January 21, 2022

A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A

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Welcome to 2022 assist as consultants for the next few months. Marty will PHIL MALCOM specifically be working with us on fundraising, and Jan will Interim CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha any of you reading this know me al- be assisting as a programming mentor as we work to impleready, and for those of you who don’t, I’d ment elements of the strategic plan throughout our agenlike to take this opcies. Over the coming weeks you’ll hear portunity to intronot just from me, but also from Jan, duce myself. My Marty and Mike Siegel as we each give name is Phil Malcom, and I’ve worked updates on JFO and agency operations, at the JFO for nine years in several difthe CEO search process and our own ferent roles, most recently as the Execperspectives from our corners of the utive Director of Operations, and leadership team. currently as the Interim CEO. For those Finally, a little background info about me. I grew up in Lincoln and attended of you whom I haven’t met, I’d love to UNL, where I studied music and math. get to know you; please don’t hesitate I moved to Omaha nine years ago to be to reach out for a quick chat, introduccloser to my then-significant-other, tion, or coffee. My email is pmalcom@ Laura. We’ve since married and just rejewishomaha.org, and I’d love to hear cently welcomed our twin daughters, from you.

Amelia and Lily. I’m an avid reader and Interim periods can be challenging am always on the lookout for a new for organizations and for communities. book. I try to lead with empathy, I beWithout a permanent leader in place, lieve our collective intelligence is people often feel uneasy, worried, or smarter than any one person, and I even fearful for the future. One of this community’s greatest strengths is its firmly believe that our best days are Phil Malcom ahead if we choose to extend grace to deep pool of leadership and because of that, I’m confident in the future trajectory of the JFO even each other along the way.

Thank you for trusting me to lead this fantastic organizaduring this period of transition. I’d like to use my time today to introduce the leadership team serving all of you during tion for the next few months. We will continue to build the interim period. Jan Goldstein and Marty Ricks have both upon the successes of the past as we prepare for a new viagreed to come back to the Federation from retirement to sion from our permanent CEO!

M

Boulder fire relief Page 3

Stanford to investigate claims it capped admissions of Jews Page 5

Bob Saget, comedian and actor on Full House, dies at 65 Page 12

Beth Israel’s playground

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

8 9 10 11

MARY SUE GROSSMAN for Beth Israel Synagogue Despite the cold temperatures, a great crowd headed to Beth Israel on Sunday evening, Jan. 2, to enjoy an authentic Chinese dinner and help raise funds for the synagogue’s playground renovation project. Spearheading the dinner and serving as head chef was Cony Alperson, a native of China. Cony and her husband, Joel Alperson, generously covered the cost for the dinner to allow the dinner registration fees to benefit the renovation fund. Another highlight of the evening was honoring the Jewish Funeral Home’s retired former funeral director, Tracy McCurdy and his wife, Sharon. (A separate article on Tracy and Sharon appeared in the Jewish Press on Jan. 14.)

Cony’s skills and knowledge were in the spotlight as she and her crew

prepared several delightful vegetarian Chinese dishes for the crowd. “The food was simply wonderful,” described one attendee. “The beautiful

colors of the food on the serving table made it look almost too good to eat but I happily filled my plate and enjoyed every morsel!”

Liora Herskovitz, the synagogue executive director, expressed her sincere thanks to Cony and Joel for sponsoring the dinner and the importance of making the event a fund raiser for the playground renovation.

“The synagogue playground is a very popular and well used destination for See Beth Israel page 2

Howard N. Epstein receives Distinguished Service Award

Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska (CGPN) recognized Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, for his distinguished service

at its 2021 annual awards banquet, held last month at Quarry Oaks Country Club in Ashland, Nebraska.

He was awarded the J. Robert See Howard Epstein page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022

News

Beth Israel

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The Man from Dyvin

The following story was written by Sanford Burstein, the Jake thought about his parents and mentioned them often grandson of Jake Burstein. He heard it from Stanley to his wife and sons. His two older sons thought maybe they Burstein, who was Jake Burstein’s youngest son. could find some information about their grandparents. Joseph Yakov Burstein, tired of war, left Russia in 1918. His parents and Herman placed a small advertisement in the local paper. and two brothers continued to live in “If you are from Dyvin, Belarus, the small town of Dyvin in Belarus. please contact us.” It was only a few He would miss his family as he jourwords and probably wouldn’t be seen neyed to South America. by anyone, they thought.

He wrote many letters, wondering A letter came one day from a man if any would reach his parents. It was they didn’t know. The letter said he months before he received a rewas from Dyvin and he would like to sponse. The war ended, they said, meet Jake. but the death of millions lingered The man came to the house and throughout Europe. met Jake and his family. It was only a Yakov enjoyed Buenos Aires and he short time before Jake quietly asked, found work as a gaucho, a cattle “Do you know what happened to my herder on the large ranches outside parents?” The man stared at Jake and of town. He was good with horses dropped his eyes. He said he knew his and the ranches needed these types parents, Avrom and his wife. He said of men. while he was not Jewish, he had He saved his money and sent his many Jewish friends, including Jake’s brothers Jose and Yashia funds to parents. come to Buenos Aires. They were In a soft, almost hushed tone, he deaboard a ship when Yakov and a scribed how the Germans came to friend suddenly left for America. The Dyvin. The Russian soldiers had left.

United States had opened the borThey had been in retreat for many ders for a short period of time. He months. There was no one to fight the would see his brothers again, he Germans. Shortly after arriving, they thought, just not now. gathered all the Jews. They weren’t Yakov ( Jacob) lived in New York hard to find. Most were in the ghettoJake Burnstein, 1923 and Denver for a short time before an area where only Jews lived. All the settling in Omaha. As he set roots and started a family, travel Jews, more than 900, were taken to an area outside of Dyvin. The became a luxury. He had mouths to feed and his tailoring busi- man said he watched from far away as they were herded toness to run. This was how he made a living. gether. He snuck closer, hiding in the heavy brush. The man didYakov would never see his brother Yashia again who died in n’t hear the order as many rifles fired suddenly. The Jews were Argentina at age 71. He would see his brother Jose again some murdered, entire families, everyone, including Jake’s parents.

50 years after Jake had left Buenos Aires.

There was no sound in the living room. The sudden shock In his earlier years in America, he wrote his parents often. wore off slowly. Jake had not seen his parents since 1918 but He hoped they would leave Belarus and come to Omaha. But always thought he might see them once again. This man from Dyvin was their home, they said and they would never leave. Dyvin ended this dream and gave closure as to what had been The letters continued, sometimes several times a year and the fate of his parents. sometimes only once. As Europe again entered into war, the What do you say to a man who tells you how your parents letters stopped. After the war, Jake started sending letters were killed? Jake Burstein stood up and reached out his hand. again. None came in return. It wasn’t hard to imagine what The man slowly rose and took Jake’s hand in his. They stared had happened as the stories of the slaughter of the Jews into each other’s eyes for a moment. No other words were sposhocked the world. ken as the man left.

Continued from page 1 Beth Israel and neighborhood families.” “It is utilized on Shabbat, holidays, during youth programs, and numerous times throughout the week. The renovation project will include leveling the ground, replacement of ground material, and replacement and/or upgrading the playground equipment.” She added that all work will be completed by professionals. “The project’s ultimate goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for families.” She added, smiling, that she can’t wait to introduce her own son, Caleb, to the updated playground. The targeted completion date is early spring.

Liora reported that the project has also received generous funding from several entities managed by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation including the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation, the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund, the Carolyn Kully Newman Memorial Fund, the Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund plus a Foundation IMPACT grant. “The thoughtfulness of past generations in establishing funds that Jewish organizations are continuing to utilize is a true show of strength in Omaha’s wonderful Jewish community” added Liora.

Additional donations are welcome and can be made through the synagogue website at orthodoxomaha.org or by mailing a check to Beth Israel Synagogue, 12606 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Please indicate the money is for the “Playground Renovation.” Any questions can be emailed to bethisrael@orthodoxomaha.org or contact Liora at 402.556.6288.

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The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022 | 3

Boulder fire relief

As residents continue to assess the damage and loss from the fires in Boulder and Jefferson Counties, JEWISHcolorado is reaching out to assist organizations serving those in need.

A special Colorado mailbox has been opened to ensure that contributions flow to those most impacted.

“The fires are devastating,” former Omahan Gail Raznick, who currently lives in Boulder, said, “and we know several families and business owners who lost everything. Can’t imagine the overwhelming feeling of starting over. It really is heartbreaking.”

Please visit https://www.jewishcolorado.org/jewish colorado-boulder-fire-relief-fund/ to donate.

One-hundred % of contributions will go to relief efforts. We will continue to evaluate and address the situation. In the meantime, we send our love and best wishes to all the communities affected by the fires.

The Marshall Fire in Colorado swept through suburban communities in Boulder County. The wildfires have burned roughly 1,000 homes and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Credit: Image licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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Continued from page 1 Sandberg Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his “notable and distinctive service to the gift planning profession.” CGPN presents this award to someone who has made a difference, demonstrated their commitment and mentored others in the field of planned giving. The award commemorates the leadership of Bob Sandberg, an influential pioneer in the planned giving field in Nebraska.

A nine-year member of the CGPN national organization and the Nebraska chapter, Epstein served two terms as a CGPN board member and assistant treasurer, and has been a panelist and guest speaker at CGPN monthly meetings. He is certified as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (“CAP”) by the American College and serves as immediate past-president and board member of Omaha’s CAP advisory board. Epstein is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council, where he has been a guest speaker and panelist, and he also serves on the Senior Advisory Council of the Jewish Federations of North American Planned Giving and Endowment Section.

Howard was nominated by Jeremy Belsky, director of gift and estate planning at Boys Town.

“Howard’s two decades of commitment and growth with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation has provided outstanding leadership and prosperous growth,” Belsky said.

“I got to know Howard about 10 years ago when he reached out to me to discuss a collaborative effort with our respective organizations for the Yale Richards Seminar. That decade of partnering and communicating has provided friendship and a silent mentorship for me to learn from Howard. The work he’s done to augment the foundation’s Donor Advised Funds provides not only an avenue of support, but solid footing to align with future giving options for Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation donors and their philanthropy. Howard’s background running a business and doing legal work places him in

a position of trust with donors, and gives him a seat at the table.

Howard is always prepared and organized, and giving of himself for the benefit of others. Howard could always be counted on to lend a hand or be the voice of reason through his active participation with the CGPN Board. His experience and professionalism are always on display. He’s provided internal mentoring at the Foundation as well as those who’ve broken bread with him and listened to his sage advice on co-investing with donors.”

During his nine-plus years as Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Foundation has doubled the assets under its management and has grown the total dollars distributed for charitable causes, a reflection of the significant increase in the number of endowments, donor-advised funds, and supporting foundations now under Foundation management. The Foundation continually ranks among the top five Jewish Community Foundations throughout North America in per-capita giving and assets under management.

Howard was instrumental in bringing the LIFE & LEGACY initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to Omaha’s Jewish community, an initiative in which 335 Omahans have made commitments to support the Jewish Federation of Omaha, local synagogues and other Jewish organizations with current and after-lifetime gifts.

“There is tremendous depth, breadth, and impact of the charitable gift planning profession on communities throughout Nebraska,” Howard said. “As charitable gift planners, we help our donors and supporters fulfill their philanthropic goals. Their charitable gifts are often transformational and often the largest gifts they will ever make.”

Recognizing that success comes with the support of families and co-workers, Howard thanks his wife Sharon for her support and understanding, as well as his co-workers and the officers and Board of Directors at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

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Encourage others (current or former students, parents, teachers) to do so also.

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4 | The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022

My interview with James E. Lawrence, Editor

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Ed. Note: This is part 1 of 6 stories about Dick Fellman’s experiences with the Lincoln Star, Lincoln’s morning newspaper, during the 1950s.

The World Herald’s headline “Lincoln Journal Star’s longtime RICHARD FELLMAN building to be razed” shocked me, for I began a four-year career in that building 65 years ago as a cub reporter.

I was 21 years old in 1956, an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska, and had just completed three years working on The Daily Nebraskan, the student newspaper, and serving as its editor.

In those days there was an understanding that a former editor of The Rag could get a job at either the Lincoln Journal or the Lincoln Star, the Journal was owned and run by the Seacrest family and editorially slightly to the “right” and solidly Republican, while the Star was owned by the Lee group and was more liberal and equally solid towards the Democrats.

My tenure with the Daily Nebraskan ended with the paper’s receiving an “All American College Newspaper award,” so I knew my credentials were good. I made an appointment with James E. Lawrence, the editor of the Star, put on my one good suit and walked over to 9th and “P” Street where the Journal and the Star shared separated offices on the second floor of their building. The main floor held the business department and to the rear was the combined shop where all the papers were printed.

At the top of the front stairs was the entrance to the Journal, and to the left and down a long haul was the Star. Once inside I could see the newsroom, but little else except the

first of a series of offices marked “The Editor.”

Mr. Lawrence, though behind his back everyone called him Jimmy Lawrence, had his own secretary and a private office. After just a few minutes of waiting, he invited me in. In short order he had my entire background. At the time I had forgotten that he had long experience in conducting an interview. He began with a question.

“Do you keep a journal where you make daily entries?” My answer was no, and he suggested I start. My thought on the spot was that I lost the job before I even got it, but he went on telling me about the newspaper and his own role. He seemed in no hurry, but soon reached the point where he said, “Dick, is that what they call you, you sound interesting. I’d like to visit with you again. Make an appointment with my secretary for about a week from now. We’ll continue our visit.”

That was the end. I had no idea if I had been hired or would even be considered but Mr. Lawrence shook hands with me and told me he looked forward to meeting me again.

There was a second interview a week later, and it was much the same.

And there was a third interview.

By this time I had discovered in speaking with others that this process was the typical way Jimmy Lawrence hired his staff. And as long as he kept asking me to return, he was ultimately going to say yes. And this last time he did. He took me down the hall toward the News Room and introduced me to the News Editor. I was told to come in the next day early in the afternoon to begin.

The Star was the morning paper which meant that everyone came to work in the afternoon, and the paper was printed late in the day for circulation the next morning.

I could not have been happier.

Fiddler on the Roof is coming to Omaha Fiddler on the Roof holds a special place in the hearts of the Jewish community. The beloved story of Tevye and his strong-willed daughters celebrates the timeless traditions of faith, family, and life itself.

The original 1964 production won ten Tony Awards, including a special Tony for becoming the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. It is abundant with classics, including Tradition, Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were a Rich Man, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, and To Life (L’Chaim!).

The production, headed to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater Feb 8-13, brings a bright look and incredible new dancing, designed by acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Schecter began his professional career with Tel Aviv’s Batsheva Dance Company. The talented cast also features several

Jewish actors, plus Randa Meierhenry – a Nebraska native.

Last June, Ariel Sobel wrote in Jewish Journal about the Fiddler revival, saying the timing is a good thing: Fiddler on the Roof’s depiction of European Yiddish villages is a way for many of us to connect with our history.” Especially since, as she points out, those villages no longer exist. She also celebrates the musical’s ability to transcend cultures and generations.

Tony®-winning director Bartlett Sher has crafted a fresh and authentic version of the theatrical masterpiece created by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.

Fiddler on the Roof will introduce a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy. To love! To life!

Tickets are available at TicketOmaha.com.

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The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022 | 5

News

Casket draped in Nazi flag sparks outrage ORGE CASTELLANO JTA A funeral procession outside a local church in Rome featured a casket wrapped in a Nazi swastika flag, sparking outrage in the Italian capital. The Roman Catholic Church strongly condemned the incident. In a statement, the Vicariate of Rome described the incident as “serious, offensive, and unacceptable.”

The Italian news site Open was the first to release photos and videos of the scene from the St. Lucia church in the Prati district. A group of about two dozen individuals can be seen lining up on both sides of the churchyard to greet the swastikadraped casket of Alessia “Tungsy” Augello, 44, a member of the far-right New Force Italian political party. Augello died in a hospital on Jan. 7 due to thrombosis complications.

After the mass, Augello’s casket was hailed as it emerged from the cathedral with shouts and Nazi-style salutes. In a statement, a Roman Jewish community organization said the incident was “even more outrageous because it took place in front of a church,” according to Reuters. “It is unacceptable that a flag with a swastika can still be shown in public in this day and age, especially in a city that saw the deportation of its Jews by the Nazis and their fascist collaborators,” the statement continued.

The reverend and priest of the parish, Alessandro Zenobbi and Paolo Emilio, who officiated at the funeral, said they were unaware of the swastika flag. “Unfortunately, what happened outside the church at the end of the celebration occurred without any authorization on the part of the parish priest or the celebrant priest,” they wrote in a joint statement on the church’s official Facebook page.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch the Press for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com.

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Jewish businessman offers to buy and blow up 800-pound Nazi crest JUAN MELAMED PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay | JTA A Jewish businessman has offered to buy an 800-pound eagle and swastika crest from a former Nazi ship that is sitting in a Uruguay warehouse and explode it into “a thousand pieces.”

A private expedition recovered the 6foot-tall Nazi swastika and eagle crest in 2006. It had been affixed to the front of the Admiral Graf Spee Nazi warship, which was scuttled by British ships in a Montevideo harbor in December 1939.

After its recovery, the eagle was briefly shown to the public in Montevideo, sparking controversy. Germany criticized the display of “Nazi paraphernalia” and the eagle was moved to a naval warehouse. It was nearly put up for auction, but the head of the Uruguayan Jewish Committee and others objected, arguing that it could end up in the wrong hands. It was reportedly offered to Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, which rejected it.

In 2019, a Uruguayan court ruled that the government must auction the crest, and that the proceeds must go to the investors behind the team that recovered it. Past reports claimed that buyers had floated offers in the tens of millions of

dollars. open market.

Argentine Jewish businessman Daniel “Both the German authorities and the Sielecki, 64, who now lives in Uruguay, Wiesenthal Center have taken the positold a local news site that he wants to tion that such artifacts can not[sic] serve buy the eagle — and subsequently de- a growing extreme right market and white stroy it — to keep it out of the hands of neo-Nazis.

“Once I have it in my possession, immediately I will blow it into a thousand pieces,” he said. “Every piece that results from the explosion will be pulverized… There will be nothing left.”

Sielecki is one of the heads of the yacht club in Punta del Este, which is a popular summer destination for A security guard looks at the bronze eagle recovered from South American Jews. the stern of the German Graf Spee battleship, on display in German officials Montevideo, Urugay, Feb. 13, 2006. Credit: Miguel Rojo/AFP have since changed via Getty Images their posture, saying that they would supremacists,” wrote Shimon Samuels, allow the eagle’s display in an educa- the center’s director of international relational museum context. The Simon tions. “We urge the Uruguayan authorities Wiesenthal Center issued a statement to ensure that the display of these symin July, urging Uruguay to display the bols serve as a warning to future generacrest in a museum instead of sell it to an tions of what should never be repeated.”

6 | The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Israeli government coalition teeters over tree-planting SHIRA HANAU JTA Members of one of Israel’s Arab political parties are vowing to boycott Knesset proceedings, and thus threatening the coalition that governs by a slim majority, over what they see as an attack on their constituents among the Bedouin Arabs of Israel’s Negev region.

That offensive has come in the form of forestation efforts by the Jewish National Fund, a quasi-governmental organization that develop Israel’s land and nature and which is famous for planting trees across the country.

The organization has been planting trees in the southern part of the country, which is mostly desert, on land that the Bedouins claim as theirs. Because the lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes centers around farming and grazing livestock on open land, the forestation attempts threaten to limit the land available to their herds and farming, and thus their livelihood. The forestation initiative has led to protests as well as violent confrontations between protesters and police in recent weeks.

According to the Times of Israel, Israeli Welfare Minister Meir Cohen temporarily shut down the forestation machinery and reportedly set up emergency negotiation talks with the leadership of Ra’am — or the United Arab List, one of the Arab parties that make up some of the 61 votes needed for the governing

coalition.

According to Haaretz, more than a dozen people were arrested last week amid clashes with police. A Haaretz reporter was attacked by protesters, and his car stolen and set on fire.

A temporary agreement was reached amid the spiraling crisis, and the planting was to be halted while all involved would enter negotiations.

Relations between Israel’s government and the Bedouin communities in the south have long been tense as Israel has tried to encourage the communities to move into permanent housing in cities. To leaders of the Bedouin communities, those attempts, as well as the forestation efforts by the JNF, have come across as land grabs.

“As part of this work, they have destroyed tin homes of those living in the area and planted the land with trees — all so as to take over the land,” Yaqoub Dreijat, a local leader, told The Times of Israel.

The voting constituencies of Ra’am are heavily concentrated among Bedouins in the south. “We will not vote with the coalition until the plantings in the south are stopped,” Mansour Abbas told Israel’s Channel 12 news.

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Stanford to investigate claims it capped admissions of Jews

of the applications from men are from Jewish SHIRA HANAU boys. Last year we had 150 Jewish applicants, of JTA That Ivy League schools placed quotas on whom we accepted 50. This condition appears the number of Jews admitted to their classes to apply one [sic] to men; there does not seem to through much of the first half of the 20th cen- be any increase in applications from Jewish girls. tury has long been established as fact. But the existence of a quota on Jewish students at Stanford University was never more than a rumor — at least not until the publication of a blog post written by a researcher last year.

Now the northern California school has appointed a task force to investigate the existence of a quota A general view of the buildings of the main quadrangle for Jews at the school during the and Hoover Tower on the campus of Stanford University, 1950s. The task force will be led by Oct. 2, 2021. Credit: David Madison/Getty Images Ari Kelman, a professor of education and JewAs things look to Rix now, he will be able to ish studies. The group, which will begin its pick 500 men, equal in caliber to last year’s work this month, was tasked with researching fresh class, but there will be a high percentage the existence of quotas and recommending of Jewish boys in the 300 freshmen who will be ways “to enhance Jewish life on campus, in- at Stanford village. cluding how best to address any findings resultRix said that he thought that you should ing from the research on admissions practices.” know about this problem, since it has very The claims about Stanford’s admissions touchy implications. He pointed out that the quota were first raised in a blog post by University of Virginia has become largely a JewCharles Petersen, a postdoctoral fellow at ish institution, and that Cornell also has a very Cornell University studying the concept of heavy Jewish enrollment. Harvard and Yale meritocracy, particularly in Silicon Valley. stick strictly to a quota system. Rix has been folIn his blog post from August 2021, Petersen lowing a policy of picking the outstanding Jewpointed to a 1953 letter he found in Stan- ish boys while endeavoring to keep a normal ford’s archives addressed to the university’s balance of Jewish men and women in the class. then-president, J.E. Wallace Sterling, from The letter goes on to state that accepting Fred Glover, an advisor to Sterling. Part of the a few Jewish applicants from one school typletter, which refers to Rixford “Rix” Snyder, ically leads to more Jewish applicants from the head of admissions at Stanford in the that school the following year.

1950s and ’60s, states: Petersen referred to the letter as “probably the Rix is concerned that more than one quarter closest I’ll come to a historical smoking gun.”

Patent attorney. Jazz enthusiast. Philanthropist.

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The Jewish Press | January 14, 2022 | 7

Save the Date for Sokolof Lecture

Please save the date for the 2022 Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture featuring Professor Eugene Kontorovich, of George Mason University, on Feb. 22, 2022.

Professor Kontorovich is the Director of the Center for International Law in the Middle East and a professor at the Antonin Scalia School of Law. The title of his talk is "Three Modern Blood Libels about Israel: Vaccines, Evictions, and Apartheid."

This online event will start at 7 p.m. and is

Eugene Kontorovich

cosponsored with the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Stay tuned, more information is coming soon to both our website and the next print edition of the Jewish Press.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the Sokolof lecture, please contact Prof.

Jeannette Gabriel at jgabriel@unomaha. edu.

The annual Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture in Israel and Jewish Studies is the fruit of a generous donation by the Sokolof-Javitch family.

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8 | The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022

Above: Friday morning Minyan at Beth Israel.

Below: Dr. Howard Gendelman plays the accordeon at Beth Israel.

Above: A photo of Michael Staenberg’s mother, Marlene, that appeared in the South Omaha Sun, probably around 1954.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Above and below: Friedel kindergarteners had a hands-on science lesson learning about solids, liquids, and gases.

Above, right and below: Residents of RBJH were busy the month of December making holiday gifts to say thank you to the hard-working Rose Blumkin Jewish Home staff. Residents filled sachets with scented dried herbs of lavender, Rose petal, and spearmint to wish employees a fresh and fragrant New Year. The Wednesday afternoon treat of ice cream sundaes with all of the fixings is always a delicious pick-me-up for the Residents and staff.

The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022 | 9

Voices

The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920)

Margie Gutnik President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press Board Margie Gutnik, President; Abigail Kutler, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen; David Finkelstein; Bracha Goldsweig; Mary Sue Grossman; Les Kay; Natasha Kraft; Chuck Lucoff; Joseph Pinson; Andy Shefsky and Amy Tipp.

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.

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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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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 tent

Jews do not speak in a political monologue. Like so many misconceptions, putting Jews, a broad, cultural or religious identity, into a political box is wrong and approaching bigotry.

Jews have many differing political persuasions. The tent under which Jewish GARY NACHMAN identity survives, and has for Regional Director, millennia, includes people of ADL-Plains States different socioeconomic ad- Region vantages and disadvantages, color, sexual orientation, education, religiosity and, of course, experiences. This large tent has withstood the weight of time by accepting diverse identities to coexist, while sharing a common “cultural DNA”.

Like strands of DNA, it is made up of many genes that influence the expressions of the Jewish being.

Unlike DNA however, there is no “Jewish gene.”

Jews identify themselves by religion, history or heritage, culture, ethnicity, gastronomy, and many other ingredients that go into making this complex stew. There is not one “Jewish look” or behavior that labels a person “a Jew.” Because of this wonderful diversity, the spectrum of political beliefs will naturally find views worthy of debate. Jews have debated throughout history – with each other, with themselves and with G-d. It’s one of the reasons post-biblical texts are so rich with life lessons.

Morals and laws were often argued and interpreted over centuries and having multiple answers in

many cases. In religious schools, Jews are taught to question and challenge. There is a reason you hear the adage that if you ask two Jews their opinion, you will receive three answers...

Political danger arises in two forms; generalizations made about Jews from the outside and internal discordance among Jews. The first is easier to recognize, albeit, perhaps more difficult to resolve, when ignorance leads to assumptions based upon hearsay, misunderstandings, or, more insidiously, antisemitic tropes. Conflating Israel’s right to exist with disagreements of the politicians or policies of the country, is veiled antisemitism. To say American Jews should vote a certain way out of loyalty to Israel is as wrong as any single-issue voter who ignores what may be best for the country in favor of self-interest.

Internal discordance creates a greater challenge.

Jews fall on the entire political spectrum from extreme conservatives to extreme liberals. However, like most large population studies show, a bell curve better represents the political views with most falling within normal standard deviations from both sides of the middle. The clear message is that there isn’t a Jewish monologue voice.

This also obligates us to look at things from a broad perspective and learn lessons from history.

I believe we are honor-bound to “repair the world”, meaning we are on an evolutionary quest to make the world and all its inhabitants better in all ways

possible. All non-Indigenous people living in this country came from somewhere else. We were all immigrants. We received an opportunity by coming to this country and we owe that same opportunity to those seeking a better life here, to say nothing of acknowledging the complicated debt owed to those indigenous peoples living here before us.

While individual rights are precious, our country flourishes when we embrace collective responsibility. Not socialism or communism and certainly not fascism, but simply collective decency and responsibility. We have laws for the individual, but most are for society and the greater good. Our democratic elections require participation from the individual, but serve the whole. Social Security, Medicare, our national road system, law enforcement and first responders, are all part of the social fabric that extends beyond the individual.

It is important that we have dialogue and yes, even heated debate. Opposition to our ideas is an opportunity to broaden our perspectives. But just as we inspect what we consume, we must challenge our sources of information. Civil discourse is not possible when it is based upon opinion or hearsay, and not fact. We cannot allow bigotry and hate into our national conversation. Just as it is undeniable that Jews have varied political views, it is also inescapable that those views are what make the “Jewish tent” a shelter for all.

Too many chose to look away from Chaim Walder’s crimes.

We can make other choices now.

RAHEL BAYAR JTA During my first month as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, I spent most of my time engaged in an intensive orientation. As part of that training, a senior ADA taught us the art of an effective opening argument. Whether you are prosecuting a child rape case, robbery or homicide, your ability to seek justice is affected by the words you choose to use.

To illustrate this, the ADA shared an effective and impactful opening argument in a case involving a drunk driver, which started like this: Choices. Choices are what we make every day. We walk through each moment deciding what to do and how to do it. Choices are how we make it from point A to point B, they are why we are here. In the case of a DWI, the choices are your roadmap. The choice to drink. To leave the bar. To pick up those keys. To walk to your car. To open the door. To get in. To put the key in the ignition. To turn it. To shift into Drive. Those small choices are what led to this moment. To crash. To kill.

Every single person who has sexually abused a child has made a choice. So too have the adults, parents, teachers, coaches, role models, clergy, spiritual advisors or communal leaders who have chosen not to act – or not to act in the right way.

The recent scandal surrounding Israeli children’s book author Chaim Walder, accused of sexually abusing dozens of people, including minors, is rife with people making the right and wrong choices.

The revelations inspired a surprising and welcome backlash within the Orthodox Jewish community in which Walder was a celebrity.

On the other side, too many kept silent, chose to say little, or cautioned against “gossip,” especially after Walder’s apparent suicide in the wake of the allegations.

In all my years of prosecuting child abuse and sex crimes cases, the impact of choices was apparent in every case, every day.

Choices made by others meant I could not indict a perpetrator or take them to trial because of the trauma inflicted on the victim, in many cases – a young child. Choices had an impact on every person who could not testify because the pain and trauma

were too raw and real. Choices made by some meant a child could not disclose their suffering for years because there was no safe space to do so.

Other survivors couldn’t come forward because they knew they would be ostracized in communities that choose to blame the victims.

It is a choice to remain uneducated about what a child’s experience of abuse might feel and look like.

It is a choice to ignore red flags, boundary-crossing

Credit: Tom Waterhouse/Flickr

behavior or grooming tactics by adults in positions of power or trust. It is a choice to attribute sole authority to religious and spiritual figures to determine whether something should be reported, to whom and how. It is a choice when our communal leaders choose to impart or withhold knowledge about the reality of sexual abuse. These choices change lives, and many times, not for the better.

So now, we have another choice.

For communal leaders, the right choice means saying this: “We stand with and believe survivors and victims. We are committed to learning more, to reporting abuse to law enforcement and to educating our communities – the adults, teachers and rabbis who should bear the onus of preventing abuse. We are committed to providing the tools to communicate and empower our kids, without placing the burden of preventing abuse on them.

We are sorry. We must do better. We will do better.”

The wrong choices include suppressing effective talk and knowledge of sexual abuse by invoking the so-called dangers of “lashon hara” (speaking badly),

false allegations, rumor-mongering or smear campaigns. The wrong choice is using your social media platform to share inaccurate information or play the “both sides have suffered” argument.

The wrong choice means leveraging the power of spiritual trust and guidance to downplay reports of sexual abuse. The wrong choices include spreading the harmful canard that a child adhering to the Jewish laws of “yichud” and “negiah” – sexual modesty — will be protected from sexual abuse.

Such choices are dangerous, erroneous and put the onus of child protection on the children themselves.

It is our communal responsibility to be the protectors. To be a protector, we must make better choices.

Effective abuse prevention is about the little moments. The choices we make in sharing information at the dinner or Shabbat table. The words we choose, especially when we think our kids aren’t listening. If a parent’s first reaction to these reports is “innocent until proven guilty,” or that “Walder’s books did so much good in the world,” their children, whether they have witnessed abuse, experienced abuse, or just want to understand more about it, are unlikely to come forward.

Anyone who does this work professionally will tell you that it won’t matter how often you tell children that they should let you know if something unsafe ever happens to them: They are unlikely to share if they sense that “I won’t be believed” or “I did something to cause this.”

So, make a choice.

Choose guidance from real experts in the field over spiritual leadership with no expertise.

Choose to use your platforms to convey accurate information.

Choose to be educated and informed, and to ask a professional when you don’t know enough.

Choose better.

Choose to save a life.

Rahel Bayar is a former sex crimes and child abuse prosecutor and the CEO of The Bayar Group, which works with schools, camps and faith based organizations on effective abuse prevention.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

CHABAD HOUSE

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN

South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154 rbjh.com

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

B’NAI ISRAEL Join us In-Person on Friday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with a guest speaker. The service will be led by the members of the congregation. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Game Time Shabbat, noon at Beth El; Havdalah, 6:05 p.m. Zoom only.

SUNDAY: Siddur 101 with Hazzan Krausman, 9:30 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m. USY/Kadima Bowling, 1 p.m. at the Mark; Men’s Go Carting, 7 p.m. at Joe’s Karting.

MONDAY: When Rabbi’s Bless Congress with Howard Mortman, 7 p.m. on Zoom.

TUESDAY: Mussar, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham at Beth El & Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Virtual Tai Chi, 3:15 p.m.; BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash, 7 p.m. via In-person at the JCC or on Zoom.

THURSDAY: Revisting the Classics, 7 p.m. with Hazzan Krausman.

FRIDAY-Jan. 28: Nebraska AIDS Coalition Lunch, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Jan. 29: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Havdalah, 6:10 p.m. Zoom only.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in pergola, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 5:09 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Class/Kids Class, 10:30 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha, 5:10 p.m.; Shalosh Seudos/ Laws of Shabbos, 5:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv/ Havdalah, 6:13 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 4:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:20 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 4:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:20 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Kids Class, 3:45 p.m.; Daf Yomi, 4:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:20 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Wednesday School, 4:15 p.m.; Daf Yomi, 4:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:20 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9:30 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 4:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:20 p.m.

FRIDAY-Jan 28: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 5:18 p.m.

SATURDAY-Jan 29: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Class/Kids Class, 10:30 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha, 5:10 p.m.; Shalosh Seudos/Laws of Shabbos, 5:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv/ Havdalah, 6:21 p.m.; Mind, Body, Soul: An Evening of Fun and Wellness for Women, 7 p.m.

Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

CHABAD HOUSE All services are in-person. All classes are being offered in-person/Zoom hybrid (Ochabad.com/classroom). For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Le chayim; Candlelighting, 5:09 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 6:12 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha Class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Virtual Pirkei Avot Women’s Class, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study (Sanhedrin 18 — No advance experience necessary), noon with Rabbi Katzman.

FRIDAY-Jan. 28: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochab ad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 5:17 p.m.

SATURDAY-Jan. 22: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 6:20 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch.

Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Shira Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Nathaniel and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 5:12 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Shira Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study on Parashat Yitro, noon; Havdalah, 6:16 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Classes resume, 9:30 a.m.; Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m. rain or shine to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if its too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. If interested please email Al Weiss at albertw 801@gmail.com to find out where

to meet each week; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. will discuss Mazel by Rebecca Goldstein via Zoom; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. at Peterson Park.

Everyone is welcome; just wear comfortable clothes and tennis or gym shoes. If you need a paddle, contact Miriam Wallick by email at Miriam57 @aol.com or by text at 402.470.2393 before Sunday.

TUESDAY: Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Jewish Ethical Teachings Class, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Alex.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Classes, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY: Ruach Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

FRIDAY-Jan. 28: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex and Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 5:21 p.m.

SATURDAY-Jan. 29: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study on Parashat Mishpatim, noon; Havdalah, 6:24 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAY: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s service is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. via Zoom.

FRIDAY: Classic Shabbat: The Experience of Female Clergy, 6 p.m. via Zoom or In-Person.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. via Zoom or InPerson; Bat Mitzvah of Ashley Sherman, daughter of Anna and Eric Sherman; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs (PreK-6), 10 a.m. In-Person; Parents and Proverbs, 10:15 a.m. InPerson; Book Club, 10:30 a.m. via Zoom or In-Person.

MONDAY: Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Youth Learning Programs: Grades 36, 4-6 p.m.; T’filah, 4:45 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6:30-8 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash, 7 p.m. via In-person at the JCC or on Zoom.

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Class, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel via Zoom or In-Person.

FRIDAY-Jan. 28: Shabbat B’yachad: The Experience of Female Clergy: Responding to Abuse and Discrimination at HUC-JIR, 6 p.m. via Zoom or In-Person.

SATURDAY-Jan. 29: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. via Zoom or In-Person.

Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

Omaha Symphony at the JCC Explore music inspired by sports played around as Music Director with the Union Symphony Orthe globe at the newly renovated Alan J. Levine chestra (Monroe, N.C.) in 2020-2021, a season that Performing Arts Theater also marked her fourth as at the Jewish Community Assistant Conductor of Center, Jan. 30. We will the Jacksonville Symhave performances at 2 phony and Principal p.m. and at 3:30 p.m.

Conductor of the JackAssistant Conductor sonville Symphony Youth Deanna Tham invites Orchestras. families to celebrate the As recently as 2019, Olympic Fanfare by John Tham has performed at the Proms in Royal Albert Williams, hear the exciteHall, Elbphilharmonie ment of races with Hamburg, and Seiji Rossini’s Overture to Ozawa Hall at the TanWilliam Tell, try Tai Chi to Chen Yi’s Romantic glewood Music Center.

Dances, and tap along The health and safety of our musicians, patrons, with Taiko drums. staff, and community are Powerfully compelling, the Omaha Symphony’s Deanna Tham is known priority. Masks are refor her captivating and quired at this performtenacious spirit on and off Deanna Tham ance. Read our latest the podium. Appointed the Omaha Symphony’s Assistant Conductor in health and safety guidelines and find more inforspring of 2021, Tham began her inaugural season mation and ticket sales at www.jccomaha.com.

Life cycles IN MEMORIAM MARSHALL BECKER Marshall Becker passed away on Jan. 14, 2022 in Omaha. Services were held on Jan. 18, 2022 at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Bess Becker.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ginny Becker, daughters, Lisa Brunkhorst and Jody Vinci; grandchildren: Ashley Brunkhorst, Steven Vinci and Mia Vinci; brother and sister-in-law, Dr.’s Mike and Lesta Turchen; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Aronson.

He practiced law for over 50 years. He was dearly loved by all of his family and friends.

Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Rabbi Abraham’s discretionary fund at Beth El. ROSE M. DAVIS Rose M. Davis passed away on Jan. 11, 2022 in Omaha, NE. Services were held on Jan. 13. 2022 at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lorri Ann Davis, and husband, Saul Z. Davis.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Judith and David Finkle, Sandra Davis and Gordon Vadis; six grandchildren: Andrew, Jennifer, and Steven Finkle, Kate Struss, Jacob and Louis Vadis; and five great-grandchildren.

Rose was born in Minneapolis, MN, to Dora and David Milstein.

She spent her adult life in Omaha, NE, where she was an active member of the Jewish community. The youngest of six children, Rose was the last family member of her and her husband’s generation. Her surviving extended family includes many nieces, nephews, and cousins spread throughout the world.

Known affectionally as Mom, Baubie and Aunty Rose, family meant everything to Rose. Up through her 93rd year, she would happily recite the name and date of birth of anyone in her vast, extended family.

Memorials may be made to the Saul Z. Davis and Lorri Ann Davis Fund at the Beth El Synagogue or the organization of your choice.

The Jewish Press | January 21, 2022 | 11

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News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Bob Saget, comedian and actor on Full House, dies at 65

SHIRA HANAU JTA Bob Saget, the comedian and actor died at 65.

Saget died shortly after performing in Orlando, where he had delivered a show with his trademark mashup of dark humor and dad jokes that he first developed while misbehaving in Hebrew school.

As a performer, Saget alternated between the raunchy standup comic known for darkly funny bits peppered with curse words and the wholesome dad that he played on the 1990s sitcom Full House, bringing together his audiences of children and adults in his role as host of America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Even before he got to Hollywood, Saget honed his comedy as a misbehaving Hebrew school student at Temple Israel in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Well, a lot of it was rebellion,” Saget told the Atlanta Jewish Times in 2014. “In my Hebrew school training, I would spend more time trying to impress the girls in the class. I remember the rabbi taking me up to his office and saying ‘Saget, you’re not an entertainer; you have to stop doing this.’ I couldn’t stop.”

He never did.

After a short stint contributing to CBS’ The Morning Program, Saget was cast to play a morning show host on TV. As Danny Tanner on Full House, Saget played a widowed dad and morning show host raising three daughters in San Francisco with the help of his brother-in-law and his best friend. Saget played the role until the show ended in 1995 and reprised it in the Fuller House reboot that premiered in 2016. In 1989, Saget started hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos, which he continued until 1997.

Saget was born in Philadelphia in 1956 to Jewish parents but spent much of his childhood in Norfolk. His father, a supermarket executive, and his mother, a hospital administrator, probably would have preferred to see their son follow through

on his original plans to become a doctor. But Saget’s plans changed in high school when his English teacher, Elaine Zimmerman, encouraged him to become a filmmaker. “To the next Groucho-Fellini,” she wrote in his yearbook.

After studying film at Temple University, Saget moved to Los Angeles and became a regular at the Comedy Store, the legendary comedy club famous for launching the careers of comedians like David Letterman and Jay Leno.

At the same time that Saget was becoming the most recog-

Comedian Bob Saget performs at the Improv Comedy Club at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., Feb. 24, 2006. Credit: Ralph Notaro/Getty Images

nizably beloved father in America, he experienced his own share of tragedy within his real family. Saget lost both of his sisters relatively young; Andrea died of a brain aneurysm in 1985 and Gay of systemic scleroderma in 1994. Throughout his career, Saget frequently performed at events to benefit charitable causes and served on the board of the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Saget recalled his Jewish upbringing, including his Hebrew school experience and the Jewish foods his bubbe cooked, in the foreword he wrote for the 2011 book, Becoming Jewish: The Challenges, Rewards, and Paths to Conversion, by Rabbi Steven

Carr Reuben and Jennifer S. Hanin.

“I was born a Jewish boy. I was circumcised. Thank God by a professional. That is not something you want done by a novice. Or someone doing it for college credit. So I ‘became Jewish’ instantly upon birth,” he wrote.

As a teenager and through college, Saget worked at a deli.

Food was an important part of Saget’s Jewish upbringing, especially his bubbe’s stuffed cabbage and mandelbread cookies.

Speaking to Jay Sanderson of the Jay’s 4 Questions podcast in 2018, Saget recalled the time he almost got fired from his deli counter job after he stuck a half-smoked cigarette in a carp’s mouth and showed it to a customer who wanted to be sure the carp was fresh. Despite the years he spent grinding carp, Saget never lost his taste for gefilte fish, though he couldn’t stomach the jarred variety. His preferred combination for gefilte fish, he told Sanderson in 2018, was a mix of carp, pike and whitefish.

“The food of the Jewish people stays within me. It is still within me. I am writing this with a matzah ball inside me from 1975. It is next to the kishka,” he wrote in the foreword to Becoming Jewish.

Saget did not consider himself to be very observant. But he did feel sense of spirituality on a trip he took to Israel with his parents in the 80s or 90s.

“It was quite a gift and there were many spiritual things that happened throughout and that I think is still the closest I’ve felt, because you can actually see it and feel it in the air in Israel,” he said.

Having lost his sisters and both of his parents — his father in 2007 and his mother in 2014 — at the time of his conversation with Sanderson, Saget talked about the difficulty in feeling spirituality or belief in God after experiencing so much loss.

“I go back and forth with my belief system, by the way. I’m not the best, most observant Jewish person you’ve ever met or talked to, and yet I’m Jewish and proud to be,” he said.

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