Chabad Gala Press Release

Kirshenbaum, Yanney, Chabad, and Music!

(Previously published in The Jewish Press, March 2008) 

 

 ‘Mitzvahs and Music’ is the theme of the upcoming Chabad gala that is planned for April 13, 2008.  Chabad of Nebraska will be honoring Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum, and Gail and Mike Yanney at an exciting event, to be held at KANEKO, a brand new creativity center located in downtown Omaha.  In addition, Chabad willbe celebrating twenty years of involvement in the Omaha and Nebraska Communities.  Event Chair Tippi Denenberg has her hands full masterminding everything; she and an army of volunteers are making sure that things will run smoothly. Denenberg explains, “It’s important to put societal emphasis where it belongs, and that is on the reinforcement of all that is good. Chabad is a wonderful organization. Its energy is spent doing good deeds and spreading Mitzvot; not only in Omaha, but the world over. The same can be said about the Yanneys and the Kirshenbaums. These are not people that sit around complaining about how bad the world is; they are ‘up and at it’, doing something to improve the world, help out others, and make a real, lasting difference.”

            Denenberg is excited about the location, as well as the entertainment that is currently being planned for the event.  KANEKO is an elegant new venue that occupies three-quarters of a block in Omaha’s Old Market area, and celebrates creativity in the arts, sciences, and philosophy. “KANEKO is going to rival the Aspen Institute. It is built to be a creative center, not a banquet hall. We are so lucky to have this exotic locale; to have cocktails among Jun Kaneko’s ceramic sculptures, or ‘Dango’, which will provide us with a great ambiance for the event. Also, we are bringing in world-class musical entertainment from Russia and Italy.”

            Denenberg is relying on the expertise of Hal France, a sought-after conductor who has conducted productions across North America and Europe to ensure that the evening will have excellent entertainment.  Not only does France have the final word on the entertainment, he has shown his dedication to the project by bringing a piano to Kaneko, to test the acoustics. He is just one of many extremely talented people making the Chabad Gala a reality.  Denenberg says: “It will be a fun but tightly run event. Our Program Director, Debbie Denenberg, is a former Broadway producer. We are planning to offer cocktails, dinner, and of course, our program, while keeping in mind that April 13^th is a Sunday;  Guests of honor at this time number the many friends of the Yanneys and the Kirshenbaums.  The entire community is invited to attend.  Ticket information can be found at Ochabad.com.”

            Denenberg continues, “This is a ‘never before’ event. It is a synergistic combination of honorees, location and entertainment. The location isn’t even done being built yet! Also, there isn’t a person in town that hasn’t somehow been positively affected by these honorees. This gala will bring together all factions of Omahans in the spirit of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world.  It makes me realize there is hope for the world- and it begins in Omaha.”

Julie Phillips (Press Release)

 

 

 

Julie Forch-Phillips is a local artist, born in Kearney Nebraska, mother of four, and married to Dr. Eric Phillips. She holds a B.A. from UNL and is currently enrolled in the M.A. Studio Art-Venice Program at NYU. Julie grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is the daughter of Paul Forch and Marcia Liska. During the last fifteen years, Julie has worked as a volunteer art teacher for both District 66 and Friedel Jewish Academy.

Fifteen paintings under the title Sogni D’oro (“Golden Dreams”), inspired by her 2007 studies in Venice, will be displayed at Anderson O’Brien from June 14^th, 2008 through June 27^th. The official opening reception will take place on Saturday June 14^th, from 7-9 pm, and is open to the public. Wine and dessert will be served; visitors will have a chance to meet the artist.

 

“My paintings are painted tapestries of pattern, color, and rhythm.

I use different mediums such as enamels, oil stick, acrylic, vintage fabric, lace and wallpaper collage, airbrush, spray paint and stencils to create my paintings. I use Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau imagery inter-“woven” with contemporary graphic elements and the patterns found in vintage lace.  Do we want ” brand new” or something antique and hand made that shows some signs of wear from living a life, a treasure with a soul? I believe there is a yearning for a fresh view of the sentimental in our own lives and I strive to offer this feeling in my work.”

                                                                                    -Julie Phillips

 

For additional information, please contact:

Anderson O’Brien Fine Art Gallery

8724 Pacific Street Countryside Village       

Omaha, NE  68114                                                                           

Phone: (402) 390-0717        

Ophir Palmon (Feature Article)

Eighteen Questions with Ophir Palmon

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

 

Ophir Palmon is a photographer who lives and works in Omaha. Ophir was born in Ramat Gan, Israel; he moved here in 1987 together with wife Roni Reiter-Palmon, and their two children. His work will be shown at the Jewish Community Center’s gallery from May 30 through July 30, 2008. The public is invited to the official opening reception on Sunday, June 8, from 2 to 4 pm

 

 

JP: Why did you become a photographer? 

OP: I chose to be one after realizing the creative abilities it allowed me, and the endless possibilities it brought.

JP: How did you end up in Omaha? 

OP: My wife Roni accepted a position as psychology professor at UNO, and I have a well-developed habit of following her around anywhere in the world.

JP: Is there something you can see in a photograph that you can’t see with the naked eye? 

OP: A photograph allows you to study an instant over eternity.  All physical properties, emotional states, and other currents that may be hidden from view in normal time, are given an opportunity to be more visible to the knowing eye.

JP: How is a photographer different from other artists? 

OP: The photographer’s work is instantaneous.  His work is created in a split second.  A photographer who is working in an evolving scene must constantly evaluate the given situation, make quick artistic decisions, and choose the right time to create his photograph.

JP: Do you think the easy access to digital cameras has caused people to appreciate the Art of photography differently? 

OP: It might.  Digital photography, and access to digital tools has made photography more accessible to more people; people who would have shunned photography before.  The instant results that are available with digital cameras make it possible for anyone to take photos.  The popularity of cameras in other gadgets (built-in cameras in cellular phones, computers, etc.) may have extended the range of experience required of one to take a photo.  Before digital photography, a novice photographer had to know a few things in order to even begin taking pictures.  Now a novice needs to know nothing about his camera or about photography, and his pictures will still turn out okay.

JP: What makes a really good picture? 

OP: When it makes the viewer feel what the subject in the picture felt the instance the picture was taken. 

JP: If you could take any picture, anywhere, what would it be? 

OP: I did, and I do.  See my portfolio! 

JP: How many pictures have you taken in your life? 

OP: 998,537.  I plan to host my one million picture gala at Chuck E Cheese (get it? Cheese) I’ll have you write that press release also   

JP: Do you know if a picture is good the moment you take it? 

OP: Yes. Always. 

JP: Who is your favorite photographer, and why? 

OP: I appreciate many people’s work, but don’t feel as having a favorite one.

JP: If you couldn’t take pictures, what would you do with your time? 

OP: Go back to engineering, and look for an alternative to fuel.  It’s the root of all evil. 

JP: Do you have any pictures in your wallet? 

OP: Just the one on my driver’s license.  I look cute. 

JP: What is the worst picture you have ever taken? 

OP: It was a picture of two people who didn’t want to be together, but were forced to by the situation.  I thought I erased this one from my memory, but it still freezes me over when I think of it.

JP: What will people see at your exhibit? 

OP: Images that will make them think, and wonder.  Abstracts that take the mind for a tour. 

JP: What do you hope people will take away from your work? 

OP: An inspiration to create themselves, and look at the obvious with a more challenging perspective.  I would also hope that they take at least one image home with them. 

JP: Will the photographs at the exhibit be for sale? 

OP: Funny you should ask…  They are! 

JP: Do you like being on the other side of the camera? 

OP: Yes.  It’s a position where you can remain silent, create a lot, and inspire people in ways they do not expect. 

JP: Any exciting plans for the future? 

OP: Yes.  Making more plans.