Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA January 23, 2015 3 Shevat 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 19
Sunni and Shiite factions of Islam
This Week
by MARK KIRCHHOFF The Center for Jewish Life The Center for Jewish Life’s February Friday Learning Series will feature Dr. Moshe Gershovich, Professor of History at UNO and Director of the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, in presenting a series of three classes addressing the difference in the Sunni and Shiite factions within Islam. Classes will be Feb. 6, 13, and 20 from 11 a.m. – noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The fee for the series is $26, reduced to $21 for those in good standing with their contribution to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. With what appears to be neverending turmoil in the Middle East, now is a good time to learn more about core issues in the region. Dr. Gershovich says of the class, “From the Iranian Revolution in 1979, to the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and the ongoing American wars and presence in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, we have become familiar with the inner conflict within Islam between Continued on page 2
Whiskey is for women too Page 5
Omaha’s LIFE & LEGACY™ update
A day at the movies Page 6
Reassessing how nations thwart attacks Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
8 10 11
Next Month Simchas & Celebrations See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran
by MARY BORT Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Leave a lasting legacy to Jewish organizations in Omaha that are important to you by joining the growing list of people in the community who are making a legacy commitment through the LIFE & LEGACY™ initiative. “Omaha’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative kicked off in the spring of 2014,” said Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator Margo Parsow. “We’re so pleased that as of Jan. 14, in less than nine months, we have received 109 LIFE & LEGACY “Letters of Intent,” representing over 200 legacy commitments to Jewish organizations in our community. Through training, support and incentives, LIFE & LEGACY is motivating Omaha’s Jewish organizations to integrate legacy giving into their philanthropic culture, thus assuring Jewish tomorrows in Omaha.”
The LIFE & LEGACY initiative is a collaboration among the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and the following local Jewish partner organizations: The Jewish Feder-
ation of Omaha and its Agencies, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, Chabad House, Anti-Defamation League, Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, and Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. Each partner organization works with their members to inform them about LIFE & LEGACY options and complete Letters of Intent in order to express their legacy commitments. A Letter of Intent identifies one or more of the Omaha Jewish partner organizations a donor chooses to receive a future legacy gift. A commitment can be made through estate planning, by establishing an endowment fund, by making a cash donation, naming a Jewish charity as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy, or through other means. Continued on page 3
Federal Courts matter NCJW Omaha Section’s First 2015 Wine & Conversation
Lisa Lewis, left, and Carol Bloch lead the “Federal Courts Matter” Wine & Conversation discussion. by ALICE KLEIN Vice President Public Relations, NCJW-Omaha Section Carol Bloch, co-chair of Courts Matter Coalition in Nebraska, and Lisa Lewis, coalition representative from the Omaha Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), talked about the structure of our Federal Court System and Why Federal Courts Matter. A very enlightening Wine & Conversation get together was held by NCJW Omaha Section at Temple Israel on Jan. 8. The topic focused on the Judiciary and the importance of filling Federal bench vacancies. This was the first in the series of Wine & Conversation thought-provoking discussions that NCJW plans to sponsor this year. Carol Bloch, representing the
Courts Matter Coalition in Nebraska, started the conversation with a clear explanation of the federal court system comprising 94 U.S. District Courts, 13 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She told us that many courts are lacking in judges and that affects the judicial process. She explained the very complicated nomination process and that every one of these judges must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. There are many vacancies that impact our ability to draft laws, protect our constitutional rights, and ensure fair and equitable access to the court system. Judicial vacancies are resulting in judicial emergencies. This is when the pending number of cases per Continued on page 3
2 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest now underway
Sunni and Shiite factions of Islam Continued from page 1 Sunnis and Shiites.” He then added “Recent developments such as the ‘Arab Spring’ and the meteoric rise of the ‘Islamic State’ further enhance that awareness. This class will examine the historical roots of this rift and the essential characteristics of both groups. We will further discuss the manner in which armed conflicts among radical groups within each camp have destabilized the region and endanger global peace and stability.”
by MARY SUE GROSSMAN The Center for Jewish Life The Center for Jewish Life is pleased to announce the annual Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest. The contest, which is now underway, is made possible by the Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Fund created by the Whitman family. Mrs. Whitman devoted a lifetime of service to the youth of the Omaha community. For many years she was a member of the Kripke Library Board and on the faculty of the religious schools at both Beth El Synagogue and Temple Israel. This contest furthers Mrs. Whitman’s goal of promoting Jewish literature for children. Mrs. Whitman fully understood the importance of reading and writing in everyone’s life. She believed that when young people received encouragement to participate in these activities they would develop a love for books, reading and writing that could last a lifetime. Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade will use their imagination to design and create an original book jacket that could be used with a book they have selected. This provides the opportunity for them to think about the content of the book and express that content in a creative manner. Students are encouraged to use their best creative talents. Crayons, markers and paint are just a few of the options available. Children in grades 3 through 6 will submit a book report giving a brief review of the book, talking about an interesting incident, important fact or favorite character plus telling about the author’s style and giving an opinion of the book. Participants will also select between three additional activi-
ties – making a crossword or word search related to the book, making a poster for the book or creating a one-paper newspaper about their selection. All entries will be judged and the top three winners in each category will receive books as prizes. Prizes will be gift cards to The Bookworm with 1st place receiving a $20 card, 2nd place a $15 card and 3rd place a $10 card. The names of all contest winners, in addition to the name of each student submitting an entry, will be listed in the Jewish Press and each child will receive a certificate of participation. An awards program will be held in the late spring. Applications with complete information including a suggested reading list are available on the library’s webpage at www.jewishomaha.org, through the synagogue religious schools and Friedel Jewish Academy. The contest deadline is March 23, 2015. This is a great opportunity for parents to reinforce reading with their children by participating with them. Visit the Kripke Jewish Federation Library to select a book. Library hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays. For questions about the contest, contact Mary Sue Grossman at 402.334.6445 or mgrossman @jewishomaha.org. The Elinor A. and Norman Whitman Book Appreciation Contest is presented by the Center for Jewish Life and promoted by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel and Friedel Jewish Academy. The mission of the Center for Jewish Life is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
Eid prayers Dr. Gershovich has formally titled these sessions Sunni vs. Shiite: The Historical Schism in Islam and Its Impact on the Middle East Today. More simply stated, he says “We will be looking at the rift between the two throughout the ages and what it means in the region today.” Participants in Gershovich’s other classes have commented on how interesting they found his presentations and how clearly he presents the material. “The Middle East remains the single most volatile region in the world today,” notes Gershovich. “Understanding the historical division between Sunnis and Shiites is essential for our ability to make better sense of what is happening there. I hope the insight I can share with our community on this question will prove useful.” To register for this class, contact Mark Kirchhoff at 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. The Friday Learning Series is a program of the Center for Jewish Life whose mission it is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
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January 23, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 3
Fellman and Kooper scholarships available by JAN ROOS The Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust has announced the availability of scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year. The scholarships will be based on financial needs of students pursuing their post-secondary education. This is limited to undergraduate studies only and does not include any graduate programs. Bruce, son of Tom and Darlynn Fellman, was a 1982 graduate of Westside High School. He was active in BBYO and served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of Chaim Weizmann AZA. He attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and was participating in the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea at the time of his death in 1984. Trustees for the Foundation are Louri Sullivan, Terri Schrager, and Howard Kooper. The Robert H. & Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust has announced the availability of scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year. It will be based on financial need for Jewish students with ties to the Omaha community who are pursuing their post-secondary educa-
tion. This is limited to undergraduate studies only and does not include any graduate programs. Robert Kooper had a long history of service to the Jewish community. He was elected B’nai B’rith president in 1929; headed Beth El Synagogue in 1941; was president of Highland Country Club in 1951; and was President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 1958-1960. He died in 1961. Mrs. Kooper was a strong supporter of and worked with the Jewish Federation and Beth El Sisterhood. She passed away in May, 1995. “Awarding a scholarship to a young Jewish person is a very appropriate way of honoring my parents” Howard Kooper noted. He and his wife Sharon fund the Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust. Tom Fellman also serves as trustee for the Foundation. Applications for the Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust and the Robert H. & Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust scholarships may be obtained by contacting Mr. Kooper’s office in writing at 809 North 96 Street, Omaha, NE, 68114; or email to jroos@broad moor.cc. The application packet must be received back in Mr. Kooper’s office no later than March 2, 2015.
Federal courts matter Continued from page 1 judge exceeds a functioning number or when vacancies have existed for more than 18 months. We learned that in some courts, judges in their 80s and 90s are delaying retirement to help mitigate the caseload for other judges in their districts. As the old saying goes, Becki Brenner, NCJW Omaha Section Vice President Public Affairs & Education, introduces justice delayed is justice the topic and speakers. denied. People have cases that are languishing in the court These include: • Advance the Well-being and Status of Women system for years. These cases include consumers looking to • Advance the Well-being of Children and Families protect their families from unsafe products, individuals • Enhance the Quality of Jewish Life seeking resolution of discrimination cases, and employees • Ensure and Advance Individual and Civil Rights seeking redress from unfair labor practices. • Support a Secure Israel and the Well-being of All Its A lively discussion did not wait to the end of the presentation by Carol and Lisa. There was great interest in People If you would like more information on our events or understanding how the courts impact our lives and what have recommendations for future topics, please contact can be done. NCJW Omaha Section plans for future Wine & Becki Brenner, NCJW Omaha Section, VP of Public Conversation gatherings to focus on NCJW’s priorities. Affairs and Education at becki.brenner@cox.net.
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Omaha’s LIFE & LEGACY™ update Continued from page 1 “As a LIFE & LEGACY partner, the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies operate as one cohesive unit,” explained Parsow. “Donors may make a commitment to the overall Federation or make specific commitments to one or more of the Federation’s agencies: the Center for Jewish Life; Jewish Community Center; Jewish Press; or Jewish Social Services, including Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Outreach and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. If there is an agency that is particularly important to you, then you may specify that agency in your Letter of Intent.” Partner organizations’ staff and lay leaders engage in “legacy conversations” with their members and supporters which lead to LIFE & LEGACY commitments for the future. For example, Friedel Jewish Academy has made excellent progress towards reaching their first year goal. “Our participation in the LIFE & LEGACY initiative allowed our team to reconnect with former donors and friends of the school,” noted Ron Giller, Friedel Jewish Academy’s Interim Principal. “We experienced a positive response from everyone we contacted. We were elated to discover that the future success of the school was very important to so many individuals and families in the Omaha Jewish community.” An exciting LIFE & LEGACY effort was Beth El Synagogue’s recent LIFE & LEGACY Challenge. An anonymous donor pledged a seven-figure legacy gift on the condition that the congregation raised a minimum of $1 million in commitments from other Beth El members by Dec. 31, 2014 – which they successfully did by year’s end. Lloyd Roitstein, Chair for Beth El Synagogue’s LIFE &
LEGACY team, thanked everyone who helped in the effort, including the anonymous donor who stepped forward with the challenge and gift to Beth El. “Todah Rabah and Hol HaKavod to all our supportive, caring congregants who have pledged to sustain Beth El for future generations.” he said. Beth El Synagogue’s Board President Joel Rich noted that Beth El’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative, led by Roitstein and Executive Director Larry DeBruin, “...has allowed us to let the Beth El family and the Omaha community realize the importance of committing now to help organizations in the future when you may not be able to. It has created an awareness of planning to help the causes you care about. We are so pleased with the responses we have received so far and look forward to continuing to encourage others to help Beth El in the future.” Other partner organizations are also committed to the LIFE & LEGACY initiative and are working hard to achieve their goals. Omaha’s Jewish community has an important goal to reach. According to Howard Epstein, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Executive Director, “In order to receive a generous Incentive Match from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a partner organization must receive at least 18 LIFE & LEGACY commitments by April 30. If you haven’t yet made your legacy commitment, there is still time to help each of Omaha’s Jewish organizations reach that goal. Together, we will make this a successful LIFE & LEGACY year for Omaha’s Jewish community.” To learn more about the LIFE & LEGACY initiative, contact Margo Parsow at 402.334.6432 or mparsow@jewish omaha.org.
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4 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
A letter from France
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Editor’s note: During the aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris, Jewish Federation of Omaha President Jay Noddle and Interim CEO Alan Potash sent a letter expressing condolences on behalf of our community. What follows is the response our community received from Ariel Goldman, President of the Fonds Social Juif Unifie, roughly translated, the United Jewish Welfare Fund.
families and attempts to provide psychological response to traumatized members of the community. Unfortunately the means of the state have their limits and we must rely on ourselves, united Jewish people. After this terrible tragedy, we must strengthen as soon as possible the safety of our schools, our community centers, our living spaces. We urgently need to provide and train
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People gather outside the kosher supermarket Hyper Cacher as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pays his respect to the victims of recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Credit: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images Jan. 12, 2015.
The United Jewish Welfare Fund was created in 1950 and supports programs’ and charities, social and educational struggling daily against insecurity, disease and disability. The financial resources are, essentially, donors of the Unified Jewish Appeal of France, fundraising agency of United Jewish Social Fund. The actions of social associations have Jewish and non-Jewish beneficiaries. (www.fsju.org) Paris, January 15, 2015 Dear Friends, We have read your words of solidarity and would like to sincerely thank you. We are deeply touched. Thank you for standing with us. Please be aware that we are doing everything in our power to respond, in the emergency, with the means we have, the problems facing us. We take, with the government and public authorities, the necessary steps following what we consider to be a turning point in France, to ensure that community spaces are secured at the level of the threat. In addition, the FSJU assists the victims’
more security guards in front of our schools. We need to support the relocation of hundreds of families living in difficult neighborhoods exposed to increasingly aggressive anti-Semitism. In the next few days we will be able to send you a leaflet showing what we plan to do to bring them concrete help. Moreover, for the Jewish community of France, struggle against anti-Semitism has become, as you know, a major concern for years now. We realize with sadness that those terrible events could represent an opportunity to build a strong and efficient defense against hatred. We are looking for strong partnerships. We might also appeal to your financial support. As you probably know, an important number of our big donors have left France and although we put all our efforts in fundraising among the members of our Jewish community, we cannot reasonably expect to collect enough money to cover our needs. I hope we will have a chance to discuss that further in the next few days. Sincerely yours, Ariel Goldman
At least two dead in raid in Belgium by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- At least two people were killed in Belgium in a police raid on an apartment used by suspected Islamic radicals. Belgian media said last Thursday’s action in Verviers, a town in eastern Belgium, was part of a coordinated crackdown on terrorists prompted by last week's deadly attacks in Paris, Reuters reported. Eric Van der Sypt, the spokesman for the office of the Belgian federal prosecutor, told The New York Times that Belgian police had “intervened on a terrorist cell planning attacks in Belgium.” One person also was seriously injured in the counterterrorism raid and several arrests were made. The raided apartment was above the Croissant d’Or bakery. Reuters reported that several gunshots and explosions were heard on the streets. Belgian public radio said that police were coordinating additional raids in Brussels, Reuters reported. Earlier this week, a man suspected of supplying the terrorists behind the Paris attacks with weapons turned himself in to police in Charleroi. The attacks in France on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket killed a total of 16. Also, a policewoman was killed in a separate shooting, allegedly by the
same gunman who took hostages in the market. Belgium has the highest ratio in Europe of citizens who have fought or trained with rebels in Syria, according to security data compiled by researchers. On a related note, the Islamic extremist who killed four at a Paris kosher supermarket is believed to have bought his weapons in Belgium. An arms dealer reportedly turned himself in to Belgian police on Tuesday, saying he negotiated with Amedy Coulibaly over an arms sale and scammed him on the sale of a used car, according to the French news agency AFP. He reportedly confessed to selling the weapons to Coulibaly, who killed four Jewish men in the Jan. 9 attack on the Hyper Cacher market. “The man is being held by the judge in Charleroi on suspicion of arms dealing,” a spokesman for Belgium’s federal prosecution said according to reports. “Further investigations will have to show whether there is a link with the events in Paris.” Coulibaly also purchased a Kalashnikov rifle and rocket launchers for brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi for use in the attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 in Paris, AFP reported.
January 23, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 5
Whiskey is for women too by MARGIE GUTNIK famous men at that. Just last November, Beth El Synagogue Program Director newly elected Senate Majority Leader Mitch What do Lady Gaga and Rihanna have in McConnell of Kentucky said he planned to common with our founding father George drink some bourbon with Democratic Washington? Whiskey. Our first commander in chief distilled the popular spirit. And according to National Public Radio, these pop icons are helping to fuel a new female-driven whiskey renaissance. Last year’s scotch tasting party was a “spirited” affair, and this year Beth El Synagogue Men’s Club wants everyone to know the evening is open to both men and ladies. So as long as you’re over 21, everyone is invited to a great night of spirits Last year’s scotch tasting event. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. There will be five American whiskeys to taste: President Barack Obama and one day after Kentucky bourbon, rye, Tennesee whiskey his party lost control of the U.S. Senate, and some craft whiskeys. President Obama told reporters that “When it comes to whiskey, it seems like McConnell was a leader who “has never nobody can quite get enough of it,” says made a promise he couldn’t deliver,” and “I Becky Paskin, editor of The Spirits Business would enjoy having some Kentucky bourmagazine, based in London. bon with Mitch McConnell.” Worldwide sales of American-made The press quickly dubbed it “the bourbon whiskey, Paskin says, grew faster than any summit”. other distilled spirit in 2014, at a rate of about So try out the tasty trend on Jan. 24. Cost 7 percent. “Americans are snapping it up, too. is $30/Beth El members, $35/non-members According to International Wine & Spirit (if pre-registered); $40/$45 day of event Research, Americans drank 24 million cases (based on space available). of domestically produced whiskey last year, a You will receive one FREE raffle ticket nearly 30 percent increase from a decade ago. with each paid registration (additional tickAnd, Paskin says, “women are finding ets $5 each). Prizes include a bottle from there’s a lot going on with whiskey for them; Spirit World’s “Vault” and whiskey tastings it’s not just a man’s drink.” at Spirit World. According to the definitive guide devoted This event is sponsored by Beth El exclusively to this phenomenon, appropriate- Synagogue’s Men’s Club and is open to all ly titled, Whiskey Women, females represent men and women. 37 percent of whiskey imbibers in the U.S. Register online at www.bethel-omaha. Not to be outdone, whiskey swilling men org. For more information, contact Ari were thrust into the spotlight recently, too – Kohen at akohen2@unl.edu.
Snowy wonderland by OZZIE NOGG A group of Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Residents marked the first night of Hanukkah on Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a glittering Festival of Lights Dinner in the RBJH Auditorium. The dinner, which was by invitation only, featured a winter theme and piano entertainment by Anna Mosenkis. “The room looked like a snowy wonderland,” said Mary Heiman, Rose Blumkin Home Activity Director. “The activities staff sprayed tree branches silver and there were sparkling snowflakes hanging everywhere. Josh Gurock, Director of Operations for the Rose Blumkin Each table had a glitterJewish Home, lights the first Hanukkah candle at the RBJH ing Hanukkah menorah Festival of Lights Dinner held on Dec. 16. centerpiece held by a “The Festival of Lights Hanukkah dinner snowman with dreidel lights dancing at his feet. It was something out of this world, was sponsored by the Julius Frohm and and I know the Residents felt they were Phil and Minnie Freeman Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha attending a very special evening.” The dinner began with wine and cheese Foundation,” Heiman said. “Because of appetizers followed by panko-crusted sea their generosity we’re able to provide these bass, potato latkes with applesauce and beautiful dinners at no charge to the parsour cream, marinated asparagus wrapped ticipants. This makes such a difference in in carrot strings, and sufganiyot jelly donut the lives of those who live at the Rose snowballs for dessert. “The meal was real- Blumkin Jewish Home. The special theme ly delicious,” said Maggie Conti, Director dinners create an atmosphere of fine dinof Activities and Outreach Programs at the ing with quality entertainment. The RBJH RBJH. “The Residents loved the latkes and appreciates the opportunity to create these the traditional Israeli Hanukkah dessert. experiences for the residents, thanks to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.” There were smiles all around.”
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6 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
In Paris, some Jews say France marched ‘for Charlie, not for the Jews’ by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ A vigil on Jan. 10 outside Hyper Cacher drew approximatePARIS (JTA) -- As he marched through Paris with some ly 2,000 people and featured hundreds of Israeli flags and the 1.5 million people, Philippe Schmidt felt he was experienc- spontaneous singing of Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem. ing a “beautiful moment of unity.” “Look around, there are almost only Jews here,” said Serge For Schmidt, a Jewish human rights lawyer and vice pres- Bitton, a resident of the Paris suburb of Saint-Mande. “The ident of the International League Against Racism and Anti- absence of non-Jews tells you everything you need to know Semitism, Sunday’s so-called Republican March was “a sign about how French society feels about the attacks on our of popular mobilization against extremism” following three community.” attacks last week by Islamists in the Paris region that killed CRIF, the umbrella group of French Jewish communities, 12 at the offices of a satirical weekly, a policewoman on the and the Union of French Jewish Students of France, or UEJF, street and four Jews at a kosher supermarket. called on members to attend Sunday’s march. French President But the leaders of the Francois Hollande and National Bureau for dozens of world leaders, Vigilance Against Antiincluding Israeli Prime Semitism stayed away for Minister Benjamin reasons similar to the ones Netanyahu, attended the expressed by Karsenty. rally in commemoration of By contrast, France’s chief all 17 victims that drew a rabbi, Haim Korsia, spoke record number of demonof the march and the hunDemonstrators gathering at the Place de la Nation square in Paris strators. dreds of smaller gatherfollowing a mass unity rally protesting the recent terrorist attacks Yet in Schmidt’s estimaings and walks organized in the French capital, Jan. 11, 2015. tion, most of the people elsewhere in France as a Credit: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images marching “were there for possible turning point. He Charlie, not for the Jews,” he said, in reference to the killings has long complained of indifference to anti-Semitism in at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a magazine targeted for its French society. satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. “This time, French society has done its duty,” Korsia said His opinion is shared by many French Jews who, despite at a memorial ceremony for the 17 victims on Sunday at the supporting the massive response to the attacks, doubt it will Grand Synagogue here. “Often we asked, ‘Where is France? help curb rising anti-Semitic violence. Where are the French?’ We feel isolated. Well, today, on this “I hope the response heralds a change in the indifference historical day for France, we felt this fraternity.” to anti-Semitism, but I am also aware that no such response While many French Jews doubt that their society cares as came when only Jews were targeted,” Schmidt noted in ref- such about anti-Semitism, they are less skeptical about the erence to the murder of four in 2012 at a Jewish school in government’s stance. Toulouse by another Islamist, Mohammed Merah. Three Hours after the hostage taking and killings at Hyper Cacher, children were among the victims. Hollande called it an anti-Semitic attack. He and Prime “There was no Republican March or anything comparable Minister Manuel Valls both attended the memorial service at after Toulouse,” he said. the Grand Synagogue, and Valls also came to the vigil outside Some prominent French Jewish figures boycotted the march the supermarket along with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. because it was co-organized by far-left organizations that they During an address Tuesday before the National Assembly, hold responsible for promoting anti-Semitic violence. the French parliament’s lower house, Valls, whom many “Some of the people walking today are the same people French Jews regard as something of a hero, reiterated his who walked against Israel last summer,” said Philippe trademark assertion that without its Jews, “France will no Karsenty, the deputy mayor of the Paris suburb of Neuilly- longer be France.” sur-Seine, in reference to anti-Semitic violence during To Schmidt, the Valls speech and Hollande’s attendance at protests against Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. “This is the synagogue “were very powerful symbols of support.” completely hypocritical.” Bitton, the Jewish resident of Saint-Mande, said he was Many of the marchers who carried “I am Charlie” signs very grateful for the government’s support. But, he added, “would never carry a sign reading ‘I am Jewish’ or ‘I am “the government of France is not France.” Hyper Cacher,’” he said in reference to the supermarket that “It changes every few years,” he said. “The anti-Semitism was attacked. stays put.”
A day at the movies by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel In the movie, Fiddler on the Roof, there is a comment about Anatevka being their own little part of the world. For years I’m sure many of us felt that way about Omaha. A hidden gem tucked away in the heartland of America. In recent years though it seems that Omaha has grown into its own in many ways. I think we especially see this in the area of cultural programs. At Temple Israel we are looking forward to attending a showing of the movie, Zero Motivation on Sunday, Jan. 25 at noon at Film Streams. After the movie, we will go to Blueline Coffee to discuss the movie with Rabbi Azriel. Zero Motivation is an Israeli movie that came out in 2014. According to the website, Rotten Tomatoes, it is Private Benjamin meets M*A*S*H, speaks Hebrew, and keeps kosher. Set in a remote desert military base, a platoon of young women soldiers, all Israeli conscripts, serve out their time playing computer games, singing pop songs, and conspiring to get transferred to Tel Aviv -- while endlessly serving coffee to the men who run the show. Here’s an Israeli film filled with funny, quick-witted, zany women who wield their staple guns like automatic weaponry. If there is a war going on, it’s one against boredom, bad uniforms, dopey rules, and doing everything in triplicate. Debut filmmaker Talya Lavie is Israel’s answer to Lena Dunham: Zero Motivation has had rave reviews and huge audiences. Winner of the top prize for narrative world cinema at the Tribeca Film Festival.” Our group will attend the noon showing of the movie. Tickets are available at the box office and if you are interested in discussing the movie at the Blueline, please let me know at either, slittky@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Zack Spooner just returned from a Birthright Israel trip. The former Federation fundraiser will tell us all about his recent experience and the organization’s goals on Wednesday, Jan 28, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
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January 23, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7
Judge Daniel Butler: Motivating Jewishly by MARY SUE GROSSMAN wonderful opportunity for the community Publicity Chair, Beth Israel Synagogue to get to know Judge Butler.” Go to the website of Judge Daniel Butler The weekend schedule will begin Friday and the phrases “Thousands have listened. evening with Shabbat dinner shortly after 7 Thousands have been inspired” highlight p.m. followed by a keynote by Judge Butler. the page. Those words are Titled “Your Son has a Half the perfect lead-in for Hour to Live and They’re Beth Israel Synagogue’s Towing Your Car: Making upcoming Scholar-in the Most of a Bad Day,” his Residence the weekend of presentation will weave Feb. 27 and 28, when humor and learning in Judge Butler presents sevexploring love, loss and relaeral sessions centered on tionships. On Shabbat Jewish ideals. morning, the title of Judge Giving insights into the Butler’s sermon will be human condition, Judge “Finding Sparks of Holiness Butler is described as in a Wi-fi World.” His drawing on his experiSunday morning talk, coences as a father, syndicatsponsored by Jewish Family ed weekly columnist, Service, will be “The Ten Judge Daniel Butler securities salesman, colCommandments of Happy lege professor, retail store manager and Relationships: The Jewish View from Family regional director for the National Court.” The Sunday session will take place Conference of Synagogue Youth. He has at 11 a.m. at the JCC. All other events will been a judicial law clerk, a prosecutor, a take place at Beth Israel Synagogue. family court hearing officer and a family The Scholar-in-Residence weekend is court mediator. He also served as a judge for open to the community. The mission of the Municipal Court of Pittsburgh, as well as Beth Israel Synagogue is to perpetuate the on the Domestic Violence Court. Judge legacy of Torah Judaism in the modern Butler has spoken about legal issues and on world and provide a home for those who Jewish ethics at hundreds of Jewish events wish to learn about and observe halacha, around the country. Jewish law. Beth Israel Synagogue welcomes “He is a truly caring and thoughtful man” all persons of the Jewish faith to join, and commented Rabbi Yaakov Weiss. “This is accepts the diversity of practice and thought shown through his presentations as he among its members. Beth Israel offers a paints a vibrant picture of life experiences variety of religious, cultural and social profull of anecdotes and humor as well.” Rabbi grams throughout the year. For more inforWeiss added “He can look at any experience mation, please contact Beth Israel and find lessons embedded within. The Synagogue’s office at 402.556.6288, or e-mail Scholar-in-Residence weekend will be a BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org.
Beth El’s Young Adults are at it again by PUBLICITY, BETH EL SYNAGOGUE The Young Adult committee at Beth El synagogue knew a repeat performance was a no brainer after last year’s comedy night at The Funny Bone was a huge hit. Don’t miss the laughter that is sure to ensue this year on Saturday, Jan. 31. Hosts Jason and Laurie Epstein, Jimmy and Sophie Friedlander and Adam and Abigail Kutler want you to join them at Brix in Village Pointe for wine and spirits starting at 7 p.m. Then it’s just a quick walk through Village Pointe for the 9:30 p.m. comedy show featuring James Johann at Funny Bone. Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time at Funny Bone to make sure you don’t miss out on the fun! For more information and to RSVP contact either the Epsteins at laurieepstein@hot mail.com, the Friedlanders at Last year’s YAC Brix and Funny Bone event sophieeambrose@gmail.com, or the Kutlers at aerpelding@gmail.com.
Arts+Entertainment You’ve seen it live, now it‘s time to see it also on TV. In November 2014, the Middle East Project Fund has teamed up with UNO TV to produce a half hour video recording of the Middle East Forum (MEF). Now it is time for the show to be aired throughout the greater Omaha viewing area. The production of the video was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Foundation. It includes a panel discussion of current
issues, featuring Dr. Curtis Hutt (Moderator), Dr. Moshe Gershovich, Dr. Ramazan Kilinc, and Dr. Patrick McNamara. The program will be aired on The Learning Channel, which is Channel 18 for Cox subscribers and Channel 69 for Century Link customers. The dates and times of the show are as follows: Monday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
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8 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
Choosing my enemy by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor In the midst of the atrocities that happened in France recently, it is easy to overlook the nuances in cultural difference between the United States and Europe. What I mean by that is, while we discuss what happened, express our sympathy and empathy and try to assign blame (because someone is to blame), we sometimes miss some of the details. Details are important. They help us ask the right questions and place news in the correct context. When we have the correct context, we avoid blaming the victim or shooting from the hip. We come a tiny bit closer to understanding what happened there, without being presumptuous. The cartoon that supposedly started it all is a bit of a red herring. Yes, it insults some, and it was meant to. Satire is designed to ruffle feathers and upset religious and political beliefs. It reminds us to not take ourselves too seriously. The right to offend is an integral part of free speech, and, especially in certain European countries, it has become an art form. With that comes the right to be offended. And honestly, if no one is offended, satire loses its usefulness. But the right to be offended doesn’t imply the right to take violent action. When you respond with violence, you shut up the person you disagree with, forever. You thereby destroy freedom of speech, without which no honest dialogue is possible. Of course, none of this was really about the prophet Mohammed in the first place. I don’t care how many times
you yell “Allahu Akhbar.” Killing innocents is not Islam. It’s about feeling disenfranchised and not finding your place in the world. When you’re lost, can’t find work, can’t pay the bills, you can take the high road and work hard to make things better. You can ask for help. You can also give in to despair and adopt a defeatist attitude. You can join a cult
or do Meth or you can go fight for Isis or Al Qaida. You can shoot up a shopping mall in Nebraska, murder school children in Massachusetts or fly a plane into a building. I really don’t think there’s that much difference, because these are all effective ways to turn your back on the world. Terrorism does not attempt to make things better for any-
one; it only destroys. And the victims never ask for it, no matter how many cartoons they publish. Because if the editorial staff at Charlie Hebdo had any part in this, if they had it coming, as some have suggested, then what on earth did those shoppers at the kosher supermarket do to deserve this? Going forward, it is absolutely essential that we see terrorism for what it truly is. Not a logical consequence of Muslim immigration to Europe, not an integral part of the Muslim religion, and certainly not an excuse to denounce all of Islam. The terrorist cells that are currently in existence in various countries would like nothing better than to cause an irreparable rift between moderate Muslims and the rest of the world. They want us to picture a masked jihadist with an assault rifle when we hear the word “Islam.” They want us to get nervous when we see a woman at the supermarket wearing a hijab. They want us to think that if we allow Muslims to build a mosque, they’ll probably use it for weapons storage. In short, they want to scare us into intolerance and hatred, until we feel as disenfranchised as they do themselves. We can give in to that; it would be easy. But I claim the right to choose my own enemy. I stubbornly refuse to let the terrorists do my thinking for me. Because even more important than free speech is our freedom to think for ourselves, and that is the freedom terrorists like the ones in Paris are really trying to destroy. It is a freedom worth fighting for, but only with words.
France’s wake-up call by SIMONE RODAN-BENZAQUEN PARIS (JTA) -- The kosher supermarket was chosen deliberately. Men, women and children were shopping and preparing for Shabbat. Only two days before the attack, terrorists had left 10 of the best-known satirical journalists and cartoonists dead at Charlie Hebdo. Three French police officers were also struck down, one of them a Muslim. Each Islamist terrorist attack targeted a symbol of the French Republic, seeking to bring the country to its knees. That Jews were targets of radical Islam was, alas, unsurprising. Four of the hostages -- Yoav Hattab, Philippe Braham, Yohan Cohen, François-Michel Saada -- were killed at the kosher market. Survivors of the attack are anguished. So, too, are most French Jews, who again are discussing and evaluating not only the future of our community but the fate of France itself. Let’s be clear: France is under assault. The enemy is in our midst. Extremists, faithful to a brand of Islam that celebrates violence and martyrdom, have no respect whatsoever for the core, longstanding French values of democracy, pluralism, freedom of expression -- and, indeed, for life itself. Traditional forms of protest are alien to them. Instead, as seen in the carnage wrought by ISIS, al-Qaida and other jihadists in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, pure barbarism is their vehicle to achieve their perverted notion of salvation. Tragically, the events of recent days are not a new phenomenon. The Jewish community, including the American Jewish Committee in Paris, has warned for years about the developing and deepening threat that radical Islam poses to France. In March 2012, a lone, heavily armed Mohammed Merah murdered three French soldiers in cold blood and, a week later, slaughtered a teacher and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse. The Toulouse attack was a game changer for French Jews. And although French political leaders voiced outrage, as time passed and the numbers and frequency of anti-Semitic incidents rose, the country seemed to get used to them -- even anesthetized to this reality -- while many Jews felt a sense of loneliness and isolation. The recent attacks in Paris have shocked the entire nation, indeed the entire world. What is new this time is the depth and breadth of the reactions, crisscrossing French society, the
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realization that combating the threat of radical Islam must be, and remain, a national priority. But will this be the necessary wake-up call for France as a whole to confront the danger? The terrorists who struck in Paris -- as in Toulouse and at the Jewish Museum in Brussels last May -- are not isolated lone wolves. They most likely are the tip of a radical Islamist iceberg, the small visible part. To counter this lethal trend, we must delve deeper and understand the factors that draw certain individuals to radical Islam, and find ways to counter this evil that endangers all of France.
Demonstrators carrying a sign reading “We Are Charlie” march in a Paris square during a unity rally following the recent terrorist attacks in the French capital, Jan. 11, 2015. Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
French schools must teach mutual respect and responsibility, a component of the curriculum that today is stunningly missing. Indoctrination in extremist ideologies in prisons demands attention, as does recruitment by radical, violent groups through social media and in mosques. The Toulouse and Paris terrorists spent time not only in prison but also with jihadist groups in Syria and Yemen. Hundreds more are currently in Syria and Iraq, and maybe in other Arab countries. That they could return with French passports to settle back in our communities, or in other European countries, is a nightmare. Their objective is to create fear and division in French society, of which the extreme right and populists may take advantage. So let’s have the Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial
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courage not to let fear take over. The French government cannot stop this trend alone; the effort will require the active involvement of political, religious and civil-society leaders. Immediate reactions to the attack on Charlie Hebdo were inspiring, as millions of French citizens gathered in central Paris and throughout France, communicated their outrage on social media and called for action. Unfortunately, the voices of Muslim community leaders -- with some notable exceptions -- have until now been barely audible. Those leaders, too, must speak loudly and clearly, as Muslims and as French citizens. Many of us in the Jewish community regretted that no large solidarity movement rose up after the gruesome kidnap-murder of Ilan Halimi nine years ago, or after Toulouse, or during last summer’s transparently anti-Semitic demonstrations. While the government did speak out after attacks on Jews and firmly decries anti-Semitism, many in French society and in the media refused to see that our French values were at stake and that Jews were indeed a target. Hatred of Jews never ends with Jews. The menace of rising anti-Semitism threatens French society at large. The future of France will be decided in the coming days, weeks and months. The Charlie Hebdo massacre makes clear that the war against France’s democratic values is in high gear. Sunday’s mass rally, with more than 3.7 million people across the country in attendance -- including, in Paris, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other political leaders -was a powerful statement of outrage and solidarity against this barbarism in France and in the rest of the world. But what happens in the days and weeks ahead will truly test France. Now more than at any other time in its postwar history, the fate of France is entwined with the fate of its Jews. If France loses them, sooner or later it will also be lost. Is this the wake-up call that will help the French people understand the nature of the threat to our country, and will they respond firmly and effectively? The very soul of France is at stake. Simone Rodan-Benzaquen is the director of the American Jewish Committee’s Paris office. The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid per-
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January 23, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9
French Jewry 101: From Rashi to Dreyfus to Hyper Cacher by GABRIELLE BIRKNER (JTA) -- The Jan. 9 deadly hostage siege at a kosher supermarket in Paris has French Jews (and some non-Jews) proclaiming “Je suis juif,” or “I am Jewish,” in solidarity with the four people killed in the attack. Who are the Jews of France? Here’s a primer. How many Jews are there in France? About 500,000, the most of any European nation and more than any other country in the world except for Israel and the United States. How does that compare to other faith groups in the country? France is home to some 66 million people; about 80 percent of them are Catholic. There are also between 5 million and 6 million Muslims, with many tracing their roots back to the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa and Turkey. Where do Jews live in France? Paris and its suburbs mostly, home to as many as 350,000 Jews. The Marais, in Paris’ 3rd and 4th districts, is the city’s historic Jewish neighborhood. It remains home to many kosher shops and eateries, synagogues and religious schools. But the trendy quarter -- known today for its fashion boutiques, gay culture and pricey real estate -- is much less of a Jewish residential neighborhood than it once was. Jews today live throughout Paris, but particularly in the affluent 17th district, the more working-class 19th and 20th districts, and increasingly the lively 11th and 12th districts. Hyper Cacher, where Friday’s deadly hostage siege took place, is situated in the 12th district, on Paris’ eastern edge. The suburbs of Sarcelles to the north of the city, SaintMande to the east, Creteil to the southeast, and Neuilly-surSeine, a wealthy residential neighborhood to the west of the city, also have significant Jewish populations. In addition, there are about 80,000 Jews in the southern French city of Marseilles, and sizable Jewish communities in Lyon, Toulouse, Nice and Strasbourg. How did Jews get to France? Jews have had a presence in the country at least since the Middle Ages, though it wasn’t until 1791 that French Jews were granted full citizenship. France absorbed more than 100,000 Central and Eastern European Jews fleeing persecu-
tion in the years leading up to World War II. Today, however, most Jews living in France have roots in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Some 235,000 Jews arrived from those newly independent countries in the 1950s and 1960s, and this largely Sephardic population is widely credited with reviving religious Judaism in France after the Holocaust. What happened to French Jews during the Holocaust? The Nazi German military occupied northern France, including Paris, from 1940 to 1944. In the southern “free zone,” the Vichy French state was nominally neutral but actually was a puppet of Nazi Germany. During the war, some 76,000 Jews from France were sent to Nazi death camps. Most of them died at Auschwitz, but 2,500 survived. By 1945, some Alfred Dreyfus Credit: Getty Images 235,000 Jews remained in France. What are France’s most influential Jewish institutions today? The Consistoire, which dates back to Napoleonic times, oversees a network of some 500 synagogues and religious sites, such as cemeteries and mikvahs. The Consistoire also manages kashrut certifications and elects the country’s chief rabbi. The majority of Jewish congregations in France -- and all of those under the auspices of the Consistoire -- are Orthodox, though there is also a smaller number of Reform and Masorti (Conservative) synagogues in France. The CRIF, the Council of Jewish Institutions of France, is a national federation of dozens of Jewish groups, including philanthropies, social services organizations and profession-
al associations. The organization works to fight antiSemitism and other forms of intolerance, often closely with political leaders. Supporting Israel and promoting a peaceful two-state solution are also among its stated priorities. The UEJF, France’s Jewish Student Union, represents the interests of some 15,000 Jewish college students. The organization, founded in 1944, is active in social justice issues, Israel advocacy and efforts to promote coexistence, and it offers meet-ups and travel opportunities for Jewish students. Remind me, what was the Dreyfus Affair all about? In 1894, Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army captain, was convicted of treason in a case that many considered even at the time to be a miscarriage of justice. The French writer Emile Zola came to the captain’s defense with a famous open letter titled “J’accuse,” in which he accused the French government of targeting Dreyfus because he was Jewish. Publicly stripped of his rank as thousands of Parisians called for his death, Dreyfus was imprisoned for several years on Devil’s Island. In 1899, Dreyfus was pardoned by the French president and released, and in 1906 a military commission officially exonerated him. How are French Jews responding to the current surge in French anti-Semitism? Last year, more than 7,000 French Jews left for Israel, which is more than triple the number who made aliyah the previous year. That comes on the heels of a 91 percent yearover-year increase in anti-Semitic incidents and a spike in violent anti-Semitic attacks. The general increase in anti-Semitic incidents -- in addition to several high-profile attacks such as the 2006 kidnapping and murder of Ilan Halimi, the deadly 2012 shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse, and firebombings of synagogues and Jewish businesses during last summer’s Gaza war -- has created a more insular Jewish community. The majority of French Jews vote for the center-right and center-left parties. However, a small but growing minority of Jews, fearing anti-Semitic violence at the hands of France’s Muslim community, have embraced the far-right National Front. Though its current leader, Marine Le Pen, has put a more moderate face on the National Front, her father -- the party’s founder -- has been convicted of Holocaust denial and once referred to the gas chambers as a “detail” of history.
What Selma means to the Jews by SUSANNA HESCHEL HANOVER, N.H. (JTA) -- The 50th anniversary of the 1965 march at Selma is being commemorated this year with the release of the film Selma. Regrettably, the film represents the march as many see it today, only as an act of political protest. But for my father Abraham Joshua Heschel and for many participants, the march was both an act of political protest and a profoundly religious moment: an extraordinary gathering of nuns, priests, rabbis, black and white, a range of political views, from all over the United States. Perhaps more an act of celebration of the success of the civil rights movement than of political protest, Selma affirmed that the movement had won the conscience of America. President Lyndon Johnson had just declared, “We Shall Overcome,” and congressional passage of the Voting Rights Act would come quickly. Thanks to the religious beliefs and political convictions of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., coalitions had been built, religious differences overcome and visions articulated that meshed religious and political goals. My father felt that the prophetic tradition of Judaism had come alive at Selma. He said that King told him it was the greatest day in his life, and my father said that he was reminded at Selma of walking with Hasidic rebbes in Europe. Such was the spiritual atmosphere of the day. When he returned, he famously said, “For many of us the march from Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt my legs were praying.” Imagine: My father arrived in 1940 as a refugee from Nazi
Europe, where all too many Christian theologians were declaring Jesus an Aryan, not a Jew, and throwing the Old Testament out of the Christian Bible because it was a Jewish book. It seemed miraculous for him to discover Martin Luther King, Jr., placing the Exodus and the prophets of Israel at the center of the civil rights movement. Marching out of Selma felt like a reenactment of the Exodus, but in a new way. Not only were the Israelites leaving Egypt, the place of enslavement, but also the Egyptians, because there was a hope at Selma that white America was repudiating its racism. My father had written, “The tragedy of Pharaoh was the failure to realize that the exodus from slavery could have spelled redemption for both Israel and Egypt. Would that Pharaoh and the Egyptians had joined the Israelites in the desert and together stood at the foot of Sinai.” Of course, the dream that Pharaoh might join the Israelites was not realized. Racism in America remains tenacious, and its slipperiness means that while the Voting Rights Act was passed by Congress and signed by the president following the Selma march, the disenfranchisement of black America continues with insidious new forms of legislation. The religious inspiration that led us to Selma continues, and the photograph of my father marching in the front row there -- with King, Ralph Bunche, John Lewis, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Rev. C.T. Vivian -- has become iconic. What a pity that my father’s presence is not included in Selma. More than a historical error, the film erases one of the central accomplishments of the civil rights movement, its inclusiveness, and one of King’s great joys: his close friendship with my father. The photograph reminds us that religious coalitions can transcend and overcome political con-
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flicts, and it also reminds us that our Jewish prophetic tradition came alive in the civil rights movement. Judaism seemed to be at the very heart of being American. Yet Selma was also a crossroad for Jews as it was for blacks. Would we follow the model of King and my father, of nonviolent liberation from oppression? Or would we follow calls to violent action, symbolized by the Black Panthers and the Jewish Defense League, whose leader, Meir Kahane, urged Jews to copy the Panthers and militarize themselves against anti-Semitism? Both blacks and Jews had to choose between a path of resentment, rage and violence, or a path of peace, nonviolence, persuasion and coalition. The consequences of that choice remain with us to this day. Few events in history of the United States are as inspiring as the march from Selma. Walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge (named for a Confederate general) opened a door, inviting all Americans to join in unity against segregation and racism. Yes, the Selma march was a protest against forces of destruction and oppression, against legislation and institutions of bigotry and cruelty. But its mood was filled with a biblical sense of optimism that justice would ultimately prevail in the United States. Today, Selma represents a hope for redemption, a hope expressed by the prophets of Israel, of an era in which bigotry will finally come to an end. For the Bible, my father taught, the ultimate expression of God is not wisdom, magnificence, land, glory, nor even love -- but rather justice. Justice is the tool of God, the manifestation of God, the means of our redemption and the redemption of God from human mendacity. Susannah Heschel is the Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College.
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10 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Feb. 13, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Ben Justman, Executive Director of the Sarpy County Museum on A History of Sarpy County. Larry Blass will lead the service. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: USY Winter Shabbaton at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Kansas City; Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Fifth and Sixth Graders, followed by an Oneg Shabbat. SATURDAY: USY Winter Shabbaton at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Kansas City; Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m.; Whiskey Tasting, 7 p.m. (see full story on page 5.) WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: USY Winter Shabbaton at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Kansas City; BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.; Beth El Volunteer at the Food Bank, 1 p.m. Register online by noon on Friday, Jan. 23, to participate. TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham. WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. Sisterhood Shabbat, Saturday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m., followed by a Kiddush Lunch. Young Adult Committee Event, Saturday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. at Brix and FunnyBone. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:11 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:15 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash: Understanding our Prayers, 9:45 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rashi Class, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Weiss. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m. THURSDAY: Avot U Banim, 7 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi
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Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Eleanor Shirley. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Bo. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Confirmation Class, 10:15 a.m.; LJCS Teachers, 12:15 p.m. at SST; Anniversary Special Event: Klezmer Concert by the Star City Kochavim, 3 p.m. TUESDAY: Alexander Technique Session #2 of 3 with Robert Rickover, 7 p.m. The classes are open to all members and their friends at a cost of $20 for each class. Enrollment is limited to 15 per class. To reserve your place, please contact Jean at the Temple Office, 402.435.8004 or office@ southstreettemple.org to make sure there is space and then your check, payable to the South Street Temple, to 2061 South 20th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502. You can learn more about the Alexander Technique at www. AlexanderTechnique.com. WEDNESDAY: LJCS grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY: Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7 p.m. Bakers Needed as part of the Temple’s celebration of its 130th anniversary as a congregation and the 90th anniversary of our beautiful building, we are having monthly events culminating in the anniversary gala in May. For many of these events, we would like to serve cookies or other easy to handle dessert items. We are looking to volunteers to supply home-baked goodies. If you are willing to contribute in this way, please let Alan Frank know at afrank2@unl.edu. We’ll have you bring your treats to the Temple and store them in the freezer.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Beth Israel.
Candlelighting Friday, January 23, 5:11 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Adam Goldberg. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Service with Rabbi Rami Shapiro: God on the Couch -- Why God needs to torment the Egyptains, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study with Rabbi Rami Shapiro: The Trouble with Tribal -- Toward a Post-ethnic God, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Alex Goldstein, son of Jill and Joseph Goldstein, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah; Family Learning for Experience Shabbat: Beyond Creator and King -- New Metaphors for God using thing you may find around your house, 4 p.m. SUNDAY: No Religious School; OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Abby’s house. TUESDAY: Spaghetti Dinner Planning/Decoration Making, 5:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Family Night, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel. THURSDAY: Dilemmas of Faith: God and Spirituality in the Modern World, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel Tot Shabbat, Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. Families with children ages five and under are invited to celebrate Shabbat in a child-friendly service on the last Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. Please contact the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536, to let us know you are coming.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a special Kiddush luncheon in honor of Sylvia and Bob Jacob’s move to Denver, CO and hosted by Pinkie and Dave, Gail and Max and Nancy and Charles. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Confirmation Class, 10:15 a.m.; Haftorah Reading class begins, 11-11:50 a.m.; LJCS Teachers, 12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, 2 p.m.; PJ Library families, are invited to join us for PJ's and Pancakes at 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy a story and breakfast for dinner! Please let Nava know if you are able to attend. WEDNESDAY: LJCS grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.
Peres to JTA: In anti-Semitism fight, France doesn’t ‘need assistance’ from Israel by BEN SALES TEL AVIV (JTA) -- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres said he is confident in France’s ability to fight antiSemitism on its own soil. Immigration to Israel, he said, should be encouraged for positive reasons, not only as a response to persecution abroad. “We call on Jews to immigrate to Israel when there’s no crime and no other reason,” said Peres, speaking exclusively to JTA from his Peres Center for Peace office overlooking the Mediterranean. Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have called on French Jews to move to Israel following the Jan. 9 hostage siege at a Paris kosher supermarket. The attack killed four Jewish men. “I think Zionism is a movement of rebirth, not protest. Why should I have a negative reason? I have a positive reason,” said Peres, 91, who twice served as the nation’s prime minister. Peres declined to discuss Netanyahu or his remarks directly. He praised the French government’s longtime support for Israel, as well as its historical commitment to democratic ideals. Peres added that there is a “European awakening to go to war” against anti-Semitism, and that while Israel should support French efforts to combat antiSemitism, it does not need to get involved directly.
“When the French prime minister comes out so strongly against anti-Semitism, we support the French position,” Peres said, referring to Manuel Valls’ speech to the National Assembly of France last week, during which he decried anti-Semitism. “They don’t need assistance. Peres, however, called for a worldwide coalition to fight terror, echoing recent statements by Netanyahu. He also called on religious leaders to speak out against terrorism. “All of enlightened humanity needs to unite and put an end to the barbarism of terror,” he said. “We need to be among those who will take part in the worldwide, mutual, democratic effort to fight this danger to all of humanity.” Also during the interview, Peres criticized the International Criminal Court for opening an examination of Israel’s conduct during last summer’s war in Gaza. He said the ICC instead should investigate the conduct of Hamas, the terrorist organization that governs Gaza. “There’s an organization called Hamas that murders and can’t make a claim on Israel,” he said. “Israel withdrew from Gaza, so they can’t say they’re freedom fighters.” On the subject of Israel’s March 17 elections, Peres didn’t talk specifics but did say that Israelis face a stark choice. “So Israel can stay a Jewish and democratic state, we need two states,” he said. “There are two opinions in Israel. We need to choose. One of them says two states. One says we’ll manage the crisis. Every citizen will choose.”
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January 23, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11
In memoriam BERNICE (EPSTEIN) ADLER Bernice (Epstein) Adler passed away on Jan. 13 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Services were held on Jan. 14 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and officated by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. She was preceded in death by her wonderful husband of 57 years, Morrie Adler, and her parents, Ruben and Sarah Epstein, sister Betty Rosenblatt and brother Sol. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Shelley and Abe Wisnia and Shari and Nils Asplund of Altadena, CA; son and fiancé, Bob Adler and Marcy Ziska of Omaha; grandchildren: Lisa and Adam Wisnia; great-grandson, Preston; brother, Sidney Epstein of Las Vegas. Bernice lived her entire life in Omaha. Her family was her greatest passion, she was a spirited Mama Bear who loved her cubs. Bernice was sharp right up to the end, always curious, sharing fun stories and asking great questions. She will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.
Meet Stefan Zweig by GABE FRIEDMAN Wes Anderson’s whimsical film The Grand Budapest Hotel was nominated for nine Academy Awards Thursday morning, just days after winning the Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical. Named one of the best films of the year by several top critics, it could earn Anderson, a director whose cult following has steadily grown over the past decade, his first Oscar. It will also likely raise the profile of Stefan Zweig, the Austrian Jewish novelist who, Anderson has said, inspired the film’s quirky Eastern European setting and several of its characters. Indeed, a new book about him,The Impossible Exile: Stefan Zweig at the End of the World, just won the Jewish Book Council‘s National Jewish Book Award for Best Jewish Biography.
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Actor Michael Douglas awarded Genesis Prize by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Actor and peace activist Michael Douglas is the recipient of the 2015 Genesis Prize. The decision was announced Wednesday night by the Genesis Prize Foundation. The $1 million prize will be awarded in Jerusalem by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky and the prime minister of Israel on June 18. Douglas said he plans to use the prize money for promoting activities designed to raise awareness of inclusiveness and diversity in Judaism, according to the prize foundation. “I share this award with my family, who encouraged me in my exploration of the Jewish faith,” Douglas said. “I hope these teachings and values will be part of the legacy in the world that I leave for my children and those who follow.” Douglas, 70, was not raised Jewish. His father, the actor Kirk Douglas, is Jewish, but his mother is Anglican. In recent years, however, Douglas has embraced the Jewish faith and said he considers himself a Reform Jew. In a statement, Polovets said Douglas was chosen for “his professional achievements and for his passion for his Jewish heritage and the Jewish state.” He added, “The Douglas family’s experience of connecting with its heritage and embracing it on their own terms embodies an inclusive approach for Jews of diverse backgrounds. This is particularly important today, when the question of what it means to be Jewish has become more pressing than ever.” The winner of two Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award, Douglas serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, focusing on human rights, gun violence prevention and nuclear anti-proliferation work. The foundation was endowed by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, a consortium of wealthy philanthropists and businessmen from the former Soviet Union that includes Mikhail Fridman, Pyotr Aven and German Khan.
Stefan Zweig with his wife Lottie.
Credit: Acervo CSZ
During the 1920s and ’30s, Zweig was one of the world’s most prominent novelists. Born to wealthy Jewish parents in 1881, he earned a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Vienna in 1904 and fell in with the Austrian and German literary intellectual crowds of the time. Although he was not a practicing Jew, he became friends with Theodor Herzl, who published some of his earliest essays in the Neue Freie Presse, then Vienna’s leading newspaper. Later, during his peak decades of popularity, Zweig became close with Sigmund Freud, whose psychoanalytic theories influenced his fiction. (Zweig even gave a eulogy at Freud’s funeral in 1939.) In 1942, after years of unhappy emigration though England and South America forced upon him by Hitler’s rise to power, Zweig and his wife committed suicide by overdosing on barbiturates. It is unclear why Zweig’s famous works, such as Beware of Pity and Confusion of Feelings, fell into such obscurity in the years after World War II. Some critics, such as Adam Kirsch writing in The New Republic, have noted that Zweig symbolized a liberal prewar state of mind and was intensely nostalgic. Perhaps it was not a coincidence that Zweig’s autobiography was called The World of Yesterday. The Grand Budapest Hotel and the award-winning biography are not the only examples of Zweig’s recent re-emergence. The New York Times has reported that new translations and editions of Zweig’s work have gradually reappeared over the past few years before Anderson’s film (which was released in March 2014): New editions of his fiction, including his collected stories, are being published, with some appearing in English for the first time. Movies are being adapted from his writing; a new selection of his letters is in the works; plans to reissue his many biographies and essays are in motion; and his complicated life has provided inspiration for new biographies and a best-selling French novel. Some of these examples include the 2013 French film A Promise, which is based on Zweig’s novella Journey Into the Past, and the Swiss film Mary Queen of Scots from the same year, which is based on Zweig’s novel Maria Stuart. More than 20 different editions of Zweig’s fictional works have been published in recent years. So regardless of how The Grand Budapest Hotel fares at the Oscars, we could be seeing (and reading) a lot more of Stefan Zweig in the years to come.
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12 | The Jewish Press | January 23, 2015
After Paris, reassessing how nations thwart attacks by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) – These are the lessons of the Paris attacks for American Jews and U.S. law enforcement: Keep calm and cooperate. Enhanced communication between governments has been a key element of America’s counterterrorism successes since 9/11, experts say, and more is planned in the wake of the recent attacks in France that left 17 dead. President Obama announced that Washington will host a summit on Feb. 18 aimed at improving communications between would-be targets of terrorists. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, also outlined plans for better cooperation across national police forces and among U.S. law enforcement agencies to identify terrorist threats. Information sharing between the U.S. and European governments suffered somewhat after the 2013 revelations by Edward Snowden, the ex-National Security Agency employee who publicized classified information showing that the United States routinely spied on its allies. “U.S. authorities have been in discussion with counterparts in Europe, but the post-Snowden environment has impeded information sharing,” said John Cohen, a senior adviser to the Rutgers University Institute for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security and until last year a senior counterterrorism coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security. “I suspect that [the France attacks] will change that environment,” Cohen said. “We have to in a robust way enhance the sharing of information between European nations and the United States.” In France there were renewed calls for a French version of the U.S. Patriot Act, which facilitated information gathering after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Cherif and Said Kouachi, the two brothers who attacked the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, reportedly received weapons training in Yemen, had declared their allegiance to al-Qaida and were on no-fly lists. Amedy Coulibaly, the captor who took hostages and killed four at the kosher supermarket Hyper Cacher, also reportedly was known to U.S. security officials. One of the threats that most concerns Western security agencies are the Western fighters who go to Middle East battlegrounds for training and experience and then return to
A French policeman standing guard outside the kosher supermarket in Paris where four Jewish men were murdered by an Islamist gunman, Jan. 11, 2015. Credit: Serge Attal/Flash903 their home countries. A study published this week by the Brookings Institution says there are about 4,000 European fighters in Syria. U.S. officials have said 100 U.S. citizens have fought for the Islamic State, the jihadist group also known as ISIS to which Coulibaly pledged allegiance. Paul Goldenberg, who directs security for the U.S. Jewish community, said that sharing information on returning fighters is frustrated by the fact that Europe represents an array of sovereign nations, each with its own security practices but with open borders. European Union regulations on data sharing are complex and replete with restrictions arising out of privacy concerns. The 10 pages of regulations governing the sharing of telecommunications data, for instance, allow member countries to retain data obtained from other countries for no more than two years. Goldenberg said terrorist sleepers often remain inactive for periods longer than two years. Potential terrorists can travel easily through Europe’s open borders. Mehdi Nemmouche, the suspect in the killing of four people in an attack on the Brussels Jewish museum in May, was known to French authorities and had been flagged by Germany upon his return from fighting in Syria, but Belgian authorities were unaware of his presence. Goldenberg, whose Secure Community Network is fund-
ed by the Jewish Federations of North America, said the training evident in the Paris attacks portended better planned attacks, even by “lone wolves” who act on their own but have undergone training in the Middle East. “Everyone is trying to figure out what we do to stop a wellplanned terrorist operation against a Jewish center,” said Goldenberg, who was in Paris meeting with Jewish leaders when the kosher supermarket attack took place. “There were armed guards at Charlie who were executed.” As for the Jewish community, many best practices remain the same even after the Paris attacks, Goldenberg said, including training Jewish community professional and lay leaders in lockdowns and spotting suspicious behavior. Jewish communities need more such people, he said. The Brookings study emphasized the importance of engaging Muslim communities and not alienating them. “The goal should be to move potential terrorists towards non-violence; since many are in that category already, hounding them with the threat of arrest or otherwise creating a sense of alienation can backfire,” it said. “In the past, family and community members have at times been successful in steering returned fighters toward a different path, even getting them to inform on their former comrades.” Jeremy Shapiro, one of the authors of the Brookings study, said domestic security agencies’ focus on foreign fighters distracts from the overall goal of anticipating mass attacks – many of which have nothing to do with classic terrorism. “We have had 74 school shootings in the 18 months after Sandy Hook,” he said, referring to the December 2012 massacre of 26 schoolchildren and teachers in Connecticut by a lone gunman. “The foreign fighters thing has nothing to do with that.” With such attacks notoriously difficult to anticipate because of the challenge of assessing when mentally ill individuals are true threats, U.S. law enforcement has made a priority of tracking individuals known to have terrorist ties. Last July, the Transport Security Agency enhanced security at U.S. points of entry and overseas points of departure. Now, said Homeland Security’s Johnson, he is considering further enhancements. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told the CBS news program Face the Nation that lone wolf attacks are one of his great sources of concern.
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