Endowed by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA January 22, 2016 12 Shevat 5776 Vol. 96 | No. 19
Scholarship and grant money
This Week
2016 Annual Campaign totals
A night of Israeli wine Page 5
by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life Looking for some help in covering the cost for residential camp, JCC summer camp, Israel programs, the Child Development Center, Friedel Jewish Academy or youth group activities? Are you interested in some funding for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, technical, professional or yeshiva studies that would stretch those post-high school dollars a bit more? Thanks to the generosity of our community, a variety of funding sources are available to Omaha’s Jewish families to assist with the financial burden. During the past year, the Center for Jewish Life awarded more than $269,000 in scholarships for the camp, Israel, Friedel, the CDC and college. More than $23,000 has been provided for teens participating in youth group conventions and programs. There was also $26,500 in Jewish Experience Grants awarded for the summer of 2015. And including the recently returned Omaha Teen Trip participants, a total of $43,400 has been paid in the past 12 months for Israel Experience
Camille Metoyer Moten
Voice of Beth EL: Esther Katz
Inside Next Month Simchas+Celebrations See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
by OZZIE NOGG Camille Metoyer Moten, local award-winning actress and singer, brings her special blend of music and motivation to the Jewish Community Center on Friday, Jan. 29. During the presentation - Get Your Sexy Back -- Camille will speak about aging with grace and purpose while sharing her inspiring personal journey. The performance, which includes Camille’s delightful vocals, begins at 1:30 p.m. in the JCC Theater and is open to the community at no charge. “Sexy can mean lots of things,” Metoyer Moten said, “but mostly it means exciting and interesting as well as physically attractive. Too often we let society dictate how we feel about ourselves. I’m going to talk about keeping in touch with who you are and appreciating where you’ve come from. The fact that we are ‘seasoned’ members of society should make us more valuable.”
Grants. When one adds up those totals, we are talking real money, making a true difference to families in Omaha. Continued on page 2
Poker, anyone? Page 7
Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
Get Your Sexy Back
8 10 11
by SHERRIE SAAG for Beth El Synagogue Esther Katz, Beth EL congregant and Director of Dance and Cultural Arts at the Jewish Community Center, moved to Omaha in 2003 from Philadelphia after a very atypical Jewish upbringing. Her story is unusual and unique. She shares it, in part, because stories connect us to each other, and when we share our life stories with others,our audience feels they get to know us as authentic people. This is the broad concept behind Voices from Beth El, a storytelling series from Beth El Synagogue where Esther is a happy participant.
Esther Katz Esther was raised in an interfaith family where, as she explains, “My mom was the first interfaith family in her synagogue and my dad was the first interfaith family in his church.” Her religious education began 35 years ago when her mother’s Rabbi, her father’s Priest and the Board presidents met to decide how she would be raised. “Out of that meeting came the decision I would be raised
Jewish but understanding the Christian faith,” Esther said. She went to Hebrew school and church, celebrating all the Jewish holidays, but also Christmas. She recalls her least favorite memory: “Every year, between Passover and Easter, we would have an egg hunt, but I wasn’t allowed to eat any of the chocolates, because they weren’t kosher!” Esther also recalled regular holiday visits to her father’s family, devout Episcopalians, in South Texas. Her Mom would hand out gelt and dreidels. “She brought our menorahs all the way from Philly,” Esther said. Interestingly, she said, it was her Dad who helped with her Torah portion. “He was a real Renaissance man, he loved learning Hebrew.” Yet, she met her future husband Phillip Katz in a more conventionally Jewish way -- in Israel while Phillip was on a Birthright trip, and she was participating in an advocacy program through Hillel. When Phillip started law school at Creighton University, Esther soon followed him to Omaha, teaching in Dundee. Continued on page 3
A native Omahan, Camille grew up in a home where the recordings of Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson and Carmen McCrae provided inspiration. While studying at Xavier University in New Orleans, she sharpened her jazz singing skills and soloed with the Xavier Jazz band, accompanied by Ellis Marsalis, father of Wynton. The training paid off. Often described as Omaha’s most versatile singer, performing in styles ranging from opera to musical theater, jazz and gospel, Camille Metoyer Moten has made a lasting mark on the local musical scene over the past 30 years. She has performed at every major theater in the city, as well as with Opera Omaha, and garnered Omaha Playhouse Best Actress Awards for portrayals of Eva Peron in Evita and Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. When speaking of Metoyer Moten, Omaha Playhouse Music Director Jim Boggess said, “l just love working with that girl. She breaks my heart when she sings.” Along with her musicianship, Camille’s faith-based, spiritual Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
Scholarship and grant money Continued from page 1 Grant programs, funded by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, are available to any Omaha Jewish family meeting the program requirements, regardless of the family’s financial situation. Jewish Experience Grants provide funding for those attending Jewish summer camp and Israel Experience Grants provide funding for Israel peer programs and will also cover domestic airfare and trip extension fees for Birthright Israel participants. Scholarships, which are awarded through the Center for Jewish Life, are funded by numerous endowments established through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, outside entities, and through the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Scholarships are available for JCC summer camp, residential Jewish summer camp, Israel peer programs, Friedel Jewish Academy, the Child Development Center and youth group programs. Jewish students who are residents of the Omaha metropolitan area can apply for scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, yeshiva, professional and vocational studies programs. While the majority of scholarships are based on financial need, a limited number of college scholarships are merit-based. Applications are available
on the “Scholarships and Grants” page of the Center for Jewish Life section at www.jewishomaha.org. The deadline for submission of applications for grant programs and scholarships through the Center for Jewish Life is Tuesday, March 1, 2016. There are also several scholarship programs which are separate from those awarded through CJL and those scholarships are not included in the totals listed earlier. Those scholarships include the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll scholarships, the Jake J. Schriebman Freshman Year scholarship, the Fellman/Kooper scholarships and the Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund. Applications or links for additional information are also found on the page noted above. Omaha’s Jewish families are encouraged to take advantage of these funding opportunities. All financial information is kept in strictest confidence. For any questions, please email mgrossman@jewishomaha .org or call 402.334-6445. Grant and scholarship programs are coordinated by the Center for Jewish Life as a part of the agency’s mission to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
Get Your Sexy Back Continued from page 1 gifts are also highly developed. In 2012, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Faced with this sobering new realty, Metoyer Moten decided the best way to chronicle her experiences with the disease and its treatment was to reach out every day to her 2,000 Facebook friends. “I couldn’t deny the cancer experience, but I refused to let it define me.” Camille’s intimate, positive, seriously funny ‘Fabulous Cancer-Free Babe’ posts -- and the messages she got back from her many ‘Facebook Prayer Warriors’ -- are now in her book: Nothing Is Everything. “I’ve come to realize that no one thing is the sum total of who we are,” Metoyer Moten said.
Kid’s Campaign
“We are continually evolving, and as long as we are open to that we will be happy, healthy and bring added value to our family, neighbors, community and the world around us. My Facebook friends helped lift me up and encouraged me and they said I did the same for them. Get Your Sexy Back is my way of reminding folks -- including myself -- that we aren’t done. We remain sexy, inviting, provocative and relevant until we let it go... so don’t let it go.” Camille Metoyer Moten’s Jan. 29 appearance is presented by Jewish Social Services under the sponsorship of the Ruth Riekes Richards Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Zoë Riekes and granddaughter Marley Atlas are filling a Pushka (Tzedakah can) for the Jewish Federation of Omaha Kids Campaign. Do you have yours? Pushkas are available through the Pennie Z. Davis Childhood Development Center, Friedel Jewish Academy, the JCC front door, all three synagogues and the Chabad House. Giving coins to help others is easy, and it’s fun! The younger members of our community will be able to donate their Tzedakah during a community-wide Purim Carnival at the JCC March 20. More details about the event will be announced in a future article in the Jewish Press. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Louri Sullivan at 402.334.6485 or lsullivan@jewishomaha.org.
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January 22, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 3
As Turkey reaches out to Israel, Jewish groups move to embrace rival by RON KAMPEAS Jewish groups backed off their long-standing reluctance to WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Less than a month after Turkish call the World War I-era massacre of Armenians a genocide, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled a readiness to a position they had adopted largely to avoid offending Turkey. mend ties with Israel after years of antipathy, a delegation of In 2013, a Congressional caucus was launched to further American Jewish leaders has embarked on a trip to embrace cooperation among Israel, Greece and Cyprus. Turkey’s longtime rival Greece. “There already has been a lot of local work between Members of the Conference of Presidents of Major organizations,” said Daniel Mariaschin, the executive vice American Jewish Organizations are in the midst of a week- president of B’nai B’rith, referring to the new closeness with long trip that will take them to Israel, Greece and Cyprus, American Greeks. the disputed Mediterranean island that has been a source of The inclusion of Cyprus in the tour itinerary is sure to be Greek-Turkish contention for decades. The trip, which noticed in Turkey, which has occupied the northern third of includes leaders of the Greekthe island since 1974, an American community, will action condemned by multimeet with political and reliple U.N. Security Council resgious leaders in all three olutions. The Jewish delegacountries. tion will not be visiting Malcolm Hoenlein, the northern Cyprus, which Presidents Conference’s execdeclared itself independent of utive vice chairman, said the the Cypriot republic in 1983, trip was planned six months a declaration recognized only ago -- well before Erdogan by Turkey. told a Turkish newspaper on “The strategic relationship Dec. 13 that he hoped to rebetween Greece, Cyprus and establish ties with Israel, Israel has evolved, helping to which have deteriorated lend stability to the region badly over the past decade. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, left, meeting Israeli with broader implications,” Within days of the interview, President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem, Nov. 26, 2015. the Presidents Conference Credit: Mark Neyman/GPO said in a statement. “The delreports said Israel and Turkey had already struck a preliminary agreement to normalize egation of American Hellenic and American Jewish comrelations. munity leaders plans to explore the major policy issues and A news release announcing the trip indicated it would concerns as well as ways to foster ties between the people of address the “strategic relationship” between Israel and the the three countries. They will also visit military installations two Mediterranean nations and include visits to military to study the security challenges in the area.” facilities. But Hoenlein dismissed suggestions that the trip Whether the embrace of Greece and Cyprus will compliindicated a rebuff of Turkey. cate Turkey’s overtures to Israel has yet to be seen. “Having relations with one country does not diminish Developments in Syria, which have empowered enemies of anyone else,” Hoenlein told JTA. “We want Israel to have as both Turkey (the PYD Kurdish militia) and Israel many relationships as possible.” (Hezbollah), have created a convergence of interests Israel and Turkey shared a close alliance in the 1990s, between the countries. The Obama administration has also when trade, tourism and military cooperation increased. pushed hard for a reconciliation, preferring that its two closBut relations began to cool with Erdogan’s rise to power in est military allies in the Middle East get along. And Israel’s 2002, and broke dramatically after Israel’s deadly 2010 raid security establishment misses its close cooperation with the on the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish-flagged ship aiming to region’s other major military. break Israel’s Gaza blockade, in which 10 Turks, including “Turkish-Greek ties have come a long way,” said Soner an American citizen, were killed. In 2011, Turkey expelled Cagaptay, a Turkey expert at the Washington Institute for the Israeli ambassador. Near East Policy. “But once ties between Israel and Turkey are At the same time, ties between Israel and Greece were normalized, eventually Greece’s utility as an ally to Israel will warming. The two countries carried out joint military exer- be overshadowed by Turkey’s economic and military might.” cises and launched efforts to boost cooperation in various Hoenlein said it was too early to determine whether areas. But it was the discovery of natural gas deposits in the Turkey’s pivot would be long lasting. eastern Mediterranean Sea that gave major impetus to the “It’s a mercurial situation,” he said. relationship. Jason Isaacson, the American Jewish Committee’s director In November, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Greece and of policy, said Erdogan should still be viewed with caution -Prime Minister Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus met with not only because of his past hostility to Israel, but because of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, rhetoric blaming Turkey’s woes on outside interests that has and Netanyahu is scheduled to meet both leaders again in veered close to anti-Semitism. Cyprus later this month to advance agreement on a natural “Given the proclivities of the president of Turkey, given gas deal. actions and statements regarding Israel as well as regarding Meanwhile, shared concern over Erdogan’s rise has led to the connection he has alleged between the Jewish people more frequent official outings to Greece by American Jewish and unrelated political issues in Turkey, [restoring ties with groups, which have begun to pivot away from decades of Turkey] cannot substitute for the relationship Israel enjoys defending Turkey’s interests in Washington. Last year, several with Cyprus and Greece,” Isaacson said.
Esther Katz Continued from page 1 She became a Sunday school teacher at Beth El and found her “second” family. “We were so warmly welcomed into the Beth El family. We had Shabbat dinner invitations every weekend, and we have to thank the Parsows, the Greenbergs, the Shapiros and the Rafuls for making us feel so connected.” Esther and Phillip are raising three children in Omaha at Beth El. Jonah is 8, Talia is 5 and Elianna is one. “Our favorite time at Beth El would have to be Simchat Torah. Rolling out the Torah in its entirety, around the room, is a great experience,” she described, “It’s a challenge to enjoy it with three kids underfoot, but I know they are always welcome at Beth El.” Omaha is definitely permanent home base for the Katz family. “Life is easier here than the East Coast,” she explains, “You can see the skyline as well as the sunrise and the sunsets. That’s pretty awesome.” Beth El wants to tell their story, share their message and support the community conversation for synagogue life and involvement. Congregants have been sharing their stories since last October and will continue into 2016.
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Shimon Peres suffers mild heart attack by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Former Israeli President Shimon Peres reportedly was feeling well after suffering a mild heart attack. Peres, 92, was taken to the hospital last Thursday morning after feeling chest pains. He underwent a cardiac angioplasty at the Heart Institute of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer to open a blocked artery, according to reports. Peres will remain under observation in the hospital for several days. Two weeks ago, social media Credit: David Shankbone was flooded with rumors that Peres had died, leading him to take to Facebook to declare that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Peres retired as president of Israel in 2014 after more than half a century in public life.
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4 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
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by RENEE CORCORAN Executive Director, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Recently displayed on Main Street of the Rose Blumkin Home are the Dolls For Democracy. The Dolls, recently donated to the Carl Frohm Archival Center of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, was started in 1950 by B’nai B’rith Women, now the Jewish Women International (JWI), in cooperation with Fellowship House, an interfaith/ interracial program. The Dolls were created
to teach children, through role models, how others overcame obstacles and disadvantages to change the world for the better. The Omaha chapter of JWI had one of the largest Dolls For Democracy collection nationwide. Volunteers worked with the Omaha schools through the 1980s presenting stories of historical figures to students. The Dolls, all handmade, are amazingly realistic looking. Renee Corcoran of the NJHS said that this wonderful collection needed to be shared with the entire community.
David Bowie was into kabbalah and other Jewish facts about the late icon by GABE FRIEDMAN two teenagers became close friends early on (JTA) -- It was clear long before the in their careers when they were both manInternet swelled with heartfelt tributes to aged by Conn. David Bowie that the late musician was an artistic legend. The 69-year-old Englishman, who died Jan. 10 after an 18-month battle with cancer, reinvented himself countless times in a music career that spanned more than five decades. There were stints, too, as a Broadway and Hollywood actor. From his Ziggy Stardust alter ego to his latest album -- a jazzy, avant-garde rock release called Blackstar released just two days before his death -Bowie racked up some interesting David Bowie at a news conference at the Cannes Jewish connections. Below, we give Film Festival in France, May 13, 1983. you five of them. Credit: Ralph Gatti/AFP/Getty Images 1. He was into kabbalah, and sang about it. Tension ensued when Bolan (who was “Here are we, one magical movement born Mark Feld and ate Jewish soul food from kether to malkuth,” Bowie sang in his after concerts) found success years before 1976 song Station to Station. “Kether” and Bowie did. But Bolan’s producer, Tony “malkuth” are two of the 10 elements of the Visconti, eventually began devoting more of kabbalistic tree of life -- the highest and low- his time and energy to Bowie’s albums, est parts, respectively. Despite being high on which began climbing the charts as Bolan cocaine for most of the Station to Station went downhill into alcohol and drug addicalbum’s recording process and describing it tion. Nevertheless, according to the Daily years later as the work of “an entirely differ- Mail, after Bolan died in a 1977 car crash at ent person,” Bowie was fascinated with kab- 29, Bowie quietly gave financial support to balah during this period (decades before Bolan’s wife and son. Madonna made it cool). The back cover of 4. He went through a bit of a Nazi phase. the Station to Station album features Bowie In a drug-induced state leading up to the drawing the kabbalistic tree of life in chalk. release of Station to Station, Bowie was crit2. His first manager was Jewish. icized for saying in an interview that Adolf Les Conn, born to a Jewish family in Hitler was “one of the first rock stars.” In the Stamford Hill, a traditionally Jewish part of same month, he said Britain could “benefit London, failed to make much headway in from a fascist leader.” the music business before connecting with Bowie later assumed a persona called the the 17-year-old Bowie -- then still going by Thin White Duke, which has been described his birth name, David Robert Jones -- in as an “emotionless Aryan superman.” In 1964 through a mutual acquaintance, wash- 1976, he drove up to London’s Victoria ing machine magnate John Bloom. Conn Station in a Mercedes convertible and gave managed to get Jones’ first band some gigs, what was reported to be a Nazi salute. Bowie but he couldn’t sell his talent to The Beatles’ denied the reports and later attributed his publisher, Dick James. When Conn’s con- behavior to the copious amounts of drugs he tract with Jones expired, the rocker left for a was taking at the time. new band and changed his name to Bowie -- 5. He performed in Israel during one of the happiest stages of his life. and the rest is history. 3. He was close to Jewish rockers Lou “I think I would have to be squeezed real Reed and Marc Bolan (in different ways). hard to be happier,” Bowie said in 1996, Bowie connected with Lou Reed, of the fresh off a performance at Hayarkon Park in Velvet Underground, and pop artist Andy Tel Aviv. In a series of videos, Bowie said he Warhol on a trip to the United States in 1971. and his band were in the midst of one of the He later produced Reed’s breakthrough solo best tours of his life. He had recently album Transformer in 1972. When Reed released the experimental album Outside died in 2013, Bowie called him “a master.” and had several other creative projects in the Marc Bolan, lead singer of the glam rock works. “I’ve been trying to go here for years,” band T-Rex, had a more complicated and he said in one of the videos with a smile competitive relationship with Bowie. The shortly after getting off his plane.
January 22, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 5
It’s your legacy
A night of Israeli wine by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life Wine tasting is completely different from drinking it. A wine tasting is the opportunity to slow down and experience the true flavor of a wine using not just the sense of taste but also the senses of sight, smell and touch. Treat yourself to such an experience on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue, with an exploration of the wonderful world of Israeli wine led by Steve Kerbel. Steve, an independent education consultant in the Greater Washington D.C. area, has developed a strong interest in Israeli wines and as, part of his curricula, he facilitates wine tastings featuring Israeli wines. While in Omaha, he will also lead a teacher in-service (see separate article) and speak at Beth El. “The quality and variety of Israel wine continues to expand and improve each year” reports Steve. “Israeli red wine has moved past the early years of featuring primarily cabernet sauvignon and merlot -- and blends of the two -- to more Bordeaux-style blends incorporating other Mediterranean grapes.” Kerbel commented that numerous wineries in Israel are well known in the competition circuit, winning recognition and prizes. “I travel to Israel frequently and visiting wineries is always a part of my itinerary. The relationships I have developed are a bonus, and I learn more with each visit. Having the chance to share my love of Israeli wine with the Omaha community will be a true pleasure.” Included in the line-up for the evening will be the Dalton Unoaked Chardonnay, Tzuba Metzuda Syrah 2010, Tulip Just Merlot 2013, the popular Carmel Moscato Di’ Carmel and several others. Steve will teach about the diverse geography of Israel through its wines and wine makers. He will also discuss how wine has been a part of Jewish tradition and will share information on the various wines he serves at his Seder dinners. Steve also has two strong Omaha connections which made the decision to visit Omaha an easy one. Steve and Scott Littky, Program Director for Temple Israel, have been close friends for years. In fact, Scott reports when people
learned he was returning to Omaha, the first comment many made was “Will Steve be okay?” Scott went on to say, “Steve puts his heart and soul into teaching those who attend his wine tastings to love and appreciate the complexity of Israeli wine.” Rabbi Steven Abraham is a second
Omaha connection for Steve Kerbel. Steve knew Rabbi Abraham long before he ever thought of becoming a rabbi. “I met Steve and his wonderful wife Judy when I was a kid at the synagogue where I grew up, but got to know them better as I entered high school and USY. Without Steve and Judy’s care and guidance, I would not have decided to go to rabbinical school. I didn’t know from kashrut or Shabbat observance and so the Kerbels’ home became a place for me to spend Shabbat and learn what it means to live an observant Jewish life. I am excited for our community to get to meet and learn from Steve.” Prior to his career as a Jewish educator, Steve received a law degree and was in practice for eight years. He is an alumnus of University of Maryland, College Park, where he met his wife, Judy. They have two adult daughters, Abby and Michelle. The Israeli wine tasting event is jointly sponsored by the Center for Jewish Life, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, and Temple Israel. The cost is $12 per person. Reservations may be made by email mkirchhoff@jewish omaha.org or calling 402.334.6445.
C A M PA I G N
KIDS CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
by HOWARD EPSTEIN Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Donors often plan their charitable gifting as part of their estate planning process. Through provisions in their wills, trusts, retirement plans and life insurance, they plan so that their families and their loved ones, as well as the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, their synagogue and other charitable causes will benefit, and for that we are grateful. Increasingly, as many day-to-day personal and business activities have shifted online to electronic communications and e-commerce, an estate plan now encompasses not only planning for after-lifetime distribution and gifting of personal property, real estate, and monetary assets such as bank and investment accounts, but also digital estate planning. It is most common to have online financial accounts, accounts at eBay, Amazon, and other ecommerce sites, and social media accounts such as Facebook and LinkedIn. It is important to protect and preserve online assets, ensure access to those online assets, and ensure that your personal representative has access to and authority to manage electronic assets after your death. I encourage you to make sure your entire estate plan, including your digital estate plan, is up to date. Please visit jfofoundation.org for information that may help you develop an Online Asset ePlan as part of your estate plan. This eNewsletter is meant to be informational and is not professional tax or legal advice. As always, please consult with your financial planner, legal and tax advisors regarding your specific situation. Feel free to contact me at 402.334.6466 or by email at hepstein@jewishomaha.org.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Anna Berkman and Tomi Buchler, visitors from Budapest, will share first-hand knowledge on the revitalization of Jewish life in Hungary on Wednesday, Jan. 27, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
6 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
Kehilla Cup update by STEVE LEVINGER The hotly contested Kehilla Cup Competition is entering its final turn and heading for home. As you may recall, the Kehilla Cup was initiated into the 2016 Jewish Federation of
been working diligently on behalf of Jews in need, both in Omaha and throughout the world. To date, over $100,000 has been raised by the teams; Adam Kutler’s team “OmaChallah” is currently maintaining a commanding lead over the eight other teams. Teams have earned bonus points by taking selfies during their face-toface donor meetings. Tuesday Feb. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the teams will host a Kehilla-thon during which they will reach out via phone and email to those who have not yet pledged to the Annual Campaign. For more information about the Annual Campaign Kehilla Cup, please contact Steve Levinger at 402.334.6433 or slevinger@jewishomaha.org.
NY Mega Challah Bake Jay Gordman, left, and Dan Marburg
Abby Kutler, left, and Josh Wees Omaha Annual Campaign as a fun and exciting way to involve Jewish Omaha community volunteers. It allows them to engage directly with about 500 community campaign donors. The intent is to have casual conversations about Jewish Omaha (and any other topic they chose) and to gain a pledge to this year’s Campaign. Over 80 “Ambassadors” have
by JTA NEWS STAFF NEW YORK (JTA) -- In a record-breaking event, more than 1,100 children participated in a Kids Mega Challah Bake. At the Chabad-sponsored event in Manhattan, children aged 5 to 13 learned to mix and knead their own challah dough, which they then took home to bake. More than 1,000 eggs, 1,000 pounds of flour and 7,000 ounces of water were used. The number of participants, 1,128, broke the record from a similar event in Hong Kong in 2013 that had 426 students, according to Chabad.org. “The energy in the room was unbelievable,” Gillie Shanowitz, co-director of the New York Hebrew School, a Chabad supplemental school in Manhattan and one of the event’s organizers, told Chabad.org. “There was a feeling of total Jewish unity and Jewish pride as people from all walks of Jewish life came together to do a mitzvah.” More than 30 educational institutions, synagogues and other New York groups were represented at the event. Sponsors included the JCC in Manhattan, PJ Library, Hellmann’s Mayo and the UJA-Federation of New York.
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Community building in the classroom by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life On Sunday, Feb. 7 from 12:30-3 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall, Steve Kerbel will conduct a teacher in-service training titled “Building Community in the Classroom.” The training is open to all educators and other interested parties from the Child Development Center, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Friedel Jewish Academy and Temple Israel. It is Kerbel’s belief that creating kehilah (community) among students is key to a successful classroom experience. He explains that this can present a challenge even in a small school where the students know each other well. In this training session, Steve will present a variety of effective methods in creating community. The session will also discuss reflective practices, both themes and practices. Steve is an independent education consultant in the Greater Washington DC area. He has been involved in Jewish education, formal and informal, youth group, camp, day school and congregational school for the past 30 years. Steve’s experience includes serving as Director of Education for Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland and the inaugural Retreat Director of Capital Camps & Retreat Center in Waynesboro, PA. He was Director of Education of Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, a full-time faculty member at the Charles E., Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, and an educational consultant to the Seaboard Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and USY. Steve also earned a law degree and was in private practice for eight years. The in-service training, which includes lunch, is provided free of charge by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. To participate, please RSVP by Feb. 2 to your school director, email mkirchhoff@jewishoma ha.org, or call 402.334.6463.
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January 22, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 7
Guide
Coming in February
Poker, anyone? by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Ante up and join us for a night of poker and fun at our Sterling Ridge Drive Poker Tournament, to be held on Jan. 26 at Temple Israel, 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive. The Poker Tournament will begin with dinner at 6 p.m. and the Tournament will start at 7 p.m. The cost of the event is $50.00 a person. As is past years, Alan Widman will come in from Kansas City to run the tournament. When asked about the tournament, Alan said, “I grew up in Omaha and have been running tournaments for years. I look forward to seeing old friends and to helping Temple Israel have a great night of poker.” You do not have to be a member of Temple Israel to participate and the tournament is open to the community at large. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Scott Littky, Program Director, at 402.556.6536. For more information on any of these events or to RSVP, please contact Scott Littky.
Publishing Date | 02.26.16 Space Reservation | 01.17.16 Camera Ready Deadline | 01.19.16
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Klutznick Learning Series looks at ancient wisdom in the modern world by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life The 2016 Klutznick Learning Series kicks off on Monday, Feb. 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at the JCC. This year’s series, sponsored by the fund of the Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, is titled Pirkei Avot: Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World. The remaining sessions will be held on subsequent Mondays, Feb. 15 and 22, also beginning at 7 p.m. The commandments -- the “Big Ten” in 2014 and “Beyond the Big Ten...” in 2015 -were the topics of discussion in the two previous installments of this Learning Series. The format adopted in 2014 and repeated in 2015 has proven so popular that it will be followed again this year. Each evening will feature two topics from Pirkei Avot. Each topic will include two 15-minute discussions: a clergy member will lead the first section, followed by a discussion on the same topic by a lay member of the community. A Q & A time will follow. The sessions will be unique, hopefully a bit entertaining, and will definitely make you consider new ideas. While everyone is encouraged to attend each week, people are welcome to attend selected sessions without concerns for continuity between sessions. Pirkei Avot (also Pirkei Avoth or Pirkei Avos or Pirke Aboth), in English Chapters of the Fathers, is a compilation of ethical teachings and maxims of the Rabbis of the Mishnaic period, which covers the first two
centuries of the Common Era. Pirkei Avot is the only tractate of the Mishnah dealing solely with ethical and moral principles; it contains little if any halacha (laws). Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, has been instrumental in the planning of the series. “Pirkei Avot is among the most accessible writings of Classical Judaism and speaks to people today much as it did to its original audience two thousand years ago” reports Leonard. He commented that the topic was chosen this year because it logically and chronologically follows the biblical commands discussed during the first two years of the Klutznick Series. The series is available free of charge due to the generous financial support from the fund of the Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. The Klutznick Governance Council includes Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, the Klutznick Chair, along with Bonnie Bloch, Steve Riekes and Marty Shukert. While there is no cost, we ask you RSVP by calling Mark Kirchhoff at 402.334.6463 or you can email mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org. While we finalize all arrangements, we encourage you to mark your calendars for these dates. The series receives organizational and promotional support by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
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Son of Saul nominated for Oscar by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The Hungarian Holocaust film Son of Saul was nominated for the best foreign film Academy Award. The announcement was made early morning on Jan. 14 in a ceremony in Los Angeles. Son of Saul, which tells the story of a Jewish concentration camp inmate forced to help cremate his fellow prisoners, won the Golden Globe on Sunday for best foreign language film. Other Jewish Oscar nominees include Steven Spielberg, producer and director of Bridge of Spies, which made the shortlist for best picture. The film, which tells the story of a Cold War prisoner exchange, is based on a screenplay by filmmaker broth-
ers Joel and Ethan Coen. Also in the running is Israel-born super producer Arnon Milchan, whose Leonardo di Caprio thriller The Revenant is in contention for best picture. Jennifer Jason Leigh was nominated as best supporting actress for her role in the The Hateful Eight, about eight strangers seeking refuge from a blizzard during the American Civil War. The documentary Amy, about the British Jewish singer Amy Winehouse, was nominated for best documentary. Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah, about the director of the epic Holocaust documentary Shoah, was nominated for best documentary short.
16 DIFFERENT SOUPS TO CHOOSE FROM, PLUS A SALAD BAR WITH GRILLED CHICKEN VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!
MARCH 15 | 5:30 TO 7:30 P.M. 11.99 PER PERSON | OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO RSVP, EMAIL JENNIFER ADDISON AT JADDISON@RBJH.COM, OR CALL 402.334.6523 OR 402.334.6522
8 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
American Jewish Life by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor As an immigrant, I find it easier to feel like a “real American” while watching Football. I’m not sure why. Having learned some of the rules helps, because it means I can yell at the umpires. Everyone knows that watching sports is more fun when you can have opinions about the play calling. I’ve never understood the old stereotype about Jews and sports not going well together. We know how busy the JCC is, and the Jewish population bleeds just as Husker red as the rest of the State. Our kids keep many of us busy driving them from game to game, and if there are not that many Jews in American pro sports, well, we’re only 2 % of the population, so that is not a surprise. In their article, The 20 Biggest Stereotypes in Sports History, Jose Martinez and Justin Block write: “Like the Asian stereotype, Jews have long been cast as white collar professionals. They're accountants, executives, and business people -- not tough and tumble athletes. There's no way their overprotective, coddling mothers would ever let them strap on a football helmet.” (Complex.com) It’s a stereotype wrapped in another stereotype: we’re bad at sports and we’re good with money, all because of overprotective mothers? And a tough athlete cannot be also successful in business? It’s odd that a stereotype that seems so simplistic and limited yet seems so hard to get rid of. Blame the movies, says Nathan Abrahams in Hollywood’s Stereotype of the Wimpy Jew Refuses to Die. For decades, the Woody Allen-like, bookish, nebbishe Jew who can’t hit a ball to save his life has been perpetuated on the silver screen.
And remember Airplane? One of the passengers asks for some “light reading,” and the flight attendant hands her a thin pamphlet titled “Jews in sports.” Abrahams states:
and/or in order to assimilate into the Greco-Roman world. (Haaretz.com) He continues: “It was during this period, and certainly before the Common Era, that the rabbis first sought to prevent Jews from becoming practicing athletes or even to be interested in arena events. They emphasized the primacy of observing Jewish law, the mitzvot. If rabbis did encourage Jews to look after their bodies and maintain their physical fitness, it was to be better able to fulfill the mitzvot.” As a historical perspective, that makes sense. But illustrating why we wouldn’t doesn’t explain why so many people in modern times think we can’t (although a case can be made that not much has changed in the sports arenas since those early days). Either way, the stereotype itself emphasizes a physical weakness rather than a moral or historical choice. And that fits right in with modern-day racist thought, which focuses on the myth of inferior DNA. Temple University Associate Professor (and rabbi) Rebecca Alpert writes: “Studying Jews and sports as a way to understand secular Judaism made perfect sense to me. I'm interBefore Super Bowl XXXIX, Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, FL ested in how sport helps us confront questions of Credit: CT Liotta via Wikimedia Commons American Jewish life and understand Jews as a cultur“The stereotype has an extensive history. In classical times al group in the United States. Sports have provided an outlet sport, as it then existed, clashed with Judaism’s system of for Jewish acculturation into the larger society.” (JBooks.com) beliefs and values. The ancient Greeks combined physical Seeing the stereotype as a stepping-stone in the process of and spiritual activities. They used sports, especially the cultural assimilation does, indeed, seem logical. Of course, Olympics, as a sacred rite to honor their gods. Jews who par- this opens a Pandora’s Box of questions about whether assimticipated, therefore, were rejecting their religious and ethnic ilation is always a good thing, and whether sports really matorigins, as a statement of profound dissent from Jewish life ter that much. But that is an editorial for a different day.
On MLK remembrance, Jews should embrace re-energized movement for black rights by MARC SCHNEIER NEW YORK (JTA) -- Over the past two years, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” has embedded itself into the consciousness -- and conscience -- of America. The hashtag #BlackLives Matter emerged in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and quickly became ubiquitous on social media. In the more than two years since, Black Lives Matter has morphed into a social movement, as thousands of people of diverse backgrounds turned out for protests against the killing of unarmed black people by police officers in cities across the country. In recent months, groups operating under the rubric of Black Lives Matter have employed confrontational tactics, blocking interstate highways, occupying malls and airports, and interfering with freedom of movement in ways that easily could have caused life-threatening situations. On some college campuses, supporters of Black Lives Matter have demanded that punitive actions be taken against their critics in ways that would violate principles of free speech. Furthermore, the movement has taken on a strongly antiIsrael taint, which is making it increasingly hard for members of the Jewish community to give it our unreserved support. These trends are deeply concerning, but they should not distract us from the profound truth that tragically, throughout American history, black lives have not mattered. As we mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us never forget that the vast majority of African-Americans in this country were held as property, without human or civil rights, from the moment the first slave ship docked in Jamestown in 1619 until Abraham Lincoln emancipated the slaves nearly 250 years later. After that, blacks endured nearly a century of segregation, lynchings and the systematic denial of their right to vote that ended only with the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Even
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today, Americans need to find solutions to endemic problems like police brutality, deficient schools and housing in urban areas, and the mass incarceration of young black men if we are to finally to live up to our national ideals that all people are created equal and entitled to equal protection under the law.
A demonstrator holding a sign during a moment of silence for victims of police brutality, in Oakland, California, Aug. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 14, 2014. I am proud that for the American Jewish community, black lives have always mattered. That is as it should be, for we are a people who know vividly what it is like to have our humanity denied. It was our deep identification with another persecuted community that caused so many American Jews to march against segregation and go to the South as Freedom Riders during the 1960s. Several, like Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, lost their lives at the hands of white supremacists. We will never forget the stirring friendship between Dr. King and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and other national Jewish leaders during the civil rights era. We should also remember brave Southern rabbis like Rabbi Jacob 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. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos
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Rothschild, senior rabbi of The Temple in Atlanta, and Rabbi Perry Nussbaum of Congregation Beth Israel in Jackson, Mississippi, whose outspoken advocacy led to their synagogues being firebombed. Even while calling upon the Black Lives Matter movement to rid itself of its anti-Israel stain, which has manifested in slogans like “From Ferguson to Palestine” and demands that Jews supporting the movement denounce Israel, we should remember that Dr. King, a tireless advocate for Israel, faced similar pressures to denounce the Jewish state. Dr. King refused to do so. In the wake of Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, the blackJewish alliance that had been so important during the civil rights era deteriorated, reaching its nadir during the antiSemitic rioting in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in 1991. Since then, we have seen a heartening rebirth in that relationship. Thankfully, today's mainstream black leaders are staunch supporters of Israel's right to live in peace and security. While some of these leaders have criticized aspects of Israeli policy, they all understand there is no contradiction between supporting the elemental right of African-Americans to equality and justice and upholding the right of the Jewish people to self-determination. Jews should embrace the new activist energy and demand for justice for African-Americans while saying no to radical parts of the Black Lives Matter movement -- especially the anti-Israel component, which if not corrected will undercut its moral clarity and overall effectiveness. If we are patient and firm in our advocacy, good sense will carry the day. The past half century has shown that the African-American and Jewish communities are natural allies. Even when there are disagreements, we ultimately come back together. Rabbi Marc Schneier is author of “Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Jewish Community” and president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the
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January 22, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 9
Inclusion is not for everyone by HUGH AND ESTHER BERGKNOFF (JTA) -- By its very nature, mental illness is an isolating experience. People who live with it experience their own realities that are not tethered to the commonly shared view of reality. They often think, feel and see things differently than those without these illnesses. The current movement touting inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life -- and intolerance of any programs or congregate living situations for people with disabilities -- belies its own stigma against this population. For some disabilities inclusion activists, it is inconceivable that people living with mental illness would choose to live with others facing the shared life challenge of mental illness. Our son lives with mental illness within mainstream society. He lives near us in an apartment in a diverse and comparatively tolerant area of the U.S. To our knowledge he has only been approached by police three or four times for acting too strangely, and he has only been beaten up once. When he was working, our son lived in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate who abused him financially. He has no friends and no consistent contact with friendly people. Stress is the enemy of people with mental illness. It can exacerbate their symptoms and cause hospitalizations. The ideal living situation for someone with mental health issues is the one that is the least stressful. Stressors are unique to each individual. The ultimate decision of where a person would like to live, and under what conditions, should be his/her own. To insist that every person with a mental illness live in the community is paternalistic. For nearly two decades, Israel has been home to a remarkably innovative program for the mentally ill -- providing for the residential, social and vocational needs of people with mental illness. At Kishorit, a kibbutz in the western Galilee, the mentally
ill and those with other disabilities find a home that offers them the necessities that are so difficult and stressful for them to arrange on their own. Members are offered a full range of options: to live in the kibbutz setting alongside a mainstream community of typical families, or in Kishorit’s supported apartments in the nearby city of Carmiel; to work in the general community or in one of the kibbutz’s own
Kishorit, a kibbutz in the western Galilee, is home to those with mental illness and those with other disabilities. Credit: Esther Bergknoff businesses; to enjoy leisure time activities in the kibbutz and/or beyond. Including the person in these and other decisions about his or her life should be the true goal of the inclusion movement. As in other kibbutzim, housing and services for life are assured. People with disabilities become part of a community, helping one another in a caring network. Meaningful work is arranged, taking the interests, particular skills and needs of each individual into account. Experienced staff
provides specialized guidance, so difficult to arrange in society at large. In Israel, kibbutzim are often organized for people with some common bond. The establishment of a kibbutz whose members share the commonality of living with a life-altering challenge is consistent with the kibbutz movement. Accepting the validity of a kibbutz, the majority of whose members are disabled in diverse ways, as one would accept the validity of a vegetarian kibbutz or a religious kibbutz is the essence of inclusivity. Perhaps personal experience in caring for and about people who live with mental illness is necessary for understanding what a treasure Kishorit is. As soon as our adult son and we stepped into the kibbutz, we felt we had stepped into a world that encompassed everything that would be good for him -- a pleasant, welcoming physical home, people with whom he could be comfortable immediately, a place where he could use his strengths to help others and a place with real options for work. The Israeli government and philanthropists need to know and understand that there are tens of thousands of people who could benefit from living in places following the Kishorit model. It will, in the most optimistic scenario, be many years before services offered by the “community” expand to encompass our son’s needs. And that is only if someone realistically and knowledgeably assesses his situation to determine his needs. Even if that day comes, the richness of his life will never compare with the richness of the life he could live at Kishorit. Hugh and Esther Bergknoff, have worked together for many years both professionally and as partners parenting their five children. Hugh is a physician and Esther is his office manager. They have a long history of caring for and about people living with mental illness.
Obama’s action not enough to end gun violence in the home by MARLA HORNSTEN and ARI LORGE WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In the well-known story from the opening chapters of Genesis, we read the sparse narrative of an intimate relationship that turns violent. Writing of the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, Russel Jacoby, author of Bloodlust: On the Roots of Violence from Cain and Abel to the Present, points out that victims are most at risk in their intimate relationships. “Cain knew his brother -- he talked with Abel -- and [yet] slew him afterward,” Jacoby writes. Statistics show not only that guns in the hands of those who commit domestic violence often lead to murder, but that violence is more often perpetrated by family members or intimate acquaintances than by strangers. Fifty-five percent of women murdered by intimate partners are killed with a gun. Yet current federal law fails to protect a growing population of victims and survivors of domestic violence, children as well as adults. President Barack Obama’s recent effort through executive action to improve enforcement and clarify definitions regarding existing regulations on the sale of firearms is a welcome step toward changing the direction of the national discussion on gun violence. We support what the president has ordered: more effective enforcement of existing laws and a clarification of language that defines who is “engaged in the business” of gun sales. But as welcome as these steps are, Congress still needs to address the dangerous and often lethal connection between domestic violence and guns. Federal law currently prohibits
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only some convicted abusers from buying or owning guns. Those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence against a current or former dating partner, or misdemeanor stalking, can still legally buy and own guns. And the presence of a gun in an abusive relationship increases the homicide risk for a woman by 500 percent.
President Barack Obama shedding tears at the White House as he talks about the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, Jan. 5, 2015. Credit: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images The Jewish textual tradition has long grappled with the roots of violence among intimates. But our tradition also understands that such intellectual wrestling is not enough – we also have an obligation to act.
That is why, as religious leaders, we are supporting two pending pieces of legislation -- the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act in the U.S. Senate -- that would prohibit the purchase or possession of guns by those convicted of any acts of domestic violence. Perhaps Americans, still recovering from the shock of one mass killing after another and bruised by polarizing political rhetoric, will yet reach areas of consensus and cooperation. People of good will can and should find it possible to agree on small but significant steps that can reduce both the level of violence and the risk associated with guns. By closing loopholes in existing laws, where the scope and intent of the act is clear, we are not engaging in polemics or in politically motivated rhetoric. Rather we are seeking to strengthen existing laws designed to protect victims of domestic violence. Given what is known about how guns can quickly escalate domestic disputes into murder, we urge Congress to pass these bills. If Americans may still learn any lesson from the tragic story of Cain and Abel, it is that we are, in fact, our brother’s -- and sister’s and partner’s and parent’s and children’s -- keeper. Rabbi Marla Hornsten of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Rabbi Ari Lorge, of Central Synagogue in New York, are co-chairs of Jewish Women International’s clergy task force on domestic abuse in the Jewish community.
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10 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our Monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Gary Nachman, who will speak about his winery, Rainwood Vineyards, the first licensed winery in Douglas County. Oneg to follow service. Please join us! Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! Larry Blass will officiate the Speaker Series Service. 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. Tribute cards for any occasion are available. Contact Sissy at 311 Oak Ridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 or 402.292.8062.
SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 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.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
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: Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Family Shabbat led by 4th and 5th Grade BESTT Students, 6 p.m. followed by dinner; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. SATURDAY: Morning Services/Sisterhood Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kugel Kiddush Lunch; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Learn to Read Hebrew with the Hazzan, 10 a.m.; Mitzvah Fair for Grades 3-5, 10:15 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.; Sunday Scholar Series, 11 a.m., with Dr. Moshe Gershovich on Love for France and Passion for Judaism: Adolphe Crémieux and the Alliance Israélite Universelle; USY/Kadima Ice Skating, 12:15 p.m. Lunch followed by ice skating at Tranquility Iceplex, 125th & Maple; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Tu B’Shevat Seder, 4 p.m. TUESDAY: Who Wrote the Bible? Lunch and Learn, noon with Rabbi Abraham. WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; USY/Kadima Lounge Night, 5 p.m.; Who Wrote the Bible? Minyan and More, 6:15 p.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi Bradley Artson, Friday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Jan. 31 Kadima Spaghetti Feed supporting Friends of the IDF, Sunday, Jan. 31, 12:30 p.m. USY Bowling, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2:30 p.m. at Maplewood Lanes. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: FRIDAY Night Live! Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Barb Straus. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Beshallach. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Community Shabbat Shirah Celebration, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel with guest performer Elizabeth Grunin, playing pieces for unaccompanied cello by Holocaust survivor and composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg. WEDNESDAY: LJCS classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Judge for Yourself Part I of II, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Lewis. A fun and engaging look at the book of Judges and what the stories mean to us today. The second session Feb. 4 – come for one session or both if you can! Sha-ba-ba-bat Family Dinner and Service, Friday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m. Note: A Host Family is needed. 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@southstreettemple.org.
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, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:10 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Shabbat Classes, 9:45 a.m.; 15 mins after Kiddush -- Mishna L’Neshamah and Teen Class; Monthly Simcha Kiddush, noon; Insights into Weekly Torah Portion, 4:25 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:14 p.m.; Star Wars Trilogy, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m.; Monthly Kids Craft & Class, 12:15 p.m.; Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m.; Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. THURSDAY: Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Scholar’s Club for 6th Grade, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. Star Wars & Learning, Saturday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. at Majestic Theatre (RSVP Required).
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
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. with Beth Israel. SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Marty Shukert. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Shira, 6 p.m. Don’t miss this wonderful Shabbat Shira musical experience! Temple Israel’s Kol Rina and the St. Paul United Methodist Church choir are combining voices under the direction of Cantor Shermet and Jerry Brabec. Come enjoy these settings of Psalm 150. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Isabella Cooper, daughter of Julie and Jeff Cooper, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Mitzvah Fair for Grades 3 and 4, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El; Baby Brunch For Children under 1 year and their parents, 10:30 a.m. for children under one year and their parents led by Dani Howell. This is a great opportunity to meet other families with babies, schmooze with our clergy and staff. There will be toys and a safe place for your babies to play on the floor. For more information, please contact Interim Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon, 402.556.6536. You can drop in or you can let Sharon Comisar-Langdon know you are coming; Introduction to Hebrew Class with Eliad, 11 a.m. If you’re interested in learning a little Hebrew or brushing up on your basic Hebrew, then this class is for you; Temple TED Talk, 11 a.m. “The story of Fred and Leroy - my mom has autism,” by Wendy Hamilton, a new member of Temple Israel; Kol Rina
Candlelighting Friday, January 22, 5:10 p.m. and St. Paul Choir at Service, 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street; OTYG Board Meeting with Lunch, 12:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Poker Tournament, 6 p.m. Cost is $50 and includes dinner and tournament. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Program Director Scott Littky, 402.556.6536. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Chapel for School Service, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi Brown; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; All the News that is Fit for the Jews, 6:30 p.m. with Scott Littky. THURSDAY: All the News that is Fit for the Jews, 10 a.m. with Scott Littky; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 7 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Community Shabbat Shirah Celebration, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: LJCS classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Our guest performer is Elizabeth Grunin, playing pieces for unaccompanied cello by Holocaust survivor and composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg. Pancakes and Pajamas PJ Library Event, Sunday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. Children ages 1-12 are invited. PJ’s and Pancakes will feature story time and eating breakfast for dinner! There is no charge for this program, however, families are encouraged to donate a new pair of pajamas which can be given to a child in need. Please inform Nava in the office if you are able to join this program with members of your family. RSVP by Jan. 24. Don’t forget to wear your pajamas!
Bat Mitzvah Daisy Friedman, daughter of Joey Hoffman, Josh Friedman and Susi Amendola, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Temple Israel. Daisy is a seventh-grade Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. She is also a member of Westside’s Excellence in Youth Program. Her interests include acting, singing, writing, reading, photography, and stand-up comedy. For her mitzvah project, Daisy chose to volunteer with Nebraska Medicine’s pediatric patients. “I just want to make them happy,” she said. She and an eight-year-old girl -- also named Daisy -- FaceTimed, shared stories, laughs, and agreed that birthday cake ice cream’s the best. Daisy also assisted in Nebraska Medicine’s Public Relations office, wrote a blog, and assembled gift boxes for hospitalized kids, for their birthdays, and for a pick-me-up. She has two sisters, Terra Goulden and Gracie Gillespie. Grandparents are Gail and Richard Hoffman of Larchmont, NY, and Laura and Robert Friedman of Great Barrington, MA. Late great-grandparents include Inez and Philip Panfiel, Paula and Joseph Hoffman, Jesse and Rebecca Goldberg, and Ida and Jimmy Friedman.
To submit announcements: B’nai Mitzvah announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@ jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m.
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January 22, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 11
In memoriam STUART EDWARD MUSKIN Stuart Edward Muskin passed away on Jan. 17 at age 93. Services were held Jan. 19 at Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California Street, Omaha. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Bettie Muskin, three sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Linda Muskin, Bruce and Mary-Beth Muskin, and Michael Muskin and Diane Murata; grandchildren: Tracy and Randy Gordon, Scott and Andrea Muskin, Anne and Matt Brower, Emily Muskin and Zachary Muskin; great-grandchildren: Grant, Josh, Calvin, and Maggie Gordon, and Campbell Muskin. Stuart was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was born in Omaha and graduated from Central High School and the University of Nebraska. He enlisted in the army and later served his country in World War II, earning a purple heart for his wounds.
Stuart’s roots were in Nebraska and with a partner they owned and operated Babytown/Youngtown stores in this area for 41 Years. In “retirement” he tutored many people from all parts of Omaha in basic skills helping them pass their high school equivalency tests (GED). He was also active on the SCORE desk in consulting future business owners or people wanting advice in the business world. A life long sports lover, he was an avid golfer (five hole in ones) and a devoted Husker, Bluejay and CWS fan, attending games until very recently. Most of all Stuart treated people kindly and was well respected by the range of people he touched in his long life. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 323 S. 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154 or the Anti Defamation League (Plain States Region).
60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
of want more from him.” The improvement in Sanders’ fortunes has prompted Clinton to take a sharper turn toward her principal Democratic challenger in recent days. Rabinowitz said that while a Sanders victory in both states would complicate Clinton’s run, it would not derail it. “The momentum certainly turns his way, and it becomes much more of a campaign,” said Rabinowitz, who runs a Washington communications firm and consults for a number of liberal and Jewish groups. “But the national numbers are changing very little, and you can’t read too much into Iowa and New Hampshire.” Mik Moore, a political strategist who in 2008 helped create The Great Shlep, a campaign encouraging young Jews to lobby their Florida grandparents to support Barack Obama, agreed that Iowa and New Hampshire are sui generis: Iowa’s Democrats trend to the liberal end of the party and New Hampshire tends to favor candidates from neighboring states. But Moore said early wins for Sanders in those states, combined with national polls showing Sanders outperforming Clinton against Republicans, could bring out voters who favor Sanders but doubt he can ultimately beat Clinton. “Those two factors could shift the viability factor for voters,” said Moore. “There’s a subset of Democrats who would prefer Bernie but who have decided he can’t win and decided they will support Clinton.” Even if Sanders does squeak out a win in Iowa or New Hampshire, polls show he still faces an uphill climb. Clinton remains strong in Nevada, the third early voting state. She also consistently outperforms Sanders in many of the 11 states that go to the polls on March 1, particularly those in the South. JTA senior writer Uriel Heilman contributed reporting from New Hampshire.
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Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $225. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6448 or call 1-800-369-2850. ROCK CREEK Renegades - Modern & Black Powder & Early American Trade Fair, Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln, NE, January 23, 9:00-5:00; January 24, 9:00-4:00. Admission: $5.00, two-day $8.00. BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308872-8327. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 170 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. SEALAND MARINE Omaha Boat Trailer Show. Jan 20th-23rd. Discounts Rebates Bennington Alumacraft Regal Stingray, Doolittle Look Trailers. 10702 S 144th St., Omaha. www.SealandBoats.com 402-334-8232 VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln. 402-472-0063. 6th Anniversary Sale! January 16-31, 10-7 Daily. 50 Dealers. New selections arrive daily! Antiques, collectibles, jewelry.
DESIGNER WANTED for Advertising/Graphic Arts position, full time. Familiar with Adobe Suite, good creative, typing and organization skills. Qualified applicants wanted, but will train right person. Competitive wages/benefits. Jim or Julie Dickerson, Albion News, Albion, NE. Email: albnnuz@frontiernet.net; phone: 402-395-2115. PHARMACY DIRECTOR, southeast Nebraska Critical Access Hospital. Requires BS Pharmacy, excellent organizational, customer service and planning skills. Experience in healthcare pharmacy management preferred. Competitive salary, benefits. Apply at www.jchc.us. For information call HR at 402-7296850. PLANT OPS/Safety/Emergency Preparedness Director, southeast Nebraska Critical Access Hospital. Requires bachelor’s, excellent organizational, customer service, planning skills. Experience: safety management, OSHA, environmental safety, Homeland Security preferred. Competitive compensation. Apply: www.jchc.us. Information: HR 402-729-6850. FIRE CHIEF, Spearfish, SD. Responsible for overall operation of the Fire Department. EOE. For requirements and details on this position visit our Website www.cityofspearfish.com.
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To celebrate our 25th year of Hoops, we’re giving away prizes all weekend, including 2 Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speakers. All players and coaches listed on the roster are eligible.
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Are Jews feeling ‘the Bern’? by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Talk of a Bernie Sanders presidency has suddenly become a lot more serious. Recent polling shows the independent Vermont senator and Democratic presidential hopeful dramatically improving his prospects in the first two primary states against front-runner Hillary Clinton. Two polls out this week -- by the Des Moines Register and Quinnipiac University -- showed Clinton’s 9-point lead in Iowa dwindling from the past month, with Sanders pulling ahead in the latter survey, a dramatic shift from December, when the university found Clinton leading Sanders in Iowa, 50-41. Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Marist polls also showed tighter races in both states, with Clinton leading 48-45 percent in Iowa -- an effective dead heat with the 4.8 percentage point margin of error -- and Sanders leading 50-46 percent in New Hampshire, also within the 4.8 percent margin of error. It’s unclear if the Sanders surge in the polls is paralleled by a rise in his standing among Jews. The only poll available, conducted back in September by the American Jewish Committee, suggests Clinton has strong Jewish support. The poll showed Clinton as the preferred candidate by 40 percent of Jewish voters, with just 18 percent opting for Sanders. Steve Rabinowitz,who runs a Washington communications firm and helped launch Jewish Americans Ready for Hillary, a pro-Clinton fundraising group, said an early Sanders win could capture younger Jewish voters, but that the important community of Jewish donors remains committed to Clinton. “God love him, but our community is not feeling ‘the Bern,’” said Rabinowitz. “He does not deny [his Judaism], he does not shrink from it, when asked about it he says the right thing -but we’d like it on his sleeve. It’s not a litmus test, but we kind
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12 | The Jewish Press | January 22, 2016
It’s more than a donation.
Rabbi Steven & Shira Abraham Michael & Sheri Abramson Michael Albert Anonymous (21) Joyce Ashley John Atherton & Marti Rosen-Atherton Elyce & Aryeh Azriel Bob Belgrade Sandra Belgrade Mark & Jill Belmont Harry Berman & Beth Cohen Bonnie Rae Bloch Steven R. Bloch Beth Brodkey Ron Brodkey Carrie & Josh Brown Elliot Brown Michelle Byrnes David & Karla Cohen Marla & Bob Cohen Drs. Michael & Karen Cohen & Family Pam Cohn Justin Cooper Ronald & Cheryl Cooper Hal & Mary Daub Arthur L. Davidson Betsy G. Davidson Larry & Hanna DeBruin
t’s your legacy.
The future of our Omaha Jewish community is in your hands. Please join these generous donors and make a LIFE & LEGACY gift today.
Deborah Denenberg Norman & Eunice Denenberg Pam & Dennis DePorte Harold Epstein Howard & Sharon Epstein Richard Evnen James & Judy Farber Yonatan & Liz Feldstern Toby Fellman Cantor Leo & Annette Fettman Glen H. & Hollie Fineman Alan J. Fredricks Joanne & Jerry Freeman Robyn & Bob Freeman Amy & Sanford Friedman Lloyd D. & Lois N. Friedman Trust Lois N. Friedman Lynne Friedel Gellman H. Lee & Carol Gendler Charitable Fund Donald Gerber Dan & Sarah Gilbert David Gilinsky & Katherine Finnegan Ronald Giller Darlene & Sherman* Golbitz Gary & Barbara Goldstein Alan Goodman*
David & Shirley Goodman Andie Gordman & Dan Fitzgerald Jay & Allison Gordman Linda & Jerry Gordman Steven Gottlieb Andy & Carole Greenberg Barton H. & Caryl B.* Greenberg Joshua & Amanda Gurock Mendy & Michael Halsted M'Lee Hasslinger Kathy Goldstein Helm Bonnie Kuklin Horwich Jon Jabenis Randi Friedel Jablin Joan Sandler Jacobson Richard Jacobson Gary & Karen Javitch Patrick Jensen Sylvia Jess Debbi Josephson Frances Juro Richard Juro Marcel & Ilse Kahn Gary & Sally Kaplan Myron Kaplan Russ Kaplan Beatrice Karp Gloria C. Kaslow Howard J. Kaslow Cookie Katskee
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Mary-Beth Muskin Gary Nachman Murray & Sharee Newman Allan S. Noddle Patty Nogg Steve Nogg Alan S. Parsow Carol Parsow Margo Frohman Parsow Marcia & Steve Pitlor James & Susan Polack Alan E. Potash Mary & Joel Rich Philip & Diane Rich Marty & Iris Ricks Ari Riekes Carl & Zoë Riekes Steven J. & Margo Riekes Silvia G. Roffman Debbie & Lloyd Roitstein Susan Rothholz Lynne-Carol Saltzman Rosalie & Milton* Saylan Carol* & Ed Schneider Jeff Schweid Aviva Segall & Patrick McNamara Mr. and Mrs. Ben Shapiro Sherry & Larry Shapiro Len Burrell & Cantor Wendy Shermet Gary & Liat Shyken
Paul Shyken Susann Shyken Esther Silver Gerald & Judy Simons Nancy B. Skid Carolyn “Rocky” Stern David Keiser & Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Louri Sullivan Barry H. Summer Marilyn & Steven Tipp Irving & Gail Veitzer Norman & Joodi Veitzer John & Donna Walter Jim & Esther Wax Aaron Weiner & Therese Vaughn Harry M. Weiner Kathy Weiner Nancy L. Wolf Renee & Jeff Zacharia Charlotte & Morley Zipursky Sally & Jim Zipursky Deborah & Speedy (Dr. Eugene) Zweiback Rosie Zweiback & Mace Hack *Of Blessed Memory Donor list as of Jan. 13, 2016
Help secure the financial future of Omaha’s Jewish community through the LIFE & LEGACY™ initiative. LIFE & LEGACY is a collaboration between the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and our local Jewish partner organizations: The Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Agencies, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, Chabad House, Anti-Defamation League/CRC, Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, and Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.
Your gift will help secure the financial future of Omaha’s Jewish community. Contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director 402-334-6466, hepstein@jewishomaha.org
Margo Parsow, LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator 402-334-6432, mparsow@jewishomaha.org