Yellow Dress & Remote Control, 61 Chabad House Jewish Learning Institu 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Adult Education, 9 a.m., at Temple Religious School Directors Meeting, 11:5 Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. 25 Steps to Get into the College of your Choice, 7 p.m. NSCY Latte & Learning, 7:30 p.m., at Border's SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Women of Reform Judaism, 9 a.m., at 1 "Out of Sight Saturday Night", 6 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 United Synagogue Biennial Conventior 7 a.m., at Beth El Super Sunday, 8 a.m. at Omaha Steaks Outreach Program, 10 a.m., at Temple Pushkin Club, 4:30 p.m. OTYG Family Spaghetti Dinner, 5 p.m., at Temple • Basketball Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 YES Program, 10 a.m. Boy Scouts, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Sisterhood Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., Beth BBYO Night, 6 p.m. WRJ Executive Board Meeting,6:30 p.r at Temple Israel WRJ Board Meeting, 7 p.m., at Temple Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.r at Beth Israel
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Mah Jong Club, 11:30 a.m. OTYG Board Meeting, 4 p.m., at Temple Israel JFS Yellow Dress & Remote Control, 6 p.m. Chabad House Jewish Learning Institute, 6 p.m. Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., a t Temple Israel THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14 Adult Education, 9 a.m., a t Temple Israel Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Temple Israel "Shabbat Comes to You," at the Blumkin Home, 2 p.m. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 USY Winter Shabbaton, 7 a.m. Sisterhood Shabbat, 9:30 a.m., at Beth El J-ROK Hanging a t the 'J', 6:30 p.m. BESTT Melavah Malkah, Grades 7 & 8, 7p.m., at Beth El SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Adult Education, 10 a.m., at Temple WEJ Friendship Tea, 2 p.m., at Temple Boys Scout Pack Meeting, 3 p.m. Visions at Mahoney State Park, 3 p.m. Pushkin Club, 4:30 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18 YES Program, 10 a.m. ^ ^ Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Boy Scouts, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 ADIVCRC Board Meeting, noori BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Teen Workshops with Rabbi Elkins, 6 p.m. Talmud Class with Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Friedel Brownie Troop, 4 p.m. Youth Group Dinner, 6 p.m., at Temple Israel BESTT High School and Dinner Night, 6 p.m., at Beth El Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel NCJW Meeting, 7 p.m. Chabad House Jewish Learning Institute, 7 p.m. Holiday Workshop: Purim, 7:30 p.m., at Beth Israel
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Adult Education, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Mtng, 7 p.m. NCJW Speaker David Krause, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Congregational Shabbat Dinner for Grades K,l,2, 7 p.m., at Beth El Pellman Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, 8 p.m., at Beth El SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Pellman Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, 9:30 a.m., at Beth El Lunch & Learn on Shabbat, BELLS, 12:30 p.m., at Beth El SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Fellman Scholar-in-Residence, 9 a.m., Beth El Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Consecration of Third Grade Students, 11a.m., at Beth El Purim Mask Making, noon, at Beth El Girl Scouts Religious Awards Open House, 4 p.m., at Beth El Pushkin Club, 4:30 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Ta'anit Esther, 7 a.m. at Beth El YES Program, 10 a.m. Purim Family Box Dinner & Service, 6 pim;;*1** at Temple Israel Megillah Reading & Ice Cream Social, 7 p.m., at Beth El Boy Scouts, 7 p.m. Megillah Reading, 7 p.m., at Beth Israel TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Purim Program, 4 p.m., at Beth El Chabad House Purim Program, 4:30 p.m. Federation Executive Committee, 6 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Talmud Class /Rabbi Kutner, 7 p.m., Beth Israel Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Social Justice Club (Gr. 7-12), 5:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Adult Education, 6:30 p.m., at Temple Israel Chabad House Jewish Learning Institute, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Adult Education, 9 a.m., at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Purim Funfest, 6 p.m. L.O.V.E. Meeting, 7 p.m., at the RBJH
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January 25,2002
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Y.E.S. Members will meet Monday at the JCC. Play bingo at 10:15 a.m. with Eileen Remer, or exercise with Stacey Paskert at 10:30 ajn. Bring articles to share for "YES Talk" at 11 ajn. Following lunch at noon, Barbara Gottlieb will bid us farewell. She has accepted a position as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Association on Aging in Pittsburgh. For transportation, call 330-4272. Make reservations with Maggie Conti at 334-6521. Reminders: Deadline is Jan. 28 for Lunch Bunch to Jack and Mary's on Feb. 7; deadline is Feb. 7 for Lunch and Movie on Feb. 14; deadline is Feb. 14 for the day trip to the IMAX and Greek Islands Restaurant on Feb. 21; deadline is Feb. 21 for Bluffs Run on Feb. 28; and deadline is Feb. 18 for the Purim Party on Feb. 25.
B'NAI BTtlTH BREADBREAKERS Marcia Pitlor will speak Wednesday, Jan. 30, noon, at the Park Inn Regency, according to chairman Gary Javitch. She will relate her story, "I Gave My Kidney to My Brother: What It's like to Be an Organ Donor." Lunch is $9; beverage service only, $2. The event is open to the community.
Olympic Torcli Passes Near BBumkln Home
Dr. Michael Goodman was honored recently by the University of Nebraska Medical Center as its Faculty Volunteer of the Month in November, for his assistance with medical students preparing for exams and with residents at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Goodman is a practicing psychiatrist.
WALK-IN, DROP-IN Members will meet Thursday at the JCC. Exercise and bingo start at 10 a.m. in the social hall. For those going on the day trip to Girls and Boys Town, please meet at the JCC main entrance at 10:45 aan. For transportation, call Maggie Conti at 334-521. VISIONS Deadline is today for the trolley ride to Mahoney State Park on Sunday, Feb. 17. Cost is $20 per person. Depart from the JCC at 11:15 a.m and arrive back to the JCC by approximately 5:30 p.m. Send reservation form to Marilyn Fried, 2821 So. Residents and staff from the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home went to Girls and Boys Town 76th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124. last week to watch a portion of the Olympic Join us for a Mississippi Cruise from July 22-25. Torch Run: Anne Joseph, Carrie Nielsen, Cost is $499 per person, double occupancy; single Cathy Carroll, Julius Froom, Jaunda occupancy, only $605. Send reservations to Betty Thompson, Molly Frankln, Bill Haber and Sue Sanford, 9205 Western St., #127, Omaha, NE Serlin. 68114. •
BOOKS • MUSIC • MOVIES • CAFE
"A Look at Omaha's History through Postcards" is the first of 12 exhibits planned for the 125th Anniversary of the Omaha Public Library. Noted postcard collector Bernice Fiedler and Project Director Kristine Gerber will present a program about collecting old postcards on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m., through next week, at the Main Library downtown. In addition, several hundred historic postcards from a collection at the Omaha Public Library will be on display. The presentation will also feature Fiedler's book, Greetings from Omaha, a collection of her postcards. Copies will be available for purchase.
Historian and author Dr. Theo Tschuy is the featured speaker for a weekend focusing on ethnic conflict and religion from Feb. 1-3 at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass. Dr. Tschuy will speak about "Carl Lutz, Rescuer of 62,000 Hungarian Jews: a Lesson for our Day" on Feb. 1, 7 p.m.; on Feb. 2, 3-4:30 p.m., he will participate in a panel with Rev. Chad Anglemyer of First United, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel and Ahmad Ghosheh, President of the Islamic Center of Omaha. The facilitator is Patrick McNamara, Hate Crimes Coordinator for the City of Omaha. Dr. Tschuy is author of Ethnic Conflict and Religion: Challenge to the Churches and Dangerous Diplomacy, a biography of Carl Lutz. His visit here is sponsored by Dr. Ben Nachman, who met him in the process of interviewing survivors of the Holocaust for a documentary film focusing on the rescue of Jews during the Nazi regime in Budapest.
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Our Phil Sokolof Fitness Center has more than dozens of programs with state-of the art equipment and instructors. All JCC. members receive a free orientation to the Fitness Center, and free fitness assessments every six months. Our JCC Camp is an experience so unforgettable kids come back year after year. Just two ways families grow together here in body, mind and spirit. Start a new and healthy tradition. Come to the Jewish Community Center today and see how it feels to be right where you belong. To schedule a tour or for more information, please contact: Jill Doyle, Member Services Coordinator at 334-6552, or • Lisa Shkolnick, Assistant Executive Director at 334-6425.
ere
January 25, 2002 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Short Plays on Prevention of Domestic Violence on Stage Again in Omaha by PATRICIA NEWMAN — . — — — — — Four educational, theater-based productions are Roncolli High School, Catholic Charities of Omaha, now available through the Girl Scouts Great Plains the Jewish Community Center for training purposCouncil. Doin' the Right Thing and the college ver- es for area educators, Sherman Academy, DVCC, sion of The Yellow Dress make their debut in Gross High School, the Jesuit Middle School and Omaha after last year's overwhelming success of over a dozen elementary schools. The Yellow Dress and Remote Control. Additionally, the spring of 2002 schedule is curThe GSGPC has received limited production rently in progress and will hold performances in all rights from Deana's Fund to make these produc- Ralston Public Schools, UNO, all Carter Lake tions, which focus on preventing violent relation- Schools, synagogue religious schools, Girls' Inc., ships among youth, available throughout the Skutt High School, Westside Middle School and Nebraska (and some of Iowa) area. several elementary and middle schools including Two complete casts have been auditioned, select- those within Millard, the Catholic Schools of the ed and rehearsed by Artistic Director Pat Kies, a Archdiocese, District #66 and Council Bluffs Public professional Omaha actress. Cast members move Schools. fluidly throughout the different productions. Their The programs are part of the GSGPC and, along performances have earned them great applause with the above mentioned Founding organizations, and enthusiasm. are governed by an Advisory Board including Girls' Productions serve youth from grades four Inc, YWCA Women Against Violence, Catholic through 12, as well as college students, and focus Charities of Omaha, Omaha Public Schools, on bullying, harassment, teen dating violence and Westside District #66 Schools, Temple Israel, Beth violent peer interactions. Educational materials El and Beth Israel Synagogues, Value Options and accompany these presentations which are spon- the NHHS Child Abuse Prevention Board. sored by a large number of schools and funding All materials are available for viewing on the sources. Materials are tailored for each production Girl Scouts website at: www.gpgirlscouts.org. and to the needs of teachers, students and parents. Productions are available for $500 per production Each production is followed up with immediate (a decrease of $1100 per production when obtaining panel presentations and/or professionally facilitat- them directly from Deana's Fund, thanks to the ed group discussions. The goals are to prevent bul- positive and enthusiastic support of Omaha founlying and teenage dating violence; to assist chil- dations). Information regarding the programs can dren who are bystanders of bullying to act in a be provided by calling me at 558-8189, #250. manner which provides appropriate support to the Scheduling availability can be checked with Ms. victim; to assist students in seeing early warning Kies at 556-2038. signs of violent and abusive relationships: to assist Funding has been provided by the following teens whose peers are in violent relationships to Foundations: Lozier, Murray H. and Sharee C. provide appropriate support to their friends; and to Newman, Kiewit, NHHS Child Abuse Prevention teach victims how to obtain necessary support and Board, Iowa West, Carolyn Kully and Esther K. resources when they are in an abusive relationship Newman, Pennie Z. Davis, Livingston, Mammal, or situation. Terri and Phil Schrager, Criss, as well as from The program is the recipient of a $62,000 two- founding and collaborating partners/agencies. year Kiewit Grant and has obtained the necessary In addition to the performances and follow-up matching funds to meet funding criterion. A large discussions, the project will collect descriptive and number of foundations contributed to meet the demographic data about the perceptions of teen funding match, including the following founding dating violence and bullying, from audience particiorganizations: Jewish Family Service, National pants. Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section, and the A third component will look at the specific impact DVCC (Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of of the productions on student awareness and eduGreater Omaha). cation about the topics, as well as the impact on During the fall of 2001, more than 20 productions variables such as individual feelings of empowerwere put on in the Omaha area: Iowa Western ment and student's perceptions of their abilities to Community College, Creighton University, Bailiff protect themselves and stand up and be supportive Park in Council Bluffs, Mercy High School, for others.
by TERESA DRELICHARZ Jewish Family Service It's January, the time of year when many people are focused on making and sticking to their New Year's resolutions. A common theme for resolutions is to lose weight, or otherwise improve our physical health. But let's not forget our mental health, which is equally important to our over-all well-being. Following are some tips for relieving stress, and promoting better mental health: • Stop and look out the window. • Write your frustrations on a piece of paper, then shred it. • Share your feelings with someone. • Practice laughing out loud. • Apologize for a mistake. • Play with your pet. • Listen to the birds. • Write a poem. • Smell a flower. • Read a good book. • Daydream a little. • Forgive someone.
Don't Forget Mental Health • Keep a journal of thoughts and feelings. • Laugh at yourself. • Hug someone you love. • Read something ^ y - * * .' i v - \\$ funny every day. £. /• * fV -r-J' • Give yourself positive pep-talks. • Sing a song; • Watch a cloud for five minutes. • Sit by a crackling fire. • Take a deep breath and let it all out. • Take time for the sunset-or sunrise. • Count your blessings. • Ask for help. • Call up an old friend. •.Meditate. •Cry. • Take one day at a time. So make some time each day to take care of your mental health. . .and remember, "A Healthy Mind is a Healthy Body!" & • * -
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Page 10 Jewish Pres?, Omaha, NE
January 25, 2002
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Helen Shukert, a former President of L.O.V.E. and to be paid back by the recipient. Financial need dedicated volunteer of the Rose Blumkin Jewish may be an element considered in the process, but determining such need shall Home, and be informal and sensitive. her husband, Under the supervision of David, along 1 Lois Wine, Director of Volwith their unteer Services and advisor to three chil-j L.O.V.E., $1000 will be allodren, wanted I cated for the "Helen Shukert very much to; Candy Corner." The candy enrich the dish is located on the desk of lives of the the Home's concierge, Rose Jewish F r a n k e l , and can also be elderly living found at the nurses' stations in the Rose' Blumki: Enghsh-as-a-second-language class is being taught and L.O.V.E. gift shop. Cathy Carroll, recreational Home. Strong believers in staff education as a means therapist, was awarded $750 to continue her studto improving life at the Home, the family established ies towards a graduate degree in gerontology. a scholarship fund. The fund's purpose is to enhance the knowledge Angela Anderson r e of the Home's professional employees, or any volun- ceived $1,000 to be used teer of L.O.V.E. It provides moneys for approved for studying to be a regiscourses of study, such as college and industry tered nurse. English as a courses, seminars, conferences and meetings, deal- second language, for the ing with subjects such as gerontology, care of elder- Home's Hispanic employly, philosophy of elder care, recreational activity for ees, will receive funding .the elderly and related subjects that have direct of $1200 for two semesapplication to the employees' or volunteers' duties ters. Applications for this and responsibilities at the Home. fund are available at the The family was emphatic that such reimbursefront desk of the Home. Cathy Carroll ment, in all cases, are not loans, and does not need
On the Shelf: The Trees of Life Celebrating A story in the Talmud teaches that if you are in the could imagine. 30 Years In Business! middle I had the same excited yet eerie feeling the of planting a tree when the Messiah arrives, by JUDITH BOLTON-FASMAN — — —
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you must first finish planting that tree and then greet the long-awaited redeemer. Tu B'shevat is the new year of trees (this year falling on Monday, Jan. 28), an arbor day with touches of mysticism and holiness. Some traditional sources actually compare the holiday to the coming of the Messiah, saying that just at the moment when things are overwhelmed by the bleakness of winter, the sap rises on Tu B'shevat to herald the arrival of spring. Yet on Tu B'shevat-literally the r 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat—throughout the Diaspora trees are somnolent, trees are awakening, trees are blooming. To me, they represent the various states of Jewry; they represent past, present and future. A Sephardic story relates that children would wake up at dawn on Tu B'shevat in the hope of glimpsing angels encouraging each tree, each fruit, even each blade of grass to grow by hitting them with a hammer. A Ladino poet wrote a song sung at some Tu B'shevat seders in Greece and Turkey about the trees prevailing upon God to have their own new year. The 15th day of Shevat can also be a celebration of the Eytz Chaim-the Tree of Life. Many of us have practiced a kind of Sunday School Zionism, having trees planted by proxy in Israel for our kin. Together and separately the Bolton-Fasman clan must have a little corner of its own forest somewhere deep in the Negev. But there's another kind of Eytz Chaim that intrigues me~the way two disparate families come together and bloom into a single life. A few years ago my husband received an elaborate computer printout of his family tree assembled by a distant cousin. He and his father spent hours trying to fill in the missing branches. And then one day we got a call from a man with the last name Fasman who had seen my by-line in a newspaper. No one was sure where he fit into the family tree. He was a little unsure himself since his father had been orphaned at an early age. But we met and welcomed him onto our tree of life. When I was a little girl, my father told me how very old the trees were. When one had to be cut down in our front yard, we carefully counted the rings on the stump-one hundred twenty-five, the actual age of the tree. It was older than anything I
first time I hiked through a redwood forest. How could anything be that big, that beautiful, that ancient? Surely it must have been the redwoods t h a t campaigned the most convincingly for a new year of the trees. In the midst of terror and war we continue to celebrate the greening of Israel. First the Jews wandered helplessly in the desert and then thousands of years later they made it bloom. In Nomi Eve's celebrated first novel, The Family Orchard, generations of an eccentric family lovingly cultivate orchards outside of Tel Aviv. This living tree of a family moves the story along with mystical encounters and sheer fantasy among groves of mango, apple and grapefruit trees. Trees in these orchards have "silvery" branches, transparent like x-rays. People etch their very souls onto bark. One character, Eliezer, pictures "his family, all five of them, their outlines stamped into the soil-mother and father in the middle, sons on either side." It sounds like a description of all of them buried side by side, deep in the earth. Life and death converge at that moment; the way they mingle when a tree, at its most blazing and brilliant, begins its annual death. On the Jewish Theological Seminary's Web-site there is a list of citations of trees mentioned in the Bible. The most celebrated of these is the burning bush, the representation of God when the Lord first appears to Moses; it is even that institution's logo. "And the bush was not consumed." It may be a prevalent image, but it's among the most resonant in Jewish literature. Throughout the millennia Jews were not consumed by the fires of the Crusades, the Inquisition or the Holocaust. In this second new year celebration on the Jewish calendar we celebrate the Jewish reverence for life, our hope for redemption, even our own resilience, all the while still planting trees in some of the harshest of landscapes. Recommended Reading includes: The Family Orchard by Nomi Eve (Vintage); and Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures ( J e w i s h Publication Society), both available from the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Judith Bolton-Fasman wrote this column for
JBooks.com and JewishFamily.com, both members of the Jewz.com Media
Network.
January 25, 2002 Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
USYTzedakah Project Benefits Needy Kids by OZZIE NOGG
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Opera Omaha presents Verdi's renowned opera Othello on Jan. 31, Feb. 1, and Feb. 3 at the Orpheum Theater, featuring Clifton Porbis as Othello, Michaela Martens as Desdemona, and Louis Otey as Iago. For ticket information, call 346-7372. The Opera Omaha Guild will host an opening night party, "A Taste of Venice," at the Sheraton Aquila Court on Jan. 30. For details, call Linda Gardels at 561-8010.
Recently, 500 teens from across the Midwest attended EMTZA Region's USY Kinnus in Omaha, and each teen came bearing gifts. The gifts were ear-marked for needy children who'd been invited to attend the Kinnus social action Holiday Party and Carnival. Due to USY enthusiasm for this event, a record number of gifts were collected and, following the carnival, more than 300 presents remained to be The Lied Center for Performing Arts presents Buddy...The Buddy Holly Story on Feb. 1-2, distributed. So, Beth El's USYers loaded up a school bus with 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 2-3, 2 p.m. The final perforthe over-flow gifts, headed down to the mance of this musical, based on the life of the rockSiena/Francis House and presented the packages 'n roll artist, coincides with his tragic death in a to Paul Koch, the shelter's director. Koch talked to plane crash in Clear Lake, LA, in 1959. The Lied also presents two Gilbert and Sullivan the group about the daily struggles of the homeless and explained how Siena/Francis House provides operas: The Mikado on Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., and three meals a day, plus beds, for 250 homeless H.M.S. Pinafore on Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. For ticket availability, call the Lied box office at men, women and children. 1-402-472-4747 or 1-800-432-3231. An American Girl Fashion Show, describing clothing from seven periods of American history, will take place at the Champions Club, 13800 Eagle Run Dr., on Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and Feb. 24,12:30 and 3:30 p.m. The shows are sponsored by the Junior League of Omaha and benefit its local community services projects. For tickets, call 498-8818.
Paul Koch, left, Director of the Siena/Francis House, accepts 350 gifts from USYers: Shayna Kurland, Sara Linn and Rebecca Murow. According to Ellie Greenspoon, Beth El's Youth Director, "The experience left the USYers feeling very fortunate to have warm homes to live in and loving families to surround them." Following the gift-giving trip to Siena/Francis House, the teens returned to the synagogue for an arts and crafts project that saw them transform ordinary tins into tzedakah boxes. "The various applications of paint and beadwork was astounding," Greenspoon said. "These were the most beautiful, magnificent tzedakah boxes, ever-the kind that anyone would be proud to display. By the end of the evening, the kids had really experienced the true sense of tzedakah," she added.
Beth El Sisterhood Observes Shabbat by OZZIE NOGG
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Beth El Sisterhood will join with other Conservative congregations around the country on Saturday, Feb. 16, to observe Sisterhood Shabbat. The service will start at 9:30 a.m.; it will be led entirely by the women of Beth El. Shabbat Terumah, the Torah portion for this year's Sisterhood Shabbat, recounts the instructions God gave to Moses regarding the building of the Sanctuary in which the Lord would dwell—a Sanctuary to which every person would contribute and bring gifts. The Haftarah for Shabbat Terumah mirrors the Torah portion by telling the story of how King Solomon began to build the Temple to the Lord~a Temple that would be built without the sound of hammer, ax or any iron tool, for these sounds were the sounds of war. "As women, we are always examining the ways we build and contribute to our own personal sanctuaries—our homes," said Lynne Shkolnik, Sisterhood President. "Are our homes places of peace and places where God can dwell? These are some of the issues we'll address." M'Lee Hasslinger is coordinating the service, which will be followed by a Kiddush luncheon. According to Susie Drazen, Beth El's Program Director, "The entire community is invited to join us for this very special Shabbat service led by the women of Beth El~all of whom' are very special."
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Heller Art Images in Miracle Hills is sponsoring a series of artists from as far away as France for exhibitions and demonstrations. Beginning Feb. 2, with Mustafah Mahmood's abstracts and landscapes, and continuing on the first Saturday of each month, the gallery will offer art afQcionados an opportunity to view the artist and "works in progress." For more information, visit Heller's website: www.hellerartimages.com. Reservations are now being taken for Girls Night Out, a fundraiser benefitting Girls I n c . of Omaha. The comedy event is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Central, 72nd and Grover, and features New York City comedienne Amy Bortkowsky. For ticket information, call 496-0833. The Omaha Symphony presents 60s folk music icon Arlo Guthrie in concert on F e b . 8-9, 8 p.m., and Feb. 10, 2 p.m., at the Orpheum Theater. Son of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company, Arlo Guthrie grew up surrounded by musicians who defined their era. This is his debut with the Omaha Symphony. For ticket information, call the box office, 342-3560.
by ART GROSSMAN
A recent program listed the entertainment as "Traditional Folk Music by David Say, as part of Artspan: Art to Bridge the Generations. If we thought this would be a group of folklore songs, preserved through the years, we were only partially right. Mostly, it was Seay's inventive ability to take common items, such as steel pipes, tubular shaped pieces of wood, a wood saw, a steer's massive horn and other objects and show how folks turned them into ingenious musical instruments. The steer's horn caught my fancy. I visualized what profound sound it could make as a shofar on Rosh HaShanah or Yom Kippur. A special thanks is extended to the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation and the Nebraska Humanities Council for funding the presentation. The Early Bird class focused on the opening of this year's Unicameral session and some of the proposals it will address. We stood in reverent respect in memory of Dave Wine and Eudice Canar. Shalom.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
January 25, 2002
.Hobermans
'Shalom Ba'olam' by REBECCA MUROW, Jewish Press Student intern
Young children from the This catchy phrase, audience were invited on bined with the flamboyant stage to join in singing. chords and colorful lyri Noah Grossman was able to the Rick Recht Band show off his vocal talent with stantly heightened the singing of, "Ufros Aleinu energy level of the concert Sukkat Shalom." audience on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the JCC. The band's Rachel Blum, BBYO original Hebrew music was Director, and Stephanie upbeat and spirited. The "ii Grossman, OTYG Advisor, interspersed. Dave Matworked with their respective thews Band and Indigo youth groups and Temple Girls acts also appealed to Israel to bring the Rick the teen crowd. Recht Band to Omaha for the first time. They thanked The concert was preceded the Morton A. Richards by a spiritual Havdalah service, prepared by members Nick Newman played drums for Rick Youth Fund and the Jewish of OTYG. OTYG, BBYO, Recht; the son of Murray and Sharee Educational and Library and USY members partici- Newman, Nick is a sophomore at Service for assisting in this pated in speaking parts Westside High School and drummer for effort. while Rick Recht led the the Warrior Band. "It was an incredible service with his tranquil opportunity for our teens to melodies. The service was a beautiful way to end come together," Blum said. "It was great to see all Shabbat, while it inspired the attendees to look for- of the youth groups represented at this communityward to the coming week. wide event." Many of the community's teenagers had the priviThe Rick Recht Band's tour continued Sunday lege of joining the Rick Recht Band on stage. morning at Beth El Synagogue. The youth choir, J.J. Friedman, Andrew Malashock and Alex led by Cantor Emil Berkowitz, and USYers sang Raksin played the guitar; Nick Newman impressed and danced onstage with the band. Students of the audience with his percussion techniques. Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah were overjoyed "It was a great experience," Raksin said of his during the performance. performance. "I enjoyed spending time with him "The kids had a wonderful time," Anna (Rick Recht) beforehand and being able to experi- Gologorsky, Director of Education at Beth El ence what he gets to do." Synagogue, said. "They totally loved the music, and Jodi Levine and Gal Tsabari harmonized with the they were rockin' along the whole time." band in a lovely rendition of "Mi Chamqcha." The The children couldn't wait to have their new CD's girls practiced singing and gained some helpful signed by Rick Recht after the show. advice from Rick Recht before the show. "I think the concert was a great success," "It was fun to interact with the band," Tsabari Gologorsky added. "It was a great way to bring said. "They were really nice." Jewish rock to our kids."
(Continued from page 1) ———«•• nm.™—.—— inequities in the school system. Their efforts in mentoring, raising funds for the school, and attracting other volunteers paid off when the students' test scores improved dramatically. In an interview by Gary Javitch in the Jan. 7, 2000, issue of this newspaper, Jerry Hoberman recounted his involvement with the North Omaha community, starting with the relocation of his tire business to 60th and Ames. During the course of that first year, Hoberman's eyes "were opened. "Many things we as white Americans took for granted, these North Omahans could not," he realized. Hoberman took it a step further and began inviting members of the African-American community, disabled Omahans and others to speak to his staff. Soon after, the company adopted Belvedere Academy. At the time, it ranked second from the bottom among OPS schools. Today, its "Winners' Circle" program recognizes children who achieve significant academic improvements; last year the school's test scores rose to 15th. Though Jerry has sold his business, he and and Cookie remain active in the community. They've both served as chairmen of the Federation's Annual Campaign. They're active participants in Temple Israel's Black/Jewish Dialogue and the Anti-Defamation League, and were honored several years ago by the National Conference of Community and Justice. Javitch's interview was based on a speech Jerry reluctantly gave at a weekly B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers meeting. Normally, the meetings run for about an hour, but no one got up to leave even though Jerry's impassioned story ran 15 minutes past the regular ending time. Added Bob Wolfson, Executive Director of the ADL-CRC, "The energy and change created through Cookie and Jerry have altered lives for the better. "They are incredible community builders!"
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191 Sold Medal ($25,000 & Above) The Milton S. A Corrinne N. Livingston Foundation Silver Medal ($12,5OO-$24,999) Tom A Darlynn Fellman Steve A Sheri Idelman Howard A Sharon Kooper Sharee and Murray Newman Harley A Beth 5cnrager Phil A Terri Schrager Bronze Meda! ($5.000-$l2,499) Joel Alperson The Baker Family Bettie & Stuart Muskin Youth Sports Fund Carl H. Frohm Memorial Foundation Coca Cola Commercial Printing Company Harold Cooperman Pennie Z. Davis Bob Eisenberg Joe A Ruth Erman First National Bank Grace-Mayer Insurance Agency, Inc. The. Hawkins Charitable Trust Herbert Goldsten Trust, Ironwood Country Club Gary Javitch Joe A Audrey Kirshenbaum Joe A Maxine Kirshenbaum Forrest Krutter Lynn Roberts International Nebraska Health Systems Harlan A Nancy Noddle Omaha Steaks Pacific Realty Group,'Inc. Pitior A Son, Inc. Riekes Family Henry A Dorothy Steve A Margo Cari A Zoe Stosburg Family United Way of the Midlands
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Star of David ($1,000-$4,999) Alan A Marcia Baer Family Charitable Trust Bagel Bin Baxter-Kenworthy Electric, Inc. Bob, Bruce, Jim A Robin, and Sandra Belgrade B'nai B'rith Canfield's David Keiser-Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Sally Clay man Mr. A Mrs. Jeff Clay man Dr. A Mrs. Allen Morris DeMarco Brothers Co. E A K of Omaha, Inc. Elliott Equipment Company Mike A Jill Erman Esther K. Newman Foundation • Sandy A Amy Friedman Jerry A Lorraine Gerelick Bud A Shirley Goldstein Don A Ann Goldstein Jerry A Linda Gordman Nelson A Linda Gordman Nancy A Don Greenberg Al Grosskurth A Karl Schaphorst Hebrew National Ike A Roz Friedman Foundation Richard A Joanie Jacobson Kaslow Charitable Trust Kavich Family Andi A Larry Kavich Nanci A Jeff Kavich Amee A Ted Zetzman Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund Established by His Parents Koch Family Tennis Center Ben & Elinore Kutler Stuart A Sandy Kutler Leonard A Bert Lewis Nea) A Jody Malashock No Frills Supermarket Steve A Patty Nogg
Star of David (continued) Skutt Catholic High School Phil Sokolof Tuff Shed Norm A I r v Veitzer Benjamin A Anna Wiesman Family Patron ($100-$999) Jeffrey A Susan Aizenberg Larry A Paula Albert Leon A Eleanor Alexander Samuel A Bette Alloy Albert A Juni Bloch Helen Brodkey Pete A Carol Brodkey Bruegger's Bagels Builders Supply Company Frederick A Molline Cassman Concrete Industries, Inc. Continental Fire Sprinkler Harvey A Rose Cooper Ron A Cheryl Cooper Custom Woodworks Ltd. Daedalus Construction Co. Art A Betsy Davidson Drake-Williams Steel, Inc. Audrey Epstein Dick A Bev Fellman Floors, Inc., Omaha Jim A Jill Folsom Frank McGill, Inc. Robert A Kay Gerelick Bob A Barbara Goodman Gary A Sherri Green Andrew A Carole Greenberg Bud A Rosalie Greenspan Johnson Hardware Company John Katelman Maury A Madeline Katzman Mike A Carol Katzman Marcel A Use Kahn Jeff A Sharon Kirshenbaum Kevee A Myrna Kirshenbaum Marvin A Sandra Kohl I Howard A Babs Krantz Abe Kukawka
Patron (continued) Benton A Harriet Kutler Howard A Nancy Kutler Dick A Martha Lerner Michael A Cheryl Levine Bernard A Carolyn Magid Ed A Sally Malashock Larry A Diane Malashock Stanley A Barbara Malashock Dick A Joanie Martin Joe A Tina Meyers Jerry A Fran Milder Allan A Janie Murow Nebraska Spine Center, L.L.P. Eric D. Phillips, M.D. Nebraska Wine A Spirits Sherm A Jeanie Netf Omaha Compound Panera Bread Co. Marvin A Sheila Polikov I r a A Sheila Priluck Larry A Dinah Raful Reliable Maintenance Services Marty A Iris Ricks Nancy Rips Andrew A Kimberly Robinson Jonathan A Stacey Rockman Rotella's Italian Bakery Mark A Vicki Sanford Joel A Nancy Schlessinger Jack A Lillian Schrager Norm A Susie Sheldon Dave A Phoebe Shkolnick Lisa 5hkolnick Harold Siporin Sherm A Harriett Sperling Howard A Linda Shrier Harriet Singer Kim A Jim Simon Steve A Nancy Skid Charlie A Mary Ann Taylon Travel Connection • Ernie A Janet Wintroub Aaron A Harriet Wolf Dick A Terri Zacharia Judy Zweiback
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