July 24, 2015

Endowed by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Partnership2Gesher Educator Seminar

July 24, 2015 8 Av 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 45

This Week

A Summer of Awesomeness Page 5

Musical workshop in the Early Childhood Musical Center in Akko. Led by Efrat Srebro, the director of the Center and the co-chair of the education task force of Partnership2GETHER.

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Partnership2GETHER is so important in helping to secure the future of the Jewish world and improve Israel advocacy. Yes, people can open books, maps and do Google searches to learn about Israel, but the best way is with face-to-face connections. Partnership provides numerous opportunities for these connections -- missions, school twinning, educational programs, a variety of visiting delegations, performing arts programs and more. Last month, Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, Omaha’s Community Shaliach and Eadie Tsabari, Education Director for Beth El Synagogue, participated in one of these connections.

Eliad, who has worked as co-chairman of Partnership’s Education Task Force for the past several years, explains that 41 school twinning relationships have been devel-

It’s a PJ Library Birthday Party!

Page 7

oped. These “twinnings” are connecting schools in 13 Partnership communities with schools in Israel. The curriculum of the program is built by educators from both sides - the Israeli and the American. “We try mainly to learn about the educational highlights of each school and then build three or four joint projects a year, focused on those areas” reports Eliad. ”In Omaha, Friedel Jewish Academy twins with Maayanot Elementary School in Kibbutz Regba. Beth El Synagogue twins with Hatomer Elementary School in Akko. Two years ago, a twinning relationship was started with OPS’s Crestridge International Studies and Dual Language Magnet. Crestridge also twins with Maayanot.” He continued, saying “Temple Israel is also involved in the educational programing by Continued on page 2

The Iran nuclear deal Open pulpit: Visiting Moldova Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Week The Legal Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10 11

by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The nuclear deal with Iran, 20 months in the making, is now done -- at least as far as negotiations go. The accord, announced early Tuesday, still faces hurdles, although they likely won’t keep the deal from going ahead.

So what happens next?

We read the laws, perused the speeches, scanned the deal, canvassed congressional insiders and Iran experts, and here’s what we found out.

The U.N. Security Council Action: The U.N.’s sole lawmaking body must now endorse the deal.

Likely consequence: Endorsement The five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council -France, Britain, China, the United States and Russia -- are among the six, along with Germany, that signed off on the deal. Among the remaining rotating members, only one, Jordan, has expressed skepticism about the Iran talks.

Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, at a Washington news conference, March 3, 2015. Corker wondered whether implementing the Iran agreement was worth dismantling a “painstakingly conCredit: Win McNamee/Getty Images structed sanctions regime.”

Congress mality.) Congress has 60 days to conAction: Congress by law must re- sider a deal and another 12 days to view the deal, but may not attempt to send a joint resolution to President amend it.

Barack Obama, should they resolve Likely consequence: Disapproval to do so.

Congress, by law, received the full “In the coming days, Congress will text of the deal within five calendar need to scrutinize this deal and andays of the agreement in English, and swer whether implementing the thanks to an amendment proposed agreement is worth dismantling our

by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the painstakingly-constructed sanctions chairman of the Senate Foreign Rela- regime that took more than a decade tions Committee, in Persian as well. to establish,” Corker said in a state(The English version is already avail- ment. He and his ranking member, able on the Internet, so this is a for- Continued on page 3

August activities

by OZZIE NOGG From big band sound to baseball, Mainstreeters have swinging activities for everyone this August. Mark these dates on the calendar and join the action.

Karen and Friends: Sunday, Aug. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the JCC auditorium. This free musical family show is open to the entire community. Featuring Pegi Georgeson, Gene Klosner, Joyce Torchia, Krissy Kirby, Danny Denenberg and Grace Titus, with Mannheim Steamroller’s Chuck Penington on the keyboard. You’ll want to be in the front row!

Michael “Gooch” Gurciullo Timeless Classics with veteran Las Vegas performer Michael “Gooch” Gurciullo at lunch: Monday, Aug. 17, 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. In Vegas, “Gooch” carried the lead/jazz trumpet spot in the Wayne Newton Orchestra. He also toured with Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, was featured soloist with the world-famous Glen Miller Orchestra, founded the Monterey Jazz Orchestra and played at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch in California. Now, “Gooch” brings his swinging big band sound to our Mainstreeters luncheon with a Vintage Vegas Show. You’ll love every note. For lunch, choose from Mushroom and Artichoke Quiche or Panko-Crusted Cod, both served with cream of broccoli soup, fried potatoes, fresh fruit, challah roll and beverage of your choice. Cost is $10 a plate.

Reservations appreciated by Monday Aug. 10. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services.

Send reservation with full payment to: Mainstreeters, c/o Maggie Conti. 323 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For transportation call Maggie at 402.334.6521.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame at Werner Park: Thursday, Aug. 27. Depart from the JCC by school bus at 6 p.m. Game begins Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | July 24, 2015

Maintreeters August activities Continued from page 1 at 7:05 p.m. Return to the JCC by approximately 10 p.m. Come see the Omaha Storm Chasers battle the Fresno Grizzlies at Werner Park stadium in Papillion. Take advantage of the free transportation sponsored by Jewish Social Services. Cost is $10 per person for game admission. Reservations must be in by Monday, Aug. 17. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services. Send Reservation with full payment to: Mainstreeters, c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Dinner will be on your own. Choose from all the excellent food venders at the ball park including Omaha Steaks, La Mesa, Hebrew National Hotdogs and Valentino’s Pizza. For information call Harry Alloy at 402.697.8709.

This will be a fun night!

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: The Longest Ride, featuring Oona Chaplin and Alan Alda: Friday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn -- warm and delicious -- will be served. No reservations necessary. Invite a friend.

Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, The Longest Ride centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fretful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple.

Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, The

Partnership2Gesher Longest Ride explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love. If you’d like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch at the Blumkin Home before the show, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table.

Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m. For questions call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521.

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home County Fair: Sunday, Aug. 30. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street at the R.B.J.H. The entire community is invited to this afternoon of homespun fun with food, games, music, prizes and surprises. There will be activities for all ages, so bring the family. The County Fair is underwritten by the following funds, which are administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation: The Sheldon A. and Lorrie Bernstein Endowment Fund; The Betty A. Studna and Seymour T. Lee Endowment Fund; The Chester and Phyllis Lustgarten Endowment Fund.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. “Tell your friends and join us for all our programs,” said Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

“Monthly luncheons with great speakers and entertainers, first run movies, live concerts and theater performances are just a few of our diverse activities. You’ll want to be part of the fun in August.”

Mainstreeters programs are supported in part by grants from the United Way of the Midlands and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Visit us on facebook: ps://www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress

Continued from page 1 visiting and hosting Israeli teens as part of the Teen2Teen missions of our Partnership.”

To strengthen the educational relationships among the educators on each side of the ocean, Partnership runs an annual Educators Seminar. One year the seminar takes place in the United States and next year, in Israel. Last year, Omaha hosted 12 educators from the Western Galilee for a five-day seminar. Last month, the Western Galilee hosted a group of 15 educators from Louisville, Indianapolis, Toledo, Budapest, and Omaha.

Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan and Eadie Tsbari “As the Education Task Force Coordinator, I worked with the task force members and the Israeli Partnership office to plan the educational programming of the seminars” said Eliad. “We decided to title the seminars “Partnership2Gesher.” In Hebrew, “gesher” means bridge and each day featured the exploration of different bridges in Israel and, especially, in the Western Galilee.” Eliad explained the main bridge the educators explored was the bridge between cultures. They learned about the varied cultures in the Western Galilee which includes Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze. The group experienced the beauty of the co-existence. He continued, saying “The other bridges included a bridge between the past, present and future, and the bridge between Israel and overseas, including stories of aliyah and visits to and teaching at each teacher’s twin school.

“When I build seminars, it is very important for me to combine the educational component with the tourism and also include some fun” explained Eliad. “Utilizing the many resources of Partnership with the ‘bridges’ theme insured the participants had a meaningful and fruitful time. I can already see what is happening in the participants’ communities, how they are already planning for next year, and how Partnership has a big role in helping expose their students and families to Israel.” He continued, saying “During the seminar I felt so proud to come from Omaha and share all the beautiful Partnership Continued on page 3

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The Iran nuclear deal Continued from page 1 Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., co-authored the law mandating congressional review.

Leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives could bring resolutions to either approve or disapprove the Iran deal directly to the floor, but that’s unlikely: Lawmakers on both sides have talked up the need to consider closely the 50page agreement and its 80 or so pages of annexes, so the likelihood is that the agreement will get the committee treatment.

The first hurdle is each chamber’s foreign policy committee, Corker’s and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Cardin said he anticipates a hearing as early as next week.

The overwhelming failure of a vote to approve would not be binding, according to the law, and would allow the deal to go ahead -- but it would register as a moral victory for Congress, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a skeptic of some aspects of the deal, told JTA. It would indicate the intention of Congress to allow a future president to renegotiate the deal, particularly its sunset clauses, which remove restrictions on Iranian nuclear activity after 10 and 15 years.

“That will be a signal that future congresses are not prevented from turning to Iran in years to come and say, ‘No, you cannot have an industrial size uranium enrichment process after a decade, and all options are on the table to stop you,’” Sherman said.

Should Congress consider a resolution of disapproval, there’s a chance that it would not make it out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, one congressional insider said. Republicans, in the majority, own 11 of its 21 seats. But among the 11 Republicans are two who have been party outliers -- Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. -- having voted against Iran sanctions in the past.

A source at a pro-Israel group acknowledged that a vote to disapprove could conceivably fail if Flake and Paul voted against it. But Paul was unlikely to jeopardize his bid for the GOP presidential nomination with a vote against disapproval, the pro-Israel source said, and among the 10 Democrats on the committee, at least one, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., was enough of a hard-line Iran skeptic to cancel Flake’s nay vote.

The next hurdle for disapproval would be cloture, the

minimum 60 votes needed to end debate, and cloture may be scrapped through a filibuster. Reaching cloture would require a minimum five Democrats, which is not a high hurdle, especially if the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is rounding up votes.

Mark Dubowitz, the director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a group skeptical of the Iran deal that has consulted with Congress and the administration on the agreement, said Democrats should consider how a vote against disapproval could affect their political careers. He noted how votes for the Iraq War in 2003 derailed the ambitions of more than a handful of politicians.

“No member of Congress pays an historical or political price for voting against a massive leap of faith that goes right,” he said. “They pay a huge price for voting for one that goes badly wrong.”

With Republican majorities in both chambers and enough skeptical Democrats, a motion to disapprove will likely succeed.

Veto Action: Presidential veto and congressional override Likely consequence: A veto followed by a failure to override Obama said outright on Tuesday, in announcing the deal, that he would veto any resolution of disapproval. Congress then has 10 days to override the veto.

Congress needs two-thirds of each chamber for an override. The 246 Republicans in the House would need 44 Democrats to hit 290, or two-thirds. That’s unlikely: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the minority leader known for commanding the loyalty of her caucus, has lined herself up with deal backers in her party and on Monday described the Iran agreement as “the product of years of tough, bold and cleareyed leadership from President Obama.”

“The likelihood of Congress stopping this agreement is now low,” Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., a deal opponent, told JTA, describing the agreement as against American national security interests.

Kirk said, however, it does not rule out a congressional role in the future. Down the line, the deal requires Congress to permanently lift sanctions against Iran.

“That’s a non-starter,” he said. “There are no votes in the House and Senate for that.”

Partnership2Gesher Continued from page 2 “We will continue throughout the year to be in contact programs the community does. The school twinning in with our new friends in Israel.” Eadie ended by saying, our communities, the involvement of early childhood and “The visit to the Western Galilee reminded me of why I kindergarten kids, and our intergenerational events were love Israel so much. It was an honor to represent Omaha in the center of many conversations.”

Eliad also had great praise for Eadie Tsabari. “Eadie was both amazing and dynamic. She was always a magnet for the Israeli kids. After each school visit or meetings with Israeli kids, the kids did not want Eadie to leave, having ‘just one more question’ and ‘just one more picture.’” Eliad concluded, saying “Eadie and I brought many ideas for Omaha, and I cannot wait to implement all that we learned and experienced with the Omaha schools, synagogues, and the entire community.”

Eadie Tsabari reported that the seminar was a great experience for her. “I visit Israel regularly to be with family and friends, but this trip was especially meaningful. Over the years, I have hosted many of the Israeli teachers and have done twinFarewell picture of the Seminar participants at the Western Wall. ning projects through both Friedel Jewish Academy and Beth El Synagogue with the schools in the Partnership, and I know Beth El students will spend in Israel” she shared. “The seminar gave us the chance to more time cultivating these important relationships.” visit a variety of schools, both religious and secular, in Funding for Eadie’s airfare was provided by a grant from wealthier communities and immigrant communities. We the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund. also visited a special kindergarten music school and a PARTNERSHIP2GETHER is a program of The Jewish school in a Druze village. It’s amazing how children are the Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federations of North same all over the world. Teachers are likewise cut from the America. The program promotes people-to-people relasame cloth and are always looking out for the best interests tionships through cultural, social, medical, educational of their students.” and economic programs. Omaha is a part of the 14 U.S. Eadie went on to report that having the opportunity to community Partnership Central Area Consortium which be with Israeli counterparts, as well as other teachers from also includes Budapest and Akko and the Matte Asher our Partnership area, reinforced the need for Israel educa- region in the Western Galilee. The PARTNERSHIP2 tion with a connection through people and projects like GETHER program in Omaha is coordinated through the this. “The class that I taught of 5th graders already had a Center for Jewish Life as part of its mission to maximize connection with my Beth El students via letter writing and involvement of Omaha's Jewish community in imaginaa scrap book explaining life in Omaha and how we as a tive, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For Jewish community celebrate our holidays” she explained. more information, please call 402.334.6445.

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4 | The Jewish Press | July 24, 2015

AIPAC’s battle over Iran deal

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by RON KAMPEAS deputy U.S. national security adviser, conWASHINGTON (JTA) -- Cancel your vened a meeting at the White House of summer vacations.

Jewish lawmakers in the House of That was the order AIPAC’s executive Representatives. About 15 of the 18 attenddirector, Howard Kohr, gave his employees ed, and some were uncharacteristically in a staff meeting convened last week at the silent about how it went.

American Israel Public Affairs Committee “Congressman Israel has said it was a very after the United States announced the Iran informative meeting,” was all Caitlin nuclear deal.

With the pro-Israel lobby group pushing for Congress to reject the deal, it’s all hands on deck. Lay leaders, too, are canceling their summer plans, and AIPAC activists already are calling lawmakers and hitting synagogue listservs with appeals to can the plan.

The White House is said to be “on fire” and ready for battle “We’ve regularly engaged in defending the Iran nuclear plan. with the Jewish community in Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images the context of these negotiations,” a senior White House official told Girouard, spokeswoman for Rep. Steve Israel JTA on Thursday. “And now that we have a of New York, would say after the meeting. deal, we feel it’s important to continue and Israel signs his statements the “highest rankeven accelerate this engagement.” ing Jewish Democrat” in the House.

Bring it on, deal opponents are saying.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a hard-liner “We are undertaking a major and signifi- on Iran who attended the meeting and has yet cant effort to urge Congress to oppose the to decide how he will vote on the deal, said his deal and insist on a better agreement,” an impression is that the White House is sucAIPAC source told JTA. cessfully accruing support from Democrats Since the deal was finalized Tuesday, in general and from Jewish Democrats in parWhite House officials have blitzed the ticular. Without substantial support from Jewish community with phone calls and Democrats for killing the deal, there is no pro-deal talking points. On Thursday, chance a veto override will happen.

Jewish lawmakers were asked to come to the Hillary Rodham Clinton, the front-runWhite House for a briefing. ner for the Democratic presidential nomiJ Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East nation, said last week that she was unequivlobby, which has largely backed President ocally in favor of the deal.

Barack Obama in all his Middle East stratePro-Israel insiders point to what they gies, raised $2 million to stump for the deal describe as White House love bombs to even before it was announced and already Israel: In addition to leaking to Jewish comhas unveiled a TV ad. munity leaders the Obama administration’s The group’s president, Jeremy Ben Ami, spurned offer to increase defense assistance who routinely bristles when J Street is likened to Israel, they note statements like that of to AIPAC, insisting that they play different Wendy Sherman, the undersecretary of fields, on Wednesday embraced a fight with state, who on Thursday in a phone call with the older and larger lobby. Asked on MSNBC Israeli reporters praised Netanyahu for helpwhether he was going “toe to toe” with ing to make the deal tougher on Iran by AIPAC, he said, “Essentially, we are.” assuming a bad cop role.

For his part, AIPAC’s Kohr distributed a AIPAC is planning on meeting with lawphone script on Thursday morning to makers at their district offices during the AIPAC’s tens of thousands of activists summer break and bringing in activists to directed at members of Congress.

Washington, D.C., when Congress recon“I am calling to urge the senator/represen- venes in September. Congress has until midtative to oppose the Iran nuclear deal September to decide whether it will vote the because it will not block Iran from getting a deal down. nuclear weapon,” the script says.

Jewish sources close to the White House The Israeli government is sending officials say the Obama administration is “on fire” to Washington to campaign against the plan, and ready for the battle. Tony Blinken, the starting next week with the opposition deputy secretary of state, led a call with leader, Zionist Union chief Isaac Herzog -- a Jewish organizations on Tuesday just six bid to show the wide breadth of Israeli hours after the deal was announced. There opposition to the plan. have been more intimate calls with Jewish Additionally, according to multiple supporters of the president. sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Also within hours of the deal, the White Netanyahu has made clear to his U.S. coun- House distributed talking points arguing terparts that he will reject all U.S. overtures that the deal hews to and even improves to discuss additional U.S. defense assistance upon five markers laid down by the to offset any expansion of regional Iranian Washington Institute for Near East Policy, influence until he is certain all avenues to an influential think tank that has historic killing the deal are unavailable. ties to the Jewish community.

Caught in the middle are the 28 Jewish lawAIPAC twice has pulled out all the stops makers in the U.S. House of Representatives in taking on a president -- and lost both and the Senate. Jewish lawmakers usually are times. In the early 1980s, the lobby opposed AIPAC’s first avenue of access when they take the Reagan administration’s sale of on a major initiative. Yet the lawmakers, all advanced military aircraft to Saudi Arabia. but one of whom caucus with Democrats, And a decade later, AIPAC opposed also have been under pressure by the admin- President George H. W. Bush’s linkage of istration to back the deal. loan guarantees to Israel to restraint on setUnder a law passed earlier this year, tlement building in disputed areas.

Congress must review the deal achieved AIPAC insiders say they know they might Tuesday in Vienna between the major pow- lose this time, too, but say they have little ers and Iran, and may disapprove it. If a res- choice given the existential threats they olution of disapproval succeeds, Obama has believe the deal poses to Israel. Additionally, said he will veto it, in which case congres- they say, galvanizing opposition to the deal sional leaders may submit the deal to an now will show the Iranians that the U.S. override vote. That would require two- political establishment remains wary of the thirds of each chamber to vote no on the agreement, and in the event that it is deal -- a long shot. approved will insist that Iran hew to every On Thursday morning, Ben Rhodes, a one of its provisions.

July 24, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 5

s s e n e m o s e w A f o Summer

This week was all about art, music, and exploring the globe. Campers learned how to play drums, what a kalimba looks and sounds like and met with percussionist Michael Fitzsimmons.

Second and third graders played on the playground in the rain, those in baking chugim made challah while others did yoga. This week’s field trip took the 4th through 7th graders to Kaneko, Hot Shops and Adventures in Art, while Kindergarteners through 3rd graders were offered a sleepover at the J. Some time was spent indoors due to the heat index risng well into the triple digits.

The week was capped by a talent show in the JCC theater, for which both counselors and campers practiced and dressed up. Family members were invited to enjoy the show on Friday afternoon.

And of course, the following week, they’ll do it all again.

For more information about the JCC’s Summer of Awesomeness, contact Megan Berlin at mberlin@jcc omaha.org, or call 402.334.6409.

6 | The Jewish Press | July 24, 2015

Remembering Rick Fox

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor One of the most meaningful ways to remember a loved one is to tell stories. If the person we remember is a business associate, these can be stories of success and sound decisionmaking. If it is someone who has made his or her mark in the nonprofit world, we often list accomplishments, awards, boards the person sat on and causes he or she believed in.

Or, if we speak of someone dear to us, we may share stories on a more personal level.

Rick Fox, who passed away on June 16, inspired all of the above. The list of organizations that benefited from his Rick Fox philanthropy is long and includes Temple Israel, the Taste of the Nation’s fundraiser for the food bank, and Donate Life Nebraska. But it is the times he helped on a more personal level that the real magic came to the forefront.

Friend Bob Belgrade says: “He had a real sensitivity for what others needed. Whether it was an opportunity in the work place, a loan, or something less tangible, he was ready to roll up his sleeves. He was tuned in to the people around him; you could say he was very good at being a human being.”

Above all, his wife Shelly says, “Rick was just such a good man.”

“He was kind, and he was genuine. He was absolutely not a pushover, but if he knew you really needed something, if there was a way he could help you, he wouldn’t think about it twice. He wasn’t fond of sitting in boardrooms and talking about solutions, he wanted to get to work and be the solution. And for so many people, he was.”

It’s why so many people loved him, and why so many people in this community have a “Rick Story.” Shelly and daughter Naomi, of course, have more than that. To them, Rick was a fantastic husband and a wonderful father. A person can’t be summarized in an anecdote or two; rather, hearing the sheer volume of stories confirms what they’ve known all along.

“Our community will remember my Dad in many ways, including restaurant owner, generous business man, amazing friend, and Husker lover -- just to name few,” daughter Naomi says.

“I will remember him in countless ways. He was warm, kind, hilarious, thoughtful, caring, supportive, dependable, and strong willed. He was the person who I would go to when I needed to discuss a big decision, my guidance

provider. I will remember the warmth I would always feel when we were together, and the laughter he provided to everyone around him. I am continually thankful for every experience and opportunity he provided for me throughout my life, and I will always know that without my amazing parental support, there is no way I would be close to where I am today.”

Shelly agrees: “His impact was very real. He meant so much to countless people in the Jewish community, and in the Omaha community at large. It’s amazing, all the stories we’ve heard from people, about what he did, and what he meant to them. It helps to know I am not alone in missing him terribly. We were married for 33 years, and we were so good together.”

“After an awful loss like this,” Naomi says, “there really is no specific word or action that can fix anything. But the worst thing someone can do or say, is nothing... This lesson is something my parents have taught me over and over through example.

“Human behavior is interesting, and especially at this time, the amazing letters, calls, and stories that have been shared with my family and me blow me away. The generosity shown through charitable donations from our community, our family, and friends all over the country is so touching. My mom and I can feel the love for Rick that so many people shared with us.”

“Rick had his priorities in order,” Belgrade says. “At Julio’s, he was on the floor, he was accessible to his customers and his staff, and he was a strong businessman. But at his core, he was all about his family and his friends. Those core values made him tick; it’s how he lived his life. He was always the first to reach out, always the first to notice what was going on, and the first to visit you if you had the misfortune to land in the hospital. That kind of loyalty is inspiring, and it’s what makes a friend a friend.”

Jay Noddle calls Rick “one of his closest and dearest friends.” The two spent a lot of time together, sharing the good as well as the more challenging things that life throws around. And, of course, there’s Football. When this fall, the Nebraska Cornhuskers start their season, there will be much opportunity to remember Rick.

“Throughout the years, we have probably attended 150 football games together,” Jay says. “Every Saturday, we’d have this huge tailgate, with 60 to 80 people attending. They are people from all walks of life, some of my friends, Rick’s friends, people from the restaurant business, from the Jewish community, Shelly’s friends, you name it. They will count on that tailgate come fall, and we’ll celebrate his memory..”

“We will do a lot of things in Rick’s honor,” Jay says. “His family was so important to him, and yet he was always there for his friends. He didn’t talk about it much, but once you hear all the individual stories, you get the picture of what a humanitarian he was. He was an enormously caring and empathetic man, a good man, and I will miss him terribly.”

In addition to Shelly and Naomi, Rick is survived by Naomi's husband Andrew Boehm, mother- and father in law Doris and Harry Alloy, sister Marsha Green, brother Michael Fox, brother in law Michael Sirotkin, sister in law and brother in law Wendy and Todd Manvitz and dear nieces and nephews.

Holy smokes

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Rabbi Steven Abraham, of Beth El Synagogue, teaching a bit of Torah at Temple Israel’s recent Holy Smokes event.

Birth Alison Sherman of Omaha announces the June 24 birth of her son, Noah Jacob.

He is named for his great-grandfather George Jacob Shafer.

He has a brother, Isaac Aaron.

Grandparents are Patty and Michael Sherman of Omaha.

Great-grandparents are Phyllis and the late Irvin Sherman, and the late George and Mickey Shafer.

In the news Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14, internationally acclaimed fiddler Julie Lyonn Lieberman will be giving fiddle workshops in the Old Avoca (Nebraska) Schoolhouse.

Julie Lyonn Lieberman has helped develop the alternative string field over the last 35+ years through her work as an educator, author, radio producer, composer, recording artist, journalist, and performer. Her former students have toured with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Celine Dion and Billy Joel, and one of her former students plays regularly on Dancing with the Stars.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, and to register, click on the following link: http://greenblatt andseay.com/workshop_fiddle_lieberman.shtml For questions, contact debby@greenblattandseay.com.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, July 29, noon.

For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Visit us on the web at www.jewishomaha.org

July 24, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7

It’s a PJ Library Birthday Party!

Business For Sale Printing and Stamp businesses for sale in Jerusalem or Gush Etzion.

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Call Yossi 011-972-54-237-4140, e-mail 5327402@014.net.il

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life When are the birthdays in your family?

September? April? January? Well, on Aug. 5, it will be everybody’s birthday, at the PJ Library Birthday Party! The fun will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. in the JCC gym.

And what a bash it’s going to be, with inflatables and face painting plus the fun of balloon artistry with Jered the Incredible.

The party is open to all Jewish families with children six months through eight years.

Don’t leave siblings and grandparents at home -- bring them with you to join in the fun. Refreshments include pizza, bread sticks, veggies and fruit. Of course, birthday cupcakes provided through Star Catering are also on the menu -- all the great things you’d like to have at a party.

This event, plus other PJ Library events in the future, is free of charge thanks to the generosity of the Special Donor-Advised Fund, the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation and the Mort Richards Youth Program Fund, all funds of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Of course, most birthday parties include presents and this celebration is no exception. Everyone is asked to bring a new or very gently-used children’s book that will be given to elementary schools in Omaha’s Partnership2GETHER area in Israel.

Children’s books are the perfect opportunity for Israeli kids of all ages to strengthen their

English skills.

PJ Library provides Jewish children free age-appropriate Jewish-content books or music CDs every month. The program is designed to strengthen the identities of Jewish families and their relationship to the Jewish community.

Each month, more than 100,000 children in over 175 communities in the United States, Canada and Israel receive the special mailing. If your family is not yet a part of PJ Library, registration will be available at the celebration. Nationally, the program is supported by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Omaha’s PJ Library program is generously supported by the Dorothy and Myer S. Kripke Institute for Jewish Family Literacy.

To help with planning, PLEASE make your reservations by calling Mark at 402.334.6463 or emailing mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. If you are responding by email, please include the number who will be attending. Deadline for reservations is July 31.

ALSO -- Mark your calendar now for Saturday evening, Dec. 26 for a PJ Library Celebration of Fun! at the Omaha Children’s Museum. The PJ Library Program is coordinated by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.

JCC Musical Theater Community Acting Group announces Fall show

by ESTHER KATZ JCC Dance and Cultural Arts Director Crazy for You® is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance.

Despite the serious efforts of his mother and soonto-be ex-fiancée, Bobby achieves his dream!

Memorable Gershwin tunes include I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Bidin’ My Time, I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Embraceable You and Someone To Watch

Over Me. It’s a high energy comedy which includes mistaken identity, plot twists, fabulous dance numbers and classic Gershwin music.

Auditions are Sunday, Aug 30 from 1-2 p.m. for Adults 18 years and older and are 2:30-3:30 p.m. for kids 8-18 years old.

First rehearsal is Sunday, Sept. 13 from 3-5 p.m. The cost is $145 for JCC Members, and $181 for nonmembers Code: 16-101.

The performances are Saturday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.

Club July 2015 Members GO L D Bruce Belgrade Sandra Belgrade Lorrie Bernstein in memoriam of Sheldon Bernstein Jill & Mike Erman

Marlen Frost Gloria & Howard Kaslow Sissy Silber in memoriam of Howard Silber Nora & Barry Zoob

P UBL I S H E R Marlene & David Cohen Mimi & Scott Farkas Amy & Sandy Friedman Jody & Neal Malashock

Patty & Steve Nogg Sissy Silber in memoriam of Howard Silber Nancy & Phil Wolf

E D I T O R Beth Cohen & Harry Berman Sally & Paul Fine Randi Friedel Jablin Sylvia Kaiman of blessed memory Shane & David Kotok Abigail & Adam Kutler Bonnie & Steve Levinger

Pam & Henry Monsky Iris & Marty Ricks Phyllis Schwartz Susann & Paul Shyken Jay Simon Esther & James Wax

RE P O RT E R Marcia Arch Molline & Fritz Cassman Audrey Epstein Sharon & Howard Epstein Liz & Yonatan Feldstern Cantor Leo & Annette Fettman Lois & Lloyd Friedman Myrna Grumer Joanie & Richard Jacobson Julee Katzman David Lercher

Elinore Penner Debbie & Lloyd Roitstein Susan Rothholz Lynne & Errol Saltzman Claudia & Marc Sherman Susie Silverman Coke Tillman Lois & Norman Wine Jeremy Wright Phyllis & Harold Zabin

8 | The Jewish Press | July 24, 2015

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Not built on trust

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Now that the Iran deal has been signed, a few things are immediately clear. Few members of the public know exactly what is in it, but that doesn’t stop anyone from having an opinion. Many organizations have decided that, since the vast majority of people probably won’t be completely knowledgeable about this deal, they will recommend what to think. And since this nation is as partisan as ever, lines have been drawn rather quickly.

If you’d ask me what I think about this deal, my answer would be: “I don’t know yet.”

I have about 30 articles sitting on my desk and I’m not even halfway through. The language in the deal itself is dense and raises more questions than I have answers to. This is a big and important issue, and so I’m choosing the “wait and see” approach. I’m comfortable saying that I don’t know enough, and I’m comfortable not having an opinion. I’m also comfortable admitting I can’t see the future.

So, let’s see about the most urgent questions, and whether they can be answered.

1. Sanctions? What sanctions? In 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 12170 in response to the hostage crisis at the American Embassy in Tehran. This froze approximately $12 billion in Iranian assets, including bank deposits, gold and other properties. Some of those remain frozen to this day. In 1984, after Iraq invaded Iran, the U.S. approved further sanctions that prohibit weapons sales to Iran, and all U.S. assistance to Iran. The Iran Sanctions Act, initially called the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (1996) was renamed in 2006 when Libya’s sanctions were lifted. Under this law, all foreign companies that provide investments over $20 million for the development of petroleum resources in Iran will be penalized by the United States.

When Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected President of Iran in 2005, he lifted the suspension of uranium enrichment. In reply, the United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions between 2006 and 2010. Also in 2010, the U.S. government passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act, which President Obama signed into law. Restrictions on import/export were enhanced (the famous pistachios, rugs, and caviar!) further affecting the Iranian economy. Furthermore, the biggest Iranian banks, which were prohibited from dealing directly with the US but were permitted to do so indirectly, were no longer able to use this loophole. In 2013, additional financial sanctions were imposed by the US. Consequently, basic goods have become more expensive in Iran, and there are issues with aircraft safety because Boeing isn’t allowed to sell planes to Iran. An analysis by the Jerusalem Post found a third of Iranian planes originally designed by the United States have experienced accidents or crashes.

2. What do Ayatollah Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani really think?

President Rouhani praised the outcome of the deal on national TV, while Khamenei’s attitude remains non-committal: “In Iran, the president and his negotiators have little authority over foreign policy, the nuclear program, or military activities. Instead, those sectors are under the purview of Supreme Leader Khamenei, who is usually reluctant to take any public responsibility for major decisions. And while he has more or less supported Iran’s negotiators in his public statements, he has clearly sought to distance himself from them as well.” (WashingtonInstitute.org) 3. What is the real focus of the deal, and what isn’t?

The focus is nuclear proliferation; making sure Iran won’t develop the ability to build nuclear weapons. The rest of the

world will do almost anything to stop that from happening.

It is not about getting along with the Iranian regime. The USA, its allies and Iran will not become best friends, no one’s dating, nobody is thinking this is the beginning of a warmer relationship. It also has nothing to do with fighting the Iranian regime on issues of democracy, westernizing them, or convincing them they’ve been wrong all along.

Signing a deal does not make us allies.

4. What does “snapback” mean? Snapback refers to the clause about Iran following through with their promises about inspections. As long as they stick to the plan, so to speak, the sanctions are gone. But if they decide to sneak off and build a nuclear facility somewhere else, and continue to use enriched plutonium to try to build a weapon, the nuclear proliferation-relation sanctions will “snap back” in place.

Although it looks nice on paper, it is also very likely that China and Russia would fuss were that to happen. They want those sanctions off the table very badly. Also, don’t underestimate foreign companies who would love to get back on the Iranian market, and can’t benefit when sanctions are in place. When the sanctions are lifted, and businesses start investing in Iran again, they stand to lose a lot of money if those sanctions snap back. If they think that is a likely outcome, they might think twice before going down that road.

5. How do we know Iran won’t break the agreement?

The short answer is: we don’t. Let’s face it; Iran doesn’t have a good track record. ‘Trustworthy’ is not a term that comes to mind. But, like I said, nobody can predict the future.

Maybe the idea of sanctions coming back is enough of a deterrent, at least for the next ten years. Maybe it isn’t.

Maybe the knowledge they’ll get caught will convince Iran to play ball. Maybe it won’t. All we can really do at this point is watch very closely, wait and reserve judgment.

To fight BDS, focus on teens

by STEVEN M. COHEN AND DAVID BRYFMAN NEW YORK (JTA) -- In recent weeks, we have learned of further significant investments aimed at combating the antiIsrael Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement on college campuses throughout North America.

These endeavors are critical to combat an attempt to delegitimize Israel in the most virulent and often anti-Semitic ways. For these bold initiatives to truly succeed, however, they will need to focus not just on college students but on Jewish teenagers.

While the recent Pew study of American Jews does not offer any explicit indicators of readiness to advocate for Israel, we have identified four elements measured by the survey that, taken together, seem to predispose people to stand up for Israel: 1) They feel very attached to Israel; 2) They feel Israel is essential to their Jewishness; 3) They see Israel's leaders as sincere in their efforts to bring about peace with the Palestinians; 4) They reject the idea that the United States has been "too supportive" of Israel. We refer to these combined elements as the Index of Israel Advocacy.

It turns out that 16 percent of people over age 50 share all four characteristics. But among those 18-29, just seven percent are so inclined (and of the non-Orthodox, it's less than five percent).

We also know from the Pew data that for these young adults, prior investment in their Jewish education really elevates their disposition to Israel advocacy. Those who have been to a Jewish camp are twice as likely to so qualify (10 percent vs. four percent for the non-campers). And those who have been to Israel are almost five times as likely -- five times!

-- to score high on the index (12.3 percent vs. 2.6 percent).

These discrepancies are not surprising given much of what we know about young Jews. Much like their predeces-

(Founded in 1920) Eric Dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper Emily Newman Press Intern

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Andrew Boehm, Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Alex Grossman, David Kotok, Debbie Kricsfeld, Abby Kutler, Pam Monsky, Paul Rabinovitz, Nancy Wolf and Barry Zoob.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page sto-

sors, this generation of young adults aspires to democratic values and human rights for all. The prevalent images of Israel offend this liberal mindset. In the minds of our young people today -- as among their liberal parents and grandparents -- occupations are inherently bad, human rights are unquestionably essential and military force should be used only as a last resort.

Given this context, it is understandable that our youth cannot comprehend why they are expected to combat all injustices in the world and yet, when it comes to Israel, told to toe the party line. Israel advocacy has often been lacking in nuance and incapable of dealing with political complexities and moral ambiguities. The standard “pro-Israel” pamphlets and talking points are bereft of the shades of gray to which this generation is accustomed. Highlighting Israel’s high-tech innovation and achievements is not only beside the point, but might be viewed as cynical attempts to distract students from the real and pressing issues.

Barring a miraculous (or disastrous) turn of events, few if any Jewish college students will move from a place of little engagement with the Jewish world to becoming Israel advocates. After all, over one-third of them did not have a bar or bat mitzvah, and half are offspring of mixed marriages. How likely are any of them to become, in Ariel Sharon’s words, “a foot soldier for Israel on campus?”

But all is not lost. We know what it takes to engage young adults in Jewish life and Israel-oriented activities. Decades of research have shown that teens who attend Jewish summer camp, participate in immersive Jewish experiences with their peers, attend Jewish day schools, participate in leadership and social action programs or belong to a Jewish youth movement, they are more likely to make Jewish decisions in their lives.

Two recent studies -- of alumni from The Anne Samson Jerusalem Journey of NCSY and the Youth To Israel Adventure of the Robert I. Lappin Foundation -- report that the Israel experience results in higher levels of Jewish engagement, Jewish commitment, Jewish belonging and ritual observance than their contemporaries who do not travel to Israel.

The greater the exposure of Jewish teens to positive Jewish experiences before college, the more likely they are to engage in Jewish activities and communal life in their college years and beyond. Jewish organizations on college campuses, in particular Hillel and Chabad, will be strengthened by forging greater connections with larger numbers of Jewish youth who have positive Jewish experiences in their teen years.

BDS might be the rallying cry and the impetus to mobilize millions of dollars of new resources. But the real issue is how to engage more Jewish youth and young adults in meaningful Jewish experiences with other Jews.

So instead of pledging millions of dollars to fight the BDS movement on college campuses, invest more in Jewish teens before they get to campus. If we do our job right in the adolescent years, many more of our youth will engage in proIsrael activities on campus -- as they will in Shabbat dinners, service learning opportunities, broader campus politics and making the world a better place.

David Bryfman is the chief innovation officer at the Jewish Education Project, which develops innovative models to expand the reach of Jewish education. Steven M. Cohen is a research professor of Jewish social policy at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University.

ries and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

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.

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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.

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is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org.

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July 24, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9

Freundel scandal shows need for centralized conversion authority

by SHMUEL GOLDIN ENGLEWOOD, N.J. (JTA) -- I have a confession: I am a convert regarding conversions.

That’s the stark realization I reached as chairman of the Rabbinical Council of America’s recent conversion review committee.

The committee was established last fall to review the RCA’s Geirus Policies and Standards system, the network of regional Orthodox conversion courts operating under the aegis of the RCA and its affiliated Beth Din of America. Since its establishment in 2007, the GPS system has converted over 1,300 candidates through 12 regional courts.

When GPS was launched, I was a skeptic, deeply afraid that the drawbacks of establishing a formal system of conversion courts would outweigh the potential benefits.

Previously, Orthodox conversions in America relied heavily on the personal relationship between the conversion candidate and his or her “converting rabbi.� The rabbi was responsible for guiding the candidate through training, assessing the candidate’s progress and convening a beth din, or religious court, for the actual conversion. With knowledge of each candidate’s motivations, concerns, commitment, progress and limitations, the rabbi could best determine a candidate’s readiness for the life-changing step of Orthodox conversion to Judaism.

Everything changed with the launch of GPS, however. Most significantly, the rabbi’s role went from converting to sponsoring, with the final decision about a candidate’s readiness for conversion made by a separate regional court. Proponents of the changes argued that they would standardize conversion practices across the United States, grant greater validity to individual conversions, prevent inappropriate conversions and free rabbis from pressure to perform such conversions.

I, however, found myself wondering: Wouldn’t these changes depersonalize the conversion process and add another layer of bureaucracy? Would the regional courts, largely unfamiliar with the nuances of individual candidates, apply unhelpful uniform standards to all? Would the demands on each convert become increasingly rigid and overbearing?

In retrospect, I was right -- but also very wrong. While the GPS system, like all systems, struggles with issues of distance, depersonalization and rigidity, its fundamental value to converts overwhelms its faults.

Ironically, this realization was driven home to me most powerfully in the aftermath of the devastating scandal involving Barry Freundel, whom I had known since high school and who, for years, served as the head of the GPS Beth Din in Washington.

A few days after hearing the shocking news that this “respected rabbi� had been arrested for clandestinely filming conversion candidates in the mikvah ritual bath, I

traveled to Washington together with top their conversions will not be questioned.

RCA officials for an emergency meeting It was at that moment that I realized how with over 60 converts. deeply, in this contentious world, converts Understandably, the meeting was tense. A need such reassurance. The Jewish commupalpable sense of betrayal pervaded the nity owes these extraordinary individuals a room. “How could this travesty have guarantee that having completed the arduoccurred?� the converts asked. But the most ous journey of conversion, their status as pressing question was about the status of Jews will be unassailable. their conversions: “How will the discrediting GPS was established to provide that guarof the supervising rabbi of our conversions antee. Scores of rabbis volunteer hours and affect our halachic identity as Jews?�

To my surprise, we were able to assuage their concerns because of GPS. We had a formal conversion network and relationships with halachic authorities throughout the world that prevented the inevitable questioning of these conversions.

Within days of the meeting, at the urging of the RCA, the Israeli Chief Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, right, immediate past president of the Rabbinate released an RCA, is among the panelists.

Credit: RCA official statement affirming the validity of all conversions that took hours of their time as sponsoring rabbis and place under Freundel’s auspices. dayanim, or halachic judges, to provide that I shudder to think of the consequences had guarantee.

GPS not existed. Had these conversions rested Appreciation of the value of GPS does not solely on the reputation of one person, a pub- absolve us from asking tough questions lic battle over their validity would have inex- about its functioning, however. orably erupted, adding deep insult to injury What are the system’s inherent weaknessfor those who had already endured so much. es and shortcomings? How can these be betThe value of GPS was driven home to me ter addressed? How can the personal experifurther when, in the midst of difficult ques- ence of conversion candidates be improved? tioning concerning the RCA’s oversight of Above all, how can we avoid horrific abuse the network, a convert at that Washington like that which occurred in the Washington meeting expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Beth Din? Given that the process of converthe RCA for establishing and maintaining a sion rests, by definition, on a power imbalcentralized system of conversion courts. To ance between the rabbis and the conversion the general assent of many present, he noted candidates, what safeguards can be put into the precious peace of mind the system place to better protect potential converts? grants. GPS assures them that once finalized, To address these questions, I found myself

Letter Dear Editor, I am looking for any information beyond the various newspaper and historical archives about the life and career of an Omaha pro fighter, Morrie Schlaifer, who was active and relatively successful nationally in the 1920s.

Of particular interest would be journals, dairies or personal recollections, including Schlaifer’s relations with the Thorpeian Club, Max Abrahamson, Bernie Boyle, Minnie Segate, the Mexicale Cafe, Sam Ziegman or any other Omaha figures of the period.

I can be contacted via e-mail at freed kenneth@gmail.com.

Thank you, KENNETH FREED

When you place a recruitment ad in this newspaper, you qualify for a FREE job posting on NEHires.com, an employment job site owned and operated by Nebraska’s newspapers.

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The Kansas City shooter defends himself

TO THE EDITOR

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS:

chairing an extraordinary committee over these past seven months. Rabbis, converts, health professionals and others, males and females, collaborated on the twin tasks of seriously reviewing the functioning of the GPS network and making concrete recommendations for improvement.

Following hours of respectful yet noholds-barred discussion, the committee unanimously presented a wide-ranging, comprehensive report in an extraordinary session at the recent RCA convention.

Before the report’s formal presentation, the microphone was given over to prominent halachic authorities, conversion judges and two women who had converted under Freundel. The reaction was immediate and powerful.

Rabbis around the room were brought to tears as one of the speakers described her difficult entry into the Jewish community.

When she finished, hundreds of rabbis spontaneously rose to their feet -- a sign not just of respect but of a sense of partnership.

By all accounts, the momentum established at that convention session will propel the timely implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

This is what a holy partnership can be about. If we really speak to and listen to each other, we can make this process better.

Contrary to the claims of detractors, the RCA is not running GPS to consolidate power over the Orthodox community. The many hours devoted by countless individuals toward the establishment, running and improving of this conversion system do not emerge out of a desire to impose halachic stringencies upon the community. GPS exists to benefit the converts and the Jewish community at large. That’s all that really matters.

Rabbi Shmuel Goldin is the honorary president of the Rabbinical Council of America and served as the chairman of the GPS review committee.

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by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The Missouri white supremacist charged with murdering three people at two Jewish sites in suburban Kansas City last year told a court that the killings were necessary and his “right.� Frazier Glenn Miller, 74, who is representing himself, appeared in U.S. District Court in Johnson County, Kansas, last Friday.

Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan said Miller could not use the “compelling necessity� defense following an hourlong speech by the defendant about Caitlyn Jenner, AIDS, Israel, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, British wartime leader Winston Churchill, the Rev. Billy Graham and a Jewish con-

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spiracy he alleged was behind the sitcom All in the Family, according to The Associated Press. Miller said he would use the defense to argue that he committed the attacks in order to stop “the Jewish genocide of the white race.�

Miller, a former Ku Klux Klan grand dragon who also goes by the name Frazier Glenn Cross, is charged with capital murder in the April 13, 2014, shootings at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City in Overland Park, Kansas, and outside Village Shalom, a Jewish assistedliving facility a few blocks away.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.

10 | The Jewish Press | July 24, 2015

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Tribute cards for any occasion are available. Please contact Sissy Silber at 311 Oak Ridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 or 402.292.8062.

For information on our historic synagogue, or to arrange a visit, 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: Kabbalat Shabbat -- Shabbat Al Fresco, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-Erev Tisha B’Av: Morning Service/Minyan in the Round, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch following, sponsored by the Beverly and Lou Rich Endowment Fund; MiniMinyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m., followed by reading of Eicha.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY-Tisha B’Av: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m. Rabbi Abraham will teach about Tisha B’Av (All are invited); Minyan, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: USY Meals on Wheels Dinner, 6 p.m.

Tot Shabbat, Friday, July 31, 6 p.m. led by Sara Kohen.

Shabbat Services, Saturday, Aug. 8, 9:30 a.m., featuring guest speaker, Becky Gould, Executive Director of Nebraska Appleseed on Getting Involved.

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. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Early Mincha, 6 p.m.; Early Seudah Shlishit, 6:30 p.m.; Fast Begins, 8:47 p.m.; Shabbat Ends -- No Havdalah is said until after Tisha B’Av, 9:36 p.m.; Ma’ariv and Eicha, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by Kinnot; Explanatory Kinnot with Project SEED, 10 a.m.; Kids Craft and Class with Project SEED, 10 a.m.; The Essence of Tisha B’Av with Project SEED, 11 a.m.; Video Presentation, noon, Movie Presentations will begin at 1:30 p.m. with Paper Clips (2004); Open Beit Medrash with Project SEED, 7 p.m.; Mincha, 8:15 p.m.; Class with Project SEED, 8:45 p.m.; Maariv, 9:15 p.m.; Fast Ends, 9:37 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Learning with Project Seed, 7:45 a.m.; Teen Class, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: Learning with Project Seed, 7:45 a.m.; Walking Group, 6:30 p.m. Cancelled until weather is cooler; Men’s Basketball, 8 p.m. at the JCC. WEDNESDAY: Learning with Project Seed, 7:45 a.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY: Learning with Project Seed, 7:45 a.m.; Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; UNMC -- Med Center Chaburah, 1 p.m.; Pizza and Program with project SEED, 5:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Jews and Brews Class, 8:30 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: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 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 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: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Devarim.

SUNDAY: Board of Trustees, 1:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m.

Prescott Elementary School Summer Fest, Friday, July 31, 5:30 p.m. Community event for families -- food, live music and fun activities.

President’s Office Hours, Sunday Mornings, 10 a.m.–noon at SST. If you have any Temple business you would like to bring before the Board of Trustees, potential programs, or new ideas, please let us know! Call for an appointment at the Temple or just to chat any time at 402.513.7697. Or if you prefer, just email David Weisser at president@southstreet temple.org.

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

Candlelighting Friday, July 24, 8:31 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Summer Shabbat Evening Speaker Aliyah Lasky: Heroes & Mentors in My Jewish Life!, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer.

SUNDAY: Temple TED Talk, 11 a.m.

THURSDAY: Adult Study, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown.

Summer Shabbat Evening Speaker, Shari Hess: Heroes & Mentors in My Jewish Life!, Friday, July 24, 6 p.m.

Take me out to the Ballgame! Omaha Storm Chasers v.

Nashville Sounds, Sunday, Aug. 2, 5:05 p.m. Tickets will be $8 each. Please RSVP by Thursday, July 30, to Program Director Scott Littky, 402.556.6536.

Temple Israel Annual Golf Outing, Monday, Aug. 17, noon.

Contact the Temple Israel office for more information.

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: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Shabbat Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush Luncheon; After the end of Shabbat we will have a short study session about the significance of the day of mourning and fasting, followed by the chanting of Eicha (the Book of Lamentations), 9:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m.

Federation Shabbat, Friday, Aug. 14 at Antelope Park.

Mark your calendar and watch for more details.

323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Temple Israel.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Renee Kazor.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

Nisman remembered at commemoration of Jewish Center bombing

by JTA NEWS STAFF ic and mysterious death of Special Prosecutor Alberto BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) -- The eldest daugh- Nisman last January, a man who did so much to advance ter of Alberto Nisman, the special prosecutor who died this investigation and who is sadly missed, we are now mysteriously while investigating a Jewish Center bombing, faced with a crucial question: Will we ever see justice in the helped mark the 21st anniversary of the attack.

AMIA case? Will the Argentine government continue to Iara Nisman, 15, appeared on stage and lit a candle on have the worst terror attack in this country’s history invesFriday at the ceremony in Buenos Aires. The organizer was tigated, or will it try to close this chapter?” the AMIA, the Jewish organization whose headquarters in Mario Averbuj, who lost his 20-year-old daughter, the Argentine capital were bombed in 1994, killing 85 peo- Yanina, in the bombing, said, “We want to mention the ple and wounding 300.

“My sister Kala and I ask for help finding the truth about what happened to my dad, because he cannot defend himself and there are some detractors of his work,” Iara said in a written message read aloud on stage by a journalist.

Approximately 5,000 people attended the ceremony in front of the rebuilt AMIA headquarProsecutor Alberto Nisman One of protesters demanding justice for the victims of the ters.

AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, 1994 “We invited Iara to join the ceremony, and she accepted with bravery and honor,” Luis Czyzewski, whose 21-year- human tragedy involved in Nisman’s death. It prevented old daughter, Paola, was killed in the bombing, told JTA. his daughters from enjoying their dad.

“It’s not easy for a kid; she shows maturity.”

“Iara and Kala, you should feel proud of your father,” he While the bombing has never been resolved, Iran is wide- said, interrupted by applause from the crowd. “We want to ly believed to be responsible for it, along with the bombing tell you that every time we met him, the first thing he two years earlier of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. talked to us about was about you, about how well you were As the anniversary of the bombing fell on Saturday, the doing in school and how happy he was to see you grow.”

Jewish Sabbath, the ceremony was held a day earlier Saturday was the six-month anniversary of Nisman’s “The AMIA cause is not an issue for the judicial com- death. The prosecutor was found dead of a gunshot wound munity, the government or the opposition,” the organiza- in his apartment. tion’s treasurer, Ariel Cohen Sabban, said at the ceremony.

Prosecutor Viviana Fein has not yet released a final rul“The resolution must become a national question that ing on the cause on whether it was suicide or homicide. takes us from the shame in which we Argentinians have While the banner appearing onstage at previous AMIA been living in for the past 21 years.” ceremonies honored “justice” and “memory,” this year’s World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer, who partic- banner bore the words “Victims of Impunity” and “Victims ipated in the ceremony, said in a statement: “After the trag- of Terrorism.”

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

July 24, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11

In memoriam RITA BINIAMOW Rita Biniamow passed away on July 18 at age 86. Services were held July 20 at Fisher Farm Cemetery, 8900 South 42nd Street.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ralph and grandson, Joshua Shapiro.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Nancy Biniamow and daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Stephan Shapiro; eight grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, Willard Plotkin, David Plotkin, and Alan Brown.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

ALAN H. FRIEDMAN A memorial service will be held for Alan H. Friedman on Sunday Aug. 2, 2 p.m. at Temple Israel. The service will be followed by a reception.

SHERMAN JAY GOLBITZ Sherman Jay Golbitz passed away on July 15 at age 71.

Services were held July 20 at Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St, Omaha.

He was preceded in death by parents his William and Cecily Golbitz and sister, Beth Adams.

He is survived by his wife Darlene, son and daughter-inlaw, Luann and Bill Golbitz, daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Brian Eades, and son, David Golbitz; grandchildren: Charlize and Logan Golbitz, Carter and Emma Eades and many loving relatives and friends.

Sherman was born in Pittsburgh, PA and was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Memorials may be made to JDRF Nebraska, or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

RITA MILDER Former Omahan Rita Milder passed away on July 5 in her sleep.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jeanette and Leo Milder.

Rita will be missed by all her family who loved her very much, her brothers, Alvin and Jay, her sisters Sara and Sharon and her many cousins, nephews and nieces, greatnephews and great-nieces and friends.

She was mentally challenged, but she never forgot the name of any of her extended family and it is a very large family. During the past dozen or so years she lived at the LARC Ranch where she was taken care of by kind of loving care givers. Rita loved dogs, and whenever she met someone new her first question was: “Do you have a dog?” If they answered yes; she asked the dog’s name. Rita was a very happy person, and when asked: “How are you? She always said Wonderful.”

Memorials may be made to LARC Ranch, 29890 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390, phone: 661.296.8636.

To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Prominent Russian Jew shot near Moscow Jewish museum

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- A prominent member of the Russian Jewish Congress was severely wounded in Moscow in what the group said may have been an armed anti-Semitic attack.

Sergey Ustinov, a 62-year-old businessman and RJC board member who in 2011 founded the Museum of the History of Jews in Russia, was shot Thursday afternoon by a lone assailant who then fled, the Moskovskij Komsomolets daily reported.

Ustinov was hit in the neck. He is in critical but stable condition, according to the report. The weapon used was a sawed-off Osa pistol, which is typically used for firing blanks and flares, Komsomolets reported. Classified as a “non-lethal handgun,” it is not commonly used in assassinations.

The shooting was in the parking lot of Ustinov’s real estate agency, which is adjacent to the Jewish museum on Petrovsko-Razumovskaya Street on the northwestern edge of the Russian capital’s center.

In a statement, the Russian Jewish Congress wrote it was too early to draw any concrete conclusions about the motives behind the attack.

But “at the same time, the demonstrative nature of the attack and its proximity to Jewish Museum, next to which it was committed, may indicate nationalist underpinnings,” the statement read.

The group called on Russia’s minister of internal affairs, Vladimir Kolokoltsov, to “give special attention to the investigation of the attack on one of the leading figures of the Jewish community in Russia” and to “adequately qualify this crime, if it turns out to have been committed on the grounds of ethnic hatred.”

In March, an unknown assailant killed opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a physicist turned liberal politician who was born to a Jewish mother but baptized in the Orthodox Church.

Five Years of Deli It was 2010, when Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Executive Director Mike Silverman asked Director of Food Services Mike Aparo if he was interested in starting a New York-inspired, kosher, part-time deli. The community responded, and for five years, Star Deli has been a beloved staple every Friday.

On Friday July 31, Star Deli will celebrate its five year anniversary. To thank the community for their patronage these past five years, the Deli will be offering $5 Pastrami and Corned Beef Sandwiches.

As always, the Deli will be open from 11:30 am until 1 pm. For more information, call Mike Aparo at 402.334.6522 or email maparo@ rbjh.com.

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Visiting Moldova

Open pulpit CANTOR WENDY SHERMET, Temple Israel ix years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Moldova for eight days. Moldova, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, is considered a “failed state”; unlike other Eastern European countries’ post-Soviet rule, it has to this point not recovered economically, nor is its infrastructure healthy. Khrushchev “stole” its southern access to the Black Sea and gave it to Ukraine, which led to further isolation and economic hardship. Moldova was the home of my great-grandparents and is therefore personally intriguing.

There has been a rebirth of Jewish communities in Moldova (also known as Bessarabia) in the past 20 years. It is literally breathtaking to see Jewish organizations building and recovering community in this country. In the 19th century, Jews had more freedom than their counterparts in Russia proper, as they were allowed and even encouraged to farm. Jews worked in industrial pursuits as well. The terrible pogroms of 1903 and 1905 in that city were infamous at the time and the reason that my relatives fled Moldova.

Nevertheless, pre-WWII there was a Jewish population of 350,000; in fact, half the population of Kishinev was Jewish.

300,000 Jews were deported during the War. During Soviet rule all but one synagogue was closed, and all other faiths were similarly persecuted. In the past 20 or so years, the Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholic Church have been allowed freedom of worship, along with Judaism. My host, a woman doctor with tragedy and suffering in her own family, has found comfort in the Catholic Church.

I was taken to two cemeteries in Kishinev and the personnel were very happy and eager to assist in a search for relevant family names. Everyone I met was kind and helpful, and really desperate for their country to improve. Start-up

businesses have a hard time taking root. Roads are scarce outside of Kishinev and in poor condition; apartments are Soviet-era, hard to get and threadbare, and Moldova is still dealing with being split in two in the 1990s. On the eastern side of the Dneister River is Transnistria, a political oddity which is still Soviet. And now with Russian incursions into Eastern Ukraine, more stress looms for Moldova.

these flights, the only American, sandwiched between comforters and pillows and other goods hard to afford in Moldova.

I am still in touch with my host, and her daughter, who now lives in Canada. Many families are permanently separated, as one or both spouses work in Italy and Spain and send money home. The children are raised by grandparents.

With several countries in the EU suffering their own eco-

S

Ruins of the Chisinau Ghetto in Moldova There are 20,000 Jews in Kishinev, Tiraspol, Bendery, Rybnitza and Beltsy. Most Jews are elderly and very poor, their poverty reflecting the general state of the country’s lack of well-being. Each town has its own synagogue, and the 13,000 Jews in Kishinev have the community center with a library, mikvah and day school. Many Moldovans actually work in Israel and bring home goods to their families. There are nonstop flights between Kishinev and Tel Aviv. I was on one of

nomic hardships, it is unclear whether Moldovans can continue to outsource their families’ financial well-being. The Moldovan Jewish community is definitely on the radar of philanthropic Jewish organizations. Their situation is nevertheless worrisome when one considers the overall religious, economic and political climate of Europe currently. Visiting a country like Moldova made it crystal clear how I take our freedoms in America for granted.

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