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Sacred collaborative screening Janu aRy 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | 2 5 T ev eT 5 7 7 8 | v O l . 9 8 | nO . 1 3 | c a Nd lEli g h Ti Ng | FRID ay , Janu aRy 1 2 , 4 : 5 9 p. m.
PaTrick kiNNEy Communications Director, Film Streams, Ruth Sokolof Theater ∙ Dundee Theater n Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., Film Streams and the Tri-Faith Initiative will present a onetime screening of Sacred at the Ruth Sokolof Theater (1340 Mike Fahey St.) followed by a panel discussion. Shot by more than 40 filmmaking teams around the world, Sacred immerses the viewer in the daily use of faith and spiritual practice. At a time when religious hatreds dominate the world’s headlines, this film explores the many roles faith plays in the human experience. The film’s director commissioned or sourced footage from top independent filmmakers from more than 25 countries — and a wide range of religious traditions — each team contribut-
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Beth El offers women’s Tu B’Shevat seder
OzziE NOgg Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, will be celebrated with a special seder at Beth El Synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the social hall. “This is our third annual Tu B’Shevat seder,” said Alice Weiss, chairman of the program. “It’s always a fun event, Credit: Yosarian via Wikimedia Commons an opportunity to get together in the dead of winter and ture. We’ll include all the traditional celebrate our relationship with na- elements of a seder — in this case symbolic foods like fruits and nuts, plus four cups of wine or juice plus Four Questions that give us a better understanding of Tu B’Shevat. “Marti Nerenstone and her guitar will be our Seder leader, so we can all look forward to story telling and singing Hebrew and other folk songs.” Marti Nerenstone, a resident of Council Bluffs, IA, earned her BA degree from Oberlin College in 1975, See Women’s Tu B’Shevat seder page 3
ing a single scene. The film, sweeping in its global reach, yet intensely intimate, is a tour de force that unifies these scenes into a single work, told without narration, without experts and, for long stretches, without words at all. Following the film will be a discussion featuring the spiritual leaders of the Tri-Faith Initiative: Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rev. Chris Alexander, and Imam Mohamad Jamal Daoudi. Dr. Maryanne Stevens, Board Chair of TriFaith Initiative, will introduce the film and Dr. Paul Williams, University of Nebraska Omaha Associate Professor of Religious Studies, will moderate. Tickets for this special screening at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater are $10 general; $7.50 for students, seniors, teachers, military, and those arriving by bicycle; and $5 for Film Streams Members. See Sacred page 2
It’s Cholent Madness at Beth Israel
aarON kurTzmaN Beth Israel Synagogue Cholent is a staple in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, and not only is it a delicious hot meal that helps battle these frigid months, but it is a symbol of our community as well. This traditional food has been passed down from parent to child for centuries in a myriad of different forms. Each generation changes it just a tiny amount, creating a rich and vibrant legacy through flavor alone. Beginning Jan. 20 and continuing through early March, Beth Israel Synagogue will host the fiercely competitive “Cholent Madness” contest between eight contestants, the winner of which will be crowned the “2018 Beth Israel Cholent Champion.” “The Cholent Contest has always been a fun and delicious event for the community,” says Bette Kozlen, Beth Israel Programming Committee member.
“The first contest was held two years ago, and while the committee felt a repeat of the competition was a fabulous idea, Rabbi Ari was particularly excited to hear the news.” During this bold and often spicy competition, Beth Israel will provide meat, potatoes, barley, onions, beans, and spices—the essentials to a hearty cholent. The contestants will be tasked with providing their own special ingredients. Each week two contestants, working in the Beth Israel kitchen, will make enough cholent, to satisfy 60 hungry people during kiddush. Will you join the hotly contested “Cholent Madness” competition? Will you be the one to take the crown as Beth Israel’s best cholent master? Find out by calling the Beth Israel Synagogue office at 402.556-6288 to register. The deadline for registration is Jan. 16. Good luck!